Abstract: In this paper, the Local Ecological Footprint Model was used to calculate the actual ecological footprint, ecological capacity and ecological surplus or deficit in Urumqi during the period from 2000 to 2010. Three important parameters were adjusted based on the average productivity of land in Xinjiang. The results show that the per capita ecological footprint was increased from 5.63 hm² in 1998 to 24.0 hm² in 2010, the ecological capacity was decreased from 0.84 hm² to 0.57 hm², and the ecological deficit was increased from 4.54 hm² to 23.04 hm² The contribution of grasslands to the ecological capacity in Urumqi was the highest, an ecological surplus of grasslands was maintained since 2000, and an ecological deficit of other land types occurred. Ecological deficit of construction land was increased quickly during the period from 2000 to 2010, and the contribution of construction land was up to 93.04% in 2010 because of the population growth and the increase of energy consumption. The land ecosystem development in Urumqi was unsustainable, so some effective measures should be taken so as to reduce the pressure of population growth, improve the average productivity of land, change the mode of economic growth, and develop the recycling economy in Urumqi.

Key words: ecological footprint, ecological deficit, average productivity of land, equivalence factor, Urumqi