Urban Planning Process Research Articles

Sustainable Landfill Site Selection in Urban Areas: Case Study of Millenium City in India

Landfills remain the predominant approach to managing solid waste in urban settings due to their cost-effectiveness, particularly in developing nations. In this regard, landfill site selection is a serious issue in the urban planning process because of its implications for the economy, environment, ecology, and public health. Municipal Corporation Gurugram records indicate that the city alone generates solid waste of about 1100 metric tons per day. The city's growing urban population and rapid expansion as a commercial and financial center presented numerous waste management difficulties. Existing studies lack comprehensive integration of multi-criteria decision analysis and GIS technologies for landfill site selection in rapidly urbanizing cities like Gurugram. In the present study, multi-criteria decision analysis and GIS technologies are used to identify suitable sites for landfills, considering most environmental factors. With the rate of population and settlements increasing, it is suggested that the landfill site serve for at least 20 years. In accordance with the regulations outlined in the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016, a meticulous process was undertaken to identify and prioritize the ten most crucial criteria for evaluation in prescribed methodologies. The study's conclusions could help municipal planners and waste management authorities create an effective solid waste management system that takes into account all possible advantages and disadvantages.

Designing flash flood control measures for urban areas using the Monte Carlo water flow simulation

In this study, we developed a novel approach for designing flash flood control measures in a contact zone between agricultural land and a built-up area using the hydrological component of the SIMWE model implemented in GRASS GIS as r.sim.water module. The inputs for the Monte Carlo simulation of water flow in this module included a high-resolution digital surface model and land cover data derived from airborne laser scanning data and aerial orthophotographs. The preferential flow feature of the module helped to better represent concentrated flows such as streams. The flash flood control measures were represented by a modified digital surface model and the probabilistic permeability parameter. The proposed flash flood control measures reduced water depths in critical zones by over 50% (10–40 cm), thereby lowering the risk of house basement flooding and enabling the sewerage system to manage locally generated water flow. Time series of high-resolution water depth rasters elucidate the dynamics of the phenomena and efficiency of the flood control measures. The proposed approach has the advantage of providing high spatial resolution coupled with the flexibility of GIS to evaluate various scenarios and flash flood control measures thus improving the urban planning process.

Impact of Change in Tree Canopy Cover on Ecosystem Services in Desert Cities: A Case in Phoenix, USA

The study aims to answer the question of how the change in tree canopy cover in desert cities due to the urbanization process affects ecosystem services. The city of Phoenix, which is located in the northern part of the Sonoran Desert in the southwestern United States, was determined as the study area. The i-tree canopy software was used to assess the 20-year (2004-2023) change in the tree canopy cover of the Phoenix and to calculate the ecosystem services and benefits obtained from trees. The findings show that the tree canopy cover in the study area decreased by 58.26 km2 (4.34%) in 20 years. Therefore, the amount of carbon sequestration, the rate of removing air pollution, and the hydrological benefit values of trees decreased. The results obtained from the study will contribute to decision-makers and planners in urban planning processes in regions with similar ecological characteristics.

How Radical Exactly?

The international competition for the new regulation plan of Novi Sad was held in 1937, in which Juraj Neidhardt’s design was awarded compensation instead of a prize. However, upon further consideration, the city administration decided to adopt a new version of Neidhardt’s plan in the following years. In addition to this plan, he won the administration’s trust to design a series of lower-level plans for the city in 1938-1941. Therefore, Neidhardt became the most prominent figure in the urban planning process triggered by the 1937 competition. However, his final regulation plan for the city from 1941 was rejected in the first post-war revision in 1945, failing to lead to any fruition. Nevertheless, the researchers later characterized the radical modernist approach of this plan as the inspiration for the subsequent general plans of Novi Sad, namely due to introducing the idea of cutting new axes through the urban tissue. There is room today, however, to re-evaluate these claims about the radicalness of Neidhardt’s plan since its solutions were deemed insufficient in bringing radical quality to the urban space of Novi Sad. Furthermore, in the 1938-1941 period, he designed a series of perspective drawings for the new regulation of the streets in the oldest urban core of the city, which brought a decisively modernist approach to treating the urban heritage: keeping only a selection of the most iconic monuments while replacing the rest of it with new modernist structures. These designs can contribute to reinstate the knowledge about Neidhardt’s approach to treating historical heritage, considering his later intricate studies of Bosnian and Macedonian architectural landscapes.

Urban Transformation of the City Quarters Through the Example of the City Quarter J14 Rasadnik Skopje

Nowadays, rural-urban migration is quite pronounced, and almost half of the world's population lives in cities. Urbanization on a global level, defined as an unstoppable rising phenomenon, opens up a series of opportunities and challenges for architects and city planners in transforming existing urban environments into more efficient and self-sustaining living spaces. The application of international design standards in correlation with the requirements and needs of the cities and their inhabitants as primary users of the space can greatly improve and advance the process of urban planning, by finding the best and highest quality solutions for citizens, land owners, and the wider social public. For this purpose, following the requirements of the Municipality of Kisela Voda in the city of Skopje, based on a previously announced International Competition for the development of a Conceptual urban architectural solution for the city quarter J14 - Rasadnik, municipality of Kisela Voda, Skopje, by a group of architects, including the author of the paper, an urban-architectural solution was prepared for this area, which is expected to be a relevant basis for the further preparation of urban and project documentation. In this paper, the city quarter J14-Rasadnik, municipality of Kisela Voda, will be analyzed in its current state, and proposed solutions will be given for rethinking the settlement following the principles of sustainability for a balanced economic, social, and ecological development of the settlement and beyond.

Application and Prospect of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Low-Carbon Cities—From the Perspective of Urban Planning Content and Process

In the era of digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) technology—one of the swiftest growing emerging technologies—when integrated with urban planning, can introduce innovative approaches for low-carbon city development and foster the attainment of dual carbon objectives: carbon neutrality and peak carbon emissions. Current research predominantly investigates the influence and alterations of emerging technologies on urban elements, yet it overlooks a comprehensive examination of the applicable procedures of these technologies and their potential synergy with urban planning. Consequently, this study employs a systematic literature review to delve into the application of AI in sectors such as architecture, transportation, land use, and green space development. It categorizes the specific impact processes into monitoring, identification, simulation, and prediction. By offering an exhaustive analysis of urban planning’s content and methodology, this paper elucidates the role of AI technology in the creation of low-carbon cities. The study found that: (1) Due to the varying degrees of application and integration with professional technologies in different fields, the current research focuses more on architecture, land use, and transportation. (2) Combining the four steps of urban planning, artificial intelligence can be divided into monitoring, recognition, simulation, and prediction types, each with its own characteristics. (3) Overall, AI technology is mainly applied in the identification and simulation of architecture, transportation, and land use. (4) There is still room for improvement in the application of AI technology in waste emissions and other algorithms.

Avanços e retrocessos da Política Urbana no Brasil

Brazil experienced significant institutional advancements during its democratic transition, with the 1988 Constitution standing out prominently in this trajectory. Among its innovations is the chapter on Urban Policy, which enshrined the principle of the social function of the city and property, established instruments to promote access to urbanized land, and mandated participatory processes in Urban Planning. These innovations were followed by democratizing norms and policies, such as the constitutional recognition of the right to housing, the City Statute, and specific legislation on sanitation, urban mobility, solid waste, and housing. However, this trajectory was interrupted by the rupture that deposed Dilma Rousseff in 2016, continued under the Temer administration (2016-2018), and intensified during Jair Bolsonaro's government (2019-2022). This regressive shift in terms of citizenship rights also revealed a complete discrepancy with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, to which Brazil is a signatory, especially concerning SDG 11 "Sustainable Cities and Communities," aimed at making cities and human settlements inclusive. This article, the result of ongoing documentary research, analyzes the recent trajectory of Urban Policy in Brazil, emphasizing recent institutional changes to understand their present and future impacts on Brazilian cities.

Fostering Gender Transformative Cities around the World

In the context of rapid urbanisation and the effects of climate change and conflicts, social inclusion and stakeholder engagements remain a low priority for most decision-makers in shaping the future of cities. The urban development initiative Her City intends to mainstream gender and age perspectives in urban planning and design decision-making processes. Her City offers a toolbox for municipal professionals, urban actors, and local decision-makers to involve girls and young women in urban planning and design processes and challenge exclusionary practices and social inequalities. This viewpoint asserts that integrating girls' perspectives leads to more responsive urban planning and the creation of inclusive and economically viable public spaces across the world. Applying an intersectional approach to urban planning, in a multitude of urban settings with different social, cultural, political and economic prerequisites, have proven to be an efficient shortcut to sustainable cities, Additionally, the initiative's success is underscored by its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), delivering resilient cities for all. This viewpoint presents lessons learned from the application of Her City in Peru, Jamaica, Mozambique, Uganda, Palestine, Thailand, and Italy. These localised projects in various regions demonstrate how Her City can deliver tangible outcomes, such as the revitalisation of public spaces, community empowerment, and the promotion of gender equality, while fostering social cohesion, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. By championing gender-responsive urban development, Her City offers a blueprint for creating inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities globally.

Urban Development Together with Girls and Young Women

Public spaces are crucial to everyday life, providing sites for community interaction, mobility, and recreation. Traditionally, however, urban planning has been shaped by a gendered perspective that privileges masculine assumptions that overlook intersectional needs and reinforce societal inequalities for women and girls. This special issue, ‘Let Her Guide You’, developed in partnership with UN-Habitat as part of the Her City initiative, underscores the imperative of incorporating gender and youth perspectives into urban planning and design. The Her City Initiative, a collaboration between UN-Habitat and the Shared City Foundation, advances this goal by equipping urban actors worldwide with tools to integrate the perspectives of girls and young women into urban development. Launched in 2021, the Her City Toolbox has supported over 350 independent initiatives with registered users in 120 countries, demonstrating its effectiveness in fostering inclusive urban environments. This special issue features papers by young academic scholars selected from the Her City Master students alumni network, including case studies of feminist planning from Heerlen (The Netherlands), Nairobi (Kenya), Stockholm (Sweden), and Weimar (Germany). It also includes a diverse range of invited viewpoints advocating for collaborative approaches to urban development together with girls and young women, complemented by illustrative case studies from around the globe, including Belgium, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Mozambique, Palestine, Peru, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, Uganda, and the United Kingdom. By centring gender and youth perspectives in the urban planning process, this special issue highlights the potential to transform public spaces into more equitable, engaging, and sustainable environments. It calls on city makers, researchers, and community leaders to ensure that contemporary cities are designed with and for everyone.

Modeling Population Mobility Flows: A Hybrid Approach Integrating a Gravity Model and Machine Learning

Population mobility between cities significantly affects traffic congestion, disease spread, and societal well-being. As globalization and urbanization accelerate, understanding the dynamics of population mobility becomes increasingly important. Traditional population migration models reveal the factors influencing migration, while machine learning methods provide effective tools for creating data-driven models to handle the nonlinear relationships between origin and destination characteristics and migration. To deepen the understanding of population mobility issues, this study presents GraviGBM, an expandable population mobility simulation model that combines the gravity model with machine learning, significantly enhancing simulation accuracy. By employing SHAPs (SHapley Additive exPlanations), we interpret the modeling results and explore the relationship between urban characteristics and population migration. Additionally, this study includes a case analysis of COVID-19, extending the model’s application during public health emergencies and evaluating the contribution of model variables in this context. The results show that GraviGBM performs exceptionally well in simulating inter-city population migration, with an RMSE of 4.28, far lower than the RMSE of the gravity model (45.32). This research indicates that distance emerged as the primary factor affecting mobility before the pandemic, with economic factors and population also playing significant roles. During the pandemic, distance remained dominant, but the significance of short distances gained importance. Pandemic-related indicators became prominent, while economics, population density, and transportation substantially lost their influence. A city-to-city flow analysis shows that when population sizes are comparable, economic factors prevail, but when economic profiles match, living conditions dictate migration. During the pandemic, residents from hard-hit areas moved to more distant cities, seeking normalcy. This research offers a comprehensive perspective on population mobility, yielding valuable insights for future urban planning, pandemic response, and decision-making processes.

Sunlight exposure conditions for buildings in European localities

Sunlight exposure represents one of key parameters of indoor climate comfort, especially for residential buildings, schools and care homes. It depends on the sunlight time in specific design situations like a locality, building type, window size, position and orientation. A practical evaluation of sunlight access into buildings is based on a standard methodology in EN 17037. The methodology based on parameters of minimum solar altitude is specified for given geographical locality and time of the sunlight exposure evaluation. The aim of this study is to compare how the sunlight exposure is changed in European regions. The evaluation is based on the standard limitations to specify potentials for the building insolation assessments in different geographical localities. Research value of the study deals with the general overview of the sunlight potential of building insolation in different European climatic regions. It can be important for building design and urban planning process in those localities. The research is focused on determining the minimum solar altitude for 33 capitals and for all days from 1st February to 21st March specified by the standard to ensure the required minimum insolation time.

Large language model as parking planning agent in the context of mixed period of autonomous vehicles and Human-Driven vehicles

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are anticipated to revolutionize future transportation, necessitating updates to traffic infrastructure, particularly parking facilities, due to the unique characteristics of AVs compared to Human-Driven Vehicles (HDVs). During the transition period in which AVs and HDVs coexist, adaptable infrastructure is essential to accommodate both vehicle types. Traditional research, typically reliant on complex mathematical models and simulations, faces challenges in adapting to diverse urban settings, requiring substantial time and resources. To address these challenges, a government-level framework was developed, enabling urban planners to quickly and accurately evaluate and optimize existing parking facilities for future AV and HDV coexistence scenarios. The framework integrates a Large Language Model (LLM) to enhance flexibility and efficiency in parking planning throughout the transitional period. Structured guidance is incorporated to enhance decision-making precision and reduce LLM hallucination risks. The flexibility, robustness, and accuracy of the framework were validated through step-by-step and end-to-end testing using real-world datasets. Specifically, the framework achieved 91.1 % comprehensiveness and 70.2 % consistency in Indicator Selection Module testing, a 68.9 % success rate in the Single Indicator Calculation Module, and a 66.7 % success rate in end-to-end testing, demonstrating its practical value in supporting cities during AV integration. Finally, the success rates of different LLM agent modules were further explored, along with a comparison of multiple LLMs and an analysis of key issues related to LLM trustworthiness in urban planning applications. The research highlights the potential of LLMs in advancing urban planning processes and optimizing existing infrastructure, contributing to smarter and more adaptable urban environments.

A Geodatabase Design for the Development of a Digital Twin for Urban Environments: A Case Study from Turin, Italy

Abstract. 3D City models are essential for urban planning, accurately visualizing, analyzing, and simulating urban environments. They find applications in various fields like AEC (Architecture and Construction), urban and transportation planning, development and conservation processes, energy systems monitoring, and many more. Extensive datasets for the 3D City Models need to be organized following international standards to make them reusable and sharable for different stakeholders. Designing a Geodatabase (GeoDB) for a 3D city model is crucial for data management as it is helpful in the streamlined visualization and analysis of the city's features and relations among its objects. Over the years, 3D city models have evolved into Urban Digital Twins, offering dynamic real-time simulations of cities and even better management and analysis of urban processes. This transition from 3D city models to UDTs enhances decision-making by providing detailed insights into the dynamics of urban systems, enabling better urban management and planning. This research concentrates on building a GeoDB to support the UDT. The paper discusses the data acquisition, processing, and integration methodologies.Additionally, it highlights the significance of utilizing advanced remote sensing technologies such as aerial LiDAR and aerial photogrammetry to enhance the digital twin’s quality and richness in detail. The semantics of the built environment datasets are clarified and strictly defined for the most important UDT features, such as buildings, roads, trees, and other features. This will ensure everyone can interpret the data similarly, leading to better analysis and decision-making.

URBANISMO, DIGNIDADE E DIREITO À CIDADE, NA ERA DAS PPPs DOS GRANDES PROJETOS URBANOS

This work is the result of a research for the theoretical framework of a doctoral thesis, developed in the Graduate Program in Architecture and Urbanism of the Federal University of Bahia, in order to promote a discussion on the Right to the City. An exploratory research is carried out based on a bibliographic survey, which includes scientific articles and books that deal with the theme under discussion here. The discussion has been taking place for decades, since the period of struggle for Urban Reform in Brazil. The objective is to discuss the instruments of urban policy, relating the issue of the Right to the City and the role of the State as a mediator of a process where there are several actors, but which, together with the private sector, social movements and civil society organizations, constitutes one of the main agents of (re)production of urban space. It seeks to discuss the role of the State, through such instruments of urban policy, as well as their effectiveness and the processes of urban planning and management, in the sense of the social function of urban property, in the face of large urban projects, often gestated with PPPs.

Exploring the regional cooling efficiency of urban residential vegetation using scenario simulation

The study of the cooling efficiency of vegetation in urban residential areas at a micro-scale is important for improving the thermal environment of those areas. The quantitative analysis of the effect of the layout of different building patterns on the cooling efficiency of green space is particularly crucial. This study takes a typical residential area with a row-column arrangement in Jiangning District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China, as the research object. Using the ENVI-MET model used for numerical simulation, 15 simulation scenarios were designed based on building orientation, height, and density. The research proposes the methodology of the regional cooling efficiency (RCE) of urban residential vegetation, reveals the daily variation characteristics of the RCE of vegetation in a residential area, and analyzes the factors influencing of regional cooling efficiency. The results showed that the daily variation in RCE for vegetation in the residential area exhibited a single-peak trend. The minimum and maximum RCE values appeared at 6:00 and 14:00, respectively. The average air temperature and building density in the residential area had a significant positive correlation with RCE, while average relative humidity had a negative correlation. Average wind speed, average building height, and average sky view factor showed nonlinear correlations with RCE, and the importance ranking of each factor's effect on RCE was air temperature > relative humidity > building density > wind speed > building height > sky view factor. This study will provide theoretical support for improving the thermal environment in urban residential areas during the urban planning process.

Towards healthier places: understanding local authority implementation of health impact assessments in urban planning projects in England

ABSTRACT Health Impact Assessment is a tool increasingly used by local authorities in the urban planning process to support the delivery of healthy places. However, there is a lack of evidence on the use of health impact assessments, including how they fit into planning decision-making processes. This paper reports on a qualitative study with nine participants in public and private sectors involved in the health impact assessment process in England. Using the language of policy theory, a model of how health impact assessments work to promote health in urban planning projects is proposed: in part by forcing change from developers through regulation, but more so by persuading them to make healthier developments voluntarily through a process of collaboration and dialogue. This model can help stakeholders involved in health impact assessments understand and manage the process more effectively. Findings also highlight enablers and barriers of effective practice which form the basis of recommendations for local authorities implementing Health Impact Assessment.

Cognitive Urban Planning Enhancing Decision-Making in Local Governments.

According to the United Nations (UN), a “continuous, participatory, and inclusive urban planning process should be the starting point and framework for improving population living conditions,” and this research emerges from examining trends in smart cities. It explores the impact of collective intelligence, geographical information systems, and cognitive systems as a way of supporting the decision-making of local governments (municipalities) to face the challenges announced by the UN in the Urban Agenda 2017. This methodology employs an exploratory approach using the participatory action research method. The model was tested in three municipalities in Ecuador using a technological and collaborative platform called Cognitive Urban Planning (PUC). The results highlighted improvements in the decision-making process in urban planning, since the interactive participation processes through the PUC allowed for the suggestion of a group of strategies for an emerging neighborhood plan developed with the citizens working together in the municipality in real-time. In conclusion, the effects of the decision-making plan could be applied to improve and enhance community participation through city co-creation, supporting the decision-making process of municipalities in a way that promotes inclusive urban planning and stakeholders' awareness, as the recommended plans are supported by the desires and needs raised by citizens.

ТЕОРЕТИЧНИЙ АНАЛІЗ ПОНЯТТЯ РЕГУЛЯТОРНА ПОЛІТИКА У ПЛАНУВАННІ ТА ЗАБУДОВІ МІСТА: ОСНОВНІ ПІДХОДИ ТА СУЧАСНІ ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ

Regulatory policy in the field of urban planning and development is a key element of public administration aimed at ensuring economic stability, social welfare and sustainable development. In the conditions of globalization and intensive technological progress, effective regulation of urban planning processes is becoming more and more important for solving modern challenges. The purpose of this study is to carry out a theoretical analysis of the concept of regulatory policy in urban planning and development, to study the main approaches to its implementation, as well as to determine modern trends and opportunities for adapting international experience for Ukraine. In particular, the research aims to identify effective models of regulatory policy that can be integrated into national legislation and practice to improve the management of urban development. The research uses a comprehensive approach, which includes the analysis of scientific publications, comparative analysis of regulatory policies of different countries, methods of critical literature review and data synthesis. Special attention is paid to the experience of countries such as the USA, Germany and Singapore, where various approaches to the regulation of urban planning processes are used. The analysis showed that regulatory policy in urban planning and development is a multifaceted phenomenon, which includes such basic approaches as zoning, strategic spatial planning, energy efficiency, integration of transport infrastructure and active involvement of the public in the decision‒ making process. Modern trends in regulatory policy have been identified, including innovative approaches to planning, the use of digital technologies, an emphasis on sustainable development and environmental safety. A comparative analysis of the regulatory policies of the USA, Germany, and Singapore made it possible to identify effective models that can be adapted to the conditions of Ukraine. The study confirmed that an effective regulatory policy is an important prerequisite for sustainable economic development, social stability and protection of citizens' rights. Further research should focus on the integration of digital technologies into regulatory processes, improvement of control and monitoring mechanisms, which will contribute to the sustainable development of cities in Ukraine.

Tourism in smart villages as an enhancement of rural areas

The purpose of this work is to verify whether Italian smart villages are attractive on a tourist level. This article has the task of analyzing and highlighting the health status of rural villages and checking which and how many of them have evolved toward a sustainable rural village concept, defined in the literature by the name smart village. The study was conducted through the analysis of the projects applied within the two smart villages under study. The two villages analyzed focus on future-oriented development and identify already integrated urban areas as a test bed, capable of attracting the population, workers, and tourists. Both villages have common objectives such as, for example, the transformation from rural villages into smart villages, overcoming the state of depopulation, making them attractive on a tourist level, and pursuing urban development strategies, guaranteeing territorial sustainability. The urban planning process and energy policies are integrated with the Smart Village policies, whose meeting point and strength are represented by the technology applied to the city. The method brings to both experiences multiple points of advantage dictated by the fact that the methodology allows all interested parties of citizens to actively participate in the political life and not only of the city. The successful application of transformation policies in these cities can be used as a future test bed to enable other cities to develop and evolve from classic rural villages to smart villages.

Diálogos entre Urbanismo Tático e Moderação de Tráfego de Veículos no Programa (Re)Pensando Santana

New approaches to urban planning can promote inclusive projects that prioritize pedestrians. This involves readjusting existing public space, redesigning streets to guarantee comfort and safety for all users, with a focus on people. The present study analyzes the challenges and potential of the tactical urban planning intervention of the (Re)Pensando Santana program, implemented after interventions in the perimeter known as “Area 40”, both initiatives led by the City of São Paulo. This intervention sought to redesign the street to impact walkability and achieve greater safety for pedestrians. The research method used in this study is based on two theoretical perspectives, tactical urbanism and traffic moderation, in the data collection and analysis from public administration, in addition to obtaining data through field visits and interviews. While tactical urbanism interventions seek quick, low-cost solutions to improve public spaces, traffic calming measures aim to control the flow of vehicles, with the aim of improving the safety and quality of the urban environment. The results highlight that reducing speeds alone, despite being a significant advance in road safety, was not enough to improve public space. On the other hand, the articulation of the perspectives of temporary urbanism with traffic calming represented advances in security and in the transformation of the built environment, especially as a new urban planning process.