CHEMICAL AND MATERIAL STRATEGIES FOR ENERGY-POSITIVE BUILDINGS: A SUSTAINABILITY-ORIENTED REVIEW

The pursuit of a promising way to reduce the impact of energy-positive buildings on the built environment is defined as reduced energy consumption. On the other hand, sustainability cannot be based solely on operational energy performance, as it is significantly influenced by material-related factors. This study is a comprehensive review of the chemical and material foundations of energy-positive buildings and a compilation of the long-term performance of material properties and degradation mechanisms. Data synthesis and literature selection were carried out using the PRISMA method. In light of the information obtained, parameters related to energy-intensive production, material stability, and life cycle impacts were addressed by considering key material groups, including cement-based systems, polymers, and bio-based materials. The findings show that degradation processes and limited circularity remain critical challenges. Therefore, achieving sustainable energy-positive buildings requires an integrated approach that simultaneously considers material chemistry, energy system performance, and life cycle assessment.

Gülşah ÇELIK GÜL - Assoc. Prof. Dr., Savaştepe Vocational School, Balikesir University, Renewable Energy Research and Application Center, Balikesir University, Balikesir, Türkiye gulsahcelik@balikesir.edu.tr

Q01, Q42, Q56, Q55

EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPATIAL DEMAND AND URBAN STREET ORGANIZATION: THE CASE OF KARDITSA CITY, GREECE

Social structures, economic organization, and the spatial configuration of urban space have long been understood as being shaped through a complex and symbiotic relationship. From a theoretical perspective, urban space is produced through the transformation of the natural environment into a structured built environment, giving rise to land-use patterns redefining existing forms of urban organization. In turn, these configurations attract population flows, thereby generating conditions for urban development and further transformations of the urban structure. Assuming that urban form’s spatial organization reflects the socio-economic forces and processes that have shaped it over time, this paper builds on graph-theoretic modeling and on correlation analysis of network topology measures with land rent values and land-use indicators across the urban network, to examine the degree of urban spatial organization in relation to the demand for urban space. The analysis focuses on the road network of the city of Karditsa, Greece, and provides empirical insights into the connectivity, efficiency, and overall spatial organization of Karditsa’s urban system, while also highlighting the extent to which the demand for urban space contributes to urban fabric’s formation and evolution.

Katerina KARALI - Researcher, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece, kathykarali@gmail.com

Dimitrios TSIOTAS - Associate Professor, Department of Regional and Economic Development Agricultural University of Athens, Greece, tsiotas@aua.gr (Corresponding Author)

R12, R14, O18, P25

SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING AND ITS APPLICATION IN ALBANIA

Sustainability accounting is an emerging and evolving field of accounting that focuses on measuring, reporting, and managing the social, environmental, and economic impacts of corporate activities. This form of accounting helps organizations monitor and assess their performance in relation to sustainability and communicate their commitment to sustainable development to stakeholders. Over time, sustainability accounting has become a key instrument for companies seeking to meet legal requirements, enhance their image, and increase opportunities for green investment. International frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) have provided guidance for reporting on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, allowing companies to measure and report their impacts in a comparable and reliable manner. Globally, the development of sustainability accounting has profoundly changed the way organizational financial and social performance is measured and evaluated. However, implementing these practices remains challenging, particularly in developing countries such as Albania, where a clear legal framework and institutional support are crucial for sustainable economic development. This paper explores the concept of sustainability accounting, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and its significance for global economies and businesses, with a special focus on its application in Albania.

Antoneta POLO - Associate Professor, "Eqrem Çabej" University, Gjirokastra, Albania neta_polo@yahoo.com

Enkela CACA - Associate Professor, "Eqrem Çabej" University, Gjirokastra, Albania ebabaramo@yahoo.com

Ilirjana ZYBERI - Associate Professor, "Eqrem Çabej" University, Gjirokastra, Albania izyberi@yahoo.com

Sara BIXHAKU - MSc., "Eqrem Çabej" University, Gjirokastra, Albania sarabixhaku@gmail.com

M41, Q56, G32, O13

CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES OF ISLAND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Island tourism development is increasingly shaped by challenges arising from pronounced seasonal concentration of tourism demand, pressure on communal infrastructure, and cumulative environmental stress in a mature island destination. These challenges are particularly pronounced in mature island destinations, where cumulative pressures require adaptive governance and context-specific policy responses. This paper explores the contemporary challenges of island tourism development through a qualitative case study of Mali Lošinj, one of Croatia’s most developed island tourism destinations. The study adopts a qualitative case study approach based on document and discourse analysis of strategic and institutional materials related to tourism development in Mali Lošinj. Selected findings from a survey conducted among local residents in September 2025 are used as a supplementary source of evidence for triangulation purposes. The survey captures residents’ perceptions of tourism-related pressures and sustainability-oriented policies but does not serve as the primary research method. The findings indicate that Mali Lošinj faces interconnected challenges related to seasonal tourism concentration, infrastructure capacity constraints, and cumulative pressure on the natural environment, including pronounced seasonality and governance-related implementation constraints. While sustainability is strongly embedded in institutional discourse and strategic planning, persistent development pressures highlight gaps between policy intentions and practical outcomes. Residents’ perceptions largely align with institutional assessments regarding key challenges, although uncertainties remain concerning the effectiveness of sustainability measures. The paper contributes to the literature on island tourism development by illustrating how general sustainability challenges materialise in a mature island context.

Josip HORVAT - PhDc., Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka, Croatia e-mail: josiphorvat85@gmail.com

Zvonimira SVERKO GRDIC - Full Professor, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka, Croatia e-mail: zgrdic@fthm.hr

Filipos RUXHO - Assistant Professor, Department of Business and Management Universum College, Prishtina, Kosovo e-mail: filip.ruxho@universum-ks.org (Corresponding Author)

O20, 044, R11