Search

Abstract The recurrence of similar problems caused by human errors in urbanization process is common throughout the world. However, the knowledge learnt from these problems should become lessons and important references for decision-making to avoid the recurrence of these problems, thus urban development can be sustainable. It is considered of imperative importance to incorporate the lessons experienced into the decision-making process in a way that can help foresee the potential problems and take proper measures for addressing the problems. There are few studies that have been conducted to investigate the similarity between the current scenario of urbanization practice and the previous context of lesson cases. The ignorance of this similarity presents a significant barrier for decision makers to learn from the existing lessons effectively thus to have references of how to make better decisions for future urbanization practices. This paper presents a Lessons Mining System (LMS) to assist in mining lessons experienced from previous practices. The establishment of LMS is based on Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) theory and the similarity matching principles. The system includes five components, namely, Lessons-case Representation, Lessons-case Store, Lessons-case Retrieval, Lessons-case Application, and Lessons-case Update. LMS can facilitate decision makers to understand what potential problems might occur from their current actions by referring to the lessons experienced previously in similar circumstances. This understanding can help decision makers take preventive measures against the potential problems. The use of LMS can send alarming messages to decision makers about what possible problematic consequence may occur, thus they can modify their actions before too late. A demonstration of Yangwu Town is presented to show the application of LMS, and the result shows that the lessons mined can provide valuable references for the government of Yangwu Town to improve their decision-making quality. Graphical abstract Image Highlights • A Lessons Mining System (LMS) is proposed. • LMS is a new method of mining lessons learnt from urbanization problems. • LMS can facilitate decision-makers to foresee potential problems. • LMS can facilitate decision-makers to improve decision-making quality. • A demonstration of Yangwu Town is used to show the application of LMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic studies on building industry have much to contribute to the mission of sustainable development and yet there has been a lack of proactive engagement with environmentalism in the project-based organizations (PBOs). The embedding of “green” in project-based organization is made particularly problematic due to the increasing conflict between organization-wide change initiatives and emerging cost occurred during daily operation. An independent environmental representative is introduced to develop a new mode of PBOs to help environmental paradigm shift in the construction industry. The paper is a contribution towards an environmental understanding of the project management process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many regions globally have been facing the challenges of water scarcity and water pollution along with the rampant urbanization process. These challenges highlight the urgency to investigate appropriately the regional water resource carrying capacity (RWRCC) which is a metric for examining and guiding sustainable regional development. Although existing studies have devoted efforts on RWRCC research, the definition of RWRCC and its evaluation method remain arguable. Given this background, this paper introduces a "carrier-load" perspective method for investigating RWRCC. In developing this method, RWRCC performance is determined jointly by two components, namely, carrier and load of regional water resources system. The two components are comprehended and identified through examining the regional water cycling system. A measurement model for RWRCC is established by investigating the interaction between carrier and load. The effectiveness of the "carrier-load" method on RWRCC is demonstrated by conducting an empirical study to 31 provinces of China. The results reveal that the RWRCC performances vary significantly between different regions as they are subject to different performances of carrier and load. The proposed "carrier-load" method provides a theoretical reference for conducting RWRCC research. The evaluation results by applying the method can facilitate decision-makers to formulate tailor-made policy instruments at regional level to ensure the capabilities of water resources are not overloaded or less-utilized in achieving their sustainable development mission. • Giving a carrier-load Concept of regional water resources carrying capacity (RWRCC). • Identifying watercarrier and load through examining regional water cycling system. • Developing the measurement of RWRCC based on a"carrier-load" perspective. • Conducting a China case for the established RWRCC measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has been experiencing a rapid urbanization process. Various relevant policies and strategies have been implemented for sustainable urbanization. For a better understanding of sustainable urbanization, many research efforts have been made on urban sustainability assessment. The traditional indicator index is normally used to evaluate the urban sustainability performance. However, the urban development is a complex system, and the existing methods cannot reflect the systemic interactions among variables. Therefore, this paper aims to develop a system dynamics model for simulating urban sustainability performance. The system dynamics model comprises four sub-systems, namely, the economic sector, social sector, environment sector and resource sector. Then, the system dynamics model is used to simulate the sustainability performance of the city, Beijing, with three scenarios. The results indicate that the system dynamics modelling is a useful tool for simulating urban sustainability performance and can help policy makers formulate relevant strategies for a better sustainable development of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of the era of global ecological limits, natural capital has become absolutely scarce. How to improve the level of human well-being within the ecological limits is the ultimate goal of sustainable development. China is challenged to improve ecological well-being performance (EWP), predominantly in urban areas. This paper presents an overall analysis of the EWP of 278 Chinese cities during the period of 2005–2016 using the Super-slack-based measure (Super-SBM) model. The index system of ecological well-being performance evaluation is constructed from the perspective of input (e.g., labour force, fixed assets investment) and output (e.g. per capita GDP and dust). The results demonstrate that (1) the average EWP value of Chinese cities is relatively low with the value of 0.5919; (2) the top three performers in EWP are Sanya, Haikou and Shenzhen, and the bottom three performers are JinChang, Guigang and Baiyin; (3) the average EWP value of 278 Chinese cities achieved significant improvement over the period 2005–2016; and (4) the EWP value is relatively high in the eastern region, medium in the western region and low in the middle region. Policy suggestions are thus proposed for improving the EWP in Chinese prefecture-level cities. The research findings provide significant references for urban ecological protection and human well-being improvement in China. Image 10311 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]