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Tourism Spatial Planning Across Rural–Urban Landscapes: Integrating Economic Growth, Heritage...
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Tourism Spatial Planning Across Rural–Urban Landscapes: Integrating Economic Growth, Heritage Conservation, and Ecosystem Services

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2026) | Viewed by 3297

Editors

Dr. Cristina Lupu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geography, West University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
Interests: sustainability; urban planning; rural turism; ecotourism; agritourism; regional geography; ecology; landscape analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Donatella Privitera

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Educational Sciences Department, University of Catania, Via Biblioteca 4, 95124 Catania, Italy
Interests: cultural and food tourism; landscape analysis; economic and regional geography; sustainable cities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Igor Trišić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: sustainable tourism; landscape ecology; landscape planning; protected area management; environmental science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The preservation of natural landscapes and cultural heritage has become fundamental to tourist development, and existing research has revealed that different aims and forms of landscape-related governance have produced different results in this field. The management of rural landscapes must combine these two aspects to promote multiple functions, thereby increasing the incomes of rural residents, reviving rural communities, protecting authentic rural environments, and raising awareness of rural and urban culture and identity.

This Special Issue emphasises the importance of landscape planning in urban and rural contexts and aims to introduce new theoretical and practical approaches to the subject, as well as potential solutions for issues regarding spatial planning for tourism in rural–urban landscapes that integrate economic growth, heritage conservation, and ecosystem services. Interested authors are encouraged to submit research papers revealing new insights into the concepts of landscape planning, heritage conservation, and ecosystem services in order to add value to the theoretical and practical aspects of these fields. The results of submitted studies should have different implications for tourism and landscape planning stakeholders, offering new perspectives on spatial planning for tourism in rural–urban contexts.

The goal of this Special Issue is to gather together papers (original research articles and review papers) that give insights about “Tourism Spatial Planning Across Rural–Urban Landscapes: Integrating Economic Growth, Heritage Conservation, and Ecosystem Services”.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

  • Natural tourism;
  • Rural tourism;
  • Urban landscape;
  • Landscape planning.

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

Dr. Cristina Lupu
Prof. Dr. Donatella Privitera
Dr. Igor Trišić
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-anonymized 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 planning
  • heritage conservation
  • landscape planning
  • ecosystem services
  • economic growth
  • spatial planning

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

36 pages, 34244 KB  
Article
A Study on the Identification of Traditional Village Clusters and the Local Characteristics of the Landscape in the Chaoshan Region
by Man Li, Cheng Zou, Linfei Fu and Xiaoxiang Tang
Land 2026, 15(6), 963; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15060963 - 1 Jun 2026
Viewed by 367
Abstract
Traditional villages in the Chaoshan region serve as living repositories of local cultural heritage. Their concentrated and coordinated conservation and utilization can transcend administrative boundaries, enabling the integrated allocation of regional resources and the enhancement of cultural synergy. Currently, conservation practices for traditional [...] Read more.
Traditional villages in the Chaoshan region serve as living repositories of local cultural heritage. Their concentrated and coordinated conservation and utilization can transcend administrative boundaries, enabling the integrated allocation of regional resources and the enhancement of cultural synergy. Currently, conservation practices for traditional villages are largely limited to piecemeal rescue efforts focused on individual villages. There is a lack of systematic understanding from a regional perspective and an explanation of the mechanisms underlying the formation of local landscapes, which hinders the realization of economies of scale in conservation and the development of cultural synergy. To explore effective approaches for the cluster-based conservation of traditional villages in China’s Lingnan coastal region, as well as the characteristics of human–land relationships and their adaptive mechanisms, this study focuses on 115 national and provincial-level traditional villages in the Chaoshan region. By introducing methods of single-factor and multi-factor cluster identification, the study innovatively constructs a four-dimensional cluster identification framework comprising “spatial proximity, geomorphological similarity, cultural convergence, and residential isomorphism,” and, utilizing the ArcGIS platform for coupled analysis, kernel density analysis, cluster identification, and field surveys, systematically analyzed the diverse typologies and landscape-specific characteristics of traditional village clusters in the Chaoshan region. The results indicate the following: (1) The identification of Chaozhou–Shantou traditional village clusters reveals three diverse types—comprehensive, distinctive, and potential—reflecting the richness and diversity of these clusters in the region. (2) Spatially proximate clusters exhibit a single-core, multi-point distribution, topographically similar clusters show differentiated distributions across plains and river valleys, culturally convergent clusters are significantly correlated with cultural carriers such as postal routes, water transport, and trade, and residential distributions are significantly correlated with topography and landforms, collectively constituting the unique character of Chaozhou–Shantou traditional village clusters. (3) Traditional villages in Chaoshan exhibit significant coupling with the natural environment, forming diverse spatial siting patterns in relation to mountains, water, forests, fields, and the sea, reflecting differentiated adaptation to and ingenious utilization of the natural environment. (4) The adaptive mechanism of the landscape of traditional Chaozhou–Shantou villages can be distilled into a three-tiered structure, natural adaptation as the foundation, social adaptation as the framework, and cultural adaptation as the soul, revealing the spatial planning wisdom of the Chaozhou–Shantou people in complex mountain and coastal environments. This study not only deepens our understanding of the human–land relationship in traditional villages of the Chaoshan region but also provides scientific evidence and theoretical support for the holistic preservation of cultural heritage and regional coordinated development. It holds significant practical value for promoting the protection and sustainable development of rural cultural heritage in the Lingnan coastal region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Spatial Planning Across Rural–Urban Landscapes: Integrating Economic Growth, Heritage Conservation, and Ecosystem Services)
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27 pages, 3544 KB  
Article
A Three-Dimensional Landscape Framework for Stakeholder Identification in Coal Mining Heritage Conservation
by Qi Liu, Nor Arbina Zainal Abidin, Nor Zarifah Maliki and Wanbao Ge
Land 2026, 15(4), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15040622 - 10 Apr 2026
Viewed by 663
Abstract
With the transformation of resource-based cities and the restructuring of industrial sectors, the sustainable conservation of coal mining heritage has become a global focus. In China, coal mining heritage faces challenges such as degradation and inadequate management, highlighting the urgent need for more [...] Read more.
With the transformation of resource-based cities and the restructuring of industrial sectors, the sustainable conservation of coal mining heritage has become a global focus. In China, coal mining heritage faces challenges such as degradation and inadequate management, highlighting the urgent need for more context-sensitive and systematic conservation approaches. This study develops an integrated, landscape-oriented analytical framework for stakeholder identification to address these challenges and to better understand stakeholder differentiation in coal mining heritage conservation. The research objectives are as follows: (1) to bring together a three-dimensional framework based on material-technical, socio-cultural, and experiential dimensions; (2) to analyse the roles and interactions of stakeholders; and (3) to explore how technical knowledge, socio-cultural memory, and daily experiences influence the protection and reuse of coal mining heritage sites. The study integrates the theoretical frameworks of landscape character assessment, historic urban landscape, and experiential landscape, using data from field observations and interviews analysed via ATLAS.ti. The findings show that the proposed framework offers a more systematic understanding of the dynamic relationships between stakeholders and heritage landscapes, thereby providing practical guidance for local governments and relevant institutions in developing inclusive and context-sensitive conservation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Spatial Planning Across Rural–Urban Landscapes: Integrating Economic Growth, Heritage Conservation, and Ecosystem Services)
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24 pages, 8144 KB  
Article
Heritage Tourism Beyond World Heritage Sites: Urban Development of Al-Diriyah Through the Lens of the Experience Economy Model
by Haifa Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Saad Hanif and Anamika Vishal Jiwane
Land 2026, 15(4), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15040554 - 27 Mar 2026
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 997
Abstract
Since At-Turaif’s inscription as a World Heritage Site in 2010, Al-Diriyah and its peripheries have witnessed massive urban development. With the recently proposed Wadi Safar project, the expansion of Al-Diriyah has taken another turn, as it is conceptualized as a luxury driven mixed-use [...] Read more.
Since At-Turaif’s inscription as a World Heritage Site in 2010, Al-Diriyah and its peripheries have witnessed massive urban development. With the recently proposed Wadi Safar project, the expansion of Al-Diriyah has taken another turn, as it is conceptualized as a luxury driven mixed-use district, integrating cultural experiences that are rooted in the past. This research examines the urban development of Al-Diriyah through the lens of the Experience Economy Model (1998), in which value is derived not just from objects or spaces but from the memorable and immersive experiences they tend to incorporate. This study employs a qualitative-case study methodology structured through a five-phase analytical framework that spans from 2010 to 2025/2030. Utilizing a deductive qualitative approach, the analysis demonstrates a differentiated application of the four experiential realms of the Experience Economy Model across the study sites. While At-Turaif predominantly engages two experiential dimensions and the broader regeneration of Al-Diriyah incorporates three, the planned development of Wadi Safar is designed to encompass all four dimensions of the Experience Economy. This configuration produces a balanced spectrum of active and passive participation as well as absorption and immersion, positioning Wadi Safar within Al-Diriyah’s broader transformation into the world’s largest heritage-led urban development. The findings contribute to the theme of a thriving economy of KSA Vision 2030 by advancing heritage-oriented experience as a pathway towards economic diversification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Spatial Planning Across Rural–Urban Landscapes: Integrating Economic Growth, Heritage Conservation, and Ecosystem Services)
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21 pages, 597 KB  
Article
Visitor Typologies for Micro-Zoning in Forest Recreation Sites
by Eran Ketter, Yaara Spiegel and Noga Collins-Kreiner
Land 2026, 15(3), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15030506 - 21 Mar 2026
Viewed by 687
Abstract
Forest recreation sites provide accessible settings for everyday leisure while accommodating multiple, and often competing, uses, making zoning both a central planning challenge and solution. This study advances micro-zoning as a novel, site-scale extension of established recreation zoning concepts, examining how zoning principles [...] Read more.
Forest recreation sites provide accessible settings for everyday leisure while accommodating multiple, and often competing, uses, making zoning both a central planning challenge and solution. This study advances micro-zoning as a novel, site-scale extension of established recreation zoning concepts, examining how zoning principles can be operationalized within intensively used forest recreation areas. Data were collected from 302 visitors using a structured questionnaire on visit patterns, valued forest attributes, disturbances, and socio-demographic characteristics. Descriptive statistics and tests of association were used to identify needs, disturbances, and recurring combinations of use. The results show that these forests function as everyday recreation spaces for diverse group visits, with high importance placed on peacefulness, shade, cleanliness, natural scenery, and basic infrastructure, alongside frequent reports of disturbance from music, crowding, and litter. Building on these patterns, the study develops a micro-zoning framework that delineates three interpretive planning micro-areas: Drive-in Forest Recreation, representing high-intensity, infrastructure-oriented social use; Low-Intensity Recreation, a moderate-use, low-noise nature-oriented area prioritizing separation from disturbance; and Active Recreation Use, comprising movement-focused routes for walking, running, and cycling. The study illustrates how visitor survey data can guide evidence-based micro-zoning and adapt zoning frameworks to the fine spatial grain of intensively used forest recreation sites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tourism Spatial Planning Across Rural–Urban Landscapes: Integrating Economic Growth, Heritage Conservation, and Ecosystem Services)
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