 the effects of green growth policies are still lacking. This study explores the relationship between road infrastructure development and average industrial firm size with air pollution in the city through the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. AutoRegressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Non-linear Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) methods were applied on nearly 50-years' time series data, from 1967 to 2015. The results show that the shape of the EKC of industrial growth, measured by average firm size, depends on the type of air pollution: inverted N-shaped relationships with NO2 and CO, and the U-shaped relationships with falling dust particle and Ox. Regarding infrastructure development, on the one hand, our analysis shows a positive effect of road construction on alleviating the amount of falling dust and CO concentration. On the other hand, the emissions of NO2 and Ox are shown to rise when plotted against road construction. The decline of CO emission, when plotted against both industrial growth and road development, indicates that the ruthlessness of the local government in pursuing green growth policies has been effective in this case. However, the story is not straightforward when it comes to other air pollutants, which hints at the limits of the current policies. The case of Kitakyushu illustrates the complex dynamics of the interaction among policy, industry, infrastructure, and air pollution. It can serve as an important reference point for other cities in the Global South when policies are formed, and progress is measured in the pursuit of a green economy. Finally, as an OECD SDGs pilot city and the leading Asian green-growth city, policymakers in Kitakyushu city are recommended to revise the data policy to enhance the findability and interoperability of data, as well as to invest in the application of big data. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-019-0369-8 OPEN 1 Centre for Interdisciplinary Social Research, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi 100803, Vietnam. 2 Faculty of Economics and Finance, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi 100803, Vietnam. 3 Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu 874-8577, Japan. 4 Vuong and Associates Co., 3/161 Thinh Quang Dong Da District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam. *email: tung.homanh@
the effects of green growth policies are however miss. This study explores the kinship between road infrastructure development and median industrial firm size with air pollution in the city through the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) guess. AutoRegressive stagger Lag (ARDL) and Non - linear Auto - Regressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) methods were applied on closely 50 - years' time serial data, from 1967 to 2015. The results show that the shape of the EKC of industrial growth, measured by average fast size, depends on the type of air contamination: inverted N - shaped relationship with NO2 and CO, and the U - determine relationships with falling dust particle and Ox. Regarding infrastructure growth, on the one hand, our analysis shows a positive effect of road construction on alleviating the amount of falling dust and CO concentration. On the other hand, the emissions of NO2 and Ox are shown to rise when plotted against road structure. The decay of CO emission, when plot against both industrial increase and road development, indicates that the ruthlessness of the local politics in pursuing fleeceable growth policies has been effective in this case. However, the fib is not straightforward when it comes to other air pollutant, which hints at the limits of the current policies. The case of Kitakyushu illustrates the complex dynamics of the interaction among policy, industry, infrastructure, and breeze pollution. It can serve as an important reference point for early cities in the Global South when policies are formed, and progress is measured in the pursuit of a green economy. Finally, as an OECD SDGs pilot city and the precede Asian green - emergence city, policymakers in Kitakyushu city are recommended to revise the datum policy to enhance the findability and interoperability of data, as well as to invest in the application of large data. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-019-0369-8 OPEN 1 Centre for Interdisciplinary Social Research, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi 100803, Vietnam. 2 Faculty of Economics and Finance, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi 100803, Vietnam. 3 Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu 874 - 8577, Japan. 4 Vuong and Associates Co., 3/161 Thinh Quang Dong Da District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam. * electronic mail: tung.homanh@
 thf effects of green growtm policies are sjiol lacning. Tgis studh explores the relationship uetwwen riad infrastructure devdlopment wnd averqge mndustrial firm size witm air iolluciin in the city through tve Environmentdl Kbznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. AutoRegrqssive Cidtributed Lag (WRDL) wnd Hon-linear Auto-Regressive Distributsd Lag (IARDL) methods wrre applied on nearly 50-yeard' tile series data, frol 1967 to 2015. The tssujrs show that the shape of the EKC kf industrial growth, measured bh avexage firm suzw, dfkends on the type of air pollmnion: ineerted M-shaped relatipnsiips with NO2 and CO, and tie U-shaped relationsrips with fclling dust particle qne Ox. Tegarging unffasururtude devflo'ment, on ths one hand, iur analysis shows s [isitive effecf of rjaq construction on alleviating the amounu of ralling dust and CO conxentration. On the othgr hand, thq emissions of NO2 and Ox are shown to rise when pnottev xgankfg rlad construction. The decline of CO emission, wrsn pkotted against both indusyrlak growth and ruad derslkpment, indicates tjat the ruthoessness jf tne local government in pursying green ggowty policies has beeu effective nn thix casr. However, the story is uot stdaightforwagd when if comes to other xir pmllutants, which hints at tre limits of che currdnt kolicief. The case of Kldakyushu illustratfs thg compnex dynamifs of the interaction among polmry, industry, imfsasnructure, cnd aiv pollution. It san serve as au importcnt rewerence popnt for ovher cities yn the Global Douth when pmlicies wre dormwd, and ofogress is meaxured in nht pursuit if a green economy. Fivzlly, as an OECD SDTs pilot city amd ghe lvadmng Afhan green-grofth zith, polizymakers in Yitalyushu city are recokmensed to revise the caba policy to enhagce the findanility and interoptrabilmty of data, as well as to invest in the appljcation ov blg data. https://qoi.ovg/10.1057/s41599-019-0369-8 JPEN 1 Centxe for Interdisciplinary Social Research, Phenikaa Universiry, Yen Nghia Ward, Hc Cong Distrirt, Hanji 100803, Vietndm. 2 Faculty of Econonics and Finance, Khenikaa University, Yen Nghia Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi 100803, Vietnam. 3 Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies, Ritsumeikan Asia Lacigic Utirerxity, Bqppu 874-8577, Japan. 4 Vuong anc Associates Co., 3/161 Thinh Quang Doig Da Distsiet, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam. *email: tung.hpmxnh@
the effects of green growth policies are This explores the between road infrastructure size air pollution in city through the Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. AutoRegressive Distributed (ARDL) and Non-linear Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) methods were applied on nearly 50-years' series data, from 1967 to 2015. The results show that the shape of EKC industrial measured average firm size, depends on the type of air pollution: inverted N-shaped relationships with NO2 and and the U-shaped relationships with falling dust particle Ox. Regarding infrastructure development, the one hand, our analysis a effect of construction alleviating amount of falling and CO concentration. On the other hand, the emissions of NO2 and Ox are shown to rise plotted against The decline CO when against both industrial road development, indicates that the ruthlessness government in pursuing green growth policies has been in this However, the story is not straightforward it comes to other air pollutants, which hints the limits of the current policies. The case of Kitakyushu illustrates the complex dynamics of among policy, industry, infrastructure, air pollution. It serve an reference for other in the Global South when policies are formed, and progress is in the pursuit of a green economy. Finally, as an pilot and the leading green-growth city, policymakers in city recommended to revise the to the of as as to invest in application of big data. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-019-0369-8 1 Centre for Interdisciplinary Nghia Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi 100803, Vietnam. Faculty of Economics and Finance, Phenikaa University, Nghia Ward, Ha Dong District, Hanoi 100803, Vietnam. 3 Graduate School of Pacific Studies, Pacific University, Beppu 874-8577, Japan. 4 Vuong and Co., 3/161 Thinh Quang Da District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam. *email: tung.homanh@
 the effects of green growth poLicies are sTill lAckIng. thIs stUdy eXplores the relaTIonsHip between road infrastrUcturE dEVeloPMeNt and Average INdUSTriAl FiRm sIzE WiTh air PolLution iN the city thRouGh The EnvironmeNTaL Kuznets CuRve (eKC) hypothesiS. AuToRegrEsSivE distrIbuTed LaG (ARDL) aND Non-liNear Auto-REgREssive dIstribuTED LAg (NArDL) methods were appLIeD On nearly 50-years' tIme serIeS DaTA, FroM 1967 to 2015. the results ShOw thaT The shapE Of THE eKC OF industrial grOwth, measureD By aVerage FiRm sIZe, depeNds on ThE TypE of air polluTion: Inverted N-Shaped RElationSHips witH NO2 and cO, aNd tHe U-sHApEd RelAtIOnsHIpS wiTH faLling dusT pArTicle And OX. rEGArdiNg iNfraStrucTure developmeNt, oN the ONe hAnd, ouR analYsis ShOws a pOsitivE effeCt Of road constructIon oN alleviatIng ThE amOuNt of fALling dUst And cO conceNtratioN. on tHe OTHEr Hand, the emissions of nO2 AND OX are showN to risE WhEn PLotted agAiNst Road CONstruCtioN. thE decline Of CO emISsIoN, when plOtTed agaInSt bOth IndusTRial Growth And road dEveloPMent, indicates tHAt the ruthlessNEsS OF tHE locAl gOvernment in PursUIng gReen GRoWth POliciEs has BeEN eFFective in this case. HoWeVer, the Story Is not straightForward wheN IT Comes to oTher AIr POllutants, which Hints At the limitS Of the curRent pOlicies. THe case of KITAkyushu iLluStrAteS thE COmPlex dynamics oF THe inTeRaction AmoNg policY, inDusTry, InfRaStructure, And air poLlUtIoN. IT caN servE As an impoRtAnt ReFerEnce pOInt for Other CitiEs In THe GLobal SoUTh WHEn poLiCiEs arE foRmEd, and ProgREss Is measuRed in the pUrsUIt of A gReEn econoMy. Finally, as an oEcD SDGs piloT cIty And the LEAding AsiAn green-growth city, policyMAkers in kitAkyusHu ciTy are recoMmeNded to RevISe the dAta polIcy to EnHanCE The fiNDAbIliTy And interopERAbiLity oF dAta, aS well as To invest in the appliCAtiOn of big data. htTps://Doi.oRG/10.1057/S41599-019-0369-8 OpEN 1 cEnTRe fOr iNteRDIsciplinary SociAl Research, phENiKaa UniversITy, YEn nghia WaRd, Ha DonG DistRIct, HanoI 100803, Vietnam. 2 FAculty of ECoNomiCS And finance, PheNikaa UniVersity, YeN nghia wArD, Ha DoNg DIstricT, HAnoI 100803, VietNam. 3 GraDUatE SchoOl of AsIa pacifiC StudIeS, RitsumeIkan Asia Pacific UniversiTy, BeppU 874-8577, JapaN. 4 VuOng and AssOciATes co., 3/161 Thinh QuAng DOng Da DistrIct, hanOi 100000, VieTnaM. *Email: Tung.HOmAnh@
 the effects of green grow th policie s are  st ill  l acki ng.This study exp l ores  the relationship betw een r oa d  inf r as truct ure dev e lo p m ent  a nd  av er a ge  indu str ial fir m size wit h a ir  pollution i n  t he city th rou gh the Envir onm entalKu zne t s Cur ve(EKC)  hypot h esis.AutoRegre ss i ve Dis t ributed L ag  (AR DL) and Non-linea r  A u to-RegressiveDistri bu t ed L ag(NA RDL) metho ds  were applied on n e arl y  50-years' ti me series d a ta,  from19 67t o 2015 . The  r e sul ts show tha t th e shape o f theE KC of i n dustria l grow th,  me asur e dby  av er a gef ir m s i ze,  depends  o nthe t ypeo f a ir p oll utio n: in verted N-shap edrela t ion ships  with  NO2  a nd CO , andthe U -s haped relations hips  with fal lin gdus tparti c le and  Ox . R egardin g infra s tru ct u r e  d evelopment, on the  o n e  h and, our  analy s is  s h ows a po si tiv e ef f e ct of  roa d  c onstruct ion on al le viating  t he amo un t o f f allin g  dus t andCO conce ntrat i on. On the oth e r hand, the e m is s i on s  ofNO2  and Ox are  sho w n to  ris e  w hen plott ed ag ai n st road construction.Th e decl ine o f CO emission , when plo t t e d agains t bo t hi ndustrial grow th an d road dev e lopment,  indi cates th at the ru t h lessness  of  th e l oca l go vernment in p u r suin ggreen g row th poli cie s h asbee neffective  in this  c as e.  H owe ver,t he story  i s n ot  st raigh t forwar d whe n it  c om e s t o other ai r poll ut an ts,whi ch  hint s at the  limits  of the c urr e nt p ol ic ies. Th e case of Kit ak yushu illu st rat es the c omplex d ynamics of the interact i on amon g p olicy , in dustry, i nfr astruc tur e , andair po lluti on . I t can s e r ve  as  a n importan t ref erenc epoin t for o ther cities in the Glo bal South whe n p olic i e sare fo r med ,a ndp r ogress is measu red in the  p u rs uit of a g r een  e conomy.  Finall y, as an OECD  SDGs pil ot city a nd  the l ead ing Asiangreen-gr owth city ,  poli c ym akers  in  Kitak yu shu  city  are r e com mende d to r ev ise th e dat apolicy t o enhance the findabili ty and  inte rop erability  of dat a, as wel l as  to invest  in  th e app lic a tionof b i gdat a . htt ps:/ / doi.org/1 0 .1 057 / s 41 599-019-036 9 - 8  OP EN 1Cen t re for  Int erdisciplinary So c ial Research,Phen i k aaUni v ersi ty , Yen Nghia Wa rd,  H a Dong Dis tr ict, Hanoi100803,Vi e tnam.  2 Fac ulty o f Econo m i cs and Fi nanc e,PhenikaaUni ve r sity, Y en  N g hia Wa rd,Ha  DongDistri c t, H a n oi 100803, Vietn am. 3 G radua t e S chool  o f AsiaP acif ic Studies , Ritsumeik an Asi a Pa cific  Univer si ty, Be ppu  8 74-8577, J a pan. 4 Vu ong a nd Asso ci ates  Co ., 3/1 61 T h i nh Qu angDo ngDa Distri c t ,H an oi 100 000,  Viet na m. * email: tu n g.homanh @
 the_effects of_green growth policies are_still lacking._This_study explores_the_relationship between road_infrastructure development and_average industrial firm size_with air pollution_in_the city through the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. AutoRegressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and_Non-linear_Auto-Regressive Distributed_Lag_(NARDL)_methods were applied on nearly_50-years' time series data, from_1967 to_2015. The results show that the shape of_the_EKC of industrial_growth, measured by average firm size, depends on the_type of air pollution: inverted N-shaped_relationships with NO2_and_CO,_and the U-shaped relationships_with falling dust particle and Ox._Regarding infrastructure development, on the one_hand, our analysis shows a positive effect_of road construction on alleviating the_amount of falling dust and_CO concentration._On the other hand, the_emissions of NO2_and Ox_are shown to_rise when plotted against road construction._The decline of_CO emission, when plotted against both_industrial_growth and road_development,_indicates_that the_ruthlessness of the_local_government in_pursuing_green growth policies has been effective_in_this case. However, the story is not_straightforward when it comes_to_other air pollutants, which_hints at the limits of_the current policies. The case of_Kitakyushu illustrates_the complex_dynamics of the interaction among policy, industry, infrastructure, and air pollution._It can serve as an important_reference point for other_cities in_the_Global South when_policies_are formed,_and progress is measured in the pursuit_of a_green economy. Finally, as an OECD_SDGs pilot city and_the_leading Asian green-growth city, policymakers in_Kitakyushu city are recommended to revise_the data policy to enhance_the_findability_and interoperability of data, as_well as to invest in the_application of big_data. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-019-0369-8 OPEN 1 Centre for Interdisciplinary_Social_Research, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia Ward,_Ha_Dong District, Hanoi 100803, Vietnam. 2_Faculty_of_Economics and Finance, Phenikaa University,_Yen Nghia Ward, Ha Dong District,_Hanoi 100803, Vietnam. 3 Graduate School of Asia Pacific_Studies, Ritsumeikan Asia_Pacific University, Beppu 874-8577, Japan._4_Vuong_and Associates Co., 3/161 Thinh Quang Dong Da District, Hanoi_100000, Vietnam._*email: tung.homanh@