This research explored the relationship between digital trade development and sustainable social development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We first defined these two concepts and then constructed the Sustainable Social Development Index (SSDI) and the Digital Trade Development Index (DTDI) using the entropy weighting method and panel data of 26 Sub-Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2020. We also analyzed the relationship between these indices using the Granger non-causality test and the instrumental variables two-stage least squares estimation method. Our findings show a statistically significant bidirectional causal relationship between DTDI and SSDI. Moreover, our estimation result shows that a 1% increase in DTDI is linked to a 0.33% improvement in SSDI. This provides evidence of the potential for digital trade to promote sustainable social progress in SSA. The study concludes that improving the financial infrastructure and promoting gender equality are crucial strategies for advancing both digital trade and social sustainability. This research enhances our understanding of the link between economic and social development and offers valuable insights for policymakers in emerging economies.
The rapid urban development in San Juan, Puerto Rico, initiated by Operation Bootstrap in the late 1940s, has profoundly impacted the historical memory and identity of its inhabitants. This study examines the socioeconomic and cultural effects of transforming the El Fanguito and Tokio slums into the financial hub of Hato Rey. Through a combination of existing interviews and new testimonies, the research explores how the displacement of long-standing communities disrupted residents’ sense of belonging and continuity. The findings reveal patterns of exploitation, cultural imperialism, and persistent neglect by the authorities. Despite the challenges, the current residents of Caño Martín Peña have maintained resilience and a collective identity, advocating for their rights and working towards a better future. This study underscores the need for urban planning that balances economic growth with heritage preservation, ensuring that development policies do not erase the cultural and social fabric of the communities.
Urban floods pose significant socio-economic and environmental challenges, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. We utilized Night-Time Light (NTL) data as a dynamic proxy for human activity and urban density to enhance the assessment of urban flood vulnerability. Unlike traditional methods that rely on static datasets or post-disaster surveys, this approach incorporates real-time NTL data to better capture the evolving patterns of urban exposure. Focusing on the Kelani River watershed, the most flood-prone and densely populated region in Sri Lanka, we integrated nine conditioning factors, including slope, precipitation, and soil type, with NTL intensity to generate comprehensive vulnerability maps. To ensure the accessibility and practical application of the results, a web application was developed using Google Earth Engine (GEE), offering an interactive platform for real-time visualization of urban flood risks. The findings underlined the transformative potential of NTL data in flood vulnerability mapping and demonstrated its applicability as a cost-effective, scalable, and open-access decision-support tool adaptable to various urban contexts.
The removal of fuel subsidies in Nigeria has triggered widespread changes in transportation affordability, with serious implications for where urban residents choose to live. In this study, we examined how households in Ibadan-North, a local government area in Oyo State, are adjusting their residential decisions in response to increased transportation costs. Drawing on data from 400 respondents across twelve communities, we explored the relationship between transport-related financial strain and shifts in housing preference. Our findings showed that households are reducing the frequency of travel for work, education, and social activities, leading to a growing preference for homes located near essential services. While income and occupation significantly influenced household responses, other demographic factors showed little variation. The study highlights the role of transport vulnerability in shaping urban spatial patterns and calls attention to the need for planning strategies that can buffer low- and middle-income populations from the pressures of fuel policy reform.
Nutrient loading in watersheds from anthropogenic sources has led to eutrophication and decreased biodiversity within water bodies globally. Denitrification via aquatic vegetation can assist with bioremediation; however, its effectiveness at fine spatial scales (i.e., <1 km) in stream systems is less understood. In this study, we used 50-m-scale longitudinal observations of changes in aquatic macrophyte abundance and frequency across more than 50 species. We related species abundance to changes in nitrate concentration and other water quality metrics along a low-order stream across an urban-suburban gradient in the Hudson River Valley, New York. Observations from a 2 km section of the Fall Kill stream corridor were conducted in a summer period of lower flows (0.14 m3/sec) and a fall period of higher flows (0.24 m3/sec). For statistical and predictive analyses, we aimed to establish potential relationships between biotic and abiotic variables to identify candidate species for future applied bioremediation studies and potential instream applications. Our findings indicated that low flow nitrate concentrations most strongly relate to the abundance of Persicaria hydropiperoides (r = 0.35, p = 0.03) and Ludwiga palustris(r = −0.29, p = 0.07). The strongest relationship analyzed with high flow nitrate concentrations was floating growth forms (r = −0.33, p = 0.04), such as Lemna sp. Machine learning (neural network modeling), also demonstrated the importance of Viburnum species in predicting in-stream nitrate concentrations, suggesting another potential candidate. The compounded effects of other correlated abiotic and biotic variables were also measured and considered, such as relations between macrophyte abundance and hydrologic conditions like depth and overhead light. Determining the specific relationships between nitrate concentrations and species-level aquatic macrophyte abundance and presence at these unique fine scales provides detailed suggestions for bioremediation in similarly eutrophicated low-order, urban-suburban watersheds regionally to globally.