Urban Pressure Research Articles

Urban pressure around areas of natural heritage. Cenas tīrelis

The study looks at the perimeter or ring encroachment of anthropogenic pressures around areas of natural substrate or marshland. The anthropogenic load, the intensity of which began with the invasion of the Soviet-era economic policy and the wave of migrants bringing large numbers of migrant workers to Latvia in the 1960s-80s, brought with it an alien understanding of living space, exaggerations of the scale of development, a distorted understanding of spatial harmony and equilibrium. Rapid settlement construction, the establishment of drainage networks, the pace of collectivisation and agro-technology, and logging began. These are things that today are being increasingly controlled in the spatial plans of municipalities. To maintain the sustainable development of the natural base, it is necessary to look for ways of bringing residential areas closer to it, without reducing the ecological status. The settlements of the 3 districts of the Tīrelis of Cena are examined in more detail, where the 19th–21st centuries are described. transformation processes.

Dynamic Assessment of Urban Carrying Capacity Load Number Using the Enhanced UCCLN Model

The sustainability of cities often changes as rapid urban developments and population growth affect the carrying capacity. Understanding the dynamics of carrying capacity becomes crucial for tourist-oriented cities. This study focused on Baguio City, the “Summer Capital of the Philippines”, attracting large crowds on holidays and actively promoting various events on other days, thus having temporal context variations classified as regular days, days with events, and holidays. Using the enhanced urban carrying capacity load number (EUCCLN) model, the changes in the load number (LN) are calculated for different temporal contexts based on spatial indicators grouped into air, traffic, economy and waste. The city experiences the worst pressures on air quality during holidays, with 99.23% of the districts at very high to critical levels, followed by regular days and days with events. However, the total LN during holidays is balanced by favorable economic conditions with only 9.23% of the districts at the critical level. EUCCLN effectively pinpoints areas that are at critical states at any given time, advocating targeted government monitoring. We demonstrate that nighttime light, for places with no available economic data, can be used as a proxy to highlight areas requiring improved urban vibrancy. This work suggests that monitoring urban pressures using EUCCLN can easily be extended to real time with nowcasting indicator data.

Urban Domestic Courtyards in the Twenty-First Century: A Study of Changing Spatial Design and Activities

ABSTRACTThis study examines the impact of rapid urbanization and modern lifestyle changes on traditional urban courtyard houses in Mymensingh City, Bangladesh. Focusing on eight household-level courtyards established in the late twentieth century, the research analyzes their transformations in spatial design and activities from the 1970s to the 2023s. Through qualitative case studies and interviews, the study identifies that the existing courtyards are in a state of endangerment due to the rapid urban growth of the city. The study tracks the evolution of courtyards through three distinctive phases, reflecting changes in family dynamics, lifestyle preferences, and urbanization pressures. In Mymensingh city, traditional courtyard houses are gradually giving way to more compact household designs, with dining spaces taking precedence over the outdoor courtyard. The study highlights a significant shift in traditional courtyard activities and the emergence of new ones in response to changing lifestyles. However, accommodating these new activities within courtyards is also a challenge due to urban land constraints and surrounding tall constructions that limit courtyards’ original spatial quality and climatic performance. The findings emphasize the need for a balanced coexistence of vertical urbanization and traditional courtyard-based living. Architects and urban planners can use these insights to preserve traditional courtyards amidst rapid urban development, locally and in other regions where courtyard architecture is also threatened by rapid urbanization.

Does the Use of Perennials in Flower Beds Necessarily Imply Sustainability?

Green spaces are becoming increasingly important for cities due to the growing pressures of urbanization and climate change. Along with trees, shrubs, and lawns, flower beds are an important part of urban green spaces. The majority of flower beds in public spaces consist of annual and biennial flower species. Such seasonal flower beds feature eye-catching colors but require significant effort to maintain and manage. Compared to these conventional flower beds, those with herbaceous perennials are more ecologically effective and less costly to maintain, and therefore more sustainable. The aim of this research was to analyze flower beds with perennials in the public green spaces of the city of Zagreb and to develop a tool based on predefined criteria and indicators to evaluate the sustainability of flower beds. In the context of the research, sustainability meant appropriate selection of flower species based on environmental conditions (temperature, light, precipitation), species diversity, greater ground cover and extensiveness of maintenance. The research results showed that there were 327 flower beds with perennials planted in the ground. The constructed Flower Bed Sustainability Index (FBSI) showed that the majority of these perennial beds (56.3%) had a conventional character, as only 28.1% of the beds had a completely correct species selection. This result indicates that the use of perennials does not necessarily guarantee the sustainability of flower beds, since, as in the case of flower beds with seasonal flowers, it depends, among other things, on the correct selection of species adapted to local environmental conditions. The FBSI is shown to be a suitable tool for assessing the degree of sustainability of a flower bed and could be a useful tool in landscape design and management of such types of green spaces.

Evolution of urban morphological polycentricity and the thermal response in Wuhan from 2000 to 2020

The emergence of urban polycentric development patterns in response to the pressure of rapid urbanization can profoundly affect the urban heat island (UHI) effect. However, little research has been conducted on this issue at a high spatio-temporal resolution level. To investigate the evolution of urban polycentricity and the accompanying changes in the urban thermal environment, data for 2000 to 2020 from Wuhan in China obtained by multiple sensors were used to extract the urban morphological centers each year and generate annual summer mean land surface temperature (LST) with a 30 m resolution. Results show that the number and size of urban morphological centers in Wuhan increased significantly, from five centers covering 29.75 km2 in 2000 to 15 centers covering 171.72 km2 in 2020. The annual average growth rate was rapid (0.152 km2/a) from 2000 to 2012, then slowed down (0.026 km2/a). The location of newly emerged urban centers aligned with Wuhan's urban development planning. Meanwhile, the urban thermal environment also changed considerably. The summer mean LST have risen by around 1 K, whereas the area of high LST centers fluctuated in the recent two decades. The evolution of urban morphological centers and high LST centers was not always synchronized, with changes in the former showed hysteresis behind the latter, and overlapping areas between the two reaching the maximum at an interval of about nine years. These findings will further our understanding of the urban polycentricity, as well as the evolution of the urban thermal environment in this context.

The Kandinsky building in Chile: A case study demonstrating extreme urbanization pressure on coastal ecosystems

This discussion addresses the urgent issue of coastal urbanization in Chile, particularly focusing on the degradation of dune systems due to accelerated urban development and inadequate management frameworks. Using the Kandinsky Building collapse as a case study, this paper elucidates the vulnerabilities associated with extreme coastal urbanization and the absence of robust legislation. The research calls for the immediate implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and Territorial Planning as pivotal tools for effective coastal governance in Chile. Both these mechanisms, when grounded in science, can provide sustainable solutions that balance current land-use demands with future ecological needs. We emphasize the necessity of scientifically informed setback lines, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), public education, and fiscal instruments to mitigate the challenges posed by extreme coastal urbanization. A Chile-specific ICZM plan, incorporating scientific research into policy formulation and execution, is imperative for evidence-based, adaptive, and sustainable decision-making.

Sociopragmatic Study of Javanese Oral Discourse in Big City Communities as an Effort to Maintain Indigenous Language

This research delves into the sociopragmatic intricacies of Javanese oral discourse within urban communities, focusing on the role of language in preserving the indigenous Javanese language amidst the pressures of urbanization and language shift. As urbanization accelerates, traditional languages like Javanese face the risk of diminishing usage and cultural significance. This study aims to elucidate how urban Javanese speakers employ their native language in various communicative contexts, examining the sociopragmatic factors that influence language choice and language use patterns. The findings of this research contribute to the fields of sociolinguistics, linguistic anthropology, and language preservation. By shedding light on the sociopragmatic dimensions of language use, the study provides a nuanced understanding of how urban Javanese speakers navigate linguistic diversity and negotiate their cultural identity. This research emphasizes recognizing and supporting indigenous languages within urban settings as communication vehicles and cultural heritage and identity repositories. Ultimately, the study's outcomes can inform language revitalization initiatives and policy-making efforts to foster the enduring presence of Javanese within the rapidly changing landscape of urban communities.

How urbanisation shapes availability of provisioning ecosystem services in peri-urban Ghana

ABSTRACTProvisioning ecosystem services are under threat in peripheral areas in African cities due to urbanisation pressures. Previous studies have focused on land conversion and food crop production. How urbanisation pressures intertwine with the provisioning ecosystem services availability to peri-urban households is an empirical question, which this paper answered using Wa in Ghana as a case. The mixed method research approach was employed involving 400 randomly selected households with the aid of a questionnaire, while interviews were also conducted with relevant stakeholders. Descriptive statistics and a five-point Likert scale were used to analyse the household data, while interview responses were thematised. We observed that urbanisation adversely affected ecosystems, reducing the availability of wild fruits, fuelwood, and game to farmer households. From the households’ perspective, most of these services will disappear in the future as urbanisation intensifies. We recommend the restoration of degraded lands for the conservation of natural habitats.

Nature‐based Solutions for sustainable flood management in East Africa

AbstractAfrica's population is expected to triple by 2050, owing to rapid urbanisation and overall demographic trends. The combined pressures of urbanisation and climate change impact the ecosystem and the services it provides. As a result, additional dangers such as increased flooding, and environmental disruption have risen. Therefore, devising adaptive solutions to mitigate flood risk impacts while also building community resilience is needed. Evidence suggests that Nature‐based Solutions (NbS) can potentially alleviate floods and mitigate climate change impacts while also delivering other societal benefits. Despite rising NbS popularity following its recognition in the last decade, studies on its recognition in Africa remain limited. For this reason, this paper reviewed NbS studies conducted in East Africa (EA) to evaluate opportunities and barriers surrounding NbS adoption in EA. Academic literature published from January 2012 to May 2022 was reviewed using a comprehensive search of the SCOPUS database. Results show 14 papers have been published during the period, with the majority being post‐2020. In addition, the majority of the articles focused on cities and peri‐urban settlements, while public awareness, clear guidelines on performance monitoring, stakeholder inclusion, and diverse demonstration projects were highlighted as potential success factors for the adoption of NbS in EA.

Carbon stock assessment of mangrove forests along Macajalar Bay, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

Mangrove ecosystems are widely recognized for their crucial role in mitigating climate change through carbon storage and sequestration services. These ecosystems possess significant carbon reservoirs, particularly in their soils. Nevertheless, the unremitting development of coastal areas and alterations in land use constitute impending threats to these ecosystems, endangering the continuity of their invaluable services. Recognizing the crucial role of mangrove ecosystems in mitigating climate change, this study meticulously evaluates the cumulative carbon stocks encompassing the aboveground and soil components within three mangrove-protected areas in the Macajalar Bay region of Misamis Oriental. The study adheres to a logical structure with causal connections between statements, presents information in clear and concise sentences, and follows conventional academic writing formatting. Vocabulary is precise and avoids biased or emotional language. The text adheres to grammatical correctness, consistently uses technical terms, and employs a formal register. The study is free from filler words and employs a passive tone and impersonal construction. Additionally, the text features a consistent footnote style and accurately cites sources. The research findings show that soil carbon makes up a significant portion, ranging from 40% to 90%, of the total carbon stocks in the three study areas. This emphasizes the crucial function of mangrove soils as carbon repositories. Furthermore, the study establishes a direct connection between the age of mangrove stands and the occurrence of large-girth trees, both of which add to the rise in carbon stocks. Despite their substantial carbon storage capacity, mangrove forests in the Macajalar Bay region are still facing encroachments due to urbanization pressures. This assessment of carbon stocks in these coastal ecosystems plays a critical role in developing localized strategies that align with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's (UNFCCC) REDD+ initiatives, thus preventing further degradation of these vital carbon sinks.

Solutions to Protect and Promote Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Capital Hanoi (Vietnam) Facing the Pressure of Urbanization

Hanoi is a major cultural center of Vietnam with a diverse, rich and unique intangible cultural heritage system built up over thousands of years of history. Recently, Hanoi has made many efforts to promote the value of cultural heritage to develop cultural industries, making important contributions to the socio-economic development of the Capital. However, under the current pressure of urbanization, many of Hanoi's intangible cultural heritages are at risk of being eroded, or even disappearing. Therefore, preserving and promoting Hanoi's intangible cultural heritage is an urgent and important task to preserve the traditional identity of the "Capital of a thousand years of civilization".

Rural imaginaries in China's Three Gorges region

In China, “rural” can signal backwardness, poverty, remoteness, and inferiority or, alternatively, a kind of utopia or idyll – an escape from urban pressures. Representations on screen can contribute to shaping an expectation of what the rural should be and thus play a role in facilitating interventionist policies and marginalising certain groups of people and certain activities. In this study we examine on-screen rural imaginaries of the Three Gorges region. We consider representations of rural places and people in the Three Gorges region in recent Chinese films, documentaries, and television shows, from 2005 to 2021. We examine key characters, stories, activities, and places and discuss underlying logics with reference to the dominant political imaginaries of contemporary rural China. Our analysis highlights how on-screen imaginaries are dominated by the urban gaze, and largely reinforce state imaginaries by rendering certain people, modes of farming, and activities invisible. Particularly in recent years, these profoundly limited imaginaries offer little space for alternative understandings of rurality and do discursive work with very real material effects.

A Systematic Review of Computer Vision and AI in Parking Space Allocation in a Seaport

Urban expansion has ushered in a landscape of opportunities and challenges across housing, transportation, education, health, and the economy. In response to these evolving dynamics, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision (CV) technologies has emerged as a transformative solution. While smart traffic monitoring and advanced parking distribution systems have eased urban pressures, optimizing mobility remains pivotal in the context of burgeoning smart cities. However, the seaport industry grapples with formidable issues in the efficient transport of containers. In light of this, the fusion of AI and CV technology holds promise as a solution. This study pioneers a systematic review, representing a novel exploration, delving into a comprehensive evaluation of the existing literature. It scrutinizes the profound advantages AI and CV offer in constructing sustainable, efficient parking ecosystems within seaports. Our methodological approach encompasses data collection, rigorous quality assessment, and meticulous exploration of the application of CV and AI in the realm of smart parking management. The findings underscore the pivotal role of AI and CV technologies in the development of efficient, sustainable transportation systems, particularly for optimizing container movement within seaports. This research presents a comprehensive analysis of the literature in the area of the application of AI and CV technologies in optimizing parking management at seaports, shedding light on the potential for sustainable transportation solutions in this critical domain. As these technologies usher in enhancements in traffic management, parking space allocation, and container logistics within seaports, this study represents a vital and timely contribution to the field, serving as a cornerstone for future innovations in seaport management and the broader context of smart cities.

ANALYSIS OF TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL CHANGES IN ISTANBUL NORTHERN FORESTS WITH SATELLITE IMAGES AND LANDSCAPE METRICS

Abstract. There is an urbanization process on a global scale with population growth and technological developments. Especially in metropolitan cities, mega projects located on the city periphery lead to environmental pressure on natural areas and forests. Istanbul Northern Forests, the transition region of the Black Sea and Mediterranean flora, host various ecosystems due to its pseudomaki structure. However, the effects of big projects recently realized such as Istanbul Airport, Northern Marmara Motorway, and Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge on the Istanbul Northern Forests can be noticed even with the naked eye. This study investigates land use/cover changes in Istanbul Northern Forests which are under intense urbanization pressure using LANDSAT and SENTINEL-2 satellite images in a time series of thirty-nine years (1984–2023). As a result of the analysis, it is seen that the class of impervious surfaces increased in Istanbul Northern Forests between 1984–2023, while the class of barren land, natural areas and agricultural areas decreased. Landscape metrics such as Total Class Area, Percentage of Landscape, and Interspersion Juxtaposition index were used to better understand the change in the study area between 2017 and 2023.

Identity and Preservation of Traditional Culture in the Context of Urbanization in China

China’s rapid urbanization and societal advancement have resulted in the gradual neglect of traditional culture, despite the nation’s profound sense of pride in its economic, political, and scientific achievements. This paper explores the historical roots of these evolving attitudes by tracing them back to past migrations and the impact of minority rule during the Yuan and Qing dynasties. Drawing inspiration from Japan’s gradual transition and France’s experiences with urban renewal, this paper underscores the pivotal role of government policies and the imperative for public engagement in preserving traditional culture. Furthermore, the paper introduces a fresh perspective on preserving traditional architecture within the context of urbanization. It highlights the potential of 5G technology to rekindle interest in traditional culture while alleviating urban pressures. This underscores the importance of adapting traditional architecture to harmonize with urban environments and utilizing technology to ignite enthusiasm for traditional culture.

Analysis of Mechanical Properties and Pore Structure of Mortar Prepared from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Slag

Abstract The disposal of a large amount of bottom ash generated from the incineration of municipal solid waste has become the focus of research in solid waste and environmentalism. Using municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI BA) to prepare mortar can not only solve the problem of insufficient natural river sand resources, but also play a role in treating a large amount of MSWI BA to alleviate urban pressures. In this study, macroscopic properties of mortar were systematically investigated by rheological, mechanical, and drying shrinkage tests, and the influence of MSWI BA on the internal pore structure and interfacial transition zone of mortar has been analyzed by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and back scattered electron imaging (BSE). The results show that the rheological model of fresh mortar mixed with MSWI BA as fine aggregate is more consistent with the modified Bingham model, and its plastic viscosity decreases and then increases with the increase of MSWI BA, while the yield stress shows an increasing trend. The compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of mortar decrease with the increase of MSWI BA; the smaller the water-cement ratio and aggregate-binder ratio, the greater the strength loss. The incorporation of MSWI BA improves the flexural strength and compression-flexure ratio of M5/M10 mortar, and the splitting tensile strength of M5 mortar at 28 days is increased by 30 % with 20 % MSWI BA. Additionally, the incorporation of MSWI BA reduces the drying shrinkage properties of mortar and improves the volume stability. At the same time, it increases the number of pores above 50 nm inside the mortar and the content of ettringite at the interface.

Swallowed by the urbanization: Spatial evolution of Adana Bağlarbaşı District

Vineyard (Turkish: bağ) culture is a common urban phenomenon in Çukurova region communities, which have strong ties with the land, due to the favorable climate and soil conditions. Adana's historic city center and some of the vineyard settlements to the north of this area lost their rural settlement characteristic and started to be built up as a result of Hermann Jansen's planning studies that started in the 1930s, and the city continued its development as planned towards the vineyard settlements (Turkish: bağlar) to the north. Although Gazipaşa, Ziyapaşa, and Namık Kemal Neighborhoods, which were examined within the scope of the study, were planned as a result of these planning studies, they were not built according to the plan. Thus, the implemented part of the Jansen Plan was defined by the railway line located to the south of these three neighborhoods. As a result, these three neighborhoods turned into an area where vineyards began on the periphery of the planned built-up areas and became known as Bağlarbaşı (starts of vineyard area). The aim of the study is to make a morphological analysis of the transformation of the three neighborhoods formed in the area where the vineyards, which previously had a rural settlement texture, disappeared as a result of the urbanization pressure that started in the 1950s, starting from 1950 to the present day, and to examine the process dynamics and to determine the general characteristics of the vineyard culture and houses in the study area. In the study area, morphological analyses were carried out by comparing aerial photographs from 1950, 1954, 1961, current maps from 1985 and 2019, zoning plans dated 1940, 1969 and current data. In addition, the transformation was documented with photographs from various archives and oral history research was utilized. Two vineyard houses in the area were surveyed to determine their spatial characteristics. The data obtained through the studies coincide with Marcel Poëte's assertion that "the memory of a city survives in the physical structure of that city". It has been determined that today's parcel boundaries, main roads, and streets, physical formations such as thresholds and reinforcements of the three neighborhoods bear traces of the period when the neighborhoods were vineyards and gardens. In the area, a small number of vineyard houses (cottages), which are in parallel with the typological characteristics of the traditional Turkish House, have survived to the present day, albeit in ruins.

Characterizing bird species for achieving the win-wins of conserving biodiversity and enhancing regulating ecosystem services in urban green spaces

Urban green spaces provide regulating ecosystem services (RS) to humans and contribute to biodiversity conservation under urbanization pressure. However, trade-offs arise while making development decisions in urban green space planning, as the prioritization of enhancing RS may not always contribute to biodiversity conservation and vice versa. Therefore, achieving a balance between these trade-offs becomes essential in promoting conservation strategies that maximize win-win outcomes for both biodiversity and RS, ultimately leading to sustainable urban development. A practical approach to strike this balance is to prioritize specific species as surrogates for population protection, thereby benefiting co-occurring species and promoting the maintenance of a high RS level. To explore this approach, we conducted monthly bird surveys in green spaces over five years along an urbanization gradient in Shanghai, China. Based on the monthly bird dataset, to begin, we used indicator species analysis to identify bird indicators for the monthly RS (which were calculated from an economic perspective). Following from that, the umbrella index was used to prioritize umbrella species for biodiversity conservation. Finally, surrogate species were selected on the basis of their identification as both RS indicators and umbrella species. Consequently, seven common species were identified as surrogates in Shanghai. The RS indicator species were mainly omnivores and tree-nesting, with most umbrella species belonging to this subset. Furthermore, understanding the population dynamics of surrogate species could provide information on overall biodiversity and RS status, facilitating the optimization of management strategies and policies in cities. Our integrated approach, which combines indicator and umbrella species, provides a tool for establishing connections between ecosystem service maintenance and biodiversity conservation. This approach is useful in promoting planning strategies to conserve biodiversity while ensuring sustainable provision of ecosystem services and can be applied in the sustainable management of human-dominated landscapes.

Relating the management difficulty to the abandonment rate of traditional mountain vineyards

Cultural landscapes and the associated land uses are highly dynamic and subject to continuous change over space and time. In recent times, European traditional agricultural practices such as winegrowing on steep slopes have come under pressure from various underlying factors such as e.g., the globalization of the wine market, the optimization of production processes, changes in customer preferences, increased pathogen pressure, climate change impacts, and urbanization pressure. At the local scale, specific workload and management difficulties play an important role in the decision of winegrowers to give up their activity. In this paper, we use the vineyard region of southern Switzerland as a case study to develop a specific and reproducible methodology for assessing and mapping the specific workload involved in maintaining single vineyard plots.We developed a management difficulty index which considers four parameters related to accessibility (oblique distance to the nearest road), mechanization difficulty (terrain slope), and unproductive additional workload (shape of the plot and portion of the vineyard edge bordering a forest). When analyzing the evolution of the areas planted with vines during the last 30 years we confirmed the assumed relationship between abandonment rates and management difficulty in zones designated for agriculture. In contrast, in zones designated for urban development this relationship is much less evident, since presumably the opportunity of converting the plots for more remunerative land use may act as the main driver for abandonment. In addition, plots which are easier to work are preferred for new vineyard establishment.Using the proposed management difficulty index as a criterion for public financial support to winegrowers managing highly demanding vineyard plots may represent an effective measure to counteract the loss of traditional vineyards in southern Alpine Switzerland.

SOCIAL RESILIENCE OF URBAN POVERTY TOWARD QUALITY OF LIFE IN KUALA LUMPUR

Urban poverty in Malaysia has become a more prominent problem that is increasingly risking the quality of life. Meanwhile, resilience plays a very vital role in poor urban communities. Poverty will hinder sustainable development and a better quality of life. Improving the quality of life has always been the focus of the Malaysian government. Recent years have seen attempts to address this need for more community resilience research that investigates the impacts of poverty. Thus, examining a community’s resilience to poverty will produce communities that are resilient to urban pressures and challenges to improve their quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the social resilience of urban poverty toward quality of life in Kuala Lumpur. This study showed that higher resilience in poor communities can be justified by determining social resilience, such as participation in the community, decision-making and community trust. This study used quantitative methods for data collection. The questionnaire was administered using a sample of 400 respondents from urban poor households in Kuala Lumpur. Descriptive and correlation regression analysis was in this study. The findings of this study showed that the relationship between social resilience, participation in the community of the urban poor in Kuala Lumpur, and quality of life is significant.