<p>Under the paradigm of sustainable development, formulating industrial development strategies based on spatial distribution patterns has emerged as a potential pathway to improve air quality. Using balanced panel data from 284 Chinese cities covering the period 2011 to 2022, this paper employs a multi-period difference-in-differences model to empirically examine the impact of innovative industrial clusters on urban air quality. Empirical evidence reveals that: (1) innovative industrial clusters markedly strengthen urban air quality; (2) these clusters contribute to air quality improvement by fostering technological innovation, optimizing the energy structure, and accelerating industrial upgrading; (3) the positive effect of innovative industrial clusters on air quality is more pronounced in cities with stronger economic capacity and fewer institutional barriers to industrial transformation; (4) innovative industrial clusters generate spatial spillover effects, improving air quality both locally and in neighboring regions. This study is among the earlier efforts to highlight the beneficial role of innovative industrial clusters in air quality improvement, offering theoretical insights and policy implications for advancing sustainable development. </p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>