Exploring the Coupling Coordination and Key Factors between Urban–Rural Integrated Development and Land-Use Efficiency in the Yellow River Basin

Abstract

Exploring the complex dynamic relationship between urban–rural integrated development and land-use efficiency can contribute to most efficient urban–rural land-use and the rational promotion of urban–rural integrated development. This study established an evaluation model of urban–rural integrated development, adopted the super-efficiency SBM model to measure land-use efficiency, and studied the evolution of the spatial–temporal patterns of urban–rural integrated development and land-use efficiency coupling in the Yellow River Basin. We also examined the factors affecting them with the help of the coupling coordination degree model, non-parametric kernel density estimation, and geographic probes. The results indicate the following: (1) Within the study period, the coupled coordination of urban–rural integrated development and land-use efficiency was similar to the spatial distribution characteristics of land-use efficiency, both showing a “high at both ends and low in the middle” trend. (2) The coupled coordination increased over time; however, a lagging land-use efficiency was a crucial impediment to improving the coupling coordination degree. (3) Carbon emissions, urbanization rate, and per capita GDP were key drivers. The results of this study can provide a reference for local governments in the Yellow River Basin and other similar areas to propose paths to optimize the allocation of urban and rural land-use.