Public data openness and urban resilience governance: evidence from China

Public Data Openness (PDO) is a pivotal governance initiative, but its effect on a city’s ability to withstand crises remains a key concern. This study addresses this question by examining the impact of PDO on Urban Resilience (UR). Using urban panel data and enterprise registration information from China, we construct a multi-period Difference-in-Differences (DID) model that leverages the PDO policy as a quasi-natural experiment. Our findings demonstrate that PDO significantly enhances UR, an effect particularly pronounced in coastal, central, and non-resource-based cities. The mechanism analysis reveals that PDO strengthens UR by fostering technological innovation and entrepreneurial dynamism. We also identify a positive spatial spillover effect, with the benefits of PDO extending to neighboring regions. This research contributes to the literature by providing robust causal evidence on how data-driven governance enhances UR and revealing the specific mechanisms and spatial dynamics at play.