Regional Sustainability Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of Common Structural Systems for Pedestrian Bridges in Kuwait

Introduction Pedestrian bridges are crucial urban infrastructure, providing safe passage over roads, railways, and waterways. Different structural systems like trusses, steel girders, and reinforced concrete beams are used, but more research is needed to determine the best design for specific regional contexts. Methods This research paper presents a comparison of various structural systems for pedestrian bridges, with a focus on a practical case study in Kuwait. The study evaluates five common pedestrian bridge designs: steel, concrete, and three truss arrangements. The designs were assessed based on multiple criteria, such as cost, construction time, structural weight, carbon emissions, and vibration performance. Using a decision-making matrix (DMM) and engineering judgment, Truss 3 (X-bracings without verticals) was identified as the optimal design. It features a unique bracing system that enhances its properties. Truss 3 was found to be the lightest design at 561.6 kN, with moderate CO2 emissions of 64.2 tons and a cost of 4288.5 KD per span. Detailed design and safety checks were conducted using ETABS software. The final design was detailed and presented using Autodesk Revit. Results The findings highlight the importance of using integrated frameworks and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to select suitable structural systems that meet technical and regional sustainability goals. Conclusion This research aims to provide a robust solution tailored to the unique conditions of Kuwait, ensuring safety, efficiency, and sustainability for pedestrian bridge infrastructure.

Assessing the suitability of water for irrigation purposes using irrigation water quality indices in the Irob catchment, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Irrigation alleviates poverty in arid and semi-arid regions, such as Ethiopia, necessitating a water suitability assessment. This study evaluates irrigation water quality in the Irob catchment, Northern Ethiopia. It differs by using combined parameters of the irrigation water quality index (IWQI) for comprehensive assessment beyond standard comparisons. Eighteen water samples were collected and analyzed using ultraviolet spectrometry, titration, and atomic absorption spectrometry. The evaluation included parameters such as salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percentage, residual sodium carbonate, permeability index, magnesium ratio, Kelly's index, potential salinity, and the IWQI. The findings revealed that 22.2, 38.9, 88.8, 66.7, 83.3, 66.7, 100, 72.2, and 55.6% of samples exceeded recommended standards for electrical conductivity, TDS, TH, permeability index, manganese, cobalt, copper, cadmium, and nickel, respectively. Most water quality parameters meet standards, but improved irrigation management is crucial to reduce risks. The IWQI indicates that 22.2% of water samples have minor restrictions, while 77.8% have no restrictions. This method provides key insights for evaluating irrigation water quality in similar hydrogeological and environmental conditions, particularly in semi-arid and arid regions. The findings enhance the understanding of sustainable water quality, supporting local authorities in developing resilient irrigation strategies for regional agricultural sustainability.

Optimization Of MSME Sector for Accelerating Regional Development: An Empirical Case Study of Jabodetabek Agglomeration Area

This study elaborating the optimization of MSMEs as a key driver of regional development in the Jabodetabek Agglomeration Area, emphasizing their vital role in shaping local economy performance. Using a quantitative approach that integrates collecting secondary data and processing with STATA Software, this research highlights its finding to find which variables that most determine MSME performance in Jakarta agglomeration area. MSMEs generate employment, promote market stability, and foster innovation, offering affordable and competitive alternatives that enhance access to goods and services for diverse income groups. By controlling inflation through price-competitive products. Policymakers can leverage the potential of MSMEs to achieve sustainable regional development by reducing reliance on external markets and enhancing local economic resilience. This research results provide findings that MSMEs not only address immediate economic needs but also establish a foundation for long-term regional sustainability. Their contributions to economic inclusivity, innovation, and resilience make them a cornerstone of balanced, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth in the Jabodetabek region.

Investigating the urban eco-environmental quality utilizing remote sensing based approach: evidence from an industrial city of Eastern India

Urbanization, coupled with industrialization, leads to both economic growth and exponential urban growth, resulting in deteriorating environmental quality in urban areas, which poses a significant threat to the sustainability of cities. Hence, to restore biodiversity and ensure regional sustainability, it is necessary to immediately evaluate the eco-environmental quality of urban areas. The present research investigates the spatio-temporal changes in urban eco-environmental quality of the Asansol industrial city using an integrated ‘Urban Eco-Environmental Index’ (UEEQI) developed utilizing the Google Earth Engine platform and a remote sensing-based approach. The study used four spectral indices, including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), Normalized Difference Bareness Index (NDBaI), along with Land Surface Temperature (LST) (as a thermal index), derived from the remote sensing data to measure environmental quality. Global Moran’s I and LISA were used to quantify spatial autocorrelation, showing the clustering of similar values or outliers of UEEQ within geographic space. The findings showed that high mean values of NDBI and NDBaI contributed to a lower mean UEEQI value of 0.38 in 2021 compared to previous decades. The spatio-temporal distribution of UEEQI showed that the ‘Very Poor’ category had grown from 0.06% in 1991 to 2% in 2021, while the ‘Poor’, ‘Good’, and ‘Excellent’ categories had declined. Over the 30 years, the UEEQI showed a rising trend of ‘Highly Degraded’ and ‘Degraded’ areas while decreasing the trend of ‘Improved’ or ‘Highly Improved’ environmental quality in the city. Moran’s scatter plot illustrated a highly positive clustered pattern of UEEQ across the city. Hotspots were mainly found in urbanized areas that had an “Average” urban eco-environment quality. Conversely, areas covered with bare surfaces, fallow lands, and brickfields were recognized as Coldspots. This study is crucial for determining specific regions of declining environmental quality and encourages local authorities and decision-makers to integrate eco-environmental conservation zones into city planning to foster healthier, more resilient, and sustainable cities.

Integrating revised DPSIR and ecological security patterns to assess the health of alpine grassland ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Alpine grassland ecosystems on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) provide critical services but face threats from human activity and climate change. Ensuring ecosystem health is vital for sustainability and preserving ecosystem services and processes, especially in delicate ecosystems such as the Gannan alpine grasslands. However, there is currently a lack of a comprehensive model that integrates ecosystem structure, function, processes, and socioeconomic factors. This study proposes a comprehensive ecosystem health assessment approach that combines the revised driver–pressure–state–impact–response (DPSIR) framework with ecological security patterns (ESPs), overcoming the limitations of previous models that focused primarily on ecosystem structure without sufficiently addressing dynamic ecosystem processes. This method aims to diagnose the health of the Gannan alpine grasslands on the QTP from 2000 to 2020. We found that in the context of global climate change, the ecological health was maintained at a relatively high level (covering 75.41 % of the area) in most areas of Gannan, whereas lower levels (12.09 %), were found in the northern areas of Gannan and southwestern areas of Maqu likely resulting from higher livestock density, increased population density, and weaker landscape connectivity. The results of the driver analysis showed that livestock inventory (with an influence Q-value of 0.70) significantly affected the health of the Gannan alpine grassland ecosystem, suggesting that sustainable livestock management is essential for maintaining ecological corridor connectivity, protecting core zones and promoting regional sustainability.

Consistent growth responses of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to drought in mixed and monospecific forests: Insights from Central European forests

Ongoing climate change, characterized by an increased frequency of extreme weather events, including severe droughts, negatively impacts forest ecosystems. However, tree responses differ across tree species and stand composition (mixtures vs. pure stands), which may serve as an important management strategy for forest adaptation to climate change. To investigate the effect of stand composition on drought resilience, we conducted research on forest ecosystems in the Polish Outer Carpathians at the eastern edge of the distribution range of two important European tree species, silver fir (Abies alba) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica). The aim of our study was to identify climatic factors influencing the growth of these species and to examine their drought sensitivity and productivity. For this purpose, we sampled 100 fir and 100 beech trees from both mixed and monospecific stands. We applied a dendroclimatological approach to determine temporal stability of climate–growth relationships. Lloret’s resilience indices were used to quantify the response of tree growth to episodic drought stress, while to derive differences in productivity, we applied the generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs). Our results showed species specific climate sensitivity which remain consistent regardless of mixture only for fir. Fir responded positively to higher temperatures, especially during spring, but required more precipitation, particularly in summer. Beech exhibited lower sensitivity to climate in mixed than in monospecific stands and exhibited higher resistance than fir. Importantly, species responses to droughts were driven by the duration of specific drought event and the timing in which it occurred. Furthermore, our results revealed that mixed stands were more resistant to extreme drought events. Fir showed higher resistance to extreme drought events in mixed stands than in pure stands. Overall, silver fir exhibited higher productivity than European beech. Especially in younger cohorts, it was higher for pure stands, but fir from mixed stands exhibited increasing productivity with age and delayed culmination. Our findings indicate that both species can form resilient stands in the studied region, making them viable for forest management in the face of climate change. Mixtures of fir and beech are particularly valid option to promote forest sustainability and productivity in mountain regions. Managed mixed stands of Abies alba and Fagus sylvatica demonstrated advantages in productivity and stability under extreme drought conditions. However, varying intensities of management interventions and structural differences between stands and among studies complicate direct comparisons, highlighting the need for more standardized approaches to analyzing species responses and management strategies in the future.

Cost Estimation for the Operation and Maintenance of Automated Monitoring and Early-Warning Equipment for Geological Hazards

Geological hazards impede regional economy sustainability. To limit their destructive impacts on human life and property, the Chinese government has independently developed automated monitoring and early-warning equipment, which has been deployed in over 250,000 locations nationwide, yielding effective early warnings. The smooth operation of this equipment necessitates substantial human, material, and financial resources for its maintenance. To allocate funds rationally, the Ministry of Finance of China has mandated the urgent establishment of budget standards for the operation and maintenance of automated monitoring and early-warning systems for geological hazards. Addressing the research gap in this area, this study meticulously develops a cost model, subcategorizing operating costs, maintenance costs, and management costs. Addressing the intricate issue of maintenance expenditures, this study ingeniously breaks down routine operations and urgent repairs stipulated in technical standards into personnel, materials, and vehicular needs for each equipment type. Considering the total manpower involved in equipment maintenance, the per-unit maintenance cost is determined. This method allocates costs to individual pieces of equipment, thereby sidestepping the quantification hurdle created by varying types and quantities of monitoring equipment at each monitoring site due to various geological disaster types and magnitudes, and technical personnel’s maintenance responsibility for multiple equipment types in a single operation. Finally, incorporating regional adjustment coefficients, we have formulated theoretical costs for the operation and maintenance of automated monitoring and early-warning equipment for geological hazards. By contrasting theoretical costs with actual project budgets, the error margin is within 2%. Following nationwide consultation, these theoretical costs have been officially endorsed as the budget standard. These standards will lay the groundwork for project budgeting and review, facilitate efficient fund utilization, and ensure the financial sustainability of monitoring and warning systems for geological hazards. Concurrently, this paper bridges the global lack in budget norms for the operation and upkeep of automated geological disaster monitoring systems. The cost calculation model introduced serves as a pivotal reference globally for the evaluation of analogous system’s operations and maintenance expenses.

Assessing CO2 Reduction Effects Through Decarbonization Scenarios in the Residential and Transportation Sectors: Challenges and Solutions for Japan’s Hilly and Mountainous Areas

Depopulation, aging, and regional decline are becoming increasingly serious issues in Japan’s hilly and mountainous areas. Focusing on mitigating environmental damage and envisioning a sustainable future for these regions, this study examines the potential for reducing CO2 emissions in the residential and transportation sectors by 2050. Bottom-up simulations were used to estimate CO2 emissions. Subsequently, six decarbonization scenarios were formulated, considering various measures from the perspectives of population distribution and technological progress. Based on these scenarios, this study analyzes changes in future population, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions by 2050. The results of this study show the following. (1) Depopulation and aging problems in these regions are expected to become more severe in the future. It is necessary to take action to promote sustainable regional development. (2) Pursuing decarbonization has a positive impact on enhancing regional sustainability; however, maintaining the intensity of measures at the current level could lead to a reduction of only 40% in CO2 emissions per capita by 2050 compared with 2020. (3) Scenarios that strengthen decarbonization measures could achieve a reduction of over 95% by 2050, indicating that carbon neutrality is attainable. However, this will require implementing measures at a higher intensity, especially in the transportation sector.

Identifying the Interactive Coercive Relationships Between Urbanization and Eco-Environmental Quality in the Yangtze and Yellow River Basins, China

Urbanization, as an important engine of modernization, plays an important role in promoting regional economy and improving living standards. Nevertheless, unchecked urban expansion over recent decades has strained natural resources and the environment, leading to crises, especially in densely populated urban areas that act as ecological barriers within river basins. The investigation of the interactive coercive relationship between the urbanization level (UL) and eco-environmental quality (EEQ) can facilitate the identification of sustainable pathways towards regional sustainability. Therefore, this study employed a set of multidisciplinary approaches, integrating simple linear regression, bivariate spatial autocorrelation, and coupling coordination degree (CCD) models, alongside multi-source remote sensing data to analyze the interactive coercive relationship between UL and EEQ in the Yangtze and Yellow River basins (YYRBs) in China. Key findings included a 6.97% improvement in EEQ in the Yellow River basin (YLRB) from 2001 to 2020, with higher values in the southeastern and southwestern regions and lower values in the central region, while the Yangtze River basin (YTRB) saw only a 1.28% increase, characterized by a lower EEQ in the west and higher levels in the middle and east, although the Yangtze River Delta showed a decline and significant variation among tributaries. UL rose steadily in both basins, especially in the middle reaches of the YLRB. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed a positive correlation between UL and EEQ in the YLRB, whereas a negative correlation was found in the YTRB. The CCD between UL and EEQ in the YYRBs improved, particularly in the middle and lower reaches, indicating the need for integrated urban development strategies that consider regional ecological capacities. These findings provided a scientific basis for ecological protection and sustainable urban development at a large river basin scale.

The slowdown of increasing groundwater storage in response to climate warming in the Tibetan Plateau

The change of groundwater storage (GWS) on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is vital for water resources management and regional sustainability, but its estimation has large uncertainty due to insufficient hydrological measurements and diverse future climate scenarios. Here, we employ high-resolution land surface modeling, advanced satellite observations, global climate model data, and deep learning to estimate GWS changes in the past and future. We find a 3.51 ± 2.40 Gt yr−1 increase in GWS from 2002–2018, especially in exorheic basins, attributed to glacier melting. The GWS will persistently increase in the future, but the growth rate is slowing down (0.14 Gt yr−1 for 2079–2100 under a high emission scenario). Increasing GWS is projected over most endorheic basins, which is associated with increasing precipitation and decreasing shortwave radiation. In contrast, decreasing GWS is projected over the headwaters of Amu Darya, Yangtze, and Yellow river basins. These insights have implications for sustainable water resource management in a changing climate.

A spatial machine learning approach to exploring the impacts of coal mining and ecological restoration on regional ecosystem health

Ecosystem health is an important approach to measuring urban and regional sustainability. In previous studies, the spatiotemporal changes of ecosystem health have been addressed using comprehensive assessment index system. However, the quantitative contribution of human activities and climate change to ecosystem health was less examined. In this study, Shuozhou City, a coal resource-based city, was chosen to explore the response of ecosystem health to human activities using the Geographically Weighted Artificial Neural Network (GWANN) model. The results showed a distinct improvement of ecosystem health in Shuozhou City from 1990 to 2020. The contribution of human activities increased during the study period, while the contribution of climate change decreased as a consequence of coal mining expanding. By 2020, human activities contributed 76% to ecosystem health compared with 24% of climate change. The direct impact of coal mining on ecosystem health occurred mainly in the surrounding areas within a radius of 6 km and 17 km under low and high mining intensity respectively. Ecosystem health will further decline by 2030 based on the scenario in which current coal mining is continued. However, only stopping mining activities in small coal mining areas for ecological restoration but keeping large coal mining areas in production, will realize 92.6% of restoration effects on ecosystem health as compared to ceasing all mining activities. This study examines the effects of coal mining on ecosystem health in resource-based cities, and underscores the importance of large coal mining sites in ecological restoration.

Genetic Analysis of Key Traits for Sheath Blight Resistance and Yield Improvement in Rice (Oryza sativa)

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple crop for more than half of the global population, with significant production in India. However, rice production suffers yield losses of 25-30% due to diseases, particularly sheath blight (ShB), caused by Rhizoctonia solani. This study evaluated genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance in ShB resistance and yield-related traits in 360 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) across two seasons (dry season of 2022-23 and wet season of 2023) at ICAR-IIRR, Hyderabad. Traits such as plant height, lesion height, relative lesion height, and panicle number showed high heritability (>80%) and genetic advance (>30%), indicating their strong genetic influence and responsiveness to selection. These traits, especially relative lesion height, were identified as key indicators for breeding ShB resistance. In contrast, grain yield under inoculated conditions showed lower heritability, reflecting environmental effects and suggesting that indirect selection through stable, heritable traits may be more effective. This research offers a foundation for breeding high-yielding, disease-resistant rice cultivars, advancing sustainability in ShB-prone regions by maintaining stable yields even under pathogen pressure.

An Empirical Study on the Digital Economy, Fiscal Policy, and Regional Sustainable Development—Based on Data from Less Developed Regions in China

Reducing inequality within and between countries and enhancing social welfare are important components of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. Based on the experience of developed countries or regions, the digital economy and fiscal policy are effective ways of promoting inclusive regional economic growth. Fully considering the completeness and availability of the data, we select the data of China’s less developed regions from 2001 to 2011 for empirical testing. This study empirically examined the effect of the digital economy on regional sustainable development and the underlying mechanism, taking an analysis of the regulatory effect of fiscal policy into account. The results show the following: (1) The digital economy and regional sustainable development exhibit an inverted “U” curve relationship. In the early stage of development, relying on its own economies of scale, the digital economy releases the “digital dividend”, positively affecting the sustainable development of the regional economy; in the later stage, the “digital divide” has a positive impact on the development of the regional economy. The inhibitory effect of the “digital divide” is greater than the enhancement effect of the “digital dividend”, negatively affecting the sustainable development of regional economies. (2) There is regional heterogeneity in the mechanism of the effect of the digital economy on regional sustainable development. The digital economy affects the level of regional sustainable development through the two paths of “comprehensive prosperity” and “holistic well-being”. For the samples in the eastern and western regions, the digital economy plays the role of promoting and then inhibiting, while for the samples in the central region, it plays the role of inhibiting and then promoting. (3) Fiscal policy negatively regulates the effect of the digital economy on regional sustainable development, but the regulatory effect is not significant.

Comparative Analysis of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Types in the Metropolitan Region Along the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River

Currently, with the acceleration of urbanization, traditional transportation modes are increasingly causing congestion, pollution, and resource waste, drawing widespread attention to Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). TOD is an urban development concept that advocates the implementation of high-density, mixed-use land utilization around transit stations to encourage the use of public transportation, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and achieve more sustainable urban growth. The ‘node–place’ model is a classic analytical framework in TOD typology, forming the foundation for assessing TOD effectiveness. However, this model requires expansion due to its limited adaptability. This study aims to bridge this gap by proposing an innovative, network-based ‘node–place–convenience (NPC)’ model to enhance insights on the overall assessment of metro networks. Using a combination of CRITIC weighting and K-means++ clustering, this study evaluates TOD in cities with metros in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. By assessing node, place, and convenience values of metro stations, this study compares how different urban structures, population distributions, and metro network configurations impact travel behavior, economic vitality, and regional sustainability. The results show that TOD degree in Wuhan decreases from urban to suburban areas, presenting ‘center to sub-center’ pattern in Changsha, and presenting ‘ring-radial’ distribution across the city center in Nanchang. The clustering results divide TOD benefits into six groups, with Changsha performing the best, followed by Wuhan, while Nanchang still has room for improvement. The average TOD benefits for Wuhan, Changsha, and Nanchang are 0.28, 0.35, and 0.28.

Can smart city construction be the answer to sustainable development? Evidence from Chinese corporates

The construction of smart cities plays a pivotal role in promoting regional sustainability by utilizing technology-driven urban development in the digital era. This study employs the difference-in-differences model to empirically analyze the impact of the smart city pilot policy on corporate carbon intensity, using data from Chinese A-share listed corporates from 2009 to 2021. The findings are as follows: First, the smart city pilot policy significantly reduces corporate carbon intensity in pilot cities, and this conclusion remains robust after a series of sensitivity tests. Second, the policy exhibits heterogeneous effects on corporate carbon intensity across different industries and city locations, with more pronounced effects observed in central cities, traditional industries, and heavily polluting industries. Third, mechanism analysis reveals that the policy reduces corporate carbon intensity through three channels: promoting technological innovation, increasing external market attention, and providing ex-ante government subsidies.

Festivals: an Opportunity for Sustainable Development of Tourism Regions

Objective: The purpose of this development is to present the opportunities provided by festivals as organized events for the sustainable development of tourism regions. Theoretical Framework: The article focuses on several key concepts. First, it examines the role of festivals as organized events in promoting tourism. Secondly, it is based on the sustainability principles, balancing environmental, economic and socio-cultural factors. Lastly, it considers event tourism as a significant driver for local development. Method: An empirical research which includes an analysis of published materials and documents that study organized events and festivals in particular as part of cultural and historical tourism was conducted. Results and Discussion: Festivals significantly contribute to the sustainable development of tourism regions by enhancing local cultural identity and attracting tourists. The successful organization of festivals can strengthen the image of a region, promoting long-term benefits for both the tourism industry and local communities. Research Implications: Festivals can serve as strategic tools for sustainable tourism development by fostering regional cultural identity and attracting tourists. Policymakers and tourism managers should prioritize festival planning and management as a means to enhance the economic, social and cultural sustainability of tourism regions. Originality/Value: The originality of the article lies in its focus on festivals as a unique catalyst for the sustainable development of tourism regions, highlighting their multifaceted impact on local economies, culture, and social cohesion. This study provides valuable insights into how well-managed festivals can enhance the long-term sustainability of tourism destinations, offering practical guidance for policymakers and event organizers.

Assessment of groundwater sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions using a fuzzy Delphi method

Assessment of groundwater sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions using a fuzzy Delphi method

Transitions to crop residue burning have multiple antecedents in Eastern India

Far removed from the agricultural fire “hotspots” of Northwestern India, rice residue burning is on the rise in Eastern India with implications for regional air quality and agricultural sustainability. The underlying drivers contributing to the increase in burning have been linked to the adoption of mechanized (combine) harvesting but, in general, are inadequately understood. We hypothesize that the adoption of burning as a management practice results from a set of socio-technical interactions rather than emerging from a single factor. Using a mixed methods approach, a household survey (n = 475) provided quantitative insights into landscape and farm-scale drivers of burning and was complemented by an in-depth qualitative survey (n = 36) to characterize decision processes and to verify causal inferences derived from the broader survey. For communities where the combine harvester is present, our results show that rice residue burning is not inevitable. The decision to burn appears to emerge from a cascading sequence of events, starting with the following: (1) decreasing household labor, leading to (2) decreasing household livestock holdings, resulting in (3) reduced demands for residue fodder, incentivizing (4) adoption of labor-efficient combine harvesting and subsequent burning of loose residues that are both difficult to collect and of lower feeding value than manually harvested straw. Local demand for crop residues for livestock feeding plays a central role mediating transitions to burning. Consequently, policy response options that only consider the role of the combine harvester are likely to be ineffective. Innovative strategies such as the creation of decentralized commercial models for dairy value chains may bolster local residue demand by addressing household-scale labor bottlenecks to maintaining livestock. Secondary issues, such as timely rice planting, merit consideration as part of holistic responses to “bend” agricultural burning trajectories in Eastern India towards more sustainable practices.

Innovation Reefs (I-Reef): Innovation Ecosystems Focused on Regional Sustainable Development

The creation of successful innovation ecosystems, like Silicon Valley, is challenging due to significant cultural, infrastructural, and resource differences between regions. In this context, the Innovation Reef (I-Reef) model emerges as a promising alternative, offering an approach for regions with limited resources to develop successful innovation ecosystems based on cooperation and mutual benefit among participants. This model has great potential to promote regional development, especially due to its focus on retaining and sharing the value generated. However, the role of I-Reef in sustainable regional development still needs to be further explored. Thus, the objective of this study is to deepen the theoretical understanding of the I-Reef model by analyzing its contribution to sustainable development. To achieve this, a comparison was made between I-Reef and established models such as business, innovation, knowledge, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. A systematic literature review conducted on Scopus found 704 articles published in the last three decades. The purpose was to identify the similarities and differences between the models of innovation business ecosystem models. The results show that there is alignment between I-Reef and the different ecosystems on several points. A central aspect of I-Reef is that it relies on a strong network of mutually beneficial relationships, much more oriented to sustainable development than the other models, which is a key factor in generating competitive advantage and development for the region. This characteristic is either not addressed or not placed at the core of the ecosystems discussed in the literature. For future research, empirical studies and validation of the I-Reef model with experts are suggested, as this theoretical study lays the foundation for more in-depth analyses.

Regional sustainability outranked damming effects in affecting water quality in the lower reaches of the Jinsha River, China

Besides cascade hydropower development, regional socio-economic activities also significantly affect water quality in the drainage region. However, it remains challenging to ascertain the implications of the damming effects and regional sustainability on water quality. This study examined the variations in water quality indicators, including chemical oxygen demand (CODMn), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and total phosphorus (TP), during the cascade hydropower development (both the construction and impoundment periods from 2006 to 2023) in the lower reaches of the Jinsha River (the upper reaches of the Yangtze River). The relationships between land use changes, point and non-point source nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs, and water quality and their interconnections with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were analyzed to assess the impacts of regional sustainability on water quality. The CODMn and NH3-N concentrations did not significantly differ between 1–2 hydrologic years before and after dam construction or reservoir impoundment, while the TP concentrations substantially decreased following reservoir impoundment. Land use changes at the riparian scale and point and non-point source N and P inputs in the sub-watershed effectively accounted for variations in NH3-N and TP during cascade hydropower development. Factors influencing water quality were closely linked to regional sustainability, including urbanization progress (SDG 11), urban sewage management (SDG 6), agricultural adjustment (SDG 2), and forest restoration (SDG 15). This study underscores the positive influence of regional sustainability on water quality improvement, which is beneficial for developing sustainable hydropower development strategies.