Exploring the interaction and driving factors of urban compactness and carbon emission intensity in the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration

This paper examines the spatio-temporal interaction and driving factors between urban compactness and carbon emission intensity in the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration from 2010 to 2021. Through the analysis by using comprehensive evaluation, coupling coordination degree model and gray correlation model. Data analysis revealed a steady upward trend in the compactness of the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration. However, there are noticeable regional differences in the compactness of cities. Additionally, carbon emission intensity of urban agglomerations decreases year by year. The rate of change in the carbon emission intensity values varies slightly from city to city. The coupling degree and the coupling coordination degree of urban compactness and carbon emission intensity in the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration are gradually moving towards a coordinated development. Factors such as industrial structure, urbanization level, technological innovation, government intervention and environmental livability, will affect the coupling correlation between urban compactness and carbon emission intensity in the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration. Policy recommendations for city construction should emphasize high-quality urban development and innovative low-carbon urban development models.