Responding to Ecological and Climate Challenges through Spatial Planning: A Case Study of Karamay City, Xinjiang, China.

Abstract

In the context of intense national land space development, pervasive extreme weather events, and the significant erosion of ecosystems, the strategic planning for ecological restoration of territorial spatial has ascended as a pivotal tool for China to address climate change, ensure the stability and security of ecosystems, and fortify urban resilience. This approach is a fundamental component of China’s territorial spatial planning system, emphasizing the integrity of ecosystems to achieve integrated management of all elements such as "mountains, water, forests, fields, lakes, grass, and sand."Territorial ecological restoration planning is a specialized planning that integrates the application of ecological thinking and planning thinking.Karamay City in Xinjiang, an engineered oasis birthed from oil and gas extraction, stands as a critical petroleum city with substantial strategic significance. Yet, it contends with acute challenges such as scarce water resources and a particularly fragile climatic and environmental state. Accordingly, this study, spotlighting Karamay City, summarizing China's current territorial spatial ecological restoration planning system and international practices, assessing resource and environmental capacities, and evaluating the developmental adaptability of the national land space. Concentrating on four major spaces: ecology, agriculture, urban, and industrial-mining, it identifies key ecological issues and core ecological resources, constructs an ecological restoration framework, and delineates nine pivotal ecological restoration zones.The study probes into ecological restoration methodologies tailored to specific ecological and climatic challenges, thereby constructing an "analysis-evaluation - problem identification - pattern construction - zonal strategy" framework for territorial spatial ecological restoration planning. The research results show:(1) The overall ecological state of the study area is relatively good, with ecologically highly sensitive areas accounting for 6.24%, primarily being extremely vulnerable areas of land desertification. The ecological source lands are concentrated, and ecological corridors are mainly distributed in the northeast of the city, currently facing ten core issues including land desertification, oil and gas extraction pollution, and soil salinization. (2) An "one city, two corridors, multiple zones, multiple points" ecological security layout has been constructed. (3) By considering the ecological, economic, and social dimensions within the four major spaces and nine key areas, the study underscores the significance of cross-departmental collaboration and social capital involvement. It presents a series of actionable ecological restoration strategies aimed at enhancing urban resilience and adaptability to ecological and climatic dynamics. This research not only provides vital technical and strategic support for ecological restoration planning in Karamay but also aspires to serve as a practical and replicable model for other urban areas addressing ecological and climate-related challenges, thereby contributing to the broader goal of sustainable urban development.