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Land
Special Issues
Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions
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Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 11 September 2024 | Viewed by 7325

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lei Qu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands
Interests: inclusive planning; integrated development strategies; liveable cities
Dr. Remon Rooij

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands
Interests: strategic spatial planning; regional development; planning education

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the shared context of co-existing challenges to urban sustainability (e.g., energy crisis, food security, flooding risks, etc.), cities and regions in the world see changing values in society that are associated with ongoing sustainability transitions (including but not limited to the energy transition, circular transition., etc.). It has led to various new spatial claims to the limited land resource: making room for water, producing bio-based materials and creating space for renewable energy while coping with existing (urgent) demands for housing, food, etc. How to strategically solve the conflicts of interest in the use of space by coordinating spatial claims supported by various discourses of sustainability transitions becomes a new question for spatial planning.

In response to this question, it is necessary to deepen the understanding of the issues at hand-, i.e., the nature of sustainability transitions, their spatial implications on land use changes, and associated social implications. Furthermore, from the perspective of strategic spatial planning, conflicts of interest in land use are also issues related to (the lack of) multi-level and multi-actor governance. Only with these improved understandings can visions and strategies for future scenarios (more coordinated urban and regional development) be made. Thus, as guest editors of this Special Issue, we encourage trans-disciplinary approaches, linking scientific research with planning practice and education, to break the silos of knowledge production and dissemination.

The goal of this Special Issue is to collect papers (original research articles and review papers) to give insights into Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions. The aim is to identify, explain and deal with issues related to conflicts of interest in land use in cities and regions due to co-existing but not yet coordinated discourses of sustainability transitions. We call for papers that can join the in-depth discussions on 1) the understanding of the current issues and 2) new (participatory/collaborative) ways of vision- and strategy-making for more coordinated urban and regional development for sustainability transitions. The subject fits the journal’s scope because of its focus on land use changes. It is mainly in line with the subject area of “Urban contexts, urban planning and urban–rural interactions” while at the same time, also relevant to “Land-related aspects of achieving the UN Sustainability Goals”.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that address one or more of the following themes:

  • Land use changes as consequences of spatial claims: social and spatial implications of sustainability transitions.
  • (Changing) conflicts of interest in land use as a result of lack of stakeholder engagement: multi-level and multi-actor governance in sustainability transitions.
  • Vision- and strategy-making as a participatory/collaborative planning process: towards integrated and coordinated land use planning for sustainability transitions.

Contributions from urban geography, political science and spatial planning are especially welcome. Papers from other fields on urban and regional studies are also highly welcome. As indicated earlier, the link between scientific research with planning practice and education is encouraged.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Dr. Lei Qu
Dr. Remon Rooij
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

  • strategic spatial planning
  • land use changes
  • sustainability transitions
  • urban and regional development
  • multi-level and multi-actor governance
  • stakeholder engagement
  • spatial justice

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 5437 KiB  
Article
Social Enterprises and Their Role in Revitalizing Shrinking Cities—A Case Study on Shimizusawa of Japan
by Jian Liu, Yixin Zhang and Junsong Mao
Land 2023, 12(12), 2146; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12122146 - 9 Dec 2023
Viewed by 894
Abstract
Since their birth in the 1990s, social enterprises, as a kind of third-party organization with the attributes of both a not-for-profit entity and a profit-making enterprise, have played a significant role in the socio-economic development of cities, in particular those facing the challenge [...] Read more.
Since their birth in the 1990s, social enterprises, as a kind of third-party organization with the attributes of both a not-for-profit entity and a profit-making enterprise, have played a significant role in the socio-economic development of cities, in particular those facing the challenge of shrinking. But why are social enterprises so deeply embedded in the regeneration process of shrinking cities, and how do they promote their multi-dimensional revitalization? In order to answer these questions, this paper presents a case study on Shimizusawa in Japan based on a literature review and field research. In line with the embeddedness and institution–function–instrument theories, it reviews the revitalization of Shimizusawa by involving a social enterprise in the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage sites and the development of industrial tourism, analyzes the establishment process and organizational characteristics of this social enterprise, and summarizes the four major experiences of its practice—that is, the governance structure of two types of institutions and two types of functions, the planning for both profitable and non-profitable activities, the operation of both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses, and the fund management of leveraging multiple parties to raise funds and reinvesting the profits locally. The extensive support provided by the Shimizusawa Social Enterprise that creates not only economic value but also social value justifies the significant role of social enterprises in the revitalization of shrinking industrial areas. This case study, together with its analytical framework, may serve as a meaningful reference for the revitalization of shrinking industrial areas in other parts of the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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16 pages, 1713 KiB  
Article
The Renewal of the Finnish Planning Legislation as a Strategy of Urban Planning and Development
by Liisa Horelli and Sirkku Wallin
Land 2023, 12(11), 2085; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112085 - 20 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1271
Abstract
Due to global eco-social and technological challenges, a new strategy of planning adopted as the Land Use and Building Act in Finland (2000) will be renewed after 23 years of implementation. Will the forthcoming law recognise the complex relationships and consequences of self-organised [...] Read more.
Due to global eco-social and technological challenges, a new strategy of planning adopted as the Land Use and Building Act in Finland (2000) will be renewed after 23 years of implementation. Will the forthcoming law recognise the complex relationships and consequences of self-organised processes, the digital empowerment of citizens, and the eco-social content of planning and development? This article examines and discusses the renewal of the Finnish Land Use and Building Act and the forthcoming planning system from an ontological perspective. Methodologically it is based on an assessment of the draft of and comments on the new Act, as well as on a comparative analysis of two case studies that illustrate the potential consequences of the renewal in the Finnish context. The results reveal that the planning system will become more complex. Despite the adoption of a new digital methodology, the Act ignores civil society’s self-organisation and digital empowerment; also, the definition of the eco-social substance is vague. However, the Finnish reform serves as an example of the difficulties that planning systems encounter in the current context of complex problems concerning sustainability transitions all over the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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21 pages, 5231 KiB  
Article
Reflection on Guangzhou’s Strategic Spatial Planning: Current Status, Conflicts, and Dilemmas
by Miaoxi Zhao, Yuexi Yao and Galuh Syahbana Indraprahasta
Land 2023, 12(11), 1996; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12111996 - 31 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1222
Abstract
Strategic spatial planning plays a pivotal role in effectively providing solutions for urban issues. In 2000, Guangzhou took the pioneering step of formulating China’s first strategic spatial plan, known as the Guangzhou Strategic Plan. However, existing research has predominantly focused on the content [...] Read more.
Strategic spatial planning plays a pivotal role in effectively providing solutions for urban issues. In 2000, Guangzhou took the pioneering step of formulating China’s first strategic spatial plan, known as the Guangzhou Strategic Plan. However, existing research has predominantly focused on the content of the “Guangzhou Strategic Spatial Plan” while lacking attention to its implementation effects. To address this empirical gap, this paper analyzes Guangzhou’s current spatial structure from the perspectives of facilities, population, and industry. The results reveal that: (1) the effectiveness of the “Southern Expansion” strategy outlined in the Guangzhou Strategic Spatial Plan has been limited. It has not achieved the expected results in terms of facility construction, population attraction, industrial clustering, and value-added growth; (2) due to inherent limitations and a lack of planning support, the development of the new town presents a dilemma. Considering the current spatial structure, this paper reflects on the reasons for the failure of Guangzhou’s strategic spatial planning, aiming to provide insights for the implementation of a new round of strategic spatial planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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34 pages, 7267 KiB  
Article
How Is Spatial Planning Adapting to Climate Change? A Textual Analysis Based on the Territorial and Spatial Plans of 368 Chinese Cities
by Kebin Zhou, Shifu Wang and Yucheng Feng
Land 2023, 12(11), 1993; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12111993 - 31 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1281
Abstract
Spatial planning is broadly acknowledged for its pivotal role in local climate change adaptation. Nevertheless, variations persist among countries in their perceptions and practices concerning the effectiveness and feasibility of utilizing spatial planning for climate change adaptation. Chinese cities confront the challenges of [...] Read more.
Spatial planning is broadly acknowledged for its pivotal role in local climate change adaptation. Nevertheless, variations persist among countries in their perceptions and practices concerning the effectiveness and feasibility of utilizing spatial planning for climate change adaptation. Chinese cities confront the challenges of global warming, rapid urbanization, and intensified extreme weather events. Climate change adaptation agreements, frameworks, and policies have predominantly emphasized the national scale, often overlooking local adaptation efforts. However, the ongoing reform and restructuring of China’s territorial and spatial planning system encompasses the categorization, hierarchical management, control of comprehensive national land resource development, and conservation. This process is gradually establishing spatial planning strategies that synergize with the impacts of climate change, thereby offering an opportunity to integrate climate change adaptation objectives into spatial planning. This endeavor is supported by a series of regulatory standards and guidelines to ensure its effective implementation. The study scrutinizes the public draft of territorial and spatial master plans for 368 Chinese cities to assess the integration of climate change concerns at the local level and to identify disparities among cities. Employing the Awareness, Analysis, and Action Framework (3A Framework), which draws from prior scholarship and integrates relevant existing research, we identified and assessed 30 criteria for recognizing and appraising climate change adaptation strategies in territorial and spatial planning. The study’s findings indicate that: (1) The role of territorial and spatial planning in integrating climate change issues at the city level requires enhancement, as reflected in the generally low “awareness” of climate change concerns, limited “analytical capacity” regarding climate change, and a certain foundation for “action response” to climate change adaptation; (2) Large cities, characterized by robust economies and population concentrations, generally outperform small and medium-sized cities. They exhibit a superior ability to delineate quantifiable climate adaptation indicators and measures. In conclusion, the study provides prospective recommendations concerning technical approaches, spatial governance, mechanisms, and actions to more effectively incorporate climate change adaptation objectives into local-level territorial and spatial planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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23 pages, 5954 KiB  
Article
Reviewing Historic Urban Water Transitions to Advance Water-Sensitive Urban Design for Bhuj, India
by Geert J. M. van der Meulen, Gargi Mishra, Machiel J. van Dorst, Mona Iyer and Taneha Kuzniecow Bacchin
Land 2023, 12(10), 1938; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12101938 - 18 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1345
Abstract
In rapidly growing urban contexts, water plays a pivotal role in the transitions the urban environment goes through to sustain the quality of life of its population. Spatial planning and design are essential for the facilitation and manifestation of such transitions. Focusing on [...] Read more.
In rapidly growing urban contexts, water plays a pivotal role in the transitions the urban environment goes through to sustain the quality of life of its population. Spatial planning and design are essential for the facilitation and manifestation of such transitions. Focusing on Bhuj, a rapidly growing Indian city in a hot arid desert climate, its crucial yet changing sensitivity to urban water flows over time is assessed. The concept of water sensitivity is coined as a goal to pursue by the Water-Sensitive Urban Design approach. In India, however, much of the urban design and development processes are of an unplanned and informal nature, seemingly inhibiting the water sensitivity of urban transitions. Reviewing spatial planning paradigms and their manifestation in space in Bhuj over time, however, brings to light a pre-existing water sensitivity. Yet it also shows a shift from the supply security-oriented ingenious watershed expansion to catastrophe-steered and urban expansion-driven water system negligence. Review and discussion of past and present urban water transitions and management points out drivers, barriers, and their interrelationships, to enable and advance water-sensitive urban development tied to local history, traditional knowledge, and context specificities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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