Pattern of relationship in urbanization, air quality, and economic growth in ASEAN: An initial mitigate to overcome an environmental degradation.

Research on the relationship between air quality, economic development, population growth, and energy consumption has been conducted in newly industrialized countries (NICs). It is necessary to analyze further the role of this variable in ASEAN countries in reducing environmental degradation. This study aims to analyze the interaction patterns of the causal relationship between air quality, economic growth, urbanization, and international commitments. The study was conducted in 5 central ASEAN countries from 1990 to 2014. Data were analyzed using the Panel Vector Error Correction Model (Panel VECM). The findings show a long-run relationship between urbanization and air quality variables. The bidirectional panel causality exists on urbanization and a unidirectional causality panel on air quality to economic growth. Mitigation strategies are needed to overcome the degradation in air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]