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Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Urban and Rural Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (23 March 2024) | Viewed by 15867

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Agnieszka Bieda

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Department of Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing of Environment and Spatial Engineering, Faculty of Geo-Data Science, Geodesy, and Environmental Engineering, AGH University of Krakow, 30 Mickiewicza Av., 30-059 Cracow, Poland
Interests: spatial planning; spatial policy; real estate management; property valuation; urban renewal; cadaster; land use policy; land use planning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Ewa Szalińska Van Overdijk

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Department of Environmental Protection, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Interests: environmental pollution; aquatic environment; sediment contamination; climate change; environmental modelling; impact assessment

Dr. Agnieszka Klimek

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Guest Editor

Department of Mineralogy, Petrography, and Geochemistry, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Interests: analytical chemistry; adsorption; catalyst; chemical bonding; zeolites; organometallics; chemical kinetics, catalysis; X-ray fluorescence; synthesis; waste; copper

Dr. Mateusz Jakubiak

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Department of Environmental Management and Protection, Faculty of Geo-Data Science, Geodesy and Environmental Engineering, AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Interests: ecosystem services; environmental economics; environmental management; ecological engineering; aquatic ecology; aquatic ecosystems; environmental education; phytoremediation; solid waste management; waste management; end-of-life vehicles; composting; recycling; waste utilization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The countries of Central and Eastern Europe have struggled for decades with many social, economic, and environmental problems. However, after most of these countries joined the European Union, the region experienced a significant civilizational leap. These changes have entailed an increase in sustainability efforts. Striving towards sustainable development is an ongoing process that is subject to modifications, as science, technology, and societal expectations develop. Therefore, sustainability efforts in this part of Europe are very broad and concern almost every aspect of life.

The aim of this interdisciplinary Special Issue is to bring together descriptions of research in environmental engineering and protection and ecology, as well as in technical sciences that support Central and Eastern Europe in fulfilling their sustainable development goals, both locally and on a regional scale. Cross-disciplinary articles based on the theme of the Special Issue and that touch on economic, legal, and social issues are also welcome. We invite submissions of manuscripts that present research problems relevant to the broad topic of sustainable development and those that propose new, regionally appropriate indicators of sustainable development. Moreover, we encourage the submission of review papers that compare the level of sustainability in different countries of this region and provide comparisons with other areas across the globe. Researchers who are working towards sustainable development in Central and Eastern Europe or conducting research studies whose implementation can contribute to the sustainable development of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are welcome to submit their articles.

Dr. Agnieszka Bieda
Dr. Ewa Szalińska Van Overdijk
Dr. Agnieszka Klimek
Dr. Mateusz Jakubiak
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

actions for sustainable development
Central and Eastern Europe
challenges for sustainable development
ecological economy
environmental engineering
indicators for sustainable development
sustainable development goals
technological change

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 7461 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Geotourism Product as an Indicator for Sustainable Development in Poland

by Krzysztof Miśkiewicz

Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5516; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135516 - 28 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1340

Abstract

Geotourism products are goods and services of the tourism industry that support sustainable development based on geological heritage, as exemplified by the success of UNESCO Global Geoparks. Geological and geomorphological objects are promoted and become available for sightseeing thanks to geoproducts: geotourism infrastructure and services, as well as handicrafts and merchandising inspired by geodiversity, or foods and cosmetics produced based on abiotic nature resources. This contributes to both nature conservation and the socio-economic growth of regions. This article presents an analysis of the development of the geotourism product concept concerning regional development in Poland. The types, locations, and characteristics of Polish geotourism products are presented, which allows for identifying geotourism areas. Due to the significant contribution of geotourism products to regional development, they are proposed as an indicator of sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives)

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19 pages, 21327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Black Crust from Historic Buildings as a Natural Indicator of Air Pollution: A Case Study of the Lipowiec Castle, Babice, Southern Poland

by Mariola Marszałek, Krzysztof Dudek and Adam Gaweł

Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3816; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093816 - 1 May 2024

Viewed by 1461

Abstract

The study is focused on the analysis of black crust and soiling on the building materials of the medieval Lipowiec Castle in southern Poland. The castle was constructed using local, partly dolomitic limestones and dolomites, supplemented with other limestones and bricks, during 20th-century renovations of the castle ruins. The crust and soiling components, secondary mineral phases, and particulate matter of anthropogenic origin were analysed using Raman micro-spectroscopy (RS) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The crust, mostly composed of gypsum and other sulphate phases, was found to contain carbonaceous matter, spherical Si-Al glass particles, and iron oxides, with admixtures of other elements, including heavy metals, as well as irregularly shaped particles containing various metals. These components reflect the air pollution in the region, related to the combustion of solid fuels in both industrial power plants and local domestic furnaces, Zn-Pb ore mining (operational until 2021), and smelting in the neighbouring industrial centre. Despite its location in a rural area, the castle has been exposed to pollution for an extended period due to its proximity to large industrial centres. Therefore, the crust analysed may serve as an environmental indicator of the nature of the air pollution in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives)

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21 pages, 9391 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Factors Affecting the Efficiency of Water Reservoir Restoration Using Microbiological Biotechnology

by Robert Mazur, Mateusz Jakubiak and Luís Santos

Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010266 - 27 Dec 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1332

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems are often subject to degradation due to various environmental stressors. The accumulation of an organic sediment layer causes shallowing, algal blooms, and hypertrophy in water reservoirs. The processes of overgrowth and shallowing lead to a reduction in the ecosystem services provided by the reservoir as well as potentially causing the disappearance of the water body. To address these challenges and restore the ecological balance of water reservoirs, effective and sustainable revitalisation methods are essential. In recent years, biotechnological approaches, particularly utilizing microbiological interventions, have emerged as promising strategies for water reservoir revitalization. Microorganisms, with their remarkable ability to degrade pollutants and enhance nutrient cycling, offer great potential in remediating environmental issues in a natural and eco-friendly manner. This article presents the results of a study of 33 Polish reservoirs subjected to reclamation with microbial biopreparations from 2014 to 2023. The results of changes in bottom sediment reduction, water transparency, dissolved oxygen concentration, and water turbidity are presented. Reduction in morphological changes in the fraction of soft organic sediments, an improvement in the oxygen profile of the bottom and surface water layers, and an increase in water transparency were observed after reclamation with the use of biopreparations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives)

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19 pages, 3681 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Indicator Method as a Way of Analyzing the Level of Implementation of the Objectives of Sustainable Development

by Andrzej Pacana, Karolina Czerwińska, Lucia Bednárová and Rastislav Petrovský

Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010195 - 25 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1094

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to propose a combination of methods as part of the analysis of progress in the context of the achievement of one of the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 12: responsible consumption and production) by Poland and Slovakia using sustainable development indicators. The method used was diagnostic survey, comparative analysis, and within the framework of data collection, the techniques of content analysis and desk research, which were integrally combined in the research procedure. The implementation of the analysis indicated that surveillance using sustainable development indicators is associated with difficulties (for example, gaps in the availability of standardized data and difficult access to adequate data) and generalizations and subjectivity. This analysis showed that the countries are successively striving to meet the provisions that are related to Goal 12. Estimates of the degree of achievement of the goal are adequate for the duration of the goal. Priority activities of the countries should focus on increasing the level of development of ecological agriculture, striving to increase the efficiency of use of available resources, changing the approach to available resources (moving away from linear development), and changing consumption patterns (increased development of a closed-loop economy). Future research areas will focus on analyzing the level of implications of the goals of Agenda 2030 in Poland and Slovakia and developing developmental forecasts for both countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives)

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27 pages, 6274 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Application of the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Method to Assess Factors Influencing the Development of Cycling Infrastructure in Cities

by Anna Trembecka, Grzegorz Ginda and Anita Kwartnik-Pruc

Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16421; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316421 - 29 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1397

Abstract

Sustainable development and environmental considerations have resulted in many cities around the world recognising the importance of non-motorised modes of transport. Problems related to the proper development and maintenance of cycling infrastructure have already been the subject of various studies. However, they have mainly dealt with the identification of factors influencing the development of cycle paths and the optimisation of the design of safe and comfortable cycle routes. The influence of individual factors on each other and on the development of cycling infrastructure has not been studied. The research aims of this article are to identify which factors influence the development of bicycle infrastructure, their role and interdependence, and their prioritisation. It also looks at whether there are differences between the opinions of bicycle users and experts professionally involved in the development of bicycle paths in assessing the importance of the factors indicated. As a result of the study, eight factors influencing the development of bicycle infrastructure were identified. Based on the opinions of cyclists and experts, the nature of each factor was analysed. Taking into account the complex relationships between the factors, the key factors contributing to the development of bicycle infrastructure were shown: (1) the planning of bicycle paths, taking into account the separation of individual paths and their continuity, consistency, and length; (2) legal regulations promoting cycling in terms of transportation policy; (3) the elimination of obstacles; and (4) the design of bicycle paths, taking into account the safety, space management, terrain, and attractiveness of the surroundings. The results for both groups of respondents were compared. They indicate that both groups of respondents reported the same factors as the most important, with the only differences being in the order of the importance of the factors. The academic value of this work lies in showing the usability of the underrated original version of DEMATEL methodology in the considered area for key factors. The practical significance of this paper is the provision of a rather simple, yet reliable, tool for addressing the complexity of interrelated issues that make the development of urban infrastructure a cumbersome task. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives)

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15 pages, 980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Legal Aspects of the Evaluation of Tenders in Public Procurement Procedures in the Polish Mining Industry

by Kamil Mucha, Dawid Chaba and Katarzyna Midor

Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15421; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115421 - 30 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1628

Abstract

Public procurement procedures facilitate the purchase of products, services, or civil works by public administrations. In Poland, they follow the national rules specified in the Public Procurement Act. Public procurement aims to ensure a transparent and competitive purchasing process, effective use of public resources, equal treatment of all tenderers, and supply of the best products and services. Various aspects of tender evaluation often determine public procurement and the actual process. Of fundamental importance are price and quality. The Polish mining industry is very mature and includes many stakeholders, such as underground, surface, and borehole mines. Public procurement in the mining industry is specialised and involves complex contracts between the contracting authority and the contractor. Additionally, the mining industry involves very high-risk levels and requires special safety efforts. Therefore, this article presents the analysis results related to evaluating offers in public tenders in the most prominent Polish enterprises of the mining industry. The results indicated what procedures should be carried out and what offer evaluation criteria are essential. The emphasis was placed on ensuring that the selection of offers in this industry are not based only on one criterion: price. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives)

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27 pages, 10632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morphodiversity as a Tool in Geoconservation: A Case Study in a Mountain Area (Pieniny Mts, Poland)

by Tomasz Bartuś and Wojciech Mastej

Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11357; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411357 - 21 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1220

Abstract

Verification and delimitation of existing and new surface forms of nature conservation require objective tools that elevate the significance of the conducted evaluations. If our main goal is to preserve biodiversity, it can be ensured through challenging-to-implement practices of human neutrality towards the environment or activities promoting sustainable development that consider the provision of diverse abiotic habitat conditions. For mountainous areas, where the species diversity of plants and animals is strongly linked to the terrain morphology, an analysis of morphodiversity can provide valuable insights. This study examines the morphodiversity of the Pieniny Mts region (southern Poland) in fundamental fields using three mathematical models and various morphometric indicators. The evaluation of existing conservation forms and proposed changes in the analysis were dependent not solely on morphodiversity but also on its autocorrelation. Hot Spot Analysis and Local Indicator of Spatial Association methods were employed, investigating the intensity of spatial clustering of areas with low and high morphodiversity values. Areas with high morphodiversity clustering were defined as justifying legal protection, while those belonging to clusters of fields with low parameter values were considered not to require conservation. Additional insights were gained through the analysis of hot and cold spots, representing fields with high or low morphodiversity surrounded by clusters of fields with contrasting values. The conducted research allowed for the proposing of significant spatial changes for the Pieniny National Park and its adjacent areas to ensure the preservation of high morphodiversity and, consequently, biodiversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives)

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23 pages, 4877 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Native vs. Unique Fruit Popularity: Exploring the Sustainable Fruit Consumption in Poland—Research Report

by Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska, Katarzyna Mazur-Włodarczyk and Agata Wódkowska

Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 10953; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410953 - 12 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1637

Abstract

As nutritional statistical data in Poland have provided very general information on this topic, the purpose of this online questionnaire survey was to investigate the trend of fruit consumption through the prism of consumers’ awareness of the sustainability of fruit production (ecological cultivation and production—certified organic farming). Our research is based on a questionnaire prepared by the authors; it was supported by the desk research method. This study used descriptive analysis involving a summary of historical data and diagnostic analyses focusing on the causes of past events. Pivot tables created in Microsoft Excel, the chi-2 test, and content analysis were used in the analysis of the data. One of the main conclusions was that the aspect of sustainability was less significant than the convenience of purchasing fruits. The research also showed an imbalance in fruit consumption, which indicated the need to promote the positive aspects of fruit consumption, as well as the need to increase social education in terms of current knowledge about the beneficial aspects of a more balanced diet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives)

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Review

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27 pages, 4302 KiB

Open AccessReview

Superabsorbent Hydrogels in the Agriculture and Reclamation of Degraded Areas

by Katarzyna Sroka and Paweł Sroka

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2945; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072945 - 2 Apr 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1986

Abstract

Superabsorbent materials (SAPs) are crosslinked polymer networks composed of ionic and non-ionic monomers. SAPs can absorb and retain water solutions up to several hundred times their own weight. As a result of swelling, they form a gel that is insoluble in water, considered safe and decomposes over time. This review focuses on the synthesis, degradation and chemical composition of SAP materials, with particular emphasis on chemical substances that are soluble in water and can migrate into the environment. Numerous applications of natural and synthetic hydrogels in agriculture and the reclamation of degraded areas in preventing erosion, retention water, reducing leaching of colloidal soil components and plant protection products, fertilisers and mineral salts into surface waters have been described. The influence of SAPs on the microbial activity of soils is described. New trends in the search for environmentally friendly SAPs made of modified biopolymers and waste materials are presented, which not only increase yields, but also ensure sustainable agro-environmental development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives)

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23 pages, 3667 KiB

Open AccessReview

History of Environmental and Climatic Changes Recorded in Lacustrine Sediments—A Wigry Lake Case Study

by Anna Kostka

Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15628; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115628 - 5 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1265

Abstract

Wigry Lake represents one of the most beautiful and valuable postglacial lakes that is located in the north-eastern part of Poland. It has been an object of scientific interest for over a century, but the most intense period of research started in 1997 and resulted in the production of numerous papers of a multidisciplinary range. The lake is especially well analyzed in terms of its sediments, which were studied using geophysical methods and using traditional lake cartography based on the sampling of sediments and their geochemical characterization. Nearly two decades of research has resulted in the extraction of over 1200 sediment samples, which facilitated the analysis and the description of five main sediment types that can be found at the bottom of Wigry Lake, i.e., carbonate gyttja, lacustrine chalk, clastic sediment, fluvial-lacustrine sediment, and organic gyttja. A very thorough vertical as well as spatial examination of Wigry Lake sediments, together with paleobiological research and isotopic dating, allowed researchers to analyze the history of environmental changes in the lake and its immediate vicinity, including anthropogenic changes. Wigry Lake had been preserved as a pristine lake for a long time, and, despite the significant growth of anthropopressure, which began in the 17th century and intensified in the 20th century, it retained its natural character to a large extent. This was possible mainly due to the favorable morphometry of the lake (large depth and capacity of the reservoir) and different forms of active and passive protection, introduced mainly after the establishment of the Wigry National Park in 1989. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Striving towards Sustainable Development in Central and Eastern Europe: From the Environmental, Ecological and Technological Perspectives)

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