Search Results (546)

Whether on greenfield or brownfield sites, new buildings need land. The locations of additional dwellings in England, whether provided through a standard planning process or a light-touch approach, have recently been criticised for not impacting affordability and for being in the wrong places. More sustainable means of raising the stock of abodes in England, including repurposing dilapidated or underused property, land, or infrastructure; reducing the demolition rate; and reducing the time an existing dwelling is left idle, do not consume additional land for building. Although the National Planning Policy Framework for additional dwellings places a duty on each district planning authority to find more land for housing, alternatives to new builds are included in the count. This paper examines the spatial concentrations of the components that can add to the habitable stock of real estate. It examines their take-up over recent years. This is important for land-use planning and the preservation of green spaces in the face of increasing housing pressures. Using a simple, innovative approach to assessing collocation, the paper considers whether there are similarities in spatial concentrations. The approach is used to infer whether builders converting existing property add units in areas where new builds are in more modest supply. Although alternative means of adding to the housing stock may be more sustainable, and more likely to be found in areas of greater need, the numbers are too low to be anything other than a supplement to new builds. Full article

Climate change intensifies the challenge of elevated temperatures in dense urban areas, notably in Seoul, South Korea. This study investigates the effects of land use and urban form on summer air temperatures by leveraging Seoul’s city-wide Smart Seoul Data of Things sensor network. Using spatial regression models and temperature data collected during July and August 2021, the analysis identifies key environmental factors associated with urban heat dynamics. The results show that medium- and high-density residential areas, industrial zones, and roads consistently increase temperatures, while greenery, taller buildings, and greater urban porosity contribute to cooling effects. The findings highlight the need for urban planning strategies that expand green spaces, promote vertical development with attention to ventilation, and reconfigure built environments to enhance thermal comfort. This study provides robust empirical insights and offers evidence-based recommendations for climate-responsive urban planning and policies in Seoul and similar high-density cities worldwide. Full article

Under the “double security” goal of achieving both food security and ecological protection, this study explores the green and low-carbon utilization efficiency of cultivated land (GLCUECL) in the Huaihe River Ecological Economic Belt (HREEB). This study identifies the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and trends, promoting the green, low-carbon, and sustainable utilization of arable land resources in the HREEB, thus contributing to regional and national food and ecological security. Using a global super-efficiency EBM framework that accounts for undesirable outputs, as well as the GML index, the researchers measured and decomposed the GLCUECL in 25 prefecture-level cities of the HREEB from 2005 to 2021. The Theil index and kernel density estimation were applied to analyze regional disparities and changing developmental traits. Spatial convergence and divergence were assessed using the coefficient of variation and spatial convergence models. Key findings include the following: (1) Over time, the GLCUECL in the HREEB exhibited an overall upward trend and a non-equilibrium characteristic, namely the “East Sea-river-lake Linkage Area (ESLA) > Midwest Inland Rising Area (MIRA) > Huaihe River Ecological Economic Belt (HREEB) > North Huaihai Economic Zone (NHEZ)”. The increase in the GML index of the GLCUECL is mainly attributable to a technical progress change. (2) The overall difference in the GLCUECL tends to decline, which is mainly attributable to the intra-regional differences. (3) The overall kernel density curves for the HREEB and its three sub-regions exhibited a “rightward shift” trend. Except for the expansion and polarization of the absolute difference in the GLCUECL in the NHEZ, the absolute difference in GLCUECL in other regions, such as the HREEB, ESLA, and MIRA, exhibited a decreasing trend. (4) Spatial convergence analysis revealed that only the NHEZ lacks σ-convergence, whereas all regions exhibited β-convergence. Moreover, factors such as rural economic development level, cultivated land resource endowment, agricultural subsidy policy, crop planting structure, and technological input exerted a heterogeneous effect on the change in the GLCUECL. Based on these findings, this study offers recommendations for improving GLCUECL in the HREEB. Our recommendations include the implementation of the concept of green new development, optimization of the institution supply, establishing a regional cooperation mechanism for green and low-carbon utilization of cultivated land, and formulation of differentiated paths for improving the green and low-carbon utilization efficiency of cultivated land according to local conditions. Full article

Land is a critical factor of production that contributes significantly to economic growth. However, conventional land use pattern in China has resulted in serious environmental pollution. Now enhancing green land use efficiency (GLUE) has emerged as an effective strategy for improving environmental quality. The development of the digital economy (DE), characterized by low cost and high efficiency, has demonstrated considerable potential in reducing environmental pollutants and enhancing resource allocation. This study employs an extensive analytical framework to analyze the impact of DE development on GLUE across 267 cities in China from 2011 to 2019. The results show that DE exerts a significant effect on improving GLUE, which remains valid after the execution of endogeneity and robustness tests. The research on mechanisms indicates that this promotional effect is primarily achieved through the innovation in green technology and the optimization of industrial structure. Extended empirical tests indicate there is a nonlinear trend, wherein the positive effect increasingly intensifies after green industry innovation and industrial structure optimization exceeds threshold values. There is also a significant short term spillover effect of DE on GLUE, supplemented by long term effects. These findings substantially improve our comprehension of the connection of DE and land use, while providing practical policy recommendations for promoting environmentally sustainable development and land green utilization. Full article

Understanding the carbon emission efficiency of apple production (APCEE) is critical for promoting green and low-carbon agricultural development. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving factors of APCEE in China remain inadequately explored. This study employs life cycle assessment, super-efficiency slacks-based measures, and a panel Tobit model to evaluate the carbon footprint, APCEE, and its determinants in China’s two major production regions from 2003 to 2022. The results reveal that: (1) Producing one ton of apples in China results in 0.842 t CO₂e emissions. Land carbon intensity and total carbon emissions peaked in 2010 (28.69 t CO₂e/ha) and 2014 (6.52 × 10⁷ t CO₂e), respectively, exhibiting inverted U-shaped trends. Carbon emissions from various production areas show significant differences, with higher pressure on carbon emission reduction in the Loess Plateau region, especially in Gansu Province. (2) The APCEE in China exhibits a W-shaped trend (mean: 0.645), with overall low efficiency loss. The Bohai Bay region outperforms the Loess Plateau and national averages. (3) The structure of the apple industry, degree of agricultural mechanization, and green innovation positively influence APCEE, while the structure of apple cultivation, education level, and agricultural subsidies negatively impact it. Notably, green innovation and agricultural subsidies display lagged effects. Moreover, the drivers of APCEE differ significantly between the two major production regions. These findings provide actionable pathways for the green and low-carbon transformation of China’s apple industry, emphasizing the importance of spatially tailored green policies and technology-driven decarbonization strategies. Full article

As the fundamental physical carrier for human production and socio-economic endeavors, enhancing urban land green use efficiency (ULGUE) is crucial for realizing sustainable development. To effectively enhance urban land green use efficiency, this study systematically examines the intrinsic relationship between industrial policies and ULGUE based on panel data from 286 Chinese cities (2010–2022), employing an integrated methodology that combines the Difference-in-Differences (DID) model, Super-Efficiency Slacks-Based Measure Data Envelopment Analysis model, and ArcGIS spatial analysis techniques. The findings clearly demonstrate that the establishment of the “Made in China 2025” pilot policy significantly improves urban land green use efficiency in pilot cities, a conclusion that endures following a succession of stringent evaluations. Moreover, studying its mechanisms suggests that the pilot policy primarily enhances urban land green use efficiency by promoting industrial upgrading, accelerating technological innovation, and strengthening environmental regulations. Heterogeneity analysis further indicates that the policy effects are more significant in urban areas characterized by high manufacturing agglomeration, non-provincial capital/non-municipal status, high industrial intelligence levels, and less sophisticated industrial structure. This research not only provides valuable policy insights for China to enhance urban land green use efficiency and promote high-quality regional sustainable development but also offers meaningful references for global efforts toward advancing urban sustainability. Full article

The coupled development of economic and ecological systems is crucial for achieving sustainable growth, with the financial system playing a pivotal adaptive role. Green financial innovation (GFI) is central to enhancing this adaptation. Urban land use eco-efficiency (ULUEE) serves as an effective measure of economic–ecological coupling. Using China’s Green Finance Reform and Innovation Pilot Zones (GFRPZs) as a quasi-natural experiment, this study assesses the impact of GFI on ULUEE, employing panel data from 283 prefecture-level cities (2013–2021). The results show that GFI significantly enhances ULUEE through technological spillovers, strengthened environmental regulation, industrial upgrading, and resource agglomeration. Heterogeneity analyses further reveal that GFI’s positive effects are more pronounced in economically developed regions, cities without legacy heavy-industry reliance, and those with deeper financial development. Additionally, GFI demonstrates cross-regional spillover effects, effectively interacting with other environmental policies. While GFI’s impact is more pronounced in economic growth, its ecological governance improvements are modest. This study provides critical insights for tailored green financial policies aimed at harmonizing economic and ecological objectives. Full article

Urban vacant land can provide important habitat for birds, especially in cities with high concentrations of residential vacancy. Understanding which vegetation features best support urban biodiversity can inform greening strategies that benefit both wildlife and residents. This study addressed two questions: (1) How does bird species composition reflect the potential conservation value of these neighborhoods? (2) Which vegetation structures predict bird abundance across a fine-grained urban landscape? To answer these questions, we conducted avian and vegetation surveys across 100 one-hectare plots in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. These surveys showed that species richness was positively associated with canopy cover (β = 0.32, p = 0.003). Canopy cover was also the strongest predictor of American Robin (Turdus migratorius) and Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) abundance (β = 1.9 for both species). In contrast, impervious surfaces and abandoned buildings were associated with generalist species. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) abundance was strongly and positively correlated with NMS Axis 1 (r = 0.878), while Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) abundance was negatively correlated (r = −0.728). These findings underscore the significance of strategic habitat management in promoting urban biodiversity and addressing ecological challenges within urban landscapes. They also emphasize the importance of integrating biodiversity goals into urban planning policies to ensure sustainable and equitable development. Full article

The ecological environment of Inner Mongolia constitutes a critical component of China’s ecological civilization construction. To comprehensively assess and monitor ecological quality dynamics in this region, this study employed MODIS remote sensing data products (2000–2020) and derived four key indicators, —vegetation index (NDVI), wetness index (WET), build-up and soil index (NDBSI), and land surface temperature (LST)—via the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. A Remote Sensing-based Ecological Index (RSEI) was constructed using principal component analysis (PCA) to establish an annual long-term time series, thereby eliminating subjective bias from artificial weight assignment. Integrated methodologies—including Theil–Sen Median and Mann–Kendall trend analysis, Hurst exponent, and geographical detector—were applied to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of ecological quality in Inner Mongolia and its responses to climatic and anthropogenic drivers. This study proposes a novel framework for large-scale ecological quality assessment using remote sensing. Key findings include the following: The mean RSEI value of 0.41 (2000–2020) indicates an overall improving trend in ecological quality. Areas with ecological improvement and degradation accounted for 76.06% and 23.84% of the region, respectively, exhibiting a spatial pattern of “northwestern improvement versus southeastern degradation.” Pronounced regional disparities were observed: optimal ecological conditions prevailed in the Greater Khingan Range (northeast), while the Alxa League (southwest) exhibited the poorest conditions. Northwestern improvement was primarily driven by increased precipitation, rising temperatures, and conservation policies, whereas southeastern degradation correlated with rapid urbanization and intensified socioeconomic activities. Our results demonstrate that MODIS-derived RSEI effectively enables large-scale ecological monitoring, providing a scientific basis for regional green development strategies. Full article

In this work, we examine the correlation between financial inclusion and the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors of sustainable development with the assistance of an exhaustive panel dataset of 103 emerging and developing economies spanning 2011 to 2022. The “Account Age” variable, standing for financial inclusion, is the share of adults owning accounts with formal financial institutions or with the providers of mobile money services, inclusive of both conventional and digital entry points. Methodologically, the article follows an econometric approach with panel data regressions, supplemented by Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) with instrumental variables in order to control endogeneity biases. ESG-specific instruments like climate resilience indicators and digital penetration measures are utilized for the purpose of robustness. As a companion approach, the paper follows machine learning techniques, applying a set of algorithms either for regression or for clustering for the purpose of detecting non-linearities and discerning ESG-inclusion typologies for the sample of countries. Results reflect that financial inclusion is, in the Environmental pillar, significantly associated with contemporary sustainability activity such as consumption of green energy, extent of protected area, and value added by agriculture, while reliance on traditional agriculture, measured by land use and value added by agriculture, decreases inclusion. For the Social pillar, expenditure on education, internet, sanitation, and gender equity are prominent inclusion facilitators, while engagement with the informal labor market exhibits a suppressing function. For the Governance pillar, anti-corruption activity and patent filing activity are inclusive, while diminishing regulatory quality, possibly by way of digital governance gaps, has a negative correlation. Policy implications are substantial: the research suggests that development dividends from a multi-dimensional approach can be had through enhancing financial inclusion. Policies that intersect financial access with upgrading the environment, social expenditure, and institutional reconstitution can simultaneously support sustainability targets. These are the most applicable lessons for the policy-makers and development professionals concerned with the attainment of the SDGs, specifically over the regions of the Global South, where the trinity of climate resilience, social fairness, and institutional renovation most significantly manifests. Full article

Urbanisation and land-use change are among the main pressures on soil health in periurban areas, but the multifunctionality of grassland soils is still not sufficiently recognised. In this study, the physical and chemical properties of soils under grassland, forest and croplands in the periurban area of Zagreb were investigated in a two-year period. Grasslands consistently exhibited multifunctional benefits, including high organic matter content (4.68% vs. 2.24% in cropland), improved bulk density (1.14 vs. 1.24 g cm⁻³) and an active carbon cycle indicated by increased CO₂ emissions (up to 1403 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in 2021). Forest soils showed the highest aggregate stability (91.4%) and infiltration (0.0006 cm s⁻¹), while croplands showed signs of structural degradation with the highest bulk density and lowest water retention (39.9%). Temporal variation showed that grassland was particularly responsive to favourable climatic conditions, with soil porosity and water content improving yearly. Principal component analysis showed that soil structure, biological activity and moisture regulation were linked, with grassland plots favourably positioned along the axes of resilience. The absence of tillage and the presence of permanent vegetation cover contributed to their high capacity for climate and water regulation and carbon sequestration. These results emphasise the importance of protecting and managing grasslands as an important component of urban green areas. Practices such as mulching, minimal disturbance and continuous cover can maximise the ecosystem services of grassland soils. In addition, the results highlight the potential risk of trace metal accumulation in cropland and grassland soils located near urban and farming infrastructure, underlining the need for regular monitoring in periurban environments. Integrating grassland functions into urban planning and policy is essential for improving the sustainability and resilience of periurban landscapes. Full article

Remotely sensed cropland abandonment monitoring is crucial for providing spatially explicit references for maintaining sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring food security. However, abandoned cropland is commonly detected based on multi-date classification or the dynamics of a single vegetation index, with the interactions between vegetation and soil time series often being neglected, leading to a failure to understand its full-life-cycle succession processes. To fill this gap, we propose a new full-life-cycle modeling framework based on the interactive trajectories of vegetation–soil-related endmembers to identify abandoned and reclaimed cropland in Jinan from 2000 to 2022. In this framework, highly accurate annual fractional vegetation- and soil-related endmember time series are generated for Jinan City for the 2000–2022 period using spectral mixture models. These are then used to integrally reconstruct temporal trajectories for complex scenarios (e.g., abandonment, weed invasion, reclamation, and fallow) using logistic and double-logistic models. The parameters of the optimization model (fitting type, change magnitude, start timing, and change duration) are subsequently integrated to develop a rule-based hierarchical identification scheme for cropland abandonment based on these complex scenarios. After applying this scheme, we observed a significant decline in green vegetation (a slope of −0.40% per year) and an increase in the soil fraction (a rate of 0.53% per year). These pathways are mostly linked to a duration between 8 and 15 years, with the beginning of the change trend around 2010. Finally, the results show that our framework can effectively separate abandoned cropland from reclamation dynamics and other classes with satisfactory precision, as indicated by an overall accuracy of 86.02%. Compared to the traditional yearly land cover-based approach (with an overall accuracy of 77.39%), this algorithm can overcome the propagation of classification errors (with product accuracy from 74.47% to 85.11%), especially in terms of improving the ability to capture changes at finer spatial scales. Furthermore, it also provides a better understanding of the whole abandonment process under the influence of multi-factor interactions in the context of specific climatic backgrounds and human disturbances, thus helping to inform adaptive abandonment management and sustainable agricultural policies. Full article

Balancing ecological conservation and rural livelihoods in protected areas remains a global challenge, particularly under strict land use regulations and economic development constraints. Territorial spatial planning (TSP) in an ecological function area (EFA) faces constraints such as land use restrictions, ecological redlines, and economic development limits. This study investigates how ecological land resources influence farmers’ incomes in ecological function areas (EFAs), with a focus on the moderating role of advanced livelihoods (ALI). Using an integrated Fixed-Effects–SVM–Genetic Algorithm framework, we quantify nonlinear policy-livelihood interactions and simulate multi-scenario governmental interventions (e.g., ecological investment, returning farmland to forest/RFF) across Beijing’s EFA, which can obtain the key findings as follows: (a) Ecological land resources have a significant positive effect on farmers’ incomes due to production-manner adjustment guided by governmental green strategy and corresponding TSP in an ecological restoration area of an EFA, while they have a non-significant impact in the core ecological reserve areas on account of the strict environmental protection restrictions on economic activities. (b) Differences in financial support between lower and higher economic development zones can bring about adverse impact results on farmers’ incomes in an EFA. (c) ALI significantly amplifies the positive impact of ecological land use on farmers’ incomes, demonstrating its critical role in bridging ecological and economic goals. (d) Sensitivity analysis results under RFF, targeted government investment, and ALI can maximize income gains through policy interaction from the government and farmer sides jointly. The above obtained results are beneficial to balance ecological protection and economic interests of farmers’ sustainably in an EFA. Full article

Agricultural water resource management is increasingly challenged by climate variability, land degradation, and socio-economic pressures, particularly in the Mediterranean region. This study, conducted in 2023–2024 within the REACT4MED project (PRIMA initiative), addresses sustainable water use through a comparative analysis of organic and conventional farms in the Stornara and Tara area (Puglia, Italy). The research aimed to identify critical indicators for sustainable water management and develop ecosystem restoration strategies that can be replicated across similar Mediterranean agro-ecosystems. An interdisciplinary, participatory approach was adopted, combining technical analyses and stakeholder engagement through three workshops involving 30 participants from diverse sectors. Fieldwork and laboratory assessments included soil sampling and analysis of parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, nutrients, and salinity. Cartographic studies of vegetation, land use, and pedological characterization supplemented the dataset. The key challenges identified were water loss in distribution systems, seawater intrusion, water pumping from unauthorized wells, and inadequate public policies. Soil quality was significantly influenced by salt stress, hence affecting crop productivity, while socio-economic factors affected farm income. Restoration strategies emphasized the need for water-efficient irrigation, less water-intensive crops, and green vegetation in infrastructure channels while incorporating also the native flora. Enhancing plant biodiversity through weed management in drainage channels proved beneficial for pathogen control. Proposed socio-economic measures include increased inclusion of women and youth in agricultural management activities. Integrated technical and participatory approaches are essential for effective water resource governance in Mediterranean agriculture. This study offers scalable, context-specific indicators and solutions for sustainable land and water management in the face of ongoing desertification and climate stress. Full article

Urbanisation in the context of climate change and rapid population growth presents an urgent need for innovative and sustainable urban planning. This study introduces the Green Blueprint, an original, spatially grounded, and evidence-informed conceptual framework designed to systematically embed ecosystem services into the planning, governance, and design of resilient and equitable cities in the United Kingdom. Unlike existing research that typically treats Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) as a discrete intervention or evaluates its benefits in isolation, the Green Blueprint integrates cross-sectoral governance, multifunctional land use, and participatory planning into a coherent, scalable model for urban resilience. Developed through a qualitative, interpretivist methodology and critical documentary analysis of secondary data including policy documents, academic literature, and case studies from London, Manchester, and Sheffield, this framework highlights how embedding ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, stormwater management, biodiversity enhancement, and public health into the urban fabric can support long-term climate adaptation and social equity. Rather than serving as a review, this paper advances a novel theoretical contribution through empirical synthesis and thematic cross-case comparison. It further identifies enabling governance structures and implementation pathways to support policy innovation and practical application. This study contributes a transferable planning template for cities aiming to achieve systemic UGI integration, offering clear value for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers engaged in sustainable urban development in the Anthropocene. Full article