Land Consumption Rate Research Articles

Revealing the transformation of spatial structure of greater Cairo: Insights from satellite imagery and geospatial metrics

Greater Cairo (GC) is the seventh-largest metropolitan city globally. In recent decades, GC has witnessed massive urban expansion, which has yet to be empirically measured or characterized. This research seeks to explore the patterns of urban growth and changes in urban form in GC from 1973 to 2021 using remote sensing and geospatial metrics. Six Landsat images in 1973, 1984, 1992, 2003, 2013, and 2021 were used to explore urban growth in GC. Urban Land Density Function (ULDF), Landscape Expansion Index (LEI), and Fractal Dimension Index (FDI), were utilized to analyze various aspects of urban expansion. Additionally, the ratio of Land Consumption Rate (LCR) to Population Growth Rate (PGR) was calculated to assess the correlation between urban expansion and population changes. Our results reveal a substantial addition of 203 thousand hectares of urban areas over the last half-century. The ULDF highlights GC’s transformation from a condensed to a scattered urban landscape, particularly with the establishment of the New Administrative Capital in the vicinity. Edge expansion emerged as the principal type of urban growth throughout the research duration. The consistent increase in FDI from 1.44 in 1973 to 1.75 in 2021 signifies the fragmentation of the urban landscape. Moreover, the progressive rise in LCR from 0.023 in 1984 to 0.050 ​ha per person in 2021 suggests a steady expansion of low-density urban areas. Notably, the LCR-to-PGR ratio escalated from 0.878 in 1984 to 2.428 in 2021, indicating that urban expansion surpassed population growth. These results will help further understand the characteristics of GC’s urban expansion and may offer a scientific foundation for policymakers to reconsider the current horizontal expansion policy in GC.

Global property rights and land use efficiency

The study investigates the global impact of land property rights on land use efficiency (LUE), as measured by the key indicator for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11.3.1, namely Land Consumption Rate to Population Growth Rate. By utilizing human-land change data from 165 countries spanning the period between 1990 and 2020, we have developed a fixed effects model and employed legal origins as an instrumental variable to examine the influence of land property rights security on LUE. Our findings demonstrate that the security of land property rights significantly influences LUE, with common law countries exhibiting higher levels of LUE compared to civil law countries while controlling for other variables. Stability in property rights encourages long-term investments in infrastructure and sustainable land management practices, thereby enhancing land productivity and mitigating urban sprawl. Furthermore, safeguarding property rights limits governments’ power to expropriate lands, facilitating rational and efficient land transactions that contribute towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Measuring Change in Urban Land Consumption: A Global Analysis

An issue of concern in landscape and urban planning, articulated in the United Nation’s (UN’s) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is the increase in urban land consumption over time. Indicator 11.3.1 of the SDGs is dedicated to measuring it, underlining the importance of decreasing urban land consumption per person, a strategy that is understood to contribute positively to climate mitigation and to a host of other social, economic, and environmental objectives. This article aims to explore the practical implications of the official methods for measuring Indicator 11.3.1, as well as two alternatives, and to calculate and compare the global and regional trends of these indicators for the 2000–2020 period for a universe of 3470 cities and metropolitan areas that had 100,000 people or more in the year 2020. Built-up area and population data for this universe were obtained from the Global Human Settlements Layer (GHS-BUILT-S and GHS-POP) published by the European Commission. We applied methods adapted from New York University’s Atlas of Urban Expansion to map the urban extents of all cities in 2000 and 2020, and then we used these urban extents, the built-up areas, and population estimates within them to calculate values for Indicator 11.3.1 and for two alternative indicators for the 2000–2020 period. We found that the current definition of Indicator 11.3.1 of the SDGs—“Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate”—has significant limitations in conveying meaningful information and interpretability for practical applications. We suggest two alternative indicators that address these shortcomings: the rate of change of land consumption per person and the rate of density change. Our analysis found that, for the world at large, urban densities declined at an annual rate of 0.5–0.7% between 2000 and 2020, with significant variation in the direction and magnitude of density trends by world region. Additionally, we found density declines to be faster in smaller cities than in larger ones and faster in cities with slower population growth or population declines compared to those with more rapid population growth.

Spatiotemporal evolution of land use efficiency in 357 cities across mainland China from 2000 to 2020 based on SDG 11.3.1

High-efficiency land use facilitates the maximization of land utilization, lowers urban construction costs, and optimizes urban functional patterns. The Sustainable Development Goal 11.3.1 (SDG 11.3.1) can be used to assess land use efficiency (LUE), understand the current state of land use, and identify the potential for optimization. This study combines SDG 11.3.1 with other supplementary indicators to establish a land use efficiency evaluation system. This system provides a more precise understanding of internal city changes and enables a scientific assessment of urban LUE in Mainland China. The results showed that: (1) A significant number of cities were growing cities, particularly in the eastern region, with the population of built-up areas increased by 2.92 times from 2000 to 2020; (2) From 2000 to 2020, cities in China underwent rapid urban expansion, with the most significant urban expansion index in 2015–2020; (3) The coordination between population growth rate (PGR) and land consumption rate (LCR) worsened in the western region, while the central and eastern regions showed better coordination. (4) As the urban expansion index increased, the compactness index of the cities in the above three regions decreased and were at lower levels. This study establishes an evaluation system to assess the LUE and reveals the spatial and temporal characteristics of urban and population change. It holds paramount significance in enhancing LUE and encouraging sustainable development in Mainland China and serves as a valuable reference for global urban management.

Understanding the drivers of PM2.5 concentrations in Chinese cities: A comprehensive study of anthropogenic and environmental factors

Understanding the factors that drive PM2.5 concentrations in cities with varying population and land areas is crucial for promoting sustainable urban population health. This knowledge is particularly important for countries where air pollution is a significant challenge. Most existing studies have investigated either anthropogenic or environmental factors in isolation, often in limited geographic contexts; however, this study fills this knowledge gap. We employed a multimethodological approach, using both multiple linear regression models and geographically weighted regression (GWR), to assess the combined and individual effects of these factors across different cities in China. The variables considered were urban built-up area, land consumption rate (LCR), population size, population growth rate (PGR), longitude, and latitude. Compared with other studies, this study provides a more comprehensive understanding of PM2.5 drivers. The findings of this study showed that PGR and population size are key factors affecting PM2.5 concentrations in smaller cities. In addition, the extent of urban built-up areas exerts significant influence in medium and large cities. Latitude was found to be a positive predictor for PM2.5 concentrations across all city sizes. Interestingly, the northeast, south, and southwest regions demonstrated lower PM2.5 levels than the central, east, north, and northwest regions. The GWR model underscored the importance of considering spatial heterogeneity in policy interventions. However, this research is not without limitations. For instance, international pollution transfers were not considered. Despite the limitation, this study advances the existing literature by providing an understanding of how both anthropogenic and environmental factors, in conjunction with city scale, shape PM2.5 concentrations. This integrated approach offers invaluable insights for tailoring more effective air pollution management strategies across cities of different sizes and characteristics.

Assessing Patterns and Trends in Urbanization and Land Use Efficiency Across the Philippines: A Comprehensive Analysis Using Global Earth Observation Data and SDG 11.3.1 Indicators

Urbanization, a global phenomenon with profound implications for sustainable development, is a focal point of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11). Aimed at fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urbanization by 2030, SDG 11 emphasizes the importance of monitoring land use efficiency (LUE) through indicator 11.3.1. In the Philippines, urbanization has surged over recent decades. Despite its importance, research on urbanization and LUE has predominantly focused on the country’s national capital region (Metro Manila), while little to no attention is given to comprehensive investigations across different regions, provinces, cities, and municipalities of the country. Additionally, challenges in acquiring consistent spatial data, especially due to the Philippines’ archipelagic nature, have hindered comprehensive analysis. To address these gaps, this study conducts a thorough examination of urbanization patterns and LUE dynamics in the Philippines from 1975 to 2020, leveraging Global Human Settlement Layers (GHSL) data and secondary indicators associated with SDG 11.3.1. Our study examines spatial patterns and temporal trends in built-up area expansion, population growth, and LUE characteristics at both city and municipal levels. Among the major findings are the substantial growth in built-up areas and population across the country. We also found a shift in urban growth dynamics, with Metro Manila showing limited expansion in recent years while new urban growth emerges in other regions of the country. Our analysis of the spatiotemporal patterns of Land Consumption Rate (LCR) revealed three distinct evolutional phases: a growth phase between 1975–1990, followed by a decline phase between 1990–2005, and a resurgence phase from 2005–2020. Generally declining trends in LCR and Population Growth Rate (PGR) were evident, demonstrating the country’s direction towards efficient built-up land utilization. However, this efficiency coincides with overcrowding issues as revealed by additional indicators such as the Achieved Population Density in Expansion Areas (AAPDEA) and Marginal Land Consumption per New Inhabitant (MLCNI). We also analyzed the spatial patterns and temporal trends of LUE across the country and found distinct clusters of transitioning urban centers, densely inhabited metropolises, expanding metropolitan regions, and rapidly growing urban hubs. The study’s findings suggest the need for policy interventions that promote compact and sustainable urban development, equitable regional development, and measures to address overcrowding in urban areas. By aligning policies with the observed spatial and temporal trends, decision-makers can work towards achieving SDG 11, fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urbanization in the Philippines.

Efficiency and greenness evaluation of urban land use change in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China

AbstractImproving urban land use efficiency and greenness is essential for achieving sustainable urban development and improving the well‐being of urban settlements. Using satellite‐based land use data, socioeconomic data, and sustainable development goal (SDG) indicators, we quantified the changes in the urban land use efficiency and greenness under rapid urban expansion in provincial cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 1990 to 2020. Over this period, urban area increased significantly, by 254.57%, at a rate of 191.41 km2 per year in the YREB, as national macro‐policies shifted the center of urban expansion westward. Nevertheless, the urban land use efficiency and greenness have both increased. The ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate increased from 0.55 in 1990–2000 to 0.83 in 2010–2020 in the YREB, accompanied by an increase in the investment output ratio of fixed assets. In addition, the population‐weighted greenspace exposure increased by 5.31%, due to an 8.16% increase in the urban greenspace coverage, which improved the urban living environment amidst substantial urban population growth. We emphasize the importance of fostering coordinated development between central and western cities in the YREB. The results provide an important reference for the rational allocation of land resources, improving land use efficiency, and building resilient cities within global urbanization hotspots under the SDG framework.

Urban Sustainability Development in Morocco, a Review

During the last decades, Morocco has recorded substantial urbanization and faced challenges related to urban sprawl and encroachment on fertile lands. This paper reviews several studies assessing urban sustainability development in 27 Moroccan urban areas using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 11.3.1, i.e., the ratio of Land Consumption Rate (LCR) to Population Growth Rate (PGR). Among the 27 urban areas reviewed, analysis of SDG 11.3.1 data revealed that only 7 exhibited trends towards sustainable urban development, while the remaining 20 showed a divergence from the sustainability objectives. We analyze the studies, conducted between 2020 and 2023, describing in depth the relationship between LCRs and PGRs, and provide a comprehensive summary of the SDG 11.3.1 outcome, discussing along the way methodological variations, and introducing a new concept for the evaluation of urban land consumption. The review reveals disparate regional urban development trends, emphasizing the need for local land tenure rules. Additionally, the study discusses how the SDG 11.3.1 reacts under the influence of several parameters such as land characteristics, climate, and geographic location. While the study acknowledges the limitations of SDG 11.3.1, it found that the indicator provides valuable insights into trends and comparisons, and should offer assistance to stakeholders, urban planners, and decision makers in their pursuit of sustainable development. However, these identified limitations underscore the need for a more comprehensive and multidimensional urban sustainability development indicator, capable of better addressing the complexities of the urban environment.

Spatio-temporal analysis of urban expansion using remote sensing data and GIS for the sustainable management of urban land: the case of Burayu, Ethiopia

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyze the horizontal expansion of Burayu Town between 1990 and 2020. The study typically acts as a baseline for integrated spatial planning in small- and medium-sized towns, which will help to plan sustainable utilization of land.Design/methodology/approachLandsat5-TM, Landsat7 ETM+, Landsat5 TM and Landsat8 OLI were used in the study, along with other auxiliary data. The LULC map classifications were generated using the Random Forest Package from the Comprehensive R Archive Network. Post-classification, spatial metrics, and per capita land consumption rate were used to understand the manner and rate of expansion of Burayu Town. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also used to validate land use classes through triangulation.FindingsThe study found that the built-up area was the most dynamic LULC category (85.1%) as it increased by over 4,000 ha between 1990 and 2020. Furthermore, population increase did not result in density increase as per capita land consumption increased from 0.024 to 0.040 during the same period.Research limitations/implicationsAs a result of financial limitations, there were no high-resolution satellite images available, making it challenging to pinpoint the truth as it is on the ground. Including senior citizens in the study region allowed this study to overcome these restrictions and detect every type of land use and cover.Practical implicationsData on urban growth are useful for planning land uses, estimating growth rates and advising the government on how best to use land. This can be achieved by monitoring and reviewing development plans using satellite imaging data and GIS tools.Originality/valueThe use of Random Forest for image classification and the employment of local knowledge to validate the accuracy of land cover classification is a novel approach to properly customize remote sensing applications.

USING GHSL TO ANALYZE URBANIZATION AND LAND-USE EFFICIENCY IN THE PHILIPPINES FROM 1975–2020: TRENDS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract. This study analyzed the trends and patterns of urbanization and changes in land-use efficiency in the Philippines from 1975–2020 using the Global Human Settlement Layers (GHSL). Utilizing the GHS-BUILT-S, GHS POP, and GHS-SMOD raster datasets from the GHSL Data Package 2023, we examined the spatiotemporal expansion of built-up areas and the growth of population in urban and rural regions of the country. Using the same datasets, we also measured the country's achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)11.3, particularly on inclusive and sustainable urbanization through efficient land utilization, by computing the ratio of land consumption rate (LCR) to the population growth rate (PGR), also known as LCRPGR. The results of our analysis revealed an increasing trend in the overall built-up area and population of the Philippines within the examined period. Built-up areas and population in urban regions more than tripled in size from 1975 to 2020, demonstrating a notable shift towards more urbanized regions over time. In addition to presenting evidence of the Philippines' developmental progress and urbanization, our analysis of GHSL data shows a decline in land consumption, a deceleration in population growth, and an overall enhancement in land-use efficiency within the country. These findings suggest a shift towards more controlled and sustainable land development practices, supporting the country's goal of sustainable urbanization and land management. The implications of these findings are crucial for policymakers and urban planners in the Philippines, offering valuable insights to guide the formulation of effective and comprehensive land management strategies. Further work includes conducting localized analyses at the city or municipality level to provide valuable insights into the unique urbanization patterns and land-use dynamics across different islands and regions, enabling tailored policy interventions and spatial planning strategies to promote sustainable development.

Monitoring and Assessing Urbanization Progress in Thailand between 2000 and 2020 Using SDG Indicator 11.3.1

Urbanization, generally across developing countries, is accelerating at an ever-increasing pace along with population growth. The growth of built-up space is often disproportionate with the population growth rate, creating multiple stresses to the environment and hindering sustainable development. To account for this disproportionality, the SDG 11.3.1 indicator “Ratio of land consumption rate (LCR) to Population growth rate (PGR)” was developed to achieve SDG 11 and its integrated SDGs. This study assessed the variations in the LCR, PGR, and LCRPGR from 2000~2020, taking four different intervals of 5 years across Thailand, its provinces and regions by adopting the methodology recommended by UN-Habitat. A combined approach of remote sensing and statistical analysis was employed for assessing urban land use efficiency, the growth of built-up space and the relationship between the LCR and PGR in temporal as well as spatial dimensions. It was found that urban expansion is disproportionate with the PGR in most of the provinces and during a majority of the time intervals with the average LCRPGR of 0.70 (2000~2005), 1.6 (2005~2010), 0.40 (2010~2015) and 1.12 (2015~2020). Some of the studied periods (2005~2010 and 2015~2020) were dominated by the increasing built-up space in Thai provinces and regions as compared to the population growth rate, leading to higher per capita land consumption, and some experienced greater population growth, and rising urban compactness, while a few provinces tended towards stability, which was influenced by demographic factors and economic development. The average annual growth rate of built-up areas has declined in recent years across all the regions of Thailand. Further, this study is pivotal for urban planners and policymakers to promote more sustainable growth in Thai provinces and regions.

Economic and Agronomic Impacts of Agrivoltaics on Arable Land Use at the Example of the Stuttgart Region

Photovoltaics and wind energy must be considerably expanded to achieve the targeted climate neutrality in Germany in 2045 which may cause new conflicts. Especially ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, which are often associated with a high land consumption rate, conflict with other land uses such as agriculture. Due to the simultaneous electricity generation and agricultural use, agrivoltaics (AV) systems can increase land use efficiency which is why they are in the political focus. In this study, we go beyond the limited point-wise analyses of previous studies which have focused mainly on the technology itself and potential yield changes of individual crops and provide a spatially explicit analysis of the AV potential. This is done by an in-depth analysis on the example of arable land in the Stuttgart Region, one of the most important conurbations in Germany and Europe. The study focusses on the resulting agronomic effects in the region and the associated agro-economic effects. The analysis is carried out with an integrated land use model that optimises arable land use by maximising gross margins at the farm level. Legal framework conditions such as the regional plan are considered constraints, and existing studies on yield effects under AV are used. The results show that there are synergies through increases in the agricultural gross margins. These synergies could be realized on about 3% of arable land in the study region subject to the underlying assumptions made. With more than 10% of the arable land in the study region used for AV, the average gross margins in arable farming decrease by about 280 € per ha of AV. Farms or areas with a high share of special crops, such as strawberries, demonstrate the highest profitability. On the other hand, regions with a high share of root crops in the crop rotation seem to be less favourable to establish AV. This demonstrates that, the agricultural land use structure must be considered in the holistic assessment of the land use efficiency of AV installations. Our results help policymakers better assess the effects of AV on land use and are useful for identifying priority implementation areas, for instance, in regional or land use plans.

Evaluation of cut-off values in the control of land take in Italy towards the SDGs 2030

Over the last few years, land take monitoring in Europe and in Italy has become increasingly accurate and detailed owing to improved technologies that help acquire and make available free, easily accessible and high-resolution data. Nevertheless, the key issue is controlling this phenomenon, long considered pathological in its current form and scale, in order to mitigate / reverse it and achieve the 2030 containment targets set in international guidelines. To attain these results, firm regulatory action is certainly needed, underpinned by thresholds and reference limits to regulate the development of transformation activities planned by local authorities. In 2015, the United Nations Global Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) put forward a parameter for this purpose, namely the "Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate" (11.3.1 LCRPGR). It monitors the ratio between the extent of urban development and demographic dynamics in spatial-administrative units in order to link the growth of urbanized areas to actual population growth. This paper sets out a reconnaissance experiment to identify LCRPGR cut-off that can be used in legislation in relation to life quality indicators calculated repeatedly for Italy at the provincial level. The conclusions highlight the considerable difficulty inherent in identifying normative thresholds for the containment of negative spatial and social phenomena, and the need to develop scientific methods that are more reliable and robust than what is present in current practice.

Quantifying and analyzing the impact assessment on land use change of urban growth using a timeline.

Land use change occurs by altering natural landscape to manmade built environment. Rapid urban growth is the main factor for land use change at global level. Addis Ababa is one of the recent rapidly growing urban areas in Africa. Since 1983, the population has increased by nearly three times. However, the spatial expansion of the urban area has been much greater with urban sprawl, informal settlement, industry, condominium housing, and real estate development. The demand for urban land has been increasing at alarming rate both by city government, investors, and its residents. The city is primate and the population nine times the second largest city in the country. This study focused on quantifying and analyzing impact assessment of urban growth on land use change from 1986 to 2019. The study assessed the major change in extent and determinants of land use change through 33 years (1986-2019) and future growth scenario the next 30 years from 2019 to 2049. This study used Landsat image, base map of 1986, 1998, 2008, and 2019, to analyze built-up growth and land use change. Observation and interview have also taken to explore more on major urban growth and land use change driving factor from concerned bodies. The last, land use efficiency method was applied to measure land consumption rate and population growth rate. The result showed that in 1986, 1998, 2008, and 2019, built-up covered 21.83%, 42.31%, 59.42%, and 81.20% respectively. This shows that the agriculture and open space were rapidly changed to built-up by 32,486.67 hectares for housing, manufacturing, and infrastructure development. The result from concerned bodies has portrayed that the key determinants for urban land use change in the city were population growth at 4.2% per annum. Government led condominium housing, real estate development, and industrial development expansion including informal settlement has been rapidly reducing agriculture and open space through time. Therefore, unconventional planning approach could be exercised based on community interest for affordable high-rise building. Moreover, disseminate or decentralize industries beyond capital city in regional capital to reduce migration rate and rapid change of urban land use by creating employment opportunity and urban-urban linkage in the reginal capital rather than the capital city.

Sustainable Development in Algeria’s Urban Areas: Population Growth and Land Consumption

We analyzed the urban development sustainability in five major urban areas of Algeria by the standard of the UN Sustainability Development Goal indicator SDG 11.3.1, which focuses on the ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate. We utilized the annual global artificial impervious area (GAIA) dataset to characterize land-use and population data from the two censuses carried out by the National Office of Statistics (ONS) for 2008 and 2018. We discuss the prevailing relationship between urban land consumption rate and population growth rate at the smallest territorial and population census unit scale. We confirm that the indicator SDG 11.3.1 is nonlinear and that while, for example, the wilaya of Tlemcen as a whole appears to be on a sustainable path, twenty-one of its communes are not. We found that overall, and for most of its communes, the wilaya of Oran seems to have an urban land use commensurable to its population growth, but in the wilaya of Algiers, out of fifty-seven communes, only fourteen have a tendency towards sustainable development. However, the latter wilaya hosts the country’s capital and includes government buildings that are uninhabited but are accounted for as land consumed, and as such, the relationship between urban land consumption and population growth is biased. The wilaya of Annaba showed large discrepancies in terms of land use and population growth rates, and the evolution of these quantities is not homogenous across communes and not sustainable. In the Saharan wilaya of Ghardaia, the development is not homogeneous in all communes, with smaller communes undergoing buildup increases of more than 150% over the decade. Finally, in all communes where population growth exceeded urban land growth, there will be overcrowding, an aspect neither the SDG 11.3.1 nor the impervious surface per capita indicator captures. This result, in addition to other limitations, makes SDG 11.3.1 incomplete for the determination of the sustainable development in urban areas.

Land Consumption Dynamics and Urban–Rural Continuum Mapping in Italy for SDG 11.3.1 Indicator Assessment

For the first time in human history, over half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. This rapid growth makes cities more vulnerable, increasing the need to monitor urban dynamics and its sustainability. The aim of this work is to examine the spatial extent of urban areas, to identify the urban–rural continuum, to understand urbanization processes, and to monitor Sustainable Development Goal 11. In this paper, we apply the methodology developed by the European Commission-Joint Research Center for the classification of the degree of urbanization of the Italian territory, using the ISPRA land consumption map and the ISTAT population data. The analysis shows that the availability of detailed and updated spatialized population data is essential to calculate SDG indicator 11.3.1, which assesses the ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate. Three new indicators are also proposed to describe the main trends in urban sprawl, analyzing the spatial distribution of land consumption in terms of infill and settlement dispersion. The research shows good results in identifying class boundaries and describing the Italian urbanized landscape, highlighting the need for more detailed spatialized demographic data. The classification obtained lends itself to a variety of applications, such as monitoring land consumption, settlement dynamics, or the urban heat islands, and assessing the presence and state of green infrastructures in the urban context, driving the development of policies in urban areas toward sustainable choices focused on urban regeneration.

Assessment of urban sprawl, land use/land cover changes and land consumption rate in Hisar City, Haryana, India

Assessment of urban sprawl, land use/land cover changes and land consumption rate in Hisar City, Haryana, India

Ratio of Land Consumption Rate to Population Growth Rate in the Major Metropolitan Areas of Romania

In 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations Member States and includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The indicator, “Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate” (indicator 11.3.1) was proposed for the monitoring of urban development. The present study proposes the analysis of the built-up space evolution in relation to the demographic growth in the main metropolitan areas of Romania using the 11.3.1 indicator. Land consumption rate and population growth rate (LCRPGR) is used to assess the sustainability of urban growth, which takes into account both the change in the built-up area and in the population. LCRPGR is calculated as the ratio of land consumption rate (LCR) and the population growth rate (PGR). The analysis was conducted at the metropolitan area level for the 2006–2009, 2009–2015 and 2015–2020 periods. LCR and PGR proved to be very useful indicators for the monitoring of the intensity of built-up changes in the eight metropolitan areas both in time and in space and are useful for the local and central administrations, in both the context of achieving the sustainable development targets and goals and in conducting urban design and planning.

Distinctive roles of land-use efficiency in sustainable development goals: An investigation of trade-offs and synergies in China

Achieving the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an intercommunicated mission worldwide. It is primarily known that increasing urban areas and populations can considerably influence numerous SDGs. However, the interaction mechanism between urban expansion (UE), urban population dynamics (UPD), land-use efficiency, and SDGs, until now, has not been fully understood. The present study employed remotely sensed data of population and land covers to analyze spatiotemporal variations in land consumption rate (LCR), population growth rate (PGR) and the ratio of LCR to PGR (LCRPGR) of 31 provinces in China from 1995 to 2015. Moreover, we investigated the relations between land-use efficiency and SDG practice using the Spearman coefficient and explored how economic zones alter the consequence of LCR, PGR, and LCRPGR on SDG implementations. The results show that nine SDGs had synergies with LCRPGR, exceeding the total number of synergy relationships yielded by LCR and PGR, indicating that LCRPGR that considers both LCR and PGR exerts more impacts on SDG implementations compared with the single perspective concerning LCR or PGR. The synergies and trade-offs of LCRPGR were more evident in undeveloped economic zones, while few influences of LCRPGR on SDGs were observed in developing economic zones. It suggests that improving land-use efficiencies to facilitate SDG implementation is essential in undeveloped economic settings. The study provides a better understanding of SDG practice in land-use efficiency for developing countries, i.e., China, and guides the regulations of urban expansion and population growth.

Understanding the impact of tourism on spatial growth for sustainable development of tourist destinations through the measure of land use efficiency

Increased visitor arrivals and improved work opportunities in the discussed destinations resulted in infrastructural development and settlement movements, culminating in the urbanisation of the locations. As a result of increased tourist flows and growing economic dependency on the tourism sector, the accommodation and other tourist infrastructure have contributed to a change in built-up areas considerably in tourist areas. Most green spaces in environmentally vulnerable locations are being filled with concrete due to a lack of appropriate spatial development guidelines, while urban areas are losing their authentic aspects. The paper attempts to understand spatial sustainability through the measures of land consumption rate and land-use efficiency in various types of tourist places. As a result, the study concludes that there is a strong link between growing urbanisation and changing visitor arrivals, as well as population change, and tourism has a substantial influence on spatial sustainability.