Public awareness of ecological civilization construction in an arid land oasis city: evidence from Urumqi, a city along the “Belt and Road”

Ecological civilization is a new stage in the development of human civilization, which emphasizes the harmonious development of man and nature. Based on citizen science theory, this study used model simulation methods, field surveys, and multiple regression methods to analyze residents′ self-perception, satisfaction, and willingness to participate in the construction of urban ecological civilization. We explored the feasible path of residents′ participation in urban ecological civilization using structural equation modeling(SEM). In addition, multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between residents′ willingness to participate in urban ecological civilization construction and impact factors. The study revealed that the main factors restricting residents′ participation in urban ecological civilization construction.(1) Residents′ self-perception had a significant positive impact on their willingness to participate in urban ecological civilization construction, while satisfaction had a significant negative impact on willingness to participate.(2) 45.36% of respondents expressed willingness to participate in the construction of urban ecological civilization.(3) Subject consciousness and support for residents′ self-awareness accounted for 72.92% and 72.04%, respectively, of the variance in willingness to participate and ecological cognition, ecological concern, and participation confidence accounted for 43.08%, 64.33%, and 55.14% respectively.(4) The average bias effect of respondents′ satisfaction with urban ecological civilization construction was 2.32. The average satisfaction rate was satisfaction with urban green status(2.51) > satisfaction with environmental information transparency(2.41) > satisfaction with urban air condition(2.35) > satisfaction with urban garbage treatment(1.99). The study provides a reference for the establishment and implementation of urban ecological civilization.