Abstract: Sustainability dynamics of 2339 counties and cities were investigated based on rapid assessment method with a four-layer sustainable development indicator system. The evaluation results show that the area averaged sustainable development index of China increased from 0.38 in 1990 to 0.50 in 2005, with an up trend in general. Grades of sustainability are compared in different regions. The results show that the average grades of sustainability are changed from low level to high level in eastern, central and western regions of China during period of 1990?2005. And, the levels of sustainability of eastern regions are higher than that of central and western regions. Values of sustainable development index in 52 major cities are much higher than those in other cities and counties, which suggests that city groups could improve sustainable development in China.

Key words: sustainability, dynamic changes, rapid assessment, indicator system

摘要： 基于可持续发展能力评价指标体系, 利用快速评估方法, 对全国2339个县(市)1990?2005年间可持续发展能力的动态变化进行研究。结果表明, 1990?2005年中国平均可持续发展指数由0.38增为0.50, 可持续发展能力呈上升趋势。不同区域可持续发展能力等级结构比较结果表明, 1990?2005年中国东、中、西部可持续发展能力均呈上升趋势, 可持续发展等级由低向高转变。东部地区可持续发展能力高于中、西部地区。通过城乡可持续发展能力等级结构比较分析, 表明52个主要城市可持续发展能力远高于县域地区, 以点状和带状为特征的城市圈和城市群对可持续发展能力的促进作用明显。

关键词: 可持续发展能力, 动态变化, 快速评估, 指标体系