Environmental sustainability in urban China

Abstract

The rapid economic development and urbanization in China lead to serious environmental consequences in the last 40 years. Based on the empirical studies conducted by my coauthors and me, this chapter investigates the environmental consequences of China’s ongoing fast urbanization. The revealed preference evidences from the housing market and self-protection behaviors illustrate that Chinese urbanites’ demand for green cities is rising. Our studies also show that the inclusion of greenness in local officials’ promotion criteria and the rising information transparency have incentivized local leaders to respond to such a demand by regulating pollution. I also discuss the future trend and dynamics of pollution, and the environmental justice in China’s context.