The urban spatial structure profoundly influences green sustainable development, while digital technology is instrumental in fostering the advancement of eco-friendly smart cities. This study explores whether optimizing urban spatial layout can utilize the transformative potential of the digital economy (DE) to achieve goals such as urban low-carbon construction, achieving "carbon neutrality" and promoting sustainable development. We examine the influence of polycentric spatial structure and the digital economy on urban carbon emissions (UCE) from a spatial perspective. We found that a polycentric spatial structure reduced local and neighboring carbon emissions significantly, and the expansion of the further amplifies this effect. Supported by digital technologies, three main pathways effectively reduce UCE: improving transportation infrastructure, facilitating industrial transformation and upgrading, and promoting market integration. Further analysis revealed that the effectiveness of these beneficial impacts is influenced by regional heterogeneity and urban scale. Moreover, cities with advanced green technologies and those situated within urban agglomerations are better positioned to leverage this dividend effect to foster green, low-carbon, and sustainable urban development. Lastly, based on our research findings, we provide policy recommendations aimed at promoting green and sustainable urban development.

中文翻译：

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多中心空间结构、数字经济与城市绿色可持续发展


城市空间结构深刻影响绿色可持续发展，数字技术助力绿色智慧城市发展。本研究探讨优化城市空间布局能否利用数字经济（DE）的变革潜力来实现城市低碳建设、实现“碳中和”、促进可持续发展等目标。我们从空间角度考察多中心空间结构和数字经济对城市碳排放（UCE）的影响。我们发现，多中心空间结构显着减少了当地和邻近的碳排放，而空间结构的扩张进一步放大了这种效应。在数字技术的支持下，改善交通基础设施、促进产业转型升级、促进市场一体化三个主要途径有效降低UCE。进一步分析表明，这些有益影响的有效性受到区域异质性和城市规模的影响。此外，拥有先进绿色技术的城市和城市群内的城市更有能力利用这种红利效应促进绿色、低碳和可持续的城市发展。最后，根据我们的研究结果，我们提出了旨在促进绿色和可持续城市发展的政策建议。