Advanced Studies in Urban and Regional Planning—2nd Edition

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 1164

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Geomatics and Urban Spatial Informatics, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China
Interests: urban remote sensing and urban–rural development; land use change; urban climatology; interaction between humans and the environment
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Guest Editor
Energy Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Interests: transportation

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Guest Editor
China Aero Geophysical Survey and Remote Sensing Center for Natural Resources, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: LiDAR remote sensing and application; land use/cover classification; urban thermal environment; disaster prevention and control; machine/deep learning

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Guest Editor
School of Architexture and Urban Planning, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China
Interests: urban historical protection; urban renewal; urban design; urban and rural planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue on "Advanced Studies in Urban and Regional Planning" in Buildings. The processes of urbanization and regional development have become increasingly complex and multifaceted. Rapid population growth, technological advancements, and environmental concerns have significantly impacted the planning and management of cities and regions around the world. In light of these challenges, there is a growing need to explore advanced studies that offer innovative solutions to create sustainable, livable, and resilient urban environments.

This Special Issue aims to encompass a wide range of topics related to urban and regional planning, providing a platform for researchers and practitioners to share their insights and expertise. We welcome submissions that cover, but are not limited to, the following themes:

  • Smart and sustainable cities: Exploring the integration of advanced technologies and sustainable practices to develop smart cities that enhance quality of life, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
  • Urban governance and policy: Investigating the role of governance structures, policies, and regulations in shaping urban and regional development, as well as evaluating their effectiveness in addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges.
  • Transportation and mobility: Analyzing innovative transportation systems, mobility solutions, and urban transit planning to improve accessibility, reduce congestion, and promote sustainable commuting options.
  • Land use and urban design: Assessing the impact of land-use planning and urban design on urban aesthetics, functionality, and community well-being, with a focus on creating inclusive and vibrant public spaces.
  • Climate change and resilience: Investigating strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation in urban and regional contexts, as well as building resilience against natural disasters and extreme weather events.
  • Housing and affordable living: Examining approaches to providing affordable housing and addressing the housing needs of diverse urban populations, including low-income communities and marginalized groups.
  • Cultural heritage and conservation: Highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage in urban planning and exploring methods to balance development with cultural conservation.
  • Sustainable infrastructure and energy: Exploring sustainable infrastructure development and energy-efficient solutions that reduce the ecological footprint of urban and regional areas.
  • Participatory planning and community engagement: Investigating the significance of engaging local communities in the planning process to ensure inclusive decision making and responsive urban development.

Authors are encouraged to submit original research contributions that align with the aims and scope of this Special Issue. Manuscripts should adhere to the journal's formatting guidelines and will undergo a thorough peer review process to ensure the highest academic standards.

We are confident that this Special Issue will contribute significantly to the field of urban and regional planning, fostering innovative ideas and transformative approaches to tackle the challenges of our time, and are excited to curate a collection of high-quality research articles, case studies, and theoretical explorations that address the critical challenges and opportunities in urban and regional planning.

We look forward to your valuable contributions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Shisong Cao
Dr. Yuerong Zhang
Dr. You Mo
Dr. Yang Shi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

  • urbanization
  • regional development
  • sustainable cities
  • inclusive planning
  • smart technologies
  • transportation infrastructure
  • urban governance
  • climate adaptation
  • resilient cities
  • cultural heritage conservation
  • environmental sustainability
  • data analytics

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

34 pages, 10447 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Effects of 2D/3D Urban Morphology on Land Surface Temperature Using High-Resolution Remote Sensing Data
by You Mo, Yongfang Huang, Ruofei Zhong, Bin Wang and Zhaocheng Guo
Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1256; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081256 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 109
Abstract
Understanding the influence of urban morphology on Land Surface Temperature (LST) is essential for urban planning, development, and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Leveraging high-resolution remote sensing data, this study systematically extracted 64 2D urban morphological parameters (UMPs) and 28 3D UMPs, [...] Read more.
Understanding the influence of urban morphology on Land Surface Temperature (LST) is essential for urban planning, development, and mitigating the urban heat island effect. Leveraging high-resolution remote sensing data, this study systematically extracted 64 2D urban morphological parameters (UMPs) and 28 3D UMPs, along with their corresponding summer and winter LST data, at both the grid level (using a 30 m × 30 m grid as the minimum unit) and the block level (using an urban block as the minimum unit). The 2D UMPs were derived from landscape indices of land cover, while the 3D UMPs included 3D building-related UMPs (BUMPs) and tree-related UMPs (TUMPs). Ultimately, multiple statistical methods were employed to investigate the complex mechanisms through which these 2D and 3D UMPs influence LST across summer and winter. This study showed the following results: (1) Most 2D and 3D UMPs significantly correlated with LST in both seasons at the grid/block levels, with stronger correlations at block level. (2) Stepwise regression revealed that combining 2D and 3D UMPs enhanced LST explanation, achieving R2 = 70.9% (summer) and 65.7% (winter) for the entire area, with consistent results in built-up zones. (3) Relative importance analysis identified 35 (summer) and 28 (winter) influential features, which were ranked as follows: 2D UMPs > 3D BUMPs > 3D TUMPs. This highlights 2D UMPs’ dominance while confirming 3D UMPs’ significance. These findings emphasize the need for integrated 2D and 3D urban design, considering both planar layouts and vertical configurations of buildings/vegetation. This study provides practical guidance for thermal environment mitigation and sustainable urban development through optimized spatial planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Urban and Regional Planning—2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 9865 KiB  
Article
Between Looms and Beds: Unveiling Transportation Challenges with a Radius-Led Mixed-Methods Approach in Informal Space Based on a Study Conducted in Guangzhou, China
by Wangwang Li, Haoxian Cai, Xiaodong Zheng and Wei Duan
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071185 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 137
Abstract
We investigate the conflicts between formal and informal urban spaces and how formal urban policies’ neglect of informal needs exacerbates traffic chaos and segregation in East Asia, aiming to decipher the operational logic of informal transportation systems and their dynamic interactions with formal [...] Read more.
We investigate the conflicts between formal and informal urban spaces and how formal urban policies’ neglect of informal needs exacerbates traffic chaos and segregation in East Asia, aiming to decipher the operational logic of informal transportation systems and their dynamic interactions with formal urbanization processes. Focusing on Zhongda Textile City, we delve into the specific manifestation of these conflicts, which appear in four key aspects: (1) mismatch between urban planning and informal needs, (2) physical disconnection between formal and informal areas, (3) infrastructure projects occupying informal spaces, and (4) policy-making neglecting existing experiences. Using a mixed-method framework, we highlight the marginalization of informal spaces through their evolving relationship with formal systems and provide insights into urbanization strategies that account for these symbiotic yet contested dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Urban and Regional Planning—2nd Edition)
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24 pages, 20414 KiB  
Article
Impact of Internal and External Landscape Patterns on Urban Greenspace Cooling Effects: Analysis from Maximum and Accumulative Perspectives
by Lujia Tang, Qingming Zhan, Huimin Liu and Yuli Fan
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040573 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 448
Abstract
Urban greenspace is an effective strategy to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. While its cooling effects are well-established, uncertainties remain regarding the combined impact of internal and external landscape patterns, particularly the role of morphological spatial patterns. Taking 40 urban greenspaces [...] Read more.
Urban greenspace is an effective strategy to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. While its cooling effects are well-established, uncertainties remain regarding the combined impact of internal and external landscape patterns, particularly the role of morphological spatial patterns. Taking 40 urban greenspaces in Wuhan as the sample, this study quantified cooling effects from maximum and accumulative perspectives and investigated the impacts of internal and external landscape patterns. First, using land surface temperature (LST) data, four cooling indexes—greenspace cooling area (GCA), cooling efficiency (GCE), cooling intensity (GCI), and cooling gradient (GCG)—were quantified. Then, the relationships between these indexes and landscape patterns, including scale and landscape composition, morphological spatial pattern, and surrounding environmental characteristics, were investigated by correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression. The results showed that the cooling effects of greenspace varied across different perspectives. Both greenspace area and perimeter exerted non-linear impacts on cooling effects, and morphological spatial pattern significantly influenced cooling effects. Core proportion was positively correlated with cooling effects, with an optimal threshold of 55%, whereas bridge and branch proportions had negative impacts. External landscape patterns, particularly the proportion of impervious surfaces and building coverage, also affected cooling effects. Additionally, cluster analysis using Ward’s system clustering method revealed five cooling bundles, indicating that urban greenspaces with diverse cooling needs exhibited different cooling effects. This study offers valuable insights for optimizing urban greenspace design to enhance cooling effects and mitigate UHI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Urban and Regional Planning—2nd Edition)
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