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Sustainable Development and Urban Land Use Efficiency: Strategies for Effective Land Management

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A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land Use, Impact Assessment and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 7273

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Danling Chen

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Guest Editor

College of Public Administration, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Interests: territorial spatial governance and urbanization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Xinhai Lu

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Guest Editor

College of Public Administration, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: land management; sustainable development; land use policy; food security
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Dr. Jianquan Cheng

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Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
Interests: planning; geography; urban studies; GIS
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Dr. Bing Kuang

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Guest Editor

Department of Land Management, Huazhong Normal University, Wuhan 430070, China
Interests: land use and sustainable development
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Dr. Yifeng Tang

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Guest Editor

School of Public Administration and Law, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410127, China
Interests: sustainable use of urban and rural land
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue examines the relationship between sustainable development and urban land use efficiency, with an emphasis on practical strategies for effective land management in the context of rapid urbanization. As cities expand, rising demands for housing, infrastructure, and economic development create pressures on limited land resources. Improving land use efficiency is therefore crucial to ensure that urban growth is environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically productive. We welcome contributions that provide theoretical insights, empirical evidence, and policy recommendations. Areas of interest include compact city design, urban renewal and redevelopment of underutilized land, brownfield regeneration, and transit-oriented development. Studies on green infrastructure, ecological corridors, and nature-based solutions are also encouraged. In addition, this Special Issue highlights the role of advanced technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, big data, and AI in monitoring, evaluating, and guiding land use decisions. Governance and social aspects, including participatory land use planning, land tenure security, affordable housing, and urban–rural land transitions, are also within scope. Research addressing climate change adaptation, disaster resilience, and public health impacts of land use patterns is particularly welcome.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Compact city planning and mixed-use development;
Urban renewal, redevelopment, and land recycling;
Brownfield regeneration and sustainable land reuse;
Transit-oriented development and land efficiency;
Green infrastructure and urban ecological networks;
Application of GIS, remote sensing, and AI in land use management;
Climate change adaptation and disaster-resilient land use;
Participatory planning, land governance, and institutional innovation;
Affordable housing, social equity, and land allocation;
Urban–rural land transition and farmland protection.

We are looking forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Danling Chen
Prof. Dr. Xinhai Lu
Dr. Jianquan Cheng
Dr. Bing Kuang
Dr. Yifeng Tang
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

urban renewal
land use efficiency
sustainable development
compact city
brownfield regeneration
transit-oriented development
GIS and remote sensing
climate change adaptation

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4683 KB

Open AccessArticle

Projecting Future Land Use Distributions to Enhance Ecosystem Service Value: A Dyna-CLUE Modeling Approach

by Tianhai Zhang, Shouqian Sun, Zhibing Zou, Rong Zhang and Greg Foliente

Land 2026, 15(4), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15040561 - 29 Mar 2026

Viewed by 514

Abstract

Land use change is the most direct factor driving the supply and alteration of ecosystem services. This study employed the Dyna-CLUE tool to simulate future land use distributions under two scenarios—the Constrained Trend (CT) and Optimized Target-driven (OT) scenarios—based on land use data from 2010. Subsequently, their corresponding ecosystem service values (ESVs) were calculated, with the simulation outcomes revealing distinct land use layouts under each scenario. Under the CT scenario, grassland and urban areas expanded, whereas farmland and water bodies declined, reflecting a trend of urbanization at the expense of rural landscapes. In contrast, the OT scenario demonstrated a cessation of built-up land expansion, accompanied by marked increases in forest and water coverage, changes that facilitated the restoration of coastal watersheds, enhancing wetland provision and improving overall ESV. Consequently, per capita ESV increased substantially—from 1751 CNY in 2018 to 2356 CNY, matching the 2010 level—primarily due to the conversion of grasslands and farmlands into forests and wetlands. The OT scenario also improved the spatial distribution of ESVs, forming interconnected ecological zones around urban areas. The results underscore that policies restraining built-up expansion, promoting afforestation, and restoring wetlands can significantly improve ecosystem services and contribute to sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Urban Land Use Efficiency: Strategies for Effective Land Management)

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26 pages, 10609 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics, Driving Forces, and Location–Distance Attenuation Mechanisms of Beautiful Leisure Tourism Villages in China

by Xiaowei Wang, Jiaqi Mei, Zhu Mei, Hui Cheng, Wei Li, Linqiang Wang, Danling Chen, Yingying Wang and Zhongwen Gao

Land 2026, 15(2), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15020250 - 1 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 670

Abstract

Beautiful Leisure Tourism Villages (BLTVs) represent an effective pathway for advancing high-quality rural industrial development and promoting comprehensive rural revitalization. They are of great significance to enriching new rural business formats and new functions. The analysis is interpreted within an integrated location–distance attenuation framework. Based on the methods of spatial clustering analysis, geographical linkage rate and geographical weighted regression, the spatio-temporal evolution of 1982 BLTVs in China up to 2023 was examined to uncover the underlying driving mechanisms. Findings indicated that (1) a staged expansion in the number of villages across China, with the most pronounced growth occurring between 2014 and 2018, averaged 124 new villages per year; their stage characteristics showed an obvious “unipolar core-bipolar multi-core-bipolar network” development model; (2) the barycenters of villages were all located in Nanyang City of Henan Province; they migrated from east to west, and formed a push and pull migration trend from east to west and then east; (3) the spatial distribution of villages was highly aggregated and demonstrated marked regional heterogeneity, following a south–north and east–west gradient, with the highest concentration in Jiangzhe and the lowest in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region; and (4) natural ecology, hydrological and climatic conditions, socioeconomic context, transportation accessibility, and resource endowment collectively shaped the spatial layout of villages, exhibiting pronounced spatial variation in the intensity of these driving factors. On the whole, topography, social economy, traffic condition and precipitation condition had greater influences on the spatial distribution of villages in the western than in the eastern part of China. In contrast, the effects of resource endowment and temperature on the spatial distribution of BLTVs were stronger in eastern China than in western China. These findings enhance the theoretical understanding of tourism-oriented rural development by integrating spatio-temporal evolution with a location–distance attenuation perspective and provide differentiated guidance for the sustainable development of BLTVs across regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Urban Land Use Efficiency: Strategies for Effective Land Management)

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24 pages, 3932 KB

Open AccessArticle

How Does New Quality Productivity Impact Land Use Efficiency? Empirical Insights from the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration

by Shanshan Guo, Junchang Huang, Qian Niu, Xiaotong Xie and Ling Li

Land 2026, 15(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010097 - 4 Jan 2026

Viewed by 588

Abstract

As a pivotal driver of high-quality development, new quality productivity (NQP) forms an indispensable synergistic relationship with land use efficiency (LUE) for achieving regional sustainability. Based on panel data from 29 prefecture-level cities in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration (CPUA) from 2010 to 2023, this study integrates the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method, super-efficiency Slack-Based Measure (SBM) model, Malmquist index, and fixed-effects models to systematically explore the spatiotemporal evolution of NQP and its underlying impact mechanism on LUE. Key findings reveal: (1) The comprehensive NQP index of the CPUA increased from 0.280 to 0.828, exhibiting a “stepwise rise” trend, with a spatial pattern characterized by a “core–secondary–periphery” three-tier gradient distribution. Zhengzhou, as the core growth pole, played an innovative leading role, while peripheral cities (e.g., Handan, Hebi) remained constrained by resource-dependent economic structures, with NQP indices consistently below 0.2. (2) The average LUE in the study area increased from 0.917 to 1.031. Cities within Henan Province generally performed better than those in Hebei, Shanxi, and Anhui provinces. Total factor productivity grew at an average annual rate of 16.4%, with technological progress serving as the primary driver. (3) NQP exerts a significantly positive impact on LUE, yet with notable heterogeneity: large-scale cities enhanced intensive land use substantially through technological agglomeration and industrial upgrading; cities with scarce arable land and high economic development levels effectively leveraged NQP to boost LUE; in contrast, small cities, regions rich in arable land, and areas with low economic development have not established effective synergistic mechanisms, hindered by limited technological absorption capacity, path dependence, and factor bottlenecks. This study provides empirical support and actionable insights for optimizing land resource allocation and advancing coordinated development between NQP and LUE in similar urban agglomerations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Urban Land Use Efficiency: Strategies for Effective Land Management)

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24 pages, 7238 KB

Open AccessArticle

Structural-Functional Suitability Assessment of Yangtze River Waterfront in the Yichang Section: A Three-Zone Spatial and POI-Based Approach

by Xiaofen Li, Fan Qiu, Kai Li, Yichen Jia, Junnan Xia and Jiawuhaier Aishanjian

Land 2026, 15(1), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010091 - 1 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 617

Abstract

The Yangtze River Economic Belt is a crucial driver of China’s economy, and its shoreline is a strategic, finite resource vital for ecological security, flood control, navigation, and socioeconomic development. However, intensive development has resulted in functional conflicts and ecological degradation, underscoring the need for accurate identification and suitability assessment of shoreline functions. Conventional methods, which predominantly rely on land use data and remote sensing imagery, are often limited in their ability to capture dynamic changes in large river systems. This study introduces an integrated framework combining macro-level “Three-Zone Space” (urban, agricultural, ecological) theory with micro-level Point of Interest (POI) data to rapidly identify shoreline functions along the Yichang section of the Yangtze River. We further developed a multi-criteria evaluation system incorporating ecological, production, developmental, and risk constraints, utilizing a combined AHP-Entropy weight method to assess suitability. The results reveal a clear upstream-downstream gradient: ecological functions dominate upstream, while agricultural and urban functions increase downstream. POI data enabled refined classification into five functional types, revealing that ecological conservation shorelines are extensively distributed upstream, port and urban development shorelines concentrate in downstream nodal zones, and agricultural production shorelines are widespread yet exhibit a spatial mismatch with suitability scores. The comprehensive evaluation identified high-suitability units, primarily in downstream urban cores with superior development conditions and lower risks, whereas low-suitability units are constrained by high geological hazards and poor infrastructure. These findings provide a scientific basis for differentiated shoreline management strategies. The proposed framework offers a transferable approach for the sustainable planning of major river corridors, offering insights applicable to similar contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Urban Land Use Efficiency: Strategies for Effective Land Management)

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25 pages, 1229 KB

Open AccessArticle

Determinants of Property Reuse for Age-Friendly Social Housing Development in Shrinking and Ageing Cities: Evidence from Latvia

by Rashmi Jaymin Sanchaniya, Jurgita Cerneckiene, Ineta Geipele, Antra Kundzina, Leo Jansons, Edgars Pudzis and Peteris Drukis

Land 2025, 14(12), 2375; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14122375 - 4 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 962

Abstract

Demographic decline and population ageing present unprecedented challenges to housing systems in post-socialist Europe. With one of the European Union (EU)’s fastest shrinking populations, an underdeveloped social housing sector, and an ageing housing stock dominated by Soviet-era multi-family blocks, Latvia exemplifies these difficulties. Adaptive property reuse—repurposing underutilised buildings into age-friendly social housing—offers a potential solution, but its feasibility depends on complex economic, regulatory, social, and environmental determinants. This study investigated these determinants using a mixed-methods approach. Data were drawn from 312 survey responses, 15 policymaker interviews, 10 developer interviews, and focus group of 25 senior residents across Latvia. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to extract six determinant clusters: site selection, feasibility analysis, design and planning, implementation strategies, monitoring and evaluation, and scaling strategies. The findings demonstrate: (1) economic feasibility and regulatory clarity dominate stakeholder concerns, with financing gaps receiving the lowest ratings (M = 2.91); (2) implementation strategies emerged as the highest-priority determinant, emphasising governance capacity and structured execution; (3) significant trust deficits exist between developers and municipal authorities, undermining collaboration; (4) seniors prioritise design inclusivity and social integration, while developers emphasise cost efficiency and regulatory certainty; and (5) environmental sustainability consistently ranked lower (M ≈ 3.34) across all stakeholder groups due to pressing affordability concerns. Although municipal officers were intentionally oversampled (58%) due to their central role in Latvia’s housing governance, robustness checks confirmed the six-factor structure remained stable across stakeholder groups. This study contributes theoretically by contextualising adaptive reuse within shrinking cities and ageing societies and practically by providing a determinant-based framework for housing policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Urban Land Use Efficiency: Strategies for Effective Land Management)

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23 pages, 1124 KB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Influencing Urban Land Green Use Efficiency in China: A Meta-Analysis

by Bing Tan, Chengshun Song and Zixin Xiong

Land 2025, 14(12), 2337; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14122337 - 27 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1056

Abstract

China, the world’s predominant carbon emitter, is instrumental in advancing green and low-carbon urban land development globally. Urban land green use efficiency (ULGUE) in China is shaped by a multifaceted array of economic and social factors. Given the incongruous results observed in prior research, a comprehensive evaluation of these factors is paramount. This study consolidates data from previous research that explored the determinants of ULGUE in China. Utilizing the IPAT model as a foundational framework, the influencing factors were classified, and meta-analysis was employed to quantify their overall impact. The results show the following: (1) Population agglomeration exhibits a nonlinear effect on ULGUE, with moderate density enhancing efficiency but excessive concentration yielding diminishing returns; (2) Economic development efficiency positively affects ULGUE, with both gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and industrial structure advancement showing significant positive associations; (3) Social development equity demonstrates a threshold effect, where excessive governmental intervention or disproportionate investment in science and education may constrain ULGUE; (4) Resource endowment sustainability, including per capita green space and road infrastructure, consistently enhances ULGUE; (5) The impacts of these factors vary across regions, highlighting the importance of context-specific strategies. These findings provide robust evidence for policymakers to design targeted interventions that account for nonlinearities, threshold effects, and regional heterogeneity, thereby supporting sustainable, green, and low-carbon urban land use in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Urban Land Use Efficiency: Strategies for Effective Land Management)

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25 pages, 1465 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Enhancing Urban Land Use Efficiency Through Digital Technology

by Yunpeng Fu and Ning Wang

Land 2025, 14(11), 2294; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14112294 - 20 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1162

Abstract

Based on panel data from China’s prefecture-level cities spanning 2009–2023, this study thoroughly examines the impact of digital technologies on urban land use efficiency and its underlying mechanisms. Findings reveal that advancements in digital technologies significantly enhance urban land use efficiency. This conclusion remains robust after undergoing a series of stability tests and endogeneity treatments, demonstrating its reliability. Further heterogeneity analysis revealed regional variations and structural characteristics in the impact of digital technologies. The study found that digital technologies most significantly boosted land use efficiency in western regions and cities with higher levels of centralization. Meanwhile, in cities with higher levels of land industrialization and digital workforce capabilities, the positive impact of digital technologies is more pronounced. The analysis of intermediary mechanisms from both micro-level resource allocation and macro-level structural transformation perspectives reveals that digital technologies effectively enhance urban land use efficiency through four dimensions: increasing the number of startups, strengthening innovation support intensity, elevating green technology levels, and driving industrial structure upgrading. Additionally, the study examined synergistic mechanisms and found that government signaling and environmental policy intensity can all significantly amplify the enabling effects of digital technologies, providing multiple drivers for enhancing urban land use efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Urban Land Use Efficiency: Strategies for Effective Land Management)

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19 pages, 1562 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nonlinear Effects of Land Resource Misallocation and Carbon Emission Efficiency Across Various Industrial Structure Regimes: Evidence from PSTR Model

by Lu Li, Qiuyue Xia and Tian Liu

Land 2025, 14(11), 2207; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14112207 - 6 Nov 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 791

Abstract

Carbon emission efficiency plays a vital role in the realization of the “dual carbon” goals. Taking land resource allocation as the entry point, this paper explores how land resource misallocation (LRM) affects carbon emission efficiency (CEE) to support the enhancement of CEE and the optimal allocation of land resources. Using 108 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2003 to 2021 as an example, this paper constructs a panel smooth transition model (PSTR), with industrial structure as the transition variable, to examine the nonlinear impact effects of LRM on CEF and its regional heterogeneity. The research results show that the LRM index as a whole presents a fluctuating downward trend, while CEF shows a fluctuating but slow upward trend, and the regional differences in both LRM and CEF continue to expand. There exists a significant nonlinear relationship between LRM and CEF. When the advancement of industrial structure index shifts from the low regime to the high regime, the impact of LRM on CEF presents an inverted “U”-shaped curve characteristic. The nonlinear impact of LRM on CEF exhibits regional heterogeneity, and the threshold effect of industrial structure is the main reason for the regional differences in the nonlinear impact. Therefore, it is necessary to accelerate the market-oriented reform of land factor allocation, and to formulate phased and differentiated land resource allocation policies adapted to the stages of industrial structure development, so as to effectively serve the goals of green, low-carbon, and high-quality development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Development and Urban Land Use Efficiency: Strategies for Effective Land Management)

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