Research on temporal and spatial variations in the degree of coupling coordination of tourism–urbanization–ecological environment: a case study of Heilongjiang, China

Abstract

This paper offers a complex evaluation index system for Heilongjiang tourism, urbanization, and ecological environmental development based on coupling mechanisms across these three subsystems. Heilongjiang Province and its 12 prefecture-level cities serve as research objects. The study entailed a quantitative analysis of temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of comprehensive development levels, and of coupling coordination degrees, of the three subsystems in Heilongjiang Province from 2003 to 2017. Research was based on both coordination degree and coupling coordination degree models. The results suggest that the degree of coupling showed a steady increase. Our research is significant in terms of accelerating the development of tourism–urbanization–ecological environmental coordination, and of ensuring sustainable development in the regional economy.