Urbanization, Environment and Sustainability
Editorial Introduction
Urbanization, Environment and Sustainability
2025 Volume 13 Issue 1 Pages 1-3
Details
2025 Volume 13 Issue 1 Pages 1-3
As urbanization affects the global development, both rural and urban areas are increasingly facing environmental challenges and pressures from rapid demographic shifts. While urban growth presents opportunities for spatial development, it also poses significant risks to the cultural, social, and environmental levels of communities. In this context, the concepts of sustainability has become central to academic research and policymaking. This editorial introduces a series of five papers that explore key aspects of spatial planning, sustainable development, and environmental adaptation. The papers provide valuable insights into how effective spatial development and sustainable practices can help communities, both rural and urban, adapt to the challenges of urbanization, tourism and environmental changes. By examining the intersection of spatial design, sustainability and resilience, these studies highlight the critical role of the space and environment in fostering long-term ecological and social sustainability in a rapidly evolving world.
One significant aspect is the study of rural resilience in the context of peri-urban tourism. While peri-urban areas near major cities are often seen as potential hubs for economic revitalization through tourism, they face unique challenges related to homogenized construction models and unsustainable development practices. These models benefit rural areas economically in the short term, however, often fail to preserve local cultural heritage and social structures. Thus the models threaten the long-term sustainability of rural areas. In this context, resilience theory provides a creative framework to understand how rural communities can adapt to these pressures while maintaining their identity, resources, and social cohesion. Yang and Wang (2024) delve into this issue by examining the spatial and digital adaptations required for enhancing rural resilience. Through a comparative case study of two villages in Jiangsu Province, China, the authors studied how the spatial and functional transformation of rural areas can help communities adapt to urbanization and enhance their long-term sustainability. By focusing on key resilience factors such as resources, morphology, and function, this study provides a significant understanding of how rural areas can be better equipped to face modern challenges while maintaining their identity and vitality.
Urbanization leads to migration from rural to urban areas, resulting in economic, environmental and social decline in rural areas, and rural housing projects contribute to the sustainable development and revitalization of rural areas by promoting interaction and relationship-building between young people and rural areas. Lee (2024) also discusses rural development, and offer an interesting perspective on how community engagement and relational populations can contribute to rural areas revitalization. He examines the role of social programs in fostering a sense of community and connection to rural areas among young migrants. Structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyse the effects of rural housing projects. Research on issues such as Youth Migration, Rural Migration and Rural Decline.The study shows that these programs can create lasting relationships between young people and rural communities, which can serve as a catalyst for solving rural decline problem. By focusing on the formation of "relational populations," this paper emphasizes the importance of community-building in the sustainable development of rural areas.
A critical dimension of urban sustainability lies in the evaluation and design of urban green spaces. Green spaces in urban areas play an important role in improving the quality of life for residents and enhancing environmental sustainability. Wu and Wu (2024) focuse on the dynamic perception measurement of green space in urban streets, which is essential for sustainable urban planning and environmental design. By developing a green view index that considers green quantity, volatility, and continuity, and applied it to the streets of Zhongshan District in Dalian, this paper provides a more detailed assessment method for street greening, so as to provide a scientific basis for the design and optimization of urban micro-scale space. This not only helps to improve the quality of the living environment of the residents, but also conforms to the principle of sustainable development, that is, to protect and enhance the elements of the natural environment in the process of urbanization, and achieve harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
The relationship between the built environment and public health outcomes is another critical area of research. This special issue provides a discussion of two related aspects. discusse the relationship between urban design and the health of the elderly. Proper urban design can significantly improve the quality of life and health of older people by providing safe walking environments, convenient public transportation and appropriate community facilities. At the same time, sustainable urban planning can reduce environmental stress and create more livable living Spaces for the elderly. This paper examines how walkability in urban neighborhoods influences multiple cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) among older people adults in Japan. The authors highlight the importance of walkable environments on residents' health. Including mitigating the risks associated with noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. It also emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of how walkability impacts different demographic groups, taking into account physical activity status, gender and fracture history.
Shang, He et al. (2024) explore the role of the built environment parameters, including land use and building morphology, in improving air quality, it discusses the health of urban residents and the sustainability of urban environment from the other side. By analyzing the impact of urban design and zoning on particulate matter concentrations, the study provides valuable insights into how spatial planning and zoning can mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution. The findings suggest that factors such as green spaces, water systems, and building density play crucial roles in determining the air quality of urban areas, offering practical recommendations for improving both environmental health and the sustainability of urban spaces.
Together, these five papers highlight the importance of spatial planning, public health, environmental sustainability, and social engagement for the future of rural and urban development. The research presented here contributes to the growing knowledge on sustainable development and rural revitalization, offering evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, urban planners, and community leaders. These papers aim to explore the relationship between space, environment and people in the context of urbanization. The challenges ahead are considerable, but with thoughtful planning and adaptive strategies, communities in both rural and urban areas can become stronger, more sustainable and better connected to the people around them.
