Abstract
Exploring the coupling coordinated relationship between urbanization and eco-environment of the urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River (UAMRYR) from 2000 to 2015 can provide a theoretical basis for the overall planning and healthy development of the region. Therefore, in this article, we took 31 cities of the UAMRYR as the research area, and established an evaluation system to calculate the urbanization level and eco-environmental quality. Then, using entropy method and coupling measurement model, we analyzed the coupling coordination relationship between urbanization level and eco-environmental quality from spatial and temporal perspectives. Temporally, the coupling degree (CD) and coupling coordinated degree (CCD) continually rose during the 16 years. Spatially, the coordinated development level of urbanization level and eco-environmental quality had significant spatial differences. The CD presented the “northwest-southeast” spatial characteristics corresponding to high-low distribution. The CCD showed an inverted Y-shaped spatial pattern that gradually decreases outward from the provincial capital city. The coordinated development level of urbanization and eco-environment in the UAMRYR showed a central-periphery spatial pattern, and had an obvious spatial variation.
Highlights
The Development Plan for the Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (UAMRYR) clearly pointed out that we must vigorously develop the construction of ecological civilization
Based on the coupling degree (CD) model and coupling coordinated degree (CCD) model, Liu found that the distribution of the CCD in each province had obvious regional differences, manifesting that the CCD of most provinces in the east is universal higher than in the centre and west [2]
The average CD increased from the medium coupling in 2000 to the strong coupling in 2015
Summary
The Development Plan for the Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River (UAMRYR) clearly pointed out that we must vigorously develop the construction of ecological civilization. The coordinated development of the urbanization and ecoenvironment of the UAMRYR has gradually become an important issue in the regional planning of the urban agglomeration. Many previous literatures had engaged in studying the relationship between urbanization and ecoenvironment. Some scholars used the system dynamics method to simulate and predict the coupled development pattern of urbanization and eco-environment [3]. Most scholars studied the coupling relationship between urbanization and eco-environment at the provincial level and national level [4, 5]. A few scholars focused on the municipal level, but few scholars paid attention to the relationship from the perspective of urban agglomeration.
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
