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Sustainable Urban Mobility: A Comparative Analysis of China-Nigeria Green Transportation Policies and Their Impact on Smart City Development and Carbon Reduction Initiatives
Corresponding Author(s) : Olawunmi Dorcas Olurin
Sustainability Science and Resources,
Vol. 8 (2025): Sustainable Science and Resources
Abstract
This study critically examines the comparative effectiveness of green transportation policies and blockchain implementation in China and Nigeria, addressing the urgent challenges of rapid urbanization and environmental sustainability. Grounded in Strategic Niche Management theory, the research explores how policy frameworks, technological readiness, and sociocultural factors shape sustainable urban mobility outcomes. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study analyses data from 400 respondents across four major cities, complemented by in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. Findings reveal significant disparities in policy effectiveness and blockchain integration between the two countries, with China demonstrating superior performance across most metrics. However, unexpected areas of convergence emerged, particularly in Nigeria's mobile payment integration and blockchain adoption among younger urban populations. The study challenges conventional assumptions about technological gaps between developed and developing nations, highlighting the potential for targeted policy interventions to accelerate progress in specific niches. A non-linear relationship between smart contract adoption and carbon reduction outcomes underscores the complexity of implementing sustainable transportation solutions. The research contributes to the evolving discourse on policy transfer and technological leapfrogging in developing economies, while emphasizing the need for context-specific strategies that account for local institutional capacities and cultural factors. These findings have significant implications for policymakers and practitioners, advocating for adaptive management approaches and international collaboration to foster more effective, equitable, and sustainable urban transportation systems in diverse urban contexts.
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- Ang, K.L.M., Seng, J.K.P., Ngharamike, E. and Ijemaru, G.K., 2022. Emerging technologies for smart cities’ transportation: geo-information, data analytics and machine learning approaches. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 11(2), p.85.
- Ashmore, D.P., Pojani, D., Thoreau, R., Christie, N. and Tyler, N.A., 2019. Gauging differences in public transport symbolism across national cultures: implications for policy development and transfer. Journal of Transport Geography, 77, pp.26-38.
- Ashmore, D.P., Pojani, D., Thoreau, R., Christie, N. and Tyler, N.A. (2019) 'Gauging differences in public transport symbolism across national cultures: implications for policy development and transfer', Journal of Transport Geography, 77, pp.26-38.
- Bentalha, B., Hmioui, A. and Alla, L., 2023, January. Green Transportation Balanced Scorecard: A VIKOR Fuzzy Method for Evaluating Green Logistics Initiatives. In International Conference on Digital Technologies and Applications (pp. 916-925). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
- Braun, V. and Clarke, V., 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3(2), pp.77-101.
- Creswell, J.W. and Creswell, J.D., 2017. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
- Dolowitz, D.P. and Marsh, D., 2000. Learning from abroad: The role of policy transfer in contemporary policy‐making. Governance, 13(1), pp.5-23.
- Echendu, A.J. and Okafor, P.C.C., 2021. Smart city technology: a potential solution to Africa's growing population and rapid urbanization?. Development Studies Research, 8(1), pp.82-93.
- Emerson, J., Esty, D.C., Levy, M.A., Kim, C.H., Mara, V., de Sherbinin, A. and Srebotnjak, T., 2010. Environmental performance index. New Haven: Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, 87.
- Esty, D.C., Levy, M.A., Kim, C.H., de Sherbinin, A., Srebotnjak, T. and Mara, V., 2008. Environmental performance index. New Haven: Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, 382, pp.1-68.
- Geels, F.W. (2019) 'Socio-technical transitions to sustainability: a review of criticisms and elaborations of the Multi-Level Perspective', Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 39, pp.187-201.
- German, J.D., Redi, A.A.N.P., Ong, A.K.S. and Liwanag, J.L., 2023. The impact of green innovation initiatives on competitiveness and financial performance of the land transport industry. Heliyon, 9(8).
- Jha, M.K., Ogallo, H.G. and Owolabi, O., 2014. A quantitative analysis of sustainability and green transportation initiatives in highway design and maintenance.Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 111, pp.1185-1194.
- Kemp, R., Schot, J. and Hoogma, R. (1998) 'Regime shifts to sustainability through processes of niche formation: the approach of strategic niche management', Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 10(2), pp.175-198.
- Kolosz, B. and Grant-Muller, S., 2015. Extending cost–benefit analysis for the sustainability impact of inter-urban Intelligent Transport Systems. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 50, pp.167-177.
- Krejcie, R.V. and Morgan, D.W., 1970. Table for determining sample size from a given population. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), pp.607-610.
- Kumar, R. and Chen, X., 2023. Sampling techniques in mixed-methods research: A comparative analysis. Journal of Research Methodology, 15(2), pp.123-140.
- Kuppuswamy, C., Ajetunmobi, A., Lo Coco, L., Ramalingam, S., Gan, H.C., Lampard, A., Adegbite, O. and Adedeji, M.A., 2023. A Blockchain for Nigeria-Exploring Blockchain Policy and Adoption in Nigeria.
- Li, J. and Thompson, S., 2024. Advanced structural equation modeling techniques in urban studies. Urban Research Methods, 8(1), pp.45-62.
- Makani, S., Pittala, R., Alsayed, E., Aloqaily, M. and Jararweh, Y., 2022. A survey of blockchain applications in sustainable and smart cities. Cluster Computing, 25(6), pp.3915-3936.
- Makani, S., Pittala, R., Alsayed, E., Aloqaily, M. and Jararweh, Y. (2022) 'A survey of blockchain applications in sustainable and smart cities', Cluster Computing, 25(6), pp.3915-3936.
- Makani, S., Pittala, R., Alsayed, E., Aloqaily, M. and Jararweh, Y. (2022) 'A survey of blockchain applications in sustainable and smart cities', Cluster Computing, 25(6), pp.3915-3936.
- Mavlutova, I., Atstaja, D., Grasis, J., Kuzmina, J., Uvarova, I. and Roga, D., 2023. Urban transportation concept and sustainable urban mobility in smart cities: a review. Energies, 16(8), p.3585.
- Ouyang, X. and Xu, M., 2022. Promoting green transportation under the belt and Road Initiative: Locating charging stations considering electric vehicle users’ travel behavior. Transport Policy, 116, pp.58-80.
- Parmentola, A., Petrillo, A., Tutore, I. and De Felice, F., 2022. Is blockchain able to enhance environmental sustainability? A systematic review and research agenda from the perspective of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(1), pp.194-217.
- Rajiani, I. and Kot, S., 2018. The prospective consumers of the Indonesian green aviation initiative for sustainable development in air transportation. Sustainability, 10(6), p.1772.
- Raven, R., Kern, F., Verhees, B. and Smith, A. (2016) 'Niche construction and empowerment through socio-political work. A meta-analysis of six low-carbon technology cases', Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 18, pp.164-180.
- Reddy, B.S. and Balachandra, P., 2012. Urban mobility: A comparative analysis of megacities of India. Transport Policy, 21, pp.152-164.
- Schot, J. and Geels, F.W., 2013. Strategic niche management and sustainable innovation journeys: theory, findings, research agenda, and policy. The Dynamics of Sustainable Innovation Journeys, pp.17-34.
- Sengers, F. and Raven, R. (2015) 'Toward a spatial perspective on niche development: The case of Bus Rapid Transit', Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 17, pp.166-182.
- Smith, A., Voß, J.P. and Grin, J. (2010) 'Innovation studies and sustainability transitions: The allure of the multi-level perspective and its challenges', Research Policy, 39(4), pp.435-448.
- Sureeyatanapas, P., Poophiukhok, P. and Pathumnakul, S., 2018. Green initiatives for logistics service providers: An investigation of antecedent factors and the contributions to corporate goals. Journal of cleaner production, 191, pp.1-14.
- Turok, I. and McGranahan, G., 2013. Urbanization and economic growth: the arguments and evidence for Africa and Asia. Environment and urbanization, 25(2), pp.465-482.
- Wang, L., Zhang, H. and Liu, Y., 2023. Applying multiple regression analysis in transportation policy evaluation. Journal of Transport Policy, 56, pp.78-92.
- Zhang, K. and Kumar, V., 2023. Reliability and validity in sustainable transportation research: Best practices and emerging trends. Sustainability Research Methods, 7(3), pp.301-318.
- Zheng, Z., Shafique, M., Luo, X. and Wang, S., 2024. A systematic review towards integrative energy management of smart grids and urban energy systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 189, p.114023.
References
Ang, K.L.M., Seng, J.K.P., Ngharamike, E. and Ijemaru, G.K., 2022. Emerging technologies for smart cities’ transportation: geo-information, data analytics and machine learning approaches. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 11(2), p.85.
Ashmore, D.P., Pojani, D., Thoreau, R., Christie, N. and Tyler, N.A., 2019. Gauging differences in public transport symbolism across national cultures: implications for policy development and transfer. Journal of Transport Geography, 77, pp.26-38.
Ashmore, D.P., Pojani, D., Thoreau, R., Christie, N. and Tyler, N.A. (2019) 'Gauging differences in public transport symbolism across national cultures: implications for policy development and transfer', Journal of Transport Geography, 77, pp.26-38.
Bentalha, B., Hmioui, A. and Alla, L., 2023, January. Green Transportation Balanced Scorecard: A VIKOR Fuzzy Method for Evaluating Green Logistics Initiatives. In International Conference on Digital Technologies and Applications (pp. 916-925). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Braun, V. and Clarke, V., 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3(2), pp.77-101.
Creswell, J.W. and Creswell, J.D., 2017. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
Dolowitz, D.P. and Marsh, D., 2000. Learning from abroad: The role of policy transfer in contemporary policy‐making. Governance, 13(1), pp.5-23.
Echendu, A.J. and Okafor, P.C.C., 2021. Smart city technology: a potential solution to Africa's growing population and rapid urbanization?. Development Studies Research, 8(1), pp.82-93.
Emerson, J., Esty, D.C., Levy, M.A., Kim, C.H., Mara, V., de Sherbinin, A. and Srebotnjak, T., 2010. Environmental performance index. New Haven: Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, 87.
Esty, D.C., Levy, M.A., Kim, C.H., de Sherbinin, A., Srebotnjak, T. and Mara, V., 2008. Environmental performance index. New Haven: Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, 382, pp.1-68.
Geels, F.W. (2019) 'Socio-technical transitions to sustainability: a review of criticisms and elaborations of the Multi-Level Perspective', Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 39, pp.187-201.
German, J.D., Redi, A.A.N.P., Ong, A.K.S. and Liwanag, J.L., 2023. The impact of green innovation initiatives on competitiveness and financial performance of the land transport industry. Heliyon, 9(8).
Jha, M.K., Ogallo, H.G. and Owolabi, O., 2014. A quantitative analysis of sustainability and green transportation initiatives in highway design and maintenance.Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 111, pp.1185-1194.
Kemp, R., Schot, J. and Hoogma, R. (1998) 'Regime shifts to sustainability through processes of niche formation: the approach of strategic niche management', Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 10(2), pp.175-198.
Kolosz, B. and Grant-Muller, S., 2015. Extending cost–benefit analysis for the sustainability impact of inter-urban Intelligent Transport Systems. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 50, pp.167-177.
Krejcie, R.V. and Morgan, D.W., 1970. Table for determining sample size from a given population. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), pp.607-610.
Kumar, R. and Chen, X., 2023. Sampling techniques in mixed-methods research: A comparative analysis. Journal of Research Methodology, 15(2), pp.123-140.
Kuppuswamy, C., Ajetunmobi, A., Lo Coco, L., Ramalingam, S., Gan, H.C., Lampard, A., Adegbite, O. and Adedeji, M.A., 2023. A Blockchain for Nigeria-Exploring Blockchain Policy and Adoption in Nigeria.
Li, J. and Thompson, S., 2024. Advanced structural equation modeling techniques in urban studies. Urban Research Methods, 8(1), pp.45-62.
Makani, S., Pittala, R., Alsayed, E., Aloqaily, M. and Jararweh, Y., 2022. A survey of blockchain applications in sustainable and smart cities. Cluster Computing, 25(6), pp.3915-3936.
Makani, S., Pittala, R., Alsayed, E., Aloqaily, M. and Jararweh, Y. (2022) 'A survey of blockchain applications in sustainable and smart cities', Cluster Computing, 25(6), pp.3915-3936.
Makani, S., Pittala, R., Alsayed, E., Aloqaily, M. and Jararweh, Y. (2022) 'A survey of blockchain applications in sustainable and smart cities', Cluster Computing, 25(6), pp.3915-3936.
Mavlutova, I., Atstaja, D., Grasis, J., Kuzmina, J., Uvarova, I. and Roga, D., 2023. Urban transportation concept and sustainable urban mobility in smart cities: a review. Energies, 16(8), p.3585.
Ouyang, X. and Xu, M., 2022. Promoting green transportation under the belt and Road Initiative: Locating charging stations considering electric vehicle users’ travel behavior. Transport Policy, 116, pp.58-80.
Parmentola, A., Petrillo, A., Tutore, I. and De Felice, F., 2022. Is blockchain able to enhance environmental sustainability? A systematic review and research agenda from the perspective of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(1), pp.194-217.
Rajiani, I. and Kot, S., 2018. The prospective consumers of the Indonesian green aviation initiative for sustainable development in air transportation. Sustainability, 10(6), p.1772.
Raven, R., Kern, F., Verhees, B. and Smith, A. (2016) 'Niche construction and empowerment through socio-political work. A meta-analysis of six low-carbon technology cases', Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 18, pp.164-180.
Reddy, B.S. and Balachandra, P., 2012. Urban mobility: A comparative analysis of megacities of India. Transport Policy, 21, pp.152-164.
Schot, J. and Geels, F.W., 2013. Strategic niche management and sustainable innovation journeys: theory, findings, research agenda, and policy. The Dynamics of Sustainable Innovation Journeys, pp.17-34.
Sengers, F. and Raven, R. (2015) 'Toward a spatial perspective on niche development: The case of Bus Rapid Transit', Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 17, pp.166-182.
Smith, A., Voß, J.P. and Grin, J. (2010) 'Innovation studies and sustainability transitions: The allure of the multi-level perspective and its challenges', Research Policy, 39(4), pp.435-448.
Sureeyatanapas, P., Poophiukhok, P. and Pathumnakul, S., 2018. Green initiatives for logistics service providers: An investigation of antecedent factors and the contributions to corporate goals. Journal of cleaner production, 191, pp.1-14.
Turok, I. and McGranahan, G., 2013. Urbanization and economic growth: the arguments and evidence for Africa and Asia. Environment and urbanization, 25(2), pp.465-482.
Wang, L., Zhang, H. and Liu, Y., 2023. Applying multiple regression analysis in transportation policy evaluation. Journal of Transport Policy, 56, pp.78-92.
Zhang, K. and Kumar, V., 2023. Reliability and validity in sustainable transportation research: Best practices and emerging trends. Sustainability Research Methods, 7(3), pp.301-318.
Zheng, Z., Shafique, M., Luo, X. and Wang, S., 2024. A systematic review towards integrative energy management of smart grids and urban energy systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 189, p.114023.