The Decarbonization Effect of the Urban Polycentric Structure: Empirical Evidence from China

Xu Yang, Xuan Zou, Ming Li and Zeyu Wang ()
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Xu Yang: School of Economics and Trade, Hunan University, Changsha 410079, China
Xuan Zou: School of Economics and Trade, Hunan University, Changsha 410079, China
Ming Li: School of Management, Wuhan Technology and Business University, Wuhan 430065, China
Zeyu Wang: School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: This study conducts an empirical investigation into the decarbonization effects of urban polycentric structures, exploring their mechanisms and varied influences. Our findings reveal key insights. First, urban polycentric structures effectively reduce carbon emission intensity, a conclusion supported by robust tests and endogeneity analysis. Second, our analysis shows that polycentric structures significantly alleviate downtown overcrowding, reducing carbon emission intensity. These structures also impact carbon emissions through factors like labor allocation across industries and the entry of high-productivity enterprises. Third, our analysis shows that the impact of the polycentric structure on carbon emission intensity follows a ‘U-shaped’ pattern. In this ‘U-shaped’ pattern, the growth of an urban population scale can offset the potential negative impacts of this structure. Finally, government support, urban transportation networks, and communication technologies are crucial in enhancing the effectiveness of polycentric decarbonization. Our research contributes to the literature on polycentric structures and carbon emissions and offers policy implications for addressing climate change, applicable not only to China but also to other economies.

Keywords: China; polycentric structure; urbanization; decarbonization effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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