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21 pages, 8796 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Evolution of the Waterfront Utilization and Sustainable Development of the Container Ports in the Yangtze River: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta

by Weichen Liu, Weixiao Chen and Youhui Cao

Land 2023, 12(4), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040778 - 29 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1376

Abstract

Waterfront resources are an important support system for the social and economic development within the region along the Yangtze River. Container ports are an important component of the Yangtze River port system, as well as for the growth point of waterfront utilization. Based [...] Read more.

Waterfront resources are an important support system for the social and economic development within the region along the Yangtze River. Container ports are an important component of the Yangtze River port system, as well as for the growth point of waterfront utilization. Based on the summary of remote sensing images and relevant data, this paper calculates the waterfront utilization of the container ports along the Yangtze River in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), analyzes the waterfront organization pattern and change characteristics, and puts forward the enlightenment and countermeasures for the sustainable development of the port waterfronts. Extending the study of port resources from coastal areas to inland areas is an academic contribution of this paper. At the same time, it has practical significance for the high-quality development of port and shipping and the development and protection of land resources along the Yangtze River. In the YRD, the waterfront utilization of container ports has increased along the Yangtze River, showing a decrease from downstream to upwards, and it has formed dense zones attached to the central cities and major manufacturing bases. The ports with higher length of waterfront are mostly located in the shipping central cities and the Yangtze River estuary. The development direction of container ports is large-scale and specialized. The utilization of the container port waterfront is approaching the periphery of the city and areas with convenient transportation. The utilization of container port shorelines will be close to the periphery of the city and convenient transportation areas. The container port waterfronts occupy the ecological reserve, and the conflicts are expanding with the development of shipping, mainly distributed in the Yangtze River estuary. Based on the empirical analysis, this paper puts forward four enlightenments. First, the exploitation and utilization of the port waterfront has experienced multiple stages of “exploitation—conflict—mitigation”. With the transformation of productive waterfront utilization, the pattern of sustainable development along the Yangtze River has changed. Secondly, the conflict between waterfront utilization and protection is inevitable. Additionally, it is necessary to face up to the temporary rapid rise of encroachment on the reserve. Third, through the horizontal coordination of the port system along the river, the original focus on the hub cities will be transferred to the comprehensive consideration of the port cities in the whole region, and the waterfront load of different types of container ports can be balanced. Fourth, the Yangtze River Delta integration mechanism can solve the barriers between higher and lower levels or between different departments and cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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27 pages, 3666 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial and Temporal Interaction Coupling of Digital Economy, New-Type Urbanization and Land Ecology and Spatial Effects Identification: A Study of the Yangtze River Delta

by Yuqi Zhu, Siwei Shen, Linyu Du, Jun Fu, Jian Zou, Lina Peng and Rui Ding

Land 2023, 12(3), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030677 - 13 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1561

Abstract

In the digital era, the contradiction between regional urban development and land ecological protection is still prominent. Clarifying the relationship and internal interaction logic among digital economy (DE), new-type urbanization (NU), and land ecology (LE) is of great significance to the region’s sustainable [...] Read more.

In the digital era, the contradiction between regional urban development and land ecological protection is still prominent. Clarifying the relationship and internal interaction logic among digital economy (DE), new-type urbanization (NU), and land ecology (LE) is of great significance to the region’s sustainable development. Based on theoretical analysis, this study examines the relationship among DE, NU, and LE in the Yangtze River Delta through spatial analysis and empirical test with the city data from 2011 to 2020. The study found that: (1) The overall development level of DE–NU–LE in the Yangtze River Delta shows a steady upward trend, the development level of DE and NU lags behind LE, and the convergence trend among them gradually strengthened. (2) The DE-NE-LE and the coupling coordination have different and complex spatial and temporal dynamic evolution characteristics. The ability for coordinated development is enhanced continuously, which presents a typical pattern of “high in the east and low in the west”. (3) The DE has a lasting role in promoting the development of the NU and LE, while the support and stimulation of NU and LE for DE needs to be strengthened. The relationship between the NU and LE shows a mutually restricted trend. (4) The DE has a significant “siphon effect”. While NU and LE both have significant positive spatial spillover effects, which can promote the coordinated development of surrounding cities. This study deepens the understanding of DE–NU–LE coordinated development, and provides a new perspective for sustainable urban development and alleviating land conflicts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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16 pages, 2417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Scenario Simulation Study on the Impact of Urban Expansion on Terrestrial Carbon Storage in the Yangtze River Delta, China

by Zhiyuan Ma, Xuejun Duan, Lei Wang, Yazhu Wang, Jiayu Kang and Ruxian Yun

Land 2023, 12(2), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020297 - 20 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1507

Abstract

Assessing the impacts and drivers of urban expansion on terrestrial carbon storage (TCS) is important for urban ecology and sustainability; however, a unified accounting standard for carbon intensity and research on the drivers and economic value of TCS changes are lacking. Here, urban [...] Read more.

Assessing the impacts and drivers of urban expansion on terrestrial carbon storage (TCS) is important for urban ecology and sustainability; however, a unified accounting standard for carbon intensity and research on the drivers and economic value of TCS changes are lacking. Here, urban expansion and TCS in the Yangtze River Delta were simulated based on Patch-generating Land Use Simulation and Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs models; scenario simulation; Literature, Correction, Ratio, Verification carbon intensity measurement; and land use transfer matrix methods. The results showed that (1) from 2000 to 2020, urbanization and TCS loss accelerated, with 61.127% of TCS loss occurring in soil, and land conversion was prominent in riverine and coastal cities, mainly driven by the urban land occupation of cropland around suitable slopes, transportation arteries, and rivers. (2) From 2020 to 2030, urban land expansion and TCS loss varied under different scenarios; economic losses from the loss of the carbon sink value under cropland protection and ecological protection were USD 102.368 and 287.266 million lower, respectively, than under the baseline scenario. Even if urban expansion slows, the loss of TCS under global warming cannot be ignored. Considering the indirect impacts of urbanization, the failure to establish a regional development master plan based on ecosystem services may affect China’s carbon targets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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22 pages, 5508 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coastal Wetlands Play an Important Role in the Ecological Security Pattern of the Coastal Zone

by Qingchuan Yang, Congying He, Yuankai Xu, Yunqi Ye, Hong Guo, Shu Zhang, Fan Li and Kui Liu

Land 2022, 11(12), 2317; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122317 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1525

Abstract

The construction of an ecological security pattern can effectively overcome the contradiction between regional human exploitation and ecological protection in the coastal zone. Taking the Xiangshan Bay (XSB) basin as an example, this study identified ecological source areas from three aspects, namely ecosystem [...] Read more.

The construction of an ecological security pattern can effectively overcome the contradiction between regional human exploitation and ecological protection in the coastal zone. Taking the Xiangshan Bay (XSB) basin as an example, this study identified ecological source areas from three aspects, namely ecosystem services’ importance, ecological sensitivity, and landscape connectivity, and then constructed ecological resistance surfaces, identified ecological corridors, and constructed an ecological security pattern. The results show that the natural reserves in the XSB basin were all located in the identified primary ecological source areas, thus indicating the feasibility and reliability of the “importance–connectivity–sensitivity” ecological source identification mechanism in this study. The ecological corridor in the coastal wetland area accounts for about 40% of the total corridor length, which is the link connecting other ecological sources, revealing the important role of coastal wetlands in the coastal ecosystem. Through the ecological security pattern of the XSB basin and field investigation, we put forward suggestions such as clearing Spartina alterniflora, restoring salt marsh wetland vegetation, and strengthening follow-up monitoring for the restoration of coastal wetlands. This study is expected to provide reference and guidance for the improvement of coastal zone ecological protection and restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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21 pages, 1934 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Correlation and Influencing Factors of Tourism Eco-Efficiency in the Urban Agglomeration of the Yangtze River Delta Based on Social Network Analysis

by Yuewei Wang, Lidan An, Hang Chen and Yuyan Zhao

Land 2022, 11(11), 2089; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112089 - 19 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3005

Abstract

Tourism eco-efficiency analysis is an effective tool to solve the problem of sustainable tourism development. The tourism eco-efficiency evaluation index system was constructed in the study, and the undesirable output super-slacks-based measure model was used to estimate the tourism eco-efficiency of 26 cities [...] Read more.

Tourism eco-efficiency analysis is an effective tool to solve the problem of sustainable tourism development. The tourism eco-efficiency evaluation index system was constructed in the study, and the undesirable output super-slacks-based measure model was used to estimate the tourism eco-efficiency of 26 cities in the Yangtze River Delta. Then, the modified gravity model based on the values of the tourism eco-efficiency analysis of each city was used to construct a spatial correlation network. The structural characteristics of the spatial association networks of tourism eco-efficiency, the interrelationships among different cities, and the roles played by different blocks were explored using a social network analysis. The quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) was applied to analyze the influencing factors that affect the formation of the spatial association network of tourism eco-efficiency. The results show that tourism eco-efficiency has an overall increasing trend, and the gap among cities is decreasing. The structure of the spatial correlation network of tourism eco-efficiency has good connectivity, accessibility, and robustness with the correlations among all of the cities in the network. The spillover effects among the blocks are significant, showing spatial polarization, with the cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou occupying the core position of the network. The QAP analysis shows that the spatial correlation network of tourism eco-efficiency is affected by the distance between the cities and the levels of development of the economy and information dissemination. The results of this study innovatively reveal the structural characteristics and influencing factors of the spatial correlation network of tourism eco-efficiency. It could provide valuable insights for the development of corresponding policy measures by government sectors and tourism firms to enhance the sustainability of regional tourism development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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22 pages, 11753 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Driving Factors of Rural Revitalization Model Villages in the Yangtze River Delta

by Jin Yang, Chen Xu, Zhiyong Fang and Yuanbo Shi

Land 2022, 11(11), 1935; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11111935 - 30 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1313

Abstract

The scientific promotion of rural revitalization is an important issue in the context of global poverty reduction and sustainable development. For China, the largest developing country in the world, the construction of rural revitalization model villages has become an important measure to achieve [...] Read more.

The scientific promotion of rural revitalization is an important issue in the context of global poverty reduction and sustainable development. For China, the largest developing country in the world, the construction of rural revitalization model villages has become an important measure to achieve agricultural and rural modernization and the coordinated development of urban and rural areas. Research on the rural revitalization model villages in China can provide guidance for the rural transformation development in other developing countries. In this paper, the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) was used as the study area, and the spatial differentiation characteristics and driving factors of 1621 rural revitalization model villages were analyzed using ArcGIS software and the geographical detector method. The results are as follows: (1) The multiscale spatial distributions of rural revitalization model villages in the YRD showed a weak agglomeration and disequilibrium characteristic. Anhui Province has the highest imbalanced distribution of model villages among different provinces in the YRD. (2) The model villages are the most densely distributed along the Yangtze River. Extending to the north and south from areas along the Yangtze River, the distribution of the model villages is first sparse then dense. Model villages agglomerate mainly along rivers and lakes, areas close to traffic arteries and the middle areas of suburban. (3) The spatial differentiation of rural revitalization model villages is the result of the combined effect of multiple factors, and the driving factors also showed significant spatial heterogeneity. The most important driving factors of the spatial differentiation of the model villages of the YRD, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui are social development and government intervention, transportation accessibility and economic development, resource endowment and natural conditions, and transportation accessibility and government intervention, respectively. This study has practical significance for optimizing the spatial pattern of rural revitalization model villages in the YRD and facilitating high-quality rural revitalization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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14 pages, 1847 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Regulation and Green Technology Diffusion: A Case Study of Yangtze River Delta, China

by Dezhong Duan and Hong Jin

Land 2022, 11(11), 1923; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11111923 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1737

Abstract

As an important driver of green technology innovation, the impact of environmental regulation on the diffusion of green technology remains controversial. Taking China’s Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration, as an example, and using green patents transfer to measure green technology diffusion, this [...] Read more.

As an important driver of green technology innovation, the impact of environmental regulation on the diffusion of green technology remains controversial. Taking China’s Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration, as an example, and using green patents transfer to measure green technology diffusion, this paper analyzes the effect of environmental regulation on green technology diffusion by revealing the temporal and spatial characteristics of green technology diffusion in the YRD. The results show that: (1) Green technology transfer activities in the YRD mainly take place in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, and other cities. (2) Green building technology is the most demanded technology in the green technology transfer market in the YRD. (3) The direction of green technology diffusion in the YRD has changed significantly over time. In the early stage, green technologies mainly flowed to developed cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou, and Nanjing. However, in the later stage, green technologies mainly flowed from developed cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou, and Nanjing to cities with lower economic development levels (mostly located in Anhui Province). (4) The consistency of environmental regulation among cities plays an important role in promoting green technology transfer within the YRD, which is precisely what the YRD ecological green integrated development strategy emphasizes, breaking the administrative barriers between cities in the YRD and accelerating the flow of green technology between cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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24 pages, 1915 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Open Economy Development in the Yangtze River Delta Area

by Debin Ma, Jie Zhang, Ziyi Wang and Dongqi Sun

Land 2022, 11(10), 1813; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101813 - 16 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1648

Abstract

Since economic globalization is unstable, it is difficult for the traditional open economic development model to meet the requirements of China’s development, and there is an urgent need for new ideas and models to be reoriented. Based on the analysis of the development [...] Read more.

Since economic globalization is unstable, it is difficult for the traditional open economic development model to meet the requirements of China’s development, and there is an urgent need for new ideas and models to be reoriented. Based on the analysis of the development mechanism of China’s open economy at this stage, we used the entropy method, Theil coefficient, Gini coefficient, and spatial Durbin model (SDM) to analyze the spatio-temporal pattern and influencing factors of the high-quality development level of the open economy in the Yangtze River Delta Area (YRDA). The results indicated that during the study period, the development level and development difference of open economy were on the rise, and the spatial difference in different regions was significant. The development of open economy was affected by many factors, and there was a spatial spillover effect. Based on the existing problems, at the stage of high-quality economic development, the YDRA should seize the opportunities brought by the new development pattern, improve government services, optimize innovation drive, and promote the development of open economy to a higher level. We believe that the results of this study can also provide relevant experience for the development of open economy in other regions of China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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15 pages, 2696 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Spatial-Temporal Evolution of Population in the Yangtze River Delta, China: An Urban Hierarchy Perspective

by Yanting Tang, Jinlong Gao and Wen Chen

Land 2022, 11(10), 1764; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101764 - 12 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1884

Abstract

The reason for changes in ranking within urban systems is the subject of much debate. Employing the census data from 1990 to 2020, this paper investigates population dynamics across urban hierarchies and its influencing factors in the Yangtze River Delta. The results reveal [...] Read more.

The reason for changes in ranking within urban systems is the subject of much debate. Employing the census data from 1990 to 2020, this paper investigates population dynamics across urban hierarchies and its influencing factors in the Yangtze River Delta. The results reveal an upward pattern of population dynamics and show that the advantages of high-ranking cities in population gathering are obvious, though they have declined recently. Based on a framework of urban amenity and the ridge regression model, the authors argue that concerns of residents in choosing cities in which to settle are gradually changing from economic opportunities to multidimensional amenities, finding that the influencing mechanisms vary across time. This is slightly different from Glaeser’s consumer cities; economic gains, as physiological needs, are always important for population growth. As higher-level needs, social and natural amenities, including Internet accessibility and urban green space, did not affect growth until the turn of the new millennium. In terms of negative factors, the ‘crowding-out effect’ of living costs and environmental pollution are not significant, as theoretically expected, suggesting that residents tend to care more about development opportunities than the negative impacts of living in high-ranking cities. Finally, policies are proposed to promote population growth and the coordinated development of large, medium, and small cities in the Yangtze River Delta. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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22 pages, 4824 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Patterns of Tourist Attractions in the Yangtze River Delta Region

by Yuewei Wang, Xinyang Wu, Zhizheng Liu, Hang Chen and Yuyan Zhao

Land 2022, 11(9), 1523; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091523 - 09 Sep 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2162

Abstract

Tourism is distinctly regional with respect to the regional distribution of tourism resources, tourist attractions and supply, and spatial continuity of tourist activities. Using point-of-interest data from 2166 tourist attractions in the Yangtze River Delta, this study analyzes the spatial distribution pattern of [...] Read more.

Tourism is distinctly regional with respect to the regional distribution of tourism resources, tourist attractions and supply, and spatial continuity of tourist activities. Using point-of-interest data from 2166 tourist attractions in the Yangtze River Delta, this study analyzes the spatial distribution pattern of tourist attractions and their influencing factors by applying the methods of nearest proximity index, kernel density analysis, standard deviation ellipse, hotspot analysis, and spatial superposition analysis. The results show that the number of modern recreational tourist attractions accounts for the largest proportion. The spatial distribution pattern shows more attractions in the north than the south and more in the east than the west. The spatial density of tourist attractions in Shanghai is far greater than that in other regions, followed by Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The five types of tourist attractions show a significant aggregation state. Natural ecological tourist attractions are clustered near Nanjing and Huangshan; historical and cultural tourist attractions are formed in a T-shape by Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing; modern recreational tourist attractions are clustered in Shanghai and Hangzhou; and industrial integration tourist attractions are clustered in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou. Physical geography, traffic, and social economy are the main factors affecting the spatial distribution of tourist attractions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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21 pages, 8947 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Evaluation and Optimization of the Spatial Pattern of County Rural Settlements: A Case Study of Changshu City in the Yangtze River Delta, China

by Bin Zhu, Hongbo Li, Zhengyu Hu, Yuling Wen and Jili Che

Land 2022, 11(9), 1412; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091412 - 27 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1754

Abstract

The development model of rural settlements in economically developed regions has reference and guiding significance for other developing rural settlements. The study was conducted to discuss the spatial distribution and scale structure evolution characteristics, in order to understand the development process and the [...] Read more.

The development model of rural settlements in economically developed regions has reference and guiding significance for other developing rural settlements. The study was conducted to discuss the spatial distribution and scale structure evolution characteristics, in order to understand the development process and the problems of rural settlements in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province. Then, based on the multi-stage goals of Rural Revitalization of “pole–field–zone–network”, a multi-stage rural settlement spatial structure was revealed to promote the optimization of settlement layout and promote urban–rural integration. The data of rural settlements were extracted from the land use data of nearly 20 years from 2000 to 2020. Different research methods were utilized for the study. The results revealed that the spatial pattern and scale structure of rural settlements in Changshu had experienced two periods of drastic changes and stable adjustment in the past 20 years. The rural settlement density generally presented a spatial pattern of dense in the north, sparse in the South and sparse in the East. The scale system of rural settlements tended to disperse from centralization, but the spatial agglomeration was enhanced. Finally, based on the above research results and problems, a “pole–field–zone–network” multi-stage settlement structure was revealed, which helps to form a reasonable urban and rural network. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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21 pages, 2673 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evolutionary Logic and Development Foresight of Environmental Collaborative Governance Policy in the Yangtze River Delta

by Haixia Zhao, Xiang Gu, Tengjie Yang and Binjie Gu

Land 2022, 11(9), 1404; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091404 - 26 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1579

Abstract

The experience of environmental governance in the Yangtze River Delta has formed the practical paths of cross-administrative cooperation and eco-civilization adaptation to economic development. As a result of a scientific analysis of policy texts on collaborative environmental governance in this region, this paper [...] Read more.

The experience of environmental governance in the Yangtze River Delta has formed the practical paths of cross-administrative cooperation and eco-civilization adaptation to economic development. As a result of a scientific analysis of policy texts on collaborative environmental governance in this region, this paper explores differences and core concerns, uncovering the development vein and mapping out the internal logic in order to provide a reference example for multi-regional governance. The policy has shifted from decentralization to authority, from universality to precision, from sustainable development to a community of common ecological destiny, from authoritarianism to co-governance, and from institutional norms to propaganda and guidance. Since the beginning of the new century, the internal logic of environmental governance policy in the Yangtze River Delta has been in line with the trend of coordinated development. In the future, efforts should be made to deepen the trinity mechanism of decision making, implementation, and supervision. When making decisions, we should further emphasize the unified standard of centralized environmental management and adhere to precise pollution control. Implementation will gradually establish the three-dimensional coordination mechanism of region, function, and role; supervision will involve the platform “internet + environment”, and the assessment will involve “pressure mechanism + environment”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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21 pages, 3542 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Driving Forces of Land Urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration

by Huxiao Zhu, Xiangjun Ou, Zhen Yang, Yiwen Yang, Hongxin Ren and Le Tang

Land 2022, 11(8), 1365; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081365 - 21 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1848

Abstract

Land urbanization is a comprehensive mapping of the relationship between urban production, life and ecology in urban space and a spatial carrier for promoting the modernization of cities. Based on the remote sensing monitoring data of the land use status of the Yangtze [...] Read more.

Land urbanization is a comprehensive mapping of the relationship between urban production, life and ecology in urban space and a spatial carrier for promoting the modernization of cities. Based on the remote sensing monitoring data of the land use status of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration collected in 2010 and 2020, the spatial differentiation characteristics and influencing factors of land urbanization in the area were analyzed comprehensively using hot spot analysis, kernel density estimation, the multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model and other methods. The results indicated the following: (1) From 2010 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of land urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration was 0.50%, and nearly 64.28% of the counties had an average annual growth rate that lagged behind the overall growth rate. It exhibited dynamic convergence characteristics. (2) The differentiation pattern of land urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration was obvious from the southeast to the northwest. The hot spots of land urbanization were consistently concentrated in the southeastern coastal areas and showed a trend of spreading, while the cold spots were concentrated in the northwest of Anhui Province, showing a shrinking trend. (3) Compared with the GWR model and the OLS model, the MGWR model has a better fitting effect and is more suitable for studying the influencing factors of land urbanization. In addition, there were significant spatial differences in the scale and degree of influence of different influencing factors. Analyzing and revealing the spatiotemporal characteristics and driving mechanism of land urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration has important theoretical value and practical significance for the scientific understanding of new-type urbanization and the implementation of regional integration and rural revitalization strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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20 pages, 4921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Spatial Effect of Network Resilience in the Yangtze River Delta: An Integrated Framework for Regional Collaboration and Governance under Disruption

by Lei Che, Jiangang Xu, Hong Chen, Dongqi Sun, Bao Wang, Yunuo Zheng, Xuedi Yang and Zhongren Peng

Land 2022, 11(8), 1359; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081359 - 21 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1758

Abstract

Public health emergencies are characterized by significant uncertainty and robust transmission, both of which will be exacerbated by population mobility, threatening urban security. Enhancing regional resilience in view of these risks is critical to the preservation of human lives and the stability of [...] Read more.

Public health emergencies are characterized by significant uncertainty and robust transmission, both of which will be exacerbated by population mobility, threatening urban security. Enhancing regional resilience in view of these risks is critical to the preservation of human lives and the stability of socio-economic development. Network resilience (NR) is widely accepted as a strategy for reducing the risk of vulnerability and maintaining regional sustainability. However, past assessments of it have not sufficiently focused on its spatial effect and have overlooked both its internal evolution characteristics and external threats which may affect its function and effectiveness. Therefore, we used the Yangtze River Delta Region (YRDR) as a case study and conceptualized an integrated framework to evaluate the spatial pattern and mechanisms of NR under the superposition of the COVID-19 pandemiv and major holidays. The results indicated that the topology of a population mobility network has a significant effect on its resilience. Accordingly, the network topology indexes differed from period to period, which resulted in a decrease of 17.7% in NR. For network structure, the Shanghai-Nanjing and Shanghai-Hangzhou development axes were dependent, and the network was redundant. In the scenario where 20% of the cities were disrupted, the NR was the largest. Furthermore, the failure of dominant nodes and the emergence of vulnerable nodes were key factors that undermined the network’s resilience. For network processes, NR has spatial effects when it is evolute and there is mutual inhibition between neighboring cities. The main factors driving changes in resilience were found to be GDP, urbanization rate, labor, and transportation infrastructure. Therefore, we propose a trans-scale collaborative spatial governance system covering “region-metropolitan-city” which can evaluate the uncertain disturbances caused by the network cascade effect and provide insights into the sustainable development of cities and regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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18 pages, 3879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Optimal Allocation of Urban and Rural Land Resources in Rapidly Urbanizing Areas of the Yangtze River Delta, China: A Case Study of the Nanjing Jiangbei New Area

by Wenjuan Huang and Chonggang Liu

Land 2022, 11(8), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081193 - 29 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1280

Abstract

In the process of rapid urbanization, the coordination of the population–land relationship, the optimal allocation of land resources, and the improvement in land-use efficiency are the keys to ensuring the sustainable development of the region. This study takes the Nanjing Jiangbei New Area [...] Read more.

In the process of rapid urbanization, the coordination of the population–land relationship, the optimal allocation of land resources, and the improvement in land-use efficiency are the keys to ensuring the sustainable development of the region. This study takes the Nanjing Jiangbei New Area (NJNA), a national development zone in China, as a case study to construct an analytical framework for the regional population–land–industry (PLI) coupling coordination relationship. A spatial organization model of population–land (PL) flow is used to calculate the coupling coordination degree of PLI factors. The allocation of land resources is adjusted and optimized through the characteristics of the actual population served in the area to determine the new urban population that can be effectively accommodated by the new district. The comprehensive evaluation of the coordination degree of PLI coupling shows that the area connected with Jiangpu and Dacang Street has high development potential in terms of population concentration and construction land layout and can be used as a key area for future development. Based on the analysis of the spatial layout of the PL flow, further suggestions are made to optimize planning for the future population concentration area in NJNA. This study can also provide a reference for the optimal management of land resources in similar areas at home and abroad. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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22 pages, 3876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Evaluation of the Development Performance of Small County Towns and Its Influencing Factors: A Case Study of Small Towns in Jiangyin City in the Yangtze River Delta, China

by Xiao Gong, Xiaolin Zhang, Jieyi Tao, Hongbo Li and Yunrui Zhang

Land 2022, 11(7), 1059; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11071059 - 12 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1660

Abstract

Research on the development performance of small towns is critical for promoting their revitalization, advancing urbanization, and high-quality development and transformation for realizing urban–rural integration. We used the DPSIR-DEA model to study the spatiotemporal evolution process and characteristics of the development performance of [...] Read more.

Research on the development performance of small towns is critical for promoting their revitalization, advancing urbanization, and high-quality development and transformation for realizing urban–rural integration. We used the DPSIR-DEA model to study the spatiotemporal evolution process and characteristics of the development performance of 14 small towns within the administrative division of Jiangyin city from 2001 to 2019. We subsequently applied a geographical detector model to analyze the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the factors influencing the development performance of small towns. The results showed that 2012 was a turning point in the overall development performance index of small towns in Jiangyin, revealing initially decreasing and then increasing trends. The development performance index values of different types of small towns evidenced three trends: a steady increase, a continuous decrease, and an initial decrease followed by an increase. During 2001–2019, the development performance of Jiangyin’s small towns reflected a spatial evolution pattern of complete dispersion → small agglomeration → large agglomeration. An optimal spatial pattern comprised an increase in the number of towns demonstrating a high development performance and a decrease in the number of towns with a low development performance. GDP per capita, industrial investments, and construction land density were key influencing factors of development performance, which was mainly driven by economic and social factors, with ecological factors having a relatively weak influence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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22 pages, 3594 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Spatial and Temporal Characteristics and Dynamic Effects of Urban-Rural Integration Development in the Yangtze River Delta Region

by Wei Zhao and Changjun Jiang

Land 2022, 11(7), 1054; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11071054 - 12 Jul 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2139

Abstract

Urban-rural integration has been found to be an inevitable trend in the development of urban-rural relations and a vital measure to tackle the unbalanced and uncoordinated development between urban and rural areas. Most existing studies on the development of urban-rural integration have only [...] Read more.

Urban-rural integration has been found to be an inevitable trend in the development of urban-rural relations and a vital measure to tackle the unbalanced and uncoordinated development between urban and rural areas. Most existing studies on the development of urban-rural integration have only estimated its level and factors and compared the heterogeneity of cities in sample regions. Few studies have focused on the interactions between different categories of urban-rural integration levels. Accordingly, to fill the above research gap, an evaluation index system of the development of urban-rural integration is built in this study from four economic-social-spatial-ecological dimensions, the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of the development of urban-rural integration in 27 central cities in the Yangtze River Delta region between 2003 and 2020 are analyzed, and the intrinsic dynamic shock effects are empirically investigated using a panel vector autoregression (PVAR) model. This study suggests the following points: (1) the development of urban-rural integration in the Yangtze River Delta region tends to increase while fluctuating and experiences an evolutionary process of “severe dysfunction–moderate dysfunction–mild dysfunction”, with an overall positive development trend. (2) In the study period, the agglomeration effect of the level of the development of urban-rural integration in the Yangtze River Delta has been strengthened continuously, and the overall spatial distribution pattern has changed from “low level, low gap” to “high level, high gap”, showing the characteristics of decreasing class distribution step by step, with Shanghai and Anqing as the markers from east to west. (3) All the endogenous variables of the development of urban-rural integration show a continuous positive response to their own shocks, thus suggesting that the respective variable has a certain path dependence on itself. Shocks of urban-rural ecological integration are capable of boosting the improvement of urban-rural economic integration and urban-rural social integration development, and shocks of urban-rural social integration contribute to the improvement of urban-rural ecological integration. The important policy implication of this study is that an intra-regional linkage and coordination mechanism should be built in the future, while the focus should be placed on the heterogeneity of regional development, and policies and measures regarding development of urban-rural integration in a disaggregated manner should be developed, so as to facilitate the improvement of the level of regional development of urban-rural integration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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21 pages, 4390 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Evolution, Driving Factors, and Regional Comparison of Innovation Patterns in the Yangtze River Delta

by Dongsheng Yan and Wei Sun

Land 2022, 11(6), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11060876 - 09 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1645

Abstract

The differences in innovation, and the resulting inefficient allocation of innovation resources, are key factors affecting the high-quality development of urban agglomerations. In the context of China’s upgrading of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) to a national strategy, the [...] Read more.

The differences in innovation, and the resulting inefficient allocation of innovation resources, are key factors affecting the high-quality development of urban agglomerations. In the context of China’s upgrading of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) to a national strategy, the study of innovation patterns and driving factors in this highly developed urban agglomeration provide references and experiences for high-quality development and innovation improvements in other urban agglomerations. Using prefecture-level patent data from 2000 to 2018, this study analyses the evolution characteristics of the innovation patterns in the YRD, from the perspective of innovation level and innovation growth, based on the coefficient of variation, locational Gini coefficient, and the relative development rate index. Then, using the knowledge production function, this study quantitatively explores the driving factors for innovation from multiple perspectives. The main findings are as follows. The differences in urban innovation levels decrease with improvements in the innovation level of urban agglomerations. In terms of the evolution of the spatial pattern of innovation levels, the “core–periphery” and “south–north” differences are highly stable; however, the innovation levels of some peripherical cities improve. The growth of urban innovation levels show significant regional differences, with fast-growing cities clustered in the core area, and high-value areas characterized by proximity diffusion. Based on the innovation level in different periods, cities are divided into low–low, low–high, high–low, and high–high types. There are spatio–temporal differences in the driving factors for innovation. On the one hand, different periods show an intensification of factor inputs and external linkage effects, as well as the differentiation of urban development state effects. On the other hand, there are differences among different types of cities, with low–low cities mainly driven by factor inputs, urban development state, and internal opening-up; low–high and high–high cities are greatly influenced by factor inputs and urban development state. By expanding on existing studies, the present research provides a refined reference for the formulation of scientific policies aimed at promoting innovation development in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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25 pages, 6968 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Dimensional Urbanization Coordinated Evolution Process and Ecological Risk Response in the Yangtze River Delta

by Xin Li, Bin Fang, Mengru Yin, Tao Jin and Xin Xu

Land 2022, 11(5), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11050723 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2006

Abstract

The dislocated development of population, land, and economy will disturb the urban system, cause ecological risk problems, and ultimately affect regional habitat and quality development. Based on social statistics and nighttime lighting data from 2000 to 2018, we used mathematical statistics and spatial [...] Read more.

The dislocated development of population, land, and economy will disturb the urban system, cause ecological risk problems, and ultimately affect regional habitat and quality development. Based on social statistics and nighttime lighting data from 2000 to 2018, we used mathematical statistics and spatial analysis methods to analyze the change process of urbanization’s coupling coordination degree and ecological risk response pattern in the Yangtze River Delta. Results show that: ① From 2000 to 2018, the coupling coordination degree of urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta increased, with high values in Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing and Hangzhou regions. ② The ecological risk in the Yangtze River Delta weakened, and the vulnerability and disturbance of landscape components together constitute the spatial differentiation pattern of regional ecological risk, which presented homogeneous aggregation and heterogeneous isolation. ③ The overall ecological stress of urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta decreased. ④ The population aggregation degree, socio-economic development level and built-up area expansion trend contributed to the spatiotemporal differentiation of urbanization’s ecological risks through the synergistic effects of factor concentration and diffusion, population quality cultivation and improvement, technological progress and dispersion, industrial structure adjustment and upgrading. This study can provide a reference for regional urbanization to deal with ecological risks reasonably and achieve high-quality development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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19 pages, 2680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Network Externality of Urban Agglomeration Benefit Urban Economic Growth—A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta

by Jinliang Jiang, Zhensheng Xu, Jiayi Lu and Dongqi Sun

Land 2022, 11(4), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040586 - 16 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2165

Abstract

Scholars have conducted a large number of empirical studies on agglomeration externalities and network externalities at the urban scale, but there are relatively few studies at the urban agglomeration scale. For the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), analyzing the impact [...] Read more.

Scholars have conducted a large number of empirical studies on agglomeration externalities and network externalities at the urban scale, but there are relatively few studies at the urban agglomeration scale. For the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), analyzing the impact of network externalities and agglomeration externalities on urban development can provide academic references for the integrated development of urban agglomerations. The results show that: (1) From 2000 to 2010, the average GDP growth rate of the cities in the YRD region showed a rapid growth trend but began to slow down after 2010, showing an outward spatial distribution pattern. (2) From 2000 to 2020, the growth rate of Shanghai’s investment in cities in the YRD showed a downward trend and an outward spatial diffusion. The growth rate of investment within the YRD showed a slowing trend from 2000 to 2015 and increased after 2015, showing a spatial distribution from northwest to southeast. From 2000 to 2020, the growth rate of investment from other cities in China to cities in the YRD showed a continuous upward trend, and spatially formed a distribution characteristic from northwest to southeast. (3) The growth of internal investment in the YRD and that of other cities across China can accelerate urban economic growth, and the growth of internal investment in the YRD has a greater role in promoting economic growth, indicating that the “agglomeration externalities” and “network externalities” at the urban agglomeration scale both can promote urban economic growth, but the effect of the “agglomeration externalities” within the urban agglomeration is more obvious. (4) The growth of investment in the core city Shanghai does not play a significant role in the long-term economic growth of cities in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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18 pages, 3077 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Spatiotemporal Integration Evolution of the Urban Agglomeration through City Networks

by Dan Su, Xiaoqian Fang, Qing Wu and Yu Cao

Land 2022, 11(4), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040574 - 14 Apr 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2053

Abstract

Regional integration is a global trend and an integrated region consists of different cities of different sizes and functions, against which researching their organized structure is an important issue when discussing regional coordinated development. So, we construct the city networks, among which cities [...] Read more.

Regional integration is a global trend and an integrated region consists of different cities of different sizes and functions, against which researching their organized structure is an important issue when discussing regional coordinated development. So, we construct the city networks, among which cities and their linkages are regarded as nodes and connections, to explore the spatial characteristics of a region and evaluate the integration level. The Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA) is taken as the study area. For city nodes, this paper first evaluates the cities’ qualities comprehensively based on the multidimensional indicators during the rapid cities’ developmental period from 2005 to 2019. For city linkages, the interactions between different cities are then assessed by the improved gravity model. Then, the city networks consisting of city nodes and their linkages are constructed and analyzed by the social network analysis to deeply understand the orientations and relationships of cities in an integrated region. The results show that the developmental pace of different cities is imbalanced. The overall network of the YRDUA is relatively compact of the city-pair linkages forming the overlapping structure from primary to secondary axes, and different cities have specific functions. However, some small cities do not reach a mutual connection with big cities and face the risk of social resource outflow. In conclusion, attention to the existence of latent hierarchy should be paid to avoid the marginalization of small cities, especially under administrative intervention. The findings can enrich research on cities′ relationship and integration level of the YRDUA, and the specific characteristics of spatial organization paralleling with the leading development of the YRDUA can provide the reference to other regions under the strategy of national regional coordination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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19 pages, 3430 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial and Temporal Changes of Landscape Patterns and Their Effects on Ecosystem Services in the Huaihe River Basin, China

by Haoran Wang, Mengdi Zhang, Chuanying Wang, Kaiyue Wang, Chen Wang, Yang Li, Xiuling Bai and Yunkai Zhou

Land 2022, 11(4), 513; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040513 - 01 Apr 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3193

Abstract

Landscape pattern changes caused by human activities are among the most important driving factors affecting ecosystem spatial structure and components, and significantly impact ecosystem services. Understanding the relationship between landscape patterns and ecosystem services is important for improving regional conservation and establishing ecosystem [...] Read more.

Landscape pattern changes caused by human activities are among the most important driving factors affecting ecosystem spatial structure and components, and significantly impact ecosystem services. Understanding the relationship between landscape patterns and ecosystem services is important for improving regional conservation and establishing ecosystem management strategies. Taking the Huaihe River Basin as an example, this study used land-use data, meteorological data, and topographic data to analyze the spatial and temporal changes in landscape patterns via landscape transfer matrix and landscape indices, and measured four ecosystem services (water retention, soil retention, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation) with the InVEST models. Furthermore, correlation analysis and global spatial autocorrelation coefficient were used to analyze the impact of landscape pattern changes on ecosystem services. The results showed grassland and farmland areas had continuously decreased, while built-up land and affected water had significantly increased. Landscape fragmentation was reduced, the connectivity between patches was weakened, landscape heterogeneity, evenness, and patch irregularity were increased. Changes in landscape composition and configuration have affected the ecosystem services of the Huaihe River Basin. The reduction in grassland areas and the increase in built-up land areas have significantly reduced the capacity for soil retention, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation. Spatially, regions with low landscape fragmentation and high patch connectivity had a higher water retention capacity and biodiversity conservation, while soil retention and carbon storage were opposite. Temporally, reduction of landscape fragmentation and increase of patch shape irregularity had a negative effect on water retention, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation, while soil retention was not sensitive to these changes. The findings in this paper promote an understanding of the relationship between landscape patterns and ecosystem services on a large scale and provide theoretical guidance for ecosystem management and protection planning in the Huaihe River Basin, China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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15 pages, 3084 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Should the Effectiveness of Marine Functional Zoning in China Be Evaluated? Taking Wenzhou Marine Functional Zoning as an Example

by Renfeng Ma, Jiarui Chen, Qi Pan, Yuxian Cheng, Weiqin Wang, Baoyu Zhu, Jingwu Ma and Jiaming Li

Land 2022, 11(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11020267 - 10 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1890

Abstract

Marine functional zoning is a basic form of marine management proposed and organized by the Chinese government in the late 1980s, and the third round of planning and implementation has been completed. Effectiveness evaluation of marine functional zoning is an important tool to [...] Read more.

Marine functional zoning is a basic form of marine management proposed and organized by the Chinese government in the late 1980s, and the third round of planning and implementation has been completed. Effectiveness evaluation of marine functional zoning is an important tool to supervise the implementation of marine functional zoning and improve the level of marine management. For the first time, based on the concept of consistency, based on the planning blueprint, with the sea area use compliance, environmental quality compliance and development and utilization impact as the evaluation benchmark, this paper attempts to integrate and construct the coordination discrimination method of sea area utilization status and marine functional zoning, that is, the coordination index of marine functional zoning, and takes Wenzhou as an example. The research shows that the coordination index of marine functional zoning in Wenzhou is 0.81 during the planning period, and the implementation effect of marine functional zoning is good. Empirical research shows that this evaluation method can provide basic guidance for scientific compilation and effective implementation of marine spatial planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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21 pages, 2591 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Entrepreneurial Activities and Its Driving Factors in the Yangtze River Delta, China

by Haipeng Zhang, Wei Chen and Zhigao Liu

Land 2022, 11(2), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11020216 - 30 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2342

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the spatiotemporal evolution of entrepreneurial activities in the local municipalities of the Yangtze River Delta at long timescales from a geographic perspective and to reveal the underlying factors driving such evolution. The ontology of entrepreneurial [...] Read more.

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the spatiotemporal evolution of entrepreneurial activities in the local municipalities of the Yangtze River Delta at long timescales from a geographic perspective and to reveal the underlying factors driving such evolution. The ontology of entrepreneurial activities—startups—was chosen as the object of this study, and the developmental characteristics of entrepreneurial activities in the region since 2001 were explored in two dimensions: time series changes and spatial evolution. The driving mechanism was further explored using the geographical detector. The results showed that: (1) Intensive entrepreneurial activities have been underway in the Yangtze River Delta since the beginning of the 21st century. The entrepreneurial process has undergone a stable period of slow growth (2001–2013), as well as one of rapid growth (2014–2018). The number of startups increased during this period, from 241,700 in 2001 to 1,959,600 in 2018. (2) The density of entrepreneurial activities in the Yangtze River Delta has increased since 2001. The agglomerative patterns showed developmental trends of both concentration and diffusion, forming a dotted pattern of agglomeration centered on the provincial capitals of Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Hefei and a belt of agglomeration centered on Shanghai-Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou. (3) High-value agglomeration of entrepreneurial activities was found to be relatively stable, and low-value agglomeration steadily weakened. Shanghai, Suzhou, and Nantong have long been part of H-H clusters, while Chizhou, Wuhu, Bozhou, Huaibei, and Huainan in Anhui have become areas of depressed entrepreneurial activities. (4) Financial strength, degree of informationization, economic foundation, innovative vitality, openness, and market demand are the main factors affecting entrepreneurial activities in the Yangtze River Delta. Entrepreneurial activities have significant spatial correlation, and areas with high entrepreneurial vitality radiate their effect to the entrepreneurial activities in the surrounding areas. The factors affecting entrepreneurial activities have multiple characteristics, and policy makers should promote entrepreneurial activities with a comprehensive vision and multi-channel efforts. The findings of this study add to the understanding of the spatial proximity characteristics of long time series of entrepreneurial activities at the municipal scale in developing countries and reveal the characteristics of the multi-factor combinations affecting them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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18 pages, 45236 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Evaluation of Ecological Stress Caused by Land Use Transitions Considering the Location of Incremental Construction Lands: The Case of Southern Jiangsu in Yangtze River Delta Region

by Pingxing Li, Chonggang Liu and Hui Cao

Land 2022, 11(2), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11020175 - 21 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1987

Abstract

With their significance in connecting socio-economic development and related eco-environmental consequences, land use transitions have gradually become the focus of land change science and sustainability science. Although various research studies have determined the ecological effects of land use transitions and provided suggestions to [...] Read more.

With their significance in connecting socio-economic development and related eco-environmental consequences, land use transitions have gradually become the focus of land change science and sustainability science. Although various research studies have determined the ecological effects of land use transitions and provided suggestions to regulate them, few studies have investigated the different ecological stress of construction lands from the perspective of their spatial locations in ecologically differentiated regions. Taking economically developed and highly urbanized southern Jiangsu in Eastern China as an example, we developed a process-based method to indicate the spatial heterogeneity of ecological suitability and divided southern Jiangsu into five-level ecological zones accordingly. Considering that construction lands in ecological zones with higher ecological suitability levels cause greater ecological stress, we evaluated the ecological stress levels of incremental construction lands at different stages after 1990. Then, we carried out the calculation of county-level ecological stress and county-level zoning based on both the area and ecological stress level of their incremental construction lands. Results indicated that ecological zones with the highest to lowest ecological suitability levels accounted for 49.85%, 25.73%, 15.56%, 6.51%, and 2.34%, respectively. The majority of the incremental construction lands had the highest and moderately high ecological stress levels, and they were mainly distributed in areas along the Yangtze River and around Taihu Lake. The general ecological stress level of southern Jiangsu was at a relatively high level at each stage, but the county-level patterns of ecological stress levels were spatially different. As determined from the relationship between the amount of incremental construction lands and the average stress level associated with these lands in each unit, four types of zones, i.e., H-H, H-L, L-H and L-L zones, were identified, and targeted suggestions on land use regulations were proposed. We conclude that the spatial distribution of incremental construction lands significantly affects their ecological consequences from the perspective of maintaining ecosystem integrity. Both construction lands and ecological suitability are location specific, so the location-oriented evaluations could provide an effective approach for determining the spatial patterns of land use transitions based on spatially differentiated ecological consequences. It is essential to propose location-specific policies to carry out spatially precise ecological restoration and the redistribution of incremental construction lands. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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Review

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20 pages, 1936 KiB

Open AccessReview

Regional Integration and Sustainable Development in the Yangtze River Delta, China: Towards a Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda

by Jiawei Wu and Wei Sun

Land 2023, 12(2), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020470 - 14 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2367

Abstract

Understanding the interactions between the human sphere and the natural sphere in key places and regions of the world is crucial for promoting sustainability science and achieving sustainable development. As one of the emerging global city-regions in China and the Global South, the [...] Read more.

Understanding the interactions between the human sphere and the natural sphere in key places and regions of the world is crucial for promoting sustainability science and achieving sustainable development. As one of the emerging global city-regions in China and the Global South, the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) plays an increasingly nonnegligible role in the globalized economy and telecoupling social-ecological systems (SESs). Considering the well-known importance and representativeness, the YRD has been regarded as an appropriate experimental site of integrated research on geographical and sustainability science at the subnational scale. This paper tries to establish theoretical and practical linkages between regional integration and sustainable development at the subnational scale based on the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the Chinese contexts, and a literature review of relevant researches. We argue that future research should pay more attention to the interdisciplinary, transregional, and multi-scale attributes of issues related to regional integrated and sustainable development in the YRD. The following research agendas, such as linking SDGs to regional integrative development, analyzing the sustainability of regional SESs, assessing the integrated region at the subnational scale, investigating the YRD at different geographical scales, exploring applicable governance structures and institutions, as well as applying multi-source data and interdisciplinary methodologies, call for more scholarly attention. We hope that this paper could be an initial motion to expand and enrich relevant research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China)

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