Search Results (487)

Agrarian women are at the forefront of rural livelihoods increasingly affected by the frequency and severity of climate change impacts. However, their household livelihood resilience (HLR) remains limited due to gender-blind policies, scarce sex-disaggregated data, and inadequate consideration of gender-specific needs in resilience-building efforts. Grounded in participatory feminist research, this study employed a multi-method qualitative approach, including semi-structured interviews and oral history narratives, with 60 women in two climate-vulnerable provinces. Data were analyzed through thematic coding, CATWOE (Customers, Actors, Transformation, Worldview, Owners, Environmental Constraints) analysis, and descriptive statistics. The findings identify nine major climate-related events disrupting livelihoods and reveal a limited understanding of HLR as a long-term, transformative concept. Adaptation strategies remain short-term and focused on immediate survival. Barriers to HLR include financial constraints, limited access to agricultural resources and technology, and entrenched gender norms restricting women’s leadership and decision-making. While local governments, women’s associations, and community networks provide some support, gaps in accessibility and adequacy persist. Participants expressed the need for financial assistance, vocational training, agricultural technologies, and stronger peer networks. Strengthening HLR among agrarian women requires gender-sensitive policies, investment in local support systems, and community-led initiatives. Empowering agrarian women as agents of change is critical for fostering resilient rural livelihoods and achieving inclusive, sustainable development. Full article

The integration of renewable energy into power grids is imperative for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating reliance on depleting fossil fuels. In this paper, we develop symmetric and asymmetric evolutionary game-theoretic models to analyze how user–grid cooperation in peak shaving can be enhanced by incorporating whole-process democracy (deliberative governance) into decision-making. Our framework captures excess returns, cooperation-driven profits, energy pricing, participation costs, and benefit-sharing coefficients to identify equilibrium conditions under varied subsidy, cost, and market scenarios. Furthermore, this study integrates the theory, path, and mechanism of deliberative procedures under the perspective of whole-process democracy, exploring how inclusive and participatory decision-making processes can enhance cooperation in renewable energy systems. We simulate seven scenarios that systematically adjust subsidy rates, cost–benefit structures, dynamic pricing, and renewable-versus-conventional competitiveness, revealing that robust cooperation emerges only under well-aligned incentives, equitable profit sharing, and targeted financial policies. These scenarios systematically vary these key parameters to assess the robustness of cooperative equilibria under diverse economic and policy conditions. Our findings indicate that policy efficacy hinges on deliberative stakeholder engagement, fair profit allocation, and adaptive subsidy mechanisms. These results furnish actionable guidelines for regulators and grid operators to foster sustainable, low-carbon energy systems and inform future research on demand response and multi-source integration. Full article

Governance challenges, success factors, and stakeholder dynamics are central to the implementation of Positive Energy District (PED) Labs, which aim to develop energy-positive and sustainable urban areas. In this paper, a qualitative analysis combining expert surveys, participatory workshops with practitioners from the COST Action PED-EU-NET network, and comparative case studies across Europe identifies key barriers, drivers, and stakeholder roles throughout the implementation process. Findings reveal that fragmented regulations, social inertia, and limited financial mechanisms are the main barriers to PED Lab development, while climate change mitigation goals, strong local networks, and supportive policy frameworks are critical drivers. The analysis maps stakeholder engagement across six development phases, showing how leadership shifts between governments, industry, planners, and local communities. PED Labs require intangible assets such as inclusive governance frameworks, education, and trust-building in the early phases, while tangible infrastructures become more relevant in later stages. The conclusions emphasize that robust, inclusive governance is not merely supportive but a key driver of PED Lab success. Adaptive planning, participatory decision-making, and digital coordination tools are essential for overcoming systemic barriers. Scaling PED Labs effectively requires regulatory harmonization and the integration of social and technological innovation to accelerate the transition toward energy-positive, climate-resilient cities. Full article

This article demonstrates how positioning residents as active co-designers fundamentally transforms both the process and outcomes of carbon-positive building development. Through structured collaborative workshops, shared decision-making protocols, and continuous partnership throughout the building lifecycle, the REN+HOMES Positive Carbon Building methodology challenges the conventional expert-driven approach to sustainable construction. Developed and validated through the H2020 REN+HOMES project, this resident-centered approach achieved remarkable technical performance—65.9% reduction in final energy demand—while simultaneously enhancing community ownership and long-term sustainability practices. By integrating participatory design with Zero Emissions Building (ZEB) criteria, renewable energy systems, and national carbon offset programs, the methodology proves that resident collaboration is not merely beneficial but essential for creating buildings that truly serve both environmental and human needs. This research establishes a new paradigm where technical excellence emerges from authentic partnership between residents and sustainability experts, offering a replicable framework for community-driven environmental regeneration. Full article

The Retabit platform is a data-driven tool designed to bridge the gap between building rehabilitation and urban regeneration by integrating energy, economic, and social dimensions into a single framework. Leveraging multiple public data sources, the platform provides actionable insights to local and national authorities, public housing agencies, urban planners, energy service providers, and research institutions, helping to align renovation initiatives with broader urban transformation goals and climate action objectives. The platform consists of two main components: Analyse, for examining building conditions through multidimensional indicators, and Plan, for designing and simulating renovation projects. Retabit contributes to more transparent and informed decision-making, encourages collaboration across sectors, and addresses long-term sustainability by incorporating participatory planning and impact evaluation. Its scalable structure makes it applicable across diverse geographic areas, policy contexts, and domains linked to sustainable urban development. Full article

This study analyzes how Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) communicates policy implementation in tourism governance through 35 official responses to citizen petitions, using Heidbreder’s Multilevel Policy Implementation Strategies Framework (centralization, agencification, convergence, networking). Content coding, frequency analysis, co-occurrence network, and sentiment analysis reveal a dominant centralization pattern, with MoCST maintaining strong top-down control in decision-making and resource allocation. Convergence reflects increased inter-ministerial coordination, while agencification is limited, and networking with private or civil sectors remains weak. This weak networking limits participatory decision-making and hinders the development of adaptive, community-based tourism initiatives, which are crucial for sustainable tourism governance. Positive sentiment is more associated with centralized and convergent actions, indicating institutional trust. The study extends Heidbreder’s framework to a non-Western, centralized context and calls for stronger local agency roles and inclusive networks to enhance resilience and community ownership in policy implementation. Full article

This paper presents an integrated Smart City platform that combines digital twin technology, advanced machine learning, and a private blockchain network to enhance data-driven decision making and operational efficiency in both public enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The proposed cloud-based business intelligence model automates Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes, enables real-time analytics, and secures data integrity and transparency through blockchain-enabled audit trails. By implementing the proposed solution, Smart City and public service providers can significantly improve operational efficiency, including a 15% reduction in costs and a 12% decrease in fuel consumption for waste management, as well as increased citizen engagement and transparency in Smart City governance. The digital twin component facilitated scenario simulations and proactive resource management, while the participatory governance module empowered citizens through transparent, immutable records of proposals and voting. This study also discusses technical, organizational, and regulatory challenges, such as data integration, scalability, and privacy compliance. The results indicate that the proposed approach offers a scalable and sustainable model for Smart City transformation, fostering citizen trust, regulatory compliance, and measurable environmental and social benefits. Full article

The digital transformation of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction sector is accelerating the adoption of digital platforms as critical enablers of data integration, stakeholder collaboration and process optimization. This paper presents a systematic review of 125 peer-reviewed journal articles (2015–2025), selected through a PRISMA-guided search using the Scopus database, with inclusion criteria focused on English-language academic literature on platform-enabled digitalization in the built environment. Studies were grouped into six thematic domains, i.e., artificial intelligence in construction, digital twin integration, lifecycle cost management, BIM-GIS for underground utilities, energy systems and public administration, based on a combination of literature precedent and domain relevance. Unlike existing reviews focused on single technologies or sectors, this work offers a cross-sectoral synthesis, highlighting shared challenges and opportunities across disciplines and lifecycle stages. It identifies the functional roles, enabling technologies and systemic barriers affecting digital platform adoption, such as fragmented data sources, limited interoperability between systems and siloed organizational processes. These barriers hinder the development of integrated and adaptive digital ecosystems capable of supporting real-time decision-making, participatory planning and sustainable infrastructure management. The study advocates for modular, human-centered platforms underpinned by standardized ontologies, explainable AI and participatory governance models. It also highlights the importance of emerging technologies, including large language models and federated learning, as well as context-specific platform strategies, especially for applications in the Global South. Full article

This article analyzes the revitalization process of the Kraków Fortress in the context of the amendment to the Revitalization Act of 29 July 2024, focusing on the legal, financial, social, and environmental effects of these changes. The aim of the work is to assess how the new regulations have affected the effectiveness of the revitalization of historic military facilities and the financial and participatory mechanisms that have enabled their effective implementation. The authors adopted an interdisciplinary approach, combining legal, urban, conservation, and social analysis, and applied the case study method of five forts: 52 “Borek”, 52a “Jugowice”, 2 “Kościuszko”, 49 “Krzesławice”, and 31 “Św. Benedict”. The selection of cases was based on different stages of implementation, financing models, and social functions. The research showed that the amendment to the Act accelerated decision-making processes and enabled more flexible management of space and better acquisition of financial resources, including from the EU and SKOZK. The use of a mixed financing model (local, European, private funds) and strong social participation contributed to the durability and acceptance of the projects. The effects of revitalization include, among others, an increase in the number of visitors (from 20,000 to 75,000 per year), the creation of approx. 120 jobs, and a reduction of energy consumption by over 30%. Revitalized facilities today perform cultural, educational, and recreational functions, supporting social integration and the development of a local identity. The article indicates that the Kraków model can be a model for other cities with military heritage. It also draws attention to the need to develop nationwide standards for the adaptation of historic buildings and recommends further research on the socio-economic durability of revitalization projects. Full article

Urban systems are transforming as artificial intelligence (AI) evolves from automation to Agentic Urban AI (AI systems with autonomous goal-setting and decision-making capabilities), which independently define and pursue urban objectives. This shift necessitates reassessing governance, planning, and ethics. Using a conceptual-methodological approach, this study integrates urban studies, AI ethics, and governance theory. Through a literature review and case studies of platforms like Alibaba’s City Brain and CityMind AI Agent, it identifies early agency indicators, such as strategic adaptation and goal re-prioritisation. A typology distinguishing automation, autonomy, and agency clarifies AI-driven urban decision-making. Three trajectories are proposed: fully autonomous Agentic AI, collaborative Hybrid Urban Agency, and constrained Non-Agentic AI to mitigate ethical risks. The findings highlight the need for participatory, transparent governance to ensure democratic accountability and social equity in cognitive urban ecosystems. Full article

This study presents a novel game-theoretical framework designed to support epidemic management, with a specific focus on the allocation of limited resources across competing public health objectives and intervention strategies. Recognizing the varied roles and capacities of participatory agents, we model their involvement as occurring at multiple levels, reflecting the complex decision-making processes encountered in real-world situations. To account for the unequal influence or priority of different agents and strategies, we further propose a suite of weighted allocation measures grounded in well-established theoretical principles. In response to ongoing concerns over the arbitrariness of externally assigned weights, we also construct a refined metric based on endogenous marginal intervention effects, offering a more organically derived representation of participator impact. A series of illustrative examples demonstrates the practical relevance of these models, revealing how they can capture key dynamics such as behavioral diversity, the coexistence of overlapping policies, and logical independence under distinct weighting perspectives. Collectively, these contributions aim to provide epidemic response teams with a set of interpretable and adaptable tools tailored to the complexity of real-world public health crises. Full article

Young people are frustrated and disheartened with the lack of adult leadership and action to address the climate crisis. Although youth representation in global, regional, and local decision-making contexts on climate change is steadily growing, the desired role and effect of youth in environmental and climate decision-making has shifted from a focus on having youth voices heard, to having a direct and meaningful impact on policy and action. To meaningfully integrate youth perspectives into climate policies and programs, intergenerational approaches and youth–adult partnerships are key. This paper explores strategies to support youth action and engagement as adult partners by investigating youth perspectives on what adults and adult-led organizations should consider when engaging young people in climate-related work. This qualitative research study introduces a revised version of the 7P youth participation framework, developed through focus groups with high school youth. This paper provides reflective questions and practical recommendations for participants engaged in youth–adult partnerships to help guide engagement beyond token representation and create meaningfully participatory conditions for youth agency in climate organizing spaces. Full article

In recent years, the concept of the commons has gained relevance across academic, legal and civic spheres as an alternative framework for managing shared resources. Rooted in Elinor Ostrom’s seminal work on collective governance, contemporary debates on the commons increasingly challenge the traditional binary of private versus public ownership by foregrounding the social function of these resources and the role of their communities in their administration. Urban commons, in particular, have emerged as dynamic spaces of experimentation, where local actors reclaim underutilised or abandoned assets and activate them through bottom-up processes of care, cultural production, and civic innovation. While international literature provides a robust conceptual foundation for understanding commoning practices, their practical implementation mostly depends on local specificities, such as legal and social contexts. Despite the important milestone of the Rodotà Commission’s proposal (2007) and Law 168/2017 on collective domains, the Italian regulatory framework remains highly fragmented, with regional and municipal regulations pioneering policies and practices frequently driven by community-led efforts to redefine the use and governance of public assets. This paper contributes to the growing debate on urban commons by investigating how, since 2011, experiences of collaborative care of the commons in Southern Italy have rekindled interest in the issue raised in 2007, highlighting a strong connection between the regulatory and social dimensions of these processes. The study develops a methodological framework—the COMmons Places ASSessment (COMPASS)—to evaluate the enabling conditions and governance dynamics of these processes. The research specifically focuses on five case studies in the Campania region, where diverse actors have mobilised to reclaim and transform public heritage through cultural, social, and creative activities. From the results, insights on collective management practices emerge potentials and criticalities of the analysed governance, as well as of the designed decision-making process and their effectiveness for the open, participatory, and sustainable management of urban commons. Full article

Addressing the interconnected challenges of food security, climate change, and population growth requires innovative and adaptive approaches to sustainable agriculture. Agricultural best management practices (BMPs) provide a promising framework for enhancing resilience, improving resource efficiency, and promoting biodiversity. However, the effectiveness of BMPs’ implementation largely depends on their alignment with local environmental, social, and economic conditions. This study presents a novel methodology for selecting and implementing BMPs based on stakeholder preferences, ensuring solutions are contextually relevant and widely accepted. Developed within the European Commission-funded WATDEV project, this methodology integrates a bottom-up and top-down decision-making framework, incorporating the perspectives of farmers, policymakers, and experts. The approach has been tested in four East African countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, demonstrating its adaptability across diverse agroecological settings. Through a structured assessment involving stakeholder engagement, data-driven BMP selection, and participatory decision support tools, the study identifies and prioritizes BMPs that optimize water use, soil conservation, and climate resilience. Findings highlight that community-driven BMP selection enhances adoption rates and ensures solutions are technically feasible, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable. The methodology provides a scalable blueprint for integrating stakeholder preferences into agricultural planning, offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working toward sustainable food systems in East Africa and beyond. Full article

Effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) are essential for ensuring that Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) contributes to the sustainable development of the blue economy while maintaining alignment with institutional frameworks. The study presented in this paper develops a stakeholder-driven M&E framework for sustainable MSP, emphasizing a participatory methodology to enhance the relevance and applicability of performance assessment. Using a structured mutual learning approach, the research engaged stakeholders in two iterative rounds: the first identified key strategic objectives for a sustainable blue economy through dialogue and a complementary questionnaire survey, while the second refined these into corresponding specific objectives. This process was applied in the context of a case study in Greece, where MSP implementation is shaped by national and EU regulatory frameworks and the socio-economic dynamics of the coastal and maritime sectors. The case study provided a practical testing ground for the proposed methodology, involving stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society to ensure a comprehensive perspective. The insights gained informed the design of a key performance indicator (KPI) framework, integrating qualitative and quantitative metrics tailored to the regional maritime governance landscape. These metrics were selected based on the SMARTIE (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound, Inclusive, Equitable) criteria and were clearly aligned with the established objectives. The frequency of measurements, appropriate data collection methods, and indicative data sources were also defined to provide a complete KPIs framework. This stakeholder-driven methodology strengthens the adaptive capacity of MSP by ensuring continuous assessment and revision aligned with sustainability objectives and facilitating ex ante, intermediate, and ex post evaluations. The proposed framework is scalable and transferable, offering a systematic approach to improving policy coherence and decision-making across different geographic, administrative, and sectoral contexts, enabling sustainable governance and maritime governance. Full article