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The heat island effect, digital technology, and urban economic resilience: Evidence from China

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  • Cheng, Xuanmei
  • Ge, Fangting
  • Xu, Mark
  • Li, Ying

Abstract

This study examines the nexus between urban economic resilience and the heat island effect in China. It also scrutinizes the potential mediating role of digital technology and the moderating effects of talent gathering and regional advantage, based on panel data from three metropolitan regions in China for the period 2006–2022. Its findings indicate that urban economic resilience significantly mitigates the heat island effect, digital technology mediates this relationship, and the moderators talent gathering and regional advantage significantly influence this relationship. Additionally, the spatial spillover effects of urban economic resilience on the heat island effect were found to be positive in these regions. Based on the empirical findings, this study offers valuable insights for policymaking, namely, that resilient urban economies are better equipped to adapt to climate change and environmental challenges, which enables them to implement effective mitigation measures for the heat island effect and influence broader regional climate dynamics.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng, Xuanmei & Ge, Fangting & Xu, Mark & Li, Ying, 2024. "The heat island effect, digital technology, and urban economic resilience: Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:209:y:2024:i:c:s0040162524006000
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123802
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    Cited by:

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    2. Cheng, Xuanmei & Teng, Fangfei & Lucey, Brian M. & Du, Anna Min & Li, Chengnan, 2025. "Experience and cautious decision-making: Executive green background, environmental investment, and informal institutions," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    3. Chen, KanXiang & Teng, Fangfei & Razzaq, Asif & Li, Chengnan, 2025. "Climate conditions, credit risk cycles, and technological progress: Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    4. Hao Yang & Hao Zeng, 2025. "Impact of Changes in Blue and Green Spaces on the Spatiotemporal Evolution of the Urban Heat Island Effect in Ningbo and Its Implications for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-20, May.
    5. Jingyuan Zhang & Jusheng Song & Jiaming Zeng, 2025. "Toward Resilience: Assessing Retail Location’s Complex Impact Mechanism Using PLS-SEM Aided by Machine Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-26, August.
    6. Du, Yanan & Wang, Qingxi & Song, Yan & Xin, Yueji, 2025. "How cross-regional collaborative innovation networks affect regional economic resilience: Evidence from 283 cities in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    7. Huang, Donglan & Xu, Guoteng & Li, Chengjiang & Yang, Shu, 2025. "Effects of high-tech industrial agglomeration and innovation on regional economic development in China: Evidence from spatial-temporal analysis and Spatial Durbin Model," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 692-712.
    8. Zhao, Lijuan & Shi, Junhong & Tao, Ya, 2025. "The impact and mechanism of digital finance on urban economic resilience," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).

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