Urban Sprawl Research Articles

Consistency of landscape compositional effects on microclimate, arthropods and plant performance across different years and regions

ContextReinforcement of agrobiodiversity in peri-urban areas requires a landscape lens. Relationships between land use composition and indicators of ecosystem services can depend on weather conditions and differ between regions.ObjectivesIn this study we present new empirical data on relationships between landscape composition and indicators of regulating and provisioning agroecosystem services. Furthermore, we check if these data are consistent between two different ecoregions and different years.MethodsWe apply an innovative methodology in a research landscape in the province of Antwerp (Flanders, Belgium) in 2021 with 1 m²-garden as phytometers along a landscape compositional gradient. Landscape composition at different scales is used as explanatory variable for microclimate variation, arthropod activity, leaf herbivory and crop yield in the 1 m²-gardens. Results are compared to an identical experiment in another ecoregion in East Flanders in 2018, 2019.ResultsWe found that the proportion of built-up areas is negatively related to local agroecosystem functioning. High-value herbaceous vegetation (e.g. extensive grasslands) promotes the activity of predators and high green vegetation buffers soil moisture and temperature variation, during dry and warm periods. Comparison between cases indicates that there is more consistency in the response of predatory invertebrates to the landscape composition than in the response of pollinators. The buffering effect of high green vegetation in the landscape increases when temperature and drought extremes occur.ConclusionsThe extent of high green vegetation can be enhanced at landscape level to maximise their ability to buffer extreme weather conditions. In peri-urban areas we should avoid further urban sprawl into the rural matrix and promote high-value herbaceous vegetation.

Investigating of Spatial Urban Growth Pattern and Associated Landscape Dynamics in Congolese Mining Cities Bordering Zambia from 1990 to 2023

This study investigates the spatial urban growth patterns of cities along the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia border, a region of significant economic importance characterized by cross-border trade. This activity has led to rapid but unplanned urban growth. The objective is to quantify the spatial expansion of Congolese cities (Kipushi, Kasumbalesa, Mokambo, and Sakania) bordering Zambia and to evaluate associated landscape changes. The methodology of this study includes the supervised classification of Landsat images with a spatial resolution of 30 m for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2023. This classification was validated using field data. Subsequently, landscape metrics such as class area, patch number, Shannon diversity index, disturbance index, urban expansion intensity index, largest patch index, and mean Euclidean distance were calculated for each city and each date. The results reveal substantial landscape transformations in the border cities between 1990 and 2023. These changes are primarily driven by rapid urban expansion, particularly pronounced in Kasumbalesa. Between 1990 and 2023, forest cover declined from 70% to less than 15% in Kipushi, from 80% to 10% in Kasumbalesa, from 90% to 30% in Mokambo, and from 80% to 15% in Sakania. This forest cover loss is accompanied by an increase in landscape element diversity, as indicated by the Shannon diversity index, except in Kipushi, suggesting a transition towards more heterogeneous landscapes. In these border cities, landscape dynamics are also characterized by the expansion of agriculture and savannas, highlighted by an increase in the disturbance index. Analysis of spatial pattern changes shows that built-up areas, agriculture, and savannas exhibit trends of patch creation or aggregation, whereas forests are undergoing processes of dissection and patch attrition. Congolese cities bordering Zambia are undergoing substantial spatial changes propelled by intricate interactions between economic, demographic, and infrastructural factors. Our results underscore the need for sustainable development strategies to address urban sprawl through smart growth policies and mixed-use developments, mitigate deforestation via stricter land use regulations and reforestation projects, and enhance cross-border cooperation through joint environmental management and collaborative research initiatives.

Simulation of urban sprawl and the analysis of the sustainability of developments using Cellular Automata and Remote-Sensing: Findings from Kurunegala, Sri Lanka

Simulation of urban sprawl and the analysis of the sustainability of developments using Cellular Automata and Remote-Sensing: Findings from Kurunegala, Sri Lanka

A Survey of Bulgarian (National) Planning and Regulation Acts and Documents Concerning Urban Sprawl

A Survey of Bulgarian (National) Planning and Regulation Acts and Documents Concerning Urban Sprawl

Understanding geomorphodynamics in the Pergamon micro-region from a socio-ecological perspective

A systematic interdisciplinary approach based on the socio-ecological model of the Vienna school has been adopted to achieve a more nuanced and multifaceted understanding of the ancient metropolis of Pergamon (western Anatolia) and its micro-region. The city of Pergamon ranks among the ‘guiding fossils’ of urban culture in antiquity. We describe how the socio-ecological model is subject to adaptation and discussion to fit the needs and circumstances of archaeology. In focussing on geomorphodynamics, we use several approaches to conceptualise and model selected aspects of human-environment interactions, integrating data from physical geography, archaeology, building archaeology (Bauforschung) and ancient history. The model includes several dimensions of the social metabolism of Pergamon, first and foremost the carrying capacity of the environment and demographics, comprising population increase and labour as an active investment in nature. Geomorphodynamics are regarded as major ‘events’ in the model, related to the social metabolism (e.g. increased erosion/deposition in the micro-region in relation to urban sprawl). With the social-ecological model, it is possible – and becomes imperative – to include the perception and representation of human-environment interactions manifested in, for example, administrative patterns and religious practices or architecture and built infrastructure (such as terraces, riverbank stabilisation, substraction terraces and substraction bridges). Geomorphodynamics also involve various aspects of the perception of the environment, though these are not recorded in ancient texts on Pergamon known to date. Concurrently, the importance of the model in organising, structuring, and communicating interdisciplinary collaboration and discourse is highlighted.

Intended and implemented spatial policy - A ‘fuzzy effect’ case study

The aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of local territorially targeted policy by identifying an implementation gap between intended and implemented development (in a case in Eastern Poland, a ‘post-communist’ transition economy). The systemic conceptual matrix integrates an interplay of intended, actualised and implemented spatial policies with institutional framework in the context of a struggle for control of building development (including communal investment), and threats for public interest. The matrix applies the conformance and performance criteria in analysing the gap. The work identifies the ‘vicious circle’ (implementation gap's mechanisms) of spatial policies and land use planning that leads to an increase in urban sprawl. A ‘deficit’ of public interest consists the key issue of spatial policy that results in ‘fuzzy effect’, which includes scattering of communal investments. Decreasing urban sprawl is not about refining technical land use plans but requires a shift from land use planning to strategic public interest spatial planning.

Urban Regeneration of Old Neighborhoods: The Case of Old Al Ghanim in Doha, Qatar

ABSTRACT Qatar witnessed its first urban expansion era following economic prosperity amid the discovery and production of oil and its exportation in the early 1950s. However, the capital city of Qatar, Doha, beheld numerous challenges following the rapid growth that resulted in unsystematic urban sprawl in the city. Therefore, the country developed national expansion plans and policies for the geographical city change process by encouraging sustainable and regenerative approaches. Studies concentrating on urban regeneration in rapidly growing cities offer prospects by evaluating existing settings and proposing regeneration solutions. This research aims to assess the urban environment of an old neighborhood in Doha, called Fareej Al Ghanim by examining the existing conditions and providing recommendations for its regeneration. A qualitative research methodology is applied in this study to identify proper solutions for urban regeneration in Fareej Al Ghanim. The latter is an important case to analyze, study and recommend an appropriate regeneration strategy, which can be used as an example of best practice for other historic neighborhoods in Qatar, the Gulf and elsewhere. Namely, the urban regeneration of Old Al Ghanim neighborhood in Doha was studied through physical analysis of (A) urban settings (B) land uses and (C) current building conditions. The information was collected through data collection, site visits, walking tour assessments and map analyses. The findings identified the following; (1) poor infrastructure of the neighborhood, (2) multiple abandoned buildings in a deteriorating state, (3) lack of parking spaces and over congestion, (4) absence of cycling paths and pavements and (5) inexistence of open areas where people can sit and relax. Thus, the proposed recommendations for urban regeneration are based on (A) enhancing the physical environment of the area through land-use changes and (B) rehabilitating the surviving historic buildings and reconstructing the deteriorating ones. The findings offer policymakers, city planners, and designers an opportunity to improve old districts in Qatar, the Gulf and elsewhere.

Urban Sprawl’s Impact on Land Use in Kenya: A Systematic Review of Literature

Urban growth is essential in bringing in new opportunities and a larger labour force, but when it is unconventional and unregulated, it tends to raise new threats and problems in the community and the environment. This urban sprawl phenomenon and its impact on land use need to be explored deeply for comprehensive planning and development. Therefore, it is important to analyse existing evidence related to urban sprawl impacts on land use. In this study, existing knowledge on the impact of urban sprawl on land use in Kenya is described through a systematic literature review. The specific objectives of the review were to assess the general characteristics of studies on urban sprawl impact on land use in Kenya, synthesise the findings of these studies, and highlight the gaps in the studies. A search was conducted on the Google Scholar engine, leading to 4317 results from which 21 articles were selected through a systematic screening process. The review established that the majority of the studies are recent, having been published in the last 10 years, have utilised the quantitative approach, and have been conducted in diverse urban centres in Kenya. The findings of the studies revealed that diminishing agricultural land is the most prominent consequence of urban sprawl. The research found that urban sprawl is taking much of the available agricultural land due to increased demand for housing and the creation of new non-farm economic activities. This phenomenon has threatened to cause food shortages, reduced agricultural exports, hence reduced foreign exchange, and lost job opportunities in the agricultural sector. Another impact of urban sprawl is the decline of conservation areas, including bare land, forests, bushlands, and wetlands. Replacement of land under natural cover with built cover has dire consequences for human life and the ecosystem, including increased cases of floods and soil erosion. The results of this study provide insights that can be used to formulate policies related to urban planning, agriculture, and conservation.

How Does Regional Science Address Environmental Issues? A Bibliometric Analysis of Two Decades of Publications

Using bibliometric methods, this paper is aimed at providing an overview of Regional Science publications that address environmental issues. The analysis covers a corpus of 1145 articles that refer to the environment in their title, abstract or keywords and published in 18 journals between 1999 and 2020. Although these publications account for only 6 percent of the articles published in these journals over that period, their number gradually increased. To gain a clearer picture of the environmental issues addressed, we characterise them according to whether an integrative or topical approach is adopted and by their spatial dimensions. This analytical framework is first applied by searching for specific terms in their title, keywords and abstract. The results show that both approaches are equally effective; further, these articles address intraregional or interregional environmental issues more than global environmental issues. Second, we conduct a keyword co-occurrence analysis revealing four coherent thematic article groups treating environmental issues from the perspectives of amenities and migration, governance and policy, innovation and clusters, and land use and urban sprawl. More detailed analyses of each group allowed us to refine our understanding of how environmental issues were addressed. Finally, a cross-cutting view of the four thematic groups suggests that Regional Science approaches environmental issues through spatial disparities and inequalities, spatial interactions and interdependencies, and the spatial dimension of public action. The research perspectives in each of these areas are highlighted.

A Nexus between Project Management Lifecycle and Performance of Slums Upgrading Projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya

The alarming rate of urban sprawl poses a social menace for city planners and governments worldwide and Nairobi city of Kenya is not an exception. Challenges of access to appropriate and affordable housing has forced majority of city residents to occupy shanties with deplorable living conditions thus, the need to improve the infrastructure in the slums. In Kenya, the government has initiated various projects in a bid to carry out a facelift of slums countrywide. Although, involvement of key stakeholders in each of the phases of project management lifecycle (PMLC) that is, project initiation, planning, implementation, Monitoring & evaluation and closure remains a critical factor to the realization of slum upgrading infrastructure development, the affected communities are not fully engaged thus thwarting effective implementation of the planned activities. In this regard, the aim of the study was to examine the influence of PMLC on performance of slums upgrading projects (PSUP). A descriptive survey research design and a correlational research design were utilized whereby data was analysed and interpreted using means, standard deviations, correlation of coefficient and correlation of determination. A sample of 266 was drawn from a target population of 794, of which 208 responded to a 5-point Likert Scale questionnaire. Qualitative data collected was presented in narrative form. Results obtained indicated a linearly positive and a very strong significant relationship between PMLC and PSUP. When all phases were combined PMLC explained 62.9% of the overall variation in PSUP. The findings indicate that a unit increase in initiation and planning stages result to an increase in PSUP by 7.77% and 1.97% respectively whereas for a unit decrease in project implementation and project M&E, PSUP decreases by 2.07% and 1.72% respectively. It was thus concluded that PMLC significantly influences Performance of Slum Upgrading Projects. The recommendation of the study was that activities pertaining to project planning, M&E and project closure phases be efficiently executed for optimum performance of the projects.

Prediction of surface urban heat island based on predicted consequences of urban sprawl using deep learning: A way forward for a sustainable environment

The present work aimed at the spatiotemporal analysis of Land Surface Temperature (LST) and several land-use land-cover spectral indices, namely Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) and to develop a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model to predict the LST and the indices for Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) evaluation based on the impervious surface area. The predictions were made only for LST and two indices (NDVI and NDBI) because of their strong correlation with LST. Landsat-8 satellite imageries acquired for 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 were utilized, and the Sialkot district, a swiftly urbanizing and advancing industrial city, was selected as a case study area. In the study, first, the indices (NDVI and NDBI) were predicted for 2019, 2021, and 2023 following a sequential procedure, and then based on the predicted indices, the LST for the mentioned years was predicted. Ultimately, to analyze the impact of impervious area on SUHI, impervious and SUHI were extracted for 2019, 2021, and 2023 using the predicted NDBI and LST, respectively, by employing Otsu's Thresholding technique. The predicted LST and indices for 2019 and 2021 were compared with the obtained 2019 and 2021 LST and indices through several statistical measures, such as the kappa index, to evaluate the performance of the CNN model. The kappa index of different kappa statistics for 2019 and 2021 varied between 0.81 and 0.96, which resembles several previous studies, thus indicating sufficient future predictions. SUHI evaluation was conducted based on the observed (2016) and simulated (2021) impervious area and normalized LST images. The results showed that the distribution of the SUHI was highly related to the impervious area. Suppose the urbanization rate in the study area continues at its current pace. In that case, this expansion will cause a dramatic increase in SUHI distribution unless decision-makers consider any proper urban planning model for the study area.

Understanding impact of urban sprawl over sanitation risks using GIS‐based multicriteria decision‐making approach

AbstractUrban sprawl and the shortage of proper sanitary infrastructures significantly jeopardize public health and urban sustainability. The problem is further aggravated as a result of the rapid urbanization and urban sprawl. This study investigated the relationship between urban sprawl and sanitation risk conditions in a rapidly growing city in India. This was accomplished by investigating changes in urban sprawl areas between the periods 2000–2020 using multispectral satellite images and Shanon's entropy model and studying the pattern of spatial variations in basic sanitation services derived from the 100 household‐based surveyed WASH (water availability, sanitation, and hygiene) data collected in 2018 before COVID‐19 from 45 sprawl regions. Spatial statistical techniques, namely, the inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation and the multicriteria decision technique, were employed for neighborhood analysis and assessing sanitation risks inside the sprawl region. Results showed that Raipur exhibited urban sprawl and around 93.68% of the sprawl area was classified between high (6.47%)‐ and medium (80.52%)‐risk zones.

Governing green change to improve resilience by assessing urban risks for localizing nature based solutions in fast sprawling Dehradun, India

Considering the increasing disaster risks, vulnerability and reduced resilience across Himalayas due to urban sprawling, our study attempts to understand the crucial environmental concerns in the valley town of Dehradun. We assessed the long-term risks due to the rise in population density, changing land use patterns, land surface temperature, groundwater shortage, air pollution concerns, vegetation loss and concretization using remote sensing tools. Results reveal the deleterious impact of urban sprawling affecting different wards of the city, with the burgeoning population pressure in the central part of the city (200 people per hectare (pph)) while, peripheral areas have lesser pressure (4 pph) but projected to rise. Loss of vegetation for development across the city has resulted in insufficient and unequal distribution of green spaces. The builtup area increased from 23.63 to 59.78 % after the city became the state capital has led to the increased heat islands and surface temperature (21.23–25.53 °C). Depleting groundwater levels in erstwhile water sufficient wards of Raipur (01), Shastradhara (02) and Adhoiwala N (28) is alarming. Increasing air pollutants (P.M.10, SO2 and NO2) and the risk of urban floods are severe for 10 wards. Dehradun city seems to be at tipping point about to cross its bearing capacity, any additional pressure may have serious repercussions for city residents. City municipal corporation along with diverse stakeholder groups need to mainstream Nature based Solutions, designing and implementing ward specific customized solutions for addressing societal challenges according to Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UN SDG 11.

Spatiotemporal analysis of landscape dynamics and their use as input for the design of a habitat suitability index: A case study of Oryctolagus cuniculus in a Mediterranean region

The connectivity of landscapes is increasingly threatened by urban sprawl, which leads to the fragmentation of habitats and thus endangers the species that live there. To address this situation, landscape dynamics in the literature have mostly been analyzed using predefined land cover classes, which were then not used to assess habitat suitability, but instead relied on physical variables. As a bridge between both aspects, this study aimed to model the spatiotemporal patterns of landscape fragmentation by analyzing the landscape metrics associated with four land cover groups classified according to their naturalness. Landscape metrics were then combined with a range of terrain, climate and proximity variables to develop a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) for terrestrial animal species. The proposed methodology was tested using a case study in the Mediterranean region of the Valencian Community (Spain): landscape dynamics were assessed over the period 1992–2015, while the HSI was tested with the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as the target species. The results obtained in terms of landscape dynamics showed a growing presence of artificial surfaces at the expense of fewer transformed areas, which became progressively fragmented over time. Moreover, the results of the developed HSI were highly concordant with observations of rabbit abundance in the region, based in particular on variables related to the temperature in the area and the patch shape in the preferred habitats of this species. These outputs can be used to support the implementation of habitat restoration strategies aimed at increasing ecological connectivity through measures such as wildlife crossings.

Urbanization and Its Environmental Impact on Rangareddy's Peri-Urban Landscape: Insights from Secondary Data

This study investigates the dynamics of urbanization and its environmental implications in peri-urban areas of Rangareddy, focusing on key regions including Shamshabad, Manikonda, Gachibowli, and Shadnagar over the past two decades. Through a comprehensive analysis of land use changes, environmental assessments, socio-economic dynamics, and sustainability challenges, the research highlights significant transformations driven by rapid urban expansion. The findings reveal a notable shift in land use patterns characterized by a substantial increase in residential and commercial developments, leading to a decline in agricultural lands and natural ecosystems. This urban sprawl is fueled by population growth, economic activities, and infrastructural developments, reflecting broader urbanization trends observed across Indian cities. Environmental assessments underscore critical challenges associated with urban growth, including deteriorating air and water quality attributed to increased industrial activities and vehicular emissions. The reduction in green spaces exacerbates environmental concerns such as heat island effects and biodiversity loss, necessitating urgent interventions to integrate sustainable land management practices into urban planning strategies. Demographic shifts in peri-urban Rangareddy reveal accelerated population growth rates, surpassing national averages. While urbanization has brought enhanced access to amenities and economic opportunities, it has also exacerbated socio-economic disparities among residents. Addressing these disparities requires inclusive development strategies that ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities, fostering social cohesion and community resilience. The study identifies critical sustainability challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, water scarcity, and inefficient waste management systems. These challenges underscore the imperative for effective policy interventions and governance frameworks aimed at promoting environmental conservation and enhancing urban resilience. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for integrated urban planning approaches that prioritize green infrastructure development, pollution control measures, and community engagement initiatives. Looking forward, future research should focus on longitudinal studies to monitor urbanization trends and evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions in mitigating environmental impacts and enhancing socio-economic conditions in peri-urban areas. Long-term strategies should emphasize adaptive governance mechanisms, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building to support sustainable urban development goals.

Urban sprawl and the changing socioecological systems in peri-urban Ghana

ABSTRACT The growth of African cities is characterised by sprawl, significantly impacting social, economic and environmental systems. The change in land use due to urban sprawl often dispossesses farmers in peri-urban communities, resulting in income loss. Focusing on social and ecological changes in peri-urban communities of Ghana, this paper sheds light on land use and land cover change stemming from urban sprawl. It is argued that land governance systems that shape resource access in peri-urban areas have been transformed with farming being the most impacted. Emerging livelihoods like sand winning further compounds a precarious situation. Women and youth are the most affected, with limited options for alternative occupations and uncertain futures. It is thus imperative that policy interventions prioritise sustainable land governance and urban planning, taking into account the needs and vulnerabilities of peri-urban communities, particularly women and youth.

Patterns of Urban Sprawl and Agricultural Land Loss in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Cases of the Ugandan Cities of Kampala and Mbarara

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is undergoing rapid urbanization, yet research comparing urban expansion and agricultural land loss in peri-urban areas is scarce. This study utilizes multi-temporal Landsat imagery to examine the impact of urban growth on agricultural land and fragile ecosystems in Kampala (a mega city) and Mbarara (a regional urban center) in Uganda. We distinguish between random and systematic land-use and land-cover (LULC) transitions in the landscape. The results reveal substantial urban expansion. Kampala’s urban area surged from 7.14% in 1989 to 55.10% in 2015, while Mbarara increased from 6.37% in 2002 to 30.95% in 2016. Correspondingly, agricultural land decreased, from 48.02% to 16.69% in Kampala, and from 39.92% to 32.08% in Mbarara. Notably, a significant proportion of urban growth in both cities encroached upon agricultural land (66.7% in Kampala and 57.8% in Mbarara). The transition from agricultural to built-up areas accounted for 14.72% to 28.45% of the landscapes. Additionally, unsustainable practices led to the conversion of wetlands and forests to agricultural land, with approximately 13% of wetlands and 23% of Savannah and forests being converted between 2001 and 2015. These findings underscore the necessity of monitoring LULC changes for sustainable urban growth management, emphasizing the importance of preserving agricultural land and ecosystems to ensure present and future food security. This research contributes to the understanding of urbanization’s impact on peri-urban agricultural land and ecosystems in SSA, providing insights that are crucial for informed urban planning and policy formulation aimed at sustainable development in the region.

Do informal settlements contribute to sprawl in Sub-Saharan African cities?

Cities in Sub-Saharan Africa are recognized as drivers of development but also as internally disconnected and sprawling. Informal or “unplanned” settlements are often suggested to hamper sustainable growth, while commonly being labeled “sprawl” by default. This notion is addressed in the present paper, which aims to analyze empirically whether informal settlements do contribute more to sprawl than planned areas, in the setting of Sub-Saharan African cities. To this end, the street network accessibility of buildings in informal and planned areas is compared, to understand compactness beyond population density under overcrowding. The setting consists of Tanzanian secondary cities. To trace the effect of informality on compactness within and across cities, regression analysis is used, while controlling for other characteristics of urban structure such as population density. Pooled regression results indicate an approximately 12.8 % lower connectivity for informal settlements. Importantly, this association is not homogeneous and varies substantially across different types of cities. In several cities, informality's impact on connectivity is relatively pronounced, pointing to sprawl. In other cities, no significant relation between informality and connectivity is found. This observable ambiguity underlines the unclear relationship between informality and sprawl. This may be considered within the policy discourse on urban sprawl in Sub-Saharan-Africa.

Noise control tactics to balance the demand for sustainable energy storage, community tranquility, and environmental regulatory compliance

As the construction of large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities increases in California, their impact on urban sprawl is also becoming more pronounced. Projects involving BESS arrangements increasingly find themselves within or near residential land uses in California, providing greater challenges for noise control and abatement to comply with state and local operational noise thresholds. This paper presents case studies of what Dudek has found to be the most efficient noise control tactics related to lowering the noise emission of BESS facilities, particularly through the implementation of onsite noise walls, direct noise attenuation applied to BESS equipment (i.e., noise attenuation for battery thermal management systems involving the operation of ventilation fans and refrigeration system components), and modified BESS equipment arrangements. These strategies are essential for ensuring that BESS projects are not only compliant with environmental standards but also socially acceptable within residential communities. By presenting practical and efficient noise mitigation techniques, this paper aims to guide planners and developers in the sustainable development of BESS facilities, balancing the demand for energy storage with the preservation of community tranquility and compliance with regulatory noise limits.

Characterising the urban–rural fringe area (URFA) in China: a review of global and local literature on urban–rural fringe areas

Urban-Rural Fringe Areas (URFAs) in China have experienced significant change since 1978 due to extensive urban growth and sprawl. This article explores the characteristics of URFAs in China through a scoping review approach. Analysis identifies that URFAs in China possess features that are located in and connected to urban and rural areas, mixed land use, occupied by both urban and rural populations, and driven by changes in social structure, economic development and policy implementation. These findings are consistent with URFAs in a global context, illustrating synergies in academic and practitioner approaches. However, China’s URFAs are unique due to the country’s social structure, topographical diversity, divergent urban diversity and the regional variations that exist within urban development policies and strategies. The article contributes to a better understanding of the characteristics of URFAs in China, providing guidance for future policy to support more effective and sustainable development.