Assessment of Coupling Synergy Level Between Regional Development and Ecological Environment: A Case Study of Chengdu-Chongqing Dual-City Economic Circle, China

The increasing tensions between urban development and ecological environments in China, as evidenced by the country’s rapidly globalising and urbanising society, pose significant challenges to the implementation of sustainable development strategies. In order to evaluate the coupled coordination degree (CCD) between regional development (RD) and ecological carrying capacity (ECC) within the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin Cities Economic Circle, this study proposes a comprehensive CCD evaluation framework. This framework includes indicator analysis, quantitative measurement of coupling coordination, identification of coupling types, and evaluation of coordination impacts. The results indicate that regional development is on a growth trajectory while ecological carrying capacity lags behind. The coupling coordination has shifted from a state of ’basically uncoordinated’ to ’basically coordinated’, exhibiting a decreasing gradient in spatial distribution, with core cities demonstrating leadership. The study thus provides a set of optimised strategies tailored to cities at different stages of development, offering a theoretical foundation and decision-making framework for promoting quality development within the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin Cities Economic Circle.