An Integrated Model Based on a Hierarchical Indices System for Monitoring and Evaluating Urban Sustainability

Shen, Li; Kyllo, Jared M.; Guo, Xulin

doi:10.3390/su5020524

Cited by 55 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 64 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Since then, soil occupation processes have been frequently demonstrated to be in disagreement with sustainable development concepts. Although there are a number of diverse definitions of urban sustainability, the core value of urban sustainability always lies in the balance of environmental, economic and social development [2,3]. However, the monitoring of local environmental problems and planning has been increasingly perceived as an institutional and governmental tool for introducing principles of sustainable development as well as for serving as urban sustainability indicators [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Temporal Patterns of Urban Heat Island as Response to Economic Growth Management

Gusso

Cafruni

Bordin³

et al. 2015

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

For a reliable assessment of sustainability in big cities, it is imperative to evaluate urban ecosystem conditions and the environment of the cities undergoing economic growth. Urban green spaces are valuable sources of evapotranspiration, which is generated by trees and vegetation; these spaces mitigate urban heat islands in cities. Land surface temperature (LST) is closely related to the distribution of land-use and land-cover characteristics and can be used as an indicator of urban environment conditions and development. This study evaluates the patterns of LST distribution through time by employing the thermal spatial distribution signature procedure using thermal infrared data obtained from Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper. A set of 18 images, between 1985 and 2010, OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2015, 7 3130 was used to study the urban environment during summer in 47 neighborhoods of Porto Alegre, Brazil. On a neighborhood scale, results show a non-linear inverse correlation (R² = 0.55) between vegetation index and LST. The overall average of the LST is 300.23 K (27.8 C) with a standard deviation of 1.25 K and the maximum average difference of 2.83 K between neighborhoods. Results show that the Thermal Spatial Distribution Signature (TSDS) analysis can help multi-temporal studies for the evaluation of UHI through time.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Temporal Patterns of Urban Heat Island as Response to Economic Growth Management

Gusso

Cafruni

Bordin³

et al. 2015

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Sustainability concerns have become increasingly important since the publication of the "Our Common Future" report by the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987 [1]. Sustainable development was defined as "economic growth that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transnational Comparison of Sustainability Assessment Programs for Viticulture and a Case-Study on Programs’ Engagement Processes

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article documents and compares the most prominent sustainability assessment programs for individual organisations in viticulture worldwide. Certification and engagement processes for membership uptake; benefits; motives; inhibiting factors; and desirable reporting system features of viticultural sustainability programs, are all considered. Case-study results are derived from nine sustainability programs; 14 focus groups with 83 CEOs, Chief Viticulturists or Winemakers from wine grape production organizations from five countries (Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States); 12 semi-structured interviews with managers either currently or formerly in charge of the sustainability programs; researcher observations; and analysis of documents. Programs were categorized by their distinct program assessment methods: process-based, best practice-based, indicator-based and criterion-based. We found that programs have been created to increase growers' sustainability, mainly through the direct and indirect education they receive and promote, and the economic benefit to their business caused by overall improvement of their operations. The main finding from this study is that the success of each of these programs is largely due to the people driving the programs OPEN ACCESS Sustainability 2014, 6 2032 (program managers, innovative growers and/or early adopters) and the way these people communicate and engage with their stakeholders and peers.

show abstract

“…In fact, sustainable development requires coordinated development of economics, society, and the environment [2,43,44]. As a result, urban infrastructure has been given particular attention as it not only meets urban human needs, but also has a significant impact on the economy, society and environment [2,5,10,45].…”

Section: Conceptual Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inequality, Bi-Polarization and Mobility of Urban Infrastructure Investment in China’s Urban System

Tao

et al. 2017

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:In periods of rapid urbanization, investment in urban infrastructure should not only meet the increasing demands of all urban people, but also be equally allocated between cities to achieve social equity and sustainable development. This paper aimed to conduct quantitative research on the unbalance of urban infrastructure investment between cities in China. The measurement models for inequality, bi-polarization and the mobility of urban infrastructure investment were constructed by means of the Gini coefficient, bi-polarization index and mobility function from the urban system, and an empirical study was conducted based on panel data from 2006 to 2014. The results show that: (1) The overall inequality of urban infrastructure investment in China's urban system was relatively prominent and showed a "U-shaped" change generally. (2) The inequality between different administrative levels or regional cities only partially accounted for the overall inequality of China's urban system. (3) Inequality and bi-polarization showed inconsistent performance. (4) Mobility played a positive role in reducing the inequality and bi-polarization. Based on the empirical findings and the reality of China's urban infrastructure investment and financing, targeted policy suggestions were proposed in terms of adjusting inequality and bi-polarization, innovating investment and financing mechanisms, and optimizing urban infrastructure investment strategies.

show abstract

An Integrated Model Based on a Hierarchical Indices System for Monitoring and Evaluating Urban Sustainability

Cited by 55 publications

References 64 publications

Multi-Temporal Patterns of Urban Heat Island as Response to Economic Growth Management

Multi-Temporal Patterns of Urban Heat Island as Response to Economic Growth Management

Transnational Comparison of Sustainability Assessment Programs for Viticulture and a Case-Study on Programs’ Engagement Processes

Inequality, Bi-Polarization and Mobility of Urban Infrastructure Investment in China’s Urban System

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About