Urbanization Dynamics, Urban Space, and Sustainable Governance

Dear Colleagues,

The acceleration of global urbanization processes and the deepening of industrialization are reshaping the spatial patterns of urban and regional development, and are also simultaneously triggering a series of complex and interrelated challenges. Rapid urban population growth, increasing pressures on resources and the environment, uncontrolled spatial expansion, the emergence of urban shrinkage, and increasing social stratification all pose significant challenges to sustainable urban development. These challenges not only compromise urban livability and competitiveness but also exert profound impacts on the achievement of global sustainable development goals.

Against this backdrop, determining how to scientifically advance urbanization, foster inter-city and urban–regional collaborative development, optimize functional urban layouts, implement urban renewal in an orderly manner, and mitigate spatial inequalities have become critical research questions that require urgent solutions. An in-depth exploration of these cutting-edge issues holds significant theoretical and practical importance pertaining to the achievement of high-quality urban development, and the construction of sustainable urban and regional development systems.

This Special Issue will focus on the frontiers of urban geography and regional planning and, in so doing, will adopt interdisciplinary perspectives to analyze key topics such as urbanization and urban space, urban industries and urban society, urban shrinkage and urban renewal, urban transition and spatial governance, and the multidimensional effects of the development of urban agglomerations. By gathering the latest research findings from scholars, planners, and experts worldwide, the aim is to provide theoretical support and practical roadmaps for sustainable urban and regional development, thereby advancing academic innovation and practical applications in this field. The Special Issue will pay particular attention to the following seven themes:

1. Mechanisms of urbanization dynamics and the reconstruction of spatial structures.
2. The measurement of urban shrinkage, the mechanisms of its formation, and appropriate planning responses.
3. Urban industrial transformation and innovation in relation to spatial governance.
4. Social spatial differentiation in cities and inclusive development.
5. The development of urban agglomerations and mechanisms for regional collaborative development.
6. The utilization of urban and environmental resources and their sustainable management.
7. Green and low-carbon urban renewal and resilience planning.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Yongyong Song
Prof. Dr. Pingjun Sun
Dr. Meimei Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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