[Objective] The study aimed to grasp the coupling coordination relationship between urbanization and ecological environment in the Yangtze River economic belt from 2005 to 2014, and to provide theoretical basis for the overall planning of the healthy development of the whole region.[Methods] Taking the Yangtze River economic belt in nine provinces as the study area, we developed an evaluation system for urbanization and ecological environment coordinated development. Using variation coefficient and coupling measurement model, the paper analyzed the Yangtze River economic belt coupling coordination relationship of urbanization and ecological environment from spatial and temporal aspects.[Results] ① In the aspect of temporal characteristics, the coordinated degree was continuing to rise from 2005 to 2014, and the index of urbanization was faster than the index of ecological environment. ② In the aspect of spatial characteristics, the coordinated degree showed regional differences. And from the perspective of province, the coordinated development level of urbanization and ecological environment has obvious spatial variation, showing the "northeast-southwest" spatial characteristics corresponding to high-low distribuion.[Conclusion] The coordinated development level of urbanization and ecological environment in the Yangtze River economic belt showed a high Northwest-low Southwest spatial pattern, and existed an obvious spatial difference. In the future, we should pay attention to the coordinated development of the whole region.