Sustainable Development Paradigm Research Articles

Sustainable Architecture Principles in Sports Facilities: A Case Study in the Karkonosze Mountains

Creating high-quality architecture that does not negatively impact the environment is currently not only a noble pursuit but also an obligatory action. There is competition in regard to unique architectural proposals that are consistent with the sustainable development paradigm as well as able to meet the challenges of recent times (e.g., excessive anthropopressure). Notably, as long as a century ago, architectural solutions were created which—due to their focus on the preservation of the character and beauty of the landscape and nature—can now be classified as sustainable. Sports facilities built in the 20th century in the current Polish Karkonosze Mountains region—one of the highest ranges in the Sudeten Mountains—are an important topic of curiosity that may contribute to solving real problems in the present day. Over the last decade, the author of this article has conducted empirical research in the region, particularly involving the collection of observational data (descriptive and analytical). A detailed analysis of selected sports facilities in the Karkonosze Mountains was carried out, which has created a unique atmosphere of picturesqueness and elegance in connection with tourist-related developments in terms of guesthouses, hostels, and hotels. The main research problem considered in this study concerns the impacts of sports activities on areas with special landscape values and the possibility of establishing universal architectural principles that, when applied to sports facilities, could have a positive impact on the perception of the transformed mountain space, which is subject to pressure from sports and tourist activities. The research results led to the selection of such principles while simultaneously proving the value of sports facilities located in the Karkonosze Mountains and their connections with the architectural and natural surroundings. At the same time, this research raised a question about the postulated and legally binding state of “sustainable development” and, therefore, a question about the “limits to growth” (aurea mediocritas). The characteristics of sports layouts shed light on the eternal unknown, as such solutions result from the interpretation of definitions, in terms of how they correspond to the features of spatial order. Assuming that spatial order is the overriding principle of sustainable architecture, it should be concluded that the principles presented here relate to spatial order and sustainable architecture.

Priority principles of sustainable use of land resource potential In the conditions of modern challenges

The article examines issues related to the features and current trends in the functioning of land and resource potential in the context of the sustainable development paradigm. It is substantiated that the land and resource potential of Ukraine is a strategic asset of the country, its effective use contributes to economic development, food security and environmental stability. The essence of the concept of land and resource potential and its content through the concept of sustainable (balanced) use are determined. An assessment of trends in the use of land and resource potential of Ukraine is carried out. It is substantiated that since the beginning of the war, land resources and their potential have undergone significant transformations. The dynamics of changes in the land fund for 2021–2024 are determined. The current state of functioning of agricultural lands and their potential, which is a key factor in ensuring food security, is investigated. It is substantiated that the implementation of the global UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 2 (“No Hunger”), Goal 12 (“Responsible Consumption and Production”), Goal 13 (“Combating Climate Change”) and Goal 15 (“Conservation of Terrestrial Ecosystems”), in the context of sustainable use of the country’s land and resource potential is aimed at ensuring environmentally balanced, economically efficient and socially responsible management of land resources. Priority areas of sustainable use of land and resource potential and mechanisms for their implementation are identified.

Developing Cross-Border Spatial Planning: Establishing a Common Understanding Through a Forthcoming European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Between Galicia and Portugal

At the border between Galicia (Spain) and Northern Portugal, where three European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) currently operate, the process to establish a fourth one is underway: Raia Seca Gerês/Xurés (RSGX). This new cross-border cooperation structure covers an area rich in natural and cultural heritage and mostly matches the Gerês/Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve designated in 2009. The goal of this paper is to decipher to what extent a common understanding between both sides of the border might enable the delivery of a common spatial plan managed by the EGTC under the auspices of the sustainable development paradigm. The findings obtained from the interviews conducted indicate that borders remain present in the experiences and mentalities of the interviewed stakeholders and that cross-border spatial planning largely depends on territorial agendas linked to national-state sovereignty, hindering its factual implementation. The interviewees expect the future EGTC to serve as a mechanism to channel cooperation and redefine the role of the already designated Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, moving beyond isolated actions funded by Interreg and embracing a more integrated approach to cooperation.

Developing a health region in the context of sustainable development – an attempt at conceptualization

PurposeThe aim of this article is to conceptually assess the healthiness of regions. A developed health region can become an attractive health tourism destination. Within the framework of the sustainable development paradigm, this article identifies key areas for development in the creation of health regions.Design/methodology/approachIn this conceptual paper, a traditional narrative review was required. In addition to the scientific literature, the analyses included key reports and strategy documents from public institutions and organizations, the content of which was relevant to the issue addressed.FindingsA conceptual framework of a health region based on sustainability has been constructed that can support practitioners seeking to develop a health-based region. As a result of a 3-stage conceptualization process, a set of 56 indicators was developed to describe the health characteristics of (1) the environmental sphere, with criteria including air quality, noise levels and natural assets, while taking into account needs for climate crisis resilience adaptation measure; (2) the social sphere concerning infrastructure, which includes elements of space use, transportation accessibility, accessibility for people with special needs, including especially people with disabilities and anthropogenic qualities, and (3) the economic sphere, which is an important element affecting the quality of life.Originality/valueThis is the first attempt to describe a health region in the context of sustainable development. The set of indicators is the result of conceptual work, providing a basis for further description of health regions and serving as an inspiration for regions wishing to prioritize health in their development.

Digital Transformation in Waste Management: Disruptive Innovation and Digital Governance for Zero-Waste Cities in the Global South as Keys to Future Sustainable Development

Waste is a complex challenge that requires collaboration between multiple stakeholders to achieve a circular economy. In this context, there is a growing demand for digital solutions that integrate physical and digital infrastructure to create digital waste governance systems. Analog management, without accurate data, is becoming increasingly unfeasible in light of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Tools such as online geographic information systems (WebGIS) allow the collection and integration of large volumes of physical and human data and the establishment of a digital governance structure that brings together different technologies, tools and methods in the same environment. This article aims to present the State of the Art on the topics of zero-waste cities, WebGIS, and disruptive innovation. The article starts from the hypothesis that only a process of disruptive and systemic innovation in the value chain and urban solid waste management (MSWMS), supported by the principle of zero-waste cities, circular economy and webGIS, can effectively help to solve this problem. The research uses an exploratory literature review on the concepts of zero-waste cities, systemic innovation and webGIS applied to waste management, linking them to the theoretical framework of sustainability as a science and to Brazilian public policies, such as the National Solid Waste Policy (Law 12.305/2010), the National Circular Economy Policy (Law 1.874/2022) and the National Digital Government Strategy of Brazil 2024–2027 (ENGD). As a result, scientific publications on zero-waste cities increased from 2018 to 2023 and several countries have adopted zero-waste guidelines in waste management policies. WebGIS, remote sensing, geoprocessing and different technologies are increasingly being incorporated into waste management, generating significant impacts on the diversion of resources from landfills, mitigating climate change, and generating and/or adding value to the useful life of waste and garbage resources, in addition to the optimization and efficiency of collection operators and citizen engagement in public policies. Disruptive innovation has proven to be a concrete process to enable the transition from obsolete sociotechnical systems (such as the linear economy), where sustainable finance and environmental entities play a fundamental role in orchestrating and coordinating the convergence of private, public and civil society actors towards this new sustainable development paradigm. The case study proved to be fruitful in proposing and encouraging the adoption of such methods and principles in municipal waste management, allowing us to outline a first conception of a digital government structure and digitalization of public services for zero-waste cities, as well as pointing out the difficulties of implementing and transforming these systems. This digital governance structure demonstrates the possibility of being replicable and scalable to other cities around the world, which can materialize an important tool for the implementation, articulation and development of a long-term sustainable development paradigm, based on the vision of the circular economy and zero-waste cities.

From the environmental state to the sustainability state? Conceptualization, indicators, and examples

The “environmental state” is an established concept in environmental politics that describes states with a considerable capacity to address environmental issues with new institutions and policies. At the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the environmental discourse joined forces with the development discourse, politically facilitating the paradigm of sustainable development. Agenda 21 and the 2030 Agenda both call upon states to adapt their governance structures and policies to this new paradigm, for instance, through integrative national strategies for sustainable development and sustainability councils. The literature is undecided on whether sustainable development can be addressed within the environmental state or if it would be more adequate to speak of a “sustainability state” in its own right. After reviewing the literature, this article argues that the sustainability state is not just a development stage of the environmental state but that it is institutionally layered on other state functions, going clearly beyond – but not replacing – the environmental state. However, this layering may result in a sustainability state that is decoupled from other state functions served through differing structures, decisions, and measures. This article offers a descriptive-analytical conceptualization of the sustainability state and develops formal indicators to operationalize it. It analyzes how new administrative and political, regulatory and policy, financial, and knowledge structures can address different governance principles for sustainable development. All indicators are briefly illustrated with empirical examples from Germany or other countries. According to a preliminary assessment, Germany is considered an example of an emerging, yet possibly partially decoupled, sustainability state.

ПРОБЛЕМИ ТА ПАРАДИГМИ СТІЙКОГО РОЗВИТКУ СКЛАДНИХ СИСТЕМ В УМОВАХ ІННОВАЦІЙНОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ

The central and systemic task of all mankind today is and will be the problem of ensuring sustainable, safe and viable development and preserving the world community. The problem of sustainable development and the development of a methodology for assessing the sustainable development of technogenic systems, taking into account cognitive factors in the context of an innovative economy. The purpose of the article is to develop integrated models of nonlinear dynamics of ecological, economic and socio-humanitarian systems in modern conditions, to solve the problem of assessing the sustainable development of technogenic systems, taking into account cognitive factors in the context of an innovative economy, as well as to study new paradigms of global sustainable development of complex systems. The object of the study is the synthesis of integrated models, taking into account humanitarian and cognitive variables for assessing sustainable and safe development, the creation of methodological research tools, using which it was possible to determine objective global values of people independent of consciousness and will and the global goal of the development of mankind. This factor becomes particularly relevant in the context of building a "digital economy" and the basis of such mechanisms is noo-conditionality, noo-modeling and other noospheric approaches. The hypothesis of the study is that based on the use of information and innovative technologies, integrated stochastic models of objects and processes suitable for the conditions of systemic crises have been developed and studied. Methods used in the study: mathematical methods, models and information and innovative technologies for the nonlinear dynamics of ecological - economic and socio-humanitarian systems, integrated stochastic models of objects and processes suitable for the conditions of systemic crises have been developed and studied. Presentation of the main material. The problem of sustainable development and the innovative approach of integrated modeling are considered, including technogenic objects and processes as systems of socio-ecological-economic and humanitarian type. Integrated stochastic models of objects and processes suitable for the conditions of systemic crises have been developed and studied. Social and economic interaction tools are proposed as factors for research in the fields of neuroeconomics, processes and tools for the global development of complex systems, etc. Originality and practical significance of the results obtained - for the first time an approach for assessing the level of sustainable development of complex systems based on nine factors, including cognitive, innovative, intellectual, and others, is proposed. Research conclusions. The results of previous works of the authors in solving the problem of assessing the sustainable development of a technogenic production system taking into account nine factors in the conditions of an innovative economy are generalized and developed, and tools for global development, etc. are also proposed

Exploring the Role of Community Participation in Sustainable Urban Development

In contemporary society, as innovative paradigms for sustainable urban development are progressively investigated, community engagement is increasingly prioritized to harmonize planning theory with practical application and to create planning initiatives that better address local requirements. At the same time, community engagement is increasingly recognized as an essential element of the planning process, especially in addressing social, environmental and economic sustainability. Therefore, this thesis aims to explore how community engagement influences urban sustainability from different perspectives. This paper evaluates community engagement's role in redeveloping King's Cross Station in London, alongside related case studies from the English system. It examines how grassroots participation can improve environmental conservation and resource management in urban areas, while promoting transparency and equity in decision-making to ensure fair benefits for all societal groups from sustainable development. Additionally, the analysis will address how community engagement supports planning initiatives that meet local economic needs and encourage sustainable economic growth. The above research shows that community participation is an indispensable part of sustainable urban development, and that it helps planners to tailor environmental and economic planning programmes to the realities of the region.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: SOCIO-PHILOSOPHICAL ASPECTS

Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. The concept of sustainable development has been widely studied by many scholars. The report “The Limits to Growth” (1972) by Donella and Dennis Meadows, Jørgen Randers, and William Behrens first emphasized the planet's limited resources. E. F. Schumacher in “Small Is Beautiful” (1973) proposed a human-centered approach to economics, while Alvin Toffler in “The Third Wave” (1980) examined society’s adaptation to rapid changes. The Brundtland Report “Our Common Future” (1987) established the notion of sustainable development at the international level. R. Costanza, H. Daly, and J. Lovelock highlighted ecological economics and resource conservation, while Z. Hull and H. Jonas explored ethical responsibility towards future generations. A. Papuziński systematized the philosophical paradigms of sustainable development, identifying pragmatic, conservative, and systemic approaches. A. Fergus, J. Rowney, J. Habermas, and M. Foucault emphasized the importance of discourse in sustainable development. Contributions by G. Nersesyan and S. Gordidzhin focus on the regulation of corporate social responsibility. The research objective. To examine the evolution of the concept of sustainable development from a philosophical perspective, particularly its socio-philosophical aspects, and to determine their significance for ensuring the harmonious development of society. The statement of basic materials. The evolution of the concept of sustainable development is examined from its historical origins to modern paradigms. The impact of global crises on achieving sustainable development goals and the integration of environmental, economic, and social dimensions into decision-making processes is analyzed. Special attention is given to corporate social responsibility (CSR) as an ethical component of business and its role in sustainable development.

Sustainability performance, corporate governance, and financial performance: Evidence from Poland and Central European listed companies

PURPOSE: Businesses are regarded as the main agents that can help achieve sustainable development. Therefore, more and more firms of various characteristics integrate sustainability issues into their business strategies. There is ongoing debate on the relationship between sustainability engagement and firm performance, with ambiguous results. Our study falls into this stream of research by adding the perspective of the Central European economy. The main objective of our paper is to examine the relationship between firm sustainability performance and its financial performance in the context of various corporate governance characteristics (in particular board attributes and ownership structure). METHODOLOGY: Our research sample covers firms listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange representing various indexes (related to their size) and sectors in 2015–2021. We measure sustainability performance with our original aggregated index created by integrating key firm ESG engagement characteristics. Financial performance is analyzed from two different perspectives – accounting perspective illustrated by profitability of assets (ROA) and market perspective - illustrated by market value (MV/BV ratio). To achieve the research aims, several statistical methods were employed in the study, including selected descriptive statistics and panel regression models. FINDINGS: Our results confirm a significant positive relationship between sustainability and financial performance, as measured by ROA and MV/BV ratios. Additionally, we observe a significant positive relationship between gender diversity on the management board (the presence of women on the management board) and accounting performance. Our results provide an argument for firm engagement in sustainability initiatives, as it may improve its profitability and market value. IMPLICATIONS for theory and practice: Our study not only contributes to the corporate finance and sustainability literature by providing evidence on the relationship between sustainability performance and financial performance in the context of the Central European economy, but also provides insights for corporate governance research in terms of boards attributes and different types of ownership structures. The policy suggestions derived from our findings can benefit both managers and regulators, focusing on the sustainable development paradigm and ultimately enhancing overall stakeholder well-being. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: The originality of our research stems from investigating the relationship between sustainability performance and firm performance from both an accounting and a market perspective and using the original sustainability index developed for the purpose of the study. Additionally, we address potential gaps in existing research by incorporating several corporate governance characteristics to clarify their importance for a firm performance.

Green Constitutional Paradigm for Sustainable Environmental Development in the Capital of Archipelago : A Comparative Study with France and Ecuadorian Constitution

Green constitution is one of the things that answers various kinds of public concerns related to the decline of environmental functions. Although the 1945 Constitution as the Indonesian constitution has attempted to contain articles on the environment in its body, Indonesia is still classified as a country that only regulates it formally. The implication that occurs is the planning of the National Capital City which is being built with the concept of smart forest city, where the implementation is not studied in depth which makes the impact of environmental damage in the form of deforestation and the length of sustainable environmental recovery. This research uses normative research methods that refer to the constitution by examining aspects related to the environment as a state of law, then analyzed with relevant issues.The 1945 Constitution's accommodation of a green constitution is still far behind when compared to the Constitutions of France and Ecuador which both constitutionalize environmental law norms. The French constitution, for example, requires that every draft law produced by the French Parliament must follow the provisions and standards set out in the Environmental Charter as part of the French Constitution. The development of National Capital City towards the conditions and threats of environmental sustainability which are currently very alarming, it is appropriate for us to lay and strengthen the conceptual foundations of environmental issues and sustainable development with an environmental perspective.

The Wheel of Vegetation: A Spatial and Temporal Story of Vegetation Evolution in the Shennongjia Forest District

As one of the most well-preserved areas in the vertical band spectrum of vegetation in central China and even in the northern hemisphere at the same latitude, the vegetation in Shennongjia Forest District is vital to global ecological balance. In order to fully understand the vegetation change in the study area, remotely sensed data since 1990, combined with the Sen-MK test, Geo detector, and LandTrendr algorithm, were used to analyze the vegetation distribution characteristics and change trends. The results showed that: (1) the overall NDVI in the study area displayed an upward trend. (2) Vegetation disturbance occurred frequently before 2000 and decreased significantly after 2000. The most severely disturbed year was 1991 when the disturbed area amounted to 4.0851 km2, accounting for 16.76% of the total disturbed area. The analysis of the topographic environment reveals that most of the vegetation disturbances occur in areas with slopes of 15–25° and elevations of 1500–2000 m, which indicates that these areas have frequent human activity. (3) The explanatory power of different influences on vegetation changes varied, with altitude having the most significant effect and the superposition of two influences increasing the effect on vegetation change. Over the past 30 years, vegetation in the Shennongjia Forest District has shown a general trend of recovery, with natural forest protection initiatives playing a critical role in mitigating disturbance. This comprehensive study of vegetation changes in Shennongjia offers a valuable research paradigm for forest conservation and sustainable development in temperate forests at similar latitudes, providing significant insights into the protection and management of similar ecosystems.

Reinventing trade, environment and development interlinkages: lessons from the EU–Mercosur Association Agreement

Abstract The trade pillar of the EU–Mercosur Association Agreement (EUMAA) has demonstrated critical problems with the way in which the EU handles interlinkages between trade, environment and development in its free trade agreements, particularly through its Sustainability Impact Assessments and Trade and Sustainable Development Chapters. But instead of prompting fundamental change, key EU actors have responded by merely tinkering with the existing model. This article explores why such an approach is insufficient to address the urgent ecological and developmental challenges which EUMAA specifically, and EU trade agreements more generally, currently ignore. It argues that the sustainable development paradigm underlying the EU’s trade and sustainability agenda must be strengthened through the explicit incorporation and then operationalization of the concepts of planetary boundaries and socio-economic equality. It utilizes the example of EUMAA to demonstrate the kind of concrete changes that could flow from this strengthened sustainable development paradigm including (I) the creation of radically different negotiating processes (II) the utilization of trade measures within FTAs to achieve key environmental and developmental goals and (III) the redistribution of environmental and developmental responsibilities among key actors who are the subjects and objects of trade governance.

Theoretical prerequisites for the formation of the definition of integrated reporting in the paradigm of sustainable development

The article summarizes the existing international system of professional communities regulating corporate and integrated reporting standards, based on the analysis of the evolution of corporate reporting development, six stages of its development are identified, the main approaches of Russian and foreign authors to the definition of «integrated reporting» are analyzed, and the author’s definition of the definition of «integrated reporting» is proposed.

From national park to cultural park an Algerian experience

The status of National park was adopted in Algeria in 1921, during French colonisation, within the framework of the forestry law in force. It was renewed as is, after 1962 by independent Algeria and placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, in its general forestry directorate. In 1983, it was redefined in the first national law on the environment, then, from 2011, in that of protected areas, within the framework of sustainable development. All Algerian national parks are created under the forestry regime and agricultural administration, with the exception of a single case where they are attached to the cultural sector: that of Tassili and Ahaggar, both located in the extreme south of the Sahara, including the Tuareg customary domain of Kel Ajjer and Kel Ahaggar. A particular case, linked to the process of administrative construction of the Saharan space. It is following the adoption of paradigm of sustainable development and a new law on the protection of cultural heritage , that this particularism has disappeared, with the introduction of a new legal category of protection, called “parc culturel”, based on the principle of “indissociability” between culture and nature, an innovative notion which has not yet acquired the conceptual force necessary to achieve the required stabilization and social appropriation, hence the difficulty of its translation into operational tools.

Reinforcing inequalities: A critical examination of international sanctions and bureaucratic decline in the Global South

Reinforcing inequalities: A critical examination of international sanctions and bureaucratic decline in the Global South

Exploring the Differences and Similarities between Smart Cities and Sustainable Cities through an Integrative Review

This study adopts an integrative review approach to explore the differences and similarities between smart cities and sustainable cities. The research starts by performing two systematic literature reviews about both paradigms and, after that, employs a thematic analysis to identify key themes, definitions, and characteristics that differentiate and connect these two urban development concepts. The findings reveal more similarities than differences between the two paradigms. Despite this, some key differences are identified. Smart cities are characterized by their use of advanced information and communication technologies to enhance urban infrastructure, improve public services, and optimize resource management. In contrast, sustainable cities focus on environmental conservation, social equity, and economic viability to ensure long-term urban resilience and quality of life. This study is important because it clarifies both concepts and highlights the potential for integrating smart and sustainable city strategies to address contemporary urban challenges more holistically. The findings also suggest a convergence towards the concept of ‘smart sustainable cities’, which leverage technology to achieve sustainability goals. Finally, this study concludes by identifying research gaps and proposing a future research agenda to further understand and optimize the synergy between smart and sustainable urban development paradigms.

Exploring the knowledge and participation of university students on waste-to-wealth program in Surabaya

University activities have a significant impact on the environment. The sustainable development paradigm has emphasized the importance of sustainable waste management practices at all organizational levels, including the implementation of waste-to-value initiatives. This study was conducted to investigate the level of understanding and engagement of students regarding wasteful initiatives for asset improvement. Convenience sampling was used to collect data from 382 students at Petra Christian University (PCU), which were then analyzed using descriptive and inferential analysis. Results showed varying levels of understanding among students based on demographics and overall understanding of waste to asset initiatives was good (mean score = 4.21/6). However, the participation of most students in these initiatives is low (71.47%). This study shows that their knowledge and demographic background (year of study, education level, income) influence students' participation in waste to asset programs. These findings suggest that more efforts are needed to increase student participation in waste-to-wealth initiatives.

People-centeredness in the context of sustainable development of the country: Issues of cultural policy and ensuring intellectual security

The study attempts to comprehend today notion and paradigm of people-centeredness (anthropocentrism), which shaped today due to the emergence and rapid evolution of sustainable development paradigm, changing all spheres of humanity life. It is shown, in particular, that new anthropocentrism implies new cultural policy, based on intellectual capital protected by intellectual security, gaining increasingly important role.

The The Sustainable Development Paradigm through Carbon Tax Legal Construction

The purpose of this research is to answer legal issues related to the implications of the legal vacuum in the procedures for implementing a carbon tax and the formulation of fulfilling future a carbon tax obligations to provide certainty in the continuation of sustainable development. The legal research method used is normative juridical with a conceptual and statutory approach. The research results confirm that the implications of the legal vacuum in the procedures for implementing a carbon tax are related to threats to the sustainability of sustainable development. The threat in question is closely related to environmental damage due to significant climate change in the form of global warming and greenhouse emissions. The formulation of future a carbon tax regulations refers to the analogous legal construction method, namely regulating a carbon tax as well as a land and building tax and a value-added tax which emphasizes the importance of the state's role in regulating the behavior of business actors toward green economic activities that are lower in carbon. Apart from that, the role of the state, especially in mitigating climate change due to greenhouse emissions, requires financing expenditure. A carbon tax provides an opportunity to increase sources of state revenue and change the behavior of business actors to be more environmentally friendly.