Urban regeneration and health: Quasi-natural experimental evidence from China

With rapid urbanization, many countries have adopted urban regeneration initiatives to address urban decline and promote sustainable development. Yet limited evidence exists on the health effects of large-scale urban regeneration. This study focuses on an early urban regeneration policy in China, the Urban Double Repairs (UDRs) initiative, which aims to promote ecological restoration and urban repair in selected cities. Using nationally representative data from the Chinese General Social Survey and a difference-in-differences approach, this study examines the impact of the UDR policy on residents’ health. The results show that, following implementation, self-reported health improved and obesity declined, with more pronounced effects observed in large cities and in cities with higher levels of population aging. Mechanism analysis indicates that increased social participation and improved perceived environmental quality play important roles in linking the UDR policy to better health. Further analysis based on quantile regression shows that the benefits are stronger among individuals with poorer initial health, indicating a reduction in health disparities.