Urbanization In Countries Research Articles

Spatial variations in health service utilization among migrant population: a perspective on health equity.

As health equity becomes a prioritized goal in global health policy, extensive research has revealed that socio-economic and geographical factors jointly exacerbate barriers to medical service access for both internal and international migrant populations, further accelerating existing health disparities. This study explores healthcare service utilization disparities among internal migrants in China, a population profoundly affected by the country's economic reforms and urbanization since the late 1970s. These transformations have led to significant migratory movements and subsequent healthcare challenges for these populations. Leveraging data from the 2017 China Migrant Dynamic Survey, comprising 169,989 samples across 28 provinces, we introduce a novel metric-the "No Treatment ratio" (NT-ratio). This ratio quantifies the proportion of migrants who, after falling ill, choose not to seek treatment relative to the total migrant population in a given province or region, serving as a critical measure of health risk. Building upon Anderson's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, we adapted the model to better reflect the unique circumstances of migrant populations. The study employs spatial autocorrelation, hotspot analysis, and geodetector techniques to dissect the multifaceted factors influencing healthcare disparities. Our Findings reveal that the NT-ratio is significantly higher in eastern and northeastern China. Key factors influencing the NT-ratio include age, left-behind experiences, health education, and per capita medical resources. In response to these disparities, we recommend optimizing the distribution of medical resource, strengthening tiered diagnosis and treatment systems, and integrating health, education, and social security resources. These measures aim to improve healthcare utilization among migrant populations and reduce health inequities, aligning with global health objectives.

No place for young women? The impact of internal migration on adult sex ratios in rural East Germany

Shortages of women in rural areas occur in many highly urbanized countries. Rural East Germany is an ideal case for studying this phenomenon because of its low adult sex ratio (ASR)—men greatly outnumber women—coupled with high outmigration among young adults. This study identifies how internal migration between rural and urban areas contributes to the shortage of young adult women. We use data on inter-county migration flows (for years 2002–21) to decompose the impacts of migration flows on ASRs. We find that the low ASRs in rural East Germany have been driven by sex-selective migration. In the early 2000s the main destination of sex-selective outflows was West Germany, while in the 2010s urban areas in East Germany were the key destinations. We find that moves among 18–24-year-olds increased the shortage of women in the rural population, whereas moves among 25–29-year-olds contributed to more balanced ASRs.

Why some countries but not others? Urbanisation, GDP and endemic disease predict global SARS-CoV-2 excess mortality patterns

ContextThe global impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been uneven, with some regions experiencing significant excess mortality while others have been relatively unaffected. Yet factors which predict this variation remain enigmatic, particularly at large spatial scales.ObjectivesWe aimed to uncover the key drivers of excess mortality across countries and regions to help understand the factors contributing to the varied impacts of the pandemic worldwide.MethodsWe used spatially explicit Bayesian models that integrate environmental, socio-demographic and endemic disease data at the country level to provide robust global estimates of excess SARS-CoV-2 mortality (P-scores) for the years 2020 and 2021.ResultsWe find that urbanization, gross domestic product (GDP) and spatial patterns are strong predictors of excess mortality, with countries characterized by low GDP but high urbanization experiencing the highest levels of excess mortality. Intriguingly, we also observed that the prevalence of malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are associated with country-level SARS-CoV-2 excess mortality in Africa and the Western Pacific, whereby countries with low HIV prevalence but high malaria prevalence tend to have lower levels of excess mortality. While these associations are correlative in nature at the macro-scale, they emphasize that patterns of endemic disease and socio-demographic factors are needed to understand the global dynamics of SARS-CoV-2.ConclusionsOur study identifies factors associated with variation in excess mortality across countries, providing insights into why some were more impacted by the pandemic than others. By understanding these predictors, we can better inform global outbreak management strategies, such as targeting medical resources to highly urban countries with low GDP and high HIV prevalence to reduce mortality during future outbreaks.

Did COVID-19 discriminate in the global South? Revealing heterogeneity of urban households’ livelihood resilience based on evidence from Bangladesh, China, India and Philippines

“Lives or livelihoods” is a hard trade-off when confronting COVID-19, especially for cities in the Global South. Countermeasures to protect people's lives may exert negative impacts on urban households and test their livelihood resilience. Did COVID-19 discriminate? Did livelihood resilience vary among different urban households within and across different countries and cities? Established studies focused on rural households' livelihood resilience under climate change or natural hazard based on single country context. Little is known about the variety of urban households' livelihood resilience under COVID-19 across countries and cities. This study aims to fill this gap by revealing heterogeneity of livelihood resilience at both individual urban household level and country level. First-hand questionnaire survey data (N ​= ​4374) were collected from seven cities from Bangladesh, China, India, and Philippines. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative analytical methods, it's found that: COVID-19 did discriminate. Urban households with larger household size, no home ownership, no financial assets, and household heads with low education level, informal employed and no flexibility to transfer to work from home, were vulnerable groups. COVID-19 also discriminated across cities. Cities with a high ratio of informal workers, no effective economic relief policies and long stringent mobility restriction measures performed worse.

“KOREAN WAVE” AS A MASSIVE POPULAR CULTURAL PHENOMENON OF THE MODERN TIME

Nowadays, young people from all over the world are fascinated by the mass popular culture of South Korea. This process of spread of Korean culture in the world came to be called “Korean current” or “Korean wave”, which became a kind of “Korean cultural boom”. The spread of the “Korean wave” has been compared to a viral disease that first spread throughout East Asia, then Southeast Asia, and eventually engulfed the entire world. Despite the fact that the phenomenon of the “Korean wave” had a sufficient public resonance, due to its novelty and unexpected emergence, it remains an understudied subject of scientific study, especially in the West and in particular in Ukraine. That is why the topic of this study is relevant nowadays. The aim of the article to investigate the mass cultural phenomenon “Korean wave”, to analyze its sources and dynamics of development, to characterize its inherent features, to determine the aspects of its spread and popularization, to investigate its influence on world society and culture, as well as to find out the peculiarities of its influence on the consciousness of the masses. The research methodology is based on a philosophical and cultural analysis of such a mass phenomenon of modern artistic culture as the “Korean wave”. When writing the work, we tried to adhere to the principles of objectivism, systematicity, comprehensiveness and multifactoriality. To comply with these principles, we used a number of general scientific and special methods in the research: comparative-historical, axiological, phenomenological, logical, retrospective, analytical-synthetic, socio-critical, systemic, structural-functional, generalizing and statistical. Adherence to these principles and methods made it possible to avoid bias and tendencies in judgments. Results. Such a mass cultural phenomenon as the “Korean wave” is a kind of entanglement of opposite principles: modern Western (progressive-innovative) and traditional Eastern (Confucian) cultural values. It manifests itself in the spread of fashion to everything Korean (or to be more precise, South Korean): not only K-pop, dramas, toys, clothes and other types of South Korean entertainment industry, but also Korean cuisine, household items, etc. In the past, despite the geographical proximity and cultural connectivity, for political reasons the countries of Asia largely suppressed cultural exchanges among themselves. China, Korea and Japan began to develop cultural ties between themselves relatively recently. It should also be noted that South Korea is a country that was previously considered a cultural periphery in international exchanges, now it plays an important role in the regionalization of mass culture as a whole in East and Southeast Asia and the product produced by it is considered a center of mass culture and one of the ways of cultural exchange throughout Asia. Conclusions. To sum up, we can say that the great popularity of the “Korean wave” is a kind of leap in the modern culture of South Korea. This phenomenon is represented not only by the synthesis of modern Western (European-American) culture and traditional Eastern (Korean), but also by the fact that in our time it has turned into a powerful locomotive of the entire South Korean economy, a kind of “dragon’s head”. The phenomenon of the “Korean wave” helps to raise the level of the image of South Korea as a prosperous country, and also visually demonstrates the modern South Korean culture to the world. The “Korean Wave” demonstrates to other countries in Asia and to the whole world in general that South Korea is not a periphery in our time, it is no longer a third world country, and it is as modern an urbanized country as most of the developed countries of the West, which has not only modernized its culture, but also spread it, and even managed to influence other countries and their cultures.

Urban transformation in Lahore: three decades of land cover changes, green space decline, and sustainable development challenges

Pakistan has experienced significant urbanization, characterized by rapid urban population growth and unplanned urban expansion, making it the most urbanized country in South Asia. This study focuses on Lahore, the secondlargest megacity of Pakistan, and evaluates land cover changes over the last three decades (1990-2020). It also analyzes the relationship between urban green landscapes and unregulated urban expansion. The study reveals significant changes in the ecology of Lahore’s urban landscape using Landsat imagery, including Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 8 OLI, and a 30m spatial resolution, along with population data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. In particular, the study reveals a decline in urban green spaces and a significant expansion of urban built-up areas in Lahore. The annual urban area expansion rates were 24.2 km2 (1990- 2000), 12.1 km2 (2000-2010), and 26.4 km2 (2010-2020), while vegetation cover decreased 33.45 km2 (1990-2000), 20 km2 (2000-2010) in the first two decades but slightly increased from 2010 to 2020 at an annual rate of 14.17 km2. As a result, there is a serious concern about the rapid decline of green space in Lahore. It is recommended that the administrative authorities follow the World Health Organization’s guidelines regarding the need for green spaces. This study contributes to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11th, indicator 11.3.1, and provides guidelines for conserving natural, social, and economic resources in the face of rapid urbanization.

A study on green education in India: A pathway to sustainable development

This study explores the integration of green education in India as a crucial pathway to sustainable development. Given the country's rapid industrialization and urbanisation, environmental education is essential for raising awareness and promoting sustainable practices among the younger population. The research examines current initiatives such as the National Green Corps and the Green Schools Programme, which aim to embed environmental consciousness in the education system. However, significant challenges such as resource constraints, inadequate curriculum integration, and insufficient teacher training hinder the effectiveness of these programs. The study suggests a multifaceted approach to address these challenges, including stronger policy support, innovative teaching methods, public-private partnerships, and community involvement. By enhancing green education, India can better equip its youth to address environmental issues, fostering a culture of sustainability that is essential for the country's long-term environmental health.

Trends in childhood leukemia incidence in urban countries and their relation to environmental factors, including space weather.

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children. Its incidence has been increasing worldwide since 1910th, suggesting the presence of common sources of the disease, most likely related to people's lifestyle and environment. Understanding the relationship between childhood leukemia and environmental conditions is critical to preventing the disease. This discussion article examines established potentially-carcinogenic environmental factors, such as vehicle emissions and fires, alongside space weather-related parameters like cosmic rays and the geomagnetic field. To discern the primary contributor, we analyze trends and annual variations in leukemia incidence among 0-14-year-olds in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Russia from 1990 to 2018. Comparisons are drawn with the number of vehicles (representing gasoline emissions) and fire-affected land areas (indicative of fire-related pollutants), with novel data for Russia introduced for the first time. While childhood leukemia incidence is rising in all countries under study, the rate of increase in Russia is twice that of other nations, possibly due to a delayed surge in the country's vehicle fleet compared to others. This trend in Russia may offer insights into past leukemia levels in the USA, Canada, and Australia. Our findings highlight vehicular emissions as the most substantial environmental hazard for children among the factors examined. We also advocate for the consideration of potential modulation of carcinogenic effects arising from variations in cosmic ray intensity, as well as the protective role of the geomagnetic field. To support the idea, we provide examples of potential space weather effects at both local and global scales. The additional analysis includes statistical data from 49 countries and underscores the significance of the magnetic field dip in the South Atlantic Anomaly in contributing to a peak in childhood leukemia incidence in Peru, Ecuador and Chile. We emphasize the importance of collectively assessing all potentially carcinogenic factors for the successful future predictions of childhood leukemia risk in each country.

Energy access and female labor force participation in developing countries

Access to reliable modern energy services and female economic empowerment are vital for sustainable development of developing countries. While micro-level evidence suggests that energy access can alleviate women's household burdens and enhance their labor market participation, there is little macro-level evidence on this relationship and limited insights on how institutional environments influence it. This study fills this gap using a national-level dataset covering 78 developing countries from 2000 to 2020 and analyzing how access to electricity and clean cooking fuels affects women's labor supply and demand, respectively. Results show that clean energy access increases female labor force participation, particularly in rural areas and small island developing countries. Electricity access reduces female unemployment, especially in urban areas and African countries. Moreover, the importance of country risk and governance capability in shaping this relationship is highlighted. These findings provide valuable insights for enacting synergy policies targeting sustainable development goals.

Does emerging country's urbanization redefine the environmental Kuznets hypothesis for carbon emissions? A novel perspective on national and subnational differences

Emerging countries are experiencing rapid urbanization. Examining the link between economic growth and carbon emissions in developing nations as well as the effects of urbanization on this relationship at the national and subnational levels are the goals of this research. Thus, to investigate if China's economic development and carbon emissions align with the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, this study adopts the FMOLS model and the fixed effects model. Furthermore, this study uses urbanization as a threshold variable and examines how the influence of economic development on carbon emissions would alter as a result of urbanization. The findings demonstrate an inverted U-shaped link between China's economic development and carbon emissions and the relationship is compatible with the EKC hypothesis. Although there is variability at the subnational level, most of the regions follow the inverted U-shaped connection. The carbon emissions inflection point in the western area is larger than the inflection points in the eastern and central regions. According to the threshold model, as urbanization rises, the increase in carbon emissions brought on by economic expansion declines. The eight economic areas of China differ in how the link between economic growth and carbon emissions change in the process of urbanization. But compared to the initial stage of urbanization, the last stage of urbanization in most countries lessens the impact of economic expansion on carbon emissions. To decrease carbon emissions, we must not only encourage the development of cleaner technologies and boost energy consumption efficiency, but also create carbon-reduction strategies that are specific to the growth characteristics of various areas.

Perception and Relocation Intentions of Japanese Youth towards Rural Areas: A Case Study of Visitors in Hanyu-shi, Saitama Prefecture

As a highly urbanized country, Japan is facing the phenomenon of a continuous migration of young people from rural areas to cities, leading to an aging and decreasing population in rural communities. Influenced by the pandemic, people began to reconsider the issue of population concentration in large cities, causing urban residents to become interested in returning to rural areas. The focus of this study is on the perceptions and relocation intentions of Japanese youth towards rural areas, particularly in Hanyu-shi, Saitama Prefecture. Through semi-structured interviews with 26 urban university students who live in urban areas, this study explores the factors that attract or hinder them from having rural lives. The survey results show that childhood experiences and current lifestyle preferences have influenced their views on rural areas. The main hindering factors include backwards infrastructure, communication difficulties, and limited job prospects. This study reveals a significant cognitive gap in urban youth’s attitudes towards rural life in Japan. The study emphasizes the need to eliminate these hindrances and enhance the attractiveness of rural areas to promote reverse urban migration. This study provides important insights for policymakers and urban planners, highlighting the necessity of formulating development strategies that meet the needs of urban youth residents, which is crucial for the sustainable revitalization of rural Japan.

Enhancing a circular economy for construction and demolition waste management in China: A stakeholder engagement and key strategy approach

China's construction and demolition waste has been substantially increasing due to the country's urbanization. However, since the recycling rate of construction and demolition waste is still much lower in China compared to most developed countries, its construction industry still relies heavily on natural resource consumption and is very much a linear economy. Although a circular economy for construction and demolition waste management has been promoted by the government in recent years, the transition from open-ended to close-looped circularity for construction and demolition waste management strategies have not been fully investigated. This study therefore identifies stakeholder engagement and closed-loop key strategies as part of a circular economy for construction and demolition waste management in China. Integrated approaches are used to achieve the aim of this study including literature review, semi-structured interview, questionnaire survey, and causal loop diagram development. The stakeholder engagement and key strategies were identified through literature review, semi-structured interviews, questionnaire survey, and statistical analysis. A causal loop diagram was then developed to demonstrate the interconnection and causal effect between stakeholders and key strategies. The findings reveal that stakeholder engagement and key strategies are highly interrelated for achieving closed-loop construction and demolition waste management. Government ranks as the most important stakeholder engagement, and improving secondary material quality and value is the most important key strategies. This study provides insights for practitioners and academics alike to help understand the interrelationship between stakeholder engagement and key strategies as part of a circular economy for construction and demolition waste management in China.

Abstract A079: G-CSF released from ovulation recruits and activates neutrophils in the peritoneum to aid transformation, seeding, and invasion of high-grade serous carcinoma

Abstract The incidence and mortality burden of ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is increasing rapidly in Taiwan and many urbanized countries. The etiology of HGSC, especially that responsible for the rapid and advanced seeding of the tumor in the peritoneum, which causes late diagnosis and poor prognosis, is elusive. Epidemiological and molecular studies have demonstrated incessant ovulation is the main culprit of ovarian cancer. Our previous studies also elucidated some transforming factors in the ovulatory follicular fluid (FF). We unveiled the oncogenic activities of ovulation on the malignant transformation of fallopian tube fimbria epithelial cells (FTEC), the primary origin of HGSC. We hypothesized that ovulation could also promote the intraperitoneal spreading of tube originated HGSC. First, in both human and mouse specimens, we observed a dramatic influx of neutrophils in the peritoneal fluid during ovulation after LH surge. Ovulatory FF from IVF women, when injected to the mouse peritoneum cavity, readily induced neutrophil influx and activated neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation (NETosis). Among the different neutrophil activators in FF, we found G-CSF is responsible for the ROS and PAD4 increases and histone citrullination in NETosis. This FF-GCSF-induced NETosis increases anchoring independent growth (AIG), cell adhesions, and matrigel invasion of STIC-mimicking FTEC and HGSC cells. Interestingly, while the AIG-promoting activity of the ovulation-activated NET showed cell autonomous, the adhesion and invasion activities were non-autonomous conferred by the conditioned medium of the activated neutrophils. Shown by a FF plus tumor cell i.p. coinjection mouse xenograft model, intraperitoneal seeding was increased by the coinjection and was inhibited by the inhibitor (GSK) of NETosis. Taken together, we disclosed an unprecedented intraperitoneal neutrophil influx/activation activity of ovulation. This activity, presumably acting as an antimicrobial to prevent ascending infection during fertilization, is utilized to aid the peritoneal seedings of tubal-origin HGSC. Citation Format: Hsuan Shun Huang, Tang-Yuan Chu. G-CSF released from ovulation recruits and activates neutrophils in the peritoneum to aid transformation, seeding, and invasion of high-grade serous carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Ovarian Cancer; 2023 Oct 5-7; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_2):Abstract nr A079.

Country Park Landscape Quality Evaluation and Optimization Strategies Based on the AHP-TOPSIS-POE Model: A Case Study of Four Country Parks in Shanghai

To clarify the differences in the landscape environment quality of urban country parks, we used the analytic hierarchy process method (AHP) and the approaching ideal solution method (TOPSIS) to build a criterion layer from four points of view: ecological environment, visual landscape, service facilities and humanistic landscape. We selected 21 evaluation factors to form an index layer to evaluate the landscape quality of four country parks in Shanghai. The AHPTOPSIS evaluation system was validated using the post occupancy evaluation method (POE) to verify the accuracy and appropriateness of the system. We proposed landscape improvement strategies based on the evaluation results. The results showed that the combined AHP-TOPSIS-POE model can be used to effectively assign weights to evaluation indexes when evaluating the landscape quality of country parks and to avoid the one-sidedness of single-factor decision making and the errors caused by human subjective factors. The AHP-TOPSIS-POE model provides a new framework for evaluating the landscape quality of urban country parks.

Legal and secondary biopsychosocial outcomes of child sexual abuse: Experience from a hospital-based multidisciplinary child protection unit in an urban lower-middle income country setting

BackgroundChild sexual abuse (CSA) is prevalent in the Philippines. The Philippine General Hospital–Child Protection Unit (PGH-CPU) provides multidisciplinary management. Local literature on legal and secondary biopsychosocial outcomes of CSA is limited. ObjectiveDetermine legal and biopsychosocial outcomes among CSA survivors and determine factors associated with reaching court and perpetrator conviction. ParticipantsCSA survivors evaluated at the PGH-CPU in 2009–2013. MethodsA mixed transdisciplinary design to obtain data from medical records, court documents, and interviews of study participants and key informants. ResultsFactors associated with CSA cases reaching court were having multiple perpetrators (OR 5.26, 95% CI 1.45–19.05, p = 0.011) and an age difference of more than 10 years between child and perpetrator (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.26–5.01, p = 0.009). A 10-year age difference between child and perpetrator was a significant determinant for conviction (OR 3.69, 95% CI 1.04–13.14, p = 0.044). Interviews showed that the child's testimony is the most significant factor for successful prosecution. CSA survivors have increased risks for negative biopsychosocial outcomes. Children who followed-up at PGH-CPU showed a significantly lower rate of suicide attempts (0% vs. 7.7% in children without follow-up, p = 0.023) and had lower odds of having multiple sexual partners (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.03–0.49, p = 0.003) and being employed (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07–069, p = 0.009). ConclusionsThere is a need to strengthen capacities of professionals to optimize legal processes and outcomes. CSA survivors have varied long-term outcomes requiring continued holistic aftercare interventions.

Change in Bhutan’s Land Use and Land Cover from 1930 - 2020

The land is a fundamental component of Bhutan's geographical makeup, characterized by natural features and human activities. Bhutan's land can be divided into land use and land cover (LULC), where human activities contribute to land use, and natural elements define land cover. This paper analyzes Bhutan's LULC patterns, emphasizing the evolving trends in major LULC types, strengths and challenges of sustainable land use management, and envisioning its future trajectory. In recent years, Bhutan's land-use pattern has displayed a predominant forest cover, encompassing a significant portion of the total land area. Similarly, the built-up area in Bhutan is gradually increasing, reflecting the country's ongoing urbanization and development activities. A long-term analysis reveals dynamic shifts in agricultural land in Bhutan. While there has been a historical expansion of agricultural areas, recent trends may suggest a potential slowdown or decline, influenced by factors such as urban growth and changing economic landscapes. Like community forestry practices in Bhutan, successful conservation efforts may also influence land-use changes. In the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan faces challenges related to snow/glacial cover impacted by climate change. Increasing temperatures in the region contribute to alterations in snow/glacial patterns, necessitating a focus on environmental conservation and sustainable practices to preserve these vital resources. The land tenure system and land use policies in Bhutan have evolved and been shaped by socioeconomic and political dynamics. Bhutan needs to adapt and formulate effective policies to address contemporary challenges and promote sustainable LULC management. Implementing specific LULC zones, as outlined in Bhutan's land use policies, is crucial for ensuring sustainable land management practices.

Assessment of the energy potential of municipal solid waste: A case study of Mussaka dumpsite, Buea Cameroon

A country's economic growth and urbanization often lead to environmental degradation due to the amount of waste generated. Proximate analysis was done. The objective of this study is to evaluate the energy potential of the municipal solid waste (MSW) in Buea municipality through landfill gas-to-energy and incineration technology. Methane emissions from the Mussaka dumpsite for two decades using the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) default method (DM) and Landfill Gas Emission Model (LandGEM V3.03) models were estimated. The Buea municipality's 2022 combustible MSW generated 40,593.69 tons with a low heating value of 7.37 MJ/kg, potentially producing 20.5 GWh of energy. LandGEM and IPCC DM models predicted total methane emissions during the period 2010–2030 as 21.33Gg and 54.77Gg, with annual energy potentials ranging from 0 to 5.10 GWh and 2.91 to 15.31 GWh respectively. This study provides crucial information for waste management investors and policymakers.

Removal of Acetaminophen from Aqueous Solutions in an Adsorption Process.

Acetaminophen (C8H9NO2, also called paracetamol) is an active metabolite of phenacetin with antipyretic and analgesic effects and has been extensively used as a painkiller. Currently, the problem of pharmaceuticals in water and sewage is common, especially in highly urbanized countries. Laboratory-scale experiments were carried out using an adsorbent-granulated activated carbon (WD-extra)-to remove acetaminophen (ACT) from water. The initial concentration of acetaminophen was 20 mg ACT/dm3. The adsorption kinetics, influence of the pH on adsorption and dose of the used adsorbent were determined under batch conditions. The adsorption of ACT on activated carbon was more efficient when the water solution was acidic (at pH 2, it was the most effective). The highest percentage of removal (99%) was obtained for the WD-extra dose of 10.0 g/dm3. The time taken to establish the dynamic equilibrium of the system was 60 min. The effectiveness of adsorption was determined based on the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms. It was found that WD-extra activated carbon effectively removed ACT from water solutions.

Public Perception on the Role of Urban Green Infrastructure Development and Land Use Management in Rapidly Urbanized Countries: The Case of Hawassa City, Ethiopia

Public Perception on the Role of Urban Green Infrastructure Development and Land Use Management in Rapidly Urbanized Countries: The Case of Hawassa City, Ethiopia

Repeating history, repeating failure: a study of the sustainability-related urban planning policy reforms in NSW, Australia

ABSTRACT Australia is one of the most urbanised countries, and its states and territories are facing significant environmental threats. This paper argues that urban planning authorities in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) repeatedly abandon their carefully crafted urban policies that could have improved environmental sustainability. This qualitative research analyses two cases, nearly two decades apart, to support its argument. In 2021, the NSW planning department developed significant reforms to planning laws, namely the Design and Place State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). This set of proposed rules would have made planning, placemaking, and communities more liveable and sustainable. In April 2022, the proposed policy was suddenly and unexpectedly scrapped. The recent abandonment of a well-thought-out planning policy proposal in NSW is not unprecedented. It is a case of history repeating itself. In 2003, the PlanFirst sustainability-related planning reforms that had been developed over several years were abandoned similarly. This paper uses the path dependency theory to explore the repetition and discarding of sustainability-related planning reforms. This paper shows how politics and policy making in NSW have neglected significant policies designed to improve environmental sustainability and liveability following property developer lobbyists’ influence.