Journal Description
Sustainability
Sustainability
is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal on environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings, published semimonthly online by MDPI. The Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) and Urban Land Institute (ULI) are affiliated with Sustainability and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE and SSCI (Web of Science), GEOBASE, GeoRef, Inspec, AGRIS, RePEc, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Environmental Studies) / CiteScore - Q1 (Geography, Planning and Development)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 18.8 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Testimonials: See what our editors and authors say about Sustainability.
- Companion journals for Sustainability include: World, Sustainable Chemistry, Conservation, Future Transportation, Architecture, Standards, Merits and Wind.
Impact Factor:
3.9 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
4.0 (2022)
Latest Articles
Aging in Place in Hong Kong and Its Implications for Sustainable Development: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Needs, Beliefs, Behaviors, and Well-Being of Older Adults through Self-Determination Theory and Social Cognitive Theory
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3447; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083447 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
With the rapidly aging population, Aging in Place (AIP) assumes an increasingly pivotal role, as it aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Despite the contributions of AIP, there is a dearth of studies investigating
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With the rapidly aging population, Aging in Place (AIP) assumes an increasingly pivotal role, as it aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Despite the contributions of AIP, there is a dearth of studies investigating the corresponding needs and well-being of older adults from psychological and sociocultural perspectives. This study aimed to investigate older adults’ needs, beliefs, behaviors, well-being, as well as perceived challenges and opportunities pertaining to AIP. Adopting a qualitative design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 older adults on an individual basis. Through thematic analysis, a theoretical framework with reference to Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) was established. Findings reveal that the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, relatedness, and dignity are conducive to well-being and decision making. Fear of being a burden to others emerges as a dominant sociocultural construct. This research extends SDT by incorporating the need for dignity as an overarching factor intersecting with SDT needs. Fulfilling psychological needs, honoring cultural beliefs, and aligning with SDG3 and ESG principles are crucial to the successful implementation of AIP. AIP policies should not only consider older adults’ practical needs but also their psychological needs, thereby fostering an age-friendly environment through sustainable development.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue ESG Disclosure, Pro-environmental Behavior and Sustainability)
Open AccessArticle
Research on Alternative Relationship between Chinese Renewable Energy and Imported Coal for China
by
Pingkuo Liu, Kailing Guo and Jiahao Wu
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3446; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083446 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
The issue of energy security in the new development paradigm featuring dual circulation has been paid attention to by all sectors, but at present, there are few results from relevant quantitative analyses. With a focus on China’s actual energy trade, this research examines
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The issue of energy security in the new development paradigm featuring dual circulation has been paid attention to by all sectors, but at present, there are few results from relevant quantitative analyses. With a focus on China’s actual energy trade, this research examines the core elements of energy security in international and Chinese cycles. In this context, the “gravity model” and “Allen substitution elasticity” are optimized and expanded. An integrated assessment methodology is developed as a result of this effort. This methodology consists of an international-cycle trade gravity model and a Chinese-cycle price elasticity model. Additionally, it empirically analyzes the effects of China’s renewable energy substitution from the perspective of the “dual cycles” of energy security, and illustrates the current state of China’s energy security through the analysis of energy substitution relationship data. The results show that Chinese renewable energy does have a buffer effect on imported coal in terms of trade efficiency, scale, and behavior, as well as performance, and the energy trade price has a direct guiding significance for this buffer function, but the enhancement function of economy-driven efficiency is indirect. Furthermore, as far as the absolute price elasticity and net price elasticity are concerned, although Chinese wind power generation is a substitute for imported coal, its price elasticity also confirms that Chinese wind power generation is not a “normal commodity”. Moreover, at present, Chinese photovoltaic power generation shows the attribute of a “normal commodity”, but it has a certain degree of complementarity with imported coal, although this complementarity will weaken in the near future with the trend of changing to substitution.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Energy Economics and Sustainable Development)
Open AccessArticle
Factors Affecting Supply Chain Integration in Omni-Channel Retailing
by
Yue Liu and Guang Song
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3445; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083445 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
China’s retail industry has vigorously developed an omni-channel retail strategy in the last few years. However, quantitative research on this development remains relatively scarce. This article addresses this by building a theoretical model of the relationships between internal supply chain integration, external supply
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China’s retail industry has vigorously developed an omni-channel retail strategy in the last few years. However, quantitative research on this development remains relatively scarce. This article addresses this by building a theoretical model of the relationships between internal supply chain integration, external supply chain integration and financial performance in omni-channel retailing and then verifies it by using a structural equation model to analyze 356 omni-channel retailers. The results show that in the case of omni-channel retailers, the supply chain’s internal information integration has a significant positive impact on its external information integration and that the supply chain’s internal process and internal organization integration significantly positively impact its external process and external organization integration. And it also shows the supply chain’s external information integration and external organization integration positively impact omni-channel retailers’ financial performance. However, the supply chain’s external process integration is not found to have the same effect on financial performance. This study addresses a theoretical gap in the research on the impact of supply chain integration on firm performance in omni-channel retailing. In addition, it provides suggestions about how omni-channel strategies can be effectively implemented in China’s retail industry.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Operation, and Optimization)
Open AccessReview
A Review on Harnessing Renewable Energy Synergies for Achieving Urban Net-Zero Energy Buildings: Technologies, Performance Evaluation, Policies, Challenges, and Future Direction
by
Yoorae Noh, Shahryar Jafarinejad and Prashant Anand
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3444; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083444 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
As urbanization continues to accelerate globally, energy demand in cities is reaching unprecedented levels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. In response, the concept of net-zero energy building (NZEB) is becoming a sustainable solution for urban energy needs. NZEB aims to achieve a net-zero
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As urbanization continues to accelerate globally, energy demand in cities is reaching unprecedented levels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. In response, the concept of net-zero energy building (NZEB) is becoming a sustainable solution for urban energy needs. NZEB aims to achieve a net-zero energy footprint by balancing the energy it consumes with the energy it produces, primarily from renewable energy (RE) sources. This comprehensive literature review-based study explores the role of RE synergies in the context of urban NZEBs, including discussions on definition and development of NZEBs, RE-synergies for achieving NZEBs, sustainable trends and clusters of NZEBs, climate change impacts on NZEBs, their performance evaluation, policy and regulatory frameworks, and challenges and possible solutions related to NZEBs. It has been identified that while customizing NZEB definitions to align with regional energy supply and demand is important, the same is highly dependent on building architectural and micro-climate features. The assessment of climate change effects and NZEB practices should involve evaluating building energy equilibrium, occupant comfort, and interactions with the energy grid. There are still some technical, policy, and socio-economic challenges that need more attention to provide comprehensive solutions for further enhancing the sustainable development/performance of NZEBs and achieving their goal.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Technology and Sustainable Building Research)
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Open AccessArticle
Corporate Sustainability Reporting and Stakeholders’ Interests: Evidence from China
by
Lu Xu, Li Xie, Shengjun Mei, Jianli Hao, Yuqian Zhang and Yu Song
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3443; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083443 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
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This paper examines whether the adoption of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) by listed firms could enhance the alignment between corporate sustainability reporting and stakeholders’ interests in China. Drawing on content analysis of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports of 48 selected
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This paper examines whether the adoption of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) by listed firms could enhance the alignment between corporate sustainability reporting and stakeholders’ interests in China. Drawing on content analysis of the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports of 48 selected listed firms and a questionnaire survey of 409 respondents, this study shows that most of the sampled firms with GRI adoption have more sustainability activities identified in the content analysis than their peers that do not follow the GRI guidelines in the same industries; both groups of firms have a similar pattern of disclosure frequency in light of the six dimensions developed in this study; and there is a disconnect between the stakeholders’ needs and the sustainability reporting practice of the sampled listed firms. The findings reflect that the current corporate social responsibility reporting practice could be interpreted as a strategic response to the government’s policy priorities, rather than a direct attempt to address stakeholders’ concerns.
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Open AccessArticle
Matchmaking in Off-Grid Energy System Planning: A Novel Approach for Integrating Residential Electricity Demands and Productive Use of Electricity
by
Nikolas Schöne, Tim Ronan Britton, Edouard Delatte, Nicolas Saincy and Boris Heinz
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3442; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083442 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Off-grid electrification planning increasingly recognizes the importance of productive use of electricity (PUE) to promote community value creation and (financial) project sustainability. To ensure a sustainable and efficient integration in the community and energy system, PUE assets must be carefully evaluated to match
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Off-grid electrification planning increasingly recognizes the importance of productive use of electricity (PUE) to promote community value creation and (financial) project sustainability. To ensure a sustainable and efficient integration in the community and energy system, PUE assets must be carefully evaluated to match both the community needs and the residential electricity demand patterns. We propose a novel methodology interlinking qualitative interviews, statistical analysis and energy system modeling to optimize decision making for PUE integration in off-grid energy systems in rural Madagascar by aligning relevant PUE effectively with anticipated residential electricity demand patterns based on socio-economic determinants of the community. We find that a possible contribution of the PUE to reducing the electricity costs depends significantly on three factors: (1.) The residential electricity consumption patterns, which are influenced by the socio-economic composition of the community; (2.) The degree of flexibility of (i) PUE assets and (ii) operational preferences of the PUE user; and (3.) The capacity of community members to finance and operate PUE assets. Our study demonstrates that significant cost reductions for PUE-integrated off-grid energy systems can be achieved by applying our proposed methodology. When matching PUE and residential consumption patterns, the integration of PUE assets in residential community energy systems can reduce the financial risk for operators, provided the PUE enterprise operates reliably and sustainably. We highlight that the consideration of local value chains and co-creation approaches are essential to ensure the energy system is addressing the community’s needs, creates value for the community, enhances the project’s financial sustainability and is achieving the overall objectives of decentralized energy system planning.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Poverty, Inequality and Sustainable Development)
Open AccessArticle
Evaluation of China’s Marine Aquaculture Sector’s Green Development Level Using the Super-Efficiency Slacks-Based Measure and Global Malmquist–Luenberger Index Models
by
Deli Yang and Qionglei Wang
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3441; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083441 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Given China’s rapidly expanding marine aquaculture industry, the associated ecological issues have garnered widespread attention. Therefore, it is crucial to speed up the green growth of marine aquaculture in order to save the environment and use resources sustainably. In order to statically assess
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Given China’s rapidly expanding marine aquaculture industry, the associated ecological issues have garnered widespread attention. Therefore, it is crucial to speed up the green growth of marine aquaculture in order to save the environment and use resources sustainably. In order to statically assess and dynamically analyze the green development efficiency levels of marine aquaculture in nine coastal provinces of China from 2012 to 2021, this study uses the non-expected output super-efficiency Slacks-Based Measure model and the Global Malmquist–Luenberger index method. Additionally, it integrates input–output redundancy rates to analyze the causes of efficiency loss. Static efficiency primarily reflects whether a region’s inputs and outputs at a given point in time reach an effective efficiency level, while the level of dynamic efficiency mainly gauges the dynamic changes in the efficiency of green production. The results show that, from 2012 to 2021, China’s marine aquaculture industry’s average static efficiency of green output was 0.705. The southern marine economic zone exhibited the highest static efficiency value in the green development of marine aquaculture, displaying a stepped distribution pattern of “south–north–east” in decreasing order. The input–output redundancy analysis reveals that the primary causes of static efficiency loss in China’s marine aquaculture industry are attributed to varying degrees of redundant inputs and carbon emission outputs. Looking through the lens of the GML index, the annual average growth rate of the green total factor productivity in China’s marine aquaculture stands at 11.1%, with an annual average change in technical efficiency of 1.8%, while the annual average change in technological progress amounts to 9.1%, suggesting that technological advancement is the primary driver of the rise in green total factor productivity in China’s marine aquaculture sector. According to the study, in order to encourage China’s marine aquaculture industry to grow sustainably, efforts should be made not only to accelerate technological advancements but also to enhance technical efficiency. Policies that are specifically designed for the local environment should be developed to support the sustainable development of the marine aquaculture sector and to make resource allocation easier.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Economic Transformation and Sustainable Development)
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Open AccessArticle
The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Distribution of Traffic Accident Hotspots in New York City
by
Hengyi Zhang, Yusheng Ci, Yikang Huang and Lina Wu
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3440; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083440 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the lives of city residents and has reshaped working patterns, with a concomitant impact on traffic accidents. We correlated data from multiple sources to explore the impact of residents’ mobility and residents’ travel behavior
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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the lives of city residents and has reshaped working patterns, with a concomitant impact on traffic accidents. We correlated data from multiple sources to explore the impact of residents’ mobility and residents’ travel behavior on the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of urban traffic accident hotspots and its internal mechanism under the impact of the pandemic and subsequent policy measures. The results showed that the pandemic and policy measures inhibited the mobility of residents, had a significant impact on working patterns, and changed the composition structure of the purpose of residents’ travel behavior, which substantially impacted the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of urban traffic accident hotspots. The quantity of traffic accidents decreased significantly, and the spatial distribution characteristics of urban traffic accident hotspots changed substantially, with accident hotspots changing from the single-center spatial distribution before the pandemic to the multi-center spatial distribution during the pandemic; urban accident-prone areas changed from being mainly distributed in the central business district before the pandemic to being more widely distributed in public service areas during the pandemic. The results of this study may be helpful to better understand the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of urban traffic accident hotspots and their intrinsic mechanism.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Road Transport System Planning and Optimization)
Open AccessArticle
Electric Vehicle Routing Problem with States of Charging Stations
by
Gitae Kim
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3439; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083439 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
This paper proposes an electric vehicle routing problem, considers the states of charging stations and suggests solution strategies. The charging of electric vehicles is a main issue in the field of electric vehicle routing. There are many studies that find the locations of
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This paper proposes an electric vehicle routing problem, considers the states of charging stations and suggests solution strategies. The charging of electric vehicles is a main issue in the field of electric vehicle routing. There are many studies that find the locations of charging stations, recharging functions for the batteries of vehicles, and so on. However, the state of charging stations significantly affects the routes of electric vehicles, which is not much explored. The states may include open or closed charging stations, occupied or empty charging slots, and so on. This paper investigates how the states of charging stations are estimated and how routing strategies are determined. We formulate a mixed integer programming model and suggest how to solve the problem with an exact method. Numerical examples provide the optimal routing strategies of electric vehicles for the changing environments regarding the states of charging stations.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Electric Vehicles Energy Management, 2nd Volume)
Open AccessArticle
Evaluation Methods and Application of Adaptability of Ecological Product Development and Utilization—Taking Jizhou District, Tianjin City, as an Example
by
Enxiang Zhang, Xinting Gao, Shuo Lei, Qin Qiao, Yuping Zheng, Lixiang Liu and Yongwei Han
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3438; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083438 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Ecological products refer to the natural elements crucial for sustaining life support systems, ecological regulation functions, and environmental comfort. These products encompass clean air, water, pollution-free soil, lush forests, and maintaining favorable climates. In this study, we assessed the spatial distribution of ecosystem
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Ecological products refer to the natural elements crucial for sustaining life support systems, ecological regulation functions, and environmental comfort. These products encompass clean air, water, pollution-free soil, lush forests, and maintaining favorable climates. In this study, we assessed the spatial distribution of ecosystem service functions in the Jizhou District of Tianjin using the suitability evaluation method, InVEST model calculations, and ArcGIS spatial visualization analysis. This study operates within the framework of “ecological industry selection”, involving suitability evaluations for ecological product development, and formulates industrial development planning and control strategies. To construct the evaluation index system for exploiting and utilizing ecological products in the Jizhou District, three key aspects were considered: ecosystem services, land use, and limiting factors. Leveraging the district’s resource endowments, this study conducted a quantitative analysis of the spatial distribution pattern of ecological product exploitation potential. The findings revealed a regional aggregation characteristic in the development potential of ecological products. The appropriate direction for developing eco-agriculture, eco-industry, eco-health, and eco-compensation products in the Jizhou district is influenced by the spatial distribution of ecosystem service functions. Building upon the analysis, specific types of ecological products suitable for development in the Jizhou District were further identified. By evaluating the suitability of ecological product development and utilization and verifying the results through industrial model division, the mechanism for comprehending the value of ecological products was realized. This study contributes to the realization of the “two mountains” ideology, wherein the transformation of green water and green mountains into assets of economic value is emphasized, thus fostering sustainable development practices.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecological Engineering and Circular Economy)
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Open AccessArticle
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis of Accessibility in Frigid Zone Campus Buildings
by
Wenqi Qiao, Zimo Chen and Tong Hou
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3437; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083437 (registering DOI) - 19 Apr 2024
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With the progress of China’s economy, there is an increasing focus on accessibility systems. Enhancements to accessibility infrastructure are being implemented in all types of structures, with a particular focus on educational institutions such as college campuses. This research was carried out to
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With the progress of China’s economy, there is an increasing focus on accessibility systems. Enhancements to accessibility infrastructure are being implemented in all types of structures, with a particular focus on educational institutions such as college campuses. This research was carried out to examine the campus accessibility system of Northeastern University’s Nanhu and Hunnan Campuses in Shenyang City, China, using failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) as a methodology and using incorporating fuzzy control, which overcomes the limitations of traditional FMEA. Fuzzy-FMEA integrates the fuzzy linguistic assessment to assist the analysis process, in contrast to standard analysis which mainly relies on subjective judgment. Through calculations, it is known that ramps, barrier-free toilets, and barrier-free entrances are the items with the highest failure modes. The construction of the campus accessible environment needs to prioritize solving the problems of these facilities. The research results also found that there is a lack of research specifications for accessible environments in China’s cold regions, and universal specifications are not fully suitable. The accessibility of the new campus was improved and management was improved, reflecting the school’s increased awareness of accessible environment construction in recent years. However, there are still many common problems in the old and new campuses, proving that they are not aware of the importance and urgency of improving these problems. In addition, the construction of barrier-free facilities in the administrative office buildings where management and faculty are located on both campuses is generally in good condition. The accessible design of dormitories and canteens commonly used by students is often ignored. Moreover, the rough detailing in many buildings prevents these facilities from being used properly. These are the challenges faced by the Northeastern University in building an accessible environment.
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Open AccessArticle
Study on Suburban Land Use Optimization from the Perspective of Flood Mitigation—A Case Study of Pujiang Country Park in Shanghai
by
Hui Xu, Junlong Gao, Xinchun Yu, Chunyang Wang, Yi Liu, Jiahong Wen and Qianqian Qin
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3436; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083436 - 19 Apr 2024
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The integration of nature-based solutions into land use optimization has become a central focus of current research, primarily due to its effectiveness in mitigating flooding impacts and promoting sustainable development in both urban and rural areas. Taking Shanghai’s Pujiang Country Park as a
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The integration of nature-based solutions into land use optimization has become a central focus of current research, primarily due to its effectiveness in mitigating flooding impacts and promoting sustainable development in both urban and rural areas. Taking Shanghai’s Pujiang Country Park as a case study, this paper conducts a simulation analysis to assess the flood mitigation effectiveness of three distinct land use patterns (Natural scenario, Scenario N; Complete urbanization scenario, Scenario U; Country Park Planning scenario, Scenario P) under five stormwater scenarios with return periods of 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 years. The findings reveal that Scenario P exhibits superior flood mitigation performance, particularly under stormwater scenarios with a return period of less than 50 years. Building upon these results, the paper proposes recommendations for optimizing land use to mitigate the impact of flooding. This study is crucial for understanding the mechanisms involved in urban stormwater logging mitigation through land use methods and holds significance for decision-making in land use and planning at the micro level.
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Open AccessArticle
Coexistence of Tourism in Urban Planning: Active Living, Social Sustainability, and Inclusivity
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Sotiroula Liasidou and Christiana Stylianou
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3435; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083435 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
In any city, various social groups coexist and need to have a harmonious symbiosis and optimise how people experience the city. The notion of urban planning incorporates positive city development that is active, socially sustainable, and inclusive. This study aims to identify whether
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In any city, various social groups coexist and need to have a harmonious symbiosis and optimise how people experience the city. The notion of urban planning incorporates positive city development that is active, socially sustainable, and inclusive. This study aims to identify whether the development of the Mediterranean city of Limassol, Cyprus extends to cover the needs of people with disabilities (PwD), residents, and tourists, emphasising physical impairments regarding the facilities and services provided. Limassol, Cyprus is an interesting case because recent developments aim to establish the city as a friendly living space with varied activities and services. Additionally, the city attracts tourists, and such development can be a competitive advantage as a tourism destination. Semi-structured interviews with PwD have been conducted to analyse their views, aiming to identify the extent to which existing infrastructure and services align with an inclusive model within the framework of sustainability, encompassing the notion of an active city. According to the findings, local government via municipal and tourism authorities should consider inclusivity in all aspects when re-developing urban settings by ensuring accessibility for PwD and offering more services that adhere to the requirements of an active, socially sustainable, and inclusive city.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Tourism Development into Urban Planning)
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The Interrelationship between Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Subjective Well-Being: The Case of Central and Eastern European Countries
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Bernardas Vaznonis, Algirdas Justinas Staugaitis and Gintarė Vaznonienė
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3434; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083434 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Scientists and policy makers more often point out that pro-environmental attitudes and behaviour are related to subjective well-being, but there is a lack of deep scientific insights, as well as possible measure analysis, which would promote pro-environmental behaviour but, at the same time,
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Scientists and policy makers more often point out that pro-environmental attitudes and behaviour are related to subjective well-being, but there is a lack of deep scientific insights, as well as possible measure analysis, which would promote pro-environmental behaviour but, at the same time, lead to higher subjective well-being. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between pro-environmental attitudes, concerns about climate change, and subjective well-being in Central and Eastern European countries. This study employs descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to identify subjective well-being predictors in the case of Central and Eastern European countries. This study uses data from European Social Survey (ESS) rounds 4–10, and includes questions on pro-environmental attitudes, climate change cognition, orientation towards materialistic values, and households’ total net income. The conducted research revealed that pro-environmental attitudes were related to higher levels of subjective well-being in different ESS rounds in many Central and Eastern European countries. In addition, there is some evidence that the relationship between pro-environmental attitudes and subjective well-being is weaker among individuals who are more oriented towards materialistic values. According to the results of this study, policy makers should develop policies that not only address environmental problems but also contribute to subjective well-being.
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(This article belongs to the Section Health, Well-Being and Sustainability)
Open AccessArticle
Sustainable Suppliers-to-Consumers’ Sales Mode Selection for Perishable Goods Considering the Blockchain-Based Tracking System
by
Shuai Zhao and Xiaoning Cao
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3433; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083433 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Given the significant product spoilages of perishable goods transported over long distances, they are usually sold from suppliers to consumers through an offline direct channel. Sustainable suppliers can utilize the blockchain-based tracking system (BTS) to reduce product spoilages, enabling the spoilage reduction effect,
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Given the significant product spoilages of perishable goods transported over long distances, they are usually sold from suppliers to consumers through an offline direct channel. Sustainable suppliers can utilize the blockchain-based tracking system (BTS) to reduce product spoilages, enabling the spoilage reduction effect, and offer authentic information, triggering the premium effect. With the advent of e-commerce, they can now opt for an online direct channel, setting the online direct price as either non-different or different from the offline direct price, and have to face challenges in selecting the optimal sales mode. This paper addresses these complexities by developing a mathematical model to construct a sustainable suppliers-to-consumers pricing model, incorporating the BTS, in the perishable goods market. Our research reveals that the decision to adopt the BTS hinges on factors like the spoilage reduction effect, premium effect, production cost, and tag cost, with the premium effect outweighing the spoilage-reduction effect. The necessity of using the BTS grows with extended circulation times, where the BTS significantly reduces spoilages during transportation, fostering sustainable development. While sustainable suppliers may not always bear the tag cost independently, they can adjust their pricing strategies automatically and pass the tag cost to consumers for more profit. The BTS adoption decision does not influence the optimal sales mode selection strategy. The offline direct channel offers the highest profit for suppliers, followed by the Online to Offline (O2O) direct channel with differential pricing, and the O2O direct channel with non-differential pricing yields the lowest profit.
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Open AccessArticle
Optimising Building Energy and Comfort Predictions with Intelligent Computational Model
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Salah Alghamdi, Waiching Tang, Sittimont Kanjanabootra and Dariusz Alterman
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3432; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083432 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Building performance prediction is a significant area of research, due to its potential to enhance the efficiency of building energy management systems. Its importance is particularly evident when such predictions are validated against field data. This paper presents an intelligent computational model combining
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Building performance prediction is a significant area of research, due to its potential to enhance the efficiency of building energy management systems. Its importance is particularly evident when such predictions are validated against field data. This paper presents an intelligent computational model combining Monte Carlo analysis, Energy Plus, and an artificial neural network (ANN) to refine energy consumption and thermal comfort predictions. This model addresses various combinations of architectural building design parameters and their distributions, effectively managing the complex non-linear relationships between the response variables and predictors. The model’s strength is demonstrated through its alignment with R2 values exceeding 0.97 for both thermal discomfort hours and energy consumption during the training and testing phases. Validation with field investigation data further confirms its accuracy, demonstrating average relative errors below 2.0% for total energy consumption and below 1.0% for average thermal discomfort hours. In particular, an average underestimation of −12.5% in performance discrepancies is observed when comparing the building energy simulation model with field data, while the intelligent computational model presented a smaller overestimation error (of +8.65%) when validated against the field data. This discrepancy highlights the model’s potential and reliability for the simulation of real-world building performance metrics, marking it as a valuable tool for practitioners and researchers in the field of building sustainability.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Low Carbon Buildings Design and Energy Efficiency)
Open AccessArticle
Study on Ecological Mini-Aggregations Based on Polymer Composite Materials
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Haoqiang Lai, Cuiying Zhou and Zhen Liu
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3431; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083431 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
In order to explore an efficient slope soil ecological restoration method that is environmentally friendly and conducive to plant growth, this paper conducted a study on ecological aggregations based on polymer composite materials. This paper developed ecological mini-aggregations, including ecological mini-clusters and ecological
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In order to explore an efficient slope soil ecological restoration method that is environmentally friendly and conducive to plant growth, this paper conducted a study on ecological aggregations based on polymer composite materials. This paper developed ecological mini-aggregations, including ecological mini-clusters and ecological mini-bags, which can be used for the restoration of slopes with different steepnesses and surfaces. The developed materials are environmentally friendly and have good ecological performance. To study the mechanical stability, erosion resistance, and ecological performance of the ecological mini-aggregations, we conducted laboratory erosion resistance stability tests, shear strength tests, and plant growth tests, and variance analysis of the test result data was conducted to reveal the effects and laws of the aggregation materials. The results show that the mechanical stability of ecological mini-aggregations is strong, the erosion resistance is high, and the ecological performance is favorable. The performance is sufficient for slope soil ecological restoration, and there is an optimal material ratio for the addition of materials to ecological mini-aggregations. The above research revealed the mechanism controlling polymer composite materials in the development of ecological mini-aggregations; these materials can be included to create ecological mini-aggregations that exhibit strong erosion resistance stability and ecological performance. These research results can provide new technical means for the efficient ecological restoration of slopes.
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Open AccessArticle
Sustainability of the Technology for Obtaining Thermoplastic Building Materials from Non-Recyclable Mixed Plastic–Paper Packaging Waste
by
Romeo C. Ciobanu, Cristina Schreiner, Alina R. Caramitu, Sebastian Aradoaei and Mihaela Aradoaei
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3430; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083430 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
This paper describes the process used to produce thermoplastic building materials from non-recyclable mixed plastic–paper packaging waste. A first step was dedicated to an innovative and sustainable sterilization technology for non-recyclable waste, based on exposure to microwave radiation in closed air-circulation ovens. Further,
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This paper describes the process used to produce thermoplastic building materials from non-recyclable mixed plastic–paper packaging waste. A first step was dedicated to an innovative and sustainable sterilization technology for non-recyclable waste, based on exposure to microwave radiation in closed air-circulation ovens. Further, composites with different cellulose contents and with two polymer matrices, respectively, were obtained using an injection process, and the samples were subjected to mechanical and physical tests. Due to their superior features, the products based on mixed polypropylene–paper packaging waste may successfully replace the classic polyvinylchloride-based wood–plastic composites. The environmental impact of mixed plastic–paper packaging waste was analyzed, and the sustainability of the thermoplastic technology was demonstrated from an economic and environmental point of view.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances in Sustainable Materials and Structural Engineering)
Open AccessArticle
Mesoporous Silica Nanocatalyst-Based Pyrolysis of a By-Product of Paper Manufacturing, Black Liquor
by
Florian Marin, Felicia Bucura, Violeta-Carolina Niculescu, Antoaneta Roman, Oana Romina Botoran, Marius Constantinescu, Stefan Ionuț Spiridon, Eusebiu Ilarian Ionete, Simona Oancea and Anca Maria Zaharioiu
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3429; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083429 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
The valorization of black liquor, a by-product produced in considerable quantities from the paper manufacturing processes, has demonstrated the effectiveness of thermal reconversion into pyrolysis gas, bio-oil, and bio-char, a sustainable approach placing the feedstock into a circular economy concept. The present study
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The valorization of black liquor, a by-product produced in considerable quantities from the paper manufacturing processes, has demonstrated the effectiveness of thermal reconversion into pyrolysis gas, bio-oil, and bio-char, a sustainable approach placing the feedstock into a circular economy concept. The present study focused on developing disposal solutions through energy recovery via pyrolysis at 300 °C and 450 °C when lignite and nanomaterials (such as Cu-Zn-MCM-41, Ni-SBA-3, or Ni-SBA16) were used as catalysts. The results were compared to those of non-catalytic pyrolysis. The use of the Cu-Zn-MCM-41 catalyst proved to be efficient for pyrolysis gas production, reaching 55.22 vol% CH4. The increase in the calorific value of the pyrolysis gas was associated with the use of the Cu-Zn-MCM-41, showing a value of 42.23 MJ/m3 compared to that of the non-catalytic process, which yielded 39.56 MJ/m3. The bio-oil resulting from the pyrolysis with Cu-Zn-MCM-41 showed the highest energy value at 6457 kcal/kg compared to that obtained with the other two nanocatalysts, Ni-SBA-3 and Ni-SBA-16, as well as that of the raw material, which had a value of 3769 kcal/kg. The analysis of bio-char revealed no statistically significant differences when comparing the outcomes from using the various nanocatalysts, suggesting their minimal impact on the energy content.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy and Sustainable Waste Management: Advancements in Green Technologies for a Cleaner Future)
Open AccessArticle
Effect of Lithium Slag Application on Saline–Alkali Soil Amelioration and Vegetable Growth
by
Yun Zhang, Min Yao, Yiting Zhai and Gang Kevin Li
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3428; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083428 - 19 Apr 2024
Abstract
Increased attention has been attracted to saline–alkali soil amelioration due to the growing serious salinization of soils in the world. Lithium slag (LS) is an acid by-product of lithium production with potential properties to ameliorate alkalinity in saline–alkali soils. In this study, LS
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Increased attention has been attracted to saline–alkali soil amelioration due to the growing serious salinization of soils in the world. Lithium slag (LS) is an acid by-product of lithium production with potential properties to ameliorate alkalinity in saline–alkali soils. In this study, LS was reused as a saline–alkali soil amendment and potted plant experiments in a greenhouse were performed to evaluate the effect of LS application on the soil amelioration and the growth of vegetables (roquette and radish) in the saline–alkali soil during the 5-week growth period. LS was added at the amount of 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 5.0%, 8.0% and 10.0% (w/w) levels. Results showed that saline–alkali soil pH dropped obviously with the increase in LS application. Accordingly, the germination, survival and growth of roquette and radish were significantly improved by LS addition, especially at the optimum amount of 0.5% and 1.0% (w/w) in the saline–alkali soil. In contrast to the untreated saline–alkali soil, LS addition at 0.5% and 1.0% (w/w) levels increased the roquette’s height by 49.7% and 36.1% and increased the radish’s height by 54.6% and 53.7%, respectively. However, the soil electrical conductivity (EC) and soluble salt content increased with the addition of LS, and the salt stress induced by excessive LS (over 5.0% level) could inhibit the growth of plants. This study proposes a new way for the effective application of LS in the amelioration of saline–alkali soil in order to realize environment and resource sustainability.
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