The growing demand for land to accommodate renewable energy infrastructure has intensified competition with biodiversity conservation, agriculture, and ecosystem services. In Portugal, electricity system decarbonisation relies heavily on utility-scale solar energy (USSE) facilities, yet the spatial extent of land transformation associated with photovoltaic development has not been systematically assessed. This study provides an assessment of the land occupancy of USSE facilities and associated land use and land cover (LULC) changes in continental Portugal over the past two decades, as well as their spatial relationship with areas designated for land and nature conservation. A geospatial database of USSE installations (≥1 MW) was developed through the integration of multiple data sources using geographic information systems (GIS). The geometric consistency of spatial features was ensured through harmonisation and validation procedures involving GIS-based corrections supported by Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. Spatial overlay analyses were conducted with multitemporal LULC datasets and with land-use planning constraints, including areas classified for nature conservation, ecological reserves, and agricultural reserves. The results indicate that USSE deployment has been predominantly located in the southern regions of Portugal, although the location of planned projects indicates a northward shift. The implementation of USSE facilities has been mainly associated with LULC changes in forest land, agricultural areas, pastures and shrubland. Spatial overlaps were observed with areas classified within the national ecological and agricultural reserves. These patterns may be indicative of growing land-use conflicts, but the extent to which these developments align with land-use planning objectives and conservation priorities requires further examination.

Land use conflicts are increasingly widespread and complex, driven by overlapping spatial claims, intensifying competition over natural resources, and growing socio-environmental vulnerabilities. These conflicts are particularly acute in territories where economic, ecological, and social priorities intersect, and where planning systems often lack the spatial sensitivity and participatory mechanisms necessary to mediate competing interests. This study focus on spatially-explicit scenario planning as a key approach for anticipating, identifying, and managing land use conflicts. Grounded in geospatial analysis, participatory foresight, and sustainability science, this approach enables the co-production of spatially grounded narratives of possible futures, while enhancing territorial governance, stakeholder engagement, and transparency in decision-making processes. Emphasis is placed on the dual role of spatial scenarios: both as technical tools for mapping conflict dynamics and as platforms for dialogue among actors with divergent claims. This study advocates a paradigm shift in land use planning that is forward-looking, spatially informed, and socially inclusive. Such a shift is essential to support sustainability transitions and promote more resilient, and negotiated territorial futures.

This Editorial introduces the Special Issue “Spatial Planning and Land-Use Management: 2nd Edition” and discusses the eight articles published in it. Taken together, these contributions demonstrate that contemporary spatial planning and land-use management can no longer be understood as narrowly regulatory or sector-specific activities. Rather, they must be approached as integrative and adaptive practices capable of mediating between ecological integrity, territorial cohesion, infrastructure provision, social justice, public health, and participatory governance. The Special Issue brings together case studies from China, the United States, Australia, Iran, Portugal, Slovakia, and Belgium, as well as comparative evidence from peri-urban landscapes, and spans a wide range of spatial scales, from neighbourhoods and urban forests to metropolitan green belts, urban agglomerations, peri-urban territories, and ecoregions. Several major lines of inquiry emerge across the volume. First, the articles reaffirm the need for multiscale planning frameworks able to connect local action with regional and supra-regional structures. Second, they broaden the understanding of infrastructure by including not only transport and urban facilities, but also ecological, green, and even nocturnal infrastructures. Third, they show that many of today’s most difficult planning questions arise in spaces of transition and overlap, especially peri-urban areas, where conflicts among land uses, ecosystem services, development pressures, and governance arrangements become particularly acute across sectors and across spatial and temporal scales. Fourth, they underline that planning effectiveness increasingly depends on participation, co-design, and cooperation among diverse actors, including civic initiatives and local communities. Overall, the Special Issue highlights spatial planning as a strategic field of action through which societies can address land-use conflicts, reconcile environmental and social objectives, and design more sustainable, resilient, and liveable territories.

This paper offers a comprehensive overview of academic research on sentiment analysis in urban built environments from 2000 to 2025. Based on data from the scientific database Scopus and drawing on bibliometric tools like Bibliometrix (R) and VOSviewer for performance analysis and scientific mapping, it identifies publication trends, key influential works, leading authors and institutions, funding sources, and thematic clusters. The final dataset comprises 1315 English-language documents authored by 3855 researchers across 160 sources, with a total of 14,058 citations worldwide. The academic production increased after 2009, peaking in 2025. Keyword and network analyses highlight central themes (and methodological approaches) to the study of sentiment analysis in urban built environments. These include social media platforms like Twitter/X, machine learning, smart cities, artificial intelligence, mental health, and urban planning. China, the USA, and India lead in publication output. Over the last twenty-five years, key publication outlets included Sustainability (Switzerland), Cities, and the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, while the National Natural Science Foundation of China has been the main funder. The paper discusses how sentiment analysis can support urban planning and public health by linking environmental features to well-being and explores emerging methodological trends like deep learning, multimodal approaches, and context-aware models. Overall, it maps the field’s intellectual landscape and argues in future directions for human-centered, data-driven urban decision-making.

In cities, land use changes are related to land degradation since urban fabric (e.g. soil sealing) increases. Urban expansion is a global phenomenon that is a cause of biodiversity loss and climate change. This work assesses land use changes in Klaipeda, Kaunas and Vilnius (Lithuania) functional urban areas (FUA) between 1989/50 and 2020/21. Land use changes were assessed using Google Earth Engine based on Landsat imagery. The results showed that in all FUAs, croplands and pastures were the most common land use, followed by forest and woodlands and urban areas. Also, there was an increase in forest and woodlands, especially in urban areas, while a reduction in cropland and pastures was observed. This is evidence of urban expansion, rural exodus, and land abandonment occurring in relatively small areas. Although this was the general trend, some land use transitions changed from sparsely vegetated land to cropland and pastures, indicating agriculture intensification.

Land use/land cover (LULC) changes driven by urbanization have profoundly influenced habitat quality, threatening ecosystem resilience and biodiversity. This study examines the dynamics of LULC and its impact on habitat quality in Rasht County, Iran, while evaluating the efficacy of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in mitigating habitat degradation and promoting sustainable urban-rural development. By utilizing remote sensing data from 1990, 2007, and 2023, the spatiotemporal evolution of LULC was analyzed. Four scenarios were developed—Business as Usual (BAU), Ecological Conservation (EC), Ecological Restoration (ER), and Urban Transformation and Development (UTD)—to explore future trends using the CA-Markov model and assess habitat quality using the InVEST model. The results highlight substantial declines in forests and grasslands due to urban expansion, particularly under the BAU scenario, where habitat degradation intensified by 9.2

Urban areas in arid regions face escalating heat stress from the synergistic impacts of climate change and urbanization. While many studies focus on predictive modeling, a critical gap exists in understanding the long-term historical degradation of urban cooling ecosystem services. This research addresses this gap by conducting a 40-year assessment in Yazd (Iran), integrating a future projection to formulate a sustainable heat mitigation model. A multi-method approach was employed: climatic records (1965–2020) for heatwave analysis; Landsat imagery (1983, 2003, 2023) for land use/land cover (LULC) dynamics; the CA-Markov model for a 2035 LULC projection; and the InVEST Urban Cooling Model (UCM) for quantifying cooling services. Findings revealed a disproportionate increase in nighttime temperatures, with heatwave frequency surging from five to fifty days over five decades. Historically, built-up areas expanded from 12.2 This graphical abstract illustrates the combined impact of global warming and rapid urbanisation on the thermal resilience of Yazd, a historic city located in an arid region of Iran. The workflow begins by identifying the key challenges and leads to a multi-decadal analysis of LULC changes (1983–2023). This analysis reveals a significant increase in built-up areas at the expense of vital tree cover. Concurrently, a trend analysis of heatwave metrics (1965–2020) reveals a notable intensification of thermal stress, particularly an increase in the frequency and severity of nocturnal heatwaves. The direct consequence of these interacting pressures is quantified spatially through the Heat Mitigation Index (HMI), which shows a significant reduction in the urban ecosystem's cooling capacity over the 41-year period. In response to this escalating vulnerability, the abstract proposes a dual-pronged mitigation strategy integrating modern nature-based solutions with the city's vernacular architectural wisdom. This includes leveraging traditional passive cooling systems such as 'badgirs' (windcatchers) and 'ab-anbars' (water reservoirs), as well as establishing ecological corridors. Finally, the key findings are synthesised into actionable policy recommendations emphasising the necessity of integrated blue-green infrastructure, the prioritisation of native vegetation and the vital role of traditional knowledge in fostering adaptive, climate-resilient urban design. The graphic encapsulates the study's narrative, from diagnosing the problem to conducting a data-driven analysis, and ultimately proposing holistic, context-specific solutions. Nighttime heatwaves in Yazd intensified tenfold over five decades. Urban expansion and 67

Coastal tourism holds substantial development potential. However, coastal ecosystems are affected by tourism development, which limits the supply of ecosystem services (ES). This study aims to conduct a systematic literature review on the impacts of tourism on coastal and marine ES using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-alpha Methods. We initially identified 640 studies by searching titles, abstracts, and keywords. After screening, only 50 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review. The results showed a significant increase in publications between 2011 and 2023. Most studies were conducted in Europe, Asia, and North and Central America. The most used ES classifications were MEA and CICES. Most studies concentrated on the ES supply dimension (43 studies; 86 %). Cultural ES (47 studies; 94 %) were researched more than provisioning (28 studies; 56 %) and regulating & maintenance (29 studies; 58 %) sections. Regarding cultural ES, most studies were focused on “Physical and experiential interactions with the natural environment” (34 studies; 68 %) and on provisioning ES on “Wild animals (terrestrial and aquatic) for nutrition, materials or energy” (18 studies; 36 %). Quantitative and mixed methods were the most used in the reviewed studies. Most studies identified pressures from “Tourism, urbanisation, and population increase” (27 studies; 54 %) and focused on “Integrative/ common management strategies” (20 studies; 40 %). Only a few of the studies’ results have been validated by external data (10 studies; 20 %). This study provides an overview of the most assessed marine and coastal ES, where studies are needed with more comprehensive geographic coverage.

Land use changes are important drivers of ecosystem change. They depend on ecological, social, economic and political aspects. This work aims to develop a detailed protocol to forecast land use changes using Dinamica-Ego software. It includes the 1) time frame definition, 2) future scenarios definition, 3) identify the major driving forces of land use change, 4) collection and organize data for the modelling process, 5) calculation of landscape metrics for the base year, and 6) Dinamica-Ego modelling. Here, several sub-steps are described that involve calculating the transition matrix, preparing the raster cube, calculating the Weights of Evidence (WoE), assessing multicollinearity, revising the raster cube, validating the land use change model, adjusting the transition matrix and WoE and running the future land use simulation. The protocol explains how to simulate land use changes to 2050, showing scenarios 1) business as usual and 2) urbanization in Kaunas (Lithuania).•The protocol details a step-by-step approach to model land use change using Dinamica-Ego;•This protocol can be replicated in forecasting land use in any urban area;•The results obtained using this protocol were well-validated. Therefore, the reliability is high.

Land use has important impacts on microclimate, especially in urban environments with complex morphology, and surface materials have different properties (e.g., colour or composition, natural/anthropogenic). Mapping microclimate regulation in urban areas is challenging since it can change over short distances. Therefore, high-resolution images are key to assessing it at a fine scale. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a good tool for collecting information in a detailed resolution under different meteorological conditions. In this work, we aim to map microclimate regulation in an area located in Vilnius, using a thermal UAV and land surface temperature as a proxy. The study site has an area of 104 ha. It comprises diverse land use (buildings, parking areas, equipment, roads, other paved areas, sidewalks and bike lines, construction sites, grassland and scrubland, agriculture, water and wetlands, trees and forests). Six UAV missions were conducted on July 10, 11, 14, 16, 18 and 19 of 2024, during a heat wave in Eastern Europe. The results showed statistically significant results (p45 °C), while the lowest were identified in water and wetlands, trees and forests (

Preserving natural and semi-natural areas has become a crucial consideration for policymakers, with several drivers recognized as pivotal forces that shape landscapes globally [...]

Assessing motivations and preferences related to cultural ecosystem services (CES) is essential, especially in areas with conflicting interests. The Lithuanian coast has a major international port, protected areas, and tourist demand, and it is a place with several conflicts regarding land use planning. In this study, we surveyed users' motivations and preferences to identify (1) preferred CES-related activities, (2) socio-demographic and recreational motivations, (3) composite variables for CES-related activities, and (4) propose relevant measures promoting sustainable development and supporting current policy and management goals for the coastal area of Lithuania. The results showed that experiential activities are the most preferred (81.6%) and aesthetic activities are the least preferred (0.2%). Among the experiential activities, tours were the most frequent (56.2%). There is a preference for tours and wellness activities, short trips (3–5 days), and staying with family and friends. The principal component analysis identified five groups. The first component is tourists’ motivations, and the other four are tourist type and visit characteristics, gender, duration of stay and accommodation type, and age group and distance to the coast. Interventions and measures need to be established by engaging all local stakeholders. They include soft mobility, tourism segmentation, promoting traditional activities, providing new experiences, and supporting a circular economy. These results are relevant for coastal management in the tourism context.

Land use impacts land surface temperature (LST), especially in urban areas where anthropogenic materials have a high capacity to store energy. Nevertheless, cities have many other land uses (e.g., forests, lawns) that can reduce LST and contribute to high microclimate regulation. In this work, we develop a method to map land use impacts on microclimate regulation supply using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). A detailed methodology was developed for 1) UAV's mission planning, 2) field data collection for method validation, 3) RGB and thermal mission reconstruction, 4) land use classification, 5) data extraction and 6) spatial and statistical analysis. The method developed can be beneficial to local authorities and transferable to other realms. It will allow us to understand the impacts of different land uses on microclimate regulation. For this, an area with heterogeneous land uses was used as a test site.•A novel methodology was created to map land use impacts on microclimate regulation supply in urban areas;•High-resolution UAV RGB and thermal imagery for land-use classification and surface temperature analysis;•The method can help understand the capacity of the different land uses on microclimate regulation;

Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) datasets are widely used across disciplines, with many users demanding more and better information. Understanding the uncertainties and errors associated to the main LULC datasets is a required step to facilitate their correct use, as well as to identify what could be improved in the future production of these products. CORINE Land Cover is probably the most well-known and used LULC dataset in Europe, especially valuable for the rich time-series that it provides. Despite being produced through a change mapping first approach, which tries to avoid technical errors and uncertainties in the temporal analysis of LULC changes, the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service distributes status layers of CORINE (CSL), which are not valid for change analysis because of their associated errors and uncertainties. The CORINE layers of changes (CHA) remove a lot of these issues, but do not meet the needs of many users. In Portugal, the national authority in charge of producing CORINE, the DGT, has implemented a backdating approach to produce consistent CSL layers that allow change analysis with low levels of uncertainty. Throughout this paper, we evaluate the changes that can be analyzed through all available CORINE layers in Portugal: Copernicus CSL layers; the national DGT CSL layers; and CHA layers. To this end, we aim to assess what type of changes can be studied through each type of layer, their associated sources of uncertainty and the relevance and utility of the Portuguese backdating approach to produce a consistent time-series of LULC maps. The results prove how the Portuguese CORINE layers distributed by the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service contain important sources of uncertainty, which however have been removed through the national backdating methodology. This methodology can be therefore exported for the production of CORINE in other European countries.

Urbanisation in Europe has been the main cause of agricultural land fragmentation and agricultural land use loss and has given rise to significant socio-economic and environmental costs, particularly in urban regions. Accordingly, there is a consensus in the literature that sustaining urban and peri-urban agriculture are significant towards urban sustainable development. This paper aims to characterise agri-urban spatial patterns and changes occurring in the Lisbon metropolitan region (LMR) by using indicators from both urban and agricultural dimensions. A self-organising map (SOM) clustering method was used to build an agri-urban classification. Nine clusters were proposed. We found that in the LMR, urban and agriculture patterns are diverse: agriculture can range from gardening to intensive and extensive forms; and from decline to stability. We discuss that the use of multidimensional indicators enables comprehensive typologies and allows for a better territorial diagnosis that can contribute to informing decision-makers towards more effective protection of agriculture in spatial planning.

High Nature Value farmland (HNVf) represents a rural landscape characterized by extensive farming practices. These lands not only deliver vital ecosystem services (ES) but also serve as significant harbors of biodiversity, underscoring their critical conservation status. Consequently, European Union countries have prioritized the identification, monitoring, and enhancement of HNVf systems in their policies. As governments and international organizations increasingly lean on green subsidies to promote sustainable environmental practices, the valuation of ecosystem services (VES) emerges as a crucial tool. This valuation offers both an economic rationale for conservation and aids in determining the optimal allocation of these subsidies for maximum environmental and economic return on investment. Given the potential for such valuations to shape and justify conservation subsidies, there is a growing imperative to understand the research trends and knowledge gaps in this realm. This article, through a bibliometric review, seeks to illuminate the size, growth trajectory, and thematic tendencies within HNVf and VES literature. Bibliometric analysis is recognized as promising in identifying research trends; thus, this article consists of a bibliometric review of HNVf and VES research. The objective is to identify the size, growth trajectory, and geographic distribution of HNVf and VES literature between the first publication until 2022, while assessing the critical publishing journals, authors, documents, and conceptual structure of the research fields (e.g., economic, social, and environmental). The analysis revealed a predominant concentration of research on HNVf in Europe, with limited studies conducted outside this continent. The primary focus of these studies revolved around subject areas such as environmental science, agriculture, and biological sciences. Conversely, regarding research on VES, there was no clear regional concentration. VES research publications mainly covered the interdisciplinary fields of economics, biology, and policymaking. As the fields of HNVf and VES have evolved, it is evident that there has been a stronger push towards data-driven approaches, emphasizing the need for tangible assessments and precise understanding. In examining the overlap between topics, the analysis revealed a gap between methodologies for HNVf monitoring and conservation and VES, highlighting the need for further development in crafting an integrated approach encompassing both areas.

Um dos principais desafios no desenvolvimento de centros eletroprodutores renováveis prende‑se com a sua localização. Essa decisão está intrinsecamente ligada à necessidade de equilibrar a disponibilidade de recursos com outros usos. No atual contexto de transição energética, a produção de energia renovável terá de crescer significativamente para a descarbonização do sistema elétrico. Em Portugal, as metas do Plano Nacional Energia e Clima (PNEC) determinam que a capacidade instalada de energia solar fotovoltaica existente até 2022 tem de crescer cerca de oito vezes até ao final da década. Antecipam-se por isso significativas transformações territoriais e alterações nas paisagens com uma crescente procura por solo que gerará competição territorial e impactes nos ecossistemas. Este estudo apresenta uma proposta de identificação de localizações para a implantação de infraestruturas de produção de energia solar fotovoltaica em linha com princípios de sustentabilidade e posterior avaliação dos projetos previstos. A análise foi desenvolvida em duas fases: a primeira com recurso a uma análise multicritério (AMC) em sistemas de informação geográfica (SIG) em que se desenvolveu um índice espacial que classifica o território continental português pela aptidão a uma localização sustentável para centrais solares fotovoltaicas; a segunda, que identificou a localização dos projetos previstos (centrais licenciadas e a aguardar licenciamento com potência ≥1 MW) numa ótica de monitorização ex-ante, pelo cruzamento com o índice obtido. A abordagem adotada constitui um protótipo de um sistema espacial de apoio à decisão face aos desafios territoriais da produção de energia renovável. Conclui-se que a localização das propostas de futuras centrais solares foi escolhida predominantemente com base num racional técnico-económico, sem considerar devidamente os impactes destas infraestruturas noutras dimensões do desenvolvimento sustentável.

Assessing preferences of recreational activities related to cultural ecosystem services (CES) in urban areas is essential for decision-making and urban green space (UGS) management. This work aims to assess the preferences and factors (based on socio-demographic and motivation variables) influencing CES-related activities in Vilnius, Lithuania, to provide scientific knowledge to support more efficient UGS design and management. Participatory mapping was reported as relevant for urban park planning and decision-making and was applied to identify spatially explicit CES. We assessed the perceived relevance of five CES-related activities groups (Social activities, Inspirational activities, Cultural activities, Spiritual activities, and Physical activities) via participatory mapping through an online survey (n = 1.114). The users selected one preferred geographic location for each CES-related activities group and attributed relevance (using a 5-point Likert scale) for a set of motivation items. The results showed that Physical and Social activities were the respondents' most important CES-related activity groups, while Spiritual activities were the less popular. Factor Analysis showed that the respondent's recreation experience preferences, or motivations, were the most relevant variables influencing all the groups except for the Social activities group. Regarding Cultural activities, preferences for understanding things & learn about history were the most relevant variables. For Inspirational activities, the variables developing knowledge & to learn were the most important. Enjoying nature's quietness & frequency was the most relevant for Physical activities. Regarding Spiritual activities, the most important variables were related to the development of spiritual activities and the reflection on personal religious values. Finally, socio-demographic variables mainly influenced social activities, namely education level, gender and age group. The spatial distribution was different between activity groups. Inspirational activities showed the highest dispersion, and Spiritual activities the highest concentration. The results of this work are relevant to municipal managers, as they allow for a better understanding of users' interactions with the territory, its multifunctionality, and potential areas of conflict between conservation and recreation.