RETRACTED: Spatiotemporal dynamics and driving factors of the coupling relationship between regional urban development and green space ecological quality
Manya Luo, Yujie Zhou, Muhammad Sultan, Hakimov Hakimjon, Yang Yu
Abstract
China’s rapid urban expansion over the past two decades has exerted mounting pressure on ecological systems, intensifying conflicts between urban development and green space sustainability. This study examines the coupling relationship between regional urbanisation and ecological quality across five major urban agglomerations from 2005 to 2024, providing a comprehensive long-term assessment. A two-dimensional Ecological Quality of Green Space Index (EQGS) was established by integrating the Landscape Pattern Index (LPI) and Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI), enabling simultaneous evaluation of spatial configuration and ecological vitality. Urban development intensity was quantified through a Regional Urban Development Index (RUDI) derived from population, economic, social, and spatial indicators. The interaction between RUDI and EQGS was assessed using an enhanced Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) model, complemented by spatial autocorrelation and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR). Results reveal divergent temporal trajectories: the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta demonstrate steady improvements in coordination, while the Northeast Urban Agglomeration continues to exhibit ecological decline despite urban growth. Key drivers such as vegetation greenness, wetness, and patch heterogeneity display significant spatial heterogeneity across regions. These findings underscore the necessity of region-specific planning measures, including ecological zoning, wetland restoration, and green corridor development, to foster resilient and sustainable urban ecosystems in China’s evolving urban landscape.