Great Cities Research Articles

Resource Efficiency and the Role of Renewable Energy in Miskolc: The City’s Journey Towards Becoming a Smart City

Miskolc, which is the focus of our investigation, is the fourth most populous city in Hungary and the center of one of the most underdeveloped NUTS2 (basic territorial category for the regional policy of the European Union) regions in the European Union. The socialist heavy industry played a decisive role in the development of the city, the decline of which also left deep traces in the city. In its current position, the city tries to manage its available resources as efficiently as possible, and the city management is open to the use of modern urban development tools. This is supported by the fact that Miskolc was the first Hungarian city to join the Green Cities for Sustainable Europe movement in 2011, and then in 2015, it joined the Triangulum project of the EU Smart Cities and Communities program as a follower city. In the process of becoming a smart city, the dimensions of environmental sustainability and energy efficiency were given a prominent role, which should not be surprising considering the traditions of the city. Within this, we must first mention the construction of the geothermal central heating system, with which the city really took significant steps in this field. The main goal of the study is to develop a new smart local concept closely linked to regional development and the key energy sector, through which the local adaptation of the defining elements of the internationally defined smart city in several forms for the city of Miskolc will be presented. In our study, we review how the results achieved by Miskolc so far and the development plans for the future fit in with the smart energy developments of smart cities. Before exploring the processes in Miskolc, we will deal in more detail with the possibilities inherent in district heating and geothermal energy utilization and Hungary’s capabilities.

Ecological Aspects in Urban Streetscape Design Based on Users' Preferences Towards Green City

Ecological Aspects in Urban Streetscape Design Based on Users' Preferences Towards Green City

The service trade with AI and energy efficiency: Multiplier effect of the digital economy in a green city by using quantum computation based on QUBO modeling

This research examines the energy efficiency of city districts through the Malmquist–DEA model and investigates the spatial effects of the service trade and the digital economy on energy efficiency in urban green development. The study also delves into the specific context of the AI service trade to gain insights into and align with the emerging digital intelligence industry. The interplay of the service trade with the digital economy, alongside the AI service trade with innovation, significantly enhances urban energy efficiency and demonstrates positive externalities. Building on the empirical findings, this research employs cluster analysis to explore the green development of city districts and uses AI technology to program green communication and cooperation mechanisms across district clusters, employing quantum computation based on QUBO modeling. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the cofunction of the service trade and the digital economy in terms of energy efficiency and aids in developing new quality productivities for green cities through quantum-based AI advancements. This research has clear implications for cutting-edge interdisciplinary applications of green AI technologies in social computing science.

IoT-enabled smart cities towards green energy systems: a review

<span>Integration of internet of things (IoT) in smart city management to improve various functions and living standards due to increasing population growth has dramatically evolved ubiquitous and essential services at various stages of urbanization. Hence, smart cities need to be eco-friendly by improving various sectors like education, health, and transport to provide an urban and sustainable quality of life through solving complicated green energy networks, controlling toxic pollution risks, and public safety. Linking optimized green energy systems with the production and automation of advanced applications is crucial to compose implementation strategies for smart city services. This paper aims to conduct a review on eco-friendly plans and infrastructure of IoT-enabled smart cities by exploiting green energy approaches. This study performs critical observations, ideas, and analyses of recent research in the context of our mentioned research theme. This paper points out the technical and functional challenges of an optimal performance-based green IoT-enabled smart city infrastructure. In this sense, this study organizes observations of relevant initiatives, technologies, and experiences in IoT-enabled smart cities, as well as how to embed it with green energy. Moreover, it can provide significant directions to intellectuals and authorities to develop IoT-enabled smart city applications for prospective research.</span>

Case Study Analysis on the Flood Mitigation Effects of Improving a Drainage System Using Low Impact Development Techniques

Low-impact development (LID) techniques aim to minimize the hydrological and environmental impacts associated with watershed development by preserving the natural state as much as possible, reducing impervious surfaces, managing stormwater on a small scale at the point of generation, and promoting decentralized stormwater management. In this study, the flood reduction effects of LID techniques were analyzed using PCSWMM by comparing traditional development methods in the Songsan Green City development project. In this process, the LID technique considers nonstructural methods of diversifying drainage directions and structural methods of introducing vegetated swales to improve the drainage system. The results showed that the LID approach, introduced to improve the drainage system, had a significant effect on reducing floods and inundation compared to traditional development methods. The results of this study suggest the potential of using LID techniques in structural and nonstructural approaches to improve urban flooding and inundation problems.

Research on the Updating and Selection of Greening in Sponge Cities

With the frequent occurrence of urban waterlogging, the concept and construction of sponge city have been carried out in many inland cities. Urban greening is not only an integral and important part of sponge cities, but also has a considerable impact on climate and urban landscape. This paper analyzes the function and existing problems of sponge city greening. In the past planning, the selection of certain trees brought problems such as flying catkins and pollen to people’s lives. Not only are they an allergen for many residents, but they also pose a fire hazard. At the same time, the construction of some green facilities lacks rationality. They are not only difficult to play the role of interception, but also easy to water in the flower bed in rainy weather, resulting in root rot. In addition, this paper also discusses the improvement of tree species and greening facilities. For some problem trees which are planted in a large area and difficult to renew in a short time, some mitigation measures are put forward. Finally, the vertical greening and rainwater gardens which have great potential in the green selection of sponge city are introduced. This paper is devoted to exploring more scientific and reasonable choices in the greening of sponge cities, while alleviating urban waterlogging and minimizing the impact on residents’ lives.

Evaluation of Ecological Service Functions of Urban Greening Tree Species in Northern China Based on the Species-Specific Air Purification Index

Urban forests, as an integral part of nature-based solutions (NBS), are significant contributors to improving urban air quality, delivering ecological service functions and environmental benefits to human health and well-being. Suitable urban forest management, including proper species selection, needs to be defined to efficiently reduce air pollutants in cities, with a focus on the removal ability of the main air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, O3, and NO2), the ecological adaptability to O3 and NO2, and allergenic effects. This study ranked 73 urban greening tree species in northern Chinese cities based on their ability to maximize air quality and minimize disservices. This study proposed a novel Species-Specific Air Purification Index (S-API), which is suitable for air quality improvement for tree/shrub species. Urban managers are recommended to select species with an S-API > 1.47—that is, species that have a high removal capacity of PM2.5, PM10, O3, and NO2, are O3- and NO2-tolerant, and are non-allergenic (e.g., Castanea mollissima Blume, Ginkgo biloba L., Hibiscus syriacus L., Ilex chinensis Sims, Juniperus procumbens (Endl.) Iwata et Kusaka, Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl.) Sarg., Morus alba L., Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott, Syringa oblata Lindl., and Ulmus pumila L.). The S-API of urban greening species thus represents a potentially useful metric for air pollutant risk assessment and for selecting appropriate species for urban greening in cities facing serious air pollution challenges.

Review: Solved: how the world’s great cities are solving the climate crisis by David Miller

Review: Solved: how the world’s great cities are solving the climate crisis by David Miller

Exploring the socioeconomic factors affecting green cities development

PurposeThis paper explored the socioeconomic factors affecting green cities development. Extant literature have highlighted green cities as a major path towards sustainability in the construction industry but very little is known on the socioeconomic aspect of green cities and its bid in promoting sustainability in the construction industry; hence, the premise of this study which highlights the socioeconomic factors affecting green cities development in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the socioeconomic factors affecting green cities. A quantitative research strategy was adopted to collect primary data from respondents who have the requisite understanding and knowledge in green cities using questionnaires. The data gathered was then analysed using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis viz principal component analysis.FindingsThe socioeconomic factors affecting green city development comprised: Green support mechanisms (i.e. innovation and technology, green city planning (urban planning), stakeholder engagement, awareness, city planning (transportation) and environmental regulations); green inhibitors (i.e. population, culture, housing and policy implementation); green market and finance (i.e. digital finance, green market mechanism, green investment finance, risks and uncertainties, income levels of clients). It was evident that socioeconomic factors are significant to the development of green cities in Ghana and hence policy makers and various stakeholders should prioritize socioeconomic factors in the bid to achieve sustainability through green cities in the construction industry.Originality/valueThis paper presents a foremost and comprehensive study on the socioeconomic factors affecting green cities in Ghana. The study results showed that even though the path to sustainability in green cities has pivoted mainly on environmental factors, socioeconomic factors are also significant to green city development, hence, policy makers and the construction industry should keenly consider the socioeconomic factors affecting green city development in the bid towards sustainability for cities.

Green finance and innovative cities: Dual-pilot policies and collaborative green innovation

As the impacts of climate change intensify, urban green innovation has emerged as a critical technological approach for reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate-related risks. In this study, we analyze data from 282 prefecture-level cities in China from 2007 to 2020. Using the time-varying difference-in-difference model, we examine the underlying mechanisms of how green finance and urban innovation policies synergistically drive urban green innovation. Our findings reveal that the dual-pilot policies, namely, Green Finance Reform and Innovation Pilot Zones and Innovative Cities Pilots, have significantly boosted green innovation by leveraging the resource allocation effect. Further research shows that the green innovation is more effective in the central and eastern regions, cities facing resource decline, cities regenerating resource-, and rust-belt areas during the dual-pilot policy implementation process. Moreover, these dual-pilot policies demonstrate a synergy of “1 + 1 > 2.” These results offer fresh insight into further deepening urban policy pilot initiatives.

Green Facades

Abstract This article examines the development of ‘Forest City’ in the Iskandar Malaysia development Corridor within the broader context of China’s international expansion, focusing on Forest City portrayal as a model of sustainability. Despite being promoted as ‘eco-cities’ and ‘green cities’, these mega-projects often fall short of these ideals, revealing a significant gap between their marketed image and their actual environmental practices (Ouis 2011). Through the lens of Practice Theory enriched by the developmental state model, this study analyses the alignment between the promotional rhetoric of Chinese-backed green city projects and their real-world execution. Practice Theory offers a valuable tool for identifying inconsistencies between stated commitments to sustainability and the tangible outcomes observed in Chinese-finance development projects in Southeast Asia. The developmental state model helps to understand the practices that are translated, transplanted, and embedded by Chinese developers across borders. This analytical framework is critical as it sheds light on the underlying dynamics of ‘global China’ initiatives, which have gained increased global attention. Such scrutiny is particularly pertinent in highlighting the contrast between the marketed sustainability of these cities and the principles of genuine sustainable development. This critique provides a deeper understanding of the environmental implications of China’s overseas investments. Based on this analysis, the overarching research question is: why do Chinese-backed green city projects, such as Forest City in Iskandar Malaysia, frequently exhibit discrepancies between their promoted environmental sustainability and the actual environmental outcomes?

The Path to Green Cities: Digital Infrastructure Construction and Urban Ecological Efficiency

The Path to Green Cities: Digital Infrastructure Construction and Urban Ecological Efficiency

More green but less just? Analyzing urban green spaces, participation, and environmental justice in Amsterdam

Cities worldwide are taking action to increase the amount and quality of urban green spaces. However, not all efforts for the greening of cities produce just and inclusive outcomes. For more inclusive urban greening processes, scholars have proposed incentivizing residents’ participation in planning and implementing green initiatives that promote creating and maintaining green spaces. However, further in-depth analysis of the connection between implementing new urban green spaces and environmental (in)justice is needed to understand how unjust outcomes might emerge due to policies aiming to promote the uptake of urban green through citizen engagement. To investigate the justice implications of policies that aim to create new urban green spaces through citizen participation, this article combines GIS analysis and qualitative analysis of 26 semi-structured interviews to evaluate the process and outcomes of the Green Agenda policy in Amsterdam. The Green Agenda (Agenda Groen) is a municipal policy supporting citizens’ initiatives to uptake urban green. Through the analysis of this case study, the article aims to identify factors that create barriers to achieving just outcomes during the implementation of policies for urban greening. Results indicate that although the approach has successfully increased the amount of urban green in Amsterdam, the presence of barriers that impede procedural justice and lack of recognition made the urban greening process less just. The three underlying factors that create barriers in Amsterdam are the centralization of the government, the lack of support for local organizations, and the effect of socioeconomic characteristics on inclusion and participation. The article concludes by discussing the synergies and tradeoffs between identified barriers and suggesting solutions to be integrated into future policies for more successful and just greening processes.

Technological innovations and sustainability: Shaping the future of smart cities in urban planning

Smart cities have surfaced as pioneers in new urban planning practices during this era of increased urbanization rates. These advanced technologies have been implemented to improve life and solve many problems we are facing nowadays. This study seeks to investigate smart cities that can be developed in their advantages and disadvantages, as well as opportunities and threats. The main goal is to make technology more evenly accessible and utilizable within different urban neighborhoods. Our approach to analysing smart cities is multidisciplinary, including several sectors like urban planning, green city programmes, innovative urban enterprises, and information and communication technology (ICT). The study introduces eight novel models and integrates them into a comprehensive framework to assess smart cities, offering several possible applications. Findings indicate that digital technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) can significantly transform urban dynamics, per the findings. Conversely, they emphasise significant security, privacy, and economic parity concerns. The success and widespread implementation of innovative city projects will depend on how these challenges are resolved. It is imperative to tackle these issues to ensure the ongoing feasibility of intelligent cities as a viable choice for urban development. This study emphasises the need for a well-rounded approach that maximises benefits and minimises risks to promote inclusive, safe, and equitable urban environments via smart city advancements.

Sustainable Urban Planning: A Comparative Study of Green City Initiatives Around the Worldqq

Sustainable urban planning has become increasingly imperative in addressing environmental challenges and promoting resilient, livable cities globally. a comparative study of green city initiatives across different regions, examining strategies, successes, and challenges in integrating sustainability principles into urban development. Key focus areas include sustainable infrastructure, green spaces, energy efficiency, waste management, and community engagement. By analyzing case studies and current practices, this study aims to identify best practices and lessons learned from leading green cities, highlighting innovative approaches that enhance urban sustainability and quality of life for residents. Ultimately, the research underscores the importance of holistic planning approaches and collaborative governance in achieving sustainable urban futures amidst urbanization pressures and climate change impacts.

Illuminating radical spatial imaginaries: Counter-mapping urban environmental justice struggles for the city yet to come

Urban greening is not a neutral intervention on the social fabric. Critical analyses of the green city often concentrate on greening's top-down, hegemonic, and large-scale manifestations while neglecting the role of social movements. Aiming to address this gap, we ground discussions of “urbanized nature” within discussions of radical spatial imaginaries, concentrating on their performativity. We propose “counter-mapping” as an engaged methodology, developed with local activists, to illuminate radical green imaginaries. Examining 13 environmental justice struggles in Barcelona, we find place imaginaries to be tied to preserving unique sites, linking historical trauma to fears of future spatial fixes, and projecting inclusive, liveable neighborhoods as ideal futures. This study underscores the importance of comprehending how resistance to the prevailing “green-paradox” manifests in local contexts. Through this exercise, we might help make clearer the axes of common/divergent imaginaries and forge alliances, dialogues, and reflection among local movements and decision makers in Barcelona and beyond.

Exploring the drivers of residents’ identification and green citizenship behavior in green cities: a multicountry study

PurposeThe fundamental mission of every green city is to harmonize urban living with environmental preservation. However, a critical challenge arises when the residents of such cities do not share the same level of environmental consciousness, potentially eroding the integrity of the green city’s brand identity. Hence, this study aims to explore the factors influencing residents’ identification with green city branding and assesses how this identification subsequently affects their green citizenship behaviors.Design/methodology/approachA survey of 1,217 residents from 15 green cities across six countries was conducted and analyzed using SPSS 28.0 for descriptive statistics and PLS-SEM for measurement and structural model analysis.FindingsThe results indicate that green city-self connection, green city distinctiveness and environmental benefits significantly impact GCRI, which, in turn, significantly influences green city protection, loyalty and advocacy behaviors. However, green city social and economic benefits did not affect resident identification.Practical implicationsThe results of this study provide valuable managerial insights for city brand managers, green city developers and governmental representatives. The study underscores the importance of considering residents as crucial internal stakeholders in the creation of a green city identity that effectively promotes sustainable urban living and an eco-friendly culture.Originality/valueThis study provides theoretical insights into the relationship between green identification and residents’ willingness and commitment to act as ambassadors and promote their city’s green values.

An Analysis of the Impact of Stubble Burning and Firecrackers on the Environment and Human Well-being

Pollution, the contamination of the environment with harmful materials, affects human health, quality of life, and ecosystem functions. Recently, stubble burning and firecracker usage have drawn attention for their environmental impact, particularly in India’s National Capital Region (NCR): Delhi, where toxic air creates public health emergencies in winter due to inversion, moisture, and poor wind dispersion. Fireworks also cause short-term air quality deterioration by releasing hazardous chemicals and organic pollutants. Ground-level displays have immediate health effects, unlike high-altitude releases, which dilute pollutants. The bursting of firecrackers is seen as a symbolic expression of joy in Indian Culture. Using both primary data, from farmers as well as the people of Delhi and Chandigarh (two Union Territories of India, one being the capital city and the other being a comparatively cleaner and greener city) and secondary data and information, collected from government and credible portals, an analysis has been done on the impact of stubble burning and firecrackers along with the reasons for these taking place from the surveys carried out online. This analytical research aims to bring forward the potential reasons for people continuing to burst firecrackers and farmers burning stubble, despite knowing the detrimental impacts on environment and health of others, as well as assessing the impact on the health of residents of Delhi and Chandigarh.

Spatiotemporal Changes in Air Pollution within the Studied Road Segment

Environmental protection is a pivotal element of sustainable development, both essential and indispensable in the construction of smart, green cities. Road transport contributes significantly to atmospheric pollution, accounting for as much as 25% of annual emissions within the European Union (EU). To combat the adverse effects of road transport, the EU has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from both passenger and commercial vehicles. Consequently, sustainable air pollution management has become a focal point for numerous researchers. This study continues the investigation into the distribution of air pollutants along a specific highway segment in Poland. The article addresses two primary research questions: first, the temporal and spatial variations in air pollution adjacent to a major highway in Poland, and second, whether emission levels exhibit significant annual differences and if there is a correlation between pollutant concentrations and the distance from the roadway. The findings offer valuable data on one of the principal substances polluting the air along EU transportation routes. Moreover, the analysis provides recommendations for future road infrastructure renovation projects and strategies to protect the public from harmful traffic-related pollutants, thereby supporting the development of green cities in accordance with sustainable development principles.

Assessing Ecosystem Services through a multimethodological approach based on multicriteria analysis and cost-benefits analysis: A case study in Turin (Italy)

Ecosystem Services (ESs) are benefits that humans derive from nature, including climate regulation, air and water purification, soil formation, and recreation. Currently, ESs are at the center of green city policies tackling sustainability challenges. Traditionally, ESs have been assessed using monetary estimations, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). These methods are useful for integrating environmental aspects in land use planning but have practical limitations since they focus on analyzing biophysical values and economic benefits. Due to the value pluralism of the ESs concept, intangible/extra-economic elements and the plurality of perspectives of the different stakeholders involved need to be included. Within this context, Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) allows the consideration of multiple problem dimensions and accommodates value pluralism. Based on these premises and limitations, the present paper proposes the integration of CBA and MCDA to evaluate alternative project solutions for green roof installation. The multidimensional outputs from CBA and MCDA are combined in a common aggregation procedure called COSIMA. Starting from a real case in Turin (Northern Italy), this article illustrates the application of COSIMA from the point of view of the best trade-off on the preferences of users and investors. The study results show the suitability of COSIMA for integrating all ESs values (i.e., biophysical, sociocultural, and economic) in urban governance processes.