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The Impact of the Digital Economy on Urban Ecological Resilience: Empirical Evidence from China’s Comprehensive Big Data Pilot Zone Policy

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  • Youzhi Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China)

  • Jingyi Wang

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China)

  • Yinke Liu

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China)

  • Jing Zhao

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710054, China)

Abstract

The present study examines the effects of China’s comprehensive big data pilot zone policy on urban ecological resilience. This is achieved through the utilization of a quasi-natural experiment, employing panel data from 217 prefecture-level cities in China spanning the years 2010 to 2021. The research revealed that China’s extensive policy on big data pilot zones has a notable and favorable influence on the ecological resilience of urban areas. This impact is both constant and subject to variation across different regions. The aforementioned impact is attained by means of progressions in industrial structure and the introduction of innovative green technologies. Furthermore, the strategy exerts a beneficial impact on the ecological resilience of urban areas in adjacent regions by means of spatial spillover effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Youzhi Zhang & Jingyi Wang & Yinke Liu & Jing Zhao, 2024. "The Impact of the Digital Economy on Urban Ecological Resilience: Empirical Evidence from China’s Comprehensive Big Data Pilot Zone Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-27, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:9:p:3611-:d:1382978
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shuming Ren & Lianqing Li & Yueqi Han & Yu Hao & Haitao Wu, 2022. "The emerging driving force of inclusive green growth: Does digital economy agglomeration work?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1656-1678, May.
    2. Zhang, Yiren & Ran, Congjing, 2023. "Effect of digital economy on air pollution in China? New evidence from the “National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Area” policy," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 986-1004.
    3. Wang, Weilong & Yang, Xiaodong & Cao, Jianhong & Bu, Wenchao & Dagestani, Abd Alwahed & Adebayo, Tomiwa Sunday & Dilanchiev, Azer & Ren, Siyu, 2022. "Energy internet, digital economy, and green economic growth: Evidence from China," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 1(2).
    4. Pei Zhao & Junhua Guo & Yang Wang, 2023. "How Does the Digital Economy Affect Green Development?—Evidence from 284 Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-24, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei Wen & Kangan Jiang & Xiaojing Shao, 2025. "The Impact of Big Data Pilot Zones on Urban Ecological Resilience: Evidence from a Machine Learning Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-22, March.

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