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Sustainable Rural Development: Advances on Rural Digitization and Smart Village...
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Sustainable Rural Development: Advances on Rural Digitization and Smart Village Construction

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 3414

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Meimei Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Interests: urban resilience and planning; urban-rural integration; land use; population change; rural geography; social and development geography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zihan Cai

E-Mail
Guest Editor
School of Architecture and Artistic Design, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China
Interests: historical heritage protection and planning; architectural design; urban renewal and revitalization; regional ecological protection and planning; village design; canal and basin planning
Sidong Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
School of Architecture, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
Interests: rural revitalization; digital & smart villages; urban and regional planning; construction industry; real estate; urban and rural land use; carbon management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the concept of Smart Earth was first introduced, the digital development of urban and rural areas has become a new global trend. With the application and popularization of frontier technologies such as big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, alongside the maturation of digital cities and smart cities, traditional villages have gained an important opportunity for digital revolution and development, and the construction of digital villages and smart villages is becoming an emerging hot area. Rural digitalization is becoming a new challenge for both developed and developing countries, and countries are formulating corresponding policies, such as the “Rural Broadband ReConnect Program" in the United States, the “Smart Countryside Initiative” in the European Union, the “Outline of Digital Rural Development Strategy” in China, and the Russian countryside online projects. The level of rural digitalization varies greatly from country to country due to differences in start-up time, emphasis, investment intensity and driving mechanisms.

Rural digitization and smart village construction is the latest trend in rural sustainable development, and there is still no consensus on many of its aspects. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more case studies, qualitative and quantitative studies, and empirical investigations to lay the foundation for the construction of relevant theoretical systems. This Special Issue aims to collect scientific contributions concerning rural sustainability and planning, with a particular focus on the frontiers of rural digitization and smart village construction. We are pleased to invite you submit original research articles concerning innovative approaches, methods, tools, phenomena, experiences, cases, and results for rural sustainability and digitization.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following topics:

  • Opportunities and challenges of rural digitization;
  • Digital and smart village (village 4.0) construction and planning;
  • Integration of digital villages and smart cities;
  • New infrastructure (5G base stations, new energy vehicle charging stations, etc.) and rural infrastructure construction;
  • Rural development in the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality;
  • The new generation of information technology (big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and others) application in rural areas;
  • Rurality and sustainability evaluation and response strategies;
  • Population and land use changes in the context of rural revitalization;
  • The possibility and limitations of applying smart digital technologies to rural construction;
  • Smart energy and smart transportation management in rural areas;
  • Changes in rural life, tourist, ecological planning and management caused by new technologies;
  • Agricultural modernization and digital facility design;
  • Farmers' digital literacy and adaptation;
  • Rural public service facilities planning and management;
  • Rural cultural and ecological protection and planning;
  • Relationship between COVID-19 and rural digitalization;
  • Urban–rural integration and differentiated development;
  • Case studies on rural sustainable development in different countries and regions.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Meimei Wang
Dr. Zihan Cai
Guest Editors

Sidong Zhao
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable rural development
  • rural digitalization
  • digital and smart village
  • rural revitalization
  • rural planning
  • rurality evaluation
  • carbon neutrality
  • urban–rural integration

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

32 pages, 30148 KiB  
Article
Traditional Village Morphological Characteristics and Driving Mechanism from a Rural Sustainability Perspective: Evidence from Jiangsu Province
by Haobing Wang, Yong Shan, Sisi Xia and Jun Cao
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1302; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051302 - 05 May 2024
Viewed by 259
Abstract
(1) Background: The sustainable development of rural areas has become a critical factor in global economic and social transformation. As an essential part of China’s rural ecological and cultural system, traditional villages are now facing a crisis of yearly decline, and sustainable development [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The sustainable development of rural areas has become a critical factor in global economic and social transformation. As an essential part of China’s rural ecological and cultural system, traditional villages are now facing a crisis of yearly decline, and sustainable development has become a meaningful way to solve the problem. This study utilized morphological indicator analysis and the SDGs as an evaluation framework to reveal the correlation and driving factors between traditional villages’ spatial form and sustainability indicators. From the perspective of the spatial form, this approach has specific reference significance for improving the sustainability of traditional villages. (2) Methods: A framework for detecting the driving factors of rural sustainability based on four dimensions (morphology, environment, economy, and society) was constructed. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to analyze the geographic patterns and morphological indicator characteristics of traditional villages in Jiangsu Province, and GeoDetector was used to analyze the driving mechanisms of the spatial patterns of sustainability in traditional villages, providing the basis for spatial zoning and differentiated policy design for the construction, planning, and management of sustainable villages. (3) Results: ➀ The spatial patterns and morphological characteristics of traditional villages exhibit prominent geographical imbalances and significant cluster cores. ➁ The high-density and low-aspect-ratio rural form in the southern region (where rural industries are developed) promotes good economic sustainability in rural areas but also leads to poor environmental performance. The rural areas in the southwest and north (high-density forest areas) have medium density and a high aspect ratio, and the lack of agricultural space and external connections affects their social performance. The main focus is on poverty reduction and urban cooperation. The central and northern lakeside areas and the eastern coastal areas (important ecological protection areas) have low density and high aspect ratios, which have helped them to achieve excellent environmental performance but also led to contradictions in environmental, economic, and social performance. Maintaining low-density patterns, using clean energy, and protecting terrestrial and underwater biodiversity are essential to the sustainability of the rural environment. The agglomeration of spatial patterns promotes cooperation between rural and urban areas and improves industrial development, contributing to the sustainability of the rural economy. Improving social welfare and agricultural development contributes to the sustainability of rural societies. ➂ The impacts of various factors vary significantly; for example, Life below Water (SDG14), Climate Action (SDG13), and No Poverty (SDG1) are the most prominent, followed by Partnerships for the Goals (SDG17), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG7), and Recent Work and Economic Growth (SDG8). (4) Conclusions: It is recommended that the government, with the driving mechanisms, divide the spatial management zoning of traditional villages in Jiangsu into three types of policy areas: environmental-oriented, economic-oriented, and social-oriented. Differentiated and targeted suggestions should be proposed to provide a critical decision-making basis for protecting and utilizing traditional villages in Jiangsu and similar provinces, as well as to help promote rural revitalization and sustainable rural construction in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Development: Advances on Rural Digitization and Smart Village Construction)
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21 pages, 4618 KiB  
Article
Investigations on Driving Factors of Coordination Development of Rural Infrastructure and Ecological Environment: The Case of Western China
by Lihong Han, Yanwei Wang, Junwei Li and Shuhong Fang
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 858; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14040858 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 475
Abstract
The coordinated development of rural infrastructure and ecological environment is an effective way to improve agricultural productivity. The primary focus of the current research is how the two can work together to promote regional economic development in rural areas and in related fields. [...] Read more.
The coordinated development of rural infrastructure and ecological environment is an effective way to improve agricultural productivity. The primary focus of the current research is how the two can work together to promote regional economic development in rural areas and in related fields. This study takes the western region as the research object, constructs an evaluation index system for rural infrastructure and ecological environment, and uses the Min-max Scaling method, coupling coordination model, gray GM (1, 1) model, and standard deviation elliptical model for evaluation. The trends and driving factors for the coordinated development of rural infrastructure and ecological coupling in the region from 2012 to 2021 are analyzed. The main results are as follows: (1) Except for Tibet, Qinghai, and Ningxia, the coupling degree of rural infrastructure and the ecological environment in western China reached the maximum level during the research period, also the coordination degree showed a gradual upward trend. (2) A prediction for the development and evolution of rural infrastructure and the ecological environment in western China indicates a trend of agglomerative development in the southern region. (3) By strengthening the construction of reservoirs, improving sanitary conditions, improving cultivated land use area and forest coverage, and controlling soil erosion, the coordinated development of the two can be effectively promoted. The purpose of this study is to promote the sustainable and coordinated development of rural infrastructure and ecological environment, and to provide a reference for policy formulation in the relevant sectors and other countries and regions with similar situations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Development: Advances on Rural Digitization and Smart Village Construction)
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29 pages, 6016 KiB  
Article
Analyzing the Evolution of a Rural Construction Community in China from the Perspective of Cultural Landscape
by Kai Ren and Tiehong Wu
Buildings 2024, 14(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010097 - 29 Dec 2023
Viewed by 904
Abstract
The rural construction community embodies a confluence of social dynamics within rural areas, constituting an organic self-organization with hierarchical relationships. Over a specific period, the amalgamation of various roles and relationships within the rural construction community shapes the prevalent culture, distinctive image, and [...] Read more.
The rural construction community embodies a confluence of social dynamics within rural areas, constituting an organic self-organization with hierarchical relationships. Over a specific period, the amalgamation of various roles and relationships within the rural construction community shapes the prevalent culture, distinctive image, and production techniques within villages. This study examines the structural composition of village communities and endeavors to establish a linkage mechanism among different elements within the construction framework. Focusing on villages and their inhabitants, this research traces the temporal evolution along the following axes: (1) Traditional Agricultural Civilization Age; (2) Collective Economy Age; (3) Rural Industrialization Age; (4) Rural Differentiation Age; and (5) Rural Revitalization Age. This paper primarily observes the evolution through the cultural foundation and manifestation of rural communities, emphasizing that the communities represent cooperative, autonomous, and transformative constructs. From the perspective of cultural landscapes, this article elucidates the interconnected trajectory of ecology–institution–livelihood in the creation of rural communities. It interprets the interplay among the resource patterns, social structure, and economic forms of villages across five distinct periods, fostering a comprehensive understanding of rural community development amidst changing circumstances. Recent years have seen a concerning decline in rural areas, where rural community culture faces a significant impact from modern industrial civilization, resulting in the disintegration of the social fabric within community construction. Nevertheless, the resilient common sense and self-organization capabilities of villagers persist. This study seeks to offer theoretical guidance and decision-making support to advance innovative social governance in rural locales. Moving forward, China’s rural revitalization demands a more adaptive sustainable assessment within rural construction communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Development: Advances on Rural Digitization and Smart Village Construction)
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28 pages, 50815 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Dynamic Cultural Driving Factors Underlying the Regional Spatial Pattern of Chinese Traditional Villages
by Zhongyi Nie, Chen Chen, Wei Pan and Tian Dong
Buildings 2023, 13(12), 3068; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13123068 - 08 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 954
Abstract
In the context of global urbanization, traditional villages have garnered increasing scholarly interest due to their role in preserving rich ethnic cultures and their potential contributions to cultural heritage. Existing literature has predominantly attributed the spatial heterogeneity of traditional villages to natural, environmental, [...] Read more.
In the context of global urbanization, traditional villages have garnered increasing scholarly interest due to their role in preserving rich ethnic cultures and their potential contributions to cultural heritage. Existing literature has predominantly attributed the spatial heterogeneity of traditional villages to natural, environmental, and economic factors. However, cultural elements, which are equally crucial to the inheritance and continuation of traditional villages, are rather deficient in current research. By establishing a tripartite framework encompassing “natural environment—space economy—social culture” elements, this article first employs relevant geographic spatial analysis to examine the overall distribution patterns of Chinese traditional villages. Subsequently, it utilizes the Optimal Parameter-based GeoDetector model to assess the maximum impact of single factors and interactions among factors on the spatial heterogeneity of Chinese traditional villages. The paper then integrates spatial production theory to reveal the mechanisms underlying the interactions among these tripartite elements. The research findings indicate that cultural factors exert the most substantial influence on the spatial distribution of traditional Chinese villages, in contrast to previous research records that suggested natural elements had the greatest impact. Additionally, population and genealogy emerge as the two most critical factors, with their interaction having the most significant effect on the spatial pattern of Chinese traditional villages (q = 0.82663). Finally, we put forward regional-level recommendations for the preservation of traditional villages. Overall, our work can not only provide valuable insights for global research on traditional villages in developing countries based on traditional agriculture but also offer recommendations for the preservation of traditional villages in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Development: Advances on Rural Digitization and Smart Village Construction)
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