Dissemination Area Research Articles

Rurality, Socioeconomic Status, and Residence in Environmental Risk Areas Associated with Increased Lyme Disease Incidence in Ontario, Canada: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Lyme disease (LD) is the most common tick-borne illness in North America. LD is acquired through exposure to the tick vector, Ixodes scapularis, known as the blacklegged tick. In Canada, LD is rapidly emerging, with the establishment of I. scapularis in many newly endemic regions posing a growing risk to local communities. In the Canadian context, many environmental and socioeconomic risk factors for human LD infection are yet to be ascertained and the degree of risk associated with residential and community exposure to ticks is not well known. Methods: We conducted a matched case-control study in southeastern Ontario, using LD patient data from provincial laboratory databases and uninfected population controls from 2014 to 2018. We aimed to identify area-level risk factors for LD and associations with residence in environmental risk areas, defined as areas with high model-predicted probability of I. scapularis occurrence, using the neighborhood dissemination area as the unit of analysis. Results: Using multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis, we identified that patients with LD had higher odds (odds ratio, OR; 95% confidence interval, CI) of living in neighborhoods with high probability of tick occurrence in the environment (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 2.0-2.5), low walkability (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1), low material deprivation (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.7), and low ethnic concentration (OR = 8.1; 95% CI: 6.7-9.9). We also found that the odds of LD infection for individuals residing in environmental risk areas was highest for those living in public health units (PHUs) with <250,000 population (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 2.4-3.9) compared to those living in PHUs with >1,000,000 population (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.1). Conclusion: This study shows that odds of human LD infection in Ontario, Canada is higher in less urbanized areas with higher socioeconomic status and indicates that exposure to ticks around the home residence or neighborhood is linked to increased odds of LD.

Spatial allocation of LID practices with a water footprint approach

Urban water problems due to stormwater have been aggravated by the higher frequency of high-intensity precipitation events and the increase of paved surfaces. However, with appropriate stormwater management practices, such as low-impact development (LID), stormwater can provide an additional urban water resources rather than cause damage. This study aims to apply a water footprint to location determination of LID practices in the urban area. The LID planning procedure was demonstrated with the highest population density region in Taipei, Taiwan. In order to improve the spatial resolution of LID allocation, the “first-level dissemination area” with 450 residents was used as a spatial unit. The performance of LID practices was then evaluated with the simulation using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Three LID practices, rainwater harvesting systems, permeable pavements, and bioretention systems, were selected. After the water footprint accounting, ten sites were suggested for LID implementation. The runoff reduction rate reached up to 65 % by rainwater harvesting systems or at least 3 % by permeable pavements. This study provides a simpler and more effective approach to ways of integrating an urban water footprint into LID planning and stormwater management in urban areas.

An Offenders-Offenses Shared Component Spatial Model for Identifying Shared and Specific Hotspots of Offenders and Offenses: A Case Study of Juvenile Delinquents and Violent Crimes in the Greater Toronto Area

ObjectivesWe attempted to apply the Bayesian shared component spatial modeling (SCSM) for the identification of hotspots from two (offenders and offenses) instead of one (offenders or offenses) variables and developed three risk surfaces for (1) common or shared by both offenders and offenses; (2) specific to offenders, and (3) specific to offenses.MethodsWe applied SCSM to examine the joint spatial distributions of juvenile delinquents (offenders) and violent crime (offenses) in the York Region of the Greater Toronto Area at the dissemination area level. The spatial autocorrelation, overdispersion, and latent covariates were adjusted by spatially structured and unstructured random effect terms in the model. We mapped the posterior means of the estimated shared and specific risks for identifying the three risk surfaces and types of hotspots.ResultsResults suggest that about 50% and 25% of the relative risks of juvenile delinquents and violent crimes, respectively, could be explained by the shared component of offenders and offenses. The spatially structured terms attributed to 48% and 24% of total variations of the delinquents and violent crimes, respectively. Contrastingly, the unstructured random covariates influenced 3% of total variations of the juvenile delinquents and 51% for violent crimes.ConclusionsThe Bayesian SCSM presented in this study identifies shared and specific hotspots of juvenile delinquents and violent crime. The method can be applied to other kinds of offenders and offenses and provide new insights into the clusters of high risks that are due to both offenders and offenses or due to offenders or offenses only.

88 Association between area level material deprivation and incidence of hospitalization among children with SARS-CoV-2 in Montreal

Abstract Background Although sociodemographic factors have been linked with SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalizations in adults, there are little data on the association between sociodemographic characteristics and SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization in children. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the association between area-level material deprivation and incidence of hospitalization with SARS-CoV-2 among children. Design/Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all children (0-17 years of age) with a PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021, at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Data were collected through chart review and included age, sex, and postal code. Postal codes were then assigned a dissemination area-level material deprivation score, measured via the Pampalon Material Deprivation Index (PMDI) quintiles. The Pampalon Material Deprivation Index (PMDI) uses postal codes to describe factors related to material deprivation obtained from the Canadian census, which are proxies for individual data in a geographic area. Specifically, the PMDI integrates data regarding (i) the proportion of persons without a high school diploma; (ii) the employment-to-population ratio; (iii) average personal income which is aggregated at the dissemination area level. We examined the association between PMDI quintiles and hospitalization using Poisson regression. Results During the study period, 964 children had a positive PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 test and 124 were hospitalized due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Children from the most deprived PMDI quintile represented 31.6% of positive cases and 40.7% of hospitalizations (Figure 1 and 2). Both in bivariate and multivariable regression analyses, there was evidence of greater proportion of positive test results in the most deprived PMDI quintile (Quintile 5) compared to the least deprived quintile (Quintile 1) (rate ratio 1.77, 95%CI: 1.36; 2.62) (Table 1). The incidence of hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection was 2.42 times greater in the most deprived quintile compared to the least deprived quintile (95%CI: 1.33; 4.41) (table 1). In a post-hoc analysis, the risk for severe disease appeared higher for children living in Q5 areas relative to other areas but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion In conclusion, in this study we found evidence that Canadian children living in neighbourhoods with high material deprivation had a higher incidence of infection and hospitalizations related to SARS-Cov-2 compared to children living in neighbourhoods with less material deprivation. Public health authorities should take these disparities into account when devising public health policy and interventions especially at this crucial point in the pandemic. Special efforts should be deployed to protect children from these more disadvantaged areas, especially as vaccination is not yet available to a majority of children.

The Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety metrics (Can-BICS): National measures of the bicycling environment for use in research and policy.

The lack of consistent measures of the cycling environment across communities hampers cycling research and policy action. Our goal was to develop the first national dataset in Canada for metrics of the cycling environment at the dissemination area (DA) level - the Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety (Can-BICS) metrics. The Can-BICS metrics are area-level metrics based on the quantity of cycling infrastructure within a 1 km buffer of the population-weighted centroid of DAs. The base data are a national cycling network dataset derived from OpenStreetMap (OSM) (extracted January 25, 2022) and classified by high-, medium- and low-comfort facilities. A Can-BICS continuous metric (sum of cycling infrastructure per square kilometre weighted by comfort class) and Can-BICS categorical metric were derived and mapped for all 56,589 DAs in Canada. The Can-BICS metrics were correlated with other national datasets (2016 Canadian Active Living Environments [Can-ALE] and 2016 Census journey-to-work data) to test for associations between Can-BICS and related measures. Additionally, city staff were engaged to provide feedback on metrics during the development phase. One-third (34%) of neighbourhoods in Canada have no cycling infrastructure. According to the categorical measure, 5% of all DAs were assigned as the highest category of Can-BICS (corresponding to 6% of the population) and were nearly all within metro areas. The Can-BICS continuous metric had low correlation with bike-to-work rates (R = 0.29) and was more strongly correlated with sustainable-transportation-to-work rates (R = 0.56) and the Can-ALE metrics (R=0.62). These correlations were variable across cities. The Can-BICS metrics provide national research- and practice-ready measures of cycling infrastructure. The metrics complement existing measures of walking and transit environments (Can-ALE), collectively providing a cohesive set of active living measures. The datasets and code are publicly available, facilitating updates as new infrastructure is built.

Participation Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Participation in life situations is a critical aspect of health recognized by the World Health Organization. Guidelines to prevent spreading of COVID-19 place older adults at risk of worsening participation. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with participation during the COVID-19 pandemic among community-dwelling older adults living in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Participants were recruited from identified census dissemination areas in Hamilton. Participants completed surveys either by phone or online during the months of May to August 2020. Measures were organized into factors related to body functions and structures, activities, participation, as well as personal and environmental contextual factors using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with participation as measured by the Late-Life Disability Instrument's (LLDI) frequency and limitations scales. A total of 272 older adults completed the survey (78 [7.3] years; 70% female). Use of a walking aid, driving status, perceived mental health status, nutrition risk, and physical function explained 48.2% of the variance observed in the LLDI-frequency scale scores. Use of a walking aid, driving status, perceived mental health status, receiving health assistance, and physical function explained 38.5% of the variance observed in the LLDI-limitation scale scores. Results highlighted factors across multiple ICF domains that are associated with participation restriction among a sample of community-dwelling older adults during the pandemic. Participation during the pandemic was greatest in those that were able to walk without needing to use a walking aid, being a licensed and current driver, perceiving good to excellent mental health, and having greater physical function. Our findings contribute to the literature on older adult participation during lockdowns, restrictions, pandemics, and/or other similar circumstances.

Exploring the associations between cooling centre accessibility and marginalization in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada

Cooling centres provide respite, safety, and social support during extreme heat events for populations that do not have the resources to own or operate in‐home air conditioning. The objective of this study was to measure the spatial accessibility of cooling centres and analyze the associations between cooling centre access and marginalization in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada. The potential spatial accessibility of cooling centres within a 15‐minute walk was measured at the dissemination area scale using the two‐step floating catchment area method. A two‐stage modelling approach was used to analyze the associations between cooling centre access and marginalization. Approximately 62%, 58%, and 54% of the populations in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver had access to at least one cooling centre. In Montreal and Vancouver, high marginalization areas were more likely to have cooling centre access than low marginalization areas. Of the areas with cooling centre access, smaller access scores were observed in areas with high residential instability. Approximately one‐fifth of the areas in each city had no cooling centre access and high marginalization, and may be considered for future cooling centres or programs that improve accessibility to existing centres.

Geographies of grocery shopping in major Canadian cities: Evidence from large-scale mobile app data

Socioeconomic and place-based factors contribute to grocery shopping patterns which may be important for diet and health. Big data provide the opportunity to explore behaviours at the population level. We used data collected from Flipp, a free all-in-one savings and deals content app, to identify visitation to grocery stores and estimate home-to-store distances, monthly frequencies and number of unique stores visited in eight Canadian cities during 2020. Grocery shopping outcomes and associations with income, population density and percentage of car commuters were explored using data aggregated at the Aggregate Dissemination Area level in which app users lived. Changes in patterns of grocery shopping following restrictions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were also investigated. The median of average home-to-store distances ranged from 4 to 5 km across all cities throughout 2020. Shorter distances for grocery shopping were shown consistently for shoppers living in lower income, densely populated and low car-commuting ADAs. A maximum of three unique supermarkets were visited on average each month. Decreases in the frequency and variability of grocery store visits were shown across all cities in April 2020 following the implementation of restrictions in response to COVID-19, and pre-pandemic levels of shopping were rarely achieved by the end of the year. Ultimately, these results provide much needed information regarding the characteristics of grocery shopping trips in a high-income country, as well as how food shopping was impacted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This information will be useful for a range of future studies seeking to characterise access to food retail.

Effect of Mechanical Grinding on the Physicochemical, Structural, and Functional Properties of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv) Bran Powder.

This study investigated the functional, physicochemical, and structural characteristics of foxtail millet bran powder with different particle sizes. The morphological analysis revealed that the surface roughness declined in conjunction with the particle sizes of the millet bran powder. The Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed that none of the samples generated any additional chemical functional groups. A decrease in the particle sizes of the millet bran powder increased their dissemination and surface areas, as well as the bulk density, tap density, water-holding capacity (WHC), angle of repose (θ) and angle of slide (α), and peak temperature, while the oil holding capacity (OHC) and crystallinity index (CI) value declined. Moreover, fine millet bran powder (54.7 μm) exhibited a higher protein, fat, soluble dietary fiber (SDF), total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity than its coarse counterpart.

Associations of Congenital Heart Disease with Deprivation Index by Rural-Urban Maternal Residence: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study in Ontario, Canada.

BackgroundThe risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) has been found to vary by maternal socioeconomic status (SES) and rural-urban residence. In this study, we examined associations of CHD with two maternal SES indicators and maternal rural-urban residence. ApproachThis was a population-based retrospective cohort study, including singleton stillbirths and live hospital births from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2018 in Ontario, Canada. We linked the BORN data and Canadian Institute for Health Information databases. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations of CHD with material deprivation index (MDI), social deprivation index (SDI), and maternal residence while adjusting for maternal age at birth, parity, assisted reproductive technology, obesity, previous caesarean section, pre-existing health conditions, substance use during pregnancy, and infant’s sex. MDI and SDI were estimated at a dissemination area level and categorized into quintiles (Q1-Q5). ResultsThis cohort included 798,173 singletons. In maternal urban residence, the p trend (Cochran–Armitage test) was &lt; 0.0001 for both MDI and SDI; while for rural residence, it was 0.002 and 0.98, respectively. Infants living in the most materially deprived neighbourhoods (Q5) was associated with higher odd of CHD (aOR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.12-1.29) compared to Q1. Similarly, infants living in the most socially deprived neighbourhoods (SDI Q5) had 18% increase in the odds of CHD (aOR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.1-1.26) compared to Q1. Rural infants had 13% increase in the odds of CHD compared to their urban counterparts. After stratifying by maternal rural-urban residence, we still detected higher odds of CHD with two indices in urban residence but only MDI in rural residence. ConclusionHigher material and social deprivation and rural residence were associated with higher odds of CHD. Health interventions and policies should reinforce the need for optimal care for all families, particularly underprivileged families in both rural and urban regions.

Associations of congenital heart disease with deprivation index by rural-urban maternal residence: a population-based retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada

BackgroundThe risk of congenital heart disease (CHD) has been found to vary by maternal socioeconomic status (SES) and rural-urban residence. In this study, we examined associations of CHD with two maternal SES indicators and stratified the analysis by maternal rural-urban residence.MethodsThis was a population-based retrospective cohort study. We included all singleton stillbirths and live hospital births from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2018 in Ontario, Canada. We linked the BORN Information System and Canadian Institute for Health Information databases. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations of CHD with material deprivation index (MDI), social deprivation index (SDI), and maternal residence while adjusting for maternal age at birth, assisted reproductive technology, obesity, pre-pregnancy maternal health conditions, mental health illness before and during pregnancy, substance use during pregnancy, and infant’s sex. MDI and SDI were estimated at a dissemination area level in Ontario and were categorized into quintiles (Q1-Q5).ResultsThis cohort study included 798,173 singletons. In maternal urban residence, the p trend (Cochran–Armitage test) was less than 0.0001 for both MDI and SDI; while for rural residence, it was 0.002 and 0.98, respectively. Infants living in the most materially deprived neighbourhoods (MDI Q5) had higher odds of CHD (aOR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.12–1.29) compared to Q1. Similarly, infants living in the most socially deprived neighbourhoods (SDI Q5) had an 18% increase in the odds of CHD (aOR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.1–1.26) compared to Q1. Rural infants had a 13% increase in the odds of CHD compared to their urban counterparts. After stratifying by maternal rural-urban residence, we still detected higher odds of CHD with two indices in urban residence but only MDI in rural residence.ConclusionHigher material and social deprivation and rural residence were associated with higher odds of CHD. Health interventions and policies should reinforce the need for optimal care for all families, particularly underprivileged families in both rural and urban regions. Future studies should further investigate the effect of social deprivation on the risk of CHD development.

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Socioeconomic Status in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada.

Previous studies have identified an association between obesity and socioeconomic variables such as poverty, minority status, and a low level of education. Because obesity is a major risk factor for the development of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), this study aims to identify and assess relationships between socioeconomic and geographic variables in patients with IIH in Canada. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify female patients with IIH presenting to 2 neuro-ophthalmology clinics in Toronto between 2014 and 2022. Consecutive female patients younger than 50 years who did not have IIH were identified as controls. Patient age, body mass index (BMI), and postal code were obtained from electronic medical records. Patient postal codes were then converted to geographic dissemination areas based on the 2016 Canadian census, and data on socioeconomic outcomes were collected from Statistics Canada. Three hundred twenty-two female patients with IIH (mean age: 32.3 ± 10) and 400 female controls (mean age: 33.9 ± 9) were included. The mean BMI was 35.0 ± 8 for patients with IIH and 26.7 ± 7 for control patients ( P < 0.00001). There was a significant difference between dissemination areas resided by patients with IIH and control patients for median income ($34640 vs $36685 CAD, P = 0.02) and rate of postsecondary degree attainment (57.7% vs 60.5%, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the percentage of visible minorities, percentage of immigrants, knowledge of official languages, percentage of married individuals, average household size, or unemployment rate. There was a weak but significant inverse relationship between the rate of postsecondary degree attainment in dissemination areas resided by patients with IIH and their BMI ( P = 0.01, R 2 = 0.02). Patients with IIH reside in geographic areas with lower average levels of income and education than control patients. Patients with lower levels of education may be at higher risk of elevated BMI and therefore disease incidence and progression.

A Biomimetic High Throughput Model of Cancer Cell Spheroid Dissemination onto Aligned Fibrillar Collagen.

Cell dissemination during tumor development is a characteristic of cancer metastasis. Dissemination from three-dimensional spheroid models on extracellular matrices designed to mimic tissue-specific physiological microenvironments may allow us to better elucidate the mechanism behind cancer metastasis and the response to therapeutic agents. The orientation of fibrillar collagen plays a key role in cellular processes and mediates metastasis through contact-guidance. Understanding how cells migrate on aligned collagen fibrils requires in vitro assays with reproducible and standardized orientation of collagen fibrils on the macro-to-nanoscale. Herein, we implement a spheroid-based migration assay, integrated with a fibrillar type I collagen matrix, in a manner compatible with high throughput image acquisition and quantitative analysis. The migration of highly proliferating U2OS osteosarcoma cell spheroids onto an aligned fibrillar type I collagen matrix was quantified. Cell dissemination from the spheroid was polarized with increased invasion in the direction of fibril alignment. The resulting area of cell dissemination had an aspect ratio of 1.2 ± 0.1 and an angle of maximum invasion distance of 5° ± 44° relative to the direction of collagen fibril alignment. The assay described here can be applied to a fully automated imaging and analysis pipeline for the assessment of tumor cell migration with high throughput screening.

Potential impacts of the invasive Agrilus planipennis on various demographics in Winnipeg, Canada

The hardiness of Fraxinus spp. (ash) makes them a common municipal tree in adverse growing conditions. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, the impacts of Dutch elm disease resulted in increased reliance on Fraxinus, resulting in a monoculture of Fraxinus across the city. Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) poses substantial risk to Winnipeg's urban forest, forecasted to result in the total loss of Fraxinus in Winnipeg. With a lens of distributional equity, this study examines associations between Fraxinus abundance and distribution and human population demographics at the Dissemination Area and Census Tract levels. There are positive correlations with Fraxinus abundance and distribution and median household income and proportion of the population that self-identifies as a visible minority. Population density was positively associated with Fraxinus abundance and distribution at the Census Tract level. These results underscore the importance of assessing the distribution of vulnerable trees as a component of green equity. Using information on urban forest management in response to EAB, potential issues and possible opportunities are discussed.

Using combined Global Position System and accelerometer data points to examine how built environments and gentrification are associated with physical activity in four Canadian cities

BackgroundBuilt and social environments are associated with physical activity. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and accelerometer data can capture how people move through their environments and provide promising tools to better understand associations between environmental characteristics and physical activity. The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between GPS-derived exposure to built environment and gentrification characteristics and accelerometer-measured physical activity in a sample of adults across four cities.MethodsWe used wave 1 data from the Interventions, Research, and Action in Cities Team, a cohort of adults living in the Canadian cities of Victoria, Vancouver, Saskatoon, and Montreal. A subsample of participants wore a SenseDoc device for 10 days during May 2017–January 2019 to record GPS and accelerometry data. Two physical activity outcomes were derived from SenseDoc data: time spent in light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity; and time spent in moderate or vigorous physical activity. Using corresponding GPS coordinates, we summarized physical activity outcomes by dissemination area—a Canadian census geography that represents areas where 400 to 700 people live- and joined to built (active living space, proximity to amenities, and urban compactness) and gentrification measures. We examined the associations between environmental measures and physical activity outcomes using multi-level negative binomial regression models that were stratified by city and adjusted for covariates (weekday/weekend), home dissemination area, precipitation, temperature) and participant-level characteristics obtained from a survey (age, gender, income, race).ResultsWe found that adults spent more time being physically active near their homes, and in environments that were more walkable and near parks and less time in urban compact areas, regardless of where participants lived. Our analysis also highlighted how proximity to different amenities was linked to physical activity across different cities.ConclusionsOur study provides insights into how built environment and gentrification characteristics are associated with the amount of time adults spend being physically active in four Canadian cities. These findings enhance our understanding of the influence that environments have on physical activity over time and space, and can support policies to increase physical activity.

Chromian Spinels from Kazanian-Stage Placers in the Southern Pre-Urals, Bashkiria, Russia: Morphological and Chemical Features and Evidence for Provenance

Six minor alluvial chromite placers (Kolkhoznyi Prud, Verkhne-Yaushevo, Sukhoy Izyak, Bazilevo, Novomikhaylovka, Kiryushkino) and one major littoral placer (Sabantuy) were found in sandy sediments of the Kazanian stage of the Permian System (Late Roadian and Wordian Stages) in the Southern Pre-Urals. It is shown that the morphological features of chromian spinels are diverse, which is not evidence of the heterogeneity of the source. The bulk chemical composition of chromian spinels from all placers is similar and generally correlates with compositions of chromian spinels from the Kraka ophiolitic complex in the Southern Urals. The morphological diversity of grains, varied chemical composition and presence of melt inclusions in Ti-high octahedral grains of chromian spinels comply with the ophiolitic nature of the source. Thus, there is no need to refer to other sources for chromite ores but ophiolitic. The new placers expand the dissemination area of chromite-bearing deposits on the east edge of the East-European Platform and offer a prospect to discover new placers.

The Effects of Climate Change on Habitat Connectivity: A Case Study of the Brown-Eared Pheasant in China

Climate change has caused habitat fragmentation and reduced connectivity. The Fen River Basin in Shanxi Province, China is an important habitat for the central population of the brown-eared pheasant (BEP). The effects of climate change need to be considered in the conservation planning of BEP habitats. We used a species dispersion model to determine the BEP core habitat and graph theory to explore the connectivity of the BEP’s main habitats. The pinch point areas of BEP dissemination were determined by circuit theory. Least-cost pathways were used to identify the critical corridors for BEP dissemination. A gap analysis was conducted to estimate the efficiency of BEP conservation measures. Under the future climate scenarios, BEP habitats decreased by between 54.69% and 97.63%, and the connectivity of the main habitats was reduced by a similar magnitude. The BEP core habitat shifted to the southwestern region under the influence of climatic conditions. Currently, 90.84% of the species’ critical habitat remains unprotected. Due to climate change, the core habitat in the future was projected to differ from the current protected area. Enhancing the protection of the pinch point region may aid in the restoration of habitat connectivity.

Greening the alleys: Socio-spatial distribution and characteristics of green alleys in Montréal

Green alley programs, increasingly promoted by cities in North America, generally aim at transforming alleys into green infrastructure, ensuring ecosystem services, enhancing road safety and allowing appropriation by local residents. Yet, there is a dearth of fine-grained research on locational patterns and characteristics of green alleys. We seek to assess the outcomes of a green alley program in the City of Montréal (Canada), by examining the socio-spatial distribution of green alleys, their most common features, and their scores (measured by summing the number of features). We used the 2016 census data at the dissemination area level and evaluated 341 green alleys (summer 2020) by a grid composed of 45 items. Green alleys in Montréal are more present in areas with middle to high density, middle income, more younger people, and lower percentages of couples with children. They are less present in areas with more recent immigrants and visible minorities. The most common features are related to greening and road safety, while water management was the least common even if it was the most important from a program standpoint. After controlling for alleys’ morphology, the score of green alleys was significantly higher in alleys receiving a second phase of improvement. Private parking in backyards also strongly dictates the score of green alleys. Finally, boroughs are significant in explaining the distribution and score of green alleys, pointing to variations in coordination within the City’s program. Our results help identify strategies to plan and design green infrastructure in an equitable and sustainable way.

A Multi-Scale Suitability Analysis of Home-Improvement Retail-Store Site Selection for Ontario, Canada

A multi-scale suitability analysis using big data (4.7 million suitability scores) is presented across a large spatial extent (1.076 million km2) to identify potential locations for new home-improvement retail stores. Suitability scores were generated for individual property parcels using criteria weights derived from surveyed retail-industry experts. To increase capacity for site selection, distributions of suitability scores were generated at census dissemination areas (populations 500-700; n = 19,963) and census metropolitan and agglomeration areas (core populations &gt;10,000; n = 43). Analogues among metropolitan and agglomeration areas were generated and spatial clustering was used to identify groups of highly-suitable parcels within urban areas. Lastly, individual parcels can be interrogated for overall suitability or individual criteria scores. Our approach combines retail methods typically used in isolation (e.g. location quotient, Huff’s model, network analysis) and demonstrates how a simple survey can be used to weight criteria. Results show that survey respondents were in general agreement and that top-line revenues were more critical to perceived location success than development and operational costs. Analysis of suitability scores found analogues and clusters of census metropolitan areas that coincide with store sales as well as clusters of highly suitable parcels predominantly located around major highways. In addition to identifying challenges and solutions to the presented research, we also describe future research directions that extend the presented static analysis to include processes like store closure and openings, competition, and land use change through the use of agent-based modelling.

Variations in the Concentration of Air Pollutants due to the COVID-19 Lockdown in Istanbul, Turkey

Countries have implemented partial or full quarantine practices to reduce the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely affects the whole world and controls the increase in the number of cases and deaths. Studies have observed improvements in air pollution due to the reduction in emissions from traffic and industrial processes during lockdown periods. In this study, the effects of quarantine activities on air quality in the pre-COVID-19 period and during the COVID-19 pandemic, both in 2020 and 2021, were examined through the data obtained from the air quality monitoring stations located in the three districts with the highest traffic density in Istanbul, the most populated city of Turkey. &#x0D; &#x0D; Based on the findings obtained from the study, it can be concluded that lockdown applications contributed to the reduction of air pollution in the examined regions. In addition, another finding is that there is a positive correlation between air quality parameters. It is expected that the results of the study will lead the decision-makers in the areas of dissemination of renewable energy systems instead of energy generation from coal-fired power plants and the widespread use of electric vehicles instead of diesel-fueled vehicles, for many countries that have committed to net-zero carbon emissions within the scope of the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal.