Study on the Interactions Between Urbanization, Tourism, and the Ecological Environment in Underdeveloped Regions: PVAR Model Analysis Based on Data from 32 Chinese Cities

Abstract

Clarifying the dynamic relationships between urbanization, tourism development, and the ecological environment in underdeveloped regions can assist local governments in optimizing industrial upgrades and environmental management through effective policy planning, despite resource constraints, thereby promoting high-quality urban development. This study, based on data from 32 cities in northwestern China, constructs a multi-dimensional evaluation system incorporating demographic, economic, social, and environmental indicators. Using a PVAR model, the long-term dynamic interactions between urbanization, tourism, and the ecological environment are explored. The results indicate that, although in the initial stages, the three subsystems can support each other, in the long term, tourism has a positive impact on urbanization and the ecological environment, whereas both urbanization and the ecological environment negatively impact tourism. The interaction effects between urbanization, tourism, and the ecological environment are weak, with contribution rates below 20%, failing to create a synergistic development. The primary reason for this issue is that urbanization development policies lag behind the needs of tourism and ecological environment development. Policy recommendations are provided, including optimizing cross-sector collaboration strategies, enhancing urbanization quality, and prioritizing environmental protection, to foster coordinated development among the three.