Search Results (579)

Urban school environments often face significant thermal discomfort due to extensive paved surfaces, limited vegetation, and outdated building designs. This study examines how green spaces can mitigate temperature extremes and improve thermal comfort at two secondary schools in Coimbra, Portugal: Escola Secundária José Falcão (ESJF) and Escola Secundária D. Dinis (ESDD). Using a mixed-methods approach that combined school community surveys with on-site microclimatic measurements, we integrated user feedback on comfort with data on temperature and humidity variations across different indoor and outdoor spaces. Results revealed that tree-shaded areas consistently maintained lower air temperatures and higher relative humidity than unshaded zones, which experienced intense heat accumulation—up to a 5 °C difference. At ESJF, the older infrastructure and large asphalt surfaces led to severe heat retention, with east-facing classrooms recording the highest indoor temperatures. ESDD’s pavilion-style layout and existing green spaces provided comparatively better thermal conditions, although insufficient vegetation maintenance and limited shade reduced their effectiveness. The findings demonstrate a clear correspondence between the school community’s perceptions of thermal comfort and the measured microclimatic data. Vegetation—particularly deciduous trees—plays a critical role in cooling the school microclimate through shading and evapotranspiration. Strategic interventions such as expanding tree cover in high-exposure areas, installing green roofs and walls, and carefully selecting species can significantly reduce temperature extremes and improve outdoor usability. In addition, fostering environmental education and participatory co-design programs can encourage sustainable behaviors within the school community, underlining the importance of inclusive, nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. This research highlights that integrating green infrastructure in school design and management is a cost-effective strategy for thermal regulation. Green spaces, when co-designed with community involvement, not only enhance climate resilience and student well-being but also contribute to broader sustainable urban development goals. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the world to pause temporarily on an almost planetary scale. The creation and diffusion of knowledge about environmental planning and public health are now almost taken for granted. However, such processes were rather different in pre-pandemic times. It took a substantial dose of labor and resources to generate the information needed to produce useful and usable knowledge, and especially to make it available to others in a timely and effective way. As automobility has come to occupy center stage in the lives of an increasing number of suburbanized dwellers, it has taken multiple energy and public health crises, bold leadership, and the real threat of climate change to create the conditions needed to bolster sustainable Non-Motorized Transportation (NMT) as a complement to cleaner and more convenient mass transit options in cities. How does knowledge about sustainable NMT get created? How are sustainable NMT innovations diffused? How can technological and societal transitions to more sustainable realities be nurtured and augmented? This article utilizes a longitudinal and integrated knowledge creation and diffusion model with a Participatory Planning Process to analyze the adoption of measures aimed at reducing the negative consequences of too much automobility and encouraging higher levels of walking, cycling, and mass transportation. The research methods comprised autoethnographic, qualitative, and policy evaluation techniques. The study makes use of the means and ends matrix to discuss cases from five distinct realms: personal, academic, institutional, volunteering NGO, and private sector. The key findings and lessons learned promote scenarios of managed degrowth and sustainable urban transitions. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton biomass in the Bay of Gdansk (Southern Baltic Sea, Poland) on its usability for anaerobic digestion. Biomass samples were collected between May and October (2023–2024) for quantitative, taxonomic, and chemical analyses as well as for anaerobic digestion in mesophilic periodical bioreactors. Study results demonstrated substantial seasonal variations in the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton, with green algae and dinoflagellates prevailing in the spring, cyanobacteria in the summer, and diatoms in the autumn. These fluctuations were also reflected in the chemical composition of the biomass and its anaerobic digestion efficiency. The highest methane yield of 270 ± 13 mL CH₄/g VS and its highest production rate reaching 32.5 ± 1.6 mL CH₄/g VS·d were recorded in August, i.e., in the period of cyanobacteria predominance with the maximal contents of TOC (51.4 ± 2.1% TS), sugars (599 ± 42 mg/g TS), and lipids (126 ± 13 mg/g TS) in the biomass. In contrast, the lowest biomethanation efficiency was determined in October under diatom prevalence. A strong correlation was found between taxonomic, structural, and chemical properties of the substrate, and anaerobic digestion efficiency. This study’s findings underscore the enormous potential of phytoplankton biomass from summer blooms for energy production as a crucial element of sustainable management of coastal ecosystems and the circular economy. Full article

Many transportation structures collapse or sustain severe damage as a result of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, wars, and similar attacks. These collapsed or severely damaged structures must be rebuilt and returned to service as quickly as possible. Water is used in the mix for cement-bound concrete roads. It is known that drought problems are emerging due to climate change and that water resources are rapidly depleting. Significant amounts of water are used in concrete production, further depleting water resources. In order to contribute to the elimination of these two problems, the usability of polyurethane resin binder in road pavement construction was investigated. Polyurethane resin binder road pavement is a new type of pavement that does not contain cement or bitumen as binders and does not contain water in its mixture. This new type of road pavement can be opened to traffic within 5–15 min. After determining the aggregate and binder mixture ratios, four different curing methods were applied to the created samples. After the curing, the samples were subjected to compression test, flexural test, Bohme abrasion test, freeze–thaw test, bond strength by pull-off test, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test, SEM-EDX analysis, XRD analysis, and FT-IR analysis. The new type of road pavement created within the scope of this study exhibited a compression strength of 41.22 MPa, a flexural strength of 25.32 MPa, a Bohme abrasion value of 0.99 cm³/50 cm², a freeze–thaw test mass loss per unit area of 0.77 kg/m², and an average bond strength by pull-off value of 4.63 MPa. It was observed that these values ensured the road pavement specification limits. Full article

This study presents the development and deployment of a modular digital twin system designed to enhance sustainable facility management within a smart campus context. The system was implemented at the Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, and integrates 3D spatial modeling, real-time environmental and energy sensor data, and multiscale dashboard visualization. Grounded in stakeholder-driven requirements, the platform emphasizes energy management, which is the top priority among campus administrators and technicians. The development process followed a four-phase methodology: (1) stakeholder consultation and requirement analysis; (2) physical data acquisition and 3D model generation; (3) sensor deployment using IoT technologies with NB-IoT and LoRaWAN protocols; and (4) real-time data integration via Firebase and standardized APIs. A suite of dashboards was developed to support interactive monitoring across faculty, building, floor, and room levels. System testing with campus users demonstrated high usability, intuitive spatial navigation, and actionable insights for energy consumption analysis. Feedback indicated strong interest in features supporting data export and predictive analytics. The platform’s modular and hardware-agnostic architecture enables future extensions, including occupancy tracking, water monitoring, and automated control systems. Overall, the digital twin system offers a replicable and scalable model for data-driven facility management aligned with sustainability goals. Its real-time, multiscale capabilities contribute to operational transparency, resource optimization, and climate-responsive campus governance, setting the foundation for broader applications in smart cities and built environment innovation. Full article

Small and medium-sized enterprises face significant challenges in effectively implementing design thinking due to limited resources, leadership skepticism, and a paucity of suitable frameworks. This study addresses these challenges by developing and validating a web-based Design Thinking and Innovation Strategy Toolbox tailored to SME needs. The Toolbox is designed to align with the ISO 56001:2024 Innovation Management Systems standard and was developed through systematic literature reviews and expert interviews, shaping practical modules based on previously identified barriers and success factors. A multi-round Delphi study with 14 experienced consultants refined the Toolbox, focusing on usability, ISO compliance, and practical relevance. The results indicate strong consensus among experts regarding its clarity, adaptability, and alignment with SME constraints, while also highlighting areas for improvement such as visual design and continuous feedback mechanisms. Preliminary validation suggests that the Toolbox can support SMEs in improving sustainable innovation, strategic alignment, and capability development. By addressing contextual constraints, this research contributes to the field of design-led innovation in SMEs by offering a practical, ISO-compliant tool that connects theory and practice in resource-limited environments. Full article

The activation of persulfate (PS) to oxidize and degrade 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in aqueous solution represents a prevalent advanced oxidation technology. This study established a PS activation system using sulfide-modified nanoscale zero-valent iron supported on biochar (S-nZVI@BC). The optimal conditions included a PS:2,4-DCP mass ratio of 70:1 and S-nZVI@BC:PS of 1.5:1. The activator had excellent stability after being reused five times, which lead to high cost-effectiveness and sustainable usability. This system exhibited broad pH adaptability (3–11), with enhanced efficiency under acidic/neutral conditions. Chloride ion, nitrate, and carbonate had effects during the degradation. During the initial degradation phase, S-nZVI@BC played a primary role, with a greater contribution rate of adsorption than reduction. Fe⁰ played a dominant role in the PS activation process; reactive species—including HO•, SO₄•⁻, and O₂•⁻—were identified as key agents in subsequent degradation stages. The overall degradation processes comprised three distinct stages: dechlorination, ring-opening, and mineralization. Full article

Public green spaces are vital to urban life, offering recreational opportunities, enhancing mental and physical well-being, and supporting environmental sustainability. This study presents a structured evaluation of ten public parks in Riyadh, categorized as neighborhood, local, and large parks, and compares their performance to two internationally recognized benchmark parks—Hyde Park and Regent’s Park in London. A partly original evaluation framework was developed to assess the design-related and environmental (nature-based) qualities of these parks. The framework integrates 50 criteria grouped into nine categories, combining quantitative scoring on a five-point scale with qualitative on-site observations. This method enables a comprehensive assessment of design quality, accessibility, and sustainability features. A city-wide map with a color-coded legend illustrates the distribution of the evaluated parks, while field observations and photographic documentation supported the data collection. Findings reveal notable variations in design quality, accessibility, and sustainability across the parks. The results highlight both strengths and gaps compared to international benchmarks, providing valuable insights for improving park design and management. This study contributes to ongoing efforts to enhance park usability and align with Riyadh’s Vision 2030 objectives, offering a practical decision-support tool for planners, managers, and policymakers seeking resilient and inclusive public green spaces. Full article

A significant portion of home energy consumption is due to concealed faults and the inefficient usage of home appliances, usually because of user ignorance and a lack of proactive maintenance strategies. In this paper, ENACT, a digital-twin-based system, is proposed as the solution that facilitates better user understanding, encourages sustainable maintenance practices for appliances, and provides prescriptive maintenance recommendations. With the integration of smart plugs, behavioral analysis, and a 3D spatial interface, ENACT offers real-time device monitoring while providing context-aware suggestions. The system was installed in 20 households over a 12-month period, with users engaging with both 2D and 3D models of their surroundings. The quantitative results, including an average System Usability Scale score of 80.5, and qualitative feedback demonstrated intense user engagement, with strong evidence of mindset shifts towards proactive maintenance behavior. The findings confirm that digital twin technologies, when combined with targeted guidance, can significantly improve appliance lifespans, energy efficiency, and user empowerment within homes. Full article

This study models how designable cues in digital heritage promotion shape advocacy through affect and memory. Relying on the stimulus–organism–response paradigm, we argue that three stimuli, Visual Sensory Appeal (VSA), Narrative Immersion (NI), and Perceived Authenticity (PA), trigger Emotional Engagement (EE) and become Destination Memory (DM), leading to Intention to Recommend (IR). A cross-sectional quantitative design with an online self-report survey was employed. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) we modeled 653 usable responses to test hypothesized stimulus–organism–response processes and Multi-Group Analysis (MGA) tested heterogeneity across gender, age, education, recent contact, cultural-travel frequency, preservation interest, prior heritage experience, and technology use. Direct associations revealed VSA was a strong predictor of IR, and EE and DM predicted IR positively. NI and PA were not incrementally directly affecting IR. Mediation tests revealed partial mediation for VSA (through EE and DM) and complete mediation for NI and PA; across all stimuli, DM far surpassed EE, suggesting memory consolidation as the overall mechanism. MGA revealed systematic segmentation: women preferred visual and authenticity approaches; men used affective conversion, narrative, and authenticity-to-memory more; young adults preferred story/memory levers; higher education made authenticity pathways legitimate; exposure, experience, sustainability interest, and technology use further conditioned strength of paths. Results sharpen S–O–R accounts by ranking visual design as a proximal driver and placing EE on DM as the central channel through which narrative and authenticity have their influence. In practice, the research supports visually consistent, memory-backed, segment-specific strategies for sustainable, inclusive heritage communication. Full article

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore how perceptions of digital health transformation play a role in Saudi Arabia’s customer engagement in healthcare, according to Vision 2030. Saudi Vision 2030, a national reform agenda, has prioritized healthcare digitalization to enhance efficiency, access, and patient-centered care. In particular, the research attempts to explore the attitude of the patient and whether cultural values and infrastructure issues play a mediator role in the perception–engagement relationship. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a mixed-method approach, with qualitative interviews from providers and consumers, along with survey responses from 402 users of digital health. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine hypothesized relationships and moderation effects. Findings: Findings establish that digital health perceptions are a crucial driver in enhancing engagement (β = 0.386; p < 0.001). Perceived ease of use (β = 0.368) and usefulness (β = 0.530) exhibited strong positive influences. Moderation analysis revealed that cultural values (β = 0.343) and infrastructure (β = 0.253) further enhance engagement. The findings highlight usability, usefulness, and context as foundational enablers of long-term patient engagement. Originality/value: By combining Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) variables and applying cultural and infrastructural moderators, this research provides new empirical evidence of Saudi Arabian digital health adoption. It provides policy and practical advice in the creation of accessible, culturally appropriate, and adequately supported digital health solutions toward Vision 2030. It also supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by further promoting sustainable healthcare transformation in a global development agenda. Full article

Background: Prolonged sedentary behavior and associated obesity are recognized risk factors for poor health across the lifespan. Globally, data show that many children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 significantly increased their sedentary behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, failing to meet recommended physical activity levels and reporting increased smartphone use. While mobile devices and video games have been traditionally linked to physical inactivity, formats like exergaming, which combine gameplay with gross motor activity, offer potential to promote physical activity. However, many digital health tools for children are developed without incorporating feedback from key stakeholders and end-users (e.g., children, teachers, and guardians). Therefore, this paper, within the Walk around the Earth (E-Walk) project, describes a prospective study that aims (1) to identify the most influential factors or characteristics affecting engagement with and usability of a mobile application promoting physical activity among primary school students; (2) to develop a mobile application for children based on the identified factors and characteristics. Methods: This project will use a group concept mapping approach to identify the most influential features/factors/characteristics affecting engagement with and usability of an app. By involving primary stakeholders (e.g., children, teachers, guardians, and physical activity experts), the project seeks to align the app’s features with primary end-user needs and motivations. Following the app’s development, its effectiveness in increasing physical activity levels and reducing sedentary behaviors will be evaluated through a mixed-method design, incorporating anthropometric data, validated physical activity questionnaires (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)), and engagement metrics. Conclusions: The E-Walk project integrates participatory design with educational content and activity-based challenges, representing a multidimensional strategy for promoting health and learning in primary school students. Ultimately, this study contributes to the development of user-informed digital interventions that support sustainable behavioral changes, in line with broader goals of child well-being and digital health promotion. Full article

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) hold promise in enhancing accessibility in education by enabling students with physical disabilities to interact with digital learning environments without barriers. However, no comprehensive review has explored the landscape and role of BCIs in inclusive learning. Hence, this review sets out to identify relevant literature on BCI-based educational technologies, highlight their key themes, characteristics, and research methodologies, and identify research gaps. The secondary aim is to evaluate how these educational technologies contribute to inclusive learning frameworks by fostering communication, collaboration, engagement, and accessibility among students with disabilities. Overall, the reviewed studies demonstrate that BCIs can facilitate assistive communication among non-verbal students and provide motor control support for physically impaired persons. While these interventions show strong potential, challenges remain, including high implementation costs, user adaptability, and ethical concerns related to neural data privacy. Specifically, there is a need to (1) shift from experimental applications towards real-world classroom integration by developing user-friendly, cost-effective, and ethically sound BCI-based educational technologies, and (2) extend ongoing research efforts to include underserved populations to assess the generalizability of current and future BCI-based interventions. More importantly, future work should focus on enhancing BCI usability, improving adaptability for diverse learners, and establishing ethical guidelines for the development of socially responsible and inclusive neuro-educational technologies for all people with disabilities everywhere. This will go a long way in fostering the fourth and tenth United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities, respectively. Full article

In an increasingly interconnected and sustainability-driven digital landscape, effective risk management and robust information security practices are essential not only for protecting organizational assets but also for ensuring long-term operational resilience and regulatory compliance, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which aim to grow but have limited resources. This paper presents the development of a practical framework and a supporting application—GestionAVR—for implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) that integrates structured risk management processes. The research presents some theoretical insights and practitioners’ input, with a focus on the needs of SMEs. The framework includes a predefined set of categorized risks across four key areas: organizational, personnel, physical, and technological. Designed for usability and adaptability, the GestionAVR application facilitates risk identification, prioritization, monitoring, and continuous improvement. Validated through a case study in the engineering sector, the solution proved to be effective in enhancing decision-making, reducing time spent on planning, and minimizing overlooked vulnerabilities. Future developments include integration of sustainability indicators aligning with recent updates to ISO 27001 standards, AI-based data analysis and automated reporting. This research offers a customizable and cost-effective tool that supports information security and sustainable organizational development. Full article

Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites (NFRPCs) are gaining attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional composite materials, due to their renewable origin, potential biodegradability, and possibly lower environmental impact. However, while technical advances in NFRPCs have progressed, the application of Circular Design (CD) strategies to their development remains underexplored. This paper presents a preliminary conceptual framework developed at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, aligning CD principles with the specific challenges and opportunities of NFRPCs. Building upon an extensive literature review, the study identifies and critically evaluates key design principles, tools, and strategies, assessing their relevance for guiding decision-making in this material context. The proposed framework offers guidance for integrating CD strategies from the earliest stages of product development, encompassing material selection, lifecycle mapping, and end-of-life planning. To assess its usability and practical value, the framework was tested through two academic case studies. The feedback gathered highlights both the framework’s potential as a learning and design support tool and the need for improved accessibility and clarity in Circular Design resources. Overall, this work contributes to bridging the gap between sustainable materials research and practical design application, offering a material-specific, adaptable, and bilingual resource for students, early-career engineers, and designers seeking to adopt circular practices. By combining systemic thinking with material-specific considerations, the framework fosters the development of more inclusive, regenerative, and ethically responsible design solutions. Full article