Socio-economic Considerations Research Articles

Sustainable solid waste management challenges in hill cities of developing Countries: Insights from eastern Himalayan smart cities of Sikkim, India

Rapid urbanization and the growing tourism industry in the Himalayan region have raised significant concerns about the sustainable handling and management of solid waste in the area. This concern is particularly pronounced in the unique and vulnerable ecosystem of cities nestled in the eastern Indian Himalayas, where geography, ecology, and socio-economic factors converge to create distinctive challenges. This study undertakes a thorough investigation of solid waste management practices and challenges in two smart cities nestled in the eastern Himalayan region of India, specifically Gangtok and Namchi. The primary objective was to unveil the complex challenges confronting these cities by conducting an in-depth exploration of waste management practices. This comprehensive investigation was achieved through the collection of samples, conducting surveys within each ward of the cities, and performing physicochemical characterization analyses. The study also proposes a solution-oriented approach leveraging life cycle analysis. Despite the Himalayan backdrop, waste generation varies significantly, with Gangtok producing substantially more waste (50 tons per day (TPD)) compared to Namchi (4.6 TPD). Both cities excel in waste collection, but Gangtok leads in proactive treatment, with 22% (11 TPD) undergoing composting and recycling. However, shared challenges at riverside disposal sites, including overfilled dumpsites and leachate contamination, pose potential environmental hazards amid the Himalayan allure. Organic waste predominates at 40.9% and 40.01% in both cities, indicating composting potential. Plastic closely at 22.25% (Namchi) and 22.65% (Gangtok) was way above the global (12 %) and national (8.4 %) average respectively, emphasizing the urgency of plastic waste reduction strategy. The 16.95% cardboard in Gangtok highlights potential commerce-related waste. The study also highlights the importance of comprehensive policies for informal sector well-being. The lifecycle assessment of Namchi and Gangtok reveals significant methane emissions (99%) from waste anaerobic decomposition potentially due to poor source segregation. Implementing a futuristic waste strategy reduces emissions by 38% in Namchi and 40% in Gangtok, through biogas utilization and renewable energy adoption. The findings advocate for citizen engagement, improved collection, targeted campaigns, and circular economy principles. To ensure sustainability and resilience in waste management within mountain regions, tailored strategies such as material recycling facilities, community engagement initiatives, and landfill diversion mandates should integrate ecological, socioeconomic, and logistical considerations, fostering awareness and participation among communities.

Understanding consumer choices and attitudes toward electric vehicles: A study of purchasing behavior and policy implications

AbstractElectric vehicles (EVs) hold promise for curbing emissions and promoting sustainable urban development in India, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, their uptake remains below expectations. This study delves into factors influencing EV adoption, exploring socioeconomic determinants, technical specifications, cost considerations, and policy impacts. It also assesses the role of charging infrastructure accessibility, demographic disparities, and battery end‐of‐life perceptions. The research identifies key socio‐economic factors driving consumer choices and perceptions of EVs through a comprehensive survey and logistic regression analysis. The findings will guide policymakers and businesses in developing effective strategies to promote EV use, supporting SDGs related to sustainable cities, communities, and economic growth. The insights gained from this study can inspire private sector growth and innovation, leading to new business opportunities that benefit companies and consumers. This research represents a crucial milestone in advancing sustainable transportation solutions in India and creating a better future.

AI for Sustainable Development: Addressing Environmental and Social Challenges

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies holds significant promise in addressing pressing environmental and social challenges, thus contributing to sustainable development efforts worldwide. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the role of AI in tackling various aspects of sustainability, including environmental conservation, resource management, climate change mitigation, and social equity. By leveraging AI techniques such as machine learning, optimization, and data analytics, innovative solutions are being developed to monitor ecosystems, optimize energy consumption, enhance agricultural practices, and promote social inclusion. However, alongside these opportunities, there are also ethical, regulatory, and socio-economic considerations that must be carefully addressed to ensure that AI interventions contribute positively to sustainable development goals. This paper highlights recent advancements, challenges, and future directions in utilizing AI for sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement in realizing the full potential of AI-enabled solutions.

An evaluation of the hydropower planning alternatives at the upper reaches of Yellow River by considering carbon footprints

As a precautionary tool for decision-makings towards sustainable development, strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is quite promising in coping with climate change by taking the advantage of alternatives evaluation as early intervention and planning optimization. Despite of the acknowledged merits, the current alternatives evaluation has presented a weakness when tackling with the climate factors in practice due to an evident lack of carbon-related indicators. The challenge is even more pronounced in hydropower planning for the most sensitive response to climate, the most complicated impacts to evaluate and the recent doubts about the nature as a clean energy. Considering the assignable carbon emissions from the hydropower engineering including pre-treatment, construction, operation and decommission, six indicators of carbon footprint were selected and integrated with the conventional eco-environment and socio-economic considerations for evaluating four alternatives in the SEA of Upper Yellow River hydropower planning in China. The total 24 indicators were marked by the invited experts, and weighted by employing the BP neural network. The ranked marks from invited experts and improved by BP neural network weighting showed that the alternative II is the best among the four, indicating the slightest environmental impacts, the minimal carbon emissions, and the highest socio-economic benefits. This study delivered an improved framework based on the conventional rapid impact assessment method (RIAM) and carbon footprint assessment, and provided a practical technical solution for evaluating planning alternatives in the context of green hydropower development.

Analysis of Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Adherence to a Web-Based Intervention Among Patients After Acute Coronary Syndrome: Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Although telemedicine has been proven to have significant potential for improving care for patients with cardiac problems, there remains a substantial risk of introducing disparities linked to the use of digital technology, especially for older or socially vulnerable subgroups. We investigated factors influencing adherence to a telemedicine-delivered health education intervention in patients with ischemia, emphasizing demographic and socioeconomic considerations. We conducted a descriptive, observational, prospective cohort study in consecutive patients referred to our cardiology center for acute coronary syndrome, from February 2022 to January 2023. Patients were invited to join a web-based health educational meeting (WHEM) after hospital discharge, as part of a secondary prevention program. The WHEM sessions were scheduled monthly and used a teleconference software program for remote synchronous videoconferencing, accessible through a standard computer, tablet, or smartphone based on patient preference or availability. Out of the 252 patients (median age 70, IQR 61.0-77.3 years; n=189, 75% male), 98 (38.8%) declined the invitation to participate in the WHEM. The reasons for nonacceptance were mainly challenges in handling digital technology (70/98, 71.4%), followed by a lack of confidence in telemedicine as an integrative tool for managing their medical condition (45/98, 45.9%), and a lack of internet-connected devices (43/98, 43.8%). Out of the 154 patients who agreed to participate in the WHEM, 40 (25.9%) were unable to attend. Univariable logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of a caregiver with digital proficiency and a higher education level was associated with an increased likelihood of attendance to the WHEM, while the converse was true for increasing age and female sex. After multivariable adjustment, higher education level (odds ratio [OR] 2.26, 95% CI 1.53-3.32; P<.001) and caregiver with digital proficiency (OR 12.83, 95% CI 5.93-27.75; P<.001) remained independently associated with the outcome. The model discrimination was good even when corrected for optimism (optimism-corrected C-index=0.812), as was the agreement between observed and predicted probability of participation (optimism-corrected calibration intercept=0.010 and slope=0.948). This study identifies a notable lack of suitability for a specific cohort of patients with ischemia to participate in our telemedicine intervention, emphasizing the risk of digital marginalization for a significant portion of the population. Addressing low digital literacy rates among patients or their informal caregivers and overcoming cultural bias against remote care were identified as critical issues in our study findings to facilitate the broader adoption of telemedicine as an inclusive tool in health care.

A comprehensive review on the fate and impact of antibiotic residues in the environment and public health: A special focus on the developing countries.

The widespread application of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine has led to the pervasive presence of antibiotic residues in the environment, posing a potential hazard to public health. This comprehensive review aims to scrutinize the fate and impact of antibiotic residues, with a particular focus on the context of developing nations. The investigation delves into the diverse pathways facilitating the entry of antibiotics into the environment and meticulously examines their effects on human health. The review delineates the current state of antibiotic residues, evaluates their exposure in developing nations, and elucidates existing removal methodologies. Additionally, it probes into the factors contributing to the endurance and ecotoxicity of antibiotic residues, correlating these aspects with usage rates and associated mortalities in these nations. The study also investigates removal techniques for antibiotic residues, assessing their efficiency in environmental compartments. The concurrent emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, engendered by antibiotic residues, and their adverse ecological threats underscore the necessity for enhanced regulations, vigilant surveillance programs, and the adoption of sustainable alternatives. The review underlines the pivotal role of public education and awareness campaigns in promoting responsible antibiotic use. The synthesis concludes with strategic recommendations, strengthening the imperative for further research encompassing comprehensive monitoring, ecotoxicological effects, alternative strategies, socio-economic considerations, and international collaborations, all aimed at mitigating the detrimental effects of antibiotic residues on human health and the environment. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Antibiotic residues are widely distributed in different environmental compartments. Developing countries use more antibiotics than developed countries. Human and veterinary wastes are one of the most responsible sources of antibiotic pollution. Antibiotics interact with biological systems and trigger pharmacological reactions at low doses. Antibiotics can be removed using modern biological, chemical, and physical-chemical techniques.

5G deployment strategies: Challenges and opportunities: A comparative review for Africa and the USA

The deployment of 5G technology represents a transformative leap in telecommunications, promising unparalleled speed, connectivity, and innovation. This paper conducts a comparative review of 5G deployment strategies, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Africa and the USA. The analysis explores the contextual differences in regulatory frameworks, investment climates, and technological landscapes between the two regions. Addressing the challenges of infrastructure development, spectrum allocation, and socioeconomic considerations, the paper highlights the diverse pathways each region is taking toward 5G adoption. Additionally, the study identifies common opportunities, such as the potential for leapfrogging technologies in Africa and leveraging existing infrastructure in the USA. By understanding the distinct dynamics at play, this comparative review aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers navigating the complex terrain of 5G deployment in diverse global contexts.

A conceptual framework to help choose appropriate blue nature-based solutions

Biodiversity loss and climate change have severely impacted ecosystems and livelihoods worldwide, compromising access to food and water, increasing disaster risk, and affecting human health globally. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have gained interest in addressing these global societal challenges. Although much effort has been directed to NbS in urban and terrestrial environments, the implementation of NbS in marine and coastal environments (blue NbS) lags. The lack of a framework to guide decision-makers and practitioners through the initial planning stages appears to be one of the main obstacles to the slow implementation of blue NbS. To address this, we propose an integrated conceptual framework, built from expert knowledge, to inform the selection of the most appropriate blue NbS based on desired intervention objectives and social-ecological context. Our conceptual framework follows a four incremental steps structure: Step 1 aims to identify the societal challenge(s) to address; Step 2 highlights ecosystem services and the underlying biodiversity and ecological functions that could contribute to confronting the societal challenge(s); Step 3 identify the specific environmental context the intervention needs to be set within (e.g. the spatial scale the intervention will operate within, the ecosystem's vulnerability to stressors, and its ecological condition); and Step 4 provides a selection of potential blue NbS interventions that would help address the targeted societal challenge(s) considering the context defined through Step 3. Designed to maintain, enhance, recover, rehabilitate, or create ecosystem services by supporting biodiversity, the blue NbS intervention portfolio includes marine protection (i.e., fully, highly, lightly, and minimally protected areas), restorative activities (i.e., active, passive, and partial restoration; rehabilitation of ecological function and ecosystem creation), and other management measures (i.e., implementation and enforcement of regulation). Ultimately, our conceptual framework guides decision-makers toward a versatile portfolio of interventions that cater to the specific needs of each ecosystem rather than imposing a rigid, one-size-fits-all model. In the future, this framework needs to integrate socio-economic considerations more comprehensively and be kept up-to-date by including the latest scientific information.

What Is the Likely Impact of Alternative Proteins on Diet Quality, Health, and the Environment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Alternative protein (AP) foods are proposed to support a global protein transition. Whereas AP food innovation has been a strategy to promote consumption of protein sources with low environmental impact in high-income countries (HICs) diets, their relation to sustainable, high-quality diets in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains to be established. AP foods vary in nutrient profile, processing requirements, costs, and environmental impact. Current literature regarding AP suitability in LMIC contexts is limited. This perspective examined environmental and nutritional metrics that can assess the sustainability of AP in LMICs. Current research areas needed to accurately assess environmental impacts while considering nutritional density were identified. An overview of the usability of relevant AP in both high- and low-resource settings was also explored. Metrics addressing diverse contextual synergies in LMICs, unifying nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic considerations, were found necessary to guide the integration of AP into LMIC diets.

What Is Medical Extended Reality? A Taxonomy Defining the Current Breadth and Depth of an Evolving Field.

Medical extended reality (MXR) has emerged as a dynamic field at the intersection of health care and immersive technology, encompassing virtual, augmented, and mixed reality applications across a wide range of medical disciplines. Despite its rapid growth and recognition by regulatory bodies, the field lacks a standardized taxonomy to categorize its diverse research and applications. This American Medical Extended Reality Association guideline, authored by the editorial board of the Journal of Medical Extended Reality, introduces a comprehensive taxonomy for MXR, developed through a multidisciplinary and international collaboration of experts. The guideline seeks to standardize terminology, categorize existing work, and provide a structured framework for future research and development in MXR. An international and multidisciplinary panel of experts was convened, selected based on publication track record, contributions to MXR, and other objective measures. Through an iterative process, the panel identified primary and secondary topics in MXR. These topics were refined over several rounds of review, leading to the final taxonomy. The taxonomy comprises 13 primary topics that jointly expand into 180 secondary topics, demonstrating the field's breadth and depth. At the core of the taxonomy are five overarching domains: (1) technological integration and innovation; (2) design, development, and deployment; (3) clinical and therapeutic applications; (4) education, training, and communication; and (5) ethical, regulatory, and socioeconomic considerations. The developed taxonomy offers a framework for categorizing the diverse research and applications within MXR. It may serve as a foundational tool for researchers, clinicians, funders, academic publishers, and regulators, facilitating clearer communication and categorization in this rapidly evolving field. As MXR continues to grow, this taxonomy will be instrumental in guiding its development and ensuring a cohesive understanding of its multifaceted nature.

Preliminary Study on the Effect of Bristol Clean Air Zone on Roadside Particulate Matter Level and Socioeconomic Considerations

Preliminary Study on the Effect of Bristol Clean Air Zone on Roadside Particulate Matter Level and Socioeconomic Considerations

A Mixed Method Assessment of the Fertility Preferences of Clients Using Antiretroviral Therapy in Ilorin, Nigeria - A Descriptive Cross-sectional Survey.

The burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Nigeria remains one of the highest in the world, with the country having the highest number of people living with the infection in the West African subregion. Recent estimates put the HIV prevalence rate in Nigeria at 1.9%. In the early years of the HIV epidemic, attention on the reproductive preferences of people living with HIV was not really considered because of the high risk of mortality and few options to reduce mother-to-child transmission. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in November 2018 using quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 400 participants were recruited for the quantitative part of the study and 10 respondents for each of the focus group discussion (FGD) sessions. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and a FGD guide. Frequencies and percentages were determined using descriptive analysis. Univariate analysis was used to explore the association between the outcome variables and the independent variables. The independent variables which showed a significant association in the univariate analysis were further subjected to multivariate analysis. The desire to have children since their HIV diagnosis had been mooted by 255 (63.8%) respondents in the past and 64.5% of the respondents admitted to wanting to have children at some point in the future. More than half of the respondents (61%) currently wanted more children while a significant proportion of the respondents who wanted children (68.4%) wanted more than one child. The study observed that the desire to have children had largely not been affected by the HIV infection as respondents still had a fairly strong desire to continue to have more children in spite of the risks of transmission involved. The study recommended that government and HIV policymakers need to ensure that HIV prevention messages and programmes adopt cultural and socio-economic considerations when designing and planning HIV prevention programmes.

Application of the Neutrosophic COPRAS Information Fusion Method to Assess the Impact of Retirement on Well-being and Family Cohesion

This study leverages the Neutrosophic COPRAS method to assess strategies for easing the transition into retirement, focusing specifically on the critical role of emotional and psychological support. By incorporating neutrosophic sets, the research captures the complexity and ambiguity inherent in human perceptions of retirement and its impact on family dynamics, especially within the socio-economic and cultural context of Ecuador. The Neutrosophic COPRAS method facilitates a nuanced analysis, enabling the evaluation of strategies under conditions of uncertainty and indeterminacy. Key findings highlight the necessity of implementing targeted support programs that directly address the emotional and psychological challenges associated with retirement. The study’s innovative approach not only contributes to the understanding of retirement's effect on family dynamics but also showcases the Neutrosophic COPRAS method as a valuable tool for decision-making in complex scenarios. It calls for the development of policies and programs that are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the Ecuadorian population, emphasizing the importance of cultural and socio-economic considerations in crafting interventions to promote healthy retirement adaptation and family cohesion.

A COMPREHENSIVE TIME SERIES ANALYSIS OF ANNUAL FOSSIL-BASED ELECTRICAL ENERGY PRODUCTION ACROSS KEY NATIONS (1985-2022)

This study addresses the critical challenge of accurately predicting annual electrical energy production derived from fossil sources across diverse nations, including Türkiye, Germany, England, France, Iran, and Ukraine spanning the years 1985 to 2022. Employing a combination of advanced deep learning techniques and traditional statistical models, the research aims to enhance forecasting precision and contribute to a deeper understanding of global energy consumption dynamics. By leveraging time series analysis, the study captures the intricate temporal patterns inherent in fossilbased energy production data, enabling robust predictions over an extended historical timeframe. Performance evaluation metrics such as Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) are utilized to rigorously assess the accuracy and reliability of the developed forecasting models. The scientific significance of this study lies in its ability to provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between socio-economic factors, technological advancements, and environmental considerations shaping fossil-based energy production trends. By conducting a comparative analysis across multiple countries with distinct energy landscapes, the research not only elucidates regional variations but also underscores the need for tailored forecasting approaches to address unique contextual challenges. The findings of this study hold significant implications for energy policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers striving to optimize resource allocation, mitigate environmental impacts, and transition towards sustainable energy systems. By advancing the state-of-the-art in energy forecasting methodologies, this research contributes to the broader goal of achieving a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable energy future.

Investigation and Analysis of Fish Assemblages within The Berau Bay Ecosystem, West Papua, and Their Utilization Potential

Fisheries resource assessment is pivotal for grasping marine ecosystem dynamics and guiding sustainable management practices. This study focuses on exploring the fisheries resources within Berau Bay, situated in the biodiverse-rich West Papua Province, known for its significant marine biodiversity and importance to local livelihoods. Despite its importance, there is a notable absence of comprehensive assessments concerning the bay’s fisheries resources and their utilization potential. This research endeavors to fill this gap by providing a detailed analysis to inform sustainable management strategies. Our findings reveal a diverse range of fish families dominating Berau Bay, with significant contributions from Carangidae and Scombridae. Moreover, acoustic surveys uncover substantial Fisheries Resource Potential (FRP) across three zones: Zone 1 at 501.555 tons, Zone 2 at 854.634 tons, and Zone 3, primarily designated as a conservation area, at 678.188 tons. The cumulative FRP potential amounts to 2.034.377 tons, encompassing various species categories, with an estimated annual utilization rate of around 1.627.502 tons. These results challenge previous assumptions regarding the bay’s fisheries composition and potential, emphasizing the necessity of updated assessments. Additionally, they enhance our understanding of the region’s marine biodiversity, underscoring the urgency of targeted conservation efforts for sustainable resource management. This study emphasizes the significance of holistic approaches to fisheries management, integrating ecological, socioeconomic, and conservation considerations. Such interdisciplinary efforts are paramount for safeguarding marine ecosystems and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities worldwide.

Solid waste management in rural touristic areas in the Himalaya – A case of Ghandruk, Nepal

Solid waste management studies, in most cases, emphasize urban and suburban areas. It is imperative to include rural areas, given the shift in the volume and types of waste produced and the management methods employed. It is also crucial to apprehend the waste characteristics influenced by socioeconomic variables and environmental considerations to provide a comprehensive picture of waste management. Hence, this study was conducted in Ghandruk, Nepal, because it is a rural area with a distinct cultural identity and is the most popular tourist attraction in the Annapurna Conservation Area. The purpose of the study was to characterize solid waste stream and analyze existing waste management practices in Ghandruk. We surveyed 64 households and 15 commercial sectors (hotels and restaurants). A semi-structured questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were adopted to acquire qualitative information. Findings revealed that solid waste generated in Ghandruk was dominated by organic fractions, which accounted for about 60% of the total waste. The daily waste generated was 261.3 g per capita, equivalent to the waste generation rate in some cities of Nepal. The study also discovered a rising proportion of recyclables, emphasizing the need for a holistic management strategy that extends beyond organic waste management as commonly practiced in rural Nepal. Open burning of non-recyclables was also a serious concern. Based on the findings, the study recommends rural areas with high tourism activities for inclusion in primary waste management research.

Community approaches to socio-economic aspects of urban energy transition

The increasing proliferation of energy-intensive devices in urban smart homes presents a pressing challenge to the stability of electrical systems, manifesting as the potential for peak load issues, unexpected disruptions, and a consequential decline in economic returns. This research is dedicated to the meticulous optimization of energy consumption, achieved through the implementation of intelligent scheduling protocols for household devices, all while factoring in their distinct characteristics and user preferences. The primary objective of this paper is to introduce a holistic engineering framework tailored to analyze the intricate dynamics of household energy consumption behaviors, with a particular emphasis on the community-level context prevalent in smart urban environments. In addressing the inherent intricacy and nonlinearity inherent in multi-objective challenges within this domain, our proposal revolves around the deployment of a specialized whale optimization algorithm. This algorithm offers a powerful tool to efficiently navigate the complexities of optimization problems, yielding solutions that approach near-optimality. Empirical findings stemming from our experimentation robustly affirm the efficacy of our proposed algorithm. They indicate substantial reductions in energy expenditure, heightened levels of customer satisfaction, and a more equitably balanced load distribution throughout the primary grid. These outcomes, in turn, contribute significantly to the overarching enhancement of global power system performance, all the while aligning harmoniously with the socio-economic considerations central to urban energy transition endeavors.

Dealing with food safety concerns among urban poor when eating out: social practices in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The article explores eating-out practices among poor urban consumers in Bangladesh and their strategies to cope with food safety concerns. Using social practice theory, we implemented interviews and a household survey to analyse the eating-out practices of adult slum dwellers in Dhaka, Bangladesh and their food safety coping strategies. We identified two different dominant eating out practices: ‘snacking’ and ‘having a complete meal’. By reviewing the food safety concerns and coping strategies, we found that despite varying concerns, coping strategies are broadly similar across these two practices. The concerns include food presentation, unhygienic conditions, and unknown processing, while searching for information, using heuristic tools, and avoidance are the main coping strategies. These strategies are applied in both practices and do not exhibit significant differences in socioeconomic considerations and safety concerns. This indicates that the urban poor lack the resource and competencies to manage their concerns. The conclusion section presents a conceptual framework for future research on food safety coping strategies in urban eating-out practices. We also underline the need for context-specific policy interventions to ensure food safety in the urban food system of the global south.

Campus Utopias

“Campus Utopias: A Visual Re-reading” describes a multidisciplinary graduate course conducted collaboratively by TU Delft and METU Ankara’s Architecture Departments in 2022. The research course focused on the key urban and architectural features of selected campus projects, examining how the modernist architects engaged in these designs were able to use them as a basis for the experimentation of new educational-residential models for living.This research paper explores the formal aspects of these campuses and their architectural significance. It recognizes the diverse geographies where the modern architectural movement took root and the active role played by political, economic, and cultural agents in shaping these projects. Working with local agents and situating modern architecture within its surrounding infrastructure and landscape helped master architects to integrate local architectural values and new building technologies.The article presents three case studies: Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, the University of Baghdad in Iraq, and the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas. These campuses were designed and built after World War II, representing the aspirations of newly installed governments. The article highlights the architectural approaches that incorporated environmental considerations and cultural inspirations and the socio-economic considerations in each project.The research methodology involves a comparative analysis of the campuses, focusing on their formal qualities and in-between spaces. The students involved in the graduate research course utilized various media and techniques of representation, including 3D digital drawings, models, collages, and physical reliefs. The work results were presented in the form of an exhibition titled “Campus Utopias” at TU Delft Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment in April 2022. The student projects in this photo essay show the diversity of scale and make visible the similarities and differences in the overall campus design approaches of the three projects. The major focus is on the in-between spaces and the outcomes of the multidisciplinary work of architects, engineers, landscape architects, and artists.

Environmental determinants and demographic influences on global urban microbiomes, antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity

Urban microbiome plays crucial roles in human health and are related to various diseases. The MetaSUB Consortium has conducted the most comprehensive global survey of urban microbiomes to date, profiling microbial taxa/functional genes across 60 cities worldwide. However, the influence of environmental/demographic factors on urban microbiome remains to be elucidated. We collected 35 environmental and demographic characteristics to examine their effects on global urban microbiome diversity/composition by PERMANOVA and regression models. PM10 concentration was the primary determinant factor positively associated with microbial α-diversity (observed species: p = 0.004, β = 1.66, R2 = 0.46; Fisher’s alpha: p = 0.005, β = 0.68, R2 = 0.43), whereas GDP per capita was negatively associated (observed species: p = 0.046, β = −0.70, R2 = 0.10; Fisher’s alpha: p = 0.004, β = −0.34, R2 = 0.22). The β-diversity of urban microbiome was shaped by seven environmental characteristics, including Köppen climate type, vegetation type, greenness fraction, soil type, PM2.5 concentration, annual average precipitation and temperature (PERMANOVA, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.01–0.06), cumulatively accounted for 20.3% of the microbial community variance. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) identified microbial species most strongly associated with environmental characteristic variation. Cities in East Asia with higher precipitation showed an increased abundance of Corynebacterium metruchotii, and cities in America with a higher greenness fraction exhibited a higher abundance of Corynebacterium casei. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes were negatively associated with GDP per capita and positively associated with solar radiation (p < 0.005). Total pathogens prevalence was positively associated with urban population and negatively associated with average temperature in June (p < 0.05). Our study presents the first comprehensive analysis of the influence of environmental/demographic characteristics on global urban microbiome. Our findings indicate that managing air quality and urban greenness is essential for regulating urban microbial diversity and composition. Meanwhile, socio-economic considerations, particularly reducing antibiotic usage in regions with lower GDP, are paramount in curbing the spread of antimicrobial resistance in urban environments.