Search results

Shrinking population can have significant negative impacts on the social and economic fabric of a city. This paper aims to understand different urban transportation policies to respond to population decline in shrinking cities by examining two case studies of urban interventions in mid-size cities in Japan.

The paper analyzes the implementation of sustainable mobility strategies in the urban transport sector in the Japanese cities of Toyama and Kanazawa, which risk having their populations significantly reduced in the next decades. The analysis is based on case study research that uses the data and information collected through desk and field research. Interviews with local actors, as well as published policy and academic documents on the case studies provided critical data and information to analyze the case studies.

Both cities have tried to make urban mobility more sustainable via different strategies. Toyama used more structural changes, called the “sticks and dumplings” approach, having land use incentives and the Light Rail Transit reinforced by bus routes as the backbone of its strategy. Kanazawa relied on a city center revitalization plan to densify residential use in the city center.

More structural interventions are necessary to change the declining of shrinking cities, mitigating some of the negative effects. City administrations need to have clear policy priorities and should not allocate their limited resources to competing policy agendas.

The study is unique as it is one of the first efforts to analyze urban transportation interventions in shrinking cities in Japan.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate how improvements in municipal solid waste management systems (MSWMS) can contribute to a transition toward circular economy (CE) in urban areas, outlining actions and guidelines for public policies.

The research was carried out in three municipalities located in the state of São Paulo in terms of: diagnosis; elaboration of more positive scenarios in terms of CE and scaling of economic and environmental benefits; and outline actions and guidelines for public policies of MSWMS.

In developing countries like Brazil, MSWMS can contribute to a transition toward a CE through new public policies and management practices, or even through the improvement of those that already exist. Examples of this are the integration of the informal sector of the recycling chain and service sector related to repairs of clothing, shoes, furniture and electronics as well as composting at the food production site. This could be strengthened by legal and financial mechanisms, training and carbon credit projects. Moreover, there is a need for integration of public policies between different levels of governments and sectoral policies.

This paper developed a methodology to examine the potential for a transition toward a CE through the MSWMS in different scenarios and cities. This methodology allows to advance the implementation of the concept of CE in urban areas of developing countries and generating co-benefits to the local economy and the global environment.

This chapter discusses the DRENURBS initiative in Belo Horizonte, a program for urban water drainage using natural ecosystems, using the sociotechnical framework. DRENURBS transformed the logic of canalizing water streams into a new, nature-based solution with significant positive impacts on biodiversity and social benefits. Following a theoretical debate on sustainability transition and innovation concepts, this chapter seeks to map the essential elements for building a successful institutional framework in the public sector for urban biodiversity improvements.

The increase in population in the world has brought an overpopulation in various parts of the world, with those cities where their countries are developing being most affected, mainly because these usually have corrupt governments that make urban planning difficult in an optimal way. The increase in the construction of urban areas generates problems in the environment due to the increase in carbon emissions, greenhouse gases, and the extraction of natural resources. Therefore, governments must promote urban innovation based on compliance with sustainable development that allows for preserving the ecosystem and the population's quality of life. Urban innovation must incorporate technologies that allow sustainable activities to be carried out efficiently and monitor the progress of environmental regulations.

Construction firms worldwide are increasingly taking pragmatic steps towards addressing environmental problems arising from their activities. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of studies focused on the nexus between green construction and environmental performance. Hence, this study aims to examine the linkages between green construction practice and environmental performance.

An extensive literature review was conducted to identify the relevant dimensions of green construction practice and indicators for measuring environmental performance. Variables collated were then subjected to pre-assessment and pre-testing processes. The pre-assessment was used as a preliminary content validation where experts assessed the various dimensions of green construction practice and indicators for measuring environmental performance proposed and determine if indeed the variables represent what the study set out to measure. Data were collected from construction professionals within the Ghana's Kumasi Metropolis. The sample size for the study was 100 experts in sustainable construction methods in the construction industry. A total of 63 responses were received out of the 100 target respondents, accounting for a 63% response rate. Data generated was analysed using mean score analysis and one-sample t-test to determine the level of significance of the various green construction practices and indicators for measuring environmental performance. A Pearson correlation analysis was undertaken to ascertain the relationships that exist among the various dimensions of green construction practice and indicators for measuring environmental performance. Finally, multiple linear regression analysis was utilised to ascertain the effect of the adoption of green construction practice on environmental performance.

The results indicate that all the green construction practices and the indicators of environmental performance identified from the literature were significant at p = 0.05. The study's findings revealed that energy management is the most significant construct of green construction practice followed by storm-water management. Furthermore, the analysis showed that the preservation of water is the most significant environmental performance indicator followed by sanitation. The regression model developed also explained that 75% of the variations in environmental performance are explained by green construction practice.

Notwithstanding the study's achievements, one major limitation the research faced was the relatively small sample size.

This study provides sufficient data for construction professionals to identify the various green construction practices that could enhance environmental performance. The study's results showed that environmental performance could be improved by adopting the key green construction practices identified in this study. Pragmatic directions are also provided to stakeholders in the construction industry to take a critical look at the environmental performance indicators that were significant.

This pioneering research attempts to investigate the linkages between green construction practice and environmental performance in Ghana. Key results provide a critical evidential influence of green construction on environmental performance and make a crucial contribution to the current body of knowledge.

Global palm oil production is growing rapidly, especially in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia and Malaysia as the biggest producers. Despite significant contributions to these countries’ economies, environmental and social aspects continue to be debated within this industry. The sustainability strategy is very important for the palm oil industry. This study aims to explore the sustainability strategy using six elements, namely, stakeholder engagement, governance and leadership, sustainability view and the economic, environmental and social strategies of Indonesian and Malaysian palm oil companies.

This study observes 21 Indonesian palm oil companies and 44 Malaysian palm oil companies from 2014 to 2018 with a total observation of 280 firm years. The methodology used in this study is a qualitative content analysis of six themes based on the sustainability strategy elements, which was further developed into 40 indicators. Content analysis is carried out on information published in annual reports and sustainability reports.

The study results indicate that stakeholder engagement, governance and leadership and strategic view of the palm oil companies in Indonesia and Malaysia are still likely to be weak. Palm oil companies have not demonstrated their focus on implementing economic, environmental and social strategies. Although the results indicate that there is a greater emphasis on environmental and social strategies than on economic issues, attention to both issues is still very low.

Palm oil companies need to integrate sustainability strategies in their business models and communicate them well to stakeholders to increase their competitive advantage in the palm oil industry. The government also needs to issue stricter rules and incentives to encourage companies to implement sustainability strategies.

The study results provide implications for the communities around palm oil plantations to provide better social control so that companies can implement sustainability strategies in their business processes.

This study highlights the importance of sustainability practices integrated into palm oil companies’ business models, which have not been well implemented in the palm oil industry in the world’s largest producing countries.