The Impact of Smart City Pilots on Haze Pollution in China—An Empirical Test Based on Panel Data of 283 Prefecture-Level Cities

Abstract

The rapid pace of urbanization in China has led to a significant increase in haze pollution in its cities. However, there has been limited research on the dynamic impact and mechanisms of smart city pilots, which offer an innovative approach to urbanization, on haze pollution. This study selects panel data from 283 prefecture-level cities in China from 2007 to 2017 and uses a quasi-experimental approach based on the three batches of pilot construction of smart cities since 2012 to examine the impact of smart city pilots on haze pollution. The multi-phase difference-in-differences (DID) model is used for the analysis. The findings reveal: (1) Smart city pilots have a significant positive effect on reducing urban haze pollution. (2) Smart city pilots contribute to changes in the urban development model, where technological innovation, industrial structure adjustment, and resource allocation optimization under innovation-driven development significantly mitigate haze pollution. (3) Heterogeneity analysis shows regional differences in the effectiveness of smart city pilot policies in reducing haze pollution in China, with a decreasing trend from the eastern to the western regions. The haze-reducing effect of smart city pilots in the central region has yet to be observed. This research provides valuable theoretical and policy insights for improving urban ecological environments and promoting green transformations of production and lifestyle.