Analysis Of Built Environment Research Articles

Optimization Path of Metro Commercial Passageway Based on Computational Analysis

In this study, three key factors affecting the planning of metro commercial passageways are selected: the built environment of metro station, travel purposes of passenger flow and gate position of the station hall. The Pearson model, Logistic model and software simulation are combined to analyze passage passenger flow. In the study of metro passageways, most studies focus on the optimization of evacuation and transfer functions, with little research on metro commercial passageways. The purpose of this study is to improve the attractiveness of metro commercial passageways to passenger flow by improving the three key factors mentioned above, thereby improving the current situation of underground commerce. The analysis results show that in the built environment analysis, the four selected construction factors are highly correlated with the passenger flow, and the correlation degree is in the following order (from high to low): length of the passage, operation of the escalators, the distance from the passage exit to the bus stop and the passage width. In the passenger flow travel purpose analysis, based on the structure of passengers and the function of the surrounding land use, it can be divided into shopping, work and living purposes, and the result of model parameter comparison shows that “shopping trips” is the most significant purpose. According to the analysis of the location of the exit gates at the station concourse level, the passageway with a closer distance or linear pattern to the gate location is more attractive to the passenger flow.

Research Analysis of Built Environment as a System: Implementing Research Through Design Methodology

Building is a process of technology that enables human wellbeing by engaging a multitude of stakeholders. However, it is often seen in the literature that all stakeholders involved in the building process are disintegrated, which seems to be a management and systemic orientation problem when trying to address the built environment as a sustainable system design. That means the design and design aesthetics of any building cannot be simply influenced by technological revolution and efficiency improvements to attain the three pillars of sustainable development. A systemic transformation of the whole process is a pre-requisite, which is complex and oft underestimated mainly due to the lack of subjective characteristics involved available for transformation research, that addresses policy choice in the development of a paradigm shift. Addressing built environment as a system for transformation research practice, this study extensively reviewed the UNEP built environment report to identify global variables that define the roughly correct system as an artifact to be studied. The UNEP report covers the system level transformation requirement until 2003, which seems to be more or less the same in almost all the research studies as of now. Using the Vester Sensitivity Model, the roughly correct built environment as a system is analyzed to identify the future leverage potential and variables’ interdependency. The in-depth systems analysis indicates global variables Enabling condition and New material are potential system leveraging variables for built environment system transition to sustainable design, which require further scrutiny. The leveraging variables are influenced by other global variables which can only be negotiated for sustainable development goal actualization for future success.

A method for the generation of typical meteorological year data using ensemble empirical mode decomposition for different climates of China and performance comparison analysis

The typical meteorological year (TMY) is one of the key factors to accurately estimate building energy consumption and analysis indoor environment. Therefore, high-performance TMY is crucial. A new TMY generation method based on empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) in this paper was put forward for different climates of China. The results show that the proposed method effectively improves the representation of TMY compared with traditional methods, especially for solar radiation and wind speed data. Finally, this paper analyzed the impact of TMY using EEMD on the results of building environmental analysis. The simulation result has showed that the TMY generated by the EEMD effectively reduced the relative average deviation for the estimation of the building energy consumption compared with other methods. This study further uses the method to obtain the daily weather database for selected cities in different climate regions of China.

Heritage, values and gentrification: the redevelopment of historic areas in China

ABSTRACT This paper explores the impacts of heritage-led urban redevelopment on local communities and the associated consequences of gentrification. The instrumental role of cultural heritage in urban governance presents an underdeveloped research field on gentrification. Especially in fast-developing countries like China, redevelopment is often associated with urban beautification that favours the interests of the affluent middle classes while disregarding the needs of the urban poor and migrants. This paper uses Qujiang New District in Xi’an and Taipingqiao in Shanghai as cases for examining the impacts of heritage-led redevelopment on the urban landscape and social fabric of Chinese cities. Following a qualitative approach based on built environment analysis and observation, together with in-depth, semi-structured interviews, this study shows how cultural heritage becomes an effective tool for governance in the context of urban redevelopment. The values generated by cultural heritage and its associated ideas, including urban beautification, high culture and economic benefits, legitimise state-dominated spatial reconstruction and the resulting gentrification and social fragmentation. Heritage-led urban redevelopment in China produces new spaces for social interaction, where the state’s control over its citizens is reinforced. These spaces support investor and upper-high class interests of capital accumulation and leave limited room for the development of alternatives.

Built Environment Analysis for Road Traffic Crash Hotspots in Kigali, Rwanda

Introduction: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Rwanda. Investigations of the high risk areas for road traffic crashes (RTCs) are urgently needed to guide improvements in road safety. This study aims to identify RTC hotspots in Kigali, Rwanda, and to conduct a built environment analysis of these hotspots. Methods: RTC and RTC-prone locations were collected from the Kigali Traffic Police and high frequency road users, and hotspots were identified through kernel density estimation. Built environment characteristics (BEA), including road design, road safety, pedestrian safety, and traffic density, were collected for each hotspot. BEA characteristics were associated with risk of RTC using logistic regression and BEA scores were calculated using principal component analysis. Patterns of BEA were identified through exploratory cluster analysis and associated with risk for RTC using logistic regression. Results: 25 RTC hotspots were identified. High crash risk locations were less likely to have unpaved roads (21%, p=0.049) and road narrowing (21%, p=0.049). High crash risk locations were also more likely to have pedestrian walkways (100%, p=0.009), factors aiding pedestrian crossing (100%, p=0.026), and poor road surfaces (86%, p=0.005). Cluster analysis showed that hotspots with fewer urban characteristics, including road safety features, motor vehicle density, and pedestrian safety features, have significantly decreased odds of being a high mortality risk hotspot than a hotspot with more urban characteristics (OR=0.13, 95% CI 0.02-0.79). Conclusions: RTC hotspots were in the city center with high motor vehicle density but did have road and pedestrian safety features, suggesting that speeding is a major cause of RTCs. Effective traffic calming measures and enforcement of road safety laws may reduce the burden of road traffic injuries in Kigali but additional analyses are recommended.

Built Information Modeling for the 3D Reconstruction of Modern Railway Stations

The BIM process applied to the built environment represents a much debated topic in the last decade, but it still contains unanswered questions. National and international frameworks introduced standards mainly focused on the levels of detail definition related to new project, leaving a wide interpretation on the 3D reconstruction of existing building. On the other hand, the increase in the use of this modeling approach and the possible expansion of this application in the nearly future lead to predict a significant rise in built field, requiring a general assessment both on global methodology and on its peculiarities. Starting from the complete description and analysis of two modern railway architectures, based on integrated survey, 2D representation up to 3D modeling in BIM environments, the article tries to highlight the limits in the 3D BIM modeling applied on existing construction, suggesting possible solutions in relation with the obtained results. The process is critically evaluated in each passage, in order to focus the BIM research areas useful for built environment analysis.

Environmental and human health impact assessment of major interior wall decorative materials

Despite the growing interest in green products in the interior wall decorative material market, knowledge gaps exist because determining which product is more environmental and user friendly than the others is difficult. This work assesses the environmental and human health profiles of interior latex and wallpaper. Two interior latex products of different raw material ratios and one non-woven wallpaper product are considered. The environmental impact assessment follows life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and applies Building Environmental Performance Analysis System (BEPAS). The human health impact is based on impact-pathway chain and is performed using Building Health Impact Analysis System (BHIAS). The assessment scope, associated emissions, and territorial scope of various emissions are defined to facilitate comparison study of interior wall decorative products. The impacts are classified into 15 categories belonging to three safeguard areas: ecological environment, natural resources, and human health. The impacts of categories are calculated and monetized using willingness to pay (WTP) and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) and summarized as an integrated external cost of environmental and human health impacts. Assessment results reveal that the integrated impact of interior latex is lower than that of non-woven wallpaper, and the interior latex of low quality causes low life cycle integrated impact. The most impacted categories are global warming, respiratory effects, and water consumption. Hotspots of product manufacturing are recognized to promote green product design.

An Analysis of Built Environment and Health of Old City Region of Ajmer

Physical environment and Human involvement together create an extraordinary dynamic product that is ever-expanding can also be called as built environment or cultural environment. It is a web which initially develops in any given environment with a thought of well-being for human being. This includes the use of resources, formation of societies, organisations, economies, types of shelter and various infrastructure. Gradually with time, increasing demand and technology, the well-being concept withdraws and the greed to expand rises. This greed is the force behind the concretisation and mechanical life that has reduced the physical activities of man.

Built environment analysis for road traffic hotspot locations in Moshi, Tanzania

ABSTRACTRoad traffic injuries (RTIs) cause significant morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Investigation of high risk areas for RTIs is needed to guide improvements. This study provides built environmental analysis of road traffic crash hotspots within Moshi, Tanzania. Spatial analysis of police data identified 36 hotspots. Qualitative comparative analysis revealed 40% of crash sites were on local roads without night lighting and increased motorcycle density. Paved narrow roads represented 26% of hotspots and 13% were unpaved roads with uneven roadsides. Roadside unevenness was more predominate in low risk [n = 19, (90.5%)] than high risk sites [n = 7 (46.7%)]. Both low [n = 6 (28.6%)] and high risk [n = 1 (6.7%)] sites had minimal signage. All sites had informal pedestrian pathways. Little variability between risk sites suggests hazardous conditions are widespread. Findings suggest improvement in municipal infrastructure, signage and enforcement is needed to reduce RTI burden.

Road traffic crashes and built environment analysis of crash hotspots based on local police data in Galle, Sri Lanka

ABSTRACTRoad traffic crashes (RTCs) are a leading cause of death and disability. In low- and middle-income countries, vulnerable road users are commonly involved in injurious RTCs. This study describes epidemiological and built environment analysis (BEA) of in Galle, Sri Lanka. After ethical and police permission, police data were collected and descriptive statistics tabulated. Spatial analysis identified hot spots and BEA was conducted at each location. Seven hundred and fifty-two victim data from 389 reported RTCs were collected. Most victims were male (91%) 21–50 years of age (>70%). Forty-nine percent of RTCs were non-grievous. Crashes commonly included motorcycles (33.9%), three-wheelers (18.3%) or cars (14.4%). Most victims were drivers (33.4%) or pedestrians (21.3%). Factors contributing to RTCs include aggressive driving (44.5%) or speeding (42.7%). All hotspots were in urban areas, and most were at intersections (63%). Further analysis of hot spots is necessary to identify areas for intervention.

An integrated environmental and health performance quantification model for pre-occupancy phase of buildings in China

To comprehensively pre-evaluate the damages to both the environment and human health due to construction activities in China, this paper presents an integrated building environmental and health performance (EHP) assessment model based on the Building Environmental Performance Analysis System (BEPAS) and the Building Health Impact Analysis System (BHIAS) models and offers a new inventory data estimation method. The new model follows the life cycle assessment (LCA) framework and the inventory analysis step involves bill of quantity (BOQ) data collection, consumption data formation, and environmental profile transformation. The consumption data are derived from engineering drawings and quotas to conduct the assessment before construction for pre-evaluation. The new model classifies building impacts into three safeguard areas: ecosystems, natural resources and human health. Thus, this model considers environmental impacts as well as damage to human wellbeing. The monetization approach, distance-to-target method and panel method are considered as optional weighting approaches. Finally, nine residential buildings of different structural types are taken as case studies to test the operability of the integrated model through application. The results indicate that the new model can effectively pre-evaluate building EHP and the structure type significantly affects the performance of residential buildings.

Implementation of a BIM Domain-specific Language for the Building Environment Rule and Analysis

This paper describes an implementation process for a domain-specific computer programming language: the Building Environment Rule and Analysis (BERA) Language. As the growing area of Building Information Modeling (BIM), there has been a need to develop highly customized domain-specific languages for handling issues in building models in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry sector. The BERA Language, one of the domain-specific languages, deals with building information models in an intuitive way in order to ensure the quality of design and assess the design programming requirements using user-defined rules in the early design phases. To accomplish these goals, the BERA Language provides the capabilities for an effectiveness and ease of use without precise knowledge of general-purpose languages that are conventionally used in BIM software development. Furthermore, the design and implementation of the BERA Language focuses on building objects and their associated information-rich properties and relationships. This paper represents the implementation issues of the BERA Language associated with the building information models, their mapping into the building data structure, and their instantiation and execution. In addition, Portability of the language, extensibility and platform-dependent issues are involved in the BERA Language implementation. The implementation described in this paper is based on the use of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) as given building information models, Solibri Model Checker?${\circledR }$ (SMC) as an IFC engine, and the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) as a compilation and execution environment.

Farm Winery Layout Design: Size Analysis of Base Spatial Units in an Italian Study Area

Abstract. The general goal of this study was the built environment analysis of small to medium-sized farm wineries, which are strategic for Italian wine production. The specific aim was the identification of significant correlations between the dimensional features of spatial units and the production capacity in a context characterized by broad product diversification and high process flexibility. The research refers to an 800 km 2 study area in the Emilia-Romagna region. We identified 131 farm wineries with average annual production capacities of up to 5000 hL year -1 . The wineries were georeferenced and classified based on their production capacity and altimetry zone. A representative sample of farms was studied by means of data analyses and in-field surveys. We measured the floor area, average internal height, and volume of the spatial units of which each building was composed. We then computed means and coefficients of variation of these variables, as well as their Bravais-Pearson correlation with annual wine production. We also analyzed the proximity of different production areas. Sizes of areas not directly linked to wine-making (such as storage of additives and adjuvants, tasting room, and dressing room) showed substantial independence from production capacity. The floor area, height, and volume of the grape receiving and wine-making units, as well as the volume of the bottling, aging, and commercialization units, showed significant correlations with production capacity, as identified through a linear regression model. Based on the correlation indexes and average sizes, we formulated quantitative relationships to assess the overall area and volume of a hypothetical farm winery depending on its production capacity. Finally, we developed design scenarios of winery layouts for various production sizes.

Brazilian Road Traffic Fatalities: A Spatial and Environmental Analysis

BackgroundRoad traffic injuries (RTI) are a major public health epidemic killing thousands of people daily. Low and middle-income countries, such as Brazil, have the highest annual rates of road traffic fatalities. In order to improve road safety, this study mapped road traffic fatalities on a Brazilian highway to determine the main environmental factors affecting road traffic fatalities.Methods and FindingsFour techniques were utilized to identify and analyze RTI hotspots. We used spatial analysis by points by applying kernel density estimator, and wavelet analysis to identify the main hot regions. Additionally, built environment analysis, and principal component analysis were conducted to verify patterns contributing to crash occurrence in the hotspots. Between 2007 and 2009, 379 crashes were notified, with 466 fatalities on BR277. Higher incidence of crashes occurred on sections of highway with double lanes (ratio 2∶1). The hotspot analysis demonstrated that both the eastern and western regions had higher incidences of crashes when compared to the central region. Through the built environment analysis, we have identified five different patterns, demonstrating that specific environmental characteristics are associated with different types of fatal crashes. Patterns 2 and 4 are constituted mainly by predominantly urban characteristics and have frequent fatal pedestrian crashes. Patterns 1, 3 and 5 display mainly rural characteristics and have higher prevalence of vehicular collisions. In the built environment analysis, the variables length of road in urban area, limited lighting, double lanes roadways, and less auxiliary lanes were associated with a higher incidence of fatal crashes.ConclusionsBy combining different techniques of analyses, we have identified numerous hotspots and environmental characteristics, which governmental or regulatory agencies could make use to plan strategies to reduce RTI and support life-saving policies.

Building Environment Analysis Based on Temperature and Humidity for Smart Energy Systems

In this paper, we propose a new HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) control strategy as part of the smart energy system that can balance occupant comfort against building energy consumption using ubiquitous sensing and machine learning technology. We have developed ZigBee-based wireless sensor nodes and collected realistic temperature and humidity data during one month from a laboratory environment. With the collected data, we have established a building environment model using machine learning algorithms, which can be used to assess occupant comfort level. We expect the proposed HVAC control strategy will be able to provide occupants with a consistently comfortable working or home environment.

The Development of Analysis of Relationship between Built Environment and Travel: A Review and Discussion

This study aims to find out the development tendency of relationship analysis of Built Environment and Travel over decades, especially in the United States, which is a very important and meaningful work. The review of develop tendency in the developed countries such as US will benefit the similar work in China. Particularly, we can know what stage china research in and what we can do something innovative to improve the built environment-travel relationship research in China.

ANALYSIS OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT OF INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS USING SYSTEMS OF SETTINGS AND ACTIVITIES.

This study seeks to identify and propose relevant elements and components of the built environment of the informal settlements that need to be considered in intervention strategies and design. The paper is based on empirical research that focuses on informal settlements in Nairobi with the objective of establishing parameters that adequately address the physical, social and economic aspects of the dwellers, which are considered useful in the regularization of these settlements. The built environment provides the setting for human activity and Environment-Behaviour Relations which deals with the relationship between people, society and the built environment offers an appropriate framework of analysis for the derivation of useful design parameters for settlement improvement. With this intention, the paper is composed of three main parts. In the first part, the concept of environment is related to systems of settings and the embedded systems of activities. The second part presents systems of settings and activities in an informal settlement both at the neighborhood and dwelling levels. Finally, the third part presents elements and components of the built environment that play dominant roles in informal settlements. According to the study, systems of settings and activities offer a useful framework for the analysis of the built environment and facilitate the identification of settlement characteristics that form important design parameters in the improvement and regularization of informal settlements.

ARCHITECTONICS - A SYSTEM OF EXPLORING ARCHITECTURAL FORMS IN SPATIAL CATEGORIES

Comparative researches based on visual analyses of different architectural objects enable separation of the small number of basic recurrent units defining spatial aspects of architectural form independently of when and in which cultural circle the object was created. These basic units of spatial structure can be termed spatial universals. Using them in accordance with some basic and universal rules of assembling into larger wholes makes possible creating any spatial objects as well as transforming them into different ones. At the same time words of natural languages contained in dictionaries give us important clues how people think about space. Another important clues are included in some recent theories of perception. All these findings taken together have been the basis to create the system of notions and terms regarding space in architecture. It is founded on basic and universal spatial elements (units) and rules of their composing into larger wholes. The paper is the trial of presenting such a notional system which was termed architectonics (or morphotectonics). Basic notions enabling description and analysis of spatial structure of any architectural object have been introduced. Fundamental spatial units have been also distinguished based on the principle of hierarchical structure – from elementary ones, through more and more complex up to largest ones playing decisive role in defining the whole architectural object. Basic spatial morphological features called also cardinal ones have been differentiated. Primary kinds of articulation have been discussed dealing with the empty space (internal or external), line, surface and volume and their elementary units had been distinguished. Besides morphological features characterizing composing elements the rules of their assembling have been specified, which have been termed syntax or relational features, characterizing spatial wholes composed of elements. Both morphological and syntax features may be treated quantitatively or measured by means of introduced coefficients. The presented system of notions as well as the quantitative approach should enable objective description and analysis of the built environment which is the necessary condition of research dealing with relations between man and his behavior and the environment, if these researches have to fulfill such elementary scientific criteria as repeatability, verifiability, internal and external validity and inter-subjective communication. The presented methodological proposal is addressed in particular to research on perception and cognition of the built environment and people’s reactions to it, such as evaluations, associations and emotions. It could be also useful in historical research carried both in comparative and systematic perspective, as well as in environmental aesthetics where comparing the new object with existing surrounding is of crucial importance. For the reason of limited place the paper is restricted only to presenting the system itself, while applications should be the subject of different publications.

BEPAS—a life cycle building environmental performance assessment model

This paper presents a building environmental performance analysis system—BEPAS, which was developed based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) framework. In BEPAS, environmental impacts were investigated in three main aspects of a building that were closely related to environmental performance—building facilities, building materials and location. In addition, a set of environmental databases were developed, covering the environmental performance profiles of these environmental aspects. The BEPAS can be used to assess the environmental performance of a new or existing building. This paper also discusses a case project in order to illustrate the assessment procedures and test the effectiveness of the system in application.

Palace and Temple: A Study of Architectural and Verbal Icons (review)

Reviewed by: Palace and Temple: A Study of Architectural and Verbal Icons Martha Sharp Joukowsky Palace and Temple: A Study of Architectural and Verbal Icons, by Clifford Mark McCormick. Berlin and New York: Walter de Gruyter, 2002. 221 pp. Euro 63.55. C. Mark McCormick has published his thought-provoking dissertation supervised by John Van Seters with Jack M. Sasson serving on his committee. This book is a study of two cultures: the Neo-Assyrian of the eighth and seventh centuries and the Judahite of the sixth and fifth centuries BCE. The author applies built environment analysis to both of these cultures, specifically focusing on Sennacherib's Palace at Nineveh and Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. McCormick's ideas are revisionist, exciting, and substantive. The book is organized into five chapters that incorporate the nature and interpretation of these subjects. A theoretical overview is tackled in the first chapter, which outlines the author's thesis and concerns his method of architectural and textual studies and its meaning for the built environment. In Chapter 2, McCormick shifts from the theoretical to the application of built environment analysis in a discussion of Sennacherib's Palace. In Chapter 3 the same analysis is applied to Solomon's Temple. Chapter 4 suggests different religio-political approaches for examining each structure, and addresses the issue of why these buildings are considered architectural and verbal icons to be "read" on many levels. Chapter 5 is a short conclusion, but sums up his thesis: " Understanding the temple description as a verbal icon that is related to the architectural icon of Sennacherib's palace is possible because of the application of built environment analysis. The palace of Sennacherib and the Deuteronomistic Historian's Jerusalem temple are human constructs that present the divine-human relationship, icons that embodied the human social behaviors and concepts desired by their creators." This conclusion is followed by indices of authors, subjects and biblical texts. Built environment analysis emerged from psychological and cultural anthropological relationships between the structure and the culture surrounding and influencing it. In other words, a culture creates material objects—fixed artifacts such as architecture, and features and tools such as decorative elements as well as moveable features. The form of these artifacts is dependent upon cultural, social, and environmental prerogatives that influence them; ergo, environmental factors help to mold or determine culture. McCormick goes on to insist that textual analysis "offer[s] an interpretation of the building based on its role within society." The most important aspect of this study is its success in interpreting built environment studies and verbal icons in a comprehensive manner for which the author works on a high level of abstraction displaying erudition and a clear sense of purpose for his argument. Touchstones of achievement, Sennacherib's Palace in Nineveh and Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem are compared and contrasted in this book as verbal icons and architectural achievements. Sennacherib's Palace is a well-preserved building of the seventh century BCE. Designed as an extraordinary spatial arrangement of portals, courtyards, triple entryways, doorways, columns and walls and unique decorative relief [End Page 152] embellishments, the archaeological remains of Sennacherib's Palace and epigraphic evidence stand at the forefront of Assyrian architectural development. Conversely, the architectural form of Solomon's Temple, for which the physical evidence is less secure, is analyzed with respect to built environment analyses as seen predominantly through its texts. Archaeological research advocates the use of fixed features that can be verified through controlled excavation. McCormick touches on controversies associated with archaeological scholarship and describes these issues in a comprehensive manner. He suggests we accept the Jerusalem temple verbal icon as a sound database. Here he displays a great deal of thought, citing the texts and identifying questions of historicity and the shaky if non-existent archaeological evidence for the temple. In Chapter 4, McCormick further develops his ideas about the Nineveh palace and the Solomonic temple as products of religious reform. Sennacherib's Assyrian religio-political agenda in the face of Babylonian resentment is the propaganda behind his building program and his shared identity with the god Assur—factors ultimately resulting in his assassination. Similarly, the role of Solomon's Temple...