Editorial Type: RESEARCH ARTICLES
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Online Publication Date: 25 Nov 2025

THE POWER OF POLICY SYNERGY IN URBAN DECARBONIZATION: ASSESSING THE CARBON MITIGATION EFFECTS OF PREFABRICATED BUILDING PILOT POLICY IN CHINA

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Article Category: Research Article
Page Range: 173 – 196
DOI: 10.3992/jgb.20.4.173
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ABSTRACT

Prefabricated buildings (PBs) have emerged as a pivotal strategy for sustainable construction, yet empirical evidence on their direct carbon mitigation potential remains understudied. This study evaluates the causal effects of a Prefabricated Building Pilot Policy (PBPP) on urban carbon emissions in China to address this gap. Using a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) design and panel data from 333 prefecture-level cities over 2010 to 2023, we find that PBPP implementation significantly reduces carbon emissions in pilot cities. Results highlight regional heterogeneity: emission reductions are stronger in western regions and cities without centralized heating systems than in eastern and centrally heated cities. Furthermore, PBPP exhibits synergistic effects when combined with climate-adaptive city pilots and smart city initiatives, enhancing mitigation outcomes. These findings underscore the value of integrated policy frameworks for urban decarbonization. The study contributes by (1) quantifying PB-related emission reductions at the urban scale, (2) demonstrating policy synergy effects, and (3) offering practical insights for optimizing China's PBPP strategy. The evidence supports coordinated policy design to amplify the climate benefits of sustainable construction.

Keywords: Prefabricated Buildings; Carbon Emission Reduction; Policy Synergy; Staggered DID Model; Regional Heterogeneity

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(*Corresponding author, linhan@nau.edu.cn)
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