Wilderness Beyond the Natural: Mapping Urban Novel Wilderness to Support Ecological Conservation and Recreational Provision in Rapidly Urbanizing Areas

With the acceleration of urbanization, the preservation and utilization of urban wilderness spaces have emerged as pivotal elements of sustainable urban development. This study focuses on Shenzhen, China, and develops and applies a comprehensive framework for identifying and managing urban novel wilderness areas. Using the Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method, it assesses the value of urban wilderness, while the MaxEnt model is utilized to evaluate the potential for urban outdoor recreation. Additionally, spatial autocorrelation analysis through Geoda is conducted to identify both existing and potential urban novel wilderness areas. Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) is also employed to investigate the key factors and spatial distribution characteristics that influence the formation of these novel wilderness areas. Results indicate that high-value wilderness areas in Shenzhen cover an area of 693.14 km 2 , primarily located in nature reserves and mountain ranges. Areas with significant outdoor recreational potential cover 149.26 km 2 , predominantly in urban parks and coastal regions. Urban novel wilderness areas span 417.66 km 2 , approximately 22% of the total area, and are closely associated with Distance to Water, Density of Wildlife Viewing Activities, Residential Density, and Urban Camping Site Accessibility. The study highlights the importance of integrating ecological and recreational values of novel wilderness into urban planning and environmental management. It proposes management strategies aimed at enhancing urban ecological resilience, improving the quality of life for residents, and promoting sustainable urban development.