Conflict resolution in the zoning of eco-protected areas in fast-growing regions based on game theory. (1st April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Jinyao; Li, Xia
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 170(2016)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 185
• Publication Date: 2016-04-01
• Subjects: Ecological protection -- Urban expansion -- Zoning -- Cellular automata -- Game theory; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.11.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Zoning eco-protected areas is important for ecological conservation and environmental management. Rapid and continuous urban expansion, however, may exert negative effects on the performance of practical zoning designs. Various methods have been developed for protected area zoning, but most of them failed to consider the conflicts between urban development (for the benefit of land developers) and ecological protection (local government). Some real-world zoning schemes even have to be modified occasionally after the lengthy negotiations between the government and land developers. Therefore, our study has presented a game theory-based method to deal with this problem. Future urban expansion in the study area will be predicted by a logistic regression cellular automaton, while eco-protected areas will be delimitated using multi-objective optimization algorithm. Then, two types of conflicts between them can be resolved based on game theory, a theory of decision-making. We established a two-person dynamic game for each conflict zone. The ecological compensation mechanism was taken into account by simulating the negotiation processes between the government and land developers. A final zoning scheme can be obtained when the two sides reach agreements. The proposed method is applied to the eco-protected area zoning in Guangzhou, a fast-growing city in China. The experiments indicate that the conflicts between eco-protection and urban development will inevitably arise when using only traditional zoning methods. Based on game theory, our method can effectively resolve those conflicts, and can provide a relatively reasonable zoning scheme. This method is expected to support policy-making in environmental management and urban planning. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A game theory-based method is proposed for protected area zoning. Genetic algorithms, cellular automata, and game theory are integrated. Game theory resolves the conflicts between eco-protection and urban expansion. This method can support policy-making in environmental management.