This paper is situated within the discussion of mega-urbanization, a particular urbanization process that entails a large-scale agglomeration. In this paper, our focus is on urbanization in Java, Indonesia’s most dynamic region. We add to the literature by investigating the change and prediction of the land use/land cover (LULC) of mega-urbanization in Java. This research uses a vector machine approach to support the classification of land cover change dynamics, cellular automata-Markov (CA Markov), and the Klassen typology technique. This paper indicates that major metropolitan areas are still expanding in terms of built-up areas, generating a larger urban agglomeration. However, attention should be also given to the urbanization process outside existing metropolis’ boundaries given that more than half of the built-up land coverage in Java is located in non-metropolitan areas. In terms of future direction, the projection results for 2032 show that the Conservative scenario can reduce and slow down the increase in built-up land on the island of Java. On the other hand, the Spatial Plan (RTRW) scenario facilitates a rapid increase in the LULC of built-up land from 2019. The urban spatial dynamics in Java raises challenges for urban and regional planning as the process is taking place across multiple administrative authorities.

Spatial planning performance indicators are related to sustainability. This approach combines quantitative and qualitative data to see the sustainability of regional spatial planning based on land and policies. This study aims to: (1) Analysis of the sustainable development index (IPB) and (2) Analysis of causal conditions of spatial planning performance assessment per regencies/municipalities based on IPB. The approach used is IPB, geographic information system, multi-value qualitative comparative analysis and literature study. The highest score of IPB is Bandung Municipality. The income per capita, education and welfare of the Municipality of Bandung are higher than in other regions. Considering the distribution of IPB scores and their constituent variables, subsequent analysis shows the need to differentiate between regencies and municipalities. Regional sustainability in this regency offers high compatibility between spatial planning policies and forest area status policies have extensive vegetation cover and small land-use diversity. Whereas in urban areas, it shows the opposite. This article can answer the sustainability of spatial planning policies and differentiate between regencies and municipalities—the use of mvQCA is a new approach to spatial planning evaluation.

Rapid land cover changes, primarily driven by urbanization and deforestation, present critical sustainability challenges for rural landscapes, especially in developing regions such as Cianjur Regency, West Java. These transitions threaten ecological integrity, disrupt water resource systems, and compromise biodiversity, ultimately impacting land productivity and sustainable development goals. This research adopts an integrated spatial analysis framework to quantify land cover transitions and assess their impacts on local sustainability through a multi-dimensional Local Sustainability Index (LSI). The study evaluates economic, social, and environmental sustainability at the village level by utilizing overlay analysis, Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation (LISA), and clustering techniques. Findings indicate a pronounced shift, with rice fields reduced by approximately 29,212.6 ha over a decade (2011-2021), while dry agricultural and residential lands expanded by 43,428.5 ha and 4,889.7 ha, respectively. LSI analysis reveals a decline in high-category environmental sustainability, contrasted by an increase in social and economic LSI scores. Southern development area (WP) exhibits high environmental sustainability, while northern development area (WP) has high social welfare and economic growth (Cianjur, Cipanas, dan Pacet Sub-District). Spatial clustering results highlight four distinct village typologies: urban village (Cluster One), developing village (Cluster Two), good environmental village (Cluster Three), and underdeveloped village (Cluster Four).

Rural economies in tropical regions are undergoing complex transformations, primarily driven by increasing urbanisation that alters the socio-economic fabric of village life. This study explores the economic transition in Karang Tengah Village, which has shifted from a predominantly agricultural base to a model centred on community-based ecotourism, with a particular focus on nature trekking guide services. The research aims to develop an inclusive and sustainable rural business model. Employing a mixed-methods explanatory approach, the study integrates actor-based quantitative surveys, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory observations. Five key findings emerge: a substantial shift in primary livelihoods towards tourism; the creation of new employment opportunities for the village’s youth; the pivotal institutional role of PLGS as a community-based management entity; conflict mitigation through adaptive spatial planning; and the emergence of a village business model rooted in biological assets, institutional capacity, and inclusive entrepreneurship. The study concludes that community-based trekking services represent a viable paradigm for sustainable rural development in tropical regions, offering valuable insights and potential for replication in comparable settings.