Search Results (191)

This paper explores the concept of evolutionary urban resilience by framing cities as complex, open, and adaptive Social-Ecological-Technological Systems (SETS), shaped by multi-scalar dynamics, systemic uncertainty, and interdependent crises. It challenges the reductionist view of resilience as a fixed capacity or linear sequence of risk management phases, and instead proposes a process-based paradigm rooted in learning, creativity, and the ability to navigate disequilibrium. The framework defines urban resilience as a continuous and iterative transformation process, supported by: (i) a combination of tangible and intangible qualities activated according to problem typology; (ii) cross-domain processes involving infrastructures, flows, governance, networks, and community dynamics; and (iii) the engagement of diverse agents in shared decision-making and coordinated action. These dimensions unfold across three incremental and interdependent scenarios—baseline, critical, and chronic crisis—forming a ladder of resilience that guides communities through escalating challenges. Special emphasis is placed on the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as relational and adaptive tools enabling distributed intelligence and inclusive governance. The framework also outlines concrete operational and policy implications for cities aiming to build anticipatory and transformative resilience capacities. Applied to the case of Taranto, the approach offers insights into how structurally fragile communities facing conflicting adaptive trajectories can unlock transformative potential. Ultimately, the paper calls for a shift from government to governance, from control to co-creation, and from reactive adaptation to chaos generativity, recasting urban resilience as an evolving project of collective agency, systemic reconfiguration, and co-production of emergent urban futures. Full article

Cultural and ecological heritage is often an essential ingredient for sustainable urban and regional regeneration and needs to be properly managed for an environment-benign development. Many heritage-led areas in Europe, named here ‘cultural-ecological complexes’ (CECs), seek a sustainable, regenerative, and actionable strategy. Our study aims to identify successful CECs from the viewpoint of their transformative cultural potential, assessed through surveys among visitors and residents. The research focuses on the assessment of seven Cultural-Ecological Complexes (CECs) in Europe: Karlsborg (Sweden), Mark (Sweden), Larnaca (Cyprus), Basilicata (Italy), Huesca (Spain), Vojvodina (Serbia), and Sibiu (Romania/Moldova). The European areas under study are selected on the basis of their transformative cultural tourism profile and potential, with the aim of tracing a balanced, sustainable development and a positive regenerative or circular transition. Each CEC was analyzed based on its transformative cultural potential and sustainability impact using multivariate Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Each region under consideration comprises a set of ‘information agents’, in particular visitors and residents, who may be regarded as informal stakeholders providing crucial or decisive information and guidelines on the sustainability situation in the region and on ways to proceed to transformative cultural tourism. This novel approach is essentially a form of citizen-based or agent-based co-creation. In our study, empirical information on the perceptions, preferences, and involvement of such agents was collected through systematically structured and consistently administered surveys among hundreds of participants (visitors, residents, etc.) in seven CECs in Europe. The research methodology is based on a blend of multivariate statistics (in particular, Principal Component Analysis—PCA) and spatial efficiency analysis (using Data Envelopment Analysis—DEA). The agents in each region are conceived of as spatial decision-making units (DMUs) in a DEA framework. Our DEA assessment model contains a multiscalar structure organized in a cascadic and interactive form with two constituents, namely cultural-ecological areas (CECs) and place-based information agents. The findings from this novel Multivariate DEA provide generic directives for an enhancement of the cultural-ecological performance for CECs and offer quantitative information for place-based efficiency-improving strategies of CECs in various contexts. Full article

This study focuses on Țara Hațegului, a region with significant geological, ecological, and cultural resources, and examines how geosites can inform development strategies that promote geotourism while supporting landscape conservation. The research addresses the need to better integrate geosites into spatial planning by conducting geosite assessment and mapping, overlay analysis with settlement typologies, geosite density analysis, and delineation of priority landscape conservation areas. A methodological framework was developed, combining geospatial analysis, site-specific evaluation, and strategic zoning to support planning and decision-making. In the results, 48 geosites were identified and assessed, out of which 7 were classified as having high Potential Touristic Use (PTU), 13 as moderate, and 28 as low. Spatial analysis revealed that most high-PTU geosites are located in rural or adjacent uninhabited areas, indicating both development opportunities and infrastructural constraints. A geosite density map highlighted clusters suitable for coordinated management, while a prioritization model delineated three landscape conservation zones based on geosite value and distribution. The SWOT analysis further contextualized these findings, outlining strengths such as the region’s rich geoheritage and multi-layered protection, as well as limitations linked to infrastructure and management capacity. By positioning geosites as territorial assets, the research highlights their potential to support sustainable, place-based strategies in regions where geological heritage is a defining element of the local landscape. Full article

When education in STEM, social science, and the humanities are disconnected from each other and from place, it is inauthentic and nonresponsive to the lived experiences of people and communities. In rural spaces, the Food–Energy–Water (FEW) Nexus, a framework for problem solving and decision-making around these central resources, is salient because of the concentration of FEW resource production and extraction present. Storying the FEW Nexus is an interdisciplinary pedagogical framework that is theoretically rooted in a critical pedagogy of place and socio-ecological systems. Storying the FEW Nexus brings together these two related but distinct frameworks, calling attention to the need for relevant, place-based, and rural-focused narratives within STEM instruction. Developed for K-12 learners in rural places, Storying the FEW Nexus positions STEM knowledge and skills as resources that, alongside local narratives, are vital to the sustainability and viability of communities with unique and intertwined environmental justice histories and current realities. The FEW Nexus is leveraged to support rural learners in developing sustainable solutions to local socio-ecological systems issues. In this conceptual paper, we review the literature base supporting this integrated approach, describe the framework within the context of these aims, and make suggestions for researchers and practitioners. Full article

Since the early years of the 21st century, there has been a clear critique of the diotic way of farming in the international scientific arena, emphasizing that the existing models of economic development are exacerbating social inequalities and overexploiting natural resources. At the same time, the literature promotes the implementation of a new way of farming that takes into account environmental, social, and economic concerns. We have brought together new methods and ways of farming in these areas into one broad concept, called the conclusion of sustainable development. Within this concept, particular emphasis has been placed on sustainable energy development, the intensive development of technologies based on renewable energy sources, and the advancement of end-user awareness of modern technologies. The aim of this paper was to identify the factors that determine the ecological attitude of users of single-family houses in Poland when making strategic energy decisions related to the choice of heating devices in a household. To solve this research problem, the authors conducted a nationwide survey on a representative sample of single-family house users. In turn, the results were analyzed using log-linear analysis. The results showed that the determinants of the ecological nature of such energy decisions are primarily the age of the house users and their level of education. It was found that younger people are significantly more likely to think about ecology when making decisions related to how a building is heated than older people. In addition, people with a higher level of education are more likely to think about ecology when making such decisions than those with a lower level of education. Findings showed that the gender of the occupant of a single-family house, as well as the size of the town in which the building is located, have no significant impact on the ecological nature of decisions related to the choice of the method of obtaining energy for home heating. It was also shown that territorial variation, i.e., the region of the country, had no effect on this issue. The identification of socio-demographic determinants of the ecological nature of decisions related to the choice of heating devices in single-family houses in Poland fills the research gap and thus contributes to the literature in this area. Full article

Riverine and lacustrine shorelines are crucial for human survival and development, but their natural and ecological environments are highly fragile and sensitive. Intensified human activities have placed unprecedented pressure on the shoreline ecosystem of the Yangtze River Basin. This study investigates the degradation of river and lake shorelines and its cascading effects on ecological service functions. Using Sentinel-2 as the primary data source, we analyzed land use/cover changes and ecosystem service values (ESV) in the Huanggang and Taihu sections of the Yangtze River from 2018 to 2022. The supervised classification results using the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm exceeded 95% accuracy. In the Huanggang section, vegetation was significantly converted into cultivated land and built-up areas (−6.17 km²), while in the Taihu section, water bodies were largely transformed into agricultural land (−3.77 km²). In this study, we quantified changes in ESV using the unit area equivalent factor method, adjusted based on net primary productivity, precipitation, and the soil conservation coefficient. The results indicate that the ESV ranking in both sections follows the order: water conservation > environmental purification > biodiversity > soil conservation. From 2018 to 2022, the ESV in the Huanggang section declined due to forest and grassland loss and an increase in bare land. In contrast, ecological restoration and habitat protection policies contributed to an improvement in ecosystem service functions in the Taihu section, with various ESV components increasing as follows: soil conservation (8.79%) > biodiversity (6.67%) > environmental purification (5.98%) > water conservation (5.52%). These findings provide valuable insights for decision-making in the protection and management of the Yangtze River Basin ecosystem. Full article

Community-based citizen science plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation by engaging the public in scientific research while fostering environmental awareness. This study evaluates a citizen science project conducted in the Taoyuan Algal Reef (TAR) region of Taiwan, focusing on participants’ motivations, learning outcomes, and their relationship with behavioral intentions toward biodiversity conservation. Despite a small sample size, our findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of such initiatives. Learning and self-achievement emerged as the primary motivators for participation, with social interaction playing a secondary role. Using the structural equation model (SEM), we confirmed that attitude serves as a critical mediator between knowledge, sense of place, and behavioral intention. This supports the Knowledge-Attitude-Behavior (KAB) model, emphasizing that knowledge acquisition fosters attitudinal shifts that ultimately drive conservation behavior. Moreover, place-based learning was identified as a key component in strengthening participants’ sense of place and ecological awareness. Our findings suggest that aligning citizen science initiatives with participants’ motivations enhances engagement and long-term conservation efforts. Additionally, ongoing community monitoring not only contributes to scientific data collection but also empowers local communities in environmental decision-making. This study highlights the broader educational, social, and ecological benefits of community-based citizen science and underscores the need for systematic evaluations to optimize its impact. Full article

Researchers and companies are placing increasing importance on sustainability to fight climate change. This study analyzes the sustainability of hotel installation, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, and the transition from traditional lighting to light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The results show that for the PV system, the NPV (net present value) varied between 3191 and 11,959 kTND/kW and that the installation of PV panels has a positive NPV of 100% in the case of a high market scenario and 79–84% in the case of a scenario with reduced market activity. Regarding energy optimization, the use of LED bulbs generates an NPV of 346 to 713 TND/bulb, depending on self-consumption and the cost of electricity. Ecological studies show that installing PV panels would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 424 gCO2eq/kWh, or 61 tCO2eq/year. Furthermore, social evaluations have shown the importance of the use of renewable energy from an energy optimization point of view for the ecological transition. In conclusion, green investments improve the sustainability of hotels. However, to fully exploit this potential, a change in consumer attitudes is needed. Hotels must continue to promote their sustainability efforts while making their guests aware of the importance of making eco-friendly choices. Only a combined approach, involving both hoteliers and guests, will achieve a sustainable transition in the hotel sector. The objective of this article is therefore to examine the multidisciplinary interactions between photovoltaic solar energy and sustainable development by highlighting the inherent opportunities of this multidisciplinary approach for their success in the hospitality sector. Our methodological approach therefore combines a theoretical and a numerical study. These studies play a major role in energy transition projects due to their economic, environmental, technical, and technological contributions, which proves the importance of the multidisciplinary approach to address the energy transition in a holistic way. Full article

Social conflict over rangeland-use priorities, especially near protected areas, has long pitted environmental and biodiversity conservation interests against livestock livelihoods. Social–ecological conflict limits management adaptation and creativity while reinforcing social and disciplinary divisions. It can also reduce rancher access to land and negatively affect wildlife conservation. Communities increasingly expect research organizations to address complex social dynamics to improve opportunities for multiple ecosystem service delivery on rangelands. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), an area of the western US, long-standing disagreements among actors who argue for the use of the land for livestock and those who prioritize wildlife are limiting conservation and ranching livelihoods. Researchers at the USDA-ARS US Sheep Experiment Station (USSES) along with University and societal partners are responding to these challenges using a collaborative adaptive management (CAM) methodology. The USSES Rangeland Collaboratory is a living laboratory project leveraging the resources of a federal range sheep research ranch operating across sagebrush steppe ecosystems in Clark County, Idaho, and montane/subalpine landscapes in Beaverhead County, Montana. The project places stakeholders, including ranchers, conservation groups, and government land managers, in the decision-making seat for a participatory case study. This involves adaptive management planning related to grazing and livestock–wildlife management decisions for two ranch-scale rangeland management scenarios, one modeled after a traditional range sheep operation and the second, a more intensified operation with no use of summer ranges. We discuss the extent to which the CAM approach creates opportunities for multi-directional learning among participants and evaluate trade-offs among preferred management systems through participatory ranch-scale grazing research. In a complex system where the needs and goals of various actors are misaligned across spatiotemporal, disciplinary, and social–ecological scales, CAM creates a structure and methods to focus on social learning and land management knowledge creation. Full article

Forests are one of the most predominant types of land usage in Portugal and are highly relevant in terms of environmental, economic, social, and political factors. Increasing the value and the resilience of the Portuguese forest, defining adequate policies, and aligning forest research with society needs requires a truthful comprehension of the most relevant challenges in this sector. This study identifies and analyzes the most relevant needs and challenges impacting the Portuguese forestry sector, both currently and over a five-year period, from the stakeholder’s perspective. A participatory approach was employed, engaging national and regional forest stakeholders, to ensure a realistic vision of the forest sector in Portugal. A total of 116 topics were identified, with a predominance of immediate challenges over future information needs, underscoring the urgent pressures on the sector. Environmental/ecological and policy issues dominated the identified needs and challenges, reflecting the urgency for strategic interventions in these areas. A significant emphasis was placed on the mitigation of climate change impacts, mainly associated with biotic and abiotic risks, promoting technological advanced forest management, and the sector valorization. Policy and legal issues, such as fragmented ownership and adequate economic and fiscal incentives, were also identified as major concerns. The findings highlight the interconnected nature of forestry challenges and the need for integrated, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches, prioritizing research on climate impacts, developing adaptive management strategies, promoting stakeholder engagement, and enhancing capacity-building initiatives. The results of this study make it a relevant case study for other forest stakeholders in similar regions in Europe with comparative forest management models and can inspire new solutions for common challenges opening new research avenues for other forest related academics. Full article

The aim of our study is to review the new vehicle diagnostic requirements that support economical and environmentally friendly operation. Vehicle technology is undergoing continuous and significant changes. At the same time, it is not enough to develop energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies; they must be operated in proper technical conditions and with proper driving techniques. Accordingly, new, innovative procedures are constantly needed for the economical and environmentally friendly operation of vehicles, and it is important to emphasize that vehicle diagnostics must also follow these changes! The practical applications of our publication and our research focus on several areas. This research is particularly important in the case of public transport vehicles and transport fleets. An important practical aspect is that large transport companies also achieve significant cost savings and, at the same time, contribute to environmentally friendly transport. The publication represents a new direction in vehicle diagnostics and research and development; this is the ECO-Diagnostics discussed in the material. ECO-Diagnostics is a procedure that takes into account both ecological and economic factors during vehicle diagnostic tests. Vehicle diagnostics, as an independent, professional, and scientific field, began to develop in the 1970s. This field of research experiences a paradigm shift, on average, every 20 years. Today, an epochal shift is taking place, with the development and spread of alternative propulsion systems (e.g., electric, hydrogen, or gas) and autonomous vehicles being the main areas of focus. The changes in vehicle technology must be followed by vehicle diagnostics too. Some of the already-known diagnostic methods (e.g., for internal combustion engines) can be included in this category, but new methods are also needed to enable the economical and environmentally friendly operation of vehicles. These facts make it important and urgent to define and research this area. Research in this area is particularly important for public transport vehicles and transport fleets. It is not enough to develop energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies: they must be operated in the right technical condition and with the right driving techniques for the intended purpose. This will help large transport companies to achieve significant cost savings and contribute to the environmentally friendly transport of passengers and goods. A major new area in vehicle diagnostics needs to be introduced and expanded. ECO-Diagnostics is a new category that has not been used before, and it also marks a new area of research and development. The article presents the basics of categorization and supports them with its own research results and application examples. As an introduction, a systematic overview of vehicle diagnostics as a whole is also provided. This is important (and novel) as no such systematic overview is available in the technical and scientific literature. The new category should also be included in this scheme. In parallel with the development of vehicles and diagnostic procedures, the methods and their context covered by the umbrella term ECO-Diagnostics (in ecological and economic terms) should, of course, be constantly expanded. Artificial intelligence can play an important role in this process. In the future, there will be a strong demand for the development of procedures in the field of ECO-Diagnostics. For both economic and environmental reasons, it is urgent and important to research and develop procedures in this category. This fact will also influence the work of researchers in the future. Full article

Being both a driver and a manifestation of the current ecological, climate, and social crises, urban sustainability has become a major contemporary issue. Rather than framing the challenges that populations are confronted to as external factors, especially in deprived and segregated neighborhoods, we collected narratives about their experience of their living environments. Our work assumed an innovative interdisciplinary perspective in response to the complex interconnexions of the issues at stake. We aimed to highlight the significance of a situated perspective and an experience-based approach to fully embrace the idea of a research engaged with and for the communities, especially those suffering from marginalization and social deprivation. Our empirical results, rooted in expressions of place attachment (or not), in four disadvantaged neighborhoods in France, are presented in the form of a heuristic device, a non-normative framework that iteratively produced a representation with six dimensions that we called feelings. Together, they can be used to explore the manifestations of well-being, through place attachment related to one’s living environment, in a relational and open way, as people make sense of their place and possibly engage in its defense. We suggest further attention should be directed to concepts such as agency, freedom, and social recognition, as major conditions of the possibility of well-being or leading a good life. These dimensions could be major targets for policies trying to respond to the current sustainability challenges, such as social and environmental justice in the face of an unequal and changing world. Full article

The renewal of underground infrastructure is an emerging challenge for most municipalities in the United States. As compared to trenchless cured-in-place pipes (CIPPs), excavation technologies (ETs) have adverse impacts on the environment. Due to its lower ecological impact, trenchless technology is preferred in comparison to conventional pipe replacement. The selection of the most appropriate method depends on factors such as the existing sewer network, traffic disruption, soil conditions, and environmental safety. Recent concerns pertaining to environmental impact have increased the demand for reduced carbon footprints. The objectives of this paper are the following: (1) to present a comprehensive review on the achievements achieved over the years in understanding the factors influencing environmental emissions from the use of CIPP and ETs and (2) to analyze and compare the environmental emissions produced from CIPPs and ETs for 8-inch-, 10-inch-, and 12-inch-diameter pipes. Published papers from 1990 through 2024 have been included, which reported emissions from both alternatives. A comparison of total environmental emissions produced from both the processes is presented. The literature review and analysis suggest that higher emissions are a result of higher fuel consumption, material use, and input allocation. The emissions of pipeline renewal methods were evaluated using USEPA’s TRACI 2.1 methodology within SimaPro software. The analysis showed that CIPP renewal greatly reduced carbon emissions when compared with ET. CIPPs exhibited approximately 70% less ecological impact, 75% less impact on human health, and 60% less depletion of resources. CIPPs reduced carbon emissions by 78–100% in comparison to ETs. The recycling materials used in CIPPs potentially reduce the environmental impact by 10%, making them highly sustainable. The installation phase should therefore be carefully analyzed for factors like the pipe material and the pipes’ external diameter in view of achieving the greatest sustainability of these methods, as these characteristics affect emissions. It can be inferred that the comparison of the emissions of both alternatives is extremely vital for sustainable underground infrastructure development. Full article

Background/Objectives: As the global population ages, it is becoming increasingly important to create sustainable, health-promoting environments that support healthy aging. This study explores seniors’ mealtime experiences in adult day centers (ADCs) in southern Israel, focusing on identifying health and well-being needs related to eating and dining behaviors through the lens of the healthy placemaking approach. Methods: Thematic analysis was used to analyze data from focus groups and interviews with ADC attendees and leaders across a multicultural sample of ADCs in southern Israel between April and November 2022. Results: Three main themes emerged from the study: (1) individual-level needs, which are met through meals or during mealtimes and include positive experiences, a sense of empowerment, and the cultivation of warmth and domesticity; (2) social needs, which are addressed through interactions during mealtimes and food-related behaviors, including building social connections, fostering community, and encouraging social engagement; and (3) sustainability, health, and environmental aspects, including promoting a healthy and disease-appropriate diet, alongside addressing ecological and food security concerns. Conclusions: We demonstrate the pivotal role of ADC meals in facilitating social engagement and fostering a sense of community among attendees. Additionally, we highlight the importance of centering attendees’ concerns and needs in the dining experience and promoting their active participation in decision-making processes. Transforming ADC meals through the healthy placemaking approach can promote healthy eating, enhance social interactions, and support sustainable environments. Full article

Eco-evo-devo is an interdisciplinary field integrating ecology, evolutionary biology, and developmental biology. Niche construction refers to the phenomenon where organisms alter selection pressures through ecological activities, and ecological inheritance is the consequence of niche construction, passed down through generations. Development encompasses the process by which an organism grows and changes its form and behavior throughout its lifetime. Despite emerging research on eco-evo-devo, the evolution of organisms involving complex physical structures remains underexplored. We aim to explore interactions between these components in the evolution of the adaptive morphology and behavior of artificial creatures. We constructed an evolutionary model where a population of rigid-bodied creatures must cross two valleys to reach a goal, using morphological development and object construction in a 3D physical environment. We found that the evolution of both lifetime development (LD) and niche construction (NC) showed complementary roles, with LD contributing to crossing one valley and NC the other. Regarding ecological inheritance (EI), we observed how NC adapts to the presence of inherited objects by placing fewer objects to construct structures. On the other hand, a large percentage of EI can cause obstacles to form, which hinders the population from moving towards the target and facilitates non-adaptive morphology, making the evolution unsuccessful. Full article