Examining the influencing factors of green transformation efficiency in resource-exhausted cities through the lens of Chinese case studies: A framework integrating urban system composition analysis and PLS-SEM methodology

• The analysis framework of UGTE influencing factors including urban space is proposed for the first time. • The effect mechanism of society, economy, space, environment and infrastructure factors on UGTE in resource-exhausted cities was studied quantitatively. • The relationship and reasons between urban spatial form and UGTE are analyzed qualitatively, and the urban spatial form with higher UGTE is proposed. • Starting from the urban space, this paper puts forward the concrete strategies to promote the green transformation of resource-exhausted cities. In resource-exhausted cities, improving the efficiency of green transformation requires analysis of influencing factors and action paths. DEMATEL-ISM method and MICMAC model were used to analyze the dependence and driving force of five influencing factors. Based on PLS-SEM model, the hierarchical structure and action path of the influencing factors were quantitatively analyzed through 39-sample cities in China. Simultaneously, the relationship between spatial form and Urban Green Transformation Efficiency (UGTE) and its reasons are qualitatively analyzed. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) The urban spatial system affects urban productivity. (2) Economy, environment, and infrastructure are highly interdependent, with minimal driving force. In contrast, society and space have a larger driving force and are less dependent. (3) In resource-exhausted cities, economy has the greatest impact on UGTE (0.367***), followed by infrastructure (0.358***) and environment (-0.160***). The path coefficients of spatial impact on economy, environment, and infrastructure were 0.337, 0.741, and 0.564, respectively. The path coefficient of social influence on economy is 0.564***. (4) The UGTE of radiation and centralized urban spatial forms is higher. The UGTE of band and group urban spatial form is lower. The theoretical contributions of this study are as follows: (1) for the first time, an analysis framework that includes spatial factors influencing UGTE is proposed; (2) the study explores sustainable urban form and establishes a research paradigm for related studies. The practical contributions include providing guidance for the medium- and long-term spatial planning of different resource-based cities. For example, resource-exhausted cities in the decline stage should adopt a compact spatial form of functions. This study has some limitations: (1) the regional heterogeneity of spatial form is not considered; (2) the urban spatial system evaluation method has room for optimization; (3) the potential impact of the location of urban spatial elements on UGTE has not been discussed.