How does technological innovation affect urban economic resilience? Evidence from 276 Chinese cities

The growing uncertainty in the global economy underscores the critical importance of urban economic resilience. Grounded in Schumpeter’s theory of innovation-driven growth, this study examines the impact of technological innovation on urban economic resilience using data from 276 Chinese cities from 2010 to 2022. The research explores how technological innovation enhances urban adaptability, recovery, and transformation capacities, while also analyzing the heterogeneous effects across different city types. The results indicate that technological innovation significantly strengthens urban economic resilience, exhibiting notable regional and structural variations. The effects are particularly pronounced in central regions, large cities, resource-dependent cities, old industrial bases, and central cities. Furthermore, the study identifies two key transmission mechanisms: the enhancement of new productivity quality and the reduction of income distribution disparities. Urban entrepreneurship vitality and digital economy development also play crucial roles in amplifying the positive effects of technological innovation. These findings highlight the need to prioritize technological innovation, accelerate digital transformation, and promote inclusive growth, offering valuable insights for policymakers aiming to build robust urban economic resilience systems.