Assessment of Human Settlement Quality Based on the Population Exposure Risk to PM 2.5 Pollution in the Mid-Spine Belt of Beautiful China

Qiang Yang (), Juncheng Fan, Jie Min, Jiaming Na, Pengling Wang, Xinyuan Wang, Ruichun Chang and Quanfeng Wang
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Qiang Yang: College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Juncheng Fan: College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Jie Min: College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Jiaming Na: College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Pengling Wang: National Climate Centre, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, China
Xinyuan Wang: Key Laboratory of Digital Earth Science, Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth (RADI), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100094, China
Ruichun Chang: Digital Hu Line Research Institute, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Quanfeng Wang: Digital Hu Line Research Institute, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: Human settlements are areas closely related to human production and life, and their quality directly affects people’s physical health and quality of life. However, with air pollution continuing to worsen, people are becoming increasingly concerned about the exposure to air pollution in their residential regions. In addition, many studies ignore the long-term impact of environmental factors on the evolution of human settlement quality (HSQ). This study aims to assess the HSQ in the Mid-Spine Belt of Beautiful China (MSBBC) from 2000 to 2020 and to analyze the changes in its driving forces during different time periods. We divided the HSQ into five dimensions: terrain conditions, climate conditions, hydrological conditions, ground cover conditions, and air pollution exposure. The Entropy-TOPSIS and grey relational degree model were used to assess the HSQ in the MSBBC. To analyze the driving forces of HSQ, the optimal-parameters-based geographic detector model was utilized. The results show the following: (1) Within the study area, the degree of the population exposure risk to PM 2.5 and its change trend were significantly different on both sides of the Hu Line, with the east showing higher levels than the west. (2) The HSQ of the MSBBC decreased from east to west. Moreover, the HSQ in the metropolitan area of the urban agglomeration was characterized from low to high. The HSQ underwent three phases, consisting of an increase (2000–2010), a decrease (2010–2015), and an increase again (2015–2020). (3) Among the driving factors, the impact of PM 2.5 on the HSQ weakened year by year. The driving force of meteorological parameters on the HSQ was the strongest. Furthermore, the interactions of each factor could enhance the HSQ. The results of this study not only provide a strong reference for creating livable areas and promoting sustainability in the MSBBC but also contribute to addressing challenges such as pollution and climate change.

Keywords: human settlement quality (HSQ); population exposure risk to PM 2.5; Mid-Spine Belt of Beautiful China (MSBBC); OPGD model; Entropy-TOPSIS and grey relational degree model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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