Balancing economic growth and environmental conservation through the optimization of rail transit routes for sustainable development

Abstract Drawing from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this study offers a framework for optimizing rail transit routes, balancing economic benefits with environmental preservation. Using the Bivariate Choropleth-Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (BC-MCDA) model, we categorize...

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Main Authors: Yinjie He, Xinran Liu, Edward Sun, Dafang Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-12-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83462-9
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author Yinjie He
Xinran Liu
Edward Sun
Dafang Wu
author_facet Yinjie He
Xinran Liu
Edward Sun
Dafang Wu
author_sort Yinjie He
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Drawing from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this study offers a framework for optimizing rail transit routes, balancing economic benefits with environmental preservation. Using the Bivariate Choropleth-Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (BC-MCDA) model, we categorize global regions into economic benefit, environmental conservation, high-conflict, and low-conflict zones. Specifically, 7.42% are identified as economic benefit zones, suitable for rail transit expansion with minimal environmental impact. Meanwhile, 16.14% are environmental conservation zones, requiring preservation and 76% are low-conflict zones, where maintaining existing land use is advised. Only 0.62% are high-conflict zones, demanding careful planning. Addressing how to utilize land more effectively and sustainably in transportation development to foster economic growth while avoiding harm to biodiversity and ecosystems, this study provides actionable insights. It advances sustainable transportation planning by integrating environmental and economic considerations, offering practical guidance for aligning infrastructure projects with global sustainability goals.
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spelling doaj-art-6e23250469d44f9dbd07c23ab141e6212025-01-05T12:25:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-12-0114111410.1038/s41598-024-83462-9Balancing economic growth and environmental conservation through the optimization of rail transit routes for sustainable developmentYinjie He0Xinran Liu1Edward Sun2Dafang Wu3Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong KongDepartment of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong KongKEDGE Business SchoolSchool of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou UniversityAbstract Drawing from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this study offers a framework for optimizing rail transit routes, balancing economic benefits with environmental preservation. Using the Bivariate Choropleth-Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (BC-MCDA) model, we categorize global regions into economic benefit, environmental conservation, high-conflict, and low-conflict zones. Specifically, 7.42% are identified as economic benefit zones, suitable for rail transit expansion with minimal environmental impact. Meanwhile, 16.14% are environmental conservation zones, requiring preservation and 76% are low-conflict zones, where maintaining existing land use is advised. Only 0.62% are high-conflict zones, demanding careful planning. Addressing how to utilize land more effectively and sustainably in transportation development to foster economic growth while avoiding harm to biodiversity and ecosystems, this study provides actionable insights. It advances sustainable transportation planning by integrating environmental and economic considerations, offering practical guidance for aligning infrastructure projects with global sustainability goals.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83462-9Rail transit routesSustainable development goalsStrategic planning
spellingShingle Yinjie He
Xinran Liu
Edward Sun
Dafang Wu
Balancing economic growth and environmental conservation through the optimization of rail transit routes for sustainable development
Scientific Reports
Rail transit routes
Sustainable development goals
Strategic planning
title Balancing economic growth and environmental conservation through the optimization of rail transit routes for sustainable development
title_full Balancing economic growth and environmental conservation through the optimization of rail transit routes for sustainable development
title_fullStr Balancing economic growth and environmental conservation through the optimization of rail transit routes for sustainable development
title_full_unstemmed Balancing economic growth and environmental conservation through the optimization of rail transit routes for sustainable development
title_short Balancing economic growth and environmental conservation through the optimization of rail transit routes for sustainable development
title_sort balancing economic growth and environmental conservation through the optimization of rail transit routes for sustainable development
topic Rail transit routes
Sustainable development goals
Strategic planning
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-83462-9
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