Scenario Simulation of Urban Spatial Expansion Based on Landscape Ecological Security Theory: A Case Study of <span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK17;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk199753148;">Coastal Areas in Jiangsu Province<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk199753148;">

Landscape ecological security refers to the overall integrity and health of an ecosystem, as well as the condition and capacity of the ecological environment and the ecosystem services that effectively support economic development. It is essential to identify the factors influencing ecological security, generate landscape ecological security maps, and simulate various scenarios of urban expansion, which can provide valuable insights for urban and regional spatial planning. This article focuses on the coastal areas of Jiangsu Province as a case study, introduces the theory of landscape ecological security, and selects ecological factors such as geological hazards, flood and drinking water availability, biodiversity protection, and recreational safety. It also employs the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model to simulate different scenarios of urban spatial expansion. The results indicate that the "coordinated development" scenario is an effective development strategy that can better balance ecological, social, and economic benefits. We suggest that the government optimize the regional spatial structure, scientifically plan economic and ecological spaces, strengthen control over urban expansion, and further improve land use efficiency.