This paper evaluates infrastructural investments in Poland and their impact on rail transport development between China and the European Union. Using data from diverse sources, including EU databases and the PKP database, the study employs a comprehensive methodology to explore railway transport, identifying main freight routes, understanding determinants, and recognizing barriers and challenges. Emphasis is placed on dependencies in route exchange, the consequences of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, data analysis in connections between cities, corridors, and their current state, and trends, barriers, and new initiatives, including crucial structural developments in Poland. Findings reveal dynamic growth in container railway freight since 2013. Poland, exceeding most EU states in rail intermodal transport growth, appears poised to be an "intermodal logistics hub" with planned modernization. The paper offers practical significance, providing insights for policymakers, railway operators, and logistics providers, identifying opportunities and challenges for enhancing railway freight competitiveness between China and the EU and encouraging collaboration among BRI stakeholders to address shared issues. The originality of the paper lies in the assessment of the railway freight routes between China and the EU, the Belt and Road Initiative, and its relationship with the infrastructural investments in Poland.

The objective of this research is to determine whether the city under investigation in a developing country is pursuing a "circular city" model based on various indicators and the city's current characteristics. The city under analysis was Xalapa, the capital city of the state of Veracruz in Mexico. To accomplish our research goals, we employed a qualitative methodology. We conducted interviews with the government representative responsible for municipal solid waste management during the designated period, as well as with the proprietors of the 18 most prominent private waste collection centers. Additionally, we obtained relevant information from the government through the transparency platform. For our assessment, we utilized the waste-focused indicators provided by L. Girard and F. Nocca. Our analysis indicates that the city under investigation is not on the trajectory towards adopting a "circular city" model. However, the context of municipal solid waste (MSW) offers valuable suggestions for future implementation of circular economy (CE) practices. The findings presented in this study offer valuable insights for researchers in other developing countries who are also engaged in exploring the issues discussed. Also, the lessons derived from this study hold relevance for cities in developing countries, as they grapple with environmental and economic degradation similar to the city studied.