Regional Development Strategies Research Articles

Public Perception on the Implementation of PON XXI Event North Sumatera-Aceh at Situngkir Panguruan Beach in 2024

The purpose of the study. This study aimed to evaluate public perception regarding the implementation of PON XXI Event North Sumatra-Aceh at Situngkir Panguruan Beach in 2024, focusing on economic impact, infrastructure development, environmental considerations, and cultural integration. The research examined community attitudes toward event implementation and its implications for local development. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 100 residents of Situngkir Village, selected through stratified random sampling. Data collection employed a 45-item questionnaire covering five dimensions, utilizing a 5-point Likert scale. Analysis included descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS version 26.0. Results. The study revealed predominantly positive perceptions of PON XXI Event implementation, with 82.5% reporting positive business opportunity expectations and 95% satisfaction with infrastructure development. Multiple regression analysis identified economic benefits (β = 0.445, p < 0.001), infrastructure development (β = 0.376, p < 0.001), and environmental management (β = 0.315, p = 0.002) as significant predictors of overall satisfaction. The model explained 78.4% of variance in community satisfaction (adjusted R² = 0.784, p < 0.001). Conclusions. The implementation of PON XXI Event at Situngkir Panguruan Beach demonstrated successful integration of event requirements with community needs, particularly in economic opportunities and infrastructure development. However, environmental management requires additional attention, particularly in waste management and beach conservation. The findings provide valuable insights for future sport-tourism event planning and regional development strategies.

Application of Spatial Econometric Analysis to Assess the Convergence of Budget Revenues of Russian Regions

Purpose of the study. Within the framework of this study, attention is focused on the assessment of convergence using the budget revenues of the regions of Russia per capita as a key index. Currently, research in the field of economic growth and macroeconomics remains in the center of attention of the scientific community and government agencies, as they play a key role in shaping the development strategies of regions and countries as a whole. In this context, one of the essential aspects is the assessment of convergence, that is, the process of convergence of economic indexes between different regions.Materials and methods. The study examines key methods and models of spatial econometric analysis, such as unconditional convergence, global Moran indexes, etc. Much attention is paid to the interpretation and formation of economically sound conclusions based on the results of econometric modeling.Results. This article is devoted to the application of spatial econometric analysis in the context of the study of differentiation of economic development of Russian regions. Spatial regression analysis is a tool for studying the relationships between various economic variables in various geographical areas, while considering various dependencies and spatial autocorrelation.Conclusion. The results of the study have empirical significance for political and economic decision-making at the regional and national levels. The article provides an important contribution to the methodology of econometric analysis in macroeconomics, expanding the understanding of the relationships between economic variables in various geographical areas.

Examining Ecology–Agriculture–Economy Nexus Shifts to Propose Win–Win–Win Pathways for Sustainable Development in Mountainous Areas: Insights From the Greenest City in China

ABSTRACTEcosystem restoration projects (ERPs) are effective methods for reversing land degradation. However, the dynamic responses of the ecology–agriculture–economy nexus to ERPs and socioeconomic development have yet to be systematically analyzed. To address this issue, we adopted an ERP hotspot as a basis for exploring the evolution regimes of sectoral variables and their determinants. ERPs facilitated vegetation restoration and strengthened carbon sequestration and soil retention, whereas grain productivity declined sharply since 2000 because of industrial and planting structure adjustments. Economic growth was accompanied by marked industrial transformation; the dominant role of the primary industry was gradually replaced by that of other industries, with the population and employment structures changing accordingly. Rural population loss weakened the agricultural production capacity, with the promotion of economic crops further degrading the dominant role of grain crops. Such nexus shifts indicated that positive progress in the ecological and economic sectors should be further optimized to reserve sufficient space for agricultural production and industrial development, instead of relying solely on expanding afforestation areas. Notably, the temporary synergic co‐evolution of nexus sectors from 2008 to 2022 is not stable because of the low grain self‐sufficiency ratio, which might threaten the sustainability of social‐ecological systems. Therefore, agricultural production efficiency must be improved through large‐scale production and improvements in agricultural production conditions to sustain the grain supply. The nexus perspective enriches our understanding of interlinkages among sectors in different phases, facilitating the formulation of coordinated strategies for regional sustainable development.

The Directions of Spatial Development of Metropolitan Areas in Poland Based on the Automated Typology of the MA Localities as a Sustainable Solution to the Urban Sprawl Issue

Urban settlements in Poland have developed over time, leading to problems such as overpopulation and spatial expansion, which threaten the environment and create spatial chaos. Changes in the demographic structure in Poland led to the need for systematized settlement development. Since 1989, Polish urban areas have undergone significant metamorphosis, with some becoming depopulated and others becoming metropolitan areas. The high autonomy of municipalities allowed for uncontrolled growth of the settlement network, also in typically rural directions. The 2006 Act mandated regional development strategies and urban spatial development plans for voivodship self-governments, but this has not produced adequate results. Cities continue to grow, often causing problems for society, local authorities, and natural ecosystems. This study examined the potential for urban settlement development using k-means cluster analysis to calculate the buildable area, taking in the detail of three case studies: Warsaw, Lodz, and Olsztyn. This allowed the classification of towns into zones corresponding to their level of urbanization. The k-means method used in the study gave similar and even more efficient results than the manual classification. This may contribute to stopping the growing urban expansion into rural areas inadequately prepared for the change in urban structure. This research can help to maintain sustainability and compensate for the problems of pollution in urban and rural areas.

Digital technologies in territorial development: Opportunities and challenges of application in state and municipal administration

Digital technologies are introduced into state and municipal administration with a view of strengthening interaction of authorities of different levels with each other and the population, as well as increasing the speed and quality of decision-making. At the same time, digital transformation processes at regional and municipal levels are highly differentiated. The paper delves into theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of the use of digital technologies in territorial development and looks at oppor tunities for their application in state and municipal administration. Methodologically, the study rests on the theories of regional growth and strategic management, spatial theory, and the concept of digital society. Synthesis, data analysis, visualization, and ex pert assessment are applied as research methods. Empirical data are retrieved from the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) and regulatory documents on the development of the RF subjects. Our study confirms that digitalization is becoming a critical factor in long-term territorial development. We have systematized the types of digital technologies employed in governance processes and revealed that their use by state authorities and local self-governments (SAs and LSGs) is highly differentiated. The Ural and Central Federal Districts are leaders in the use of digital technologies. The findings indicate the need for cultivating mutual consistency and integration of digital transformation strategies and regional development strategies. To ensure effective digitalization of territories at different levels, it is necessary to define the boundaries and standards for the use of digital technologies, develop technical com petencies of decision-makers, guarantee information security and protection of personal data, and reduce fraud risk.

Analysis of Regional Development Planning Strategies In Central Kalimantan To Improve Community Welfare

Central Kalimantan Province has great potential in the agriculture, forestry, and mining sectors, but its management still faces various challenges such as limited infrastructure, low quality of human resources, and environmental damage. This study aims to analyze regional development strategies through a SWOT analysis approach to improve community welfare. The results of the analysis show that the potential of rich natural resources and strategic geographical position are the main strengths, while the limited infrastructure and access to public services are significant weaknesses. Investment opportunities and government support can be leveraged to accelerate development, but challenges such as environmental degradation and social conflicts must be managed effectively. Strategy recommendations include infrastructure development, human resource capacity building, and sustainable management of natural resources. Comprehensive implementation and multi-stakeholder collaboration are needed to make Central Kalimantan a developed and prosperous region.

Assessing the Coordination Development Level of Agricultural Economy and Ecology in China: Regional Disparities, Dynamics, and Barriers

Achieving sustainable rural development in China requires effectively integrating agricultural growth with ecological balance. However, existing research on the coordination between agricultural economy and ecosystems has often focused on isolated aspects, such as economic growth or ecological sustainability, or has been limited to specific provinces or regions, lacking a comprehensive nationwide analysis. To address this gap, this study uses spatial data from 31 provincial-level regions in China from 2008 to 2022, developing a multidimensional framework that encompasses economic input, structure, efficiency, benefits, vitality, ecological conditions, and pressure. Using multi-factor econometric methods, we comprehensively evaluate the coordination between China’s agricultural economy and ecosystems, revealing regional disparities and spatiotemporal variations in their coupling coordination, and analyzing the barriers affecting this coordination. Our findings show that: First, coupling coordination has steadily improved, narrowing regional disparities. Second, regional differences are primarily driven by variations between the eastern, central, and western regions, with structural disparities shifting from interregional to hyper-variable density. Third, development exhibits a “club convergence” pattern, where upward transitions are difficult and downward mobility is a risk. Key barriers include farmland scale, land efficiency, afforestation area, and soil erosion control. Based on these findings, we recommend regional development strategies, dynamic monitoring mechanisms, optimized land use, and enhanced ecological protection. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners to promote the coordinated and sustainable development of agricultural economies and ecosystems in China.

Conformity of Planning and Budgeting Documents for Regional Government Budgets (APBD) at the Regional Research and Development Planning Agency of Kotamobagu City

The main objectives of this study are to determine, analyze and describe the suitability of planning and budgeting documents for the Regional Government Budget (APBD) at the Regional Research and Development Planning Agency of Kotamobagu City and to determine, analyze and describe the determinants of the suitability of planning and budgeting documents for the APBD at the Regional Research and Development Planning Agency of Kotamobagu City. The approach used in this research is a qualitative approach with a research focus on the suitability of APBD planning and budgeting documents at the Regional Research and Development Planning Agency of Kotamobagu City and the determinants of the suitability of APBD planning and budgeting documents at the Regional Research and Development Planning Agency of Kotamobagu City. The results showed that the harmonization of planning documents from the regional and central levels was carried out with adjustments through consistency of the main objectives of regional planning with national main objectives, consistency of policy directions and regional development strategies that support national priorities, conformity of targets with national priority targets, and adjustments to allocated funding. Factors that hinder the suitability of APBD planning and budgeting documents are central government policies that have a very significant effect on the suitability of planning and budgeting documents and DPRD intervention. Thus, a commitment is needed between the local government and the legislature to maintain the suitability of planning and budgeting.

Regional Sustainable Economic Development, Territorial Asymmetry, and the Role of Institutions: a Case of Russia

The existing asymmetry in socio-economic regional development in the Russian Federation indicates the need to explore this issue within the context of sustainable development and institutional economics. This paper aims to analyse the content of the triune and cluster approaches in sustainable development, while incorporating the institutionalist perspective. The study emphasizes how formal and informal institutions, such as governance quality, legal frameworks, property rights, and social norms all play a critical role in shaping regional development outcomes. Institutional economics provides a framework for understanding the interaction between federal, regional, and local institutions and their impact on overcoming territorial disparities. Seen from the perspective of institutional economics, cluster approach is an enabler or a constraint to sustainable regional development because institutions which foster economic efficiency and social inclusivity are important for spurring more rapid growth. This paper broadens the conceptual analysis of strategies for sustainable development and their ability to take into account regional disproportions in Russia, by integrating institutional factors that make it clear how important both economic and institutional reforms are required for long-term sustainability at a region level. Using a bibliometric approach and VOSviewer software, this paper visualizes and analyses foundational contributions on sustainable development and clusterization in Russia, drawing on 105 publications indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database. The co-occurrence maps and bibliometric networks elucidate thematic clusters and reveal insights into the interplay between institutional frameworks and sustainable regional development strategies. Our results suggest that the development of regions in Russia on sustainable and equal bases should not be only economic basis, as have demonstrated some other research, but consists of a whole integral institutional treatment containing an ensemble interweaving socio-economic-environmental policies. They are not just agents of economic growth but also important factors shaping the resilience and sustainability of regions. Thus, the key to overcoming territorial skewness is through robust institutional frameworks within each region to ensure that development policies are not only inclusive but also adapted to respond effectively with peculiarities of different territories.

Green development in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone: evolution and drivers from a “production-living-ecology” perspective

Green development is key to promoting regional sustainable development. We construct an evaluation index system for green development levels based on the “sansheng” dimensions—production, living, and ecology. We rely on the “sansheng” (production, living, and ecology) dimensions, combined with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the entropy weight method to analyze indicator weights, to construct an evaluation index system for green development levels. This system enables the identification of the evolution patterns of green development and the analysis of driving factors in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone from the “sansheng” perspective. The results indicate that: (1) The green development level in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone has been continuously rising, with the average index increasing from 0.197 to 0.254. Yuzhong District and Chengdu City have shown particularly high green development levels; in 2020, the green development level index for Yuzhong District reached 0.568, while Chengdu City’s index reached 0.522. (2) The spatial clustering of green development levels in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone exhibited a trend of first strengthening and then weakening, with the highest clustering degree observed in 2015. (3) National strategies have significantly promoted the improvement of regional green development levels. The average green development index during the pre-establishment, initial development, and rapid development stages of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone increased from 0.205 to 0.229, and then to 0.254. (4) The Theil index results show an increase in the disparity of green development levels among different regions within the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone.The results of the optimal scaling regression model show that the driving factors with a significant impact on the level of green development include the Number of physicians per million people, Public library book collections Per 100 people, Per capita regional GDP, and Number of secondary schools Per million people, each contributing over 15% to the impact. These findings provide valuable data support for formulating regional economic development strategies and are conducive to advancing sustainable development.

Biofuel Pellets as a Sustainable Energy Solution: Exploring the Role of Biomass and Regional Waste Management in Turkey's TR63 Region

In recent years, the increasing demand for sustainable and renewable energy sources has led to significant interest in biofuels. Bifuel pellets, which combine biomass materials with fossil fuels, have emerged as an innovative and environmentally friendly energy solution. Typically made from agricultural residues, wood waste, or energy crops, blended with fossil fuels such as coal or oil derivatives, bifuel pellets offer improved energy efficiency and combustion properties. By bridging the gap between traditional fossil fuels and renewable energy alternatives, bifuel pellets provide a transitional solution that enhances both calorific value and combustion efficiency. The dual composition of these pellets allows for better adaptation to existing energy infrastructures while supporting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. In Turkey, regional development and waste management strategies have been shaped by the adoption of the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) system since 2002. The TR63 NUTS Level 2 Region, which includes the provinces of Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Osmaniye, plays a critical role in agriculture and livestock production. Due to these activities, the region contributes significantly to waste generation. This research highlights the potential of bifuel pellets as a viable energy option for the TR63 Region, where agricultural and livestock residues could serve as essential feedstock for sustainable energy production. The integration of bifuel pellets into regional energy policies could help address environmental goals while reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels.

ANALYSIS OF DEVELOPMENT TRENDS OF REGIONAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC SYSTEMS ON THE BASIS OF MARKETING

Analyzing regional socio-economic systems in the current economic development context is crucial for understanding the trends that impact their functioning and competitiveness. Applying marketing principles has become essential for ensuring the comprehensive development of regions and meeting the population's needs. In the face of globalization and rapid changes in the socio-economic environment, regional systems encounter new challenges. Among these are the necessity to adapt to changing conditions, implement innovations, and attract investments. This requires the development and implementation of new marketing strategies. The article aims to analyze the trends in the development of regional socio-economic systems based on marketing approaches, identify key factors affecting their development, and formulate recommendations for practical implementation. Research Tasks: analyze scientific approaches and existing methodologies regarding the application of marketing principles in regional management of socio-economic processes, evaluate key trends in the development of regional socio-economic systems, considering the influence of global and national factors, identify marketing tools and methods aimed at maximizing the processes of meeting regional-level needs. The study's object is Ukraine's regional socio-economic systems, while the subject is the marketing tools and methods that facilitate their development. The study employed methods of analysis and synthesis, comparison, statistical analysis, as well as marketing research methods to identify trends and characteristics of regional development. The results of the research can be used for the development of regional development strategies, the implementation of marketing tools in regional management practices, and the improvement of processes aimed at meeting the population's needs. The article presents the results of analyzing contemporary trends in the development of regional socio-economic systems, identifying key factors affecting their effectiveness, and analyzing the potential application of marketing tools for their advancement. The article emphasizes the importance of integrating marketing principles into the management processes of regional systems. Further research could focus on a detailed examination of the impact of specific marketing strategies on the socio-economic development of individual regions, as well as an assessment of their effectiveness in the context of current challenges.

The shadow economy's impact on the sustainability of the regional business development

Subject. This article discusses the problems of strategic planning and entrepreneurship as one of the drivers of socio-economic development at the levels of the country and regions. Objectives. The article aims to analyze the interrelations and interdependencies between the level of the shadow economy and the sustainability of the development of regional entrepreneurial systems. Methods. For the study, I used economic and statistical methods. Results. The article finds that the shadow economy has a significant impact on the sustainability of the development of regional entrepreneurial systems, including the possibilities of functioning of entrepreneurial structures, as well as on the state of the external (regional) environment. In turn, the entrepreneurial system directly affects the shadow sector, increasing or neutralizing the incentives of various economic agents to develop their activities outside the formal economy. Conclusions. The existence of a two-way relationship between the shadow economy and the entrepreneurial system of the region predetermines the need to take into account the scale of the shadow sector when developing measures to achieve the strategic socio-economic and environmental goals of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The lack of such accounting has a negative impact on the objectivity of assessing the effectiveness of regional socio-economic policy. The development of regional strategies and programmes, taking into account the established interrelations, will make it possible to legalize the funds concentrated in the shadow sector and use them to implement measures aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the development of systems at different levels.

TERRITORIAL BRANDING TOOLS IN THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS

This study addresses the significant role of territorial branding as a strategic tool in public administration, particularly in the context of increasing globalization and regional competition. As regions strive to distinguish themselves on the global stage, the establishment of unique territorial brands emerges as a means to enhance economic growth, social development, and the overall quality of life for local populations. The paper discusses the necessity of territorial branding in fostering a positive regional image, bolstering regional identity, and attracting investments while promoting tourism and local businesses. Despite the growing interest in this field, there remains a gap in the theoretical understanding of territorial branding and practical guidelines for its implementation within public governance frameworks. This research aims to explore the essence, functions, and mechanisms of territorial branding, providing insights into its impact on shaping a region's image and identity. It emphasizes the importance of developing comprehensive branding strategies that consider the socio-cultural and economic nuances of each area. The analysis includes a review of contemporary scholarly works, highlighting contributions from leading researchers in Ukraine. The findings suggest that successful territorial branding relies on local community engagement, effective communication, and the alignment of branding initiatives with the region's unique cultural and economic resources. The study ultimately advocates for the integration of innovative branding practices into public administration to address contemporary challenges and leverage opportunities for sustainable regional development. Through a methodical examination of existing literature and theoretical models, this paper identifies key factors influencing effective territorial branding, such as cultural heritage, natural resources, economic opportunities, infrastructure, and overall quality of life. By synthesizing these aspects, the research offers practical recommendations for policymakers and public administrators to enhance the effectiveness of territorial branding efforts in Ukraine and beyond. This study serves as a foundational resource for further exploration of territorial branding as an essential component of regional development strategies.

Spatial Correlation Network Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Industrial Carbon Emission Efficiency of Cities in Pearl River Basin

China has experienced rapid development of urbanization and industrialization, and urban industrial carbon reduction has become the key to green and sustainable development. Exploring urban industrial carbon emissions and its spatial correlation characteristics is of great importance for promoting collaborative cooperation between cities and achieving the "dual carbon" goal. Considering 49 cities in the Pearl River Basin as research objects, the super slacks-based measure model was used to measure the urban industrial carbon emission efficiency from 2010 to 2020, and exploratory spatiotemporal data analysis was used to explore its spatial pattern. On this basis, we used social network analysis and quadratic assignment procedure （QAP） methods to explore the spatial correlation network characteristics and influencing factors of urban industrial carbon emission efficiency. The results indicated that the industrial carbon emission efficiency of the Pearl River Basin showed a downward trend. Additionally, a strong spatial imbalance and heterogeneity was observed. The Pearl River Delta Region always dominated the spatial correlation network of carbon emission efficiency, forming a multi-level composite network system with the core network as the primary component and the conventional network as the auxiliary component. Economically developed cities, such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Dongguan have long been in the center of the network and have extensive connections with other cities, while playing an intermediary role. The level of urbanization, science and technology, and industrialization have an increasingly significant positive impact on the strength of the connection between urban industrial carbon emission networks. The Pearl River Basin industrial carbon emission efficiency network has significant individual differences and hierarchical characteristics. According to the individual centrality, network role, and clustering characteristics, combined with the corresponding influencing factors, the Pearl River Basin urban collaborative carbon emission reduction strategy was formulated. This study can provide reference for the formulation and implementation of regional low-carbon collaborative development strategies.

Study on the spatio-temporal coupling and drivers of agricultural carbon emission efficiency and food security

In light of global climate change and environmental challenges, reducing agricultural carbon emissions while maintaining food security has become a critical concern for sustainable agricultural development. This study examines 13 provinces in primary grain-producing regions, utilising data from 1999 to 2022 to analyse the spatio-temporal heterogeneity and driving factors of the coupled and coordinated development of agricultural carbon emission efficiency and food security. The findings indicate that: 1) The proportion of carbon emissions from agricultural inputs in primary grain-producing regions exceeds 80%, whereas the contribution of carbon sinks from rice, maise, and wheat surpasses 95%. Both agricultural carbon emissions and carbon sinks in the Yellow River Basin are significantly elevated; 2) The general trend of agricultural carbon emission efficiency and food security is increasing, spatially characterised by a pattern of high levels in the north and south, and low levels in the south and high levels in the north, respectively. The integration of the two systems is progressing positively, and the trailing form of food security has emerged as a developmental trend, with the degree of food security limiting the coordinated advancement of both. 3) The overall spatial disparity exhibits a declining tendency, with hypervariable density being the primary contributor to this spatial difference. The overall polarisation of the primary grain-producing regions has diminished. The level of heterogeneity in the Songhua River basin progressively intensifies; 4) Rural human capital and financial support for agriculture, urbanisation rate and soil erosion control, agricultural machinery power and soil erosion control are the main interaction factors. The economic status and rural human capital will facilitate the integrated and harmonious development of the two systems, while the agricultural disaster rate will impede this integrated and harmonious development. Ultimately, policy solutions are proposed to optimise agricultural inputs and raise their utilisation efficiency, adopt diversified regional development strategies, promote regional connection and coordinated development, and reinforce the management of drivers and policy support.

Gravity model: Assessing the strength of economic ties between regions in the Ural Federal District

Subject. The article deals with the use of gravity models to analyze economic interactions between regions. Objectives. The study aims to develop and test a modified version of the gravity model to assess the strength of economic ties between regions in the Ural Federal District, using Data Science methods and data analysis tools of the R language of the modified gravity model. Methods. The study offers a modified gravity model enabling to more accurately assess the strength of economic ties between regions based on the aggregation of a variety of economic indicators under the principal components method, and obtain indicators of economic potential of the region in the economic system. The Haversine formula was applied to calculate distances between the capitals of regions of the Ural Federal District. Results. The model was applied to the Ural Federal District regions. This showed that the Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk Oblasts are the leading economic centers of the region, while the Khanty-Mansi and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Districts demonstrate less close ties with industrial regions due to their remoteness from the centers. The findings can be used to work out regional development strategies aimed at strengthening inter-regional ties, improving infrastructure, and diversifying the economy. Conclusions. The proposed model can be useful for analyzing and evaluating economic ties and the potential of regions in various macroeconomic contexts, which make it applicable for regional policy planning.

A methodological framework for assessing regional climate efforts. Learning from its application in Italy

In multi-level governance systems, regions are key actors in tackling climate change, acting as a bridging authority between the state and municipalities. Regions can provide a common framework and support local action, in particular through ad-hoc or mainstreamed mitigation and adaptation strategies. Despite this, their contribution to multi-level climate planning is still little explored in the scientific literature. This work proposes a methodological framework developed to comprehensively assess the climate efforts of regional governments, based on three dimensions: ambition, robustness, implementation and progress. Ambition qualifies the regions' commitment. Robustness assesses the evidence-based approach of the plan and its link with the regional sustainable development strategy, as well as the regions’ involvement in transnational networks. Implementation and progress, records the availability of indicators to provide evidence of the actions taken, monitor progress, and inform stakeholders. Applying the proposed methodology to the Italian multi-regional case study sheds light on the weaknesses that limit the impact of climate action, while defining the factors that enhance climate performance. The results show that transnational networks can raise the level of ambition for mitigation, but less so for adaptation, where there are no quantitative targets or fixed target years. A science-based approach and a strong link to the regional sustainable development strategy provide a good degree of robustness, while tracking implementation and progress remains the most challenging factor. Good practices were also identified, based on the successful experiences of some Italian regions, which can be profitably transferred between regional authorities, but also to other sub-national governments.

Pathways and enhanced evaluation system for green low-carbon development across diverse Chinese regions.

Rapid economic growth in China has led to significant resource and environmental challenges, particularly in less economically developed regions. This study aims to identify effective strategies for achieving green, low-carbon development in these regions during the economic transition. We employed the Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method to scrutinize the impact of economic, demographic, industrial, and technological factors on low-carbon development across a selection of Chinese provinces, including Qinghai, Hunan, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hainan, and Chongqing. This approach facilitates a nuanced exploration of the multifaceted determinants of low-carbon progress within the regional contexts of China. The study identified three distinct paths to low-carbon development, each with unique prioritization characteristics. These paths are the traditional early low-carbon path, the semi-modernized mid-carbon path, and the post-modernized low-carbon path. Each path offers tailored strategies for less developed regions to enhance their environmental innovation capacity and global competitiveness. This research contributes a novel perspective for regional sustainable development in China by offering tailored low-carbon development strategies for less developed regions. The findings suggest that region-specific strategies, aligned with developmental stages and characteristics, are essential for ensuring balanced economic, social, and environmental development.

Identification of Land Use Conflict Based on Multi-Scenario Simulation—Taking the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration as an Example

Land use conflict is an inevitable and objective phenomenon during regional development, with significant impacts on both regional economic growth and ecological security. Scientifically assessing the spatiotemporal evolution of these conflicts is essential to optimize land use structures and promote sustainable resource utilization. This study employs multi-period land use/land cover remote sensing data from China to develop a model for the measurement of land use conflict from the perspective of the landscape ecological risk. By applying the optimal landscape scale method to determine the most appropriate analysis scale, this research investigates the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of land use conflicts in the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration from 2000 to 2020. Furthermore, by integrating the Patch-Generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model with the Multi-Objective Programming (MOP) algorithm, this study simulates the spatial patterns of land use conflict in 2030 under four scenarios: Natural Development (ID), Economic Development (ED), Ecological Conservation (PD), and Sustainable Development (SD). The findings reveal that, from 2000 to 2020, the proportion of areas with strong and moderately strong conflict levels in the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration increased by 2.19%, while the proportion of areas with weak and moderately weak conflict levels decreased by 1.45%, underscoring the growing severity of land use conflict. The predictions for 2030 suggest that the spatial pattern of conflict under various scenarios will largely reflect the trends observed in 2020. Under the ID scenario, areas with weak and moderately weak conflict levels constitute 57.5% of the region; this increases by 0.85% under the SD scenario. Conversely, areas experiencing strong and moderately strong conflict levels, which stand at 33.02% under the ID scenario, decrease by 1.04% under the SD scenario. These projections indicate that the SD scenario, which aims to balance ecological conservation with economic development, effectively mitigates land use conflict, making it the most viable strategy for future regional development.