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Are Small Cities More Environmentally Friendly? An Empirical Study from China

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  • Shuai Liu

    (Institute of Central China Development, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
    Division of Economics, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637332, Singapore)

  • Fei Fan

    (Institute of Central China Development, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
    School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia)

  • Jianqing Zhang

    (Institute of Central China Development, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
    School of Economics and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China)

Abstract

City sizes are rapidly expanding, and urban air pollution is a serious challenge in China. PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter) is the primary pollutant of urban pollution. This study aimed to examine the correlations between PM 2.5 and city size. In this paper, using the panel data of 278 cities in China from 2007 to 2016, we constructed a static and dynamic panel model based on the STIRPAT (Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology) analytical framework. We found that there was a significantly inverted N-shaped correlation between PM 2.5 and city size. Two inflection points were found at 949,200 and 3,736,100. We found no evidence to support the EKC (Environmental Kuznets Curve) hypothesis, while the “Pollution Haven Hypothesis” gained support. The contradiction between PM 2.5 and city size will exist for the long term. Policy recommendations were proposed based on our findings. Controlling the city size does not seem to be necessary for very large cities as they have passed the second inflection point. Cities with a growing population are under great pressure to prevent PM 2.5 pollution and need to implement greater measures to reduce pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuai Liu & Fei Fan & Jianqing Zhang, 2019. "Are Small Cities More Environmentally Friendly? An Empirical Study from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:5:p:727-:d:209810
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    PM 2.5 ; city size; STIRPAT; China;
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