Sustainability

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20 pages, 1892 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Beyond Urban-Centered Responses: Overcoming Challenges to Build Disaster Resilience and Long-Term Sustainability in Rural Areas

by Ivis García

Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4373; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114373 - 22 May 2024

Viewed by 583

Abstract

This study delves into the difficulties in rural areas of building resilience to disasters and ensuring long-term sustainability. While cities typically receive attention during disaster recovery efforts, previous research shows that rural regions encounter obstacles such as geographic limitations, transportation issues, financial constraints, [...] Read more.

This study delves into the difficulties in rural areas of building resilience to disasters and ensuring long-term sustainability. While cities typically receive attention during disaster recovery efforts, previous research shows that rural regions encounter obstacles such as geographic limitations, transportation issues, financial constraints, and a lack of media attention. This study aims to better understand rural disaster resilience and recovery by examining the impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico through interviews with 18 professionals involved in the recovery process from a variety of sectors including governmental organizations, emergency managers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community leaders from community-based organizations (CBOs). The key findings stress the importance of implementing initiatives in rural areas that bolster sustainability—addressing economic, social, and environmental aspects. This study highlights the importance of customizing disaster response and resilience strategies to meet the needs of rural communities as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach. It also offers insights for policymakers and urban planners seeking to develop disaster response plans tailored to address the distinctive challenges faced by rural areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban-Rural Integration in the Context of Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection)

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19 pages, 2017 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does New Urbanization Support the Rural Inclusive Green Development under Domestic Circulation in China?

by Yuelei Hua, Jize Zhang, Xuhui Ding and Guoping Ding

Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2950; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072950 - 2 Apr 2024

Viewed by 701

Abstract

New urbanization is an endogenous driving force to enhance domestic circulation. Driving the development of rural industries with urbanization to achieve interactive symbiosis has become an important topic to promote the coordinated development of urban and rural green. Based on the panel data [...] Read more.

New urbanization is an endogenous driving force to enhance domestic circulation. Driving the development of rural industries with urbanization to achieve interactive symbiosis has become an important topic to promote the coordinated development of urban and rural green. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2009 to 2021, this paper constructs an evaluation index system for new urbanization and rural inclusive green development, and uses principal component analysis and panel regression model to analyze the impact of new-type urbanization on inclusive green development in rural areas. The results of the study show the following: (1) Rural inclusive green development and new urbanization have been significantly improved during the study period, but there are significant regional differences. (2) The construction of the new urbanization significantly promotes rural inclusive green development, but there is significant spatial heterogeneity. This effect is more significant in the Eastern and Central regions. (3) Population urbanization, land urbanization, social urbanization, and environmental urbanization can effectively promote rural inclusive green development, but economic urbanization will have a negative impact on green development in the countryside during the study period. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen the leading role of central cities and urban agglomerations, to promote the countryside with the city and at the same time to combat environmental pollution and to create ecologically livable towns and villages. In addition, the government should strengthen top-level design, provide industrial support to backward areas, improve the spatial layout of urbanization, and promote the deepening of new urbanization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban-Rural Integration in the Context of Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection)

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14 pages, 3812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability Trade-Offs in Climate Change Geographies in England

by John Sturzaker, Maurizio Catulli and Beate Kubitz

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020549 - 9 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1182

Abstract

The evidence that climate change is the result of human actions is becoming increasingly stronger, as is the need to take action to limit the worst effects of climate change on the planet. However, politicians continue to equivocate and fail to address the [...] Read more.

The evidence that climate change is the result of human actions is becoming increasingly stronger, as is the need to take action to limit the worst effects of climate change on the planet. However, politicians continue to equivocate and fail to address the trade-offs which are needed to deliver effective action. In this paper, we report on the potential of bottom-up approaches to transport planning to address the trade-offs between the need to reduce car-based travel and the social consequences of poor mobility options in rural areas. Using the theories of Sustainable Communities and Communities of Practice, we analyse the implementation of the Robin demand-responsive transport service in the West of England, presenting new data relating to the effectiveness of this service in providing low-carbon transport alternatives to rural residents. We find that the Robin is indeed effective, and that it has worked better in one location, where engagement with potential new users of the service has been prioritised. We conclude that such bottom-up transport options can be transformative, subject to the support of key stakeholders and integration with top-down systems of governance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban-Rural Integration in the Context of Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection)

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18 pages, 5214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coupling Coordination Development of the Ecological–Economic System in Hangzhou, China

by Jialiang Ni, Xiaodong Zheng, Yuman Zheng, Yunhe Zhang and Huan Li

Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16570; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416570 - 5 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1006

Abstract

The contradiction between China’s urban economic development and the ecological environment has become increasingly prominent. Promoting the coordinated development of the ecological–economic system is an effective way to achieve sustainable development. Based on the analysis of the coupling mechanism of the ecological environment [...] Read more.

The contradiction between China’s urban economic development and the ecological environment has become increasingly prominent. Promoting the coordinated development of the ecological–economic system is an effective way to achieve sustainable development. Based on the analysis of the coupling mechanism of the ecological environment and economic development, the county unit is taken as the research unit to evaluate the coupling coordination degree (CCD) of Hangzhou’s ecological–economic system and analyze the evolution of coupling coordination characteristics and landscape ecological patterns in Hangzhou from 2010 to 2020. The results show that (1) the ecological protection and economic development status of Hangzhou is generally good, but the ecological environment index cannot maintain stable growth; (2) the coupling coordination degree of ecological–economic systems in various regions shows an overall upward trend, and ecological protection and economic development show positive interaction characteristics; (3) the development of CCD between regions is uneven, and the development level of a single subsystem in each region hinders coupling coordination between the two parties; and (4) changes in morphological spatial patterns further prove the coupling relationship between the two systems. Although the regional ecological connectivity has been optimized, the increase in perforations is crowding out the core area, and the regional ecological carrying capacity is facing challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban-Rural Integration in the Context of Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection)

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20 pages, 1294 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Managing Water for Environmental Provision and Horticultural Production in South Australia’s Riverland

by Guy M. Robinson and Bingjie Song

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11546; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511546 - 26 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1094

Abstract

This paper outlines and analyses preliminary research in South Australia’s Riverland, part of Australia’s largest river system, the Murray–Darling Basin, and one of the nation’s most important horticultural production areas. It focuses on the Renmark Irrigation Trust (RIT), which supplies water to c570 [...] Read more.

This paper outlines and analyses preliminary research in South Australia’s Riverland, part of Australia’s largest river system, the Murray–Darling Basin, and one of the nation’s most important horticultural production areas. It focuses on the Renmark Irrigation Trust (RIT), which supplies water to c570 irrigators. Management of the Basin is controversial, with conflicting demands from stakeholders, including smallholder irrigators, broadacre farming, indigenous groups, and the environment. Climate change and the water market have contributed to uncertainty over environmental sustainability. Using sequential mixed methods, including a questionnaire survey, focus groups and interviews, we investigate the chief risks perceived by irrigators and their future-plans in face of concerns over variable water flows and economic uncertainty. We highlight the RIT’s contribution to river restoration and investigate its plans for additional on-farm water stewardship. We reveal high levels of uncertainty among irrigators regarding their future viability, including unintended consequences from the water market, the controversial role of water brokers, and environmental viability of the river system. The growth of ‘lifestyle blocks’ occupied by hobby farmers has added both to landscape diversity and fragmentation. To maintain a resilient horticultural industry, there may need to be adjustments to water management in the Basin to protect smallholders’ livelihoods whilst continuing to meet specified environmental needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban-Rural Integration in the Context of Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection)

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21 pages, 11186 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potential Analysis and Optimal Management of Winter Electric Heating in Rural China Based on V2H Technology

by Xinjia Gao, Ran Li, Siqi Chen and Yalun Li

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 11517; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151511517 - 25 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1083

Abstract

In order to improve the air pollution problem in northern China in winter, coal-to-electricity (CtE) projects are being vigorously implemented. Although the CtE project has a positive effect on alleviating air pollution and accelerating clean energy development, the economic benefits of electric heating [...] Read more.

In order to improve the air pollution problem in northern China in winter, coal-to-electricity (CtE) projects are being vigorously implemented. Although the CtE project has a positive effect on alleviating air pollution and accelerating clean energy development, the economic benefits of electric heating are currently poor. In this study, a system based on vehicle-to-home (V2H) and photovoltaic power generation that can effectively improve the benefits of CtE projects is proposed. First, a V2H-based village microgrid is proposed. The winter temperature and direct radiation of the Beijing CtE project area are analyzed. Extreme operating conditions and typical operating conditions are constructed for potential analysis. After that, a bi-layer optimization model for energy management considering travel characteristics is proposed. The upper layer is a village-level microgrid energy-dispatching model considering meeting the heating load demand, and the lower layer is a multi-vehicle energy distribution model considering the battery degradation. The results show that the distribution grid expansion capacity of the electric heating system based on V2H and PV generation is reduced by 45.9%, and the residents’ electricity bills are reduced by 68.5%. The consumption of PV can be completed. This study has effectively increased the benefits of electric heating in northern China during winter. This helps the CtE project to be further promoted without leading to large subsidies from the government and the State Grid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban-Rural Integration in the Context of Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection)

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16 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Which Scale Is Appropriate for the Sustainable Management of Paddy Field?—A Case Study of Jiaxing, China

by Xi Zhou, Mao Liu and Anjiao Ouyang

Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7112; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097112 - 24 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1065

Abstract

This article aims to explore the appropriate scale for the cultivation of paddy field and its influencing factors in Jiaxing. The stochastic frontier production function and binary logit method were used to calculate the appropriate scale. The results showed: (1) The appropriate management [...] Read more.

This article aims to explore the appropriate scale for the cultivation of paddy field and its influencing factors in Jiaxing. The stochastic frontier production function and binary logit method were used to calculate the appropriate scale. The results showed: (1) The appropriate management scale of the paddy field in Jiaxing is 10–30 ha. (2) The farmers’ willingness to cultivate paddy field on a large scale was positively correlated with land quality, and their number of years engaged in agriculture. (3) It was negatively correlated with the difficulty of obtaining a loan and the age of the farmers. This research proposed that the government should continue to support the appropriate scale management of paddy field, and promote agricultural modernisation. At the same time, the government should also attach importance to promoting the role of science and technology in agriculture by actively training new generations of professional farmers, promoting land transfer, and implementing the subsidy policy for larger-scale cultivation to create a good environment for farmers to work on an appropriate scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban-Rural Integration in the Context of Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection)

15 pages, 628 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rural Revitalization and Land Institution Reform: Achievement, Conflict and Potential Risk

by Zhihan Xu, Jianchun Xu, Xiaofang Chai, Ning Zhang, Rong Ye and Fei Xu

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14808; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214808 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1921

Abstract

Rural depression is a global issue in the process of worldwide urbanization. Compared with rural economic institution reform, rural land institution reform is more thorough in realizing rural revitalization. In this paper, polycentric governance theory is used to introduce marketization reform of collective [...] Read more.

Rural depression is a global issue in the process of worldwide urbanization. Compared with rural economic institution reform, rural land institution reform is more thorough in realizing rural revitalization. In this paper, polycentric governance theory is used to introduce marketization reform of collective profit-oriented land (MRCPL). MRCPL aims to allow rural collective profit-oriented construction land to be sold and leased with the same rights and at the same price as state-owned construction land. In the process of MRCPL, we suppose that the key subject is the central government, and the multiple auxiliary subjects include local governments, markets, villagers, and village collectives. Herein, Deqing County was selected as the research area and its achievements, conflicts, and potential risks in the process of MRCPL were studied. This study found that in Deqing County, a unified urban–rural construction land market has been preliminarily established, the rural revenue allocation mechanism has been updated, and the rural land finance mechanism has been developed. However, MRCPL may have conflicts with existing land requisition institutions and land banking institutions, and may also have conflicts within different subjects (farmers, village collective, local government, and central government). These conflicts may lead to potential risks, such as rent-seeking risk, land-financing risk, and real-estate-bubble risk. In general, the MRCPL aims to allow rural collective profit-oriented construction land to be sold and leased with the same rights and at the same prices as state-owned construction land. This reform can protect farmers’ land rights and promote the construction of urban and rural integration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban-Rural Integration in the Context of Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection)

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