Polycentric spatial Structure, digital economy and urban green sustainable development

The urban spatial structure profoundly influences green sustainable development, while digital technology is instrumental in fostering the advancement of eco-friendly smart cities. This study explores whether optimizing urban spatial layout can utilize the transformative potential of the digital economy (DE) to achieve goals such as urban low-carbon construction, achieving "carbon neutrality" and promoting sustainable development. We examine the influence of polycentric spatial structure and the digital economy on urban carbon emissions (UCE) from a spatial perspective. We found that a polycentric spatial structure reduced local and neighboring carbon emissions significantly, and the expansion of the DE further amplifies this effect. Supported by digital technologies, three main pathways effectively reduce UCE: improving transportation infrastructure, facilitating industrial transformation and upgrading, and promoting market integration. Further analysis revealed that the effectiveness of these beneficial impacts is influenced by regional heterogeneity and urban scale. Moreover, cities with advanced green technologies and those situated within urban agglomerations are better positioned to leverage this dividend effect to foster green, low-carbon, and sustainable urban development. Lastly, based on our research findings, we provide policy recommendations aimed at promoting green and sustainable urban development.