Resilience Goals Research Articles

Agricultural Absentee Land Ownership Rules: Problem or Solution for Farmers on Food Resilience Program?

Abstract: Food resilience is a critical aspect of national sustainability programs. with large and diverse population, Indonesia needs to prioritize food resilience as a primary focus of government programs. Empowering Indonesia's predominantly farming population is one way to achieve food resilience. In this regard, the government can utilize absentee land to achieve food resilience goals and improve the welfare of farmers. However, regulations restricting land ownership to civil servants under Article 3 of Government Regulation No. 224 of 1961 hinder the utilization of absentee land. These regulations pose a significant obstacle to farmers who seek to engage in or expand agricultural endeavors. The conflicts arising from these regulations constitute the most substantial barrier to farmers' efforts to realize food resilience programs in Indonesia. This research uses a normative legal research method, focusing on the absent land through statutory and case approaches. The results of this research suggest that absentee land regulations are no longer relevant given the current state of affairs, as they impede the maximization of food resilience, particularly for farmers in the agricultural sector. Keywords: Absentee Land, Farm Land, Food Resilience

Dynamics of Soil Properties under Jhum Cultivation: A Review

A staple of many indigenous cultures, shifting agriculture is coming under more and more scrutiny for its role in soil degradation and deforestation, especially in light of climate change. This study investigates the effects of jhum agriculture in Arunachal Pradesh, with a particular emphasis on the detrimental effects on soil qualities and its contribution to deforestation. Along with considerable nutrient loss from frequent forest clearing and burning, jhum farming causes severe soil degradation, including soil erosion and changes in the physical and chemical properties of the soil. In the diverse climates of Arunachal Pradesh, characterized by heavy rainfall, soil fertility and moisture are especially vulnerable. The shortening of fallow periods further destabilizes soil moisture and fertility, despite the potential benefits of carbon dynamics and sequestration during extended fallows. This research underscores the urgent need for sustainable practices, such as improved soil moisture conservation and extended fallow periods, to align traditional agricultural practices with the goals of climate resilience, soil health, and long-term sustainability.

Designing effective policy frameworks for the implementation of microgrids in developing countries: Opportunities, challenges and pathways to sustainable energy access

Designing effective policy frameworks for the implementation of microgrids in developing countries is crucial for advancing sustainable energy access. Microgrids offer a decentralized and resilient solution to energy challenges, particularly in regions with limited grid infrastructure. However, the successful deployment of microgrids requires a nuanced understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and pathways to integration within the unique contexts of developing nations. This study explores the key factors influencing the design and implementation of microgrid policies, including regulatory environments, financial incentives, and technological innovations. It highlights the potential of microgrids to enhance energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and support economic development. At the same time, it addresses the challenges related to financing, regulatory compliance, and the need for capacity-building in local communities. By analyzing case studies from various developing countries, the study identifies best practices and strategic recommendations for policymakers to create supportive frameworks that encourage the adoption of microgrids. The research underscores the importance of international collaboration, public-private partnerships, and adaptive policy mechanisms that can respond to the evolving needs of the energy sector. Ultimately, the study provides a roadmap for leveraging microgrids as a key component of sustainable energy strategies in developing countries, contributing to broader goals of energy equity, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience.

A scenario study on disaster preparedness behaviours

Abstract Europe has faced several crises over recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Additionally, the climate crisis has led to an increase in the occurrence of extreme weather events and natural disasters. Getting citizens on board when it comes to being prepared for the changing risk landscape in the EU is essential in building societal resilience. The importance of the population’s preparedness to deal with disasters has also been underlined by the Commission’s identification of the Union Disaster Resilience Goals (2023/C 56/01). One of these goals focuses on increasing risk awareness and the adoption of risk prevention and preparedness measures among the population. Research has shown that simply advising people of potential risks in their region is not necessarily sufficient to motivate them to prepare. Yet, preparation is key to an adequate responses in emergency situations and improving preparedness may thus be a powerful tool to support the population’s ability to respond in times of crisis. The EC JRC’s Competence Centre on Behavioural Insights will present a study conducted in five member states (N = ∼1000 per country), which investigates the effect of envisioning a disaster situation, and therefore explicitly eliciting personal affectedness, on individuals’ self-reported preparedness intentions and preparedness behaviours. The study uses multiple measures for intentions and preparedness behaviours, including click-through to external information and an incentivised preparedness game.

Solution for time-dependent resilience in the presence of gradual deterioration of performance

In this paper, a closed-form method is developed for the evaluation of time-dependent resilience (so named as it is a function of the service time of interest) of an aging object (e.g., a structure or system). These structures and systems often suffer from the deterioration of performances in a harsh service environment, causing the decline of serviceability. They are thus expected to be sufficiently resilient during their service lives, i.e., to have the ability to withstand disruptions to their performances. The proposed method takes into account the uncertainty associated with the performance deterioration process, the availability of resources that support the performance recovery, and the impact of a changing environment. The accuracy and improved efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated through three examples. It is also shown through sensitivity analysis that the impact of a changing environment, and the availability of recovery-supporting resources play an essential role in the time-dependent resilience. The proposed resilience method can also be used to efficiently guide the design of new structures that meet predefined resilience goals.

Shaping coastal nature-based solutions: Perceptions and policy priorities of living shorelines

Coastal nature-based solutions, such as living shorelines, are promoted as shoreline stabilization alternatives to hard infrastructure in the United States. In the state of Florida, where sea level rise and increasing storms impact coastal areas, living shorelines are a state research priority to support coastal risk reduction and resilience goals. However, while the ecological benefits of living shorelines are well-documented, few studies have examined the social and institutional factors that hinder or support the design and implementation of living shorelines in Florida.Our study applies an integrated framework combining results from expert interviews with a policy analysis to evaluate decision-making contexts and considerations related to living shorelines in Florida. We present barriers and enablers of living shorelines as perceived by practitioners and marine contractors. Key barriers to adoption of living shorelines include rule or permitting-related mismatches, community-level use and access concerns, and environmental design uncertainties. Enablers include community-level education and incentives, increased demonstration projects, and criteria or policy standardization for living shorelines. We then connect these barriers and enablers to policy priority patterns drawn from coastal management plans in select Florida counties. These policy priority patterns involve defining nature-based and hard solutions, addressing public and private access concerns, and resolving restoration and conservation goals when considering living shorelines as an appropriate coastline stabilization and protection measure. By connecting on-the-ground practical experiences with insights from coastal management policies, our study provides a socio-institutional methodology and contextual baseline for the planning and implementation of living shorelines in Florida and similar coastal areas.

Role of Entomology in the Era of Precision Agriculture: A Review

Precision agriculture (PA) represents a transformative approach to farming by utilizing advanced technologies like GPS remote sensing, and data analytics to optimize crop production and minimize environmental impacts. While technological advancements in PA are well-documented, the role of entomology is often overlooked. This review highlights the critical intersection between entomology and PA, demonstrating how understanding insect behavior, population dynamics, and ecological interactions enhances PA practices. Insects play pivotal roles in pest management, pollination, and ecosystem health, making their study essential for developing effective PA strategies. The review examines how entomological research has informed precision pest management, integrated pest management (IPM) systems, and the use of biological control agents within the PA framework. It discusses how integrating entomological insights with PA technologies, such as remote sensing and sensor networks, enables real-time monitoring and targeted pest control, thus improving crop yields and reducing pesticide use. Additionally, the review addresses challenges such as data integration, technology accessibility, resistance management, and environmental concerns, and highlights prospects including advancements in technology, innovation in monitoring techniques, and the integration of biological control methods. By emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, this review underscores the importance of combining entomological knowledge with PA tools to develop more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. The integration of entomology into PA not only enhances pest management but also contributes to broader goals of environmental sustainability and agricultural resilience. Overall, this review offers a comprehensive overview of how entomology can advance precision agriculture and foster sustainable food production systems.

Sourcing from risky reverse channels: Insights on pricing and resilience strategies in sustainable supply chains

This study examines the resilience and sustainability of supply chains amid global disruptions, with a particular focus on the essential role of reverse logistics. Through a game-theoretic approach, we explore manufacturer decisions to source from either reliable but expensive raw materials or cost-effective yet riskier recycled or recyclable materials from the reverse logistics channel. Our analysis outlines three primary sourcing strategies: sourcing exclusively from suppliers (SS), sourcing solely through retailer reverse channel (RS), and a balanced dual sourcing (DS) approach. Our findings reveal the economic viability that recycling outsourcing is influenced by market demand and disruption risks. Notably, in scenarios of constrained market potential, the cost advantage of using recycled materials from less reliable reverse logistics channels surpasses the risks associated with supply chain disruptions, suggesting a complex cost-benefit landscape amidst supply uncertainties. Moreover, the stability of suppliers emerges as a pivotal factor in strategic sourcing decisions, underscoring the need to consider both economic efficiencies and supply reliability. The study also evaluates the dynamic competition between manufacturers and retailers, shedding light on how strategic adjustments driven by sustainability and resilience goals can enhance profitability and sustainability. It was found that despite the threat of disruptions, manufacturers benefit more from engaging with risky reverse channels under specific conditions, underscoring the nuanced decision-making required in uncertain supply scenarios. This research advances sustainable supply chain management by highlighting strategic complexities and the need for understanding economic efficiencies and supply stability, offering insights for navigating disruptions and fostering resilient, sustainable supply chains.

Tree selection for a virtual urban park: Comparing aided and unaided decision-making to support public engagement in greenspace design

To meet urban resilience goals and the needs of growing populations, cities aim to develop multifunctional greenspaces and urban forests. Urban greening is seen to improve the quality of life for residents, contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and socio-ecological resilience, and meet climate mitigation and adaptation goals. There is also a growing recognition of the importance of involving individuals and communities in the design and planning of greenspace in cities, particularly in the configuration of parks and in identifying the types of vegetation found there. In these contexts, it is increasingly common to engage the public with virtual 3D landscapes, with the ultimate goals of crowdsourcing preferences, knowledge, and patterns of use. There have been few studies to systematically examine how the public interacts with these virtual spaces, and their decision-making needs. Experts have a fluency with a broad range of ecosystem services that flow from urban greenspaces, as well as a familiarity with trees and other landscape elements. This is not the case for the public, who may instead rely on familiar and visually salient landscape attributes. This is in keeping with the concept of constructed preferences, where judgements are formed as they are elicited and are heavily influenced by available information. This study thus compares aided and unaided decision-making by the public in a virtual 3D urban park. Participants were invited to plant trees in park; some participants were provided with a brief description of a key ecosystem function of each tree (along with an illustration of that tree), other participants were only provided the illustration. Three key insights emerge from this research: (i) public tree preferences are sensitive to whether information is provided or withheld, (ii) in the absence of information, easy to evaluate characteristics (i.e., visually salient characteristics) played a large role in tree selection within the virtual urban parks, and (iii) for most participants, and consistent with other studies, aesthetics was the most important attribute guiding tree choice. These insights can support improved public engagement in landscape design and planning, particularly in crowdsourced and virtual settings.

Simulating urban energy use under climate change scenarios and retrofit plans in coastal Texas

Rapid urbanization, climate change, and aging infrastructure pose significant challenges to achieving sustainability and resilience goals in urban building energy use. Although retrofitting offers a viable solution to mitigate building energy use, there has been limited analysis of its effects under various weather conditions associated with climate change in urban building energy use simulations. Moreover, certain parameters in energy simulations necessitate extensive auditing or survey work, which is often impractical. This research proposes a framework that integrates various datasets, including building footprints, Lidar data, property appraisals, and street view images, to conduct neighborhood-scale building energy use analysis using the Urban Modeling Interface (UMI), an Urban Building Energy Model (UBEM), in a coastal neighborhood in Galveston, Texas. Seven retrofit plans and three weather conditions are considered in the scenarios of building energy use. The results show that decreasing the U-value of building envelopes helps reduce energy use, while increasing the U-value leads to higher energy consumption in the Galveston neighborhood. This finding provides direction for coastal Texas cities, like Galveston, to update building standards and implement retrofit measures.

Multi-disciplinary seismic resilience modeling for developing mitigation policies and recovery planning

The multi-disciplinary data and information available at a community level comprise the foundation of natural hazard resilience modeling. These data enable and inform mitigation and recovery planning decisions prior to and following damaging events such as earthquakes. This paper presents a multi-disciplinary seismic resilience modeling methodology to assess the vulnerability of the built environment and economic systems. This methodology can assist decision-makers with developing effective mitigation policies to improve the seismic resilience of communities. Two complementary modeling strategies are designed to examine the impacts of scenario earthquakes from a combined engineering and economic perspective. The engineering model is developed using a probabilistic fragility-based modeling approach and is analyzed using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations subject to seismic multi-hazard, including simulated ground shaking and resulting liquefaction of the soil, to quantify the physical damage to buildings and electric power substations (EPS). The outcome of the analysis is subsequently used as input to repair and recovery models to quantify repair cost and recovery time metrics for buildings and as input to functionality models to estimate the functionality of individual buildings and substations by accounting for their interdependency. The economic model consists of a spatial computable general equilibrium (SCGE) model that aggregates commercial buildings into sectors for retail, manufacturing, services, etc., and aggregates residential buildings into a wide range of household groups. The SCGE model employs building functionality estimates to quantify the economic losses. The outcomes of this integrated modeling consist of engineering and economic impact metrics, which are used to investigate mitigation actions to help inform a community on approaches to achieve its resilience goals. An illustrative case study of Salt Lake County (SLC), Utah, developed through an extensive collaborative partnership and engagement with SLC officials, is presented. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in quantifying the loss and functional recovery of infrastructure systems, the impacts on capital stock, employment, and household income and the effect of various mitigation strategies in reducing the losses and functional recovery time subject to earthquakes with varying intensities.

Optimizing smart grid performance: A stochastic approach to renewable energy integration

Smart grids offer numerous possibilities for developing and executing sustainable and efficient electricity supply chains that exhibit increased resilience to disturbances. The exploration of the Electric Supply Chain Network (ESCND) design problem using smart grids has been limited. This article aims to tackle this challenge through the application of a robust multi-objective optimization approach, encompassing three economic goals (maximizing profit), environmental goals (minimizing greenhouse gas emissions), and resilience goals (maximizing network resilience). Additionally, the optimization process takes into account the dual objectives of maximizing efficiency and minimizing energy loss by incorporating relevant cost considerations. The proposed methodology incorporates distinctive features of smart grids, such as demandside management programs, microgrid structures, bidirectional distribution lines, and consumer–supplier nodes. It addresses various interconnected decisions, including location placement, capacity expansion, load allocation, and pricing. To solve the formulated model, a potent combination of multi-objective optimization methods based on cutting-plane algorithms and AUGMECON2 is introduced. Subsequently, the proposed model and solution approach are applied to a practical case study, and the obtained results are comprehensively examined. The findings suggest that, despite potential contradictions between economic and environmental objectives, the implementation of smart grids can concurrently improve environmental performance and network flexibility.

Nature based solutions in cities of the global South—The ‘where, who and how’ of implementation

Nature-based solutions have gained popularity as an approach to reduce the impacts of climate and environmental change, providing multi-fold and multi-sectoral benefits especially in cities. Yet there has been growing concern about their utility for cities of the Global South, a concern fuelled by the paucity of studies, including scientific peer reviewed and gray literature. In this paper, we contribute to this knowledge gap, based on an analysis of 120 case studies of NBS in Global South cities, documented in two databases (Urban Natural Atlas and Oppla). These cases fall largely under categories of blue and green infrastructure, with a few cases also focusing on grey infrastructure (in buildings or campuses). While most cases are in Asia, several have also been documented in Africa and Central/South America. Two-third of documented NBS cases are aligned towards either national, or lower-level (regional and local) policies indicating the importance of policy mechanisms for driving their implementation. Institutional arrangements are usually non-government, government or collaborative arrangements, with the goal of climate resilience, biodiversity support and ecosystem restoration—along with social goals of creating public spaces. However, when private players take on the mandate for NBS, they focus primarily on grey infrastructure (in buildings and campuses), primarily meant for private or employee benefits, and not for the public. In cases where public engagement is a stated priority, we find tokenistic approaches deployed, primarily seeking engagement through information dissemination and consultation predominate. Despite the stated importance for participation and engagement, only a few cases focused on empowerment and co-creation of NBS with local communities. We suggest that there is a greater need for documentation regarding the modes of participation especially on roles and levels of actors involved, to enrich our understanding of the impact of NBS on values of justice and equity in the cities of the global South.

A genetic algorithm framework for seismic retrofit of building portfolios to enhance community resilience

Earthquakes can impose significant human, societal, and economic burdens, emphasizing the necessity of community preparedness, including mitigation. Seismic retrofitting, a key preparedness measure, seeks to enhance structural resilience against earthquakes. Despite the effectiveness of community-level plans, challenges persist in quantifying their effectiveness and optimizing resource allocation. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a genetic algorithm (GA) framework designed to optimize seismic retrofitting of building portfolios in communities, aiming at achieving community-level resilience goals. The proposed framework, part of a simulation-based approach, probabilistically models building damage and post-earthquake functionality of the community. It calculates seismic retrofit levels (in terms of percentage shift in the median of fragility curves) for each building archetype, considering different shifts in the damage fragility curves and the percentage of retrofitted buildings for each retrofit level. The optimization problem maximizes average post-earthquake functionality, constrained by available community funds. The proposed GA framework is illustrated using the real-world example of Salt Lake City, Utah, in collaboration with the NIST Center for Risk-based Community Resilience Planning, showcasing its application through the Interdependent Networked Community Resilience Modeling Environment (IN-CORE). The results of the considered illustrative example reveal substantial improvements in community functionality under different budget scenarios and retrofit levels. The GA framework represents a significant advancement in supporting informed decisions for community resilience. Community leaders can use its outputs to make informed decisions, considering specific factors and trade-offs between benefits and costs.

Urban regeneration VS residential property characteristics: which is the most influential on property values?

AbstractUrban regenerations have always been a tool towards the improvement of the urban environment through environmental integration and thereafter the quality of life of citizens. However, all regenerations do not have the same success and impact on the surrounding properties. In this paper, two major urban regenerations of Thessaloniki, the second largest city of Greece, are studied through the scope of their effect on property values in combination with the analysis of the effect of traditional property characteristics on values. This study was necessary to fill the gap of determining that sustainable urban planning and environmental integration are nowadays proven more important than property characteristics, when population gathering in urban areas is at its highest point. The current study applied geographically weighted regression, spatial autocorrelation and hot-spot analysis through the environment of ArcGIS to determine which are the factors that citizens seek in their residential area and if these factors are more important than their property characteristics. The findings of the study indicate that citizens always seek for additional urban green and urban quality even in areas where the urban environment is already at a very good level. The difference appears in the fact that in areas where urban green or open spaces are upsent, the weight leans on the characteristics of the wider area and its citizens (socio-economic characteristics, habits etc.) rather than on the property characteristics, when determining property values. On the other hand, citizens living in areas with urban green and open spaces, move a step forward and seek for larger and more friendly green or regenerated areas as a counterpoint for already increased property values. In general, the result of this research underlines that a targeted urban planning for each sub-area is one of the keys toward property values stabilization against economic variations and towards the improvement of the quality of citizens’ lives through environmental integration. Therefore, decision makers and urban designers should take into account all different needs of the citizens in each area setting the goal of maximum possible urban sustainability and resilience and the minimum environmental degradation.

Development of New Products for Climate Change Resilience in South Africa—The Catastrophe Resilience Bond Introduction

Climate change has brought several natural disasters to South Africa in the form of floods, heat waves, and droughts. Neighbouring countries are also experiencing tropical cyclones, almost on a yearly basis. The insurance sector is faced with an increased level of climate change risk with individuals, corporates, and even the government approaching it for financial cover. However, with an increased level of competition in the insurance sector, (re)insurers must engage in massive product research and development. Therefore, this paper looks at the possibility of the insurance industry developing new products in the form of catastrophe resilience bonds (CAT R Bonds). A qualitative approach is used following content analysis of (re)insurers’ product development policies, marketing documents, company reports, and risk management reports as well as the Conference of Parties 27 and 28 resolution papers. The findings reveal that (re)insurers’ underwriting capacity, reinsurance protection, and innovative and creative product development increase because of CAT R Bonds. CAT R Bonds enhance the interaction between the capital market and money market, thereby giving speculative investors another investment option. Increased investment into new product development such as CAT R Bonds must continue in South Africa in pursuit of climate change resilience goals.

Integration of Resilient and Complete Streets in Geometric and Roadway Design Guides

This research explores the state of resilience and Complete Streets topics in current geometric and roadway design guides in North America. We conducted a content analysis of twenty-two provincial, state, and general design guides, and a topical examination of the relationship of Complete Streets elements to resilience goals. While Complete Streets topics are well integrated into guides, resilience topics are rarely present, leading to possible missed opportunities to achieve co-benefits or manage tensions. Implications from this research can begin discussions that embed safety and resilience into roadway design that also furthers multi-modal and sustainable transportation.

Strengthening opportunities to integrate informal resilience practices in formal flood resilience planning

People respond to climate change and associated risks based on scientific knowledge, lived experiences, worldviews, values, and social relations. People living in flood-prone areas may develop protective practices to mitigate risk. Formal flood resilience goals, such as relocating people from floodplain areas, need to align with local flood protection goals. People often choose to live in flood-prone areas despite the risk because of perceived aesthetic, social, or economic benefits. For flood-risk policy, reducing flood risk generally means implementing policies that aim to reduce overall exposure to flooding. When people acknowledge and manage risk because of a desire to live in a place, exposure-reducing policies may be met with resistance. In this case study analysis, we explore perspectives about flood resilience at different scales to better understand flood risk resilience. Our analysis of flood resilience draws from a framework for considering community resilience to natural disasters and observations made during a multi-year flood resilience co-production initiative with Selinsgrove Borough, Pennsylvania, a small riverine community. Many residents in the study area have developed resilience practices based on their flood experiences over generations. Flood resilience plans may better serve local realities if they provide sufficient flexibility to integrate residents’ resilience practices and knowledge. Local officials need guidance integrating these practices into their formal responsibilities, including developing and implementing flood-risk management plans.

Podcast Review. Resiliency

Resiliency is a podcast that follows hosts Steve Findley and Silas West as they interview field workers and the Christian experts who support them. They cover a myriad of topics such as marriage and family, health and wellness, language learning, and community development all for the purpose of encouraging field workers to continue on in the work to which the Lord has called them. Building and maintaining resiliency is the goal of Resiliency, and it is a helpful resource for both new and seasoned field workers.

Smart Cities and Smart Supply Chain: Integration for Sustainable Urban Development.

As urbanization accelerates globally, the concept of smart cities emerges as a promising solution to address the multifaceted challenges of sustainable urban development. Smart cities leverage advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life for their residents. Concurrently, the evolution of supply chain management towards smart supply chains has gained traction, driven by the imperative of optimizing logistics, minimizing waste, and enhancing resilience. This paper explores the integration of smart cities and smart supply chains as a holistic approach to foster sustainable urban development. The integration of smart cities and smart supply chains presents a symbiotic relationship wherein advancements in one domain catalyze improvements in the other. Smart cities rely on seamless and efficient supply chain operations to ensure the smooth flow of goods and services, essential for meeting the needs of urban inhabitants. [1],[2] Conversely, smart supply chains benefit from the data-rich environment and infrastructure of smart cities to optimize routing, inventory management, and last-mile delivery, thereby reducing environmental impact and enhancing overall efficiency. Key components of this integration include the utilization of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain technology to enable real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and transparent, secure transactions throughout the urban supply chain. By harnessing these technologies, cities can achieve significant improvements in resource utilization, energy efficiency, and carbon footprint reduction. Furthermore, the paper examines the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and regulatory frameworks in facilitating the integration of smart cities and smart supply chains. Collaborative efforts between government entities, industry stakeholders, and technology providers are essential to overcome barriers such as data privacy concerns, interoperability challenges, and investment constraints. In conclusion, the integration of smart cities and smart supply chains represents a promising pathway towards achieving the goals of sustainability, resilience, and prosperity in urban environments. By embracing innovative technologies and fostering collaboration, cities can pave the way for a more efficient, equitable, and environmentally conscious future.