Dynamic land use change and sustainable urban development in a third-tier city within Yangtze Delta

Abstract The main purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between dynamic land use change and sustainable urban development in a typical third-tier city within Yangtze Delta. This study also attempts to provide suggestions in terms of land use cover change (LUCC) and land use intensity change (LUIC) for governments and planners to achieve better land use performance and more rational urban development. Spatial and regression analyses show LUCC rather than LUIC affects urban sustainability. Thus, implications for future city construction were proposed.