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Sustainable Geography and Urban Planning: Urban Ecology, Livability, Nature Connection, and Water-Sensitive Urban Design

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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 October 2026 | Viewed by 4418

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Editors

Dr. Alicja Edyta Krzemińska

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Wrocław, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: environmental planning and management; sponge city; water resource management; water environment and aquatic ecosystem restoration, nature-based solutions; water quality assessment; water chemistry; blue-green infrastructure; wetland surface–groundwater interactions; sustainable development
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Dr. Anna Zaręba

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Earth Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Wrocław, pl. Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: blue-green infrastructure; water resources; climate adaptation; environmental protection; urban planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mariusz Adynkiewicz-Piragas

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Guest Editor

Institute of Meteorology and Water Management National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB), Warszawa, Poland
Interests: water management; hydromorphology; water resources; environmental development; eco-engineering; hydrology; climate resilience and adaptation; blue-green infrastructure; environmental protection; environmental monitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We cordially invite you to submit articles for inclusion in a Special Issue of Sustainability entitled “Sustainable Geography and Urban Planning: Urban Ecology, Livability, Nature Connection, and Water-Sensitive Urban Design.” In the face of growing challenges related to climate change, the urgent need for urban adaptation, the biodiversity crisis, dynamic urbanization, and deepening inequalities—both spatial and social—redefining the interrelationships linking the urban, natural, and social environments has become essential. This Special Issue will therefore promote an interdisciplinary and innovative approach to research on the urban fabric, viewed as a complex socio-ecological system. Our aim is to shed new light on the challenges of planning sustainable cities, drawing on emerging trends and knowledge in climate adaptation, ecology, and social justice, as well as on the resulting implications for residents’ quality of life. We encourage the submission of contributions that not only identify the challenges facing contemporary cities but also present innovative and sustainable urban models, along with policies that support the development of green cities based on the integration of nature with urban infrastructure. We welcome a variety of formats, including empirical research, literature reviews, case studies, theoretical concepts, and examples of good practices.

Thematic Scope (Suggested Article Topics)

Climate-resilient cities—adaptive planning and climate change adaptation strategies;
Ecological urban planning and its impact on urban biodiversity;
Nature-based solutions (NBSs) in urban and spatial planning for cities and their surrounding suburbs;
Green-blue infrastructure and its integration with the city’s technical infrastructure as an example of climate change adaptation;
Sponge city concept;
Quality of life indicators and health–environment relationships in urbanized environments;
Environmental justice and inequalities in access to nature in cities;
Urban landscape transformations in the context of urbanization and cultural heritage;
Designing friendly and inclusive public spaces;
Gentrification and social changes as an outcome of urban revitalization and renaturalization;
Circular urban metabolism and adaptive resource management;
Urban agriculture, food security, and circular food systems;
Public participation and co-management in urban planning;
Urban transformations in the context of post-growth and just transition;
Interdisciplinary approaches and research methods in geography and urban planning;
Integrated stormwater management in cities;
The role of water in shaping microclimate, biodiversity, and ecosystem services in cities;
Decision support tools for urban spatial planning in the context of climate change adaptation.

Dr. Alicja Edyta Krzemińska
Dr. Anna Zaręba
Dr. Mariusz Adynkiewicz-Piragas
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 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-anonymized 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

sustainable urban development
urban landscape
climate resilience
climate change adaptation
sponge city
green-blue infrastructure
environmental justice
urban ecology
urban hydrology
urban water resource management
gentrification and revitalization
urban food systems

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 40473 KB

Open AccessArticle

Pedestrian Bridges of the Vistula River Park and Strategic Revitalisation Projects: The Example of Cracow

by Aneta Synowiec

Sustainability 2026, 18(14), 6966; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18146966 - 8 Jul 2026

Viewed by 122

Abstract

The aim of this publication was to analyse the interdependence between the location of pedestrian bridges and revitalisation processes using the example of downtown Cracow. Particular emphasis was placed on the ‘green–blue’ corridor of the Vistula River Park. The thesis is that pedestrian bridges located in river valleys influence the distribution of revitalisation projects. Interpreting the threshold theory of B. Malisz, referring to the theory of K. Lynch, and using the principles of integrating the spatial structure of cities with the help of synergy phenomena, three types of design situations were distinguished. They examined the influence of spatial solutions in the course of the revitalisation process. The studies carried out mainly concern the identification of the elements of the urban construction (nodes, corridors), as well as the analysis of the geometric features of pedestrian and bicycle route systems against the background of the distribution of existing and planned revitalisation projects. In conclusion, the thesis was proven, pointing out the interdependencies leading to synergies between pedestrian bridges and revitalisation projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geography and Urban Planning: Urban Ecology, Livability, Nature Connection, and Water-Sensitive Urban Design)

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20 pages, 2911 KB

Open AccessArticle

Detecting Spatial Outliers in Landscape Structure Using K-Means Clustering and Chernoff Face Analysis Across Temporal Scales

by Monika Ivanová, Erika Fecková Škrabuľáková, Dagmar Bednárová and Tomáš Škovránek

Sustainability 2026, 18(12), 6043; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18126043 - 12 Jun 2026

Viewed by 275

Abstract

Environmental datasets are often characterized by complex spatial structures and the presence of atypical observations that may influence the interpretation of landscape patterns. This study proposes a comparative framework for identifying spatial outliers in landscape structure using two complementary approaches: K-means clustering and multivariate visual exploration based on Chernoff faces. The analysis is conducted on two temporal snapshots (1956 and 2019) representing long-term changes in land use and land cover in the Zemplínska Šírava region, Eastern Slovakia. Outlier detection results from both approaches are systematically compared to assess their consistency and robustness. The two methods show substantial correspondence in the identification of anomalous landscape units. The number of land-cover classes increases from 19 in 1956 to 25 in 2019, reflecting increased landscape heterogeneity over time. Persistent spatial outliers across both methods and time periods include road networks and associated land and broad-leaved forest with continuous canopy, indicating the structural stability of these landscape elements despite long-term transformation. The results demonstrate that combining clustering-based approaches with multivariate visual analytics can improve the interpretation of complex spatial patterns in environmental data. However, the study is exploratory in nature, and the interpretation of Chernoff faces involves inherent visual subjectivity, which should be considered when evaluating the results. The proposed framework should therefore be regarded as a complementary exploratory tool rather than standalone analytical evidence. Future research may extend this framework by integrating identified spatial outliers into environmental assessment models focused on biodiversity patterns, ecological connectivity, and sustainable landscape planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geography and Urban Planning: Urban Ecology, Livability, Nature Connection, and Water-Sensitive Urban Design)

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32 pages, 76359 KB

Open AccessArticle

Achieving Equitable Distribution of Urban Park Green Spaces: A Case Study of Zibo City, China

by Junli Zhang, Tingting Yan, Weijun Zhao, Junyi Hua, Jinyan Wang and Yanchao Shi

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5274; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115274 - 24 May 2026

Viewed by 624

Abstract

Rapid urbanization has intensified inequalities in the distribution of urban green resources, making green equity a critical concern within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study examines Zhangdian District in Zibo City, China, a representative “Whole-Area Park City” pilot area. This study integrates 1 km population density grid data with GIS network analysis, space syntax, population-weighted service pressure assessment, and a location–allocation model. Using these methods, it evaluates four categories of urban parks from the perspectives of spatial distribution, road connectivity, and social equity. The results reveal that vehicle and cycling modes achieved nearly complete 15 min coverage, whereas pedestrian accessibility remained insufficient. Walking accessibility for comprehensive parks reached 77.69%, whereas that of community parks and petty street gardens was below 33%. Population-weighted analysis further suggests that more than 78% of residents, concentrated in dense central–western neighborhoods, are served by only 21% of total park area. The Gini coefficient of per capita park area reached 0.4765, indicating substantial inequality in park green space allocation. After optimization through the addition of 76 new parks, improvements in road connectivity, and construction of a slow-traffic system, the Gini coefficient decreased to 0.4053, representing a 14.9% reduction. Meanwhile, the population below the national standard declined from 78.09% to 40.64%. These findings reflect spatial accessibility and area-based equity, while actual park service value also depends on park quality, facilities, and user behavior. This study provides quantitative evidence for equity-oriented park planning and a replicable framework for sustainable urban green space planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geography and Urban Planning: Urban Ecology, Livability, Nature Connection, and Water-Sensitive Urban Design)

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19 pages, 5243 KB

Open AccessArticle

High-Resolution Assessment of Riparian Impervious Cover Across Watersheds to Inform Land Use Policy and Management

by Daniel A. Auerbach, Kenneth B. Pierce, Ken Muir, Keith Folkerts, Robin Hale, Kara A. Whittaker, Simone Des Roches, Danielle Lazarus and John Withey

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 5141; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18105141 - 20 May 2026

Viewed by 395

Abstract

Riparian ecosystems provide numerous services that are critical to integrated, sustainable water management. Their ecological functions face various threats, however, including the construction of impervious surfaces that alter watershed hydrology. The understanding of risks and the design of adequate solutions to the threats posed by impervious cover requires assessment throughout entire watersheds. Yet few assessments have considered parcel-scale changes over larger extents, particularly using readily available public data. Seeking to better characterize recent patterns and to understand how characterizations differ with alternative spatial resolutions and assumptions, we assessed statewide change in impervious land cover within riparian areas in Washington State, USA. Leveraging open data from a public decision-support application, we generated estimates based on high-resolution (1 m) change detections for 2011 to 2017, intersected with riparian areas defined from the current management guidance. As an illustrative contrast, we constructed estimates based on the 2011 to 2016 change in a national dataset of 30 m resolution land cover within a fixed buffer on a coarser stream network. Complementing these depictions of change, we also estimated the 2021 standing impervious area using an independent 1 m land cover layer within the management-based riparian extent for the western portion of the state. The “best available” high-resolution estimate of change indicated that riparian and floodplain impervious cover increased by hundreds of hectares a year statewide during the early and middle 2010s. New impervious cover was more prevalent within reaches associated with urban growth areas (UGAs) and in portions of the assessed extent used by highly valued Pacific salmon. The coarser contrasting approach yielded a similar overall magnitude of change, but this served to clarify methodological sources of uncertainty rather than to confirm accuracy. Notably, in addition to capturing larger blocks of impervious increase, high-resolution data revealed many individual changes that were smaller than a single 30 m × 30 m pixel. In 2021, standing impervious cover was also concentrated in UGA-associated reaches, which contained 43.5% of the impervious area despite being 5.2% of the assessed extent. Much of the observed change within the assessed extent was likely outside of the local riparian regulatory jurisdiction at the time, but the patterns revealed by high-resolution monitoring data underscore the importance of continuing to strengthen riparian protections to maintain ecosystem function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geography and Urban Planning: Urban Ecology, Livability, Nature Connection, and Water-Sensitive Urban Design)

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23 pages, 2037 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Water Allocation in Karst Regions: A Multi-Objective Framework Integrating Ecological Flow and Intelligent Demand Forecasting

by Yunfa Gao, Ming Zhong, Jie Xu and Guang Yang

Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 4108; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18084108 - 21 Apr 2026

Viewed by 458

Abstract

In ecologically fragile karst regions, surface water leakage and spatial mismatches between supply and demand exacerbate water scarcity and ecosystem degradation. In this context, sustainable water resource allocation is of great significance for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study proposes a Dual-stage Prediction and Optimization Coupled Allocation Model (DPOCAM), which integrates an LSTM–Transformer-based intelligent water demand forecasting model with the NSGA-III multi-objective optimization algorithm. The forecasting model was trained on data from 2001 to 2020 and tested on data from 2021 to 2024, achieving a mean absolute percentage error of 2.89%. The model incorporates ecological water demand as an independent optimization objective, quantified using the Tennant method, aiming to coordinate the relationship between domestic and productive water use with aquatic ecosystem protection. Applied to Sinan County, a typical karst area in Guizhou Province, China, the model projects sectoral water demands for 2035 and conducts water resource allocation based on water network planning. Results show that under the current water network, the comprehensive water shortage rate reaches 17.7%, with ecological deficit accounting for 10.1%, posing dual threats to human water security and ecosystem integrity. Following the planned construction of a water network centered on the Huatanzi Reservoir, the overall shortage rate drops to 0.6%, and the ecological deficit declines to 4.6%, demonstrating significant improvements in both water supply reliability and ecological flow guarantee. The water network construction plays a positive role in reducing water shortage rates and enhancing ecological flow protection, providing a scientific basis and practical reference for sustainable water resource management in karst regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geography and Urban Planning: Urban Ecology, Livability, Nature Connection, and Water-Sensitive Urban Design)

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29 pages, 14239 KB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Harvesting: Building Resilience Through Circular Agriculture

by Anna Zaręba, Alicja Krzemińska, Mariusz Adynkiewicz-Piragas and Haifeng Jia

Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10560; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310560 - 25 Nov 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1845

Abstract

Contemporary food systems have reached a turning point, as they are required to simultaneously ensure food security and minimize the pressure they exert on the environment, aiming to balance human needs and the rhythm of nature. The low efficiency of current models of food production and distribution systems have revealed the need for a major transition toward circular solutions based on resource circulation, local adaptation, and the responsible use of urban spaces. This study explored the integration of circular economy principles with urban agriculture as a new framework for developing resilient, low-emission, and human-centered cities. In addition, a multiscale (micro, midi, and maxi) approach, combined with SWOT, Weighted SWOT, and TOWS analyses, was applied to identify key factors, barriers, and possible directions for implementation and development strategies. The results showed that the greatest potential of these systems lies in the synergy between water and energy recovery and resource efficiency, while energy intensity and regulatory frameworks have remained major challenges. The proposed strategic approach highlights the need to link food production to renewable energy sources, implement simplified evaluation standards (TEA/LCA-lite), and strengthen social acceptance through education and transparency. Circular urban agriculture emerged as a new type of infrastructure, both technological and social, that may become a pillar of sustainable and resilient cities in the future, supporting the achievement of SDGs 11, 12, and 13. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Geography and Urban Planning: Urban Ecology, Livability, Nature Connection, and Water-Sensitive Urban Design)

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