Sustainability transitions and leapfrogging in latecomer cities: the development of solar thermal energy in Dezhou, China

Abstract

Sustainability transitions in cities in emerging economic contexts are rarely addressed. The paper addresses this issue by investigating the drivers and barriers in the diffusion of solar thermal energy in two Chinese cities, Dezhou and Beijing. The findings suggest that latecomer cities such as Dezhou demonstrate several advantages over developed cities in environmental transitions. In particular they can 'leapfrog' to environmentally-friendly technologies as they are less locked-in by existing technological regimes. The paper thus contributes to debates over the role of both space and the urban scale in sustainability transitions research.

Analysis on the Dynamic Evolution of Bioenergy Industry in the Yangtze River Delta Based on Multilevel Social Network Theory

“…Geels [19] systematically summarised and improved the research method of MLP theory when discussing technological transformation, which mainly solved the two problems of how social technological transformation occurs and whether social transformation has its specific mode and mechanism. Yu et al [20] used the method of MLP theory to study the sustainable changes and cross-domain development of cities.…”

“…Energy transition research is dedicated to understanding how to answer the existing highly organised and diversified interactive system, to have the opportunity to create a ground-breaking shift towards a more sustainable energy system. Therefore, understanding how environmental innovation develops and how to challenge, reconstruct, and replace the existing unsustainable system are crucial to the study of energy transition [20].…”

Moving beyond Anglo-American economic geography

“…Western colleagues, and have managed to make some theoretical developments in recent years (e.g., He et al, 2016;Yang et al, 2017;Zhang & Peck, 2016;Zhu et al, 2017). The Theory-wise, many young Chinese economic geographers, mainly PhDs and early career researchers, who have been trained abroad, and scholars based in prestigious universities in China, have been increasingly engaged in international theoretical debates and in the explorations and constructions of economic geography (e.g., He et al, 2016;Hu & Hassink, 2017a, 2017bYang et al, 2017;Yu & Gibbs, 2017;Zhang & Peck, 2016;Zhu et al, 2017). Research done by these scholars, mainly written in English and published in international journals, has not only contributed to the knowledge of economic geographical phenomena in China, but also results in the modification and critical reflections (Chen et al, 2017).…”

Harnessing deep mitigation opportunities of urbanisation patterns in LDCs

“…The opportunity to transition towards sustainable and just outcomes offers a reason for optimism in LDCs because alternative futures can develop in economies that are less locked in existing social and technological regimes [44,45].…”

“…Firstly, deep mitigation transformations would need to happen alongside other major social and economic transformations to meet sustainable development goals. There is mounting evidence of migration, rapid economic growth, international investment and technological transformations across Africa [45,46]. The question is whether these transformations will be accompanied by parallel improvements for everyone in health and wellbeing, economic and educational opportunities, political stability, and environmental quality [47].…”