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Exploring the Spatial Effects of the Digitization on Urban Green Growth: Evidence from Chinese Cities

Author(s)

Li Chen1, Tao Yang1, Guangmin Gao1, Can Tu1, Chenxuan Wang2, Jiansheng Zhou1

Affiliation(s)

1Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, Anhui, China 2Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen, Fujian, China

Abstract

Against the backdrop of increasingly prominent contradictions between resource-environmental constraints and economic development globally, the unsustainable nature of extensive growth models has become evident. How to achieve urban green transformation stands as a critical issue requiring urgent resolution to promote high-standard economic growth. This study adopts a spatial interdependence perspective, examining 277 Chinese cities to systematically explore digital empowerment in fostering ecological urban economic expansion and its regional heterogeneity. It further delves into the underlying mechanisms through which digital economic growth influences greening. The research reveals: Firstly, digital deepening in cities effectively promotes domestic environmental economic development, and enables neighbouring regions to capture digital dividends, driving deep integration and synergy between digitization and environmental progression—the spatial spillover effect of the digitization in enhancing the level of ecological economic development in cities has been confirmed. Secondly, the effect of the digitization on regional green development exhibits differentiated characteristics, with a significant ‘digital divide’ impact persisting across different regions. Thirdly, the digitization boosts the potential for environmental trajectory in urban economies through two primary pathways: promoting green technological innovation and optimising industrial structures. In light of these findings, these empirical results call for targeted interventions, providing scientific evidence and practical guidance for better advancing green development in urban economies and achieving sustainable development goals.

Keywords

Digital Economy; Urban Economic Green Trajectory; Spatial Percolation Effect; Spatial Durbin Approach; Spatial Lag Model

References

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