City Concept Research Articles

Navigating urban complexity: The role of GIS in spatial planning and urban development

This paper explores the transformative impact of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in urban planning and architecture. It delves into various applications of GIS, including urban layout and design, traffic flow management, environmental impact assessments, infrastructure and utility management, and historical and cultural preservation. The challenges of implementing GIS, such as data accuracy, interoperability, and the need for specialized training, are examined. Additionally, the paper discusses the future of GIS in urban development, highlighting technological advancements, integration with smart city concepts, and the importance of policy and governance. Through comprehensive analysis, this study underscores the significance of GIS as a pivotal tool in creating sustainable, efficient, and resilient urban spaces

Smart City and Energy: A Bibliometric Review of the Smart City and Smart Energy Concept from the Perspective of the Bioclimatic Approach

Smart Cities have emerged as a promising approach for transforming urban living into more sustainable and resilient systems through technology-driven innovations and data-driven governance. Despite its growing implementation and diffusion around the globe, many questions surrounding this topic have emerged. Many critics have emerged since its first conceptualization in the first decade of the current century. Smart Cities have been criticized for their utopian objectives and the security, safety, people’s freedom, and privacy within these systems. There are also capitalistic and neoliberalism-related critiques. Other critiques also highlight the current climate cost of Smart City initiatives. In the context of those critiques, bioclimatic and passive strategies might provide an interesting evolution of the concept but seem to be left in the background. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the linkages between environmental design approaches and the Smart City discourse. The contribution will explore to which extent bioclimatic and environmental design principles are present in the Smart City discourse and what the patterns are inside the current literature. The methodology of the research included a quali-quantitative analysis of the body of literature in Scopus and a bibliometric analysis using the VOS Viewer tool.

Revitalizing Ukrainian Cities: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Smart Urban Development

Purpose: The article examines the role of public-private partnership (PPP) as a key tool for urban infrastructure restoration and the development of Ukrainian cities within the framework of the Smart City concept. It underscoresthe urgent need for effective mechanisms to restore urban infrastructure, especially in light of the challenges associated with the Russian military aggression and the resulting destruction in Ukrainian cities. The study explores key aspects of smart cities development, including the integration of digital technologies, the use of data, and innovative business models aimed at optimizing city functions.Design/Methodology/Approach: The research employs a multi-stage methodological approach, encompassing elements such as gauging urban population satisfaction with municipal services, graphical analysis using CIMI, assessing the relevance of revitalizing Ukrainian cities and the need for mobilizing business resources, sociological surveys, developing a Smart City model based on PPP project outcomes, and formulating key elements of the national Smart City development strategy.Findings: Emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and cooperation between public and private sectors, the study demonstrates the advantages offered by PPP-based projects. The obtained results highlight the pivotal role of PPPs in promoting urban development initiatives basedon the Smart City concept. The study emphasises the potential of PPPs in shaping stable and prosperous smart cities in Ukraine. Through effective PPP utilisation, local governments can restore urban infrastructure,improve service quality, and enhance the quality of life for their citizens.Practical Implications: The research results can serve as the basis for strategic planning and investment in infrastructure projects necessary for the creation of a smart city. The envisioned strategy will allow for the improvement of legislative acts covering a wide range of aspects of smart cities development while promoting collaboration between public and private entities. This includes bolstering the transportation system, deploying digital technologies, modernizing social institutions, and enhancing the efficiency of urban resource management.Originality/Value: The originality and value of the study lie in its multifaceted approach to assessing and promoting the Smart City concept in Ukrainian urban development. It combines various research methods, including satisfaction assessments, CIMI-based graphical analyses, sociological surveys, and the development of a Smart City model based on PPP project results. This approach not only provides a comprehensive understanding of the state of urban infrastructure and citizen satisfaction but also offers a strategic framework for smart cities development.

Evaluasi Ketersediaan Ruang Terbuka Hijau dan Penerapan Konsep Kota Hijau di Provinsi DKI Jakarta

DKI Jakarta Province with a high increase in development activities has implications for the conversion of urban Green Open Space (GOS) into built-up land. The importance of the existence of urban GOS cannot be separated from supporting the development of the green city concept in DKI Jakarta Province. The green city is a concept of realizing a sustainable city and minimizing the degradation of the green city concept in DKI Jakarta Province. Geographic Information System (GIS)- based spatial analysis methods and remote sensing were used to evaluate the availability of urban GOS. Quantitative and qualitative analysis methods based on the Asian Green City Index (AGCI) are used to evaluate the application of the green city concept. The results show that GOS in DKI Jakarta has decreased, from 33.70% in 2000, 23.47% in 2010, and 19.50% in 2020. In the application of the green city concept, the performance of DKI Jakarta has increased. Performance in 2000 was at a below-average level (34.58%), in 2010 it was at the average level (44.85%), and in 2020 the performance increased to an above-average level (62.76%). The results showed that the increase in the implementation of the green city concept has not been followed by an increase in the quantity of urban GOS. An integrative urban planning strategy is needed in developing DKI Jakarta so that it remains oriented towards the carrying capacity of the landscape and maintains the availability of existing urban GOS.

The voice of society in designing public recreational spaces (PRS) in an urban environment

Global urban population growth, climate change, and the energy crisis pose significant challenges for the local authorities and encourage a shift in local policy-making towards sustainable development. Local governments have to cater to public needs and expectations regarding recreational spaces and environmental protection by implementing innovative infrastructure solutions, including those based on renewable energy sources. In recent years, the debate on urban planning has centred on the placemaking approach and the implementation of the 15-minute city and smart city concepts. This novel approach promotes sustainable urban development that relies on the links between the natural environment, the economy, and society. The aim of this study was to explore the possibilities of urban planning solutions and the components of urban infrastructure that contribute to sustainable urban development in the context of improving the quality of local life. Local community needs were identified in a questionnaire survey and during a field investigation. The study was conducted in a medium-sized Polish city where public recreational spaces were redesigned in line with the principles of sustainable urban development. The results were used to propose universal urban development projects that address local needs and rely on renewable energy sources to create a sustainable future for society, the natural environment, and the climate.

Smart Sustainable Cities: a Meta-Analysis of Concepts and Discourses in the Literature

Objective: Establish a descriptive correlation between different concepts of Smart and Sustainable Cities, in terms of theoretical and empirical foundations and assumptions. Method: The analysis is mixed, using a Systematic Literature Review and the PSALSAR methodology - Protocol, Search, Appraisal, Syntesis, Analysis and Results. The searches were carried out on four international scientific databases and one national database, with an interdisciplinary focus, involving the areas of Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Sciences, Engineering and Energy. Research Significance: The idea of making cities smart and sustainable arises from looking for solutions in the places where the majority of the population is concentrated, along with the opportunities and threats to provide sustainable development. However, the concepts and structures relating to these cities are unclear, and there is still divergent discussion about which technologies have a positive impact on society and what their effects are on the sustainability of the planet. Results and Discussion: The approaches and discourses are aligned with the concept of sustainable development, but implementation in practice depends on government policies. Several counterpoints were found in the discourses analysed, including the fact that smart cities are not necessarily sustainable, and even in cities labelled as smart and sustainable, the lack of an environmental focus was highlighted.

Research on economic growth in smart cities based on wireless sensor networks

With the acceleration of urbanization, the concept of smart city is rising gradually. Wireless sensor network as an important technical support of smart city, its application in environmental monitoring and water resources management has a profound impact on economic growth. Water resource is one of the most dependent resources for human beings. With the growth of world population and the rapid development of economy, water resource crisis is constant, water pollution, water shortage and water waste coexist. How to build a perfect water resource economic policy is a worldwide problem at present. At present, the formulation of water resources policies is often based on experience or the knowledge system of decision makers. Due to the dynamic nature of water resources utilization and the incomplete information of decision makers, there are often policy failures, which affect economic growth. Based on this, this paper uses system dynamics model to study the mechanism of water resources management policies affecting economic growth by taking Gansu, Tianjin and Zhejiang as three qualitatively representative arid areas, transitional areas and water-rich areas. The research results show that under the same water resources policy coupling, different regions also have different eco-economic effects. The effect of coupled water resources policy is better than that of single water resources management policy.

Integration of Smart City Technologies with Advanced Predictive Analytics for Geotechnical Investigations

This paper addresses challenges and solutions in urban development and infrastructure resilience, particularly in the context of Japan’s rapidly urbanizing landscape. It explores the integration of smart city concepts to combat land subsidence and liquefaction, phenomena highlighted by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Additionally, it examines the current situation and lack of geoinformation and communication technology in the concept of smart cities in Japan. Consequently, this study employs advanced technologies, including smart sensing and predictive analytics through kriging and ensemble learning, with the objective of enhancing the precision of geotechnical investigations and urban planning. By analyzing data in Setagaya, Tokyo, it develops predictive models to accurately determine the depth of bearing layers that are critical to urban infrastructure. The results demonstrate the superiority of ensemble learning in predicting the depth of bearing layers. Two methods have been developed to predict undetected geographic data and prepare ground reality and digital smart maps for the construction industry to build smart cities. This study is useful for real-time analysis of existing data, for the government to make new urban plans, for construction companies to conduct risk assessments before doing their jobs, and for individuals to obtain real-time geographic data and hazard warnings through mobile phones and other means in the future. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first instance of predictive analysis of geographic information being conducted through geographic information, big data technology, machine learning, integrated learning, and artificial intelligence.

Evaluation of Public Gardens in Terms of the Relationship Between Climate and Design

National gardens are an important element of green spaces in today's cities, meeting the needs of the community for recreation, sports and interaction. However, environmental and social challenges facing cities are leading to changes in the design and function of these gardens. The concept of resilient cities refers to the resilience of cities against natural disasters, climate change and other risks. National gardens can be designed as an important part of becoming resilient cities. Equipping these gardens with structures resistant to various natural disasters and adopting sustainable practices such as water management can increase the overall resilience of the city. Sustainable city and eco-city concepts are also important elements to consider in the design of community gardens. These concepts include principles such as environmental sustainability, energy efficiency and strengthening green infrastructure. National gardens can be equipped with sustainable practices such as rainwater recycling systems, the use of local plant species and waste management. Nation gardens designed in this way not only provide recreation and relaxation for city residents, but also contribute to the environmental and social sustainability of the city. In addition, these gardens encourage community cohesion and solidarity. As a result, community gardens are important elements of resilient, sustainable and ecologically balanced cities. Adopting the principles of resilient city, sustainable city and eco-city in the design and management of these gardens can help cities meet future challenges and improve their livability.

Research on Urban Architecture Design under the Concept of Smart City

After the digital city and smart city concepts, the latest proposed smart city concept is a general summary of the advanced form of urban information development, which plays an important role in the economic transformation of cities, social governance, improvement of residents' quality of life and energy conservation and environmental protection. The smart city puts forward new requirements for the architectural design of the city, and how to reasonably use the smart city concept in the architectural design is still a major issue for architects and professionals to think about. To this end, this paper proposes a state tracking based full working condition modeling method for nonlinear industrial systems. For the problem that the amount of historical data is too large and it is difficult to screen the modeling data, a sliding window is designed to screen the steady-state data, and a fast recursive algorithm of standard deviation in the window is derived; the influence mechanism of unknown disturbances on the system is analyzed, and the data modeling by dynamic regression to the steady state is selected, and a data-driven modeling algorithm that can eliminate the influence of disturbances is proposed; the model information contained in the process industrial big data is used to apply the higher order function to fit each A linear variable parameter transfer function model based on the characteristic parameters is proposed. The identification of an industrial process is shown to be effective. The main points of urban architectural design should be noted under the concept of smart city from four aspects: safety, diversity, environmental protection and emotionality.

Flood early warning system at Jakarta dam using internet of things (IoT)-based real-time fishbone method to support industrial revolution 4.0

This research aims to develop an effective flood early warning system to provide timely information to the public and support the government in disaster management. The Raspberry Pi mini-computer functions as the central control, collecting data from the Water Level Sensor to measure water height, the Ultrasonic Sensor for further monitoring, the DHT11 Sensor to monitor temperature and humidity, and a Buzzer as an audible warning device. The research method involves review of the literature and data acquisition from related journals. These data are utilized to design an Internet of Things (IoT)-based flood detection tool with the Raspberry Pi minicomputer as the main controller. The system can be implemented in vulnerable locations such as reservoirs, sluice gates, and rivers, as part of the Smart City and Smart Environment concepts. The test results indicate that the developed early warning system, integrating the Raspberry Pi minicomputer, the Water Level Sensor, the the Ultrasonic Sensor DHT11 Sensor, and Buzzer, approaches perfection. Real-time information is transmitted through the Twitter social media platform, which is shown to be more effective than manual notifications. The system can provide accurate early warnings, reduce flood-related damages, and positively contribute to flood prevention and disaster management efforts. This research is expected to make a significant contribution to improving the community and government preparedness for future flood disasters.

Creative Movement and Anti-Gentrification: Learning from Los Tjihapit Market's Coffee in Bandung

The phenomenon of gentrification, driven by the presence of the creative class, is a consequence of the global implementation of the Creative City concept. Bandung has adopted this concept, and one of the areas developed by the creative class is the Cihapit Market area. This article examines how the "creative" community, specifically Kopi Pasar Los Tjihapit, sustains its business amidst gentrification through a placekeeping strategy. Participatory qualitative descriptive research methods were employed to explore the role of architectural space as part of the placekeeping strategy. Five strategies were identified: 1) zoning to support maintenance, 2) collaboration spaces for various partnerships, 3) space flexibility through collective decision-making, 4) collaborative spaces to encourage community involvement, and 5) coordination of all aspects to preserve the public market character. In conclusion, the success of creative placekeeping strategies in architectural spaces combines non-technical aspects such as community enthusiasm with technical aspects such as the arrangement of physical architectural elements.

Addressing Data Challenges to Drive the Transformation of Smart Cities

Cities serve as vital hubs of economic activity and knowledge generation and dissemination. As such, cities bear a significant responsibility to uphold environmental protection measures while promoting the welfare and living comfort of their residents. There are diverse views on the development of smart cities, from integrating Information and Communication Technologies into urban environments for better operational decisions to supporting sustainability, wealth, and comfort of people. However, for all these cases, data is the key ingredient and enabler for the vision and realization of smart cities. This article explores the challenges associated with smart city data. We start with gaining an understanding of the concept of a smart city, how to measure that the city is a smart one, and what architectures and platforms exist to develop one. Afterwards, we research the challenges associated with the data of the cities, including availability, heterogeneity, management, analysis, privacy, and security. Finally, we discuss ethical issues. This article aims to serve as a “one-stop shop” covering data-related issues of smart cities with references for diving deeper into particular topics of interest.

Improved sand cat swarm optimization with deep learning based enhanced malicious activity recognition for cybersecurity

The main concept of a smart city is to join manual items with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity for data contact via Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets. IoT improves production and efficiency by cleverly utilizing remote management, but security as well as privacy risk, rises. Cyber threats are progressing every day, affecting inadequate actions of safety and privacy. In a smart city, the exposed action of an individual or business can keep the whole city in danger. Owing to the trust of numerous modules of smart cities on data and communication techniques, cybersecurity tasks like information leakage and mischievous cyber-attacks. Malicious Activity Detection in the area of cybersecurity for smart cities is dominant in protecting the consistent organization of urban atmospheres. Leveraging innovative machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) approaches, mainly anomaly detection methods permits the identification of abnormal patterns and probable threats within the massive streams of data produced by smart city methods. So, this paper designs a Fusion of Optimization Algorithms and DL for Enhanced Malicious Activity Recognition (FOADL-EMAR) technique for cybersecurity in smart cities. The purpose of the FOADL-EMAR technique is to recognize the presence of malicious activities using optimal DL techniques in the environment of a smart city. To accomplish this, the FOADL-EMAR technique uses a Z-score data normalization model to measure the input dataset into a useful format. In addition, the FOADL-EMAR technique uses an improved sand cat swarm optimization (ISCSO) algorithm that can be applied to select an optimal subset of features. An ensemble of three DL techniques is used namely long short-term memory (LSTM), deep neural networks (DNNs), and extreme learning machine (ELM) for malicious activity detection. The Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) approach has been applied to improve the detection results of the ensemble models. The simulation analysis of the FOADL-EMAR methodology occurs utilizing a benchmark database. The experimentation values demonstrate the improved detection outcomes of the FOADL-EMAR algorithm over other existing methods in terms of different measures.

Combined Optimisation of Traffic Light Control Parameters and Autonomous Vehicle Routes

In the near future, fully autonomous vehicles may revolutionise mobility and contribute to the development of the smart city concept. In this work, we assume that vehicles are not only fully autonomous but also centrally controlled by a single operator, who can also define the traffic light control parameters at intersections. With the aim of optimising the system to achieve a global optimum, the operator can define both the routes of the fleet of vehicles and the traffic light control parameters. This paper proposes a model for the joint optimisation of traffic light control parameters and autonomous vehicle routes to achieve the system optimum. The model, which is solved using a gradient algorithm, is tested on networks of different sizes. The results obtained show the validity of the proposed approach and the advantages of centralised management of vehicles and intersection control parameters.

Assessment of child-friendly spatial environment in urban communities based on fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process

Urban development is progressively integrating the concept of child-friendly cities to foster inclusive and sustainable environments prioritizing children's needs and rights. This study contributes to the discourse on child-friendly urban spaces by leveraging the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess these environments systematically. The methodology begins by compiling key factors influencing child-friendly environments. Using the AHP and expert scoring, judgment matrices are created to determine the weight of these factors, forming a structured assessment index system. The system is further refined through the development of specific rating items for each second-level factor, employing the fuzzy comprehensive assessment method integrated with membership functions. This approach enables a detailed, quantifiable analysis of factors contributing to child-friendly environments. To illustrate the practical application of this methodology, it was applied to Zengjiayan Community in Yuzhong District, a densely populated area of Chongqing, China, known for its mountainous terrain, thus navigating the distinctive challenges posed by this unique urban landscape. Extensive field research and interviews aligned second-level rating items with specific community features. Results yield a 'Good' rating for the community’s child-friendly environment, highlighting achievements and spatial constraints. These insights underscore the impact of urban design and policies on child-friendliness in challenging settings. The study provides a vital tool for urban planners and policymakers, presenting a model to assess and improve child-friendly spaces in complex urban settings.

Heterogeneity of urban manufacturing – a statistical analysis of manufacturing companies in three German cities

ABSTRACT The paper delves into the normative Productive City concept as outlined in the New Leipzig Charter, focusing on urban manufacturing's heterogeneity. We define urban manufacturing as manufacturing sectors located in proximity to housing. Urban manufacturing is analyzed based on sectoral (company data classified by NACE codes into 13 types of material industry) and spatial data, considering the distance to priority roads, supply areas, and land-use categories. The methodology is applied to Bochum, Gelsenkirchen, and Herne in the Ruhr area, utilizing 2018 data to identify material industry locations. We highlight differences between central and accessible, and more dispersed sectors in three groups. Group I, including other consumer goods, food products, clothing goods, and repair services, is predominantly located in central and mixed-use locations, suggesting these types could be preserved or developed by urban planners under the Productive City framework. However, there is a clear need for commercial and industrial spaces for emitting industries (Group II) to fully realize this concept. Construction industries (Group III) are often found in residential areas due to off-site activities. Challenges arise in historical industrial cities especially in integrated areas where existing zoning regulations and grandfathering rights restrict changes in manufacturing types or expansions near residential zones.

Disaster Risk Reduction with Smart Flood Management in Kendal Watershed, Kendal Regency, Central Java Province

Indonesia is prone to natural, non-natural, and social disasters due to its geographical, demographic, and sociological conditions. Based on the Indonesian Disaster Data (DIBI) dashboard of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), from 1815 to 2019, floods occurred more frequently than other disaster events, accounting for 30%, with the majority recorded in Central Java. Despite the government’s various efforts to mitigate floods, the trend indicates an increasing frequency and degree of severity every year. Moreover, disaster risk reduction remains unintegrated and relies on conventional methods, resulting in suboptimal flood risk reduction. To deal with this issue, the smart city concept that also comprises smart flood management (SFM) is being developed as a risk reduction measure. A smart city Smart city is an urban management system that integrates existing resources, including big data and ICT advances, to generate new ideas in addressing urban problems. In this study, a qualitative descriptive method was employed to evaluate the implementation of DRR strategies by comparing the contributing factors of flooding and existing flood risk reduction policies in the Kendal Watershed and then recommending appropriate solutions through smart flood management approach to lower the flood risk. With SFM, a smart city design was conceptually built by combining three components: infrastructure, technology, and collaboration. Local governments can incorporate this new design into flood disaster management in areas with similar characteristics.

From 15-Minutes City to Proximity Paradigm: Insights from Surabaya Rungkut Development Unit

Quality of life correlates with mobility and transportation. The massive use of motorized vehicles increases pollution and transportation costs incurred, thus increasing the negative impact on urban systems that should create a more responsive, efficient, and sustainable system in facing these challenges. Therefore, there is a clear urgency to realize the distribution of facilities and infrastructure into smaller units, one of which is achieved by the 15-Minutes City concept. This research uses Content Analysis and Network Analysis respectively to identify the types of facilities and amenities and measure the residential reachability of each facility. There are 15 facilities categorized into 7 types of facilities. This study found that within 15 minutes, there are facilities that are most accessible on foot, namely: grocery stores, pharmacies, and kindergartens, and by cycling, namely: grocery stores, places of worship, and kindergartens. It is hoped that the results of this study can serve as a reference for the government in formulating policies for providing facilities based on the reachability of various modes of transportation, especially walking and cycling.

The advantages of sponge cities in urban flood prevention and control

Frequent occurrence of extreme precipitation is highly susceptible to flooding. The urbanization process has exacerbated the current situation of urban flooding. Sponge city technology has an important role in solving the problem of urban flooding. Since 2012, sponge city construction has been gradually launched in China. However, there are problems and challenges in China's sponge city construction. In this context, this paper explains the concept and advantages of sponge city. It attributes the main factors causing urban flooding to natural and social factors and discusses them separately. This paper uses the sponge city concept to construct the method of urban flood prevention and control system, and gives how to solve the problem of good articulation within the system. It also categorizes the existing sponge cities in China and puts forward the misunderstandings and deficiencies of the current state of construction of sponge cities. This study finds that sponge city construction is an important method to address the issue of urban flooding. It is also a necessary project to comply with the situation of urban development and plays a guiding role in the future urban construction project.