The study looked at how different areas in Greater Beijing, China developed over time using spatial analysis techniques. They found that from 1978 to 2001, certain regions in Greater Beijing formed new clusters, leading to a stronger overall pattern of development. The analysis also showed that there was a shift from a clear divide between urban and rural areas to a new divide between north and south regions. The researchers discovered that traditional statistical methods were not enough to explain the patterns, so they used a more advanced spatial regression model. This model revealed that certain factors, like foreign investment and government spending, had different levels of influence on regional development over time.