Rapid Urban Development Research Articles

The impact of China's urbanization on ecosystem service value from the perspective of gross ecosystem product: a case study of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

Gross ecosystem product (GEP) is an aggregate measure of the monetary value of final ecosystem services, or the direct benefits that people derive from nature. GEP can provide decision makers with clear and competing evidence of the monetary value of ecosystem services. However, the relationship between GEP and urbanization has not been clarified which is not conducive to the decision-making role of GEP in the process of urban sustainable development. This work focused on the ‘Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei’ (BTH) urban agglomeration as a case study of the dynamics of ecological production amidst rapid economic and urban development, and coupled a spatial–temporal analysis of regional ecological change based on GIS (Geographic Information System) with economic valuation methods using official statistics and survey data. Results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the GEP increased from 1.55 trillion to 2.36 trillion, the value of provisioning services and cultural services increased from 0.51 to 0.71 trillion to 0.10–0.65 trillion. The value of regulation services showed an upward and downward trend (0.94–1.03–0.98) due to the rapid economic development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. There were obvious spatial differences in the distribution of the GEP, in which Beijing, Tianjin, Tangshan, Cangzhou GEP accounted for 15%, 14%, 16% and 11%, respectively. During 2000–2020, there is a significant correlation between urbanization index (UI) and GEP in BTH, but the correlation between GEP and UI shows a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The correlation between UI and EPS and ERS gradually decreases, and the impact of UI on ETS shows a significant positive correlation. In the future, it can be foreseen that urbanization will suppress the increase of GEP.

Evolutionary Characteristics of Urban Public Space Accessibility for Vulnerable Groups from a Perspective of Temporal–Spatial Change: Evidence from Nanjing Old City, China

Social equity/inequity and equal/unequal rights to the city extend beyond the distribution of urban parks and green spaces, necessitating research on equitable accessibility to encompass a broader range of public spaces. However, previous research has predominantly focused on green spaces, neglecting other types of public spaces. To address this gap, the present study takes the public space pattern of Nanjing Old City as the research object, employing the minimum distance method, the gravity potential method, and bivariate local Moran’s I to evaluate the matching relationship between the demand of socially vulnerable groups and the supply of public spaces, as well as its temporal–spatial evolution from 2010 to 2020. The results reveal spatial heterogeneity in the accessibility of public spaces for vulnerable groups at the block level, with 28.1% of the total number of blocks and 22.1% of the total area of blocks experiencing a supply–demand imbalance in 2010. From 2010 to 2020, under the rapid urban development, construction of public spaces, and the general decline in population density and proportion of vulnerable populations, the supply–demand imbalance has exacerbated the distribution of public spaces at both individual and aggregate levels. This imbalance is reflected in the deteriorated accessibility of public spaces for vulnerable groups. This study reveals the mismatches between development, population movement, and public space construction in the old city of Nanjing over the past decade, providing decision-making suggestions and foundations for the future optimization of public spaces, thereby offering an effective tool for assessing and improving the accessibility and equitable distribution of public spaces based on the needs of vulnerable groups.

The critical success factors for sustainable resource management in circular economy: Assessment of urban mining maturity level

The rapid development of population, urbanization, and industrialization increase the consumption of modern products that generate electronic waste (e-waste) globally. Efforts to overcome e-waste in the context of circular economy exist, but a lack of agreement among researchers and practitioners' challenges how to best measure success in the e-waste circular economy. This study aims to address critical success factors (CSFs) of the e-waste circular economy to assess the maturity levels of urban mining. Maturity levels of urban mining are developed by employing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that derive from how well CSFs are executed. The maturity level is modeled by adding all scores of KPIs aligned with CSFs. Automatic Content Analysis is used to extract keywords and interpret the relationship among keywords to form initial factors in CSFs from a set of related articles on e-waste management. These initial factors are further analyzed by subject experts using facet analysis to construct KPIs in line with the CSFs. The experts' score determines the maturity level of urban mining: initial, emerging, developing, established, and mature. From the experiment, we found seven factors in CSFs and 34 indicators in KPIs. Three countries (Indonesia, India, and Japan) were used as the trials of the assessment of urban mining maturity level. Indonesia's urban mining maturity level is considered emerging with a score of 54, and the same score is reflected in India. With a score of 114, Japan has reached an established stage. Furthermore, the results of urban mining maturity level assessment can be used as guidance to choose and prioritize SDGs. According to urban mining indicators identified, the successful implementation of sustainable urban mining can play important roles in promoting sustainability development goals, especially including SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 17, SDG 7, SDG 6, and SDG 8.

Barriers and opportunities to agrihood development in growing cities of the Rocky Mountain region: A comparative case study

Rapid urbanization and peri-urban development are driving land use change across the globe, result­ing in lands being converted from agricultural uses to housing development. Sustainable, multifunc­tional land use in urban and peri-urban areas is needed to balance the requirements of producing food in a way that protects environmental resources and of providing housing to a growing population. An agrihood is a planned development model that incorporates food production within a community to help address goals of nutritious food security while providing social, economic, and environmental benefits. Agrihoods may offer an alternative land use for integrating food production in new housing developments for the sustainable development of rapidly urbanizing cities. A com­parative case study, using semi-structured, qualita­tive interviews with key informants from two cities (Bozeman, Montana, and Longmont, Colorado), highlighted four key barriers to agrihood develop­ment in two cities in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S: labor; ownership and governance struc­tures; resource availability; and land use regulation. Concerns for water and land resource availability reflect general barriers to agricultural expansion in the Rocky Mountain region, while the other identi­fied barriers reflect the structural and legal limita­tions preventing agrihood development and expan­sion. To reduce these barriers, policy interventions and incentives provided at municipal, state, and federal levels, informed by community advocates in support of local food production, will be essential.

The Impacts of Urbanization on Ecological Systems: A Comprehensive Study of the Complex Challenges Arising from Rapid Urban Growth

Rapid urban development and the spread of cities are hallmarks of urbanisation, which has far-reaching consequences for natural systems. This in-depth research looks at the problems that come up when urbanisation meets natural systems. The study's overarching goal is to provide a comprehensive picture of urbanization's environmental effects and the associated difficulties in achieving ecological sustainability via the use of a multidisciplinary strategy that synthesises literature, conducts empirical research, and employs case studies. The article starts by defining urbanisation and ecological systems, stressing the need of investigating their linkages, within a conceptual framework. Land use shifts, biodiversity loss, ecological fragmentation, pollution, and climate change implications like the urban heat island effect are only some of the topics covered. Population expansion, industrialisation, infrastructural development, consumer habits, and governance concerns are some of the socio-economic drivers of urbanisation and its exacerbation of ecological consequences. This research examines the intricate dynamics at play between urbanisation and natural systems, delving into the feedback loops and trade-offs that exist when prioritising either one over the other. It examines real-world examples from a range of locations and cultures to draw attention to the unique ecological issues posed by the expansion of urban areas and the stresses they place on natural systems. Sustainable planning and design, green infrastructure, resource management, and adaptation measures to climate change are only some of the techniques and instruments identified by the study. The necessity for collaborative governance models and public awareness programmes, as well as the significance of stakeholder involvement and community participation, are emphasised as means by which ecological concerns may be met. This study enriches urban planning, policymaking, and decision-making by filling in knowledge gaps and identifying future research paths related to the effects of urbanisation on natural systems. The results stress the need of incorporating ecological factors into urban planning for sustainable urban expansion.

Evaluating the Influence of Sustainable Urban Disaster Prevention Planning Satisfaction on Residents’ Living Willingness: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach in Kaohsiung City

Rapid urban development and increasing climate-related challenges underscore the need for effective urban disaster mitigation strategies. This study, conducted in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, uses a Structural Equation Model to assess how satisfaction with urban disaster prevention planning influences residents’ intentions to stay there. We found that satisfaction with sustainable urban disaster prevention increases residents’ willingness to remain and acts as a key mediator between satisfaction with public facilities and residential intentions. The methodology provides practical insights for urban planners and policymakers, highlighting that improving public facilities and effective disaster planning significantly strengthens residents’ attachment to urban environments. These findings suggest a pragmatic way to enhance urban sustainability and resilience by incorporating disaster preparedness into urban development plans.

Can China’s rural revitalisation policies be an example for other countries aligning with sustainable development goals (SDGs)-1, 2 and 12?

PurposeEver since China’s implementation of the open-door policy in 1978, there has been a remarkable transformation in the nation’s economic landscape. Undesirably, amidst the rapid urban development, the importance of prioritising and nurturing rural development in China has not received unwavering attention. Nevertheless, the Chinese government has embarked on many ventures to bridge the disparities existing amidst urban and rural areas, revitalise the rural economy, and enhance overall productivity. This paper enunciates the role of the Chinese government in prospering rural areas by implementing policies that align with the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs)- 1, 2 and 12.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a comprehensive methodology encompassing both primary and secondary research techniques to procure valuable insights and reviewed various Chinese government policies pertaining to rural revitalisation.FindingsThe study results demonstrate that throughout the policy implementation, China has contributed to the livelihoods of the rural communities and achieved SDG-1 (ending poverty) by 2030, ten years ahead of Agenda (2030). The country has also substantially improved its rural agricultural system by integrating modern science and technology and aiming to achieve SDG-2 (ensure food security) with the alignment of SDG-12 (sustainable production and consumption). The findings of this research indicate that despite some limitations in China’s rural revitalisation strategy, overall progress is seen in many aspects, particularly in achieving SDG-1, 2, and 12.Research limitations/implicationsThe Chinese government has made significant efforts to promote ecological, social, and economic development in rural areas through various national initiatives such as the “New Countryside” and “Rural Revitalisation” strategies. These initiatives have successfully alleviated poverty, increased food production, and ensured sustainable production and consumption. The discoveries presented within this article possess immense value, as they provide profound insights for policymakers, rural planners, and researchers who are fervently searching for viable solutions to tackle the intricate interplay between rural development and sustainability. Therefore, this study has the potential to greatly benefit policymakers from various nations, as they can adopt China’s rural revitalisation model as a means to successfully achieve SDGs 1, 2, and 12.Originality/valueThis study found that despite numerous initiatives to improve rural landscapes, China’s rural revitalisation approach still poses concerns as local governments are likely to focus on increasing income capacity rather than concentrating on establishing environmental governance.

From pixels to prosperity: does the digital economy reinforce or mitigate urban economic convergence in China?

ABSTRACT In an era where the digital economy is reshaping global economic landscapes, its impact on urban economic convergence remains a subject of considerable debate. This study delves into the intricate relationship between the digital economy and urban economic convergence across 337 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006 to 2020, a critical area of research given the country’s rapid digitalization and urban development. Using the β-convergence model, our findings reveal a general trend of economic convergence among cities, with the digital economy both facilitating and hindering this process. In addition, the impact of the digital economy on urban economic convergence is found to be heterogeneous, significantly influenced by the levels of human and physical capital and the extent of digitalization within cities. This heterogeneity underscores the presence of a ‘digital divide’, where the benefits and challenges of digitalization are not uniformly experienced across urban centres. Conclusively, we recommend targeted policy interventions to bridge the digital divide, enhancing digital literacy, and developing digital infrastructure in underdeveloped urban regions. Such targeted measures are essential for ensuring that the digital economy serves as a catalyst for equitable and sustainable urban development across China’s diverse urban landscape.

Threat and Vulnerability of Thermal Discomfort in Yogyakarta City

The world’s attention to climate issues is increasing as the issue of global warming and climate change emerges. Several studies with the scope of cities and urban areas concluded that urban surface temperatures have an increasing trend. This phenomenon will have an impact on the thermal comfort of urban population. Yogyakarta City as one of the National Activity Centers (PKN), is experiencing rapid urban development and leads to become a metropolitan city so it needs to be studied regarding its thermal comfort. This research is intended to identify the potential and vulnerability of thermal discomfort in Yogyakarta City. The identification of potential discomfort is carried out using the Discomfort Index (DI) approach and the Land Surface Temperature (LST) value. Meanwhile, vulnerability is identified in the social aspects of population. Furthermore, the potential and vulnerability scores are assessed to get an overview of thermal discomfort mitigation priorities. Based on DI analysis, thermal discomfort is felt by more than 50% of the Yogyakarta’s residents and it is estimated that in the future will get worse. By looking at the distribution of LST values, the high potential for discomfort is in the city center and has expanded to the north and northeast. Meanwhile, areas with high vulnerability are located in the center and south side of Yogyakarta City. From the combined assessment of threat and vulnerability, the areas that are the top priority for mitigation are in the center of Yogyakarta City, which include 7 districts, namely Danurejan, Gedongtengen, Gondomanan, Jetis, Kraton, Ngampilan, and Pakualaman. The medium priority districts are Gondokusuman and Wirobrajan.

Multi-Temporal Analysis of Urban Heat Island Phenomenon Distribution in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (2018-2022) Using ArcGIS Story Map

Abstract Rapid urban development in the Special Region of Yogyakarta over the last 5 years has resulted in significant temperature variations, impacting urban areas. The study, presented through a Story Map, focuses on the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon, showcasing temperature changes from 2018 to 2022. Despite a general decline of around 1°C during this period, the year 2022 witnessed a notable 4°C increase in urban temperatures. The dynamics of urbanization, coupled with land use alterations, contribute to the fluctuating surface temperatures. The Story Map serves as a comprehensive medium, incorporating multimedia elements to effectively communicate these variations, the contributing factors, and potential mitigation strategies. The Special Region of Yogyakarta’s urbanization has led to a transformation of its design into a metropolitan area, resulting in increased land conversion and demand for residential purposes. The UHI phenomenon is influenced by factors such as changes in land use, building materials, and human activities. The narrative map provides detailed insights into the temperature changes, emphasizing the significance of addressing UHI in regional and spatial planning. It highlights practical measures like tree planting initiatives and sustainable development planning to mitigate the impact of elevated temperatures. The Story Map, designed to be accessible to a broad audience, serves as a valuable reference for government and planning agencies, encouraging informed decision-making to address the challenges associated with urban climate phenomena in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Multi-Scale Urban Natural Ventilation Climate Guidance: A Case Study in the Shijiazhuang Metropolitan Area

The rapid development of urbanization has caused obstructed urban natural ventilation and the contribution rate of urbanization is relatively high. Therefore, there is an urgent need for urban development planning that should respect natural ventilation and local climate to reduce negative impacts. By optimizing the urban construction layout to reduce obstruction and leave a passageway for wind to blow in, the natural ventilation environment could be improved. This paper presents a promising approach for natural ventilation planning at both the city and community scales. Based on the assessment of wind environment, heat island intensity, and ventilation potential, the results revealed that winds blowing from the western and northern mountainous area of Shijiazhuang play a natural ventilation inlet role which can provide clean air. The SSHI and SHI were mainly distributed within the Second Ring Road, which has a large proportion of the low ventilation potential level. Thus, six first-class ventilation corridors and thirteen secondary corridors were recommended, which were set to be adapted to the dominant wind direction. Subsequently, an urban climate analysis map (UCAnMap) was developed considering climate sensitivity, and planning recommendations were provided for different climate zones. The relationship between architectural spatial structure and ventilation efficiency was analyzed; the results revealed that increasing the height of the buildings will decrease the proportion of comfortable wind zones, and the overall ventilation efficiency will weaken, so the average building height of a typical block should be controlled within 45 m, which matches ventilation performance requirements. The ventilation efficiency of the block has a certain negative correlation with the building density, and as the building density decreased by more than 10%, the proportion of the comfortable wind zones could increase by 4–5%.

Spatial–Temporal Variations of the Gross Ecosystem Product under the Influence of the Spatial Spillover Effect of Urbanization and Ecological Construction in the Yangtze River Delta Region of China

Rapid development of urbanization and intense human activities had a profound influence on the ecosystem service functions. As an integrated monetary index for the evaluation of final ecosystem services, the gross ecosystem product (GEP) is widely used in the quantification of ecosystem service value (ESV). This study initially assessed and analyzed the spatial distribution of the GEP at the county-level scale using multisource data spanning 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. Then, the spatial transfer characteristics of the GEP were measured. Finally, the study employed spatial panel econometric models and the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model to investigate the spatial effect of urbanization and ecological construction on the GEP. The results indicated that: (1) In 2020, the GEP in the Yangtze River Delta Region was RMB 15.24 trillion, and the GEP per unit area was RMB 42.58 million per square kilometer. It exhibited a cumulative decrease of RMB 298.72 billion from 2000 to 2020. (2) The spatial transfer efficiency of the GEP in urban agglomerations showed a clear decline trend. During the period of 2000–2020, over 96% of county-level units exhibited a decline with RMB 90,076,103.17/km2, indicating a consistent downward trend from the central regions towards the periphery. (3) Based on the decomposition effects of the spatial Durbin mode, urbanization and the ecological construction indicator showed spatial spillover effects on the GEP, but their impact mechanisms varied substantially. Among them, the urbanization rate (UR), population density (PD), and the proportion of impervious land (ILP) had the largest negative effect on the GEP, and a 1% rise in ILP locally resulted in a 0.044% decline in the local GEP and a 0.078% rise in the GEP of neighboring units. And the area of ecological land had a positive effect on the GEP of both local and neighboring areas. Those conclusions can offer evidence in favor of encouraging ecologically responsible building practices and sustainable growth in urban agglomerations.

Coupling coordination of urbanization with ecological environment and influencing factors in Loess Plateau of China.

The ecological damage caused by the accelerated urbanization process has continued to endanger the sustainable development of the Loess Plateau region, and the conflict between economic development and environmental protection has become increasingly critical. It is meaningful to explore the coupling coordination degree (CCD) between urbanization (UZ) and the ecological environment (EE) in the Loess Plateau and the mechanism of its influence to eliminate the locking of the rapid urbanization development paths in ecologically fragile regions, using panel data of 39 cities in the Loess Plateau region from 2010 to 2020. The empirical results have found that the level of UZ shows a fluctuating upward trend while the level of EE fluctuates and decreases. The synthesis CCD is at a barely coordinated level with an apparent upward trend, and the spatial characteristics are represented by "central depression," with low levels in the neighboring cities and high levels in the provincial capital cities. Regarding the driving factors, residents' living, industrial structure, and openness have a favorable impact on CCD, while enhancing the government's regulatory capacity has a negative blocking effect. These findings provide novel insights into the Loess Plateau's regional sustainable development.

Sensitivity Analysis and GIS Tools for Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment. (Application in the Middle Chellif Plain, Algeria)

Contamination due to rapid urban development, industrialization, and agricultural sources is increasingly threatening the groundwater resources of the plioquaternary phreatic aquifer of the Middle Western Cheliff. An intrinsic vulnerability assessment was carried out based on the DRASTIC method on parameters involved in the vertical transfer of pollution from the soil surface. The vulnerability maps obtained showed a high extension of areas of medium vulnerability (54%). On the other hand, areas of low vulnerability occupied about 36%. The high and very high vulnerability was mainly related to low water depth values (8% and 2%, respectively). The results of a sensitivity analysis using the two tests—the single parameter sensitivity analysis and the map removal sensitivity analysis—show that every parameter is, without fail, required for the computation of the vulnerability index. The validation of the vulnerability map produced by the DRASTIC method confirmed the evolution of this sensitivity which decreases towards the S.W. of the plain with nitrate concentrations between 30 and 120 mg/L. Planners can use the produced risk maps as tools to make a preliminary choice of priority locations for various forms of environmental sustainability.

Freshwater water quality criteria for phthalate esters and recommendations for the revision of the water quality standards

With increasing urbanization and rapid industrialization, more and more environmental problems have arisen. Phthalates (PAEs) are the foremost and most widespread plasticizers and are readily emitted from these manufactured products into the environment. PAEs act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and can have serious impacts on aquatic organisms as well as human health. In this study, the water quality criteria (WQC) of five PAEs (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) for freshwater aquatic organisms were developed using a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) and a toxicity percentage ranking (TPR) approach. The results showed that long-term water quality criteria (LWQC) of PAEs using the SSD method could be 13.7, 11.1, 2.8, 7.8, and 0.53 μg/L, respectively. Criteria continuous concentrations (CCC) of PAEs were derived using the TPR method and determined to be 28.4, 13.1, 1.3, 2.5, and 1.6 μg/L, respectively. The five PAEs are commonly measured in China surface waters at concentrations between ng/L and μg/L. DBP, DEHP, and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) were the most frequently detected PAEs, with occurrence rates ranging from 67% to 100%. The ecological risk assessment results of PAEs showed a decreasing order of risk at the national level, DEHP, DBP, DMP, DEP, DnOP. The results of this study will be of great benefit to China and other countries in revising water quality standards for the conservation of aquatic species.

Spatial-temporal evolution of driving mechanisms of city resilience: A Sichuan-based case study

The rapid development of urbanization has brought a series of challenges to cities, including a shortage of resources, environmental pollution, social inequality and escalating disaster risks. Cities, especially those in underdeveloped regions, are more vulnerable because they face multiple challenges and pressures. Thus, in developing countries, and in particular in China’s western region, which has experienced more intense urbanization, the implementation of city resilience is especially crucial. Representative of China’s western region, Sichuan Province, was the first province to issue an outline of local practice planning, styled "Beautiful China Construction." Sichuan is thus a pioneering venture in China’s effort to develop city resilience. Presently, however, existing literature on resilience governance has targeted developed regions, which is of limited application in developing countries and regions. Therefore, this study adopts a multi-dimensional and multi-method research design, aimed at bringing to light the key dimensions of city resilience, and analyzing the degree to which these align with China’s “Beautiful Sichuan Policy.” The results reveal that: (1) During the period from 2015 to 2021, city resilience showed an obvious upward trend, stability has been enhanced, relative variability has decreased, there is a radiation effect among cities, and a right-skewed uneven distribution is observed. (2) The spatial distribution of city resilience is unbalanced, with Chengdu and Panzhihua experiencing a relatively high level of resilience, while other areas remain relatively low. (3) City resilience is influenced by many interacting factors. Economic recovery ability, the level of urban development, policies and institutions, and infrastructure development have different degrees of positive impacts. However, sewage discharge levels have different effects on city resilience over time. These research results provide important theoretical support and policy references regarding city resilience construction practice and city resilience research.

Sponge City Development from the Perspective of Sustainability: A Case Study of China

Traditional urban construction methods often result in the inability of rainwater to penetrate and store effectively, increasing the risk of urban flooding disasters. At the same time, due to the rapid development of urbanization, the problem of water shortage has become increasingly prominent. The sponge city policy aims to transform the urban construction mode, make full use of natural resources and ecological means, realize the natural accumulation, infiltration and purification of rainwater, and improve the city's absorption, storage and release capacity of rainwater, so as to reduce urban flood disasters and alleviate the shortage of water resources. This paper takes China as an example to explore the construction of a sponge city from the perspective of sustainable development. This paper analyzes the current situation and existing problems of sponge cities development in China, and puts forward the development prospect of PPP model, in order to promote sponge cities construction and sustainable urban development.

Impact of Plant Layout on Microclimate of Summer Courtyard Space Based on Orthogonal Experimental Design

With the rapid development of urbanization and industrialization, many green spaces have been replaced by urban buildings, resulting in decreased green spaces in courtyard space. Nonetheless, as an enclosed green space integrated with the natural environment, courtyard space plays a vital role in regulating environmental microclimate, so it is necessary to study its microclimate through vegetation greening. Therefore, this study took courtyard spaces in humid and hot areas as an example, and with the help of ENVI-met 5.5.1 software, introduced an orthogonal experimental design to simulate various plant layout models, including tree layout (TL), shrub layout (SL), grass layout (GL), and the interaction of their combined layout, and analyzed the simulation results of temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The results show that first of all, plant layout plays a crucial role in cooling and wind control, and the more uniform the plant layout, the better it is for cooling and ventilation. Secondly, plant layout showed a changing pattern of cooling and wetting in the morning, noon, and afternoon periods. Furthermore, TL had the best cooling and humidifying effect in the morning and midday, and the combined interaction of TL, SL, and GL and of SL and GL significantly affected the wind speed in the courtyard space. During the afternoon, the combined interaction of TL with SL and SL with GL outperformed the single-plant-element type of layout regarding cooling and humidification efficiency. Finally, scattered-form tree layout, single-form shrub layout, and 20% grass layout were the best combinations of plant layout for cooling, humidity reduction, and ventilation. The results provide reference data and an empirical case for the microclimate optimization of summer courtyard spaces.

Measuring the achievement of the environmental pillar in Sustainable Development Goals – A case study of Tuban Regency, East Java

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become an important concept for urban development. The SDGs contain a set of indicators that are utilized to measure the readiness of the city to attain sustainable living. Despite the presence of detailed and technical indicators, the achievement of those indicators is still challenging. Tuban Regency in Indonesia, for example, has not adopted SDGs into its programs. This paper will measure the achievement of SDGs in Tuban Regency, particularly the environmental indicator pillar which is prone to be deserted in a rapid urban development. The study conducts a secondary data collection and quantitative analysis of the existing documents from each city stakeholder in the regency with. The study findings indicate that only 30.77% of the environmental goals have been attained by the Tuban Regency government, while 41.03% of the goals have not been achieved and 28.21% were not measured. This result indicates that more effort and intervention are believed to be needed to further support the implementation of SDGs.

Recent progress of modified CeO2-based materials for photocatalytic environmental remediation and antibacterial activity

The rapid development of industrialization and urbanization has led to serious environmental pollution. As an environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source, solar-driven semiconductor photocatalysis has been widely applied in environmental remediation and antibacterial activity owing to its gentle reaction conditions. The use of CeO2-based nanomaterials in green energy production, CO2 conversion, pollutant degradation, and antibacterial is increasing. The photocatalytic performance of CeO2 can be enhanced by appropriate modification strategies that suppress the rapid recombination of electron-hole pairs. This paper provides a systematic introduction to various modification strategies for CeO2, and reviews the research progress of modified CeO2 materials in photocatalytic CO2 reduction, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, heavy metal removal, photodegradation of organic pollutants, and antibacterial fields, finally offering perspectives on its future development direction.