Background The Shanxi-Shaanxi Gorge, located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River Basin, serves as a key ecological barrier for the Loess Plateau, confronting severe sediment accumulation and ecological vulnerability. It faces intensifying dual pressures: rapid urbanization driven by population growth and industrial activities, which has intensified exploitation of limited water resources, and deteriorating water sustainability marked by persistent scarcity and uneven distribution. This creates a cyclical challenge where urban development exacerbates water stress, while water shortages hinder sustainable urbanization. Addressing this dynamic coupling is crucial for sediment control, ecological restoration, and environmentally conscious development across the Yellow River Basin, aiming to balance ecological preservation with long-term social-economic resilience.

Methods This study quantifies the interaction between urbanization and water resources in the Shanxi-Shaanxi Gorge (2011 to 2020) using multi-dimensional indicator systems: four subsystems (economic, demographic, social, spatial) for urbanization and three dimensions (resource availability, utilization efficiency, ecological protection) for water resources. Derived from statistical yearbooks, raw data undergo range standardization to address dimensional discrepancies. The entropy weight method assigns objective weights, while a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model analyzes system synergy, integrating coupling intensity and comprehensive development into a 0-1 coordination score. Spatial mapping visualizes regional disparities across seven prefecture-level cities, categorizing coordination into ten tiers to identify targeted intervention zones.

Results The coupling coordination between urbanization and water resources in the Shanxi-Shaanxi Gorge advanced significantly from severe dissonance (0.183 in 2011) to first-rate coordinated (0.706 in 2020). The urbanization composite index exhibited a marked increase from 0.082 to 0.838, while the water resources composite index rose from 0.124 to 0.692, with water utilization efficiency contributing substantially. This temporal evolution comprised three phases: initial dissonance (2011 to 2014) due to unplanned urban expansion, policy-driven improvement (2015 to 2018) following the implementation of the Yellow River Basin Ecological Protection Plan, and synergistic harmonization (2019 to 2020) enabled by integrated governance frameworks. Spatially, Xinzhou (Shanxi) achieved the mid-level coordinated (0.781 in 2020), whereas Yulin, Yuncheng, and Yan'an remained in low coordination (0.490-0.550) owing to water scarcity and reliance on water-intensive energy industries. Linfen exhibited weak dissonance (0.480) due to severe groundwater overexploitation. Shanxi Province demonstrated a higher overall coordination score (0.648) than Shaanxi (0.582), attributed to Shanxi’s earlier adoption of strict water management policies and greater investment in water-saving infrastructure.

Conclusions The coupling relationship between urbanization and water resources in the Shanxi-Shaanxi Gorge improved from extreme dissonance to first-rate coordinated (2011 to 2020). Seven cities showed overall coordination with disparities: Yuncheng, Weinan, Lüliang, and Xinzhou improved significantly (Xinzhou reached mid-level coordinated), while Linfen declined to close to disorder. Urbanization composite index rose from 0.082 to 0.838; water resources index trended upward with drops in 2013 and 2015. Shanxi outperformed Shaanxi overall.