Search Results (387)

The rubber industry is facing major socio-economic and environmental constraints. Rubber-based agroforestry systems represent a more sustainable solution through the diversification of income and the provision of greater ecosystem services than monoculture plantations. Participative approaches are known for their ability to co-construct solutions with stakeholders and to promote a positive impact on smallholders. This study therefore implemented a participatory research process with stakeholders in the natural rubber sector for the purpose of improving inclusion, relevance and impact. Facilitation training sessions were first organised with academic actors to prepare participatory workshops. A working group of stakeholder representatives was set up and participated in these workshops to share a common representation of the value chain and to identify problems and solutions for the sector in Indonesia. By fostering collective intelligence and systems thinking, the process is aimed at enabling the development of adaptive technical solutions and building capacity across the sector for future government replanting programmes. The resulting adaptive technical packages were then detailed and objectified by the academic consortium and are part of a participatory plant breeding approach adapted to the natural rubber industry. On-station and on-farm experimental plans have been set up to facilitate the drafting of projects for setting up field trials based on these outcomes. Research played a dual role as both knowledge provider and facilitator, guiding a co-learning process rooted in social inclusion, equity and ecological resilience. The initiative highlighted the potential of rubber cultivation to contribute to climate change mitigation and food sovereignty, provided that it can adapt through sustainable practices like agroforestry. Continued political and financial support is essential to sustain and scale these innovations. Full article

Mining activities in a quarry significantly interfere with the landscape, weaken its ecological functions, disrupt the continuity of habitats and change its natural character. The aim of this study is to present a robust, transparent, and participatory methodological framework centered on the Reclamation Quality Index, which enables a comprehensive and repeatable assessment of reclamation quality. At a time when the restoration of functional, ecologically stable and long-term sustainable landscapes is increasingly important, there is a need for reliable tools to assess the quality of restoration. This article presents an original methodology for the evaluation of quarry reclamation, which combines scientific precision with practical applicability. The proposed Reclamation Quality Index is built on multidisciplinary foundations and uses the Delphi methodology, through which expert knowledge and weighted preferences enter the evaluation process. A tool designed in this way makes it possible to quantify the quality of land restoration, identify the benefits of individual interventions, support effective planning, and strengthen the strategic management of post-mining transformation. At the same time, the Reclamation Quality Index creates space for the application of the principles of ecological stability and integration of the landscape as a living, dynamic system in the process of restoration. With its structure and philosophy, the methodology represents a prospective approach to the evaluation and planning of the post-extraction landscape. Its application goes beyond academia, as it can serve as a support for environmental policymaking, landscape planning, and assessing the quality of restoration in practice. 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

The “Baby Ubuntu” programme is a well-established, low-cost, community-based intervention to support caregivers of children with complex neurodisability, like cerebral palsy, in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts. This process-focused paper describes our utilisation of the ADAPT guidance to adapt “Baby Ubuntu” for use in ethnically and linguistically diverse, and economically deprived urban boroughs in the United Kingdom (UK). The process was guided by an adaptation team, including parents with lived experience, who explored the rationale for the intervention from local perspectives and its fit for this UK community. Through qualitative interviews and co-creation strategies, the perspectives of caregivers and healthcare professionals substantially contributed to the “Encompass” programme theory, drafting the content, and planning the delivery. Ten modules were co-produced with various topics, based on the “Baby Ubuntu” modules, to be co-facilitated by a parent with lived experience and a healthcare professional. The programme is participatory, allowing caregivers to share information, problem solve, and form supportive peer networks. The “Encompass” programme is an example of a “decolonised healthcare innovation”, as it aims to transfer knowledge and solutions developed in low- and middle-income countries to a high-income context like the UK. Piloting of the new programme is underway. Full article

This article examines how governance structures and procedural timing influence the effectiveness of Territorial Management Instruments (TMIs) in Portugal. Anchored in a comparative analysis of two key legal reforms (Decree-Law No. 380/1999 and Decree-Law No. 80/2015), the study explores the tensions between democratic legitimacy and regulatory complexity. While the 1999 framework emphasized vertical coordination and participatory rights, it often led to procedural rigidity and institutional inertia. Conversely, the 2015 reform promoted digital tools and streamlined processes but introduced new governance gaps, reduced stakeholder diversity, and compressed consultation timelines. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of legal texts, policy documents, and technical documentation, the article introduces the concept of temporal governance, the idea that planning time is not merely a constraint but a governable resource. Through this lens, planning delays are reframed as either pathological (caused by inefficiency and fragmentation) or productive (used strategically to enhance environmental assessment and stakeholder engagement). A new conceptual framework is proposed to classify types of planning time, differentiate delays, and support temporal calibration in governance design. Findings show that effective planning outcomes hinge not only on legal architecture or participatory norms but also on the institutional ability to balance speed with deliberation and strategic foresight with procedural pragmatism. The paper concludes by calling for adaptive governance models that integrate time as a dynamic dimension of spatial planning, with implications for environmental resilience, democratic value, and, above all, institutional trust. 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 study investigates the challenges and opportunities of balancing cultural preservation, tourism investment, and community resilience in historic Syrian cities during the post-war recovery period. The Syrian conflict has imposed considerable harm upon the nation’s cultural heritage, encompassing UNESCO World Heritage sites, thereby interrupting not only the urban infrastructure but also local economies and social networks. Utilizing a comprehensive methodology that includes a literature review, stakeholder interviews, and local surveys, this research investigates the potential for aligning cultural preservation with tourism investment to promote sustainable economic revitalization while simultaneously enhancing social cohesion and community resilience. The results underscore the significance of inclusive governance, participatory planning, and capacity enhancement to guarantee that post-conflict urban redevelopment fosters enduring environmental, social, and cultural sustainability. By framing the Syrian case within the broader context of global urban sustainability and resilience discourse, the study offers valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and heritage managers working in post-conflict or post-disaster environments worldwide. In the end, the study highlights that the revitalization of historic cities transcends being a simple technical or economic endeavor; it is a complex process of re-establishing identity, strengthening communities, and fostering sustainable, resilient urban futures. Full article

Extreme wildfire events (EWEs) are becoming increasingly frequent in Mediterranean regions, posing significant threats to ecosystems. This study aimed to support post-fire restoration planning by developing a prioritization framework that categorizes areas according to different levels of vulnerability to the adverse impacts of EWEs. We developed a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach to classify these areas within a fire perimeter. The process begins with the collection of available spatial data to assess the pre- and post-fire conditions. Following this, a set of criteria and sub-criteria was established through a participatory approach with local stakeholders. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to determine stakeholders’ preferences, which were then processed using the Criterium Decision Plus (CDP) version 4 software to support problem modeling. A combined consistency check was applied to ensure both individual coherence and group agreement. Finally, the methodology was integrated using the Ecosystem Management Decision Support (EMDS) software version 9, resulting in a spatial prioritization map that visually represents the levels of restoration priority and serves as a decision-support tool for post-fire restoration planning. Both the process and its results are discussed for an application to a large fire perimeter in the Vale do Sousa forested landscape. Full article

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

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

Citizen engagement in urban planning is vital for democratic governance and sustainable development. While technologies such as e-governance platforms and mobile applications have facilitated participatory processes, their success ultimately hinges on citizen acceptance. This study investigates the factors influencing female citizens’ acceptance of a participatory urban planning application, employing a theoretical model based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and its associated hypotheses. Data were collected through a survey of 390 women and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS_3.2.8. The results demonstrate that perceived usefulness (β = 0.634, p < 0.001) and perceived ease of use (β = 0.321, p < 0.001) significantly predict intention to use, whereas perceived privacy risk exerts a negative influence (β = −0.190, p < 0.001). Environmental attitude (β = 0.396, p < 0.001) and attitude toward participation (β = 0.315, p < 0.001) also enhance perceived usefulness. Due to the impact of the environmental and participatory attitudes of citizens and their social environment on their acceptance of these apps, there is an urgent need to increase the level of citizen awareness and knowledge through targeted education. These findings offer valuable insights for both theoretical advancement and practical policy development in regards to urban governance. Full article

Between 2017 and 2023, three sub-regional spatial plans were developed for specific areas of the Valencian Autonomous Region: the Alicante–Elche Metropolitan Area, Vega Baja del Segura County, and the Central Valencian Counties. Their main aim was to develop an envisaged territorial model as a binding framework for municipal urban master plans. During the elaboration of these plans, a set of activities was developed to understand the main consensus among stakeholders. The main axes of the planning process were addressed during territorial working groups conducted with relevant stakeholders, including those focused on green infrastructure, settlement systems, and infrastructure systems. Participants were selected from the public administration, non-governmental organizations, the economic sector, and the university. Drawing on the outcomes of the participatory activities, various factors are analyzed, including the ratio between invited stakeholders and actual participants in the territorial workshops, the contributions made by participants in each main axis of the plan, the inputs provided according to stakeholder type, the nature of these contributions, and the degree of alignment between the inputs and the objectives of the PAT. The present study reveals how contextual factors can influence the orientation of the participatory process. At times, contingency may emerge as an opportunity to energize a governance process. Similarly, the participatory technique is validated for its potential to enrich the process, while also highlighting the absence of voices not aligned with spatial planning in the participatory settings. Full article

Climate adaptation in urban environments is often constrained by rigid institutional rules and fragmented governance, which limit inclusive and context-specific planning of public spaces such as schoolyards. This study addresses this challenge by examining how collaborative planning can transform schoolyards, from asphalt-dominated, monofunctional spaces into green, climate-resilient community assets. The research employed the Institutional Analysis and Development framework within a qualitative case study design. Two public schools in the San Cristóbal de los Ángeles neighbourhood of Madrid served as case studies, with data collected through document analysis, participant observation, and interviews with municipal officials, urban planners, educators, and community members. Results indicate that the collaborative planning process reshaped rules in use, expanded the network of actors, and transformed decision-making processes. Existing rules were flexibly reinterpreted to allow new uses of space. Children, teachers, and residents became co-producers of the public space, expanding the governance network, where new deliberative practices emerged that improved coordination across people and organisations. These institutional changes occurred without formal regulatory reform, but with the reinterpretation of the game’s rules by each organisation. Thus, schoolyards can serve as laboratories for institutional innovation and participatory climate adaptation, demonstrating how urban experiments have the potential to catalyse not only physical transformations but also transformations in urban management. Full article

This study investigates the impact of human resource management (HRM) practices—specifically planning, recruitment, training, and motivation—on dimensions of career quality (job security, promotion equity, and participatory decision-making) among employees of the Jordan Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO). Utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 173 employees, allowing for an in-depth exploration of their perceptions and experiences regarding HRM practices. The findings reveal that both training and motivation significantly enhance career quality, with employees who receive advanced training reporting a stronger sense of job security and an increased likelihood to participate in decision-making processes. In contrast, the effects of recruitment and planning practices were found to be marginal due to perceived biases and strategies that fail to adequately address the long-term needs of the workforce. Despite moderate overall career quality scores, key areas for improvement were identified, particularly in job security and employee involvement. This study offers actionable recommendations for JEDCO, such as implementing AI-driven recruitment tools to mitigate nepotism and developing gamified training modules to enhance skill development. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of integrating HRM reforms into Jordan’s National Energy Strategy, thereby supporting Sustainable Development Goal 8. This research represents the first empirical examination linking HRM practices to career quality in Jordan’s energy sector, offering a framework applicable to public utilities in emerging economies (e.g., Lebanon’s EDL). This research extends Social Exchange Theory into non-Western hierarchical contexts, demonstrating how bureaucratic inertia and tribal affiliations weaken reciprocity dynamics—a novel boundary condition contrasting Western-centric SET models. Full article

City-building games are very popular, on both digital and analog platforms. However, analog games named after cities are a tradition in modern board games. These games, resulting from the game design innovations of the last decades, are engaging a growing number of players worldwide. We wanted to understand what drives players and game designers to develop games that have a direct connection with cities or urban matters. We intend to explore them and identify their design patterns in order to support game-based planning support tools, mostly for participatory and collaborative planning. Planners have been using game-based processes, and analog games seem to be the easier solution. We analyzed the top-ranking city-building games (CBGs) and games named after cities (GNACs) from Board Game Geek (BGG) and then ran a survey with BGG users (n = 102). The results show that GNACs do not deeply portray cities but tend to focus on a specific dimension. CBGs are better at mimicking an urban planning process but with many simplifications. Despite this, mastering the design of these two types of games is useful for planners who wish to use game-based planning processes. However, the engagement level might depend on the target audience. Full article