Search Results (64)

Blue space, as an important natural and social composite feature system in cities, not only provides supporting, regulating, and provisioning services, but also plays a key role in human well-being, recreational experience, and urban sustainable development. The blue space cultural ecosystem service (CES) has gradually attracted the attention of academia in recent years, but there is a lack of systematic integration research in related fields. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive analysis of current studies to clarify how, and to what extent, blue spaces influence CESs. This study adopts a PRISMA-based systematic search combined with qualitative synthesis, aiming to review the research status of CES and its developmental trajectory within blue space studies, and to identify future research trends and critical gaps. A total of 52 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were finally selected through database screening. The research innovatively divides the evolution of blue space CES into three stages (2012–2017/2018–2022/2023–2025), revealing a shift in research focus from single value identification to complex policy support. Secondly, through the mapping of six typical blue space types (such as rivers and wetlands) and 10 CES indicators, combined with a Pearson correlation heatmap, it provides quantitative insights into the coupling mechanisms between indicators, such as the significant synergy between spiritual and educational values. Methodologically, it systematically discriminates between the application boundaries of monetary valuation based on the contingent valuation method and non-monetary valuation represented by social media big data and PPGIS, pointing out that technological progress is driving the evaluation toward high dynamics and refinement. Finally, the study points out current bottlenecks such as uneven geographical distribution and insufficient planning transformation, emphasizing that future research should use artificial intelligence to improve data processing accuracy and transform blue space CESs from “invisible welfare” into “explicit policy assets” to guide sustainable urban renewal and healthy space design. Full article

Large-scale urban infrastructure projects are essential, yet they often introduce prolonged disruptions that affect residents’ perceived wellbeing. Existing research has demonstrated temporary declines in wellbeing during construction periods, but often relies on aggregate indicators, longitudinal averages, aggregate indicators, or proximity-based measures, providing limited insight into neighbourhood-level spatial inequalities and local clustering. This study addresses this gap by developing a Perceived Wellbeing Indicator (PWI) and applying a place-based, spatially explicit framework to examine patterns of perceived wellbeing associated with the Thessaloniki Flyover project. A questionnaire survey captured residents’ experiences of stress, accessibility, and perceived air and noise pollution. Indicator weights were derived using a hybrid approach combining Principal Component Analysis and the Analytic Hierarchy Process. Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis techniques were applied to identify clusters, spatial outliers, and neighbourhood typologies of perceived wellbeing, which were further interpreted with child dependency ratios and perceived air pollution and noise annoyance. Results reveal pronounced spatial heterogeneity in perceived wellbeing. Low-wellbeing clusters are concentrated in Evosmos, Sykies, and Ano Toumpa, while higher wellbeing is observed in Efkarpia, Kato Toumpa, and Thermi. Lower PWI values are more frequent near the Flyover axis, indicating a spatial concentration of lower values in its vicinity, although similar patterns also appear in districts distant from the project. Overall, the findings demonstrate that perceived wellbeing is shaped by a combination of local environmental, socioeconomic, and neighbourhood conditions, including pre-existing spatial inequalities, rather than infrastructure proximity alone. By providing a spatially explicit understanding of wellbeing, this framework supports sustainable urban planning, enabling interventions that reduce environmental stress, promote social equity, and enhance community resilience during and after large-scale infrastructure development. Full article

Urban protected areas are increasingly recognized as essential for human well-being, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience; however, their role in post-industrial cities remains insufficiently understood. To address this gap, we examine Văcărești Nature Park (VNP) (IUCN Category V), a 183-hectare urban wetland in Bucharest, Romania, formed through spontaneous ecological restoration within a post-industrial landscape. Using a mixed-methods approach that integrates ecological assessment, participatory mapping, and public perception analysis, we evaluate the park’s ecosystem services (ES) and social dynamics. Cultural ES—particularly recreation, wildlife observation, and biodiversity appreciation—dominate public valuation, while regulating services such as microclimate regulation are less recognized and provisioning services remain marginal. This pattern highlights the importance of experiential and relational values in shaping how urban nature is perceived and used. Spatial analysis reveals intensive use of biodiverse interior zones and the avoidance of peripheral areas, primarily driven by infrastructure degradation and perceived safety risks. The resulting core–periphery differentiation points to an uneven distribution of ES benefits with direct implications for urban ecosystem governance and social inclusiveness. Overall use is predominantly passive, centered on immersion in natural settings rather than interactive or educational engagement. By demonstrating how participatory surveys combined with spatial mapping can reveal both ES demand and latent governance challenges, this study shows that spontaneously restored urban wetlands can function as high-value, multifunctional assets and provide generally applicable insights for adaptive management in rapidly changing cities. Full article

Collective memory—closely related to, yet distinct from, social memory—plays a significant role in guiding the sustainable transition of cities. Multiple qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods have been employed to investigate collective memory; however, there remains a need to spatially map it for each city to provide decision-makers with a clear, quantitative guide. Such mapping can help preserve and strengthen a city’s collective memory, thereby informing future urban development. This study examines the urban dimension of collective memory—collective urban memory (CUM)—by mapping its tangible, physical aspects through a facilitated Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) approach within a citizen science framework. Due to challenges in encouraging public use of the mobile GIS application QField, we adopted a facilitated PPGIS approach, whereby trained interviewers assisted participants in the data collection process. Results from Oldenburg, Germany, identified several significant urban locations that play key roles in the city’s CUM. Notably, certain places are mentioned disproportionately by different age groups, while a common core set of tangible landmarks emerges across the population. These findings highlight the value of mapping CUM to support culturally sensitive and sustainable city planning. Full article

University students face rising mental health pressures, making restorative environmental perception (REP) in campus forests critical for psychological recovery. While environmental factors are recognized contributors, Socio-Ecological Systems (SES) theory emphasizes that environmental and social processes are interdependent. Within this context, informal social interaction (ISI)—low-effort encounters such as greetings or small talk—represent a key social dimension that may complement environmental restoration by fostering comfort and embedded affordances. However, most studies examine these factors separately, often using coarse measures that overlook heterogeneity in restorative mechanisms. This study investigates how environmental-exposure and social–environmental context dimensions jointly shape REP in campus forests, focusing on distributional patterns beyond average effects. Using a Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) approach, 30 students photographed 1294 tree-dominant scenes on a forest-rich campus. Environmental features were quantified via semantic segmentation, and ISI was rated alongside REP. Quantile regression estimated effects across the REP distribution. Three distributional patterns emerged. First, blue exposure and ISI acted as reliable resources, consistently enhancing REP with distinct profiles. Second, green exposure functioned as a threshold-dependent resource, with mid-quantile attenuation but amplified contributions in highly restorative scenes. Third, anthropogenic and demographic factors created conditional barriers with distribution-specific effects. Findings demonstrate that campus forest restoration operates through differentiated socio-ecological mechanisms rather than uniform pathways, informing strategies for equitable, restoration-optimized management. More broadly, the distributional framework offers transferable insights for urban forests as socio-ecological infrastructures supporting both human well-being and ecological resilience. Full article

Rapid population aging calls for a shift from static facility configuration toward understanding how spatial structures coordinate with everyday behavior. This study develops a structure–behavior coordination framework to examine how the spatial embedding of community service centers and surrounding facilities aligns with older adults’ mobility and activity chains. Using Guangzhou as a case, three representative facility aggregation forms—clustered, linear, and patchy—were identified through POI-based spatial analysis. Behavioral mapping supported by Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) and social network analysis captured facility co-use and path continuity, while rank-based measures (Rank-QAP and Rank-Biased Overlap) evaluated correspondence between structural and behavioral centralities. Findings show form-sensitive rather than typological coordination: the clustered case (FY) exhibits compact, mixed-use integration; the linear case (DJ) requires ground-level access along main pedestrian corridors; and the patchy case (LG) relies on a few highly accessible dual-core nodes where improved connectivity strengthens cohesion. Everyday facilities such as markets, parks, and plazas act as behavioral anchors linking routine routes. The framework offers a transferable tool and comparable metrics for diagnosing alignment between built structure and everyday behavior, guiding adaptive, evidence-based planning for age-friendly community systems. Full article

Urban sprawl and suburbanization are reshaping peri-urban areas, challenging urban planning and community well-being. Our study investigates questions regarding the perception of Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) and development preferences (DP) related to Green Infrastructure (GI) in Vác, Hungary, including how CES and DP indicators related to GI vary spatially; how they align with municipal DI designations; how they relate to sociodemographic factors; and how they are applicable to urban planning practices. We used PPGIS and structured interviews with 375 residents to collect over 4900 spatial data points in order to analyze how perceived values, development preferences, officially designated GI elements and sociodemographic characteristics, relate to each other. The results show that CES are strongly associated with GI elements, especially along the riverfront and in downtown areas. However, development preferences, especially congestion and safety concerns, were more dispersed, often located in outer residential areas and along transportation routes. Statistical analyses showed significant differences across age, marital status, and co-residence with children, influencing both CES perception and development preferences. Our study highlights the gap between official GI designations and community-valued spaces, emphasizing the importance of participatory planning and the integration of sociodemographic dimensions into planning practices in rapidly transforming suburban environments. Full article

This study investigates sustainable settlements—in terms of low-carbon settlements and communities transitioning from oil dependence to local resilience—in urban and rural areas of Austria. The objectives of this study are twofold: First, to examine the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) and Transition Towns Network (TTN) as platforms for alternative lifestyles for urban and rural planning and, second, to comprehend the socio-spatial factors influencing the development of future transition settlements. This study provides updated insights into the concepts of the Global Ecovillage Network in a rural context as well as transition culture in an urban context. In two case studies, we focus on one Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) member, the Cambium Ecovillage near the village of Fehring, Styria, and one Transition Town Network member, Graz, the capital city of Styria. Using transdisciplinary and participatory methodologies, we examine the specific local contexts of these sustainable settlements. Ultimately, the findings of the study about facilitating participatory land use frameworks can be extrapolated from the Austrian context to the broader European context. Conclusions drawn from the results will inform potential future urban and rural land use initiatives concerning ecovillages and transition towns across Europe. Full article

In today’s society, stress is recognized as a major contributor to illness. It can be reduced through exercise, which lowers stress hormones, and exposure to daylight, which regulates hormones such as cortisol and melatonin. Furthermore, the design and perception of the environment can indicate danger or safety, influencing stress levels and mental health. This study examines the Tehran Oil Refinery’s impact on local residents’ perceptions of landscape values and mental health. Oil refineries, which use compounds derived from natural gas or crude oil, pose both short- and long-term environmental and health risks. Using a Geographic Information System for Public Participation (PPGIS), the study investigates how the industrial landscape surrounding the Tehran Oil Refinery influences residents’ emotional responses and stress levels. The study collects sociodemographic data, self-perceived health data, and landscape valuations before and after photography interventions. The findings indicate a complex relationship between the refinery’s presence and perceptions of landscape values. Manipulated photographs used in the study show how visual elements can influence emotional responses, highlighting a direct link between stress and environmental perception. This case study adds to larger discussions about the effects of industrialization on public mental health and the environment, emphasizing the importance of incorporating public perception into urban planning in order to achieve sustainable development. Full article

Tourism development should be economically viable, environmentally responsible, and aligned with community goals. Participation in decision-making ensures that community values are reflected in sustainable tourism guidelines. Traditional methods of public engagement in tourism planning include public meetings, focus groups, and interviews, as outlined in the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) framework, which ranges from education to empowerment. However, the rise of information technology and digital platforms has brought about new participatory channels, such as Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGISs), which use geospatial technologies to improve decision-making. This paper investigates the use of PPGISs in the tourism industry based on a thorough review of peer-reviewed literature from 2000 to 2024. By examining the use of PPGISs in tourism, the study identifies common characteristics and the scope of existing research, emphasizing how PPGISs can be applied across various tourism sectors. The study discovered that PPGIS is a credible alternative to traditional public participation methods and provides useful insights into residents’ perspectives on tourism-related issues. This study contributes to the tourism field by thoroughly understanding PPGIS applications, proposing future research strategies, and suggesting how these technologies can enhance public engagement and decision-making in tourism planning. Full article

Punicic acid (PuA) is a conjugated fatty acid with a wide range of nutraceutical properties naturally present in pomegranate seed oil. To meet the rising demand for pomegranate seed oil, a single-cell oil enriched in PuA provides a sustainable biomass-derived alternative. This study describes the production of a PuA-enriched single-cell oil through the engineering of the red yeast Rhodotorula toruloides grown in glucose and a low-cost substrate, crude glycerol. The gene for Punica granatum fatty acid conjugase, PgFADX, was randomly integrated into the genome of R. toruloides without disrupting the carotenoid synthesis. In shake flask studies, the effects of three promoters (P_PGI1, P_NAR1, and P_PMA1) on PuA production were evaluated. PuA titers of 105.77 mg/L and 72.81 mg/L were obtained from engineered cells expressing PgFADX from the P_PMA1 promoter cultivated for 72 h in glucose and for 168 h in crude glycerol, respectively. Furthermore, the detailed lipid analysis revealed a high enrichment PuA in the triacylglycerol lipid structures, even without substantial modifications to the metabolic pathways. This report demonstrates the high potential of R. toruloides in the upcycling of a low-cost substrate, crude glycerol, into a value-added product such as PuA. The findings support the feasibility of using engineered R. toruloides for sustainable production of PuA-enriched single-cell oil. Full article

Petrochemical clusters are forms of industrialization that use compounds and polymers derived directly or indirectly from gas or crude oil for chemical applications. They pose a variety of short- and long-term risks to the environment and the people who live nearby. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a correlation between the degree of perceived technological risk and the emotional value generated by the contemplation of the petrochemical industry landscape in order to try to establish strategic lines of action to mitigate the perception of risk and improve the emotional well-being of the population. This study uses manipulated pictures and a Public Participation Geographic Information System (PPGIS) survey to assess changes in perception and emotional response in residents in Teheran (Iran). Key findings show an insignificant relationship between technological risk and landscape value perception in both original and manipulated pictures. However, taking into account that, in general, in manipulated pictures, there is a more significant relationship, designing the landscape could help to mitigate the technological risk perception. This study contributes to the broader discussion about industrialization and its environmental and social consequences. It emphasizes the importance of considering public perception when planning and developing industrial areas, so as to balance industrial functionality and environmental and aesthetic considerations for long-term urban development. Full article

The decision-making process of China’s national forest park (NFP) system typically excludes the consideration of the public’s perceived benefits. In this regard, the objective of this study was to elucidate the type of cultural ecosystem benefits (CEB) that NFP can provide and to inform the evidence-based design of forest parks by establishing its linkage to the public’s perceived sensory dimensions (PSD). A CEB evaluation scale was developed for forest parks, and a 6-day public participation GIS (PPGIS) survey was conducted in Fuzhou NFP to collect evaluations of CEB and PSD at different sites from 853 respondents. The findings revealed that the CEB furnished by NFP is comprised of three dimensions. The three dimensions of cultural ecosystem benefits (CEB) are identities, experiences, and capabilities. The impact of different PSDs on CEBs varies, as do the impacts of high and low scores on CEBs for the same PSD. It can be concluded that the creation of more serene and open spaces will result in an increase in the CEB available to the public. Furthermore, designers may wish to consider enhancing single dimensions of PSDs in order to characterize different areas, which may prove to be a more effective approach than enhancing PSDs across the board. In summary, our PPGIS survey is expected to enable community-based governance of the NFP and provide a basis for a comprehensive sustainability dialogue between people and forests. Full article

Access to urban green and blue spaces (UGBSs) has been associated with positive effects on health and wellbeing; however, the past decades have seen a decline in quality and user satisfaction with UGBSs. This reflects the mounting challenges that many UK cities face in providing appropriate public facilities, alongside issues such as health inequalities, an ageing population, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. At present, little is known about the preferences of different population subgroups and, specifically, the UGBSs they visit and the spaces they avoid. Using a public participatory geographic information system (PPGIS), the overall aim of the research presented here was to investigate the preferences of different population subgroups in urban areas, and the UGBSs they visit, using Edinburgh, Scotland as a case study. We created a baseline visitor demographic profile for UGBS use, and highlighted how visitors perceive, physically access, use, and engage with UGBSs. The results revealed considerable variation in UGBS preference: one person’s favourite UGBS may be one that someone else dislikes and avoids. It is clear that adapting UGBSs to suit local communities should not be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. The conflicting views and preferences of different groups of respondents point to the importance of developing policies and park management plans that can accommodate a variety of uses and experiential qualities within individual parks. PPGIS approaches, such as those utilised in this study, offer opportunities to address this issue and provide evidence to increase equitable UGBS usage. Full article

This study aims to analyze the perceptions and driving factors behind villagers’ changing perceptions of landscape values in the context of drastic landscape changes in traditional Chinese villages. Empirical evidence emphasizes the interplay between local residents’ values and the local policy framework. This study establishes a method to capture the landscape values and preferences of rural community residents by combining participatory mapping with questionnaire interviews. We identified the evaluation of changing landscape values by rural residents and extracted four categories of rural development orientations, namely, economic benefits, emotional culture, public participation, and environmental protection. Furthermore, we delved into the significant heterogeneity in landscape value changes among different social groups. This study highlights the role of villagers’ value judgments in guiding the scientific formulation of traditional village conservation and development policies and promoting the socially sustainable development planning of traditional villages. The research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the rural community’s needs and preferences for the local landscape as well as the convergence and divergence between these needs and the government-led rural development trajectory. Full article