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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Urban and Rural Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 8585

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Charles Chang-Yu Hong

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Guest Editor

Division of Global & Interdisciplinary Studies, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
Interests: urban governance; arts and humanities in city governance; tourism governance; urban theory; urban sociology; urban network; water governance; resident perceptions
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to delve into the multifaceted realm of urban governance within the context of sustainable development. Urban governance encompasses various aspects such as policy-making, decision-making processes, institutional frameworks, and citizen participation that shape the functioning and development of cities. The scope of this Special Issue extends to examining the intricate interplay between urban governance and diverse thematic areas, including arts and humanities, tourism, urban theory, sociology, city networks, water management, and resident perceptions.

Through a multidisciplinary lens, we seek to unravel the complexities of urban governance and its implications for fostering sustainable urban development. This Special Issue contributes to the existing literature by providing fresh insights and perspectives on urban governance in relation to sustainable development. By synthesizing knowledge from various disciplines, including urban studies, sociology, political science, and economics, this Special Issue offers a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics shaping urban governance. Furthermore, the exploration of themes such as arts and humanities in city governance, tourism governance, and resident perceptions adds novel dimensions to the discourse on urban governance, enriching the existing body of literature with diverse perspectives.

Dr. Charles Chang-Yu Hong
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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

urban governance
arts and humanities in city governance
tourism governance
urban theory
urban sociology
urban network
water governance
resident perceptions

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 12222 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Spatial Synergies and Trade-Offs Among Production–Living–Ecological Functions for Sustainable Urban Development: A Case Study of the Changchun Metropolitan Area

by Shuna Dong, Xinbo Zhou, Xueqi Zhen and Yongcun Fu

Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 3055; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18063055 - 20 Mar 2026

Viewed by 416

Abstract

As a key spatial platform for implementing China’s Northeast Revitalization Strategy, coordinated development of production–living–ecological (PLE) functions in the Changchun Metropolitan Area is crucial for high-quality regional development. This study uses 24 counties (districts) in the metropolitan area as analytical units and develops a quantitative indicator system to evaluate PLE functions. We integrate the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method, social network analysis (SNA), and geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) to examine the spatiotemporal dynamics, spatial correlation networks, and driving mechanisms of the three functions from 2013 to 2023. Temporally, the production function follows a growth–decline–recovery trajectory, the living function increases overall despite fluctuations, and the ecological function strengthens continuously. Overall, the three functions increasingly exhibit coupling and synergy. Spatially, the production function concentrates in core areas and diffuses along major axes. The living function is led by the core and followed by county-level catch-up. The ecological function is higher in the east, relatively stable in the west, and connected by corridors, together forming a multi-center, axis-based synergistic pattern. In the spatial correlation networks, densities of the production and ecological networks remain largely stable, whereas the living network becomes markedly denser. The three networks display distinct topologies and continue to evolve structurally. For driving mechanisms, the GTWR model provides the best fit. Geographic proximity positively contributes to the formation of all three functional networks, while the eight explanatory factors show pronounced spatiotemporal heterogeneity. These findings provide an evidence base for optimizing functional coordination and implementing differentiated spatial governance in metropolitan areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation and Sustainability in Urban Planning and Governance)

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23 pages, 2127 KB

Open AccessArticle

Driving Mechanisms of Structural Evolution in Intercity Tourism Information Flow Networks: An Endogenous–Exogenous Perspective

by Juan Bi, Xinyu Zuo, Ziyu Zhao and Yuxuan Li

Sustainability 2026, 18(4), 2136; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18042136 - 22 Feb 2026

Viewed by 483

Abstract

This study investigates the evolution of the structures of China’s domestic intercity tourism information flow networks, an increasingly important issue in an information-driven society. Moving beyond prior research that primarily emphasizes urban node attributes and multidimensional distances, this study applies social network analysis to develop an integrated analytical framework that incorporates endogenous structural effects, exogenous network effects, node attributes, and similarity effects. Using tourism information flows in China as an empirical proxy, the study examines the mechanisms underlying the formation and persistence of intercity relationships within the country. The results indicate that the self-organization of microscopic network structures plays a significant role in both tie formation and persistence, particularly through reciprocity, cyclicity, and convergence. Notably, the effect of cyclicity reversed during the COVID-19 pandemic and changed direction from relationship formation to persistence. In addition, cultural distance (proxied by dialect distance), geographical distance, and institutional distance significantly inhibit both the formation and persistence of intercity tourism information flows. Changes in urban node scale and node similarity also exert significant influences on network evolution. This study deepens the understanding of the spatial structural dynamics of China’s domestic intercity tourism information flows and provides a conceptual basis for future research on the evolutionary mechanisms of tourism network structures within a domestic context. Its direct significance lies in promoting sustainable urban tourism development, network resilience, and adaptive governance of urban systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation and Sustainability in Urban Planning and Governance)

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23 pages, 1203 KB

Open AccessArticle

Driving Mechanisms of the Evolution of University–Industry Collaborative Innovation Networks in Chinese Cities: A TERGM-Based Analysis

by Mingque Ye and Furui Zhang

Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 925; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020925 - 16 Jan 2026

Viewed by 574

Abstract

Developing a deep understanding of the evolutionary driving mechanisms of university–industry collaborative innovation networks among Chinese cities is of great significance for advancing sustainable urban development. Based on university–industry collaborative patent data from 275 prefecture-level and above cities in China during the period 2004–2020, this study constructs an intercity university–industry collaborative innovation network and employs the temporal exponential random graph model to analyze its evolutionary driving mechanisms. The results indicate that the network structure has become increasingly complex over time and exhibits pronounced small-world characteristics in the later stages. Network formation is distinctly non-random and is jointly shaped by endogenous structural effects and exogenous factors. Diffusion, connectivity, and closure effects are all significant, while intercity collaborative ties are influenced by multidimensional proximity, including economic, geographic, and organizational proximity. Moreover, the network structure demonstrates strong temporal stability. In the context of high-intensity collaboration, cities place greater emphasis on economic and organizational proximity, and cities with higher levels of economic development and prior experience in high-intensity collaboration are more likely to establish collaborative ties. Furthermore, eastern cities tend to collaborate with partners at similar levels of economic development, whereas cities in central and western regions display a more pronounced core–periphery pattern. Overall, from the perspective of intercity university–industry collaborative innovation networks, this study provides new empirical evidence and insights for promoting coordinated regional innovation capacity and sustainable urban development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation and Sustainability in Urban Planning and Governance)

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19 pages, 18197 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Influence Mechanisms of Intercity Cooperation Networks from the Perspective of Sustainable Regional Development: A Case Study of the Pearl River–Xijiang Economic Belt, China

by Ruochen Shi, Changsheng Sun, Chunying Zhang and Zhenwei Peng

Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4709; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104709 - 20 May 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1511

Abstract

Intercity cooperation networks are critical for addressing regional imbalances and advancing sustainable regional development, yet existing studies typically focus on specific functional domains, rather than the overall intercity cooperation network. To bridge this gap, this study examines the intercity cooperation network in the Pearl River–Xijiang Economic Belt (21 cities, 2014–2023), analyzing its spatio-temporal evolution and influence mechanisms through Social Network Analysis (SNA) and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal the following: (1) the network has undergone three policy-driven development stages: initial–accelerated–steady; (2) a spatial pattern of “east—dominant, west—weak” has emerged, shaped by the radiating influence of core cities; and (3) institutional proximity and cooperation investment are key drivers of network formation, while geographical and organizational proximity exhibit negative impacts. These findings underscore the need for related regional development strategies to foster a more vital and open cooperation network. Overall, this study deepens the understanding of intercity cooperation by revealing its macro-level patterns and influence mechanisms, and provides practical implications for policymakers committed to promoting sustainable regional development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation and Sustainability in Urban Planning and Governance)

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22 pages, 2075 KB

Open AccessArticle

Implications for Policy in South Korean Seafood Education via the Lens of the Social, Ecological, and Technological Systems (SETS) Model

by Heon-Dong Lee and Chang-Yu Hong

Sustainability 2025, 17(9), 4103; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17094103 - 1 May 2025

Viewed by 1731

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the impact of integrating the Social, Ecological, Technological Systems (SETS) keyword coding—which categorizes sustainability themes into social, ecological, and technological dimensions—into seafood consumption education programs. In this study, the SETS framework is utilized to conduct an analysis of the educational environment around the consumption of seafood in South Korea. Through the utilization of focus group interviews with industry professionals, the research reveals that the current educational framework on the consumption of seafood and dietary education has a substantial gap in its coverage. The study indicates a predominant focus on the social aspects (56.46%) of seafood consumption education among stakeholders, succeeded by the technological (28.26%) and ecological dimensions (15.28%). To enhance seafood dietary education, the study proposes two primary avenues: developing comprehensive seafood dietary education programs for diverse age demographics and establishing a training system for specialized professionals in seafood dietary education. Future research should refine the SETS approach and explore its broader application across food systems to further promote sustainable consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation and Sustainability in Urban Planning and Governance)

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25 pages, 11406 KB

Open AccessArticle

Land-Use Transfer and Its Ecological Effects in Rapidly Urbanizing Areas: A Case Study of Nanjing, China

by Yinqiao Zhou, Wei Cao and Jiandong Zhou

Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10615; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310615 - 4 Dec 2024

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2095

Abstract

Rapid transformations in land use and land cover (LULC) serve as critical drivers influencing the eco-environmental quality in swiftly urbanizing areas. This study aims to assess and analyze the land-use transfer in Nanjing, China from 2003 to 2023 and its effects on ecological environment quality, utilizing the land expansion intensity (E_n), the land use composite index (LUCI), the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI), and other models. The results show that (1) farmland and forestland decreased significantly, with forestland showing the largest decrease (−20.65%), while construction land showed the largest increase (98.70%), mainly from farmland; (2) the overall RSEI level in Nanjing was relatively high, with a slight decline in fluctuation in the past 20 years. The RSEI values of forest land (0.8786) and farmland (0.8318) were higher, while the construction land (0.3790) and unused land (0.3701) were lower; (3) there was significant correlation (p < 0.05) and spatial autocorrelation between land-use changes and RSEI changes. The RSEI of rural areas was better than that of urban centers. There was a significant negative linear correlation between RSEI and LUCI (R² = 0.711), a significant positive correlation with the area proportion of farmland, forest land and water, and a significant negative correlation with the area proportion of construction land. (4) Predictions indicate continued declines in farmland and forestland, accompanied by further expansion of construction areas, and the RSEI will continue to decline. It is suggested that forestland and farmland should be protected in the future, the expansion of construction land should be restrained, urban construction and ecological protection should be balanced, and the sustainable and high-quality development of rapid urbanization areas should be maintained by accurate land-use planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation and Sustainability in Urban Planning and Governance)

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Review

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34 pages, 1699 KB

Open AccessReview

From Buildings to Cities: A Literature Review on the Underexplored Potential of BIM as an Urban Governance Tool

by Gremina Elmazi and Joumana Stephan

Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 4082; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18084082 - 20 Apr 2026

Viewed by 350

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and the growth of data-driven planning have increased the need for tools that support integrated, transparent, and accountable urban governance. While Building Information Modeling (BIM) is well established in project delivery, its potential role in city-scale governance remains underexplored. This study conducts a structured qualitative evidence synthesis informed by PRISMA reporting principles and comparative case analysis to investigate how BIM, in combination with GIS, IoT, and AI, intersects with emerging digital governance practices. Through a synthesis of peer-reviewed research and documented case studies, the review evaluates how BIM supports data integration, interoperability, decision-making, regulatory compliance, collaborative governance, and sustainability. The findings suggest that BIM functions as a governance-support infrastructure when embedded within coordinated institutional frameworks, standardized data environments, and interoperable digital ecosystems. Based on these insights, the paper proposes a conceptual framework that organizes BIM governance into technical, institutional, social, and ethical–regulatory dimensions. The review suggests that BIM’s governance potential depends on institutional alignment, regulatory clarity, and sustained organizational capacity, rather than technological capability alone. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation and Sustainability in Urban Planning and Governance)

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