Impact of Urban–Rural Integrated Development on China’s Low-Carbon Economy: A County-Level Analysis

Urban–rural integrated development is a promising strategy for advancing China’s low-carbon economy at the county level. This study uses satellite data sets to examine the relationship between urban–rural integration and low-carbon economic development across Chinese counties. We focus on three key dimensions: spatial integration, ecological protection, and urban–rural linkages. Our findings show that spatial integration may inadvertently hinder low-carbon economic progress. However, this negative impact is mitigated in counties with higher GDP per capita and optimized industrial structures. Furthermore, ecological protection is shown to enhance low-carbon economic status, particularly in counties with lower rural population densities. Urban–rural linkages also exhibit a positive influence on county-level low-carbon outcomes, with significant effects noted in counties with high urban per capita GDP or low rural population density. These findings illuminate the intricate relationships between urban–rural integration and low-carbon economic development, emphasizing the necessity for targeted policy interventions.