Land Degradation and Development, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 12, 2025

ABSTRACT China's rapid population urbanization over recent decades has posed significant challenges to sustainable urban development, particularly in ensuring water resource security. Within the development goals (SDGs) framework, this study explores multidimensional mechanisms underlying and security by integrating spatial econometric analyses. Spatial kernel density estimation obstacle degree model were employed assess dynamic trends of across China. Subsequently, analyses using random effects models, difference‐in‐differences durbin models conducted evaluate causal relationships dependencies. Empirical results demonstrate that enhances largely due agglomeration effect improved infrastructure development. However, regional economic growth often occurs at expense environmental quality, highlighting critical need for strengthened protection wetlands forests enhanced regulation industrial wastewater discharge. Further analysis confirms that: (1) impact on remains consistent with benchmark regression both short‐term long‐term effects; (2) years education positively moderate relationship between security; (3) heterogeneity is evident, showing negative externalities from eastern central provinces neighboring regions' security, whereas western significantly local without externalities. Based these insights, proposes targeted management strategies mitigate spillovers, enhance cooperation, integrate governance into planning.

Language: Английский