Abstract: Based on the land change survey data from 2005-2015 of 11 provinces of the Yangtze River economic belt zone, this study comprehensively assesses the land development intensity of this district from two aspects of land development equilibrium degree and land development limit. It shows that: (1) The equilibrium degree of land development in the Yangtze River economic belt presents polarization; Land development in eastern and Western Regions is lopsided; Land development in Central China is relatively balanced. (2) The land development limitation of the Yangtze River Economic Zone is 5.58%, and all provinces exceed or close to the limit value, so intensive land development model should be established in these areas in the future. (3) There are significant differences of land development intensity in different regions of the zone, presenting a spatial pattern which is high in lower reaches and low in upper reaches, and high concentration in the east. Therefore, the land planning should be revised according to the land development limitation of each province; strengthen the land supply capacity to exploit new development potential in these areas whose construction land is inadequate; establish cross-region land development system, and exploit and utilize land more rational through improving policies and regulations.