Exploring the Regional Coordination Relationship between Water Utilization and Urbanization Based on Decoupling Analysis

A Case Study of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region

Bibliographic Data

ID15480899
AuthorsRuihua Shen (Shandong Normal University), Lei Yao (0000-0001-7917-2582, Shandong Normal University, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue11
Pages6793-6793
Publication date2022-06-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19116793
PMID35682376
OpenAlexW4281660319
LanguageEN
References cited50

Understanding the potential association between the urbanization process and regional water shortage/pollution is conducive to promoting the intensive utilization of local water resources. In this study, the water footprint model was used to estimate water utilization status in terms of both water quantity (virtual water footprint (VWF)) and water quality (grey water footprint (GWF)) in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region (China) during 2004-2017. Their potential coordination relationship with the local urbanization process represented by the gross domestic product (GDP), population (POP), and built-up area (BA) was examined using the Tapio decoupling model. The results showed that from 2004 to 2017, (1) VWF in Beijing and Tianjin showed non-significant decreasing trends, with reductions of 1.08 × 10 9 and 1.56 × 10 9 m 3 , respectively, while that in Hebei showed a significant increasing trend, with an increase of 5.74 × 10 9 m 3 . This indicated a gradually increasing water demand in Hebei and decreasing demand in Beijing and Tianjin. In all three regions, the agricultural sector accounted for a relatively high proportion of VWF compared to other sectors. (2) GWF in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei all showed declining trends, with reductions of 2.19 × 10 10 , 2.32 × 10 10 , and 1.66 × 10 11 m 3 , respectively, indicating considerable local water quality improvement. The domestic sector contributed as the main component of GWF in Beijing, while agriculture was the main contributor in Hebei. The major contributor in Tianjin transitioned from the domestic (before 2015) to the agricultural sector. (3) We found good coordination between VWF and GDP in all three regions, as their local economic development was no longer overly dependent on water consumption. However, the expansion of urban built-up area or population would bring about accelerated depletion of water resources. (4) GWF in the three provinces showed good coordination with GDP, POP, and BA in most years, implying that the development of urbanization no longer strongly caused the pollution of water resources. In sum, policymakers should focus on improving agricultural irrigation efficiency and residents' awareness of water conservation, so as to gradually achieve sustainable water resource management in the BTH region

Agricultural economics · Agriculture · Beijing · China · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Environmental protection · Geography · Gross domestic product · Population · Urbanization · Virtual water · Water resource management · Water resources · Water scarcity · Water use · Environmental Impact and Sustainability · Environmental Science · Medicine · Water Resources and Sustainability · Water resources management and optimization

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