Sustainable Adaptation Research Articles

EXPLORING THE INTEGRATION OF ADAPTIVE REUSE IN INTERIOR DESIGN: A CASE STUDY OF CALEB UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING

Adaptive reuse in interior design entails repurposing existing structures or spaces to serve new functions while preserving their architectural, cultural, and historical significance. The research explores the integration of adaptive reuse principles in interior design at Caleb University to address the recognized need for comprehensive understanding and guidance in effectively implementing adaptive reuse within educational institutions. The qualitative study employed interviews and on-site observations to explore adaptive reuse in interior design within Caleb University's administrative building, aiming to gain insights from stakeholders and document physical spaces, behaviours, and interactions, analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings of the qualitative study on adaptive reuse in Caleb University's administrative building reveal strategies focused on preserving historical context, integrating modern functionality, optimizing space utilization, enhancing user experience, and prioritizing cost-effectiveness within interior design, showcasing a comprehensive approach to sustainable adaptation and transformation. In conclusion, Caleb University's adaptive reuse integration in its administrative building exemplifies a holistic sustainability approach, balancing heritage preservation with modern functionality and financial prudence, offering a model for resilient built environments in educational settings and beyond. Keywords: Adaptive Reuse, Caleb University, Interior Design, Interior Space, Repurpose

The impact of the colonial architecture on the urban sustainability of Laghouat city in Algeria: ksar of Laghouat as a case

Among the risks that cities are exposed to, colonization emerges as a multifaceted concern representing historical and modern dimensions that can significantly impact a city’s urban sustainability. This study explores the diverse implications of colonization on the urban sustainability with a focus on the Ksar of Laghouat in Laghouat city, Algeria. It examines the urban adaptation cycle and the imprint left by the colonial era on the fabric of the city. Utilizing the method of adaptive cycle approach and transfer entropy analysis, our goal is to quantify interaction on the historical and urban development of potential, connectedness, and resilience of Laghouat city. This study enhances the understanding of the Architectural heritage of Algeria and highlights dynamics between traditional and colonial architectural dimensions of Ksar of Laghouat. By assimilating the impact of colonization on the urban development of the city, we aim to improve the resilience and sustainability of Laghouat, through empowering its local community, and providing decision-makers with valuable sustainable strategies and adaptation mechanisms for future urban visions of the city.

Childhood Cancer in Cameroon and Kenya: Preliminary findings of an implementation effectiveness study for early detection of childhood cancer.

e23096 Background: Early childhood cancer detection reduces mortality, particularly in LMIC contexts where an improved understanding of early warning signs and symptoms (EWSS) and integration of vital referral pathways into existing health systems are crucial to improved childhood cancer outcomes. Our project seeks to adapt and implement a Ghanaian-developed EWSS intervention for Kenya and Cameroon using implementation science frameworks to move beyond the common but ineffective train-and-hope approach. Cameroon operates on a three-tiered sub-sector health system, with the intermediate level consisting of regional delegations that support districts1. In Kenya a six-tiered health system delivers primary care (1-2), mid-level care (3-4), advanced care with centers of excellence (5-6) 2. Health system contexts will inform implementation planning and execution. Methods: Health system stakeholders convened in each country to launch their EWSS initiative. Two-day meetings were collaboratively led by local stakeholders and the research team, guided by The Implementation Roadmap3, a multi-implementation framework resource. They discussed l) local barriers to childhood cancer detection, 2) referral pathways, 3) leadership and operational implementation teams, 4) sustainable EWSS training, and 4) target settings. Results: Stakeholders endorsed the EWSS program and identified individuals to form implementation teams to plan and execute implementation reflective of health system organization and realities. Both countries engaged in an evidence-based implementation planning process, reviewed EWSS core components and training logistics, and endorsed a sustainable tiered training model targeting clinicians and oncologists across system levels and institutional providers. Training content will be adapted for country, region, and county contexts. Both countries endorsed and identified district childhood cancer champions to facilitate training and coordinate timely referrals. Common implementation barriers identified included high healthcare worker turnover, transportation logistics for in-person training, and remuneration options for trainees. Conclusions: Health system leaders in Kenya and Cameroon endorsed an evidence-based EWSS implementation and sustainment approach and identified adaptations responsive to the health system contexts. Implementation will be locally led to ensure effectiveness, sustainability, and appropriate cultural EWSS adaptation. Moving forward, local implementation teams will work with researcher-facilitators to implement EWSS toward improved cancer detection rates.

Adaptation to climate change in the mountain regions of Central Asia: A systematic literature review

AbstractThe mountains of Central Asia support many environmental functions and ecosystem services. The mountain environments and their services are affected by climate change and climate change adaptation (CCA) actions are required to increase resilience of regional communities. This paper is a systematic review of the English and Russian‐language literature published between 2013 (IPCC AR5) and May 2021 (IPCC AR6) focusing on CCA in the Central Asian mountains. In all, 52 publications have been reviewed. Criteria defining incremental and transformative adaptation were established and the reviewed studies were assigned to one of these approaches. The relatively low number of publications shows that the extent of CCA knowledge represented in academic literature is limited in comparison to other mountainous regions. There is a disparity between the growing body of publications addressing climate change and limited and decreasing number of academic publications focusing on adaptation in the region. Only 11 publications reported transformative adaptation actions. Most of the reviewed papers (55%) focus on water resources and future water availability; 15% focus on land degradation, 10% on changes in vertical zonation of plant species, 7% on loss of plant species, 3% on impacts of hazardous events, and 10% on multiple impacts of climate change. The awareness of the importance of CCA among the regional actors should be improved through closer collaboration between researchers, international organizations focusing on sustainable development and adaptation which have recently become more active in the region, practitioners, and local communities and co‐production of knowledge on the development and implementation of CCA.This article is categorized under: Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Humanities and the Creative Arts Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Humanities and the Creative Arts Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Institutions for Adaptation Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Observed Impacts of Climate Change

Barriers to adaptation of environmental sustainability in SMEs: A qualitative study.

This study examines the antecedents of environmental sustainability in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of a developing country and explores the specific internal and external factors for environmental sustainability. The study focused on SMEs in Balochistan, Pakistan, utilizing convenience and purposive sampling techniques to select a sample size of 30 SMEs. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results of the study revealed that lack of finance and education are major barriers to recognizing and addressing environmental sustainability issues, along with the lack of government support and regulations to ensure compliance with environmental safety laws, hence leading to low concern for sustainability practices among SMEs. Awareness and attitude of SME owners/managers, along with customer demand and government policies, influence the adoption of environmental sustainability practices. Overcoming financial constraints and promoting cooperation among stakeholders are key to fostering sustainable practices in SMEs. This research makes an important contribution to the sustainable management literature by providing new and in-depth insights into the barriers that impede environmental sustainability in SMEs of developing countries.

Economic Vitality, Sustainability and Marketability of Mixed-Use Development Projects in the Leasing Industry

The study attempted to determine the economic vitality, sustainability, and marketability of mixed-use development projects in the leasing industry in the Philippines. The goal of this study is to identify the correlation among economic vitality, sustainability, and marketability. Additionally, develop a plan to enhance the economic vitality, sustainability, and marketability for stakeholders to use for future business ventures. The study employed the descriptive-correlational method of research with the help of a survey questionnaire. The population of the study came from 80 mixed-use development projects within the leasing industry in the second district of Laguna, Philippines. A sample of 67 was computed using the Slovin formula at 5% margin of error and 95% confidence interval. The actual selection of the respondents was done using a purposive random sampling technique. After thorough analysis, the following conclusions were made. The diversity of businesses and tenant types adds value to the overall development. The confidence in long-term development projects focuses on sustainability and future adaptation. Tenant satisfaction is crucial for marketability, suggesting a focus on both attracting and retaining tenants. The economic vitality has a direct relationship with the sustainability of mixed-use development projects in the leasing industry. Economic significantly affects the marketability of mixed-use development projects in the leasing industry. As the level of sustainability increases, the level of marketability of mixed-use development projects in the leasing industry also increases. Hence, an action plan that would improve the economic vitality, sustainability, and marketability of mixed-use development projects in the leasing industry was proposed.

Health systems challenges, mitigation strategies and adaptations to maintain essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic: learnings from the six geopolitical regions in Nigeria

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic control strategies disrupted the smooth delivery of essential health services (EHS) globally. Limited evidence exists on the health systems lens approach to analyzing the challenges encountered in maintaining EHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify the health system challenges encountered and document the mitigation strategies and adaptations made across geopolitical zones (GPZs) in Nigeria.MethodsThe national qualitative survey of key actors across the six GPZs in Nigeria involved ten states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which were selected based on resilience, COVID-19 burden and security considerations. A pre-tested key informant guide was used to collect data on service utilization, changes in service utilization, reasons for changes in primary health centres’ (PHCs) service volumes, challenges experienced by health facilities in maintaining EHS, mitigation strategies implemented and adaptations to service delivery. Emerging sub-themes were categorized under the appropriate pillars of the health system.ResultsA total of 22 respondents were interviewed. The challenges experienced in maintaining EHS cut across the pillars of the health systems including: Human resources shortage, shortages in the supply of personal protective equipments, fear of contracting COVID-19 among health workers misconception, ignorance, socio-cultural issues, lockdown/transportation and lack of equipment/waiting area (. The mitigation strategies included improved political will to fund health service projects, leading to improved accessibility, affordability, and supply of consumables. The health workforce was motivated by employing, redeploying, training, and incentivizing. Service delivery was reorganized by rescheduling appointments and prioritizing some EHS such as maternal and childcare. Sustainable systems adaptations included IPC and telehealth infrastructure, training and capacity building, virtual meetings and community groups set up for sensitization and engagement.ConclusionThe mitigation strategies and adaptations implemented were important contributors to EHS recovery especially in the high resilience LGAs and have implications for future epidemic preparedness plans.

What drives sustainable climate change adaptation at the local level? Approaching three knowledge gaps

AbstractThis paper investigates three gaps in climate change adaptation research: the drivers of sustainable adaptation efforts, the role of multilevel governance, and how challenges differ by municipality size. Analyzing data from three surveys across Norwegian municipalities and counties, pooling 668 responses, the study statistically assesses drivers of adaptation efforts in 146 municipalities. Key findings show that factors such as political awareness, risk perception, stakeholder collaboration, and municipality size significantly influence adaptation efforts, with effectiveness depending on the conceptualization of adaptation. Political and stakeholder support is essential for mainstreaming, monitoring, and implementing adaptation measures, but not for promoting sustainabilty. This shows that local administrations are free to choose sustainable CCA, but that the quality of participatory processes should be scrutinized. The study also highlights that regional support is crucial for smaller municipalities, and that the intensity of regional engagement is more important than the support method.

The influence of green financing on renewable energy progress in India's tourism sector

ABSTRACT This study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to assess the impact of green funding on sustainable energy practices in India's tourist sector from 2000 to 2022. Results indicate that green bonds significantly and favourably influence long-term environmental sustainability, with negligible immediate effects. The Consumer Price Index adversely affects sustainability in both short and long terms. To enhance sustainability, recommended policy measures include increased regulatory supervision, transparent market information dissemination, eco-friendly fiscal policies, and the adoption of green building technologies. Supporting sustainable globalization, innovation, adaptation, and eco-tourism regionalism can greatly benefit India's tourism industry. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers aiming to promote environmental sustainability in the sector.

Modelling the role of multiple risk attitudes in implementing adaptation measures to reduce drought and flood losses

Human activities have increasingly affected hydrological processes in many river basins worldwide leading to changes in the severity of droughts and floods. A number of modelling studies have used system dynamic models to represent the complex dynamics generated by the interplays between the social and physical systems. Yet, attitudes towards drought and flood risk leading to the implementation of individual and collective adaptation measures are not included in current system dynamics modelling approaches. To address this gap, we developed a system dynamic model to represent the dynamics between human societies, decision-making processes, adaptation measures, and hydrological extremes. The model accounts for a society characterized by the co-existence of four types of risk attitudes and management responses: risk-neglecting, risk-controlling, risk-downplaying, and risk-monitoring. Our findings show that the presence of a prevalent social group with a certain risk attitude has a strong influence on the awareness, preparedness, and consequent losses of the other social groups. On the other hand, the homogenous presence of social groups with diverse risk attitudes leads to higher drought and flood losses due to the unsustainable water use of risk-neglecting and risk-downplaying groups. Finally, our results highlight that societies characterized by high heterogeneity in risk-attitudes tend to implement less collective measures, opting instead for individual measures by specific social groups. This emphasizes the importance of accounting for different social groups when modelling human-water dynamics to promote an integrated risk management and design more sustainable and resilient future adaptation pathways.

Relationality in Indigenous Climate Change Education Research: A Learning Journey from Indigenous Communities in Bangladesh

Abstract This article explores my relational learning reflections with the Laitu Khyeng Indigenous community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladesh, focusing on Indigenous perspectives on climate change education. Implementing a relational theoretical framework, I share my reflections on relational learning in this research as part of being accountable to the Indigenous community. Through exploring Indigenous land-based climate change research, five central themes emerge Indigenous land rights, relationship with the environment, community-led relationality as collaboration, intergenerational relational knowledge and relationality as ethical reciprocity. The findings explore the intrinsic connection between Indigenous communities and their ancestral territories, emphasising the significance of upholding Indigenous sovereignty over land for sustainable adaptation to climate change. In this article, I highlight the importance of relational learning as a form of education, fostering resilience rooted in preserving traditional practices and spaces. Relationality with the environment is central to Indigenous climate education, promoting understanding and reciprocity with the land. In my learning, I learned that community dynamics and collaborative learning are essential for effective climate education, emphasising collective action and diverse perspectives. In relational learning, inter-generational knowledge transmission ensures the preservation and sharing of traditional land-based knowledge across generations, forming the foundation for sustainable adaptation strategies. Ethical engagement and reciprocity guide research interactions, emphasising mutual respect and cultural sensitivity. By centring Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems, this study advocates for community-led approaches to climate change education, fostering resilience and environmental stewardship within Indigenous communities.

Landcover-based detection of rapid impacts of extreme storm on coastal landscape

On September 24, 2022, Post-Tropical Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Atlantic Canada and caused unprecedented damages to the coastal communities and ecosystems therein. The aftermath triggered local government and communities in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada to rethink current policies and practices for coastal protection in the context of climate change. This historic hazard represents the escalating frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that globally threaten coastal regions, accelerating coastal erosion and endangering communities. This study employs landcover-based detection to assess rapid storm impact of Fiona on coastline of PEI using Sentinel-2 satellite images, to gauge the efficacy of landcover-based detection and quantify storm-induced coastal environmental changes. Our results indicate that, following Fiona, over 51 km2 coastal land loss due to the erosion at beach foreshore and inundation at tidal flat, and over 11 km2 sand dune loss mainly on the PEI north shore. This constitutes a 3.5 % loss of coastal land resources within the 1798 km2 PEI coastal zone. Fiona also caused over 194 km2 area in coastal buffer zone showed temporal fluid-mud from the eroded sediments of sand dunes, cliffs, and tidal flats, suggesting the significant sediment loss from vertical structures in addition to the direct retreat. The landcover-based method can be regarded as a valuable tool for the storm impacts on coastal environments. Based on the coastal change pattern, more sustainable coastal protection and adaptation measures should be developed, focusing on reducing hydrodynamic intensity and improving erosion capacity, with consideration of the increasing likelihood of more intense and frequent storm events in a warming climate.

Abstract 1086: Singing Improves Vascular Function

Introduction: Singing is a physical activity with less reliance on skeletal muscle and more dependence on the diaphragm and cardiorespiratory systems. Unlike traditional exercise, the impact of singing on vascular health has not been studied. We hypothesized that older patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) would have a favorable improvement in vascular endothelial function after 30 minutes of singing. Methods: Adult subjects with known CAD were recruited from cardiology clinics to participate in two singing sessions 30 minutes each and one control (rest period) session 2 to 7 days apart, according to a randomized, controlled, single-blind, crossover design. The two singing intervention sessions were (1) a pre-recorded video with a voice professor directing a ‘patient’ singing and (2) live singing coaching with a music therapist. Microvascular function was measured with peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) before and after singing and expressed as Framingham reactive hyperemia index (fRHI). Macrovascular function was measured with brachial artery flow-mediated dilation. Cross-over treatment estimates of video, coaching, and control sessions were obtained with unbalanced ANOVA including the following variables: subject, the order of their visit, treatment, and its carry-over. Results: Sixty-five subjects (40% women, mean age 68±7) with CAD completed the study. Comorbidities included type 2 diabetes (29%), hypertension (75%), hyperlipidemia (85%), heart failure (19%), and self-reported physical or orthopedic limitations (54%). Compared to the control visit, there was a 26.5% (SE11.1%, p=0.0192) increase in fRHI in the video visit and a 17.3% (SE 10.7%, p=0.1081) increase in fRHI in the coaching visit. There was a small carryover effect with the video visit. There was no change in macrovascular endothelial function across the three different visits. Conclusions: Thirty minutes of singing improved microvascular endothelial function but not macrovascular endothelial function, in older patients with known CAD. This represents a potential biologic mechanism by which singing can benefit the cardiovascular system. Future studies should explore the sustained vascular adaptation to singing over weeks to months of singing.

Decision support system for community managed rainwater harvesting: A case study in the salinity-prone coastal region of Bangladesh

Climate change-induced saline intrusion into both surface and groundwater, extreme weather events, and unregulated water usage are serious threats to the drinking water supply in coastal areas worldwide, especially in least-developed countries. This research developed a data-driven decision-making methodology to evaluate the performance of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in the saline-prone southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. Twenty-five community managed RWH systems, recently piloted in two major coastal districts, were considered the case study to develop and validate this evaluation tool. The evaluation methodology integrates daily water models, lifetime cost analysis, Geographic Information System (GIS)-based parameters supported by the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and field observation. While the meteorological parameters as well as the hydrological and economic performance were found to be highly suitable, 36 % of the systems showed moderate performance, as challenges remain in ensuring proper operation and maintenance practices at the community level. However, 40 % of the systems showed high performance, with two systems showing very high suitability, which suggests community managed RWH systems as a sustainable adaptation for coastal water supply.

Machine Learning-Based Sales Prediction and Inventory Management for Grocery Stores

In today's competitive grocery retail environment, effective inventory management coupled with precise sales prediction is pivotal for success. This research undertakes an in-depth exploration into a machine learning framework tailored for "Sales Forecasting and Inventory Optimization in Grocery Retail." Utilizing historical sales records, meteorological data, and consumer behavior metrics, the proposed model endeavors to predict nuanced seasonal demand fluctuations. The primary value proposition of this approach lies in its capacity to curtail wastage, ensuring the balance between overstocking and inventory stockouts. By recognizing and adjusting for seasonal dynamics, the system offers enhanced demand fulfillment during high-demand periods. The subsequent refinement of the replenishment cycle fosters superior operational efficacy. As an outcome, businesses witness cost reductions, augmented profit margins, and elevated consumer contentment due to consistent product availability. As the broader grocery sector undergoes transformation, embedding sophisticated machine learning strategies can be a linchpin for sustained adaptability and competitiveness. This research further underscores the role of emergent technologies, such as machine learning within the IoT spectrum, in reshaping supply chain and communication paradigms. The endeavor here is to curtail lifecycle expenses in the supply chain by refining inventory practices. The research introduces a Deep Inventory Management (DIM) technique, employing the LSTM paradigm of deep learning. Through DIM's innovative approach, time-series challenges are reimagined as supervised learning tasks, enabling efficient model training. Preliminary tests indicate DIM's prediction accuracy hovers around 80%, translating to an impressive 25% reduction in inventory expenses when juxtaposed with prevailing methods, alongside rapid anomaly detection in inventory activities

CLIMATE CHANGE AND IT’s EFFECTS ON MANUFACTURING SECTOR

This research examines the complex link between the industrial sector and climate change, evaluating the effects of extreme weather events and rising global temperatures. It seeks to understand the many ways that environmental changes impact industrial operations, with a focus on how resource constraints, weather patterns, and environmental laws affect production sustainability and efficiency. By employing case studies, statistical analysis, and sophisticated modelling, the study pinpoints the industries, regions, and production processes that are susceptible to disruptions caused by climate change. Potential disadvantages are discussed along with chances for innovation and broad adoption of green technology. The research highlights the need for collaboration among politicians, business stakeholders, and environmental activists in achieving significant change. The paper advocates for collaborative efforts to enhance manufacturing sustainability and resilience by emphasizing the links between environmental effects and industrial innovation. The intention is to give policymakers and business leaders a road map for creating strategies that reduce risks and promote long-term development. This research offers comprehensive insights into possibilities, problems, and strategies related to manufacturing's sustainable growth and adaptation to climate change, which makes a substantial contribution to the worldwide discourse on these topics. To support educated decision-making and positive change for an environmentally conscious industrial landscape, it offers legislators, business partners, and environmentalists an invaluable resource for understanding, navigating, and addressing the profound effects of climate change on the manufacturing sector.

City-scale modelling of road thermal and hydrologic characteristics and failure mechanisms: Case study of Montreal

This study focuses on understanding and quantifying projected changes to road thermal and hydrologic characteristics that are associated with road failure, for the City of Montreal, Canada. To this end, city-scale modelling using a land surface model with realistic representation of urban regions, including roads, enabled by the super-resolution of 250 m, for the current 2001–2020 and future 2041–2060 periods are used. Analysis for the cold season suggests potential reduction in failures associated with thermal characteristics such as daily freeze-thaw and partial thaws, with a projected decrease of 12.5% and 2 %, respectively. Higher potential for hydrologic characteristics-related failures are likely, given projected increases in road/surface runoff in the 12–15% range. For the warm season, projected increases in thermal characteristics such as daily maximum and minimum temperatures (4–4.5 °C), and hydrological characteristics (25 %), suggest increased potential for road failure from rutting and drainage issues. Analysis performed separately for the highways and local roads reveal important spatial variability of the considered characteristics and associated failures, which can be helpful in prioritizing road sections for detailed analysis and in the development of sustainable adaptation strategies for the Montreal road network and enhancing the city's resilience to future climate change.

Women's experiences and sustainable adaptation: a socio-ecological study of climate change in the Himalayas

Women's experiences and sustainable adaptation: a socio-ecological study of climate change in the Himalayas

The need for transboundary natural resource management and adaptation for environmental sustainability and human well-being in the Ethiopia-Kenya borderland

The need for transboundary natural resource management and adaptation for environmental sustainability and human well-being in the Ethiopia-Kenya borderland

Sustainable Adaptation Plan in Response to Climate Change and Population Growth in the Iraqi Part of Tigris River Basin

Climate change and population growth play crucial roles in the planning of future water resources management strategies. In this paper, a balancing between projected water resources and water demands in the Iraqi Part of the Tigris River Basin (TRB) was evaluated till the year 2080 based on RCPs 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5 and population growth. This paper examined a sustainable adaptation plan of water resources in the TRB considering three scenarios; (S1) as no change in the current strategy, (S2) as improved irrigation efficiency and (S3) as improved irrigation and municipal water use efficiency. The results showed a decline in streamflow will occur in the range from 5 to 18.4% under RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5, respectively. The minimum increase in water demand is expected for RCP 2.6 (maximum increase for RCP 8.5) by 51.8 (208.2), 9.9 (42) and 1.2 (7)% for the municipal–industrial, irrigation and environmental water demands, respectively, compared with the RP. The main finding indicated that S1 is the worst scenario, with water stress in four provinces, especially on the warmest RCP. Whereas, under S2 and S3 conditions, water stress can be eliminated. Increasing ambition towards adaptation becomes obligatory for developing sustainable water sources, supporting water food securities and increasing resilience towards climate change.