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A new type of urbanization policy and transition of low-carbon society: A "local- neighborhood" perspective

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  • Li, Shuoshuo
  • Liu, Yaobin
  • Elahi, Ehsan
  • Meng, Xiao
  • Deng, Weifeng

Abstract

This study aims to develop a framework linking New-Type Urbanization (NTU) and carbon emissions, considering both direct and spillover effects. Firstly, the paper constructs a multi-dimensional index to measure NTU and documents the spatial patterns of NTU levels in China, showing remarkable inequality between the eastern and western regions. Secondly, the study evaluates the effectiveness of pilot policies aimed at achieving Smart City and NTU goals. Using the Difference-in-Difference model based on panel data collected from 108 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2006 to 2019, the study provides empirical evidence that these policies can significantly reduce carbon emissions in terms of production and consumption. Moreover, the study finds that the policies have significant spatial spillover effects on neighboring cities based on the Spatial Panel Durbin Model. The findings suggest that such policies can effectively reduce carbon emissions in areas with significant human activity and have important policy implications for achieving sustainable development in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Shuoshuo & Liu, Yaobin & Elahi, Ehsan & Meng, Xiao & Deng, Weifeng, 2023. "A new type of urbanization policy and transition of low-carbon society: A "local- neighborhood" perspective," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:131:y:2023:i:c:s0264837723001758
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2023.106709
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    2. Dacan Li & Xiaoyu Zhang & Albert D. Lau & Yuanyuan Gong, 2025. "The Impact of Smart City Construction on the Spatial Distribution of Urban Carbon Emissions Based on the Panel Data Analysis of 277 Prefecture-Level Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-28, May.
    3. Luo, Haotian, 2025. "Does smart city construction exacerbate capital misallocation? Spatial spillovers, digital transformation, and robotics application," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 328-344.
    4. Tanhua Jin & Kailai Wang & Yanan Xin & Jian Shi & Ye Hong & Frank Witlox, 2023. "Is A 15-minute City within Reach in the United States? An Investigation of Activity-Based Mobility Flows in the 12 Most Populous US Cities," Papers 2310.14383, arXiv.org.

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