Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationDuring the past three decades, China was experiencing a transitional economy driven by both the market and the state. At the same time, the economic transitions brought a tremendous urban land expansion in China and other transitional socialist countries

Urban land expansion model based on SLEUTH, a case study in Dongguan city, China

The SLEUTH urban model is developed with sets of predefined growing rules involving Spontaneous Growth, New Spreading Center Growth, Edge Growth, Road Influenced Growth and Self-modification. They are applied continuously to lead the urban simulation to a specific morphology. A SLEUTH land use model was set up to simulate urban growth trajectory of Dongguan city from 1997 to 2009. The accuracy of localized parameters was evaluated to illuminate the growth pattern of Dongguan. Two different scenarios were set to predict the urban development from 2022 to 2030. Edge Growth is the dominant force of Dongguan's urbanization: regions adjacent to growth centers are more likely to be urbanized than remote area in general. Rapid urban expansion takes up large amount of other land types, around 2030, urbanization will reach the critical state in spatial. Unlike excessive growth rate in scenario 1, the urbanization speed is obviously more reasonable and sustainable in scenario 2, which confirms SLEUTH urban model is a good assistant of urban planning to avoid willful expansion with a scenario forecast. To protect ecological environment and promoting sustainable development of the region, relevant decision makers should take effective strategies to control urban sprawl. By the set of forecast scenarios, SLEUTH can certainly predict future urban development as an auxiliary to urban planners and government.Dongguan is under rapid urbanization in these decades. SLEUTH is an urban land use model named after the six input layers (Slope, Land use, Excluded, Urban, Transportation and Hill shade), and it is applied for simulating how surrounding land use changes due to urban expansion. A SLEUTH model was coupled with multi-source GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and RS (Remote Sensing) data to simulate urban growth trajectory of Dongguan city from 1997 to 2009. The accuracy of localized parameters was evaluated to illuminate the growth pattern of Dongguan. Based on the hypothesis that the urbanization process is as fast as before, a historical scenario from 2010 to 2050 was built up to choose the suitable study periods. In order to prove SLEUTH is able to offer reasonable outcomes for urban plan, two different scenarios were set to predict the urban development from 2022 to 2030, which shows SLEUTH is able to offer reasonable outcomes to government policy makers. Finally, the dynamic mechanism of urban growth combined with local characteristics was discussed. Some suggestions were also proposed for future urban planning and policy making in this study

Recent Progress in Urbanisation Dynamics Research

This book is dedicated to urbanization, which is observed every day, as well as the methods and techniques of monitoring and analyzing this phenomenon. In the 21st century, urbanization has gained momentum, and the awareness of the significance and influence of this phenomenon on our lives make us take a closer look at it not only with curiosity, but also great attention. There are numerous reasons for this, among which the economy is of special significance, but it also has many results, namely, economic, social, and environmental. First of all, it is a spatial phenomenon, as all of the aspects can be placed in space. We would therefore like to draw special attention to the results of urbanization seen on the Earth's surface and in the surrounding space. The urbanization–land relation seems obvious, but is also interesting and multi-layered. The development of science and technology provides a lot of new tools for observing urbanization, as well as the analyses and inference of the phenomenon in space. This book is devoted to in-depth analysis of past, present and future urbanization processes all over the world. We present the latest trends of research that use experience in the widely understood geography of the area. This book is focused on multidisciplinary phenomenon, i.e., urbanization, with the use of the satellite and photogrammetric observation technologies and GIS analyses

Urban (un)planning and social vulnerability in the context of rapid urbanization and data constraints: a quantitative study of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

This dissertation explores intersections between vulnerability and urban planning in Sub-Saharan Africa, where distinct forms of urbanization are occurring and where there are significant data constraints limiting local studies and urban assessments in the region. The three studies which make up this dissertation offer methodological and theoretical pathways toward examining and measuring the influence of urbanization and planning factors on vulnerability of urban populations in the region. The first study is a literature review and examines existing literature for vulnerability conceptualization in urban environments, the notion of ‘urban vulnerability’, and roles of urban planning and related factors in relation to vulnerability specifically in the sub-Saharan context. The second study explores approaches to quantitatively constructing more recent urban land use data in the absence of available land use datasets in the Sub-Saharan context, particularly data with informal and formal urban land use distinctions. The third study offers a methodology and estimation models to measure and quantify planning and urbanization variables (i.e. sprawl) in vulnerability assessment. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania serves as the study area because of its rapid urbanization processes, substantial informal development and sprawling, as well as availability of reliable datasets for recent years (2014/2015) for the vulnerability assessment. Findings of the literature review include challenges in conceptualizing vulnerability in an urban environment beyond a climate focus, gaps in urban vulnerability conceptualization, underrepresentation of planning factors and measurement in vulnerability assessment, and limitations in local and urban data availability and studies in Sub-Saharan cities. Results for the second study include the construction of a 2014 urban land use dataset based on estimates from binomial logistic regression models. Results for the third study indicate formally planned urban areas are associated with higher level of quality of life and mobility. Further results indicate no impact of sprawl on social vulnerability factors of residents in the urban areas of Dar es Salaam, however, informal (i.e. unplanned) sprawl impacts residents negatively. These results provide initial steps toward investigating the influence of broader planning and spatial aspects in quantitative urban social vulnerability assessments in the Sub-Saharan context as well as similar contexts in the global south

Rethinking China’s urban governance: The role of the state in neighbourhoods, cities and regions

Following the notion of the entrepreneurial city, this paper examines recent scholarship about China’s urban governance. Despite prevailing marketisation, the role of the state is visible in neighbourhood, cities and city-regions. The state necessarily deals with a fast changing society and deploys market-like instruments to achieve its development objectives. Through multi-scalar governance, the state involves social and market actors but at the same time maintains strategic intervention capacity. China’s contextualised scholarship provides a more nuanced understanding beyond the entrepreneurial city thesis, which is more state-centred

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationThis research focuses on the application of geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis methods to urban and regional development studies. GIS-based spatial modeling approaches have recently been used in examining regional development disparities and urban growth. Through the cases of Guangdong province and the city of Dongguan, the study employs a spatial-temporal, multiscale, and multimethodology approach in analyzing geographically referenced socioeconomic and remote sensing data. A general spatial data analysis framework is set through a study of regional development in China's Guangdong province and urban growth in the city of Dongguan. Three intensive spatial statistical analyses are carried out. First, the dissertation investigates the spatial dynamics of regional inequality through Markov chains and spatial Markov-chain analyses. In so doing, it addresses the effect of self-reinforcing agglomeration on regional disparities. Multilevel modeling is further employed to evaluate the relative importance of regional development mechanisms in Guangdong. Second, a spatial filtering perspective is employed for understanding the spatial effects on multiscalar characteristics of regional inequality in Guangdong. Spatial panel and space-time regression models are integrated to detail the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of underlying mechanisms behind regional inequality. Third, drawing upon a set of high-quality remote sensing data in the city of Dongguan, the dissertation analyzes the spatial-temporal dynamics and spatial determinants of urban growth in a rapid industrializing area. Through the application of landscape metrics, three types of urban growth, including infill, spontaneous, and edge expansion, are distinguished, addressing the diverse spatial patterns at different stages of urban growth. A spatial logistic approach is further developed to model the spatial variations of urban growth determinants within the Dongguan city. In short, the dissertation finds that regional inequality in the Guangdong province is sensitive to spatial scales, dependence, and the core-periphery structure therein. The evolution of inequality can hardly be simplified into either convergence or divergence trajectories. Furthermore, development mechanisms and urban growth determinants are apparently different in space and are sensitive to spatial hierarchies and regimes. Overall, through the application of GIS spatial modeling techniques, the dissertation has provided more valuable information about spatial effects on China's urban and regional development under economic transition and highlights the importance of taking into consideration spatial dimensions in urban and regional development studies

Urban land expansion and spatial dynamics in Globalizing Shanghai

pre-printUrban land expansion in China has attracted considerable scholarly attention. However, more work is needed to apply spatial modeling to understanding the mechanisms of urban growth from both institutional and physical perspectives. This paper analyzes urban expansion in Shanghai and its development zones (DZs). We find that, as nodes of global-local interface, the DZs are the most significant components of urban growth in Shanghai, and major spatial patterns of urban expansion in Shanghai are infilling and edge expansion. We apply logistic regression, geographically weighted logistic regression (GWLR) and spatial regime regression to investigate the determinants of urban land expansion including physical conditions, state policy and land development. Regressions reveal that, though the market has been an important driving force in urban growth, the state has played a predominant role through the implementation of urban planning and the establishment of DZs to fully capitalize on globalization. We also find that differences in urban growth dynamics exist between the areas inside and outside of the DZs. Finally, this paper discusses policies to promote sustainable development in Shanghai

Procjena korištenja zemljišta i preobrazbe zemljišnog pokrova i urbane dinamike koristeći viševremenske satelitske podatke

Assessment of Land use and land cover (LULC) transformations at different spatial levels is crucial in several areas, including protection of the environment, resource utilization, planning and sustainability. The present work is an attempt to carry out a detailed study of LULC transformations and to analyze urban areas in Srinagar city (India) using multi-temporal Landsat satellite data for the year 1995 to 2019. Seven different LULC classes were delineated for the selected periods by a supervised method using maximum likelihood classifier algorithm in ERDAS Imagine 14. The findings indicate that over the specified periods substantial changes have occurred in terms of LULC. Overall seven categories were identified and, throughout studies, three trends of LULC change were observed (1) continuous expansion of the area under the class of built-up, barren, horticulture (2) agriculture, water and marshy class are continuously decreasing (3) increase (1995–2010) and decrease (2010–2019) in forest classes between two periods. During the study period, in built-up (+), horticulture (+), agriculture (–) water (–) and marshes (–) most significant changes have been observed, referencing to change in percentage within each class, the maximum variability was observed in built-up (148.07%), horticulture (40.87%), marshes (–58.37%), water (–22%) and agriculture (–35.38%). For quantitative assessment changes Land Consumption Rate (LCR) and Land Absorption Coefficient (LAC) were introduced. The overall research scenario shows that the LULC transition in the city is very evident. The rapid change of LULC in the ecologically sensitive Srinagar city is driven mainly by anthropogenic sources and has a negative environmental influence.Procjena korištenja zemljišta i preobrazbe zemljišnog pokrova (LULC) na različitim prostornim razinama važna je u nekoliko područja uključujući zaštitu okoliša, iskorištavanje prirodnih izvora, planiranje i održivost. U ovom radu pokušava se provesti detaljna studija LULC preobrazbi i analizirati urbana područja u gradu Srinagar (Indija) koristeći viševremenske satelitske podatke Landsat za razdoblje od 1995. do 2019. godine. Iscrtano je sedam različitih LULC klasa za odabrano razdoblje uz pomoć nadzirane metode koristeći algoritam klasifikatora najveće vjerojatnosti u ERDAS Imagine 14. Rezultati ukazuju na to da su se u određenim razdobljima dogodile znatne promjene u smislu LULC-a. Svih sedam kategorija je identificirano te su kroz studije promatrana tri trenda izmjene LULC-a (1) stalno širenje područja u klasi izgrađenosti, neplodnosti, hortikulture (2) poljoprivreda, vode i močvarno tlo se stalno smanjuju (3) porast (1995–2010) i smanjenje (2010–2019) u klasi šuma između dva razdoblja. Tijekom razdoblja provođenja studije, u klasi izgrađenosti (+), hortikulture (+), poljoprivrede (–) voda (–) i močvarnog tla (–) opažene su najznačajnije promjene izražene u postocima unutar svake klase, najveća varijabilnost je uočena u klasi izgrađenosti (148,07%), hortikulture (40,87%), močvarnog tla (–58,37%), vode (–22%) i poljoprivrede (–35,38%). U svrhu kvantitativne procjene promjena uvedene su stopa korištenja zemljišta (LCR) i koeficijent apsorpcije zemljišta (LAC). Sveukupan istraživački scenarij pokazuje da je LULC tranzicija u gradu vrlo očita. Brze izmjene LULC-a u ekološki osjetljivom gradu Srinagaru vođene su uglavnom antropogenim izvorima te imaju negativan utjecaj na okoliš

Procjena korištenja zemljišta i preobrazbe zemljišnog pokrova i urbane dinamike koristeći viševremenske satelitske podatke

Assessment of Land use and land cover (LULC) transformations at different spatial levels is crucial in several areas, including protection of the environment, resource utilization, planning and sustainability. The present work is an attempt to carry out a detailed study of LULC transformations and to analyze urban areas in Srinagar city (India) using multi-temporal Landsat satellite data for the year 1995 to 2019. Seven different LULC classes were delineated for the selected periods by a supervised method using maximum likelihood classifier algorithm in ERDAS Imagine 14. The findings indicate that over the specified periods substantial changes have occurred in terms of LULC. Overall seven categories were identified and, throughout studies, three trends of LULC change were observed (1) continuous expansion of the area under the class of built-up, barren, horticulture (2) agriculture, water and marshy class are continuously decreasing (3) increase (1995–2010) and decrease (2010–2019) in forest classes between two periods. During the study period, in built-up (+), horticulture (+), agriculture (–) water (–) and marshes (–) most significant changes have been observed, referencing to change in percentage within each class, the maximum variability was observed in built-up (148.07%), horticulture (40.87%), marshes (–58.37%), water (–22%) and agriculture (–35.38%). For quantitative assessment changes Land Consumption Rate (LCR) and Land Absorption Coefficient (LAC) were introduced. The overall research scenario shows that the LULC transition in the city is very evident. The rapid change of LULC in the ecologically sensitive Srinagar city is driven mainly by anthropogenic sources and has a negative environmental influence.Procjena korištenja zemljišta i preobrazbe zemljišnog pokrova (LULC) na različitim prostornim razinama važna je u nekoliko područja uključujući zaštitu okoliša, iskorištavanje prirodnih izvora, planiranje i održivost. U ovom radu pokušava se provesti detaljna studija LULC preobrazbi i analizirati urbana područja u gradu Srinagar (Indija) koristeći viševremenske satelitske podatke Landsat za razdoblje od 1995. do 2019. godine. Iscrtano je sedam različitih LULC klasa za odabrano razdoblje uz pomoć nadzirane metode koristeći algoritam klasifikatora najveće vjerojatnosti u ERDAS Imagine 14. Rezultati ukazuju na to da su se u određenim razdobljima dogodile znatne promjene u smislu LULC-a. Svih sedam kategorija je identificirano te su kroz studije promatrana tri trenda izmjene LULC-a (1) stalno širenje područja u klasi izgrađenosti, neplodnosti, hortikulture (2) poljoprivreda, vode i močvarno tlo se stalno smanjuju (3) porast (1995–2010) i smanjenje (2010–2019) u klasi šuma između dva razdoblja. Tijekom razdoblja provođenja studije, u klasi izgrađenosti (+), hortikulture (+), poljoprivrede (–) voda (–) i močvarnog tla (–) opažene su najznačajnije promjene izražene u postocima unutar svake klase, najveća varijabilnost je uočena u klasi izgrađenosti (148,07%), hortikulture (40,87%), močvarnog tla (–58,37%), vode (–22%) i poljoprivrede (–35,38%). U svrhu kvantitativne procjene promjena uvedene su stopa korištenja zemljišta (LCR) i koeficijent apsorpcije zemljišta (LAC). Sveukupan istraživački scenarij pokazuje da je LULC tranzicija u gradu vrlo očita. Brze izmjene LULC-a u ekološki osjetljivom gradu Srinagaru vođene su uglavnom antropogenim izvorima te imaju negativan utjecaj na okoliš

The Legal, Administrative and Managing Framework for Spatial Policy, Planning and Land-Use. Interdependence, Barriers and Directions of Change

The book aims to explore the legal and administrative aspects of spatial governance and the challenges that their interaction entails. It does this through a number of chapters focusing on case studies located in different geographical areas of Europe and beyond. By doing this, the editors shed light on a set of challenges that emerge around the world at the intersection between the legal and administrative spheres during the governance and planning of territorial phenomena. The issues addressed in the various chapters highlight how spatial planning activities continue to face serious challenges that have not yet been satisfactorily addressed. In more detail, a correlation emerges between the legal regulations that allow and shape spatial-planning activities and the socio-economic and territorial challenges that those activities should tackle. This is often a consequence of the path-dependent influence of the traditional administrative and spatial planning configuration, which presents an inertial resistance to change that is hard to overcome. A similar situation arises concerning the mismatch between the boundaries of the existing administrative units and the extent of territorial phenomena, with a system of judicial–territorial administration that does not always coincide with the boundaries of the fundamental administrative division of a country, leading to an overall deterioration of the conditions in which all actors involved in spatial development operate