Search Results (79)

Urban green spaces (UGSs), including parks, forests, and community gardens, play a critical role in enhancing public health and well-being by providing essential ecosystem services such as improving air quality, reducing surface temperatures, and mitigating harmful substances. As urbanization accelerates, especially in rapidly growing cities like Jinan, China, the demand for UGSs is intensifying, necessitating careful urban planning to balance development and environmental protection. While previous studies have often focused on city-level green coverage, this study shifts the analytical focus from UGS as a whole to urban functional units (UFUs), allowing for a more detailed examination of how green space is distributed across different land use types. We investigate UGS changes in Jinan over the past two decades and assess the influence of socio-economic factors—such as housing prices, land use types, and building age—on UGS distribution within UFUs. Remote sensing technology was employed to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of UGS and its correlation with these variables. Our findings reveal a significant shift in UGS distribution, with parks and leisure areas becoming primary drivers of UGS expansion. This study also highlights the growing influence of economic factors, particularly housing prices, on UGS distribution in more affluent UFUs. Additionally, while UGS in Jinan has generally expanded, challenges remain in balancing green space with urban expansion, especially in commercial and residential UFUs. This paper contributes to a more nuanced understanding of UGS distribution by integrating the UFU framework and identifying socio-economic drivers—including housing prices, construction age, and land use type—that shape green space patterns in Jinan. Our findings demonstrate that the spatial pattern of UGS in Jinan mirrors socio-economic and land use disparities observed in other global cities, highlighting both the universality of these patterns and the need for targeted planning in rapidly urbanizing contexts. Full article

Ensuring that “each household has a dwelling” is a fundamental principle in the reform of the rural housing system. Pilot areas for residential reform have achieved positive outcomes in rural collective housing. This paper, based on a field study conducted in District D of Province G, utilizes a case study methodology and the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework to explore the driving mechanisms behind the implementation of collective housing in the pilot villages of District D. It comprehensively analyzes the roles of various stakeholders throughout the entire process of “planning, construction, distribution, and management”, and evaluates the effectiveness of the initiative. The findings of the study indicate that collective housing construction can effectively alleviate land scarcity, meet the housing demands of rural residents, and enhance the overall rural environment. To ensure the successful implementation of collective housing projects, the government must assume a coordinating and guiding role, providing necessary financial and land support while streamlining the approval process. Village collectives should actively manage residential land and respect the preferences of farming households. Furthermore, pricing, allocation, and management strategies should be tailored to local conditions to ensure fairness and safeguard farmers’ rights and interests. Policies should remain adaptable, taking into account regional differences in geography, society, and culture, and selectively incorporating collective housing models to achieve the goal of “each household having a dwelling.” Full article

Sustainable property development in developing economies requires a careful balance between attracting foreign capital and maintaining housing affordability for local residents. While foreign direct investment (FDI) serves as a crucial engine for economic growth by enhancing productive capacity and international competitiveness, its effects on local housing markets remain inadequately understood in policy frameworks. This study examines how economic development strategies can be designed to harness FDI benefits while preventing residential market distortions in rapidly industrializing regions. Using Malaysia’s Kulim Hi-Tech Park and Batu Kawan Industrial Park as empirical cases, we analyze the relationship between foreign capital inflows and residential property prices from 2000 to 2022 through time-series regression analysis supplemented by stakeholder consultations. Our findings reveal that FDI significantly influences housing price dynamics in industrial zones, with both positive economic spillovers and challenges for housing affordability. The results demonstrate that targeted policy interventions—including affordable housing mandates, developer incentives, and strategic land use planning—can effectively moderate price appreciation while maintaining investment attractiveness. This research contributes to evidence-based policymaking by identifying integrated mechanisms that promote sustainable and inclusive growth in emerging economies seeking to balance industrial advancement with equitable housing access. The Malaysian experience offers valuable practical insights for policymakers in developing nations navigating the complex relationship between international investment, housing markets, and social welfare. Full article

Urban greenspaces, such as parks and other public vegetated spaces, provide respite from the built environment for residents and visitors. Lesser-known urban greenspaces are community-managed open spaces (CMOSs), such as play lots, community gardens, and memorial gardens. This study investigated the effect of the distance to and size of parks and CMOSs on residential house prices in Baltimore, MD, in 2016–2017 using a hedonic price model. This is the first study of an urban city comparing parks and CMOSs. The study included 21,116 houses sold and revealed that park proximate price premiums ranged from 7.73% to 11.01% for distances of up to a 1/2 mile, and the CMOS proximate price premiums were 8.69% and 8.96% for distances of up to 1/8 and 1/4 miles, respectively. Moreover, both parks and CMOSs revealed a buyer preference of a 1/8 to 1/2 mile distance from these urban greenspaces. Small- to medium-sized parks, less than 9.65 acres, increased house prices by approximately 2.36%, and small CMOSs, less than 0.24 acres, increased house prices by 5.93%. These results confirm that parks and CMOSs provide economic benefits in addition to their social, health, and well-being benefits and suggest that CMOSs are a viable economic development strategy for communities. Full article

Land, as the foundation of all productive activities, plays a crucial role in achieving high-quality development across regions. China’s current land allocation model, which focuses on land quota distribution, has several drawbacks and does not address the conflict between limited land availability and increasing demand. To maximize land use benefits, it is essential to develop scientifically sound allocation plans that effectively adjust land structure and layout. However, existing research often relies on single-attribute geographic or linear programming models which do not meet the multidimensional needs of modern territorial planning. Additionally, commonly used CGE models often overlook the critical role of construction land. To address these gaps, this study introduces a multi-scale, multi-type China Territorial Spatial Planning Simulation Model (CTSPM). This model integrates cultivated, forest, grassland, and construction land, simulating the land use changes driven by socioeconomic impacts through price mechanisms. By employing a land use transition matrix, the CTSPM enhances practical applicability and improves predictions for residential and non-agricultural construction land. It provides a scientific tool for evaluating land policies, supporting interdepartmental negotiations on land quotas, and contributing to natural resource governance and territorial spatial planning. Using the CTSPM, we simulated various high-quality development scenarios and derived the following conclusions: (1) An increase in Total Factor Productivity (TFP) significantly boosts regional economic development and the demand for non-agricultural land; a 1% increase in TFP leads to a 1.48% rise in actual GDP and a 0.19% increase in total non-agricultural land demand. (2) At the regional level, eastern regions experience a greater impact on total land demand compared to central and western regions. (3) In terms of land use types, cultivated and grassland areas show a decreasing trend, while forest and construction land areas are increasing. Full article

To promote the role of land property rights operation (LPRO) in urbanization and socioeconomic development, an optimization mechanism framework for LPRO is constructed to analyze how different variables related to the transfer, utilization, and supervision links within the LPRO system impact its macro effects. LPRO’s macro effects are promoted by the land price, advanced utilization level, land marketization level, public management land scale, residential land scale, and regulation of the upper and lower limits on the floor area ratio (FAR), with contributions of 38.18%, 22.62%, 4.78%, 3.11%, 2.43%, and 2.11%, respectively, whereas the low-quality land scale, commercial land proportion, change rate of the transfer scale, distance to the city center, and regulation of the upper limit on the FAR contribute negatively, by 6.63%, 3.14%, 2.82%, 2.65%, and 2.16%, respectively. Moreover, the role of the LPRO structure changes over time. The land marketization level has a single-threshold and increasingly positive contribution, the land price exhibits “U”-shaped double-threshold effects transforming from negative roles to positive roles, and the advanced utilization level shows double-threshold decreasing promotion effects. LPRO’s macro effects in central and western China operate similarly but differ from those in eastern China, highlighting the implementation of regionally differentiated guidance mechanisms. The results highlight the new code of “value-driven development” when the “land-driven development” model is weakening. Full article

The scientific literature on residential segregation in large metropolitan areas highlights various explanatory factors, including economic, social, political, landscape, and cultural elements related to both migrant and local populations. This paper contrasts the impact of these factors individually, such as the immigrant rate and neighborhood segregation. To achieve this, a machine learning analysis was conducted on a sample of neighborhoods in the main Spanish metropolitan areas (Madrid and Barcelona), using a database created from a combination of official statistical sources and textual sources, such as Wikipedia. These texts were transformed into indexes using Natural Language Processing (NLP) and other artificial intelligence algorithms capable of interpreting images and converting them into indexes. The results indicate that the factors influencing immigrant concentration and segregation differ significantly, with crucial roles played by the urban landscape, population size, and geographic origin. While land prices showed a relationship with immigrant concentration, their effect on segregation was mediated by factors such as overcrowding, social support networks, and landscape degradation. The novel application of AI and big data, particularly through ChatGPT and Google Street View, has enhanced model predictability, contributing to the scientific literature on segregated spaces. Full article

Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization and coordinated development in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region of China, urban residential land prices in Hebei Province have experienced significant increases, exacerbating housing pressures on residents. This study aims to elucidate the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of urban residential land prices, identify the key influencing factors in Hebei Province of China, and offer insights on macro-control of the land market, optimization of the land supply structure, and guidance on the sustainable development of land and real estate markets in the region. Utilizing land price monitoring data from 11 prefecture-level cities in Hebei Province spanning the past five years, this research employs quantitative methods, such as the Theil index, the standard deviation ellipse, and the geographic detector model, to analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics and factors shaping urban residential land prices. The results show that: (1) Urban residential land prices in Hebei Province exhibited an overall upward trend from 2018 to 2022, characterized by pronounced spatial variations, with higher prices predominantly concentrated in the cities along the Shijiazhuang–Baoding–Langfang–Tangshan corridor; (2) The distribution pattern of urban residential land prices generally mirrors that of GDP, indicating a consistent movement of price centers with urban land price escalation; (3) Urban land prices are influenced by multiple factors in combination, where the interactions among these factors outweigh the impact of any single factor. Specifically, the proportion of GDP attributed to the tertiary industry and location conditions emerge as pivotal factors affecting urban residential land prices in Hebei Province. Given these significant spatial disparities, addressing the industrial structure and optimizing urban land resource allocation are critically imperative. Full article

Chiang Mai is an emerging tourism-oriented city in Thailand. The booming tourism industry during the past decades has triggered significant expansion in its urban land area, resulting in a large number of newly-built residential communities appearing on unplanned land. In this study, we used multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR)-based hedonic price analysis to investigate 4624 housing transactions from 524 residential communities in Chiang Mai. This showed that the recent land-use planning in Chiang Mai has had unusual effects on housing prices; specifically, the effects of accessibility to hospitals, primary and secondary schools, green parks, and shopping malls could be ignored, demonstrating that local residents were well satisfied with land-use planning for high-quality medical and education sources and good living environments throughout the whole of Chiang Mai, and that no more land-use planning and investment on these facilities was needed. However, limited bus routes were only used for tourism and could not provide convenient routes for local residents, leading to their negative effects on housing prices in downtown areas, so the local government should lower the bus stop density in downtown areas and strengthen the transportation links between downtown areas and suburbs. Our study will not only support the urban land planning department of Chiang Mai to optimize residential communities and nearby facilities, but can also provide insights into housing price formation mechanisms in similar tourism-oriented cities in Thailand and beyond. Full article

Since the mid-19th century, the migration of Hui Muslims to Shanghai has fostered the development of stable residential neighborhoods around the Small Peach Garden Mosque, turning the area into a hub for religious gatherings and a bustling economic center, especially for the beef, mutton, and catering sectors. However, the dawn of the 21st century brought with it swift economic expansion and urban redevelopment, gradually replacing the neighborhoods surrounding the mosque with high-end residential zones. Soaring land prices slashed the profits of Muslim food businesses in the area to the point of unsustainability, disrupting the traditional pattern of life around the mosque. This study offers insights from interviews with older Muslim women who stayed at the Small Peach Garden Women’s Mosque after its demolition, slowly transforming it into a retirement home. Their stories underline that architectural conservation alone is not sufficient to preserve the character of historic and cultural sites. The study calls for a deeper understanding of urban transformations in historic urban landscapes for religious minorities. Full article

High-density urban development is promoted by both global and local policies in response to socio-economic and environmental challenges since it increases mobility of different land uses, decreases the need for traveling, encourages the use of more energy-efficient buildings and modes of transportation, and permits the sharing of scarce urban amenities. It is therefore argued that increased density and mixed-use development are expected to deliver positive outcomes in terms of contributing to three pillars (social, economic, and environmental domains) of sustainability in the subject themes. Territorial quality of life (TQL)—initially proposed by the ESPON Programme—is a composite indicator of the socio-economic and environmental well-being and life satisfaction of individuals living in an area. Understanding the role of urban density in TQL can provide an important input for urban planning debates addressing whether compact development can be promoted by referring to potential efficiencies in high-density, mixed land use and sustainable transport provisions. Alternatively, low-density suburban development is preferable due to its benefits of high per capita land use consumption (larger houses) for individual households given lower land prices. There is little empirical evidence on how TQL is shaped by high-density versus low-density urban forms. This paper investigates this topic through providing an approach to spatially map and examine the relationship between TQL, residential expansion, and densification processes in the so-called NUTS2 (nomenclature of terrestrial units for statistics) regions of European Union (EU) member countries. The relative importance of each TQL indicator was determined through the entropy weight method, where these indicators were aggregated through using the subject weights to obtain the overall TQL indicator. The spatial dynamics of TQL were examined and its relationship with residential expansion and densification processes was analysed to uncover whether the former or the latter process is positively associated with the TQL indicator within our study area. From our regression models, the residential expansion index is negatively related to the TQL indicator, implying that high levels of residential expansion can result in a reduction in overall quality of life in the regions if they are not supported by associated infrastructure and facility investments. Full article

As Melbourne faces exponential population growth, the necessity for resilient urban planning strategies becomes critical. These strategies include mixed land use, density, diversity, and sustainable transportation through transit-oriented development (TOD). While TOD promises to accommodate growing populations and address environmental concerns, it also raises issues regarding its unintended consequences on poverty and inequality, notably through residential displacement and gentrification. This study investigates the impacts of TOD construction on inequality in Footscray, employing spatial analysis techniques like the hedonic price model (HPM), robust regression analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis. It aims to understand how spatial factors influence housing prices and their correlations. Additionally, the study uses observational spatial analysis via Google Street View (GSV) to examine indices such as housing development type, traffic signage, sanitation facilities, and house beautification. This approach seeks to build an evaluation framework to assess the extent of TOD street reconstruction and its impact on gentrification and displacement. The research adapts existing knowledge to create a tool for reviewing past planning decisions and assessing the fairness of TOD planning implementation. By providing assessment and guidance to mitigate the potential adverse impacts of TOD, this study contributes to the advancement of urban-planning practices, offering insights into mixed land use and effective strategies to balance economic development and social equity, thereby enhancing community resilience. Ultimately, this research deepens our understanding of the impacts of TOD on urban inequality and offers practical tools and insights for more equitable and sustainable urban development. Full article

This study explores the impact of accessibility on property pricing and land economies by advanced spatial analysis techniques, focusing on Shanghai as a representative metropolis. Despite the impact of metro systems on residential property values, which has been frequently assessed, a research gap exists in understanding this phenomenon in Asian, particularly Chinese, urban contexts. Addressing this gap is crucial for shaping effective urban land use policy and improving the land economy rationally in China and similar settings facing urban challenges. To assess the impact of metro station accessibility on property prices in Shanghai, with extensive rail transit, and to deeply explore the overall impact of land value varieties driven by metro on urban development, we conducted a comprehensive analysis, with discussion about future aspirations for land planning and management along with landscape and facility design, and measures to improve land economy. The procedures involved creating neighborhood centroids to represent accessibility and using the Euclidean distance analysis to determine the shortest paths to metro stations. Our evaluation incorporated a hedonic pricing model, considering variables like neighborhood characteristics, housing attributes, and socio-economic factors. Advanced spatial analysis encompassing Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression and XGBoost analysis were employed to explore spatial effects, and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) helped examine spatial patterns and address autocorrelation challenges. Results revealed a negative association between distance to metro station and property prices, indicating a non-linear and spatially clustered relationship and heterogeneous spatial pattern. We dissected the non-linear results in detail, which complemented the conclusion in existing research. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between metro accessibility and housing market behaviors in a significant Asian urban context, offering targeted suggestions for urban planners and governors to decide on more reasonable land use planning and management strategies, along with landscape and infrastructure design, to promote not only the healthy growth of the real estate market but also the sustainable urban development in China and similar regions. Full article

In the context of rural revitalization strategies and humans’ increasing leisure pursuits, rural tourism has begun to act as a new development path of rural economic growth and industrial transformation. This phenomenon generally occurs in rural areas around metropolitan areas, manifesting as the transformation or reconstruction of rural spaces. As a result, many new types of tertiary industry spaces utilizing rural land for leisure activities have emerged. We analyze the connotations of rural spatial and industrial transformation from the perspective of spatial production and innovatively propose that the transformed space is an ecological product, which includes three types in practice: industrial space, consumption space, and residential space. This study facilitates urban–rural integration and common prosperity. Given the lack of analysis of rural ecological products, especially rural spatial ecological products (e.g., rural B&Bs and other tertiary industry spaces), this study aims to explore the value expression and driving factors of rural spatial ecological products based on geo-visual (spatially visualizing) analytical tools looking at 10361 B&Bs in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces of China as typical examples. Our results show that (1) the value of rural spatial ecological products is reflected in the price that urban consumers are willing to pay for rural natural landscapes, which constitutes an ecological premium; and (2) the prices of rural spatial ecological products are strikingly different at multiple spatial scales, and this difference is related to the local ecological resources. This study provides insights into the rational allocation of the limited resources required for rural construction, which helps optimize the spatial planning of rural ecotourism and enhance the gametogenous development momentum of rural areas. At the same time, this study theoretically expands the research results of cultural ecosystem services. Full article

Mixed land use (MLU) plays a crucial role in fostering a sustainable urban development, vibrant communities, and efficient land utilization, providing a viable solution for smart growth, inclusive public transit, and urban sustainability. This study employs deep neural network (DNN) models: multilayer perceptron (MLP), and long short-term memory (LSTM), to analyze the effect of the transportation infrastructure-based accessibility on the prevalence of MLU patterns, based on the following data: infrastructure-based accessibility measures represented by the logsum (or transport supply), MLU patterns at the parcel level, and floor space prices by space type, for the years 2012 and 2015. Furthermore, the proposed methods are applied to the Jiang’an District of the city of Wuhan, China, at the parcel level as the case study. The study results reveal that MLU is predominantly accessible in areas close to the city center, characterized by a high density, and is relatively scarce on the city outskirts. Notably, parcels exhibiting mixed residential–commercial and residential land-use patterns underwent significant changes between 2012 and 2015, particularly in regions with robust accessibility via non-motorized modes and public transit, specifically in the central and southern parts of Jiang’an District. This transition is evident under scenario 3 (walk, bike, bus, subway) and scenario 6 (walk, bus, car) considered in this study. Furthermore, the study observed a substantial expansion in mixed commercial–residential and commercial districts, significantly near the high-transit accessibility area of subway line 1, as demonstrated in scenario 7 (bike, subway, taxi). The results from the MLP models show a mean relative error (MRE) of 4.7–14.08% for the MLU, and the LSTM models show an MRE of 3.74–10.38% for the MLU. More importantly, both the training and forecasting errors of the above models are lower, in most cases, than those reported in the literature. Moreover, these results indicate that the transportation supply or the infrastructure-based accessibility (represented by logsum) significantly influences MLU patterns. Full article