Urban and Rural Development Planning for Resilient Human Environments

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land Environmental and Policy Impact Assessment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 March 2024) | Viewed by 12594

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, Ul. Radmile Matejčić 3, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Interests: spatial planning; cultural heritage; accessibility; evaluation; architecture; urban planning; universal design
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Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Enna Kore, Cittadella Universitaria, 94100 Enna, Italy
Interests: appraisal; evaluation systems; costs; BIM; architecture; sustainable construction; teaching; cultural heritage; green building; sustainable architecture; energy efficiency in building; built environment; building materials
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Guest Editor
Department of Planning, Design, Technology of Architecture, Sapienza University of Rome, 70 00186 Rome, Italy
Interests: urban planning; resilience; accessibility

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Resilient human environments reflect the need for both everyday quality of life as well as efficacy and accessibility in moments and periods of drastic change due to uncertainty. On a daily basis, environments allow the adaptation to social and natural changes, helping to increase the access to services as well as the velocity and effectiveness of adaptation to change and general living standards. Attention to universal design, green principles, recreation and accessibility services, social spaces, lifelong learning and socialization opportunities, housing adequate for different needs and environments, etc. can directly impact inclusiveness, energy efficiency, mobility, and standard of living prospects that can be more accessible to all (especially to vulnerable groups) and adapted to climate changes and energy crisis.

The environment also faces increasing natural and anthropogenic threats—climate change, extreme weather, flooding, landslides, desertification, earthquakes, wars, emergency migrations, etc.—as well as increasingly densely inhabited spaces. New technologies offer opportunities for prediction and monitoring, and new awareness and attitude towards uncertainties offer new opportunities for their management and spatial planning.

To make human environments more resilient, new tools for spatial management, spatial and sectorial planning, and design are needed to increase the general quality of life; develop improvement and adaptation strategies for changing environments; and to improve preparedness for uncertainty, response, and recovery.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an overview of new approaches to changing environments—conceptualization, tools, technologies, and methodologies—to answer the need of improving the quality of human environments as well as their potential to adapt to environmental changes (slow or fast). This is related to the aims of the journal:

  • Landscapes, landscape design and landscape planning;
  • Land–climate interactions, including climate–biosphere–biodiversity interactions;
  • Urban contexts, urban–rural interactions and urban planning and development;
  • Assessment and evaluation frameworks, indicators, indices, methods, tools and approaches (ecosystem services, multifunctionality and sustainability);
  • Emerging technologies of data processing (deep learning/machine-based learning).

Suggested themes:

  • Social, ecological and cultural aspects in the resilience of urban or rural environments;
  • Climate adaptation in spatial planning, design, and construction;
  • Uncertainty adaptation and management in spatial planning, building, and construction design for resilient human environments;
  • Accessibility and health for resilient human urban and rural environments;
  • Sustainability goals for resilient human environments;
  • Landscape and buildings for resilient human environments;
  • New technologies, strategies, and tools for resilient human environments.

For this Special Issue, we welcome the submission of both original research and review papers.

Prof. Dr. Iva Mrak
Prof. Dr. Giovanna Acampa
Dr. Maurizio Errigo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • quality of life in human environments
  • resilient human environments
  • climate adaptation
  • spatial, urban and rural planning and evaluations
  • building and construction design
  • uncertainty adaptation, preparedness, response, recovery
  • vulnerable groups and resilient human environments
  • sustainability goals
  • landscapes
  • tools for resilient human environments

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

35 pages, 47027 KiB  
Article
Land Management Drifted: Land Use Scenario Modeling of Trancura River Basin, Araucanía, Chile
by Alejandro Díaz-Jara, Daniela Manuschevich, Aarón Grau and Mauricio Zambrano-Bigiarini
Land 2024, 13(2), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020157 - 30 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1150
Abstract
Modeling land use scenarios is critical to understand the socio-environmental impacts of current decisions and to explore future configurations for management. The management of regulations and permits by central and local governments plays an important role in shaping land use, with different complexities [...] Read more.
Modeling land use scenarios is critical to understand the socio-environmental impacts of current decisions and to explore future configurations for management. The management of regulations and permits by central and local governments plays an important role in shaping land use, with different complexities arising from site-specific socioeconomic dynamics. In Chile, the complexity is even more evident due to insufficient binding land regulations, fragmented government procedures, and the primacy of cities over rural areas. Yet land use must be managed to support sustainable development. This research integrates several state management dynamics into scenario modeling to support decision making at the basin scale through 2050. We employed a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach using interviews with state officials and local stakeholders as the basis for the Conversion of Land Use and its Effects (CLUE) model, which resulted in three scenarios with spatially explicit maps. Key findings indicate that opportunities for developing normative planning tools are limited, leaving state management without clear direction. However, current management practices can address problematic activities such as second-home projects and industrial monocultures while promoting small-scale agriculture. Scenario modeling is useful for understanding how the specifics that arise from the scalar dynamics of state management affect land use change and how existing management resources can be leveraged to achieve positive outcomes for both the ecosystem and society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban and Rural Development Planning for Resilient Human Environments)
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18 pages, 760 KiB  
Article
Research on the Governance of Rural Living Environments in China: A Perspective of “System-Life” Based on Field Research Conducted in Village A, Xiangtan County, Hunan Province
by Yunjuan Liang, Qiyu Shi and Anthony Fuller
Land 2023, 12(12), 2182; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12122182 - 18 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1455
Abstract
This research focuses on the governance of rural living environments in China from the perspective of “System-Life”. The objective of improving rural living environments is to construct a beautiful countryside, which is an important part of China’s rural revitalization strategy. Through a literature [...] Read more.
This research focuses on the governance of rural living environments in China from the perspective of “System-Life”. The objective of improving rural living environments is to construct a beautiful countryside, which is an important part of China’s rural revitalization strategy. Through a literature review, a field study, and quantitative analysis, this paper explores the tensions and interactions between local governments and social demand by investigating four elements of the village improvement program: the village’s appearance, sewage treatment, domestic garbage disposal, and the sanitation of toilets. We also examine the interactions between the main participants involved in the governance of rural living environments, including the primary-level governments, village committees, and the villagers themselves. It was found that there is a path toward constructing a benign interaction between “system” and “life”. In terms of “system”, the primary-level governments play a decisive role in the implementation of policies, offering a creative interpretation and flexible implementation of a policy. From the perspective of “life”, the village committee is the bridge between the primary-level governments and villagers. The villagers have their own understanding of policy and the logic of life. This probe leads us to suggest that primary-level governments need to respect the perceptions and priorities of villagers in order to improve the performance of this well-intentioned program. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban and Rural Development Planning for Resilient Human Environments)
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23 pages, 34521 KiB  
Article
Exploring Rural Resilient Factors Based on Spatial Resilience Theory: A Case Study of Southern Jiangsu
by Yiwei Yang and Yanhui Wang
Land 2023, 12(9), 1677; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091677 - 27 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1812
Abstract
In the process of rapid urbanization in China, rural areas are facing increasingly complex changes and challenges. Resilience theory provides a multidimensional perspective of the sustainable development of rural regions. As a subset of the broader resilience framework, spatial resilience focuses on inter-component [...] Read more.
In the process of rapid urbanization in China, rural areas are facing increasingly complex changes and challenges. Resilience theory provides a multidimensional perspective of the sustainable development of rural regions. As a subset of the broader resilience framework, spatial resilience focuses on inter-component relationships and systematic characteristics at the spatial level. It projects the potential of resilience theory into the spatial domain of human habitats. This paper endeavors to integrate spatial resilience theory into the field of rural built environments. At the village level, relevant factors were extracted, and an exploratory analysis focusing on rural spatial resilience was conducted. Twenty-one villages in southern Jiangsu at various resilience levels were selected as empirical cases. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was employed to identify four configurations with sufficient conditions for rural spatial resilience. Furthermore, through an analysis of typical villages, the effective mechanisms of the relevant resilience factors were also elucidated. Our findings reveal several key points: (1) rural spatial resilience relies on an optimal combination of multiple factors rather than a single factor; (2) there are multiple potential pathways through which to enhance rural resilience; (3) and the configuration analysis of the rural factors of spatial resilience helps to narrow the distance between spatial resilience theory and spatial practice. This study validates and refines the application of spatial resilience theory in the context of the rural built environment. Corresponding suggestions are proposed for building a resilient countryside, aiming to provide support and reference for future development strategies in rural areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban and Rural Development Planning for Resilient Human Environments)
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21 pages, 2887 KiB  
Article
Building a Community’s Adaptive Capacity for Post-Mining Plans Based on Important Performance Analysis: Case Study from Indonesia
by Agung Dwi Sutrisno, Yun-Ju Chen, I Wayan Koko Suryawan and Chun-Hung Lee
Land 2023, 12(7), 1285; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071285 - 25 Jun 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2047
Abstract
Preparing communities around mines to face the impacts of mine closures is crucial in order to reduce disruptions to their livelihoods. Building the adaptive capacity of these communities will alleviate the burden on governments or mining companies in the future. Unfortunately, adaptive capacity [...] Read more.
Preparing communities around mines to face the impacts of mine closures is crucial in order to reduce disruptions to their livelihoods. Building the adaptive capacity of these communities will alleviate the burden on governments or mining companies in the future. Unfortunately, adaptive capacity has not yet been integrated into post-mining planning policies. This research aims to develop an adaptive capacity framework for post-mining planning in local communities, focusing on a case study conducted in Indonesia. We developed this framework using the Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) method. The findings indicate that the adaptive capacity framework provides a comprehensive approach to building the capacity to adapt and thrive in post-mining situations. This highlights the importance of continuing to disseminate post-mining plan information, prioritizing access to capital and former mine sites, fostering collaboration, and creating job opportunities. Simultaneously, efforts to increase skills should be reduced, and reallocation of efforts towards community institution building, establishing information centers, and improving community bonds should be prioritized in more important fields and programs. By adopting this framework, communities around mines in Indonesia are expected to enhance their resilience and ability to effectively respond to changing circumstances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban and Rural Development Planning for Resilient Human Environments)
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18 pages, 1862 KiB  
Article
Rural Resilience Evaluation and Influencing Factor Analysis Based on Geographical Detector Method and Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression
by Huimin Wang, Yihuan Xu and Xiaojian Wei
Land 2023, 12(7), 1270; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071270 - 21 Jun 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2149
Abstract
Resilience evaluation is an important foundation for sustainable rural development. Taking the 57 counties in Guangdong province as examples, this study used the CRITIC method to construct a comprehensive evaluation index system for rural resilience and identified the main influencing factors and their [...] Read more.
Resilience evaluation is an important foundation for sustainable rural development. Taking the 57 counties in Guangdong province as examples, this study used the CRITIC method to construct a comprehensive evaluation index system for rural resilience and identified the main influencing factors and their spatial heterogeneity on the basis of the geographical detector method and multiscale geographically weighted regression. The results showed that: (1) Most of the counties in Guangdong province had medium or higher values of comprehensive resilience, and the high-value areas were mainly located in the Pearl River Delta region. (2) The comprehensive resilience and each dimensional resilience measure exhibited significant positive spatial correlations. (3) The geographic detector results showed that the per capita gross regional product and the number of industries above the scale were the main influencing factors for rural resilience, and each influencing factor had an enhanced effect after interaction. (4) The effect of each factor on rural resilience demonstrated spatial heterogeneity. Specifically, the proportion of secondary and tertiary industries showed negative effects in some counties in eastern and northern Guangdong and positive effects in other counties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban and Rural Development Planning for Resilient Human Environments)
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23 pages, 4564 KiB  
Article
Conservation and Development: Reassessing the Florida 2070 Planning Project with Spatial Conservation Prioritization
by Fengze Lin, Mingjian Zhu and Fengming Chen
Land 2022, 11(12), 2182; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122182 - 1 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2622
Abstract
The state of Florida is renowned for its globally recognized biodiversity richness, but it currently suffers from an ongoing population boom and corresponding urban sprawl resulting in the emergence of severe conservation conflicts, especially in southern parts of Florida. To mitigate the intense [...] Read more.
The state of Florida is renowned for its globally recognized biodiversity richness, but it currently suffers from an ongoing population boom and corresponding urban sprawl resulting in the emergence of severe conservation conflicts, especially in southern parts of Florida. To mitigate the intense competing land use situation and comprehend the dynamic complex relationship between conservation and development, this study argues that both ecological and social dimensions should be taken into account for spatial analysis and underpin zoning decisions empirically in the phase of landscape planning. Choosing South Florida as the study site, we implemented focal-species-based spatial conservation prioritization analysis using Zonation software to identify the highest priority areas and accordingly evaluate two varying land use scenarios provided by the Florida 2070 Project. From a novel perspective of impact avoidance, the inverse prioritization method was applied in this study, intended to minimize negative human impacts and examine the effectiveness and suitability of Florida’s future land use projections. After comparing and integrating social-ecological data through mapping, the study uncovered a holistic view of conservation conflicts in Florida and articulated trade-offs for all parties of the local ecosystem striving to reconcile human–wildlife conflicts in Florida and imply a sustainable win-win strategy in the stage of regional landscape planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban and Rural Development Planning for Resilient Human Environments)
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