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Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: The Ecological and Cultural...
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Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: The Ecological and Cultural Connation of Landsenses

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 15539

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jiang Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Architecture and Urban-Rural Planning, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Interests: soundscape and landscape planning and design; landscape ecology; ecological planning; landscape resource management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Yuhan Shao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
Interests: multidimensional landscape perception assessment; healthy landscapes; coastal landscapes; restorative landscape systems
Dr. Xin-Chen Hong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Architecture and Urban-Rural Planning, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
Interests: environment; environmental impact assessment; landscape architecture; soundscape; urban forestry; environmental noise; bioacoustics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To build healthy and sustainable human settlement involves considerations across various domains, including environmental, social, and economic factors. Cultural factors influence how people perceive and use the land, while ecological factors affect the sustainability and health of ecosystems. The inherent ecological and cultural connections in our perception of the land play a crucial role in how we perceive and utilize the land. Landsenses, or the sensory experiences derived from interacting with the land, encompass a wide range of perceptions including sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. The concept represents the emotional, sensory, and cognitive connections between humans and the land. Understanding and respecting landsenses can lead to better conservation and utilization of land resources, fostering harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Incorporating landsenses into the design and planning of human settlements is essential for promoting both environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. We believe that the ecological and cultural connations of landsenses provide a holistic framework for building healthy and sustainable human settlements.

Thus, the goal of this Special Issue is to collect papers (original research articles and review papers) that provide insights into creating vibrant and resilient communities that thrive in harmony with their natural and cultural surroundings. This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

  • Environmental governance;
  • Cultural preservation;
  • Health promotion;
  • Resilient/restorative landscapes;
  • Community engagement.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Jiang Liu
Dr. Yuhan Shao
Dr. Xin-Chen Hong
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • landsenses
  • environmental governance
  • cultural preservation
  • health promotion
  • resilience
  • restorative landscapes
  • community engagement

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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24 pages, 16076 KiB  
Article
The Landscape Catalytic Effect of Urban Waterfronts—A Case Study of the Huangpu River in Shanghai
by Yuting Yin, Dongbo Ma and Xiran Xu
Land 2025, 14(2), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020422 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 504
Abstract
Waterfronts are some of the most well known public spaces that can catalyse urban changes, yet their benefits have not been systematically explored. This study investigates the potential benefits of waterfront regeneration for the subsequent development of the wider surrounding areas and whether [...] Read more.
Waterfronts are some of the most well known public spaces that can catalyse urban changes, yet their benefits have not been systematically explored. This study investigates the potential benefits of waterfront regeneration for the subsequent development of the wider surrounding areas and whether these benefits encompass a broader range of influences. Taking an extensive linear catalyst, the Huangpu River waterfronts in Shanghai, as an example, the catalytic effect of each waterfront section was investigated, visualised, compared and discussed within and across different sections and catalytic influential aspects. A multi-method approach driven by multi-sourced big data was used in this study, and the analysis was carried out at two scales: the waterfront area (the catalyst area) and its surroundings of influence (the areas affected by the catalyst area). The research findings suggest that the landscape catalytic effect is more pronounced in the catalyst area itself than in the surrounding areas affected by the catalyst area. Such effects also vary across waterfront sections, and the western bank of the Huangpu River was more obviously influenced than the eastern bank. The possible reasons for these differences may be related to the area’s original function, development limitations and available resources. This study also provides evidence indicating that the relationship between the catalyst and the spatial, social and economic aspects of changes it induces is one of ongoing and mutually supportive interaction. The outcomes of this study include a framework composed of 14 indicators that can disclose the depth and progress of a catalytic effect facilitated by the landscape, as well as implications for the decision-making process in the urban regeneration agenda that centres around waterfronts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: The Ecological and Cultural Connation of Landsenses)
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19 pages, 3572 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Multi-Sensory Perception on Public Activity in Urban Street Spaces: An Empirical Study Grounded in Landsenses Ecology
by Tianqi Han, Lina Tang, Jiang Liu, Siyu Jiang and Jinshan Yan
Land 2025, 14(1), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010050 - 29 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1502
Abstract
The design of street spaces significantly influences public behavior and quality of life. Understanding how various urban street spatial characteristics affect public behavior, alongside the role of multi-sensory perception, enables designers and planners to create more human-centered urban environments. Grounded in landsenses ecology, [...] Read more.
The design of street spaces significantly influences public behavior and quality of life. Understanding how various urban street spatial characteristics affect public behavior, alongside the role of multi-sensory perception, enables designers and planners to create more human-centered urban environments. Grounded in landsenses ecology, this study employs correlation analysis, regression analysis, and Partial Least-Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the effects of different urban street spatial characteristics on public behavior and the mediating role of multi-sensory perception. The findings reveal that street spatial characteristics, particularly the Water Surface Ratio (WSR) and Waterfront Density (WD), have a pronounced impact on behavioral traits, with higher public activity frequencies in areas with elevated WSR and WD. Notably, WSR significantly affects static behaviors, such as sunbathing (β = 0.371, p < 0.001), and dynamic behaviors, such as walking (β = 0.279, p < 0.001). While road and water characteristics directly influence behavior, buildings and green spaces mainly affect public behavior through multi-sensory perception. Different sensory perceptions show varying effects, with olfactory perception playing a significant role in these experiences, alongside a notable chain-mediated effect between tactile perception and psychological cognition. These results provide valuable insights for integrating multi-sensory experiences into urban design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: The Ecological and Cultural Connation of Landsenses)
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25 pages, 13082 KiB  
Article
Wisdom of Landscape Construction of China’s West Lakes in Historical Period and Its Implications
by Lyuyuan Jia, Qing Lin, Xiyue Wang, Wenzhen Jia, Ying Zhao, Zhiqing Zhang, Ziqi Cui, Song Chen and Aibo Jin
Land 2025, 14(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010018 - 25 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1128
Abstract
West Lake holds a significant position internationally. This article studies the spatial distribution, historical development, functions, and the lake–city spatial relationship of 81 West Lakes (WLs), as well as their landscape characteristics. The results indicate the following: (1) The overall spatial distribution of [...] Read more.
West Lake holds a significant position internationally. This article studies the spatial distribution, historical development, functions, and the lake–city spatial relationship of 81 West Lakes (WLs), as well as their landscape characteristics. The results indicate the following: (1) The overall spatial distribution of WLs is related to China’s history of water conservancy development. (2) The evolution of and functional changes in WLs are influenced by multiple factors such as politics, economy, and culture during different historical periods and are directly related to the will of local administrators. (3) The initial functions of WLs can be categorized into three types, primarily related to urban infrastructure. (4) In terms of spatial relationships, there are four types of spatial relationships between WLs and their water sources and three types of spatial relationships between WLs and cities, forming a common pattern of “Mountains/Hills(–Water)–WL(–Water)–Cities(–Water, River, Sea)” or “WL(–Water)–Cities(–Water, River, Sea)”. (5) The scenery of WLs comprises six elements, including natural basements, water conservancy facilities, human settlements, secularization, landscape architecture, and animal and human activities, all imbued with poetic cultural connotations. Furthermore, this study summarizes three causes of WLs’ scenery; excavates the historical wisdom of WLs in terms of a holistic approach, ecological techniques, dynamic management, and landscape esthetics; and subsequently proposes recommendations for lake ecological governance and landscape construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: The Ecological and Cultural Connation of Landsenses)
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19 pages, 657 KiB  
Article
Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: Understanding How Local Communities Perceive and Engage with Spa Tourism Development Initiatives in Rural Areas
by Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić, Aleksandra S. Dragin, Tamara Surla, Aleksandra Tešin, Juan Manuel Amezcua-Ogáyar, Alberto Calahorro-López, Vladimir Stojanović, Zrinka Zadel, Kristina Košić, Olja Munitlak Ivanović, Anđelija Ivkov Džigurski, Miroslav D. Vujičić, Milena Nedeljković Knežević, Ljubica Ivanović Bibić, Slavica Tomić and Željko Anđelković
Land 2024, 13(11), 1817; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111817 - 2 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1543
Abstract
This study investigated the intersection of healthy and sustainable human settlement, and land use for spa tourism in rural areas. Recognizing the crucial role of youth in shaping the future of tourism, this research aimed to provide an insight into the young local [...] Read more.
This study investigated the intersection of healthy and sustainable human settlement, and land use for spa tourism in rural areas. Recognizing the crucial role of youth in shaping the future of tourism, this research aimed to provide an insight into the young local rural community representatives’ perception of sustainable spa tourism development and to identify whether these attitudes are shaped by their socio-demographic characteristics. The applied methodology was the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS). A total of 254 respondents took part in this research. Using SPSS 30.0.0, the gathered data were subjected to additional analyses based on factor analysis, descriptive statistics, and the general linear model. The results showed a general positive attitude of local community members towards the further development of spa tourism in their communities. The especially important factors were the following: long-term planning of development, environmental protection, negative attitudes towards spa tourism development, economic benefits, as well as community participation. By providing an empirical analysis based on the use of robust tools for measuring youth attitudes, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers, planners, and community leaders into how they can design and implement tourism strategies that align with sustainability principles while fostering local economic development and environmental stewardship. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the broader discussion on developing healthy, sustainable human settlements that balance economic benefits with ecological and social well-being. Synergy/harmony between communities and their natural surroundings is essential for the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of rural human settlements. Mineral springs and spas facilitate sensory experiences for individuals (both tourists and residents) through the utilization of natural resources and the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: The Ecological and Cultural Connation of Landsenses)
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23 pages, 18570 KiB  
Article
Influence of Livelihood Capitals on Landscape Service Cognition and Behavioral Intentions in Rural Heritage Sites
by Shiying Li, Yaqi Cheng, Jiayu Cai and Xuewei Zhang
Land 2024, 13(11), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111770 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 988
Abstract
Farmers’ livelihoods are critical for global sustainable development and the conservation and transmission of rural heritage. However, neglecting farmers’ livelihoods increases the risks to living heritage conservation. Therefore, it is essential to explore the impact of livelihood capital on farmers’ landscape services cognition [...] Read more.
Farmers’ livelihoods are critical for global sustainable development and the conservation and transmission of rural heritage. However, neglecting farmers’ livelihoods increases the risks to living heritage conservation. Therefore, it is essential to explore the impact of livelihood capital on farmers’ landscape services cognition and their behavioral intentions. Based on the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, this study examines the rural areas of Mulanbei irrigation district, which was recognized as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure in 2014, and uses a structural equation model to investigate the relationships between farmers’ livelihood capital, landscape services cognition and behavioral intentions. The study’s key findings include the following: (1) The levels of human capital (0.541), social capital (0.671), and cultural capital (0.645) are relatively high, while the levels of natural, physical, and financial capital are comparatively low. (2) There are significant differences in landscape service cognition and behavioral intentions among farmers of different livelihood strategies, with diversified livelihood farmers demonstrating the highest levels of both cognition and intentions, while subsidy-dependent farmers show the lowest levels. (3) Natural, cultural and financial capital play a crucial role in influencing farmers’ landscape services cognition and their behavioral intentions. Landscape service cognition mediates the relationship between livelihood capital and behavioral intentions. (4) To increase farmers’ willingness to protect and promote rural heritage, efforts should focus on enhancing natural, physical, and financial capital while fostering cultural capital to promote advocacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: The Ecological and Cultural Connation of Landsenses)
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21 pages, 4813 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Impact of Visual and Aural Elements in Urban Parks on Human Behavior and Emotional Responses
by Tongfei Jin, Jiayi Lu and Yuhan Shao
Land 2024, 13(9), 1468; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091468 - 10 Sep 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2426
Abstract
As cities progress into high-quality developments, the demand for urban parks that enhance residents’ well-being and sustainability is increasing. Traditional visual-centric design methods no longer suffice. Given that vision and hearing are the primary sensory pathways through which people perceive their environment, exploring [...] Read more.
As cities progress into high-quality developments, the demand for urban parks that enhance residents’ well-being and sustainability is increasing. Traditional visual-centric design methods no longer suffice. Given that vision and hearing are the primary sensory pathways through which people perceive their environment, exploring their relationship with landscape experiences offers a novel perspective for optimizing the audiovisual perception quality of urban parks. This study explores the relationship between visual and auditory elements and landscape experiences to optimize urban parks’ sensory quality. Using visual perception, soundscape perception, sound source perception, and behavioral vitality, this study evaluates the audiovisual perception quality of a representative wetland park in Chengdu’s ring ecological zone. By quantifying relationships between audiovisual characteristics, behavioral vitality, and emotional feedback, several emotional assessment models were constructed. The results show that lawns, pavements, and sound pressure levels significantly impact vitality. A sound pressure level of 77 dB has been identified as a critical threshold in emotional perception models. Consequently, distinct emotional prediction models can be employed to enhance landscape design across various sound pressure level zones. This research provides scientific evidence and flexible strategies for designing urban open spaces that improve landscape experiences based on multisensory perception. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: The Ecological and Cultural Connation of Landsenses)
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Review

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17 pages, 1016 KiB  
Review
How Public Urban Space Enhance Restoration Benefits Through Combined Multisensory Effects: A Systematic Review
by Wen Dong, Donghui Dai, Pengyuan Shen, Rui Zhang and Mei Liu
Land 2024, 13(12), 2018; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122018 - 26 Nov 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1476
Abstract
Rapid urbanization has heightened attention fatigue and physiological stress among urban residents. However, high-density urban construction, mainly covered by streets, squares/plazas, and buildings, in particular, poses a challenge to traditional restoration dominated by green infrasturcture. This research aims to conduct a systematic review [...] Read more.
Rapid urbanization has heightened attention fatigue and physiological stress among urban residents. However, high-density urban construction, mainly covered by streets, squares/plazas, and buildings, in particular, poses a challenge to traditional restoration dominated by green infrasturcture. This research aims to conduct a systematic review of the available body of knowledge regarding the relationship between public urban spaces and restorativeness based on combined multisensory effects. First, a conceptual framework was proposed to connect spatial properties of public realms, sensorial mechanisms, and restoration benefits. As a result, detailed spatial elements and organization affecting multiple sensory modalities combined via additive, antagonistic, and synergistic effects were extracted, which essentially act on urban restoration, including attention, stress, and emotional recovery. Last, but not least, compared with previous research, restoration design strategies of public urban spaces accelerating multisensory integration were drawn to contribute new insights for future high-density urban development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: The Ecological and Cultural Connation of Landsenses)
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27 pages, 25000 KiB  
Review
Health Impacts of Biophilic Design from a Multisensory Interaction Perspective: Empirical Evidence, Research Designs, and Future Directions
by Jie Yin, Haoyue Zhu and Jing Yuan
Land 2024, 13(9), 1448; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091448 - 6 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4784
Abstract
Biophilic design introduces a variety of sensory elements into the built environment, incorporating a natural experience into daily life. From the environmental psychology aspect, the effects of multisensory stimulus are not a result of simply adding the effects of uni-sensory stimuli, and the [...] Read more.
Biophilic design introduces a variety of sensory elements into the built environment, incorporating a natural experience into daily life. From the environmental psychology aspect, the effects of multisensory stimulus are not a result of simply adding the effects of uni-sensory stimuli, and the interactive effects among sensory approaches need to be considered. With the demand for promoting health and well-being, increasing numbers of studies began to investigate sensory systems other than just the visual cue of the biophilic design. This review focuses on the multisensory effect of biophilic design on human psychological and physiological responses as well as cognitive function. We summarized empirical evidence of the interactions between two and three sensory modalities from existing research. In addition, we systematically summarized the key methods and technologies used in experimental studies that explore the health benefits of biophilic design in terms of study types and population, environmental exposure simulation, health benefit measurement, and experimental process design. We finally identified some knowledge gaps in and future directions for biophilic design studies from the multisensory interaction perspective. The experimental design of quantifying the effects of multisensory interaction and its lasting effects are the focus of future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards Healthy and Sustainable Human Settlement: The Ecological and Cultural Connation of Landsenses)
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