Nations Sustainable Development Research Articles

Expansion of a mechano-chemical plant for remanufacturing waste tires into rubber sheet and profitable wire steel by-products: A quantitative sustainability assessment

Existing mechano-chemical plants remanufacture waste tires into rubber sheet and recover nylon fibers and metal wires. As a novel expansion of this process to improve its profitability and sustainability, this study proposes the integration of a pyrolysis–distillation system to produce energy products and machinery to produce by-products from the waste steel, such as galvanized wire, nails, and crimped mesh. A quantitative analysis was performed to evaluate the amount of steel wire, energy, and CO2 emissions saved by the proposed process. Furthermore, the potential profit was calculated at low and high potential scales, representing sustainable national and international development, respectively, with the aim of establishing a circular economy. Twenty-four alternatives based on technical variations were developed and their technical feasibility and potential profit were evaluated and ranked, providing valuable information for decision makers selecting plant layout options. The economic, environmental, and technical feasibility indexes were calculated and used to specify the social feasibility index. Finally, a quadrilateral-bottom-line sustainability development approach was used to calculate the final sustainability index, showing that the proposed integration is indeed a sustainable business approach. The findings of this study prove that there are significant benefits in expanding existing remanufacturing plants to extract value from the many different materials in waste tires.

Assessing work speed using MODAPTS: A tool for occupational therapists.

The importance to be able to work is recognised as one of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Occupational therapists working in vocational rehabilitation require cost effective, valid, and reliable tests that offer flexibility during the work evaluation process. The use of self-developed work samples standardized using Modular Arrangement of Predetermined Time Standards (MODAPTS) as an objective measure of work speed could meet this need. Evaluate the face, content, and criterion validity of MODAPTS work samples to assess work speed. We conducted a quantitative cross-sectional, descriptive study. Occupational therapists completed electronic surveys to evaluate face and content validity. We evaluated criterion validity during a multiphase process that involved a realist synthesis, online survey, and comparing MODAPTS to Methods Time Management (MTM) time standards using three work samples that measured work speed. MODAPTS had good face validity for measuring work speed. We also confirmed the content and criterion validity of codes used to analyse basic movement and handling of smaller and larger articles as well as other body actions. MODAPTS demonstrated adequate face, content and criterion validity of tasks involving basic movements, handling of articles and other body actions.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV patients in Ghana: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Maintaining a high level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical to limiting rapid viral replication, drug resistance, and viral transmission. However, ART adherence remains a major challenge in HIV/AIDS treatment success. This systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to synthesize available evidence on adherence to ART among HIV/AIDS patients in Ghana.This review followed the preferred reporting item for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) criteria. A comprehensive literature search was done using five online databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, Africa Index Medicus, and Willey Online Library) from 25th- 30th April 2023 to identify potential studies. In addition, references of related articles were manually searched to further identify relevant studies. Search records were managed in Endnote library where duplicates were removed prior to screening. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were conducted in Ghana, designed as an observational or experimental study, and explicitly measured adherence to ART, either as a primary or secondary outcome. Studies were excluded if the proportion or prevalence of adherence to ART was not reported.A total number of 126 potential studies were identified from the literature search. Of these, 14 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the Meta-analysis. The studies involved a total number of 4,436 participants. The pooled estimate of adherence to ART was 70% (CI: 58-81%). In subgroup analysis, adolescents and young adults had a lower adherence rate (66%, CI: 46-84%) compared with adults (70%; CI: 58-81%). Publication bias was not observed among studies. The pooled estimate of optimal adherence to ART among HIV patients in Ghana was lower than is recommended (≥95%) to achieve viral suppression. Adherence was lower among young persons living with HIV/AIDS. To achieve the United Nation's Sustainable development goals and the UNAIDS "95-95-95" targets, there is a need to focus on improving adherence interventions among persons living with HIV/AIDS, especially among the younger cohort.

Nollywood: Revisiting the Change Prism towards Sustaining Societal Development

Nigeria's film industry had a significant year in 1992. Since then, numerous films have faced criticism for promoting negative behavior and attitudes. However, this study challenges those claims, demonstrating that Nollywood films can promote positive attitudes and sustainable development. The study analyzed two films: Daybreak in Udi and Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches. To achieve this goal, Nollywood is expected to facilitate the needed development through productions aimed at persuading the people to adopt values that enhance a better life and motivate them to greater heights in development. To this end, it was advanced that there was a need for Nollywood to revisit the changing prism by making significant films geared towards social and cultural reorientation leading to sustainable national development rather than placing undue emphasis on entertainment value and box office returns. The study appealed to the government at all levels and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to come to the aid of the film industry to enable it to play this significant role.

The Impact of Green Entrepreneurship on the Sustainable Development of African Nations

Abstract This study adopted a quantitative technique to examine the impact of green entrepreneurship on the sustainable development of African nations. It reviewed thematically proof from 45 previous works that examined the effect of green product or service offering on social progress index.in Africa. It also found that adopting a single theory is insufficient to explain the rationale of the relationships between green entrepreneurship and sustainable development. While most studies adopted secondary data, future studies may focus on using primary data and other methods instead of regression or multiple regression analysis. From the findings, product or service offering positively correlates the green innovation and green product. In conclusion, the priory expectations were found to be positive outcomes because of the correlations among the moderating variable, explanatory variable and response variables. Hence, the regression model revealed that the alternate hypotheses were accepted, unlike the null hypotheses. Based on the findings and conclusion, this study contributes to the knowledge that green entrepreneurship is perceived to foster sustainable development in countries through the SMEs activities. It therefore could be recommended that green entrepreneurs should develop and design an analytical framework to synchronized green product or service offering with social progress index. Entrepreneurs should always facilitate continuous improvement on devising green innovation towards the sustainability, survival and success. Keywords Green entrepreneurship. Green Product or Service offering. Investment in environmental technologies. Environmental Reporting and Disclosure. Sustainable development JEL Classification: M1, M10, M13, M16

Anemia prevalence and its predictors among children under-five years in Ghana. A multilevel analysis of the cross-sectional 2019 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey.

Despite the implementation of anemia control interventions in Ghana, anemia prevalence is still high in children under-fives. Reducing the prevalence of anemia requires identifying and targeting associated critical risk factors. This study seeks to identify predictors of anemia among children under-fives in Ghana. Nationally representative data from the 2019 Ghana Malaria Indicator Survey was used in this study. Both fixed and random effects (multilevel) logistic regression models were applied to 2434 children to identify critical factors associated with anemia. In this study, 54% (95% confidence interval [CI] 52.0-57.0) of children under-5 years were anemic. Infants were more likely to be anemic (66.7%) compared with other children below 5 years. In the multivariable multilevel model, the risk of anemia was found to be higher in younger children especially 6-11 months old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.59, CI: 2.54-5.08) and 12-23 months old (aOR = 2.97, CI: 2.08-4.23), children who had malaria (aOR = 1.53, CI: 1.13-2.06), children whose mothers were not registered but not covered with health insurance (aOR = 1.45, CI: 1.21-1.74) or were not even registered for insurance (aOR = 1.49, CI: 1.15-1.93), children born to adolescent mothers (aOR = 2.21, CI: 1.36-3.57), children born to non-Christian mothers (Islam [aOR = 1.53, CI: 1.17-2.00]), children born to families of poorer households (poorest [aOR = 3.01, CI: 1.64-5.51]; poorer [aOR = 2.56, CI: 1.65-3.98]); middle (aOR = 2.03, CI: 1.32-3.11) and richer (aOR = 1.78, CI: 1.19-2.64), and children who lived in either Upper East (aOR = 2.03, CI: 1.26-3.26) or Central (aOR = 2.52, CI: 1.42-4.47) regions. Significant unobserved community-level differences in anemia prevalence were observed. The probability of anemia in children under-fives differs substantially from one community to another, and the prevalence remains high. The identified critical risk factors should be addressed. Multifaceted and targeted approaches are needed to help reduce the anemia prevalence in this setting to achieve the multiple United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, which are related to risk and prevalence of anemia by 2030.

Can Green Market Orientation Improve MSME Marketing Performance Through Organizational Ambidexterity?

There are environmental issues in many nations, including Indonesia. The preservation of the environment must continue to be the focus of sustainable national development. Small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are among the commercial entities that play a significant role in national growth. This study's main objective is to ascertain how innovation capacity and a green market orientation affect MSMEs' marketing success. 117 MSMEs in the city of Semarang make up the study's sample. The process involves using Smart PLS to analyze both the outer and inner models together with any intervening factors. Organizational Ambidexterity, Green Market Orientation, Innovation Capability, and Marketing Performance are the variables used in this study. The findings of this study indicate that Organizational Ambidexterity, Green Market Orientation, and Innovation Capability are all variables that have an impact on Marketing Performance. Organizational Ambidexterity also has an impact on Marketing Performance to a lesser extent. Then simultaneously show that Green Market Orientation and Innovation capability affect Marketing Performance through Organizational Ambidexterity. Only Innovation Capability on Marketing Performance has no effect. The novelty in this study is an environmental issue that is associated with marketing performance.

H2 as Clean Energy for Sustainable Future

H2 is considered a clean fuel used in Fuel cell technology for electricity generation with zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. The demand for H2 gas, typically for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), is increasing. However, the current H2 production relies on natural gas and coals related to carbon oxide gas emission, which gives back to global warming concerns. Low-carbon production processes are needed to contribute to the United Nation's sustainable development goals (SDGs). Water-splitting reaction using photocatalysis or electrocatalysis is a promising method for producing H2 from water, which is the earthabundant resource. These H2 production methods based on catalytic technologies require highly active catalyst materials with long-term stability. The development of non-conventional materials with consideration of nanostructure, multijunction, and defect engineering is explored to achieve highly active catalyst materials. This mini-review discusses a basic understanding of H2 production from water-splitting reactions via photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, with outstanding examples of recent works reported. Last part, we provide a short study on the H2 global market and policy in order to conclude the future direction of H2 energy.

Global outlook of the multiplier effect of research and development on environmental sustainability.

In a time of severe environmental problems and growing public and private expenditure to promote a sustainable society, studies on the impact of Research and Development (R&D) on environmental sustainability hardly ever exist. This study looked at how R&D promotes the attainment of environmentally sustainable goals, globally. Data at the country level was compiled from the United Nations-Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG) database and the World Bank, then processed and analysed using spatial techniques such as spatial merge, autofill, autocorrelation, and geographic weighted regression. Expenditure on R&D and publications in scientific journals had a positive impact on SDGs 8 and 11 for all nations. R&D expenditure on SDG 8 was higher for Southern African countries. The impact of scientific and technical journal articles was greater for Middle East countries. Also, scientific and technical journal articles had greater effects on attainment of SDG 11 in Africa. Exports of high technology from South America and Europe were important for achieving SDG 15. However, the effect of patent and trademark applications had minimal effect on achieving environmentally sustainable goals. The study recommends boosting R&D expenditure by governments and international organisations, particularly in Africa because the multiplier impact extends beyond economic development to environmental sustainability which is necessary for the continent to abate the challenges of climate change.

Beyond Food Preparation: Potential of the Field of Food Science and Technology in Tanzania and Beyond

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "food science and technology" (FST)? One of the authors asked some students who were visiting the Mbeya University of Science and Technology during the Annual Agricultural Exhibition, Nanenane, in August 2022. Their responses were unsurprising because they were very similar to how many people perceive the FST field. Most people mistakenly associate FST with other programmes like Hotel Management and Food and Beverage Production and believe it is all about cooking. Of course, someone with experience in food and beverage production is highly likely to pursue further education in the field of food science and technology. The FST is an interdisciplinary field as opposed to a specific discipline. This review aimed to raise awareness of the FST field among the general public. As a result, we have discussed in great detail in this paper how the field of FST relates to other branches of science, technology, economics, and social sciences. A thorough understanding of the FST field is anticipated to raise awareness of how FST knowledge and abilities can be crucial for leveraging the national economy at both the micro and macro levels through food processing, preservation, quality assurance and safety, and business. To support the nation's vision and Sustainable Development Goals, policy amendments are also advised to integrate the FST into various frameworks

Techno-economic analysis on prospects and implementation of employing radiative cooling technology across broader atmospheric conditions

Achieving a transition to maximize the utilization of radiative cooling as a passive cooling strategy is challenging for several regions worldwide, mainly due to unawareness, lack of government support, and extreme seasonal climatic variations. Being characterized by a variety of atmospheric conditions from tropical coastline to arid regions along with humid highland areas to regions with continental atmospheric conditions, Pakistan faces significant seasonal and daily variations in atmospheric parameters, such as solar irradiance, temperature, precipitation patterns, humidity, etc., making it a steppe country with diverse atmospheric conditions and an energy-intensive economy dominated by fossil fuels. Therefore, following United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, here we investigate the radiative cooling potential resource map across Pakistan, providing it as a sustainable alternative to lower the cooling demand by maximizing the emitted thermal radiation to the deep space and minimizing solar irradiance absorption by utilizing the materials' inherent properties of being highly reflective within solar spectrum range and extremely emissive within the atmospheric window. A comprehensive comparison between annual, seasonal, diurnal, and nocturnal radiative cooling capability is conducted and analyzed across all provinces of Pakistan based on the variation in regional climatic conditions. The yearly average radiative cooling capacity varies from 69.39 to 96.41 W/m2 due to swift variation from humid continental to arid climatic regions, with a 24.27 % discrepancy in daytime and nighttime radiative cooling potentials owing to the significant influence of solar irradiance. An office building model incorporating radiative cooling coating at the rooftop is further implemented to illustrate the real-case scenarios of using radiative cooling coatings as a cool roof. Compared to traditional roofs, applying radiative cooling coatings on the rooftop of a single-storey office building can reduce the annual cooling load by 76.01 to 112.77 kWh/(m2.year) for various cities under diverse climatic conditions. The annual electricity savings in several cities are estimated to be 30.40 to 45.11 kWh/(m2.year) based on the refrigerator COP of 2.5. The application of radiative cooling coatings on rooftops induces the incremental cost of 24 $/m2, with a simple payback period of 5.32 to 7.89 years in response to annual electricity savings across varying meteorological conditions. Besides, the maximum carbon emissions reduction is estimated to be up to 27.77 kg/(m2.year) based on a carbon emission factor of 0.606 kgCO2/kWh. In the end, valuable insights are discussed based on policy recommendations and limitations for developing strategies to adapt the radiative cooling technology on a broader scale based on innovative solutions, spreading public awareness, and offering financial incentives.

A Case Study: How Does Green Market Orientation Impact MSMEs Marketing Performance Through Organizational Ambidexterity?

Environmental issues are a serious concern in several countries including Indonesia. Sustainable national development still pays attention to environmental conservation efforts. One of the business entities that has an important role in national development is the Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector. This study seeks to understand how green market orientation impacts MSMEs’ marketing performance through organizational ambidexterity. The sample in this study were 117 MSMEs in the city of Semarang. The method used is outer model and inner model analysis with intervening variables using Smart PLS. From the statistical tests conducted, it was found that green market orientation (GMO) affects marketing performance directly and indirectly through organizational ambidexterity. This shows that if GMO is getting better, it can increase the level of marketing performance both directly and through intervening organizational ambidexterity.

Impact of Teaching Environmental Science (ES) On the Knowledge and Attitude Of Bhutanese Higher Secondary Students Towards the Environment

Providing individuals with environmental awareness from a young age is important for a liveable and sustainable world. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of teaching Environmental Science (ES) to classes IX-XII students. A convergent mixed method design guided by the pragmatism worldview was adopted for the study. Quantitative data were gathered from 130 participants and qualitative data from 5 students and 5 teachers from a higher secondary school. A descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative data and the qualitative data were analysed through identification of themes. The results showed that students had a high degree of understanding and a positive attitude in environmental science and environment. Additionally, it was noted that there is little to no correlation between their knowledge and attitude about the environment. Thus, it was determined that students, particularly those in high schools, are being encouraged to develop their environmental literacy in order to promote the study of Environmental Science. Therefore, more efforts need be made to encourage ES at all levels of the schools to ensure effective implementation of the curriculum in the nation's sustainable development goals.

Impact of Teaching Environmental Science (ES) On the Knowledge and Attitude Of Bhutanese Higher Secondary Students Towards the Environment

Providing individuals with environmental awareness from a young age is important for a liveable and sustainable world. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of teaching Environmental Science (ES) to classes IX-XII students. A convergent mixed method design guided by the pragmatism worldview was adopted for the study. Quantitative data were gathered from 130 participants and qualitative data from 5 students and 5 teachers from a higher secondary school. A descriptive and inferential statistics were used for quantitative data and the qualitative data were analysed through identification of themes. The results showed that students had a high degree of understanding and a positive attitude in environmental science and environment. Additionally, it was noted that there is little to no correlation between their knowledge and attitude about the environment. Thus, it was determined that students, particularly those in high schools, are being encouraged to develop their environmental literacy in order to promote the study of Environmental Science. Therefore, more efforts need be made to encourage ES at all levels of the schools to ensure effective implementation of the curriculum in the nation's sustainable development goals.

A review on catalytic pyrolysis of municipal plastic waste

AbstractPlastic pollution is a global issue that severely threatens the environment if not managed properly. Plastic waste is widely treated in unsustainable ways such as landfill and incineration that generally do not contribute to the circular economy or to the principles of the United Nation's sustainable development goals. Catalytic pyrolysis of plastic waste is considered an alternative solution with its potential of recovering fuels and chemicals from the plastic waste that is not recyclable. Here, we described for the first time the main steps required for running an operational pyrolysis plant from a whole system perspective. The recent advancement of plastic pyrolysis technologies is also described to guide the selection of relevant catalysts. The practical applications of products from the plastic pyrolysis are succinctly reviewed. This review will facilitate the development of the capacity to make better decisions upon the design and analysis of plastic pyrolysis processes and systems.This article is categorized under: Sustainable Energy > Bioenergy Climate and Environment > Circular Economy Emerging Technologies > Materials Sustainable Energy > Energy Efficiency

Fostering entrepreneurship in Omani academic libraries: Examining the present and pioneering future opportunities

This study evaluated the entrepreneurial culture in Omani university libraries and analyzed the benefits and difficulties that come with it. The main aims was to examine the resources and guidance offered by these libraries for creating an entrepreneurial culture as well as the perceived challenges faced by library staff and students. The study also tried to identify effective programs and top practices from other academic libraries that might be applied to the Omani context.A combination of semi-structured interviews with staff members from five libraries and surveys given to students in 10 libraries were used to accomplish these goals. The results of this study showed that the Sultanate of Oman's academic libraries actively support entrepreneurial culture and are aware of their potential as centres for its diffusion. They do, however, face challenges, such as a dearth of competent workers in the field of business and a lack of pertinent collections to support the entrepreneurial culture. The study also emphasized the need for Omani academic libraries to improve the services they offer in the area of entrepreneurship and spread knowledge of its significance, particularly in light of the nation's sustainable development aspirations.By contributing to understanding entrepreneurial culture within the context of Omani academic libraries, this research provides valuable insights for library professionals, educators, and researchers. It identifies current challenges and opportunities and shares successful initiatives from other academic libraries, emphasizing the significance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in academic libraries to promote innovation and contribute to the overall advancement of the library industry and information institutions in the Arab world.

Global food loss and waste embodies unrecognized harms to air quality and biodiversity hotspots.

Global food loss and waste (FLW) undermines the resilience and sustainability of food systems and is closely tied to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals on climate, resource use and food security. Here we reveal strong yet under-discussed interconnections between FLW and two other Sustainable Development Goals of Human Health and Life on Land via the nitrogen cycle. We find that eliminating global FLW in 2015 would have reduced anthropogenic NH3 emissions associated with food production by 11.4 Tg (16%), decreased local PM2.5 concentrations by up to 5 μg m-3 and PM2.5-related years of life lost by 1.5 million years, and mitigated nitrogen critical load exceedances in global biodiversity hotspots by up to 19%. Halving FLW in 2030 will reduce years of life lost by 0.5-0.8 million years and nitrogen deposition by 4.7-6.0 Tg N per year (4%) (range for socioeconomic pathways). Complementary to near-term NH3 mitigation potential via technological measures, our study emphasizes incentivizing FLW reduction efforts from air quality and ecosystem health perspectives.

Gamma radiation dose rate in high-altitude areas in the Bageshwar, Champawat and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand, India.

Radiation has a deteriorating effect on humans as well as on the environment depending on its level, although we have all been exposed to natural gamma radiation from birth. The presence of radionuclides in rocks, soil, plants, and water is a major factor behind the natural gamma radiation. The present study deals with the study of natural gamma radiation at Bageshwar, Champawat and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand. It also consists of seasonal variations in gamma radiation and its relationship with altitude and geology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of altitude and geology on natural gamma radiation dose rate data in high-altitude areas of India. The highest gamma radiation value was 444nSv/h in the summer and 342nSv/h in the winter. The investigation recorded the gamma radiation up to 2542.20maltitude, indicating that the geology of the areas is more relevant than the altitude. Few sites in such a high-altitude zone were found to exceed the value of 200nSv/h, as reported by UNSCEAR. This research is necessary in order to consider the human health and climate changes, both of which are part of the action plan for the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, SDG 13).

Riverside Landslide Susceptibility Overview: Leveraging Artificial Neural Networks and Machine Learning in Accordance with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals

Riverside landslides present a significant geohazard globally, posing threats to infrastructure and human lives. In line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to address global challenges, professionals in the field have developed diverse methodologies to analyze, assess, and predict the occurrence of landslides, including quantitative, qualitative, and semi-quantitative approaches. With the advent of computer programs, quantitative techniques have gained prominence, with computational intelligence and knowledge-based methods like artificial neural networks (ANNs) achieving remarkable success in landslide susceptibility assessments. This article offers a comprehensive review of the literature concerning the utilization of ANNs for landslide susceptibility assessment, focusing specifically on riverside areas, in alignment with the SDGs. Through a systematic search and analysis of various references, it has become evident that ANNs have emerged as the preferred method for these assessments, surpassing traditional approaches. The application of ANNs aligns with the SDGs, particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which emphasizes the importance of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments. By effectively assessing riverside landslide susceptibility using ANNs, communities can better manage risks and enhance the resilience of cities and communities to geohazards. While the number of ANN-based studies in landslide susceptibility modeling has grown in recent years, the overarching objective remains consistent: researchers strive to develop more accurate and detailed procedures. By leveraging the power of ANNs and incorporating relevant SDGs, this survey focuses on the most commonly employed neural network methods for riverside landslide susceptibility mapping, contributing to the overall SDG agenda of promoting sustainable development, resilience, and disaster risk reduction. Through the integration of ANNs in riverside landslide susceptibility assessments, in line with the SDGs, this review aims to advance our knowledge and understanding of this field. By providing insights into the effectiveness of ANNs and their alignment with the SDGs, this research contributes to the development of improved risk management strategies, sustainable urban planning, and resilient communities in the face of riverside landslides.

Convergence or divergence between small towns and villages: A perspective from changes in built-up land development intensity

Small towns and villages are key elements of rural revitalization, which has been a major engine for achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Previous studies focused on the built-up land development of cities but not on that of small towns and villages. Meanwhile, the relationship between small towns and villages in terms of built-up land development has not yet been fully investigated. In this study, we constructed a holistic mechanism framework for built-up land development in small towns and villages. A panel regression model was used to determine whether small towns impact the development intensity of villages (DIV) based on statistical data of 30 provincial regions in China from 2007 to 2016. The findings suggest a joint influence of internal and external factors on DIV. The scarcity of built-up land is a direct cause of changes in DIV; industrial structure, investment intensity, and village planning can facilitate built-up land development in villages, whereas residential expansion will hinder it. Notably, the relationship between multifunctional use of built-up land and DIV changes from negative to positive due to growing human needs with the country's rapid socioeconomic development. The foremost contribution of this study is to reveal both the convergence and divergence between small towns and villages regarding built-up land development. The built-up land development of small towns converges to that of villages, with the favorable factors accumulating in small towns first and then spreading to villages. Otherwise, a divergence in built-up land development intensity of small towns and villages appears when the favorable factors are excessively concentrated in small towns. Our study has important implications for built-up land development in small towns and villages. The future development of villages should consider both the impacts of small towns and the endogenous growth of villages.