Can efficient urban land use mitigate land use conflicts? Empirical evidence from the central Chengdu–Chongqing region, China

Abstract

As a spatial manifestation of the contradictions in the human–land relationship, land–use conflicts (LUCs) have profound impacts on sustainable regional development. LUCs in China are intricately linked to urban land-use efficiency (ULUE). However, the question of how ULUE influences LUCs has not been fully explored. To address this gap, this study uses a spatial econometric model and threshold regression model to investigate the impact of ULUE on LUCs, with a focus on the central ChengduChongqing region of China as a case study. The findings demonstrate a nonlinear relationship between ULUE and LUCs in the region, where the increase in ULUE initially mitigates LUCs but subsequently exacerbates and stimulates LUCs. This relationship is formed by the combined impact of urban factor substitution and factor agglomeration effects: ULUE directly affects LUCs through the factor substitution effect, and economic growth mediates the impact of ULUE on LUCs through the factor agglomeration effect. This study presents a refined and augmented understanding of the correlation between ULUE and LUCs and provides both theoretical and practical guidance for the effective management of LUCs as well as the sustainable utilization of land resources.