A framework for urban planning of rapidly urbanized cities from the perspective of functional zoning

Integrating functional zoning based on ecosystem service (ES) supply–demand into urban planning has received little attention. Therefore, a novel framework for urban planning in rapidly urbanized cities from the functional zoning perspective is presented. Here, urban functional zones are first delineated based on the ES supply–demand. Then, key urban functional zones are designated as restricted development zones to simulate land use structures under different urban planning schemes. Next, the supply, demand, and supply–demand relationship of ESs under different schemes are re-evaluated to analyze the simulation effects. Finally, the applicability and operability of this framework is demonstrated through a case study of Suzhou, China. The results showed that Suzhou is divided into five functional zones, three of which are set as restricted development zones in the scenario simulation of corresponding schemes. The supply–demand imbalance of ESs except for soil retention and food production is significantly alleviated under the ecological protection scenario, but is aggravated under the economic development scenario. The food security scenario improves the supply–demand balance of carbon storage and food production, while detrimentally affecting other ESs. Overall, different planning schemes have distinct impacts on the ecological security of rapidly urbanized cities. • Integrate functional zoning based on ecosystem services (ESs) into urban planning. • Set key functional zones as restricted development zones in the scenario simulation. • Simulate urban land use structures under different urban planning schemes. • Ecological protection scheme performs better in promoting ES supply–demand balance. • Various planning schemes have distinct impacts on urban ecological security.