Work and Sustainable Development

Evaluating airports' Sustainable Development Goals by using multi-criteria decision making methodologies

BACKGROUND

The recent growth of the aviation industry, which poses significant environmental challenges, has heightened the pressure on the sustainability of airports. Airport sustainability requires a holistic approach that encompasses economic, social, environmental, and operational aspects. In this regard, the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda provides a roadmap for the aviation industry. However, despite recognizing the importance of SDGs, aviation authorities and airports often fail to effectively integrate them into their activities and annual reports.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the significance of SDGs for airports and select the airport that prioritizes SDGs the most using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodologies.

METHODS

This study introduces a novel approach that integrates Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) methods, which are MCDM techniques, to enhance airport sustainability. The SWARA method is employed to evaluate and assign weights to the SDGs in the context of airports.

RESULTS

SDG 8 holds the highest level of significance among the goals concerning airports, while SDG 14 falls outside the scope of airport sustainability aspects. Then, five international airports that have been designated as green airports by aviation authorities and assessment organizations are selected, and the optimal alternative is determined using the WASPAS method, considering the weights obtained through SWARA.

CONCLUSION

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the top choice due to its successful implementations and reports aligning with the SDGs.

Emotionally Sustainable Design Toolbox: A Card-Based Design Tool for Designing Products with an Extended Life Based on the User’s Emotional Needs

Emotionally sustainable design helps users to develop an emotional attachment to a product and motivates them to continue using it, thus extending the product lifecycle, minimizing the need for new products and achieving product sustainability. However, the existing relevant design principles are still very scattered, and they could not effectively guide the emotionally sustainable design practice in a systematic way. We proposed an emotionally sustainable design (ESD) toolbox for product design based on the literature review and expert argumentation. The toolbox consists of seven themes and 20 principles under the three levels of emotional design. The usability of the ESD toolbox was then validated through design practice for the teapot product. The result shows that the ESD toolbox improved the efficiency of the sustainable design process and was helpful to the product’s sustainability.

Universal safety and design: Transition from universal design to a new philosophy

BACKGROUND

The philosophy of universal design contributes to providing age-friendly products and environments in the ageing society.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to establish the philosophy of universal safety and design to ensure the safety and health of product users and production workers.

METHODS

The concept and principles of universal safety and design are developed based on the limitations of universal design and the necessity of a new philosophy.

RESULTS

Requirements of physical support, flexibility, accessibility, ensuring safety and health, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability are proposed for implementing the universal safety and design philosophy. Also, the guidelines for applying the universal safety and design philosophy are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

The principles presented in this study can be applied to reduce incidents and ensure productivity in customers and production workers by helping them to work efficiently, comfortably, and safely.

Universal Safety Design (USD) and Sustainability: Comparison of Guidelines between Universal Design (UD) and USD

Universal Design (UD) has contributed to enhancing the quality of life through design for all. This study aims to compare the users’ subjective scores for UD guidelines and Universal Safety Design (USD) guidelines. A questionnaire survey was performed to get information on the 165 users’ subjective scores for design guidelines implementing UD or USD. Results show that USD guidelines have extensibility in fairness, flexible work, and sustainability perspectives. UD guidelines show a low correlation coefficient with sustainability guideline of USD. In the results of the regression analysis, the guidelines of USD reflect the design concept of UD. Additionally, USD guidelines increase the design concept of sustainability. USD guidelines are expected to contribute to creating comfortable and safe environments for the disabled, the elderly, foreigners, and socially vulnerable groups. Additionally, it is expected to address discrimination at work.