Theories in urban political economy and environmental sociology are engaged to assess the extent to which energy consumption in less developed countries is affected by different urban characteristics. Results of first-difference panel model estimates for a sample of less developed countries yield two noteworthy findings. From 1990 to 2005, growth in energy consumption was positively associated with growth in overall urban population and negatively associated with growth in the percentage of a population residing in urban slum conditions. The two divergent effects hold, net of multiple human ecological and political-economic controls. The authors conclude by highlighting the theoretical implications of the findings and the need for more nuanced approaches in future research on such topics.
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