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Keywords = socioeconomic contexts

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17 pages, 1581 KiB  
Article
Designing for Resilience: Housing Needs and Climate Perceptions in Rural Siaya County, Kenya
by Sina Hage, Fernando Vegas López-Manzanares, Camilla Mileto and Sebastian Hollermann
Buildings 2025, 15(16), 2947; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162947 - 20 Aug 2025
Abstract
Architecture can play a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis by embedding sustainable design principles that reduce environmental impact and enhance resilience. Beyond ecological considerations, architectural interventions are crucial in developing structures capable of withstanding extreme weather events—and thereby mitigating the displacement [...] Read more.
Architecture can play a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis by embedding sustainable design principles that reduce environmental impact and enhance resilience. Beyond ecological considerations, architectural interventions are crucial in developing structures capable of withstanding extreme weather events—and thereby mitigating the displacement of vulnerable populations. This study emphasizes the importance of tailoring architectural responses to the specific environmental challenges and evolving needs of rural communities. Drawing on the Perceived Values and Climate Change Resilience Dataset collected in Siaya County, Kenya, the research explores local perceptions of climate change and how these shape housing priorities. Among 300 respondents, 83% express concern about climate change, identifying drought as the most pressing environmental threat. The evolving desire for housing solutions that respond to specific needs highlights the need for more secure housing. This specifically calls for improvements in watertightness, pest resistance (especially against termites), and overall structural durability, as well as reducing maintenance effort, enabling houses to be enlarged, and improving their aesthetics. These findings provide critical insights into how rural populations in western Kenya are experiencing and responding to climate-related stressors. By foregrounding community perspectives, the study informs the development of adaptive, resilient, and contextually appropriate architectural solutions. It contributes to broader discourses on climate adaptation, vernacular design, and inclusive development strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa, reinforcing the imperative to align architectural innovation with both environmental imperatives and cultural realities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)
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25 pages, 4162 KiB  
Article
Spaces, Energy and Shared Resources: New Technologies for Promoting More Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Communities
by Fabrizio Cumo, Elisa Pennacchia, Patrick Maurelli, Flavio Rosa and Claudia Zylka
Energies 2025, 18(16), 4410; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18164410 - 19 Aug 2025
Abstract
Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are central to Europe’s strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing a sustainable, decentralized energy system. RECs aim to transform consumers into prosumers—individuals who both produce and consume energy—thereby enhancing energy efficiency, local autonomy, and citizen engagement. This [...] Read more.
Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are central to Europe’s strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing a sustainable, decentralized energy system. RECs aim to transform consumers into prosumers—individuals who both produce and consume energy—thereby enhancing energy efficiency, local autonomy, and citizen engagement. This study introduces a novel Geographic Information System (GIS)-based methodology that integrates socio-economic and spatial data to support the design of optimal REC configurations. QGIS 3.40.9 “Batislava” tool is used to simulate site-specific energy distribution scenarios, enabling data-driven planning. By combining a Composite Energy Vulnerability Index (CEVI), Rooftop Solar Potential (RSP), and the distribution of urban gardens (UGs), the approach identifies priority urban zones for intervention. Urban gardens offer multifunctional public spaces that can support renewable infrastructures while fostering local resilience and energy equity. Applied to the city of Rome, the methodology provides a replicable framework to guide REC deployment in vulnerable urban contexts. The results demonstrate that 11 of the 18 highest-priority areas already host urban gardens, highlighting their potential as catalysts for collective PV systems and social engagement. The proposed model advances sustainability objectives by integrating environmental, social, and spatial dimensions—positioning RECs and urban agriculture as synergistic tools for inclusive energy transition and climate change mitigation. Full article
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29 pages, 1317 KiB  
Article
Investigating Travel Mode Choices Under Environmental Stress: Evidence from Air Pollution Events in Chiang Rai, Thailand
by Ramill Phopluechai, Tosporn Arreeras, Xiaoyan Jia, Krit Sittivangkul, Kittichai Thanasupsin and Patchareeya Chaikaew
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(8), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9080323 - 18 Aug 2025
Abstract
Air pollution poses growing challenges to public health and urban mobility in Southeast Asia. This study investigates how air quality crises affect travel mode choices in Chiang Rai, Thailand, a secondary city experiencing seasonal PM2.5 smog episodes. A structured online survey was conducted [...] Read more.
Air pollution poses growing challenges to public health and urban mobility in Southeast Asia. This study investigates how air quality crises affect travel mode choices in Chiang Rai, Thailand, a secondary city experiencing seasonal PM2.5 smog episodes. A structured online survey was conducted with 406 respondents, collecting paired data on travel behaviors during non-air quality crisis (N-AQC) and air quality crisis (AQC) periods. Using a multinomial logit model (MNL), key socioeconomic and trip-related variables were analyzed to estimate mode choice probabilities. The results reveal significant behavioral shifts during an air quality crisis, with private car usage increasing from 30.30% to 34.70% and motorcycle usage decreasing from 50.20% to 42.90%. Multinomial logit models attained correct classification rates of 67.5% and 63.8%, with pseudo R2 values exceeding 0.50 for both periods. These findings highlight how environmental stress alters travel behavior, especially among younger and low-income populations. The study contributes new insights from a Southeast Asian urban context, emphasizing the need for adaptive transport policies, protective infrastructure, and equity-focused interventions to promote sustainable mobility during an environmental crisis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Transportation and Urban Environments-Public Health)
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34 pages, 2062 KiB  
Review
Cognitive–Affective Negotiation Process in Green Food Purchase Intention: A Qualitative Study Based on Grounded Theory
by Yingying Lian, Jirawan Deeprasert and Songyu Jiang
Foods 2025, 14(16), 2856; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14162856 - 18 Aug 2025
Abstract
Green food serves as a bridge connecting healthy lifestyles with environmental values, particularly in the context of sustainable consumption transitions. However, existing research lacks a systematic understanding of how consumers negotiate cognitive evaluations and emotional responses when forming green food purchase intentions. This [...] Read more.
Green food serves as a bridge connecting healthy lifestyles with environmental values, particularly in the context of sustainable consumption transitions. However, existing research lacks a systematic understanding of how consumers negotiate cognitive evaluations and emotional responses when forming green food purchase intentions. This study addresses that gap by exploring the cognitive–affective negotiation process underlying consumers’ green food choices. Based on 26 semi-structured interviews with Chinese consumers across diverse socio-economic backgrounds, the grounded theory methodology was employed to inductively construct a conceptual model. The coding process achieved theoretical saturation, while sentiment analysis was integrated to trace the emotional valence of key behavioral drivers. Findings reveal that external factors—including price sensitivity, label ambiguity, access limitations, social influence, and health beliefs—shape behavioral intentions indirectly through three core affective mediators: green trust, perceived value, and lifestyle congruence. These internal constructs translate contextual stimuli into evaluative and motivational responses, highlighting the dynamic interplay between rational judgments and symbolic–emotional interpretations. Sentiment analysis confirmed that emotional trust and psychological reassurance are pivotal in facilitating consumption intention, while price concerns and skepticism act as affective inhibitors. The proposed model extends the Theory of Planned Behavior by embedding affective mediation pathways and structural constraint dynamics, offering a more context-sensitive framework for understanding sustainable consumption behaviors. Given China’s certification-centered trust environment, these findings underscore the cultural specificity of institutional trust mechanisms, with implications for adapting the model in different market contexts. Practically, this study offers actionable insights for policymakers and marketers to enhance eco-label transparency, reduce structural barriers, and design emotionally resonant brand narratives that align with consumers’ identity aspirations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensory and Consumer Sciences)
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18 pages, 474 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Impact of Corporate Environmental Sustainability Motivations on Environmental Management Practices
by Ismail Ataher Ab Albakoush and Askin Kiraz
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7436; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167436 - 17 Aug 2025
Viewed by 236
Abstract
The role of organizational factors in fostering and enhancing environmental sustainability has become increasingly critical due to the growing trends and concerns of environmental degradation. Developing nations have been reported to be significantly challenged with regard to adequate environmental management. As a developing [...] Read more.
The role of organizational factors in fostering and enhancing environmental sustainability has become increasingly critical due to the growing trends and concerns of environmental degradation. Developing nations have been reported to be significantly challenged with regard to adequate environmental management. As a developing nation, Libya is environmentally vulnerable in terms of both its geographical characteristics as a country in a semi-arid region and its resource-dependent economy. This research investigates the interplay among corporate environmental motivations, perceptions of corporate environmental management practices, pro-environmental attitudes, and pro-environmental behaviors among the employees of Libya’s oil sector. Libya provides a relevant context for investigating the impact of socioeconomic and corporate institutional dynamics on environmental engagement within industrial organizations. This research explores individual-level factors and how they interact with the practices of corporate environmental sustainability in a corporate sector characterized by significant and critical ecological impact. This study analyzed employee responses across multiple oil companies operating in Libya. This study sheds light on the extent to which the impacts of corporate sustainability motivations and workplace contexts shape the perceptions and behaviors of employees towards environmental sustainability. The findings of this research underscore the interconnectedness of organizational and personal dimensions of environmental sustainability, with further impacts policy and practices of environmental sustainability in similar contexts. Full article
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20 pages, 1341 KiB  
Review
Regional Perspectives on Service Learning and Implementation Barriers: A Systematic Review
by Stephanie Lavaux, José Isaias Salas, Andrés Chiappe and Maria Soledad Ramírez-Montoya
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(16), 9058; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15169058 - 17 Aug 2025
Viewed by 243
Abstract
Service learning (SL) is at a pivotal moment as education systems worldwide confront the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. This scoping review synthesizes regional perspectives on SL and examines the barriers to its implementation in higher education. [...] Read more.
Service learning (SL) is at a pivotal moment as education systems worldwide confront the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. This scoping review synthesizes regional perspectives on SL and examines the barriers to its implementation in higher education. This study adopts a methodological approach widely used in prior educational research, enriched with selected PRISMA processes, namely identification, screening, and eligibility, to enhance its transparency and rigor. A total of 101 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed, using a mixed methods approach. Results are presented for six regions, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, North America, and Oceania, revealing context-specific constraints, such as technological infrastructure, policy frameworks, linguistic diversity, and socio-economic disparities. Common barriers across regions include limited faculty training, insufficient institutional support, and misalignment with community needs. AI is explored as a potential enabler of SL, not as an empirical outcome, but as part of a reasoned argument emerging from the documented complexity of SL implementation in the literature. Ethical considerations, including algorithmic bias, equitable access, and the preservation of human agency, are addressed, alongside mitigation strategies that are grounded in participatory design and community engagement. This review offers a comparative, context-sensitive understanding of SL implementation challenges, providing actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers, aiming to integrate technology-enhanced solutions responsibly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Digital Technology and AI in Educational Settings)
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25 pages, 6902 KiB  
Article
Household Waste Disposal Under Structural and Behavioral Constraints: A Multivariate Analysis from Vhembe District, South Africa
by Aifani Confidence Tahulela, Shervin Hashemi and Melanie Elizabeth Lourens
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7429; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167429 - 17 Aug 2025
Viewed by 224
Abstract
Both behavioral intentions and structural constraints shape household waste disposal in low-resource settings. This study integrates the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with Environmental Justice (EJ) to examine informal waste disposal in Vhembe District, South Africa, a region marked by infrastructural deficits and [...] Read more.
Both behavioral intentions and structural constraints shape household waste disposal in low-resource settings. This study integrates the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with Environmental Justice (EJ) to examine informal waste disposal in Vhembe District, South Africa, a region marked by infrastructural deficits and uneven municipal services. A cross-sectional survey of 399 households across four municipalities assessed five disposal behaviors, including river dumping and domestic burial. Only 8% of households used formal bins, while over 50% engaged in open or roadside dumping. Although education and income were inversely associated with harmful practices, inadequate service access was the most significant constraint on formal disposal. Logistic regression revealed that rural residents and households in underserved municipalities were significantly more likely to engage in hazardous methods, regardless of socioeconomic status. These findings extend TPB by showing that perceived behavioral control reflects not only psychological agency but also material and institutional limitations. By reframing informal disposal as a structurally conditioned response rather than a behavioral deficit, the study advances EJ theory and provides a transferable TPB–EJ framework for decentralized, justice-oriented waste governance. The results underscore the need for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-aligned interventions that integrate equitable infrastructure with context-sensitive behavioral strategies. Full article
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22 pages, 3289 KiB  
Article
Thematic Evolution of China’s Media Governance Policies: A Tri-Logic Synergistic Perspective
by Li Shao and Miao Ao
Information 2025, 16(8), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/info16080696 - 16 Aug 2025
Viewed by 221
Abstract
China’s media governance policies play a crucial role in shaping media ecology and promoting the modernization of national governance capacity. This study employed the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model and co-occurrence network analysis to systematically analyze the thematic content of national-level media governance [...] Read more.
China’s media governance policies play a crucial role in shaping media ecology and promoting the modernization of national governance capacity. This study employed the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model and co-occurrence network analysis to systematically analyze the thematic content of national-level media governance policies issued in China between 1996 and 2024, and to examine the evolution of policy themes from a triple logical synergy perspective. In consideration of the socio-economic context and governance issues, this study has categorized the evolution of media governance policies into four distinct phases. This study used the LDA model to extract high-frequency words and built a co-occurrence network to explore the structural relationship among these words, with a synergy framework to analyze the thematic evolution across periods. The findings indicate that China’s media governance policies over the past three decades have been the result of stage-by-stage adjustments under the synergistic influences of technological drivers, social demands, and governance philosophies. Media governance constitutes a pivotal component in the modernization of China’s national governance capacity. A comprehensive analysis of the evolution of policy themes reveals the internal pattern of media governance in China. Full article
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21 pages, 2445 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Analysis of Circular Economy Index in Urban and Rural Municipalities
by Inga Liepa and Dzintra Atstaja
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(8), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9080321 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 192
Abstract
The transition to a circular economy (CE) is crucial to sustainable development, necessitating tailored assessment tools to measure circularity at various levels. Recent studies assessing the CE at the municipal level by using statistical data have highlighted the challenge of comparing indicators of [...] Read more.
The transition to a circular economy (CE) is crucial to sustainable development, necessitating tailored assessment tools to measure circularity at various levels. Recent studies assessing the CE at the municipal level by using statistical data have highlighted the challenge of comparing indicators of differently populated and resourced areas. With existing methodologies, there remains a need for comprehensive approaches that integrate both qualitative and quantitative data to ensure fair and meaningful comparisons. In 2024, Latvia developed and conducted the first CE index at the municipal level. It was based on a self-assessment from municipal governments and citizens, with results calculated into a single index value and four category indices. By applying a mixed methods statistical analysis, this research aimed to compare CE performance, measured by the CE index, and selected socioeconomic and environmental variables between 7 cities and 36 counties or rural municipalities of Latvia. The research concluded that the CE performance is significantly shaped by socioeconomic and spatial factors, with population density and unemployment emerging as consistent predictors. Urban municipalities generally performed better, emphasizing the need for tailored, context-specific CE strategies. Full article
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19 pages, 3931 KiB  
Article
Reviving Dead Leaf: Understanding Historical Color Terminology Through Reconstruction
by Natalia Ortega Saez and Jenny Moreels
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080334 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 135
Abstract
The terms fillenoert, villemort, feulje mort, and fillemot are obsolete historical color names derived from the French feuille morte (dead leaf), referred to a broad spectrum of brownish, yellowish, greenish, and reddish hues in early modern textile dyeing. This study [...] Read more.
The terms fillenoert, villemort, feulje mort, and fillemot are obsolete historical color names derived from the French feuille morte (dead leaf), referred to a broad spectrum of brownish, yellowish, greenish, and reddish hues in early modern textile dyeing. This study investigates the visual identity and chromatic range of dead leaf by reconstructing dye recipes from seventeenth- and eighteenth-century European dyeing manuals. Using historically accurate materials and techniques, wool samples were dyed and analyzed through CIELAB color measurements to quantify their hue values. The results reveal that dead leaf does not correspond to a single, fixed color but represents a flexible and metaphorical category, reflecting both the natural variation in dead foliage and the diversity of historical dyeing practices. In early modern Europe, colors were often descriptive, frequently referencing the natural world or objects. These descriptors offered a nuanced vocabulary that extended far beyond today’s basic chromatic terms. Reworking these recipes reveals the complex interplay between chromatic language, material practices, and color perception. Historical color names served not merely as labels but encoded information about dye sources, cultural associations, and socio-economic contexts. Understanding and reviving this terminology deepens our appreciation of early dyeing traditions and bridges past and present conceptions of color. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dyes in History and Archaeology 43)
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16 pages, 771 KiB  
Article
Exploring Leadership’s Role in Sustainable Development: The Moderating Impact of Community Involvement in SMEs Across Pakistan, India, and Taiwan
by Adil Zareef Khan and Cheng-Wen Lee
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7384; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167384 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 457
Abstract
This research examines the connection between leadership and sustainable development, emphasizing how community involvement moderates it. It seeks to analyze the impact of leadership styles on sustainable development practices in three distinct cultural and economic contexts: Pakistan, India, and Taiwan. The study participants [...] Read more.
This research examines the connection between leadership and sustainable development, emphasizing how community involvement moderates it. It seeks to analyze the impact of leadership styles on sustainable development practices in three distinct cultural and economic contexts: Pakistan, India, and Taiwan. The study participants include managers, entrepreneurs, and consultants. A quantitative research methodology, which included questionnaires and statistical analysis, was used to collect data from business professionals in these three nations. This study considers the viewpoints of both general business leaders and the insights provided by small and medium-sized enterprises, which play a crucial role in driving economic growth in these areas. For example, 99% of Pakistan’s enterprises are small and medium-sized enterprises. However, due to financial constraints, small and medium-sized enterprises face obstacles such as limited innovative capacity. Small and medium-sized enterprises are vital to economic growth in Taiwan and India as well. Small and medium-sized enterprises generate many jobs and contribute substantially to GDP. Effective leadership is critical for promoting sustainability goals, as the findings show that leadership benefits sustainable development projects (H1). Sustainable development outcomes are greatly improved when the community is actively involved (H2), further demonstrating the significance of community involvement as a key component of effective sustainability measures. Contrary to expectations (H3), community involvement did not moderate the relationship between leadership and sustainable development as hypothesized; rather, it appeared as an independent factor that positively influenced sustainability outcomes. The findings highlight the broad relevance of effective leadership practices in various socioeconomic contexts. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers seeking to promote sustainable growth by emphasizing the importance of effective leadership practices and active community engagement within small and medium-sized enterprises. Full article
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22 pages, 573 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Socioeconomic Contextual Factors on Racial Differences in Foster Care Placement Stability
by Leanne Heaton, William Sabol, Miranda Baumann, Arya Harison and Charlotte Goodell
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(8), 1274; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081274 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 208
Abstract
This study investigated how county- and state-level socioeconomic factors influence racial differences in placement stability outcomes for children in foster care. Using a sample drawn from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) covering 2012–2020, we employed linear mixed modeling [...] Read more.
This study investigated how county- and state-level socioeconomic factors influence racial differences in placement stability outcomes for children in foster care. Using a sample drawn from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) covering 2012–2020, we employed linear mixed modeling (LMMs) to nest individual- and case-level data within counties and states. Our analysis focused on Black and White children, examining how variables such as poverty, unemployment, public welfare expenditures, residential mobility, and family structure affect the number of placement moves experienced by children. The findings indicated that Black children experience higher rates of placement instability compared to White children, although the gap narrows over time. Key factors associated with improved stability included county-administered child welfare systems and higher rates of multigenerational households and owner-occupied housing, particularly benefiting Black children. In contrast, higher levels of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation and increased residential mobility were linked to greater instability. The implementation of program improvement plans (PIPs) during the third round of the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR-3) produced mixed outcomes, with PIPs contributing to a reduction in the racial gap primarily by increasing placement moves for White children. These findings underscore the importance of analyzing data by race and incorporating broader socioeconomic contexts into child welfare improvement strategies, while also emphasizing the need for localized, context-sensitive approaches to improve placement stability. Full article
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15 pages, 301 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Syndemic Relationship Between Individual, Social, and Structural Determinants of Tuberculosis Among People Living in Johannesburg, South Africa
by Fiona Tsungirai Tanyanyiwa, Renay Helouise Van Wyk and Keitshepile Geoffrey Setswe
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(8), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081272 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 165
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a critical public health issue in Johannesburg, South Africa, driven by a complex interplay of individual, social, and structural factors. This study assessed the syndemic relationship between these determinants to understand their collective impact on TB burden and treatment outcomes. [...] Read more.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a critical public health issue in Johannesburg, South Africa, driven by a complex interplay of individual, social, and structural factors. This study assessed the syndemic relationship between these determinants to understand their collective impact on TB burden and treatment outcomes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among TB patients attending selected clinics, examining behavioural risks (e.g., smoking, alcohol use, HIV co-infection), social conditions (poverty, overcrowding, stigma), and structural challenges (access to healthcare, migration status). The results revealed a significant co-occurrence of TB and HIV (56.1%), alongside high rates of smoking (33.1%) and alcohol use (45.2%). Unemployment (50.2%), inadequate housing, and limited healthcare access, particularly for undocumented migrants (26.2%), were also prominent. Factor analysis demonstrated a syndemic interaction between behavioural and social determinants, underscoring the compounded vulnerability of affected populations. The findings highlight the necessity of integrating medical interventions with social and structural reforms. Recommendations include TB-HIV co-management, substance abuse programmes, improved housing, and inclusive healthcare access. A multisectoral approach addressing both health and socioeconomic inequalities is critical for comprehensive TB control in urban South African contexts. Full article
18 pages, 5888 KiB  
Article
Incorporating Building Morphology Data to Improve Urban Land Use Mapping: A Case Study of Shenzhen
by Jiapeng Zhang, Fujun Song, Yimin Wang, Tuo Chen, Xuecao Li, Xiayu Tang, Tengyun Hu, Siyao Zhou, Han Liu, Jiaqi Wang and Mo Su
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(16), 2811; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17162811 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 225
Abstract
Accurate urban land use classification is vital for urban planning, resource allocation, and sustainable management. Traditional remote sensing methods struggle with fine-grained classification and spatial structure identification, while socio-economic data, like points of interest and road networks, face issues of uneven distribution and [...] Read more.
Accurate urban land use classification is vital for urban planning, resource allocation, and sustainable management. Traditional remote sensing methods struggle with fine-grained classification and spatial structure identification, while socio-economic data, like points of interest and road networks, face issues of uneven distribution and outdated updates. To explore the role of building morphology characteristics in enhancing urban land use classification and their potential as a substitute for socio-economic information, this study proposes a method integrating architectural features with multi-source remote sensing data, evaluated through an empirical analysis using a random forest model in Shenzhen. Three models were developed as follows: Model 1, utilizing only remote sensing data; Model 2, combining remote sensing with socio-economic data; and Model 3, integrating building morphology with remote sensing data to evaluate its potential for enhancing classification accuracy and substituting socio-economic data. Experimental results demonstrate that Model 3 achieves an overall accuracy of 80.09% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.77. Compared to this, Model 1 achieves an accuracy of 74.56% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.70, while Model 2 reaches 79.56% accuracy and a Kappa coefficient of 0.76. Model 3 also shows greater stability in complex, smaller parcels. This method offers superior generalization and substitution potential in data-scarce, heterogeneous contexts, providing a scalable approach for fine-grained urban monitoring and dynamic management. Full article
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22 pages, 314 KiB  
Article
Nefarious Algorithms: Rent-Fixing via Algorithmic Collusion and the Role of Intentionality in the Pursuit of Class Monopoly Rent
by Allison J. Zimmerman and Matthew B. Anderson
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(8), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9080315 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 523
Abstract
Housing unaffordability and widening socio-spatial polarization continue to pervade US cities today. Driving this phenomenon, in part, is the increasing investment of rental housing stock by corporate landowners who rely on firms like RealPage, Inc. to employ advanced algorithms that determine the highest [...] Read more.
Housing unaffordability and widening socio-spatial polarization continue to pervade US cities today. Driving this phenomenon, in part, is the increasing investment of rental housing stock by corporate landowners who rely on firms like RealPage, Inc. to employ advanced algorithms that determine the highest possible rent to charge tenants. RealPage is currently being sued for violating US antitrust law. This study critically examines the evidence against and in defense of RealPage to identify the firm’s practices as a technologically advanced strategy of pursuing class monopoly rent (CMR). In the process, the study brings scholarship on platform real estate into closer dialogue with land rent theory and criticism of existing antitrust law in the US to establish a more nuanced understanding of intentionality. We argue that the treatment of intentionality by the existing legal framework is limited in terms of recognizing the myriad ways in which CMR is realized in the rental housing sector, especially in contexts where CMR is realized without entailing explicit collusive intent among the market players. Our analysis also reveals that RealPage’s algorithmically enabled pursuit of CMR potentially widens the scale of impact across submarket boundaries that might not have otherwise been possible, exacerbating existing and entrenched patterns of socio-economic segregation and socio-spatial inequality. We conclude by discussing the implications of the study’s findings for policy with an emphasis on the kinds of policies intended (or designed) to suppress the pursuit of CMR in the first place. Full article
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