Interactions between water-land resources and oasis urban development at the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China

Urban development in the arid and semi-arid regions of Xinjiang, China, particularly along the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, is constrained by limited oasis areas and water-land resources. A study revealed that while urbanization levels and populations have increased, built-up areas have remained relatively stable due to these constraints. Water consumption rose with urban development but at a slower rate, indicating improved water use efficiency. The coupling degree between urban development and resource use emerged as a key indicator of comprehensive urban progress, with high coupling signifying advanced urbanization and sustainable resource management.

LEI, J., DONG, W., YANG, Y., LU, J., & STERR, T. (2012). Interactions between water-land resources and oasis urban development at the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China. Journal of Arid Land, 4(2), 221–229. https://doi.org/10.3724/sp.j.1227.2012.00221