How does ICT development in resource-exhausted cities promote the urban green transformation efficiency? Evidence from China

Abstract

The contradiction between resource depletion and economic growth in resource-exhausted cities is becoming prominent. The role of ICT has been reflected in many policies to promote sustainable urban development. It is necessary to clarify the mechanism of ICT for urban green transformation efficiency (UGTE) in resource-exhausted cities. In this research, 39 resource-exhausted cities in China were selected as the research samples, and panel data were collected for 20 years to assess their ICT development level and their UGTE. The panel regression model, PVAR model, heterogeneity test, and moderating effect test were used to analyze the relationship between the two. The main findings are as follows: (1) ICT has a facilitating effect on UGTE in resource-exhausted cities, with a regression coefficient of 0.170⁎⁎⁎. (2) The improvement of ICT significantly promotes the UGTE in these cities, and the promotional effect reaches a peak after a lag of 6 periods; the original UGTE also has a negative impact on the future ICT development level, and the negative impact reaches a peak after a lag of 6 periods. (3) The promotional effect of ICT on UGTE in resource-exhausted cities consists of being strongest in the eastern region (0.477⁎⁎⁎), then in the central region (0.233⁎⁎⁎), weaker in the western region (0.167⁎⁎), and weakest in the northeastern region (0.080*). (4) The improvement of energy structure, green innovation structure, and urban-rural consumption structure strengthens the promotional effect of ICT on UGTE in resource-exhausted cities. Finally, targeted policy recommendations were proposed.