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Frontiers of Earth Science

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Front. Earth Sci.    2014, Vol. 8 Issue (2) : 190-201    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-014-0407-1
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Analysis of urban metabolic processes based on input–output method: model development and a case study for Beijing
Yan ZHANG(),Hong LIU,Bin CHEN(),Hongmei ZHENG,Yating LI
State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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Abstract

Discovering ways in which to increase the sustainability of the metabolic processes involved in urbanization has become an urgent task for urban design and management in China. As cities are analogous to living organisms, the disorders of their metabolic processes can be regarded as the cause of “urban disease”. Therefore, identification of these causes through metabolic process analysis and ecological element distribution through the urban ecosystem’s compartments will be helpful. By using Beijing as an example, we have compiled monetary input–output tables from 1997, 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2007 and calculated the intensities of the embodied ecological elements to compile the corresponding implied physical input–output tables. We then divided Beijing’s economy into 32 compartments and analyzed the direct and indirect ecological intensities embodied in the flows of ecological elements through urban metabolic processes. Based on the combination of input–output tables and ecological network analysis, the description of multiple ecological elements transferred among Beijing’s industrial compartments and their distribution has been refined. This hybrid approach can provide a more scientific basis for management of urban resource flows. In addition, the data obtained from distribution characteristics of ecological elements may provide a basic data platform for exploring the metabolic mechanism of Beijing.
Keywords urban ecology      urban metabolism      implied physical input–output table      ecological element intensity      Beijing     
Corresponding Author(s): Yan ZHANG   
Issue Date: 24 June 2014
 Cite this article:   
Yan ZHANG,Hong LIU,Bin CHEN, et al. Analysis of urban metabolic processes based on input–output method: model development and a case study for Beijing[J]. Front. Earth Sci., 2014, 8(2): 190-201.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/10.1007/s11707-014-0407-1
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/Y2014/V8/I2/190
Tab.1  The basic form of the implied physical input-output table
Fig.2  The accounting diagram of monetary flow and physical flow of ith compartment.
Type of resourceSub-typeIndustry number*Type of wasteIndustry number*
CropsVegetables1Wastewater2–23, 32
Cereals1SO22–23
Cotton1Dust2–23
Oil plants1Smoke2–23
Fruits1Solid wastes2–23, 32
Forest productsTimber1CO22–26, 32
Animal productsCattle1
Horses1
Mules1
Donkeys1
Sheep1
Pigs1
Poultry1
Eggs1
Honey1
Milk1
Energy mineralsRaw coal2
Metal mineralsIron ore4
Non-metallic mineralsCement3
Fresh water2–23
Tab.2  The correspondence between the original compartments and the types of resources or wastes
Fig.3  The urban metabolic network model.
Fig.4  Analysis of the direct and indirect processes in the steel production process.
Fig.5  The annual direct and indirect consumption intensity of the ecological elements for each compartment.
CharacteristicsIncluded compartments*
19972000200220052007
Higher total consumption; indirect is higher than direct consumptione>1.5; eID-eD>024, 292726, 27, 28, 3210, 16, 18, 25, 26, 27, 28, 3221, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32
Higher total consumption; indirect is lower than direct consumptione>1.5; eID-eD<025, 27, 28, 3224, 28, 30, 31, 3225, 29, 30, 3124, 29, 30, 31
High total consumption; indirect is higher than direct consumption0.5<e<1.5; eID-eD>05, 1818, 2918, 1919
High total consumption; indirect is lower than direct consumption0.5<e<1.5; eID-eD<01, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 26, 27, 30, 311, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 291, 5, 6, 7,10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 241, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 221, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25
Low total consumptione<0.52, 3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 21, 22, 232, 3, 4, 9, 21, 20, 22, 232, 3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 21, 222, 3, 4, 9, 21, 232, 3, 4, 6, 13, 20, 22
Tab.3  Classification of the compartments according to the direct and indirect consumption intensities. (e represents the total consumption intensity)
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