Speakers Bio & Abstract

Biography
Tian Shenzhen, main research is Sciences of Human Settlements, in the past actually participated in the programs funded by NNSF of China: The study of urban mimicry human settlements - in the case of Dalian (No. 41171137); the program funded by the Doctoral Scientific Fund Project of the Ministry of Education of China: The study of urban environmental justice issues of human settlements perspective - in the case of Dalian (No. 20132136110001).Abstract
Initial evaluation of provincial-level environmental risks from the perspective of human settlementsThis study introduces risk theory of environmental science into human settlements science using 2004-2013 statistics, remote sensing data, and thematic maps. The entropy weight method and risk-index model are both used to study the characteristics of the time course and spatial pattern of human settlements risks in 31 provincial regions in China. In addition, influential mechanisms of vulnerability, functionality, stress, and adaptability on environmental risks are analyzed. Three primary results are obtained. First, for temporal characteristics, environmental risks of human settlements increased significantly from 2003 to 2012. The year 2006 marked both a sudden change and the cut-off point after which human settlements in China experienced qualitative changes and new risks. Second, for spatial characteristics, the risk index of human settlements decreased gradually from the Southwest to the Northeast, Northwest, and Northern parts of China. The risk index of human settlements spaces differed significantly, with obvious block aggregation of spatial-distribution characteristics. Third, for relevant factor characteristics, between 2003 and 2012, the temporal change in vulnerability is relatively stable, with a slight increase in functionality and a slight decrease in adaptability. Spatially, Qinghai, Tibet, Southwestern China, Guangdong, Guangxi, Beijing, and Tianjin had relatively high vulnerability in human settlements; Beijing, Tianjin, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang had the best functionality; Hunan and Sichuan had relatively high stress; and Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang had relatively stronger adaptability. Further consideration and discussion is required on the environmental risk for different social groups and at different geographical scales, the uncertainty and long-term features of environmental risks, and environmental justice issues.