Fine-Scale Identification and Functional Coupling Coordination of Production-Living-Ecological Space in Fuzhou’s Rapid Urbanization Area, China

Accelerated urban expansion and socioeconomic growth have led to substantial changes in territorial spatial organization and growing pressures among spatial functions. Therefore, conducting fine-scale identification, functional evaluation, and coordination analysis of production-living-ecological space (PLES) carries practical value for improving spatial allocation and fostering harmonious regional coordination. By integrating remote sensing imagery and point-of-interest (POI) data, this study employed a hierarchical identification method combining the object-oriented random forest method with the DBSCAN (Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise) algorithm to map the PLES spatiotemporal evolution in Fuzhou’s rapidly urbanizing territory over the 2012–2024 period. PLES functions were quantitatively assessed through a comprehensive evaluation index system, while the standard deviation ellipse, GeoDetector, and coupling coordination degree models were further employed to reveal their evolutionary patterns, driving mechanisms, and synergistic interactions. The results indicated that ecological-dominated spaces occupied the dominant share (nearly 63%). Meanwhile, living-dominated spaces expanded significantly, growing by 68.93 km2 during the study period. The PLES comprehensive function increased by 15.50%, with the living function and production function rising by 57.19% and 61.84%, respectively. Distinct spatial differentiation existed in PLES functions across urban and rural territories, shaping mutually complementary functional systems. The coupling coordination level of PLES functions continuously improved, although notable regional disparities existed, with highly coordinated areas concentrated in midwestern urban areas. PLES functional evolution was jointly driven by natural and socioeconomic factors, which interacted through nonlinear or two-factor enhancement effects. This study provides a replicable methodological framework for fine-scale PLES research and offers scientific support for regional spatial governance and high-quality coordinated development.