Residential land share and urban economic resilience: Influence mechanisms and optimal share in China

Reasonable planning of residential land share is essential for improving land utilization efficiency, and the optimal ratio of RLS varies among cities. Using panel data and raster data from 265 cities between 2011 and 2019, we explore the optimal RLS for different cities by employing spatial econometric methods to construct a spatial population flow matrix and introducing instrumental variables. Our findings are as follows. Firstly, the impact of RLS on urban economic resilience follows an inverted U-shaped curve, indicating that increasing RLS can enhance a city's recovery and risk transformation capabilities, with positive spatial spillover effects. Secondly, these conclusions remain robust after using instrumental variables. Thirdly, the study empirically validates the mediating effects of manufacturing agglomeration and human capital, with these effects exhibiting significant difference on affordable housing provision levels. Lastly, we find that the utility of the RLS has dual threshold effects of economic development and industrialization. Our study elucidates the complex mechanisms linking RLS to UER, particularly underscoring the critical role of affordable housing provision, thereby providing new theoretical and practical insights for sustainable urban development strategies.