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This study discussed the interaction mechanism of new-type urbanization and ecological environment, and then relevant data of the nine cities in Wanjiang Demonstration Area in 2016 was gotten. With the entropy weight method, the coupling coordination degree model and the exploratory spatial data analysis method, the coupling coordination degree and spatial agglomeration characteristics of new-type urbanization and ecological environment in Wanjiang Demonstration Area were analyzed. The results show that: Firstly, the comprehensive development index of the new-type urbanization and the ecological environment shows obvious positive correlation, and it appears a higher internal consistency through the whole development stage. The coupling degree of the nine cities is in a relatively balanced situation, Hefei and Ma'anshan are in the high level coupling stage, Xuancheng is in the antagonistic stage, and the other six cities are all in the stage of grinding. Secondly, the coupling coordination degree of new-type urbanization and ecological environment shows a weak positive correlation in space, and the degree of spatial agglomeration is not very significant. Except for Hefei with the over harmonization condition, the other eight cities are in the situation of maladjustment. Thirdly, according to the spatial agglomeration analysis, the local spatial autocorrelation of the coupling coordination degree is obvious. Although the different agglomeration regions show some expansion or contraction in the spatial evolution, cities with high degree of coupling coordination are clustered, while cities with low degree of coupling coordination are dispersed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global urbanization and post-industrialization have resulted in the emergence of a large number of brownfields. The integration of brownfields into green infrastructure (GI) has been widely recognized as a sustainable development strategy in metropolitan areas. It is important to spatially prioritize brownfields catering for GI, which can enable the greatest enhancement of urban functions. Various studies have assessed brownfield site attributes or urban demands to define the priority of brownfields transformed into GI, but it is key to consider the coupling coordination between urban demands and site attributes in order to achieve more accurate matches. In this paper, an approach is proposed for assessing the priority of brownfields catering for GI in Xuzhou, China; this involved calculating the coupling coordination degree between site attributes and urban function demands, including heat island mediation, stormwater regulation, disaster prevention, landscape aesthetics improvement, and leisure and recreation increments. The results showed that 42.52% of the brownfields have a high degree of coupling coordination (“good coordination” and “primary coordination”) between site attributes and urban demands. Furthermore, 40.82% of the brownfields (120 plots) were selected to be integrated into urban GI; these are not only located in high urban functional demand areas, but also have a high coupling coordination degree. These brownfields were divided into three priority levels, and 4.42% and 17.69% of the total brownfields are of very high and high priority. Our proposed approach offers an accurate decision-making tool for urban GI optimization in high-density built-up metropolitan areas, and offers guidance for brownfield redevelopment.

We established a structural finite element model based on a four-tower partially cable-stayed bridge. We performed a study to determine the appropriate settings of several main parameters of the four-tower partially cable-stayed bridge. Given changes in the stiffness of the main girder, stayed cable and length of cable-free zones in the span, a three-parameter coupling coordination model was constructed. The coupling degree and coordination degree between different parameters are calculated and compared, the primary and secondary parameters affecting the structural performance of some cable-stayed bridges are determined, and a more suitable parameter composition interval is proposed. The sensitivity analysis of the main structural parameters of the four-tower partial cable-stayed bridge has not been published in the literature, and there is no coupling study on the length of the cable-free zone and the stiffness of the main girder and stay cable. The overall structural stiffness was improved by increasing the main girder’s stiffness and stayed cable, with the main girder stiffness being the primary parameter. The increase in uncoupled zone length in the span improved the utilization rate of the line within a specific range; however, too long a length led to a reduction in overall structural stiffness. The main girder stiffness was set between EG′IG/EGIG = 1~3, while stayed cable stiffness was set between ECAC′/ECAC = 0.8~1.4. The length of the cable-free zone in the span was set between l1/l0 = 0.08~0.15, while the coupling coordination degree was medium to high coordination. The structural performance of the background engineering bridge was improved. However, the conclusion of this paper is more applicable to low-pylon cable-stayed bridges, and it has not been verified whether it applies to traditional cable-stayed bridges.

The rapid urbanization of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration has led to the convergence of population, land and capital. The coordination between land development intensity and urban resilience has become a key issue in the post-urbanization period. From the perspective of regional overall and coordinated development, we constructed an evaluation index system of land development intensity and urban resilience. Then, the comprehensive evaluation model, coupling coordination degree model and panel Tobit regression model were adopted to systematically study the temporal and spatial differentiation of and influencing factors on the coupling coordination degree between land development intensity and urban resilience in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration from 2009 to 2019. The results show that from 2009 to 2019, the land development intensity exhibited a slow and fluctuating increase, while the urban resilience displayed continuous growth, and the level of land development intensity generally lagged behind that of urban resilience. From 2009 to 2019, the average coupling coordination degree between land development intensity and urban resilience in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration increased from 0.5177 to 0.6626, which generally changed from bare coordination to moderate coordination. In terms of spatial distribution, the coastal cities and cities along the Yangtze River were characterized by high coupling coordination degrees, which formed a "T" shape distribution pattern. In addition, the coupling coordination types showed certain spatio-temporal heterogeneity among cities. Finally, land economic benefit, green industrial development, scientific and technological innovation, social management and infrastructure all had significant impacts on the coupling and coordination between land development intensity and urban resilience in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese economy has entered the phase of high-quality development. Urbanization is an important driving factor in promoting the domestic economic cycle, while tourism is an emerging force in the development of urbanization. The convergence of these two factors will contribute to the high-quality development of regional economies. By constructing an evaluation index system of tourism development and urbanization level, 26 cities in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration have been identified as the study area. The study has adopted the entropy method and the coupling coordination model to analyze the comprehensive development level of tourism and urbanization and the coupling coordination relationship between them from 2008 to 2018. The results show that the Yangtze River Delta presents a spatial pattern of orderly changes in the development of tourism, forming a spatial structure of "one pole and many centers", with Shanghai as the core. In terms of spatial distribution, it generally presents the spatial trend characteristics of "high in the east and low in the west" in the east–west direction, and "protruding in the middle and lower at both ends" in the south–north direction. Coordination and interaction are steadily developing to a high level, with significant spatial dependence and spillover effects. Based on the research results, the study applies a new development vision to explore the coupling coordination high-quality development mechanism of tourism and urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta region; the corresponding policy recommendations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to study the coupling coordination and spatial correlation effects of green finance (GF) and high-quality economic development (HQED) in 30 Chinese provinces. The index system of GF and HQED is constructed by selecting relevant index data from 2007 to 2017. The index of GF and HQED is measured by the entropy value method. Next, the coupling coordination degree (CCD) and spatial association strength are calculated based on the index using the coupling coordination degree model and the gravity model. Then the driving factors of the CCD between GF and HQED are analyzed by using geographic detectors. Finally, the spatial association network is constructed and its robustness is studied. The research results show that the coupling coordination degree between GF and HQED in each province is generally low, with strong regional heterogeneity, and the coupling coordination degree shows a trend of decay from the eastern region to the western region, but the western region has more room for development. Green credit, green, coordination, and sharing are the strong driving factors of the CCD between GF and HQED. The network of spatial association between GF and HQED in each province is gradually tightened, making the western peripheral provinces more closely connected with the eastern provinces through the intermediate node provinces. The network robustness of GF and HQED is more influenced by provinces with higher node degree values. Accordingly, the article proposes that China should continuously improve relevant GF policies, environmental disclosure systems, enhance green innovation technology and guide private capital to enter the GF market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban pseudo and reality human settlements (PHSs and RHSs) are important components of the human–land relationship regional system. To explore the coupling and coordination relationship and principle among them is an important approach to high-quality coordinated urban development. Based on the three-dimensional development of human settlements, the theoretical system of a "three states" dynamic frame diagram is constructed. The spatio-temporal heterogeneity and driving principle of coupling coordination among PHSs and RHSs in 34 prefecture-level cities in northeast China from 2011 to 2019 were explained by using the coupling coordination degree, spatial trend surface analysis and geographic detector techniques, and the evolution principle of spatio-temporal coordination was revealed. The results show that: (1) in the temporal dimension, the coupling coordination degree among PHSs and RHSs in the three provinces shows a smooth growth from "slight disadjustment" to "near disadjustment"; (2) With Shenyang, Dalian, Changchun and Harbin as the center, the coordination degree shows a circular pattern decreasing from the transition area to peripheral area. In the direction of south and north, the spatial evolution trend shows a gradual change from a "—" shape to "U" shape. There is spatio-temporal variation of the trend surface from an inverted "U" shape to "—" shape in the east–west direction; (3) The socioeconomic situation is an important driving factor, and the tool system is a new driving system for the coupling and coordinated development of urban PHSs and RHSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes the level of high-quality agricultural development and ecological construction in 31 provinces of China from 2011 to 2021 as the research object. The coupling coordination degree model and Moran index are used to explore the coupling coordination stage, types and spatiotemporal evolution trend of agricultural high-quality development and ecological construction in China. The obstacle model is used to determine the key obstacle factors influencing the coupling development of high-quality agricultural and ecological construction in China. The results are as follows: from 2011 to 2021, high-quality agricultural development and ecological construction in 31 provinces maintained a relatively stable growth trend. However, the coupling coordination level between the two is low, and thus such level belongs to the high-quality development lag type of primary coordination agriculture. The agricultural externality index, land yield rate and per capita rural power generation are the biggest obstacles to the coordinated development of high-quality agricultural development and ecological construction in China.

The Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) is an important way to assess the state of the ecosystem and to clarify the coupling and coordination between the ecosystem and the economic system, which can be a scientific basis for achieving the synergistic development of economic society and ecological civilization. In this paper, 11 prefectural cities in Jiangxi Province are taken as research areas. Based on the data of land use, normalized difference vegetation index, net primary productivity, soil, meteorology, elevation and statistics, the study accounts for the GEP in Jiangxi Province in 2010 and 2020 based on a biophysical model, and analyzes the changes of its ecosystem’s state. Based on the economic data obtained from the Jiangxi Statistical Yearbook, a regional economic index system was established; the levels of GEP and the regional economy were measured with the help of entropy-weight-TOPSIS method, and the interaction mechanism and coupling coordination dynamics between them were explored based on the coupling coordination degree model. It was found that during 2010–2020, the GEP in Jiangxi Province increased by 0.35%, and the value of material goods and cultural services increased by 49.57% and 414.03%, respectively, but the value of regulating services decreased by 9.89%; the main coupled and coordinated development characteristics of ecosystem and economic system in Jiangxi Province developed from basic coordination-economic lagging to moderate coordination-ecological lagging, and the coupled coordinated development continues to improve, but the development of gross ecosystem product lags behind the level of economic development.

The Grain for Green Project (GGP) was implemented over 20 years ago as one of six major forestry projects in China, and its scope of implementation is still expanding. However, it is still unclear how many ecosystem services (ESs) the project will produce in the future. The GGP's large-scale ecological monitoring officially started in 2015 and there is a lack of early monitoring data, making it challenging to predict the future ecological benefits. Therefore, this paper proposes a method to predict future ESs by using ecological monitoring data. First, a new ensemble learning system, auto-XGBoost-ET-DT, is developed based on ensemble learning theory. Using the GGP's known ESs in 2015, 2017, and 2019, the missing ESs of the past decade have been evaluated via reverse regression. Data from 2020 to 2022 within a convolution neural network and the coupling coordination degree model have been used to analyze the coupling between the prediction results and economic development. The results show that the growth distributions of ESs in three years were as follows: soil consolidation, 3.70–6.34%; forest nutrient retention, 2.72–3.71%; water conservation, 2.52–6.09%; carbon fixation and oxygen release, 3.00–4.64%; and dust retention, 3.82–5.75%. The coupling coordination degree of the ESs and economic development has been improved in 97% of counties in 2020 compared with 2019. The results verify a feasible ES prediction method and provide a basis for the progressive implementation of the GGP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a fundamental solution to the ecological problems of resources and environment, the Green Transition of Cultivated Land-use (GTCL) has become an inherent requirement for promoting ecological progress and implementing the food security strategy in the new era. This paper proposed a theoretical framework of GTCL and constructed a GTCL development index system based on four aspects: water, land, food and carbon; then, by applying a comprehensive evaluation model, a coupling coordination model and exploratory spatial data analysis, the development level of GTCL in China’s 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020 was evaluated and the spatial and temporal rates of change of “water, land, food and carbon” (WLFC) and their coupling coordination were finally analyzed to reveal the “water, land, food and carbon” effect of GTCL. Results showed that the systemic changes of WLFC and its coupling coordination degree of GTCL presented a spatial and temporal coincidence with a high degree of consistency; from 2000 to 2020, the overall GTCL rate in all Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions showed a “W”-shaped fluctuation uptrend. In the past five years, the development level of GTCL was higher in Northeast China, followed by Central China and North China, while South China was at a low level. In addition, WLFC showed a more obvious “W”-shaped fluctuation, with higher coupling coordination in Northeast China in good coordination and lower coordination in East China and Southwest China. Therefore, according to the results of the study, areas were divided into: benefit leading area, quality improvement area, connotation tapping potential area, ductile development area and ecological reserve area for the regulation of GTCL in all Chinese provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.

The rapid development of economic and urbanization systems exerts a negative impact on environmental system. To achieve the sustainable development of a country, it is important to obtain an in-depth understanding of the interaction among economic, urbanization and environmental systems. A coupling coordination model of the three systems is constructed in this research to investigate the interactions among the three systems in China. This study determines the contribution rate of each indicator to the three systems during the studied period, then evaluates the development levels of the three systems and finally explores coupling coordination levels among them. The results show that economic scale, spatial urbanization and environmental governance are the prominent indicator in the economic, urbanization and environmental systems, respectively. The findings suggest that the policy makers need to consider these indicators for the development of the three systems. Furthermore, the development level of economic, urbanization and environmental systems in China generally shows an upward trend, while the environmental system development has been lagging behind the development level of economic and urbanization systems. The spatial difference exists chronically, but such differences are gradually decreasing as time evolves. Among these systems, the reduction of difference in urbanization system is most obvious. Although the coupling coordination level of the three systems presents an upward trend, unbalanced development of these systems in regional level still exists. The insightful implications are discussed for coordinated development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: China is actively promoting the reform of its economic structure and industrial upgrade, and the integration of the cultural industry and the tourism industry is an important approach. It is necessary to explore the degree of coordination and coupling between the cultural industry and the tourism industry in ethnic minority areas and find ways to promote the coordinated development of the two industries. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This study selected Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as the sample, collected data from 2010 to 2018, and analyzed it based on the coupling coordination theory. Findings: The results revealed that the comprehensive development evaluation index of the cultural industry and the tourism industry basically showed a year-on-year upward trend, and the development speed of the cultural industry is slightly higher than that of the tourism industry; the coupling degree of the regional cultural industry and tourism industry was at a high level; the coordination degree of the two industries increased gradually from 0.3971 in 2010 to 0.9425 in 2018. It indicated that the coupling development of the two industries continues to improve. However, the development speed of tourism industry slightly was slower than the development speed of the cultural industry. Improvements: This study attempts to develop an index to evaluate the tourism and cultural industries in an ethnic minority region and assess the coupling and coordination degree through an empirical analysis. This study emphasizes the need to better understand the integration of the cultural industry and the tourism industry as a process to complement each other, which can produce a positive synergy effect to benefit both the economy and the environment. This paper also provides development suggestions for the culture and tourism industry stakeholders in other areas of the world from the perspective of open innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of modern marine ecological economy relies heavily on scientific and technological progress. The level of development of marine scientific and technological innovation capabilities can to some extent reflect the level of marine ecological economic development in a certain region and future innovation directions and space. Fujian Province is selected as the research object to construct an evaluation index system for marine technological innovation capabilities and marine ecological economic development. Based on the sample of Fujian marine technological innovation capabilities and marine ecological economic data from 2007 to 2016, a coupling model is established to calculate the coupling coordinated development status and changing trend of marine technological innovation ability and ecological economy. The results show that the coordination of marine technological innovation and marine ecological economic development in Fujian has gradually improved in the past decade, marine technological innovation provides growth momentum for marine ecological economic development, marine ecological economic development provides basic guarantee for marine technological innovation. Through the joint development of the two, the coordination degree of the two is improved, and the healthy and sustainable development of marine economy is promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Grain for Green Project (GGP) was implemented over 20 years ago as one of six major forestry projects in China, and its scope of implementation is still expanding. However, it is still unclear how many ecosystem services (ESs) the project will produce in the future. The GGP’s large-scale ecological monitoring officially started in 2015 and there is a lack of early monitoring data, making it challenging to predict the future ecological benefits. Therefore, this paper proposes a method to predict future ESs by using ecological monitoring data. First, a new ensemble learning system, auto-XGBoost-ET-DT, is developed based on ensemble learning theory. Using the GGP’s known ESs in 2015, 2017, and 2019, the missing ESs of the past decade have been evaluated via reverse regression. Data from 2020 to 2022 within a convolution neural network and the coupling coordination degree model have been used to analyze the coupling between the prediction results and economic development. The results show that the growth distributions of ESs in three years were as follows: soil consolidation, 3.70–6.34%; forest nutrient retention, 2.72–.71%; water conservation, 2.52–6.09%; carbon fixation and oxygen release, 3.00–4.64%; and dust retention, 3.82–5.75%. The coupling coordination degree of the ESs and economic development has been improved in 97% of counties in 2020 compared with 2019. The results verify a feasible ES prediction method and provide a basis for the progressive implementation of the GGP.

This paper selects the index data of population, economy and space from 2000 to 2019, establishes an evaluation index system for the level of new urbanization and environmental quality in Qinghai Province, studies the coordination between new urbanization and environmental quality in Qinghai Province by establishing a coupling coordination model, and puts forward countermeasures and suggestions for the coordinated development of new urbanization and environmental quality in Qinghai Province.

Background/Objectives: China is actively promoting the reform of its economic structure and industrial upgrade, and the integration of the cultural industry and the tourism industry is an important approach. It is necessary to explore the degree of coordination and coupling between the cultural industry and the tourism industry in ethnic minority areas and find ways to promote the coordinated development of the two industries. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This study selected Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as the sample, collected data from 2010 to 2018, and analyzed it based on the coupling coordination theory. Findings: The results revealed that the comprehensive development evaluation index of the cultural industry and the tourism industry basically showed a year-on-year upward trend, and the development speed of the cultural industry is slightly higher than that of the tourism industry; the coupling degree of the regional cultural industry and tourism industry was at a high level; the coordination degree of the two industries increased gradually from 0.3971 in 2010 to 0.9425 in 2018. It indicated that the coupling development of the two industries continues to improve. However, the development speed of tourism industry slightly was slower than the development speed of the cultural industry. Improvements: This study attempts to develop an index to evaluate the tourism and cultural industries in an ethnic minority region and assess the coupling and coordination degree through an empirical analysis. This study emphasizes the need to better understand the integration of the cultural industry and the tourism industry as a process to complement each other, which can produce a positive synergy effect to benefit both the economy and the environment. This paper also provides development suggestions for the culture and tourism industry stakeholders in other areas of the world from the perspective of open innovation.

Environmental regulation and technological innovation play important strategic roles in green growth, and the three systems interact and influence each other. Herein, we used a comprehensive development level evaluation model for calculating the environmental regulation and technological innovation indices for 17 cities in Shandong Province. We used the slack-based measure-data envelopment analysis (SBM-DEA) model to measure green development efficiency. The coupling coordination degree model was used to determine the coordination of environmental regulation, technological innovation, and green development; we divided the cities into three systems: green economy lagging, environmental regulation lagging, and technological innovation lagging. We used grey correlation analysis to explore the factors affecting system development. Eastern coastal cities were better developed in the three systems and the degree of coupling and coordination, like Qingdao and Weihai, and the observed level of technological innovation development, a critical factor in the coordinated development of cities, was lowest in Shandong Province. The grey correlation analysis illustrated that the level of economic development and the level of foreign economic development impacts cities labeled green economy lagging; the impact of pollutant emissions is greater than pollution control expenditure in environmental regulation lagging cities; and the government's attention and the cultivation and attraction of talent are foundational for technological innovation in lagging cities. Considering these factors, we make recommendations for the optimal development of cities and coordinated development of regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green transition of farmland use is a future trend in China's modern agriculture and green development. However, its research framework, including its evaluation system, temporal-spatial distribution, and driving mechanisms, has not been established in the existent literature. With the 17 cities in Hubei Province as an example, we evaluated the green transition of farmland use and explore the characteristics and driving mechanisms of the temporal and spatial evolution from 2000–2019. The findings were as follows: First, the green transition of farmland use in Hubei Province is in infancy, but it has great potential. Second, the growth rate of the green transition of farmland use has noticeable regional differences in the east, central, and western areas of the province. Third, the three dimensions of spatial transition, functional transition, and model transition in the green transition of farmland use have significant spatial differences in coupling and coordination, and decoupling is becoming increasingly prominent. Based on the research findings, we put forward targeted countermeasures and suggestions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correctly understanding and handling the relationships in the tea industry–tourism–ecological environment system is a prerequisite and foundation for the high-quality and sustainable development of the tea tourism industry. In this study, an evaluation index system of the tea industry–tourism–ecological environment system is established, the weight coefficient of each indicator is determined by the entropy weight method, and the coupling coordination degrees of Fujian Province and nine cities therein are evaluated by constructing a coupling coordination model from 2011 to 2019. The results indicate that the comprehensive development index of the tea industry–tourism–ecological environment system had an overall upward trend from 2011 to 2019, and the coupling coordination degree of the three systems changed from moderate maladjustment to high-quality coordination. There was spatial heterogeneity in the comprehensive development indices and coupling coordination degrees of the three systems, when considering the nine cities of Fujian Province. This study offers both theoretical and practical implications for further improving the development level and overall coordination between the tea industry, tourism, and the ecological environment in Fujian province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interactions of water, energy, and food, which are essential resources for human survival, livelihoods, production, and development, constitute a water–energy–food (WEF) nexus. Applying symbiosis theory, the economic, social, and natural factors were considered at the same time in the WEF system, and we conducted a micro-level investigation focusing on the stability, coordination, and sustainability of the symbiotic units (water, energy, and food), and external environment of the WEF system in 36 prefecture-level cities across three northeastern provinces of China. Finally, we analyzed the synergistic safety and coupling coordination degree of the WEF system by the combination of stability, coordination, and sustainability, attending to the coordination relationship and influences of the external environment. The results indicated that the synergistic safety of the WEF system in three northeastern provinces need to equally pay attention to the stability, coordination, and sustainability of the WEF system, since their weights were 0.32, 0.36 and 0.32, respectively. During 2010–2016, the synergistic safety indexes of the WEF system ranged between 0.40 and 0.60, which was a state of boundary safety. In the current study, the coupling coordination degree of the WEF system fluctuated around a value of 0.6, maintaining a primary coordination level; while in the future of 2021–2026, it will decline to 0.57–0.60, dropping to a weak coordinated level. The conclusion could provide effective information for decision-makers to take suitable measures for the security development of a WEF system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After decades of rapid development, there exists insufficient and contradictory land use in the world, and social, economic and ecological sustainable development is facing severe challenges. Balanced land use functions (LUFs) can promote sustainable land use and reduces land pressures from limited land resources. In this study, we propose a new conceptual index system using the entropy weight method, regional center of gravity theory, coupling coordination degree model and obstacle factor identification model for LUFs assessment and spatial-temporal analysis. This framework was applied to 17 cities in central China's Hubei Province using 39 indicators in terms of production–living–ecology analysis during 1996–2016. The result shows that (1) LUFs showed an overall upward trend during the study period, while the way of promotion varied with different dimensions. Production function (PF) experienced a continuous enhancement during the study period. Living function (LF) was similar in this aspect, but showed a faster rising tendency. EF continued to increase during 1996–2011, but declined during 2011–2016. LUFs were higher in the east than in the west, and slightly higher in the south than in the north. The spatial coordination was enhanced during the study period. (2) The overall level of coupling coordination degree continued to increase during 1996–2016, while regional difference declined obviously, indicating a good developing trend. However, the absolute level was still not satisfactory. (3) The obstacle degree of PF was always dominant, and LF showed a downward trend, while EF showed an increasing trend. Benefit index (A2), Comfort index (B2) and Green index (C1) constituted the primary obstacle factor for each dimension. Added-value of high and new technology industry (A2-3) and land use intensity (A3-2) were key factors restricting PF. Number of medical practitioner (B1-4) and internet penetration rate (B2-3) were key factors restricting LF. Air quality rate (C3-1) and wetland coverage rate (C1-4) were key factors restricting EF. This study can help to give a more detailed understanding of sustainable land use for the particularity of China from a land function perspective and provide lessons and suggestions for other developing countries in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green finance (GF) regards social responsibility and environmental protection interests as the core of development and has become a new growth point and a new engine for promoting the development of the green economy (GE). To more accurately grasp the coordination between GF and the GE, the selection of appropriate indicators and feasible methods is worth exploring. Aiming at sustainable development by evaluating the coupling coordination between GF and the GE by means of a comprehensive index system and an integrated approach, this study establishes a coupling coordination degree model based on panel data of 30 Chinese provinces over the period 2007–2016. Furthermore, it evaluates the spatial distribution difference and dynamic evolution trend of the coordination by introducing global/local spatial autocorrelation, a space Markov chain, and a local indicators of spatial association (LISA) Markov chain. According to the research results, the coupling coordination degrees of the provinces exhibit gradual upward trends, and most regions in China are in a barely coordinated state at present. The coordination degree of GF and the GE shows strong spatial dependence overall, and partially presents the characteristics of "high-high (HH)" and "low-low (LL)" clustering patterns. The forecast results show that the future coordination of GF and the GE will remain stable and be affected by the coordinated development of surrounding areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study argues that the coupling between higher education, economic growth, and innovation ability is of great significance for regional sustainable development. Through the experience of Jiangsu Province in China, this study establishes a coupling coordination evaluation index system and applies the coupling coordination model to evaluate interactive relationships among the three. It finds that during 2007–2017, the level of coupling of 13 prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu was increasing over time, which fully verified the previous scholars' view that the three can improve each other over a long period. However, this study finds that there are obvious differences within Jiangsu. Inadequate investment in higher education has become a crucial constraint on sustainable economic growth in northern and central Jiangsu, which are backward regions of Jiangsu. By contrast, in southern Jiangsu, which is the advanced region of Jiangsu, although the resources of higher education are abundant the growth of innovation ability cannot support sustained economic growth well. Thus, the quality of higher education should be improved to meet the needs of the innovation-based economy. Accordingly, cross-regional cooperation and balanced investment in higher education are the keys to practicing a balanced and sustained regional development. The results of this study's coupling coordination analysis and evaluation can serve as a reference for governments in enhancing regional sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve the sustainable utilization of water resources and the sustainable development of the economy, an evaluation index system for water-use efficiency and economic development systems was constructed. The entropy weight and the comprehensive evaluation methods were adopted to determine the index weights and conduct a comprehensive evaluation for the two systems. A coupling coordination model was used to calculate the coupling degree, coordination degree, and coupling coordination degree of the two systems. The annual coupling stage and coupling coordination intensity of the two systems were analyzed and determined. The results showed that the comprehensive evaluation values of both the water-use efficiency system and the economic development system in Jinan increased greatly from 2008 to 2017, and showed a changing trend of ups and downs. The two systems were in the antagonistic stage, and were gradually approaching the running-in stage, indicating that they were in the state of common development. The coupling coordination degree of the two systems gradually increased in waves, progressing from moderately to highly coordinated coupling. In the future, if the water control path appropriate to Jinan can be explored actively, the water-saving kinetic energy of economic development can be increased constantly, and the linkage effect between economic development and water resource utilization can be given full play. The two systems will then be in sync, enjoying a benign interaction and a healthy harmonious development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The steady and healthy development of the sports industry can promote regional sustainable development. In order to explore the coordination situation and driving factors between the sports industry and regional sustainable development, this article builds a coupling coordination evaluation index system and dynamic factor index system for the sports industry and regional sustainable development. Using the entropy method, coupling coordination model and random effect model, this article analyzes the comprehensive level, coupling coordination relationship and driving factors of the sports industry and regional sustainable development in eleven provinces and cities in eastern China, from 2013 to 2017. The results show that the comprehensive level of the sports industry and regional sustainable development in eastern China is showing a steady growth trend, and the sports industry is growing faster than regional sustainable development. The degree of coupling coordination among provinces and cities has increased significantly, but the spillover effects of coupling coordination in each region are not obvious. The level of overall coupling coordination is primary coordination; regional innovation, industrial structure upgrade, and human capital can promote the improvement of coupling coordination. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen cross-regional cooperation, build a cross-regional "sports+" industry group, give play to the "sports +" spillover effect, create a coupling platform for the sports industry and regional sustainable development, release the superimposed effect of multiple driving factors, and facilitate the evolution of coupling coordination to higher levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New urbanization (NU) and sustainable transportation (ST) are two important issues in urbanization, and their symmetrical coupling is an important factor for measuring the development of the urbanization process. To comprehensively explore the symmetrical coupling level of NU and ST in the urbanization process, this study proposed a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and calculated the CCD values of China's nine metropolises using panel data from 2007 to 2016. The results showed that: (1) From the perspective of each city's development, the CCD values for Beijing, Tianjin and Chongqing showed a downward trend, and those for Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Wuhan exhibited a rising trend, while the CCD values for Zhengzhou and Xi'an fell initially and then rose gradually; (2) Based on the regions of the nine cities, the CCD values of the eastern cities and the central cities all demonstrated a growth trend, while those of the western cities were consistently lower than the central and eastern cities; however, the western cities experienced the highest growth rate. (3) Predictive results showed that the CCD levels of new urbanization and sustainable transportation in the eastern, central and western cities are projected to remain unchanged. Finally, it is expected that regionally balanced development will be realized in 2025. From the symmetrical coupling perspective, this study measured and predicted the coupling coordination level of NU and ST of nine metropolises undergoing the urbanization process, which provides a theoretical basis for effective decision-making for comprehensive and sustainable development of China's urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tourism industry has become a new growth engine that closely coordinates with the financial industry and contributes to the sustainable development of local economies. This study establishes a comprehensive index system and evaluates the coupling coordination based on an integrated approach, and the dynamic relationship between tourism and finance through applying coupling coordination degree modeling, the Granger causality test, and an impulse response function based on the regional coordination theory and system theory. Using data from 2000 to 2016 of three tourism-based cities in China, the findings reveal heterogeneous results among the cities. Specifically, the following: (1) The coupling coordination degree between finance and tourism in Zhangjiajie increased with strong fluctuations. A one-way causality relationship existed between two subsystems, and finance continuously contributed to the growth of tourism with serious lags; (2) The coupling coordination degree between finance and tourism in Huang Shan presented a ladder-type and continuous rise. A two-way causality relationship existed between the two subsystems mentioned above, and finance influenced the growth of tourism with continuously positive or negative effects, while tourism continuously contributed to the development of finance. (3) The coupling coordination degree between finance and tourism in Sanya grew with a frequent, tiny, and fluctuating trend. A two-way causality relationship existed between the two subsystems mentioned above, and finance influenced the growth of tourism with continuously positive or negative effects, while tourism influenced the development of finance with temporary positive or negative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]