Sustainable Cities

Ideas about green cities have been around for centuries, however it seems that these ideas have been sidetracked by a strange mixture of opposites: neoclassical economics and town planning regulations. On the one hand contemporary economics has divorced itself from ecology and on the other, town planning regulation, originally based on garden city ideas, has helped to facilitate cities where 'nature' is idealised, 'packaged and confined to parks and gardens. This paper suggests there needs to be a creative tension between the economic and ecological dimensions if a city is to emerge.

The rapid urbanization of Dhaka has led to severe infrastructural and social challenges, particularly within government housing areas. Among the most underutilized spaces are the abandoned service corridors, which, if transformed, could play a crucial role in addressing the city's pressing urban renewal needs. This study investigates the potential of these neglected corridors by proposing a multidimensional urban renewal strategy that blends ecological, social, and economic considerations. By drawing on concepts from basophilic urbanism, adaptive reuse, and sustainable development, the paper explores how these spaces can be remained to enhance environmental quality, promote community engagement, and stimulate local economic activities. The research employs a combination of spatial analysis, case study evaluations, and stakeholder feedback to identify feasible interventions for revitalizing these corridors. Preliminary findings suggest that through strategic design and planning, these abandoned spaces can be transformed into vibrant public areas that contribute to the city's livability and resilience. The paper advocates for a collaborative approach, involving urban planners, policymakers, and local communities, to create inclusive spaces that reflect the needs of Dhaka's diverse population. The research highlights the need for innovative planning frameworks, as well as policy support, to unlock the full potential of these underused urban areas, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and equitable urban future for Dhaka.

Nakon više od deset godina povezanosti sa Čileom, Nataša Stanaćev daje širok uvid u savremenu arhitekturu „zemlje na kraju sveta“ i taj – nama daleki i uglavnom malo poznat – kontekst.

Tokom boravka u Čileu februara ove godine ponovno sam se susreo i razgovarao sa koleginicom, arhitektom Natašom Stanaćev (Zrenjanin, 1985), koja od pre nekoliko godina sa svojim suprugom, Špancem Manuom Granadosom (Jerez, Španija, 1986), vodi arhitektonski biro „Stanaćev & Granados Arquitectura“. Ovaj arhitektonski dvojac je svoja projektantska iskustva sticao u Čileu od 2013. godine radeći odvojeno, a potom i zajedno, za lokalne biroe i na različitim projektima.

Od učešća u projektovanju stanica nove linije metroa u glavnom gradu Santijagu, rada sa poznatim čileanskim arhitektom Matijasom Klocom (Mathias Klotz), do saradnje sa osnivačima biroa „WMR Arquitectos“, Nataša i Manu su savladavali različite izazove čileanske arhitektonske prakse, dok nakon kraćeg povratka u Španiju nisu pokrenuli sopstvenu praksu u Čileu, razvivši kroz nekoliko godina projektantski pristup u kome su sublimirani vlastiti senzibiliteti i ključne karakteristike čileanske arhitekture.

A new methodology for developing and monitoring stakeholder identification processes under the sustainable and smart cities model, including an index that reflects the degree of coverage and homogeneity of the process. • The methodology considers the holistic nature of the smart city, taking into account the linkages between the different urban stakeholders and city dimensions in order to define the involvement of the groups identified and apply multi-criteria analysis for management aspects.

The role that cities play in the transition to more sustainable growth is gaining increasing recognition. Measuring progress towards sustainable urban development requires quantifying this multi-dimensional phenomenon with the help of composite indicators. The purpose of this study is to propose an integrated approach to build a sustainable cities' interval of composite indicators that rely on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. In addition, we propose to overcome the problem of calculating a single number by constructing a strong-weak sustainability performance interval depending on the choice of the compensability level in the aggregation stage of individual indicators. One of the advantages of this interval is that it provides information on both the average performance and the worst value of the set of indicators considered for each SDG. Moreover, it also extends the analysis for the people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership dimensions defined by the 2030 Agenda. As an example of application, we constructed these intervals for 50 Spanish cities, which are provincial capitals. This application lets us get a more accurate vision that can serve as a valuable tool for better urban planning design.

The rapid urbanization of Dhaka has led to severe infrastructural and social challenges, particularly within government housing areas. Among the most underutilized spaces are the abandoned service corridors, which, if transformed, could play a crucial role in addressing the city's pressing urban renewal needs. This study investigates the potential of these neglected corridors by proposing a multidimensional urban renewal strategy that blends ecological, social, and economic considerations. By drawing on concepts from basophilic urbanism, adaptive reuse, and sustainable development, the paper explores how these spaces can be remained to enhance environmental quality, promote community engagement, and stimulate local economic activities. The research employs a combination of spatial analysis, case study evaluations, and stakeholder feedback to identify feasible interventions for revitalizing these corridors. Preliminary findings suggest that through strategic design and planning, these abandoned spaces can be transformed into vibrant public areas that contribute to the city's livability and resilience. The paper advocates for a collaborative approach, involving urban planners, policymakers, and local communities, to create inclusive spaces that reflect the needs of Dhaka's diverse population. The research highlights the need for innovative planning frameworks, as well as policy support, to unlock the full potential of these underused urban areas, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and equitable urban future for Dhaka.

Casablanca, Morocco's largest Atlantic port city, faces increasing exposure to floods, drought, and other risks that align with legacies of urban transformations carried out during the colonial period. This study examines how early-20th-century interventionsincluding the canalization and burial of the Oued Bouskoura, extensive coastal reclamation, and the implementation of rigid zoning-were associated with a reconfiguration of the city's hydrology and coincide with persistent socio-spatial inequalities. Using historical cartography, archival sources, and GIS-based overlays of colonial-era plans with contemporary hazard maps, the analysis reveals an indicative spatial correlation between today's high-risk zones and areas transformed under the Protectorate, with the medina emerging as one of the most vulnerable districts. While previous studies have examined either colonial planning in architectural or contemporary climate risks through technical and governance lenses, this article illuminates historically conditioned relationships and long-term associations for urban resilience. In doing so, it empirically maps spatial associations and conceptually argues for reframing heritage not only as cultural memory but as a climate resource, illustrating how suppressed vernacular systems may inform adaptation strategies. This interdisciplinary approach provides a novel contribution to postcolonial city research, climate adaptation and heritage studies by proposing a historically conscious framework for resilience planning.

The buildings environmental impact has been a growing concern across the last decades. The relation between the planet environmental problems and the building sector is proven and accepted. Thus, there is an increasing demand for environmental friendly construction practices in order to minimize the building sector negative impacts (Cole 1999). Due to these concerns, the necessity to develop a set of metrics in order to evaluate the buildings environmental impacts has emerged. Consequently, it was also necessary to establish benchmarks to these metrics. Thus, several entities have developed several sustainable building assessment methodologies. These methodologies have defined reference practices and have contributed to the implementation of sustainable development in the building sector (Ding 2008). These systems also allow to assess and monitor the buildings performance and to disseminate the importance of adopting sustainable practices. In their beginning, these methodologies focused only on environmental indicators. However, with time, it was possible to understand the importance of the social and economic issues, regarding the buildings sustainability. Therefore, social and economic indicators began to be considered in these methodologies. Generally, building sustainability assessment (BSA) tools evaluate the buildings sustainability level through the aggregation of the building performance in a group of sustainability indicators.

Local governments have formed city networks bridging borders and geopolitical differences since the 1990s to face the climate emergency. This review shows what has been achieved in three decades of climate action, and indicates the importance of improving inclusiveness, recognition, and reach of these city networks going forward. Peer review information: Nature Cities thanks Bruno Asdourian, Kian Goh, and Marielle Papin for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar os riscos políticos, econômicos e sociais do uso da inteligência artificial e como evitá-los. A inteligência artificial (IA) é uma tecnologia transformadora com potencial para revolucionar diversos setores, mas também apresenta riscos significativos nos âmbitos político, econômico e social. Os riscos políticos, econômicos e sociais da inteligência artificial não podem ser eliminados por completo, mas podem ser reduzidos e controlados com ações coordenadas entre governos, empresas, instituições de pesquisa e a sociedade. A inteligência artificial oferece oportunidades transformadoras, mas também apresenta riscos significativos que exigem atenção imediata e coordenada. É crucial que governos, indústria, academia e sociedade civil trabalhem juntos para desenvolver e implementar políticas e estratégias que maximizem os benefícios da IA enquanto evitam seus riscos. O futuro da IA não é predeterminado. Ele será moldado pelas escolhas políticas e éticas que fizermos hoje. Evitar riscos exige um equilíbrio entre inovação e regulação. A IA deve ser desenvolvida de forma ética (respeitando valores humanos e direitos fundamentais), inclusiva (reduzindo desigualdades, e não ampliando), transparente (explicável e auditável), sustentável (voltada ao bem-estar coletivo). Em resumo: a IA é uma ferramenta poderosa, mas sem regulação, ética e participação social, ela pode aumentar a concentração de poder, gerar novas formas de exclusão e comprometer valores democráticos.

This article examines the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the public sector, highlighting its transformative potential and associated challenges. AI has the capacity to revolutionize public administration by enhancing service delivery, decision-making, and operational efficiency through advanced data analysis, predictive analytics, and automation. Despite these opportunities, the adoption of AI in government faces significant obstacles, including technical limitations, ethical concerns, legal constraints, and organizational resistance. Key issues such as data privacy, system security, algorithmic bias, and accountability for AI-driven decisions are explored. This study employs a theoretical framework based on literature analysis, document review, and value interpretation. The article also discusses the varying levels of AI deployment, from simple automation to fully autonomous systems, and the strategic approaches needed for successful implementation. The research objectives are to identify the principal challenges and opportunities associated with AI integration in public administration and to answer key questions regarding effective governance, ethical management, and policy formulation. The study also aims to contribute to both academic discourse and policy practice by proposing actionable recommendations for optimizing AI deployment in the public sector. It emphasizes the need for robust governance frameworks, ethical guidelines, and international cooperation to ensure AI technologies enhance public value while preserving trust and democratic principles. The findings underscore the importance of a balanced approach to AI integration, promoting innovation while safeguarding societal interests.

This publication contains the proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Circularity in the Built Environment (CiBEn2025), held in Tampere, Finland, in September 16–18, 2025. The book includes both abstracts and papers of the contributions presented in the conference, as the authors were given the freedom to choose which type they submitted. All the contributions, except the keynotes, have been peer-reviewed in a double-blind setting by two independent reviewers. In this book, the contributions are listed under each theme in the alphabetical order of the title, so no order of importance is implied. The proceedings have been put together from ‘camera-ready’ files delivered by the authors. Due to this, some discrepancies may appear in the graphical appearance and/or how the content is structured.

Active mobility infrastructure is an essential element of walkable and healthy neighbourhoods. This talk explores the experiential dimensions of evolving active mobility infrastructure, e.g., pedestrian, bike, and personal mobility device paths and networks. Building on pilot studies including systematic observation and walk-along interviews with residents, the talk foregrounds micro-spatial contestations of active mobility infrastructure in Tampines, Singapore. Three key areas of people-environment interactions (rhythms of use and speed, perceived functionalities, and negotiations of safety) that must be considered while rejuvenating active mobility infrastructure in high-density urban environments are discussed.

The Symposium organizers, Mette Zølner and Charles T. Tackney, have received the statements from all intended participants agreeing to participate in the entire Symposium and stating that they are not in violation of the Rule of Three + Three.

Canyon-type urban streets are one of the urban forms in which critical and harmful situations for health and the urban environment are emerging today, such as urban heat islands, areas of poor ventilation, and retention zones for pollutants emitted by road traffic, heating, and industrial activities. The higher pollution levels are due to inappropriate relationships between morphological and microclimatic parameters specific to urban street canyons. Previous studies have highlighted the most common factors, namely the aspect ratio (H/W), the orientation of the street to the prevailing winds, and vegetation. In the city of Algiers, the urban street canyon is particularly noticeable in two dominant urban fabrics: the medieval organic fabric and the colonial fabric dating back to the French occupation. This paper aims to explain the effect of different factors specific to urban canyons in Algiers on the concentration trends of air pollutants by adopting the CODASC database, which contains data on normalized average air pollutant concentrations (C+) related to different street canyon models, according to aspect ratios H/W values, wind flow direction (α), tree stand density (ρs), and tree crown porosity (PVol). In order to validate the developed methodology, measurements of particle pollution concentrations were carried out at several points on the studied streets, using an analyzer equipped with the GP2Y1010AU0F microsensor. Based on the collected data, a statistical model was developed to assist in the reconfiguration of canyon-type streets in order to increase the dispersion of pollutants and consequently, reduce their concentrations. The results showed that Larbi Ben M'Hidi Street is more polluted than Mohammed Azzouzi Street due to the impact of the maximum values of the aspect ratio and tree density on wind behavior. The study's findings could provide a strategic guide for pollution mitigation, to be used by urban planners in the design and implementation phases of sustainable urban development projects in Algiers.

By using minerals instead of bioresources in construction, greenhouse gas emissions are nearly doubled. It is vital to transition from this traditional paradigm to a low-carbon model in which woods and bamboos are essential components. To proliferate bio-urbanization, challenges must be overcome in forestry and construction. Our study is a necessary starting point for more sophisticated studies and policies to support the valorization and utilization of bioresources, especially wood and bamboo, in greener construction solutions for a sustainable urbanization. Our main results elucidate examples and benefits of biobased cities and buildings, raise issues and current challenges, and suggest opportune actions to be globally addressed in collaborative proposals. Assertive codes, well-managed resources, resolution of challenges, and clarification campaigns on decarbonization are priority targets in future environmental and societal commitments.

The organizing committee, advisory board and review board, as well as the editors are grateful to the delegates who had submitted and presented papers. The conference papers included experimental as well as overview studies applicable to Energy and the application or enhancement of human habitat. Although the conference was open for inclusion of studies from an energy policy and energy economics perspective, almost all the papers received in this call were of a more technical nature. The conference received papers via its online submission platform and responded by related email. Reviews were double blind with two reviewers per paper and a third editorial review for decision to include the paper in the proceedings. Several paper abstracts were received but was not of sufficient quality to meet initial review requirements and some were also outside the scope of the conference. The conference received over 48 abstracts and received 38 papers as submissions. Only 21 papers were accepted and graded for inclusion in this Proceedings after peer review and these included only highly positive reviews with minimal corrective work.. The rejection ratio of papers was 44% rejection.The highest single institution papers accepted for publication was 28 %, hence meeting the South African DHET requirement. The authors were required to avail themselves for a face to face presentation with session chairs at the conference venue.

The aim of this research is to explore the effect of Vertical Greening Systems (VGS) on improving indoor environment quality and rationalizing energy consumption in residential buildings and consequently suggest a valid design guideline aiding the designer towards successful Eco-building realization. Vertical Green Walls(VGS) are considered one of the ideal solutions for treating existing buildings to increase thermal insulation and control the amount of heat gain through the outer envelope of the building, improve the thermal comfort, and reduce energy consumption. Moreover, such treat benefits in other ways such as absorption of carbon dioxide, release of oxygen and impact positively on humidification as well as improving building elevations external look. To measure the positive effect of VGS green walls, a computer simulation of applying green walls to an existing building was done, different types of VGS were compared with their different components and their effect on building indoor temperature, the ability and resistance to heat transfer, and the amount of carbon emission released to the atmosphere. A comparison was conducted to explain the difference between the original building status and the one after adding the VGS green walls. Finally, the research reviewed the results of simulation and effect ratios for several types of VGS walls, compared with the original wall, as well as with the addition of internal insulation. That final comparison associated with measuring weights was used to form design guidelines to help designers in choosing the proper type of VGS for each treated building in hand.

Bu makalede ilki 1955 yılında verilen Sait Faik Abasıyanık Hikâye
Armağanı’nın 2018 yılına kadarki dönemde kimlere verildiği, ödülü alan
yazarların kaçıncı kitabında ödül aldıkları, ödül aldıktan sonra kaç öykü
kitabı yayınladıkları, hangi yaşta ödüle layık görüldükleri ve bu yazarların
doğdukları şehirle birlikte ödülün kadın-erkek dağılımı üzerinden
değerlendirmeler yapılmaktadır. Kendi alanında bir ilk olan bu çalışmayla
köklü bir geçmişe sahip olan Sait Faik Hikâye Armağanı zemininde
Türk öykücülüğünün de önemli durakları hakkında değerlendirmelere
yer verilmiştir. Çalışma, Sait Faik Hikâye Armağanı özelinde ödül
alan yazarlar ve kitapları üzerinden farklı açılardan değerlendirmeleri
kapsamaktadır.

The rapid pace of urbanization worldwide has led to many challenges, from traffic congestion and air pollution to overconsumption of resources and social inequalities. In response to these pressing issues, and with the opportunity given by the two-year reconsideration of everyday life during the recent pandemic, the concept of the "15-Minute City" has emerged as a promising approach to urban development. This abstract explores the key principles and potential benefits of the 15-Minute City, where essential services and amenities are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from one's home. This sustainable city development model envisions compact, mixed-use neighbourhoods that prioritize local living, active mobility, and community engagement. By significantly reducing the need for long commutes, the 15-Minute City holds the promise of reducing carbon emissions, traffic congestion, and energy consumption, all of which align with the European strategy towards a greener and more sustainable environment. This approach fosters a sense of place and belonging, promotes social cohesion, and enhances overall wellbeing. The 15-Minute City concept has gained traction in recent years, with numerous cities around the world embarking on pilot projects and policy changes to transform their urban landscapes. This paper highlights the strategies and principles that underpin the 15-Minute City specifically on Paris, France, including the creation of pedestrian-friendly environments, the diversification of land use, and the promotion of sustainable transportation options. Furthermore, the abstract explores the potential challenges and barriers that cities may encounter during the transition to this city model, such as infrastructure redevelopment, funding, and community buy-in. The 15-Minute City represents a bold vision for the future of sustainable urban development, one that aims to reshape our cities into healthier, more equitable, and environmentally friendly spaces for current and future generations.

Urbanization, the process of population concentration in urban areas, has been a defining feature of modern civilization. This paper explores the effects of urbanization, examining its implications at national and international levels. Through a detailed analysis of economic, social, environmental, and infrastructural dimensions, the paper underscores the complexities of urban growth. While urbanization has driven economic development and innovation, it has also contributed to environmental degradation, socioeconomic disparities, and infrastructure challenges. The research emphasizes the need for sustainable urban planning and governance frameworks to address these multifaceted impacts.

1 17 33 49 65 81 97 113 16 32 48 64 80 96 112 128 Philippe Vandenbroeck en Michiel Dehaene Het pleidooi voor de kleine stad als sleutel tot een duurzame, evenwichtige regionale ontwikkeling gaat al lange tijd mee. Van het beeld van de compacte, kleine stad die zich netjes aftekent tegen een groene achtergrond gaat een soort onvermijdelijkheid uit. Dit beeld werd meer dan 100 jaar geleden scherp neergezet door de tuinstadbeweging en is sindsdien zowel binnen als buiten deze beweging hernomen. Telkens lijkt een voor de tuinstad typische samentrekking zich te herhalen tussen enerzijds een strategische visie op regionale ontwikkeling en anderzijds een culturele en maatschappelijke vertaling hiervan in herkenbare beelden van de traditionele kleinstad. Aan de noodzakelijke modernisering wordt dan met een neo-traditioneel jasje een nieuwe vertrouwdheid aangemeten. Met elke herhaling schuift dit beeld verder op in de richting van een soort tijdloze stedenbouwkundige formule. In deze tekst g...

Understanding public needs is crucial for effective management and planning of urban green spaces (UGS). UGS offer cultural ecosystem services (CES) that enhance human wellbeing. However, CES are challenging to measure, and vary across cultures, limiting cross-cultural research. This study examines public perceptions of CES from UGS in Suwon, Korea, and Karlsruhe, Germany, through a map-based PPGIS questionnaire. Respondents were urban residents in both cities, recruited through a combination of online outreach, local postings, and snowball sampling between July and September 2023. Karlsruhe residents visited UGS more frequently and spent more time there both before and after COVID-19 than Suwon residents. Most Suwon residents favored the nearest green spaces, while Karlsruhe residents preferred UGS farther from their homes. In Suwon, higher income was linked to a lower evaluation of biodiversity importance. Age and gender influenced the evaluation of biodiversity importance in both cities. Younger people visited UGS more often than older people after COVID-19 in both cities. In Karlsruhe, female respondents visited UGS more frequently than male respondents, whereas in Suwon, male showed a higher frequency. However, female respondents in Karlsruhe spent more time in UGS than males, while there was no statistically significant difference in Suwon. Education level was significant only in Suwon, where individuals with university education spent more time in UGS after COVID-19 than those without. These findings reflect how cultural and socio-demographic factors shape human-nature interactions, supporting theoretical perspectives such as the biophilia hypothesis, social ecology, and environmental psychology. Integrating these interdisciplinary insights into UGS planning can help create inclusive, culturally responsive, and ecologically meaningful urban environments.

The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 by the United Nations (UN) was a turning point in our understanding of the challenges we face. It marks the start of the sustainability age – a time of crisis and transition when contested interpretations of sustainability provide the coordinates for future imaginaries. This does not refer to an age when sustainable modes of existence have been achieved in practice at the national and global levels. Building sustainable national
and global systems may be the ultimate outcome if certain conditions materialize, in particular with respect to energy. For now, the SDGs – with all their imperfections – provide a shared language for engaging contested futures shaped by the language of the SDGs. This, read together with the real-world conditions discussed in this book that make the prolongation of industrial modernity in its current form unviable, makes it possible to argue that the sustainability age has begun.

تناول هذا البحث تأثير التسويق بالضجة بأبعاده المختلفة (خلق الضجة، استراتيجية زرع الفكرة، منح حوافز للمشاركة) كمتغير مستقل، وتم الاعتماد على القيمة المدركة بأبعادها المختلفة (القيمة السعرية، والقيمة الوظيفية، والقيمة الاجتماعية، والقيمة العاطفية) كمتغير وسيط، وأخيرا نية إعادة الشراء كمتغير تابع. وذلك بالتطبيق على الشركة المصرية للاتصالات، وقد تم الاعتماد على عملاء الشركة المصرية للاتصالات بمحافظة بنى سويف كوحدة للمعاينة. كما هدف البحث الى التعرف على مدى تأثير التسويق بالضجة على نية إعادة الشراء والتعرف على مدى تأثير التسويق بالضجة على نية إعادة الشراء في ضوء القيمة المدركة كمتغير وسيط، وتم التطبيق على 27 مركز خدمة عملاء وأمكن تجميع (376) قائمة صالحة للتحليل الإحصائي. وأوضحت نتائج التحليل الإحصائي مجموعة من النتائج أهمها، ان هناك تأثير إيجابي مباشر للتسويق بالضجة على القيمة المدركة، وأن التسويق بالضجة يؤثر تأثيرا إيجابيا مباشرا وغير مباشر على نية إعادة الشراء، وان القيمة المدركة تتوسط جزئيا هذه العلاقة، حيث اشارت النتائج الى وجود تأثير إيجابي مباشر للقيمة المدركة على نية إعادة الشراء.

Nusayriler, İslam inancı içinde farklı bir yorumu benimseyen ve başta Suriye olmak üzere Akdeniz coğrafyasında yaşamlarını sürdüren, azımsanmayacak bir nüfusa sahip tarihsel bir topluluktur. Arap Alevileri olarak bilinen Nusayrilerin etno-dinsel kökenlerine ilişkin farklı görüşler ileri sürülmüştür. Osmanlı döneminde Suriye’nin yönetimi ele geçirilmesiyle birlikte Nusayriler dinsel açıdan Müslüman olarak değerlendirilmelerine rağmen Sünni olarak görülmemişlerdir. Osmanlı’nın son döneminde İttihatçıların iktidara gelişiyle birlikte bu topluluğun etno-dinsel kökenlerini araştırmak için Baha Said tarafından bir kitap hazırlanmıştır. Kitapta Nusayrilerin Türklüklerine şüpheyle bakılmış fakat Türkleştirilmeleri konusunda olumsuz bir kanaat belirtilmemiştir. Cumhuriyet dönemine gelindiğinde ise Nusayrilere ilişkin temel de iki kanaat ileri sürülmüştür.

The Green Economy meets the demand of the state of Amazonas for an economic model based on the identification of new regional matrices complementary to the Manaus Free Trade Zone model, with the aim of economically internalizing the municipalities in the interior, based on regional development policies. To this end, we aim to identify potential regional economic matrices and present a direction for a "New Regional Development Policy" for the state of Amazonas. As for the methodological approach, this is a descriptive and exploratory qualitative study, based on data and information from primary sources (forms and questionnaires) and secondary sources (bibliography and documents), with the aim of meeting the objectives set out above. Thus, the Amazonian Green Economy must be implemented through policies to identify and strengthen the production chains of forest products linked to the Amazonian Bioeconomy.

Sustainability has become a key factor in discussions about urbanism in our present-day world. How resilient are our current urban systems and practices? What factors are likely to influence urban success or failure? Archaeology is in the unique position of being able to offer an extensive record of case studies for the success or failure of large settlements extending back several thousand years. Through archaeological examples, we can search for regularities and patterns, but also for exceptions that do not necessarily fit standard models and can offer insightful alternatives to mainstream narratives. This special issue of the Journal of Urban Archaeology brings together contributions that address the phenomenon of sustainability across a wide range of geographical and chronological contexts, from Copper Age Iberia to medieval Southeast Asia. The focus is on both environmental and social factors, and the intertwined relationships between them. Furthermore, we explore how certain settlement layouts (e.g. high-density vs. low-density urbanism) made past cities more or less resilient to external variables such as climatic and political changes, and what implications we might draw for present and future urban communities around the globe.

Planning laws and policies significantly influence the development of cities and regions, regulating land use, infrastructure development, and urban expansion. The study analysed the effect of urban laws and policies on the development of Asaba metropolis through questionnaires distributed to registered town planners, builders, and architects. A sample of 159 respondents was selected, with 53 distributed to registered architects, builders, and town planners in both private and governmental practice. The data was analysed using SPSS, and tables and graphs were used to further understand the effect of planning laws on development. The findings show that the most widely accepted law or policy is land use legislation. Urban laws have had a favourable impact on the Asaba region's physical development. However, the majority of present urban planning strategies do not promote long-term growth. The study identified poor enforcement as the most significant hindrance to the execution of urban planning rules and regulations in Asaba. Political influence has been regarded as the most major impediment to executing urban planning laws and policies in Asaba. The analysis reveals that urban planning laws significantly has effect urban development (P<0.05). The study suggests that improving urban planning laws and policies in Asaba can improve transport networks and affordable housing. Recommendations include strengthening enforcement mechanisms, expanding stakeholder involvement, improving infrastructure, and regularly updating rules. This multifaceted strategy will contribute to sustainable urban development in Nigeria and provide valuable insights into the role of urban planning laws in shaping the Asaba metropolitan region.

An ecologically planned greening strategy in an urban landscape helps provide a healthy and wholesome environment for its citizens and, at the same time, promotes biodiversity, offers ecosystem services, raises awareness about environmental conservation, protects the city’s environment (from pollution), and ameliorates climate locally. Designing a greening strategy compatible to local physico-climatic conditions requires consideration and integration of a number of complex factors. The current paper aims to develop a comprehensive framework for a greening strategy based on the principals of ecology. This paper also focuses on deriving benefits from the green cover in the landscape through maximizing the flow of ecosystem services. The outcome of such an ecologically designed greening strategy will be in the form of a customized green plan right from a neighbourhood scale to a community and finally a city scale.

Meeting the European Green Deal's goal of climate neutrality by 2050 calls for a 90 percent decrease in emissions from the transportation sector. Thus, there is need to accelerate the shift to more sustainable mobility for integrated and smarter multimodal and intermodal mobility. In European countries, more than 70% of the inhabitants live in metropolitan areas. Achieving low-carbon and more sustainable mobility is important to ensuring sustainable urban infrastructure. However, current mobility planning frameworks do not consider the key factors and strategies that encourage residents to choose sustainable transport modes. Hence, there is a need to identify the most efficient actions that should be employed either in the short or long term to achieve accessible, safe, cost-effective, and green transport systems specifically through the development of sustainable public transportation. Moreover, a paradigm shift is needed to explore the synergy between transportation and its relationship to the city. Accordingly, this article presents an action plan as an approach to assess key strategies needed to foster sustainable and smart mobility planning and design by deploying effective strategies and design solutions that support different green means of transportation for smart urban development. Qualitative data on sustainable mobility planning and design strategies was collected via secondary sources from the literature, and descriptive data analysis was carried out. Findings from this study identify internal and external factors required to promote sustainable multimodal and intermodal mobility based on the city's transport policies and actions. Implications from this study provide a use case for the technological requirements required for electric mobility planning, design, and system operation for the actualization of sustainable public transportation to improve smart urban development.

Several EU Directives have been adopted and in ‡uenced the control of urban water pollution especially the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and the Integrated Control and Preventive Directive. The Water Framework Directive will also have an additional impact in the coming years on the control of urban water pollution in particular related to storm over ‡ows. It requires the achievement of good ecological and chemical status in all waters. Our analysis will focus on public wastewater utilities facing demand and capacity shocks. The paper deals with the simultaneous determination of an economic incentive mechanism for the control of water pollution and investment rules under an ex ante maximum demand charge. We will characterize the welfare-optimal capacity selection rule and the welfare-optimal maximum demand pricing rule. Heterogeneous consumers' demands are considered when tari¤s are set ex ante.

Résumé
Face à une urbanisation rapide et souvent informelle, l’Afrique est confrontée à des défis majeurs en matière de planification urbaine. D’ici 2050, sa population urbaine devrait atteindre 1,4 milliard d’habitants, avec plus de 60 % des citadins vivant dans des quartiers précaires. Cette mutation urbaine, bien que porteuse d’opportunités, soulève une problématique centrale : comment concevoir une planification urbaine durable qui intègre les réalités locales, valorise les quartiers informels et renforce la résilience climatique des villes africaines ?
Pour répondre à cette question, l’étude adopte une méthodologie qualitative fondée sur une revue documentaire, des enquêtes de terrain dans plusieurs villes africaines (Lomé, Dakar, Nairobi) et une analyse comparative. Les résultats révèlent une forte inadéquation des modèles urbains importés, une marginalisation persistante des quartiers informels, mais aussi l’émergence de pratiques durables fondées sur les savoirs locaux, la participation citoyenne et l’innovation sociale.
La conclusion souligne que la planification urbaine durable en Afrique doit s’appuyer sur une gouvernance inclusive, des réformes réglementaires adaptées, et une valorisation des initiatives communautaires. Les implications politiques incluent l’institutionnalisation de la participation citoyenne, l’investissement dans les infrastructures de base, la promotion de l’architecture bioclimatique et le soutien à la jeunesse urbaine comme moteur de transformation.

Green buildings are increasingly gaining attention in the building industry globally. Green building rating systems have been instrumental in driving this front. Increasing number of green rated buildings and the national and international level rating systems speak for the importance of green buildings. A majority if not all rating systems are established on the same fundamental principles which are reflected in their credit categories, credit distribution and weighting. Life Cycle Assessment has been adopted in LEED rating system to rationalize the possible impacts and hence the credit weighting. Although the logic is well rationalized, this distribution is not reflected in actual practice due to many reasons such as cost implications, practical limitations and regional variations. Therefore certain credit categories that are most prevalent in LEED rated projects in the US might not be reflected important in LEED rated projects in Asia. Considering the rapidly progressing adaptation of LEED system in Asia, this paper intends to explore adaptation trends in LEED system comparing projects in the US and in Asia. Our study analyses fifty urban office projects in the US and in Asia that have achieved either Gold or Platinum level rating under LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations rating system version 2 and 2.2. Size of the projects will be determined by benchmarks specified by Core & Shell system. Data will be primarily obtained from LEED score sheets. Data will be analysed based on simple statistical analysis methods. Findings are expected to reflect how rating system requirements are adopted in practice, and regional trends and which will lead to suggestions how rating systems should be more encompassing and be inline with practical implementation.

• Fuel emission inTogo
‒ Fuel emission refers to the air’s contamination, especially by GHGs which contains about 55% of
Carbone dioxide (CO2)
‒ Sub-Saharan African countries produced lowest GHGs emissions in the world but from 2014, its
growing rapidly to reach about 865 420 Kt of CO2 in 2019
‒ In Togo, nearly 3283,792 kt of CO2 are produced in 2019, which result from an annual growth rate of
2% since 2016
‒ The transport sector produces about 77% of CO2 pollution through fuel emissions By considering the
road-transport, around 223 thousand vehicles are registered in 2020 and will emit up to 2.06 million
tons of CO2 in 2030
• International standards and goals regarding fuel emissions ratified by Togo and actions
already implemented
‒ The Togolese Government is committed to reducing fuel emissions, by ratifying the Kyoto protocols
(COP 21), UNFCCC and Paris (COP 23) agreements
‒ In 2020, the Economic Community of ECOWAS adopted regulations aimed at introducing fuels and
cleaner vehicles in the West Africa region
‒ From these, Togo had established in some measures to mitigate GES, in 03 areas of which the most
important is energy (road transport)
• Benchmarks : actions set by others African governments
‒ Countries like Benin, Rwanda and Ghana have set actions specifically based on the modernization of
public transport and the use of renewable energies to achieve ISGFE
‒ Case study of south Africa
• Based on south africa’s case and other Africans counties , Togo can consider three
dimensions to achieve international standards and goals regarding fuel emissions
‒ First, The government should set policies to control fuels imported in Togo, fight against the sale of
bad fuels and promote the use of renewal energies in public transportation
‒ Government should also promote modern public transportation by creating new rail infrastructures,
and by using more buses to reduces fuel emissions especially in cities

The Intended Nationally Determined Contribution is a term which indicates that the targets specified in the document are "intended". The targets become an NDC, or binding, when the country ratifies, accepts and approves the Paris Agreement. I.e. agrees to the terms of the Agreement and ratifies it, committing itself to achieve the targets specified in its INDC and to the international mechanisms established to achieve the goal set by the Convention on limiting a global temperature increase to maximum 2 degrees, aiming to achieve a maximum of 1.5 degrees.

This workshop of the CAP4CITY (Erasmus+ Strengthening Governance Capacity for Smart Sustainable Cities) project is to promote and stimulate the discussion and networking in the area of Digital Government. Smart Sustainable Cities and related concepts of Digital, Intelligent and Smart Cities represent a progression of how cities around the world apply digital technology to serve their populations, pursue sustainable socioeconomic development, and transform themselves in the process, and require strong capacity for public governance in the digital world. In order to identify the gaps concerning missing knowledge and training needs in this area we propose to validate a Smart Sustainable Cities roadmap through a scenario-building approach.

The article analyzes the problems and prospects for the development of single-industry towns in Kazakhstan with an emphasis on new approaches to measuring their growth. Particular attention is paid to the cities of monocity Zhanaozen and new city Kenderli as potential centers for the socio-economic transformation of the Mangistau region,
one of the biggest oil production regions of the country. As a successful foreign example, the model of modernization of the city of Almetyevsk, Russian Federation is considered. Based on a comparative analysis, indicators of sustainable development of single-industry towns are proposed, as well as practical recommendations for their application in national socio-economic policy.

The last decade, continuing the trend of globalization is characterized by great financial crises, instability of capital, demand and supply markets. Accordingly, the socio-economic strategy in particular of single-industry towns
becomes a big problem.
The article is devoted to the problems of development of monotowns in different countries. There is still no consensus on the content of the concept of “monocity” (Gr. “monos” – one, only), as well as on the criteria for its allocation. Although according to many authors, the term “monocity” has been widely used in our country relatively recently - in the 1990s, and until today there is no unified approach to the definition of its content. The transition to a market economy in the early 1990s created a number of acute problems for single-industry towns. At the top of the list is unemployment – the unemployment rate in these cities is twice as high as the national average. In addition, these cities were designed to accommodate the industries that support them, rather than with the well-being of their residents in mind. There are constant problems of pollution, lack of infrastructure, health care and education.
Kazakhstan, as one of the large industrialised countries of the former Soviet Union, rich in natural minerals inherited such settlements with the main, more often one city-forming industry, such in 2023, there were 27 single-industry towns.
Within the framework of a large study “Concept of development of Mangistau region”, conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2024, our group of researchers was tasked to change the stereotype of Zhanaozen city as depressive and unpromising. Zhanaozen is one of the bigest oil- producing regions, most of the fields of Mangistau region are concentrated in the area of Zhanaozen city and Buzachi peninsula, the region produces about 23% of Kazakhstan's oil. In the continuation of this article will be described our
recommendations which allowed to start the implementation of the Project of a new city Kеnderli on the coast as a center of attraction for the future generation of residents of Zhanaozen and the entire region.

Due to the increasing number of networks related to sustainable development (SUD) the paper focuses on understanding in which way networks can be considered useful tools for sustainable urban development, taking particularly into consideration the networks potential of spreading innovative policies, strategies and actions. There has been little theoretically development on the subject. In practice networks for sustainable development can be seen as combining different theoretical approaches to networks, including governance, urban competition and innovation. To give a picture of the variety of sustainable networks, we present different examples of networks, operating at different geographical scales, from global to local, with different missions (organizational, political, technical), fields (lobbying, learning, branding) and its size. The potentials and challenges related to sustainable networks will be discussed through a case study of a Danish municipal network on Sustainable Dev...

The building industry is essential for a national transition towards a circular economy (CE) in Denmark. The Danish state subsidises the Danish affordable housing sector, which is the largest single sector within the Danish building industry, making the sector an essential driver for the transition. The social components of sustainability are considered crucial to ensuring the quality of the environmental and economic components of the CE. However, social value creation (SVC) has been neglected in building processes, and public investments are being used without the policymakers thoroughly assessing the CE's socioeconomic efficiency and effectiveness. The sector therefore needs integrated methodologies to support comprehensive decision making on the CE during construction and renovation. SVC is an apparent field for architectural firms. Two surveys were conducted among business and sustainability managers of Danish architectural firms to identify the challenges and potentials regarding assessing sustainability and SVC in architects' practices. The results of the surveys are described and analysed in this study. Several impact categories, indicators and tools are identified, discussed and summarised in a methodological framework that can support architects in decision making about SVC in constructing and renovating affordable housing. Further refinement of the framework to support dynamic and iterative decision-making is anticipated as future work.

Coastal communities across the Global South are increasingly vulnerable to climate hazards such as sealevel rise, coastal erosion, and salinization of ecosystems and agricultural lands. These risks are compounded by gender inequality and limited access to climate finance, deepening local vulnerabilities. This study investigates how gender-responsive climate adaptation finance is structured and operationalized in three high-risk coastal nations-Egypt, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. These countries were selected for their exposure to coastal impacts and active engagement with global climate finance mechanisms, including the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility. Using a comparative case study approach, the research draws on multiple data sources, including national adaptation policy documents (2015-2024), gender-disaggregated socioeconomic datasets from government and international agencies, and field-level documentation of twenty-one community-based adaptation (CBA) initiatives implemented between 2018 and 2024. A framework for gender-responsive adaptive financing is introduced to assess how effectively financial flows address the intersection of climate risk, social vulnerability, and gender inequity. Preliminary findings indicate that Bangladesh has made notable progress in integrating gender equity into subnational adaptation planning, supported by decentralized budget tracking tools and inclusive community consultation mechanisms. In contrast, Egypt and Indonesia face institutional coordination challenges and capacity constraints that limit the gender-responsiveness and local accessibility of adaptation finance. The study provides critical policy recommendations to enhance women's leadership in climate adaptation, promote equitable subnational access to international finance, and establish gender-sensitive monitoring frameworks for improved transparency and impact assessment. Furthermore, the findings advocate for integrating indigenous knowledge and local practices, particularly within Asian coastal communities, into climate adaptation strategies to ensure cultural relevance and effectiveness. It offers actionable insights for policymakers, international organizations, and community stakeholders through synergizing climate finance architecture with gender justice and locally led adaptation, to foster equitable resilience in coastal settings across Asia and the Global South, informing scalable and sustainable adaptation pathways that prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations.