Revealing the sustainability transitions in China’s metal resource-based cities

Achieving sustainable development in mining cities is a pressing global challenge, particularly in resource-dependent economies such as China. By applying an improved Inclusive Wealth Index (IWI) and a geographical detector model, this paper examines the spatial and temporal evolution of sustainable development capacity across the life cycles of China’s metal resource-based cities (MRBCs). Our findings reveal a notable spatial heterogeneity among MRBCs, across 17 studied cities in 2021, with averages of 38.4%, 34.1%, and 27.6% for natural, human, and produced capital, respectively. From 2011 to 2021, the sustainability of MRBCs has increased by 31.8%, driven by increased produced capital and a rising emphasis on human capital. Renewable natural capital was identified as the most critical factor influencing the sustainability of MRBCs. Furthermore, as MRBCs progress through their life cycles, they experience a gradual decrease in natural capital, coupled with gradual increases in produced and human capital, with recessionary cities exhibiting the lowest levels of overall sustainability. This paper contributes by demonstration how the IWI framework can guide resource optimization, strengthen urban resilience, and inform sustainability strategies in mining cities globally.