Spatial-Temporal Evolution and Driving Mechanism of Urban Land Use Efficiency Based on T-DEA Model: A Case Study of Anhui Province, China

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Thank you for the possibility to review the article. It is very interesting and also very well developed in the mathematical models of measurement. 

However, it can be improved especially at the beginning and at the end. From the abstract, it should indicate what is the purpose of the article, beyond the procedural, pointing out how it provides the detail of territorial planning, and how to establish a public policy analysis from the results of this analysis.

In the conclusions, it is necessary to take up the contribution beyond the direct results.

In terms of form, it is necessary to improve the resolution of the images, as they are not readable in the file being evaluated. 

Author Response

请参考附件。

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This paper evaluates the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of urban land use efficiency in Anhui Province, China. And then, the driving mechanism is revealed through geo-detector model. The result is beneficial for the study of intensive and efficient transformation of cities. The content of this paper is coherent. However, there are some problems that need to be revised:

1. The first paragraph of the introduction is too tedious in the background and does not clearly explain the significance of improving urban land use efficiency. The content of the relevant policy documents should be appropriately condensed, and the significance of this paper should be emphasized.

2. In the introduction section, almost all the existing scholars referenced in this paper are Chinese, so why not read the achievements of scholars from other countries? The summary of the previous studies is not comprehensive enough and should be reorganized.

3. L166-L173, the description of the development of DEA model seems to be too much, which can be appropriately simplified and should focus on the principles of DEA model and the process to measure land-use efficiency.

4. The discussion is almost entirely the results analysis, which should be adjusted to the corresponding results section, and then the discussion needs to be rewritten.

5. There is too much content in the conclusion, and it is recommended to keep only the most important conclusions and delete unnecessary content.

Most of language expression  is inappropriately and poorly readable. Moreover, there are even lots of grammatical errors in this paper. The language must be revised thoroughly as it is currently not at the level for publication and not suitable for readers.

Author Response

Please find the attachment, thanks.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The paper explores an important issue, concerning the urban land use efficiency. The research is interesting, and the paper deserves to be published.

Some comments, if the authors agree:

- In line 55, I believe is better to indicate China, instead of saying “Domestically”.

- In lines 82-84 the verb is missing.

- In lines 143-144, maybe it is better to say, “equivalent to an 11% increase”.

- Quality of Figure 1 is not very good.

- Why urban traffic conditions and openness are regarded as environmental indicators?

-In lines 469-470, you use the verb “show” twice.

- In line 492, “The main reason for the research and analysis…” you mean that because of the ULUE gap the Anhui provincial government put forward, in 2019, the development strategy?

- In lines 612-613 maybe is better to say “a rising trend” instead of moving to the right (based on what you say in lines 352-353). The same applies to the Abstract.

Minor editing of English

Author Response

请参考附件。

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript has been revised according to the comments and has reached the level of publication.