Craiova City Research Articles

Forecasting ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter concentrations at Craiova city using a meta-hybrid deep learning model

Air quality forecasting is vital for managing and mitigating the adverse effects of air pollution on human health, crops, and the environment. This study aims to forecast daily time series of ozone and fine particulate matter (PM) concentrations using a meta-hybrid deep NARMAX (Nonlinear Auto-Regressive Moving Average with eXogenous inputs) model. Two datasets were utilised: (a) data on meteorological parameters (temperature, air pressure, relative humidity) and air pollutant concentrations (particulate matter, ozone, dioxide of carbon, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde) provided by a sensor model A3 situated in the centre of Craiova city, and (b) data on wind direction, wind speed, and sunshine duration provided by the National Meteorological Administration. The data sets covered a time interval from December 10, 2020, to January 05, 2024. Initially, a statistical analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between variables. Results revealed that ozone concentration is primarily influenced by meteorological variables such as temperature (r = 0.79), sunshine duration (r = 0.55), and relative humidity (r = −0.48), and secondarily by air pollution indicators including VOC (r = −0.34), PM concentrations (r = −0.34), and CO2 (r = −0.3). In the subsequent stage, thirteen Machine Learning (ML) models were employed in conjunction with an integral feature selection (IFS) method to identify the best combinations of predictor variables for predicting ozone and PMs. Finally, a deep NARMAX model was developed to forecast the next periods of ozone and PMs based on the optimal combinations identified earlier. Results indicated the selection of sixty best models for ozone forecasting and four best models for PMs. The R2 values surpassed 0.97 for ozone and exceeded 0.8 for PMs, demonstrating the efficacy of the forecasting approach.

VIZITA LA CRAIOVA A REGELUI CAROL AL II-LEA ȘI A PRINCIPELUI NICOLAE CU OCAZIA UNOR EVENIMENTE LOCALE SOLEMNE (26 OCTOMBRIE 1933)

The autumn of 1933 marked a festive moment for the city of Craiova, a royal visit made by King Carol II and Prince Nicolae with the aim of celebrating a series of local events such as: the consecration of St. Dumitru's Church, the inauguration of the „Carol al II-lea” Stadium as well as the celebration of 100 years of existence of the „Carol I” High School. The local authorities treated the event carefully, the preparation for October 26, 1933 involved a great effort. The day turned out to be a real success. Although a short visit of only one day, it was full of solemn events. The moment of October 26, 1933 remained recorded as an important day for the history of Craiova.

Multivariable Air-Quality Prediction and Modelling via Hybrid Machine Learning: A Case Study for Craiova, Romania.

Inadequate air quality has adverse impacts on human well-being and contributes to the progression of climate change, leading to fluctuations in temperature. Therefore, gaining a localized comprehension of the interplay between climate variations and air pollution holds great significance in alleviating the health repercussions of air pollution. This study uses a holistic approach to make air quality predictions and multivariate modelling. It investigates the associations between meteorological factors, encompassing temperature, relative humidity, air pressure, and three particulate matter concentrations (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1), and the correlation between PM concentrations and noise levels, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide emissions. Five hybrid machine learning models were employed to predict PM concentrations and then the Air Quality Index (AQI). Twelve PM sensors evenly distributed in Craiova City, Romania, provided the dataset for five months (22 September 2021-17 February 2022). The sensors transmitted data each minute. The prediction accuracy of the models was evaluated and the results revealed that, in general, the coefficient of determination (R2) values exceeded 0.96 (interval of confidence is 0.95) and, in most instances, approached 0.99. Relative humidity emerged as the least influential variable on PM concentrations, while the most accurate predictions were achieved by combining pressure with temperature. PM10 (less than 10 µm in diameter) concentrations exhibited a notable correlation with PM2.5 (less than 2.5 µm in diameter) concentrations and a moderate correlation with PM1 (less than 1 µm in diameter). Nevertheless, other findings indicated that PM concentrations were not strongly related to NOISE, CO2, and VOC, and these last variables should be combined with another meteorological variable to enhance the prediction accuracy. Ultimately, this study established novel relationships for predicting PM concentrations and AQI based on the most effective combinations of predictor variables identified.

Analyzing accessibility to urban services for new residential buildings. A case study of Craiova city

The present study uses methods based on Geographic Information System (GIS) to investigate the distribution of new residential buildings in Craiova (Romania) and assess their accessibility to key urban services. The focus is on collective housing developments constructed after 2015, encompassing both completed and ongoing projects. The research evaluates accessibility at the neighborhood level, considering key facilities and services such as banking services, pharmacies, kindergartens, primary schools, supermarkets, sport facilities, and green urban areas. Data for urban services were collected from opensource databases (OpenStreetMap, Copernicus Land Monitoring?Urban Atlas) and completed by field investigations. Isochrones, representing travel time from each residential building to the selected services, are used to measure the residents' accessibility by multiple travel modes. Additionally, the study considers the proximity of new residential buildings to the old historical city center, as a hub for shopping and leisure activities, and the walkability of the neighborhoods where the collective residences are located. The findings shed light on the spatial distribution of new residential developments in relation to essential urban services, providing valuable insights for urban planning and development strategies in Craiova, as well as for future residential investments.

Mapping the dimension of soil sealing in Craiova city (Romania) using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques

The rapid growth of urban areas and the increase in sealed surfaces have significant implications for environmental management and urban planning. Monitoring and quantifying sealed surfaces are crucial for understanding urbanization processes and their impacts. This article deals with the issues of mapping the dimension of soil sealing in Craiova city, during the last two decades using GIS and remote sensing techniques. As the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) has emerged as a valuable tool for assessing sealed surfaces and evaluating urban expansion, it was selected as preferred method selected to determine the dimension of soil sealing.

Fostering Urban Destination Prosperity through Post COVID-19 Sustainable Tourism in Craiova, Romania

In accordance with the 2030 Agenda, the prosperity of tourist destinations holds a crucial role in the sustainable development of urban areas. Tourism represents an imperative solution in transitioning from survival to success after the COVID-19 pandemic. The stakeholders in the field should introduce new tourism forms that enable a more comprehensive strategy for managing and developing responsible tourism, bringing into focus new skills, resources, and levels for change to develop resilience, urban community satisfaction, and the unique intrinsic attraction of each tourist destination in Romania. This study develops a model of prosperity for urban tourist destinations, which can be applied to medium-large cities in Romania. We propose for the city of Craiova the use and identification of four spheres of sustainability, which in turn have a set of 17 indicators. The research method used to determine the indicators has two stages: (1) the analysis of the specialized literature to identify the appropriate indicators for an urban destination and (2) statistical analyzes and interviews with internal stakeholders (residents), which present their tourist perspective of the city. This article tackles an innovative concept, called prosperity and innovation in Craiova tourism, which can be implemented in all tourism niches and brings new development perspectives that correspond to the norms of sustainable development and their direction towards sustainability. The article addresses the concept of prosperity in tourism and contains information about: the definition of prosperity, the concept of prosperity (an engine of innovation in tourism and its implications), but also perspectives for a prosperous tourism policy in Craiova tourism.

Consideraţii privind rolul istoric al aşezămintelor mănăstireşti din Oltenia în opera lui Ion Donat

In this article we presented an aspect of the historiographical concerns belonging to the historian Ion Donat, namely that of detailing the information regarding a place of worship located on the northwestern edge of the city of Craiova, near Jiu. At the same time, in this context, we presented the battle of Creţeşti-Dolj in 1602, with its implications and meanings for how to obtain the royal seat of Wallachia, in the whirlwind of events after the assassination of Michael the Brave, Oltenia being a region involved in the election of the future leader of the medieval Wallachian state.

King Carol I and Crown Prince Ferdinand’s Visit to Craiova (1-3 October 1890)

"The end of the 19th century, more precisely the year 1890, represented for the people of Craiova the opportunity to witness a new royal visit, this time a very special one, because for the first time the Crown Prince Ferdinand visited the city of Craiova with his uncle, King Carol I. The visit lasted 3 days, 1–3 October, being perhaps one of the most eventful visits, at least in terms of the very busy schedule. Many schools were visited, both girls’ and boys’ schools, as well as hospitals or prisons were among the objectives of the visit. The Craiova society was involved in the big event, with demonstrations taking place in which many people participated. There was also criticism in the anti-dynastic press of the time, many aspects of the organization of the visit being attacked. The visit remains one of reference for Craiova, the magnitude of the event echoing in the press and the documents of the time. "

Rethinking Lynch’s “The Image of the City” Model in the Context of Urban Fabric Dynamics. Case Study: Craiova, Romania

Due to the global market competition, urban transformations affected most cities which wanted to attract more economic and social resources. The level of urban perceptions and their representations as mental images occupy a more important role in obtaining a successful city. In this way it is created a space that is interesting and enjoyable, being also exposed to all the changes that are taking place due to the advances in architecture and infrastructure. This paper will focus on urban image assessment at the cognitive level using an adaptation of the Lynch method, by identifying the five elements in the urban space: paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks, leading to imageability and legibility characterization of the image. In this realm, the case study of Craiova city serves as a model of urban evaluation and will be explored. Interviews were conducted with residents of the city to quantify their perception about the urban image elements. The obtained results of the urban image perception are mapped and will be analyzed with aerial images in order to determine the type of urban fabric that is dominant in the city, the fine grain or the coarse grain layout. The results show that the five elements of the Lynch image of the city can be easily mapped and assessed and that a mixture between fine grain and coarse grain is the best solution identified for the city. The paper concludes by outlining the importance of urban image along with other geographical studies in the sustainable planning and development of cities.

Urban Geoheritage. The Secular Wells of Craiova, Romania

Abstract The aim of this study is to highlight three of the urban geomorphosites of Craiova city, which can be promoted in a specific itinerary for geotourism or integrated, along with other objectives, in different touristic products. The selection of the three sites was made after analysing historical documents, images and maps, which show the landscape transformation, the development of the community and the settlement expansion. For the assessment of the sites, the method created by the University of Rome was used and two stages were performed: a) the geomorphological analysis by multitemporal and multidisciplinary approaches and b) the geomorphoheritage characterisation by calculating the VSGh index (Value of a Site for Geotourism index) based on the presence of five attributes. One of the three sites, The Valley of the 7 Wells, is nowadays an invisible geomorphosite with an important geotouristic and educational potential.

Urban Evolution of the Streets and Parcels of the Craiova City

The present article presents a brief analysis of the evolution of the streets and the plots of the city of Craiova, as main urban development elements. The study is carried out on the historical plans of the city and is approached on several directions of analysis - functions, urban landmarks, routes, connections. Thus, the study captures the physical characteristics of the urban texture as well as its main development stages.

A GIS-based analysis of the urban green space accessibility in Craiova city, Romania

ABSTRACT The population living in large urban areas faces multiple pressures on their physical and psychological well-being coming from various polluting sources: air pollution, water pollution, and high noise level, thermal and visual stress. Urban green spaces have a positive impact on human health, as they help people relax more. Stress relief through physical exercise and social interaction is possible by having an increased access to parks or other green areas. As in the case of many growing cities, Craiova faces a continuous demand for more construction development space, while the shrinkage of urban green areas is becoming an issue. Using a GIS-based method, this study analyses the accessibility of Craiova residents to urban green spaces, identifying the areas with reduced green spaces and making recommendations for the improvement of the green areas available to residents. The number and location of the parks in the city are correlated with the population density within residential areas in order to analyse the accessibility to green areas based on both walking and driving distance between the access points of the green spaces and the residential areas. Data indicate an unevenly distribution of parks and access to green areas.

Using GIS methods to analyse the spatial distribution and public accessibility of pharmacies in Craiova city, Romania

Abstract The present study represents a social and geographical analysis of the spatial distribution of pharmacies in Craiova city using GIS methods. This study aims to present the evolution in the pharmacies’ number, location, density and accessibility to the population of Craiova city on the background of an analysis of European and national legislation concerning the pharmaceutical sector. The paper also outlines the uneven distribution of pharmacies in the city by analysing the ratio between the number of pharmacies and the number of people within a district. Distance and time are considered important, especially when using different transport types. Indicators like density of pharmacies, distribution of population density, and population size in districts were taken into account in this study. Although the GIS-based analysis revealed that accessibility of pharmacies in terms of time and distance and the ratio of population size to number of pharmacies were both good and had increased over the years, the study also indicated residential areas with no pharmacy, and therefore an uneven distribution of pharmaceutical services.

Using GIS methods to analyze spatial characteristics of urban transportation system in Craiova city

Using GIS methods to analyze spatial characteristics of urban transportation system in Craiova city

Considerations on the Influence of Micro Urban Heat Islands to the Temperature - Humidity Index During July 2017 in Craiova City Centre

Considerations on the Influence of Micro Urban Heat Islands to the Temperature - Humidity Index During July 2017 in Craiova City Centre

Urban hydrography and Bluespots map of Craiova (Romania)

The global climate change imposes new strategies of prevention and protection against the effects of urban flooding. The main goal of this paper is the identification of areas exposed to flooding risk in the Craiova city, and the study was structured in two sections. In the first part we aimed to identify the changes of the hydrography in the Craiova city from the beginning of its urban expansion and the hydrotechnical works realized for flooding protection from the 19 th century until now. The reconstruction of the hydrography was based on the cartographic documents elaborated since the second half of the nineteenth century and on the previous research concerning the city’s design, water supply and sewage system. In the second part we realized a Bluespots map comprised of the areas and the buildings possibly exposed to the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall periods. The Bluespots map was automatically obtained with the Cloudburst extension of ArcGIS, being based on DEM data and the cadastral map of the city, after a method firstly applied by the Danish government to assess flood risk areas due to Cloudburst phenomena in Copenhagen.

Daily life and religious holidays in Romania during the communist period

This study tries to expose the situation of the main religious holidays during the communist period in Romania. In Roumania, we know that the religious holydays were one of the targets targeted by the Communist Party, because they hold, besides their well-known functions – religious, cultural, playful, aesthetic, cosmic – also an important ethnic, community function, what activate the goal of the study. The commu-nist leaders wanted Christianity to be faded from the public space, but it was summoned socially in the form of commemorations, so it leads the novelty of the investigation. There are several works devoted to religion in post communist Europe. The problematic relationship between the state and society, in all its forms of existence, and the religious phenomenon, between the temporal power and the transcendent power occupy a fundamental place in the sociological and historical thought. Patrick Michel, studying in his works on the specific issue of the relationship between religion the Church and totalitarian power, explains how much religion has suffered the hostile attitude of the power that tried to reduce its presence in the world social space he has just arrogated. It recalls the efforts of this one, to remain in the socio-political field, by refusing the rules of the political game introduced by the totalitarian power, by infiltrating inside the social field, in all its components, for to be present and participate in the existence of autono-mous social spaces. In the Balkan countries, the image of a religion abused both by the identity and the political often revives with the discourse of post-communist religious renewal. In Bulgaria or Albania, there is this vision of religiosity completely stifled by the totalitarian regime. The vision of a religious emptiness imposed by the previous regime is specific to research on religious in the post-communist era, a vision that emphasizes the repression of Christian religiosity and the resulting consequences for society. The researchers analyzed what happened during the socialist period and how religious life continued under the appearance of forced athe-ism. Conclusions. The biographical approach served as a starting point for field investigations aimed at documenting, from case-by-case reconstruction, stories of family trajectories, the multitute ritual solutions adopted during the communist period. I conducted exploratory surveys in Oltenia, the western part of Romanian Wallachia, which remained essentially a rural area, with the exception of the only big city of Craiova, (Oltenia's historical capital is the most important urban and administrative center district – 300,000 inhabitants) one of the largest cultural centers of the country. These first investigations that I conducted reveal the existence of a set of clandestine practices that were introduced, under the communist regime, to replace the absence of the Church in the main moments related to the life cycle, especially for baptism and marriage, the prohibition of all religious attendance imposed on Party cadres, and the attempt to completely de-sacralize religious holidays. I also realized a work in the local archives of Oltenia, to expose the me-dia of the time, the written press was the main means of the propa-gation of the new ideology. We had tried to expose the gradual way in which the communist system tried to impose the calendar that marked "the new era": we could distinguish the means used by the regime to manipulate the opinions and behavior of people regarding Religious holidays. These techniques of modeling the mentality of people are found abundantly in all the documents of that time. The effort to supplant the religious of daily life is also exerted on the celebration of festivals and calendar rites. The most followed restrictions are applied to Christic feasts (especially Christmas and Easter), while other festivals related to the commemoration of saints are recovered by the socialist ritual system. These are saints that the oral tradition has dedicated as patrons of economic activities (livestock, viticulture, beekeeping), a resource exploited by both the regime and the ordinary social actors. The Christian holiday becomes a folkloric entertainment.

Influence of Strong Seismic Motions of the 1977 Earthquake on Specific Building Type

This paper presents the dynamic investigations on the response of an important building from Craiova, Romania, the building housing the Faculty of Electrical Engineering affected by the major seismic motion from March 1977. Dynamic experimental/instrumental investigations of the technical condition of the structural components of the building were mainly focused on technical expertise of the current technical condition of the building resistance structure. The processing of the data obtained through this investigation gave important conclusions about the influence of the major seismic ground motions on a specific type of structure. The final findings and conclusions contributed to elucidate the building behavior (including bearing capacity) during intensive seismic ground motions and the completion of solutions for the building rehabilitation that were to be made. This research paper work is the result of documentary studies evidenced by theoretical and experimental research conducted by the author in order to achieve the objective and aimed at bringing their contributions to the seismic assessment of Craiova City for buildings made by reinforce concrete with P+8 height regime. As a result of the dynamic investigations the quantified level of the seismic performance was determined for this building. All these investigations, in conjunction with specific seismicity characterization of the site, gave specific decisions for intervention on structural and nonstructural components of the building.

Correlations between Traffic Noise and Accommodation Units Location in Craiova (Romania)

On the background of regional development, during the last decade, the number of the accommodation units, especially hotels, increased significantly. Thus, if in 2001 there were 8 accommodation units, in 2014, the number of registered units reached 35 out of which 18 were hotels, 9 guesthouses, 4 hostels and 2 motels and 2 tourist villas. Besides the business tourism, Craiova city has the possibility to increase the number of tourists, their trend, already increasing, is evidenced by the 63,144 tourists registered in 2014, as compared to 41,081 persons registered at the beginning of the above mentioned period. On this background, noise is an important degradation factor of the urban environment, a major problem that impacts the quality of life and one of the most important causes of the fundamental contradiction between urban tourism and environmental quality. This study analyses the present situation regarding the location of the accommodation units from the point of view of the noise comfort and accessibility. The study correlates the existing noise map of Craiova with the measurements (Sound Level Meter NL-31) performed for the main accommodation units existent, recordings on the basis of which the units will be granted a grade value according to the noise level, accessibility and related improvements. Emphasis is placed on conducting accurate measurements and computer simulations in order to evaluate the noise exposure levels for the accommodation units in Craiova. Furthermore the study attempts to understand the prioritization made by the urban tourists when considering environmental sound quality versus distance from the main city attractions. The study reveals that the average noise level surpassed 50dB in the case of all accommodation units (and even 55dB, with a single exception), irrespective of the measurement interval, transcending the limits stipulated by the present policy.

Public Transport Traffic Management Systems Simulation in Craiova City

Urban transport is a comprehensive and dynamic mechanism. Therefore, all the problems for improving and reorganization of the system can be examined only in the light of a systemic approach. Currently, public passenger transport is one of the most important branches of the urban development in cities and metropolis. Public passenger transport activity and all the steps taken to improve that activity are considered to be of great social importance. In the current stage of city development, one of the main tasks is to create a public passenger transportation system that is safe, affordable, economical, reliable and environmentally friendly. The important role of passenger transport in the city's economy and achieving important social services to the population, dictates the need to introduce measures in the system that are harmonious, balanced and effective. This can only be done, in the context of current development, only after the system as a whole is tested extensively through special traffic and management software.