Application of ecological footprint theory in eco-city planning: a case study in Haikou City
生态足迹理论在生态市建设规划中的应用——以海口市为例

Eco-city planning is one of the effective measures improving the ability of sustainable development in regional level. The theory of Ecological Footprint (EF), a bio-physical method measuring sustainable development situation, takes great effect in describing regional development situation, and judging basic development problems. Application of EF in eco-city planning can (1) analyze the process of sustainable development and judge the situation of sustainable development of cities, (2) make clear the environmental results brought by human's consumption, (3) provide information for carrying out eco-city planning. The application of EF in the above 3 aspects was realized in the eco-city planning of Haikou. The result shows that in 2002 the EF of Haikou city is 5.6 times of ecological carrying capacity, and Haikou city was in a unsustainable situation. Land types with ecological deficit include cropland, water body, land for petrol-fuel and grassland, of which cropland has the largest ecological deficit. EF of 10-thousand yuan of GDP in 2002 was 0.93hm2, meaning relatively low efficiency of resource utilization in Haikou City. Meanwhile Kaikou city had comparatively small ecological occupying rate, meaning a relatively small environmental pressure. Based on the current eco-environmental situation, some planning measures as follows can be taken to decrease EF and improve sustainable development ability: (1) Current ecological deficit situation of cropland and grassland can be improved by protecting land resources and improving scientific development level; (2) Pressure from fossil energy land may be lessened by establishing urban ecological transportation, ecological building, and energy-saving systems; (3) Efficiency of resources utilization can be improved by developing recycling economy and changing consumption modes; (4) Ecological capability per capita can be improved by controlling population increase.