Residential land structure affects residential welfare: Linear and non-linear effects

The non-equilibrium phenomenon of residential land structure should be accorded particular importance when discussing residential welfare. Based on balanced panel data at the provincial level in China from 2009 to 2017, this study constructed an indicator to measure the residential welfare level using a multi-dimensional approach. It explored residential land structure's impact on residential welfare and its mechanism of action under carbon emissions and urbanization from both linear and non-linear perspectives. An orderly residential land structure was found to significantly positively affect residential welfare and this effect varies among provincial cities. Per the mechanism analysis, in the process of the residential land structure's impact on residential welfare, urbanization's mediating effect is influenced by the environment, whereas carbon emissions' moderating effect is partially influenced by urbanization. These insights contribute to the residential welfare literature and provide actionable recommendations for policy implementation in developing regions.