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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 April 2026) | Viewed by 21433

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Thomas Panagopoulos

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Science and Technology, Research Centre for Tourism, Sustainability and Well-Being, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Interests: landscape architecture; green infrastructure; urban sustainability; nature-based solutions; land use planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of the Special Issue "Feature Papers for Land Planning and Landscape Architecture Section", we are happy to announce the opening of a second volume.

Landscape is an important part of the quality of life of people in urban and rural contexts. Taking into consideration the fact that sustainable development is based on a harmonious relationship between social needs, economic activity, and the environment, the landscape constitutes a resource favourable to economic activity and whose protection, management, and planning can contribute to job creation. Acknowledging that the quality and diversity of landscapes constitute a common resource and a basic component of the natural and cultural heritage that contribute to human well-being, it is important to develop research towards their protection, management, and planning.

In this Special Issue, we invite papers focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:

- Landscape protection/management/restoration;

- Multi-scale planning and design;

- Landscape as infrastructure;

- Land planning and landscape architecture as they pertain to the following:

- Smart cities;

- Ecosystem services;

- Human health and well-being;

- Biodiversity;

- Education;

- Social/spatial/environmental/distributional/procedural justice;

- Transport;

- Heritage;

- Real estate;

- Energy transition.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Panagopoulos
Guest Editor

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

participative design
planning and management
climate resilience
energy transition
biophilic design
nature-based solutions
regenerative design
circular solutions for sustainable tourism
environmental footprint
virtual reality to facilitate collaboration

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Related Special Issue

Feature Papers for Land Planning and Landscape Architecture Section in Land (13 articles)

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 4984 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Land Evaluation Following Updated World Reference Base (WRB) Soil Mapping: A Tool for Sustainable Land Planning in Mediterranean Environments

by Samuel Guerreiro, Pedro Arsénio, Vasco Florentino and Manuel Madeira

Land 2026, 15(3), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15030383 - 27 Feb 2026

Viewed by 711

Abstract

Harmonised land evaluation frameworks are essential for sustainable land planning and policy development. Assessing land suitability is crucial for predicting agricultural and forestry potential but also for mitigating land degradation risks. Current land suitability maps in Portugal vary greatly in scale and methodology. This study presents the first nationally consistent framework to produce a harmonised land suitability map for mainland Portugal at a 1:100,000 scale following a recently updated WRB soil map. The latter was obtained by integrating legacy soil data with delineated land units according to soil-forming factors (climate, lithology, and relief). These land units were used to derive key land qualities, subsequently classified into constraint levels. Following FAO land evaluation principles, four land suitability levels for agriculture and forestry were assigned to 125 land units across three representative areas in southern Portugal. Relief and lithology emerged as main drivers of land suitability. Marginal agricultural lands are largely dominant (65.1–78.0%), followed by non-suitable lands (14.8–28.3%). Forestry suitability is mostly confined to moderate (61.5–69.4%) and marginal (30.6–37.4%) classes, reflecting the higher adaptability of forestry systems. High consistency was observed between the derived suitability classes and the latest land use/land cover map of Portugal. The framework enables decision-makers to identify areas suitable for intensive production while safeguarding lands vulnerable to degradation. It also provides a transferable tool for adaptive landscape management and sustainable land allocation, supporting policy development under changing environmental conditions in Mediterranean regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture" Section, Second Edition)

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34 pages, 2581 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Enablers and Obstacles in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Implementation and Their Contributions to Sustainable Territorial Development

by Armando Gallegos, Neil S. Grigg and Wendy Llano

Land 2026, 15(2), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15020270 - 5 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1412

Abstract

Advancing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is essential for integrating land and water strategies and ensuring access to safe and secure water services. Yet, assessing the quality of IWRM implementation remains a persistent challenge for policy and practice. This study presents the first systematic review of 375 empirical articles to consolidate evidence on how enablers and obstacles shape IWRM’s effectiveness in advancing Sustainable Territorial Development (S-TD). Following PRISMA guidelines and combining bibliometric and qualitative coding procedures, we identify ten categories of enablers and eleven categories of obstacles. Results show that institutional strengthening, stakeholder participation, and technological innovation are the most frequent enablers, while fragmentation, coordination challenges, and financial limitations are the most prevalent obstacles. Beyond frequency patterns, this review highlights that outcomes depend on the configurations and interactions of these factors, which condition IWRM’s capacity to steer sustainable development trajectories in the territory. By comparing enablers and obstacles across nexus sectors (food, energy, land) and geographic scales (sub-basin, basin, transboundary, urban, national), we delineate scale- and sector-sensitive pathways linking IWRM to S-TD. To support further research, we provide an open-access dataset as a unique resource for replication, comparative analysis, and policy design, enabling evidence-based decision-making toward sustainability and resilience across diverse geographical and institutional contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture" Section, Second Edition)

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25 pages, 2041 KB

Open AccessArticle

Heritage Value and Short-Term Rentals: Spatial Dynamics of Airbnb Prices in Rome

by Maria Rosaria Guarini, Alejandro Segura-de-la-Cal, Francesco Sica and Yilsy Núñez-Guerrero

Land 2026, 15(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010077 - 31 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1903

Abstract

The intangible accessibility of real estate markets via platforms like Airbnb profoundly influences the urban development industry, propelled by the dynamics of short- to medium-term rentals for tourists. The suggested study aims to examine the association between the prices of listed properties and the influence of proximity to tourist attractions on location-driven pricing. The city of Rome acts as a case study from which to derive pertinent conclusions and proof on the phenomena intended for exploration. The methodological approach relies on a comprehensive classification of locations recognized as tourist attractions, drawn from public resources, travel guides, search engines, and online trends. The identified attractionswere subsequently classified to analyze how spatial proximity influences price formation. Data on short-term rental listings were obtained from the Inside Airbnb platform. The results enable the characterization of Rome as a polycentric urban system, composed of multiple tourism hubs whose spatial interactions are closely associated with prevailing hotel pricing patterns. This study emphasizes the influence of tourist demand on land values, a phenomenon intricately connected to urban gentrification and the capitalization of the real estate market. These findings enhance comprehension of tourism’s impact on the geographical and economic structure of cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture" Section, Second Edition)

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16 pages, 25396 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Landscape Connectivity Loss and Identification of Restoration Priorities in Forest Fire-Affected Areas: A Case Study of North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea

by Chulhyun Choi, Seonmi Lee and Hyunjin Seo

Land 2025, 14(12), 2444; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14122444 - 18 Dec 2025

Viewed by 797

Abstract

The 2025 large-scale forest fire in North Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongbuk) caused habitat fragmentation and disrupted ecological networks. This study quantitatively assessed both structural and functional connectivity loss and derived scientifically grounded restoration priorities. Fire intensity was assessed using Sentinel-2-based dNBR, and connectivity changes before and after the fire were analyzed by integrating MSPA (Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis) and Omniscape (circuit theory-based model). MSPA captured extreme fragmentation, showing an 84% reduction in core habitats and a 976% increase in isolated patches, but failed to reflect functional movement flows. Omniscape approximated this using circuit theory, quantifying a 60% loss in cumulative current flow within the fire boundary and confirming that structural disconnection led to functional connectivity collapse. The restoration priority assessment (53 patches), based on source–sink theory, identified 14 high-priority patches (66% of total area). These patches were characterized by their adjacency to undamaged external cores, which serve as potential population sources for post-restoration recolonization. Notably, the top-priority areas were identified as key connection points within the national ecological corridor where Juwangsan National Park, the Nakdong Ridge, and Grade 1 Ecological Natural Areas overlap. This study demonstrated that integrating MSPA with Omniscape can simultaneously quantify both morphological fragmentation and functional disconnection caused by forest fires. This framework suggests that restoration planning should consider connectivity with broader ecological networks, in addition to recovering lost habitat area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture" Section, Second Edition)

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30 pages, 6827 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Human–Nature Interaction Pattern Design in Landscape Architecture

by Hongfei Li and Peter H. Kahn, Jr.

Land 2025, 14(10), 2051; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14102051 - 14 Oct 2025

Viewed by 3409

Abstract

Landscape architecture has long engaged esthetics, ecological process, and cultural meaning, and contemporary practice increasingly embraces systemic and process-based approaches. Yet even within this richness, designers often lack systematic tools for addressing how embodied interaction shapes human–nature relationships. Granted, frameworks such as biophilic design and restorative environments emphasize the importance of contact with nature. Yet they often stop short of specifying the sensory and movement-based interactions through which agency, well-being, and meaning are cultivated. To address this gap, this paper introduces Interaction Pattern Design (IPD) as a theory-grounded and practice-oriented framework for landscape architecture. The first part of the paper outlines what interaction patterns are, how they scale along the continuum from highly domestic to relatively wild environments, and the empirical evidence that establishes their significance. The second half of this paper speaks to designers specifically and applies this IP approach to the design process. Two design tools are introduced. One is Quadrant Mapping, which visualizes intersections of environmental and behavioral wildness within a site. The second is Structuring Interaction Patterns, which organizes design elements through scale, sequence, and co-occurrence. Drawing from case studies, the paper demonstrates how these tools enrich process- and ecology-focused design methods, supporting deeper and more enduring forms of engagement with nature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture" Section, Second Edition)

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26 pages, 20743 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Rural Landscape Change Within the Planning and Management Framework: The Case of Topaktaş Village (Van, Turkiye)

by Feran Aşur, Kübra Karaman, Okan Yeler and Simay Kaskan

Land 2025, 14(10), 1991; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14101991 - 3 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1603

Abstract

Rural landscapes are changing rapidly, yet many assessments remain descriptive and weakly connected to planning instruments. This study connects rural landscape analysis with planning and management by examining post-earthquake transformations in Topaktaş (Tuşba, Van), a village redesigned and relocated after the 2011 events. Using ArcGIS 10.8 and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), we integrate DEM, slope, aspect, CORINE land cover Plus, surface-water presence/seasonality, and proximity to hazards (active and surface-rupture faults) and infrastructure (Karasu Stream, highways, village roads). A risk overlay is treated as a hard constraint. We produce suitability maps for settlement, agriculture, recreation, and industry; derive a composite optimum land-use surface; and translate outputs into decision rules (e.g., a 0–100 m fault no-build setback, riparian buffers, and slope thresholds) with an outline for implementation and monitoring. Key findings show legacy footprints at lower elevations, while new footprints cluster near the upper elevation band (DEM range 1642–1735 m). Most of the area exhibits 0–3% slopes, supporting low-impact access where hazards are manageable; however, several newly designated settlement tracts conflict with risk and water-service conditions. Although limited to a single case and available data resolutions, the workflow is transferable: it moves beyond mapping to actionable planning instruments—zoning overlays, buffers, thresholds, and phased management—supporting sustainable, culturally informed post-earthquake reconstruction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture" Section, Second Edition)

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27 pages, 4099 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reimagining Urban Cemeteries: Behavioral Patterns, Perceptions, and Intentions in Tokyo’s Public Burial Landscapes

by Yunchen Xu, Ruochen Ma and Katsunori Furuya

Land 2025, 14(8), 1638; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14081638 - 13 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3548

Abstract

Once confined to mourning and burial, urban cemeteries are now being reimagined as multifunctional public spaces integrated into everyday urban life. Responding to this evolving role, this study investigates how metropolitan cemeteries in Tokyo are used, perceived, and socially negotiated. Although institutional initiatives have promoted the integration of cemeteries into green infrastructure, empirical research on user behavior, perception, and willingness remains limited—particularly in East Asian contexts. To address this gap, the study combines unstructured user-generated data (Google Maps reviews and images) with structured questionnaire responses to examine behavioral patterns, emotional responses, perceived landscape elements, and behavioral intentions across both urban and suburban cemeteries. Findings reveal that non-commemorative uses—ranging from nature appreciation and cultural engagement to recreational walking—are common in urban cemeteries and are closely associated with positive sentiment and seasonal perception. Factor analysis identifies two dimensions of behavioral intention—active and passive engagement—and reveals group-level differences: commemorative visitors show greater inclination toward active engagement, whereas multi-purpose visitors tend toward passive forms. Urban cemeteries are more frequently associated with non-commemorative behaviors and higher willingness to engage than suburban sites. These results underscore the role of cultural norms, prior experience, and spatial typology in shaping cemetery use, and offer practical insights for managing cemeteries as inclusive and culturally meaningful components of the urban landscape. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture" Section, Second Edition)

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25 pages, 3868 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Research to Design: Enhancing Mental Well-Being Through Quality Public Green Spaces in Beirut

by Mariam Raad, Georgio Kallas, Falah Assadi, Nina Zeidan, Victoria Dawalibi and Alessio Russo

Land 2025, 14(8), 1558; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14081558 - 29 Jul 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2226

Abstract

The global rise in urban-related health issues poses significant challenges to public health, particularly in cities facing socio-economic crises. In Lebanon, 70% of the population is experiencing financial hardship, and healthcare costs have surged by 172%, exacerbating the strain on medical services. Given these conditions, improving the quality and accessibility of green spaces offers a promising avenue for alleviating mental health issues in urban areas. This study investigates the psychological impact of nine urban public spaces in Beirut through a comprehensive survey methodology, involving 297 participants (locals and tourists) who rated these spaces using Likert-scale measures. The findings reveal location-specific barriers, with Saanayeh Park rated highest in quality and Martyr’s Square rated lowest. The analysis identifies facility quality as the most significant factor influencing space quality, contributing 73.6% to the overall assessment, while activity factors have a lesser impact. The study further highlights a moderate positive association (Spearman’s rho = 0.30) between public space quality and mental well-being in Beirut. This study employs a hybrid methodology combining Research for Design (RfD) and Research Through Designing (RTD). Empirical data informed spatial strategies, while iterative design served as a tool for generating context-specific knowledge. Design enhancements—such as sensory plantings, shading systems, and social nodes—aim to improve well-being through better public space quality. The proposed interventions support mental health, life satisfaction, climate resilience, and urban inclusivity. The findings offer actionable insights for cities facing public health and spatial equity challenges in crisis contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture" Section, Second Edition)

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26 pages, 2812 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Bridging Design and Climate Realities: A Meta-Synthesis of Coastal Landscape Interventions and Climate Integration

by Bo Pang and Brian Deal

Land 2025, 14(9), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091709 - 23 Aug 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1170

Abstract

This paper is aimed at landscape managers and designers. It looks at 123 real-world coastal landscape projects and organizes them into clear design categories, i.e., wetland restoration, hybrid infrastructure, or urban green spaces. We looked at how these projects were framed (whether they focused on climate adaptation, flood protection, or other goals) and how they tracked performance. We are hoping to bring some clarity to a very scattered field, helping us to see patterns in what is actually being carried out in terms of landscape interventions and increasing sea levels. We are hoping to provide a practical reference for making better, more climate-responsive design decisions. Coastal cities face escalating climate-driven threats from increasing sea levels and storm surges to urban heat islands. These threats are driving increased interest in nature-based solutions (NbSs) as green adaptive alternatives to traditional gray infrastructure. Despite an abundance of individual case studies, there have been few systematic syntheses aimed at landscape designers and managers linking design typologies, project framing, and performance outcomes. This study addresses this gap through a meta-synthesis of 123 implemented coastal landscape interventions aimed directly at landscape-oriented research and professions. Flood risk reduction was the dominant framing strategy (30.9%), followed by climate resilience (24.4%). Critical evidence gaps emerged—only 1.6% employed integrated monitoring approaches, 30.1% provided ambiguous performance documentation, and mean monitoring quality scored 0.89 out of 5.0. While 95.9% of the projects acknowledged SLR as a driver, only 4.1% explicitly integrated climate projections into design parameters. Community monitoring approaches demonstrated significantly higher ecosystem service integration, particularly cultural services (36.4% vs. 6.9%,

p < 0.001

), and enhanced monitoring quality (mean score 1.64 vs. 0.76,

p < 0.001

). Implementation barriers spanned technical constraints, institutional fragmentation, and data limitations, each affecting 20.3% of projects. Geographic analysis revealed evidence generation inequities, with systematic underrepresentation of high-risk regions (Africa: 4.1%; Latin America: 2.4%) versus concentration in well-resourced areas (North America: 27.6%; Europe: 17.1%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture" Section, Second Edition)

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45 pages, 2285 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Urban Land Use and Value in the Digital Economy: A Scoping Review of Disrupted Activities, Behaviours, and Mobility

by Ilman Harun and Tan Yigitcanlar

Land 2025, 14(8), 1647; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14081647 - 14 Aug 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3689

Abstract

The digital economy is fundamentally transforming urban landscapes by disrupting traditional relationships between land use and land value. This scoping review aims to examine how digital transformations alter urban activities, human behaviours, and mobility patterns, and to assess the subsequent impacts on land use planning and land valuation frameworks. Following PRISMA guidelines, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ProQuest databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised empirical studies, theoretical papers, and case studies examining digital economy impacts on urban land use or land value. Grey literature, non-English publications, and studies without clear urban spatial implications were excluded. The data were synthesised using bibliometric analysis and thematic analysis to identify patterns of disruption across three domains: urban activities, behaviours, and mobility. Of the 512 initially identified articles, 66 studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence demonstrates significant geographic bias and methodological limitations, including the scarcity of longitudinal studies tracking actual land value changes and inconsistent metrics for measuring disruption intensity. Despite these limitations, findings indicate that the digital economy is decoupling land value from traditional determinants, such as physical proximity to services and employment centres. These transformations necessitate fundamental revisions to urban planning frameworks, land valuation models, and regulatory approaches to ensure equitable and sustainable urban development in the digital age. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for "Land Planning and Landscape Architecture" Section, Second Edition)

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