arbiter
JournalsAccount

Highways and Market Integration in the Yangtze River Economic Belt: Dynamics and Regional Heterogeneity

Xiaoli Hu et al.

International Regional Science Review2025https://doi.org/10.1177/01600176251389114article
ABDC B
Weight
0.37

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic and regional effects of highway development on market integration within China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), a region of strategic economic importance. Spanning 11 provinces and contributing nearly half of China’s GDP, the YREB faces challenges of uneven development and market segmentation. Highways, as crucial transportation infrastructure, are posited to enhance market integration by reducing costs, improving connectivity, and fostering trade and labor mobility. Utilizing econometric modeling and spatial analysis, the study examines both the nonlinear and heterogeneous impacts of highways on regional integration. Results reveal that highway development significantly promotes market integration, particularly in the short term. However, its marginal effects diminish over time as networks approach saturation. Moreover, highways disproportionately benefit economically advanced and less geographically rugged regions, exacerbating core-periphery disparities. The study identifies critical factors influencing these outcomes, including economic development levels, geographic conditions, and infrastructure saturation. The findings underscore the dual role of highways in fostering connectivity and reinforcing regional inequalities. Policy recommendations emphasize targeted infrastructure investments in underdeveloped areas, integration of highway projects with broader economic policies, and phased infrastructure development strategies to optimize returns and address regional disparities. This research advances understanding of the economic effects of transportation infrastructure, providing theoretical and practical insights for fostering equitable growth and market integration in regional economies.

1 citation

Open via your library →

Cite this paper

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/01600176251389114

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{xiaoli2025,
  title        = {{Highways and Market Integration in the Yangtze River Economic Belt: Dynamics and Regional Heterogeneity}},
  author       = {Xiaoli Hu et al.},
  journal      = {International Regional Science Review},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/01600176251389114},
}

Paste directly into BibTeX, Zotero, or your reference manager.

Flag this paper

Highways and Market Integration in the Yangtze River Economic Belt: Dynamics and Regional Heterogeneity

Flags are reviewed by the Arbiter methodology team within 5 business days.

Evidence weight

0.37

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.16 × 0.4 = 0.06
M · momentum0.53 × 0.15 = 0.08
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.