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Land
Special Issues
Land Space Optimization and Governance
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Land Space Optimization and Governance

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 3779

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xufeng Cui

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Business Administration, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China
Interests: land management; land use planning; land information; geographic information system; natural resources management; agroeconomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Walter T. de Vries

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Engineering and Design, Department of Aerospace and Geodesy, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Arcisstrasse 21, 80333 München, Germany
Interests: land management; land administration; land use planning; cadastre; land information; organizational and institutional aspects of land management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hamidreza Rabiei-Dastjerdi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of History and Geography, Dublin City University (DCU), Dublin, Ireland
Interests: spatial planning; urban development; spatial inequalities; remote sensing and GIS; environmental studies
Dr. Jie Zhu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Interests: land use planning; space optimization; urban studies; spatial growth management; modeling and simulation
Dr. Guan Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Law School, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
Interests: land management; natural resources management; territorial space planning; urban land use
Dr. Zhaojin Yan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Interests: land use changes; geographic information system; spatiotemporal analysis; geographic modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In an era of unprecedented urbanization and environmental change, the space optimization and governance of land stand at the forefront of scientific inquiry. As the global population grows and resource demands intensify, how we allocate, utilize, and manage land has become critical to sustainability, and effective land governance can curb sprawl, preserve ecosystems, and build resilient communities. This research area merges geography, ecology, and urban planning with cutting-edge technologies like GIS and remote sensing as it seeks to balance economic growth, social equity, and environmental health. By integrating interdisciplinary knowledge and leveraging cutting-edge technological tools, this field can offer innovative solutions for the efficient allocation and scientific management of land resources.

The goal of this Special Issue is to gather together papers (original research articles and review papers) that provide insights into land space optimization and governance. It aligns with the journal’s scope by emphasizing the application of cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary approaches to address pressing land space challenges.

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

  • Novel theories in land space optimization and governance;
  • Land space optimization and geospatial technologies;
  • Land space optimization, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data;
  • Challenges and innovations in land space governance methods;
  • Land space optimization for sustainable development;
  • Land space optimization for high-quality economic and social development;
  • Land planning and urban–rural integration;
  • Comprehensive land consolidation and land space governance;
  • Global case studies on land space governance;
  • Legal and policy innovation in land space governance;
  • The cross-regional coordination of land space governance.

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

Dr. Xufeng Cui
Prof. Dr. Walter T. de Vries
Dr. Hamidreza Rabiei-Dastjerdi
Dr. Jie Zhu
Dr. Guan Li
Dr. Zhaojin Yan
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

  • land space optimization
  • land governance
  • geospatial technologies
  • artificial intelligence
  • big data
  • sustainable development
  • urban–rural integration
  • global case studies
  • policy innovation
  • cross-regional coordination

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

29 pages, 21383 KB  
Article
Land Use Simulation and Carbon Storage Driving Mechanisms in Resource-Based Regions Under SSP-RCP Scenarios: An Integrated PLUS-InVEST and GWR-SEM Modeling Approach
by Tonghui Yu, Mengting Yang, Xinyu Li, Xuan Zhu, Mengru Wang and Jiqiang Niu
Land 2025, 14(11), 2280; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14112280 - 18 Nov 2025
Viewed by 409
Abstract
Amid China’s dual-carbon goals and widening regional disparities, land-use/cover change (LUCC)-induced volatility in carbon storage (CS) has emerged as a binding constraint on emission reduction and the low-carbon transition in resource-based regions. Yet integrated historical-scenario assessments and rigorous evidence on spatial-heterogeneity mechanisms remain [...] Read more.
Amid China’s dual-carbon goals and widening regional disparities, land-use/cover change (LUCC)-induced volatility in carbon storage (CS) has emerged as a binding constraint on emission reduction and the low-carbon transition in resource-based regions. Yet integrated historical-scenario assessments and rigorous evidence on spatial-heterogeneity mechanisms remain limited, which hampers targeted spatial governance. Using Shanxi Province, a resource-based province, as the study area, this study develops a coupled PLUS-InVEST framework under SSP-RCP scenarios. It integrates spatial autocorrelation, geographically weighted regression (GWR), and structural equation modeling (SEM) to characterize spatiotemporal responses of CS to LUCC and to identify underlying drivers. The results indicate that: (1) Regional CS follows an inverted U-shaped trajectory, initially increasing due to ecological restoration projects and subsequently declining owing to industrial development and urban expansion; (2) By 2030, forestland expansion under SSP126 is projected to enhance CS, whereas accelerated urbanization under SSP585 is expected to intensify CS losses; (3) Significant spatial clustering of CS remains consistent from historical periods to future projections, underscoring its sensitivity to topography, vegetation patterns, and human activities; and (4) CS is jointly shaped by natural and anthropogenic drivers, with DEM and slope providing stable protection, while population density and transport-network configuration cause ongoing disturbances. The study provides an integrated historical-scenario assessment and reveals the underlying mechanisms for resource-based regions, offering quantitative evidence to support optimization of the Ecological Conservation Redline, managing urban growth boundaries, and implementing zoned ecological restoration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Space Optimization and Governance)
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27 pages, 12109 KB  
Article
Evolution Characteristics and Driving Mechanisms of Innovation’s Spatial Pattern in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Urban Agglomeration Under Coordinated Development Policy: Evidence from Patent Data
by Ruixi Dong, Shuxin Shen and Yuhao Yang
Land 2025, 14(11), 2206; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14112206 - 6 Nov 2025
Viewed by 548
Abstract
Against the backdrop of global economic digital transformation and the rapid flow of creative factors, innovation spaces, as the key carriers of inventive activities, drive high-quality development in urban agglomerations. This study develops a three-dimensional framework of “Spatial Structure–Factor Synergy–Institutional Drivers” to uncover [...] Read more.
Against the backdrop of global economic digital transformation and the rapid flow of creative factors, innovation spaces, as the key carriers of inventive activities, drive high-quality development in urban agglomerations. This study develops a three-dimensional framework of “Spatial Structure–Factor Synergy–Institutional Drivers” to uncover the evolution of innovation spaces and industrial shifts in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration, China. Methodologically, spatial econometric techniques were applied to capture both the overall concentration and spatial disparities of innovation. Spatial Gini and variation coefficients measured innovation clustering, while standard deviation ellipses and location entropy identified spatial linkages among high-tech innovation clusters. Geographically weighted regression models explored spatial heterogeneity in influencing factors, and a policy intensity index was constructed to assess the effectiveness of differentiated policy interventions in optimizing innovation resources. Key findings include the following: (1) Innovation spaces are spatially polarized in a “core–periphery” pattern, yet require cross-regional collaboration. Concurrently, high-tech industries demonstrate a gradient structure: central cities leading in R&D, sub-central cities driving industrial applications, and node cities achieving specialized development through industrial transfer. (2) The driving mechanisms exhibit significant spatial heterogeneity: economic density shows diminishing returns in core areas, whereas R&D investment and ecological quality demonstrate increasingly positive effects, with foreign investment’s role evolving positively post-institutional reforms. (3) Regional innovation synergy has formed a preliminary framework, but strengthening sustainable policy mechanisms remains pivotal to advancing market-driven coordination and dismantling administrative barriers. These findings underscore the importance of integrated policy reforms for achieving balanced and high-quality innovation development in administratively coordinated urban agglomerations like BTH. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Space Optimization and Governance)
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22 pages, 6366 KB  
Article
Strategic Land Assessment, Land Suitability, and Territorial Intelligence for Metropolitan Infrastructure: Rethinking Airport Location in the Madrid Region
by Álvaro Luengo Cartagena and Roberto Díez-Pisonero
Land 2025, 14(10), 2018; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14102018 - 9 Oct 2025
Viewed by 518
Abstract
In a context of growing saturation at Madrid–Barajas Airport and renewed debate on a second airport for the metropolitan region, this study proposes a GIS-based multicriteria evaluation (MCE) model to identify alternative locations from a territorial perspective. The model integrates environmental constraints, accessibility, [...] Read more.
In a context of growing saturation at Madrid–Barajas Airport and renewed debate on a second airport for the metropolitan region, this study proposes a GIS-based multicriteria evaluation (MCE) model to identify alternative locations from a territorial perspective. The model integrates environmental constraints, accessibility, spatial logic, and infrastructural compatibility to determine land suitability for large-scale airport development. Grounded in territorial intelligence and sustainable land management, the approach combines quantitative GIS analysis with normative planning criteria, offering a replicable and transparent tool for evidence-based decision-making. Results highlight four high-potential areas, La Sagra, Talavera de la Reina, Valdeluz, and Arganda, contrasted with institutional preferences such as the expansion of Barajas or the Casarrubios del Monte proposal. These findings show that alternative sites offer stronger scalability, reduced environmental impacts, and improved intermodal integration. Beyond technical evaluation, the study contributes to debates on metropolitan governance and spatial justice, underscoring the need to rethink airport location as a strategic instrument for land-use planning, regional cohesion, and sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Space Optimization and Governance)
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18 pages, 3275 KB  
Article
Equity Evaluation of Street-Level Greenery Based on Green View Index from Street View Images: A Case Study of Hangzhou, China
by Jinting Zhang, Cheng Liu, Min Xu and Sheng Zheng
Land 2025, 14(8), 1653; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14081653 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1725
Abstract
Equity in urban greenery is essential to improving residents’ well-being and contributing to environmental justice. Research on equity in street-scale urban greenery remains limited, but this study addresses it by employing the green view index (GVI), a widely recognized indicator for assessing green [...] Read more.
Equity in urban greenery is essential to improving residents’ well-being and contributing to environmental justice. Research on equity in street-scale urban greenery remains limited, but this study addresses it by employing the green view index (GVI), a widely recognized indicator for assessing green space quality from a pedestrian perspective, using semantic segmentation methods and Baidu Street View (BSV) images to quantify street-level greenery. Through spatial clustering and hot spot analysis, the visibility and spatial distribution of street greenery in Hangzhou’s central urban area were examined. Furthermore, the Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient, and location entropy were applied to evaluate disparities in green visibility across urban spaces. The results show that the average GVI at the sample point level, road level, and district level in the study area are 0.167, 0.142, and 0.177, respectively. Meanwhile, the spatial heterogeneity of the GVI is highly pronounced, with distinct clustering characteristics. The Gini coefficient of street greenery visibility is 0.384, indicating a moderate level of inequality in the distribution of greenery resources. Notably, a higher GVI does not necessarily correspond to better internal greenery equity, highlighting disparities in the distribution of urban greenery. This study offers a more precise and refined quantification of urban greenery equity, providing critical insights for addressing spatial disparities and informing urban planning strategies aimed at promoting equitable green infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Space Optimization and Governance)
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