Search Results (1,964)

The rapid transformation of urban centers into smart environments introduces complex challenges at the intersection of technological advancement, environmental stewardship, and social justice. This study evaluates Lisbon’s smart city transition by establishing an integrated framework that links digital equity with Environmental, Social, and Governance principles. Employing a convergent qualitative research design, this paper triangulates a comprehensive regulatory policy analysis with primary empirical data gathered from twenty-five semi-structured interviews with municipal officials, academic experts, and residents of marginalized communities. The findings expose critical systemic disparities in digital infrastructure deployment, device affordability, and platform literacy across socio-economic strata, demonstrating how localized digital divides directly impede the execution of urban ESG objectives. While green financing mechanisms offer robust pathways for sustainable energy and transit infrastructure, their equity outcomes remain constrained without mandatory, transparent information disclosure systems that mitigate agency costs. Cultivating urban resilience requires shifting from tokenistic e-governance to genuine citizen empowerment. This study offers a novel theoretical contribution by operationalizing corporate ESG metrics within public urban governance frameworks, providing an empirical roadmap for municipal policymakers globally to balance digital innovation with structural inclusion and environmental accountability in smart city agendas. Full article

Debates concerning the Nature of Science (NoS) have increasingly acknowledged its epistemic, cultural, ethical, and social dimensions. Recent scholarship has further foregrounded issues of equity, identity, and justice within science education. While these developments represent significant progress, this article argues that dominant conceptualisations of NoS remain fundamentally anthropocentric and insufficiently responsive to the ecological crises that define the Anthropocene. Drawing on Earth System Science, eco-centric theory, post-human theory and Indigenous and local knowledges, this paper proposes a planetary-conscious reconceptualisation of NoS. This framework retains the methodological rigour and evidential standards of Western science while expanding epistemic boundaries to include relational, place-based, and intergenerational ways of knowing. We argue that eco-centric and post-human theoretical frameworks offer essential pedagogical approaches for supporting young people to develop deeper connections with nature, fostering care-based relationships with the more-than-human world, and building resilience for sustainable futures. Such a reconceptualisation is necessary not only for scientific literacy but for the protection and enhancement of planetary health. Implications for curriculum, pedagogy, and teacher education are discussed, with particular attention to primary science education. Full article

This qualitative research explores leadership as a daily, relational, and moral practice for school principals in Jordan, within a centralized education system subject to reform imperatives. Jordan is a compelling context for this research, given the centralized system, economic conditions, regional security, and constant reform imperatives. Principals must balance implementing national policy with the realities of their local communities while maintaining stability in their schools. This research, through semi-structured interviews and document analysis, seeks to explore how school principals in Jordan interpret, mediate, and translate policy into practice. This research found that leadership practice can be seen in physical presence, values-based decision-making, discretionary use of the “spirit of the law,” distributed responsibility, acts of care, and justice-based protection of human dignity. Preparedness for the future is not seen in formal strategies, but in daily practices that encourage flexibility, participation, and ethical responsibility. This research contributes a contextually grounded model of leadership practice under constraint, which has implications for leadership preparation, policy, reform in a centralized education system, and quality education. Full article

Large carnivore conservation (LCC) presents complex social–ecological challenges in environmental governance, yet limited research has examined how institutional design influences conservation outcomes. This study compares community-based conservation (CBC) in India’s tiger conservation with collaborative governance regimes (CGR) in Germany’s wolf conservation. We conducted a policy-network analysis using Net-Map interviews with formal policy actors involved in LCC governance (India: n = 21. Germany: n = 15). Network structures were analyzed across four tie categories—information-sharing, instructions, influence, and advice—while structural and perceived power distributions were compared across governance levels. Results show that information-sharing dominated governance interactions in both countries, whereas advice ties remained weak. India’s CBC exhibited ties concentrated largely within the forest department administration. Despite stronger local stakeholder integration, social justice framing affected direct inclusivity in policy decisions. Germany’s CGR demonstrated fragmented policy centers with most power concentrated at the German federal state levels. Environmental justice framing allows stronger influence by powerful non-state actors but alienates local stakeholders from policy decisions. Discrepancies between structural and perceived power were evident in both systems, highlighting participation–power disconnects within conservation governance. The findings suggest that effective and sustainable LCC governance requires stronger cross level coordination, institutionalized scientific advice mechanisms, and meaningful inclusion of local stakeholders in policy processes for sustainable LCC. Full article

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Prosperity Cluster (SDGs 7–11) represents a multidimensional framework linking economic growth, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and resilient development. This review critically examines the interconnections among Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), with the aim of exploring how these goals collectively contribute to sustainable prosperity. Adopting a structured literature review methodology informed by PRISMA principles, the study synthesizes peer-reviewed and gray literature collected from major academic databases and institutional sources. The findings indicate that progress toward the prosperity-oriented SDGs remains uneven across regions due to disparities in governance quality, technological capacity, infrastructure development, and social inclusion. Renewable energy transitions, digital innovation, circular economy initiatives, green infrastructure, and sustainable urban planning emerge as critical drivers of long-term prosperity, while inequality, weak institutional coordination, inadequate human-capital investment, and uneven access to technology remain major barriers. The review further demonstrates that progress in one SDG strongly influences outcomes in others, emphasizing the importance of integrated and policy-coherent approaches rather than isolated sectoral actions. Conceptually, the paper advances the understanding of the “Prosperity Cluster” by positioning dynamism, equity, and environmental stewardship as mutually reinforcing dimensions of sustainable development. The study concludes that achieving sustainable prosperity requires governance systems capable of balancing economic competitiveness with environmental responsibility and social justice. Greater international cooperation, inclusive policymaking, and investment in resilient infrastructure and human capital are essential to ensure that prosperity benefits present and future generations without leaving vulnerable populations behind. Full article

Social justice in Islamic theological education represents a concept that is normatively central yet pedagogically underarticulated. Rooted in the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the broader Islamic intellectual tradition, it carries legal obligation, ethical responsibility, spiritual maturity, and social sensitivity. These sources consistently affirm social justice as a foundational principle of a balanced and equitable social order, but its translation into educational practice remains unabiding. This research examines how social justice is positioned within the higher education syllabus for future Islamic religious education practitioners (teachers and imams) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Using Mayring’s qualitative content analysis, in this study, written responses collected through an open-ended qualitative expert survey were analysed. Thematic indicators were developed as an outcome and were used as criteria for the subsequent documentary analysis of the official syllabus. Then followed an analytical examination of the syllabus of a study programme leading to the qualification of Islamic religious education practitioners. The findings indicate that social justice is not explicitly articulated within intended learning outcomes as knowledge, attitude, or pedagogical competence. The analysis structured through Bloom’s taxonomy demonstrates the presence of pedagogical and methodological sensitivity across all cognitive levels, from knowledge to evaluation. This reveals a discrepancy between the normative centrality of social justice and its partial pedagogical realisation. This study identifies a persistent tension between theological ideals and educational practice. The potential for rearticulating a theological–pedagogical framework in which social justice becomes an explicit, lived, and transformative category within practitioners’ education was highlighted as something in place of a conclusion. Full article

The expansion of the European Union Emissions Trading System to road transport and buildings (ETS2) raises significant concerns regarding the distributive social impacts of carbon pricing on vulnerable households, particularly in regions characterized by high car dependency, limited public transport accessibility, and pronounced territorial inequalities. This paper aims to develop an integrated conceptual framework for analyzing transport poverty in the context of ETS2 and the just climate transition. The study adopts a conceptual–analytical approach based on a structured literature review of peer-reviewed publications and EU policy documents, combined with a qualitative policy analysis focused on Bulgaria as a critical case. The paper identifies six interacting analytical dimensions of transport poverty—economic vulnerability, spatial vulnerability, mobility dependency, infrastructure vulnerability, climate-policy exposure, and social vulnerability—and maps the causal pathways through which carbon pricing mechanisms may intensify mobility deprivation, particularly among low-income, rural, and forced-car-ownership households. The analysis demonstrates that ETS2 may exacerbate existing socio-spatial inequalities unless accompanied by well-designed compensatory, accessibility-oriented, and territorially sensitive policy measures. The Bulgarian case illustrates the specific structural risk factors prevalent in Central and Eastern European countries. The paper contributes to the emerging academic literature on transport poverty by positioning it as a critical dimension of the just climate transition and by providing a conceptual foundation for future empirical research within the ACTETS2 project framework. Full article

Language significantly influences how disability is perceived and experienced. Within disability studies, terminology carries symbolic, political, and epistemological implications. This essay critically examines the contemporary debate between person-first language (“person with a disability”) and identity-first language (“disabled person”) and proposes the alternative term “person in a situation of disability.” Grounded in the biopsychosocial model, this expression highlights the contextual, dynamic, and relational dimensions of disability. The article draws on historical, conceptual, and practical perspectives to show how environmental and social barriers construct disabling experiences. It argues that this terminology more accurately reflects contemporary understandings of disability as a modifiable interaction between the individual and their context. Such a shift has implications for research, public policy, education, and inclusive practices. Ultimately, adopting “Person in a Situation of Disability” moves beyond mere linguistic preference, representing a commitment to inclusive, anti-stigmatizing, and justice-oriented discourse. Full article

Global urbanization and population aging urgently require cities to adapt to support older adults’ independence and well-being. While active mobility drives health and social equity, micro-scale proximity remains under-studied. This study evaluates ‘hyper-accessibility’ to essential daily services for older adults in Madrid and Munich, examining distributive spatial justice and its implications for healthy aging. Using quantitative spatial analysis, walking accessibility to seven key services was modeled at a strict 300 m threshold. These metrics were intersected with a sociodemographic disadvantage score to reveal urban disparities. Key findings expose structural contrasts. In Madrid, 50.82% of older adults achieve hyper-accessibility to daily services, though green areas (8.86%) and health facilities (15.82%) represent critical gaps. Conversely, Munich’s decentralized fabric yields hyper-accessibility for just 31.6% of seniors, with community centers (7.19%) and sports facilities (8.6%) being severely restricted. These spatial inequities highlight how restrictive walking thresholds function as invisible barriers to active mobility, isolating older populations. Ultimately, integrating hyper-accessibility metrics into local planning is vital for mitigating these baseline deficits and fostering age-inclusive, socially just urban environments. Full article

Background: Contraceptive counseling is a critical component of reproductive healthcare, directly influencing method uptake, continuation, and user satisfaction. While global health guidelines increasingly emphasize person-centered, rights-based approaches to counseling, wide variations in practice persist, with significant implications for equity and autonomy. Objective: This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on the strengths, limitations, and future opportunities of contraceptive counseling within person-centered care frameworks, with particular attention to adolescents and other populations facing structural or sociocultural barriers to equitable care. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across six indexed databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) for peer-reviewed articles published between January 2010 and April 2025. Eligible studies included original quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research examining contraceptive counseling practices, user experiences, provider–client communication, counseling interventions, or implementation strategies in reproductive healthcare settings. Results: Emerging strengths in the field include the increasing adoption of shared decision-making, motivational interviewing, and culturally tailored counseling approaches, all of which contribute to improved client satisfaction and method adherence. Digital tools and mHealth platforms have expanded the reach of counseling and show promise in supplementing in-person care. However, significant gaps remain. Provider bias, limited training, communication barriers, and a lack of socio-cultural tailoring frequently undermine the quality of care, especially for adolescents, migrants, women with disabilities, and socially vulnerable populations. Ethical challenges—such as coercion, inadequate informed consent, and structural inequities—persist in many healthcare settings. Moreover, contraceptive counseling is often treated as a one-time event rather than an ongoing, adaptive process. Conclusions: To maximize its impact, contraceptive counseling must be reframed as a longitudinal, relational, and ethically grounded practice. Future efforts should prioritize the development of structured training programs, integration into broader health services, and qualitative research that centers patient experiences. Embedding counseling within reproductive justice frameworks will be essential for advancing equity and autonomy. High-quality contraceptive counseling, when informed by evidence and empathy, is a strategic tool for reproductive empowerment and public health advancement. Full article

Newborn screening initiatives have the potential to mitigate childhood morbidity in Africa, but they also have special ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) that are influenced by issues with the health system, cultural diversity, and limited resources. This scoping review explores the ELSI of newborn screening across Africa to identify key challenges, gaps, and future research needs. A systematic search identified 27 peer-reviewed studies published between 2008 and 2025, covering 12 African countries. Data were extracted on study characteristics, disease types, and ELSI dimensions from African Journals Online (AJOL), Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and BMJ Journals. Thematic analysis mapped recurring ethical, legal, and social concerns. Most studies examined ethical and social dimensions, while legal frameworks were rarely addressed. South Africa, Tanzania, and Ghana contributed the largest number of publications. Sickle cell disease (52%) and hearing screening (30%) were the dominant foci. Common ethical issues included informed consent, privacy, and justice; legal gaps centered on the absence of data protection and frameworks; and social concerns involved stigma, awareness, and cultural perceptions of hereditary disease. Ethical and social issues dominate NBS discourse in Africa, whereas legal oversight remains limited. To guarantee fair, reliable, and long-lasting newborn screening programs, national policy guidelines, community involvement, and context-specific ethical frameworks must be strengthened. Full article

The ongoing Palestinian conflict, particularly the escalation in Gaza since October 2023, has raised pressing concerns regarding human rights and international justice. This study explores how university students in northern Spain perceive the situation in Palestine, analyzing their levels of knowledge, emotional responses, and critical positioning. Using a mixed-method approach based on an online questionnaire and the Grid Elaboration Method, data were gathered from 147 students enrolled in education-related programs. The findings reveal three core themes in students’ representations of the conflict: resistance as a form of national identity, humanitarian suffering of civilians, and structural injustice perpetuated by global power dynamics. Gender and academic background influenced discursive emphasis, with Social Education students showing more politicized perspectives and women focusing more on Palestinian dignity and resistance. These insights underscore the potential of higher education to foster critical thinking, empathy, and engagement with international conflicts, and highlight the role of universities in cultivating a culture of peace and human rights. Full article

The present contribution provides a systematic review of the international scientific literature on the relationship between contaminated sites and real estate market dynamics. The objective is to investigate whether and to what extent the presence of environmental risk sources—both active or decommissioned—affects the value of surrounding residential properties. In particular, the review is focused on an examination of the methods commonly used in relevant studies to measure, interpret, and represent this impact across different geographical contexts, identifying the main magnitude ranges found in the selected contributions. Several studies consistently confirm a statistically significant negative relationship between proximity to polluting sites and real estate values, although the relevance of this effect varies considerably across case studies. Other records highlight non-notable impacts or even positive effects following remediation and redevelopment interventions. The evidence suggests that this relationship is complex and influenced by factors such as site type, contamination severity, specificities of the local urban context and community perception. Moreover, the findings underscore regional variations in the extent and nature of price impacts, reflecting diverse regulatory frameworks and remediation efforts. The outcomes of the literature review provide a robust foundation for developing more effective evaluation tools able to support decision-making processes, enabling policymakers, planners, and investors to promote sustainable urban regeneration, improve environmental justice, and reduce spatial inequalities. Ultimately, this study highlights the critical need for integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions to fully capture the multifaceted effects of contaminated sites on property markets, thereby orienting more informed and equitable urban development strategies worldwide. Full article

The paper contends that post-Christianity in the West is a condition whose genealogy can be traced to fifteenth-century humanism and the subsequent events of the Reformation and the Enlightenment. The essence of this condition lies in the emergence of the state, an outcome from centuries of debate concerning the domain of the spiritual versus secular authority over man and his world. This discourse ultimately undermined the authority of the ecclesiastical order and, consequently, Christianity in the West. And as the Christian foundation of the West gradually eroded, it was replaced by the secular, i.e., the state. This withering of Christianity has allowed the political, the emblematic feature of the state, to occupy the place previously held by the divine. The triumph of the secular realm has brought to saliency the centrality of the secular religion, i.e., the state, which strives to achieve broad, and often contradictory, social justice and equality goals, all in pursuit of its perceived noble aim of attaining happiness in this life. Full article

Building inclusive, high-density cities requires understanding vulnerable groups’ public space usage. While green exposure significantly impacts urban health, existing research frequently overlooks females’ specific needs regarding streetscape visual quality, green space structures, and daily travel experiences. To address this, the study investigates spatial disparities in Suzhou’s historic district. Utilizing multi-source data and mixed modeling strategies, including Partial Least Squares and Ordinary Least Squares (PLS-OLS) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), the research analyzes how streetscape perceptions and green space characteristics affect female life satisfaction and expressed sentiment. Results indicate three main findings. (1) Streetscape visual features fundamentally drive subjective evaluations. Safe significantly enhances well-being, whereas boring and lively negatively impact life satisfaction, reflecting females’ acute sensitivity to environmental oppressiveness during daily travel. (2) Park diversity elevates expressed sentiment, while patch density positively influences life satisfaction, demonstrating the vital value of fragmented greenery for daily public space usage. (3) Boring precipitously diminishes life satisfaction after surpassing a specific threshold, while park diversity elevates expressed sentiment only after crossing a critical interval. The study establishes an integrated analytical framework linking visual perception, green space structure, emotional response, and satisfaction. These findings provide targeted strategies for enhancing inclusive urban design and optimizing green space allocation to improve streetscape safety and alleviate visual oppressiveness, thereby advancing gender social justice for vulnerable groups in historic districts. Full article