Search Results (2,806)

Rural transport remains a critical factor of social inclusion in South Africa, particularly for people with disabilities who rely on public transport. This study explores the experiences of minibus taxi drivers in transporting passengers with disabilities in Mt Elias, a rural community in the KwaZulu-Natal province. A qualitative research design was adopted, involving semi-structured interviews with 15 drivers operating between Dalton and Mt Elias route. Thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti to identify key patterns and relationships across the dataset. The four key themes that emerged from the dataset are: infrastructure and environmental challenges, accessibility and support for passengers, operational and economic constraints, and human interactions and attitudes. Findings reveal that drivers face multiple barriers, including poor road conditions, limited vehicle space, and a lack of formal training, yet many demonstrate empathy and commitment to assisting passengers with disabilities. The study highlights the need for targeted policy interventions to improve road infrastructure, provide disability awareness training for drivers, and redesign vehicles for accessibility. Promoting inclusive rural transport requires coordinated action among government spheres, taxi associations, and disability advocacy groups. This research contributes new insights into the lived realities of rural drivers and promotes the importance of inclusive mobility as a component of social justice. Full article

Urban street greening structure plays a crucial role in promoting environmental justice and enhancing residents’ daily well-being, yet existing studies have primarily focused on vegetation quantity while neglecting how perception and governance interact to shape fairness. This study develops an integrated analytical framework that combines deep learning, machine learning, and spatial analysis to examine the impact of perceptual experience and socio-economic indicators on the equity of greening structure distribution in urban streets, and to reveal the underlying mechanisms driving this equity. Using DeepLabV3+ semantic segmentation, perception indices derived from street-view imagery, and population-weighted Gini coefficients, the study quantifies both the structural and perceptual dimensions of greening equity. XGBoost regression, SHAP interpretation, and Partial Dependence Plot analysis were applied to reveal the influence mechanism of the “Matthew effect” of perception and the Site governance responsiveness on the fairness of the green structure. The results identify two key findings: (1) perception has a positive driving effect and a negative vicious cycle effect on the formation of fairness, where positive perceptions such as beauty and safety gradually enhance fairness, while negative perceptions such as depression and boredom rapidly intensify inequality; (2) Site management with environmental sensitivity and dynamic mutual feedback to a certain extent determines whether the fairness of urban green structure can persist under pressure, as diverse Tree–Bush–Grass configurations reflect coordinated management and lead to more balanced outcomes. Policy strategies should therefore emphasize perceptual monitoring, flexible maintenance systems, and transparent public participation to achieve resilient and equitable urban street greening structures. Full article

With China’s rapidly aging population, enhancing the safety and age-friendliness of existing residential communities has become a pressing need in the context of urban renewal. Based on empirical analysis of 146 questionnaires collected from aging communities in Jiangsu Province, this study examines how built environment factors influence safety risks and perceived security among older adults. The results show that public seating (F3), pedestrian pathways (F11), staircases (F1), lighting (F5), landscaping (F10), and outdoor animals (F12) significantly affect both actual safety risks and perceived safety. Insufficient lighting, uneven pathways, unstable seating, and unsafe staircases are the primary causes of falls, collisions, and abrasions, while issues such as standing water, overgrown vegetation, and stray animals further reduce residents’ sense of security. The findings indicate that improving elderly safety relies more on environmental visibility, accessibility, and spatial maintenance than on compensating for individual physical limitations. Therefore, interventions such as enhancing lighting, maintaining pedestrian routes, providing stable seating, and strengthening community management can effectively reduce risks and enhance perceived security. This study offers empirical evidence to guide age-friendly community renewal and provides policy insights for promoting safe, inclusive, and sustainable development in aging cities. Full article

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), known as Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), has emerged as a transformative paradigm for enabling intelligent, data-driven, and context-aware decision-making in urban environments to reduce the carbon footprint of mobility and industry. This review examines the conceptual foundations, and state-of-the-art developments of AIoT, with a particular emphasis on its applications in smart cities and its relevance to climate change management. AIoT integrates sensing, connectivity, and intelligent analytics to provide optimized solutions in transportation systems, energy management, waste collection, and environmental monitoring, directly influencing urban sustainability. Beyond urban efficiency, AIoT can play a critical role in addressing the global challenges and management of climate change by (a) precise measurements and autonomously remote monitoring; (b) real-time optimization in renewable energy distribution; and (c) developing prediction models for early warning of climate disasters. This paper performs a literature review and bibliometric analysis to identify the current landscape of AIoT research in smart city contexts. Over 1885 articles from Web of Sciences and over 1854 from Scopus databases, published between 1993 and January 2026, were analyzed. The results reveal a strong and accelerating growth in research activity, with publication output doubling in the most recent two years compared to 2023. Waste management and air quality monitoring have emerged as leading application domains, where AIoT-based optimization and predictive models demonstrate measurable improvements in operational efficiency and environmental impact. Altogether, these support faster and more effective decisions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring the sustainable use of resources. The reviewed studies reveal rapid advancements in edge intelligence, federated learning, and secure data sharing through the integration of AIoT with blockchain technologies. However, significant challenges remain regarding scalability, interoperability, privacy, ethical governance, and the effective translation of research outcomes into policy and citizen-oriented tools such as climate applications, insurance models, and disaster alert systems. By synthesizing current research trends, this article highlights the potential of AIoT to support sustainable, resilient, and citizen-centric smart city ecosystems while identifying both critical gaps and promising directions for future investigations. Full article

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) remains a critical environmental governance challenge in rural and peri-urban regions of the Global South, where service delivery gaps exacerbate illegal dumping and public health risks. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly promoted as decision-support tools to improve waste collection efficiency and environmental monitoring; however, their adoption in resource-constrained municipalities remains limited. This study investigates the institutional and policy barriers shaping GIS readiness in four rural municipalities within South Africa’s Vhembe District. Using a qualitative case-study design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 municipal officials across managerial and operational levels, complemented by 399 community responses to an open-ended survey question. Thematic analysis, guided by Institutional Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), identified five interrelated themes: waste production and disposal behaviours, collection and infrastructure constraints, institutional and operational challenges, policy and standardisation gaps, and technology readiness. The findings reveal that weak service reliability, fragmented governance structures, limited human and financial capacity, and inconsistent policy enforcement collectively undermine GIS adoption, despite its high perceived usefulness among officials. The study demonstrates that the effectiveness of GIS as an environmental management tool is contingent on institutional readiness rather than technological availability alone and highlights the need for integrated reforms in service delivery, institutional capacity, and policy implementation to enable GIS-supported sustainable waste management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bovine mastitis, a significant global concern in dairy farming, results in substantial economic losses and poses considerable risks to both animal and human health. With the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in mastitis pathogens, the potential for resistant infections to spread from livestock to humans and the environment is becoming a critical public health issue. This narrative review summarizes the current evidence on antimicrobial resistance in pathogens causing bovine mastitis and examines it from a One Health perspective, encompassing animal, human, and environmental interfaces. Results: By examining the complex interplay among animal, human, and environmental health, we highlight key factors that drive resistance, including the overuse of antimicrobials, poor farm management, and environmental contamination. We also discuss innovative strategies, such as enhanced surveillance, pathogen-specific diagnostics, alternatives to antimicrobials, and sustainable farm practices, that can mitigate the emergence of resistance. Key knowledge gaps include a limited understanding of antimicrobial residues, resistant pathogens, and gene transmission pathways and inconsistent implementation of antimicrobial stewardship practices. Conclusions: This review emphasizes the need for a coordinated, multidisciplinary effort to reduce the burden of AMR in bovine mastitis pathogens, ensuring the continued efficacy of antimicrobials and safeguarding public health through responsible management and policy interventions. Full article

Even though environmental health and climate change are rapidly intensifying the severity of determinants of disease and inequity, training for health professionals in these areas remains fragmented across Europe. To address this gap, the European Medical Association (EMA), in collaboration with the European Network on Climate and Health Education (ENCHE), the International Network on Public Health and Environment Tracking (INPHET) and University College London, convened a one-day hybrid roundtable in London on 17 September 2025, focused on “Preparing Health Professionals for Environmental Health and Climate Change: A Challenge for Europe”. The programme combined keynote presentations on global and European policy, health economics and curriculum design with three disease-focused roundtables (respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological conditions), each examining the following topics: (A) climate and environment as preventable causes of disease; (B) healthcare as a source of environmental harm; and (C) capacity building through education and training. Contributors highlighted how environmental epidemiology, community-based prevention programmes and sustainable clinical practice can be integrated into teaching, illustrating models from respiratory, cardiovascular, surgical and neurological care. EU-level speakers outlined the policy framework (European Green Deal, Zero Pollution Action Plan and forthcoming global health programme) and tools through which professional and scientific societies can both inform and benefit from European action on environment and health. Discussions converged on persistent obstacles, including patchy national commitments to decarbonising healthcare, isolated innovations that are not scaled and curricula that do not yet embed sustainability in examinable clinical competencies. The conference concluded with proposals to develop an operational education package on environmental and climate health; map and harmonise core competencies across undergraduate, postgraduate and Continuing -professional-development pathways; and establish a permanent EMA-led working group to co-produce a broader position paper with professional and scientific societies. This conference report summarises the main messages and is intended as a bridge between practice-based experience and a formal EMA position on environmental-health training in Europe. Full article

Against the backdrop of rising global carbon emissions, promoting active transportation modes such as walking and cycling has become a key strategy for countries worldwide to meet carbon reduction targets and advance the goals of sustainable development. In China, the concept of low-carbon mobility has gained rapid traction, leading to a significant increase in public demand for non-motorized travel options like walking and cycling. From the perspective of inclusive urban development, gender imbalances in sample representation during design and evaluation processes have contributed to homogenization and a lack of diversity in urban slow-traffic environments. To address this issue, this study adopts a problem-oriented approach. First, we collect street scene images of slow-traffic environments through self-conducted field surveys. Concurrently, we gather satisfaction survey responses from 511 urban residents regarding existing slow-traffic streets, identifying three key environmental evaluation indicators: safety, liveliness, and beauty. Second, an experimental analysis is conducted to compare machine-generated assessments based on self-collected street view data with manual evaluations performed by 27 female participants. The findings reveal significant perceptual differences between genders in the assessment of slow-moving environments, particularly regarding attention to environmental elements, challenges in utilizing non-motorized lanes, and overall environmental satisfaction. Moreover, notable discrepancies are observed between machine scores and manual assessments performed by women. Based on these findings, this study investigates the underlying causes of such perceptual disparities and the mechanisms influencing them. Finally, it proposes female-inclusive strategies aimed at enhancing the quality of slow-traffic environments, thereby addressing the current absence of gender considerations in their design. This research seeks to provide a robust female perspective and empirical evidence to support improvements in the quality of slow-moving environments and to inform strategic advancements in their design. The findings of this study can provide a theoretical and empirical basis for the optimization of gender-inclusive non-motorized transportation environment design, policy formulation, and subsequent interdisciplinary research. Full article

The growing global environmental crisis calls for fundamental transformations in production and consumption systems, but the understanding of how circular economy strategies translate into quantifiable environmental benefits remains fragmented across sectors and geographies. The objective of this study is to synthesize current scientific knowledge on the circular economy as an environmental mitigation strategy, identifying conceptual convergences, methodological patterns, geographic distributions, and critical knowledge gaps. A systematic review combined with a bibliometric analysis of 62 peer-reviewed articles published between 2018 and 2024, retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Springer Link and Wiley Online Library, was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The results reveal a marked methodological convergence around life cycle assessment, with Europe dominating the scientific output (58% of the corpus). Four complementary conceptual frameworks emerged, emphasizing closed-loop material flows, environmental performance, integration of economic sustainability and business model innovation. The thematic analysis identified bioenergy and waste valorization as the most mature implementation pathways, constituting 23% of the research emphasis. However, critical gaps remain: geographic concentration limits the transferability of knowledge to diverse socioeconomic contexts; social, cultural and behavioral dimensions remain underexplored (12% of publications); and environmental justice considerations receive negligible attention. Crucially, the evidence reveals nonlinear relationships between circularity metrics and environmental outcomes, calling into question automatic benefits assumptions. This review contributes to an integrative synthesis that advances theoretical understanding of circularity-environment relationships while providing evidence-based guidance for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers involved in transitions to the circular economy. Full article

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are crucial for mitigating flood risks in vulnerable ecosystems, yet their effective application remains inconsistent. This study synthesises global literature to systematically map EIA methodologies, evaluate the extent of hydrological integration, and analyse the evolution of practices against policy frameworks for flood-prone areas. A scoping review of 144 peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and one book chapter (2005–2025) was conducted using PRISMA protocols, complemented by bibliometric analysis. Quantitative findings reveal a significant gap where 72% of studies lacked specialised hydrological impact assessments (HIAs), with only 28% incorporating them. Post-2016, advanced tools like GIS, remote sensing, and hydrological modelling were used in less than 32% of studies, revealing reliance on outdated checklist methods. In South Africa, despite wetlands covering 7.7% of its territory, merely 12% of studies applied flood modelling. Furthermore, 40% of EIAs conducted after 2016 excluded climate adaptation strategies, undermining resilience. The literature is geographically skewed, with developed nations dominating publications at a 3:1 ratio over African contributions. The study’s novelty is its systematic global mapping of global EIA practices for flood-prone areas and its proposal for mandatory HIAs, predictive modelling, and strengthened policy enforcement. Practically, these reforms can transform EIAs from reactive compliance tools into proactive instruments for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, directly supporting Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land). This is essential for guiding future policy and improving EIA efficacy in the face of rapid urbanisation and climate change. Full article

Availability of irrigation water during growing seasons in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) remains a significant concern. Persistent droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns attributed to climate change, coupled with an increasing population, have exacerbated irrigation water scarcity. Globally, treated wastewater has been utilised as an irrigation water source; however, despite global advances in the usage of treated wastewater, its suitability for irrigation in RSA remains a contentious issue. Considering this uncertainty, this review article aims to unravel the South African scenario on the suitability of treated wastewater for irrigation purposes and highlights the potential environmental impacts and public health risks. The review synthesised literature in the last two decades (2000–present) using Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar databases. Findings reveal that treated wastewater can serve as a viable irrigation source in the country, enhancing various soil parameters, including nutritional pool, organic carbon, and fertility status. However, elevated levels of salts, heavy metals, and microplastics in treated wastewater resulting from insufficient treatment of wastewater processes may present significant challenges. These contaminants might induce saline conditions and increase heavy metals and microplastics in soil systems and water bodies, thereby posing a threat to public health and potentially causing ecological risks. Based on the reviewed literature, irrigation with treated wastewater should be implemented on a localised and pilot basis. This review aims to influence policy-making decisions regarding wastewater treatment plant structure and management. Stricter monitoring and compliance policies, revision of irrigation water standards to include emerging contaminants such as microplastics, and intensive investment in wastewater treatment plants in the country are recommended. With improved policies, management, and treatment efficiency, treated wastewater can be a dependable, sustainable, and practical irrigation water source in the country with minimal public health risks. Full article

Low-carbon agriculture (ABC—from the acronym in Portuguese) encompasses techniques that reduce carbon emissions while maintaining productivity and profitability. Among these, the restoration of degraded pastures is a major focus of the Brazilian ABC policy, achieved through improved pasture management or crop–livestock integration. This study analyzed the relationship between ABC credit and improvements in pasture vigor in the municipalities of Minas Gerais from 2015 to 2022, considering the carbon-mitigation potential of each region. We evaluated whether credit resources were directed toward areas with greater mitigation potential and whether this investment contributed to pasture recovery. Composite indexes were developed to represent credit investment, pasture dynamics, and theoretical carbon removal potential, followed by spatial mapping and correlation analysis. The results show that ABC credit was strongly concentrated in regions with high carbon-sequestration potential, especially Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba, indicating a generally effective targeting of resources toward areas with greater mitigation potential. Correlation analysis also indicates a positive, although moderate, association between credit volume and pasture improvement at the municipal level. Although initial results indicated more substantial improvements in pasture vigor in lower-credit regions such as North of Minas, Jequitinhonha, and Mucuri Valley (with relative increases reaching up to 300%), an additional analysis considering the initial vigor level (baseline) revealed that these gains are strongly affected by initial pasture conditions. From a policy perspective, these findings highlight the importance of rural credit as a driver of sustainable technology adoption, while also showing that baseline conditions, technical assistance, and other public or private incentives can significantly influence restoration outcomes. Strengthening credit allocation criteria, improving technical support, and integrating carbon-mitigation indicators into regional planning could enhance environmental effectiveness. Full article

Urban public spaces increasingly need to address inclusivity, adaptability, and resilience in the face of health, environmental, and social challenges. Urban policies also promote improving the relationship between schools and their surroundings to mitigate and adapt to climate and social risks. This article presents EDUS Point, an experimental prototype developed within the European project FURNISH and tested in Barcelona during the COVID-19 crisis. Conceived as an Urban Living Lab (ULL), the initiative explored how modular, digitally fabricated, and temporary structures could transform school environments into open, inclusive, and human-scale public spaces. Through an inter-scalar and interdisciplinary approach, the project implemented an urban strategy, a participatory community-building process, and a digital collective platform, alongside the design, fabrication, and testing of a pilot classroom device adaptable and replicable in other schools. A mixed-methods methodology combined tactical urbanism and co-design with fabrication feasibility assessments, social observations, and spatial impact analysis. Results demonstrate that EDUS Point fostered new socio-spatial dynamics among students, teachers, and residents, improved accessibility and usability of nearby public spaces, and validated the effectiveness of low-cost, rapidly deployable interventions in addressing urban needs. The findings propose actionable frameworks, tools, and design criteria for the socio-environmental integration of schools as catalysts for inclusive and resilient urban transformation. Full article

Urban forests and green spaces are increasingly promoted as Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) to mitigate climate risks, enhance human well-being, and support resilient and sustainable cities. Focusing on the theme of optimizing urban green space ecosystem services to foster resilient and sustainable cities, this study systematically analyzes 861 relevant publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from 2005 to 2025. Using bibliometric analysis and scientific knowledge mapping methods, the research examines publication characteristics, spatial distribution patterns, collaboration networks, knowledge bases, research hotspots, and thematic evolution trajectories. The results reveal a rapid upward trend in this field over the past two decades, with the gradual formation of a multidisciplinary knowledge system centered on environmental science and urban research. China, the United States, and several European countries have emerged as key nodes in global knowledge production and collaboration networks. Keyword co-occurrence and cluster analyses indicate that research themes are mainly concentrated in four clusters: (1) ecological foundations and green process orientation, (2) nature-based solutions and blue–green infrastructure configuration, (3) social needs and environmental justice, and (4) macro-level policies and the sustainable development agenda. Overall, the field has evolved from a focus on ecological processes and individual service functions toward a comprehensive transition emphasizing climate resilience, human well-being, and multi-actor governance. Based on these findings, this study constructs a knowledge ecosystem framework encompassing knowledge base, knowledge structure, research hotspots, frontier trends, and future pathways. It further identifies prospective research directions, including climate change adaptation, integrated planning of blue–green infrastructure, refined monitoring driven by remote sensing and spatial big data, and the embedding of urban green space ecosystem services into the Sustainable Development Goals and multi-level governance systems. These insights provide data support and decision-making references for deepening theoretical understanding of Urban Green Space Ecosystem Services (UGSES), improving urban green infrastructure planning, and enhancing urban resilience governance capacity. Full article

Anthropogenic pressures in the Amazon Basin are reshaping human–animal–environment interactions and increasing zoonotic disease risk. Within this One Health context, domestic dogs and cats are underrecognized contributors to pathogen circulation at the human–wildlife interface. We conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review of zoonotic pathogens reported in companion animals across Amazonian territories in nine countries, including literature published between 2000 and 2025 in four languages. Zoonotic pathogens showed a heterogeneous yet widespread distribution, with parasitic infections, particularly Leishmania spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and vector-borne protozoa, being the most frequently reported. A pronounced geographic bias was evident, with studies concentrated in Brazil and selected areas of the western Amazon, while large portions of the Basin remain understudied. Methodological limitations included reliance on cross-sectional designs and heterogeneous diagnostic approaches, often based solely on serology. These findings highlight the need to strengthen One Health-oriented governance frameworks that integrate animal health surveillance into environmental and public health policies. Priority actions include expanding surveillance to underrepresented regions, harmonizing diagnostic protocols, investing in regional laboratory capacity, and promoting community-based monitoring. Strengthened cross-sectoral and transboundary coordination is essential to reduce zoonotic risk and support evidence-based disease prevention in Amazonian ecosystems. Full article