Long-Term Clustering Analysis of Construction Land Reclamation in Hangzhou: Patterns and Impacts

Given the challenges of rapid urbanization and ecological degradation, construction land reclamation (CLR) has become one of the critical strategies for optimizing land use and balancing urban development with ecological preservation. However, the long-term impacts and patterns of CLR remain underexplored, necessitating a comprehensive analysis to inform sustainable land management practices. This study investigates the patterns and impacts of CLR in Hangzhou over a fifteen-year period (2006–2020). Using an improved K-means clustering algorithm, the study analyzes the land reclamation status of 199 streets, identifying nine distinct categories that reflect varying stages of urbanization, ecological protection, and land-use management. The results show a clear transition from rapid, large-scale reclamation during the early years to more targeted and sustainable reclamation efforts in later periods. The study’s innovation lies in its use of a long-term, time-series analysis at the street level, enhancing understanding of CLR dynamics and improving prediction accuracy by 11%. It emphasizes the importance of adaptive land management in balancing urban growth with ecological preservation and agricultural sustainability. The clustering analysis provides insights into the evolving urbanization process, with the highest concentration of construction land reclamation occurring along urban–rural boundaries. These findings offer valuable lessons for urban planning and sustainable urbanization strategies.