Analysis of Coupling Relation between Urban Spatial Compactness and Degree of Land Use Mix Based on Compact City Theory: The Case of Downtown Shenyang, China

Rapid urbanization has resulted in a series of problems, such as single-type land use, low efficiency, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation. The compact city, a concept that advocates the intensive and efficient use of land, may be considered when planning urban stocks. Grounded in the evaluation of the coordination degree in the coupling between spatial compactness and mixed land use based on compact city theory, this study aimed to provide scientific guidance for sustainability measures to renew the compact urban form. To this end, it analysed an area of 3972 hectares on both sides of the Hunhe River in Shenyang City, identified spatial problems, and put forward governance suggestions through case study methods. In spatiotemporal terms, the distribution characteristics of the coordination between the northern (old district) and southern (new district) banks were significantly different, with the former being better than the latter. In terms of land use type, higher coordination may be implemented in small blocks with predominantly residential functions and central areas for mixed use. The identification results clearly revealed the patches that need to be treated, thereby facilitating the delineation of urban renewal units. Differentiated design and governance measures are needed to address the imbalanced patches.