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Land
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Spatial Justice in Urban Planning
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Spatial Justice in Urban Planning

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 January 2024) | Viewed by 15555

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fox Zhiyong Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Road, Hong Kong
Interests: urban redevelopment; urban inequality; land policy and institutions; social impact of public housing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Wendy Yan Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
Interests: urban greening; urban ecosystem service and sustainable society; spatial econometric analysis; environmental policy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cities are contradictory places in which the benefits of improved access to economic opportunities, public goods, services, and amenities are accompanied by heavy economic, social, and environmental burdens in terms of traffic congestion, housing unaffordability, air pollution, and environmental hazards. The uneven distribution of such benefits and burdens of urban development across urban individuals differentiated by class, gender, race, ability, and other social markers lead to various forms of social exclusion and injustice, often putting disproportionate burdens on the lives of disadvantaged urban dwellers.

Spatial dimension is an integral part of social justice (Soja, 2010), as urban spaces, places, landscapes, and built environments inhabited by different categories of urbanites play a significant role in determining and shaping not only the spatial location and accessibility of urban benefits and burdens but also urban inhabitants’ power and capabilities to partake in the negotiation and deliberation of rules governing the use and management of urban land and space. Interrogating social-spatial (in)justice in cities involves distributive justice concerning the social-spatial unevenness of benefits and disbenefits for different social groups, as well as recognitional and procedural justice bearing upon the social-spatial inclusion/exclusion of diverse actors/agencies in urban planning and spatial management processes (Fainstein, 2010).

From a social-spatial justice perspective, all urban dwellers, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, should have equal rights and opportunities to use, transform, and reproduce their inhabited city according to the urban lifestyle choices they value (Israel and Frenkel, 2018). The pursuit of and contestation over social-spatial justice is most acutely reflected in the “urban land nexus” (cf. Scott and Storper, 2015) marked by variegated diversity and the interpenetration of the production space of work and employment, the social space of residential neighborhoods, and the circulation space of infrastructure and mobility connections. The advocacy for social-spatial justice provides a new lens for urban researchers, policy practitioners, and justice activists to reflect upon and re-evaluate diverse urban forms, spatial structures, (re)development processes, and policy interventions at city and metropolitan scales whose effects and outcomes have hitherto paid inadequate attention to the normative criterion of social-spatial equity. To fill this gap, this Special Issue calls for conceptual, theoretical, methodological, empirical, and exploratory papers that can contribute to our understanding of the complex interrelationships among justice, society, and space in diverse urban governance settings. We welcome both original research articles and reviews and particularly encourage submissions from a critical and multi-disciplinary perspective. Research themes may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Social-spatial (in)justice in urban redevelopment
  • Suburbanization, gentrification, and social-spatial exclusion
  • Urban sprawl, compact cities, and social-spatial justice
  • Equity and justice in informal and affordable housing
  • Social-spatial (in)justice in urban public space
  • Greening and inclusive urban development
  • Spatial and environmental justice in urban ecosystem services
  • Urban mobility and spatial justice
  • Spatial equity and justice in urban planning and governance

References:

Soja, E.W., 2010, Seeking spatial justice. University of Minnesota Press

Fainstein, S., 2010, The just city. Cornell University Press

Israel, E. and Frenkel, A., 2018, Social justice and spatial inequality: Towards a conceptual framework, Progress in Human Geography, 42 (5): 647-665

Scott, A.J. and Storper, M., 2015, The nature of cities: The scope and limits of urban theory, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 39 (1): 1-15.

Dr. Fox Zhiyong Hu
Prof. Dr. Wendy Yan Chen
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. 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

  • social-spatial justice
  • distributional and procedural justice
  • urban redevelopment
  • environmental justice
  • green gentrification
  • right to the city
  • segregation and discrimination
  • urban political ecology
  • capital and capability
  • co-production

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 5865 KiB  
Article
Identifying Urban–Rural Disparities and Associated Factors in the Prevalence of Disabilities in Tianjin, China
by Yuxiao Jiang, Xinyu Han, Ning Qiu, Mengbing Du and Liang Zhao
Land 2023, 12(8), 1480; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12081480 - 25 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1624
Abstract
In the current context of aging and urbanization, the rapid increase in the prevalences of disabilities (PoDs) has become an important consideration in healthy urban planning. Previous studies have focused on the spatial prevalence of total disabilities based on large-scale survey data. However, [...] Read more.
In the current context of aging and urbanization, the rapid increase in the prevalences of disabilities (PoDs) has become an important consideration in healthy urban planning. Previous studies have focused on the spatial prevalence of total disabilities based on large-scale survey data. However, few studies have examined different types of PoDs and the factors contributing to spatial disparities in micro-urban units at the municipal level. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the spatial PoDs, related built environments, and socio-economic factors across the Tianjin municipality in 2020. The study employed Getis–Ord GI* analysis to identify urban-rural disparities and ordinary least square (OLS) and quantile regression (QR) analyses to model the heterogeneous effects of the spatial PoDs-associated factors across quantiles. The results reveal that the PoDs, especially of visual, hearing, and limb disabilities, in the urban center, are significantly higher than those in rural areas, which is inconsistent with previous studies conducted in China. The urbanization rate, medical facilities, and education facilities significantly reduced the total PoDs, while the elderly population, migrant population, bus route density, and road density significantly increased it. The built environments and socio-economic factors had heterogeneous impacts on different types of PoDs, which were summarized into three categories based on these dominant factors: (1) visual and hearing disabilities were medical facility-dominated; (2) intellectual and limb disabilities were urbanization- and aging-dominated; and (3) mental and speech disabilities were migrant-dominated. This study provides scientific advice to adapt to the expected increase in demand for disability-related medical and public health services and to expand the range of effective strategies and interventions aimed at preventing the deterioration of disability and improving disability management in the population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning)
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26 pages, 6545 KiB  
Article
Social Dimensions of Spatial Justice in the Use of the Public Transport System in Thessaloniki, Greece
by Olga Tzanni, Paraskevas Nikolaou, Stella Giannakopoulou, Apostolos Arvanitis and Socrates Basbas
Land 2022, 11(11), 2032; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112032 - 13 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2262
Abstract
Greek cities hold important urban issues related to social injustice; lack of open spaces, pedestrian facilities, parks and greenery, access to public amenities, etc. In view of these, we investigated residents’ preferences and choices regarding their walking activities in the urban environment of [...] Read more.
Greek cities hold important urban issues related to social injustice; lack of open spaces, pedestrian facilities, parks and greenery, access to public amenities, etc. In view of these, we investigated residents’ preferences and choices regarding their walking activities in the urban environment of Thessaloniki, Greece. In specific, we applied research with questionnaires to the residents of the municipality of Ampelokipoi-Menemeni. The research applied the Contingent Valuation Method to investigate residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) for the improvement of the existing infrastructure of public space in view of making walking and the use of local metro stations more attractive. A methodological framework was developed, including Explanatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling, along with statistical analysis of the results. The lack of pedestrian facilities and the long walking distances are two main reasons discouraging the use of the metro. CVM application showed that almost half of the residents would be willing to contribute an amount of money for the improvement of pedestrian infrastructure. The main reasons for this were to make the use of the metro more attractive, which would also improve their living conditions and would contribute to a better quality of life. Income restrictions proved highly important to a negative WTP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning)
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18 pages, 1066 KiB  
Article
Resilience Design in Practice: Future Climate Visions from California’s Bay Area
by Nicole Lambrou
Land 2022, 11(10), 1795; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101795 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1603
Abstract
This study discusses the implications of resilience design for questions of economic and social resilience, and for equity. Resilience design proposals for California’s Bay Area, resulting from the Resilience by Design project and published in 2017, were evaluated through content analysis and interviews [...] Read more.
This study discusses the implications of resilience design for questions of economic and social resilience, and for equity. Resilience design proposals for California’s Bay Area, resulting from the Resilience by Design project and published in 2017, were evaluated through content analysis and interviews with design teams and plan authors. Findings from the study indicate that these proposals offer visions and strategies for large-scale infrastructural projects that rely on a land-as-ecosystem framing to adapt to extreme weather events, but that they also attempt to direct the impact of these ecological processes on surrounding social systems such as planning processes and landscape regenerations for adaptation purposes. However, findings also indicate that the design process does little to address equity beyond proposing access to those new landscapes and green infrastructure spaces, and to a much lesser degree homeownership and labor models for wealth accumulation. Ecology is consistently deployed in the data analyzed to normalize and propose socio-environmental relationships, implicating questions of equity that are often not addressed. These findings matter for urban design projects and processes that are increasingly pursued by municipalities and public agencies in an effort to secure funding and implement strategies for a climate just future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning)
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19 pages, 2792 KiB  
Article
The Built Environment and Children’s Active Commuting to School: A Case Study of San Pedro De Macoris, the Dominican Republic
by Maite Adames Torres, Hye Won Oh and Jeongwoo Lee
Land 2022, 11(9), 1454; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091454 - 1 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2148
Abstract
While car-centric culture and children’s mobility have been studied in industrialized countries, there are limited data on developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. This study analyzes children’s active transportation to school in the Dominican Republic using audit observations of the built [...] Read more.
While car-centric culture and children’s mobility have been studied in industrialized countries, there are limited data on developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. This study analyzes children’s active transportation to school in the Dominican Republic using audit observations of the built environment and surveys. The study assesses how parents’ and children’s environmental perceptions vary and how children’s mode choice is influenced by physical features and perceived safety levels. Land use and built environment attributes were evaluated for each street segment within a 400-m radius of 20 schools using the audit method. The findings indicate that safety problems are the main obstacle preventing children from bicycling or walking to school. Particularly, industrial land use, abandoned buildings, and bars hampered children’s active travels to school. Interestingly, public school students are nearly four times more likely to walk or bike to school than private school students. Furthermore, children who live in an area with fast-moving cars were more inclined to walk to school as captive walkers. The study’s conclusions have implications for urban environments where children’s independent mobility is constrained by car-oriented policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning)
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Review

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23 pages, 23754 KiB  
Review
Visualizing the Landscape of Green Gentrification: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Directions
by Feicui Gou, Wenya Zhai and Zilin Wang
Land 2023, 12(8), 1484; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12081484 - 26 Jul 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2827
Abstract
Green gentrification has emerged as a critical and dynamic research field in environmental justice and gentrification. Few studies have systematically reviewed the current state of green gentrification literature. This paper adopts a CiteSpace-based bibliometric approach to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze 186 publications from [...] Read more.
Green gentrification has emerged as a critical and dynamic research field in environmental justice and gentrification. Few studies have systematically reviewed the current state of green gentrification literature. This paper adopts a CiteSpace-based bibliometric approach to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze 186 publications from the Web of Science database from 2009 to 2022. The objective is to assess the fundamental characteristics, identify research hotspots, themes, frontiers, and future trends in green gentrification, and present a knowledge map. The results reveal the following: (1) Green gentrification research has moved through the preparation, primary, and prosperity stages and, since 2014, has experienced exponential growth while maintaining a robust upward trend. Knowledge of green gentrification is primarily drawn from urban studies, environmental research, geography, and interdisciplinary trends that are increasingly apparent. Although North America and Europe have produced the most research outcomes, the number of studies from South America, Asia, and Australia is rising. (2) Research hotspots initially comprised the conceptualization and theoretical framework of green gentrification and then shifted to empirical studies that identify green gentrification and its social–spatial effects. The current research focus is on the mechanisms and characteristics of green gentrification. (3) Five key themes were identified, including conceptualizing green gentrification, operationalizing green gentrification for local applicability, social–spatial effects, exploring explanatory frameworks or models, and strategic response to green gentrification. (4) Four potential future directions for green gentrification research in the context of three current research trends were proposed: broadening the scope of non-North American case studies, advancing interdisciplinary theoretical innovation, expanding the analysis of green gentrification characteristics, and exploring demand-side drivers of green gentrification. This study enhances the understanding of existing knowledge in green gentrification-related research and provides a reference for future theoretical and empirical studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning)
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18 pages, 4117 KiB  
Review
A Review of Research on Urban Playability from a Social Justice Perspective
by Yang Ye and Yuhan Yang
Land 2023, 12(5), 1027; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12051027 - 7 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1884
Abstract
Playability is an attribute that refers to the ability to stimulate individual responses or collective action in an immersive activity in an exploratory way. Playability is an important component of the enjoyment and well-being of urban dwellers, has the potential to stimulate urban [...] Read more.
Playability is an attribute that refers to the ability to stimulate individual responses or collective action in an immersive activity in an exploratory way. Playability is an important component of the enjoyment and well-being of urban dwellers, has the potential to stimulate urban vitality and is an important expression of the inclusiveness and equity of urban space. The pursuit of economic development and efficiency-oriented urban construction has led to the domination of urban space by overcrowded traffic, economy-oriented commerce and densely populated housing. Moreover, the existence of playable space has become a scarce resource and is seen as a site for the materialisation of social rights. As the haze of the COVID-19 pandemic fades and cities are again exposed to wider and more participatory use, determining how to adapt urban spaces to the playability needs of users of different ages, cultural backgrounds and social classes, and provide them with appropriate site use and experience, is becoming a hot issue of concern for building equitable and high-quality urban spaces. The study of the playability of urban spaces is highly complex, and the related research on social justice is cryptic. In order to better investigate the social equity aspects of urban playability, this paper integrates scientometric and manual methods to review the relevant research. This paper takes 2664 related papers from the Web of Science (WOS) core dataset from 1998 to 2022 as the research object and employs CiteSpace to organise the existing research results of playful urban spaces. Quantitative analysis is used to clarify the theoretical foundations, developments and research hotspots of urban spatial playability, while the manual collation and generalisation of the studies uncover the hidden issues of social justice research. Based on the proposed research method, we summarize the key three research stages related to urban spatial playability and social equity. We also discuss the development of urban spatial playability in the perspective of social justice from three aspects: micro, meso and macro. The results can help readers better understand the current status and development process of research on playful urban space. In particular, we clarify the issues related to social justice under the theme of the playability of urban spaces and provide directions for future research on building playful cities and promoting the development of urban socio-spatial equity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning)
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