The Dynamics of Peri-Urban Spatial Planning: An Overview

Urbanization is an unavoidable force resulting in the directional change of metropolitan growth around the world, altering their structure and having a profound impact on the socioeconomic and environmental fabric of territories. The spatial phenomenon of urbanization is characterized by the rapid growth of built-up areas and random land-use conversion, mostly in peri-urban areas of the cities. This paper reviews spatial evaluation methodologies used in different studies to establish an appropriate approach to peri-urban spatial knowledge. It also reviews peri-urban transformations and spatial configuration assessment methodology. It summarizes the results into three categories: (1) spatial understanding methods, (2) spatial assessment methods, and (3) ambiguities and biases in the application of the methods. The report explains how studies have considerable ambiguities from this standpoint: (1) context of results, and (2) replicability of methodology claims. This study also concludes that the efficiency of the outcome depends on the correct use of a territorial scale of the study, digital urban sciences, and localized indicators for attaining a sustainable urban form. In addition, measures that can enable spatial manifestation to achieve sustainable urban form have not been developed for transitioning peri-urban areas, and all solutions have employed urban-centric indices. This study can help urban and regional planners understand peri-urban spatial planning techniques and fill the identified methodological gaps.