Search Results (17)

This study examines the main determinants influencing the commitment of tourism village managers and business stakeholders to implement digital transformation. It will test the impact of perceived benefits, attitudes towards change, consumer behavior change, and the technological context on the intentions and commitments of tourism village managers and enterprises in Bogor Regency, Indonesia. The Causal Step multiple linear regression analysis examined 146 respondents selected through saturated sampling. The findings indicated that attitudes towards change, consumer behavior change, and the technological context significantly influenced the commitment to implement a digital transformation, mediated by the intention to implement digital transformation. The intention to implement digital transformation became a perfect part of the technological context of the commitment to implement digital transformation. It became a partial mediator of the influence of digital attitudes towards change and consumer behavior change on the commitment to implement transformation. Perceived benefits only directly affected the commitment to implement digital transformation. This research has at least two novelties, conceptual and contextual novelties. Conceptual novelty is studied in digital transformation, focusing on tourism villages. The contextual novelty is that the findings offer a more thorough understanding of the conditions and stages of technological transformation embraced by stakeholders and managers of tourism villages. Full article

Zheshengite (IMA2022-011), Pb₄ZnZn₂(AsO₄)₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂, is a new mineral from Sanguozhuang Village in the eastern Dongchuan Copper Ore Field, Yunnan Province, China. The new mineral is named after Zhesheng Ma (1937–). Zheshengite occurs as prismatic single crystals with chisel-like terminations on hemimorphite, with crystal sizes ranging from 0.02 to 0.05 mm. It is a brittle mineral with irregular fractures, a Mohs hardness of 2½ to 3, perfect cleavage on {011}, and a calculated density of 6.26 g/cm³. The empirical formula of zheshengite, based on 18 O atoms per formula unit, is (Pb_4.12Ca_0.01)_∑4.13(Zn_0.83Cu_0.23Fe_0.04)_∑1.10Zn_2.00[(As_0.90P_0.10)_∑1.00O₄]₂[(P_0.94Si_0.01)_∑0.95O₄]₂(OH)₂. Zheshengite exhibits a triclinic structure (space group P−1, no. 2), with unit-cell parameters: a = 4.7746(4) Å, b = 8.4920 (7) Å, c = 10.4056 (8) Å, α = 97.087 (7)°, β = 101.060 (7)°, γ = 92.996 (7)°, V = 409.66 (6) ų, and Z = 1. As a member of the dongchuanite group, zheshengite features a dongchuanite-type structure. This study reveals the impact of As–P isomorphic substitution on unit-cell parameters in the dongchuanite group, identifying correlations between As content and changes in parameters a and V, which may serve as diagnostic indicators for dongchuanite group minerals. In addition, the structure studies of zheshengite may have implications for environmental protection. Full article

The Huizhou region is an important area of traditional Chinese culture, and currently, the state of the village’s surroundings in this area is still not perfect. In this study, seven districts (counties) in the Huizhou region were selected for research. The Rural Habitat Environment (RHES) Indicator Program is based on the concept of Socio-Economic-Natural Complex Ecosystems (SENCE) and constructs 18 metrics in three dimensions. Trends and influencing factors were analyzed using entropy weight TOPSIS and a Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) for the years 2013–2022, and spatial and temporal evolution was measured using Geographic Information Systems (GISs). The findings show that the composite index for the Huizhou region grew from 2013 (0.3197) to 2022 (0.6806). Second, the Tunxi District belongs to the high index–high economy category. The Shexian, Xiuning, and Qimen counties belong to the high index–low economy category. Huizhou District and Huangshan District belong to the low index–high economy category. Yixian County belongs to the low index–low economy category. Third, all districts (counties) show an upward trend, and Huangshan District has the best RHES condition. Shexian County ranks relatively low in the comprehensive index. Full article

Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization, with the expansion of administrative boundaries, some former villages have been transformed from administrative to urban in the sense that they have become special “village-to-city areas”; in this context, the housing pattern, which was previously dominated by self-built houses, is facing many challenges. In particular, the frequent occurrence of safety accidents in self-built houses in the village conversion areas in recent years constitutes an important component of urban spatial vulnerability. However, the ensuing “one-size-fits-all” ban on self-built housing has also raised concerns among scholars. In order to better guide the planning and construction of self-built houses, official safety inspections, planning guidance, and institutional constraints are essential. However, the safety inspection of self-built houses across China is difficult. On the one hand, it is challenging to obtain data on individual buildings (e.g., age, use, building structure ratio, foundation, structural condition, illegal demolition and alteration, and illegal use), and the methods of obtaining such data rely mainly on the basic checking of the safety grids under the responsibility of grassroots safety officers. However, the current organizational system of safety officers is not perfect, and the relevant evaluation training also has limitations. On the other hand, due to the city’s finances, development stage, and other reasons, the agricultural-to-residential areas in the cities of poverty-stricken counties are not likely to be renewed as rapidly as the cities of developed regions but instead may face long-term renewal timelines. Therefore, for the agricultural resettlement areas in the cities of poverty-stricken counties, it is necessary to screen the current problems, systematically study the mechanism and strategy of their renewal based on the management framework of the whole process, and carry out the organic renewal of self-built houses, so as to gradually realize a safe and resilient development mode. This paper establishes a framework for the renewal of self-built houses oriented to security resilience based on the theory of fortress land under the urban form theory of Conzen. Taking Lianhua County as a case study, we analyze the problems and issues related to self-built housing areas through an investigation of the current situation. Then, in response to the existing problems, based on the comprehensive investigation of the safety of self-built houses, we clarify the planning objectives and value orientation and suggest (i) the adoption of hierarchical and classified planning and construction control for the self-built housing areas of villages converted to residences in accordance with the local conditions; (ii) the enhancement of government supervision in the use of self-built houses and the establishment of laws and regulations; and (iii) renewal planning in an orderly manner to enhance the safety resilience of the self-built housing areas. Based on the renewal study of self-built houses in Lianhua County, a systematic exploration of the planning, construction, and governance strategies of self-built houses in China is carried out, which can provide a reference for the decision making of relevant departments. Full article

The cultural heritage associated with rural systems is extremely valuable and is a sign of identity for cultures that are disappearing or undergoing transformation. This paper explains and illustrates the series of procedures that have been carried out to document and subsequently virtualise the ethnological site of the “El Plantío” underground wine cellars in Atauta. The ensembles of underground wine cellars are located immediately outside the village of Atauta, from which they are separated by the stream of Arroyo de la Laguna or Golbán, thus giving rise to two environments that are characterised by the perfect interrelation between their natural and architectural heritage. The visual and scenic relations between both these elements make this area a prime example of a cultural heritage that is associated with wine production systems. This documentation was obtained through a combination of different geomatic techniques. The results are organised on a web platform to enable their digital visualisation (2D/3D). This platform provides a virtual environment such that users can understand these underground heritage assets in an integrated way together with the immaterial cultural heritage and the cultural landscape—all of which converge on this ethnological site. The project offers different types of audiences, both real and virtual, access to all of the documentation. Full article

Protected natural areas of Kazakhstan, particularly national parks, occupy a unique role in developing ecological tourism. One way to ensure biodiversity conservation, environmental preservation, and regional sustainability is through promoting ecotourism in national parks. For the “Altynemel” National Park, ecotourism should be regarded as a priority type of tourism. The article considers the essential technologies and principles of implementation of ecological tourism in the National Park “Altynemel”. Identified and justified the uniqueness of this protected area—the equal value of natural and cultural heritage on its territory. We revealed the problems and constraints of ecotourism development in the national park and offered the ways of their solution. The article is written based on field research materials, methods of a local population survey, interviews, and focus group discussions. In this article, 201 representative families were interviewed using questions on a 5-point Likert scale, including 159 residents of the village of Basshi and 42 residents of the village of Nurym. The results show that the overall assessment of sustainability is mild in the two communities. As a result, we claim that sustainable development in the “Altynemel” National Park is far from perfect. Sustainable development in the “Altynemel” National Park could be better. In particular, tourism development’s positive economic and political impact has yet to be apparent. Full article

The last volcanic eruption in Western Samoa, which occurred between 1905 and 1911, produced a complex scoria and lava spatter cone and an extensive lava field that destroyed Sale’aula village, near the Pacific coast. This eruption, referred to as the Matavanu eruption, also produced pahoehoe-type lava flows with superbly preserved surface textures, tumuli, and some littoral explosion craters in its distal lava field. The unique nature of the location meant that it was selected as one of the first of the 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites, in October 2022. The region has been under an investigation that aims to document the geoheritage elements of the location, estimate its geodiversity, and explore the potential to develop a geopark together with local communities. All this work intends to provide a firm knowledge base to identify effective geoconservation strategies. While the youngest eruptive products after over 100 years of revegetation are restricted to a coastal zone, previous research has demonstrated that other young volcanic eruptions also took place in northern Savai’i in 1760 and 1902. In this study, we provide further data based on a systematic evaluation of SENTINEL satellite imagery, in combination with an ALOS-PALSAR and SRTM 30-m resolution digital terrain model-based calculation of morphometric elements, to demonstrate that the young volcanic landscape in northern Savai’i has great volcanic geodiversity and the entire region should be considered for specific geoconservation strategies. The young volcanic landforms of scoria cones in the high-altitude regions of the island, along with extensive and commonly tube-fed lava flows which have invaded the northern region of Savai’i, pose a volcanic hazard to the region. Hence, volcanic geoheritage can be the core element to enforce strong community volcanic hazard resilience. The newly proposed Samoa Geopark Project is the perfect avenue to achieve this. Full article

Contemporary efforts to create “ideal” rural areas are carried out in accordance with the concept of sustainable development. It should be emphasized that in the process of planning the directions of development of rural areas, the economic factor is very often placed above the ecological one. It is the conditions of the natural environment that should form the basis for their shaping. Research on natural resources, including vegetation, makes it possible to recognize the quality of the landscape and adapt future directions of its transformations to the existing condition. The main aim of the article is to present the model of the “perfect village”—the principles of shaping natural systems that support sustainable development. The territorial scope of the research covered the Puchaczów commune. It is a rural area with an additional industrial character. The guidelines of the “perfect village” model have been organized hierarchically, taking into account the scope of the planned activities. There are three basic types of them: protection, strengthening and reconstruction of the vegetation. Another equally important goal is to present the spatial transformations taking place in the commune’s landscape and to generate a forecast of its possible development in 2050. The authors also performed a simulation of land cover taking into account the guidelines of the “perfect village”. The research was carried out using the QGIS 2.18 program and the MOLUSCE plugin. Both forecasts were subject to a comparative analysis. Research has shown that by applying the principles of shaping the natural system of the Puchaczów commune presented in the article, it is possible to inhibit the pressure of anthropogenic factors on the natural environment. Full article

Water quality is a fundamental issue for the survival of a city, especially on dry land. In ancient times, water availability determined the location and size of villages and cities. Water supply and treatment methods were developed and perfected along with the evolution of urbanization. In Europe, after the fall of the Roman Empire, water supply and sewage systems went through fundamental changes. However, in medieval times, the lack of proper sanitation and low water quality increased the spreading and effects of epidemics. The importance of potable water quality was established during modern times. In Greece, the significance of water filtration and disinfection was not understood until the beginning of the 20th century. Moreover, the beneficial effects of water quality and sanitation on human health and especially on life expectancy are considered. In Greece and other countries, a dramatic increase in life expectancy mainly after the 2nd World War is probably due to the improvement of potable water quality and hygiene conditions. However, since the mid-20th century, new water quality issues have emerged, such as eutrophication, the improvement of water treatment technologies, as well as chemical and microbiological water pollution problems. This study, in addition to the historical evolution of water quality, highlights and discusses the current issues and challenges with regard to the management and protection of water quality, including global changes in population and urbanization, lack of infrastructure, use of nonconventional water resources, spreading of emerging pollutants and contaminants (e.g., antibiotics and microplastics), and climatic variability impacts. Against these, a review of the main proposed strategies and measures is presented and discussed to protect water quality and maintain water supplies for the future. Understanding the practices and solutions of the past provides a lens with which to view the present and future. Full article

How to effectively promote the large-scale and market-oriented farmland leasing process in China is one of the most important practical issues concerning the current academic circle and decision makers. However, restricted by the current situation of rural social development, farmers’ spontaneous and informal farmland leasing is still widespread. Exploring the long-term evolution characteristics of informal farmland leasing at the village scale is of great significance for optimizing the process of farmland leasing, perfecting the farmland leasing market, and promoting moderate-scale farmland management. Therefore, based on field survey data from the whole village and social network analysis methods, this research conducted a detailed empirical study on the characteristics, development process, and consequences of informal farmland leasing behavior in a traditional rural society in central China. The results show that with the development of time, the scope of informal farmland leasing in Huang village has been expanding, of which more than 70% of the farmland in 2020 was leased among acquaintances. Farmland leasing among acquaintances is becoming a trend toward informal farmland leasing in some villages. At present, 13 large-scale households lease 73.9% of the total area of farmland leasing in Huang village. The informal farmland leasing in the village has basically formed a centralized circulation pattern with the villager group as the core, which can promote moderate-scale farming to a certain extent. However, there are also problems, such as the ability of a simple internal leasing mode to resist external risks is limited. The findings may be helpful in rethinking China’s farmland leasing policy and provide useful insights into the multifaceted rural sustainability of other similar traditional villages. Full article

The marketization of transfer rent is an important symbol of the development of the farmland factor market. At present, the price formation mechanism of rent in China’s farmland market is not perfect. Based on the theoretical analysis starting with the post transaction cost of leasers, this paper uses 1648 farmland transfer samples collected by the China Land Economic Survey (CLES) in 2020, and employs OLS, 2SLS and CMP methods to empirically test the impact of relationship governance on transfer rent and the role of third-party (including county and township governments and village committees) intervention on the change in relationship governance pattern and rent decisions. The results show that the close relationship between the two sides of transfer represents the strong relationship governance functioned by the constraints of the trust and reputation mechanism, which can reduce the post transaction cost. Additionally, the two sides play a game on this part of the transaction cost, making the transfer rent lower than the market price. Furthermore, the involvement of third parties such as county and township governments and village committees in the transfer has replaced the role of relationship governance in reducing transaction cost, and changed the relationship governance pattern of acquaintance society, which makes the transfer rent close to the market price. Full article

The paper presents the genesis of village borders’ shape formed in the Middle Ages and presents rules according to which demarcations were made. The hypothesis that the borders formed in the Middle Ages had a shape similar to a circle or segment of a circle was accepted. This hypothesis was confirmed by geometric analysis of borders from that period. Geometric elements of the boundaries were calculated: types of arcs, their radii, lengths and central angles. The center of the newly granted area was analyzed, as this location played a major role in the delineation of the boundary. Accuracy of measurements was determined and influence of errors on the presented results was analyzed. Wielkopolska was chosen as the research area because natural conditions had no influence on the shape of the borders. The starting materials were topographic maps in the scale of 1:25,000 (Messtischblätter) from the years 1887–1890. The research confirmed the hypothesis of a circular shape of borders formed in the Middle Ages in the studied area. In the original allocations, the area took the shape of a circle, which was a specific pattern for the villages to be founded. Later, as the settlement developed, the villages took on the shapes of circle segments. Considering the demarcation technique, the accuracy of the boundary staking was high. The deviation from a perfect circle did not exceed approximately ± 60 m, and the length of the arc radius varied between 1500 and 2200 m. The historical village boundaries from medieval times, preserved to this day in their residual form, have a historic character due to their antiquity and should be protected. Full article

The Afro-Hispanic creole, Palenquero, has been spoken (together with Spanish) in the village of San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia, for centuries. Until recently, Palenquero was endangered due to prejudice, but language revitalization efforts are underway, and younger speakers are learning Palenquero, but with little reinforcement out of school. The school instruction involves no grammatical explanations, almost no student production, or critical feedback. Adult speakers usually do not address younger speakers in Palenquero, thus leaving school-acquired forms suspended without reinforcement. This represents a unique scenario of heritage acquisition of a language with no bidirectional communication between younger and adult speakers. The present study focuses on the use of preverbal particles and prenominal plural marker by heritage speakers of Palenquero before and after explicit instruction. Communication activities explicitly presented the prenominal plural ma and preverbal particles, such as zero morpheme (simple present), asé (habitual), ta (progressive), a (perfective/simple past) and tan (future). Participants performed better at the post-test and results suggest that explicit explanation of grammatical rules, practice, repetition, and corrective feedback improved the usage of ma and tan. This result lines up with previous studies that posit the amount of time and exposure that learners need in order to acquire complex morphology. Full article

Issues related to the system of protection and planning of rural landscape undoubtedly differ from the topics concerning the transformation of agricultural areas and their proper management. These are separate specialties, studied by researchers representing different disciplines, although they often relate to the same village and they are aimed to implement the ideas of the Green Deal and sustainability. The experience from independent research projects in Kamionka Wielka (agricultural areas), and Strzelce Wielkie (landscape of rural and green areas) confirm the variety of individual issues and topics discussed. Nevertheless, the comparison of these projects also points to similar methods of analysis and planning applying a Polish four-stage landscape designing system: ‘resources—valorization—guidelines—design’. The research results indicate that this system, almost identical to the European ones, can be also useful for planning agricultural areas. In practice, this will allow local authorities to realize the idea of the Green Deal—draw up a more perfect development project for the whole village and simultaneously standardize project documentation. Designers and scientists will achieve better cooperation and fitting spatial planning solutions; this way, interdisciplinary activities and final design will implement the ideas of sustainability and Green Deal. Full article

Historically, cooperative medical insurance and village doctors are considered two powerful factors in protecting rural residents’ health. However, with the central government of China’s implementation of new economic policies in the 1980s, cooperative medical insurance collapsed and rural residents fell into poverty because of sickness. In 2009, the New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance (NRCMI) was implemented to provide healthcare for rural residents. Moreover, the National Basic Drug System was implemented in the same year to protect rural residents’ right to basic drugs. In 2013, a village doctor contract service was implemented after the publication of the Guidance on Pilot Contract Services for Rural Doctors. This contract service aimed to retain patients in rural primary healthcare systems and change private practice village doctors into general practitioners (GPs) under government management. Objectives: This study investigates the factors associated with rural residents’ contract behavior toward village doctors. Further, we explore the relationships between trust, NRCMI reimbursement rate, and drug treatment effect. We used a qualitative approach, and twenty-five village clinics were chosen from three counties as our study sites using a random sampling method. A total of 625 villagers participated in the investigation. Descriptive analysis, chi-squared test, t-test, and hierarchical logistic analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: The chi-squared test showed no significant difference in demographic characteristics, and the t-test showed a significant difference between signed and unsigned contract services. The results of the hierarchical logistic analysis showed that trust significantly influenced patients’ willingness to contract services, and the drug treatment effect and NRCMI reimbursement rate moderated the influence of trust. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the government should aim to strengthen trust in the doctor–patient relationship in rural areas and increase the NRCMI reimbursement rate. Moreover, health officers should perfect the contract service package by offering tailored contract services or expanding service packages. Full article