Land

18 pages, 3074 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Mechanisms and Models of Comprehensive Land Consolidation Coordinated with New Energy Industry Development in Ecologically Fragile Areas

by Yanmin Ren, Zhihong Wu, Lan Yao, Linnan Tang and Yu Liu

Land 2026, 15(5), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050713 (registering DOI) - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

The synergistic and mutually reinforcing relationship between the development of the new energy industry and comprehensive land consolidation is crucial for integrating ecologically fragile areas into the national “dual carbon” goals and supporting regional high-quality development. Based on a systematic literature review, field [...] Read more.

The synergistic and mutually reinforcing relationship between the development of the new energy industry and comprehensive land consolidation is crucial for integrating ecologically fragile areas into the national “dual carbon” goals and supporting regional high-quality development. Based on a systematic literature review, field investigations in typical regions, and multi-case comparative analysis, this paper analyzes the challenges and opportunities for the new energy industry in ecologically fragile areas as well as the mutually reinforcing mechanisms between new energy industry development and land consolidation. On this basis, it explores pathways for comprehensive land consolidation in coordination with new energy development. Building on local practices, it further identifies five typical models. The results show the following: (1) The development of the new energy industry in ecologically fragile areas faces multiple challenges, including a fragile ecological environment, inadequate infrastructure, a mismatch between resource supply and demand, and land use conflicts. Against the backdrop of the energy transition, breakthroughs in key technologies, and the guidance of territorial spatial planning, the value of wind and solar resources in these areas are becoming increasingly prominent, offering broad prospects for the new energy industry. (2) The development of the new energy industry and comprehensive land consolidation in ecologically fragile areas are mutually reinforcing. Factors such as resource endowment, ecological constraints, new quality productive forces, and investment and financing mechanisms interact and integrate with each other, resulting in diversified synergistic pathways. (3) Based on the priorities of new energy industry development and the primary objectives of consolidation, five models are identified: Ecological Restoration-led Model, Resource Development-led Model, Industrial Collaboration-led Model, Technological Innovation-led Model and Integrated Development Model. Each model has distinct priorities and applicable scenarios. This study will provide a reference for new energy development and sustainable development in ecologically fragile areas, including desertified and Gobi desert areas, coal mining subsidence areas, and areas rich in wind, solar, and hydropower resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use and Landscape Impacts of the Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities for Integrated Energy and Landscape Planning)

24 pages, 3061 KB

Open AccessArticle

Innovation in Land Supply System During Rural Reform: Selection Mechanisms for Market Entry and Expropriation

by Xiao Teng, Zhenjiang Shen, Jiaxuan Chen, Jinming Jiang, Min Wang, Chen Chen, Fang Wu and Yamato Yuya

Land 2026, 15(5), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050712 (registering DOI) - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

In the context of China’s rapid urbanization and rural land marketization reforms, the entry of rural collectively owned commercial construction land into the market (ERCCCLM) coexists with the traditional government-led land expropriation, forming a dual land supply system. China’s dual-structure land ownership system—where [...] Read more.

In the context of China’s rapid urbanization and rural land marketization reforms, the entry of rural collectively owned commercial construction land into the market (ERCCCLM) coexists with the traditional government-led land expropriation, forming a dual land supply system. China’s dual-structure land ownership system—where urban land belongs to the state and rural land to rural collectives—aims to balance land market allocation efficiency with government regulation for public interests. However, significant differences exist between the two patterns in terms of revenue distribution, risk-bearing, and institutional constraints. Consequently, stakeholders including rural collective economic organizations, farmers, local governments, and development companies face dilemmas in selecting land supply patterns, thereby limiting land resource allocation efficiency. The research employs multidimensional economic analysis to systematically compare the ERCCCLM and land expropriation patterns, establishing a land supply pattern selection mechanism with land market price and compensation for expropriation as key variables. First, the expenditure and revenue of stakeholders in both patterns were clarified based on relevant documents, and investment revenue models were constructed. Second, through comparative analysis of revenue formation mechanisms across land supply patterns and sensitivity analysis of multi-scenario calculations, the land market price and compensation for expropriation are identified as key variables determining economic revenue. The findings indicate that when the land market price exceeds compensation for expropriation, ERCCCLM generates higher economic revenue for the rural collective economic organization and farmer. Conversely, when the land market price is equal to or lower than the compensation for expropriation, land expropriation provides more stable revenue. The land expropriation and ERCCCLM examined in this research represent a unique land expropriation and utilization system exclusive to China. The proposed selection mechanism improves land market distribution efficiency and informs policy discussions on optimizing land supply patterns, ensuring a balance between market efficiency and stakeholder equity. Full article

33 pages, 1106 KB

Open AccessArticle

Farmland Scale and Technical Efficiency in Chinese Agriculture: A Land Transfer Cost Perspective

by Huaichao Zhang and Tingting Li

Land 2026, 15(5), 711; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050711 (registering DOI) - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between farmland scale and technical efficiency. Using a household-level dataset from 10 provinces in China, we employed a flexible Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) model to simultaneously estimate technical efficiency and evaluate its relationship with farmland scale. The results [...] Read more.

This study investigates the relationship between farmland scale and technical efficiency. Using a household-level dataset from 10 provinces in China, we employed a flexible Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) model to simultaneously estimate technical efficiency and evaluate its relationship with farmland scale. The results show that the average technical efficiency scores for the full sample, wheat, rice, and maize are 0.677, 0.708, 0.733, and 0.669, respectively, indicating substantial potential for improving China’s agricultural production efficiency. Furthermore, an inverted U-shaped relationship exists between farmland scale and technical efficiency; technical efficiency initially rises and subsequently declines as farmland scale increases. Additional analysis reveals that this inverted U-shaped relationship is moderated by the marginal cost of land transfer. Specifically, a lower marginal cost of land transfer corresponds to a larger optimal farmland scale. The marginal cost of land transfer was captured by proxy variables, including the relief degree of land surface, the slope degree of land surface, and the development level of the village-level land rental market. We conclude that flatter terrain and a better-developed land rental market lead to a larger optimal farmland scale for rural households. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use Policy and Food Security: 3rd Edition)

20 pages, 1179 KB

Open AccessArticle

Socioeconomic Factors Dominate the Spatiotemporal Evolution of Urban Ecological Resilience in Environmentally Vulnerable Areas: A Case Study of the Loess Plateau

by Weixin Wang, Huimin Chu, Qinmian Bai, Yehan Wu, Shaohong Wu, Xiaolan Li, Wei Wang and Shanfeng He

Land 2026, 15(5), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050710 (registering DOI) - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

Under the background of the global “polycrisis”, enhancing ecological resilience has become a key pathway for achieving sustainable urban development, particularly in ecologically fragile regions. This study takes the Loess Plateau as the study area and constructs an evaluation framework for urban ecological [...] Read more.

Under the background of the global “polycrisis”, enhancing ecological resilience has become a key pathway for achieving sustainable urban development, particularly in ecologically fragile regions. This study takes the Loess Plateau as the study area and constructs an evaluation framework for urban ecological resilience based on three dimensions: resistance, adaptability, and recovery. By integrating multi-source data from 1990 to 2020, the spatiotemporal evolution of urban ecological resilience in the region is analyzed, and the Geodetector is employed to identify the impacts of natural, economic, and social factors on urban ecological resilience. The main findings are as follows: (1) The urban ecological resilience index on the Loess Plateau shows an overall trend of initial increase followed by decline. Cities in both the western and eastern parts exhibit similar evolutionary patterns, while cities in the central region demonstrate a continuous upward trend, with the resilience index increasing from 0.3658 in 1990 to 0.3838 in 2020. (2) Urban ecological resilience in the study area exhibits a spatial gradient pattern characterized by a decrease from core cities toward peripheral areas. Resilience levels gradually weaken outward from urban centers. The spatial agglomeration effect is relatively weak, with most regions showing insignificant clustering and lacking contiguous high-resilience clusters. (3) Urban ecological resilience on the Loess Plateau is jointly influenced by multiple factors, with the effects of key drivers displaying clear stage-specific characteristics. Socioeconomic factors—particularly population density, per capita GDP, and industrial structure—serve as the primary driving forces, while natural conditions provide basic constraints. Interactions among factors are dominated by bivariate interactions and nonlinear synergistic effects. These findings deepen the understanding of the evolution and driving mechanisms of urban ecological resilience in ecologically fragile regions and provide scientific support for enhancing urban resilience and promoting sustainable development in the Loess Plateau. Full article

20 pages, 1135 KB

Open AccessReview

Multi-Driver-Analysis-Based Integrated Strategies for Sustainable Water Resource Management in an Ecologically Vulnerable Arid Region

by Pingping Luo, Wanwu Yuan, Jiachao Chen, Wenchao Ma, Madhab Rijal, Zhihui Yang, Chengguang Lai, Ahmed Elbeltagi and Chongyu Xu

Land 2026, 15(5), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050709 (registering DOI) - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

Climate change and population growth are intensifying water scarcity in arid regions, yet previous analyses focusing on a single driver may not fully capture the compounded effects of climatic and anthropogenic factors. This study integrates water-balance analysis, trend analysis, and correlation-based statistical analysis [...] Read more.

Climate change and population growth are intensifying water scarcity in arid regions, yet previous analyses focusing on a single driver may not fully capture the compounded effects of climatic and anthropogenic factors. This study integrates water-balance analysis, trend analysis, and correlation-based statistical analysis to examine the combined effects of hydroclimatic anomalies and socioeconomic activities on water resource dynamics in ecologically vulnerable Northwest China. Our results show that despite increasing precipitation, warming-associated increases in evapotranspiration, together with irrigation-based water use accounting for 89.8% of total consumption, have offset the potential runoff gains, suggesting that agricultural water use is a major anthropogenic contributor to regional water stress. Based on these findings and a comparative review of representative arid-region practices in Israel, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, we propose a technology-market-institution tripartite governance framework for Northwest China. This framework is intended to support more proactive adaptation in regional water management and to provide a context-specific reference for advancing SDG 6 and SDG 13 in dryland regions. Full article

26 pages, 4376 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Evolution Characteristics and Driving Mechanisms of Rural Settlement Morphology from a Long-Term Perspective: A Case Study of Fuzhou (1990–2025)

by Boya Jia, Qian Wang, Yinggang Wang, Yukun Zhang, Xueqing Fu and Xinlei Zhao

Land 2026, 15(5), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050708 - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

Under the macro background of the rural revitalization strategy and urban-rural integrated development, rural settlements are undergoing a profound transformation from physical morphology to functional connotation. However, existing studies mainly focus on the expansion of single land elements, lacking long-term quantitative monitoring of [...] Read more.

Under the macro background of the rural revitalization strategy and urban-rural integrated development, rural settlements are undergoing a profound transformation from physical morphology to functional connotation. However, existing studies mainly focus on the expansion of single land elements, lacking long-term quantitative monitoring of the coupling relationship between rural development and policy texts. Taking Fuzhou City as a case study, this research selects long-term Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) and Night-Time Light (NTL) data from 1990 to 2025, combined with policy text quantification methods. Based on rural development units, the Coupling Coordination Degree Model (CCDM), Macro-Micro Matching Index (MMI), and gravity center migration analysis are employed to systematically reveal the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and driving mechanisms of rural settlement morphology under policy institutional changes. The research results indicate that: (1) Fuzhou’s rural settlements exhibit relatively stable gravity centers of construction land, while the gravity center of economic vitality has significantly shifted toward the southeastern coastal area under policy guidance; (2) The coupling coordination degree of rural human–land relationships has generally increased, but with significant spatial heterogeneity, forming a pattern of high-quality coordination in coastal areas and low-efficiency lag in mountainous regions; (3) The shift in policy orientation from scale expansion to functional enhancement has driven economic factors to concentrate in key policy areas ahead of physical spatial expansion. The analytical framework combining remote sensing monitoring and policy quantification constructed in this study reveals the precedence of factor flow and the lag of physical space driven by policies, providing a scientific basis for the differentiated governance of rural areas in coastal mountainous cities. Full article

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24 pages, 1677 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Driving Mechanisms of Urban Carbon Productivity in China: Insights from Multi-Scale Spatial Effects Based on the Spatial Durbin Model

by Fei Wang, Wanyu Luo, Xiangyu Wang, Xuewei Zheng, Si Chen, Changlong Sun, Qiang Zhou and Changjian Wang

Land 2026, 15(5), 707; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050707 - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

Enhancing carbon productivity is fundamental to achieving carbon neutrality while sustaining economic growth. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset of Chinese cities from 2010, 2015, and 2020, this study investigates the spatiotemporal patterns and underlying drivers of urban carbon productivity (UCP). Methods including kernel density [...] Read more.

Enhancing carbon productivity is fundamental to achieving carbon neutrality while sustaining economic growth. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset of Chinese cities from 2010, 2015, and 2020, this study investigates the spatiotemporal patterns and underlying drivers of urban carbon productivity (UCP). Methods including kernel density estimation, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and the spatial Durbin model (SDM) are employed. The results reveal that China’s UCP has improved significantly overall, yet with increasing internal disparities among cities. The SDM decomposition indicates a fundamental shift in driving mechanisms. Green technological innovation has supplanted generalized R&D expenditure as the most dependable core driving force for improving local carbon productivity. Moreover, the economic development level also exerts positive spatial spillover effects in the later stage, which jointly contribute to the formation of a multi-centered pattern. Urban form metrics exert dual influences: urban compactness (ENN_MN) shows a stable positive local effect, whereas urban fragmentation (PD) and urban sprawl (CONTAG) exhibit a paradoxical “local inhibition–neighborhood promotion” effect, highlighting intricate inter-city spatial interactions. The findings underscore the necessity for differentiated local practices, namely, policy must target differentiated city roles and manage spatial spillovers for synergistic regional green and sustainable transition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Global Trends and Local Practices in Land Use and Territorial Spatial Planning: Driving Forces, Innovation Strategies, and Future Challenges)

26 pages, 7423 KB

Open AccessArticle

Simulating Interactions Between Land Use and Land Cover Changes for Prospective Scenarios with FORESCEM

by Gaetan Palka and Thomas Houet

Land 2026, 15(5), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050706 (registering DOI) - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

Anticipating the socio-environmental impacts of spatial planning strategies is a prerequisite for sustainable development pathways. Land change models are increasingly employed to evaluate the impacts of spatial planning on land use and land cover, and their subsequent effects on ecosystem services and environmental [...] Read more.

Anticipating the socio-environmental impacts of spatial planning strategies is a prerequisite for sustainable development pathways. Land change models are increasingly employed to evaluate the impacts of spatial planning on land use and land cover, and their subsequent effects on ecosystem services and environmental resources. Nevertheless, modelling land use and land cover changes, and their interactions, at a fine scale to preserve future landscape patterns has been identified as a key challenge in the land change science community. This paper presents an innovative process-based model—the FORecasting landscapE SCEnarios Model (FORESCEM)—designed to spatially simulate fine-scale future land use and land cover changes (LUCC) based on narratives developed through participatory or expert-driven approaches. By clearly distinguishing land covers and land uses as two different but related inputs, its conception and architecture enable the assessment of interactions among LUCC within human-managed landscapes. It relies on conventional functions and properties of LUCC models, and aims at completing the existing land change models. Applied on a French case study, the validation results demonstrate the model’s capability to replicate LUCC dynamics, effectively simulating trend-based and trend-breaking LUCC trajectories under contrasting scenarios. More broadly, this paper questions and discusses the validation of land change models used for simulating future LUCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land Use, Impact Assessment and Sustainability)

24 pages, 6145 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Heterogeneity and Multiscale Effects of the Built Environment on Commuting Distance: MGWR Evidence from Residential and Employment Perspectives in Shanghai

by Jingxian Wu, Xiao Li, Hanning Dong, Jing Zhao and Yi Zhang

Land 2026, 15(5), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050705 - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

Rapid urbanization has intensified jobs–housing separation and increased commuting distances in megacities, posing challenges for sustainable urban development. Existing studies often examine commuting behavior at a single spatial scale or focus on either residential or employment locations. Using mobile phone signaling data, this [...] Read more.

Rapid urbanization has intensified jobs–housing separation and increased commuting distances in megacities, posing challenges for sustainable urban development. Existing studies often examine commuting behavior at a single spatial scale or focus on either residential or employment locations. Using mobile phone signaling data, this study derives network-based commuting distances within the suburban ring of Shanghai and integrates multiple built environment indicators. A multiscale framework is developed using six spatial units, ranging from 2 to 4 km grids to street-level zones, to assess spatial scale effects and support the selection of an appropriate analytical unit. The 3.5 km grid was selected for subsequent analysis as a balance between spatial detail and statistical stability. Within this framework, Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) examines the spatial heterogeneity and scale effects of built environment factors from both residential and employment perspectives. The results show: (1) The choice of spatial unit significantly affects model performance, with the 3.5 km grid providing a suitable balance between spatial detail and statistical stability. (2) Built environment indicators exhibit clear multiscale effects, with different variables operating at global and local spatial scales. (3) Residential and employment locations show significant asymmetric effects, as enterprise density is associated with shorter commuting distances at residential locations but longer distances at employment centers. These findings indicate the joint role of multiscale spatial structure and dual-end built environments, supporting spatially differentiated planning and transport policies. Full article

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17 pages, 1750 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bacterial Communities Are Strongly Associated with Soil Multifunctionality During Revegetation of Copper Mine Wastelands

by Xumai Tan, Xu Gai, Zhongyu Du, Ning Dang, Kaimin Lan, Haoran Li and Guangcai Chen

Land 2026, 15(5), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050704 - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

Vegetation restoration is critical for ecosystem recovery in abandoned mining areas, yet how restoration age affects soil multifunctionality (SMF) and the underlying microbial regulatory mechanisms remains poorly understood. The space-for-time substitution method was employed in this study. Along a revegetation chronosequence (Restoration 1 [...] Read more.

Vegetation restoration is critical for ecosystem recovery in abandoned mining areas, yet how restoration age affects soil multifunctionality (SMF) and the underlying microbial regulatory mechanisms remains poorly understood. The space-for-time substitution method was employed in this study. Along a revegetation chronosequence (Restoration 1 year (R1), Restoration 10 year (R10), Restoration 30 year (R30), Restoration 45 year (R45)) in copper mine wasteland in Tongling, China, the dynamics of soil functions, SMF, and microbial communities were quantified, with the key factors influencing soil functions and the most important predictors of SMF subsequently identified. The results showed that the soil moisture regulation function recovered relatively slowly, whereas nutrient cycling functions and SMF were generally enhanced with advancing revegetation. Specifically, these functions all reached their maximum values at R30 (0.39, 0.45, and 0.28, respectively), followed by declines at R45 (−0.74, −0.09, and −0.20, respectively). Furthermore, the soil microbial communities exhibited successional characteristics of increased diversity but reduced dominance. Redundancy analysis indicated that aboveground biomass (AGB), belowground biomass (UGB), and soil total copper were key environmental variables associated with variations in multiple soil functions. Linear regression analysis showed that fungal diversity indices, plant biomass (AGB and UGB), soil total cadmium, and soil total zinc exhibited significant linear relationships with SMF. Random forest analysis further identified UGB, bacterial Simpson index, and fungal Shannon–Wiener index as key predictors of SMF. Importantly, bacterial communities played a more important role in influencing SMF than fungal communities. These results advance the understanding of key drivers of ecosystem functional recovery in mine lands and provide a theoretical basis for optimizing soil function restoration strategies. Ultimately, these findings provide new insights for advancing efforts aimed at halting land degradation and safeguarding biodiversity in degraded mining ecosystems. Full article

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27 pages, 6493 KB

Open AccessReview

Urban Squares Under Pressure: A Scoping Review of Conservation Targets, Direct Threats and Conservation Actions

by Emanuele Asnaghi, Marta Cotti Piccinelli, Claudia Canedoli, Chiara Baldacchini and Emilio Padoa-Schioppa

Land 2026, 15(5), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050703 - 23 Apr 2026

Abstract

Urban squares remain underrepresented in conservation-oriented literature compared with parks, street trees and green infrastructure. This scoping review uses CS-derived categories as an analytical lens to examine how the literature on urban squares frames conservation targets, direct threats, contributing factors and conservation actions. [...] Read more.

Urban squares remain underrepresented in conservation-oriented literature compared with parks, street trees and green infrastructure. This scoping review uses CS-derived categories as an analytical lens to examine how the literature on urban squares frames conservation targets, direct threats, contributing factors and conservation actions. Following PRISMA-ScR, we searched Scopus and Web of Science for English-language peer-reviewed articles (2014–2024). After screening, 69 studies were included. Full texts were coded into CS-derived components and synthesised through frequency distributions, a cross-case conceptual synthesis, and an exploratory clustering of recurrent CF-DT-CT configurations. The reviewed literature is strongly centred on human-centred outcomes, particularly health, air quality and water quality, while biodiversity-related targets remain comparatively underrepresented. The most frequently investigated direct threats are pollution-related and linked to natural system management and modification, whereas other pressures are addressed less consistently. Contributing factors are dominated by meteorological conditions and vegetation coverage and composition. Reported conservation actions emphasise monitoring technologies, regulatory policy and green infrastructure, while others receive limited attention. Together, these analytical steps help make recurrent pathways and underrepresented dimensions more explicit, providing a more transparent evidence base for context-sensitive urban planning and nature-based solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Planning to Integrate Ecosystem Resilience and Human Well-Being)

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19 pages, 6106 KB

Open AccessReview

Constructing a Health-Supportive Environment for the Elderly: A Review of Multidimensional Intervention Mechanisms of the Built Environment Based on Bibliometric Analysis

by Yi Wang, Bingjie Yu, Lei Han, Ying’ao Peng, Qiuyi Zhang and Han Fang

Land 2026, 15(5), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050702 - 22 Apr 2026

Abstract

The built environment constitutes a significant factor influencing the physical and mental health of the elderly and has garnered sustained interdisciplinary attention in recent years. Based on 425 publications from the Web of Science database spanning 2001 to 2025, this study employed Citespace [...] Read more.

The built environment constitutes a significant factor influencing the physical and mental health of the elderly and has garnered sustained interdisciplinary attention in recent years. Based on 425 publications from the Web of Science database spanning 2001 to 2025, this study employed Citespace to conduct a quantitative analysis and synthesis of the relevant literature, aiming to explore the evolutionary trends, hotspot distributions, and pathways of influence regarding the impact of the built environment on elderly health. The results indicate a close positive correlation between the population ageing trend and annual publication growth. The total publication volume exhibited a shift from gradual to rapid growth, demonstrating a distinct phased evolutionary pattern. The research hotspots displayed a gradient structure of descending research intensity: “physical activity—quality of life—mental health.” The impact of the built environment (e.g., green space, street quality) on elderly health can be primarily categorised into three pathways: direct effects, physical activity, and mental health. Macro-level allocation of elderly care facilities and micro-level construction of age-friendly living circles represent the principal optimisation strategies currently employed to address elderly health needs. Finally, potential future research directions are discussed, encompassing aspects such as spatial scales, health representations, and mechanism expansion, with the aim of providing reference and insights for advancing the initiative of “healthy ageing.” Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Exposure, Public Space Usage, and Travel Behavior: Strategies for Building Inclusive Cities and Supporting Vulnerable Groups)

30 pages, 12170 KB

Open AccessArticle

“Urban Sprawl” or “Urban Compactness”? Differentiated Impacts of Urban Growth Patterns on the Coupling Coordination Between Pollution and Carbon Emissions

by Jiuyan Zhou, Jianbin Xu and Yuyi Zhao

Land 2026, 15(5), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050701 - 22 Apr 2026

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in China has reshaped the coupling coordination between pollution and carbon emissions. However, existing studies largely rely on linear approaches and lack multidimensional and nonlinear assessments of urban growth patterns. Using panel data for 289 prefecture-level cities from 2010 to 2023, [...] Read more.

Rapid urbanization in China has reshaped the coupling coordination between pollution and carbon emissions. However, existing studies largely rely on linear approaches and lack multidimensional and nonlinear assessments of urban growth patterns. Using panel data for 289 prefecture-level cities from 2010 to 2023, including built-up land, nighttime lights, CO₂ emissions, and PM_2.5 concentrations, this study develops three indicators: Urban Expansion Intensity (UEI), Urban Sprawl Index (USI), and Urban Compactness (UC). By integrating a coupling coordination model, K-means clustering, Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR), and interpretable XGBoost-SHAP analysis, four urban growth patterns are identified: High-Speed Low-Efficiency Expansion (HLE), Low-Speed Low-Efficiency Expansion (LLE), High-Speed High-Efficiency Compact (HHC), and Low-Speed High-Efficiency Compact (LHC). Results indicate that: (1) USI and UC exhibit significant nonlinear threshold effects on CCD; moderate expansion and higher compactness enhance synergy, whereas excessive dispersion or over-compactness weakens coordination. (2) UEI plays a relatively indirect and spatially heterogeneous role. (3) HHC and LHC cities achieve the highest CCD levels, while HLE cities perform the lowest. (4) Urban expansion shows an overall contraction trend, yet substantial regional disparities persist. These findings highlight nonlinear and spatially heterogeneous mechanisms linking urban growth patterns and pollution–carbon coupling coordination, providing implications for differentiated spatial governance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions)

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20 pages, 4241 KB

Open AccessArticle

Land-Tenure Dynamics and Deforestation Pressure in MATOPIBA, Brazil: An Assessment of the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR), 2019–2025

by José Afonso Santana de Almeida, Vicente de Paula Sousa Júnior and Giovana Mira de Espindola

Land 2026, 15(5), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050700 - 22 Apr 2026

Abstract

Agricultural expansion in frontier regions is reshaping land-tenure arrangements and accelerating native vegetation loss, posing significant challenges to territorial governance. MATOPIBA, Brazil, epitomizes this dynamic, concentrating long-standing tensions between agribusiness expansion and environmental conservation in the Cerrado biome. This study examines how the [...] Read more.

Agricultural expansion in frontier regions is reshaping land-tenure arrangements and accelerating native vegetation loss, posing significant challenges to territorial governance. MATOPIBA, Brazil, epitomizes this dynamic, concentrating long-standing tensions between agribusiness expansion and environmental conservation in the Cerrado biome. This study examines how the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) reflects these pressures by analyzing property records from 2019 and 2025, mapping overlaps with public lands, and quantifying vegetation change between 1985 and 2024 to evaluate CAR’s potential as a territorial governance instrument. We integrated public datasets, applying geometry validation and cadastral hierarchization procedures. Between 2019 and 2025, registered properties nearly doubled, rising from 7734 to 14,231. Overlaps with protected and public lands were identified, and native vegetation declined by 38.12% over the study period, with losses recorded in approximately 75% of the properties analyzed. These findings indicate that CAR holds significant potential for territorial and environmental governance, but its effectiveness depends on continuous data validation, institutional integration, and strengthened conservation policies. Full article

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40 pages, 4227 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping Power: A Landscape Approach to Etruscan Urbanisation and Territorial Control

by Camilla Zeviani

Land 2026, 15(5), 699; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050699 - 22 Apr 2026

Abstract

Etruscan studies have reached great heights in the accumulation of cultural data. This is particularly true for landscape studies: the second half of the 20th century has been fruitful as it saw a growth in survey projects exploring ancient central Italian landscapes. Survey [...] Read more.

Etruscan studies have reached great heights in the accumulation of cultural data. This is particularly true for landscape studies: the second half of the 20th century has been fruitful as it saw a growth in survey projects exploring ancient central Italian landscapes. Survey data indeed have a lot of potential for the study of urbanisation, facilitating the quantification of different patterns to draw comparisons of control strategies enacted by different power places. This paper is a synthesis of the analyses on rural settlement data between the 7th and the 5th centuries BCE, when urbanised institutions and lifestyles consolidated. Four case studies are selected and discussed, representing different types of territorial control: Tuscania, a mid-ranking centre tied to the city of Tarquinia; Chiusi and Cerveteri, both urban central places, with different developments and ways to administer territories; and finally, the palatial site of Murlo, in open conflict with urbanised realities. Site trends, proxies of population change and locational analysis, using GIS, reveal different rural infrastructures sustaining Etruscan central places. These centres adopted different strategies to control their lands and benefit from them. As part of the approach, I will show how structured Etruscan landscapes became, how they were exploited, who lived there, and how relationships with the central place were developed. Full article

26 pages, 14981 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Conflict Footprints and Land-System Transformation in Large-Scale Mining: Evidence from Las Bambas, Peru

by Soledad Espezúa, Rodrigo Caballero, Álvaro Talavera and Luciano Stucchi

Land 2026, 15(5), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050698 - 22 Apr 2026

Abstract

Socio-environmental conflicts in mining regions are often examined through political, economic, or social lenses, while the role of land-system transformation remains less integrated into quantitative analysis. This study examines the co-evolution of socio-environmental conflict and territorial change in Las Bambas (Apurímac, Peru) as [...] Read more.

Socio-environmental conflicts in mining regions are often examined through political, economic, or social lenses, while the role of land-system transformation remains less integrated into quantitative analysis. This study examines the co-evolution of socio-environmental conflict and territorial change in Las Bambas (Apurímac, Peru) as a socio-territorial process. Annual conflict records from the Peruvian Ombudsman’s Office (2007–2024) were combined with annual land-cover data from MapBiomas. Yearly conflict influence zones were reconstructed from reported affected communities and geographic features using buffered spatial entities and concave hull polygons. Clustering methods (K-medoids, DBSCAN, and agglomerative hierarchical clustering) and FP-Growth association rule mining were applied to 23 unique conflicts consolidated from the original records and encoded with 10 root causes. The most intense conflict phases were accompanied by measurable landscape transformations, including the emergence of mining-related land cover from 2012 onward, sustained loss of high-Andean natural vegetation, expansion of agricultural mosaics, urban growth along the Apurímac–Cusco corridor, and hydrological alterations in wetlands and headwaters. Three conflict typologies were identified, with unfulfilled company commitments emerging as the most recurrent co-occurring grievance. The dynamic polygon approach offers a replicable framework for linking conflict records with land-system change in extractive regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land Systems and Global Change)

20 pages, 837 KB

Open AccessArticle

Perceived Conservation Effectiveness as a Driver of Cultural Ecosystem Service Value in a Transboundary River Corridor: Evidence from the Lower Jordan River Basin

by Ansam Bzour and István Valánszki

Land 2026, 15(5), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050697 - 22 Apr 2026

Abstract

River corridor rehabilitation is increasingly expected to deliver coupled outcomes by combining ecological recovery with measurable improvements in human well-being. Cultural ecosystem services (CESs), the non-material benefits people derive from landscapes, are central to this objective but remain difficult to operationalize in securitized [...] Read more.

River corridor rehabilitation is increasingly expected to deliver coupled outcomes by combining ecological recovery with measurable improvements in human well-being. Cultural ecosystem services (CESs), the non-material benefits people derive from landscapes, are central to this objective but remain difficult to operationalize in securitized transboundary settings, where border governance, uneven mobility, and community histories shape access to rivers and the formation of cultural meanings. This study examines whether perceived conservation effectiveness is associated with higher CES value in the Lower Jordan River Basin (LJRB) and whether this association persists after accounting for the community-group structure. Using survey data from 445 respondents across seven community groups, the perceived CES valuation was assessed through a five-point Cultural Significance rating, analyzed alongside conservation-related and contextual variables. Conservation was measured through perceived conservation impact and self-reported conservation involvement (yes/no). A staged inference design combined group comparisons and multivariable regression with adjustments for the community-group structure and contextual controls. Conservation involvement was not associated with meaningful differences in Cultural Significance. The perceived conservation impact showed a positive association in pooled and simple models but lost independent significance after adjusting for community-group structure, which accounted for much of the explanatory power. These findings indicate that CES valuation in the LJRB is structured more by community-group differences and borderland conditions than by individual conservation participation, underscoring the importance of locally encounterable outcomes and group-tailored engagement strategies in transboundary river planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healing Place and Planet: Conference on Landscape and Greenway Planning)

28 pages, 5293 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact Assessment of Coastal Defense Strategies on Critical Infrastructures and Beaches: Application of Coastal Degradation Calculator (CoDeC) to San Lucido, Italy

by Sergio Cappucci, Maurizio Pollino, Lorenzo Rossi, Alberto Tofani and Emiliana Valentini

Land 2026, 15(5), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050696 - 22 Apr 2026

Abstract

Coastal erosion poses a growing threat to natural systems and critical infrastructures, particularly in touristic coastal areas where beaches represent both ecological assets and economic resources. Beyond shoreline retreat, erosion processes progressively reduce emerged beach surfaces and increase the exposure and vulnerability of [...] Read more.

Coastal erosion poses a growing threat to natural systems and critical infrastructures, particularly in touristic coastal areas where beaches represent both ecological assets and economic resources. Beyond shoreline retreat, erosion processes progressively reduce emerged beach surfaces and increase the exposure and vulnerability of coastal roads, railways, and urban settlements, with cascading socio-economic consequences. This study presents an integrated geomorphological and economic assessment of coastal erosion impacts. The Coastal Degradation Calculator (CoDeC) is applied along the Tyrrhenian coast of southern Italy, focusing on the municipality of San Lucido. Shoreline variations are quantified to reconstruct long-term changes in the Surface of the Emerged Beach (SEB) before and after major coastal defense interventions using multi-temporal remote sensing data (1954–2018). Simple, science-based box models are implemented to estimate sediment deficits, restoration needs, and associated economic damages, expressed in both €/m² and €/year. Results highlight a reduction in SEB area exceeding 60%, significant downdrift erosion linked to hard defenses and additional losses caused by coastal urbanization. The methodology proved effective in supporting damage quantification and informed the resolution of a long-standing legal dispute between public authorities. Owing to its transparency and reproducibility, the proposed framework offers a transferable tool for coastal risk assessment and management under increasing climate-driven pressures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geomatics and Sustainability: Examples and Application in Urban and Landscape Management (Second Edition))

20 pages, 8689 KB

Open AccessArticle

Evolution Trajectory and Driver Analysis of Habitat Quality Dynamics in the Yellow River Basin

by Jinxin Sun, Xianglun Kong, Wenjun Zhu and Mei Han

Land 2026, 15(5), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/land15050695 - 22 Apr 2026

Abstract

Identifying the heterogeneous characteristics of habitat quality (HQ) trajectories is a key prerequisite for refined ecological spatial management. We used kernel Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (kNDVI) to correct the highly sensitive parameters, validated the correction results based on their consistency with the prior [...] Read more.

Identifying the heterogeneous characteristics of habitat quality (HQ) trajectories is a key prerequisite for refined ecological spatial management. We used kernel Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (kNDVI) to correct the highly sensitive parameters, validated the correction results based on their consistency with the prior study findings, developed a framework for the evolution of HQ using Sen+MK and Pettitt’s tests, and utilized XGBoost and partial correlation analysis to identify the primary drivers of dynamic changes in HQ from both spatiotemporal perspectives. Our findings include the following: (1) between 2000 and 2023, the average annual rate of change in the HQ index was 0.0037 per year, indicating a continuous improvement in HQ. Compared with the period from 2011 to 2023 (0.0026 per year), the rate of improvement in HQ was faster during 2000–2011 (0.0047 per year). (2) Mutational improvement and progressive improvement were the main evolutionary trajectories, accounting for over 50.33% of the total. (3) Precipitation, land-use intensity (LUI), temperature, and elevation show a strong correlation with HQ distribution. The magnitude of HQ variation is related to HQ status, LUI, precipitation, and elevation. This study establishes a scientific foundation for developing differentiated regulatory strategies for YRB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers on Land Use, Impact Assessment and Sustainability)

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