The Effects of New-Type Urbanization on the Efficient, Low-Carbon Use of Urban Land

Construction of New-Type Urbanization (NTU) is one of China's key development strategies, significantly affecting low-carbon and sustainable land use. This study employs the Epsilon-Based Measure (EBM) model to calculate the Efficient, Low-Carbon Use of Urban Land (ELUUL), and empirically test the driving effect of the New-Type Urbanization Pilot Policy (NTUPP) on ELUUL using the Difference-in-Differences (DID) model. The study's findings show that NTUPP has significantly promoted ELUUL, and a series of robustness and endogeneity analyses support this conclusion. On average, the implementation of NTUPP has increased ELUUL by 3.03 percent. NTUPP primarily benefits ELUUL via income effects, transportation infrastructure, and economic agglomeration. Compared to the eastern regions, small- and medium-sized cities, and non-resource-based cities, NTUPP promotes ELUUL in the central and western regions, large cities, and resource-based cities. The Chinese government's recognition of NTU's low-carbon characteristics can significantly strengthen NTUPP's role in promoting ELUUL, whereas recognition of NTU's intelligent and civilized characteristics has a less enhancing effect. Public awareness of NTU's green attributes can also help NTUPP promote ELUUL. Furthermore, compared to cities with high levels of educational intervention, low levels of financial development, non-land inspection pilot cities, and planning coordination pilot cities, NTUPP promotes ELUUL more effectively. The study's results provide theoretical and practical knowledge for urbanizing developing countries to promote efficient land use.