The Synergistic Structure and Potential Development for Sustainable Ecosystem Services in Urban Areas along the Grand Canal: A Case Study of the Wuxi Segment

Zhi Yue (), Yuting Hua, Yue He, Di Yao, Liya Wang and Xin Tong
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Zhi Yue: College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, #159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China
Yuting Hua: College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, #159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China
Yue He: College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, #159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China
Di Yao: School of Architecture, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
Liya Wang: College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, #159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China
Xin Tong: College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, #159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-19

Abstract: The Grand Canal possesses a unique ecosystem as one of the world cultural heritage sites. However, its ecological roles and services have been underemphasized in heritage conservation efforts, leading to environmental pollution and the degradation of its heritage value, especially in the highly urbanized southern Jiangsu section downstream. This study examines the synergy between regulating ecosystem services (RESs) and cultural ecosystem services (CESs) along the highly urbanized Wuxi section of the Grand Canal, as well as the environmental drivers influencing this relationship. The findings reveal that the synergy between CESs and RESs does not occur at the urban–rural interface but rather in areas 4-6 km away from the Central Business District (CBD). Certain drivers, such as floor area ratio (FAR) and plot ratio (PR), enhance both RES and CES within specific sections. Beyond riparian green belts, various low-density, dispersed, and well-vegetated lands could serve as significant contributors to future ecosystem service (ES) synergy. These conclusions further elucidate the spatial distribution of the heritage cultural services and other ES synergy along the Grand Canal, providing scientific support for broader improvements guiding the sustainable co-development in similar urbanized areas.

Keywords: the Grand Canal; ecosystem services; synergy; urbanization; threshold; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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