Coupling coordination and interactive effects of new urbanization efficiency and eco-efficiency—A case study of Fujian Province

Abstract

(1) Background This study explores the coupling and coordinated development of new urbanization and eco-efficiency and their interaction mechanisms from the perspective of efficiency, and it has significant implications for promoting high-quality development and surpassing in China’s regional development. (2) Objective The study aims to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of new urbanization efficiency and eco-efficiency and its coupling and coordinated development relationship. (3) Methods Using panel data from 2010 to 2020 for nine cities in Fujian Province, this study employs the undesired super-efficiency SBM model to measure the efficiency of new urbanization and eco-efficiency. Additionally, a spatial panel Durbin model is constructed to analyze the interaction effect between the two efficiencies. (4) Results During the study period, both new urbanization efficiency and eco-efficiency in Fujian Province showed a fluctuating upward trend, with higher efficiency in the southeast than the northwest, exhibiting significant spatial agglomeration effects. Despite high double efficiency coupling, coordinated development was low, evolving from near-disorder to barely coordinated. The high coupling and coordination areas were mainly concentrated in the southeast, with gaps between different regions gradually narrowing. There was positive interaction between dual efficiency in the same region, with new urbanization efficiency showing a positive spatial spillover effect on eco-efficiency. Conversely, the spatial spillover effect of eco-efficiency on new urbanization efficiency was not significant.