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Unveiling urban spatial dynamics in climate and air quality indicators: a local estimation of the environmental Kuznets curve and the impact of green infrastructure

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Listed:
  • Yoomi Kim

    (Ewha Womans University)

  • Joohee Lee

    (Sejong University)

Abstract

This study tested the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis for climate and air quality indicators—CO2, PM10, NO2, CO, and O3—in relation to economic development and investigated the effect of green infrastructure (GI) in the EKC model. Employing a spatial approach, we utilized microregional data from the 25 autonomous districts in Seoul, South Korea, for 2012–2020. Economic status was measured by housing prices and GI by the ratio of diverse types of green space to the total area. Spatial heterogeneity was visually confirmed and analyzed using Moran’s I statistics. Recognizing the importance of spatial heterogeneity, we employed geographically weighted regression (GWR) models to verify regional variations in the EKC hypothesis testing and the effects of GI. The results indicated significant spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of pollutants and significant spatial autocorrelation with strong clustering for CO2 and PM10 as well as for economic levels and GI ratios. Although the global model did not confirm the existence of an inverted U-shaped EKC, GWR analysis identified EKC for CO2, CO, and O3 in specific districts. The impact of GI on climate and air quality indicators varied by region and pollutant, contributing to PM10 reduction but an increase in O3. Together, these findings suggest the need for localized approaches to environmental policymaking, given that both the EKC relationship and the impact of GI can vary significantly by area and pollutant. This microregional spatial heterogeneity offers an additional foundation for facilitating local policy interventions to address each district’s unique climate and air quality challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Yoomi Kim & Joohee Lee, 2025. "Unveiling urban spatial dynamics in climate and air quality indicators: a local estimation of the environmental Kuznets curve and the impact of green infrastructure," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 74(1), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:anresc:v:74:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s00168-025-01361-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s00168-025-01361-x
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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