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Analysis of environmental protection priority zones and their impacts on urban planning in small- and medium-sized cities of Indonesia Rizal IMANA, Andrea Emma PRAVITASARI, Didit Okta PRIBADI Regional Sustainability    2025, 6 (2): 100211-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2025.100211 Abstract （3）   HTML （4）    PDF （2216KB）（10）       Knowledge map    Save Urbanization in small- and medium-sized cities has often been overlooked in urban studies. Research on urbanization has predominantly focused on large metropolitan cities; however, urbanization in small- and medium-sized cities also contributes to the acceleration of urban sprawl. Urban growth boundary (UGB) is an ecological approach designed to limit urban development. This study aimed to analyze environmental protection priority zones by combining ecological quality and sensitivity indices to identify the areas suitable for UGB implementation. Tegal City and its surrounding areas (including Tegal and Brebes regencies) of Indonesia were selected as the study area. The ecological quality index was calculated using the normalized difference vegetation index, humidity index, land surface temperature, and normalized difference bare soil index. These indices were subsequently subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to extract orthogonal factors, which were summed to derive the final index value. In parallel, we mapped and evaluated ecological sensitivity based on spatial planning policies and regulations. The results revealed that ecological quality in Tegal and Brebes regencies was predominantly categorized as good and very good ecological quality, whereas Tegal City exhibited moderate and poor ecological quality. Additionally, over 45.00% of the area in Tegal and Brebes regencies demonstrated very high ecological sensitivity. Consequently, more than 50.00% of the area in Tegal and Brebes regencies, along with 27.00% of Tegal City, were classified as ecological constraint zone, making them potential regions for UGB development. The UGB is expected to curtail urban expansion, promote compact city planning, and preserve ecosystem services to achieve urban sustainability. This study implies that planning small- and medium-sized cities is important to prevent urban sprawl and maintain environmental health. Designing UGB to limit urban expansion should be enhanced by better knowledge about its ecological functions in supporting urban sustainability. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Exploring the transformation mechanism of modern agricultural villages in the loess hilly and gully regions using actor-network theory ZHANG Tianyang, LI Linna Regional Sustainability    2025, 6 (2): 100212-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2025.100212 Abstract （4）   HTML （3）    PDF （1286KB）（4）       Knowledge map    Save As urbanization accelerates, rural regions in China are experiencing transformative changes. This study examines the transformation mechanism of modern agricultural villages in the loess hilly and gully regions, using Zhaojiawa Village in Shannxi Province of China as a case study. In this study, we explored the village’s evolution amid China’s rural revitalization efforts, highlighting the transition from a traditional agricultural village to a modern agricultural village in the context of rapid urbanization. This study employed actor-network theory (ANT) to investigate the complex interactions among diverse actors that drive rural transformation. ANT interlinks spatial relationships with intricate social networks. We utilized Google Earth remote sensing images in 2015 and 2021 and interview data to construct ANT. Three key dimensions of rural transformation are identified: economic structure transformation, social relationship reorganization, and spatial layout reconstruction. The transformation mechanism in Zhaojiawa Village is underpinned by a network of diverse actors, both human and non-human, aligned around two pivotal stages of agricultural village development (i.e., construction stage and development stage). In the initial construction stage, the Suide County government led a complex actor network to enhance rural living and production spaces. In the development stage, the village committee emerged as a central actor, with increased participation from villagers and external enterprises, facilitating the creation of a multifunctional space. The evolving goals and roles of these key actors contributed to the reconfiguration of the actor network, promoting rural transformation. These insights are applicable to other ecologically vulnerable and economically challenged rural areas in the loess hilly and gully regions, suggesting that collaboration among stakeholders can effectively facilitate the transition to specialized and integrated industries, thereby fostering rural revitalization. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Relationship between environmental performance indices and blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies: Evidence from countries in Europe and America Hussain Mohi-ud-Din QADRI, Hassnian ALI, Atta UL MUSTAFA Regional Sustainability    2025, 6 (2): 100214-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2025.100214 Abstract （3）   HTML （2）    PDF （952KB）（4）       Knowledge map    Save As the world grapples with increasing environmental challenges, innovative technologies are essential for promoting sustainability and accountability. This study examined the impact of environmental performance indices (EPIs) on the growth and investment trends of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies in 15 countries (Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States) from Europe and America during 2010-2022. This study used the negative binomial regression model to assess the relationship between EPIs and blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies based on the data from the CrunchBase and EarthData. Results indicated that in ecosystem vitality, national terrestrial biome protection efforts were negatively correlated the formation of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies, while global terrestrial biome protection efforts and marine protected areas had a positive impact on the formation of these companies and the number of funding rounds. In environmental health, PM2.5 exposure had a positive impact on the number of funding rounds. Conversely, pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ocean plastics deterred the formation of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies and reduced the number of funding rounds. In climate change performance, adjusted emission growth rate for carbon dioxide (CO2), adjusted emission growth rate for F-gases, and adjusted emission growth rate for black carbon had a significantly positive impact on the formation of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies. Conversely, adjusted emission growth rate for Nitrous Oxide (N2O) and projected greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 negatively affected the formation of these companies. These findings highlight the dual role of EPIs as driving factors and barriers in the development and investment of blockchain-based sustainability-focused companies in countries from Europe and America. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Controlling agricultural product price volatility: An empirical analysis from Cameroon Ivette Gnitedem KEUBENG, George Achu MULUH, Vatis Christian KEMEZANG Regional Sustainability    2025, 6 (2): 100215-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2025.100215 Abstract （3）   HTML （1）    PDF （884KB）（3）       Knowledge map    Save Motivated by a significant impact of price volatility on food security and economic stability in Cameroon, this study aims to understand the factors influencing agricultural product price volatility (APPV) and formulate effective policies for mitigating its negative impact and promoting sustainable economic growth. Specifically, this research used the autoregressive distributed lag-error correction model (ARDL-ECM) to analyse the impact of agricultural productivity, agricultural product imports, population, temperature variation, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and government expenditure on APPV based on the annual data from 2000 to 2021. The ARDL-ECM estimation results revealed that agricultural productivity (β=4.901), agricultural product imports (β=1.012), population (β=13.635), and GDP per capita (β=2.794) were positively related to APPV, while temperature variation (β= -0.990) and government expenditure (β= -8.585) were negatively related to APPV in the long term. However, temperature variation had a positive relationship with APPV in the short term. Moreover, the Granger causality test showed that there were bidirectional causality of APPV with agricultural productivity and agricultural product imports, and unidirectional causality of APPV with population, temperature variation, GDP per capita, and government expenditure. The findings highlight the importance of public policies in stabilizing agricultural product prices by investing in agricultural research, improving access to agricultural inputs, strengthening farmer capacities, implementing climate adaptation measures, and enhancing rural infrastructure. These policies can reduce APPV, improve food security, and promote inclusive economic growth in Cameroon. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Sustainable smart city and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A review Z. R. M. Abdullah KAISER, Apu DEB Regional Sustainability    2025, 6 (1): 100193-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2025.100193 Abstract （28）   HTML （4）    PDF （3150KB）（33）       Knowledge map    Save The rapid urbanization and increasing challenges are faced by cities globally, including climate change, population growth, and resource constraints. Sustainable smart city (also referred to as “smart sustainable city”) can offer innovative solutions by integrating advanced technologies to build smarter, greener, and more livable urban environments with significant benefits. Using the Web of Science (WoS) database, this study examined: (i) the mainstream approaches and current research trends in the literature of sustainable smart city; (ii) the extent to which the research of sustainable smart city aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); (iii) the current topics and collaboration patterns in sustainable smart city research; and (iv) the potential opportunities for future research on the sustainable smart city field. The findings indicated that research on sustainable smart city began in 2010 and gained significant momentum in 2013, with China leading, followed by Italy and Spain. Moreover, 59.00% of the selected publications on the research of sustainable smart city focus on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Bibliometric analysis outcome revealed that artificial intelligence (AI), big data, machine learning, and deep learning are emerging research fields. The terms smart city, smart cities, and sustainability emerged as the top three co-occurring keywords with the highest link strength, followed by frequently co-occurring keywords such as AI, innovation, big data, urban governance, resilience, machine learning, and Internet of Things (IoT). The clustering results indicated that current studies explored the theoretical foundation, challenges, and future prospects of sustainable smart city, with an emphasis on sustainability. To further support urban sustainability and the attainment of SDGs, the future research of sustainable smart city should explore the application and implications of AI and big data on urban development including cybersecurity and governance challenges. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Cost and benefit analysis of Climate-Smart Agriculture interventions in the dryland farming systems of northern Ghana Felix KPENEKUU, Philip ANTWI-AGYEI, Fred NIMOH, Andrew DOUGILL, Albert BANUNLE, Jonathan ATTA-AIDOO, Frank BAFFOUR-ATA, Thomas Peprah AGYEKUM, Godfred ADDAI, Lawrence GUODAAR Regional Sustainability    2025, 6 (1): 100196-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2025.100196 Abstract （40）   HTML （9）    PDF （611KB）（11）       Knowledge map    Save There is a need for more focus in understanding the economic benefits of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) interventions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where extreme climate events are significantly affecting agriculture and rural livelihoods. This study used the Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), and payback period to evaluate the economic viability of the adopted CSA interventions in the three villages (Doggoh, Jeffiri, and Wulling) of the dryland farming systems of northern Ghana, where CSA interventions were mostly practiced. Data were collected from 161 farm households by the questionnaire survey. The results showed that CSA interventions including livestock-crop integration, mixed cropping, crop rotation, nutrient integration, and tie ridging enhanced crop yield and the household income of smallholder farmers. The five CSA interventions selected by smallholders were in the following order of priority: livestock-crop integration (BCR=2.87), mixed cropping (BCR=2.54), crop rotation (BCR=2.24), nutrient integration (BCR=1.98), and tie ridging (BCR=1.42). Results further showed that livestock-crop integration was the most profitable CSA intervention even under a pessimistic assumption with a long payback period of 5.00 a. Moreover, this study indicated that the implementation of CSA interventions, on average, was relatively profitable and had a nominal financial risk for smallholder farmers. Understanding the economic viability of CSA interventions will help in decision-making process toward selecting the right CSA interventions for resilience development. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Quantifying the impacts of land use/land cover changes on ecosystem service values in the upper Gilgel Abbay watershed, Ethiopia Wassie Abuhay ASCHENEFE, Temesgen Gashaw TAREKEGN, Betelhem Fetene ADMAS, Solomon Mulu TAFERE Regional Sustainability    2025, 6 (1): 100197-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2025.100197 Abstract （12）   HTML （2）    PDF （757KB）（2）       Knowledge map    Save Human well-being and livelihoods depend on natural ecosystem services (ESs). Following the increment of population, ESs have been deteriorated over time. Ultimately, land use/land cover (LULC) changes have a profound impact on the change of ecosystem. The primary goal of this study is to determine the impacts of LULC changes on ecosystem service values (ESVs) in the upper Gilgel Abbay watershed, Ethiopia. Changes in LULC types were studied using three Landsat images representing 1986, 2003, and 2021. The Landsat images were classified using a supervised image classification technique in Earth Resources Data Analysis System (ERDAS) Imagine 2014. We classified ESs in this study into four categories (including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services) based on global ES classification scheme. The adjusted ESV coefficient benefit approach was employed to measure the impacts of LULC changes on ESVs. Five LULC types were identified in this study, including cultivated land, forest, shrubland, grassland, and water body. The result revealed that the area of cultivated land accounted for 64.50%, 71.50%, and 61.50% of the total area in 1986, 2003, and 2021, respectively. The percentage of the total area covered by forest was 9.50%, 5.90%, and 14.80% in 1986, 2003, and 2021, respectively. Result revealed that the total ESV decreased from 7.42×107 to 6.44×107 USD between 1986 and 2003. This is due to the expansion of cultivated land at the expense of forest and shrubland. However, the total ESV increased from 6.44×107 to 7.76×107 USD during 2003-2021, because of the increment of forest and shrubland. The expansion of cultivated land and the reductions of forest and shrubland reduced most individual ESs during 1986-2003. Nevertheless, the increase in forest and shrubland at the expense of cultivated land enhanced many ESs during 2003-2021. Therefore, the findings suggest that appropriate land use practices should be scaled-up to sustainably maintain ESs. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Innovation in two contrasting value chains: Constraints and opportunities for adopting alternative crop production in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta Sang Thanh LE, Nhu Huynh MAO, Paul KRISTIANSEN, Michael COLEMAN Regional Sustainability    2025, 6 (1): 100198-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2025.100198 Abstract （12）   HTML （4）    PDF （499KB）（2）       Knowledge map    Save Agricultural production (especially intensive rice production) is a primary income source for over 2.0×107 people in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta. However, adverse climate change impacts, socio-economic change, and high dependence on farm inputs for intensive production constrain the longer-term sustainability of rice systems. Government and agribusiness actors are encouraging more farmers to grow non-rice crops and supporting the upscaling of alternative crops to paddy rice. We used a qualitative approach to investigate the value chain characteristics, as well as constraints and opportunities of alternative crops via two case studies (baby corn and honeydew melon) in An Giang and Hau Giang provinces, Vietnam. Data collection involved focus group discussions with local farmers and interviews with farmers and industry experts. Thematic analysis was used to compile the findings, and the results were validated with local government staff. The baby corn value chain featured on-going and stable market demand (including value-addition) and better vertical coordination (e.g., written contracts and financial support). The honeydew melon value chain featured positive relationships between farmers and traders despite less-developed vertical coordination. There are opportunities for value chain engagement through product quality certification, value-addition, and accessing high-value domestic and export markets. However, farmers require crop-specific and generic support from private and public sectors. Increased labour requirements and limited access to finance and credit limit value chain participation. Upscaling and marketing alternative crops can enhance farmer profitability and support non-farming agricultural business establishment, economic growth, and community development. Efficient value chains will be critical to ensure the adoption of alternative crops and development of crop-specific agribusiness models. These findings can inform policy-makers and change facilitators in designing targeted interventions to support the adoption of alternative crops in the study area as well as in Vietnam and globally. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Evolutionary characteristics of export trade network in the Arctic region MA Xing, QIANG Wenli, WANG Shijin, LIU Jiayi, Arunima MALIK, LI Mengyu, WANG Xiang Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (4): 100176-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100176 Abstract （26）   HTML （2）    PDF （2262KB）（4）       Knowledge map    Save The economic potential induced by environmental changes in the Arctic region garnered substantial interest, which positions Arctic trade as a crucial indicator in forecasting the impacts of climate change on the global economy. Nevertheless, attention devoted to the evolving dynamics of trade in the Arctic region remains scarce. In this study, we constructed export trade network in the Arctic region (including Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, the Canadian Arctic, the Russian Arctic, Alaska State of the USA, and Greenland) from 1990 to 2019 and analyzed its topology and evolutionary characteristics through complex network theory. We used a structural entropy index based on the distribution of the number of trading partners and the degree of trade concentration to assess export diversity, while we also utilized a revealed comparative advantage index to evaluate product export competitiveness using the share of trade volume of each type of product. The results indicate that the total export trade in the Arctic region increased by 53.4% during 1990-2019, with the most significant growth observed in the exports of chemical products and mineral fuels. The increasing complexity of trade network in the Arctic region resulted in the region’s export destinations no longer being concentrated on a few major countries and regions. The proportion of exports from the Arctic region to Europe decreased by 13.5%, while the proportion of exports from the Arctic region to Asia and North America increased by 6.8% and 3.1%, respectively. The Arctic region exhibited clear distinctions in the range of flows of different products, and its export trade was becoming increasingly diversified. Although differences in comparative advantages between products within individual countries or regions have narrowed, substantial gaps persist. The findings of this study can enhance the comprehensive understanding of the significance and function of Arctic trade activities within the global economy, providing a scientific basis for addressing the associated challenges and opportunities in the context of climate change. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Application of Cellular Automata and Markov Chain model for urban green infrastructure in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Jafarpour Ghalehteimouri KAMRAN, Che Ros FAIZAH, Rambat SHUIB Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (4): 100179-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100179 Abstract （14）   HTML （1）    PDF （3246KB）（1）       Knowledge map    Save Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia, as a tropical city, has experienced a notable decline in its critical urban green infrastructure (UGI) due to rapid urbanization and haphazard development. The decrease of UGI, especially natural forest and artificial forest, may reduce the diversity of ecosystem services and the ability of Kuala Lumpur to build resilience in the future. This study analyzed land use and land cover (LULC) and UGI changes in Kuala Lumpur based on Landsat satellite images in 1990, 2005, and 2021and employed the overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient to assess classification accuracy. LULC was categorized into six main types: natural forest, artificial forest, grassland, water body, bare ground, and built-up area. Satellite images in 1990, 2005, and 2021 showed the remarkable overall accuracy values of 91.06%, 96.67%, and 98.28%, respectively, along with the significant Kappa coefficient values of 0.8997, 0.9626, and 0.9512, respectively. Then, this study utilized Cellular Automata and Markov Chain model to analyze the transition of different LULC types during 1990-2005 and 1990-2021 and predict LULC types in 2050. The results showed that natural forest decreased from 15.22% to 8.20% and artificial forest reduced from 18.51% to 15.16% during 1990-2021. Reductions in natural forest and artificial forest led to alterations in urban surface water dynamics, increasing the risk of urban floods. However, grassland showed a significant increase from 7.80% to 24.30% during 1990-2021. Meanwhile, bare ground increased from 27.16% to 31.56% and built-up area increased from 30.45% to 39.90% during 1990-2005. In 2021, built-up area decreased to 35.10% and bare ground decreased to 13.08%, indicating a consistent dominance of built-up area in the central parts of Kuala Lumpur. This study highlights the importance of integrating past, current, and future LULC changes to improve urban ecosystem services in the city. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Relationship between drought and soil erosion based on the normalized differential water index (NDWI) and revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model Muhammad RENDANA, Wan Mohd Razi IDRIS, Febrinasti ALIA, Supli Effendi RAHIM, Muhammad YAMIN, Muhammad IZZUDIN Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (4): 100183-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100183 Abstract （45）   HTML （5）    PDF （1408KB）（18）       Knowledge map    Save The Langat River Basin in Malaysia is vulnerable to soil erosion risks because of its exposure to intensive land use activities and its topography, which primarily consists of steep slopes and mountainous areas. Furthermore, climate change frequently exposes this basin to drought, which negatively affects soil and water conservation. However, recent studies have rarely shown how soil reacts to drought, such as soil erosion. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between drought and soil erosion in the Langat River Basin. We analyzed drought indices using Landsat 8 satellite images in November 2021, and created the normalized differential water index (NDWI) via Landsat 8 data to produce a drought map. We used the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) model to predict soil erosion. We verified an association between the NDWI and soil erosion data using a correlation analysis. The results revealed that the southern and northern regions of the study area experienced drought events. We predicted an average annual soil erosion of approximately 58.11 t/(hm2•a). Analysis of the association between the NDWI and soil erosion revealed a strong positive correlation, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.86. We assumed that the slope length and steepness factor was the primary contributor to soil erosion in the study area. As a result, these findings can help authorities plan effective measures to reduce the impacts of drought and soil erosion in the future. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Green transformation paths of resource-based cities in China from the configuration perspective GONG Qunxi Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (3): 100158-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100158 Abstract （33）   HTML （6）    PDF （575KB）（9）       Knowledge map    Save Green transformation is an unavoidable choice for resource-based cities (RBCs) that face resource depletion and environmental pollution. Existing research has focused primarily on specific RBCs, making it challenging to apply green transformation strategies universally across cities. The fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is a combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses that can handle multiple concurrent causality problems and determine how different conditions combine into configurations and generate an outcome. Thus, to address this gap, in this study, we established a research framework for green transformation and utilized the fsQCA to examine the configurations of 113 RBCs in China. By incorporating the element of time, this study explored the dynamic evolution of solutions in 2013, 2016, and 2019. The main findings indicate that individual elements do not constitute the necessary conditions for improving the green transformation efficiency (GTE), and the systematic combination of multiple conditions is an effective path for realizing the improvement of the GTE in RBCs. Green transformation paths of RBCs exhibit the same destination through different paths. Additionally, the combination of system environment elements and system structure elements is both complementary and alternative. Differences in RBCs have led to various factor combinations and development paths, but there are some similarities in the key elements of the factor combinations at different stages. Economic environment, government support, and technological innovation are key factors that universally enhance the GTE in RBCs. These insights can assist city managers in formulating policies to drive green transformation and contribute to a better theoretical understanding of green transformation paths in RBCs. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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What are the underlying causes and dynamics of land use conflicts in metropolitan junction areas? A case study of the central Chengdu- Chongqing region in China TIAN Junfeng, WANG Binyan, QIU Cheng, WANG Shijun Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (3): 100161-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100161 Abstract （28）   HTML （5）    PDF （2088KB）（5）       Knowledge map    Save Land use conflicts (LUCs), as a spatial manifestation of the conflicts in the human-land relationships, have a profound impact on regional sustainable development. For China’s metropolitan junction areas (MJAs), the existence of “administrative district economies” has made the issue of LUCs more prominent. Based on a case study of the central Chengdu-Chongqing region, we conducted an exploratory spatial data analysis of the evolutionary process of regional LUCs. Furthermore, structural equation modeling was utilized to analyze the dynamic mechanism of LUCs in MJAs, with a particular emphasis on exploring the influences of administrative boundary. The results showed that from 2010 to 2020, LUCs in the central Chengdu-Chongqing region continued to worsen, and the spatial process conflict and spatial structure conflict indices increased by more than 30.0%. The intensification of LUCs in the central Chengdu-Chongqing region from 2010 to 2020 was mainly the result of the deterioration of conflicts in evaluation units with low conflict levels. LUCs in China’s metropolitan areas generally presented a circular gradient distribution, weakening from the core to the periphery, but there were some strong isolated conflict zones in the outer regions. LUCs in China’s MJAs were the result of interactions among multiple factors, e.g., natural environment, socio-economic development, policy and institutional processes, and administrative boundary effects. Administrative boundary affected the flow of socio-economic elements, changing the supply-and-demand competition of stakeholders for land resources, consequently exerting an indirect influence on LUCs. This study advances the theory of the dynamic mechanism of LUCs, and provides theoretical support for the governance of these conflicts in transboundary areas. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Characteristics and drivers of the soil multifunctionality under different land use and land cover types in the drylands of China SONG Boyi, ZHANG Shihang, LU Yongxing, GUO Hao, GUO Xing, WANG Mingming, ZHANG Yuanming, ZHOU Xiaobing, ZHUANG Weiwei Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (3): 100162-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100162 Abstract （38）   HTML （6）    PDF （653KB）（12）       Knowledge map    Save The drylands of China cover approximately 6.6×106 km2 and are home to approximately 5.8×108 people, providing important ecosystem services for human survival and development. However, dryland ecosystems are extremely fragile and sensitive to external environmental changes. Land use and land cover (LULC) changes significantly impact soil structure and function, thus affecting the soil multifunctionality (SMF). However, the effect of LULC changes on the SMF in the drylands of China has rarely been reported. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of the SMF changes based on soil data in the 1980s from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We explored the drivers of the SMF changes under different LULC types (including forest, grassland, shrubland, and desert) and used structural equation modeling to explore the main driver of the SMF changes. The results showed that the SMF under the four LULC types decreased in the following descending order: forest, grassland, shrubland, and desert. The main driver of the SMF changes under different LULC types was mean annual temperature (MAT). In addition to MAT, pH in forest, soil moisture (SM) and soil biodiversity index in grassland, SM in shrubland, and aridity index in desert are crucial factors for the SMF changes. Therefore, the SMF in the drylands of China is regulated mainly by MAT and pH, and comprehensive assessments of the SMF in drylands need to be performed regarding LULC changes. The results are beneficial for evaluating the SMF among different LULC types and predicting the SMF under global climate change. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Employment and development levels in rural areas of the Russian Federation Guzel SALIMOVA, Gulnara NIGMATULLINA, Gamir HABIROV, Alisa ABLEEVA, Rasul GUSMANOV Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (3): 100164-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100164 Abstract （35）   HTML （3）    PDF （547KB）（6）       Knowledge map    Save The development of agro-industrial complex is important for ensuring national food security and national health. The development of rural areas is subject to the development of agriculture and local infrastructure, as well as the availability of various services. This study selected 15 indicators in 2021 to analyze the employment and development levels in rural areas of 71 regions of the Russian Federation using the analytical grouping method. The results indicated that 20 regions (Group 1) had the highest percentage of rural population (33.10%). The percentage of population engaged in agriculture had the highest value (12.40%) in 31 regions (Group 2). Moreover, 20 regions (Group 3) had the highest investments in fixed assets at the expense of municipal budget (11.80 USD/person). Increasing the investments in fixed assets carried out from the budget of the municipality can improve the employment level in rural areas. Then, we used cluster analysis to divide 14 regions of the Volga Federal District in the Russian Federation into 3 clusters. Cluster 1 covered Kirov Region and Republic of Mari El; Cluster 2 included Ulyanovsk Region, Saratov Region, Nizhny Novgorod Region, Perm Territory, Orenburg Region, Chuvash Region, and Republic of Mordovia; and Cluster 3 contained Republic of Tatarstan, Samara Region, Udmurtian Republic, Penza Region, and Republic of Bashkortostan. Results indicated that the 2 regions of Cluster 1 need to increase the availability of resources and natural gas and improve the investment attractiveness of rural areas. The 7 regions of Cluster 2 needed to develop infrastructure, public services, and agricultural production. We found the highest employment level in rural areas, the largest investments in fixed assets at the expense of municipal budget, the largest residential building area per 10,000 persons, and the largest individual residential building area in the 5 regions of Cluster 3. This study makes it possible to draw up a comprehensive regional development program and proves the need for the development of rural areas, which is especially important for the sustainable development of the Russian Federation. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Spatiotemporal dynamics of land use/land cover (LULC) changes and its impact on land surface temperature: A case study in New Town Kolkata, eastern India Bubun MAHATA, Siba Sankar SAHU, Archishman SARDAR, Laxmikanta RANA, Mukul MAITY Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (2): 100138-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100138 Abstract （57）   HTML （13）    PDF （6169KB）（233）       Knowledge map    Save Rapid urbanization creates complexity, results in dynamic changes in land and environment, and influences the land surface temperature (LST) in fast-developing cities. In this study, we examined the impact of land use/land cover (LULC) changes on LST and determined the intensity of urban heat island (UHI) in New Town Kolkata (a smart city), eastern India, from 1991 to 2021 at 10-a intervals using various series of Landsat multi-spectral and thermal bands. This study used the maximum likelihood algorithm for image classification and other methods like the correlation analysis and hotspot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi* method) to examine the impact of LULC changes on urban thermal environment. This study noticed that the area percentage of built-up land increased rapidly from 21.91% to 45.63% during 1991-2021, with a maximum positive change in built-up land and a maximum negative change in sparse vegetation. The mean temperature significantly increased during the study period (1991-2021), from 16.31°C to 22.48°C in winter, 29.18°C to 34.61°C in summer, and 19.18°C to 27.11°C in autumn. The result showed that impervious surfaces contribute to higher LST, whereas vegetation helps decrease it. Poor ecological status has been found in built-up land, and excellent ecological status has been found in vegetation and water body. The hot spot and cold spot areas shifted their locations every decade due to random LULC changes. Even after New Town Kolkata became a smart city, high LST has been observed. Overall, this study indicated that urbanization and changes in LULC patterns can influence the urban thermal environment, and appropriate planning is needed to reduce LST. This study can help policy-makers create sustainable smart cities. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Characteristics and influencing mechanisms of production-living- ecological space dynamics in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA), Chongqing, China ZHU Xinyi, GAO Jinlong Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (2): 100139-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100139 Abstract （40）   HTML （16）    PDF （4744KB）（183）       Knowledge map    Save The Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) is an important ecological barrier in the Yangtze River Basin, China. Therefore, it is of great importance to understand the spatio-temporal variation and the driving factors of production-living-ecological spaces for sustainable and high-quality development in the TGRA. This study investigated the dynamic variation of production-living-ecological spaces in the TGRA by employing land use data in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2018, and detected the influencing factors by using the Geographic detector (GeoDetector). Results implied that the structure and dynamic trajectories of production-living-ecological spaces in the TGRA varied in both horizontal and vertical directions, and the study area was dominated by ecological space. A spatial orientation towards the northeast was detected in the evolution of production-living-ecological spaces during 2000-2018. In terms of quantity, the transition from ecological space (grassland and woodland) to agriculture land accounted for the largest proportion from 2000 to 2018. However, the reverse transition from agriculture land to ecological space has increased since 2000 with the efforts of “Grain for Green”. In terms of temporal scale, there was a fluctuating trend in production space with the continuous expansion of living space, while ecological space showed an inverted U-shaped trend during 2000-2018. The dynamic pattern of production-living-ecological spaces in the TGRA was influenced by both physical and socio-economic variables as basic determinants and dominant driving factors, respectively. Finally, the harmonization and protection of production-living-ecological spaces still require policy-makers’ efforts. This work may have potential in advancing our understanding about land use conflicts, and provide a reference for rational layout of spatial functions and the realization of sustainable development in the TGRA. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Role of self-help groups on socioeconomic development and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among rural women in Cooch Behar District, India Debanjan BASAK, Indrajit Roy CHOWDHURY Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (2): 100140-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100140 Abstract （45）   HTML （14）    PDF （611KB）（289）       Knowledge map    Save This study examines the transformative role of self-help groups (SHGs) in the socioeconomic development of rural women in Cooch Behar District, India, and their contribution toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. In this study, we explored the effect of SHGs on rural women by specifically addressing SDGs, such as no poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), good health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), and gender equality (SDG 5). Given this issue, a cross-sectional survey and comparison analyses are needed to assess the socioeconomic development of rural women and their awareness level before and after the participation of rural women in SHGs. The survey conducted as part of this study was divided into three sections, namely, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic development, and awareness level, with each focusing on different aspects. A group of 400 individuals who were part of SHGs completed the questionnaire survey form. The results showed that the participation of rural women in SHGs significantly improved their socioeconomic development and awareness level, as supported by both mean values and t test results. Memberships in SHGs and microcredit programs were the major elements that boosted the socioeconomic development of rural women, which also achieves SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. This study revealed that participation in SHGs and related financial services significantly aided rural women in economically disadvantaged communities in accumulating savings and initiating entrepreneurial ventures. Moreover, participation in SHGs was instrumental in enhancing the self-confidence, self-efficacy, and overall self-esteem of rural women. Finally, doing so enabled them to move more freely for work and other activities and to make family and common decisions. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A system-integrated approach for the design of tourist areas at the local level under changing conditions: A case study in the Altay Mountains Alexandr Nikolaevich DUNETS, Evgeniya Mikhailovna TABAKAEVA, HAN Fang Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (2): 100142-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.100142 Abstract （63）   HTML （12）    PDF （3750KB）（102）       Knowledge map    Save The existing approaches for the design of tourist areas often lead to limited flexibility in project implementation. To realize a more flexible approach, in this study, we formulated a model for planning and designing tourist areas at the local level. Moreover, specific tools for analyzing tourist areas and ensuring sustainable development under changing conditions were developed. This study was conducted in two tourist regions, Biryuzovaya Katun tourist complex and Belokurikha destination (including Belokurikha City with Belokurikha 2 Gornaya tourist complex and surrounding areas), in the Altay Mountains. We employed the recreation opportunity spectrum and proposed a system-integrated programming approach for the design of tourist areas at the destination and site levels. The key of this approach was the collection and analysis of current spatial data, including the spatial distribution of attractions and visitor flows. We constructed heat maps using video recording and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) observation data. Moreover, we analyzed the video stream using an image-analyzing framework You Only Look Once (YOLO) v5 software. The heat map of visitor flows based on video recording data in the Andreevskaya Sloboda museum of Belokurikha 2 Gornaya tourist complex allowed us to highlight the most attractive sites in this area and classify them into one of three types: points of functional concentration, points of transitional concentration, and points of attractions. The heat maps in Biryuzovaya Katun tourist complex, created using UAV observation data, allowed us to determine the spatiotemporal patterns of visitor flows and tourists’ preferences throughout the day within four time intervals: 09:00-12:00, 13:00-14:00, 14:00-15:00, and 16:00-18:00 (LST). The maximum visitor flow density occurred from 16:00 to 18:00 in the beach area of the artificial lake. A comparison between the visitor-concentrated sites and the current facilities provided insights into the demand for attractions and facilities and the lacking areas. Heat maps are useful in analyzing the land use at the site level, while zoning based on the recreation opportunity spectrum can be used to design tourist areas at the destination level. The proposed methods for analyzing the use of tourist areas contribute to the development of adaptive tourism design. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Spatial differences of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among counties (cities) on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains WANG Tao, ZHOU Daojing, FAN Jie Regional Sustainability    2024, 5 (1): 100108-.   DOI: 10.1016/j.regsus.2024.03.002 Abstract （79）   HTML （27）    PDF （879KB）（82）       Knowledge map    Save The county (city) located on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains is the primary area to solidify and extend the success of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China in poverty alleviation. Its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are intertwined with the concerted economic and social development of Xinjiang and the objective of achieving shared prosperity within the region. This study established a sustainable development evaluation framework by selecting 15 SDGs and 20 secondary indicators from the United Nations’ SDGs. The aim of this study is to quantitatively assess the progress of SDGs at the county (city) level on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. The results indicate that there are substantial variations in the scores of SDGs among the nine counties and one city located on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains. Notable high scores of SDGs are observed in the central and eastern regions, whereas lower scores are prevalent in the western areas. The scores of SDGs, in descending order, are as follows: 62.22 for Minfeng County, 54.22 for Hotan City, 50.21 for Qiemo County, 42.54 for Moyu County, 41.56 for Ruoqiang County, 41.39 for Qira County, 39.86 for Lop County, 38.25 for Yutian County, 38.10 for Pishan County, and 36.87 for Hotan County. The performances of SDGs reveal that Hotan City, Lop County, Minfeng County, and Ruoqiang County have significant sustainable development capacity because they have three or more SDGs ranked as green color. However, Hotan County, Moyu County, Qira County, and Yutian County show the poorest performance, as they lack SDGs with green color. It is important to establish and enhance mechanisms that can ensure sustained income growth among poverty alleviation beneficiaries, sustained improvement in the capacity of rural governance, and the gradual improvement of social security system. These measures will facilitate the effective implementation of SDGs. Finally, this study offers a valuable support for governmental authorities and relevant departments in their decision-making processes. In addition, these results hold significant reference value for assessing SDGs at the county (city) level, particularly in areas characterized by low levels of economic development. Table and Figures | Reference | Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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