Summary

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, we have come to the realization that we need to create a sustainable world that recognizes the limits of renewable and nonrenewable resources in light of the exponential population increase and the resulting demands on natural resources, which pose great dangers to humanity. Our unprecedented production and consumption of resources threaten the carrying capacity of the world. Indeed, the assimilative and regenerative capacities of our ecological systems have been rendered incapable of functioning properly in order to produce what humans need to live on earth. Ecosystems cannot act as recycling agents or sponges to absorb the waste generated from industrialization, commercialization, and the general economic growth of the countries of the world. The work in this Topical Collection will focus on the following themes:

  1. People, Planet, and Prosperity.
  2. Our Common Future.
  3. Transforming the World.
  4. Leave No One Behind.
  5. Action for People and the Planet.
  6. Building a Resilient Future.
  7. Environmental Stewardship.
  8. The Intersection of Social, Economic, and Environmental Goals.
  9. Infrastructure and Industry.
  10. Clean Energy and Economy.
  11. Protecting the Planet.
  12. Combating Climate Change.
  13. Equity and Inclusion.
  14. Linear and Circular Economy.
  15. Corporate Social Responsibility.
  16. Aligning Local, National, and Regional Planning with Planet Sustainability.
  17. Carbon Footprint, Conservation of Natural Resources, Solid and Hazardous Waste Management.
  18. Globilization and Supply Chain.
  19. Impacts of Multinational/Transnational Corporations.
  20. Roles of Intergovernmental and Non-Governmental Organizations.
  21. Community Development and Land Use.
  22. Traditional Knowledge Systems and Marginalized Communities.
  23. Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment.
  24. The Role of the World Bank, IMF, and Development Agencies.
  25. Education for Sustainability.
  26. Policy Development and Implementation at Local, National, Regional, and Global Level for Sustainable Development and Sustainability.
  27. Regionalization and Social Development Practice.
  28. Social Psychology and Sustainable Development.
  29. Regionalizing Sustainable Development.
  30. Science and Sustainable Development.
  31. Education and Sustainable Development.

The intended audience of this Topical Collection includes scholars and academics of all kinds at universities and public and private organizations, as well as personnel at intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), think tank employees engaged in investigations on development, university students (undergraduate and graduate), libraries, policy makers/decision makers in multinational/transnational organizations, investors in core and peripheral regions of the world, community activists engaged in rural and urban settings, civil society organizations interested in social justice, environmentalists, conservationists, politicians, rotary club members, national environmental protection agencies, and international AID agencies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

This Issue is intended to fill the gap in the literature left by academic journals and books on sustainable development and sustainability. It will provide precise descriptions, articulations, and definitions about sustainable development and sustainability. Contributors to this Issue will provide in-depth analysis and instructive and informative explanations. The aim is that readers of this Issue will explore more topics related to the themes of this Issue.

The analytical and explorative nature of this Issue constitutes an innovative approach; it is intended as a platform to examine basic and rigorous information and ideas related to the topics of sustainable development and sustainability. It will build bibliographies to dovetail the initial investigations of researchers with existing and detailed research on the topics of sustainable development and sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Valentine Udoh James
Dr. Juan Ma
Dr. Anthony J. Vega
Collection Editors

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Editors

Institution: Department of Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Pennsylvania Western University, Clarion, PA 16214, USA

Interests: environmental science; environmental management and planning; urban and regional planning; sustainable development and sustainability

Institution: College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Intelligence Studies, Geospatial Science, Political Science and History, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC 28301, USA

Interests: ecology; environmental sciences; sustainable development and sustainability; ecosystem management

Institution: Department of Geosciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA

Interests: meteorology; climatology; energy; earth science

Entry
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Smart Specialization Strategies for Sustainable Regional Development
The smart specialization strategy (S3) is a place-based approach to regional development, which rapidly became highly demanded across regions regardless of its novelty. In essence, S3 aims to support regions to transform their economic structures in favor of knowledge-based development. Practical implementation includes setting a limited number of priorities within development strategies and involving a wide range of stakeholders. The S3 approach differs from conventional innovation policies because it focuses on the process of “self-discovery” and targets a limited number of activities that have the potential to serve as a regional competitive advantage. Today, the approach continues to evolve. The updated vision of regional development accentuates sustainability at the core of regional growth. To achieve better outcomes, regions need to localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and discover opportunities based on their own capacity, potential, and vision. Smart specialization strategy for sustainability (S4) aims to embed sustainability into economic activities, aligning them with local characteristics and challenges. The key objective of this transformation-oriented regional development policy is to help regions become places with high business activity and an attractive environment in which to work, live, and invest. A special contribution of S3 and S4 is their support in discovering regional potential, even in declining regions. This can significantly contribute to closing productivity and income gaps.
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  • 12 Nov 2026
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