Rapid urbanization in China has profoundly transformed its urban systems, bringing about considerable ecological challenges and significant imbalances between urban growth and ecological health. The Pearl River Delta (PRD) urban agglomeration, as one of China’s most economically dynamic regions, exemplifies the complex interactions between rapid urbanization and environmental sustainability. This study examined these dynamics using statistical yearbook and geographic information data from 1999 to 2018. Through a multi-scale approach integrating panel entropy, coupled coordination analysis, and FLUS models, we evaluated the relationship between urbanization and ecology at both the agglomeration and city levels. The findings revealed that while the overall coordination between urbanization and ecology in the PRD has improved, it remains at a moderate level with pronounced core-periphery disparities. Core cities face increasing ecological pressures and inefficient land use patterns. Simulation results, under three distinct policy scenarios—“unconstrained”, “growth machine”, and “compact and intensive usage/urban renewal”—and validated through field research, indicate that urban renewal presents a viable strategy for optimizing land use and mitigating ecological pressures. The study provides both a comprehensive diagnostic framework for assessing urban health and sustainability and practical intervention pathways, particularly for regions experiencing similar rapid urbanization challenges. The insights gained are especially relevant to other developing countries, offering strategies to enhance urban resilience and ecological sustainability while addressing persistent regional inequalities.

Amid rapid urban regeneration over the past decade, industrial heritage conservation in China has garnered increasing attention, focusing more on the reuse of listed buildings than on conflicts in the inscription process. This article examines the conflicts and dilemmas between urban redevelopment and industrial heritage conservation during the inscription process in China, through five case studies in Guangzhou. It aims to provide both an understanding of conflicts and institutional challenges posed by land banking, and insights into stakeholder dynamics, the role of media and NGOs, and the implementation of cultural heritage assessments. Grounded in the Institutional Analysis and Development framework, the empirical studies reveal that institutional conflicts, particularly resistance from land development centers and former factory owners, often stem from financial motivations. This resistance can lead to the premature demolition of potential heritage sites but also drive institutional innovations. Guangzhou’s introduction of the Wenping assessment system integrates industrial heritage identification with land banking and urban regeneration planning, aiming to protect heritage from hasty demolitions. Media coverage and NGO advocacy have been instrumental in heritage-making and prompting policy responses. The adaptive reuse of industrial heritage sites into creative industrial parks faces challenges from their temporary nature and land banking pressures, underscoring the need for policies ensuring stable and enduring reuse. Ambiguous responsibilities and fragmented management systems further impede effective heritage conservation.