Spatial-temporal evolution and driving factors of coupling between urban spatial functional division and green economic development: Evidence from the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Abstract

It is of great significance to analyze coupling coordination feature between urban spatial functional division (USFD) and green economic development for the realization of regional high-quality sustainable development. However, few studies have investigated the coupling between USFD and green economic development. Therefore, based on the analysis of the coupling and coordination mechanism between USFD and green development, this paper innovatively calculates the indicators of USFD and green economic development of 108 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 2009 to 2019. Moreover, we explore the spatiotemporal patterns, evolution characteristics of the coupling degree between the USFD and green economic development using the improved entropy method, coupling model, kernel density estimation and spatial autocorrelation method, and further analyzes the influence factors with the Tobit regression method. The study found that: 1) During the study period, the development level of USFD and green economy in the YREB showed a fluctuating upward trend, but the development level was still low and there was a large space for improvement. 2) During the study period, the coupling coordination degree of USFD and green economy development in the YREB shows a favorable development trend of fluctuating growth, but it is still in the stage of moderate coupling and coordination development. The coupling degree shows a trend of polarization and the phenomenon of “high-value difference and low-value convergence” over time. 3) The spatial distribution of coupling coordination degree in each region is obviously different, and the middle and lower reaches are significantly higher than the upper reaches, and there are “club convergence” phenomenon and obvious H-H and L-L spatial agglomeration characteristics. 4) Technological innovation, industrial structure and physical capital have a significant positive impact on the coupling degree of the two systems, while human capital has a restraining effect on the growth of the coupling degree. There is heterogeneity in the extent and direction of the influence of each factor on the degree of coupling between the three agglomerations. These findings have significant policy implications for the region to facilitate rational division of labor and coordinated development of the green economy.

Spatial Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Green Development Progress Level of Private Enterprises in China: Based on Large Collection Surveys

“…The per capital GDP (0.190) and the proportion of secondary industry (0.500) have a significant positive effect on the provincial green development progress, while urbanization (−0.621) and the proportion of fiscal environmental protection expenditure (−75.130) have a significant negative impact on green development progress. The motivation for developing a green economy in a region will be stronger with the strength of urban economic development, which brings with it a high level of green development progress in private enterprises [17]. The government will also attach importance to environmental governance following the expansion of the manufacturing sectors.…”

“…Based on the evaluation of green development performance, relevant research has analyzed the spatial differentiation of regional green development, and it has analyzed its influencing factors and spatial spillover with different methods. The influencing factors discussed include green finance, environmental regulation, city size, government financial support, industrial structure, economic development level, opening-up degree, and human capital level [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. To replenish the shortcomings of these approaches, this paper conducts an investigation of policy implementation instead of theoretically and empirically trying to establish a multi-dimensional and comprehensive evaluation index of private enterprises, thereby grasping the actual situation of green development.…”

Has the construction of national central cities improved the carbon productivity of urban cluster? Empirical evidence from China

“…Optimizing functional division and restructuring urban layouts are effective approaches to addressing urban challenges. Research has demonstrated that the development of functional division within urban clusters can effectively reduce CO2 emissions(Zhang et al 2023) and promote green economic development(Guo and Diao 2022). In summary, we proposes the second research hypothesis:Hypothesis 2: The construction of a national central city indirectly enhances urban cluster carbon productivity through the effects of technological innovation and functional division.…”

Can digitalization and low-carbonization progress in harmony? Evidence from Chinese cities

“…In addition, digitalization and low-carbonization are both essential drivers of high-quality urban growth in both economy and society and coordinated development of both is critical for regional development. Although some researchers have testified to the link between digitalization and green development from a coupled coordination approach [ 49 ], there still exists a scarcity of studies that explicitly investigates the coordinated development of digitalization and low-carbonization.…”