Measuring the coupling of built-up land intensity and use efficiency: An example of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruan, Linlin; He, Tingting; Xiao, Wu; Chen, Wenqi; Lu, Debin; Liu, Shuchang
• Is Part Of: Sustainable cities and society. Volume 87(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Built-up land -- Built-up land intensity -- Land use efficiency -- Yangtze River Delta; BUI built-up land intensity -- CI coupling index -- LST land surface temperature -- LUE land use efficiency -- NTL nighttime light -- PD population density -- YRD Yangtze River Delta; Sustainable urban development -- Periodicals; Sustainable buildings -- Periodicals; Urban ecology (Sociology) -- Periodicals; 307.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2022.104224
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-6707

Abstract

Highlights: We appraise built-up land efficiency and discern inefficient land at multi scales. We analyze the coupling between BUI and LUE based on multi-source spatial data. Overloaded built-up land distributes in South YRD, while inefficient in West. For where built-up land is overloaded, appropriate new urban area is necessary. Redevelopment is more suitable for where built-up land is inefficient. Abstract: Irrational built-up land expansion debilitates urban sustainability and leads to environmental decay, food security, and climate change. Using the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration as an example, this research identifies the mismatch between the intensity and use efficiency of built-up land at multiple scales. Specifically, the study gauges built-up land intensity (BUI) using horizontal layout and vertical height data. Land use efficiency (LUE) is calculated by fusing multi-source spatial data, including nighttime light (NTL), land surface temperature (LST), population density (PD), gross domestic product (GDP), and points of interest (POI). The coupling index (CI) between BUI and LUE determines the misallocation of built-up land resources. The results indicate that BUI and LUE match well in YRD, whereas well-coupled built-up land with high BUI and LUE is concentrated in the eastern YRD. Based on the coupling findings, built-up land can be divided into three categories: overloaded, well-coupled, or inefficient. When built-up land is overloaded, it is essential to notice the excessive concentration of urban functions. On the other hand, reducing land resource waste should be a priority where built-up land is inefficient. This research helps confine irrational urban expansion, deploy rational urban expansion plans, and foster sustainable cities and communities.