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Bats are one of the most diverse mammal groups, and one of the common inhabitants of urban environments globally, dealing with artificial lightning, ambient noise, and habitat loss. However, there is usually less bat diversity in urban landscapes than in natural habitats, although cities can offer adequate conditions too. To test which were the main drivers of bat occupancy and communities’ assemblage in an urban environment, an acoustic sampling was carried out in 2019 in Salamanca (Western Iberia) during 3 months across 63 recording stations located in three different urban habitats: a riparian forest embedded in the city, a monumental historic area, and modern external neighborhoods. Light intensity, ambient noise, temperature, prey abundance, distance to water and tree cover values were recorded to study their effect on bat activity and bat communities. The results showed a diverse bat assemblage (8 ultrasound-confirmed species). The differences among the three communities were mainly explained by the dominance of more generalist species (Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Tadarida teniotis and Eptesicus serotinus) more than the studied covariables or species richness, although the river area showed the greatest diversity. Bat occupancy was negatively affected by artificial light and distance to water, while the temperature, tree cover and the relative abundance of insects had a positive effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maintenance of green areas within cities is essential for promoting urban biodiversity and species interactions. Here, we evaluated the interactions between hummingbirds and their visited plants over the course of a year in an urban park in Barreiras, western Bahia, Brazil. Each month, from October 2018 to September 2019, we recorded hummingbird species, the plants they visit, and their agonistic interactions. We recorded 748 legitimate visits by six hummingbirds to five plant species. Most plant species (60%) flowered continuously, and most visits were recorded in the rainy season when the network was also more specialized (H2' = 0.821). Chionomesa fimbriata was the only hummingbird recorded during all studied months. This species performed 70% of all visits recorded and was involved in most agonistic interactions (n = 68). The availability of resources affected the number of visits (p = 0.016). Tree species producing many flowers increased hummingbird diversity and concentrated most of the agonistic interactions. Plant species with continuous flowering represented a persistent supply of resources, favoring the residence of C. fimbriata within the study site. Despite the low diversity of resources, the richness of hummingbirds recorded attests to the importance of maintaining green spaces in cities to promote urban biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Capivari-Monos Environmental Protection Area (EPA) is located in the southern part of the São Paulo city Green Belt. Since the 1950s, this region has been affected by uncontrolled urban sprawl, resulting in a change in the ecological habits of some vector mosquitoes. Over the last two decades, cases of autochthonous bromeliad malaria associated with the presence of anopheline mosquitoes in the EPA have been recorded. Anopheles cruzii, the primary vector of plasmodia in the region, is abundant and found naturally infected with both Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium malariae. In light of this, the present study sought to update the catalog of mosquito fauna in this EPA, analyze mosquito diversity among sites with different degrees of conservation and compare species using different collection techniques. Field collections were carried out from March, 2015 to April, 2017. A total of 20,755 specimens were collected, distributed in 106 different taxa representing 16 genera. Analysis of the diversity among the sites based on the Shannon and Simpson indices showed that the most preserved of them had the lowest indices because of the dominance of An. cruzii. The results highlight the increase in the number of different taxa collected as different mosquito collection techniques were included, confirming the importance of using several strategies to ensure adequate sampling of a local mosquito fauna when exploring a greater number of ecotopes. Furthermore, the survey produced the most recent and complete list of mosquito species in the Capivari-Monos EPA, a refuge and shelter for native and introduced mosquito species where new biocenoses, including pathogens, vertebrate hosts, and vectors can form, allowing zoonotic outbreaks in the local human population to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green spaces are an important element of the spatial structure in large prefabricated housing estates. They have their strengths and weaknesses and generate a number of opportunities and threats, the identification of which allows the potential of these areas to be realised and further developed. The goal of the study is to present the general condition and future of green spaces in large prefabricated housing estates in Poland. It is important to note that to date no research works have been published in the literature that would investigate green spaces in such estates using the SWOT/TOWS method, as confirmed by a search of the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The study area included two such estates located in two Polish cities: Toruń (Rubinkowo I) and Kraków (Bronowice Nowe). The study used the SWOT/TOWS method and an urban-architectural inventory research walk. The results of the study indicate that the best strategy for developing green spaces in estates of this kind is the competitive strategy, which involves taking advantage of opportunities while reducing the weaknesses of green spaces. The research walk also identified a diverse composition of green space species and a high proportion of green spaces in the overall estate area. In addition, green spaces are socially inclusive and can be an important element of urban resilience. The results of this research contribute to the discussion on the condition and future of green spaces in the estates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban parks are vital components of city ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, climate resilience, air and water quality, health, socialization, and economic benefits for citizens in urban areas. This paper examines urban parks in Novi Sad by gathering opinions on their qualities and functions through a questionnaire. The respondents were students enrolled in the landscape architecture course at the University of Novi Sad. To analyze their responses, multivariate statistical analysis techniques, including ANOVA, MANOVA, and contingency tables, were applied. The results highlight the primary reasons for visiting urban parks in general, as well as specific parks in Novi Sad. The paper offers insights into visitor behavior, including the frequency and length of their stays, etc., and provides an assessment of the parks' educational functions, which were expected to be highly relevant for the respondent group. The results can be relevant for further urban park development and serve as a starting point for applying multi-criteria (MC) analysis. Specifically, the results can be used to define a set of criteria, goals, and other essential elements necessary for conducting Analytic Hierarchy Processes or similar MC analysis methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's society, keeping our gardens attractive is complex, especially if you need more time to care for them. This can cause the plant to wilt if it is not watered occasionally to keep the soil moist. In summer, this problem tends to get worse because the temperature tends to rise and reach high degrees. The objective is to design an automatic and manual irrigation system with a humidity detector through hardware programming and free software to solve this. The necessary components will be identified and selected, humidity thresholds will be established, and the adoption of technologies such as internet of things (IoT), Arduino, and humidity sensors will be promoted to solve the problem in automated irrigation systems. The technical specifications of the components are described, and the circuit design is presented. A programming algorithm will be developed to control the frequency and duration of irrigation, as well as the state of the water pump. Implementing the automated system will allow precise water supply control, contributing to the healthy growth of plants and crops in green areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green areas (GAs) are swiftly declining in urban areas worldwide, amplifying adverse local climate impacts on the well-being of city residents. Despite this, there is limited empirical research on the changing patterns and distribution of GAs and their vulnerability. This is especially notable in dry tropical cities where these spaces function as vital microclimate areas that control against climate change effects such as flooding and heat islands. This study focused on examining the changing GA coverage, scrutinizing the spatial distribution of different GA categories, and investigating threat factors associated with their perceived sustainability in Parakou. Employing a mixed-methods approach, open-source geospatial data and collected primary data were acquired through on-site observations as well as semi-structured interviews. Data analysis involved the application of geospatial, statistical, and textual techniques. The results indicated that, from 2000 to 2020, the city experienced a loss of 16.48 km2 (24.73%) in its GA cover. The predominant land use change observed was the conversion of sparse vegetation (21.86%) into built-up areas. A notable difference (P < 0.0001) was observed among GA categories, revealing an aggregated spatial pattern [g (r) > 1] that emphasizes the necessity for tailored strategies to enhance and conserve each GA category within the city. Furthermore, there is a perception of critical degradation in various GA categories, namely city bush, cropland, and forest plantation. The primary causes identified for GA depletion in the city were poor management strategies and lack of planning. These results could provide valuable guidance for policymakers, urban planners, and cityscape architects with a focus on urban sustainability, particularly regarding the development of GAs in the Republic of Benin.

The expert interview is devoted to the analysis of the cultural code of Veliky Novgorod and to the architectural techniques, which represent it in the urban environment. The expert considers the general concept of cultural code and examines the modern situation of Veliky Novgorod, where only a small part of authentic objects has been preserved, as most of the structures were destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. Also, the expert evaluates various city objects and projects in terms of combining Novgorod architectural motifs and modern solutions and emphasizes that the design code, which was introduced in Veliky Novgorod since 2024, is very poorly connected with the city's cultural identity. The key thesis of the interview is that all urban objects located outside the historic part of the city (outside the berm boundaries) should be resolved in a modern architectural language. In addition, creating new projects in contrast with the existing urban environment is described as one of the possible and productive strategies for working in the city's historical area. In this way, contemporary architects and urban planners can make their original, authorial contribution to the historical city and leave their mark on the urban texture.

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco 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.)

Copyright of Ciência Florestal (01039954) is the property of Ciencia Florestal 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.)

Biologically active areas play an extremely important role in the structure of a city and increasing their coverage, especially in large urban centres, is an activity with a number of advantages. This article compares, in terms of green spaces, two European cities of similar size – Warsaw (517.2 km2) and Oslo (454 km2). Both cities are capitals of their respective countries but implement different spatial policies in the scope of the Green Deal. In Warsaw, many industrial and post-industrial areas still exist and simultaneously urban green areas are decreasing year by year. In Oslo, a strategy based on deindustrialisation of the city and possible maximum use of urban greenery and public spaces is implemented. The research described in this article involved analysing the coverage of the analysed cities and their districts with biologically active area and then checking the correlation with other indicators that can be affected by this coverage. These included data on the incidence of the most common diseases among residents, the attractiveness of living for the elderly and families with children, as well as air and soil pollution and the occurrence of negative effects of climate change. The correlation of urban space use in terms of the presence of industrial land in relation to currently existing green spaces in the districts concerned was subsequently determined.

Promoting urban green spaces is an effective strategy to increase biodiversity in cities. However, our understanding of how local and landscape factors influence trophic interactions in these urban contexts remains limited. Here, we sampled cavity-nesting bees and wasps and their natural enemies within 85 urban gardens in Zurich (Switzerland) to identify factors associated with the diversity and dissimilarity of antagonistic interactions in these communities. The proportions of built-up area and urban green area at small landscape scales (50 m radius), as well as the management intensity, sun exposure, plant richness and proportion of agricultural land at the landscape scale (250 m radius), were key drivers of interaction diversity. This increased interaction diversity resulted not only from the higher richness of host and natural enemy species, but also from species participating in more interactions. Furthermore, dissimilarity in community structure and interactions across gardens (beta-diversity) were primarily influenced by differences in built-up areas and urban green areas at the landscape scale, as well as by management intensity. Our study offers crucial insights for urban planning and conservation strategies, supporting sustainability goals by helping to understand the factors that shape insect communities and their trophic interactions in urban gardens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of The Planner & Development is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

Altered characteristics of urban microclimates elongating the daily and seasonal exposure periods to heat stress and enlarging the size of the thermal uncomfortable urban surfaces. This situation is human thermal comfort conditions negatively which in turn affect public health and wellbeing. The aim of this study is to determine the spatial distribution of thermal comfort conditions in the neighbourhood of Yakutiye, the center of Erzurum city over the hottest 2 months of the year (July and August) based on long term (2004–2020) meteorological data to show the impact of urban areas on thermal comfort conditions where structured surfaces are dominant. PET index was used to calculate thermal comfort conditions through RayMan model and ArcGIS 10.5 software for their spatial distribution. It was seen as the result of the study that solar radiation and wind are two effective factors on thermal comfort contrarily to each other depending on the characteristics of the city in the mentioned period. Overheating by solar radiation due to concrete structured urban surface is tolerated by north-easterly cool winds. However, lack of moisture source (i.e. green areas) to moderate heat and cold stress is one of the main causes of thermally uncomfortable periods and areas in the city center. In order to improve such negative conditions, mitigating efforts should be focused on creating city parts that comply with spatial planning and design principles, taking into account all natural and human factors from a geographical perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The services provided by green infrastructures may lead to a decrease in climate-related ecological, social, and health risks, especially in the urban environment. Consequently, the best guarantee to make this environment as safe as possible is to increase the extent of green areas, taking into consideration the functional importance, and climatic–ecological peculiarities of the area. These are also issues for the Republic of Armenia's (RA) capital Yerevan. There the current conditions of the green areas of Yerevan city do not meet the expected requirements of the climatic–ecological development of urban areas. The green area per capita is 8 m2, which is unevenly distributed within 12 different administrative districts of Yerevan city. The aim of this research was to study the natural climatic and ecological conditions of Yerevan city and the status of the green areas of the city. The eco-biological indicators of the trees and shrubs growing in Yerevan green areas have been assessed, and the more resilient plant species have been singled out. All 12 administrative districts of Yerevan have been mapped and the green area per capita for each administrative district has been calculated. The received data have been combined with health indicators and suggestions have been made to add green areas in Yerevan according to the functional significance and sustainability of shrubby species and to their decorative and phyto-filtration properties. The city has unfavorable climatic conditions. It is located in the northern section of the subtropical climatic zone and has a distinct dry continental climate. Temperatures above +40 °C are typical, while winter is rather cold and sometimes temperatures may drop below −20 °C (in January 2008, it dropped to −27.6 °C). The amount of atmospheric precipitation has reduced by 9%. The city is counted as one of the driest urban areas of the South Caucasus. The other unfavorable ecological conditions are heavy traffic, the city's open landfill, the concentration of industrial enterprises, large-scale construction works, etc. The atmospheric concentrations of particulate matter (PM), gases and heavy metals have been detected to exceed the permitted limits. In terms of health care, the death cases due to various diseases (acute respiratory, vascular, and cancer) have increased, which requires complex activities to reduce environmental pollution and to improve the microclimate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we identified culturable microscopic fungi in soil from areas frequented by people (parks, allotments, and other green areas) in the city of Wrocław (Poland). In addition to general species analysis, attention was focused on keratin-degrading fungi. From 60 soil samples (12 study sites), we obtained 75 isolates of keratinophilic and keratinolytic fungi using the hair bait method, and 54 isolates of fungi were isolated on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) medium. Based on morphological and molecular analyses, a total of 37 strains were identified, classified into 2 phyla, 11 families, 17 genera, and 30 filamentous species. The mean values of the Shannon Diversity Index for both experimental variants ranged from 0.074 to 0.117. The most common species was the Penicillium genus, which accounted for 33.33% of all fungal species obtained in these studies. These fungi are common in both indoor and outdoor environments. However, particularly noteworthy in this study are the species belonging to the group of dermatophytes (Arthroderma uncinatum, Keratinophyton wagnerii, Nannizzia gypsea, and Paraphyton cookei), which may pose a real biological threat to humans and animals due to their well-known potential to cause dermatomycosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statistics Poland utilizes Earth Observation and in-situ data to assess green areas, aiming to derive vital information on natural capital statistics and human well-being. This is essential for informed decision-making and sustainable development. Improving regional well-being statistics is a priority due to Poland's low rankings in environmental well-being indicators. To overcome challenges in obtaining comprehensive data at the commune level, the study introduces a new and innovative system for monitoring green areas. This system employs Sentinel-2 satellite data, combined with Copernicus vegetation and phenology products in order to determine extent and condition of green areas. In addition, the applied land cover product (Dynamic World) and national vector database of topographic features (BDOT10k) contributes to the quality and accuracy of the analyses carried out. The system yields two pivotal indicators: one delineating the proportional coverage of green areas within communes boundaries, and the other elucidating the state and health of these delineated areas. A key highlight of the system is its innovative use of local resources and the Google Earth Engine application to observe green areas at a 10-meter resolution at the commune level, particularly in major cities in Poland. These observations are crucial for the Polish Public Services Monitoring System (SMUP), providing comprehensive local-level evaluation services. The research outcome consists of a comparison between the extent of green areas delineated by public administration at the commune level and the extent of green areas determined using a newly proposed method, which relies on satellite imagery from the Copernicus program. The results indicate variability between these two datasets, depending on different forms of land cover within each administrative unit. The most consistent data is derived from large urban agglomerations in Poland.

Drones are being used for agriculture monitoring in many different crops. Nevertheless, the use of drones for green areas’ evaluation is limited, and information is scattered. In this survey, we focus on the collection and evaluation of existing experiences of using drones for turfgrass monitoring. Despite a large number of initial search results, after filtering the information, very few papers have been found that report the use of drones in green areas. Several aspects of drone use, the monitored areas, and the additional ground-based devices for information monitoring are compared and evaluated. The data obtained are first analysed in a general way and then divided into three groups of papers according to their application: irrigation, fertilisation, and others. The main results of this paper indicate that despite the diversity of drones on the market, most of the researchers are using the same drone. Two options for using cameras in order to obtain infrared information were identified. Moreover, differences in the way that drones are used for monitoring turfgrass depending on the aspect of the area being monitored have been identified. Finally, we have indicated the current gaps in order to provide a comprehensive view of the existing situation and elucidate future trends of drone use in turfgrass management.

Green areas provide numerous ecosystem services (ES) that are essential for human well-being, such as climate regulation, air quality regulation, disease regulation, and recreational opportunities. In this study, we assessed the ecosystem services provided by green areas and their implications for human health in Brazil. Considering emerging problems in Brazil, such as population growth, the health crisis, and the increase in deforestation, ES mapping is essential to understand barriers and diagnose strategies for promoting the health and well-being of the Brazilian population. Using remote sensing data and geographic information systems, we evaluated the Green Areas Ecosystem Services (GAES), composed of i) the provision of green areas; ii) regulation of air quality; iii) climate regulation; iv) diseases regulation (cardiorespiratory); and v) cultural services, including recreation, sports, and ecotourism. Our findings suggest that green areas in Brazil provide a considerable amount of ecosystem services that are relevant to human health. Over 70 % of Brazil exhibited GAES values exceeding 0.5 (relative scale ranging from 0 to 1). This indicates that a significant portion of the Brazilian population has access to green spaces that provide important services, such as air and water purification, climate regulation, and disease regulation. The mean GAES value for the entire country was 0.78, with notable regional variations. The highest GAES was found in regions dominated by the Amazon Forest (GAES = 0.81), while the smallest offers of GAES are in the northeast (GAES = 0.40) and south (GAES = 0.41) regions of the country The type of vegetation was an important factor in the regulation of climate and air quality. However, factors such as population density and urbanization interfere with the regulation of diseases. Considering the 10 states with the highest and lowest per capita income and population density, the state of Rio Grande do Sul, located in the South region, had the highest mean GAES value; while the state of Acre, in the North region, had the lowest. Our findings suggest that interventions to improve green area provision and quality may be most effective in the northeast and South regions of Brazil. This is indicative of the observed lower GAES provision in these regions, primarily attributed to elevated urbanization levels leading to the conversion of green areas into urban zones. Overall, our study highlights the importance of green areas for human well-being and provides valuable information for policymakers to prioritize interventions to improve GAES provision across Brazil.

Studies regarding the experience of children in schools' outdoor environments report several benefits of nature on children's cognitive, emotional, and physical development; thus, there is a need to systematically assess the characteristics of children's place experience considering their own activities and social interactions. The present study investigated the perceptions of the physical environment and children-environment interactions during recess-time in natural (vs. built) schoolyards. In a between-subjects quasi-experiment in two Italian Primary schools, we collected and analyzed 298 children's drawings and written descriptions regarding the activities they engage during recess time, developing a detailed coding system. Results showed how during the green break (vs. grey) children significantly engaged in more exploratory behaviors, rough and tumble behaviors, and active conversation, while in the grey break their play was more structured and left less space for free activities. In drawings, the natural environment (vs. built) is pictured as significantly more green, open, and rich in biodiversity and details, compared to the built environment that is depicted as grey, closed, and more crowded. Implications are discussed in both theoretical and practical terms on how natural schoolyards can afford different place experiences and play and non-play behaviors in children, contributing to improve their well-being during school-time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world's urban population is growing rapidly, and threatening natural ecosystems, especially streams. Urbanization leads to stream alterations, increased peak flow frequencies, and reduced water quality due to pollutants, morphological changes, and biodiversity loss, known as the urban stream syndrome. However, a shift towards recognizing urban streams as valuable natural systems is occurring, emphasizing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. This study in Uruguay examined water quality in various watersheds with different urbanization levels and socio-environmental characteristics along a precipitation gradient. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and in situ data, we assessed physicochemical parameters, generated territorial variables, and identified key predictors of water quality. We found that urbanization, particularly urban areas, paved areas, and populations without sanitation, significantly influenced water quality parameters. These factors explained over 50% of the variation in water quality indicators. However, the relationship between urbanization and water quality was non-linear, with abrupt declines after specific urban intensity thresholds. Our results illustrate that ensuring sanitation networks and managing green areas effectively are essential for preserving urban stream water quality. This research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary teams and localized data for informed freshwater resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Urban parks play a crucial role in environmental balance and health promotion. This study in Recife, between 2019 and 2020, investigated the association between variables related to the use of urban parks and the users' self-perception of physical and mental health. With 1082 questionnaires administered in eight parks, data analysis, carried out using ordinal logistic regression models in Stata and Intelecttus, revealed that the user profile and park use patterns positively correlate with well-being. Results indicate that park visitors have a monthly income and education level higher than the city average. The positive perception of physical and mental health was evident, with 50.82% considering their mental health good and 43.56% evaluating their physical health positively. Furthermore, 33.79% reported an excellent stress level in the last two weeks. Practising physical activities was associated with a more positive perception of physical health, increasing the chances by 44.24% compared to those who do not exercise. The favourable perception of stress levels also contributed to a better mental health assessment among users. These results highlight the importance of urban parks in promoting health and offer a diagnosis of users' profiles, informing the management of these areas and developing intersectoral public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable urban ecosystems require healthy green spaces that provide ecological services to meet social and environmental needs. This study evaluates the proportion of green areas in the urban campus and assesses the effects of pavement on the health of Samanea saman. The MAPIR Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) camera mounted on a drone captured a proportion of green areas of approximately 27.80%, which is roughly a quarter of the total study sites. However, the significance of green areas depends on the health of the trees. Therefore, the pavement effects on the health status of trees in green areas were studied using Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) and aerial image analysis using the MAPIR (NDVI) camera on a drone. Although both methods evaluate health status, the final outputs differed. VTA produced categorical outputs, which assigned trees into health categories based on a visual assessment of factors. In contrast, NDVI produced linear outputs, which provided a numerical value to demonstrate tree health. Both methods indicate that trees in non-paved areas are healthier, particularly for the excellent trees identified by the VTA, which suggests that pavement negatively impacts tree health. However, the effects of paved and non-paved areas on tree health status analysis using the aerial image are not significant (p>0.05), which may be due to the low quality and accuracy of the images. The study provides insights into the importance of green areas and tree health in creating sustainable urban ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to demonstrate the necessity of infrastructure planning in the big cities of Romania starting from a theoretical approach to the subject. Green space and green infrastructure have a close connection with topics like urban sprawl, climate change, or nature-based solutions. The present results are based on the research on Google Scholar of the publications that have appeared in recent years. Thus, most scientific papers mostly refer to urban green infrastructure in relation to the field of planning, public health, nature-based solutions and climate change and, in a lower extent, to GIS systems, pandemic and social equity. The conclusions show that an interdisciplinary approach is needed, and that a strategic and priority urban planning must evaluate ecosystem services offered by green infrastructure in order to sustain a healthy city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Civil Engineering (Polish Academy of Sciences) is the property of Polish Academy of Sciences 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.)

Urban green areas serve both the mental and physical health of the people living in the settlements; therefore, the ornamental plants used on green areas currently have a prominent role in reducing the effects of climate change and urbanization, as well as in providing ecosystem services. This is a dynamically changing, new field that requires close cooperation with several scientific fields, such as landscape architecture and plant physiology, genetics, plant breeding, and ecology. The monitoring and research of settlement communities as ecological systems greatly serves the perception of the effects of climate change and helps to mitigate them. The sustainability and economic operation of established urban green space systems can be made effective by applying innovative technologies. The Special Issue "Ornamental Plants and Urban Gardening" was launched in 2022 and published 13 articles on the topic until 31 July 2023. The published articles also have a very wide spectrum of topics, which also shows the diversity and the interdisciplinary nature of the scientific field. In the following, we present the main topics of the published articles and the results with which their authors contributed to the enrichment of the scientific field. We present a brief summary of the articles in shorter subsections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary economy paradigm is globalization. This paper contains the interdisciplinary expertise on the innovative solutions of sustainable development of urban areas and cleaner environment. Due to inequality between the developed and undeveloped parts on the regions and countries, big migrations are happening. The result is recognized in overcrowded cities. Concentration of people on small areas produces serious negative consequences on the environment and the quality of the life. This paper aims to point out innovative models of cities from the perspective of sustainable development. New population migrations, relating to their elementary and civilization needs require better solutions. Holistic concept of blue green cities is the latest and the most advanced stage in sustainable development for urban areas. Different renewable energy implementation models and principals of circular economy up to zero waste are researched in this manuscript, representing support of the main idea of blue green cities.

Urban parks are vital components of city ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, climate resilience, air and water quality, health, socialization, and economic benefits for citizens in urban areas. This paper examines urban parks in Novi Sad by gathering opinions on their qualities and functions through a questionnaire. The respondents were students enrolled in the landscape architecture course at the University of Novi Sad. To analyze their responses, multivariate statistical analysis techniques, including ANOVA, MANOVA, and contingency tables, were applied. The results highlight the primary reasons for visiting urban parks in general, as well as specific parks in Novi Sad. The paper offers insights into visitor behavior, including the frequency and length of their stays, etc., and provides an assessment of the parks’ educational functions, which were expected to be highly relevant for the respondent group. The results can be relevant for further urban park development and serve as a starting point for applying multi-criteria (MC) analysis. Specifically, the results can be used to define a set of criteria, goals, and other essential elements necessary for conducting Analytic Hierarchy Processes or similar MC analysis methods.

Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are non-material intangible benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, which are indispensable for the well-being of communities and directly influence the quality of life. CES are deeply interconnected to each other and to providing and regulating services, thus influencing everyday life. CES are among the most important values that people associate with nature, but understanding them may be challenging. The definition of CES is both self-evident and elusive, specifically because they consist of the interaction between two dynamic systems: human societies and natural ecosystems. This paper updates the state of the art about CES evaluation methods, underlining the gap between their economic values and their incorporation into planning and decision-making on different scales and in different sectors, and emphasizes their importance in conservation policies and sustainable development programs. This study reviewed 68 articles published between August 2019 and May 2023 from the SCOPUS database, and classified CES assessment into 15 evaluation methods. This review reveals that the choice of CES assessment methodologies has often depended on evaluation purposes. In addition, specific CES classifications are required, since different definitions and unstandardized economic concepts for assigning market values to the CES can lead to conflicting results. The combination of different methods, monetary and non-monetary, can aid better evaluation of CES by focusing on the interaction between different components, and can facilitate the mapping and quantification of social values of ecosystem services. This can help decision-makers to develop sustainable territorial planning and policies.

Urban parks are central to advancing urban sustainability and improving overall quality of life by providing green spaces that promote physical and mental well-being, mitigate environmental issues, and foster community cohesion. However, there is a lack of methodologies that measure these benefits and provide a sustainability rating. In this study, we propose a valuable tool for measuring the sustainability level of urban parks: low (0–50%), medium (51–79%), and high (80–100%). It employs effective and affordable measures for the daily management of urban parks. It is rooted in the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. We have defined 19 indicators (e.g., renewable energy and energy efficiency, environmental impact on society) and 50 criteria (e.g., clean energy generation, water workshops). A multi-criteria analysis facilitated the selection process for these indicators and criteria. This methodology is developed by characterizing and systematically documenting the park's day-to-day operations. We present a case study of Cárcamos Park in Guanajuato, Mexico. Through this real-life scenario, we demonstrate our methodology's high applicability and effectiveness. The sustainability assessment of Cárcamos Park reveals a level of 57%, with the environmental pillar at 47.7%, the economic pillar at 49%, and the social pillar at 75%. The adaptability of our methodology during the design phase of new parks plays a crucial role in shaping sustainable park layouts. Park managers can apply our procedure to any park, evaluate their sustainability status, and detect areas of opportunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological development of a modern urbanised territory is grounded in the fundamental concepts of sustainable green development, the concept of which reflects the satisfaction of the city's needs while preserving the environment. The study has the objective of formulating recommendations to enhance the institutional structure of urban parks. These recommendations are aimed at aligning park operations with the principles of sustainable green development in cities. Additionally, the study seeks to improve the social and economic efficiency of the environmental infrastructure in urban areas. To achieve these goals, the study employed general scientific methods of cognition. They include analysis, abstraction, synthesis, induction, and deduction. The study also utilized methods of specification and formalisation. Throughout the research, the focus was on investigating the existing state of the management system for urban parks and evaluating the reserves of their recreational capabilities. It is established that the park economy of Ukraine is currently functioning in isolation, so the environmental optimisation of this area requires the formation of a modern approach to the management and organisation system. It has been determined that green areas of the city are a basic prerequisite for preserving the species diversity of local ecosystems. The primary directions for development of urban park systems in the direction of recreation are highlighted. The specifics of their management process with the involvement of modern monitoring and investment opportunities are investigated, and further development prospects are outlined. The study recommends key measures to improve the situation in the examined field. These measures encompass the enhancement of recreational opportunities within parks, the monitoring and control of anthropogenic impact on the environment, the regulation of quality and safety standards, and the preservation of biodiversity in local ecosystems. The practical significance of the research results is evident in their potential application in the development of programs. These programs are designed to enhance the efficiency of urban parks, elevate their recreational value, and establish a resilient ecological park network in Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Space & Form / Przestrzeń i FORMA is the property of West Pomeranian University of Technology, Department of Architecture & Urban Planning 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.)

Copyright of Turkish Online Journal of Design, Art & Communication is the property of Turkish Online Journal of Design, Art & Communication 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.)

Community programs can facilitate the access of vulnerable subgroups to physical activity (PA). This study analyzed the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, public open spaces (POS) usage, and women's PA. The 155 participants were assiduous in taking part in PA classes in POS in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil. The accelerometer-based PA measures identified four outcomes: (1) daily light-intensity PA (LPA), (2) daily moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), (3) LPA in POS, and (4) MVPA in POS. Linear regression, and the Durbin–Watson and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for data analysis in STATA software. The main results showed that the weekly frequency (β: 10.9, p < 0.01) and intensity of the main activity in the POS (β: 22.4, p < 0.05) were related to daily MVPA. Economic level and length of stay in the POS were positively related to the LPA performed (p < 0.05). Weekly frequency (β: 2.4, p < 0.01), length of stay (β: 11.0, p < 0.01), and intensity of PA practiced in the POS (β: 5.9, p < 0.05) showed a positive relationship with MVPA in the POS. In conclusion, there was a positive relationship between some analyzed variables and PA of different intensities, especially the consistent relationship between weekly frequency of POS usage and MVPA. Participation in structured PA classes in a community program can contribute to an increase of 47 min of daily MVPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper highlights the importance of high-quality outdoor spaces in improving physical and social well-being in the residential environment of the elderly. The historical Swedish practice of green areas design was analysed as a role model to gain knowledge and understanding of the importance of open space and green areas in residential environments. During the Covid-19 pandemic, nursing homes were among the most critical living environments, as evidenced by a disproportionate number of infections and deaths among nursing home residents worldwide. The main objective of this study is to confirm the importance of architectural design quality with special attention to outdoor space, especially in situations comparable to Covid-19 pandemics. The methods used for the research were a literature review, selection of three case studies based on two dependent and one independent variable, on-site work analysis and use of the previously developed “Safe & Connected” assessment tool. The main findings show the positive influence of open space and green areas existence on reducing the risk of infections of SARS-CoV-2 in nursing homes at three different levels. In this context, it appears that the appropriate design of outdoor space can help contain the spread of viral infections while allowing nursing home residents to live with dignity and maximum social integration.

Generative adversarial networks (GAN) opened new possibilities for image processing and analysis. Inpainting, dataset augmentation using artificial samples, or increasing spatial resolution of aerial imagery are only a few notable examples of utilising GANs in remote sensing (RS). The normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) ground-truth labels were prepared by combining RGB and NIR orthophotos. The dataset was then utilised as input for a conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) to perform an image-to-image translation. The main goal of the neural network was to generate an artificial NDVI image for each processed 256 px × 256 px patch using only information available in the panchromatic input. The network achieved a structural similarity index measure (SSIM) of 0.7569 ± 0.1083, a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 26.6459 ± 3.6577 and a root-mean-square error (RSME) of 0.0504 ± 0.0193 on the test set, which should be considered high. The perceptual evaluation was performed to verify the method's usability when working with a real-life scenario. The research confirms that the structure and texture of the panchromatic aerial RS image contain sufficient information for NDVI estimation for various objects of urban space. Even though these results can highlight areas rich in vegetation and distinguish them from the urban background, there is still room for improvement regarding the accuracy of the estimated values. The research aims to explore the possibility of utilising GAN to enhance panchromatic images (PAN) with information related to vegetation. This opens exciting opportunities for historical RS imagery processing and analysis.

Çocuk oyun alanları çocukların çevre ile ilk tanıştıkları, sosyal iletişim kurdukları ve çocuğun erken gelişimi açısından önemli katkılar sunan kentsel mekanlardır. Bundan dolayı çocuk oyun alanlarının ve içerisindeki öğelerin nicelik ve nitelik açısından yeterli düzeyde olması, standartlara uygun olarak tasarlanması çocuk gelişimi için oldukça önemlidir. Bu çalışmada Bursa Kestel İlçesinde yer alan 42 mevcut çocuk oyun alanını; oyun elemanları, donatı elemanları, zemin döşemesi, oyun elemanlarının malzemesi, arazi yapısı, çocuk oyun alanının tipi, bitkisel tasarım ve güvenlik kriterleri doğrultusunda irdelenerek her çocuk oyun alanı için mevcut durum analizinin gerçekleştirilmesi ve ilçedeki çocuk başına düşen çocuk oyun alanı miktarının hesaplanması amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla ilçedeki çocuk oyun alanlarının mevcut durumunun saptanmasına yönelik arazi çalışmaları yapılarak çocuk oyun alanları değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuç olarak ilçedeki çocuk oyun alanlarının genel olarak nicelik ve nitelik açısından yetersiz düzeyde olduğu ve önemli eksikliklerinin bulunduğu tespit edilmiştir. İlçedeki çocuk başına düşen çocuk oyun alanı miktarı ise 5.41 m2/çocuk olarak hesaplanmıştır.