A Land Space Development Zoning Method Based on Resource–Environmental Carrying Capacity: A Case Study of Henan, China

Abstract

As a key element in China’s spatial planning, the development zoning of land space has become a focus of China’s current activity. During its rapid social and economic development, China has faced severe and diverse challenges regarding sustainable development, such as farmland occupation, environmental degradation, urban land disorder expansion, etc. Against this backdrop, research on the linkage between resource–environmental carrying capacity (RECC) and the development zoning of land space in the process of sustainable development has received increased attention, and an accurate evaluation of the RECC would provide useful guidance for Chinese policy makers to carry out the development zoning of land space. This paper uses Henan Province as an example to construct a comprehensive evaluation model of “resource carrying capacity (RCC)–eco–environmental carrying capacity (EECC)–socio–economic carrying capacity (SECC)”, which calculates the level of RECC in a provincial area. In addition, this paper designs a correlation model between the RECC and the development zoning of land space, which uses a three-dimensional magic cube evaluation model to analyze the development zoning layout of land space. The results showed that a geographical pattern exists, where in the southwestern areas of Henan Province have a higher RECC than the central and northeastern areas. The results also indicated that the land space patterns of Henan Province can be divided into seven types of areas through a three-dimensional magic cube evaluation model, which can better reflect the spatial differentiation characteristics of the comprehensive index of RECC. The results of this study offer an important reference for policy-makers to make decisions and also provide a scientific and pragmatic basis for the formulation of sustainable development strategies.