Urban Environment Research Articles

Creating and sustaining urban green spaces in Africa under phenomenal urbanisation: residents’ perspectives on home gardens in Wa, Ghana

Attaining the goals of the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which aims for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities, necessitates accelerated efforts to green urban environments. While keeping home gardens is not new, it offers a unique potential as a deliberate strategy for urban greening in Africa. However, Ghana has limited empirical evidence regarding the motivations, challenges, and constraints of keeping domestic gardens, which is essential for informing urban greenery policy. This study addresses this knowledge gap by employing the self-determination theory and conducting an exploratory cross-sectional survey with 285 structured questionnaires administered to residents in seven rapidly growing neighbourhoods in Wa, Ghana. The results reveal that 56% of respondents had gardens within their properties, with beautification (56.1%) and food production (52.3%) being the primary motivations. Vegetables (46.7%) and trees (30.2%) were the most commonly cultivated plants. Conversely, limited space (49%) and busy schedules (34%) were identified as the main barriers to home gardening. The findings indicate that the motivation for owning gardens aligns with the autonomy need of the self-determination theory. In contrast, the relationship need, which correlates with environmental motivations, was notably low among residents. The study recommends that local authorities, civil society organisations, and neighbourhood planning committees implement aggressive sensitisation and education campaigns to promote the environmental benefits of domestic gardening.

The Impact of Virtual Immersive Public Art on the Restorative Experience of Urban Residents

This study explores the role of virtual immersive public art in improving the psychological well-being of urban residents. The research is set in the context of urban environments, where virtual immersive public art has the potential to foster innovation, integrate technology, and organically blend into public spaces. The study evaluates the impact of such art on psychological restoration by focusing on three key dimensions: interactive themes, interactive mechanisms, and artistic characteristics. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect participants’ real-life experiences and reactions to these art installations. The results show that virtual immersive public art significantly contributes to the restorative experience of urban residents, offering valuable insights into how these installations can promote mental health. Based on the findings, the study provides practical design recommendations for incorporating virtual immersive public art into future urban planning and design projects to enhance urban living conditions and support psychological recovery.

Key Factors in the Design of Urban Underground Metro Lines

Designing sustainable underground metro lines in dense urban environments is a highly challenging task that requires the collaboration of numerous stakeholders and consultants to make crucial decisions influenced by several factors. While it is impossible to address every issue influencing the decision-making process, identifying key factors and their interdependencies is essential for optimal design. This study focuses on six critical aspects of the reference design of metro systems: (1) track alignment, (2) tunneling strategy, (3) station typology, (4) operations and maintenance, (5) procurement strategy, and (6) environmental aspects. Amongst these aspects, we identify track alignment as the primary driving factor that influences the other factors. We analyze the decision between shallow and deep alignments as an engineering choice that necessitates balancing conflicting factors and constraints. Our contribution lies in mapping these factors and their dependencies, thus offering policymakers, project managers, and designers a framework to navigate the design process. Our discussion also provides guidance to public agencies in tendering for design teams more efficiently. Drawing from lessons learned by experienced design managers, this study aims to fill the gap in the literature by offering a generalist perspective on metro design.

Assessing energy consumption in scalable semi-autonomous destination-based E-platoons: A multiplayer approach

Recent developments in connected and automated vehicle technologies have opened up new possibilities but also posed enduring challenges. One of the primary challenges is the efficient coordination of vehicles in urban environments, specifically through scalable and destination-based platooning. While considerable research has focused on platooning with a limited number of vehicles demonstrating seamless connectivity and coordination on highways, there remains a significant gap in understanding and implementing scalable platoons in more dynamic urban settings. This paper bridges these gaps by developing a novel extension to the 3DCoAutosim simulation platform. Our model introduces ’Scalable Semi-autonomous Destination-based Multiplayer E-Platoons’, accommodating different automation levels and simulation characteristics of vehicles in five distinct platoons. We employed seven electric vehicles to create these platoons, each consisting of an autonomous lead vehicle, followers that are either autonomous or semi-autonomous (accompanied by drivers), customised according to the specific requirements of each platoon. Utilising Time Series Analysis, Multiple Linear Regression and a comprehensive, comparative scenario-based analysis, we assessed and validated our developed model’s impact on battery energy consumption under varying road slopes and car-following models. Our assessment employs real-world trip data from Upper Austria, with results indicating a potential reduction in total battery energy consumption when operating in platoon mode.

Kajian Manfaat Taman Bagi Kesehatan Mental Masyarakat di Kota Sukabumi Selama Pandemi COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased mental health problems in Sukabumi City. Urban parks can integrate environment, society, and health in urban environments by promoting an ecological approach based on contact with nature. This study aims to analyze the effect of performing activities for at least 20 minutes in Taman Alun-alun and Taman Lapang Merdeka on mental health visitors with a sample of 30 people in each park selected through purposive sampling. The data collection method used was experimental, with the One Group Pretest-Posttest research design through The Mental Health Inventory (MHI-38) questionnaire, which had been tested for validity and reliability. The data analysis method used is the Paired Samples T-test with SPSS 22. The results show that performing activities in a city park for at least 20 minutes can improve the mental health of visitors aged 18-25 years during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the highest increase in the average mental health score in Taman Lapang Merdeka because it provides facilities for physical and non-physical activities.

Soundscapes in Urban Green Spaces of a Megacity Across an Urban–Rural Gradient: A Case Study of Shanghai

Urban soundscapes are valuable indicators of urban biodiversity and ecosystem health. This study investigated the spatial and temporal characteristics of soundscapes in megacity green spaces and their relationship with the urban environment. An acoustic index was formulated and calculated using long-term data from Shanghai’s urban green spaces. The results show a significant increase in the acoustic index during spring and summer, peaking during these periods, while a decrease was observed from December to February, dominated by abiotic sounds. Diurnal variations indicate a rapid increase in the acoustic index at sunrise, reflecting heightened avian activity during the dawn chorus. Human interference in the urban center limited acoustic activity, whereas the outer suburbs, with their more natural environments, supported greater acoustic richness.

Centrifuge tests on the consolidation behaviour of foundations under alternating loads

This paper presents the results from centrifuge tests on raft foundations and piled rafts in overconsolidated kaolin clay carried out in a beam centrifuge at the University of Pretoria. The foundations were subjected to unloading and reloading phases as well as to multiple consecutive groundwater drawdowns, simulating typical loading scenarios of structures in an urban environment. In order to investigate the time-dependent load-deformation behaviour of foundations, the settlement of the foundations, the pore water pressures at different depths and the axial strains in the piles, from which pile resistances were then derived, were measured continuously. In the tests, repeated groundwater drawdowns resulted in a settlement accumulation, with the increase in settlements decreasing with each repetition. The pile position within the pile group was found to have a major impact on the mobilised pile resistance. The position, however, became less significant as the load level increased. Furthermore, insights were gained concerning the load distribution within piled rafts during consolidation.

An analysis of the effects of different urban park space environment construction on national health

An analysis of the effects of different urban park space environment construction on national health

A comparative study of the effects of urban morphology on land surface temperature in Chengdu and Chongqing, China

Urbanization combined with global climate change, exacerbates the urban thermal environment and hinders sustainable urban development. However, the complex relationships between land surface temperature (LST) and urban morphology are being further understood, particularly in relation to different urban development patterns, distinct topography, and 3D building morphology. Thus, this study conducted a comparative study in Chengdu and Chongqing, Southwest China. We explored the impact of comprehensive factors (including socio-economic factos, topography, land use composition, and building morphology) on LST by employing the methods of linear regression, geographical detector model, and the boosted regression trees. Our results suggest that (1) high LST was mainly observed in the central part of Chengdu but it presented multicenter aggregation trend in Chongqing; (2) Socio-economic factors were the dominant variables affecting LST in both cities; (3) land use composition and building morphology showed distinct contributions to LST among the two cities; and (4) 3D building management was more effective in Chengdu than in Chongqing. A better understanding of the impact of various influencing factors on LST will enable policy makers and planners to develop appropriate strategies for constructing climate-adaptive cities and mitigating urban heat.

Age-Friendly Street Construction: The Synergy of the Physical Environment in Old Urban Communities in Suzhou

Community streets play a crucial role in promoting healthy aging and encouraging active behaviors among older adults. This study focuses on two types of activities of older adults: walking and social interaction. We explored the relationship between physical environmental factors and different activity types using a multiple linear regression model. Eye-level green visibility (GSVN) was used to represent the diversity of facilities (DFN), while betweenness (ABN) accounted for the mixed degree of functions (PNi), enhancing model stability. The results indicate that community environmental factors, both individually (R2 = 0.390) and in combination (R2 = 0.409), have significant effects on active behaviors. Notably, the combined variable model demonstrated greater stability. Moreover, the model’s explanatory power for social interaction (R2 = 0.567) was much higher than for walking behavior (R2= 0.137), underscoring the stronger influence of combined variables on social engagement. The results suggest that creating age-friendly urban environments requires a holistic approach that improves infrastructure, green visibility, and functional diversity to promote both mobility and social interaction. These insights provide valuable guidance for designing inclusive urban spaces that support active aging.

Variation in species-specific responses to habitat fragmentation and land cover structure in urban small mammal communities

Abstract Urbanization is a key driver of habitat loss and fragmentation worldwide, yet many urban ecosystems contain vegetated habitat patches that support diverse wildlife communities. Managing urban systems to support robust wildlife communities requires us to understand the mechanisms that drive the response of species to the urban environment. Small mammals are key components of terrestrial ecosystems (e.g., seed predators, prey) and likely also carry out these roles in urban ecosystems; however, the effects of urbanization on small mammal communities are understudied. To identify how species-specific responses to urban environments shape community composition, we quantified both overall community and species-specific changes in small mammal abundance across an urbanization gradient in a Midwestern US metropolitan area. We combined small mammal trapping and land cover data to generate a hierarchical community abundance model. Species diversity increased with increasing proportional cover of human-modified land cover (i.e., impervious surfaces and turfgrass). This finding is driven by high species diversity on sites bordering streams in mowed parks and low diversity on sites with high tree canopy closure. Additionally, modeling results indicated that species responded differently to landscape attributes, leading to variation in small mammal community composition across the urbanization gradient: prairie-associated species tended to be more abundant in tall vegetation bordering mowed parks while habitat generalists tended to be more abundant on sites with greater canopy closure and shrub cover. Our results suggest that studies that focus on community-level responses (e.g., species richness) to urbanization may miss important species-specific responses. It may be particularly important to assess both species-specific and community-level responses in cities at ecotones (e.g., between forest and grassland) where species with different habitat requirements may replace one another in different types of green spaces, thereby changing community composition without affecting species diversity or richness. Our findings also indicate that vegetated urban patches, especially patches with tall vegetation cover and low canopy cover, are important habitat for prairie-associated small mammal communities, providing conservation options in heavily altered landscapes.

Integrating health in urban planning curriculum across Indian planning institutes

Urban planning significantly influences the physical and health profile of urban environments. This paper explores the critical nexus between urban planning and public health, emphasizing the urgent need to integrate health considerations into the urban planning curriculum in India. Current urban planning courses often overlook public health aspects, resulting in a disconnect that could hinder the ability of urban environments to meet the health and well-being needs of their populations. Through a comprehensive review and analysis of curriculum data from selected Indian institutions of national importance—including the School of Planning and Architecture, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, and National Institute of Technology, Bhopal—this study identifies significant gaps in the inclusion of health-related content in urban planning education. The analysis reveals a low occurrence of health-related themes within the planning curriculum, with essential topics like public health history, environmental health, and health impact assessments seldom addressed. To bridge these gaps, the paper suggests incorporating mandatory health-focused courses, such as Health Impact Assessments and public health fundamentals, into the curriculum. It also recommends interdisciplinary collaboration with public health professionals to enrich planning education. By restructuring the curriculum to include more comprehensive health-related education, future urban planners can be better equipped to create healthier and more sustainable urban environments, ultimately enhancing public health outcomes in rapidly urbanizing spaces. This research not only sheds light on current educational inadequacies but also proposes actionable steps towards a more holistic integration of health and urban planning disciplines.

Towards inclusive urban real estate: Innovative strategies for shaping urban real estate developments in South Africa

South Africa, like many emerging economies, grapples with the challenges of rapid urbanisation, unequal access to resources, and historical spatial inequalities. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that reimagines urban real estate development as a catalyst for positive social change. This paper explores the imperative of inclusive urban real estate development in South Africa and presents innovative strategies to promote equity, accessibility, and sustainability in urban environments. Following a quantitative inquiry technique, primary data was gathered from 109 built environment professionals with experience in sustainable urban development. To support this, descriptive and inferential statistics, particularly exploratory factor analysis (EFA), were used. According to the descriptive analysis using the mean score (MS) ranking technique, the development of affordable housing was one of the higher up-front innovative strategies for reshaping real estate development. Ensuring objectivity in city planning, re-engineering the city streets and buildings to create a safer environment were among the highly ranked strategies. The EFA further demonstrated that “urban redevelopment”, “government regulations”, “spatial planning”, “urban policy” and “diversification” were the underlying groups of new approaches for inclusive development. Implementing these innovative strategies, South Africa can move towards a more inclusive and equitable urban landscape, where urban real estate development becomes a force for positive social change, fostering sustainable economic growth and improving the quality of life for all citizens. This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue on urban development in South Africa and offers actionable insights for policymakers, developers, and community stakeholders invested in shaping more inclusive cities.

Urbanization, loneliness and mental health model - A cross-sectional network analysis with a representative sample

With increasing urbanization, more people are exposed to mental health risk factors stemming from the urban social or physical environment. However, research on the relationship between urbanization and mental health is lacking. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationships of the physical environment (spatial cohesion and urban environment) and social factors (neighborhood cohesion) with mental health (stress, anxiety and depression symptoms) and physical health and the mediating role of loneliness based on the proposed theoretical model. The study was conducted in Metropolis GZM (Silesia, Poland) in a representative sample of 3296 residents (48% women). The measurements used were the PSS-10, GAD-7, PHQ-9, R-UCLA3 and neighborhood cohesion scale. ANOVA results showed that city residents had better mental health indices than residents of villages and small towns. The network approach revealed that urbanization was one of the most influential nodes and played the role of a bridge between all other nodes. The model was confirmed and showed that the relationships between the physical environment and mental health were consecutively mediated by neighborhood cohesion and loneliness. Spatial cohesion related to factors of the physical environment and physical health, while physical health was directly connected to sociodemographic factors and weakly to stress. Anxiety was the strongest risk factor. Mental health can be improved by social and architectural factors, such as strengthening neighborhood cohesion and improving neglected buildings.

Diurnal Activity Budgets and Feeding Habits of Grivet Monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops aethiops) in Fragmented Moist Afromontane Forest

ABSTRACTGrivet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops aethiops) are opportunistic omnivores and extremely adaptable in both rural and urban environments. A study was conducted out in human‐dominated fragmented moist Afromontane forest of wondo genet to investigate the diurnal activity budgets and feeding habits of grivet monkey. Data collection was carried out from February to September 2022 covering both wet and dry seasons. During each scan, individuals were recorded as performing one of the following activities: feeding, moving (searching for food), resting, grooming, playing and others such as drinking, vocalisation and defecation, or aggression and sexual activity. Dietary composition and preferences were assessed using scan sampling method. Proximate analysis was conducted to examine the nutritional makeup of feeding food items. The greatest proportion of the activity time budget of the grivet monkey was devoted to feeding, resting and moving, with relatively higher time devoted to feeding and moving and less time devoted to resting when compared with grivet monkeys inhabiting natural habitats. Grivet monkey utilised 42 food items grouped into 41 plant species and 1 insect. Psidium guava and Desmodium intortum, relatively with higher crude protein and less fibre, were the most preferred plants consumed. The study has pointed out that grivet monkeys in the human‐dominated landscape of Wondo Genet remnant moist afromontane forest tend to prefer to consume on fruit tress such as Persea americana, Mangifera indica and Psidium guava, which contain high nutritional content that are planted and managed around homesteads. It is recommended to plant and sustainably manage grivet monkeys' natural foods in human‐dominated landscape of Wondo Genet remnant moist afromontane forest to sustainably conserve the species and avoid/reduce human‐grivet monkey conflict.

Effects of the vehicle fleet on air quality in an urban university environment of Ecuador

Introduction: Air quality in university environments is critical for the health and well-being of students and staff. This study aims to identify the permissible pollutants emitted in the parking lots of the State Technical University of Quevedo (UTEQ) in the canton of Quevedo, province of Los Ríos, Ecuador. Methods: An abductive (inductive-deductive) approach was employed, utilizing statistical methods to analyze primary emission data. In-situ measurements of pollutants, specifically carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), were conducted monthly across three parking lots at the university. Each parking lot contained three strategically established monitoring points, where measurements were taken during peak entry and exit hours and on days of highest traffic, using the Temtop M2000C-2º sensor. Results: The findings revealed significant statistical differences in pollutant concentrations among the parking lots. CO levels were notably higher in the main parking lot during midday, while PM2.5 and PM10 exhibited greater dispersion in the rear parking lot. The maximum measured values were 456.71 ppm (CO) in the main parking lot, 22.29 µg/m³ (PM2.5) in the Produteq lot, and 32.54 µg/m³ (PM10) in the rear parking lot, all of which remain within the permissible limits established by Ecuadorian legislation. Conclusion: Although air pollution levels at UTEQ are classified as moderate, the results underscore the necessity for implementing short-term mitigation measures to enhance air quality. It is recommended that university authorities develop projects and actions aimed at reducing vehicular emissions and improving overall environmental conditions on campus.

Radon Concentration Assessment in Urban Romanian Buildings: A Multistory Analysis

Radon (Rn 222) is a significant contributor to natural radiation exposure in residential environments such as single-family houses and multistory buildings. This study monitored radon activity concentration (RAC) in 455 apartments in 30 multistory buildings in Buzău, Romania. Integrated measurements of the RAC using CR-39 nuclear track detectors were conducted for a period of 3 to 4 months. The results revealed that the RAC varies between buildings, with an annual average between 33 and 77 Bq/m3. This variation may be attributed to poor ventilation and the chimney effect in common ventilation ducts, which may facilitate radon displacement vertically. Also, apartments with low occupancy or inadequate ventilation showed higher radon levels of up to 285 Bq/m3. The study highlights the potential risk of increased radon exposure in energy-efficient buildings due to poor ventilation, emphasizing the need for special attention to radon mitigation measures in building design. The results emphasize that the RAC is influenced by building characteristics, room use, and ventilation, with significant implications for health risks in urban residential environments.

Influence of view factors on outdoor thermal comfort of residential areas in hot-humid regions.

Sky View Factor (SVF) is commonly used to describe the impact of urban geometry on the urban thermal environment. Shading effects from plants and buildings also exert a considerable influence. To investigate the influence of view factors on outdoor thermal comfort in residential areas, we employed the Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) and view factors (SVF, TVF, BVF) as indicators to determine outdoor thermal comfort and the quantity of shaded spaces. Thermal measurements collected from 13 points in Guangzhou, China, Our findings revealed that high TVF points exhibited more stable air temperature throughout the daytime, with average temperature differentials ranging 0.4-1.9°C lower than other points. Air temperature demonstrated a positive correlation with SVF (R2 = 0.53), while exhibiting a negative correlation with TVF (R2 = 0.45). Additionally, shading provided by plants and buildings manifests heterogeneity. At similar SVF levels, points predominantly shaded by plants (TVF > BVF) showcased lower Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) and PET compared to points shaded mainly by buildings (BVF > TVF). The maximum reduction in air temperature and PET reached 1.1°C and 1.2°C, respectively. BVF exerted greater influence earlier in the morning, as solar altitude angle rises, the average thermal parameters of sites with BVF > TVF escalated rapidly until eventually surpassing sites with TVF > BVF. Last, superior thermal conditions were only ensured under high shading conditions. When the effective shading ratio of plants and buildings diminished (SVF > 0.3), the microclimate of measurement points might be impacted by the long-wave radiation from the underlying surface.

A Modified Johnson Cook Model-Based Kalman Filter Method to Determine the Hot Flow Behavior of Sustainable AA6082 Al Alloy

AA6082 alloys play a significant role in advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs) by contributing to environmental sustainability, economic growth, and social well-being. These alloys are highly recyclable and align with SDG 12 by promoting resource efficiency and reducing waste. Their application in lightweight vehicles and improving energy efficiency in construction supports SDG 9 and SDG 11, as they help reduce carbon emissions and enhance the sustainability of urban environments. While AA6082 alloys offer significant advantages, their use has limitations that can hinder their industrial applications. One key challenge is their lower formability, particularly at room temperature. Elevated-temperature deformation is frequently employed to enhance the formability of these alloys and address their limitations. Thus, a deep understanding of the constitutive analysis of these alloys under a wide range of T and ε is essential for manufacturing sound components from these alloys. Thus, this study aims to propose a new modification for the JC model (PJCM) and compare its reliability to predict the warm/hot flow behavior of AA6082 alloys with that of the original JC model (OJCM) and the modified JC model by Lin et al. (LMJCM). By comparing the experimental results with these model results and confirming the determining correlation coefficient (R), average absolute relative error (AARE), and root mean square error (RMSE) values, it is concluded that the stresses predicted by the PMJCM closely match the experimental stresses of the LMJCM and OJCM because of the interaction between ε, ε, and T, which might be a reason for the complex nonlinear behavior of AA6082 alloys during hot deformation.

Ferroptotic cyanobacteria as biocontrol agent of the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus

Culex quinquefasciatus is a hematophagous mosquito, widely distributed around the world, that plays a crucial role in public and veterinary health. As an efficient vector of etiological agents, it exhibits a marked preference for urban environments and human blood. Despite advances in mosquito-borne disease control, managing mosquito populations remains an economically efficient and safe strategy to reduce the impact of epidemic outbreaks. However, achieving this goal requires ecologically acceptable tools that ensure sustainability and minimize adverse environmental impacts. In the present work, we investigated the effect of a non-toxigenic model cyanobacterium on Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae through regulated cell death. We observed that heat stress treatment of Synechocystis PCC 6803 inducing ferroptosis, results in larval lipid oxidation, leading to their death. This effect can be mitigated by rearing larvae in an environment containing canonical inhibitors of ferroptosis, such as ferrostatin 1, or antioxidants, like glutathione and ascorbic acid. Furthermore, larval cell death induced by ferroptotic cyanobacteria is closely linked to oxidative dysregulation and lipid peroxidation, both hallmarks of ferroptosis. Moreover, while ferroptotic Synechocystis significantly affects larval development, it does not influence oviposition site selection by gravid females.