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High-Speed Railway Opening, Industrial Symbiotic Agglomeration and Green Sustainable Development—Empirical Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Haonan Chen

    (School of Economics, Capital University of Economics and Business, Fengtai District, Beijing 100070, China)

  • Tianqi Zhu

    (College of Finance, Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics, Hohhot 010070, China)

  • Lijuan Zhao

    (School of Management, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China)

Abstract

In recent years, China’s transportation infrastructure has undergone significant changes. High-speed rail, as a new and favored mode of transportation, offers travelers convenience, efficiency, and punctuality, replacing many high-pollution transportation methods. Based on the characteristics of high-speed rail, this paper selects data from 30 provinces spanning from 1999 to 2019. It utilizes the double-difference method to evaluate the impact of high-speed rail opening on economic sustainability. It has been found that the introduction of high-speed rail contributes to economic sustainability during the examination period. The mechanism test also reveals that the opening of high-speed rail promotes green and sustainable development through the industrial agglomeration effect. In addition, the opening of high-speed rail (HSR) has a significant time lag effect and a spatial spillover effect on green sustainable development. The conclusion complements the theoretical framework regarding the impact of high-speed rail on the environment and regional economic sustainability. It also provides guidance for the efficient utilization of high-speed rail, which holds both theoretical and practical importance.

Suggested Citation

  • Haonan Chen & Tianqi Zhu & Lijuan Zhao, 2024. "High-Speed Railway Opening, Industrial Symbiotic Agglomeration and Green Sustainable Development—Empirical Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:5:p:2070-:d:1349916
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    References listed on IDEAS

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