Analyzing multiscale associations and couplings between integrated development and eco-environmental systems: A case study of the central plains urban agglomeration, China

In the Anthropocene, urban agglomeration is increasingly recognized as a crucial facilitator in advancing urbanization to more developed stages, requiring comprehension of the multiscale associations and couplings supporting urban agglomeration integrated development and eco-environmental systems. This study introduces a novelty research framework for analyzing the intricate associations and couplings between the degree of integrated development and eco-environmental quality in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration (CPUA), which operates simultaneously at the city, county, and landscape scales. The results suggest that the CPUA degree of integration is moderately low, with areas exhibiting a high degree of integration comprising <1% and predominantly located within the sphere of influence of core cities, such as Zhengzhou. Regions with high eco-environmental quality are located in regions with natural advantages in the northwestern, southwestern, and southeastern regions. It is worth noting that a generally inverse coupling relationship was observed between the urban agglomeration degree of integration and eco-environmental quality, exhibiting varied characteristics across different spatial scales and regional contexts. Stakeholders should focus more on environmental management and policy-making at the county administrative level. This study proposes a multiscale approach for revealing the complex associations and couplings between integrated development and eco-environmental systems, offering valuable insights into the sustainable development of urban agglomerations that encompass natural, social, and economic dimensions.