Public recreation hubs play an important role in enhancing physical activities, social contacts, and the health status of a community. The quality of the experience in such a setting influences user satisfaction and dedication; however, there are limited studies that can adapt well-advanced conceptual frameworks to capture unique characteristics of the public recreation feature. This study investigates user expectations and perceptions of service quality within public recreation hubs in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data collection was obtained through a cross-section of 385 respondents using a SERVQUAL instrument from 22 recreational hubs. Various statistical analyses were performed, of which the EFA produced a nine-factor solution and not the customary five SERVQUAL dimensions. Important findings include the emergence of an intersection of the constructs of empathy and assurance, thereby suggesting that the dimensions are perceived as connected in the context of relational services. In addition, program quality and community engagement came out as two other important dimensions, representing the expectation for pluralism in provision, or inclusiveness and participation. Demographic differences were significant, gender differences existed in the perception of tangibles and reliability. It provides useful recommendations for managers of recreational hubs and policymakers. It could improve tangible factors with standard maintenance activities, improved infrastructure, and coordinated operational routines that improve its reliability. Targeted training among the staff for empathy and reassurance, and programming targeted to meet demographic needs, can be helpful in serving the various needs. Community building strategies, such as participatory planning and outreach programs, help make the people who feel included in them and loyal to facilities stay. It will not only help in offering better service delivery but also ensure that facilities within such public recreation hubs last long. This work contributes to service quality theory because it applies the SERVQUAL framework in a community-based recreational environment and shows its practical benefit in service delivery improvement of public services. Further work should adopt longitudinal methods and multi-regional analyses in the development and refinement of such findings to enhance generalisability across settings. Results have important implications for the development of user-focused, sustainable public recreation services compatible with changing community needs.

This research aims to identify best practices and policy guidelines that foster sustainable urban ecotourism. As urban areas continue to expand, integrating ecotourism into urban planning emerges as a critical approach to sustainable development. This paper compares the policies and practices of urban ecotourism development in Thailand and China, aiming to construct a sustainable framework applicable to urban ecotourism development. Employing a comparative literature review, this research synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed journals, governmental reports, and case studies published between 2000 and 2024. The analysis focuses on the policies and practices adopted by Thailand and China to promote urban ecotourism, examining their effectiveness, challenges, and outcomes. The review shows distinct approaches in the two countries, with Thailand emphasizing community-based practices and stakeholder involvement and China primarily focusing on top-down policy initiatives for urban ecotourism development. Despite differing strategies, both countries demonstrate a commitment to integrating ecotourism into urban development plans. From the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic three dimensions, key successes include enhanced biodiversity conservation, increased local community participation, and improved tourist satisfaction. Challenges such as inadequate policy implementation, environmental degradation, and the sustainability of ecotourism practices are also discussed. The conclusion is that a holistic approach to urban ecotourism development that aligns policy and practice with the principles of sustainability is meaningful. The proposed framework offers actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and ecotourism practitioners aiming to use the potential of ecotourism as a tool for sustainable urban development in Thailand, China, and beyond.

An appraisal of the groundwater potential of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike was carried out by integrating datasets from geology, geographic information system and electrical resistivity survey of the area. The study area is underlain by the Asu River group of Albian age. The Asu River Group in the Southern Benue Trough comprises of Shales, Limestones and Sandstone lenses of the Abakaliki Formation in Abakaliki and Ikwo areas. The shales are generally weathered, fissile, thinly laminated and highly fractured and varies between greyish brown to pinkish red in colour. Twenty (20) Vertical Electrical Sounding data were acquired using SAS 1000 ABEM Terrameter and processed to obtain layer parameters for the study area. A maximum current electrode spacing (AB) of 300 meters was used for data acquisition. Computer aided iterative modelling using IPI2 Win was used to determine layer parameters. In-situ Hydraulic Conductivity measurements at seven parametric locations within the study area were conducted and integrated with Electrical Resistivity measurements to determine aquifer parameters (e.g., Hydraulic conductivity and Transmissivity) in real time. This technique reduces the attendant huge costs associated with pumping tests and timelines required to carry out the technique. Accurate delineation of aquifer parameters and geometries will aid water resource planners and developers on favourable areas to site boreholes in the area. Several correlative cross-sections were generated from the interpreted results and used to assess the groundwater potential of the study area. Results show that the resistivity of the the aquifer ranges from 7.3 Wm–530 Wm while depth to water ranges from 11.4 m to 55.3 m. Aquifer thicknesses range from 8.7 m at VES 5 to 36.3 m at VES 6 locations. Hydraulic conductivity ranges from 1.55 m/day at VES 15.18, and 19 locations to 9.8 m/day at VES 3 and 4 locations respectively. Transmissivity varies from 17.48 m²/day at VES 19 to 98 m²/day at VES 3 locations respectively. Areas with relatively high transmissivities coupled with good aquifer thicknesses should be the target of water resource planners and developers when proposing sites for drilling productive boreholes within Alex Ekwueme federal University Ndufu Alike.

The CO₂  heat pump air conditioning system of new energy vehicle is designed, and the vehicle model of CO₂  heat pump module and heat management system is established based on KULI simulation. The effects of refrigerant charge, running time and compressor speed on the heat pump air conditioning system is studied, and the energy consumption is compared with the PTC heating system and the CO₂ heat pump air conditioning system without waste heat recovery. The results show that the optimal charge for full-service operation is 750 g; increasing the compressor speed can increase the cooling capacity, so that the refrigerant temperature in the passenger compartment and battery inlet can quickly reach the appropriate temperature, but the COP_h, COP_c are reduced by 2.5% and 1.8% respectively. By comparing it with PTC heating and CO₂ heat pump air conditioning systems without waste heat recovery, it is found that the energy consumption of this system is only for the PTC heating systems 42.5%, without waste heat recovery carbon dioxide heat pump air conditioning system of 86.6%. It greatly saves energy, but also increased the waste heat recovery function, so that the system supply air temperature increased by 26%, improve passenger cabin comfort. This  provides a reference for the future experimental research of CO₂ heat pump air conditioning and heat management system. 

Infrastructure development is critical to delivering growth, reducing poverty and addressing broader development goals, as argued in the World Bank Report Transformation through Infrastructure (2012). This paper surveys the literature of the linkages between infrastructure investment and economic growth, discusses the role of infrastructure in the participation of global value chains and in supporting economic upgrades, highlights the challenges faced the least developed countries and provides policy recommendations. It suggests that addressing the bottlenecks in infrastructure is a necessary condition to provide a window of opportunity for an economy to develop following its comparative advantage. With the right conditions, good infrastructure can support an economy, particularly a less developed economy, to reap the benefit through the participation in the global value chains to upgrade the economic structure.