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Agglomeration, Environmental Policies and Surface Water Quality in China: A Study Based on a Quasi-Natural Experiment

Author

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  • Junsong Wang

    (Institute for Global Innovation & Development, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; wjsenjoy@126.com
    School of Urban and Regional Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China)

  • Yehua Dennis Wei

    (Department of Geography, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9155, USA
    Key Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development & Collaborative Innovation Center for Yellow River Civilization of Henan Province, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China)

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between agglomeration and water pollution, and the effect of environment policies on water pollution reduction. The study employs a quasi-natural experimental method by coupling river water monitoring sites and development zones (DZs). We found that DZs were associated with water quality deterioration in their surrounding areas. However, the “Water Ten Plan”, which was released in 2015 and requires DZs to install water treatment facilities, effectively reduced water pollution, especially for those DZs with more polluting industries. Our findings provide evidence that agglomeration can facilitate efficient processing of wastewater by enabling its centralized treatment. The paper provides quantitative evidence for the effect of agglomeration and environmental policies from a micro point of view.

Suggested Citation

  • Junsong Wang & Yehua Dennis Wei, 2019. "Agglomeration, Environmental Policies and Surface Water Quality in China: A Study Based on a Quasi-Natural Experiment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:19:p:5394-:d:271987
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    2. Lingyun He & Kunxian Chen, 2021. "Can China’s “Tax-for-Fee” Reform Improve Water Performance–Evidence from Hebei Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-21, December.
    3. Yinhao Wu & Shumin Yu & Xiangdong Duan, 2021. "The Impact of Environmental Regulation on the Location of Pollution-Intensive Industries in China under Agglomeration Effect," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.

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