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Editor’s Choice Articles

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

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17 pages, 481 KiB  
Article
Multi-Modal Graph Interaction for Multi-Graph Convolution Network in Urban Spatiotemporal Forecasting
by Lingyu Zhang, Xu Geng, Zhiwei Qin, Hongjun Wang, Xiao Wang, Ying Zhang, Jian Liang, Guobin Wu, Xuan Song and Yunhai Wang
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12397; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912397 - 29 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2056
Abstract
Graph convolution network-based approaches have been recently used to model region-wise relationships in region-level prediction problems in urban computing. Each relationship represents a kind of spatial dependency, such as region-wise distance or functional similarity. To incorporate multiple relationships into a spatial feature extraction, [...] Read more.
Graph convolution network-based approaches have been recently used to model region-wise relationships in region-level prediction problems in urban computing. Each relationship represents a kind of spatial dependency, such as region-wise distance or functional similarity. To incorporate multiple relationships into a spatial feature extraction, we define the problem as a multi-modal machine learning problem on multi-graph convolution networks. Leveraging the advantage of multi-modal machine learning, we propose to develop modality interaction mechanisms for this problem in order to reduce the generalization error by reinforcing the learning of multi-modal coordinated representations. In this work, we propose two interaction techniques for handling features in lower layers and higher layers, respectively. In lower layers, we propose grouped GCN to combine the graph connectivity from different modalities for a more complete spatial feature extraction. In higher layers, we adapt multi-linear relationship networks to GCN by exploring the dimension transformation and freezing part of the covariance structure. The adapted approach, called multi-linear relationship GCN, learns more generalized features to overcome the train–test divergence induced by time shifting. We evaluated our model on a ride-hailing demand forecasting problem using two real-world datasets. The proposed technique outperforms state-of-the art baselines in terms of prediction accuracy, training efficiency, interpretability and model robustness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Big Data, Information and AI for Smart Urban)
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29 pages, 2107 KiB  
Review
Security Issues and Solutions for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in a Sustainable City: A Survey
by Zhendong Wang, Haoran Wei, Jianda Wang, Xiaoming Zeng and Yuchao Chang
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12409; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912409 - 29 Sep 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4628
Abstract
Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) combine technologies of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and connected vehicles (CVs) to develop quicker, more reliable, and safer traffic. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based CAV solutions play significant roles in sustainable cities. The convergence imposes stringent security requirements for CAV safety [...] Read more.
Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) combine technologies of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and connected vehicles (CVs) to develop quicker, more reliable, and safer traffic. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based CAV solutions play significant roles in sustainable cities. The convergence imposes stringent security requirements for CAV safety and reliability. In practice, vehicles are developed with increased automation and connectivity. Increased automation increases the reliance on the sensor-based technologies and decreases the reliance on the driver; increased connectivity increases the exposures of vehicles’ vulnerability and increases the risk for an adversary to implement a cyber-attack. Much work has been dedicated to identifying the security vulnerabilities and recommending mitigation techniques associated with different sensors, controllers, and connection mechanisms, respectively. However, there is an absence of comprehensive and in-depth studies to identify how the cyber-attacks exploit the vehicles’ vulnerabilities to negatively impact the performance and operations of CAVs. In this survey, we set out to thoroughly review the security issues introduced by AV and CV technologies, analyze how the cyber-attacks impact the performance of CAVs, and summarize the solutions correspondingly. The impact of cyber-attacks on the performance of CAVs is elaborated from both viewpoints of intra-vehicle systems and inter-vehicle systems. We pointed out that securing the perception and operations of CAVs would be the top requirement to enable CAVs to be applied safely and reliably in practice. Additionally, we suggested to utilize cloud and new AI methods to defend against smart cyber-attacks on CAVs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence Applications for Sustainable Urban Living)
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12 pages, 1983 KiB  
Article
Autonomous Home Composting Units for Urban Areas in Greece: The Case Study of the Municipality of Rhodes
by Angeliki Maragkaki, Christos Gamvroudis, Christina Lountou, Pothitos Stamatiadis, Ioannis Sampathianakis, Akrivi Papadaki and Thrassyvoulos Manios
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12362; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912362 - 28 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1891
Abstract
A significant issue is reducing the amount of biological waste that is disposed of in landfills, particularly in high-density residential areas. The Wastes Framework Directive (98/2008), in particular, sets forward the legal requirements for source separation in the European Union’s (EU) environmental legislation. [...] Read more.
A significant issue is reducing the amount of biological waste that is disposed of in landfills, particularly in high-density residential areas. The Wastes Framework Directive (98/2008), in particular, sets forward the legal requirements for source separation in the European Union’s (EU) environmental legislation. The directive sets a target for separate collection of 10% of the organic waste produced in each municipality by 2030, especially with regard to organic waste. The pilot experience of an integrated biowaste management system that supports source separation and urban composting in an Autonomous Composting Unit (ACU) was presented in this study. The Municipality of Rhodes installed five ACUs in various locations. Used food and green waste are the two types of waste that are deposited in the ACUs. The development of a system for the collection of produced biowaste and its treatment at the source, without producing a nuisance, within an urban area, is the goal of this innovation. Since landfilling of mixed municipal solid waste has long been a common practice on the island of Rhodes, as well as in many other locations of insular and mainland Greece, this technique was introduced as a novel implementation and innovation for the region. The results showed that biowaste source separation was successfully carried out by citizens, resulting in high-purity feed. All ACUs produce compost that is of a standard quality. In accordance with the principles of the circular economy, this study showed that ACUs are a sustainable solution for taking a closed unit approach to the biowaste management problem in urban areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue RETASTE: Rethink Food Waste)
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24 pages, 15359 KiB  
Article
An Economic Feasibility Model for Sustainable 5G Networks in Rural Dwellings of South Africa
by Hloniphani Maluleke, Antoine Bagula, Olasupo Ajayi and Luca Chiaraviglio
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12153; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912153 - 26 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2293
Abstract
Numerous factors have shown Internet-based technology to be a key enabler in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDG), as well as narrowing the divide between the global north and south. For instance, smart farming, remote/online learning, and smart grids can be used to, [...] Read more.
Numerous factors have shown Internet-based technology to be a key enabler in achieving the sustainable development goals (SDG), as well as narrowing the divide between the global north and south. For instance, smart farming, remote/online learning, and smart grids can be used to, respectively, address SDGs 1 and 2 (ending poverty and hunger), 3 (quality education), and 7 and 9 (energy and infrastructure development). Though such Internet-based solutions are commonplace in the global north, they are missing or sparsely available in global south countries. This is due to several factors including underdevelopment, which dissuades service providers from investing heavily in infrastructure for providing capable Internet solutions such as 5G networks in these regions. This paper presents a study conducted to evaluate the feasibility of deploying 5G networks in the rural dwellings of South Africa at affordable rates, which would then serve as a pre-cursor for deploying solutions to improve lives and achieve the SDGs. The study evaluates the economic viability of a hybrid network model which combines terrestrial and aerial networks to provide 5G coverage in rural areas. The feasibility study reveals that such a network can be engineered at low monthly subscription fees to the end users and yield good returns to the service providers in rural areas; however, for large but sparsely populated suburban locations, the traditional terrestrial network with base stations is more suitable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Technologies for Sustainable Urban and Regional Development)
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15 pages, 2890 KiB  
Article
Improving Road Safety during Nocturnal Hours by Characterizing Animal Poses Utilizing CNN-Based Analysis of Thermal Images
by Derian Mowen, Yuvaraj Munian and Miltiadis Alamaniotis
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12133; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912133 - 25 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1437
Abstract
Animal–vehicle collision is a common danger on highways, especially during nighttime driving. Its likelihood is affected not only by the low visibility during nighttime hours, but also by the unpredictability of animals’ actions when a vehicle is nearby. Extensive research has shown that [...] Read more.
Animal–vehicle collision is a common danger on highways, especially during nighttime driving. Its likelihood is affected not only by the low visibility during nighttime hours, but also by the unpredictability of animals’ actions when a vehicle is nearby. Extensive research has shown that the lack of visibility during nighttime hours can be addressed using thermal imaging. However, to our knowledge, little research has been undertaken on predicting animal action through an animal’s specific poses while a vehicle is moving. This paper proposes a new system that couples the use of a two-dimensional convolutional neural network (2D-CNN) and thermal image input, to determine the risk imposed by an animal in a specific pose to a passing automobile during nighttime hours. The proposed system was tested using a set of thermal images presenting real-life scenarios of animals in specific poses on the roadside and was found to classify animal poses accurately in 82% of cases. Overall, it provides a valuable basis for implementing an automotive tool to minimize animal–vehicle collisions during nighttime hours. Full article
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13 pages, 3466 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Influence of Nitrogen Fertilizers and Biochar on Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis by the Use of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy
by Daniela Losacco, Claudia Campanale, Marina Tumolo, Valeria Ancona, Carmine Massarelli and Vito Felice Uricchio
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11985; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911985 - 22 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2116
Abstract
The exponential growth of the human population requires an increasing application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers, causing environmental pollution. Biochar (B) amended soil has been suggested as a sustainable agricultural practice to improve crop yield and mitigate agricultural pollutants’ contamination. Evaluating the effect of [...] Read more.
The exponential growth of the human population requires an increasing application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers, causing environmental pollution. Biochar (B) amended soil has been suggested as a sustainable agricultural practice to improve crop yield and mitigate agricultural pollutants’ contamination. Evaluating the effect of fertilization on Brassica crops, in combination with spectral analysis, may specify changes in the chemical composition of the vegetable as a result of N fertilization. This study characterized cauliflower tissues treated with N fertilizer and biochar, employing Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The experiment was conducted in cauliflower mesocosms treated with two doses of N fertilizer (130 and 260 kg N ha−1) with or without B. Attenuated total reflectance fractions were used to characterize fractions of curds, leaves, stems, and roots in the infrared using a Fourier transform. Principal component analysis was performed to classify the main differences among cauliflower tissues concerning treatments. FTIR spectra of Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis tissues were related to nitrogen-based agricultural practices. The specific molecules associated with functional groups in cauliflower tissues were phenols, amides, proteins, amines, and glucosinolates. Biochar amended soil resulted in higher peaks that correspond to the stretching of phenols and proteins. The application of sustainable nitrogen fertilizers might influence the absorption bands characteristic of cauliflower’s typical metabolites. The research allows the identification of Brassicaceae’s functional molecules with a potential agronomic application. Full article
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19 pages, 4416 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Role of Nature in Urban-Rural Linkages: Identifying the Potential Role of Rural Nature-Based Attractive Clusters That Serve Human Well-Being
by Mario Cozzi, Carmelina Prete, Mauro Viccaro, Frans Sijtsma, Paolo Veneri and Severino Romano
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11856; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911856 - 21 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1769
Abstract
Rural areas provide unique amenities for recreational purposes which are highly appreciated by urban inhabitants. This generates an important but often hidden relationship between the urban and the rural. The aim of our study is first to provide empirical evidence for this linkage [...] Read more.
Rural areas provide unique amenities for recreational purposes which are highly appreciated by urban inhabitants. This generates an important but often hidden relationship between the urban and the rural. The aim of our study is first to provide empirical evidence for this linkage and then to identify for Italy, at the municipal level, those rural areas which actually function as nature-based attractive clusters. We used the data coming from a participatory webGIS survey that asked 1632 Italian respondents to mark attractive nature related places locally, regionally, nationally and world-wide to explain quantitatively and qualitatively the relationship between urban and rural. From the survey, indicators were developed to rank the nature-based attractive clusters. Our results pointed out a major (almost double) flow from urban to rural for natural amenities, which increased with the spatial level at which attractive nature areas were marked. This analysis allowed for the identification rural clusters of Italian municipalities that form nodal points for nature-based urban well-being; shedding light on an often neglected urban-rural relationship. The method is applicable in other countries and may stimulate better planning and management strategies for improving rural areas, taking an urban-rural perspective. Full article
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20 pages, 2144 KiB  
Article
Airborne Pollen, Allergens, and Proteins: A Comparative Study of Three Sampling Methods
by Chiara Suanno, Silvia Sandrini, Iris Aloisi, Paola De Nuntiis, Maria Cristina Facchini, Stefano Del Duca and Delia Fernández-González
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11825; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911825 - 20 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1972
Abstract
Nowadays, there is a wide range of different methods available for the monitoring of pollen and allergens, but their relative efficiency is sometimes unclear, as conventional pollen monitoring does not thoroughly describe pollen allergenicity. This study aims to evaluate airborne pollen, allergen, and [...] Read more.
Nowadays, there is a wide range of different methods available for the monitoring of pollen and allergens, but their relative efficiency is sometimes unclear, as conventional pollen monitoring does not thoroughly describe pollen allergenicity. This study aims to evaluate airborne pollen, allergen, and protein levels, associating them with meteorological and chemical parameters. The sampling was performed in Bologna (Italy) during the grass flowering period, with three different devices: a Cyclone sampler (CS), a Dicothomous sampler (DS), and a Berner impactor (BI). Total proteins were extracted from aerosol samples, and grass allergens Phl p 1 and Phl p 5 were quantified by ELISA. Airborne Poaceae pollen concentrations were also evaluated, using a Hirst-type trap. Proteins and allergens collected by CS resulted about ten times higher than those collected by the other two instruments, possibly due to their different cut-offs, while DS and BI results appeared consistent only for the total proteins collected in the fine fraction (1.3 vs. 1.6 μg/m3). Airborne proteins correlated neither with Poaceae pollen nor with its aeroallergens, while aeroallergens correlated with pollen only in the coarse particulate, indicating the presence of pollen-independent aeroallergens in the fine particulate, promoted by high wind speed. Full article
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26 pages, 1077 KiB  
Review
Low-Carbon Technologies to Remove Organic Micropollutants from Wastewater: A Focus on Pharmaceuticals
by Thérèse Krahnstöver, Naiara Santos, Karyn Georges, Luiza Campos and Blanca Antizar-Ladislao
Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11686; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811686 - 17 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2570
Abstract
Pharmaceutical residues are of environmental concern since they are found in several environmental compartments, including surface, ground and waste waters. However, the effect of pharmaceuticals on ecosystems is still under investigation. To date, the removal of these micropollutants by conventional treatment plants is [...] Read more.
Pharmaceutical residues are of environmental concern since they are found in several environmental compartments, including surface, ground and waste waters. However, the effect of pharmaceuticals on ecosystems is still under investigation. To date, the removal of these micropollutants by conventional treatment plants is generally ineffective, in addition to producing a considerable carbon footprint. In this sense, to achieve the current zero-pollution ambition, a reduction in the negative impacts of chemical substances such as pharmaceuticals on the environment must be aligned with initiatives such as the European Ecological Compact, Environment Action Programme, and Circular Economy Action Plan, among others. This review provides insight into the key drivers for changing approaches, technologies, and governance of water in Europe (Germany, Switzerland, and the UK), including improving wastewater treatment in sewage treatment plants for the removal of pharmaceuticals and their carbon footprint. In addition, an overview of emerging low-carbon technologies (e.g., constructed wetlands, anaerobic membrane bioreactors, and enzymes) for the removal of pharmaceuticals in sewage treatment works is provided. In general, the removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals could be achieved up to ca. 100% in wastewater, with the exception of highly recalcitrant pharmaceuticals such as carbamazepine (removal <60%). These technologies have the potential to help reduce the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment, which can therefore contribute to the achievement of the Europe Union’s objective of being carbon neutral by 2050. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Security and Resilience)
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78 pages, 9198 KiB  
Review
Leveraging the Opportunities of Wind for Cities through Urban Planning and Design: A PRISMA Review
by Yi Song Liu, Tan Yigitcanlar, Mirko Guaralda, Kenan Degirmenci, Aaron Liu and Michael Kane
Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11665; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811665 - 16 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3353
Abstract
Wind has been utilized for passive ventilation and mechanical power since antiquity. As an abundant renewable resource, today, wind is increasingly seen as a critical resource to help tackle issues associated with rapid urbanization and climate adaptation and mitigation, such as improving thermal [...] Read more.
Wind has been utilized for passive ventilation and mechanical power since antiquity. As an abundant renewable resource, today, wind is increasingly seen as a critical resource to help tackle issues associated with rapid urbanization and climate adaptation and mitigation, such as improving thermal comfort, providing clean energy, improving air quality, and reducing carbon emissions. Despite the growing importance of wind as an invaluable resource for cities, wind in the context of urban planning and design is a relatively understudied area of research. This study aims to explore the means by which cities that can benefit from wind and ways urban planning and design can help deliver these benefits. The study adopts a systematic literature review methodological approach. The findings disclosed that: (a) improving urban wind environment via sound urban planning and design may enhance urban ventilation and energy performance; (b) better urban ventilation and energy performance enable cities to become climate positive or net zero and relieve the urgent climate crisis; (c) wind sensitive urban design is an emerging research area critical to harvest the benefits of wind for cities. This study offers a novel conceptual framework and research directions for wind sensitive urban design and informs urban planning, design policy and practices. Full article
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15 pages, 7313 KiB  
Review
Pathways and Estimate of Aquifer Recharge in a Flood Basalt Terrain; A Review from the South Fork Palouse River Basin (Columbia River Plateau, USA)
by Giacomo Medici and Jeff B. Langman
Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11349; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811349 - 09 Sep 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 1798
Abstract
Aquifer recharge is one of the most important hydrologic parameters for understanding available groundwater volumes and making sustainable the use of natural water by minimizing groundwater mining. In this framework, we reviewed and evaluated the efficacy of multiple methods to determine recharge in [...] Read more.
Aquifer recharge is one of the most important hydrologic parameters for understanding available groundwater volumes and making sustainable the use of natural water by minimizing groundwater mining. In this framework, we reviewed and evaluated the efficacy of multiple methods to determine recharge in a flood basalt terrain that is restrictive to infiltration and percolation. In the South Fork of the Columbia River Plateau, recent research involving hydrologic tracers and groundwater modeling has revealed a snowmelt-dominated system. Here, recharge is occurring along the intersection of mountain-front alluvial systems and the extensive Miocene flood basalt layers that form a fractured basalt and interbedded sediment aquifer system. The most recent groundwater flow model of the basin was based on a large physio-chemical dataset acquired in laterally and vertically distinctive locations that refined the understanding of the intersection of the margin alluvium and the spatially variable basalt flows that filled the basin. Modelled effective recharge of 25 and 105 mm/year appears appropriate for the basin’s plain and the mountain front, respectively. These values refine previous efforts on quantifying aquifer recharge based on Darcy’s law, one-dimensional infiltration, zero-flux plane, chloride, storage, and mass-balance methods. Overall, the combination of isotopic hydrochemical data acquired in three dimensions and flow modelling efforts were needed to simultaneously determine groundwater dynamics, recharge pathways, and appropriate model parameter values in a primarily basalt terrain. This holistic approach to understanding recharge has assisted in conceptualizing the aquifer for resource managers that have struggled to understand aquifer dynamics and sustainable withdrawals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Groundwater Recharge and Sustainable Use of Groundwater)
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30 pages, 9824 KiB  
Article
Pedestrian Single and Multi-Risk Assessment to SLODs in Urban Built Environment: A Mesoscale Approach
by Graziano Salvalai, Juan Diego Blanco Cadena, Gessica Sparvoli, Gabriele Bernardini and Enrico Quagliarini
Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11233; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811233 - 07 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2181
Abstract
Pedestrians are increasingly exposed to slow-onset disasters (SLODs), such as air pollution and increasing temperatures in urban built environments (BEs). Pedestrians also face risks that arise from the combination of the BE features, the effects of SLODs on the microclimate, their own characteristics [...] Read more.
Pedestrians are increasingly exposed to slow-onset disasters (SLODs), such as air pollution and increasing temperatures in urban built environments (BEs). Pedestrians also face risks that arise from the combination of the BE features, the effects of SLODs on the microclimate, their own characteristics (e.g., health and ability), and the way they move and behave in indoor and outdoor BE areas. Thus, the effectiveness of sustainable risk-mitigation solutions for the health of the exposed pedestrians should be defined by considering the overlapping of such factors in critical operational scenarios in which such emergency conditions can appear. This work provides an innovative method to define a BE-oriented pedestrian risk index through a dynamic meso-scale approach that considers the daily variation of risk conditions. The method is ensured by a quick-to-apply approach, which also takes advantage of open-source repositories and tools to collect and manage input data, without the need for time-consuming in situ surveys. The resulting risk conditions are represented through meso-scale maps, which highlight the risk differences between BEs by focusing on their open spaces as fundamental parts of the urban road network. The method is applied to a significant case study (in Milan, Italy). The results demonstrate the ability of the approach to identify key input scenarios for risk assessment and mapping. The proposed methodology can: (1) provide insights for simulation activities in critical BE conditions, thanks to the identification of critical daily conditions for each of the factors and for single and multiple risks and (2) support the development of design and regeneration strategies in SLOD-prone urban BEs, as well as the identification of priority areas in the urban BE. Full article
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17 pages, 3493 KiB  
Article
Targeting Sustainable Transportation Development: The Support Vector Machine and the Bayesian Optimization Algorithm for Classifying Household Vehicle Ownership
by Zhiqiang Xu, Mahdi Aghaabbasi, Mujahid Ali and Elżbieta Macioszek
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 11094; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711094 - 05 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1718
Abstract
Predicting household vehicle ownership (HVO) is a crucial component of travel demand forecasting. Furthermore, reliable HVO prediction is critical for achieving sustainable transportation development objectives in an era of rapid urbanization. This research predicted the HVO using a support vector machine (SVM) model [...] Read more.
Predicting household vehicle ownership (HVO) is a crucial component of travel demand forecasting. Furthermore, reliable HVO prediction is critical for achieving sustainable transportation development objectives in an era of rapid urbanization. This research predicted the HVO using a support vector machine (SVM) model optimized using the Bayesian Optimization (BO) algorithm. BO is used to determine the optimal SVM parameter values. This hybrid model was applied to two datasets derived from the US National Household Travel Survey dataset. Thus, two optimized SVM models were developed, namely SVMBO#1 and SVMBO#2. Using the confusion matrix, accuracy, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and area under the ROC, the outcomes of these two hybrid models were examined. Additionally, the results of hybrid SVM models were compared with those of other machine learning models. The results demonstrated that the BO algorithm enhanced the performance of the standard SVM model for predicting the HVO. The BO method determined the Gaussian kernel to be the optimal kernel function for both datasets. The performance of the SVM#1 model was improved by 4.27% and 5.16% for the training and testing phases, respectively. For SVM#2 model, the performance of this model was improved by 1.20% and 2.14% for the training and testing phases, respectively. Moreover, the BO method enhanced the AUC of the SVM models used to predict the HVO. The hybrid SVM models also outperformed other machine learning models developed in this study. The findings of this study showed that SVM models hybridized with the BO algorithm can effectively predict the HVO and can be employed in the process of travel demand forecasting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Design, Urban Planning and Traffic Safety)
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18 pages, 3551 KiB  
Article
Rural Development Potential in the Bioeconomy in Developed Countries: The Case of Biogas Production in Denmark
by Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen and Henning Peter Jørgensen
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 11077; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711077 - 05 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2069
Abstract
Policy makers have expressed much optimism about the potentials of the bioeconomy in terms of economic growth and job creation in rural areas in developed countries. However, only few studies have attempted to quantify the rural employment effects of bioeconomic projects. This paper [...] Read more.
Policy makers have expressed much optimism about the potentials of the bioeconomy in terms of economic growth and job creation in rural areas in developed countries. However, only few studies have attempted to quantify the rural employment effects of bioeconomic projects. This paper uses the biogas production in Denmark as a case within the bioeconomy. It performs a regional input-output analysis to estimate the number of jobs created in rural areas by an increase in the biogas production. The input-output analysis estimates the direct job creation at the biogas plants, the indirect job creation at firms that supply inputs to the plants, and the induced job creation that is generated locally through increased income spending. The results show that an increase in the biogas production by 10% of the available farm manure will give a permanent increase of 342 jobs and an extra annual income of approximately 21 million euros. Consequently, if all available biomass from farm manure were to be used in biogas production, it would result in 3420 jobs. The calculated employment effect is quite sizable but still somewhat modest compared to the significant employment declines in rural Denmark in recent years. Meanwhile, biogas is only one element in the bioeconomy. Full article
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19 pages, 2185 KiB  
Article
Improvement of Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy through Construction Waste Management for Material Reuse
by Stefan Schützenhofer, Iva Kovacic, Helmut Rechberger and Stephanie Mack
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 11087; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711087 - 05 Sep 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3148
Abstract
The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industries are allocated 40–60% of the worldwide raw material extraction. Construction waste accounts for a significant share of the total waste volume. Therefore, careless handling reduces natural resources and waste deposits (landfills). Furthermore, material reuse and recycling can [...] Read more.
The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industries are allocated 40–60% of the worldwide raw material extraction. Construction waste accounts for a significant share of the total waste volume. Therefore, careless handling reduces natural resources and waste deposits (landfills). Furthermore, material reuse and recycling can reduce resource and energy consumption and environmental emissions in some cases. Waste management concepts in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction are increasingly in the European Union and worldwide focus. A circular economy can be seen as a system in which resource input, waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimised due to closed material loops. Therefore, implementing a consistent Circular Economic requires a holistic approach in which material, emissions, and energy are put into context. This paper aims to analyse dismantling, recovery, and recycling processes and link relevant parameters to assess material sustainability. The technical effort must be made, and the associated costs are compared with the influence of eco-indicators. Furthermore, the data required can be used for the following three areas: Facilitating demolition planning and on-site waste management; resource management at the local/regional/state level; and governmental tax mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Waste and Recycling)
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19 pages, 4522 KiB  
Article
Modern Pollen Analysis in the Estuary Habitats along the Coast of Dhofar (Sultanate of Oman)
by Cristina Bellini, Francesco Ciani, Lia Pignotti, Riccardo Maria Baldini, Tiziana Gonnelli and Marta Mariotti Lippi
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 11038; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711038 - 04 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1736
Abstract
A lush vegetation develops around the numerous wadi estuaries interrupting the Dhofari coast in Southern Oman. Many estuaries still house mangroves of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh., a very fragile ecosystem that is currently under threat in this area. A rather rich flora, strongly [...] Read more.
A lush vegetation develops around the numerous wadi estuaries interrupting the Dhofari coast in Southern Oman. Many estuaries still house mangroves of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh., a very fragile ecosystem that is currently under threat in this area. A rather rich flora, strongly affected by the influence of the monsoon, grows in other estuaries. This study concerns the flora and vegetation of these peculiar habitats with special focus on the plants growing on the different substrates. To gain insights into the pollen diffusion and representation of these plants in the current pollen rain, we analyzed surface soil samples. By evaluating their pollen amounts, we related the modern pollen rain to the abundance/coverage of the plant species typical of the different environments. Rather than a punctual indication of the plants growing at a short distance, our pollen records offer a general picture of the flora and vegetation of the area. This information is crucial for the correct interpretation of pollen records from ancient soils, and underlines the utility of pollen analysis for the reconstruction of the vegetation history. Full article
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17 pages, 1849 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Biomonitoring Strategies to Assess Performance of a Bioremediation Bioprocess
by Ahlem Mansouri, Mickael Cregut, Sulivan Jouanneau, Gerald Thouand and Marie-Jose Durand
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10932; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710932 - 01 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1359
Abstract
This study was conducted to propose a suitable set of methods to evaluate the efficiency of two biotreatments. For this purpose, two sets of four 7.5 L bioreactors were followed over 90 days, containing natural sediments from the Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia) contaminated with [...] Read more.
This study was conducted to propose a suitable set of methods to evaluate the efficiency of two biotreatments. For this purpose, two sets of four 7.5 L bioreactors were followed over 90 days, containing natural sediments from the Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia) contaminated with 35 mg·kg−1 benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and 28 mg·kg−1 dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). One set was biostimulated with N/P and bioaugmented with the indigenous Pseudomonas stutzeri, Cupriavidus metallidurans and Rhodococcus equi, and the other set was only biostimulated. In the effluent, organic carbon decreased from 42 gC·L−1 to 0.2 gC·L−1 for the bioaugmented treatment compared to 15 gC·L−1 for biostimulation. Statistical analyses confirmed a significant difference in BaP concentration after bioaugmention from 35 mg·kg−1 to 21 mg·kg−1 sediment, whereas no difference was found with biostimulation. Considering DDT, biostimulation was more efficient (8.5 mg·kg−1 sediment final concentration) than bioaugmentation (15 mg·kg−1 final concentration). Native organotin and metals were also monitored using bioluminescent bioreporter strains. The bioaugmented treatment brought about a significant decrease in TBT content, to below 0.01 µM, whereas its concentration remained significant after biostimulation. The biostimulation did not alter As3+, Cu2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ concentrations, whereas bioaugmentation induced a decrease of 1 to 2 log for each metal. At the end of the experimental period, toxicity decreased to 90% in the effluent of the bioaugmented reactors compared with a drop of only 48% for biostimulation, and a significant decrease in mutagenicity appeared for bioaugmention only. Interestingly, not all the strains used in the treatments were maintained, as P. stutzeri and R. equi increased up to densities of 8.3 × 1013 and 5.2 × 1012 DNA·g−1 sediment, respectively, while in both treatments, C. metallidurans decreased down to the detection threshold. Among the different methods used, a restricted monitoring panel of analyses appears essential to follow the change occurring over the bioremediation process: (i) organic carbon measurement reporting all biodegradation events, as well as a specific method to monitor the main compounds; (ii) dissolved N, P, O2 and pH measurements, (iii) a qPCR method to track the degraders; and (iv) measurements of the acute toxicity and the mutagenicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Organic Pollutants in the Environment: Analysis and Treatment)
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27 pages, 6487 KiB  
Review
Quantifying the Transmission of Outdoor Pollutants into the Indoor Environment and Vice Versa—Review of Influencing Factors, Methods, Challenges and Future Direction
by Murtaza Mohammadi and John Calautit
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10880; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710880 - 31 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2195
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have established a strong relationship between poor air quality and deteriorating human health, demanding urgent remedial measures. Specifically, indoor pollution is more critical, and outdoor pollutants significantly contribute towards indoor pollution, its strength depending on various parameters, including ventilation strategy, meteorological [...] Read more.
Epidemiological studies have established a strong relationship between poor air quality and deteriorating human health, demanding urgent remedial measures. Specifically, indoor pollution is more critical, and outdoor pollutants significantly contribute towards indoor pollution, its strength depending on various parameters, including ventilation strategy, meteorological conditions, building design, outdoor sources, etc. This report analyses the various factors reported influencing the transmission of pollutants between the two environments. The report critically reviews various studies investigating the inter-environment variability and transmission, providing an overview of various factors and their impacts and covering both experimental and modelling studies. The review suggests that while many studies have helped to quantify the long-term personal exposure to pollutants, they have not paid special attention to the mechanism of the transmission of pollutants from the outdoor to the indoor environment and vice versa. The findings demonstrate that the proper indexing of various mechanisms and their relative strength is necessary before an effective intervention strategy can be applied in the built environment to counter the effect of pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Post COVID-19 Pandemic: A Reconsideration for the Built Environment)
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20 pages, 709 KiB  
Article
Understanding Food Waste Produced by University Students: A Social Practice Approach
by Lucie K. Ozanne, Paul W. Ballantine and Aimee McMaster
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10653; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710653 - 26 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 8321
Abstract
We use social practice theory to explore food waste produced by university students living in shared apartments. We use qualitative techniques including observation, fridge ethnography, garbology and interviews. The most important factors that led to food waste among university students were a lack [...] Read more.
We use social practice theory to explore food waste produced by university students living in shared apartments. We use qualitative techniques including observation, fridge ethnography, garbology and interviews. The most important factors that led to food waste among university students were a lack of organisation related to the practices of meal planning and shopping, where students did not make lists, plan meals or conduct a food inventory before shopping. Observation of meal preparation revealed that students were unlikely to correctly sort food waste from other sorts of waste, as they did not always have appropriate bins to enable food waste separation. Thus, food waste was not properly disposed of (e.g., composted). Fridge ethnography revealed that both fresh food and leftovers were left or lost in the fridge until no longer edible. Finally, garbology analysis confirmed that a considerable amount of avoidable foods, such as fresh foods and leftovers, were wasted by students and not properly disposed of in curbside composting bins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Food Waste Management)
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20 pages, 6177 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Geographic Accessibility to Neighborhood Facilities, Remote Work, and Changes in Neighborhood Satisfaction after the Emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Hongjik Kim and Chihiro Shimizu
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10588; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710588 - 25 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1548
Abstract
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and working remotely may decrease the advantages of residing in populated areas. This study aims to test the relationship between remote work and changes in neighborhood satisfaction and to discern the difference according to both the status [...] Read more.
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and working remotely may decrease the advantages of residing in populated areas. This study aims to test the relationship between remote work and changes in neighborhood satisfaction and to discern the difference according to both the status of remote work and the centrality of areas where people live in the relationships between geographic accessibility to neighborhood facilities and changes in neighborhood satisfaction. By using an ordinal logistic regression, we analyzed data from a questionnaire completed by residents of the 23 wards of Tokyo. Working remotely was found to increase neighborhood satisfaction of people living in a central (OR = 1.31) and a noncentral area (OR = 1.50). Remote workers living in single-family homes were found to be less satisfied with their neighborhoods. Less decrease (or increase) in geographic accessibility to eating facilities was found to be related to increase in neighborhood satisfaction for both remote and nonremote workers regardless of the centrality of areas where they live. The findings suggest that populated areas continue to provide benefits which will improve neighborhood satisfaction even after the start of a pandemic; however, there could be a shift of demand for facilities in central areas to noncentral areas beyond the emergence of the pandemic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Property Markets)
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13 pages, 263 KiB  
Article
Walking in the Era of Autonomous Vehicles
by Simone Pettigrew, Leon Booth, Victoria Farrar, Branislava Godic, Julie Brown, Charles Karl and Jason Thompson
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10509; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710509 - 23 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2126
Abstract
(1) Background: The emergence of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is likely to have substantial implications for walking behaviours due to the availability of new transport options and altered physical environments within cities. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify AV-related factors that [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The emergence of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is likely to have substantial implications for walking behaviours due to the availability of new transport options and altered physical environments within cities. The aim of this exploratory study was to identify AV-related factors that could affect walking at the population level and strategies to ameliorate any negative effects. (2) Methods: A total of 46 Australian expert stakeholders were interviewed about their perceptions of the potential impacts of AVs on walking behaviours. The interviewees represented government departments (state and federal), non-government organisations (NGOs), private sector companies, peak bodies, and academia. (3) Results: Interviewees expected AVs to have different effects on individuals’ ability and motivation to engage in planned versus incidental walking. While those with innate motivation to walk as a form of exercise or leisure may experience enhanced participation opportunities, it appears that incidental walking could be adversely impacted through the availability of convenient AV door-to-door transport options and automated home delivery services that reduce walking related to commuting and shopping. (4) Conclusions: Proactive policy actions are needed to optimize the potential positive impacts of AVs on walking and circumvent the potential negative impacts on valuable incidental walking that constitutes a key component of many people’s total physical activity. Full article
20 pages, 4395 KiB  
Article
Coupled Hydrogeochemical Approach and Sustainable Technologies for the Remediation of a Chlorinated Solvent Plume in an Urban Area
by Paolo Ciampi, Carlo Esposito, Ernst Bartsch, Eduard J. Alesi, Christian Nielsen, Laura Ledda, Laura Lorini and Marco Petrangeli Papini
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10317; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610317 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2140
Abstract
The presence of chlorinated solvents polluting groundwater in urbanized areas poses a significant environmental issue. This paper details a thoughtful approach to remediate a tetrachloroethylene (PCE) plume in a district that is characterized by a complex hydrological context with a limited accessibility. Through [...] Read more.
The presence of chlorinated solvents polluting groundwater in urbanized areas poses a significant environmental issue. This paper details a thoughtful approach to remediate a tetrachloroethylene (PCE) plume in a district that is characterized by a complex hydrological context with a limited accessibility. Through a geodatabase-driven and coupled hydrogeochemical approach, two distinct remediation technologies were chosen for the management of a contaminant plume. On one hand, coaxial groundwater circulation (CGC) wells coupled with air sparging (AS) aspire to promote the in-situ transfer of PCE from the contaminated matrices into a gaseous stream that is then treated above ground. On the other hand, reagent injection has the goal of enhancing chemical reduction combined with in situ adsorption, creating contaminant adsorbent zones, and stimulating dechlorinating biological activity. The development of an integrated conceptual site model (CSM) harmonizing geological, hydrochemical, and membrane interface probe (MIP) data captures site-specific hydrogeochemical peculiarities to support decision-making. The hydrochemical monitoring reveals contamination dynamics and decontamination mechanisms in response to treatment, quantifying the performance of the adopted strategies and investigating possible rebound effects. The estimation of masses extracted by the CGC-AS system validates the effectiveness of a new and sustainable technique to abate chlorinated solvents in groundwater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management and Remediation of Contaminated Sites)
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15 pages, 5229 KiB  
Article
End-of-Life Textile Recognition in a Circular Economy Perspective: A Methodological Approach Based on Near Infrared Spectroscopy
by Giuseppe Bonifazi, Riccardo Gasbarrone, Roberta Palmieri and Silvia Serranti
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10249; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610249 - 18 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2437
Abstract
The life cycle of textiles (i.e., fabrics and apparel products) generates many environmental impacts, such as resource consumption, water, soil, and air pollution through the dispersion of chemical substances and greenhouse gases. For these reasons, in 2019, textiles were identified as a “priority [...] Read more.
The life cycle of textiles (i.e., fabrics and apparel products) generates many environmental impacts, such as resource consumption, water, soil, and air pollution through the dispersion of chemical substances and greenhouse gases. For these reasons, in 2019, textiles were identified as a “priority product category for the circular economy” by the European Commission that proposed a new circular economy action plan focusing on recycling. An in-depth characterization of textile fabrics could lead to an ad hoc recycling procedure, reducing resource consumption and chemicals utilization. In this work, NIR (1000–1650 nm) spectroscopy was applied to extract information regarding fabric composition, with reference to cotton, silk, viscose, and some of their blends, using two different devices: a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) platform and a portable spectroradiometer. The different fabrics were correctly classified based on their spectral features by both detection instruments. The proposed methodological approach can be applied for quality control in the textile recycling sector at industrial and/or laboratory scale thanks to the easiness of use and the speed of detection. Full article
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23 pages, 3236 KiB  
Article
Walkable Cities: Using the Smart Pedestrian Net Method for Evaluating a Pedestrian Network in Guimarães, Portugal
by Fernando Fonseca, Escolástica Fernandes and Rui Ramos
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10306; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610306 - 18 Aug 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3450
Abstract
Evidence for the benefits of walking has attracted the attention of researchers and practitioners and encouraged them to develop healthier and more sustainable walkable cities. Many methods and approaches have been developed to measure walkability; namely, by using land use attributes. This paper [...] Read more.
Evidence for the benefits of walking has attracted the attention of researchers and practitioners and encouraged them to develop healthier and more sustainable walkable cities. Many methods and approaches have been developed to measure walkability; namely, by using land use attributes. This paper examines the transferability of the Geographic Information System (GIS) based multi-criteria method developed in the Smart Pedestrian Net (SPN) research project to evaluate the level of walkability in a pedestrian network in Guimarães, Portugal. The method involves the assessment of 19 built environment and streetscape attributes, which were scored by a group of experts following the analytic hierarchy process. The method proved to be efficient in evaluating the pedestrian network and in mapping walkability in the study area. Around 65% of the street lengths scored above 0.60, indicating that the overall pedestrian conditions are favourable, with the best performance criteria being those related to accessibility and street connectivity. The method also allowed for the identification of different levels of walkability within the study area and the lack of a pedestrian network of highly scored streets. According to the results, the SPN method could be replicated in other cities to evaluate walkability and could be a useful planning tool to support policies towards developing more walkable cities. Full article
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26 pages, 9318 KiB  
Review
A Bibliographic Analysis of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Industrial Environments
by Francesco Lolli, Antonio Maria Coruzzolo, Samuele Marinello, Asia Traini and Rita Gamberini
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10108; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610108 - 15 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1669
Abstract
Air pollution is a major risk factor, and it still remains a global cause of death for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays an important role in human health as people spend most of their time in confined spaces. Many studies [...] Read more.
Air pollution is a major risk factor, and it still remains a global cause of death for millions of people. Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays an important role in human health as people spend most of their time in confined spaces. Many studies have recently addressed this issue, but no systematic analysis has been conducted, which is the aim of our study. We present a bibliographic analysis of articles on IAQ in industrial environments from 2010 to 2021. A total of 658 articles were collected, and 409 were used. The NVivo tool was used to analyze the collected documents both quantitatively and qualitatively. This analysis of the literature enables us to identify the most studied working environments and pollutants, the analysis tools, and the types of measurement used to provide a clear overview of the theme, which includes a comparison between the studied working environments and the state of origin of the authors. Our analysis of each working environment and the related frequently cited pollutants provides a clear approach to identifying the specific areas of focus when improving the quality of the air in a specific working environment. In addition, a research gap and future research areas have been identified in the conclusions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution Management and Environment Research)
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21 pages, 3741 KiB  
Article
TOC Standards for Sustainably Managing Refractory Organic Matter in Swine Wastewater Effluent
by Jae-Hong Park, Hong-Duck Ryu, Eu-Gene Chung, Seong-Wook Oa and Yong-Seok Kim
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10092; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610092 - 15 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1195
Abstract
Swine wastewater effluent is a key source of water contamination since it contains high levels of nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as nitrates and refractory organic matter (ROM). ROM refers to organic compounds that are usually resistant to microbial degradation. When [...] Read more.
Swine wastewater effluent is a key source of water contamination since it contains high levels of nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as nitrates and refractory organic matter (ROM). ROM refers to organic compounds that are usually resistant to microbial degradation. When swine wastewater effluent containing high levels of ROM is subsequently discharged into rivers and streams without being adequately treated, purification costs for drinking water increase and there remains a possibility for harmful substances to enter the human body. In this study, we introduce new methods for setting total organic carbon (TOC) water quality standards for discharging swine wastewater effluent containing high levels of ROM after treatment. To set the TOC water quality standards, various analysis methods based on statistics, technology, and experience based on operational data of livestock-manure treatment facilities were applied. In addition, the achievability of the proposed TOC standards in livestock-manure treatment facilities and the financial burden of their implementation on livestock farms were also reviewed. Here, we set tentative values that include all of our results derived from each methodology and set the TOC standards to levels that can be achieved through the normal operation of swine-wastewater treatment facilities (60 mg/L for public treatment facilities and 140 mg/L for treatment facilities operated by individual farms). When setting TOC standards, both single and combined methodologies should be considered and employed after comprehensively assessing livestock management policies, regional conditions, and the burden on stakeholders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Water Management)
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12 pages, 248 KiB  
Review
Smart Cities as Hybrid Spaces of Governance: Beyond the Hard/Soft Dichotomy in Cyber-Urbanization
by Oleg Golubchikov and Mary J. Thornbush
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10080; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610080 - 15 Aug 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1623
Abstract
This paper problematizes the dichotomy of hard (technocratic) and soft (societal) approaches to the smart city. Smart cities are reviewed as hybrid spaces that transcend the sum of the social and the technical. By providing platforms for enabling, monitoring, digitalizing, formalizing, and amassing [...] Read more.
This paper problematizes the dichotomy of hard (technocratic) and soft (societal) approaches to the smart city. Smart cities are reviewed as hybrid spaces that transcend the sum of the social and the technical. By providing platforms for enabling, monitoring, digitalizing, formalizing, and amassing information about collective and personal experiences and behaviors, smart cities accelerate the customization of existing urban services and establish new spaces of socialization, accumulation and regulation, including in hitherto hard-to-reach realms of everyday and personal life. These experiences signify the emergence of cyber-physical-social spaces, featuring the hybridization of the digital, governance, and sociocultural domains. The production of such hybrid spaces of governance is reviewed through 50 urban-level strategies for smart cities in different countries across the world. The analysis confirms the tendencies towards a hard/soft fusion and the ever-deepening interpenetration of the digital, physical, and social elements in smart cities. This suggests epistemological problems of separating the hard and soft domains. However, this integration still creates political and analytical tensions that are arguably evident in the early stages of the digital transition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability Futures)
22 pages, 2292 KiB  
Article
How the Agricultural Press Addresses the Slurry–Water Nexus: A Text Mining Analysis
by Astrid Artner-Nehls, Sandra Uthes, Jana Zscheischler and Peter H. Feindt
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10002; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610002 - 12 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1413
Abstract
Water pollution from intensive livestock husbandry is a persistent social-ecological problem. Since remedies require attention to the slurry–water nexus among practitioners, the agricultural press is a strategic entry point for agenda setting. Systematic content analysis can provide insights into how farming practices and [...] Read more.
Water pollution from intensive livestock husbandry is a persistent social-ecological problem. Since remedies require attention to the slurry–water nexus among practitioners, the agricultural press is a strategic entry point for agenda setting. Systematic content analysis can provide insights into how farming practices and sustainability issues are communicated, which may influence farmers’ attention to the issue and to potential solutions. To address this question, we present a semantic network analysis of three specialized farming magazines in Germany and analyze their coverage of the slurry–water nexus, in particular relationships of actors and issues and co-occurrence with political events. We used text mining methods in order to analyze a text corpus consisting of 4227 online articles published between 2010 and 2020. Results show that one fifth of all slurry-themed articles contained water-related content. We found a shift over time from dominantly management-oriented content towards a politicized debate with more actors and stronger semantic relationships with water protection constructed as an insulated stand-alone issue. This is accompanied by a shift from thematic reporting to episodic reporting focused on environmental legislation and compliance management. This implies less attention to innovations for water-conserving slurry management. Despite its shortcomings, episodic coverage may open up windows of opportunity to improve communication by experts and policy makers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects in Sustainable Water Management)
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18 pages, 2293 KiB  
Article
The Perspective Projects Promoting Sustainable Mobility by Active Travel to School on the Example of the Southern Poland Region
by Maria Cieśla and Elżbieta Macioszek
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 9962; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14169962 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2084
Abstract
The paper presents a discussion concerning the development of projects regarding active travel with the policy of sustainable mobility, with active school transport in southern Poland being taken into special consideration. The implementation of the idea of sustainable school travel planning involves linking [...] Read more.
The paper presents a discussion concerning the development of projects regarding active travel with the policy of sustainable mobility, with active school transport in southern Poland being taken into special consideration. The implementation of the idea of sustainable school travel planning involves linking several social groups, including traffic planners and organizers, school administrators, governments, parents, and children. This, in turn, requires considering the criteria reported by all parties when choosing a scenario for the region’s development in terms of transport solutions. The following study was based on the methodological foundations of multicriteria decision-making analysis. The research purpose of this paper is to identify and classify the actions, policies, and scenarios of active travel projects for the sustainable development of mobility based on the cities of southern Poland. The evaluation was carried out through expert methods with multicriteria decision-making tools based on the MULTIPOL (MULTI-criteria and POLicy) prospective analysis technique. It allowed for the selection of the most probable policy, which covered the six actions considered by the experts to be the most significant for the development of the active school transport system in the analyzed region. Such actions are as follows: identification of walking school bus routes, modernization of crosswalk lines, planning of walking and cycling routes to schools, promoting safety educational programs, distribution of active school transport booklets and cycling, and pedestrian skills training workshops. The paper presents a new method to evaluate the policies and actions regarding promoting sustainable (active) travel to school. The innovative approach results from assembling a mixed group of people (stakeholders) as experts. The mix of experts consisting of users (pupils and parents), practitioners, and scientist experts in this field allowed us to score policies, actions, and scenarios, enabling a wider spectrum of assessment than before. Full article
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25 pages, 5742 KiB  
Article
Augmenting Community Engagement in City 4.0: Considerations for Digital Agency in Urban Public Space
by Michael G. Hunter, Alessandro Soro, Ross A. Brown, Joel Harman and Tan Yigitcanlar
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 9803; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14169803 - 09 Aug 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2501
Abstract
An engaged community that reflects a diverse set of experiences is key to an equitable and livable city. However, maximizing engagement activities is often difficult when competing with residents’ busy schedules and hectic daily lives. To explore new opportunities in this space, we [...] Read more.
An engaged community that reflects a diverse set of experiences is key to an equitable and livable city. However, maximizing engagement activities is often difficult when competing with residents’ busy schedules and hectic daily lives. To explore new opportunities in this space, we developed four augmented reality experiences to learn more about the potential for this technology to transform community engagement practices in the context of City 4.0. City 4.0 utilizes digital technologies to transform public services and the local economy. Its goal is to produce more sustainable urban and societal outcomes. Our findings suggest that augmented reality is least successful when used to recreate existing engagement practices, such as surveys or questionnaires, and more successful when it empowers a sense of agency and ownership over the process in its users. The way augmented reality situates information can aid in making public space feel personal to the individual. In this way, augmented reality’s affordances are less about overlaying digital information in physical space and more about how this can enable individuals to reclaim a sense of control and relevance in the relationship between citizens and councils. We aim to contribute: (a) novel interaction paradigms and an evaluation of their effectiveness and limitation, and (b) new insights into how to support citizens’ sense of agency in public discourse with augmented reality. This paper highlights the value of augmented reality’s affordances to bring to light new interactions between community engagement stakeholders. Full article
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22 pages, 2351 KiB  
Article
Strengthening a Regional Green Infrastructure through Improved Multifunctionality and Connectedness: Policy Suggestions from Sardinia, Italy
by Federica Isola, Sabrina Lai, Federica Leone and Corrado Zoppi
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9788; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159788 - 08 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2091
Abstract
A wide body of research in recent years has studied either green infrastructures as providers of multiple ecosystem services, especially at the urban level, or ecological corridors and the issue of connectivity between landscape patches in the face of growing fragmentation. However, not [...] Read more.
A wide body of research in recent years has studied either green infrastructures as providers of multiple ecosystem services, especially at the urban level, or ecological corridors and the issue of connectivity between landscape patches in the face of growing fragmentation. However, not many studies have analyzed how the two concepts can be combined to ground evidence-based policy and planning recommendations. In this study, a methodological approach for such a combination is proposed: after mapping a regional green infrastructure building upon the assessment of multiple ecosystem services and a network of ecological corridors through the resistance to movement of species, the two spatial layouts are combined so as to analyze correlations between the potential provision of ecosystem services and the resistance to movement. The methodology is applied in the case of the island of Sardinia, whose self-containment makes it possible to discard potential effects from surrounding areas, hence facilitating the implementation of the model. The outcomes of the regression model point out three ecosystem services as the most important factors that should be targeted by appropriate spatial policies if connectivity is to be increased: regulation of micro and local climate, forestry productivity, and cultural identity and heritage values. Full article
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22 pages, 1094 KiB  
Article
Transformation of Industry Ecosystems in Cities and Regions: A Generic Pathway for Smart and Green Transition
by Nicos Komninos
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9694; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159694 - 06 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3050
Abstract
This research paper focuses on pathways towards a digital and green transition. We assess a generic pathway for the transformation of industry ecosystems in cities and regions based on processes of prioritisation, ecosystem identification, and platform-based digital and green transition. We start with [...] Read more.
This research paper focuses on pathways towards a digital and green transition. We assess a generic pathway for the transformation of industry ecosystems in cities and regions based on processes of prioritisation, ecosystem identification, and platform-based digital and green transition. We start with problem definition and hypotheses; review related works on transition pathways, such as digital transition, green transition, system innovation, industry ecosystems, and multi-level perspective of transformation; assess the generic pathway with case studies; and conclude with a discussion of findings, outline of conclusions, and policy implications. Overall, the paper investigates pathways, priorities, and methods allowing public authorities and business organisations to master the current industrial transformation of cities and regions introduced by the twin digital and green transitions as an opportunity for radical change of city ecosystems, innovation leapfrogging, and system innovation. Full article
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19 pages, 546 KiB  
Article
Urban Air Pollution, Urban Heat Island and Human Health: A Review of the Literature
by Awais Piracha and Muhammad Tariq Chaudhary
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9234; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159234 - 28 Jul 2022
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 14288
Abstract
Many cities of the world suffer from air pollution because of poor planning and design and heavy traffic in rapidly expanding urban environments. These conditions are exacerbated due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. While there have been studies linking the built [...] Read more.
Many cities of the world suffer from air pollution because of poor planning and design and heavy traffic in rapidly expanding urban environments. These conditions are exacerbated due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. While there have been studies linking the built environment and air pollution with health, they have ignored the aggravating role of UHI. The past urban planning literature in this field has also ignored the science of materials, vehicles and air pollution, and technological solutions for reducing cumulative health impacts of air pollution and UHI. Air Pollution, built environment and human health are complex discussion factors that involve several different fields. The built environment is linked with human health through opportunities of physical activity and air quality. Recent planning literature focuses on creating compact and walkable urban areas dotted with green infrastructure to promote physical activity and to reduce vehicle emission-related air pollution. Reduced car use leading to reduced air pollution and UHI is implied in the literature. The literature from technology fields speaks to the issue of air pollution directly. Zero emission cars, green infrastructure and building materials that absorb air pollutants and reduce UHI fall within this category. This paper identifies main themes in the two streams of urban air pollution and UHI that impact human health and presents a systematic review of the academic papers, policy documents, reports and features in print media published in the last 10–20 years. Full article
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25 pages, 6545 KiB  
Article
Electricity Generation from Municipal Solid Waste in Nigeria: A Prospective LCA Study
by Oluwaseun Nubi, Stephen Morse and Richard J. Murphy
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9252; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159252 - 28 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3588
Abstract
Diverse opportunities and environmental impacts could occur from a potential move towards waste-to-energy (WtE) systems for electricity generation from municipal solid waste (MSW) in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. Given this, the purpose of this study is to use life cycle assessment (LCA) as [...] Read more.
Diverse opportunities and environmental impacts could occur from a potential move towards waste-to-energy (WtE) systems for electricity generation from municipal solid waste (MSW) in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. Given this, the purpose of this study is to use life cycle assessment (LCA) as a primary analytical approach in order to undertake a comparative analysis from an environmental impact perspective of different WtE scenarios, along with diesel backup generators (DBGs) and grid electricity. A functional unit of 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity produced was used in assessing the following environmental impact categories: abiotic depletion (fossil fuels) potential (ADP), global warming potential (GWP 100a), human toxicity potential (HTP), photochemical oxidation potential (POCP), acidification potential (AP), and eutrophication potential (EP). The overall result indicated that anaerobic digestion (AD) had the highest energy generated per one tonne of MSW processed for both Lagos (683 kWh/t) and Abuja (667 kWh/t), while landfill gas to energy (LFGTE) had the lowest for both (Lagos 171 kWh/t, Abuja 135 kWh/t). AD also had the lowest environmental impacts amongst the four WtE systems for both cities based on all the impact categories except for POCP. In contrast, LFGTE had the highest impact in all the categories except ADP and HTP. Extending the analysis to include diesel-based generators (DBG) and grid electricity saw the DBGs having the highest impact overall in ADP (14.1 MJ), HTP (0.0732 Kg, 1.4 DB eq), AP (0.0129 Kg SO2 eq), and EP (0.00313 Kg PO4 eq) and grid electricity having the lowest impact in GWP (0.497 Kg CO2 eq), AP (0.000296 Kg SO2 eq), and EP (0.000061 Kg PO4 eq). It was concluded that additional electricity supply from AD to the grid, with its potential to reduce the reliance on DBGs (worst scenario overall), would be a positive action in environmental impact terms. Full article
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10 pages, 1682 KiB  
Article
Optimal Method for Biomass Estimation in a Cladoceran Species, Daphnia Magna (Straus, 1820): Evaluating Length–Weight Regression Equations and Deriving Estimation Equations Using Body Length, Width and Lateral Area
by Doyeong Ku, Yeon-Ji Chae, Yerim Choi, Chang Woo Ji, Young-Seuk Park, Ihn-Sil Kwak, Yong-Jae Kim, Kwang-Hyeon Chang and Hye-Ji Oh
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9216; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159216 - 27 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1507
Abstract
Assessing the biomass of zooplankton compensates for the difference between number of individuals and the accumulated body weight of the community, which helps assess aquatic ecosystem food web functions. Daphnia are crustaceans that play an intermediate role in biological interactions within food webs. [...] Read more.
Assessing the biomass of zooplankton compensates for the difference between number of individuals and the accumulated body weight of the community, which helps assess aquatic ecosystem food web functions. Daphnia are crustaceans that play an intermediate role in biological interactions within food webs. The morphology and body specification of Daphnia differ during growth; hence, it is essential to apply species-specific equations to estimate biomass. We evaluated the length–weight regression equations used previously to estimate Daphnia magna biomass and conducted regression analyses using various body specifications and biomass measurements taken directly using devices such as a microbalance and microscopic camera. Biomass estimated using an equation from the Environmental Protection Agency was significantly different from the direct measurement: average biomass was lower, indicating that the equation possibly underestimated actual biomass. The biomass of D. magna had a higher multiple R2 value when length was compared with width and area, and a linear regression equation was the most suitable equation for biomass estimation. Because body specifications and biomass are affected by various environmental factors, the development of accurate species-specific biomass estimation equations will contribute to obtaining fundamental data with which the biological responses of zooplankton to aquatic ecosystem changes can be assessed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Freshwater)
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29 pages, 4848 KiB  
Article
Construction of an Ecological Network Based on an Integrated Approach and Circuit Theory: A Case Study of Panzhou in Guizhou Province
by Liu Yang, Mengmeng Suo, Shunqian Gao and Hongzan Jiao
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9136; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159136 - 26 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1724
Abstract
Protecting ecological security has become the backbone of social and economic development since declines in ecological quality due to an increase in human dominance over the natural environment. The establishment of ecological networks is an effective, comprehensive spatial regulation means to ensure regional [...] Read more.
Protecting ecological security has become the backbone of social and economic development since declines in ecological quality due to an increase in human dominance over the natural environment. The establishment of ecological networks is an effective, comprehensive spatial regulation means to ensure regional ecological security. Panzhou city, as a case study, is a typical karst county and has been confronted with the pressure of ecological degradation in recent decades. In this study, an integrated approach combining ecological quality (EQ), ecosystem function importance (EFI), and morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) was developed to determine the ecological sources. Ecological corridors, ecological pinch areas, and ecological barriers were extracted using circuit theory to identify the restored and conserved priority areas of ecological security patterns. The results showed that (1) the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) and EFI exhibited typical geographical distributions, with the highest values concentrated in the northern and southern parts of the study area and the lowest values scattered in the middle part; (2) 26 patches with forestland, grassland, and waterbodies as the main land cover types were selected as the ecological sources; (3) 63 ecological corridors, composed of 45 key ecological corridors and 18 inactive ecological corridors, were extracted, accounting for 203.12 km and 163.31 km, respectively; (4) 82.76 km2 of pinch areas and 320.29 km2 of barriers were identified, both of which were distributed on key ecological corridors and played different roles in ecological security; and (5) 4 types of ecological security zones were established according to ecological sources, corridors, pinch areas, and barriers. This integrated approach provides a scientific method for the identification and implementation of ecological networks that can contribute to protecting regional ecological security. Our findings can serve as applicable and reasonable guidance to land administrators and policy-makers for adopting suitable territorial spatial planning, urban planning, green cities, etc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Emerging Data–Driven Smart City of Sustainability)
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16 pages, 1733 KiB  
Review
Spatially Explicit River Basin Models for Cost-Benefit Analyses to Optimize Land Use
by Jawad Ghafoor, Marie Anne Eurie Forio and Peter L. M. Goethals
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8953; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148953 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1487
Abstract
Recently, a wide range of models have been used in analyzing the costs and benefits of land utilization in river basins. Despite these advances, there is not enough information on how to select appropriate models to perform cost-benefit analyses. A literature search in [...] Read more.
Recently, a wide range of models have been used in analyzing the costs and benefits of land utilization in river basins. Despite these advances, there is not enough information on how to select appropriate models to perform cost-benefit analyses. A literature search in the Web of Science (WOS) online database was implemented and resulted in the selection of 27 articles that utilized models to perform cost-benefit analyses of river basins. The models reviewed in these papers were categorized into five types: process-based, statistical, probabilistic, data-driven, and modeling frameworks or integrated models. Twenty-six models were reviewed based on their data and input variable needs and user convenience. A SWOT analysis was also performed to highlight the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of these models. One of the main strengths is their ability to perform scenario-based analyses while the main drawback is the limited availability of data impeding the use of the models. We found that, to some extent, there is an increase in model applicability as the number of input variables increases but there are exceptions to this observation. Future studies should explicitly report on the necessary time needed for data collection, model development and/or training, and model application. This information is highly valuable to users and modelers when choosing which model to use in performing a particular cost-benefit analysis. These models can be developed and applied to assist sustainable development as well as the sustainable utilization of agricultural parcels within a river basin, which can eventually reduce the negative impacts of intensive agriculture and minimize habitat degradation on water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects in Sustainable Water Management)
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13 pages, 3030 KiB  
Article
Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost of an Innovative Carbon Paper Sensor for 17α-Ethinylestradiol and Comparison with the Classical Chromatographic Method
by Florinda Martins, Álvaro Torrinha, Cristina Delerue-Matos and Simone Morais
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8896; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148896 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1413
Abstract
Nowadays there is a growing concern with the environment and sustainability, which means that better methods, including pollutants analysis, with less consumption of materials, organic solvents, and energy, need to be developed. Considering the almost inexistent information about the topic, the main goal [...] Read more.
Nowadays there is a growing concern with the environment and sustainability, which means that better methods, including pollutants analysis, with less consumption of materials, organic solvents, and energy, need to be developed. Considering the almost inexistent information about the topic, the main goal of this work was to compare the environmental impacts of two analytical methods, a traditional one based on liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and a newly developed carbon paper sensor. The selected analyte was 17α-ethinylestradiol, which is a contaminant of emergent concern in aquatic ecosystems due to its endocrine disruptor behavior. The life cycle assessment data showed that the sensor detection presents an almost negligible environmental impact when compared with the extraction step (the same for both methods) and the liquid chromatographic determination (roughly 80 times higher than with the sensor). The sensor values for all categories of damage are below 3% of the total method impacts, i.e., 1.6, 1.9, 2.4, and 2.9% for resources, climate change, human health, and ecosystem quality. The extraction represents 98.1% of the sensor environmental impacts (and 99.6% of its life cycle costing) and 38.8% of the chromatographic method. This study evidences the need of developing and applying greener analytical (detection and extraction) strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sustainability and Applications)
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19 pages, 1368 KiB  
Article
Relevance of Impact Categories and Applicability of Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methods from an Automotive Industry Perspective
by Natalia Mikosch, Tina Dettmer, Benjamin Plaga, Marko Gernuks and Matthias Finkbeiner
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8837; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148837 - 19 Jul 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3510
Abstract
Climate change impacts have been extensively addressed in academia, politics and industry for decades. However, particularly within the scientific community, the importance of considering further impact categories to ensure holistic environmental assessment and avoid burden shifting is strongly emphasized. Since considering all impact [...] Read more.
Climate change impacts have been extensively addressed in academia, politics and industry for decades. However, particularly within the scientific community, the importance of considering further impact categories to ensure holistic environmental assessment and avoid burden shifting is strongly emphasized. Since considering all impact categories might become overwhelming for industry, a prioritization approach can support practitioners to focus their efforts on the most relevant impacts. Therefore, within this paper, an approach for the identification of relevant impact categories is developed for the automotive sector together with Volkswagen AG. The evaluation is conducted using a criteria set including criteria groups “relevance for automotive sector” and “relevance for stakeholders”. For the impact categories identified as relevant, an evaluation of LCIA methods is conducted considering the methodologies CML and ReCiPe 2016 and the methods recommended by PEF. The results demonstrate that climate change is by far the most relevant impact category followed by resource use, human toxicity and ecotoxicity from both automotive and stakeholder perspective. Based on the evaluation of the LCIA methods, a combination of different methods can be recommended. This work provides guidance for the automotive sector to prioritize its focus on the most relevant impact categories and to select applicable LCIA methods for their quantification. Full article
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19 pages, 5053 KiB  
Article
Numerical Experiments on Low Impact Development for Urban Resilience Index
by Hao-Che Ho, Hong-Yuan Lee, Yao-Jung Tsai and Yuan-Shun Chang
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8696; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148696 - 15 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1615
Abstract
Low impact development (LID) has become one of the strategies that effectively mitigate the impacts of climate change. In addition to the ability to reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution caused by flash floods from the surface runoff, LID has also been applied to [...] Read more.
Low impact development (LID) has become one of the strategies that effectively mitigate the impacts of climate change. In addition to the ability to reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution caused by flash floods from the surface runoff, LID has also been applied to control water quantity under extreme rainfall events. Due to the fact that studies about LID configuration optimization tended to control water quantity and gradually ignored the main functions of water quality treatment, this study aims to consider water quantity and quality to estimate the benefits and optimal configuration of LID by Non-Dominated Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II). In addition, regarding to the outlet peak flow, hydrologic footprint residence (HFR) was considered to be the water quantity indicator due to the ability to represent the dynamics of flow changes, and the modified quality indicator (Mass Emission First Flush ratio, MEFF30) was corrected to represent the pollutant transport process in a large catchment area. The results show that the flood and MEFF30 reduction rate of LID are inversely proportional to rainfall duration and intensity. The benefit of pollutant reduction, which can still be maintained by 20% and 15% under a big return period and the long duration was about three times than the quantity control. Taking the cost into account, although the rain barrel had the best effect of reduction per unit area, green roofs and permeable pavements had a higher unit cost reduction rate due to the lower costs. The upper and middle reaches of the open channel and the confluence of rainwater sewers should be the optimal LID configuration to achieve the benefits of both flood and pollution reduction. Full article
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21 pages, 3530 KiB  
Article
Cloud-Based Collaborative Road-Damage Monitoring with Deep Learning and Smartphones
by Akshatha Ramesh, Dhananjay Nikam, Venkat Narayanan Balachandran, Longxiang Guo, Rongyao Wang, Leo Hu, Gurcan Comert and Yunyi Jia
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8682; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148682 - 15 Jul 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2139
Abstract
Road damage such as potholes and cracks may reduce ride comfort and traffic safety. This influence can be prevented by regular, proper monitoring and maintenance of roads. Traditional methods and existing methods of surveying are very time-consuming, expensive, require a lot of human [...] Read more.
Road damage such as potholes and cracks may reduce ride comfort and traffic safety. This influence can be prevented by regular, proper monitoring and maintenance of roads. Traditional methods and existing methods of surveying are very time-consuming, expensive, require a lot of human effort, and, thus, cannot be conducted frequently. A more efficient and cost-effective process is required to augment profilometer and traditional road-condition recognition systems. In this study, we propose deep-learning methods using smartphone data to devise a cost-effective and ad-hoc approach. Information from sensors on smartphones such as motion sensors and cameras are harnessed to detect road damage using deep-learning algorithms. In order to give heuristic and accurate information about the road damage, we used a cloud-based collaborative approach to fuse all the data and update a map frequently with these road-surface conditions. During the experiment, the deep-learning models achieved good prediction accuracy on our dataset, and the cloud-based fusion approach was able to group and merge the detections from different vehicles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability Implications of Emerging Transportation Technologies)
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16 pages, 3963 KiB  
Article
Environmental and Economic Implication of Implementation Scale of Sewage Sludge Recycling Systems Considering Carbon Trading Price
by Jiawen Zhang, Zhiyi Liang, Toru Matsumoto and Tiejia Zhang
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8684; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148684 - 15 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1381
Abstract
With China’s ongoing economic development and increasing emphasis on environmental protection, the number and treatment capacity of sewage plants is increasing annually. Simultaneously, sludge production is increasing. In recent years, researchers have investigated various approaches to the environmental and economic analysis of sludge [...] Read more.
With China’s ongoing economic development and increasing emphasis on environmental protection, the number and treatment capacity of sewage plants is increasing annually. Simultaneously, sludge production is increasing. In recent years, researchers have investigated various approaches to the environmental and economic analysis of sludge treatment and recycling systems (STRS). These investigations did not take the universal law of different capacities for environmental impact and STRS economics into account. The aim of this study was to analyze the scale effect of STRS with different technologies (i.e., incineration, aerobic composting, used in material (brick), anaerobic digestion) on the environment and economy. Moreover, the cost–benefit impact of introducing a carbon- trading mechanism into the STRS to achieve carbon neutrality was analyzed. After reducing carbon emissions through by-products of STRS, the carbon emission quota can be sold, which will generate income. The results show that the break-even scales for incineration, anaerobic composting, used in building material (brick), and anaerobic digestion are 54,899, 6707, 48,775, and 4425 t/y, respectively. The break-even scale of each system decreased after the introduction of the carbon trading system into the STRS. These findings could provide critical technical information for superior decision-making in sewage sludge recycling systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Waste Management towards a Circular Economy Transition)
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11 pages, 3345 KiB  
Article
Performance Evaluation of a Novel Pilot-Scale Wet Electrostatic Precipitator in a Bio-Drying-Assisted Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) Generation Plant: Particulate Matter (PM) Collection Efficiency
by Min-Sang Kim, Hongmok Jo, Yeongmi Park, Uijeong Han, Ajay Thapa, Kyunghyun Kim, Du Hyeong Choi, Gwang Jo Park and Si-Kyung Cho
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8702; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148702 - 15 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1377
Abstract
The production of solid recovered fuel (SRF) from sewage sludge has been credited with facilitating Korea’s waste management shift toward a resource circular economy. In this study, a novel pilot-scale wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) was developed and installed in a bio-drying-assisted solid recovered [...] Read more.
The production of solid recovered fuel (SRF) from sewage sludge has been credited with facilitating Korea’s waste management shift toward a resource circular economy. In this study, a novel pilot-scale wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) was developed and installed in a bio-drying-assisted solid recovered fuel (SRF) generation plant for the first time. To investigate the performance of the novel WESP, various sizes of particulate matter, i.e., total particle matter (PM), particle matter smaller than 10 μm (PM10), and particle matter smaller than 0.1 μm (PM0.1), collection efficiencies were evaluated and demonstrated promising performances. Under optimal operating conditions (flow rate of 5 m3/min and an applied voltage of 30 kV), 99.76% PM and 91% PM10 collection efficiencies were achieved, and the PM concentration was 0.16 mg/m3, which met the exhaust emission standard. However, a dramatic increase in PM0.1 was observed and could be explained by the break-up theory, binary homogenous nucleation, and ion-induced nucleation. The experimental findings could serve as useful information to understand the WESP system. Full article
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19 pages, 32575 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Flow Behaviour of Fractured Granite under Extreme Temperature and Pressure Conditions
by Wanniarachchige Gnamani Pabasara Kumari and Pathegama Gamage Ranjith
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8587; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148587 - 13 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1494
Abstract
As a result of negligible connected porosity—and thus, minimal matrix permeability—the fluid-transport characteristics of crystalline rocks are strongly influenced by the fractures at all scales. Understanding the flow behaviour of fractured rock under extreme stress and temperature conditions is essential for safe and [...] Read more.
As a result of negligible connected porosity—and thus, minimal matrix permeability—the fluid-transport characteristics of crystalline rocks are strongly influenced by the fractures at all scales. Understanding the flow behaviour of fractured rock under extreme stress and temperature conditions is essential for safe and effective deep geo-engineering applications, such as deep geothermal recovery, geological nuclear waste disposal, oil and gas extraction, geological storage and deep mining operations. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the flow characteristics of mechanically fractured Australian Strathbogie granite under a wide range of stress (confining pressures 1–80 MPa) and temperature conditions (20 °C to 350 °C). The study utilised a sophisticated high-temperature, high-pressure tri-axial setup capable of simulating extreme geological conditions, followed by a numerical simulation. According to the experimental results, a linear increment in the steady-state flow rate was observed, with increased injection pressure for the experimental conditions considered. Therefore, linear laminar Darcy flow was considered, and the fracture permeability was calculated using the cubic law. It was found that stress and temperature strongly depend on the flow of fluid through fractures. The steady-state flow rate decreased exponentially with the increase in normal stress, showcasing fracture shrinkage with an increment in effective stress. With regard to permeability through the fractures, increasing temperature was found to cause an initial reduction in fracture permeability due to an increased interlock effect (induced by thermal overclosure), followed by increments because of the thermally induced damage. Furthermore, the increasing temperature caused significant non-linear increments in the fluid flow rates due to the associated viscosity and density reduction in water. Considering the laboratory-scale flow-through exercises, a fully coupled numerical model that can predict hydro–thermo–mechanical variations in the reservoir rocks was developed using the COMSOL Multiphysics simulator. The developed model was calibrated, utilising the temperature- and pressure-dependent properties of granite rocks and fluid (water); was validated against the experimental results; and was used to predict the permeability, pressure development and strain of rock samples under extreme conditions, which were difficult to achieve in the laboratory. Full article
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14 pages, 853 KiB  
Article
The Effect of COVID-19 on the Environmental Impact of Our Lifestyles and on Environmental Concern
by Luc Van Ootegem, Elsy Verhofstadt, Bart Defloor and Brent Bleys
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8437; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148437 - 10 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1600
Abstract
Since the beginning of 2020, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary to change our lifestyles (e.g., restrictions on transport or travelling and forced telework). This has also changed the environmental impact of our lifestyles. To quantify that impact, we used surveys to [...] Read more.
Since the beginning of 2020, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary to change our lifestyles (e.g., restrictions on transport or travelling and forced telework). This has also changed the environmental impact of our lifestyles. To quantify that impact, we used surveys to calculate the Ecological Footprint (EF) and environmental concern of Belgian respondents in 2021 and compared this to the EF-situation in 2017, before COVID-19. We observed that the EF became significantly lower during the COVID-19 crisis. Of course, this change in behaviour is the result of compulsory measures. Therefore, we asked about people’s willingness to reduce the EF permanently, particularly after COVID-19 and on a voluntary basis. We observed that, in 2021, respondents had a strong desire to return to a pre-COVID-19 lifestyle and that they are even less concerned about the environment than they were in the period before COVID-19. Moreover, these results hold after taking into account the effect of different explanatory variables in a multivariate analysis. As a general conclusion, there is little or no evidence that COVID-19 will fundamentally change the environmental impact of our behaviour or our environmental concern if there is no associated public intervention. There is a need for policies that make use of the potential created by COVID-19 (e.g., stimulate working from home and increased cycling). Full article
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22 pages, 3281 KiB  
Article
Residential Buildings’ Real Estate Values Linked to Summer Surface Thermal Anomaly Patterns and Urban Features: A Florence (Italy) Case Study
by Giulia Guerri, Alfonso Crisci, Irene Cresci, Luca Congedo, Michele Munafò and Marco Morabito
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8412; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148412 - 08 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2355
Abstract
Climate-change-related extreme events impact ecosystems, people, economy, and infrastructures, with important consequences on the real estate market as well. This study aims to investigate the variation of residential buildings’ real estate values in a historic Italian city in relation to the summer surface [...] Read more.
Climate-change-related extreme events impact ecosystems, people, economy, and infrastructures, with important consequences on the real estate market as well. This study aims to investigate the variation of residential buildings’ real estate values in a historic Italian city in relation to the summer surface thermal anomaly pattern and urban features surrounding buildings. Open data from remote sensing products and the national database of the Revenue Agency of Italy were used. Real estate values of residential buildings were spatially analyzed in four urban belts, and the association with daytime summer surface hot- and cool-spot zones was studied through odds ratio (OR) statistic. Urban features (impervious area, tree cover, grassland area, and water body) surrounding residential buildings with different real estate values were also analyzed. Considering the whole Florentine municipality, 13.0% of residential buildings fell into hot-spot zones (only 0.6% into cool-spot ones), characterized by very low tree cover surfaces (generally <1%), most of which were in the central belt (37% of all buildings in central belt). Almost 10% of these buildings belonged to the highest market value class revealing a positive association (OR = 1.53) with hot-spot zones. This study provides useful information to plan targeted building interventions to avoid a probable decrease of the value of residential properties in high heat-related risk areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Economics, City Development and Future Social Challenges)
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16 pages, 598 KiB  
Article
Adaptation to Climate Change Across Local Policies: An Investigation in Six Italian Cities
by Vittorio Serra, Antonio Ledda, Maria Grazia Gavina Ruiu, Giovanna Calia, Valentina Mereu, Valentina Bacciu, Serena Marras, Donatella Spano and Andrea De Montis
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8318; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148318 - 07 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2650
Abstract
Climate change is a concerning phenomenon worldwide. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is the core of the mitigation strategies that are effective countermeasures to address a changing climate in the long term. Nevertheless, the need for short-term solutions regarding adaptation to climate [...] Read more.
Climate change is a concerning phenomenon worldwide. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is the core of the mitigation strategies that are effective countermeasures to address a changing climate in the long term. Nevertheless, the need for short-term solutions regarding adaptation to climate change (ACC) has gained growing interest in the scientific community and in European institutions. European and national ACC principles are being integrated in strategies and plans. In Italy, some regions have adopted ACC principles in strategic plans, which influence the whole local planning system and persuade local communities to become more climate-resilient. This study focuses on the mainstreaming of ACC into strategies, plans, programs, and projects (SPPPs) adopted by the following Italian cities: Bologna, Milan, Naples, Rome, Turin, and Venice. We scrutinize the contents of SPPPs with respect to four criteria: (i) references to strategies or plans for ACC; (ii) inclusion of ACC objectives and (iii) measures; and (iv) references to—or the inclusion of—climatic analysis on historical series and/or future projections. We found out that most SPPPs adopted by the cities have considered ACC in a promising way, i.e., all the cities are inclined to promote ACC, despite three of them lacking a municipal ACC strategy or plan and a National Adaptation Plan not being in force. Full article
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12 pages, 280 KiB  
Review
Conflict-Sensitive Climate Change Adaptation: A Review
by Md Nadiruzzaman, Jürgen Scheffran, Hosna J. Shewly and Stefanie Kley
Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8060; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138060 - 01 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2577
Abstract
Climate change adaptation (CCA) evolved in the global policy framework in the early 1990s. However, it began to flourish about a decade later through a subsequent development of institutions, policies and supporting financial mechanisms. Various adaptation approaches and development practices have been evolving [...] Read more.
Climate change adaptation (CCA) evolved in the global policy framework in the early 1990s. However, it began to flourish about a decade later through a subsequent development of institutions, policies and supporting financial mechanisms. Various adaptation approaches and development practices have been evolving over the last couple of decades through a process of scrutiny, debates, and critiques. One such recent approach is called conflict-sensitive adaptation, which encompasses concepts to understand potential conflict-inflicting elements and peacebuilding aspects of adaptation interventions. This paper examines 35 peer-reviewed research articles that have analysed field data with the notion of conceptualising conflict-sensitive CCA initiatives. Emerging key results were presented and discussed in different academic forums to stimulate peer reflections and debates. We found that the understanding of conflict-sensitive adaptation has its universality in engaging with diverse stakeholders. However, practicalities were different in the cases of the global north and the global south. In the global south, there is a concentration of research in areas of pre-existing conflict in Africa and Asia, where climate change links are often assumed from IPCC reports in order to compensate for the unavailability of field data. However, from the perspective of adaptation politics and governance, there is a concerted urge for the emancipatory participation of local and marginalised populations. We argue for a need to pretest adaptation projects through a conflict lens. Decolonising the adaptation and understanding of local geography is critical in such planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air, Climate Change and Sustainability)
18 pages, 1111 KiB  
Article
Delving Deeper into Market Concentration of Poultry Feed and the Driving Factors for Brand Switching: Evidence from Commercial Egg Producers in Nigeria
by Fatai Abiola Sowunmi, Abeeb Adetunji Bello, Adebayo Isaiah Ogunniyi and Abiodun Olusola Omotayo
Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8030; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138030 - 30 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1918
Abstract
An increase in the price of branded feed has been a major problem for the poultry subsector of Nigerian agriculture, and brand switching for a cheap feed at the expense of quality is a common strategy used by egg-producing farmers. Using descriptive statistics, [...] Read more.
An increase in the price of branded feed has been a major problem for the poultry subsector of Nigerian agriculture, and brand switching for a cheap feed at the expense of quality is a common strategy used by egg-producing farmers. Using descriptive statistics, the Markov chain model and the logistic regression model, our study shows that almost 96% of the egg producers use branded feed while 43.1% switched feed brands because of the increase in the price of their preferred brands. Most farmers used Chikun (39.3%) and Top feed (23.2%) six months before data collection and during data collection, respectively. Our study found that approximately 37% of the feed sellers sold at least 10–50 bags per day. We revealed great inequality regarding market concentration: 50% of the feed sellers accounted for 89.5% of the total bags of feed sold per day. Hybrid had the highest customer loyalty. The study shows that Chikun gained 23.7% and 7.1% from Hybrid and Top feed, respectively, while Hybrid gained 36.0% and 35.7% from Chikun and Top feed (change in loyalty by egg producers), respectively. Membership of an association, distance to feed sellers, flock size and the average price of feed per bag were factors that influenced brand switching of poultry feed among egg producers. The study recommends that the government assists in subsidizing the price of critical ingredients (maize and soya bean) in feed production to prevent the price of eggs (the cheap source of protein) from becoming out of reach for most Nigerians. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Agricultural Development Economics and Policy)
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17 pages, 1329 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Food Packaging: An Integrative Framework
by Romina Santi, Paola Garrone, Mattia Iannantuoni and Barbara Del Curto
Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8045; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138045 - 30 Jun 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4917
Abstract
The paper proposes a comprehensive and operational definition of Sustainable Food Packaging (SFP). Sustainability is a multifaceted concept, yet most SFP conversations decline it as a mere material substitution issue. The efforts of regulators, packaging producers, food companies, and consumers towards the design [...] Read more.
The paper proposes a comprehensive and operational definition of Sustainable Food Packaging (SFP). Sustainability is a multifaceted concept, yet most SFP conversations decline it as a mere material substitution issue. The efforts of regulators, packaging producers, food companies, and consumers towards the design and adoption of SFP products are likely to fail without a common understanding of the multiple means by which food packaging contributes to sustainability. Based on an extensive literature review and the contributions of SFP innovation experts, the paper builds a Food Packaging Sustainability Framework (FPSF) that encompasses the three main dimensions of SFP, namely environmental conservation, food safety, and social value, and operationalizes them in terms of objectives and activable levers. The framework can be used as a tool to search and evaluate food packaging products, a conceptual guide for SFP design, and a narrative platform for coordinating supply chain actors, including consumers. The experimental activities applying FPSF gathered the different actors in the supply chain to jointly adopt the integrated model that distributes environmental, social, and economic benefits along the entire production chain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Security of Food Packaging)
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