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Biodiversity protection is one of the key goals for Environmental Assessment (EA) practice that can most efficiently be achieved through tiering of environmental objectives between Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of sectoral and land use plans and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of projects. This research uses an analytical framework to benchmark some examples of tiering of biodiversity objectives using documentary case studies from Brazil and the United Kingdom; these suggest that EA tiering might still be very limited despite all recommendations to improve it, thereby impacting on the efficiency with which biodiversity goals can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context and background Flooding in Dar es Salaam is greatly contributed by the overall increase in daily rainfall amounts, generally identified as rainfall variability which contributes to the overall climate change. Climate change adaptation is the spearhead initiative towards moderating the potential damages associated with actual or anticipated changes in climate. Through variety of options, urban land use planning has emerged as among the options towards climate change adaptation implementation. Goal and Objectives: This study aimed at exploring the existing efforts and prospects for integrating climate change adaptation into urban land use planning in the rapid urbanizing city of Dar es Salaam. Methodology: Teta and Sokoni subwards were selected as case studies where review of documents, field observation, geospatial mapping, household surveys and key informant interviews were the data collection methods used. QGIS, SPSS and Global Mapper were the main softwares utilized in analyzing the data obtained. Results: Findings demonstrate that the preparation of detail planning schemes, construction of stormwater drainage and implementation of building codes are the most appealing efforts executed towards enhancing climate change adaptation through urban land use planning. The notable prospects towards enhancing climate change adaption through urban land use planning are mainly technological advancement, supportive legal frameworks and robust involvement of actors. It was also identified that, urban land use planning isn't a stand-alone component contributing to overall climate change adaptation hence other components such as; adaptation measures, institutional framework, resources and capacities were vital in the integration process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Specific focus was on Kwitete village in Serengeti District in Mara Region, Tanzania, where the District Council initiated a village land use planning process, but never took it to the end. The abandoned villagers managed to use the half done plan to start implementing it and in a number of ways they succeeded not only to minimize conflicts, but also to reap some economic gains. Specifically, the study aimed to document in-detail the participatory process by which planning and plan implementation went through; and to examine the effectiveness of the plan in reducing conflicts between farmers and herders. Goal and Objectives: The overall objective of this study is to explore experiences of villagers' initiatives in minimizing conflicts between crop growers and herders through participatory village land use planning. Specifically to document in-detail the participatory process by which planning and plan implementation went through; and to examine the effectiveness of the plan in reducing conflicts between farmers and herders. Methodology: The study is an output of a single case strategy on how the villagers went about to manage and implement their village land use plan. On methodological fronts; literature review (files, minutes and letters), transect walks, resource mapping, observation, photographing, Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant interview and household interview for quantifiable data formed the key methods of data collection. Results: The study has revealed that when villagers accept with sincerity to participate in a planning process to solve problems affecting their livelihood, they are likely to carry out the process and use their available resources to ensure success. Village leaders who were in the leadership at the initial planning stage have been more active than those who joined the leadership later. They have been able to mobilize fellow villagers to widen cattle routes, dig a charco dam and construct a cattle dip in accordance with the village land use plan. Widening of the cattle routes and digging a charco dam have helped reduce incidences of conflicts as animals now cannot reach crops easily. Construction of a cattle dip has helped reduce animal diseases. At the centre of success is the leaders' ability to communicate for financial support from different sources and at the same time mobilize their fellow villagers effectively for joint work. They have employed formal and informal governing tools in the process. Formal tools included use of hamlet (Vitongoji) leadership to take leads in getting labour for construction work. Informal tools include the Kurya "Rika"/"Saiga" groups and "Ritongo" to exercise their traditional means of mobilizing their group members and managing communal works; their ability to impose sanctions on offenders and award respect or any traditional objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use change has become a major issue since the turn of the twentieth century due to global warming, particularly the conversion of the natural forest area into agricultural land and bare land. Such changes in different land types are major threats to physiochemical soil features. However, the effects of soil physicochemical properties under different land use types were evaluated in the arid zones of Pakistan. The soil samples were taken from three depths 0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm into three land use types (forest, cultivated, and grazing land). To estimate the physiochemical properties of soil, the samples were tested in the laboratory through analytical procedures of the atomic absorption spectrometer. The results revealed that the fertility of the soil was classified into four major groups very low, low, medium, and high fertile soil. The findings indicated that 66.95% sand and 23.91% soil elements were analyzed in the forest layer and 36.8% clay elements in the subsurface layer of cultivated land. The outcomes of the survey also showed that high (58.29%) and low (49.14%) amounts of total potassium were measured in cultivated and forest land areas of arid regions of Pakistan, respectively. In addition, about 53% of all land types were categorized into low organic matter division areas. The high amount of total nitrogen nutrients (0.12%) was found in the cultivated land and the lowest (0.003%) in the forest land. Comparatively, high potassium (K) 93.15 mg kg-1 was noted in the cultivated land. Moreover, Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn order of the nutrient amount was assessed over arid climate for all land use types over arid regions of Pakistan. Conclusively, this study will help predict the soil potential for sustainable agriculture and a green economy that boosts land use planning and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through analysis and discussion of basic systemic properties of a rural municipality, this paper explores how aggregating data in planning and land use modeling can potentially obscure intricate real-world behavior. Complexity theory is applied as a theoretical framework for explaining this hypothesis. Thus, the aim of this study is to address the author's desire to understand systemic complexity when designing a data-driven decision-making model for rural planning. The novelty of this approach is two-fold: one, most studies on scalability issues in planning addresses spatial complexity, more so than systemic complexity within the complex system that the very act of planning strives to dictate. Two, although delimited to the scope of the study, the accessibility to and use of complete and valid socio-demographic data enables a rarely demonstrated accurate representation of an entire population. It is ultimately observed that on the disaggregated municipal level, systemic dispersion increases parallelly with population size, a correlation that is significantly influenced by gender ratio in any given parish – a characteristic that was not visible at the aggregated municipal level. In addition to advancing the understanding and placement of complexity science within spatial data science, these insights will make it easier to assess the generalizability of any given administrative unit by quantifying basic complexity attributes; in this case based on the correlation dispersion caused by the fragmentation of a municipality into its comprising parishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of lnternational Journal of Geography & Geography Education is the property of Marmara University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cultivated land plays a crucial role as the basis of grain production, and it is essential to effectively manage the unregulated expansion of non-grain production (NGP) on cultivated land in order to safeguard food security. The study of NGP has garnered significant attention from scholars, but the prediction of NGP trends is relatively uncommon. Therefore, we focused on Jiangsu Province, a significant grain production region in China, as the study area. We extracted data on cultivated land for non-grain production (NGPCL) in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2019, and calculated the ratio of non-grain production (NGPR) for each county unit in the province. On this basis, Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and spatial autocorrelation analysis tools were utilized to uncover the spatio-temporal evolution of NGP in Jiangsu Province. Finally, the Patch-Generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model was utilized to predict the trend of NGP in Jiangsu Province in 2038 under the three development scenarios of natural development (NDS), cultivated land protection (CPS), and food security (FSS). After analyzing the results, we came to the following conclusions:(1) During the period of 2000–2019, the NGPCL area and NGPR in Jiangsu Province exhibited a general decreasing trend. (2) The level of NGP displayed a spatial distribution pattern of being "higher in the south and central and lower in the north". (3) The results of multi-scenario simulation show that under the NDS, the area of NGPCL and cultivated land for grain production (GPCL) decreases significantly; under the CPS, the decrease in NGPCL and GPCL is smaller than that of the NDS. Under the FSS, NGPCL decreases, while GPCL increases. These results can provide reference for the implementation of land use planning, the delineation of the cultivated land protection bottom line, and the implementation of thee cultivated land use control system in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-use conflicts (LUCs) are pivotal in assessing human–land interaction, reflecting the intricate interplay between natural and anthropogenic drivers. However, existing studies often overlook nuanced non-linear responses and critical threshold recognition, focusing solely on linear correlations between isolated factors and LUCs. This study, situated in Xinjiang, China's arid and semiarid region, introduces a novel analytical framework and threshold application model for LUCs. Integrating land-use and socioeconomic data, we quantified LUCs using Fragstats, correlation analysis, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression. Exploring non-linear dynamics between LUCs and 14 potential drivers, including natural and anthropogenic factors, we identified critical thresholds. LUC zones were delineated using a four-quadrant method, allowing tailored mitigation strategies. Our findings reveal Xinjiang's distinct LUC spatial pattern, with intense conflicts surrounding mountainous areas and milder conflicts in basin regions, showing marked diminishment from 2000 to 2020. RCS effectively identifies LUC thresholds, indicating persisting severity pre- or post-specific thresholds. Xinjiang's LUCs are categorized into key control areas, urgent regulation zones, elastic development territories, and moderate optimization regions, each with significant regional disparities. Tailored optimization suggestions mitigate linear analysis limitations, providing a fresh perspective on land zoning optimization. This research supports comprehensive land management and planning in Xinjiang, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of great significance for scientific land use planning and ecological security protection to clarify the impacts of land use changes on an ecosystem's health. Based on the dynamic evolution of land use and ecosystem health on the Northern Slope of Tianshan Mountain (NSTM) from 2000 to 2020, this study utilized the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model, the Vitality–Organization–Resilience–Services (VORS) model, and the elasticity approach to assess the impacts of land use changes on ecosystem health under four different scenarios: Natural Development Scenario (ND), Farmland Conservation Priority Scenario (FP), Ecological Conservation Priority Scenario (EP), and Urban Development Priority Scenario (UD). The results indicate that (1) land use on the NSTM from 2000 to 2020 was predominantly characterized by barren land and grassland. (2) The overall level of ecosystem health on the NSTM was poor from 2000 to 2020 but showed a gradual improvement trend. (3) Ecosystem health levels vary greatly across scenarios. In general, ecosystem health improves under FP and EP scenarios but deteriorates significantly under ND and UD scenarios. The resilience of ecosystem health varies significantly across different land categories. In the future, optimizing the current land use pattern and refining the ecological protection policy are essential to enhance ecosystem health and services in the NSTM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of The Planner & Development is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Dilemas Contemporáneos: Educación, Política y Valores is the property of Dilemas Contemporaneos: Educacion, Politica y Valores and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Morus sp. is a versatile resource with diverse benefits; however, its cultivation may entail negative environmental impacts. Environmental legislation imposes constraints to mitigate these effects. The current study presents a three-tier classification approach to assess the severity of constraints imposed by environmental legislation on Morus sp. cultivation. The approach is tested in a case study area located in BG0000254 Besaparski vazvishenita, Bratsigovo Municipality, Bulgaria. Approximately 23.6% of this area is under strict protection, thereby prohibiting cultivation. In about 21.3% of the area, Morus sp. cultivation is feasible but most probably an Appropriate Assessment procedure will be required to ensure nonsignificant negative impact. In the remaining 56.4% of the area, notification/screening is necessary, with the likelihood of not requiring a full Appropriate Assessment procedure. Thus, despite a significant portion being under strict protection, there remains potential for Morus sp. cultivation within the study area, albeit with varying procedural complexities. Thе proposed constraints classification approach can inform land use planning, facilitating informed decision-making in site selection not only for Morus sp. but for all types of permanent crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use and land cover (LULC) change is the variable with the maximum influence on carbon storage in terrestrial ecosystems, due to a fundamental alteration of the ecosystem, structure, function, and variability over time. Understanding the dynamics of aboveground carbon stocks in underway constructions and urban expansions is crucial to provide a basis for land use management and planning. The objective of this study was to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of aboveground carbon storage and assess how the LULC change is affected by human intervention, as well as how aboveground carbon stocks respond to these changes in the tropical highland landscape of Jatigede. In this study, changes in aboveground carbon stocks were investigated between 2014 and 2021 by using the integrated valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs (InVEST) model. The results revealed that the total aboveground carbon stock decreased between 2014 and 2021. Forests showed the greatest decline in the aboveground carbon stock in terms of space. The primary cause of the reduction in the aboveground carbon stock was the conversion of vegetated land to agricultural and urban land cover. The aboveground carbon stock change was also caused by the continuing construction, which resulted in the extension of construction zones. However, an increase in the aboveground carbon stock was mostly observed in mixed gardens that were close to forest areas. The preservation of mixed gardens as a tree-based agroforestry system can be suggested for enhancing the aboveground carbon stock, as mixed gardens play a significant role in carbon storage in the midst of the increasingly massive deforestation due to the expansion of urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Latinoamericana de Estudios Urbano Regionales is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Reducing the environmental impacts of food systems has become a growing concern for public authorities. This study aims to adapt the territorial LCA framework (T-LCA) to local food system assessment to identify territorial hotspots of a food system in relation to its land use functions. To achieve this goal, the T-LCA must be enhanced by overcoming previously exposed limitations. Methods: Deriving from the T-LCA framework, the methodology used in this paper assesses all territorial food-producing, processing, and consuming activities. The methodological developments suggest addressing its three principal methodological limitations by (i) using agricultural statistics to estimate the local consumption and thus account for intra-territorial flows, (ii) proposing novel agri-food land use functions related to a local food system, and (iii) developing a simplified framework for sensitivity analysis (SA) through detection of the most uncertain and influential data followed by a once-at-a-time (OAT) approach to improve the uncertainty related to the substantial number of data involved in meso-level LCAs. The methodology is applied to a case study in France using the Environmental Footprint (EF) 3.0 method. Results and discussion: The results indicate that intra-territorial flow analysis effectively distinguishes between local and imported flows, identifying their primary environmental hotspots. Despite the significant impact of imported flows, export-oriented livestock production emerges as the principal hotspot of the studied food system. Integrating agri-food land use functions into LCA is crucial for linking the activities with higher environmental impact contributions and their territorial functions. This is the case of animal husbandry which is the main environmental hotspot and one of the principal local economic activities. Finally, the sensitivity analysis reveals a low sensitivity of the overall results to the most influential and uncertain parameters. Conclusions: These findings confirm the interest in further developing territorial LCA methodologies and adapting them to various contexts to determine the principal environmental burdens of local systems and improve territorial land planning. This study also proposes various research perspectives to confirm and enhance the robustness of T-LCA frameworks, including the development of regional life cycle inventories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use planning (LUP) to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) needs methods and tools that support the identification of best LUP solutions in terms of transitions from current degradative land use (LU) and land management (LM) practices to better LU and LM options. A crucial need is the identification of context specific sustainable land management (SLM) options. Addressing this need must aim at not only reversing/recovering past degradation (e.g., via restoration or rehabilitation in land degradation hotspots), but also avoiding "new" degradation possibly caused by unsuitable LU and LM. This requires SLM planning based on anticipated impact assessment of the LU‐LM transition scenarios set to achieve LDN, which can be achieved through a participatory planning process that integrates interests/needs and knowledge of stakeholders with science‐based supportive tools to identify rational, plausible, and socially relevant options. The geoinformatics Land Use Planning for LDN (LUP4LDN) conceptual procedure and tool have been designed for this purpose. Their aim is to support national and subnational planners by (i) mapping geographic patterns of past land degradation (LD) utilizing the LDN indicators adopted by the UNCCD (SDG 15.3.1 indicator) for user‐defined regions of interest (RoI); (ii) helping users anticipate future LD by identifying land that is unsustainably managed and that will likely become degraded during the planning period; (iii) partitioning the LD areas into spatial domains of socio‐ecological contextual similarity (i.e., contextual similarity units) to which the LU‐LM transitional options will be fitted; and (iv) providing an interactive procedure for participatory LU‐LM transitional scenario development over selected contextual similarity units and timeframes. LUP4LDN uses the Global Database of the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT), ICARDA's Geoinformatics Options by Context (GeOC) tool, and ELD (Economics of Land Degradation) indicators to identify context‐relevant SLM that are available in the RoI, suggests candidate SLM options, and visualizes related expected levels of impacts on ecosystem services via maps and graphs. The generated maps inform users about trade‐offs upon which users can discuss or negotiate transitional pathways. LUP4LDN has been codeveloped with national stakeholders in Tunisia and Burkina Faso. The piloting implementation in the two countries assessed how LUP4LDN fits with existing LUP processes and the benefits achieved by using the tool to support LUP for LDN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human LULCC is the many driver of environmental changes. Accurate and up-to-date current and predicted information on LULCC is important in land use planning and natural resource management; however, in Zambia, detailed information on LULCC is insufficient. Therefore, this study assessed the dynamics of LULC change (2000–2020) and future projections (2020–2030) for Zambia. The ESA CCI land cover maps, which have been developed from Sentinel-2 images were used in this study. This dataset has a grid spatial resolution of 300 m for the 2000, 2010 and 2020. The 31 ESA CCI Classification were reclassified into ten (10) local Classifications using the r.class module in QGIS 2.18.14. The 2000 and 2010 LULC maps were used to simulate the 2020 LULC scenario using Artificial Neural Network (Multi-layer Perception) algorithms in Modules for Land Use Change Evaluation (MOLUSCE) plugin in QGIS 2.18.14. The 2010 and 2020 maps were used to predict the 2030 LULC classes. The reference 2020 and predicted 2020 LULC maps were used to validate the model. Predicted against observed 2020 LULC map, Kappa (loc) statistic was 0.9869. The 2020 LULC patterns was successfully simulated using ANN-MLP with accuracy level of 95%. LULC classes were predicted for 2030 using the 2010–2020 calibration period. The predicted 2030 LULC types shows an increase in built-up (71.44%) and decrease in cropland (0.73%) with reference to 2020 LULC map. Dense forest (0.19%), grassland (0.85%) and bare land (1.37%) will reduce from 2020–2030. However, seasonally flooded, sparse forest, shrub land, wetland and water body will increase marginally. The largest LULC change is from forest into other LULC types. The insights from this study show that ANN-MLP can be used to predict LULCC, and that the generated information can be employed in land use planning and National Adaptation Plans at regional and national scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Exact Sciences is the property of Master Editora and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To explore the prediction of vibrations in soft soil foundations, in light of the construction of laboratories with microvibration requirements on soft soil foundations which are subject to the limitations of urban land planning, field testing was conducted, and the soil surface vibration responses were recorded at different distances from a road under various highway traffic loads. By analyzing the data which summarize the characteristics of soft soil foundations, it is clarified that the vibration response of soft soil foundations mainly occurs at low frequencies, and the vibration response under road traffic loads is prone to resonance at the natural frequency of soft soil foundations. Subsequently, a new vibration prediction method based on the vibration transmission ratio is proposed, and its effectiveness and accuracy based on transmissibility are verified. This research study provides a reference for laboratories constructed on soft soil and for surrounding traffic planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated land plays a fundamental role in the sustainable development of the world. Monitoring the non-agricultural changes is important for the development of land-use policies. A bitemporal image transformer (BIT) can achieve high accuracy for change detection (CD) tasks and also become a key scientific tool to support decision-making. Because of the diversity of high-resolution RSIs in series, the complexity of agricultural types, and the irregularity of hierarchical semantics in different types of changes, the accuracy of non-agricultural CD is far below the need for the management of the land and for resource planning. In this paper, we proposed a novel non-agricultural CD method to improve the accuracy of machine processing. First, multi-resource surveying data are collected to produce a well-tagged dataset with cultivated land and non-agricultural changes. Secondly, a hierarchical semantic aggregation mechanism and attention module (HSAA) bitemporal image transformer method named HSAA-CD is performed for non-agricultural CD in cultivated land. The proposed HSAA-CD added a hierarchical semantic aggregation mechanism for clustering the input data for U-Net as the backbone network and an attention module to improve the feature edge. Experiments were performed on the open-source LEVIR-CD and WHU Building-CD datasets as well as on the self-built RSI dataset. The F1-score, intersection over union (IoU), and overall accuracy (OA) of these three datasets were 88.56%, 84.29%, and 68.50%; 79.84%, 73.41%, and 59.29%; and 98.83%, 98.39%, and 93.56%, respectively. The results indicated that the proposed HSAA-CD method outperformed the BIT and some other state-of-the-art methods and proved to be suitable accuracy for non-agricultural CD in cultivated land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Statement of the problem: Understanding the relationships between multiple land use functions is crucial for land-based spatial planning which can guide land use policy making; to avoid urban problems and better enhancing environment builting although. most studies have focused mainley on the types of urban functions, there are few studies that have addressed the interactions between urban functions and how they are spatially organized from the perspective of spatial synchronization of activities. Objectives: The study aimed to show the impact of urban interaction on Urban land use planning in the city of Salt Methods: A new method was proposed using spatial data for urban land uses, to set functional variables such as land value, diversity in use, traffic congestion, intensity of contrast, residential density, distance from the city center, and population density, relying on factor analysis program (SPSS). Results: The results of the study indicated at the close relationship between functional variables and land use planning, since the results of multiple testing showed that the functional variables explained (39.8%), (78.5%), (8.1%), (4.5%), (26%), and (6.1%) of the changes occurring in the dependent variable (residential, commercial, religious, industrial, agricultural, and public utility land uses), respectively. Conclusions (Recommendations and contributions): Recommended the necessity for developing precise policies for land use management, the impact of which is reflected on improving land use planning in the city of Salt. The research results can also help in establishing a scientific reference for land use planning and decision-making management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the land use‐street network nexus is well acknowledged, evidence for the one‐way impacts of land‐use patterns on street accessibility is still inadequate. The measurements of land‐use patterns and street accessibility lack systematic knowledge. Their empirical correlations also lack geographical variability, constraining site‐specific land‐use practices. Therefore, this study overcame the aforementioned limitations by examining the two‐level spatial models to formulate accessibility‐oriented land plans, using a well‐developed Chinese city as an example. Firstly, two landscape metrics—Euclidean Nearest‐Neighbor Distance (ENN) and Similarity Index (SIMI)—were used to quantify the intra‐ and inter‐land‐use configurations, respectively. Both city‐level and local accessibility were measured using spatial design network analysis. Performing both ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models, results identified the statistically significant effects of inter‐land‐use patterns on two‐level street accessibility. An exception was that land‐use configurations within residential and industrial regions were irrelevant to street accessibility. We also found GWR was a better‐fitting model than OLS when estimating locally‐varied accessibility, suggesting hierarchical multiscale land‐use planning. Overall, locally heterogeneous evidence in this study can substantialize land use‐street network interactions and support the decision‐making and implementation of place‐specific accessibility‐oriented land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because the functions of the subsurface are hidden from view, its important role in society is often ignored or taken for granted. The subsurface is, however, an essential part of the global ecosystem with important contributions to human well-being. Geodiversity is an important characteristic in this respect. Material supply is the more obvious role of the subsurface with projections of a doubling of global material use in 2060 as compared to 2017. Moreover, creating underground spaces and infrastructure are gaining importance in the urban environment. The main reason for the inadequate protection of geodiversity is the lack of a comprehensive and integrative framework. Linking socio-economic activities to biophysical system characteristics of the subsurface is facilitated by the geosystem services approach. Sustainable urban development strategies require including geodiversity in decision-making on human well-being and setting conditions for land use change. Spatial plans and decisions on the use of natural endowments should look at processes over much longer timeframes. In this paper, we explore the links between human well-being and the subsurface with an emphasis on the role of geodiversity. We set out a methodological framework and describe possible long term three-dimensional land use planning consequences for sustainable utilization of the subsurface. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Geodiversity for science and society'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian City Statute, from 2001, has institutionalized urban planning instruments at the federal level, comprising an amalgamation of design, law, planning, and economics. This regulation has established just principles, whose interpretation and application in spatial planning land use parameters are the municipalities' responsibility. The paper introduces interpretations of the Statute and practices in three Brazilian cities of different scales: a national economic capital, a state capital, and a regional metropolis. Considering that urban planning today is determined more by economic logic than by urban principles, we ask: what's urban planning in the Brazilian 21st Century? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use and land cover change have significant impacts on climate, the environment, and natural ecosystems. This research analyzes land use change over time using Google Earth Engine (GEE) and provides recommendations for land use planning based on the results. This research aligns with priorities related to SDG issues, specifically the maintenance of degraded terrestrial ecosystems that negatively impact the livelihoods of the organisms that inhabit them. The study utilized Sentinel-2 with Multi Spectral Instrument, Level 2A time series from 2019 - 2023, which were processed using cloud computing and a classification method utilizing SMILE Random Forest. The classification model achieved an accuracy value of 95%. The calculation results indicate a total land use and land cover (LULC) area of 1007.96 hectares. The largest change in land use occurred in fields, decreasing from 10.64% to 4.96%, or 57.18 hectares, while the smallest change occurred in dryland forest, at 2.18 hectares. The total predicted LULC change area was 558.02 hectares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different world views and ontologies require different technologies to deal with environmental issues. Land reclamation plans in Bali's south, meant to open up new space for tourist development, triggered strong but varied responses in the Balinese population, from rejection to enthusiasm. All actors claim to aim towards a prosperous Bali, and at the protection of a degrading environment, but notions of prosperity and protections and the means and technologies used differ tremendously which leads to ethical conflicts. This paper identifies three actor groups based on the technologies they use to mediate relationships in the ecologies they inhabit. Drawing on modern interventionist technology and development and implied universal moralities, scientists aim to manage environment and normalize ecologies for economic benefits or environmental protection. In contrast, religious Balinese actors, for whom environments are dwelling places of spirits and gods, make use of their bodies as means of mediation to communicate with the non-human and restore the balance between environment, humans and god. A third kind of technology used in the reclamation case is a broad mix of media, from traditional theatre to new social media, that are meant to mediate between locally rooted ontologies and global activism, communicate resistance to a broad public, and thus save a (sacred) environment and Bali. In the Bali case, technologies appear ambivalent as they contain contradictory forces and their relationship with the environment is highly complex, which makes consequences quite unpredictable and ethics quite diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncontrolled urban expansion is a characteristic feature of many cities of the global South. In this paper, we focus on how urban road infrastructure investments largely financed through bilateral and multilateral loans and grants inadvertently drive urban sprawl within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), Ghana. To do this qualitatively, we critically review the 1991 GAMA Strategic Plan along with other related documents and expert interviews. Based on the findings, we argue that GAMA's growth trajectory runs counter to its spatial plans progressively instituted to achieve integrated urban land use management and resilience. Consequently, this has resulted in mere expansion of road corridors without consideration for policy recommendations regarding traffic management, land use planning, housing densification and infilling measures. We conclude that initiatives for urban planning and its sustainability in the global South, specifically for Accra, need to reflect on the implications of the infrastructure turn, especially the contributory factor of road corridors expansion to urban sprawl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the inherent requirements of low-carbon land spatial planning in Jiangxi Province and the lack of existing research, this paper explored the mechanism of spatial form elements of Poyang Lake urban agglomeration on urban carbon emissions. Based on generalized linear regression and geographically weighted regression models, this paper analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of carbon emissions, the spatiotemporal relationship between urban form index and carbon emissions, and the spatial differentiation of the intensity of dominant factors from 63 county-level administrative units in the Poyang Lake city group from 2005 to 2020. The results showed that: ① The carbon emissions of urban agglomerations around Poyang Lake are generally increasing, and the spatial distribution of carbon emissions is characterized by high-value concentration in the middle and low-value agglomeration in pieces; ② The main driving factor for the spatial heterogeneity of carbon emissions was the expansion of built-up area; ③ Improving urban compactness and optimizing urban form could effectively reduce urban carbon emissions. The results showcased the correlation between urban spatial landscape pattern and the spatiotemporal distribution of carbon emissions, which could make the lowcarbon land spatial planning in the Poyang Lake city group more reasonable and practical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elements that compose landscapes provide environmental services to society, in such a way that research based on multiple criteria evaluation can constitute valuable strategies for defining areas of environmental protection. In the municipality of Santa Maria, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, there are local special protection areas being created based on cartographic documents, which sometimes are incompatible with the local environmental scope. This work aims to redefine these special protection areas by considering the elements of the landscapes that have applications in the multicriteria approach in a Geographic Information System environment. The methodology focuses on the components of the landscape: vegetation, geology-geomorphology, and hydrography. The result of the research was the creation of a map with the redefinition of specially protected areas, generated through the criteria: Land Use and Coverage; Drainage distance; Water supply; Geotouristic sites, and fossiliferous sites and; Special Natural Areas. Such mappings were weighted on the same scale and same classification of weights, according to the order of importance, thus allowing the reordering of the territorial limits of specially protected areas in a way more consistent with the local reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the Middle East, military professionals, private militias, and other security actors often play a central role in the management of urban planning, public administration, and other state affairs. However, security studies scholarship offers few theoretical tools for understanding this deep and overt inter-twinement of security and governance, framing it as an outcome of authoritarian practices of coup-proofing or a symptom of 'weak' states. This article analyzes spatial planning and land management practices in Egypt and Lebanon to propose two concepts, 'hyphenated identities' and the 'boundless security field', as alternative theoretical tools for thinking about security. I argue that security logics are deeply enmeshed with the identity of the nation, its histories of conflict, and its experiences of state formation, creating a security field that is boundless and non-discrete. Within this field are a set of 'hyphenated identities', or categories of actors who perform dual roles as managers of security and managers of other governance matters. The influence of these actors on governance practices illustrates the extent to which security logics can be imbedded in the structures of the state and its modus operandi, thereby reinforcing the boundlessness of the security field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterns of change in urban surfaces have implications for equity, health, and environmental quality in future cities and for their adaptability to climate change. Relatively little detailed research has been done on the role of land use policies—particularly the recent generation of infill and climate adaptation policies—in shaping urban surfaces and related environmental systems. I used a novel approach integrating three methods—land use change models, urban form assessments, and policy-based scenarios—to evaluate patterns of change. I applied these methods to a case study simulation of future development in Denver (CO) and used a stormwater management example to evaluate the capacity of the local management system to treat expansion of the city's hardscape. I found that the proportion of impervious cover in the city is projected to increase substantially, possibly to levels discussed in the literature as severely affected. A major social commitment to adaptation policies such as green infrastructure would be necessary to mitigate projected hardscape increases. Dispersed development strategies generate substantially more hardscape than geographically targeted development, which suggests that there is also untapped potential for climate adaptation in general land use policy. I share common limitations of scenario-based methods. Changes in the composition of urban surfaces in the next 2 decades could have significant environmental effects. In this research, I developed and tested methods that bridge infrastructure and land use planning practices—the public works and community planning silos in local governments—to evaluate these processes and effects. These methods should be useful in many cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food access persists as a public policy concern in the United States. In the past 20 years, a variety of public and private organizations and activists have taken different approaches to address it, with varying levels of success. In the meantime, a newer actor—the dollar store—has come on the scene, proliferating widely in both urban and rural areas, alarming advocates for improved healthy food access and others. We used the business literature to describe these stores and their business models, and we reviewed scholarly literature from the public health and community development fields that is critical of them, as well as literature that views these stores as an opportunity for communities. We reviewed the efforts of localities to date to control and limit dollar stores, as well as efforts to work with them via partnerships. We offer recommendations for how planners can navigate the challenges of dollar stores to improve food access and maintain community vitality. The growth of dollar stores has added complexity to the task of improving food access in low-income communities, especially in rural and small-town settings. By staying grounded in their core competency of land use planning and regulation, and using both traditional and new tools, planners can navigate the challenges of dollar stores to achieve vibrant places with healthy, fresh food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1968 Fair Housing Act required local government recipients of federal money to take meaningful actions to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH). Current fair housing analysis requirements are copious but do not request an assessment of how land use policies affect the potential for neighborhood integration. A recent California law requires local governments to include AFFH analysis in existing planning processes, and state guidelines encourage the measurement of the spatial distribution of planned sites for low-income housing with respect to opportunity. We propose and evaluate a fair housing land use score (FHLUS) that measures whether local governments' land use policies promote inclusion across neighborhoods. We illustrate the FHLUS by examining zoning and housing plans for three municipalities in California that differ in terms of neighborhood variation in incomes. In all three cases, we found that municipal zoning and housing plans exacerbated patterns of segregation rather than reversed them. Our metric is more precise than existing approaches, but all measures of this phenomenon will be less useful in smaller, more homogenous jurisdictions. The analysis raises important questions about the geographic scale and outcome measures for AFFH analysis and expectations for municipalities of different sizes and levels of diversity. Our metric is a useful tool for advocates and planners at all levels of government. We recommend the federal government consider incorporating it into the AFFH toolkit and practicing planners employ the measure to analyze local zoning and investment decisions. The Technical Appendix is a step-by-step guide, including an Excel formula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Housing is a basic need. The National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP), Land Use Planning Community of Practice held a virtual forum in December 2021 on the national housing crisis. The session revealed common challenges communities face when addressing these issues locally. As a follow-up to that session, this paper summarizes Extension perspectives on community housing issues discussed during the session, reviews the literature on Extension programs related to housing, and makes the case for a national peer learning and communications network to address these difficult and urgent community housing challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to map the landslide risk at the Alamut watershed based on relative vulnerability and susceptibility. The potential of damage to the resources was considered landslide vulnerability. The fuzzy gamma operators were also used to assess landslide susceptibility. Thematic layers of 10 causal factors including slope, aspect, altitude, land use, lithology, distance to road, distance to stream, distance to fault, peak ground acceleration and mean annual precipitation were prepared. The landslide inventory map comprising 40 landslides covering 1417 hectares was partitioned into two subsets including 70% for training and 30% for testing. The Dr and Qs indices were applied to compare the validity of the landslide susceptibility maps. The spatial landslide risk was obtained by multiplying the landslide susceptibility and landslide vulnerability. The results show that the LSM derived by gamma of 0.95 has the most validity with Qs equal to 1.93. The ascending trend of the Dr index for low to high classes implies the correct classification of the LSM. The most important role in the occurrence of landslides has been related to lithology and land use factors. Although residential areas cover a small area of the watershed, 84.35% of the very high-risk class and 91.21% of the high-risk class are located in these areas. These results imply that in the Alamut watershed, the principles of land use planning have not been considered for landslide management. Therefore, the results of this study can be very useful for landslide risk management in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kayseri, a densely urbanized province in Türkiye, grapples with pressing challenges of air pollution and limited green spaces, accentuating the need for strategic urban planning. This study, utilizing Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 satellite imagery, investigates the evolution of land surface temperatures (LST) and urban heat island (UHI) effects in key districts—Kocasinan, Melikgazi, Talas, and Hacılar—between 2013 and 2022. This research has been complemented with an analysis of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI), exploring correlations among the LST, UHI, NDVI, and NDBI changes. The findings indicate that a significant portion (65% and 88%) of the study area remained unchanged with respect to the NDVI and NDBI differences. This research's findings reveal that a substantial portion (65% and 88%) of the study area exhibited consistency in the NDVI and NDBI. Noteworthy increases in the NDVI were observed in 20% of the region, while only 4% exhibited higher NDBI. Strikingly, the UHI displayed strong negative correlations with the NDVI and robust positive correlations with the NDBI. The LST changes demonstrated a reduced temperature range, from 21 to 51 °C in 2013, to 18 to 40 °C in 2022. Localized environmental factors, notably at the National Garden site, showcased the most significant temperature variations. Notably, the UHI exhibited strong negative correlations with the NDVI and strong positive correlations with the NDBI. The study's results emphasize the interplay among the NDBI, LST, and UHI and an inverse relationship with the NDVI and NDBI, LST, and UHI. These findings hold implications for urban planning and policymaking, particularly in the context of resilient and sustainable land use planning and the UHI mitigation. This research underscores the intricate interplay among the NDBI, LST, and UHI, highlighting an inverse relationship with the NDVI. These findings hold crucial implications for resilient and sustainable urban planning, particularly in mitigating the UHI effects. Despite limited vacant spaces in Kayseri, geospatial techniques for identifying potential green spaces can facilitate swift UHI mitigation measures. Acknowledging Kayseri's complex dynamics, future research should delve into the UHI responses to urban morphology and design, extending this methodology to analyze the UHI effects in other Turkish cities. This research contributes to a broader understanding of UHI dynamics and sustainable urban planning practices, offering valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land optimization simulation and ecosystem service value (ESV) estimation can better serve land managers in decision-making. However, land survey data are seldom used in existing studies, and land optimization constraints fail to fully consider land planning control, and the optimization at the provincial scale is not fine enough, which leads to a disconnection between academic research and land management. We coupled ESV, gray multi-objective optimization (GMOP), and patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) models based on authoritative data on land management to project land use and ESV change under natural development (ND), rapid economic development (RED), ecological land protection (ELP), and sustainable development (SD) scenarios in 2030. The results show that construction land expanded dramatically (by 97.96% from 2000 to 2020), which encroached on grassland and cropland. This trend will continue in the BAU scenario. Construction land, woodland, and cropland are the main types of land used for expansion, while grassland and unused land, which lack strict use control, are the main land outflow categories. From 2000 to 2030, the total amount of ESV increases steadily and slightly. The spatial distribution of ESV is significantly aggregated and the agglomeration is increasing. The policy direction and land planning are important reasons for land use changes. The land use scenarios we set up can play an important role in preventing the uncontrolled expansion of construction land, mitigating the phenomenon of ecological construction, i.e., "governance while destruction", and promoting food security. This study provides a new approach for provincial large-scale land optimization and ESV estimation based on land survey data and provides technical support for achieving sustainable land development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a land use planning protocol which integrates criteria for both the intrinsic properties of a unit and its significance in a broad spatial context. The purpose was to develop a methodology, represented as a questionnaire, that allows thorough consideration of the static and dynamic attributes of a landscape for making land use decisions. The methodology involves: (1) identification of landscape patterns, (2) revealing mechanisms of radial and lateral relationships, (3) considering changes of landscape patterns, (4) revealing functioning mechanisms that cause directed changes, and (5) socio-economic regulations. The protocol integrates knowledge of processes within biophysical units, catenas, catchments, and matrix elements. We proposed a plan for the taiga landscapes in northern European Russia. The highest ecological value was assigned to the units that control matter transportation over vast areas, and a lower value to the units that protect important habitats or intercept pollutants on their pathway towards rivers and floodplains. Outside the ecological network, we recommended reducing arable lands on eroded slopes (288 ha), increasing buffer zones at the footslopes (39 ha), and cultivating, instead, 331 ha of fallows with nutrient-rich soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In investigating the spatiotemporal patterns and spatial attributes of carbon storage across terrestrial ecosystems, there is a significant focus on improving regional carbon sequestration capabilities. Such endeavors are crucial for balancing land development with ecological preservation and promoting sustainable, low-carbon urban growth. This study employs the integrated InVEST-PLUS model to assess and predict changes in ecosystem carbon storage under various land use scenarios within the Chengdu urban cluster, a vital region in Central and Western China, by 2050. The results indicate the following. (1) A linkage between land use dynamics and ecosystem carbon storage changes: over two decades, a 7.5% decrease in arable land was observed alongside a 12.3% increase in urban areas, leading to an 8.2% net reduction in ecosystem carbon storage, equating to a loss of 1.6 million tons of carbon. (2) Carbon storage variations under four scenarios—natural development (NDS), urban development (UDS), farmland protection (FPS), and ecological protection (EPS)—highlight the impact of differing developmental and conservation policies on Chengdu's carbon reserves. Projections until 2050 suggest a further 5% reduction in carbon storage under NDS without intervention, while EPS could potentially decrease carbon storage loss by 3%, emphasizing the importance of strategic land use planning and policy. This research provides a solid theoretical foundation for exploring the relationship between land use and carbon storage dynamics further. In summary, the findings highlight the necessity of incorporating ecological considerations into urban planning strategies. The InVEST-PLUS model not only sheds light on current challenges but also presents a method for forecasting and mitigating urbanization effects on ecosystem services, thus supporting sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mapping land use and land cover (LULC) using remote sensing is fundamental to environmental monitoring, spatial planning and characterising drivers of change in landscapes. We develop a new, general and versatile approach for mapping LULC in landscapes with relatively gradual transition between LULC categories such as African savannas. The approach integrates a well-tested hierarchical classification system with the computationally efficient random forest (RF) classifier and produces detailed, accurate and consistent classification of structural vegetation heterogeneity and density and anthropogenic land use. We use Landsat 8 OLI imagery to illustrate this approach for the Extended Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem (EGMME) in southwestern Kenya. We stratified the landscape into eight relatively homogeneous zones, systematically inspected the imagery and randomly allocated 1,697 training sites, 556 of which were ground-truthed, proportionately to the area of each zone. We directly assessed the accuracy of the visually classified image. Accuracy was high and averaged 88.1% (80.5%-91.7%) across all the zones and 89.1% (50%-100%) across all the classes. We applied the RF classifier to randomly selected samples from the original training dataset, separately for each zone and the EGMME. We evaluated the overall and class-specific accuracy and computational efficiency using the Out-of-Bag (OOB) error. Overall accuracy (79.3%-97.4%) varied across zones but was higher whereas the class-specific accuracy (25.4%-98.1%) was lower than that for the EGMME (80.2%). The hierarchical classifier identified 35 LULC classes which we aggregated into 18 intermediate mosaics and further into five more general categories. The open grassed shrubland (21.8%), sparse shrubbed grassland (10.4%) and small-scale cultivation (13.3%) dominated at the detailed level, grassed shrubland (31.9%) and shrubbed grassland (28.9%) at the intermediate level, and grassland (35.7%), shrubland (35.3%) and woodland (12.5%) at the general level. Our granular LULC map for the EGMME is sufficiently accurate for important practical purposes such as land use spatial planning, habitat suitability assessment and temporal change detection. The extensive ground-truthing data, sample site photos and classified maps can contribute to wider validation efforts at regional to global scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 2021 La Palma strombolian and fissure eruption, two faults were identified that controlled the spatial distribution of earthquake hypocenters and effusive eruptive vents. One of these faults has a NW-SE trend (Tazacorte Fault: TZF) and the other one shows an ENE-WSW trend (Mazo Fault: MZF). Previous works on fault structural analysis in La Palma indicated that the eruption zone was compatible with an extensional tectonic strain ellipsoid which activated normal-strike-slip directional faults at the confluence of TZF and MZF. These fractures were activated during the 2021 Tajogaite eruption, determining the NW-SE and WSW-ENE spatial distribution of vents. Both faults were mapped in real time during the volcanic eruption from fieldwork and remote sensing imagery (aerial drone images). We have collected more than 300 fracture data associated with the effusive vents and post-eruption seismic creep. Since the affected area was densely inhabited, most of these fractures affect houses and infrastructures. Some of the houses affected by the TZF were damaged 9 months after the eruption, although they were not damaged during the eruption. Surprisingly, these houses already had repairs made to the same fractures since 1980, giving information of previous fault creep movement. During the 2021 Tajogaite eruption, shallow seismicity was spatially related to both faults, suggesting a seismic behavior instead of the precedent creep movement. However, the lack of seismicity after the eruption indicates that the faults went back to creep aseismic behavior, similarly to 1980. The mapping and monitoring of these faults (TZF and MZF) is relevant bearing in mind that they have been active since 1980 and the post-eruptive phase of the 2021 volcanic eruption, which has to be included in the land use planning in areas affected by the volcanic eruption and creep movement. Furthermore, both faults could act as seismogenic sources triggering volcanic earthquakes with potential high macroseismic intensities and mass movements. The data presented here show the importance of having this type of study before the onset of the eruption, thus allowing a better interpretation of seismic data during volcanic unrest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land cover change scenarios hold far-reaching implications for ecosystem services (ES), highlighting the need for understanding the trade-offs and synergies underlying the provision of multiple ES. The insufficient knowledge of the mechanisms governing the relationships among multiple ES, along with the lack of information on trade-offs among ES under different scenarios, restricts the ability to provide effective information for decision-makers. To fill this gap, we assessed the interplay among six ES: climate regulation, habitat creating and maintaining species diversity, cultivated crops, regulation of the chemical condition of freshwaters by living processes (water quality), water yield, and control of erosion rates, within three river basins in northwest Portugal. We employed the InVEST to map the state of these ES in 2018, along with three projected land cover scenarios for 2050: business-as-usual, farmland return, and afforestation. Our findings indicated the business-as-usual scenario could lead to detrimental impacts on climate regulation, habitat creating and maintaining species diversity, and control of erosion rates. In contrast, the farmland return scenario showed less drastic decreases in habitat-creating and maintaining species diversity and control of erosion rates compared to the business-as-usual scenario. Afforestation emerged as the most favorable scenario, with a 13.6% increase in climate regulation and a 1.3% improvement in habitat-creating and maintaining species diversity. Cluster analysis allowed the identification of six levels of spatial synergies between ES, with regions of high forest cover showing extreme synergy and populated areas exhibiting the lowest levels of synergy, suggesting that a well-planned combination of these practices could yield substantial benefits for future ES provision. These results provide crucial insights for decision-makers to enhance ecosystem management and promote societal well-being. Importantly, our findings underscore the significance of considering multiple ES and their interrelationships in land use planning to achieve sustainable development objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimising the use of natural resources for food production in the context of changing climate is an increasingly important issue. Optimisation techniques have been shown to be remarkably effective for planning problems, and tools regional planners and farmers can use to determine the viability of agricultural land use planning into the future. This paper systematically reviews the recent literature in this area and draws out the key emerging themes: few studies to date have explicitly incorporated climate projections into optimisation models; increased tension for water resources between stakeholders; and various agricultural production systems of complex versions of crop planning. From this review it can be seen that increasing concentration on the use of climate projection models within agriculturally-oriented optimisation processes is a necessity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslide disasters in Indonesia often cause significant damage to public facilities, agricultural lands, and result in human casualties. This study was conducted to deeply understand the dynamics and causes of landslides and to develop effective disaster mitigation strategies in areas vulnerable to soil movement. The focus of the research is on the rotational landslide incident that occurred on the Trans Timor National Road KM 73, Noelmina Village, Takari District, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, on February 17, 2023. Through a methodological approach that includes geomorphological analysis, evaluation of hydrological conditions, and land use study, this research identifies the main factors causing the landslide, including the changeable nature of Bobonaro clay soil, increased soil saturation due to hydrological conditions, and increased water load in the basin area due to land use. The findings emphasize the importance of efficient hydrological management, careful land use planning, and strengthening the capacity of local communities in landslide disaster mitigation. Recommendations for disaster mitigation include the development of infrastructure that is resistant to soil movement, vegetation planting for slope stabilization, and community education on sustainable land use practices. This research provides a significant contribution to disaster mitigation efforts in Indonesia by highlighting an approach based on a comprehensive understanding of the causes of landslides and effective adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the research is to determine the efficiency in population and area coverage of the set of bus stops to existing land uses in the city, allowing the identification of possible shortcomings, which leads to the formulation of restructuring proposals in terms of the location of the stops. The research methodology to be applied includes the use of geostatistical models of accessibility based on GIS-type digital tools, supported by the collection of field information and road inventories. As a main result, it is obtained that the stop-system coverage allows the access of more than 80% of the population in a trip time by walking less than 5 minutes. Likewise, it is possible to identify a robust redundancy concerning the system of stops. Thus, it is concluded that the research process facilitates the evaluation and identification of possible interventions, guaranteeing a better coverage of the stops set regarding the city's existing activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial preface for a special issue of the TeMA Journal of Land Use Mobility and Environment. The aim of the work is to analyze and examine the evolution of urban inequalities after the publication of the Agenda 2030 and to identify the main research fields related to urban inequality. The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database to study the distribution, temporal trends, and spatial affiliations of publications on urban inequalities. The analysis revealed that the most relevant subject areas were Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Economics, and the countries with the highest number of publications were the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. The thematic focus areas identified included accessibility and equity, neighborhood, Covid-19, housing, urban planning, human and socioeconomics, and climate change and vulnerability. The text discusses the issue of urban inequalities and its various dimensions. It highlights the impact of restricted access to services on social equity and the disproportionate effects of limited opportunities on low-income families. The text also emphasizes the role of urban planning in addressing these inequalities and promoting socially equal practices. It further explores the intersection of urban inequalities with the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and vulnerability. The text concludes by discussing the need for interdisciplinary approaches and the importance of addressing issues such as quality of life, resilience, and spatial equity in reducing urban disparities. The editorial preface of the special issue of the TeMA Journal of Land Use Mobility and Environment highlights the connection between urban disparities and vulnerabilities in territories [Extracted from the article]

Applying an exploratory case study design, the study analyses urban mobility along the Main North 1 Road. We argue that urban mobility in Maseru, Lesotho is compromised by a complex web of issues including inconsistent urban transport policies, inadequate road infrastructure, and land use activities along some roads. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources, including key informant interviews, direct observations, and a review of policy documents on urban mobility. We show that urban mobility along the Main North 1 Road is jeopardised by outdated land use planning schemes and legislation that are out of sync with local realities as they support vehicular movement while neglecting pedestrians' needs, compromising their safety. The state of the infrastructure also contributes to urban mobility inefficiencies. The study concludes that the urban mobility system needs to be understood holistically to identify leverage points critical for interventions and planning for sustainable urban mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transit-oriented development (TOD), characterized by a high and mix development around public transport stations, is gaining traction as a sustainable way to support the use of public transport for regional trips and active transport for local trips. To support integrated land use and transport planning, several TOD typologies have been developed, with a focus on land use and transport characteristics, and more recently walkability. While TOD aims to motivate the use of active modes, including cycling, assessments of bikeability have been left out of TOD typologies. To fill this gap, this study seeks to develop a bicycle-oriented TOD typology that combines indicators related to the cycling environment with traditional land use and transport indicators. Using Montreal, Canada as a case study, 14 indicators are generated to develop a TOD typology oriented on bikeability and the 114 public station areas are grouped into seven distinct clusters. The results demonstrate that the addition of bikeability criteria to the TOD typology helps discriminate the different types of stations based on their current bikeability and bikeability potential. The proposed framework enables identifying and prioritizing targeted interventions to station development. This study is of relevance to planners and researchers aiming to integrate cycling in the development of TOD. • Development of a TOD typology oriented on bikeability applied to Montreal, Canada. • Addition of a bikeability criteria to the node-place model. • Generation of seven clusters with distinct cycling environment and bikeability potential. • Recommendations of strategic prioritization of targeted interventions to station development. • Framework relevant to support integrated public transport and cycling planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzing satellite images plays a critical role in surveying and monitoring agricultural areas, enabling various applications such as precision agriculture, land use planning, and yield estimation. One of the crucial steps in these applications is accurate crop-type segmentation from satellite imagery. This task becomes challenging in the scenarios of smallholder farms due to their irregular field shapes, frequent cloud cover, small plot sizes, and a severe shortage of training data, which make it difficult to apply conventional machine learning methods effectively. In this research work, a technique for segmenting the crop types from the difficult scenario of smallholder farms based on fully convolutional encoder-decoder semantic segmentation architecture, U-Net, has been proposed and its performance has been compared with the traditional machine learning techniques. To evaluate the proposed approach, experimental assessments were conducted on the Kenya satellite imagery crop dataset. The proposed technique achieved an accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score of 95.3%, 80.2%, 68.1%, and 73.6%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the U-Net model surpasses conventional image classification methods in accurately segmenting different crop types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Definition: Research on sustainable, affordable housing is evolving. Yet, its conceptual efficacy in light of the changing needs of today's cities and targeted low-to-middle-income households remains unknown. In today's rapidly urbanizing world, understanding the conceptual relevance and importance of land use planning tools such as vertical subdivision to the delivery of sustainable housing is tenable. In response to this knowledge gap, this entry inquires, how can the delivery of affordable housing be configured in a manner that leverages the potential of a redefined vertical subdivision development to optimize densities and ensure that housing affordability is sustainable? Here, this entry re-defines vertical subdivision development as a housing planning and design tool that allows for the segregation of air spaces into individual volumetric land parcels that mimic the environmental features of the land-on-ground, such that housing construction within such volumetric spaces is a function of the contextually relevant needs of occupants. This entry demonstrates a paradigm shift from existing housing infrastructure planning models and narratives to one that responds to and addresses all three dimensions of sustainability: economic (sustainable affordability), environmental (sustainable densities), and social (occupant wellness) in the housing infrastructure planning and delivery process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]