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Future Urban Land Expansion in China

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A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 December 2023) | Viewed by 18978

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Dr. Kaifang Shi

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Guest Editor

School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Interests: urban remote sensing; nighttime light remote sensing; urban geography; environmental sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yuanzheng Cui

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Guest Editor

College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Interests: remote sensing; urban geography; sustainable development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Zuoqi Chen

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Guest Editor

The Academy of Digital China, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Interests: nighttime light remote sensing; urban remote sensing; GIS development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

China is undergoing an unprecedented urbanization process and the rapid expansion of urban land is constantly changing the transformation of land resources. At the same time, this change can also bring about many ecological and environmental problems, which, in turn, affect the economic growth and sustainable development. In response to the rapid expansion of urban land in China, many scholars have started to use different observation techniques (including satellite remote sensing, field survey statistics, social network data, etc.) and different land use simulation models (including GeoSOS, FLUS, MAS, etc.) to simulate the future expansion of urban land and the transformation of land use/land cover in China, as well as to analyze their driving factors and explore their impacts on the ecological environment.

For this Special Issue, we would like to invite you to submit original research that link simulating and analyzing urban land expansion in China, investigating the driving factors of urban land use conversion, thus seeking a reasonable solution for the sustainable development of urban land in the future.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

Future urban land expansion simulation by novel land use simulation models;
The analysis of ecological impact of urban land expansion in China;
Original methods or tools developed to integrate remote sensing and GIS in the applications of land use and land cover;
Optimal allocation of future urban land use in China;
Simulation and prediction of future urban land expansion scenarios and early warning analysis in China;
Human activity multidimensional representation in the process of urbanization;
Environmental impact assessment in the process of urbanization;
Review or philological research of literatures about urban land.

Dr. Kaifang Shi
Dr. Yuanzheng Cui
Dr. Zuoqi Chen
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

urban land expansion
land use simulation
urban remote sensing
urban land ecology
GIS application of land use
driving forces of land expansion
nighttime light remote sensing

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 5433 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metropolitan Expansion and Migrant Population: Correlation Patterns and Influencing Factors in Chengdu, China

by Junfeng Wang, Shaoyao Zhang, Wei Deng and Qianli Zhou

Land 2024, 13(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13010101 - 16 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2190

Abstract

The ongoing urban spatial transformation contributes to a more intricate and varied spatiotemporal correlation pattern between metropolitan expansion and the migrant population. In this study, the coupled coordination model (CCD) is applied to enable the quantification of the spatiotemporal correlation index of metropolitan expansion and migrant population from 2010 to 2020. Moreover, various correlation patterns are identified in this research, and the multiscale geographical weighted regression model (MGWR) is employed to examine the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the influencing factors that contribute to this correlation. The research findings reveal the following insights: (1) The built-up areas increased twofold between 2010 and 2020, with an evident tendency toward southward expansion. In addition, population migration indicates slow migration in the inner metropolitan area and accelerated migration in the outer metropolitan area. The correlation between metropolitan expansion and migrant population follows a central–peripheral layer pattern that is characterized by a low-high-low progression. (2) While the balanced development of public services has somewhat decreased the differentiation patterns observed, the adjustments made to economic growth, employment, and residential markets have intensified the differentiation of spatiotemporal correlation characteristics between the metropolitan expansion and migrant population. (3) This study demonstrates that the Chengdu metropolitan area is transitioning from a rapid development stage driven by structuralism to a human-oriented new urbanization stage. This shift is evident through the clear stage pattern and central–peripheral layer features observed. Through the scientific planning of industry and public service layouts, the promotion of integration employment, residential markets, and the facilitation of urban–rural transformation can be achieved. Implementing these strategies can elevate the standard of human-oriented urban spatial governance, achieve coordinated and balanced development between built-up and residential spaces, and advance the high-quality, sustainable, and inclusive development of metropolitan areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Urban Land Expansion in China)

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22 pages, 959 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Does the Renewal of Urban Villages Affect the Resettled Villagers’ Subjective Well-Being? A Case Study in Wuhan, China

by Qing Yang and Chaozheng Zhang

Land 2023, 12(8), 1547; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12081547 - 4 Aug 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1973

Abstract

To achieve sustainable development, the improvement of villagers’ subjective well-being has become the main policy goal of urban village renewal. However, the mechanism of how urban village renewal affects subjective well-being remains untested in previous research. Utilizing the survey data on 414 resettled households in the urban village renewal through a random sample method in Wuhan, China, we adopted the intermediary model to test the mechanism of how urban village renewal affects the resettled villagers’ subjective well-being. We explored the contribution rate of each intermediary variable to subjective well-being through Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition and, consequently, proposed corresponding policy suggestions. The results show that the renewal of urban villages can improve the economic conditions, housing conditions, social security status, and living environments of residents and significantly enhance the subjective well-being of the resettled villagers and households. The multi-dimensional changes resulting from the renewal of urban villages increase subjective well-being through complete mediation. The Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition results demonstrate that improvement of the living environment has the strongest influence on subjective well-being, with a contribution rate of 69.81%. In the future, the renewal of urban villages should focus on environmental improvement, protect neighborhood networks, and promote community engagement, so as to realize the sustainable redevelopment of urban villages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Urban Land Expansion in China)

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21 pages, 28662 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quota and Space Allocations of New Urban Land Supported by Urban Growth Simulations: A Case Study of Guangzhou City, China

by Xiang Li, Jiang Zhu, Tao Liu, Xiangdong Yin, Jiangchun Yao, Hao Jiang, Bing Bu, Jianlong Yan, Yixuan Li and Zhangcheng Chen

Land 2023, 12(6), 1262; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061262 - 20 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1251

Abstract

Previous allocations of new urban land were ineffective because they lacked synergy between quota and space, challenging the government planning authority. This study proposes a new and more reasonable urban land allocation method to guide the smart growth of cities. We used a logistic regression model and multisource data to explore the laws of urban growth and employed a cellular automata (CA) model to simulate this under inertial and constrained scenarios. In addition, the disparities between both scenarios concerning allocation were analyzed. We realized the synergy of quota and space allocations of new urban land through urban growth simulation. Further, the allocation of new urban land was more consistent with the development strategy of Guangzhou under a constrained scenario. The allocation of space was more regular and concentrated under a constrained scenario, which aligns with the requirements of the Government Land Space Planning. Additionally, in the constrained scenario, the bottom lines of cultivated land protection, ecological service, and geological safety were better controlled. This study compensated for the shortcomings of the disjoined quota and space allocations of new urban land and proved that a constrained scenario can more effectively promote reasonable urban growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Urban Land Expansion in China)

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23 pages, 10509 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulating Urban Agglomeration Expansion in Henan Province, China: An Analysis of Driving Mechanisms Using the FLUS Model with Considerations for Urban Interactions and Ecological Constraints

by Chaoran Gao, Jinxin Wang, Manman Wang and Yan Zhang

Land 2023, 12(6), 1189; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061189 - 6 Jun 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1640

Abstract

Urban expansion is influenced by complex and variable social, economic, natural, and policy-related factors. Given their nonlinear interactions, accurately modeling these urban expansion processes poses a challenge. While most studies treat the city as an independent entity, prioritizing internal urban factors, urban land expansion is influenced by intercity interactions and the ecological environment. This study proposes a new approach that couples the gravitational field model, ecological constraints, and the Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS) model, comprehensively considering the impact of intercity interaction and the ecological environment. The experiment in Henan Province in China assessed the effects of factors such as basic spatial variables (Slope and distance to the city center), urban gravitational field, and ecological constraints on urban expansion through the optimal parameters-based geographical detector (OPGD) model. The feasibility of the method was confirmed by this case study, which shows that it improves the simulation accuracy of the urban agglomeration scale, particularly for central cities. We identified the urban gravitational field and ecological constraints as two important factors affecting the expansion of urban agglomerations. Areas with stronger urban spatial fields are more likely to attract neighboring resources and promote urban expansion, whereas ecological factors constrain the expansion behavior of cities under the condition of ecological and environmental resource protection needs, and both of them work together to influence the expansion behavior of urban clusters. Therefore, we posit that intercity interactions and ecological constraints are important considerations for the future spatial planning of urban agglomerations and for coordinating the harmonious development of urbanization and ecological conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Urban Land Expansion in China)

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29 pages, 8928 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Matching Relationship between Urban Service Industry Land Expansion and Economy Growth in China

by Ping Zhang, Xiaojuan Yang, Hua Chen and Sidong Zhao

Land 2023, 12(6), 1139; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061139 - 29 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1882

Abstract

In the era of the urban economy and service economy, the decoupling of service industry land expansion from economic growth has always been a key measure to evaluate sustainable and healthy development. Based on the decoupling model and GIS spatial analysis method, this paper conducted an empirical study of Chinese cities from 2012 to 2019. Results: (1) Increasing spatial heterogeneity, correlation and agglomeration of land expansion were found in China’s urban service industry and its economic growth; (2) Most cities were in weak decoupling, with evolved, degraded and unchanged cities accounting for one-third each, and the number of cities in negative decoupling was increasing, leading to increasingly diverse and complex decoupling relationships; (3) From the perspective of changes in the urban service industry land and its decoupling from economic growth, HH cities were clustered in the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei and Chengdu–Chongqing urban agglomerations in a continuous belt pattern, while LL and HL cities were mostly in the north, especially in the northeast, creating many cluster-like agglomerations that have become problematic spaces; (4) A significant synergistic effect was identified between the factors of urban permanent population, value added of the secondary industry, per capita GDP, government financial expenditure, international trade, foreign direct investment, total retail of commodities, and authorized patents, with factor pairs formed showing nonlinear enhancement. The factor value added of the secondary industry had the largest direct impact, while urban permanent population and foreign direct investment led in terms of net synergies; (5) It is recommended to introduce classified and differentiated urban service industry land use policies, plan and build a number of national, provincial and municipal modern service industry clusters, demonstrate changes in land supply and use, build a scientific and efficient land resource allocation and management system, guard against and prevent recoupling and effectively improve the ability of cities to achieve high-quality economic development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Urban Land Expansion in China)

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21 pages, 9674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Distribution and Evolution of the Yangtze River Economic Belt from the Perspectives of Urban Area and Night-Time Light

by Huimin Xu, Shougeng Hu and Xi Li

Land 2023, 12(2), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020321 - 24 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1967

Abstract

Research on urban development patterns and urban sprawl in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) has received wide attention. However, existing research has always made use of statistical data, which are not often available. Considering the high availability of satellite data, this study attempts to combine two satellite-acquired indexes, including urban area and night-time light, to evaluate the urban development of the YREB during 2012–2019. The methods included using growth index, rank-size law, and the Markov transition matrix, as well as constructing urban night-time light density and unbalanced index of night-time light, derived from the Gini Index. Some important patterns were revealed. Firstly, the three reaches (Upper Reaches, Middle Reaches, and Lower Reaches) in the YREB have all shown rapid growth in urban area and night-time light, and they all have increased in urban density. Secondly, from the perspective of regional disparity, the Upper Reaches have the highest growth rate of the urban area, while the Middle Reaches have the highest growth rate of night-time light; and the Upper Reaches have more urban sprawl, while the Middle Reaches have shown more compact growth. Thirdly, higher urban density is related to more balanced development across cities. Our study suggests new knowledge can be obtained by combining the two indexes for understanding urban development in the YREB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Urban Land Expansion in China)

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18 pages, 2706 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulation of Carbon Sink of Arbor Forest Vegetation in Henan Province of China Based on CO2FIX Model

by Kaili Cheng, Jing Wu, Xiaozhe Ma and Leying Wu

Land 2023, 12(1), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010246 - 13 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1870

Abstract

Mitigating carbon emissions has become a pressing concern in the process of economic development across China due to China’s key strategic goal of reaching peak carbon and carbon neutrality. Henan Province, which is located in the Central Plains, has less forest area and coverage than other areas of the nation, but consumes plenty of energy. Therefore, the quantification of Henan’s potential carbon sink is crucial for the province’s response to climate change due to the national commitment to carbon reduction targets. This research estimated the carbon sink of tree forest vegetation in Henan Province from 2019 to 2060 based on the CO2FIX model using data from the 9th Forest Inventory Report and the forest planning targets of Henan Province. The results show the following: (1) The carbon sink of existing arbor forests is mainly composed of ecological public welfare forests, and a small-year fluctuation in the carbon sink will result from the rotation of commercial forests. (2) The peak carbon sink years for existing forests and new afforestation are between the young and middle ages of the trees, and the peak of the carbon sink in Henan Province as a whole was in 2032. (3) More than 72.4% of the overall carbon sink in Henan Province’s arbor forest vegetation comes from the above-ground portion. (4) The energy substitution effect of traditional and improved cookstoves is significantly enhanced during the main cutting period of the existing commercial arbor forest in Henan Province. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Urban Land Expansion in China)

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17 pages, 6927 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying the Impact of Urban Sprawl on Green Total Factor Productivity in China: Based on Satellite Observation Data and Spatial Econometric Models

by Lei Jiang, Yuan Chen, Hui Zha, Bo Zhang and Yuanzheng Cui

Land 2022, 11(12), 2120; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11122120 - 24 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1849

Abstract

Worsening environmental effects caused by the rapid large-scale urban expansion in most Chinese cities is a worrying trend. In response, China is advocating an economic transition from rapid (raw growth) to a high-quality development model that incorporates negative environmental consequences. Green total factor productivity (GTFP) is regarded as one of the important approaches for measuring high-quality development. Hence, the aim of this research is to quantify the impact of urban sprawl on GTFP using remote sensing data and spatial econometric models. The primary findings of this study are as follows. (1) The urban sprawl index presents a decreasing trend from 2005 to 2016, indicating that urbanization has slowed; (2) The GTFP scores of Chinese cities are not randomly distributed and thus present significant spatial spillovers; and (3) The results of spatial lag models reveal that spatial spillover of GTFP is significant and positive. In other words, increases in GTFP in neighboring cities promotes GTFP improvements in nearby cities. We also find that the impact of urban sprawl on GTFP is significant and negative, indicating that rapid urban expansion is a contributor to decreased GTFP growth in China. Moreover, urban sprawl has a negative effect on technical change and efficiency change. The main findings can provide policy makers in Chinese cities with scientific foundations to design and implement effective measures to improve GTFP. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Urban Land Expansion in China)

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22 pages, 4205 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Evolution Characteristics of Urbanization in the Xiamen Special Economic Zone Based on Nighttime-Light Data from 1992 to 2020

by Chunfang Chai, Yuanrong He, Peng Yu, Yuanmao Zheng, Zhicheng Chen, Menglin Fan and Yongpeng Lin

Land 2022, 11(8), 1264; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081264 - 7 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2599

Abstract

In China and elsewhere, urban expansion is directly related to the important issues of social development, economic development, and the sustainable development of the ecological environment. Traditional statistical methods based on administrative regions lack geospatial information, which makes it difficult to analyze and explore in detail the development status and spatial differences of cities. In real time, nighttime light (NTL) remote sensing can reveal the spatial expansion change information of urban built-up areas (UB) on different scales, thus allowing for the analysis of urban spatial patterns and variations in urban development. Based on the long-time sequence NTL data from 1992 to 2020, this work studies the Xiamen Special Economic Zone by using the vegetation-water-adjusted NTL urban index (VWANUI) to extract the urban built-up areas and study the UB expansion patterns, the migration of the urban center of gravity, and intra-city differences. The result is a qualitative and quantitative temporal and spatial evaluation of Xiamen’s economic development characteristics. The results show that the UB of Xiamen expanded 349.219 km² from 1995 to 2020, mainly concentrated in the period 2005–2020, during which time 79.44% of the expansion of the whole study period occurred. Throughout the study period, the urban center of gravity of Xiamen city shifts 8757.15 m to the northeast at the rate of 350.29 m/year in the direction of 74.88° (the urban center of gravity shifted from the inner island to the outer island). The total brightness of nighttime lights in Xiamen is gradually increasing, indicating that the level of urban economic development continuously improved over the measurement period, that human social activities have strengthened, and that the cross-island development strategy has produced certain results. These results provide data that describe urban development and policy formulation in Xiamen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Urban Land Expansion in China)

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