Xiong’an New Area is not only a newly emerging and nationally endorsed technopole, it is also regarded as a test-bed for novel forms of governance and financial management in China. Although it is currently only in its starting phase, Xiong’an demonstrates that various institutional features are very different from those found in traditional technopoles, such as National High-tech Industrial Development Zones (NHTIDZs). How such institutional innovation affects feasibility and viability of the construction and maintenance of new high-tech metropolises is under-studied. This article develops a conceptual framework based on the theory of space production and identifies two types of space production, global industrialization and local urbanization, which are then applied to the NHTIDZs. Analysis of the situation in Xiong’an leads to the conclusion that Xiong’an represents a mode of strong state-led space production within China’s governance modernization. This not only opens the door to a reconsideration of current land finance and social management systems but it also implies that the transferability of its institutional innovations is limited to other cities where imposing greater social control through technologies is possible.

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Urbanization is putting more pressure on waste management infrastructures in cities, which could lead to “inadequate and overburdened infrastructure” according to the United Nations (United Nations Statistics Division, 2019). Because people play an important role in the performance of waste management systems, the systems should be inclusive to all people (Vasconcelos et al., 2021). As currently no method suffices in studying both inclusivity and circularity in waste management processes this study proposes the waste journey method.

The waste journey method combines the customer journey theory and the theory of planned behavior and can be graphically presented as in Figure 1. In the waste journey method, the waste is followed from a waste perspective from actor to actor. In this journey the waste interacts with people, called touch points, who take certain actions that influence the circular performance of the waste management process. By mapping the waste management process and analyzing the arguments actors have for their actions, with the theory of planned behavior, the barriers, and opportunities for realizing inclusivity and circularity in a waste management process can be identified.

The barriers and gaps that are identified with the waste journey method can contribute to the improvement of the waste management process. Besides, this method is one of the first to recognize the preparation phase as an important phase for the circular performance of the waste management process. A downside of the waste journey method is that it is a time-consuming method to use, and it requires the transparency and willingness of all actors in the waste management process. This was also experienced in the case study where one of the actors was not willing to cooperate and commercial actors were not transparent about their waste trading contracts. Furthermore, the interview protocol of this research could have been better specified for each actor. Future studies should focus on implementing this method on other waste streams and developing the definition of inclusivity and specifying it for each actor in the waste management process

Rapid global urbanization, urban renewal and changes in people's lifestyles have led to both an increase in waste generation and more complex waste types. In response to these changes, many local governments have invested in municipal solid waste infrastructure (MSWI) to implement circular strategies. However, matching and bridging the costly and logistically complex MSWI with the dynamic social context is a central challenge. In this paper we aim to explore the interdependencies between MSWI and the local social system, and then conceptualize and empirically validate the systemic nature of MSWI. We first review the current MSW treatment methods, corresponding infrastructure, and the challenges facing them. Then, we interrogate system-oriented concepts and use two key insights to set up a conceptual model for mapping the interdependencies in a MSWI system (MSWIS). Finally, a case study of the Dutch city of Almere is used to empirically validate the MSWIS model and identify the social systems that contribute to the development of the MSWIS. The analysis reveals that the development of MSWIS is beyond the municipality's control: efficient resource recovery facilities established by businesses under market rules and waste reuse facilities constructed by social organizations/individuals based on their own needs are key pieces of the puzzle to complete the MSWIS. This highlights the ability of the framework to capture interdependencies that go further than just the formal municipal sphere of influence.

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Realizing a circular economy (CE) has been widely recognized by practitioners and researchers as the key to the transition toward sustainability. Thus far the academic emphasis has been predominantly on economic and environmental aspects. However, the development and implementation of CE initiatives actually rely on extensive collaboration at the societal level. Hence, an understanding of how a more inclusive society can strengthen the transition is warranted. By systematically and critically reviewing the related academic literature, the results of this paper show that sensitivity to inclusion aspects is crucial to alleviate the transitional burdens on society. Seven main aspects were discerned on inclusion: (1) informal waste pickers, (2) e-waste and health risks, (3) accessibility of services/materials/facilities, (4) consumer behavior, (5) corporate and institutional involvement, (6) technology application, and (7) governance measures. Following these insights, a strong sustainability perspective and agenda on the CE transition are proposed by identifying key actors and structuring their interrelationships as an inclusive system.

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The increasing generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) due to urbanization and population growth has highlighted the importance of effective Municipal solid waste management. Waste sorting plays a critical role in enhancing waste quality and boosting recycling rates, aligning with the circular economy goals of the European Union. However, despite significant waste production in cities, limited separation and recycling occur, primarily due to insufficient citizen involvement. When it comes to involving citizens in sorting household waste, there has been limited research and exploration of the waste sorting behavior of college students. Given that the majority of college students reside in student housing, the research aims to understand college students’ waste sorting behavior in student housing and recommend interventions that motivate students to engage in waste sorting.

To attain the objective, the research utilized a mixed research approach, initially employing semi-structured interviews as the qualitative method and subsequently conducting an online survey as the quantitative method. Qualitative results were derived through the application of thematic analysis and subsequently served as a basis for constructing the questionnaire survey in the subsequent quantitative phase. The factors that impact waste sorting behavior in student housing were identified and quantified in the quantitative phase by employing the partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method.

The results revealed that the subjective norm and perceived behavioral control directly impact students’ intentions to engage in waste sorting, which in turn, indirectly affects their waste sorting behavior. In addition, the waste sorting facilities and information publicity holds a significant influence on the students’ household waste sorting behavior.

Based on the findings, it is suggested that the intervention aimed at encouraging waste sorting among students could involve enhancing the publicity of waste sorting information by providing information prompts in the communal space within student housing and distributing information through social media. Furthermore, interventions like improving the waste sorting facilities could engage students in waste sorting. Additionally, promoting communication within the student housing community and incorporating waste sorting education into the college curriculum were also suggested as interventions to incentivize students to sort their household waste.

The inclusion of the informal recycling sector (IRS) in a circular economy (CE) is challenging and it is gaining increasing attention by the academic community in an exponential yet fragmented way. In this narrative review, we demarcate the direct and indirect contributions of the IRS to various domains of the CE by drawing knowledge from relevant literature. First, we capture the modi operandi of different forms of recycling value chains into a typology. We do so based on distinct foci and policy approaches towards the IRS which have been adopted across different countries. Second, we synthesize various threads of information on reported forms of collaboration, tensions, and challenges in the context of urban waste management, into a conceptual framework to facilitate transitions towards circular and inclusive wise-waste systems. Finally, we discuss important aspects related to circular business models and integration approaches towards the IRS, and we propose avenues for further research.

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Operation risk (OR) has affected sustainable development of urban rail transit (URT) public–private partnership (PPP) projects in China. Balanced distribution of operational risks among stakeholders (the public, government, and private companies) involved in URT PPP projects can maximize overall profit. Quantitative analysis of operational risk allocation of urban rail transit PPP project is the key to achieve balance. Few existing studies have quantitatively analyzed operation risk allocation (ORA) in URT PPP project. The objective of this research is to construct a quantitative risk allocation model among three participants by using cooperative game theory. The risk allocation model was modified based on the consideration of four factors affecting the allocation of operational risks: controllability, risk loss, affordability, and handling cost. A case was used as an empirical example, and possible problems were illustrated. The result shows it is necessary and feasible to let the public bear part of the operational risk of the project by raising ticket prices. The results reveal that the public will play an important role in balancing risk allocation. This study shows that an ORA model can suggest how to make the risk allocation process more reasonable, fair, and stable. Meanwhile, the quantitative approach proposed can also be used by stakeholders in achieving fairness and stability of the partnership.

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The concept of circular economy (CE) offers an innovative and systematical approach to address a number of urban sustainability issues, via exploring symbiotic ways to design circular urban systems and optimizing the materials and energy metabolism of cities, so as to mitigate environmental footprints. Urban sustainability is highlighted as a critical issue in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by United Nations; hence, in nature, circular economy could offer a number of solutions towards SDGs in urban scope. As trade-offs, circular economy also potentially causes negative impacts to business-as-usual scenario, which is easily to be ignored. To highlight this scientific issue, this paper identified and matched the role of circular economy in realizing 17 SDGs in urban scope. How circular economy strategy could potentially affect the SDGs, whether positive or negative, were comprehensively evaluated. We expect such findings could support an equilibrium decision-making on circular economy promotion in cities, rather than an optimum solution to a single target under the triple bottom line of sustainability.@en

Mega infrastructure projects (MIPs) have become increasingly important to the realization of sustainable development in China. Sustainable development is a process of dynamic balance, and coordinating the triple bottom line (the environmental, social, and economic dimensions) will enable more sustainable development of MIPs. However, previous studies have lacked consideration of coordination when applying sustainable development principles to the systematic identification of risks to MIPs. The goals of this study were to clarify the definition and dimensions of the sustainable development of MIPs and to identify the key risks of MIPs. A literature review was performed to extend the definition of sustainable development of MIPs by combining the triple bottom line with a fourth coordination dimension. A conceptual model of MIP risk identification was then proposed from an extended sustainable development perspective, 22 sustainability elements and 75 risk factors were identified, and the key risk factors were determined based on the interview responses and fuzzy set theory. The results show that economic risks have a high probability, social risks have a high loss, environmental risks have an intermediate probability and loss, and coordination risks have the greatest impact. In addition, the three most important key risk factors were found to be construction and installation cost overruns, land acquisition and resettling cost overruns, and information sharing with the public. Identifying key risk factors can provide information to help stakeholders understand the risk factors associated with MIPs and formulate reasonable risk response strategies.

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Along with unprecedented urbanization in the last few decades, cities have experienced rapid social and economic transformation in China. A major challenge facing urban authorities in the immediate future is how to plan and govern cities such that they can serve as inclusive systems where everyone is enabled and empowered to fully participate in and contribute to socioeconomic life. A first step towards realizing this is to conceptualize an integrated framework that allows analysts and decision-makers to delineate, evaluate, and guide the development of these cities towards inclusiveness. In this study, we conducted a conceptual analysis of urban inclusiveness and then proposed a multidimensional framework for the evaluation of inclusive development. This is followed by the presentation of the case of Xiong'an, for which inclusive development indicators (IDIs) were selected. By comparing the state before the establishment of Xiong'an with its current development progress, and analyzing the area's management structure and policy measures, the inclusive development challenges are identified. Subsequently, suggestions are given on how to direct Xiong'an toward higher levels of inclusiveness, including offering equal access to public services and employment opportunities, preserving environmental health and sustainable use of natural resources through waste recycling, and encouraging public participation in decision-making to bring higher levels of inclusion within reach.@en

Due to their characteristics and multiple objectives, high-speed rail (HSR) projects carry more complex risks than conventional projects and high correlation and conductivity are among the associated risk factors. Previous risk assessment frameworks for rail infrastructure have ignored the effects of risk interactions that inflate risk levels, namely, risk coupling effects. Based on a system dynamics method, this paper develops a risk coupling model for HSR project risk assessments. A risk factor list is established from a literature review, and relationships analysed using a case study and expert interviews. System dynamics equations are constructed and their parameters obtained by expert evaluations of risk factors. The proposed model is applied to a real-world HSR project to demonstrate it in detail. The model can evaluate the risk levels of HSR projects during a simulation period. In particular, it can identify the key coupling effects that are the main increased risk. It provides a significant resource, using which HSR project managers can identify and mitigate risks.

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Urban-industrial symbiosis (UIS) is an important system innovation via sectors integration, and has been widely recognized as a novel pathway for achieving regional eco-industrial development. Eco-efficiency, as a mature approach and indicator, offers an effective tool to uncover both the status and trends of such a transformation. However, most studies have focused on the whole industry or city as a whole, which has meant that a view from the sectoral level focusing on UIS was missing. To fill this research gap, this paper applied a modified eco-efficiency approach using integrating input-output analysis (IOA) and carbon footprint (CFP) to identify the eco-efficiency benefits of UIS from a sectoral level. Specifically, sector-level economic data (as economic outputs) and CFP (as environmental impacts) are used to calculate the sectoral eco-efficiency. IOA helps to offer sectoral economic data, and, with integrating process-based inventory analysis, to conduct a CFP calculation at the sectoral level. To test the feasibility of the developed approach, urban industrial symbiosis scenarios in one typical industrial city of China were analyzed. This city is held up as the national pilot of the circular economy, low-carbon city, and ecological civilization in China. Scenarios analysis on a business as usual (no UIS) and with UIS implementation in 2012 were undertaken and compared with the change of sectoral CFP and eco-efficiency. The results highlighted a moderate increase in eco-efficiency and trade-offs in certain sectors, indicating that UIS was moderately effective in increasing the urban resource efficiency from a sectoral level, but a refined design was required. Policy recommendations are made based on the analytical results, to inform decision makers and urban and industrial managers seeking to improve the implementation of UIS as a means of achieving greater urban sustainability.

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Mega infrastructure projects provide a basic guarantee for social development, economic construction, and livelihood improvement. Their operation and maintenance (O&M) management are of great significance for the smooth operation and the realization of the value created by the projects. In order to provide an approach for effectively evaluating O&M management, this study develops a holistic indicator system using a mixed-review method from the national macro perspective in China. In this study, literature analysis, policy texts, expert interviews, and grounded theory were used to collect relevant data at home and abroad, and establish an initial evaluation indicator system with 23 indicators covering two dimensions and five aspects. Then the questionnaire survey and factor analysis were used to score and categorize the indicators, and finally an evaluation indicator system for O&M management of mega infrastructure projects was formed. The results show that social relations, environmental benefits, macro policy, and operational capacities play an important role in the evaluation of the O&M of mega infrastructure projects. This study helps the management team to avoid negative impacts in the O&M management of mega infrastructure projects and lays a theoretical foundation for future research. The indicator system in this study is based on the Chinese context, and it remains to be verified whether the indicator system is applicable to other countries due to the differences in political and cultural backgrounds in different regions.

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