Abstract
Relative carrying capacity of resources is an index to measure sustainable development through carrying capacity. Case studies of eleven cities in Zhejiang (Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Shaoxing, Jinhua, Quzhou, Zhoushan, Taizhou and Lishui) illustrated regional sustainable development approach. In this study, to provide insight into spatial and dynamic analysis of region sustainable development, we calculated the relative carrying capacity of land resources and economical resources and synthetical carrying capacity of resources in different cities in Zhejiang, and geographic information system was carried out. The results showed that all cities but Hangzhou and Ningbo were ecologically sustainable, and relative carrying capacity of land resources in northern and eastern Zhejiang was larger than those in southern and western Zhejiang. The sampling years of Wenzhou, Hangzhou and Ningbo contribution rates of land resource to synthetic carrying capacity were grouped into three stages, and there were two milestones trends and changes in 1996 and 2004, respectively. This study demonstrated that geographic information system and relative carrying capacity of resources are effective for assessment of region sustainable development, and provide policy guidelines for decision-making.
Highlights
The results showed that all cities but Hangzhou and Ningbo were ecologically sustainable, and relative carrying capacity of land resources in northern and eastern Zhejiang was larger than those in southern and western Zhejiang
The sampling years of Wenzhou, Hangzhou and Ningbo contribution rates of land resource to synthetic carrying capacity were grouped into three stages, and there were two milestones trends and changes in 1996 and 2004, respectively
This study demonstrated that geographic information system and relative carrying capacity of resources are effective for assessment of region sustainable development, and provide policy guidelines for decision-making
Summary
Sustainable development has been widely recognized as an effective tool for harmonizing human society and nature. The main research and practice of sustainable development concept are focused on efficient use of the human and economical resources. Assessment of sustainable development for effective regional management is becoming concern, which included Relative Carrying Capacity of Resources (RCCR) [1], Ecological Footprint (EF) [2,3], Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW) [4], Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) [5], and Genuine Progress Indicator(GPI) [6]. Wang proposed that carrying capacity of natural reso-. Urces was much lower than the carrying capacity of economy resources of Wenzhou and had been the state of overload from 1992 to 2004 [1]. Nguyen and Yamamoto reported the estimated total ecological footprint of the world using the new method implied more serious problems associated with over consumption than using results from the original ecological footprint method
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
