Impact of Spatial Functional Division in Urban Agglomeration on Urban Carbon Emissions: An Empirical Study of 19 Urban Agglomerations in China

Abstract

This paper empirically examines the impact of spatial functional division in urban agglomeration on carbon emissions in Central and Peripheral City using data from 19 urban agglomerations in China spanning from 2010 to 2019. The findings indicate that: (1) The spatial functional division in urban agglomeration contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions in Central City but exacerbates them in Peripheral City. (2) Technological progress partially mediates the effect of spatial functional division in urban agglomeration on carbon emission reduction in Central City, while both technological progress and manufacturing agglomeration have partial mediating effects on the increase of carbon emissions due to spatial functional division in urban agglomeration in Peripheral City. (3) Industrial collaborative agglomeration and digital economy enhance the carbon emission reduction effect of spatial functional division in urban agglomerations for Central City; however, industrial collaborative agglomeration mitigates the exacerbating role of spatial functional division in urban agglomeration on carbon emissions for Peripheral City. (4) The impact of spatial function division in urban agglomeration on carbon emissions exhibits regional heterogeneity within urban agglomerations. The findings hold certain reference significance for relevant countries when formulating public policies that strike a balance between economic development and carbon emissions amidst deepening of spatial functional division in urban agglomeration.