The Coordinated Development of Territorial Space and Transportation

1. Introduction

As a foundational, pioneering, and strategic sector of the national economy, transportation is deeply intertwined with the layout and structure of territorial space. On one hand, transportation reshapes the relationship between time and space, generating a spatial convergence effect and acting as a powerful driver in the reorganization of territorial spatial structures. On the other hand, transportation is an integral component of territorial space. Its network configuration is influenced by spatial elements such as landforms, water bodies, and ecosystems, and should align with the goals of territorial space development and protection. The relationship between transportation and territorial space is thus mutually reinforcing: each influences and supports the development of the other. The coordinated optimization of the two contributes to the rational distribution of infrastructure and the efficient allocation of land resources—an objective of growing importance in the era of global connectivity and sustainable development. In recent years, many countries have made significant efforts to promote the coordinated development of transportation and territorial space. For example, China has introduced and implemented key policy documents such as the “Comprehensive National Transport Network Planning Outline” and the “National Territorial Space Planning Outline (2021–2035)”, advancing the high-quality integration of transportation systems and spatial planning.

Transportation plays a key role in fostering an orderly, efficient, and sustainable spatial structure. In the context of territorial spatial planning and protection, the orientation, scope, and depth of transportation planning and infrastructure construction have undergone significant changes, accompanied by increasingly sophisticated research. At present, transportation planning in China is evolving in several key dimensions: from single-mode systems to integrated, multimodal systems; from incremental expansion to balanced development with ecological considerations; from a focus on connectivity to an emphasis on high-quality service delivery; from broad, generalized layouts to precise spatial configurations; from experience-based approaches to data- and model-driven decision-making; and from inward-focused planning to outward-looking, regionally integrated strategies. Likewise, territorial spatial planning is transitioning from fragmented, sectoral approaches to a more networked structure, in which transportation serves as both the skeleton and lifeblood, supporting a new paradigm of coordinated development under the guidance of ecological civilization principles.

The academia has made substantial progress in examining the impacts of transportation infrastructure development and operation on territorial space, as well as in optimizing transportation systems within the context of spatial planning. However, several challenges remain. They include, but are not limited to, an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying the interaction between transportation and territorial space, a lack of high-precision and quantitative assessment methods, and the limited integration of macro-level planning strategies with clear coordination mechanisms.

2. Overview of the Special Issue

The Special Issue was launched in the “Land Planning and Landscape Architecture” section of Land by three Guest Editors who possess expertise in either urban and rural planning or transportation planning in February 2025 and was completed in July 2025. The proposed keywords for this Special Issue encompass a wide range of critical topics, such as comprehensive transportation network planning, the impact of transportation on land use, the impact of land use on transportation, the interaction between transportation network and territorial space, territorial space development guided by transportation (transit-oriented development, TOD), the ecological effects of transportation and protection of territorial space, the evolution of port coastal zones and the integration of port industry and city, the optimization of transportation infrastructure layout (highways, railways, airports, ports), connection and coordination between transportation and territorial spatial planning, and resilient transportation and territory.

This Special Issue aims to examine the complex relationship between territorial space and transportation systems, an area that has garnered increasing academic and policy attention. Transportation networks—including highways, railways, aviation, and waterways—serve as the foundational infrastructure for both national and regional development. However, the expansion of such infrastructure, coupled with the growth of transportation activities, is exerting significant ecological and spatial pressures on land use, particularly with respect to farmland preservation and environmental sustainability. Addressing the dual challenge of promoting development and preserving ecological integrity, leveraging the network effects of transportation to stimulate regional growth, and enhancing the environmental performance of transport systems are among the critical issues of our time. By providing a dedicated platform for theoretical, empirical, and practical contributions, this Special Issue aims to advance interdisciplinary research and foster more integrated and sustainable approaches to territorial spatial planning and transportation planning.

A total of sixteen papers, including two review papers, were selected for this Special Issue. He et al. (Contribution 1) used CiteSpace to analyze 10,470 publications on public transport and land use and identified key research trends, core theories, models, and hotspots within the field. Yang, Cui, and Xia (Contribution 2) conducted a bibliometric and knowledge map analysis based on 1894 articles concerning urban rail transit and land use. The remaining fourteen original research articles primarily address four central themes: transit station-area development (four papers), transportation and regional development (three papers), transportation infrastructure (four papers), and transportation planning and spatial planning (three papers).

2.1. Transit Station-Area Development

Lu et al. (Contribution 3) extended the traditional node–place model to the node–place–revenue model, utilizing this enhanced framework in conjunction with k-means clustering to categorize various metro station areas in Shenyang into distinct groups. They then formulated tailored renewal strategies for each group. Ma et al. (Contribution 4) conducted questionnaire surveys to assess user satisfaction with urban central metro station areas in Chengdu. Through structural equation modeling and importance–performance analysis, they evaluated the impact of perceived environmental quality on user satisfaction and identified key attributes requiring improvement. Li et al. (Contribution 5) employed linear and multiscale geographically weighted regression models to examine the influence of various built environment characteristics on the integration of bike-sharing and metro systems across different types of metro stations in Shenzhen. Lastly, Liang et al. (Contribution 6) integrated machine learning techniques, specifically LightGBM and SHAP (SHapley Additive Explanations) models, to explore the nonlinear and interactive effects of many contributory factors on the vitality of high-speed rail (HSR) station areas.

2.2. Transportation and Regional Development

Fan et al. (Contribution 7) developed a range of transportation accessibility indicators to investigate the influence of comprehensive transport networks on the spatial expansion patterns of the Yangtze River Middle Reaches urban agglomeration in central China. Lee et al. (Contribution 8) employed statistical modeling and machine learning techniques to analyze mobility patterns and graph-theoretic centrality metrics, demonstrating how intercity transportation accessibility, which is measured by network distance to the nearest regional transit station, intercity bus station, or highway interchange, affects regional network centrality in South Korea. Liu, Ma, and Li (Contribution 9) analyzed provincial panel data from China and identified an inverted U-shaped relationship between new infrastructure and the development of rural industries.

2.3. Transportation Infrastructure

Feng, Li et al. (Contribution 10) applied continuous difference-in-differences models to city-level panel data, demonstrating that HSR significantly enhanced economic quality through mechanisms such as labor mobility, industrial upgrading, and spatial spillovers. Gao et al. (Contribution 11) investigated the effects of a newly constructed expressway on tourism development. Xiong and Jin (Contribution 12) developed multiscale geographically weighted regression models to examine the relationship between the remote sensing ecological index and various landscape metrics, revealing how landscape patterns influence ecological quality along different segments of the Grand Canal. Feng, Jin et al. (Contribution 13) assessed alternative extension routes for the Pinglu Canal and identified the option that was most feasible and least environmentally disruptive.

2.4. Transportation Planning and Spatial Planning

Yang, Huang et al. (Contribution 14) proposed a “constraint–coupling–innovation” framework to address planning challenges associated with ecological redline constraints. Ruan et al. (Contribution 15) developed a methodological framework that integrates street view imagery, object detection, and interpretable machine learning techniques to enhance nonmotorized transportation vitality and to support the design of urban environments oriented toward nonmotorized transportation. Li et al. (Contribution 16) focused on the coordination of the transportation network and ecological corridors in the Giant Panda National Park, China.

3. Future Research Directions

Fostering positive interaction between transportation systems and territorial space is essential for promoting green, efficient, and high-quality regional and urban–rural development, which is vital for national progress and public well-being. The deep integration and coordinated development of regional transportation infrastructure and territorial space are instrumental in addressing complex urban and regional challenges. From the perspective of interaction and optimization between integrated transportation systems and territorial space, future research could be advanced in several directions: (1) improving assessment methodologies and technologies to evaluate the interactions between transportation networks and territorial space; (2) strengthening theoretical research on the mechanisms through which transportation influences spatial development; and (3) accelerating the development of comprehensive theoretical frameworks across various domains, including transit-oriented development (TOD), low-altitude air transport, and resilient transportation systems. Great attention from both the academic community and government stakeholders is essential to promoting research across different spatial scales and regions and supporting national development and the advancement of ecological civilization.