Intro
Preface
Contents
Part I Theoretical Framework
1 Connotations of Urban Metabolism
1.1 The Concept of an Urban Organism and Ecosystem
1.2 Multi-level Similarity of Urban Systems to Organisms
1.2.1 Similarity of the Structural Hierarchy
1.2.2 Similarity of the Functional Mechanisms
1.3 Evolution of the Concept of an Urban Metabolism
1.4 Urban Metabolic Processes
1.4.1 Metabolic Phases
1.4.2 External and Internal Flows
1.4.3 Anabolism, Catabolism, and Regulatory Metabolism
1.4.4 Metabolic Linkages
1.4.5 Metabolic Chains

1.4.6 Classification of the Metabolic Actors
1.4.7 Characteristics of the Metabolic Actors
1.5 Urban Metabolic Characteristics
1.5.1 Growth and Development
1.5.2 Openness and Dependency
1.5.3 Stability and Robustness
References
2 Progress in Urban Metabolism Research
2.1 The Significance of Urban Metabolism Research
2.1.1 Feasibility
2.1.2 Necessity
2.1.3 Urgency
2.2 CiteSpace Knowledge Mapping Analysis
2.2.1 The Number of Publications
2.2.2 Collaborative Network Analysis
2.2.3 Discipline Co-occurrence Analysis
2.3 Research Frontier Analysis

2.3.1 Timeline Analysis
2.3.2 Cluster Analysis
2.3.3 Burst Analysis
2.3.4 Cluster Analysis for Co-cited References
2.3.5 Analysis of High-Frequency Co-cited Literature
2.4 Development Stage of Urban Metabolism Research
2.4.1 Early Period (1965-1980)
2.4.2 Slow Growth Period (1981-2000)
2.4.3 Rising Period (2001-Present)
2.5 Historical Evolution of Urban Metabolism Research
2.5.1 Accounting Evaluation Methods
2.5.2 Model Simulation
2.5.3 Application Research
2.5.4 Scales and Boundaries
References

3 Theory, Paradigms, and Technical Methods for Urban Metabolism
3.1 Composite Ecosystem Theory
3.1.1 Natural Subsystem
3.1.2 Socioeconomic Subsystem
3.1.3 Structural Features
3.1.4 Balance Between Pressure and Support
3.2 Thermodynamics Theory
3.2.1 Vitality Metabolism
3.2.2 Entropy
3.3 System Ecology Theory
3.3.1 Integration of Holism and Reductionism
3.3.2 Urban Metabolism Research Based on Systems Ecology
3.4 Research Paradigms
3.4.1 The Relationship Among the Three Research Paradigms
3.4.2 Natural Metabolism
3.4.3 Socioeconomic Metabolism

3.4.4 Integrated (Hybrid) Natural and Socioeconomic Metabolism Paradigm
3.5 Technical Framework
References
Part II Methods
4 Accounting Evaluation of Urban Metabolism
4.1 Material Flow Analysis
4.1.1 Flow Accounting
4.1.2 Stock Accounting
4.2 Substance Flow Analysis
4.2.1 Carbon Accounting
4.2.2 Nitrogen Accounting
4.3 Emergy Analysis
4.4 Measuring the system's Evolution
4.4.1 Measurement Index System
4.4.2 Information Entropy Index
4.4.3 Harmonious Development Model
4.5 Measuring Interactions Between the Natural and Socioeconomic Systems