Open Access
Article
Article ID: 2736
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by Moye Eric Kongnso, Tiomo Donfack Emmanuel, Nwinifor Kawah Awah
Eco Cities 2024 , 5(2);    141 Views
Received: 21 May 2024; Accepted: 11 June 2024; Available online: 1 July 2024; Issue release: 30 December 2024
Abstract Wetlands are unique ecosystems that play a critical role in the preservation of biodiversity and the provision of ecological services. This work on the Urban Political Ecology (UPE) of wetland resources in Bamenda has as objective to examine stakeholder participation and power relations resulting from the exploitation and management of wetlands. It looks at the challenges of wetland conservation in context of rapid urbanization. Using a mixed methods approach and the specific case of Bamenda III municipality, data was collected from secondary and primary sources. A household questionnaire survey was conducted with 150 households while 12 in-depth interviews were carried out with key informants. Data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitative and results were critiqued using the lens of UPE. Results show that between 1988 and 2022, wetlands reduction was more than 6.78%. This reduction is caused by agriculture, land reclamation and expansion of urban infrastructure. As such, Conservation has become a huge challenge due to overlapping responsibilities and an ambiguous regulatory system that focuses on biodiversity conservation only. This has created conflictual power relations and a complexified management system. The UPE approach has revealed that the consideration of socio-economic and cultural ecosystem services in wetland management is key to sustainability.
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Open Access
Article
Article ID: 2857
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by Lei Wen
Eco Cities 2024 , 5(2);    126 Views
Received: 26 June 2024; Accepted: 2 August 2024; Available online: 15 August 2024; Issue release: 30 December 2024
Abstract 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.
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Open Access
Article
Article ID: 2818
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by Kamil Muhammad Kafi, Suraj Ibrahim, Fatima Umar Aliyu, Mashkurah Ahmed Usman, Kemi Hamdat Olugbodi
Eco Cities 2024 , 5(2);    111 Views
Received: 9 July 2024; Accepted: 27 August 2024; Available online: 10 September 2024; Issue release: 30 December 2024
Abstract This study assesses the spatio-temporal changes and the impact of urbanization leading to unchecked development within Kaduna city. By utilizing satellite remote sensing data and land use maps of Kaduna, the investigation focused on how the city has expanded over the years and the resultant spurring of incompatible land uses, where residential and commercial uses are increasingly mixed with industrial zones. Using LULC analysis, the results revealed that Kaduna has experienced a 145% increase in urban area between 2001 – 2014, with the expansion primarily occurring in the southern part of Kaduna metropolis. A change map showing different degrees of increase and decrease in land cover classes was obtained from the post-classification comparison. Using buffer analysis, the study identified and mapped risk zones that represent areas highly susceptible to adverse effects of industrial pollution in the study area. Notably, the Kakuri industrial area has seen significant new incompatible residential and commercial developments, and areas surrounding the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC refinery) have witnessed the proliferation of high-density residential neighborhoods such as Sabon Tasha, Maraba, and Romi. Additionally, other areas such as Mando and Western Bypass are experiencing a mixture of industrial, residential, and commercial activities. These findings underscore the need for effective urban planning and land use management to address the challenges posed by rapid urban expansion and mixed land use in Kaduna.
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Open Access
Article
Article ID: 2837
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by Favour Chukwuemeka Uroko, Maria Nneka Agbasianya
Eco Cities 2024 , 5(2);    38 Views
Received: 17 July 2024; Accepted: 10 September 2024; Available online: 18 September 2024; Issue release: 30 December 2024
Abstract This paper explores the imperative for a legal policy addressing the ecological crisis in Nigeria, drawing insights from the biblical perspective of Genesis 2:15. This study adopted the narrative method with data gotten from literature and analysed using content analysis. Scholarly publications on ecological crises abound; however, this study goes a step further by providing responses from a legal and theological lens. Findings show that in Nigeria, large-scale deforestation, often driven by logging, agricultural expansion, and urbanisation, has contributed to the loss of critical ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and biodiversity. Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation in Nigeria have resulted in air pollution, primarily in major cities. The study advocates for the development and implementation of laws that address destruction of the environment, emphasising the interconnectedness of legal, ethical, and biblical principles in fostering sustainable environmental policies for Nigeria.
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Open Access
Review
Article ID: 2826
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by Yulong Sun, Juancan Guo
Eco Cities 2024 , 5(2);    60 Views
Received: 30 July 2024; Accepted: 2 September 2024; Available online: 20 September 2024; Issue release: 30 December 2024
Abstract Propose: This paper focuses on helping companies solve the pressure brought by the current digital trend and environmental ecological challenges and achieve the strategic goal of sustainable development. Methods: In this paper, the literature review method is used to collect the relevant literature of the Web of Science (WOS) database 2014–2015 and explore the natural advantages of digital transformation (DT) in the field of green governance. In addition, VOSviewer is used for literature metrology to generate a visual map in order to visually present the current research hotspots. Results: This study shows that DT has three advantages in the field of green governance. Firstly, DT can significantly affect green governance. Secondly, DT can significantly affect green innovation. Thirdly, DT can significantly affect Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Practical implications: This study reviews the relevant literature on DT and green governance and excavates the influence of DT in the field of green governance. On the one hand, this study enriches the dual research perspectives of DT and green governance, fills the gap in the study of DT green governance and the level of new green governance, and has important theoretical significance. On the other hand, it is of great practical significance to explore the impact of DT on green governance and provide an important reference for companies to build a new governance paradigm in the digital era.
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