Coupling Coordination Degree Model Research Articles

Spatiotemporal evolution and driving factors of the coupling coordination of the population‒land‒water‒industry system in the lower Yellow River

Exploring the interaction and coupling effects within the population‒land‒water‒industry (PLWI) system is conducive to promoting high-quality regional sustainable development. Taking the lower Yellow River during the period from 2000 to 2020 as a research sample, this study used the entropy weight TOPSIS method, the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and kernel density estimation to synthetically evaluate the CCD of the PLWI system. The GeoDetector model was applied to explore the factors influencing the CCD of the PLWI system considering the nonlinear relationship. The major results can be summarized as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the comprehensive development index (CDI) of the population, land, water and industry subsystems followed a gradual upward trend in the lower Yellow River, increasing by 0.293, 0.033, 0.111 and 0.369, respectively. However, the CDI of the land subsystem varied greatly between regions. Some cities, such as Jinan, Jining and Binzhou, experienced large declines in the CDI of the land subsystem, from 0.433, 0.534 and 0.572 to 0.358, 0.481 and 0.522, respectively. (2) The CCD of the PLWI system in the lower Yellow River showed an upward trend, increasing from 0.481 to 0.678, and became more concentrated during 2000–2020. Most of the region transitioned from near disorder to primary coordination. (3) Factors such as number of health technicians per 10,000 people, average salary, number of college students per 10,000 people, per capita GDP and per capita education expenditure were critical to the coordinated development of the PLWI system, the explanatory powers were 0.644, 0.639, 0.610, 0.498 and 0.455, respectively. Finally, this study proposed three policy recommendations to improve coupling coordination in the lower Yellow River Basin: Improving population quality, promoting green technology and rational land planning.

Coupling coordination analysis and spatiotemporal heterogeneity between urban land green use efficiency and ecosystem services in Yangtze River Economic Belt, China

Rapid urbanization has resulted in the conversion of different land types, leading to a serious disruption of the balance of ecosystems, and the contradiction between land use and ecological security becomes increasingly severe. As a key factor affecting ecosystem services (ESs), improving the urban land green use efficiency (ULGUE) can effectively mitigate the decline in the ecosystem services function. This study tried to verify the profound impact of land use on ESs by measuring the coupling coordination degree (CCD) between ULGUE and ESs from the perspective of coupling coordination. However, the traditional CCD model suffers from volatility and non-comparable confidence levels in results. For this background, this study adopted the improved CCD model to measure the association between ULGUE and ESs in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB). Also, a comprehensive spatial evolution of the CCD was further explored. The main conclusions are as follows: (a) The overall level of ULGUE in YREB showed an increasing trend with the distribution of ULGUE in most cities ranging from 0.71 to 1.00, showing a higher level overall and the spatial distribution character of “small aggregation, large distribution”; (b) The ESs of YREB from 2005 to 2020 demonstrated a decreasing trend and majority of cities’ current ecological protection efforts are lagging behind the extent of ecosystem damage caused by human activities; (c) The overall average CCD of YREB was largely at basically balanced level and the average CCD change ranges from 0.38 to 0.45 between 2005 and 2020, but the overall CCD had a strong spatial correlation strength. (4) To some extent, the improved CCD model solved the problems of volatility and credibility based on the traditional CCD results, which have strong rationality and scientific validity. Identifying the coupling and coordination characteristics and mechanisms can effectively provide theoretical support for the sustainable development of watersheds.

Exploring the Coupling Relationship and Driving Factors of Land Use Conflicts and Ecosystem Services Supply–Demand Balances in Different Main Functional Areas, Southwest China

ABSTRACTConflicts between different types of land use, driven by rapid urbanization, are altering ecosystem services supply–demand balances (ESDB), and the reduction of ESDB will threaten regional sustainable development and human welfare. However, there are few studies on the interrelationships and their drivers between land use conflicts (LUCs) and ESDB from a coupling perspective, especially in different main functional areas. Therefore, this study focused on Southwest China. Firstly, the coupling coordination degree model was employed to measure the ESDB‐LUCs relationship and analyze its dynamic changes from 1990 to 2020. Then, the RDA method was used to explore the driving factors of the ESDB‐LUCs relationship in different functional areas (i.e., urban development area (UDA), agricultural development area (APA), and ecological protection area (EPA)). The results show that the LUCs index displayed a downward trend in the SW during 1990–2020, with a decreasing distribution pattern from the northeast to the southwest. The ESDB index exhibited a downward and then upward trend, with an increasing distribution mode from the northeast to the southwest. There was a spatial dependence between LUCs and ESDB. The type of coupling coordination between LUCs and ESDB was dominated by moderate coordination, with the index showing a spatial pattern of UDA > APA > EPA. Among these, the proportion of cropland and the proportion of urban land were the main factors influencing the degree of coordination of the UDA (explanation rate > 80%), showing positive and negative effects, respectively. The proportion of forestland and the proportion of cropland were the main factors influencing the APA and EPA (explanation rate > 70%), with negative and positive effects, respectively. Therefore, mitigating the conflict between cropland and urban land, cropland and forest land is essential to achieve ecosystem balance in the SW.

Unlocking the Synergy: Increasing productivity through Human-AI collaboration in the industry 5.0 Era

The prevailing trajectory of technological evolution emphasizes the sustainable development of human-AI collaboration. In this study, we employ the coupling coordination degree model to evaluate the dynamics of human-AI collaboration in China and match it with listed companies. Through panel models, the study not only quantifies the contribution of such collaboration to enhancing company input–output efficiency but also explores how it serves as a catalyst for technological catch-up. Our findings indicate that the integration of human capital with AI emerges as a potent driver of company efficiency, with the extent of the impact also tied to organizational characteristics. Furthermore, the scale of investment and organizational size play a crucial role in the effectiveness of HIC, underscoring the adaptability of human-AI collaboration strategies to various organizational contexts and the importance of tailored implementation. Our research highlights the inherent collaborative potential of AI within the Industry 5.0 framework, advocating for the fusion of human creativity with AI precision to foster a development paradigm that is resource-efficient, cost-effective, and human-centric.

Future pathways for green hydrogen: Analyzing the nexus of renewable energy consumption and hydrogen development in Chinese cities

Hydrogen energy offers a promising pathway for achieving zero-carbon urban energy consumption. This study quantitatively analyzes the patterns of hydrogen energy development and its linked to electricity consumption in China's urban areas. It investigates the spatial relationships between hydrogen energy expansion, the potential for green hydrogen production, and overall energy use. Utilizing a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and a panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model, the research explores the dynamic interactions between urban hydrogen energy development and the transition to renewable energy sources. In line with Chinese government policy, the study also conducts a scenario analysis of green hydrogen production by 2030, proposing a consumption strategy that balances environmental sustainability with economic growth. The key conclusions are as follows: (1) There is a spatial mismatch between the locations where hydrogen energy is being developed and where the potential for green hydrogen production is greatest. Cities with higher electricity consumption demonstrate stronger synergies in the coordinated development of hydrogen and renewable energy. (2) The development of hydrogen energy significantly accelerates the transition to renewable energy consumption in urban areas, with this impact being more substantial than that of the utilization capacity alone. (3) Hydrogen production in the Plan Scenario is significantly higher than in the Pessimistic Scenario, underscoring the critical importance of implementing renewable hydrogen projects in provinces with high production potential. Future trends in green hydrogen consumption at the provincial level indicate that addressing the challenges of efficient inter-provincial transportation of hydrogen energy remains essential.

The Coupling Coordination Degree and Its Driving Factors for Water–Energy–Food Resources in the Yellow River Irrigation Area of Shandong Province

Water resources, energy, and food are essential for the development of society, and they are strongly interdependent. The coupling and coordination relationships of the water–energy–food (WEF) system are important for regional resource security and high-quality development. The Yellow River Irrigation Area in Shandong Province, China, is a grain production base and has a substantial impact on national food security. To examine the water, energy, and food subsystem dynamics in this area, an evaluation system for the WEF system was established. A comprehensive weighting method based on game theory was employed to determine index weights. TOPSIS was used to assess the development level of the WEF system. A coupling coordination degree model was used to analyze the evolution of the coupling coordination degree of the WEF system from 2000 to 2020, and a GWR model was constructed to explore the spatial heterogeneity of its driving factors. The findings indicated that the development level of the WEF system in the study area was moderate, with a gradual upward trend. The coupling coordination degree fluctuated between 0.62 and 0.739. The GWR model revealed that temperature had an overall negative effect on the coupling coordination degree, with the greatest impact on the central irrigation area; the slope and NDVI had a negative effect, with increasing intensity from the southwest to the northeast; and rainfall had an overall positive effect, with the greatest impact on the irrigation area near the estuary in the northeast. Overall, the building area ratio had a negative effect on the coupling coordination degree, with exceptions in some areas. These research outcomes provide theoretical support for sustainable agricultural development in the Yellow River irrigation areas of Shandong Province and methodological reference data for studying collaborative resource utilization in irrigation regions.

Measurement and coupling analysis of the efficiency of resource‐based treatment of municipal solid waste in Chengdu–Chongqing area

AbstractMunicipal solid waste (MSW) is crucial for carbon cycle, residents' lives, and green circular economy development, but quantitative research is limited in efficiency and regional synergy. Considering the regional characteristics of Chengdu and Chongqing, this study establishes the input–output indicator system of MSW treatment in 16 cities in the Chengdu–Chongqing area, constructs the Data Envelopment Analysis model and the coupling coordination degree model, and makes an in‐depth study on the efficiency and environmental benefits of MSW resource treatment from 2012 to 2021. The research conclusion is as follows: first, the improvement of MSW treatment efficiency can be enhanced through reasonable policies and measures to promote sustainable urban development and socioeconomic benefits. The input and output levels of MSW treatment in 16 cities all show an upward trend. Second, the 16 MSW treatment systems have good average pure technical efficiency (Chongqing 0.9879, Chengdu 0.9805), average scale efficiency (Nanchong 0.9396), and average comprehensive efficiency (Nanchong 0.9148), but the overall comprehensive efficiency needs improvement. Third, in 2021, Chengdu's ecological and environmental benefits are better than Chongqing's, while Chongqing has a certain degree of input redundancy and output deficiency. Fourth, in the coupling analysis of resource treatment efficiency and environmental improvement benefits in Chengdu and Chongqing between 2012 and 2021, the coordination between resource treatment and environmental improvement in Chengdu lags behind that in Chongqing, but overall, the coupling is improving. Finally, suggestions for improving the efficiency of MSW resource treatment and promoting environmental improvement are presented from the front, middle, and back ends, respectively, to provide a reference for the policy‐making of city managers.

Exploring the Coordination of Park Green Spaces and Urban Functional Areas through Multi-Source Data: A Spatial Analysis in Fuzhou, China

The coordinated development of park green spaces (PGS)with urban functional areas (UFA) has a direct impact on the operational efficiency of cities and the quality of life of residents. Therefore, an in-depth exploration of the coupling patterns and influencing factors between PGS and UFA is fundamental for efficient collaboration and the creation of high-quality living environments. This study focuses on the street units of Fuzhou’s central urban area, utilizing multi-source data such as land use, points of interest (POI), and OpenStreetMap (OSM) methods, including kernel density analysis, standard deviational ellipse, coupling coordination degree model, and geographical detectors, are employed to systematically analyze the spatial distribution patterns of PGS and UFA, as well as their coupling coordination relationships. The findings reveal that (1) both PGS and various UFA have higher densities in the city center, with a concentric decrease towards the periphery. PGS are primarily concentrated in the city center, exhibiting a monocentric distribution, while UFA display planar, polycentric, or axial distribution patterns. (2) The spatial distribution centers of both PGS and UFA are skewed towards the southwest of the city center, with PGS being relatively evenly distributed and showing minimal deviation from UFA. (3) The dominant type of coupling coordination between PGS and various UFA is “Close to dissonance”, displaying a spatial pattern of “high in the center, low on the east-west and north-south wings”. Socioeconomic factors are the primary driving force influencing the coupling coordination degree, while population and transportation conditions are secondary factors. This research provides a scientific basis for urban planning and assists planners in more precisely coordinating the development of parks, green spaces, and various functional spaces in urban spatial layouts, thereby promoting sustainable urban development.

A Dynamic Simulation and Evaluation of the Coupling Coordination Degree of the Marine Economy–Resource–Environment System in China

As the scale of the marine economy continues to expand, the problems of environmental pollution and the over-exploitation of marine resources have become increasingly severe. The purpose of this study is to realize the sustainable growth of the marine economy, the rational utilization of resources, and the coordinated development of environmental protection. Method: This research first adopts the system dynamics (SD) model. It then uses the entropy method to weigh the evaluation indicators and create a coupling coordination degree (CCD) assessment simulation of the marine economic–resource–ecological environment. We use the created SD model to build and simulate four standard scenarios: current, economic, resource, and environmental. Finally, we propose suitable recommendations for the long-term development of the marine economy based on the coordination evaluation results of the CCD model. Results: Results show the following: (1) In the immediate term, the economic scenario is poorly coordinated, whereas the environmental scenario is more effectively coordinated. However, in the long-term development process, the resource scenario is reasonably well coordinated. (2) Priority attention must be given to improving the energy mix and protecting the natural environment to promote the sustainable development of the marine economy. (3) To achieve a virtuous cycle between marine economic development and environmental protection, governments, businesses, and all sectors of society need to work together to formulate and implement relevant policies and initiatives.

Spatio-temporal pattern and coordinated development of eco-compensation performance of 101 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Eco-compensation is an important component of ecological civilization construction. Therefore, it is of great significance to elucidate the spatial and temporal pattern of eco-compensation performance and its internal coupling and coordinated features to promote ecological civilization construction. We proposed that eco-compensation performance consists of benefit and efficiency, and used the projection pursuit and super-efficiency SBM-DEA models to measure the eco-compensation benefit and efficiency of 101 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2010 to 2021 and to analyze their spatial and temporal patterns. Finally, we used the coupling coordination degree model to reveal the coupling and coordinated features of eco-compensation performance. The results showed that the temporal trends of eco-compensation benefit and efficiency were "W" and "U" shaped. The eco-compensation benefit in eastern or mega-cities was the highest, whereas the eco-compensation efficiency in western or small/medium-sized cities was the highest. Coupling coordination degree of eco-compensation performance was in the coordinated development stage from 2010 to 2012, with a concentration of agglomeration effects in the central region. It was in the transition/adjustment stage from 2013 to 2020, with low-value areas concentrated and scattered high-value areas, and smaller regional differences. It was in the coordinated development stage in 2021, with a clear agglomeration effect in the eastern region. Cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt should incorporate the eco-compensation performance coupling coordination mechanism into their optimized eco-compensation policy plans based on the stage of coordinated development, to achieve their environmental improvement goals.

Coupling Coordination Degree of Land, Ecology, and Food and Its Influencing Factors in Henan Province

Studying the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of the coupling coordination of the land–ecology–food system (LEF) aids in promoting green agricultural development and regional resource management. This study enriches food indicators under the dietary structure and uses the coupling coordination degree model to analyze the coupling coordination relationship among the LEF of 18 cities in Henan Province from 2011 to 2020. The gray relational degree model is used to investigate the main influencing factors determining the synergistic development of the system. The results show that the comprehensive development index of the LEF in Henan Province ranges between 0.4 and 0.6. The overall comprehensive evaluation index of various cities is ranked as Southern Henan > Eastern Henan > Central Henan > Northern Henan > Western Henan, with the greatest fluctuation observed in the food subsystem. During the study period, the coupling degree of Henan’s LEF ranged from 0.277 to 0.996, indicating stages from low- to high-level coupling. The coupling coordination degree ranged from 0.338 to 0.775, generally bordering on imbalance and barely coordinated. The impact of each subsystem evaluation index on the system’s coupling coordination degree can be ranked as food subsystem > ecology subsystem > land subsystem, with the correlation degree of internal indicators of the food and ecology subsystems with the system’s coupling coordination degree being over 85%, emphasizing the importance of strict management. In summary, the coupling coordination of the LEF system in Henan Province urgently needs to be improved; especially, the coordination of the agricultural system is particularly important. Clarifying the spatiotemporal pattern of the LEF coupling and its coordination can provide a scientific basis for the coordinated development of land use, agricultural ecology, and grain production in Henan Province.

Assessment of rural sustainable development and analysis and prediction of obstacles and coupled coordinated development: A case study of Zaozhuang City

In China, the Innovation Demonstration Zone for the National Sustainable Development Agenda is a key initiative for executing the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Zone also plays critical roles in addressing the developmental bottlenecks that China faces and sharing Chinese insights into global sustainable development efforts. On July 15, 2022, the State Council endorsed the Zone’s establishment in Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province, where it focuses on innovation-led sustainable development in rural areas. Research into the levels, impediments, interdependencies, and evolutionary trends of rural sustainable development is crucial. Therefore, this research aimed to assist in comprehensively assessing developmental challenges and facilitating the harmonious advancement of social, economic, and environmental aspects in rural areas. In pursuit of the three fundamental dimensions of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely development’s drivers, quality, and equity, this study was grounded in China’s national Rural Revitalization Strategy and the demands of sustainable development strategies. It also aligns with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the associated SDG indicators. Focusing on four key areas, namely production elements, natural elements, social elements, and rural governance, this study developed an evaluation index system for assessing the level of rural sustainable development. It employed a range of analytical models, including the game theory-based combination empowerment method, barrier degree model, coupling degree model, coupling coordination degree model, and gray prediction GM(1,1) model, to analyze the status and evolving trends of rural sustainable development in Zaozhuang City from 2015 to 2022. The key findings were as follows: ① Relative to the baseline year 2015, the sustainable development level in Zaozhuang’s rural areas has shifted toward an improved state overall. ② The primary barrier to achieving rural sustainable development in Zaozhuang is the city’s rural governance system. ③ While the components of rural sustainable development in Zaozhuang are in the early stages of both basic and moderate coordination, an overall enhancement has occurred in their integrative coordination. ④ Between 2023 and 2025, the level of integrative coordination in Zaozhuang is expected to rise steadily. However, reaching a state of advanced coordination will require additional time for development.

The coupling characteristics and influencing factors of the "homestead-cultivated land system" in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region of China: A farmer perspective

Homesteads and cultivated land are crucial elements of the rural territorial system. Their coupling characteristics and changing patterns are essential for understanding the evolution of rural human-land systems and for developing coordinated rural development strategies. This study takes Huilong Village and Pingba Village in the TGRR, employing methods such as GIS spatial analysis, comprehensive index evaluation, coupling coordination degree model, and geographic detector model. The analysis focuses on the coupling characteristics and influencing factors of the “HCS” in these villages and proposes optimization strategies to provide scientific guidance for village planning, selection of high-quality rural development paths, and strategy design. The main findings are as follows: (1) The spatial distribution of homesteads and cultivated land in typical villages exhibits clear traffic directionality. The spatial coupling of the “HCS” demonstrates significant convergent evolution and adjacent distribution characteristics. (2) The utilization coupling of the “HCS” in Huilong Village and Pingba Village is predominantly high, with 98.72% and 94.62% of farmers, respectively, being highly coupled. However, the degree of coupling coordination is mostly barely coordinated. (3) The primary factors influencing the coordinated development of the “HCS” in the study area include the utilization conditions of homestead and cultivated land, labor status, and economic status. These factors can be categorized into four types: labor factor restrictions, nonagricultural development disturbance, agricultural development, and lagging farming conditions. Differentiated development strategies are proposed for each type. This research enhances the understanding of the coupling between homestead land and cultivated land, offering valuable insights for regional village planning, high-quality development path selection, and government decision-making.

Identifying the Response of Ecological Well–Being to Ecosystem Services of Urban Green Space Using the Coupling Coordination Degree Model: A Case Study of Beijing, China, 2015–2023

Understanding the response of the ecological well–being to ecosystem services of urban green space is imperative for urban ecosystem conservation and management. However, few studies have focused on the response process and spatial relationship of ecological well–being to ecosystem services of urban green space in mega cities, while residents’ demand and evaluation of ecological well–being have not been fully considered. In this study, the ecological well–being evaluation index system was developed through integrating subjective and objective indicators. Using the main urban area of Beijing as an example, our results indicate that from 2015 to 2023, the ecological well–being has been continuously increasing. Moreover, this study indicated that the coupling and coordination degree between ecological well–being and ecosystem services of urban green space still need to be improved. In addition, three modes of spatial relationship were identified in this study: high coordination area, moderate coordination area, and low coordination area. The finding extracted from these spatial relationship models should provide references for urban green space planning to maintain sustainable urban ecosystem conservation and management.

Conflict or Coordination? A Coupling Study of China’s Population–Urbanization–Ecological Environment

Whether the new type of urbanization implemented in China in the past decade has been effective in regulating urbanization and balancing human development and environmental protection remains to be verified. Therefore, this study develops a framework for assessing population-urbanization–ecological environment interactions by combining the coupling coordination degree model and the decoupling index. Firstly, the proposed framework establishes an indicator system of population, economy, society, space, environmental pressure, ecological governance, ecological status, and ecological services based on two sets of national census data; secondly, this study combines the coupling coordination degree model and decoupling index to comprehensively understand the coupling coordination relationship and the decoupling relationship of the population–urbanization–ecological environment across time and space. Overall, this study contributes to a deepened understanding of coupled population–urbanization–ecological environment interactions and provides a scientific basis for effective guidance on urban–rural management and the balance between human development and environmental protection.

The coordinated development among economy, society, energy, and environment and their impacts on public health in China's cities

As China's urban areas rapidly developed, prefecture-level cities faced challenges in the coordinated development of the economy, society, energy, and environment (ESEE), which could impact public health. Previous research had examined the interactions between the various ESEE systems and their effects on public health. However, relatively few studies had conducted comprehensive analyses across different systems and regions. This paper aimed to conduct an in-depth analysis in this field. First, it calculated the ESEE development levels using principal component analysis, the entropy method, and data from 278 Chinese cities between 2012 and 2021. Next, it employed a coupling coordination degree model, which reflects the degree of coordinated development between different systems, to explore the coordinated development levels and trends of the four ESEE systems in each prefecture-level city. Furthermore, this paper innovatively used a spatial Durbin model, incorporating ESEE coordination levels to investigate their impact on public health in local and surrounding areas. The results indicated that the positive impact of ESEE coordinated development on local public health was 0.5082, while the impact on surrounding areas was 2.0240. This influence was more pronounced in smaller cities, suggesting the need to enhance regional cooperation, balance developmental disparities, and promote ESEE coordinated development to improve public health.

Research on the relationship of coupling coordination between digitalization and green development

The coupling coordination of digitalization and green development has become an inevitable requirement for building a new development pattern and achieving high-quality development of China’s economy. Based on the panel data of 284 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2021, this study uses the coupling coordination degree model, Dagum Gini coefficient, spatial convergence, Markov transfer probability matrix, and panel Tobit model to quantitatively analyze the spatial–temporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of the coupling coordination degree of digitization and green development. The study results show that the coupling coordination degree (CCD) of digitalization and green development has an overall increasing trend during the study period, and the eastern region is higher than other regions which showing spatial non-equilibrium characteristics. The spatial difference of the CCD continues to downward, and inter-regional differences are the main source of the CCD. In the long run, there is a “catch-up effect” between cities with low CCD and those with high CCD, and the CCD of digitalization and green development will tend to a steady state. The transfer type of the CCD has the characteristics of “club convergence”, the probability of maintaining the original state is high, and the overall CCD shows a good development trend in the future. Factors such as environmental regulation, green innovation, industrial structure upgrading and financial efficiency can significantly contribute to the CCD of digitalization and green development. The above findings provide empirical evidence of the CCD of digitalization and green development to achieve high-quality economic development.

Spatiotemporal Coupling Relationship between Higher Education and Economic Development in China: Based on Interprovincial Panel Data from 2012 to 2023

This study explored the relationship between education and the economy in China, focusing on 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions from 2012 to 2023. It developed an appropriate evaluation model to assess the coupling and collaborative development of the ‘higher education and economy’ composite system. The study quantified both the quantity and quality of higher education modernization in China using the entropy-weight method and a comprehensive development- level evaluation model. The coupling-coordination degree model was applied to empirically analyze the internal logic, operating mechanisms, and coupling-coordination degree between the supply of higher education and the demand for high-quality regional economic development within the context of the new development pattern. Additionally, the obstacle degree model was introduced to identify factors hindering the coupling and coordination of higher education and regional economic development across 31 provinces and municipalities. The findings revealed that (1) the modernization levels of higher education exhibited fluctuating yet overall upward trends, with the eastern region leading. Economic development followed a similar upward trajectory, with the eastern region outperforming other areas. (2) The coupling coordination between higher education and economic development followed a ‘rising-falling-rising’ pattern. (3) The higher education system emerged as the primary obstacle to coupling coordination, with specific challenges varying across different regions.

Coupling coordination relationship between urbanization and water environment in China

The intensification of urbanization (U_UR) in China exacerbates the pressure on the water environment (U_WE). The U_UR and U_WE exhibit incredibly intricate and intertwined interactions. The coordination between U_UR and U_WE is crucial for the sustainable development of cities. Hence, a comprehensive evaluation index system was developed to analyze the coupling coordination relationship and spatial effects between the U_UR and U_WE in China, based on the entropy weight method, the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, and the spatial autocorrelation analysis method. The data was collected from the China Statistical Yearbook (2013–2023), the China Urban Construction Statistical Yearbook (2012–2022), and provincial statistical yearbooks. The results indicated that the overall trend of CCD in China showed an upward trajectory, increasing from 0.44 to 0.55 in 2012 to 0.56–0.66 in 2022. The average values of CCD for 31 provinces rose from 0.51 in 2012 to 0.61 in 2022, with a growth rate of 19.61%. The regional development level of CCD exhibited spatial heterogeneity, characterized by East > North > South > Northeast > Northwest > Southwest. However, the development of the U_WE subsystem lagged behind the U_UR subsystem, and there was a significant spatial imbalance in the CCD between the U_UR subsystem and U_WE subsystem in China from 2012 to 2022. The High-High Cluster areas of CCD were concentrated in the eastern part of China, while the Low-Low Cluster areas were concentrated in the western part. The research can provide theoretical and technical support to promote the sustainability of urban development and water environment protection.

Coupling Analysis of Cultural and Tourism Integration Development in Anhui Based on Entropy Power Method

For the integrated development of two industries of culture and tourism in Anhui Province, firstly select the relevant indicators of culture and tourism industry in Anhui Province from 2012 to 2021, use entropy weight method and coupling coordination degree model and combine with grey correlation analysis to measure the development level of two industries of culture and tourism in Anhui Province, the degree of coupling and coordination of culture and tourism industry and the correlation between the two systems, analyze the reasons for the change of coordination level in the coupling process in Anhui Province, and put forward suggestions for promoting the deep integrated development of two industries in Anhui Province. Analyze the reasons for the change of the coordination level in the coupling process in Anhui Province, and put forward suggestions for promoting the deep integration and development of the two industries in Anhui Province in the light of the problems existing in the process of coupling and coordinating the development of the two industries in Anhui Province: (1) adhere to promote the integration of development, increase the supply of rich and diverse cultural tourism products; (2) make full use of comparative advantages, improve the market value of cultural tourism products; (3) strengthen publicity and promotion, improve the brand effect of cultural tourism; (4) improve and enhance the level of cultural tourism services, and cultivate new talents; (5) increase policy support, to provide help for the development of cultural tourism industry.