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Land
Special Issues
Advancing Urban–Rural Community Empowerment Through Participatory Planning and Collaborative Co-Creation
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Advancing Urban–Rural Community Empowerment Through Participatory Planning and Collaborative Co-Creation

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2570

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Wei Lang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
2. China Regional Coordinated Development and Rural Construction Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Interests: public participation and community planning; rural construction and planning; urban form and spatial structure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Tingting Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Interests: urban planning; community planning; urban renewal
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Xun Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
2. China Regional Coordinated Development and Rural Construction Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Interests: regional planning; community participatory planning; urban and rural human settlements construction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Eddie Chi-man Hui

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Public and International Affairs, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Interests: real estate; housing; land and planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite researchers from different disciplines, such as urban planning, human geography, social sciences, economics, environmental sciences and other related disciplines, to submit papers to this Special Issue on “Advancing Urban–Rural Community Empowerment Through Participatory Planning and Collaborative Co-Creation”. Multidisciplinary research that addresses multiple social–environmental–economical facets, with regard to transitional urban–rural development from community perspectives, is particularly welcome. This Special Issue will shed light on the development of theory and practices in participatory planning and collaborative co-creation across countries as a spatial form of urban–rural community empowerment, which plays a crucial role in the construction of a modern governance system.

This Special Issue seeks to explore innovative approaches to urban and rural renewal that prioritize community engagement, public participation and co-creation processes. This Special Issue aims to highlight the importance of empowering communities to actively shape the development of their neighborhoods, cities and regions through collaborative efforts with planners, policymakers, educators and other stakeholders. This Special Issue aims to showcase the potential of participatory planning and co-creation in fostering sustainable and inclusive renewal initiatives by examining case studies, theoretical frameworks and practical strategies.

This Special Issue will feature contributions that explore the theoretical foundations of participatory planning and its relevance in contemporary urban and rural contexts. Authors may discuss critical concepts such as deliberative democracy, collaborative governance and power dynamics in planning processes; present case studies of innovative renewal projects that have successfully engaged communities in co-creation processes; discuss methods such as participatory mapping, citizen juries, community visioning sessions and online engagement platforms; examine the role of technology in facilitating inclusive and accessible participatory processes; discuss pedagogical approaches, curriculum development and experiential learning opportunities such as service learning and community-based research; and include the outcomes of collaborative workshops and knowledge exchange events focused on participatory planning and co-creation.

The case studies may focus on various topics, including neighborhood revitalization, public space design, infrastructure development and environmental sustainability. The articles need to inspire and inform practitioners, policymakers and community organizers by highlighting best practices and lessons learned. By bringing together diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise, this Special Issue aims to advance understanding and practice in community-driven renewal and support efforts to create more inclusive, equitable and sustainable communities through collaborative planning and co-creation processes. By welcoming submissions across these themes, the Special Issue aspires to foster a rich tapestry of knowledge that can inform and inspire practitioners, policymakers, educators and researchers engaged in enhancing the vitality and resilience of communities worldwide. We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews. 

Dr. Wei Lang
Dr. Tingting Chen
Prof. Dr. Xun Li
Prof. Dr. Eddie Chi-man Hui
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

  • community planning
  • public participation
  • co-creation
  • service learning
  • rural community
  • collaborative workshop
  • collective action
  • planning theory
  • urban regeneration
  • human settlement environment improvement

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1489 KB  
Article
Geographic Diffusion and Spatial Justice of Outdoor Music Festivals in China: Driving Mechanisms and Collaborative Governance Strategies
by Mengyuan Qiu and Hui Zhang
Land 2026, 15(5), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050746 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 237
Abstract
Outdoor music festivals (OMFs) increasingly operate as a form of temporary land use that activates urban stock land, yet how such land-use reconfigurations unfold across uneven urban–rural geographies remains insufficiently examined. Taking China’s OMFs from 2013 to 2024 as a case, this study [...] Read more.
Outdoor music festivals (OMFs) increasingly operate as a form of temporary land use that activates urban stock land, yet how such land-use reconfigurations unfold across uneven urban–rural geographies remains insufficiently examined. Taking China’s OMFs from 2013 to 2024 as a case, this study applies the Geodetector model within a spatial justice framework to analyze fifteen indicators organized along the distributional, procedural, and recognition dimensions. The results show a pronounced “market-sinking” trend accompanied by westward expansion, and the seasonal clustering gradually moderated. The three dimensions jointly shape OMFs’ diffusion through distinguishable pathways, with the procedural dimension exhibiting the highest explanatory power through institutional steering and industrial coordination, followed by the recognition dimension through demographic foundations and digital visibility, and the distributional dimension through material and infrastructural accessibility; interaction detection further indicates that their joint presence produces amplified effects. These mechanisms align with international land-use and territorial-governance studies, while reflecting the state-led coordination distinctive to China. The findings point to an emerging form of collaborative co-creation in which governmental, market, and community actors jointly shape the spatial production of cultural events, extending the classical core–periphery account and informing debates on the territorial governance of event spaces in non-metropolitan regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Urban–Rural Community Empowerment Through Participatory Planning and Collaborative Co-Creation)
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21 pages, 1277 KB  
Article
From Scenic Enclaves to Community Fields: Ice-Snow Tourism and Urban-Rural Integration in Inner Mongolia, China
by Kai Ren, Hongwei Zhang and Binzhuo Ma
Land 2026, 15(4), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15040604 - 7 Apr 2026
Viewed by 541
Abstract
Ice–snow tourism has become an important development strategy in northern China, but its contribution to urban-rural integration remains uneven. Taking Inner Mongolia as a comparative qualitative case, this study examines how ice-snow tourism can move beyond enclave-oriented development and support inclusive regional development. [...] Read more.
Ice–snow tourism has become an important development strategy in northern China, but its contribution to urban-rural integration remains uneven. Taking Inner Mongolia as a comparative qualitative case, this study examines how ice-snow tourism can move beyond enclave-oriented development and support inclusive regional development. The analysis draws on policy and planning documents, official reports, media materials, and published secondary studies, and compares Hulunbuir and Tongliao through four common dimensions: space, economy, governance, and culture. On this basis, the paper develops a community-field perspective and connects it with an institution–space–human/land coupling lens. The findings show clear differences in developmental tendency rather than two pure types. Hulunbuir exhibits stronger event-led agglomeration, urban service concentration, and branding capacity, but weaker community benefit capture. Tongliao shows stronger village-level benefit retention, collective participation, and cultural subjectivity, but faces limits in scale linkage and resilience. The paper argues that ice-snow tourism should not be understood as a simple trade-off between efficiency and equity. Instead, a coordinated “pole-community-network” pathway is needed to connect regional growth poles, community-centered governance, and networked collaboration across urban and rural nodes. The study contributes to tourism-led regional development research by clarifying how the community field mediates spatial organization, benefit sharing, and local agency in cold-resource regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Urban–Rural Community Empowerment Through Participatory Planning and Collaborative Co-Creation)
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29 pages, 5646 KB  
Article
Regenerative and Participatory Co-Design in Biosphere Reserve Contexts
by Carlos Cobreros, Morena Villalón, Gabriel E. Calle-Sáenz, Adriana Rivas-Madrigal, Luis Miguel Gutierrez-Contreras, Daniela B. Arias-Laurino and Mariana Covarrubias-Castro
Land 2026, 15(4), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15040542 - 26 Mar 2026
Viewed by 494
Abstract
Humanity is facing an unprecedented socio-ecological and climate crisis resulting from human impact on the planet, which requires a profound transformation in how we inhabit and develop our territories. Regenerative development is emerging as a key approach to strengthening living systems and improving [...] Read more.
Humanity is facing an unprecedented socio-ecological and climate crisis resulting from human impact on the planet, which requires a profound transformation in how we inhabit and develop our territories. Regenerative development is emerging as a key approach to strengthening living systems and improving environmental health. In this context, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserves are consolidating their role as strategic instruments that link biodiversity conservation with sustainable development through integrated and participatory land management models. Mexico stands out for its regional and global leadership in implementing these areas. Participatory governance, promoted by the Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme, encourages the active involvement of local communities. This article analyses the application of a regenerative and participatory design methodology in a Biosphere Reserve, evaluating both the process and the tools used. Beyond the fulfilment of sustainability objectives, it examines the lessons learned, results and scope from a regenerative perspective, providing critical reflections on its effectiveness as a strategy for the socio-ecological management of vulnerable territories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Urban–Rural Community Empowerment Through Participatory Planning and Collaborative Co-Creation)
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24 pages, 2649 KB  
Article
Second-Home Leisure and Place Identity Formation in a Tourism-Oriented Rural Community: Evidence from Mayangxi, China
by Lei Wang, Fengrun Liu, Hui Tao and Jinxuan Xiong
Land 2026, 15(2), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15020328 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 422
Abstract
Amid the growing convergence of leisure mobility, tourism, and rural development, second homes have emerged as a significant spatial phenomenon reshaping community structures in tourism-oriented rural areas. This study examines how second-home leisure practices contribute to place-making and community identity formation through land-use [...] Read more.
Amid the growing convergence of leisure mobility, tourism, and rural development, second homes have emerged as a significant spatial phenomenon reshaping community structures in tourism-oriented rural areas. This study examines how second-home leisure practices contribute to place-making and community identity formation through land-use transformation and everyday spatial experience. Using the Mayangxi Ecotourism Area in Fujian Province, China, as a case study, this study develops a “space–sense of home–place identity” analytical framework grounded in Lefebvre’s theory of the production of space. A mixed-methods design integrating fieldwork, interviews, questionnaire surveys, and structural equation modeling is adopted. The results indicate that perceptions of physical, social, and cultural space significantly enhance second-home users’ sense of home. Physical and social spaces exert strong direct effects on place identity, with social interaction emerging as the most influential factor. Although sense of home positively mediates the relationship between spatial perception and place identity, this mediation is conditional rather than automatic. These findings suggest that second homes should be understood not merely as outcomes of land development, but as negotiated everyday spaces through which land-use transformation, social interaction, and emotional attachment collectively shape community reconstruction in tourism-oriented rural areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Urban–Rural Community Empowerment Through Participatory Planning and Collaborative Co-Creation)
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21 pages, 5751 KB  
Systematic Review
A Systematic Review of Community Participation in Preventive Conservation of Historic Rural Areas: Toward an Organization–Capacity–Role Framework for Empowering Traditional Villages
by Lihui Gao, Noor Fazamimah Mohd Ariffin, Mohd Kher Hussein and Shan Liu
Land 2026, 15(5), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050691 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 266
Abstract
Existing studies indicate that preventive conservation (PC) has become a key strategy in heritage risk management. For traditional villages with limited resources, community participation is necessary for the implementation of risk management. However, current research mostly focuses on case-based analyses and lacks a [...] Read more.
Existing studies indicate that preventive conservation (PC) has become a key strategy in heritage risk management. For traditional villages with limited resources, community participation is necessary for the implementation of risk management. However, current research mostly focuses on case-based analyses and lacks a systematic synthesis of community participation in PC. To address this gap, this study conducts a systematic review of community participation in PC from historic rural areas and relevant heritage types. Following the PRISMA guidelines, 39 eligible studies were included in the final analysis. The findings show that effective participation depends on well-defined organizational and coordination networks. Internal organizational structures support coordinated efforts among community members, while external collaborative frameworks provide ongoing resources and support. Within this structure, capacity-building translates participatory arrangements into concrete risk-governance actions, thereby influencing how roles are assigned and adapted within the community across different risk scenarios. Based on these insights, this study presents an Organization–Capacity–Role framework that offers a way for risk governance of historical rural areas. Notably, the detailed arrangements in this framework are shaped by local institutional settings, specific risk types, and case contexts, demonstrating a strong contextual dependency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Urban–Rural Community Empowerment Through Participatory Planning and Collaborative Co-Creation)
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