Initial Evaluation of Provincial-Level Environmental Risks from the Perspective of Human Settlements

Abstract

This study introduces risk theory of environmental science into human settlement science using 2004-2013 statistics, remote sensing data, and thematic maps. The entropy weight method and risk-index model are both used to study the characteristics of the time course and spatial pattern of human settlement risk in 31 provincial regions in China. In addition, influential mechanisms of vulnerability, functionality, stress, and adaptability on environmental risks are analyzed. Three primary results are obtained. First, for temporal characteristics, environmental risks of human settlements increased significantly from 2003 to 2012. The year 2006 marked both a sudden change and the cut-off point after which human settlements in China experienced qualitative changes and new risks. Second, for spatial characteristics, the risk index of human settlements decreased gradually from the southwestern to the northeastern, northwestern, and northern parts of China. The risk index of human settlement spaces differed significantly, with obvious block aggregation of spatial-distribution characteristics. Third, for relevant factor characteristics, between 2003 and 2012, the temporal change in vulnerability is relatively stable, with a slight increase in functionality and a slight decrease in adaptability. Spatially, Qinghai, Tibet, southwestern China, Guangdong, Guangxi, Beijing, and Tianjin had relatively high vulnerability in human settlements; Beijing, Tianjin, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang had the best functionality; Hunan and Sichuan had relatively high stress; and Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang had relatively stronger adaptability. Further consideration and discussion are required on the environmental risks for different social groups and at different geographical scales, as well as on the uncertainty and long-term features of environmental risks in addition to environmental justice issues.

Realistic characteristics and driving mechanisms of pseudo-human settlements in Chinese cities

“…Statistical yearbooks typically have a time lag of 1-2 years. Therefore, PHSI has high temporal resolution and can achieve real-time evaluation of human settlements compared with the human settlement evaluation studies based on statistical yearbooks (Tian et al, 2016;Zhang and Fan, 2020;Yu et al, 2022); and (3) reflects the subjective preferences and requirements of urban residents for the living environment. Studies evaluating human settlements using statistical yearbooks and satellite remote sensing images (Chen et al, 2021b;Luo et al, 2021) are typically conducted with "land" as the core.…”

Assessing Suitability of Human Settlements in High-Altitude Area Using a Comprehensive Index Method: A Case Study of Tibet, China

“…A risk index model that integrated the vulnerability, functionality, stress, and suitability was constructed to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of human settlement risk at the national scale in China. There is an obvious block aggregation of spatial-distribution characteristics among regions of different types of natural environments [14]. Besides, scholars have evaluated living conditions in 35 major Chinese cities, and the results confirm growing disparities between cities and the challenges posed by rapid economic growth, but this does not include the cities of Tibet [15].…”