Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11: Exploring the Nonlinear Driving Mechanisms of Eco‐Efficiency and Socio‐Cultural Well‐Being Compatibility in Chinese Cities

ABSTRACT Coordinating urban sustainability with socio‐cultural well‐being is crucial for achieving SDG 11. Existing research often focuses on single indicator systems such as Urban Eco‐Efficiency (UEE) and Urban Socio‐cultural Well‐being (USW), lacking a systematic evaluation framework for the coordination index between the two, as well as an exploration of high‐dimensional driving mechanisms. This study constructs the UEE and Socio‐cultural Well‐being Compatibility Index (UESWC). (1) UEE remained stable with a bimodal distribution. USW slightly improved but stayed low overall, while UESWC declined with fluctuations. (2) All three indicators show a northeast–southwest spatial pattern. UEE is higher in the south, while USW and UESWC are stronger in the east and weaker in the west. (3) Green technological innovation (GTIL) is the main driver, though its marginal effect weakens beyond 0.3. GTIL and financial development (FDL) have strong synergy, with regional interaction differences. This study offers empirical insights into sustainable urban transformation.