Socio-cultural Sustainability Research Articles

Gender and endogenous knowledge inclusion for agroforestry systems improvement in Benin, West Africa

In West Africa, and Benin particularly, local forest resources can potentially contribute to both increasing and stabilizing soil productivity. However, these resources continue to be neglected with efforts instead concentrated on promoting exotic species. This study aimed to prioritize local agroforestry species on agricultural landscape by investigating the gendered, socio-demographic and agro-pedological factors of local knowledge and use of agroforestry species amongst small-holder farmers in Benin. An agroforestry inventory combined with an ethno-agroforestry survey was conducted on 364 farms with 364 farmers. A cluster analysis based on farmers' socio-demographic and agroecological factors was used to cluster farmers into two homogeneous agroforestry systems. Median score, species diversity and ecological networks were established for these two systems. Results illustrate that gendered difference exist between the priority that farmers give to multi-purpose species and this prioritization depends on priority ecosystem services for farmers and gender. Therefore, it would be useful first to consider gender and specific needs of each category of farmer to optimize the choice of agroforestry species to be promoted in such systems. The successful introduction of identified species through extension programs requires more advanced research related to the real contribution of these species to farmland fertilization, as well as the nutrient transmission pathways to associated crops in an agroforestry system to address simultaneously specific ecological, economic and socio-cultural sustainability criteria, as well as improved crop production.

Institutional, Ecological, Economic, and Socio-Cultural Sustainability—Evidence from Ponjavica Nature Park

The Nature Park Ponjavica (NP) is the habitat of strictly protected plant and animal species, located in AP Vojvodina, in southern Banat (Northern Serbia). The area of the park covers 302.96 ha. Protection zones I, II, and III have been established in the protected area of the NP. The NP includes the middle course of the Ponjavica River, which has preserved characteristics of watercourses of plain areas and coastal remains of wetland habitats. The most valuable area of this park in terms of protection is an island with an area of slightly less than 1 hectare. According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the NP is classified as the fourth category—Habitat and species management area. The good geographical position of NP is one of its main characteristics. The NP can be a destination where specific forms of tourism can be developed, such as ecotourism, nature-based tourism, birdwatching, scientific and research tourism, etc. Numerous historical sites represent a significant potential for the development of cultural tourism. The research examined the influence of institutional, economic, ecological, and socio-cultural sustainability on the respondents’ satisfaction. The quantitative methodology in this research included a questionnaire as a survey instrument for respondents. A total of 547 residents were surveyed. The results of the research indicate that there is considerable satisfaction among residents with sustainable tourism. The results of the research can help in the development of numerous tourism development strategies in which the wetland is the primary resource.

Assessment for the Sustainable Development of Components of the Tourism and Recreational Potential of Rural Areas of the Aktobe Oblast of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The assessment of sustainable tourism development in the rural areas of the Aktobe oblast of Kazakhstan involved thoroughly analyzing multiple dimensions. Environmental, socio-economic, and cultural sustainability aspects were considered to comprehensively understand the region’s tourism potential. The study began by evaluating the available tourism resources in rural Aktobe. This included assessing natural attractions such as landscapes, wildlife, and geological features, as well as cultural heritage sites and infrastructure like accommodation facilities and transportation networks. A crucial aspect of the study was to analyze the environmental impact of tourism activities in rural areas. This involved evaluating the effects on ecosystems and natural resources. The measures for conserving these resources were also identified. Another focus was on the socio-cultural aspects of tourism development. The study aimed to preserve local traditions, cultural heritage, and community identity amidst tourism growth. Strategies for achieving socio-cultural sustainability were devised. Ranking methods were employed to identify key factors influencing rural tourism development. These methods helped prioritize areas for improvement and resource allocation. A balanced approach was adopted to assess the interaction between different dimensions of sustainability. This ensured that environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects were considered equally to achieve overall sustainable tourism development. ArcGIS 10 was used for data analysis and visualization. Maps and charts were created to represent spatial and statistical information, aiding in identifying trends and patterns. The study findings were crucial for identifying priority areas for infrastructure development and formulating strategies and programs for rural tourism promotion. The study aimed to ensure that tourism development aligns with the principles of sustainable development, benefiting both the local communities and the environment. The study provided valuable insights into the current status of rural tourism in Aktobe oblast and offered recommendations for sustainable development, contributing to the region’s long-term prosperity.

Active Response for Sustainable Tourism

As sustainable development has become a new paradigm around the world, interest in sustainable tourism is also increasing in the tourism sector. Despite the visualization of sustainable tourism development projects, there is criticism that there is a lack of sustainable tourism development cases that are distinctly differentiated from existing tourism development and are not linked to environmental damage or regional revitalization. Major sustainability in sustainable tourism can be seen as ‘environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability, and economic sustainability’. The author talks about the fact that elements do not exist individually but are interconnected to interact and influence, and introduces the ‘normative theory’ as a supporting theory. Based on the normative theory, the author proposes four things in this article: Environmental Improvement Measures for Ecotourism Destinations, Environmental Management Mileage System for Local Residents, Environmental Management Responsibility System for Tourism Businesses and Promoting International Standards through Environmental Education. In achieving sustainable tourism development, it is imperative to not only refine development methodologies but also establish robust implementation systems. Stakeholders must operate within the ecological limits prescribed by environmental capacity, ensuring a harmonious balance between tourism growth and environmental preservation.

Sustainable Stewardship of Egypt’s Iconic Heritage Sites: Balancing Heritage Preservation, Visitors’ Well-Being, and Environmental Responsibility

While sustainability is widely recognized as necessary for managing heritage sites, balancing preservation demands with tourism development pressures presents significant challenges. A critical gap in the existing research relates to understanding the recurring issues that undermine the long-term sustainability of prominent archaeological destinations in Egypt and visitor well-being. Specifically, more research is needed to identify the specific sustainability and visitor experience problems that persist across Egypt’s major archaeological sites despite ongoing management efforts. Addressing this knowledge gap could help inform strategies for these destinations to balance conservation priorities with tourism in a more sustainable manner that enhances visitors’ cultural exploration. This study contributes a novel multisite content analysis of over 4423 online reviews from TripAdvisor pertaining to three of Egypt’s premier archaeological destinations—Giza Pyramids, Al Mu’izz Street, and Saqqara. Using established text mining methodologies and algorithms within Voyant Tools, critical challenges were identified through word frequency, concept network, and trend analyses. Recurring issues documented included uncontrolled commercialization undermining the ambiance of historic locales, environmental degradation from inadequate waste management and tourism overflows, and overcrowding compromising visitor comfort, health and safety. Deficiencies in signage, transportation, and other tourist services were also prominent themes. The holistic evaluation of cross-cutting concerns faced at the diverse yet interrelated sites advanced the theoretical knowledge on cooperative governance models and competencies necessary for integrative heritage management. The recommendations center on collaborative stakeholder partnerships to reform commercial practices through licensing and enforcement, upgrading aging infrastructure to support sustainable tourism volumes, and implementing zoning and carrying capacity policies tailored to local community contexts. The proposed solutions aim to safeguard Egypt’s irreplaceable cultural treasures by addressing recurrent problems that undermine environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability if left unresolved, positioning its archaeological wonders for appreciation and study by present and future generations.

Restaurant professionals as curators of wine spaces: norms and practices guiding wine quality and sustainability

ABSTRACT Little is known about restaurant professionals’ views on wine sustainability and how these beliefs are embedded in cultural norms of wine quality. Using wine spaces as an entry point, this ethnographic study sought to explore the norms and practices that guide restaurant professionals in their assessment of wine quality and sustainability. The article depicts wine spaces as emblems mediating a particular wine culture with its own norms which guide such assessment. These spaces provide professionals with a setting to accumulate culinary capital as curators, and so wine spaces can be understood as the realm of experts. The results show that incorporating sustainability in wine assessment is challenging for restaurant professionals. First, there are inherent conflicts between environmental and sociocultural sustainability. Second, some norms and practices ingrained in heritage and tradition act as barriers to the adoption of, for example, more sustainable packaging. Third, the perceived sensory attributes of more sustainable wines are sometimes considered detrimental to wine quality. However, we argue that in their role as curators and intermediaries, restaurant professionals can use their expert status to challenge norms and give sustainability the same importance as other parameters such as acidity, tannins, and overall balance.

Sociocultural Sustainability of Adaptive-Reuse Practice in Interior Design Education

Sociocultural Sustainability of Adaptive-Reuse Practice in Interior Design Education

Meatless gastronomy: a threat or an opportunity for tourism development?

PurposeMeat overconsumption by tourists is one of the key issues in the sustainability of tourist destinations. The objective of this paper is to assess the impact that a promotion of meatless gastronomy and its actual increased availability would have on the attractiveness and visitation of a popular European urban destination.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses an innovative foresight approach that combines environmental scanning and scenarios. The authors formulated the scenarios using the Delphi technique and working with 27 scholars whose insights into the topic were enhanced through theses that resulted from the environmental scanning. They provided their insights into how a promotion of meatless gastronomy would affect a destination. Subsequently, the authors synthetized their insights and formulated the scenarios.FindingsBased on two defined scenarios, the authors found that a meatless image represents an opportunity for the future development of an urban European destination. A long-term growth in visitor numbers can be achieved while ensuring environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability providing that relevant stakeholders are involved in the promotional activities.Originality/valueManagement of tourists' unsustainable eating habits is currently an unexplored issue. The present research addresses this topic and provides valuable insights that will help to address sustainability issues while making tourism destinations more attractive.

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE – CONTRADICTIONS AND CONFLICTS

The problems of sustainable architecture are considered through the prism of creating architectural buildings and urban environments that provide environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability. In order to understand the complexity and nature of the permanence of architecture, it should be considered as a fragment of the overall open dynamic system of the city. At the same time, all components of such a system are interconnected by the general dynamics of functioning and often develop in conditions of internal systemic contradictions. The intra-system contradictions of the city as an open dynamic system should be understood as a situation where the attempts of any element of the system to achieve the conditions of optimal functioning are limited or suppressed by other elements of the system. Architecture, as an artificial environment in which these systemic contradictions arise, is forced to respond flexibly to them. The purpose of this work is to identify the systemic contradictions that arise in the process of functioning of the architectural component of the city as an open dynamic system, and to generalize these contradictions. 
 In the development of any system, stability and instability, adaptation and maladaptation are equally necessary. An absolutely unstable system is devoid of the ability to adapt and quickly collapses, while an ultra-stable system, suppressing any fluctuations, retains its structure and behavior, is not able to change qualitatively, that is, it is deprived of the possibility of development, and its destruction becomes only a matter of time. Both types of systems descend into chaos, the difference between them being the time it takes for entropy to explode. 
 The change in the evolutionary and revolutionary stages of the development of systems, their stability and instability forms dynamic cycles in time. Each system has not only cyclical processes due to its nature, but also cycles dictated by the environment. Moreover, the "external" cycles are more stable and stable, while the cycles of internal origin can change under their influence as a result of synchronization - the properties of systems of a diverse nature to produce a single rhythm of coexistence, despite the sometimes extremely weak interconnection.

Innovation for sustainability through co-creation by small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMEs): Socio-cultural sustainability benefits to rural destinations

Small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMEs) are the dominant industry players in rural destinations. This study investigates how they can contribute to socio-cultural sustainability benefits of rural destination communities by engaging in co-creation in innovation for sustainability (IFS). The rural destinations of Vega and Røros were selected as qualitative empirical cases to investigate 14 tourism SMEs' co-creation in IFS practices. The findings indicate that due to contextual elements of rurality (e.g. local embeddedness, strong personal relations, and trust), tourism SMEs co-create in IFS with various local stakeholders, and contribute to the socio-cultural benefits of rural destinations' sustainability through local sourcing, education, resource synergies, inclusion, and quality of life. This study contributes to the literature on sustainable rural destination development and the role of tourism SMEs, as well as expands the understanding of IFS and the benefits of co-creation.

Assessing Sustainable Development Goals Implementation in Pasuruan’s Great Disability House

Sustainable development is a form of achieving social justice for every generation that aims to support economic growth based on social and environmental development. Pasuruan City as one of the cities in Pasuruan Regency which forms a sustainable development program by presenting Great Disability House which was established to facilitate persons with disabilities in Pasuruan City to receive various skills training. The purpose of this study was to determine the goals of sustainable development at Great Disability Home based on OJK (Authority Service Finance) sustainable indicators, and the role of Great Disability House in the sustainable development of Pasuruan City. To conduct research related to these objectives, researchers used a mix-method approach, namely a quantitative method on the results of direct interviews with Great Disability House in Pasuruan City, and a qualitative method with an indicators of sustainable development goals in Indonesia study approach. The results of the study show that indicators of sustainable development can be identified as follows: (1) ecologically sustainable, through creating salable products through recycling both organic and inorganic waste; (2) economic sustainability, through good product marketing through an online sales platform where the output is able to prosper the members of Great Disability House; (3) socio cultural sustainability, through handmade craft products that reflect the local culture of Pasuruan City (4) sustainable politics, defense and security, through the creation of various types of products that do not oppose elements of SARA (Ethnicity, Religion, Race, and Inter-group), elements of political campaign means and elements of plagiarism.

Socio-cultural Sustainability for Resilience in Public Services: Strategies for Achieving Inclusive and Equitable Service Delivery

Socio-cultural sustainability has become an increasingly important aspect of resilience in public services, particularly in meeting the needs of diverse populations. This article reviews the concept of socio-cultural sustainability and its relevance to public services and provides a comprehensive framework for achieving socio-cultural sustainability in service delivery. The framework includes five key strategies: (1) engaging with diverse communities, (2) promoting cultural competency, (3) fostering inclusion and equity, (4) building partnerships, and (5) continuous evaluation and improvement. The article discusses the importance of each strategy and provides practical examples and case studies to illustrate how they can be implemented in practice. The research explores the benefits of achieving socio-cultural sustainability, including increased community engagement, improved service delivery, and enhanced organizational performance. Finally, the article discusses the challenges of achieving socio-cultural sustainability in public services and provides recommendations for overcoming these challenges.
 Keywords: socio-cultural sustainability, resilience, public services, strategies

Governing sociocultural sustainability through standards: Evidence from aquaculture eco-certification schemes

Nonstate certifying authorities have long used standards as a governance instrument to improve sociocultural sustainability in the aquaculture sector. However, studies document that sociocultural sustainability has been marginalized in aquaculture certification standards. Against this background, I explore the purview of the sociocultural “principles” embodied in standards to improve sociocultural sustainability in aquaculture development. Although the burgeoning scholarship underscores the coverage of sociocultural indicators in aquaculture certification standards, there is limited research on what principles are included in standards to advance sociocultural sustainability in aquaculture. To address this question, I draw on one of the four dimensions of the “full-spectrum” sustainability framework (FSF), namely, the sociocultural dimension, to compare the extent to which such principles correspond to the FSF. Using the interpretive method, I examine six standards of five transnational aquaculture eco-certification schemes. I argue that standards overwhelmingly underscore issues concerning health and well-being, whereas the emphasis on improving producers' ethical practices and resolving burning issues that profoundly affect indigenous peoples and local communities is comparatively fragile. I further contend that the Naturland, Global Good Agricultural Practice, and Friend of the Sea's (FOS) aquaculture certification standards are weaker than the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Global Aquaculture Alliance standards, and the FOS standard is the weakest in terms of addressing sociocultural sustainability. I conclude that the exclusion of, and negligible attention to, crucial sociocultural issues can potentially undermine the vision of standards to ensure and govern sociocultural sustainability in aquaculture, thereby providing a rationale for improving certification standards.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Sustainable Product Design Methods from 1999 to 2022: Trends, Progress, and Disparities between China and the Rest of the World

Effective product design strategies play a crucial role in promoting sustainable production, consumption, and disposal practices. In the literature, many such practices have been proposed by various researchers; however, it is challenging to understand which is more effective from the design point of view. This study employs bibliometric analysis and visualization software, CiteSpace, to comprehensively assess the literature on sustainable product design methods (SPDMs) from two major citation databases, namely, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Web of Science, covering the period between 1999 and 2022. The objective of this review is to identify the latest research trends, progress, and disparities between China and the rest of the world in the field of SPDMs. The findings reveal that the development of SPDMs is characterized by a combination of multi-method integration and expansion, as well as qualitative and quantitative hybrids. However, research processes differ between China and other countries. Chinese studies focus on digital-driven development, rural revitalization, and system design, while research from other countries emphasizes a circular economy, distribution, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, both Chinese and international studies lack quantitative research methods in relation to socio-cultural sustainability. Future research should aim to deepen sustainable design methods and standards for specialized products, as well as to incorporate quantitative methods that address cultural and social sustainability dimensions. Open-source and shared SPDMs should be encouraged to promote methodological innovation that prioritizes multidimensional and systematic sustainable benefits, leveraging the strengths of new technologies.

Satisfaction with Sustainable Tourism—A Case of the Special Nature Reserve “Meadows of Great Bustard”, Vojvodina Province

The Special Nature Reserve, a part of the nature “Meadows of Great Bustard” (MGB), is a protected area with an extremely rare and sensitive ecosystem. The MGB spreads in the northeast of Vojvodina in Serbia. The natural potentials of MGB, in addition to diverse flora and fauna, are symbolized by a jeopardized species of bird called the Great Bustard (Otis tarda). Only a few specimens of this species live in this protected area, and they need to be protected. Globally, the Great Bustard is vulnerable species (VU) and a seriously protected species in Serbia. The goal of the research in this paper is to determine whether sustainable tourism affects the satisfaction of residents, using a quantitative method through the Prism of Sustainability (PoS) research model, which includes the technique of surveying respondents (residents). In this part of Vojvodina lives a population that has specific social characteristics. The cultural legacy, customs of this part of Banat, way of treating nature, local crafts, and local events stand out among those characteristics. The favorable geographical position of MGB, the proximity of Romania and Hungary, and good traffic connections with numerous cities in Serbia and the region represent significant potential for tourism development. The natural motives of MGB and ecological interests should be a priority in planning and developing tourism. A nature-based tourism destination can be formed by combining natural and social motives. The main forms of tourism, important for the development of this area, are ecotourism, scientific research tourism, and birdwatching tourism in the MGB. The significant results of the research are those that point out that the respondents rated ecological and socio-cultural sustainability as the most important. Also, these two dimensions have the greatest impact on sustainable tourism in the MGB. After the conducted research, it can be concluded that the residents are satisfied with sustainable tourism, i.e., sustainable tourism significantly affects the satisfaction of residents.

SWOT Analysis of Sustainable Tourism Development in Tetebatu, East Lombok

Tete Batu is one of the Tourism Villages in East Lombok Regency that offers tourist attractions of natural beauty, culture, and local traditions that have developed and are expected to be able to become sustainable activities. However, in its implementation, tourism development can also pose challenges related to sustainable tourism development from various aspects, such as community involvement, economic progress, socio-cultural sustainability, and environmental conservation efforts. This research aims to examine the development of sustainable tourism in Tete Batu by analyzing the potential of sustainable tourism in Tete Batu using SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges faced in realizing sustainable tourism in this region. The results of this study found that there are each strengths, weaknesses internally as well as the existence of opportunities and threats in the development of tourism in Tete Batu, especially in the awareness and involvement of local communities and how to maintain the surrounding environment, so that efforts are needed to increase awareness and involvement as well as the ability of the community as human resources who are directly involved in tourism activities, besides that a comprehensive policy is needed related to efforts to preserve the environment and the lifestyle of local people in maintaining the surrounding environment both in terms of cleanliness and hygiene. This research is expected to be a reference for implementation recommendations or policies in tourism activities to maximize the benefits of sustainable tourism development for the community, managers, and government as a policy regulator.

Sustainability of Community Sociocultural Activities As a Tourist Destination During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Study in Kampung Jawi, Semarang City, Indonesia

Kampung Jawi is a Javanese tourism village in Semarang City, Indonesia that aims to realize sociocultural sustainability. Currently, sociocultural sustainability faces the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, which restricted various activities. This quantitative study examines the sustainability of sociocultural activities in Kampung Jawi during the Covid-19 pandemic. The scoring analysis is applied to the questionnaire results to calculate and group the sustainability score into low, medium, and high. Questionnaires are distributed to 94 local communities to assess sociocultural sustainability during the pandemic. The results show that the sustainability of sociocultural activities in Kampung Jawi during the Covid-19 pandemic is “Medium.” The pandemic’s most significant impact is on cultural richness and participation because it restricts various community sociocultural activities. Furthermore, Covid-19 affects people’s efforts to maintain their cultural assets now and in the future. It has weakened economic activities that can reduce the village’s ability to provide cultural and health facilities.

Importance of sociocultural sustainability for the tourism development of a destination: does the perception of overcrowding affect post-visit behavior?

Importance of sociocultural sustainability for the tourism development of a destination: does the perception of overcrowding affect post-visit behavior?

Tourism sustainable competitiveness indicator for ASEAN bloc: A random forest approach

This study aims to reveal the tourism performance among ASEAN countries by creating a tourism sustainable competitiveness indicator (TSCI). This study introduces an ensemble random forest approach in developing an integrative framework that incorporates tourism, sustainability and competitiveness. It demonstrates the management of multi-faceted tourism development with the constructed indicator. Six main enablers have been identified for TSCI indicator, including policy and regulatory environment, environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability, economic sustainability, infrastructure, and intellectual capital and innovation. As a benchmarking tool for policymakers, organisations, and tourism-related authorities in the implementation of policies and business or marketing strategic planning, the sustainable competitiveness indicator for tourism identified the factors that affect the sustainability and competitiveness of tourism. This indicator enhances the tourism value chains in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc, as well as it offers significant assistance to the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan of 2025. Especially in the context of regionalization, which proceeds along the same trajectory as tourism, it is becoming increasingly significant in building areas of cooperation in the connected Southeast Asian region. Thus, measuring the performance level of the tourism economy is a critical agenda that is worthy of receiving concern as a means of accomplishing sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Sustainable Ecotourism Development In Negeri Lumoli, Maluku-Indonesia: Sociology Studies

The potential development of the tourism sector is often associated with its role as one of the strengths of the source of income contribution to regional income. Sociologically, Maluku consists of a series of large and small islands with various beauties, makes Maluku an amazing tourist place in cultural customs and natural scenery. In this context, tourism development must refer to sustainable tourism development in Negeri Lumoli, Maluku-Indonesia, which has good tourism and culture. This research aimed to explain how to develop waterfalls as Ecotourism for sustainable tourism development in Negeri Lumoli. Sustainable tourism development refers to the World Tourism Organization, which includes environmentally, economically, and socio-culturally sustainable components. One form of sustainable tourism is Ecotourism. The tourism process is carried out by protecting and minimizing environmental impacts, maximizing benefits for residents, and maximizing tourist satisfaction. The development of an area into an ecotourism area will foster hope in the community so that Ecotourism can positively influence people's lives and the living environment. In this ecotourism research conducted in Negeri Lumoli, related to the existence of waterfalls, the results of the study indicate that community expectations from ecotourism development can support three important components of the community's economy, ecology that is still maintained, and socio-cultural sustainability, so that in the end it becomes a destination for tourism. Superior and sustainable tourism.