External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) are a key component in achieving high energy performance in building envelopes. Despite their thermal efficiency, ETICS facades are frequently affected by biological surface degradation caused by microbial growth, primarily algae and fungi. This phenomenon is closely linked to hygrothermal dynamics, where moisture availability, condensation events, and limited surface drying play a critical role. The presented study maps the conditions contributing to biological colonization, with a focus on the interaction between climatic exposure, construction parameters, and facade orientation. A simplified theoretical model was employed to assess hygrothermal behaviour under typical Central European climate conditions. Particular attention was given to the frequency and duration of surface moisture presence. The results suggest that even well-insulated systems can exhibit prolonged moisture accumulation at the surface, significantly increasing the risk of biological contamination. The findings reinforce the importance of integrating hygroclimatic risk assessment into the design and detailing of ETICS systems to ensure long-term durability and visual quality, especially in the context of sustainable construction.

Design for Adaptability (DfA) is recognized as a lever for the circular economy and is supported by the Level(s) framework and the ISO 20887:2020 standard. Adaptability is a strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector and this contribution explores its potential to address indeterminacy and functional convertibility, applied as a strategy for the reconversion of disused commercial building stock into housing. The research adopts a multi-scale approach that integrates theoretical analysis with a systematic mapping of global policies. The theoretical framework guides the analysis of case studies through five key indicators: local market vacancy rate, housing potential expressed in square meters, environmental impact (CO2 reduction), stakeholders involved (public-private partnerships), and the typological flexibility of the building. From the analysis of 80 international cases, it emerges that buildings constructed between 1950 and 1970 show the greatest aptitude for reconversion due to their structural modularity and the typological and dimensional configuration of the building body. The in-depth study of the Paris case reveals the effectiveness of integrated policies (such as the �Bureaux en Logements� program), capable of transforming over 600,000 sqm of offices while ensuring a quota of social housing through regulatory incentives and the involvement of public developers. The study contributes to investigating the functional convertibility of disused environments as a response to the housing crisis; the result provides policymakers with technical criteria to propose feasibility strategies for interventions.

This study presents a hexagonal-based geoinformation approach for monitoring forest ecosystems and detecting anomalous changes in Ukraine, where forest resources are under severe anthropogenic and military pressure. Using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, vegetation indices were processed to classify vegetation dynamics and identify areas of significant degradation. A hexagonal spatial partitioning method was applied to improve spatial accuracy, reduce edge effects, and support the quantitative assessment of forest cover changes. Zhytomyr Oblast, one of the most forested and ecologically sensitive regions of Ukraine, served as a pilot study area. The analysis revealed over 40,000 cases of forest cover anomalies, with the highest intensity recorded in Ovruch district. The integration of remote sensing and GIS provides a powerful tool for ecological monitoring, particularly under conditions of limited field access due to military activities. Beyond methodological advances, the findings highlight critical environmental implications: forest degradation caused by illegal logging, fires, and war-related destruction undermines biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and water regulation functions. The proposed approach supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 15 Life on Land) by enabling informed decision-making for forest management, prioritizing restoration activities, and enhancing resilience of ecosystems. The results confirm the effectiveness of combining GIS, remote sensing, and hexagonal models for sustainable forestry and post-war ecological recovery.

Paper presents a technical and economic analysis of the implementation of renewable energy solutions in urban buildings by installing balcony photovoltaic systems. It has been calculated that if 25% of all urban homes in Romania had a balcony photovoltaic system, a total installed power of approximately 1,058 MW would result. The legislative, technical and economic challenges that may hinder the development of these balcony photovoltaic solutions in Europe are analyzed. Information is presented on the influence on urban architecture according to current scientific research. The case study analyzed members of a community that installed balcony photovoltaic systems and optimized the location to increase renewable energy production.

The fish farming infrastructure in the Danube Delta, including the Popina Fish Farm Enclosure, has been significantly impacted by environmental factors, particularly due to climate change. Located in the northeastern part of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, near the Chilia arm and the Black Sea, this enclosure once played an important role in aquaculture activities. Currently, the main threat to the area is the high water levels of the Chilia arm, which place constant pressure on the protective dykes, increasing the risk of flooding. This paper aims to analyze the potential flooding risks in the Fish Farm Enclosure using advanced digital terrain modeling tools specific to the Danube Delta. Two flood risk analysis methods will be employed such as the static and dynamic approaches to produce flood maps that highlight water depth, flood extents, and intensity under various simulated scenarios. Moreover, the southern part of the Fish Farm Enclosure, known as Popina II, has been included in ecological reconstruction programs since the early 1990s, underlining its importance for Delta management strategies. The resulting maps can serve as valuable tools for local authorities, ecological management initiatives, and residents of the area. Data sets utilized include hydrological measurements of water flow and levels, topographic and bathymetric surveys of adjacent channels, and Manning's roughness coefficient for hydraulic modeling. Addressing climate change and its consequences, such as riverine flooding, is vital to safeguarding both infrastructure and the ecological balance of the Danube Delta. This research aims to provide practical insights for decision-makers and stakeholders in the context of sustainable development and ecological preservation.

In this article we started from the global warming trends due to climate change. These are leading to an increase in the heat risk index, particularly in areas where green infrastructure is lacking, where the population is dense and multi-storey residential buildings are dense. This is the reason why we first proposed a bibliometric study resulting from the growing interest in such analyses using GIS technology. The next step was the development of an automatic model based on specific features and its application to the Romanian capital, Bucharest, in order to identify areas in need of green infrastructure improvement, at the sector level and then at the neighborhood level. Three variables that determine the heat risk index were used: average summer surface temperature, percentage of area without tree cover and population density. The results highlight the sectors and neighborhoods of Bucharest where regeneration actions are needed. Concluding digital representations are made, related tree canopy and heat risk index for neighborhoods in Bucharest, as well as heat risk index map for prioritizing green infrastructure. This study is a good starting point for the substantiation of green infrastructure improvement policies, but also for studies to be developed at a more detailed level in the city analysis.

This study describes the use of a soybean oil oleogel structured with beeswax (4-6% w/w) as a fat replacer in gluten-free millet flour-based muffins. The oleogel was incorporated into the muffin formulation by replacing 100% of the conventional fat. The dough rheology was analyzed to evaluate changes in viscoelastic behavior, and the muffins were evaluated for their sensory and textural profile. The results indicated that the oleogel maintained the desired dough rheology and produced muffins with acceptable textural properties, comparable to those of the control group. The oleogel contributed to the creation of softness and moisture retention without negatively affecting the sensory attributes. These findings highlight the potential of soybean oil oleogels in enhancing the nutritional and functional qualities of gluten-free bakery products.

The global climate and biodiversity crises demand an educated, globally literate citizenry, yet a significant gap exists in engaging diverse, multilingual student populations in Environmental and Earth Sciences (EES). This research argues for a transformative pedagogical fusion that integrates EES content with language acquisition strategies in multilingual classrooms. Moving beyond simple translation, we propose a language-sensitive, content-rich approach that leverages students linguistic repertoires as assets for scientific inquiry. Drawing on a mixed-methods case study of a 6th-grade science unit in a linguistically diverse urban school, we demonstrate how project-based learning on local water quality, which incorporated students home languages for research and presentation, led to significant gains. Pre-and post-assessment data showed a 35% increase in EES content mastery and qualitative analysis of student interviews revealed enhanced engagement and identity affirmation. The research also identifies key challenges, including teacher preparedness and resource scarcity, and proposes solutions such as co-teaching models and multilingual science kits. We conclude that this integrated approach is not merely an educational strategy but a cornerstone for fostering global citizenship, equipping all students with the scientific knowledge and cross-cultural communication skills necessary to champion the health of our living planet.

The integration of daylighting element into sustainable building design presents a significant opportunity to reduce energy consumption while improving indoor environmental quality. This study focuses on the performance assessment of passive daylight transport systems, with an emphasis on their thermal and optical characteristics. Various configurations of tubular daylighting devices were analyzed using simulation-based methods, considering material properties, geometrical parameters, and hygrothermal conditions of the building envelope. The evaluation considered both the efficiency of light transmission and the impact on thermal integrity, including potential heat loss through envelope penetrations. The results demonstrate that the proper design and positioning of daylighting elements can significantly enhance visual comfort without compromising energy performance. The findings support the implementation of daylight-driven strategies as a viable approach to improve building sustainability and contribute to nearly zero-energy building standards.

Global climate change is intensifying hydrological variability and water scarcity, increasing the need for adaptive irrigation in small agricultural catchments. This study applies the analogue-river approach to evaluate the irrigation potential of the small lowland Kulpe River in northern Lithuania, which lacks discharge observations. Long-term flow data (2006 2021) from the hydrologically similar Daugyvene River were used to estimate the Kulpe s discharge parameters. The mean annual discharge was 1.18 m /s, corresponding to an annual runoff of 36.84 million m . Statistical analysis revealed that flow varies between 0.074 2.07 m /s in dry years, 0.26 3.99 m /s in average years, and 0.54 5.54 m /s in wet years. In all scenarios, discharge exceeded the environmental-flow threshold (0.057 m /s), indicating that irrigation abstraction can be feasible while maintaining ecological balance. Including treated wastewater (0.24 0.28 m /s) further increases the allocable discharge to 0.28 5.74 m /s. Based on FAO-56 calculations, irrigation demand was 2600 3000 m /ha for strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) and 3200 3600 m /ha for carrots (Daucus carota). Under average conditions, the Kulpe River could supply enough water to irrigate 2000 2500 ha without breaching ecological limits, showing that small lowland rivers can serve as strategic local irrigation sources in the Baltic region.