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In practice, the ride-hailing platform generally provides two products: express services and ridesplitting services, and driver resources are usually shared across these two products on the supply side, i.e., hybrid ride-hailing mode. This study tackles the order dispatch problem with considering flexible one-to-three matching strategy under hybrid modes. In this problem, if a driver serves express requests, only one order can be matched with; if a driver serves ridesplitting requests, this driver can be matched with at most three orders simultaneously or sequentially. Considering one-to-three matching, en-route matching, and multiple passengers per order, this problem is formulated as a multi-objective integer programming, a hierarchical approach is adopted to address it. Using the ride-hailing trip data, we examine characteristics of this problem, such as the impact of service priority and the benefits of one-to-three matching. Finally, some beneficial management implications are proposed to improve the operation of the ride-hailing service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between subjective greenspace perception and objective greenspace accessibility as well as the significant factors associated with higher real greenspace usage based on survey data collected in Hong Kong. The results reveal that there is no statistically significant relationship between subjective greenspace perception and objective greenspace accessibility. In terms of the factors contributing to higher real greenspace usage, we found that males tend to utilize greenspaces more frequently than females, while older individuals exhibit a higher frequency of engagement with greenspaces compared to younger individuals. Subjective greenspace perception emerged as a significant predictor of greenspace usage patterns, indicating the importance of creating attractive, safe, and inclusive greenspaces. However, objective greenspace accessibility did not have a significant correlation with actual greenspace usage, highlighting the importance of perceptions in affecting individual decisions on greenspace usage. These findings provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers in creating gender-inclusive and age-friendly greenspaces that meet the diverse needs and preferences of the population, ultimately contributing to the well-being and quality of life in Hong Kong and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban trees have been widely linked to residential house prices. However, most existing studies focus on using tree abundance and greenery measures to evaluate the economic benefits of urban trees, while disregarding the effects of tree structure and tree-related management such as intentional maintenance and stewardship. We hypothesize that tree abundance, greenery, structure, and tree-related management are associated with house prices through offering local benefits that accrue to private homeowners and providing desirable living environments. We take street trees in New York City (NYC) as a case study to test the hypothesis. We first derived street tree canopy cover from high-resolution satellite images, street greenery from Google Street View, and street tree structure (e.g., species diversity, tree size, and tree health) and streetscape management variables (e.g., tree stewardship, tree guards that are a man-made structure to protect trees and enhance tree growth, and sidewalk damages adjacent to street trees) from the 2015–2016 street tree census data in NYC. We then built spatial hedonic price models to examine the associations between the above-mentioned street tree variables and residential house prices, after controlling for a variety of covariates. We found that HPMs that incorporate street tree structure and streetscape management offer stronger explanatory power than the one with only street tree abundance. Among the street tree-related variables we considered, tree canopy cover, green view index, tree stewardship and tree guards are statistically associated with increased house prices, while there are no such relationships for species richness, trees' health status and streetscape sidewalk damages. More research is needed to understand the potential mechanisms and causal pathways that urban tree abundance, structure, and management affect residential house prices. • Street tree structure and management are critical for evaluating economic benefits of trees. • Increased tree abundance and greenery are associated with higher house prices. • Tree stewardship and tree guards are statistically associated with increased house prices. • Our findings can incentivize the private sector investment and facilitate civic engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study uses geo-narrative analysis to examine individuals' sound exposures and perceptions during their daily mobilities. • Daily mobilities are understood as actual movements and potentials for movements shaped by space–time constraints. • Data were collected using a mixed-method approach in a suburban community in Beijing, China. • Individuals' daily mobilities influence their sound exposures, psychological responses, and coping strategies differently. People's exposure to high levels of sound leads to psychological annoyance and stress. This study seeks to understand and conceptualize how human daily mobilities influence urban residents' sound exposure and psychological health involving annoyance and stress in their everyday lives. Human daily mobilities are understood as people's daily movement patterns and potentials for movements. Using a mixed-method approach, data were collected from 32 participants in a mixed-housing community in suburban Beijing in China. Each participant carried a portable sound sensor and a GPS tracker and recorded activity-travel diaries for a weekday and a weekend day to track their daily space–time trajectories, measured sound levels, and details of each daily activity and trip. Further, in-depth interviews were conducted to understand participants' perceptions of urban sounds and psychological health during their daily movements. Geo-narrative analysis was used to integrate these multiple data sources and gain an in-depth understanding of participants' daily mobilities, individual sound exposures, and perceptions of sound and psychological health. This exploratory study finds that urban residents are exposed to different sound levels and sources in multiple urban geographic contexts in the course of their day. Further, this study identifies how socially vulnerable and susceptible residents encounter difficulties in escaping from high levels of sound in different urban contexts due to their space–time constraints. This study not only enriches the knowledge of how human daily mobilities can influence individual-based sound exposure and psychological health. It also highlights the need to provide better sonic environments for socially vulnerable and susceptible groups in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The paper investigated the NEAP in greenspace exposure and found its prevalence. • It unveiled distinct spatial patterns of exposure differences between RME and MBE. • It examined individual mobility patterns' impact on the NEAP and exposure assessments. • It identified sociodemographic disparities in greenspace exposure assessments due to the NEAP. • The results can inform targeted interventions on equitable greenspace policies. Urban greenspaces are pivotal in enhancing the well-being and health of city residents. Accurate assessment of an individual's exposure to these natural settings is thus crucial in urban greenspace planning. However, the dynamic nature of human mobility, which determines the amount of greenspace exposure accessed over time and space, often leads to a divergence between the actual Mobility-Based Exposure (MBE) and the traditional Residence-Based Exposure (RBE). This discrepancy, encapsulated as the neighborhood effect averaging problem (NEAP), prompted us to examine the bias introduced by such discrepancy and its association with various human-based factors. This study delves into the complex interplay among the NEAP, individual mobility patterns, and demographic characteristics with fine-resolution estimations in Beijing, aiming to provide a nuanced understanding of the NEAP's influence. Uncovering heterogeneous patterns of disparity between RBE and MBE across distinct geographical realms and sociodemographic cohorts, and how such effects are mediated by populations with diverse mobility traits, the study illuminates the prevalence and complexity of the NEAP. Younger individuals, the employed population, those with larger activity spaces, high visitation diversity, and travel frequency, and residents living in areas with significant deviations from mean RBE levels experience a more pronounced NEAP impact. These insights contribute to a holistic grasp of the NEAP and underscore the imperative of inclusive greenspace urban planning that caters to the diverse mobility patterns and disparities among residents from different demographic groups, offering invaluable guidance for policy interventions to amplify greenspace exposure and address health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Few attempts have been made to systematically investigate the impacts of urbanization on PM 2.5 concentrations in countries at different stages of economic development. In this study, a broad concept of urbanization that considers the transformations in the urban economy and the transport sector induced by urbanization is proposed to investigate the influence of urbanization on national PM 2.5 concentrations for underdeveloped, developing and developed countries during 1998–2014. The results indicate that urbanization has a significant relationship with PM 2.5 concentrations, but the magnitude of its influence varies among groups of countries with different development levels. First, the positive response of PM 2.5 concentrations to increased urbanization and transport-related emissions in underdeveloped countries are noticeably stronger than that in developing and developed countries. Second, for developing countries, urbanization, transport-related emissions and industrialization all have a significant positive effect on national PM 2.5 concentrations increase, although their impacts are unexpectedly smaller than those in the other groups of countries. Finally, increasing urbanization and the decrease in CO 2 emissions from manufacturing industry appear to reduce national average PM 2.5 concentrations in developed countries, while the decrease in transport-related CO 2 emission is likely to cause the rise in national average PM 2.5 concentrations. Graphical abstract To comprehensively understand the impacts of urbanization on PM 2.5 concentrations in countries at different stages of economic development, a new research framework that focuses on three dimensions in a broader concept of urbanization, including population migration, economic transformation, and motorized transportation, was established. Image 1 Highlights • Urbanization has a significant relationship with PM 2.5 concentrations, but its magnitude varies among regions. • The response of PM 2.5 concentrations to increased urbanization in underdeveloped group are noticeably higher. • For developing countries, impacts of all factors are smaller than in developed countries. • Increased urbanization and transport emission in developed countries have a negative impact on PM 2.5 concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of urbanization has led to the agglomeration of population in cities and the transformation of rural landscapes into impermeable surfaces, leaving green spaces severely eroded. Agglomeration is the essence of cities, and optimizing the spatial structure can preserve green space in cities. In urban planning practice, the most common urban spatial structures are monocentric and polycentric. It remains unclear whether monocentric structure with high-density attributes or a polycentric structure with decentralization has better green space performance. This study examines the effects of monocentric and polycentric urban spatial structures, as measured with the dimensions of spatial centralization and concentration, on the size and accessibility of green space in Chinese cities proper at the prefecture level and above from 2000 to 2015. Using a panel dataset and instrumental variable techniques, we observed that, under equal conditions, urban green space can be improved when cities proper have a compact monocentric structure. However, the accessibility of green space is better when cities proper have polycentric structures. These findings are robust across various specifications and instruments. Optimizing the urban spatial structure can increase the size of and accessibility to green space in cities. This is important for urban air purification, microclimate regulation, and residents' recreation and happiness. Our results provide guidance for policymakers seeking to optimize urban spatial structures and develop green cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the contrasting effects of local agglomeration in innovation activities and the interregional networks derived from innovation collaboration on R&D productivity. Based on a two-stage R&D process, this study enriches the existing research and highlights the significance of interregional networks and local agglomeration in understanding spillover effects and productivity improvement. This study employs the network slacks-based measure model to quantify the R&D productivity of two successive stages of research and technology transfer using panel data from 2009 to 2017 for 30 Chinese provinces. It employs the spatial Durbin model to explore and compare the effects of interregional networks and local agglomeration on R&D productivity at each stage. The findings show that interregional networks play an important role in improving research productivity, while local agglomeration is more important in technology transfer research. The significant spatial spillover effect of technology transfer productivity in adjacent provinces indicates a large likelihood of convergences in R&D productivity. The results confirm that interregional networks and local agglomeration operate at distinct parts of the R&D process. • Productive R&D contributes to innovation, driving sustainable economic development. • R&D productivity is measured at each stage using network DEA. • The contrasting effects reported by the spatial econometric model. • Interregional network has a significant effect on improving the knowledge productivity. • Local agglomeration is more important in technology transfer research. • There is a significant spatial spillover effects of technology transfer productivity across neighbouring regions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "mobility turn" in environmental health studies promoted the integrated 3S (GIS, GPS, and remote sensing) approach in the study of urban residents' exposure to green space and corresponding health outcomes. However, few studies have examined the uncertainty induced by contextual settings when measuring people's exposure to green space using the conventional and integrated 3S approaches. In this paper, we compared the differences in green space exposure obtained from different geographic contexts using residence-based and mobility-based methods, multiple spatial resolutions, and buffer zones. We collected 7-day GPS trajectories from 208 participants at the 1-minute temporal resolution in Hong Kong. Entire Hong Kong's green space was delineated using multiple remote sensing data sources at 3 m, 10 m, and 30 m spatial resolutions. Lastly, the residence-based and mobility-based measurements of exposure to green space were calculated for each participant using 100 m, 300 m, and 500 m buffer zones at three spatial resolutions. Descriptive analyses, t-tests, and logistic regression were employed to examine the influence of different contextual settings on different measurements of green space exposure and their health effects. The results indicate multiple significant disparities. The most striking difference is that mobility-based measurements of exposure to green space are significantly higher than those of residence-based measurements, manifesting the uncertain geographic context problem (UGCoP). For future studies, we suggest using mobility-based measurements of exposure to green space, smaller buffer zones, and finer spatial resolutions, which enable more accurate measurements of green space exposure for the study of green space's health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution, being especially severe in the fast-growing developing world, continues to post a threat to public health. Yet, few studies are capable of quantifying well how different groups of people in different places experience different levels of air pollution at the global scale. In this paper, we use worldwide Chinese as a lens to quantify the spatiotemporal variations and geographic differences in PM 2.5 exposures using unprecedented mobile phone big data and air pollution records. The results show that Chinese in South and East Asia suffer relatively serious PM 2.5 exposures, where the Chinese in China have the highest PM 2.5 exposures (52.8  μ g/m 3 /year), which is fourfold higher than the exposures in the United States (10.7  μ g/m 3 /year). Overall, the Chinese in Asian cities (35.5  μ g/m 3 /year) experienced the most serious PM 2.5 exposures when compared with the Chinese in the cities of other continents. These results, partly presented as a spatiotemporally explicit map of PM 2.5 exposures for worldwide Chinese, help researchers and governments to consider how to address the effects of air pollution on public health with respect to different population groups and geographic locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews conventional methods applied in current urban metabolism studies. Based on the limitations of these conventional methods, it highlights two urgent methodological needs for urban metabolism research: the need for using different spatial and temporal scales and the need for addressing issues of sustainable development. In order to meet these urgent needs, we propose a research framework based on 3D geovisualization. The article argues that GIS and visualization can play an important role in enhancing the transparency and comprehensibility of the results of urban metabolism studies. Furthermore, it is also an effective platform for investigating urban metabolism at various spatial and temporal scales. Specifically, introducing the various speeds of flows and incorporating the differences in the rhythm of these flows will be helpful. GIS and visualization can help to translate analysis results into urban policy suggestions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discussion on urban metabolism has been long dominated by natural scientists focussing on natural forces shaping the energy and material flows in urban systems. However, in the anthropocene human forces such as industrialization and urbanization are mobilizing people, goods and information at an increasing pace and as such have a large impact on urban energy and material flows. In this white paper, we develop a combined natural and social science perspective on urban metabolism. More specifically, innovative conceptual and methodological interdisciplinary approaches are identified and discussed to enhance the understanding of the forces that shape urban metabolism, and how these forces affect urban living and the environment. A challenging research agenda on urban metabolism is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A deep learning based approach for constructing 3D buildings from satellite imagery was developed. • Rooftop segmentation and building height prediction are satisfactory. • Estimated PV potentials derived from the actual and predicted buildings showed little difference. • Proposed approach can facilitate PV penetration and urban studies in various fields. Building-integrated photovoltaics are increasingly used to build low-carbon buildings and promote energy transition. However, the absence of three-dimensional (3D) building models may hinder accurate estimation of photovoltaic (PV) potential on 3D urban surfaces. This study develops a detail-oriented deep learning approach, which for the first time constructs 3D buildings from high-resolution satellite images and estimates PV potential. Specifically, two convolutional neural networks, i.e., the Rooftop Segmentation Model and Height Prediction Model, were developed by advancing the basic DeepLabv3+ architecture and integrating dedicated layers, adaptive activation functions, and hybrid losses. Next, the two models were trained and tested on a self-made dataset targeted at Shanghai and an open datasets under standard data augmentation and transfer learning strategies. Then, morphological post-processing procedures were developed to cluster and regularize individual rooftops with estimated heights. Finally, PV potentials in typical areas were estimated and compared. Accuracy assessments suggest satisfactory rooftop segmentationand building height estimation. The absolute relative error between the PV potentials derived from the actual and predicted building models showed little difference, implying the reliability of the extracted buildings. The proposed model is novel and effective for constructing 3D building models that can facilitate PV penetration and urban studies in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The associations between availability of greenness and COVID-19 outcomes are examined. • Availability of greenness is associated with lower rates of COVID-19 infection. • Availability of greenness has limited effects for ameliorating COVID-19 related inequity. • The findings provide working hypotheses for effectively designing nature-based interventions. Human exposure to greenness is associated with COVID-19 prevalence and severity, but most relevant research has focused on the relationships between greenness and COVID-19 infection rates. In contrast, relatively little is known about the associations between greenness and COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, which are important for risk assessment, resource allocation, and intervention strategies. Moreover, it is unclear whether greenness could help reduce health inequities by offering more benefits to disadvantaged populations. Here, we estimated the associations between availability of greenness (expressed as population-density-weighted normalized difference vegetation index) and COVID-19 outcomes across the urban–rural continuum gradient in the United States using generalized additive models with a negative binomial distribution. We aggregated individual COVID-19 records at the county level, which includes 3,040 counties for COVID-19 case infection rates, 1,397 counties for case hospitalization rates, and 1,305 counties for case fatality rates. Our area-level ecological study suggests that although availability of greenness shows null relationships with COVID-19 case hospitalization and fatality rates, COVID-19 infection rate is statistically significant and negatively associated with more greenness availability. When performing stratified analyses by different sociodemographic groups, availability of greenness shows stronger negative associations for men than for women, and for adults than for the elderly. This indicates that greenness might have greater health benefits for the former than the latter, and thus has limited effects for ameliorating COVID-19 related inequity. The revealed greenness-COVID-19 links across different space, time and sociodemographic groups provide working hypotheses for the targeted design of nature-based interventions and greening policies to benefit human well-being and reduce health inequity. This has important implications for the post-pandemic recovery and future public health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there are plenty of studies on the effects of neighborhood and park greenness on personal overall satisfaction and walking behavior, the relationship between street greenness exposure and walking satisfaction has received limited attention. Also, the possible pathways by which street greenness exposure affects walking satisfaction need to be further examined. To fill these research gaps, we measured eye-level street greenness using street view images, machine learning techniques and global position systems. A structural equation model was used to examine the mediating effects of objective noise and PM 2.5 exposure and related subjective annoyance, on the relationship between street greenness exposure and people's walking satisfaction. The results showed that street greenness exposure not only had a significant direct effect on walking satisfaction, but also has a significant indirect effect on walking satisfaction through subjective environmental annoyances (including noise and PM 2.5 annoyances) rather than through objective noise and PM 2.5 exposures. Besides physical activity and social interaction, the indirect effect of street greenness exposure on walking satisfaction through subjective environmental pollution annoyance accounted for about 17.39% of the total effect and cannot be ignored. These results suggest that the urban greenness layout policy should not only consider residential greenness but should improve people's environmental perception and walking satisfaction by allocating more greenness on streets with high noise and PM 2.5 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we developed a framework to analyze the impact of land use policies on water area changes. We used quantitative and qualitative approaches in our model, including Delphi method, Moran ’ s I , 3D kernel density surface (3D-KDS) technique, and orthogonalized regression. The model facilitates visual examination of spatiotemporal patterns in water area changes and identification of the net effect of land use policies on water area changes. We consider three types of land use policy and four control variables which include water management policy and climate change factors to test the model by using data from Ejina, an oasis area from Inner Mongolia, China. The results of both 3D-KDS and Moran ’ s I coefficient showed distinctive patterns in negative and positive water area changes. Standardized coefficients from the augmented orthogonalized ordinary least squares (OLS) models helped isolate the net effects of the three types of land use policy on negative and positive water area changes. Land use policies had greater impact on hydrological environment changes than water management policy and climate change factors. Our model can be utilized to assess the effectiveness of land use policies in an area and aid in helpful in monitoring the implementation of existing policies and design of new land use policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marked impact of the welfare gap on total welfare within collectives has rarely, if at all, been addressed in traditional welfare theories and in Amartya Sen's theory of welfare functioning and capabilities. With this observation as our starting point, we constructed a research framework that combined welfare functioning, the welfare gap, and welfare capability to assess and analyze changes in the welfare of farmers whose land was requisitioned in Zhejiang province. The findings of our study were as follows. (1) The total welfare functioning of farmers whose land was requisitioned increased by 11.8% as a result of improvements in economic and dwelling conditions and community surroundings. However, social security and psychological conditions deteriorated. (2) Although total welfare functioning has improved, gaps are widening in the distribution of welfare functioning among farmers who underwent land requisition. This was evidenced by the increase of the weighted Gini coefficient, which rose from 0.26 to 0.32 after land requisition. (3) As a result of the improvement in welfare capability, a judgmental bias is evident when farmers assess whether they have gained or lost welfare after land requisition. We conclude that welfare studies should focus not only on the quantitative aspects of welfare distribution, but should also pay more attention to its fairness and impartiality. This can prevent social problems posed by an oversized welfare gap. Moreover, after land requisition, the government and community should provide education and training services, and the current one-time compensation model should be replaced by a lifelong compensation model. At the same time, endowment insurance should be extended in rural areas and urban medical insurance should be progressively incorporated into the social security benefits of farmers who have undergone land requisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Implementation of GPS, smartphones and other tracking technologies is increasing. [•] Highly accurate data collected bring new insights about the space–time movements. [•] Geographers are not involved enough in this emerging field. [•] Geographers should engage more with these new technologies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] We find that local knowledge enhances our understanding of access. [•] We find access to be intertwined with the daily, lived experiences of lower-income individuals. [•] We consider waiting times, provider/patient relationships and daily constraints in examining access. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The annual averages of the AQI in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region from 2016 to 2018 are 78.6, 74.2, and 69.7, respectively, exhibiting a pattern of year-to-year decrease. • Among the 41 metropolitan areas of the YRD, the correlation coefficients of PM 2.5 across metropolitan areas are between 0.75 and 0.95. PM 2.5 is the primary pollutant in 36 metropolitan areas, accounting for 88% of the pollution in the studied areas. • The study results demonstrate that the six impact factors have positive or negative correlations with AQI with significant spatial differences. The mean values of the regression coefficients indicate that relative humidity has the greatest effect on AQI values, followed by rainfall, temperature, wind speed, air pressure, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI); of which relative humidity has a positive correlation with AQI while air pressure has negative correction with AQI in the whole study area. Air pollution is a great concern due to its adverse health effects, and reducing air pollution is a major challenge worldwide. Utilizing the air quality monitoring data of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) from 2016 to 2018, this paper first investigates the spatiotemporal patterns of the Air Quality Index (AQI), identifies the primary pollutants for each metropolitan area using gray relational analysis (GRA) method, and analyzes the spatial heterogeneity of the effects of six influencing factors on AQI in different metropolitan areas using geographically weighted regression (GWR). The study results show that: (1) The annual averages of the AQI in the YRD region from 2016 to 2018 are 78.6, 74.2, and 69.7, respectively, exhibiting a pattern of year-to-year decrease. (2) Among the 41 metropolitan areas of the YRD, the correlation coefficients of PM 2.5 across metropolitan areas are between 0.75 and 0.95. PM 2.5 is the primary pollutant in 36 metropolitan areas, accounting for 88% of the pollution in the studied areas. (3) The study results demonstrate that the six impact factors have positive or negative correlations with AQI with significant spatial differences. The mean values of the regression coefficients indicate that relative humidity has the greatest effect on AQI values, followed by precipitation, temperature, wind speed, air pressure, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); of which relative humidity has a negative correlation with AQI while air pressure has positive correction with AQI in the whole study area. Since there is spatial heterogeneity on the degree of influence of each influencing factor on AQI, it is necessary to consider the spatial variability on the degree of influence different from indicators when formulating control countermeasures of air quality, so that the management countermeasures can be more targeted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar farming has been experiencing explosive development in recent years. However, developing solar farming in urban areas is challenged by the heterogeneous distribution of solar irradiation in spatial and degradation of photovoltaic (PV) efficiency that make the economic performance uncertain. To tackle this problem, this study develops a spatio-temporal analytic model and a techno-economic assessment model to optimize PV provision to ensure that a PV system can meet the electricity demand and obtain reasonable profit simultaneously. Specifically, based on the estimation of solar potential on three-dimensional urban envelopes, the study determines PV favorable locations that are quantitatively large and spatially concentrated. Then, PV capacities in two comparative architectures, i.e., self-reliance relying on own building surfaces and external-support seeking supports from external rooftops, are planned to meet real electricity demand. Furthermore, the PV capacity is optimized, constrained by a constant electricity rate without Feed-in Tariff, a decreasing PV efficiency, and an increasing cost for maintenance. A case study in New York City suggests that the optimized PV installation can significantly offset household electricity consumption. In addition, the estimated net profit is significant even in rigorous conditions, which is inspiring for promoting distributed solar harvesting and competing with the local electricity market. • Optimized PV capacity to meet real electricity demand and obtain net profit. • Developed spatio-temporal data analysis and spatial-aware techno-economic assessment. • The estimated net profit in New York City is significant even in strict conditions. • Inspiring for applying the method to promote distributed PV systems in global cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructing and renovating urban parks is an effective strategy for high-density cities to satisfy residents' needs for recreation in nature. Using Hong Kong as an example of a high-density city, the purpose of this study was to examine the associations of park and neighbourhood environments with park-based physical activity (PA) among children and examine the moderating effect of neighbourhood income in their relationships. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 32 urban parks in Hong Kong. Park-based PA and the park and neighbourhood environments were measured using systematic observation tools and the geographic information system. Neighbourhood income was extracted from the 2011 Hong Kong Population Census data on median household income. A total of 7,753 children were observed using urban parks for PA during the study. Children's park-based PA was positively associated with the quality of supporting amenities, park safety, neighbourhood walkability, and neighbourhood quality, while the associations of park-based PA with the diversity of active facilities and park size were not significant. In addition, neighbourhood income moderated the associations of park-based PA with the diversity of active facilities, the quality of supporting amenities, neighbourhood walkability, and neighbourhood quality. These findings provide empirical evidence on the moderating role of neighbourhood socioeconomic status on the associations between park and neighbourhood environments and children's park-based PA in a high-density city. With children's needs for using parks for PA, our findings are beneficial for urban planners to renovate existing urban parks to enhance their utility for children living in high-density cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Built environment factors are quantified by GIS-based methods in 5D dimensions: design, density, diversity, destination and distance • Physical activity is positively associated with general health and negatively associated with the prevalence of obesity • Built-environment factors have direct effects on physical activity but indirect effects on general health and obesity. • Low-density and car-dependent neighbourhoods can be activity-friendly to mitigate obesity if they provide easy access to green space. • Education promoting changes to daily routines and lifestyle to consciously take advantage of activity-supporting built environments should be a part of the health intervention measures for obesity prevention. The built environment has been identified as a key factor for health intervention and obesity prevention. However, it is still unclear to what extent the built environment is associated with obesity and general health and to what extent such an association is mediated through variation in physical activity. This study aims to examine the associations between individual characteristics, the built environment, physical activity, general health and body mass index to reveal the pathways through which the built environment is associated with the prevalence of obesity. Using data from 1,788 adults aged 18 to 65 in Queensland from Wave 16 of the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, we use geographic information system-based methods to quantify built environment factors in 5D dimensions: Density, Diversity, Design, Distance and Destination accessibility. We then employ multi-level mixed-effect models to test the hypothesised relationships between individual characteristics, the built environment, physical activity, general health and body mass index. The results indicate that physical activity is positively associated with general health and negatively associated with the prevalence of obesity. Adjusting for individual characteristics, we find that built-environment factors have direct effects on physical activity but indirect effects on general health and obesity. Among these factors, greater green space exposure plays a key role in enhancing general health and reducing obesity. Low-density and car-dependent neighbourhoods can be activity-friendly and mitigate obesity if these neighbourhoods are also equipped with easy access to green space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The space–time fixity constraint that binds activities to specific times and places has long been considered an important concept in transportation, feminist and communication geography. However, only few studies to date have directly examined differences in the space–time fixity of everyday activities, and the knowledge of how the context of activity participation affects space–time fixity is even more limited. Using space–time diary data from Columbus (Ohio, USA) and multilevel models, we investigate how variations in fixity levels are associated with activity type, other activity attributes, and the personal, household and geographical background of the person pursuing the activity. We consider whether these associations differ between men and women to understand better how space–time constraints operate differently in the everyday lives of men and women. The results suggest that context matters: fixity levels depend not just on activity type but also on when, where, for how long, with whom an activity is conducted, as well as on the background of the person initiating the activity, and some of these effects differ systematically between men and women. Implications of the findings for academic research and public policies are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: While the implications of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for daily travel and activities have been studied extensively, there is only scant attention paid to the relations between ICTs and space-time constraints. This study therefore explores the extent to which the Internet and mobile phone increase the spatial and temporal flexibility of everyday activities through a review of the literature and empirical research with data from Columbus (Ohio, USA) and Utrecht (The Netherlands). The analysis suggests that the implications of the Internet and mobile phone are complex and dependent on the type of activity, persons involved, technologies and socio-physical context in which they are embedded. Various regularities can, however, be detected. For the study participants, the Internet and mobile phone relax temporal constraints to a stronger degree than they enhance spatial flexibility. There are also space-time constraints that seem to persist or have come about because of ICT adoption. Finally, it appears that the Internet and mobile phone at best consolidate differences between men and women in the space-time constraints associated with everyday activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: As the literature on trail development suggests, recreational trail projects can generate conflicts and controversies, particularly when built on abandoned rail corridors through developed areas. These conflicts are often understood as “not in my back yard” (NIMBY) reactions, suggesting a spatial proximity to conflict which increases as one draws closer to the proposed trail. This research seeks to understand local residents’ perceptions and reactions to recreational trail development in the City of Delaware (Ohio, USA). It addresses two spatially infused questions: Does the potential for conflict related to trail development increase as people live closer to a potential trail (the NIMBY factor)? Can important qualitative factors about favorable and unfavorable land uses including potential recreational trail sites be defined using a participatory methodology and then represented in GIS? The study used a mixed-method approach to collect and analyze qualitative data from a group of local residents. Each participant was interviewed and asked to sort 19 pictures related to trail development. After each of the sorts, participants were asked to explain why they ranked the pictures the way they did. Results of the picture sorts were then analyzed using Q method and mapped with GIS. The results show that spatial proximity matters in the context of trail development and potential NIMBY reactions to trails. Significant differences were found in the picture sorts that reveal the importance of proximity and location, although in a manner contrary to the assumptions in the writings on rails-to-trails. Through combining qualitative methods, Q analysis and PPGIS analysis, the research shows that qualitative place-based studies are capable of generating insights about the complexities of situated geographic change such as recreational trail development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]