Search Results (1,370)

Rapid urbanization exerts immense pressure on cultivated land. Among these, slope-classified cultivated land (referring to cropland categorized by slope gradients) is especially vulnerable to fragmentation due to its ecological fragility, challenging utilization, and critical role in soil conservation and sustainable agriculture. This study explores the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving mechanisms of slope-classified cultivated land fragmentation (SCLF) in Guangdong Province, China, from 2000 to 2020. Using multi-temporal geospatial data, machine learning interpretation, and socioeconomic datasets, this research quantifies the spatiotemporal changes in SCLF, identifies key drivers and their interactions, and proposes differentiated protection strategies. The results reveal the following: (1) The SCLF decreased in the Pearl River Delta, exhibited “U-shaped” fluctuations in the west and east, and increased steadily in northern Guangdong. (2) The machine learning interpretation highlights significantly amplified synergistic effects among drivers, with socioeconomic factors, particularly agricultural mechanization and non-farm employment rates, exerting dominant influences on fragmentation patterns. (3) A “core–transitional–marginal” protection framework is proposed, intensifying the land use efficiency and ecological resilience in core areas, coupling land consolidation with green infrastructure in transitional zones, and promoting agroecological diversification in marginal regions. This research proposed a novel framework for SCLF, contributing to cultivated land protection and informing differentiated spatial governance in rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article

This research examines road users’ willingness to pay for enhanced active mobility infrastructure at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), a suburban university campus in Bangkok, Thailand. The study addresses the need for sustainable transportation solutions in middle-income urban environments by analyzing factors that influence walking and cycling adoption among university community members. The research employed a comprehensive mixed-methods framework combining qualitative SWOT analysis, a stated preference survey of 400 participants, and regularized logistic regression modeling with cross-validation. The analysis revealed that specific infrastructure improvements significantly increase the likelihood of active mobility adoption. Rest areas demonstrated the strongest positive association (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.08–4.27, p = 0.029), followed by CCTV security systems (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 0.98–3.65, p = 0.047), and improved public transport connectivity (OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.42–5.68, p = 0.003). Demographic analysis uncovered notable resistance patterns, with male participants (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.26–0.89, p = 0.020) and higher-income individuals showing reduced willingness to transition from motorized transportation. Using the Contingent Valuation Method with proper bias mitigation strategies, the study quantified potential behavioral changes, projecting a 12–18 min daily increase in active mobility engagement. This enhancement would generate measurable health benefits valued at 2840–4260 THB per person annually using WHO-HEAT methodology. The research contributes valuable insights to the limited body of active mobility literature from Southeast Asian suburban contexts, providing a replicable framework for similar investigations. Full article

Intensified by climate change and anthropogenic activities, flood disasters necessitate rapid and accurate mapping for effective disaster management. This study develops an integrated framework leveraging synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and cloud computing to enhance flood monitoring, with a focus on a 2024 extreme rainfall event in Liaoning Province, China. Utilizing the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, we combine three complementary techniques: (1) Otsu automatic thresholding, for efficient extraction of surface water extent from Sentinel-1 GRD time series (154 scenes, January–October 2024), achieving processing times under 2 min with >85% open-water accuracy; (2) random forest (RF) classification, integrating multi-source features (SAR backscatter, terrain parameters from 30 m SRTM DEM, NDVI phenology) to distinguish permanent water bodies, flooded farmland, and urban areas, attaining an overall accuracy of 92.7%; and (3) Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering, incorporating backscatter ratio and topographic constraints to resolve transitional “mixed-pixel” ambiguities in flood boundaries. The RF-FCM synergy effectively mapped submerged agricultural land and urban spill zones, while the Otsu-derived flood frequency highlighted high-risk corridors (recurrence > 10%) along the riverine zones and reservoir. This multi-algorithm approach provides a scalable, high-resolution (10 m) solution for near-real-time flood assessment, supporting emergency response and sustainable water resource management in affected basins. Full article

The rapid demographic transition in middle-income countries creates unprecedented challenges for age-friendly urban development, as cities experience compressed aging within severe resource constraints—a phenomenon termed “getting old before getting rich.” This study develops a preliminary Resource-Constrained Age-Friendly City (RC-AFC) framework through empirical analysis of Bangkok’s urban aging challenges, addressing the need for context-specific approaches in resource-constrained environments. Using convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the research analyzed data from 1000 older adults and 195 multi-sectoral stakeholders to examine age-friendly service gaps and collaboration potential within Bangkok’s rapidly aging context. Importance-Performance Analysis revealed significant service disparities (average gap: 1.34) with Communication and Information (2.03), Housing (1.93), and Outdoor Spaces (1.78) identified as priority areas in Bangkok’s setting. The study proposes three initial RC-AFC principles based on Bangkok findings: Priority Hierarchy Adaptation suggesting systematic resource allocation approaches; Multi-Sectoral Resource Optimization indicating collaboration as structural necessity; and Leapfrog Innovation Potential demonstrating potential for constraint-driven solutions. This proof-of-concept study provides initial conceptual foundation specifically developed from Bangkok’s context, though systematic validation across different urban environments remains essential before any broader consideration. The research offers a Bangkok-derived starting point for understanding resource-constrained age-friendly development that requires substantial further testing and adaptation for application in other contexts. Full article

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

Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations play a pivotal role in the widespread adoption and integration of electric vehicles into mainstream transportation systems. While the effects of climate change and greenhouse gases are increasing worldwide, the transition to electric vehicles is of high importance in terms of both ecological and sustainability. EV charging stations serve as the backbone of this transition, providing essential infrastructure to support the charging needs of EV owners and facilitate the transition to electric vehicles. In this study, a MINLP mathematical model is developed for the multi-objective optimization of EVCS. For implementation, Istanbul’s European side and a large-scale synthetic case are addressed considering both current demand and estimations for low, medium, and high EV numbers by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) for 2030 and 2035. The primary aim is to minimize station numbers, capacity, waiting time, and station idle time while meeting the demand. During the solvation of the mathematical model, both present demand and future EV usage forecasts are taken into consideration. This involves simulating different scenarios using EMRA’s 2030 and 2035 estimates and determining the optimal locations and capacities for charging stations for each demand level. Efficiencies in different scenarios were evaluated and the created mathematical model provides to optimize EV charging stations in multiple ways, there will be savings in total cost and labor force. The findings of the study will provide a valuable guide to the EV charging station infrastructure planning of the highways, regions, and urban areas to be selected in possible studies. The multi-directional optimization model addressed in this study will support decision-makers and industry experts in making informed decisions towards the sustainable and efficient development of EV charging infrastructure. Full article

Global warming and rapid urban industrialization are profoundly transforming land-use patterns and carbon storage capacity in terrestrial ecosystems. A rigorous analysis of spatiotemporal variations in regional land-use changes and carbon storage dynamics provides critical insights for sustainable land-use planning and ecological security, particularly within the context of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets. In this study, the PLUS-InVEST model was coupled with climate change and policy constraints to construct six future scenarios. We analyzed the characteristics of land-use evolution and the spatial and temporal changes in carbon storage in the Sanjiangyuan region from 2000 to 2020. We also predicted the potential impacts of land-use shift on carbon storage. The results show the following: (1) Land-use transitions exerted significant impacts on carbon stock. The Sanjiangyuan region experienced a net carbon stock reduction of 9.9 × 10⁶ t during 2000–2020, with the most pronounced decline (6.1 × 10⁶ t) occurring between 2000 and 2010. (2) Under the same climate scenario, the natural development (ND) scenario exhibited decreasing carbon reserves relative to 2020 baseline levels. Notably, land-use planning scenarios demonstrated spatially heterogeneous impacts, with the ecological protection (EP) scenario consistently maintaining higher carbon stocks compared to the ND scenario. (3) Multivariate driver interactions exerted stronger control over spatial carbon storage patterns than any individual factor. These findings inform targeted land-use management strategies to enhance regional carbon sequestration capacity, promote sustainable development, and support China’s carbon peaking and neutrality objectives. Full article

Securing the acceptance of nature-based solutions (NbS) in urban greening is central for addressing current social, environmental, and climate-related challenges. To achieve this, participatory planning processes are increasingly encouraged in NbS projects. However, challenges often arise, as NbS and public participation are not always seamlessly compatible. Based on a cross-case, qualitative content analysis of project organizers’ experiences in seven urban NbS planning projects in Northern Europe, we unpack three social tensions that can limit the role of participatory NbS: (1) tensions between the openness or “closedness” of environmental and participatory objectives; (2) tensions between the increasing time demands for participatory NbS processes and limitations for largely project-based NbS delivery; and (3) tensions between the roles of expert and lay knowledge. We illustrate these tensions through our cases, showing the challenges that they create for project organizers, both in terms of implementing NbS projects, as well as the risks that they have for broader NbS and participatory goals. We use the experiences and learnings from our cases to suggest paths that can help planners balance these tensions and potentially lead to more inclusive and transformative NbS planning models. Full article

This study examines how Multi-Scalar Nature-Based Regenerative Solutions (M-NbRS) can realign urban–industrial systems with planetary boundaries to mitigate Earth system destabilization. Using integrated systems analysis, we document three key findings: (1) global material flows show only 9% circularity amid annual extraction of 100 billion tons of resources; (2) Earth system diagnostics reveal 28 trillion tons of cryosphere loss since 1994 and 372 Zettajoules of oceanic heat accumulation; and (3) meta-analysis identifies accelerating biosphere integrity loss (61.56 million hectares deforested since 2001) and atmospheric CO₂ concentrations reaching 424.61 ppm (2024). Our Vicious Cycle Atlas of Fragility framework maps three synergistic disintegration pathways: metabolic overload from linear resource flows exceeding sink capacity, entropic degradation through high-entropy waste driving cryospheric collapse, and planetary boundary transgression. The M-NbRS framework counters these through spatially nested interventions: hyper-local urban tree canopy expansion (demonstrating 0.4–12 °C cooling), regional initiatives like the Heart of Borneo’s 24 million-hectare conservation, and global industrial controls maintaining aragonite saturation (Ωarag > 2.75) for marine resilience. Implementation requires policy innovations including deforestation-free supply chains, sustainability-linked financing, and ecological reciprocity legislation. These findings provide an evidence base for transitioning industrial–urban systems from drivers of Earth system fragility to architects of regeneration within safe operating spaces. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that M-NbRS offer a scientifically grounded, policy-actionable framework for breaking the vicious cycles of Earth system destabilization. By operationalizing nature-based regeneration across spatial scales—from street trees to transboundary conservation—this approach provides measurable pathways to realign human systems with planetary boundaries, offering a timely blueprint for industrial–urban transformation within ecological limits. Full article

Motivated by China’s new urbanization and ecological civilization construction initiatives, the Shenyang Municipal Committee has recently has proposed an ambitious goal of advancing the construction of a Park City with northern characteristics. The scientifically planned urban landscape is essential for balancing ecological protection with sustainable development,. This plan is crucial for driving the realization of the Park City initiative. This study employed ArcGIS 10.8 and Fragstats 4.2 to systematically examine land use transitions and landscape pattern dynamics in Shenyang’s main urban area (2000–2020). The results indicated that Shenyang’s urban core has experienced significant southward expansion across the Hun River over the last two decades. This expansion resulted in a substantial increase in constructed land of 490.84 km² (from 15.78% to 29.19% in total coverage). Conversely, cultivated land, forest land, and grassland exhibited negative dynamic rates of −0.99%, −0.54%, and −1.02%, respectively, with 76.89% of cultivated land converted to construction land. Landscape pattern indices revealed intensified fragmentation: the number of patches rose by 163, while the largest patch area, landscape aggregation index, and contagion index decreased by 16.74%, 0.40%, and 5.84%, respectively. However, the landscape division index increased by 0.12%, with Shannon’s diversity index and evenness index increasing by 0.19 and 0.11, respectively. These metrics demonstrated the positive correlation between urbanization intensity and landscape pattern alterations. The examination of the dynamic land use patterns in Shenyang integrated seven crucial indicators to assess the development of the emerging Park City. Results indicated challenges including urban land expansion, cultivated land loss, limited resources, and uneven green space distribution. The findings revealed the negative correlation between land use pattern evolution and Park City requirements. The research suggested strategies at the macro-, meso-, and micro-scales to address these issues and reconcile urbanization pressures with sustainable Park City development in Shenyang. Full article

The digital economy is a vital driver of industrial transformation and green development in China. This study aims to investigate how formal and informal environmental regulations affected the growth of the digital economy across Chinese prefecture-level cities between 2010 and 2020. Utilizing panel data from official statistical yearbooks and local bulletins, the research employs entropy weighting and ratio analysis to measure regulatory intensity and effectiveness. Spatial econometric models are applied to assess the direct and spillover effects of environmental regulation on digital economy development. Results indicate a nationwide strengthening of both formal and informal regulations, with formal mechanisms exerting a more pronounced influence on digital growth. Regional disparities are evident, with cities under stricter environmental oversight showing faster digital advancement. Spatial spillover effects exist but diminish with distance, likely due to institutional fragmentation. These findings underscore the need for integrated multi-level regulatory approaches, promoting synergy between formal and informal regulations and embedding environmental goals within land-use planning and digital infrastructure investment. The study offers new insights into the interplay between environmental governance and urban digital transformation, providing lessons relevant to China and other developing countries pursuing sustainable transitions. Full article

This study examines the spatial dynamics of urban sprawl in the peri-urban areas of Malang Municipality from 2004 to 2024. The findings reveal a rapid and uneven expansion of built-up areas, growing from 1825.87 ha (4%) in 2004 to 8017.22 ha (15.39%) in 2024. The most significant growth occurred in Singosari, Pakis, and Karangploso Districts, driven by proximity to higher education institutions, tourism centers, and commercial zones. Meanwhile, recent development trends in Kedungkandang District suggest emerging southeastern expansion supported by land availability and infrastructure. An analysis using the Landscape Expansion Index (LEI) indicates a transition from diffusion to coalescence phases, characterized by dominant edge-expansion, increasing infill, and persistent outlying patterns. However, discrepancies between spatial plans and actual land use were found, including 677.29 ha of non-built areas, 172.38 ha of which were sustainable agriculture zones converted into built-up land. These inconsistencies highlight the urgent need for stronger land-use control, including the implementation of Urban Growth Boundaries (UGBs) and stricter enforcement of spatial regulations. Future research should explore spatial drivers using logistic regression or spatial modeling approaches to support more sustainable urban planning in peri-urban regions. Full article

The structural responsiveness of urban energy systems has emerged as a central challenge in the governance of shrinking cities. Urban shrinkage entails more than a redistribution of resources—it reflects deep tensions embedded in population spatial configuration, functional redundancy, and institutional inertia. To investigate the evolutionary trajectory and driving mechanisms of urban energy consumption (UEC) under the context of urban shrinkage, this study focuses on China, a country undergoing rapid internal regional transformation. Drawing on panel data from 281 cities between 2008 and 2021, the study integrates two-way fixed effects (TWFE) models, mediation analysis, and spatial econometric models to ensure the scientific rigor and robustness of the quantitative analysis. Contrary to the intuitive assumption that declining population leads to reduced energy loads, the results reveal a non-linear and asymmetric trajectory wherein per capita energy consumption increases alongside continued demographic decline. Mechanism decomposition further shows that declines in population density and the share of secondary industry suppress UEC through spatial dispersal and the retreat of energy-intensive sectors, respectively. In contrast, fiscal contraction and institutional path dependency collectively elevate the share of traditional energy consumption, reinforcing the structural inertia of UEC. This study illuminates the non-linear dynamics of energy system evolution under urban shrinkage and argues for a shift away from linear and target-driven governance paradigms toward governance frameworks that emphasize structural adaptation, distributive equity, and systemic resilience—thereby offering a theoretical and empirical foundation for multi-objective sustainable urban transitions. Full article

Understanding the drivers of water yield (WY) changes in ecologically sensitive, data-scarce watersheds is crucial for sustainable management, particularly in the context of accelerating forest expansion and urbanization. This study focuses on the upper Yellow River Basin (UYRB), a critical headwater region that supplies 60% of the Yellow River’s flow and is undergoing rapid land use transitions from 1990 to 2100. Using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model and the Future Land-Use Simulation (FLUS) model, we quantify historical (1990–2020) and projected (2025–2100) WY dynamics under three SSP scenarios (SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585). InVEST, a spatially explicit ecohydrological model based on the Budyko framework, estimates WY by balancing precipitation and evapotranspiration. The FLUS model combines cellular automata (CA) with an artificial neural network (ANN)-based suitability evaluation and Markov chain-derived transition probabilities to simulate land-use change under multiple scenarios. Results show that WY increased significantly during the historical period (1990–2020), primarily driven by increased precipitation, with climate change accounting for 94% and land-use change for 6% of the total variation in WY. Under future scenarios (SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585), WY is projected to increase to 217 mm, 206 mm, and 201 mm, respectively. Meanwhile, the influence of land-use change is expected to diminish, with its contribution decreasing to 9.1%, 5.7%, and 3.1% under SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585, respectively. This decrease reflects the increasing strength of climate signals (especially extreme precipitation and evaporative demand), which masks the hydrological impacts of land-use transitions. These findings highlight the dominant role of climate change, the scenario-dependent effects of land-use change, and the urgent need for integrated climate–land management strategies in forest-urbanizing watersheds. Full article

Sustainability has an ever-increasing importance in our lives, mainly due to climate changes, finite resources, and a growing population, where each of us is called to make a change. Although climate change is a global phenomenon, our individual choices can make the difference. The transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, making the transition toward sustainable mobility a critical priority. The adoption of electric vehicles is widely recognized as a key solution to reduce the environmental impact of transportation. However, their widespread acceptance depends on various technological, behavioral, and economical factors. Within this research we use as an artifact the CO₂ Emission Management Gauge (CEMG) devices to better understand how the manufacturers, with integrated features on vehicles, could significantly enhance sales and drive the movement towards electric vehicle adoption. This study proposes an innovative new theoretical model based on Task-Technology Fit, Technology Acceptance, and the Theory of Planned Behavior to understand the main drivers that may foster electric vehicle adoption, tested in a quantitative study with structural equation modelling (SEM), and conducted in a South European country. Our findings, not without some limitations, reveal that while technological innovations like CEMG provide consumers with valuable transparency regarding emissions, its influence on the intention of adoption is dependent on the attitude towards electric vehicles and subjective norm. Our results also support the influence of task-technology fit on perceived usefulness and perceived ease-of-use, the influence of perceived usefulness on consumer attitude towards electric vehicles, and the influence of perceived ease-of-use on perceived usefulness. A challenge is also presented within our work to expand CEMG usage in the future to more intrinsic urban contexts, combined with smart city algorithms, collecting and proving CO₂ emission information to citizens in locations such as traffic lights, illumination posts, streets, and public areas, allowing the needed information to better manage the city’s quality of air and traffic. Full article