Search Results (104)

Water, a precious but limited resource since prehistoric times, has driven humans to develop systems for collecting and storing it. Evidence dating back to third millennium BC documents shows such systems among the Sumerians in the Fertile Crescent, as well as in Asia, Africa, China, and India. Aqueducts and cisterns, along with impluvium–compluvium systems, allowed the Romans to meet private and public needs; in Venice, wells provided filtered water until 1884. Today, climate change and increasing soil sealing urgently demand intelligent water collection and management, aligned with five of the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (6, 11, 12, 13, 15). Buildings and construction account for about 35% of the global freshwater consumption. The construction sector, historically involved in the development of innovative rainwater harvesting and reuse systems, now faces a growing challenge in exploring innovative nature-based solutions for climate-resilient buildings (e.g., fog harvesting, green roofs for rainwater storage). Based on these considerations, we propose a scoping literature review of the last 15 years on innovative rainwater harvesting and storage systems. The analysis aims to provide a comparative mapping of the technological solutions that have emerged, to identify the geographical areas and climatic conditions favourable to each system, and to serve as a knowledge base for the development of integrated construction systems suitable for each specific context. A total of 136 peer-reviewed Open Access articles indexed in Scopus (2010–2024) were analysed following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Full article

It is well documented that road construction is a pillar of well-balanced socioeconomic development worldwide. The first decades of the new millennium have witnessed unprecedented development in road construction activities in emerging economies and the Global South. At the same time, the construction industry is widely considered to be a rather conservative one, based on traditional technologies and materials. However, the development of materials science increases the possibilities and volumes of by-products from various technologies, and the selective collection of garbage necessitates innovation in the road construction sphere. The goal of this paper is to provide a broad overview of innovations in road construction. Based on a bibliometric approach, the article analyses the various trends in round construction, where the increasing pressure to reduce costs and the environmental footprint drives deep-rooted innovation through the use of new materials and the optimisation of technologies and management methods. Our results highlight the potential for significant improvements in road construction efficiency, environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness through the adoption of these technologies and methodologies, as well as a trend towards more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced road construction practices, with a focus on overcoming traditional inefficiencies and environmental concerns. Future research should continue to focus on addressing these challenges and developing comprehensive, adaptable solutions for the road construction industry, while leveraging the latest findings in this area. Full article

Background: This scoping review aims to systematically examine the extent of the literature on African health histories throughout the pre-colonial, colonial, post-independence, primary health care (PHC), Millennium Development Goals (MDG), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) periods. Methods: This scoping review followed the Arksey and O’Malley framework, enhanced by Levac’s updates and adaptations from the Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodology. Data from eligible records were extracted based on inclusion criteria and summarized narratively. Results: We included 83 records, of which the majority (n = 70) were narrative reviews. Eighteen of these provide evidence from Africa as a whole, while country-specific evidence was obtained from 21 countries. South Africa had the most records (n = 17), followed by Ghana (n = 6) and Nigeria (n = 6). The majority of evidence came from the colonial period (n = 13), followed by the PHC and MDG periods (n = 12 each). Health systems in the pre-colonial era were rooted in indigenous practices and community-driven systems; the colonial period introduced Western-style health care systems; the post-independence period focused on health promotion initiatives and infectious disease eradication; the PHC era focused on community-centered health care and equitable service provision; the MDG era expanded on targeted interventions for infectious diseases, and the SDG era aims to build resilient and inclusive health care systems towards universal health coverage. Conclusion: This review revealed diverse influences on health systems from the pre-colonial to SDG eras. However, these records are not exhaustive and require country-specific records, archived documents, and a centralized repository. Addressing these gaps will provide a comprehensive understanding of African health histories and aid in future health interventions. Full article

The interconnectedness of Earth’s ecological and social systems means that changes in one area invariably affect others. Human activities continue to push the planet beyond safe thresholds, threatening both environmental stability and human well-being. Despite decades of discourse, a universally recognized and operational definition of sustainability remains elusive. While frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Planetary Boundaries, and Decent Living Standards have advanced the conversation, none fully captures the complexities of socio-ecological interdependencies or provides actionable guidance. This paper outlines the historical and conceptual context of sustainability, including the shift from the Holocene to the Anthropocene, and critically reviews key frameworks such as the Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals, Planetary Boundaries, Doughnut Economy, and Decent Living Standards. It identifies key gaps, including the misalignment between biophysical thresholds and social goals, lack of regional specificity, and missing mechanisms for translating global objectives into just and implementable policies. Building on this analysis, this paper proposes a more precise definition of sustainability: any action that accelerates planetary overshoot or impedes the achievement of a decent life must be considered unsustainable. By advancing this integrative definition, this paper seeks to inform academic discourse and support the development of more equitable and operational sustainability strategies, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. In doing so, it offers conceptual guidance to address persistent gaps in the SDG framework, with specific relevance to targets such as SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Full article

At the beginning of the third millennium, human civilization faces a paradox of significant proportions: on one hand, industrial and technological growth is causing extensive environmental degradation, threatening both current and future generations. On the other hand, the acceleration of industrial and technological development is essential, requiring a profound transformation of society as the only viable solution. With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and shifts in the economy, especially regarding sustainability, the process of transformative tourism becomes crucial. Transformative tourism not only aligns with sustainable principles but also fosters a deeper connection between economic development and the preservation of natural resources, ensuring that progress benefits both humanity and the planet. The goal of this research is to identify how the key factors of Industry 4.0 can contribute to the development of sustainable and transformative tourism. The methodological approach of this study uses a systematic literature review (SLR), which allows for a detailed analysis of existing scientific papers and the identification of key trends and challenges in this field. The literature review included scientific papers published between 2013 and 2025, applying predefined criteria of relevance, quality, and focus on sustainability and digitalization in tourism. The key findings of the research indicate that digitalization and automation contribute to improving tourist experiences, optimizing destination management and reducing the ecological footprint of tourism. This research analyses how changes prompted by the Fourth Industrial Revolution can contribute to the sustainability of tourism as the fastest-growing global economic activity. The findings of this paper stem from a literature review that focuses closely on the key aspects of Industry 4.0, including digitization, automation, and the use of innovative technologies in tourism. The results indicate that the benefits arising from the Fourth Industrial Revolution include improvements in tourist experiences, the enhancement of management and marketing activities in tourism, and implications through the ecological impacts of tourism. The paper provides an overview of how the effects of Industry 4.0 are transforming tourism, enabling it to become more resilient and sustainable in the face of the challenges posed by the modern world. Full article

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and aim to promote sustainable global development by addressing poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. Among the key objectives of the SDGs, Goal 6 targets universal access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation by 2030, recognizing the critical link between water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and public health. However, global challenges persist, particularly in rural areas, where infrastructure deficits and socio-economic barriers hinder progress. In regions like rural Kazakhstan, where sanitation monitoring is limited and much of the water grid is substandard, addressing these gaps is essential to meet SDG 6 targets. For this purpose, we used structured questionnaires to assess water access, sanitation services, and a multinomial logistic regression analysis to examine the factors influencing households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for individual water supply systems in Atyrau households. Water sources, sanitation availability, and household practices were investigated offering insights into sustainable water and sanitation management. Indoor taps served 44.2% of households, while 60.5% used centralized systems for drinking water. Daily interruptions affected 19.9%, with 23.0% dissatisfied with quality. Outdoor toilets were used by 79.6%, and 43.7% relied on pit-filling. While 82.5% of respondents favored free individual water supply installations, only 11.6% were willing to pay the $426 installation cost, highlighting financial constraints. Consequently, there are persistent challenges in ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation in rural areas of Kazakhstan. Infrastructure gaps, poor water quality, and reliance on outdoor toilets pose health risks. Financial constraints further limit access. Targeted investments, improved oversight, and community engagement are critical for sustainable solutions aligned with the SDGs. Full article

Addressing energy poverty is integral to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and clean energy technology serves as an essential tool in mitigating this issue. Existing studies pay less attention to the correlation between the two. In this study, we quantify the spread of clean energy technology using patent citation information and analyze balanced panel data from 30 provinces in China spanning the years 2004 to 2019. The findings reveal that the diffusion of clean energy technology not only directly reduces energy poverty but also indirectly alleviates it by enhancing energy efficiency and fostering employment. However, the positive impact of technology on poverty is affected by human capital. Specifically, when the number of college students per 10,000 people in a province surpasses 179, technology diffusion becomes effective in alleviating energy poverty. Furthermore, the efficacy of this mitigation varies significantly based on different regions. Technologies originating from developed economies such as the United States, Japan, and the European Union exhibit a more substantial impact than domestic alternatives. Additionally, the effect of alleviating energy poverty is more significant in the eastern region. Therefore, we make policy recommendations for alleviating energy poverty through the use of incentive policies, exploring differentiated models of clean energy technology development, and strengthening international cooperation. Full article

Access to clean energy remains a major issue in developing countries, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, despite successive policies and the assistance of international institutions or organizations. The United Nations (UN) launched some of the most ambitious initiatives with the Millennium Development Goals and, more recently, the Sustainable Development Goals and Power Africa, a United States (US) government initiative. Sub-Saharan Africa has an important potential in renewable energy for both biogas and solar photovoltaic energy, but they remain underexploited. This paper presents the challenges of access to clean energy in developing countries and the failure of remedial policies mostly based on public–private partnerships (PPPs) in the context of endemic poverty of rural populations. In addition, the development of modern energy technologies remains very limited. Appropriate reforms should be carried out to change the paradigm and allow universal access to clean energy. This paper also addresses the different structural barriers that hinder access to technology in Sub-Saharan Africa and the consequences of access to clean energy in the context of poverty. Full article

This review outlines the potential of phycoremediation as a natural, cost-effective solution for domestic wastewater treatment in Africa, particularly focusing on its application in less densely populated and rural areas. The urgency of improving sanitation access, a key objective in both the Millennium Development Goals (2000–2015) and the Sustainable Development Goals (2015–2030), is underscored by the fact that half of Africa’s population suffers from diseases linked to inadequate water and sanitation facilities. South Africa, a focal point of this study, faces significant challenges in wastewater management. These include the limited capacity of wastewater treatment plants to handle the burgeoning wastewater volumes due to population growth, unregulated discharges causing fluctuating pollution levels, and high operational costs leading to improper sludge disposal and odor issues. Compounding these problems are frequent power outages, financial constraints impacting wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance across Africa, and a lack of skilled personnel to manage these facilities. Full article

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on drinking water were reported to have been achieved five years earlier than the target date of 2015 in all the continents, except Africa and Oceania. This study assessed the performance of selected state water utilities in Nigeria in Africa over a period of years to determine improvements, if any, in their service coverage and demand gap in meeting the ambitious SDG target 6.1, which aims to achieve sustainable drinking water for all by 2030. Employing the key performance indicator (KPI) methodology, encompassing operational and maintenance efficiency, investment efficiency, and financial sustainability, this research unveils a widening disparity between water supply and demand gap. Alarming is the revelation that the revenue from water sales falls short of covering operation and maintenance costs, rendering these utilities financially unsustainable. This underperformance of state water utilities signals a formidable barrier to Nigeria’s prospects of attaining the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 6.1, thereby jeopardizing the nation’s ability to ensure universal and affordable access to safe drinking water by 2030. Full article

Maintaining an acceptable durability and satisfactory in-service condition for pavements is a crucial and relatively complex task, which otherwise can have considerable economic, environmental, and social consequences. Design and management of pavements have traditionally relied mainly on empirical models. However, pavements have been undergoing drastic changes, especially during the new millennium, which can compromise the reliability of the empirical models which were developed based on relatively stagnant historical data. Climate change, traffic loading growth and advancements in pavement materials are some of the main drivers of moving towards more mechanistic-empirical methods which would allow for a better understanding of pavement performance evolution in the future. To this end, this paper discusses the opportunities and challenges of a proposed framework for developing smart pavements in Canada, as well as a summary of the efforts that so far have been made in this regard. The goal of the study is to enable autonomous monitoring and data collection from the instrumented pavement sections in a suitable manner to allow for training Artificial Intelligence models, improving interpretation of the pavement responses and, ultimately, future pavement performance predictions. Full article

Transitioning from the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is a big challenge, particularly for SDG 6.1, as the effective delivery of drinking water services drops due to more stringent indicators, especially for water quality constraints. Salinity in groundwater has received less attention compared to arsenic and E. Coli in the MDG era, while its presence and widespread variability has considerable implications in larger coastal areas for achieving SDG 6.1 targets. This article analyzes drinking water security in southwest coastal Bangladesh, through an in-depth field investigation. It reveals that the exponential growth of groundwater-based technologies, such as tube wells, does not necessarily indicate the actual safe drinking water coverage in coastal areas, due to complex hydrogeology with the high spatial variability of groundwater salinity risks. The spatial variability of hydrogeologic constraints and groundwater salinity risks also reinforces concerns of access, reliability, and affordability with different water supply technologies. National estimates can be misleading as the presence of salinity substantially lowers the effective drinking water coverage. Infrastructural investments for drinking water supply need to consider a sound knowledge of hydrogeologic heterogeneity, and the monitoring of water quality, if the SDG 6.1 targets are to be met. Full article

Clean water and sanitation is a global issue that has recently received special attention from governments and international organizations, as they essential to enhance people’s health and foster socio-economic development in different countries. Therefore, one of the United Nations’ Millennium Goals is to ensure access to safe drinking water for all as its target by 2030. However, ensuring water supply in rural regions, especially in developing countries, is a challenge. To meet the target, investing in infrastructure and maintaining the sustainability of water systems is crucial. This study takes into account the role of the management model of rural water supply systems and its relationship with the sustainability of the water systems. A weighing procedure for a sustainability assessment of rural water systems for the current study was proposed, then an ordered logit regression model was applied to examine the relationship between types of water system management models and the sustainability of the water systems in the context of Vietnam. The results from this study showed that type of management model had an influence on the sustainability of rural water supply systems, and the private management model was considered the one that significantly contributed to the sustainability of the rural water systems in the study area. The study provides some lessons learned for researchers in the field of rural water supply to select appropriate approaches to assess the sustainability of water systems and for policymakers to modify current policies toward more sustainable development of water infrastructure in the future, especially in developing countries. Full article

The seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address environmental, social, global, and economic challenges. The SDGs were a continuation of the Millennium Development Goals and assumed a common vision for the year 2030. Efforts to achieve the SDGs must be carried out in an integrated manner, respecting the three pillars of sustainable development, which are economic, social, and environmental. This review analyses the viability of Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17), which aims to build global partnerships for development. It makes specific reference to multi-stakeholder collaboration between all sectors of society. While the first sixteen SDGs are dedicated to concrete actions, SDG 17 Partnerships for Development coordinates and facilitates the implementation of the other goals. SDG 17 promotes the “right way” of collaboration between different actors through the formation of multi-stakeholder partnerships, which are essential to foster sustainable development. Although SDG 17 has its multiple advantages, it also does have its limitations, such as the present absence of a lessons-learned repository to share and understand how multi-stakeholder partnerships can prove more effective in promoting the successful implementation of the rest of the SDGs, as well as that SDG 17 seems to be regarded as more appropriate to the achievement of the economic pillar of sustainability at the moment, rather than being applied more widely. In this review, we analyze two case studies located in the south-western part of France, from which one can observe the great number of stakeholders, some non-human, even inanimate, present even in relatively minor projects and how due consideration of the interests of all of them in a manner following due process (albeit lengthy) enables decisions to be reached correctly and approved projects implemented soundly. One of the projects was rejected and did not proceed, while the other was approved and is going ahead. Full article

The impact of metropolization processes and climate change effects on natural and anthropic environments, together with energy waste, the excessive consumption of agricultural and natural soils and their progressive waterproofing and a reduction in vegetation cover, highlights the need for sustainable management of existing resources, in terms of equitable and ethical development, towards sustainable and inclusive communities able to adapt to the negative effects of emergency phenomena. This contribution presents the results of the activities conducted in the RivEr/Generation_LAB, a project organized by three CIVIS members (Sapienza University of Rome, Universitè libre de Bruxelles, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid) as a part of the CIVIS Project “RivEr/Generation_LAB. Linking resilience with inclusiveness in the urban built environment of Rome, Brussels, and Madrid”, financed by the Hub4 Cities, Territories & Mobilities’ Call for proposals 2021. The project proposes a methodology of intervention in the Flaminio district, in particular in the Olympic Village and its relationship with the Tiber River, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the New European Bauhaus, to establish new relationships between cities and the natural environment, favoring sustainable and inclusive public spaces. Full article