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A proposal for the theoretical analysis of the interactive coupled effects between urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations

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Abstract

Mega-urban agglomerations are strategic core areas for national economic development and the main regions of new urbanization. They also have important roles in shifting the global economic center of gravity to China. However, the development of mega-urban agglomerations has triggered the interactive coercion between resources and the eco-environment. The interactive coupled effects between urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations represent frontier and high-priority research topics in the field of Earth system science over the next decade. In this paper, we carried out systematic theoretical analysis of the interactive coupling mechanisms and coercing effects between urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations. In detail, we analyzed the nonlinear-coupled relationships and the coupling characteristics between natural and human elements in mega-urban agglomerations. We also investigated the interactive coercion intensities between internal and external elements, and the mechanisms and patterns of local couplings and telecouplings in mega-urban agglomeration systems, which are affected by key internal and external control elements. In addition, we proposed the interactive coupling theory on urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations. Furthermore, we established a spatiotemporal dynamic coupling model with multi-element, multi-scale, multi-scenario, multi-module and multi-agent integrations, which can be used to develop an intelligent decision support system for sustainable development of mega-urban agglomerations. In general, our research may provide theoretical guidance and method support to solve problems related to mega-urban agglomerations and maintain their sustainable development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing, 100101, China

    Chuanglin Fang & Chenghu Zhou

  2. School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Chaolin Gu

  3. Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, CAS, Beijing, 100875, China

    Liding Chen

  4. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China

    Shuangcheng Li

Authors
  1. Chuanglin Fang
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  2. Chenghu Zhou
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  3. Chaolin Gu
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  4. Liding Chen
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  5. Shuangcheng Li
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chuanglin Fang.

Additional information

Foundation: The Major Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.41590840, No.41590842

Author: Fang Chuanglin (1966–), specialized in urban geography, urban agglomeration development and the impacts of urbanization on resources and the environment.

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Fang, C., Zhou, C., Gu, C. et al. A proposal for the theoretical analysis of the interactive coupled effects between urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations. J. Geogr. Sci. 27, 1431–1449 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-017-1445-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-017-1445-x

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