TOWARDS HUMAN-CENTRIC REGIONAL LAND PLANNING: A REFLECTIVE INQUIRY

Abstract

The ecological restoration of national land space stands as a cornerstone in the construction of ecological civilization, embodying the material foundation and dynamic force of this endeavor. A collective understanding has emerged, asserting that this restoration is pivotal for fostering a virtuous cycle and sustainable utilization of resources. The United Nations' proclamation of the 2021-2030 Decade emphasizes large-scale restoration efforts, aiming to arrest the relentless degradation of ecosystems. In tandem, the 2015 Overall Program for the Reform of the Ecological Civilization System delineates a three-tiered approach encompassing "mountains, forests, fields, lakes, and grasslands", offering vital guidance for the conceptualization and execution of national land space ecological restoration. Despite these strides, several critical issues persist in the advancement of ecological restoration planning. Notably, the approach remains conspicuously sector-specific, prioritizing ecological preservation at the expense of arable land protection and development, with limited integration in spatial layout. Moreover, existing restoration frameworks lack definitive guiding principles, often relying on a broad maxim of "cultivation for arable land, afforestation for forests, grass for grasslands, and wetland for wetlands". This rudimentary approach proves inadequate in reconciling the intricate challenges posed by shifting land attributes, such as the establishment or repurposing of ecological zones in practical implementation. Concurrently, the absence of explicit value judgments frequently sparks interdepartmental conflicts of interest, impeding the harmonized advancement of sub-systems