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The Causal Effect of Land-Use Transformation on Urban Vitality in the Context of Urban Regeneration: A Case Study of Chengdu

Author

Listed:
  • Xin Wen

    (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
    College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Rui Lu

    (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
    College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Tingting Song

    (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
    College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Yudi Wang

    (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
    College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Jian Wu

    (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
    College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Lei Gong

    (College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China)

Abstract

With the global deceleration of urbanization, traditional regeneration strategies centered on demolition and reconstruction have revealed substantial limitations. Against this backdrop, land-use transformation has emerged as a more cost-effective and less disruptive alternative. Focusing on Chengdu, China, this study employs a causal machine learning framework to rigorously assess the impacts of residential-to-commercial and industrial-to-commercial conversions on urban vitality. The findings demonstrate that population density consistently constitutes the fundamental driver across both transformation pathways. Residential-to-commercial conversion reflects a regeneration trajectory that integrates residential and commercial functions while prioritizing community livability, whereas industrial-to-commercial conversion entails large-scale spatial restructuring and enhanced accessibility. Overall, the study uncovers the heterogeneous causal effects of land-use transformation on urban vitality, thereby providing a theoretical basis to inform differentiated and sustainable urban regeneration policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Wen & Rui Lu & Tingting Song & Yudi Wang & Jian Wu & Lei Gong, 2025. "The Causal Effect of Land-Use Transformation on Urban Vitality in the Context of Urban Regeneration: A Case Study of Chengdu," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-26, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:10:p:2020-:d:1767625
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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