The association between rural–urban migration flows and urban air quality in China

Abstract

In light of the rapid urbanization of the world's population over the past decades, there is a growing concern about the environmental impacts of urban population growth. Rural-urban migration is a particularly important component of the urbanization process in developing countries and is often considered to be detrimental to urban environmental conditions. However, few studies have explicitly examined the presumed negative impacts of inmigration on the natural environment of cities. The continuously increasing volume of rural-urban labor migration in China since the early 1980s has formed the largest population flow in world history. This study links the existing literature on population-environment and urbanization-environment interactions by empirically assessing the relationship between rural-urban migration and urban air conditions in China. A two-period (2004 and 2010) longitudinal dataset for the 113 key environmental protection cities of China was constructed based on multiple data sources. We applied the STIRPAT equation using conventional and spatial panel regression models to examine whether rural-urban migration flows were associated with air pollution in cities. Results show a strong negative association of in-migration with urban air quality even after controlling for the effects of other population, affluence, and technology factors. Findings from this research can contribute to a better understanding of the environmental consequences of rural-urban migration in China, with broader implications for sustainable development research and policies.

Spatiotemporal characteristics of urban air quality in China and geographic detection of their determinants

“…To account for the regional variation of air quality, many researchers have examined the influencing factors relevant to urban air quality. In these studies, factors as meteorological elements, land use and land cover change, urbanization, industrialization, energy structure, and transport patterns have been reported to have significant impact on urban air quality (Krummel et al, 1984;Shaw et al, 2010;Tai et al, 2010;Zhang and Fan, 2011;Guan et al, 2014;Lu and Han, 2014;Patton et al, 2014;Li et al, 2015;Lin and Wang, 2016;Qin and Liao, 2016;Sun et al, 2016;Zou et al, 2016;Hu et al, 2017;Yan et al, 2017). The previous studies, in general, have predominantly observed the characteristics of determinants within a single region or among different cities.…”

Rural Labor Migration and Households' Land Rental Behavior: Evidence from China

“…urban China (Qin and Liao, 2016). Since China's reform and opening up, a rapid urbanization process has been sustained (Cao and Liu, 2011).…”

Vocational Education and Training for Farmers and Other Actors in the Agri-Food Value Chain in Africa

“…Additionally, this boost to the rural economy and subsequent employment opportunities for rural youth may lead to lower rural-urban migration, an issue that has been linked to socio-demographic and environmental problems (Qin & Liao 2016). Increased income and, consequently, increased demand by the rural populations, along with a more productive workforce would positively contribute to economic growth (Besley & Cord 2006;Ravallion 2004).…”