GIS-Based Modeling of Human Settlement Suitability for the Belt and Road Regions

Abstract

(1) Background: Human settlements are a basic requirement for human survival and development. The natural suitability of human settlements directly affects human health and their quality of life and, to some extent, also dictates the size of the regional population and economy, as well as the level of urbanization. (2) Methods: This study presents a kilometer grid-based comprehensive human settlement suitability (HSS) evaluation model (containing the relief degree of the land surface (RDLS), the temperature–humidity index (THI), the land surface water abundance index (LSWAI), and the land cover index (LCI)). (3) Results: Based on the correlations between the four factors (i.e., the normalized RDLS (NRDLS), normalized THI (NTHI), LSWAI, and LCI), the NRDLS and NTHI were determined to be the leading factors, and the LSWAI and LCI were considered to be the auxiliary factors. The auxiliary factors were used to enhance the comprehensive HSS model determined by the leading factors. Based on this logic, spatial and index models were established separately. The HSS index for the BRI regions ranged from 0.07 to 1.00. Six levels of HSS were determined—namely, unsuitable, critically unsuitable, critically suitable, generally suitable, moderately suitable, and highly suitable conditions. In particular, the human settlements suitability is dominated by critically suitable and suitable conditions that accounted for 63% of the BRI. (4) Conclusions: The evaluation results of human settlements showed that topographic and climatic conditions are important limiting factors for the suitability of human settlements. Due to the renewability and manmade adjustability of hydrological and land cover conditions, the comprehensive suitability of human settlements shows differences in different geographic spaces along the BRI. The results provide a decision-making basis for the research on the resource carrying capacity and reasonable distribution of populations in the BRI, so as to realize the sustainable development along the regions.

Evaluation of Urban Land Suitability under Multiple Sea Level Rise Scenarios

“…The majority of indicators were graded using Jenk's natural breaks method. For inherently categorical indicators, such as susceptibility to geological hazards and land cover, categories were defined based on urban development principles [32,63,64]. Adjustments to criteria for specific indicators were made according to national guidelines and standards.…”

Analisis Spasial Temporal Lahan Terbangun Terhadap Rawan Bencana Gempa Bumi di Kabupaten Cianjur

“…Kajian terkait perubahan penggunaan lahan sudah banyak dilakukan oleh peneliti terdahulu baik kajian yang berupa perubahan penggunaan lahan seperti yang dilakukan oleh Chen et al, (2019); Kuma et al, (2022); Manikandan & Rangarajan, (2023); dan Siddik et al, (2022) ataupun kajian terkait kesesuaian penggunaan lahan permukiman seperti yang dilakukan oleh Li et al, (2022); Litasari et al, (2022); Nurzakiah et al, (2022); dan Utami et al, (2021). Pada kajian perubahan penggunaan lahan, penelitian-penelitian tersebut mengkaji perubahan penggunaan lahan berdasarkan beberapa temporal data dengan tujuan memperlihatkan gambaran perubahan penggunaan lahan secara keseluruhan dan dampak yang terjadi terhadap lingkungan yang ada di lokasi penelitian.…”

Evaluation of the Condition of the Human Habitat Ecosystem in Anhui Province and Regional Spatial and Temporal Distribution Study

“…The research objects come mainly for the sustainable progression of a local biological ecosystem and habitat [13][14], regional differences and spatial influencing factors [15], and ecological security evaluation [16]. The research methods focus on The projection pursuit (PP) method [17], GIS and remote sensing [18]- [20], hierarchical analysis [21] [22], entropy value method [23] [24], Monte Carlo method [25], Topsis [26]- [28]. Of these, GIS and remote sensing are the most widely used.…”