This study explores the interactive mechanisms between urbanization synergy and blue economy upgrading in global maritime center city construction, taking China’s coastal cities (Qingdao, Shanghai) and Middle Eastern hubs (Dubai, Jeddah) as cases. Based on policy texts, statistical data (2022–2024) and in-depth interviews, it constructs an evaluation framework covering industrial integration, technological innovation, ecological governance and institutional support. Results show that China relies on "port-city-industry" linkage and technological agglomeration, while the Middle East emphasizes policy liberalization and tourism-energy integration. Both face challenges of ecological pressure and industrial mismatch. It proposes targeted paths: China should enhance technology conversion, while the Middle East needs to strengthen ecological regulation.

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This study explores the resilient synergy mechanism between urbanization and blue economy development under climate change, taking Northern European (Gothenburg, Oslo) and Southeast Asian (Nha Trang, Bali) coastal cities as cases. Based on the resilience assessment framework (exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity) and panel data (2019–2024), it applies the entropy-weight TOPSIS method to measure urban-blue economy resilience and uses a fixed-effects model to identify key influencing factors. Results show: Northern Europe has high resilience (average score 0.72) due to mature ecological regulation and technological innovation; Southeast Asia has low resilience (average score 0.38) due to weak infrastructure and frequent climate disasters. Adaptive capacity (e.g., climate-resilient port construction) and institutional coordination are the most critical drivers. Policy recommendations include strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure investment in Southeast Asia and promoting technology transfer between regions.

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This study conducts a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted interplay between urbanization and blue economy development, with a focus on global coastal regions and representative case studies across different economic and institutional contexts. By integrating quantitative analysis (panel data from 2018–2023 covering 15 coastal economies) and qualitative research (in-depth policy text analysis and stakeholder interviews), it examines how urbanization dimensions—including population concentration, infrastructure expansion, economic agglomeration, and digital transformation—shape the structure, efficiency, and sustainability of blue economy sectors (marine fisheries, offshore energy, marine tourism, and maritime logistics). The research identifies three distinct interaction patterns: “synergistic growth” (e.g., technology-driven coastal cities in East Asia), “conflict-dominated” (e.g., over-urbanized coastal zones in Southeast Asia), and “transition-oriented” (e.g., resource-rich regions in the Middle East). It further reveals that institutional coordination, ecological regulation, and technological innovation are critical mediating factors in balancing urbanization momentum and blue economy sustainability. Policy recommendations emphasize building region-specific governance frameworks, promoting green urban-coastal integration, and strengthening international knowledge sharing to unlock the synergistic potential of urbanization for blue economy development.​

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Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face unique challenges in balancing urbanization, blue economy development, and climate resilience—their small land area, high population density, and economic dependence on marine resources make them extremely vulnerable to climate shocks. This study takes Maldives (capital: Malé) and Seychelles (capital: Victoria) as cases, constructing a SIDS-specific resilience assessment framework (including spatial constraint, economic concentration, and external dependence dimensions) based on panel data (2019–2024) and policy text analysis. Results show: (1) Both countries have low overall resilience (average score 0.32), with Malé (0.29) and Victoria (0.35) facing distinct risks—Maldives struggles with land scarcity and overcrowding, while Seychelles grapples with tourism-fisheries competition; (2) "Compact urbanization" and "community-led blue economy" are effective local adaptation paths; (3) External aid and regional cooperation account for 40% of resilience investment, highlighting dependence on international support. Policy recommendations include promoting "blue-green compact cities," establishing SIDS-specific climate funds, and strengthening regional technology sharing to enhance resilient synergy.

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This study evaluates the policy effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in advancing the blue economy, using a multidimensional framework integrating ecological conservation, economic development, and social equity. Based on panel data from 50 MPAs across 15 countries (2018–2023), we employ mixed-methods research (quantitative regression and qualitative case studies) to identify key policy drivers and bottlenecks. Results show that MPAs with adaptive management mechanisms and stakeholder participation achieve 32% higher ecological restoration rates and 27% greater local fishery income growth than traditional MPAs. However, 45% of MPAs face funding shortages and weak law enforcement, limiting their blue economy contributions. This paper provides policy recommendations for optimizing MPA governance to balance conservation and development.

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