Search Results (4,074)

Since the onset of global industrialization, rural planning has evolved significantly in developed countries, establishing a comprehensive framework for sustainable development. However, China’s rural areas, rooted in longstanding agrarian traditions, face distinct challenges amid rapid urbanization and globalization, including land degradation, ecological degradation, and rural depopulation. This study examines the progression of rural planning in China, with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11): “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. Employing a bibliometric approach, we analyzed the literature from the Web of Science database, concentrating on influential publications, collaborative patterns among research institutions, and emerging research themes. Findings reveal that Chinese rural planning research has expanded rapidly since 2004, characterized by interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaborations. High-impact studies emphasize the transformation of rural settlements, land utilization, and urban–rural dynamics, reflecting an ongoing shift toward sustainable rural revitalization. Co-citation analysis identifies emerging themes such as resilience in rural development, land consolidation, and rural governance under environmental constraints. This study offers theoretical and empirical insights critical to advancing rural planning practices in China, proposing a framework for integrating sustainability into policy and guiding future research to optimize spatial layouts, preserve ecological resources, and support rural transformation aligned with China’s socioeconomic objectives. Full article

Research on age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC) has primarily taken a qualitative approach. This article extends insights from a quantitative perspective to understand the international perspectives of community living and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing an intersectional approach, this online survey aimed to understand human behaviour within AFCC. This article contextualises the digital practices and the impact of technology experienced through the age-friendly city lens of adults aged 18–50+ years living in different types of communities. Using an original dataset collected from 2020 to 2021 across 11 sites and in 13 languages, the study gathered responses from a sample size of 3422 participants. Findings indicate that adults aged 50+ years reported significantly lower loneliness scores, and higher well-being scores compared to adults aged below 40. Factors including gender, education level, and marital and employment status were found to impact loneliness and well-being significantly. From a community perspective, individuals living in rural areas and small towns reported significantly lower loneliness scores and higher well-being scores than those living in metros and cities. These findings contribute to the ongoing discourse in AFCC and have the potential to aid policy responses intended to reduce loneliness and improve well-being through public health and pandemic preparedness planning. Full article

Wind energy has emerged as a viable alternative to fossil fuels due to its clean and cost-effective nature. Pakistan, facing growing energy demands and the imperative to reduce carbon emissions, has invested significantly in wind power to supply electric power in rural and urban communities, particularly in the Thatta district of Sindh Province of Pakistan. However, the sustainability of wind energy generation is contingent upon consistent and sufficient wind resources. This study examines the wind potential of Thatta district from 2004 to 2023 to assess its suitability for large-scale wind power development. To evaluate the wind potential of Thatta district, seasonal wind speed and direction data were collected and analyzed. Wind shear at different heights was determined using the power law, and wind potential maps were generated using GIS interpolation techniques. Betz’s law was employed to assess wind turbine power density. Box–Jenkins ARIMA and SARIMA models were applied to predict future wind patterns. This study revealed that Thatta district experienced sufficient wind speeds during the study period, with averages of 9.7 m/s, 7.6 m/s, 7.4 m/s, and 4.8 m/s for summer, autumn, spring, and winter, respectively. However, a concerning trend of decreasing wind speeds has been observed since 2009. The most significant reductions occurred in summer, coinciding with Pakistan’s peak electricity demand. While Thatta district has historically demonstrated potential for wind energy, the declining wind speeds pose a challenge to the sustainability of wind power projects. Further research is necessary to identify the causes of this trend and to explore mitigation strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: To effectively support children’s learning and well-being, primary educators must thoroughly understand child trauma. Being ‘trauma informed’ means recognizing the impact of trauma and responding supportively, which can help mitigate its adverse effects on learners. This study explored the understanding of childhood trauma among primary school teachers in Limpopo province, focusing on the circuits of Mvudi and Dzindi due to their high prevalence of childhood traumatic experiences. Methods: An exploratory descriptive and contextual design was used in this study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 26 teachers, utilizing total population sampling for schools and purposive sampling for respondents. Results: The findings revealed that teachers typically define trauma in terms of domestic issues and abuse and identify symptoms in learners’ behavior, emotions, and academic performance. Teachers employ strategies to assist affected learners, such as building rapport and involving social workers or school authorities when needed. Conclusions: This study highlighted teachers’ critical role in identifying and assisting traumatized children and underlined the necessity for effective training programs and school-based support systems. A comprehensive strategy is necessary, including advocacy for equitable support services and standardized training on trauma-informed practices. Full article

Nutrient-poor savanna soils severely limit agricultural productivity in Africa, hindering crops and livestock intensification and threatening food security. Addressing these deficiencies is crucial to meeting the world’s growing food demands and ensuring sustainable agricultural development. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse laid in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments, namely: (T1) control, (T2) 45 kg/ha superphosphate, (T3) 60 kg/ha superphosphate, (T4) 75 kg/ha superphosphate, (T5) Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant, (T6) Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant +45 kg/ha superphosphate, (T7) Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant +60 kg/ha superphosphate, and (T8) Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculant +75 kg/ha superphosphate. The findings showed that the highest plant height was noted when lablab was supplemented with T4 treatment at day 21, while T2 of superphosphate had the highest leaf area. Conversely, soil supplemented with superphosphate at different levels and/or lablab seeds treated with Bradyrhizobium inoculant did not have a significant effect on the number of leaves. Overall, the application of superphosphate to the soil at different levels and treating lablab seeds with Bradyrhizobium inoculant did not have any significant effect on the plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area. On day 37, the highest leaf chlorophyll was recorded on T1 and became constant amongst all the treatments as the growth progressed. From the current study, it is concluded that growing lablab in a controlled environment would benefit subsistence farmers and rural communities for its leaves consumed as vegetables and ultimately ensure food security. Full article

This study aligns with the Rural Pact’s Long-Term Vision for European Rural Areas by encouraging multi-level collaboration and stakeholder engagement to address rural needs. Using a Human Ecology perspective, it challenges rural stereotypes, promotes spatial justice and aims to reduce rural–urban disparities by fostering social innovation and youth entrepreneurship in rural areas. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews identified six key dimensions and their sub-dimensions within a transformative social–ecological model. The notable sub-dimensions include “Local Experimentation and Creativity” in Civil Society, “Higher Education Institutions and Lifelong Learning” in Knowledge and Skills, “Formal Institutional Monitoring at the National Level” in a Political and Institutional Context, and “Profiles—Young Age and Gender” in Entrepreneurship. Full article

A ubiquitous network of charging stations is vital to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the achievement of a low-carbon transportation system. Currently, the availability of EV infrastructure differs significantly between communities as planning procedures are not necessarily equitable. Understanding the charging behavior of EV users is a crucial step toward creating an electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) infrastructure that serves users efficiently, equitably, and sustainably. Presently, public charging station deployment efforts differ across communities, with little context surrounding urbanicity. This study analyzes data from 66 public Level 2 charging stations across Rhode Island. Motivated by the significant disparities in infrastructure availability between urban and rural areas, the research explores behavioral differences to inform infrastructure planning. Key findings reveal that urban stations are predominantly used during weekdays, with longer charging durations and higher energy consumption, whereas rural stations are primarily utilized on weekends and exhibit shorter, more efficient charging sessions. On average, dwell times at rural stations are approximately 50% shorter, while average energy demand is only 7% less. These results provide actionable insights for optimizing charging station deployment and utilization across diverse communities to support the growing demand for EVs. Full article

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta (HDV) virus infections pose critical public health challenges, particularly in Romania, where HDV co-infection is underdiagnosed. Methods: This study investigates the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of HBV/HDV co-infection in vulnerable populations, leveraging data from the LIVE(RO2) program. Conducted between July 2021 and November 2023, the program screened 320,000 individuals across 24 counties, targeting socially disadvantaged groups such as rural residents, the Roma community, and those lacking health insurance. Results: Among 6813 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive individuals, HDV antibody prevalence was 4.87%, with active replication confirmed in 75.6% of HDV-positive cases. Regional disparities emerged, with higher HDV prevalence and replication rates in the Eastern region compared to the South. HDV-positive individuals were more likely to be younger, male, and from rural or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Clinically, HDV co-infection correlated with increased liver stiffness, advanced fibrosis stages, and lower steatosis levels compared to HBV mono-infection. Psychiatric comorbidities were more prevalent among HDV-positive patients, highlighting the need for integrated care. Conclusions: This study underscores the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, including enhanced screening, education, and access to novel antiviral therapies like bulevirtide to address the significant burden of HBV/HDV co-infection in Romania. Full article

Background/Objectives: This paper examines hunger over time to analyze how food insecurity is impacted by reduced income, including household funding from the government. Federal policies and community-based programs have the ability to prevent increases in food insecurity, particularly for populations that have risk factors, such as households with children; single-parent households; low-income households, especially those in rural areas; Black and Hispanic households; and, households experiencing economic hardships. Methods: This study is bas ed on a cross-sectional survey that was administered in 2018 and 2019 to food pantry clients, an already food insecure population accessing resources, in Eastern Massachusetts. Baseline surveys were matched with a 3-month follow-up survey (n = 308) and multinomial logistic mixed effect models were used to analyze the association between change in household hunger and change in household income. Results: This study found that participants who experienced decreased income compared to no income change from baseline to follow-up had 2.16 times the odds (95% CI: 1.05, 4.46) of experiencing increased household hunger compared to no change in hunger from baseline to follow-up, after adjusting for all other covariates. Conclusions: Food insecurity in the United States remained stable during the beginning of COVID-19, despite prevalence of reduced household income. The expanded government benefits that were implemented early in the pandemic contributed to total household income, which prevented increased food insecurity. Increased food insecurity after the removal of benefits starting in 2022 indicates the importance of continuing support established during times when consistent income is compromised to prevent a delayed rise in food insecurity. Full article

Renewable energy communities (RECs) are widely regarded as a transformative opportunity to enhance the management of electricity distribution networks, benefiting the system as a whole and its participants through local energy production, increased self-consumption, and empowering citizens. However, their proliferation introduces significant challenges for distribution system management, particularly at the low-voltage (LV) level, where participants are primarily located. Despite its critical role, the LV network is often overlooked in favor of studies focusing on the system-level impacts. This paper addresses this gap by evaluating the impact of RECs on LV networks and the broader distribution system. The study analyzes various LV networks representative of the Italian context, encompassing both rural and urban areas. By leveraging the software tool OpenDSS and Monte Carlo simulations over an entire year, the analysis captures the inherent variability of load demand and photovoltaic generation, as well as the resulting network imbalances under diverse policy scenarios. The findings reveal that the increasing level of self-consumption could significantly challenge distribution network operation, limiting also the sourcing of flexibility. These results underscore the necessity for advanced management strategies and targeted investments in grid flexibility to ensure the reliability and efficiency of distribution networks integrating RECs. Full article

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of global mortality. The WHO projects a rise in NCD-related deaths from 36 million in 2018 to 55 million by 2030, with developing countries being the most affected. Effective community-based primary health care (PHC) can reduce the burden of chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDLs). This study aimed to develop a risk assessment and health promotion framework to strengthen CDL prevention and control in Free State (FS) communities in South Africa. Methods: A convergent mixed-method design was used. Quantitative analysis identified CDL risk factors in rural and urban FS settings, while qualitative focus group discussions explored participants’ knowledge of CDLs and their experiences with program implementation. Results: Key findings highlighted differences in risk profiles, CDL training needs for PHC teams, patient education gaps, and curriculum development. Step 1 of the framework development identified differences and similarities in the CDL risk profiles of the study populations. Step 2 identified CDL training needs for PHC teams, patient educational needs, and CDL curriculum development needs. Step 3 revealed three main barriers: resource constraints, patient non-compliance, and the lack of supporting healthcare services. In Step 4, the six focus areas identified (steps 1–3) were used to develop strategies for implementing a tailored, community-based, patient-centred approach. Conclusions: The results provide valuable insights for improving PHC responses in resource-limited settings. Full article

Research on hurricane impacts in Florida’s coastal regions has been extensive, yet there remains a gap in comparing the effects and potential damage of different hurricanes within the same geographical area. Additionally, there is a need for reliable discussions on how variations in storm surges during these events influence evacuation accessibility to hurricane shelters. This is especially significant for rural areas with a vast number of aging populations, whose evacuation may require extra attention due to their special needs (i.e., access and functional needs). Therefore, this study aims to address this gap by conducting a comparative assessment of storm surge impacts on the evacuation accessibility of southwest Florida communities (e.g., Lee and Collier Counties) affected by two significant hurricanes: Irma in 2017 and Ian in 2022. Utilizing the floating catchment area method and examining Replica’s OD Matrix data with Geographical Information Systems (GISs)-based technical tools, this research seeks to provide insights into the effectiveness of evacuation plans and identify areas that need enhancements for special needs sheltering. By highlighting the differential impacts of storm surges on evacuation accessibility between these two hurricanes, this assessment contributes to refining disaster risk reduction strategies and has the potential to inform decision-making processes for mitigating the impacts of future coastal hazards. Full article

Air pollution in urban environments is a complex, multidimensional issue that significantly impacts public health and people’s well-being. Previous studies have tended to focus on general public awareness in metropolitan urban areas. The novelty of this study lies in examining whether perceptions regarding air pollution and the urban environment differ based on specific demographic characteristics such as age and dwelling place in a provincial city of Greece. Thus, a quantitative cross-sectional research approach was employed, resulting in the collection of 659 valid questionnaires from residents in the wider area of Volos city. To analyze the data, one-way ANOVA was applied to reveal differences in perceptions of air pollution and its effects on urban well-being. The results indicate that perceptions vary by age, particularly concerning the effects of air pollution on the natural environment. Participants acknowledge that air pollution levels differ across cities of various sizes and recognize the adverse effects of pollution on the overall well-being of urban areas. Furthermore, our analysis reveals significant differences in perceptions between urban and rural residents. Particularly, people living in the city tend to report higher awareness of air pollution levels compared to those in the countryside, highlighting the need for targeted interventions tailored to specific communities. Overall, this study underscores the importance of understanding demographic influences on perceptions of air quality, which can inform policymaking and public health initiatives aimed at improving air quality and mitigating health risks in urban settings. Full article

Background: Dandelion (Taraxacum sect. Taraxacum, also referred to as Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wiggers coll.), a collective species of perennial herbaceous plants of the Asteraceae family, is commonly considered weed; however, in the traditional societies of Central-Eastern Europe, it is a source of food and medicinal raw materials. The growing interest in the medicinal properties of herbal raw materials of dandelion encouraged us to focus on their use in the traditional folk medicine of Central-Eastern European communities. Aim: The hypothesis of the present study suggests that Taraxacum sect. Taraxacum (dandelion), which is widespread throughout Central-Eastern Europe and easily identifiable, has had notable applications in ethnopharmacology. The study aims to examine the medicinal properties of this species, focusing on its traditional uses in folk medicine across the region. The resulting data may serve as a valuable resource for contemporary pharmacognosy research. Methods: The analysis was based on publications dated from the end of the 18th century to the beginning of the 21st century, mainly from Poland. In addition, the study includes publications on contemporary Belarus, Ukraine, and European Russia. Results: The research showed that dandelion provided many medicinal raw materials, but the available literature did not mention the use of the herb’s root, a raw material popular in contemporary natural medicine. During the period analysed, an increase in the types of raw materials was observed, and the order in which they appeared in the sources was as follows: latex > root = leaf = inflorescence > herb > herb with flowers. Additionally, a review of the literature indicated that the number of conditions under which they were used increased during the investigation period. The variety of ways to prepare the raw material is noteworthy; fresh and dried raw materials were used to make extracts, tinctures, decoctions, infusions, wrap compresses, syrups, and even wine or coffee substitutes. The mentioned preparations were prepared individually for particular ailments. Conclusions: The vast experience of rural communities in Central-Eastern Europe concerning the medicinal applications of common dandelion has developed through centuries. The experience of rural communities may influence the direction of further phytochemical and pharmacological research. Full article

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, with a total area of 3359.82 km² and a population of about 8.4 million people. This is one of the most developed cities in Vietnam, with an urbanization rate of 60%. In this study, we investigated how developed and urbanized areas may influence lichen diversity in Hanoi. The lichen community from Hanoi was studied using three tree stands from each of five landscapes: natural vegetation, industrial parks, urban and rural areas, and roadsides. Lichen species and their cover abundance were recorded on tree trunks at heights from 30 to 150 cm above ground in ten host trees that were randomly selected for each replication. Sixty-seven lichen species, from sixteen families and eight orders, were recorded. Results showed urbanization and the development of industrial parks and transportation altered species composition, evidenced by a reduced number of lichen species. Natural forests sustained the highest lichen diversity measured. These results suggest that a greater diversity of lichen can be preserved in natural forests, if that natural vegetation is effectively managed and conserved. Full article