Sustainability transitions and leapfrogging in latecomer cities : the development of solar thermal energy in Dezhou, China

Yu, Zhen; Gibbs, David

Abstract

Sustainability transitions in cities in emerging economic contexts are rarely addressed. The paper addresses this issue by investigating the drivers and barriers in the diffusion of solar thermal energy in two Chinese cities, Dezhou and Beijing. The findings suggest that latecomer cities such as Dezhou demonstrate several advantages over developed cities in environmental transitions. In particular they can ‘leapfrog’ to environmentally-friendly technologies as they are less locked-in by existing technological regimes. The paper thus contributes to debates over the role of both space and the urban scale in sustainability transitions research.

Citation

Yu, Z., & Gibbs, D. (2018). Sustainability transitions and leapfrogging in latecomer cities : the development of solar thermal energy in Dezhou, China. Regional studies, 52(1), 68-79. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2016.1260706

• Acceptance Date: Nov 9, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jan 19, 2017
• Publication Date: 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 16, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 24, 2018
• Journal: Regional studies
• Print ISSN: 0034-3404
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 68-79
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2016.1260706
• Keywords: Leapfrogging; Sustainability transitions; Multi-level perspective; Renewable energy; China
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/445157
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00343404.2016.1260706
• Additional Information: This is the accepted manuscript of an article published in Regional studies, 2018. The version of record is available at the DOI link in this record.
• Contract Date: Nov 16, 2016