Coupling coordination analysis of urbanization and the ecological environment based on urban functional zones

Urbanization is an inevitable process in human social progress; additionally, the ecological environment is the carrier and foundation of human social development. Considering central Shanghai, China, as an example, this study quantitatively analyzed the coupling coordination relationship between urbanization and the ecological environment based on urban functional zones; remote sensing images, Open Street Map roads, and point of interest data were analyzed for the urban functional zones via the remote sensing-based ecological index (RSEI), comprehensive nighttime light index (CNLI), and coupling coordination degree (D). The results revealed that urban functional zones in central Shanghai were mainly mixed functional zones and comprehensive functional zones, which formed a spatial structure that gradually radiated outward from the urban core. Additionally, CNLI values were high; the proportion of CNLI between 0.6 and 1 was 94.37%. Moreover, the RSEI showed spatial differentiation; it was low in the center and gradually increased outward. Additionally, D was at the primary coordination level. The coupling coordination type in the core area corresponded to an ecological environment lag, which gradually transitioned to a state of systematic balanced development from the core area outward, but showed sluggish urbanization in some areas. This quantitative analysis of the coupling coordination between urbanization and the ecological environment based on urban functional zones provides effective scientific references for optimization of spatial planning.