Coupling Relationships of Land Use Benefits in Shenzhen China

Abstract

This study examines a certain coupling relationship between the socioeconomic and the eco-environmental benefits of land use in Shenzhen. This coupling relationship reflects the balanced state between land use benefits. A dynamic coupling model was set up in terms of the qualitative analysis of land use benefits. It was found that from 1981 to 2007, the land use benefits improved. The socioeconomic benefits rose stably and the eco-environmental benefits developed in a fluctuating manner. Land use benefits were at a low-grade symbiosis for the first two years and were coordinated for the next 25 years. The evolving processes of the coupling relationships of land use benefits can be divided into four stages. From 1981 to 1986, the land use benefits jumped from low-grade symbiosis into relative coordination. During this time, the coupling degrees increased from −84.95° to 53.40°. From 1987 to 1993, the land use benefits were optimum, continuous and stable and the coupling degrees were close to 45°. From 1994 to 1999, the extent of coordination decreased and the coupling degrees rapidly approached 75°. In the last eight years, land use benefits have not been very coordinated because of a high coupling degree of 80°.

Keywords:

• Land use benefit
• coupling relationship
• coordinated development
• sustainable development
• Shenzhen