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Spatial pattern evolution and driving factors of urban green technology innovation in China

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Abstract

This study uses green patent data from 264 cities in China between 2006 and 2020 to examine the evolution of spatial patterns in urban green technology innovation (GTI) across the country and identify the underlying driving factors. Moran’s I index, Getis-Ord Gi* index, standard deviation ellipse, and geographical detector were used for the analysis. The findings indicate an increase in the overall level of GTI within Chinese cities. Provincial capitals, cities along the eastern coast, and planned cities emerge as the prominent “highlands” of GTI, whereas the “lowlands” of GTI predominantly lie in the western and northeastern regions, forming the spatial pattern of “hot in the east and center of the country, cold in the northwest and the northeast.” The distribution center of gravity of GTI is toward the southwest of China. The distribution pattern is in the “northeast-southwest” direction, which is characterized by “diffusion,” followed by “agglomeration.” Differences in economic development have the highest determining power on the spatial differentiation of GTI in Chinese cities, whereas differences in environmental regulation and industrial structure have the lowest degree of relative influence. The interaction between any two factors contributes to an amplified explanatory power in understanding the differences in GTI.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Economics and Management, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China

    Ying Li

  2. School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China

    Yuanping Fang

  3. School of Statistics and Mathematics, Shandong University of Finance and Economics, Jinan, 250014, China

    Qinggang Meng

Authors
  1. Ying Li
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  2. Yuanping Fang
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  3. Qinggang Meng
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Correspondence to Yuanping Fang.

Additional information

Foundation: National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.42171172; Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, No.2021A1515012248; Major Program of the National Social Science Fund of China, No.21ZDA011

Author: Li Ying (1993–), PhD Candidate, specialized in economic geography and portfolio selection.

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Li, Y., Fang, Y. & Meng, Q. Spatial pattern evolution and driving factors of urban green technology innovation in China. J. Geogr. Sci. 34, 289–308 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-024-2205-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-024-2205-3

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