Improvement Of Transport Infrastructure Research Articles

Optimization of Blasting Parameters Considering Both Vibration Reduction and Profile Control: A Case Study in a Mountain Hard Rock Tunnel

The number of excavated tunnels is increasing day by day, and the corresponding engineering scale is also getting increasing. Safe, efficient, and economically beneficial tunnel construction methods are indispensable in the process of crossing mountains and steep ridges in the southwest region. However, behind the improvement of transportation infrastructure in Southwest China is the support provided by the rapid development of blasting industry engineering technology in China. In the process of tunnel construction using the drilling and blasting method, in addition to blasting vibration disasters the phenomenon of overbreak and underbreak caused by blasting construction is a prominent problem. This phenomenon not only affects the safety and stability of the tunnel excavation but also seriously increases the construction cost. Based on a short mountain hard rock tunnel project in southwest China, this paper studies the effect of blasting construction on the blasting vibration of adjacent structures and the influence of tunnel contour forming quality. Through the monitoring and analysis of in situ blasting vibration, the Sadowski formula is used to study the attenuation law of blasting vibration velocity in different tunnel sites, which provides a theoretical basis for tunnel blasting vibration control. This article compares the use of overbreak and underbreak value with the traditional method to determine the degree of overbreak and underbreak. It introduces the analysis of contour section fractal dimension value and uses fractal theory in the Python image processing module to accurately and quantitatively describe the problems of tunnel overbreak and underbreak. The feasibility and accuracy of this method have been verified, by combining the total station and 3D laser scanner results of overbreak and underbreak measurements of the Brenner Base Tunnel and a short hard rock tunnel in a mountainous area of southwestern China. The blasting scheme was optimized from the aspects of cut hole form, detonator interval time, and peripheral hole charge structure, and the rationality of the optimized scheme was verified according to the on-site blasting experiments. It has a profound influence on strengthening the protection of adjacent tunnel structures and improving the economic benefit of mountain highway projects.

E-commerce development, poverty reduction and income growth in rural China

PurposeThis research examines the impact of the National Rural E-commerce Comprehensive Demonstration Project (NRECDP) on poverty reduction and income growth in rural China.Design/methodology/approachThe study develops a theoretical framework, which considers the role of geographical, technological, institutional and cultural factors for the e-commerce poverty alleviation (e-CPA) model. Empirically, this study applies the difference-in-differences (DID) model and the event study approach to evaluate the effectiveness of NRECDP on the basis of large-scale county-level and household-level panel data spanning 2010 to 2020.FindingsThe study found that the NRECDP, as a government-led, information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled, market-based program, has led to a significant increase in per capita output of primary industry employees, as well as in the disposable income of rural residents, especially those in national-level poverty-stricken (NP) counties. The interventions of the NRECDP achieved these positive outcomes through transportation and Internet infrastructure improvement, ICT adoption and human capital accumulation in impoverished towns and villages in remote rural areas. These effects are larger in the eastern region of China, followed by the central region, whereas the weakest effects were found in the western region. However, we found little evidence of the NRECDP increasing household developmental expenditure.Research limitations/implicationsThe study findings have important practical and policy implications for rural e-commerce development and self-sustained poverty alleviation solutions. The research revealed the significance of government NRECDP interventions for increasing rural income, reducing living costs, and empowering the rural population in its multiple social roles, namely, as consumers, producers, employees and microentrepreneurs. The local cultural context may also play a role in ICT adoption and entrepreneurship cultivation with a downstream effect on the effectiveness of e-CPA practices. Policymakers would need to ensure a supportive entrepreneur-friendly environment for rural e-commerce development and continue implementing progressive policies for poverty alleviation.Originality/valueThis study explores poverty alleviation issues in China by developing for the first time a multi-faceted framework that is subsequently tested by both county-level and household-level large-scale observations. Also, it is the first study to provide nationwide empirical evidence on the effectiveness of e-CPA in narrowing down the spatial and digital divides in China. In addition to the impact of geography, technology and governmental support, this study also sheds light on the role of culture in the adoption and diffusion of digital technologies and as a source of local entrepreneurial opportunities.

Understanding the Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Influencing Factors of the Rice–Crayfish Field in Jianghan Plain, China

The rice–crayfish co-culture system, a representative of Agri-aqua food systems, has emerged worldwide as an effective strategy for enhancing agricultural land use efficiency and boosting sustainability, particularly in China and Southeast Asia. Despite its widespread adoption in China’s Jianghan Plain, the exact spatiotemporal dynamics and factors influencing this practice in this region are yet to be clarified. Therefore, understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics and influencing factors of the rice–crayfish fields (RCFs) is crucial for promoting the rice–crayfish co-culture system, and optimizing land use policies. In this study, we identified the spatial distribution of RCF using Sentinel-2 images and land use spatiotemporal data to analyze its spatiotemporal dynamics during the period of 2016–2020. Additionally, we used the Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression model to explore the key factors influencing RCF’s spatiotemporal changes. Our findings reveal that (1). the RCF area in Jianghan Plain expanded from 1216.04 km2 to 2429.76 km2 between 2016 and 2020, marking a 99.81% increase. (2). RCF in Jianghan Plain evolved toward a more contiguous and clustered spatial pattern, suggesting a clear industrial agglomeration in this area. (3). The expansion of the RCFs was majorly influenced by its landscape and local agricultural conditions. Significantly, the Aggregation and Landscape Shape Indexes positively impacted this expansion, whereas proximity to rural areas and towns had a negative impact. This study provides a solid foundation for promoting the rice–crayfish co-culture system and sustainably developing related industries. To ensure the sustainable development of rice–crayfish co-culture industries in Jianghan Plain, we recommend that local governments optimize the spatial layout of rural settlements, improve transportation infrastructure, and enhance regional agricultural water sources and irrigation system construction, all in line with the national strategy of rural revitalization and village planning. Additionally, promoting the concentration and contiguity of RCF through land consolidation can achieve efficient development of these industries.

Impact of transport superiority on ecosystem health in arid regions: A case study of southern Xinjiang, China

The increasingly improved transportation infrastructure network is the prerequisite and foundation for driving regional development. Scientifically investigating the mechanisms by which the transport superiority degree (TSD) in arid regions affects the health of ecosystems holds significant practical value and importance for ecosystem protection and regional sustainable development. This study investigates the impact of the TSD on the Ecosystem Health Levels (EHL) in Southern Xinjiang, China, an area characterized by its arid climate and ecological vulnerability. Arid regions, such as Southern Xinjiang, often face unique ecological challenges, including water scarcity, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss, which can be exacerbated by human activities including transportation infrastructure development. By leveraging multi-source remote sensing data, this research aims to uncover the intricate dynamics between TSD and EHL in such a fragile ecological context. The findings of this study are critical for understanding the balance between infrastructural development and environmental conservation in arid regions and provide valuable insights for sustainable planning and policy-making in similar ecological settings. The research results show the following: (1) Over the study period, county-scale TSD in southern Xinjiang generally increased, while the conditions of EHL deteriorated, with higher EHL in the eastern counties than in the western counties. (2) Bivariate spatial autocorrelation analysis reveals a significant spatial dependency between county-scale TSD and EHL, with primary relationship types being LH (Low TSD − High EHL) and HL (High TSD − Low EHL). (3) Spatial regression model results indicate that an increase in TSD leads to the deterioration of county-scale EHL, and during the study period, it was observed that the interference of TSD on EHL gradually weakened.

DEVELOPMENT AND RECOVERY MANAGEMENT OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS USING THE EXAMPLE OF KYIV CITY: OVERCOMING CONSEQUENCES OF THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS

The development of tourism at the destination level is closely linked to its attractiveness, which determines the prospects and opportunities for attracting tourist flows. New trends in the development of modern tourism as a socio-economic, cultural, and communicative institution require regional tourism entities to take appropriate practical measures. Increasing tourist flows requires the creation of an appropriate infrastructure, including the expansion of the network of accommodation facilities, the development of transport links and other services necessary to meet the needs of tourists. Political instability and the lack of a comprehensive, systematic model of tourism management have led to the decline of this sector in Ukraine. The relevance of this topic is driven by the need to develop strategies and management measures to ensure the attractiveness of urban destinations for tourists and to restore the tourism sector in line with international management models and examples of major urban tourist destinations. The main purpose of this study is to analyze the aspects of management, development, and recovery of a tourist destination on the example of Kyiv as part of Ukraine’s economic system in the context of a pandemic and war. The study uses systemic analysis, structural and functional approaches, as well as comparison methods. The study examines the problems associated with a decrease in tourist flow and loss of revenue in the tourism industry due to ineffective management of the tourist destination (pandemic and military operations in the country) and insufficiently developed infrastructure. This made it possible to formulate recommendations for solving problems, namely: improving transport infrastructure and creating and maintaining tourist infrastructure, such as hotels, restaurants and other facilities that will form an open state tourism policy. The concept of spatial-economic management and practical functionality of tourist destinations on the example of Kyiv is developed, provided that modern technologies, approaches, and methods of tourist destinations formation are used, which are components of the model of management of tourist areas development. The results of the study can be used to manage tourist destinations at the international and regional levels.

Tourism Investment and Land Use Change in the Northern Piedmont of the Western High Atlas (1989-2022)

This study aimed to investigate the profound influence of tourism investment on the Northern Piedmont of the western High Atlas over 34 years in response to the escalating global trend of tourism-driven land-use changes, particularly in the Marrakesh region. In this context, the driving forces behind the significant transformation of agricultural land and bare soils into tourism-driven investments were evaluated as well as the critical role of accessibility in shaping spatial shifts. The method used high-resolution (10 m) satellite images from Spot 1 (1989), Spot 5 (2003 & 2010), and Sentinel 2 (2022) through remote sensing methods to investigate the historical land-use changes over 34 years. The results showed significant transformations in land-use based on the correlation between improved transportation infrastructure and the growth of tourism ventures, underscoring the role of roads and facilities as catalysts. The analysis suggested the need for reflection on the consequences of unregulated tourism growth, aiming to balance economic benefits with environmental and socio-cultural challenges in sensitive regions. Although tourism significantly contributed to economic development and employment opportunities, it also posed risks when not managed prudently. This underscored the need to strike a harmonious equilibrium between economic prosperity as well as preserving the unique natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region. The insights provided in this analysis had broader implications for responsible planning and management of tourism development in sensitive ecological and cultural regions. In conclusion, a thoughtful and sustainable approach was needed to safeguard the delicate balance between economic prosperity and environmental preservation.

The Optimization Strategy of Tourism Space

With the expansion of the scale of cultural heritage tourism, the contradiction between cultural heritage space and tourism activities is becoming more and more prominent, and the integrity and authenticity of cultural heritage are facing threats. This study took Gulangyu Island as the research object. From the perspective of marketing, combined with the theories of architecture, urban and rural planning, and other disciplines, this paper analyzed the current situation of tourism space on Gulangyu Island and put forward tourism space optimization strategies. The research pointed out the current problems of Gulangyu Island in terms of product type, product design, and product quality through the method of literature research. In view of the current problems of Gulangyu tourism space, the optimization strategy of Gulangyu tourism space was put forward: first, optimize the allocation of resources and build a tourist scenic spot with cultural heritage resources as the main body; second, establish a multi-subject cooperative governance model, using the historical and cultural heritage of Gulangyu Island to improve the optimization strategy of tourism space; third, build a linkage tourism product system, improve transportation infrastructure, and ease the flow of people in hot areas.

Analysis of the Overhead Crane Energy Consumption Using Different Container Loading Strategies in Urban Logistics Hubs

This study addresses the critical gap in the literature regarding the energy efficiency of intermodal terminals in smart cities, mainly focusing on crane operations during train loading processes. Novelty’s contribution lies in developing a comprehensive simulation model in FlexSim, where quantitative analysis of crane energy consumption, factoring in container location in the storage yard, rehandling operations, and crane movement strategies were performed. Moreover, the analysis of hoist, trolley, and gantry movements was performed to evaluate their impact on overall container loading process energy efficiency. The findings reveal that the choice of train loading method significantly influences crane energy consumption, thereby affecting the operational costs, environmental footprint, and energy efficiency of the logistics hub in the form of an intermodal terminal. This research provides a methodology for assessing and enhancing the energy efficiency of intermodal terminals and highlights the broader implications for smart city sustainability goals, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower operating costs, and improved transportation infrastructure. The outcomes of this research can possibly support smart city planners and logistics managers in making informed decisions to optimise intermodal terminal operations, contributing to urban areas’ sustainable development and economic resilience.

THE ROLE OF THE STATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE RURAL POPULATION

The article examines the role of the state in the development of rural social infrastructure to improve the quality of life of the population. The means of state influence on the development of rural social infrastructure in Ukraine are determined: financial support; creation of programs and strategies; ensuring access to quality education; providing financial support for hospitals and medical institutions; development and improvement of transport and communication infrastructure; setting quality standards for rural social infrastructure.

Infant mortality in Ghana: investing in health care infrastructure and systems.

Child and infant mortality is a global problem. Almost half of deaths of children under age 5 years occur in the neonatal period, the first 28 days of life, with 2.4 million neonatal deaths globally in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa has disproportionately high numbers of neonatal deaths. Ghana's neonatal mortality rate is 22.8 per 1000 live births and remains behind targets set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Quality antenatal care, postnatal monitoring, breastfeeding support, and postnatal family planning are important in preventing neonatal deaths. While Ghana has made progress in making care more financially accessible, it has not been matched with the improvements in the critical infrastructure required to ensure quality health care. The improvements have also not eliminated out-of-pocket costs for care, which have hindered progress in decreasing infant mortality. Policymakers should consider investments in health care infrastructure, including expanding public-private partnerships. Policies that improve workforce development programs, transportation infrastructure, and health insurance systems improvements are needed.

Improving the transport infrastructure on the federal highway

Rostov-on-Don is located in the central part of Russia. It is a major transport hub. Paths from many regions of Russia intersect here. A route to the southern cities of the country passes through the metropolis, which is especially popular in the summer. Since 2022, the flow of freight and passenger transport from the annexed territories of Russia has increased significantly. The city of Rostov-on-Don plays an important role in the supply of goods, provision of services, as well as the supply of construction materials for the restoration of settlements in the annexed territories. In the Rostov region, great attention is paid to repairing roads to the Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics. High-quality roads and transport links play an important role in the development of new territories in Russia and influence the development of the modern economy. The main entrance/exit to the city is the A-280 highway “Rostov-on-Don - Taganrog - border with the DPR”, which has federal status. The route starts from Rostov-on-Don, namely from the roundabout intersection of Malinovskoye Street and Taganrog Highway, which is located within the city. The purpose of the study is to improve transport infrastructure to improve road safety at this intersection.

"Professionals Talk Logistics": Why Resupplying Taiwan in a Future War Will Be Harder Than Resupplying Ukraine

executive summary: This article compares the logistical challenges associated with the West's military resupply of Ukraine and those of resupplying Taiwan in a potential future conflict. main argumentDespite facing critical munitions shortages and growing political divisiveness over the substantial financial burden of this policy, the West's resupply of the Ukrainian military during Ukraine's current war with Russia has—so far—been a success, keeping forces battle-worthy and able to continue fighting after nearly two years of high-intensity conventional warfare. Would the resupply of Taiwan against China in wartime be similarly feasible for the U.S. and its regional partners in the Pacific? Major obstacles distinguish the Taiwan scenario. In prioritizing planning for a Taiwan contingency, the U.S. government should consider five major logistical factors: geopolitical ambiguity, the tyranny of distance, the need to resupply by air and sea, the involvement of reliable regional partners, and China's tolerance for the supply of armament to Taiwan in wartime. policy implications• Pre-positioning war materiel forward on allied soil is crucial to enable a rapid response to any military aggression against Taiwan. Besides increasing stocks of arms and ammunition in Taiwan itself, materiel should be pre-positioned with short reach to Taiwan in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines and closely linked with depots in Guam, Hawaii, Australia, and the continental U.S. in a hub-and-spoke framework. • To assist Taiwan in establishing reserves of arms and munitions, the U.S. should increase technology transfer and joint production of critical war materiel with and in Taiwan. Boosting Taiwan's own defense industry base will help ensure the security of supply and an independent maintenance, repair, and overhaul capability in a conflict. Moreover, to ensure the materiel survives, hardening, decentralization, and the ability to disperse at least parts of the industrial production and maintenance, repair, and overhaul capability should be advanced. • In a war across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwanese ports and airports would come under attack early on, and even if they were not destroyed, the People's Liberation Army would try to block access to them, hindering resupply efforts. Strong emphasis should be placed on the development of robust amphibious and civilian roll-on/roll-off capabilities, buildup of temporary piers, and improvement of Taiwan's transportation infrastructure.

Потенциал применения зарубежного подхода при создании транспортно-логистической инфраструктуры

Changing the approach to the integrated development of the territories of the regions of Russia requires the development of conceptual approaches to the organization of logistics of road construction. It is noted that currently in Russia, key projects for the development of the country and society are implemented by achieving the goals and objectives of national strategies (national projects 2019-2024), in three areas - human capital, a comfortable living environment, economic growth. As a result of the low efficiency of the management mechanisms for the implementation of the tasks of the national strategy “Safe and High-quality Highways”, new projects for the development of small towns require complex solutions of contractors for the construction of logistics infrastructure. The projects of organization of construction and improvement of road transport infrastructure of foreign countries are considered. The analysis of road construction management models in China and India was carried out in order to determine the potential of applying a foreign approach to the creation of transport and logistics infrastructure in Russia within the framework of national strategies for the integrated development of the country's territory. The main obstacles to the realization of the Russian potential for economic growth and their causes are identified. Conclusions are drawn that in order to create a comfortable and efficient transport and logistics infrastructure in the region, it is advisable to expand the target regional road construction markets and apply a project approach with the choice of a road construction logistics operator.

Opportunities for Kazakhstan exports in the Southeast Asian region in the context of current geopolitical upheavals

This article discusses the main current processes of trade and economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and the region of Southeast Asia, in the current geopolitical conditions of the formation of the latest model of trade and economic interaction in the world. According to the available world trade forecasts, in the medium term, the large volumes of all world trade will move specifically to the region of Southeast Asia. This is due to several factors, including changing geopolitical conditions, changing delivery routes and increased interest from international investors. Kazakhstan, given the lack of access to the World Ocean, have to make significant efforts to build accessible logistics in the direction of the European Union – Southeast Asia, which will increase transit flows through Kazakhstan territory. In addition, it is necessary to carry out more active work to promote domestic enterprises to the market of Southeast Asian countries. Particular emphasis in the course of this research work was placed on the opportunities and potential for increasing Kazakhstani exports to Southeast Asian countries, using the Comparative Advantage Index. As a result,the main categories of goods that have a certain competitiveness in the market of the Southeast Asian countries are determined, considering imports to the region from third countries. In general, Kazakhstan can increase its trade with Southeast Asia through improving transportation infrastructure, improving the legislative framework, and increasing its presence at events in the region.This work will be of interest both to representatives of the diplomatic corps of Kazakhstan and representatives of the business community interested in selling their products to the markets of the countries of Southeast Asia.

Prediction of transportation index for urban patterns in small and medium-sized Indian cities using hybrid RidgeGAN model

The rapid urbanization trend in most developing countries including India is creating a plethora of civic concerns such as loss of green space, degradation of environmental health, scarcity of clean water, rise in air pollution, and exacerbated traffic congestion resulting in significant delays in vehicular transportation. To address the intricate nature of transportation issues, many researchers and planners have analyzed the complexities of urban and regional road systems using transportation models by employing transportation indices such as road length, network density, accessibility, and connectivity metrics. This study addresses the complexities of predicting road network density for small and medium-sized Indian cities that come under the Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT) project at a national level. A hybrid framework based on Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR) and the CityGAN model is introduced to predict network density using spatial indicators of human settlements. The major goal of this study is to generate hyper-realistic urban patterns of small and medium-sized Indian cities using an unsupervised CityGAN model and to study the causal relationship between human settlement indices (HSIs) and transportation index (network density) using supervised KRR for the real cities. The synthetic urban universes mimic Indian urban patterns and evaluating their landscape structures through the settlement indices can aid in comprehending urban landscape, thereby enhancing sustainable urban planning. We analyzed 503 real cities to find the actual relationship between the urban settlements and their road density. The nonlinear KRR model may help urban planners in deriving the network density for GAN-generated futuristic urban patterns through the settlement indicators. The proposed hybrid process, termed as RidgeGAN model, can gauge the sustainability of urban sprawl tied to infrastructure and transportation systems in sprawling cities. Analysis results clearly demonstrate the utility of RidgeGAN in predicting network density for different kinds of human settlements, particularly for small and medium Indian cities. By predicting future urban patterns, this study can help in the creation of more livable and sustainable areas, particularly by improving transportation infrastructure in developing cities.

Farm location and occupational choices in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for agricultural households in Tanzania

This paper examines how agricultural households in Tanzania use a labor coping strategy in occupational choices between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors due to farm locational effect. It investigates whether agricultural households diversify their income generating activities away from agriculture by using Multinomial logit Marginal Effects model. It employs three rounds panel data from the World Bank's Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) carried out in Tanzania as a typical case of SSA economies. The key finding indicates that for each additional kilometer from their residences, households choose non-agricultural self-employment sector by relocating labor from agricultural sector in response to the associated costs and income risks. The comparable results between distant and farmlands nearby households reveal that for farmlands located in each additional kilometer beyond 7.8 km, a typical household relocates away 20 more labor days from agricultural sector compared to the number of days relocated for a similar effect on a farmland located in close proximity to household residence. Meanwhile, the average household allocates 13 more labor days to non-agricultural self-employed sector compared to the number of labor days allocated to a farmland located in close proximity to household residence. There is no empirical evidence on labor movements to and from the non-agricultural waged sector. The policy outlook from the findings implies improvement of rural transport technology and infrastructure in order to curb the income loss due to distant farmlands.

Challenges to achieving the social forestry goal of alleviating poverty in Eastern Indonesia

Around 1.3 million rural poor individuals reside in Eastern Indonesia, where the government, via the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, aims to enhance the economy by granting access to forest management through social forestry (SF) programs. This study focuses on identifying challenges in implementing SF to alleviate poverty in the region, which remains understudied. Desk research through a literature review of secondary data was conducted to analyze in order to propose recommendations. The primary challenge faced by farmers is the marketing of forest products, due to geographical constraints and limited infrastructure. To address this, a strategy for developing export-oriented forest products is crucial to increase their value and offset high transportation costs. Empowering farmers with market knowledge and skills through training, technical assistance, and access to market information is urgently needed. Successful implementation of SF programs requires collaboration among the government, communities, companies, and other stakeholders. Additionally, improving transportation infrastructure is vital to overcome logistical barriers. Supportive policies from the government, such as simplifying export procedures, tax exemptions, and promotion of international trade, play a crucial role in facilitating the export of forest products. These collective efforts can contribute significantly to poverty alleviation in Eastern Indonesia through SF initiatives.

Potential impacts of transportation infrastructure improvements to maize and cassava supply chains in Zambia

Agricultural supply chains play a crucial role in supporting food security in Africa. However, high-resolution supply chain information is often not available, which hinders our ability to determine which interventions in food supply chains would most enhance food security. In this study, we develop a high-resolution supply chain model for essential staple crops in Zambia, aiming to estimate how improvements in transportation infrastructure would impact food security. Specifically, we simulate district-level monthly consumption, trade flows, and storage for maize and cassava in Zambia. We then conduct a counterfactual case study with low transportation costs, discovering that reducing transaction costs leads to higher aggregate net agricultural revenue and aggregate net expenditure. These results indicate that transportation investments are more beneficial to suppliers than to consumers, with implications for household food security in smallholder agriculture. Our study highlights the potential for infrastructure investments to improve food security.

Finding Sprawl Factors and Pirate Development: Based on Spatial Analysis of Population Grid Changes from 2014 to 2022 in SMA, South Korea

This comprehensive study explores urban sprawl in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA), emphasizing its rising intensity and complexity despite previous public-led planning efforts. The study aims to visualize the spatial patterns of sprawl and identify influencing factors through spatial regression analysis using grid-based population data created from actual population distributions. This approach fills a gap in the existing literature by moving beyond administrative-level analyses prone to ecological fallacies. This study scrutinizes the dynamics of population change in Seoul Metropolitan Areas (SMAs) in Korea over a decade, focusing on the predatory aspect of urban sprawl. Using grid-based population data and spatial regression analysis, the study finds that population growth is concentrated in unplanned areas with high development benefits. Three key hypotheses were examined: (1) Areas with high development potential, measured through factors like land prices and development plans, attract predatory development; (2) Improved transportation infrastructure encourages population inflow; (3) Non-urban land use, especially bare land, attracts population growth. The results offer important policy implications, particularly for preparing areas with low land prices and improving transportation infrastructures for future population influxes. Monitoring is particularly crucial in areas where development plans are already in place or where there is a high percentage of bare land.

Improving Farmer Livelihood Resilience to Climate Change in Rural Areas of Inner Mongolia, China

This study evaluates how resilient farmers’ livelihoods are to climate change and what factors influence this resilience. To measure resilience, we constructed an indicator system based on the livelihood resilience analysis framework. We surveyed 42 experts and 630 farmers after a climate change disturbance in Aohan Banner, Inner Mongolia, from August to October 2021, and analyzed these data using the comprehensive index method. Meanwhile, we used a multiple linear regression model to analyze the key factors affecting farmer livelihood resilience across different livelihood types and towns. We found that farmers who primarily worked in agriculture had the highest resilience scores and that livelihood resilience differed by geographical location; specifically, livelihood resilience gradually declines from southern to northern areas and from forest and forest-grassland to grassland locations. The results also show that education level, agricultural technology training, transportation infrastructure, accessibility of information, awareness of climate change, climate change perception, change in livelihood strategies, family size, and the holding size of the arable area are positively associated with farmer livelihood resilience, while household head age is negatively associated with resilience. We therefore advise that policymakers should diversify agricultural livelihoods, afforest surrounding arable areas, improve transportation infrastructure, increase learning activities and skill training for farmers, and publicize climate change knowledge.