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Land use change and economic growth in urban China: A structural equation analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Canfei He

    (Peking University, China)

  • Zhiji Huang

    (Peking University, China)

  • Rui Wang

    (University of California at Los Angeles, USA)

Abstract

Land use change is not only the consequence of economic growth but also its direct and indirect driver. Based on official land use change data from 2004 to 2008, this study found substantial land use changes in China, with considerable cultivated land conversion into urban, industrial and transportation purposes. Correlation analysis shows a strong association between land use change and absolute GDP expansion. Structural equation analysis indicates that economic growth drives land use change. Industrial land expansion directly stimulates economic growth. Land has been successfully used as a tool to attract foreign investments and to sustain infrastructure investments, indirectly triggering economic growth. The findings suggest that land is not a simple factor of production but a strategic tool for economic development in urban China.

Suggested Citation

  • Canfei He & Zhiji Huang & Rui Wang, 2014. "Land use change and economic growth in urban China: A structural equation analysis," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 51(13), pages 2880-2898, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:51:y:2014:i:13:p:2880-2898
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098013513649
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Canfei He, 2016. "Economic Transition, Urban Dynamics, and Economic Development in China: An Introduction to the Special Issue," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(1), pages 4-8, March.
    3. Weifan Zhang & Yan Song, 2019. "Is There a Kuznets Curve Effect for China’s Land-Driven Development Mode?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-20, August.
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    6. Junhua Chen & Fei Guo & Hao Wang & Zhifeng Wang & Ying Wu, 2018. "Urban Land Revenue and Sustainable Urbanization in China: Issues and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-12, June.
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    8. Wenhai Xie & Wanfu Jin & Kairui Chen & Jilin Wu & Chunshan Zhou, 2019. "Land Use Transition and Its Influencing Factors in Poverty-Stricken Mountainous Areas of Sangzhi County, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-19, September.
    9. Liu, Yongzheng & Alm, James, 2016. "“Province-Managing-County” fiscal reform, land expansion, and urban growth in China," Journal of Housing Economics, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 82-100.
    10. Yanjing Zhang & Zhengguo Su & Guan Li & Yuefei Zhuo & Zhongguo Xu, 2018. "Spatial-Temporal Evolution of Sustainable Urbanization Development: A Perspective of the Coupling Coordination Development Based on Population, Industry, and Built-Up Land Spatial Agglomeration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-20, May.
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