- College of Architecture & Planning, University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- Environmental Sustainability, Urban Planning, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Environmental GIS, Urban Planning and New Towns, Sustainable Campus, and 29 moreSustainable Development, Urban Studies, Africa, International Development, Sustainable Building Design, Urban Services, URBAN SUSTAINABILITY, New Towns, Developing Countries, Nigeria, City and Regional Planning, Urban And Regional Planning, Community Development, Modernism, Sustainable Urban Environments, Urban Development, Sustainable Communities, Sustainability in construction industry, Computer Science, Environmental Management, Informal Economy, Urbanization, Sustainable Urban Planning, Geography, Ecology, Public Health, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, and Public Policyedit
- Professor Rimi has over 20 years of extensive experience in teaching, multidisciplinary research, and professional co... moreProfessor Rimi has over 20 years of extensive experience in teaching, multidisciplinary research, and professional consultancy across four continents. He holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University, a Master of City and Regional Planning from KFUPM, Saudi Arabia, and a Master of Science in Computing from Robert Gordon University, UK. His research focuses on urban sustainability, climate change, transformative urbanization, and basic urban services. He has been listed among the world's top 2% of scientists by Stanford University since 2021. He is a fellow of the Population Reference Bureau, Washington DC, and a member of the American Planning Association, African Studies Association, and Nigerian Institute of Town Planners. His scholarly works have been published in high-impact journals such as the Journal of Cleaner Production, Science of the Total Environment, Habitat International, Cities, Land Use Policy, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, Utilities Policy, Energy, Sustainability and Society, Water International, and Environment, Development and Sustainability.edit
Understanding the complex relationship between household consumption patterns, lifestyles, socioeconomic characteristics, and carbon footprint is crucial for mitigating climate change. However, the impact of urban household lifestyles on... more
Understanding the complex relationship between household consumption patterns, lifestyles, socioeconomic characteristics, and carbon footprint is crucial for mitigating climate change. However, the impact of urban household lifestyles on carbon footprint remains understudied in the Middle East, which ranks high in carbon emissions per capita globally. A case study of the region is particularly relevant due to its unique cultural characteristics that may have different impacts on household consumption patterns. This study develops household low-carbon index based on consumption lifestyles at home, workplace, and during leisure, and shopping, and predicts its socioeconomic determinants in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected via a questionnaire distributed among urban residents in the Dammam Metropolitan Area and subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate regression. The study found varying attitudes toward packaging, waste recycling, recreation, transportation, food consumption, textiles, electronics, and furniture use among respondents. The average household low-carbon index was moderate (ℼ = 1.642, σ = 0.734) on a 3.0 Likert scale. The study identified income, household size, household type, education level, gender, age, and marital status, as significant predictors of household low-carbon index (p < 0.05). This study equips policymakers with valuable insights to implement low-carbon policies and raise public awareness of the benefits of adopting low-carbon lifestyles, thereby fostering urban resilience and sustainability.
Research Interests: Education, Multivariate Statistics, Climate Change, Sustainable Production and Consumption, Research Methodology, and 15 moreRenewable Energy, Sustainable Development, Carbon, Recycling, Waste recycling, Saudi Arabia, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Household Economics, Questions and Answers, Food and Beverage, Circular Economy, Green and Sustainability Practices, Renewable Energy and Climate Change, and Public Policy
Scientists predict ongoing global climate change to trigger adverse events affecting about 143 million people in the Global South by 2050, leading to various forms of migration and mobility. While existing literature extensively examines... more
Scientists predict ongoing global climate change to trigger adverse events affecting about 143 million people in the Global South by 2050, leading to various forms of migration and mobility. While existing literature extensively examines climate-induced migration, there is a lack of studies considering the compounding impacts of multiple climate hazards on migration, mobility, and immobility. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic literature review to explore how climate-induced stressors, specifically rising temperatures, water stress and droughts, and floods and sea-level rise, have affected populations in the Global South, leading to voluntary and/or forced migration. Our findings show that these stressors have displaced and profoundly impacted millions of people, resulting in both internal and transboundary migration. Climate-induced stressors often trigger migration through indirect pathways influenced by multiple intervening institutional, political, and socioeconomic factors and programmatic and policy gaps. Effectively addressing challenges related to climate-induced migration necessitates adaptation strategies that adequately consider the impacts of these intervening factors while recognizing their differential effects on various socio-demographic groups. We argue that support from Global North countries, including compensation for loss and damage, along with continued institutional and financial support from international non-governmental organizations, is crucial for managing climate-induced migration in the Global South. Without proper planning and adequate resources, migration may escalate and significantly impact human security. The findings of this study can inform climate migration policies and assist adaptation and migration experts in identifying intervention mechanisms and opportunities for people-centered climate solutions.
Research Interests: Finance, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Climate Change, Mobility/Mobilities, and 15 moreFlood Risk Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Security, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Migration, Drought, Agriculture, Environmental Sustainability, Population, Sea level rise, Temperature, Floods, Rainfall, and Public Policy
Background: The present study draws motivation from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and explores the nexus between access to modern cooking energy sources, responsible energy consumption, climate change mitigation, and... more
Background: The present study draws motivation from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and explores the nexus between access to modern cooking energy sources, responsible energy consumption, climate change mitigation, and economic growth. Using 2018 demographic and health survey data, the study examines the influence of key socioeconomic and demographic factors on household choice of cooking energy in Nigeria.
Results: The empirical results show that traditional energy sources are dominant among Nigerian households (74.24%) compared to modern energy sources (25.76%). Regarding energy demographics, male-headed households show more usage of modern energy sources (19.86%) compared to female-headed households (5.90%). Regional analysis reveals that the northwest region predominantly uses traditional energy sources (18.60% of the share of total traditional energy sources), while the southwest region shows the greatest usage of modern energy sources (10.52% of the share of total modern energy sources). Binary logistic regression analysis reveals the positive and statistically significant influence of wealth index, education, and geopolitical region on the likelihood of utilizing modern energy sources. Conversely, household size and place of residence indicate an inverse relationship with the likelihood of adopting modern energy sources.
Conclusions: These findings have important policy implications for energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and improving the quality of life in Nigeria, which is currently plagued with significant energy poverty, especially in rural communities.
Highlights:
• Examination of household energy utilization in Nigeria.
• We found that traditional energy utilization is accounted for by 74.24% of households.
• Clean energy sources is accounted for by 25.76% of the household.
• 19.86% and 60.86% of male-headed households utilize clean and traditional energy, respectively.
• 5.90% and 13.38% of female-headed households utilize clean and traditional energy, respectively.
• 18.60% and 7.14% of Northwestern region and Southwest region have the highest traditional and cleaner energy sources, respectively.
Results: The empirical results show that traditional energy sources are dominant among Nigerian households (74.24%) compared to modern energy sources (25.76%). Regarding energy demographics, male-headed households show more usage of modern energy sources (19.86%) compared to female-headed households (5.90%). Regional analysis reveals that the northwest region predominantly uses traditional energy sources (18.60% of the share of total traditional energy sources), while the southwest region shows the greatest usage of modern energy sources (10.52% of the share of total modern energy sources). Binary logistic regression analysis reveals the positive and statistically significant influence of wealth index, education, and geopolitical region on the likelihood of utilizing modern energy sources. Conversely, household size and place of residence indicate an inverse relationship with the likelihood of adopting modern energy sources.
Conclusions: These findings have important policy implications for energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and improving the quality of life in Nigeria, which is currently plagued with significant energy poverty, especially in rural communities.
Highlights:
• Examination of household energy utilization in Nigeria.
• We found that traditional energy utilization is accounted for by 74.24% of households.
• Clean energy sources is accounted for by 25.76% of the household.
• 19.86% and 60.86% of male-headed households utilize clean and traditional energy, respectively.
• 5.90% and 13.38% of female-headed households utilize clean and traditional energy, respectively.
• 18.60% and 7.14% of Northwestern region and Southwest region have the highest traditional and cleaner energy sources, respectively.
Research Interests: Demography, Renewable Energy, Poverty, Sustainable Development, Energy, and 15 moreEnergy Policy, Quality of life, Energy and Environment, Survey Research, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Nigeria, Household Economics, Energy efficiency, Electricity, Alternative Fuels, Solar Energy, Population, Population Studies, and Public Policy
Climate change poses a significant threat to the security and sustainability of global food systems, particularly in vulnerable regions such as Bangladesh. This paper comprehensively reviews the impact of climate change on food system... more
Climate change poses a significant threat to the security and sustainability of global food systems, particularly in vulnerable regions such as Bangladesh. This paper comprehensively reviews the impact of climate change on food system security and sustainability in Bangladesh. Specifically, it examines the country's food system and, the climatic conditions endangering food systems and associated vulnerabilities. A systematic review methodology was adopted to select the relevant literature, based on predefined inclusion criteria and research questions. To mitigate selection bias, the research team independently screened and evaluated the articles for inclusion in the review process. Our review reveals increasing trends in temperature fluctuations and irregular rainfall occurrences, posing significant challenges in terms of crop management and planning. The occurrence of floods due to extreme rainfall and sea-level rise exacerbates food insecurity in affected areas. Additionally, moderate to severe droughts have been identified in some regions. The paper also evaluates the effectiveness of current adaptation initiatives and the degree of integration among relevant stakeholders. Through this analysis, the paper emphasizes the importance of local climate change adaptation strategies and stakeholder collaboration in mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change on food system security.
Research Interests: Development Studies, Climate Change, Poverty, Sustainable Development, Stakeholders, and 15 moreRegional Planning/Development, Developing Countries, Agriculture, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Public Health, Climate Change Adaptation And Mitigation Strategies, Vulnerability, Environmental Sustainability, Bangladesh, Food Science and Technology, Literature Review, Livelihood, Income, Climate Change and Food Security, and Public Policy
Partnerships have become a key tool in the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Partnerships can scale up the impact of initiatives by leveraging the strengths and reach of each involved partner.... more
Partnerships have become a key tool in the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Partnerships can scale up the impact of initiatives by leveraging the strengths and reach of each involved partner. This allows for the replication and expansion of successful projects and programs. In the context of the UN SDGs, partnerships can play a key role in their effective implementation, due to their ability to bring together a variety of stakeholders from different sectors and with different levels of expertise and experience. By leveraging the skills, resources, and capacities of different stakeholders, partnerships can contribute to creating synergies that are essential for the successful implementation of the SDGs. Despite the role of partnerships and their potential value, there is a need for studies that can help understand their role and promote greater transparency and accountability in the implementation of the SDGs. Against this background, this article outlines the concept of partnerships and their values, followed by a description of the partnerships for sustainable development, concerning the implementation of the SDGs and its main features. Some examples of relevant partnerships are presented, outlining their scope and degree of success. Based on the experiences gathered specific suggestions on how to foster partnerships to foster the implementation of sustainable development are provided. It is crucial to define common objectives to ensure alignment and a strong foundation for collaboration, involving diverse stakeholders, including governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, and local communities, thus bringing unique perspectives and resources. Open and transparent communication builds trust and encourages the sharing of ideas and challenges. Additionally, demonstrating the benefits for each partner, whether in reputation, market access, or cost reduction, motivates active engagement, establishes incentive structures, and allows to celebrate successes. Pooling resources, knowledge, and expertise enhances the effectiveness of sustainable development initiatives, encouraging long-term commitments and fostering adaptability in the face of complex challenges. These are specific strategies that highlight the relevance of these findings, in comparison to existing work. Partnerships have evolved into indispensable instruments for the realization of the UN SDGs. Their transformative potential is expected to grow as the future trend, driven by the ongoing need for collaborative solutions to global challenges, becoming instrumental in addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, public health crises, and economic inequalities. In the coming years, a surge in research and initiatives focusing on optimizing partnership models, governance structures, and monitoring mechanisms to enhance accountability and transparency, is anticipated. Furthermore, the integration of digital technologies and data-driven insights into partnership strategies may revolutionize their impact and efficiency. Overall, the evolution of partnerships as a vital force in global sustainability presents a promising future trend with broader applications and a crucial role in addressing multifaceted challenges beyond the SDGs, as demonstrated in this study.
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Development Economics, Development Studies, Climate Change, Project Management, and 15 moreClimate Change Adaptation, Community Engagement & Participation, Accounting, Sustainable Development, Governance, United Nations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Environmental Sustainability, Public Private Partnerships, Transparency, Private Sector, Sustainability, Renewable Energy and Climate Change, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the life of millions of people around the world and brought changes in many contexts. In higher education institutions, teaching staff had to quickly adapt their teaching and research practices and... more
The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the life of millions of people around the world and brought changes in many contexts. In higher education institutions, teaching staff had to quickly adapt their teaching and research practices and revisit learning and student engagement strategies. In this context, this paper aimed to report on how the lockdowns influenced the work and lives of academic staff at universities. The methodology consisted of an online survey that collected 201 responses across 39 countries worldwide, and the results were explored using descriptive and exploratory modelling analyses. The findings reveal that the main positive aspect of the work-from-home experience during the lockdowns was the reduction of time spent on commuting, while the inability to disconnect and difficulties in work-life balance were the most commonly indicated negative aspects. The principal component analysis indicated that the pandemic had a moderate power in boosting academic staff towards sustainability, and an important potential of revising academic curricula and teaching-learning relationships. Based on the evidence gathered, recommendations to allow academic staff to better cope with the influence of future pandemics include the increased use of digital resources and new teaching styles, curricula revision for encouraging educators to include more issues related to sustainable development in their teaching, and greater institutional support to reduce stressful conditions and improve productivity.
Research Interests: Computer Science, Health Sciences, Education, Computer Engineering, Teacher Education, and 15 moreE-learning, Higher Education, Sustainable Development, Principal Component Analysis, ICT in Education, Survey Research, Public Health, Learning And Teaching In Higher Education, Environmental Sustainability, Health Care Management, University, Academics, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Coronavirus COVID-19, and COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Urban water consumption has significant implications for both human welfare and the environment, especially in arid regions. In Saudi Arabia, where 60% of the urban water supply relies on energy-intensive desalination processes, the... more
Urban water consumption has significant implications for both human welfare and the environment, especially in arid regions. In Saudi Arabia, where 60% of the urban water supply relies on energy-intensive desalination processes, the average per capita water consumption rate of 300 L/day is one of the highest worldwide. This study investigates potential behavioral patterns in residential water consumption among households in Saudi Arabia. A segmentation approach is employed to classify residents into clusters and evaluate their potential water consumption behavioral patterns. Data from 618 households were collected via a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA). Participants were categorized into six segments based on the relationship between their behaviors and water consumption derived from the factor analysis. The outcomes of PCA and CA analyses indicate a relationship between respondents’ socio-demographic factors and their potential behavioral patterns in residential water consumption. The findings highlight that education, household size, income, housing type, age, and nationality, in increasing order of significance, are the key factors influencing household water consumption and conservation tendencies. The paper concludes that comprehending residential water consumption patterns is crucial for effective interventions, social marketing strategies, and communication campaigns for behavioral changes. The study can inform water conservation policies and programs that promote sustainable water consumption practices, benefiting agencies, policymakers, and scholars in the water sector.
Research Interests: Demography, Environmental Science, Communication, Research Methodology, Conservation Biology, and 15 moreInfrastructure Planning, Water quality, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Principal Component Analysis, Urban Studies, Consumer Behavior, Saudi Arabia, Survey Research, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Environmental Sustainability, Segmentation (Marketing), City and Regional Planning, Public Administration and Policy, and Public Policy
This study evaluated the concentrations of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and Aerosol Index (AI) as well as different meteorological parameters, including atmospheric temperature (AT), relative... more
This study evaluated the concentrations of tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and Aerosol Index (AI) as well as different meteorological parameters, including atmospheric temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), and wind speed (WS) in nine Nigerian cities: Aba, Benin, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, and Umuahia. The role of socioeconomic activities on air pollution was also investigated using nighttime light radiance as a surrogate measure. Welch's one-way ANOVA test was performed for the variance study to evaluate the concentration dynamics of the selected tropospheric air pollutants and their association with nighttime light radiance. The mean concentration of CO and AI was highest in Kano, while that of O3 was the lowest. A similar pattern was also observed in the spatiotemporal transition of the selected pollutants and the nighttime light during the study period. Further, the correlation analysis revealed that AT is positively correlated with NO2 except in Aba and Benin cities, while it is positively correlated with CO and AI for all cities. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that O3 and RH have strong negative factor loadings, whereas CO, AI, and AT have strong positive factor loadings. This study will guide future researchers by associating the level of pollution with socioeconomic activities, especially during the absence of permanent air quality stations.
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Socioeconomics, Air Quality, Climate Change, Research Methodology, and 13 moreAtmospheric Science, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Air Pollution and Health Effects, Satellite remote sensing, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Nigeria, Cities, Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Greenhouse Effect
Sustainable cities aim to achieve a harmonious balance between human socioeconomic activities and the natural environment to foster low-carbon and livable societies. However, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding the role... more
Sustainable cities aim to achieve a harmonious balance between human socioeconomic activities and the natural environment to foster low-carbon and livable societies. However, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding the role of urban planning in creating sustainable cities, particularly in the Global South, where carbon emissions are expected to exceed 127% of those from the world's most developed economies by 2040. Within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, which heavily relies on fossil fuels for energy generation and transportation, various low-carbon schemes have been implemented to address environmental sustainability challenges. However, the effectiveness of these schemes has been subject to debate, with some critics seeing them primarily for greenwashing and image-building purposes rather than promoting urban sustainability and achieving SDG targets. This study analyzes the implementation of urban planning schemes and their potential in developing low-carbon cities in the GCC region, focusing on buildings, infrastructure, urban form, transportation, and urban greening. Based on desktop research, the study found that the UAE dominates half of the green building market in the region and generates 82% of total renewables. However, wastewater recycling rates remain low, averaging 34% and ranging from 90% in the UAE to 13% in Kuwait. In terms of urban form, GCC cities have population densities that are less than one-third of the 15,000 persons/km2 recommended by UN-Habitat for sustainable cities. While low-carbon transportation through rail and bus transits are concentrated in capital cities, urban greening initiatives for carbon capture and storage are gaining momentum in various cities. This study highlights the importance of integrating energy and water demand reduction measures into land-use planning and promoting sustainable lifestyles among the public.
Research Interests: Development Studies, Climate Change, Transportation Studies, Infrastructure Planning, Sustainable Development, and 13 moreUrban Planning, Urban Studies, Public Health, Low Carbone Cities, Green architecture, Density, Environmental Sustainability, Land-use planning, Carbon Footprint, Cities, Urban Public Open Space, Sustainable Urban Planning, and Public Policy
Water scarcity is a global issue posing significant challenges for sustainable water management. Saudi Arabia, due to its arid conditions, limited freshwater resources, and high evapotranspiration rates, faces water scarcity. Factors such... more
Water scarcity is a global issue posing significant challenges for sustainable water management. Saudi Arabia, due to its arid conditions, limited freshwater resources, and high evapotranspiration rates, faces water scarcity. Factors such as rapid population growth, urban expansion, industrial development, and unsustainable water management practices contribute to increased municipal water demand and per capita water consumption. This trend is evident in the Jubail Industrial City (JIC), the largest industrial city in the Middle East. Although JIC heavily relies on desalination and groundwater extraction to meet growing water needs, it lacks a strategic vision for water conservation. The objective of this paper is to identify the causes of water scarcity, assess the sustainability of current water management practices, and develop a sustainable water conservation strategy using JIC as a case study. The study adopts a mixed-method approach, involving a comprehensive review of literature and official documents, along with an analysis of successful case studies of water conservation practices in arid regions worldwide. The proposed strategy encompasses demand management, adoption of water-efficient technologies, water reuse and recycling, public awareness and education, and policy and governance frameworks. Strategic water conservation, optimization and reuse hold significant relevance to industry settings. The study’s findings can contribute to enhancing the municipal water supply sector and support decision-makers in achieving the sustainable water resource management goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.
Research Interests: Management, Environmental Science, Decision Making, Conservation Biology, Conservation, and 14 moreWater quality, Sustainable Development, Water resources, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Saudi Arabia, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Environmental Sustainability, Water Pollution, Strategy, Natural Resources Management, Groundwater Quality, Urban Services, and Public Policy
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted human socioeconomic activities, leaving an everlasting impact on urban systems. As a result, there is a growing scholarly focus on exploring how urban planning strategies and tools can... more
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted human socioeconomic activities, leaving an everlasting impact on urban systems. As a result, there is a growing scholarly focus on exploring how urban planning strategies and tools can help create resilient cities. In Saudi Arabia, the pilgrimage city of Makkah, which has always faced the challenge of managing crowds during the annual pilgrimage, was left deserted due to lockdowns and social distancing measures. To quickly revive socioeconomic and pilgrimage activities in the city, a set of digital tools and communication technologies were deployed to manage crowds and enforce social distancing to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This study examines the role of digitalization and smartification in reviving the city and the importance of context in building urban resilience. This study used desktop research and case study analysis to highlight the transformation to the new normal and the development of future smart technologies for the city. Smart solutions provided valuable support in reducing the impacts of the pandemic and restarting Makkah’s economy. Although most activities have been restored, some facilities and services are still operating below capacity. Digitalization and smartification of urban services could play a major role in improving service delivery and urban resilience.
Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, Communication, Technology, Community Resilience, and 15 moreResilience, Pilgrimage, Urban Planning, Governance, Urban Studies, Public Health, The Internet, Economy, Smart City, Urban Systems, Internet of Things (IoT), Digitalization, Urban Services, Public Policy, and COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Food waste is a serious problem, which undermines the achievement of many sustainable development goals (SDGs), despite their consideration in the agendas of many countries and companies. Notoriously, food waste (FW) causes different... more
Food waste is a serious problem, which undermines the achievement of many sustainable development goals (SDGs), despite their consideration in the agendas of many countries and companies. Notoriously, food waste (FW) causes different kinds of pollution that affect public health and social justice, while contributing to economic losses. This waste phenomenon has causes, drivers, and impacts that require rigorous assessments and effective approaches to mitigate its noxious effects, which are a serious concern for universities. Within these institutions, reducing food waste becomes a circular economy strategy, which
is being utilized to assist in promoting sustainable development. However, there is a need for urgent attention to the specific causes of food waste and for consistent actions to reduce it, while boosting awareness in the campus community and triggering a change in students’ eating habits. The purpose of this study is to analyze what can be done to reduce the levels of food waste at universities. To achieve this, a review of the theme’s state of the art, which is inclusive of an overview of food waste production at universities around the world, is presented. The study employed a qualitative methodology where a comprehensive review
of the literature and case studies analyses from selected world regions were considered. The data indicate that a broad variance exists in producing food waste among universities, from 0.12 to 50 kg/capita/day. More factors influence the problem (e.g., gender, age, season, consumer behavior), as well as strategies to solve and prevent it (e.g., composting,
recycling, new designs of packages, trayless meals, education), and benefits leading toward food waste reductions from 13 to 50%. Also, four priority actions were identified to reduce food waste at universities, and these consist of planning and awareness, food preparation and storage, services, and direct waste reuse. With appropriate adaptations, these
recommended actions should be deployed as means for reducing food waste at universities around the world, while expanding learning and education in sustainability.
is being utilized to assist in promoting sustainable development. However, there is a need for urgent attention to the specific causes of food waste and for consistent actions to reduce it, while boosting awareness in the campus community and triggering a change in students’ eating habits. The purpose of this study is to analyze what can be done to reduce the levels of food waste at universities. To achieve this, a review of the theme’s state of the art, which is inclusive of an overview of food waste production at universities around the world, is presented. The study employed a qualitative methodology where a comprehensive review
of the literature and case studies analyses from selected world regions were considered. The data indicate that a broad variance exists in producing food waste among universities, from 0.12 to 50 kg/capita/day. More factors influence the problem (e.g., gender, age, season, consumer behavior), as well as strategies to solve and prevent it (e.g., composting,
recycling, new designs of packages, trayless meals, education), and benefits leading toward food waste reductions from 13 to 50%. Also, four priority actions were identified to reduce food waste at universities, and these consist of planning and awareness, food preparation and storage, services, and direct waste reuse. With appropriate adaptations, these
recommended actions should be deployed as means for reducing food waste at universities around the world, while expanding learning and education in sustainability.
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Education, Environmental Education, Social Sciences, Higher Education, and 14 moreSustainable Development, Recycling, Social Justice, Environmental Management, Waste Management, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Food Science and Technology, Food Security, Economy, University, Circular Economy, Dispose of Waste, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Governance is a key component for implementing sustainable development (SD) initiatives in university teaching, research, and projects. This line of thinking also applies to implementing the United Nations (UN) sustainable development... more
Governance is a key component for implementing sustainable development (SD) initiatives in university teaching, research, and projects. This line of thinking also applies to implementing the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs). Despite the role of governance in guiding processes related to the SDGs, few studies have examined these relations in an integrative manner in higher education. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study assesses the connections between governance and implementing the SDGs at higher education institutions (HEIs). Specifically, it relies on two main methods. The first is a bibliometric analysis, where the literature on the topic has been analyzed. The second method uses case studies from a sample of universities. The combined dual approach has identified the extent to which governance issues influence how these organizations perceive and handle the SDGs. The study provides valuable recommendations that may assist HEIs in implementing the SDGs with a due emphasis on governance.
Research Interests: Management, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Climate Change, Research Methodology, and 14 moreBibliometrics, Learning and Teaching, Sustainable Development, Governance, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Campus, Change leadership to promote university learning and teaching, Green Campus Strategies, Institutional Frameworks, Higher Education Institution, Community Based Sustainability Initiatives, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The sustainable development goal (SDG) 11 emphasizes the role of public open space (POS) in creating inclusive and liveable cities. The present study coupled concepts of right to the city, inclusion, and negotiation to illustrate how... more
The sustainable development goal (SDG) 11 emphasizes the role of public open space (POS) in creating inclusive and liveable cities. The present study coupled concepts of right to the city, inclusion, and negotiation to illustrate how inner-city children and adults establish a harmonized consumption of a district POS. The study examines how different age groups can achieve a consensus-based consumption of a vulnerable, small, and intensively used POS in Kano City, Nigeria. Data were collected using 358 self-administered questionnaires and field observation and analyzed using thematic content analysis, a multifunctional matrix, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to illustrate the negotiated uses of the POS. The study found that children and adults in this densely populated city depend on the POS covering only 0.5 ha for recreational, religious, and informal commercial activities. Users reach a consensus regarding sharing and separation of uses in a zero-conflict and lively atmosphere, underscoring the multifunctionality of this small POS. This study contributes to our understanding of the values of POS as a platform for fostering social coexistence, multiculturalism, tolerance, sharing, and collaborative consumption of scarce resources in cities. The study can assist municipalities in developing inclusive strategies for implementing SDG 11 to create more sustainable cities and communities.
Research Interests: African Studies, Research Methodology, Community Engagement & Participation, Recreation & Leisure Studies, Outdoor Recreation, and 14 moreSustainable Development, Urban Planning, Informal Economy, Environmental Sustainability, Urban And Regional Planning, Land-use planning, Nigeria, City planning, Public Services, Urban Public Open Space, Negotiations, Questionnaires, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Ecotourism and recreation play significant roles in the socioeconomic and infrastructure developments of host communities. However, people visiting natural habitats for ecotourism and recreational activities often disturb the existing... more
Ecotourism and recreation play significant roles in the socioeconomic and infrastructure developments of host communities. However, people visiting natural habitats for ecotourism and recreational activities often disturb the existing ecological balance. In Saudi Arabia, four-wheel vehicles are increasingly used for desert recreational activities such as camping, picnic, hiking, and sports, thereby disturbing the pristine ecosystem. Earlier, people feared getting lost in the vast desert and visited only authorized locations serviced by designated roads. However, exploring remote desert locations is increasingly commonplace using GPS-based devices and navigation technologies on smartphones and vehicles. This study investigates the extent of these practices and their potential consequences for the desert ecosystem in the Dammam Metropolitan Area, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey of people involved in such activities, geospatial analysis of maps of the study area, and direct observations. The findings show a statistically significant increase in such recreational activities from 2010 to 2020, with littering, soil degradation, and damage to plant and animal species as the major impacts. The study inferred that random recreational activities negatively impact prime soil, vegetation, and animals. It concludes that campers and picnickers should be educated about the implications of these practices. Furthermore, local authorities should establish more camping centers, conduct more surveillance, and establish regulations and fines to protect the desert ecosystem.
Research Interests: Geography, Environmental Science, Tourism Studies, Ecotourism, Ecosystem Services, and 15 moreEnvironmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Environmental Management, Arid environments, Saudi Arabia, Ecology, Desertification, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Solid Waste Management, Environmental Pollution, Tourism, Navigation, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Public Policy
Background The implementation of sustainability at universities means that they can also play a key role in the transition to a low carbon economy, and in assisting global efforts towards decarbonisation. Yet, not all of them have so far... more
Background The implementation of sustainability at universities means that they can also play a key role in the transition to a low carbon economy, and in assisting global efforts towards decarbonisation. Yet, not all of them have so far fully engaged in this area. This paper reviews the state of the art on trends in decarbonisation, and outlines the need for decarbonisation efforts at universities. It also reports on a survey aimed at ascertaining the extent to which universities in a sample of 40 countries across the various geographical regions are engaged in carbon reduction efforts, identifying the challenges faced. Results The study has shown that the literature on the topic has been evolving over time and that increasing a given university's energy supply from renewable energy sources has been the cornerstone of university-based climate action plans. The study also indicates that even though several universities are concerned with their carbon footprint and actively seeking ways to reduce it, there are some institutional obstacles that need to be overcome. Conclusions A first conclusion which can be drawn is that efforts on decarbonisation are becoming more popular, with a special focus being placed on the use of renewable energy. Also, the study has shown that, from the range of efforts being made towards decarbonisation, many universities are setting up a team with carbon management responsibilities, have Carbon Management Policy Statements, and review them. The paper points towards some measures which may be deployed, so as to allow universities to take better advantage of the many opportunities an engagement in decarbonisation initiatives offers to them.
Research Interests: Management, Environmental Science, Education, Climate Change, Higher Education, and 15 moreRenewable Energy, Climate Change Adaptation, Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Governance, Energy and Environment, Survey Research, Low Carbone Cities, Pathways to decarbonisation, Learning And Teaching In Higher Education, Environmental Sustainability, Low Carbon Economy, University, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Public Policy
The boom in technological advances in recent decades has led to increased demand for rare earth elements (REEs) (also known as rare earth metals) across various industries with wide-ranging industrial applications, including in the clean... more
The boom in technological advances in recent decades has led to increased demand for rare earth elements (REEs) (also known as rare earth metals) across various industries with wide-ranging industrial applications, including in the clean energy sector, but with some environmental, economic, and social footprint concerns. This paper reviews the complexities of the production, consumption, and reuse or recovery of REEs, presenting current trends in terms of potentials and challenges associated with this. This paper in particular focuses on the supply, demand, and (environmental and economic) sustainability of REEs, as a subset of critical raw materials. It does so via a critical stocktaking of key discussions and debates in the field over the past 15 years up until now, through a thematic analysis of the published and gray (policy) literature with a grounded theory approach. The paper finds that carefully balanced lifecycle sustainability assessments are needed for assessing the respective dimensions of the extraction, processing, and reuse or recovery methods for different types of REE sources and supplies to meet current and future demands. It furthermore diagnoses the need for taking into account some shifts and substitutions among REEs also for reasons of cost and locational supplies for the security of supply. Finally, the paper provides some overall policy recommendations for addressing current problems, with a conceptual framing of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Research Interests: Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Technology, Supply Chain Management, Cleaner Production, and 15 moreManufacturing, Production, Sustainable Development, Recycling, Minerals, Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Sustainability, Supply Chain, Demand Side Management, Carbon Footprint, Green Energy, Rare Earth Elements, Raw materials, Sustainability, and Public Policy
Planning authorities worldwide are increasingly employing e-participation to facilitate and strengthen public engagement in decisionmaking processes. However, little is known about the prospects of using Information and Communication... more
Planning authorities worldwide are increasingly employing e-participation to facilitate and strengthen public engagement in decisionmaking processes. However, little is known about the prospects of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to foster public participation in urban planning in conservative Arab societies. This study investigates public willingness to participate in the urban planning process through the Internet and smartphones in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey of residents of Dammam city and analyzed using descriptive (frequency distribution) and inferential statistics (z-tests and Chi-square). The study finds that most participants across all social and demographic groups are aware of e-participation in urban planning and have a significantly positive attitude towards it. Furthermore, they indicate more willingness to e-participate in planning at the local level or on issues that directly affect them. Also, in all stages of preparing urban plans, most participants preferred e-participation over the traditional mode through public hearings and seminars. The paper sheds light on the diffusion of ICT and its potential to facilitate public participation in urban planning in conservative and patriarchal developing countries. Integrating e-participation in urban planning can facilitate public engagement and collaboration with planning authorities to better serve the competing public interests and ensure inclusive urban development.
Research Interests: Information Technology, Public Administration, Urbanization in Developing Areas, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, and 13 moreCollaboration, Governance, ICT in Education, Urban Studies, Saudi Arabia, Survey Research, Public Participation In Governance, Urban And Regional Planning, The Internet, Society, Citizen participation, Awareness, and Public Policy
Climate change (CC) is increasingly causing precarious and pervasive disruption to lives, livelihoods, and the environment. The Global South countries are vulnerable to CC impacts due to rapid urbanization, poverty, low resilience, and... more
Climate change (CC) is increasingly causing precarious and pervasive disruption to lives, livelihoods, and the environment. The Global South countries are vulnerable to CC impacts due to rapid urbanization, poverty, low resilience, and poor governance. While some countries have implemented measures to mitigate CC impacts, many strive to do so. Saudi Arabia is among the Global South countries with high per capita energy use and carbon emission. However, there is a dearth of studies that assess the impacts of CC for better mitigation efforts and decision-making. The present study is an effort to attend to this research need. This article uses an expert-based survey (n = 12) to assess the impacts of CC on the Dammam Metropolitan Area using an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The findings indicate that the highest ranked CC impacts based on priority weights are sea-level rise then coastal flooding, trailed by the threat to public health and low agricultural productivity. However, groundwater depletion and urban heat islands were deemed having the least impacts. Also, the experts ranked green infrastructure and sustainable transportation as more effective than green buildings in mitigating CC impacts in the study area. The study recommends that green infrastructure (GI), sustainable transportation (ST), and sustainable urban form (SUF) are more appropriate mitigation measures to CC impacts in Saudi Arabia and similar geographical regions. Because CC impacts on humans and the environment are widespread, mitigation and adaptation efforts can assist in lowering their adverse effects and promoting environmental sustainability.
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Climate Change, Transportation Studies, Infrastructure Planning, Sustainable Development, and 14 moreUrban Planning, Urban Studies, Agriculture, Public Health, Climate Change Adaptation And Mitigation Strategies, Flood Mitigation, Environmental Sustainability, Global Warming, Green Building, Urban form, Urban Heat Island Effect, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Sealevel Changes, and Public Policy
Purpose: As global warming intensifies, climatic conditions are changing dramatically, potentially affecting specific businesses and cities' livability. The temperature increase in cities significantly affects urban residents whose... more
Purpose: As global warming intensifies, climatic conditions are changing dramatically, potentially affecting specific businesses and cities' livability. The temperature increase in cities significantly affects urban residents whose percentage is to reach about 70% by 2050. This paper aimed at highlighting the climate change risks in cities, particularly focusing on the threats to people's health due to a continuous temperature increase.
Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted in three main steps. First, the literature review on the effects of climate change, particularly on the continuous temperature rise in cities, was conducted based on the publications retrieved from PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Research Gate. Second, the survey was conducted for the sample cities for one month. Third, the questionnaire was used to assess possible climate change threats to the livability of cities.
Findings: The findings showed that urban areas are usually warmer than the surrounding rural areas, mainly due to the urban heat island effect, causing more hot days in metropolitan areas compared to rural areas. This paper outlines some mitigation and adaptation measures, which can be implemented to improve the livability in cities, their sustainability and the well-being of their populations. Originality/value: This study reports on the climate change impacts on the health and livability of 15 cities, in industrialized and developing countries. It examines the average and maximum temperature and relative humidity of each city and its correlation with their livability. It was complemented by a survey focused on 109 cities from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania.
Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted in three main steps. First, the literature review on the effects of climate change, particularly on the continuous temperature rise in cities, was conducted based on the publications retrieved from PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Research Gate. Second, the survey was conducted for the sample cities for one month. Third, the questionnaire was used to assess possible climate change threats to the livability of cities.
Findings: The findings showed that urban areas are usually warmer than the surrounding rural areas, mainly due to the urban heat island effect, causing more hot days in metropolitan areas compared to rural areas. This paper outlines some mitigation and adaptation measures, which can be implemented to improve the livability in cities, their sustainability and the well-being of their populations. Originality/value: This study reports on the climate change impacts on the health and livability of 15 cities, in industrialized and developing countries. It examines the average and maximum temperature and relative humidity of each city and its correlation with their livability. It was complemented by a survey focused on 109 cities from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania.
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Health Sciences, Globalization, Climate Change, Climate Change Adaptation, and 15 moreClimate change policy, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Rural Development, Heat Transfer, Risk Management, Energy and Environment, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Global Warming, Cities, Sustainable Urban Planning, Temperature, Livability, and Public Policy
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disturbances in the work of hundreds of millions of people around the world. One of the groups affected is the academic staff at higher education institutions, whose original business model, i.e.,... more
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disturbances in the work of hundreds of millions of people around the world. One of the groups affected is the academic staff at higher education institutions, whose original business model, i.e., presence teaching, suddenly changed to
online learning. This has, in turn, exacerbated pre-existing problems such as shortage of time, busy schedules, and challenges to a work-life balance. Since academic staff plays a key role in respect of teaching and research, often acting as leaders in their fields, it is important to reflect on the influences of the lockdowns on their work routines. In order to address this research need, this paper reports on a study that examined the impacts of the lockdowns on the work of academic staff at universities.
Using a bibliometric analysis and investigation of a set of case studies, the study sheds light on the difficulties encountered and the means deployed to address them. Our study did not identify a one-size-fits-all response to manage the manifold changes brought on HEIs by the COVID-19
pandemic. Selected arising priorities include creating a culture of educational resilience through a container of complementary measures.
online learning. This has, in turn, exacerbated pre-existing problems such as shortage of time, busy schedules, and challenges to a work-life balance. Since academic staff plays a key role in respect of teaching and research, often acting as leaders in their fields, it is important to reflect on the influences of the lockdowns on their work routines. In order to address this research need, this paper reports on a study that examined the impacts of the lockdowns on the work of academic staff at universities.
Using a bibliometric analysis and investigation of a set of case studies, the study sheds light on the difficulties encountered and the means deployed to address them. Our study did not identify a one-size-fits-all response to manage the manifold changes brought on HEIs by the COVID-19
pandemic. Selected arising priorities include creating a culture of educational resilience through a container of complementary measures.
Research Interests:
Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the key responsibilities of city administrators and one of the effective proxies for good governance. Effective SWM mitigates adverse health and environmental impacts, conserves resources, and... more
Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the key responsibilities of city administrators and one of the effective proxies for good governance. Effective SWM mitigates adverse health and environmental impacts, conserves resources, and improves the livability of cities. However, unsustainable SWM practices, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and financial and institutional limitations, negatively impact public health and environmental sustainability. This review article assesses the human and environmental health impacts of SWM practices in the Global South cities that are the future of global urbanization. The study employs desktop research methodology based on indepth analysis of secondary data and literature, including official documents and published articles. It finds that the commonplace SWM practices include mixing household and commercial garbage with hazardous waste during storage and handling. While waste storage is largely in old or poorly managed facilities such as storage containers, the transportation system is often deficient and informal. The disposal methods are predominantly via uncontrolled dumping, open-air incinerators, and landfills. The negative impacts of such practices include air and water pollution, land degradation, emissions of methane and hazardous leachate, and climate change. These impacts impose significant environmental and public health costs on residents with marginalized social groups mostly affected. The paper concludes with recommendations for mitigating the public and environmental health risks associated with the existing SWM practices in the Global South.
Research Interests: Management, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Health Sciences, Water quality, and 15 moreSustainable Development, Urban Planning, Recycling, Municipal Solid Waste Management, Environmental Management, Urban Studies, Air Pollution and Health Effects, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Water Pollution, Solid Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Management, Cities, CO2 emissions, and Public Policy
Riparian communities in developing countries such as Bangladesh, whose livelihoods depend especially on fisheries and other subsistence activities, are under considerable pressure due to climate change. Therefore, there is a need to... more
Riparian communities in developing countries such as Bangladesh, whose livelihoods depend especially on fisheries and other subsistence activities, are under considerable pressure due to climate change. Therefore, there is a need to better understand how the dynamics of riparian communities are influenced by climate change and how its impacts can be assessed. Using Bangladesh as an example, this paper describes the various climate stressors affecting riparian communities and their socioeconomic impacts, and it outlines some measures needed to increase their resilience to a changing climate. The results show that riparian communities are not only quite vulnerable to the impacts of climate change but also have a rather low level of resilience. This challenge can, at least in part, be attributed to their fragile living conditions, which intensify the socioeconomic impacts of extreme events. One lesson from the paper is that handling climate-induced risks in riparian communities requires implementing strategic measures to improve local climate and livelihood resilience, such as effective public health infrastructure and a resilient built environment. Win-win scenarios comprise strategies that offer multiple benefits, including better water storage, flood control, and improved riparian habitats.
Research Interests: Environmental Engineering, Sociology, Environmental Science, Southeast Asian Studies, Social Sciences, and 15 moreClimate Change, Flood Risk Management, Resilience, Water quality, Sustainable Development, Agriculture, Rivers, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, River Ecology, Organic Farming, Sustainable Livelihoods, Riparian Ecosystem, and Public Policy
Coastal reclamation for residential, tourism, and commercial developments in the Arabian Peninsula and other global regions has dramatically increased in recent decades. This phenomenon is undoubtedly innovative and novel; however, it... more
Coastal reclamation for residential, tourism, and commercial developments in the Arabian Peninsula and other global regions has dramatically increased in recent decades. This phenomenon is undoubtedly innovative and novel; however, it disrupts the natural balance of marine environments and degrades coastal and marine resources. Moreover, the long-term sustainability of such developments might be undermined by rising water levels, earthquakes, and the behavior of filling material and others. This paper analyzed the extent of land reclamation in the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) along the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia within the last two decades and its environmental sustainability impacts. The study used satellite images to compare the coastal boundary of the study area from 2000 to 2020. The study analyzed five major reclamation projects and found that a total of 6081 hectares of land has been reclaimed from the Arabian Gulf, thereby altering the coastal profile of DMA significantly. The environmental sustainability implication of these projects includes the degradation and loss of ecosystem services and marine habitat, urban sprawl, and flood risk. Therefore, environmental regulations, such as the strict prohibition of coastal reclamation, and ecosystem-based urban planning, are needed for sustainable coastal land development.
Research Interests: Environmental Engineering, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Development Studies, Ecosystems Ecology, and 13 moreResearch Methodology, Land and Property Development, Sustainable Development, Coastal Geomorphology, Urban Studies, Saudi Arabia, Sustainable Tourism, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Environmental Sustainability, River Ecology, Water Pollution, Sustainable Urban Planning, and Public Policy
Rivers are important ecosystems, vital to the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of humans and other species. Despite their environmental, social, and economic importance, current use of rivers is unsustainable, due to a combination of... more
Rivers are important ecosystems, vital to the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of humans and other species. Despite their environmental, social, and economic importance, current use of rivers is unsustainable, due to a combination of solid waste and high levels of pollutants. Plastic materials are among the most predominant of such pollutants. Based on the need for additional research in this area, this study examines pressures put to rivers and explores trends related to riverine plastic pollution, with a focus on Asia. Apart from the bibliometric analysis, and relying on the collected information, examples describing the drivers of riverine plastic pollution in a sample of Asian countries are described, outlining the specific problem and its scope. Among some of the results obtained from it, mention can be made to the fact that much of the literature focuses on plastic pollution as a whole and less on one of its most significant ramifications, namely microplastics. Additionally, there is a need related to data availability on riverine plastic data and improving the understanding of transport mechanisms in relation to riverine plastic emission into the ocean. The results from this study illustrate the significance of the problems posed by plastic waste to Asian rivers and point out the fact that there are still significant gaps in respect of regulations and standards, which prevent improvements that are highlighted in this study. Based on the results of this bibliometric assessment, specific measures via which levels of riverine plastic pollution may be reduced are presented, bringing relevant new insights on this topic beyond the existing reviews
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Southeast Asian Studies, Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology, Water quality, and 13 moreSustainable Development, Ecology, Rivers, Waste Management, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Environmental Sustainability, River Ecology, Water Pollution, Plastic, Garbage, Pollution, Resource Management, and Ecosystem
Purpose-The interconnections between climate change and health are well studied. However, there is a perceived need for studies that examine how responses to health hazards (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, ozone layer effects, allergens,... more
Purpose-The interconnections between climate change and health are well studied. However, there is a perceived need for studies that examine how responses to health hazards (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, ozone layer effects, allergens, mental health and vector-borne diseases) may assist in reducing their impacts. The purpose of this paper is to review the evidence on health responses to climate hazards and list some measures to address them. Design/methodology/approach-A mixed literature review, bibliometric analysis and an original online survey were undertaken on 140 participants from 55 countries spread across all geographical regions. Findings-The bibliometric analysis identified that most climate-related health hazards are associated with extreme weather events. However, only one-third of the investigated papers specifically analysed the connections between climate change and health hazards, revealing a thematic gap. Also, although Africa is highly affected by climate change, only 5% of the assessed studies focused on this continent. Many respondents to the survey indicated "heat distress" as a significant vulnerability. The survey also identified social determinants relevant to climate-induced health vulnerabilities, such as socioeconomic and environmental factors, infrastructure and pre
Research Interests: Climate Change, Climate Change Adaptation, Governance, Survey Research, Public Health, and 12 moreClimate Change Adaptation And Mitigation Strategies, Environmental Sustainability, GHG Emissions, Carbon Footprint, Infrastructure, Health Hazards, Bibliometric and citation analysis, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Heat stress, Extreme weather events and climate variability, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The COVID-19 pandemic has created considerable implications for healthcare staff around the globe. During the pandemic, the frontline healthcare workers experience intense anxiety, stress, burnout, and psychological breakdown, with severe... more
The COVID-19 pandemic has created considerable implications for healthcare staff around the globe. During the pandemic, the frontline healthcare workers experience intense anxiety, stress, burnout, and psychological breakdown, with severe implications on their mental and physical wellbeing. In addition to these implications, anxiety and stress can hinder their productivity and ability to perform their duties efficiently. The literature indicates that hospital gardens and contact with nature can help alleviate psychological distress among hospital staff. However, few studies investigated the role of outdoor spaces as areas for respite and work breaks in healthcare facilities during the pandemic. The present opinion paper highlights the challenges of job stress and psychological distress health workers face during the pandemic. The paper also underscores the role of hospital outdoor spaces and garden facilities in coping with the challenges. While other measures to reduce stress among hospital staff and ensure their health and safety are important, hospital administrators and relevant government agencies should also underscore the provision of gardens and open spaces in healthcare facilities. These spaces can act as potential areas for respite for hospital staff and help them cope with the stress and anxiety accumulated through working under crises.
Research Interests: Psychology, Social Sciences, Hospitality Management, Outdoor Recreation, Healthcare workers, and 15 moreFacilities Management, Urban Studies, Gardens, Public Health, Job Stress (Psychology), Health Care Management, Landscape, Hospitals, Architectural Design, Community gardens, Burnout, Healing, Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Public health systems and services research, and COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Nigeria currently has the highest number of people living on less than USD1.90 a day, becoming what some analysts labeled "the poverty capital of the world." This article explores the multiple dimensions and predictors of household... more
Nigeria currently has the highest number of people living on less than USD1.90 a day, becoming what some analysts labeled "the poverty capital of the world." This article explores the multiple dimensions and predictors of household poverty in Nigeria using the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey data (n=40,427). Results from the Chi-square analysis indicate significant regional disparities in multidimensional poverty, which is endemic in the Northwest and Northeast regions that constitute 75.3% of Nigeria's poorest households, 62.3% of household heads without formal education, and about half (49.7%) of households lacking access to electricity. Logistic regression results show that access to electricity is the most significant predictor of poverty in Nigeria, with an odds ratio (OR) of 10.46, followed by education (OR=1.99), place of residence (OR=0.37), land ownership (OR=0.58), livestock ownership (0.57), number of bedrooms (1.32), and gender (0.73). Other significant predictors are drinking water sources, sanitation facilities, cooking fuel, and housing conditions. Reducing multidimensional poverty requires improving electricity supply and human development interventions in education, water, sanitation, and healthcare, targeting deprived households. These are essential for achieving sustainable development.
Research Interests: Gender Studies, Education, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Land and Property Development, and 15 moreRenewable Energy, Poverty, Sustainable Development, Housing, Energy and Environment, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Income inequality, Water Supply, Infrastructure, Multidimensional Poverty, Administracion, Sanitation, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The world production of plastic exceeded 360 million tonnes in 2020 alone, a considerable amount of which is not properly disposed of. The significant pressures and damages posed by conventional plastic to human and environmental health... more
The world production of plastic exceeded 360 million tonnes in 2020 alone, a considerable amount of which is not properly disposed of. The significant pressures and damages posed by conventional plastic to human and environmental health suggest that alternatives are urgently needed. One of them is "bioplastic", which is defined as bio-based plastic that is (or not) biodegradable. This paper reports on a study on the perceptions of bioplastics among consumers in 42 countries to identify their levels of information and concerns. The results suggest that most respondents have positive expectations regarding the future of bioplastics to replace conventional plastics fully or partially, especially for food containers, kitchenware, and boxes and bags for packaging. They also reported that the low costs and increased availability of bioplastic products on the market are likely to be the main drivers for their wide-scale adoption. However, many participants are unsure whether they would buy biobased and biodegradable products if they are expensive. Overall, whereas a rather positive attitude to bioplastics has been identified, greater efforts are needed to address the many information needs of consumers towards upscaling the adoption of bioplastics. Relevant policies are therefore needed to encourage investments in the large-scale manufacture and market uptake of bioplastics. The paper reports on an initial study of consumer behavior, in a sample of countries spread across all geographical regions.
Research Interests:
In sub-Saharan Africa, mass rural-urban migration negatively affectthe agriculture sector that accounts for about 23% of the GDP and employs over 60% of the population. Together with a rapidly changing climate, unplanned urbanization... more
In sub-Saharan Africa, mass rural-urban migration negatively affectthe agriculture sector that accounts for about 23% of the GDP and employs over 60% of the population. Together with a rapidly changing climate, unplanned urbanization poses serious threats to Africa’s agriculture sector with the risk of chronic food shortages in the future. To stem this tide, it is imperative to systematically assess the unplanned urbanization trend from a socio-economic perspective and distill the broader implication for sustainable urban farming within the context of climate change in the region. The potentials of digitalization as a tool for transformative adaptation to climate change and enabler of sustainable development in different domains, including agriculture, are beginning to emerge. However, most studies are based on data from Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. There is minimal documentation of current applications and prospects of digitalization for sustainable agricultural practices in Africa, particularly in an increasingly urbanized era. Thus, this study addresses this need by evaluating the potentials of digitalization to enable sustainable farming in the face of unprecedented climate change constraints in Africa and minimize the negative impacts of urbanization on agriculture. Through a desk research approach, the present study explores the challenges to digital farming in Africa despite its successful implementation in the global North. Drawing lessons from successful case-studies worldwide, we suggest possible pathways to overcome the challenges and implement localized digitalization approaches to strengthen preventive action against climate risks, enhance disaster preparedness, and aid effective planning and management of agriculture practices. Integrating agriculture into the city via digital urban farming is crucial for long-term food security and creating appealing clean-tech jobs for a large number of new immigrants, thereby supporting African cities’ resilience and sustainable development.
Research Interests: Economics, Education, Climate Change, Research Methodology, Urbanization in Developing Areas, and 15 moreLiterature, Sustainable Development, Africa, Case Study Research, Urban Planning, Digitization, Agriculture, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Disaster Management, Environmental Sustainability, Literature Review, Urban Farming, Urban and rural development planning, Urban resilience, and Public Policy
Domestic water supply is an essential but challenging public service, especially in countries with rapid population growth and limited freshwater resources. Wastewater recycling has now become a sustainable source of domestic water supply... more
Domestic water supply is an essential but challenging public service, especially in countries with rapid population growth and limited freshwater resources. Wastewater recycling has now become a sustainable source of domestic water supply worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, the energy-intensive desalination process meets over 60% of municipal water demand, rising by about 6% within the last two decades. The government has set an ambitious target of complete recycling of treated wastewater in major cities by 2040. Based on a questionnaire survey of 625 households, this study investigates household willingness to reuse treated greywater (TG) for non-drinking domestic applications and the factors that influence their attitudes toward wastewater recycling. The findings indicate more acceptability (agree or strongly agree) of reusing TG for laundering (males: 36.9%, females: 31.7%) than bathing (males: 11.6%, females: 12.1%). Chi-Square analyses show that residential location, age, and education significantly influence household attitudes to reuse TG, but gender and nationality do not. There is more prospect of agreeing to reuse TG for laundering than bathing across all ages groups, residential locations, nationalities, and genders. Educational attainment is the only significant predictor of the likelihood of using TG for bathing and laundering with an odds ratio of 1.26 and 1.04, respectively. Age and gender are significant predictors of the odds of reusing TG for laundering only. Behavioral change campaigns are key to scaling up wastewater recycling to reduce reliance on expensive seawater desalination and dwindling freshwater resources.
Research Interests: Development Studies, Environmental Education, Climate Change, Urbanization in Developing Areas, Water quality, and 12 moreSustainable Development, Urban Planning, Water and wastewater treatment, Saudi Arabia, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Water and Sanitation, Circular Economy, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the flows or spatial mobility of people, goods, and services globally. The present study explored the impact of the pandemic on the global flows of people and goods, and... more
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the flows or spatial mobility of people, goods, and services globally. The present study explored the impact of the pandemic on the global flows of people and goods, and the implications on the dynamics of urban
systems. The study utilized desktop research methodology to collect relevant literature and secondary data, which were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The study found that the restrictive measures imposed during the pandemic severely disrupted the global flows of people and goods. As a result, global movements of people declined by over 40% in 2020 from the 2019 levels. Similarly, the global flows of goods shrunk by at least 10% within the same period. These
lockdown-related disruptions have significant implications on how socioeconomic activities are organized and conducted within and between cities, with civil aviation and hospitality sectors the hardest hit. The study concludes that there is a need for resilient urban systems in which cities, people, institutions, and firms can effectively adapt to the impact of the pandemic.
systems. The study utilized desktop research methodology to collect relevant literature and secondary data, which were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The study found that the restrictive measures imposed during the pandemic severely disrupted the global flows of people and goods. As a result, global movements of people declined by over 40% in 2020 from the 2019 levels. Similarly, the global flows of goods shrunk by at least 10% within the same period. These
lockdown-related disruptions have significant implications on how socioeconomic activities are organized and conducted within and between cities, with civil aviation and hospitality sectors the hardest hit. The study concludes that there is a need for resilient urban systems in which cities, people, institutions, and firms can effectively adapt to the impact of the pandemic.
Research Interests: Economics, Tourism Studies, Globalization, Urbanization in Developing Areas, Transportation Studies, and 14 moreResilience, Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Aviation, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Social Mobility, Cities, Population, Sustainability, Public Policy, and COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Apart from many social and economic problems worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has also led to a sudden halt in face-to-face climate-related meetings. Moreover, it has also negatively influenced the works related to the preparations for... more
Apart from many social and economic problems worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has also led to a sudden halt in face-to-face climate-related meetings. Moreover, it has also negatively influenced the works related to the preparations for the 6th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and organizing the 26th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), namely COP26 to be held in Glasgow, which was postponed to November 2021. This article presents a global study undertaken among UNFCCC contact points and other climate experts, to ascertain the impacts of the pandemic on the implementation of SDG13 and UNFCCC processes. The methodological approach entails a bibliometric analysis, an online survey, and authors’ expert judgment. Results of the bibliometric analysis show that the most common terms associated with this theme are COVID-19, climate change, CO2, energy, "pandemic-related", and "adaptation-related". In addition, the survey revealed some difficulties associated with online participation in the processes from many developing countries. The study concluded that there is a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UNFCCC process, more minor government priorities regarding climate action, loss of traction of the process, and a challenge to achieve the Paris Agreement, with less significant support from the respondents from less developed countries. The findings suggest that urgent action is needed, to make up for the lost time, and place climate issues more prominently on the global agenda.
Research Interests: Development Studies, Climate Change, Research Methodology, Bibliometrics, Sustainable Development, and 10 moreUnited Nations, Survey Research, Environmental Sustainability, Bibliometric and citation analysis, IPCC, UNFCCC, Public Policy, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Paris Agreement 2015, and COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Transient poverty (TP) is a phenomenon that, by its characterisation, references a condition that may not necessarily be permanent. Its occurrence may result from an external shock, such as a severe weather-related event or geographic,... more
Transient poverty (TP) is a phenomenon that, by its characterisation, references a condition that may not necessarily be permanent. Its occurrence may result from an external shock, such as a severe weather-related event or geographic, national, or global impact on the economy, such as a hurricane, financial crisis, or as most recently, a pandemic. The defining aspects of TP and the needs of those pushed into TP offer an opportunity to address one aspect of poverty, which is of significance given both the disproportionate vulnerability of the poor to external shocks as well as the prohibitive effect of poverty on establishing resilience. Unfortunately, TP is not often assessed and is routinely combined and categorised as ‘poverty’, eliminating an opportunity to address unique aspects of TP and establish policies that may be beneficial to the sub-group. This paper provides a bibliometric evaluation of TP specific to the sustainable development literature, highlighting the research gap and providing a rationale for active research on the social phenomenon regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in general and specifically SDG 1: No poverty. There are three key findings relevant to sustainability. Firstly, there seems to be a disconnection between TP and the sustainable development theory, particularly in a multidisciplinary discussion. Secondly, human action in degrading ecosystems strongly influences TP and exacerbates overall poverty levels. Finally, efforts to tackle transient poverty need to consider issues such as gender, education, health, and political aspects. Based on the findings, items for future research are also presented.
Research Interests: Gender Studies, Economics, Political Economy, Education, Poverty, and 14 moreResilience, Community Development, Disaster risk management, Sustainable Development, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Intersectionality and Social Inequality, Economy, Poverty and Inequality, Poverty Studies, Bibliometric and citation analysis, Demography and Population Studies, Public Policy, and transient poverty
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Research Interests: Business, Management, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and 15 moreDevelopment Studies, Climate Change, Urban Planning, Intelligent Transportation Systems, European Union, Carbon Sequestration, Electric Vehicles, Environmental Sustainability, City planning, Urban Design, Public transportation, Electricity and electric mobility, Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Sustainability, and Renewable Energy and Climate Change
Cities nowadays are the most significant source of environmental degradation threatening local and global ecosystems. Interestingly, many ancient settlements present excellent lessons and inspiration for addressing our current urban... more
Cities nowadays are the most significant source of environmental degradation threatening local and global ecosystems. Interestingly, many ancient settlements present excellent lessons and inspiration for addressing our current urban predicaments, given their environmental stewardship. This research explores how the ecologically embedded settlement patterns, building configurations, urban agriculture and home gardening, and water conservation of the Maya-built environment can offer insights about mitigating contemporary urban sustainability challenges. Mayans' respect for nature not only guaranteed sustainable habitats but also engendered one of the most remarkable civilizations in a region that did not offer generous support for human accommodation. The Mayan world view promoted the idea of one spirit dwelling in all humans and other-than-human entities in an environment, making everything sacred and kin to everything else. The regional climate was kept under control by protecting the vegetation that also provided other ecological benefits. Land use was mixed, and residences were constructed with native and recyclable materials utilizing natural light and ventilation. The Mayan civilization inspires us to manage and protect plants, not cut them down; conserve water, not waste it; listen to the environmental feedback, not reject it; and, most importantly, it begs us to embrace nature as our own mother, not disown it as something dispensable. These principles have significant implications on urban land-use planning and policies today.
Research Interests: Architecture, Water, Organic agriculture, Water resources, Vegetation Ecology, and 13 moreSustainable Building Materials, Environmental Sustainability, Urban And Regional Planning, Sustainable Architecture, Sustainable Rural Development, Garden History, Maya Epigraphy, Settlement archaeology, Urban Design, Public transportation, Local Wisdom, Historic cities, and Sustainability
The COVID-19 Pandemic has severely impacted educational systems around the globe, necessitating rapid modifications to the educational milieu while safeguarding human health and wellbeing. Following the closure of universities in Saudi... more
The COVID-19 Pandemic has severely impacted educational systems around the globe, necessitating rapid modifications to the educational milieu while safeguarding human health and wellbeing. Following the closure of universities in Saudi Arabia, instructors of all theory courses were mandated to switch from face-to-face course delivery to remote teaching and learning. This research examines the challenges and impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the mode of teaching and learning and the numerous adaptations in the pedagogical framework in the Landscape Architecture program at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia. It also explores the opportunities the transition to online education presents to faculty and students moving forward. The data were collected using an online questionnaire survey and focus group discussions. Data analyses consisted of descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. The research finds that the sudden transition to online teaching and learning disrupted academic activities and had negatively affected the existing teaching and learning framework. Therefore, the research recommends an adaptable and dynamic teaching framework agile enough to cope with sudden disruptions. It concludes with lessons for future teaching and learning frameworks and amendments for upcoming sessions to deal with similar situations.
Research Interests: Psychology, Education, Teacher Education, Distance Education, Assessment, and 13 moreResearch Methodology, Higher Education, Learning and Teaching, Digital Media & Learning, Saudi Arabia, Online Learning, Academic Advising, University, Pedagogia, Dammam, Examination, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), and Coronavirus COVID-19
Water scarcity is a global challenge, yet existing responses are failing to cope with current shocks and stressors, including those attributable to climate change. In sub-Saharan Africa, the impacts of water scarcity threaten livelihoods... more
Water scarcity is a global challenge, yet existing responses are failing to cope with current shocks and stressors, including those attributable to climate change. In sub-Saharan Africa, the impacts of water scarcity threaten livelihoods and wellbeing across the continent and are driving a broad range of adaptive responses. This paper describes trends of water scarcity for Africa and outlines climate impacts on key water-related sectors on food systems, cities, livelihoods and wellbeing, conflict and security, economies, and ecosystems. It then uses systematic review methods, including the Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative, to analyse 240 articles and identify adaptation characteristics of planned and autonomous responses to water scarcity across Africa. The most common impact drivers responded to are drought and participation variability. The most frequently identified actors responding to water scarcity include individuals or households (32%), local government (15%) and national government (15%), while the most common types of response are behavioural and cultural (30%), technological and infrastructural (27%), ecosystem-based (25%) and institutional (18%). Most planned responses target low-income communities (31%), women (20%), and indigenous communities (13%), but very few studies target migrants, ethnic minorities or those living with disabilities. There is a lack of coordination of planned adaptation at scale across all relevant sectors and regions, and lack of legal and institutional frameworks for their operation. Most responses to water scarcity are coping and autonomous responses that showed only minor adjustments to business-as-usual water practices, suggesting limited adaptation depth. Maladaptation is associated with one or more dimension of responses in almost 20% of articles. Coordinating institutional responses, carefully planned technologies, planning for projected climate risks including extension of climate services and increased climate change literacy, and integrating indigenous knowledge will help to address identified challenges of water scarcity towards more adaptive responses across Africa.
Research Interests: African Studies, Development Economics, Public Administration, Development Studies, Climate Change, and 15 moreClimate Change Adaptation, Environmental Studies, Global cities, Infrastructure Planning, Sustainable Development, Water resources, Drought, Environmental Sustainability, Urban And Regional Planning, Food Science and Technology, Water Supply, Local Knowledge, Consumer Behaviour, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Circular economy (CE) has been globally acknowledged as a national sustainable development (SD) strategy to confront resource shortages and environmental contamination challenges. Although public behaviors and lifestyles play an essential... more
Circular economy (CE) has been globally acknowledged as a national sustainable development (SD) strategy to confront resource shortages and environmental contamination challenges. Although public behaviors and lifestyles play an essential role in achieving sustainability, in developing countries, few studies explored the role of public awareness, attitudes, and lifestyles on CE transition. Thus, it is necessary to elicit public opinion to understand their awareness and attitude regarding CE strategy to determine obstacles to CE implementation and approaches to overcoming them. This study thus focuses on understanding public awareness and attitudes to CE transition in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey distributed to 402 residents of the Dammam Metropolitan Area. The results indicated that the respondents had little understanding of the CE concept due to limited awareness of the topic. However, they held an optimistic attitude towards trash separation and classified their trash as “can be sold”, “reused”, and “exchanged for a new one”. Furthermore, the respondents’ level of awareness regarding the CE transition is positively related to their level of education. In contrast, the inclination towards resource conservation and pro-environmental behavior positively correlates to the age demographic. This paper thus contributes to the empirical literature on CE transition by exploring the public awareness and attitudes towards its implementation in Saudi Arabia.
Research Interests: Materials Science, Economics, Development Economics, Public Administration, Urbanization in Developing Areas, and 15 moreEconomic Growth, Sustainable Development, Water resources, Urban Planning, Recycling, Environment and natural resources conservation, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Urban And Regional Planning, Consumer Research, Smart Cities, Awareness, Circular Economy, Dispose of Waste, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The development of electro-mobility is one of the centerpieces of European country attempts to reduce carbon emissions and increase the quality of life in cities. The goals of reducing emissions from the transport sector and phasing out... more
The development of electro-mobility is one of the centerpieces of European country attempts to reduce carbon emissions and increase the quality of life in cities. The goals of reducing emissions from the transport sector and phasing out fossil-fueled vehicles in (urban) transport by 2050 present unrivaled opportunities to foster electro-mobility. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature and provides a detailed analysis of the current development of electro-mobility in Europe, assessing social, economic, and environmental aspects under a circular economy (CE) context. It also examines the existing challenges and suggests ways of addressing them towards improving the environmental performance of electro-mobility and the urban quality of life. The paper argues that a narrow technology-only agenda in electro-mobility will be less successful without the imperative of the CE, including not just materials and resources but also energy, to unlock the medium-term co-benefits of de-carbonization of both the transport as well as the building and energy sectors. The paper critically reviews some of the anticipated future developments that may guide the growth of this rapidly growing field into a CE.
Research Interests: Management, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Development Studies, and 15 moreClimate Change, Urban Planning, Intelligent Transportation Systems, European Union, Carbon Sequestration, Electric Vehicles, Environmental Sustainability, City planning, Urban Design, Public transportation, Electricity and electric mobility, Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Sustainability, Renewable Energy and Climate Change, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The rapidly increasing global populations and socio-economic development in the Global South have resulted in rising demand for natural resources. There are many plans for harvesting natural resources from the ocean floor, especially rare... more
The rapidly increasing global populations and socio-economic development in the Global South have resulted in rising demand for natural resources. There are many plans for harvesting natural resources from the ocean floor, especially rare metals and minerals. However, if proper care is not taken, there is substantial potential for long-lasting and even irreversible physical and environmental impacts on the deep-sea ecosystems, including on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This paper reviews the literature on some potentials and risks to deep seabed mining (DSM), outlining its legal aspects and environmental impacts. It presents two case studies that describe the environmental risks related to this exploitative process. They include significant disturbance of the seabed, light and noise pollution, the creation of plumes, and negative impacts on the surface, benthic, and meso- and bathypelagic zones. The study suggests some of the issues interested companies should consider in preventing the potential physical and environmental damages DSM may cause. Sustainable mining and the use of minerals are vital in meeting various industrial demands.
Research Interests:
Household water treatment (HWT) contributes to a significant reduction in waterborne diseases, especially among vulnerable populations in developing countries. This study assesses the socioeconomic and environmental indicators of HWT... more
Household water treatment (HWT) contributes to a significant reduction in waterborne diseases, especially among vulnerable populations in developing countries. This study assesses the socioeconomic and environmental indicators of HWT among Nigerian households. Cross-sectional data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The findings show low adoption (8.1%) and disparities in HWT among the households. Boiling water is the most dominant method of HWT (24.6%), followed by alum (22.6%), straining water through a cloth (22.1%), chlorination (12.8%), allowing water to stand and settle (10.6%), and filtration (7.0%). The odds of adopting HWT are high in wealthier households, male-headed households, households with heads educated to at least secondary school level, and households residing in Southern Nigeria. This low adoption and disparity in HWT could significantly undermine public health and exacerbate socioeconomic and regional inequalities. The present study recommends subsidies and microcredits on purchasing HWT products for large-scale adoption of HWT in Nigeria. Behavior change communication is also essential for HWT diffusion among vulnerable populations of developing countries.
Research Interests: Management, African Studies, Health Sciences, Development Economics, Communication, and 14 moreDevelopment Studies, Water quality, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Water and wastewater treatment, Household Studies, Consumer Behavior, Developing Countries, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Nigeria, Solar Energy, and Public Policy
The ownership and use of land are increasingly being threatened by rapid urbanization and unsustainable resource consumptions. In Nigeria, the land is faced with enormous pressure from an explosive population of 214 million people that is... more
The ownership and use of land are increasingly being threatened by rapid urbanization and unsustainable resource consumptions. In Nigeria, the land is faced with enormous pressure from an explosive population of 214 million people that is expected to almost double by 2050 to make Nigeria the third-largest country on Earth. The country's population density of 232 persons/km 2 is fivefold Africa's average of 43 persons/km 2 and the proportion of landed households has declined from 61.2 % in 2008 to 59.6 % in 2018. It is within this context that the Federal Government plans to establish cattle ranches to curb the incessant farmer-herder clashes that cause human and property losses. However, the success of this scheme and other land-use policies partly depends on understanding the extent and distribution of landownership in the country. This article explores the predictors of inequalities in agricultural land ownership among Nigerian households. The results from Chi-square analysis show that the households that own agricultural land are significantly more likely to be poor or middle class (76 %), rural dwellers (74 %), male-headed (86 %), living in northern regions (64 %), and not educated beyond primary school (63 %). Findings from the logistic regression analysis indicate that the significant predictors of agricultural land ownership include ownership of livestock with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.33, place of residence (OR = 2.28), gender (OR = 0.55), wealth index (OR = 0.56), number of bedrooms (OR = 1.44), and educational attainment (OR = 0.96). The paper underscores the implications of the findings on sustainable development, including gender equity, poverty alleviation, and the establishment of cattle ranches.
Research Interests: Economics, Public Administration, Development Studies, Urbanization in Developing Areas, Political Science, and 14 moreSustainable Development, Africa, Urban Planning, Land tenure, Rural Development, Urban Studies, Agriculture, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Environmental Sustainability, Land-use planning, Nigeria, City and Regional Planning, Poverty and Inequality, and Public Policy
For the past three decades, sustainable development (SD) at higher education institutions (HEIs) has been receiving increasing global attention based on the recognition of their vital roles in fostering sustainability teaching and... more
For the past three decades, sustainable development (SD) at higher education institutions (HEIs) has been receiving increasing global attention based on the recognition of their vital roles in fostering sustainability teaching and practices on their campuses and influencing the larger society to embrace sustainable behaviors. As one of its key dimensions, an institutional framework is a fundamental step and indicator of commitment to advancing SD at universities. However, some universities, especially in the countries of the Global South, are either missing this dimension or have inefficient institutional frameworks due to the lack of standard practice or guidance. This study assesses the extent of establishing an institutional framework for SD in Saudi Arabian universities (n = 44). Data were from a desk study and a survey of university websites and analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The study found that 72.7% of the universities have shown a commitment to campus sustainability by having sustainability visions; 52.3% have established a dedicated office for SD governance, 68.2% are involved in community outreach and 63.6% collaborate with external agencies in SD efforts. Although there is no evidence of specific campus sustainability plans in the universities, 45.5% of them have SD coverage in their campus development plans or strategic plans. Sustainability assessment and reporting are generally lacking. The findings can improve our understanding of the extent of the commitment of the universities to SD and how they communicate their SD efforts through their websites, which can foster engagement in campus sustainability. The study concludes that a sound institutional framework is vital to implementing SD at universities.
Research Interests:
Several African and Asian countries have embarked on building new towns to address urbanization challenges such as crowded cities, slums, and pressure on existing infrastructure. These projects have been criticized for being inadequate in... more
Several African and Asian countries have embarked on building new towns to address urbanization challenges such as crowded cities, slums, and pressure on existing infrastructure. These projects have been criticized for being inadequate in fostering environmental sustainability. Based on a desk study, this article reviews the environmental sustainability challenges of these projects and recommends some ecologically embedded practices of traditional settlements that wonderfully survived for many centuries with little adverse social and environmental impacts yet offered opportunities for urbanism. The article discusses how the architecture, urban form, and green infrastructure of traditional settlements present excellent cases of ecological wisdom and embeddedness where the local ecosystems are respected, and every human activity, including the creation of the built environment, is defined by the ecological allowances, where resilience is part of the built environment at both micro and macro scales, and where humanity and nature are equal stakeholders living in unison. The article concludes that these instances of successful ecological embeddedness in traditional settlements can provide lessons for contemporary cities to ponder when envisioning more sustainable built environments for the present and future generations.
Research Interests: Real Estate, African Studies, Asian Studies, Environmental Science, Southeast Asian Studies, and 14 moreArchitecture, Sustainable Development, Africa, Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Housing, Green architecture, Environmental Sustainability, Urban And Regional Planning, Cities, Urban Design, Urban Planning and New Towns, Traditional Settlements, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Wisdom(TEKW)
Treated wastewater reuse is increasingly important for sustainable water resource management, especially in water-stressed countries located in the world's arid regions that rely on groundwater and desalination process for meeting their... more
Treated wastewater reuse is increasingly important for sustainable water resource management, especially in water-stressed countries located in the world's arid regions that rely on groundwater and desalination process for meeting their water demands. This study investigates the socio-demographic variables influencing public perceptions of reusing grey and mixed wastewater for non-domestic uses: firefighting, swimming pools, and car washing. Data were collected from 624 households in the Dammam Metropolitan Area, Saudi Arabia using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results from logistic regression indicates that the likelihood of a household to accept reusing treated mixed wastewater is influenced by gender with odds ratio (OR) of 2.71-2.18, residential location (OR=1.32-1.03), age (OR=1.22-0.18) and educational level (OR=1.33-0.98), with a tendency for more acceptance of treated grey wastewater than mixed wastewater. These findings showcase the difficulty that the country could face concerning the public acceptance of treated wastewater for non-domestic uses to augment current freshwater sources even amongst the educated class. This study is significant because sustainably meeting the country's rising water demands requires the stringent implementation of strategic wastewater reuse policy, including bold steps towards wastewater streams segregation, and intensive public awareness campaigns to change negative perceptions on treated sewage effluent. This study concludes that a substantial reduction in the country's reliance on costly desalinated water and fast depleting non-renewable groundwater requires complete reuse and recycling of treated wastewater for wider non-conventional purposes.
Research Interests: Engineering, Civil Engineering, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Infrastructure Planning, and 11 moreWater quality, Sustainable Development, Governance, Saudi Arabia, Wastewater Treatment, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Desalination, Sewage sludge, and Public Policy
Research Interests: Electrical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Climate Change, Research Methodology, Power Electronics, and 15 moreRenewable Energy, Climate Change Adaptation, Sustainable Development, Energy, Saudi Arabia, Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Arabian Gulf, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Hydro Power, Alternative Fuels, Methane, Greenhouse Effect, and Public Policy
Disaster risk reduction is an increasingly important policy issue, especially in developing countries that suffer most of the global human and economic losses associated with disasters. Indeed, public awareness and attitudes can help in... more
Disaster risk reduction is an increasingly important policy issue, especially in developing countries that suffer most of the global human and economic losses associated with disasters. Indeed, public awareness and attitudes can help in disaster risk reduction and management efforts toward reducing mortality and economic losses. In Saudi Arabia, many cities have been recently experiencing incidences of disasters, such as floods, disease epidemics, and sandstorms. However, studies on public perception of disaster risk in the country are few and nascent. Therefore, based on a questionnaire survey (n = 683), this paper explores public perception and attitudes to disaster risks in Dammam, a coastal metropolis in Saudi Arabia. The findings indicate that although almost two-thirds (64.7%) of the participants are aware of disasters, and 81% are concerned about disaster risks, less than half (47.3%) believe that their settlements could be at risk. While 37% opine that disasters are caused by both natural factors and human activities, about half (54%) indicate that they can personally contribute to reducing disaster risks. Chi-square analysis indicates a significant positive relationship between place of residence and perception of disaster risks (χ2 (6) = 56.18, p < 0.05), and between place of residence and concern about disaster risks (χ2 (12) = 68.47, p < 0.05). The paper recommends raising public awareness and encouraging positive behaviors in reducing disaster risks in the study area and similar environments.
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Health Sciences, Public Administration, Climate Change, Urban management, and 15 moreFlood Risk Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Resilience, Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Governance, Urban Studies, Disaster Management, Public Health, Environmental Sustainability, Emergency Management, Urban And Regional Planning, Public Policy, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The pivotal role of education in shaping sustainable futures becomes increasingly apparent as the global community grapples with the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change. This article delves into the transformative power of... more
The pivotal role of education in shaping sustainable futures becomes increasingly apparent as the global community grapples with the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change. This article delves into the transformative power of education in addressing the complexities of climate change, unraveling its scientific intricacies. The narrative unfolds with an exploration of the symbiotic relationship between climate change and education. A critical analysis is presented on how education serves as a potent tool for disseminating comprehensive knowledge about the science behind climate change and instilling an understanding of the urgency for sustainable practices. An essential aspect of the article revolves around the global integration of climate change education (CCE) into school curricula. The discussion emphasizes the significance of incorporating climate change as a core subject, ensuring that future generations are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to confront the challenges posed by environmental degradation. Theoretical frameworks for CCE are examined to provide a conceptual foundation for effective pedagogy. The article goes on to present case studies focused on CCE in Nigeria, offering insights into the unique challenges faced by the country and the innovative approaches taken to address them. Furthermore, international case studies shed light on successful models adopted by other countries, fostering a global perspective on CCE. In conclusion, the analysis underscores the imperative of empowering individuals and communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change through targeted education. The implications for policy and practice are explored, emphasizing the need for a concerted effort to integrate CCE into the broader framework of sustainable development.
Research Interests: Education, Knowledge Management, Climate Change, Teacher Education, Decision Making, and 15 moreLiterature, Higher Education, Climate Change Adaptation, Learning and Teaching, Community Development, Sustainable Development, Case Study Research, Pedagogy, Environmental Sustainability, Nigeria, Communication Skills, Climate Change Impacts, University, Student, and Public Policy
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its Sixth Assessment Report (2021) has reiterated the need for concerted actions in reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases on the one hand, and the need to intensify efforts to... more
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its Sixth Assessment Report (2021) has reiterated the need for concerted actions in reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases on the one hand, and the need to intensify efforts to adapt to a changing climate on the other. The Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) during its 27th meeting, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in late 2022, emphasised the need for action towards achieving the world’s collective climate goals as agreed under the Paris Agreement and the Convention.
There is a consensus about the urgency to systematically implement climate change strategies, and to ensure that they provide a concrete contribution towards mitigation and adaptation efforts. In this context, it is important to document and promote experiences in both areas. Against this background, this book reports on a set of works being undertaken at an international scale, where elements of climate change mitigation and adaptation are being implemented. The book is structured in two parts.
Part 1—Assessing Climate Change Impacts
Part 2—Implementing Mitigation and Adaptation Measures
By means of detailed case studies from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe, and through a broader scale synthesis, which collates insights from across sectors and countries, the book pays special attention to evidences, which illustrate how climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies are being implemented, and indicate trends and contexts that might prove helpful in guiding future efforts.
We wish to thank all the authors who provided valuable contributions to this book, for their time and effort. We also thank many reviewers who supported the process. Their cooperation was crucial for the preparation of the book and its final publication.
There is a consensus about the urgency to systematically implement climate change strategies, and to ensure that they provide a concrete contribution towards mitigation and adaptation efforts. In this context, it is important to document and promote experiences in both areas. Against this background, this book reports on a set of works being undertaken at an international scale, where elements of climate change mitigation and adaptation are being implemented. The book is structured in two parts.
Part 1—Assessing Climate Change Impacts
Part 2—Implementing Mitigation and Adaptation Measures
By means of detailed case studies from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe, and through a broader scale synthesis, which collates insights from across sectors and countries, the book pays special attention to evidences, which illustrate how climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies are being implemented, and indicate trends and contexts that might prove helpful in guiding future efforts.
We wish to thank all the authors who provided valuable contributions to this book, for their time and effort. We also thank many reviewers who supported the process. Their cooperation was crucial for the preparation of the book and its final publication.
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Coastal Management, Climate Change, Sustainable Production and Consumption, Flood Risk Management, and 15 moreResilience, Disaster risk management, Sustainable Development, Arid environments, Air Pollution and Health Effects, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Public Health, Climate Change Adaptation And Mitigation Strategies, Environmental Sustainability, Water Pollution, Carbon Footprint, Strategy, Food Waste, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Public Policy
Urban metabolism (UM) is the sum of processes for which cities mobilize, consume, and transform their resources for built environments to function effectively. It consists of interrelated processes working at various urban levels forming... more
Urban metabolism (UM) is the sum of processes for which cities mobilize, consume, and transform their resources for built environments to function effectively. It consists of interrelated processes working at various urban levels forming an intricate socio-environmental network to achieve urban sustainability, including adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. As significant components of historic urban areas, heritage buildings are adapted for appropriate functions to prolong their lifespans. This standard practice is an ideal solution for reducing adverse environmental impacts of the construction industry given that new buildings consume energy and resources and have large carbon footprints. Moreover, the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings increases socio-cultural viability and promotes eco-friendly environments. This practice of rehabilitation and reuse has been studied vastly. However, the relationship between urban metabolism and heritage buildings from an ecological perspective has not largely gained scholarly attention. Hence, this chapter explores this relationship by advocating that reuse and conservation are ecological principles, and that adopting existing infrastructure such as historical buildings and increasing their life cycles contributes toward desirable urban metabolism. This brings down cost and time of construction, requires less resources, retains a set of materials for longer periods for metabolic processes, and promotes environmental and social sustainability. The chapter reviews relevant literature and specific adaptive reuse case studies in urban areas around the globe including restoration and redevelopment of singular or multiple heritage buildings that display significant positive environmental impacts such as addressing resource depletion and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The chapter also highlights the ecological aspect of a built environment concerning sustainable supply of materials and energy required for a desired urban metabolism. Based on this, the research builds a case for conservation and adaptive reuse to be employed as an important indicator for urban metabolism through maintenance and management of historical urban built environments.
Research Interests: History, Architecture, Climate Change, Rehabilitation, Conservation, and 14 moreConstruction Management, Infrastructure Planning, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Sustainable Building Design, Heritage Conservation, Urban Studies, Ecology, Adaptive Reuse, Built Heritage (Heritage Studies), Environmental Sustainability, Urban Metabolism, Adaptive Reused Historical Building for New Purposed, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Wisdom(TEKW)
Climate change has been and is still affecting every region in Europe, with varying impacts across the continent. While some cities are generally resilient to CC impacts, other cities are not necessarily as fortunate. Promoting policies... more
Climate change has been and is still affecting every region in Europe, with varying impacts across the continent. While some cities are generally resilient to CC impacts, other cities are not necessarily as fortunate. Promoting policies that build resilience enhances cities' capabilities to cope with acute shocks and chronic stresses, adapt well to changing climate conditions, and ultimately transform to resilient cities. Conversely, the weak or absence of urban resilience increases the vulnerability of the urban poor to risks. It is therefore imperative to rapidly enhance urban resilience practices. To date, only 26% of 885 cities in Europe have viable adaptation plans, highlighting an imbalance in the adaptation and resilience progression across countries. Although digital transformation through increased data availability and the use of digitalization instruments has the potential to improve the rate of achieving the adaptation strategies, not much has been documented in this regard. Thus, this chapter examines the potentials of digitalization in accelerating adaptation and boosting resilience in selected European cities. Case studies are analyzed through a systematic literature search, and evidence of fruitful cases are presented. We conclude by discussing some challenges of digitalization and make recommendations for future works.
Research Interests: Climate Change, Climate Change Adaptation, Resilience, Global cities, Sustainable Development, and 12 moreUrban Planning, Transformation, Sustainable Urban Environments, Environmental Sustainability, Land-use planning, Urbanization, The Industrial Revolution, Urban Governance, Cities, Big Data, Digitisation, and European
Satellite settlements are recently booming around major African cities, often as comprehensively planned and self-contained new towns. These large-scale projects are influenced by the visions of global, smart, and sustainable cities, and... more
Satellite settlements are recently booming around major African cities, often as comprehensively planned and self-contained new towns. These large-scale projects are influenced by the visions of global, smart, and sustainable cities, and are funded largely through international real estate investments aimed at the middle- and upper-income markets. A research issue left largely unanswered is the lack of clarity about the place of such “African urban fantasies” within the governance structures of the countries where they are situated, including decision-making, public participation, accountability, transparency, environmental sustainability, and equity. This chapter reviews the governance structure for such megaprojects, and how it undermines the social inclusiveness goal of contemporary global development agendas. The chapter concludes with key lessons that we can take from these new towns towards a more appropriate and inclusive governance structure.
Research Interests: Management, Real Estate, Public Administration, Development Studies, Design, and 14 moreUrbanization in Developing Areas, Transportation Studies, Accountability, Sustainable Development, Africa, Urban Planning, Governance, Public Budgeting and Finance, Housing, Environmental Sustainability, Town planning, Transparency, Infrastructure, and Urban Planning and New Towns
Cities are important places not just for living, but also for producing goods and services. Annually, around 60 million people are being added to urban areas, which housed one-fifth of humans a century ago, half in 2007, and would be home... more
Cities are important places not just for living, but also for producing goods and services. Annually, around 60 million people are being added to urban areas, which housed one-fifth of humans a century ago, half in 2007, and would be home to about two-thirds by 2030. In the global South, the rate of urban population growth is unprecedented. Africa and Asia would be home to about 90% of the estimated increase in the global urban population by 2030 (2.5 billion people), with 37% of the increase expected to happen in China, India, and Nigeria. The challenges of planning the rapidly expanding cities are felt more often in the Global South where the extent of the challenges intensifies every day with a rapid urbanization rate. Consequently, urban development stakeholders seek opportunities in innovative urban planning capacities and tools to confront the challenges. In Lagos, the most populous city in Nigeria and its economic and industrial hub, the government has gone on an extensive planning reform paradigm, developing a few model city and sub-regional master plan to address the city’s urbanization challenges. This paper, therefore, reviews key urbanization challenges faced by Lagos and explores how urban plans and their planning framework are being implemented in managing the megacity. It concludes by highlighting some effective urban planning and governance practices that can help confront Lagos’ urbanization challenges and foster urban sustainability.
Research Interests: Management, Transportation Engineering, African Studies, Environmental Science, Development Studies, and 13 moreGlobalization, Climate Change, Urbanization in Developing Areas, Economic Growth, Sustainable Development, Urban Planning, Governance, Housing, Environmental Sustainability, Nigeria, Water Pollution, Slum upgrading, and Public Policy
Low carbon city is a sustainable urbanization approach that centers on curtailing the anthropogenic carbon footprint of cities by means of minimizing or abolishing the utilization of energy sourced from fossil fuel. It combines the... more
Low carbon city is a sustainable urbanization approach that centers on curtailing the anthropogenic carbon footprint of cities by means of minimizing or abolishing the utilization of energy sourced from fossil fuel. It combines the features of low carbon society and low carbon economy while supporting partnerships among governments, private sectors, and civil societies.
Research Interests: Transportation Engineering, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, Climate Change Adaptation, and 14 moreSustainable Development, Urban Planning, Energy, Recycling, Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Low Carbone Cities, Green architecture, Environmental Sustainability, Global Warming, Cities, Solar Energy, Greenhouse Effect, and HVAC / Building Services
Urbanization possesses the power to transform the physical and socioeconomic structure of cities globally. In developing countries, transformative urbanization requires employing suitable tools that can address contemporary challenges... more
Urbanization possesses the power to transform the physical and socioeconomic structure of cities globally. In developing countries, transformative urbanization requires employing suitable tools that can address contemporary challenges such as rapid population growth, housing and basic infrastructure provision, as well as inadequate financial and technical resources. Despite some criticism, public-private partnership (PPP) is increasingly being applied to tackle these challenges and to foster sustainable urbanization. Yet, limited studies have investigated PPP applications in providing housing and infrastructure in Nigerian cities. Using desktop study, this chapter analyzes the potentials and challenges of PPP in housing and infrastructure delivery in Abuja, Nigeria. It specifically reviews the modes of housing and infrastructure provision, highlights the concept and models of PPP, and examines the potentials and challenges of PPP in housing and infrastructure delivery in Abuja. It then recommends ways of enhancing the existing PPP in Abuja and concludes with future research direction
Research Interests:
Provision of basic urban services, such as potable water, sanitation and refuse collection is vital and instrumental to health and economic well being of any society. However, the delivery of adequate urban services in the cities of... more
Provision of basic urban services, such as potable water, sanitation and refuse collection is vital and instrumental to health and economic well being of any society. However, the delivery of adequate urban services in the cities of developing countries has not been successful due to a myriad of challenges including rapid urbanization, limited resources, urban poverty, informality, slums and squatter settlements, in addition to other socioeconomic and political forces. While numerous studies have documented the inability of the cities to provide adequate services, very few have explored how residents of the cities cope with the problems in service delivery.
Using Abuja as a case study where data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 60 households, observation and review of documents, this dissertation conveys respondents' experience with the delivery of water, refuse collection and sanitation services. Second, the study explores household's coping strategies with unsatisfactory delivery of the services according to the Exit, Voice, Loyalty and Neglect (EVLN) model being the most dominant in the literature. Third, it evaluates the efficacy of the strategies. Fourth, it investigates the factors that influence the choice and efficacy of the coping strategies and lastly, it analyzes the sequences in the choices of the strategies.
The study concludes that the centralized public sector approach is ineffective in providing adequate urban services in the city. As a result, informal alternatives such as getting water from vendors, boreholes, local wells, public buildings, rivers and rainfall and garbage disposal by self or informal collectors and septic system were devised for coping with poor urban services. Similarly, informal artisans like plumbers and masons were increasingly utilized for solving problems with service infrastructure and facilities rather than contacting utility officials. These coping strategies are mostly unsafe, costly and inconvenient to households, more especially children.
However, this research found no evidence of residential relocation (Tiebout-exit) due to refuse collection problems but some renters expressed their intention to relocate due to severe water and sanitation problems. A few gated communities changed private refuse collectors and some households decided not to connect to public sewer but remain with their private septic system. Complaints to utility agencies by residents' associations were highly effective in getting service-related problems solved but it was less effective by groups of neighbors, while individual households often receive little or no responses from the agencies. The face-to-face mode of voice was found to be more effective than telephone calls or writing letters. Loyalty to the utility agencies was a result of improvement on service delivery or by comparing service performance with other cities. Refuse collection problems were often neglected, but problems with water and sanitation services were neglected only for temporary problems or those located away from homes.
This study also deepens our understanding of the variety of factors that influence the choice and efficacy of the response strategies. Factors that are most relevant to this study are necessity of the services, health concerns and cost of employing the strategies. While housing and neighborhood conditions and inefficiency of the public sector recorded moderate level of influence, socio-cultural factors and city planning regulations are least important in determining the choice and efficacy of coping strategies. This dissertation reiterates the need to recognize quasi-exit as an independent form of exit and the most dominant strategy for coping with poor public services in the Third World. It also concludes that the existing EVLN model is deficient in explaining user response to publicly-provided services in the developing countries and as such, proposes modifying it by adding a new dimension, called "investment", to represent resources invested in improving the efficacy of the EVLN strategies used to cope with unsatisfactory provision of necessary public services like water and sanitation.
Moreover, this study suggests that the modified EVLN model can be used as a tool for monitoring the performance of public services by utilities agencies. The research also informs planning practice by making policy recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the existing coping strategies. It also calls for establishing residents associations at districts as a means of improving service performance through collective action and proposes other ways of enhancing the delivery of basic public services in Abuja and other cities of developing countries
Using Abuja as a case study where data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 60 households, observation and review of documents, this dissertation conveys respondents' experience with the delivery of water, refuse collection and sanitation services. Second, the study explores household's coping strategies with unsatisfactory delivery of the services according to the Exit, Voice, Loyalty and Neglect (EVLN) model being the most dominant in the literature. Third, it evaluates the efficacy of the strategies. Fourth, it investigates the factors that influence the choice and efficacy of the coping strategies and lastly, it analyzes the sequences in the choices of the strategies.
The study concludes that the centralized public sector approach is ineffective in providing adequate urban services in the city. As a result, informal alternatives such as getting water from vendors, boreholes, local wells, public buildings, rivers and rainfall and garbage disposal by self or informal collectors and septic system were devised for coping with poor urban services. Similarly, informal artisans like plumbers and masons were increasingly utilized for solving problems with service infrastructure and facilities rather than contacting utility officials. These coping strategies are mostly unsafe, costly and inconvenient to households, more especially children.
However, this research found no evidence of residential relocation (Tiebout-exit) due to refuse collection problems but some renters expressed their intention to relocate due to severe water and sanitation problems. A few gated communities changed private refuse collectors and some households decided not to connect to public sewer but remain with their private septic system. Complaints to utility agencies by residents' associations were highly effective in getting service-related problems solved but it was less effective by groups of neighbors, while individual households often receive little or no responses from the agencies. The face-to-face mode of voice was found to be more effective than telephone calls or writing letters. Loyalty to the utility agencies was a result of improvement on service delivery or by comparing service performance with other cities. Refuse collection problems were often neglected, but problems with water and sanitation services were neglected only for temporary problems or those located away from homes.
This study also deepens our understanding of the variety of factors that influence the choice and efficacy of the response strategies. Factors that are most relevant to this study are necessity of the services, health concerns and cost of employing the strategies. While housing and neighborhood conditions and inefficiency of the public sector recorded moderate level of influence, socio-cultural factors and city planning regulations are least important in determining the choice and efficacy of coping strategies. This dissertation reiterates the need to recognize quasi-exit as an independent form of exit and the most dominant strategy for coping with poor public services in the Third World. It also concludes that the existing EVLN model is deficient in explaining user response to publicly-provided services in the developing countries and as such, proposes modifying it by adding a new dimension, called "investment", to represent resources invested in improving the efficacy of the EVLN strategies used to cope with unsatisfactory provision of necessary public services like water and sanitation.
Moreover, this study suggests that the modified EVLN model can be used as a tool for monitoring the performance of public services by utilities agencies. The research also informs planning practice by making policy recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the existing coping strategies. It also calls for establishing residents associations at districts as a means of improving service performance through collective action and proposes other ways of enhancing the delivery of basic public services in Abuja and other cities of developing countries
Definition: A sustainable university accreditation is a process of evaluating programs, research, and operations of a university to establish whether sustainability goals and standards are met. It evaluates a university’s performance and... more
Definition: A sustainable university accreditation is a process of evaluating programs, research, and operations of a university to establish whether sustainability goals and standards are met. It evaluates a university’s performance and commitment to sustainability and translates that evaluation into a general assessment that allows for comparison across similar higher education institutions. On the other hand, sustainable university certification means verifying that university buildings, services, processes and products fulfill all the specified requirements of relevant sustainability standards, technical regulations, or other guidelines.
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The emergence of digital currencies is substantially influencing the growth of global financial markets and cities. Cryptocurrency entrepreneurs (CEs) are reshaping global cities and regions by transforming the way we live, work and... more
The emergence of digital currencies is substantially influencing the growth of global financial markets and cities. Cryptocurrency entrepreneurs (CEs) are reshaping global cities and regions by transforming the way we live, work and interact. This chapter explores how the entrepreneurs use cryptocurrency assets and their underpinning computing technologies to transform the dysfunctional and evolving global cities. The CEs generate funds and create cutting-edge technologies to meet the challenges faced by cities, including unemployment, inadequate and rundown infrastructure and facilities as well as for new development to meet the needs of massive future urbanization. The chapter is organized in five parts. It first introduces the study and presents a background on the concepts of blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency, their emergence and development trend. It then discusses the rise of global cities and how technology impacts them, followed by the potentials and challenges of CEs in transforming global cities and regions. It ends with conclusion and future research directions.
Research Interests: Business, Development Economics, Education, Development Studies, Infrastructure Planning, and 12 moreSustainable Development, Urban Planning, Housing, Developing Countries, Public Health, Slums, Favelas, and Shanty-towns, Cities, Enterpreneurship, Digital Currency, HIGHWAY ROADS AND BRIDGES, Cryptocurrency, and Blockchain Technologies
To efficiently manage growth and changes arising from rapidly increasing population and urbanization trends, developing countries need to employ appropriate tools to analyze the key issues involved. Globally, crowdsourcing is increasingly... more
To efficiently manage growth and changes arising from rapidly increasing population and urbanization trends, developing countries need to employ appropriate tools to analyze the key issues involved. Globally, crowdsourcing is increasingly being applied to facilitate sustainable urban development (SUD) planning process. Crowdsourcing has already proved capable of generating new models for urban planning and governance that source and mobilize diverse social actors working toward sustainable and innovation oriented urban space. However, few studies have explored crowdsourcing applications in SUD planning in developing countries. Therefore, based on desktop study, this chapter examines applications of crowdsourcing in SUD planning in developing countries. The chapter reviews the conceptual and historical foundation of crowdsourcing, and highlights some exemplary applications of crowdsourcing in SUD planning worldwide. It then discusses the challenges and potentials of crowdsourcing as a tool in planning for SUD in developing countries and concludes with future research directions.
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Nigeria, with a population of about 186 million people (48% living in urban areas) in 2016, is the most populous country in Africa and eighth in the world, and by 2050 it is projected to become the third largest country in the world. This... more
Nigeria, with a population of about 186 million people (48% living in urban areas) in 2016, is the most populous country in Africa and eighth in the world, and by 2050 it is projected to become the third largest
country in the world. This chapter highlights major challenges of rapid urbanization in Nigeria, caused mainly by in-migration of rural dwellers in search of better living conditions and employment opportunities.
They include unemployment and urban poverty, social exclusion and crimes, poor housing and slum, inadequate provision of public services and proliferation of the informal sector. Notwithstanding, Nigeria can exploit these urbanization challenges and turn them into opportunities for socioeconomic development. As such, some key opportunities for sustainable urbanization in Nigeria have been discussed: (a) local economic development; (b) promoting urban sustainability; and (c) smart and knowledge city initiative. The chapter concludes with some future research directions.
country in the world. This chapter highlights major challenges of rapid urbanization in Nigeria, caused mainly by in-migration of rural dwellers in search of better living conditions and employment opportunities.
They include unemployment and urban poverty, social exclusion and crimes, poor housing and slum, inadequate provision of public services and proliferation of the informal sector. Notwithstanding, Nigeria can exploit these urbanization challenges and turn them into opportunities for socioeconomic development. As such, some key opportunities for sustainable urbanization in Nigeria have been discussed: (a) local economic development; (b) promoting urban sustainability; and (c) smart and knowledge city initiative. The chapter concludes with some future research directions.
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In order to promote sustainability in higher education institutions, different sustainable campus awards have been established to foster best practices and encourage networking among universities. However, the impact and engagement with... more
In order to promote sustainability in higher education institutions, different sustainable campus awards have been established to foster best practices and encourage networking among universities. However, the impact and engagement with the awards have not been similar especially between developed and developing countries. This paper reviews the major sustainable campus awards on two fronts; the coverage of different dimensions of campus sustainability and the spatial distribution of award winners. It also examines the impacts of the awards within the local context of Saudi Arabia as a case study of developing countries. The findings show the gap in the aspects covered by these awards and the spatial distribution of winners. This paper concludes with recommendations on how to improve both the engagement and networking of these award bodies with higher education institutions and the coverage of campus sustainability awards in developing countries.
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This chapter highlights the challenges of rapid urbanization in Saudi Arabia and the implications of its burgeoning urban population on urban sustainability. The first section of the chapter reviews the trend of urbanization in the Third... more
This chapter highlights the challenges of rapid urbanization in Saudi Arabia and the implications of its burgeoning urban population on urban sustainability. The first section of the chapter reviews the trend of urbanization in the Third World, and Saudi Arabia in particular, and the factors responsible for rapid urban growth. The second section critically analyzes major urbanization challenges in Saudi Arabia and their impacts on people and the environment. The final section assesses the extent to which some sustainability initiatives being implemented by the government are meeting the competing and sometimes conflicting urbanization challenges. The chapter concludes with some policy implications.
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Publishing research output in high-impact journals is an important indicator of the prestige of an academic, and a key criteria in all university ranking systems. However, many junior scholars are often faced with the challenge of getting... more
Publishing research output in high-impact journals is an important indicator of the prestige of an academic, and a key criteria in all university ranking systems. However, many junior scholars are often faced with the challenge of getting their research papers published in high-impact journals, such as those indexed in Web of Science and Scopus. In this seminar, we share with you the key strategies of getting your social science research published in high impact journals. The paper highlights the importance of publishing in high-impact journals, discuses the basic sections of a typical journal article in the field of social sciences: introduction, literature review, methodology, results and discussion, and conclusions. It also presents the main reasons why manuscripts are accepted or rejected, and concludes with some tips on publishing high quality articles.
Research Interests: Creative Writing, Development Studies, Publishing, Social Sciences, Research Methodology, and 15 moreOpen Access Publishing, Qualitative methodology, Educational Research, Sustainable Development, Academic Writing, Urban Planning, Quantitative Methods, Environmental Sustainability, Nigeria, Academic Ranking, Academic Publishing, Journals, Conferences, Academics, and Research Articles
The recent transition from millennium development goals (MDGs) to sustainable development goals (SDGs) raises issues about the extent to which developing countries have been able to achieve the MDGs and how prepared are they for the... more
The recent transition from millennium development goals (MDGs) to sustainable development goals (SDGs) raises issues about the extent to which developing countries have been able to achieve the MDGs and how prepared are they for the challenges of meeting the targets of the SDGs. Nigeria, with a population of 182 million people (about half living in urban areas), is the most populous country in Africa and seventh in the world, and by 2050 the UN projected the population to reach about 400 million, thus becoming the third largest country in the world. This paper examines Nigeria's prospects of achieving the SGDs, especially SDG 11 that aims to 'make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.' This research employs desk study methodology where data were collected from secondary sources, including official reports. With examples from some Nigerian States, the paper specifically highlights the extent to which the country has achieved MDG 7, 'ensure environmental sustainability,' and the challenges it faced, and then provides an analysis of the level of Nigeria's preparedness in meeting the SDG 11, considering its current urbanization, financial and security challenges. The paper then concludes with some recommendations on the way forward.
Research Interests: Transportation Engineering, Forestry, Climate Change, Urbanization in Developing Areas, Resilience, and 14 moreUrban Planning, Housing, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Disaster Management, Biodiversity, Environmental Sustainability, Social Inclusion, Nigeria, Solid Waste Management, Slums Studies, Water and Sanitation, Mdgs Goals, Garbage, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The contributions of urban planning initiatives in fostering sustainable built environment has been receiving global attention, especially in rapidly growing countries that rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy generation and... more
The contributions of urban planning initiatives in fostering sustainable built environment has been receiving global attention, especially in rapidly growing countries that rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy generation and transportation. Estimates indicate that by 2040, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from developing countries are expected to surpass that of the world's most developed economies by 127%. Thus, developing countries must be an integral part of global actions towards creating low carbon communities. Saudi Arabia is among the countries with high per capita greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water consumption, and vehicle ownership rates in the world, in addition to a sensitive eco-system. To promote the sustainability of the built environment, the country has recently implemented some urban planning initiatives in its major cities. However, few studies to date have assessed the extent to which the initiatives are being implemented and their potential impacts. Based on secondary analysis, this paper found that the key initiatives include renewable energy development, green buildings, public transit, and urban greening. The paper concludes with some recommendations for improvement.
Research Interests: Transportation Engineering, Climate Change, Urbanization in Developing Areas, Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, and 14 moreSustainable Development, Urban Planning, Energy, Urban Studies, Saudi Arabia, Carbon Sequestration, Sustainable Water Resources Management, Green architecture, Environmental Sustainability, Green Consumer Behavior, Global Warming, Cities, Solar Energy, and Greenhouse Effect
Although modernist planning efforts in Africa are increasingly viewed with skepticism, planning efforts continue to utilise modernist assumptions despite numerous challenges. This paper reviews the effectiveness of modernist master... more
Although modernist planning efforts in Africa are increasingly viewed with skepticism, planning efforts continue to utilise modernist assumptions despite numerous challenges. This paper reviews the effectiveness of modernist master planning in achieving the main objectives of creating African new towns of Abuja, Dodoma, Gaborone and Lilongwe. An extensive review of secondary data, plans and empirical studies of these cities found that most of the objectives of these modernist plans have not been achieved or have only been met at a moderate level. In conclusion the study considers the broader challenges of modernist planning efforts in Africa and argues that the lessons learned from the implementation of this model suggest it is time to rethink this model of urban development in Africa.
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Provision of urban services in Abuja is based on modernist assumptions in which rational plans proposed a centralized provision of urban services to all classes of residents irrespective of race/ethnicity or wealth. However, adequate... more
Provision of urban services in Abuja is based on modernist assumptions in which rational plans proposed a centralized provision of urban services to all classes of residents irrespective of race/ethnicity or wealth. However, adequate provision of basic urban services like tap water, refuse collection and sanitation to the rapidly growing cities of developing countries is always a huge challenge. Where such services are lacking or inadequate, city residents usually resort to using several approaches to cope with the situation. Using 60 in-depth interviews with household heads in Abuja, this paper explores the various strategies city residents employ in response to unsatisfactory urban services. Findings from grounded analysis provide insights into the problems with the modernist model in the provision of piped-water refuse collection and sanitation services in different parts of the city and the extent to which the coping strategies are effective. The paper concludes with a set of lessons and policy recommendations on ways to mitigate the problems with this model of urban service provision in developing countries
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The modernist planning tradition was imported from Europe to Africa during colonialism and later became part of national planning policies of some developing countries. It was used in the form of the new town model to establish new... more
The modernist planning tradition was imported from Europe to Africa during colonialism and later became part of national planning policies of some developing countries. It was used in the form of the new town model to establish new capital cities such as Abuja, Dodoma, Gaborone, and Lilongwe in Africa and Brasilia, Islamabad and New Delhi in other developing countries. Based on rational plans, modernist planners proposed to distribute urban services to all classes of residents irrespective of race/ethnicity or wealth in these cities. However, challenges such as rapid urbanization and limited resources in the global South undermine these assumptions. In addition, socioeconomic and political forces such as income, race/ethnicity and bureaucratic interference often influence planning implementation resulting in uneven service distribution.
Using Abuja as a case study, this paper explores how these factors are overwhelming the effectiveness of the modernist approach to provide basic tap water, refuse collection and sewerage services. The federal capital of Nigeria was relocated to Abuja in 1991 from Lagos because of overcrowdings, high traffic congestion and the dearth of basic services. Yet, one of the intricate problems currently facing Abuja is the provision of basic services to its population that is rapidly growing. Because the development of Abuja is in principle guided by the Abuja Master Plan that proposed equal provision of urban services to all residents of the “ethnically neutral” city, this paper studies the factors behind the reality and what the city was intended to be in its Master Plan.
This study uses a combination of survey data conducted during the review of Abuja Master Plan, personal observation of the condition of service facilities and review of archives and documents. The findings from multivariate regression provide insights into patterns of the distribution of urban services and the extent to which the service performance, as rated by households, is associated with household characteristics such as ethnicity and employment types, and closeness to city center.
The paper concludes with a set of lessons from this study that will inform other modernist projects in the developing countries and recommend policies on ways to mitigate the problems with the current model in urban service provision.
Using Abuja as a case study, this paper explores how these factors are overwhelming the effectiveness of the modernist approach to provide basic tap water, refuse collection and sewerage services. The federal capital of Nigeria was relocated to Abuja in 1991 from Lagos because of overcrowdings, high traffic congestion and the dearth of basic services. Yet, one of the intricate problems currently facing Abuja is the provision of basic services to its population that is rapidly growing. Because the development of Abuja is in principle guided by the Abuja Master Plan that proposed equal provision of urban services to all residents of the “ethnically neutral” city, this paper studies the factors behind the reality and what the city was intended to be in its Master Plan.
This study uses a combination of survey data conducted during the review of Abuja Master Plan, personal observation of the condition of service facilities and review of archives and documents. The findings from multivariate regression provide insights into patterns of the distribution of urban services and the extent to which the service performance, as rated by households, is associated with household characteristics such as ethnicity and employment types, and closeness to city center.
The paper concludes with a set of lessons from this study that will inform other modernist projects in the developing countries and recommend policies on ways to mitigate the problems with the current model in urban service provision.
Research Interests:
Research has shown that regular use of sexual and reproductive health services by adolescents can significantly reduce mortality from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. However, in the developing world the use of such... more
Research has shown that regular use of sexual and reproductive health services by adolescents can significantly reduce mortality from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. However, in the developing world the use of such services by female adolescents remains well below international goals. In an effort to understand the factors that influence low use of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents, this study explored the influence of locus of control and sexual health utilization practices in Nigeria. The study used a representative sample of 1855 secondary school female adolescents in Imo State between ages 14-19years in a cross-sectional survey. C orrelation analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between adolescents' locus of control and their use of sexual reproductive health services. This means that adolescents locus of control has a major influence on their behavior towards use of the services The implication is that efforts towards improving sexual health in Nigeria should be multifaceted so that adolescents are also informed and empowered to use reproductive health service. Similarly, local health departments should provide interventions that targets adolescents health beliefs and behaviour as well as implement social programs that promote health service use among adolescents. This would help the government in achieving Millennium Development Goal (MDG5b) of increasing access to reproductive health services by adolescents in Nigeria.
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Environmental Management System (EMS) is the overall practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy of an organization to reduce its negative... more
Environmental Management System (EMS) is the overall practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy of an organization to reduce its negative environmental impacts & improve operation efficiency. EMS has now gone beyond the traditional implementation at corporate level by industries and companies as cities, municipalities and universities embrace the system. This brings a shift of approach in EMS planning, implementation and management because cities and universities are bigger in size, more heterogeneous, and have more spatially-related activities and multiple stake holders and diverse land uses than companies. As such, EMS implementation at university level becomes difficult without geographically referencing activities and land uses that have negative environmental impacts. A tool like GIS would be highly needed for tracking the environmental impacts of such activities and their locations using a spatially-related database, site and utilities plans, maintenance plans and records, etc. With GIS, relevant information regarding university environmental aspects or operations from multiple sources can be consolidated and easily accessed and manipulated. In this paper, a KFUPM GIS-Based EMS is used to demonstrate these vital roles that GIS can play in the efficient and effective planning and management of university EMS.
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Reasonable and useful information can be analysed and presented through a Geographical Information System (GIS) for any desirable spatial application. This paper considers the problem of opening new facilities in the presence of competing... more
Reasonable and useful information can be analysed and presented through a Geographical Information System (GIS) for any desirable spatial application. This paper considers the problem of opening new facilities in the presence of competing firms. We build a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) that link together selected information from the database of a GIS with a mathematical decision model which is based on the Maximum Capture model (MaxCap) that support the process of selecting the optimal locations for the facilities. The problem of opening petrol stations is considered as a case study to illustrate the design of the DSS and how quantitative and qualitative decisions factors can be taken into consideration to illustrate customer’s behaviour while patronizing a given outlet.
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Accessibility as a relative nearness of one place to another indicates easiness of reaching destination from origin. As a spatial analytic measure, it plays a vital role for decision makers in deciding where to locate public facilities or... more
Accessibility as a relative nearness of one place to another indicates easiness of reaching destination from origin. As a spatial analytic measure, it plays a vital role for decision makers in deciding where to locate public facilities or amenities so as to maximise their usability. More accessible public facilities like parks and open spaces improve social cohesion and interaction as more people patronise them. Better accessibility to facilities also ensures economic efficiency in the use of such facilities because when they service more people, they would be more cost effective. One of such places where the location of green areas is meant to serve the above-mentioned purposes is Doha district in Saudi Arabia. Doha is a new district in Dammam metropolitan region of Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It is designed in grid-iron pattern with some organised green areas in contrast with the old traditional organic settlements. The District is planned by Saudi Arabian Oil Company (ARAMCO) to serve as a model to the new and traditional settlements in the country. The green areas include parks and open spaces serving as public recreation centres. But are they accessible to their intended beneficiaries? Some of the ways by which the accessibility of the green areas can be measured is by using Space Syntax or GIS Network Analysis techniques. The Network Analysis technique is based on distance measurement between the green areas and the neighbourhoods they serve, while the space syntax technique evaluates the spatial configuration of the green areas. This paper, therefore, identifies the locations of those green areas and analyses their level of accessibility using both techniques in a comparative approach. Lastly, recommendations were made on how GIS network analysis and space syntax can help in the location of public infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
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Purpose: As cities in the developing countries are expanding at an alarming rate with resulting increase in demand for shelter, energy and means of livelihood, smart growth planning approach provides a means of making the cities more... more
Purpose: As cities in the developing countries are expanding at an alarming rate with resulting increase in demand for shelter, energy and means of livelihood, smart growth planning approach provides a means of making the cities more sustainable. And for the cities to grow smartly there is the need to train urban planners to think and act on how to help create and maintain cleaner, healthier and more sustainable communities. Using University of Dammam in Saudi Arabia as a case study, this study evaluates the efforts of higher institutions of learning in promoting smart growth in a country that is experiencing high population growth and its cities are rapidly expanding due to oil boom. The paper then highlights the critical role universities could play in promoting smart growth in planning and managing the rapidly growing cities of developing countries.
Design / Methodology / Approach: In order to determine the extent to which the University promotes the principles of smart growth in its Bachelor of Urban and Regional planning program, data was collected through a review of bachelor of urban and regional planning curriculum and syllabi and final year projects and other relevant secondary literature. Descriptive statistics and contents analyses were used for data analyses.
Originality / Value: The role of higher institutions in promoting smart growth principles in planning cities has been underutilized in the developing countries. This study highlights the critical role of universities in promoting smart growth principles in planning and managing cities in developing countries.
Practical Application: This paper draws the attention of higher institutions of learning on the ways they can contribute in making our cities grow smarter. Colleges and universities can inculcate smart growth planning strategies in training urban planners and future decision makers and help local governments with technical ability, and intellectual and institutional resources to ensure that growth and development protects and enhances the natural environment, promotes economic prosperity, and enhances quality of life for all citizens.
Keywords: Smart Growth, University, Developing Countries, Dammam, Urban Planning
Design / Methodology / Approach: In order to determine the extent to which the University promotes the principles of smart growth in its Bachelor of Urban and Regional planning program, data was collected through a review of bachelor of urban and regional planning curriculum and syllabi and final year projects and other relevant secondary literature. Descriptive statistics and contents analyses were used for data analyses.
Originality / Value: The role of higher institutions in promoting smart growth principles in planning cities has been underutilized in the developing countries. This study highlights the critical role of universities in promoting smart growth principles in planning and managing cities in developing countries.
Practical Application: This paper draws the attention of higher institutions of learning on the ways they can contribute in making our cities grow smarter. Colleges and universities can inculcate smart growth planning strategies in training urban planners and future decision makers and help local governments with technical ability, and intellectual and institutional resources to ensure that growth and development protects and enhances the natural environment, promotes economic prosperity, and enhances quality of life for all citizens.
Keywords: Smart Growth, University, Developing Countries, Dammam, Urban Planning
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Campus sustainability has become an issue of global concern for university policymakers and planners as result of the realization of the impacts the activities and operations of universities have on the environment. The issue has also... more
Campus sustainability has become an issue of global concern for university policymakers and planners as result of the realization of the impacts the activities and operations of universities have on the environment. The issue has also been intensified by the pressure from government environmental protection agencies, sustainability movements, university stakeholders as well as the momentum of other forces including student activism and NGOs. In 1990, the Talloires Declaration at an international conference in France becomes the first official statement made by university administrators of a commitment to environmental sustainability in higher education. The declaration is a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach at colleges and universities. Over 300 university presidents and chancellors in over 40 countries have signed the declaration as a commitment to campus sustainability and several of them have embarked on projects and initiatives to incorporate sustainability into their systems.
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Research Interests:
This report is presented to the board of the Smith-Williams Community Center in the Bond Community as an effort to provide guidance and suggestions in terms of sustainable community development. The spring 2009 Community Development... more
This report is presented to the board of the Smith-Williams Community Center in the Bond Community as an effort to provide guidance and suggestions in terms of sustainable community development. The spring 2009 Community Development Systems class in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Florida State University has structured this report to reflect the concerns of the board members as discussed at a preliminary meeting on February 19, 2009. Working off a profile of the Bond Community produced by a previous class and information gathered from board members and City of Tallahassee employees, this report presents a description of specific areas related to sustainability and development as they relate to Bond. This report also offers recommendations to the board of the Smith-Williams Community Center concerning the different paths it may take to realizing growth and progress in the community. The report is divided into six sections that discuss mechanisms for growth in the Bond Community. These sections include a guide to sustainability evaluation, land use, economic development, historic preservation, community networks and linkages and recommendations. The recommendations that conclude this report are as follows:
• Form a special committee to investigate the City of Tallahassee’s definition of Bond.
• Begin collaboration with surrounding neighborhoods to prioritize needs and request funds.
• Refrain from pursuing official historic preservation designation.
• Pursue alternative historic preservation option that captures the spirit of the Bond Community.
• Enhance community visibility in a positive way and encourage resident participation.
• Continue to strengthen existing networks and partnerships while forging new ones.
• Form a special committee to investigate the City of Tallahassee’s definition of Bond.
• Begin collaboration with surrounding neighborhoods to prioritize needs and request funds.
• Refrain from pursuing official historic preservation designation.
• Pursue alternative historic preservation option that captures the spirit of the Bond Community.
• Enhance community visibility in a positive way and encourage resident participation.
• Continue to strengthen existing networks and partnerships while forging new ones.