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This paper examines a PBL project module "Sustainable Urban Transformation" in an Urban Design master's education. The module combines urban design and hydrology engineering. Within the module, students are supported by lectures and study circles on various dimensions of sustainability, especially vis-a-vis climate change. However, they are left with the freedom to choose how they balance between design and engineering approaches when they give a physical form for sustainability in the site transformation projects with which they work through the semester. This paper discusses the development of their skills building on three Aristotelean concepts: techne (engineering), poiesis (aesthetic form-giving), and phronesis (making of ethical judgments). The last two concepts, the paper argues, are especially important when at issue is design education. Based on an analysis of the student projects in Fall 2022, the paper examines whether and how the students manage to find a balance between engineering skills, on the one hand, and aesthetic creativity and ethical judgement, on the other hand, in their project work.

This pedagogical paper presents an approach to urban design taught in the "Complex Densities Studio" CDS of the Institute of Architecture and Earth Sciences of Setif (IAST). This approach is based on urban analysis and scenario building, the use of parametric tools, and the constitution of reusable "parametric actions". The parametric approach invites students to state their project intentions. Parametric computing allows building a digital model from certain parameters. The digital model aims to verify the interactions of the student project in the urban context dynamically and iteratively. It offers the possibility of identifying the most efficient models concerning the stated criteria. The urban typologies and ambiances are evaluated throughout the design process, thus allowing for permanent adjustments. The chosen context is the El-Harrach district in the city of Algiers: the population density and the rapid transformation of urban areas offer a stimulating framework to experiment with a parametric approach to the student project. The approach of the CDS is based on numerous and diverse data, transcribed in diagrams, pre-formal plans, and parametric models, allowing to move from an abstract and quantitative dimension to the formalization of urban ambiances in a progressive and qualitative way.

Efficient strategies to embedding sustainability in an organization are frequently linked to effective leadership. By design, changes in direction within an organization may lead to alterations in commitment or perceived significance of sustainability in organizations. While some organizational leaders are interested in embedding sustainability within a structure, other leaders believe in leaving the legacy behind and permanently influencing sustainability efforts. To confirm or dispel the underscored notion of the importance of leadership in embedding sustainability in organizations, a qualitative methodology approach to interviews, document analyses, and literature review is utilized. The research inquiry includes in-person interviews with top city staff and elected officials in a large Midwestern city and a review of the internal documents and reports. The end goal of the research is an examination of the role both elected and appointed officials have in embedding sustainability within cities, and whether a change in leadership may have an impact on continuity of sustainability implementation and long-term viability of such policies. The paper focuses on the application of sustainable energy policies within a local government organizational structure as a mean of constructing a better understanding of leadership on sustainability implementation and embedment. While the further inquiry is needed, the research points out that an active partnership between city managers, administrators, and elected officials must be in place to support integrating sustainability from within and that sustainability thrives where exhaustive leadership support such initiatives and efforts.

This paper describes an innovative collaboration between the Center for Sustainable Urban Development at Columbia University and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Nairobi. By bringing universities into urban policy networks, this partnership aims to re-shape pedagogy, policy and research action for sustainable urban development. The strategy underlying this partnership is to foster meaningful local university/municipality partnerships aimed at improving the social and physical sustainability of cities in the global South as well as transform how and what urban planning students learn in order to manage power and complexity. This paper raises questions about international collaborations that bring universities together with cities and their residents and how those collaborations can be designed to better ensure their success.

Neighborhood Sustainability Assessment (NSA) has become an important topic of interest in promoting sustainable cities. It is the suitable scale of a neighborhood that allows meaningful evaluation of social, economic, and environmental impacts. Also, a neighborhood's representation of the link between the city and an individual further adds to its popularity. In an era of growing interest in socio-spatial measures for addressing sustainable neighborhoods, this paper explores the significance of measuring spatial configurations through the Space Syntax method for NSA. The study provides a bibliometric overview of Space Syntax research and a systematic literature search to review 13 research articles that use Space Syntax as part of the NSA. The review identifies integration and connectivity as the most frequently used metrics in NSA and finds that linking Space Syntax to neighborhoods' sustainable development, especially environmental sustainability, is a newly emerging topic. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion on the significance and limitations of Space Syntax as a spatial assessment method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crowdsourced spatial analytics is a rapidly developing field that involves collecting and analyzing geographical data, utilizing the collective power of human observation. This paper explores the field of spatial data analytics and crowdsourcing and how recently developed tools, cloud-based GIS, and artificial intelligence (AI) are being applied in this domain. This paper examines and discusses cutting-edge technologies and case studies in different fields of spatial data analytics and crowdsourcing used in a wide range of industries and government departments such as urban planning, health, transportation, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, by understanding the concerns associated with data quality and data privacy, this paper explores the potential of crowdsourced data while also examining the related problems. This study analyzes the obstacles and challenges related to "geospatial crowdsourcing", identifying significant limitations and predicting future trends intended to overcome the related challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inherited system features and challenges that can hinder urban planning initiatives must be taken into consideration before a path towards a sustainable future can be established. By putting the lock-in effect under scrutiny, it is possible to gain valuable insight to emphasize positive lock-ins and to prevent maladaptation and unsustainable solutions. This paper aims to review the current trends of urban studies regarding sustainability, resilience, and the lock-in effect, focusing on both hot topics and mutual integration by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR protocol) and analyzing the top-cited articles on these topics from 2015 to 2021 in the Web of Science database. Based on the revised literature, the potential lock-ins of climate-friendly and sustainable urban development are not adequately discussed. Moreover, while urban sustainability and resilience are often treated as overlapping areas, there is a lack of publications that carefully examine their interlinked long-term perspectives for any hindering effects. [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]

This research paper explores the innovative integration of green plant landscape design with advanced computer image processing in cloud, grid, and cluster computing environments to enhance urban air quality purification. The study begins by highlighting the critical need for improving air quality in urban areas, considering the rising levels of pollution and its impact on public health and the environment. The methodology involves the use of sophisticated image processing techniques to analyze various sensors on air quality measures and plant species their effectiveness in air purification, facilitated by the computational power of cloud, grid, and cluster computing. A diverse range of green plants was selected, and their air purification capabilities were assessed through a series of computer-simulated models. These models were developed using complex algorithms to predict the plants' performance in real-world urban settings. The research uniquely combines landscape architecture with technology, emphasizing the role of green spaces in urban areas for environmental sustainability. The results demonstrate that certain plant species are more effective than others in purifying urban air. The study provides a comprehensive ranking of these plants based on their purification capabilities, growth requirements, and suitability for various urban landscapes. The paper concludes by proposing practical guidelines for urban landscape designers and policymakers, recommending the strategic incorporation of specific green plants in urban areas to maximize air purification. Additionally, it highlights the potential of leveraging advanced computing technologies in environmental research and urban planning. This research contributes to the fields of environmental science, urban planning, and computer science by showcasing how multidisciplinary approaches can address pressing environmental issues. It opens avenues for further research in the optimization of urban green spaces using advanced computing techniques. The results demonstrate that certain plant species are more effective than others in purifying urban air. The study provides a comprehensive ranking of these plants based on their purification capabilities, growth requirements, and suitability for various urban landscapes. The paper concludes by proposing practical guidelines for urban landscape designers and policymakers, recommending the strategic incorporation of specific green plants in urban areas to maximize air purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This perspective paper investigates the dynamic interplay between wealth, materialism, environmental degradation, and mental health amid escalating challenges of climate change. The paper critically examines how affluence, often a buffer against climate impacts, paradoxically leads to higher consumption and carbon footprints, exacerbating environmental problems. A societal emphasis on materialism contributes to an estrangement from nature, with significant implications for mental health and environmental sustainability. The paper proposes a fundamental shift in addressing these intertwined challenges through reintegration with nature. The paper recommends integrating urban planning, education, mental health, and community engagement strategies to build a sustainable, mentally resilient society more integrated with nature. This approach, supported by future research directions, aims to create a more balanced, environmentally conscious, and mentally healthy world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the potential of new environmental data to improve the governance and sustainability of cities. It highlights the use of distributed sensors and real-time data to monitor and manage urban systems, inform policy and planning, and address urban challenges. The article also explores the practicalities, politics, and governance of using environmental data in cities. The document includes eight papers that cover topics such as urban observatories, governance issues, and public perceptions of real-time data. The authors emphasize the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and new modes of governance to fully realize the benefits of these technologies in urban settings. [Extracted from the article]

Taking its cue from recent government advice on design, and referring back to previously published work on the history of design control, this paper reviews the state of urban design in contemporary planning practice in England. It focuses primarily upon more recent development since 1985 through the Conservatives' Quality Initiatives, New Labour's Urban Renaissance, and an unprecedented flow of design advice (from CABE). It asks a rhetorical question: is 'good design indivisible from good planning' as government policy now proclaims, or does it remain largely invisible by virtue of a potent mix of political short-termism, economic imperatives and low skill levels. The paper reflects on the evolution of design control practices from obsession with elevations through to broader notions of urban design and the public realm, place making and now the pursuit of sustainable urban forms. It reflects on the relatively new consensus about appropriate urban design principles and practices, and the widening scope of government advice. However, it questions whether the majority of local councils are adequately committed to positive planning and proactive development management, and whether local planning authorities have the resources, skills and policy/guidance frameworks to deliver the high-quality, sustainable urban design and place making to which central government now aspires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry, business models, and smart cities are recognized as pivotal domains with profound implications for fostering sustainability, prompting extensive research endeavors. However, there remains a dearth of interdisciplinary integration within this sphere aimed at fostering sustainable development. Nevertheless, current studies suggest that research in this area could provide theoretical and practical guidance for the sustainable transformation of society and make a positive contribution to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, this paper aims to utilize an innovative mixed research approach combining macro-quantitative bibliometric analysis with subsequent micro-qualitative content examination based on the SDGs to explore the relationship between BIM and smart cities in promoting a sustainability-oriented business model, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the overall situation and development of research topics in the field and contributes to the improvement of the SDGs. The results show that, during the last 13 years (from the year 2011 to 2023), the period from the year 2011 to 2016 was the initial stage of the field, followed by a rapid growth after the year 2018, of which "BIM", "Smart City", "Business Model", "Building Life Cycle", "Urban Management", and "Business Model Innovation" are the keywords representing the current research hotspots. The circular economy model that has been developed since 2021 has contributed to life cycle stages, including "briefing stages" and "procurement stages". As such, the "whole life cycle", "strategic urban planning frameworks", and "sustainable business models" have become future research trends, whilst real-world applications such as "smart tourism", "e-government", and "green building" have emerged. Further, the key partnerships of "city managers", "corporate enterprises", and "public participation" for smart cities contribute to the achievement of SDGs 8 and 17 in terms of integrating urban information technology and urban infrastructure, policy regulation, knowledge-sharing, improving economic efficiency, and promoting sustainable economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the global community strives to address the pressing challenges of environmental degradation and social inequality, the role of architecture in promoting sustainable development has gained unprecedented significance. This paper explores the intrinsic connection between architecture and sustainable development, focusing on Egypt as a case study. The research follows theoretical and practical application methodology, where case studies and solutions are applied. Egypt, with its rich historical heritage and rapidly urbanizing cities, presents a unique context to investigate how the built environment can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations. This study adopts a multidisciplinary approach, integrating architectural analysis, urban planning principles, environmental science, and social studies to examine the various ways in which architecture influences and interacts with sustainability goals. Case Studies include two locations in Egypt as future concepts to solve problems: Downtown Cairo and Nubia-Aswan, where ideas were introduced towards a better quality of life. The findings of this research underscore the importance of collaboration between various stakeholders, such as government bodies, non-governmental organizations, architects, and the public, to create a holistic approach to sustainable architectural design and urban planning towards resilient communities. The paper also emphasizes the need for education and awareness campaigns to foster a culture of sustainability within the architectural and construction sectors. Proposed projects were introduced in the International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen 2023 and published in UIA Guidebook 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, titled "How do we design a habitat? Influence and implications of urban design in territorial, social, economic and environmental sustainability," is a thematic dossier that explores the influence and implications of urban design on territorial, social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The authors argue that discussions on housing need to move beyond just housing and focus on the creation of habitat, considering political, urban, and social conditions that shape domestic space. The article highlights the importance of urban design in improving housing conditions and programs, as well as its impact on the construction of cities. It also discusses various papers from different fields that reflect on the role of urban design in housing and habitat. [Extracted from the article]

Lighting has emerged as a central concern in the domain of city planning and design in recent decades. Better lighting does more than just make cities safer and more secure; it also makes them more aesthetically pleasing and easier to live in. A single type of optical sensor is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of intelligent lighting for urban roads, and as such, there is a growing demand for cutting-edge control systems that can adapt to the dynamic lighting needs in urban environments. This paper's goal is to create an intelligent urban lighting control system by integrating optical multisensor technology and the gray model (GM model). Programmable logic controller (PLC) serves as the system's central processing unit, with light intensity sensors and color sensor-detecting devices placed strategically throughout each city and linked directly to the controller. Each road streetlight is equipped with a motion sensor detection device that is tasked with identifying the presence of vehicles and pedestrians within its field of view. Data fusion technology is utilized to process the environmental data gathered by optical multisensors, the collected data are then used to control and predict outcomes using the robust prediction capability of the GM model, and the result is a lighting control strategy that is both efficient and intelligent. In the end, the strategy presented in this paper is applied to improving the management of an industrial park lighting system's energy consumption. The results of the evaluations show that the fresh method is successful in dimming, prediction, and control. This conclusively demonstrates the efficacy of the paper's proposed design solution, which integrates optical multisensor technology with sophisticated control algorithms and data analysis to improve the quality of life in urban areas by boosting the efficiency and sustainability of the urban lighting system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the intricate interplay between public administration and environmental sustainability. Emphasizing the crucial role of public administrations at both local and national levels, the study explores innovative approaches to combat environmental challenges. At the local level, the research focuses on Barcelona as a case study, delving into the city's groundbreaking Urban Mobility Plan. The unique implementation of the superblocks concept showcases effective strategies for reducing pollution, promoting sustainable mobility, and fostering overall environmental well-being. On a national scale, the paper delves into legislative frameworks and strategies formulated by public administrations to address environmental issues. It underscores the necessity of coherent policies that align with international standards, taking into account the global nature of environmental challenges. By exploring diverse strategies at different governance levels, the paper contributes nuanced insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by public administrations in their quest to enhance environmental sustainability. The findings not only underscore the critical role of public administration in tackling environmental issues but also provide valuable insights for shaping future policies and initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Freight network planning and the application of distribution innovations are popular fields of research on sustainable urban logistics. However, considerable research on freight network design lacks a comprehensive consideration of the application of distribution innovations. This observation implies that sustainable urban freight research appears highly fragmented in topics of network design and distribution innovations. From the perspective of long-term planning, this situation possibly serves as a barrier to further promotion of sustainability. The objective of this paper is to analyze existing research gaps of literature to further promote the sustainability of urban logistics systems from a future perspective. Design/methodology/approach: This paper employs a systematic literature review (SLR) method, which covers 164 papers and research works published in 2013–2018. The article corpus involved the innovative schemes of freight network design and the emerging delivery concepts in cities. Based on an analysis of articles' relevance, the most significant research contributions on both city logistics network design and exploitation of distribution innovations are detected. Findings: This paper has found four research gaps in aspects of network design and distribution innovations. To respond to these gaps, we propose the research framework of sustainable and flexible future urban freight planning (SFFUFP) based on trends of city development, while discussing further research direction on urban freight planning. Originality/value: The authors have found four research gaps in aspects of both urban freight network design and distribution innovations in which scholars could be encouraged to contribute. The research framework of SFFUFP can further promote sustainable urban logistics from a view of future management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Arquitectura (1657-0308) is the property of Universidad Catolica de Columbia, Facultad de Arquitectura 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.)

Thus, addressing inequalities will most often require the negotiation of scale as part of wider strategies to address urban inequality. This is the second part of the special double issue of I Environment and Urbanization i that seeks to advance our understanding of urban inequality and how it can be addressed at different scales. The author explores the multiplicity of discourses and reasons which might inform why people are "leaving" state-provided housing, and the implications for addressing the legacies of inequalities embedded in the apartheid state. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Valori e Valutazioni is the property of Societa Italiana di Estimo e Valutazione (SIEV) 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 study proposes a two-dimensional analytical framework based on urban spatial form and spatial service perspectives, utilizing data on buildings and points of interest (POIs). It integrates fishnet analysis, kernel density analysis, the categorization of POI functionalities, and mixture calculations to enhance our understanding of urban spatial form and function. Taking the main urban area of Zhengzhou as an example, this study identifies image elements that can describe urban spatial characteristics through the results of two-dimensional analysis and enriches the city image in the form of a portrait. The experimental findings demonstrate that the elements of the annular layer, functional landmarks, ring line boundaries, and special districts can fully convey the spatial picture of Zhengzhou City. The performance of the four types of image elements has a high degree of matching with the content of the urban spatial planning of Zhengzhou City, which can effectively identify the urban multi-center structure and development pattern. This paper explores and tests the development status of the city from a new perspective, which can provide an effective reference for the future planning and sustainable development of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The "City in a Park" (CIP) is a new concept of urban transformation and development proposed in China in recent years, guiding the construction of healthy and sustainable living environments. This paper analyzes urban planning based on the CIP concept from a synergetic perspective, aiming to explore how the integrated planning of ecological spaces and built environments can promote systematic sustainable development in ecology, economy, and society. This research employs methods including document collection, unstructured interviews, field observations, and participatory observation, focusing on a case study of the Sichuan Tianfu New Area (STNA), a demonstration zone for the CIP. The study finds that the planning of the STNA extends the planning scope of urban ecological spaces beyond the traditional urban construction boundaries, not only preserving the natural resources but also enhancing the city's overall sustainability through regional ecological services. By designing ecological spaces as green infrastructure that connects urban and rural areas, the primary sector is more readily integrated with the secondary and tertiary sectors, facilitating the integration of the urban and rural infrastructure and industries. The STNA integrates urban and rural administrative divisions, builds a cross-departmental collaborative management platform, and guides public participation in the planning process, ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of planning implementation and enhancing the equitable sharing of social services. This research provides new insights into comprehensive, cross-disciplinary, and ecology-oriented urban planning. It offers evidence for an understanding of the application pathways and effects of the CIP concept in urban planning practice and provides valuable experience for other cities to promote harmonious coexistence between the city and nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the effect of urbanization on land use and the allocation and implementation of urban green spaces, this paper attempts to analyze the distribution and accessibility of public parks in India's Bengaluru city (previously known as Bangalore). Availability, accessibility, and utilization—the key measures of Urban Green Spaces (UGS)—are mostly used in health research and policy and are important components of Planetary Health Equity in the context of studying UGSs and health. A geo-spatial method was used for mapping the park's distribution and measuring its accessibility, using road network data. To understand equitable access to the parks, four socio-economic parameters—population density, the percentage of the population below 6 years of age, the proxy wealth index, and scheduled caste population—were correlated with the parks' accessibility. This spatial distribution revealed that 19 of 198 wards did not have a single park and that 36 wards only had one park. About 25–29% of wards did not have accessibility to neighborhood-level and community-level parks within a 400–800 m distance. These parks must be accessible within a walking distance of 400–800 m but were found to most likely be inaccessible on the periphery of the city where the population density is low and the children population is high, in comparison to the central part of the city. Similarly, parks were found to be inaccessible in the eastern part of the city where the scheduled caste population is high and also found to be inaccessible for the low-income neighborhoods residing in the western part and southern periphery of the city, indicating the uneven distribution of and inequitable access to public parks. Our study proposes a reshaping of both neighborhood parks and community parks in an attempt to look beyond biodiversity, through the planetary health equity approach, by noting that, while biodiversity indirectly has a positive effect on health, public parks should not only be considered as advancing environmental sustainability and climate resilience, but also as improving the health and wellbeing of the population. Affirmative action in terms of the availability of public parks with adequate area requirements and essential services at a neighborhood scale is required to redress the inequity of access; in addition, the accessibility of parks must be considered important during urban planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable urban design of residential neighborhoods plays an important role in the efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals and alleviate the effects of climate change. This paper aims to develop a model for the sustainable urban design of residential neighborhoods, taking into account the local condition in Palestinian territories. This model is built on various international neighborhood sustainability assessment (NSA) tools, based on the review of existing assessment tools, to study the sustainability status of Palestinian neighborhoods, and to develop a sustainable indicator model for local sustainable neighborhood assessment. Computer tools like Urbano and GIS tools as well as qualitative assessment methods are used. Results from the case study showed that the satisfaction of the preferred location indicator was not sufficient to maintain its sustainability. The assessment of measured indicators found that weaknesses were almost double the count of the satisfactory indicator. Moreover, some indicators from the (NSA) tools were partially or completely met, and some gaps appeared because of the lack of strengths in the selected indicators of the international tools when used for local social, ecological and governmental aspects, and there are issues in the inclusion of economic and environmental elements in current urban configurations. The proposed local model offers valuable insights for local governments, municipalities, and construction developers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting the shift from private cars to micromobility (e.g., bike, e-bike, scooter) can represent a valuable action to improve city sustainability and liveability. Micromobility can help to replace trips by individual private cars (e.g., daily short round trips) as well as to improve coverage and accessibility of transit services, and, subsequently, to reduce the traffic impacts (e.g., pollutant emissions). It can be seen as a potential solution to move people more efficiently in urban areas, as well as to push people towards a more active mobility behaviour, contributing to the well-being goals. In this context, the paper, rather than inferring the users' propensity to change their travel mode, proposes a methodology to identify car trips that can be considered the most compatible with micromobility. Estimation of the potential demand (e.g., the upper level of car trips that could be replaced by micromobility) is carried out by exploiting the opportunity offered by floating car data (FCD) for characterising car trips. Its goodness is therefore evaluated through an application to a real case study (i.e., the city of Trani, Apulia Region, Southern Italy), divided into seventy traffic zones, and where a FCD dataset of about 5,200 trips was available. The FCD allowed the car trips to be characterised (e.g., origin and destination, path features) instead of using the traditional surveys. The results indicate that a significant share of daily car trips can be substituted (i.e., the most compatible) by micromobility (31% of car round trips in the case study), with considerable potential environmental gains (traffic emission reduction; less than 21% of total emissions from private cars). Results can be of interest to local authorities in integrating micromobility in urban mobility planning and promoting new sustainable transport alternatives, as well as to transport companies for designing new appeal services. The developed methodology is parametric and uses easy-to-obtain data available worldwide; thus, it can be easily transferred to other city contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary cities are facing many challenges, from social and economic issues to the new risks related to the impacts of climate change. Focusing on energy consumptions, and the related GHG emissions, cities are considered not only the main global contributors but also the areas most exposed to risks, because of their density of population and economic activities. Implementing urban planning strategies with the purpose of increasing energy efficiency and resilience overall, is, for all these reasons, considered a top priority. This paper investigates the innovative content related to the energy-efficient and energy-resilient urban planning solutions that have started to be implemented in the cities of the Emilia-Romagna region. Two kinds of planning instruments are therefore analysed: the voluntary Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) and the mandatory General Urban Plans (GUPs), recently approved in several cities of Emilia-Romagna. A comparative analysis of three cities in the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna, Modena, and Ravenna is proposed, looking at the strategies of their new local city plans and SECAPs with a focus on energy management and planning. The aim is to assess whether the new structure of local city plans and the influence of SECAPs could be useful in implementing such urban-energy resiliency solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With global climate change and accelerating urbanization, marine cities face unique environmental challenges. Ecological landscape creation is a form of design planning guided by the disciplines of landscape ecology and ecological aesthetics in the process of urban planning and construction. It seeks a design that can maintain the virtuous cycle of the ecosystem and at the same time maintain the spatial equilibrium of the dynamic development of urban landscapes, so as to make them have good ecological functions and corridor functions. The aim of this study is to explore the ecological design methods of plant landscaping in marine urban green spaces under the concept of sustainability. We first reviewed the concept of sustainable development and its application to urban green space design, especially the special requirements in the marine urban environment. This research focuses on how to select plant species that are adapted to the marine climate and how to promote biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and improve the quality of life of urban residents through eco-design approaches. Through the analysis of a number of domestic and international cases of green spaces in marine cities, we found that effective eco-design is not only about choosing the right plant species but also includes the rational management of water resources, soil protection, and ecosystem restoration, among other aspects. This study also points out that public participation and interdisciplinary cooperation play a crucial role in the ecological design process. Finally, this paper carries out a specific analysis of the landscape model landscape evaluation system for the ecological design of plant landscaping in marine urban green spaces and experimentally verifies that, compared with other styles, the experience of the European-style landscape is good overall. However, the view openness rating of the European style landscape is only about 0.42, and the best plant landscaping is the mixed mode of alkali poncho and salt poncho. This study aims to provide a practical reference and guidance for urban planners, landscape architects, and environmentalists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial titled "Resilient urban futures" published in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Cities. The editorial discusses the challenges and opportunities for resilience in urban areas, focusing on the interdependencies of governance, community involvement, knowledge capacity building, and design integration. It emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary approaches and the role of local communities in adapting to climate change and promoting social equality. The editorial also introduces a research topic in the journal that explores urban transition and transformation through resilient design and planning, with four research papers highlighting perspectives on interdisciplinary collaborations and methodologies for strengthening urban resilience. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration, community empowerment, environmental education, and integrated design and planning for creating resilient, equitable, and sustainable cities. [Extracted from the article]

Neighborhoods and urban contexts are full of potential hidden inside them in an intangible form and can be used for their development and sustainability. Therefore, studying, discovering, and using them can help revive worn and historical textures. These mental factors include things not in the city's outward appearance but in its heart and memory. The mindscape of the city includes everything that has meaning for its residents. Collective memories lead to strengthening their sense of belonging. The sense of belonging and collective memory is one factor that promotes social participation in the neighborhood and urban contexts. Social involvement is an efficient factor in facilitating neighborhood management, attracting investment, and helping environmental issues. Finally, it plays an influential role in sustaining life in urban contexts. Despite the plans that have been made to promote the sense of collective memory and increase the sense of belonging to the place, Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood has yet to achieve its growth and prosperity as in the past. Therefore, this paper focuses on studying how mindscape can help the sustainability and development of cities. The research method in this paper is based on document study, the review of documents related to prominent research in the fields of objective landscape, place identity, sense of place, and surface, and was carried out by descriptive-analytical research method. The method of collecting information is in two forms: documentary and field. Field information will be collected through two questionnaires (see Appendices A and B) from residents and experts. In this research, after reviewing and studying the documents and analyzing the field data, we present the proposed model of the influential factors of the mental landscape in the sustainability of urban contexts and draw the following conclusions: The concept of the mindscape holds significant importance in the context of creating sustainable cities and communities. It encompasses belonging, collective memories, and factors promoting social participation. Safeguarding and nurturing collective memory, the sense of place, belonging, and social participation are crucial in sustaining the mindscape and ensuring the long-term well-being of urban environments. By prioritizing these elements, cities and communities can foster a stronger connection between residents and their surroundings, resulting in a more vibrant and resilient urban fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prefecture of Piraeus in Greece is dotted with prior industrial sites that are currently abandoned. This paper addresses the ability of these sites to contribute to sustainable infrastructure and urban development through regeneration, by understanding the history of Piraeus, the environmental and social opportunities that may come from revitalization, and the communities' needs within their municipalities. Additionally, the paper analyzes the European Union's prior policies that have outlined the sustainable development of cities, and the role that the regeneration of brownfields in Greece may play in achieving these policy directives. To do this, the paper addresses the historical emergence of urban sustainability efforts and the funding mechanisms in place today that may be applicable to the case of Piraeus. Additionally, this research takes into account citizens' perspectives on desired future land uses at currently abandoned land in the municipality of Piraeus through public surveys. The paper aims to contextualize future opportunities for the local environments and communities in Piraeus that may come from sustainable regeneration of brownfield sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban worn-out textures, due to their ancient and historically valuable physical structures, exhibit low adaptability to urban developments and advancements. Tehran, as a city with a rich historical background, also boasts considerable worn-out textures. Due to economic, geographical, and political conditions, a large population resides in these textures. In this regard, the present research aims to investigate the livability status of residents, identify key indicators, and design scenarios in the worn-out textures of Tehran city. This paper proposes a new approach to MicMac that promotes driving forces to scenarios. The results indicate that the livability of residents in worn-out textures of Tehran city, particularly in central regions, is in undesirable conditions. Furthermore, the analysis of the MicMac matrix showed that housing prices, residents' income, investment, and an increase in economic activities, as well as the role of urban management, are driving forces that have a vital impact on the livability of residents in worn-out textures. These driving forces have depicted three scenarios for the livability of worn-out textures in Tehran city until the year 2032. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, there is a growing focus on the landscape and environment of ocean cities, with an increasing demand for improved ecological sustainability and aesthetic appeal. With the emergence of computer vision design technologies such as 3D and VR, people have overcome the limitations of traditional paper-based design materials. Through the use of computer software, various forms of expression, such as drawings and animations, can be produced, thereby meeting the diverse demands for showcasing plant landscapes. The purpose of this paper is to study the design of marine urban (MU) botanical landscapes based on computer vision technology (CVT) and multimodal interaction design (MID) theory, so that the design of MU botanical landscape can meet people's psychological behavior and visual needs, and at the same time enable people to participate in and experience the landscape, so as to better meet people's needs for viewing, leisure, and entertainment. At the same time, it is hoped that the research of this paper will play a role in promoting the innovation and development of the concept of MU landscape design (LD) in the future, specifically from two levels of theoretical and practical significance. First, at the level of theoretical research: Based on the theory of MID, this paper explores the application of communication and interaction among humans and between humans and the landscape in the design of MU planting, and tries to explore and summarize the content and methods of interactive LD in marine cities with a theoretical basis and research value. The goal is to both enhance the theoretical level of interactive LD, and also provide new reference for future marine city (MC) LD. Second, at the level of practical application: In the field of LD, the new concept of computer vision is introduced to fully understand the visual needs of people and increase the practicality and pleasantness of the MU landscape, hoping to attract more people to come to play and rest. Through the attraction of MU landscapes to tourists, the design and construction of the landscape no longer focus on its appearance, but rather on the participation and experience of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"SIMURG_CITIES" is the research and development project that is developed under the main project named SIMURG: "A performance-based and Sustainability-oriented Integration Model Using Relational database architecture to increase Global competitiveness of Turkish construction industry in industry 5.0 era", is a relational database model that is currently being developed in a dissertation for performance-based development and assessment of sustainable and sophisticated solutions for the built environment. This study aims to analyze the key performance indicators (KPIs) at «Cities Level» for the smart city concept that is referred to as «Layers» in the master project. KPIs for the concept of a smart city are determined by using the meta-analysis technique. Hence, the three most reputable urban journals issued from 2017 through 2020 are reviewed in this study. In addition to this, models of smart city frameworks/assessment tools/KPIs are reviewed within the context of this paper; environment, economy, and governance were found to have domain themes on urban sustainability according to the literature review. Consequently, efficient and integrated urban management, environmental monitoring and management, public and social services of urban development, and sustainability are found to be the most important dimensions in urban and regional planning. SIMURG_CITIES evaluation models for urban projects can use the findings of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-constructed cities refer to impoverished neighborhoods that suffer from inadequate housing. Such cities are the result of individual or communal initiatives that must self-construct their neighborhoods. Most of the self-constructed cities are located near endangered bioregions on the Earth, and their continued growth will inevitably aggravate the human impact on our planet. Dwellers in these areas tackle threats such as poverty, environmental degradation, and disaster vulnerability. The lack of knowledge in planning self-constructed cities causes conditions of injustice. However, appropriate management of the existing natural capital of the surrounding areas of such cities can address the mentioned challenges and the conditions for justice. This paper aims to evaluate the role of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in planning procedures, to create conditions of fairness and equity in self-constructed cities. The paper focused on the linkage between the application of NBS and four principles of justice: distributive justice, restorative justice, spatial justice, and interactional justice. Considering data from a review of the literature, scrutiny of past planning and policy measures and a field study with interviews with stakeholders, the empirical result of our study delineates important strategic implications of Nature-Based Solutions for sustainable planning in the case study of San José de Chamanga, Ecuador. It was demonstrated how small-scale, natural-based interventions, instead of broader actions based on a pure engineering perspective, are economically and ecologically profitable, with a positive impact on local communities' well-being and social cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our current models of urban and rural development urgently require radical rethinking due to the problems caused by rapid twentieth-century urbanisation.The notion of nature as a socio-cultural construct driven by our need to understand and control our environment is a significant argument in the debate of how Western urban planners perceive the dichotomy between the notions of nature and city. In this light, nature, in contrast to culture, is one of the main obstacles to a socio-ecological future. This paper argues that alternative views on the notion of nature and its relationship to culture are needed to imagine radical socio-ecological change. The aim is therefore to discuss how alternative ways of understanding this relationship could provide a practice of sustainable urban planning and design through a series of spatial explorations into socio-ecological processes. Focusing on changing urban and landscape conditions, the paper maps the forces and processes behind their transformations over time to project alternative future scenarios. Departing from the framework for developing these explorations into 'Green Imaginaries', their transformative and generative potential as strategies for sustainable futures beyond the dichotomy of nature and culture is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Street furniture are installed in different locations of a city, are daily used by a large public, and have the closest contact and most dynamic interaction with people and the environment. Hence, they have a great responsibility to benefit the society and urban development. In this paper, we focus on street furniture for adopting the concept of sustainability through the local cities. This paper presents an experiment which is conducted at Art University of Isfahan (AUI) in order to explore the promises and challenges of designing for deep sustainability within different contexts of the city (Isfahan). The main objective of the experiment is to develop design interventions which affect and guide the community toward sustainability. Specifically students are asked to design street furniture or define an urban intervention which is not neutral but improves sustainability within the context. Finally, the proposed design interventions are evaluated based on their level of success for establishing sustainability. Final results indicate that although a common approach was applied for all the projects in in this experiment, the developed design interventions are not equally contributed to sustainability. While some of the projects only focused on eco-design strategies, some projects succeeded to provide a higher level of sustainability within their context and developed more influential and longer-term sustainable design interventions. It is achieved by the projects that conducted behavioral, social and contextual analysis in order to enhance environmental responsible behavior among the public (e.g. raise public awareness of sustainability, sensate or educate people, or support sustainable behavior). This paper is the extended version of the paper that has been published in the proceedings of the Creative Construction Conference 2018 (Allameh and Heidari, 2018). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on the importance of impact assessment in the construction sector, aligning with the United Nations' 2030 agenda for sustainable urban development. It emphasizes the need to incorporate economic, environmental, and social considerations into these assessments. A bibliometric analysis reveals an escalating interest in this field, particularly since 2015, illustrating the significant contribution of academic research to disseminating knowledge in this area. The paper highlights the crucial role of integrating these three sustainability dimensions in evaluating building impacts. Life cycle analysis, sustainable material use, and environmental impact assessments emerge as thematic clusters. Geographically, China stands out as the leading contributor to the topic, followed by the USA, Italy, and the UK, suggesting profound cross-country collaborations. The analysis indicates an inverse relationship between renovation costs and sustainability, emphasizing the need to balance demands and costs during the construction and renovation. Within this context, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) stands out as the favored measurement model, accounting for various inputs and outputs, including environmental, social, and economic impacts. European policies champion building sustainability, advocating for circular economy approaches and CO2 emission reductions. Independent committees or agencies are perceived as a catalyst for sustainability in building processes. However, the study acknowledges limitations, including exclusive reliance on the Scopus database and potential subjectivity in thematic analysis. Future research could benefit from additional databases like Web of Science, advanced thematic analysis software, and comprehensive case studies. Further engaging consumers in the building sustainability perspective may also present a promising research avenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand urbanization across the Global South, it is indispensable to consider situated heterogeneous urban situations shaped by global and local forces and their intersections. In the case of Mexico, the political and economic desire for globalization has extended beyond the great metropolis of Mexico City to mid-size cities triggering the formulation of their own urban strategies to become global. This paper explores the connections between neoliberal public policy, globalization, urban modeling, and socio-territorial sustainability in the territorial binomial of the city of Puebla and the municipality of San Andrés Cholula in the period of 2011–2017 and its current consequences, addressed by the local planning route map, and informed by the Orange Economy-guide of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), using relevant bibliographical sources, mapping, interviews of stakeholders, and fieldwork. The ultimate purpose of the research project described herein is to provide a multi-dimensional analysis of the development of the territorial situation of the Puebla-San Andrés Cholula-urban binomial, and of its current and potential future consequences, offering supporting information for its urban planning. The research results exposed here reveal urban modeling processes informed by the Global North urban globalization theory, development of global cities in the Global South, local socio-territorial dynamics characterized by economic and political interests imprinted in the public policy, and socio-territorial patterns inherited from the colonial past, resulting in socio-economic and racial discrimination, population displacements, real estate speculation, and risking ecological and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying the progress and interactions of the 11 indicators of Sustainable Development Goal 11 plays a crucial role in improving urban living and promoting urban prosperity. SDG 11, focused on sustainable cities and communities, employs forward-thinking strategies to address challenges arising from urban prosperity and development, such as land scarcity and resource shortages. This paper positions the indicators of SDG 11, analyzing the patterns, trends, dynamics, and issues of urbanization development in Guilin using a combination of geospatial satellite resource data and categorical statistical data. The study introduces a framework and positioning method for assessing sustainable development at the city–county scale, exploring the current state, spatial aggregation, synergies, and trade-offs in the development of Guilin City. The study introduces a framework and positioning method for assessing sustainable development at the city–county scale. Utilizing a localized evaluation system, it explores the developmental status of Guilin City. The application of Moran's Index observes spatial aggregation among entities. By investigating Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, it delves into the interplay of synergies and trade-offs within the studied region. Ultimately, it reveals significant disparities in the developmental landscape of the evaluated area, with a comprehensive spatial distribution indicating higher levels of development in the central and western regions and lower levels in the southeastern part. Strengthened cross-leverage and coordination are imperative to address the interconnections and harmonization of the developmental trends of the six synergistic indicators and nine trade-off indicators during the developmental process. The sustainable development of Guilin lays the groundwork for urban planning, construction, conservation, and management, positioning it as a potential model for successful sustainable development practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The city's built environment and functionality play a crucial role in shaping individual mobility patterns, impacting the overall health and quality of life of its population. Understanding these influences is an important research topic, making it a central focus of this paper. This study aims to identify the factors responsible for promoting healthy mobility behavior. To address this comprehensively, a multidisciplinary empirical survey was developed based on the "Triad"—a model consisting of the built environment, mobility(-behavior), and public health. In addition to the evaluation of socio-demographic factors and activity radius mapping, statistical analyses like multiple linear regression were used. These statistical analyses allow the assessment of the impact of various independent variables on the promotion of healthy mobility behavior within urban settings. The multiple regression shows that the satisfaction with the accessibility of public transport and the sense of safety as a cyclist contribute to explaining the variation of healthy mobility. Furthermore, the satisfaction with walking in the neighborhood and the inhalation of exhaust fumes while walking also seem to have an impact. The results show the link between the Triad and make it clear that mobility planning and urban planning must take a more integrated approach to promote health and simultaneously protect the climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to consider the local people’s evaluation in increasing the effectiveness of the sustainable planning process in urban system planning. In this work, the sustainability of urban system planning in Shu city of Kazakhstan is evaluated according to the defined dimensions, which play a key role in determining the population’s living standard, and the indicators of each dimension are compared. The data are obtained mainly through the household questionnaire survey, field observations, in depth interviews, and focus group discussion. In total, 832 representative respondents were surveyed with five-point Likert scale questions in this paper. The study used 42 indicators based on six dimensions: environmental, social, cultural, economic, religious/spiritual, and institutional dimensions. The results of this analysis show that the sustainability level of urban system planning in Shu city is at a low level in all six dimensions. The results of the indicator analysis show that the people of this region are generally not satisfied with the solution of some environmental, social, and economic problems in Shu city. At the same time, residents rated the indicators of institutional stability as better, on the contrary, they rated cultural and religious/spiritual indicators relatively high. As a result, we initially asserted that the sustainability of the urban system planning in Shu city is not satisfactory considering the existing possibilities. To eliminate this shortcoming, the authorities responsible for planning the urban system should jointly develop a project policy for sustainable development with all interested parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities located in the Arctic often have extreme geographic and environmental contexts and unique sociopolitical and economic trajectories that, when combined with amplified effects of climate change in the region, impact future sustainable development. Well-recognized and standardized sustainable development indicator (SDI) frameworks such as ISO 37120 or UN-Habitat City Prosperity Index are often used to compare data across cities globally using comprehensive sets of indicators. While such indexes help characterize progress toward development and guide short- and long-term decision-making, they often lack relevance to specific contexts or characterize future visions of urban growth. To evaluate the extent of these deficiencies and to provide a comparative analysis of approaches to sustainable urban growth in the Arctic, this paper analyzes city planning documents for five northern cities - Anchorage (USA), Utqiagvik (USA), Reyjavik (ISL), Iqaluit, (CAN), Whitehorse, (CAN) - for goals, targets, and indicators and compare these to thematic areas and indicators defined by ISO 37120:2018 Sustainable Cities and Communities. The results confirm that although international SDI frameworks may be useful for comparative analysis of cities across diverse regions, they exclude important local factors that influence goal-oriented urban sustainability planning strategies employed in the Arctic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability, beauty, and power are notions that hit our contemporary perception every day. However, they have been an integral part of architecture and urban planning in various forms since the ages. The paper presents their fundamental descriptions, followed by an assessment of their mutual relations and impact on architecture through a triangular architectural relation model developed by the authors of the article. Using the theoretical thought experiment, it highlights eight boundary models along with their main characteristics, in particular, the implosion, explosion, shared-control, utilitarian, no-control, supremacy, inside-forced, and outside-forced architectural related models. Such models can help predict future events, explain past events, make decisions, and plan strategies, or reveal problems and propose new solutions. Other applications include determination of the causes of certain results or finding out the responsibility and mechanisms that led to them. The authors are of the opinion that the mutual denominator of sustainability, beauty, and power represents ethics that should be forced in architectural education and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Making urban areas more sustainable by transferring scientific results into the building, shaping, and governance of cities is a complicated process which involves – amongst other dimensions – science, local governance, and regulatory processes. There are non-linear interactions within each of these three dimensions which are influenced and enhanced by interactions between the three dimensions. After a short analysis of different sustainability concepts, this conceptual paper considers each of the three dimensions and finally tries to find some suggestions as to how these dimensions could interact more smoothly also considering Triple Helix theory. One basic suggestion is that without updating laws, norms, and standards, urban administrations will often not be able to integrate new scientific findings into procedures for more sustainable cities. That is, all three dimensions need to be aligned in the process of building sustainable cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected smart city operations and planning. Smart cities, where digital technologies are concentrated and implemented, face new challenges in becoming sustainable from social, ecological, and economic perspectives. Using text mining methodologies of topic modeling and network analysis, this study aims to identify keywords in the field of smart cities after the pandemic and provide a future-oriented perspective on the direction of smart cities. A corpus of 1882 papers was collected from the Web of Science and Scopus databases from December 2019 to November 2022. We identified six categories of potential issues in smart cities using topic modeling: "supply chain", "resilience", "culture and tourism", "population density", "mobility", and "zero carbon emission". This study differs from previous research because it is a quantitative study based on text mining analysis and deals with smart cities, given the prevalence of COVID-19. This study also provides insights into the development of smart city policies and strategies to improve urban resilience during the pandemic by anticipating and addressing related issues. The findings of this study will assist researchers, policymakers, and planners in developing smart city strategies and decision-making in socioeconomic, environmental, and technological areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diyarbakır city, in the torrid southeast Anatolia region, harbours significant socioeconomic potentials and a population of over 2 million. Climate factors affect human activities in the city due to heat stress in summer which increases with climate change. Therefore, it is important to analyse outdoor human thermal comfort conditions (OHTCCs) to take required actions for the sustainability and improvement of socioeconomic life. This paper evaluates OHTCCs for the city over a 10-year period for rural and semi-urban sites and 5-year period for urban site. Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) and RayMan, a bioclimate model, were chosen to determine OHTCCs from meteorological parameters. Results indicate that the frequency of heat stress is higher in urban (32.0%) than that in rural (25.6%) and in semi-urban (23.4%) sites while that of comfortable conditions is highest in urban (17.2%), followed by semi-urban (17.1%) and rural (15.8%) sites. Percentage of the cold stress is lowest (13.6%) in urban, followed by rural (21.4%) and semi-urban (22.4%) sites. High variability of summer heat stress over the sites can be explained by surface characteristics and local air circulation patterns. Semi-urban site provides some advantages for experiencing less heat stress since it has the mixed surface characteristics with vegetated and structured zones which can supply moisture to the environment to moderate OHTCCs. It is suggested that authorities should consider the urban planning and implementation actions to improve physical environment and human quality of life and to ensure the sustainability of economic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]