Search Results (123)

The integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUASs) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into urban airspace presents a new challenge in managing environmental noise, which is a critical factor for the public acceptance of urban air mobility (UAM). This survey investigates the noise characteristics of UAS and eVTOL platforms, particularly multi-rotor and distributed propulsion configurations, and examines whether the operational benefits of these vehicles outweigh their acoustic footprint in dense urban environments. While eVTOLs are often perceived as quieter than conventional helicopters due to the absence of combustion engines and mechanically simpler drivetrains, their dominant noise sources are aerodynamic in nature. These include blade vortex interactions, rotor loading noise, and broadband noise, which persist regardless of whether propulsion is electric or combustion-based. Recent studies suggest that community perception of drone noise is influenced more by tonal content, frequency, and modulation patterns than by absolute sound pressure levels. This paper presents a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art noise prediction tools, empirical measurement techniques, and mitigation strategies for sUAS operating in UAM scenarios. The discussion provided in this paper assists in vehicle design, certification standards, airspace planning, and regulatory frameworks focused on minimizing noise impact in urban settings. Full article

This study explores the role of community-centered farm-based hospitality in promoting sustainable rural development, with a focus on South Tyrol, Italy. A survey of 461 local residents assessed perceptions of agritourism’s impact on agricultural heritage, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. Factor analysis identified two main constructs—Agroheritage Sustainability and Empowered Eco-Tourism—which together capture the multifaceted benefits of agritourism. Agroheritage Sustainability reflects the preservation of traditional farming practices, cultural landscapes, and intergenerational knowledge, emphasizing the role of tourism in maintaining cultural identity and preventing land abandonment. Empowered Eco-Tourism highlights the socio-economic benefits of sustainable tourism, including community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and the creation of new economic opportunities. The study’s findings indicate that local residents view agritourism as a holistic approach that supports rural livelihoods while preserving cultural heritage and promoting ecological resilience. The analysis further supports the potential of farm-based hospitality as a model for sustainable rural development, aligning closely with EU policies and global best practices. The Roter Hahn initiative in South Tyrol serves as a practical example of this approach, demonstrating the value of certification programs in enhancing transparency, quality, and sustainability. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers and tourism developers seeking to promote sustainable rural tourism globally. The contribution of this research lies in its empirical validation of a dual-construct model that links community engagement with agroecological and cultural sustainability, offering a transferable framework for evaluating agritourism as a lever for sustainable rural development in diverse regional contexts. Full article

Agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contribute significantly to climate change and underline the importance of reliable measurements and mitigation strategies. This life cycle assessment (LCA)-based study evaluates the environmental impacts of four key Mediterranean agricultural products, namely olives, sweet potatoes, corn, and grapes using GHG measurements at four pilot fields located in different regions of Greece. With the use of a cradle-to-gate approach six environmental impact categories, more specifically acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), and cumulative energy demand (CED) as energy-based indicator are assessed. The functional unit used is 1 ha of cultivated land. Any potential carbon offsets from mitigation practices are assessed through an integrated low-carbon certification framework and the use of innovative, site-specific technologies. In this context, the present study evaluates three life cycle inventory (LCI)-based scenarios: Baseline (BS), which represents a 3-year crop production period; Field-based (FS), which includes on-site CO₂ and CH₄ measurements to assess the effects of mitigation practices; and Inventoried (IS), which relies on comprehensive datasets. The adoption of carbon mitigation practices under the FS scenario resulted in considerable reductions in environmental impacts for all pilot fields assessed, with average improvements of 8% for olive, 5.7% for sweet potato, 4.5% for corn, and 6.5% for grape production compared to the BS scenario. The uncertainty analysis indicates that among the LCI-based scenarios evaluated, the IS scenario exhibits the lowest variability, with coefficient of variation (CV) values ranging from 0.5% to 7.3%. In contrast, the FS scenario shows slightly higher uncertainty, with CVs reaching up to 15.7% for AP and 14.7% for EP impact categories in corn production. The incorporation of on-site GHG measurements improves the precision of environmental performance and supports the development of site-specific LCI data. This benchmark study has a noticeable transferability potential and contributes to the adoption of sustainable practices in other regions with similar characteristics. Full article

The adoption of agricultural technologies is paramount for enhancing global agricultural productivity and sustainability. However, widespread implementation faces significant challenges, particularly in developing regions. Using data from the China Land Economic Survey (CLES), this study examines how land certification reform affects farmers’ technology adoption behavior from an institutional perspective. Results demonstrate that land certification significantly increases agricultural technology adoption rates, with more pronounced effects observed among households possessing greater human and physical capital. A mechanistic analysis reveals that land certification facilitates technology adoption through three pathways: (1) improving credit accessibility, (2) strengthening long-term investment incentives, and (3) expanding the production and operational scale. These findings highlight land tenure security as a fundamental institutional driver of agricultural modernization, deepen the understanding of the interaction between institutions and innovation in agriculture, and offer actionable insights for integrating property rights reforms with technological advancements. Full article

Crop production in Kazakhstan is characterized by vast resources, including over 200 M hectares of farmland and more than 23 M hectares of arable land located mainly in the arid zone with a short growing season. In 2023, the five most important crops in the country were spring wheat (12.5 M ha), spring barley (2.42 M ha), sunflower (1.13 M ha), flax (0.73 M ha), and winter wheat (0.59 M ha). Diverse agroecological conditions and low input farming represent good opportunities for the more sustainable use of resources through organic production. However, the area falling under certified organic farming recently varied from 0.1 to 0.3 M ha with wheat, flax, soybean and soybean meal, peas and lentils serving as the main commodities exported to Europe. Several factors limit organic farming development in the country, including the certification system, marketing, and the availability of crops, cultivars, and technologies. The current review summarizes the main organic agronomic practices and bioresources applicable in Kazakhstan into four main themes: crops and cultivars’ diversification; tillage systems for organic crops; crop nutrition; and protection. The technologies developed for organic farming in similar ecologies globally are highly relevant to Kazakhstan and need to be tested and adopted by producers. The lack of targeted cultivars and technology development for organic production in Kazakhstan impedes its progress and requires a longer-term producer-focused framework to extend related research. Full article

This systematic review explores how environmental sustainability is addressed in advanced structural systems that utilize innovative materials and technologies such as lightweight designs, adaptive mechanisms, and energy-efficient components. Despite their growing adoption, significant gaps persist across the design–construction–operation continuum, particularly concerning embodied carbon, energy efficiency, material performance, and long-term durability. A total of 61 peer-reviewed studies published between 2013 and 2025 were identified from Scopus and Google Scholar using the PRISMA methodology. The review employed a dual-method approach: a descriptive analysis to examine literature outlets, publication trends, and the frequency of advanced structural topics such as lightweight systems, long-span designs, form and aesthetics, and structural safety, and a thematic analysis using NVivo 14 software, which identified ten key environmental sustainability themes—carbon emissions, thermal performance, energy efficiency, construction waste, life cycle assessment, green certifications, material use, air quality, site and land use, and green environment. While research interest is expanding, limited studies offer comprehensive assessments of Tensile Membrane Structures (TMSs) or Long Span Structures (LSSs), with key challenges including inadequate material optimization and performance under extreme conditions. This review contributes a novel synthesis of existing knowledge by combining a PRISMA-guided selection, descriptive trend analysis, and thematic coding to identify critical gaps and emerging directions, offering a structured foundation for future research and practical strategies in designing environmentally sustainable advanced structures. Full article

Electric aviation is the future development direction of aviation industry technology. Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft(eVTOL) is an important carrier of electric aviation, whose technology research and development, processing and manufacturing, airworthiness certification and industrialization boom have been set off around the world. The electric propulsion technology has achieved rapid development as the key technology of eVTOL. Aiming at the demand for high torque density and high reliability of electric propulsion system, the paper analyzed the technical indexes of electric motor products of domestic and foreign benchmark enterprises. The key technologies such as motor integration, new electromagnetic topology, lightweight structure design, and high efficiency cooling is studied. It is pointed out that in order to pursue the high torque density and fault-tolerance performance, the integrated precise modeling of motor and controller, advanced materials and manufacturing technology are the development trend of the electric propulsion technology. The breakthrough of eVTOL electric propulsion technology can accelerate the commercial operation of civil eVTOL and promote the development of new quality productive forces. Full article

The unique features of high-quality agri-food production are rooted in the specificities of ecosystems, interpreted through an anthropocentric lens. In Italy, such products are nationally certified with labels that enhance both their market value and their territorial identity. However, climate change amplifies risks such as land degradation and reduced arability, threatening the value systems tied to ecosystems, places, and products. As a result, the relationship between environmental conditions and certified quality is becoming more fragile across the Italian peninsula. This paper investigates how producers and consumers perceive the risks posed by climate change to the ecosystem characteristics of Terroir, focusing on Calabria—a southern Italian region marked by socio-environmental vulnerability and a limited number of certified products. This fragility may further hinder certified agri-food production, with serious implications for the local agribusiness sector. Using a qualitative methodology, the study draws on questionnaires administered to producers and farmers, alongside interviews with key stakeholders and exploratory fieldworks. Eventually, this research aims to identify major environmental risks impacting certified production in Calabria, examine the adaptation strategies adopted by local producers, and assess the perceived effectiveness of institutional support. It also explores whether certifications such as PDO and PGI can act as tools to mitigate climate-related impacts while enhancing product value and territorial resilience. These findings can inform more effective policies for promoting sustainable, high-quality agri-food systems under changing climate conditions in a transcalar perspective. Full article

Based on China’s structural transformation and the resulting rural social institutional changes, this paper clarifies how land certification affects non-agricultural employment, introducing trust culture as an informal institution and constructing a theoretical framework for their interactive effect on non-agricultural employment. Using data from the China Rural Household Panel Survey, the empirical research finds that land certification increases the likelihood of rural labor engaging in non-agricultural employment by reducing the risks of land loss, promoting land transfers, and facilitating credit financing. The interaction between land certification and social trust shows that increased social trust weakens the positive impact of land certification on non-agricultural employment. Full article

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is widely recognized for promoting environmental sustainability in the built environment, with a strong focus on energy efficiency, resource management, and ecological impact. However, as sustainability entails environmental and economic dimensions but also social dimensions, the current BREEAM New Construction standards do not fully address social sustainability targets. This article explores the potential for expanding BREEAM New Construction standards to more comprehensively incorporate social sustainability, ensuring that certified projects contribute to the well-being of their occupants and surrounding communities. Through a review of existing BREEAM categories, technical manuals, standards, and an analysis of gaps related to social sustainability, this paper identifies key areas for potential improvement, including user satisfaction, protecting workers’ and human rights, legacy planning, education and skills, and emergency response planning. These gaps are mapped against existing BREEAM categories and credits, with recommendations to introduce additional credits across the categories of management, materials, energy, waste, land use and ecology, health and well-being, and water. Additionally, this paper highlights the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration—bringing together architects, urban planners, social scientists, and public health experts—to effectively address the complexity of social sustainability in building design and certification. The proposed additions to BREEAM New Construction standards, alongside recommendations for industry and policymakers, offer guidelines for the evolution of green building certifications toward a more holistic approach to sustainability. This shift ensures that future certified buildings reduce environmental impact and promote social equity, health, and community well-being simultaneously. Full article

Farmers are an important and fundamental professional class on which the food, health and well-being of all citizens depend. Recently, and similar to what has happened in other European countries, in Portugal there were also demonstrations of civic and spontaneous movements of farmers dissatisfied with the current Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (PEPAC), with the excessive bureaucracy and with the increase in the costs of production and unfair competition from agricultural products from other countries, especially from outside the European bloc, which do not meet the same production requirements and which are available to consumers. This work consists of a synthesis and reflection on the reasons, arguments and demands made by civic movements of farmers in the northern region of Portugal (NUT II). Among the most frequent allegations was the need to consider specific aspects of the northern Portuguese region, small family farming and some specific sectors. Although the factor that triggered farmers’ indignation was the reduction in support payable under eco-schemes, the consideration of the common land areas for subsidies and for certification in organic farming (in the mountain region), the installation of anti-hail towers in the fruit growing area and compensation for increases in energy and animal feeding costs are among the most frequently mentioned reasons for which farmers require answers. Full article

Soil health is at the root of agricultural sustainability, and small-scale vegetable farmers are becoming an increasingly important part of the US food system. These farmers face unique challenges when it comes to managing soil on their farms. These challenges include reliance on intensive production practices, the use of primarily organic inputs with difficult to calculate nutrient concentrations, and lack of access to formal education tailored to their needs. We surveyed farmers at 100 small-scale vegetable farms in Minnesota to (1) develop a better baseline understanding of how small-scale vegetable farmers utilize key soil health practices including nutrient management, cover crops, and tillage; (2) explore how farm demographics influence the adoption of soil health practices; and (3) determine educational priorities to better support these growers. Here, we report a lack of understanding about the nutrient contributions of compost, which is often applied at very large volumes without guidance from soil test results, with implications for nutrient loading in the environment. Farmers in our study had high rates of cover crop adoption relative to other farmers in the region despite several barriers to using cover crops. More experienced farmers were more likely to utilize more tillage, with more use of deep tillage implements on larger farms. Overall, organic certification was correlated with higher adoption of soil health practices including utilization of soil tests and cover crop use, but it was not correlated with tillage. Other demographic variables including land access arrangement and race did not meaningfully influence soil health practices. Our findings suggest a need for more research, outreach, and education targeted to vegetable farmers about how to interpret laboratory soil test results, and how to responsibly utilize organic inputs including vegetative compost and composted manure at rates appropriate for crop production in a diversified farm setting. We also report a need to compensate farmers for their labor to incentive cover crop use on small farms, and a need for more research and support for farmers in the 3–50-acre range to utilize reduced tillage methods. Full article

Smart cities leverage information and communication technologies to enhance urban life quality, essential in densely populated environments requiring comprehensive planning. A critical area in urban settings is food production and delivery, where effective management becomes vital. New technologies can assist, but require models that support innovative production and commercialization methods. This study proposes an integration model between family farming—producers of organic food—and urban areas—consumers of these products. The model focuses on the management of organic food production and delivery to meet urban demands, serving as a tool in the transformation of these areas into smart municipalities. Additionally, this study suggests an alternative certification method for organic food production within family farming. A systematic literature review was conducted using the Methodi Ordinatio methodology. Content analysis of the selected articles identified strategies cities can adopt to promote organic certification, emphasizing transparent governance, public food procurement policies, and participatory certification systems. The proposed model aims to reduce bureaucracy and improve family farmers’ income, aligning with several Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Full article

This study proposes an analysis of the impact of farmers′ demographic characteristics and their perceptions of economic sustainability and barriers on organic farming implementation in Turkey’s Thrace region. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 400 farmers through surveys and analyzed using SPSS v27 The findings revealed that age, education level, land ownership, and organic farming training were significant predictors of adoption. Perceptions of economic sustainability positively influenced adoption, while perceptions of barriers had a negative effect. The qualitative findings identified certification costs, insufficient credit opportunities, and difficulties in accessing organic inputs as the most common challenges faced by farmers. The most requested forms of support included product purchase guarantees, financial aid during certification, and fertilizer–pesticide subsidies. This study provides a foundation for developing policies and programs to promote organic farming in Turkey, contributing to the country’s sustainable agriculture goals. Full article

Facilitating land transfers and contract standardization is crucial for optimizing farmland use and achieving high-quality agricultural development following the round of confirmation, registration, and certification of contracted rural land management rights by the government. Social trust is crucial for cracking the growth dilemma of land transfer, and the impact of farmers’ trust on land transfer may also change after the round of land titling. This study aims to examine the impact of social trust on farm households’ land transfer decisions and the formalization of land transfer contracts within the context of the new round of land titling in China, using models such as IV-Probit, Heckprobit, and conditional mixed process (CMP), with survey data from 2600 Chinese farmers in 2020–2021. The results show that increased social trust significantly enhances both land transfer and contract formalization, and these results remain robust after addressing potential endogeneity. Further analysis reveals that while interpersonal trust promotes land transfer, institutional trust plays a more pivotal role in the formalization of contracts. The results underscore the importance of strengthening grassroots governance to foster institutional trust, enhance institutional reliability, and support the regulated growth of the land transfer market. Full article