Urban Area Of City Research Articles

The imprint of urbanization on vegetation in the ecologically fragile area: A case study from China’s Loess Plateau

Rapid urbanization significantly affects vegetation growth in urban environments. Responses of vegetation to urbanization at high spatial resolutions and long temporal ranges are still unclear, especially in ecologically fragile areas. Here, we explored urbanization impacts on vegetation across China’s Loess Plateau (CLP) from 2000 to 2020 at a spatial resolution of 30 m. Urbanization and annual maximum Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in urban agglomerations, provincial capital cities, also the whole CLP experienced a rapid increase over this period; the annual maximum NDVI (NDVImax) in urban areas decreased before 2011 but increased afterward to reach its maximum value in 2018, and in non-urban areas, a significant increase was found between 2000 and 2020. NDVImax with significant reduction areas were mostly distributed in the urbanization area. A total of 97.56%, 53.66%, 80.49%, and 100% of all cities’ urban core, urbanization, urban, and non-urban areas, respectively, indicated an increase in NDVImax during 2000–2020. For 97.56% (40/41) of the cities in the CLP, the increases in NDVImax in the non-urban areas were stronger than the NDVImax increases detected in the urban areas of these cities. In general, the urban areas of most cities (29/41) in the CLP had positive NDVI trends of greater than 50%. The NDVImax generally decreased with increasing urbanization development intensity (UDI) in 2000 and 2020 in the CLP along with five urban agglomerations. These findings have important implications for understanding urbanization impacts on vegetation, urbanization management, and development in ecologically fragile areas.

Evaluating the impacts of an improved sewer system on city flood inundations using MIKE Urban Model

Urbanization is an objective law of socioeconomic development. However, the drainage system is incompatible with the development of urban areas and the increasing population. Some sewer lines are built or added, but they are not synchronized and poorly sloped with debris and inadequate cross-sectional areas, leading to local flooding. In this study, we applied and locally optimized the Mike Urban model to the sewer network in Da Nang City to evaluate the inundation capability as well as the current and future sewer system capacity. The model was calibrated and validated at three typical sites for the data on October 16 and November 7, 2011; evaluated for the heavy rain data on October 14, 2022; and tested scenarios for 2030. The results showed that during heavy rain on October 14, 2022, many urban areas of Da Nang City were crowded, and the number of flooded manholes along the river suddenly increased dramatically because of the high water level and low ground level, which was impossible for rainwater to flow into the river during the high tide. The study also revealed that the planning for the drainage system until 2030 has improved the water drainage situation in the city by adjusting and adding some drainage systems. While this region remains poorly studied, this study brings original information that will help stakeholders to adopt appropriate strategies for the management of their cities that experience critical inundation.

Spatio-temporal evolution and future simulation of urban agglomeration expansion in the Guangdong–Hongkong–Macau Greater Bay Area

Urban agglomerations are growth poles that promote regional economic development; however, rapid expansion exerts an increasingly negative influence on regional ecosystem security, restricting sustainable urban development. Therefore, predicting the impact of future expansion on regional ecological security can guide regionally coordinated development. In this study, we used land-use data to determine the spatiotemporal evolution of urbanization and land use in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) urban agglomeration from 1990 to 2020 and employed the artificial neural network–cellular automata (ANN–CA)–Markov model to simulate future expansion under three different scenarios for 2025 and 2035. From 1990 to 2020, the overall development level of the GBA urban agglomeration was relatively high, with the area of construction land following a pattern of first increasing rapidly and then gradually transitioning to a slower rate of growth. Land use was consistently dominated by forest land, which accounted for more than 50% of the total land area, followed by arable land (30.56%) and construction land (7.92%). The most intense expansion in the GBA occurred in the main urban areas of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan, and other cities. The expansion sources were mainly farmland, water, and other ecological land types. The spatial structure and characteristics of simulated future regional land-use changes in 2025 and 2035 differed significantly under the three different scenarios. Under the natural development scenario, urban expansion was unconstrained, and rapid growth occurred over a large area of ecological land. Conversely, the addition of ecological constraints effectively controlled the occupation of forest land and cultivated land. Under the economic development scenario, urban expansion incorporated more unused and cultivated land. The results of this study provide a reference for policy decision-making in regional planning, urban planning, and regional ecological protection under multiple future scenarios.

First records of cottony hydrangea scale Pulvinaria hydrangeae Steinweden, 1946 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) in Ukraine

AbstractPulvinaria hydrangeae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) is an invasive species in Europe and was recorded for the first time in Ukraine in 2021. The species was observed in large numbers on Cerasus serrulata (Lindley) in the urban green area of Uzhhorod city in Zakarpattia Region. This species is a polyphagous soft scale and a pest of urban and forest trees and woody plants.

Contamination of As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in soils in Arica commune (Chile).

The objectives of this study are (a) to determine the background concentration of As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in Arica commune; (b) to determine the degree of soil contamination in Arica city using environmental indices and (c) to evaluate the human health risk of these potentially toxic elements. In the rural area of Arica commune, 169 samples were taken and 283 samples were taken in the urban area of Arica city. Total concentrations of Cd, Pb and Cr were determined by EPA 3052 and EPA 6010 C. Mercury was determined by EPA 7473. Arsenic was determined by EPA 7061A. The available concentrations of As and Cr were determined by dilute hydrochloric acid and EPA 6010C. Environmental indices were applied for pollution and US EPA model was used to evaluate human health risk. Background concentrations were As 18.2, Cd 1.12, Cr 73.2, Hg 0.02 and Pb 11.8mgkg-1, respectively. Environmental indices show that soil samples are located between slightly contaminated to extremely contaminated. Human health risk analysis shows that children have higher levels of risk than adults. The analysis with available concentrations of As and Cr shows no carcinogenic risk for adults and children, but 81% and 98% of the samples were between 10-6 and 10-4, that means intermediate risk.

A pre-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding breast massage among health workers in selected urban areas of metropolitian city

A pre-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding breast massage among health workers in selected urban areas of metropolitian city

Awareness about obesity among the mother of young child in urban area of Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Obesity as a condition in which excessive accumulation of fat in the adipose tissues has taken place. It arises when the intake of food is in excess of physiological needs. Obesity now considered as a “killer lifestyle” disease is an important cause of preventable death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, 1.2 billion people worldwide are officially classified as, overweight. This is probably the most sedentary generation of people in the history of the world. To assess Awareness about obesity among the mother of young child in urban area of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Cross sectional research with 105 participants among the target population of this study were mothers enthusiastically grace with presence in Dhaka City of Bangladesh. Data were numerically coded and captured in Excel 2007, using an SPSS 22.0 version. The study found that mean age of the participant was 3.70 (1.365) years and most of the participants were above 4 years. The youngest participants in this study were 1 year old and oldest participants were 5 years old. Obesity may induce the Musculo-skeletal problem obesity showed that strongly Agree participants were highest rate that was 51.4% (n=54) and strongly agree participants were rate that was 48.6% (n=51). Overall, parents showed a good awareness on nutrition and obesity. Unfortunately, such a good awareness was found insufficient to make them recognize the overweight problem in their children. There is a need for the improvement of the methods and content of nutritional educational packages as well as efforts to improve parents’ recognition of their child weight status.

Exploring the impact of China-Europe Railway Express on the urban-rural income gap

The China-Europe Railway Express (CRexpress) has established a new land transportation route between Asia and Europe as part of China’s westward expansion. The resulting trade promotion effect has the potential to improve industrial development and factor flows, ultimately leading to a reduction in the income disparity between urban and rural areas in cities that use the CRexpress. The impact of the CRexpress on income disparities between urban and rural areas in cities that use the service is of particular interest, as the empirical evidence on the relationship between international trade and these disparities is inconsistent. Using a difference-in-differences model and macro panel data, this study found that the CRexpress significantly narrowed the urban-rural income gap in cities where it was operational, and that this effect had a spillover effect on nearby cities. However, the magnitude of this effect decreased with distance. The mechanism analysis indicated that the CRexpress narrowed the income gap by promoting secondary industry development, but this effect varied significantly by region, with pronounced effects in eastern coastal cities and less pronounced effects in inland cities in the central and western region. The study suggests that local governments in these regions should focus on improving the institutional environment and providing industrial support to promote industrial transfer in order to narrow the urban-rural income gap and promote overall economic development.

Plastic rain—Atmospheric microplastics deposition in urban and peri-urban areas of Patna City, Bihar, India: Distribution, characteristics, transport, and source analysis

Evidence of atmospheric microplastics (MPs) deposition in India is scarce though reports of MPs pollution in other environmental media exist. Henceforth, this study for the first time examines and compares the abundance, characteristics, transport, and source analysis of atmospheric MPs in the urban and peri-urban areas of Patna city, Bihar, India. Wet atmospheric fallout samples were collected and analyzed for MPs deposition rate. The results showed that the mean MPs concentrations at each site were 1959.6 ± 205 (urban) and 1320.4 ± 126 (peri-urban) MPs/m2/day. The deposited MPs were mainly transparent fibers and fragments with a mean size of 347.9 ± 189.2 µm. Polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene were the most abundant polymer found at both sites. Morphological characteristics revealed surface degradation and deposition of metal contaminants on the identified MPs. Meteorological parameters (wind direction and rainfall intensity) were significantly associated with the distribution of atmospheric MPs in the study area. The cluster mean backward trajectory suggested vehicular emissions, construction activities, and waste mismanagement as the potential sources of MPs. Findings of the present work necessitates future studies in gaining a deeper understanding of the fate, movement, and potential health hazards associated with atmospheric MPs.

Vegetation and Palynological Record in Sediments of the Camorim Dam, Pedra Branca State Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Pedra Branca State Park is situated near urban areas of Rio de Janeiro city. Several rivers descend towards the Atlantic Ocean and the damming of some ones, by the end of the 19th century, aimed to provide drinking water to the population. To the present day, Camorim dam is in operation and since its inception in 1908, the surrounding humid tropical forest has recovered, evidenced by the present palynological study of a core withdrawn from the dam’s northwestern part. The six analyzed levels showed pollen grains from botanical taxa characteristic of Rain Forest, Forest Pioneers, Campo vegetation, although less frequent, and Exotic plants. The palynomorphs concentration fluctuated throughout the core, which was attributed to a variation in sedimentation due to large floods that from time to time punished this region, but never decimated the forest around the Camorim dam and its contributing river basin.

Evolution of environmental quality and its response to human disturbances of the urban agglomeration in the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains

Increased human disturbances have disturbed the global ecosystem at various scales. A growing need exists for effective techniques that can be used to quantify human disturbances and detect the resulting spatial and temporal variations in ecological status. Remote sensing can be used as an effective means to detect changes in environmental quality. Consequently, this study employed multi-source remote sensing data and principal component analysis (PCA) to create a remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) and a human footprint index used to clarify the human disturbances intensity (HDI). Then, unary linear regression was used to evaluate the change trends of HDI and the RSEI; spatial autocorrelation analysis and correlation analysis were used to reveal the evolution characteristics of environmental quality and its response to human disturbances of the Urban Agglomeration in the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains (UANST) from 2000 to 2020. The results show the following: (1) An RSEI is applicable to both medium- and large-scale regions and can be used to effectively quantify and reveal the environmental quality of the UANST. (2) From 2000 to 2020, the annual average RSEI of UANST was 0.29, with the environmental quality graded as poor for more than 40% of the region. Although high proportions of the UANST were ranked as having poor and fair environmental quality, the overall trend was toward increasing the areas with good and excellent grades. The spatial characteristics of environmental quality showed that the environment was generally better in the central area and poorer in the northern and southern areas. (3) From 2000 to 2020, the HDI in the majority of the UANST was low but showed an increase over time and gradually attenuated from the city center to the edge of each county. (4) A significant positive correlation was found between environmental quality and human disturbances in the cropland area in the central part of the UANST, while a significant negative correlation was found in the surrounding urban areas of cities, in counties or rural residential areas, and some areas of scattered grasslands.

A Case Study of Air Quality and a Health Index over a Port, an Urban and a High-Traffic Location in Rhodes City

One of people’s greatest concerns about air quality degradation is its impact on human health. This work is a case study that aims to investigate the air quality and the related impact on people’s health in a coastal city over the eastern Mediterranean. The analysis proceeded during a low-tourist density period, covering the days from 17 to 27 November 2022. Hourly PM2.5, NO2 and O3 concentration records from three, mobile, Air Quality Monitoring Systems (AQMS), established in an urban location, port and central area of Rhodes city, are analyzed. To investigate the impact of pollution levels on human health, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is calculated. The daily and diurnal variation of pollutants’ concentration and AQHI among the different areas, as well as the relation among the ambient air pollutants and AQHI, are studied. Additionally, to investigate the impact of wind regime on the variation of pollution and AQHI levels, the hourly zonal and meridional wind-speed components, as well as the temperature at 2 m, the dew point temperature at 2 m, and the height of the boundary layer from ERA5 reanalysis, are retrieved for the region of the southeastern Mediterranean. Results show that the highest pollution level occurs in the city center of Rhodes, compared to the rest of the studied locations. In general, the findings do not show exceedances of the pollutants’ concentration according to the European Directive 2008/50/EC. Moreover, findings show that in some cases, the health risk is classified from Low to Moderate in terms of AQHI. The analysis indicates that the climate conditions affect the pollutants’ concentration due to dispersion, and likely, the atmospheric transport of pollutants. Finally, this work aims to improve the knowledge regarding the air quality of southeastern Greece, promoting the framework for the green and sustainable development of the South Aegean Sea.

Spatial Heterogeneity analysis of urban forest ecosystem services in Zhengzhou City.

Understanding the spatial distribution of urban forest ecosystem services is essential for urban planners and managers to effectively manage cities and is an essential part of sustainable urban development. Mapping the spatial distribution of urban forest ecosystem services and improving the accuracy of its assessment scale will undoubtedly provide a more accurate reference basis for later management. In this study, we used the i-Tree Eco model and kriging interpolation to quantify and map urban forest ecosystem services and their spatial distribution in Zhengzhou, a city along the lower reaches of the Yellow River in China; analyzed the mapping errors and applicable conditions; and further explored the spatial differences using geographic probes. The i-Tree Eco model estimation results showed that the total carbon storage in the urban forest of Zhengzhou city was 75.7 tons, the annual carbon sequestration was 14.66 tons, the trees and shrubs in the urban area of Zhengzhou city could effectively avoid a total of 307.86 m3 of surface runoff per year, and trees and shrubs removed 411.8 kg/year of air pollution (O3, CO, NO2, PM2.5, PM10, and SO2). The spatial distribution of all urban forest ecosystem services showed significant heterogeneity, but the spatial evaluation precision of different factors varied. GDP and population data showed a negative correlation with ecosystem services, and ecosystem services were abundant in watershed and woodland areas. This study differs from traditional assessments based on regional data due to its improved spatial evaluation accuracy, and the results, discussion, and analysis not only help Zhengzhou's own urban development, but also provide a basis for the future construction and management of other cities, the Central Plains urban agglomeration, and the surrounding larger regions. This will contribute to the enhancement of ecosystem services and thus improve the ecological conditions of the region. This will also have a positive effect on the health of urban residents.

Analysis of the impact of green urban areas in historic fortified cities using Landsat historical series and Normalized Difference Indices

Urban green areas minimize the negative effects of climatic change and improve the sustainability of historic cities. Despite this, green areas have traditionally been considered a threat to heritage buildings because they cause humidity changes, that accelerate degradation processes. Within this context, this study evaluates the trends in the inclusion of green areas in historic cities and the effects it causes on humidity and conservation of earthen fortifications. To achieve this goal, vegetative and humidity information has been obtained since 1985 from Landsat satellite images. The historical series of images has been statistically analysed in Google Earth Engine to obtain maps that show the means, 25th, and 75th percentiles of the variations registered in the last 35 years. The results allow visualizing spatial patterns and plotting the seasonal and monthly variations. In the decision-making process, the proposed method allows to monitor whether the presence of vegetation is an environmental degradation agent in the nearby earthen fortifications.The analysis of the historic fortified cities of Seville and Niebla (Spain) shows a gradual increase in green areas and an interest in locating them near the earthen fortifications. The impact on the fortifications is specific to each type of vegetation and can be positive or negative. In general, the low humidity registered indicates low danger, and the presence of green areas favours drying after heavy rains. This study suggests that increasing green spaces to historic cities does not necessarily endanger the preservation of earthen fortifications. Instead, managing both heritage sites and urban green areas together can encourage outdoor cultural activities, reduce the impacts of climate change, and enhance the sustainability of historic cities.

Investigating the Implications of Transit-Oriented Land Use Development for a Potential Node in an Urban Metro for Sustainability

Urbanization is intrinsically connected to economic progress. India’s rapid economic and population growth has increased its carbon footprint and traffic congestion. A long-term strategy is essential to preserve the balance and alleviate the issues arising from the expansion. Integrating land use and transportation planning has been acknowledged as a means to achieve sustainable urban development worldwide. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is one such strategy. TOD is a planning and design strategy for promoting urban development by clustering jobs, housing, services, and amenities around public transport stations. This strategy can help achieve sustainable communities and improve the quality of life. This research paper assessed the land use characteristics of an urban fringe area in Trivandrum city and completed a land suitability analysis using GIS software tools. A potential node for re-development was identified by looking at various traffic, demographic, and land use parameters. Detailed TOD recommendations for the area surrounding the transit node were proposed based on its development potential.

Paleohydraulics and Complexity Theory: Perspectives on Self Organization of Ancient Societies

Complexity theory provides a path toward understanding the development of ancient Andean societal progress from early settlements to later high population states. The use of modern hydraulic engineering methods to develop an understanding of the technical achievements of ancient societies (paleohydraulics), when combined with complexity theory, provides a path toward understanding the role of hydraulic engineering achievements to guide population increase and societal group cooperation on the path from early kin settlements to later statehood. An example case illustrating the paleohydraulics-complexity theory connection is presented for advancement of the pre-Columbian Bolivian Tiwanaku (600–1100 CE) society through their seasonal control of groundwater levels in urban city areas. This feature provided well water availability for city housing, public fountains, city hygienic and health benefits from the control of habitation dampness levels, water on a year-round basis for intra-city specialty crops, and the structural foundational stability of monumental religious structures. Commensurate with this application, Tiwanaku raised-field systems utilized groundwater control technologies to support multi-cropping agriculture to support growing population demands. Paleohydraulics theory together with complexity theory is applied to other major South American ancient societies (Caral, Tiwanaku, Chimú, Wari, Inka) to illustrate the influence of advanced hydraulic engineering technologies on advances from early origins to statehood.

Building and optimising an automatic monitoring system network for outdoor PM2.5: a case study of Ho Chi Minh City.

PM2.5 exposure data are important for air quality management. Optimal planning and determination of locations where PM2.5 is continuously monitored are important for urban areas in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), a megacity with specific environmental problems. Objectives of the study to propose an automatic monitoring system network (AMSN) to measure outdoor PM2.5 concentrations in HCMC using low-cost sensors. Data related to the current monitoring network, population, population density, threshold reference standards set by the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and inventory emissions from various sources, both anthropogenic and biogenic, were obtained. Coupled WRF/CMAQ models were used to simulate PM2.5 concentrations in HCMC. The simulation results were extracted from the grid cells, from which the values of points exceeding the set thresholds were determined. The population coefficient was calculated to determine the corresponding total score (TS). Optimisation of the monitoring locations was statistically performed using Student's t-test to select the official locations for the monitoring network. TS values ranged from 0.0031 to 3215.9. The TSmin value was reached in the Can Gio district and the TSmax value was reached in SG1. Based on the t-test results, 26 initial locations were proposed for a preliminary configuration, from which 10 optimal monitoring sites were selected to develop the AMSN of outdoor PM2.5 concentration measurements in HCMC towards 2025.

Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic in Saudi Arabia to Supply Electricity Demand in Localised Urban Areas: A Study of the City of Abha

This paper explores the potential of rooftop solar PV to meet the electricity demand in the urban areas of Abha city, Saudi Arabia (KSA), minimising imports from the grid. A localised energy system for Abha is proposed that considers two types of loads: (i) residential loads with a monthly aggregated energy consumption of 172,440 MWh and an electric demand of 239.5 MW, and (ii) commercial loads with a monthly aggregated energy consumption of 179,280 MWh and an electric demand of 249 MW. The grid currently supplies this load. This paper proposes a PV development planning tool for residential and commercial areas to calculate the total PV production for each type of load to achieve a balanced energy area, considering (i) the number of buildings, (ii) the type of load, (iii) the peak load, and (iv) the total PV array area in m2 per building. The results of the modelling study using real data demonstrate that the anticipated total PV production in residential and commercial areas is sufficient to meet local peak demand, and there is an excess of power that can either be stored locally or exported to the grid.

The Use of GIS and Multicriteria Techniques for the Socio-Spatial Analysis of Urban Areas in Medium-Sized Spanish Cities

In recent decades, particularly intense changes have occurred in Spanish urban areas. This is the result of demographic and urbanizing transformations that have led to a change in the city model. The predominance of compact forms has been replaced by the growing prominence of urban sprawl. Structures are now more extensive, characterized, in turn, by fragmentation and the notable consumption of land in the peripheries. In medium-sized cities, the municipalities bordering the central cities have concentrated the processes of suburbanization and periurbanization. This paper addresses the processes of change for 34 cities and their urban areas located in inland Spain. A proposal is made for the delimitation and characterization of urban areas, taking the municipality as the unit of analysis. At the methodological level, six variables are used, analyzed by means of multicriteria statistical techniques combined with the use of GIS tools. An Urban Transformation Index (ITU) has been developed that synthesizes urbanizing, demographic and socioeconomic dynamics (six variables related to population, housing and socio-productive structure are used). In the territorial area, the 20-min isochrone is used as a reference. In the temporal domain, the period of analysis addresses the events of the first two decades of the twenty-first century.

Question of Liability for Emissions from Land Development in Relation to New York State Climate Change Plan

The question of liability (responsibility) for loss and damage (L&D) associated with climate change often ignores the liability for L&D from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which are the source of climate change-related impacts. New York State (NYS) recognizes its responsibility regarding climate change as documented in the NYS Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) (Senate Bill S6599), which put forward the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from all anthropogenic sources 100% over 1990 levels by the year 2050, with an incremental target of at least a 40% reduction in climate pollution by the year 2030. The current NYS carbon footprint (CF) does not include soil-based GHG emissions from land developments, preventing the state from reaching its net-zero emission goals. The current study addresses this shortcoming by quantifying the “realized” social costs of CO2 (SC-CO2) emissions for NYS from all land developments (12,037.5 km2, midpoint 1.7 × 1011 of total soil carbon (TSC) losses with midpoint $28.5B (where B = billion = 109, USD)) in social costs of carbon dioxide emissions, SC-CO2) and “new” land developments (485.2 km2) in the period from 2001 to 2016, which caused a complete loss of midpoint 6.6 × 109 kg of TSC resulting in midpoint $1.1B SC-CO2. All NYS’s counties experienced land conversions, with most of the developments, TSC losses, and SC-CO2 occurred near the existing urban areas of New York City (NYC), Long Island, and Albany. Land conversion to developments creates additional liability by the loss of future GHG sequestration potential in developed areas. In addition, there is a substantial future liability in NYS from climate change impacts, such as the projected sea-level rises will impact 17 of NY’s 62 counties, which will cause high costs of adaptation. Incorporation of land use/land cover change (LULCC) analysis can help better quantify the CF and identify ways to reduce GHG emissions and the associated liabilities and compensations to help achieve some of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).