Urban Land Use and Spatial Analysis

Dear Colleagues,

Urbanization and its effects on land use dynamics are becoming a common issue in public policy and scientific research discussions. Monitoring and in-depth analysis of these changes in the past, present, and future predictions are critical for understanding the problem and its consequences and regulating appropriate land use intervention options. Most cities in developing countries are experiencing a continuous expansion of built-up areas and dynamic land use changes. Urbanization is a synergistic evolutionary process, and many factors, such as job opportunities, land, capital, infrastructure, public services, technology, and knowledge, are intertwined. Infrastructure, industry, energy consumption, and carbon emissions are all increased as a result of urbanization. In parallel with industrialization and economic growth, urbanization causes environmental emissions, which are alarming for ecological disruption. It harms public health, agricultural production, food and water security, ecosystems, and climate change. Similarly, due to urbanization, the industrial sector transitioned from agricultural sector, and it increased both fossil fuel use and air pollution. As revealed in several studies, urbanization-induced air pollution seriously harms human health in resource-poor countries. It is indispensable to clarify how urbanization affects the associated ecological risks at the spatial level and the significance of reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a global scale. Therefore, this topic invites academics and researchers to offer solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization and land use change through their empirical research, reviews, communications, and opinion articles (mini reviews) on the following topics, but not exclusively land use change; urbanization; resource use; carbon emissions; climate change; industrial pollution; agricultural pollution; atmospheric pollution; health disruption; sustainable development.

Dr. Ehsan Elahi 
Prof. Dr. Guo Wei
Topic Editors