A comprehensive approach to ecological functional zoning in the Shenzhen region of China is presented in this study. Through the integration of advanced geospatial analysis tools, multiple data sources, and sophisticated statistical techniques, different ecological functions have been identified and categorized based on a comprehensive set of indicators and spatial analysis techniques. The three-level zoning framework established in this study offers policymakers, urban planners, and environmental managers a nuanced understanding of the region’s environmental characteristics, and highlights areas of ecological significance that warrant special attention and protection. It has been demonstrated that the data-driven approach to ecological functional zoning is effective in delineating distinct ecological zones within the study area. This study’s findings carry significant implications for future land use planning, conservation efforts, and sustainable development practices in the Shenzhen region. In essence, this study contributes to the broader discourse on ecological planning and environmental management by providing a systematic and data-driven approach to delineating ecological functional zones in urbanizing regions.

In Shenzhen, as a rapidly developing coastal city, balancing economic activities with ecological protection along the coastline posed significant challenges, particularly during urban expansion and infrastructure construction. This study analyzed coastline zoning, providing valuable lessons for other coastal cities and offering both theoretical and empirical support for more effective coastal management and sustainable development. The findings showed that the suitability zoning of coastlines revealed no clear spatial distribution trend, with most developed areas demonstrating high utilization efficiency, while unused coastlines had the potential for development. Targeted transformation and secondary development could improve resource efficiency while balancing economic and ecological needs. In conclusion, this research supported sustainable development in coastal cities and provided practical insights for others facing similar challenges in coastal management.

As rapid urbanization intensified pressure on coastal ecosystems, balancing economic development with ecological preservation remained a critical challenge. This study developed a multi-criteria framework for integrated marine spatial planning and applied it to Shenzhen, China—a rapidly expanding coastal metropolis overseeing 1145 km² of marine territory with a 260.5 km coastline, 61.47% of which has been anthropogenically modified. The methodology combined ecological, environmental, and socioeconomic indicators through a hierarchical evaluation system, using entropy-weighted indices and GIS-based spatial analysis to assess marine space suitability across three functional categories: ecological protection, urban development, and biological resource utilization. The results revealed that 38.53% of Shenzhen’s coastline retains natural geomorphology, while 23.7% annual growth in maritime infrastructure projects since 2015 highlights urgent development pressures. Marine spatial zoning identified priority areas for ecological conservation, urban–industrial expansion, and biological resource utilization through a 1 km × 1 km grid-based analysis, integrating water quality monitoring data. The framework demonstrated how adaptive zoning of underutilized coastal areas could enhance resource efficiency while balancing economic and environmental goals. These findings provide empirical evidence for optimizing marine resource allocation in coastal megacities, emphasizing the importance of data-driven planning anchored in quantitative metrics (e.g., shoreline development intensity and fisheries resource carrying indices) to achieve long-term sustainability.

Urbanization in coastal megacities leads to trade-offs between development and ecology, degrading carbon sinks and disrupting spatial-functional balance. Current models often fail to integrate land use, carbon dynamics, and ecological zoning. This study created a system that brings together Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS), Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST), and Production-Living-Ecological Space (PLES) to examine how urban growth affects carbon storage and ecological balance in Shenzhen, China. Using GlobeLand30 datasets (2000–2020), land use was simulated under ecological priority scenarios until 2030. Findings revealed that a 50.15% expansion of built-up areas caused a 7.9% decline in carbon stock, with coastal areas hit hardest. Production-Living-Ecological Space coordination improved slightly, but urban areas showed imbalances. A zoning scheme identified 40% built-up land as the threshold for carbon collapse, and the 2010 ecological control line policy reduced carbon loss by 41%. This study offers a replicable model for balancing urban development with ecological resilience.