How Does Network Infrastructure Construction Drive Integrated Urban-Rural Development?
WANG Yuan1, ZHANG Bingbing1,2, CAO Lijuan1
1. College of Economics and Management,Nanjing Agricultural University,Nanjing 210095,China; 2. Resources & Environment and Development Academy,Nanjing Agricultural University,Nanjing 210095,China
Abstract From the perspective of interactive coordination between new-type urbanization and rural vitalization, this study establishes an evaluation index system for urban-rural integrated development at the prefecture-level city scale, clarifies the internal mechanism through which network infrastructure construction affects such development, and employs a double machine learning approach to examine its impact effects and pathways. The study shows that network infrastructure construction can significantly promote urban-rural integrated development. This conclusion remains robust after a series of robustness checks, including replacing machine learning algorithms, altering the measurement methods for independent and dependent variables and excluding outliers. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the promotive effect of network infrastructure construction on urban-rural integrated development is more pronounced in regions with a lower degree of aging and a higher proportion of tertiary industry. Mechanism analysis indicates that network infrastructure construction advances urban-rural integrated development by enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities and fostering the development of digital inclusive finance. Further analysis shows that new industrialization characterized by digitalization, ntellectualization and ecologicalization can significantly strengthen the promoting effect of network infrastructure on urban-rural integrated development. The research findings provide useful insights for developing new infrastructure, enhancing the level of urban-rural integrated development, and thereby advancing Chinese modernization to achieve common prosperity for all.
WANG Yuan,ZHANG Bingbing,CAO Lijuan. How Does Network Infrastructure Construction Drive Integrated Urban-Rural Development?. Economic Survey, 2026, 43(1): 044.
2026, Vol. 43 
