Spatiotemporal perspectives on urban energy transitions: a comparative study of three cities in China

• Main Authors: Vanesa Castán Broto, Daphne Mah, Fangzhu Zhang, Ping Huang, Kevin Lo, Linda Westman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-09-01
• Series: Urban Transformations
• Subjects: Urban sustainability transitions; Solar technologies; Innovation pathways; Spatial embeddedness; China
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42854-020-00015-9

Abstract This paper develops an integrated framework to study the socio-spatial and temporal dimensions of urban energy transitions to investigate the development and spread of solar energy technologies in urban China. A comparative analysis of three case studies of solar energy transitions in the cities of Foshan (in Guangdong), Rizhao (in Shandong), and Wuxi (in Jiangsu) demonstrates the framework’s applicability. The results map each city’s trajectory towards low carbon energy. Transitions result from dynamic interactions among central and local governments, solar manufacturers, solar installers, and residents. Alongside industrial strategies, locally-specific factors have a determining influence on the eventual outcomes.