Urban Development Strategies Research Articles

Evaluating implied urban nature vitality in San Francisco: An interdisciplinary approach combining census data, street view images, and social media analysis

Urban green spaces (UGS) are vital in modern cities, offering extensive health, social, and environmental benefits. However, traditional research methods primarily focus on UGS distribution and aggregation through 2D mapping, often neglecting the quality and vitality of urban natural environments. This limited approach hampers our full understanding of the complex issues and opportunities surrounding UGS. This study proposes a novel concept of Implied Urban Nature Vitality (IUNV) and evaluation framework that offers a comprehensive lens to understand better and evaluate the manifold human-urban-nature interactions in modern cityscapes. Based on our IUNV framework, an interdisciplinary investigation is conducted to show the distribution and population-level perceived IUNV in San Francisco by leveraging a triad of data sources: census, street-built environment, and social media data. Utilizing census data, we analyze socio-economic influences on UGS distribution and IUNV, including factors such as education, age demographics, income, and ethnicity. Street view imagery (SVI), analyzed with advanced image recognition algorithms, serves as a proxy for visual and physical aspects of IUNV, highlighting features like trees, sky, buildings, and roads. This analysis paints a granular picture of UGS's spatial distribution and physical attributes, facilitating an objective measure of IUNV. Subsequently, we analyze Flickr photos related to urban natural areas, examining their distribution and identifying thematic clusters that illuminate various aspects of UGS vitality. Lastly, we combine computer vision and manual review to define 12 IUNV themes from architecture and nature, eco-friendly gatherings, to cultural performance, exploring the relationship between the vitality clusters and the independent variables. The main findings are: (1) Macro-level factors (e.g., accessibility level, land use mix level, road density, population density, etc.) are the dominant variables influencing IUNV.; (2) Street view factors play key roles in IUNV. Through this holistic IUNV analysis, the study shed light on the complexities of urban green space planning and management, informing future urban development strategies towards greater vitality and, by extension, environmental and social sustainability.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Environmental Science for Sustainable Urban Planning

The rapid urbanization of modern cities presents significant challenges in sustainable development. To address these challenges, there is a growing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Environmental Science to enhance urban planning processes. This research aims to assess the impact and utility of AI techniques within the framework of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for sustainable urban planning. Specifically, it investigates how AI-enhanced GIS tools can be employed to improve urban development strategies and enhance sustainability assessments. Employing Spatial Analysis with GIS, this study analyzes data on land use, population density, and environmental indicators across several metropolitan areas. The methodology incorporates machine learning algorithms to predict and simulate urban growth patterns, enabling the assessment of various urban planning scenarios. The findings reveal that AI-enhanced GIS tools significantly improve the precision of development forecasts and sustainability assessments. These tools facilitate more informed decision-making in urban planning by enabling precise predictions about urban expansion and its environmental impacts. The integration of AI with environmental science not only enhances the efficiency of urban planning processes but also contributes to the resilience and sustainability of urban environments. The study provides urban planners and policymakers with advanced tools to forecast and mitigate the environmental impacts of urbanization, thereby setting a benchmark for future studies in the realm of sustainable urban planning. This research demonstrates the practical application of AI in enhancing the capabilities of GIS for complex spatial analyses, contributing significantly to the field of urban planning.

Evaluation of Land Use and Land Cover Change and Spatial Ecological Impacts Using GIS: A Case Study of Urumqi's Primary Urban Area

In this study, GIS technology was used to take the main urban area of Urumqi as an example to conduct an in-depth study of the land use cover change and its spatial ecological effects in the past 30 years. It is found that the rapid urbanization process has led to the gradual reduction of arable land and vacant land, while the area of land designated for construction has witnessed a notable upward trajectory. The alteration in land use has had a profound effect on the ecological environment, changed the original ecological pattern, and has had a non-negligible impact on air quality, soil fertility and biodiversity. Therefore, advocating reasonable land use and proposing and implementing sustainable urban development strategies are very important for the future development of the main urban area of Urumqi.

Examining the impact of urban management on regional innovation efficiency in China’s manufacturing industry with a focus on modern sustainable energy: utilizing a non-radial distance function method

This study examines the impact of urban management on the efficiency of regional innovation in China’s manufacturing industry, with a specific focus on modern sustainable energy. The research takes into consideration the regional diversity in innovation development across China’s three major regions and integrates common Frontier theory with the MSBM model. By employing a non-radial distance function approach, this study develops the MMSBMP model, incorporating various improved methods proposed by researchers. The Luenberger index methodology is utilized to assess the innovation efficiency of the national manufacturing industry from 2017 to 2021, enabling the identification of efficiency losses. The findings highlight significant disparities and opportunities for enhancing innovation efficiency across the three major regions, both at the common Frontier and the group Frontier. However, caution is advised due to the potential overestimation of regional Frontier efficiency values resulting from variations in technical reference datasets. Analysis of the Total Growth Rate (TGR) values reveals distinct development characteristics among the regions, with the eastern region exhibiting smaller extremes and the central and western regions displaying larger extremes. This comprehensive examination of China’s manufacturing industry emphasizes the influence of urban management. By investigating the consequences of urban management practices, this research provides insights into the relationship between urban development strategies and the performance, efficiency, and sustainable growth of the manufacturing industry. The study highlights the significance of urban management in shaping regional innovation efficiency and emphasizes the continual improvement of the industry’s innovation performance in the context of modern sustainable energy.

Maximising CO2 Sequestration in the City: The Role of Green Walls in Sustainable Urban Development

Environmental issues are a pressing concern for modern societies, and the increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 have led to global warming. To mitigate climate change, reducing carbon emissions is crucial, and carbon sequestration plays a critical role in this effort. Technologies for utilising CO2 can be divided into two major categories: direct use and conversion into chemicals and energy, and indirect use as a carbon source for plants. While plants’ ability to absorb and store CO2 makes them the best CO2 sink, finding suitable urban areas for significant green spaces is a challenge. Green walls are a promising solution, as they require less land, provide more ecosystem services than horizontal systems do, and can contribute to reducing environmental problems. This study evaluates the conceptual potentials and limitations of urban biomass circulation in terms of energy production, food production, and CO2 consumption, focusing on growth-promoting bacteria, urban agriculture, and vertical systems. The aim of this research is discovering new methods of carbon sequestration using multi-purpose green walls to achieve sustainable urban development and CO2 reduction strategies to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Urban population density and energy conservation: Empirical evidence from 276 cities in China

Reducing urban energy consumption is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable urban development. Urban energy plays a fundamental role in urban development, and while previous studies have examined the relationship between population size and energy conservation, the impact of increasing population density on per capita energy consumption (PCEC) remains unclear. To achieve urban energy conservation in China, it is vital to comprehend this significant relationship. This study constructs a spatial regression model to examine the relationship between population density and PCEC using 9 years of balanced panel data from 276 cities to fill a gap in the literature. The results of spatial autocorrelation indicate a significant negative relationship and heterogeneity between population density and PCEC. The results of spatial regression show that for every 1% increase in population density, there is a subsequent increase in PCEC of 0.074%. Our findings suggest that lower PCEC correlation is associated with higher urban population density. This study can be a reference for policymakers seeking new energy conservation strategies for urban development.

Mitigating air and noise pollution through highway capping: The Bundang-Suseo Highway Cap Project case study

Highways, while vital for transportation, often lead to heightened air and noise pollution, adversely affecting nearby communities. This study delves into the effectiveness of highway capping, a sustainable urban development strategy, in addressing these environmental challenges, with a specific focus on the Bundang-Suseo Highway in South Korea. This study employed a multifaceted approach, incorporating on-road monitoring, in situ measurements, and vertical assessments using UAVs. Following the cap's installation, the area experienced more stable pollutant levels, marking a notable shift from the previously fluctuating conditions heavily influenced by the highway. In-depth in situ monitoring near the cap revealed significant reductions in noise and pollutants like UFP and BC. Furthermore, UAV monitoring captured these changes in pollutant levels at different altitudes. Notably, the installation of the highway cap led to increased PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 levels at ground level, but a decrease above the cap, emphasizing the critical importance of intentional highway cap design in enhancing urban air quality and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants. This research yields invaluable insights for urban planners, health authorities, and policymakers, aiding the precise identification of pollution-prone areas and advocating for improved highway cap design to enhance urban environments.

Analysis of Urban Congestion Traceability: The Role of the Built Environment

Analyzing the factors influencing traffic congestion is essential for urban planning and coordinated development. Previous research frequently focuses on the internal aspects of traffic systems, often overlooking the impact of external factors on congestion sources. Therefore, this study utilizes a geospatial dataset and mobile signaling data, firstly applying the Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) algorithm to identify congested roads of different levels and trace the localization of travelers’ origins on regional congested roads. Furthermore, it employs the LightGBM method to study the influence of the built environment of various congestion sources on network-level congestion. The findings are as follows: (1) There is a positive correlation between traffic congestion and geographical location, with congestion predominantly caused by a few specific plots and demonstrating a concentrated trend in city centers. (2) Residential population density is the most critical factor, accounting for over 12% of the congestion contribution, followed by road density and working population density. (3) Both residential and working population densities show a non-linear positive correlation with congestion contribution, while the mixture of land use displays a non-linear V-shaped influence. Additionally, when residential population density is between 8000 and 11,000, it notably exacerbates congestion contribution. Significantly, by emphasizing land use considerations in traffic system analysis, these findings illuminate the intricate linkages between urban planning and traffic congestion, advocating for a more comprehensive approach to urban development strategies.

Predicting building energy consumption in urban neighborhoods using machine learning algorithms

Assessing building energy consumption in urban neighborhoods at the early stages of urban planning assists decision-makers in developing detailed urban renewal plans and sustainable development strategies. At the city-level, the use of physical simulation-based urban building energy modeling (UBEM) is too costly, and data-driven approaches often are hampered by a lack of available building energy monitoring data. This paper combines a simulation-based approach with a data-driven approach, using UBEM to provide a dataset for machine learning and deploying the trained model for large-scale urban building energy consumption prediction. Firstly, we collected 18,789 neighborhoods containing 248,938 buildings in the Shanghai central area, of which 2,702 neighborhoods were used for UBEM. Simultaneously, building functions were defined by POI data and land use data. We used 14 impact factors related to land use and building morphology to define each neighborhood. Next, we compared the performance of six ensemble learning methods modeling impact factors with building energy consumption and used SHAP to explain the best model; we also filtered out the features that contributed the most to the model output to reduce the model complexity. Finally, the balanced regressor that had the best prediction accuracy with the minimum number of features was used to predict the remaining urban neighborhoods in the Shanghai central area. The results show that XGBoost achieves the best performance. The balanced regressor, constructed with the 9 most contributing features, predicted the building rooftop photovoltaics potential, total load, cooling load, and heating load with test set accuracies of 0.956, 0.674, 0.608, and 0.762, respectively. Our method offers an 85.5%-time advantage over traditional methods, with only a maximum of 22.75% of error.

Linking geodiversity and geosystem services to human well-being for the sustainable utilization of the subsurface and the urban environment.

Because the functions of the subsurface are hidden from view, its important role in society is often ignored or taken for granted. The subsurface is, however, an essential part of the global ecosystem with important contributions to human well-being. Geodiversity is an important characteristic in this respect. Material supply is the more obvious role of the subsurface with projections of a doubling of global material use in 2060 as compared to 2017. Moreover, creating underground spaces and infrastructure are gaining importance in the urban environment. The main reason for the inadequate protection of geodiversity is the lack of a comprehensive and integrative framework. Linking socio-economic activities to biophysical system characteristics of the subsurface is facilitated by the geosystem services approach. Sustainable urban development strategies require including geodiversity in decision-making on human well-being and setting conditions for land use change. Spatial plans and decisions on the use of natural endowments should look at processes over much longer timeframes. In this paper, we explore the links between human well-being and the subsurface with an emphasis on the role of geodiversity. We set out a methodological framework and describe possible long term three-dimensional land use planning consequences for sustainable utilization of the subsurface. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Geodiversity for science and society'.

THE CITY AND ITS IMAGE: DISCOURSES OF THEORETICAL UNDERSTANDING

The article is devoted to understanding the ideas that influence the understanding of the essence of the city and its image in the process of historical development. Through historical and comparative analysis, key changes are illuminated, including the shift from the ideal of social justice to individualism. The research is relevant in the context of the impact of technology on urban life; it can become the basis for developing strategies for sustainable urban development and creating favorable social conditions. Aspects that influence the perception of residents and researchers of the urban image are identified for subsequent analysis of the modern city.

Research on the Optimization of Urban Ecological Infrastructure Based on Ecosystem Service Supply, Demand, and Flow

Ecological infrastructure plays a crucial role in strengthening the relationship between humans and the environment by optimizing ecological space and resource allocation in urban environments. However, there are few studies on the functional assessment and spatial and temporal evolution of ecological infrastructure and its layout optimization. In this study, we developed an ecological infrastructure optimization method based on ecosystem service supply, demand, and flow in Yantai City as the study area; identified the spatial extent of urban ecological infrastructure and its spatial and temporal changes based on the spatial quantification of multiple ecosystem services; assessed whether the existing ecological infrastructure could satisfy the needs of the urban residents by calculating the ecosystem service supply and demand indexes; and used the spatial quantification of ecosystem service flows to optimize the spatial layout of urban ecological infrastructure. This study shows that, from 2010 to 2018, ecological infrastructure in Longkou, Zhaoyuan, and Laiyang decreased, contrasting with the growth in the existing peripheral areas. The study found a clear spatial mismatch between the supply and demand of ecosystem services, especially in the central urban areas, suggesting that the existing infrastructure was unable to satisfy the needs of high-demand areas. This study assessed the peripheral areas of the city using comparative ecological radiation force (CERF), including 314.64 km2 of environmentally beautiful village units as key components of ecological infrastructure in Yantai City. These findings are crucial for sustainable environmental management and urban development strategies.

Study on Coupling and Coordination Relationship between Urbanization and Ecosystem Service Value in Jiangsu Province, China

Urbanization has a significant negative impact on both the structure and function of ecosystems, as it is a major part of the human-caused transformation of natural landscapes. Concurrently, the attenuation of ecosystem service values (ESVs) poses critical impediments to urbanization and imperils human well-being. Investigating the interactive coupling and coordination relationship between urbanization and ESV is paramount in informing urban development strategies and environmental preservation efforts. Using Jiangsu Province as a representative case, this study forges an urbanization assessment index framework, estimates ESV, and subsequently delves into the multifaceted nexus between urbanization and ESV. The findings disclose a gradual uptick in urbanization levels in Jiangsu Province, underscored by conspicuous regional disparities typified in the subregions of southern Jiangsu, central Jiangsu, and northern Jiangsu, mirroring the high congruence observed in the economic urbanization subsystem. However, this upward trajectory in urbanization coincides with an overarching descent in ESV, with the most pronounced declines manifesting in regions characterized by elevated urbanization levels, such as Nantong and Suzhou. A robust interrelationship between urbanization and ESV is discernible throughout Jiangsu Province. Nevertheless, certain cities exhibit perturbations and retrogression in the associations between urbanization subsystems and ESV. The coupling coordination between population urbanization and ESV is characterized by disharmony while the coordination of economic urbanization markedly lags. Additionally, several cities are witnessing a progressive deterioration in the coordination relationships between ESV subsystems (food production, soil conservation, gas regulation, and raw material production) and urbanization. In light of these findings, it is recommended that governmental authorities enact measures to harmonize urban development with environmental preservation, safeguard the integrity of ecosystem functions, and facilitate the sustainable management of land resources.

The Application of Geographic Information System in Urban Forest Ecological Compensation and Sustainable Development Evaluation

Urban forests can alleviate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and improve residents’ mental health. By studying urban forests, these resources can be better used and managed to create more livable urban environments. Therefore, the urban forest in the Taishan region is taken as the research object, and the ecological compensation and sustainable development of urban forest in Tai’an City are deeply analyzed by GIS. It divided the area into forest land, water bodies, wetlands, grasslands, and shrubs as the basic ecosystem types. And through secondary interpretation and combination, a complete urban forest information database was established. To evaluate the comprehensive benefits of urban forests, the analytic hierarchy process was utilized to establish a corresponding evaluation index system. Based on the assessment outcomes of the comprehensive benefits of urban forests in the area, a standard accounting method for urban forest ecological compensation was proposed. The results showed that each index of the comprehensive benefits of urban forests and the random consistency ratio were both less than 0.1. This indicated that the matrix calculation results of various indicators of urban forest comprehensive benefits had good consistency. At the target level, the comprehensive evaluation score of urban forests in the study area was 7.69. At the factor level, the weight value of the urban forest landscape structure was 0.675, and the comprehensive score was 7.62. The weight value of urban forest comprehensive benefits was 0.325, and the comprehensive score was 7.82. The quantitative weight value of urban forest greening in the study area was 0.6138, with a comprehensive score of 7.57. Based on the analysis of the issues in urban forests and ecological compensation in the research area of Tai’an City, corresponding ecological compensation strategies have been proposed. It is of great value to study the urban forest of Tai’an city, which can help to formulate more effective urban planning and sustainable development strategies. The research results can also provide a valuable reference and inspiration for the improvement of urban forest ecological environment and biodiversity protection in other areas.

New-Build Speculation and the Financialization of Urban Development in the Global South: A Perspective from Phnom Penh, Cambodia

This article analyzes how urban development and property management strategies shape and accelerate new-build speculation (i.e., speculation mechanisms attached to the development of newly built real estate projects) in Phnom Penh (the capital of Cambodia), a city experiencing a growing financialization of its real estate markets. By discussing dominant conceptions of property speculation within critical research in geography and urban studies, the article shows that speculation has primarily been seen as a fictitious and unproductive form of capital accumulation rather than as an effective mechanism of urban production. Analyzing the development of mixed-use, large-scale, and condominium projects, the article argues that not only does property speculation participate in shaping real estate development but also that the production and management of real estate projects “engineer” property speculation and the spatialization logics of real estate financialization. Four main mechanisms of new-build speculation are identified: the design of speculative urbanity, the refining of the liquidity of real estate assets, the spatialization of speculation, and the production of territorial investment platforms. Ultimately, the article discusses how the intensification of the construction of large-scale, mixed-use, and condominium projects in Global South cities is supporting a speculative turn of urban development in so-called frontier markets.

Unveiling the Impact of Urban Green Landscape on Quality of Life in Kaduna, Nigeria: Residents' Perceptions and Sustainable Strategies

This study investigates the influence of urban green landscapes on the Quality of Life (QoL) in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria, focusing on residents' perceptions and sustainable urban development strategies. Conducted from May to July 2023, the quantitative research surveyed 377 residents using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis, including correlation and t-tests, was performed using SPSS version 23. Findings reveal a positive perception of urban green spaces, significantly contributing to residents' QoL. Key results include high satisfaction with green areas enhancing environmental beauty (Mean=4.88, SD=0.90) and providing recreational appeal (Mean=4.45, SD=0.95). Additionally, these areas significantly impact perceived value (Mean=4.78, SD=0.93), prestige (Mean=4.92, SD=8.18), and attachment to the environment (Mean=4.71, SD=0.831). Residents with accessible and functional green spaces express higher satisfaction levels (Cronbach’s Alpha > 0.9). The study underscores the importance of urban greenery in improving urban living conditions and offers strategic recommendations for sustainable urban planning. Addressing a gap in literature, this research provides empirical insights into residents' perspectives within Kaduna Metropolis, contributing to academic discourse and practical urban development approaches.

Urban Electric Bus Fleet Transition Research Based on Eco-Impact Valuation Model and Discounted Cash Flow Analysis

This paper investigates the transition to an all-electric bus fleet as a strategy for sustainable urban development, focusing on its financial and environmental impacts. Utilizing the Eco-impact Valuation Model, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis (DCF), and the E-bus Replacement Model, the study assesses the feasibility and benefits of replacing conventional diesel buses with electric buses. Firstly, the Eco-impact Valuation Model analyzes and translates the environmental costs of diesel and electric buses into monetary social costs, evaluating the potential cost reduction to society offered by electric buses. Secondly, the DCF is used to demonstrate the potential cost-saving superiority of electric buses over diesel buses within a single investment period, providing a financial perspective on the transition. Lastly, the E-bus Replacement Model plans the phased introduction of electric buses and updates bus routes over the next ten years, based on air quality severity in different city zones. The severity of pollution is ranked using the TOPSIS evaluation model, with influencing factors weighted by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The models are applied to three cities, including Houston, Buenos Aires, and Shenzhen, offering insights into the ecological, financial, and practical feasibility of electric buses for policymakers.

Sustainable Connectivity—Integration of Mobile Roaming, WiFi4EU and Smart City Concept in the European Union

This article takes a comprehensive look at the integration of mobile roaming, WiFi4EU and the smart city concept within the European Union in the context of sustainability. These initiatives form key elements of the digital development and transformation of European cities. Starting with a brief look at the functioning of the European Union’s internal market, the article briefly analyzes the objectives of these projects, highlighting their interplay and benefits for citizens. It focuses on the development of smart cities and the importance of digital connectivity in the process of building smart cities. It discusses the WiFi4EU initiative, which provides funding for free public WiFi networks and promotes digital inclusion. It also looks at the core pillars of smart cities, including digital connectivity, efficient transport, environmental protection, innovation and citizen participation. The article discusses the challenges associated with this integration, such as ensuring interoperability of different technological solutions and data privacy. It also highlights the importance of cooperation between city authorities, local communities and European institutions to achieve successful digital urban development. The research emphasizes the economic sustainability implications of these integrated technologies, considering the potential for innovation, job creation and economic growth within the digital and tech sectors. The main method used in the writing process was the analysis method, which was complemented by the comparison and synthesis methods. The final discussion assesses the benefits and challenges that this integration brings for the development of cities and the improvement of the quality of life of citizens. By critically examining the convergence of mobile roaming, WiFi4EU and smart cities in the European Union, this study aims to provide insights into the transformative potential of sustainable connectivity. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on urban development strategies, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that addresses both technological advancements and the imperative of sustainable practices for the benefit of current and future generations.

Construction of a cold island network for the urban heat island effect mitigation

The urban heat island (UHI) effect seriously challenges sustainable urban development strategies and livability. Numerous studies have explored the UHI problem from the perspective of isolated blue and green patches, ignoring the overall function of cold island networks. This study aims to explore the construction method of cold island network by integrating scattered cold island resources, rationally guiding urban planning and construction, and providing effective ideas and methods for improving the urban thermal environment. Taking the central city of Fuzhou as an example, the identification of the cold island core source (CICS) was optimized by applying relative land surface temperature (LST), morphological spatial pattern analysis, and landscape connectivity analysis. The combined resistance surface was constructed based on a spatial principal component analysis. Subsequently, the cold island network was constructed by applying circuit theory and identifying the key nodes. The results showed that the central and eastern parts of the study area experienced the most significant UHI effects and there was a tendency for them to cluster. Overall, 48 core sources, 104 corridors, 89 cooling nodes, and 34 heating nodes were identified. The average LST of the CICSs was 28.43 °C, significantly lower than the average LST of the entire study area (31.50 °C), and the 104 cold corridors were classified into three categories according to their importance. Different targeting measures should be adopted for the cooling and heating nodes to maintain the stability of the cold island network and prevent the formation of a heat network. Finally, we suggest a model for urban cold island network construction and explore methods for mitigating issues with UHI to achieve proactive and organized adaptation and mitigation of thermal environmental risks in urban areas, as well as to encourage sustainable urban development.

Adapting to urban gardening in China: how will policymaking help migrant and native gardeners?

China’s current urban gardening promotion policies mainly focus on community gardens and lack in-depth research on the differentiated needs of different urban gardeners. To meet the diverse needs of China’s gardeners, this study proposes a typology that classifies gardeners into urban native and migrant ones based on their urban and rural living experiences in China. A questionnaire survey conducted in the core area of Chongqing city revealed significant differences and some similarities in gardening motivations and behaviors between urban native and migrant gardeners: (1) Although most of the gardeners approved of the value of food production and green scenery creation that Chinese urban gardening has, and disapproved of its value for family income generation, the urban native gardeners’ disapproving attitude towards family income generation, and their approval of green scenery creation were more assertive, while on the contrary, the urban migrant gardeners had a more robust approval attitude towards food production. (2) The urban native gardeners preferred proximity and small private spaces for a combination of ornamental vegetation and edible vegetables. In contrast, the urban migrated gardeners preferred larger areas for gardening in non-community spaces and leaned towards edible vegetables. (3) Both have shared motivations related to the recreation and ecological conservation values of urban gardening. Given the above differences and similarities, this paper proposes an urban gardening development strategy that meets the needs of the two types of gardeners in China, including space planning and design, operation, and management of gardening spaces, and organization of activities.