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The detection of concealed suspicious objects in public places is a critical issue and a popular research topic. Terahertz (THz) imaging technology, as an emerging detection method, can penetrate materials without emitting ionizing radiation, providing a new approach to detecting concealed suspicious objects. This study focuses on the detection of concealed suspicious objects wrapped in different materials such as polyethylene and kraft paper, including items like scissors, pistols, and blades, using THz imaging technology. To address issues such as the lack of texture details in THz images and the contour similarity of different objects, which can lead to missed detections and false alarms, we propose a THz concealed suspicious object detection model based on SMR–YOLO (SPD_Mobile + RFB + YOLO). This model, based on the MobileNext network, introduces the spatial-to-depth convolution (SPD-Conv) module to replace the backbone network, reducing computational and parameter load. The inclusion of the receptive field block (RFB) module, which uses a multi-branch structure of dilated convolutions, enhances the network's depth features. Using the EIOU loss function to assess the accuracy of predicted box localization further optimizes convergence speed and localization accuracy. Experimental results show that the improved model achieved mAP@0.5 and mAP@0.5:0.95 scores of 98.9% and 89.4%, respectively, representing improvements of 0.2% and 1.8% over the baseline model. Additionally, the detection speed reached 108.7 FPS, an improvement of 23.2 FPS over the baseline model. The model effectively identifies concealed suspicious objects within packages, offering a novel approach for detection in public places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes point of departure in ongoing research into exclusionary design. Through design interventions such as leaning benches, steel spikes, water sprinklers, and barbed wire socially vulnerable and homeless people are kept from occupying and staying in public spaces in the cities around the world. Such exclusion by design contributes to "atmospheres of rejection" and affords new patterns of human mobility in the city. As the leaning (or otherwise modified) bench is one of the most predominant dark design interventions, this paper will single out the bench as one exemplary artefact to be explored. The bench carries both symbolic meaning, as well as it is a material artefact affording rest and occupancy. The design of benches and the positioning (or removal) of them are micro-installations that together with other urban furniture, makes-up the urban spaces as sites of congregation, exchange, and experience. The paper explores the bench on a background of three key terms: affordance, atmosphere, and material interpellation. The paper then turns to art practices in public spaces and illustrate how the socio-cultural significance of benches has been made visible by art interventions such as the "socially modified" benches by the artist Jeppe Hein. In the conclusion the paper draws out lines of enquiry for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical modeling is a high-leverage topic; it is critical to students' participation in STEM education and supports civic engagement. Until recently, research on modeling at the elementary level has been underemphasized, particularly research on supports and challenges for teachers who engage in designing authentic modeling tasks. In this study, we employed qualitative case study methods to investigate how elementary teachers designed and implemented authentic mathematical modeling tasks, with an explicit focus on how their tasks evidenced different dimensions of authenticity. We analyzed three cases of teams of elementary teachers as they developed modeling tasks connected to school and community contexts. The three cases were: 1) a student-driven modeling task related to paper and plastic waste in a school cafeteria, 2) a modeling task based on authentic situations at a community-run resource center, and 3) a modeling task focused on designing and monitoring a school community-building art project. Our cases illustrate that elementary teachers can successfully design and implement modeling activities that utilize different entry points and evidence multiple dimensions of authenticity. Furthermore, we found that the specific dimensions of authenticity may vary depending on the design supports and curriculum challenges within each context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Application of the digital twin concept to a specific scenario of the lift-and-transverse garage. Starting from the design phase to the final field planning and debugging. It not only verifies the feasibility of equipment solutions using virtual models of digital twins but also optimizes design solutions, identifies problems, and solves them. The operational test results of the virtual model can also fully demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed digital twin model and related design methods, which provide an important reference for the design optimization and operation of future stereo garages. In addition, compared with the traditional development process, the virtual simulation design and debugging method can not only shorten the development cycle and debugging cost but also accelerate the development progress. This new method provides a brand new idea for the development of the enterprise and also makes a positive contribution to promoting the modernization of urban parking lots. In the face of the challenges of limited urban space and the continuous increase of vehicles, stereo garages have been widely used as a solution in cities. In order to improve the automation and intelligence level of the stereo garage, this paper applies the digital twin technology to the lift-and-transverse stereo garage. A five-dimensional model of a digital twin has been developed based on an actual stereo garage. Combined with S7-PLCSIM Advanced, Botu TIA Portal, and NX MCD to build a virtual simulation platform, realizing the virtual simulation design and debugging of the digital twin-based stereo garage. This approach allows to test and optimize operational processes without relying on physical equipment, reducing labor and field debugging costs, shortening deployment cycles, and significantly reducing development costs. In addition, MCD allows real-time monitoring and control of security risks and failures detected. Finally, the feasibility of the virtual simulation and debugging scheme based on digital twin is verified by comparing the operation data of the virtual model and the actual stereo garage, which provides new ideas for the intelligent development of stereo garage but also can be used as an important reference for the development of equipment in other areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"George Orwell's Perverse Humanity: Socialism and Free Speech" by Glenn Burgess is a book that explores the relationship between liberalism and socialism in Orwell's work. The author argues that Orwell's vision combines both ideologies and that they are mutually dependent on each other. The book examines Orwell's views on real-world experiences, political violence, and the importance of freedom of speech. However, the book also addresses contemporary issues such as "wokeism" and the debate surrounding cancel culture, although the evidence presented in this regard may be less convincing. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of Orwell's political thinking and his contributions to the fields of liberalism and socialism. [Extracted from the article]

The recovery of the global economy in the aftermath of COVID-19 faces enormous challenges. Ensuring stable income growth of the population has become an important means for developing countries to ensure sustained economic development. Raising the overall income of the population is a public initiative that benefits all citizens; therefore, governments of developing countries should promote the implementation of relevant public policies and the provision of public goods to ensure that existing economic instruments can benefit the entire population. In this regard, public space, as a typical form of public good, may play an important role in promoting the benefits of existing economic policies for all residents. This paper examines how residents' use of public space contributes to their income growth through social capital. Hypotheses are tested based on an econometric analysis of 1565 questionnaires received from Chinese workers. The results show that residents' use of public space can indeed be an important way to increase their income, which is realized through the enhancement of social capital. The research presented in this paper provides a new influence variable of public space to improve residents' income. Further, it improves people's understanding of the three classical concepts—public space, social capital, and income—by establishing the logical connection and theoretical explanation of physical space, emotional space, and value space in human society. The conclusions of this paper highlight the important role of public space in urban and rural development planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This article introduces the AAAJ special issue's content and, in so doing, aims to reflect on the contribution that accounting as a discipline is placed to make within the more contemporary context of space exploration, the space economy and public space policy. Design/methodology/approach: The paper draws together, identifies, expands upon and advances opportunities available to researchers seeking to investigate the ways in which accounting research and practice might inform the modern space sector. Findings: Papers comprising the AAAJ special issue are informed by authors with diverse research backgrounds (including various accounting subfields and non-accounting business disciplines) and varying methodological approaches, including positivist, interpretivist as well as critical research paradigms. Interestingly, the call for papers also attracted several non-accounting academics or academics who have not traditionally undertaken or engaged appreciably with accounting research. This diverse approach to addressing initial space accounting questions should help establish a firm launching point for future research advances. Originality/value: The paper's originality lies in advancing a need to engage with the unique demands of "the New Space Age", requiring fundamentally innovative approaches to many aspects of accounting such as financial accounting, management accounting and sustainability accounting as well as contextualising or re-contextualising current accounting concepts, principles and thinking to apply to a new setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the present stage, the identification of dangerous behaviors in public places mostly relies on manual work, which is subjective and has low identification efficiency. This paper proposes an automatic identification method for dangerous behaviors in public places, which analyzes group behavior and speech emotion through deep learning network and then performs multimodal information fusion. Based on the fusion results, people can judge the emotional atmosphere of the crowd, make early warning, and alarm for possible dangerous behaviors. Experiments show that the algorithm adopted in this paper can accurately identify dangerous behaviors and has great application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doha, the capital city of Qatar, has experienced remarkable urban growth over the last two decades. This raises concerns regarding the city's fulfillment of compactness, complexity, and connectivity. This paper considers transit-oriented development (TOD) as a potential tool to attain a sustainable and diverse urban landscape in a situated context. Qualitative research methods, which include observations and mapping, are employed to gain a deeper understanding of the physical aspects of a situated context in the neighborhood of Al-Slata, Doha. Specifically, this paper aims to investigate the implementation of TOD in metro station precincts within Al-Slata based on five design aspects: (1) walkability; (2) balance of ground use; (3) mixed-use spaces; (4) intermodality and transportation hubs; and (5) a public transportation network. The findings include a lack of complexity and connectivity between urban activities and spaces adjacent to the metro station. In addition, these findings demonstrate the potential of metro stations to preserve the cultural heritage and social identity in a rapidly developing city like Doha. The recommendations include a layout design proposal to increase connectivity and complexity within the situated context and suggestions on how transit nodes and metro stations could become active hubs within the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naturalistic plantings, such as meadow‐style plantings, can improve the quality of urban green spaces through aesthetic, biodiversity and low maintenance features. Species selection for, and maintenance of naturalistic plantings are key to their success. While herbaceous and grassy meadows can be mowed, naturalistic plantings with woody plants require more intense maintenance to remove biomass and promote resprouting. We aim to understand woody plant responses to diverse disturbance regimes to potentially inform the selection and management of woody species in urban plantings. We conducted a quantitative systematic literature review of 72 papers and investigated what main external (climate, disturbance regime) and internal (buds, life stage, storage reserves) factors influence the resprouting response of woody plants. We found resprouting literature is geographically widespread for woody plants, but studies are skewed towards Temperate climates in USA and Australia, with a focus on high severity and high frequency fire disturbance. Resprouting response was mostly defined as a continuous response to disturbance dependent on disturbance regime, climate and plant traits. Maintenance and management of naturalistic woody plantings, through hard pruning techniques such as coppicing, may be informed by analogous high severity and high frequency disturbance studies. However, the literature on woody plant resprouting has several knowledge gaps for lower severity and lower frequency disturbance regimes and in more arid climates. Future research should evaluate the response of naturalistic woody plantings to disturbance in specific urban contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Festival studies is not only an important field of research for tourism or event industry but is also critical for an architectural and urban design field. Due to the amount of the progress done in this field by many inter- disciplinary areas, the subsequent corpus of research on festivals appears to be relatively disintegrated. Through a systematic literature review (SLR) from 2000 to 2021, this paper examined festivals studies from tourism to urban design disciplines. In this paper, descriptive and thematic analysis were carried out to analyse the state of existing research which gave in to the concept of festival studies. The purpose is to develop an SLR that intends to establish the knowhow on festival spaces and try to explore the advancement in the field and deliver potential research directions. The corpus thus helps us in establishing the topic which is least investigated and would need more research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on a very pertinent issue in the field of cybersecurity, particularly concerning the increased use of public Wi-Fi and the proliferation of IoT devices. The scenario, where an attacker captures user details through a malicious access point set up through a NodeMCU, is a practical illustration of a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack. These attacks are especially concerning in the context of smart homes and smart cities, where security breaches can lead to severe privacy invasions and disruptions of essential services. The NodeMCU, being a low-cost, open-source IoT platform, is accessible for creating such malicious access points. It can be programmed to mimic legitimate Wi-Fi hotspots to intercept the data of unsuspecting users. This type of attack can enable unauthorized access to sensitive information such as login credentials, personal data, and even control over connected IoT devices. This approach is user-friendly and can significantly reduce the risk of users unknowingly connecting to malicious websites. The contribution of this paper includes a demonstration and analysis of a common network and IoT attack and a novel method for detecting fraudulent URLs, particularly those used in phishing attacks. By addressing these aspects, the paper makes a significant contribution to the field of cybersecurity and helps foster a more secure and resilient network and IoT ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, elevated urban linkages (EULs) have emerged as crucial components of urban development, cutting through the cities' urban fabric to accommodate the rapid expansion of urban cores and to facilitate traffic flow. However, these massive infrastructures have inadvertently given rise to urban lost spaces—vacant, inefficient areas within the urban fabric. Recognizing these lost spaces as untapped public assets, the paper explores sustainable development strategies to reclaim them into the urban fabric, transforming them into vibrant, multi-functional public spaces. The paper aims to achieve a set of urban design guidelines for rehabilitation design interventions which will be deduced into a comprehensive framework. This framework encompasses criteria for selecting appropriate approaches and types of rehabilitation design interventions, as well as design principles ensuring the desirability of the reclaimed space. The paper applies this framework to assess the El Sawy Cultural Wheel in Egypt, revealing it as a successful example of a reclaimed space. While positive aspects of rehabilitation design interventions are evident in terms of the approach and type of intervention in this case study, there are identified areas with shortcomings in fully implementing the design principles, if enhanced, could elevate the overall quality of the reclaimed space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities and towns are critical geographies of refuge for a globally unprecedented number of forcibly displaced people. Yet urban processes also expose these groups and the local urban poor to recurrent displacements. While such experiences are shared, studies often treat these populations as distinct. Drawing on Yiftachel's notion of displaceability, this paper systematically reviews and synthesizes a global literature on diversely displaced people's placemaking in urban public space. Observing a significant analytical gap regarding cities of the so-called global South, the paper identifies a heuristic, and key analytical dimensions shaping divergent access and uses of public space by variously displaced populations. These concern: temporal patterns; powerful meta-narratives of people and place; and complex multi-scalar and multi-actor configurations of regulatory regimes governing public space. Simultaneously, acquisition and deployment of urban knowledge and a practice of (in)visibility enable differentially displaced populations' everyday claims to public space for wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Urban Research is the property of Journal of Urban Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The World Health Organization (WHO) articulated a vision in 1986, hoping that countries around the world would actively promote the construction and development of healthy cities. In the context of China, a paradigm shift in urban development has been triggered by the deep implementation of the Healthy China Strategy and the gradual completion of the comprehensive national spatial planning. This shift emphasizes a micro-level focus, advocating a human-centered approach to urban space exploration. In this paper, the Dingwangtai Area of Changsha City is selected as a case study. A street space health evaluation index system called "5D+" is constructed from six dimensions, namely, human perception, degree of mixing, density, distance to transit, destination accessibility, and devise. This research adopts the community as the fundamental unit of analysis, employing the Entropy-weighting TOPSIS method for the computation of indicators. The results of this study show that the Dingwangtai Area exhibits relative deficiencies in the dimensions of density, devise, and destination accessibility. Specifically, at the community level, the Ma Wang Street Community and the Fanhou Street Community have scored particularly low. In response, this paper proposes targeted measures and detailed recommendations aimed at optimizing the design of the street, enhancing the human experience, enriching functional attributes, and refining the street network. The ultimate goal is to propose a Healthy Streets Evaluation Index System based on the concept of a healthy city and to explore its relationship with healthy streets so as to provide valuable insights for the development of healthy city streets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changing social, cultural and physical characteristics and uses of public spaces by migrants are of longstanding interest to social scientists. Often embedded in uses of public spaces are splinters, resonances and connections to home and migration. This paper examines the religious spaces that Sri Lankan migrants engage with in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. To untangle the complexities associated with these spaces, we integrate a framework of belonging that encompasses rituals, relationships and restrictions. A multilayered dataset, which includes interviews with the Sri Lankan diaspora, (auto)ethnography, field observations and photography, revealed that within the Sri Lankan diaspora, individuals often used religious spaces to maintain rituals and identities. The data uncovered that some participants in the diaspora used religious spaces to gather and socialise with other diaspora members while others had dynamic relationships with these spaces – that is, the meanings attributed to religious spaces were at times fraught with tensions and hostilities towards religious practice and feelings of welcome. In this paper, we offer a snapshot of a growing diaspora in Australia and their negotiations to belong (or not). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of smart cities has led to transforming modern city operations by applying emerging technologies from the fourth industrial revolution such as the Internet of Things, BIM and machine learning. To prepare for the future development of cities, it is necessary to investigate the current status of city development, research topics and the direction toward future cities. In this study, a systematic literature review was conducted following the combination of literature review guides by Kitchenham and the PRISMA statement. The review identified 141 peer-reviewed academic papers from web-based archives, such as Web of Science and SCOPUS, that were categorized into five topics related to smart cities and urban areas. The technologies applied in the research were analyzed to determine the direction future cities should take based on current smart cities and emerging technologies that will shape individuals' daily lives. However, it was discovered that research papers on critical areas, such as mobility and management, were lacking compared to those on building design and urban planning. This paper concludes with an example of a future urban area that has been transformed due to adoption of future mobility technology to address the shortcomings of the reviewed literature on building and urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following government’s national lockdown measures in March 2020 for almost two years, COVID-19 protocols and guidelines were issued for use in public spaces in South Africa. This paper explores the disruptions and educational inequalities that were exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic following the strategies and interventions for teaching and learning adopted by schools and universities. An empirical study was conducted using in-depth telephonic and face-to-face interviews as the data collection methods. The sample included a total of five high schools, three of which were in the province of Kwa Zulu Natal (KZN), two in Gauteng while seven tertiary institutions were included in the study and three of which were universities located in KZN, two in the Eastern Cape, the one other in Gauteng including a private college also in Gauteng. This translated to a total of 11 participants, three of which had both high school and first year tertiary education experience during the period under review. The amassed data enabled this paper to capture the study population’s experiences of the COVID-19 national lockdown protocols and guidelines. The paper highlights the social inequalities that were illuminated by the impact of the pandemic which exposed the “digital divide” and the “digital inequality” among students. The data generated was coded and categorized into themes which helped in reflecting on the experiences of the study population during the period of the pandemic. The findings illuminated how COVID-19 exposed pre-existing inequalities in the education system, providing a more nuanced understanding of the aspects of the broader education sector. The paper adopts a social justice theoretical framework and argues that the turn to digital/blended teaching and learning, although it was beneficial, it did not eradicate social inequalities in education but contributed to some extent in deepening and reproducing them. A set of recommendations are proposed that could be helpful in mitigating against the social inequalities during times of social crises as social justice measures in the education sector in South Africa in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa's population is expected to triple by 2050, owing to rapid urbanisation and overall demographic trends. The combined pressures of urbanisation and climate change impact the ecosystem and the services it provides. As a result, additional dangers such as increased flooding, and environmental disruption have risen. Therefore, devising adaptive solutions to mitigate flood risk impacts while also building community resilience is needed. Evidence suggests that Nature‐based Solutions (NbS) can potentially alleviate floods and mitigate climate change impacts while also delivering other societal benefits. Despite rising NbS popularity following its recognition in the last decade, studies on its recognition in Africa remain limited. For this reason, this paper reviewed NbS studies conducted in East Africa (EA) to evaluate opportunities and barriers surrounding NbS adoption in EA. Academic literature published from January 2012 to May 2022 was reviewed using a comprehensive search of the SCOPUS database. Results show 14 papers have been published during the period, with the majority being post‐2020. In addition, the majority of the articles focused on cities and peri‐urban settlements, while public awareness, clear guidelines on performance monitoring, stakeholder inclusion, and diverse demonstration projects were highlighted as potential success factors for the adoption of NbS in EA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last years, world cities have emerged as multiple and complex habitats hosting numerous and varied urban refugia for biodiversity. Therefore, the published literature was systematically reviewed to investigate the increasingly acknowledged role of many urban habitats to function as refugia for species. Many plants and animals were reported to colonize a variety of urban environments: Urban forest/grassland (natural/seminatural), City park, Historical park (villa garden, botanical gardens, cemeteries, etc.), Green spaces (abandoned areas, railways, line of trees, etc.), Water body, and Built area. Refugia were found in over a hundred world cities, especially in medium- to very big-size cities. The number of papers focusing on animals (n = 66) were higher than those regarding plants and mushrooms (n = 19 and n = 1, respectively); however, the number of species recorded within refugia were the highest for plants. Plants exhibited the highest frequency (7 out of 19 papers) in Historical park, while animals in Urban forest/grassland (20 out of 66 papers). In most studies (25.9%), urban refugia were linked to Urban forest/grassland that is terrestrial natural and seminatural sites widespread within or around cities. The 22.3% of studies referred to generic Green spaces of several types interspersed within cities, both public and private. The 14.1% of refugia were found in Built area (artificial). About the 33% of studies reported the presence of species worthy of conservation (rare, endemic, endangered, or protected) for a total of 365 species. The 20% of investigated papers reported the presence of alien species for a total of 879 species. Invasive alien species recorded within refugium areas should be subjected to control measures to prevent degradation to refugia. Overall, the capability for urban areas to host a huge amount of biodiversity needs to be acknowledged by city planners so that management practices that maintain and support such diversity can be pursued. Recording and monitoring species along with their refugial habitats is fundamental to achieve this goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of the big data era has provided many types of transportation datasets, such as metro smart card data, for studying residents' mobility and understanding how their mobility has been shaped and is shaping the urban space. In this paper, we use metro smart card data from two Chinese metropolises, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Five metro mobility indicators are introduced, and association rules are established to explore the mobility patterns. The proportion of people entering and exiting the station is used to measure the jobs-housing balance. It is found that the average travel distance and duration of Shanghai passengers are higher than those of Shenzhen, and the proportion of metro commuters in Shanghai is higher than that of Shenzhen. The jobs-housing spatial relationship in Shenzhen based on metro travel is more balanced than that in Shanghai. The fundamental reason for the differences between the two cities is the difference in urban morphology. Compared with the monocentric structure of Shanghai, the polycentric structure of Shenzhen results in more scattered travel hotspots and more diverse travel routes, which helps Shenzhen to have a better jobs-housing balance. This paper fills a gap in comparative research among Chinese cities based on transportation big data analysis. The results provide support for planning metro routes, adjusting urban structure and land use to form a more reasonable metro network, and balancing the jobs-housing spatial relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green spaces are essential for enhancing the quality of life in cities, providing ecological, social, and economic benefits. However, as urban development continues to encroach on green spaces, their area decreases and their structures become fragmented, leading to declines in ecosystem services. To address these challenges, this Special Issue presents 15 research papers that explore innovative approaches and solutions for the strategic planning of urban green spaces. The papers focus on assessing the dynamics of ecosystem services, developing new planning methods, and exploring green space planning from the users' perspective to enhance service equity and efficiency. These studies provide valuable insights for urban green space planning and management. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Urban Studies (Sage Publications, Ltd.) is the property of Sage Publications, Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper explores spatial systems of modularity on the shoreline of Ein el Mrayseh located in Beirut. The modular systems are studied from a contextual lens while observing different modular interventions as design strategies on this shoreline. The Ein el Mrayseh corniche is one of the few remaining public spaces of Beirut, and is considered one of the most important outlet for the city residents. It is used by different types of groups, from different classes and backgrounds. Based on a series of observations, the paper analyses modular interventions by different stakeholders on this stretch. Two terms were coined: rigid and soft modularity, as linguistic and analytical modes to understand the spatial practices of Ein el Mrayseh. The paper argues that the users of this public space have developed soft modular strategies - dynamic and in constant flux, as a mean to tame the rigid modular strategies enforced on the site and to appropriate the space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term 'co-production' has been used in various fields, including planning, as collaborative forms of public goods and service delivery gain significance. Co-production has two sides—the 'co' side refers to actors and their motivations, while the 'production' side refers to phases and instruments. This paper examines privately owned public space/s (POPS) based on the two sides of co-production. Thereby, it addresses two research gaps. First, less has been written to date on the involvement of actors other than local authorities and developers. Second, little attention has been paid to the phase through which POPS are co-produced. The paper fills these research gaps by presenting the empirical work undertaken in HafenCity, Hamburg. It reveals a wide range of actors engaged in four different phases through various instruments. This paper also identifies challenges of co-production of POPS, and makes recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of urban public space is inherently problematic because the range of its possible uses and meanings is broad and unpredictable. This paper engages this problematic through the lens of Gibson's theory of 'affordances'—the ways the material world affords for human desires. We first explore some conceptual and methodological problems of the theory of affordances and its application in understanding and designing public space. These dimensions of affordance theory are then reconceived using the relational thinking of assemblage and actor-network theory (ANT). A key contribution of the paper is an expanded typology of affordances which includes improvised and serendipitous affordances that extend beyond the intentions of designers and users. This opens new ways of thinking about the design of urban public space as a space of possibility where outcomes are open, multiple, and unpredictable. The paper suggests how urban spaces can be shaped to better support rich cultural diversity and social inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible and high-quality urban green space (UGS) can provide significant benefits to refugee children for their development, health, and well-being. However, few studies have examined the actual accessibility of UGS from refugee children's perspectives (i.e., with restricted walking radius, particular vulnerability towards barriers such as traffic infrastructures and disconnected road forms) and related them with other environmental or social burdens under the context of environmental justice. It is necessary to explore related evidence and investigate the underlying causes since refugee facilities are primarily located in areas with restricted social and environmental resources strongly related to attributes of environmental justice. This paper investigated (1) availability, accessibility, and attractiveness of UGS in 30 refugee accommodation locations in Berlin using GIS and Space Syntax, (2) environmental burdens using the Berlin Atlas of Environmental Justice, and (3) neighbourhood characteristics. Findings indicate that 63% of refugee accommodations have availability of green space that is above average official standards, but from refugee children's perspectives, 60% of the locations have limited access to UGS, lower attractive green spaces, and most locations face multi-environmental burdens. Currently, little guidance focuses on ensuring equal access to and the usability of UGS for specific socioeconomic and demographic groups, such as refugee children. Therefore, this paper has contributed empirical materials to begin such research and develop inclusive decision-making strategies in environmental and health policy to ensure the provision and high quality of UGS for refugee children who need it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial in the journal "Environment & Urbanization" discusses the need for a developmental approach to urban crises, particularly in situations of protracted displacement. It highlights the importance of recognizing the distinctions between refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) living in urban areas and the challenges they face. The editorial also emphasizes the need for a more rights-based approach, economic inclusion, recognition of agency, and adopting a spatial lens in responding to forced displacement in cities. The discussion focuses on the shift towards an "urban first" strategy and a world without camps, advocating for local initiatives and municipal-led responses to support displaced people in urban settings. [Extracted from the article]

The accurate extraction of urban residential space (URS) is of great significance for recognizing the spatial structure of urban function, understanding the complex urban operating system, and scientific allocation and management of urban resources. The traditional URS identification process is generally conducted through statistical analysis or a manual field survey. Currently, there are also superpixel segmentation and wavelet transform (WT) processes to extract urban spatial information, but these methods have shortcomings in extraction efficiency and accuracy. The superpixel wavelet fusion (SWF) method proposed in this paper is a convenient method to extract URS by integrating multi-source data such as Point of Interest (POI) data, Nighttime Light (NTL) data, LandScan (LDS) data, and High-resolution Image (HRI) data. This method fully considers the distribution law of image information in HRI and imparts the spatial information of URS into the WT so as to obtain the recognition results of URS based on multi-source data fusion under the perception of spatial structure. The steps of this study are as follows: Firstly, the SLIC algorithm is used to segment HRI in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) urban agglomeration. Then, the discrete cosine wavelet transform (DCWT) is applied to POI–NTL, POI–LDS, and POI–NTL–LDS data sets, and the SWF is carried out based on different superpixel scale perspectives. Finally, the OSTU adaptive threshold algorithm is used to extract URS. The results show that the extraction accuracy of the NLT–POI data set is 81.52%, that of the LDS–POI data set is 77.70%, and that of the NLT–LDS–POI data set is 90.40%. The method proposed in this paper not only improves the accuracy of the extraction of URS, but also has good practical value for the optimal layout of residential space and regional planning of urban agglomerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far, urban scaling theory has proven that urban area, infrastructure, and economic output have a scaling relation with population. But if we consider ecological space as a part of urban infrastructure, would the same scaling characteristics exist? What is the scaling relationship between ecological spaces and economic social development in different stages of urbanization? This paper is based on this question and explores the trade-off between social economic system and ecosystem in 370 cities of China. The results show that the relationship between population and urban ecological space generally follows the scaling theory in terms of different types of ecological spaces and ecosystem services. For every 10-fold increase in population size, the total area of ecological space and ecosystem services increase by approximately 4 times. The manifestation of ecological space following the scaling laws is the aggregation behavior of better network connectivity. There is a trade-off between urban ecological space and socioeconomic development, with flow equilibrium reached at a population of 2 million and efficiency equilibrium reached at a population of 1 million. Starting from type I and type II megapolis, urban development gradually tends to stabilize, and there may even be a trend of slow decline in urban development potential. In the absence of ecological space, virtual network space can serve as a substitute for ecological space. The driving factors affect scaling behavior of ecological space, including connectivity of ecological space, spatial heterogeneity of natural conditions, and disturbance of economic and social activities. This research can help city to expand ecological space, promoting the added value of urban ecological assets and keeping the urban development potential within the optimal threshold range continuously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Olympic Games have been associated with many urban transformation projects throughout their history, often focusing on city expansion. Recent sustainability concerns, however, constitute a pressing challenge, with the regeneration of central areas fulfilling a key role in existing urban agendas. In this paper, the legacy of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at two proposed centralities was analysed, namely, the Olympic Park, intended as a future neighbourhood to the west of the city, and Porto Maravilha (PM), an urban project aimed at revitalizing a central, historical area of the city. By comparing the Olympic Park and the first provided areas in PM, in terms of selecting urban design criteria through qualitative in loco assessments, this paper focused on analysing the impacts of urban forms and heritage on the consolidation of these two centralities, as well as encouraging social interaction and integration into the city. The analysis results indicated that urban design attributes such as human-scaled, mixed-use, context-based urban spaces could interfere with social interaction and the usability of spaces. Moreover, the repurposing of heritage buildings contributed to urban cohesion for legacy transformation. Hence, novel insights into urban design and heritage could become important for future editions of the Olympics so that host cities may fulfil their sustainability agendas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Urban Studies (Sage Publications, Ltd.) is the property of Sage Publications, Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research suggests that there is a correlation between the characteristics of residents and target areas and the levels and types of crime occurring in cities. However, there is no consensus in the extant literature on the social and environmental characteristics of spaces that influence the occurrence of crime. This paper draws on findings in Makurdi, Nigeria to provide a contextual analysis of the determinants of the spatial patterning of crime. Data on the physical attributes of the built environment, the social characteristics of residents and types of crime were obtained through physical observation and questionnaires. The data were analysed using the regression method. The study found that the major determinants of crime are building and population density, fences, age of residents and the 'age' of residential areas. Some of these determinants are indicators and facilitators of 'eyes on the street', highlighting the importance of formal and informal monitoring of activity spaces in cities. This means that design principles that support formal or informal surveillance of urban spaces like the introduction of outdoor communal spaces to encourage interactions and the development of social networks and the regulation of the types and height of fences could enhance urban safety and security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Linguistic Landscape: An International Journal (LL) is the property of John Benjamins Publishing Co. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Governing transitions have assumed increasing significance in managing change with respect to climate change and rapid periurbanization. In this respect, evidence from sustainability transitions research in South Asia stipulates the need for institutional innovations that are suitable to the governance context, which is characterized by a fuzzy field of "speculative frontiers," and strong hierarchically structured mechanisms. This paper focuses on Chennai, India to ascertain the potentials of "adaptive governance" in this periurban region of the Global South. We approach this by (a) defining the periurban space from a bio-regional, socioecological systems perspective, (b) complementing it with a zonal classification considering disaster and climate change risks, and (c) presenting an adaptive governance framework. Based on analyzing existing governance structures, the paper discusses identified syndromes, synergistic potentials and activities for adaptive governance, especially highlighting water and agroecologyrelated pathways. Our integrated analytical approach is (a) multi-dimensional deploying the adaptive governance framework, (b) multi-level considering local, intermediate and state governance, and (c) multi-scalar applying macro, meso and micro scales. The implications underscore that transformative interventions, sooner or later, will have to challenge the system that produces such climate vulnerabilities. In spite of several barriers, there are noteworthy indications of adaptive governance practices discernible in numerous niche projects in the Chennai region that demonstrate diverse embryonic forms to build more strategic and conscientious approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zimbabwe implemented the Fast-Track Land Reform Program (FTLRP) in the year 2000. This program has had far-reaching implications on urban development, especially on urban land markets in cities and towns. This paper highlights the implications of the land reform program on urban land markets, using Harare as a case study. The paper is based on document review (policy, academic and development literature) and interviews with key informants with experience and knowledge of the land reform and its associated implications on urban land markets. Our analysis demonstrates that the land reform process in peri-urban spaces was complex and largely driven by political interests. The land reform process distorted the urban planning processes, leading to disparities in the land markets. Such disparities include informal and uncontrolled processes of accessing land and, ultimately, rapid development of informal settlements in the city. Political elites and land barons took advantage of the land reform program extorting money from desperate home-seekers. We conclude that the distortion of urban land markets by politically driven land reform processes negatively affects sustainable urban development. Overall, the paper makes a valuable contribution to the growing literature on land reforms and peri-urban development in Africa, demonstrating the complex and multidimensional implications of land reform programs on peri-urban land markets. Based on the study findings, the paper provides a set of policy recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness and equity of land reform programs in African peri-urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to critically reflect on the right to accessibility of persons with disabilities in India, with special focus on the context of public streets and environments. The paper draws on work carried out during the India-related part of the Inclusive Public Space Project, as well as judicial pronouncements, and the norms evolved by India as a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In this paper, we briefly set out competing conceptions of accessibility and evaluate its constitutional and statutory manifestations. Further, the measures undertaken by the government in the form of policies, guidelines and campaigns to ensure accessibility in the Indian socio-political infrastructure are also assessed. The same is followed by the analysis of significant judicial precedents of the Supreme Court and High Courts on different aspects of the right to accessibility, to demonstrate how the courts have spearheaded various structural enhancements in the accessibility regime in India. The paper is concluded by drawing attention to the need for greater synchronicity in the adjudication and implementation of the principle of accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As communication capabilities of mobile devices continue to advance, ensuring reliability and security has become increasingly crucial. The aerial tracking system presented in this paper provides a useful solution for tracking and tracing objects in various scenarios. To ensure reliability and security, the system incorporates appropriate mechanisms, including Lightweight Cryptography, to prioritize confidentiality and integrity. The Android component of the system has two modes of operation: Tracker Mode, running on a smartphone mounted on a drone (RPA), and Client Mode, running on mobile devices on the ground. In Client Mode, users transmit their positioning and trajectory information via Bluetooth Low Energy beacon mode, which is then relayed to the server backend via the 4G/5G network once the RPA enters an area with coverage. The system provides a reliable and secure solution for situations where tracking and tracing are essential, such as the supervision and control of public areas with capacity control or tracking and localizing people in isolated environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community screenings in this study are understood as the exhibition of moving images outside conventional theatres and commercial circuits. Based on fieldwork observations and interviews conducted between January 2019 and January 2020 with film workers, community groups, and venue providers who knitted together a rhizomatic community screening network in Hong Kong, this paper explores the (self-)making of urban cultural space by way of the reinvention of "screens" and the rebuilding of a place-based, people-centred community with ethical concerns for small businesses, artists, craftspeople, workers, and members of the public during the first two decades of postmillennial era. The paper concludes with some observations about the phenomenal shift in not only the mode, but also the site of film dissemination from Hong Kong to overseas diasporic communities before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and following the emigration wave in the 2020s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the immense amount of infrastructure in cities, the introduction of vegetation into these constructions is expected to play a critical role in reducing the heat island effect, in mitigating the effects of climate change, and in supporting habitat connectivity and associated biodiversity. Although there is the perception that these solutions can improve the biodiversity of cities, their real value is still unclear. This paper focuses on two aspects of urban greening: green roofs and green walls. It provides a systematic review on biodiversity present in green roofs and walls, through an exhaustive worldwide literature analysis. Arthropods, bats, and birds were the three taxonomic groups analyzed in the papers included in our review. We observed a strong increase in the number of recent publications, thus demonstrating a growing interest in this topic. In summary, we found that green roofs/walls offered additional opportunities for plants and animals to thrive in urban environments because of habitat creation and greater spatial connectivity. In addition, the enhancement of other ecosystem services such as stormwater management and heat island mitigation was noted. By incorporating green features into urban design and planning, cities can support biodiversity while also improving the overall sustainability and livability of urban spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Landscape Architecture Frontiers is the property of Higher Education Press Limited Company and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

During the COVID-19 lockdown, cultural heritage institutions responded promptly to this difficult time by launching a series of digital collections of traces of this historical moment. Due to the limitations of the lockdown, such collections have generally focused on the intimate dimension of the pandemic, representing represented the outside world (streets, shops, cultural venues, etc.) as a site of emptiness. This paper examines the 'Windows in lockdown' initiative, which aimed to collect photographs of the messages displayed in physical locations during the lockdown period. The collection was carried out through an action research approach based on a participatory platform and social media. A collection of 1,224 photos taken in France between March and May 2020 was built. This paper analyses this collection through a social semiotics approach. The analysis highlights the role played by the outside world as a generator of an alternative collective memory during COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green spaces, encompassing parks, gardens, and natural landscapes, play a vital role in improving the quality of life for city residents. These areas provide environmental benefits such as enhanced air quality, regulation of temperatures, and conservation of biodiversity, fostering a healthier urban environment. Additionally, green spaces offer opportunities for recreation and places for social interaction, which strengthen community unity and individual wellbeing. This study examines literature and case studies to identify factors that influence the efficacy of urban green spaces, stressing the importance of fair and comprehensive access. It also underscores the significance of integrating green spaces into urban planning to develop sustainable, livable cities. By advocating for increased investment in green infrastructure, this paper seeks to educate policymakers, urban planners, and community stakeholders about the critical role of urban green spaces in improving quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]