Urbanization, driven by socio-economic development, has significantly impacted river ecosystems, particularly in plain city regions, leading to disruptions in river network structure and function. These changes have exacerbated hydrological fluctuations and ecological degradation. This study focuses on the central urban area of Changzhou, using a MIKE11 model to assess the effects of four hydrological connectivity strategies—water diversion scheduling, river connectivity, river dredging, and sluice connectivity—across 13 different scenarios. Results show that water diversion, river dredging, and sluice connectivity scenarios provide the greatest improvements in water environmental capacity, with maximum increases of 54.76%, 41.97%, and 25.62%, respectively. The spatial distribution of improvements reveals significant regional variation, with some areas, particularly in Tianning and Zhonglou districts, experiencing declines in environmental capacity under sluice diversion and river connectivity scenarios. In addition, the Lao Zaogang river is identified as crucial for improving the overall water quality in the network. Based on a multi-objective evaluation combining environmental and economic factors, the study recommends optimizing water diversion scheduling at sluices (Weicun, Zaogang, and Xiaohe) with flow rates between 20-40 m³/s, enhancing connectivity at key river hubs, and focusing management efforts on the Lao Zaogang and Xinmeng rivers to strengthen hydrological and water quality linkages within the network.