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What factors have driven urbanization in China?

Author

Listed:
  • Jiahong Guo

    (Minzu University of China)

  • Zhongqi Yu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Zihao Ma

    (Minzu University of China)

  • Duanyang Xu

    (CAS)

  • Shixiong Cao

    (Minzu University of China)

Abstract

Urbanization is an important engine of modernization and economic growth, and appears to be an inevitable trend during the development of human society. We combined economic, population, and land urbanization factors to develop a comprehensive indicator, the comprehensive level of urbanization (CLU). We then used 10 sub-indicators from four dimensions (economic, political, social, and resource endowment) and panel data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2000 to 2018 to conduct panel quantile regressions that accounted for the heterogeneity of the data and a contribution analysis to determine the key factors that are driving CLU. We found that the industrial structure and marketization (the development of market mechanisms) were important factors that increased CLU, and the contribution of marketization increased with increasing quantile, whereas China’s land finance model (in which provinces raise operating funds through land sales) decreased CLU in regions where urbanization had progressed most. Therefore, accelerating market development, reducing the government’s reliance on the land finance model as urbanization matured, and improving the industrial structure by promoting industrial transformation through improved education and technology will be the keys to achieving high-quality urbanization in the future. The successes and failures of China’s urbanization process will provide lessons for other developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiahong Guo & Zhongqi Yu & Zihao Ma & Duanyang Xu & Shixiong Cao, 2022. "What factors have driven urbanization in China?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 6508-6526, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:24:y:2022:i:5:d:10.1007_s10668-021-01714-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01714-4
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    Cited by:

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    5. Run Yuan & Mengjie Ren & Zhigang Li, 2024. "Spatial Network Structure and Shift Path Prediction of Ecological Welfare Performance in Chinese Cities—Evidence from 284 Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-33, June.
    6. Shiwei Liu & Luyao Jia & Feng Zhang & Rutong Wang & Xian Liu & Lu Zou & Xuguang Tang, 2024. "Do New Urbanization Policies Promote Sustainable Urbanization? Evidence from China’s Urban Agglomerations," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, March.
    7. Yunjie Wu & Peng Qian & Lei Yang & Zhuang Tian & Jieqiong Luo, 2024. "Analysis of the Impact of Urban Infrastructure on Urbanization Processes at Different Levels from a Spatiotemporal Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-20, August.
    8. David W. H. Wong & Harry F. Lee & Simon X. B. Zhao & Andy C. L. Tai, 2022. "Post-2008 Fiscal Stimulus Packages and the Driving Forces for China’s Urbanization," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, December.

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