Evaluation and influencing factors of sustainable economic development: A spatial analysis in the Yellow River Basin

River basin cities often face significant conflicts between human activities and the environment. The Yellow River Basin, known for its long-standing energy industry, is one of China's key focus areas for developing new quality productive forces and promoting sustainable economic development (SED). This study employs a grey-weighted Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to analyze panel data from 99 cities in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) from 2006 to 2019, evaluating the region's SED. Spatial econometric models are used to identify influencing factors. The results indicate that SED in the YRB exhibits strong positive spatial autocorrelation. Financial development has an N-shaped curve effect on SED, with its influence extending to surrounding areas. Human capital and foreign direct investment positively impact SED, while informatization inhibits it. Energy consumption efficiency significantly promotes SED. The impacts of all factors on SED are more pronounced in regions with higher real GDP per capita. Government control suppresses SED in high-economy areas but promotes it in low-economy areas. This research can help countries formulate local plans to promote SED in river basin cities.