Coupling analysis of urbanization and ecological total factor energy efficiency —— A case study from Hebei province in China

Abstract

Under the background of rapid urbanization, the contradictions among urbanization construction, resource consumption and ecological environment become increasingly prominent. Research on Comprehensive Urbanization Level (CUL) and Ecological Total Factor Energy Efficiency (ETFEE) is beneficial to the development of new urbanization and ecological protection. Under the basis of related researches, the urbanization evaluation system is constructed and the CUL is measured from four dimensions: population, economy, society and space. The ETFEE is calculated by a SBM-Undesirable model, and the Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) model is established to calculate the CCD between CUL and ETFEE. The findings show that: (1) the CUL from high to low is as follows: eastern Hebei, central Hebei, northern Hebei and southern Hebei, and there is still room for improvement in the urbanization of each region; (2) ETFEE values of the cities show overall upward trends; (3) the CCD is in transition from a low-moderate coupling stage to a moderate-high one. This study has certain reference value for decision-makers to formulate related policies of urbanization and energy efficiency.