Compact space, connected city: the impact of urban compactness on basic public service accessibility

Equitable and universal access to basic public services (BPS) is a key cornerstone for advancing people-centred new-type urbanization and realizing common prosperity. As a key carrier affecting the supply–demand matching of BPS facilities, the mechanism through which urban spatial form operates has not yet been fully clarified. Taking urban compactness as the entry point, this paper systematically investigates its impact and intrinsic logic on BPS accessibility. Based on panel data of Chinese prefecture-level cities from 2010 to 2023, combined with multi-source geospatial big data and points of interest data, we construct the indicator system for measuring urban compactness and BPS accessibility. The empirical results show that urban compactness significantly improves BPS accessibility. Mechanism tests reveal that population agglomeration, improved land use efficiency, expanded public fiscal expenditure, and enhanced transportation infrastructure serve as the core transmission channels through which urban compactness empowers BPS accessibility. Furthermore, greater fiscal autonomy, improved digital governance, and a higher level of land marketization all help strengthen the positive effect of compact urban form on BPS accessibility. This study provides theoretical support and policy implications for optimizing urban spatial structure and improving the universal welfare of residents.