Determinants of environmental degradation: reflections on the impact of identified economic variables on the environment

Purpose. The main objective of this study is to investigate the determinants of environmental degradation within the broader framework of the environmental Kuznets Curve analysis. To better understand the economic impact on the environment, the study focuses on the relationship between carbon emission and the variables income per capita, trade openness, foreign direct investment, energy use and urbanization. Methods. In the context of the dynamic carbon emission model a Generalized-Method-of-Moments (GMM) technique was used to analyse World Bank of 125 countries for the period 2000 to 2014. This era was chosen as the most appropriate given the completeness of the dataset. Findings. The findings indicate that economic growth and energy use are significant variables in explaining environmental degradation, supporting previous research in to the particularly negative impact of energy use on the environment. The research however, found that urbanisation had only marginal significance in explaining the impact on the environment. Originality. The findings contribute to existing research in the area of environmental degradation, providing insight into the debate surrounding urbanisation and CO2 emission which had previously received mixed results. The findings take research forward through the examination of explanatory variables and their respective impact on CO2 emission in countries which have observed an increase in the number of urban dwellers. Practical implications. Given the debate in academic and practitioner literature around climate change, pollution and a general concern over a lack of collective action to address environmental concerns, the findings have practical implications for government institutions and businesses to better understand the economic impact on the environment.Мета. Визначення факторів, які викликають екологічну деградацію довкілля в широкому контексті екологічної кривої Кузнеця, на основі вивчення взаємозв’язку між вуглецевими викидами і такими змінними як дохід на душу населення, відкритість торгівлі, прямі іноземні інвестиції, використання енергії та урбанізація. Методика. Для побудови динамічної моделі вуглецевої емісії були використані дані Всесвітнього банку по 125 країнам у період з 2000 по 2014 роки, проаналізовані за допомогою узагальненого методу моментів. Даний проміжок часу був обраний як той, що найбільш повно представляє базу даних. Результати. Встановлено, що економічне зростання і використання енергії є найсуттєвішими факторами, які визначають екологічну деградацію, що підтверджується більш ранніми дослідженнями негативного впливу використання енергії на навколишнє середовище. Виявлено, що урбанізація впливає на стан навколишнього середовища тільки побічно. Рекомендовано в наступних дослідженнях розглянути інші заходи для уявлення урбанізації, а саме можливість вивчення даних по великих містах, а не по країнам. Такий підхід може дати додаткове уявлення про вплив урбанізації та можливих відмінностей між містами і регіонами. Наукова новизна. Отримано нові знання щодо оцінки впливу урбанізації та вуглецевих викидів на навколишнє природне середовище, які раніше мали неоднозначні результати. Прогрес у вивченні даних проблем було досягнуто за рахунок аналізу ключових змінних і їх впливу на емісію CO2 в країнах, де спостерігається зростання міського населення. Практична значимість. Результати дослідження мають істотне практичне значення для державних установ та бізнесових структур, оскільки допомагають краще зрозуміти сутність економічного впливу на навколишнє середовище і вносять вклад у вирішення проблеми екологічної деградації.Цель. Определение факторов, вызывающих экологическую деградацию окружающей среды в широком контексте экологической кривой Кузнеца, на основе изучения взаимосвязи между углеродными выбросами и такими переменными как доход на душу населения, открытость торговли, прямые иностранные инвестиции, использование энергии и урбанизация. Методика. Для построения динамической модели углеродной эмиссии были использованы данные Всемирного банка по 125 странам в период с 2000 по 2014 годы, проанализированные при помощи обобщенного метода моментов. Данный промежуток времени был выбран как наиболее полно представляющий базу данных. Результаты. Установлено, что экономический рост и использование энергии являются самыми существенными факторами, определяющими экологическую деградацию, что подтверждается более ранними исследованиями негативного влияния использования энергии на окружающую среду. Выявлено, что урбанизация воздействует на состояние окружающей среды только косвенно. Рекомендовано в следующих исследованиях рассмотреть другие меры для представления урбанизации, а именно возможность изучения данных по крупным городам, а не по странам. Такой подход может дать дополнительное представление о влиянии урбанизации и возможных различий между городами и регионами. Научная новизна. Получены новые знания касательно оценки влияния урбанизации и углеродных выбросов на окружающую природную среду, которые ранее имели неоднозначные результаты. Прогресс в изучении данных проблем был достигнут за счет анализа ключевых переменных и их влияния на эмиссию CO2 в странах, где наблюдается рост городского населения. Практическая значимость. Результаты исследования имеют существенное практическое значение для государственных учреждений и бизнес структур, поскольку помогают лучше понять сущность экономического воздействия на окружающую среду и вносят вклад в решение проблемы экологической деградации.The authors would like to thank Taylor’s University for funding this research project (Source of funding: TRGS (Taylor’s Research Grant Scheme); Grant Project Code: TRGS/ERFS/1/2018/TBS/009)

Climate tolerances and trait choices shape continental patterns of urban tree biodiversity

Aim: We propose and test a climate tolerance and trait choice hypothesis of urban macroecological variation in which strong filtering associated with low winter temperatures restricts urban biodiversity while weak filtering associated with warmer temperatures and irrigation allows dispersal of species from a global source pool, thereby increasing urban biodiversity. Location: Twenty cities across the USA and Canada. Methods: We examined variation in tree community taxonomic diversity, origins and production of an aesthetic ecosystem service trait in a cross-section of urban field surveys. We correlated urban tree community composition indicators with a key climate restriction, namely mean minimum winter temperature, and evaluated alternative possible drivers: precipitation, summer maximum temperature, population size and the percentage of adults with a college education. Results: Species accumulation curves differed substantially among cities, with observed richness varying from 22 to 122 species. Similarities in tree communities decreased exponentially with increases in climatic differences. Ordination of tree communities showed strong separation among cities with component axes correlated with minimum winter temperature and annual precipitation. Variation among urban tree communities in richness, origins and the provisioning of an aesthetic ecosystem service were all correlated with minimum winter temperature. Main conclusions: The urban climate tolerance and trait choice hypothesis provides a coherent mechanism to explain the large variation among urban tree communities resulting from an interacting environment, species and human decisions. Reconciling the feedbacks between human decision making and biophysical limitations provides a foundation for an urban ecological theory that can better understand and predict the dynamics of other linked biotic communities, associated ecosystem dynamics and resulting services provided to urban residents

A lead isotope perspective on urban development in ancient Naples

The influence of a sophisticated water distribution system on urban development in Roman times is tested against the impact of Vesuvius volcanic activity, in particular the great eruption of AD 79, on all of the ancient cities of the Bay of Naples (Neapolis). Written accounts on urbanization outside of Rome are scarce and the archaeological record sketchy, especially during the tumultuous fifth and sixth centuries AD when Neapolis became the dominant city in the region. Here we show that isotopic ratios of lead measured on a well-dated sedimentary sequence from Neapolis’ harbor covering the first six centuries CE have recorded how the AD 79 eruption was followed by a complete overhaul of Neapolis’ water supply network. The Pb isotopic signatures of the sediments further reveal that the previously steady growth of Neapolis’ water distribution system ceased during the collapse of the fifth century AD, although vital repairs to this critical infrastructure were still carried out in the aftermath of invasions and volcanic eruptions

ALFRED-DONAT AGACHE URBAN PROPOSAL FOR COSTA DO SOL. FROM THE TERRITORY TO THE CITY.

This paper reviews the development of Costa do Sol, as planned by architect urbanist Alfred-Donat Agache, for Lisbon Region in Portugal. The Plano Expansão Região Oeste de Lisboa (1934-1936) prepared by Agache and requested by Portuguese Minister of Public Works, Duarte Pacheco will be analyzed. This paper aims also to identify the principles and the theoretical foundations that have determined Agache urban vision for Lisbon City and its Territory. Finally, this paper aims to demonstrate that Alfred-Donat Agache methodological framework has applied Frederick Le Play socio-economic scientific approach. Such approach has informed the construction of a ‘civic’ urbanism that will be identified and analyzed. Two main goals seem to have guided Agache work at Costa do Sol: (i) the fully urban analysis of the city, throughout its social, economic, geographic and urban conditions (past and present) and (ii) the need to expose such analysis to the city’s inhabitants. Finally, this paper demonstrates Costa do Sol proposal to testify a comprehensive understanding of three distinct scales: (i) the territory; (ii) the city; (iii) but also the urban form. The acknowledgment of Agache ‘civic’ urban vision requests a public divulgation to allow the building of Good Practice Lessons for contemporary urban planning theory and practice

Migration, Urbanization and Food Security in Cities of the Global South: 26–27 November 2012, Cape Town, South Africa

The disjuncture between food security, migration and urbanization must be overcome. It is an institutional as well as a thematic disconnect on a global scale. Food security is primarily about access to food, not agricultural production. In an increasingly urban world, the locus of food and nutrition security will no longer be rural areas and the global perspective needs to shift appropriately. Hunger is a political as well as economic problem and requires state intervention. Increasing demand for food needs to be met in ecologically sustainable ways while ensuring that the poor have adequate access to food. Migration should be considered a normal process rather than a response to livelihood failure in rural areas. More research is needed on the impact of migrants’ remittances on food security. Urbanization is about much more than the rural poor moving to cities in search of work. In fact, urbanization and migration have the potential to reduce poverty and inequality. Policies that address urban food security need to appreciate the complex relationship between household food security and a range of variables such as income, gender and household size. Climate change is causing increased migration, especially to cities, and bringing about a complex shift in food distribution patterns that includes staple foods being sent to remote rural areas

The influence of land use and mobility policy on travel behavior : a comparative case study of Flanders and the Netherlands

Numerous transportation studies have indicated that the local built environment can have an important effect on travel behavior; people living in suburban neighborhoods travel more by car than people living in urban neighborhoods. In this paper, however, we will analyze whether the regional land use has an important influence on travel behavior by comparing two regions with a varying land-use pattern: Flanders (Belgium) and the Netherlands. The different land-use pattern seems to have influenced travel behavior in both regions. An active spatial planning policy in the Netherlands, clustering activities in urban surroundings, appears to have realized a sustainable travel behavior, as a substantial share of residents frequently walk, cycle or use public transportation. The rather passive spatial planning in Flanders, resulting in urban sprawl, seems to stimulate car use. The applied mobility policy also has an impact on the travel behavior and land use of the Flemings and the Dutch. Infrastructure is concentrated in Dutch urban environments, whereas Flanders has a more widespread network of infrastructure and cheap public transportation, resulting in a further increase of suburbanization

Ocupación urbana de zonas con riesgo de inundación y dinámica territorial: El caso de las aglomeraciones del Gran Nador (Marruecos)

Flooding in the urban environment has long been a major concern for territorial actors as well as for the local population in the Great Nador region. It affects, in a recurring way, the main urban agglomerations and the peripheral zones which surround them. Due to high population growth, a trend towards urbanization and climate change, the causes of floods are changing, and their impacts are intensifying in this area. These phenomena constitute a major obstacle for development and threaten the populations, especially in the peripheral districts which are in rapid urban expansion. This article aims to analyze and inventory the economic, social and environmental consequences of the recent flood events in Nador, while explaining the elements of an integrated approach to flood risk management in urban areas.Las inundaciones en áreas urbanas han sido durante mucho tiempo una gran preocupación para los actores territoriales, así como para la población local en el Gran Nador. Afectan, de manera recurrente, las principales aglomeraciones urbanas y las zonas periféricas que las rodean. Debido al alto crecimiento de la población, una tendencia hacia la urbanización y el cambio climático, las causas de las inundaciones están cambiando y sus impactos se están intensificando. Estos fenómenos constituyen un obstáculo importante para el desarrollo y amenazan a las poblaciones, especialmente en los distritos periféricos que se encuentran en rápida expansión urbana. Este documento tiene como objetivo analizar e inventariar las consecuencias económicas, sociales y ambientales de las recientes inundaciones en Nador, al tiempo que explica los elementos de un enfoque integrado para la gestión del riesgo de inundación en las zonas urbanas