Developing a suitability assessment model for Public Private Partnerships: a case in urban China

Spatial heterogeneity is a fundamental aspect of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). The appropriateness of PPPs applications varies across regions. While the assessment of suitability for PPPs is crucial, it has received limited scholarly attention. This study, using China as s representative case, developed a suitability assessment model and evaluated it across 287 prefecture-level cities in China. The results reveal considerable spatial variation in the suitability of PPPs within the country. Utilizing the natural breakpoint method, this study categorized Chinese cities into four distinct levels of PPP suitability: high, medium, low, and unsuitable. 219 cities were identified as either unsuitable or having low suitability for PPPs, suggesting that PPPs may not be broadly applicable in the current Chinese context. This study not only lays the groundwork for sustainable PPP application in China but also significantly contributes to shaping strategies for successful PPP implementation globally.