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GIS Implementation in Sustainable Urban Planning

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability in Geographic Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2025) | Viewed by 18736

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA
Interests: geospatial big data exploration; hydraulic fracturing; landscape epidemiology; remote sensing; ecological systems; geospatial modeling
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Guest Editor
School of Resource and Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Western China's Environmental Systems, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Interests: urban and rural development; urban planning; urban transformation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are experiencing a geospatial technology revolution era. Geospatial technologies, especially the integration of GI science, GI system, and GI data science technologies, play critical roles in strategy development, decision making, and society planning. As urban areas are complex systems that include the physical environment, population environment, and human and cultural environment, their development and sustainability require diverse spatial information from multiple dimensions. 

Besides the populations, resources, and environments related to urban poverty and urban segmentation, urban development faces additional serious challenges caused by climate change. Recent tremendous floods, drought, and heat have resulted in severe damage in different cities across the world. Social and environmental (in)justice and equity issues have become emerging complicated crises in cities in both developing and developed regions. GIS provides and explores vector data, raster data and their integration, as well as enabling geospatial intelligent data mining and deep learning for smart decision making and policy development to cope with the challenges from both inside and outside of cities. This makes cities more resistant to abnormal natural and human impacts.

The aim of this Special Issue is to publish novel and innovative GIS applications related to urban studies and urban planning to address one or multiple challenges currently facing cities, as discussed above.

This Special Issue will include any submissions focusing on the topics listed, but topics are not limited to only the following:

  • Urban and regional planning;
  • Land use and planning;
  • Functional city zoning and planning;
  • Urban infrastructure and analysis;
  • Urban transportation and management;
  • Urban forest and management;
  • Urban hazards and analysis;
  • Crime mapping and analysis;
  • Solid waste mapping and management;
  • Urban resilience and sustainability.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Qingmin Meng
Dr. Yongchun Yang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. 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

  • resilience and sustainability
  • urban development and planning
  • land use and planning
  • zoning and mapping
  • infrastructure analysis
  • urban forest
  • urban hazards
  • crime analysis and mapping

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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29 pages, 31883 KiB  
Article
Optimal Land Selection for Agricultural Purposes Using Hybrid Geographic Information System–Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process–Geostatistical Approach in Attur Taluk, India: Synergies and Trade-Offs Among Sustainable Development Goals
by Subbarayan Sathiyamurthi, Youssef M. Youssef, Rengasamy Gobi, Arthi Ravi, Nassir Alarifi, Murugan Sivasakthi, Sivakumar Praveen Kumar, Dominika Dąbrowska and Ahmed M. Saqr
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 809; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030809 - 21 Jan 2025
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1978
Abstract
The precise selection of agricultural land is essential for guaranteeing global food security and sustainable development. Additionally, agricultural land suitability (AgLS) analysis is crucial for tackling issues including resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and rising food demands. This research examines the synergies and trade-offs [...] Read more.
The precise selection of agricultural land is essential for guaranteeing global food security and sustainable development. Additionally, agricultural land suitability (AgLS) analysis is crucial for tackling issues including resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and rising food demands. This research examines the synergies and trade-offs among the sustainable development goals (SDGs) using a hybrid geographic information system (GIS)–fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP)–geostatistical framework for AgLS analysis in Attur Taluk, India. The area was chosen for its varied agro-climatic conditions, riverine habitats, and agricultural importance. Accordingly, data from ten topographical, climatic, and soil physiochemical variables, such as slope, temperature, and soil texture, were obtained and analyzed to carry out the study. The geostatistical analysis demonstrated the spatial variability of soil parameters, providing essential insights into key factors in the study area. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the results showed that the FAHP method (AUC = 0.71) outperformed the equal-weighting scheme (AUC = 0.602). Moreover, suitability mapping designated 17.31% of the study area as highly suitable (S1), 41.32% as moderately suitable (S2), and 7.82% as permanently unsuitable (N2). The research identified reinforcing and conflicting correlations with SDGs, emphasizing the need for policies to address trade-offs. The findings showed 40% alignment to climate action (SDG 13) via improved resilience, 33% to clean water (SDG 6) by identifying low-salinity zones, and 50% to zero hunger (SDG 2) through sustainable food systems. Conflicts arose with SDG 13 (20%) due to reliance on rain-fed agriculture, SDG 15 (11%) from soil degradation, and SDG 2 (13%) due to inefficiencies in low-productivity zones. A sustainable action plan (SAP) can tackle these issues by promoting drought-resistant crops, nutrient management, and participatory land-use planning. This study can provide a replicable framework for integrating agriculture with global sustainability objectives worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Implementation in Sustainable Urban Planning)
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22 pages, 7826 KiB  
Article
Smart Urban Forest Initiative: Nature-Based Solution and People-Centered Approach for Tree Management in Chiang Mai, Thailand
by Nattasit Srinurak, Warong Wonglangka and Janjira Sukwai
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11078; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411078 - 17 Dec 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2401
Abstract
This research created urban forest management using GIS as the primary instrument to act as a combined technique that allows the locals to participate in the survey. To maintain a sustainable urban green, urban tree management is necessary to reduce complexity and conflict. [...] Read more.
This research created urban forest management using GIS as the primary instrument to act as a combined technique that allows the locals to participate in the survey. To maintain a sustainable urban green, urban tree management is necessary to reduce complexity and conflict. The initiative used a nature-based solution for tree care depending on species combined with a people-centered smart city approach to better assess tree health in historic urban areas. A total of 4607 records were obtained from the field survey event utilizing a mobile application as a tool. The tree’s basic name, spatial character, position, and potential risk were all gathered during the field survey. As GIS converted the tree’s general or local name into its scientific name, it was able to view and evaluate the data. The findings indicate that trees are most in danger from animals and insects, accounting for 56.39% (2748) of the total risk. Most of them are in areas with poor soil suitability. Through optimized hot-spot analysis mapping, the study recommended that tree care be prioritized. Maps of tree blooming and fruiting indicate the possibility of enhancing the advantages of urban trees in the research region in accordance with their phenological patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Implementation in Sustainable Urban Planning)
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28 pages, 12052 KiB  
Article
Web-GIS Application for Hydrogeological Risk Prevention: The Case Study of Cervo Valley
by Davide Lorenzo Dino Aschieri, Noemi Sobrino and Enrico Macii
Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9833; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229833 - 11 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1665
Abstract
Natural disasters have increasingly threatened human life, infrastructure, and ecosystems, exacerbated by climate change, urbanization, and deforestation. Effective disaster risk management is crucial to mitigate these impacts. Traditionally, Geographic Information Systems (GISs) have provided spatial data analysis capabilities, but the advent of Web-GIS [...] Read more.
Natural disasters have increasingly threatened human life, infrastructure, and ecosystems, exacerbated by climate change, urbanization, and deforestation. Effective disaster risk management is crucial to mitigate these impacts. Traditionally, Geographic Information Systems (GISs) have provided spatial data analysis capabilities, but the advent of Web-GIS applications has revolutionized this field. Web-GIS platforms enable real-time data access and facilitate enhanced stakeholder collaboration. This paper details the development of a Web-GIS application tailored for hydrogeological risk management in Cervo Valley, part of the NODES—Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile project under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The application integrates both static and dynamic geospatial data to create an interactive interface for evaluating and planning responses to hydrogeological hazards, specifically floods, landslides, and debris flow cones. By utilizing advanced Web-GIS capabilities, the project aims to refine the risk management practices and decision-making processes, thereby bolstering territorial resilience and addressing contemporary spatial challenges with enhanced precision and efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Implementation in Sustainable Urban Planning)
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22 pages, 9709 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Urban Expansion and Heat-Island Effect of Hefei Based on ENVI
by Junlei Meng and Yang Gao
Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 5893; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16145893 - 10 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1589
Abstract
Urbanization is one of the most significant features of current social progress. Using Landsat TM/OLI images from 1995, 2005, and 2018, the land-use change, vegetation coverage, and land surface temperature retrieval of Hefei are studied, and the driving force of Hefei’s expansion is [...] Read more.
Urbanization is one of the most significant features of current social progress. Using Landsat TM/OLI images from 1995, 2005, and 2018, the land-use change, vegetation coverage, and land surface temperature retrieval of Hefei are studied, and the driving force of Hefei’s expansion is analyzed. The influence of urban expansion and vegetation coverage on the intensity of the urban heat-island effect is discussed. As the city develops, various factors, such as natural conditions, economic growth, demographic changes, and policy decisions, are driving the expansion of construction land in Hefei. The overall performance shows expansion to the southwest of the main urban area, the surface temperature rises as the city expands, and the area of the heat-island effect also increases, showing the trend of multi-center distribution. There is a clear negative correlation between land surface temperature and vegetation coverage. Therefore, increasing the city’s green infrastructure can effectively alleviate the severe heat-island effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Implementation in Sustainable Urban Planning)
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Other

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26 pages, 8587 KiB  
Systematic Review
Urban Disparity Analytics Using GIS: A Systematic Review
by Tanmoy Malaker and Qingmin Meng
Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 5956; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16145956 - 12 Jul 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 9498
Abstract
Urban disparity has been extensively studied using geospatial technology, yet a comprehensive review of GIS applications in this field is essential to address the current research status, potential challenges, and future trends. This review combines bibliometric analysis from two databases, Web of Science [...] Read more.
Urban disparity has been extensively studied using geospatial technology, yet a comprehensive review of GIS applications in this field is essential to address the current research status, potential challenges, and future trends. This review combines bibliometric analysis from two databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, encompassing 145 articles from WOS and 80 from Scopus, resulting in a final list of 201 articles after excluding 24 duplicates. This approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of urban disparities and the extensive applications of GIS technology. The review highlights and characterizes research status and frontiers into research clusters, future scopes, and gaps in urban disparity analysis. The use of both WOS and Scopus ensures the review’s credibility and comprehensiveness. Findings indicate that most research has focused on accessibility analysis of urban services and facilities. However, there is a recent paradigm shift toward environmental justice, demonstrated by increasing GIS applications in analyzing pollution exposure, urban heat islands, vegetation distribution, disaster vulnerability, and health vulnerability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Implementation in Sustainable Urban Planning)
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