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Sustainability, Volume 9, Issue 5 (May 2017) – 194 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): The current e-waste management system suffers from losses in the form of materials, product and component functionality, which occur during the collection and processing of EoL products. In part, these losses can be attributed to the diversity of the e-products and the generalized approach to handling them. A more robust system of categorizing e-products carries the potential of improving the EoL material recovery and facilitating reuse, refurbishment, and remanufacturing. We identify the attributes upon which product families of e-products can be built for a better EoL management, and three key improvements in the EoL management to avoid the material and functionality losses, (a) an improved collection system; (b) a presorting and testing platform; (c) a family-centric processing of EoL products. The framework is based on the philosophy of a ‘product family’, and if supported by the three key [...] Read more.
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1136 KiB  
Article
Oxidative Photodegradation of Pyrene and Fluoranthene by Fe-Based and Zn-Based Fenton Reagents
by Abid Hussain, Fahad N. Al-Barakah, Mohamed Al-Sewailem, Mohamed H. El-Saeid, Muhammad Waqar and Mahtab Ahmad
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050870 - 22 May 2017
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4575
Abstract
Increased industrialization has introduced a lot of hazardous materials into ecosystems. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most toxic and persistent organic pollutants emanating from petrochemical industrial areas. Remediation of PAHs-contaminated soil has been a particularly big challenge. Photochemical oxidation–reduction processes have [...] Read more.
Increased industrialization has introduced a lot of hazardous materials into ecosystems. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most toxic and persistent organic pollutants emanating from petrochemical industrial areas. Remediation of PAHs-contaminated soil has been a particularly big challenge. Photochemical oxidation–reduction processes have gained attention because of their high efficiency and robustness for PAH removal from contaminated soils. In this study, the efficacy of Fe-based and Zn-based Fenton reagents for remediating soil contaminated with pyrene (Pyr) and fluoranthene (Flr) is evaluated. UV treatment (2-h exposure) at 254 nm resulted in 21.6 and 28.5% degradations of Pyr and Flr, respectively. The Zn-based Fenton reagent performed better than the Fe-based reagent by degrading 99.9% of Pyr. The Fe-based Fenton reagent (under UV light) resulted in 97.1–99.7% and 95.1–98.9% Pyr and Flr degradations, respectively, in 0.5–2 h. Notably, the temperature increase during UV irradiation facilitated the enhanced degradation of Pyr and Flr, as observed from negative correlations (r = (−)0.902–0.961 and p = 0.039–0.098) between the temperature and PAH concentrations. The newly tested Zn-based Fenton reagent was equally effective as the Fe-based Fenton reagent in degrading Pyr and Flr in soil. Hence, it can be used as a new alternative reagent to remediate PAH-polluted soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)
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406 KiB  
Article
Economic Transformation in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region: Is It Undergoing the Environmental Kuznets Curve?
by Lichun Xiong, Chang Yu, Martin De Jong, Fengting Wang and Baodong Cheng
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050869 - 21 May 2017
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5310
Abstract
The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region Integration Plan is one of the most important national strategies in China promoting regional economic development. The environmental problems in this region, however, especially air pollution and contaminated groundwater, have enormous influence on the people’s health while also causing economic [...] Read more.
The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region Integration Plan is one of the most important national strategies in China promoting regional economic development. The environmental problems in this region, however, especially air pollution and contaminated groundwater, have enormous influence on the people’s health while also causing economic loss. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the pattern of its environmental and economic development. Panel data in the period 2004–2014 are used to establish an advanced model of the Environmental Kuznets Curve. The results indicate that the economic growth and environmental pollution of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region do not completely meet the Environment Kuznets Curve assumptions. The discharge volume of industrial wastewater and economic growth reflect a wave-type relation. The sulfur dioxide discharge volume and economic growth reflect a U-shaped relation; the generated volume of industrial solid wastes and economic growth reflect a reversed N-shaped relation, which is in accordance with the Environmental Kuznets Curve characteristics at the second inflection point. The variables added value of the secondary industry, population size and raw coal consumption volume have a significant positive influence on the discharge of various environmental pollutants in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The analysis provides policy recommendations for the government to develop regional economic and environmental protection policies. Full article
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420 KiB  
Article
The Role of Technology Spillovers in the Process of Water Pollution Abatement for Large International Firms
by Luigi Aldieri and Concetto Paolo Vinci
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050868 - 21 May 2017
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4947
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to analyze the effects of technology externalities stemming from different technological sectors for international firms engaged both in water pollution abatement and in dirty activities. We present a theoretical framework and an empirical analysis based upon a [...] Read more.
The objective of this paper is to analyze the effects of technology externalities stemming from different technological sectors for international firms engaged both in water pollution abatement and in dirty activities. We present a theoretical framework and an empirical analysis based upon a dataset composed of worldwide R&D-intensive firms. In order to identify the technological proximity between the firms, we construct an original Mahalanobis environmental industry weight matrix, based on the construction of technological vectors for each firm, with European ecological patents distributed across more technology classes. Opportune econometric techniques that deal with the firms’ unobserved heterogeneity and the weak exogeneity of the explanatory variables are implemented. The findings show significant spillover effects on the productivity and environmental performance of the firms. Full article
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1667 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Use of Reservoir Sediment through Partial Application in Building Material
by Natalia Junakova and Jozef Junak
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 852; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050852 - 21 May 2017
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 5150
Abstract
Sediment, often considered a by-product of various activities within river basin management to be disposed of, or a pollutant to be controlled, is increasingly being acknowledged as a resource in need of management. The paper deals with the possibility of reusing sediment from [...] Read more.
Sediment, often considered a by-product of various activities within river basin management to be disposed of, or a pollutant to be controlled, is increasingly being acknowledged as a resource in need of management. The paper deals with the possibility of reusing sediment from two Slovak reservoirs (Klusov and Ruzin) as an alternative raw material in concrete production. Concrete specimens were prepared by a combination of original reservoir sediment, reservoir sediment mechanically activated by dry milling, reservoir sediment mechanically activated by dry milling together with biomass incinerator fly-ash as a binder. To improve the strength properties of specimens, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used as a sediment activator. Mixtures containing 40% of binder replacement by the above-mentioned combinations of original and treated sediments were tested for flexural and compressive strengths after 28, 90 and 365 days of curing. The results showed that the mixtures prepared from sediments milled without and with addition of fly ash as cement replacement satisfied the strength requirements for the compressive strength class C16/20 according to the European standard except the composites prepared with NaOH as the sediment activator. Addition of NaOH into composites in the concentration of 5 M as an activator of sediment indicated the negative impact on compressive and flexural strengths and thus NaOH was not an effective pozzolanic activator for sediments. This study reveals that the sediment may be considered as 40% cement substitution in building materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable River Basin Management)
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2970 KiB  
Article
Improving Energy Efficiency of an Autonomous Bicycle with Adaptive Controller Design
by David Rodriguez-Rosa, Ismael Payo-Gutierrez, Fernando J. Castillo-Garcia, Antonio Gonzalez-Rodriguez and Sergio Perez-Juarez
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 866; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050866 - 20 May 2017
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6298
Abstract
A method is proposed to achieve lateral stability of an autonomous bicycle with only the rotation of the front wheel. This can be achieved with a classic controller. However, if the energy consumption of the bicycle also has to be minimized, this solution [...] Read more.
A method is proposed to achieve lateral stability of an autonomous bicycle with only the rotation of the front wheel. This can be achieved with a classic controller. However, if the energy consumption of the bicycle also has to be minimized, this solution is not valid. To solve this problem, an adaptive controller has been designed, which modifies its gains according to the bicycle’s forward velocity, adapting its response with minimum energy consumption and satisfying the design specifications. The study demonstrates the efficiency of the proposed control, achieving an energy saving of 73 . 8 % in trajectory tracking with respect to a conventional proportional-integral ( P I ) controller. These results show the importance of designing energy-efficient controllers, not only for autonomous vehicles but also for any automatic system where the energy consumption can be minimized. Full article
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2750 KiB  
Article
Carbon Footprint Estimation in Fiber Optics Industry: A Case Study of OFS Fitel, LLC
by Suresh Inakollu, Randy Morin and Ryan Keefe
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 865; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050865 - 20 May 2017
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 9723
Abstract
Detailed carbon footprinting assignments have been on the rise in more and more major manufacturing industries. The main strength of carbon footprinting is to make product manufacturers aware of carbon emissions and understand its meaning due to perceived global warming effects. Carbon foot-printing [...] Read more.
Detailed carbon footprinting assignments have been on the rise in more and more major manufacturing industries. The main strength of carbon footprinting is to make product manufacturers aware of carbon emissions and understand its meaning due to perceived global warming effects. Carbon foot-printing through life-cycle assessment in conjunction with greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting is essential for identifying opportunities for environmental efficiencies. Case studies of goods that require more complex production elements have also been increasing, like optical fiber manufacturing. From making ultra-pure glass rods to elongating hot fibers, the whole process involves using a high volume of chemicals and extensive energy. Hence, standard numbers addressing carbon footprinting specifically for fiber optics is helpful for the quantification of greenhouse gas intensity, mitigation of global warming, and adaptation against future climate change scenarios. This paper calculates and helps standardize the emission factor for the production of optical fiber from the scope of gate-to-gate: 4.81 tonnes CO2eq per million meters of produced fiber (which is 72.92 kg CO2eq per kg of produced fiber) in order to allow other industries to use this information in their own carbon footprint calculations. Since governmental regulatory agencies have largely failed to confront the risks associated with climate change borne by industries, it is essential for all industries to disclose their emissions in a standardized and comparable form in order to develop standard guidelines for all. This paper provides a practical life-cycle approach, concludes with requirements for further research and evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Engineering and Science)
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3285 KiB  
Article
A Day-Ahead Wind Power Scenario Generation, Reduction, and Quality Test Tool
by Ceyhun Yıldız, Mustafa Tekin, Ahmet Gani, Ö. Fatih Keçecioğlu, Hakan Açıkgöz and Mustafa Şekkeli
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 864; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050864 - 20 May 2017
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6259
Abstract
During the last decades, thanks to supportive policies of countries and a decrease in installation costs, total installed capacity of wind power has increased rapidly all around the world. The uncertain and variable nature of wind power has been a problem for transmission [...] Read more.
During the last decades, thanks to supportive policies of countries and a decrease in installation costs, total installed capacity of wind power has increased rapidly all around the world. The uncertain and variable nature of wind power has been a problem for transmission system operators and wind power plant owners. To solve this problem, numerous wind power forecast systems have been developed. Unfortunately none of them can obtain absolutely accurate forecasts yet. Thus, researchers assumed that wind power generation is a stochastic process and they proposed a stochastic programming approach to solve problems arising from the uncertainty of wind power. It is well known that representing stochastic process by possible scenarios is a major issue in the stochastic programming approach. Large numbers of scenarios can represent a stochastic process accurately, but it is not easy to solve a stochastic problem that contains a large number of scenarios. For this reason scenario reduction methods have been introduced. Finally, the quality of this reduced scenario set must be at an acceptable level to use them in calculations. All of these reasons have encouraged authors to develop a wind power scenario tool that can generate and reduce the scenario set and test the quality of it. The developed tool uses historical data to model wind forecast errors. Scenarios are generated around 24 day-ahead point wind power forecasts. A fast forward reduction algorithm is used to reduce the scenario set. Two metrics are proposed to assess the quality of the reduced scenario set. Site measurements are used to test the developed wind power scenario tool. Results showed that the tool can generate and reduce the scenario set successfully and the proposed metrics are useful to assess the quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wind Energy, Load and Price Forecasting towards Sustainability)
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1967 KiB  
Article
Sustainability of Constructed Wetland under the Impact of Aquatic Organisms Overloading
by Shih-Chieh Chen, Ming-Young Jan, Kuo-Liang Lin, Sung-Lin Chao and Chien-Sen Liao
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 863; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050863 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3819
Abstract
Environmental impacts, such as earthquakes, chemical pollution and anthropogenic factors can affect the stability and sustainability of an ecosystem. In this study, a long-term (3.7 years) investigation experiment was conducted to estimate the sustainability of a constructed wetland (CW) under the impact of [...] Read more.
Environmental impacts, such as earthquakes, chemical pollution and anthropogenic factors can affect the stability and sustainability of an ecosystem. In this study, a long-term (3.7 years) investigation experiment was conducted to estimate the sustainability of a constructed wetland (CW) under the impact of aquatic organisms overloading. The situation of aquatic organisms overloading in this study meant that around 27,000 kg of fishes had to be moved and accommodated in a 4 ha water area of wetland for six months. Experimental results indicated that the pH value of CW water was slightly acidic and the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) level decreased under the impact. On the other hand, the levels of Electrical Conductivity (EC), Suspended Solids (SS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) of CW water were increased under the impact. The pathogen analysis revealed that total coliforms, Salmonella spp., Enterococcus spp., and Escherichia coli, in the wetland water increased under the impact. The analyzed factors of water quality and amount of pathogens were all returned to their original statuses soon after the impact ended. Eventually, the results of microbial community structure analysis showed that overloading of aquatic organisms slightly increased the specific richness (R) of wetland bacteria, whereas higher structural biodiversity (H) of CW could stabilize the whole microbial community and prevent the pathogens or other bacteria from increasing to become the dominant strains. These results were novel and could be possible to conclude that a CW environment could not only stabilize the water quality and amount of pathogens resulting from the impact of aquatic organisms overloading, but also they could stabilize the microbial community structures, allowing the biogeochemical cycles of the CW to function. They could provide the useful information for wetland sustainability. Full article
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1109 KiB  
Article
Effects of Clean Air Act on Patenting Activities in Chemical Industry: Learning from Past Experiences
by Alptekin Durmuşoğlu
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050862 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4131
Abstract
The chemical industry provides essential goods we use in our daily lives and key ingredients for many diverse industries. On the other hand, their production and use require serious attention while they may be seriously harmful to local air quality. The Clean Air [...] Read more.
The chemical industry provides essential goods we use in our daily lives and key ingredients for many diverse industries. On the other hand, their production and use require serious attention while they may be seriously harmful to local air quality. The Clean Air Act (CAA) and its subsequent amendments regulate the emissions of hazardous air pollutants to protect public health and welfare in the U.S.A. since 1970. This study aimed to assess the impact of CAA on the rate of patenting in the chemical industry. With this in mind, basic chemical utility patents were analyzed to detect the effects of CAA on the patenting activities. Subsequent to the fitting of the ARIMA (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average) model (producing the least square of errors), a significant outlier was detected with the Dixon’s r22 Ratio Test. This outlier was the number of patents granted in 1972. Contextual queries in the text of those patent documents have shown that there was a considerable increase in the patents of chemistry which takes the sustainability relevant terms (air, emission, pollution, etc.) into consideration. It was concluded that companies in the chemistry industry adapted themselves very rapidly to the changes and CAA was an important incentive to create novel technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
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475 KiB  
Article
Learning of Power Technologies in China: Staged Dynamic Two-Factor Modeling and Empirical Evidence
by Yan Xu, Jiahai Yuan and Jianxiu Wang
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 861; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050861 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3710
Abstract
Cost evolution has an important influence on the commercialization and large-scale application of power technology. Many researchers have analyzed the quantitative relationship between the cost of power technology and its influencing factors while establishing various forms of technical learning curve models. In this [...] Read more.
Cost evolution has an important influence on the commercialization and large-scale application of power technology. Many researchers have analyzed the quantitative relationship between the cost of power technology and its influencing factors while establishing various forms of technical learning curve models. In this paper, we focus on the positive effects of the policy on research and development (R&D) learning by summarizing and comparing four energy technology cost models based on learning curves. We explore the influencing factors and dynamic change paths of power technology costs. The paper establishes a multi-stage dynamic two-factor learning curve model based on cumulative R&D investment and the installed capacity. This work presents the structural changes of the influencing factors at various stages. Causality analysis and econometric estimation of learning curves are performed on wind power and other power technologies. The conclusion demonstrates that a “learn by researching” approach had led to cost reduction of wind power to date, but, in the long term, the effect of “learn by doing” is greater than that of “learn by researching” when R&D learning is saturated. Finally, the paper forecasts the learning rates and the cost trends of the main power technologies in China. The work presented in this study has implications on power technology development and energy policy in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Electric Power Systems Research)
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269 KiB  
Article
A New Sustainability City Index Based on Intellectual Capital Approach
by José-Luis Alfaro-Navarro, Víctor-Raúl López-Ruiz and Domingo Nevado Peña
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 860; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050860 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4732
Abstract
Urban sustainability is a key factor that must be considered at the local level, however, there are few studies that consider sustainability using the triple bottom line approach and apply it to a large number of cities. In this paper, we develop a [...] Read more.
Urban sustainability is a key factor that must be considered at the local level, however, there are few studies that consider sustainability using the triple bottom line approach and apply it to a large number of cities. In this paper, we develop a sustainability city index based on the triple bottom line using an intellectual capital approach that attempts to solve the negative aspects identified in the main indices proposed in the existing literature, such as the use of: subjective weightings, an arithmetic average or index that is not comparable. Here, we have used information available in the Urban Audit database for 2009. The results for 158 cities in 24 European countries show that the cities with the best positions are in the northern European countries. German cities occupied the best positions in the three dimensions of sustainability, albeit with a slightly worse performance in the social dimension. Moreover, the proposal index is consistent, without redundancy among the variables considered in the three dimensions. Full article
2083 KiB  
Article
Research on the Coupling Coordination of a Sea–Land System Based on an Integrated Approach and New Evaluation Index System: A Case Study in Hainan Province, China
by Liming Zhao, Ling Li and Yujie Wu
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 859; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050859 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 6079
Abstract
Based on the concept of sea–land coordination and the statistical data of Hainan Province from 1999 to 2013, we establish a new evaluation index system included four aspects—economic development, social progress, environmental protection and resource efficiency—and use the integrated approach (such as the [...] Read more.
Based on the concept of sea–land coordination and the statistical data of Hainan Province from 1999 to 2013, we establish a new evaluation index system included four aspects—economic development, social progress, environmental protection and resource efficiency—and use the integrated approach (such as the combination weight method, the coupling coordination degree model, the scissors difference model and the dynamic coupling coordination degree model) to measure the coupling coordination degree of a sea–land system. The results show that: (1) the overall development level of sea system and land system are gradually improved; (2) the coupling coordination degree of sea–land system is gradually from moderately uncoordinated to well coordinated, and the comprehensive evaluation value of sea system has a greater effect on the coupling coordination degree than that of land system; (3) the scissors difference between sea system and land system is gradually increasing; (4) the dynamic coupling coordination degree of the sea–land system which favors a parabolic shape is basically in the break-in development stage; (5) in the process of sea–land system coordination, the influencing factors of economic development, the social progress and resource efficiency should be given priority and, at the same time, strengthen the environmental protection efforts and awareness to promote the role of environmental protection in the sea–land coordination. Full article
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4111 KiB  
Case Report
Lifting the Information Barriers to Address Sustainability Challenges with Data from Physical Geography and Earth Observation
by Anthony Lehmann, Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer, Martin Lacayo, Grégory Giuliani, David Thau, Kevin Koy, Grace Goldberg and Richard Sharp Jr.
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 858; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050858 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 9844
Abstract
Sustainability challenges demand solutions, and the pace of technological and scientific advances in physical geography and Earth observation have great potential to provide the information needed to address these challenges. This paper highlights five online tools and initiatives that are lifting barriers to [...] Read more.
Sustainability challenges demand solutions, and the pace of technological and scientific advances in physical geography and Earth observation have great potential to provide the information needed to address these challenges. This paper highlights five online tools and initiatives that are lifting barriers to address these challenges. The enviroGRIDS project in the Black Sea catchment demonstrates how the use of spatial data infrastructures can facilitate data sharing. Google Earth Engine is providing solutions to challenges of processing big data into usable information. Additionally, application programming interfaces allow outsiders to elaborate and iterate on programs to explore novel uses of data and models, as seen in the Berkeley Ecoinformatics Engine. Finally, collaborative mapping tools, such as Seasketch/MarineMap and the InVEST software suite, allow engagement within and between groups of experts and stakeholders for the development, deployment, and long-term impact of a project. Merging these different experiences can set a new standard for online information tools supporting sustainable development from evidence brought by physical geography combined with socioeconomic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Geography and Environmental Sustainability)
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776 KiB  
Article
The Significance of Forests and Algae in CO2 Balance: A Hungarian Case Study
by Attila Bai, József Popp, Károly Pető, Irén Szőke, Mónika Harangi-Rákos and Zoltán Gabnai
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 857; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050857 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5724
Abstract
This study presents the sequestration and emissions of forests and algae related to CO2 while providing a comparison to other biomass sources (arable crops, short rotation coppices). The goal of the paper is to analyze the impact of the current CO2 [...] Read more.
This study presents the sequestration and emissions of forests and algae related to CO2 while providing a comparison to other biomass sources (arable crops, short rotation coppices). The goal of the paper is to analyze the impact of the current CO2 balance of forests and the future prospects for algae. Our calculations are based on data, not only from the literature but, in the case of algae, from our own previous experimental work. It was concluded that the CO2 sequestration and natural gas saving of forests is typically 3.78 times higher than the emissions resulting from the production technology and from the burning process. The economic and environmental protection-related efficiency operate in opposite directions. The CO2 sequestration ability of algae can primarily be utilized when connected to power plants. The optimal solution could be algae production integrated with biogas power plants, since plant sizes are smaller and algae may play a role, not only in the elimination of CO2 emissions and the utilization of heat but also in wastewater purification. Full article
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1042 KiB  
Article
Food Image Recognition via Superpixel Based Low-Level and Mid-Level Distance Coding for Smart Home Applications
by Jiannan Zheng, Z. Jane Wang and Chunsheng Zhu
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050856 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5229
Abstract
Food image recognition is a key enabler for many smart home applications such as smart kitchen and smart personal nutrition log. In order to improve living experience and life quality, smart home systems collect valuable insights of users’ preferences, nutrition intake and health [...] Read more.
Food image recognition is a key enabler for many smart home applications such as smart kitchen and smart personal nutrition log. In order to improve living experience and life quality, smart home systems collect valuable insights of users’ preferences, nutrition intake and health conditions via accurate and robust food image recognition. In addition, efficiency is also a major concern since many smart home applications are deployed on mobile devices where high-end GPUs are not available. In this paper, we investigate compact and efficient food image recognition methods, namely low-level and mid-level approaches. Considering the real application scenario where only limited and noisy data are available, we first proposed a superpixel based Linear Distance Coding (LDC) framework where distinctive low-level food image features are extracted to improve performance. On a challenging small food image dataset where only 12 training images are available per category, our framework has shown superior performance in both accuracy and robustness. In addition, to better model deformable food part distribution, we extend LDC’s feature-to-class distance idea and propose a mid-level superpixel food parts-to-class distance mining framework. The proposed framework show superior performance on a benchmark food image datasets compared to other low-level and mid-level approaches in the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart X for Sustainability)
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17500 KiB  
Article
The Effectiveness of Planning Control on Urban Growth: Evidence from Hangzhou, China
by Yizhou Wu, Peilei Fan, Bo Li, Zutao Ouyang, Yong Liu and Heyuan You
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 855; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050855 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 7381
Abstract
Urban sprawl presents a serious challenge for sustainable urban land use. Urban planning attempts to guarantee sustainable urban development and proper use of land resources. However, a large gap usually exists between planning and actual development. This paper aims to analyze the evolutionary [...] Read more.
Urban sprawl presents a serious challenge for sustainable urban land use. Urban planning attempts to guarantee sustainable urban development and proper use of land resources. However, a large gap usually exists between planning and actual development. This paper aims to analyze the evolutionary characteristics of urban form and the spatiotemporal dynamics of urban planning from 1964 to 2013, using the case of Hangzhou, China. We proposed a framework that included remote sensing, landscape metrics, and control effectiveness indexes. The results indicated that urban planning failed to perform effectively in Hangzhou, reflected by the uncontrolled urban sprawl during all the planning periods. The low effectiveness of planning was resulted from multiple factors, including historical economic events that made expansion unexpected, functional orientation of planning which drove fragmented suburbanization, the ineffective methods for forecasting population and land use, and the influences by the market forces. The findings deepen the understanding of the impacts of urban planning, and provide references for making rational urban management decisions and sustainable urban land management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land Use in China)
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954 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Environmental Management Indicators in South African Primary Schools
by Luiza O. De Sousa, Barry W. Richter and Schalk P. Raath
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 854; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050854 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 7852
Abstract
This research explores sustainable environmental management indicators in South African primary schools. Of key interest is the comparison of a township, farm and urban primary school that identify indicators that promote education for sustainable development in schools that implement an environmental management system. [...] Read more.
This research explores sustainable environmental management indicators in South African primary schools. Of key interest is the comparison of a township, farm and urban primary school that identify indicators that promote education for sustainable development in schools that implement an environmental management system. Data are drawn from one-on-one interviews, focus group interviews, observations and document analysis from 35 participants in three schools. A comparison of the three schools was done by content and thematic analysis of a within-case analysis. Data from the township school revealed that socioeconomic factors and organisational structure promote education for sustainable development. The farm school data revealed that health promotion can be managed within an environmental management system within a hierarchical school structure. The urban school data revealed that an economic inducement brings a school to realise that it can reduce its carbon footprint, gain financially and utilize its resources with innovation. A case is made that the four pillars of sustainable development (environment, society, economy, and governance) endorse education for sustainable development. Furthermore, the objectives of environmental education ought to remain nested in an environmental management system to ensure that the global goal of quality education is achieved. Full article
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1634 KiB  
Article
Low Carbon Economy Performance Analysis with the Intertemporal Effect of Capital in China
by Xinna Zhao and Chongwen Zhong
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 853; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050853 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4406
Abstract
The “New Normal” of Chinese economy represents the importance of economic performance. To analyze the provincial performance of the low-carbon economy in China, this paper constructed a three-stage dynamic Malmquist model considering the evolutionary promotion of productivity and technical progress. This paper incorporates [...] Read more.
The “New Normal” of Chinese economy represents the importance of economic performance. To analyze the provincial performance of the low-carbon economy in China, this paper constructed a three-stage dynamic Malmquist model considering the evolutionary promotion of productivity and technical progress. This paper incorporates the lag effect of capital accumulation into the performance evaluation to ensure transitivity and continuity. Furthermore, the inefficiency of the low-carbon economy arises from the disadvantages of resources endowments; therefore, it is necessary to eliminate these to evaluate managerial performance. This paper not only evaluates the provincial performance of the low-carbon economy but also suggests the sources and impetus of regional low-carbon economy development to find feasible transition paths. The empirical results reveal that the performance of the low-carbon economy presents a gradient distribution with obvious distinctions among the eastern, central, and western regions. Tianjin and Hebei should emphasize the optimal allocation of their own resources. Jiangxi and Hunan, by contrast, should focus on the perfection of the resources endowments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
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2697 KiB  
Article
Adaptive Effectiveness of Irrigated Area Expansion in Mitigating the Impacts of Climate Change on Crop Yields in Northern China
by Tianyi Zhang, Jinxia Wang and Yishu Teng
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050851 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4377
Abstract
To improve adaptive capacity and further strengthen the role of irrigation in mitigating climate change impacts, the Chinese government has planned to expand irrigated areas by 4.4% by the 2030s. Examining the adaptive potential of irrigated area expansion under climate change is therefore [...] Read more.
To improve adaptive capacity and further strengthen the role of irrigation in mitigating climate change impacts, the Chinese government has planned to expand irrigated areas by 4.4% by the 2030s. Examining the adaptive potential of irrigated area expansion under climate change is therefore critical. Here, we assess the effects of irrigated area expansion on crop yields based on county-level data during 1980–2011 in northern China and estimate climate impacts under irrigated area scenarios in the 2030s. Based on regression analysis, there is a statistically significant effect of irrigated area expansion on reducing negative climate impacts. More irrigated areas indicate less heat and drought impacts. Irrigated area expansion will alleviate yield reduction by 0.7–0.8% in the future but associated yield benefits will still not compensate for greater adverse climate impacts. Yields are estimated to decrease by 4.0–6.5% under future climate conditions when an additional 4.4% of irrigated area is established, and no fundamental yield increase with an even further 10% or 15% expansion of irrigated area is predicted. This finding suggests that expected adverse climate change risks in the 2030s cannot be mitigated by expanding irrigated areas. A combination of this and other adaptation programs is needed to guarantee grain production under more serious drought stresses in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change)
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336 KiB  
Review
The Value Landscape in Ecosystem Services: Value, Value Wherefore Art Thou Value?
by Adam P. Hejnowicz and Murray A. Rudd
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050850 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 9288
Abstract
Ecosystem services has risen to become one of the preeminent global policy discourses framing the way we conceive and articulate environment–society relations, integral to the form and function of a number of far-reaching international policies such as the Aichi 2020 Biodiversity Targets and [...] Read more.
Ecosystem services has risen to become one of the preeminent global policy discourses framing the way we conceive and articulate environment–society relations, integral to the form and function of a number of far-reaching international policies such as the Aichi 2020 Biodiversity Targets and the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals. Value; its pursuit, definition, quantification, monetization, multiplicity and uncertainty, both in terms of meaning and attribution, is fundamental to the economic foundations of ecosystem services and a core feature driving its inclusion across multiple policy domains such as environmental management and conservation. Distilling current knowledge and developments in this arena are thus highly prescient. In this article, we cast a critical eye over the evidence base and aim to provide a comprehensive synthesis of what values are, why they are important and the methodological approaches employed to elicit them (including their pros and cons and the arguments for and against). We also illustrate the current ecosystem service value landscape, highlight some of the fundamental challenges in discerning and applying values, and outline future research activities. In so doing, we further advance ecosystem valuation discourse, contribute to wider debates linking ecosystem services and sustainability and strengthen connections between ecosystem services and environmental policy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Social Ecology and Sustainability)
3837 KiB  
Article
Coordinated Optimal Operation Method of the Regional Energy Internet
by Rishang Long, Jian Liu, Chunliang Lu, Jiaqi Shi and Jianhua Zhang
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050848 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4873
Abstract
The development of the energy internet has become one of the key ways to solve the energy crisis. This paper studies the system architecture, energy flow characteristics and coordinated optimization method of the regional energy internet. Considering the heat-to-electric ratio of a combined [...] Read more.
The development of the energy internet has become one of the key ways to solve the energy crisis. This paper studies the system architecture, energy flow characteristics and coordinated optimization method of the regional energy internet. Considering the heat-to-electric ratio of a combined cooling, heating and power unit, energy storage life and real-time electricity price, a double-layer optimal scheduling model is proposed, which includes economic and environmental benefit in the upper layer and energy efficiency in the lower layer. A particle swarm optimizer–individual variation ant colony optimization algorithm is used to solve the computational efficiency and accuracy. Through the calculation and simulation of the simulated system, the energy savings, level of environmental protection and economic optimal dispatching scheme are realized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Grid)
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257 KiB  
Article
Patent Citations and Financial Analysts’ Long-Term Growth Forecasts
by Jincheol Bae, Wonchang Hur, Jaehong Lee and Jaimin Goh
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050846 - 19 May 2017
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3471
Abstract
This paper examines the influence of patent citations, a proxy for the quality of firms’ innovation outputs, on financial analysts’ long-term growth forecasts for firms. We find that financial analysts are more likely to issue long-term forecasts for firms with higher patent citations. [...] Read more.
This paper examines the influence of patent citations, a proxy for the quality of firms’ innovation outputs, on financial analysts’ long-term growth forecasts for firms. We find that financial analysts are more likely to issue long-term forecasts for firms with higher patent citations. In addition, we find that financial analysts’ long-term forecasts are more positive for firms with high patent citations. These results imply that patent citations increase financial analysts’ coverage, and result in more positive forecasts for firms with impactful patents. Considering that financial analysts play important roles in allocating financial resources in capital markets, our findings suggest that patents are valuable assets for firms in securing capital from capital markets, and are thus essential for the sustainable growth of firms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
268 KiB  
Article
Effect of Work-Family Balance Policy on Job Selection and Social Sustainability: The Case of South Korea
by Wang-Jin Yoo and Inha Oh
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050849 - 18 May 2017
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4283
Abstract
South Korea needs to actively implement work-family balance policies to increase both the low employment rate of women and the low total fertility rate. This study analyzes the quantitative benefits that the implementation of work-family balance policies provides to employees and employers. We [...] Read more.
South Korea needs to actively implement work-family balance policies to increase both the low employment rate of women and the low total fertility rate. This study analyzes the quantitative benefits that the implementation of work-family balance policies provides to employees and employers. We conducted a choice experiment that asked 633 participants about their stated preferences for a hypothetical company with different work-family balance practices. The analysis was performed by using a hierarchical Bayesian model that considered preference heterogeneity according to the respondents’ characteristics. The results indicate that the availability of parental leave provides benefits equivalent to an increase of 5.80 million won in annual salary and that offering childcare in the workplace has an effect equivalent to an increase of 5.37 million won in annual salary. Further, low-income groups, women, the younger generation, and parents of preschool children are most sensitive to the policy. Finally, small and medium-sized enterprises are less desirable to work for than large companies, but the implementation of work-family balance policies could change this preference. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
265 KiB  
Article
Adoption and Use of Low-Carbon Technologies: Lessons from 100 Finnish Pilot Studies, Field Experiments and Demonstrations
by Eva Heiskanen, Kaarina Hyvönen, Senja Laakso, Päivi Laitila, Kaisa Matschoss and Irmeli Mikkonen
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050847 - 18 May 2017
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5145
Abstract
Experimentation is critical for the deployment of low-carbon technologies. New solutions need to be selected and adapted to their contexts of use, and users need to learn new skills. Society as a whole needs to create new modes of production, consumption and governance. [...] Read more.
Experimentation is critical for the deployment of low-carbon technologies. New solutions need to be selected and adapted to their contexts of use, and users need to learn new skills. Society as a whole needs to create new modes of production, consumption and governance. We investigated how local pilot projects, demonstrations and trials of low-carbon technologies promote learning in Finnish society, where the government has made a commitment to a culture of experimentation. We drew on a database of 100 pilot projects and experiments and 15 detailed case studies. We identified several types of learning, beyond the formal evaluation of “what works where and when”: pilot projects served to inspire, to create commitment and to develop networks. We also investigated how lessons learned are transferred to other sites and into societal knowledge. We contribute by conceptualizing different forms of learning and transfer—particularly situated and embodied forms—alongside more techno-scientific ones. While highlighting this form of learning, we also note that it is not particularly strong in acknowledging challenges faced in experimentation. We argue that there is scope for more systematic evaluation, alongside more situated forms of learning and sharing. We also pinpoint tensions between these two forms of learning that need to be addressed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
244 KiB  
Perspective
Sustopia or Cosmopolis? A Critical Reflection on the Sustainable City
by Carijn Beumer
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050845 - 18 May 2017
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7572
Abstract
A broader perspective on the role of cities and their relation to their inhabitants and the planet is essential to effectively answer urgent sustainability questions that emerge in and beyond cities. This essay provides a critical reflection on the notion of the sustainable [...] Read more.
A broader perspective on the role of cities and their relation to their inhabitants and the planet is essential to effectively answer urgent sustainability questions that emerge in and beyond cities. This essay provides a critical reflection on the notion of the sustainable city. The central question discussed is: how can the ideal of a sustainable city be best conceptualised? Through exploring historic and contemporary theories on the urban-nature-people relationship and analysing some current sustainable city projects with the help of Cultural Theory, it is argued that creating a sustainable city paradoxically means parting with Sustopia. Sustopia often turns into Dystopia when a single perspective on constructing a sustainable city becomes dominant. In order to assist the process of meaningfully conceptualising the sustainable city, the notion of Cosmopolis is re-explored. This notion of a city embraces creativity, critical practice, adaptation, and it places urban development and planning in a context of multiple spatial and temporal scales. Full article
1298 KiB  
Article
Alternative Approaches to Food: Community Supported Agriculture in Urban China
by Kees Krul and Peter Ho
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050844 - 18 May 2017
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 8253
Abstract
One of the most remarkable features of China’s development path is its large-scale and fast-paced urbanization. As cities already accommodate more than half of China’s population, new challenges to urban food systems have emerged concurrently. Concerns over environmental degradation and food safety have [...] Read more.
One of the most remarkable features of China’s development path is its large-scale and fast-paced urbanization. As cities already accommodate more than half of China’s population, new challenges to urban food systems have emerged concurrently. Concerns over environmental degradation and food safety have provoked growing dissatisfaction with China’s food regime. Amidst these concerns, the aim of this paper is to study the role of new and alternative approaches to food, focusing in on the question of how community supported agriculture (CSA) can deal with the food-related issues emerging from China’s development. The paper adopts Granovetter’s notions of social embeddedness to describe CSA’s relational role in consumer-farmer dynamics, as well as the structural role within its broader relational context. Empirical data is drawn from surveys distributed among CSA farms, and interviews with key stakeholders in the Chinese CSA movement. The study finds that the model of CSA demonstrates an innovative approach to deal with food safety issues, address sustainability, and operate in an environment where future food demands are most critical. Although the movement’s structural embeddedness is bound by several limitations and contradictions, it is argued that the CSA model offers important insights and adds value into ameliorating China’s food systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Region Foodscapes)
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5453 KiB  
Article
Do Forwarders Improve Sustainability Efficiency? Evidence from a European DEA Malmquist Index Calculation
by Matthias Klumpp
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050842 - 18 May 2017
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6833
Abstract
Sustainability performance and efficiency is an important topic in transportation and for forwarders. This is shown, for example, by the fact that major logistics service providers LSP publish sustainability reports, often within the annual legal business report. However, in depth research is missing [...] Read more.
Sustainability performance and efficiency is an important topic in transportation and for forwarders. This is shown, for example, by the fact that major logistics service providers LSP publish sustainability reports, often within the annual legal business report. However, in depth research is missing regarding the efficiency of forwarders regarding the established triple bottom line approach for sustainability, including economic, social, and ecology performance areas. This is especially true for a dynamic time-series perspective, as usually only static analyses for one point in time are presented (in most cases single business years). Therefore, the operations research technique of a data envelopment analysis (DEA) Malmquist index calculation is used in order to provide a longitudinal calculation of efficiency, incorporating multiple objectives regarding the triple bottom line approach for European forwarders. Several indicators are tested, including total revenues and assets as input types, profit (EBIT) and dividend volume (economic dimension), employment and gender equality in management (social), and carbon-equivalent emissions (environmental) as output types. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
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6874 KiB  
Article
Effects of Liquid Organic Fertilizers on Plant Growth and Rhizosphere Soil Characteristics of Chrysanthemum
by Rongting Ji, Gangqiang Dong, Weiming Shi and Ju Min
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050841 - 18 May 2017
Cited by 48 | Viewed by 17516
Abstract
Organic fertilizers are generally thought to be an effective way to sustain soil fertility and plant growth. To promote the productivity of chrysanthemum, five sources of liquid organic fertilizers (L1–L5), as well as a chemical fertilizer, were applied at an early stage of [...] Read more.
Organic fertilizers are generally thought to be an effective way to sustain soil fertility and plant growth. To promote the productivity of chrysanthemum, five sources of liquid organic fertilizers (L1–L5), as well as a chemical fertilizer, were applied at an early stage of the growth cycle to investigate their effects on plant growth. In the short-term pot experiment, the liquid organic fertilizers significantly promoted root and aboveground growth by 10.2–77.8% and 10.7–33.3%, respectively, compared with the chemical fertilizer. The order of growth promotion was: L1 (shrimp extracts) > L2 (plant decomposition) > L4 (seaweed extracts)/L5 (fish extracts) > L3 (vermicompost). Morphological and chemical analyses indicated that, compared with other organic fertilizers, the treatment with shrimp extract (L1) produced the greatest increases in root dry weight, total length, surface area, volume, tips, and thick root length, respectively. Furthermore, the shrimp extract treatment significantly increased the nutrient contents and altered the soil’s functional microbial community at the rhizospheric level compared with the chemical fertilizer treatment. Thus, the shrimp extract liquid organic fertilizer could be part of an effective alternative to chemical fertilization during the early stage of chrysanthemum growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)
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3805 KiB  
Article
Assessing Environmental Impact Indicators in Road Construction Projects in Developing Countries
by Mohamed Marzouk, Eslam Mohammed Abdelkader, Mohamed El-zayat and Ahmed Aboushady
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 843; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050843 - 17 May 2017
Cited by 45 | Viewed by 12942
Abstract
Environmental pollution is considered to be one of the main concerns in the construction industry. Environmental pollution has become a major challenge to construction projects due to the huge amount of pollution caused by construction projects. There are different types of environmental impact [...] Read more.
Environmental pollution is considered to be one of the main concerns in the construction industry. Environmental pollution has become a major challenge to construction projects due to the huge amount of pollution caused by construction projects. There are different types of environmental impact indicators, such as the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint, eutrophication potential (EP), acidification potential (AP), human health (HH) particulate, ozone depletion, and smog. Each of these environmental impact indicators can be linked to different phases of the construction projects. The overall environmental impact indicators can be divided into direct, indirect, and operational emissions. This paper presents a Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based methodology for the assessment of environmental impacts in road construction projects. The model takes into account the overall life cycle of the road construction project, which is divided into: manufacturing phase, transportation phase, construction phase, maintenance phase, operational phase, recycling phase, and deconstruction phase. A case study is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model. The proposed model solves a major problem for road construction project teams who want to assess the environmental impact indicators associated with their project prior to the start of the execution of their projects. Full article
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1897 KiB  
Review
Healthcare in the Smart Home: A Study of Past, Present and Future
by Jamie Bennett, Osvaldas Rokas and Liming Chen
Sustainability 2017, 9(5), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9050840 - 17 May 2017
Cited by 54 | Viewed by 13773
Abstract
Ubiquitous or Pervasive Computing is an increasingly used term throughout the technology industry and is beginning to enter the consumer electronics space in its most recent form under the umbrella term: “Internet of Things”. One area of focus is in augmenting the home [...] Read more.
Ubiquitous or Pervasive Computing is an increasingly used term throughout the technology industry and is beginning to enter the consumer electronics space in its most recent form under the umbrella term: “Internet of Things”. One area of focus is in augmenting the home with intelligent, networked sensors and computers to create a Smart Home which opens a host of possibilities for the role of tomorrow’s dwelling. As the world’s population continues to live longer and consequently experience more medical-related ailments, at the same time institutional healthcare is struggling to cope, the role of the Smart Home becomes paramount to monitoring a dweller’s health and providing any necessary intervention. This study looks at the history of Smart Home Healthcare, current research areas, and potential areas of future investigation. Unique categorisations are presented in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Personal Sensors, and a thorough look at the application of Smart Home Healthcare is presented. Technology can augment traditional methods of healthcare delivery and in some cases completely replace it. Costs can be reduced and medical adherence can be increased, all of which contribute to a more sustainable and effective model of care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Advent of Smart Homes)
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