Local City Research Articles

Does “National Civilized City” policy mitigate air pollution in China? A spatial Durbin difference-in-differences analysis

“National Civilized City” (NCC) is regarded as China’s highest honorary title and most valuable city brand. To win and maintain the “golden city” title, municipal governments must pay close attention to various key appraisal indicators, mainly environmental ones. In this study we verify whether cities with the title are more likely to mitigate SO2 pollution. We adopt the spatial Durbin difference-in-differences (DID) model and use panel data of 283 Chinese cities from 2003 to 2018 to analyze the local (direct) and spillover effects (indirect) of the NCC policy on SO2 pollution. We find that SO2 pollution in Chinese cities is not randomly distributed in geography, suggesting the existence of spatial spillovers and possible biased estimates. Our study treats the NCC policy as a quasi-experiment and incorporates spatial spillovers of NCC policy into a classical DID model to verify this assumption. Our findings show: (1) The spatial distribution of SO2 pollution represents strong spatial spillovers, with the most highly polluted regions mainly situated in the North China Plain. (2) The Moran’s I test results confirms significant spatial autocorrelation. (3) Results of the spatial Durbin DID models reveal that the civilized cities have indeed significantly mitigated SO2 pollution, indicating that cities with the honorary title are acutely aware of the environment in their bid to maintain the golden city brand. As importantly, we notice that the spatial DID term is also significant and negative, implying that neighboring civilized cities have also mitigated their own SO2 pollution. Due to demonstration and competition effects, neighboring cities that won the title ostensibly motivates local officials to adopt stringent policies and measures for lowering SO2 pollution and protecting the environment in competition for the golden title. The spatial autoregressive coefficient was significant and positive, indicating that SO2 pollution of local cities has been deeply affected by neighbors. A series of robustness check tests also confirms our conclusions. Policy recommendations based on the findings for protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development are proposed.

Effect of eco-compensation policy on the environmental quality varies with city size and location in China’s Yangtze river economic belt

Effect of eco-compensation policy on the environmental quality varies with city size and location in China’s Yangtze river economic belt

Comparison of the Elderly‘s Living Area in the Central and Fringe Districts of Local City

Comparison of the Elderly‘s Living Area in the Central and Fringe Districts of Local City

How can the digital economy drive low-carbon city performance in China to achieve sustainable development goals? A multiple-output perspective

Under the dual carbon target, governments globally have recognized the importance of exploring the relationship between the digital economy and low-carbon city (LCC) performance for achieving sustainable development. However, existing studies primarily focus on a single carbon emission index to reflect LCC performance while neglecting multidimensional outputs. This study aims to analyze how the digital economy drives LCC performance from a multidimensional output perspective. Based on 271 Chinese cities from 2006 to 2020, this study establishes a comprehensive digital economy index, and a multidimensional output index of LCC performance, then analyzes digital economy's impact on LCC performance through fixed effects and intermediary effects models. The findings indicate that: (1) Nationally, the digital economy has the potential to significantly decrease both overall and intensity of carbon emissions while increasing LCC efficiency. (2) Digital economy influences LCC development through innovation in green technology indirectly. (3) The digital economy's effects on LCC exhibits heterogeneity depending on city location, city size and city type. Specifically, it shows a greater effect on the decrease of carbon emissions in the eastern and central regions, exerts a bigger impact on small and medium-sized cities based on city size, and demonstrates a more substantial effect in resource-based cities. This study offers a thorough analysis of how the digital economy affects LCC performance, thereby providing empirical support for leveraging the digital economy's potential to foster urban low-carbon development.

Assessing the economic impact of innovative cities

ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of South Korea’s Innovative City (IC) policy, which aims to redistribute public institutions to local cities to alleviate urban congestion and mitigate regional disparities. Utilizing the synthetic control method, this study evaluates the policy’s influence on local productivity and investigates its spillover effects. The findings reveal a marked increase in productivity within rural cities, highlighting the policy’s efficacy in less urbanized areas. However, the outcomes vary across different locales, with some urban ICs experiencing productivity enhancements, while rural ICs near expanding urban areas do not. Additionally, the study observes limited spillover effects in cities near ICs, indicating that indirect benefits are not uniformly distributed.

The relationship between urban form and land-use regulation in China: the case of Nanjing

Urban form is shaped by numerous factors interacting across various social strata, notably influenced by the dynamics of economic development and urban policy. Urban planning policies related to land use play a vital role in the change and management of urban form. In this context, this study examines the influence of land use regulations on urban form in China, using Nanjing as a case study. We investigate relevant urban planning policies at national, provincial, and local city planning administration levels. Depending on their impact on urban form, these policies can be classified as having a direct impact, an indirect influence or no effect, predominantly encompassing mandatory land use conditions, building layout and guiding principles for urban landscape organization. Focusing on land use regulations at the street- block and plot scale, we established a morphological model adhering to these regulations and a correlation evaluation chart. This correlation was validated using 142 plots and 5 street blocks in Nanjing’s historical city centre. Our findings reveal the implications of these policies on the specific physical structure of the urban form through theoretical and empirical analysis. This research significantly contributes to the method of morphological modelling and the revision of relevant urban policy and design specifications.

Employee allocation efficiency in the context of the digital economy: Evidence from “Broadband China” demonstration cities

This study examines the impact of the “Broadband China” policy on the efficiency of employee allocation in firms, with an emphasis on the role of digital economy development. Utilizing data from Chinese listed companies from 2011 to 2019 and city-level statistics from the China City Statistical Yearbooks, we employ rigorous econometric methodologies, including Difference-in-Differences and multi-period multi-entity Difference-in-Differences, to analyze the policy effects. Our findings suggest that “Broadband China” demonstration cities significantly reduce staff redundancy and enhance the efficiency of employee allocation within firms. This effect is attributed to the stimulation of entrepreneurial activity and the promotion of digital transformation driven by the demonstration city pilot program. Furthermore, the policy’s effectiveness is found to vary based on city location, workforce scale, the nature of enterprise ownership, and growth stage. Importantly, the improved efficiency of employee allocation resulting from the demonstration cities leads to favorable economic outcomes, augmenting total factor productivity for firms. In conclusion, this research highlights the crucial role of digital economy policies in optimizing the structure of human resources within firms, emphasizing the importance of fostering digital transformation to achieve efficient talent allocation and enhance production efficiency.

Analyzing the Architecture of All Saints Cathedral at Allahabad, India: Building Study and Heritage Potential

Heritage conservation is a major factor in promoting tourism. It helps to understand previous tradition, used materials, architecture style and evolution process. The link between heritage and tourism is the most visible aspect of the contribution of culture to local development. Due to the preservation of heritage many new jobs can be generated in the truism sector. When heritage tourism is done right the biggest beneficiaries not the visitors only but the local residents who experience a renewable appreciation in for and pride in their local city and its history. Art and architecture have the ability to transport us into different time and place it allows us to gain historical perspective and understanding. The All-Saints’ Cathedral in Allahabad stands as an epitome of architectural brilliance, religious heritage, and cultural significance. This research delves into the profound architectural attributes of the cathedral, offering insights into its historical context, structural design, and socio-cultural impact. Drawing upon architectural analysis and historical documentation, the study examines the evolution of the cathedral’s design, from its inception to its present form. Through a comparative analysis of architectural elements, including facade, interior layout, and ornamentation, the research delineates the cathedral’s adherence to prevailing architectural styles and its unique deviations. In conclusion, this research underscores the All Saints’ Cathedral in Allahabad as not merely a physical structure but a testament to architectural innovation, cultural heritage, and spiritual resilience. By elucidating its architectural intricacies and socio-cultural implications, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the cathedral's enduring legacy in the architectural landscape of Allahabad.This study explores the transformative impact of architectural elements on the spiritual experience within All Saints' Cathedral, Allahabad. Analyzing furniture, lighting, flooring, ceiling, fans, and roofing, it unveils how these components contribute to the cathedral's upliftment of worshippers. Through a nuanced examination, it elucidates the intricate balance between structural design and spiritual elevation, shedding light on the cathedral's role as a sacred haven in the hearts of believers.

The Impact of Official Promotion Incentives on Urban Ecological Welfare Performance and Its Spatial Effect

Economic growth, environmental protection, and welfare improvement are closely related to local officials. Therefore, exploring the paths that affect ecological welfare performance (EWP) from the perspective of official promotion incentives has certain practical significance. EWP is an indicator that measures the welfare relationship between ecological resource inputs and outputs, reflecting the sustainable development status of a region. First, considering the background of the dual carbon goals, the EWPs of 284 cities from 2007 to 2020 were measured by constructing an indicator system and using the super-SBM-DEA method. Second, by constructing a theoretical framework of “official promotion incentives-fiscal responsiveness-EWP”, we empirically tested the impact and mechanism of official promotion incentives on urban EWP; finally, based on regional and official age heterogeneity, we explored the differential impacts of official promotion incentives on urban EWPs. The results show that official promotion incentives inhibit the improvement of urban EWP by reducing financial responsiveness; in terms of spatial spillovers, under three types of spatial weight matrices, promotion incentives for officials in neighboring areas can significantly improve the EWPs of local cities. From the perspective of regional differences, official promotion incentives in the eastern region significantly improved urban EWP, official promotion incentives in the western and northeastern regions significantly inhibited urban EWP, and official promotion incentives in the central region had no significant impact on urban EWP. From the perspective of official age, local officials aged 53 and 54 intensified the inhibitory effect of promotion incentives on urban EWP. By constructing a theoretical framework and empirical testing, this paper provides theoretical support and empirical evidence for the impact of official promotion incentives on urban EWP. The results help to understand the relationship between official promotion incentives and sustainable development, and promotes sustainable urban development.

How Citizens Meet the State: Police Contact, Trust, and Civic Engagement

This paper investigates the relationship between the police, the most visible street-level bureaucrat of local city governments, and citizen political attitudes and behaviors toward local city institutions. We introduce a holistic conceptualization of police-citizen contact and examine how each type impacts citizen trust toward and participation in political institutions. Leveraging an original survey targeting the city of South Bend and spatial data from the city government, results demonstrate that greater day-to-day contact with police has a positive impact on trust in state agencies while citizens who seek service from the police but are left unsatisfied result in lower trust in state apparatus. Most importantly, indirect exposure to police coercion has a negative impact on trust while direct and proximal contact with police predicts higher level of civic activism. This study demonstrates the fragility and challenge of building trust in police-citizen relationships, and how extreme encounters with the police can, in the right circumstances, spur citizen activism.

Smart cities and communities in the GCC region: from top-down city development to more local approaches

City planners are seeking ways to incorporate human-centric urban projects that combine smart technology, good infrastructure and people’s perception as well as their participation. Smart city developments are increasingly being applied to smaller scales at which communities can co-design hard infrastructure and the resulting services. Experiences from city projects at this level have produced a plethora of designs, challenges and success factors, particularly from cases in countries with long legacies in city development. In the Gulf Cooperation Council region, young cities and new planned cities house the bulk of the population and face environmental challenges related to urban segregation, urban sprawl and large consumption footprints. The political-economy of this region in terms of central urban planning and government-led economic development offers valuable insights on the limits and challenges in implementing projects related to smart and connected communities (SCC). SCC as a label for smart urban interventions towards more connectedness between hard and soft (human-related) infrastructure can provide opportunities for participatory and sustainable urban planning in the region. This paper analyzes the role of community-level interventions within the smart city policies of Gulf countries. It shows that only few local-level projects exist, while the barriers to large-scale SCC initiatives are related to demographics, community characteristics, technological sophistication, lack of conducive regulations, and the prevalence of central urban planning. The success of local smart city approaches in the Gulf is dependent on public leadership in terms of clearing obstacles, designing broader strategies, and expanding projects to include the residential sector. Considering the potential of SCC projects to enhance the transition to sustainability in the predominantly urban Gulf societies, broader engagement of local governments, utilities, and community-level developers can result in tangible benefits in terms of more sustainable, smart and tailored local services.

지방도시의 사전협상제도 도입과 관련한 쟁점 연구

The purpose of this study is to examine the applicability of the pre-negotiation system, which is a means of recovering development profits resulting from urban planning changes in local cities. To this end, the operational guidelines of local governments implementing the pre-negotiation system were compared, and issues related to the introduction of the system in local cities were reviewed. Although each issue was derived through interviews targeting specific cities, it was of common interest to local governments with development potential in non-urban areas. Through this review process, it was found that the pre-negotiation system can be used as an appropriate means of recovering development profits generated in non-urban areas, and the study was able to promote local governments' understanding of the introduction of the prior negotiation system.

The Role of the Civic University in Facilitating Inclusive and Transformative Pedagogical Approaches to the Sustainable Development Goals: A Systematic Literature Review

Facing rising financial pressure due to economic stagnation and lacklustre engagement from policy-makers, higher education institutions (HEIs) and local communities are placing increasing emphasis on cooperative efforts between universities and communities to co-create positive societal change in the face of the triple planetary crisis. Based on the PRISMA method, this systematic literature review seeks to contribute to the academic knowledge on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) governance at the local level by unpacking the contribution of HEI-community cooperative approaches to transformative learning and action for sustainability. In order to successfully incorporate communities’ priorities in the local-level integration of the SDGs, it is crucial that these new collaborative initiatives foster transformative learning approaches to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in an equitable, intersubjective, and inductive manner. The findings present the various strategies used to build long-term, impactful, and resilient learning skills for sustainable development for all ESD stakeholders at the local level, including communities, HEIs, and city authorities. This review proposes these interventions as tools for better local governance towards the integration of the SDGs into HEIs and communities, specifically through SDG4 Quality Education.

Medical and social aspects of the activities of local self-government and the medical community of Yekaterinodar in the late XIX – early XX century

The purpose of the study: to study the medical and social aspects of the activities of public institutions of the city of Yekaterinodar in the early twentieth century, as a reflection of global trends shaping the public health system. Materials and methods: historical-descriptive, comparative-historical, problem-chronological, biographical methods were used in the work. The article is based on published sources and archival materials available to the authors. Results.   Currently, there is no doubt that the level of public health depends not only on the activities of medical institutions, the qualifications of doctors, medical staff, but also on the timely comprehensive solution of many social issues with the participation of public and state institutions. The article presents some examples of the formation of such interaction and original solutions to urgent medical and social problems in Yekaterinodar (now Krasnodar) at the end of the XIX  –   beginning of the XX century. The issues of financing medical institutions, medical salaries and pensions, the organization of measures to combat epidemics, the formation of sanitary services, the opening of new specialized hospital departments, and services for the poorest segments of the population were touched upon. The elements of educational work, ways to solve the problem of high infant mortality and the organization of the first Consultation for infants are shown. Many doctors actively participated in the work of local city government, being “public” of the City Duma and the City Council, thereby contributing to the solution of many social and medical issues, including problems of payment for treatment, different categories of the population and “hospital arrears”. Conclusion .   Thus, without having a clear state concept and program for the development of healthcare, the city administration, together with the medical community, demonstrated the desire and possibility of jointly solving many medical and social problems of the city of Yekaterinodar. That is, during this period, the potential properties and understanding of the need for the development of the public health system and sphere were formed in the regional society.

Human rights cities and the expanding global toolkit for decolonization and racial justice

Amid a growing white backlash against racial progress that is rolling back voting rights and restraining public discourse and education about the history and legacies of slavery and colonialism, a global “George Floyd effect” has amplified efforts outside the United States to address systemic racism and engage growing numbers of US activists in the UN human rights system. Global institutions provide opportunities for US activists to expose US human rights violations linked to systemic racism, expand support and legitimacy for their claims, and attract influential global allies. Today’s activism builds on the earlier internationalism of US advocates, which helped build international legal and institutional foundations for combating systemic racism. Within this globalized context of antiracism activism, local human rights city advocates in the United States have leveraged treaty reviews and mobilized around the newly created Permanent Forum on People of African Descent to heighten attention to systemic racism and broaden their analyses and alliances. These new global modes of engagement can help neutralize and roll back some of the threats to human rights that proliferate today.

Can access to urban networks promote urban development? Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta region of China.

The regional networking strategy is widely implemented in China as a normative policy aimed at fostering cohesion and enhancing competitiveness. However, the empirical basis for this strategy remains relatively weak due to limitations in measurement methods and data availability. This paper establishes the urban networks by the enterprise investment data, and then accurately measures the network's external effects of each city by the method of MGWR model. The results show that: (1) Regional networking plays a significant role in urban development, although it is not the dominant factor. (2) The benefits of network connections may vary depending on the location and level of cities. (3) The major cities assume a pivotal role in the urban network. Based upon the aforementioned research conclusions, this paper presents strategic measures to enhance the network's external impacts, aiming to offer insights for other regions in formulating regional development strategies and establishing regional urban networks.

DOES THE DIGITAL ECONOMY CHANGE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CARBON EMISSIONS? EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM 278 CITIES IN CHINA

The rise of the digital economy has had widespread and profound impacts on the economy and society. Extensive literature exists on digital economy and carbon emissions. However, there is a lack of literature focusing on the impact of the digital economy on the relationship between economic development and carbon emissions. This paper examines whether the digital economy has changed the relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions using panel and spatial econometric modeling. Using a panel dataset of 278 prefecture-level cities in China for the period from 2011 to 2019, the results show that there is a significant inverted U-shaped relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions, which is consistent with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) model. Moreover, the digital economy brings the turning point forward. In terms of spatial decomposition effects, both direct and indirect effects of economic growth on carbon emissions are significant, suggesting that economic growth has a positive impact on carbon emissions both in local cities and in neighboring areas. Overall, these findings provide valuable policy insights for promoting the synergistic development of the digital economy and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Latent potential? Searching for environmental justice in South African landscape architecture praxis

Landscape architecture is not formally affiliated with environmental justice in South Africa. This is concerning given that the country is the most socio-economically unequal worldwide and that local cities contain dire urban realities and climate-related risks with degraded and unsafe green open spaces. We explored the potential within local professional praxis for addressing inequities related to green open spaces in the urban environment. Narratives were collected via 25 in-depth interviews from a diverse sample. We found that though landscape architects have yet to be exposed to ‘environmental justice’ as a term and as a movement, practitioners have an implicit awareness of environmental inequity as a lived reality. We argue that these professionals have the potential to actively promote environmental justice, evidenced by how practitioners currently address justice concerns and challenges. We call for more active and authentic engagement around environmental justice within the profession here and internationally.

The spatial effects of housing prices on innovation in cities: evidence from the Yangtze river economic belt in China

ABSTRACT Economic activities among cities are not mutually independent; rather, they exhibit significant spatial associations. Real estate prices also demonstrate a certain degree of spatial interdependence. Diverging from most of the relevant researches neglecting the existence of spatial spillover effect, our study employs spatial Durbin models for an in-deep investigation into the spatial spillover effects of housing prices on innovation within the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Furthermore, our study explores the talent agglomeration channel. In many studies on housing prices and innovation, the focus has often been on the channel of labour mobility, with limited in-depth exploration of labour characteristics. Our findings reveal the following: (1) An increase in housing prices stimulates innovative activities in local cities but hinders innovation in surrounding cities. (2) In the midstream and downstream regions of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the escalation of housing prices fosters innovation in cities but suppresses innovation in surrounding cities. Conversely, in the upstream region, the rise in housing prices inhibits innovative activities both locally and in surrounding cities. (3) The talent agglomeration channel underscores regional disparities in the impact of housing prices on talent agglomeration, highlighting the significant role of talent agglomeration in the impact of housing prices on innovation. These results remain robust when subjected to tests, including the instrumental variable method, alternative spatial matrices, and alternative housing price measures. Highlights The study examines the spatial effects of escalating housing prices on innovation. The spatial Durbin models are employed to examine spatial effects. The spatial effects are heterogeneous in different regions. The study examines the talent aggregation channel.

The value of adding black carbon to community monitoring of particulate matter

Low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors are increasingly used by researchers, public health agencies, and the public to measure spatial and temporal variations in air pollution, which can inform strategies for community air pollution reduction. While low-cost PM sensors provide a valuable measure of harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a significant portion of ambient PM2.5 is typically the secondary product of air pollution emitted by varied sources outside of community boundaries. In contrast, concentrations of black carbon (BC), a component of PM2.5, are directly emitted by a few specific sources, such as diesel engines within communities. Motivated by community organizations seeking to understand persistent sources of local pollution, this study deployed a suite of custom-built BC sensors alongside a network of low-cost PM sensors for four weeks in two seasons at 50 stationary locations in the adjacent cities of Richmond, North Richmond, and San Pablo, California, east of the San Francisco Bay. Concentrations of BC varied more than PM2.5 both temporally and spatially. Monthly network-average BC was 3 × higher in winter than late spring, while PM2.5 was only 10% lower. In both seasons, average PM2.5 concentrations at two-thirds of sites were within ±10% of the network average, whereas two-thirds of sites had BC levels outside of ±10% of the network-average concentration. The most and least polluted locations were more persistent across seasons for BC than PM2.5, and the temporal dynamics of BC at these sites were similar, signifying that they are impacted by the same emission sources. Together, these spatiotemporal trends show that BC is a better indicator of the proximity and activity of local pollution sources than PM2.5. Thus, including BC in addition to PM2.5 in community monitoring networks can provide additional insights about local sources of air pollution.