Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-08-09DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030108
Edgar Bernat-Ponce, J. Gil-Delgado, G. López-Iborra
{"title":"House Sparrow Nesting Site Selection in Urban Environments: A Multivariate Approach in Mediterranean Spain","authors":"Edgar Bernat-Ponce, J. Gil-Delgado, G. López-Iborra","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030108","url":null,"abstract":"The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a common but declining bird species in its native urban areas, partly due to reduced nesting site availability caused by modern urbanisation and loss of old architectural styles. In this study, we analysed, through a multivariate approach, the environmental factors influencing House Sparrow nest site selection in three diverse inland urban areas within the Valencian Community, Spain. We located 584 House Sparrow nests during spring 2017 and also selected 300 random points (habitat availability) in the study localities. We used Factorial Analyses of Mixed Data to assess urban feature gradients of nests and urban variables. We carried out Generalized Linear Mixed Models to compare nest locations to random points and explore variations in nesting typologies between urban zones. Specific nest site preferences vary between urban sectors, indicating that House Sparrow nests are not randomly located in urban areas. Nests are typically found near parks, schools, vacant plots, city limits, and surrounding crops, where greater vegetation cover provides abundant food sources. Low-rise terraced houses with traditional roofs and open clay tiles are consistently preferred for nesting, whereas modern architectural trends reduce nesting opportunities. Preserving green areas and old architecture with open clay tiles is essential for maintaining nesting sites and promoting House Sparrow conservation in Mediterranean urban areas. Adherence to these conservation measures may also benefit other hole-nesting species and urban wildlife reliant on green spaces.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"45 47","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141924321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-08-08DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030107
M. Guarini, Francesco Sica, F. Tajani, Emma Sabatelli, D. Anelli
{"title":"A Strategic Multidirectional Approach for Picking Indicator Systems of Sustainability in Urban Areas","authors":"M. Guarini, Francesco Sica, F. Tajani, Emma Sabatelli, D. Anelli","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030107","url":null,"abstract":"In a global context, the identification of frameworks and assessment tools for achieving sustainable development requires the study of urban sustainability at different scales. While sustainability can be quantified more precisely on a larger scale, it is challenging to adapt these accounting techniques to smaller sites. Measuring becomes more challenging when researching urban sustainability from several viewpoints, especially when constructing an acceptable set of measurements while taking into account the several issues of the unique decision-making apparatus from theoretical and geographical perspectives. Which sorts of indicators should be prioritized above others? How many indicators should be used? Which criteria should be employed to choose the best indicators for the location of interest? This study addresses the aforementioned research problems by proposing a systematic, multidirectional approach to defining an adequate collection of indicators for sustainability accounting in urban situations. A top-down strategy, which provides a literature study to identify regularly used indicators in essential sustainability categories, is joined by a bottom-up approach, which creates indicators based on real-world circumstances. The combination of these two methodologies seeks to produce a set of relevant sustainability measurements. A neighborhood rehabilitation project for public housing in Le Lignon (Switzerland) serves as a pilot case for calibrating the proposed multidirectional technique. The final findings can support the public and private parties involved in sustainable urban planning procedures in assessing urban projects based on location-specific features.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"20 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141927020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-07-26DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030099
Milena Lakićević, N. Dedovic, Marco Marto, Keith M. Reynolds
{"title":"Urban Parks in Novi Sad (Serbia)—Insights from Landscape Architecture Students","authors":"Milena Lakićević, N. Dedovic, Marco Marto, Keith M. Reynolds","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030099","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030099","url":null,"abstract":"Urban parks are vital components of city ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, climate resilience, air and water quality, health, socialization, and economic benefits for citizens in urban areas. This paper examines urban parks in Novi Sad by gathering opinions on their qualities and functions through a questionnaire. The respondents were students enrolled in the landscape architecture course at the University of Novi Sad. To analyze their responses, multivariate statistical analysis techniques, including ANOVA, MANOVA, and contingency tables, were applied. The results highlight the primary reasons for visiting urban parks in general, as well as specific parks in Novi Sad. The paper offers insights into visitor behavior, including the frequency and length of their stays, etc., and provides an assessment of the parks’ educational functions, which were expected to be highly relevant for the respondent group. The results can be relevant for further urban park development and serve as a starting point for applying multi-criteria (MC) analysis. Specifically, the results can be used to define a set of criteria, goals, and other essential elements necessary for conducting Analytic Hierarchy Processes or similar MC analysis methods.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141801308","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-07-25DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030096
Têtou-Houyo Blakime, Kossi Komi, K. Adjonou, A. K. D. Hlovor, K. Gbafa, Peter Oyedele, Botolisam Polorigni, K. Kokou
{"title":"Derivation of a GIS-Based Flood Hazard Map in Peri-Urban Areas of Greater Lomé, Togo (West Africa)","authors":"Têtou-Houyo Blakime, Kossi Komi, K. Adjonou, A. K. D. Hlovor, K. Gbafa, Peter Oyedele, Botolisam Polorigni, K. Kokou","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030096","url":null,"abstract":"In Togo, and especially in the peri-urban areas of Greater Lomé, flood hazards and their effects on communities and ecosystems have increased in recent years due to global changes. This is predominantly due to increasing urbanization and the changing climate. This study explores the application of remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS) and analytical hierarchy processes (AHP) for flood hazard mapping in Greater Lomé. Maps of seven (7) drivers of flood hazards, namely flow accumulation, rainfall intensity, geology and soil, land use, slope, elevation and distance from the drainage network, were prepared by integrating remote sensing data into a GIS environment. The weight of each factor was estimated via the AHP method and used in the estimation of the flood hazard index (FHI). The results show that there is a high or very high susceptibility of flooding in 53.4% of the Greater Lomé suburbs, while there is a moderate to low susceptibility of flooding in about 46.59% of it, and 0.01% of the study area. The generated map is a useful tool for decision-makers and practitioners in charge of flood risk and disaster management when developing plans to reduce the risk of both current and future floods in the study area.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"51 21","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141805778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-07-25DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030097
Ibnu Sasongko, A. M. Gai, V. T. Azzizi
{"title":"Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Land Use and Community Perception in Peri-Urban Environments: The Case of the Intermediate City in Indonesia","authors":"Ibnu Sasongko, A. M. Gai, V. T. Azzizi","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030097","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030097","url":null,"abstract":"The emergence of a peri-urban area is driven by a high degree of accessibility in the suburbs due to the development of housing and urban facilities. Such a phenomenon requires specialized planning approaches in accordance with the peri-urban dynamics, where there is no clear distinction between a wholly urban and a wholly rural area. The objectives of this research are to (1) identify land-use change of the peri-urban area; (2) analyze the zoning typology of peri-urban area span across 20 years; and (3) identify the settlement pattern and community perception of the peri-urban area. This research observes land-use change in an Indonesian peri-urban area using geographic information system (GIS) analysis in the urban frame zone, urban–rural frame zone, rural–urban frame zone, and rural frame zone during 2012–2022 and land-use change prediction for 2022–2032. Consequent community perception analysis was conducted to comprehend complex interactions in the urban–rural continuum. Results indicate that by 2032, urban characteristics shall become significantly more prominent in 50% of the peri-urban area compared to 2012, due to better accessibility and the presence of nationwide migrant attractors, such as universities. Spatial planning must address these varying dynamics to effectively manage the development of urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"40 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141805245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-07-25DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030098
É. Daudé, A. Cebeillac, K. Nakhapakorn, Richard E Paul
{"title":"Mapping Urban Landscapes Prone to Hosting Breeding Containers for Dengue-Vector Mosquitoes: A Case Study in Bangkok","authors":"É. Daudé, A. Cebeillac, K. Nakhapakorn, Richard E Paul","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030098","url":null,"abstract":"Dengue fever is an urban, tropical, and semi-tropical disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. One significant challenge lies in identifying reliable intra-urban indicators of their densities. Following standardized sampling protocols that adequately take into account the spatial heterogeneity of the geographical contexts which may influence mosquito habitats is therefore fundamental to compare studies and follow such relevant indicators. We develop a method for subdividing urban territory based on environmental factors which are susceptible to influence the density of potential mosquito-breeding containers. Indeed, the presence of these containers, most of which are produced by humans, is essential for the renewal of mosquito populations. Land-uses variables and their local variations are determinant in this analysis. Starting from each building and its immediate neighborhood described in terms of vegetation and open area, we computed the local landscape metrics of a million buildings in Bangkok. We then used segmentation and clustering techniques to generate homogeneous zones based on these components and physiognomy. Subsequently, a classification process was conducted to characterize these zones according to land-use and composition indicators. We applied this automatic clustering method within Bangkok’s urban area. This classification built from hypotheses on the existence of links between the types of urban landscape and the presence of outdoor containers must be evaluated and will serve as a foundation for the spatial sampling of field studies for vector surveillance in Bangkok. The choice of sampling zones, even if it must be based on an administrative division due to the decentralization of health agencies in Bangkok, can then be enriched by this new, more functional division. This method, due to the genericity of the factors used, could be tested in other cities prone to dengue vectors.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"42 25","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141805608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-07-23DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030095
J. Araiza-Aguilar, M. Rojas-Valencia, H. Nájera-Aguilar, R. F. Gutiérrez-Hernández, C. García-Lara
{"title":"Using Spatial Analysis to Design a Solid Waste Collection System","authors":"J. Araiza-Aguilar, M. Rojas-Valencia, H. Nájera-Aguilar, R. F. Gutiérrez-Hernández, C. García-Lara","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030095","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030095","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper, a proposal was presented to improve the MSW collection service in the municipality of Reforma, in Chiapas, Mexico. Specific field work was developed and various spatial analysis techniques were applied in the GIS environment. The application of a multivariate analysis technique (Grouping Analysis) allowed the study area to be clustered into three waste collection sectors with common characteristics, which were the basis for generating three collection route scenarios. Scenario 1 corresponds to the current situation, where 478 waste collection points are served, with an average travel distance of 60.30 km and a collection time of 8.00 h. Scenario 2 was generated through the “maximize coverage” algorithm and vehicle route modeling in ArcGis 10.8. In this scenario, 1220 waste collection points are served, with an average travel distance of 143.21 km and an average collection time of 12.38 h. Scenario 3 was created using the “minimize facilities” algorithm, as well as collection modeling in ArcGis 10.8. Using this algorithm, impedances (distances) were automatically minimized so that 697 waste collection points could be served, with an average travel distance of 100.00 km and an average collection time of 9.66 h. In terms of improvement, scenario 3 gives the best results, because it minimizes distances and average travel times.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"108 22","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141812384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-07-23DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030094
Oleg D. Tregubov, Konstantin K. Uyagansky
{"title":"Substantiation of the Monitoring Network of Talik Zones in Urbanized Permafrost Areas Based on GPR Profiling Data (Anadyr, Chukotka)","authors":"Oleg D. Tregubov, Konstantin K. Uyagansky","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030094","url":null,"abstract":"Modern climatic changes have an impact on the bearing capacity of permafrost soils at the base of the foundations of buildings and structures in the urbanized territories of the Arctic and Subarctic. The activation of cryogenic processes leads to the destruction of infrastructure and to social, economic, and environmental consequences for the population. Based on the results for the geothermy of frozen and thawing soil, and on the georadar profiling of the city of Anadyr, it was concluded that the main risks of permafrost degradation are associated with the spread of hydrogenic melting zones. Maps of the soil temperature in imaginary cross-sections with depths of 3, 5, and 10 m were compiled, along with maps of the capacity of thawing soils, the permafrost aquifer, and the dangerous spread zones for exogenous cryogenic processes. The total area of talik zones with a depth of 6 m or more in the urban area was 2.34 km2, or 67% of the built-up area. The system of permafrost monitoring in the territory of Anadyr was substantiated, and is based on monitoring the boundaries of talik zones. It consists of an automated network of observations of the ground temperature in 35 wells at the boundary and in the center of 20 zones of the dangerous development of exogenous cryogenic processes, as well as 12 control GPR profiles at the intersection of linear hydrogenic taliks.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"92 22","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141812245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-07-22DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030092
Márcio Có, Flávia Consoni, Matheus Coelho Carneiro, Guilherme Fernandes, R. Nunes, C. Donadel
{"title":"Understanding Business Models in the Brazilian Context of Electric Mobility: A Proposed Framework","authors":"Márcio Có, Flávia Consoni, Matheus Coelho Carneiro, Guilherme Fernandes, R. Nunes, C. Donadel","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030092","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030092","url":null,"abstract":"In the transition to electric mobility (EM), business model innovation plays a crucial role in expanding the use of electric vehicles and increasing acceptance of this technology. The transition pathways differ between countries in the largest economies and those in Latin America. Brazil presents a unique scenario, benefiting from an early start with biofuels, the production of flex-fuel vehicles, predominantly renewable electric energy generation (>80%), and the absence of a structured national policy aligned with local governments. This study introduces a framework that surveys and categorizes businesses in EM, relating them to sustainable development aspects and regulatory maturity. It builds a solid conceptual foundation, incorporating data from technical and commercial events, as well as interviews with Brazilian specialists for validation. The proposed framework aids in understanding the Brazilian context, identifying regulatory gaps, and developing a common language to advance studies on business model innovation, contributing to electromobility studies in Latin America. Additionally, it can guide the construction of regional and local public policies and help identify more sustainable projects.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"30 24","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141815307","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-07-22DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030093
J. Tay, F. P. Ortner, Thomas Wortmann, Elif Esra Aydin
{"title":"Computational Optimisation of Urban Design Models: A Systematic Literature Review","authors":"J. Tay, F. P. Ortner, Thomas Wortmann, Elif Esra Aydin","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030093","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030093","url":null,"abstract":"The densification of urban spaces globally has contributed to a need for design tools supporting the planning of more sustainable, efficient, and liveable cities. Urban Design Optimisation (UDO) responds to this challenge by providing a means to explore many design solutions for a district, evaluate multiple objectives, and make informed selections from many Pareto-efficient solutions. UDO distinguishes itself from other forms of design optimisation by addressing the challenges of incorporating a wide range of planning goals, managing the complex interactions among various urban datasets, and considering the social–technical aspects of urban planning involving multiple stakeholders. Previous reviews focusing on specific topics within UDO do not sufficiently address these challenges. This PRISMA systematic literature review provides an overview of research on topics related to UDO from 2012 to 2022, with articles analysed across seven descriptive categories. This paper presents a discussion on the state-of-the-art and identified gaps present in each of the seven categories. Finally, this paper argues that additional research to improve the socio-technical understanding and usability of UDO would require: (i) methods of optimisation across multiple models, (ii) interfaces that address a multiplicity of stakeholders, (iii) exploration of frameworks for scenario building and backcasting, and (iv) advancing AI applications for UDO, including generalizable surrogates and user preference learning.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"29 28","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141814031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}