Search Results (2,992)

The transition to a circular economy in Taiwan’s building sector is constrained by the lack of standardized, quantitative assessment methods. To address this, this study establishes a novel, localized theoretical framework integrating the Material Circularity Index (MCI) and the Madaster system, implemented via an automated Building Information Modeling (BIM) computational tool. The framework structures assessment across three life cycle stages and four hierarchical levels. Its feasibility was validated through the Wafer Works Erlin Plant project. The results indicate that the BIM-based method effectively tracks material flows, demonstrating that structural design strategies and certified Green Building Materials significantly enhance circularity performance. This research provides a scalable, scientific instrument for quantitative evaluation, offering actionable insights to advance evidence-based sustainable design in the local construction industry. Full article

Background/Objectives: In light of the concerning research data on students’ mental health, it is essential to provide high-quality programs that support children and young people in strengthening their psychological well-being. To address this need, the three-year Erasmus+ KA3 international project PROMEHS: Promoting Mental Health at Schools was developed. The project involved universities and education policy representatives from seven European countries, Italy (project leader), Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, and Romania. Its core activities included the development of the PROMEHS curriculum, grounded in three key components: social and emotional learning, resilience, and the prevention of behavioral problems, alongside a rigorous evaluation of its implementation. The main research aim was to test the effect of PROMEHS on students’ and teachers’ mental health. Methods: In Croatia, the curriculum was introduced following the training of teachers (N = 76). It was implemented in kindergartens, and primary and secondary schools (N = 32), involving a total of 790 children. Using a quasi-experimental design, data were collected at two measurement points in both experimental and control groups by teachers, parents, and students. Results: The findings revealed significant improvements in children’s social and emotional competencies and resilience, accompanied by reductions in behavioural difficulties. These effects were most evident in teachers’ assessments, compared to parents’ ratings and student self-reports. Furthermore, teachers reported a significantly higher level of psychological well-being following implementation. Conclusions: Bearing in mind some study limitations, it can be concluded that this study provides evidence of the positive effects of PROMEHS in Croatian educational settings. Building on these outcomes and PROMEHS as an evidence-based program, a micro-qualification education was created to ensure the sustainability and systematic integration of the PROMEHS curriculum into Croatian kindergartens and schools. Full article

The increasing need to regenerate public housing stock highlights the importance of adopting integrated evaluation tools capable of supporting transparent, sustainable, and public value-oriented investment decisions. This study compares two alternative intervention strategies—renovation with extension and demolition followed by reconstruction—by applying a Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA) model developed in two phases. In the first phase, the analysis focuses on social benefits, with the aim of assessing their contribution to collective well-being. The second phase incorporates potential energy-related benefits, estimated on the basis of performance improvements associated with the two design scenarios. The results demonstrate that the integrated consideration of economic, social, and energy–environmental dimensions affects the relative performance differences between the examined strategies, offering a more comprehensive evaluation framework than conventional approaches based solely on monetary costs. The proposed model, which is replicable in Mediterranean contexts, contributes to the ongoing international debate on ex ante evaluation tools and provides operational insights to support urban regeneration policies oriented towards more effective, equitable, and policy-consistent solutions, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda. The two-phase structure allows decision-makers to distinguish between short-term social effects and long-term energy-related benefits, offering a transparent support tool for public investment choices under fiscal constraints. Full article

Food fraud represents a growing global challenge with significant implications for public health, market integrity, sustainability, and consumer trust. Beyond economic losses, fraudulent practices undermine the environmental and social sustainability of food systems by distorting markets, misusing natural resources, and weakening incentives for authentic and responsible production. Despite the establishment of harmonized frameworks of the European Union for official controls, the increasing complexity of food supply chains has exposed persistent gaps in fraud detection, particularly for high-value products such as those with PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Ιndication) Certification. This study investigates the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of frontline inspectors in Greece to assess current challenges and opportunities for strengthening official food fraud controls. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, validated by experts and administered nationwide, involving 122 participants representing all major national food inspection authorities. Statistical analysis revealed significant institutional differences in perceptions of fraud prevalence, with mislabeling of origin, misleading organic claims, ingredient substitution, and documentation irregularities identified as the most common fraudulent practices. Olive oil, honey, meat, and dairy emerged as the most vulnerable product categories. Inspectors reported relying primarily on consumer complaints and institutional databases as key tools for identifying fraud risks. Food fraud was perceived to contribute strongly to losses in consumer trust in food safety and product authenticity, as well as to the erosion of sustainable production models that depend on transparency, fair competition, and responsible resource use. Overall, the findings highlight detection gaps, uneven resources across authorities, and the need for improved coordination and capacity-building to support more efficient, transparent, and sustainability-oriented food fraud control in Greece. Full article

Against the background of intensified climate change and enhanced human activities, the occurrence mode of landslides is becoming more complex and changeable, showing a trend of clustering, contiguous, and frequent occurrences. Yining County is located in the middle of the Yili River Valley, where the geological conditions are fragile, neotectonic movement is active, and landslide disasters are widely developed and frequent, posing a serious threat to the population, buildings, and infrastructure. Based on multi-source data combined with machine learning models and SBAS-InSAR technology, this paper realized refined landslide susceptibility evaluation. Firstly, through correlation analysis and other methods, 12 landslide evaluation factors were selected, and the ChiMerge method was used to discretize the continuous factors to build the landslide susceptibility evaluation system. Four machine learning models were used to predict landslide susceptibility, and the RF model performed best. Using the dynamic timeliness advantage of SBAS-InSAR technology, the optimized regional landslide susceptibility evaluation results were constructed, which improved the precision of the landslide susceptibility evaluation results. The purpose of this study is to improve the accuracy and timeliness of landslide sensitivity assessment, improve regional disaster prevention and emergency management planning ability, and provide theoretical and data support for local sustainable development. Full article

This study explores the intersection of sociocultural factors, particularly privacy, with energy consumption patterns in residential buildings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While cultural values around privacy have long been recognised as influential in residential design, the impact of these values on energy consumption is underexplored. This research aims to fill this gap by examining how privacy needs, residents’ preferences, and open layouts affect energy efficiency, particularly in terms of natural light and ventilation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including semi-structured interviews with engineers, data collected from 108 respondents via an online survey, a case study of a residential building in Riyadh, and building performance simulations using IES software. The study also assessed actual energy consumption data and indoor lighting as potential implications of privacy concerns, causing changes in behavioural control of systems (e.g., windows, blinds, lighting, etc.). It focuses on the relationship between privacy needs, energy use, and natural daylight distribution. The IES simulation results for the studied residential building show an annual energy consumption of 24,000 kWh, primarily due to cooling loads and artificial lighting caused by privacy measures applied by the residents. The findings reveal that privacy-driven design choices and occupant behaviours, such as the use of full window shutters, frosted glazing and limited window operation, significantly reduce daylight availability and natural ventilation, leading to increased reliance on artificial lighting and air conditioning. This study highlights the need for human-centric design approaches that address the interplay between sociocultural factors, particularly reinforcing cultural sensitivity, and building performance, offering insights for future sustainable housing developments in Riyadh and similar contexts. Full article

The temperate Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in India face unique agro-ecological challenges across agriculture and allied sectors, including pest and disease pressures, inefficient resource use, post-harvest losses, and fragmented supply chains. This review systematically examines 21 critical problem areas, with three key challenges identified per sector across agriculture, agricultural engineering, fisheries, forestry, horticulture, sericulture, and animal husbandry. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) interventions, including computer vision, predictive modeling, Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring, robotics, and blockchain-enabled traceability, are evaluated for their regional applicability, pilot-level outcomes, and operational limitations under temperate Himalayan conditions. The analysis highlights that AI-enabled solutions demonstrate strong potential for early pest and disease detection, improved resource-use efficiency, ecosystem monitoring, and market integration. However, large-scale adoption remains constrained by limited digital infrastructure, data scarcity, high capital costs, low digital literacy, and fragmented institutional frameworks. The novelty of this review lies in its cross-sectoral synthesis of AI/ML applications tailored to the Himalayan context, combined with a sector-wise revenue-loss assessment to quantify economic impacts and guide prioritization. Based on the identified gaps, the review proposes feasible, context-aware strategies, including lightweight edge-AI models, localized data platforms, capacity-building initiatives, and policy-aligned implementation pathways. Collectively, these recommendations aim to enhance sustainability, resilience, and livelihood security across agriculture and allied sectors in the temperate Himalayan region. Full article

As universities increasingly work towards the adoption of their third mission—fostering entrepreneurship and innovation—the concept of the Entrepreneurial University (EntUni) emphasizes the need to cultivate a defined set of entrepreneurial competencies in students, such as opportunity recognition, risk-taking, perseverance, self-efficacy, and adaptability. The purpose of this study is to identify which entrepreneurial competencies are most critical for student readiness within the context of an Entrepreneurial University. However, limited consensus remains on which competencies are most essential. This study identifies the entrepreneurial competencies most critical for students within an Entrepreneurial University context through a mixed-methods approach. A student survey assesses self-perceived competencies; a stakeholder survey captures the perspectives of faculty, industry experts, and entrepreneurs; and qualitative interviews with industry professionals explore best practices for competency development. Findings reveal six core competencies that EntUnis should help students cultivate: proactiveness, perseverance, grit, risk propensity, self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention. Industry experts further highlight the importance of teamwork, ethical and sustainable thinking, and ambiguity tolerance—competencies often underdeveloped in academic environments. The study also identifies a disconnect between entrepreneurial education and practical application, with many students demonstrating high entrepreneurial intention but limited participation in start-up activities. These insights offer actionable implications for educators, policymakers, and university administrators. Overall, the study highlights the importance of experiential learning, academia-industry collaboration, and structured competency-building to enhance entrepreneurial readiness. By addressing these gaps, EntUnis can better equip students to drive innovation, economic growth, and societal impact. Full article

The growing complexity and dynamism of industrial and organizational projects require management approaches that can effectively adapt to uncertainty and rapidly changing operational environments. In this context, this study proposes a methodology to identify the most suitable management approach—predictive, agile, or hybrid—in complex projects. Building on the “Approach suitability tool” of the Project Management Institute’s (PMI), the methodology integrates quantitative assessments of complexity and systemic risk. This is achieved through the analysis of stakeholder and risk networks, using metrics such as cyclomatic complexity and the coevolution parameter g, which allow for a deeper understanding of interactions and the evolution of project elements. The methodology was validated in three peacekeeping missions of the United Nations: UNMISS in South Sudan, MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and MINUSTAH in Haiti. The results confirm that the methodology accurately identifies the most appropriate management approach, emphasizing the effectiveness of hybrid approaches in complex and volatile environments. The proposed methodology serves as a valuable tool for optimizing project management in diverse contexts, enabling a quantitative and systematic evaluation of complexity and risk. It is adaptable and applicable to a wide range of complex projects, improving decision-making and planning in uncertain settings. Furthermore, by incorporating resilience as a cross-cutting principle, the methodology strengthens the ability of projects and their teams to maintain functionality and sustain learning even in highly volatile environments, where continuous adaptation becomes a critical success factor. In this sense, resilience emerges as the property that allows projects to absorb disruptions, reorganize, and preserve their core purpose without losing cohesion or direction. Full article

This article examines the role of coworking and flexible workspaces in promoting sustainable spatial development in the non-metropolitan areas of Bulgaria. A mixed-method approach was applied, combining inventory enumeration, spatial classification, SDG-based sustainability assessment, and qualitative coding (open, axial, selective). A total of 74 coworking and flexible workspaces were identified across the six national planning regions, evaluated according to six analytical criteria (accessibility, seasonality, specialization, municipal administrative district, urban planning zone, building function) and assessed against five SDG-aligned dimensions (SDG 8, 9, 11, 12, 13). The results reveal uneven territorial distribution, strong concentration in major cities outside the capital, and emerging sustainable models in peripheral areas. Comparative SDG scoring and typological interpretation demonstrate three recurring models—Sustainable Reuse, Nature-Oriented, and Innovative/Experimental—each associated with distinct spatial and environmental characteristics. A metropolitan benchmarking exercise further contextualizes the strongest sustainability profiles. Based on these findings, a conceptual sustainable coworking model is developed for a nationally significant spa and climatic resort, illustrating how coworking can address regional disparities, support green transition policies, and reinforce territorial cohesion. The article concludes by outlining research directions related to digitalization, circular construction, environmental performance indicators, and feasibility assessments for non-metropolitan coworking development. Full article

Life-cycle assessment is crucial for evaluating materials’ environmental impact and guiding the development of low-carbon and sustainable buildings. However, conventional LCA methods often overlook critical impacts during the operation and maintenance stage. To address this gap, this study proposes an improved framework using four composite indicators to enable systematic evaluation of six wall materials across China’s five climate zones. Using a university teaching building in the Hot Summer and Cold Winter Zone as a case study, this study quantitatively analyzed the economic viability and carbon reduction potential of each material. Results indicate that lower thermal conductivity does not necessarily imply superior economic and carbon reduction performance. Factors including the material carbon emission factor, cost, and thermal properties, must be comprehensively considered. Buffering materials also exhibit climate dependency—WPM and BWPM (moisture-buffering plastering mortars) perform better in hot–humid zones than temperate zones. All five buffer materials reduce operational energy consumption; WPM and BWPM stand out with 15.7% and 16.7% life-cycle cost savings and 17.3% and 18.0% carbon emission reductions, respectively. This study addresses the limitations of traditional LCC/LCA and provides theoretical and practical support for scientific material selection and low-carbon building design. Full article

Urban air mobility solutions such as drone taxi services are increasingly viewed as a promising response to congestion, sustainability, and smart-city mobility challenges. However, the large-scale adoption of such services depends on users’ perceptions of service experience, trust, and readiness to engage with emerging technologies. This study investigates the determinants of sustainable adoption of drone taxi services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by examining technology readiness and service experience factors, interpreted through conceptual alignment with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). A structured questionnaire was administered to potential users, capturing perceptions related to optimism, innovation readiness, efficiency, control, privacy, insecurity, discomfort, inefficiency, and perceived operational risk, along with behavioral intention to adopt drone taxi services. Measurement reliability and validity were rigorously assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, average variance extracted (AVE), and the heterotrait–monotrait (HTMT) criterion. The validated latent construct scores were subsequently used to estimate a structural regression model examining the relative influence of each factor on adoption intention. The results indicate that privacy assurance and perceived control exert the strongest influence on behavioral intention, followed by optimism and innovation readiness, while negative readiness factors such as discomfort, insecurity, inefficiency, and perceived chaos demonstrate negligible effects. These findings suggest that in technologically progressive contexts such as the UAE, adoption intentions are primarily shaped by trust-building and empowerment-oriented perceptions rather than deterrence-based concerns. By positioning technology readiness and service experience constructs within established TAM and UTAUT theoretical perspectives, this study contributes a context-sensitive understanding of adoption drivers for emerging urban air mobility services. The findings offer practical insights for policy makers and service providers seeking to design user-centric, trustworthy, and sustainable drone taxi systems. Full article

Urban Water Systems (UWS) are complex infrastructures that interact with energy, food, ecosystems and socio-political systems, and are under growing pressure from climate change and resource depletion. Planning circular interventions in this context requires system-level analysis to avoid fragmented, siloed decisions. This paper develops the Hydrosocial Resource Urban Nexus (HRUN) framework that integrates hydrosocial thinking with the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus to guide UWS design. We conduct a structured literature review and analyse different configurations of circular interventions, mapping their synergies and trade-offs across socioeconomic and environmental functions of hydrosocial systems. The framework is operationalised through a typology of circular interventions based on their circularity purpose (water reuse, resource recovery and reuse, or water-cycle restoration) and management scale (from on-site to centralised), while greening degree (from grey to green infrastructure) and digitalisation (integration of sensors and control systems) are treated as transversal strategies that shape their operational profile. Building on this typology, we construct cause–effect matrices for each intervention type, linking recurring operational patterns to hydrosocial functionalities and revealing associated synergies and trade-offs. Overall, the study advances understanding of how circular interventions with different configurations can strengthen or weaken system resilience and sustainability outcomes. The framework provides a basis for integrated planning and for quantitative and participatory tools that can assess trade-offs and governance effects of different circular design choices, thereby supporting the transition to more resilient and just water systems. Full article

To address the imbalance between the “ecological advantage” and “economic benefit” of wooden structure buildings, this study examines two structural construction methods utilizing inexpensive and readily available small-diameter round timber as the primary material. It demonstrates the advantages of these two structural systems in terms of material consumption, life cycle carbon emissions, and economic efficiency. Through the research methods and processes of “Preliminary analysis–Proposing the construction system–The feasibility analysis of structural technology–Efficiency assessment”, the sustainable wood structure technical system suitable for the development of China is explored. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Employing the preliminary analysis method, this paper examines and analyzes construction cases that primarily utilize small-diameter round timber as the main material. It delineates specific construction types based on the characteristics of small-diameter round timber. Additionally, it technically reconstructs the methodology for utilizing small-diameter round timber. (2) Two lattice structural systems are proposed, leveraging the mechanical properties and fundamental morphological characteristics of inexpensive and readily available small-diameter round timber of fast-growing Northeast larch. The technical feasibility of these two small-diameter log structure systems is validated through simulation analysis of their spatial threshold suitability. (3) This study conducted a comprehensive comparison between the two small-diameter round timber structural systems and the conventional grain-parallel glued laminated timber (Cross-Laminated Timber) frame structural systems. The analysis was performed from three perspectives. As the primary structural material, grain-parallel glued laminated timber frame structural systems exhibits significant advantages in terms of timber utilization per unit area of the structural system. From a life cycle carbon emission analysis perspective, compared to grain-parallel glued laminated timber frame structures, small-diameter round timber structures can achieve carbon emission reductions ranging from 79.19% to 97.74%. Additionally, the unit area cost of small-diameter round timber structures is reduced by 21.02% to 40.42% relative to grain-parallel glued laminated timber frame structures. Consequently, it can be concluded that small-diameter round timber structural systems possess technical feasibility and construction advantages for small and medium-sized buildings, offering practical value in optimizing technical systems to meet the objective needs of ecological construction. Full article

Cool roof and green roof have been acknowledged as effective heat mitigation strategies for fighting against the urban heat island (UHI). However, empirical data in hot–humid climate are still insufficient. Experimental conventional, cool and green roofs (three types) were established to comprehensively investigate the thermal performances in Hong Kong under typical summer conditions, as retrofitting strategies for an office building. The holistic vertical thermal behavior was investigated. The comparative cooling potentials were assessed. The results reveal a “vertical thermal sequence” in peak temperatures of each substrate layer for the conventional, cool and green roofs on a sunny day. However, local reversion in the thermal sequence may occur on a rainy day. Green roof-plot C (GR_C) demonstrates the highest thermal damping effect, followed by plot B (GR_B), A (GR_A) and the cool roof (CR) in summer. On a sunny day, the thermal dampening effectiveness of the substrates in the three green roofs is consistent: drainage > soil > water reservoir > root barrier. The holistic vertical thermal profiling was constructed in a high-rise office context in Hong Kong. The diurnal temperature profiles indicate all roof systems could effectively attenuate the temperature fluctuations. The daily maximum surface temperature reduction (SDMR) was introduced for cooling potential characterization of the cool roof and green roofs with multiple vegetation types. On a sunny day, the cool roof and green roofs all showed significant cooling potential. SDMR on the concrete tile of the best performing system was GR_C (26 °C), followed by GR_B (22.4 °C), GR_A (20.7 °C) and CR (13.3 °C), respectively. The SDMR on the ceiling ranked as GR_C, GR_B, GR_A and CR, with 2.9 °C, 2.4 °C, 2.1 °C and 2.1 °C, separately. On a rainy day, the cooling effect was still present but greatly diminished. A critical insight of a “warming effect at the ceiling” of the green roof was revealed. This research offers critical insights for unlocking rooftop cooling potential, endorsing cool roof and green roof as pivotal solutions for sustainable urban environments. Full article