Comparative analysis of urban ecological management models incorporating low-carbon transformation

•The history of urban ecological management is divided into four stages.•Urban ecological management models from ten countries are analyzed comparatively.•A comprehensive management framework incorporating five perspectives is proposed. Global climate change, rapid urbanization, and drastic economic development pose many threats and challenges to humanity, increasing the necessity for sustainable human development, urban ecological management, and low-carbon transformation. The current studies on urban management model are relatively scattered, while most of them focus on one-dimensional and problem-oriented measures. Firstly, we review the history of urban ecological management's development, including four stages, i.e., the germination, transitional, formative, and prosperity stage, and summarize the concepts related to eco-cities. Then, we present a comparative analysis of the typical urban ecological management models worldwide, with a focus on Singapore's garden city, Japan's zero-waste city, Britain's low-carbon city, Brazil's green state capital, Australia's eco-city, Finland's eco-city development projects, and the United States' comprehensive management. Three other typical models from Sweden, Germany, and Denmark are presented. The experiences and lessons from these urban ecological management models are further discussed. Finally, a new and comprehensive management framework is proposed, incorporating the five perspectives of urban planning, industrial transformation, organizational model, environmental protection, and institution system. The framework can provide a scientific basis for the refinement of urban ecological mangement. All the analysis and conclusions will contribute to the academic research and practical operations regarding low-carbon transformation and regional sustainable development.