Exploring the spatial interaction relationship between new-type urbanization and ecological vulnerability

Clarifying the intricate relationship between urbanization and ecological environment from a spatial interaction perspective is important for advancing sustainable development. This study constructed a comprehensive spatial interaction model integrating the coupling coordination degree model, bivariate global spatial autocorrelation model, and geographically and temporally weighted regression model. Taking the east of Hu Line in China as study area, this study investigated the spatial interaction between new-type urbanization (NTU) and ecological vulnerability (EV). The results show that: (1) From 2002 to 2022, the average EV index increased from 0.330 to 0.346, and average NTU index increased from 0.368 to 0.438. Both NTU and EV exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity. (2) Coupling coordination degree (CCD) level between NTU and EV evolved from moderate uncoordination to basic coordination, with proportion of synchronous development increasing from 48 % to 60 %. However, regions with relatively high CCD levels still faced ecological lag. (3) Environmental urbanization exerted a negative effect on EV, with the effect magnitude changing from −0.17 to −0.24. Ecosystem structure and function vulnerability exerted a negative effect on NTU, with the effect magnitude changing from −0.18 to −0.32. (4) The spatial distribution of interactive effects between NTU and EV exhibited a clear clustering pattern. This study enhances understanding of the spatial interaction between urbanization and ecological environment, and provides evidence for planning urban growth and mitigating EV.