Exploring harmonious development between urbanization and eco-environment based on climate analysis—A study in Changsha, China

The process of urbanization affects the urban warming. The change of urban warming was investigated by several urbanization factors in Changsha, China. The data of surface temperature (minimum, maximum and mean) of Changsha were analyzed to understand the possible effects of urbanization on the climate of this region owing to the population growth, built-up area expansion and energy consumption increases. The weights of these three factors were calculated by the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Then, three weights were simulated with nonlinear method to obtain the urbanization development rate which was utilized to reveal the influence of the urbanization factors on the surface temperature. The result shows that there is a significant upward trend in the urban temperatures of Changsha. The temperature increase seems to be closely related to the rate of urbanization between 1993 and 2008, and there is an evidential increase trend of the influence on urban temperature by urbanization during 16 years. It is a quantifiable approach measuring the relationship between urbanization and urban eco-environment, and can be applied for the urban sustainability.