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Land
Volume 14
Issue 5
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Land, Volume 14, Issue 5 (May 2025) – 217 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): This review explores public preferences for native versus non-native plant species in urban green spaces, focusing on their roles in biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate change resilience. We analyse the ecological benefits of native species, such as supporting local wildlife and pollinators, while also acknowledging their vulnerability to climate change. Conservation gardening is discussed as a socio-ecological strategy for reintroducing endangered native plants into urban areas. By balancing ecological integrity with climate adaptability, we highlight the importance of informed species selection and community engagement in designing climate-resilient urban green spaces. View this paper
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25 pages, 10714 KiB  
Article
Provision and Accessibility of Services of General Interest in Functional Urban Regions: The Case of Zagreb, Croatia
by Ivan Šišak and Aleksandar Lukić
Land 2025, 14(5), 1127; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051127 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 38
Abstract
The quality of life in both urban and rural areas is highly dependent on the availability of services of general interest. This study examines the provision and accessibility of 41 types of point-specific services, divided into 10 categories, within the functional urban region [...] Read more.
The quality of life in both urban and rural areas is highly dependent on the availability of services of general interest. This study examines the provision and accessibility of 41 types of point-specific services, divided into 10 categories, within the functional urban region of Zagreb, Croatia, characterized by a declining population, despite being the most populous area in Croatia. This study adopts a multi-service rather than a single-service research approach, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. Using GIS composite indices for service provision and accessibility by car (cumulative opportunities) were calculated. Cluster analysis (Ward method, quadratic Euclidean distance) revealed seven different geographical patterns. The results show different patterns of service provision and accessibility throughout the urban region. Two specific areas were highlighted: traditional and inner peripheral areas with low levels of both service provision and accessibility, and suburban areas with very good accessibility but very poor service provision. The results of this study are particularly valuable as they relate to a single functional urban area that includes both urban, suburban and rural settlements of different types, a spatial framework that has not been sufficiently analysed in the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions)
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19 pages, 2459 KiB  
Article
Impact of Management Practices on Soil Organic Carbon Content and Microbial Diversity Under Semi-Arid Conditions
by Nadia Bekhit, Fatiha Faraoun, Faiza Bennabi, Abbassia Ayache, Fawzia Toumi, Rawan Mlih, Viktoriia Lovynska and Roland Bol
Land 2025, 14(5), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051126 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 18
Abstract
Globally, arid and semi-arid agricultural land is characterized by low soil organic carbon (SOC) content. This impacts on the abundance and diversity of soil microorganisms in such environments. We therefore examined SOC and bacterial community structure dynamics in the single plots of the [...] Read more.
Globally, arid and semi-arid agricultural land is characterized by low soil organic carbon (SOC) content. This impacts on the abundance and diversity of soil microorganisms in such environments. We therefore examined SOC and bacterial community structure dynamics in the single plots of the conventional (PC), improved fertilization (PA) and unimproved control (PT) at El Hmadna experimental station (Northwest Algeria) during five-time intervals T(0), T(15), T(70), T(104) and T(147 days). The SOC content was determined using the modified Walkley and Black method. The 16S rRNA genes were isolated from soils and sequenced using the Illumina sequencing platform. Over time, OC levels increased by more than 15%, especially in the improved plot. The highest OC stock was observed for the unmanaged control plot (47 Mg ha−1), also associated with higher bacterial biomass. However, taxonomic analysis revealed that bacterial diversity was higher in PA and PC, with Actinobacteria (42%) and Firmicutes (15%) dominating. Soil salinity did negatively influence SOC but the imposed management practices such as organic amendments did improve both carbon retention and bacterial diversity. The results underline the importance of imposing sustainable agricultural practices to improve carbon sequestration and soil health in semi-arid regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Ecological Risk Assessment Based on LULC)
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12 pages, 2007 KiB  
Article
Spatial Differentiation Mechanism of Urban Housing Prices from the Perspective of Amenity: A Case Study of Nanjing
by Guangyuan Feng, Xiaopu Bi, Jingxiang Zhang and Tianhan Cheng
Land 2025, 14(5), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051125 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 14
Abstract
New economic development trends have brought challenges and transformation directions to China’s urban planning process, in which the relationship between supply and demand of urban housing needs urgent optimisation. Using data on multiple types of facilities and housing price information, this paper analysed [...] Read more.
New economic development trends have brought challenges and transformation directions to China’s urban planning process, in which the relationship between supply and demand of urban housing needs urgent optimisation. Using data on multiple types of facilities and housing price information, this paper analysed spatial differentiation characteristics of housing prices in Nanjing. An evaluation indicator system of human environment quality was established under the amenity connotation based on three dimensions of natural amenity, artificial amenity and social atmosphere amenity, and the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) algorithm was applied to investigate the impact of different amenity factors on housing prices. The findings revealed that amenity factors have a positive impact on housing prices, with artificial amenity as the most influential. Partial amenity factors demonstrated nonlinear relationships with housing prices with obvious threshold effects. Based on these findings, this paper proposed targeted supply and demand optimisation strategies in accordance with the above three dimensions, aiming to offer practical recommendations and guidance for improving the quality of the urban habitat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Planning and Housing Market II)
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33 pages, 9520 KiB  
Article
New Realizations at the Archaeological and Funereal Park of Takino Cemetery in Hokkaido (Japan)
by Joseph Cabeza-Lainez, Victor Marquet-Saget, Inmaculada Rodriguez-Cunill, Cesar Puchol-Barcina and Miguel Gutiérrez-Villarubia
Land 2025, 14(5), 1124; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051124 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 8
Abstract
For decades, in historical research, archeological vestiges have been linked with geomancy and cults of the mythical ancestors of a group of the population. This is particularly true in Eastern Asia and especially in China, Korea, and Japan. A fundamental problem of Japanese [...] Read more.
For decades, in historical research, archeological vestiges have been linked with geomancy and cults of the mythical ancestors of a group of the population. This is particularly true in Eastern Asia and especially in China, Korea, and Japan. A fundamental problem of Japanese archeology is that few of the remnants were realized in stone. One of the most important parts of archeological sciences is the study of Necropolises or ancient interments. From the 1970s onwards, in the relatively “new” and promising land of Hokkaido, cemeteries were built with the concept of landscape in mind; this is also due to the lavish vegetation features of this northernmost island of Japan. In the case of the Takino cemetery on the plains of Sapporo, Hokkaido, whose construction began in 1982, solemnity and religiousness were incorporated by producing exact stone replicas of famous funerary landmarks from antiquity as such materials were inexistent in the Nipponese Isles. This trend to grant eternity included traditional Buddhist funereal monuments like the Stupa, Seokguram grotto, and Kamakura sites, but at a certain and exuberant point, under the influence of Isamu Noguchi, it reached Stonehenge in England and the Moai from Easter Island in Polynesia (being after all located in a remote isle of the Pacific Ocean). In this article we will outline such process of generation and overall conception, analyzing the inclusion and architectural assembly of the different compounds and the recent and extraordinary additions projected and built by the celebrity architect Tadao Ando. We expect, in this manner, to facilitate the comprehension of the significance of venerable landscape sublimated through archeology for the Nipponese modern civilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Archaeological Landscape and Settlement II)
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25 pages, 3106 KiB  
Article
Analysis and Prediction of Spatial and Temporal Land Use Changes in the Urban Agglomeration on the Northern Slopes of the Tianshan Mountains
by Xiaoxu He, Zhaojin Yan, Yicong Shi, Zhe Wei, Zhijie Liu and Rong He
Land 2025, 14(5), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051123 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 12
Abstract
This study investigates the spatiotemporal changes in land use within the urban agglomeration on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains (TNUA), aiming to identify the driving factors and provide a scientific basis for regional ecological protection, rational land use planning, and sustainable [...] Read more.
This study investigates the spatiotemporal changes in land use within the urban agglomeration on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains (TNUA), aiming to identify the driving factors and provide a scientific basis for regional ecological protection, rational land use planning, and sustainable resource utilization. Using land use data, we analyzed transitions, dynamics, intensity, and gravity shifts in land use, examined driving mechanisms using geographic detectors, and simulated future land use patterns with the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model. The results indicate that between 2010 and 2020, forest, water body, and unused land areas decreased, while cropland, grassland, and construction land expanded. The rate of land use change accelerated significantly, increasing from 0.0955% during 2010–2015 to 0.3192% during 2015–2020. The comprehensive land use dynamic degree index rose from 157.8371 to 161.1008, with Shayibake District exhibiting the most rapid growth. Precipitation, temperature, economic development, and elevation were the dominant driving factors throughout the study period. Population density had the strongest influence on the expansion of water body, while slope was the most significant factor for cropland expansion. Nighttime light was the primary driver of construction land growth. Projections for 2025, 2030, and 2035 suggest a continued decline in unused land and forest areas, alongside increases in cropland, grassland, water body, and construction land. Full article
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28 pages, 2896 KiB  
Review
Community Forest Management and REDD+: Pathways to Effective Implementation, Livelihood Improvement, and Climate Change Adaptation in Cambodia
by Chaly Y, Karen F. Hytten and Diane Pearson
Land 2025, 14(5), 1122; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051122 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 32
Abstract
Community Forest Management (CFM) and REDD+ projects have emerged as key strategies for promoting environmental conservation and livelihood improvement. This review explores the effectiveness of incorporating free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), safeguard principles, grievance redress mechanisms, and benefit-sharing mechanisms into CFM and [...] Read more.
Community Forest Management (CFM) and REDD+ projects have emerged as key strategies for promoting environmental conservation and livelihood improvement. This review explores the effectiveness of incorporating free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), safeguard principles, grievance redress mechanisms, and benefit-sharing mechanisms into CFM and REDD+ in Cambodia, with a focus on enhancing communities’ livelihoods and climate change adaptation. This paper synthesizes findings from recent literature on CFM and REDD+ in Cambodia and internationally, analyzing key case studies, policy frameworks, and community engagement strategies. Findings suggest that while REDD+ projects offer potential economic and ecological benefits, challenges related to land tenure, equity in benefit-sharing, and community participation remain. This review highlights the need for stronger community engagement, a robust conflict management structure, clear land tenure policies, equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, and more climate change adaptation activities to ensure the success of CFM and REDD+ projects in Cambodia and the Global South. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forest Landscape Management Towards Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity)
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34 pages, 2355 KiB  
Perspective
A National Vision for Land Use Planning in the United States
by Eric G. Darracq, Jeffrey J. Brooks and Andrea K. Darracq
Land 2025, 14(5), 1121; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051121 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 45
Abstract
The time is nigh to organize the physical landscapes of the United States under a unified land use policy and planning framework. As human populations have steadily grown, so has the urgency for agencies to plan for land uses at broader scales to [...] Read more.
The time is nigh to organize the physical landscapes of the United States under a unified land use policy and planning framework. As human populations have steadily grown, so has the urgency for agencies to plan for land uses at broader scales to overcome continued jurisdictional fragmentation and achieve sustainable and environmentally just landscapes. This paper introduces a vision, conceptual approach, and implementation strategy that applies ecoregions and proposes a unified framework for land use planning and regulation in the United States. The Sustainable Ecoregion Program (SEP) is designed to enable local landowners; public stakeholders; other land users; and state, regional, tribal, and national natural resource professionals to set and achieve future desired conditions for sustainable land uses across landscapes. The objective is to outline a comprehensive and sustainably just solution to the recurring problem of managing conflicting land uses in the face of continued degradation and multiple land tenure systems. The SEP will determine how much of the physical landscape will go to developed, agricultural, and natural landcover types. The framework includes recognition of level III ecoregions as primary boundaries, proposed secondary boundaries and shapes to enhance connectivity and movement across landscapes, a proposed structure for the environmental governance and co-management of landscapes, and definitions of physical landscape types. The benefits and challenges of the SEP are discussed. The outcomes of the SEP include ecological integrity, sustainable land use management, deliberative democracy, just sustainability, and improved quality of life for residents of the United States. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Systems and Global Change Section: 2nd Edition)
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25 pages, 7082 KiB  
Article
Constructing Ecological Networks and Analyzing Impact Factors in Multi-Scenario Simulation Under Climate Change
by Hua Bai, Yaoyun Zhang, Jiazhuo Huang and Haopeng Chen
Land 2025, 14(5), 1120; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051120 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 9
Abstract
Persistent climate change and anthropogenic activities have caused the degradation of urban ecosystems and the fragmentation of landscapes in the Loess Plateau region, situated in northern China. Ecological networks have been considered an effective measure for reducing urban habitat fragmentation, enhancing landscape connectivity, [...] Read more.
Persistent climate change and anthropogenic activities have caused the degradation of urban ecosystems and the fragmentation of landscapes in the Loess Plateau region, situated in northern China. Ecological networks have been considered an effective measure for reducing urban habitat fragmentation, enhancing landscape connectivity, and identifying priority areas for ecological restoration. However, research on the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological networks in cities in the Loess Plateau region, especially multi-scenario ecological networks under future climate change scenarios, and the drivers affecting these network elements are still limited. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamic changes in the ecological networks in Shenmu City from 2000 to 2035, and used GeoDetector to explore the driving factors influencing changes in ecological source distribution. The results showed the following: (1) The ecological sources in Shenmu City continued to shrink from 2000 to 2020, while landscape fragmentation increased. By 2035, the results of scenario modeling will differ for different Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) and Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), with the ecological source area increasing under scenarios SSP119 and SSP245, and continuing to decrease under scenario SSP585. (2) From 2000 to 2020, the α, β, and γ indices increased and then declined, while the ecological networks of the SSP119 and SSP585 scenarios will stabilize. (3) Under the optimal scenario SSP119, 27 ecological pinch points and 40 ecological barrier points will be identified, which are priority areas for the future execution of ecological restoration initiatives. (4) Precipitation is the primary factor that affects the distribution of ecological sources, followed by temperature. This study proposes a new research perspective on ecological networks, and provides a guideline for ecological restoration and conservation in cities (counties) in the Loess Plateau region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urbanscapes: The Role of Green Infrastructure on the Resilience of Ecosystem Services)
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21 pages, 4672 KiB  
Article
Coupling Relationship Between City Development and Ecosystem Service in the Shandong Peninsula Urban Agglomeration
by Qianqian Ge, Yahan Lu, Guoqiang An, Zhiqiang Tian, Meichen Fu, Xuquan Tan, Xinge Liu and Zhiyuan Sun
Land 2025, 14(5), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051119 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 10
Abstract
Reconstructing relationships between urban agglomeration and relevant ecosystems from an ecosystem services perspective and quantitatively assessing their interactive status holds significant implications for achieving coordinated development. Taking Shandong Peninsula Urban Agglomeration (SPUA) as our study area, we developed a Cities-ESV Coupling Index ( [...] Read more.
Reconstructing relationships between urban agglomeration and relevant ecosystems from an ecosystem services perspective and quantitatively assessing their interactive status holds significant implications for achieving coordinated development. Taking Shandong Peninsula Urban Agglomeration (SPUA) as our study area, we developed a Cities-ESV Coupling Index (I) serving as a composite metric for assessing city–ecosystem coupling dynamics through a multidimensional framework encompassing the following: (1) urban development level, (2) ecosystem service value (ESV), (3) ecosystem service physical quantity, and (4) spatial balance degree of ecosystem service, operationalized through 10 selected indicators. Our methodology integrates ESV quantification, biophysical assessment, correlation analysis modeling, and spatial autocorrelation modeling to comprehensively evaluate coupling relationships between cities and ecosystems across 16 cities and 78 counties. This study innovatively integrates ESV quantification with biophysical assessment methodologies in indicator selection, while strategically incorporating spatial agglomeration metrics. The multidimensional framework effectively addresses the prevalent oversimplification in existing ecosystem service measurement paradigms. The findings are as follows: the total ESV is 13,977.87 × 108 CNY/a, which accounts for about 20% of the total GDP of SPUA. The Cities-ESV coupling index (I) of four cities, including Dongying, Linyi, Yantai, and Weifang, ranks among the top in SPUA, while that of seven counties, namely Weshan, Qixia, Yiyuan, Yishui, Mengyin, and Linqu, is at a relatively high-level. The conclusion is as follows: the total ESV in SPUA had been continuously decreasing. The coupling relationship between cities and ecosystems are significantly negatively correlated, and the Cities-ESV coupling index (I) of SPUA has obvious regional differentiation characteristics. Therefore, differentiated ecological land protection policies should be formulated to curb the trend of continuous decline in ESV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Remote Sensing and GIS for Monitoring Land Use Change and Its Ecological Effects)
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21 pages, 6880 KiB  
Article
Challenges in Systematic Property Registration in Romania: An Analytical Overview
by Vasile Gherheș, Carmen Grecea, Clara-Beatrice Vilceanu, Sorin Herban and Claudiu Coman
Land 2025, 14(5), 1118; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051118 - 21 May 2025
Viewed by 61
Abstract
After the fall of communism, Romania embarked on a comprehensive land restitution process through Law No. 18/1991, aiming to re-establish private ownership rights, particularly for agricultural and forestry lands. Divergent historical legacies across regions have resulted in heterogeneous land administration systems, contributing to [...] Read more.
After the fall of communism, Romania embarked on a comprehensive land restitution process through Law No. 18/1991, aiming to re-establish private ownership rights, particularly for agricultural and forestry lands. Divergent historical legacies across regions have resulted in heterogeneous land administration systems, contributing to inconsistencies, overlapping claims, and prolonged legal disputes. To address these challenges, the Romanian government introduced the National Cadastre and Land Registration Program, which promotes systematic property registration across the country. Keeping in mind the fact that there is no integrated study that analyses national challenges from multiple dimensions such as history, law, institutions, technology, and socioeconomics and proposes systematic optimization strategies, this article provides a critical analysis of the legal and institutional framework governing land restitution and cadastral reform, highlighting the influence of historical administrative structures and the adoption of modern geospatial technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). By adopting a qualitative and document-based research approach, focusing on the analysis of legislative frameworks, institutional procedures, and technical instruments used in systematic land registration in Romania, this study emphasizes the benefits of systematic registration, including increased legal certainty, investment stimulation, improved access to credit, and better planning and taxation. Despite progress, implementation remains uneven, hindered by documentation gaps, institutional capacity limitations, and administrative obstacles. Recent legislative adjustments and the integration of advanced geospatial tools aim to improve data quality and accelerate the registration process. Ultimately, the integration of legal, institutional, and geospatial components is essential for achieving transparent and accountable land governance, efficient resource management, and sustainable rural development in Romania. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)
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25 pages, 9270 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Variation and Influencing Factors of Ecological Quality in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Based on the Unified Remote Sensing Ecological Index over the Past 30 Years
by Fangfang Sun, Chengcheng Dong, Longlong Zhao, Jinsong Chen, Li Wang, Ruixia Jiang and Hongzhong Li
Land 2025, 14(5), 1117; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051117 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 60
Abstract
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is one of China’s three major urban agglomerations. Over the past thirty years, the region has undergone intensive economic development and urban expansion, resulting in significant changes in its ecological conditions. Due to the region’s humid [...] Read more.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is one of China’s three major urban agglomerations. Over the past thirty years, the region has undergone intensive economic development and urban expansion, resulting in significant changes in its ecological conditions. Due to the region’s humid and rainy climate, traditional remote sensing ecological indexes (RSEIs) struggle to ensure consistency in long-term ecological quality assessments. To address this, this study developed a unified RSEI (URSEI) model, incorporating optimized data selection, composite index construction, normalization using invariant regions, and multi-temporal principal component analysis. Using Landsat imagery from 1990 to 2020, this study examined the spatiotemporal evolution of ecological quality in the GBA. Building on this, spatial autocorrelation analysis was applied to explore the distribution characteristics of the URSEI, followed by geodetector analysis to investigate its driving factors, including temperature, precipitation, elevation, slope, land use, population density, GDP, and nighttime light. The results indicate that (1) the URSEI effectively mitigates the impact of cloudy and rainy conditions on data consistency, producing seamless ecological quality maps that accurately reflect the region’s ecological evolution; (2) ecological quality showed a “decline-then-improvement” trend during the study period, with the URSEI mean dropping from 0.65 in 1990 to 0.60 in 2000, then rising to 0.63 by 2020. Spatially, ecological quality was higher in the northwest and northeast, and poorer in the central urbanized areas; and (3) in terms of driving mechanisms, nighttime light, GDP, and temperature were the most influential, with the combined effect of “nighttime light + land use” being the primary driver of URSEI spatial heterogeneity. Human-activity-related factors showed the most notable variation in influence over time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Sensitive Areas: Ecosystem Services, Protected Lands, and Current Challenges (Second Edition))
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19 pages, 721 KiB  
Review
A Review on Harnessing the Invasive Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) for Use as an Agricultural Soil Amendment
by Adam Canning
Land 2025, 14(5), 1116; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051116 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 52
Abstract
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a globally invasive aquatic weed with high biomass productivity and nutrient content, offering potential as a low-cost organic soil amendment. This review synthesizes findings from 35 studies identified through a structured Web of Science search, examining [...] Read more.
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a globally invasive aquatic weed with high biomass productivity and nutrient content, offering potential as a low-cost organic soil amendment. This review synthesizes findings from 35 studies identified through a structured Web of Science search, examining its use as mulch, compost, biochar, and foliar extract. Reported agronomic benefits include improvements in soil organic carbon, nutrient availability (particularly nitrogen and potassium), microbial activity, and crop yields. However, most studies are short-term and conducted under greenhouse or pot conditions, limiting field-scale generalizability. Additionally, reporting of compost composition and contaminant levels is inconsistent, raising concerns about food safety. While logistical and economic feasibility remain underexplored, emerging evidence suggests that with proper processing, water hyacinth amendments could reduce fertilizer dependence and contribute to circular bioeconomy goals. Future research should prioritize field trials, standardized production protocols, and life cycle assessments to evaluate long-term performance, risks, and climate benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural Land Management towards a Net-Zero Pathway)
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24 pages, 1587 KiB  
Article
How Does the Scale and Functional Diversity of the Innovation Cooperation Network Affect Local Innovation? Township-Level Evidence from Beijing
by Jingxin Nie, Tiantian Li and Tianming Zheng
Land 2025, 14(5), 1115; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051115 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 52
Abstract
The innovation cooperation network (ICN) drives innovation. However, how its network diversity affects local innovation needs further exploration. This paper examines the effects of ICN’s scale and functional diversity on local innovation. Employing the township-level co-invention network in Beijing, we analyze the evolution [...] Read more.
The innovation cooperation network (ICN) drives innovation. However, how its network diversity affects local innovation needs further exploration. This paper examines the effects of ICN’s scale and functional diversity on local innovation. Employing the township-level co-invention network in Beijing, we analyze the evolution of the scale and functional diversity from 2010 to 2020, and explore their impacts, as well as the effects of their interaction, on local innovation. Moreover, the relationship between network and Jacobs’ diversity is further discussed. The results show that the township-level scale and functional diversity of the ICN in Beijing have increased by over 40%, accompanied by a transformation in the core–periphery distribution pattern. Both scale and functional diversity significantly contribute to local innovation, but manifest as inverted-U relationships, and they substitute for each other in promoting innovation. Furthermore, a substitution effect also exists between network and Jacobs’ diversity, though not robustly. Research highlights the role of scale and functional diversity in the ICN. It emphasizes that local governments need to conduct more precise management and adjustments in light of the heterogeneity of network connections in different scales and sectors within the ICN, in order to boost local innovation and foster regional development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues)
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20 pages, 1530 KiB  
Article
Could Commoning Unlock the Potential of Integrated Landscape Approaches?
by Xiao Lu Wang and Wai Fung Lam
Land 2025, 14(5), 1114; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051114 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 46
Abstract
Background: Landscape approaches are recognized for their holistic view on development and conservation. However, they encounter sustainability and localization challenges due to short-term funding constraints and dependence on external experts. In this paper, we examine commoning as a means of land tenure interventions [...] Read more.
Background: Landscape approaches are recognized for their holistic view on development and conservation. However, they encounter sustainability and localization challenges due to short-term funding constraints and dependence on external experts. In this paper, we examine commoning as a means of land tenure interventions that enable mixed land use and community stewardship. Methods: Based on desk research and 20 interviews, an institutional analysis was performed on two landscape management cases to shed light on commoning processes and land tenure changes, as well as their impact on land use and community stewardship. Results: In the first case, a collaborative governance model was developed through policy interventions, which provided not only institutional frameworks but also financial resources to incentivize landowners to cooperate with nature conservation groups and share management rights over their land. In the second case, a community land trust model was used by self-organized civil society actors to develop ecovillage practices and ensure the balance of conservation and agricultural uses. In both cases, we found that land tenure innovations in terms of boundary rules, choice rules, aggregation rules, as well as rules for higher-level action situations, were key to enabling land rights sharing, mixed land use, and different levels of stewardship depending on the preferences and capacity of stakeholders. Conclusions: Commoning could address the sustainability and localization challenges faced by landscape approaches to mixed land use and long-term adaptive management. Full article
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3 pages, 740 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Wen et al. Central Place Theory Based on Mobile Signal Data: The Case of Urban Parks in Beijing and Changsha. Land 2025, 14, 673
by Ning Wen, Hang Yin, Zhanhong Ma, Jiajie Peng, Kai Tang, Deyi Yao, Guangxin Xiang, Liyan Xu, Junyan Ye and Hongbin Yu
Land 2025, 14(5), 1113; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051113 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 35
Abstract
Error in Figure [...] Full article
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25 pages, 8217 KiB  
Article
Biophilic Urbanism Across Scales: Enhancing Urban Nature Through Experience and Design
by Deborah C. Lefosse, Maryam Naghibi, Sitong Luo and Arjan van Timmeren
Land 2025, 14(5), 1112; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051112 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 64
Abstract
As urban density increases and cities expand, there is a decrease in urban livability, which is closely linked to social, economic, and environmental crises. To address these negative impacts, biophilic urbanism (BU) promotes human–nature interactions and their associated benefits. However, knowledge gaps remain [...] Read more.
As urban density increases and cities expand, there is a decrease in urban livability, which is closely linked to social, economic, and environmental crises. To address these negative impacts, biophilic urbanism (BU) promotes human–nature interactions and their associated benefits. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding its effectiveness across different scales. This study explores how BU contributes to improving livability in the built environment and to renewing urban landscapes. Using Amsterdam as a case study, we first identified biophilic experiences by analyzing them through quantitative, qualitative, and spatial distribution metrics. We then investigated designs that foster biophilia by applying BU tools aimed at enhancing interspecies connections and leveraging ecosystem services. Our findings, in the form of maps, provide evidence-based insights to benefit everyday life using nature in settings at different scales, along with design solutions to renew urban planning, focus on human and environmental well-being, and involve citizens in spatial transformations and maintenance processes. Finally, we advocate for BU as a holistic model that uses natural capital as a key strategy for making cities more equitable, sustainable, and resilient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Canopy Cities: Protecting Urban Forests, Landscapes and Ecosystems)
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27 pages, 21677 KiB  
Article
Monitoring Vegetation Dynamics and Driving Forces in the Baijiu Golden Triangle Using Multi-Decadal Landsat NDVI and Geodetector Modeling
by Miao Zhang, Yuanjie Deng, Yifeng Hai, Hang Chen, Aiting Ma, Wenjing Wang, Lu Ming, Huae Dang, Minghong Peng, Dingdi Jize, Cuicui Jiao and Mei Zhang
Land 2025, 14(5), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051111 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 190
Abstract
The China Baijiu Golden Triangle (BGT) serves as the core production hub of China’s Baijiu industry, where the ecological environment plays a pivotal role in ensuring the industry’s sustainable development. However, urbanization, industrial expansion, and climate change pose potential threats to the region’s [...] Read more.
The China Baijiu Golden Triangle (BGT) serves as the core production hub of China’s Baijiu industry, where the ecological environment plays a pivotal role in ensuring the industry’s sustainable development. However, urbanization, industrial expansion, and climate change pose potential threats to the region’s vegetation dynamics. Utilizing Landsat remote sensing data from 2002 to 2022, this study integrates Theil–Sen trend analysis, the Mann–Kendall (MK) test, coefficient of variation (CV) analysis, and the Geodetector model (GD model) to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and its underlying driving mechanisms within the BGT. The findings reveal an overall upward trend in vegetation NDVI, with the annual mean NDVI increasing from 0.45 to 0.67, corresponding to a growth rate of 0.49%. Spatially, areas of high vegetation cover are predominantly located in mountainous forest zones with favorable ecological conditions, whereas regions of low vegetation cover are concentrated in zones of urban expansion. Precipitation and topographic factors (elevation and slope) emerge as the primary natural drivers of vegetation change, while land use change and the night-time light index stand out as the most influential human-induced factors. Further analysis uncovers a nonlinear interactive enhancement effect between natural and anthropogenic factors, with the interaction between the night-time light index and precipitation being particularly pronounced. This suggests that urbanization not only directly impacts vegetation but may also exert indirect effects on the ecosystem by altering regional hydrological and climatic processes. The results indicate that ecological protection policies in the BGT have yielded some success; however, vegetation fragmentation and ecological pressures stemming from urban expansion remain significant challenges. Moving forward, optimizing land use policies and promoting eco-friendly development models will be essential to achieving ecosystem stability and sustaining industrial growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vegetation Cover Changes Monitoring Using Remote Sensing Data)
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24 pages, 6648 KiB  
Article
Does Industrial Green Transformation Really Lead to High Land Use Efficiency? Evidence from China
by Wenfang Pu, Mengba Liu and Anlu Zhang
Land 2025, 14(5), 1110; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051110 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 84
Abstract
This research aimed to investigate whether transformation of the industrial sector in a region could improve industrial land use efficiency. Taking the urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China as the research area, we compiled socioeconomic panel data [...] Read more.
This research aimed to investigate whether transformation of the industrial sector in a region could improve industrial land use efficiency. Taking the urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China as the research area, we compiled socioeconomic panel data from 2000 to 2020 in order to analyze the impact of the transformation of industrial sectors in an area on industrial land use efficiency from two dimensions: industrial structural optimization and industrial spatial layout. The research results show the following: (1) The rationalization and upgrading of the industrial sector, as well as the professional agglomeration of industry and diversified industrial agglomeration, have improved the efficiency of industrial land use. (2) The impact of industrial rationalization on industrial land use efficiency presents an inverted U-shaped curve, whereby the impact of industrial upgrading on industrial land use efficiency has a relatively small spatiotemporal heterogeneity. The spatiotemporal changes in the impact of industrial specialized agglomeration on industrial land use efficiency are relatively small, while the spatiotemporal changes in the impact of industrial diversified agglomeration on industrial land use efficiency are more obvious. (3) There is obvious spatial heterogeneity in the two dimensions industrial structural optimization and industrial spatial layout in the three sub-regions when improving industrial land use efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Land Use Planning II)
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19 pages, 2411 KiB  
Article
Sacred Places, Ritual and Identity: Shaping the Liminal Landscape of Banda Neira, Maluku Islands
by Hendrajaya Isnaeni, Salsa Muafiroh, Zafira Rahmatul Ummah, Sam Turner, Stelios Lekakis, Joko Adianto, Rizki Hermawan, Nurachman Iriyanto, Muhamad Iko Kersapati and Mohamad Atqa
Land 2025, 14(5), 1109; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051109 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 208
Abstract
In the context of globalization and rapid societal changes, preserving sacred landscapes is vital for cultural identity and resilience. This study investigates the concept of liminality within the cultural landscape of Neira Island, emphasizing the significance of the Buka Kampung ritual and keramat [...] Read more.
In the context of globalization and rapid societal changes, preserving sacred landscapes is vital for cultural identity and resilience. This study investigates the concept of liminality within the cultural landscape of Neira Island, emphasizing the significance of the Buka Kampung ritual and keramat (sacred objects) as integral components of Neira landscape identity. Through qualitative analysis and case studies, the study explores how these rituals serve as liminal practices that mediate between continuity and transformation. The findings highlight that the act of making offerings at keramat during the Buka Kampung ritual fosters social cohesion and reinforces collective identity. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between sacredness, rituals, and identity, demonstrating how these elements shape place attachment, collective memory, and the lived experiences of local communities. It highlights the importance of sacred landscapes in fostering community resilience and cultural continuity, offering insights into the role of ritual practices in heritage preservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Landscapes, Their Inventory, Management and Future)
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24 pages, 1368 KiB  
Article
Land-Use Policy for Affordable Housing Goals: A Case Study of a Rapidly Growing Mid-Sized City in the United States
by Nathan Teklemariam, Olumayowa A. Idowu, Lori Dickes and Adegboyega O. Owolabi
Land 2025, 14(5), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051108 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 145
Abstract
Driven by many factors, the housing affordability landscape in the United States (U.S.) is in crisis. This research examines the potential role of inclusionary zoning (IZ) policies as a tool to alleviate housing cost burdens and deliver affordable housing in the rapidly growing [...] Read more.
Driven by many factors, the housing affordability landscape in the United States (U.S.) is in crisis. This research examines the potential role of inclusionary zoning (IZ) policies as a tool to alleviate housing cost burdens and deliver affordable housing in the rapidly growing southeastern region of the U.S., with a specific focus on Greenville County, South Carolina. Utilizing data from LawAtlas, this study first conducts a policy scan on the state of IZ policies across seven comparable jurisdictions. This study further employs qualitative semi-structured interviews with stakeholders to assess the current challenges to affordable housing in the county. Our findings suggest that growing regions such as Greenville County face unique challenges as they strive to meet the growing demand for affordable housing that serves a wide range of community members. A major finding from interviewees includes a need for more localized and nuanced metrics of housing affordability, greater density, and mixed-use development. However, the county faces challenges for such developments due to NIMBYism and preference for a more traditional rural and suburban typology of housing in the county. Finally, our study finds that zoning policies that enhance the supply of affordable housing by design can promote equity, trust, economic growth, and quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Development and Investment)
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19 pages, 1884 KiB  
Article
Effects of Bothriochloa ischaemum on the Diversity of Pannonian Sandy Grasslands
by Szilárd Szentes, Károly Penksza, Eszter Saláta-Falusi, László Sipos, Veronika Kozma-Bognár, Richárd Hoffmann and Zsombor Wagenhoffer
Land 2025, 14(5), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051107 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 187
Abstract
Changes in land use and agricultural practices have altered the resilience of plant communities and can lead to the emergence of invasive species. One of these is the perennial grass species Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Kleng., whose diversity-reducing effects are known from several studies. [...] Read more.
Changes in land use and agricultural practices have altered the resilience of plant communities and can lead to the emergence of invasive species. One of these is the perennial grass species Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Kleng., whose diversity-reducing effects are known from several studies. Our exploratory questions were as follows: How does the presence of B. ischaemum affect the diversity and ratio of the species of sandy grasslands? To what extent does this diversity change depend on site characteristics? The supporting studies were carried out in five low-lying sand dune slacks and six relatively higher areas in the upper-intermediate part of the dunes and on an abandoned old field located in the Hungarian Great Plain in the Carpathian Basin. The cover of vascular plant species was recorded in all sampling sites in twelve 2 by 2 m plots, and the dataset was analysed using agglomerative cluster analyses and a non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test. Five significantly different groups were identified, separating the vegetation types of the sides of the sand dunes, the vegetation types of the dune slack and the old field, and a Stipa borysthenica Kolkov ex Prokudin-dominated vegetation type. Our results suggest that B. ischaemum is only present as small tussocks on the drier, more exposed sides of dunes, with 3.9–24.2% average coverage; is less able to outcompete Festuca vaginata Waldst. et Kit. ex Willd. and S. borysthenica; and is only able to form large tussocks mainly in the lower dune slacks, with 45.6–79.5% average coverage. Here, in the wetter areas, it achieves high cover with a considerable accumulation of litter, and it becomes a dominant species in this association. The diversity-reducing effect of B. ischaemum on old-field grasslands depends on the age of the site and on the stability of the vegetation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use Change and Plant Invasion: Plant Invasion Due to Changed Landscape Use, Changed Behavior and Ecological Problems of Native and Non-Native Species)
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19 pages, 1736 KiB  
Article
Measurement of Building Carbon Emissions and Its Decoupling Relationship with the Construction Land Area in China from 2010 to 2020
by Fangjun Xie, Jinhua Cheng, Jianxin Yang, Li Yu, Ji Chai and Deyi Xu
Land 2025, 14(5), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051106 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 209
Abstract
The building sector is responsible for significant carbon emissions and energy consumption, making it a critical field for global energy-saving and emission reduction efforts to combat climate change. This study calculated the building carbon emissions (BCE) of 30 provinces in the Chinese Mainland [...] Read more.
The building sector is responsible for significant carbon emissions and energy consumption, making it a critical field for global energy-saving and emission reduction efforts to combat climate change. This study calculated the building carbon emissions (BCE) of 30 provinces in the Chinese Mainland from 2010 to 2020 using the IPCC carbon emission factor method based on the statistical data of energy consumption and building materials, and then the decoupling relationship between BCE and the construction land area (CLA) was analyzed. The results are as follows: (1) BCE exhibited an overall increase from 2010 to 2020, yet at a descending rate, with a prominent decrease in indirect BCE (IBCE); (2) BCE and direct BCE (DBCE) were higher in the north but lower in the south, while IBCE was higher along the eastern coast; (3) the provinces in North China and Northeast China possess the largest areas of construction land, but the growth of CLA was the slowest or even declined in the later stage of the study; (4) the decoupling relationship between BCE and CLA is dominated by expansive negative decoupling or strong negative decoupling. The growth of BCE is generally much faster than the expansion of construction land. The findings will have important reference for achieving energy-saving and “dual carbon” strategic development goals in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Innovations – Data and Machine Learning)
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17 pages, 1863 KiB  
Article
Industrial Heritage Protection from the Perspective of Spatial Narrative
by Hui Tao, Yingzheng Wen, Min Liu and Yuruo Wu
Land 2025, 14(5), 1105; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051105 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 119
Abstract
Industrial heritage has historical and cultural value and reuse potential. Urban industrialization has a significant social influence on place identity and emotional identity. Shougang Science Fiction Industrial Park (hereinafter referred to as “Shougang Park”) serves as one of the first pilot projects for [...] Read more.
Industrial heritage has historical and cultural value and reuse potential. Urban industrialization has a significant social influence on place identity and emotional identity. Shougang Science Fiction Industrial Park (hereinafter referred to as “Shougang Park”) serves as one of the first pilot projects for the transformation of old industrial areas in China. This study examines Shougang Park through a spatial narrative lens, analyzing its industrial heritage via the “author-text-reader” framework. Research reveals the specific implications of the three dimensions and the connections behind them. The findings offer practical strategies for experiential tourism design and adaptive reuse planning, while establishing theoretical models applicable to global post-industrial heritage revitalization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Co-Benefits of Heritage Protection and Urban Planning)
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26 pages, 339 KiB  
Article
From the Agrarian Question to the Territorial Question: Green Grabbing and the Corridors of Extractivist Dispossession in Latin America
by Lia Pinheiro Barbosa and Luciana Nogueira Nóbrega
Land 2025, 14(5), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051104 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 473
Abstract
The article aims to analyze the contemporary forms of territorial dispossession that stem from the energy transition, especially those related to free trade corridors and green grabbing in the context of Latin America. To do this, we describe the reconfigurations of contemporary capitalism [...] Read more.
The article aims to analyze the contemporary forms of territorial dispossession that stem from the energy transition, especially those related to free trade corridors and green grabbing in the context of Latin America. To do this, we describe the reconfigurations of contemporary capitalism for territorializing capital in the geopolitical context of Latin America. At the same time, we argue how the territories of Latin America became strategically relevant for the expanded reproduction of capital in contemporary times. We also shed light on the centrality of free trade agreements and the corridors of extractivist dispossession as a turning point in the expansion—relating to the spectrum of hegemonic and imperialist domination of capital—of legal state frameworks for regulating and justifying full access to the neo-extractivist exploitation of Global South territories. Finally, we show that the “energy transition” supports green grabbing—that is, a new model not just of land grabbing, but rather of comprehensive territorial grabbing, since it means the expropriation of subterranean, maritime, wind, solar, and land territory. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural Social Movements and the Question of the Land in the 21st Century)
21 pages, 4302 KiB  
Article
Construction and Optimization of the Ecological Security Pattern of Pinglu Canal Economic Zone Based on the InVEST-Circuit Theory Model
by Zhanhao Dang, Baoqing Hu, Chunlian Gao, Shaoqiang Wen, Jinrui Ren and Yunfei Liang
Land 2025, 14(5), 1103; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051103 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 175
Abstract
The strategic delineation of ecological corridors and establishment of robust ecological security frameworks constitute fundamental prerequisites for advancing ecologically balanced growth and premium development within the Pinglu Canal Economic Belt. In this study, a comprehensive framework integrating ecological sources, resistance surfaces, and ecological [...] Read more.
The strategic delineation of ecological corridors and establishment of robust ecological security frameworks constitute fundamental prerequisites for advancing ecologically balanced growth and premium development within the Pinglu Canal Economic Belt. In this study, a comprehensive framework integrating ecological sources, resistance surfaces, and ecological corridors was developed using the InVEST model combined with circuit theory. The framework was then applied to assess the spatial and temporal dynamics of four major ecosystem services over the period from 2000 to 2020. The main findings are as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the values of the four ecosystem services showed an overall declining trend. Spatially, areas with high ecosystem service importance were mainly concentrated in woodland and grassland areas in the southwest and northwest of the region. (2) The resistance values of the study area’s resistance surface ranged from 1 to 4.83. High-resistance areas were primarily located in the central region, corresponding to areas of intense human activity, while low-resistance areas were distributed around the periphery and largely overlapped with ecological source areas, presenting a spatial pattern of “high in the center, low at the edges”. (3) In total, 119 ecological barriers, 28 corridors, 8 critical pinch points, and 16 habitat source areas were identified. Building on these results, an enhanced ecological security layout—defined by the ‘three belts and three zones’ strategy—was formulated to guide restoration efforts and inform ecological management across the Pinglu Canal Economic Region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Sensitive Areas: Ecosystem Services, Protected Lands, and Current Challenges (Second Edition))
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21 pages, 5172 KiB  
Article
Analyzing the Impact of Land-Use Characteristics and Demographic Factors on Spatial Variations in Public Bus Usage: A Comparison of Pre- and During COVID-19 Periods
by Sukchan Hong and Byungyun Yang
Land 2025, 14(5), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051102 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 210
Abstract
The spread of the coronavirus pandemic led to significant changes in bus-usage patterns in urban areas worldwide. Researchers have frequently employed linear and nonlinear models in bus-usage studies. However, existing linear models assume that each variable affects a uniform range, limiting their ability [...] Read more.
The spread of the coronavirus pandemic led to significant changes in bus-usage patterns in urban areas worldwide. Researchers have frequently employed linear and nonlinear models in bus-usage studies. However, existing linear models assume that each variable affects a uniform range, limiting their ability to capture localized pattern changes. This study applies a multiscale geographically weighted regression model reflecting the characteristics of the variables to address these limitations. Linear models are constrained by their inability to account adequately for the complex dynamics of real-world bus usage. This research introduces nonlinear methods to overcome these constraints. The geographical random forest method, an advanced variant of the random forest model, integrates spatial concepts to explain local patterns more effectively than traditional machine learning techniques. The linear models revealed significant changes in four variables (i.e., population size, over-65 population ratio, number of students, and land-use complexity). In contrast, nonlinear models demonstrated diverse movement patterns influenced by several factors, indicating a shift toward new public transportation patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Innovations—Data and Machine Learning: 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 3623 KiB  
Article
Coupling Coordination Relationship and Driving Factors Between Common Prosperity and Tourism Development Levels in the Five Northwestern Provinces of China
by Haiqiang Zhu, Xinru Mao and Xia Xie
Land 2025, 14(5), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051101 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 204
Abstract
Promoting the coordinated development of tourism and enhancing residents’ prosperity has become a critical issue in the contemporary era. This study examines five northwestern provinces in China, constructing an index system to measure the dynamic interplay between common prosperity and tourism development. A [...] Read more.
Promoting the coordinated development of tourism and enhancing residents’ prosperity has become a critical issue in the contemporary era. This study examines five northwestern provinces in China, constructing an index system to measure the dynamic interplay between common prosperity and tourism development. A Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model was employed to analyze the key driving factors influencing the coupling coordination between common prosperity and tourism development levels. The results revealed the following: (1) From 2012 to 2022, the level of common prosperity in the five northwestern provinces exhibited an upward trend, while tourism development levels initially increased and then declined. Shaanxi Province had the highest levels of both common prosperity and tourism development, whereas Qinghai Province had the lowest. (2) Although coupled coordination between common prosperity and tourism development has improved, it remains relatively low. Shaanxi Province exhibits superior coupling coordination compared to the other provinces. (3) The analysis of influencing factors indicates that the proportion of tourism income has the most significant impact on the coupling coordination between common prosperity and tourism development. Moreover, the degree and direction of the influence of various factors on coupling coordination differ across regions. Based on these findings, measures are proposed to enhance the coordinated development of tourism and common prosperity in the northwestern provinces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban and Rural Planning for Tourism: Designing a Better Future for Residents)
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32 pages, 13161 KiB  
Article
Using Landscape Metrics of Pixel Scale Land Cover Extracted from High Spatial Resolution Images to Classify Block-Level Urban Land Use
by Haofeng Luo, Xiaomei Yang, Zhihua Wang, Yueming Liu, Huifang Zhang, Ku Gao and Qingyang Zhang
Land 2025, 14(5), 1100; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051100 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 158
Abstract
Block-level urban land use classification (BLULUC), like residential and commercial classification, is highly useful for urban planners. It can be achieved in the form of high-frequency full coverage without biases based on the data of high-spatial-resolution remote sensing images (HSRRSIs), which social sensing [...] Read more.
Block-level urban land use classification (BLULUC), like residential and commercial classification, is highly useful for urban planners. It can be achieved in the form of high-frequency full coverage without biases based on the data of high-spatial-resolution remote sensing images (HSRRSIs), which social sensing data like POI data or mobile phone data cannot provide. However, at present, the extraction of quantitative features from HSRRSIs for BLULUC primarily relies on computer vision or deep learning methods based on image signal characteristics rather than land cover patterns, like vegetation, water, or buildings, thus disconnecting existing knowledge between the landscape patterns and their functions as well as greatly hindering BLULUC by HSRRSIs. Well-known landscape metrics could play an important connecting role, but these also encounter the scale selection issue; i.e., the optimal spatial unit size is an image pixel or a segmented image object. Here, we use the task of BLULUC with 2 m satellite images in Beijing as a case study. The results show the following: (1) pixel-based classification can achieve higher accuracy than segmented object-based classification, with an average of 3% in overall aspects, while some land use types could reach 10%, such as commercial land. (2) At the pixel scale, if the quantity metrics at the class level, such as the number of patches, and the proportion metrics at the landscape level, such as vegetation proportion, are removed, the accuracy can be greatly reduced. Moreover, removing landscape-level metrics can lead to a more significant reduction in accuracy than removing class-level metrics. This indicates that in order to achieve a higher accuracy in BLULUC from HSRRSIs, landscape-level land cover metrics, including patch numbers and proportions at the pixel scale, can be used instead of object-scale metrics. Full article
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19 pages, 6841 KiB  
Article
The Economic Performance of Urban Sponge Parks Uncovered by an Integrated Evaluation Approach
by Xiao Peng and Shipeng Wen
Land 2025, 14(5), 1099; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051099 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 239
Abstract
Climate change and extreme rainfall events pose great pressures on a city’s resilience to flooding and waterlogging. Designed as a kind of green infrastructure to manage stormwater, urban sponge parks (USPs) in China have been demonstrated to have ecological and societal benefits, while [...] Read more.
Climate change and extreme rainfall events pose great pressures on a city’s resilience to flooding and waterlogging. Designed as a kind of green infrastructure to manage stormwater, urban sponge parks (USPs) in China have been demonstrated to have ecological and societal benefits, while their landscape economic values lack evaluation. Taking the real-estate choices surrounding six USPs in China as an example, an evaluation framework integrating text mining with housing introduction documents and hedonic price model (HPM) regression with housing prices was constructed to combine the stated preferences and revealed preferences of citizens when purchasing properties. The main findings include the following: (1) USPs do contribute to property appreciation, especially in newer urban areas, although they are not as strong as location and property characteristic factors; (2) the extent of the influence of USPs on houses decreases as the distance increases, with a maximum radius of 3 km; (3) a USP’s effects vary according to the urban and environmental context, as HPM with GWR (R2 ranges from 0.203 to 0.679) outperforms the OLS method (R2 ranges from 0.149 to 0.491), which evokes the need for more affluent and detailed analyses in the future. This study demonstrates the economic benefits of USPs and provides an evaluation approach based on citizen science data, which could contribute to the policy-making of USPs in China and promote the implementation of Nature-based Solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Planning and Landscape Architecture)
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18 pages, 11901 KiB  
Article
Deformation Monitoring Along Beijing Metro Line 22 Using PS-InSAR Technology
by Fenze Guo, Mingyuan Lyu, Xiaojuan Li, Jiyi Jiang, Lan Wang, Lin Guo, Ke Zhang, Huan Luo and Fengzhou Wang
Land 2025, 14(5), 1098; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14051098 - 18 May 2025
Viewed by 215
Abstract
The construction of subways exacerbates the non-uniformity of surface deformation, which in turn poses a potential threat to the safe construction and stable operation of urban rail transit systems. Beijing, the city with the most extensive subway network in China, has long been [...] Read more.
The construction of subways exacerbates the non-uniformity of surface deformation, which in turn poses a potential threat to the safe construction and stable operation of urban rail transit systems. Beijing, the city with the most extensive subway network in China, has long been affected by land subsidence. Utilizing data from Envisat ASAR, Radarsat-2, and Sentinel-1 satellites, this study employs PS-InSAR technology to monitor and analyze land subsidence within a 2 km buffer zone along Beijing Metro Line 22 over a span of 20 years (from January 2004 to November 2024). The results indicate that land subsidence at Guanzhuang Station and Yanjiao Station along Metro Line 22 is particularly pronounced, forming two distinct subsidence zones. After 2016, the overall rate of subsidence along the subway line began to stabilize, with noticeable ground rebound emerging around 2020. This study further reveals a strong correlation between land subsidence and confined groundwater levels, while geological structures and building construction also exert a significant influence on subsidence development. These findings provide a crucial scientific foundation for the formulation of effective prevention and mitigation strategies for land subsidence along urban rail transit lines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessing Land Subsidence Using Remote Sensing Data)
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