Coupling coordination analysis of urban social vulnerability and human activity intensity

Abstract An in-depth exploration of the coupling and coordination relationship between urban social vulnerability and human activity intensity can provide a scientific basis for urban sustainable development, planning optimization, and policy decisions. Based on multi-source remote sensing data and social-economic statistics in 2021, Zhengzhou’s social vulnerability and human activity intensity were quantified. Subsequently, a coupling coordination degree model was applied to reveal the extent of coordination between these two factors. Finally, the geographical detector was used to analyze the impact of driving factors on the degree of coupling coordination. Results indicated that the spatial distribution pattern of social vulnerability and human activity intensity in Zhengzhou exhibits a gradual attenuation trend from the center toward the periphery, indicating a strong correlation between the two factors. The regions with high coupling coordination degrees were primarily concentrated in the central region. The total output value of the primary industry, patch aggregation index, per capita cultivated land area, and human activity intensity were identified as key drivers affecting changes in coupling coordination degree. These factors exhibit evident synergistic enhancement effects, resulting in comprehensive impacts on the spatial distribution of coupling. This study can provide a reference for urban development decision-making.