When armed conflicts devastate a country, its architectural heritage suffers. Its recovery is a multifaceted problem. This paper explores the architectural conservation challenges and complexities in conflict-ravaged Syria through in-depth interviews with Syrian heritage officials, practitioners, and experts. Analysis of the interviews and observations in the field has revealed the significant domestic challenges, threats, and weaknesses in the post-conflict recovery of built heritage. Syria shares characteristics with other post-conflict societies, especially the lack of financial and human resources, which are vital for efficient post-conflict conservation planning. However, Syria is also challenged by a diversity of domestic issues relating to the deficiencies in its heritage management and legislation systems. These include, among others, weaknesses in the preservation legislation, lack of archival records/documentation of the pre-destruction state of built heritage, inadequacies of the skilled workforce, and inefficient coordination and collaboration between the stakeholders. The article shows how improving the local heritage management capacity and infrastructure during peacetime is the key to an effective recovery in the aftermath of human or natural catastrophes. Doing so would reduce the uncertainty of depending on global aid and resources, which are scarce and politically complicated to access.

This study examines the impact of social and spatial inequalities on the spread of COVID-19 and the efficacy of lockdown measures in French regions during the third wave (22 March and 3 May 2021), with a focus on population density and poverty. It based on data from French government websites, adopting quantitative methods including the Pearson Coefficient and One-Way ANOVA. The results indicate a significant correlation between population density and COVID-19 deaths in 92 departments (R = 0.695), which is stronger than the correlation between density and infection rates (R = 0.633, p < 0.001). In the 25 most affected departments, this pattern shifts, with a weaker correlation between density and deaths (R = 0.644) compared to density/infections (R = 0.716, p < 0.001). Although insightful, these statistics do not capture regional disparities. A minor correlation between poverty and death rates was recorded in French regions. Spatial observations showed that areas exceeding the national poverty average experienced higher infection/death rates. The lockdowns were effective, leading to a reduction (51.7%) in infections. The present results showed that there is a significant need for a new social contract based on a new urban and regional paradigm focused on socio-spatial equality and Sustainable Development Goals locally and globally, a vital task for policymakers, planners, and researchers.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the global shift to e-learning, raising concerns about its sustainability, student well-being, and educational inequality. This study evaluates e-learning in higher education during crises by examining its psychological, behavioral, social, and academic impacts on university students in the United Arab Emirates over two academic years of remote learning. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from two cohorts (n = 228): Group 1 (G1, n = 76; 2020–2021) and Group 2 (G2, n = 152; 2021–2022). Analysis included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and thematic analysis. The results revealed significant differences between groups across most domains (p < 0.001). G2 reported higher psychological distress, including increased depression, stress, and reduced focus, while G1 demonstrated stronger behavioral and social adaptation, such as better self-care, family communication, and engagement in hobbies and sports. Regression analysis showed a strong linear relationship between online and campus grade distributions (R² = 0.7862), indicating academic consistency across learning modes. However, the findings highlight a sustainability paradox: although e-learning enhances flexibility and access and reduces environmental impact, prolonged reliance is linked to psychological strain, behavioral risks, and widening social inequality. The study underscores the need for a resilient and sustainable education model that supports students academically, psychologically, and socially to ensure the well-being and public health of all. These insights are particularly relevant amid ongoing regional crises and the continued expansion of e-learning and generative AI in education. Aligning with sustainable education goals, such approaches contribute to SDGs 3, 4, and 10, and support broader progress toward the 2030 Agenda.

Purpose: This study examines how gender equality (SDG 5) contributes to sustainable development by analysing its interlinkages with other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in European Union (EU) member states. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative comparative design is used, drawing on data from the 2024 United Nations SDG Report and the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Index. Spearman's rank-order correlation assesses the association between SDG 5 and the remaining 16 SDGs across the 27 EU countries. Findings: Gender equality is positively associated with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), indicating that more gender-equal societies tend to exhibit stronger institutional quality, innovation capacity, and policy coordination. Negative relationships with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) point to potential tensions between social inclusion and environmental performance. Research limitations/implications: The cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and findings are specific to the EU context. Further research could examine causal mechanisms and regional variations in policy. Practical implications: The findings highlight the need for integrated policy approaches that embed gender equality within sustainability strategies while addressing trade-offs between social and environmental goals. Social implications: Strengthening gender equality can contribute to more resilient and socially just sustainability transitions across the EU. Originality/value: The study provides empirical evidence on how gender equality relates to broader sustainability outcomes, offering insights for more coherent, gender-responsive policy design.