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Abstract Transport policies are often carried out in package form, but, presently, transport policy package (TPP) remains a theoretical concept whose practicality has rarely been investigated. Additionally, jobs-housing balance has become a major urban planning and public policy issue that has received considerable scholarly attention. This study probes into evaluating TPPs using the minimum commute , a proxy for jobs-housing balance and an important statistic in the excess commuting framework. Using a brief transportation problem model of linear programming, the minimum commute statistics in scenarios with different TPPs are calculated by repeatedly solving the proposed mathematical model. Moreover, this study considers multimodal commuting for better reflecting realistic situations. Drawing on an empirical study in Xiamen, China, we show that the mathematical model provides indicators for urban form evaluation. Highlights • Assesses the effect of transport policy packages on the theoretical minimal commuting cost • Proposes a transportation problem model of linear programming to determine the effect • Integrates multimodal commuting into the excess commuting framework [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Existing studies have yet reached consistent conclusions on accessibility benefits of buses. Most existing studies have been conducted in the context of the West, where bus patronage is generally low. In this study, we used a database of 22,586 secondhand residential properties in 358 residential estates in Xiamen, China to develop four non-spatial hedonic pricing models (one standard and three Box-Cox transformed) and two spatial econometric models to quantify the effects of bus accessibility on property prices and analyze how the introduction of spatial econometric models would influence estimates of such benefits. Our findings are as follows. (1) Access to bus stops is positively correlated with property prices. This outcome is in contrast with findings of mainstream research (or conventional wisdom). For every bus stop within 500 m, the price of a property is 0.5% higher, all else being equal. (2) Bus travel times to essential destinations significantly influence housing prices. (3) Spatial econometric models that account for spatial autocorrelation outperform traditional hedonic pricing models. A few robustness check analyses further guarantee the plausibility of this study. However, the price premiums offered by bus accessibility may be gradually decreased, even eventually discarded, because of declining attractiveness for bus travel and continuous transit service enhancement in the forthcoming years. Highlights • Add an empirical study on pricing bus accessibility in a bus-served city in China • Decompose bus accessibility into local (to-bus) and regional (by-bus) accessibility • Gain a deeper understanding of the benefits arising from local and regional bus accessibility • Offer insights for value capture schemes of financing bus investments [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem services (ES) concepts and approaches have become more appealing to practice, such as municipal/urban planning, environmental policies and governance to address sustainable development. Inclusion of this concept in the planning or policy discourses is the first step for further implementation on the ground. Using China's capital, Beijing, as the case study, this article analyzes how ES (or similar concepts) have permeated China's urban development history since 1949 when the New China was established and how this has to be with China's urban green space development. The results show: (1) There were no explicit references to "ecosystem services" per se, but overlapping concepts such as "functions", "values" and "benefits" can be found in planning documents and, importantly, the lack of the concept per se has not affected the detailed services that emerged in all plans. (2) Among the three ES sections, only cultural services run from the beginning to end although the included services kept changing. Other sections show considerable variation and less continuity – the focal services of each stage changed over time. (3) Through the ES lens, some general patterns regarding China's urban development can be found such as regulation services gradually become valued for their own sake. The patterns found in Chinese planning documents are then compared with some western regions. This study reveals limitations of the past and opportunities for the future to inform urban development decision-making. Adaptation of old and incorporating new ES concepts can improve the quality of plans and foster cities' ability to learn from past patterns for future sustainability. • Analyzing how ecosystem services (ES) have permeated China's urban development. • The study is based on coding and analyzing discourse and document contents. • Through ES lens, general patterns can be found in China. • Cultural services play a pivotal role in urban development history. • Opportunities exist in the "non-mainstream" ES to incorporate more ES into plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become the primary cause of death in the world. Existing studies have found that greenspace is important for the prevention of CVDs and stroke. However, since they only focus on large green infrastructure (e.g., urban parks) or the general greenspace (usually being evaluated through normalized difference vegetation index), little information exists regarding the association between street-level greenspace and CVDs (stroke). In this study, the CVDs and stroke data of participants were retrieved from the 33 Chinese Community Health Study. We measured participants' exposure to street-level greenspace exposure using street view images and machine learning technique. Multilevel logistic regressions were applied. While controlling for confounders, we found that higher level of street-level greenspace exposure was associated with lower CVDs prevalence. However, street-level greenspace exposure was associated with stroke prevalence only for females. The associations were stronger among females, younger adults, participants with educational attainment above high school, physically active participants and participants who were not overweight. None of the mediators (air pollution, physical exercise, and BMI) can explain the associations between street-level greenspace exposure and CVDs (stroke) prevalence. Our findings suggest that street-level vegetation should be increased to cope with the rapid growth of the CVDs burdens. Also, the differences between the effect of street-level trees and grasses should be noted before formulating specific urban planning policies. • Deep learning and street view images were used to measure tree and grass exposure. • Street-level greenspace exposure was negatively associated with CVDs prevalence. • Street-level greenspace exposure was associated with stroke prevalence for female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban redevelopment is a crucial prescription in response to the problems associated with limited land, urban decay, and fading buildings, especially for China's megacities. Given that state-dominated urban redevelopment is slow and limited, the Chinese government has proposed a pioneering market-oriented approach to drive urban redevelopment in Shenzhen. This study seeks to examine the impacts of market-oriented institutional arrangements on land redevelopment approval duration (LRAD) in China from the perspective of public and private interests. Various institutional arrangements are observed under the institutional change of urban redevelopment in Shenzhen, and they are differed by the nature of the applicants, including the original property owners (old factory owner (OFO)), their representatives (e.g., village committees (VC) and the government agency involved in redevelopment (URB)), and developers (DP , second-hand property owner). A number of hypotheses are developed, and empirical tests are conducted to verify or dismiss our hypotheses with the data in Shenzhen. The empirical findings indicate that (1) The LRAD is the shortest when the applicant is the OFO and the longest if the applicant is the local government officials such as URB. (2) Compared with the URB , the LRAD is shorter if the VC is the applicant. (3) The LRAD is longer for the projects with a larger redevelopment scale and the projects with more dedicated public facilities. The findings shed new insights into the design and practical effects of market-oriented institutional arrangements on the progress performance of urban redevelopment, which can give the local government a timely reminder that they should examine and approve urban redevelopment schemes in a soundly planned and socially sustainable fashion. • Under bottom up urban redevelopment, property owners are endowed with land redevelopment right and allowed to apply for redevelopment directly. • Institutional arrangements are differed by the nature of the applicant who owns different sets of property/land rights. • Land redevelopment approval duration (LRAD) is the shortest when the applicant is the sole private property owners. • LRAD is the longest if the applicant is the local government officials. • Compared with the local government, LRAD is shorter if village committee (VC) is the applicant due to lower agency cost. • LRAD is longer for the projects with a larger-scale redevelopment site and the projects with more developer obligations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Outdoor thermal comfort is evaluated in an urban park in a hot-summer and cold-winter region of China (Chengdu). • Machine learning techniques are applied to determine the (nonlinear) relationship between thermal sensation vote and meteorological factors. • The effect of landscape spaces on human thermal comfort varies across the season. • NTR of PET is 6.79 °C to 19.90 °C, and NTR of UTCI is 13.27 °C to 27.25 °C. TAR of PET is 2.8 °C to 21.9 °C, and TAR of UTCI is 8.1 °C to 28.3 °C. Global warming and rapid urbanization have exacerbated the urban heat island effect. Urban parks contribute to alleviating such an effect and achieving the "carbon emission peak before 2030" and "carbon neutrality before 2060" goals of China. Their popularity is considerably influenced by human thermal comfort. However, limited thermal comfort studies have been conducted in the hot-summer and cold-winter region of China. This study examines human thermal comfort in different landscapes of an urban park in Chengdu and determines the thermal benchmarks. A machine learning (random forest) analysis shows that human thermal sensation is affected by different meteorological factors in different seasons. In addition, the influences of landscape space on human thermal comfort have considerable differences in different seasons. Residents prefer strong solar radiation in winter but fast wind speed in summer. UTCI (universal thermal climate index) is better than PET (physiological equivalent temperature) for outdoor thermal comfort assessment in the study area. This study serves as a valuable baseline and technical reference, contributing to sustainable urban park design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We explored the moderation effect of urban density on changes in physical activity during the COVID-2019 pandemic. • The results were based on a longitudinal study. • Urban density mitigated the decrease in physical activity caused by the pandemic. • The duration of physical activity performed in country parks increased during the pandemic. • A flexible and porous urban development strategy could enhance the resilience of a city during the pandemic and beyond. Various social distancing measures were carried out in many cities worldwide during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19). These measures have led to decreased physical activity levels and higher health risks among urban populations. Strong evidence has been established that built environment characteristics can stimulate physical activity and thus improve public health during non-pandemic periods. Urban density was arguably one of the most important built environment characteristics. However, little is known about whether high urban density amplifies or attenuates the decline in physical activity during the pandemic. Based on two-wave physical activity data collected before and during the pandemic (in January and May 2020, respectively), we used moderation analysis to compare the changes in physical activity levels between people living in low- and high-density neighborhoods. Our results showed that people living in low-density areas have a smaller decrease in physical activity conducted in neighborhood, compared to those living in high-density areas. Our findings suggest that a flexible and porous urban development strategy could enhance the resilience of a city during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neighborhood compactness has been identified as a sustainable approach for fostering social relationships. However, existing studies have not clearly demonstrated whether neighborhood compactness in high-density cities directly influences the mental distress of community-dwelling older adults, or whether it indirectly influences mental distress through perceived accessibility to urban amenities (PA). Using a composite score of three dimensions (depressive symptoms, loneliness, and social isolation) to measure mental distress, and applying a mediation model within a cross-sectional design involving 947 older adults (aged ≥ 60) with at least mild symptoms in Hong Kong, our findings suggest an indirect pathway between neighborhood compactness, PA, and mental distress. Neighborhood compactness was positively associated with PA (B = 7.791, p < 0.001), and PA was negatively associated with mental distress (B = −0.12, p = 0.017). However, no direct impact of neighborhood compactness on mental distress was found. Moderated mediation analysis further indicated that neighborhood compactness and PA supported older females but not males. These results align with our hypothesis that (1) neighborhood compactness may not always be beneficial for older adults with mental distress in high-density cities unless compactness itself enhances PA and facility usage to support community-dwelling individuals, and (2) gender differences may result in varying interactions and perceptions of urban amenities and the built environment. To support the concept of "aging in place" in the future, urban plans aimed at enhancing neighborhood compactness and its social impacts should focus on addressing social inequality, including strategies to improve urban design, social participation, and gender-specific protocols, so that older adults can achieve better community awareness, environmental satisfaction, and facility usage, ultimately reducing mental distress. • An indirect pathway between neighborhood compactness, PA, and mental distress of older adults is found. • A mediation model is applied to a cross-sectional design of a high-density city. • Higher neighborhood compactness correlating with higher PA leads to alleviated mental distress. • Neighborhood compactness is associated with improved mental conditions among female older adults. • PA is associated with alleviated mental distress among females but not males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined use of non-negotiable (N-NDOs) and negotiable developer obligations (NDOs) has become a principal instrument for land value capture in most countries. In this circumstance, this study seeks to examine how the combined use of NDOs and N-NDOs affects the practical results of land value capture within the context of market-oriented urban redevelopment in China. The ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation and two spatial regression models (SLM and SEM) are applied to parcel-level data samples of all redevelopment projects in Shenzhen, China, for evaluating the practical results of DOs. The outcomes suggest that, in some ways, the combined use of NDOs and N-NDOs leaves room for market players/applicants and the local government to negotiate DOs and other development possibilities. Compared with old factory owners as the applicant, the portion of DOs is higher if developers are the applicant. The applicants who contribute more DOs will strive for a higher floor area ratio bonus, especially when developers act as the applicant. In addition, redevelopment projects located in less developed regions are required to contribute more DOs than those in highly urbanized areas. Our research findings also demonstrate that, in other ways, negotiation disappears, and obligations are charged through non-negotiable statutory urban redevelopment planning. Specifically, projects redeveloped for residential use contribute more DOs than those for industrial use. Moreover, redevelopment projects in higher density zones must contribute more portions of DOs than those in lower density zones. This study provides valuable guidance for policy makers and practitioners to pursue well-designed and properly regulated DOs in urban redevelopment and ultimately achieve sustainable public infrastructure financing. • The combined use of non-negotiable (N-NDOs) and negotiable developer obligations (NDOs) in bottom-up urban redevelopment of Shenzhen brings about varying practical results of contributed obligations. • Compared with the old factory owner as the applicant, the portion of DOs is higher if the developer is the applicant. • The applicant who contributes more DOs will strive for a higher FAR bonus, especially when the developer acts as the applicant. • Redevelopment projects located in less developed regions are required to contribute more DOs than those in highly urbanized areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the rapid escalation of global urbanization, the role of blue-green spaces in urban ecology, public health, and planning has become increasingly prominent. Although their contributions to ecological preservation, public health, and urban design are widely acknowledged, research into public engagement and willingness to participate in the management and planning of these spaces is still in its early stages. Objective: This study aims to identify key factors influencing public willingness to participate in blue-green space management, focusing specifically on people's perceptions of blue-green spaces (including perceived quality and accessibility), their usage behaviors (i.e., frequency of usage of blue-green spaces), and their self-assessed physical and mental health. Methods: We interviewed local residents through random sampling to obtain sample data, and used a representative sample (n = 815, 510 women; 305 men, age 18–85 years, lived in Chengdu for an extensive time) of residents living in Chengdu City, China. Employing a quantitative approach, we examined the relationships between factors such as gender, regular occupation, income, behavior, and health status in relation to the willingness to participate. Additionally, we explored how perceptions and behaviors impacted health statuses and, consequently, inclinations to participate. Results: The findings indicate that individuals with steady occupations and higher incomes are more inclined to engage in the management and planning of blue-green spaces. Notably, men exhibited a greater tendency to participate than women. Furthermore, access to blue-green spaces emerged as a crucial mechanism for addressing health disparities, offering significant implications for urban planning and public health. Conclusion: Successful blue-green space planning and understanding of willingness to participate necessitates the holistic consideration of people's perceptions of blue-green spaces, their usage behaviour and their self-rate health. For a tangible impact on health equity and global urban development, it's essential to prioritize blue-green spaces in planning, especially in lower-income regions. This not only promotes environmental perception but can also be a strategic approach to address health disparities. Our findings offer vital insights for tailoring international urban planning and management practices towards these goals. • Key factors affecting public engagement in urban blue-green space initiatives are perception, income, and health status. • Perception, behavior, and health level can directly affect residents' willingness to participate. • Individuals with higher incomes are more inclined to participate in blue-green space management. • Enhancing blue-green spaces contribute to bridging the gap in health inequalities. • Enhanced blue-green spaces address health disparities, benefiting lower-income communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]