Impact of Urban Expansion on School Quality in Compulsory Education: A Spatio-Temporal Study of Dalian, China

With rapid urbanization, improving school quality in compulsory education is critical for optimal educational resource allocation. This study integrates a random forest machine learning model, GIS spatial analysis, and a spatial econometric model to examine the spatiotemporal differentiation of scho...

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Main Authors: Zhenchao Zhang, Weixin Luan, Chuang Tian, Min Su
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/265
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author Zhenchao Zhang
Weixin Luan
Chuang Tian
Min Su
author_facet Zhenchao Zhang
Weixin Luan
Chuang Tian
Min Su
author_sort Zhenchao Zhang
collection DOAJ
description With rapid urbanization, improving school quality in compulsory education is critical for optimal educational resource allocation. This study integrates a random forest machine learning model, GIS spatial analysis, and a spatial econometric model to examine the spatiotemporal differentiation of school quality in Dalian, China, in 2016 and 2020, as well as its relationships with the construction land development cycle, population density, and housing prices. The findings reveal a core–periphery structure, with overall school quality on the rise and basic facility configuration exerting a stronger impact than teacher strength. Among internal resources, per capita sports venue area (PCSFA) and per capita teaching equipment value (PCTRE) contribute most significantly to school quality, while high-quality clusters in traditional educational hubs, university-covered areas, and transitional zones spur improvements in surrounding schools. The population density, housing prices, and the construction land development cycle all positively correlate with school quality, highlighting the need for coordinated action among urban planners, education authorities, and housing regulators to ensure that land development, housing affordability, and school facility investments advance equitable access to quality education. These results provide a novel perspective on compulsory education quality assessment and offer a valuable foundation for guiding education policies and urban development strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-a08f67e2d37540d09c5cc04b8f7e720a2025-08-20T02:44:39ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-01-0114226510.3390/land14020265Impact of Urban Expansion on School Quality in Compulsory Education: A Spatio-Temporal Study of Dalian, ChinaZhenchao Zhang0Weixin Luan1Chuang Tian2Min Su3School of Maritime Economics and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaSchool of Maritime Economics and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaSchool of Maritime Economics and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaSchool of Maritime Economics and Management, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, ChinaWith rapid urbanization, improving school quality in compulsory education is critical for optimal educational resource allocation. This study integrates a random forest machine learning model, GIS spatial analysis, and a spatial econometric model to examine the spatiotemporal differentiation of school quality in Dalian, China, in 2016 and 2020, as well as its relationships with the construction land development cycle, population density, and housing prices. The findings reveal a core–periphery structure, with overall school quality on the rise and basic facility configuration exerting a stronger impact than teacher strength. Among internal resources, per capita sports venue area (PCSFA) and per capita teaching equipment value (PCTRE) contribute most significantly to school quality, while high-quality clusters in traditional educational hubs, university-covered areas, and transitional zones spur improvements in surrounding schools. The population density, housing prices, and the construction land development cycle all positively correlate with school quality, highlighting the need for coordinated action among urban planners, education authorities, and housing regulators to ensure that land development, housing affordability, and school facility investments advance equitable access to quality education. These results provide a novel perspective on compulsory education quality assessment and offer a valuable foundation for guiding education policies and urban development strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/265compulsory educationschool qualityconstruction land expansionspatio-temporal differentiationspatial econometric model
spellingShingle Zhenchao Zhang
Weixin Luan
Chuang Tian
Min Su
Impact of Urban Expansion on School Quality in Compulsory Education: A Spatio-Temporal Study of Dalian, China
Land
compulsory education
school quality
construction land expansion
spatio-temporal differentiation
spatial econometric model
title Impact of Urban Expansion on School Quality in Compulsory Education: A Spatio-Temporal Study of Dalian, China
title_full Impact of Urban Expansion on School Quality in Compulsory Education: A Spatio-Temporal Study of Dalian, China
title_fullStr Impact of Urban Expansion on School Quality in Compulsory Education: A Spatio-Temporal Study of Dalian, China
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Urban Expansion on School Quality in Compulsory Education: A Spatio-Temporal Study of Dalian, China
title_short Impact of Urban Expansion on School Quality in Compulsory Education: A Spatio-Temporal Study of Dalian, China
title_sort impact of urban expansion on school quality in compulsory education a spatio temporal study of dalian china
topic compulsory education
school quality
construction land expansion
spatio-temporal differentiation
spatial econometric model
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/265
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AT chuangtian impactofurbanexpansiononschoolqualityincompulsoryeducationaspatiotemporalstudyofdalianchina
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