Wang, Y; Shi, G and Zhang, Y (2025) How did polycentric spatial structure affect carbon emissions of the construction industry? A case study of 10 Chinese urban clusters. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(2), pp. 1186-1210. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: Due to the close connection between urban cluster and carbon emissions (CEs) but a lack of study on it of the construction industry, this paper aims to explore the relationship between the polycentric spatial structure (PSS) of the urban clusters and CEs of the construction industry (CECI). Design/methodology/approach: This research uses panel data of 10 Chinese urban clusters from 2006–2021, calculates their PSSs in the aspects of economy and employment and adopts a panel regression model to explore the effect of the spatiotemporal characteristics of the PSSs on the CECI. Findings: First, the CECI in 10 Chinese urban clusters showed a rising trend in general, and the CECI in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) was much higher than those in the rest of urban clusters. Second, both Shandong Peninsula (SP) and Guangdong-Fujian-Zhejiang (GFZ) exhibited high degrees of polycentric characteristics, while Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) showed weaker degrees. Third, the results demonstrated that the polycentric development of urban clusters did not help reduce the CECI but rather promote the CE. The polycentric index, considering the linear distance from the main center to sub center, had a more significant impact on the CECI. Originality/value: Previous studies have investigated the impact of urban spatial structure (USS) on CEs; however, few of them have studied in the field of construction industry. Moreover, most research of CEs have concentrated at the national and provincial levels, with fewer studies on urban clusters. This paper contributes to this knowledge by investigating how the PSS of urban cluster influence the CECI.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | carbon emissions of the construction industry; panel regression model; polycentric spatial structure; spatiotemporal characteristics; urban clusters |
| Index terms: | methodology, regression model, carbon emission, case study, employment, Beijing, construction industry |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, statistical analysis, industry analysis, management, climate science, Geography, research methods |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Sustainability, Research Practice, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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