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Heterogeneous Effects of Urban Sprawl on Economic Development: Empirical Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Mingdou Zhang

    (School of Economics, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian 116025, China)

  • Yue Li

    (School of Economic and Social Development, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian 116025, China)

  • Rui Guo

    (School of Economics, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian 116025, China)

  • Yurui Yan

    (School of Economic and Social Development, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian 116025, China)

Abstract

Identifying the effects of urban sprawl on urban development is of strategic importance. This study takes 285 prefecture-level and above cities in China as research samples and empirically analyzes the heterogeneous impact of urban sprawl on economic development from 2009 to 2018. Results indicate the threshold effect of urban sprawl on economic development. That is, moderate urban sprawl has a significantly positive influence on economic development, whereas excessive urban sprawl has a significantly negative impact on economic development. The empirical analysis also identifies heterogeneities in the effects of urban sprawl on economic development. Compared with the sprawls of small- and medium-sized cities, those of large cities have a greater negative impact on economic development. Compared with the sprawls of cities dominated by the tertiary industry, those of cities dominated by the secondary industry have a greater negative impact on economic development. Findings of this study have important policy implications for scientific urban expansion, reasonable urban spatial layout, and sustainable urban economic development.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingdou Zhang & Yue Li & Rui Guo & Yurui Yan, 2022. "Heterogeneous Effects of Urban Sprawl on Economic Development: Empirical Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:3:p:1582-:d:738051
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Belal N. Fallah & Mark D. Partridge & M. Rose Olfert, 2011. "Urban sprawl and productivity: Evidence from US metropolitan areas," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 90(3), pages 451-472, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Qiangyi Li & Lan Yang & Shuang Huang & Yangqing Liu & Chenyang Guo, 2023. "The Effects of Urban Sprawl on Electricity Consumption: Empirical Evidence from 283 Prefecture-Level Cities in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-27, August.
    2. Yunchang Li & Xia Cao & Can Cui, 2023. "System Dynamics Theory Applied to Differentiated Levels of City–Industry Integration in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Zhaolan Wang & Li Wang & Biao Zhao & Qian Pei, 2023. "Analysis of Spatiotemporal Interaction Characteristics and Decoupling Effects of Urban Expansion in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, March.

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