Evolution Pattern of Blue–Green Space in New Urban Districts and Its Driving Factors: A Case Study of Zhengdong New District in China

Abstract

Understanding the spatial–temporal evolution of the blue–green space (BGS) is crucial for urban planning and ecological security protection. However, the evolutionary patterns and driving factors of the BGS in new urban districts remain unclear. Based on the classical qualitative models, “patch–corridor–matrix” and “sustainability prism”, this study adopted the land use transition matrix and landscape index to quantify evolution patterns, and Pearson correlation and geographical detector analysis methods to reveal the driving factors. Taking Zhengdong New District as a case study, the results indicated the following: (1) The BGS rate was reduced by 35% from 2003 to 2021, with the most significant decrease in cultivated lands. (2) The evolution pattern of BGS alternated sequentially among ecological, disorderly, and balanced states. Among them, urban green spaces tended towards a more stable and aggregated state. Other BGSs became more fragmented and discontinuous. (3) The “sustainability prism” model consists of four driving factors, including social economy, rainwater safety, ecological liveability, and physical geography. (4) Socioeconomic factors significantly decreased the BGS, as indicated by the correlation coefficients of −0.988 and −0.978 between built-up areas and population and gross domestic products, respectively. Physical geographic factors played weak roles in the evolution of the BGS. Meanwhile, rainwater safety and ecological liveability positively affected the BGS.