China's urbanisation in recent decades has been accompanied by a pressing environmental challenge - haze pollution. This issue not only affects the quality of life but also poses health risks to millions. A recent study by Kexin Wu, Xu Chen, Sajid Anwar, and William Robert J. Alexander focuses on this complex relationship, shedding light on how polycentric agglomeration, the clustering of multiple urban centres, influences haze pollution.

The study, which used province-level data from 2000 to 2018, shows that instead of a linear correlation, a significant inverted U-shaped pattern was revealed signifying that as urban centres cluster together, haze pollution tends to increase initially but reduces beyond a certain point. To understand why polycentric agglomeration affects haze pollution in this way, the researchers discovered two significant factors: industrial structure rationalisation and technological progress which imply that as economies diversify and adopt cleaner technologies, the negative impact of urban clustering on air quality lessens.

Improved infrastructure also has the power to mitigate the effects of polycentric agglomeration on haze pollution. The reasoning is simple: better transportation and communication systems make it easier to manage and control pollution, even in densely urbanised areas.

This study highlights the need for targeted policy interventions, sustainable urban planning, and infrastructure development. By understanding these intricacies, China can continue its urbanisation journey while ensuring cleaner air and a healthier environment for its citizens. This research is an important step towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Kexin Wu, Xu Chen, Professor Sajid Anwar, Dr Robert Alexander