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Though books are often considered “old media” in the digital age, their production in this period in fact has been continually reimagined and redefined through new technologies of printing, especially paper and ink manufacturing. This paper explores how three specific recent printed books demonstrate this point in both form and content: David Brower’s Let the Mountains Talk, Let the Rivers Run (1995), William McDonough and Michael Braungart’s Cradle to Cradle (2002), and the 2008 Harper-Collins Green Bible. Brower’s book was printed on paper made from kenaf, a sustainable alternative to wood-based paper. Cradle to Cradle was printed on a synthetic polymer that could be endlessly remade into other products. The Green Bible was printed on recycled paper and used soy-based ink, and all verses with environmental content were printed in green. In each case, in form these printed books were meant to model innovative industrial information production while also through their content to motivate enhanced environmental consciousness.

The paper presents the work done during the two editions of the Summer School that took place in Lampedusa in 2017 and 2018, organized by the Italian Association of Sociology - Environment and Territory Section. The aim of the paper is twofold. Firstly, it aims to illustrate the results of the data analysis and field observation carried out by the participants of the School. They consist of a multi-faceted description of the Island, with special attention to its different populations (residents, city users and especially migrants), and of some resulting project proposals. Secondly, the essay aims to promote a practice based on study and training, which is typical of the sociological analysis of territory, and that can provide useful insight on the studied places and to the people of Lampedusa, within a broader vision of justice and social sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2023 8(1), 301-316 | Article | (Table of Contents) I. Introduction. – II. The One Health approach: main conceptual features. – III. The One Health approach in EU policy and legislation – III.1. The One Health approach in EU policies. – III.2. The One Health approach in EU legislation. – IV. The One Health approach in the European Green Deal. – V. Concluding discussion. | (Abstract) The paper investigates how the One Health concept is used in the European Union and what functions are attributed to it in EU laws and policies. To this end we conduct a systematic analysis of EU laws and policy documents, with specific emphasis on the European Green Deal and its actions. The first section outlines the main conceptual features of the evolving One Health approach over time. The second section analyses how European laws and policies have considered One Health over time, showing its erratic use. The third section is dedicated to analysing how One Health is taken into account by the Green Deal’s actions. The conclusion recognises that the EU conceptualization and operationalization of One Health is far from being clear, coherent or concrete. However, we argue that a transition may be underway and One Health has the potential to become a new political and legal principle capable of permeating future EU actions towards a new phase of policy integration and sustainability.

Copyright of Agathon: International Journal of Architecture, Art & Design is the property of DEMETRA CE.RI.MED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Form@re is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Form@re is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of TECHNE: Journal of Technology for Architecture & Environment is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agathon: International Journal of Architecture, Art & Design is the property of DEMETRA CE.RI.MED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agathon: International Journal of Architecture, Art & Design is the property of DEMETRA CE.RI.MED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The spread of digital technologies in the daily lives of subjects has produced various transformations on the cultural, social and pedagogical levels: these transformations are often summarized schematically and risk producing "false myths." These include the idea that technologies represent, in themselves, useful tools capable of promoting inclusion. The paper reflects on the dangers of exclusion generated by the digital and the pedagogical challenges to be pursued to promote more conscious and more critical uses that can truly promote inclusion on a social level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2022 7(3), 1431-1446 | Article | (Table of Contents) I. Introduction. - II. The development of European consumer protection policy. - III. The limits of art. 12 TFEU. - IV. Coordination between consumer and environmental policy: a new avenue to activate art. 12 TFEU? - IV.1. The 2020 Consumer agenda. - V. Conclusion. | (Abstract) The integration clause contained in art. 12 TFEU has been rarely invoked in European policymaking. This is due to the generic language adopted by the EU legislator, who does not impose an obligation on the EU bodies to integrate consumer protection in other Union policies or on Member States, thus reducing the justiciability of the provision. Compared to other TFEU provisions dedicated to consumer protection, the strength of art. 12 TFEU seems extremely low. However, art. 12 TFEU may come in handy in the development of a more sustainable economy in which the interests of consumers are not only focused on strengthening the internal market but also on safeguarding the environment and reducing industrial waste. This Article evaluates whether and how art. 12 TFEU may impact the choices of European bodies on the circular economy, the European Green Deal and the re-cent Consumer Agenda strengthening the role of consumers in the green transition.

The general understanding of mobility phenomena has increasingly taken on multiple and broad meanings in the various disciplines that question spatial practices and the relationship with the territory by individuals and social groups. The Italian legal system in the sector of urban mobility has recently evolved, introducing new urban planning tools and expanding the sphere of influence and the tasks of the figure of the Mobility Manager. In the promotion and implementation of mobility policies, the University acts as a privileged actor, bringing together very different generations and heterogeneous populations from a socio-economic and cultural point of view as well as in terms of origin and residential contexts; all these are elements which often imply different needs, skills and practices. Within this framework, the paper intends to explore the theme of inclusiveness and disability with special reference to university institutions as preferential places for the collective re-composition of individual beliefs that promote sustainability policies. After the analysis and comparison between international experiences and Italian case studies, the paper concludes with some considerations regarding the still evident critical issues (regulatory, managerial, financial,...) that hinder the implementation of truly effective policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of TECHNE: Journal of Technology for Architecture & Environment is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper is devoted to the electronic waste and the digital pollution topic. Firstly, concerning the e-waste, we are going to see its origin, the directions of its disposal, and if there is any possibility of recovery. Secondly, we are going to see the digital pollution. The data exchanged in internet leave a footprint not only in terms of Big Data but also in terms of the CO2 emissions. Millions of physical servers in data centers around the world, are connected with miles of undersea cables, and with switches and routers. All of them require a lot of energy to run. Finally, we will examine what measures governments can promote to manage the digital and ecological transitions. The challenge is to implement the digitalization process in the sense of sustainability according to the EU economic and social policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agathon: International Journal of Architecture, Art & Design is the property of DEMETRA CE.RI.MED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper, taking the Museum of Casa Romei in Ferrara - an UNESCO heritage city - as a case study, explores some new technologies, ranging from surveying to digital communication and investigates their potentialities in improving the sustainability of cultural heritage. The work pursues the dual value of analyzing new tools and providing research products useful for the enhancement of the specific site, favoring the dissemination of consolidated tourist flows from the major monuments of Ferrara to the more peripheral historical urban fabric. Through the theme of analysis, documentation and archiving of architecture and its context, the research - addressing specific themes of integrated and multi-scale survey, 3D processing, 2D drawing, interactive data storage - examines the use of digital technologies for multi-level dissemination of the cultural assets and their possibilities as tools for accessibility and inclusivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heritage is generally understood as the legacy from the ancestors to the descendants over time. But when this heritage is part of a colonial city, Kinshasa (Leopoldville), that is the result of the work of Western architects, the question of the story that would carry its heritage becomes crucial. The article first shows, through a few selected case studies - the BCB Bank (1949), the Sabena Towers (1952) and the Saint Antoine Church (1961)- that the modernism that characterizes downtown Kinshasa, carries the DNA of local identity cleverly expressed by the tropical architecture. The aim of this paper is to examine part of this African modern heritage that has to be studied, classified and protected, the sustainability already embedded in that architectural language and its application in the design process analyzing quintessential artifacts in order to adequately tackle the further sustainable steps without losing the fundamental teachings of this next World Heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Form@re is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agathon: International Journal of Architecture, Art & Design is the property of DEMETRA CE.RI.MED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of TECHNE: Journal of Technology for Architecture & Environment is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of TECHNE: Journal of Technology for Architecture & Environment is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agathon: International Journal of Architecture, Art & Design is the property of DEMETRA CE.RI.MED and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The general understanding of mobility phenomena has increasingly taken on multiple and broad meanings in the various disciplines that question spatial practices and the relationship with the territory by individuals and social groups. The Italian legal system in the sector of urban mobility has recently evolved, introducing new urban planning tools and expanding the sphere of influence and the tasks of the figure of the Mobility Manager. In the promotion and implementation of mobility policies, the University acts as a privileged actor, bringing together very different generations and heterogeneous populations from a socio-economic and cultural point of view as well as in terms of origin and residential contexts; all these are elements which often imply different needs, skills and practices. Within this framework, the paper intends to explore the theme of inclusiveness and disability with special reference to university institutions as preferential places for the collective re-composition of individual beliefs that promote sustainability policies. After the analysis and comparison between international experiences and Italian case studies, the paper concludes with some considerations regarding the still evident critical issues (regulatory, managerial, financial,…) that hinder the implementation of truly effective policies.

This paper investigates and analyses social farming in the Aosta Valley, a tiny Italian mountain region in the Alps. It aims to highlight the features of social farming in this region, focusing on the social mission and economic sustainability. The paper first presents the literature on social farming, focusing on marginal and remote areas, and illustrating the main characteristics of Italian social farms. Secondly, it focuses on the findings coming from a qualitative investigation of three case studies of Valdostan social farms based on data collected from semi-structured direct interviews. The analyses reveal that social farming in the Aosta Valley fulfils a crucial social mission in areas with poor accessibility to social services. It is economically sustainable, basing its business model on the environmental and agricultural resources typical of high mountain regions.

This paper attempts to tackle a number of connected philosophical questions regarding the role of language in the debate surrounding sustainability. One of the most obvious effects of globalisation and our current ecological crisis is the disappearance of languages and the impoverishment of our linguistic resources. The paper initially contrasts the experience and nature of biological and linguistic extinction in order to better understand the effects of language death on sustainability. The paper then moves to examining the disempowering effects of predominant discourses and truncated repertoires in what is largely monolingual behaviour, with particular reference to current crises and attempts to alleviate them. Language teaching and practices are considered with a focus on the opposition of neoliberal globalising tendencies and policy on the one hand, and the actuality of the complexities of localised understanding on the other. It is suggested that sustainable policy and practice require sustainable linguistic means and uses, and will be informed by deeper, more detailed debate, rather than searching for sweeping solutions. The paper proposes a renewed approach to language policies regarding learning, teaching, testing and governance that are non-exploitative but, at the same time, respect the requirements of meritocratic values. The importance of receptive skills in (inter-)cultural interactions and the role of languages in the appreciation of truth values is also underlined.

Copyright of Form@re is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The environmental sustainability is probably one of the most controversial topics of national policy agendas. The needs to combine economic growth and well-being, have forced governments to introduce tools for reducing CO2 emission and avoiding climate change. This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of these measures in the 1990-2014 period for a sample of 188 countries; and to analyze the determinants of CO2 in the 2000-2014 period for a sample of 175 countries. The results suggest that i) richest countries have a GDP elasticity of CO2 greater than that of poorest countries; and ii) GDP, energy consumption, urbanization, agricultural development, tourism and depletion of natural resources are directly correlated to CO2, while forest area, alternative energy, trade openness and FDI inflows are inversely related to CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows the state of the art regarding the possibilities of intervention for the economic and social inclusion of young people Not engaged in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) in the countries of the European Union, in order to identify and compare good practices and didactic models aimed to contrast the social and economic vulnerabilities of young people. The systematic review, carried out on both generalist and more properly educational databases, has revealed the poor relationship between the two topics in literature, each one moreover only recently made the subject of articulated research. The field of study is therefore open and invites further reflection on its possible developments. Matching NEETs’ needs and business companies’ requirements, students’ motivation during the learning path, keeping balance between e-learning and face-to-face lectures, tutors’ involvement along the course, and relationships with stakeholders remain the main issues identified in the various papers reviewed.

Objectives This review article delves into the determinants of energy intensity in emerging economies, spanning the past 30 years of research accessed from Web of Science. The review employ data visualization techniques to present a bird's-eye view of the research landscape, showcasing the geographical distribution of studies, prominent authors, and key journals in the field. Material and methods This bibliometric study utilized the March 2023 edition of the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database for its papers. The literature review covers the years 1993 to 2023 and includes all studies on the subject of energy intensity in the pursuit of emerging economic goals. Journal articles are isolated from the other document types using an additional filter. The WoS Core Collection database had a total of 3,918 articles. Results Through a systematic assessment of methodological approaches, we evaluate the robustness of the existing literature, pinpointing areas where methodological improvements and novel data sources can enhance future research. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners striving to develop effective strategies for reducing energy intensity and promoting green growth. Conclusions In conclusion, emerging economies' energy intensity levels are shaped by a complex interplay of determinants that were highlighted by the analysis of factors influencing energy intensity on economic growth. In order to achieve a more sustainable and resilient energy future, emerging economies must first address these determinants through research, collaboration, and policy actions.

In the context of environmental emergency of which the construction sector is one of the main causes – since it consumes 40% of the (embodied and operational) energy and produces about a third of the total waste – and due to the ambitious objectives set by the international community and by many countries to reduce the environmental impact of buildings during their whole life cycle, this paper wants to make a contribution to the understanding of the state of the art on cycle-based research activities, sustainable experiments and good practices that the building industry and the academy have implemented in recent years. In particular, it refers to cycle-based theoretical and experimental actions involving process and product innovations at different scales (‘macro’, ‘meso’ and ‘micro’) of the built environment. They are capable of overcoming the traditional linear approach to use an approach aiming, on the one hand, to extend the service life cycle, and on the other, to evaluate new bio-based materials, easily renewable and with a low embodied energy. In the end, the paper highlights the problems that currently hinder its dissemination and identifies possible research actions that can favour, with the contribution of Architectural Technology, the transition to this new paradigm.

Different approaches can be used to make cities and transportation infrastructures smarter, more sustainable, and durable. These changes will positively affect the work of many stakeholders, such as authorities, road agencies, citizens, users, and driverless vehicles. Unfortunately, despite the fact that smart materials are becoming more and more common, the integration level between smart materials and early warning technologies is still in need of a holistic approach. In light of this, the main objective of the work presented in this paper is to provide an overview of the materials and technological solutions that can be used in the field of transportation infrastructures to satisfy some of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nation (resolution A/RES/70/1/2015). The solutions above include an innovative monitoring method, set up by the authors of this paper, which is based on the concept of vibro-acoustic signature. The method mentioned above is a Non-Destructive Test and sensor-based solutions in order to detect damage to road pavements. The proposed method was validated using Finite Element Modelling simulations, and experimental investigations followed by data analysis carried out using Machine Learning- and Wavelet-based algorithms. Results show that smart materials and technologies can be used to target A/RES/70/1/2015 goals and to improve the sustainability of the current and future transportation infrastructures. Materiali e tecnologie intelligenti per allerta, monitoraggio, e per aumentare la vita utile delle infrastrutture di trasporto Differenti approcci possono essere utilizzati per rendere le città e le infrastrutture di trasporto più intelligenti, sostenibili e durature. Queste tendenze influenzeranno positivamente il lavoro di molti portatori di interesse come ad esempio le autorità competenti, le società che si occupano di strade, i cittadini, gli utenti, ed i veicoli senza guidatore. Sfortunatamente, malgrado il fatto che i materiali intelligenti sono sempre più utilizzati, il livello di integrazione tra materiali intelligenti e tecnologie per l’allerta precoce ha ancora bisogno di un approccio olistico. Alla luce di questo, l’obiettivo principale del lavoro presentato in questo documento è quello di fornire una panoramica su soluzioni basate su materiali e tecnologie che potrebbero essere utilizzate nel campo delle infrastrutture di trasporto per soddisfare alcuni degli obiettivi della risoluzione per lo sviluppo sostenibile (Sustainable Development Goals) delle Nazioni Unite (A/RES/70/1/2015). Le soluzioni su citate includono un metodo innovativo, messo a punto dagli autori della memoria, il quale è basato sul concetto di firma vibro-acustica. Il metodo su citato è una soluzione basata su test non distruttivi (NDT) e sensori per l’identificazione di danni nelle pavimentazioni stradali. Il metodo proposto è stato validato attraverso simulazioni fatte con un modello agli elementi finiti (FEM), e indagini sperimentali seguite da un’analisi dati svolta usando un modello basato sull’apprendimento automatico (machine learning). I risultati mostrano che materiali e tecnologie intelligenti possono essere utilizzate per raggiungere gli obiettivi della risoluzione A/RES/70/1/2015 e migliorare la sostenibilità delle attuali e future pavimentazioni stradali.

Copyright of Form@re is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article examines the interplay between education and ecological transition in the school context, exploring the skills necessary to promote sustainability in current and future generations. We delve into the meaning of sustainable mindset and analyze the intersection between ecological transition and circular economy, with a particular focus on the life-long learning approach and its psycho-pedagogical implications. From a bibliographic perspective, the research also concentrates on the importance of hands-on experience in primary and secondary schools, providing insights into how to effectively teach ecological transition and circularity. Ultimately, this contribution helps understand the crucial role education plays in promoting sustainable practices and preparing new generations to tackle complex environmental challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyze the current and long-term effects of the European Commission Bioeconomy Strategy in order to outline possible scenarios for rural areas and evaluate their sustainability. The focus is on the main economic sectors, with particular reference to employment and turnover, in order to understand what kind of economy and jobs are intended for rural areas, as well as their territorial impacts. For this purpose, we have analyzed the main European Commission documents and datasets concerning the bioeconomy and long-term planning for rural areas, as well as the recent scientific data to verify the impact on forests. The result is that European rural areas are intended to be converted initially into large-scale biomass producers for energy and bio-based industry, according to the digitization process, and subsequently into biorefinery sites, with severe damage to landscape, environment, biodiversity, land use and local economy. Scenarios for rural areas don’t seem neither sustainable nor profitable, particularly for the peripheral countries (Southern and Eastern countries of the European Union).

This paper analyzes how the rural development policy supports innovation, according to Europe 2020 strategy. Using the information of the Italian FADN 2010-2014, the study analyzes the productivity ratio between large and small farms to measure the gap of their economic performance. The productivity ratio is compared, at regional level, with the consumption of soil for environmental factor and the number of agricultural workers employed for social dimension. The three indicators are compared with public spending for innovation allocated in regional RDPs 2007-2013 and 2014-2020. The results show a weak correlation of public spending with the indicators. Large values of the productivity gap affect negatively on the corresponding values of land use and agricultural employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the importance of training design for the development of the territory by outlining the functions, learning contents and skills of the subject for the definition and cultivation of sustainable practices for well-being and active citizenship. The paper, therefore, invites the reader to reflect on the theme of training, identifies educational practices and development prospects and then presents the results of a training project carried out in a small lazial village. It is precisely from the small local realities that it is possible to open the space for a design aimed at training citizens who are protagonists able to provide their contribution to responsibly inhabit the territory, in the acquired awareness of the close interdependence that unites person and community, between local and global. Apprendimento e Territorio. La progettazione come leva per lo sviluppo sostenibile nelle comunità locali Il contributo si concentra sull’importanza della progettazione formativa per lo sviluppo del territorio delineando le funzioni, i contenuti di apprendimento e le skills del soggetto per la definizione e coltivazione di pratiche sostenibili per il benessere e la cittadinanza attiva. Il contributo, pertanto, invita il lettore ad una riflessione sul tema della formatività, individua le pratiche educative e le prospettive di sviluppo per poi presentare i risultati di un progetto formativo realizzato in un piccolo borgo laziale. È proprio dalle piccole realtà locali che è possibile aprire lo spazio per una progettazione mirante a formare cittadini protagonisti in grado di fornire il proprio contributo per abitare responsabilmente il territorio, nell’acquisita consapevolezza della stretta interdipendenza che unisce persona e comunità, tra locale e globale.

The paper presents the work done during the two editions of the Summer School that took place in Lampedusa in 2017 and 2018, organized by the Italian Association of Sociology – Environment and Territory Section. The aim of the paper is twofold. Firstly, it aims to illustrate the results of the data analysis and field observation carried out by the participants of the School. They consist of a multi-faceted description of the Island, with special attention to its different populations (residents, city users and especially migrants), and of some resulting project proposals. Secondly, the essay aims to promote a practice based on study and training, which is typical of the sociological analysis of territory, and that can provide useful insight on the studied places and to the people of Lampedusa, within a broader vision of justice and social sustainability.

This paper focuses on the case study of Prague, the capital the Czech Republic with the aim of identify and analyzing the urban green areas. The paper study the relationship between impervious (built areas) and pervious areas (green areas) with topographical features in the city. The methodology applied was NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) index using the Sentinel-2 image (10 meters resolution) with free access to data. After this initial filtering, was analyze the correlation between pervious and impervious areas with slope conditions using as method the combinatorial analysis to produce the maps describing the relationship between green areas and percentage of slopes. The resulting maps indicate a correlation between land use, green areas, and topography.DOI: https://doi.org/10.20365/disegnarecon.20.2018.10

New analytical approaches used for a holistic/integral evaluation of the company created value advocate implementation of business models based on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sand the Triple Bottom Line (TBL). Owing to the fact that CSR and TBL are strategically oriented on business objectives of sustainable development, especially in managing eco-efficiency, this type of value is being named – Sustainable Value Added (SVA). However, since previous research and constructive criticism of SVA models have not been adequately tested by applying the appropriate econometric models so far, in this paper author introduces applicable empirical testing of the SVA sensitivity on the Triple Bottom Line aspects: 1) financial, 2) environmental and 3) social business results. The aim of this paper is to conduct research on SVA as an integrative measure for quantitative assessment of company contributions to the long-term sustainable development. The author also advocates an important thesis regarding the extraction of the TBL data, implicating that this process validates only when a relevant number of companies, across different benchmarks, regularly publishes annual CSR reports. Such publishing ensures transparent and unified TBL data essential for SVA analysis. Research methodology rests on the comparison of SVA with a traditional economic measure of Value Added (VA) in terms of their contributions to business sustainability. Empirical testing indicates significant differences between the SVA and VA regarding their financial, environmental and social sustainability effects. Testing empirically confirms SVA as an integrative measure for sustainable business contributions. This ensures the presentation of complete and standardized data of triple results required for SVA analysis. Additional objective in this context was to investigate eco-efficiency of a specific benchmark as a sustainability precondition, measured by using the SVA.

The purpose of the paper is to provide the ranking of Central and Eastern European cities, based on various elements of cities’ smart performance. Our analysis enables the evaluation of social, economic and environmental aspects of urban life that represent the determinants of cities’ competitive profiles and consequently, the positions on the ranking lists. The research is based on the data on perceptions of citizens on different aspects of urban quality, provided by the Eurostat’s Urban Audit Perception Survey. For the assessment of various hierarchically structured indicators of cities’ smart performance, a multi-criteria analysis model is developed, combining the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) for determining the relative importance of criteria and TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method of ranking. The main finding of the paper implies that direct perceptions of citizens on the overall life satisfaction in the analyzed European cities are not influenced by their smart performance. The comparison of ranks obtained by the constructed multi-criteria model and perceived satisfaction of life indicates a rather weak relation.

According to Agenda 2030, the school, focusing on sustainability and well-being, aims at achieving a quality learning pathway, activating a deep cultural transformation for future education. Sustainable education should be integrated into all disciplines and promote a collective vision of sustainability. Measurement tools to assess and identify sustainability and well-being’s factors, within the school context and, specifically, the workshop context, are essential for school to carry out educational-didactic actions. This paper presents the results of the survey “So.Be.Didlab: Sustainability, Well-being and Didactics Lab” aimed at identifying the main factors that influence the achievement of well-being within the school environment and how this can be extended to different areas of students’ lives. The questionnaire was addressed to 507 teachers and 1543 students in Sicily. So.Be.DidLab: la percezione dei rischi ambientali e della condizione di benessere nei contesti scolastici. Secondo l’Agenda 2030, la scuola volta alla sostenibilità e al benessere mira al raggiungimento di un percorso di apprendimento di qualità, attivando una trasformazione culturale profonda per l’educazione del futuro. L’educazione sostenibile dovrebbe essere integrata in tutte le discipline e promuovere una visione collettiva della sostenibilità. Disporre di strumenti di misura per valutare e individuare i principali fattori che determinano la sostenibilità e il benessere all’interno del contesto scolastico e, nello specifico, di quello laboratoriale, è essenziale per l’implementazione, nelle scuole, di azioni educativo-didattiche. Il presente lavoro espone gli esiti dell’indagine “So.Be.Didlab: Sostenibilità, Benessere e Didattica Laboratoriale” finalizzato a individuare i principali fattori che influenzano il raggiungimento del benessere all’interno dell’ambito scolastico e come questo possa estendersi a diversi ambiti della vita degli studenti. Il questionario è stato rivolto a 507 docenti e a 1543 studenti del territorio siciliano.

In the last years, scholars and practitioners have carried out a reflection about the social, economic, and political role of social economy organizations in advancing sustainability transformations. Social economy organizations need a cultural journey of self-perception and awareness raising regarding their identity as change agents for sustainability to become even more a vehicle for social transformation. In other words, sustainability competences, mobilized by social economy organizations, need to be made explicit, strengthened and brought to the awareness of the organizations, through lifelong learning. In response to this problem, the paper discusses, through an ethnographic study, the case of Proforma, a social enterprise in the Mugello Area (Tuscany, Italy). The practices, values, the mindset and associated competences that characterize the enterprise’s work in promoting sustainability initiatives, locally, are outlined. Tensions between embodying sustainability values and performing sustainability initiatives are highlighted. Capacity building per la sostenibilità nelle organizzazioni dell’economia sociale. Negli ultimi anni è stata portata avanti una ri-lettura del ruolo sociale, economico e politico rappresentato dalle organizzazioni dell’economia sociale in quanto attori costruttivi di una società sostenibile. Le organizzazioni dell’economia sociale hanno bisogno di un percorso culturale di auto-percezione e presa di consapevolezza della propria identità come agente di cambiamento per la sostenibilità e veicolo di trasformazione sociale. In altre parole, le competenze in materia di sostenibilità, agite dall’Economia Sociale, hanno bisogno di essere esplicitate, rafforzate e portate a consapevolezza delle organizzazioni, attraverso adeguate azioni di formazione continua. In risposta a questo problema, il presente articolo discute, attraverso uno studio etnografico, il caso di Proforma, un’impresa sociale del Mugello, delineando le pratiche, ma anche i valori, la mentalità e le associate competenze che caratterizzano il lavoro dell’impresa nel sostenere iniziative di sostenibilità a livello locale. La sfida di incarnare valori di sostenibilità e agire per la sostenibilità è evidenziata.

The article delves into the historical trajectory of global inequality, tracing the transition from an era of relative equality to the emergence of profound disparities following the Industrial Revolution and the rise of the West. It scrutinizes the Eurocentric narrative of progress, emphasizing the pivotal role of scientific advancements, technological innovations, and capitalist expansion in shaping the Western ascendancy. Furthermore, it explores the concept of life chances as a lens through which to analyse structural inequality and the distribution of resources among individuals. The discourse extends to the revaluation of values in the context of sustainability, advocating for a shift towards a more sustainable and equitable societal framework. The paper underscores the enduring challenges posed by durable inequality and the allure of the Western lifestyle to less privileged regions. Through a multidisciplinary lens encompassing historical, sociological, and ecological perspectives, it offers insights into the complexities of global development, social stratification, and the quest for a more just and sustainable world order.

This article is both an editorial introduction to the guest-edited special issue of JoSTrans on Translation Automation and Sustainability, and a position paper in which we propose a model for evaluating the sustainable use of automation technology in translation and beyond. As grounding notions, the article reviews definitions of automation and considers the urgency of sustainability. Thereafter we propose an adaptation of Elkington’s (1997) triple bottom line, giving equal weight to evaluation based on people, planet, and performance, describing each of these elements in turn. Finally, we introduce the articles from this special issue, in which authors describe various aspects of automation technology in translation with a focus on sustainability.

Water scarcity is a very critical issue in the context of sustainability and global environmental change. However, the notion of scarcity also has its local roots that are constructed by diverse actors with specific values, knowledge and interests. This paper explores the socially constructed nature of water scarcity among diverse social actors along the river basin of Bharathapuzha in Kerala. It also examines the diverse contextual factors that have affected the traditional land and water management practices in the river basin. This paper is based on qualitative research carried out among two villages along the river basin. The findings of this paper show that the river basin is extremely prone to drought-like situations and multiple forms of water scarcity surfaces in the discourses and discursive practices of social actors associated with the socio-ecological system. Further, these discursive practices are guided by the instrumental rationality of technological modernisation and progress, which has not only disrupted the traditional water management systems in the region, but also have completely neglected the ecosystem linkages and carrying capacities of vulnerable resource systems. The state-induced and expert-driven images of modernity such as dams, concrete check dams and major irrigation projects have replaced the traditional imagery of the river as a vibrant and ever-flowing life source. Water scarcity and other related forms of scarcity mediate these transitions. These processes have long-term implications on the sustainability of the river itself.

Fashion occupies an essential place in today’s society not only because of the production of garments and their impact at the end of their life but also because of the economic, cultural and social dynamics it determines. Modular design is a valuable strategy for creating complex systems from configurable, separable and adaptable modules that can influence sustainability. Through the review of scientific literature integrated with case studies from the professional world, this paper categorises current implementations of modular fashion design, highlighting the system architecture and describing opportunities and limitations regarding environmental, economic, cultural and social sustainability. From the analysis emerges the need for a multidisciplinary investigation of the topic through the study of new business models and Industry 4.0 technologies employing a design-led approach that deals with the design of products and services and consumption behaviour. Article info Received: 10/09/2023; Revised: 16/10/2023; Accepted: 22/10/2023

The theme of environmental emergency is now at the forefront of discussions on how to plan and conceive architectural design. This paper argues for the opportunity to interpret building design as a circular process that can, at all stages, help designers find conscious and functional answers to the issue of the environmental impact of construction: this calls for a necessary review of the project’s performance requirements, which can find a possible complete and adequate answer in minimal modular architectures. It is indeed believed that the module in architecture can be designed, given the same basic minimum element, as flexible with respect to usage requirements, contexts and achievable performance. To demonstrate the above, research experiences regarding this architectural-design concept are provided. Article info Received: 15/10/2023; Revised: 20/10/2023; Accepted: 08/11/2023

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Cities are at the heart of global challenges and its solutions. When occupying only 3% of Earth’s land, they are both the engines of economic growth with 80% of the global GDP but at the same time cities are emitting 75% of global green house gases. The aim of this paper was to focus on how different city development programs have been developing and how they are supporting the city’s strategic goals. This paper has shown self-assessment results of 37 projects from four different programs in the city of Tampere. The projects were evaluated against five themes: people, planet, propagation, governance and scalability/replicability. The results showed that the environmental indicators had high scores. Also, the governance focus had a high scores in most of the projects. The people focus was highest in project themes on smart cities. Some of the ecological projects were in nature very technical, which is the reason why they did not score that high in people theme. The results showed clearly that the scalability and replicability are becoming very important elements in the existing and coming projects in cities. This could be also clearly seen in the analyses where the scalability and replicability of the different projects has been important in last 5-10 years and it seem that especially in the recent years the importance has a high impact. From our study we could initially conclude that the program based approach in city’s economic development seems to provide one strand of continuation in implementation of the city’s economic development policy and that the impact of its implementation improves. The hierarchical roles of different sets of projects as well as that of the sub-ecosystems that have carried out the project(s) indicates that the ecosystem approach is a useful one. The results also highllighted the role of programs as platforms for innovation and co-creation between citizens, companies, research organizations and public sector. In these ecosystems value is created to all stakeholders. The value may be direct financial value but may well be also indirect such as R&D related, community value etc. The role of the cities is very important in this ecosystem value creation as they are considered to be a neutral body with focus on the public interest, not a vested one. As the role of cities is growing to be paramount also in innovation, this should be reflected in regional, national and EU level innovation policies, funding schemes and regulations as well as in execution of innovations.