Study on the Spatiotemporal Evolution of Urban Land Use Efficiency in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region

Abstract

The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region (BTH) is one of the crucial areas for economic development in China. However, rapid urban expansion and industrial development in this region have severely impacted the surrounding ecological environment. The air quality, water, and soil resources face significant pressure. Due to the close relationship between land utilization, population, investment, and industry, effective land use is a key factor in the coordinated development of the region. Therefore, clarifying the patterns of urban land use change and revealing its influencing factors can provide important scientific evidence for the coordinated development of the BTH region. This study aims to improve urban land use efficiency (ULUE) in the BTH region. Firstly, based on the input and output data of land elements for the 13 cities in the BTH region, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method is used to quantify the ULUE of the BTH urban agglomeration and analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of ULUE. Input indicators includes capital, labor, and land. Output indicators includes economy, society, and environment. The results show that the overall ULUE in the BTH region has increased, albeit with notable fluctuations. Between 2000 and 2010, ULUE rose swiftly across all cities except Beijing and Tianjin, where changes were minimal. Post-2010, cities exhibited varied trends: steady growth, slow growth, sustained growth, step-wise growth, and initial growth followed by decline. Spatially, before 2010, the BTH showed a “high in the northeast and low in the southwest” pattern, transitioning post-2010 to a smoother “core-periphery” pattern. Mid-epidemic, high ULUE values reverted to the core area, shifting southward post-epidemic. Secondly, panel data analysis is conducted to explore the factors influencing ULUE. The results indicate that fiscal balance, the level of openness, the level of digitalization, industrial structure, and the level of green development are significant factors affecting ULUE. Finally, strategies are proposed to improve ULUE in the BTH region, including national spatial planning, industrial layout, existing land use, infrastructure construction, optimization of local fiscal revenue, and improvement in the business environment, aiming to enhance ULUE and promote the coordinated development of industries in the BTH region.