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Land
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Spatial Justice in Urban Planning (Second Edition)
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Spatial Justice in Urban Planning (Second Edition)

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 5478

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fox Zhiyong Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Road, Hong Kong
Interests: urban redevelopment; urban inequality; land policy and institutions; social impact of public housing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Wendy Yan Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
Interests: urban greening; urban ecosystem service and sustainable society; spatial econometric analysis; environmental policy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Izzy Yi Jian

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Road, Hong Kong
Interests: spatial justice; public open space; inclusive/ age-friendly design; geomedia

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cities are contradictory places in which the benefits of improved access to economic opportunities, public goods, services, and amenities are accompanied by heavy economic, social, and environmental burdens in terms of traffic congestion, housing unaffordability, air pollution, and environmental hazards. The uneven distribution of such benefits and burdens of urban development across urban individuals differentiated by class, gender, race, ability, and other social markers lead to various forms of social exclusion and injustice, often putting disproportionate burdens on the lives of disadvantaged urban dwellers.

Spatial dimension is an integral part of social justice (Soja, 2010), as urban spaces, places, landscapes, and built environments inhabited by different categories of urbanites play a significant role in determining and shaping not only the spatial location and accessibility of urban benefits and burdens but also urban inhabitants’ power and capabilities to partake in the negotiation and deliberation of rules governing the use and management of urban land and space. Interrogating social-spatial (in)justice in cities involves distributive justice concerning the social-spatial unevenness of benefits and disbenefits for different social groups, as well as recognitional and procedural justice bearing upon the social-spatial inclusion/exclusion of diverse actors/agencies in urban planning and spatial management processes (Fainstein, 2010).

From a social-spatial justice perspective, all urban dwellers, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds, should have equal rights and opportunities to use, transform, and reproduce their inhabited city according to the urban lifestyle choices they value (Israel and Frenkel, 2018). The pursuit of and contestation over social-spatial justice is most acutely reflected in the “urban land nexus” (cf. Scott and Storper, 2015) marked by variegated diversity and the interpenetration of the production space of work and employment, the social space of residential neighborhoods, and the circulation space of infrastructure and mobility connections. The advocacy for social-spatial justice provides a new lens for urban researchers, policy practitioners, and justice activists to reflect upon and re-evaluate diverse urban forms, spatial structures, (re)development processes, and policy interventions at city and metropolitan scales whose effects and outcomes have hitherto paid inadequate attention to the normative criterion of social-spatial equity. To fill this gap, this Special Issue calls for conceptual, theoretical, methodological, empirical, and exploratory papers that can contribute to our understanding of the complex interrelationships among justice, society, and space in diverse urban governance settings. We welcome both original research articles and reviews and particularly encourage submissions from a critical and multi-disciplinary perspective. Research themes may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Social-spatial (in)justice in urban redevelopment
  • Suburbanization, gentrification, and social-spatial exclusion
  • Urban sprawl, compact cities, and social-spatial justice
  • Equity and justice in informal and affordable housing
  • Social-spatial (in)justice in urban public space
  • Greening and inclusive urban development
  • Spatial and environmental justice in urban ecosystem services
  • Urban mobility and spatial justice
  • Spatial equity and justice in urban planning and governance

References:

Soja, E.W. Seeking spatial justice. University of Minnesota Press, 2010

Fainstein, S. The just city. Cornell University Press, 2010

Israel, E. and Frenkel, A. Social justice and spatial inequality: Towards a conceptual framework, Progress in Human Geography, 2018, 42 (5): 647-665

Scott, A.J. and Storper, M. The nature of cities: The scope and limits of urban theory, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 2015, 39 (1): 1-15.

Dr. Fox Zhiyong Hu
Prof. Dr. Wendy Yan Chen
Dr. Izzy Yi Jian
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

  • social-spatial justice
  • distributional and procedural justice
  • urban redevelopment
  • environmental justice
  • green gentrification
  • right to the city
  • segregation and discrimination
  • urban political ecology
  • capital and capability
  • co-production

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 5839 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Serviceability of Urban Green Spaces from a Spatial Perspective: A Comparative Study Across 368 Cities on the Chinese Mainland
by Yuetong Qin, Yibin Ma, Mengjie Gong, Shaodong Li and Pengfei Chen
Land 2025, 14(4), 711; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14040711 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 336
Abstract
Assessing urban green spaces’ (UGSs) serviceability is crucial for ecosystems and well-being, but traditional approaches focus only on the quantity of UGSs while neglecting their spatial configuration or depend on region-specific data sources, significantly limiting their applicability for comprehensive assessments and comparisons of [...] Read more.
Assessing urban green spaces’ (UGSs) serviceability is crucial for ecosystems and well-being, but traditional approaches focus only on the quantity of UGSs while neglecting their spatial configuration or depend on region-specific data sources, significantly limiting their applicability for comprehensive assessments and comparisons of UGSs. To address this problem, we proposed a novel triangular indicator framework for evaluating UGS serviceability from a spatial perspective using public geospatial data. This framework integrated three independent indicators to capture the ecological value and residents’ utilization of UGSs and one composite indicator for the proportion of high-quality UGS services. Our approach was applied across 368 cities in mainland China, and significant geographical differences in UGS provision and usage equality were identified. Cities with similar UGS service characteristics were grouped using clustering, providing tailored improvement suggestions. Lastly, a regression analysis was conducted to compare the proposed indicator system with traditional metrics in relation to economic, demographic, and environmental satisfaction data, highlighting the advantages of our approach and its complementary role alongside traditional ones. This study offers a new method for large-scale UGS evaluation, aiding policymakers in refining UGS distribution, improving environmental equality, and formulating effective planning strategies to promote sustainable urban development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning (Second Edition))
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19 pages, 1029 KiB  
Article
Impact of Urban Redevelopment on Low-Income Residential Segregation in South Korea’s Metropolitan Cities, 2011–2020
by Chaeyeon Lee and Donghyun Kim
Land 2025, 14(3), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030442 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 775
Abstract
Residential segregation, which has been centered on race and ethnicity, has recently expanded to include income and social class as social inequality has increased. In particular, South Korea is one of the countries where social inequality is increasing as a result of economic [...] Read more.
Residential segregation, which has been centered on race and ethnicity, has recently expanded to include income and social class as social inequality has increased. In particular, South Korea is one of the countries where social inequality is increasing as a result of economic growth. Existing studies have considered a relationship between redevelopment and residential segregation with respect to income, but there is a lack of factual evidence incorporating analysis in terms of spatial units. We analyzed patterns of low-income residential segregation (LiRS) in South Korea from the macro and micro perspectives to determine the net effect of redevelopment on this phenomenon. By classifying recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Security System (NBLSS) as low-income people, we measured LiRS using the dissimilarity index, the isolation index, the location quotient, and local Moran’s I (LISA) in seven metropolitan cities in South Korea between 2011 and 2020. We explored the net effect of redevelopment on LiRS using propensity score matching (PSM), and we estimated that redevelopment would reduce LiRS by 0.0289. The findings reveal that low-income residential segregation declined from 2011 to 2020. PSM analysis indicates that redevelopment mitigates LiRS. This study provides insights into the need to consult with those responsible for low-income housing policies to ensure the positive impact of redevelopment on LiRS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning (Second Edition))
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17 pages, 2367 KiB  
Article
Beyond Distribution: Critique of Spatial Justice Theories—Case Study of Shanghai’s 15-Minute City
by Shengxi Xin and Qingyuan Guo
Land 2025, 14(1), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010189 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1283
Abstract
The concept of the 15-minute city is increasingly being adopted globally as a pathway towards the vision of a just city. However, this distributive justice-based discourse is also used to justify and depoliticize radical planning interventions, particularly relocation, which profoundly impact the lifeworlds [...] Read more.
The concept of the 15-minute city is increasingly being adopted globally as a pathway towards the vision of a just city. However, this distributive justice-based discourse is also used to justify and depoliticize radical planning interventions, particularly relocation, which profoundly impact the lifeworlds of affected individuals. Despite improved accessibility and the reallocation of resources, relocatees’ perceived injustice persists. This study aims to address a critical question: How does relocation planning impact the lifeworlds of affected communities, and how does this contribute to the sense of injustice experienced by relocatees? The theoretical framework we used critically examines spatial justice theories, emphasizing their inherent “logic of equation”, which reduces people’s complex lived experiences and subjective realities to measurable data and numbers, thereby disrupting individuals’ lifeworlds. Empirically, this study conducted a case study of a relocation project in Shanghai’s inner city, utilizing mind mapping to visualize the spatial perceptions and activities of 15 residents before and after relocation, complemented by interviews with these residents and two planning officials. While the planners’ evaluations indicate improved built environments post relocation, the findings reveal significant disruptions to the residents’ socio-spatial networks, particularly among the elderly. These disruptions diminished their capacity and willingness to engage with the new space, fostering a persistent sense of injustice. This study concludes that addressing planning disruptions requires policies that go beyond material redistribution to restore and reshape people’s lifeworlds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning (Second Edition))
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20 pages, 4509 KiB  
Article
Assessing Urban Park Accessibility and Equity Using Open-Source Data in Jiujiang, China
by Lihui Gao, Zhen Xu, Ziqi Shang, Mingyu Li and Jianhui Wang
Land 2025, 14(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010009 - 25 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1099
Abstract
Urban parks have become more important in residents’ daily lives owing to both rapid urbanization and increasing environmental pressures. Globally, there is growing concern regarding equitable access to urban parks, particularly in densely populated countries such as China. This study focuses on the [...] Read more.
Urban parks have become more important in residents’ daily lives owing to both rapid urbanization and increasing environmental pressures. Globally, there is growing concern regarding equitable access to urban parks, particularly in densely populated countries such as China. This study focuses on the accessibility and equity of urban parks in Jiujiang using walking route data obtained from an open-source platform through an application programming interface to assess park accessibility. We explored the equity of park accessibility from three perspectives: spatial, opportunity, and group equity. The results indicated that urban parks in central Jiujiang have significantly better accessibility than those in suburban areas. Less than half of the study area was covered within a 1500 m walking distance. There is a large service blind catchment in park accessibility. Similarly, disparities in the equity of park accessibility were observed. The Penpu sub-district has the best accessibility; in contrast, the Qili Lake sub-district benefits from less than 10% of park accessibility. Wealthier communities benefit more from park accessibility than disadvantaged communities. Our study aims to provide strategies for urban planning for policymakers. Strategies such as increasing park entrances, opening gated communities, and creating shared green spaces may help ensure environmental equity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning (Second Edition))
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19 pages, 4503 KiB  
Article
The Spatiotemporal Organizational Order of Living Circle Units Based on the Law of Walking Time-Distance Distributions
by Jianming Zhang, Jun Cai, Xinhai Zhang and Wansong Zhang
Land 2024, 13(12), 2105; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122105 - 5 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 684
Abstract
The unclear time-distance decay law between supply and demand, which makes it difficult to coordinate their fairness, is a key factor in the disordered spatiotemporal development of supply and demand. In order to advance the standardized renewal of living circles with a people-oriented [...] Read more.
The unclear time-distance decay law between supply and demand, which makes it difficult to coordinate their fairness, is a key factor in the disordered spatiotemporal development of supply and demand. In order to advance the standardized renewal of living circles with a people-oriented approach, this paper clarifies the time-distance decay law between supply and demand embedded in residents’ walking time-distance distributions and explores the spatiotemporal organizational order of supply and demand in living circle units aligned with this law. First, 24 sets of walking time-distance distribution data, each showing significant distribution differences, were standardized using a mean-based transformation relative to their own time-distance means, resulting in an observable law of relative time-distance distribution. Subsequently, an explanatory mechanism for the relative time-distance distribution was constructed based on the generation and decay effects of the relative time-distance between standard supply and demand. A functional model was fitted and verified, indicating that the decay law of the relative time-distance follows a negative exponential function with a parameter value of 2.08, and the time-distance threshold has a stable twofold relationship with the time-distance mean. Finally, by drawing an analogy between living circle units and the relative time-distance distribution and taking their standards as the mean time-distance, the study explored the layout relationships among living circle units. The spatiotemporal organizational order for same-level units was characterized by “one form where the time-distance mean and threshold serve as the service radius and influence radius, and another where supply and demand are placed at 0.5 times the time-distance mean inside and outside, respectively”. For different-level units, the order featured “one form where the center of the upper-level spatiotemporal unit is located at the four corners of the lower-level units, with a service radius twice that of the lower-level unit. Another form ensures coordination of service radius differences between upper and lower units through a twofold speed relationship in travel modes, guaranteeing relative fairness in travel time consumption for the same type of supply across different levels”. Additionally, an ideal layout pattern for living circle units was proposed, featuring a “snowflake-shaped” facility layout and a “twice-speed” transfer method. The findings suggest that the 15, 10, and 5 min living circle planning is not merely about the availability of services within their time-distance standards, but about ensuring multifaceted accessibility fairness for residents within these standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial Justice in Urban Planning (Second Edition))
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