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<p>Achieving sustainable urban energy transitions is essential for global carbon neutrality, yet the mechanisms that drive long-term transformation remain insufficiently understood. Using a Social–Ecological–Technological (S–E–T) systems perspective, this study examines the structural dynamics and multidimensional drivers of urban energy transformation, drawing on a nationally representative dataset from 2006 to 2019. The results reveal that: (1) urban energy transitions progressed markedly during the study period, particularly after 2012, although substantial within-region disparities persist; (2) persistent spatial clustering occurs, with advanced transition patterns concentrated in coastal urban corridors and expanding low-performance clusters in less-developed cities; (3) the alignment between energy-system performance and transition readiness has steadily improved, reflecting more cities shifting toward balanced and coordinated trajectories; and (4) transition drivers exhibit pronounced spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Over time, transitions evolved from technology- and renewable-driven phases toward ones shaped by institutional responsiveness, ecological constraints, and digital transformation. Spatially, innovation and digital infrastructure drive transitions in highly developed cities, while governance and ecological adaptation remain critical in less-developed cities. This study offers a generalizable systems-based explanation of how S–E–T subsystems interact to shape urban transition trajectories and informs the design of context-sensitive strategies to accelerate balanced urban energy transitions worldwide.</p>

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Unveiling the spatiotemporal complexity of China’s urban energy transition: insights from the social–ecological–technological systems framework

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月29日

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  • Anle Cheng

摘要

Achieving sustainable urban energy transitions is essential for global carbon neutrality, yet the mechanisms that drive long-term transformation remain insufficiently understood. Using a Social–Ecological–Technological (S–E–T) systems perspective, this study examines the structural dynamics and multidimensional drivers of urban energy transformation, drawing on a nationally representative dataset from 2006 to 2019. The results reveal that: (1) urban energy transitions progressed markedly during the study period, particularly after 2012, although substantial within-region disparities persist; (2) persistent spatial clustering occurs, with advanced transition patterns concentrated in coastal urban corridors and expanding low-performance clusters in less-developed cities; (3) the alignment between energy-system performance and transition readiness has steadily improved, reflecting more cities shifting toward balanced and coordinated trajectories; and (4) transition drivers exhibit pronounced spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Over time, transitions evolved from technology- and renewable-driven phases toward ones shaped by institutional responsiveness, ecological constraints, and digital transformation. Spatially, innovation and digital infrastructure drive transitions in highly developed cities, while governance and ecological adaptation remain critical in less-developed cities. This study offers a generalizable systems-based explanation of how S–E–T subsystems interact to shape urban transition trajectories and informs the design of context-sensitive strategies to accelerate balanced urban energy transitions worldwide.