• Energy Research

The current global food system is under threat due to significant global changes such as rapid urbanization, climate change, COVID-19 outbreak, etc. The importance of food system sustainability as a key element of sustainable cities has been gradually recognized in recent years; however, the tools for estimating food system sustainability in cities (i.e., urban food system sustainability) holistically are still scarce. Thus, this study represents a comprehensive investigation into food system studies and their impacts on achieving a sustainable community or city. This study is a subset of larger studies that aim to develop an urban food system framework, which utilizes modern approaches in framework development such as sustainability food indicators and a participatory approach. However, to achieve this, trends, gaps, and challenges of the current approach to food system studies need to be reviewed and discussed. A systematic analysis utilizing the protocol of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach was conducted, and network analysis of publications was performed via VOS viewer. The results suggest applying circular principles and merging smartness and resilience thinking in developing strategies for food system sustainability. This study finds that key drivers to mitigate food crisis among countries vary. Furthermore, a context-specific framework with a more comprehensive definition of urban food systems covering the institutional processes, and food governance are also needed to achieve urban food system sustainability.

In any urban planning and design project, Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of the site is a debatable factor across various stakeholders. China’s increase of FAR for residential areas is one of the most remarkable cases of change of FAR in recent decades. China’s urban residential projects have shifted away from low storey single-standing residential units to mid-storey mass housing projects and towards contemporary high-rise residential compounds. The changes in FAR are often very significant and is multiplied over the past few decades. In this study, FAR calculation of a meso-scale residential project located in the City of Ningbo (immediate inner city area) is put in place to shape the argument of renewable energy production and pathways towards energy use reductions. This study first elaborates on energy and policy implications of FAR. The study will then explore one example of a residential compound, based on four models of FAR (at 1, 2.5, 3 and 4). A comparison study is conducted using Eco-Tect software. All four models are analysed using their differences in heights and density. While FAR 1 is not suitable for the context of China (i.e. very low), FAR 3 and 4 are also considered to be high for energy-use reductions but are current practices. This paper argues these scenarios and concludes with impacts of FAR for energy production and reduction at meso scale.

Floor Area Ratio, commonly known as FAR, is a primary planning metric in urbanism. It is commonly known as the ratio of accumulated built floor areas against the size of a site/plot. In recent years, China's rapid urban development has resulted in a substantial increase in FAR, particularly in residential areas. A notable shift from low-rise row housing typology to a more common high-rise residential unit is certainly a key factor behind the increase of energy use in many Chinese cities. This factor highlights the need for a sustainable energy planning strategy at the community level. As a novelty, this study reflects on the FAR changes in the context of China, and evaluates the impacts on energy use at the community scale. This study tests four FAR models of 1.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 4.0 and provides a computational modelling analysis, with a comparison analysis. FAR models of 1.0 and 4.0 are typical models of low-rise and mid-to-high rise, respectively. Findings suggest FAR 4.0 as the least efficient for energy planning while FAR 1.0 is the least economically viable model. The results support policy development on FAR monitory, and paradigm shifts for future urban development models, particularly for the small to medium-scale residential compounds in cities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly all over the world, affecting many countries to varying degrees. In this study, an in-depth analysis of the factors influencing the spread of COVID-19 is offered mainly through big data in the European Union (EU) context. In doing so, the data of the first wave of the pandemic are assessed. Afterward, we evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 spread in specific countries and regions. Based on the existing literature, mobility is recognized as a significant direct factor affecting disease transmission. The same applies to the case of COVID-19. However, compared with the analysis of mobility itself, this paper explores more profound reasons that affect mobility, ranging from policy and economy to geographical and transportation factors. Specifically, this paper studies nine EU countries based on their population density and the degree of impact of the epidemic in the first six months (February to July 2020) of the pandemic. Our study aims to illustrate how policies, economies, and geographical locations (including transportation factors) directly or indirectly affect the spread of the novel coronavirus by applying the SEIR model to analyze all selected countries’ big data. The key findings of this research are: (1) the timeliness of relevant policies and the effectiveness of government implementation indirectly limit the spread of the epidemic by reducing population mobility; (2) a better medical level would contribute to detect, isolate, and treat patients, and help control the epidemic; and (3) the large land borders and developed transportation between countries exacerbate the spread of the COVID-19. The paper contributes to ongoing research on COVID-19 by addressing the above points.

Passive cooling energy systems are significantly important in achieving efficient design and performative built environment. Encouragingly, there are many passive cooling energy systems at three spatial levels of macro, meso and micro. In this research study, these energy systems are identified and are assessed in a SWOT analysis evaluation. Apart from social and economic implications that are broad and effective for most of passive cooling energy systems, this study focuses on the energy systems’ implications across five indicators of practice, health, environment, energy and policy, which are significant for disciplines of sustainable energy systems and the built environment. This study aims to evaluate the interdependency of each indicator across three spatial levels and then argue for methods that can be considered for potential implementation of passive cooling energy systems. Furthermore, this study offers a holistic overview of all available passive cooling energy systems and argue based on interplay between five indicators across the three studied spatial levels. This study focuses on warmer climate zones (e.g. hot and dry; hot and humid), where passive cooling is expected to me more effective and obligatory. As a result, this study aims to help energy specialists, policy makers, planners and designers to evaluate how they can utilize passive cooling energy systems based on the key studied indicators. Finally, this paper gives an overview of gaps in policy and practice implementation of such systems in practice and their effectiveness at various spatial levels of the built environment.

The inadequate and improper waste management strategies adopted in Lagos state has led to significant levels of negative externalities with deterrent impact on the health, wellbeing and environment...

In urban sustainability, passive cooling energy systems are recognised as primary design factors that highlight efficient and performative buildings. In the literature, there is a gap in addressing these design systems in the form of strategies that holistically suggest sustainable energy systems, cleaner built environments, and urban sustainability. This study fills this gap by conducting comprehensive SWOT analysis of all major passive cooling energy systems. In doing so, the study highlights key implications from a multi-indicator perspective comprised of five primary indicators, ‘energy’, ‘policy’, ‘practice’, ‘health’, and ‘environment’. These indicators are significant for disciplines of sustainable energy systems and the built environment. Through an in-depth interdependency evaluation of these indicators, this study assesses the passive energy systems across three spatial levels of macro, meso, and micro. Finally, this paper provides a holistic overview of these sustainable energy systems from the policy and practice perspectives across the three spatial levels.

This research studies the data on air quality and construction activities from 29 January 2020 to 30 April 2020. The analysis focuses on three sample districts of Hangzhou’s Xiacheng, Gongshu, and Xiaoshan districts. The samples, respectively, represent low-level, mid-level, and high-level districts in the scale of construction projects. The correlative relationships are investigated, respectively, in the periods of ‘pandemic lockdown (29 January 2020–20 February 2020)’ and ‘after pandemic lockdown (21 February 2020–30 April 2020)’. The correlative equations are obtained. Based on the guideline values of air parameters provided by the Chinese criteria and standards, the recommended maximum scales of construction projects are defined. The numbers of construction sites are 16, 118, and 311 for the Xiacheng, Gongshu, and Xiaoshan districts during the imposed lockdown period, respectively, and 19, 88, 234, respectively, after the lockdown period. Because the construction site is only one influential factor on the air quality, and the database is not large enough, there are some limitations in the mathematical model and the management plan. Possible problem solving techniques and future studies are introduced at the end of the research study.