Spatio-temporal dynamics and human-land synergistic relationship of urban expansion in Chinese megacities

Enxiang Cai; Shengnan Zhang; Weiqiang Chen; Ling Li

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19872

Spatio-temporal dynamics and human-land synergistic relationship of urban expansion in Chinese megacities

Heliyon. 2023 Sep 6;9(9):e19872. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19872. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Authors

Enxiang Cai^{1

2}, Shengnan Zhang^{1

2}, Weiqiang Chen^{1

2}, Ling Li^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, 95 Wenhua Road, Zhengzhou, 450002, Henan Province, PR China.
² Henan Engineering Research Center of Land Consolidation and Ecological Restoration, 95 Wenhua Road, Zhengzhou, 450002, Henan Province, PR China.

Abstract

Megacities play important roles in countries' politics, economy, culture, etc. Exploring the law of urban expansion of megacities has important reference for sustainable urbanization. Here, the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban expansion were quantified analyzed in 21 Chinese megacities from 2000 to 2020 with quantitative measurement indicators and explored the human-land synergistic relationship used the decoupling model. Results are as follows: (1) China's megacities experienced significant expansion, and urban expansion characterized as rapid initially but slowed down thereafter. (2) Urban expansion in megacities was characterized as having significant spatial differences, and rapidly expanding megacity centers moved from eastern to midwestern China. (3) Urban spatial expansion of megacities was mainly an enclave type in 2000-2010 and marginal type in 2010-2020. (4) The main type of human-land synergistic relationship in megacities were weak decoupling, there is a significant increase in expansive coupling and expansive negative decoupling in 2010-2020; (5) Lastly, human-land synergy relationship in most megacities was uncoordinated based on the per capita urban land area and decoupling type. The findings of this study can deepen the understanding of the characteristics and quality of urbanization evolution, and provides reference for high-quality development planning and decision-making in megacities.

Keywords: Human–land relationship; Megacities; Spatiotemporal dynamics; Urban expansion; Urbanization.