This paper provides a method for choosing alternative industries for resource-based cities that are confronted with resource depletion and have to restructure their industries for future development. The method integrates intra- and inter-regional comparative advantages in a two-dimensional matrix model. We applied this method in an empirical study of Jiaozuo city, China and found that the size of the pool of alternative industries depends on the strictness of the selection criteria. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.