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Application of Spatial Analysis Function of Geographic Information Systems in Sustainable Development Evaluation

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 4376

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Barrile

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Department of Civil Engineering, Energy, Environment and Materials (DICEAM), Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Interests: geographic information systems; geoprocessing; remote sensing; UAV; digital twin; GNSS systems; predictive models; laser scanner; 3D models
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable development has become more urgent than ever as an increasing number of interconnected environmental, social, and economic challenges emerge. As such, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become essential methodologies in advancing these field, providing advanced capabilities for spatial analysis and evidence-based decision-making. A GIS is a powerful tool for integrating heterogeneous datasets (geospatial data, satellite and UAV data, 3D models), and visualizing, modeling, and evaluating spatial relationships, patterns, and trends relevant to sustainability advancement. This Special Issue focuses on the transformative potential of the GIS-based spatial analysis as an evaluation and promotion tool for sustainable development. Through the presentation of innovative methodologies, practical applications, and extensive case studies, this issue seeks to encourage interdisciplinary engagement and share pioneering research highlighting the contributions of GISs to sustainability. Particular interest is given to the use of Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence applications in geospatial analysis through GIS use. This topic is well within the scope of the journal disciplines, including, but not limited to, environmental science, urban systems, socio-economic analysis, and technological solutions to sustainability issues.

This Special Issue welcomes a diverse range of submissions that illustrate the application of GIS spatial analysis functions within the sustainable development framework, including the following:

Urban And Environmental Sustainability through GIS: Advanced applications of spatial analysis for urban planning, Cultural Heritage Enhancement, Smart City development, BIM-GIS environment, green infrastructure integration, and sustainable transport systems.
Natural Resource Management: GIS-driven approaches for evaluating land use dynamics, water resource allocation, forest conservation, and biodiversity protection.
Climate Change Impact Assessment: Spatial analysis techniques for assessing climate risks, developing adaptation strategies, and enhancing resilience through GIS-based planning.
Advancements in GIS Technologies: Integration of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Remote Sensing (optical and SAR data), and big data.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

GIS for urban, territory, infrastructure, and environmental applications;
Digital Twin development;
BIM-GIS integration and systems;
UAV;
Remote Sensing;
Change detection;
Integrated systems (IoT) in GIS;
Big data management;
AI and predictive models.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Barrile
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

GIS
remote sensing
UAV
digital twin
artificial intelligence in GIS
3D models
BIM-GIS integration

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 6183 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Ecological Benefits of Urban Green Spaces Based on 3D Green Quantity: A Case Study of Xi’an, China

by Fengxia Li, Chao Wu, Xiaogang Feng and Meng Li

Sustainability 2026, 18(3), 1331; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031331 - 28 Jan 2026

Viewed by 494

Abstract

The ecological benefits of urban green spaces depend on their structure and ecological service function. Evaluation systems used to monitor these characteristics show distinct regional variations. This study analyzed China’s urban green spaces, developed a quantitative ecological benefit evaluation system, and comprehensively evaluated the ecological benefits of green spaces in Xi’an city. Suitable evaluation indexes for Xi’an were selected based on field survey data with large-scale samples and high-resolution remote sensing image data. The results showed that the ecological service function of urban green spaces in Xi’an has been substantially improved by ecological planning. Therefore, it is important to evaluate this function as part of the urban planning and design process. Furthermore, increasing the 3D Green Quantity through urban forests can effectively improve the ecological service function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Spatial Analysis Function of Geographic Information Systems in Sustainable Development Evaluation)

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32 pages, 8889 KB

Open AccessArticle

Geodiversity Assessment and Global Geopark Construction in Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, China

by Yong Lei, Jie Cui, Shuai Li, Feng Tian, Lu Tian, Zeliang Du, Mengyue Wen, Binghua Yan, Tongtong Jiao and Yang Zhang

Sustainability 2026, 18(3), 1252; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18031252 - 26 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1186

Abstract

Objective: Given the global trend of ecological protection and sustainable development, Global Geoparks have become an essential platform for resource conservation and regional growth. Changzhi City in Shanxi Province, China, is actively applying for Global Geopark status, relying on its rich geoheritage sites, cultural history, and natural landscapes. This paper presents a systematic evaluation of the city’s geodiversity and relic value, analyzes the feasibility of establishing a Global Geopark in Changzhi City, and provides scientific support for Changzhi City’s Global Geopark application. Methods: Geodiversity data were collected by region using a 1:25,000 grid for sampling. Four methods were adopted for evaluation, namely, the Shannon diversity index, Simpson diversity index, entropy weight method (EWM), and Pielou evenness index. Upon comprehensive comparison of the four approaches, the most suitable approach was selected to produce the final results. For the value evaluation of the geoheritage, a combination of the analytic hierarchy process and the entropy weight method was employed. Results: (1) According to the results of all four methods, the geodiversity of Changzhi City is higher in the eastern and western regions and lower in the central area. (2) The geoheritage sites are mainly distributed in the eastern part of the city and have relatively high relic value. (3) Changzhi City contains abundant natural reserves and cultural resources, meeting the fundamental requirements for Global Geopark construction. Specifically, 38 townships across eight counties were identified as potential geopark areas, encompassing 54 geoheritage sites, 76 provincial-level or higher cultural-relic protection sites, and 15 provincial-level or higher natural protected areas, with a total area of 4458.51 km². Conclusions: Our results suggest that the Shannon diversity index is an effective tool for evaluating geodiversity in Changzhi City. Based on the region’s geological and natural conditions, the delineated geopark area is feasible. In summary, our findings provide essential references for the protection and sustainable development of geoheritage sites, geodiversity, and geoparks and offer strong theoretical and data support for Changzhi City’s Global Geopark application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Spatial Analysis Function of Geographic Information Systems in Sustainable Development Evaluation)

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27 pages, 9008 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Ecosystem Health in Qinling Region: A Spatiotemporal Analysis Using an Improved Pressure–State–Response Framework and Monte Carlo Simulations

by Hanwen Tian, Yiping Chen, Yan Zhao, Jiahong Guo and Yao Jiang

Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020760 - 12 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 443

Abstract

Ecosystem health assessment is essential for informing ecological protection and sustainable management, yet current evaluation frameworks often overlook the foundational role of natural background conditions and struggle with methodological uncertainties in indicator weighting, particularly in ecologically fragile regions. To address these dual challenges, this study proposes a novel Base–Pressure–State–Response (BPSR) framework that systematically integrates key natural background factors as a fundamental “Base” layer. Focusing on the Qinling Mountains—a critical ecological barrier in China—we implemented this framework at the county scale using multi-source data (2000–2023) and introduced a Monte Carlo simulation with triangular probability distributions to quantify and synthesize weight uncertainties from multiple methods, thereby enhancing assessment robustness. Furthermore, the Geodetector method was employed to quantitatively identify the driving forces behind the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of ecosystem health. Supported by 3S technology, our analysis demonstrates a sustained improvement in ecosystem health: the composite index rose from 0.723 to 0.916, healthy areas expanded from 60.17% to 68.48%, and nearly half of the region achieved a higher health grade. Spatially, a persistent “low–south, high–north” pattern was observed, shaped by human disturbance gradients, while temporally, the region evolved from localized improvement (2000–2010) to broad-scale recovery (2010–2023), despite lingering degradation in human-dominated zones. Driving force analysis revealed a shift from early dominance by natural and land use factors to a later complex interplay where urbanization pressure and climatic conditions jointly shaped the health pattern. The BPSR framework, combined with probabilistic weight optimization and driving force quantification, offers a methodologically robust and spatially explicit tool that advances ecosystem health evaluation and supports targeted ecological governance, policy formulation, and sustainable management in fragile mountain ecosystems, with transferable insights for similar regions globally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Spatial Analysis Function of Geographic Information Systems in Sustainable Development Evaluation)

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25 pages, 35474 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship Between Relief and Transport Infrastructure—Case Study: Rucăr–Bran Corridor

by Eduard-Cristian Popescu, Laura Comănescu, Alexandru Nedelea and Robert-Răzvan Dobre

Sustainability 2025, 17(24), 10969; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172410969 - 8 Dec 2025

Viewed by 631

Abstract

The Rucăr–Bran Corridor, a critical transit route in the Carpathian Arc, has been the subject of interdisciplinary research in the fields of geology and physical and human geography. This paper aims to design a safe, efficient, and sustainable high-speed expressway that will improve regional connectivity while respecting the natural, social, and economic constraints of the area. Based on bibliographic sources and using Geographic Information Systems, this study integrates geomorphological, lithological, protected area, and infrastructure data to identify the most suitable route. The methodology includes data collection, multi-criteria analysis, and environmental impact assessment. The land suitability map resulting from the multi-criteria analysis using the specialized QGIS software led to the routing of a 41.7 km expressway connecting the two extreme localities of the area: Rucăr and Bran. This study demonstrates the value of integrated geomorphological analysis in infrastructure planning, offering a model for the development of economically viable express roads in challenging geomorphological terrain. The proposed route enhances regional socio-economic integration by improving access to isolated areas, promoting tourism, and reducing travel times, aligning with national and European transport strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Spatial Analysis Function of Geographic Information Systems in Sustainable Development Evaluation)

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18 pages, 5331 KB

Open AccessArticle

Augmented Statistics for Hydroclimatic Extremes: Spearman, Mann–Kendall, and AI Classification for Drought Risk Mapping

by Emanuela Genovese, Clemente Maesano and Vincenzo Barrile

Sustainability 2025, 17(20), 9251; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17209251 - 18 Oct 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1071

Abstract

The effects of climate change are now evident on all scales, both global and local. Extreme events linked to climate change, such as heat islands and water bombs, are occurring with increasing frequency, causing significant harm to humans. Furthermore, rising temperatures also cause significant drought and desertification, which must be carefully assessed and analyzed. For this reason, with a view to evaluating environmentally sustainable development, the following research focuses on the variables that contribute to the reduction in local water availability in the province of Reggio Calabria, considering air temperature, evapotranspiration, precipitation, and available water resources. The Mann–Kendall test revealed a statistically significant increasing trend in air temperature (Z = +2.5, p < 0.01) and a decreasing tendency in precipitation, while the NDWI analysis indicated a reduction of about 34% in surface water resources between 2019 and 2023. The Spearman test showed strong negative correlations between temperature and water availability (ρ = −0.68) and between evapotranspiration and water availability (ρ = −0.66). Lastly, four artificial intelligence (AI) classifiers were compared: Random Forest, XGBoost, Gradient Boosting Decision Tree, and Logistic Regression. Random Forest performed the best, with 93% accuracy and 90% precision. The results confirm the strong negative dependence of temperature and evapotranspiration on water resources and identify Random Forest as the most reliable model for determining the area’s most at risk of drought. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Spatial Analysis Function of Geographic Information Systems in Sustainable Development Evaluation)

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