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Land
Special Issues
Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development
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Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 April 2025 | Viewed by 11649

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Chao Ye

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Guest Editor
School of International Relations & Public Affairs, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
Interests: urbanization; rural–urban governance; sustainability science; production of space; urban and rural planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Jinliao He

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Guest Editor
The Center for Modern Chinese City Studies, Institute of Urban Development, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
Interests: urban governance; spatial planning; resilience; digital transformation; urban creativity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Uchendu Eugene Chigbu

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek 999122, Namibia
Interests: land governance; land tenure; tenure responsive land use planning; urban-rural land governance; urban-rural land linkages
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Zhituan Deng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Shanghai Academy of Social Science, Shanghai 200020, China
Interests: regional science and urban economics; urban innovation; industrial cluster; agglomeration economics; population economics; urban development
Prof. Dr. Liang Zhuang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Social Development, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Interests: urbanization; rural-urban governance; man-land relationship and spatial planning; population geography

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With rapid globalization and urbanization, urban and rural development are encountering unparalleled challenges, such as the uneven distribution of resources, environmental degradation, and extensive social inequalities. These challenges have led to irreversible social, economic, and ecological changes, which have had an impact on sustainable development in various contexts. Therefore, it has become imperative to implement robust governance strategies and to advance spatial planning techniques to achieve long-term rural–urban development. Sustainability is now a crucial aspect of rural–urban planning and governance. This Special Issue is devoted to exploring innovative governance modes and spatial planning methods, evaluating their efficacy in promoting sustainable development in urban and rural areas.

The goal of this Special Issue is to collect papers (original research articles and review papers) to provide insights about case studies, theoretical advancements, methodological innovations, and empirical research that highlight successful practices, challenges, and lessons learned in implementing sustainable development goals through effective governance and spatial planning.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

  • The impact of governance on sustainable urban and rural development strategies;
  • Challenges and paths for sustainable urban and rural governance;
  • Theoretical frameworks and governance mechanisms for sustainable development;
  • The integration of environmental sustainability into spatial planning processes;
  • Climate change adaptation and resilience in spatial planning;
  • The intersection of spatial planning with environmental, social, and economic sustainability;
  • The role of technology and big data in enhancing governance and spatial planning;
  • Multi-scale governance cases for sustainable development;
  • Case studies of sustainable spatial planning initiatives.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Chao Ye
Prof. Dr. Jinliao He
Prof. Dr. Uchendu Eugene Chigbu
Prof. Dr. Zhituan Deng
Prof. Dr. Liang Zhuang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable development
  • sustainable theory and practice
  • sustainable governance and policy
  • sustainability strategies
  • urban and rural governance
  • cooperative governance
  • climate change adaptation
  • spatial planning
  • green infrastructure
  • technological innovations in planning

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 25533 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Accessibility of Urban Public Open Spaces Based on an Improved 2SFCA Model: A Case Study Within Chengdu’s Second Ring Road
by Ling Jian, Xiaojiang Xia, Yinbing Zhao, Yang Zhang, Yuanqiao Wang, Yi Tang, Jie Chang and Changliu Wang
Land 2025, 14(1), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010188 - 17 Jan 2025
Viewed by 464
Abstract
The rational allocation of urban public open spaces (UPOS) is critical for creating a livable urban environment. Traditional Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) models often lack sufficient quantitative analysis regarding the supply of urban public service facilities and population demand. This study, taking [...] Read more.
The rational allocation of urban public open spaces (UPOS) is critical for creating a livable urban environment. Traditional Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) models often lack sufficient quantitative analysis regarding the supply of urban public service facilities and population demand. This study, taking the area within Chengdu’s Second Ring Road as an example, proposes a 2SFCA model that integrates both supply and demand improvements to evaluate UPOS accessibility. The accessibility results are further analyzed using hotspot analysis, and blind zone detection. In terms of supply improvements, the model incorporates additional indicators beyond the spatial area of UPOS, including service quality and the diversity of surrounding environmental service functions, to better evaluate the overall attractiveness of UPOS to residents. On the demand side, besides population size, the model incorporates the spatial distribution of residents and differences in social characteristics affecting UPOS demand. Results indicate that the improved 2SFCA model, which considers both the attractiveness of UPOS and residents’ demand, significantly enhances the accuracy of accessibility assessments. There are substantial differences in service quality among UPOS, while the diversity of surrounding environmental service functions remains generally high. UPOS demand follows a “high in the northeast—low in the southwest” spatial pattern. The spatial distribution of UPOS accessibility shows a “high in the west—low in the east” pattern, opposite to the demand distribution, indicating a supply–demand mismatch. UPOS accessibility identifies one hotspot cluster and four cold spot clusters, with large areas showing no significant characteristics. Additionally, 10.58% of the study area remains blind zones, requiring urgent attention. This study offers a more scientific method and framework for research on the spatial layout and supply–demand matching of UPOS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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20 pages, 2968 KiB  
Article
Research on Territorial Spatial Use Regulation, Land Element Allocation, and Regional Fiscal Transfer Payments: An Empirical Study of the Yangtze River Economic Belt
by Wanmin Zhao, Yijia Gao and Aihui Ma
Land 2025, 14(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010116 - 8 Jan 2025
Viewed by 450
Abstract
The regulation of land use within territorial spaces has, to some extent, inhibited the free flow of land resources, giving rise to the dilemma of substantial losses and profits within and outside regulated areas. Investigating how to allocate “windfall profits” to compensate the [...] Read more.
The regulation of land use within territorial spaces has, to some extent, inhibited the free flow of land resources, giving rise to the dilemma of substantial losses and profits within and outside regulated areas. Investigating how to allocate “windfall profits” to compensate the regions that suffer windfall losses is of great importance for addressing regional development imbalances. This study, based on the perspective of restricted land development rights, employed an improved Cobb–Douglas (C-D) production function to analyze the differences in land input contributions between the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. It quantified the extent of restricted land development rights, assessed their value using the opportunity cost method, and applied an economic adjustment coefficient to revise the regional fiscal transfer amounts. The results indicate the following: (1) The contribution of land factors to economic output is more significant in the non-agricultural sector than in the agricultural sector. (2) There are substantial differences in the quantities of restricted land development rights and their unit values across provinces and cities. Anhui Province has the largest restricted area, at approximately 71,945.52 hectares, while Guizhou Province has the smallest, at about 6452.62 hectares. Shanghai has the highest unit value, at around CNY 13.77 million per hectare, whereas Yunnan Province has the lowest, at approximately CNY 1.4748 million per hectare. (3) The total fiscal transfer amount for the provinces in the Yangtze River Economic Belt is about CNY 23.4 billion. Anhui Province receives the most compensation, at approximately CNY 8.5 billion, while Jiangsu Province has the highest expenditure, at about CNY 19.8 billion. Currently, the state should establish a comprehensive regional fiscal transfer compensation mechanism that takes into account the fiscal payment capacities of “windfall profit regions” and the incentive effects on “windfall loss regions” when determining fiscal transfer amounts. This approach aims to alleviate potential fiscal payment resistance in “windfall profit regions” and enhance proactive protection efforts in “windfall loss regions”, thereby achieving the coordinated development of economic growth, ecological improvement, and food security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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25 pages, 481 KiB  
Article
Beyond Colonial Legacies: (Re)Conceptualising Rural Development Through the RDGI in South Africa
by Kgomotso Jackson Phillip Sebola-Samanyanga
Land 2025, 14(1), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010099 - 7 Jan 2025
Viewed by 549
Abstract
Despite constitutional recognition, significant barriers remain to the integration of traditional authorities into formal planning and development decision-making processes in South Africa. Observing resistance from traditional authorities towards what they deem as exclusive and restrictive planning instruments, this study interrogates the intricate power [...] Read more.
Despite constitutional recognition, significant barriers remain to the integration of traditional authorities into formal planning and development decision-making processes in South Africa. Observing resistance from traditional authorities towards what they deem as exclusive and restrictive planning instruments, this study interrogates the intricate power dynamics between traditional leadership structures and imposed local government entities in rural development, planning, and governance processes to propose a cooperative governance framework within the South African context. The proposed framework is termed the “Rural Development and Governance Initiative” (RDGI), which aims to bridge the divide between traditional and local authorities. This study applied qualitative methods to investigate the relations between authorities in Limpopo province, South Africa. The findings reveal ongoing disputes between traditional and local authorities regarding decision-making powers, legitimacy in development and planning, and the capacity limitations and constraints faced by traditional authorities. The implications of this work extend to the (re)conceptualisation of policies and future research directions in rural governance, land development, and planning in South Africa, advocating for a shift from foreign models to those that reflect African realities and aspirations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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26 pages, 8560 KiB  
Article
The Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Sustainable Development Strategy of Huizhou’s Traditional Villages in the Xin’an River Basin
by Wei Wang, Anqi Liu and Xiaoxiao Xu
Land 2025, 14(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010102 - 7 Jan 2025
Viewed by 381
Abstract
Traditional villages are crucial for the sustainable development of both urban and rural areas, and identifying their spatial patterns is key to guiding village construction and promoting urban–rural integration. This research selected 274 traditional Huizhou villages located in the upper basin of the [...] Read more.
Traditional villages are crucial for the sustainable development of both urban and rural areas, and identifying their spatial patterns is key to guiding village construction and promoting urban–rural integration. This research selected 274 traditional Huizhou villages located in the upper basin of the Xin’an River. It examined how the four main factors—construction period, geography, ecology, and social and economic development—shape and influence each other. By incorporating an optimal parameters-based geographical detector model, this study further explored the driving mechanisms behind spatial differentiation. The villages exhibit a “one belt, two cores, and multiple dispersion” pattern, with Shexian and Yixian counties as hot gathering areas of traditional villages. Population migration, internal growth, and external cultural and commercial exchanges drove village formation in three stages. Spatial distribution favors locations with gentle slopes, sunny aspects, proximity to water, suitable climates, convenient transportation, and distance from crowded areas. Topography, water systems, and external communication are key drivers, while the synergy between water systems and transportation is particularly significant. This study concludes that water systems have the greatest influence on village spatial patterns, recommending watersheds as regional boundaries and advocating a clustering development model for planning and protection efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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20 pages, 582 KiB  
Article
How Does Social Mobilization Shape the Collective Coproduction of Urban Community Regeneration in China?
by Jinpeng Wu, Yuting Chen, Ruiqi Shi and Jing Xiong
Land 2025, 14(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010044 - 28 Dec 2024
Viewed by 851
Abstract
Citizen participation has become a key part of promoting community regeneration and improving community governance. Coproduction, especially collective coproduction—a way in which residents can be deeply involved in community regeneration—is important to public service performance and social values. However, little research has empirically [...] Read more.
Citizen participation has become a key part of promoting community regeneration and improving community governance. Coproduction, especially collective coproduction—a way in which residents can be deeply involved in community regeneration—is important to public service performance and social values. However, little research has empirically examined the patterns and determinants of collective coproduction. Against the backdrop of Chinese grassroots governance, this article employs social mobilization theory to explore the key factors contributing to collective coproduction and develops a theoretical framework that focuses on how the combination of top-down and bottom-up social mobilization shapes it. By comparing four urban cases of community regeneration coproduction in the P district of Shanghai, we conclude that when local governments perceive differentiated variations among governance objectives, they tend to come up with various social mobilization schemes accordingly. When local governments adopt all-around, point-to-point, targeted, or random mobilization schemes, this often results in four corresponding patterns of community collective coproduction: comprehensive, generalized, club, and formalistic. The contribution of this paper is in its provision of a comprehensive and dynamic viewpoint to explore the impact of social mobilization on community-based collective coproduction patterns, forming a new understanding of the collective coproduction formation mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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21 pages, 7854 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Rural Residential Areas in Flood Detention Basins Based on Dual Minimum Accumulation Resistance Model: A Case Study of Xun County in Central China
by Enxiang Cai, Shihong Long, Ling Li, Ying Luo, Liling Ge, Weiqiang Chen and Guoquan Li
Land 2024, 13(12), 2217; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122217 - 18 Dec 2024
Viewed by 485
Abstract
Optimizing rural residential areas (RRAs) in environmentally fragile areas such as flood detention basins is of great significance for improving the human–land relationship and achieving sustainable rural development. This study took Xun County in central China as a case study, established a dual [...] Read more.
Optimizing rural residential areas (RRAs) in environmentally fragile areas such as flood detention basins is of great significance for improving the human–land relationship and achieving sustainable rural development. This study took Xun County in central China as a case study, established a dual minimum cumulative resistance model (DMCR) that considered the dual factors of natural attributes and policy regulations to evaluate the optimization resistance of RRAs and determined the optimization directions and strategies accordingly. The main results are: (1) RRAs are relatively small and scattered, and there are spatial conflicts with policy regulations such as flood detention basin and urban development boundaries. (2) The spatial difference in optimization resistance of RRAS is higher in the central and northern towns and lower in the western and eastern towns. The factors with significant effects include policy resistance, location resistance, and production resistance. (3) The optimization of RRAs is divided into three directions: annexation or evacuation, consolidation and improvement, and clustering and upgrading, with their respective area proportions of 31.17%, 48.12%, and 20.72%. (4) RRAs in the direction of clustering and upgrading allow for moderate expansion; RRAs in the direction of consolidation and improvement achieve smart reduction through the renovation of homesteads; RRAs in the direction of annexation or evacuation are gradually integrated into the urban area in the suburbs and completely demolished in the outer suburbs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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18 pages, 787 KiB  
Article
Bioenergy for Sustainable Rural Development: Elevating Government Governance with Environmental Policy in China
by Yue Li, Muhammad Tayyab Sohail, Yanan Zhang and Sana Ullah
Land 2024, 13(12), 2147; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122147 - 10 Dec 2024
Viewed by 717
Abstract
Energy is not only the crucial driver of economic activities within rural areas. Conventional energy sources are crucial for the prosperity of rural areas; however, they also prove detrimental to the rural ecosystem. To achieve sustainable rural development, increasing the consumption of renewable [...] Read more.
Energy is not only the crucial driver of economic activities within rural areas. Conventional energy sources are crucial for the prosperity of rural areas; however, they also prove detrimental to the rural ecosystem. To achieve sustainable rural development, increasing the consumption of renewable energy sources can prove vital. Among all the renewable energy sources, bioenergy is the cheapest and easiest to produce in rural areas. Therefore, it is crucial to estimate the impact of bioenergy on the rural development of China. Thus, the primary purpose of this analysis is to analyze the impact of bioenergy and environmental policy stringency on the rural development of China from 1995 to 2022 by employing the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and quantile autoregressive distributed lag (QARDL) framework. The results highlight the significance of bio-energy for rural development in the short and long run. Likewise, environmental policy stringency is also a vital factor in fostering short- and long-run rural development. Based on these outcomes, it is recommended that policymakers integrate bioenergy development policies into broader rural development strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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19 pages, 3070 KiB  
Article
Are Medium-Sized Cities in China Shrinking from 2010 to 2020? An Empirical Analysis with a Multi-Dimensional Model
by Lei Gao, Chao Ye and Liang Zhuang
Land 2024, 13(11), 1865; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111865 - 8 Nov 2024
Viewed by 808
Abstract
Urban shrinkage has emerged as a worldwide concern, which is increasingly prevalent in developing countries like China, particularly in medium-sized cities (MSCs). Compared to large cities and counties, MSCs find themselves in a national policy blind spot and have been neglected both in [...] Read more.
Urban shrinkage has emerged as a worldwide concern, which is increasingly prevalent in developing countries like China, particularly in medium-sized cities (MSCs). Compared to large cities and counties, MSCs find themselves in a national policy blind spot and have been neglected both in policy and research. Previous studies, based on population changes, have shown that urban shrinkage in China is not severe. However, urban shrinkage is not just about population decline, and it has not been adequately discussed from a multi-dimensional perspective. This paper adopts a multi-dimensional model, considering population, economy, and space dimensions to analyze shrinkage patterns in 164 MSCs in China from 2010 to 2020. Findings reveal that 6.1% of MSCs experienced population shrinkage, and 24.4% faced shrinkage in economic or spatial dimensions. Shrinking MSCs are spatially distributed in the Northeast as well as in the areas surrounding large cities. Industrial restructuring, job losses, and healthcare disparities contribute to urban shrinkage, and the impact of aging will be further felt. As large cities consistently attract population and resources and digitization has dramatically affected population mobility, more MSCs will shrink in the future. This paper contributes to the understanding of shrinkage of MSCs among scholars and policymakers, urging a shift towards more balanced and digital urban governance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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35 pages, 6566 KiB  
Article
Construction and Empirical Research of an Evaluation System for High-Quality Development of Small Towns in Guangxi Under the New Development Concept
by Chuxin Hu, Binglin Liu, Zhiqiang Yan and Chunxiao Ma
Land 2024, 13(11), 1821; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111821 - 2 Nov 2024
Viewed by 748
Abstract
The high-quality development of small towns in Guangxi is crucial for regional economic balance and sustainable development. This research conducts an in-depth exploration and systematic construction and validation analysis of the high-quality development of small towns in Guangxi. Guided by the new development [...] Read more.
The high-quality development of small towns in Guangxi is crucial for regional economic balance and sustainable development. This research conducts an in-depth exploration and systematic construction and validation analysis of the high-quality development of small towns in Guangxi. Guided by the new development concepts of innovation, coordination, green, openness, and sharing, a comprehensive evaluation system is established to assess the development levels of 70 small towns from 2005 to 2022. The research findings are as follows: 1. The analysis revealed significant growth in these dimensions over the study period, highlighting the unique characteristics of different types of small towns. 2. It was observed that small towns in southeastern Guangxi generally demonstrated higher development levels, while those in the northwestern regions exhibited considerable disparities, indicating regional imbalances. 3. The overall gap in the high-quality development level of small towns is gradually narrowing, but the difference is still relatively significant. 4. The findings underscore the advantages of the evaluation system developed, which effectively captures the multidimensional nature of high-quality development and serves as a robust framework for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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18 pages, 6215 KiB  
Article
An Improved Framework of Major Function-Oriented Zoning Based on Carrying Capacity: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta Region
by Qun Zhang, Lili Wang, Hanmei Wang, Yang Chen, Chunhua Tian, Yixi Shao and Tiange Liu
Land 2024, 13(11), 1732; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111732 - 23 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 715
Abstract
Major function-oriented zoning, a key spatial planning strategy in China, aims to coordinate resource endowments, socio-economic development, and subsequent planning initiatives. However, the existing framework for major function-oriented zoning relies predominantly on socio-economic statistical indicators at the regional level, often neglecting the critical [...] Read more.
Major function-oriented zoning, a key spatial planning strategy in China, aims to coordinate resource endowments, socio-economic development, and subsequent planning initiatives. However, the existing framework for major function-oriented zoning relies predominantly on socio-economic statistical indicators at the regional level, often neglecting the critical role of carrying capacity. To address this limitation, we assessed both the current state and dynamic trends of the carrying capacity to identify risk and advantageous zones for major functions, with the objective of optimizing major function-oriented zoning in the Yangtze River Delta region, China. Our findings indicate that 47 counties are experiencing significant pressure under the current carrying capacity, while 57 counties exhibit a deteriorating trend in their capacity. Over half of the counties are categorized as having an overloaded carrying capacity. Based on this analysis, 66 counties have been designated as risk zones for major functions. Consequently, the optimization of major function-oriented zoning requires adjustments in 10 counties, incorporating the identified risk and advantageous zones to enhance spatial planning efficacy. This study proposes an enhanced methodological framework for major function-oriented zoning by fully integrating carrying capacity assessments, offering substantial support for territorial spatial planning in China. We believe that these improvements contribute significantly to more resilient and sustainable regional development strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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19 pages, 4166 KiB  
Article
Assessing Uneven Regional Development Using Nighttime Light Satellite Data and Machine Learning Methods: Evidence from County-Level Improved HDI in China
by Xiping Zhang, Jianbin Xu, Saiying Zhong and Ziheng Wang
Land 2024, 13(9), 1524; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091524 - 20 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1325
Abstract
Uneven regional development has long been a focal issue for both academia and policymakers, with numerous studies over the past decades actively engaging in discussions on measuring regional development disparities. Generally, most existing studies measure the Human Development Index (HDI) using relatively simple [...] Read more.
Uneven regional development has long been a focal issue for both academia and policymakers, with numerous studies over the past decades actively engaging in discussions on measuring regional development disparities. Generally, most existing studies measure the Human Development Index (HDI) using relatively simple indicators, with a focus on national and provincial scales. As a crucial component of regional development, counties can directly reflect the regional characteristics of socio-economic progress. This study employs a multi-dimensional approach to develop an improved Human Development Index (improved HDI) system, using machine learning techniques to establish the relationship between nighttime light (NTL) data and the improved HDI. Subsequently, NTL data are utilized to infer the spatial distribution characteristics of the improved HDI across China’s county-level regions. The improved HDI for county-level areas in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was validated using a machine learning model, resulting in a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.93. The adjusted R-squared value for the linear fit was 0.86, and the residuals were relatively balanced, ensuring the accuracy of the simulations. This study reveals that 1439 county-level units, representing 50% of all county-level units in China, have development levels at or above the medium level. At the provincial and national levels, the improved HDI shows significant clustering, characterized by a multi-center pattern with declining diffusion. The spatial distribution of the improved Human Development Index remains closely associated with the natural geographic background and socio-economic development levels of the county regions. Lower HDI values are predominantly found in the inland areas of central and western China, often in ecologically sensitive areas, inter-provincial border zones, and mountainous regions of mainland China, sometimes forming contiguous distribution patterns. This underscores the need for the government and society to focus more on these specific geographic development areas, promoting continuous improvements in health, education, and living standards to achieve coordinated regional development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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22 pages, 4775 KiB  
Article
Spatial Distribution, Influencing Factors and Sustainable Development of Fishery Cultural Resources in the Yangtze River Basin
by Qin Li, Yunlong Sun, Zifei Liu, Bo Ning and Zhilong Wu
Land 2024, 13(8), 1205; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081205 - 5 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1363
Abstract
Agricultural cultural heritage is crucial in advancing comprehensive rural revitalization. The Yangtze River Basin is rich in biodiversity and abundant in fishery cultural resources. The cultural resources not only reflect the ecological wisdom of harmonious coexistence and the human–land relationship between humans and [...] Read more.
Agricultural cultural heritage is crucial in advancing comprehensive rural revitalization. The Yangtze River Basin is rich in biodiversity and abundant in fishery cultural resources. The cultural resources not only reflect the ecological wisdom of harmonious coexistence and the human–land relationship between humans and nature but also provide critical cultural support for rural revitalization and watershed sustainable development. This study investigates the spatial distribution, influencing factors, and historical evolution of fishery cultural resources in the Yangtze River Basin. The highest proportions of significant resources are found in fishery engineering and landscapes, culinary flavors, fishery customs, dances, fishery gear, and poetry. By analyzing 14 categories of fishery cultural resources and 157 national and provincial intangible cultural heritage items, this study reveals a significant geographical clustering of these resources in the mid-lower reaches, particularly around the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake Basin, Wuhan and Dongting Lake, and the lower reaches of the Taihu Lake Basin. This study underscores the role of natural geographical conditions, aquatic biodiversity, socio-economic factors, and historical–cultural backgrounds in the distribution and evolution of fishery cultural resources, with these factors interacting dynamically. By advocating for a comprehensive approach to coordinating fishery culture preservation with rural revitalization, this study outlines a multidimensional strategy for the preservation and sustainable development of fishery cultural resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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21 pages, 22089 KiB  
Article
Study on Spatial Distribution Dispersion Evaluation and Driving Forces of Rural Settlements in the Yellow River Basin
by Heying Li, Jianchen Zhang, Yamin Shan, Guangxia Wang, Qin Tian, Jiayao Wang and Huiling Ma
Land 2024, 13(8), 1181; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081181 - 31 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1137
Abstract
The spatial distribution pattern of rural settlements in the Yellow River Basin is scattered and numerous. It is of great significance to study the discrete distribution of rural settlements for achieving high-quality development and promoting rural revitalization strategy. In this paper, we propose [...] Read more.
The spatial distribution pattern of rural settlements in the Yellow River Basin is scattered and numerous. It is of great significance to study the discrete distribution of rural settlements for achieving high-quality development and promoting rural revitalization strategy. In this paper, we propose an enhanced evaluation model for assessing the spatial distribution dispersion of rural settlements, incorporating the weight of road grade (the road grade refers to the ranking of traffic capacity and importance of a particular type of road, indicating varying levels of time accessibility). We investigate the dispersion characteristics of rural settlements in the Yellow River Basin in 2020, focusing on both county and city scales. Furthermore, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of the spatial differentiation and scale effects of dispersion evaluation outcomes and their driving forces. Our findings reveal the following insights: (1) The road grade significantly influences the dispersion evaluation. When considering road grade in the dispersion calculation, the results align more closely with the actual situation. (2) The dispersion of rural settlements in the Yellow River Basin exhibits a decreasing trend from west to east. Specifically, the dispersion is higher in the upper reaches compared to the middle and lower reaches. Both city and county scales show spatial autocorrelation in dispersion, with a positive spatial correlation observed. High dispersion values cluster in the west, while low values concentrate in the east. Notably, the agglomeration degree is more pronounced at the county scale than at the city scale, highlighting more localized patterns of agglomeration and dispersion. (3) The multiscale geographically weighted regression model emerges as the optimal model for analyzing the driving forces of dispersion. At the city scale, factors such as river density, road density, and rural economy negatively impact dispersion. However, at the county scale, average elevation and rural economy positively affect dispersion, whereas river density, road density, and rural population density have a negative influence. By incorporating the weight of road grade into our evaluation model, we provide a more nuanced understanding of the spatial distribution dispersion of rural settlements in the Yellow River Basin. Our findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and planners seeking to optimize rural settlement patterns and promote sustainable rural development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance and Spatial Planning for Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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