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Environmental governance with Chinese characteristics: are environmental model cities a good example for other municipalities?

Author

Listed:
  • Stefan Brehm

    (Lund University)

  • Jesper Svensson

    (Oxford University)

Abstract

Model programs such as the ‘environmental protection model city’ have become an inherent part of China’s urban environmental governance. The role of these incentive schemes for promoting best practice, however, has been neglected so far. In this study, we show that model city programs raise the bar in terms of environmental standards. What is more, model cities have a positive impact on regional economic development. We deploy a spatial Durbin model to measure best practice diffusion among 126 key environmental protection cities between 2009 and 2012. The results suggest that environmental model cities are better performers on average. We also find evidence for a positive spillover effect. Diffusion patterns are multi-layered where economic proximity is the most important dimension, followed by physical colocation and administrative hierarchy.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Brehm & Jesper Svensson, 2020. "Environmental governance with Chinese characteristics: are environmental model cities a good example for other municipalities?," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 111-134, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:apjors:v:4:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s41685-019-00135-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s41685-019-00135-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Losacker, Sebastian, 2022. "‘License to green’: Regional patent licensing networks and green technology diffusion in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental governance; Model cities; China; Best practice; Spatial Durbin;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism
    • P25 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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