As a result of extended urbanization caused by the expansion of urban activities to the periphery and beyond and in-situ urbanization in rural areas, many peri-urban areas with a mix of agricultural and non-agricultural activities have emerged in Liaoning, which can be described as ‘desakota’. These widely distributed desakota are neglected in planning, leading to marginalization and socio-ecological degradation, and the socio-ecological systems of desakota are further affected by urban shrinkage. Therefore, desakota in Liaoning cannot innovate and transform into a desirable future in the shrinking context.

Socio-ecological systems are dynamic and unpredictable (Berkes, 2017). Traditional planning can only partially cope with it (Balducci et al, 2011) while adaptive planning provides more flexibility and adaptivity. Adaptive planning can enhance socio-ecological resilience in desakota from both spatial and institutional dimensions. Building on socio-ecological resilience, these areas increase the potential to provide socio-ecological values to the megaregion.

Therefore, in the context of shrinkage, this study aims to investigate how socio-ecological resilience can be built in peri-urban areas through adaptive planning, with attention to spatial and institutional dimensions, to counter socio-ecological degradation and achieve integrated development. ... Read more

The global water crisis could 'spiral out of control' due to overconsumption, pollution, and climate change. Building resilient freshwater systems is one of the most significant challenges in the face of climate change.
The Rhine River basin is home to over 60 million people. It's a center for trade, industry, and food production. However, the region's complex ecosystem is currently under threat from direct and indirect consequences of human activity. The ecosystems and habitats are disappearing, and pollution is still present in the water due to untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff. The growing population and increasing industrial demand for water use are putting a significant strain on the freshwater flow and supply, while droughts and floods further exacerbate the issue. This has resulted in the depletion of the quality of freshwater, creating further environmental risks..
The goal is to create an integrative and resilient Rhine River basin, with a special focus on the South Holland delta, which enhances the well-being of citizens, improves biodiversity, and ensures climate justice through the preservation of freshwater.
To achieve this, our vision for the Fresh Rhine employs a range of theories and methods such as resilience, sustainability, and nature-based solutions. They are applied in four critical locations: Lake Constance as the main water reservoir of the system; the area around the city of Kaub, a "blocked artery" of the river, especially sensitive to droughts; the Ruhr area, the main industrial center and pollutor of the region; and finally - the South Holland delta, where all these different conditions come together and meet the sea, another big threat to freshwater. The strategy focuses on renaturing the shorelines, reintroducing wetlands, and creating networks of wetland biotopes, as well as employing innovative ways of water reuse in agriculture, industries, and cities.
This will require collaboration between stakeholders, including government, private companies, civil society groups, and local communities. Ultimately, the project envisions a future where the Rhine River basin and the delta are leaders in sustainable water management, and a model for other regions facing similar challenges.
The implications of our strategy can extend beyond just the Rhine River basin. We aim to provide a more integrative approach to regional strategies for freshwater management in rivers that span across borders. The outcome of this project can be built upon for other regions facing similar challenges and provide a roadmap for creating resilient freshwater systems. ... Read more