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Dynamics of societal material stocks such as buildings and infrastructures and their spatial patterns drive surging resource use and emissions. Building up and maintaining stocks requires large amounts of resources; currently stock-building materials amount to almost 60% of all materials used by humanity. Buildings, infrastructures and machinery shape social practices of production and consumption, thereby creating path dependencies for future resource use. They constitute the physical basis of the spatial organization of most socio-economic activities, for example as mobility networks, urbanization and settlement patterns and various other infrastructures. This dataset features a detailed map of material stocks for the whole of Germany on a 10m grid based on high resolution Earth Observation data (Sentinel-1 + Sentinel-2), crowd-sourced geodata (OSM) and material intensity factors. Temporal extent The map is representative for ca. 2018. Data format Per federal state, the data come in tiles of 30x30km (see shapefile). The projection is EPSG:3035. The images are compressed GeoTiff files (*.tif). There is a mosaic in GDAL Virtual format (*.vrt), which can readily be opened in most Geographic Information Systems. The dataset features area and mass for different street types area and mass for different rail types area and mass for other infrastructure area, volume and mass for different building types Masses are reported as total values, and per material category. Units area in m² height in m volume in m³ mass in t for infrastructure and buildings Further information For further information, please see the publication or contact Helmut Haberl (helmut.haberl@boku.ac.at). A web-visualization of this dataset is available here. Visit our website to learn more about our project MAT_STOCKS - Understanding the Role of Material Stock Patterns for the Transformation to a Sustainable Society. Publication Haberl, H., Wiedenhofer, D., Schug, F., Frantz, D., Virág, D., Plutzar, C., Gruhler, K., Lederer, J., Schiller, G. , Fishman, T., Lanau, M., Gattringer, A., Kemper, T., Liu, G., Tanikawa, H., van der Linden, S., Hostert, P. (accepted): High-resolution maps of material stocks in buildings and infrastructures in Austria and Germany. Environmental Science & Technology Funding This research was primarly funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (MAT_STOCKS, grant agreement No 741950). ML and GL acknowledge funding by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (CityWeight, 6111-00555B), ML thanks the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC; project Multi-Scale, Circular Economic Potential of Non-Residential Building Scale, EP/S029273/1), JL acknowledges funding by the Vienna Science and Technology Fund (WWTF), project ESR17-067, TF acknowledges the Israel Science Foundation grant no. 2706/19.

Twenty-minute neighbourhoods highlight the importance of well-connected and mixed-used neighbourhoods and communities with proximate access to employment, essential services, public transport, and open spaces. Shorter distances together with re-prioritised public spaces encourage more active transport choices, resulting in public health benefits and reduced environmental pollution. Higher liveability brought about by mixed-use developments enables people to have equitable access to local facilities, amenities, and employment opportunities, promoting vibrancy, social cohesion, and intergenerational connections. The attributes of 20-minute neighbourhoods also combine to create places, that are acknowledged as friendly for all ages, address changing needs across the life course, and provide better support for the ageing population. Furthermore, there are indications that 20-minute neighbourhoods may be more resilient against many of the negative impacts of stringent public health protocols such as those implemented in periods of lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this article, we evaluate and compare planning policies and practices aimed at establishing 20-minute neighbourhoods in Melbourne (Australia) and Scotland (the UK). Using case studies, we discuss similarities and differences involved in using place-based approaches of 20-minute neighbourhoods to address 21st-century challenges in key areas of health and wellbeing, equity, environmental sustainability, and community resilience.

The private motor vehicles are significantly important means of transportation in modern lifestyle, however, these also contribute to a large proportion of the total air pollution and primary energy consumption. In order to develop green transportation system, it becomes imperative to use integrated technologies to achieve reduced emissions and utilize renewable energy. Electric vehicles (EVs) have been considered as one of these technologies to transform the traditional vehicle mix. However, the uptake of EV has been debated on factors like cost, performance (autonomous mileage), charging point infrastructure construction, energy saving, policy and end users’ adaptation. Present study investigates the technology feasibility (which usually refer to EVs’ cost, EV charging, supplier’s customer services quality, EV travel performance) and users’ adaptation of EV in Beijing, which is a key driver for the EV uptake into the Beijing transportation system. The relevant data have been collected and analyzed in the form of questionnaire survey around all of these factors. While considering the user perception and satisfaction, safety of charging and energy bills have also been investigated. According to the data analysis, it has been found the policy of ‘No traffic restrictions for EVs’ (the traffic restrictions means for certain date, from Monday to Friday the motor vehicles with the last register number of 1 and 6, 2 and 7, 3 and 8, 4 and 9, 5 and 0, are restricted to travel, respectively), the availability of the charging infrastructure and technical support are the most significant factors affecting the users’ opinions on using EVs.

Public transport is a cornerstone in the transition towards sustainable cities. Moreover, greenhouse gas emissions can be further reduced through powertrain electrification. In this context, plug-in electric hybrid buses emerge as a suitable and flexible solution. They can switch between an electric motor and a combustion engine during operation. An optimal electric drive assignment strategy allows achieving a high electric range and reduced tailpipe emissions. In this work, we look for optimal strategies for maximizing the distance traversed in electric mode and minimizing the total emissions, for real routes including green corridors where the combustion engine cannot be used. Contrary to existing works, this approach does not only focus on the improvement of the bus performance in terms of energy consumption, but also on the environmental benefits and livability of cities. This challenge is solved using two multi-objective state-of-the-art evolutionary algorithms, and a novel heuristic, GreenK. Two real- world scenarios are analyzed, namely bus routes M6 in Badalona, and 18 in Grudziadz. Results show a significant reduction in emissions of up to 21% with respect to the strategy found by GreenK, meaning 24 kg less pollutants emitted daily and over 22.5% electric range increase, compared to the currently deployed solution

Abstract Alternative vehicle technologies have a great potential to minimize the transportation-related environmental impacts, reduce the reliance of the U.S. on imported petroleum, and increase energy security. However, they introduce new uncertainties related to their environmental, economic, and social impacts and certain challenges for widespread adoption. In this study, a novel method, uncertainty-embedded dynamic life cycle sustainability assessment framework, is developed to address both methodological challenges and uncertainties in transportation sustainability research. The proposed approach provides a more comprehensive, system-based sustainability assessment framework by capturing the dynamic relations among the parameters within the U.S. transportation system as a whole with respect to its environmental, social, and economic impacts. Using multivariate uncertainty analysis, likelihood of the impact reduction potentials of different vehicle types, as well as the behavioral limits of the sustainability potentials of each vehicle type are analyzed. Seven sustainability impact categories are dynamically quantified for four different vehicle types (internal combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles) from 2015 to 2050. Although impacts of electric vehicles have the largest uncertainty, they are expected (90% confidence) to be the best alternative in long-term for reducing human health impacts and air pollution from transportation. While results based on deterministic (average) values indicate that electric vehicles have greater potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, plug-in hybrid vehicles have the largest potential according to the results with 90% confidence interval.

Urban rail transit (URT) systems are critical to modern public transportation services. Unfortunately, disruptions in URT systems can lead to dysfunction and threaten sustainable development. This study analyses URT network sustainability from a vulnerability perspective. Two network attack scenarios, including random attacks and intentional attacks, are designed to assess different kinds of disruptions to URT networks. Under random attacks, nodes are randomly removed from the network. In contrast, under intentional attacks, key nodes are identified and removed based on topological metrics and passenger flow volume. Then, URT network vulnerability is evaluated by quantifying the changes in network efficiency and structural integrity under the network attacks from a spatio-temporal point of view. The real-world case of the Shanghai URT system from 1993 to 2020 is used to illustrate the vulnerability in the evolution of the URT system. The results indicate that the URT network is increasingly fault-tolerant and structurally robust over time. The URT network is more vulnerable to intentional attacks than to random failures. Additionally, there are significant spatial differences in the vulnerability of Shanghai URT network. Stations in the central activity zone (CAZ) are more fault-tolerant and robust than stations located outside of the CAZ. Furthermore, stations with large centrality and greater passenger flow volumes and lines with many key nodes and greater passenger flow volumes, are vulnerable to disruptions in the URT networks. This study provides a new index to comprehensively quantify node centrality; it also fills a research gap by analysing the vulnerability of URT networks based on both longitudinal and spatial patterns. Finally, this paper highlights significant practical implications for the sustainable development of URT networks, as well as the sustainable development of public transportation services.

In Zimbabwe trade has been a driver of economic growth, rising incomes, and progressive empowerment of Zimbabweans through rising standards of living and the promise of better jobs. Since 1980, through good years and bad years, increases in exports have been positively associated with increases in national income. Zimbabwe's location and resource base, together with a low-cost but relatively well educated labor force, have endowed it with a naturally high trade ratio built on a diversified base that facilitates using trade as an engine of growth. While trade volumes have rebounded smartly from the deep recession of 2007-2008, these do not offset other worrisome longer-term trends: 1) export growth during the last decade has been lackluster and failed to drive high growth; 2) agricultural exports, other than tobacco, have lost their once dominant role in the region, and are no longer a source of diversification; 3) manufacturing has withered in a continuing secular decline; and 4) Zimbabwe's export basket has become less diversified and more dependent on a narrow range of mineral and, to a lesser extent, agricultural products. In short, exports have become less diversified, less-technologically sophisticated, and less labor-intensive, and ever more dependent on a few large mining activities to provide foreign exchange and employment. This report traces the roots of this poor performance to several policy issues: poor predictability of macroeconomic policy and economic governance has created an unfavorable climate for private investment and trade; a tariff structure that dampens export profitability; industrial policies (indigenization policy in particular) that undermine investor confidence and inhibits private investment; and finally, competition-limiting policies toward services that limit connectivity of Zimbabweans and raise trade costs. The good news arising from the study is that the remedies for these policy shortcomings lie in Zimbabwean hands. If the government were to adopt reforms that reconfigure economy-wide incentives and trade and industrial policies, it could promote sustained growth, economic diversification and empowerment of poor people.

La movilidad eléctrica parece traer un cambio de paradigma en el sector del transporte por carretera en todo el mundo. El enorme consumo de combustibles fósiles y la creciente congestión del tráfico han causado preocupaciones sobre el consumo futuro de energía, el crecimiento de la economía y las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero en los países miembros del Consejo de Cooperación del Golfo. La introducción de vehículos eléctricos (VE) en los dos países más poblados de la región, es decir, el Reino de Arabia Saudita y los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, se considera una opción prometedora para abordar la contaminación ambiental y los futuros temores relacionados con la economía de la región. Este documento presenta los impulsores clave para que los países adopten el transporte eléctrico. Este estudio de investigación investiga el impacto de la penetración de los vehículos eléctricos en la energía, la economía y el medio ambiente de Arabia Saudita y los Emiratos Árabes Unidos a través del pronóstico de existencias de vehículos eléctricos mediante el análisis de regresión lineal. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que el crecimiento esperado en el sector eléctrico de Arabia Saudita y los Emiratos Árabes Unidos les permitirá mantener una penetración de vehículos eléctricos del 5% y el 30% para 2030, respectivamente. En este sentido, se propone un conjunto de políticas que permitirán a los países acelerar sus esfuerzos para alcanzar los objetivos previstos de reducción de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero (GEI). Aunque la investigación presentada se centra en el estudio de caso de Arabia Saudita y los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, los hallazgos de la investigación son lo suficientemente generalizados como para aplicarse a todas las demás regiones de la región. El conjunto de políticas sugerido servirá como guía para las partes interesadas pertinentes sobre las medidas necesarias para la electrificación sostenible del transporte por carretera en Arabia Saudita y los Emiratos Árabes Unidos. La mobilité électrique semble apporter un changement de paradigme dans le secteur du transport routier dans le monde entier. L'énorme consommation de combustibles fossiles et la congestion croissante du trafic ont suscité des inquiétudes quant à la consommation d'énergie future, à la croissance économique et aux émissions de gaz à effet de serre dans les pays membres de la région du Conseil de coopération du Golfe. L'introduction de véhicules électriques (VE) dans les deux pays les plus peuplés de la région, à savoir le Royaume d'Arabie saoudite et les Émirats arabes unis, est considérée comme une option prometteuse pour lutter contre la pollution de l'environnement et les craintes liées à l'économie future. Ce document présente les principaux facteurs incitant les pays à adopter le transport électrique. Cette étude de recherche étudie l'impact de la pénétration des véhicules électriques sur l'énergie, l'économie et l'environnement de l'Arabie saoudite et des Émirats arabes unis grâce à la prévision des stocks de véhicules électriques à l'aide d'une analyse de régression linéaire. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent que la croissance attendue dans le secteur de l'électricité en Arabie saoudite et aux Émirats arabes unis leur permettra de maintenir une pénétration de 5 % et de 30 % des véhicules électriques d'ici 2030, respectivement. À cet égard, un ensemble de politiques est proposé, qui permettra aux pays d'accélérer leurs efforts pour atteindre les objectifs de réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES). Bien que la recherche présentée se concentre sur l'étude de cas de l'Arabie saoudite et des Émirats arabes unis, les résultats de la recherche sont suffisamment généralisés pour être appliqués à toutes les autres régions de la région. L'ensemble de politiques suggéré servira de lignes directrices aux parties prenantes concernées sur les mesures nécessaires à l'électrification durable du transport routier en Arabie saoudite et aux Émirats arabes unis. Electric mobility seems to bring a paradigm shift in the road transport sector worldwide. Huge consumption of fossil fuels and ever-increasing traffic congestion have caused concerns over future energy consumption, economy growth, and greenhouse gas emissions in the Gulf Cooperation Council region's member countries. The introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) in the two most populous countries of the region, i.e., the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE is considered a promising option to address environmental pollution and future economy-related fears region. This paper presents key drivers for the countries to adopt electric transportation. This research study investigates the impact of EVs penetration on energy, economy, and environment of KSA and UAE through EV stockpile forecasting using linear regression analysis. The obtained results suggest that expected growth in KSA and UAE's power sector will enable them to keep up 5% and 30% EVs penetration by 2030, respectively. In this regard, a set of policies are proposed, which will enable the countries to pace up their efforts to achieve the intended greenhouse gases (GHG) emission reduction goals. Though the presented research is focused on the case study of KSA and UAE, the research findings are generalized enough to be applied to all other regions of the region. The suggested set of policies will serve as guidelines for the relevant stakeholders about the necessary measures required for sustainable road transport electrification in KSA and UAE. يبدو أن التنقل الكهربائي يجلب نقلة نوعية في قطاع النقل البري في جميع أنحاء العالم. تسبب الاستهلاك الهائل للوقود الأحفوري والازدحام المروري المتزايد باستمرار في مخاوف بشأن استهلاك الطاقة في المستقبل ونمو الاقتصاد وانبعاثات غازات الدفيئة في البلدان الأعضاء في مجلس التعاون الخليجي. يعتبر إدخال المركبات الكهربائية (EVs) في البلدين الأكثر اكتظاظًا بالسكان في المنطقة، أي المملكة العربية السعودية والإمارات العربية المتحدة، خيارًا واعدًا لمعالجة التلوث البيئي ومنطقة المخاوف المتعلقة بالاقتصاد المستقبلي. تعرض هذه الورقة الدوافع الرئيسية للبلدان لتبني النقل الكهربائي. تبحث هذه الدراسة البحثية في تأثير تغلغل المركبات الكهربائية على الطاقة والاقتصاد والبيئة في المملكة العربية السعودية والإمارات العربية المتحدة من خلال التنبؤ بمخزون المركبات الكهربائية باستخدام تحليل الانحدار الخطي. تشير النتائج التي تم الحصول عليها إلى أن النمو المتوقع في قطاع الطاقة في المملكة العربية السعودية والإمارات العربية المتحدة سيمكنهما من الحفاظ على انتشار السيارات الكهربائية بنسبة 5 ٪ و 30 ٪ بحلول عام 2030، على التوالي. وفي هذا الصدد، تُقترح مجموعة من السياسات التي ستمكن البلدان من تسريع جهودها لتحقيق الأهداف المنشودة لخفض انبعاثات غازات الدفيئة. على الرغم من أن البحث المقدم يركز على دراسة حالة المملكة العربية السعودية والإمارات العربية المتحدة، إلا أن نتائج البحث معممة بما يكفي لتطبيقها على جميع المناطق الأخرى في المنطقة. ستكون مجموعة السياسات المقترحة بمثابة إرشادات لأصحاب المصلحة المعنيين حول التدابير اللازمة لكهربة النقل البري المستدام في المملكة العربية السعودية والإمارات العربية المتحدة.