Spatiotemporal dynamics of production-living-ecological space coordination in Ganzhou City from 2000 to 2020

Understanding the spatiotemporal coupling and coordination of production-living-ecological (P-L-E) spaces is crucial for achieving sustainable regional development, particularly in rapidly urbanizing, resource-sensitive regions. This study examines these dynamics in Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China, a representative example of such a region, over a significant 20-year period (2000-2020). We employ an integrated approach combining grid-based functional assessment, a ternary coupling coordination model, and Mann-Kendall trend analysis to provide a spatially explicit evaluation of P-L-E interactions. Results indicate that ecological spaces consistently exhibit higher functional scores compared to production and living spaces, underscoring the dominance of ecological functions in the region. However, urban and industrial expansion has led to a growing spatial decoupling, particularly in peripheral areas, where the coupling coordination degree (D) is low. The Mann-Kendall trend test further shows that 84.3% of regions exhibit no significant change in coupling coordination over time, highlighting structural stability despite rapid urbanization. These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated land use planning, emphasizing green infrastructure development, ecological corridors, and sustainable urban expansion to enhance production-living-ecological coordination. This study contributes a replicable framework and long-term empirical insights into P-L-E dynamics, informing strategies to balance economic growth and ecological sustainability in similar contexts globally.