An Evaluation of Coupling Coordination between Rural Development and Water Environment in Northwestern China

Xiang Gao, Ke Wang, Kevin Lo, Ruiyang Wen, Xiaoting Mi, Kuanmei Liu and Xingxing Huang
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Xiang Gao: College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Ke Wang: College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Kevin Lo: Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
Ruiyang Wen: College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Xiaoting Mi: College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Kuanmei Liu: College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Xingxing Huang: College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: Balancing the relationship between rural development and the protection of water resources is a challenging undertaking. This study develops a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model to examine the non-linear interaction between rural development and water environment in the 11 prefectures of Gansu, northwestern China. There are three key findings. First, economic development is the key driver of rural development, whereas social development has relatively little impact. For the water environment subsystem, improved water efficiency has been the key contributor, whereas environmental carrying capacity is secondary. Second, the CCD increased steadily in the studied period, which suggests that the relationship between rural development and water environment has gradually changed from antagonistic to mutually beneficial. However, this change is not occurring rapidly and in fact shows signs of slowing. Third, the complex spatial differences of the CCD are related to the level of economic and social development, the process of urban–rural integration, and regional natural conditions. The findings of this study have great significance for further quantitative analysis of the interaction and mutual feedback mechanism between the rural economy and the water environment in China and support evidence-based policymaking.

Keywords: rural development; water environment; coupling coordination degree; spatiotemporal characteristics; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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