Abstract: This study examines the interplay between spatial justice and land tenure security in urban redevelopment projects, focusing on two cases from the Bouregreg Valley Development in Morocco. Through analysis of conflicts in the Ben Acher and Kardona districts, we demonstrate that spatial justice - encompassing distributive, procedural, and recognitional dimensions - is crucial for promoting land tenure security within complex property rights regimes. Our findings challenge the notion that formal property ownership guarantees security, revealing that just processes and outcomes are more determinative. We argue that land tenure security is best understood and achieved through a spatial justice framework, particularly in contexts of urban transformation where traditional property rights are disrupted.

Abstract: The agri-food system is faced with numerous challenges of sustainability, calling for the improved evaluation of rural development projects. However, a gap exists in the comprehension of the application of both objective and subjective indicators in project selection criteria among regions. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring, in detail, the nature and utilization of objective and subjective indicators in the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) environment in Italy. The approach entails the analysis of documents, with a focus on data relating to the AKIS initiative across regions. The comparative approach is also used to establish the priority that regions assign to indicators. The results include the use of both objective indicators, such as the number of sectors covered, and subjective ones, such as innovation and responsiveness to local needs. Besides, the comparative approach emphasizes the complexity of the AKIS initiative with some domains tending towards objective indicators while others tend towards subjective indicators. The study contributes to the development of a composite framework for evaluating rural development projects and emphasizes the need for further research to develop evaluation methodologies further so that future frameworks will be standardized as well as sensitive to regional heterogeneity.

Abstract: Boating tourism in coastal-maritime areas often overlaps spatially and temporally with other economic activities, such as fishing, leading to complex interactions. These interactions can create opportunities for positive cooperation or generate conflicts that pressure natural resources and stakeholders. This study focuses on the interplay between maritime-tourism activities and fishing in the south of Portugal, using a social network analysis (SNA) approach based on automatic identification system (AIS) data to evaluate spatial and temporal patterns. The findings reveal that tourism activities dominate zones closer to the coast, with intermediate areas serving as shared spaces where interactions are most likely to occur.

Abstract: There is a need for simultaneous attention to sustainability and resilience objectives while making energy decisions because of the necessity to address disruptions or shocks that can result from system-wide changes, and the existing threats to system performance. Owning to this emerging research area, this systematic review used the Scopus database to address the central question: what are the trends and practices that can enhance the integration of sustainability and resilience for energy decisions? The articles used are peer reviewed, empirical research in the energy field, and written in English. Articles that did not explicitly address energy systems (or any of the value chains), and gray literature were excluded from the study. The final screening of records resulted in the selection of 75 articles that effectively addressed the decision objective, context, and implementation (D-OCI), a classification scheme that supports 18 specific questions to identify practices for integrating the sustainability and resilience objectives. The highlighted practices are advantageous for decision evaluation and can provide valuable insights for formulating energy policies. This is particularly relevant because energy-related decisions affect households, organisations, and both national and international development. The study proposes ideas for future research based on the highlighted practices.

Abstract: The study examines the geographic distribution of Erasmus+ incoming student mobility across European Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from 2014 to 2020, highlighting significant regional disparities. It addresses the crucial questions of how regional and institutional factors influence student attractiveness and the emerging hotspots of mobility, which are vital for understanding the dynamics of educational internationalisation and regional development. The primary goal of this work is to identify the regional and institutional determinants of Erasmus student mobility and to propose strategies for enhancing the attractiveness of less favoured regions. Employing hotspot analysis and a two-level random intercept model, this research analyses spatial patterns and the influences of regional characteristics and institutional variables on Erasmus mobility rates. The findings reveal that while Spain, Germany, and the UK are leading recipients of Erasmus students, significant mobility hotspots exist primarily in Spain, Portugal, and southern France, with unexpected clusters emerging in Ireland and Sweden, indicating evolving dynamics in student mobility patterns. The conclusions underscore the importance of targeted regional policies to enhance HEI attractiveness and promote balanced internationalisation across Europe, particularly in underserved areas. These findings call for strategic interventions that align with broader regional economic goals, ensuring that the benefits of the Erasmus+ program are distributed more equitably. Ultimately, this work contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical insights into the factors shaping Erasmus+ mobility, informing policymakers and educational institutions about the potential for fostering regional development through enhanced internationalisation.

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This study integrates customer loyalty program data with a synthetic population to analyze grocery shopping behaviours in Montreal. Using clustering techniques, we classify 295,631 loyalty program members into seven distinct consumer segments based on behavioural and sociodemographic attributes. The findings reveal significant heterogeneity in consumer behaviour, emphasizing the impact of urban geography on shopping decisions. This segmentation also provides valuable insights for retailers optimizing store locations and marketing strategies, and for policymakers aiming to enhance urban accessibility. Additionally, our approach strengthens Agent-Based Model (ABM) simulations by incorporating demographic and behavioural diversity, leading to more realistic consumer representations. While integrating loyalty data with synthetic populations mitigates privacy concerns, challenges remain regarding data sparsity and demographic inconsistencies. Future research should explore multi-source data integration and advanced clustering techniques. Overall, this study contributes to geographically explicit modelling, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining behavioural and synthetic demographic data in urban retail analysis.

Abstract: This research is to identify factors affecting sustainable households’ livelihoods in coastal forest areas of Quang Tri province – Central Vietnam, then implying for an appropriate sustainable livelihood strategy. The data from semi-structure interviews on 317 households indicated that factors affecting sustainable livelihoods with positive significant are human resources; physical resources; financial resources; social and community resources; seasonal fluctuations; and livelihood strategies. In addition, the group with factors having a negative coefficient (< 0) include (i) social and environmental trends; (ii) shock and crisis; and (iii) natural resources. Results of research also analyse the influence levels of different factors on the sustainable livelihoods of households. In there, social resources and community factors are highest levels positive influence and social and environmental trends factors is highest level negative influence on sustainable livelihood of households. Therefore, in the future, transferring technologies to increase labour productivity, reduce product costs, and make products more competitive need to consider transformative social learning aspect and the State should have appropriate and reasonable policies for households who have seriously affect by climate change as well as social-economic transitions.

Abstract: The spatial structure of a city, consisting of the transportation network and activity centers, is a key factor affecting the mobility of people. The mobility of people during infectious diseases is the most important factor in the spread of the disease. Evaluating urban spatial structure and restructuring it is an important non-pharmaceutical way of controlling infectious diseases such as COVID-19. The present study investigates the interlinkages between Ahvaz's urban spatial structure and COVID-19. Spatial statistics were used to identify functional cores and analyze population distribution and employment by analyzing statistical block data and land-use layers. Pearson's correlation test was also applied to examine the relationship between functional cores, population, and employment. The results showed that population and employment have a clustered distribution pattern, as they are highly concentrated in the middle parts of Ahvaz. The city’s central part has the highest concentration of travel-absorbing uses. This increases the vulnerability and infection of COVID-19. The findings of this study can guide efforts aimed at modifying the urban structure of the city to make it more resilient to pandemics. Among other things, decentralization of activities, land use diversification, and promotion of urban sub-centers should be prioritized.

Abstract: This study critically analyzes the prevailing paradigmatic model in rural development, specifically examining spatial planning projects in Iran. It underscores the necessity of comprehending the intellectual foundations that inform these initiatives, particularly in developing countries where such analyses are often deficient. Employing a mixed-method approach, we evaluated nine spatial planning projects funded by the Planning and Budget Organization in Iran from 2007 to 2019. Our methodology included qualitative content analysis of relevant documents and in-depth interviews with project promoters and academics. We found that the boundaries of rural development models extend beyond conventional perceptions, with projects often comprising a combination of different exogenous, endogenous, and neo-endogenous aspects that may sometimes conflict with one another. This integration reveals broad abstract and practical features of rural development models that have received insufficient attention thus far. Additionally, centralized and ideological planning systems in developing countries such as Iran complicate this situation and diminish the impact of individual and local advocacy initiatives. This study emphasizes the necessity of establishing a coherent paradigmatic model to enhance the effectiveness of rural development projects. This research aims to facilitate the reintegration of rural areas into their natural development cycles by addressing gaps in planning and policy formulation.

Abstract: Internationally, there is a modern understanding of cultural heritage including Maritime/Underwater Cultural Heritage (MUCH)- not merely as a passive relic of the past, but as a transformative driver for sustainable growth and innovation. The paper discusses the position of maritime cultural heritage (MUCH) in relation to the Smart Specialization Strategies (S3) and its evolving role as a driver of sustainable growth, particularly within the context of the blue economy and smart specialization strategies (S3) in Europe. It, then, focuses on the Greek context, where UCH-driven activities, particularly soft Multi-Use (MU) activities that combine UCH, diving tourism, and nature conservation, are gaining momentum, especially within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Despite the growing interest, there is a lack of data, regulations, and a clear strategy for such activities, although the draft "National Spatial Strategy for the Marine Space" (issued in 2022) suggests promoting low-impact diving tourism incorporating UCH. The research paper examines the benefits and barriers to implementing UCH-driven MUs, recommending the use of Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) to address challenges. It suggests that integrating UCH with nature conservation and diving tourism in soft MUs could support a sustainable blue economy, balancing cultural, ecological, social and economic goals, and fostering innovation through S3 on a regional level.

Abstract: The beginning of the twenty-first century is associated with a great technological leap worldwide. This radical economic change is related to the emergence and development of artificial intelligence and effective knowledge management as a major driver of economic growth. The accumulation of information sets (big databases) and data necessary for AI to function is directly related to the spatial aspects of economic development, which is also based on local potential. At the same time, local resources are not being fully exploited in the context of technology diffusion and AI deployment across regions and countries. In this context, this study aims to analyze the role of AI and its impact on the development of individual European regions and countries. The authors consider AI a contemporary regional policy instrument that impacts EU regions in a specific way. The results of the study show that there is a direct link between the deployment of AI and the economic development of European countries. Important factors influencing this process are the extent of internet coverage, the ability to generate knowledge, the extent of AI deployment in the different economic sectors of the countries, the growth of the ICT sector, and others.

Abstract: At the border between Galicia (Spain) and Northern Portugal, where three European Groups of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) currently operate, the process to establish a fourth one is underway: Raia Seca Gerês/Xurés (RSGX). This new cross-border coopera-tion structure covers an area rich in natural and cultural heritage but has faced significant challenges since the mid-20th century, including population ageing and decline, farm-land abandonment, deterioration of built heritage, and an increase in wildfires. This arti-cle analyses, from an academic perspective, the interviews conducted within the frame-work of developing the RSGX EGTC’s cross-border territorial strategy. The goal is to deci-pher to what extent a common understanding between both sides of the border might en-able the delivery of a common spatial plan managed by the EGTC under the auspices of the sustainable development paradigm. The findings suggest that the success of the future EGTC will depend on its ability to implement shared integrated planning that fosters cross-border cooperation, overcomes administrative barriers, and promotes balanced, in-clusive, and sustainable development.

Abstract: Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) has been recognized as the key practice to support farmers in adapting to climate change. The success of EbA requires a cohesive alignment from the national level to community implementation. However, harmonized efforts from central governments to local farmers remain underexplored in literature of climate change and adaptation, especially in the context of mountainous areas of Vietnam. This study applied multiple qualitative research tools including 12 key informant interviews, 6 focus group discussions, and 18 in-depth interviews to explore the varying perspectives of EbA between government officials and farmers, which then affect their involvements in governmental initiatives. Using matrix coding visualization in NVIVO, the study showed the differences between government officials and farmers in EbA perceptions affecting the EbA practice at communes. The study also found the factors affecting the EbA practices including knowledge, economic priorities, and institutional support, labor shortages, limited market access, and funding inadequacies. The policy implication drawn from this study is necessary for bridging top-down policy with local realities to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of EbA. The paper then contributes to EbA literature by encouraging for context-specific adaptation strategies to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of EbA practice in vulnerable communities.

Abstract: The informal city, also known as the clandestine city and usually associated with the phenomenon of urban self-organisation, is a reality that cuts across all societies today and occurs in the most diverse regions of the globe, which raises the question: Why do such different cultures, in such different geographies, adopt a common idea of an ‘informal city’ to live in? Despite the dramatic human condition that characterizes slums and informal settlements, it is challenging to understand how these settlements can be adopted as a living space for so many and so diverse populations, admitting the interpretation that it is a utopia and an urban idealization. Informal urbanisation processes occur outside the system and on the fringes of the practice of ‘institutional urban planning’, as a necessary and immediate response to the absence of public land policies, housing market failures or situations arising from social and economic crises. The object of this study is to find out to what extent the configuration of space, the territorialisation model and the morphology of the informal city, characterised by an entropic urbanism, corresponds to an urban organisational structure that occurs when it is up to society to provide its own habitat and urban environment.

Abstract:

In the industrial context of Asaluyeh City, bested in Bushehr Province, in the southern coastal region of Iran, it is essential to interpret urban green spaces to promote social well-being. Accordingly, this case study identifies all public green spaces, parks, and related activities within these places to emphasize the importance of assessing the functionality and contribution of Side Park to the urban fabric. The objective of this article is to evaluate the performance of Asaluyeh City Side Park and to examine public attitudes toward its use and interactional significance. Additionally, this study examines the context of Asaluyeh City as a coastal strategic area with extensive industrial activities and surrounded by several huge refineries located on the edge of the city. The adverse environmental consequences of the stress of refineries and constraints on urban developments are of particular concern in this area. Particularly, the research highlights the necessity for a comprehensive assessment of the accessibility and role of Side Park in meeting the social needs of residents of Asaluyeh City. The methodology comprises a comprehensive examination of the urban environment of Asaluyeh City, direct observation of park users' behaviors and activities, and an evaluation of user satisfaction with the park's functionality. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the effective use of green public spaces in urban planning, particularly within the context of high levels of stress in industrial cities. Furthermore, this paper provides insights into enhancing social well-being through the presence of green public space, which can inform the enhancement of social well-being in the context of urban development.

Abstract: The European Green Deal pursues to make Europe the world's first carbon-neutral continent, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 seeks neutrality towards land degradation. Soil requires adequate protection and preservation, being a depletable natural resource, which, is relevant to move its management to an environmentally conscious framework. Soil supplies food regulates water and nutrient cycles, and healthy soils store carbon. Its ecosystem services are under pressure, making it difficult to maintain its health and preserve biodiversity. Despite existing legal instruments, soil degradation is on ascent and mostly addressed indirectly in the EU governance measures, without yet one harmonized soil legislation. The aim of this study is to carry out a critical analysis of Portuguese and European Union soil legislation, based on the information available in the SoiLEX database. In this way, it proposes to verify the contributions of that legislation to the soil, regarding, particularly, soils threats that are listed at this database. Subsequently, a SWOT analysis was carried out for each soil legislation, and it was found that there are more Portuguese legislative acts that make indirect reference to the threats of soil, and none reference to soil acidification or, in vague mode, to soil salinization. European Union legislative acts, makes more direct reference to the SoiLEX database threats of soil, but it still does indirect reference to some soil threats. There aren´t any direct or indirect reference to salinization, compaction and acidification of soil. All those “invisible threats” should be directly referred at the new soil directive to be done.

Abstract: This paper analyzes the problem of social accounting of natural resources, focusing on growth and sustainability. The paper re-examines the welfare economic foundations of social accounting by using the economic framework of neoclassical growth theory and shows that the dynamics and measurement of natural capital can be integrated within a general dynamic model of the economy, with a view to measuring sustainability both within and out of optimal (first best) conditions. Two novel results are presented with respect to the existing literature. First, it is shown that externalities and market distortions reduce final demand for goods and services, thus constraining the economy to lower paths of growth. As a consequence, non-optimality of growth may be due both to failed alignment between demand and supply for each point of the growth trajectory and to the choice of a sub-optimal rate of growth. Second, shadow prices of both physical and natural capital can be specified and estimated considering of both second-best conditions. The combination of these two conditions implies a steady state whose sustainability depends on the balance between consumption and ecosystem use for physical capital and between regeneration and extraction for natural capital.

Abstract:

This study develops an innovative framework to assess territorial cohesion by integrating six critical dimensions: demography, equity, competitiveness, governance, sustainability, and connectivity. Rooted in the context of Portugal, the research addresses significant spatial disparities between metropolitan and inland regions, emphasizing the necessity of place-based policies. Using publicly available data and employing normalization techniques, the methodology ensures fair comparisons across municipalities with diverse characteristics. The findings highlight profound asymmetries, including demographic decline, unequal access to services, and variations in economic and governance performance. These results underscore the need for targeted interventions that align with the unique attributes and challenges of different territories. By incorporating governance and connectivity dimensions, the study advances traditional approaches to territorial cohesion, offering a holistic analytical model. The framework provides practical tools for policymakers to design interventions aimed at fostering balanced and sustainable development. Furthermore, its adaptability ensures relevance in varied contexts, enabling replication in other regions facing similar challenges. The study’s conclusions highlight the importance of addressing territorial disparities through integrated policies that enhance equity, sustainability, and resilience, contributing to the global discourse on regional development and public policy design.

Abstract: The preservation of cultural heritage is intricately tied to the cultural identity of a community, serving as a foundation for its traditions, values, and social cohesion. This study examines the role of cultural identity in the preservation of Blaan heritage in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, Philippines. Through qualitative research methods, including interviews with community elders, participatory observations, and analysis of cultural artifacts, this study explores how the Blaan people perceive and express their cultural identity in the face of modern influences and socio-economic changes. The findings highlight the critical role of cultural identity in sustaining traditional practices, such as weaving, oral storytelling, and ritual ceremonies, which serve as key markers of Blaan heritage. The study also identifies challenges such as generational shifts, urbanization, and the loss of indigenous knowledge, which threaten the continuity of these traditions. Recommendations emphasize the need for collaborative efforts between local government units, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations to empower the Blaan community in documenting, revitalizing, and transmitting their heritage to future generations. This research underscores the significance of cultural identity as both a catalyst and a safeguard for preserving indigenous heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation of the Blaan's unique contributions to cultural diversity.

Abstract: This study investigates the indigenous cultural preservation efforts of the Blaan tribe in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, Philippines, highlighting their practices, challenges, and strategies for safeguarding their cultural heritage. Employing a qualitative approach, the research involves in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory observations with tribal elders, cultural practitioners, and community leaders. Key findings reveal that the Blaan tribe actively preserves their traditions through oral storytelling, ritual ceremonies, traditional crafts, and indigenous knowledge systems. Despite these efforts, challenges such as modernization, land disputes, and limited government support pose threats to their cultural identity. The study underscores the significance of community-driven initiatives, external support from stakeholders, and policy interventions to ensure the sustainability of Blaan cultural heritage. By documenting these practices, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of indigenous cultural preservation and provides actionable insights for fostering cultural resilience in the face of contemporary challenges.