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Using Urban-Carrying Capacity as a Benchmark for Sustainable Urban Development: An Empirical Study of Beijing

Author

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  • Yigang Wei

    (School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Cui Huang

    (School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Patrick T. I. Lam

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Hum, Hong Kong)

  • Yong Sha

    (Institute of Population Research, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Yong Feng

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Hum, Hong Kong)

Abstract

Sustainable urban development has been receiving growing concerns from both city managers and urban residents across the world. As a yardstick of sustainability, urban carrying capacity (UCC) is an important conceptual underpinning that guides local governments in promoting sustainable urban development. However, existing studies still lack consensus not only on the theoretical aspects, but also on the methodological issues for UCC monitoring and evaluation. A knowledge gap exists, which this paper fills. This study aims to develop a practical UCC assessment framework to guide urban development towards achieving sustainability. The quantitative-based assessment framework provides a set of measurable indicators and benchmarks for city managers to conduct routine monitoring on progress toward urban sustainability, and helps identify deficient areas, which urgently need resource allocation to improve UCC. Focusing on a case study of Beijing, this study demonstrates that the framework is useful in promoting urban sustainability. This framework provides rich implications for other city prototypes in China as the nation marches into the next phase of development.

Suggested Citation

  • Yigang Wei & Cui Huang & Patrick T. I. Lam & Yong Sha & Yong Feng, 2015. "Using Urban-Carrying Capacity as a Benchmark for Sustainable Urban Development: An Empirical Study of Beijing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:3:p:3244-3268:d:46910
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