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The amount of carbon emissions released due to waste management from the cities in India has been on a steep rise and has emerged as a serious concern for authorities. In 2019, as per the Central Pollution Control Board, which has come into existence four years ago after the commissioning of Swachh Bharat Mission, India dumped 23.35 million tons of waste into existing dump sites. The legacy quantities held at these sites is a ticking time bomb of emissions, polluting air, water, and soil. In Mumbai, greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector were at 1.94 million metric tons of CO2 , e (carbon dioxide equivalents), which is 8% of the city's total emissions. By 2030, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has ambitious plans of the execution of municipal solid waste (MSW) management projects based on environmentally friendly technologies. This paper is a maiden study for the analysis of emissions from the waste management practices of Mumbai and compares present emissions with emissions after the successful implementation of BMC's projects for green technology-based waste management by 2030. The study develops a comprehensive framework that integrates life cycle assessment while conducting the emission analysis. This study showcases the multidimensional positive impacts of BMC's treatment-based projects in terms of overall emission reduction, enhanced capacity handling at existing sites, and reduced projections of emission intensity. Additionally, the study highlights the sustainable development goals achieved through the implementation of these technologies. The findings of this study reinforce the importance of adopting a sustainability approach for addressing the challenges posed by MSW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the factors influencing the travel behaviour of Delhi's working population, utilizing retrospective cross-sectional data from 2005 to 2019 collected across four neighbourhoods. The research provides empirical evidence on how travel mode choices have evolved over time in response to changes in the built environment and socioeconomic conditions. GIS-based analysis was conducted to assess the impact of temporal variations in the built environment on travel behaviour. Results reveal a 21% increase in the reliance on private modes of transportation between 2005 and 2019, with the most significant rise observed in 4-wheeler usage. Conversely, bus usage declined by 32%, attributed to various factors including overcrowding, hygiene concerns, and perceived reliability issues. However, in 2019, Connaught Place reported the highest bus usage at 28%, attributed to its high bus stop density, while enhanced metro facilities across the neighbourhoods led to a 20% increase in overall metro ridership. Multinomial logistic regression analysis identified key socioeconomic determinants of travel behaviour, including age, gender, income, vehicle ownership, and commuter attitude. In 2005, two-wheeler preference over buses was primarily driven by vehicle ownership (O.R.: 620.95), gender (O.R.: 4.20), and income (O.R.: 1.28). By 2019, commuter attitude (ProPV) emerged as a significant factor, alongside vehicle ownership (O.R.: 136.72), ProPV (O.R.: 21.41), and income (O.R.: 2.14). A similar trend was observed for car usage, highlighting the increasing influence of commuter behaviour and attitudes on travel choices over time. These findings underscore critical policy implications for the development and enhancement of Delhi's transport system, offering insights that could be applicable to other cities facing similar challenges. [Display omitted] Key Highlights. ⁃ Travel behaviour is complex, differing by region and evolving over time. ⁃Habitual behaviour shapes work travel mode choices in Delhi. ⁃Mixed land use and good transit access boost public transport use. ⁃Safety and comfort are key in car choice for Delhi's workers. ⁃Built environment, socioeconomics, and behaviour influence Delhi's travel modes. ⁃Delhi's transport planning needs balanced infrastructure and behaviour strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use principal component analysis to create three indices that measure the economic development of eleven cities in the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) over 2010–2019. The indices, composed of sixteen socio-economic indicators spanning five dimensions: macro, openness, consumption, human capital, and diversification, track individual cities and the whole region's performance. The Economic Progress Index indicates that the GBA made great strides in all dimensions. The region went through a structural transformation toward services and became more diversified, as confirmed by the Economic Diversification Index. The Economic Convergence Index shows that the cities became more similar in the human capital and consumption dimensions, which is conducive to labor mobility and risk sharing in the region. A comparison with Yangtze River Delta and Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei confirms a rapid integration in the GBA in these two dimensions and calls for more collaboration to promote trade and FDI in less developed GBA cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several recent European studies conducted over the past 50 years have documented a positive connection between a person's height and their salary. However, there are very few studies for earlier periods and for southern Europe. In this paper, we analyze the relationship between the height of conscripts born between 1888 and 1907 and their daily wages in 1924. Data for the Spanish city of Zaragoza was used. The results showed that for every additional 10 cm of height, an individual earned approximately 3% more. Furthermore, the shortest 25% of individuals suffered a considerable penalty in their income (about 15%). To understand the causes of this discrimination, we then analyzed the data by socioeconomic group. We found that people in low socioeco nomic groups essentially suffered wage discrimination. This finding could be linked to the fact that a tall stature conveys an image of strength and productivity. It should be noted that these results were found mainly for the urban areas, with their relatively large labor supply and weak blood ties rather than rural areas or among immigrants. In other words, the height penalty affected the weakest groups of society (low socioeconomic level and immigrants). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Hospitalization is most common for severe pertussis cases and those with serious complications caused by pertussis. In mainland China, the immunization program consists of primary vaccinations at 3, 4, and 5 months, followed by a booster at 18 months with DTaP. It remains uncertain whether the first dose at 3 months, rather than 6 weeks as WHO recommended, may increase disease burden, as delayed immunization may lead to lagged protection. This study aimed to determine pertussis hospitalization rates by active surveillance in China, shedding light on immunization strategies for better disease control. Methods: From June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022, two Chinese cities underwent a population-based active surveillance. Suspected pertussis cases were confirmed as pertussis cases through PCR and culture. Pertussis hospitalization rates were calculated by dividing the number of laboratory confirmed pertussis cases by the hospitalization coverage rate of surveillance hospitals and the resident population. Results: During the study period 2021–2022, pertussis hospitalization rate in Yiwu was 2.50/100,000 (95% CrI 2.48–2.53), while in Yongcheng, it was 7.90/100,000 (95% CrI 7.81-8.00). In both cities, infants aged < 1 year had the highest hospitalization rate (215.64/100,000: Yiwu; 217.65/100,000: Yongcheng), followed by the age group of 4–5 years (16.37/100,000: Yiwu; 65.70/100,000: Yongcheng). Conclusions: This study revealed significant pertussis hospitalization rates in China, particularly among infants aged < 1 year, highlighting the need of timely and early immunization. The higher hospitalization rates in the 4-5-year age group emphasize the importance of targeted preventive measures for preschool children to mitigate the impact of pertussis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the 2010–12 earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the subsequent demolition of multiple buildings within the central business district, a host of creative projects emerged intermittently as vacant spaces appeared in the betweenness of demolition and rebuild. This widespread do-it-yourself (DIY) urbanism brought back life and energy to the city. These expressions demonstrated how citizens can be involved in the (re-)making of a city through projects that experiment with ideas about what it means to be urban and what is possible in urban space. These projects inhabit an alter-temporality that treats the future as open-ended and time as an active force in the becoming of things. Understanding the temporality of such urban engagement in Christchurch holds significance for understanding the value of open experimentation in cities in general and the importance of process to urban learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LGBTQ+ neighbourhoods and venues in our cities have fulfilled many vital functions for LGBTQ+ people and for society as a whole. Generally identified through the concentration of consumption spaces that host meetings between LGBTQ+ people, they have a great symbolic value in the fight for their rights and against intolerance. At a time when doubts arise about their future, there are far fewer spatial, quantitative and systematic analyses of these concentration patterns, especially from an international and comparative approach to the phenomenon. The digitisation of our daily lives generates big data that make possible avenues of research that were hitherto impossible, not only in detail and extent, but also in the nature of the questions to answer. In this article, we analyse Foursquare location-based social big data to quantify and spatialise clustering patterns of queer places and symbolic capital in four LGBTQ+ neighbourhoods (Castro in San Francisco, Soho in London, Chueca in Madrid and Le Marais in Paris) and take similar spaces with no LGBTQ+ identity as a reference. In doing so, the greater accumulation of symbolic capital in LGBTQ+ spaces is revealed and measured in these four cities. In future, similar studies could capture trends like the gentrification of these environments, to help policymakers make data-driven decisions to promote more inclusive and diverse cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic unsettled many assumptions about cities and urban life. Even discounting media fears about urban 'collapse', the pandemic and its aftermath have led to real uncertainties about the trajectory of urban development. While the struggles of 'superstar' cities in the Global North have attracted significant attention, here we shift focus onto the experiences of regional second cities in an attempt to capture a different perspective. In doing so, we avoid both the sensationalism of 'doom loop' projections that herald the end of major cities and the uncritical embrace of new 'opportunities' for peripheral cities in the wake of pandemic turmoil. Instead, we offer a more critical view that acknowledges some new possibilities while highlighting both their constrained parameters and the related threat of regional gentrification. As cities around the country begin to recover from the turmoil of pandemic disruption, we accordingly question the applicability and consequences of some of the more prominent recovery strategies beyond the context of major cities and suggest careful consideration of alternative development paths for regional second cities. To illustrate the regional second city experience, we explore recent outcomes in Tacoma, Washington, where the city's post-pandemic development strategy embraces a reliance on luxury residential growth and associated consumer amenities, defined in relation to the dominant neighbouring city of Seattle. Cautioning over working-class displacement, regional gentrification and other vulnerabilities associated with this version of recovery, we conclude by looking at emerging housing activism in Tacoma for insights into how the present moment might generate new political organising for more equitable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address violence against women in cities, urban scholars and planners have primarily focused on challenging problematic urban built environments, social norms and unequal power relations but have missed emphasising the healing of the harmed individuals and communities. In this paper, we are interested in the role that agency can play in the healing justice process of individuals and communities with experience of violence and spatial trauma. Building on healing justice scholarship, we argue for a multilayered approach to address the range of violences women and marginalised communities experience over time in urban spaces by repairing societal and urban faults while simultaneously tending to the healing and well-being of the impacted individuals and communities. Based on stories from the everyday lives of different groups of women in Kolkata and Chicago, we highlight instances of women reclaiming urban spaces in their everyday lives through varied acts of their agency while also building a sense of community agency, ultimately leading towards healing justice. The temporal component of healing is long-term, but fostering actionable agency is essential in moving towards communities being healed. Therefore, to facilitate healing processes, paying attention to the everyday acts of embodied agency may provide practical tools for urban scholars and planners to understand community needs and desires and make cities inclusive and safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processes of gentrification and redevelopment have accelerated in Berlin in the decades following reunification, however the lens of research inquiry has most often been trained upon districts like Kreuzberg or Neukölln – areas synonymous with media portrayals of Berlin as a hedonistic, gritty, artistic location. These analyses rarely deal with how the regulation of sound features in Berlin's reshaping via investment capital. This paper builds on previous research on housing developments and regeneration in Berlin, however it centres itself within the under-researched, affluent space of Dahlem in southwest Berlin. While this long affluent area does not necessarily undergo new-build gentrification, luxury developments like Fünf Morgen provoke sonic and spatial conflicts that highlight cleavages between different factions of the middle-classes. The paper shows how luxury housing projects come to shape the sonic and spatial atmospheres of cities via a micro-examination of sonic and spatial struggles around Fünf Morgen Dahlem Urban Village built almost 10 years ago. Through a discursive and ethnographic engagement with the everyday life of this site formerly occupied by the American Army Forces, the paper explores the urban atmospheres created by these projects after their instantiation. It evidences the neoliberal privatisation processes at work via sonic and spatial conflicts in already affluent city areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's economy has entered a new phase of development, but ecological and environmental issues continue to hinder the quality of economic development. Meanwhile, the externalities of industrial agglomeration are seen as essential for promoting high-quality economic development. This article proposes a theoretical framework to examine the relationship between industrial agglomeration, environmental protection, and high-quality economic development. Using cities along the Yellow River Basin as the research object, a spatial econometric model is employed to verify the hypothesis. Ultimately, the conclusions are as follows. First, there is a significant U-shaped curve relationship between industrial agglomeration and high-quality economic development, as well as between environmental protection and a high-quality economy. Industrial agglomeration plays a significant role in promoting environmental protection. Second, high-quality economic development exhibits spatial spillover effects under both spatial weight matrices, while industrial agglomeration and environmental protection only show spatial spillover effects based on geographical distance spatial weight matrices. Finally, the article suggests that cities should accelerate the degree of industrial agglomeration to achieve the dual effect of promoting environmental protection and high-quality economic development. Additionally, governments should pay special attention to inter-regional synergistic mechanisms when fostering ecological protection and high-quality economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local climate change mitigation plans can be essential in enabling sustainability transitions at the municipality level. However, existing frameworks for assessing the quality of climate plans inadequately address their potential to foster sustainability transitions. We develop an assessment framework consisting of indicators and associated questions by integrating elements of the transition management framework with essential quality dimensions of climate plans and planning processes identified through a literature review. We illustrate and validate the assessment framework by applying it to the climate plans of three medium-sized cities in Switzerland. Our findings demonstrate that the local climate change mitigation plans performed well regarding the tactical and operational indicators but were less optimal concerning strategic and reflexive indicators. Nevertheless, the transition management framework provided a useful framework contributing to a comprehensive and systemic assessment highlighting the importance of stakeholder involvement, inter-sectoral coordination, and monitoring and evaluation as a means for social learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a double difference method to examine the impact of civilized city policies on urban green total factor productivity and its mechanism of action using Chinese city-level data from 2005 to 2021. The study finds that the civilized city policy promotes urban green development. The mechanism test finds that the civilized city policy achieves urban green development by strengthening government investment in environmental governance, optimizing industrial structure upgrading, and promoting urban innovation. The moderating mechanism finds that economic growth targets and environmental regulations influence the green growth effect of civilized city policy. Heterogeneity analysis found that the green growth effect of civilized cities has an asymmetric relationship in the east-central region, in areas with lower population density, and was more pronounced in cities with high human capital, high local government financial autonomy, and high levels of information technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital finance has become one of the most important factors that drives the transformation toward a low-carbon economy. Although some researchers have examined the association between digital finance and low-carbon development, the indirect effect and asymmetric effect of digital finance on low-carbon development still needs to receive more attention. Taking 71 cities in the Yellow River Basin as an empirical area, this study analyzed how digital finance accelerates low-carbon development, proving that digital finance can directly boost low-carbon development. Moreover, technological innovation and industrial upgrading driven by digital finance can also reduce carbon emission intensity and accelerate low-carbon development. Furthermore, the results of the asymmetric test indicate that cities with higher carbon emission intensity have a more substantial positive influence. The recommendations presented in this study are beneficial for accelerating the progress of low-carbon development in the Yellow River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new economic form, the digital economy plays an important role in promoting urban green innovation. Based on the data for 287 cities at the prefecture level and above in China from 2011 to 2019, we calculated the development level of the digital economy at the city level and empirically tested the influence mechanism of the digital economy empowering urban green innovation. The results show that the digital economy can not only directly promote urban green innovation but also indirectly have a positive impact on green innovation by improving the intensity of environmental regulation. This conclusion still holds after a series of robustness tests. The incentive effect of the digital economy on green innovation shows a certain heterogeneity. The eastern region and cities with high administrative levels receive more green innovation spillover dividends from the digital economy than the central and western regions and cities with low administrative levels. Further analysis shows that the promoting effect of the digital economy on green innovation presents non-linear spillover characteristics of an "increasing marginal effect", indicating that the "network effect" and "Metcalfe's law" are still applicable in regional innovation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large regeneration and transformation projects generally include a longer timespan as an aspect that makes way for more uncertainty and unexpected changes. We introduce transformative resilience as a place-based approach that can help planners and practitioners adapt to changes and challenges in urban regeneration and can be used proactively to bring certain pliability into planning, implementing and decision-making processes. This allows for intermittent actions to regularly evaluate the outcomes and include the involvement of relevant parties. Based on findings from a comparative study carried out in Norway on two former industrial sites situated in historic cities undergoing transformation, we discuss how planners can prepare for unexpected and unforeseen challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2012 London Olympics Games bid emphasized using the Olympics as an urban regeneration catalyst of one of London's poorest areas and one of the Games' legacies. This study's contribution is an examination of this legacy using 2001–2022 data, analysing the pricing and sales changes in the residential property market in London's 656 electoral wards, before and after the IOC announced the location of the Games in 2005, and when the Games were held in 2012. The results reveal a slight and short-lived positive difference between the Olympic Park wards and the rest of the city, particularly after the awarding announcement and the Games themselves. Regeneration efforts were successful but not necessarily in the ways outlined in the bid, as the local community (as was prior to the announcement) is not necessarily the main benefactor due to the predictable migration and gentrification of the area. The London Games exemplify the potential legacy of the Olympic Games but is also a cautionary tale for local communities in host cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, most cities and states implemented COVID-19 public health restrictions that became enforceable offenses. Unfortunately, concerns about unequitable enforcement arose among minority and impoverished communities. The current study uses official data from San Antonio, Texas to investigate the relationship between zip code racial and ethnic composition and income on the enforcement of COVID-19 public health violations. Over 28,000 enforcement activities from March 2020 to March 2021 were analyzed using random effects logistic regression. Results indicate that enforcement activities in zip codes with above average percent Black and above average percent Hispanic were more likely to receive citations, even though citations were issued in less than one percent of all enforcement activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable urban drainage systems are considered a viable option to improve the resilience of cities against flooding. Among such systems, blue roofs are receiving growing interest for managing stormwater runoff directly on building rooftops. The paper discusses the results of field experiments aimed at monitoring the hydrological behaviour of three different full-scale blue roof systems. The experiments were carried out in Catania (Italy) over a 15-month-long period between September 2021 and November 2022. The three installations were constructed using i) modular trays, ii) rugs of artificial turf, and iii) a cover layer made of pebbles. Highest performances were obtained with the modular blue roof, with mean 53% runoff reduction and mean 67% flow peak attenuation. The blue roof system made with rugs of artificial turf revealed a mean 31% runoff reduction and 51% peak attenuation while the blue roof system with pebbles layer showed the lowest retention and detention efficiencies (both 24%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the data of China's overseas arable land investment in 47 countries along the "Belt and Road", the Tobit model is used to analyze the effects of cultural distance and friendship cities on the production rates of contracted arable land in China's overseas arable land investment. This study provided theoretical basis and empirical support for promoting China's agricultural "going abroad" and improving the production rates of contracted arable land in China's overseas arable land investment. The results show that differences in cultural distance, power distance and the degree of uncertainty avoidance have significant positive effects on the production rates of contracted arable land in China's overseas arable land investment, and differences in individualism have a significant negative effect on the production rates. Friendship city has a positive but insignificant effect on the production rates, meanwhile, it also weaken the positive impact of cultural distance on production rates of contracted arable land in China's overseas arable land investment. The proportion of joint ventures with host country, the economic level and institutional environment of the host country will all have an impact on the production rates. Finally, recommendations are proposed to promote the production rates of contracted arable land, such as focusing on the positive role of cultural distance, establishing friendship cities, and investing host countries with high potential precisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Ecological ditches serve as one of the important measures for the concentrated infiltration of stormwater in the construction process of sponge cities. Prolonged concentrated infiltration of stormwater can lead to the accumulation of pollutants and pollution risks in the substrate of ecological ditches. In this study, two different substrate ecological ditches were constructed, namely, a combined substrate ecological ditch with zeolite + ceramsite (EA), and a biological substrate ecological ditch (EB). The accumulation characteristics of pollutants and microbial mechanisms in the ecological ditches were evaluated by simulating the cumulative rainfall test for three years. Results showed that there was serious total nitrogen (TN) contamination in both EA and EB substrates, with mean values of 718.6 and 802.7 mg/kg, respectively. The average contents of potentially toxic elements (Cu, Pb, and Zn) in EA and EB substrates were higher than the background values of soil elements in China, and Cu posed considerable ecological risks to the environment. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum and accounted for 32.85–41.33% in two ditches; the total number of denitrifying functional bacterial genera in the EB increased by 1.53% than EA, which proved that the biological substrate was more favourable for the growth of denitrifying microorganisms. The accumulation characteristics of pollutants and microbial mechanisms in the ecological ditches with different substrates above provide a reference for extending the service life of ecological ditch facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The election report describes the organization of local government and analyses the results of the 2019 local elections in Aotearoa New Zealand (the bilingual Māori-English name for New Zealand). The report reveals a trend of declining turnout. Districts with higher numbers of electors and those with lower numbers of elected representatives per capita had the lowest turnout. Apart from three large cities, Auckland, Christchurch and the capital city Wellington, most council and mayoral candidates do not stand for a political party or on a local ticket. As the report highlights, 2019 did see an increase in the number of women elected to positions on councils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensifying climate change and its impact on urban areas has led to the emergence of the climate urbanism model that advocates action at the intersection of urban development and climate change. The model has presented itself varyingly across geographies. While offering an opportunity for inclusionary development in some, in others it has exacerbated social injustice. In India, it echoes the flawed top-down, largely context-blind approach to urban planning, thus exacerbating urbanisation induced exclusions. Drawing on our involvement in the evolution of Community-based Climate Action Plans in Bhopal, India, the paper advocates for co-production as a pathway to inclusive climate urbanism. Given the ability of co-production to democratically improve services for and agency of the marginalised, the paper evidences the efficacy of co-production on (a) an equal acknowledgement of the strengths and limitations of the co-production partners, thereby facilitating negotiations on how and who would bridge these limitations; (b) negotiations that allow for the resolution of challenges and embedded power hierarchies between stakeholders; (c) the integration of climate and development actions as against a mere superimposition of the former onto development agendas; and; (d) the crucial role of decentralized local area engagement, one that affords the marginalized an agency to plan for themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines what city/regional magazines across the US did to ensure their longevity while the activities in those represented cities were canceled and many businesses closed for more than a year because of COVID. This study also explores what role the city/regional magazine played in the recovery measures of the city as COVID became more manageable. Finally, this study uncovers phenomena that occurred as the role of city/regional magazines changed in the wake of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the clustering of fishing shipyards in Aceh and identifies key locations based on fishery shipyard clusters using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP). Fuzzy AHP, an advancement of the classic AHP method, requires establishing criteria before data processing. The criteria in this study include the area of fishing land, the number of fishing fleets, and the amount of capture fisheries production. The research evaluates several alternative locations across districts and cities in Aceh, including North Aceh Regency, Lhokseumawe City, Bireuen Regency, Pidie Jaya Regency, Pidie Regency, Aceh Besar Regency, Banda Aceh City, Sabang City, West Aceh Regency, Nagan Raya Regency, South Aceh Regency, and Aceh Singkil Regency. Results indicate Aceh Singkil Regency has the highest priority (Cluster A), Bireuen Regency has medium priority (Cluster B), and Aceh Besar Regency or Sabang City has the lowest priority (Cluster C). The fuzzy AHP method ensures realistic and accurate assessments by considering uncertainty and subjectivity in human judgment, providing valuable insights for developing essential shipyard locations in Aceh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suburban rail lines, which provide fast connections between city centre and the surrounding suburbs, are attracting more and more attention from cities. As a train passes through the tunnel quickly, it tends to produce significant aerodynamic effects. In this study, a series of field measurement experiments were carried out in two tunnels with the mid-partition wall. The influence of train speed and tunnel length on the aerodynamic pressure was analysed. The aerodynamic pressure in adjacent tunnel was also discussed. Furthermore, the attenuation law and coefficient of aerodynamic pressure in tunnels with mid-partition walls were discussed. On this basis, a theoretical calculation model for predicting the peak positive pressure inside tunnels with different lengths and attenuation characteristics was established. The results show that the tunnel length not only affects the amplitude of the pressure, but also significantly affects the distribution trend of the pressure peak in the longitudinal direction. The propagation and reflection processes of pressure waves also exist in the adjacent tunnel on the other side of the partition, and they are synchronous. For the horse-shaped tunnel with mid-partition walls, the peak pressure inside the tunnel is directly proportional to the 2.05–2.20 power of the train speed, and the peak pressure decays exponentially with time. The pressure attenuation coefficient is greatly influenced by the placement of the measuring point, ranging from $4.957 \times {10^{ - 5}}$ 4.957 × 10 − 5 to $8.184 \times {10^{ - 5}}$ 8.184 × 10 − 5 depending on the position of the measurement point. This work provides important data support for studying the tunnel aerodynamic effects and verifying related numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper connects the literature on equity in public management with smart cities and explores the effects on the equity of digital projects in multicultural smart cities. We studied four ongoing digital projects in three large ethnically mixed cities in Israel (Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Haifa, Jerusalem). Our findings show that while all projects were designed to achieve certain benefits for residents, they are not equally accessible to all. Moreover, residents of all sectors were not actively involved in the processes of their design and implementation. We suggest embracing value co-creation, civilian discourse, and the implementation of structural mechanisms to effect change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in computer science and data-driven decision making have greatly decreased the impact of natural disasters on civilization. The Western zone of Surat, a city in Gujarat, India, is examined as a study area to assess the seismic vulnerability of the structures using the capacity spectrum method. A thorough field survey was carried out in the Western zone of Surat to create detailed building stock inventory. The building information was gathered through a comprehensive field survey, which involved collecting, organizing, enhancing, and finalizing the data. The data were determined based on factors, such as the building's height, material, configuration, and year of construction. The seismic hazard in the city's area is described using response spectra based on Indian seismic provision IS 1893: Part-I for seismic zone-III. According to the survey, the majority of the buildings in the Adajan area are special moment-resisting reinforced concrete (RC) building frame structures. ArcGIS Pro software is utilized to manage collected information for developing seismic vulnerability scenarios. The results indicate that midrise building structures designed according to older versions of the seismic codes are more susceptible to lateral damage. The results of the cluster mapping analysis carried out in the Western region help pinpoint the urban area that is vulnerable to seismic activity at a local regional level. Practical Applications: This study presents a new method for evaluating the susceptibility of structures to seismic events by measuring the level of uncertainty, denoted by the factor β , estimated for seismic standards in India. Doing so allows for more precise forecasts of structural harm on a regional scale, which is essential for metropolitan regions such as Surat, where rapid urbanization and a dense population contribute to heightened seismic vulnerabilities. Our research utilizes the capacity spectrum method to offer practical insights for urban planners, engineers, and policy-makers in identifying and prioritizing buildings at risk and needing upgrading. This approach conforms to local norms and improves the predicted precision of seismic evaluations, rendering it an essential instrument for disaster management and safety inspections. Applying these findings in practice can make urban areas more resistant to seismic activities, significantly reducing the risks and protecting residents from potential damages. This study cultivates a culture of readiness and advocates for elevated building safety standards, thus enhancing the safety and sustainability of places prone to seismic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the launch of fifth generation (5G) services in Thailand in 2020, there have been continuous improvements in 5G coverage. Currently, 5G coverage extends to most areas throughout the country. However, coverage issues persist not only in rural areas but also in high-rise buildings in urban areas. Consequently, a study was conducted within such buildings. This paper assesses the performance of 5G at different altitude test points. The chosen location for the field tests was a high-rise building within a crowded public hospital, which receives numerous patients every weekday, in the major urban area of Bangkok. Two smartphones from the same manufacturer, both supporting 5G technology and equipped with the Speedtest application, were employed as tools for this study. Tests were carried out on the third and twenty-fourth floors of the high-rise building for data collection. The primary finding of this study reveals that download speeds exhibited a significant decrease with increasing altitude of the test points, as evidenced by statistical analysis (p-values<0.001). This implies an issue with altitude-induced variations, indicating a need for the improvement of indoor 5G coverage in high-rise buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of high-speed rail (HSR) has permeated capital markets and micro entities, attracting much attention from scholars, but there is little evidence of its effectiveness on initial public offering (IPO) in emerging markets. This study exploits a staggered difference-in-differences model and utilizes the level of underpricing to measure the efficiency of China's stock issuance for the purpose of assessing the impact of HSR on the mispricing of IPOs and analyzing how it shapes these effects. The study finds that the opening of HSR significantly decreases IPO underpricing through the information delivery mechanism. The spatiotemporal compression effect brought about by HSR increases the frequency of analyst field visits and media reports. Heterogeneity results show that the alleviating effect is more pronounced in noncentral cities, eastern China, communication-intensive industries, and private firms. This study reveals the role of HSR in information delivery and provides theoretical support for cross-regional information exchange in the capital market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the link between two teaching characteristics (i.e., teacher support and cognitive activation) and achievement emotions in Chinese mathematics classrooms. The data were collected from 2232 students (49.9% male; Mage = 13.85, SD = 0.81) in 84 mathematics classrooms across 12 secondary schools in Jiangsu, China. The results clarified the mediating effects of control-value appraisals between teaching and emotions among students in rural and urban classrooms. Regarding indirect effects, teacher support was related to emotions through academic control and value in both groups. In comparison, cognitive activation was related to emotions through academic value but not control in rural classrooms. In urban classrooms, multiple mediating roles of control-value appraisals existed in activation and emotions. Besides, supportive teaching showed greater relations with achievement emotions compared with cognitive activation. The degree to which perceived teaching explained achievement emotions was more significant in urban classrooms than rural ones. Lastly, academic value played a critical mediating role between two kinds of teaching characteristics and most emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2024 local elections in Turkey represented an important signal for the country’s changing political environment. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered its most severe electoral defeat since first coming to power in the 2002 general elections. Despite an uneven playing tilted in favour of the ruling alliance, the opposition led by the CHP party succeeded in a threefold feat: reasserting its political dominance in the large cities, expanding its electoral appeal to the AKP strongholds, and, most importantly, overtaking Erdoğan’s AKP at the national level for the first time. The result appears even more striking when one considers that just over a year ago, Erdoğan’s ruling alliance had won a clear victory in the presidential and parliamentary elections. Although these two elections underlie different dynamics, this article analyzes the factors that led to this dramatic reversal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to retirement represents a pivotal stage in the aging process as it is widely regarded as the point at which the onset of old age is signaled. This paper presents the findings of a study that sought to identify the factors contributing to successful adjustment to retirement and the subsequent well-being of teachers in Tanzania. The study used a multiple case study design under a qualitative research approach, utilizing data obtained through semi-structured interviews with retired primary school teachers aged 61–69, drawn from both Tanzanian rural and urban areas. The study found that teachers’ adjustment and well-being during retirement depend on the quality of pre-retirement planning, psychosocial factors, work-related factors and post-retirement activities. The findings of this study suggest that successful adjustment and well-being in retirement is a longitudinal process that extends from pre-retirement work and social life to post-retirement daily life. The experiences identified in this study can serve as a guide for future and current primary school teacher retirees by enabling them to consider, identify, and strategize participation in meaningful post-retirement activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe Moroccan government introduced the Villes Sans Bidonvilles programme (VSB) in 2004. The programme reflects the Cities Alliance slogan “Cities Without Slums,” with the main objective of eliminating all slums from Moroccan cities by the end of 2010. In contrast to the official and World Bank propaganda that praises VSB’s efforts to fight urban poverty and social exclusion, this article attempts to provide a critical analysis of the political motivations behind the introduction of the VSB programme. Analyses of the political motivations have made clear that the introduction of the VSB programme was in recognition of the links between the social problems of slum dwellers and urban violence following the 2003 Casablanca terrorist attacks. The idea was that eradicating slums from cities and pushing them to the peripheries, through the VSB’s resettlement projects, should simultaneously contribute to the elimination of extremism and urban violence. Beyond the security imperative, it was also within the neoliberal discourse on aestheticism and marketisation of the city that the VSB programme was introduced and promoted. Hence, as elsewhere, the VSB programme should, through its resettlement projects, help the state to remove slum dwellers from the prime land and new green city’s boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article compares the population agglomeration characteristics of the Xi'an metropolitan area in western China with those of metropolitan areas in other regions officially approved by the Chinese government. The kernel density estimation method and Markov chain model were used to conduct the study. The results revealed that from 2010 to 2020, the population agglomeration level of the Xi'an metropolitan area showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The absolute gap in the population agglomeration level between cities within the metropolitan area gradually narrowed, and the polarization phenomenon of population agglomeration was not obvious. Compared with metropolitan agglomerations such as Nanjing, Wuhan, Fuzhou, Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan, Chongqing, and Chengdu, the Xi'an metropolitan agglomeration had a lower population agglomeration level, with a significant gap. Moreover, there was an obvious "club convergence" phenomenon in the population agglomeration levels of different urban agglomerations. The probability of the population agglomeration level remaining stable was at least 53.85%, indicating that there was a "Matthew effect" in which the rich become richer and the poor become poorer. Through the convergence models of α and β, the analysis suggested that there was no significant α convergence between the population agglomeration level of the Xi'an metropolitan agglomeration and that of other metropolitan agglomerations. Instead, there was a significant β divergence, indicating that the gap between the Xi'an metropolitan agglomeration's population agglomeration level and that of other metropolitan agglomerations is gradually widening. An integrated theoretical framework of population agglomeration was constructed from three dimensions: producers, consumers, and social people. An empirical analysis was conducted on the causes of population agglomeration in the Xi'an metropolitan area and other metropolitan areas. The multiple regression results showed that the income level, public consumption expenditure level, education level, comfortable living environment, and educational level were important factors leading to differences in population agglomeration. The geographic detector results showed that factors in the consumer dimension were the main reasons for population agglomeration in metropolitan areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Urbanization is rapidly altering our ecosystem. While most wild species refrain from entering urban habitats, some flourish in cities and adapt to the new opportunities these offer. Urban individuals of various species have been shown to differ in physiology, morphology, and behavior compared to their rural counterparts. While several studies have suggested that urban dwelling alters the reproductive cycle in birds, such evidence currently has not been shown for mammals. Egyptian fruit bats are highly flexible mammals that roost and forage in both urban and rural habitats. Urban-dwelling fruit bats encounter higher average temperatures and a richer supply of food (mainly fruit) during winter. Results: Here, we set out to determine whether urban-dwelling fruit bats take advantage of urbanization and reproduce earlier in the annual cycle than rural fruit bats. We sampled ten fruit bat colonies located in different urbanization levels, over 3 years. We monitored the bats' reproductive state and the size of the pups following parturition. Indeed, we found that urban fruit bats gave birth ~ 2.5 weeks earlier in spring than rural fruit bats. We also found that roosting in urban colonies did not decrease the bats' reproductive success, in contrast to what has been suggested for some urban birds. Conclusions: Our study provides new insights into the adaptation to urban living and its exploitation by one of the most common mammalian groups found in cities worldwide—bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the significance of NGO cooperation has been recognized in various studies, little is known about how NGOs in authoritarian states engage in collaboration, and few studies examine the outcomes of NGO collaboration from a network perspective. This article utilizes a questionnaire-based method to gather data on 103 environmental NGOs (ENGOs) in China. First, we confirm the existence of collaborative networks among NGOs in 19 provinces and municipalities in China. Then, informed by the social capital theory, we investigate the impact of bridging and bonding structures on network outcomes. The results show that bridging network structures can promote the efficiency and effectiveness of environmental NGOs in collaboration. In contrast, while bonding structures can also improve cooperative efficiency, they are not always effective. Overall, this study highlights the crucial role of central actors in collaborative networks, enriching existing literature and providing valuable insights for policymakers and NGO managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops the concept of cities as geopolitical actors by proposing a new conceptual framework that foregrounds their space-making strategies. This intervention seeks to address the gap between research on cities as international actors and the growing interest in cities’ external geographies stimulated, among others, by the planetary urbanisation thesis. Drawing together recent discussions in urban governance with critical geopolitical scholarship and socio-spatial theory, the article makes two specific contributions: first, it defines the narrative that is usually mobilised to explain the rise of cities as international actors as a contested and ongoing spatialisation of world politics, in which city governments play an active role. Second, it proposes an analytical scheme to examine how cities contribute to processes of territorialisation, place-making, rescaling, and networking. Ultimately, this conceptual framework introduces a more spatially sensitive approach to the idea of cities as geopolitical actors by developing a toolbox to examine how they participate in the struggles for the production, control, and management of space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines (Ichinohe 1952), is a major soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) pest worldwide. In Canada, SCN is present in Ontario and Quebec. Past surveys conducted in Manitoba failed to report the pest. Nevertheless, the nematode is expected to be present in Manitoba as it has spread rapidly northwards in North Dakota and Minnesota. Thus, the objective of this study was to survey soybean fields in Manitoba for the presence of SCN. In October 2017, soil samples were collected from 30 commercial soybean fields in Manitoba. A modified Fenwick elutriator was used to recover cysts. Cysts were identified based on morphological characters, PCR with species-specific primers for H. glycines (COXIII and SCAR), and DNA sequencing of four regions of the genome. Four fields were positive for SCN and had 2.9, 0.95, 3.9, and 1.81 eggs per 100 g soil. In 2021, an additional soybean field showing stunting and yellowing symptoms and swollen nematode females on roots was sampled. The SCN population density of this symptomatic headland area centre was 7,797 eggs per 100 cm3 soil. The SCN population from this field was of HG type 7 (race 3). Three positive fields were located along the Red River border crossing in the rural municipalities of Rhineland, Emerson-Franklin, and Montcalm. One field was in the rural municipality of Norfolk-Treherne, and the symptomatic field was in Thompson municipality, away from the Red River border. This study reports the first finding of H. glycines and SCN disease in Manitoba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supporting youth wellbeing in low carbon ways is a crucial challenge in cities. Seventy percent of youth will live in urban areas by 2050 and urban sites account for 67–72% of the global share of carbon emissions. Young people’s consumption behaviour including energy use is increasingly identified as a key driver of urban emissions. This paper expands beyond dominant individualised approaches to examining urban youth wellbeing and consumption to interrogate the relational contexts in which young people live, their wellbeing aspirations, and the conditions that enable or lock-in lifestyle emissions. Applying a relational lens and thematic analysis to focus group data collected from 332 youth aged 12–24 years in seven cities of the global South and North, the paper examines experiences shaping youth wellbeing in the context of urban consumption activities. Findings emphasised the complexities of “linked lives”, foregrounding family, peer and community relationships as critical in shaping youth wellbeing and consumption. Home was highlighted as a significant relational context, where family relationships impact wellbeing and energy use, through connection, comfort, conflict and compromise. Public space was also valued, but findings highlighted issues of identity and inequality that impact access. Findings also underscored the significance of beyond-human relationships. This cross-cultural research highlights underacknowledged complexities in youth wellbeing and consumption activities. Discussion proposes ways local government can adopt relational perspectives to advance climate resilient urban development, including cultivating meaningful relationships with youth and prioritising secure housing, access to green space, and care and integration of nature within urban landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an effective approach to mitigating urban environmental issues, New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) have become a focal point of research regarding their current development status and future prospects in China. Addressing the significant disparities in the development of the NEVs industry across different cities, this study focuses on ten typical Chinese cities and develops a novel multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) framework to evaluate the prospects of NEVs promotion in these cities. The study first establishes a comprehensive indicator system that covers key dimensions such as economy, policy support, infrastructure, technological innovation, and environment, encompassing five different types of evaluation information. This system incorporates five different types of evaluation information: exact numbers, interval numbers, triangular fuzzy numbers, hesitant fuzzy numbers, and probabilistic linguistic term sets (PLTS), enhancing the framework's ability to handle diverse data types. Subsequently, the improved entropy (IEntropy) weight method is employed to determine the objective weights of the evaluation indicators. These objective weights are then integrated with the Vlsekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method, facilitating a structured group decision-making approach that synthesizes hybrid evaluation information. Based on modular thinking, hybrid evaluation information is synthesized to evaluate and rank the NEVs development prospects of each city. Sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis further demonstrate the robustness and reliability of the proposed MADM framework. The ranking results indicate that Shanghai and Guangzhou lead in NEVs promotion, while cities like Harbin and Zhengzhou lag behind. Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted policy recommendations to promote the sustainable development of the NEVs industry in major Chinese cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new way to reduce emissions, forestry carbon sequestration trading has been accepted by all countries in the world. China is also committed to building and developing the national carbon emission trading market, many provinces and cities have launched pilot projects, but there are still many legal problems in the practice of forestry carbon sequestration trading. Based on the perspective of forestry carbon sequestration contract, this paper is based on the relevant provisions and practices of carbon sequestration transaction in our country, to clarify the outstanding problems such as the lack of concrete laws and regulations, the narrow scope of the transaction subject, the unclear ownership of the transaction subject matter, and the fuzzy rules of the transaction risk-taking, on this basis, it is proposed to further promote the rule of law of carbon sequestration trading by establishing the applicable law of carbon sequestration trading contract, gradually promoting the diversification of carbon sequestration trading subjects, defining the ownership of the subject matter of the transaction, and establishing the rules of risk-bearing, boosting carbon trading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers a feminist perspective on urban modernization and Europeanization in the Balkans from the late 19th century to the present. It examines how these intertwined processes have shaped urban landscapes through a continuous negotiation between local traditions and outside influences. Despite their contributions, local women have often been marginalized within these narratives. The analysis combines a historical exploration of urban modernization and Europeanization with a critique of their gendered implications in post-socialist cities. It argues that while modernization has brought transformative changes, it has also reinforced gendered inequities, often to the detriment of women. This study highlights the need for more inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches to urban development in the Balkans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractUnderstanding and simulating individual human mobility within intra-urban areas are essential for urban planning, transportation, public health, and other related fields. Currently, Random Walk-based and Exploration and Preferential Return (EPR)-based models are the primary mechanistic approaches used to model individual human mobility. However, these models often rely on assumptions and parameters derived from studies conducted at larger spatial scales, such as the national level. This results in inaccuracies when applied to urban contexts because individual mobility at the intra-urban scale exhibits unique spatiotemporal characteristics. Through a systematic analysis of three consecutive trajectory datasets and three check-in trajectory datasets collected from six cities worldwide, we identified two key insights into intra-urban mobility: (1) individuals’ waiting time distributions follow a log-normal function with universal parameters, rather than the gamma, power-law, or exponential functions commonly used in current studies, and (2) individuals’ spatial choice behavior is better captured by the Universal Opportunity (UO) model with universal parameters, rather than the frequently used gravity models. Based on these findings, we proposed Urban-EPR, a universal model specifically designed to simulate intra-urban individual mobility. Additionally, we compared seven mainstream mechanistic models, demonstrating the superior performance of Urban-EPR and providing a benchmark for intra-urban mobility research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex topography of the mountain cities leads to uneven distribution of land resources. Currently, available studies mainly focuse on land use and landscape patterns (LU and LP) in plains or plateaus. Thus, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the drivers of changes in LU and LP in mountain cities. As the typical mountain city in China, Chongqing has changed significantly of land use in recent years. Here, we identified LU and LP changes from 2000 to 2020, and explored their drivers using GeoDetector in Yubei District, Chongqing. The following are the outcomes: (1) From 2000 to 2020, construction land, wetland and cropland had the greatest change in area, with 876.03%, -70.72% and -24.53%, respectively. The area of cropland transferred out was larger than the area transferred into it, while cropland still the largest among all land use types. (2) At the landscape level,construction landscape was at a low level. Grassland had the greatest degree of fragmentation, but showed a decreasing trend. The landscape's complexity resulted from the conversion of various land uses. (3) The results of GeoDetector indicated that the interaction of population density and slope was the primary LU and LP changing factor. The results of the study provided a rational basis for the development of land use and landscape plans in the mountain cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrying out carbon budget assessment and carbon compensation zoning research from inter-regional perspective can actively boost the formulation of green, low-carbon transformation strategies, guiding the flow of compensation credits, promoting regional equity and sustainable development, and realizing China's "dual-carbon" goal. Huai River Eco-economic Belt is considered to be a typical example of how land use affects carbon budget due to its more drastic land changes. The paper uses the carbon emission coefficient method to analyze the carbon revenue and expenditure of kinds of land-use patterns, and constructs the carbon compensation model with the help of the carbon budget concentration index and the dominant comparative advantage index, and puts forward the carbon compensation zoning program. Results indicate that (1) Carbon emissions in the Huai River Eco-economic Belt are generally showing a downward trend, and carbon absorption rises modestly. (2) Carbon emissions exhibit a spatial distribution of higher in the western, northern and eastern regions and lower in the center zone, with large differences in carbon absorption among cities in the same year. (3) Carbon compensation types in the Huai River Eco-economic belt include 7 payment zones, 5 balanced zones and 14 compensated zones, which can be finally classified into 5 categories of carbon compensation space optimization areas by combining with the Normalized Revealed Comparative Advantage Index and model for zoning of carbon compensation. Our study enriches practical approaches to reducing carbon emissions through land regulation from inter-regional scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban woodland composition and configuration have strong associations with land surface temperatures (LST), but the evidence is contradictory due to different spatial scales, regional climate zones, woodland types and urban contexts. In this study, we analyse associations between urban woodland and LST within and between five cities in different Köppen climate zones. Our consistent methodology is framed around local climate zones and conducted at a fine spatial scale. We find that urban woodland fragmentation, connectedness, and shape complexity all influence LST, though much less than overall cover. The importance of cover holds for all climates except for hot-desert (Cairo). Otherwise, every 1% increase in woodland cover corresponds to a reduction of LST of around 0.07 °C to 0.02 °C (London-Cfb > Toronto-Dfa > Nanjing-Cfa > Shenyang-Dwa). Within cities, increasing urban woodland cover generally reduces LST more in built-up compared to vegetated zones. Nevertheless, associations between local LST and urban woodland composition and configuration are highly heterogeneous across cities, especially in cooler climates. Thus, to unravel the complexities of urban woodland cooling, systematic analysis of contemporaneous local and regional factors is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia currently hosts nearly three million Venezuelan refugees and migrants and is home to seven million internally displaced Colombians. For forcibly displaced populations in Colombia, and especially for women, gender-based violence (GBV) poses a threat during transit and in their new homes where xenophobia, lack of accessible and adequate services, limited safe economic opportunities, and lack of information on access to services, further increase risk. The dearth of livelihood opportunities also affects forcibly displaced populations, especially women. This study will conduct a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) of HIAS' Entrepreneurship School with Gender Lens (ESGL), a program that targets forcibly displaced GBV survivors and women at-risk to help them develop business ideas, access needed support for the prevention of and response to GBV, and improve overall self-reliance. The RCT will be conducted within three cities in Colombia; approximately 80 eligible participants will be enrolled in each city and randomized to a treatment or control arm. Survey questionnaires will be administered to participants at baseline, eight months following baseline (endline), and 3–4 months after endline. Outcomes of interest include household self-reliance, mental health, resilience, empowerment, utilization of GBV services, and social support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rampant urbanization and undervaluing of the natural ecosystem have detrimental impacts on urban spaces – increased flooding risk, increased air and water pollution, water stress, resource inefficiency, loss of biodiversity, and increased risk of ill health. Climate change further exacerbates the adverse impacts of urbanization. Despite the importance of the natural ecosystem, the blue and green spaces of the cities in India have drastically decreased. The present study highlights the degrading natural ecosystem, the negative impacts, and the need for resilience in Indian cities. Eco-centric approaches like nature-based solutions (NBS) are closely related to sustainability and resilience, offering a more efficient and cost-effective approach to urban development than traditional approaches. The paper explores the concept of NBS, focusing on ecosystem services as a 'living' and 'adaptable' tool to make cities resilient and sustainable with many regional implementations. It also focuses on the role of NBS in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper critically analyses the five notable NBS projects from different countries (USA, Canada, The Netherlands, China, and Australia) and further addresses the viabilities for NBS intervention in Indian cities. It is observed that the successful adaptation of NBS in urban development necessitates eco-centric policies, collaborative research, adaptive management practices, community engagement, and a strong emphasis on a multi-benefit approach. A proactive focus on ecosystem services is strongly recommended for Indian cities, which includes raising an understanding of the value of nature, introducing NBS at the planning stage, and encouraging investment in ecosystem-based approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]