Eco-cities are becoming a reality！

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2024

2023

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A review on the role of green vegetation in improving urban environmental quality

The exacerbation of climate change impacts within metropolitan areas is a well-documented phenomenon, often leading to severe consequences that pose significant risks to human populations. The impact of urban vegetation and planting design on these factors can be observed. However, it is worth mentioning that while there is an extensive body of literature on the consequences of climate change, there is a relatively small number of studies specifically focused on examining the role of vegetation as a mitigating factor in urban environments. This review paper aims to critically examine existing studies pertaining to the role of urban vegetation in mitigating the detrimental effects of the urban environment. The objective is to offer practical recommendations that can be implemented by city planners. By conducting a comprehensive examination of the literature available in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, employing specific keywords pertaining to urban vegetation and climate change, we have identified five prominent concerns pertaining to the urban environment. These concerns encompass particulate matter, gaseous pollution, noise pollution, water runoff, and the urban heat island effect. The present analysis highlights that the impact of urban vegetation on the negative consequences of climate change cannot be unequivocally classified as either positive or negative. This is due to the fact that the influence of urban greenery is intricately connected to factors such as the arrangement, makeup, and dispersion of vegetation, as well as the specific management criteria employed. Hence, this research has the potential to enhance comprehension of the multifaceted nature of urban green spaces and establish a solid groundwork for subsequent investigations.

Analytical study on the coupling coordination degree of tourism and urban development—Taking Shaanxi as an example

Tourism has been instrumental in fostering regional economic growth, enhancing the quality of life of residents, and boosting the image of urban areas in Shaanxi, thanks to the accelerated economic and social development of recent years. Nevertheless, the issue of aligning urban development and tourism in terms of space, resources, and the industrial chain remains a significant concern. This paper establishes an evaluation index system for tourism and urban development in the Shaanxi region from 2009 to 2019. It then employs the systematic coupling coordination model to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the coupling coordination degree of tourism and urban development in the region, as well as its various influencing factors. The study demonstrates that the coupling and coordination degree of tourism and urban development in the Shaanxi region exhibited a trend of continuous improvement from 2009 to 2019. The region underwent three stages of development: “uncoordinated development (2009–2011), transformation development (2012–2016), and coordinated development (2017–2019).” The coupling coordination level was elevated from “mild dissonance” to “intermediate coordination” in 2019. In contrast, the tourism economic development of Shaanxi cities remains unequal, as evidenced by the existence of two distinct categories of development: the “lagging tourism economy” and the “coordinated tourism economy.” The findings of this investigation indicate that the general trend of urban development and tourism in Shaanxi is favorable; however, the disparities in the progress of the tourism economy among cities necessitate additional regional coordination and cooperation. The theoretical support for the relevant research and a reference basis for tourism development planning and urban policy making are provided by the evaluation index system and the systematic coupling coordination model proposed in this paper. This will facilitate the sustainable and coordinated development of the tourism industry and cities in Shaanxi.

In the context of eco-city development, the term "eco-city" encompasses a multifaceted ecosystem characterized by the interdependence of natural, social, and economic systems. This concept emphasizes the need for sustainability through environmental friendliness, social equity, and economic growth. Various models of eco-cities, including garden cities, green cities, and landscape cities, reflect the ongoing exploration of achieving harmony between humans and nature in urban living environments.

There are two practical examples of exploring the development of eco-cities below.

Singapore stands out as a global exemplar of eco-city principles[1], integrating extensive park planning across various levels—from urban greenways to national parks—thereby establishing a robust ecological green space system. This initiative is supported by comprehensive policies and community engagement, which together form the foundational "software" of an eco-city.

Following Singapore's lead, Tianjin in China has embarked on its eco-city journey with the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city, initiated in 2008. This project aims to create a livable urban environment on previously uninhabitable land, transforming saline soils into arable land and fostering complex ecosystems where human and natural systems coexist harmoniously. Notably, the project's zero-energy [2] buildings are designed to produce much more renewable energy than they consume, achieving significant electricity savings and reducing carbon emissions.

To establish a high-quality ecological foundation that supports social and economic growth, it involves deeply understanding sustainable development concepts and effectively integrating ecological principles into urban planning and the collective mindset of citizens. Papers in Vol.5, No.1 may provide solutions to the various problems on eco-city exploration, and it is hoped to provide a reference for scholars in related fields and contribute to the sustainable development of cities.

We believe that the goal of global cities striving for ecological, environmental, and economic harmony is on the verge of being realized in the near future.

References:

Jiakuai dazao shengtai chengshi de "ruanshili". https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2018-12/27/content_5352587.htm

Huaxia. China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City: a resounding success forged by 15 years of joint efforts. https://english.news.cn/20231208/672227368e5e4acca90501344732b464/c.html

Editor-in-Chief

Prof. Jianming Cai

Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

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News & Announcements

2024-08-08

Meet our new EBMs!

The journal is pleased to welcome a new team of editorial board members dedicated to collaborating in order to elevate the journal's quality and prominence.

2024-07-11

Eco-cities are becoming a reality!

2024-05-15

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Asia Pacific Academy of Science Pte. Ltd. (APACSCI) specializes in international journal publishing. APACSCI adopts the open access publishing model and provides an important communication bridge for academic groups whose interest fields include engineering, technology, medicine, computer, mathematics, agriculture and forestry, and environment.

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