Search Results (40)

Despite unprecedented political endorsement, nature-based solutions (NbS) consistently fail to achieve the systemic transformation required for climate and biodiversity crises. This implementation deadlock stems from a profound triple strategic gap: a translational evidence gap between fragmented science and actionable design, a strategic design gap in misaligned institutions, and a fundamental theoretical integration gap disconnecting ecological principles from socio-economic solutions. This study forges and validates the symbiosis framework—an interdisciplinary blueprint designed to bridge this triple gap. Employing design science research, we: (1) synthesize ecological theory with institutional economics to distill three core design principles—functional reciprocity, nested modular network architecture, and strategic leverage and foundational support; (2) translate these into a conceptual model and strategic implementation blueprint; and (3) validate the framework through comparative analysis of global NbS case studies. The resulting framework provides a novel translational logic, moving beyond critique to offer a prescriptive design tool. It enables practitioners to diagnose systemic failures and design interventions that emulate ecological intelligence while applying institutional design principles: cultivating reciprocal partnerships, structuring resilient networks through polycentric governance, and strategically targeting catalytic leverage points and foundational assets. We conclude that scaling NbS requires a paradigm shift from managing isolated symptoms to architecting symbiotic systems. The symbiosis framework provides the essential interdisciplinary blueprint for this shift. Full article

The electricity supply system faces major challenges. The physical and social vulnerability of the monoculture of hierarchical, centralized systems urgently requires radical transformation of their organizational structures as well as their infrastructures. These transformations to low carbon are often characterized as ‘decentralization’. However, decentralization is a process that only signifies a move away from centralized models. This does not necessarily result in a decentralized architecture, but rather a model in which the dominance of ‘commercial private’ combined with ‘monopolistic public’ is replaced by cooperation and community. The research question is: what will be the design of future electricity grids after the transformation? The integration of distributed renewable resources and the growing need for resilience requires great diversity and flexibility from socio-technical smart grids. These involve digitization, enabling the transformation of power grids into networks of clustered, self-healing microgrids with distributed energy systems: generation, storage, transmission, demand response, and internal energy management. Several fundamentals of Common Pool Resources theory (Ostrom) on the analysis of sustainable management of natural resources are reviewed on their relevance: the Socio-Ecological System framework, distinct property regimes, the Polycentricity concept, and the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework. The transformation leads to ‘distributed’ rather than ’decentralized’ models. Governance no longer takes place from a single control point, but from many, spread across multiple levels, similar to ecosystems. End users play a key role and become partly coproducing prosumers. Governance is polycentric rather than decentral. The IAD provides as its most important condition that, at the legislative level, there must be minimum recognition of the right of ‘renewable energy communities’ to organize themselves as microgrids. This is immediately the biggest social acceptance challenge, as the current monoculture incorporates several lock-ins: incumbent powerful actors, centralized hierarchical control legislation, and obstructive market conditions, including taxing systems. Full article

The spatial distribution of immigrants and associated patterns of residential segregation and integration can manifest not only at the metropolitan scale but also at finer micro-spatial resolutions, reflecting the interaction between path dependence and structural reconfiguration. This article examines the micro-spatial residential patterns of Chinese immigrants in Seoul under institutional and market constraints. Using a Spatial Durbin Model and Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression, it shows that from 2011 to 2025, immigrant settlements shifted from a monocentric pattern to a polycentric, functionally differentiated, and networked structure. While overall spatial embeddedness is high and segregation remains low, traditional cores such as Guro–Daerim persist. Selective clustering is shaped by path-dependent migrant networks, urban redevelopment policies, and intra-group differentiation, while infrastructure homogenization renders transportation accessibility a background condition. The findings support segmented assimilation theory in high-density East Asian cities and underscore the importance of incorporating immigrant needs into urban policy to promote inclusive integration. Full article

Against the backdrop of China’s dual-carbon goals and the global push toward net-zero emissions, Macao faces not only an innovation deficit but also the urgent need to reconfigure its economic structure toward green and low-carbon development. This study investigates collaborative innovation mechanisms within Macao’s technological ecosystem through the lens of new qualitative productivity, a paradigm emphasizing structural optimization and systemic innovation capacity. As a micro-jurisdiction within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Macao faces challenges due to its tourism-dependent economy and spatial constraints. Employing a qualitative methodology grounded in collaborative governance theory, the research combines theoretical framework construction with empirical case studies of technology enterprises, notably Enterprise B, to analyze stakeholder interactions, resource integration, and institutional dynamics. This study examines how collaborative technological innovation governance in a micro-jurisdiction can underpin net-zero and green supply chain transitions by mobilizing cross-border resources and institutional synergies. Key findings reveal a polycentric governance model involving government, enterprises, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. This model leverages cross-border synergies, platformization, and adaptive recalibration to overcome structural limitations. Results highlight tripartite drivers—policy incentives, market forces, and corporate strategies—that enhance innovation throughput. Despite advancements in institutional coordination, challenges persist, including low enterprise absorption of government funding, talent attrition, and fragmented academic–industrial linkages. The study proposes strategic recalibrations, such as refining policy architectures, strengthening industry–academia–research symbiosis, and optimizing transnational collaboration through Macao’s Lusophone networks. The findings provide governance insights for micro-jurisdictions seeking to align new qualitative productivity with decarbonization, renewable energy integration, and participation in regional green supply chains. Full article

Population migration is an important indicator for measuring the interactions and connections between cities. Analyzing the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of the migration flows between cities is highly important to understanding urban development relationships and regional structures. From a spatiotemporal perspective, we conduct STFlowLISA (Space-Time Flow Local Indicator of Spatial Association) spatiotemporal autocorrelation analysis using population migration data from Hubei Province from 2018 to 2023 and, on this basis, calculate the spatiotemporal hub index and identify spatiotemporal clusters. The research aims to reveal the regional spatial structure shaped by migration flows and compare it with that of existing town system planning to evaluate deviations and provide a decision-making basis for the regional synergistic development of Hubei Province. The key findings include: (1) the population migration flows between Wuhan and its surrounding cities mostly exhibit a spatiotemporal distribution pattern of HH (high-value agglomeration), whereas the long-distance migration flows between eastern and western Hubei mostly follow a pattern of LL (low-value agglomeration), and these urban connections show improvement after the epidemic; (2) the spatiotemporal hubs of Hubei Province demonstrate a “core-periphery” structure with Wuhan as the absolute core, while Xiangyang’s role as a subcenter does not meet planning expectations; and (3) urban spatiotemporal clusters are dense in the east and sparse in the west, with Enshi and Shiyan showing disconnection from the main network, which deviates from the planned polycentric spatial pattern. By examining the spatiotemporal autocorrelation of migration flows, this study enriches the empirical understanding of regional spatial structure in Hubei Province within the framework of classical spatial theory and highlights the necessity of incorporating dynamic flow analysis into regional planning and policy-making. Full article

Intercity population flows are playing an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the spatial evolution and structural dynamics of urban networks. Drawing upon Amap Migration Data (2018–2023), this study maps China’s urban networks using social network analysis and identifies their key drivers using a temporal exponential random graph model. The findings reveal three primary insights: First, the overall network exhibits “high connectivity and strong clustering” traits. Enhanced efficiency in intercity resource allocation fosters cross-regional factor flows, resulting in multi-tiered connectivity corridors. Industrial linkages and policy interventions drive the development of a polycentric and clustered configuration. Second, the individual city network exhibits a core–periphery dynamic structure. A diamond-shaped framework dominated by hub cities in the national strategic regions directs factor flows. Development of strategic corridors enables peripheral cities to evolve into secondary hubs by leveraging structural hole advantages, reflecting the continuous interplay between network structure and geo-economic factors. Third, driving factors involve nonlinear interactions within a multi-layered system. Path dependence in topology, gradient potential from nodal attributes, spatial counterbalance between geographic decay laws and multidimensional proximity, and adaptive self-organization are collectively associated with the transition of the urban network toward a multi-tiered synergistic pattern. By revealing the dynamic interplay between network topology and multidimensional driving factors, this study deepens and advances the theoretical connotations of the “Space of Flows” theory, providing an empirical foundation for optimizing regional governance strategies and promoting high-quality coordinated development of Chinese cities. Full article

This study explores global experiences of capital relocation to extract lessons relevant to North Maluku, Indonesia, where Sofifi has yet to develop into a functional provincial capital. Drawing on six theoretical perspectives, including growth pole theory, polycentric development, institutional inertia, urban metabolism, spatial justice, and urban vitality, the paper analyzes how political vision, institutional integration, and social participation influence relocation outcomes. Comparative cases from Abuja, Brasília, Putrajaya, Naypyidaw, Randstad, and Nusantara show that successful relocations occur when governance reform aligns with spatial planning and participatory urban design. For Sofifi, enhancing urban vitality through connectivity, inclusiveness, and institutional coordination is essential to transform relocation from a symbolic decision into a functional urban system. The study contributes a conceptual framework linking spatial design, institutional reform, and social vibrancy in the pursuit of sustainable and equitable capital development. Full article

This study investigates the impact of network structural characteristics on sustainable innovation performance within regional collaborative networks in China’s artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Provincial-level innovation networks were constructed and analyzed using social network analysis to trace their evolutionary pathways using patent application data from 2010 to 2024. The findings reveal that China’s AI innovation network has developed into a multi-tiered, polycentric structure with Beijing as the primary hub. An inverted U-shaped relationship was identified between network centrality, structural holes, and regional collaborative innovation performance at various developmental stages. The external institutional environment, particularly through government R&D subsidies and intellectual property protection, plays a significant moderating role, generally diminishing the effect of centrality while enhancing that of structural holes during the rapid expansion phase. Regional heterogeneity analyses confirmed these patterns in eastern, central, and western China, whereas in the northeast, only centrality showed a significant association with performance. By integrating network location theory with an institutional perspective, this study offers a dual-perspective framework for understanding how sustainable innovation ecosystems can be fostered through network governance and policy interventions. The results provide evidence-based policy implications aimed at enhancing collaborative innovation capacity, mitigating regional disparities, and advancing sustainable development. Full article

Light pollution entails unnecessary energy use, higher emissions and greater pressure on natural resources, as well as disrupting wildlife and human health. Specific policies and model ordinances are available for local governments to implement to address light pollution. This study analysed the light pollution policies of Australian local governments, in terms of specific details and whether the pattern of results reflects more of a polycentric or multi-level approach. Thirty local governments representing all of the urban areas in Australia with a population over 100,000 had their public lighting policy documents analysed. Very few local governments had taken steps toward addressing light pollution. The wide array of local governments did lead to some experimentation with light pollution policy, which provides test cases for others to consider. To obtain widespread coverage a multi-level approach may be needed, requiring higher levels of government to have light pollution policies in future. For now, very few local governments in Australia have any light pollution policies and of those, even fewer are comprehensive. Full article

In an era of intensifying global technological competition and systemic disruptions, the resilience of metropolitan innovation networks has emerged as a cornerstone of sustainable regional development. Based on joint invention patents, this study employs a multi-method analytical framework integrating social network analysis, network motif analysis, a random walk algorithm, and the Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM) to trace the evolution of resilience across node, structural, and community levels in the Shanghai Metropolitan Area (2011–2020). Our findings reveal a significant trajectory of strengthening resilience, marked not only by a shift from a monocentric to a polycentric structure at the node level but also by a qualitative change in collaborative patterns at the structural level, and enhanced integration at the community level. ERGM analysis identifies policy coordination and industrial upgrading as the most potent drivers of this evolution, with a pivotal finding being that digital connectivity, measured by information proximity, has superseded geographic proximity in facilitating collaboration. This study develops and applies a multi-scale resilience framework, while also extending proximity theory by highlighting the growing importance of policy and information dimensions over geographic distance. It offers actionable insights for building resilient innovation ecosystems in policy-driven metropolitan regions. Full article

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) have emerged as alternative housing models mainly taken up by civil society organizations aiming to de-commodify land and ensure long-term affordable housing, while fostering participatory democratic governance and (re)claiming the right to homeownership. Drawing on empirical evidence from the CLT in Leuven (Belgium) and research conducted between November 2022 and February 2025, this study examines state-led CLTs and their potential in providing affordable housing and democratizing housing systems. The leading role of local authorities serves as a catalyst facilitating access to land and resources while setting up democratic and collaborative governance processes towards the creation of housing commons. However, their involvement introduces market mechanisms that undermine long-term affordability. This research mobilizes the literature on commons and commoning, housing affordability debates and governance theories to explore the paradox of state-led CLTs: Can they democratize housing governance, or does state involvement inevitably reinforce the market mechanisms they seek to counteract? The paper argues that states can initiate commons without fully co-opting them, provided governance is polycentric and reflexive. The contribution of state-led housing commons lies not in radical rupture but in incremental decommodification and emergent commoning, showing how commons can evolve within capitalist states. Full article

Amid China’s push for new urbanization and refined urban governance, urban villages function as key transitional spaces in the process of rural–urban spatial restructuring. Their internal differentiation and typological governance approaches warrant systematic exploration. This study examines 140 urban villages located in the core and peripheral areas of Kunming as empirical cases. By innovatively integrating polycentric urban theory with spatial accessibility theory, we construct a dual-dimensional classification framework. Employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), we develop a comprehensive evaluation system encompassing ecological, spatial, social, and economic dimensions. Our findings reveal the following: (1) Urban villages with different levels of accessibility within the same region tend to exhibit broadly similar characteristics across most evaluation dimensions. However, outlier cases demonstrate distinct development trajectories that transcend spatial constraints, driven by unique mechanisms underlying their atypical evolution. (2) Cross-regional comparisons highlight systematic disparities across several dimensions, most notably in ecological quality, spatial efficiency, and economic vitality. Based on spatial differentiation, we propose five governance models tailored to varied urban village types. The proposed typological governance framework provides a replicable methodology for addressing urban-rural transition challenges in diverse contexts. By emphasizing the spatial heterogeneity of informal settlements and advocating for place-specific strategies based on geographic endowments, this model enables policymakers to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. For Chinese cities, it offers a systematic toolkit to classify urban villages according to their regional roles and developmental potentials, informing tailored regeneration plans. Globally, the framework’s emphasis on context-sensitive typology and multidimensional evaluation can guide the upgrading of informal settlements in rapidly urbanizing regions, particularly where rural-urban interfaces face similar fragmentation pressures. Full article

This article investigates the institutional and informational foundations of water governance in Southern Europe amid escalating climate stress. Focusing on Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece, it develops a multi-level analytical framework to explore how information asymmetries and governance fragmentation undermine coordinated responses to water scarcity. Integrating theories of information economics, polycentric governance, and critical institutionalism, this study applies a stylized economic model and comparative institutional analysis to assess how agents—such as farmers, utilities, regulators, and civil society—respond to varying incentives, data access, and coordination structures. Using secondary data, normalized indicators, and scenario-based simulations, the model identifies three key structural parameters—institutional friction (θ_i), information cost (β_i), and incentive strength (α_i)—as levers for governance reform. The simulations are stylized and not empirically calibrated, serving as heuristic tools rather than predictive forecasts. The results show that isolated interventions yield limited improvements, while combined reforms significantly enhance both equity and effectiveness. Climate stress simulations further reveal stark differences in institutional resilience, with Greece and Italy showing systemic fragility and Portugal emerging as comparatively robust. This study contributes a flexible, policy-relevant tool for diagnosing governance capacity and informing reform strategies while also underscoring the need for integrated, equity-oriented approaches to adaptive water governance. Full article

Prevailing theories and empirical studies have suggested that the internal spatial structures of large cities have transformed from monocentric to polycentric. However, the existing literature primarily focuses on the definition, measurement, and quantity of the urban centers, with a lack of in-depth comparison of urban polycentricity in terms of dynamic centralization or dispersion. By analyzing the spatial distribution of firms in 35 large Chinese cities, this study examines the quantity, centralization degree, and primacy ratio of urban centers to compare spatial structure of the cities and explores the different types of urban polycentricity by employing nonparametric regression methods. The findings indicate that the spatial structures of most cities are polycentric forms, which display three types: emerging polycentricity, centralized polycentricity, and dispersed polycentricity. Further analyses suggest that social and economic factors such as GDP and population size are associated with the typology. Through the comparison of the 35 cities’ spatial structures, this study identifies three types of urban polycentricity and sheds light on the underlying forces of urban spatial restructuring process. Full article

Existing research on the vulnerability of knowledge innovation networks (KINs) primarily falls into two categories: random attacks and deliberate attacks. This study introduces a novel centrality-based attack framework for the deliberate attack group and systematically examines the impact of different attack mechanisms (such as loss of connectivity, propagation delays, and structural fragmentation) on KINs. Using SCI/SSCI co-authorship data across 286 Chinese cities, this research evaluated network resilience through six key metrics, average clustering coefficient, average degree, average path length, global efficiency, isolated nodes ratio, and largest connected component ratio, thus revealing three key conclusions: First, network density and regional integration surged after 2015, peaking in localized clustering during 2021–2022; yet, post-2022, structural fragmentation and efficiency declines exposed critical vulnerabilities. Second, network disruption simulations revealed that attacks based on structural fragmentation mechanisms have the most significant impact, demonstrating the need to promote polycentric development to reduce core dependency risks and highlighting the importance of protecting high-centrality nodes such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Third, the inhibitory effect of economic proximity weakened significantly by 2024, suggesting reduced economic disparity barriers to collaboration. Notably, emerging synergies between geographic and economic proximity enhanced innovation cooperation potential, emphasizing spatial–economic coordination as a crucial factor in development-stage planning. By integrating spatiotemporal dynamics with attack taxonomy, our framework advances network theory and equips policymakers with actionable strategies to optimize knowledge flows and mitigate systemic risks. Bridging structural resilience with innovation-driven development, this study offers new insights into China’s urban knowledge networks. Full article