To address the persistent challenges of the “disconnect between macro-level spatial zoning and micro-level land allocation” and the paradox of “localized intensification accompanied by overall inefficiency” in territorial spatial governance, this study adopts a multi-scale coupling perspective to explore an optimized spatial pattern that promotes the coordinated development of production, living, and ecological functions (PLEFs), thereby enhancing the systematic and scientific basis of spatial governance. Taking the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration (CYUA) as a case study, a coupled optimization framework integrating macro-scale spatial zoning and micro-scale land allocation was established. First, using multi-period land use data (2000–2020) in conjunction with multi-source geographic and socio-economic datasets, the correspondence between land use types and PLEFs was constructed, and the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of these functions were systematically analyzed. Second, the GMOP-PLUS model was employed to simulate and optimize land use patterns for 2035 under multiple development scenarios, and dominant spatial types were further refined based on grid-scale spatial suitability evaluation results. Third, the NRCA model was applied to identify comparative functional advantages at the county level. These advantages were comprehensively integrated with the revised dominant spatial types following the principle of “seeking common ground while preserving differences,” ultimately enabling the delineation of optimized territorial spatial development zones. The results indicate the following: (1) Throughout the study period, ecological space remained the dominant land use type (exceeding 75%), although its proportion gradually declined. Living space expanded markedly, while the internal structure of production space shifted toward industrial and mining land uses. (2) The planning control scenario was identified as the most suitable development pathway, exhibiting a spatial configuration characterized by a “central core with stronger development in the southeast than in the northwest.” Under this scenario, production and living spaces continued to expand, whereas ecological space maintained its dominant status. (3) Spatial suitability evaluation revealed a high degree of functional compatibility across the study area (79.01%), with ecological suitability prevailing. The revised dominant spatial types were predominantly ecological (78.94%), forming a hierarchical structure described as a “living core–production composite ring–ecological periphery.” (4) By integrating dominant spatial types with comparative functional advantages, the study area was classified into five major categories of territorial spatial development zones, for which differentiated governance strategies were proposed. This study provides methodological insights and practical guidance for improving refined territorial spatial management and advancing regional sustainable development.

Property tax is a major source of public income in both developed and developing counties. Consequent upon several researches, the use of empirical models for residential property taxation has been suggested, hence identifying suitable empirical models for residential property taxation has become worrisome over the years. However, the determination of suitable parameters to be used as the dependent variables remains a research problem that is best solved by examination of the prevalent situation of the area concerned as no generalized model can best describe all situations. The study therefore developed a model for assessing variation in property taxation and infrastructure in Ibadan metropolis. The model advances the Gleaser model by integrating property tax with population, Land value, owner’s income, other taxes paid on land and financial allocation expended on Infrastructure. Quantitative research design approach was adopted in this study. A structured questionnaire was administered to residents of residential properties using a purposive sampling technique. A cubic model was used, and it yielded suitable R 2 values ranging from 58.1 to 95.4 in all the local governments within the Ibadan metropolis. Gleaser model was then used to integrate the property tax with population, Land value, owner’s income, other taxes paid on land and financial allocation expended on Infrastructure within the area. The study found out that the generation of property tax may not automatically lead to an increase in financial allocation. It was therefore concluded that the developed model is robust, efficient and a best fit for the Nigerian scenario.

Optimizing sustainable agricultural production under uncertainty: a multi-objective model for crop selection and land allocation

Abstract This paper explores property prices and investment dynamics over the business cycle when there is competition between households and firms for real estate. We introduce a construction sector into a real business cycle framework, which uses land, capital and labour to produce both commercial and residential real estate. This market structure activates a real estate substitution channel, where an increase in demand for residential real estate also increases the cost of producing commercial structures, which crowds out commercial real estate investment. In general, we find that the residential/commercial land allocation acts as an anchor for the allocation of its real estate investment counterpart; however, there are notable separations, particularly following the financial crisis, where there was a simultaneous fall in residential and commercial investment. Our results indicate that while residential real estate prices were predominantly driven by increases in demand in the build up to the financial crisis, the fall in demand for commercial real estate played a significant role in generating price falls for both types of real estate in the aftermath. Furthermore, falls in the overall supply of real estate played an important role in reducing real estate investment, which put upward pressure on prices throughout the past two decades.

Introduction Developing modern agriculture and improving arable land allocation depend on financial support aligned with land-based production. However, rural credit markets in China have long been trapped in a “double bind” of insufficient formal credit supply and high-risk informal lending. Methods Using four waves (2016–2022) of China Family Panel Studies data on landholding households, we examine whether and how digital payment promotes the formalization of rural household finance. Results The results show that digital payment significantly shifts borrowing from informal sources toward banks and other formal institutions. This effect operates mainly through two channels—strengthening demand for formal borrowing and improving access to formal financial products. In doing so, digital payment provides more stable funding for land-related investments such as land transfers and farmland infrastructure. The effect is stronger among financially vulnerable households, underscoring its inclusive nature. Discussion The findings show how digital finance can bridge sustainability and development in dynamic land-use and rural socioeconomic–environmental interactions, and offer policy implications for leveraging digital payment to improve rural financial ecosystems and better coordinate land and financial capital.

This study incorporates the application of non-linear programming in which there is more than one objective function. In the planning of agriculture, activities play an important part in optimization techniques of the objective values for the composition of mix-type crop production in different land allocations in a particular area. Designing the best production of crops by implementations of land allocation was the main goal of this study. In this article, we considered a multi-objective crop planning model in an area with Shannon’s measure of entropy objective function where coefficient parameters of objective functions are taken as trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. Then the said problem is formulated into fuzzy multi objective model and uses a fuzzy decision-making method to solve this problem. Finally, a numerical example has been provided to support the given crop production planning problem.

ABSTRACT Experimentation is increasingly promoted as a strategy to implement sustainability ambitions, taking shape in pilot projects, testbeds, and demonstration projects. While often framed as experimental governance, questions remain about whether, and under what conditions, experimentation builds institutional capacity. This article examines how local governments use experimentation in land allocation processes to advance sustainable urban development, drawing on two Swedish urban development projects: Vallastaden and Brunnshög. Since a 2015 legal reform, local governments have had limited ability to impose local sustainability requirements. Land allocation has emerged as one of the few instruments through which local governments can influence developers. The analysis demonstrates how experimentation in land allocation activates and reshapes knowledge resources, relational resources, and mobilization capacity by enabling learning, fostering collaboration with developers, and testing new governance tools. However, weak integration with regulatory frameworks and limited mechanisms for continuity reduce the capacity-building potential of these experiments. The article argues that embedding experimentation within formal governance structures is crucial to avoid fragmented outcomes and legitimacy concerns.

This study aimed to analyze the rate of changes in Land Use Land Cover (LULC) and Built-Up Area (BUA). Geospatial and remote sensing approaches were applied to analyze the trends of LULC changes and BUA expansion from 2017-2024. Results of the accurate testing have shown 98.03 for 2017 and 97.81 in 2024 indicating accurate data sets averaging 2% pixels misclassified both acceptable based on the 85% thresholds for remotely sensed data. Data on changes of LULC have shown fluctuations in land allocation, with forest accounts the largest with 83.38 in (2019) and 89.05% (2023), with declined in 2024 at 84.61. Waterbodies gradually reduced from 1.82% in 2017 to 1.64% in 2024, barren recorded fluctuation of 2.40% and 3.39%. Moreover, BUA exhibits an increasing trend, which peaks in 2020 at 4.58% and records stabilization of 4.27% in 2024, Furthermore, agricultural lands demonstrate the highest recorded variability with a notable reduction in 2022 of 3.64% but recovered in 2024 with 7.08% suggesting dynamism in land conversion processes. Generally, the observed LULC change patterns underscores the continuing pressures on the remaining forest and agricultural land which was driven by the BUA expansion and land conversion.

Exploring trade-offs and synergies in the water-agriculture-ecology nexus via cropping structure optimization.

This study examines the implications of waste generation for urban planning in Warri, repositioning waste volumes as a structural factor rather than a peripheral sanitation concern. Guided by Urban Metabolism and Systems Theory, the research treats waste as a measurable material flux embedded in the city’s social, economic, and infrastructural systems. Primary data were collected from five major dumpsites between January and December 2024, supported by compositional analysis, seasonal variation assessment, and statistical modelling. Findings show that Warri generated over 543,000 tons of waste in 2024, with Uvwie/Effurun (157,556 tons) and NPA (152,075 tons) as the dominant sites. Waste volumes correlated strongly with population density (r = 0.81) and industrial activity (r = 0.74), while spatial conflicts emerged where dumpsites overlapped with residential, agricultural, and riverine land uses. Projections suggest waste could exceed 700,000 tons by 2030, further straining infrastructure. The study concludes that integrating waste realities into zoning, land allocation, and infrastructure design is vital for sustainable planning. Evidence-based strategies such as decentralized transfer stations, recycling hubs, and buffer zones are recommended to enhance Warri’s resilience and adaptive capacity.

This study examines women’s participation in decision-making and land use in vegetable farming in Chitwan, Nepal. Primary data were collected from 100 randomly selected female vegetable farmers through household surveys using a semi-structured interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, primarily frequency distribution, were used for data analysis. Results indicate that women contribute significantly across almost all stages of vegetable production; however, their decision-making autonomy is constrained in critical areas such as crop planning, leasing, and land allocation, where male or joint authority remains dominant. Although 41% of respondents independently managed household income and 29% made decisions regarding rented land, only 18% possessed legal land titles. Barriers to greater participation included low levels of education, limited access to agricultural information, inadequate land rights, and heavy time burdens. Only 36% of women had received agricultural training, mostly through cooperatives. Despite these challenges, 83% expressed willingness to remain involved in land-use decisions, largely due to family welfare, farming expertise, and financial necessity. Furthermore, 79% of respondents lacked awareness of available support programs, underscoring gaps in institutional outreach. The findings reveal persistent structural inequalities in women’s formal authority and emphasize the need for policies promoting equitable access to resources, training, and legal land rights.

ABSTRACT Vacant courtyards (VCs) reflect cumulative outcomes of historical evolution and socioeconomic changes, yet their analysis remains hampered by data scarcity and methodological limitations. This study develops a retrospective prediction model integrating courtyard footprint extraction with township-level census data to reconstruct historical VC patterns in Beijing’s Miyun District. Results demonstrate that: (i) our model accurately predicts historical VC levels with superior data reliability and spatial generalizability; (ii) VCs increased by 104.66% to 32,615 between 2000 and 2020, reaching a 30.02% vacancy rate and displaying a ‘dense-center, sparse-wings’ spatial pattern influenced by topography and transportation networks; and (iii) VC evolution follows a ‘from early scattered distribution, to traffic corridor clustering, and ultimately to gradient diffusion toward peripheral areas’ trajectory with distinct growth phases. These findings provide a scientific foundation for targeted policy interventions, land allocation optimization, and predictive frameworks promoting sustainable urban-rural integration and effective VC reutilization.

This study aims to develop a seaweed cooperative business model based on the Cooperative and Mutual Enterprise Business Model Canvas (CME-BMC) to enhance the cooperative’s competitiveness and adaptive capacity in supporting small-scale farmers. The research utilizes a qualitative case study of a seaweed cooperative in West Java, integrating the CME-BMC with the VRIO, PESTEL, and SWOT frameworks through literature review, in-depth interviews, and structured questionnaires. The findings show that the current business model is aligned with cooperative principles, but it still has weaknesses that need to be strengthened for the cooperative to effectively compete and grow. The cooperative's key resources and capabilities include integrated post-harvest and processing facilities, experienced members, democratic governance, and effective management of the value chain across both upstream and downstream activities. The external environment presents both opportunities and challenges within the industry, including policy support, land allocation issues, climate risks, price fluctuations, and downstream regulations. Nine development strategies were formulated and translated into a new, more integrated and member-oriented business model. This study offers practical and theoretical contributions by demonstrating how the integration of the CME-BMC with strategic analysis can produce a more adaptive, sustainable, and competitive cooperative business model.

Agriculture sector plays a crucial role in the Ethiopian economy, providing income, employment, and revenue generating, but the production and productivity are poor. Hence, resource optimization is essential for increasing efficiency and productivity. Good farm management is not only about increasing the amount of farm inputs; it also needs enhanced resource inputs managements. This study was conducted at Lole State Farm of Ethiopia which was faced by manual cropland allocation that wasn’t optimized relative to the degree of the crops' profitability. The study aimed to optimize cropland allocation through a linear objective function and constraints. The objective functions designed for Lole State Farm was to maximize crop profit per hectare by optimizing crop land allocation through satisfying various farm constraints. The parameters of the objective function were crop profit (Ethiopia Birr per hectare). In line with this, the constraints that were considered during the optimization of cropland allocation were total production costs (fertilizers, herbicides, chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, etc., seed, labor, and machine hour cost, crop rotation, and total land area). By subjecting the objective function to farm constraints and using linear programming, optimization of land use was achieved via mathematical modeling of linear programming. The result of the optimization indicated that wheat and potato are the first and second profitable crops, respectively, for Lole State Farm, followed by fava bean, food barley, and rapeseed as economic options and suitable for this optimization. In conclusion, the LP model optimization process has improved decision-making on cropland allocation by taking into account farm constraints.

Rethinking land-use Strategies: A multi-objective analysis of combined sparing and sharing approaches applied across great britain.

Customary land rights encompass two elements. The first element is a civil law element, namely as the joint ownership right of the members of the relevant customary law community over the customary land, which is believed to have originated from the legacy of their ancestors and is a gift from a supernatural power, as the main support for the life and livelihood and the environment of all members of the customary law community. The second element is a public law element, namely as the authority to manage and regulate the allocation, use, and control of customary land, both in internal relations with its own citizens and externally with non-citizens or "outsiders". In customary law communities, land has an important meaning, because by its nature land is the only asset that, even if it experiences any circumstances whatsoever, remains constant in its state, and sometimes even becomes more advantageous. This issue has become a recurring problem encountered in the field regarding land use. Data from the National Land Agency of Kutai Barat Regency shows that no customary land has been registered with the BPN. However, judging from the locations in Kutai Barat, areas that are productive areas that are often controlled by companies are not customary land. Based on the background described above, the problem identification is what are the issues faced in the Status and Territory of Customary Land in Kutai Barat Regency. The normative juridical method is carried out through a literature study that examines secondary data in the form of legislation, court decisions, agreements, contracts, or other legal documents, as well as research results, assessment results, and other references. The normative juridical method is research that begins with normative research or a study of legislation (normative). According to the data held by the BPN of Kutai Barat Regency, no customary land has been registered with the BPN. However, based on observations and monitoring carried out by the National Land Agency (BPN), the land that is currently considered customary land is located in West Kutai, which is a non-productive forest area. Based on the explanation from the BPN, a monitoring mechanism can be implemented to ensure that customary land is truly customary land. This mechanism is based on the provisions of the Minister of Agrarian Regulation Number 10 of 2016.

Introduction Onion ( Allium cepa L.) production in Ethiopia is highly seasonal, while consumption remains year-round, creating critical mismatches between supply and demand. The crop’s perishability and limited storage capacity force farmers to sell quickly at low prices, driving market gluts and substantial postharvest losses. This study examines the determinants of onion production and postharvest losses along the supply chain in northwestern Ethiopia. Methods A multi-stage sampling strategy covered three districts (Fogera, North Mecha, and Bahir Dar Zuria) and six kebeles, yielding data from 167 producers, 30 wholesalers, 50 retailers, and 50 consumers, complemented by key informant interviews and field observations. Results and discussion Multiple linear regression models, validated for multicollinearity (VIF < 10) and heteroscedasticity (Breusch–Pagan test), revealed that male household headship ( β = 1.561, p < 0.05), hybrid seed access ( β = 4.40, p < 0.05), and land allocation ( β = 16.49, p < 0.01) significantly increased production (R 2 = 0.901). Conversely, education ( β = −0.51 to −0.31, p < 0.1) and cooperative membership ( β = −0.906, p < 0.1) reduced postharvest losses, whereas land size ( β = 4.30, p < 0.01), future price expectations ( β = 2.17–4.20, p < 0.1), and purchase volume ( β = 1.55–4.43, p < 0.01 at wholesale) amplified them. These results highlight persistent gender disparities, input access gaps, and systemic storage constraints. Policy priorities include scaling hybrid varieties, upgrading storage technologies, strengthening cooperatives, and providing targeted capacity building and enhancing supply chain efficiency. Strengthening these areas will be pivotal for advancing sustainable food security and rural income resilience.

This paper examines the impact of official turnover on land allocation to pollution-intensive industries using panel data from 282 prefecture-level cities and above in China between 2007 and 2020. The findings indicate that official turnover increases the proportion of land allocated to pollution-intensive industries by 1.7 percentage points, an effect that remains robust across a series of sensitivity checks. Further analysis reveals that pressure to promote economic growth amplifies this effect, whereas pressures related to environmental protection and fiscal constraints mitigate the effect. Additionally, the positive impact of official turnover on land allocation is observed only in the year of turnover and the subsequent year, suggesting that the effect is driven primarily by the behavior of successor officials. These results underscore the importance of institutional constraints on successor governance during periods of political transition.

This paper investigates the legal framework governing landholding ceilings in Tanzania, with the aim of assessing its adequacy in promoting equitable land distribution, tenure security, and sustainable land use. It adopts doctrinal and comparative legal research methods, examining the Land Act (Revised Edition 2023), the Village Land Act (Revised Edition 2023), the National Land Policy (2023), and related legislation. Comparative perspectives from Kenya, Uganda, India, and South Africa are incorporated to situate Tanzania’s experience within broader regional and global land governance trends. The findings reveal that while Tanzania’s legal framework recognises the importance of preventing excessive land accumulation, it lacks explicit statutory limits defining maximum landholdings. The existing provisions rely on administrative discretion rather than fixed ceilings, which weakens enforcement and accountability. Moreover, the persistence of a dual land tenure system, where customary and statutory tenure coexist without full harmonisation, continues to hinder equitable land access, particularly for rural and vulnerable populations. The study also finds that the Tanzania Investment Act allows large-scale land allocations and leases, often to foreign investors, without clear ceiling guidelines or adequate safeguards for affected communities. Results from comparative analysis indicate that countries such as India and Kenya have introduced enforceable ceiling laws that enhance redistribution and land equity through stronger institutional mechanisms. The study concludes that Tanzania must undertake comprehensive legal and policy reforms, including defining enforceable landholding ceilings, harmonising statutory and customary systems, strengthening enforcement institutions, digitising land records, and promoting community participation. These measures would enhance social equity, transparency, and sustainability in land governance, thereby supporting inclusive socio-economic development.

The article examines the key features of the current mechanism for involving abandoned agricultural land in turnover, including taking into account the experience of implementing the relevant State Program. An assessment of this mechanism and the specifics of its formation is given, and it is proposed to supplement it with tax regulators. It is pointed out that there is insufficient land management support for both measures under the State Program and the allocation of unclaimed land shares to the plots transferred to the municipalities. In order to speed up the work on the redevelopment of abandoned lands, it is proposed to allow only such agricultural organizations and farmers who are already engaged in agricultural production to bid on them, and it is also inappropriate to apply general requirements for limiting land concentration to the relevant lots. The expediency of conducting land management inventories is indicated – this is the most reliable and objective way to identify abandoned land. An assessment was given of the introduction of a "second key" (federal) in the preparation of regional decisions on the transfer of agricultural land to other target categories, and the need for early completion of the coordination and adoption of a new version of the Law on Land use planning was noted, and a number of its substantive provisions were proposed.