Strategic Analysis of Shenzhen’s Sports City Development: An Exploration Based on SWOT and PEST Frameworks

Abstract

The current global competitive landscape is increasingly intense, with competition shifting from the national level to urban centers. In this context, urban sports play a critical role in enhancing the competitiveness of cities and serve as one of the key indicators of the growing global sports economy. As a leading global economic city, Shenzhen still faces considerable gaps in its development of urban sports when compared to other advanced global sports cities. This paper, employing the SWOT and PEST analysis frameworks, provides a comprehensive assessment of both the internal and external environments for Shenzhen’s ambition to become an internationally renowned sports city. The findings indicate that Shenzhen possesses significant advantages in areas such as economic strength, technological innovation, a youthful demographic, and an international development strategy. However, it also faces challenges, including limited land resources, a foundational weakness in sports culture, and a shortage of professional talent. The paper further examines the influence of factors such as national policies, the economic environment, social demands, and technological advancements on Shenzhen’s sports city development, and proposes strategic recommendations for promoting the high-quality growth of Shenzhen’s sports sector.