Abstract: Identifying the dynamics of the relationship between economic-social development and resources-environment during urbanization can enrich the research on the driving mechanism of ecological efficiency and regional differentiation, providing theoretical reference for regional sustainable development. In this study, we analyzed the changes of ecological efficiency during the urbanization process in the arid regions of Xinjiang from 2002 to 2019 and the influencing factors of ecological efficiency at different urbanization levels by using the super-efficiency SBM model, entropy method, and OLS regression model, aiming to provide policy suggestions for optimizing ecological efficiency. The ecological efficiency of Xinjiang was low, with a spatial pattern of “high in the middle and low in the east and west”. The ecological efficiency of low-medium-level urbanization region conformed to the U-shaped curve, while that of high-level urbanization region presented an inverted U shape. Ecological efficiency was significantly positively affected by industrial structure and economic development level. The ecological efficiency of low-level urbanization area was significantly affected by the energy structure, that of medium-level urbanization area was significantly affected by external connection, R&D investment, and development level, while that of high-level urbanization area was significantly affected by industrial structure, energy structure, and external connection. Promoting the upgrading of energy industry, enhancing scientific research strength, and formulating differentiated ecological strategies are the main ways to optimize ecological efficiency.

Key words: urbanization, ecological efficiency, super-efficiency SBM model, OLS regression.