Page 128 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Spatial analysis of urban garden space

activities and the expansion of Garden Cities. The dynamic spaces, and reduce the impacts of climate change. Reports
shifts from woodland to grassland further underscore the indicate that from 2009 to 2019, China lost approximately
region’s evolving vegetation dynamics. 6% of its arable land, raising concerns about long-term

In recent years, a notable change has occurred through food security. In response, policies have been directed
the conversion of portions of woodlands into rainfed toward preserving agricultural land while increasing
croplands and forested areas into small-scale irrigated fields. productivity, particularly in the production of staple crops
This transformation reflects an evolving balance in land use such as wheat and rice. In regions facing water scarcity,
patterns, which can be interpreted in the context of regional efforts are underway to develop agricultural land within
food security. Numerous studies have underscored the urban areas, land use strategies promoting urban green
intricate relationship between land use/land cover changes spaces, and the development of vertical and hydroponic
and food security. A study conducted in the Dudhganga farming. These measures aim to alleviate pressure on
watershed in India examined the impact of urban suburban agricultural land and create a sustainable urban
development on food security by analyzing land use/land environment.
cover changes. The findings emphasized the necessity of Despite these efforts, challenges, such as climate change,
prudent land management and climate adaptation strategies water scarcity, and increasing demand for agricultural
to mitigate local hunger and ecological degradation land persist. China has made substantial investments in
(Ahmad et al., 2024). Similarly, research in the Red Sea research and development, particularly in climate-resilient
region of eastern Sudan explored the effects of livelihood agricultural technologies and improved irrigation systems.
transformation on food security and environmental In addition, China has expanded agricultural projects
sustainability, attributing disruptions in rural livelihoods to abroad, particularly in Africa and Asia, through the Belt and
unregulated land use practices and climate change (Gaiballa Road Initiative, further strengthening global food security
& Abdalla, 2015). Furthermore, a study in the Anantnag efforts. Recent policies emphasize the need to improve
district of Kashmir, India, employed spatial analysis to assess soybean and oilseed production, given China’s heavy
the impact of land use/land cover change on food security. reliance on imports. Forecasts predict that by 2035, China’s
Over a decade, this study revealed a decrease in agricultural food self-sufficiency rate may decrease, increasing reliance
and forested areas alongside an increase in horticulture and on imports. As a result, the development of Garden Cities
residential zones (Lone & Mayer, 2017). is positioned as a strategic approach to enhancing urban
In recent years, China has implemented various land quality while improving agricultural productivity
policies to strengthen food security through sustainable within urban areas. Consequently, land use policies and
and environmentally friendly approaches. Recent plans Garden City development in China aim to secure food
emphasize enhancing agricultural production capacity safety and address the challenges related to decreasing
using advanced technologies, particularly climate- agricultural land and rising import needs in the third
resilient crops, and optimized land-use strategies. Within millennium. These strategies may serve as valuable models
the framework of the Garden City initiative, urban areas for other countries facing similar challenges. Collectively,
are encouraged to integrate green spaces for agricultural these discussions highlight the critical need to understand
production. These policies have been especially emphasized the interplay between land use change, climate dynamics,
in regions with limited water resources to ensure more and food security. Sustainable land management practices
efficient resource management and increased agricultural are essential for mitigating adverse effects on food security
outputs. The concept of Garden Cities has been officially at local, regional, and global scales.
incorporated into China’s urban planning and land In a related vein, the authors’ research (conducted
development policies for decades, with efforts focused on from 2021 to 2023) involved interviews with Garden City
mitigating the adverse effects of urban expansion while owners in the study area. Notably, 71% of the lands owned
enhancing green spaces. Initiatives, such as Ecological by these individuals comprised plots of <2,000 sqm, with
Redlines have been introduced to prevent the conversion 62% of owners motivated by recreational purposes (Heidari
of agricultural land and natural areas into residential or et al., 2022; Jahani et al., 2023). These gardens serve dual
industrial zones. Despite the rapid expansion of Garden City functions: enhancing property owners’ financial situations
projects in China, challenges remain, including the conflict and increasing land value. Interestingly, traders engage
between rapid urban development and the preservation of in constructing garden houses by purchasing agricultural
natural resources, as well as climate-related constraints land from farmers at low prices and subsequently selling
in arid regions. On the other hand, these projects present each hectare at significantly higher rates to garden house
opportunities to improve the quality of life, expand green buyers (Daviran, 2023).

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.6234