City Dwellers Research Articles

Investigation on Thermal Environment of Urban Slow Lane Based on Mobile Measurement Method—A Case Study of Swan Lake Area in Hefei, China

Abstract: Numerous issues with the urban thermal environment have been brought on by the rapid development of urbanization. The thermal climate of the slow lane, a major urban activity area, is directly tied to the well-being and comfort of city dwellers. The Swan Lake area in Hefei was chosen as the research site for this paper. The mobile measurement method was used to determine the heat island intensity distribution of the slow lane in each season of the year. The effects of building density, the percentage of permeable underlying surface, and shading on the slow lane’s thermal environment were then thoroughly examined. According to the study, the distribution of heat island intensities along the mobile measurement route varies significantly depending on season, as well as time of year. Summer and winter have the most notable variations in the distribution of heat island intensities along the mobile measurement route; the summer values range from 0.1 to 4, while the winter values range from −0.3 to 3. The results showed a maximum difference of 30.2 °C in surface temperature (Ts) readings and 11.9 °C in air temperature (Ta) readings between the identical sites with and without shading, according to tests conducted at four typical mobile measurement locations along the mobile measuring route. The shading factor has a greater effect on the slow lane’s thermal environment than permeable underlying surface and building density, as seen by the standardized coefficient of shading being significantly higher than both of these factors. With a standardized coefficient of shading of −0.493 in the winter and a standardized coefficient of shading of −0.517 in the summer, the effect of the shading factor on the thermal environment is more noticeable in the summer.

Not Only Puritans and Snobs: The Dynamic Between the Urban and the Provincial in the Works of Elizabeth Strout

ABSTRACT Elizabeth Strout’s fiction consistently returns to the rural/urban divide in the United States. Although in popular discourse this divide often relies on prejudice and stereotypes, Strout provides a comprehensive depiction of the conflict, noting the multiple factors that contribute to it, particularly in terms of economic and cultural differences, varying approaches to consumption, and communal ties. I argue that by scrutinizing these issues, Strout deconstructs the common view of the rural/urban divide, revealing the incongruence of the self-perception of both inhabitants of cities and provincial areas with reality, uncovering deeper underlying causes for this divide, which account for the destructive resentment between the urban and the provincial along economic, cultural, and class lines.

THE HUSSITE MOVEMENT IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

In the last third of the XIV century. in the Czech Republic, crisis phenomena began to appear, especially of an economic nature, which later had far-reaching social consequences for the kingdom. It is primarily about the deep social differentiation of society: from peasants and feudal lords to the clergy and city dwellers. The crisis aggravated relations between all strata of society. And as a result, a situation arose when the peasants sought to get rid of the exploitation of the feudal lords; burghership - to free oneself from the power of the patriciate and acquire one's own rights; the urban poor became radicalized in order to improve their impoverished situation; the nobility fought with the magnates for land, privileges and power.The leader of the Czech Reformation was Jan Hus (1371-1415), who in 1393 graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Prague and after 3 years became a Master of Liberal Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy.In 1403, Jan Hus became the rector of the university, simultaneously preaching in the Bethlehem chapel and having the rank of priest. In his sermons, Hus raised topics that wererelevant and understandable for ordinary people, which increased his popularity.The burning of Hus caused a wave of protest in all strata of Czech society and was perceived as an insult to the entire Czech people. In July 1419, an uprising broke out in Prague, led by Jan Žižka and Mikulas from Husa.These events in history were called the Hussite revolutionary movement. In which two wings were formed: the moderate – «Chashniks» and the radical democratic – «Taborites». Jan Žižka turned out to be an extremely talented and even brilliant military leader, who managed to create a people's army, which Europe at that time did not know. He developed a new strategy and tactics of war, which was based on the massive use of infantry and war chariots.The «Hussite movement» was of great importance for the whole of Europe, as it undermined the unshakable authority of the Catholic Church, and also put an end to the rule of German feudal lords in the Czech Republic.The ideas of people's power and social justice became the source for the further evolution of the Czech national liberation and revolutionary democratic movement. At the same time, the Hussite Wars became a catalyst for the national development of the Czech Republic and a peculiar beginning of the European Reformation of the 16th century.

The Inner Peace of Old Osman Pazar City Dwellers. A love letter. Osman Pazar, September 24, 1902

The Inner Peace of Old Osman Pazar City Dwellers. A love letter. Osman Pazar, September 24, 1902

The Spatial Accessibility of High-Capacity Public Transport Networks—The Premise of Sustainable Development

At the present time, the increase in the level of motorization has led to levels of congestion that are difficult for the inhabitants of large cities to bear, with negative implications on quality of life. Solving the problem of congestion can no longer be achieved just by expanding and developing the networks; other solutions must be found that fit the requirements of the sustainable development of society. One of the solutions that is becoming more and more promoted today is that of increasing the degree of use of high-capacity public transport networks. For this, the network must serve a surface as large as possible of the territory, and the operating conditions must deal with transport requests with a varied structure and with different intensities in short time intervals. The paper aims to review several models of the topological accessibility of transport networks and to analyze how the Bucharest metro network serves the territory, after the last extension carried out in 2020. It is noted that only 56% of the city’s surface is currently covered by the metro network, while the city is in a continuous territorial expansion. Through the case study presented in the paper, the accessibility of some points of interest for Bucharest residents who use the metro network is also determined. At the end, there are formulated conclusions regarding the development and territorial coverage of the metro network and proposals for further developments, so that the services offered can benefit as many of Bucharest’s residents as possible.

Tracing nitrate contamination sources and dynamics in an unconfined alluvial aquifer system (Velika Gorica well field, Croatia).

Nitrate ions (NO3-) are one of the most common contaminants in the groundwater of the Zagreb alluvial aquifer, which hosts strategic groundwater reserves of the Republic of Croatia and supplies drinking water to one million inhabitants of the capital city. To better understand the origin and the dynamics of NO3- in the unsaturated and saturated zones, the stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ15N) and oxygen (δ18O) in dissolved nitrate, combined with physico-chemical, hydrogeochemical and water stable isotope data, were used in the current work, together with statistical tools and mixing models. The study involved monthly sampling of groundwater, surface water, precipitation and soil water samples. Additionally, the isotopic composition of total nitrogen (δ15Nbulk) was determined in solid samples representing the local nitrate sources. The combination of a nitrous oxide isotopic analyzer and the titanium(III) reduction method provides reliable measurements of δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3, with optimal stability achieved under specific conditions. Nitrate in the study area predominantly originates from organic sources, with nitrification as the main biogeochemical process, while denitrification was identified at sampling sites under specific anaerobic conditions. Although statistical analysis can be a valuable tool, it should be applied with caution if NO3- originates from multiple sources. The isotopic composition of water showed that groundwater is predominantly recharged by the Sava River but its contribution varied spatially. The results also show the existence of a different recharge source in the southern part of the aquifer. Our findings highlighted the importance of employing a diverse range of analytical methods to obtain reliable and comprehensive understanding of nitrate contamination. By integrating multi-method approaches, stakeholders can better understand the complexities of groundwater contamination and implement more targeted measures to safeguard the water supplies for future generations.

Predictive Smart Mobility Systems for Sustainable and Efficient Urban Transportation

Abstract: The rapid urbanization and growth of cities have placed increasing pressure on transportation systems, leading to traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and inefficiencies in mobility. The Smart Mobility Prediction System (SMPS) is designed to address these challenges by leveraging advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics to optimize transportation networks. This system gathers realtime data from sensors, traffic cameras, GPS devices, and social media feeds to predict traffic patterns, identify congestion hotspots, and suggest alternative routes to users. By utilizing predictive analytics, the SMPS can forecast traffic conditions, demand for public transportation, and the availability of shared mobility options such as ride-hailing and bike-sharing services. Furthermore, the system can support urban planners and policymakers by providing insights into the performance of transportation systems, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding infrastructure development and traffic management. The implementation of the Smart Mobility Prediction System aims to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of urban transportation networks, contributing to improved quality of life for city dwellers while reducing environmental impacts.

AI-Based Adaptive Traffic Management

Traffic congestion is one of the biggest and most important issues facing modern city dwellers, necessitating effective and efficient solutions. AI-powered traffic light optimization has grown in popularity. The available literature indicates that intelligent approaches outperform traditional management techniques. The amount of cars on each intersection road determines the signal timings, which are adjusted to reduce traffic at the intersection. The recommended topology may significantly reduce traffic jams and wait times at the intersection. A lot of benefits can arise from an efficient traffic control system, such as less traffic on the roads, more economic efficiency, and enhancements in pedestrian safety and air quality. This paper discusses the several phases of the process, including data collecting, data analysis, and simulation development. At the conclusion of the process, a Python simulation model is created to test the topology.

Plants species, perception and intangible benefits of the vegetation of ramna park, Dhaka

The study concerns with the evaluation of the current status of plant species composition and also perceptions and views of visitors on intangible vegetation benefits of Ramna Park, which focuses on determining the evaluation of the park in terms of physical/natural characters, accessibility, surroundings, motive for use, and the significance and quality of an urban green space in a megacity. A total of 384 people participated in a questionnaire composed of closed and open-ended questions. The study identified a total of 352 plant species under 96 families from the park area. The percentage of native and exotic species was found here at 49 and 51%, respectively. Based on people’s perceptions, the study revealed that Ramna Park was more valued for its accessibility, green space characteristics, conservation, and importance of greenery in city dwellers daily lives. Among the participants, 41% visited the park for walking and relaxation, followed by 17% for physical exercise. In addition, regarding the participant’s overall perceptions of intangible urban vegetation benefits, 48% of people were satisfied in terms of planning, 77% were satisfied with the current greenery, and 38% were satisfied with current security. Moreover, 52% of people were not able to identify the plants in the park area, and 84% of people could not distinguish the plants between native and exotic. Most of the participants (97%) mentioned the need for more parks and demanded parks having native plants with improved maintenance and proper administration throughout the city. Visitor’s opinions revealed that the support was realized for the importance and management strategies of Ramna Park as it facilitates socialization, leisure, recreation, and physical activities. Recommendations include promoting the dominance of native species, replacing exotics gradually, increasing the number of wildlife supporting species, enhancing public awareness, and integrating expert opinion into urban plantation programs. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(4): 1011-1020, 2024 (December)

The impact of sustainable consumption psychology on NEV repurchase intention: The moderating effect of gender differences

This study continues the dialogue around sustainable consumption psychology and its effects on New Energy Vehicle repurchase intentions, depending on moderating gender differences. To achieve this, we employed sustainable consumption theories, social identity theory, and gender schema theory to formulate our conceptual framework, which we corroborated with the data of 527 NEV owners across Chinese cities in varying tiers. The outcomes indicate a substantial direct effect of sustainable consumption psychology on repurchase intention (β = 0.467, p < 0.001) with value perception acting as a mediator. The literature on sustainable consumption psychology identifies two variables, environmental awareness and social responsibility, which have differing outcomes according to the gender of the consumer. For instance, female consumers are motivated more by environmental awareness as compared to male consumers who relate more social responsibility to the buying intention (β = 0.328). Conversely, male consumers are motivated stronger to buy on social responsibility in comparison to female consumers (β = 0.376). Multi-group analysis also depicts significant differences between these relationships in demographic slices, with the greatest impact being the high-income, middle-aged, first-tier city dwellers. This insight not only enhances theoretical perspectives on sustainable buying behavior but also assists manufacturers, marketers, and policymakers in effective promotion of sustainable transport means.The research adds value to existing literature in sustainable consumption while also providing value on the ground with regard to NEV market creation, particularly on sustainability consumption with respect to gender and other demographic variables.

Suitability analysis of ecological park site selection in small and medium-sized cities based on multi-source geographic big data

In the context of rapid urbanization, the scientific planning and development of ecological parks in small- to medium-sized cities are essential for enhancing the well-being of city dwellers and optimizing the ecological quality of urban environments. Traditional site suitability methods, however, are increasingly limited due to data resolution constraints and the challenges of balancing ecological protection, urban development, and socio-economic interests, which hardly provide insights for ecological park planning in small and medium-sized cities. This study addresses these limitations by employing a multi-source geographic big data framework, and applying it in Yongji City, Shanxi Province, by integrating remote sensing, Points of Interest, and land use data, a detailed 10m × 10m spatial grid was used for analysis. A comprehensive three-dimensional evaluation framework was developed, comprising ecological, infrastructural, and socio-economic factors, represented by 11 indicators. Points of Interest data have effectively assessed infrastructural configurations necessary for urban ecological parks, while remote sensing data provides critical insights into surface temperature and vegetation cover, which provide high-resolution indicators of environmental quality in urban and sub-urban regions. The site suitability analysis results reveal that hydrophilic landscapes, such as the Yellow River mudflats and Wuxing Lake wetlands, were identified as optimal areas for ecological park development due to their cooling effects and ecological benefits. Zone C, located southwest of Wuxing Lake, emerged as the ideal site due to its abundant natural assets and high accessibility, with a phased development strategy of other recommended sites based on their suitability. This research establishes a data-integrated framework that advances the methodology for urban ecological park planning in small- to medium-sized cities, providing both theoretical and practical insights that can inform similar projects in other urban contexts.

ARMENIAN MASSACRES, GENOCIDE, FREEDOM-FIGHTING AND ARMENIAN ARTISTS

The Armenian massacres, Genocide organized in the Ottoman Empire at the end of the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century, Armenian-Tatar** (Azeri) clashes in the early 20th century, were real catastrophes for the Armenian people. The loss of the essential part of the historical homeland, deportation and organized mass killings of people, the appearance of thousands and thousands of orphans, the loss of property and cultural monuments, the loss of historical memory were very painful for the survivors during many decades. The armed resistance of the inhabitants of certain cities and villages are heroic pages of the Armenian history of the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. Numerous Armenian artists portrayed in their artworks the tragic and heroic events of that period. Certain artists miraculously heard the stories of sufferings from refugees, the others miraculously survived escaping arrests, or lost family members, many children saw the deaths of their parents and relatives inside paternal houses or during the death marches in Syrian deserts, and some of those who grew up in orphanages, became artists. Thus, the Armenian massacres, Genocide and national liberation struggle became the subjects of the Armenian painters and sculptors during many decades.

Субъектность горожан: понятие и его операционализация

The research is relevant because it explores a new phenomenon – city dwellers’ agency – and introduces it in the thesaurus of social psychology of the city. The aim of the research is to formulate the concept of “city dweller’s agency” and to conduct its operationalization. Hypothesis: There is a connection between an individual’s internal sense of responsibility for positive urban changes and their attitudes towards city dwellers’ engagement across various platforms including online, discussions, and physical actions. Participants: 324 respondents aged from 18 to 75 years (M = 43, SD = 18) living in Moscow (49% women and 51% men). Methods (tools): The study employed several methodologies, including “Readiness for Active Participation in the Life of the City” (T .P. Emelyanova, T. V. Drobysheva, E. N. Vikent'eva, S. V. Tarasov) to identify attitudes towards active participation in the public life of the city, “Attribution of City Dwellers’ Responsibility” (T. V. Drobysheva) to analyze how the responsibility for urban conditions is manifested. Additionally, a questionnaire collected the socio-demographic data from the respondents. Results: The concept of “city dwellers’ agency” was formulated based on theoretical analysis. Key indicators (activity, responsibility) and empirical referents (manifestations of activity and responsibility of city dwellers) were identified. Selected methods underwent their primary psychometric verification, revealing issues that effectively demonstrate city dwellers’ internal sense of responsibility and various forms of engagement in the urban environment aimed at improving the quality of urban life. The research also revealed a correla tion between the indicators of the internal sense of responsibility of city dwellers who participated in urban community service and their readiness to engage in public life. Main Conclusions: City dwellers’ agency refers to an individual’s capacity to assume responsibility for urban conditions and to direct their activity to transform the urban environment in order to improve conditions for urban living. It has been empirically confirmed that taking responsibility for urban conditions correlates with respondents’ willingness to directly participate in community service and discuss urban life problems with other residents. Practical Significance: The results can aid municipal employees in developing programs to actively involve the population in urban improvement efforts.

“When Someone Gets Sick, We Run to Them, Not From Them”: Holding Space for Solidarity Otherwise and the City in Times of Covid‐19

How can we think about solidarity in ways that are attentive to the diversity of stories, spaces, practices, bodies, and temporalities shaping a city? In this article, we argue that “holding space” is at the heart of such endeavour. In the project that informs this article, we examined different practices and dynamics of solidarity in The Hague, The Netherlands. The project took place during the Covid‐19 pandemic and aimed at exploring the multiple forms of solidarity that occur between city dwellers, the places they occupy in the city, and their daily practices that support urban life. Departing from our own practices of solidarity as researchers with different migratory backgrounds and belongings, as well as a basic understanding of solidarity as an embodied and enfleshed set of relations of care, we interrogate how solidarity practices unfold across different locations in the city of The Hague. Embarking upon this exploration, we as researchers became part of the communities and locations where these communities exist. We learned about solidarity firsthand as our stories became interwoven with those of other residents and the places they inhabit. These stories are the ones we describe in this work. The article is not just about what we learned, but also about how we learned in the process of doing this research. Thereby, we highlight the need to reconceptualize solidarity in a way that allows for differences to come forward; to be creative with those differences (Lorde, 1979/2018) to be able to grapple with the plurality of life stories of solidarity that shape the city of The Hague.

Beyond Local Crime Rate: How the Quantity and Quality of Social Interaction Influence Crime in Private Residences, Commercial Venues, and Public Spaces

Measuring crime rates is challenging in neighborhoods and other small geographic units. Its denominator, the local population, is strongly affected by mobility, with most city dwellers moving through many neighborhoods during the course of one day for different purposes. Under these conditions, the use of the residential population returns a flawed representation of the social interactions that can lead to crime. In this article, alternative ways to measure local population for crime rates are tested. We suggest that different measures of local population (residents, shoppers, workers, pedestrians, automobiles) yield specific and relevant information for the understanding of the concentration of crime in time and space and that crime place (private residences, commercial venues, and public space) should be taken into account in spatial analyses of crime. Results show that different local population measures carry complementary information on the quantity and quality of social interaction that can lead to crime.

Technology-enhanced environmental learning: a practical guide to educational areas for urban educators

Mobile applications are utilised by urban educators as a means to encourage environmentally friendly behaviours among city dwellers. To enhance their effectiveness, they should meet the needs of their potential users. This qualitative survey research studied urban population of the Tricity metropolitan area intended to identify the perspective of residents regarding the areas that require intervention. It focuses on the potential of mobile applications in promoting pro-environmental education, particularly in areas deemed sensitive by city residents and city users. The research framework is founded on action research. The data collection technique used a survey conducted through a research panel among 821 residents and users of the Tricity metropolitan area. The data was analysed by looking at the relevance of urban challenges and related areas of support. The results of the research were that 12 areas of city functioning perceived as needing improvement were identified and emotionally relevant among the 13 indicators analysed. In conclusion, 12 educational areas of city functioning were identified as relevant for the design of mobile applications related to environmental education. The results may also serve as a basis for developing instructional environmental education for urban educators to support local policies to address the climate crisis and encourage pro-environmental behaviour among urban residents.

“Every City Dweller is, if not Ill, at Least in Need of Recovery.”1 The Schullandheim (Rural School Hostel) in the Context of Crisis and Reform after the First World War

Rural school hostels have hardly been the subject of interest in educational history to date. This is despite the fact that after the First World War an actual rural school hostel movement was formed in Germany and corresponding institutions still exist today. The founding of rural school hostels can be placed in the post-war context, which was characterised by crises. At the same time, their success is fuelled by a multitude of intersecting and mutually reinforcing discourses whose origins go back further. These are reconstructed in this article under keywords such as urbanisation, hygiene and community education. While the hygienic objectives (health, nutrition, architecture, etc.) followed a logic of objectification and standardisation, the ideal of a personalised close relationship between teacher and pupils was guided by modes of subjectivity and individualisation. The combination of these two tendencies merged sometimes into ideas of pedagogical omnipotence. Moreover, the focus on the individual child was always framed by an overarching collectivising idea of community, which was to take on increasingly totalitarian traits at the transition to and during National Socialism.

Music as an Element of Contemporary Courtship in Burma/Myanmar

Abstract: Music plays an important, and heretofore unrecognized, role in contemporary Burmese courtship. This article lays out the pattern of courtship adhered to by middle-class city dwellers in Burma/Myanmar. It also provides an analysis of the music that is implicated in courtship. Burmese men sing pop songs to women, songs that men and women generally refer to as “love songs.” I argue that these courtship songs are rightly understood as love songs because the words of the songs reflect the attributes of romantic love identified by scholars of romance who have done research in other parts of the world. The article therefore contributes to the literature on Burmese popular music, on music and courtship in Southeast Asia, and on romantic discourse around the world.

The development of flood zones

As cities develop, more and more areas are occupied by buildings and transportation infrastructure. It is only natural that urban development requires the creation of recreational infrastructure for city residents. Recreational infrastructure is essential for the proper functioning of city dwellers. Providing land for such infrastructure falls under the responsibility of local authorities. However, acquiring such land in large cities is very expensive. Therefore, areas with development restrictions become a natural space for recreational facilities. For this reason, the use of river valleys has been studied. These areas are currently used as floodplains in case of floods. The presented analyses were carried out for the city of Sandomierz. It is one of the oldest cities in Poland. The unique character of this city attracts many tourists each year. Most tourist attractions are located near the Old Town. The Old Town of Sandomierz is situated on the banks of the Vistula River. The Vistula River is the largest river in Poland. During floods it swells and the water overflows its bed. in order to protect residents from flooding, flood zones are designated, and flood embankments are constructed. Floodplains in this area occupy a significant part of the city. The research involved both geospatial and legal documentation analyses of this area. The paper proposes alternative ways of using these areas, taking into account the interests of city residents, municipal authorities, the natural environment, and institutions dealing with flood protection.

Images of Industrial Cities of Tatarstan in the Vision of the Leaders of Urban Communities and Ordinary Residents

The article examines the verbally recorded dominants of the vision and construction of images of non-capital industrial cities of Tatarstan by their leading actors, accepted and described in their own way by ordinary citizens. They are supplemented by the author’s personal observations and analysis of the meanings embedded in urban symbols and toponymy, monumental propaganda and works of art. Conducted in 2021–2022 in Naberezhnye Chelny, Nizhnekamsk, Almetyevsk, and Zelenodolsk, expert interviews and problem-oriented interviews with families showed that their industrial specialization (and, accordingly, the designation as a city of mechanical engineers, chemists, oil workers, shipbuilders), as well as the associated features of the mentality of the residents, continued to determine their images. Moreover, the plant becomes a kind of invisible “partner” for every city dweller, setting the rhythm and style of life, key moments of historical memory. At the same time, the individuality of settlements is influenced by the peculiarities of the formation of their population, sociocultural spaces and urban culture, including ethnocultural specifics.