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With the continuous increase of rapid urbanization and population growth, sustainable urban land-use planning is becoming a more complex and challenging task for urban planners and decision-makers. Multi-objective land-use allocation can be regarded as a complex spatial optimization problem that aims to achieve the possible trade-offs among multiple and conflicting objectives. This paper proposes an improved Non-dominated Sorting Biogeography-Based Optimization (NSBBO) algorithm for solving the multi-objective land-use allocation problem, in which maximum accessibility, maximum compactness, and maximum spatial integration were formulated as spatial objectives; and space syntax analysis was used to analyze the potential movement patterns in the new urban planning area of the city of Kigali, Rwanda. Efficient Non-dominated Sorting (ENS) algorithm and crossover operator were integrated into classical NSBBO to improve the quality of non-dominated solutions, and local search ability, and to accelerate the convergence speed of the algorithm. The results showed that the proposed NSBBO exhibited good optimal solutions with a high hypervolume index compared to the classical NSBBO. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm could generate optimal land use scenarios according to the preferred objectives, thus having the potential to support the decision-making of urban planners and stockholders in revising and updating the existing detailed master plan of land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the post-industrial era, many cities have experienced the decline of heavy industry and traditional manufacturing, leading to the widespread emergence of brownfields. These often cluster geographically, forming "brownfield clusters" characterized by shared spatial and functional traits. Our research examined these phenomena within 10 resource-exhausted cities in China, employing kernel density analysis to explore the spatial dynamics within and among these clusters and their urban contexts. We identified three distinct spatial relationships between brownfield clusters and their host cities (coupling, juxtaposition, and encircling), with a detailed case study in Huangshi City further classifying the clusters into five categories based on their dominant factors, spatial morphologies, types of brownfields, and internal dynamics. The study reveals that the spatial configurations of brownfield clusters are significantly influenced by geographic features, transportation infrastructure, and policy frameworks. Based on these findings, we propose targeted regeneration strategies for each cluster type. This research not only enhances our understanding of brownfield challenges and opportunities in China's resource-exhausted cities but also serves as a valuable reference for other cities and regions worldwide facing similar challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kowloon Walled City (KWC), formerly the world's most densely populated place, is an example of urban density and self-organization in opposition to current urban developments, such as NEOM's The Line, which illustrates the future of envisioned sustainable living. The main research question addressed in this study is: How can principles of self-organization and resilience from densely populated historical urban areas be applied to enhance the sustainability and livability of future planned urban developments? This study investigates the critical components of urban livability and governance amid severe densities by examining the underlying factors that lead to KWC's unique sort of urban equilibrium and comparing them to the ideas that motivated the creation of The Line. This multidisciplinary research employs qualitative analysis to focus on architectural styles, community interactions, and governance systems. This approach allows for an in-depth examination of the parallels and dissimilarities between natural city evolution and future city planning. Key findings reveal that KWC's functioning stems from its complex social fabric and adaptable informal governance, providing valuable lessons in resilience and community-driven urban development. The results suggest that the flexibility and community-driven efforts of KWC are essential for ensuring long-term viability, and these aspects may be integrated into contemporary projects such as The Line. The outcomes highlight the potential of combining KWC's social cohesiveness with The Line's technology developments to create urban environments that are both robust and sustainable. The results are supported by evidence obtained from historical analysis, which showcases the practical uses of integrating organic and planned urban development concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of privacy and spatial configuration on the efficiency of residential apartments in Duhok City, focusing on how these factors influence resident satisfaction and functional efficiency in urban housing. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative data from Depthmap X and A-Graph analyses with qualitative insights from interviews conducted with thirty-two residents across 13 apartment complexes. The findings highlight notable variations in spatial metrics such as Connectivity, Integration, and Control Value, which significantly correlate with residents' perceptions of privacy, spatial layout, and overall livability. For example, higher integration values were associated with increased social interaction but occasionally compromised privacy, while greater mean depth values enhanced privacy at the expense of social connectivity. These observations underscore the intricate relationship between architectural design and resident experience. The study advances urban planning and architectural design by showing that thoughtful attention to privacy and spatial configuration can substantially improve the functional efficiency of living spaces. Implications of this research include the formulation of design guidelines that balance individual privacy with communal interaction, potentially guiding future residential development projects in Duhok and similar environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid population increment of big towns, creation of numerous small-towns, increasing demand for better urban-related facilities from the big towns and availability of better transport facilities always accelerate the process of urban-to-urban interaction. It will be interesting to understand in which pattern and extent the inter-urban interaction is taking place over a backward region like Purulia district, West Bengal. So, to understand the impact of urban-to-urban interaction on the process of urban development, the present study was executed to analyse the urban-to-urban interaction of the towns of four groups for the betterment of the big as well as small-towns in near future. Purulia district has now twenty-eight towns and these towns are grouped based on the distance between each other like the north-eastern town group, central town group, southern town group and western town group for a clear understanding of the pattern of interaction between them. The Synthesised Gravity Model has been applied to identify the pattern and intensity of interaction between the towns in the prescribed town groups which is a modern version of traditional gravity model. To quantify a town's influential factor on another town over the same region, the study used to identify a set of socio-economic variables and the data were collected based on a questionnaire method against these variables. The result of the study shows that in each of the selected town groups the interaction has occurred from small-town to the big town oriented. The study also revealed that the interaction between the towns has a massive impact on the process of urban development for the small and big towns. The suggested planning recommendations based on the study will be very helpful for planners for sustainable urban planning of the statutory as well as census towns in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban heat islands (UHIs) are a significant environmental problem, exacerbating the urban climate and affecting human health in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. The need to understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of UHI in the context of urban expansion is crucial for sustainable urban planning. The aim of this study was to quantify the changes in land use and land cover (LULC) and urbanization, assess the expansion process of UHI, and analyze its connectivity in order to develop strategies to mitigate UHI in an urban context over a 30-year period from 1990 to 2020. Using remote sensing data, LULC changes were analyzed with a random forest model. LULC change rate (LCCR), land cover intensity (LCI), and landscape expansion index (LEI) were calculated to quantify urbanization. The land surface temperature for the study period was calculated using the mono-window algorithm. The UHI effect was analyzed using an integrated radius and non-linear regression approach, fitting SUHI data to polynomial curves and identifying turning points based on the regression derivative for UHI intensity belts to quantify the expansion and intensification of UHI. Landscape metrics such as the aggregation index (AI), landscape shape index (LSI), and four other matrices were calculated to assess UHI morphology and connectivity of the UHI. In addition, the LEI was adopted to measure the extent of UHI growth patterns. From 1990 to 2020, the study area experienced significant urbanization, with the built-up area increasing from 69.40 to 338.74 km2, an increase of 1.923 to 9.385% of the total area. This expansion included growth in peripheral areas of 129.33 km2, peripheral expansion of 85.40 km2, and infilling of 3.80 km2. At the same time, the UHI effect intensified with an increase in mean LST from 40.55 to 46.73 °C. The spatial extent of the UHI increased, as shown by the increase in areas with an LST above 50 °C from 36.58 km2 in 1990 to 133.52 km2 in 2020. The connectivity of the UHI also increased, as shown by the increase in the AI from 38.91 to 41.30 and the LSI from 56.72 to 93.64, reflecting a more irregular and fragmented urban landscape. In parallel to these urban changes, the area classified as UHI increased significantly, with the peripheral areas expanding from 23.99 km2 in the period 1990–2000 to 80.86 km2 in the period 2000–2020. Peripheral areas also grew significantly from 36.42 to 96.27 km2, contributing to an overall more pronounced and interconnected UHI effect by 2020. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of urban expansion and its thermal impacts. It highlights the need for integrated urban planning that includes strategies to mitigate the UHI effect, such as improving green infrastructure, optimizing land use, and improving urban design to counteract the negative effects of urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous increase of rapid urbanization and population growth, sustainable urban land-use planning is becoming a more complex and challenging task for urban planners and decision-makers. Multi-objective land-use allocation can be regarded as a complex spatial optimization problem that aims to achieve the possible trade-offs among multiple and conflicting objectives. This paper proposes an improved Non-dominated Sorting Biogeography-Based Optimization (NSBBO) algorithm for solving the multi-objective land-use allocation problem, in which maximum accessibility, maximum compactness, and maximum spatial integration were formulated as spatial objectives; and space syntax analysis was used to analyze the potential movement patterns in the new urban planning area of the city of Kigali, Rwanda. Efficient Non-dominated Sorting (ENS) algorithm and crossover operator were integrated into classical NSBBO to improve the quality of non-dominated solutions, and local search ability, and to accelerate the convergence speed of the algorithm. The results showed that the proposed NSBBO exhibited good optimal solutions with a high hypervolume index compared to the classical NSBBO. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm could generate optimal land use scenarios according to the preferred objectives, thus having the potential to support the decision-making of urban planners and stockholders in revising and updating the existing detailed master plan of land use.

The urban transformations of many contemporary cities have been articulated around the concepts of 'culture-led regeneration' and 'creative city'. However, the implemented policies often fall far short of the initial expectations. In fact, they have been linked to negative effects such as gentrification, polarisation of the labour market, casualization of the cultural sector and the commoditization of the creative process and the trivialisation of heritage assets. Given this reality, it is appropriate to inquire whether culture and creativity can become the driving forces behind a sustainable regeneration – i.e. materially, economically, socioculturally and environmentally viable in the long term – without leading to such undesired outcomes. The paper addresses this issue through the examination of Sant Martí –Barcelona's historic industrial cluster. This district has undergone a culture-led regeneration that in the last two decades has been closely tied to the principles of the 'creative city'. Given that Sant Martí has curbed some of the negative effects commonly attributed to this approach, I analyse what variables have enabled this particularity and connect them with what I have called BFSs (Basic Factors of Sustainability). I establish that certain variables can bring the 'creative city' closer to the 'sustainable city'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban environments play a significant role in global carbon emissions and sequestration, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of their spatial distribution. This study presents a micro‐scale spatial modeling framework to elucidate the complex interplay between CO2 sources and sinks within urban settings. Utilizing advanced geospatial analysis, remote sensing data, and geographically weighted regression (GWR) modeling techniques, we provide a detailed characterization of emission patterns and identify the spatial distribution of carbon dioxide sequestration. Employing the bottom‐up method and geographic information system techniques, we quantified carbon dioxide emissions in Isfahan City, Iran, attributing 81.68% to stationary combustion sources (residential, commercial, industrial, and power plant sectors) and 18.32% to mobile combustion sources (road‐rail transportation, and non‐road transportation [agricultural machinery]). To model carbon sequestration, we calculated tree biomass using allometric equations and estimated carbon sequestration per tree unit. Subsequently, we employed GWR to map the spatial distribution of carbon deposition across the city. The results revealed an annual carbon sequestration capacity of 7,704 tons, equivalent to storing 28,275 tons of CO2. Our findings highlight the substantial contribution of urban areas to greenhouse gas emissions and the potential of urban green spaces to mitigate these emissions. The spatial modeling framework developed in this study provides a valuable tool for urban planners to optimize carbon management strategies and promote sustainable urban development. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanisation has led to significant environmental and climatic changes worldwide, especially in urban heat islands where increased land surface temperature (LST) poses a major challenge to sustainable urban living. In the city of Abha in southwestern Saudi Arabia, a region experiencing rapid urban growth, the impact of such expansion on LST and the resulting microclimatic changes are still poorly understood. This study aims to explore the dynamics of urban sprawl and its direct impact on LST to provide important insights for urban planning and climate change mitigation strategies. Using the random forest (RF) algorithm optimised for land use and land cover (LULC) mapping, LULC models were derived that had an overall accuracy of 87.70%, 86.27% and 93.53% for 1990, 2000 and 2020, respectively. The mono-window algorithm facilitated the derivation of LST, while Markovian transition matrices and spatial linear regression models assessed LULC dynamics and LST trends. Notably, built-up areas grew from 69.40 km2 in 1990 to 338.74 km2 in 2020, while LST in urban areas showed a pronounced warming trend, with temperatures increasing from an average of 43.71 °C in 1990 to 50.46 °C in 2020. Six landscape fragmentation indices were then calculated for urban areas over three decades. The results show that the Largest Patch Index (LPI) increases from 22.78 in 1990 to 65.24 in 2020, and the number of patches (NP) escalates from 2,531 in 1990 to an impressive 10,710 in 2020. Further regression analyses highlighted the morphological changes in the cities and attributed almost 97% of the LST variability to these urban patch dynamics. In addition, water bodies showed a cooling trend with a temperature decrease from 33.76 °C in 2000 to 29.69 °C in 2020, suggesting an anthropogenic influence. The conclusion emphasises the urgent need for sustainable urban planning to counteract the warming trends associated with urban sprawl and promote climate resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For driving the roads of cities into enjoyable and relaxing places with parks, trees, and seating, a paradigm change in everyone’s commuter behavior is needed. Still, individual transport via cars increases, and thus, the space required for parking and driving these cars shapes our cities — not the people. Next to the space needed, vehicles pollute the environment with CO2, diesel particulate, and even electric cars with tire abrasion. Alternative modes of locomotion, like public transportation and shared mobility, are still not attractive to many people. Intelligent intermodal mobility networks can help address these challenges, allowing for efficient use between various transportation modalities. These mobility networks require good databases and simulation combined into digital twins. This paper presents how such a digital twin can be created in the Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO) software using data from available and future city sensors. The digital twin aims to simulate, analyze, and evaluate the different behaviors and interactions between traffic participants when changing commuting incentives. Using the city of Osnabrück and its different available sensor types, the data availability is compared with other towns to discuss how the data density can be improved. Creating a static network from open street data and intersection side maps provided by the city of Osnabrück shows how these data can be integrated into SUMO for generating traffic flows and routes in SUMO based on a database of historical and live data. Within the conclusion, the paper discusses how developing a digital twin in SUMO from static and dynamic data can be improved in the future and what common misconceptions need to be overcome.

Air pollution, a pervasive environmental threat that spans urban and rural landscapes alike, poses significant risks to human health, exacerbating respiratory conditions, triggering cardiovascular problems, and contributing to a myriad of other health complications across diverse populations worldwide. This article delves into the multifarious impacts of air pollution, utilizing cutting-edge research methodologies and big data analytics to offer a comprehensive overview. It highlights the emergence of new pollutants, their sources, and characteristics, thereby broadening our understanding of contemporary air quality challenges. The detrimental health effects of air pollution are examined thoroughly, emphasizing both short-term and long-term impacts. Particularly vulnerable populations are identified, underscoring the need for targeted health risk assessments and interventions. The article presents an in-depth analysis of the global disease burden attributable to air pollution, offering a comparative perspective that illuminates the varying impacts across different regions. Furthermore, it addresses the economic ramifications of air pollution, quantifying health and economic losses, and discusses the implications for public policy and health care systems. Innovative air pollution intervention measures are explored, including case studies demonstrating their effectiveness. The paper also brings to light recent discoveries and insights in the field, setting the stage for future research directions. It calls for international cooperation in tackling air pollution and underscores the crucial role of public awareness and education in mitigating its impacts. This comprehensive exploration serves not only as a scientific discourse but also as a clarion call for action against the invisible but insidious threat of air pollution, making it a vital read for researchers, policymakers, and the general public.

Urban and transportation policies are increasingly recognized for their potential to mitigate climate change impacts and address transport externalities. Amidst efforts to shift modal preferences and reduce transport emissions, cities are turning to spatialbased policies, such as Superblocks, to reshape urban mobility. This research examines the electoral outcomes associated with the implementation of Superblocks in Barcelona, focusing on their impact on political support for Barcelona en Comú (BEC) during the local elections of 2015 and 2023. Utilizing a combination of adjusted difference-in-differences and propensity score matching methods, we assessed the public’s electoral response to the Superblock initiative amidst a backdrop of declining city-wide support for BEC. Our findings reveal that Superblock areas demonstrated significantly stronger support for BEC, suggesting a political premium for the party responsible for these urban interventions. Specifically, electoral support in Superblock districts saw an increase of 10–14% compared to the rest of the city. This result highlights the potential of urban transformation policies to influence political preferences locally and potentially validate the use of local electoral data as a tool for evaluating public response to highly contested urban policies.

This study investigates the influence of urban green landscapes on the Quality of Life (QoL) in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria, focusing on residents' perceptions and sustainable urban development strategies. Conducted from May to July 2023, the quantitative research surveyed 377 residents using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis, including correlation and t-tests, was performed using SPSS version 23. Findings reveal a positive perception of urban green spaces, significantly contributing to residents' QoL. Key results include high satisfaction with green areas enhancing environmental beauty (Mean=4.88, SD=0.90) and providing recreational appeal (Mean=4.45, SD=0.95). Additionally, these areas significantly impact perceived value (Mean=4.78, SD=0.93), prestige (Mean=4.92, SD=8.18), and attachment to the environment (Mean=4.71, SD=0.831). Residents with accessible and functional green spaces express higher satisfaction levels (Cronbach’s Alpha > 0.9). The study underscores the importance of urban greenery in improving urban living conditions and offers strategic recommendations for sustainable urban planning. Addressing a gap in literature, this research provides empirical insights into residents' perspectives within Kaduna Metropolis, contributing to academic discourse and practical urban development approaches.

The urban heat island (UHI) and its intensity is one of the phenomena that are of determining importance for the comfort of living in cities and their sustainable development in the face of deepening climate change. The study is objectively difficult due to the large dynamics like land cover and the considerable diversity of land use patterns in urban areas. Most of the frequently used research practice approaches provide information with problematic spatial and temporal resolution, making them difficult to apply for sustainable urban planning purposes. This paper proposes to calculate SUHI intensity as the difference between the temperature of a given point within a city and the average minimum temperature of the land cover class with the lowest surface temperatures within the same urban area. The study presents the results of the application of thermal photogrammetry based on the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), combined with geographic information systems (GIS), in the study of surface urban heat island intensity (SUHI), at the local level for the largest housing complex in Bulgaria–Lyulin district of the capital of Sofia city. The studies were carried out during a heat wave in July 2023. A difference of 16.5 °C was found between locations with SUHI occurrence and of the peripheral non-build and natural land cover types within the urbanized area. The information benefits of locally addressed data and their direct applicability are discussed to support decision-making processes in the planning and management of urban areas, including their climate adaptation and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing the carbon sink capacity of urban green spaces is considered an effective means of reducing carbon dioxide concentration. This study, employing xCO2 as a key indicator and utilizing buffer analysis, estimated the carbon sink service radius of urban green spaces. Using spatial zoning and multifactor analysis, this research statistically analyzed 15 indicators, exploring the differences in carbon sink service radius from both the dimensions of urban green spaces and urban zones. The findings indicate that the carbon sink service radius is a result of the combined effect of urban green spaces and adjacent urban areas. Urban green space area, the NPP (net primary productivity) of urban zones, forest proportion, and grassland proportion are positively correlated with the carbon sink service radius, and the correlation degree is 0.12, 0.095, 0.121, and 0.125, respectively. The proportion of grassland and the proportion of impervious area in the city have a significant negative correlation with the carbon sink service radius, and the correlation degree is −0.074 and −0.081, respectively. This research holds significant implications for enhancing the carbon sink capacity of urban green spaces, adjusting land use patterns, and promoting the sustainable development of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We live in an urban planet. As the world continues to urbanize, urban development that support the health and wellbeing of city dwellers is far more important than ever before to achieve sustainable development targets. This study explores the complex relationship among urban planning, city growth, and health as critical drivers of sustainable development in the rapidly growing nodal city of Akure, Nigeria. The study provides a four-decade spatio-temporal model of urban Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes in Akure between the years 1984 and 2023 from acquired Landsat satellite imageries. The result shows more than 20% net change increase in developed LULC classes between the study years. A strong positive correlation exists between the years covered in the analyses and urban development (r = 0.93, p = 0.002), and a strong negative relationship with the forest land use (r = -0.94, p = 0.002) with potential debilitating impacts on residents' health, green infrastructures and the city's sustainability in the future. Furthermore, results of key informant interviews (KIIs) of officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD) in Akure, Ondo State, unveil various views on the "place of health" in urban planning practices in Akure. A lack of synergy between urban planners and public health practitioners in the city and limiting scope of functions of urban planning on the impact of health in Akure were observed. Thus, we recommend the integration of a sustainable urban planning approach as a guide to manage the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of smart cities, the pursuit of sustainability stands as a paramount goal, with energy management playing a central role. This paper is dedicated to the exploration of early energy consumption prediction as a linchpin in the realization of sustainable smart cities. Employing advanced long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, we introduce a potent predictive model tailored to anticipate energy consumption patterns within urban environments. Notably, our model achieves remarkable performance metrics, with a root mean square error of 547.71 and a strikingly low mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 1.22. Through meticulous comparisons against baseline models, our LSTM-based approach emerges as a beacon of accuracy, reliability, and sustainability. Beyond predictive analytics, our research offers actionable insights for urban planners and policymakers, fostering the creation of greener, more sustainable, and ecologically responsible smart cities that harmonize technological innovation with environmental stewardship. As smart cities continue to evolve, our work lays the foundation for a future where sustainability is not merely a goal but a reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-world labs (Rwls) are often used to explore and foster the mobility transition. Many RwLs dealing with mobility transition temporarily reallocate public spaces from motorized to active transport or to leisure activities. While some residents accept and enjoy the changes, others react with scepticism, rejection, or protest. This can lead to confiicts. Controversial perceptions and conflicts among residents make a permanent redesign rather challenging for the administration and the politicians. In this paper the authors investigate the relatedconflict types and counterarguments by studying the case of a temporary redesign of an intersection in Berlin. Based on in-depth interviews, they untangle procedural, distributional, and identity conflicts which might underlie the critical and ambivalent perceptions of residents. An abundance of confiict issues pertaining to procedural and distributional conflicts are revealed and emphasize the role of the RwL process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Food security strategies are essential for cities to respond to stresses and shocks while promoting urban health and quality of life. In Brazil, twenty-seven million city dwellers face severe food insecurity. Urban planning, local climate action and food security promotion are within Brazilian cities’ legal scope of action, providing opportunities to strengthen urban resilience. In this context, the proposed investigation aimed to verify if and how Brazilian cities coordinate these public policies to promote urban resilience and what accomplishments stem from this coordination. The investigation developed as a multiple case study covering ten Brazilian cities. It comprised the qualitative analysis of public policy documents using NVivo for data treatment, quantification, and categorisation. The results showed a wide variety in the breadth and depth of policy measures, indicating diverse maturity levels and implementation and pointing out opportunities for future investigation and policy improvements.

In modern days, a sustainable urban planning system requires a balance of vegetation, water, and settlement. The proportions of these surface features directly influence the land surface temperature (LST) in an urban area. LST primarily depends on the emittance of land use/land cover (LULC) categories. In an urban area, changes in LULC categories as well as local warming are the prime regulators of LST change. The study analyses the LULC change and its impact on LST in Imphal City, India. Landsat satellite data for the summer season and winter seasons for 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021 have been used in this study. Results show that the mean LST of the study area increased at >1% rate/decade. The green area and water area decreased the LST values whereas the built-up area and fallow lands increased the LST values. The study indicates the consequences of proper land conversion to regulate the LST change. Moreover, the influence of population on LST is also determined. The continuous rising trend of population is a positive factor of increasing LST. The study may help the town and country planners to generate sustainable urban land.

In the post-industrial era, many cities have experienced the decline of heavy industry and traditional manufacturing, leading to the widespread emergence of brownfields. These often cluster geographically, forming “brownfield clusters” characterized by shared spatial and functional traits. Our research examined these phenomena within 10 resource-exhausted cities in China, employing kernel density analysis to explore the spatial dynamics within and among these clusters and their urban contexts. We identified three distinct spatial relationships between brownfield clusters and their host cities (coupling, juxtaposition, and encircling), with a detailed case study in Huangshi City further classifying the clusters into five categories based on their dominant factors, spatial morphologies, types of brownfields, and internal dynamics. The study reveals that the spatial configurations of brownfield clusters are significantly influenced by geographic features, transportation infrastructure, and policy frameworks. Based on these findings, we propose targeted regeneration strategies for each cluster type. This research not only enhances our understanding of brownfield challenges and opportunities in China’s resource-exhausted cities but also serves as a valuable reference for other cities and regions worldwide facing similar challenges.

Scholars have sought to integrate sustainable principles, attitudes, and methodologies into urban development, drawing insights from the natural and social sciences as well as historical contexts. However, current sustainable urban planning (SUP) research has a broad scope, unclear boundaries, and an absence of systematic literature reviews. To fill this research gap, this review presents a visual analysis of 38,344 publications on SUP indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) from 1964 to 2023, with the aim of detailing the trajectory of SUP research. Utilizing data retrieval and scientific metrology techniques, we: (1) Identified distinct phases in SUP research: budding (pre-1990s), exploration (1990s), foundation (2000s), and maturation (2010–present). (2) Discovered that publications predominantly focused on urban research, landscape architecture, and ecological studies, with publishing trends favoring developed, highly urbanized, and coastal nations. (3) Employed visualized dual map overlays, co-citation clustering networks, and keyword statistical charts to construct a knowledge framework of the interdisciplinary progression and thematic shifts in SUP. Key knowledge clustering included 'community planning', 'urban expansion', 'ecosystem services', and 'nature-based solutions'. (4) Described the progression of SUP, green innovation is the most promising direction for future research. (5) Defined its scope and elements and advocated for three foundational principles: equity and justice, value articulations, and practical needs, offering a path to actualize SUP efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing financial costs as much as possible through the effective and efficient use of parking areas is an important issue for sustainable urban planning. This can be achieved by optimizing the placement of angles of parking-lots. In this study, to determine the optimum parking angles for rectangular-shaped parking areas, a Particle Swarm Optimization-based model that aims to maximize the capacity of parking areas is developed. In the scope of the study, firstly, 324 parking area scenarios which have different dimensions from each other are created for testing the effectiveness of the model developed. Each scenario is separately analyzed by considering the optimization-based model and fixed-parking angles (0o, 30o, 45o, 60o and 90o) used in parking area planning. In the last step, parking area capacities obtained by applying different parking angles for each scenario and the total parking capacities for all scenarios are compared in detail. Results show that the capacities of parking areas can be increased up to approximately 50% with the model created. Besides, in contrast to existing literature, the findings of this study have proven that the optimum parking angle directly depends on the topology of the land. The model developed can be applied to all rectangular-shaped parking areas to achieve better urban planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water has emerged as a pivotal global issue encompassing quantitative and qualitative dimensions, albeit with variations across the world. Successive dedicated reports have attributed the causes to i) population growth, leading to an increasing demand, ii) pollution resulting from mining and industrial transformation activities, and iii) climate change impacting the global water cycle. However, the implementation of the integrated water resource management and water sensitive urban design approach still appears to be limited worldwide. Therefore, this paper aims to contribute to stating the water urban issue and facilitate understanding the complexity of the problem at hand through relevant literature. Concrete examples from Algeria and around the world are cited to reveal these aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) projects are increasingly recognized as vital components of sustainable urban planning, aiming to create compact, walkable, and mixed-use communities centered around high-quality public transportation systems. However, implementing TOD projects poses significant challenges, especially in land acquisition and redistribution. This research addresses these issues in the context of the MRT Jakarta project and proposes a land readjustment approach as a potential solution. The study combined qualitative and quantitative methods to compare existing and ideal land use in the TOD area and benchmark successful TOD models from different countries. A comprehensive financial analysis was performed to assess the potential financial impacts of the proposed model. The analysis reveals differences between the existing land use in the Fatmawati TOD area and the ideal TOD model, suggesting the need for adjustments to achieve better land use diversity and economic vibrancy. The financial analysis demonstrates positive feasibility for the TOD project, surpassing the minimum attractive rate of return (MARR) threshold. However, the potential value of the reserved area covers only 16% of the total land readjustment (LR) costs, indicating the necessity for further measures to enhance financial feasibility. The study proposes leveraging existing apartment buildings as temporary relocation sites, optimizing resources, and increasing overall financial viability to address substantial relocation costs. Exploring different property redistribution scenarios reveals the importance of balancing landowners' benefits with the developer's financial feasibility for a successful TOD project. Overall, this research provides valuable insights and a comprehensive framework for implementing thriving and sustainable transit-oriented communities in Jakarta. Further research and collaboration among stakeholders are essential to refine the proposed model and ensure successful TOD project implementation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of rapid urbanization in Saudi Arabia, understanding the impact of landscape changes on land surface temperature (LST) is crucial for sustainable urban planning. This study assesses the influence of landscape morphology on LST and predicts future LST changes. A multi-temporal land use and land cover (LULC) analysis using random forest (RF) quantified urban expansion and its ecological impacts. Accuracy assessment using the kappa coefficient illustrated the precision of the classification techniques. Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA), developed in Python, analyzed the structural evolution of urban areas, vegetation and exposed rocks. Polynomial regression models established the relationship between landscape morphology and LST and predicted future temperature trends. Results for Asir show a significant improvement in accuracy of the LULC models over three decades, with overall accuracy increasing from 89.99% in 1990 to 91.72% in 2020. The bootstrapping trend analysis showed an urban expansion with a positive slope of 9.27 and a decline in water bodies with a negative slope of −0.03. The MSPA analysis reflected a significant urban expansion, with the core area growing from 45.19 km2 in 2001 to 230.33 km2 in 2021. The vegetated areas showed resilience and dynamic connectivity despite slight reduction and fragmentation. The polynomial regression predicted an increase in future average LST by 2030, with urban core areas reaching 58.47 °C, vegetated cores 42.19 °C and exposed rock cores 55.79 °C. These results highlight the link between urban expansion and LST rise and make the case for integrating green infrastructure and cooling strategies into urban development.

We live in an urban planet. As the world continues to urbanize, urban development that support the health and wellbeing of city dwellers is far more important than ever before to achieve sustainable development targets. This study explores the complex relationship among urban planning, city growth, and health as critical drivers of sustainable development in the rapidly growing nodal city of Akure, Nigeria. The study provides a four-decade spatio-temporal model of urban Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes in Akure between the years 1984 and 2023 from acquired Landsat satellite imageries. The result shows more than 20% net change increase in developed LULC classes between the study years. A strong positive correlation exists between the years covered in the analyses and urban development (r = 0.93, p = 0.002), and a strong negative relationship with the forest land use (r = −0.94, p = 0.002) with potential debilitating impacts on residents’ health, green infrastructures and the city’s sustainability in the future. Furthermore, results of key informant interviews (KIIs) of officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD) in Akure, Ondo State, unveil various views on the “place of health” in urban planning practices in Akure. A lack of synergy between urban planners and public health practitioners in the city and limiting scope of functions of urban planning on the impact of health in Akure were observed. Thus, we recommend the integration of a sustainable urban planning approach as a guide to manage the city.

This study focuses on innovative practices in sustainable urban planning, demonstrating significant advancements in key areas such as solar panel efficiency, rainwater harvesting capacity, community garden space, and bike-sharing station accessibility through in-depth experimentation and analysis. The research results show that the energy conversion rate of solar panels reached 25%, surpassing the market standard of 24%, which is crucial for enhancing self-sufficiency in energy in urban areas. The rainwater harvesting system performed well, achieving a capacity of 600 liters per square meter, slightly below the market rate of 650 liters, but still demonstrating significant potential in dense urban environments. Additionally, our project provided 3 square meters of community garden space per resident, exceeding the market average, effectively promoting urban greening and improving residents’ quality of life. In terms of transportation, our experimental model featured 1.5 bike-sharing stations per 1000 residents, better than the market data of 1.2 stations, contributing to the development of sustainable urban transportation. These outcomes not only showcase the potential of sustainable urban planning but also provide practical references and guidance for future urban development.

Urban Building Energy Modelling (UBEM) allows us to simulate buildings' energy performances at a larger scale. However, creating a reliable urban-scale energy model of new or existing urban areas can be difficult since the model requires overly detailed input data, which is not necessarily publicly unavailable. Model calibration is a necessary step to reduce the uncertainties and simulation results in order to develop a reliable and accurate UBEM. Due to the concerns over computational resources and the time needed for calibration, a sensitivity analysis is often required to identify the key parameters with the most substantial impact before the calibration is deployed in UBEM. Here, we study the sensitivity of uncertain input parameters that affect the annual heating and cooling energy demand by employing an urban-scale energy model, CitySim. Our goal is to determine the relative influence of each set of input parameters and their interactions on heating and cooling loads for various building forms under different climates. First, we conduct a global sensitivity analysis for annual cooling and heating consumption under different climate conditions. Building upon this, we investigate the changes in input sensitivity to different building forms, focusing on the indices with the largest Total-order sensitivity. Finally, we determine First-order indices and Total-order effects of each input parameter included in the urban building energy model. We also provide tables, showing the important parameters on the annual cooling and heating demand for each climate and each building form. We find that if the desired calibration process require to decrease the number of the inputs to save the computational time and cost, calibrating 5 parameters; temperature set-point, infiltration rate, floor U-value, avg. walls U-value and roof U-value would impact the results over 55% for any climate and any building form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinforcement of the concept of nature-based solutions in urban environments calls for their better introduction and linkage into urban planning. The paper is focused on the relationship between nature-based solutions and spatial realities, based on reciprocity among natural processes and urban patterns, emphasising the recognition of using and mimicking natural processes in urban environments. A classification framework as a form of knowledge aggregation is suggested. A matrix that simultaneously addresses the role of natural processes in nature-based solutions and the ability of such processes to deliver results for improving urban environments is proposed. Accordingly, there are three characteristic groups of solutions suggested, (1) those only using natural processes, (2) those using and mimicking natural processes and (3) those only mimicking natural processes, which implementation potentials are commented against four different types of urban patterns, to show what group of the nature-based solutions may best suit any type of spatial agglomeration. Beside green infrastructure as currently the most often addressed manifestation of nature-based solutions in cities, the paper reflects also on the physical processes as inevitable parts of nature. In relation to urban planning, sites and their characteristics are seen as a crucial aspect of nature-based solutions. The arguments are built upon exhaustive literature and case studies review, resulted in the matrix showing the matching relations among nature-based solutions and societal challenges aiming for better urban environment. Additionally, there are also sets of recommendations for bridging the policy-implementation gaps to bring nature-based solutions closer to urban planning, suggested. • A potential of NBS for urban planning is in understanding of NBS as dynamic processes of both animate and inanimate nature. • NBS should simultaneously consider the role of natural processes in NBS and NBS's ability to improve urban environment. • As a media of urban planning the NBS are to be understood as a system rather than a set of individual solutions. • Closing the NBS policy–implementation gap with a set of recommendations based on urban planning instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accessibility of public general hospitals is essential for the well-being of urban residents and for more equitable urban planning. However, public general hospitals and the associated spatial vertical equity are still not well known in developing countries. The objective of our study is to propose a theoretical framework to investigate the accessibility of public general hospitals and spatial vertical equity based on demographic dimensions. The main urban area of Wuhan is a suitable and representative example to explore this issue. An enhanced Gaussian two-step floating catchment area method, the Lorenz curve, and the Gini coefficient are employed in this study. The results indicate significant spatial heterogeneity in the accessibility of public general hospitals due to the dramatic transformation of urban planning and heterogeneous spatial structure. From a spatial vertical equity perspective, the spatial distribution of most public general hospitals does not take into account communities with a high proportion of minors and seniors. Compared with seniors, minors face more serious inequities in access to healthcare. The spatial distribution of only a few public general hospitals is prospective and inclined. Evidence-based policy implications are portrayed as a more equitable urban form and a sustainable healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change can be considered one of the main current problems of the humanity. The subject has raised concern worldwide, encouraging global leaders and experts to delve deeper into discussions and studies and propose solutions, leading to international agreements and efforts. Mitigation, adaptation, and transformation actions are required, especially in cities with higher population density, where increased demand for resources is expected in the coming years, and in coastal areas, which are more susceptible to the environmental impacts caused by climate change. The objective of this study is to analyze the feasibility of implementing Green Infrastructures (G.I.) in the district of Pirambu, an area classified as a zone of social interest in the city of Fortaleza (Brazil), and which contains a high level of vulnerability according to the municipal adaptation plan, characterized by limitations in buildings and infrastructure, high population density and low human development index. The methodology includes decision-making analysis for choosing among the different G.I. typologies and spatial analysis of data through geoprocessing software, aiming at offering ecosystem and environmental services that mitigate the impacts caused by climate change. The methodological process was based on the Fortaleza Adaptation Plan (Fortaleza, 2020b) and the Green Infrastructure Implementation Guide (IPT, 2020). Thus, four types of G.I. were proposed: multiple-use roads, rain gardens, permeable pavements, and soil bioengineering. The results show the location of each one, the environment and ecosystem services offered related to global warming, the advantages of applying them, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that can be achieved with their implementation. At the international level, this case study should help develop decision-making methodologies and promote public policies for the performance of G.I.