Urban ecological resilience in the digital era: the role of data factor marketization and spatial spillovers

As data becomes an increasingly important production factor in the digital economy, its role in shaping environmental outcomes has attracted growing attention. This study examines how data factor marketization affects urban ecological resilience. Using a spatial difference-in-differences model and panel data from 282 Chinese cities between 2010 and 2022, we find that data factor marketization significantly enhances ecological resilience and generates positive spatial spillovers, although these effects are mainly concentrated within a relatively short geographic range. The effect operates through three main pathways: green innovation, efficient resource allocation, and industrial upgrading through digital transformation. The results also reveal substantial heterogeneity: eastern and western cities benefit more than central ones, and resource-based cities respond more strongly, likely due to their stronger demand for structural transformation. In addition, cities with stronger digital foundations derive greater ecological benefits from the reform, highlighting the conditioning role of digital development in shaping policy effectiveness. These findings advance understanding of how data factor allocation supports environmental adaptation and underscore the importance of digital infrastructure and institutional capacity. Policy efforts should prioritize data institutionalization, digital inclusion, and targeted support for digitally lagging and resource-dependent cities to better translate data reforms into ecological gains.