Impact of Urban Green Spaces on Sustainable Development: Empirical Evidence from Chinese Cities

Rapid urbanization has continuously exacerbated the ecological systems and resource-environment issues. Urban green spaces (UGS) are crucial for ecological balance, improving living environments, and promoting sustainable development. Using the panel data of 249 cities in China from 2006 to 2022, this work examines the impact of UGS on sustainable development. The findings reveal: firstly, UGS significantly promote sustainable development; secondly, the mechanisms primarily manifest in ecosystem services and industrial upgrading; lastly, the impact exhibits notable spatial heterogeneity, with more pronounced effects in resource-dependent cities, central-western regions, and areas with lower economic development levels. This study underscores the importance of UGS in sustainable development and proposes scientifically planned resource utilization to fully realize its potential in enhancing urban ecosystem functions, improving living environments, and fostering socio-economic sustainability, ultimately achieving urban sustainable development goals.