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

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.