An evolutionary game analysis of new urbanization in mineral resource abundant regions in China

The scientific new urbanization in mineral resource abundant regions (MRARs) in China is not only a guarantee for energy and resource security but also of great significance to realize strong sustainability. However, the new urbanization of MRARs in China is facing a series of difficulties due to the particularity of mineral resources. Therefore, to identify the policy foci of MRARs suitable for different new urbanization paths, this study conducts an evolutionary game analysis to find the urbanization evolution trends of MRARs. First, we established an asymmetric evolutionary game model to study the process of strategy selection between rural and urban residents in MRARs. Second, MATLAB was used to conduct numerical simulation to find the urbanization evolution trends in different types of MRARs. The main findings we obtained are as follows. (1) Environmental carrying capacity has a restrictive effect on the new urbanization in MRARs. (2) Socioeconomic foundations have a fundamental impact on the new urbanization in MRARs. (3) The policy intensity of “people-oriented” has an important influence on the new urbanization in MRARs. (4) Different types of MRARs greatly vary with new urbanization trends. Finally, we proposed some policy recommendations to effectively promote the new urbanization in MRARs.