Coupling coordination degree and driving factors of new-type urbanization and low-carbon development in the Yangtze River Delta: based on nighttime light data

The coordination relationship between new-type urbanization and urban low-carbon development under the goal of carbon neutrality has become a hot issue that needs to be focused on when formulating policies. Based on the estimation of urban CO2 emissions by night light data, this study used spatial autocorrelation, spatial Markov chain and geographically weighted regression model to measure the spatial correlation and spillover effects of the coupling coordination degree of two systems in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration from 2005 to 2018 and analyzed the influencing factors. The results showed that (1) the coupling coordination degree showed an increasing trend, but the club effect was quite obvious, and the regional pattern was higher in southeast and lower in northwest; (2) the spatial spillover effect of coupling coordination degree is significant, which aggravates the long-term persistence of the imbalance pattern; (3) regional economic level, government fiscal regulation, and industrial upgrading are the main driving forces for the increase of coupling coordination degree, while over-concentration of population and low energy efficiency are the main obstacles. Finally, on the basis of these conclusions, we provide targeted policy planning suggestions for policy makers.