Sustainable Development Of Cities Research Articles

THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE URBAN PLANNING FORMATION

The article examines the key works that formed the scientific foundations of modern urbanism. They reflect the peculiarities of the stages of the formation of this science and form a general idea of its fundamental components. The history of the development of scientific research summarizes the process of formation and clearly demonstrates the main periods of the formation of urbanism. A retrospective review of scientific works made it possible to identify key moments in the development of urbanism, starting from the first theoretical studies and ending with modern urban planning practice. Over several centuries, urbanism has evolved from intuitive planning methods to a complex scientific discipline that covers a wide range of issues: from architecture and engineering to sociology, ecology and economics. The research methodology is built on a historical approach. The following methods were used: terminological analysis, comparison, systematization, forecasting. Thanks to the systematization of the ideas of thematic works of urbanists of different periods, which constitute the theoretical basis of modern urbanism, it can be concluded that the works can be divided into classical theoretical and practical applied. Regarding the prospects for the evolution of urbanism in the context of globalization and sustainable development of cities, it is necessary to note the sphere of innovative technologies, which allows opening up new horizons for the study and analysis of urban spaces. Also, thanks to the research conducted, it is possible to trace the trends in the complication of the object of urban knowledge, which are influenced by internal aspects, namely social, environmental, economic, psychological, etc. Modern urban research is aimed at finding the optimal combination of innovative technologies and sustainable development in order to ensure the harmonious existence of cities and their residents in the face of global challenges. Keywords. Urban planning, urban development, architecture, urban environment, sustainable development.

Роль громадської сфери науки в контексті розвитку міст та громад: програма майбутнього

The article investigates the role of the public sphere of science in fostering the sustainable development of cities and communities, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine. The full-scale war has led to severe disruptions, including the displacement of large numbers of people, which has strained local economies, and infrastructure. In this context, the article explores how science, through research, communication, and education, can address these challenges by driving innovation and fostering community resilience. The study draws attention to the significance of scientific literacy and public engagement in building trust between citizens, scientists, and policymakers, which in turn supports sustainable development and informed decision-making. Author of the research highlights the potential of the public sphere of science to enhance the quality of life by promoting innovation in urban management, infrastructure development, and community integration. This emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, the use of smart technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration for effective city management and growth. The paper reviews recent literature and case studies, noting positive examples of how scientific communication and engagement contributed to economic development in regions. Despite the progress in recognizing the role of science, the study identifies several critical gaps, particularly the need for a more nuanced understanding of local cultural and social contexts, and a lack of empirical research on the integration of science into community decision-making. Moreover, the role of technology in facilitating public engagement with science and improving transparency in governance seems underexplored. The article concludes by providing recommendations for enhancing the impact of science on urban and community development, with a focus on increasing public engagement, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and leveraging technological solutions to drive sustainable growth.

Does every public open space (POS) contribute to sustainable city development? An assessment of inefficient POS in Beijing

Public open space (POS) plays a crucial role in influencing the urban environment, ecology, public health, and economic vitality. However, not every POS is being efficiently utilized, while the inefficient POSs occupy large areas and can negatively affect socio-economic development, thus posing a threat to sustainable city development. Existing studies evaluate POSs solely based on benefit outcomes, but ignore POS functional types and contextual environments. To address this issue, a categorized, integrated, and relative evaluation method, i.e., utilization efficiency (UE), is proposed to identify inefficient POSs, where essentially measures the ratio from benefit outcome to resource occupation of each POS. We firstly classify POSs into five types by considering their core functions, then measure their UEs to extract efficient and inefficient POS, and finally visualize key causes of different types of POS. Our results reveal 3,138 inefficient out of 10,943 POSs in Beijing, and show the inefficient POSs that are concentrated in the southern Beijing and northern regions between the 5th and 6th ring roads, mainly affected by local population density and environmental resource. Drawing on the features of inefficient POSs, it is suggested to increase small green spaces and sky gardens in the downtown areas, improve service facilities and basic tourism infrastructure in the suburbs. Accordingly, this study firstly incorporates POS functional types and resource occupation into the utilization efficiency evaluation, providing spatial optimization recommendations of POSs to facilitate sustainable city development.

Open Government Data (OGD) as a catalyst for smart city development: Empirical evidence from Chinese cities

While existing smart city models recognize the importance of data, they often overlook the specific role of Open Government Data (OGD) for urban development. This study addresses this gap by adapting the Smart City Model to explicitly include OGD as a critical component. Drawing on panel data from the 2022–2024 Chinese Cities Digitalization Evolution Index, we employ Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to empirically examine the direct and indirect effects of OGD, digital infrastructure, and digital economy on smart city development. Our analysis identifies four key pathways, revealing that while digital infrastructure positively influences smart city development directly, the indirect pathways incorporating OGD demonstrate stronger effects. OGD plays a pivotal role by significantly enhancing the digital economy and digital infrastructure, as well as directly contributing to smart city development. This research contributes to the smart city literature by moving beyond discussions of individual components to empirically test the relationships between these elements. By positioning OGD as a catalyst, we provide a nuanced understanding of the mechanisms through which data-driven initiatives empower smart city development. Our findings offer valuable insights into the multifaceted ways OGD serves as a driving force for urban innovation, challenging the traditional view of government data as a passive resource. This study highlights the importance of OGD as a strategic asset for policymakers seeking to harness the potential of data-driven urban governance. We conclude with policy recommendations for leveraging OGD to support sustainable and efficient smart city development.

The role of renewable energy in achieving sustainable development goals

Renewable energy is a critical enabler of global efforts to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serving as a foundation for addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. This review explores the multifaceted role of renewable energy in driving progress across several SDGs, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), while also contributing to goals such as poverty alleviation (SDG 1), improved health outcomes (SDG 3), economic growth (SDG 8), and sustainable cities (SDG 11). The transition to renewable energy sources—such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal—offers pathways to reduce global carbon emissions, mitigate climate change, and ensure universal access to clean energy. In addition, renewable energy projects promote economic empowerment through job creation and rural electrification, driving inclusive growth in underserved communities. The integration of renewable energy in urban planning also supports sustainable development in cities. However, the adoption of renewable energy faces barriers such as high initial investment costs, technological limitations, and regulatory challenges. This review discusses strategies to overcome these obstacles, emphasizing the importance of supportive policy frameworks, international cooperation, and public-private partnerships. It highlights successful case studies from countries that have leveraged renewable energy to make significant strides toward the SDGs, offering valuable insights for global implementation. As the world approaches the 2030 deadline for the SDGs, renewable energy remains a vital driver of sustainable development, providing innovative solutions to complex global issues while fostering a cleaner, more equitable future.

Measuring GIS-based pedestrian accessibility to bus stops: a sustainable approach to ease urban traffic problems at Hyderabad, Pakistan

Public transport stops played a pivotal role in accessing essential locations. It is always appealing for commuters if the transport stops are accessible within walking distance. However, people are facing difficulties in accessing transport stops in Hyderabad; the 8th largest settlement in Pakistan and ranked 2nd in the Sindh Province. The modern approach of network analysis in ArcGIS-10.8 was executed to evaluate the accessibility of current public routes. For the very first time, it was revealed that 53.5% (5 min) of the stops were very accessible. The rest of the 29.3% (10 min), 11.03% (15 min), and 6.17% (20 min or longer) were rated as moderately accessible, poorly accessible, and inaccessible, respectively. Commuters took 5 to 10 min to reach a public transit stop in the inner-city areas and central business district that were distanced between 500 and 800 m. Getting to a stop 1600 m away, however, required more than a 20-min walk. The questionnaire survey with a sample size of 400 was conducted to judge people’s attitudes toward the use of public transport services. The poll clarified travel accessibility issues that plagued Hyderabad's public transport system. The novel tactic of GIS-based network analysis with people's perception was implemented to eradicate pedestrians' accessibility issues while accessing bus stops at Hyderabad, which is rarely employed in developing countries. The results may assist transport planners in reconfiguring the route network system in Hyderabad and the rest of the congested urban centers of the globe. The study findings may also contribute to SDG-11, i.e., sustainable development of cities and communities.

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Urban Construction Land in Resource-Exhausted Cities: An Empirical Study of Puyang, China

Resource-depleted cities face challenges of land structure imbalance and ecological environmental degradation, necessitating relevant research. Clarifying the land use evolution path and exploring the rationality of urban expansion are of significant importance for the sustainable development of resource-depleted cities. This study employs a comprehensive approach utilizing the land use transfer matrix, expansion intensity, expansion speed, and the equal fan analysis method to investigate the evolution characteristics of construction land in Puyang, a typical resource-exhausted city in China, from 1990 to 2020. Additionally, it identifies the driving factors based on a comprehensive approach combining the variance inflation factor (VIF), grey relational analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis. The main findings include the following: (1) From 1990 to 2020, the cultivated land area in Puyang decreased by 181,296 hectares, while the newly added construction land amounted to 24,846.30 hectares, primarily converted from cultivated land. (2) Puyang comprises five counties and one district. Among them, Hualong District exhibited the highest expansion intensity, speed, and area, whereas Taiqian County showed the lowest. This disparity is attributed to resource-centered land development and utilization. (3) From 1990 to 2020, urban expansion in Puyang primarily concentrated in the northeast direction, exhibiting a concentric outward expansion pattern. (4) Socioeconomic factors positively influenced the expansion of construction land, with the “year-end total population” having the most significant impact. Conversely, land use and natural resource factors negatively impacted construction land expansion, with “cultivated land area” being the most prominent. Additionally, policy and institutional frameworks played a regulatory and restrictive role in the evolution of construction land, while topography and location served as fundamental conditions for urban expansion. This study provides methodologies for sustainable development research in resource-exhausted cities and offers a foundation for land use planning research in resource-based regions of China.

The Financial Gap Arising from the Local Government’s Educational Tasks and the Sustainable Development of Communes in Poland

In Poland, responsibility for educational tasks has mainly been delegated to local governments, although the state still plays a decisive role. Municipalities finance these tasks using educational subsidies and targeted grants from the central budget. Because transfers from the state budget cover an ever-decreasing share of the costs of educational tasks, municipalities increasingly need to engage their own resources. Such a situation (due to the limited funds of these units) poses a threat to the proper implementation of other tasks, which may ultimately negatively affect their sustainable development. This study aimed to determine the impact of the financial gap from implementing educational tasks on the sustainable development of communes and cities with county rights. The research primarily employed linear ordering methods and Spearman’s rho correlation. It also employed the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test and the Page test for trends. This study utilized two types of data: secondary data from Statistics Poland covering 2477 municipalities and primary data collected through a survey of 482 local government representatives. The correlation analysis revealed that sustainable development indicators decreased as the financial gap widened between 2012 and 2022. The highest correlation coefficients were observed in all communes combined and in cities with county rights. The weakest correlations between the financial gap and sustainable development were found in urban municipalities. Representatives of local governments had similar observations. According to 63.1% of respondents, the imbalance between funds transferred from the state budget for educational tasks and the expenditure incurred by the municipality for this purpose negatively affects the sustainable development of local governments.

The Impact of Carbon-Emission Trading Scheme Policies on Air Quality in Chinese Cities

Air quality issues have a significant impact on human health and are an important issue affecting sustainable development. With the implementation of China’s carbon-emission trading scheme, carbon emissions have been effectively reduced, which has a potential impact on air quality. This article uses a time-point difference-in-differences model to analyze the impact of the implementation of a carbon-emission trading scheme on the air quality in 284 cities in China from 2008 to 2021. During the inspection, the impact of policies on overall air quality and on various types of air pollutants was discussed separately. The research results show that the implementation of the carbon-emission trading scheme helps improve urban air quality issues, reduce the concentration of air pollutants such as PM2.5 and SO2, and improve the urban environment; with controlled variables, it has reduced PM2.5 by 2.548 units, SO2 by 0.180 units, NOx by 0.295 units, and has promoted the sustainable development of cities. In addition, the policy mainly has a positive impact on air quality by promoting green technology innovation and industrial upgrading, further demonstrating the spillover effect of the policy. There is also some regional heterogeneity in the policies, especially in the central and western regions, where the reduction effect of SO2 and nitrogen oxides is not significant.

Spatial Analysis of Lung Cancer Patients and Associated Influencing Factors from the Perspective of Urban Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province, China

With global environmental changes, lung cancer has become one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, posing a significant public health challenge. Jiangsu Province, located in the eastern part of China, is an economically and socially developed region. According to the latest cancer registration data in Jiangsu Province, lung cancer ranks first in both incidence and mortality of cancer in the province. Thus, studying the spatiotemporal distribution of lung cancer cases and analyzing the influence of various factors on this distribution are crucial for the effective prevention and control of the disease in Jiangsu Province. This study takes the statistical data of lung cancer patients in Jiangsu Province in 2020 as the research object, uses Geographic Information System (GIS) visualization and spatial analysis to study the spatial distribution characteristics of lung cancer patients in Jiangsu Province, and employs the geographical detector to numerically express the impact of various environmental factors on the distribution of lung cancer patients in Jiangsu Province. The results reveal a notable spatial clustering of lung cancer cases, with high-incidence areas concentrated in Suzhou, Nanjing, and Xuzhou cities. Among the seven environmental factors examined, PM2.5, SO2, and PM10 concentration exert the most significant influence. This study employs multifactorial spatial analysis to elucidate the intricate relationships between people’s health and air quality, medical resource distribution, and lung cancer incidence in the process of pursuing sustainable development in cities and provides an important reference for the improvement in lung cancer prevention and control strategies.

The Importance of Implementing Sustainable Practices in Municipalities of the Araguaia River Valley, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Objective: The present work aims to identify and analyze strategies for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in municipalities in Vale do Araguaia in the state of Mato Grosso - Brazil, as well as their benefits and challenges, providing recommendations for promoting sustainable development at the local level. Theoretical Framework: The text addresses essential strategies for implementing sustainable practices in local communities, such as solid waste management, conservation of water resources, use of renewable energy and promotion of sustainable agriculture. Highlights include recycling and composting to reduce waste, water reuse systems and renewable energy, such as solar, for energy self-sufficiency. Sustainable agriculture strengthens the local economy, while conscious consumption is encouraged by educational campaigns. Community participation and government support are crucial for balancing economic development, social justice and environmental preservation. Method: This comparative case study analyzed the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 25 municipalities in Mato Grosso, in the Araguaia river basin. Different municipal strategies and contexts were examined, using data from public sources such as the Water and Sanitation Institute and the Sustainable Cities Development Index – Brazil (IDSC-BR). The analysis was organized in a table and the average of the results made it possible to evaluate the level of sustainable development of each city. Results and Discussion: The research points out that, although the implementation of sustainable practices in municipalities is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the results are still below expectations. Only three municipalities achieved average rates, and none achieved satisfactory results. This reveals structural challenges, such as a lack of adequate public policies and budget limitations. The research highlights the need for greater coordination between government spheres, the private sector and civil society, in addition to more concrete and inclusive planning to promote sustainable development. Research Implications: The practical implications of this study suggest the need for greater integration between government spheres and the private sector to optimize the implementation of the SDGs in municipalities, highlighting the importance of effective public policies and investments in priority areas. Theoretically, the study offers insights into the structural challenges faced by cities, contributing to the debate on sustainable urban management and the development of policy models that can accelerate the achievement of global sustainability goals. Originality/Value: The originality of the study lies in its detailed analysis of the implementation of the SDGs in municipalities, revealing the specific structural challenges that limit their progress. The value lies in providing a practical overview of the gaps in public policies and local management, in addition to highlighting the need for greater intersectoral coordination to achieve sustainable development, offering valuable guidelines for future urban planning and sustainability policies.

Spatial–temporal effect of sea–land gradient on landscape pattern and ecological risk in the coastal zone: A case study of Dalian City

Abstract Coastal zones have intense human activity and are ecologically fragile. Assessing ecological risks in coastal zones is crucial to promoting ecological safety and sustainable development for coastal cities. However, the relationship between ecological risk assessment and distance from the coastline is indeterminate in current research. To solve this problem, this study constructs the sea–land gradient and reconstructs the landscape pattern index and landscape ecological risk index (ERI) considering the sea–land gradient paradigm. This study aims to analyze the spatial–temporal variation characteristics and effects of the sea–land gradient on landscape pattern and ecological risk in Dalian City from 2000 to 2015. The results show the following: (1) between 2000 and 2015, a significant effect of coastline on the coastal landscape pattern in Dalian is reducing landscape fragmentation. The extent of this influence gradually diminished along the sea–land gradient. The landscape aggregation of urban building sites near the sea was relatively high and gradually increased over the years; (2) in Dalian, the landscape ERI has decreased near the sea and increased near the inland year by year; (3) the dominant pattern of landscape ecological risk was characterized by a transition from high to low levels within the [0, 2.5] km zone, while a transition from low to high levels predominated within the [2.5, Max] km zone; and (4) the northern region in Dalian primarily goes from high to low risk in the buffer zone near the landside, whereas the southern area has this changing pattern in the buffer zone near the seaside.

Growth Simulation of Agriculturally Dominant Cities by Incorporating Multiple Drivers into a CA-based patch-generating Land Use Simulation Model: A Case Study in Siracusa, Italy

Abstract. Understanding the historical trajectory of land use and land cover (LULC) and predicting future alterations is essential to advancing the SDGs. Current researches on LULC in agriculture-dominated cities primarily focuses on the spatiotemporal pattern analysis of carbon storage changes, with relatively little attention given to LULC simulation studies. Moreover, most studies employing cellular automata (CA) models concentrate on urban centers, overlooking the specific sustainable development of agricultural cities. This paper selects Siracusa, Italy, as a case study, incorporating multiple drivers and constructing four development scenarios. The patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model is employed to predict the LULC for Siracusa by 2030 and to examine potential transformations under each scenario. Our findings show that 60% of the land in Siracusa is designated as cropland, predominantly situated in flat regions. Our simulation results reveal that urbanization and demographic growth are the main factors driving cropland conversion to urban areas. Different development scenarios exhibit significant variations in future land use structures; the cropland protection scenario emphasizes the stability and sustainability of agricultural development, whereas the economic development scenario highlights the substantial impact of urban and industrial expansion on agricultural land. These insights are instrumental for land use planning and policy-making in Siracusa and other agriculture-centric cities, providing a framework to guide urbanization while promoting agricultural sustainability.

ENSURING THE OPENNESS OF UKRAINIAN CITIES IN THE INFORMATION ECONOMY: CURRENT REALITIES AND FORECAST SCENARIOS

The article considers the problem of ensuring the openness of cities in the conditions of the information economy. The works of Ukrainian scientists regarding the impact of the information economy on the process of ensuring the openness of cities are analyzed. Three scenarios for ensuring the openness of cities are outlined: the negative one is based on low evaluations of ensuring the openness of the city in combination with unfavorable external factors and a slowdown in the pace of key development indicators; basic, based on the most likely development trends and the existing socio-spatial and socio-political context of the model of ensuring the openness of the city; positive, which outlines the city as an open platform where there is a synergy of actions in the paradigm of "government-business-population" relations and which is determined by the optimistic dynamics of indicators on the way to achieving common goals and objectives of the city's development in various spheres. It is proven that the structural vision of the concept of a modern city should include the following concepts: compliance with the policy of open data; adherence to a participatory approach in the development of concepts, strategic, tactical plans and forecasts of the city's development with an orientation towards a vision of the post-war recovery scenario agreed at all levels; the priority of innovative and informational progress in the organization of the urban environment and ensuring the life of the city; taking into account and adapting the practices of world experience in matters of ensuring inclusiveness, resilience, forming digital infrastructure, innovative ecosystem and security; ensuring a balance between the processes of ensuring openness, confidentiality and security of the city. Attention was drawn to the need for the synergy of the concepts of the information economy and the openness of cities, which will enable the activation and realization of the existing potential of economic growth, the spread of innovations, ensuring inclusiveness, stability and sustainable development of cities.

Decision-Making Approach for Land Use in Urban Industrial Area Redevelopment Projects

The process of industrial transformation, becoming the most important for building up sustainable cities, is in urgent need for studying alternative options for land use to ensure sustainable city development. Rapid urbanization requires new built-up design in strong correlation with urban spatial planning issues. The objective of this paper is to contribute for the studies of sustainable land use solutions through investigating the problems of the reorganization of depressed industrial areas. The research methodology is based on the multicriteria decision-making method to provide primarily social functions of depressed industrial areas, depending on environmental and economic aspects of their historical location in urban structure. Since the article highlights the concept of the 15-min city to build a polycentric urban spatial structure, the assessment of supply and demand matching of social facilities is based on the analysis of 15 min accessibility to the serviced within either industrial zone and the city on the whole. The GIS spatial analysis method supports the developed criteria set to evaluate main city functions. The research provides the methodology for defining the priority land use solution for a specific industrial area in a specific location. The proposed methodology suggests a procedure for evaluating the importance of the land use composition for the city community, considering environmental requirements and cost-effectiveness of the project. Three different industrial zones located in the same city are a case study to asses the reliability of the proposed methodology. The research conclusion provides implementing sustainable land-use solutions for improving urban environment quality as well as the quality of life for the population.

A study of short-term passenger flow forecasting for public transportation based on the time series method

Abstract. In order to solve the conflicts between the supply and demand of urban transport, improve the living standard of urban residents, raise the level of urbanization, and promote the sustainable socio-economic development of the whole city, it is necessary to increase the pace of urban transport construction, planning and management in China. And at the same time, its necessary to take various measures to regulate the structure of urban transport and guide urban transport to develop in the direction of taking public transport as the mainstay. The experience of the development of urban transportation in China and abroad also proves that prioritizing the development of public transportation is the fundamental way to solve the problem of urban transportation. Public transport passenger flow data is the basis for optimizing public transport operations and scheduling. Accurate passenger flow forecasts on public transport routes can effectively guide public transport operation decisions, formulate operation scheduling plans and effectively improve the operational efficiency of the public transport system. The following are some of the key factors that can be taken into consideration when making passenger flow forecasts. The main contribution of this article is to propose the use of data mining technology, use bus IC card data and bus GPS data to integrate and organize them, conduct correlation analysis on the data, and on this basis, obtain the main distribution characteristics of bus passenger flow, and provide short-term Passenger flow forecast provides relevant ideas.

Integrating computer technology and policy management for sustainable smart city development

Abstract. This paper presents the development and application of a machine learning-based Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance evaluation model. The model quantifies and assesses the ESG performance of companies, enabling them to identify strengths and weaknesses in their sustainability efforts. By leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, the model offers accurate and comprehensive insights into ESG performance, guiding companies in formulating effective improvement strategies. The study involves detailed data collection and preprocessing, model construction and training, and rigorous evaluation metrics to ensure reliability and effectiveness. Additionally, the paper discusses practical applications of the model in strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. The findings highlight the importance of integrating technology with ESG considerations to drive sustainable business practices. This research provides a robust framework for ESG performance assessment and sets the stage for future advancements in this critical area.

The Application of Digital Construction Technology in the Process of Smart City Construction

Digital construction technology is essential to achieving high-quality construction in smart cities. This article introduces the application of digital construction technology in smart city construction from the background of smart cities, such as 3D modeling technology, digital twin technology, and artificial intelligence technology. This article conducts qualitative research through literature analysis, exploring the application process, significance, and value of digital construction technology in the process of smart city construction, then discussing its current situation and shortcomings and proposing suggestions. Digital construction technology has been extensively utilized in various fields such as intelligent manufacturing and smart cities and has been introduced into the construction industry. However, model accuracy, data effectiveness, real-time interaction, and comprehensiveness need to be improved, which cannot fulfill the requirements of deep-level applications. In the future, cities will further promote the upgrading of infrastructure and software for digital construction technology, as well as the integration and innovation of AI technology and digital construction technology. Smart cities are anticipated to reach an advanced level of city intelligence and achieve sustainable, efficient, and people-oriented high-quality city development.

Microbial communities of urban and industrial polluted soils in the Russian Arctic

The Russian Arctic presents a unique environment for studying the effects of anthropogenic pressure on soil microbial communities under severe climatic conditions. This study investigated the impact of chemical pollution on soil microbial properties by comparing urban and industrially polluted soils in Murmansk region with natural Podzols. Urban soils exhibited significant alterations, including shifts in pH and increased carbon and nutrient contents compared to natural soils. Industrially polluted soils near the copper‑nickel smelter were characterized by elevated heavy metal concentration, while those near the aluminum smelter showed high fluorine and aluminum content. In both cases, carbon content and pH remained similar to natural soils. Industrial emissions significantly changed the soil microbiome, with effects varying depending on the pollution source and chemical composition of the emissions. Soils near the copper‑nickel smelter showed a decline in bacterial gene copies and actinomycete mycelium length, with a predominance of Chloroflexii and Ascomycota. Conversely, soils near the aluminum smelter exhibited less pronounced changes, with Proteobacteria and Basidiomycota being prevalent. Despite these differences, both industrially impacted sites displayed reduced microbial diversity, regardless of the composition of the emissions. In contrast, urban soils demonstrated increased microbial diversity, likely attributed to the emergence of new, favorable ecological niches. Microbial communities in both cities were similar, dominated by Proteobacteria and Ascomycota, and displayed an increase in bacterial gene copies compared to natural soils. These findings highlight the contrasting influences of urban and industrial development on soil microbial communities. While industrial activities suppress microbial life, urbanization fosters the creation of new niches, promoting microbial diversity. This underscores the potential of urban soils to support diverse microbial communities, which is crucial for sustainable development and ecological strategies in Arctic cities.

The impact of urban soccer events on carbon emissions: Panel threshold analysis for Chinese cities

The holding of soccer events has an important impact on modern urban activities, which is conducive to the economic development, social harmony, cultural integration and regional integration of cities. However, massive energy is consumed during the event preparation and infrastructure construction, resulting in an increase in the city’s carbon emissions. For the sustainable development of cities, it is important to explore the theoretical mechanism and practical effectiveness of the relationship between soccer events and urban carbon emissions, and to adopt appropriate policy management measures to control carbon emissions of soccer events. With the development of green technology, digitalization, and public transportation, the preparation and management methods of soccer events are diversified, and the possibility of carbon reduction of the event is further increased. This paper selects 17 cities in China from 2011 to 2019 and explores the complex impact of soccer events on urban carbon emissions by using green technology innovation, digitalization level and public transportation as threshold variables. The results show that: (1) Hosting soccer events increases carbon emissions with an impact coefficient of 0.021; (2) There is a negative single-threshold effect of green innovation technology, digitalization level and public transportation on the impact of soccer events on carbon emissions, with the impact coefficients of soccer events decreasing by 0.008, 0.01 and 0.06, respectively, when the threshold variable crosses the threshold. These findings will enhance the attention of city managers to the management of carbon emissions from soccer events and provide guidance for reducing carbon emissions from soccer events through green technology innovation, digital means and optimization of public transportation.