In the heart of China’s rapid urban expansion lies a critical question: how can cities grow without compromising the delicate balance of their natural landscapes? A recent study published in *Geo-spatial Information Science* (translated as “Geospatial Information Science”) sheds light on this very issue, offering insights that could reshape how urban planners and policymakers approach regional economic development and landscape management.
Led by Ku Gao from the State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research focuses on the Greater Bay Area, a megacity cluster that includes Hong Kong, Macau, and nine other cities in Guangdong Province. The study delves into the intricate relationship between regional economic linkages (REL) and landscape resource utilization, revealing patterns that could guide sustainable urban development.
The research highlights two distinct phases of coupled coordination between economic activities and landscape use. From 2000 to 2010, the region exhibited a “public services-vegetation conservation” pattern, where economic growth was closely tied to the preservation of natural vegetation. However, from 2010 to 2020, this dynamic shifted to an “industrial production-ecological agriculture” pattern, reflecting a more balanced approach to economic development and landscape utilization.
“Our findings indicate that the coupling coordinated development of regional economic linkages and landscape resource utilization is not static,” explains Ku Gao. “It evolves over time, influenced by policy interventions and economic shifts.”
The study underscores the importance of policy in driving this evolution. For instance, the implementation of urban smart growth strategies and ecological landscape optimization, particularly for shrub and grasslands, has been shown to positively impact the coordinated development of economic activities and landscape use.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As urban agglomerations continue to expand, the demand for energy will inevitably rise. However, the study suggests that by carefully managing landscape resources and promoting sustainable economic activities, cities can meet this demand without compromising their natural environments.
“Understanding these patterns is crucial for the energy sector,” says Ku Gao. “It allows us to anticipate future energy needs and develop strategies that align with sustainable landscape management practices.”
The research provides a new approach for understanding the coordinated development state of human-landscape systems between cities. By combining socioeconomic statistics with parcel-scale landscape function data, the study offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing the complex interplay between economic activities and landscape use.
As cities around the world grapple with the challenges of rapid urbanization, this research offers valuable insights into how they can achieve sustainable growth. By adopting the strategies outlined in the study, urban planners and policymakers can ensure that their cities grow in harmony with their natural landscapes, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
In the words of Ku Gao, “This study is not just about understanding the past and present. It’s about shaping the future of our cities and the landscapes that sustain them.”