Effects of Rural-Urban Migration on Urban Infrastructure in Fast-Growing Cities

Dear Colleagues,

Rural–urban migration is a pivotal driver of global urbanization, especially in the fast-growing cities of developing economies: as millions relocate from rural areas to urban centers in pursuit of better opportunities, this massive population shift exerts profound impacts on urban infrastructure systems—encompassing transportation, water supply, energy, public services, etc. From a scientific perspective, infrastructure serves as the physical backbone of cities, directly influencing urban livability, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability. Notably, however, land resource allocation, shaped by migration-induced spatial demands, plays a critical role in determining infrastructure efficiency. Therefore, understanding how migration-driven demand interacts with infrastructure supply, particularly through the lens of land policy, has become essential to addressing spatial mismatches, resource inefficiencies, and social inequalities in rapidly urbanizing contexts, which aligns this topic with urgent global agendas for sustainable urban development.​

This Special Issue aims to consolidate interdisciplinary research on the multifaceted effects on urban infrastructure exerted by rural–urban migration, with a focus on integrating these investigations with land policy simulation, CGE modeling, and land resource allocation analyses. We seek to explore the dynamic mechanisms linking migration patterns to the demand–supply dynamics of infrastructure, its spatial distribution, and relevant governance models, leveraging quantitative tools to assess policy impacts. Contributions will address key questions such as how migration reshapes infrastructure investment needs and land use patterns, how land policy simulations can optimize infrastructure planning, and how CGE models inform equitable resource allocation. Aligned with Land’s focus on land use, urban–rural interactions, and sustainable city development, this Special Issue bridges population mobility research with infrastructure and land policy studies, offering evidence-based insights for policymakers and planners.​

We invite submissions from a variety of disciplines, particularly those exploring the intersection of rural–urban migration dynamics, land resource allocation, and urban infrastructure sustainability. Submissions may include, but are not limited to, original research articles, review papers, case studies, and methodological papers on the following themes:

• Spatial optimization of urban infrastructure under migration-driven land demand using simulation models;​
• CGE model applications for assessing infrastructure investment needs amid population mobility;​
• Land policy design to balance migration-induced urban expansion and infrastructure efficiency;​
• Governance frameworks for equitable infrastructure access in migration-receiving fast-growing cities;​
• Infrastructure resilience strategies addressing spatial mismatches resulting from rural–urban migration;​
• Quantitative analyses of land use–infrastructure interactions in urbanization processes;​
• Sustainable land resource allocation to support migration-adapted infrastructure systems;​
• The migration–land–infrastructure nexus in achieving urban sustainability goals.

Prof. Dr. Tiyan Shen
Prof. Dr. Hao Wang
Dr. Luge Wen
Dr. Eduardo Gomes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

• rural–urban migration
• spatial governance
• urban infrastructure
• fast-growing cities
• land policy simulation
• CGE model
• land resource allocation
• sustainable urban development