Journal of Urban Environmental Management

Abstract With the spread of the corona virus, smart cities were able to face and deal with the spread of this disease by using various types of digital technologies while providing the necessary services to citizens, by monitoring social distancing and home quarantine. In the meantime, the role of technology and the development of smart cities according to the crisis of infectious diseases became very important and the attention of governments and societies are attracted. The type of policy making and planning in the development of a smart city is different according to the local and regional conditions of each city, and it is an opportunity for municipalities to make changes in accordance with the goals of urban management and compatible with the needs of people and technological institutions. In this study, the main indicators that influence the policy of smart city development programs in order to manage and control the pandemic of infectious diseases, are collected and examined for Tehran Municipality. For this purpose, 25 different indicators were proposed and used for pairwise comparison of 3 main scenarios based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). In total, the opinions of 20 experts in urban management in Tehran's 16th district municipality were used. According to the results, the second proposed scenario was chosen as the best option with a final score of 0.423. The effect of each criterion on each scenario was analyzed. Also, at the end, solutions for the development of smart city in Tehran are presented based on the results and suggested scenario.

Abstract Materials in tailings dams that contain major ions and heavy metals lead to the release of toxic metals and acid production with the presence of oxygen, which has a high potential for pollution and has an adverse effect on the quality of surface and underground waters. In this research, the effect of tailings dam on zinc on the changes of manganese, molybdenum and arsenic in surface and underground waters of Takht-e-Gonbad copper mining area has been studied. Number of 11 samples were taken from different parts of the tailings dam area, these studies were carried out on
surface and underground water in two dry and wet seasons. The concentration of heavy metals such as manganese, molybdenum, and arsenic were investigated and the related graphs were drawn and interpreted using Arc GIS software. Then the monitoring of underground water pollution in the mining area was investigated. The concentration of manganese in the drainage of the sedimentation dam, tailings dam water No. 3, and mine pit water is slightly higher than the environmental standard. The highest amount of molybdenum is found in the dry season and in mine peat. The concentration of arsenic in the wet season in all samples is below the standard limit, and in the dry season, this amount is more than the drinking standard of Iran. Based on the instructions of the Environmental Protection Organization and according to the existing conditions, it is suggested to dig 17 observation wells with a maximum depth of 50 meters as 1st grade monitoring wells around the tailings dam of Takht-e-Gonbad copper mine.

Abstract Air pollution is recognized as one of the fundamental challenges in the field of environmental engineering. This study examines the impact of vehicle tires on air pollution and explores methods to reduce it. A significant portion of the energy generated by the vehicle engine is lost through tire rolling resistance. Consequently, reducing tire rolling resistance leads to decreased fuel consumption and, consequently, reduced air pollution. Modifying the formulation of tire tread compounds can be an effective approach to reducing tire rolling resistance. One proposed method for modifying the formulation is the addition of nanoparticles as fillers. In this research, the impact of adding varying amounts of nanosilica to the tire tread compound formulation, which is the main factor contributing to vehicular energy dissipation, has been investigated. The results indicate that the addition of nanosilica increases tire rolling resistance. Furthermore, the influence of tire thickness on its lifespan and rolling resistance has been examined, demonstrating an increase in rolling resistance over time. Additionally, necessary changes in the production process conditions and their impact on the mechanical properties and performance of the produced materials have also been investigated. Rheological analysis reveals that the addition of nanosilica leads to increased viscosity. Moreover, the examination of mechanical properties shows an increase in the modulus values of both 100% and 300% materials with the addition of nanosilica.

Abstract Due to the increasing importance of providing security services and measures to prevent and deal with fire incidents and crisis management in cities, fire stations are very important. Undoubtedly, the timely service of fire stations, more than anything else, along with the need to establish them in suitable places in urban environments, requires having the necessary capabilities and equipment to respond to the needs of citizens. Greater Tehran, with a population of more than eight million people, is the largest city in the country, due to the parallel expansion, and also the increase in population, has increased the grounds of fire in the city. The current research is important because its audience is all managers, and fire chiefs and it can be used to investigate management systems and accident command. The research method in this research is the hierarchical analysis process, where the indicators are compared and scored one by one, and the priority between them is determined. Based on the analysis conducted in this research, the operational forces stationed in the fire stations and operational vehicles are not proportional to the capacity of the region, and the firefighting equipment of these stations will not be sufficient for the region during the fires after the earthquake, and this is one of the negative points of the study area that during the earthquake Fire control is almost impossible and we will face a serious crisis.

Abstract Waste management is a global issue whose importance is increasing day by day. Neglecting proper waste management has caused special problems that can be solved through the coordination of science and experience within the framework of proper management, and in this way pollution caused by landfills, including air pollution, can be minimized. In addition, optimal use of the gases produced in the landfill can be made; therefore, estimating the amount of gases that can be extracted from landfills can help in proper waste management.
The purpose of this research was to estimate the amount of extractable gases in the Alborz landfill site in Qom Province. For this purpose, the amount of waste in the landfill, the composition of the waste, and the environmental and climatic conditions of the region were entered into the LandGem software, and an estimate of the amount of extractable gases at this site was made. Considering the number of remaining cells from the Alborz site and the amount of waste production, the useful life of the Alborz site is considered to be 15 years.
After estimating the production waste, the necessary inputs for the software to estimate the recoverable gas in the period of 5 and 15 years from 2021 to 2035 have been prepared. According to the calculations made with LandGem software, the maximum amount of gas that can be extracted from the Alborz site per year for a period of 5 years is 11 million cubic meters for rapidly decomposing waste and 0.5 million cubic meters for slowly decomposing waste. Also, the maximum amount of gas that can be extracted from the landfill per year for a period of 15 years for rapidly decomposing waste
is calculated at 31 million cubic meters and for slowly decomposing waste at 1.6 million cubic meters, which can be managed and used optimally with proper planning.

Abstract Using waste as a source of energy production is one of the appropriate solutions for the sustainable development of urban waste management. Biomass sources are superior to other renewable sources because they are easily converted into solid fuels, liquids and useful gases. One of these resources, which has caused a great deal of concern in large cities today, is municipal waste, which is one of the main policies of the relevant organizations in determining the best solution for its management. One of the most important solutions that can be introduced in this direction is the use of technologies that can convert a large part of waste into very valuable biofuels that are a good alternative to fossil fuels. There are various types of these technologies, including incinerators, anaerobic digestion, SRF fuels, and pyrolysis. In this project, the main purpose is to study the use of municipal waste according to the concept of zero waste (Zero Waste) and to know the exact types of technologies for the conversion of municipal waste into biofuels. The analysis method used in this research is AHP method. The result of hierarchical analysis shows that the SRF fuel technology method and use in the cement plant furnace for organic waste management is the first priority in Kerman. The result of hierarchical method analysis using Expert Choice software was also confirmed.

Abstract The requirement to reduce production from the source of urban waste is to increase the participation of citizens. The method of educating citizens should be comprehensive and have a high penetration rate at the level of society as well as be economical. Distance education methods as one of the citizenship education methods can be taken into consideration by municipalities to promote the culture of waste reduction. In this study, an attempt is made to select the most appropriate and efficient distance education method for the use of Tehran municipality. In this regard, Khan's conceptual model has been used along with the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process. In this study, 100 questionnaires of paired comparisons, which were randomly collected from the 16th district of Tehran municipality, were used. The results of the prioritization model show the use and development of mobile educational applications as the most preferred option. Based on the interviews conducted with the citizens of District 16 of Tehran municipality, the strengths and reasons for choosing this option have been explained. In order to compare different types of remote education methods, 25 criteria in 8 proposed categories were used in the form of Khan's conceptual model, which was able to integrate the concepts and basis of a standard and successful remote education system in the fuzzy decision model.

Abstract Kerman province is a mineral and industrial region undergoing progress and development. Due to the growth of industries and the location of Kerman province in a strategic position, transportation systems, and environmental effects have received much attention. In this study, using life cycle assessment, the environmental effects of the rail and cargo fleet in Kerman province have been investigated. At first, the required information on the transportation of goods for the periods of one and five years was collected in the operation phase, and by using the OPENLCA software, the steps related to the life cycle assessment were carried out. Based on the CML baseline method, which is one of the most comprehensive evaluation methods in this software, the environmental effects of produced pollutants and consumed resources during the life cycle of two scenarios with a one-year and five-year time period were determined and calculated in 11 effect classes. These studies, which were carried out in the direction of sustainable development and environmental protection, provide the necessary information on the transportation of goods for a one-year and five-year period and its effect on the various effect points of acidification, climate change, destruction of aquatic resources - elements, final reserves. Taking aquatic resources, fossil fuels, eutrophication, freshwater toxicity, human toxicity, marine
aquatic toxicity, ozone layer destruction, photochemical smog, and soil toxicity showed. Therefore, the need for serious and detailed planning to overcome the aforementioned crises is felt more and more.

Abstract Occupational incidents in the oil industry have difficulties and problems in the various phases of construction and operation. In this research, we tried to investigate the effect of oil industry risk in phase construction in one of the largest oilfields in the country, Yadavaran field in Khuzestan province. For this purpose, the FMEA model has been used that is typically used to assess the risk of occupational accidents. According to surveys, interviews and statistics, 47 job incidents were identified during the construction phase of this oil field and the details were collected. According to the obtained results, the value of the risk priority value is obtained by an average of 212. Also, based on the type of events classified, several corrections’ suggestions were proposed, which is expected to decreased the RPN to 133.2 which shows a reduction of 37% of the risk priority number. Although changes have been made in the form of low-cost, continuous and periodic suggestions that showed the positive impact of the reform in this area.

Abstract The integration of advanced technologies, such as smart automation systems and the Internet of Things (IoT), has revolutionized modern greenhouses by enhancing product quality, precise plant growth control, disease and pest reduction, chemical and toxin minimization, waste reduction, and overall operational efficiency. This study focuses on the development of a wireless configuration to transform conventional greenhouses into smart ones with minimal expenses and modifications. The proposed system employs a comprehensive range of sensors to monitor crucial environmental parameters, including temperature, air humidity, light intensity, soil moisture, and CO2 concentration. WiFi and ZigBee protocols are evaluated to establish seamless communication between these sensors and the central monitoring station. WiFi protocol is deemed cost-effective in greenhouses where no interference occurs within the 2.4 GHz frequency range. However, in cases where frequency interference is present, utilizing ZigBee modules operating at sub-one gigahertz frequency (900 MHz) or using the WiFi in the 5 GHz band is recommended. This wireless configuration minimizes installation and setup time and costs and enables remote monitoring and control of greenhouse conditions, empowering users with real-time access to intelligent control system information anytime and anywhere. The proposed solution contributes to the advancement of smart greenhouse automation, offering an economical and efficient approach for the widespread adoption of intelligent systems in the agricultural sector.

Abstract In recent years, research on the widespread use of biodegradable polymers, such as sodium alginate (SA), in removing pollutants from water sources has shown significant growth. The present study aims to evaluate the efficiency of SA hydrogels cross-linked with ferric chloride (for mechanical strength) in optimizing the removal of nickel (Ni) from aqueous solutions. Various factors, including Ni initial concentration, solution pH, amount of adsorbent, and contact time, were considered using response surface methodology (Box-Benken model). Based on the results of FTIR and SEM analyses, activated SA hydrogels were found to have hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups, and their surface morphology was non-flat and prominent. The Ni removal values in the presence of SA hydrogels varied, with the minimum and maximum removal percentages being 53.39% and 85.43%, respectively. Increasing the initial Ni concentration resulted in a decreasing trend in Ni removal, while increasing contact time, solution pH, and amount of adsorbent led to an increasing trend in Ni removal. The evaluation of the data obtained from Ni removal using the Box-Benken model showed an accurate prediction (R² higher than 0.98%) in optimizing Ni removal from aqueous solutions in the presence of SA. The possible mechanisms of Ni removal by SA hydrogel were identified as the formation of Van der waals bonds (physical adsorption), interaction with carboxylate anions, chelate formation between Ni ions and hydroxyl functional groups, and electrostatic interactions (due to the negative surface charge of SA). Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that SA has a suitable ability to remove Ni from aqueous solutions. However, future studies should investigate, compare, and integrate other activation methods, such as physical activation (combination with inorganic substances) and chemical activation (surface grafting) on the SA polymer, to improve the removal efficiency of heavy elements using this polymer.

Abstract In this research, the technical, economic and environmental feasibility for three different scenarios, including the combined system of waste incinerator/steam power plant/solar photovoltaic power plant in waste separation mode, the combined system of waste incinerator/steam power plant/solar photovoltaic power plant in the state without waste separation and the combined digester/steam power plant/solar power plant system has been investigated for the city of Kerman. Also, the effect of changing different parameters on their technical, economic and environmental performance has been studied. The results showed that the highest return on capital and cost of electricity production is 12 years and 1.17 dollars per kilowatt respectively for the combined waste incinerator system with segregation. The mentioned values ​​were equal to 8 years and 0.78 dollars per kilowatt and 7.8 years and 0.77 dollars per kilowatt for combined systems without separation/solar and solar digester, respectively. An increase in the initial cost of solar panels by 45% causes an increase in the price of electricity and the period of return on investment by 26%, 20% and 35%. It was digested in mixed systems with separation, without separation and digestion. Also, the increase in the initial cost of the waste incinerator by 90% caused an increase in the price of electricity and the investment return period of combined systems with separation and without separation by 37% and 39%.

Abstract Rapid urbanization has increased construction and demolition waste (CDW), exacerbating issues around CDW collection, transportation, and disposal in cities lacking efficient management programs. This study applies life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of current CDW management in Tehran and identify critical aspects for improvement. Using Impact 2002+, LCA was conducted for the base case (19.4% recycling), and two alternative scenarios combining landfilling, source separation, sorting, and varying percentages of CDW recycling. The life cycle inventory used primary data from field studies and secondary data from ecoinvent 3.7 and literature. Results demonstrate recycling benefits through avoided impacts from non-renewable energy, global warming, non-carcinogens, and respiratory inorganics and organics versus landfilling. Hence, findings can motivate improved CDW management based on environmental and technical factors, not just economic and political ones. Producers may be compelled to reduce waste sources, while recyclers and stakeholders are encouraged to continuously enhance C&D waste systems across Iran. Additionally, this study provides data to support other LCAs on CDW. Overall, applying LCA reveals critical ways to advance CDW management in Tehran toward a more sustainable system.

Abstract The location of city service units such as fire stations in urban areas is always one of the issues of municipalities that should be investigated and determined very carefully. The effectiveness of service quality and efficiency of fire stations is highly dependent on their proper location. Therefore, in this study, an attempt is made to determine the appropriate place to use for the establishment of a fire station by examining location information in district 16 of Tehran municipality (Nazi Abad district). For this purpose, 8 indicators affecting the location of the station were determined. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process was used in order to prioritize them and determine the weight of their effect. Then spatial information of each of the indicators for the studied area were prepared in ARCGIS and discussed. Finally, by combining the maps, suitable places to establish a fire station with maximum efficiency were determined. According to the results, the southern strip and a part of the northern area of the investigated area are completely suitable for building a fire station. There is no possibility to build a fire station in the northwest and west side of the area due to its usage. Also, the eastern and northeastern sides have a similar situation.

Abstract In this article, the security challenges of Tehran's Grand Bazaar have been investigated. The research method is descriptive-analytical research and in terms of purpose, this research is applied-developmental. Analytical Network Process (ANP) was used to weight the indicators studied in the research. Based on the table of verbal and numerical scales based on the hourly method, a pairwise comparison between criteria and indicators was performed based on importance and preference, and the data was extracted and analyzed using Super-Decision software. The extracted criteria were done by polling experts and completing the questionnaire, which includes 14 main criteria and a total of 45 sub-criteria. According to the obtained results, the criteria of physical problems, dilapidation of buildings, greenhouses, cells and corridors were ranked as the 1^st factors causing accidents, and after that, the state of the disordered electricity network and the lack of fire stations in the market were given the most weight. Also, the last extracted criterion is unsafe unloading and loading by workers and employers, which obtained a better situation than other indicators. At the end, suggestions for improving the safety situation of Tehran Grand Bazaar in 3 short, medium and long term categories have been presented.

Abstract One of the new methods of intervention in old and inefficient neighborhoods is the approach of regeneration. In fact, re-creation is an attempt to revive, revive and regenerate the city, or in other words, to revive the tissues in the city, which were used for commercial and industrial purposes in the past. Now they are abandoned and unusable due to pollution and other problems, so they are not compatible with the society. Today, these lands are called brown and gray urban lands that have survived the development process. Through the control, redevelopment and regeneration of these lands, environmental pollution, problems and threats are reduced to a great extent and can attract and create new jobs, increase the quality and attractiveness of the localities, and also Creating a new urban space by maintaining the main spatial features (physical and functional). This research has been compiled by descriptive-analytical method with the aim of evaluating brown and gray lands with the approach of urban regeneration. In data collection, library and field methods and a researcher-made questionnaire tool were used, and the hierarchical analysis technique (AHP) was used as the main basis of the research analytical model for ranking and valuing economic sub-indices social, physical and environmental have been used. The findings of the hierarchical analysis model on the prioritization of the dimensions affecting the regeneration of brown and gray lands, respectively, on the price of land with a relative weight (0.431), the need for housing with a relative weight (0.285), personal and social security with relative weight (0.384), social harms such as insecurity and delinquency with relative weight (0.217), the potential and capabilities of brown and gray lands with relative weight (0.352), facilities and infrastructure with weight relative (0.230), decrease in environmental quality and increase in pollution with relative weight (0.376), decrease in environmental health and increase in diseases with relative weight (0.329) means that after calculating the weight of the sub-criteria, the ratio of CR (Compatibility) was evaluated. The condition for accepting the work result is that the CR ratio is less than 0.1. It is worth mentioning that the CR ratio in this research was 0.16, 0.06, 0.09, and 0.08 for each index, which indicates the acceptability of the result.

Abstract Various pollutants such as dyes following the arrival to ecosystems lead to serious global environmental pollution. Due to global strict regulations, it is obligatory to treat the wastewaters before being discharged into the environment. One of the common, reliable and useful techniques employed for removal of synthetic dyes from industrial effluents is an adsorption process. In this study, the adsorption of crystal violet (CV) was carried out from aqueous solution PCN-224/Sepiolite composite obtained from meso-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP) with different experimental conditions was investigated. The composition and structure of compounds were characterized by FESEM and XRD methods. The effect of various variables including dye concentration, adsorbent amount and contact time was investigated by batch method. Equilibrium data were evaluated using Langmuir, Friendlich and Tamkin isotherms. The Langmuir model best describes the CV dye adsorption, which shows that the CV dye adsorption on PCN-224/Sepiolite composite is monolayer and homogeneous. The maximum adsorption capacity under optimal conditions (adsorbent: 0.02 g, contact time: 120 min, temperature: 25°C) was 38.17 mg g^-1. Kinetic data were analyzed using first-order and second-order equations. The quasi-second-order model showed the best fit for the synthetic studies (R²=0.9985), which indicates that CV adsorption is limited by the chemical adsorption process. Overall, the results show that PCN-224/Sepiolite composite can be used as an efficient adsorbent for the treatment of colored effluents.

Abstract Corrosion inhibitor is an suitable and economical method to control the corrosion of metals in acidic environments. In this regard, green corrosion inhibitors based on plant essential oils have received a lot of attention as a usable alternative to common synthetic corrosion inhibitors, which are mostly not environmentally friendly. The presence of active compounds in eucalyptus essential oil has made it a source of green inhibitors in steel corrosion control. In this study, the inhibitory performance of eucalyptus essential oil has been investigated by extracting essential oils using steam method, electrochemical tests and surface analysis methods. Therefore, eucalyptus leaf essential oil has been used as a green inhibitor in the corrosive environment of sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid to check the reduction of metal corrosion in this environment GC-Mass device was used to investigate the compounds present in the eucalyptus plant. The effect of steel corrosion inhibition by essential oils was investigated using weight measurement methods, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and absorption isotherms and the results of metal immersed in acid solution with different concentrations were compared in the absence of inhibitor. The results of the tests showed that this substance has a good performance as an inhibitor and the percentage of inhibition on steel corrosion will increase with increasing concentration. The absorption of eucalyptus essential oil on steel follows the absorption isotherm and the amount of free energy of absorption indicates the spontaneous absorption of this substance with the predominance of chemical absorption on the surface.

Abstract Groundwater is one of the sources used for drinking water.Nowdays, the amount of nitrate in most of the industrial effluents is outside the standard limit, and during the purification process, the efficiency of its removal should be carefully considered.Because, the infiltration of indaustrial wastewater into underground water, is unavoidable. In this study, it was conducted with the aim of investigating the health risk of nitrates present in the treatment of underground water extracted in the vicinity of one of the oil facilities located in the city of Tehran for reuse in a residential area. In order to assess the risk of purified water, the amount of nitrate output was sampled once every two weeks for a year and finally 25 samples were analyzed. The average measured nitrate concentration in the samples is equal to 3/63 mg/liter and the maximum measured concentration is equal to 7/134 mg/liter. Nitrate risk assessment method is selected based on EPA standard. The results showed that the level of non-cancerous risk in 84% of the samples for babies was above one (HQ ≥ 1) and consumption of this water can be dangerous for them. As a result, more sensitivity should be considered on the efficiency of nitrate removal in the treatment plant system.

Abstract This research investigates the potential of walking and strategies for enhancing the walking network in District 3 of Tehran Municipality, aiming to boost public health and urban livability through increased physical activity. A comprehensive model was developed using Geographic Information System (GIS) data to evaluate walkability indexes across different urban areas. The study integrates multiple criteria decision-making tools and ARCGIS to map out walkability, employing ten environmental factors that significantly influence pedestrian activities. Findings indicate that urban design and infrastructure play critical roles in encouraging walking. The model's accuracy in quantifying walkability demonstrates the effectiveness of merging analytical techniques with GIS capabilities, providing a robust tool for urban planners and decision-makers. This approach not only aids in identifying areas with poor walkability but also proposes design improvements to enhance pedestrian pathways and connectivity. The research contributes to the growing field of sustainable urban planning by offering a detailed assessment of the physical and infrastructural elements that promote walking. By facilitating targeted interventions, the proposed model aims to foster a healthier, more active community in Tehran's urban landscape. This study underscores the importance of strategic planning and the application of technology in creating conducive environments for physical activity, reflecting on its implications for public health policy and urban development.

Abstract The most important objective of this paper is to provide an appropriate model for selecting best waste-to-energy technology for both private and public sector managers and investors. Urban waste management combined with energy recovery can be the most suitable solution not only for preserving environment but also for producing and supplying energy to urban and rural communities. Determining the most appropriate waste-to-energy technology is a challenging and complex process, requiring consideration of a wide range of diverse criteria. For this purpose, this study tries to apply two of the most widely used Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods, TOPSIS and VIKOR. Anaerobic digestion (AD), incineration, and pyrolysis were chosen as the main options for waste-to-energy conversion technologies. These options were evaluated based on three main criteria: environmental, technical, and economic, each of which included various sub-criteria. The results of pairwise comparisons indicate that among main criteria, environmental criterion holds the highest score and importance, followed by the economic and technical criteria, respectively. To ensure reliability, the options were ranked using three different MCDM models methods: Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), VIKOR, and TOPSIS. The overall results of the decision-making models show that incineration is the best waste-to-energy technology, followed by anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis in respective order.

Abstract This study investigates the pollution and sources of heavy metals in the soils and sediments of the tailings dam at the Chah-Gonbad copper mine. For this purpose, six sediment samples from the tailings dam and nine soil samples from its surroundings were collected and analyzed. The concentrations of pollutants including barium, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, and vanadium were measured using a four-acid digestion method and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that the average concentrations of barium, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, and vanadium in the tailings sediments were 585, 22, 3.7, 30.1, and 79.8 mg/kg, respectively, and in the surrounding soils were 244.8, 17, 0.63, 30.6, and 124.7 mg/kg, respectively. In contrast, cobalt was classified into classes 0 and 1, indicating either no pollution or slight pollution. Furthermore, vanadium and nickel were categorized in classes 1 and 2, suggesting slight to moderate pollution of these elements in some parts of the area. The findings of this study revealed that the weathering of parent rocks is the primary source of heavy metal concentrations in the area, but mining activities, particularly in the tailings sediments, have contributed to localized increases in the concentrations of some elements, including vanadium and nickel. These results emphasize the importance of continuous pollution monitoring and environmental management, including sediment stabilization and the use of pollution-reduction methods in the region.

Abstract It is estimated that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry is responsible for approximately 2 to 4 percent of the total carbon produced by human activities, which is equivalent to about 25 percent of total vehicle emissions and almost equal to the total carbon emissions of aircraft in the world. In the meantime, sixth generation (6G) communications play a major role in current and future ICT by providing high data rates for users and industries and have high energy consumption. On the other hand, due to high losses in 6G operating frequencies, the communication range is short and for maximum network coverage, many base stations (BS) are required, which both have high energy consumption and cause environmental pollution. To reduce energy consumption in wireless systems, especially 6G, reflective smart surfaces (RIS) have recently been proposed, which enable communication in blind spots with minimal energy consumption. This feature makes them a suitable option for improving energy efficiency in wireless networks. In this paper, the energy efficiency of 6G telecommunication systems at two mid-band frequencies of 7.8 and 15 GHz is investigated and calculated using RIS. The effect of path loss on signals is considered with real data resulting from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard, and the effect of the number of RIS elements, transmission rate, operating frequency, and other parameters in different scenarios is investigated. It is shown that the use of RIS can provide higher energy efficiency, which also increases with increasing frequency.

Abstract This study analyzes and prioritizes urban livability indicators with an emphasis on social welfare, and proposes a comprehensive framework for evaluating urban quality of life. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model, 46 livability indicators across five main domains—security, health, economy, environment, and culture—were examined. The results show that urban security (0.073), public health and disease prevention (0.064), and access to religious sites (0.065) are among the most influential factors affecting social welfare. These indicators play a central role in meeting the basic needs of citizens and contribute to improving quality of life. In contrast, indicators such as waste management and recycling (0.006) and sustainable transportation policies (0.006) rank lower in priority but remain essential for long-term sustainable urban development. The findings also highlight implementation challenges related to improving high-priority indicators, including resource limitations, institutional misalignment, and insufficient public awareness. However, opportunities such as leveraging new technologies and encouraging private sector participation can help enhance livability indicators. In addition to confirming the close relationship between livability indicators and social welfare, this study provides practical tools for urban policy-making and sustainable development. Its findings assist urban policymakers in adopting a balanced approach that addresses both short-term needs and long-term goals, thereby promoting livability and social equity.

Abstract This study investigates the impacts of implementing a comprehensive Green Management Plan in the Bank Mellat Construction Company of Iran. The primary objective is to evaluate various dimensions of green management and its effects on the organization’s environmental, economic, and social indicators. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative analyses. In the qualitative phase, insights were gathered through in-depth interviews with 12 experts in green management and construction. In the quantitative phase, data from 180 experienced employees of the organization were analyzed. The findings reveal that the implementation of the plan has led to significant and positive improvements in environmental indicators, including reduced energy consumption, increased use of renewable energy sources, improved waste management, and lower levels of environmental pollution. Furthermore, educational programs, individual incentives, and green-related events have contributed to raising employee awareness and fostering an environmental culture within the organization. Additionally, the commitment and support of senior management have played a key role in the successful implementation of the plan. This study emphasizes that green management is an effective tool for promoting sustainable development and enhancing the economic and environmental performance of organizations. Moreover, the Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) model developed in this research serves as an efficient tool for identifying the interactions among key variables and improving organizational planning. The findings can serve as a model for other industries aiming to advance sustainability and environmental management.