Influence of the high-speed railway (HSR) construction on industrial structure transformation

ABSTRACT By taking China’s high-speed railway (HSR) network construction as a quasi-natural experiment, this paper uses the trend score matching and double difference methods to analyse the industrial structure transformation industrial intelligence development of the Chinese prefectural cities under the influence of the policy for HSR from 2006 to 2018. The research shows that the urban high-speed rail network connection has a positive effect on the transformation and upgrading of urban industrial structure. However, despite lagging, the effect still exerts a significant long-term mechanism after its peak. Considering the locations, population sizes, and main functions of HSR cities in terms of space, their specific impact on industrial restructuring and the efficiency of industrial agglomeration and evolution vary. Overall, the construction of HSR could facilitate the cities with leading economies and exert a significant reinforcing effect on medium-sized cities. The western cities, small cities, and cities with industrial bases but underdeveloped service industries should better use the strong policies to promote local industrial transformation and upgrading under the long-term mechanism of HSR network construction.