Conflict or coordination? Assessing land use multi-functionalization using production-living-ecology analysis

Area of Science:

• Urban and Regional Planning
• Environmental Science
• System Science

Background:

• Increasing human-nature conflict necessitates efficient land use strategies.
• Land use multi-functionalization (LUMF) is crucial for sustainable urbanization and resource management.
• Limited land resources and urbanization pressures demand innovative assessment methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel index system for assessing LUMF.
• To analyze the relationships among land use sub-functions (production, living, ecology).
• To evaluate LUMF trends and identify regional development imbalances in the Hangzhou Bay urban agglomeration.

Main Methods:

• Application of system science principles.
• Utilized entropy weight method, triangle model, and coupling coordination degree model for LUMF assessment.
• Analyzed twenty-two indicators across production-living-ecology dimensions from 2004-2013 for six cities.

Main Results:

• The LUMF level in the urban agglomeration around Hangzhou Bay (UAHB) showed an increasing trend.
• Land use sub-function relationships exhibited significant spatial and temporal variability.
• Urban development in the UAHB prioritized economic growth over ecological protection, leading to unbalanced regional development.

Conclusions:

• Integrated planning and design are essential for effective urban and land use management.
• Addressing the identified imbalances is critical for achieving efficient and sustainable land use.
• The proposed LUMF assessment framework provides valuable insights for policy-making.