Urban SciencePub Date : 2024-07-09DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030081
Thi Hong Diep Dao, Khac An Dao, G. Barboza-Salerno
{"title":"Uncovering Spatial Patterns of Residential Settlements, Segregation, and Vulnerability of Urban Seniors Using Geospatial Analytics and Modeling Techniques","authors":"Thi Hong Diep Dao, Khac An Dao, G. Barboza-Salerno","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030081","url":null,"abstract":"We harnessed the analytical power of geospatial analysis and modeling techniques, pioneering a novel approach to studying the spatial distribution of households with at least one senior aged 65 or over, known as senior households (SHHs). We developed and implemented a spatial modeling approach that disaggregates the senior household counts obtained from the U.S. Census block data to residential land parcels. This innovative method models the senior household count on each land parcel, generating a detailed, reliable synthetic microspatial dataset for urban senior studies. Robust spatial analysis techniques are then applied to examine senior household spatial distribution in the context of segregation and access vulnerability in the study area. Our research, conducted in the urban setting of Colorado Springs, provides a deeper understanding of the senior residential landscape and identifies vulnerability. Our research findings are not just academic but also practical tools for planners, policymakers, and community advocates in the city to understand senior residential settlements, segregation, and social inequality. Our adaptable approach can be applied using similar modeling and analysis techniques for different study areas. The synthetic data and its generation approach are valuable resources for future urban senior research, enabling further examinations of different senior residential neighborhood typologies beyond basic demographic and socioeconomic aggregated indicators. They can assist studies interested in analyzing the influence of local factors and neighborhood effects on active aging among individuals, as well as simulating individual senior choices and spatial behaviors. Furthermore, they serve as a comparison baseline for future attempts to develop synthetic senior population data with socioeconomic and health characteristics.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"63 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141663306","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 : 2024-07-08DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030080
Anastasios Sepetis, Konstantinos Georgantas, Ioannis Nikolaou
{"title":"Innovative Strategies for Bio-Waste Collection in Major Cities during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comprehensive Model for Sustainable Cities—The City of Athens Experience","authors":"Anastasios Sepetis, Konstantinos Georgantas, Ioannis Nikolaou","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030080","url":null,"abstract":"This paper introduces an innovative model for the organization and management of municipal bio-waste collection networks in major cities, particularly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Embracing circular economy principles and sustainable city practices, the proposed model addresses the urgent need for sustainable urban bio-waste management systems. Delving into the dynamic urban landscape, with a focus on the city of Athens, the study highlights the necessity of a robust decision-making methodology, the implementation of resilient processes, and the evaluation of their efficacy, especially during challenging times. The model centers on the effective collection, transportation, and monitoring of bio-waste, with a strategic aim to moderate environmental impacts, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and advance sustainable development goals. Utilizing the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method, this paper thoroughly examines critical components of an innovative bio-waste collection network, including infrastructure, technology, and human resources. By merging best practices from global urban centers and accounting for the unique characteristics of Athens, the model envisions a transition toward a circular economy. Notably, the proposed municipal bio-waste collection network at the source anticipates substantial contributions to achieving Sustainable Development Goals in major cities. The study concludes by showcasing the successful application of these methodologies in the Municipality of Athens, providing tangible evidence of their positive impact.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":" 1221","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141668908","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 : 2024-07-06DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030079
Diego Mancilla, Sayny Robledo, Doris Esenarro, Vanessa Raymundo, Violeta Vega
{"title":"Green Corridors and Social Connectivity with a Sustainable Approach in the City of Cuzco in Peru","authors":"Diego Mancilla, Sayny Robledo, Doris Esenarro, Vanessa Raymundo, Violeta Vega","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030079","url":null,"abstract":"The present research aims to propose the design of a green corridor with a systemic/sustainable approach to function as an ecological lung for the city of Cuzco. A lack of planning has resulted in uncontrolled urban development, with a shortage of green areas, negatively affecting the quality of life. Green corridors stand out as solutions that encourage social interaction and improve public health. This approach recognizes the need for balanced resource management and institutional, economic and social organization. In the specific case of Cusco, the lack of social interaction highlights the importance of addressing these challenges to improve the quality of life for both residents and visitors. The methods developed were an extensive literature review, urban analysis and climate analysis, applying sustainability strategies supported by digital tools (Google Earth, Climate Consultant 6.0, Autocad, SketchUp and 3d Sun Path). As a result, this proposal presents green areas covering 69.96% of the total area, aimed at providing recreational spaces and connecting residents and visitors with nature. Additionally, biolakes were designed, accounting for 3.18% of the area, serving as ornamental elements and contributing to the environmental quality of the urban environment. The botanical zone, encompassing 18.14% of the project, was designed to accommodate a diverse range of plant species, providing an educational and aesthetic environment. The convention area, representing 9.7% of the total area, was designed to host events and community activities, promoting social and cultural interaction. Finally, 0.98% of the space was allocated to the cultural zone, where artistic exhibitions, cultural events, and related activities can be planned, enriching the cultural and social life of the community. These percentages reflect careful consideration of the needs and aspirations of the population, as well as a comprehensive approach to sustainable urban design and the creation of multifunctional spaces. In conclusion, through a green corridor, the aim is to counteract uncontrolled urban expansion and environmental degradation by generating a green lung in the city of Cuzco, naturally regulating the climate and contributing to air and water purification. The absence of green corridors and sustainable approaches to social connectivity in Cusco could reduce the quality of life of residents, affecting their physical and mental health. The lack of green and recreational spaces could increase segregation and alienation in the community, weakening social cohesion. Without green corridors, the city would also face environmental and biodiversity challenges, as well as a reduced ability to respond to extreme weather events. The lack of implementation of these strategies could compromise comprehensive development and quality of life in Cuzco.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":" 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141671894","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 : 2024-07-05DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030078
David T. Marshall
{"title":"Student Attendance Patterns as Actionable Early Warning Indicators of High School Graduation Outcomes: Findings from an Urban Alternative Charter School","authors":"David T. Marshall","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030078","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Students who fail to complete high school, on average, have less earnings, pay fewer taxes, and require increased government expenditures compared to those who do reach this milestone. Especially in urban jurisdictions, this can lead to reduced municipal fiscal health. Alternative high schools have been one intervention employed to improve the outcomes of students who have previously dropped out. Also, in recent decades, early warning indicator (EWI) systems have been put in place to flag students who are at risk for not completing school. However, the current EWI metrics for student attendance are insufficient for the population that attends alternative high schools. Methods: Administrative data were obtained from an alternative charter high school in a large urban city in the northeast United States (n = 224). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the utility of traditional EWI operationalizations of student attendance against more targeted measures, with student graduation serving as a dichotomous outcome variable. Results: Of the models tested, the model that flagged student non-attendance as missing consecutive days three or more times during the first 12 weeks of school had the greatest explanatory power (McFadden’s R2 = 0.301) and best overall model fit. Conclusions: Traditional definitions of attendance are less useful in schools doing re-engagement work, and more targeted indicators serve as more effective EWIs in these settings.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":" 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141676286","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 : 2024-07-04DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8030077
Yannick Esopere, H. Yabar, Takeshi Mizunoya, D. Richards
{"title":"Leveraging Life Cycle Assessment and System Dynamics Model Analysis for an Integrated Household E-Waste Management System in Yaoundé, Cameroon","authors":"Yannick Esopere, H. Yabar, Takeshi Mizunoya, D. Richards","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8030077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030077","url":null,"abstract":"Electronic waste (E-waste) is a global environmental issue and a contemporary challenge in developing countries, where implementing sustainable E-waste management policies is required to mitigate the adverse impacts of inappropriate treatment and disposal. This study assesses the environmental and human health impacts of the current E-waste management system in Yaoundé. The study then proposes an integrated E-waste management system (IEMS) with policy instruments for increased formal E-waste collection and reduced environmental impacts from informal E-waste treatment. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was utilized to identify high-impact contributing processes within the current E-waste management system (EMS) and to determine the optimum scenario for an integrated system. The system dynamics model (SDM) analysis ascertained the efficiency of the E-waste policy under the IEMS. Results show that the IEMS can reduce global warming potential, fine particulate matter formation, and human carcinogenic toxicity from one ton of E-waste treatment by 27%, 16.3%, and 34%, respectively. Regarding the policy efficiency simulation for the IEMS, the policy instrument (Policy 1), with levies on electronic appliance producers, proved environmentally efficient in reducing the quantity of informal recycling. It was also more economically viable for the recycling fund to increase formal E-waste collection and subsidize formal treatment within the context of the IEMS. The study outcome is informative for E-waste management policy planning in developing economies.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":" 17","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141678211","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 : 2024-06-13DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8020067
Sebastian Scheuer, Luca Sumfleth, Long Dac Hoang Nguyen, Ylan Vo, Thi Binh Minh Hoang, Jessica Jache
{"title":"A Systematic Assessment of Greening Interventions for Developing Best Practices for Urban Heat Mitigation—The Case of Huế, Vietnam","authors":"Sebastian Scheuer, Luca Sumfleth, Long Dac Hoang Nguyen, Ylan Vo, Thi Binh Minh Hoang, Jessica Jache","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8020067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020067","url":null,"abstract":"The health of urban populations is increasingly at risk due to the amplification and chronification of urban heat stress by climate change. This is particularly true for urban environments in humid tropical climates, including many cities in Southeast Asia. It is also in these locations where increasing climatic risks may be exacerbated by urban growth, underscoring the need to develop effective mitigation strategies for strengthening urban resilience and supporting climate change adaptation. Conservation and widespread implementation of green infrastructure (GI) are regarded as one means to counter heat as a public health threat. However, for lower-income countries across Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, knowledge gaps remain with respect to the effectiveness of greening interventions for heat mitigation. To address this gap, in the context of urban expansion in the humid tropical city of Huế, Vietnam, diurnal cooling potential and regulation of outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) within a wide, shallow street canyon were systematically assessed for selected elements of GI along a quantitative and qualitative dimension using ENVI-met. Tree-based interventions were found to be most effective, potentially decreasing UTCI by −1.9 K at the domain level. Although lower in magnitude, green verges and green facades were also found to contribute to OTC, with green verges decreasing UTCI by up to −1.7 K and green facades by up to −1.4 K locally. Potential synergistic cooling impacts were identified through a combination of GI elements. However, no scenario was found to decrease heat stress to zero or moderate levels. Substantially reducing heat stress may thus require further measures and a closer consideration of local morphological characteristics.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"15 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141348998","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 : 2024-06-13DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8020068
L. Alawneh, Maram Tawil, Katrin Bäumer, Christa Reicher
{"title":"Emerging Residential Trends within Socially Heterogeneous Settings: The Case of Jabal Al-Hussein Amman","authors":"L. Alawneh, Maram Tawil, Katrin Bäumer, Christa Reicher","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8020068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020068","url":null,"abstract":"This research focuses on the residential patterns that were traced in Amman in the last decades due to the constant influx of migrants. Therefore, mapping the residential patterns that are emerging was seen important to understand the morphology of the area. A mixed-methods approach was used to identify the typologies emerging into the setting. New residential patterns that called for new strategic thinking were captured and analyzed. Enhancing the new image of “celebrated character” that urges new perception of heterogeneous communities and attracting more sustainable residential attributes towards the neighborhood were the two main outcomes of the study.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"39 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141349919","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 : 2024-06-11DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8020066
N. Bolshakov, A. Celani, V. Badenko, Rafael Magdalena Benedicto
{"title":"Factories of the Future in Digitization of Industrial Urban Areas","authors":"N. Bolshakov, A. Celani, V. Badenko, Rafael Magdalena Benedicto","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8020066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020066","url":null,"abstract":"This paper delves into the integration of Factories of the Future (FoF) and digital twin technologies within urban contexts, marking a significant leap in Smart Cities development. We present a thorough exploration of the principles and a scientifically grounded framework designed for seamlessly blending advanced manufacturing systems with the urban environment’s digital and physical aspects. Our detailed analysis has identified core principles crucial for this integration, focusing on interoperability, sustainability, adaptability, stakeholder collaboration, and strong data governance. We propose a structured framework that puts these principles into action, outlining strategic routes for incorporating digital twin and Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies into FoF, establishing public-private partnerships, enhancing education and workforce development, and setting up mechanisms for ongoing evaluation and enhancement. The potential of this integration to transform urban development is vast, providing a model for boosting operational efficiency, driving economic growth, and enhancing urban livability. Although challenges exist in realizing this vision, our research offers practical insights and strategies for cities and industries to effectively navigate the complexities of the digital era. This contribution enriches the growing field of urban science, advocating for a harmonious integration of industrial production with urban development in the Smart Cities framework.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141357673","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 : 2024-06-07DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8020065
D. Ros-McDonnell, M. V. de-la-Fuente-Aragón, L. Ros-McDonnell, Manuel Cardós
{"title":"Toward Resilient Urban Design: Pedestrians as an Important Element of City Design","authors":"D. Ros-McDonnell, M. V. de-la-Fuente-Aragón, L. Ros-McDonnell, Manuel Cardós","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8020065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020065","url":null,"abstract":"Including pedestrians in urban design is vital so that they prefer walking over motorized transport. Motorized mobility, which mainly involves automobiles, has conditioned urban design, pedestrian movement, sustainability, and urban resilience. Studies of walkability in cities have recently been conducted, and they can be classified into those that use a qualitative observer-perception-based approach and a second approach based on the measurement of observable variables. This work aims to develop a tool that allows for walkability in public spaces to be evaluated based on directly observing reality while considering both approaches: those related to perceiving the environment and physical reality. Walking is one of the main ways of moving around and achieving sustainable urban mobility. The conditions of public spaces are fundamental for people in their preference for moving around by walking. A literature review related to walkability revealed that previous works included a variety of viewpoints, scales, tools, variables, and approaches. This study included a developed tool by modeling a definition of working areas, processing walkability data, and determining the Walkability Index (WI). The reliability of the data observed from the walkability variables was verified, and the tool’s usefulness for urban planning was demonstrated. Pedestrian-centered urban design promotes cities’ sustainable mobility, sustainability, and resilience. People’s conduct reveals how the urban environment is perceived. The developed WI evaluates the existing reality and allows for its evolution to be monitored.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":" 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141372301","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 : 2024-06-06DOI: 10.3390/urbansci8020064
Ahmed Jaber, Huthaifa I. Ashqar, B. Csonka
{"title":"Determining the Location of Shared Electric Micro-Mobility Stations in Urban Environment","authors":"Ahmed Jaber, Huthaifa I. Ashqar, B. Csonka","doi":"10.3390/urbansci8020064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020064","url":null,"abstract":"Locating shared electric micro-mobility stations in urban environments involves balancing multiple objectives, including accessibility, profitability, sustainability, operational costs, and social considerations. This study investigates traveler preferences regarding shared electric micro-mobility stations, focusing on factors influencing their location decisions. The study used the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model to analyze the criteria and determine their relative importance in influencing the location decisions of shared electric micro-mobility stations as evaluated by experts in transportation fields. The examined criteria are proximity to public transportation, accessibility to key destinations, demographics (e.g., age, and income), safety, land use, and pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. Using the AHP model, the importance and ranking of each criterion were established. Results indicate that the availability and quality of sidewalks and bike lanes in the vicinity, along with the proximity to popular destinations like shopping centers and tourist attractions, emerge as the most influential criteria. The least important criteria were the demographics such as the young age percentage in the area and the average income of the surrounding population. These findings underscore the critical importance of well-maintained infrastructure for pedestrian and cyclist mobility, as well as the need for convenient access to high-traffic areas. Such insights provide valuable guidance for informed decision making regarding the optimal placement of shared electric micro-mobility stations.","PeriodicalId":510542,"journal":{"name":"Urban Science","volume":"9 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141380250","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}