Land | September 2025 - Browse Articles

32 pages, 8358 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Zoning of Carbon Dioxide Emissions at the Intra-City Level Based on Ring-Layer and Direction Model: A Case Study of Shenzhen, China

by Lin Ye, Yuan Yuan, Yu Chen and Hongbo Li

Land 2025, 14(9), 1714; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091714 (registering DOI) - 24 Aug 2025

Abstract

As the urbanization and industrialization processes in developing countries continue to advance, environmental issues caused by carbon dioxide emissions (CDEs) have become a significant research topic in the field of sustainable development. However, existing research has primarily focused on macro and meso scales [...] Read more.

As the urbanization and industrialization processes in developing countries continue to advance, environmental issues caused by carbon dioxide emissions (CDEs) have become a significant research topic in the field of sustainable development. However, existing research has primarily focused on macro and meso scales such as global, national, and urban levels, and due to limitations in data precision, in-depth exploration of spatial heterogeneity within cities remains insufficient. To address this, this study utilizes China high-resolution emission gridded data (CHRED) to establish a theoretical analytical framework for spatial zoning of urban carbon emissions. The main innovations of this study are as follows: first, a stepwise analysis method matching carbon emissions with spatial patterns was designed based on CHRED data; second, by establishing a “ring-layer and direction” model, the study systematically revealed the spatial differentiation characteristics of carbon emissions within cities. Empirical research using Shenzhen as a case study shows that the city’s CDE intensity (CDEI) is generally at a medium-to-low level, but exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity, with Nanshan District and Kuiyong District forming two major high-emission core areas. Further analysis reveals that during the processes of urbanization and industrialization, population density, nighttime light intensity index, and the proportion of construction land are the key drivers influencing the spatial pattern of carbon emissions. This study provides scientific basis and decision-making references for optimizing urban spatial layout to achieve the “dual carbon” goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regional Sustainable Development of Yangtze River Delta, China (3rd Edition))

20 pages, 8221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Local Land Use Simulation in Migrant-Receiving Xiamen Under National Population Decline: Integrating Cohort-Component and PLUS Models

by Cui Li, Zhibang Xu, Cuiping Wang, Lei Nie and Haowei Wang

Land 2025, 14(9), 1713; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091713 (registering DOI) - 24 Aug 2025

Abstract

China has entered an era of population decline, yet urbanization continues as rural-to-urban migration persists. This demographic transition has prompted a strategic shift in urban development from extensive spatial expansion toward quality-oriented, intensive growth models. However, evolving human–land supply–demand dynamics in cities historically [...] Read more.

China has entered an era of population decline, yet urbanization continues as rural-to-urban migration persists. This demographic transition has prompted a strategic shift in urban development from extensive spatial expansion toward quality-oriented, intensive growth models. However, evolving human–land supply–demand dynamics in cities historically characterized by population inflows remain insufficiently understood. This study focuses on Xiamen, a prototypical coastal migrant-receiving city, to investigate land use simulation under demographic transition. By integrating the cohort-component method with the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model, we project Xiamen’s population under three scenarios by 2030: Stable Continuation (SCS), Natural Development (NDS), and National 2030 Population Planning (NPP), with projected increases of 5.56%, 6.76%, and 24.69%, respectively. Results show continued but decelerating population growth, with adequate labor supply and persistent demographic dividend. Notably, the NPP scenario reveals a negative correlation between population growth and construction land expansion. In NPP-High, prioritizing compact development and ecological conservation, population grows by 1.27 million while construction land decreases by 2.85% and forest land increases by 4.09%. This framework provides empirical evidence for compact urban development under the dual constraints of land-use efficiency and ecological protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Progress in Spatial Modeling in Urban Land Dynamics and Planning)

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27 pages, 7340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Campus Landscapes Influence Mental Well-Being Through Place Attachment and Perceived Social Acceptance: Insights from SEM and Explainable Machine Learning

by Yating Chang, Yi Yang, Xiaoxi Cai, Luqi Zhou, Jiang Li and Shaobo Liu

Land 2025, 14(9), 1712; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091712 (registering DOI) - 24 Aug 2025

Abstract

Against the backdrop of growing concerns over university students’ mental health worldwide, campus environments play a crucial role not only in shaping spatial experiences but also in influencing psychological well-being. However, the psychosocial mechanisms through which campus landscapes affect well-being remain insufficiently theorized. [...] Read more.

Against the backdrop of growing concerns over university students’ mental health worldwide, campus environments play a crucial role not only in shaping spatial experiences but also in influencing psychological well-being. However, the psychosocial mechanisms through which campus landscapes affect well-being remain insufficiently theorized. Drawing on survey data from 500 students across two Chinese universities, this study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) and interpretable machine learning techniques (XGBoost-SHAP) to systematically examine the interrelations among landscape perception, place attachment, perceived social acceptance, school belonging, and psychological well-being. The results reveal the following: (1) campus landscapes serve as the primary catalyst for fostering emotional identification (place attachment) and social connectedness (perceived social acceptance and school belonging), thereby indirectly influencing psychological well-being through these psychosocial pathways; (2) landscape perception emerges as the strongest predictor of well-being, followed by school belonging. Although behavioral variables such as the green space maintenance quality, visit frequency, and duration of stay contribute consistently, their predictive power remains comparatively limited; (3) significant nonlinear associations are observed between core variables and well-being. While the positive effects of landscape perception, place attachment, and school belonging exhibit diminishing returns beyond certain thresholds, high levels of perceived social acceptance continue to generate sustained improvements in well-being. This study advances environmental psychology by highlighting the central role of campus landscapes in promoting mental health and provides actionable strategies for campus planning. It advocates for the design of balanced, diverse, and socially engaging landscape environments to maximize psychological benefits. Full article

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19 pages, 38005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Sea Level Rise and Urbanization on Ecological Source of the Greater Bay Area

by Shaoping Guan, Yujie Jin, Mingjian Zhu and Xiaoying Yu

Land 2025, 14(9), 1711; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091711 (registering DOI) - 24 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study focuses on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and employs a multi-model coupling method of InVEST-Bathtub-GeoSOS-FLUS to predict and analyze the impacts of sea level rise and rapid urbanization on ecological source areas by the year 2100. The InVEST model is [...] Read more.

This study focuses on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and employs a multi-model coupling method of InVEST-Bathtub-GeoSOS-FLUS to predict and analyze the impacts of sea level rise and rapid urbanization on ecological source areas by the year 2100. The InVEST model is used to delineate areas with higher habitat quality scores as ecological source areas. The Bathtub inundation model predicts the impact ranges under three different sea level rise scenarios by 2100. The FLUS model simulates the land-use pattern of the Greater Bay Area in 2100. Finally, the raster calculator is used to conduct overlay analysis and accurately calculate the impact on ecological source areas under the combined effects of sea level rise and urban expansion. The results show that by 2100, the proportion of cultivated land in the Greater Bay Area is expected to decrease from 24.95% to 10.55%, while the proportion of urban land will increase from 7.69% to 26.84%. Under the dual impacts of the three sea level rise scenarios and urbanization, the affected areas of ecological source areas will reach 109.88 km², 125.05 km², and 255.10 km², respectively. This study provides an important basis and decision-making support for the sustainable planning and scientific management of ecological source areas in the Greater Bay Area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land Systems and Global Change)

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22 pages, 779 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Analysis of Alignments of District Housing Targets in England

by David Gray

Land 2025, 14(9), 1710; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091710 (registering DOI) - 23 Aug 2025

Abstract

Context: It has been claimed that recently, in England, the places with the greatest amount of housing built were the places that least needed them. This is an accusation that has echoes in a number of countries around the globe. The lack of [...] Read more.

Context: It has been claimed that recently, in England, the places with the greatest amount of housing built were the places that least needed them. This is an accusation that has echoes in a number of countries around the globe. The lack of construction leads to greater unaffordability and a lower level of economic activity than could have been achieved if labour, particularly those with high human capital, was not so constrained as to where they could afford to live. The recent National Planning Policy Framework for England imposes mandatory targets on housing planning authorities. As such, the following question is raised: will the targets result in additional residential homes being located in places of greater need than the prevailing pattern? Research Questions: The paper sets out to consider the spatial mismatch between housing additions and national benefit in terms of unaffordability and productivity. Specifically, do the concentrations of high and/or low rates of the prevailing rates of additional dwellings and the target rates of adding dwellings correspond with the clusters of high and/or low unaffordability and productivity? A further question considered is: does the spatial distribution of additional dwellings match the clusters of population growth? Method: The values of the variables are transformed at the first stage into Anselin’s LISA categories. LISA maps can reveal unusually high spatial concentrations of values, or clusters. The second stage entails comparing sets of the transformed data for agreement of the classifications. An agreement coefficient is provided by Fleiss’s kappa. Data: The data used is of additional dwellings, the total number of dwellings, population estimates, gross value added per hour worked (productivity data), and house price–earnings ratios. The period of study covers the eight years prior to 2020 and the two years after, omitting 2020 itself due to the unusual impact on economic activity. All the data is at local authority district level. Findings: The hot and cold spots of additional dwellings do not correspond those of house price–earnings ratios or productivity. However, population growth hot spots show moderate agreement with those of where additional dwellings are concentrated. This is in line with findings from elsewhere, suggesting that population follows housing supply. Concentrations of districts with relatively high targets per unit of existing stocks are found correspond (agree strongly) with clusters of house price–earnings ratios. Links between productivity and housing are much weaker. Conclusions: The strong link between targets and affordability suggests that if the targets are met, the claim that the places that build the most housing are the places that least need them can be challenged. That said, house-price–earnings ratios present a view of unaffordability that will favour greater building in the countryside rather than cities outside of London, which runs against concentrating new housing in urban areas consistent with fostering clusters/agglomerations implicit in the new modern industrial strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land Planning and Landscape Architecture)

29 pages, 2806 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bridging Design and Climate Realities: A Meta-Synthesis of Coastal Landscape Interventions and Climate Integration

by Bo Pang and Brian Deal

Land 2025, 14(9), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091709 (registering DOI) - 23 Aug 2025

Abstract

This paper is aimed at landscape managers and designers. It looks at 123 real-world coastal landscape projects and organizes them into clear design categories, i.e., wetland restoration, hybrid infrastructure, or urban green spaces. We looked at how these projects were framed (whether they [...] Read more.

This paper is aimed at landscape managers and designers. It looks at 123 real-world coastal landscape projects and organizes them into clear design categories, i.e., wetland restoration, hybrid infrastructure, or urban green spaces. We looked at how these projects were framed (whether they focused on climate adaptation, flood protection, or other goals) and how they tracked performance. We are hoping to bring some clarity to a very scattered field, helping us to see patterns in what is actually being carried out in terms of landscape interventions and increasing sea levels. We are hoping to provide a practical reference for making better, more climate-responsive design decisions. Coastal cities face escalating climate-driven threats from increasing sea levels and storm surges to urban heat islands. These threats are driving increased interest in nature-based solutions (NbSs) as green adaptive alternatives to traditional gray infrastructure. Despite an abundance of individual case studies, there have been few systematic syntheses aimed at landscape designers and managers linking design typologies, project framing, and performance outcomes. This study addresses this gap through a meta-synthesis of 123 implemented coastal landscape interventions aimed directly at landscape-oriented research and professions. Flood risk reduction was the dominant framing strategy (30.9%), followed by climate resilience (24.4%). Critical evidence gaps emerged—only 1.6% employed integrated monitoring approaches, 30.1% provided ambiguous performance documentation, and mean monitoring quality scored 0.89 out of 5.0. While 95.9% of the projects acknowledged SLR as a driver, only 4.1% explicitly integrated climate projections into design parameters. Community monitoring approaches demonstrated significantly higher ecosystem service integration, particularly cultural services (36.4% vs. 6.9%,

p < 0.001

), and enhanced monitoring quality (mean score 1.64 vs. 0.76,

p < 0.001

). Implementation barriers spanned technical constraints, institutional fragmentation, and data limitations, each affecting 20.3% of projects. Geographic analysis revealed evidence generation inequities, with systematic underrepresentation of high-risk regions (Africa: 4.1%; Latin America: 2.4%) versus concentration in well-resourced areas (North America: 27.6%; Europe: 17.1%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Planning and Landscape Architecture Section, Second Edition)

26 pages, 10961 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Spatiotemporal Changes and Drivers of Ecological Quality in Youjiang River Valley Using RSEI and Random Forest

by Yu Wang, Han Liu, Li Wang, Lingling Sang, Lili Wang, Tengyun Hu, Fan Jiang, Jinlin Cai and Ke Lai

Land 2025, 14(9), 1708; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091708 (registering DOI) - 23 Aug 2025

Abstract

Assessing ecological quality in mining areas is critical for environmental protection and sustainable resource management. However, most previous studies concentrate on large-scale analysis, overlooking fine-scale assessment in mining areas. To address this issue, this study proposed a novel analysis framework for mining areas [...] Read more.

Assessing ecological quality in mining areas is critical for environmental protection and sustainable resource management. However, most previous studies concentrate on large-scale analysis, overlooking fine-scale assessment in mining areas. To address this issue, this study proposed a novel analysis framework for mining areas by integrating high-resolution Landsat data, the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI), and the Random Forest regression method. Based on the framework, four decades of spatiotemporal dynamics and drivers of ecological quality were revealed in Youjiang River Valley. Results showed that from 1986 to 2024, ecological quality in Youjiang River Valley exhibited a fluctuating upward trend (slope = 0.004/year), with notable improvement concentrated in the most recent decade. Spatially, areas with a significant increasing trend in RSEI (48.71%) were mainly located in natural vegetation regions, whereas areas with a significant decreasing trend (9.11%) were concentrated in impervious surfaces and croplands in northern and central regions. Driver analysis indicates that anthropogenic factors played a crucial role in ecological quality changes. Specifically, land use intensity, precipitation, and sunshine duration were main determinants. These findings offer a comprehensive understanding of ecological quality evolution in subtropical karst mining areas and provide crucial insights for conservation and restoration efforts in Youjiang River Valley. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Multi-Source Geographical Big Data in Land Use Decision-Making)

22 pages, 1750 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Apartment Prices in Ljubljana’s Post-War Housing Estates (1947–1986)

by Simon Starček and Daniel Kozelj

Land 2025, 14(9), 1707; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091707 (registering DOI) - 23 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study examines the determinants of apartment prices in 17 post-WWII multi-family housing estates in Ljubljana, Slovenia, constructed between 1947 and 1986. Using 1973 verified transactions from 2020 to 2025, the analysis evaluates spatial, structural, environmental, and accessibility-related variables through a combination of [...] Read more.

This study examines the determinants of apartment prices in 17 post-WWII multi-family housing estates in Ljubljana, Slovenia, constructed between 1947 and 1986. Using 1973 verified transactions from 2020 to 2025, the analysis evaluates spatial, structural, environmental, and accessibility-related variables through a combination of statistical and machine learning techniques. A hedonic price model based on ordinary least squares (OLS) demonstrates modest explanatory power (R² = 0.171), identifying local market reference prices, floor level, noise exposure, and window renovation as significant predictors. In contrast, seven machine learning models—Random Forest, XGBoost, and Gradient Boosting Machines (GBMs), including optimized versions—achieve notably higher predictive accuracy. The best-performing model, GBM with Randomized Search CV, explains 59.6% of price variability (R² = 0.5957), with minimal prediction error (MAE = 0.03). Feature importance analysis confirms the dominant role of localized price references and structural indicators, while environmental and accessibility variables contribute variably. In addition, three clustering methods (Ward, k-means, and HDBSCAN) are employed to identify typological groups of neighborhoods. While Ward’s and k-means methods consistently identify four robust clusters, HDBSCAN captures greater internal heterogeneity, suggesting five distinct groups and detecting outlier neighborhoods. The integrated approach enhances understanding of spatial housing price dynamics and supports data-driven valuation, urban policy, and regeneration strategies for post-WWII housing estates in Central and Eastern European contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cadastre and Land Management in Support of Sustainable Real Estate Markets—2nd Edition)

24 pages, 45531 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Evaluation Framework for Regional Ecological Security Pattern Quality: A Case Study of the Taihang–Qinling Intersection Zone, China

by Yihao Chen, Jiwei Li, Qingqing Ye, Shuai Zhang, Xiaojiao Meng, Weiqiang Chen, Guangxing Ji, Weikang He, Hejie Wei and Long Guo

Land 2025, 14(9), 1706; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091706 (registering DOI) - 23 Aug 2025

Abstract

Scientific evaluation of ecological security pattern (ESP) quality provides a crucial foundation for regional ecological protection and spatial planning. Addressing the problem that current research on ESP quality generally lacks a systematic evaluation framework and excessively relies on qualitative descriptions, this study aims [...] Read more.

Scientific evaluation of ecological security pattern (ESP) quality provides a crucial foundation for regional ecological protection and spatial planning. Addressing the problem that current research on ESP quality generally lacks a systematic evaluation framework and excessively relies on qualitative descriptions, this study aims to explore a scientific and quantitative evaluation method for ESP quality. By combining landscape pattern and ecological network analysis, this study develops an evaluation framework for regional ESP quality that encompasses 12 key factors and utilizes parallel coordinate plots for visualization. Applying this framework, this study quantified the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of ESP quality in the Taihang–Qinling intersection zone, China, from 2000 to 2020. The findings were as follows: (1) Both the number and total area of ecological sources increased markedly, accompanied by heightened spatial heterogeneity of the ecological resistance surface. The number of ecological corridors rose, although their total length decreased. Ecological strategic points increased substantially. (2) Despite the increase in the scale of ecological sources and the number of corridors, considering the comprehensive impact of multiple evaluation factors, the overall ESP quality declined across the region. In particular, the Taihang and Qinling Mountain regions experienced degradation, whereas the Songji Mountains region showed improvement. (3) This study discussed an ecological protection and restoration scheme comprising the Taihang ecological barrier region, the Songji ecological restoration region, and the Qinling ecological conservation region, and formulated region-specific optimization strategies. Overall, the proposed evaluation framework and local quality analysis methods of ESP in this study offer new perspectives for advancing ecological planning research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Landscape Ecology)

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29 pages, 5996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution of Grain Yield in the Songnen Plain Agro-Pastoral Zone in Heilongjiang Province: A Study Using Geostatistics and Geographically Weighted Regression

by Bing Sun, Yushuang Wang, Meiying Du and Hongyu Niu

Land 2025, 14(9), 1705; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091705 (registering DOI) - 23 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study examines the spatial distribution of grain yield in the Songnen Plain Agro-Pastoral Zone in Heilongjiang Province from 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, using Kriging interpolation as the primary method. Ordinary Kriging (exponential kernel/semivariogram, step = 13) achieved optimal accuracy (RMSE = [...] Read more.

This study examines the spatial distribution of grain yield in the Songnen Plain Agro-Pastoral Zone in Heilongjiang Province from 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, using Kriging interpolation as the primary method. Ordinary Kriging (exponential kernel/semivariogram, step = 13) achieved optimal accuracy (RMSE = 0.856), outperforming Co-Kriging. Incorporating all covariates lowered precision due to weak spatial autocorrelation in slope and aspect, while limiting covariates to elevation and soil type improved results. Spatial patterns revealed a southwest-to-northeast gradient. Over time, yields increased notably in the southwest and northern areas, with Wudalianchi rising by 259.71%, but declining locally, such as a 12.20% drop in Shuangcheng. Environmental factors like slope and soil showed spatially heterogeneous influences, interacting with policies and socioeconomic variables. The grain yield center shifted slightly northward. Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) further validated these spatial patterns. These findings provide valuable insights into covariate selection and spatial drivers, supporting more precise agricultural planning and management in the region. Full article

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21 pages, 4010 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Headwater Systems as Green Infrastructure: Prioritising Restoration Hotspots for Sustainable Rural Landscapes

by Selma B. Pena

Land 2025, 14(9), 1704; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091704 (registering DOI) - 23 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study aims to assess the role of headwater systems (HS) in enhancing ecological connectivity and supporting Green Infrastructure in the Centre Region of Portugal. Specifically, it identifies restoration opportunity areas within HS by analysing land-use changes over the past 70 years, modelling [...] Read more.

This study aims to assess the role of headwater systems (HS) in enhancing ecological connectivity and supporting Green Infrastructure in the Centre Region of Portugal. Specifically, it identifies restoration opportunity areas within HS by analysing land-use changes over the past 70 years, modelling land-use scenarios to promote ecological resilience, and evaluating connectivity between HS and Natura 2000 sites. The methodology integrates spatial analysis of historical land-use data with connectivity modelling using least-cost path approaches. Results show substantial transformation in HS areas, notably the expansion of eucalyptus plantations and a decline in agricultural land. Approximately 58% of the HS are identified as requiring restoration, including areas within the Natura 2000 network. The connectivity assessment reveals that HS can function as effective ecological corridors, contributing to improved water regulation, soil conservation, gene flow, and wildfire mitigation. A total of 61 potential ecological linkages between Natura 2000 sites were identified. These findings highlight the strategic importance of integrating HS into regional and national Green Infrastructure planning and supporting the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The study recommends prioritising headwater restoration through multi-scale planning approaches and active involvement of local stakeholders to ensure sustainable land-use management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Land Use and Sustainable Development in European Countries)

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18 pages, 7387 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Assessment of Food Security in South and North Korea Using Food Demand and Supply

by Whijin Kim, Rastislav Skalsky, Christian Folberth, Sujong Lee, Dmitry Schepaschenko, Florian Kraxner, Joon Kim, Chang-Gil Kim, Seong-Woo Jeon, Yowhan Son and Woo-Kyun Lee

Land 2025, 14(9), 1703; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091703 (registering DOI) - 23 Aug 2025

Abstract

South Korea and North Korea share the same environment on the Korean peninsula, but they differ in socio-economic conditions, which leads to differences in crop productivity and status of food security. This study aimed at assessing food security in South Korea and North [...] Read more.

South Korea and North Korea share the same environment on the Korean peninsula, but they differ in socio-economic conditions, which leads to differences in crop productivity and status of food security. This study aimed at assessing food security in South Korea and North Korea by analyzing food demand and supply from 1991 to 2020. Food security was assessed by determining whether the food supply met the demand in two countries. South Korea achieved food security due to decreasing consumption, diverse nutrition, and stable rice productivity despite a reduction in cultivated paddy areas. In contrast, North Korea has faced food insecurity for 30 years, caused by a growing population, a lack of dietary diversity, and low crop productivity. To overcome food shortage, the North Korean government needs to focus on improving agricultural productivity through comprehensive reforms of agricultural infrastructures, rather than simply expanding low-productive cultivated areas. Although this study was conducted with limited data for North Korea, it sought to collect and utilize open and publicly accessible data. In the long term, both South Korea and North Korea should prepare for the impacts of climate change, considering agriculture-related sectors such as water and energy. Full article

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27 pages, 10778 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Spatial Correlation of Blight and Litter: A Case Analysis of Memphis, Tennessee Neighborhoods

by Reza Banai and Navid Enayati Shabkolaei

Land 2025, 14(9), 1702; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091702 - 22 Aug 2025

Abstract

Urban blight and litter are twin issues that significantly affect the quality of life in city neighborhoods. This paper investigates the relationship between blight and litter, commonly overlooked in urban studies literature. We measure the prevalence of blight and litter across block groups [...] Read more.

Urban blight and litter are twin issues that significantly affect the quality of life in city neighborhoods. This paper investigates the relationship between blight and litter, commonly overlooked in urban studies literature. We measure the prevalence of blight and litter across block groups in our mapping with a focus on socioeconomic factors, including income levels, crime rates, and land use types (industrial, commercial, and residential) for our case study, Memphis, Tennessee. Using statistical and spatial analytics, as well as data from the Memphis Data Hub and the City of Memphis, we show the prevalence of blight and litter across block groups. GIS was used to map neighborhood-specific blighted structures and their spatial connection to litter accumulation. We also explore the distribution of blight and litter across different land uses. A Pearson correlation value of 0.639 suggests a strong positive relationship between blight and litter at the block group level. Spatial clustering is assessed by Global Moran’s Iand Local Moran’s I, identifying neighborhood-level hotspots. The block group is used as the unit of analysis to capture micro-spatial variation and to enable meaningful equity-based insights at the neighborhood level. Our mapping offers practical insights into urban revitalization strategies in deference to per capita income, crime rate, and land use. The findings contribute to urban policy discussions by promoting the joint consideration of blight and litter, helping guide future community-based interventions aimed at alleviating the negative impacts of blight and litter, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Full article

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27 pages, 11409 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Uncovering Urban Green Space (Dis)Investment Through Cultural Ecosystem Service Potential: A Case Study of Szeged, Hungary

by Nándor Zoltán Tráser, Gyula Nagy and Lajos Boros

Land 2025, 14(9), 1701; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091701 - 22 Aug 2025

Viewed by 10

Abstract

Climate change and rapid urbanization are underscoring the need for urban green spaces that offer a wide range of ecosystem services, which can provide irreplaceable benefits to residents. Cultural services are the ones that affect visitation patterns the most and may be the [...] Read more.

Climate change and rapid urbanization are underscoring the need for urban green spaces that offer a wide range of ecosystem services, which can provide irreplaceable benefits to residents. Cultural services are the ones that affect visitation patterns the most and may be the easiest to influence via investment or neglect. The main aim of this research was to evaluate and cluster the urban green spaces of a Hungarian city, Szeged, based on their potential cultural ecosystem service values, to uncover their investment and management differences. Regarding the methodology, we performed three field observations on each of the selected 19 sample areas, assessing their potential cultural ecosystem services and visitation patterns. The green spaces were evaluated on a total of 36 criteria, which we analysed using principal component analysis, factor analysis, and cluster analysis. As a result of our research, we defined four main urban green space clusters: city centre squares, suburban playgrounds, central parks, and informal green spaces. The differences in their potential cultural ecosystem service values significantly affect their usage patterns and are indicators of investment inequities. Understanding and tackling the uncovered environmental injustices requires a complex assessment of the local urban fabric along with its usage and management practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring the Effect of Urban Green Space on Environmental Quality)

26 pages, 1686 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Land-Take Impacts the Provision of Ecosystem Services—The Case of the Province of Monza and Brianza (Italy)

by Giulio Senes, Giulia Lussana, Paolo Stefano Ferrario, Roberto Rovelli, Ambra Pedrazzoli, Denise Corsini and Natalia Fumagalli

Land 2025, 14(9), 1700; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091700 - 22 Aug 2025

Viewed by 23

Abstract

Non-urbanized areas (NUAs), including residual urban green areas, urban parks, agricultural, natural and semi-natural areas, are a fundamental part of the green infrastructure. They are essential in sustaining life and future development, providing a series of ecosystem services (ESs) vital to human society. [...] Read more.

Non-urbanized areas (NUAs), including residual urban green areas, urban parks, agricultural, natural and semi-natural areas, are a fundamental part of the green infrastructure. They are essential in sustaining life and future development, providing a series of ecosystem services (ESs) vital to human society. However, the rapid expansion of urban areas has led to a significant reduction in green spaces. Land-take, reducing available land resources, impacts ecosystem functionality, making it crucial to preserve high-quality territories and the relative ESs provided. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the reduction in ESs due to the land-take having occurred in the last 20 years in the Province of Monza–Brianza, the Italian province with the highest land-take. To achieve this goal, authors used the official data of land use/cover of the Lombardy Region, with three time thresholds (T0: 1999–2003, T1: 2012–2013, T2: 2021) and applied a methodology for ESs assessment originally developed for the municipal level, adapting it to the provincial scale. The study analyzes trends in land-take and land-use changes and assesses how these changes have led to variations in ES provision. The approach involves calculating multiple indices reflecting different ESs provided by NUAs: provisioning ESs coming from agriculture, regulating ESs provided by natural resources, cultural ESs provided by landscape. Findings reveal that urban expansion has decreased provisioning ESs coming from agriculture, while ESs provided by landscape and natural resources have remained stable or improved, respectively. The natural quality index has improved due to conservation policies, despite the high land-take recorded. Anyway, although regional policies have mitigated some negative effects, the overall reduction in green spaces remains a critical issue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Landscape Analysis and Landscape Protection)

21 pages, 19879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nonlinear Relationships Between Economic Development Stages and Land Use Efficiency in China’s Cities

by Xue Luo, Weixin Luan, Qiaoqiao Lin, Zun Liu, Zhipeng Shi and Gai Cao

Land 2025, 14(9), 1699; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091699 - 22 Aug 2025

Viewed by 145

Abstract

Land use efficiency (LUE) serves as a crucial nexus between economic development and sustainable resource management, directly influencing urban production–consumption systems. While economic development stages (EDSs) reflect a region’s environmental carrying capacity and profoundly affect LUE, the specific mechanisms governing this relationship remain [...] Read more.

Land use efficiency (LUE) serves as a crucial nexus between economic development and sustainable resource management, directly influencing urban production–consumption systems. While economic development stages (EDSs) reflect a region’s environmental carrying capacity and profoundly affect LUE, the specific mechanisms governing this relationship remain unclear. In this study, we combined multi-source data to portray the spatiotemporal patterns of EDSs and LUE in 276 Chinese cities from 1995 to 2020, and we identified the nonlinear effects of EDSs on LUE. Based on the fine-scale LUE, it is confirmed that the older the age of urban land generation, the higher the LUE, laying a theoretical foundation for subsequent research. Simultaneously, the EDS continues to be upgraded, with approximately 70% of cities reaching the post-industrialization stage or higher by 2020. The results of partial dependency plots (PDPs) revealed that the EDS has a positive impact on LUE. From the perspective of different urban scales, the higher the EDSs of supercities, type I large cities, type II large cities, and type II small cities, the greater the positive impact on LUE, whereas the impact patterns at other urban scales follow an inverted U-shape. These findings carry important implications for sustainable spatial development, particularly in optimizing land resource allocation to assist the shift to more efficient production systems and responsible consumption patterns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Development and Coordinated Governance of Urban and Rural Areas Under the Guidance of Ecological Wisdom—2nd Edition)

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Land, Volume 14, Issue 9 (September 2025) – 16 articles

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