Urban infrastructures and services—such as public transportation, innovation bodies and environmental services—are important drivers for the sustainable development of our society. How effectively citizens, institutions and enterprises interact, how quickly technological innovations are implemented and how carefully new policies are pursued, synergically determine development. In this work, data related to urban infrastructure features such as patents and recycled waste referred to 106 province areas in Italy are investigated over a period of twenty years (2001–2020). Scaling laws with exponents characterizing the above mentioned features are observed and adopted to scrutinize whether and how multiple interactions within a population have amplification effects on the recycling and innovation performance. The study shows that there is a multiplication effect of the population size on the innovation performance of territories, meaning that the dynamic interactions among the elements of the innovation eco-systems in a territory increase its innovation performance. We discuss how to use such approach and the related indexes for understanding metropolitan development policy.

The following paper assesses the relationship between electricity consumption, economic growth, environmental pollution, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development in Kazakhstan. Using the structural equation method, the study analyzes panel data gathered across various regions of Kazakhstan between 2014 and 2022. The data were sourced from official records of the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan and include all regions of Kazakhstan. The chosen timeframe includes the period from 2014, which marked a significant drop in oil prices that impacted the overall economic situation in the country, to 2022. The main hypotheses of the study relate to the impact of electricity consumption on economic growth, ICT, and environmental sustainability, as well as ICT’s role in economic development and environmental impact. The results show electricity consumption’s positive effect on economic growth and ICT development while also revealing an increase in pollutant emissions (emissions of liquid and gaseous pollutants) with economic growth and electricity consumption. The development of ICT in Kazakhstan has been revealed to not have a direct effect on reducing pollutant emissions into the environment, raising important questions about how technology can be leveraged to mitigate environmental impact, whether current technological advancements are sufficient to address environmental challenges, and what specific measures are needed to enhance the environmental benefits of ICT. There is a clear necessity to integrate sustainable practices and technologies to achieve balanced development. These results offer important insights into the relationships among electricity consumption, technology, economic development, and environmental issues. They underscore the complexity and multidimensionality of these interactions and suggest directions for future research, especially in the context of finding sustainable solutions for balanced development.

With the development of the times and changes in the environment of traditional martial arts, Choi Lei Fut (a Chinese martial arts system), a Chinese state-level intangible cultural heritage, is facing many difficulties in its inheritance and sustainable development. Especially in the context of COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control measures, the sustainable development of Choi Lei Fut is facing increasingly serious challenges. In order to understand the current situation of Choi Lei Fut’s survival and development in the new era, and to enhance the momentum and vitality of its sustainable development, this study combines questionnaire survey and field interviews to investigate and analyze the current situation. Based on this, it proposes strategies to promote the sustainable development of Choi Lei Fut. This study will not only provide methodological reference for the inheritance and development of Choi Lei Fut but also offer insights for the inheritance and sustainable development of other Chinese martial arts gyms and even martial arts practices elsewhere.

This paper aims to advance the knowledge in the domain of youth entrepreneurship and empowerment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The rationale is to address the gap in knowledge on entrepreneurship and youth empowerment in the UAE by analyzing strategies and initiatives that support empowering millennials to achieve sustainable development, with the aim of promoting youth entrepreneurship and supporting sustainable economic development. The primary research question guiding this study is: “What strategies and initiatives in the UAE foster the empowerment of the millennial generation for sustainable development?” This study relies on a mixed methodology that combines a descriptive approach, content analysis, and data meta-analysis, with the aim of exploring the relationship between youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. with a focus on the future sustainability leaders (FSL) program. While the FSL program demonstrates its significance in promoting youth entrepreneurship and empowerment, it also reveals certain limitations in its design and implementation that may hinder sustainable economic development. To address these challenges and support youth entrepreneurship, the paper proposes three essential action-oriented approaches: promoting participatory diversity and engagement, managing entrepreneurship drivers, and ensuring access to essential support mechanisms. These recommendations are intended to guide multilateral agencies, voluntary sectors, and private entities in the UAE in designing, evaluating, and implementing effective youth entrepreneurship programs. This paper underscores the importance of continued discourse and critical input to refine existing theories and establish a normative framework for youth entrepreneurship and empowerment. Such efforts are crucial for poverty reduction, sustainable development, and the promotion of intergenerational equity.

This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the aquaculture industry across 11 coastal regions in eastern China from 2017 to 2021 to assess their adaptability and resilience in the face of climate change. Cluster analysis was employed to examine regional variations in aquaculture adaptation by analyzing data on annual average temperatures, annual extreme high/low temperatures, annual average relative humidity, annual sunshine duration, and total yearly precipitation alongside various aquaculture practices. The findings reveal that southern regions, such as Fujian and Guangdong, demonstrate higher adaptability and resilience due to their stable subtropical climates and advanced aquaculture technologies. In contrast, northern regions like Liaoning and Shandong, characterized by more significant climatic fluctuations, exhibit varying degrees of cluster changes, indicating a continuous need to adjust aquaculture strategies to cope with climatic challenges. Additionally, the study explores the specific impacts of climate change on species selection, disease management, and water resource utilization in aquaculture, emphasizing the importance of developing region-specific strategies. Based on these insights, several strategic recommendations are proposed, including promoting species diversification, enhancing disease monitoring and control, improving water quality management techniques, and urging governmental support for policies and technical guidance to enhance the climate resilience and sustainability of the aquaculture sector. These strategies and recommendations aim to assist the aquaculture industry in addressing future climate challenges and fostering long-term sustainable development.