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This fundamental investigation aimed to deliver a new theoretical perspective to address the brain drain problem from Northeast China. The amenity theory could provide a robust ideological foundation that enables cities to attract talent and drive urban innovation and development. This study explores the spatial–temporal pattern evolution of talent inflow to Northeast China based on data from the China Migrant Dynamic Survey (CMDS) from 2012 to 2018. It utilizes spatial analysis methods and geographic detectors to interpret the factors that influence the spatial heterogeneity of talent inflow from the perspective of urban amenities. The following results were obtained. First, the trend in the number of talent inflows displays an initial increase followed by fluctuations before inflow destinations are concentrated in four major cities and certain resource-based cities in Northeast China. Second, a high-quality labor force is engaged in varied industries. Talents with different academic qualifications could avail themselves of diverse employment choices, primarily in information transmission, software, and information technology services. Those with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees could find positions in the education industry. Third, the talent flow mode has gradually changed from interprovincial to intercity movements within a particular province. However, the mode of talent flow differs according to discrete academic qualifications. Most postgraduates choose the interprovincial flow, and undergraduates and junior college students predominantly select the intercity flow within a particular province. Fourth, the inflow of talent to destinations in Northeast China is based on artificial amenities and tends toward cities that offer efficient public services, abundant leisure facilities, and innovative soft and hard environments. The major factors that affect the spatial differentiation in talent inflow to a city include the number of hospital beds per 10,000 people, scientific research, creative practitioners, talent-related policies, exhibition halls and other leisure and entertainment venues, and average housing prices in the city. Most interactions between artificial environment amenity factors and other elements are better than their individual effects, especially the interactive configuration of affordable urban housing prices, high-quality public resources, such as education and health care, and abundant leisure and entertainment facilities.
Zhang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.