New infrastructure-lead development and green-technologies: Evidence from the Pearl River Delta, China

Abstract

Understanding the interaction between infrastructure and environment is crucial for shaping resilient cities. The solution based on emerging technologies to drive sustainable transition is a key dimension. Although green transition and the enabling effects of emerging technologies have received significant attention in environmental research and economic geography, research on the role of new infrastructure in this transition is still insufficient. This study links the new infrastructure discourse with technology discourse to establish the relationship between key technologies and the patents classification system. A spatial database of new infrastructure key technologies patents for the period of 2016–2020 is constructed consequently. Through spatial analysis and econometric methods, our research revealed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of new infrastructure key technologies in the Pearl River Delta and their enabling effects on green technologies. This study is significant for the management of emerging technologies and green innovation transition in China in the new era. We believe that, despite differences in discourse, China's new infrastructure construction essentially aims to pursue emerging enabling technologies. The pursuit of disruptive technology and the urgency of green innovation transition are the core driving forces for China's integration into the global technology system.