Simulation Analysis of Urban Metabolic Efficiency in Guangzhou City
广州城市代谢效率的模拟分析

Studying urban metabolism is an important measure to evaluate the sustainable development of a city. The metabolic efficiency is the standard of the process quality. By means of the Stella Modeling, this study adopted an eco-economic approach to simulating the metabolism of Guangzhou during the period 2000-2020 and established the natural environmental supporting efficiency, the resource production serving efficiency and the environmental carrying capacity efficiency as the metabolic efficiency indices from the perspective of the overall environment. It was found that the use of natural resources per person shows a decreasing trend. The environment faces not only the pressure of urban development, but also reflects decreases in the regulating potential. Urban economic activities of Guangzhou have become increasingly dependent on importing goods and services, corresponding to increases in the output of the waste. The urban environment quality and the ecological service area have been decreasing, which would impede the sustainable development of Guangzhou. It is suggested that positive treatments of nature feedback control be promoted, the metabolic mechanism be adjusted and improved, and its capability of self-organization be perfected in Guangzhou.