Search Results (121)

Environmental consciousness has become increasingly important in the professional sports industry as it often hosts large-scale events that have significant environmental impacts. While the economic benefits of locating stadiums in city centers have been discussed, especially in terms of neighborhood revitalization, there has been limited empirical research on whether stadium relocation affects the transportation choices of spectators and reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Through a case study of a Japanese professional football club that relocated its home stadium from the suburb to the city center, this study quantitatively elucidated the change in spectators’ transportation choices and resulting reductions in carbon emissions achieved by the stadium relocation. Analysis indicated variations in behavioral changes among groups based on their loyalty levels to the club. It also highlighted the varying influence of the different residential areas within the metropolitan area on the modal choice. This study demonstrates the potential contribution of stadium relocation to sustainable urban planning by providing empirical evidence of these behavioral changes and policy implications for restructuring the urban public transportation network. Full article

The escalating threat of climate change has placed carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions at the forefront of global environmental policy. The relationship between carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and information technology (IT) is crucial in shaping international climate change strategies. This study investigates the impact of information technology, trade globalisation (TG), and economic complexity (EC) on CO₂ emissions in BRICS countries using panel data from 1996 to 2018. The analysis applies the CUP-FM estimator to assess long-run relationships and the Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality test to evaluate directionality. The results show that information technology significantly reduces CO₂ emissions. This effect is primarily driven by the promotion of the service sector, reduced material use, and improved energy efficiency. In contrast, trade globalisation has an inconsistent impact. While it can lower emissions through technology diffusion and efficiency gains, it can also increase them due to Scale Effects and the relocation of polluting industries. This study also identifies a U-shaped relationship between economic complexity and CO₂ emissions, indicating that emissions initially rise with complexity but decline as innovation and clean production practices improve. These findings suggest that developing digital infrastructure and green technologies and trade Globalisation can promote sustainable development in BRICS economies. Therefore, policymakers should prioritise strengthening the IT environment, fostering international trade partnerships, and integrating clean technologies to balance economic growth with environmental protection. Full article

Setúbal Peninsula (SetPe) has played a critical role in Portugal’s industrial history, symbolizing economic growth in the 1960s and serving as the centre of the working-class movement during the Carnation Revolution. This study examines the impacts of deindustrialisation and integration into Global Network and Chain Structures (GNCS) on the region’s daily life and urban areas. Despite the decline in industrial employment and the challenges posed by abandoned industrial areas, the region has remained connected to GNCS through existing industrial facilities. The study utilised both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse these transformations and highlighted the region’s vulnerability in the face of these global processes. The findings suggest that integration into GNCS in SetPe has led to economic dependence on multinational companies, social and cultural decline, and challenges in urban redevelopment. Full article

The Yangtze River Economic Belt, a key growth driver in China, faces energy-carbon challenges. Analyzing the impact of industrial restructuring on energy transition and emission reduction is crucial for its low-carbon transformation. This study first analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of carbon emissions, energy intensity, and energy structure decarbonization across YREB provinces from 2005 to 2021, then quantified the impacts of industrial upgrading on these dimensions by using a spatial Durbin model with panel data, revealing spatial heterogeneity and mechanisms. Results show that: (1) a U-shaped relationship exists between industrial upgrading and both energy intensity and energy structure decarbonization, while it significantly lowers regional emissions; (2) heterogeneity analysis indicates the emission reduction effects of industrial upgrading intensify toward downstream regions, with energy transition being pivotal for mid-upstream mitigation. Accordingly, region-specific strategies are proposed: upstream areas should prioritize high-carbon energy substitution, ecological compensation, and technological support; midstream regions should adopt targeted policies for green industrial relocation and energy efficiency enhancements to accelerate upgrading; downstream areas should leverage innovation incentives and service-driven industrial restructuring. This study provides theoretical foundations for tailored regional strategies and actionable insights for achieving the YREB’s low-carbon development goals. Full article

As a pivotal force in the development of hydropower and water conservancy, the evolution of China’s reservoir resettlement policies has garnered significant attention. Over the past seven decades, the nation has made remarkable strides in implementing resettlement initiatives, effectively contributing to poverty alleviation and water resource management. However, emerging challenges, including diminishing opportunities for new reservoir construction, the expiration of post-relocation support policies, and the current emphasis on high-quality development, reveal critical gaps in the existing research. Specifically, macro-level analyses of policy evolution remain scarce, particularly concerning the interrelation between two cornerstone components: land acquisition compensation policies and post-relocation support policies. To address this gap, this paper adopts a holistic historical perspective to analyze the evolution of China’s reservoir resettlement policies across four distinct stages, focusing on the development of two key policies and their interrelations. The findings reveal that each stage of China’s reservoir resettlement policies is characterized by unique thematic priorities, with their interrelations gradually evolving toward greater synergy. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including insufficient per capita farmland allocation and industrial decline in resettlement areas. Accordingly, this paper proposes optimization strategies that encompass policy innovation, multi-stakeholder participation, digital management, and the enhancement of resettlement agencies. China’s experience in fostering policy synergy offers critical insights into institutional evolution while providing valuable references for other countries seeking to refine their reservoir resettlement frameworks. Full article

This study focuses on 67 counties in Guangdong Province, China, and investigates the spatial distribution patterns, regional differentiation characteristics, and functional zoning of rural areas based on the “Production–Living–Ecological” (PLE) functional synergy theoretical framework. Multiple quantitative methods, including the entropy method, spatial concentration degree, and functional identification, were employed. Key findings include: (1) Rural functions in Guangdong exhibit significant heterogeneous evolution. Production functions have generally weakened, showing a spatial pattern of “consolidation in the south and decline in the north”. Ecological functions demonstrate a U-shaped recovery trend, with high-value areas concentrating around the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration, indicating effective ecological protection policies. Living functions continue to decline due to population mobility and imbalanced public services. (2) Structural transformation of rural function types occurred: Weakly integrated counties decreased (2010–2019), dual function type counties (production–ecological and living–ecological) significantly increased, and ecology-dominant counties predominated, highlighting ecological polarization under policy interventions. (3) Functional evolution is driven by terrain gradients, policy regulation, and industrial relocation. The research provides empirical evidence for optimizing territorial spatial governance and coordinating urban–rural development. Recommendations include promoting dynamic PLE balance through high-standard farmland construction, ecological industrialization cultivation, and cross-regional compensation mechanisms to facilitate rural revitalization and sustainable development. Full article

Urban renewal faces critical challenges in balancing heritage protection and functional upgrades, particularly in dual-attribute cities like Tianjin that preserve industrial legacy while cultivating emerging functions. Existing studies exhibit three gaps: geographical bias toward megacities, fragmented analysis of functional–morphological interactions, and inadequate quantification of “protection-development” tensions. This study addresses these gaps through an integrated framework combining point-of-interest kernel density analysis and satellite imagery segmentation (2021–2024 data). The methodological innovations include: (1) Analysis of urban function changes based on Point of Interest density; (2) Analysis of urban spatial morphology changes based on the texture of buildings within plots; (3) Spatiotemporal coupling analysis of data. Key findings reveal: (a) The overall Point of Interest density in Tianjin increased by 127.2%, achieving further prosperity and development of the city; (b) The renewal of the central urban area exhibits characteristics of “edge aggregation and gradient diffusion”; (c) The historic urban area has reshaped its functional layout through micro-renewal and the relocation of industrial spaces, effectively balancing the conflict between preservation and development. This study systematically summarizes the experiences in resolving the conflict between preservation and development in the urban renewal of Tianjin, providing a reference case for cities undergoing similar dual-attribute renewal. Full article

This study analyzes the dynamics of China’s fruit industry using a range of analytical tools, including the location Gini coefficient, industry concentration ratio, spatial autocorrelation index, specialization index, and the industry gravity model. It explores the industry’s evolving characteristics and trends since the economic reforms, culminating in a trajectory map that highlights shifts in the industry’s gravitational center. This study also offers a qualitative analysis of the factors influencing the agglomeration and relocation of fruit production centers. The findings show a steady increase in both total output and yields per unit area within China’s fruit industry over time. Although the overall degree of agglomeration has decreased, regional agglomeration effects remain significant. Furthermore, the data reveal significant spatial autocorrelation in fruit production, indicating a long-term westward shift in core production areas. Different geographic areas exhibit varying levels of gradational shifts, with marked differences in production concentration patterns across different fruit types. This study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding production agglomeration, integrating interdisciplinary methods from statistics and geography. Full article

Soil heavy metal pollution has emerged as a substantial threat to environmental quality and human health. The pollution levels of heavy metals in soil are significantly influenced by human activities, rendering it one of the most crucial topics for the sustainable development of soils. This study analyzed the data of surface soil heavy metal concentration in Nantong from 2008 to 2018 to explore the impact of policy adjustments on concentration levels. The results revealed that over the past decade, the overall content of Pb in the topsoil of Nantong decreased by 32.41%, presumably attributed to the widespread use of unleaded petrol. This suggests that policy adjustments can effectively regulate heavy metal pollution levels. However, the average concentration of Cr increased by 68.03%, and the high-concentration center shifted from the southwestern to the northeastern part of Nantong. The large-scale relocation of factories from riverside to coastal areas in Nantong likely contributed to this phenomenon. Evidently, the changes in heavy metal concentration in surface soils clearly exhibited policy-driven characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended that when formulating or adjusting relevant policies, it is imperative to comprehensively consider their potential impacts on soil heavy metal contamination. This is crucial for ensuring the overall effectiveness of the policies in terms of the sustainability of the soil environment. This article provides valuable insights for understanding heavy metal accumulation in Nantong and offers guidance for promoting future industrial upgrading and strategic planning, which is of great significance in guiding the improvement in soil quality and ensuring its sustainable use. Full article

The energy transition towards achieving carbon neutrality is marked by the decarbonization of the power system and a high degree of electrification in end-use sectors. The decarbonization of the power system primarily relies on large-scale renewable energy, nuclear power, and fossil fuel-based power with carbon capture technologies. This structure of power supply introduces significant uncertainty in electricity supply. Due to the technological progress in end-use sectors and spatial reallocation of industries in China, the load curve and power supply curve is very different today. However, most studies’ analyses of future electricity systems are based on today’s load curve, which could be misleading when seeking to understand future electricity systems. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly analyze changes in end-use load curves to better align electricity demand with supply. This paper analyzes the characteristics of electricity demand load under China’s future energy transition and economic transformation pathways using the Integrated Energy and Environment Policy Assessment model of China (IPAC). It examines the electricity and energy usage characteristics of various sectors in six typical regions, provides 24-h load curves for two representative days, and evaluates the effectiveness of demand-side response in selected provinces in 2050. The study reveals that, with the transition of the energy system and the industrial relocation during economic transformation, the load curves in China’s major regions by 2050 will differ notably from those of today, with distinct characteristics emerging across different regions. With the costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power declining in the future, the resulting electricity price will also differ significantly from today. Daytime electricity prices will be notably lower than those during the evening peak, as the decrease in solar PV and wind power output leads to a significant increase in electricity costs. This pricing structure is expected to drive a strong demand-side response. Demand-side response can significantly improve the alignment between load curves and power supply. Full article

This study applies the socio-metabolic approach and relatedly the concept of planetary urbanization understanding to detect the identity of the “alternative zones” embedded in the food supply chain of cities (FSC). To achieve shortened and sustainable FSCs for cities, strong alternative food networks (AFNs) should be developed and sustained. The precious element of a strong AFN is its urban areas, which serve as niche alternative food initiatives (AFIs) for sustainability transitions in food supply chains (FSCs). To achieve shorter and more sustainable FSCs in cities, it is crucial to develop and sustain empowered alternative food networks (AFNs) by deploying their AFIs. Within this context, this study examines AFIs in 12 European FUSILLI cities to understand the potential of the intrinsic AFN to accelerate the sustainable transition in FSCs. Considering the results of AFNs in accelerating sustainability transitions in FSCs. Results through spatial analyses of food ecosystems of FUSILLI cities, although there are prominent examples with a strong short and alternative food network, it is obvious that the sustainable transition into an alternative food network has proceeded; however, the analysis of AFNs in FUSILLI cities demonstrates that sustainability transitions have advanced through vigorous AFNs. However, extended urban areas still have room to supersede their place in conventional/industrial agricultural production, which remains embedded in these spaces. The same inference applies to urban—rural linkages, which need to be strengthened to support the relocation of the food system in the development of AFNs in urban areas and to create more sustainable and shortened FSCs. Also, it is obvious that cities with greater extended AFNs, for example, Rome, due to its great number of AFIs and geographical extent of AFN covering concentrated urban areas and to strengthen the rural–urban linkage for shortened food supply chains, as well as extended urban areas, and Oslo, due to its great variety of AFIs embedded in concentrated urban areas with alternative food production areas in its (erstwhile rural areas) extended urban areas. Full article

As an important economic and ecological barrier in China, the Yellow River Basin faces dual challenges of an excessive environmental burden and insufficient innovation efficiency during the process of industrial relocation. This paper divides green innovation into two stages: technological R&D and commercialization, and employs a two-stage data envelopment analysis model to measure the green innovation efficiency of 64 cities in the Yellow River Basin’s urban agglomerations from 2004 to 2021. The results indicate that undertaking regional industrial relocation has a positive impact on green innovation efficiency, but while boosting the efficiency of commercialization, it negatively affects R&D efficiency, leading to an imbalance in green innovation development. Industrial relocation mainly exerts heterogeneous effects on each stage of green innovation efficiency by hindering industrial upgrading, generating dispersive effects, and creating technological spillover effects. Meanwhile, infrastructure development and intellectual property protection play a moderating role. This study provides valuable insights for promoting high-quality development and sustainable green innovation in the Yellow River Basin. Full article

Gastrodia elata has been a valuable medicinal resource in the East for approximately 3000 years. In South Korea, G. elata is cultivated in open-fields or greenhouses near residential areas. However, due to severe continuous damage, cultivation sites need to be frequently relocated, leading to a shortage of available cultivation areas. Alternatively, farmers are focusing on mountain cultivation. This study analyzed suitable cultivation sites for G. elata in mountainous areas using a geographic information system (GIS) and applied various classification methods to identify their characteristics and similarities. The analysis showed that the Natural Breaks (Jenks) classification method maximized the differences between grades, whereas the Quantile method reclassified the area of suitable sites to a relatively high proportion. In contrast, the Equal Interval method reclassified the areas of suitable and unsuitable sites to a lower proportion, whereas the Geometric Interval method best demonstrated extreme-temperature regions as unsuitable sites. Among the classification methods, the Natural Breaks (Jenks) and Geometric Interval methods yielded the most similar results. These findings provide critical methodological outcomes for G. elata cultivation and sustainable agriculture and forestry. Future empirical research and the application of climate change scenarios are necessary to enhance the sustainability of the G. elata cultivation industry. Full article

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) are increasingly employed in commercial and industrial applications to accomplish various tasks at a low cost. WSNs are essential for gathering diverse types of data within physical environments. A key design objective for WSNs is to balance energy consumption and increase the network’s operating lifetime. Recent studies have shown that mobile base stations (BSs) can significantly extend the lifetime of such networks, especially when their location is optimized using specific criteria. In this study, we propose an algorithm for selecting the optimal BS location in a large network. The algorithm computes a distance metric between sensor nodes (SNs) and potential BS locations on a virtual grid within the WSN. The selection process is repeated periodically to account for dead SNs, allowing the BS to relocate to a new optimal position based on the remaining active nodes after each iteration. Additionally, the inclusion of a relay node (RN) in large networks is explored to improve scalability. The impact of path loss within WSNs is also discussed. The proposed algorithms are applied to the well-known Stable Election Protocol (SEP). Simulation results demonstrate that, compared to other algorithms in the literature, the proposed approaches significantly enhance the lifetime of WSNs. Full article

This paper studies the relative competitiveness of Germany’s onshore wind industry compared to China’s and investigates whether an equally drastic value chain relocation, similar to Germany’s solar PV industry, is likely. Based on a comprehensive study of Germany’s domestic market, international competitiveness indicators like the world trade share (WTS), revealed comparative advantage (RCA), and relative export advantage (RXA), as well as an expert interview, we found that Germany’s industry has lost competitiveness in recent years, supply chain shifts to China are observable, and Chinese manufacturers are poised to enter the German market. However, the German onshore wind industry is still competitive, has a strong basis in its domestic market, and, with the right energy policy framework, it could brace the storm. The novelty of this study is threefold: it offers a comprehensive comparison of the German and Chinese wind industries, presents the first analysis of the 2017 EEG reform’s impact on Germany’s wind industry, and is the first study to trace the evolution of domestic and foreign market shares in Germany’s onshore wind market. Full article