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Urban Vulnerability and Resilience
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Urban Vulnerability and Resilience

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Urban and Rural Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 23 December 2025 | Viewed by 7273

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ilenia Spadaro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School, University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
Interests: sustainability and urban planning; urban regeneration; stakeholder participation; natural and man-made risks; sustainable mobility; sustainable waste management (also in port-cities); circular cities; support and valorisation of start-up
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Francesca Pirlone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School, University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
Interests: urban planning; safety and security policies; sustainability and resilience; sustainable mobility; sustainable waste management; sustainable and slow tourism; valorisation of the territories; enhancement of rural areas and abandoned villages
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban areas are home to more than half of the global population; they are called upon to cope with different and possible traumatic events, such as natural, anthropogenic or multidimensional (climate change) hazards, and respond to the needs of ever-changing societies (demographic change, technological progress). All of this introduces new crucial aspects that have to be considered in spatial planning.

It is also worth pointing out how the possible events/needs mentioned above, in interaction with the widespread conditions of extreme vulnerability due to the intense and increasing urbanization and fragmentation of natural environment, make our cities even more fragile and unsuitable for meeting the demands of present and future generations and, thus, the criteria of sustainability. In the literature, there are numerous papers that address vulnerability and risk, but there are just a few that also introduce the concept of resilience and analyze how cities should adapt to foreseeable future scenarios. It, therefore, turns out that there is a necessity for in-depth approaches and studies that deal with single-risk or multi-risk contexts, giving impetus to innovative mitigation and adaptation processes—resilience—for a better quality of life.

In this Special Issue, we will explore the topic of urban vulnerability in relation to the concept of resilience.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Urban resilience;
  • Sustainability;
  • Safety measures and mitigation actions;
  • Technologies;
  • Nature-based solutions.

Innovative papers or reviews submitted to this Special Issue are, therefore, requested to contribute to and highlight ongoing research, experiences, and strategies aimed at protecting ecosystems and improving the livability of urban areas.

Dr. Ilenia Spadaro
Prof. Dr. Francesca Pirlone
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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • resilience
  • vulnerability
  • territory safety
  • risks
  • nature-based solutions
  • quality of life

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 13362 KiB  
Article
Optimizing the Spatial Configuration of Renewable Energy Communities: A Model Applied in the RECMOP Project
by Michele Grimaldi and Alessandra Marra
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6744; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156744 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 173
Abstract
Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are voluntary coalitions of citizens, small and medium-sized enterprises and local authorities, which cooperate to share locally produced renewable energy, providing environmental, economic, and social benefits rather than profits. Despite a favorable European and Italian regulatory framework, their development [...] Read more.
Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are voluntary coalitions of citizens, small and medium-sized enterprises and local authorities, which cooperate to share locally produced renewable energy, providing environmental, economic, and social benefits rather than profits. Despite a favorable European and Italian regulatory framework, their development is still limited in the Member States. To this end, this paper proposes a methodology to identify optimal spatial configurations of RECs, based on proximity criteria and maximization of energy self-sufficiency. This result is achieved through the mapping of the demand, expressive of the energy consumption of residential buildings; the suitable areas for installing photovoltaic panels on the roofs of existing buildings; the supply; the supply–demand balance, from which it is possible to identify Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) and Negative Energy Districts (NEDs). Through an iterative process, the optimal configuration is then sought, aggregating only PEDs and NEDs that meet the chosen criteria. This method is applied to the case study of the Avellino Province in the Campania Region (Italy). The maps obtained allow local authorities to inform citizens about the areas where it is convenient to aggregate with their neighbors in a REC to have benefits in terms of energy self-sufficiency, savings on bills or incentives at the local level, including those deriving from urban plans. The latter can encourage private initiative in order to speed up the RECs’ deployment. The presented model is being implemented in the framework of an ongoing research and development project, titled Renewable Energy Communities Monitoring, Optimization, and Planning (RECMOP). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Vulnerability and Resilience)
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40 pages, 8774 KiB  
Article
Reducing Seismic Vulnerability of Historic Areas: Moving from Good Practices to Tailored Roadmaps
by Giulia Marzani, Benedetta Cavalieri, Angela Santangelo, Petra Triller, Maja Kreslin, Charalampos Fassoulas and Simona Tondelli
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 5062; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115062 - 31 May 2025
Viewed by 495
Abstract
Enhancing territorial resilience while reducing risks is of paramount importance for communities, especially for those in historic areas where vulnerability is a significant component of risk, and where cultural heritage serves as a catalyst for collective identity. However, policies and planning tools designed [...] Read more.
Enhancing territorial resilience while reducing risks is of paramount importance for communities, especially for those in historic areas where vulnerability is a significant component of risk, and where cultural heritage serves as a catalyst for collective identity. However, policies and planning tools designed to protect historic areas from natural and anthropic risks remain fragmented. The aim of this paper is to provide evidence-based guidance to help policymakers build tailored roadmaps for reducing the seismic vulnerability of historic areas. This research focuses on the Adriatic–Ionian region, with six countries identified as case studies. The methodology is structured in three phases. First, good practices for addressing seismic vulnerability are identified and codified to improve existing knowledge. Second, a replicability and scalability assessment of the good practices is performed for each case study. Finally, roadmaps are developed as ready-to-use tools to support the implementation of measures to reduce seismic vulnerability. Although the results reveal considerable variability in the readiness levels of the six case studies to act for reducing seismic vulnerability, the overall methodology effectively supports policymakers in moving from good practice selection to tailored roadmaps for enhancing resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Vulnerability and Resilience)
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27 pages, 6612 KiB  
Article
Typology of Small- to Medium-Sized Korean Local Cities with Population Decline from the Perspective of Urban Compactness
by Seon-Yeong Choi and Cheol-Jae Yoon
Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2470; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062470 - 11 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1537
Abstract
This study examines urban structure typologies for small- to medium-sized cities in South Korea facing population decline, with a focus on urban compactness as a sustainable strategy. Population reduction and aging trends have become prominent issues in South Korea, especially impacting smaller cities, [...] Read more.
This study examines urban structure typologies for small- to medium-sized cities in South Korea facing population decline, with a focus on urban compactness as a sustainable strategy. Population reduction and aging trends have become prominent issues in South Korea, especially impacting smaller cities, where decreased population density affects urban service functionality and infrastructure maintenance. This research applies and adapts Japan’s urban structure evaluation framework, specifically designed for the Japanese compact city model, to analyze the spatial conditions of 15 small- and medium-sized cities in Gyeongsangbuk-do province, South Korea. Using various indicators such as population density, accessibility to daily services, public transport, and local economic activity, this study conducts a typological classification based on principal component analysis and clustering methods. The findings suggest distinct urban structure patterns within these cities, offering strategic insights for urban policy aimed at enhancing urban compactness and sustainability. The implications highlight the need for tailored policies that address the spatial reorganization of services and infrastructure to maintain urban viability amidst demographic shifts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Vulnerability and Resilience)
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17 pages, 2688 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Hydrological Response of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in Socio-Economically Vulnerable Tropical Urban Settlements: A Case Study in La Guapil, Costa Rica, Under Climate Change Scenarios
by Valeria Serrano-Núñez, Karolina Villagra-Mendoza, Natalia Gamboa-Alpízar, Miriam Miranda-Quirós and Fernando Watson-Hernández
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 10794; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162410794 - 10 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2079
Abstract
Urbanization increases the number of impervious surfaces in watersheds, reducing infiltration and evapotranspiration, which increases runoff volumes and the risks of flooding and the pollution of water resources. Nature-based solutions (NBS) mitigate these effects by managing water volume and quality, restoring the hydrological [...] Read more.
Urbanization increases the number of impervious surfaces in watersheds, reducing infiltration and evapotranspiration, which increases runoff volumes and the risks of flooding and the pollution of water resources. Nature-based solutions (NBS) mitigate these effects by managing water volume and quality, restoring the hydrological cycle, and creating sustainable livelihoods that can promote socioeconomic equity by providing green space. In light of the aforementioned information, this study analyzes the hydrological response of NBS in La Guapil, a densely populated and socioeconomically vulnerable area of Costa Rica with approximately 80% impervious surfaces, focusing on their effectiveness in stormwater management and improving hydrological conditions. Field data from the study area’s storm drainage system, as well as hydrological analyses, were collected and processed to evaluate RCP8.5 climate change scenarios using the Clausius–Clapeyron (CC) relationship. Three scenarios were proposed: (1) the “status quo”, reflecting current conditions, (2) green roofs and green improvements, and (3) detention ponds and green improvements, evaluated using the SWMM, with the latter scenario also using the Iber model. Simulations showed that Scenario 2 achieved the greatest reduction in peak flow (53.74%) and runoff volume (57.60%) compared to Scenario 3 (peak: 28.37%; volume: 56.42%). Both scenarios demonstrate resilience to climate change projections. The results of this study provide a foundation for further research into NBS in Costa Rica and other comparable regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Vulnerability and Resilience)
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23 pages, 6528 KiB  
Article
Uneven Burdens: The Intersection of Brownfields, Pollution, and Socioeconomic Disparities in New Jersey, USA
by Shih-Chieh Chien and Charles Knoble
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10535; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310535 - 30 Nov 2024
Viewed by 2142
Abstract
Brownfields, abandoned or underutilized lands having the potential for contamination due to industrial activities, pose health risks to nearby residents and raise environmental justice (EJ) concerns. This study examines the relationship between brownfield distribution and socioeconomic factors in New Jersey, a state with [...] Read more.
Brownfields, abandoned or underutilized lands having the potential for contamination due to industrial activities, pose health risks to nearby residents and raise environmental justice (EJ) concerns. This study examines the relationship between brownfield distribution and socioeconomic factors in New Jersey, a state with over 700 brownfield sites, using correlation, spatial autoregression, and instrumental variable regression methods. Results show that brownfields are associated with higher combined EJ stressors, indicating compounding environmental pollution and health risks in affected areas. Brownfields are disproportionately correlated with lower household income, higher rates of uninsured individuals, lower educational attainment, and a greater percentage of people of color. When accounting for spatial autocorrelation, relationships between income, education, and brownfield distributions are reduced, reflecting New Jersey’s historical, environmental, and social contexts. Overall, the presence of people of color maintains the strongest association with brownfield distribution. This study highlights ongoing EJ challenges faced by disadvantaged groups and emphasizes the need for targeted mitigation measures to enhance sustainability and equity. New Jersey serves as a critical case study given its ethnic diversity, growing urban population, and status as the state with the highest population density in the United States, illustrating broader trends of disproportionate exposure to environmental pollution among marginalized communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Vulnerability and Resilience)
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