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Rural-Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Ecology and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 22885

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Eva Schlecht

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Guest Editor

Joint Section Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Kassel and University of Göttingen, Germany
Interests: tropical livestock husbandry systems; ruminant nutrition; livestock- mediated nutrient cycling; dairy production and value chain; pastoral systems

Prof. Dr. Uwe Altrock

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture (ASL), University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
Interests: urban regeneration; planning theory; megacities; urban governance

Prof. Dr. Matthias Gassmann

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Guest Editor

Institute for Water, Waste and Environment (IWAU), University of Kassel, Kassel, Germany
Interests: catchment hydrology; sociohydrology; water quality; organic micropollutants

Prof. Dr. Andreas Thiel

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Guest Editor

International Agricultural Policy and Environmental Governance, University of Kassel, Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Kassel, Germany
Interests: institutional economics; social ecological systems analysis; governance; water

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human history is marked by several great transformations, such as the beginning of agriculture in the Neolithic or the industrial revolution in the eighteenth century. In contemporary times, digitalization, climate change, and urbanization are often discussed as challenges of a similar dimension, leading to gradual but profound changes that drive the development of economies and societies and shape the environment. The rise of megacities has challenged traditional concepts of the “urban” and the “rural”, in terms of physical and service infrastructure, jobs, lifestyles, and consumption patterns. The flow of unprocessed and processed foods and raw materials as well as labor from rural to urban areas, and of remittances, information, and waste from urban to rural locations, are only some of the most obvious phenomena standing for the increasingly complex linkages and transformations with a profound economic, social, and environmental impact. Whereas in Western countries, growth rates of urban agglomerations are presently slowing down, West Africa and in particular Asia are the current hotspots of urbanization.

Against this background, we invite authors from different disciplines, such as life sciences, social sciences, economics, environmental geosciences, human geography, urban planning, and other related disciplines, to submit papers to this Special Issue on “Rural–Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social–Ecological Systems Perspective”. Multidisciplinary research that addresses multiple social–ecological facets in view of accelerating urbanization in Asia is particularly welcome.

Submissions could relate but are not limited to the following topics:

Environmental impacts of urbanization: land, water, and biodiversity;
Rural–urban food systems: quality, safety, and complexity;
Economic opportunities and challenges of megacity development: land and labor markets;
Impact of mega-urban development on lifestyles, consumption patterns, and (human) values;
Social consequences of urbanization for urban and rural societies;
Strategies to address sustainability challenges in metropolitan areas.

Prof. Dr. Eva Schlecht
Prof. Dr. Uwe Altrock
Prof. Dr. Matthias Gassmann
Prof. Dr. Andreas Thiel
Guest Editors

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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

rural–urban transformation
social–ecological

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 191 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue “Rural–Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective”

by Eva Schlecht, Matthias Gaßmann, Uwe Altrock and Andreas Thiel

Sustainability 2023, 15(8), 6412; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086412 - 10 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1062

Abstract

In 2021, 56% of the global population lived in cities, and by 2050 the ratio of urban-to-rural population is expected to reach 67% [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural-Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

17 pages, 2464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Negotiating Land in Rurban Bengaluru, South India

by Michael Schwind and Uwe Altrock

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2789; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032789 - 03 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1391

Abstract

Recently, there have been calls to decenter theories of the urban to theorize the rural as a formative force. While recognizing that the urban remains structurally dominant, scholars point towards the interconnectedness of the urban and the rural under present capitalist transformation processes. We proposed to study recent urban–rural entanglements through the heuristic of rurban assemblages. We focused on rural groups and how they negotiate their integration and disintegration into the urban cosmos while remaining embedded within their rural context through the lens of land. This article adds to the debate on the contradictory meanings and uses of land in the context of land dispossession and commodification for urban and industrial development. The work specifically paid attention to the reshaping of subject–land relations and analyzed how implicit or explicit references to the city and the countryside permeate the construction of values and uses of land among the old and new social groups in the metropolitan region of Bengaluru, South India. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural-Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective)

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19 pages, 2171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bridging Actors and Their Role in Co-Managing Lakes: Cases from Greater Bengaluru Metropolitan Region (GBMR)

by Arvind Lakshmisha and Andreas Thiel

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5865; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105865 - 12 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1457

Abstract

Co-management is seen as a means to effectively manage common-pool resources, especially collaborations based on sharing of roles and responsibilities between state and non-state actors. Collaborations depend on certain key intermediary bridging actors who facilitate and coordinate links between these actors. In this paper, we aim to understand the role of these bridging actors in shaping networks of co-management by developing a framework based on certain characteristics such as initiation, position, and facilitation of interactions whose application we illustrate for three lakes situated across a rural–urban gradient in Greater Bengaluru Metropolitan Region (GBMR). Drawing on concepts from co-management and social network analysis, we analyse data collected from documents, key informant interviews, and FGDs to identify that bridging actors play a critical role in resource gathering, enhancing mutual trust, and promoting innovation through information exchange irrespective of the social-ecological context. Beyond mere description, we highlight that state sponsorship plays an important role in establishment of bridging actors in urban and peri-urban areas due to heterogeneity in perceptions, actors, lack of trust and credibility in comparison to rural lakes where state sponsorship is less important and community engagement is stronger. We conclude that irrespective of the context, position of bridging actors plays an important role in facilitation of interactions within networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural-Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective)

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27 pages, 2305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agricultural Management Practices and Decision-Making in View of Soil Organic Matter in the Urbanizing Region of Bangalore

by Virna Estefania Moran-Rodas, Verena Preusse and Christine Wachendorf

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5775; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105775 - 10 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2154

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and agricultural intensification are currently impacting the soils of many tropical countries. Bangalore is a growing megacity experiencing both issues and their derived ecological and socio-economic effects. This paper seeks to understand how the socio-economic effects of urbanization are affecting soil organic carbon (SOC) in Bangalore’s rural–urban interface. We first compiled information on how management practices affect SOC dynamics and specifically evaluated the effects of fertilization practices on SOC levels in major cropping systems. We then used interview data from farmers’ households across an urbanity gradient in Bangalore to test the association between urbanization as well as related socio-economic drivers and farming practices. We found that fertilization increases SOC concentrations, especially when mineral fertilizer is combined with additional farmyard manure. Single mineral fertilizer and a combination of mineral fertilizer and farmyard manure are commonly applied in Bangalore. Conservation practices, such as reduced tillage and mulching, are applied by 48% and 16% of households, respectively. Farm and household characteristics, including market integration, are the most important determinants of management decisions that affect SOC. Our study shows that improving farm and household conditions and opportunities, independently of the degree of urbanity, is necessary for implementing agricultural practices that can benefit SOC in Bangalore. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural-Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective)

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18 pages, 2330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Heat Stress across the Rural-Urban Interface on Phenotypic Trait Expressions of Dairy Cattle in a Tropical Savanna Region

by Silpa Mullakkalparambil Velayudhan, Kerstin Brügemann, Ana Pinto, Tong Yin, Marion Reichenbach, Veerasamy Sejian, Raghavendra Bhatta, Eva Schlecht and Sven König

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4590; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084590 - 12 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1430

Abstract

Among all livestock systems in tropical regions, the dairy sector is facing huge challenges to sustain productivity under the rapidly changing climatic conditions. To date, there is a lack of knowledge on the combined effects of climate, season, and farm location on trait responses in different cattle breeds. Consequently, this study presents a novel approach to assess the impact of several climatic and geographical factors on production traits, energy efficiency indicators, and hygiene traits in dairy cattle reared across the rural–urban interface in the tropical savanna region of Bengaluru, a rising megacity in southern India. In total, 96 cattle were selected across Bengaluru’s rural–urban interface, reflecting a broad variety of social-ecological systems. The traits considered included test day milk yield (MY), body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), hock assessment score (HAS), udder hygiene score (UHS), and upper leg hygiene score (ULHS). Apart from cow-related factors such as breed, lactation stage, lactation number, and milking frequency, the environmental classification variables of season, farm location (as expressed by survey stratification index, SSI), and temperature humidity index (THI) significantly affected most of the traits, with indication for breed-by-environment interactions. In particular, season significantly influenced production and hygiene traits. Furthermore, an evident breed variation was observed in the seasonal influence on BW, wherein exotic cows had a higher BW than crossbreds during the summer season. The distinct trend of SSI in its influence on most of the traits indicates that cows housed in urban areas had better trait expression than those in rural areas, thereby revealing a predominant role of management. The THI had a significant effect on MY, BCS, and HAS, and THI = 75 was identified as heat stress threshold. The results indicate the importance of considering ecological, social, and climatic factors simultaneously in order to improve primary and functional breed-specific traits of dairy cattle reared in challenging environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural-Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective)

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15 pages, 2204 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of COVID-19 on Small-Scale Dairy Enterprises in an Indian Megacity—Insights from Greater Bengaluru

by Md Shahin Alam, Eva Schlecht and Marion Reichenbach

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2057; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042057 - 11 Feb 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3527

Abstract

Natural calamities and pandemics massively affect small-scale entrepreneurs. In this paper, we aim to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic affected small dairy farms in the megacity of Bengaluru, India, where they supply a high share of the milk demand. In 2020 a total of 129 farms were visited before the first lockdown (January to March) and interviewed again after the lockdown had been loosened (August to September). Questions addressed feed supply to dairy cows, milk yield and marketing, and coping strategies for lockdown impacts. Results showed that the share of farmers not feeding concentrates increased from 1% before lockdown to 7% afterward (p < 0.05), and those not offering dry forages increased from 20% to 33% (p < 0.05) due to increasing forage prices. Milk yield dropped in all surveyed farms from 3905 L before to 2861 L after lockdown (p < 0.05) due to the sale of 30% of lactating cows across the farms. Enabling farmers to better cope with shocks through feed storage and by processing their surplus milk into durable products should be prioritised by supporting institutions such as dairy cooperatives. Alternatively, insurance schemes can capacitate farmers to maintain a fresh milk supply to urban consumers in the wake of global challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural-Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective)

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14 pages, 1716 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tree Diversity and Tree Community Composition in Northern Part of Megacity Bengaluru, India

by Baragur Neelappa Divakara, Chitradurga Umesh Nikitha, Nils Nölke, Vindhya Prasad Tewari and Christoph Kleinn

Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1295; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031295 - 24 Jan 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3244

Abstract

Trees are natural capital assets, especially for cities, as they provide immense environmental benefits and improve urban biodiversity and ecology. However, urbanization has largely destroyed the original native ecosystems and has caused a homogenization where frequently native species are replaced by non-native species. When attempting to understand the role of trees in urban settings, it is important to generate science-based data on the spatial distribution of trees, their species composition and tree species diversity as a function of the degree of urbanization. Such information may specifically inform the planning of effective long-term management of trees across urban and rural gradients. A total of 23 of 1 ha each were surveyed along a Northern research transect laid out along the urban–rural gradient of the metropolitan area of Bengaluru, India. Plots were randomly selected from the stratum “settlement areas”, where WorldView-3 imagery supported both stratification and plot selection. The plots were fully mapped for trees, where a total of eleven variables had been observed for each tree. In addition, the basal area and wood volume was calculated to understand the biomass potential of the trees in the plots. The diversity indices such as the Shannon index, Simpson index, Pielou’s evenness and Margalef’s richness were considered for comparing the species diversity, composition and distribution along the gradient of Bengaluru. A total of 1128 individuals of 93 tree species were recorded. Among 92 species identified along the northern gradient, 53 are exotic, and 39 are native species. The Shannon–Wiener index varied from 1.33 to 2.72; Simpson’s index varied from 0.65 to 0.90; Pielou’s index varied from 0.66 to 0.90, and Margalef’s index ranged from 1.41 to 5.20 along the gradient. The basal area increased from 96.39 m² to 102.76 m² from 2017 to 2019 along the transect, with a net gain of 6.37 m². Similarly, the wood volume increased from 1819.57 m³ to 1926.23 m³ with a net gain of 106.66 m³. The present study reports on tree distribution, species composition and tree species diversity along a gradient from the city center to the rural surroundings of northern parts of Bengaluru city. The information generated may support the city planners/administrators by providing a holistic understanding of the species composition and abundance for a further selection of adaptive species and appropriate tree and vegetation management practices to conserve the existing green spaces and contribute towards sustainable urban planning. The sample plots laid out may also serve as permanent observation plots for monitoring the dynamics of tree cover in the city. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural-Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective)

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20 pages, 8198 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Deep Drilling for Groundwater in Bengaluru, India: A Case Study on the City’s Over-Exploited Hard-Rock Aquifer System

by Tejas Kulkarni, Matthias Gassmann, C. M. Kulkarni, Vijayalaxmi Khed and Andreas Buerkert

Sustainability 2021, 13(21), 12149; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112149 - 03 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4964

Abstract

Over-exploitation of groundwater in India’s fastest-growing metropolis, Bengaluru, has resulted in wells being bored to unprecedented depths in a crystalline-rock aquifer. However, key questions about sustainability of this extraction process remain unaddressed due to the complexity of monitoring. Using primary surveys, this study looks at the spatio-temporal evolution of the wells on a city scale, finding that catchments with deficient water infrastructure have deeper wells. To maintain yields, well with depths >400 m are drilled, especially since 2000, leading to unsustainable groundwater extraction. Camera inspections in 54 wells at Electronic City in 2016 and 2017 revealed that water levels in the majority of the wells remained lower at depths <100 m, although some wells had deeper water levels at depths >250 m. Analysis of δ¹⁸O and δ²H signatures of groundwater samples at all depths followed the local meteoric water line indicating recent recharge, implying that drilling deeper only increases the borehole volume and does not tap into newer water sources. Water levels in deeper wells may stabilize at lower depths, are subject to high spatial variability, density of drilling, and high connectivity in upper zones. Given the interconnectedness between shallow and deeper aquifers, our research shows that increasing borewell depths could be a good indicator for falling aquifer water levels. This study fills an important gap in peri-urban, intermediate-scale aquifer conceptualizations across different land uses and provides further evidence for the difficulties of reliable groundwater monitoring in the over-exploited hard-rock aquifers of Bengaluru city. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural-Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective)

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18 pages, 301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smallholders’ Challenges: Realizing Peri-Urban Opportunities in Bengaluru

by Meenakshi Rajeev and Christoph Scherrer

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10160; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810160 - 10 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1838

Abstract

Urban expansion creates potential for increased incomes among previously rural smallholders from sources other than traditional agriculture. Harnessing this potential, however, requires investments into agricultural upgrading or non-farm activities. The article addresses the question concerning to what extent these investments are realised in the peri-urban space of Bengaluru. Its answers are based on a review of the literature and extensive field surveys in two differentially developed districts assessing the smallholders’ economic situation in 2019 and as a recall in 2009. Our findings are that only a few smallholders were able to realise the peri-urban opportunities. Household income increased in real terms only by a little, especially from farming. Instead of a traditional farm to non-farm production linkage, surpluses from the non-farm sector were seen to meet the working capital needs of the farm sector. While physical access to formal financial institutions has significantly improved, formal borrowing is dominated by small-sized loans from registered self-help groups or traditional priority sector loans. Only a few households took up non-farm activities as many others failed to obtain sufficient credit and lacked knowledge about remunerative non-farm projects. Overall, rising outlays for education and health services leave little resources for any productive investments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural-Urban Transformation of Asian Megacities from a Social-Ecological Systems Perspective)

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