Dynamics of Urban Land per Capita in China from 2000 to 2016

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript titled "Dynamics of urban land per capita in China from 2000 to 2016" is interesting and useful, and the questions it raises are equally timely. In addition, the writers made a substantial methodological contribution to this area of study. The authors established a method to quantify and characterize the urban-rural gradient of urban land per capita and evaluated the changes in urban land per capita in 2000, 2010, and 2016 in China's cities. I suggest that the authors, within the discussion, compare the results obtained for selected cities in China with the results at the global level. Also, I think the authors should be more clear in the discussion about what their study means for both theory and practice, as well as how it affects sustainable urban development. This will help readers better understand the context. 

Author Response

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Reviewer 2 Report

1. What is the main question addressed by the research?

2. Do you consider the topic original or relevant in the field? Does it address a specific gap in the field?

3. What does it add to the subject area compared with other published material?

4. What specific improvements should the authors consider regarding the methodology? What further controls should be considered?

5. Are the conclusions consistent with the evidence and arguments presented and do they address the main question posed?

6. Are the references appropriate?

Author Response

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Reviewer 3 Report

One of the fundamental problems facing today's society, against the background of the increase in the number of inhabitants and the impact induced by it on the environment, is the lack of space. Space is an intensive concept addressed in specialized literature, from various points of view. One of them targets him in the position of finite support of life on "Earth". In this context, the current study "Dynamics of urban land per capita in China from 2000 to 2016" represents a cornerstone of environmental scientific knowledge. The obtained results are relevant, foreshadowing a trend of land use evolution in the studied area. They also have a strategic value in the planning and development of the territory.

However, to improve the present study I recommend:

- establishing the research hypotheses from which the study started and the research questions expected to be answered through this approach;

- reformulation of the research objective, to be clearer;

- inserting the necessary information in the chapter "2. Materials and Methods" regarding the software used;

- the conclusions must be expanded, in correlation with the objective of the study and the hypotheses of the research.

Considering the topicality of the research, the methodology used, the logical sequence and the results obtained support the publication of the article entitled Dynamics of urban land per capita in China from 2000 to 2016" with small changes, in the form imposed by the requirements of the Journal.

I congratulate the research team on this occasion for their concerns and achievements.

Good luck!

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx