Exploring the evolution of the human–nature relationship through the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC): City-level evidence from China

Chaoyue Yu, Weilong Kong, Shuocun Chen, Fangzhou Xia, Zhengfeng Zhang, School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Department of Building and Real Estate, Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Bigdata and Responsible Artificial Intelligence for National Governance, Renmin University of China

Progress in Physical Geography: An International Review of Geographical Work in the Natural and Environmental Sciences

Published online on May 30, 2026

Abstract

Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, Ahead of Print.
The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) provides a theoretical framework for exploring the evolution of human–nature relationships. However, existing EKC-based studies often oversimplify human systems and natural systems, and few studies have conducted a ...