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Enhancing the Resilience of the Environment—Economy—Society Composite System in the Upper Yellow River from the Perspective of Configuration Analysis

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  • Jiaqi Li

    (School of Water Conservancy and Transportation, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
    Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, YRCC, Zhengzhou 450003, China)

  • Enhui Jiang

    (Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, YRCC, Zhengzhou 450003, China
    Key Laboratory of Lower Yellow River Channel and Estuary Regulation, MWR, Zhengzhou 450003, China)

  • Bo Qu

    (Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, YRCC, Zhengzhou 450003, China
    Key Laboratory of Lower Yellow River Channel and Estuary Regulation, MWR, Zhengzhou 450003, China)

  • Lingang Hao

    (Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, YRCC, Zhengzhou 450003, China
    Key Laboratory of Lower Yellow River Channel and Estuary Regulation, MWR, Zhengzhou 450003, China)

  • Chang Liu

    (Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, YRCC, Zhengzhou 450003, China
    Key Laboratory of Lower Yellow River Channel and Estuary Regulation, MWR, Zhengzhou 450003, China)

  • Ying Liu

    (College of Management and Economics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

Abstract

Evaluating and enhancing system resilience is essential to strengthen the regional ability to external shocks and promote the synergistic development of environment, economy and society. Taking the Upper Yellow River (UYR) as an example, this paper constructed a resilience evaluation index system for the environment—economy—society (EES) composite system. A three-dimensional space vector model was built to calculate the resilience development index (RDI) of three subsystems and the composite system from 2009 to 2022. Pathways supporting high resilience levels of the composite system were examined using the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method from a configuration perspective. The results revealed that (1) the RDI of three subsystems and the composite system in the UYR showed an increasing trend; relatively, the environment and economy subsystems were lower, and their RDI fluctuated between 0.01 and 0.06 for most cities. (2) The emergence of high resilience is not absolutely dominated by a single factor, but rather the interaction of multiple factors. To achieve high resilience levels, all the cities must prioritize both environmental protection and economic structure as core strategic pillars. The difference is that eastern cities need to further consider social development and life quality, while western cities need to consider social development, life quality, and social security. Other cities including Lanzhou, Baiyin, Tianshui, and Ordos should focus on social construction and social security. Exploring the interactive relationship between various influencing factors of the resilience of the composite system from a configuration perspective has to some extent promoted the transformation from a single contingency perspective to a holistic and multi-dimensional perspective. These findings provide policy recommendations for achieving sustainable development in the UYR and other ecologically fragile areas around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiaqi Li & Enhui Jiang & Bo Qu & Lingang Hao & Chang Liu & Ying Liu, 2025. "Enhancing the Resilience of the Environment—Economy—Society Composite System in the Upper Yellow River from the Perspective of Configuration Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8719-:d:1760150
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    References listed on IDEAS

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