Land Use Conflicts Research Articles

Land use conflict identification and sustainable development scenario simulation on China's southeast coast

The southeast coastal region of China is a typical frontier region between urbanization and industrialization, where land use is facing the pressure and challenge of continuous expansion of construction land, decreasing agricultural land and accelerated degradation of ecological land. Solving the resulting land use conflicts (LUCs) has become an urgent issue in regional sustainable development. In order to explore LUC status and to guide LUC governance, an empirical model of land use conflict identification and intensity diagnosis was constructed, and a method for simulating sustainable land use scenarios based on conflict management was proposed. Nan'an City was selected as an empirical study area. The empirical model divides the conflict intensity into seven levels, and divides the LUC zones into 16 types according to their “dominant land + conflict intensity”. We recommend formulating land use change rules according to the “distribution-land type-performance- intensity” of conflict zones when simulating future sustainable land use scenarios. The empirical results showed that the current land use pattern in Nan'an City has led to fierce competition and conflict. The spatial distribution, land type composition, conflict manifestation and intensity of different LUC zones varied widely; therefore, it is necessary to adopt different governance strategies to achieve a balance between the differential demands of land use and to guide the direction of sustainable development. The constructed empirical model and proposed simulation approach could better reflect the true situation of land use in the economically developed areas of China, and would provide theoretical and methodological support for the prevention and resolution of LUCs.

A land-use spatial optimum allocation model coupling a multi-agent system with the shuffled frog leaping algorithm

The optimum allocation of land resources is an important process that promotes the intensive use of land resources and facilitates sustainable development. The main land-use optimum allocation models generally tend to ignore the influence of human activities on the optimization of land-use; thus, leading to inaccurate optimization results for the land-use spatial layout and impeding sustainable land-use planning. Some of these models consider human activities, but lack global optimization goals and iterative search mechanisms, and therefore have no optimization function and provide unsatisfactory optimization results. Therefore, this study coupled the multi-agent system (MAS) that contains land-use planning knowledge with the search iteration mechanism in the shuffled frog leaping algorithm (SFLA) and rebuilt the local optimization behavior of the SFLA; thus, developing a new kind of land-use optimum allocation model, the so-called “multi-agent shuffled frog leaping algorithm” (MASFLA). The model was then applied to the Jizhou District of Tianjin City, and there were three key simulation results. (1) The MASFLA had remarkable optimization effects on land resource use, and the optimized values of ecosystem services, regional economic output, and land-use intensive degree increased by 18.6, 51.1, and 30.3%, respectively. (2) The MASFLA had better optimization effects than a single algorithm, and its comprehensive fitness value was 2.1 and 4.1% higher than that of the SFLA and the particle swarm optimization (PSO), respectively, under the same convergence conditions. (3) The MASFLA model could relieve the land-use conflicts between different decision-making agents and realize the optimum allocation of regional land-use in terms of both spatial structure and quantity under multiple optimization goals and restrictions; thus, increasing the local economic output, improving the land-use spatial compactness and ecological environment, and promoting the sustainable use of regional land.

Contested Development Paths and Rural communities: Sustainable Energy or Sustainable Tourism in Iceland?

The Icelandic economy has transitioned from being dependent on fishing and agriculture to having tourism and refined aluminum as its main exports. Nevertheless, the new main industries still rely on the country’s natural resources, as the power intensive industry uses energy from rivers and geothermal areas whereas tourism uses the natural landscape, where geysers, waterfalls and thermal pools are part of the attraction to visitors. Although both industries claim to contribute to sustainability they utilize the same resources, and land-use conflicts can be expected, illustrating the contestation that can occur between different visions and understandings of sustainability. This paper focuses on the attitudes of Icelandic tourism operators towards power production and proposed power plants using data from questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Results show that the majority of Icelandic tourism operators assume further power utilization would be in conflict with nature-based tourism, and they are generally negative towards all types of renewable energy development and power plant infrastructure. Respondents are most negative towards transmission lines, reservoirs and hydro power plants in the country’s interior Highlands. About 40% of the respondents perceive that existing power plants have negatively affected tourism, while a similar proportion think they had no impact. According to the respondents, the two industries could co-exist with improved spatial planning, management and inter-sectoral cooperation.

Entre el Cartucho y el Bronx en Bogotá: ¿territorios del miedo o expresiones de injusticia socioespacial?

Las reflexiones de Sabatini (2001), Musset (2009) y Avendaño (2016) plantean que las ciudades latinoamericanas se han debatido de manera contemporánea entre la urbanización creciente y las economías informales, los conflictos por usos del suelo y la tensión entre delitos e imaginarios de miedo e inseguridad. Ello ha producido, en tiempos recientes, “zonas críticas”, territorios impenetrables, “lugares sin ley”, que comparten la simbolización colectiva socioespacial —toporrepresentaciones— de ser nichos de violencia y delincuencia. Sin embargo, vale la pena cuestionarse ¿cómo se generan tales espacios? Este artículo analiza el caso de la configuración de dos de los territorios del miedo con mayor estigmatización por ocurrencia de crímenes y actividades delictivas en Bogotá, Colombia: el Cartucho y el Bronx. Para el análisis, se recurrió a una perspectiva geohistórica reciente, a partir de la revisión de documentos, para vislumbrar las toporrepresentaciones que se han establecido en torno a las zonas estudiadas, como camino a la comprensión de producción de injusticias socioespaciales, a través de la instrumentalización de esa sensación colectiva de inseguridad. Esto en el entendido de que tanto el emblemático territorio del Cartucho como posteriormente el del Bronx fueron espacios producidos, en cierta medida, como resultado de políticas públicas y de ordenamiento territorial de corte neoliberal implementadas paulatinamente en Bogotá.Ideas destacadas: artículo de reflexión sobre la respuesta de los proyectos de renovación urbana planteados desde la política pública, a los nichos de miedo consolidados históricamente como el Cartucho y el Bronx. Se observa cómo, más que una solución, son una expresión de injusticia socioespacial.

Avaliação dos conflitos no uso da terra na bacia hidrográfica do ribeirão Lamarão, Distrito Federal

A falta de estudos e a constante degradação das Áreas de Preservação Permanentes (APPs) têm representado um dos maiores entraves para o planejamento de ações conservacionistas, além de favorecer o uso de estratégias inadequadas de manejo das bacias hidrográficas. Dessa forma, este estudo teve como objetivo,delimitar de maneira automática as APPs, elaborar um mapa de uso da terra e identificar a ocorrência de conflitos no uso da terra, tendo como referência legal, a Resolução nº 303, do CONAMA e o Código Florestal. O estudo foi desenvolvido na bacia hidrográfica do Ribeirão Lamarão, situada no sudeste do Distrito Federal, Brasil. Para a classificação do uso da terra, foi utilizada uma imagem digital do satélite ALOS com resolução espacial de 10 metros, sensor AVNIR – 2, obtida em julho de 2010. A base cartográfica utilizada na obtenção dos dados de relevo e hidrografia foi a em formato digital na escala de 1:10.000. Foram mapeadas sete classes de uso da terra: solo exposto (1,01%); agricultura (50,46%); cerrado ralo (11,28%); cerrado denso (10,45%); pastagem (17,54%); pivô central (7,63%); e nuvens (1,55%). Delimitaram-se as APPs situadas no terço superior dos morros (9,94 km²); nascentes e áreas de contribuição (0,27 km²); margens dos cursos d’água (24,10 km²); perfazendo um total de 34,31 km² (36,85%) da área total da bacia. Não foram identificadas APPs em encostas com declividade superior a 45°. A área de uso indevido correspondeu a 21,70 km² (63,24%), sendo as classes agricultura (38,40%) e pastagem (15,32%) as principais ocorrências nessas áreas. Apenas 11,50 km² (33,46%) das APPs estão protegidas por vegetação nativa.

Negotiating Improved Multifunctional Landscape Use: Trails as Facilitators for Collaboration Among Stakeholders

Trails are significant features in landscapes, and many ancient pathways have developed into routes of great importance for recreation and tourism in contemporary societies. Nevertheless, international research on recreational trails has hitherto mainly focused on managerial and environmental aspects of trails and less on trails from a social science perspective, such as conflict management. This study explores the role of recreational trails as a potential tool for managing conflicts in a multifunctional landscape. The findings originate from a case study of the southern Jämtland mountain region in Sweden, an area where land-use conflicts exist and where tourism is a major concern. The study examines the recreational trail as an applied example where actors in the mountain landscape “negotiate” and collaborate. Through the recreational trail, dialogue and discussions are made possible among stakeholders. Findings show that trails can function as facilitators for communication and can thus enhance the possibilities of building trust and promoting collaboration between actors. This research contributes to the existing literature on handling multiple land-use interests and adds to previous knowledge by taking on a rather new approach, where the recreational trail becomes a facilitator for communication.

Land-Use Conflicts in the Sudetes, Poland

The Sudetes (Polish and Czech: Sudety; German: Sudeten) are a mountain range located in the Czech-Polish-German border region with relatively high population density. In the paper we analyse the main type of land-use social conflicts in this region. In the 20th century, the conflicts and problems in the Sudetes were connected mainly with mineral resources exploitation, especially in black coal deep mines and brown coal strip mines. In the 21st century, the growing number of conflicts is caused by plans of ski infrastructure development and settlement growth in valuable nature areas, plans of constructing new quarries and wind power farms. The municipal local spatial management plans and investment plans are sometimes at variance with nature protection needs and focus on the immediate municipal budget income. There are difficulties with the promotion and implementation of alternative projects, which, taking into consideration nature protection, would also satisfy social needs. To promote compromises in spatial planning and to weaken or eliminate ecological conflicts we need to create stronger communication and negotiating networks of local inhabitants, local authorities and naturalists (both scientists and NGOs), and promote the role of alternative nature friendly conceptions at the early stage of spatial planning.

Analysis of Community-Based Educational Ecotourism Development Policy in Taman Beach Area, Pacitan Regency

Taman beach as a sea turtle conservation area is a superior tourist destination in Pacitan which has the potential for community-based educational ecotourism development. The problems in the development framework are the lack of integrated management of tourism objects, lack of stakeholder support and involvement of local community. The purpose of the study is to formulate the right strategy to realize educational ecotourism development based on community participation in tourism object of Taman beach so it becomes an attractive destination in Pacitan Regency. The method used is SWOT analysis by analyzing external factors (opportunities and threats) and internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) with the EFAS and IFAS matrix. The results of the analysis show that the community-based educational ecotourism development strategy in the area of Taman beach is in quadrant I, that is through an aggressive strategy. The priority strategies that can be developed by local government and local community are (1) maintaining the sustainable preservation of natural and cultural attractions of local community potential, (2) increasing prevention of environmental pollution by involving all stakeholders, (3) enhancing the community ability to develop more creative and innovative tourist attractions, (4) increasing public understanding of the concept of educational ecotourism to prevent land-use conflict and (5) increasing the capacity of the community through debriefing as a supporting activity for educational ecotourism

Conflicts about Urban Green Spaces in Metropolitan Areas under Conditions of Climate Change: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Planning Processes

Under conditions of climate change, land-use conflicts are a significant challenge for spatial planning, especially in densely populated metropolitan regions. By using a multi-methodological approach, this study aims to identify different stakeholders’ perceptions of these spaces in planning processes within urban areas in Germany. We use an ecosystem service analysis to evaluate the ecological potential of each selected study area and conducted a household survey to gauge how the local population and administration perceive them. The perceptions of these two groups of stakeholders regarding each area’s spatial qualities often differed from their actual ecological potential. We conducted interviews to identify possible conflicts between politicians and administration staff. While cooperation between politicians and the administration staff takes place and works well, the stakeholders involved often evaluate and perceive the cooperation processes in planning differently. Therefore, the authors argue that an integrative and methodologically multi-layered approach is useful for understanding complex perceptions in spatial planning.

“Your Neighbors Walk Alone (YNWA)”: Urban Regeneration and the Predicament of Being Local Fans in the Commercialized English Football League

This article focuses on the changing nature of English football and the shifting relationship between a club and its supporters in the latest era of football commercialization, taking Liverpool Football Club (FC) and its surrounding community in Anfield, Liverpool, England, as an example. The changing nature of English football since the 1990s has forced Liverpool FC to treat its social environment from a commercial perspective. Recently, this trend has been aggravated by Liverpool FC’s land-speculation policy, which is embedded in an urban regeneration policy to take over land in adjacent areas to expand the Anfield Stadium for specifically commercial purposes, escalating tension with local people. This land-use conflict between the local community of Anfield and Liverpool FC has raised the ultimate question of the extent to which the local supporters will remain loyal to the club they support. Drawing on ethnographic research in Anfield, Liverpool, this article looks at the intersection between the urban regeneration policy in Liverpool and the changing nature of English football, which has placed Liverpool FC in a situation of competing with the local fans for urban space, stretching local supporters’ loyalty to the club they support. The result shows that it is the club that has introduced the shift in the meaning of loyalty, tailored to the recent situation in English football. The commercialization of Liverpool FC and its land-speculation policy have produced shock-subjectivities influencing local people’s perception of and practices toward Liverpool FC, suggesting the knife-edge dilemma of being a local fan.

Land-use conflicts between biodiversity conservation and extractive industries in the Peruvian Andes

The exceptional endemic species richness found in the Tropical Andes is being subjected to high rates of environmental degradation and natural resources exploitation. While many forms of land-cover change and other impacts on species are difficult to control through environmental regulations, governments usually determine how and where extractive industries can take place. This study examines potential conflict between the location of extractive industry activities and biodiversity conservation in the Peruvian Andes. Using geographic information systems, we carry out overlay analyses to determine the spatial congruence between mineral mining, hydrocarbon and logging concessions, on the one hand, and the distribution of protected areas and endemic vertebrate species on the other. The results show that regional protected areas extensively overlap with resource concessions. Furthermore, 16% of endemic species hotspots concur with current concessions, while the geographical distribution of 21 endemic vertebrate species overlap by more than 90% with concession areas. To reconcile conservation and economic development objectives in the future, the geographical distribution of biodiversity, and in particular of endemic species, needs to be considered in natural resources planning and land-use/management activities.

‘Leopards’ under the pines: An account of continuity and change in the integration of forest land-uses in Landes de Gascogne, France

The historical record of the definition of forest management and policy principles is a contentious one, characterized by tensions and conflicts between and among public authorities, private stakeholders and citizens. This paper is an empirical and analytical contribution to the understanding of the political and socio-economic factors influencing the integration of stakes in forest-dominated landscapes. Based on a case study of the ‘Landes de Gascogne’ forest region (southwestern France), it explores an apparent paradox that sees local landowners, following a massive storm damage, re-afforesting a Pinus pinaster plantation on a technical basis they know to be vulnerable. The authors highlight how, on which basis and by whom discourses and practices on forest integration have been sustained over decades in ‘Landes’, albeit being in fact reinvented on very different grounds—in a setting similar to the famous quote of the novel Il Gattopardo. The idea of a forest massif is identified as the object of most efforts, enabling the strategical use of three entwined perspectives: as a cultivated forest, a multifunctional land-use and an integrated chain. Ending with an analysis of the interplays of these dimensions, the paper further demonstrates the relevance of landscape and relational approaches to grasp the determinants of forest land-use conflicts.

Geospatial multi-criteria analysis for identifying high priority clean energy investment opportunities: A case study on land-use conflict in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a globally important emerging economy with rapidly increasing energy demand. The Bangladeshi government's primary capacity expansion plan is to install 13.3 GW of new coal by 2021, including the 1.3 GW Rampal coal power plant to be developed in the Sundarbans. Inadequate geospatial and economic information on clean energy investment opportunities are often a significant barrier for policy makers. Our study helps fill this gap by applying a new method to assess energy investment opportunities, with focus on understanding land-use conflicts, particularly important in this context as Bangladesh is constrained on land for agriculture, human settlements, and ecological preservation. By extending a geospatial multi-criteria analysis model (MapRE) we analyze the cost of various renewable energy generation technologies based on resource availability and key siting criteria such as proximity to transmission and exclusion from steep slopes, dense settlements or ecologically sensitive areas. We find there is more utility-scale solar potential than previously estimated, which can be developed at lower costs than coal power and with minimal cropland tradeoff. We also find significant potential for decentralized roof-top solar in commercial and residential areas. Even with a conservative land use program that reserves maximum land for agriculture and human settlement, there is more renewable energy capacity than needed to support Bangladeshi growth. This study provides critical and timely information for capacity expansion planning in South Asia and demonstrates the use of geospatial models to support decision-making in data-limited contexts.

Designing and developing a web tool to support Strategic Environmental Assessment

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) requires taking into account the sensitivity of the area likely to be affected when identifying and characterising potential impacts resulting from plans and programmes. This entails consideration of the intrinsic characteristics that make the area susceptible to change, and incorporation of stakeholder values and concerns. A geospatial approach to these considerations facilitates identification of potential land-use conflicts and better informs planning decisions.Building on online geoprocessing advancements, we have developed an Environmental Sensitivity Mapping web tool containing novel functionality to support SEA. This paper presents the methodological framework for its participative multi-criteria approach and its architecture, and describes its functionality simulating a practical application. The web tool has the potential to break down data access and specialised skills barriers while providing a means for enhancing SEA consistency and transparency. However, data limitations remain affecting its applicability, and further technological advancements may help enhance its functionality.

Characterizing outdoor recreation user groups: A typology of peri-urban recreationists in the Kromme Rijn area, the Netherlands

Increasing urbanization accompanied by a growing demand for recreational use of peri-urban green spaces is likely to cause land-use conflicts. The nature of these conflicts is subject to the heterogeneous preferences of outdoor recreationists. Although the importance of diversifying between recreational user groups has been acknowledged in the literature, most studies - and especially studies on landscape preferences - focus on specific user groups and are not operationalized for creating a recreationist typology. This study presents a typology on case-study level accounting for variations in landscape preferences, visitation behavior, and socio-demographic information. The typology is based on data originating from a structured questionnaire with a total of 200 respondents. It is constructed by employing two commonly used data-driven methods for typology development: PCA of preferences for landscape characteristics and cluster analysis of all data (landscape preferences, visitation behavior and socio-economic variables) to derive alternative typologies. Comparing the results of both types of analysis leads to a consistent picture of the main differences between three distinct outdoor recreation user groups which we refer to as ‘the convenience recreationist’, ‘the day tripper’ and ‘the culture/nature recreationist’. The first user group prefers convenient, short-term recreation, close to home. The second group is characterized by clear preferences for one-day recreational activities and destinations, while the last group is mainly defined by its strong interest in culture and nature. Our study identified large variations in outdoor recreation preferences and recreation needs between these three user groups. Understanding the heterogeneity of recreation preferences can help to articulate effective landscape management strategies, targeted to ensure the multi-functional character of peri-urban landscapes for different types of users.

ANALYSIS OF VULNERABILITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING OF A WATER SUPPLY BASIN

Abstract Watersheds used for water supply get special attention from managers, as the quantity and quality of supplied water depends on them. Water is an indispensable element of life and a fundamental resource for many human activities. The situation of these watersheds is aggravated by conflicts of land use that end up intensifying the process of erosion and sedimentation of the water reservoirs. In addition, diagnostics that use environmental indicators are important tools for environmental planning. The present study made use of these indicators to evaluate the natural soil susceptibility to erosion in the catchment area of the DNOS water reservoir, in Santa Maria, south of Brazil. Using multi-thematic maps and geoprocessing tools (GIS), we obtained a vulnerability mapping, represented by indexes. This map is an important and skillful tool for territorial planning, for aiding environmental management and conservation of water resources.

Household-Level Population Estimates and Building Setbacks near Underground Natural Gas Storage Wells in PA, OH, NY, WV, MI, and CA

Health impacts have been reported in people living near oil and gas operations (e.g., asthma exacerbation). Towards assessing these risks, studies quantifying proximate populations generally assume an even spatial distribution of population within an administrative unit (e.g., census block). These proportion population allocation (PPA) methods can be improved by excluding non-residential land use areas (i.e. dasymetric mapping), but are still too imprecise to obtain reliable estimates of population densities at small spatial scales (e.g., 50m2). Here we present ABODE (Allocation By Occupied Domicile Estimation), a novel household-level population estimation method that combines geospatial addresses, building footprints, and U.S. Census data. We assess ABODE and PPA methods by comparing population estimates within 200m of active underground natural gas storage (UGS) wells (n = 8,963) in six U.S. states. Overall, ABODE predicts slightly higher population estimates compared to PPA (48,126 vs. 43,052); however estimation bias varied by state and by individual well. ABODE captured higher populations within 200m of UGS wells in OH, WV, and PA with increases of 6, 54, and 66% compared to the PPA method, respectively. Conversely, the ABODE method captures fewer populations in NY, MI, and CA, with decreases of 4, 7, and 26%, respectively. By explicitly identifying households near active UGS wells in the six states, we also quantify well-to-building relationships and compare to state surface setback regulations where they exist. An estimated 9.4% (840) of UGS wells across the six states have at least one building within a regulated setback distance. This results in 2,769 households, or an estimated 4,816 people, living within these states’ respective setbacks (e.g., 100 - 625ft.). The spatially-resolved nature of the ABODE method provides a clear advancement from previous proximity-based methods towards understanding present and future land-use conflicts.

Identifying and assessing the potential for conflict between landscape values and development preferences on the Faroe Islands

Small islands are characterised by geographic isolation, strong place attachment, and vulnerabilities to social, economic, and ecological changes. They are often subject to development activities that raise concerns about impacts on multiple land- and seascape values. This study elicits a range of land- and seascape values, development preferences, and land-use conflicts in a Northern Atlantic islands setting. We do so by linking participatory mapping with narrative analysis techniques to elicit landscape values and development preferences and to identify the potential for land-use conflicts. Four narratives were illustrative of human-nature relationships in the North Atlantic, revealing a great appreciation for wildlife and landforms, for peaceful and undisturbed ecosystems, for open access to land and sea, and for people being part of nature as major themes. The overlay of mapped landscape values and development preferences identified areas with a high potential for future land-use conflicts. Tourism development had a particularly high potential for conflicts. The local narratives on development activities – tourism, renewable energy, and fish farming/processing – confirmed diverging viewpoints. Respondents acknowledged the need for new economic opportunities that may create employment and wealth, but were concerned about negative effects for nature and society and the perceived inability to govern these developments. We argue that planning for multiple landscape values and preferences is crucial to manage the potential for trade-offs in land- and seascape development that is influenced by a range of pressures and drivers of change.

The Brazilian experience with auctions for wind power: An assessment of project delays and potential mitigation measures

Renewable energy auctions are gaining popularity worldwide. However, practical experiences remain ambiguous. This holds especially true for on-time implementation rates. In Brazil, only 17% of the awarded capacity in the first ten auction rounds reached commercial operation within the set out deadline. In this article, we investigate the causes for these delays and discuss potential mitigation measures, based on expert interviews and extensive data analysis. The most severe delays were caused by expansion to the transmission grid. Delays in the supply of wind turbines also led to significant project setbacks. Other factors could be considered of minor relevance, but have led in individual cases to significant delays. These include factors related to project financing, project or environmental licenses, logistics, land-use conflicts and poor project management. Brazil effectively reduced delays caused by transmission grid expansion through amendments to the auction design. Our analysis also shows that options to further mitigate delays through an advanced auction design are limited, as they lead to conflicts with other energy policy objectives, e.g. local production of wind turbines, or because the delays are caused by factors beyond the control of the project developers.

Why do pastoralists in Mali join jihadist groups? A political ecological explanation

ABSTRACTSince 2015 jihadist groups have taken control of the Mopti region in central Mali. We ask how such a radical development has been possible in a country previously praised as a bulwark against radical Islam in Africa. While the dominant literature on the crisis in Mali has focused on how global political economic developments and international jihadist thinking and organisation relate to national dynamics, we take a materialist political ecology approach to explain the current situation. By focusing on the micro-politics of two land-use conflicts and how these conflicts are affected by the jihadist expansion, we seek to explain peasant (or pastoral) logics behind joining these armed groups. In particular, pastoralists seem to support the jihadist takeover, because of an anti-state, anti-elite and pro-pastoral jihadist discourse, because they have become increasingly fatigued by and disgruntled with a predatory and corrupt state, and because the development model imposed by the state and international donors has not responded to pastoral priorities. Rent-seeking by government officials has been especially intense in relation to conflicts over pastoral land, environmental management and the fight against desertification. This happened while the international community continued to praise Mali as a model of African democracy.