Open Journal Systems

ISSN: 2810-9813 (Online)

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Semi-annual

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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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Volume Arrangement

2024

Vol 5, No 1 (2024)

2023

Vol 4, No 2 (2023)

Vol 4, No 1 (2023)

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Featured Articles

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.

A study on the impact of digital economy on green technology innovation of enterprises

With global economic transformation and environmental sustainability increasingly taking center stage, the role of the digital economy (DE) becomes particularly critical in corporate green technology innovation (GTI). Based on the data of Chinese A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2011 to 2020, this paper explores the interactive effects of DE and GTI and the mechanism role of data resources (DR) in them, as well as conducts in-depth analyses for different regional and city characteristics. The main findings are as follows: First, DE significantly promotes the process of GTI. Second, from the perspective of regional differences, the promotion effect of DE on green technology innovation is particularly prominent in the eastern and central regions. And analyzed from the city level, its positive effect is most significant in the second-tier cities but shows a negative effect in the fourth and fifth-tier cities. Further examined from the perspective of resource dependence, DE inhibits green technology innovation in resource-based cities while showing a significant facilitating effect in non-resource-based cities. Third, DE can further promote green technology innovation by enhancing firms’ DR. Fourth, the study reveals the threshold effect of DR in this relationship: when DR < 2.5649, DE presents an inhibitory effect on green technological innovation, while its promotional effect begins to appear when 2.5649 ≤ DR < 4.2767, and the promotional effect of DE on GTI becomes more obvious when DR ≥ 4.2767.

Carbon neutral urban block in Athens—2050

Marilena Maragkaki, Kartikeya Rajput

Article ID: 2201
Vol 4, Issue 1, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54517/ec.v4i1.2201
VIEWS - 257 (Abstract)

Abstract

Athens’ extensive urbanisation, lack of green areas, and the extreme heat caused by increasingly frequent heat waves indicate the need for actions improving indoor and outdoor comfort, which is closely related to the energy consumption of the buildings. This work’s aim is to create a carbon-neutral block in Athens on the 2050 horizon. The optimisation of the block’s form based on principles of environmental design and climatic analysis was performed to enhance its environmental benefits. Simulations on the energy performance of the block and calculations on the ability to cover the energy loads with renewables were conducted. Finally, to meet zero-carbon neutrality, a connection with the neighbouring blocks was established. The results demonstrate the benefits of a bioclimatic, carbon-neutral building design in Athens and provide a practical prototype that can be adapted for other projects, thereby enabling the shift to a more efficient and environmentally friendly built environment.

Keywords

carbon neutral; net-zero; energy demand and consumption; Athens

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References

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