Land Economic Efficiency and Improvement of Environmental Pollution in the Process of Sustainable Urbanization: Case of Eastern China

Economic development, environmental protection and land resources are important components in sustainable cities. According to the environmental Kuznets curve, developing countries are prone to environmental pollution problems while developing their economies. At the same time, as urbanization progresses, the problem of inadequate land resources and land use efficiency in China is coming to the fore. Although China is a developing country, it began to actively implement environmental protection measures years ago in an effort to transform itself into an innovative country. Therefore, as an economic and policy pioneer region, can eastern China benefit from all three aspects of land–economy–environment at the same time? Or will the increase in land economic efficiency (Land_EcoE) and the improvement of environmental pollution occur simultaneously? With the characteristics of land use efficiency and other concepts, this study combines economic factors and land factors to establish a Land_EcoE evaluation system. On the basis of mapping the spatio-temporal evolution of carbon emissions and Land_EcoE, and discussing the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics and correlation between them initially and visually by means of geographic data visualization, this study uses the data of 84 prefecture-level cities and municipalities directly under the central government in eastern China from 2011 to 2017 to test the research hypotheses from a quantitative perspective. Specifically, this study analyzes the correlation between Land_EcoE and environmental pollution by constructing a panel regression model. The conclusions show that, in general, the increase in Land_EcoE in eastern China is associated with the increase in carbon emissions. For a group of prefecture-level cities with the most developed economies in eastern China, the increase in Land_EcoE is correlated with the decrease in carbon emissions. Based on this research, this study proposes a series of policy implications on how to promote simultaneous economic–land–environmental benefits.

Spatially Explicit Assessment of Suitable Conditions for the Sustainable Production of Aviation Fuels in Brazil

International civil aviation strives to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) is an alternative for such purpose. However, for an alternative fuel to be considered SAF, some conditions must be met, and production must be certified for sustainability. This paper presents an assessment of the necessary conditions for the sustainable production of these biofuels in Brazil. It is based on a geospatial publicly available database (SAFmaps) that was built with the aim of providing information to stakeholders who would be interested in the production of SAF. The geographic scope corresponds to an area that is about half of the country. The case studies reported in this paper are related to four crop-based feedstocks (eucalyptus, soybean, sugarcane, and corn), which could be used for SAF production, according to three certified routes (FT, HEFA, and ATJ) (Fischer–Tropsch, Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids and Alcohol to Jet); in total, six potential production sites were assessed. For each crop, the detailed assessment is based on estimates of suitability for biomass production, yields, and costs. The assumptions made allowed us to explicitly analyse the risk of deforestation (production could only occur with displacement of pastures) and the necessary preservation of sensitive biomes and of legally protected areas, in addition to observing the restrictive conditions imposed by CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation). To reduce GHG emissions, transporting biomass over long distances was assumed to be only by rail or pipeline. In addition, we address alternatives to minimise the risks associated with induced land-use change (iLUC) and to reduce impacts on the landscape. The results show that the production of SAF through the ATJ route, using ethanol produced from sugarcane and corn, requires less land. Economic assessment was outside the scope of this paper.

Application of System Dynamics Approach for Minapolitan Area Development

Economic growth is influenced by regional development policies and the availability of regional resources. One policy that utilizes the potential of fisheries resources is the policy of the Minapolitan area. This policy can potentially lead to conflicts over spatial use when development is carried out without concern for the environment. This study aims to assess the variables that influence and formulate the concept of sustainable regional development. The object of this research is Lekok Regency, Pasuruan Regency, East Java, Indonesia. In this paper, introducing a system dynamic approach with consideration of the complexity of the lives of coastal communities and the variety of conflicts regarding the location and limitations of existing resources, viewed from the aspects of land, economic and social activities of the Minapolitan area development system in actual conditions.

Non-Chernozem land: problems and ways of rational use

The results of scientifi c research on the state of agricultural land use in the subjects of the Russian Federation included in the Non-Chernozem Economic Zone of the European part of the country are considered in this article. The paper consists of data on distribution of currently unused arable land; the area of land plots in common shared ownership, the boundaries of which are not available in the Real Estate Cadastre; information about especially valuable productive agricultural land; economic prerequisites for the use of land by agricultural producers on the basis of lease or ownership, as well as changes over the past fi ve years in sown areas, the productivity of arable land in farms of all categories, data on the level of profi tability of agricultural organizations, unprofi table agricultural organizations etc.

Impact of marine industrial structure on environmental efficiency

Purpose Recently, China has been paying increasing attention to how to improve the efficiency of the marine environment and realize a green and sustainable development of the marine economy. Consequently, the industrial structure is crucial to improving efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to introduce environmental factors into the efficiency analysis framework and explore the relationship between marine industrial structure and marine environmental efficiency. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses marine economic data under the DEA-BBC model to measure the marine environmental efficiency of provinces and cities and classifies them by cluster analysis. Then, the marine industrial structure and marine environmental efficiency are studied by an econometric model with human capital, ownership structure, land economic development level, scientific research input and government intervention degree as control variables. Findings The overall level of marine environmental efficiency is relatively low in China, increasing and then decreasing over the research period. The rationalization of industrial structure and scientific research input have significant promoting effects on marine environmental efficiency, while the degree of government intervention has a significant inhibiting effect. The positive effect of human capital on efficiency depends on whether it can be successfully converted into productivity. The effects of industrial structure advancement, ownership structure and land economic development level of on the marine environmental efficiency are mixed. Originality/value The results provide a theoretical and decision-making basis for China to transform and upgrade its marine industrial structure and sustainably develop the marine economy.

Bid-Rent Theory and Urban Land Use of Butwal Urban Area, Western Nepal

Modern urbanization process characterizes different land use pattern than that of classical urban land use theories. However, the general scenario of land use pattern still related to classical theories. Thus, this paper aims to assess the application of classical land use model and land economic theory in Butwal urban area of western Nepal based on field study information collected from 50 randomly selected plots of the Butwal urban area. Thematic maps of various urban land features were prepared, and regression analyses have been used. Geographic Information System (GIS), excel and Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software were used for data analysis. The findings of this study indicate that classical model has important role to study medium size urban land use. Simultaneously, land economic theory is also equally applicable with considering the physical and social factors of land use for urban area.

Infrastructural Development, Agricultural Output and Employment in ECOWAS Countries

Data from 15 ECOWAS countries from 2000-2017 were generated from World Development Indicators and Africa Infrastructure Development Index. Variables of concern are agricultural output, agricultural sector employment, access to electricity, transport, ICT, agricultural land, economic growth and FDI.

Infrastructural Development, Agricultural Output and Employment in ECOWAS Countries

Data from 15 ECOWAS countries from 2000-2017 were generated from World Development Indicators and Africa Infrastructure Development Index. Variables of concern are agricultural output, agricultural sector employment, access to electricity, transport, ICT, agricultural land, economic growth and FDI.

Agricultural Land Conversion, Land Economic Value, and Sustainable Agriculture: A Case Study in East Java, Indonesia

Agricultural land conversion (ALC) is an incentive-driven process. In this paper, we further investigate the inter-relationship between land economic value (LEV) and ALC. To achieve this goal, we calculated the LEV for agricultural and non-agricultural (housing) uses in two areas of East Java, Indonesia. The first area represents peri-urban agriculture, which is facing rapid urbanization and experiencing a high rate of ALC. The second area represents rural agriculture, with zero ALC. Furthermore, we identified factors affecting LEV in both areas for both uses. The results of this study show that agricultural land yielded a higher economic benefit in rural areas. Conversely, compared to agricultural land, housing in urban areas yields a value that is seven times higher. Moreover, agricultural land was shown to yield a higher profit after conversion. Ironically, a similar comparison does not exist in rural areas. Agricultural land yielded a value that was only 19% higher, indicating that agricultural land can easily be converted. This is also proven by the growing number of new urban cores in the periphery area. There are several factors affecting land economic value, such as agricultural use, soil fertility, accessibility, and cropping pattern, which are important variables. Meanwhile, the accessibility and location of peri-urban areas increase the land value for housing.

Agricultural Land Conversion, Land Economic Value, and Sustainable Agriculture: A Case Study from East Java, Indonesia

Agricultural land conversion (ALC) is an incentive–driven process. In this paper we further investigate the inter–relationship between land economic value (LEV) and ALC. To achieve this goal, we calculated LEV for agricultural and non-agricultural (housing) uses in two areas in East Java, Indonesia. The first area represents suburban agriculture, facing rapid urbanization and experiencing high rate of ALC. The second area represents rural agriculture with zero ALC. Furthermore, we identified factors affecting LEV in both areas for both uses. The resut of this study show that agricultural land yielded higher economic benefit in rural area. Conversely, comparing to agricultural land, housing creates 7 times higher value in urban area. Moreover, agricultural land shown to create higher profit after converted. Ironically, the similar comparison doesn’t exists in rural area. Agricultural land only yielded 19% more value, indicate that agricultural land can be easily converted. It is also proven by the growing number of new urban core in the periphery area. There are several factors affecting land economic value, for agricultural use, soil fertility, accessibility, and cropping pattern are important variables. While accessibility and location in urban area increases land value for housing.