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Volume 12
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Sustainability, Volume 12, Issue 21 (November-1 2020) – 549 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Tidal stream turbines can harness the kinetic energy of flood and ebb currents. Avoiding interactions of turbine wakes and rotors in tidal arrays may be difficult; hence, tidal array design aims at minimizing the resulting power losses. These interactions and power losses are thoroughly analyzed, for the first time, using Navier–Stokes computational fluid dynamics of two model array flume tank experiments using up to four turbines, obtaining overall good agreement of simulations and experiments. The study’s novel finding is that flow acceleration between the wakes of two adjacent turbines can increase the recovery rate of the wake shed by an upstream centrally located turbine and thus reduce power losses of a downstream centrally located turbine. It is also found that there exists an optimal lateral spacing of the two adjacent turbines, which maximizes the power of the downstream turbine. View this [...] Read more.
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12 pages, 270 KiB  
Article
Indigenous Knowledge and Acceptability of Treated Effluent in Agriculture
by Andrew Emmanuel Okem and Alfred Oduor Odindo
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9304; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219304 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2684
Abstract
The twin challenges of lack of access to improved sanitation and food insecurity remain critical, particularly in the global south. With cognizance of the nutrient potential of human excreta, there has been increasing interest in linking sanitation innovations with agriculture by using nutrients [...] Read more.
The twin challenges of lack of access to improved sanitation and food insecurity remain critical, particularly in the global south. With cognizance of the nutrient potential of human excreta, there has been increasing interest in linking sanitation innovations with agriculture by using nutrients recovered from human excreta for crop production, thus, closing the nutrient loop. While studies and field trials have explored and validated the technical feasibility of reusing nutrients recovered from human excreta in agriculture, there is still limited knowledge of its social acceptability. This study examined whether indigenous knowledge can be leveraged to increase the acceptability of human-excreta-derived plant nutrient sources such as treated effluent in agriculture. A qualitative research design comprising seven focus group interviews (five in rural areas and two in peri-urban areas) was conducted in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Findings from the focus groups reveal a willingness to grow and consume food using treated effluent. Additionally, participants made references to indigenous practices that encourage recycling and reuse of human excreta. Given the potential to simultaneously address issues of food insecurity and sanitation that characterize many peri-urban and rural areas in South Africa, we recommend further studies in this area. Full article
13 pages, 1661 KiB  
Article
Earthworm Burrowing Activity and Its Effects on Soil Hydraulic Properties under Different Soil Moisture Conditions from the Loess Plateau, China
by Shuhai Wen, Ming’an Shao and Jiao Wang
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9303; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219303 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4137
Abstract
Earthworm activity has become more important in the Loess Plateau, where hydrological processes are crucial for ecosystem sustainability. In this study, we conducted a laboratory microcosm experiment to determine the various burrowing activities of Eisenia fetida and their impact on the soil hydraulic [...] Read more.
Earthworm activity has become more important in the Loess Plateau, where hydrological processes are crucial for ecosystem sustainability. In this study, we conducted a laboratory microcosm experiment to determine the various burrowing activities of Eisenia fetida and their impact on the soil hydraulic properties in response to different levels of soil moisture (50%, 70%, 90% of field capacity) in two common soil types (loessial and Lou soil) obtained from the Loess Plateau. Burrowing activity of E. fetida increased with higher soil moisture and was greater in loessial than in Lou soil. Most burrowing activities occurred within the top 5 cm and decreased with increasing soil depth. Macropores and burrow branching, which are highly related to the earthworm burrowing, were more prevalent in wetter soil. Earthworms significantly altered the formation of large soil aggregates (AGL, diameter >2 mm) under different soil moistures and depths. Distinct earthworm burrowing activities, controlled by soil moisture, altered soil hydraulic properties. However, soil saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) showed little differences between different treatments due to the horizontal and high–branched burrows of E. fetida, although higher burrowing activities were found in wetter soil. Soil field capacity was highest in drier soil due to the less macropores and burrowing activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Erosion and the Sustainable Management of the Landscape)
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<p>Scannogram of the earthworm burrow systems along the soil column wall (0–15 cm of soil layer) in two soil types for the three soil moisture treatments (High, Medium, and Low).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Large soil aggregate (AG<sub>L</sub>: AG &gt; 2 mm) content following earthworm activity at different soil moisture levels (High, Medium, Low) and soil depths (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–15 cm). Bars show mean ± SE (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 4).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) following earthworm activity at different soil moisture levels (High, Medium, Low) and soil depths (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–15 cm). Bars show mean ± SE (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 4).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Field capacity following earthworm activity at different soil moisture levels (High, Medium, Low) and soil depths (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–15 cm). Bars show mean ± SE (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 4).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Relationship between burrow area of earthworms and AG<sub>L</sub> content (<b>a</b>,<b>b</b>), Ks (<b>c</b>,<b>d</b>) and field capacity (<b>e</b>,<b>f</b>) at 0–15 cm soil depth in two soil types. Bars show mean ± SE (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 12).</p> Full article ">
22 pages, 374 KiB  
Article
Using a General Ordered Logit Model to Explain the Influence of Hotel Facilities, General and Sustainability-Related, on Customer Ratings
by Ioana-Nicoleta Abrudan, Ciprian-Marcel Pop and Paul-Sorin Lazăr
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9302; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219302 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4486
Abstract
The hotel market has become extremely competitive over the past years. Hotels try to differentiate themselves through their services and facilities. To make the best choice when searching for accommodation, guests increasingly use rating systems of booking sites. Using an ordered logit model [...] Read more.
The hotel market has become extremely competitive over the past years. Hotels try to differentiate themselves through their services and facilities. To make the best choice when searching for accommodation, guests increasingly use rating systems of booking sites. Using an ordered logit model (OLM), we identify, in our study, a sample that comprises of 635 hotels from Romania. These are the hotel facilities that significantly influence customer review scores (as an expression of customer satisfaction) on booking.com, the most widespread rating system. We also identify whether their impact on intervals of satisfaction levels vary. Some explanatory variables invalidate the Brant test for proportional odds assumption. Thus, for the final estimates, we use a generalized ordered logit model (GOLOGIT). The results show that food-related facilities, restaurants, and complimentary breakfasts, are very significant for customer ratings. Relevant hotel common facilities are the pool and parking spaces, while for the room—the flat-screen TV. It is interesting to note the negative influence of pets, which seem to disturb other tourists. In the sustainability category, only facilities for disabled people and electric vehicle charging stations are relevant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marketing in Tourism and Sustainable Development)
15 pages, 1662 KiB  
Article
Unified Energy Agents for Combined District Heating and Electrical Network Simulation
by Nils Loose, Christian Thommessen, Jan Mehlich, Christian Derksen and Stefan Eicker
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9301; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219301 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2681
Abstract
A sustainable and climate-friendly energy supply needs flexible and efficient distribution systems. Key factors to implement this kind of systems are intelligent coordination (smart grid approaches) and the integration of different energy sectors. This article introduces the unified energy agent as an agent-based [...] Read more.
A sustainable and climate-friendly energy supply needs flexible and efficient distribution systems. Key factors to implement this kind of systems are intelligent coordination (smart grid approaches) and the integration of different energy sectors. This article introduces the unified energy agent as an agent-based approach for a comprehensive modelling and control of energy conversion systems. This approach enables both the simulation and optimization of coupled energy networks, and then in a next step, the development of corresponding smart grid solutions to be applied in the field. Its applicability for the simulation of coupled networks is presented by a real-world use-case of an innovative combined heat and electrical network, which was implemented for the city of Lemgo, Germany. Preliminary results from the project are discussed and an outlook on future work is given. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Utility Energy System Optimization)
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<p>Excerpt of the network model. Electrical lines and nodes are shown in green and heat nodes and pipess in blue. The orange nodes are the combined heat and power plant (CHP) sites that are part of both domains.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Comparison of simulation results with the commercial tool STANET, for the supply (<b>a</b>) and return (<b>b</b>) direction at a node in the district heating system’s main transport pipe.</p> Full article ">Figure 2 Cont.
<p>Comparison of simulation results with the commercial tool STANET, for the supply (<b>a</b>) and return (<b>b</b>) direction at a node in the district heating system’s main transport pipe.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>A simple energy option model (EOM) model of a CHP (Caterpillar G3516H). The operating states are shown in (<b>a</b>), while (<b>b</b>) depicts the defined technical interfaces. The characteristic curve of the CHP, which specifies the consumed and produced energy amount in relation to the operating point, is depicted in (<b>c</b>). In (<b>d</b>), the energy flows and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions for operation at 75% are shown.</p> Full article ">Figure 3 Cont.
<p>A simple energy option model (EOM) model of a CHP (Caterpillar G3516H). The operating states are shown in (<b>a</b>), while (<b>b</b>) depicts the defined technical interfaces. The characteristic curve of the CHP, which specifies the consumed and produced energy amount in relation to the operating point, is depicted in (<b>c</b>). In (<b>d</b>), the energy flows and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions for operation at 75% are shown.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>EOM aggregation at the CHP site at the sewage plant, consisting of a CHP and two heat pumps.</p> Full article ">
14 pages, 3584 KiB  
Article
Small-Scale Hybrid Photovoltaic-Biomass Systems Feasibility Analysis for Higher Education Buildings
by David Alfonso-Solar, Carlos Vargas-Salgado, Carlos Sánchez-Díaz and Elías Hurtado-Pérez
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9300; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219300 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2644
Abstract
Applications of renewable electricity in cities are mostly limited to photovoltaics, and they need other renewable sources, batteries, and the grid to guarantee reliability. This paper proposes a hybrid system, combining biomass and photovoltaics, to supply electricity to educational buildings. This system is [...] Read more.
Applications of renewable electricity in cities are mostly limited to photovoltaics, and they need other renewable sources, batteries, and the grid to guarantee reliability. This paper proposes a hybrid system, combining biomass and photovoltaics, to supply electricity to educational buildings. This system is reliable and provides at least 50% of electricity based on renewable sources. Buildings with small (<500 kW) installed power based on renewables, mainly biomass, are usually expensive. Besides, in urban areas, photovoltaic capacity is limited due to roof availability. This paper analyzes different configurations, meeting these constraints to obtain an economically feasible solution based on photovoltaic-biomass modelling of small size hybrid systems. The technology used for biomass energy valorization is a fluidized bed gasification power plant, which has been modelled with real data obtained from experimental tests and previous research projects. Thereby, real costs and electric efficiency are included in the model. The techno-economic feasibility analysis using HOMER software with metered real load curves from an educational building has been modelled. The results of the model show that hybrid renewable systems are very feasible in the scenario of 50% of electricity contribution, however, higher contribution (>70%) implies high electricity costs. Full article
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<p>Typical daily load profiles for February, June, and October.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Typical seasonal profile of daily average and peak load (weekdays).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Schematic hybrid system configuration.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>BGPP (biomass gasification power plant) test with pellets. Efficiency at nominal and partial load [<a href="#B1-sustainability-12-09300" class="html-bibr">1</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Schedule of electricity rates.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Optimized hybrid system for MRF50.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Optimized hybrid system for MRF70.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Cost of electricity (COE) according to renewable fraction and biomass cost.</p> Full article ">
17 pages, 13056 KiB  
Article
A Macro Perspective on the Relationship between Farm Size and Agrochemicals Use in China
by Lin Xie, Zeyuan Qiu, Liangzhi You and Yang Kang
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9299; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219299 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3883
Abstract
Agrochemicals are overused in China. One strategy to reduce agrochemical use is to increase farm size because of the potential effect of economy of scale. Existing studies at a micro scale present mixed and often conflicting results on the relationship between agrochemical use [...] Read more.
Agrochemicals are overused in China. One strategy to reduce agrochemical use is to increase farm size because of the potential effect of economy of scale. Existing studies at a micro scale present mixed and often conflicting results on the relationship between agrochemical use and farm size. This study aimed to assess that relationship from a macro perspective using an aggregated panel dataset in 30 provinces in China from 2009 to 2016. The empirical results confirm the existence of both economy and diseconomy of scale effects on agrochemical use in China. The agrochemical application rates decreased as the proportion of farms between 0.667 and 2 ha increased. The diseconomy of scale existed when significantly larger farms, such as the farms larger than 3.34 ha, continued to emerge. Given the fact that 78.6% of farms are under 0.667 ha in China, our results suggest that the reduction strategy based on only expanding farm size might achieve some initial success in reducing agrochemical use, but the effect would fade away and be reversed as significantly large farms continue to emerge. These results have significant policy implications as China is proactively developing and implementing various policies and strategies to modernize its agriculture toward achieving its sustainability goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Agriculture)
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<p>The bootstrap distribution of the estimated coefficient of the farm structure variables in Models 1–6 for fertilizer use.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>The bootstrap distribution of the estimated coefficient of the farm structure variables in Models 7–12 for pesticide use.</p> Full article ">
16 pages, 343 KiB  
Article
ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Performance and Board Gender Diversity: The Moderating Role of CEO Duality
by Mauro Romano, Alessandro Cirillo, Christian Favino and Antonio Netti
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9298; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219298 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 76 | Viewed by 16225
Abstract
According to the 2030 Agenda, gender equality plays a central role in achieving social development, expanding economic growth and improving business performance. From this perspective, many studies claim that a more balanced presence of women on Board of Directors (BoD) could have a [...] Read more.
According to the 2030 Agenda, gender equality plays a central role in achieving social development, expanding economic growth and improving business performance. From this perspective, many studies claim that a more balanced presence of women on Board of Directors (BoD) could have a positive impact on firms’ financial performance, but the effect of such diversity on sustainability performance is still underexplored. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how gender composition of BoD affects the corporate sustainability practices. In particular, we focused on the relationship between board gender composition and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) performance, by verifying if and to what extent there is a moderation effect due to the presence of CEO duality. We used the ESG index, provided by Bloomberg Data Service, as a proxy of sustainability performance and the Blau index as a measure of gender diversity in the BoD. The empirical analysis was carried out on a sample of Italian non-financial companies listed on Mercato Telematico Azionario (MTA) and includes a total of 128 observations. Results has shown that a greater gender diversity on BoD has an overall positive influence on ESG performance, while CEO duality negatively moderates the foregoing relationship. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among Walking and Talking)
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<p>Moderating effect.</p> Full article ">
12 pages, 284 KiB  
Communication
Sea Buckthorn and Grape Extract Might Be Helpful and Sustainable Phyto-Resources as Associated Hypolipidemic Agents—Preliminary Study
by Erieg A. Mohamed, Camelia Tulcan, Ersilia Alexa, Doru Morar, Eugenia Dumitrescu, Florin Muselin, Isidora Radulov, Nikola Puvača and Romeo T. Cristina
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9297; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219297 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2740
Abstract
Phytotherapy can enhance the beneficial health outcomes in the prevention of obesity and is able to improve the function of the metabolic organs, like the liver and kidneys. Since sea buckthorn (SBT) and grape extracts are known as abundant sources of polyphenol, we [...] Read more.
Phytotherapy can enhance the beneficial health outcomes in the prevention of obesity and is able to improve the function of the metabolic organs, like the liver and kidneys. Since sea buckthorn (SBT) and grape extracts are known as abundant sources of polyphenol, we assumed that the extracts of these two plants might have a hypolipidemic effect and an improved metabolic function in obese rats treated with atorvastatin. One hundred and twelve white Wistar rats were divided equally into seven groups (G.I–VII) and orally treated as follows: G.I, atorvastatin 20 mg × kg·bw−1; G.II, atorvastatin 20 mg × kg·bw−1 + SBT 100 mg × kg·bw−1; G.III, atorvastatin 20 mg × kg·bw−1 + grape extract 100 mg × kg·bw−1; G.IV, grape extract 100 mg × kg·bw−1; G.V, SBT 100 mg × kg·bw−1; G.VI, high-fat diet (HFD); group VII was considered the control group. After two and six months of administration, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were taken for biochemical analyses. The statistical results (analysis of variance (ANOVA)) showed that a combination of SBT and grape extracts with atorvastatin significantly reduced (p ˂ 0.001) the lipid parameters. After six months, the liver and kidneys improved their functioning, showing a statistically significant change (p ˂ 0.001) in the grape and sea buckthorn groups compared to the other groups. In addition, grape extract and SBT combined with atorvastatin proved to be potent hypolipidemic agents, so associations with phytodietary supplements can be considered as a valuable means of combating hypolipidemia and decreasing risk factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Organic Agriculture for Developing Agribusiness Sector)
24 pages, 18683 KiB  
Article
A Systematic Review for Urban Regeneration Effects Analysis in Urban Cores
by Michela Tiboni, Francesco Botticini, Sílvia Sousa and Natacha Jesus-Silva
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9296; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219296 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4300
Abstract
In this article, we aim to promote a methodology to analyze the effects of urban regeneration in historical sites. Different case studies are observed in depth, and they allow us to understand certain aspects concerning ex-post and ex-ante assessments. This methodology, which is [...] Read more.
In this article, we aim to promote a methodology to analyze the effects of urban regeneration in historical sites. Different case studies are observed in depth, and they allow us to understand certain aspects concerning ex-post and ex-ante assessments. This methodology, which is supported by Geographic Information System (GIS) software and an online database, is based on different phases: the first is the quantification of the resources employed within the process, giving attention to the policies that are the basis for social and environmental changes. Then, the analysis moves to the effects of the interventions. In particular, the goal of the methodology was to understand how different urban operations can contribute to creating public value, and importance was given to the available tools for public bodies to develop partnerships and to capture that value. With the ex-post assessment, it was feasible to compare the situations before and after the realization of the projects, whereas, with the ex-ante assessment, it was viable to assess different possible development scenarios and compare them with the baseline of the current situation. The methodology was tested for the ex-post assessment case study of the city of Porto (PT) and for the ex-ante assessment case study of the city of Brescia (IT). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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<p>The process for the assessment of land development effects in urban areas.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>An overview of the Porto area with the UNESCO site highlighted.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>An overview of the Brescia area with the UNESCO site highlighted.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>An overview of the case study area in Porto.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>The classified area of the historic center of Porto. Source: Porto Vivo SRU (Sociedade de Reabilitação Urbana). Source: <a href="http://www.portovivosru.pt/pt/centro-historico/enquadramento" target="_blank">http://www.portovivosru.pt/pt/centro-historico/enquadramento</a>.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>The case study area in Porto.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Analysis of the redeveloped asset: open spaces and historical blocks.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Blocks subdivided by the year in which operations started.</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Blocks subdivided by the percentage of interventions completed.</p> Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Subdivision of total costs of the interventions in public costs and private costs.</p> Full article ">Figure 11
<p>The effects of urban regeneration in the Ribeira.</p> Full article ">Figure 12
<p>The urban development process in Brescia. Different thresholds of soil consumption linked to demographic trends in Brescia (upper graph) and demographic variations (lower graph) in Brescia (orange), Brescia Province (light blue) and Lombardy Region (blue).</p> Full article ">Figure 13
<p>An overview of the case study area in Brescia.</p> Full article ">Figure 14
<p>The project for the Archaeological Urban Park extension.</p> Full article ">Figure 15
<p>The online map of the Brescia Archaeological Urban Park. Data are linked to the mapped object and are presented through popups.</p> Full article ">Figure 16
<p>A scheme of the strategy to enhance the via Milano area.</p> Full article ">Figure 17
<p>A map from the via Milano recovery plan in which the architectural value is highlighted.</p> Full article ">Figure 18
<p>The admissible interventions map.</p> Full article ">Figure 19
<p>Historical assessment of the asset composing the Ex Caffaro industrial site. A map from the via Milano recovery plan.</p> Full article ">
9 pages, 220 KiB  
Review
Sustainable Utilization of Steel Slag from Traditional Industry and Agriculture to Catalysis
by Di Gao, Fu-Ping Wang, Yi-Tong Wang and Ya-Nan Zeng
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9295; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219295 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4514
Abstract
Steel slag is a large amount of residual material produced in the process of steel manufacturing. With the requirements of sustainable development in China, the utilization of steel slag has become a hot issue. Through an in-depth study on steel slag, it is [...] Read more.
Steel slag is a large amount of residual material produced in the process of steel manufacturing. With the requirements of sustainable development in China, the utilization of steel slag has become a hot issue. Through an in-depth study on steel slag, it is apparent that it has been widely used in various fields in recent years. The resource utilization of steel slag is not only conducive to resource conservation, but also conducive to sustainable production and environmental protection. In this paper, the common ways of resource utilization of steel slag in construction, agriculture, industry, and catalysis are reviewed. Steel slag as a solid waste with great development potential and large output is expected to be widely developed into high value-added products such as catalytic material in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Waste Utilization and Resource Recovery)
19 pages, 11883 KiB  
Article
Finding the Links between Risk Management and Project Success: Evidence from International Development Projects in Colombia
by Rocío Rodríguez-Rivero, Isabel Ortiz-Marcos, Javier Romero and Luis Ballesteros-Sánchez
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9294; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219294 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6289
Abstract
The aim of this research is to help improve the effectiveness of international development projects (IDPs) with a focus on enhancing their success. For this purpose, this work seeks to identify links between the management of risks among five projects executed in Cauca [...] Read more.
The aim of this research is to help improve the effectiveness of international development projects (IDPs) with a focus on enhancing their success. For this purpose, this work seeks to identify links between the management of risks among five projects executed in Cauca (Colombia) and the success of these projects in terms of project management and impacts on the beneficiary communities. An analysis of these projects reveals the most critical risks encountered and the relationships between the management of those risks and the success of the projects. The use of fuzzy logic through the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) program is key to performing this difficult task. The results of a qualitative study reveal that the most important risks correspond to economic, cultural, and political factors. A quantitative analysis by fsQCA shows a direct relationship between the management of cultural differences and the positive impacts of IDPs on the beneficiary communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Development of Engineering Management and Project Management)
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<p>Evolution of international development projects. Based on the work of Ika [<a href="#B29-sustainability-12-09294" class="html-bibr">29</a>], Ika and Hodgson [<a href="#B30-sustainability-12-09294" class="html-bibr">30</a>], Boni [<a href="#B31-sustainability-12-09294" class="html-bibr">31</a>], LenCD [<a href="#B32-sustainability-12-09294" class="html-bibr">32</a>], and McEvoy et al. [<a href="#B33-sustainability-12-09294" class="html-bibr">33</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Risk Breakdown Structure used in the focus groups.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Cases, conditions, and results used for the study.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Summary of conditions determined from fuzzy logic. Note: as per Fiss’s [<a href="#B76-sustainability-12-09294" class="html-bibr">76</a>] notation, grey circles indicate the presence of the condition, white circles indicate the absence of the condition, and large circles indicate a core condition and small circles indicate contributing conditions. Blank spaces mean that the condition is irrelevant.</p> Full article ">
14 pages, 1210 KiB  
Article
Defining Smart Mobility Service Levels via Text Mining
by Jaehyun (Jason) So, Hyunju An and Changju Lee
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9293; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219293 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3109
Abstract
The concept of smart mobility depends on a country’s or city’s visions and surroundings, such as traffic issues and available transportation modes. This study, therefore, proposes a clear and consistent set of definitions for smart mobility, in the context of past, present, and [...] Read more.
The concept of smart mobility depends on a country’s or city’s visions and surroundings, such as traffic issues and available transportation modes. This study, therefore, proposes a clear and consistent set of definitions for smart mobility, in the context of past, present, and future, based on investigations of smart mobility practices in South Korea and overseas. In addition, smart mobility definitions are collected from various written sources and analyzed via text mining to define levels of smart mobility beyond the present service level. This study therefore defines smart mobility in six stages: level 0, base infrastructure; level 1, individual digitization; level 2, partial integration; level 3, full integration; level 4, personalized integration; and level 5, mobility transformation. The definition of each stage includes the scope of transportation modes to be integrated, required technology level, mobility operations, and user convenience. This definition of smart mobility by stage will be beneficial for setting the targeted levels of smart mobility services in projects and for setting goals not only in the present context but also for the future of smart mobility, which will be utilized as a roadmap for the implementation of smart mobility in many countries and cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)
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<p>Definitions of smart mobility.</p> Full article ">
12 pages, 1205 KiB  
Article
The Use of a Cooperative-Learning Activity with University Students: A Gender Experience
by Salvador Baena-Morales, Daniel Jerez-Mayorga, Francisco Tomás Fernández-González and Juan López-Morales
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9292; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219292 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5589
Abstract
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) show how education is essential for creating values in students. In particular, SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 5 (gender equality) indicate how co-education should be a sustainable benchmark. Co-educational methodologies have been studied for decades. Among [...] Read more.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) show how education is essential for creating values in students. In particular, SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 5 (gender equality) indicate how co-education should be a sustainable benchmark. Co-educational methodologies have been studied for decades. Among them, cooperative learning is considered a valid technique for developing social relations and competences. This study aims to describe and characterize the gender differences between university students regarding their impressions and behaviors when working cooperatively. One hundred and seventy-seven university students (98 women and 79 men), from Physical Education and Primary Education degree courses, worked with Aronson’s Jigsaw technique. After its completion, they completed a questionnaire to analyze cooperative work in higher education (ACOES). The results are organized into seven dimensions. The main gender differences found show that women gave a higher evaluation to relating cooperative learning to future teaching roles (p = 0.017) and to understanding the need for cooperative tasks (p = 0.035). Additionally, female students prefer groups to be organized according to academic criteria and that they should remain stable throughout the academic period. Both genders value Aronson’s Jigsaw as a good method for developing social competences, although they are more neutral when considering it effective at improving academic performance. These findings help to generate a gender-cooperation profile that will enable future research to discuss results more accurately. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cooperative Learning for Sustainable Development and Education)
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<p>Dimensions studied in the questionnaire.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Cooperative work protocol implemented through the Jigsaw Method.</p> Full article ">
21 pages, 1364 KiB  
Article
Improving Health Professionals’ Involvement Whilst Sustaining Work–Life Balance: Evidence from an Empirical Analysis
by Rocco Palumbo
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9291; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219291 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3750
Abstract
Most sustainability studies applied to healthcare primarily focus on external viability. In particular, they look at the ability of healthcare institutions to establish an economic, environmental, social, and political consonance with their context. Conversely, limited attention has been paid to issues related to [...] Read more.
Most sustainability studies applied to healthcare primarily focus on external viability. In particular, they look at the ability of healthcare institutions to establish an economic, environmental, social, and political consonance with their context. Conversely, limited attention has been paid to issues related to internal sustainability. The article discusses health professionals’ involvement as a human resource management practice which contributes to the viability of healthcare organizations. A sequential mediation analysis was designed to shed light on the effects of employees’ involvement on work–life balance, which is an essential ingredient of the recipe for internal sustainability. The study findings suggest that health professionals’ involvement may determine an intensification and an extensification of work efforts, which undermine their work–life balance. Nevertheless, the implications of employees’ involvement on work–life balance are positively and significantly mediated by supportive relationships at work and positive organizational climate. From this standpoint, health professionals’ involvement may act as an effective strategy to enhance the internal sustainability of health care organizations if matched with better relationships with supervisors and improved organizational climate. Whilst calling for further research to enlighten issues and challenges related to internal sustainability, the article stresses that health professionals’ involvement should be paired with an improvement of the organizational climate to contribute to an increased viability of health care institutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Health, Well-Being and Sustainability)
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<p>A graphical representation of the theoretical framework.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>The statistical diagram used for empirical analysis.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>A graphical overview of the study findings. * = significant at the 0.05 level; *** = significant at the 0.001 level.</p> Full article ">
16 pages, 746 KiB  
Article
Improving Cooperation among Farmers for Communal Land Conservation in Ethiopia: A Public Goods Experiment
by Shunji Oniki, Haftu Etsay, Melaku Berhe and Teklay Negash
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9290; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219290 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2480
Abstract
Farmers in developing countries depend on communal natural resources, yet countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are facing the severe degradation of communal lands due to the so-called “tragedy of the commons”. For the sustainable management of common resources, policy interventions, such as farmer seminars, [...] Read more.
Farmers in developing countries depend on communal natural resources, yet countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are facing the severe degradation of communal lands due to the so-called “tragedy of the commons”. For the sustainable management of common resources, policy interventions, such as farmer seminars, are necessary to ensure high-level cooperation among farmers for land conservation. However, the effects of this type of information provision are not well known. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the dissemination of conservation information on collaborative communal forest management using an economic field experiment with 936 farmers selected by random sampling from 11 villages in the northern Ethiopian Highlands. We conducted a public goods game experiment using a framework of voluntary contribution to communal land conservation with an intervention to remind participants about the consequence of their behaviors. The results show that the volunteer contribution increased after the intervention, and thereafter the decay of the contribution was slow. The results indicate that providing information about the consequences leads to a higher contribution. The effects of information provision are heterogeneous in terms of social condition, such as access to an urban area and social capital, and individual characteristics, such as wealth. These findings imply that information provision effectively improves farmer collaboration toward natural resource conservation in developing countries. Full article
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<p>Location of study sites. Note: The shaded areas in the right figure indicate surveyed villages.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Average contribution by round. Notes: Change of contribution from 1 to 5, and from 6 to 10. The dotted lines indicate high and low confidence intervals at 5%. The vertical line indicates the timing of intervention.</p> Full article ">Figure A1
<p>Illustration used to explain the experiment.</p> Full article ">
12 pages, 761 KiB  
Article
Envisaging Mitigation Action Can Induce Lower Discounting toward Future Environmental Gains and Promote Pro-Environmental Behavior
by Liang-Chu Ho, Yu-Hsien Sung, Chia-Chun Wu, Pei-Shan Lee and Wen-Bin Chiou
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9289; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219289 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2907
Abstract
Low engagement with climate change may stem from the tendency to discount the distant benefits of mitigation action. Hence, a reduced tendency to discount the future should be associated with increased involvement in climate change mitigation. Prior research has demonstrated that episodic future [...] Read more.
Low engagement with climate change may stem from the tendency to discount the distant benefits of mitigation action. Hence, a reduced tendency to discount the future should be associated with increased involvement in climate change mitigation. Prior research has demonstrated that episodic future thinking (EFT; i.e., envisioning future events that involve self-projection) can reduce discounting. In two laboratory studies, we showed that engaging in EFT about mitigation action was associated with a lower discounting tendency toward future environmental gains (Experiments 1 and 2) and a greater tendency to act pro-environmentally, as manifested by using air conditioning in an energy-saving manner (Experiment 1), choosing a meal with less environmental impact (Experiment 2), and willingness to participate in beach cleaning (Experiment 2). The present findings suggest that engagement in EFT about mitigation action may represent a promising strategy for improving personal involvement in climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Placing Climate Action)
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<p>The mediation model for Experiment 1. Dashed-line arrows indicate direct effects of thinking manipulation on the tendency toward energy-saving use of air conditioning. Path values are standardized coefficients. Asterisks indicate significant coefficients (<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>The discounting tendency toward environmental gains mediated the effect of thinking manipulation (1 = episodic future thinking about mitigating action, 0 = semantic future thinking about mitigation action) on the likelihood of participating in beach cleaning in Experiment 2. On the lower path, the values below and above the arrow are the results of analyses in which the mediator was and was not included in the model, respectively. An asterisk indicates a <span class="html-italic">p</span>-value of less than 0.05.</p> Full article ">
15 pages, 5072 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Longitudinal Timber Beam Joints Loaded with Simple Bending
by Kristyna Vavrusova, Antonin Lokaj, David Mikolasek and Oldrich Sucharda
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9288; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219288 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2725
Abstract
The joints in timber structures are often the decisive factor in determining the load-bearing capacity, rigidity, sustainability, and durability of timber structures. Compared with the fasteners used for steel and concrete structures, fasteners for timber structures generally have a lower load-bearing capacity and [...] Read more.
The joints in timber structures are often the decisive factor in determining the load-bearing capacity, rigidity, sustainability, and durability of timber structures. Compared with the fasteners used for steel and concrete structures, fasteners for timber structures generally have a lower load-bearing capacity and rigidity, with the exception of glued joints. Glued joints in timber structures constitute a diverse group of rigid joints which are distinguished by sudden failure when the joint’s load-bearing capacity is reached. In this contribution, the load-bearing capacity of a longitudinal joint for a beam under simple flexural stress is analyzed using glued, double-sided splices. Joints with double-sided splices and connecting screws were also tested to compare the load-bearing capacity and rigidity. A third series of tests was carried out on joints made using glued double-sided splices augmented with screws. The aim of this combined joint was to ensure greater ductility after the load-bearing capacity of the glued splice joint had been reached. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Civil Engineering as a Tool for Developing a Sustainable Society)
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<p>Laboratory testing scheme.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Layout char of screws. (<b>a</b>) Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) splice; (<b>b</b>) Solid timber splice.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Maximum joint force—glued joint.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Maximum joint force—screw joint.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Glued joints—deformation curves.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Glued joints with LVL splice. (<b>a</b>) Typical failure; (<b>b</b>) Detailed image.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Glued joints with solid timber splice: typical failure of solid timber splice.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Screw joints—deformation curves.</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Screw joints with LVL splice: typical failures.</p> Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Screw joints with solid timber splice: typical failure of solid timber splice.</p> Full article ">Figure 11
<p>Combination of gluing and screw joints—deformation curves.</p> Full article ">Figure 12
<p>Combination of gluing and screws with LVL splice: typical failures of LVL splice.</p> Full article ">Figure 13
<p>Combination of gluing and screws with solid timber splice: typical failures of solid timber splice.</p> Full article ">Figure 14
<p>Joints with LVL splices—comparison of laboratory and calculation results.</p> Full article ">Figure 15
<p>Screw joints with solid timber splices—comparison of laboratory and calculation results.</p> Full article ">Figure 16
<p>Screw joints with LVL splices—comparison of laboratory and calculation results.</p> Full article ">Figure 17
<p>Screw joints with solid timber splices—comparison of laboratory and calculation results.</p> Full article ">Figure 18
<p>Screw joints with solid timber splices—comparison of laboratory and calculation results.</p> Full article ">
27 pages, 3395 KiB  
Article
The Application of ICT and Smart Technologies in Polish Museums—Towards Smart Tourism
by Mateusz Naramski
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9287; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219287 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5750
Abstract
The concept of Smart Tourism is rapidly developing alongside Smart Cities, with increasing numbers of ICT solutions being applied for the convenience of travelers as well as for gathering information, which has become a valuable resource. The vast progress in the development of [...] Read more.
The concept of Smart Tourism is rapidly developing alongside Smart Cities, with increasing numbers of ICT solutions being applied for the convenience of travelers as well as for gathering information, which has become a valuable resource. The vast progress in the development of Information Technologies has also impacted the needs and expectations of tourists. However, various branches of tourism are adopting this concept at a different pace, and thus a growing development gap might emerge. Cases from all over the world show that museums are not immune to this, and it is important for their future to meet these expectations. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the use of modern technologies in Polish museums and assess their readiness for adopting Smart Tourism. For this purpose, a nationwide online survey was conducted with a sample size of 218 museums (from 500 unique entities in total). The results show that the issue of Smart Tourism in Polish museums is ambiguous. The results reveal that, currently, the status of Smart Tourism adoption in museums is quite low, and significant gaps in some areas are shown; at the same time, other areas revealed a high potential for the future application of Smart Tourism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Business Models in Tourism)
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<p>Research subject selection and data collection diagram.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>The share of museums participating in the study, presented (<b>a</b>) as the percentage of all registered museums in a given voivodeship and (<b>b</b>) as a percentage of the total number of museums taking part in the research.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>The annual number of tourists in Polish museums, varied by the type of ownership sector.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>The entry ticket price to Polish museums (in PLN), varied by the type of ownership sector.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>The share of selected kinds of museum selected by the research participants.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>The recognition of Smart Tourism in Polish museums.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>The forms of sightseeing available in Polish museums.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>The forms of sightseeing that are planned for introduction in Polish museums.</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>The number of available languages in selected information sources for museum visitors.</p> Full article ">Figure 10
<p>The presence of Polish museums in selected mobile applications.</p> Full article ">Figure 11
<p>The availability of online tour purchases and reservations in Polish museums.</p> Full article ">Figure 12
<p>Data collection in Polish museums, varied by the subject that the data concern.</p> Full article ">Figure 13
<p>The recognition of Big Data and its use in Polish museums.</p> Full article ">Figure 14
<p>The attitude of Polish museums to data sharing.</p> Full article ">Figure 15
<p>The use of databases in Polish museums, varied by subject. DB: database.</p> Full article ">Figure 16
<p>The use of social media by Polish museums.</p> Full article ">Figure 17
<p>The means of communication used in Polish museums.</p> Full article ">Figure 18
<p>The recognition and use of various technologies in Polish museums.</p> Full article ">
18 pages, 1299 KiB  
Article
Identification of the Proper Criteria Set for Neighborhood Walkability Using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Model: A Case Study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
by Faisal AlShareef and Mohammed Aljoufie
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9286; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219286 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3020
Abstract
Identifying the appropriate criteria for neighborhood walkability is crucial to improve walkability. This paper aims to identify the proper criteria set for neighborhood walkability using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process model (FAHP) for the case of Jeddah city, a fast-growing city in Saudi [...] Read more.
Identifying the appropriate criteria for neighborhood walkability is crucial to improve walkability. This paper aims to identify the proper criteria set for neighborhood walkability using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process model (FAHP) for the case of Jeddah city, a fast-growing city in Saudi Arabia. This paper strives to highlight the criteria and factors that influence Jeddah’s walkability with its populations’ help. A survey questionnaire was used first to gather data regarding people’s reasons for walking and the elements that encourage them to walk. Then the criteria were derived using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) method. Results indicate that mosques were the most visited destinations, with over a 30% rate. Eighty-six percent of the criteria that determine a walkable neighborhood in Jeddah were physical environments alone. It was also revealed that the residents regarded walking as a leisure activity rather than a utilitarian. The results show the proposed method’s capability in providing proper neighborhood walkability criteria related to Jeddah’s context. The FAHP proves its use in various urban studies fields in transportation and validation of the walkability index; this paper proves it can also help develop new criteria for walkability measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Walkable living environments)
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<p>The research processes. FAHP: fuzzy analytic hierarchy process.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Map of Jeddah and the locations of the case studies. (<b>a</b>) GIS map of the case studies (<b>b</b>) Satellite map of the case studies (<b>c</b>) Jeddah’s districts.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Fuzzy triangular scale.</p> Full article ">
21 pages, 4218 KiB  
Article
Effect of Underground-Type Ammunition Magazine Construction in Respect of Civil and Military Coexistence
by Sangwoo Park and Young-Jun Park
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9285; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219285 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3120
Abstract
Recently, rapid urban development and changes in the national defense environment have required civil–military coexistence plans. In particular, this is an urgent issue for ammunition magazines, which have the widest range of military protection zones among military facilities because of the safety distance [...] Read more.
Recently, rapid urban development and changes in the national defense environment have required civil–military coexistence plans. In particular, this is an urgent issue for ammunition magazines, which have the widest range of military protection zones among military facilities because of the safety distance standard and their location at transportation hubs. In this study, fundamental research was conducted on underground-type ammunition magazines for the sake of the sustainable civil and military developments. First, the effects of reducing the safety distance for underground-type ammunition magazines, compared to that for ground-type ammunition magazines, were evaluated. Economic and environmental effects expected by substituting underground-type ammunition magazines for ground-type ammunition magazines were analyzed based on the results. Then, design methods of the underground-type ammunition magazine that effectively reduce the safety distance were suggested by performing numerical simulations. The installation of chambers at different depths and the application of technologies to reduce explosion pressure inside the chambers were discussed. Finally, an endowment and concession project method was analyzed based on the previous researches as the most efficient way of implementing the project of an underground-type ammunition magazine. It was concluded that research to specify design methods for underground-type ammunition magazines was urgently required to vitalize future underground-type ammunition magazine projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Sustainable Technology for Construction, the Civil Sector, and Infrastructure)
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<p>Safety distances according to risk factors and risk exposure objects.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Schematic diagram of safety distances for an underground-type ammunition magazine.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Comparison of dominant safety distances between ground-type and underground-type ammunition magazines (which are IBD for explosion pressure and IBD for ground shock, respectively).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Comparison of dominant safety distances between ground-type and underground-type ammunition magazines (which are IBD for explosion pressure and IBD for explosion pressure at exit, respectively; considering the entrance with and without barricade).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Military protection zones estimated in example. (<b>a</b>) Ground-type ammunition facility; (<b>b</b>) Underground-type ammunition facility.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Schematic diagram of protective structures in an underground-type ammunition magazine.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>x-z coordinate of each simulation case for estimating ground shock effect to one chamber in explosion of another chamber: (<b>a</b>) effect of ground shock to adjacent downward chamber (Case 1); (<b>b</b>) effect of ground shock to adjacent upward chamber (Case 2); (<b>c</b>) effect of ground shock to adjacent chamber at same depth (Case 3).</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>y-z coordinate of each simulation case for estimating ground shock effect to one chamber in explosion of another chamber: (<b>a</b>) effect of ground shock to adjacent downward chamber (Case 1); (<b>b</b>) effect of ground shock to adjacent upward chamber (Case 2); (<b>c</b>) effect of ground shock to adjacent chamber at same depth (Case 3).</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Results of numerical simulation for velocity of ground particle in Case 1: (<b>a</b>) t = 1.5 × 10<sup>−2</sup>; (<b>b</b>) t = 3.0 × 10<sup>−2</sup>.</p> Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Results of numerical simulation for velocity of ground particle in Case 2: (<b>a</b>) t = 1.5 × 10<sup>−2</sup>; (<b>b</b>) t = 3.0 × 10<sup>−2</sup>.</p> Full article ">Figure 11
<p>Results of numerical simulation for velocity of ground particle in Case 3: (<b>a</b>) t = 1.5 × 10<sup>−2</sup>; (<b>b</b>) t = 3.0 × 10<sup>−2</sup>.</p> Full article ">Figure 12
<p>Reduction degree of ground particle velocity in accordance with decrease in explosion pressure applied at chamber wall.</p> Full article ">Figure 13
<p>Process of endowment and concession project.</p> Full article ">
17 pages, 4131 KiB  
Article
Outdoor Thermal Comfort at a University Campus: Studies from Personal and Long-Term Thermal History Perspectives
by Jiao Xue, Xiao Hu, Shu Nuke Sani, Yuanyuan Wu, Xinyu Li, Liang Chai and Dayi Lai
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9284; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219284 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3939
Abstract
Thermally comfortable outdoor spaces have contributed to high-quality urban living. In order to provide a further understanding of the influences of gender and long-term thermal history on outdoor thermal comfort, this study conducted field surveys at a university campus in Shanghai, China by [...] Read more.
Thermally comfortable outdoor spaces have contributed to high-quality urban living. In order to provide a further understanding of the influences of gender and long-term thermal history on outdoor thermal comfort, this study conducted field surveys at a university campus in Shanghai, China by carrying out microclimatic monitoring and subjective questionnaires from May to October, 2019. The analysis of collected data found that, during our survey, 57% of the occupants felt comfortable overall and 40–60% of them perceived the microclimate variables (air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed) as “neutral”. The universal thermal climate index (UTCI) provided a better correlation with occupant thermal sensation than the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET). Females were more sensitive to the outdoor thermal environment than males. Older age led to lower thermal sensation, but the thermal sensitivities for age groups of <20, 20–50, and >50 were similar. Occupants who had resided in Shanghai for a longer period showed higher overall comfort rating and lower thermal sensation. Interviewees who came from hot summer and cold winter climate regions were less effected by the change of UTCI than those from severe cold or cold climate regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change and Sustainable Urban Environmental Planning)
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<p>China (with climate zones), Shanghai, and the investigated sites at the university campus.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Thermal comfort questionnaire used in this study.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>General climate of Shanghai recorded at a rural station 20 km from the campus: (<b>a</b>) mean, averaged maximum, averaged minimum air temperature, mean monthly relative humidity, and (<b>b</b>) mean wind speed at 10 m above ground [<a href="#B42-sustainability-12-09284" class="html-bibr">42</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>An overview of the demographics of respondents: (<b>a</b>) gender, (<b>b</b>) age, (<b>c</b>) length of residence, and (<b>d</b>) hometown climate: severe cold (SC), cold (C), hot summer and cold winter (HSCW), hot summer and warm winter (HSWW), and mild (M).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Distributions of: (<b>a</b>) thermal sensation vote (TSV), (<b>b</b>) humidity sensation vote (HSV), (<b>c</b>) sun sensation vote (SSV), and (<b>d</b>) wind sensation vote (WSV).</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Distributions of preference votes for air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Thermal comfort vote distribution.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Mean overall comfort score for different levels of thermal sensations.</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>Relationships between: (<b>a</b>) physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) and mean TSV, (<b>b</b>) Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and mean TSV, for all genders and all age groups.</p> Full article ">Figure 10
<p>Relationships between: (<b>a</b>) PET and mean overall comfort, (<b>b</b>) UTCI and mean overall comfort, for all genders and all age groups.</p> Full article ">Figure 11
<p>Relationships between mean TSV and UTCI for males and females.</p> Full article ">Figure 12
<p>Relationships between mean TSV and UTCI for ages of &lt;20, 20–50, and &gt;50 years.</p> Full article ">Figure 13
<p>Distributions of overall comfort vote for respondents with different residence lengths in Shanghai.</p> Full article ">Figure 14
<p>Relationships between UTCI and mean TSV for interviewees with different lengths of residence.</p> Full article ">Figure 15
<p>Relationships between UTCI and mean TSV for interviewees from severe cold (SC) and cold (C) climate regions and hot summer and cold winter (HSCW) climate regions.</p> Full article ">Figure 16
<p>Clothing value under different air temperatures, with error bars indicating standard deviations.</p> Full article ">Figure 17
<p>Clothing value under different air temperatures for males and females.</p> Full article ">
27 pages, 17279 KiB  
Article
The Digitalization Sustainability Matrix: A Participatory Research Tool for Investigating Digitainability
by Shivam Gupta, Mahsa Motlagh and Jakob Rhyner
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9283; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219283 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 50 | Viewed by 8912
Abstract
Rapidly increasing applications of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (D&AI) are already impacting our day-to-day life substantially, along with social and economic prospects worldwide. The accelerating utilization of D&AI has stirred the discussion concerning the responsible application of technologies for assisting the implementation of [...] Read more.
Rapidly increasing applications of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (D&AI) are already impacting our day-to-day life substantially, along with social and economic prospects worldwide. The accelerating utilization of D&AI has stirred the discussion concerning the responsible application of technologies for assisting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). D&AI can raise productivity, lower costs, reduce resource intensity, and enable efficient public services. However, there are also risks and downsides that we all must identify and tackle to address any potential short-/long-term undesired impact. Notably, there exists a gap in knowledge about the mutual relationships between D&AI and the 17 SDGs. To address this gap and gather broader perspectives of experts on the potential uses and pitfalls of D&AI for SDGs and their respective indicators, we propose a participatory research approach: the Digitalization–Sustainability Matrix (DSM). The DSM serves as a means for collaborative methods, such as participatory action research (PAR), for the knowledge production process. We exercised the DSM in the Digitainable Thinkathon event, a gathering of experts from diverse sectors and backgrounds for capturing the action-oriented dialogues concerning the use of D&AI technologies for the indicators of SDGs 4 (Education) and 13 (Climate Action). As a tool, the DSM aided in the discussion by systematically capturing transdisciplinary knowledge generated on several aspects, such as: (1) the need for research–practice nexus action; (2) data-capturing efforts and social considerations; (3) collaborative planning for utilizing the power of D&AI; (4) lessons from the diverse community to encourage the purposeful use of technologies. Overall, the proposed approach effectively triggered a discussion on the crucial aspects that need to be considered for D&AI’s practices, a step towards deep-rooting the transdisciplinary perspectives for meaningful use of D&AI for SDGs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Education for Sustainable Development – Between the Power of Technology and the Need for Responsible Citizenship)
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<p>Digitalization–Sustainability Matrix (DSM).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Overall Thinkathon event and implementation process.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>DSM development process.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Overview of the diversity of the participants in the event.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>A glimpse of the pre-event poll results that we captured for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 32).</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>DSM matrix translated from the pre-event poll results for SDG 13.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>DSM changes (in red-colored boxes) that occurred during the discussion in the Thinkathon for SDG 13.</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Glimpse of the pre-event poll results that we captured for SDG 4 (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 40).</p> Full article ">Figure 9
<p>DSM translated from pre-event poll results for SDG 4.</p> Full article ">Figure 10
<p>DSM changes (in red-colored boxes) that occurred during the discussion in the Thinkathon for SDG 4.</p> Full article ">Figure A1
<p>SDG 13 poll results 1.</p> Full article ">Figure A2
<p>SDG 13 poll results 2.</p> Full article ">Figure A3
<p>SDG 13 poll results 3.</p> Full article ">Figure A4
<p>SDG 4 poll results 1.</p> Full article ">Figure A5
<p>SDG 4 poll results 2.</p> Full article ">Figure A6
<p>SDG 4 poll results 3.</p> Full article ">Figure A7
<p>SDG 4 poll results 4.</p> Full article ">
17 pages, 1882 KiB  
Article
How Could Cooperatives Successfully Develop Their Social Responsibility: The Perspective of Life Cycle
by Jin Tang, Timo Sipiläinen and Gang Fu
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9282; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219282 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4294
Abstract
Social responsibility is a natural obligation of cooperatives, and fulfilling social responsibility is of great meaning to the sustainable development of cooperatives and society. This article constructs a “life cycle-cooperative social responsibility framework (LC-CoopSRF)” and analyzes the framework with the case of Chongxin [...] Read more.
Social responsibility is a natural obligation of cooperatives, and fulfilling social responsibility is of great meaning to the sustainable development of cooperatives and society. This article constructs a “life cycle-cooperative social responsibility framework (LC-CoopSRF)” and analyzes the framework with the case of Chongxin Apiculture Specialized Cooperative of Sichuan Province, China. The research results show that cooperatives should respect the law of life cycle, consider conditions such as operational capabilities and ethical expectations, and fulfill social responsibility in a reasonable manner. The successful cooperative highlights the bottom-line responsibility in the establishment phase, internal responsibility in the growth phase, system responsibility in the maturity phase, and the differentiation phase is the phase of system responsibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs))
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<p>Number of Chinese cooperatives since 2007.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Different classifications of cooperative life cycle in existing research: (<b>a</b>) is referenced from Cook [<a href="#B16-sustainability-12-09282" class="html-bibr">16</a>]; (<b>b</b>) is referenced from Zhang et al. [<a href="#B18-sustainability-12-09282" class="html-bibr">18</a>]; (<b>c</b>) is referenced from Chen et al. [<a href="#B19-sustainability-12-09282" class="html-bibr">19</a>]. All graphs were modified by author.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Life Cycle-Cooperative Social Responsibility Framework (LC-CoopSRF).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>The route of releasing bees of CX Cooperative members.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Main business partners of CX Cooperative.</p> Full article ">
12 pages, 884 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Data Detection Techniques for 5G Massive MIMO Systems
by Mahmoud A. Albreem, Arun Kumar, Mohammed H. Alsharif, Imran Khan and Bong Jun Choi
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9281; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219281 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3100
Abstract
Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is a backbone technology in the fifth-generation (5G) and beyond 5G (B5G) networks. It enhances performance gain, energy efficiency, and spectral efficiency. Unfortunately, a massive number of antennas need sophisticated processing to detect the transmitted signal. Although a detector [...] Read more.
Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is a backbone technology in the fifth-generation (5G) and beyond 5G (B5G) networks. It enhances performance gain, energy efficiency, and spectral efficiency. Unfortunately, a massive number of antennas need sophisticated processing to detect the transmitted signal. Although a detector based on the maximum likelihood (ML) is optimal, it incurs a high computational complexity, and hence, it is not hardware-friendly. In addition, the conventional linear detectors, such as the minimum mean square error (MMSE), include a matrix inversion, which causes a high computational complexity. As an alternative solution, approximate message passing (AMP) algorithm is proposed for data detection in massive MIMO uplink (UL) detectors. Although the AMP algorithm is converging extremely fast, the convergence is not guaranteed. A good initialization influences the convergence rate and affects the performance substantially together and the complexity. In this paper, we exploit several free-matrix-inversion methods, namely, the successive over-relaxation (SOR), the Gauss–Seidel (GS), and the Jacobi (JA), to initialize the AMP-based massive MIMO UL detector. In other words, hybrid detectors are proposed based on AMP, JA, SOR, and GS with an efficient initialization. Numerical results show that proposed detectors achieve a significant performance enhancement and a large reduction in the computational complexity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developing 5G/6G Wireless Technologies for Sustainable Communication Systems)
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<p>Deployment map of 5G networks [<a href="#B3-sustainability-12-09281" class="html-bibr">3</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Block diagram of proposed detector.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Performance of initialized approximate message passing (AMP)-based detector for <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mn>32</mn> <mo>×</mo> <mn>128</mn> </mrow> </semantics></math> massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, 64QAM, and <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>n</mi> <mo>=</mo> <mn>2</mn> </mrow> </semantics></math>.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Performance of initialized AMP-based detector for <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mn>32</mn> <mo>×</mo> <mn>128</mn> </mrow> </semantics></math> massive MIMO system, 64QAM, and <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>n</mi> <mo>=</mo> <mn>3</mn> </mrow> </semantics></math>.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Performance of initialized AMP-based detector for <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mn>32</mn> <mo>×</mo> <mn>256</mn> </mrow> </semantics></math> massive MIMO system, 64QAM, and <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>n</mi> <mo>=</mo> <mn>2</mn> </mrow> </semantics></math>.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Performance–complexity trade-off to obtain BER <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mo>=</mo> <msup> <mn>10</mn> <mrow> <mo>−</mo> <mn>4</mn> </mrow> </msup> </mrow> </semantics></math> in <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mn>32</mn> <mo>×</mo> <mn>128</mn> </mrow> </semantics></math>.</p> Full article ">
20 pages, 710 KiB  
Review
The First Two Decades of Smart City Research from a Risk Perspective
by Shadi Shayan, Ki Pyung Kim, Tony Ma and Tan Hai Dang Nguyen
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9280; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219280 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5256
Abstract
Although they offer major advantages, smart cities present unprecedented risks and challenges. There are abundant discrete studies on risks related to smart cities; however, such risks have not been thoroughly understood to date. This paper is a systematic review that aims to identify [...] Read more.
Although they offer major advantages, smart cities present unprecedented risks and challenges. There are abundant discrete studies on risks related to smart cities; however, such risks have not been thoroughly understood to date. This paper is a systematic review that aims to identify the origin, trends, and categories of risks from previous studies on smart cities. This review includes 85 related articles published between 2000 and 2019. Through a thematic analysis, smart city risks were categorized into three main themes: organizational, social, and technological. The risks within the intersections of these themes were also grouped into (1) digital transformation, (2) socio-technical, and (3) corporate social responsibility. The results revealed that risk is a comparatively new topic in smart-city research and that little focus has been given to social risks. The findings indicated that studies from countries with a long history of smart cities tend to place greater emphasis on social risks. This study highlights the significance of smart city risks for researchers and practitioners, providing a solid direction for future smart-city research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Urban and Rural Development)
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<p>Systematic-literature-review framework.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Number of publications, by year.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Research methods.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Co-relations between smart-city risks.</p> Full article ">
18 pages, 1502 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Reciprocity Mechanism of Social Initiatives in Sport: The Mediating Effect of Gratitude
by Seung Pil Lee
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9279; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219279 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2613
Abstract
The study aims to explore a conceptual model for the sustainable reciprocity relationships in sport-based initiatives and empirically test the model and its underlying mechanism in the context of a real sport-based national initiative. Adapting a seminal work from social work literature as [...] Read more.
The study aims to explore a conceptual model for the sustainable reciprocity relationships in sport-based initiatives and empirically test the model and its underlying mechanism in the context of a real sport-based national initiative. Adapting a seminal work from social work literature as a theoretical framework and the following measurement for the social impact of sport from sport management literature, a conceptual model addressing sport participation, gratitude, social benefits, and prosocial behaviors is presented. Two separate surveys were conducted through face-to-face interviews with independent and random samples representing the Singaporean residents in October 2014 for Study 1 (n = 500) and February 2015 for Study 2 (n = 501). The results demonstrate that the frequency of participation in a range of daily sport activities of a national sport initiative positively influences the perceived value of social capital and health literacy through the mediation effect of gratitude. The study also demonstrates that participation in sport activities positively influences prosocial behavioral intention through the serial mediation effect of gratitude and social capital. The findings implies how we better understand and utilize the dynamic power of gratitude to sustain the win–win relationships to multi-stakeholders in the contexts of sport-based initiatives based on the nature of reciprocity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Physical Activity, Sport and Active Recreation)
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<p>A conceptual model of the reciprocity mechanism in sport-based social initiative.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Structural relationships among gratitude, social outcomes, and prosocial behaviors in sport-based social initiative (Study 1: n = 500, Chi-Square/DF = 281.897/66 = 4.271, CFI = 0.944, TLI = 0.923, IFI = 0.946, RFI = 0.902, NFI = 0.929, RMSEA = 0.081).</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Structural relationships among gratitude, social outcomes, and prosocial behaviors in sport-based social initiative (Study 2: n = 501, Chi-Square/DF = 194.591/66 = 2.948, CFI = 0.965, TLI = 0.952, IFI = 0.965, RFI = 0.922, NFI = 0.948, RMSEA = 0.061).</p> Full article ">
18 pages, 1764 KiB  
Article
Business Model as a Base for Building Firms’ Competitiveness
by Tihana Koprivnjak and Sunčica Oberman Peterka
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9278; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219278 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5164
Abstract
Designing and creating a business model is crucial for a successful firm’s operation in today’s market in a complex and changing environment. A business model is the factor that differentiates one firm from another—it defines the distinctions of the firm, how the firm [...] Read more.
Designing and creating a business model is crucial for a successful firm’s operation in today’s market in a complex and changing environment. A business model is the factor that differentiates one firm from another—it defines the distinctions of the firm, how the firm deals with the competition, the firms’ partnerships, and customer relations. This paper explores the role of the business model in the creation of sustainable competitive advantage. The empirical part of the paper presents the business model of three small companies from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry in Croatia using the Business Model Canvas. Additionally, business model components were also analyzed using a framework for evaluating a business model. The results of the analysis point to a few crucial components of the business model, on which small ICT firms in Croatia build their competitive advantage by creating significant distinctions of those components. These distinctions are essential for their longevity and sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
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<p>Case 1: Business Model Canvas.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Key components of the Case 1 business model.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Case 2: Business Model Canvas.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Key components of the Case 2 business model.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Case 3: Business Model Canvas.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Key components of the Case 3 business model.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>Comparison of components of the Business Model Canvas of the analyzed firms.</p> Full article ">
13 pages, 994 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Ambient Environment to Prevent Future Outbreaks: How Ambient Environment Relates to COVID-19 Local Transmission in Lima, Peru
by Tsai-Chi Kuo, Ana Maria Pacheco, Aditya Prana Iswara, Denny Dermawan, Gerry Andhikaputra and Lin-Han Chiang Hsieh
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9277; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219277 - 8 Nov 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3141
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), universally recognized as COVID-19, is currently is a global issue. Our study uses multivariate regression for determining the relationship between the ambient environment and COVID-19 cases in Lima. We also forecast the pattern trajectory of COVID-19 [...] Read more.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), universally recognized as COVID-19, is currently is a global issue. Our study uses multivariate regression for determining the relationship between the ambient environment and COVID-19 cases in Lima. We also forecast the pattern trajectory of COVID-19 cases with variables using an Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average Model (ARIMA). There is a significant association between ambient temperature and PM10 and COVID-19 cases, while no significant correlation has been seen for PM2.5. All variables in the multivariate regression model have R2 = 0.788, which describes a significant exposure to COVID-19 cases in Lima. ARIMA (1,1,1), during observation time of PM2.5, PM10, and average temperature, is found to be suitable for forecasting COVID-19 cases in Lima. This result indicates that the expected high particle concentration and low ambient temperature in the coming season will further facilitate the transmission of the coronavirus if there is no other policy intervention. A suggested sustainable policy related to ambient environment and the lessons learned from different countries to prevent future outbreaks are also discussed in this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Environmental Health and Safety)
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<p>Daily number of COVID-19 cases in Lima.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Normal probability output distribution plot of COVID-19 daily cases.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>COVID-19 cases forecast graph in Lima for (<b>a</b>) 1,1,1 lag 2,3,5, (<b>b</b>) 1,1,1 lag 1,3,6, and (<b>c</b>) 2,0,3 lag 1,3,6, with a respective lag of PM<sub>2.5</sub>, PM<sub>10</sub>, and average temperature.</p> Full article ">
14 pages, 2118 KiB  
Article
Prediction of Plant Phenological Shift under Climate Change in South Korea
by Ha Kyung Lee, So Jeong Lee, Min Kyung Kim and Sang Don Lee
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9276; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219276 - 8 Nov 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3561
Abstract
Information on the phenological shift of plants can be used to detect climate change and predict changes in the ecosystem. In this study, the changes in first flowering dates (FFDs) of the plum tree (Prunus mume), Korean forsythia (Forsythia koreana [...] Read more.
Information on the phenological shift of plants can be used to detect climate change and predict changes in the ecosystem. In this study, the changes in first flowering dates (FFDs) of the plum tree (Prunus mume), Korean forsythia (Forsythia koreana), Korean rosebay (Rhododendron mucronulatum), cherry tree (Prunus yedoensis), and peach tree (Prunus persica) in Korea during 1920–2019 were investigated. In addition, the changes in the climatic factors (temperature and precipitation) and their relationship with the FFDs were analyzed. The changes in the temperature and precipitation during the January–February–March period and the phenological shifts of all research species during 1920–2019 indicate that warm and dry spring weather advances the FFDs. Moreover, the temperature has a greater impact on this phenological shift than precipitation. Earlier flowering species are more likely to advance their FFDs than later flowering species. Hence, the temporal asynchrony among plant species will become worse with climate change. In addition, the FFDs in 2100 were predicted based on representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios. The difference between the predicted FFDs of the RCP 4.5 and RCP 6.0 for 2100 was significant; the effectiveness of greenhouse gas policies will presumably determine the degree of the plant phenological shift in the future. Furthermore, we presented the predicted FFDs for 2100. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ambidextrous Open Innovation for Sustainability)
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<p>Location of 72 phenological and meteorological observation sites during 1920–2019 in Korea.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Change of January–February–March averaged (<b>A</b>) temperature, (<b>B</b>) precipitation, and (<b>C</b>–<b>H</b>) phenological change (FFD) of each plant species during 1920–2019 in Korea. <span class="html-italic">p</span>-values of regression analysis are also shown. (<b>A</b>) Temperature JFMT = 0.01 C/year +1.57, (<b>B</b>) precipitation JFMP = −0.03 mm/year +46.9 during 1920–2019 in Korea.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Shifts in flowering phenology of individual species during 1920–2019 in Korea. The regression of the phenological shift over time was investigated with <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05; the height of each box represents the regional deviation.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Predicted mean FFDs in 2100 in Korea based on representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>The FFDs of 2019 and predicted FFD of 2100 based on RCP8.5 scenario in Korea. Plant species names were labelled in (<b>A</b>–<b>F</b>).</p> Full article ">
20 pages, 3776 KiB  
Article
A Model to Evaluate the Flooding Opportunity and Sustainable Use of Former Open-Pits
by Izabela-Maria Apostu, Maria Lazar and Florin Faur
Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9275; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12219275 - 8 Nov 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2602
Abstract
As a result of open-pit mining exploitations, impressive size gaps occur in the landscape. Their flooding leads to the occurrence of so-called open-pit lakes and represents an interesting way to reclaim and use sustainably the degraded land. In the literature, there are numerous [...] Read more.
As a result of open-pit mining exploitations, impressive size gaps occur in the landscape. Their flooding leads to the occurrence of so-called open-pit lakes and represents an interesting way to reclaim and use sustainably the degraded land. In the literature, there are numerous plans, strategies, and guidelines for mine closure and open-pit recovery, but these are usually developed at the regional or national level and offer general suggestions, which must be evaluated and approached case-by-case. Because there is still no way to evaluate the opportunity of flooding the open-pits, a methodology for assessing this opportunity was developed to identify the open-pits that are suitable for flooding, this being the main objective of the paper. The paper is novel because of the multicriteria evaluation of open-pits and their remaining gaps, the logical succession of the criteria, and the proposed concept, methods, models, and equations that allow a complex assessment of the flooding opportunity. The methodology also aims to ensure maximum safety conditions in the former mining perimeter, the socio-economic and cultural requirements of local communities, the harmonization of the land in accordance with adjacent ecosystems, and the sustainable development of the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Environmental Reclamation: Landscape Planning and Design)
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<p>The shape of the open-pit according to the location of the deposit in relation to the forms of relief [<a href="#B27-sustainability-12-09275" class="html-bibr">27</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>The shape of the remaining gaps according to the location of the deposit and the way of construction of the inner and external dumps [<a href="#B27-sustainability-12-09275" class="html-bibr">27</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Measuring the depth of a remaining gap [<a href="#B27-sustainability-12-09275" class="html-bibr">27</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>Types of land use.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Water requirements according to specific areas of activity.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Rovinari Mining Basin [<a href="#B38-sustainability-12-09275" class="html-bibr">38</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>(<b>a</b>) Average annual rainfall; (<b>b</b>) average potential evapotranspiration [<a href="#B41-sustainability-12-09275" class="html-bibr">41</a>].</p> Full article ">Figure 8
<p>Partial survey results.</p> Full article ">
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