Research on Sustainable Land Use Based on Production–Living–Ecological Function: A Case Study of Hubei Province, China

Abstract

After decades of rapid development, there exists insufficient and contradictory land use in the world, and social, economic and ecological sustainable development is facing severe challenges. Balanced land use functions (LUFs) can promote sustainable land use and reduces land pressures from limited land resources. In this study, we propose a new conceptual index system using the entropy weight method, regional center of gravity theory, coupling coordination degree model and obstacle factor identification model for LUFs assessment and spatial-temporal analysis. This framework was applied to 17 cities in central China’s Hubei Province using 39 indicators in terms of production–living–ecology analysis during 1996–2016. The result shows that (1) LUFs showed an overall upward trend during the study period, while the way of promotion varied with different dimensions. Production function (PF) experienced a continuous enhancement during the study period. Living function (LF) was similar in this aspect, but showed a faster rising tendency. EF continued to increase during 1996–2011, but declined during 2011–2016. LUFs were higher in the east than in the west, and slightly higher in the south than in the north. The spatial coordination was enhanced during the study period. (2) The overall level of coupling coordination degree continued to increase during 1996–2016, while regional difference declined obviously, indicating a good developing trend. However, the absolute level was still not satisfactory. (3) The obstacle degree of PF was always dominant, and LF showed a downward trend, while EF showed an increasing trend. Benefit index (A2), Comfort index (B2) and Green index (C1) constituted the primary obstacle factor for each dimension. Added-value of high and new technology industry (A2-3) and land use intensity (A3-2) were key factors restricting PF. Number of medical practitioner (B1-4) and internet penetration rate (B2-3) were key factors restricting LF. Air quality rate (C3-1) and wetland coverage rate (C1-4) were key factors restricting EF. This study can help to give a more detailed understanding of sustainable land use for the particularity of China from a land function perspective and provide lessons and suggestions for other developing countries in the world.

Production–Living–Ecological Conflict Identification Using a Multiscale Integration Model Based on Spatial Suitability Analysis and Sustainable Development Evaluation: A Case Study of Ningbo, China

“…Scale of production space Scale of agricultural land [31] Scale of industrial land [31] Structure of production space Advancement of industrial structure [32] Efficiency of production space Grain output rate [33] Land output rate [34] Industrial efficiency [34] Living space (livable life) SDGs 1 and 11…”

“…Scale of living space Size of residential space [31] Quality of living Green-space coverage ratio [33] Engel's coefficient of urban residents [33] Convenience of living Transportation convenient [35] Traffic accessibility [36] Ecological space (beautiful ecology) SDGs 3, 6, 13, and 15…”

Spatial-Temporal Divergence and Driving Mechanisms of Urban-Rural Sustainable Development: An Empirical Study Based on Provincial Panel Data in China

“…(Figure 2). Coupling, which stems from physics, describes the phenomenon by which two or more systems influence each other through interactive mechanisms [44,45]. Therefore, the coupling degree ( ) can be used to explore the relationship between urban and rural development.…”

Research on Comprehensive Evaluation and Coordinated Development of Water Resources Carrying Capacity in Qingjiang River Basin, China

“…Therefore, the coupling coordination model has been applied by many scholars to study the relationship between systems in various fields and their change rules. For example, the coupling relationship between urbanization and natural disasters [19], between China's new urbanization and ecological environmental pressure [20], and between production, living, and ecological functions are studied [21]. Similarly, on the basis of the construction of the evaluation index system of WRCC, many scholars use the coupling-coordination degree model to study the coordinated development state of different systems and distinguish the types of backward development [22,23].…”