Industrial Districts Research Articles

Exploring Systemic Sustainability in Manufacturing: Geoanthropology’s Strategic Lens Shaping Industry 6.0

This seminal study explores systemic sustainability within the Industry 5.0 paradigm, using the strategic lens of geoanthropology to shape the emerging concept of Industry 6.0. A transdisciplinary approach is adopted, integrating geoanthropological insights into the analysis of the Italian ceramic district. Seven key factors are considered: resource consumption, production dynamics, innovation, environmental impact, social impact, market dynamics, and economic impact. Historical events such as changes in Italian industrial policy, market slowdowns, and the COVID-19 pandemic are identified as significant for the sector. A contingent analysis tailored to the unique characteristics of the ceramic district provides an in-depth understanding of its challenges and opportunities. The incorporation of geoanthropology provides a transdisciplinary perspective that allows for an in-depth examination of the complex interactions between people and their environment in an industrial setting. The study highlights the central role of innovation, digitalization, and government policies in driving positive changes in production efficiency, market dynamics, and economic impact. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including the delicate balance between environmental sustainability and resource consumption, as well as the effective management of the social impacts of digitization. To address these challenges, a systemic sustainability index derived from geoanthropological insights is proposed as a pragmatic tool to measure and guide the development of sustainability initiatives in the ceramic district. The results of this study not only pave the way for new horizons in sustainability assessment but also provide valuable insights for industrial district managers to formulate strategies that foster organizational flexibility and resilience.

Industry 4.0 and sustainability: the case of the Italian textile district of Prato

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the twin transition of textile firms operating in an industrial district. The twin transition comprises two interconnected but distinct processes: the sustainable transition and the digital transition. The study specifically considers sustainability goals in terms of the triple bottom line and digitalization as the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. The study aims to understand how the characteristics of Italian districts influence the choices related to the twin transition and how it affects textile industrial firms.Design/methodology/approachThe author conducts a multiple-case study involving five firms of industrial textile district of Prato.FindingsThe results show the relationship between the characteristics of the district, such as fragmentation of the supply chain, lean manufacturing, territorial proximity and attachment to origins and traditions and the sustainable goals and I4.0 technologies adoption. Moreover, the study proposes a framework for twin transition. Market and technology drive the process in which sustainability represents the aim, I4.0 serves as enablers and the relevant outcome is the implementation of the business model innovation.Practical implicationsThese findings offer valuable insights for textile firms, policymakers and stakeholders seeking to navigate the complexities of twin transition.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the broader topic of twin transition. In particular, it links the particular context represented by the industrial district in which the textile firms operate to their conduct, and the two interconnected and distinct processes, sustainable transition and digital transition, with the business model innovation topic.

The Industrial District: A Successful Form of Agglomeration in Morocco - Case Study of the Menara Cluster

The Industrial District: A Successful Form of Agglomeration in Morocco - Case Study of the Menara Cluster

The expansion of basic education during ‘deskilling’ technological change in England and Wales, c. 1780–1830

AbstractThe first country to industrialize – England – ostensibly did so without expanding investment in the basic education of its workforce. The empirical evidence underpinning this argument for England rests largely on signature rates at marriage. These are not a perfect indication of educational achievement, particularly as many children never learned to write. More problematically, I argue signatures are likely to have systematically underestimated human capital in industrial districts. In place of signature data, I propose age heaping, a measure widely understood as a proxy for numeracy but shown here to be closely related to both reading and writing abilities. In contrast to signatures, this measure suggests that ‘deskilling’ industrialization induced human capital accumulation. I argue that this occurred not because human capital was directly productive, but rather because schools provided a valuable signal. Sunday school attendance signalled low leisure‐preference among child workers and were popularly attended in industrial districts. Further, such schools taught children to read but not write, which they considered inappropriate for the Sabbath, accounting for the discrepancy between these two measures of human capital.

Analysis of Road Drainage Capacity of Developing Industrial Area in Karawang

<p class="Abstract"><span lang="EN-US">Karawang district was formerly known as a rice barn in West Java. But now, this area has become one of Indonesia's largest industrial districts. Its great potential increases the community’s demand for business places. Therefore, the high activity of an area must be balanced with the fulfillment of infrastructure facilities. In maintaining adequate road conditions, it is necessary to provide an integrated drainage system between the road drainage system and the drainage system of the surrounding area. This paper is objective which is to evaluate the capacity and performance of existing road drainage channel. As the land use changes, it’s crucial to evaluate the increase rainfall water runoff. By collects and evaluating recent rainfall data and hydrological analysis using the Normal, Gumbel, Log Normal, and Log Pearson III methods to determine the design rainfall in South Karawang. The results of rain data processing obtained by the selected parameters test method are the Log Pearson III with 10-years of rainfall design 141.26 mm. After conducting capacity evaluation, the results show that the existing channels that serve the area (<em>A</em>) of 8.37 ha with the runoff coefficient (<em>C</em>) of 0.89 are needs to be increases to accommodate the surface rainfall water runoff discharge of, <em>Q</em> = 3.26 m<sup>3</sup>/s. Thus, a precast concrete U-Ditch of 1200 x 1400 mm will provide effective 400 mm of freeboard, <em>W</em>, and 0.5% as channel slope (<em>s</em>) is designed with channel discharge (<em>Q<sub>channel</sub></em>) of 3.39 m<sup>3</sup>/s to accommodate the needs of current conditions.</span></p>

Assessing long-term ecological impacts of PCE contamination in groundwater using a flow cytometric fingerprint approach

This study aims to develop and validate a comprehensive method for assessing ecological disturbances in groundwater ecosystems caused by tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination, utilizing flow cytometry (FCM) fingerprint approach. We hypothesized that the ecological disturbance resulting from PCE contamination would exhibit ‘press disturbance’, persisting over extended periods, and inducing notable phenotypic differences in the microbial community compared to undisturbed groundwater. We collected 40 groundwater samples from industrial district with a history of over twenty years of PCE contamination, along with 56 control groundwater from the national surveillance groundwater system. FCM revealed significant alterations in the phenotypic diversity of microbial communities in PCE-contaminated groundwater, particularly during the dry season. The presence of specific dechlorinating bacteria (Dehalococcoides, Dehalogenimonas, and Geobacter) and their syntrophic partners was identified as an indicator of contamination. Phenotypic diversity measures provided clearer and more direct reflections of contamination impact compared to taxonomic diversity measures. This study establishes FCM fingerprinting as a simple, robust, and accurate method for evaluating ecological disturbances, with potential applications in early warning systems and continuous monitoring of groundwater contamination. The findings not only underscore the sensitivity of FCM in detecting phenotypic variations induced by environmental stressors but also highlight its utility in understanding the complex dynamics of microbial communities in contaminated groundwater ecosystems.

Сейсмические события в Воркутском углепромышленном районе в 2023 году

In 2023, regional seismic stations recorded 25 seismic events in the Vorkuta coal industrial district of the Komi Republic, with a local magnitude ML from 1.8 to 2.8. A significant contribution to the detection of weak, ML ≤ 2, events was made by data obtained from the temporary seismic station of the IG FRC Komi SC UB RAS, installed as part of expeditionary work in the summer of 2023 in the Polar Urals.
 Among them the seismic event on August 1, 2023, which had a macroseismic effect, is of particular interest. Residents of several districts of Vorkuta felt tremors similar to an earthquake. Seismic records from 5 stations with epicentral distances from 40 to 1070 km were processed. The following parameters of the epicenter were obtained: t0 = 18:39:07, 67.529N, 64.001E, h = 0 km, Rminor = 3.9 km, Rmajor = 6.7 km, AzMajor = 90°, Kp = 9.0, ML = 2.8, Ms = 2.35. The instrumental epicenter of the event is located in Vorkuta, near the mine field of the Vorkuta mine. We classified the seismic event as a rock burst. Macroseismic intensity calculated in accordance with the Seismic intensity scale-2017 using 57 questionnaires and 163 definitions of sensor categories was I0 = 4.73 ± 0.02. The calculated value of the macroseismic depth of the source was H = 0.5 ± 0.4 km, which corresponds to the instrumental definition and to the range of depths of mine workings of the Vorkuta coal deposit.

Evaluating economic efficiency of the national high-tech industrial development districts in the Yangtze River Delta by stochastic frontier analysis

The High-tech Industrial Development Districts (HIDDs) are technological engines for the regional economy in China. The Chinese government implemented the Torch Initiative to accelerate industrial agglomeration and innovation development by administratively upgrading the local HIDDs into a national list since 1989. The policy intervention emphasizes the labor and capital inputs on science and technology. The study adopts the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) to understand the economic efficiency of the enlisted national HIDDs in the Yangtze River Delta. The results suggest that the average efficiency trends of the all-in-total sales, product sales and commodity sales are decreasing while that of technology sales is increasing from 2007 to 2019. In the total sales efficiency evaluation, most early-enrolled HIDDs are in the high-efficiency group whereas the newcomers are in the low-efficiency group. The Nantong HIDD has the highest efficiency, followed by Wuxi, Taizhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai ZJ, Xiaoshan, Ningbo, Suzhou IP and Jiangyin HIDDs. Huainan, Huaian, Tongling, Shanghai ZZ, Lianyungang and Suqian HIDDs rank very low in the total sales evaluation. Besides, Hangzhou, Nantong and Ningbo HIDDs rank first in the technology, product and commodity sales efficiency evaluation correspondingly. In addition, the increase of S&T labor inputs would decrease the efficiency of the product, commodity and total sales while the increase of the S&T capital inputs is as expected a facilitator to the efficiency of product, commodity and total sales. This study contributes to the discussion on the role of political intervention in technological innovation by breaking down the economic efficiency into three major parts, the efficiency of technology, product and commodity sales. The findings could help policymakers strike a balance between the human and capital inputs in regional innovation capability.

The role of foreign MNEs in China’s twin transition: a study on the organization of green and digital innovation processes

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to shed light on the twin transition in China in the organization of innovation processes in artificial intelligence (AI) and green technology (GT) development and to understand the role of foreign multinationals in Chinese innovation systems.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach is used by interviewing executives from German multinationals with expertise in AI and GT development and organization of innovation processes in China. In total, 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted with companies, and the data were analysed with a thematic qualitative text analysis.FindingsThe findings show that AI applications for GT are primarily developed in cross-company projects that are led by local and regional authorities through the organization of industrial districts and clusters. German multinationals are either being integrated, remaining autonomous or being excluded from these twin transition innovation processes.Originality/valueThis paper aims to fill the gap in the literature by providing one of the first qualitative approach towards twin transition innovation processes in China and exploring the integration of multinational enterprises in cluster organizations. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is one of the first twin transition studies from this perspective in emerging economies.

Influence of kaolin and red clay on ceramic specimen properties when galvanic sludge is incorporated to encapsulate heavy metals

This study presented the influence of two types of clay: kaolin (Kao) and red clay (RC) on the chemical and physical properties of ceramic specimens when galvanic sludge (GS) is incorporated to encapsulate heavy metals. Samples were obtained of GS from the industrial district of Manaus – Amazonas State, Brazil, and kaolin (Kao), and red clay (RC) from the Central Amazon. A fourth sample was prepared by mixing GS, Kao, and RC in the ratio 1:1:8 (GS + Kao + RC). This mixture was ground, and ceramic specimens were prepared, and heat treated at 950 °C and 1200 °C for three hours for phase detection, compressive strength, leaching of Fe, Ni and Cr metals and life cycle assessment. Galvanic sludge, Kao, and RC were also, and heat treated to at 950 °C and 1200 °C for three hours, obtaining GS950, GS1200, Kao950, Kao1200, RC950, and RC1200. The samples were submitted to XRF, XRD, Rietveld refinement, Mössbauer spectroscopy, TG/DTG/DSC, and SEM. The results show that the formation of nickel oxide and a spinel solid solution of the type Fe3+{Fe1-y3+,Fe1-x2+,Nix2+,Cry3+}O4 (in which [] = tetrahedral site, {} octahedral site) occurs in GS1200, which is caused by sulfate decomposition to SO2. At 1200 °C, heavy metals are encapsulated, forming other phases such as nickel silicate and hematite. Life cycle assessment was used to verify the sustainability and value of GS in clay for making bricks, and it indicated that the production of ceramics is feasible, reduces the use of clays, and is sustainable.

Analysis of the external attraction of Shanghai urban functions based on the travel characteristics

The external attraction of urban functions refers to the ability of specific urban functional areas to attract foreign populations, which can reflect the importance of urban functions in the regional or even global scope. Existing research tends to discuss urban attraction at the macro level, which is insufficient for understanding the importance of internal city functions. Analyzing the attraction of urban functions from the perspective of travel characteristics can reveal the distribution and preferences of the foreign population, which can help the rational planning of urban functions. In this study, we combine Points of interest (POI) and signaling data to identify Shanghai’s urban functional areas and the external population's distribution patterns. The attraction index is calculated based on cross-city geographic flow to evaluate the external attraction of Shanghai's functions from real fine-level human activities. The results show that both Shanghai’s urban functional area and external population distribution present a “ring-radial” distribution with the city center as the core, high in the Central Business District (CBD), and gradually decreasing outward. The overall external attraction also presents a gradual decrease from the center outward with a similar “ring-radial” distribution. At the same time, the regional subcenter of Shanghai also excels in external attraction. Universities, well-known business districts, industrial districts, and famous tourist spots become the dominant functions with high external attraction. Above all, the economic factor is the most important driver for migration. Our research provides valuable insights into Shanghai’s global city vision and lays a scientific foundation for long-term future urban development and planning.

Evaluation and diagnosis for the pedestrian quality of service in urban riverfront streets

Leisure walking can improve the physical and mental health of urban people. Especially, riverfront streets have a comfortable blue space that can bring higher pedestrian benefits. Improving the pedestrian quality of service (PQOS) of riverfront streets is crucial. However, the needs of citizens for walking and daily activities are rarely considered in the riverfront streets. This paper established the evaluation system for PQOS of riverfront streets from five aspects of accessibility, attractiveness, comfort, safety and pleasure, and realized the collection and calculation of indicators through space syntax, semantic segmentation and other methods. Taking Jilin Riverfront Streets as examples, the PQOS was evaluated. Through the establishment of the coordinate system, the streets were divided into four categories: Advantage, Maintain, Opportunity and Improvement streets. The renewal strategies were proposed. The results showed that the PQOS have great room for improvement. The natural openness ratio and blue visual index of the improvement streets need to be enhanced. Most opportunity streets were located in the residential, industrial and biophilic districts. The number and types of service facilities need to be increased. The evaluation method can assist the designers to update the PQOS of riverfront streets, and provide data support for that.

Dear old (and misunderstood) districts, let’s look ahead

Food districts seem to be a phenomenon as widespread as they are somewhat little known and misunderstood. After thirty years of collective thinking and practice, we question what districts in the agricultural and rural domain actually are and whether we are yet to produce a scientifically consistent conceptual framework to fully understand them. This article aims to relaunch a debate about this theme, encouraging scholars to refocus their research on it, thereby hopefully prompting policy-makers to revisit and review current policy. How the current conceptual framework develops from Becattini’s interpretation of the Marshallian Industrial District and its impact on policy design and implementation are analysed and grey areas highlighted. Current transitions linked to sustainability and global challenges are explored through the relevant literature, highlighting the changing meaning of some key concepts that are necessary to reframe the district notion. Our conclusion is that a new generation of district is needed, in addiction to a new policy framework, which in turn will require a reframing and more robust conceptualization of what food districts are. We end by analysing some difficulties and caveats to begin to produce a theoretical definition of a new conceptual framework.

The Implementation of Green Human Resource Management: A Survey on the Manufacturing Industry in Indonesia

This study investigates the implementation of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) in the manufacturing industry in Indonesia, with a focus on achieving sustainable organizational performance. It addresses a research gap and develops conceptual models to advance sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in Indonesia, encompassing social, economic, educational, health, and environmental aspects. A survey method was employed, utilizing an associative quantitative approach with multivariate statistical techniques, specifically structural equation modeling partial least squares (SEM-PLS). The study involved 75 manufacturing enterprises in Indonesia's Karawang industrial district, with Managers or Supervisors serving as respondents. Data was collected using a questionnaire as the primary measurement instrument. The research falls under TKT 2 in terms of technology readiness, involving the formulation of a research model concept. Key findings suggest that the implementation of GHRM practices in the manufacturing industry positively impacts Green Intellectual Capital and contributes to sustainable organizational performance. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of GHRM in enhancing environmental sustainability and organizational competitiveness within the Indonesian manufacturing sector.

Testing the predictive ability of a karst subsidence susceptibility map made thirty years ago in the central Ebro Basin (Zaragoza, Spain)

Karst subsidence has caused damage in numerous buildings and infrastructures in the surroundings of Zaragoza city since the early 1970s, when rapid urbanization of the area begun. A detailed survey carried out in 1991 allowed recognizing and mapping damages in an industrial district, and elaborating a susceptibility or spatial hazard map based on (i) the observed presence of active alluvial dolines, and (ii) spatial distribution of factors controlling their development, according to a hazard model based on both spatial analysis and laboratory experimental simulation. The predictive ability of such spatial hazard map is now tested, thirty years later, by a new detailed field survey carried out in 2021 covering almost the same area. The results allow mapping of the total present-day damage and, using GIS tools, also a residual map of areas newly damaged since 1991. After comparing those maps with the hazard zonation proposed in 1991, we conclude that: (i) the predictive ability of the latter is good in overall; (ii) the areas of highest subsidence hazard have a probability in the range of 19–38% of suffering damage over a 30-year period, while this probability systematically decreases up to about 7% for the lowest hazard areas; (iii) the average rate of occurrence of new damage within the overall study zone has remained quite uniform around 0.5% in area per year. Incorporating such calculations of temporal probability of occurrence associated to each hazard category allows the original susceptibility map to approach a hazard s.s. map, providing annual probabilities of occurrence between ~ 0.6 to 1.3% and ~ 0.3% for the distinct hazard zones.

Mobilising in a (former)-red subculture industrial district: the case of the No-Keu permanent assembly

ABSTRACT The article contributes to the understanding of the impact of capitalism on social movements that mobilise against environmental pollution. While research on the topic has looked especially at global trends in capitalist development, the analysis switches attention to the specific local forms of economic development. It does so by focusing on the so-called district economy and related local political subcultures, looking at their decline in particular. Based on interviews and document analysis, the empirical investigation of a protest campaign in Tuscany, Italy, against the illegal disposal of dangerous industrial waste and the alleged collusion of members of the local political and economic elite with organised crime demonstrates the effects of the degeneration of the local model of development. The article explores challenges and opportunities for contentious politics in defining not only the grievances but also the networked organisational structure, the politicised collective frames and the eventful repertoire of protest.

Relationship between plant diversity and community stability and invasibility in the heterogeneous landscape of urban habitats undergoing Solidago canadensis invasion

ABSTRACT Background Solidago canadensis has become an invasive species in Chinese cities. Little progress has been made in understanding the relationship between the plant taxonomic diversity and community stability and invasibility of local plant communities during S. canadensis invasion, especially in heterogeneous landscapes. Progress in understanding the relationship between the key functional traits of S. canadensis and its invasion intensity and competitive advantage, especially in heterogeneous landscapes, is also currently limited. Aims We evaluated the relationship between the key functional traits of Solidago canadensis and its invasion intensity in urban ecosystems in eastern China, while taking into consideration the competitive advantages that these traits may confer. Additionally, we quantified the relationship between plant taxonomic diversity and community stability and invasibility by S. canadensis. Methods This study was conducted using cross-site comparisons between vegetation with S. canadensis invasion and those without S. canadensis invasion in nine types of urban ecosystems (cultural and educational research site, farmland wasteland, scenic garden area, industrial district, municipal land, residential area, roadside, urban green space, and wetland waterfront) in eastern China. Results The stem diameter at ground level, leaf shape index, and leaf chlorophyll concentration of S. canadensis were most highly correlated with its invasion intensity and competitive advantage. Community stability was positively correlated with plant diversity and evenness. Both the community invasibility and invasion intensity of S. canadensis were negatively correlated with the number of plant species of the local flora. Community invasibility was mainly influenced by the number of plant species of the local flora. Conclusions The invasion intensity and competitive advantage of S. canadensis may be largely determined by its stem diameter at ground level, leaf shape index, and leaf chlorophyll concentration. Community stability may be largely determined by the plant diversity and evenness (especially evenness) of the local flora. Community invasibility may be largely determined by the number of plant species of the local flora.

Distribution, sources and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban soils under different landform conditions of Taiyuan, China

Public concern about polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is rising due to their potential carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects. This study assessed PAHs in Taiyuan City’s plain and mountain soil, investigating concentrations, distribution, sources, and carcinogenic risk. Σ21PAHs concentrations in plain topsoil ranged from 133.2 to 6,410.6 ng/g (mean 1,444.7 ng/g), and in mountain soil from 66.5 to 2,250.2 ng/g (mean 585.5 ng/g). Approximately 55.1% of plain and 19.0% of mountain soil samples had contamination levels exceeding 600 ng/g. In plain soil, 4-ring and 5-ring PAHs dominated, while 2-ring and 3-ring PAHs were prevalent in mountain soil. Polluted areas in Taiyuan were primarily centered in the central-north, with higher content closer to industrial or business districts. PAH isomer ratios and principal component analysis/multiple linear regression (PCA/MLR) indicated coal combustion as the main PAH source, followed by coke production, vehicle emissions, and biomass combustion. Incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) showed Taiyuan’s PAH-related cancer risks were generally low, though heavily contaminated areas exhibited moderate risks. Plain regions had three times higher cancer risk than mountains, with children facing higher risk than adults. These findings highlight the need to consider PAH pollution while enhancing urban environmental quality.

Detection of two species of non-indigenous freshwater snails in Arctic Siberia

ABSTRACT Some species of freshwater gastropods, known for their adaptability and resilience, have gained attention globally as invasive species. However, to date, only one invasive population of freshwater snails has been documented beyond the Arctic Circle. In this study, we report the discovery of two non-indigenous species, Planorbella duryi (Wetherby, 1879) and Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805), north of 69°N in the Norilsk Industrial District (Central Siberia). Their identification was based on morphological features and COI gene sequences. Both species are native to the temperate and subtropical zones of North America and may have entered the Arctic Asian reservoirs through aquarium introductions. The distribution of these populations is constrained to areas affected by thermal pollution, and their further spread into pristine reservoirs of Northern Siberia is unlikely.

Формування комплексного підходу до досліджень впливу транспортно-промислових процесів на сіті-логістичні системи

Taking into account the need for post-war reconstruction, one of the important issues is the formation of city-logistics systems taking into account the prospects for the development of urban industry, advanced achievements of science and technology, and the introduction of ecological modes of transport. , ensuring the European level of social and cultural development of the population. Meanwhile, enterprises of the metallurgical industry, as a rule, are city-forming in the settlements of industrial districts, they employ tens of thousands of workers. Taking into account the continuity of the main production processes in metallurgy, employees of such enterprises have a need for round-the-clock daily movement from their place of residence to the enterprise and back. At the same time, the schedules of the beginning and end of work shifts may be different at the same enterprise. Under such conditions, it is important to provide employees with timely and reliable transportation to the workplace. Accordingly, the city's transport system as a whole and the city's public transport in particular must be ready to ensure the growth of demand for passenger transportation for the sustainable development of the city's economy and social sphere. The article emphasizes the relevance of the tasks of optimizing the duration of signals both for relatively simple configurations of street network nodes and for complex street intersections with several sections of the road separated by a boulevard. The approach proposed by the authors to the management of the city-logistics system in the conditions of the cities of industrial regions will ensure the growth of demand for passenger transportation for the purpose of sustainable development of the economy and social sphere of cities. The need has been proven and practical solutions have been proposed for increasing the level of road safety, reducing traffic jams, and improving traffic modes within the cities of industrial areas, which allows to reduce the number of traffic accidents, ensures the fulfillment of urban logistics tasks, and also reduces the level of energy consumption of vehicles. expedient connection of various types of street transport, including individual ones, which will ensure rational planning of street space and increase the efficiency of the transport system of cities.