From Conflict to Coexistence: Integrated Landscape Optimization for Sustainable Tourism in Urban Tourism Areas

Abstract

Urban Tourism Areas (UTAs) face growing challenges in balancing tourism development with ecological preservation, particularly under the pressures of rapid urbanization and intensified land use. However, systematic approaches to optimizing landscape patterns in urban tourism contexts remain limited. The aim of this study is to develop and apply an integrated framework that combines ecological sensitivity evaluation and landscape eco-ethics to guide sustainable landscape optimization. Using Shihe District in Xinyang City, China—a region marked by diverse natural landscapes and intensive human–environment interactions—as a case study, we applied a multi-indicator ecological sensitivity assessment together with landscape pattern analysis, supported by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and FRAGSTATS software. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in ecological sensitivity across the district. High- and very-high-sensitivity zones accounted for 23.2% of the total area, primarily located in southwestern mountainous regions, while low-sensitivity zones covered 53.8%, concentrated in urban plains and lowlands. The landscape exhibited a Shannon’s Diversity Index (SHDI) of 0.8617 and an Edge Density (ED) of 17.05, reflecting a moderately fragmented spatial structure. Based on these findings, a hierarchical optimization strategy was proposed, delineating three protection zones: primary conservation zones (23.2%), secondary buffer zones (22.9%), and development-prioritized zones (53.8%). This framework promotes ecological integrity, supports balanced tourism development, and accommodates the needs of both tourists and local communities. The model has potential applicability to other global UTAs facing similar conflicts between ecological protection and tourism expansion.