Pursuing Urban Sustainability in Dynamic Balance Based on the DPSIR Framework: Evidence from Six Chinese Cities

Xueying Yang, Zhongqi Yang, Lili Quan and Bin Xue ()
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Xueying Yang: School of Economics and Management, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, China
Zhongqi Yang: School of Public Policy and Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Lili Quan: School of Public Policy and Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Bin Xue: School of Public Policy and Administration, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: Amidst the mounting global challenges associated with climate change and resource depletion, achieving sustainable development is paramount. Focusing on cities as vital scenarios for pursuing sustainability, this research measured urban sustainability and identified its obstacles. Employing the DPSIR (Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) framework, we establish a metric system with 25 indicators to assess the urban sustainability of six innovation zones in China and identify their developmental impediments to sustainability with an obstacle model. The core findings of the study are as follows: First, over the five-year period, all six cities demonstrated a consistent increase in their urban sustainability levels except for Shenzhen, which experienced a decline from its top position among these cities due to a decrease in its score from 0.44296 to 0.36942 in 2017. Second, there was consistent urban sustainability progress in five cities, with the exception of Shenzhen, from 2016 to 2020. Third, inadequate government response emerges as a primary obstacle across all six cities, marked by shortcomings in public expenditure, R&D investment, and healthcare. Every year, all six cities experienced more than 60% obstacle degrees in terms of response, with the exception of Shenzhen in 2016. The urban sustainability pursuit model we developed bridges urban sustainability theory with practical interventions, promoting adaptive governance. In addition, this study provides scholars and policymakers with a comprehensive approach to gauging urban sustainability, recognizing obstacles, and designing strategies for a sustainable urban future.

Keywords: urban sustainability; DPSIR (driver–pressure–state–impact–response) framework; obstacle factors; innovation demonstration zones (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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