Does Monocentric Spatial Structure Narrow the Urban-Rural Income Gap? A Case Study of Northeast China

The impact of spatial structure on the Urban-Rural income gap varies across regions and scales. Much of the current literature focuses on urban agglomerations, highlighting the need for more in-depth exploration of specific regions. Using LandScan population data, this paper investigates urban spatial structure from the perspective of monocentricity and polycentricity, investigating their respective impacts and mechanisms on the Urban-Rural income gap in Northeast China. The findings are as follows: (1) The development of a monocentric spatial structure in Northeast China significantly reduces the Urban-Rural income gap, a conclusion verified through robustness testing. (2) A mediation effect test confirms that this spatial structure reduces the gap by increasing urban labor productivity. (3) The urban spatial structure of Northeast China also has positive spillover effects, reducing income inequality between urban and rural areas in neighboring regions. Further exploration of the relationship between Urban-Rural income inequality and spatial structure is crucial for achieving shared prosperity. Additionally, this research provides policy support for developing a novel framework for land use planning and conservation.