This study investigates the relationship between municipal management and sustainable tourism in an urban protected area, specifically the Los Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge in Lima, Peru. The research adopts a quantitative, correlational, non-experimental, cross-sectional design, focusing on a sample of 67 employees from the Municipal Authority. A probabilistic sampling technique was employed to select the sample from a population of 80 workers. Data were collected through two separate questionnaires, each tailored to measure one of the key variables, with responses recorded on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. The study area, Los Pantanos de Villa, is an urban protected area situated in a densely populated region where challenges such as pollution, waste management, and urban sprawl exert significant pressure on environmental sustainability. Findings revealed that 88.06% of respondents assessed municipal management in the protected area as "good," while 76.12% rated sustainable tourism positively. Statistical analysis revealed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.590, with a p-value of 0.000, indicating a significant positive correlation between effective municipal management and the promotion of sustainable tourism. These results emphasize the crucial role of municipal governance in enhancing both environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism development within urban protected areas. Effective management practices can contribute to balancing the dual objectives of ecological conservation and urban development, thereby fostering a sustainable tourism model in highly urbanised contexts. This study underscores the importance of governance frameworks in mitigating urban pressures and advancing sustainability in Natural Protected Area (NPA).
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has become increasingly significant in Ecuador, contributing to rural employment and economic stability. However, its environmental consequences, particularly those related to illegal mining and the discharge of untreated waste into water bodies, have raised concerns regarding water quality deterioration. The present study investigates heavy metal contamination in six rivers (Siete, Pagua, Fermín, Villa, Guanache, and 9 de Octubre) within the Ponce Enríquez mining district, where elevated concentrations of heavy metals have been detected. To facilitate the development of effective remediation strategies, an integrated statistical analysis was conducted to elucidate the relationships between pollutants and their potential sources. The methodology encompassed (i) an extensive review of water quality data, (ii) a statistical correlation analysis of predominant heavy metals, and (iii) an evaluation of environmental management approaches. The findings indicate that the Villa, Siete, Fermín, and Guanache rivers exhibit particularly high concentrations of aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), with contamination levels intensifying during the wet season due to runoff and the influence of the geological composition of the study area. Strong positive correlations (r>0.8) were observed between Fe-Pb, Fe-Al, and Pb-Al in both dry and wet seasons, suggesting that mining activities, mineralogical characteristics of the region, and agricultural runoff contribute to heavy metal accumulation. Based on these findings, sustainable remediation techniques are proposed to mitigate contamination and enhance water quality. The implementation of these measures is expected to facilitate the gradual improvement of riverine ecosystems while promoting economic diversification within the Ponce Enríquez mining district.
This study investigates the features of regional development within the Blue Economy system, focusing on sustainable growth and resilience in coastal regions. The Blue Economy emphasizes the sustainable and equitable use of marine resources, requiring a development model that integrates economic, ecological, and social dimensions. This research explores how regional development under the Blue Economy can be understood, assessed, and supported through analytical tools. Using a multi-step tool that combines interquartile range (IQR) analysis, clustering methods, and z-score normalization, representative coastal economies are identified to provide insights into the stability, specialization, and economic efficiency of the Blue Economy. Additionally, a radar chart tool is introduced to assess and visualize the region’s profiles, offering an accessible means for planning by highlighting economic strengths, vulnerabilities, and sectoral dependencies. The findings emphasize the need for a balanced development approach tailored to each region’s socio-economic and ecological context to foster resilience and sustainability. Further enhancements to these tools are proposed, including incorporating additional socio-economic and ecological indicators, to broaden their applicability for comprehensive assessments of the development of the regions in the Blue Economy system. This research thus provides valuable tools for stakeholders to monitor and strengthen the economic health of coastal regions, supporting sustainable regional development within the Blue Economy.
The used vehicle market has increasingly been recognised as a critical component in advancing sustainability objectives, particularly within the framework of a circular economy. In this study, a comprehensive assessment of the Italian used car sector has been conducted, with emphasis placed on its economic viability, environmental implications, and role in promoting resource efficiency through extended product life cycles. Economic indicators demonstrate that the reuse of vehicles not only reduces material waste and energy consumption associated with new car production, but also enhances accessibility and cost-effectiveness for consumers. To quantify the reliability of used vehicles and support informed decision-making among stakeholders, a predictive model was developed employing a dataset comprising over 100,000 pre-owned vehicles. Reliability was evaluated through the estimation of the Percentage of Residual Life (PRL), derived using a hybrid approach that integrates Weibull distribution-based survival analysis with multivariate regression techniques, calibrated against vehicle age and mileage. This modelling framework enables the estimation of remaining service life with high granularity, offering a standardised metric to assess vehicle longevity and performance risk. The integration of economic and reliability analyses provides a multidimensional understanding of the market, addressing both financial sustainability and operational dependability. Through this dual approach, a pathway has been proposed for enhancing the transparency, sustainability, and efficiency of used vehicle transactions in Italy. The findings are intended to inform policymakers, manufacturers, and consumers by highlighting the strategic potential of second-hand vehicles in reducing lifecycle emissions and promoting circularity in the automotive industry. Broader implications for sustainable transport policy, second-hand asset valuation, and market regulation are also discussed, situating the Italian used car market as a replicable model for sustainable vehicle ecosystem management in Europe and beyond.
The integration of economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability within European Union (EU) development frameworks has been strategically aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These objectives have been positioned to reinforce the EU’s welfare state model while fostering harmonization across member states. In this study, the performance trajectories of 27 EU countries from 2000 to 2023 have been assessed to determine whether convergence in SDG outcomes has occurred, and whether progress towards sustainable development has followed a common pathway. The SDG Index and data for 16 individual SDGs were analyzed using the club convergence methodology and the log t-regression test, allowing for the identification of heterogeneous dynamic patterns and latent convergence clubs. The results indicate that a singular equilibrium in SDG performance has not yet been achieved, with evidence of structural divergence across several key goals. While convergence has been observed for Goals 1, 9, 12, and 13, significant divergence persists for Goals 2, 5, 6, and 8. These findings underscore the limitations of a uniform policy approach and suggest that differentiated, context-sensitive strategies may be required to close performance gaps. The presence of club convergence further implies that member states are evolving towards distinct equilibria, shaped by domestic policy frameworks, institutional capacities, and socioeconomic contexts. This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by providing a systematic and longitudinal analysis of SDG performance heterogeneity within the EU and contributes to ongoing debates on the effectiveness of supranational sustainability governance. It is argued that recognizing and responding to these differentiated trajectories is critical for the design of targeted policy interventions capable of advancing inclusive and balanced sustainable development across the union.
Open Access
Journal Metrics
Journal Overview
Associated Journals