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This paper examines the spaces where Buddhist spiritual activity—specifically mindfulness practice—takes place, exploring how contemporary urban Buddhist contemplative places may benefit people’s mindful experience. Historical Buddhist contemplative places are examined through a literature review of Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist architecture and landscape. A case study of Kagyu Samye Dzong London, UK (KSDL) in the contemporary western context is then presented, drawing upon mixed methods (qualitative spatial analysis, questionnaires with mindfulness practitioners, and an in-depth interview with the director of the Buddhist center). This study investigates the relationship between the Buddhist spiritual activity of mindfulness practice and one specific physical space, exploring how the KSDL has been designed and is used to facilitate such mindfulness awareness and insight. Results suggest that quiet, solitude, and the presence of nature are three tangible spatial qualities that can facilitate mindful practice to some extent. However, additional relational or intangible qualities, namely the presence of The Three Jewels and blessings, are equally if not more important when sustaining mindfulness for Buddhist practitioners, and these contemplative qualities are more than “spatial”. Both the physical tangible qualities and intangible qualities are indispensable in the contemplative space and in influencing one’s practice. Findings evidence the importance of physical design and space for supporting contemporary mindfulness practitioners, whilst acknowledging that mindfulness emanates from—and can ultimately be discovered from—within.

Since 1980s, the weakening of the transportation function of the Grand Canal and rapid urbanisation has generated significant changes in the spatial pattern of rural settlements along the Grand Canal. Analysing the changing characteristics of this spatial pattern, and exploring the natural, social, and economic factors influencing these changes are key to understanding the regional spatial structure and development law, and grasping the degree of influence of these factors.This study selected approximately 13,000 rural settlements in 27 county-level units in the Shandong section of the Grand Canal, from 1980 to 2018, as the research object. The Grand Canal's distance buffer zone is divided into canal-side, near-canal, far-canal, and further-canal settlements. The correlation model with the canal is constructed through the controlled experiment. The distribution, scale and form of the settlement are analysed quantitatively by applying the change of gravity centre model (CGC), average nearest neighbour analysis (ANN), landscape metrics (LM), and other methods. The quantitative analysis of geographic detectors in spatial pattern differentiation factors shows the relative importance and interaction within them. This study indicates that the spatial distribution shows 'large dispersion and small concentration' and 'small-scale agglomeration' characteristics. The larger the scale of the Page 9 of 35 http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/rra River Research and Applicationssettlement expands, the more the number of settlements decreases. The closer the settlement nears the river, the more complex the shape clusters. The total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fisheries, the total power of agricultural machinery, and the effective irrigation area are the main influencing factors. The grain area and the per capita disposable income of rural residents are the main auxiliary influencing factors.

Hosting seasonal urban events in open public spaces has a significant impact on urban vitality. By reviewing the categorisation of urban events, this paper explains the charactersitics of ‘Seasonal Urban Event’ through time, scale, location, format, content, function, and aim. It mainly focuses on leisure and entertainment events through two cases, Summer Beach and Winter Wonderland at Old Market Square in Nottingham, UK. The research explores ‘Seasonal Urban Event’ by literature review, open data, observation, and the survey data analysis of participants’ responses. The survey result indicates positive spatial and social engagement levels ranging from accessibility, legibility, permeability, flexibility to participation, satisfaction, and inclusivity. The potential benefits of social impact have been emphasised by participants’ responses to elevating civic pride and improving the level of social inclusion. It concludes that ‘Seasonal Urban Event’, as a useful supplement method, may enhance urban vitality in the hosting city