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Abstract Transportation infrastructures often impose a rigid and controlled formation over the organic dynamism of urban areas. This blend of infrastructure and urban context redefines transportation systems beyond their purely functional roles, creating opportunities for new land uses, social interactions in the spaces beneath them. The management and adaptation of these urban void spaces under elevated infrastructure can become either assets or liabilities, particularly under the unique conditions prevalent in the Global South Megacities. Using participatory action research datasets and zoning models, this study explores the spatial relationships between physical infrastructure and its contextually accommodating opportunities. This article highlights how the squatter community under the Tejgaon-Nabisco Flyover in Dhaka, Bangladesh, autonomously organizes and utilizes these spaces, fostering adaptive place-making and developing local economic practices supported by the flyover’s structural elements.

Abstract It is well-documented that people of color in the U.S. are disproportionately exposed to extreme urban heat. However, most studies have focused on large cities for one point in time, and less is known about how heat exposure changes over time in smaller cities. Here, we present a study of the changing nature of urban heat exposure and cooling strategies for ten cities in Connecticut in the U.S. Our results show that people of color experience more heat exposure and fewer adaptation strategies. They experienced higher overall temperatures, more extremely hot days, and larger increases in heat exposure. Also, they have lower air conditioning ownership rates and lower tree cover. Taken together, the results indicate that people of color are not only exposed to higher temperatures but also disproportionately exposed to increasing temperatures over time. With lower heat adaptation capacity, people of color are more vulnerable to increasing urban heat.

Abstract Adopting Circular Economy practices in the construction industry can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, many barriers exist to adoption, and current perceptions of and willingness to pay for circularity have yet to be quantified. This study seeks to understand the various perceptions of circularity in the construction industry, characterize uncertainties and risks, and identify economic incentives and opportunities that could accelerate circular adoption via an industry survey of three stakeholder groups. 58 stakeholders filled out part of the survey, and 42 stakeholders completed the majority of questions. Real estate developers are willing to pay an average premium of 10% for construction costs if there’s a minimum embodied carbon reduction of 53%. Design and construction professionals and material suppliers were also surveyed. Reasons for adopting circular practices were primarily driven by client, design team, and net zero goals. The results of this survey begin to characterize the economic landscape of what is needed for a circular transition in the built environment.

Abstract Super large-sized cities and very large-sized cities (“mega-cities” for short) have become the backbone of China's socio-economic development, but they also face outstanding challenges of "urban diseases" due to their high concentration. In comparison to their foreign counterparts, China's mega-cities possess unique characteristics such as rapid growth, high population density, and large numbers of residents. They naturally have the attributes of metropolitan areas due to an administrative management system of an urban system within city territory. Promoting coordinated spatial governance of mega-cities via spatial organization of metropolitan areas not only helps mega-cities better allocate resources at a larger scope and helps expedite the transformation of development patterns, but is also crucial for better implementing new-type urbanization strategies. In response to the issues in China’s previous research and practices related to mega-cities and metropolitan areas, leveraging the “Critical Technology for Spatial Optimization of Metropolitan Areas of City Clusters” of the national key R&D plan in the “14th Five-year Plan” period, we have employed a scientific approach that combines data and models to propose spatial governance strategies. These strategies encompass both the overall metropolitan area level and the cross-border regional level. Our primary focus lies in optimizing the spatial layout of the “three domains” – ecological space, production space, and living space, facilitating functional dispersal, enhancing spatial patterns, adjusting land use structures and spatial resource allocation, coordinating rail transit and the organization of functions along transit lines, and innovating service management for improvement of administrative efficiency. Through the implementation of these diverse measures, we aim to establish a comprehensive composite collaborative system.

Abstract This commentary article explores the impact of ChatGPT on Urban Planning Ph.D. programs within universities in the United States. Our survey reveals a high awareness of Artificial Intelligence tools (e.g. ChatGPT) among faculty yet highlights a cautious approach to integrating ChatGPT into curricula and preliminary exam settings. While some educators recognize ChatGPT’s potential to enhance research efficiency and language proficiency, especially for international students, concerns about academic integrity and the over-reliance on AI are prevalent. The commentary underscores the need for a balanced approach, advocating for ChatGPT’s use as a supplementary tool while maintaining critical thinking in doctoral preliminary exams.

Abstract Decarbonising the building sector involves collaborative efforts from multiple sectors. Previous studies only focused on carbon mitigation within individual measures, impeding the interconnections within various stages, contributing sectors, and measures. We propose an innovative “stage-sector-measure” framework for evaluating the carbon mitigation effects of the building sector and apply it to Hong Kong. Results show carbon emissions of Hong Kong’s building sector will decrease by 84.4% in 2050. Electricity is the most significant contributing sector, accounting for 71.8% of accumulative mitigation effects of Hong Kong’s building sector. Regarding measures, cleaner production of concrete and steel represents 62.9% of mitigation effects in material production stage, while alternative fuel mix and carbon capture and storage account for 42.2–87.7% of those in other stages. By clarifying the relationships among the stages, contributing sectors, and measures, we identify the mitigation mechanism of the building sector and reveal the significance of multi-sectoral efforts in its decarbonisation.

Abstract Due to the length and complexity of supply chains, changes in food consumption patterns in one metropolitan region can transform production patterns in other sectors and countries. Therefore, they cause complex synergies and trade-offs between environmental and socioeconomic goals at the local and global level. We argue that the dissemination of cross-scale consumption-based simulation models is crucial to investigate these complex multilevel effects and promote sustainable food systems.

Abstract The governance policies have a prominent impact on the development and regional planning of the Yangtze River Basin, a key region for China to achieve modernization. Taking the public policy documents issued by China’s central government for the Yangtze River Basin from 1980 to 2022 as the research object, this paper introduces the NLP (Natural Language Processing) technology and semantic analysis methods to carry out quantitative research on policies. This study first examines the textual connotations of the policies and the characteristics of the policy changes based on the LDA (Latent Dirichlet Allocation) model to determine how policy changes occur for the governance of the Yangtze River Basin. Using the punctuated equilibrium theory, it then conducts two case studies in which the implications of specific major events are analyzed in depth. Research has shown that the changes in governance policies for the Yangtze River Basin are characterized by gradual changes and intermittent mutation, roughly divided into three stages: the stage of reform and development, the stage of transition, and the stage of prioritizing ecological conservation and green development. Moreover, such changes jointly result from three factors: the major events, the focus of public opinions, and the care of the central government.

يهدف البحث إلى استنباط معايير تصميم الحدائق المصرية القديمة، للاستفادة بها؛ سواء في تصميم حدائق على الطراز المصري القديم عمومًا، أو حدائق المتاحف وحدائق المواقع الأثرية المصرية القديمة التي تتسم بالبعد تمامًا عن معايير حديقة الموقع الأثري كما نصت عليها وثيقة "نارا". ذلك عن طريق دراسة كل المصادر التي تناولت الحديقة المصرية القديمة من آثار ونماذج ونقوش ونصوص، واستقراء مبادئ التصميم، وعناصر الحديقة، وتأثر كل منهما بالعوامل البيئية والعقائدية والوظيفية في مصر القديمة، وتقديمها كقاعدة بيانات للمهتمين بتطوير حدائق على الطراز المصري القديم. The research aims to derive design standards for ancient Egyptian gardens, in order to benefit from them. Whether in designing gardens in the ancient Egyptian style in general, or museum gardens and gardens of ancient Egyptian archaeological sites, which are completely far from the standards of the archaeological site garden as stipulated in the “Nara” document. This is done by studying all the sources that dealt with the ancient Egyptian garden, including antiquities, models, inscriptions and texts, and extrapolating the design principles and elements of the garden, and the influence of each of them on the environmental, ideological and functional factors in ancient Egypt, and presenting it as a database for those interested in developing gardens in the ancient Egyptian style.

تواجه المناطق التاريخية تحديات كبيرة عالمياً ومحلياً، حيث التحضر السريع وتزايد معدلات الهجرة والتنمية غير الواعية بأهمية التراث، وقصور الخطاب الكلاسيكي للتراث، وبالتالي، دعا مركز التراث العالمي إلى تطبيق "توصية نهج المناظر الحضرية التاريخية"، وبالتالي تحاول هذه الورقة في الجزء النظري مراجعة ومناقشة تطور هذا النهج وعلاقته بالمناهج المعاصرة، ومناقشة وتأطير خطوات وأدوات تطبيقه، ثم تتناول في الجزء التطبيقي دراسة وتحليل حالة "مدينة بالارات – أستراليا" وحالة " شبه جزيرة إسطنبول التاريخية – تركيا"، وهي حالات عالمية رائدة لتطبيق هذا النهج، وحالة محلية وهي " إعادة إحياء سوق السلاح كمركز مجتمعي- مصر"، لرصد مدى إمكانية تطبيق هذا النهج في ظروف مختلفة، ومدى فاعليته في الحفاظ المستدام والتوفيق بين عمليات الحفاظ والتنمية، بما يحقق جودة العيش لمجتمع التراث، ثم تتوصل هذه الورقة في الجزء الثالث إلى استنتاج أن هذا النهج يحقق التكامل والاستدامة والمرونة كأداة فاعلة لإدارة عمليات الحفاظ، والتوفيق بين الحفاظ والتنمية وإدارة التغير، في إطار عملية محورها مشاركة مجتمع التراث، وبالتالي توصى الورقة بملاءمة هذا النهج كآلية فاعلة لإدارة واستدامة عمليات الحفاظ على المناطق التاريخية بمصر. Historic areas face great challenges globally and locally, with rapid urbanization, increasing rates of migration, development that is unaware of the importance of heritage, and the shortcomings of the classical discourse of heritage. Therefore, the World Heritage Center called for the application of the “Recommendation of Historic Urban Landscape Approach” and thus this paper attempts, in the theoretical part, to review and discuss the development of this approach and its relationship to contemporary approaches, and a discussion and framing of the steps and tools for its application. Then, in the applied part, it deals with studying and analysing the case of “Ballarat - Australia” and the case of “Historic Istanbul Peninsula - Turkey”, which are pioneering global cases of applying this approach, and a local case, which is “Community-centered revitalization of Souq al-Silah in Cairo- Egypt” to monitor the extent to which this approach can be applied in different circumstances, and the extent of its effectiveness in sustainable conservation and reconciliation between conservation and development processes, in order to achieve quality of life for the heritage community. Then this paper, in the third part, comes to the conclusion that this approach achieves Integration, sustainability, and flexibility as an effective tool for managing conservation operations, and reconciling conservation, development, and change management, within the framework of a process focused on the participation of the heritage community. Therefore, the paper recommends the suitability of this approach as an effective mechanism for managing and sustaining conservation processes for historical areas in Egypt.

تتناول هذه الورقة البحثية البعد الصوتي لمدن الواحات وتوضح كيف ان الصوت العمراني يمكن ان يعزز ديناميكية جماعية، مما يمكن فريقًا متعدد التخصصات من العمل معاً من أجل وضع تصور مستقبلي للواحات مستمداً من تراثها الثقافي. تقع مدن الواحات في قلب الصحراء وتعتمد على نسيج عمراني قديم مصمم لإنشاء مناخات محلية مكتفية ذاتيًا. الشوارع الضيقة والمتعرجة، والموجهة لتقليل التعرض للشمس، تمتد عبر المدينة. يُظهر هذا النمط العمراني التقليدي للواحات تكيف الإنسان مع البيئة المناخية القاسية. ومع ذلك، فإن التطور الحديث، الذي يركز على نماذج موحدة للتصميم يهدد التوازن البيئي والاجتماعي لهذه المدن. يفترض البحث أن الراحة الحرارية لا تنشأ فقط من التشكيل العمراني والقياسات الحرارية، ولكن تنبع أيضا من الممارسات الاجتماعية التي تكيف هذا العمران مع المناخ القاسي. ولهذا يقدم البحث مفهوم نظري جديد وهو الأجواء العمرانية (urban ambiances) وهو مفهوم فرنسي يتناول الجوانب الحسية والشعورية والوجدانية للفراغ. تستخدم الدراسة نهجًا صوتيًا لتحديد مجموعة من المواقف العمرانية urban situations التي تجمع بين الشكل العمراني والممارسات الاجتماعية والظواهر الحسية. يناقش المؤلفون نتائج ورش العمل الجماعية التي تمت في 2015 في تزنيت بالمغرب وفي 2016 في نفطة بتونس كجزء من مشروع ZERKA الذي يدرس الواحات في حوض البحر المتوسط. التسجيلات الصوتية التي تم جمعها خلال البحث متاحة على منصة Cartophonies التابعة لمختبر CRESSON، مما يوفر تجربة صوتية للقارئ وتنشئ أرشيف صوتي للمدن التي تشهد تحولات عمرانية كبيرة تهدد باختفاء بعض الظواهر الصوتية التي تمثل جزء من التراث الثقافي للمدن. This paper explores how soundscape approaches can foster a collective dynamic, enabling a multidisciplinary team to reimagine the future of the oasis cities. It provides a new perspective for studying the microclimate of these unique settlements, which pose significant challenges for urban planning. Nestled within the desert, oasis cities rely on an ancient urban fabric designed to create self-sustaining microclimates. This traditional oasis urbanism demonstrates human adaptation to a harsh environment. However, modern development, with its focus on standardized designs and efficiency, threatens the ecological and social balance of these settlements. The research postulates that comfort arises from both the thermal regulations of the specific architecture and the social practices that adapt to the harsh climate. It introduces the concept of ambiance, addressing the sensory and experiential aspects of spaces. The study focuses more on a sonic approach to define urban situations that combine urban form, social practices, and sensory phenomena. The authors discuss collective experiences conducted pn 2015 in Tiznit, Morocco, and in 2016 in Nefta, Tunisia, as part of the ZERKA project funded by the Envimed program.The outcomes published in this research examine both fieldwork approaches and the theoritical reflections they inspired during the project. The sonic recordings are available on the CRESSON laboratory's Cartophonies platform, providing an immersive soundscape experience and creating a sonic archive for cities undergoing transformation.

Amidst rapid urbanization and escalating environmental concerns, exploring biomimicry and sustainable future architecture has gained significant prominence. This research focuses on elucidating the pivotal role of biomimicry as a transformative design approach for constructing ecologically responsible and energy-efficient architecture. The study initiates a comprehensive exploration of biomimicry as a design philosophy, drawing inspiration from nature's proven solutions. It delves into integrating biomimetic principles into architectural concepts, emphasizing their contribution to shaping a sustainable built environment. Through a detailed analysis, the Eden Project serves as a compelling biomimicry case study, illustrating how this approach addresses diverse challenges architects face. The research concludes by advocating a profound paradigm shift in conceiving and constructing future architecture. By embracing the holistic concept of biomimicry, this approach offers a promising avenue for creating architecture that seamlessly coexists with the natural world, ensuring energy efficiency, thermal comfort, functionality, and resilience for its inhabitants. في ظل التطور الحضري السريع والمخاوف البيئية المتصاعدة، اكتسب استكشاف التقليد البيولوجي والعمارة المستدامة المستقبلية أهمية كبيرة. تركز هذه البحث على توضيح الدور الحيوي للتقليد البيولوجي كنهج تصميمي محوري لإنشاء عمارة مسؤولة بيئيًا وفعالة من حيث الطاقة. يبدأ الدراسة استكشافًا شاملاً للتقليد البيولوجي كفلسفة تصميمية، مستلهمًا من الحلول المثبتة من قبل الطبيعة. وتتناول الدراسة دمج مبادئ التقليد البيولوجي في مفاهيم العمارة، مؤكدة إسهامها في تشكيل بيئة بنائية مستدامة. من خلال تحليل مفصل، يعتبر مشروع إيدين (Eden Project) دراسة حالة متقنة للتقليد البيولوجي، موضحًا كيفية معالجة هذا النهج للتحديات المتنوعة التي يواجهها المهندسون المعماريون. تختتم البحث بالدعوة إلى تحول نمطي عميق في تصور وإنشاء العمارة المستقبلية. من خلال تبني مفهوم التقليد البيولوجي الشامل، يقدم هذا النهج مساراً واعداً لخلق عمارة تتعايش بسلاسة مع العالم الطبيعي، مضمونًا ليس فقط كفاءة الطاقة والراحة الحرارية، ولكن أيضًا الوظيفية والمرونة لسكانها.

Tackling sustainable development from a comprehensive approach still needs to be well yielded in academia and research in the undergraduate curricula of most urban studies. This paper presents teaching and learning experiences in architectural education in the sustainable development field. It experiences different theoretical and practical approaches given in an undergraduate elective course to students in the Architecture and Urban Design Program (ARUD) at Nile University. Different teaching processes are shown through class activities, a peer-to-peer review, linking with industries, group discussions, writing a critical review of scientific papers, outlining the urban challenges and proposing sustainable strategic approaches of "lost urban spaces" with a particular focus on Giza Zoo. Moreover, it raises the ability to mandate the effectiveness of proposed solutions into applicable and integrative solving scenarios. In summary, this research encompasses comprehensive sustainable development approaches in architectural education to highlight the potential and beneficiaries of the proposed methods in architectural pedagogy seeking urban development. The proposed teaching strategies address the potential for improvement in architectural education in the sustainability field and show initiatives for urban planners, urban designers and policymakers show initiatives for urban planners, urban designers and policymakers show initiatives for urban planners, urban designers and policymakers to enhance public space design through sustainable development considerations. لا يزال دمج التنمية المستدامة بنهج شامل بحاجة إلى تحقيق نتائج ملموسة في الأوساط الأكاديمية والبحثية ضمن المناهج الجامعية لمعظم الدراسات الحضرية. تعرض هذه الورقة البحثية تجارب عمليات التدريس والتعلم في التعليم المعماري في مجال التنمية المستدامة. و تشمل هذه الدراسه على اختبار مناهج نظرية وعملية مختلفة مقدمة في مادة دراسية اختيارية للطلاب الجامعيين في برنامج الهندسة المعمارية والتصميم العمراني (ARUD) بجامعة النيل. يتم عرض عمليات التدريس المختلفة من خلال الأنشطة الصفية، واستعراض النظائر، والربط مع الصناعات، والمناقشات الجماعية، كتابة تحليلات نقدية للأوراق البحثية، ثم تحديد التحديات الحضرية واقتراح مناهج استراتيجية مستدامة "للمساحات الحضرية المفقودة" مع التركيز على حديقة حيوان الجيزة .بالإضافة الى ذلك، يؤكد البحث على فعالية الحلول المقترحة المتكاملة في سيناريوهات الحل القابلة للتطبيق. يتضمن هذا البحث مناهج التنمية المستدامة الشاملة في التعليم المعماري لتسليط الضوء على فوائد وتأثيرات الأساليب المقترحة في التربية المعمارية التي تسعى إلى تعزيز التنمية الحضرية. تتناول استراتيجيات التدريس المقترحة إمكانية تحسين التعليم المعماري في مجال الاستدامة وتظهر مبادرات للمخططين الحضريين والمصممين الحضريين وصانعي السياسات لتعزيز تصميم الأماكن العامة من خلال اعتبارات التنمية المستدامة.

Residential compounds are not limited to residential activity only, but other human activities exist through the work of the proper landscape design for the spaces between the buildings, and some of them link the buildings and those activities. The landscape design varies from one residential compound to another depending on the nature of the surrounding environment, the type of user, the required activity, and the general character of the area. This paper aims to decide and clear monitoring of the set of needs and humanity within the residential communities through a toolset of a check list from earlier projects implemented and currently used at the international and local levels. Three approaches (theoretical, analytical, and applied) were implemented. First, the components affecting the landscape add to reviewing the principles of landscape design. Some examples of landscape design in residential communities in (Dubai) were analyzed using the comparative analytical approach. Finally, the applied approach used on the landscape design of existing residential communities in Cairo to measure the success of their designs and that they are temporally compatible (suitable for all ages and groups), spatially (best use of the entire space), and sustainable (preserving the environment and using appropriate environmental elements) To get the best landscape image in residential compounds. لا تقتصر المجمعات السكنية على النشاط السكني فقط، بل توجد أنشطة انسانية أخرى يمكن استخدامها وذلك من خلال عمل التصميم الجيد لتنسيق المواقع والمناسب للصورة البصرية الطبيعية للمساحات البينية والفراغات العمرانية بين المباني وتكون متصلة مع تلك الأنشطة. يختلف تصميم تنسيق المواقع من مجمع سكني إلى آخر بحسب طبيعة البيئة المحيطة ونوع احتياج المستخدم والنشاط المطلوب والطابع العام للمنطقة. يهدف هذا البحث إلى تحديد ورصد واضح لمجموعة الاحتياجات الإنسانية داخل المجمعات السكنية تحققها العناصر التصميمية لتصميم تنسيق المواقع القائمة على تحليل مجموعة من المشاريع السابقة التي تم تنفيذها والتي تستخدم حاليًا على المستويين الدولي والمحلي. تم تطبيق ثلاثة مناهج في البحث (نظرية وتحليلية وتطبيقية)، بداية تمت دراسة المكونات الرئيسية المؤثرة على تصميم تنسيق المواقع والصورة البصرية الطبيعية. ثم تحليل بعض الأمثلة لتصميم تنسيق المواقع في المجمعات السكنية في (دبي) وعمل تحليل مقارن وتطبيقي على تصميم تنسيق المواقع والصورة البصرية الطبيعية للمجمعات السكنية الحالية في القاهرة لقياس نجاح تصاميمها وأنها متوافقة زمنيًا تتناسب مع جميع الأعمار والمجموعات، ومكانيًا كأفضل استخدام للمساحة الكاملة ومستدامة تحقق الحفاظ على البيئة واستخدام العناصر البيئية المناسبة للحصول على أفضل صورة بصرية للمناظر الطبيعية في المجمعات السكنية.

Abstract Aligned with global goals for healthy and sustainable cities, urban compactness significantly promotes residents’ transport-related physical activity and health. In Japan, amid demographic changes, municipalities have begun formulating Location Normalization Plans focused on making cities more compact. This study examines the associations between health and transport-related physical activity considerations in urban plans, including Location Normalization Plans, the demographic characteristics of municipalities, and the development of infrastructure that supports leisure-time physical activity. Analyzing responses from 725 of 1,374 Japanese municipalities, our research reveals that 38% of urban plans integrated health and physical activity in goals/visions, and 28% recognized these as challenges. The development of physical activity infrastructure such as sports facilities (48%), metropolitan parks (21%), and bicycle paths (14%) was more prevalent in larger municipalities. However, the incorporation of health and physical activity in planning goals/visions or challenges was not exclusive to larger municipalities; smaller ones also demonstrated this capability. Logistic regression analyses revealed that municipalities that included health considerations in their plans’ goals/visions and challenges were more likely to develop or renovate physical activity infrastructure. Prioritizing health and physical activity in planning has the potential to support leisure-time and transport-related physical activity, helping to create healthy and sustainable cities.

Abstract With the booming of Big Data and the Internet of Things, various urban networks have been built based on intercity flow data, and how to combine them to learn a more comprehensive understanding of mega-city regions is becoming more and more indispensable. In this paper, we designed a graph-based multi-view clustering method based on graph learning to explore the mega-city region structures from multi-source data. An example of clustering analysis consists of the people flow network, cargo flow network, and information flow network, covering 88 cities from Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei Province, Shandong Province, Henan Province, Jiangsu Province, Anhui Province, Shanghai, and Zhejiang Province in China is used to illustrate the applicability of the idea in super mega-city region scale studies. Utilizing the proposed clustering method, a unified network representation is calculated, and 5 mega-city regions, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Cluster, Henan Cluster, Shandong Cluster, Shanghai-Jiangsu-Anhui Cluster, and Zhejiang Cluster, are detected based on intercity flow networks. City-to-city flows, including Luan-Taizhou, Lianyungang-Chuzhou, and Xuzhou-Bengbu of the people network, Shanghai-Hangzhou, Suzhou-Shanghai, and Shanghai-Ningbo of the cargo network, Shanghai-Hangzhou, Bozhou-Jinhua, and Huaibei-Bozhou of the information network, are suggested to be further enhanced to facilitate the ongoing nationwide constructions of urban agglomerations in China. The multi-view clustering method proved to be a helpful calculation framework for mega-city region analysis, which would also be considered as a substantial foundation for further urban explorations with more advanced graph learning techniques.

This study focuses on developing and evaluating predictive models for bus travel times adaptable to any transit network, or to new roadway segments without prior travel time data. Most prior work relies on non-standardized features such as road traffic forecasts or closed-source datasets to test predictions on a single route or network. We leverage standardized and open-source data from GTFS and GTFS-RT feeds to gather four months of realtime bus position data from Seattle and Trondheim's transit networks. We then test and refine strategies for generalizing model predictions across both locations. To achieve this, we first develop a data pipeline to process and clean the raw data, then extract features from the standardized sources. We then evaluate the performance of several deep learning and heuristic models in predicting bus travel times between source and target bus networks. Holdout data is taken from selected routes in the source city to validate the internal generalization of the models. Data from the target city is used to evaluate the external generalization of the models. An ablation study explores the impact of different open data sources on model generalization (GPS, static timetables, OpenStreetMap and other realtime trips). We then extend the analysis to 33 international bus networks, placing the results in broader context and testing fine-tuning strategies for generalization. Results show that deep learning methods generalize well within the source network, with as little as 1% loss in MAPE on holdout routes. With minimal fine-tuning generalization is significantly improved on the target network. Model features built on static schedule data, realtime positions or OpenStreetMap embeddings improved generalization performance (up to 10% reduction in MAPE). This was more pronounced for networks with a greater initial quantity of training data. As a route-planning tool for roadways without prior data, geospatial data mining can provide reasonable bus travel time estimates. For cross-sectional bus network analysis, fine tuning on at least 100 trajectory samples for each target network is required to significantly outperform baseline heuristics. This necessitates a GTFS-RT or other standardized realtime data feed in the target city.

Urban morphogenesis in informal settlements results from occupation, transformation, and morphological extension processes that cause territorial fragmentation, producing inequality and spatial segregation, which are the main characteristics of Latin American informal urbanism. However, there is scarce research on analysing the processes that cause fragmentation. The research develops a morphological analysis that aims to improve the processes of urban assemblage by identifying the dynamics of territorialisation and deterritorialisation promoted by political and social factors, capable of producing spatial discontinuity in the informal morphogenic evolution. As a method, a diachronic analysis is developed by mapping the morphological evolution of the processes of occupation, transformation and extension of networks between 2002 and 2021 on three models of informal settlements in Lima, Mexico City, Medellin and Santiago de Chile for a comparison of cases. As a result, corrective mechanisms called “interface devices” (ID) are obtained, which include the improvement of land management policies and the implementation of gradual interventions according to informal evolution, decreasing urban fragmentation in different phases of territorial evolution and the possibility of being applied in international contexts of the global south.

The creation of a dense, convenient, and diverse built environment is a strategic approach for fostering urban development. However, few studies have considered the relationship between a compact built environment and livability. This study seeks to answer the following question: What type of built environment is conducive to long-term residency? Using the Guangzhou urban district in China as a case study, we develop a livability-oriented assessment system for the built environment and integrate it into the hedonic price model. We employ spatial regression methods to analyze the impact of the built environment on housing prices, and findings suggest that (1) livability-oriented built environments are characterized by spaciousness, convenience, and diversity. Environments with a low building density, high building heights, a large plot area, and diverse land use are highly favorable for livability. (2) The built environment is intricate, and different factors can affect livability in diverse areas within an urban space. The impact of POI (Point of Interest) density and road density on livability varies by location. (3) The principles of small-scale blocks, high-density road networks, and compact urban planning are not universally applicable to the construction of livable cities. (4) The spatial heterogeneity of the built environment in the Guangzhou urban district is pronounced. This study addresses the assessment standards dominated by new urbanism. Under a livability-oriented approach, urban planners and managers should not indiscriminately pursue the construction of high-density and compact cities.

Cities, towns, and rural areas form a complex spatial system influenced by governance, economic factors, and the perceptions of their residents. This paper introduces the concepts of 'cityphilia' and 'cityphobia' as metaphors for the spatial attraction and repulsion forces that shape local quality of life. It aims to create and validate an operational framework for understanding citizens' appreciation and attachment to their living environment, often referred to as 'city love.' This framework considers two key components, 'body' and 'soul,' encompassing both physical and social aspects. Building upon Charles Tiebout's work on the competitive attractiveness of cities and aligning with contemporary research on the geography of happiness, a conceptual model is developed and applied to identify and assess the components of city love using various indicators. These indicators encompass local attractiveness, local public expenditures, and inter-urban interdependencies. The model is empirically tested in the context of Flanders, Belgium, a region comprising 300 distinct municipalities, both urban and rural. A Beta regression model is employed, which incorporates spatial dependencies to examine multi-scalar effects on residential satisfaction. The results affirm the soundness of the 'city love' framework and emphasize the significance of central place systems in providing tangible and intangible well-being services to citizens within a hierarchical spatial structure. These findings carry notable implications for urban policy and management, shedding light on how local attractiveness and interdependence shape the well-being of residents in diverse urban and rural settings.

A global phenomenon identified 200 years ago as Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect gained popularity as the sheer contributor to the precipitous temperature gradient between rural and urban interface, instigating excess heat gain and associated ill effects on the urban dwellers. UHI is a function of many interrelated geographical, ecological, and economic parameters that require differential treatment in determining the antecedent impacts. This transdisciplinary review assessed the passive strategies (vegetation, cool roofs, cool pavements, and green roofs) from 83 studies that employed a numerical simulation approach to combat UHI. On average, vegetation and cool/green roofs can reduce ambient temperature by 3–5 ​°C, while cool pavements help to reduce surface temperature by 5 ​°C. All passive strategies also reveal it can reduce buildings' energy demand by 4–10%. However, the current methodological framework for evaluating UHI is quite fragmented, using multiple software and estimates only Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI), ignoring Canopy Urban Heat Island (CUHI), Boundary Urban Heat Island (BUHI), and the nexus of ‘UHI-Climatology,’ which is linked to regional and global climate change, failing to model UHI and its complex connection to climate change accurately. The review found that the efficacy of passive strategies is a function of factors ranging from location, cloud cover, and soil type to simulation accuracy; hence, while these passive strategies alleviate outdoor temperature in one place, they can cause counterproductive impacts in another region. Therefore, as a postlude, the paper explores an alternative methodological framework for evaluating the nexus of UHI-Climatology using digital twin technology, thus espousing better mitigation strategies.

Green infrastructure has emerged as an opportunity to balance sociocultural and ecological benefits, alongside the potential for biodiversity conservation in cities. However, key design challenges that remain unsolved including 1) how to effectively balance biodiversity conservation and sociocultural benefits, and 2) how user's perception and knowledge may affect the acceptance of conservation interventions in parks. In this study, we used a mixed methods approach in which focus groups were used to explore users' perceptions of landscape attributes, their benefits, biodiversity, climate change, and conservation interventions in parks. This was followed by face-to-face interviews with the broader general public to quantitatively assess perceptions and acceptability for conservation interventions in parks. While plant density and functional diversity were identified as key landscape attributes, trade-offs may occur with other attributes such as multi-functionality and the order of the vegetation. Most conservation interventions had high acceptance levels, where the decrease of grass in parks was the most controversial attribute. All interventions were correlated with the importance of landscape attributes and climate change concerns, but poorly associated with knowledge of native biodiversity. The results support 1) increasing the functional diversity of plants in parks as a way to balance environmental and sociocultural benefits and promote the acceptability of conservation interventions, however such an increase should be linked to designs that respect notions of order and other park uses, and 2) environmental education based on climate change may be the key to improving acceptability of these initiatives.

Countries in developed and developing worlds have faced growing challenges to solve affordable housing shortages for lower-income households, prompting the adoption of various types of mandates to compel local implementation of affordable housing policy. A large volume of literature has focused on whether and how such top-down mandate indeed improves local supply of affordable housing. Insufficient understanding has been provided regarding the multi-faceted nature of local strategic responses to a top-down housing mandate. This research addresses this intellectual gap with an empirical study of local strategic behavior in response to the affordable housing mandate that was announced by the central government during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2011–2015). Through systematic content analysis of local news reports on affordable housing from 41 Chinese cities from various provinces, we describe the multiple-dimensional characteristics of local policy actions as cities were compelled to complied with the mandate. We further employ a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method to investigate how top-down political pressure combines with local policy interpretation, resource mobilization capacity, and local public pressure lead to more diverse policy actions in affordable housing. This research enriches the understanding of how city governments respond to top-down housing mandate, as well as offers valuable policy implications for affordable housing policy.

Physical inactivity poses a significant public health challenge. Numerous studies have argued that urban parks can promote physical activity (PA). However, evidence of physical activity observed over long periods of time in parks is still very lacking. Our serial cross-sectional study within urban parks in Shanghai investigated seasonal and daily variations in PA. Employing a geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model, we established spatiotemporal relationships between urban park characteristics and PA levels. We found that (1) Highest PA levels occur in winter, while the lowest levels are observed in summer, with a V-shaped daily pattern. (2) Robust and significant associations between specific park characteristics and PA levels, while other characteristics exhibited varying associations in different temporal and spatial contexts. These insights offer valuable guidance for urban planners and park designers aiming to create more active and sustainable urban environments.

The negative impacts of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2 emissions, have garnered widespread attention. Various old residential areas in China, built more than 20 years ago, have been undergoing urgent transformation to improve citizens’ quality of life, which may significantly reduce carbon emissions. This study developed a carbon emissions accounting framework for residential areas to account the emissions impact of residential transformation. The framework addressed the inventory classifications of landscape greening, residential buildings, water resources, solid waste, infrastructure and transportation. The consumption-based calculation model and bottom-up data collection methods were used. The results show that the transformation of two old residential areas achieved considerable carbon reductions of 17.16% and 33.37% in South and North China, respectively. The macro guidance of local policies, specifically those regarding local urban infrastructure construction, significantly aided the carbon emissions reductions. Based on the calculation results, a list of recommended technologies was proposed to reduce carbon emissions, and four measures (adding greening, improving the garbage recovery rate, separating rain and sewage and transforming envelope structures for energy savings in northern China) were recommended to promote low carbon development in residential areas.

Urban water security is a multi-faceted water, socioeconomic, and governance challenge. The complexity of translating the holistic approach into policies is an important need for improving water resource management to achieve prosperity, equity, sustainability, and good governance. The city of Lamphun is an example of the practice, which faced drought and major challenges in efficiently distributing water to industrial partners and downstream residents. The purpose of this study was to monitor urban water security and formulate a water management-based urban land use policy for Lamphun Municipality to mitigate water conflicts and ensure access to water for all residents. Therefore, the study examined urban water security using 4 indices: urban water resources, access, risks, and governance. A careful urban land use plan responsible for water security was proposed based on potential surface analysis techniques and public participation. The result of this research would not only guarantee water security, but also promote public participation and sustainable communities.

Urban form contributes to crime prevention. However, most studies not only simplify the relationship between urban form and crime, they also fail to reflect the geographic structure of urban areas. This study first measured a comprehensive multidimensional urban form indicator for 1486 counties in the United States, which was used to characterize the size and geospatial structure of urban areas. Specifically, it described urban form as consisting of three components: 1) size and population distribution; 2) built environment; and 3) landscape environment. Then, generalized additive mixed models were then used to explore linear or nonlinear associations between urban form indicators and different crime types (violent and property crime). This study's main findings were that 1) the relationship between urban form and crime is not only linear but may also be nonlinear; 2) urban size, fragmentation, connectivity, forest mixing, and shrub mixing are associated with all crime types; 3) population distribution and agricultural mixing are associated with violent crime; and 4) urban patch complexity and water mixing are associated with property crime. Overall, the results of this study can provide guidance for long-term planning of urban geographic structures, contributing to the safe and sustainable development of urban areas.

A significant proportion of the world's population is currently experiencing heat stress. This results from the effects of global warming, urban heat islands (UHIs), and the growth of urban populations. Researchers have investigated multiple strategies to address this problem. It has been found that the outdoor thermal environment (OTE) can be modified by means of vegetation, water surfaces, and urban geometry. Several studies have indicated that certain geometric factors have demonstrated a higher degree of effectiveness in cooling the surrounding environment. OTE studies often employ two commonly utilised factors, known as urban geometry indicating parameters (UGPs)—the sky view factor (SVF) and height-to-width ratio (H/W). This article compares OTE studies focusing on these two factors. The comparison encompasses characteristics such as study methods, places and times of conducting, and thermal indices. The findings indicate that geometric studies have primarily relied on simulation and field measurement methods. These studies were predominantly conducted in tropical or subtropical cities during warm seasons, with a preference for daytime investigations. Complex thermal indices, including the physiologically equivalent temperature and mean radiant temperature, were commonly employed. In addition to UGPs, other physical factors, such as orientation, were also taken into consideration. Studies on H/W and SVF differed slightly although they are both geometrically indicative. This review can provide guidance for future studies in the field of urban geometry, in that researchers may choose to prioritise the examination of practical indicators, such as the energy load, to conduct a more comprehensive analysis while also taking into account other physical aspects, such as the presence of trees.

This paper addresses the way in which the expansion zones of the metropolitan areas of Medellín and Rionegro are currently moving from the communal relations that marked their rural life to anonymous relations in which notions of neighborliness are gradually disappearing. Understanding the urban as a social condition and not only as a physical expression of the territory, but the urban is also no longer the opposite of the rural, nor is it synonymous with the city. The urban constitutes a phenomenon where anonymity and individuality are privileged in a space. This process takes place in a rural space where part of its heritage is the landscape and unneighborly relations. We assume the notion of the peri-urban limit as a space of undefinition that extends from the periphery of the Aburrá Valley to some of the rural hamlets of the Territorial Subsystem: Alto Grande - La Ramada, in the San Nicolas Valley; places where the communal is disappearing to give way to new urban dynamics. The article constitutes a theoretical contribution to the interpretation of the new realities observed in the peri-urban fringes of many contemporary metropolises, not only because of the debate it opens on the ways of understanding current urban-rural problems, but also because it suggests other perspectives for territorial planning based on the readings of the new social realities that are established there.

Rapid urbanization and climate change require a thorough understanding of flood vulnerability in order to assure urban safety and resilience. Understanding the factors that contribute to flood vulnerability, allows us to develop effective initiatives that could mitigate the destructive consequences of flooding, while also protecting communities. The objective of this research is to identify and model the socio-economic and demographic factors that significantly influence flood vulnerability in the floodplains of Jackson, Mississippi, and Birmingham, Alabama, USA. First we analyzed the correlation between socio-economic and demographic factors then employed Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to address multicollinearity, a common challenge in multivariate statistical modeling. Subsequently, PCs-based global regression (PCR) and geographically weighted regression (PCGWR) analysis are used to identify key drivers of flood vulnerability. The findings demonstrate that a significant proportion of the variance (>80%) of these factors can be captured by first two to three Principal Components (PCs). Consistent with existing research, African American, poverty, seniors, and the number of less educated people positively correlate with flood vulnerability, while income and housing prices exhibit a negative correlation. Additionally, PCGWR outperformed the Principal Component Regression (PCR) in most cases, highlighting the spatial heterogeneity of flood vulnerability. This study focuses on two U.S. cities, and the methodology is applicable to other cities with similar characteristics. The identified factors align with global research on flood vulnerability, making the proposed research and findings valuable worldwide. The findings of this research are useful for local governments, policymakers, and urban developers to make detailed location specific flood vulnerability plan to reduce impact of flood and improve urban resilience.

Urban Sprawl, categorized by the city's outward expansion into their adjacent areas, has emerged as a pressing and complex challenge in urban development worldwide. Understanding the urban sprawl drivers becomes essential for efficient and sustainable urban development as cities transform and grow. Only some studies have provided a comprehensive analysis combining local perspectives with international understanding, making it challenging to form policies to prevent urban sprawl. This study is conducted with the primary aim of determining the drivers of urban sprawl. The qualitative analysis of focus group, interviews and document analysis have been done to reveal the multifaceted drivers of urban sprawl. The thematic analysis reveals the main role of economic incentives, government policies, accessibility, zoning regulation, cultural aspects, land use changes, Low Spatial Distribution of Productivity and limited Capacity of Dammam Urban Planning Department in influencing the spatial dynamics of urban sprawl in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. This research study connects the local context to the worldwide urbanization trends, contributing to the broader international perspective on the drivers of urban sprawl. The study findings will be helpful in effectively addressing the urban sprawl challenge. With the local focus and international insight, this research study offers a great knowledge for communities, policy makers and urban planners, enabling more sustainable urban development in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Over the past two decades, research promoting a sustainable built environment has pioneered new horizons to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Yet, these efforts are suffering from a significant theory-practice divide. This article offers three interconnected research themes to bridge this gap: 1. Distinguishing circularity practices across spatial and time scales; 2. Redesigning the value of design and its process; and 3. Learning from sister transitions for acceleration.

Abstract Based on limited theoretical applicability of metropolitan area concept under China’s circumstances and the planning practice in Greater Shanghai Metropolitan Area, this article proposes a Chinese understanding on the concept of “Metropolitan Area”, which extends its core connotation from a commuting area to a multi-functional area. It further proposes to utilize the preparation of spatial plans as means to promote high-quality development of metropolitan areas and to achieve coordinated regional development. Metropolitan area planning takes spatial planning as its basic attribute, and simultaneously embodies the contents of economic and social arrangements. It could become a binding contract based on consensus among member cities. In terms of technical innovations in planning practice, this article firstly suggests using a “problem-based, goal-targeted, action-driven, space-oriented and implementation-guided” approach to form a framework of “objective (indicator)-strategy-action-mechanism” to realize collaborative goals. Secondly, the spatial plan should focus on “bottom line factors” as well as “collaborative factors”, establishing a technical framework for regional spatial organization from multiple dimensions such as ecological pattern, city function, spatial structure, and conduction mechanism which drive transformations in regional governance modes.

Abstract The increase in urban population growth has contributed to the expansion of unplanned settlements, especially in developing countries. Triggered by the lack of government oversight, the expansion of these settlements is characterized by unique economic, social, physical, and functional attributes. This study aims at exploring the physical features of unplanned settlements in District 4th of Herat city, western Afghanistan. Employing a mixed-research method, we integrated spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into detailed field observations to get a better understanding of the characteristics of the formation of these informal settlements. Our findings shed light on a number of key physical features including irregular street layouts, inadequate drainage systems, and substandard construction materials, irregular buildings in term of layout, number of floors, and building density. The features of unplanned urban morphology contribute to socio-economic loss and environmental degradation due to the absence of critical infrastructures including water infrastructures and the presence of unplanned streets in under-resourced unplanned settlements. In fact, the absence of government’s efforts in monitoring the development of unplanned settlements hinders the provision of essential services and infrastructures in the informal settlement communities. Our assertion is that the findings of this research will help policy makers in Afghanistan to reconsider their policies and decisions on urban development and growth, particularly in the poorer and under-served unplanned settlements in major cities in Afghanistan.

Abstract The mismanagement of waste is jeopardizing urban sustainability. Although polycentric waste governance (PWG) has been introduced, characterizing the PWG remains challenging. This paper employs game theory to illustrate polycentricity by investigating the equilibrium state from the stakeholders’ perspective. Shanghai, Tokyo, and Hong Kong are selected as target cities for comparative analysis. The findings reveal the heterogeneous characteristics in three megacities’ PWG—the collaboration by principal stakeholders (formal recyclers, informal recyclers, households) in Shanghai, the exclusion of informal recyclers in Tokyo, and the limited contribution provided by the formal recyclers in Hong Kong. The divergent PWG characteristics can be attributed to variations in governance patterns, socioeconomic factors, and policy formulation. Regarding urban sustainability, Tokyo and Shanghai’s PWG contribute to the circular economy’s expansion, while Hong Kong’ potential, in this regard, is undervalued. Despite Tokyo’s improved social recognition to practitioners, this PWG mode, primarily driven by formal recyclers and households, presents limited inclusion of low-income groups. Additionally, it is crucial for the authorities in Shanghai and Hong Kong to acknowledge the potential pollution of informal recyclers’ non-environmental behavior. This paper offers a valuable model for characterizing and analyzing PWG across different cities, facilitating knowledge aggregation and the implementation of PWG practice.

Abstract Urbanization is occurring at an unprecedented rate in developing countries like Ethiopia, especially with the rapid growth of industrialization. However, this urbanization and industrial development surge puts immense pressure on preparing and implementing city spatial plans. Urban spatial planning plays a crucial role in shaping the development of cities, aiming to create livable and sustainable urban development. The plan-making process and its subsequent implementation often encounter challenges that hinder the realization of planned objectives. Galan and Dukem, cities near Addis Ababa’s capital, have seen substantial industrial investment in recent decades. This article explores the challenges associated with urban spatial planning and industrial development while proposing alternative approaches. The paper relies on information gathered from primary and secondary sources, including expert surveys and key informants’ interviews. The research highlights that industrial developments have led to significant and uncontrolled changes in urban land use and urbanization in the study areas. Due to the lack of clear planning guidelines and institutional capacity, the study cities are experiencing haphazard development without effective urban spatial plans. Proximity to Addis Ababa has driven the urbanization process through increased investments. The article contends that effective management of urbanization and industrialization can create enjoyable living conditions and foster job growth. Macroeconomic policies, including industrial policies, should pay attention to spatial elements and prevent policy-making processes that are “space-blind”. This, however, requires clairvoyance and a high level of expertise, integrating inputs from advocacy planning and community participation to bridge gaps and ensure effective urban spatial plans and industrialization processes.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic showed us that maintaining and increasing individual and community resilience is essential, particularly in cities. Access to urban green spaces such as parks and gardens supports resilience and well-being. Here, we studied how the pandemic influenced the attitudes towards and outcomes of urban box gardening in the city of Turku in Finland. We analyzed this small-scale social-ecological system before and during the pandemic in 2019, 2020, and 2021. We find that box gardening’s importance increased for many gardeners due to the pandemic, supporting that box gardening can enhance resilience. We find that gardeners remain motivated to cultivate but contrary to expectations, they report receiving fewer benefits, suggesting the pandemic’s negative influence on well-being extends to urban gardening. Our findings highlight the manifold and long-term influence of disturbances. The long-term changes in attitudes and outcomes suggest that the pandemic’s influence on urban gardening might be even transformative.

Abstract The anticipated increase in urban population of 2.5 billion people by 2050 poses significant environmental challenges. While the various environmental impacts of urbanisation have been studied individually, integrated approaches are rare. This study introduces a spatially explicit model to assess urbanization’s effects on ecosystem services (green infrastructure availability, cooling, stormwater retention) and the environmental impact of building construction (material demand, greenhouse gas emissions, land use). Applied to the Netherlands from 2018 to 2050, our results show that integrating green infrastructure development with building construction could increase green areas by up to 5% and stabilize or increase ecosystem service provisioning. Dense building construction with green infrastructure development is generally more beneficial across the Netherlands, reducing resource use and enhancing ecosystem services. Conversely, sparse construction with green infrastructure is more advantageous for newly built areas. These findings offer insights into the environmental consequences of urbanization, guiding sustainable urban planning practices.

يتناول البحث أحد المواضيع الهامة التي تمثل تحدي لمعظم دول العالم وخاصة دول العالم النامي، وهي قدرة اقتصاد مدن هذه الدول على التحول الى الاقتصاد الأخضر المستدام. وتتمثل أهمية الاقتصاد الأخضر المستدام للمدن في قدرته على تعظيم فرص الاقتصاد المحلي للمدن على تحسين مستوى المعيشة للإنسان، القضاء على الفقر وتعزيز الإدماج الاجتماعي، خلق فرص العمل اللائقة للجميع دون الاضرار بالبيئة العامة حيث يعتبر اهم أدوات تحقيق التنمية المستدامة. ونظرا لأهمية الموضوع فقد تم اعتماد الاقتصاد الأخضر المستدام من قبل الدولة المصرية كأحد اهم السياسات لتحقيق اهداف التنمية المستدامة لاقتصاد المدن المصرية في ضوء رؤية مصر 2030 (استراتيجية التنمية المستدامة). يهدف البحث الى التوصل الي المعايير الأساسية لقياس مدى قابلية المدن المصرية لتحقيق فكر النمو الاقتصادي الأخضر المستدام، بحيث يمكن استخدامها ضمن إطار مقترح يمكن متخذي القرار من إدارة الاقتصاد الحالي لمدنهم وتحويله الى الاقتصاد الأخضر المستدام وبالتالي المساهمة في تحقيقي التنمية المستدامة للمدينة المصرية. ولقد تم من خلال مجموعة من الدراسات النظرية التحليلية التوصل الى استنباط إطار عام لتحقيق الاقتصاد الأخضر بوجه عام، ثم من خلال مجموعة من الدراسات التحليلية لعدد من التجارب العالمية الناجحة في مجال تطبيق الاقتصاد الأخضر تم تدقيق الإطار وتحديد مجموعة المؤشرات النهائية المستهدفة للإطار. ولقد قام البحث بأجراء دراسة تطبيقية للاطار المقترح على مجموعة من المدن لقياس مدى فاعلية وقابلية الاطار في تصنيف المدن المصرية من حيث القدرة الاقتصادية لهذه المدن على مستوى الجمهورية باستخدام برنامج التحليلي الاحصائي SPSS، ولقد توصلت نتائج الدراسة إلى تقسيم المدن محل الدراسة إلى أربعة مجموعات رئيسية وفقاً لتحقيق مؤشرات النمو الاقتصادي المستدام، بين الأعلى في مؤشرات النمو الاقتصادي والأدنى بها. كما تم التوصل الى مجموعة من التوصيات التي يمكن من خلالها أدارة اقتصاد هذه المدن للتحول الى اقتصاد اخضر مستدام. The research addresses one of the major issues facing developing countries nowadays concerning the ability of transferring the economy of theirs cities to a green sustainable economy. The importance of a sustainable green economy for cities is its ability to maximize the opportunities of the local economy for cities to improve the quality of life, eradicate poverty and promote social inclusion, and create decent jobs for all without damage the environment, where it is the most important tool for achieving sustainable development. The Egyptian government, according to Egypt Vision 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy Report, noticing such an importance has adopted the aim of the Sustainable Green Economy (SGE) as one of the main strategies for achieving sustainable development for Egyptian cities. The paper aims to induct a framework that would help cities economist and decision makers to transfer, manage and control the economy of the Egyptian cities to promote SGE. Based on a number of theoretical and analytical studies the paper managed to deduct the proposed framework. The proposed framework was further refined based on the results and findings of the analytical studies for a number of selected international successful SGE’s cities. Also, based on the results of the former studies the paper deducted a list of indicators that could help in measuring and monitoring the ability of traditional economies to be transferred to SGE. The archived list of indicator is to be utilized within the proposed framework. Finally, the paper tested the proposed framework through a practical study applying the framework on a number of Egyptian selected cities, using a statistical analysis method (using SPSS) to classify Egyptian cities according to their potential to achieve sustainable green economic growth approach. The study classified the selected cities into four major groups, among the highest in the indicators of economic growth and the lowest. The paper proposed recommendations for managing and controlling the transfer of the economy of the Egyptian cities to sustainable green economy.

To introduce an approximately idea of distinct Cairene Downtown; as an international city between the Two World Wars, this paper examines the alliance between the traditional and the modern cities. It provides fundamentally an analytical historical background of the city’s urban life by discussing the major events of that period, its decline and changes, and the gradually increasing European intervention. Such relevant influences, development aspects, population expansion and building boom, structure and traffic; all these factors had a distinguished impact on Cairo’s urbanism and architecture. The basis for this vision is quoted from selected novels compiled by Yahya Hakki and Naguib Mahfouz, which illustrates the traditional city at the time, and provides glimpses of intimacy into Cairo in a fast transitional period which is still in progress. The exhaustive description of places, streets and districts, depicted in precise detail are extracted. The foreigners’ empathy about Cairo recorded in the travelers’ guidebooks during the same period, and which could be contradictory to the Egyptian fascination towards modernization, is also reviewed, to show the discrepancy between the two views that of westerners versus that of locals. This paper discusses briefly the distinct reactions towards the changes of the traditional and modern cities. Also, this paper examines the outcome of the European’s interpretation with respect to the relation between the old traditional and the new modern cities that constitute Cairo’s overall image. This is ended by the outcome of such a phenomenon characterized by the appearance of two diversified cities in Cairo. لتقديم فكرة تقريبية عن وسط مدينة القاهرة المتميز، والذي يعتبر مدينة عالمية خلال الفترة ما بين الحربين العالميتين، تتناول هذه الورقة العلاقة بين المدن التقليدية والحديثة. وهو يقدم بشكل أساسي خلفية تاريخية تحليلية للحياة الحضرية في المدينة من خلال مناقشة الأحداث الكبرى في تلك الفترة، وتراجعها وتغيراتها، والتدخل الأوروبي المتزايد تدريجيا في البلاد. بجانب التأثيرات ذات الصلة، وجوانب التنمية، والتوسع السكاني والطفرة العمرانية، والبنية وحركة المرور؛ وكان لكل هذه العوامل تأثير مميز على عمران وعمارة القاهرة. وأساس هذه الرؤية مقتبس من روايات مختارة جمعها كلا من الاديبين يحيى حقي ونجيب محفوظ، والتي توضح حياة المدينة القديمة في ذلك الوقت، وتقدم لمحات من العلاقة الحميمة بالقاهرة في فترة انتقالية سريعة والتي لا تزال مستمرة. يتم استخلاص الوصف الشامل للأماكن والشوارع والأحياء، والموضحة بتفاصيل دقيقة. كما سيتم استعراض تعاطف الأجانب مع القاهرة والمسجل في أدلة الرحالة خلال نفس الفترة، والذي قد يتعارض مع انجذاب وميل المصريين نحو التحديث. لذلك تتناول هذه الورقة بإيجاز ردود الفعل المتميزة تجاه التغيرات في الصورة العامة للمدن التقليدية والحديثة. كما تتناول هذه الورقة نتائج التفسير الغربيفيما يتعلق بالعلاقة بين المدن التقليدية القديمة والمدن الحديثة الجديدة والتي تشكل الصورة العامة للقاهرة. وينتهي ذلك بنتيجة هذه الظاهرة التي تتميز بظهور مدينتين متنوعتين في داخل القاهرة.

Given the significance of Historic Cairo as a world heritage site, and since Egypt’s application to the UNESCO in 1979 to register Islamic Cairo, and upon changing the name of the site into Historic Cairo in 2007, and after the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) approved the registration in 1979, proceedings were given stating that the information related to identifying such heritage site as insufficient and that it’s required to specify the name and address of the owning authority. Furthermore, since 1993, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre has repeatedly recommended the need for a clear and effective management system, proposing protection and management measures, emphasizing that these procedures require a comprehensive management system to address weaknesses, and developing a management plan consistent with the guidelines issued by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. In 2001, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre referred to the lack of coordination highlighting the great complexity of Historic Cairo as a World Heritage site, which is reflected in the large number of responsible actors, such as the Ministry of Antiquities and the National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH) of the Ministry of Culture, Cairo’s Governorate, and other concerned parties. In addition to other ministries, such as Awqaf, Interior, and Housing which established an authority in the name of Fatimid Cairo, operate in different administrative ways and for different goals which represents the main research problem. Therefore, there must be one authority that coordinates and is responsible for the rest of the bodies concerned to facilitate the implementation of a management plan that is consistent with the guidelines approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre as soon as possible which is the main purpose of this research. This paper relied on a descriptive research approach and then the deductive research approach to achieve the mentioned goal. Therefore, this research attempts to solve the mentioned issues through proposing a management plan that implements sustainable procedures, planning tools, detailed action plans supported by appropriate laws, high coordination between all the various parties concerned to prevent further damage to the urban fabric and buildings of such World Heritage site. نظراً لأهمية القاهرة التاريخية كممتلك للتراث العالمي. ومنذ تقدم مصر لمنظمة اليونسكو في 1979م لتسجيل القاهرة الإسلامية، وما تم من بتغير اسم الممتلك ليصبح القاهرة التاريخية في عام 2007، وبعد موافقة مجلس الايكوموس على التسجيل 1979م فقد اعطي ملاحظات أفادت بان المعلومات الخاصة بتحديد الممتلك التراثي غير كافية وأنه من المطلوب تحديد اسم وعنوان الجهة التي تملك هذا الأثر والذي يخرج عن الملكيات الخاصة. ولقد أوصي مركز التراث العالمي مراراً منذ عام 1993 وحتى الآن بضرورة وجود نظام إدارة واضح وفعال، واقتراح إجراءات الحماية والإدارة والتأكيد على إن هذه الإجراءات تتطلب نظام إدارة شامل لمعالجة نقاط الضعف، ووضع خطة إدارة تتفق مع المبادئ التوجيهية الصادرة عن مركز التراث العالمي. وفي عام 2001 اشار مركز التراث العالمي الي الافتقار إلى التنسيق، وسلط الضوء على التعقيد الكبير في القاهرة التاريخية كموقع للتراث العالمي، وهو ما يعكسه العدد الكبير جداً من الجهات الفاعلة والمسئولة، مثل وزارة الآثار والجهاز القومي للتنسيق الحضاري التابع لوزارة الثقافة. ومحافظة القاهرة وهذه هي الأطراف الأساسية. بجانب وزارات أخري مثل الأوقاف والداخلية والإسكان التي انشات جهاز باسم القاهرة الفاطمية وكل هذه الجهات تعمل بأهداف ادارية مختلفة. وهو ما يمثل مشكلة البحث لرئيسية. لذا يجب وجود جهة واحدة تكون مسؤولة وتقوم بالتنسيق مع باقي الاطراف ليسهل تطبيق خطة إدارة تتفق مع المبادئ التوجيهية، وتعتمد من مركز التراث العالمي واليونسكو في اسرع وقت. وهو ما يمثل هدف البحث. كما يجب وضع خطة إدارة تُطبق إجراءات مستدامة،ويجب وضع أدوات تخطيطية وخطط عمل تفصيلية مدعومة بقوانين ملائمة، والتنسيق بين مختلف الإدارات والهيئات المعنية لمنع المزيد من الأضرار اللاحقة بالنسيج العمراني والمباني في الممتلك التراثي العالمي.

Climate change has a significant impact on urban green areas, and its surrounding environments. Public parks had been negatively affected in various aspects including landscaping conditions such as planting design within parks, the need for irrigation, declining of green coverages, mass loss of trees, in addition to the physical activities of visitors including active playing of children, walking, running, playing sports, also the psychological comfort and socializing of visitors. In order to investigate the impact of climate change on public parks in Cairo, the authors present a theoretical basis on the previous affected aspects, then observed and analyzed the previous aspects through an analytical approach in three different case studies which are International park, the Child’s park, and Maadi Island in Cairo, Egypt which represent cultural, children, and amusement parks respectively. Our findings provide evidence a highly recorded negative impact on landscaping conditions compared to the other aspects. Physical activities of visitors inside the public parks are from slightly to moderate affected while the psychological comfort of visitors are slightly affected, and socializing is the only aspect that has barely affected. The authors recommend a set of actions in order to mitigate climate change challenges among public parks in Cairo. لتغير المناخ تأثير كبير على المناطق الخضراء الحضرية، والبيئات المحيطة بها. وتأثرت الحدائق العامة سلباً في جوانب مختلفة منها ظروف المسطحات الخضراء مثل تصميم الزراعة داخل الحدائق، والحاجة إلى الري، وانحسار المسطحات الخضراء، وفقدان الأشجار بشكل كبير، بالإضافة إلى الأنشطة البدنية التي يمارسها الزوار بما في ذلك لعب الأطفال النشط، والمشي، الجري وممارسة الرياضة وكذلك الراحة النفسية والتواصل الاجتماعي للزوار. قام المؤلفون بملاحظة وتحليل الجوانب السابقة في ثلاث دراسات حالة مختلفة وهي حديقة الدولية، وحديقة الطفل، وجزيرة المعادي في القاهرة، بمصر والتي تمثل المتنزهات الثقافية، والأطفال، والمتنزهات الترفيهية على التوالي. توفر النتائج التي توصلنا إليها دليلاً على وجود تأثير سلبي على ظروف المسطحات الخضراء مقارنة بالجوانب الأخرى. وتتأثر الأنشطة البدنية للزوار داخل الحدائق العامة بشكل طفيف إلى متوسط، في حين تتأثر الراحة النفسية للزوار بشكل طفيف، ويعتبر التواصل الاجتماعي هو الجانب الوحيد الذي لم يتأثر إلا قليلاً بالتغير المناخي. ويوصي المؤلفون بمجموعة من الإجراءات من أجل التخفيف من تحديات تغير المناخ في الحدائق العامة في القاهرة.

Egypt is interested in providing suitable housing for individuals in a manner befitting the decent life required. For achieving that, it has been providing typical housing projects for citizens. Despite the multiplicity of places in which these projects are carried out, they were not provided by climate considerations in the design. The building envelope has a direct impact on the energy consumed for the cooling and heating. The study aims at examining the following: the impact of the southern wall design as an example for facades impact on the environmental behavior in terms of the design’s ability to provide appropriate shading , the impact of increasing the percentage of shading on the southern wall, and the compatibility of the design according to the environmental recommendations of the Egyptian Energy Code to rationalize energy consumption in residential buildings. The study concluded that the southern facades do not comply with the recommendations of the code, while studying the effect of modifying the facade according to the code and the effect of increasing the percentage of shading. It was concluded that adherence to the recommendations of the Egyptian Energy Code contributes to rationalizing consumption by 16% for cooling works and 24% for heating works with a total of 17% reduction in the total energy required. However, increasing the percentage of shading contributes to reducing the energy needed for cooling when increasing the energy needed for heating, with a total energy saving that is relatively limited according to the percentage of shading on the facade. إهتمت الدولة المصرية في الفترة الأخيرة بتوفير الإسكان المناسب لكافة أفراد الشعب بما يليق بالحياة الكريمة المطلوبة للمواطن، وفي تحقيق ذلك قامت ومازالت توفر المشروعات السكنية النمطية للمواطنين باختلاف طبقاتهم ومستوياتهم المادية، وبالرغم من تعدد أماكن تنفيذ تلك المشروعات إلا أنه لم تحظى بتوفير الإعتبارات المناخية في تصميم الغلاف الخارجي ذو التأثير المباشر على الطاقة المستهلكة لأعمال التبريد والتدفئة اللازمة. وتهدف الدراسة البحثية إلى دراسة تأثير التصميم الحالي للحائط الجنوبي كمثال تطبيقي لعنصر مؤثر من عناصر الغلاف الخارجي على السلوك البيئي للمبنى السكني من حيث قدرة التصميم على توفير الإظلال المناسب مع دراسة تأثير زيادة نسبة الإظلال على الحائط الجنوبي، بالإضافة إلى دراسة توافق تصميم الحائط مع التوصيات البيئية للكود المصري لترشيد إستهلاك الطاقة بالمباني السكنية. حيث خلصت الدراسة إلى عدم توافق الواجهات الجنوبية مع توصيات الكود مع دراسة تأثير تعديل الواجهة طبقا للكود بالإضافة إلى دراسة تأثير زيادة نسبة الإظلال، حيث تم التوصل إلى أن الإلتزام بتوصيات الكود المصري للطاقة يساهم في ترشيد الإستهلاك بنسبة 16% لأعمال التبريد ونسبة 24% لأعمال التدفئة بإجمالي 17% ترشيد في الطاقة الإجمالية المطلوبة لأعمال التبريد والتدفئة مجتمعة، في حين أن زيادة نسبة الإظلال تساهم في تقليل الطاقة اللازمة للتبريد مع زيادتها في الطاقة اللازمة للتدفئة بإجمالي ترشيد للطاقة محدود نسبيا طبقا لنسبة الإظلال على الواجهة.

Abstract Online food delivery has become a popular mode of urban food consumption in China as its underlying business mechanism, Online To Offline (O2O), gaining popularity. However, the environmental impacts of a rapidly expanding online food delivery industry and its potential to mitigate environmental burdens remained unexplored in China. Our research found that Chinese cities generated 1.67 MtCO2-equivalent (CO2e) from 13.07 billion times of deliveries in 2019, including transport and packaging. The transportation-related GHG emissions were 745 KtCO2e in 2019, with an average of 0.057 kg CO2e per order and an average of 0.011 kg CO2e per capita. These emissions have surged from 0.31 MtCO2e in 2014 to 2.74 MtCO2e in 2021. We predict that this figure will increase further to 5.94 MtCO2e by 2035. However, with a range of policies such as replacing motorcycles with electric bikes and optimizing traffic routes, it is possible to mitigate such GHG emissions by 4.39–10.97 MtCO2e between 2023 and 2035. These findings highlight the need for further research into the environmental impact of online food delivery and the potential for mitigating it.

Abstract To improve biodiversity and human living conditions in the Anthropocene, urban forms must reconcile density with vegetation to meet the dual sustainability-liveability challenge. This paradox poses a dilemma for urban planners and is a critical research issue requiring comprehensive analyses. Multi-family residential housing holds the potential to achieve balanced density-greening, proximity ecosystem services and human-nature connectedness, but meeting such objectives relies on finding balanced morphologies and metrics at an operational scale. Analysing 11,593 plots in the Lyon metropolitan area (France) using a systemic approach, we identified critical tipping points in morphology and greening. Density explained only 6% of Plot Greening, while morphology and landscaping accounted for 94%. We identified an open-space ratio (unbuilt area/floor area) >0.3 as a morphological threshold to achieve sustainable green supply. Operational morphologies balancing density and greening were modelled and illustrated across building heights, providing guidelines for emerging regulatory tools in sustainable urban planning.

Abstract Assessing the impact of past and future urban land expansion on ecosystem services (ESs) is essential for the sustainable management of urban landscapes. Despite recent progress, it remains challenging to determine the influence mechanism of different urbanization stages and areas on ESs and their trade-offs/synergies. Here, we analyzed the responses of four ESs and their trade-offs/synergies to the spatial and temporal differentiation of urbanization in the Su-Xi-Chang region of China from 1990 to 2050. The results showed that the relationship between ESs and urbanization followed a U-shaped curve from 1990 to 2050. Between 1990 and 2020, urbanization weakened trade-offs and enhanced lose-lose situations, exhibiting an S-shaped curve. From 2020 to 2050, lose-lose situations are expected to diminish, and the curve is projected to display a downward trend. Our findings suggest the implementation of compact urban development, sustainable agricultural practices, reforestation, and the conversion of farmland to lakes.

Abstract This article examines whether the patterns of urbanization in China over the past twenty years have resulted in a more balanced or increasingly polarized city size distribution. China is an important study area due to the immense scale of its urbanization and the substantial role of its planners in coordinating and striving for more balanced development patterns. This study utilizes measures of the spatial and temporal characteristics of built-up area (BUA) expansion across 23 urban agglomerations in China, focusing on size dynamics through the urban primacy index and Pareto exponent. The BUA within these 23 UAs increased by 280.90% in the study period. Coastal urban agglomerations were larger in size at baseline and maintained relatively high annual growth rates compared to inland agglomerations, indicating rising polarization. Changes within agglomerations were indicative of declining polarization, as evidenced by the reduction in the urban primacy index and the increase of Pareto exponent. Policies implemented to achieve enhanced urbanization coordination in China appear to be partially successful, but the growth of urban regions with existing large size continues to fuel uneven urban development and polarization.

Abstract Cities in developing countries are fast transforming from area-based expansion, representing spatial growth, to volumetric expansion, representing a higher skyline. Existing urban growth prediction models predict only spatial or two-dimensional growth. This paper demonstrates a volumetric urban growth model, incorporating the vertical expansion of urban areas. Two separate models were calibrated for spatial and built-up height growth, using historical growth patterns of transit-triggered new town development in India. The models were applied to upcoming transit station areas in India to predict the volumetric urban expansion for the next twenty years.

Abstract This paper comprehends the global research scenario about incorporating cultural components in contemporary urban planning practice. Various urban cultural elements have been analysed under the umbrella of ‘Urban Cultural Dynamics’ (UCD). This study aims to identify hot spots and explore influential sources through a bibliometric investigation of the evolutionary patterns of cultural dynamics in urban planning research. Data was collected from the Web of Science core collection (1965-2021). The data mining tools VOSviewer, Biblioshiny, KNIME, and WordStat were used to analyse hot topics, keywords, influential journals, core papers, top authors, and cooperation networks of countries and institutions. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is employed in journal analysis. The analysis showed that publications on UCD increased exponentially between 2016 and 2022. Italy (32), China (26), and Spain (18) are the top countries in total publications. Technical universities of Dresden and Munich have the most significant influence on UCD's research, with 103 and 101 total citations, respectively. Landscape and Urban Planning, Journal of Cultural Heritage, and Tourism Geographies are the top three consistently influential journals. The top ten core papers were identified. The keywords and topic analysis charted out the evolution of multidisciplinary UCD research topics. The hotspot analysis revealed the significance of cultural dynamics in sustainable urban development. The results highlighted the need for intercontinental cooperation between developed countries and the third world. The future scope of research on UCD topics is discussed in the conclusion.

Abstract This paper discusses literature and practice-based case studies in transformative, design-led reuse using emerging technologies. The inability of recycling to manage the assortment and complexity of waste materials within Circular Economy (CE) demands more discrete, attentive and granular approaches to reuse of waste by design professionals. This paper explores emerging and established digital technologies of Building Information Management (BIM), 3D scanning and artificial intelligence (AI) for their capacity to ease and improve transformative, design-led reuse practices for interiors, furnishings, architecture and building. Practice-based research is used to communicate first-hand encounters with the possibilities, benefits and challenges of these digital techniques.