Effects of outward migration of factory for the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei city circle

Abstract

This article analysed potential locations for the outward migration of pollutive enterprises in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region using regression discontinuity. Impacts of biased technical progress on the economy and the environment based on current development status of this region were demonstrated. The suitability of different locations for pollutive enterprises was assessed. The results indicated that due to clustering and radiation effects of the city circle, there were varying impacts on counties and cities at a distance of 150 km. Environment-biased technical progress could notably improve the environment in counties and cities within the critical value but had little impact on those outside of the critical value. If polluting enterprises could be re-located to sites more than 150 km away, the life quality of residents both inside and outside of the city circle would be improved.