Sustainable Development and Coordinated Governance of Urban and Rural Areas Under the Guidance of Ecological Wisdom—2nd Edition

Abstract submission deadline

31 December 2025

Manuscript submission deadline

31 March 2026

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the quest for sustainable development, the well-being and resilience of human settlements play a pivotal role in bridging the natural and built environments. The study of human settlements encompasses a vast array of interdisciplinary fields, aiming to ensure the livability and health of urban and rural spaces and address broader environmental, social, and economic challenges. For example, the urban heat island effect significantly diminishes the thermal comfort of urban residents. By investigating and integrating insights from diverse disciplines, we can create adaptive, resilient, and harmonious communities that align with sustainability principles. This topic explores the interconnections between human settlements, environmental stewardship, policy impact, technological innovation, and community resilience to contribute towards a shared vision of sustainable development.

The sustainability of human settlements requires a dynamic balance between natural ecosystems and human influence, shaping a future where urban and rural spaces coexist harmoniously. A deeper understanding of these transformations is essential as urbanization, technology, and environmental changes accelerate. This topic seeks to integrate perspectives from geography, urban planning, environmental science, sociology, policy analysis, engineering, and beyond, fostering collaboration to develop solutions for resilient, sustainable human habitats under the guidance of ecological wisdom.

In this topic, we will focus on and are interested in receiving manuscript contributions in one or more of the following areas:

Theoretical Frameworks and Interdisciplinary Approaches in Sustainable Human Settlements:

• New and evolving theories on human settlement sustainability;
• Critique and adaptation of classical theories;
• Transdisciplinary approaches to address complex sustainability challenges.

Data-Driven Insights and Evidence-Based Methods:

• Big data analysis and quantitative methodologies;
• Evidence-based approaches in assessing human settlements;
• Behavioral and cultural analytics to inform settlement sustainability;
• A quantitative study of the relationship between urban distribution and the natural environment based on GIS and remote sensing.

Design and Technological Innovations in Urban and Rural Sustainability:

• Urban and rural planning for sustainable development;
• Restoration technology and ecological design practices;
• Application of smart technologies in human settlement planning;
• Application of remote sensing and GIS technology in urban ecological environment.

• Evaluations of human impacts on natural systems and projections for future scenarios;
• Interaction dynamics within human–natural systems;
• Decision support systems to foster sustainable development.

• Analysis of governance structures and regulatory policies;
• Socio-environmental, economic, and cultural impacts of policies on settlements;
• Innovative policy frameworks promoting sustainability across sectors.

Research Trends and Bibliometric Studies on Human Settlements:

• Systematic reviews and bibliometric analyses of global research in human settlements;
• Comparative studies on international trends and best practices.

Practical Dialogs and Reflections on Success and Failure Cases:

• Case studies showcasing best practices in sustainable human settlements;
• Analysis of challenges and failures to generate actionable insights for future solutions;
• Visionary ideas for resilient and sustainable settlement planning.

We invite original research articles, comprehensive reviews, case studies, and theoretical papers that advance the understanding and development of sustainable human settlements. Submissions should contribute to a holistic and actionable understanding of how human settlements can be transformed to meet future demands and environmental challenges.

Let us work together to advance the science and practice of sustainable human settlements, fostering communities that thrive in balance with nature and are resilient to future challenges under the guidance of ecological wisdom.

Prof. Dr. Jun Yang
Prof. Dr. Baojie He
Dr. Zhi Qiao
Dr. Wei Sun
Prof. Dr. Xiangming Xiao
Prof. Dr. Ali Cheshmehzangi
Prof. Dr. Amirhosein Ghaffarianhoseini
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Buildings buildings	3.1	3.4	2011	15.3 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Forests forests	2.4	4.4	2010	16.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information ijgi	2.8	6.9	2012	35.8 Days	CHF 1900	Submit
Land land	3.2	4.9	2012	16.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Systems systems	2.3	2.8	2013	19.6 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Remote Sensing remotesensing	4.2	8.3	2009	23.9 Days	CHF 2700	Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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All Buildings Forests IJGI Land Systems Remote Sensing

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30 pages, 151989 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of TAG (Three-Dimensional Architectural Greening) Scenic Beauty Quantitative Techniques Based on Visual Perception

by Xi Zhou, Ziyang Dong and Fang Zhang

Buildings 2025, 15(9), 1450; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091450 - 24 Apr 2025

Abstract

Three-dimensional architectural greening (TAG) enables the integration of ecological, economic, and social advantages via the effective use of multidimensional space in a variety of forms, making it a significant method for enhancing spatial quality in densely populated cities. TAG technology has expanded the [...] Read more.

Three-dimensional architectural greening (TAG) enables the integration of ecological, economic, and social advantages via the effective use of multidimensional space in a variety of forms, making it a significant method for enhancing spatial quality in densely populated cities. TAG technology has expanded the scope and capabilities of urban greening. It has the ability to provide green space, improve urban ecology and aesthetics, and alleviate the conflict between limited land resources and rising demand for greening throughout the urbanization process. Currently, there is a lack of a systematic assessment approach that focuses on the public’s visual perception of TAG. It is critical to focus on advances in visual perception approaches and create a “people-oriented perception driven” evaluation system that serves as a scientific foundation for urban three-dimensional greening initiatives. First, this study created a database of 300 TAG cases and selected classic cases using screening, classification, and sampling. Second, three experiments were set up for the study, including the use of the semantic differential (SD) method, and scenic beauty estimation (SBE) for subjective evaluation, and the eye-tracking experiment for objective evaluation. Finally, this study compared subjective and objective evaluations and demonstrated that both two approaches had a certain amount of accuracy. It also investigated the relationship between spatial features and public visual perceptions using methods such as factor and correlation analysis. The three effective methods for evaluating the quality of TAG based on visual perception that are presented in this study—two subjective and one objective—use standardized images, are quick and simple to use, and make up for the drawbacks of conventional strategies like indirectness, inefficiency, and time-consuming data collection. They also form a solid foundation for the real-world application of categorization prediction. In addition to being adaptable to a wide range of application settings, these two assessment paths—subjective evaluation and objective evaluation—can be integrated to complement one another and provide scientific references for future TAG designs and spatial decision making. 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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26 pages, 8804 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Progressive Framework for Analyzing Driving Mechanisms of Ecosystem Services in Resource-Exhausted Cities: A Case Study of Fushun, China

by Yuyan Pan, Yanpeng Gao and Hongchang Qian

Land 2025, 14(5), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14050913 - 22 Apr 2025

Abstract

The rapid pace of urbanization has led to excessive resource consumption and worsening environmental pollution, particularly in resource-based cities, where prolonged exploitation of mineral resources has resulted in dual challenges of ecological degradation and economic imbalance. Using Fushun, a resource-exhausted city still struggling [...] Read more.

The rapid pace of urbanization has led to excessive resource consumption and worsening environmental pollution, particularly in resource-based cities, where prolonged exploitation of mineral resources has resulted in dual challenges of ecological degradation and economic imbalance. Using Fushun, a resource-exhausted city still struggling with its transformation, as a case study, this research develops a progressive analytical framework that integrates the InVEST model, optimal parameter geographic detector, and multi-scale geographically weighted regression. This framework, comprising a sequence of analytical steps—single-factor analysis, interaction-factor analysis, global regression analysis, and geographically weighted regression analysis—enables a comprehensive exploration of the driving mechanisms behind ES changes in Fushun from 2000 to 2020. The results indicate the following: (1) Significant changes in ecosystem services were observed, with water yield and soil conservation showing a fluctuating upward trend, while carbon storage and habitat quality experienced slight declines. (2) Over time, the dominant drivers transitioned from primarily socio-economic factors to a synergistic influence of natural and human activities. GDP and land use intensity increasingly contributed to explaining ecosystem services through their interaction effects. (3) At the street scale, driving mechanisms exhibited spatial heterogeneity. For instance, the negative effects of built-up land and cultivated land were more pronounced in urban–rural transition zones, while elevation and NDVI had a more positive impact in ecological source areas. This framework provides systematic and targeted recommendations that offer data-driven insights to guide policies prioritizing regional ecological sustainability. Furthermore, it provides practical reference points for improving the ecological quality of other coal resource-exhausted cities undergoing incomplete transformations. 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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40 pages, 3470 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Tourists’ Perceptions of Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) After COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study on the Country of Origin and Economic Development Level

by Flavia Dana Oltean, Petru Alexandru Curta, Benedek Nagy, Arzu Huseyn and Manuela Rozalia Gabor

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2025, 14(4), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi14040146 - 27 Mar 2025

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Abstract

(1) Background: This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourists’ perceptions of community-based ecotourism (CBET) in Romania and Spain, taking into account country of origin and economic development. In order to provide insights for sustainable tourism development and policymaking, this [...] Read more.

(1) Background: This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourists’ perceptions of community-based ecotourism (CBET) in Romania and Spain, taking into account country of origin and economic development. In order to provide insights for sustainable tourism development and policymaking, this study aims to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced tourists’ perceptions of community-based ecotourism (CBET) in Romania and Spain, taking into account differences in country of origin and economic development. (2) Methods: An online questionnaire was administered to 703 ecotourists (353 Romanian, 350 Spanish). (3) Results: The results show statistically significant differences between the two countries regarding the perception of ecotourism principles, information sources and preferred activities. For example, Romanians showed stronger agreement with ecotourism’s positive contribution to local communities and minimal environmental impact than Spaniards (p < 0.01 for EP3, EP4 and EP6). Significant correlations were found between specific ecotourism elements and preferred activities within each country, highlighting different preferences. Multilinear regression analysis showed that gender and region of origin significantly predicted perceptions of the role of ecotourism in biodiversity conservation for Spain. (4) Conclusions: Policy recommendations include targeted awareness campaigns, increased community involvement and cross-cultural collaboration to promote sustainable CBET development. This comparative study fills a gap in CBET research by contrasting perceptions in Eastern and Western European countries with different levels of economic development. 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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23 pages, 8493 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Nonlinear Effects of Human Settlements on Seasonal Land Surface Temperature Variations at the Block Scale: A Case Study of the Central Urban Area of Chengdu

by Muze Zhang, Tong Hou, Yuping Ma, Mindong Liang, Jiayu Yang, Fengshuo Sun and Enxu Wang

Land 2025, 14(4), 693; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14040693 - 25 Mar 2025

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Abstract

The land surface temperature (LST) in the central urban area has shown a consistent upward trend over the years, exacerbating the surface urban heat island (SUHI) effect. Therefore, this study focuses on the central urban area of Chengdu, using blocks as the research [...] Read more.

The land surface temperature (LST) in the central urban area has shown a consistent upward trend over the years, exacerbating the surface urban heat island (SUHI) effect. Therefore, this study focuses on the central urban area of Chengdu, using blocks as the research scale. The Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) model and SHAP values are employed to explore the nonlinear effects of human settlements (HS) on LST across different seasons. The results show that (1) At the block scale, the overall impact of HS on LST across all four seasons tracks the following order: built environment (BE) > landscape pattern (LP) > socio-economic development (SED). (2) LP is the most important factor affecting LST in summer, while the BE has the greatest influence on LST during spring, autumn, and winter. (3) Most HS indicators exhibit seasonal variations in their impact on LST. The impervious surface area (ISA) exhibits a significant positive impact on LST during spring, summer, and autumn. In contrast, the nighttime light index (NTL) and functional mix degree (FMD) exert a significant negative influence on LST in spring, autumn, and winter. Additionally, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) negatively affects LST in both spring and summer. Moreover, connectivity (CNT) and functional density (FPD) demonstrate notable threshold effects in their influence on LST. (4) Certain HS indicators exhibit interaction effects, and some combinations of these indicators can effectively reduce LST. This study reveals HS–LST interactions through multidimensional analysis, offering block-scale seasonal planning strategies for sustainable urban thermal optimization. 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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25 pages, 7350 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Coupled Water–Energy–Carbon Study of the Agricultural Sector in the Great River Basin: Empirical Evidence from the Yellow River Basin, China

by Jingwei Song, Jianhui Cong, Yuqing Liu, Weiqiang Zhang, Ran Liang and Jun Yang

Systems 2025, 13(3), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13030160 - 26 Feb 2025

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Abstract

In the context of sustainable development, water resources, energy, and carbon emissions are pivotal factors influencing the rational planning of economic development and the secure establishment of ecological barriers. As a core food production area, how can the Great River Basin balance the [...] Read more.

In the context of sustainable development, water resources, energy, and carbon emissions are pivotal factors influencing the rational planning of economic development and the secure establishment of ecological barriers. As a core food production area, how can the Great River Basin balance the pressure on the “water–energy–carbon” system (WEC) to realize the coordinated development of “nature–society–economy”? Taking the Yellow River Basin in China as the research object, this paper explores the coupling characteristics and virtual transfer trends of WEC in the agricultural sector under the condition of mutual constraints. The results show the following: (1) On the dynamic coupling characteristics, W-E and E-C are strongly coupled with each other. The optimization of water resource allocation and the development of energy-saving water use technology make the W-E consumption show a downward trend, and the large-scale promotion of agricultural mechanization makes the E-C consumption show an upward trend. (2) On the spatial distribution of transfer, there is an obvious path dependence of virtual WEC transfer, showing a trend of transfer from less developed regions to developed regions, and the coupling strength decreases from developed regions to less developed regions. The assumption of producer responsibility serves to exacerbate the problem of inter-regional development imbalances. (3) According to the cross-sectoral analysis, water resources are in the center of sectoral interaction, and controlling the upstream sector of the resource supply will indirectly affect the synergistic relationship of WEC, and controlling the downstream sector of resource consumption will indirectly affect the constraint relationship of WEC. This study provides theoretical and methodological references for the Great River Basin to cope with the resource and environmental pressure brought by global climate change and the effective allocation of inter-regional resources. 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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