Search Results (109)

This paper investigates the cultural landscapes established by nineteenth-century German immigrants in South Australia and the southern Riverina of New South Wales, with particular attention to settlement patterns, architectural traditions and toponymic transformation. German immigration to Australia, though numerically modest compared to the Americas, significantly shaped local communities, especially due to religious cohesion among Lutheran migrants. These settlers established distinct, enduring rural enclaves characterized by linguistic, religious and architectural continuity. The paper examines three manifestations of these cultural landscapes. A rich toponymic landscape was created by imposing on natural landscape features and newly founded settlements the names of the communities from which the German settlers originated. It discusses the erosion of German toponyms under wartime nationalist pressures, the subsequent partial reinstatement and the implications for cultural memory. The study traces the second manifestation of a cultural landscapes in the form of nucleated villages such as Hahndorf, Bethanien and Lobethal, which often followed the Hufendorf or Straßendorf layout, integrating Silesian land-use principles into the Australian context. Intensification of land use through housing subdivisions in two communities as well as agricultural intensification through broad acre farming has led to the fragmentation (town) and obliteration (rural) of the uniquely German form of land use. The final focus is the material expression of cultural identity through architecture, particularly the use of traditional Fachwerk (half-timbered) construction and adaptations such as pug-and-pine walling suited to local materials and climate. The paper examines domestic forms, including the distinctive black kitchen, and highlights how environmental and functional adaptation reshaped German building traditions in the antipodes. Despite a conservation movement and despite considerable documentation research in the late twentieth century, the paper shows that most German rural structures remain unlisted and vulnerable. Heritage neglect, rural depopulation, economic rationalization, lack of commercial relevance and local government policy have accelerated the decline of many of these vernacular buildings. The study concludes by problematizing the sustainability of conserving German Australian rural heritage in the face of regulatory, economic and demographic pressures. With its layering of intangible (toponymic), structural (buildings) and land use (cadastral) features, the examination of the cultural landscape established by nineteenth-century German immigrants adds to the body of literature on immigrant communities, settler colonialism and landscape research. Full article

The spatial genes of rural settlements show a lot of different traditional settlement traits, which makes them a great starting point for studying rural spatial morphology. However, qualitative and macro-regional statistical indicators are usually used to find and extract rural settlement spatial genes. Taking Yubei Village in the Nanxi River Basin as an example, this study combined remote sensing images, real-time drone mapping, GIS (geographic information system), and space syntax, extracted 12 key indicators from five dimensions (landform and water features (environment), boundary morphology, spatial structure, street scale, and building scale), and quantitatively “decoded” the spatial genes of the settlement. The results showed that (1) the settlement is a “three mountains and one water” pattern, with cultivated land accounting for 37.4% and forest land accounting for 34.3% of the area within the 500 m buffer zone, while the landscape spatial diversity index (LSDI) is 0.708. (2) The boundary morphology is compact and agglomerated, and locally complex but overall orderly, with an aspect ratio of 1.04, a comprehensive morphological index of 1.53, and a comprehensive fractal dimension of 1.31. (3) The settlement is a “clan core–radial lane” network: the global integration degree of the axis to the holy hall is the highest (0.707), and the local integration degree R3 peak of the six-room ancestral hall reaches 2.255. Most lane widths are concentrated between 1.2 and 2.8 m, and the eaves are mostly higher than 4 m, forming a typical “narrow lanes and high houses” water town streetscape. (4) The architectural style is a combination of black bricks and gray tiles, gable roofs and horsehead walls, and “I”-shaped planes (63.95%). This study ultimately constructed a settlement space gene map and digital library, providing a replicable quantitative process for the diagnosis of Jiangnan water town settlements and heritage protection planning. Full article

This research explores the underappreciated traditional cold-water baths of Western Anatolia, once integral to the region’s agrarian culture. Due to waves of change, which had markedly begun by the pandemic in 2019 and the aftermath of the 2020 Samos earthquake, there has been a growing interest in living in peri-urban areas, resulting in the invasion of agricultural grounds by new construction, mainly including detached houses with gardens. Such a harsh growth not only threatens the fertile lands, but also the irreplaceable cultural heritage they embrace. In this regional frame, this study focuses on three surviving baths within the Karaburun Peninsula, casting light on their current precarious state as relics of a diminishing rural way of life and local heritage. The traditional cold-water baths, constructed amidst agricultural fields for seasonal use in select villages throughout İzmir, stand as unique exemplars of rural architecture. Characterised by their singular domed chambers and their reliance on water from adjacent wells, these structures today face abandonment and disrepair. Through a multi-disciplinary lens blending ethnography, oral history, and spatial analysis, this paper portrays these unassuming yet culturally impactful baths, elucidating their intrinsic value within the heritage domain. The inquiry contributes significantly to the heritage conservation discussion, highlighting the broad spectrum of values beyond mere historical interest. By articulating the symbiotic relationship between heritage and its community, this research underscores the pressing need to weave these baths into the fabric of current social structures, safeguarding their place within the collective memory. Full article

Wildfires pose increasing risks to human settlements, particularly in the Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI). This study examines the relationship between land cover (LC) characteristics and housing destruction during the 2023 wildfires in Chile’s Bío-Bío region. Using high-resolution remote sensing data and GIS-based multi-buffer spatial analysis (30 m and 100 m), we assessed LC patterns around affected and unaffected rural houses. Results indicate that the proximity of forest plantations significantly increased housing loss, with a notably higher presence of plantations within 30 m of destroyed houses. In contrast, agricultural and pasture mosaics demonstrated a protective function by reducing fire spread. Shrublands also showed moderate protection, albeit with statistical uncertainty. The findings highlight the critical role of immediate LC in determining wildfire impact, emphasizing the need for integrating LC considerations into wildfire risk management, land-use planning, and policy interventions. Strategies such as creating defensible spaces, enforcing zoning regulations, and promoting fire-resistant landscapes can help mitigate future wildfire damage. This research provides spatially explicit insights that contribute to wildfire risk reduction theory and inform targeted prevention and resilience-building strategies in Chile and other fire-prone regions. Full article

This study analyses how the intensive use of short-term rentals (STRs) in the tourism sector contributes to the transformation and touristification of rural areas in mature tourist destinations, using the island of Mallorca, Spain, as a case study. Based on growth machine theory, the analysis innovatively examines the factors driving the expansion of STRs in rural spaces, with a focus on economic, social, and territorial dynamics. The research hypothesis is that the proliferation of STRs acts as a key element in rural touristification. Using a combination of spatial and temporal indicators, the study identifies patterns of intensification and dispersion of STRs in rural areas, offering a comparison with other Mediterranean destinations, particularly in Spain. The results show that STRs have generated significant spatial impacts, leading to the displacement of agricultural land use and increasing tensions within local communities, mainly due to rising housing prices. The study highlights the need to implement spatial planning policies that restrain the uncontrolled expansion of STRs, ensure sustainable tourism planning, and promote housing policies that protect residents from the negative effects of touristification. Various scenarios for the evolution of STRs are proposed depending on their regulation. 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

Assessing rural habitat suitability and its connection to land response is a vital tool for understanding the socio-economic and environmental challenges in rural areas tailored to local contexts. This study fills existing research gaps by examining the suitability of rural habitats in Anhui Province, opening pathways to reveal how rural sustainability may connect to land. Using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, it analyzes the short- and long-term effects of socio-economic and environmental factors on rural suitability across various counties. Additionally, a descriptive analysis explores the pathways linking rural suitability to land use responses. The findings reveal that rural greening, village planning, and housing area per resident positively influence rural habitat suitability in both the short and long term. However, agricultural income growth shows a negative impact, potentially due to structural issues in the sector. Environmental factors like temperature and rainfall have a limited influence on rural suitability. The study underscores the importance of suitable rural infrastructure, namely enhancing rural greening rate, implementing village plans, and improving housing for sustainable rural development. Regional variations in rural habitat suitability across Anhui Province are also evident. While some cities, such as Huaibei and Anqing, demonstrate success in revitalization, others, like Suzhou and Chizhou, face challenges. The results highlight the need for region-specific strategies that account for local environmental, economic, and infrastructural contexts. Tailored approaches are essential to achieving long-term, effective rural development in the province. Full article

Pilot policy relating to the building of rental houses on collectively owned land is crucial for forming integrated urban and rural construction land markets and promoting rural revitalization. However, inequalities in the distribution of benefits may impede pilot projects. This paper employs a mixed-methods approach combining social network analysis, case study, and game theory to analyze the strategic decisions of key stakeholders in pilot policy, aiming to identify challenges and barriers to its implementation. Local governments, rural collective economic organizations, and enterprises are defined as the three key stakeholders, according to social network analysis. The findings suggest that the successful implementation of pilot policy requires cooperation among at least two stakeholders. Key factors influencing stakeholders include policy risk, market risk, the local government’s stance on the pilot policy, communication, coordination costs, the capabilities of collective economic organizations, and expected benefits, all of which can lead to conflicts among stakeholders. Strategies to support equilibrium of the interests of all parties are proposed, in order to promote cooperation among these three core categories of stakeholders. Full article

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and the use of insecticide-treated bednets for malaria vector control have contributed substantially to a reduction in malaria disease burden. However, these control tools have important shortcomings including being donor-dependent, expensive, and often failing because of insufficient uptake. We assessed the safety and efficacy of a user-friendly, locally tailored malaria vector control approach dubbed “Hut Decoration for Malaria Control” (HD4MC) based on the incorporation of a WHO-approved insecticide, Actellic^® 300 CS, into a customary hut decoration practice in rural Uganda where millions of the most vulnerable and malaria-prone populations live in mud-walled huts. Three hundred sixty households were randomly assigned to either the HD4MC (120 households), IRS (120 households) or control group without any wall treatment (120 households). Entomological indices were assessed using pyrethrum spray catching, CDC light traps and human landing catches. The Actellic^® 300 CS toxicity on acetylcholinesterase activity among applicators of HD4MC was evaluated using the Test-mate (Model 400) erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) test V.2, whereas toxicity in household occupants was monitored clinically. The Actellic^® 300 CS level in house dust was analyzed using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Entomological indices were compared between the three study arms at 1.5, 3 and 6 months post-intervention. HD4MC- and IRS-treated huts had a significantly reduced malaria vector density and feeding rate compared to control huts. There was no significant reduction in acetylcholinesterase activity at 1.5 and 24 h post exposure. Actellic^® 300 CS exposure did not result in any serious adverse events among the household occupants. In conclusion, HD4MC was safe and had comparable efficacy to canonical IRS. Full article

The rapid development of new retail and the impact of COVID-19 have catalyzed the blowout growth of community group purchasing. The emergence of community group purchasing collection and delivery points (CGPCDPs) has become a new way to solve the “last mile” problem of new retail delivery. Based on the point of interest (POI) data of CGPCDPs of Nansha District, Guangzhou City, this study advances our understanding by identifying unique operational models, service targets, and spatial distribution patterns of CGPCDPs, which differ significantly from traditional pick-up points (PPs). The conclusions are as follows: (1) Most CGPCDPs depend on wholesale and retail shops, and their main service targets are urban and rural communities, followed by industrial areas. (2) The distribution of CGPCDPs has apparent spatial differentiation. At the macro scale, it shows the characteristics of “central agglomeration and peripheral dispersion”. It is distributed along the “northwest-southeast” direction and presents a “dual-core multi-center” pattern. At the meso–micro scale, different built environments in developed areas of cities, villages in the city (ChengZhongCun), and rural areas show distinct distribution patterns. (3) The main influencing factors of their spatial distribution are population density, construction land, house price, supporting place, residence density, urban community, and road proximity. Full article

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of depopulation and residential dynamics in Teruel, a province emblematic of the aging and depopulation issues prevalent in many inland regions of Spain and Europe. Through an in-depth examination utilizing official statistics, academic studies, and reports, this study highlights the demographic structure, historical evolution, and current trends in Teruel. Key patterns of population change and their implications for urban and rural planning are identified. The analysis covers population density, vital balances, and household distribution, with a special focus on the significant role of the foreign population. Additionally, the challenges associated with vacant housing and the management of unused land are discussed, proposing revitalization strategies for the built environment in rural settings through sustainable housing initiatives. This study aims to contribute to the discourse on sustainable development of small cities and rural areas, offering integrated solutions that not only enhance living conditions but also encourage balanced and sustainable growth. Full article

The rapid urbanization process has brought about the shrinkage of rural space as a typical issue. Nevertheless, due to the dearth of effective assessment approaches, the patterns of rural spatial shrinkage remain poorly grasped. This study intends to establish a quantitative assessment model to scientifically disclose the spatiotemporal characteristics and mechanisms of rural spatial shrinkage. The “Population-Industry-Function-Land” (PIFL) assessment model has been rigorously constructed, encompassing eight assessment indices, such as the ratio of permanent residents, rural population density, and the rate of abandoned cultivated land. The model was adopted to conduct an analysis of the spatial shrinkage scenarios of the 18 administrative villages in Panxi Town spanning from 2011 to 2021. The results indicate that the temporal dimension of rural spatial shrinkage exhibits an accelerating trend, with discernible declines or increases in the ratio of permanent residents, rate of the elderly labor force, and housing vacancy rate. The shrinkage of rural spaces displays spatial heterogeneity, with more pronounced shrinkage characteristics observed in villages located further from the central town. According to the comprehensive shrinkage index, the villages are categorized into four types: relative shrinkage (0.2447 ≤ Z ≤ 0.2462), mild shrinkage (0.2463 ≤ Z ≤ 0.4423), moderate shrinkage (0.4424 ≤ Z ≤ 0.6125), and severe shrinkage (0.6126 ≤ Z ≤ 0.7988). The research findings possess significant reference value for the governance of rural spatial shrinkage. Full article

The emergence of a peri-urban area is driven by a high degree of accessibility in the suburbs due to the development of housing and urban facilities. Such a phenomenon requires specialized planning approaches in accordance with the peri-urban dynamics, where there is no clear distinction between a wholly urban and a wholly rural area. The objectives of this research are to (1) identify land-use change of the peri-urban area; (2) analyze the zoning typology of peri-urban area span across 20 years; and (3) identify the settlement pattern and community perception of the peri-urban area. This research observes land-use change in an Indonesian peri-urban area using geographic information system (GIS) analysis in the urban frame zone, urban–rural frame zone, rural–urban frame zone, and rural frame zone during 2012–2022 and land-use change prediction for 2022–2032. Consequent community perception analysis was conducted to comprehend complex interactions in the urban–rural continuum. Results indicate that by 2032, urban characteristics shall become significantly more prominent in 50% of the peri-urban area compared to 2012, due to better accessibility and the presence of nationwide migrant attractors, such as universities. Spatial planning must address these varying dynamics to effectively manage the development of urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. Full article

Rural areas around developed metropolitan areas continue to attract capital inflows, promoting rural spatial commodification. Taking Shanghai as a case study, this paper analyzes the characteristics of the spatial distribution pattern and the influencing factors of rural spatial commodification (RSC) through kernel density analysis, multiple regression models, and spatial autocorrelation analysis. This study explores four types of RSC at the township scale outside the center of Shanghai: agricultural product-oriented commodification, farm housing commodification, tourism-oriented commodification, and construction land commodification. The results show the following: (1) The four types of RSC show positive spatial correlation, a clear pattern of agglomeration, and an obvious core–edge pattern, with high-density areas distributed in rural areas with specific advantages around metropolitan areas. The distribution of RSC also demonstrates an obvious polarization, forming an uneven distribution pattern. (2) Socio-economic factors, agriculture, transportation location, urbanization, and industrialization are key factors driving RSC. (3) Different types of RSC should be effectively guided at the policy and planning levels according to regional conditions and development stages to enhance the spatial organization of rural regions and achieve the effective revitalization of the countryside surrounding the metropolis. Full article

The destructive forces of tropical cyclones can have significant impacts on the land, contributing to degradation through various mechanisms such as erosion, debris, loss of vegetation, and widespread damage to infrastructure. Storm surge and flooding can wash away buildings and other structures, deposit debris and sediments, and contaminate freshwater resources, making them unsuitable for both human use and agriculture. High winds and flooding often damage electrical disubstations and transformers, leading to disruptions in electricity supply. Restoration can take days or even weeks, depending on the extent of the damage and the resources available. In the meantime, communities affected by power outages may experience difficulties accessing essential services and maintaining communication. In this study, we used a weighted maximum likelihood classification algorithm to reclassify NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey Emergency Response Imagery scenes into debris, sand, water, trees, and roofs to assess the extent of the damage around Mexico Beach, Florida, following the 2018 Hurricane Michael. NASA’s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) was processed to estimate power outage duration and rate of restoration in the Florida Panhandle based on the 7-day moving averages. Percent loss of electrical service at a neighborhood level was estimated using the 2013–2017 American Community Survey block group data. Spatial lag models were employed to examine the association between restoration rates and socioeconomic factors. The analysis revealed notable differences in power-restoration rates between urbanized and rural areas and between disadvantaged and more affluent communities. The findings indicated that block groups with higher proportions of minorities, multi-family housing units, rural locations, and households receiving public assistance experienced slower restoration of power compared to urban and more affluent neighborhoods. These results underscore the importance of integrating socioeconomic factors into disaster preparedness and recovery-planning efforts, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to mitigate disparities in recovery times following natural disasters. Full article