Diffusion Dynamics of Sustainable Development Practices in Cities

Sustainable development encompasses a vast array of practices, from energy production to changes in consumer behavior, impacting virtually every facet of life worldwide, and is essential for the development of sustainable cities. As urban populations continue to rise, cities face mounting pressure to adopt sustainable practices to mitigate the environmental impact and enhance the quality of life for their inhabitants. Nations across the economic spectrum strive to integrate these sustainable solutions not only for economic benefits but also to fulfill their commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The exploration of how sustainable practices spread has been tackled using diverse methodologies. Researchers have utilized structural equation models, such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and game theories to simulate competitive market environments. Additionally, the Bass diffusion model has been implemented to understand the rate of uptake of sustainable innovations in varied geopolitical contexts. Despite these efforts, significant variability in the drivers and barriers to sustainability implementation still exists from one region to another, requiring a deeper investigation. This variability highlights the importance of context-specific strategies to address the unique challenges and opportunities within urban centres.

This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of the diffusion mechanisms and effective implementation of sustainable development across different sectors and geographical areas. The goal is to explore the complex interplay between market dynamics, behavioral adaptations, and technological advancements to foster sustainable practices. Specific objectives include identifying key barriers and drivers, comparing adoption patterns across developed and developing nations, and assessing the impacts on the SDGs. To gather further insights into the broad and dynamic field of sustainable development, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: -

Market dynamics and competition between sustainable and conventional products

- Decision-making processes and causal analysis using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) and Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) -

Agent-based modeling and system dynamics for simulating the spread of sustainability -

Behavioral changes and acceptance studies using structural equation modeling (SEM) -

Comparative studies on sustainable solutions' adoption between different economies

Contributions may come in the form of original research, reviews, case studies, and methodological papers, providing a comprehensive view of how sustainable solutions can be better diffused and implemented in urban areas globally.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Diffusion. Sustainable Solutions. Case Studies. Bass Model. Structural Equation Modeling. Agent-Based Modeling. System Dynamics. Game Theory. Developing Countries. Developed Countries.

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.