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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Earth Science and Medical Geology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 15721

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jinhyung Chon

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Guest Editor

1. Division of Environmental Science & Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
2. OJEong Resilience Institute (OJERI), Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
Interests: ecological landscape design; resilient cities and landscape; green infrastructure; ecotourism; social–ecological system; system dynamics modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Gunwoo Kim

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Guest Editor

Department of Landscape Architecture, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
Interests: urban ecology; urban forestry; green infrastructure; climate change; ecosystem services; resilient landscapes; landscape urbanism; urban social-ecological system; ecosystem service assessment; landscape ecology; ecological and sustainable design/planning; urban regeneration and renewal; nature and human
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We live in a dynamic world under the various influences of climate change. The social and ecological systems of urban, coastal, rural, and forest areas have experienced various disasters due to climate change—namely coastal erosion, floods, air pollution, drought, heat islands, landslides, increased disease prevalence, and economic loss. In order to restore the deteriorating health of ecosystems due to disasters, it is necessary to establish a resilient social–ecological system.

Recently, research on resilience has become increasingly crucial for efforts towards achieving sustainability. This Special Issue will present a series of articles on the theories, stewardship, and policies surrounding the concept of resilience and its role in creating sustainable and healthy social–ecological systems. In particular, we welcome papers focusing on the following issues:

Various policies of government/organizations for sustainable development goals.
Nature-based solutions to counteract social–environmental challenges and promote sustainable management.
Strategies to enhance the adaptive capacity and assessment of urban resilience.
The adaption of excellent ecological and sustainable designs and stewardship practices.
Green infrastructure and its effectiveness and provision of ecosystem services.
Transformation planning for vulnerable areas.
Climate change and carbon neutrality.

Prof. Dr. Jinhyung Chon
Prof. Dr. Gunwoo Kim
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

social–ecological systems
nature-based solutions
sustainability
urban resilience
green infrastructure
climate changes
vulnerability
adaptive capacity
transformation planning
ecological and sustainable design and planning

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

7 pages, 291 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Relationality: The Role of Connectedness in the Social Ecology of Resilience

by Wing Shan Kan and Raul P. Lejano

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 3865; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053865 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1553

Abstract

Previous work has focused on the role of social capital on resilience. However, this research tends to search for civic and other organizations, often formal institutionalized groups which, when they are not found, leads to questions about how social networks are possibly governed. Without formal organizational structures to govern these networks, how is pro-environmental/pro-social behavior sustained. In this article, we focus on a diffused mechanism for collective action, which is referred to as relationality. Relationality is a theory that underscores how social connectedness, through mechanisms of empathy, foster collective action in noncentralized modes of network governance. The concept of relationality addresses important issues not considered by the literature on social capital --so being, we will refer to relational elements as relational capital. Relational capital constitutes a type of asset that communities can activate vis-a-vis environmental and other perturbation. As we describe, the evidence for relationality as an important mechanism for sustainability and resilience is accumulating. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social-Ecological Resilience)

17 pages, 4684 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Perception and Use of Urban Green Spaces in Korea

by Jiwon Kim, Youngjin Ko, Whijin Kim, Gaeun Kim, Jeongmin Lee, Olebogeng Thelma G. Eyman, Sarwat Chowdhury, Julie Adiwal, Yowhan Son and Woo-Kyun Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3018; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043018 - 9 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2078

Abstract

Faced with the prospect that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change will be far-reaching and long-term, the international community is showing interest in urban green space (UGS) and urban green infrastructure utilization as a solution. In this study, we investigated how citizens’ perceptions and use of UGS have changed during COVID-19. We also collected their ideas on how UGS can raise its usability. As a result, more people became to realize the importance of UGS. In particular, the urban environmental purification function from UGS was recognized as giving great benefits to respondents. On the other hand, the patterns of UGS use were mixed with decreasing UGS use to maintain social distancing or increasing UGS use to maintain health or substitute other restricted facilities. More than half of respondents had their UGS visit patterns impacted by COVID-19. In particular, the increase rate of UGS use was rather high in the group that seldom used UGS before COVID-19. In addition, they increased the use of UGS to replace other limited facilities, and thus tended to demand an increase in rest facilities. Based on these results, this paper suggested securing social support and sustainability for the policy by reflecting users’ demand in landscape planning related to the increase of UGS in the city. This study can contribute to improving the resilience of UGS and the sustainability of urban space planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social-Ecological Resilience)

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14 pages, 3320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cooling Effect of Urban Blue and Green Spaces: A Case Study of Changsha, China

by Xinyi Qiu, Sung-Ho Kil, Hyun-Kil Jo, Chan Park, Wonkyong Song and Yun Eui Choi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2613; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032613 - 1 Feb 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2878

Abstract

The cooling effects of blue–green spaces on the urban heat island effect are complex and different. The purpose of this study is to simulate how the cooling effect of blue–green space changes with its size and shape. The cooling effects of 53 green patches and 28 water bodies in Changsha were extracted based on Landsat images. A surface fitting model was used to quantitatively reveal the relationship between the cooling effect of blue–green space and its size and shape. The results show that the cooling effects of blue–green spaces were enhanced with the increasing size, and then would become stable after a certain range (threshold). Certain thresholds were identified between the blue and green space areas (2.98 ha and 3.15 ha, respectively) and the cooling distance, and between the blue and green space areas (4.84 ha and 4.92 ha, respectively) and the cooling magnitude. In addition, the green space with an area of 9.08 ha and landscape shape index (LSI) of 2.97 could achieve a better cooling distance (413.46 m); and the blue space with an area of 29.4 ha and LSI of 1.75 could achieve a better cooling magnitude (5.17 °C). These findings provide useful guidelines for urban planning and improving urban livability in other regions with terrain and climate conditions similar to Changsha. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social-Ecological Resilience)

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20 pages, 4183 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Green Network Management of Urban Street Trees on Airborne Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) Concentration

by Na-Ra Jeong, Seung-Won Han and Baul Ko

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2507; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032507 - 31 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1387

Abstract

Street trees are crucial for air pollutant reduction in urban areas. Herein, we used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation to identify changes in airborne particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentration based on wind characteristics (direction and velocity) and the green network of street trees. The green network was assessed based on composition of the green area of street trees in the central reserve area and between the motor and pedestrian roads. The PM_2.5 concentration varied according to the presence or absence of major reserve planting and the planting structure of the street trees, but not according to the wind direction or velocity. The concentration was lower when the wind direction was 45° (than when the wind direction was 0°), whereas it showed a more significant decrease as the wind velocity increased. Despite variation at each measurement site, the PM_2.5 reduction was generally higher when the central reserve and street trees had a multi-planting structure. Hence, to ensure an effective reduction in the PM_2.5 concentration on motor roads and reduce its negative impact on pedestrians, both arbors and shrubs should be planted in the central reserve area. The study results will serve as reference for managing the green area network and linear green infrastructure in terms of improving the atmospheric environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social-Ecological Resilience)

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15 pages, 1003 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Can Apartment-Complex Landscaping Space Improve Residents’ Psychological Well-Being?: The Case of the Capital Region in South Korea

by Jongwook Tae, Daeyoung Jeong and Jinhyung Chon

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10231; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610231 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1977

Abstract

Urban green spaces have a positive impact on citizens’ mental health and have contributed to improving their quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. In South Korea, where more than 50% of all households live in apartments, apartment-complex landscaping space plays the role of urban green space. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among a perceived restorative environment, restorative experience, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being by conducting a survey between residents living in apartments with landscape space. More specifically, an online survey was conducted from 8 to 15 June 2021 among residents in apartment complexes (500 households or more) located in the capital region in South Korea. We applied partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using 220 samples to test the causal relationship presented in the conceptual model of this study. The results revealed that residents’ perceptions of the restorative environment of landscape space, including fascination, being away, and coherence had positive effects on restorative attention. Among the restorative environmental factors, the higher the “being away”, the greater the effect on restorative attention. Second, the effects of fascination and coherence on life satisfaction were mediated by restorative attention. Third, restorative attention and life satisfaction significantly influenced psychological well-being. Additionally, life satisfaction acts as a mediator in the relationship between restorative attention and psychological well-being. In summary, this study has theoretical implications, in that it explores the effects of apartment complex landscaping space as urban green spaces on residents’ mental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social-Ecological Resilience)

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15 pages, 830 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Beef Cattle Breeding Based on the Ecological Cycle Model

by Hongpeng Guo, Zixu Su, Xiao Yang, Shuang Xu and Hong Pan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9481; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159481 - 2 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2610

Abstract

Over the past few decades, the supply of beef has increasingly become available with the great improvement of the quality of life, especially in developing countries. However, along with the demand for meat products of high quality and the transformation of dietary structure, the impact of massive agricultural greenhouse gas emissions on the environmental load cannot be ignored. Therefore, the objective of this study is to predict the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 10 million heads of beef cattle under both the ecological cycle model (EC model) and the non-ecological cycle model (non-EC model), respectively, in order to compare the differences between these two production models in each process, and thus explore which one is more sustainable and environmentally friendly. To this end, through the life cycle assessment (LCA), this paper performs relevant calculations according to the methodology of 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (2019 IPCC Inventories). The results have shown that the total GHG emissions of the non-EC model were almost 4 times higher than those of the EC model, and feed-grain cultivation and manure management were main emission sources in both models. The non-EC model produced significantly more emissions than the EC model in each kind of GHG, especially the largest gap between these two was in CO₂ emissions that accounted for 68.01% and 56.17% of the respective planting and breeding systems. This study demonstrates that the transformation of a beef cattle breeding model has a significant direct impact on cutting agricultural GHG emissions, and persuades other countries in the similar situation to vigorously advocate ecological cycling breeding model instead of the traditional ones so that promotes coordinated development between planting industry and beef cattle breeding industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social-Ecological Resilience)

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15 pages, 2316 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Spatial Adaptation Strategy for Safe Campus Open Spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Korea University

by Odilia Renaningtyas Manifesty and Junga Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9390; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159390 - 31 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1925

Abstract

Open spaces on campus offer various opportunities for students. However, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected students’ comfort when occupying open spaces on campus. The purpose of this study is to investigate possible spatial adaptation strategies for safe campus open spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this research, a case study was conducted using a mixed methodology with behavioral mapping that investigated students’ perceptions at Korea University, Seoul, Korea. A qualitative approach was first conducted with behavioral mapping; the results show that despite some behavioral and spatial changes, people still occupy open spaces on campus for various meaningful activities. A quantitative approach with structural equation modeling (SEM) was also conducted to understand the required spatial modifications to improve the safety of open spaces on campus. The positive correlation between (i) social distancing measures, (ii) health protocols, and (iii) accessibility and occupational comfort with (iv) individuals’ fear of COVID-19 as a positive moderation are the four hypotheses proposed in this study. The results suggest that social distancing measures have no correlation with occupational comfort, while accessibility has the largest positive correlation. Suggestions are presented for providing accessible and equally distributed open spaces on campus to avoid overcrowding. Spatial health protocols are also found to positively correlate with occupational comfort, and the perception of the severity of COVID-19 strengthens this correlation. Tangible physical measures to prevent the spread of the virus are necessary to improve students’ sense of comfort and safety in open spaces on campus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social-Ecological Resilience)

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