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Land
Special Issues
Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions
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Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions

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 (11 March 2025) | Viewed by 22106

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lei Qu

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Guest Editor
Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands
Interests: inclusive planning; integrated development strategies; liveable cities
Dr. Remon Rooij

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands
Interests: strategic spatial planning; regional development; planning education

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the shared context of co-existing challenges to urban sustainability (e.g., energy crisis, food security, flooding risks, etc.), cities and regions in the world see changing values in society that are associated with ongoing sustainability transitions (including but not limited to the energy transition, circular transition., etc.). It has led to various new spatial claims to the limited land resource: making room for water, producing bio-based materials and creating space for renewable energy while coping with existing (urgent) demands for housing, food, etc. How to strategically solve the conflicts of interest in the use of space by coordinating spatial claims supported by various discourses of sustainability transitions becomes a new question for spatial planning.

In response to this question, it is necessary to deepen the understanding of the issues at hand-, i.e., the nature of sustainability transitions, their spatial implications on land use changes, and associated social implications. Furthermore, from the perspective of strategic spatial planning, conflicts of interest in land use are also issues related to (the lack of) multi-level and multi-actor governance. Only with these improved understandings can visions and strategies for future scenarios (more coordinated urban and regional development) be made. Thus, as guest editors of this Special Issue, we encourage trans-disciplinary approaches, linking scientific research with planning practice and education, to break the silos of knowledge production and dissemination.

The goal of this Special Issue is to collect papers (original research articles and review papers) to give insights into Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions. The aim is to identify, explain and deal with issues related to conflicts of interest in land use in cities and regions due to co-existing but not yet coordinated discourses of sustainability transitions. We call for papers that can join the in-depth discussions on 1) the understanding of the current issues and 2) new (participatory/collaborative) ways of vision- and strategy-making for more coordinated urban and regional development for sustainability transitions. The subject fits the journal’s scope because of its focus on land use changes. It is mainly in line with the subject area of “Urban contexts, urban planning and urban–rural interactions” while at the same time, also relevant to “Land-related aspects of achieving the UN Sustainability Goals”.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that address one or more of the following themes:

  • Land use changes as consequences of spatial claims: social and spatial implications of sustainability transitions.
  • (Changing) conflicts of interest in land use as a result of lack of stakeholder engagement: multi-level and multi-actor governance in sustainability transitions.
  • Vision- and strategy-making as a participatory/collaborative planning process: towards integrated and coordinated land use planning for sustainability transitions.

Contributions from urban geography, political science and spatial planning are especially welcome. Papers from other fields on urban and regional studies are also highly welcome. As indicated earlier, the link between scientific research with planning practice and education is encouraged.

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

Dr. Lei Qu
Dr. Remon Rooij
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

  • strategic spatial planning
  • land use changes
  • sustainability transitions
  • urban and regional development
  • multi-level and multi-actor governance
  • stakeholder engagement
  • spatial justice

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

32 pages, 11794 KiB  
Article
Urban Regeneration Through Circularity: Exploring the Potential of Circular Development in the Urban Villages of Chengdu, China
by Xinyu Lin, Marcin Dąbrowski, Lei Qu, Birgit Hausleitner and Roberto Rocco
Land 2025, 14(3), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030655 - 20 Mar 2025
Viewed by 561
Abstract
Research on circular development in China’s urban planning remains limited, particularly regarding marginalized groups’ actions. This study addresses the gap by examining circular practices within informal food systems in Chengdu’s urban villages. It highlights residents’ bottom-up initiatives in food production and consumption and [...] Read more.
Research on circular development in China’s urban planning remains limited, particularly regarding marginalized groups’ actions. This study addresses the gap by examining circular practices within informal food systems in Chengdu’s urban villages. It highlights residents’ bottom-up initiatives in food production and consumption and their interactions with the broader urban context. Using street interviews and Research through Design, it develops community-based visions to improve these actions and the needed planning tools for implementation. It also explores how circular development could support urban regeneration by recognizing overlooked resources and practices. Semi-structured expert interviews reveal barriers in China’s planning system to accommodate such visions. Findings indicate that local circular actions—driven by local labor and knowledge and efforts to tackle polluted land and idle spaces—offer valuable opportunities for circular development. However, deficiencies in planning tools for spatial planning, waste treatment, land contamination regulation, and vulnerability recognition create barriers to upscaling these initiatives. This study calls for integrating circular development into China’s spatial planning by strengthening top-down tools and fostering grassroots initiatives to promote sustainable resource flows, ecosystem health, and social equity. It also offers broader insights into promoting circular development by recognizing and integrating informal, bottom-up practices in cities undergoing informal settlement regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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30 pages, 3202 KiB  
Article
(Dis-)Continuation of Territoriality: A Framework for Analysis of the Role of Social Practices in (Re-)Production of Space
by Anica Dragutinovic and Susanne Kost
Land 2025, 14(2), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020229 - 22 Jan 2025
Viewed by 802
Abstract
The paper explores the correlation between the concepts of territoriality and social practices in the context of urban and rural (re-)production of space. It traces the degree of “habitualisation” of certain actions and the behaviour of stakeholders, identifying those defined as practices, [...] Read more.
The paper explores the correlation between the concepts of territoriality and social practices in the context of urban and rural (re-)production of space. It traces the degree of “habitualisation” of certain actions and the behaviour of stakeholders, identifying those defined as practices, and revealing their role in the (dis-)continuation of territoriality of a region. It takes a German region Ostwestfalen-Lippe (OWL) as a case study. The research methodology is based on the practice theory of Andreas Reckwitz and his “praxeological quadrat of cultural analysis”, which is applied in this study. The research process includes (a) semi-structured interviews with the representatives of several institutions from the region, (b) narrative analysis and thematic content structuring of the interviews and (c) synthesis analysis. The study clarifies relations between the artefacts and discourses mentioned by the interviewees, and their impact on the practices of the institutions and others contributing to the (dis-)continuation of territoriality and identity of the region. The main findings are related to the (1) methodological contribution—operationalisation of the “praxeological quadrat of cultural analysis”, and (2) substantive contribution—revealing the role of social practices on the continuation of territoriality of the region. The article presents cultural patterns in the perception of and orientation towards long-past territorialities by the interviewees and makes clear what significance these historical and historicising spatial references have for the spatial planning of the present. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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26 pages, 5435 KiB  
Article
Ecovillages and Transition Towns: Practices of Sustainable Settlements in Urban and Rural Austria
by Ozge Yalciner Ercoskun, Anna Kajosaari and Alois Humer
Land 2025, 14(1), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010192 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1868
Abstract
This study investigates sustainable settlements—in terms of low-carbon settlements and communities transitioning from oil dependence to local resilience—in urban and rural areas of Austria. The objectives of this study are twofold: First, to examine the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) and Transition Towns Network [...] Read more.
This study investigates sustainable settlements—in terms of low-carbon settlements and communities transitioning from oil dependence to local resilience—in urban and rural areas of Austria. The objectives of this study are twofold: First, to examine the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) and Transition Towns Network (TTN) as platforms for alternative lifestyles for urban and rural planning and, second, to comprehend the socio-spatial factors influencing the development of future transition settlements. This study provides updated insights into the concepts of the Global Ecovillage Network in a rural context as well as transition culture in an urban context. In two case studies, we focus on one Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) member, the Cambium Ecovillage near the village of Fehring, Styria, and one Transition Town Network member, Graz, the capital city of Styria. Using transdisciplinary and participatory methodologies, we examine the specific local contexts of these sustainable settlements. Ultimately, the findings of the study about facilitating participatory land use frameworks can be extrapolated from the Austrian context to the broader European context. Conclusions drawn from the results will inform potential future urban and rural land use initiatives concerning ecovillages and transition towns across Europe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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23 pages, 10411 KiB  
Article
Methods for the Performance Evaluation and Design Optimization of Metro Transit-Oriented Development Sites Based on Urban Big Data
by Huadong Chen, Kai Zhao, Zhan Zhang, Haodong Zhang and Linjun Lu
Land 2024, 13(8), 1233; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081233 - 8 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1763
Abstract
Numerous researchers have endeavored to amalgamate critical transit-oriented development (TOD) indicators, such as development density, walkability, and diversity, into a single TOD index to assess TOD performance. However, implementing TOD in megacities necessitates a more comprehensive selection of indicators, an objective calculation methodology, [...] Read more.
Numerous researchers have endeavored to amalgamate critical transit-oriented development (TOD) indicators, such as development density, walkability, and diversity, into a single TOD index to assess TOD performance. However, implementing TOD in megacities necessitates a more comprehensive selection of indicators, an objective calculation methodology, and accessible calculation data for the TOD index. This study introduces a method based on multi-indicator TOD performance assessment using multi-source urban big data; it uses Shanghai as a case study to evaluate and analyze the impact of site characteristics on performance. The method constructs the Comprehensive Socio-Economic Development Index (CSEDI) based on four indicators of TOD site operations. It establishes a multivariate regression model utilizing principal component analysis to extract 22 leading component indicators as independent variables from 71 indicators associated with TOD. Within the sample space of 77 rail transit TOD sites in Shanghai, the CSEDI exhibited a robust correlation with the independent variables. The evaluation results of the case study demonstrate consistency with the development characteristics of the city and the sites, indicating that the evaluation method can guide the renovation of existing sites and the development of new sites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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26 pages, 31509 KiB  
Article
Towards Just and Integrated Energy Transition in Taiwan: A Socio-Spatial Perspective
by Kuan-Ting Liu and Marcin Dąbrowski
Land 2024, 13(7), 916; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070916 - 24 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1839
Abstract
Energy justice remains relatively under-researched outside of the Western context, especially in Asia. This paper addresses that gap by investigating the process of energy transition in Taiwan through the socio-spatial lens and institutional points of view. The paper underscores the urgency of recognizing [...] Read more.
Energy justice remains relatively under-researched outside of the Western context, especially in Asia. This paper addresses that gap by investigating the process of energy transition in Taiwan through the socio-spatial lens and institutional points of view. The paper underscores the urgency of recognizing and addressing the overlooked social injustices across different territories, advocating an integrated planning approach that incorporates a just energy transition perspective to reduce the uneven negative impacts of deploying renewable energies across communities and regional territories. Drawing on a case study of the Changhua region, the paper identifies conflicts arising from the rapid deployment of renewable energy, such as land use changes that displace farming activities and negatively affect rural stakeholders. The findings suggest the need to urgently address the gap between top–down goals in energy transition and bottom–up considerations to raise awareness and prevent injustices that risk deepening the existing socio-economic inequities. This paper also proposes a new framework for both new research and policy for (just) energy transition, incorporating distributional, procedural, and recognitional concerns together with a critical view on the cross-scale and cross-sectoral integration as part of the spatial planning process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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19 pages, 5437 KiB  
Article
Social Enterprises and Their Role in Revitalizing Shrinking Cities—A Case Study on Shimizusawa of Japan
by Jian Liu, Yixin Zhang and Junsong Mao
Land 2023, 12(12), 2146; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12122146 - 9 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1936
Abstract
Since their birth in the 1990s, social enterprises, as a kind of third-party organization with the attributes of both a not-for-profit entity and a profit-making enterprise, have played a significant role in the socio-economic development of cities, in particular those facing the challenge [...] Read more.
Since their birth in the 1990s, social enterprises, as a kind of third-party organization with the attributes of both a not-for-profit entity and a profit-making enterprise, have played a significant role in the socio-economic development of cities, in particular those facing the challenge of shrinking. But why are social enterprises so deeply embedded in the regeneration process of shrinking cities, and how do they promote their multi-dimensional revitalization? In order to answer these questions, this paper presents a case study on Shimizusawa in Japan based on a literature review and field research. In line with the embeddedness and institution–function–instrument theories, it reviews the revitalization of Shimizusawa by involving a social enterprise in the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage sites and the development of industrial tourism, analyzes the establishment process and organizational characteristics of this social enterprise, and summarizes the four major experiences of its practice—that is, the governance structure of two types of institutions and two types of functions, the planning for both profitable and non-profitable activities, the operation of both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses, and the fund management of leveraging multiple parties to raise funds and reinvesting the profits locally. The extensive support provided by the Shimizusawa Social Enterprise that creates not only economic value but also social value justifies the significant role of social enterprises in the revitalization of shrinking industrial areas. This case study, together with its analytical framework, may serve as a meaningful reference for the revitalization of shrinking industrial areas in other parts of the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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16 pages, 1713 KiB  
Article
The Renewal of the Finnish Planning Legislation as a Strategy of Urban Planning and Development
by Liisa Horelli and Sirkku Wallin
Land 2023, 12(11), 2085; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112085 - 20 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2605
Abstract
Due to global eco-social and technological challenges, a new strategy of planning adopted as the Land Use and Building Act in Finland (2000) will be renewed after 23 years of implementation. Will the forthcoming law recognise the complex relationships and consequences of self-organised [...] Read more.
Due to global eco-social and technological challenges, a new strategy of planning adopted as the Land Use and Building Act in Finland (2000) will be renewed after 23 years of implementation. Will the forthcoming law recognise the complex relationships and consequences of self-organised processes, the digital empowerment of citizens, and the eco-social content of planning and development? This article examines and discusses the renewal of the Finnish Land Use and Building Act and the forthcoming planning system from an ontological perspective. Methodologically it is based on an assessment of the draft of and comments on the new Act, as well as on a comparative analysis of two case studies that illustrate the potential consequences of the renewal in the Finnish context. The results reveal that the planning system will become more complex. Despite the adoption of a new digital methodology, the Act ignores civil society’s self-organisation and digital empowerment; also, the definition of the eco-social substance is vague. However, the Finnish reform serves as an example of the difficulties that planning systems encounter in the current context of complex problems concerning sustainability transitions all over the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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21 pages, 5231 KiB  
Article
Reflection on Guangzhou’s Strategic Spatial Planning: Current Status, Conflicts, and Dilemmas
by Miaoxi Zhao, Yuexi Yao and Galuh Syahbana Indraprahasta
Land 2023, 12(11), 1996; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12111996 - 31 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2426
Abstract
Strategic spatial planning plays a pivotal role in effectively providing solutions for urban issues. In 2000, Guangzhou took the pioneering step of formulating China’s first strategic spatial plan, known as the Guangzhou Strategic Plan. However, existing research has predominantly focused on the content [...] Read more.
Strategic spatial planning plays a pivotal role in effectively providing solutions for urban issues. In 2000, Guangzhou took the pioneering step of formulating China’s first strategic spatial plan, known as the Guangzhou Strategic Plan. However, existing research has predominantly focused on the content of the “Guangzhou Strategic Spatial Plan” while lacking attention to its implementation effects. To address this empirical gap, this paper analyzes Guangzhou’s current spatial structure from the perspectives of facilities, population, and industry. The results reveal that: (1) the effectiveness of the “Southern Expansion” strategy outlined in the Guangzhou Strategic Spatial Plan has been limited. It has not achieved the expected results in terms of facility construction, population attraction, industrial clustering, and value-added growth; (2) due to inherent limitations and a lack of planning support, the development of the new town presents a dilemma. Considering the current spatial structure, this paper reflects on the reasons for the failure of Guangzhou’s strategic spatial planning, aiming to provide insights for the implementation of a new round of strategic spatial planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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34 pages, 7267 KiB  
Article
How Is Spatial Planning Adapting to Climate Change? A Textual Analysis Based on the Territorial and Spatial Plans of 368 Chinese Cities
by Kebin Zhou, Shifu Wang and Yucheng Feng
Land 2023, 12(11), 1993; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12111993 - 31 Oct 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2465
Abstract
Spatial planning is broadly acknowledged for its pivotal role in local climate change adaptation. Nevertheless, variations persist among countries in their perceptions and practices concerning the effectiveness and feasibility of utilizing spatial planning for climate change adaptation. Chinese cities confront the challenges of [...] Read more.
Spatial planning is broadly acknowledged for its pivotal role in local climate change adaptation. Nevertheless, variations persist among countries in their perceptions and practices concerning the effectiveness and feasibility of utilizing spatial planning for climate change adaptation. Chinese cities confront the challenges of global warming, rapid urbanization, and intensified extreme weather events. Climate change adaptation agreements, frameworks, and policies have predominantly emphasized the national scale, often overlooking local adaptation efforts. However, the ongoing reform and restructuring of China’s territorial and spatial planning system encompasses the categorization, hierarchical management, control of comprehensive national land resource development, and conservation. This process is gradually establishing spatial planning strategies that synergize with the impacts of climate change, thereby offering an opportunity to integrate climate change adaptation objectives into spatial planning. This endeavor is supported by a series of regulatory standards and guidelines to ensure its effective implementation. The study scrutinizes the public draft of territorial and spatial master plans for 368 Chinese cities to assess the integration of climate change concerns at the local level and to identify disparities among cities. Employing the Awareness, Analysis, and Action Framework (3A Framework), which draws from prior scholarship and integrates relevant existing research, we identified and assessed 30 criteria for recognizing and appraising climate change adaptation strategies in territorial and spatial planning. The study’s findings indicate that: (1) The role of territorial and spatial planning in integrating climate change issues at the city level requires enhancement, as reflected in the generally low “awareness” of climate change concerns, limited “analytical capacity” regarding climate change, and a certain foundation for “action response” to climate change adaptation; (2) Large cities, characterized by robust economies and population concentrations, generally outperform small and medium-sized cities. They exhibit a superior ability to delineate quantifiable climate adaptation indicators and measures. In conclusion, the study provides prospective recommendations concerning technical approaches, spatial governance, mechanisms, and actions to more effectively incorporate climate change adaptation objectives into local-level territorial and spatial planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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23 pages, 5954 KiB  
Article
Reviewing Historic Urban Water Transitions to Advance Water-Sensitive Urban Design for Bhuj, India
by Geert J. M. van der Meulen, Gargi Mishra, Machiel J. van Dorst, Mona Iyer and Taneha Kuzniecow Bacchin
Land 2023, 12(10), 1938; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12101938 - 18 Oct 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3167
Abstract
In rapidly growing urban contexts, water plays a pivotal role in the transitions the urban environment goes through to sustain the quality of life of its population. Spatial planning and design are essential for the facilitation and manifestation of such transitions. Focusing on [...] Read more.
In rapidly growing urban contexts, water plays a pivotal role in the transitions the urban environment goes through to sustain the quality of life of its population. Spatial planning and design are essential for the facilitation and manifestation of such transitions. Focusing on Bhuj, a rapidly growing Indian city in a hot arid desert climate, its crucial yet changing sensitivity to urban water flows over time is assessed. The concept of water sensitivity is coined as a goal to pursue by the Water-Sensitive Urban Design approach. In India, however, much of the urban design and development processes are of an unplanned and informal nature, seemingly inhibiting the water sensitivity of urban transitions. Reviewing spatial planning paradigms and their manifestation in space in Bhuj over time, however, brings to light a pre-existing water sensitivity. Yet it also shows a shift from the supply security-oriented ingenious watershed expansion to catastrophe-steered and urban expansion-driven water system negligence. Review and discussion of past and present urban water transitions and management points out drivers, barriers, and their interrelationships, to enable and advance water-sensitive urban development tied to local history, traditional knowledge, and context specificities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)
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