Rapid Urban Development Research Articles

THE IMPACTS OF URBANIZATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH ON LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE ASEAN-5 COUNTRIES

Abstract: Urbanization and economic growth are key players in molding the societal fabric of the ASEAN-5 nations, thus directly affecting life expectancy. Hence, this study utilizes the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) approach to investigate the impact of health expenditure, economic growth, urbanization, and CO2 emissions on life expectancy in the ASEAN-5 countries from 1995 to 2020. The findings indicate that increased health expenditure and economic growth positively contribute to enhanced life expectancy in the region, highlighting the importance of healthcare investments and sustained economic development. However, the observed negative impact of urbanization underscores potential health challenges associated with rapid urban development, necessitating strategic urban planning. Policymakers are encouraged to prioritize healthcare budgets, focusing on infrastructure and accessibility, while fostering economic initiatives for indirect health benefits. Mitigating potential health risks linked to urbanization requires investments in healthcare facilities, sanitation, and public health awareness programs. This study offers nuanced insights for policymakers in formulating effective strategies to balance economic development with public health priorities in the ASEAN-5 countries. Keyword: urbanization, economic growth, life expectancy, FMOLS

SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF LAND COVER CHANGES IN DEPOK CITY USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Depok City is an area undergoing significant changes in land cover due to rapid urban development. Additionally, population growth is contributing to these land cover changes. These factors exert pressure on land use changes, with implications for land cover. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a spatial analysis of land cover changes in Depok City. This research employs Geographic Information System (GIS) methods and spatial analysis to examine land cover changes in Depok from 2017 to 2022. The objectives of this study are to identify the land cover conditions in Depok from 2017 to 2022 and analyze the changes in land cover during this period. The data source used is Landsat 8 satellite imagery. These satellite images were interpreted to produce land cover maps for the years 2017 and 2022. Subsequently, these two maps were overlaid to assess changes in land use. The research results revealed seven land cover classes in 2017, with the largest in terms of area being Residential/Built-up Areas (12,383.43 hectares), Green Open Spaces (3,479.66 hectares), Dryland Agriculture (2,218.65 hectares), Services/Industry (885.41 hectares), Paddy Fields (414.59 hectares), Open Land (373.66 hectares), and Water Bodies (239.23 hectares). Spatial analysis indicated a decrease in land cover for Green Open Spaces (238.84 hectares), Dryland Agriculture (122.67 hectares), and Paddy Fields (31.89 hectares). Conversely, an increase in land cover was observed for Residential/Built-up Areas (266.01 hectares), Services/Industry (91.84 hectares), and Open Land (35.55 hectares).

Relationship between phytoplankton community structure and environmental factors in Yinchuan City water

The freshwater ecosystem, formed through the interaction between biological communities and the environment, serves as a vital resource for sustainable human development. Phytoplankton plays a pivotal role in environmental monitoring and ecological assessment, serving as a biological indicator in water quality assessment. However, the rapid urban development poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, leading to environmental changes that alter phytoplankton community structures and degrade ecosystem functions. The research on the phytoplankton community structure and its correlation with environmental factors in Yinchuan remains insufficient. Therefore, it is imperative for Yinchuan's water ecosystem to comprehensively understand the phytoplankton community structure and identify the driving factors influencing the water ecological environment.A survey of phytoplankton was conducted in 40 stations across the Diannong River Basin, Yuehai Wetland, Baohu Wetland, and Hequanhu Wetland in Yinchuan in April 2023. The results revealed the presence of seven phyla and 211 species of phytoplankton in Yinchuan. Bacillariophyta comprised the majority of observed species, followed by Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta, with a smaller proportion of other species distributed throughout. Key influencing factors included total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), dissolved oxygen (DO), and transparency (SDD). Significant disparities were noted in both the Simpson index and Pielou's evenness index of the phytoplankton community.

Rapid carbon emission measurement during the building operation phase based on PSO–SVM: electric big data perspective

With the rapid development of urbanization in China, urban energy consumption increases rapidly, leading to energy shortages and environmental pollution, of which building operational energy consumption carbon emissions (BECCE) account for a large proportion. It has a vital impact on global warming and urban green and sustainable development. Chengdu city in Sichuan Province is taken as the research area in this paper. First, basic information and power data on four types of single buildings, including large-sized buildings, small- and medium-sized buildings, government agencies, and residential buildings, are collected. Second, the characteristics of the four types of buildings are extracted, and the calculation model of BECCE (“electricity-carbon” model) based on particle swarm optimization algorithm–support vector machine (PSO–SVM) is constructed, and the model is trained and verified using the method of five-fold cross-validation. Then, according to the mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and R2 evaluation indicators, the constructed “electricity-carbon” model is compared and evaluated. Finally, the generalization ability of the “electricity-carbon” model is verified. The research results show that (1) the “electricity-carbon” model constructed in this paper has a high accuracy rate, and the fitting ability of the PSO–SVM model is significantly better than that of the support vector regression (SVR) model; (2) in the testing stage, the fitting situation of large buildings is the best, and MAE, RMSE, and R2 are 858.7, 1108.6, and 0.91, respectively; and (3) the spatial distribution map of regional BECCE can be quickly obtained using the “electricity-carbon” model constructed in this paper. The “electricity-carbon” model constructed in this paper can provide a scientific reference for building emission reduction.

Analysis of Urban Heat Island Effect in Wuhan Urban Area Based on Prediction of Urban Underlying Surface Coverage Type Change

The rapid development of urbanization makes the phenomenon of urban heat islands even more serious. Predicting the impact of land cover change on urban heat island has become one of the research hotspots. Taking Wuhan, China, as an example, this study simulated the land type change in 2020 through the Cellular Automata-Markov-Chain (CA-Markov) model. The urban heat island in 2020 was simulated and analyzed in conjunction with the Weather Research & Forecasting Model (WRF), and the simulation results of wind velocity and temperature were confirmed using weather station observation data. Based on this, the land cover and urban heat island of Wuhan in 2030 were predicted. The temperature was found to be well-fit by CA-Markov simulated land use data, with an average inaccuracy of about 2.5°C for weather stations. Wind speed had a poor fitting effect; the average error was roughly 2 m/s. The built-up area was the center of the high temperature area both before and after the prediction, the water was the low temperature area, and the peak heat island happened at night. According to the forecast results, there will be more built-up land in 2030, and there will be a greater intensity of heat islands than in 2020.

Resource Utilization of Solid Waste and Water Quality Evaluation

The rapid development of industrialization and urbanization has inevitably resulted in the generation of innumerable solid wastes and water contamination [...]

A Psychological Study of the Socialization of the Elderly with Their Families

As China's urbanization process accelerates, population mobility is accelerated, and the urban adaptability and old-age care of elderly migrants to cities cannot be avoided. The rapid development of urbanization has changed the population structure in urban and rural areas, which in turn affects the transformation of old-age care models. In order to explore the changes and dilemmas of old-age care for elderly migrants in the process of urbanization, taking "elderly migrants" as the research object, this study explores a series of psychological changes in the process of urban socialization for elderly migrants. The study summarizes the changes and difficulties faced by elderly migrants in their living, livelihood, and social interaction in the process of urbanization, mainly analyzes the specific problems existing at the psychological level, and further analyzes the self-identity of elderly migrants. It is reflected in various aspects such as family contribution, social interaction, cultural inheritance, economic independence, and self-realization. In order to better adapt to the changes in new environment and lifestyle, the study focuses on the needs and psychological changes of elderly migrants, and promotes the attention and research of relevant groups in society.

Spatial-temporal differentiation and influencing factors of carbon emission trajectory in Chinese cities - A case study of 247 prefecture-level cities

Cities, where human energy activities and greenhouse gas emissions are concentrated, contribute significantly to alleviating the impacts of global climate change. Utilizing the China Carbon Emissions Accounting Database (CEADs) to provide carbon dioxide emission inventories for urban areas in China at the prefecture level, this study closely examines the historical evolution trajectories of carbon emissions across 247 urban units from 2005 to 2019. The logarithmic cubic function model was employed to simulate these trajectories, evaluating urban emission peaks and classifying the different carbon emission trajectories. Further, the Geographical and Temporal Weighted Regression model was employed to explore spatiotemporal traits and essential variables that impact the variations in carbon emissions among four identified trajectory types. Our results showed that Chinese urban carbon emission trajectories can be classified into four categories: a) peaking emissions, b) fluctuating growth, c) continuous growth, and d) passive decline. Specifically, 43 cities, primarily in North China, proactively attained their emission peak post-2010, driven by the reduction in secondary industry and energy intensity. 90 cities, largely industrial hubs in the southeast coast and inland, reached an emission plateau around 2015, exhibiting fluctuating growth due to dependencies on secondary industries. 101 cities, predominantly located in western and central regions, demonstrated a clear upward trend in carbon emissions, propelled by rapid urbanization and heavy industry-oriented economic development. Lastly, 13 cities, typically in the northeastern and southwestern regions, experienced a passive decline in carbon emissions, attributable to resource depletion or economic downturns. It is evident that China's city-level carbon peaking has demonstrated some effectiveness, yet considerable progress is still required.

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Land Surface Temperature in Response to Land Use and Land Cover Changes: A Remote Sensing Approach

Rapid urbanisation in the global south has often introduced substantial and rapid uncontrolled Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes, considerably affecting the Land Surface Temperature (LST) patterns. Understanding the relationship between LULC changes and LST is essential to mitigate such effects, considering the urban heat island (UHI). This study aims to elucidate the spatiotemporal variations and alterations of LST in urban areas compared to LULC changes. The study focused on a peripheral urban area of Phnom Penh (Cambodia) undergoing rapid urban development. Using Landsat images from 2000 to 2021, the analysis employed an exploratory time-series analysis of LST. The study revealed a noticeable variability in LST (20 to 69 °C), which was predominantly influenced by seasonal variability and LULC changes. The study also provided insights into how LST varies within different LULC at the exact spatial locations. These changes in LST did not manifest uniformly but displayed site-specific responses to LULC changes. This study accounts for changing land surfaces’ complex physical energy interaction over time. The methodology offers a replicable model for other similarly structured, rapidly urbanised regions utilising novel semi-automatic processing of LST from Landsat images, potentially inspiring future research in various urban planning and monitoring contexts.

Sustainable Development Concept of Heritage Kampung Tourism Using Novel Prioritization Approach

Rapid urban development in Southeast Asia is often the main cause of urban kampung formation, a cluster of sporadic and informal settlements. Kampungs possess the capacity to serve to build the local economy and provide culture conservation through heritage tourism. To promote sustainable development in heritage kampung tourism, it is imperative to propose directives that optimize its heritage qualities without compromising both the economic and environmental aspects of sustainability. This study aims to develop a comprehensive sustainable development framework on a local scale by implementing a novel prioritization approach. Descriptive statistical analysis, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Fuzzy AHP (FAHP) provide the researchers with a holistic understanding regarding heritage tourism sustainability by considering various stakeholders’ perspectives. Novel prioritization is presented using radar diagrams to understand how each variable, representing environmental, social, and economic criteria, has perceived importance according to experts and tourists. The analysis highlights the kampung Kayutangan’s sustainability while acknowledging variations in element importance, necessitating the alignment of development directives.

Scenario-based statistical analysis for PM2.5 concentration: A case study of Seoul, South Korea

Rapid urban expansion and active economic development significantly contribute to increased levels of PM2.5, which degrades the urban environment. This study aims to establish a foundation for practical policy guidance on the impact of urban factors on PM2.5 concentrations in Seoul, South Korea. To achieve this objective, we utilized various urban factors, including socio-demographic data, three-dimensional urban geometry, land use, and traffic volume, in conjunction with PM2.5 concentrations estimated by satellite images. According to our statistical models, all urban development-related factors, except for Forest and Open Space (FOS), showed a statistically significant increase in PM2.5 concentration. However, FOS demonstrated an effective mitigation capability, with a 1% increase in FOS corresponding to an approximate 5% decrease in PM2.5 levels. In addition, five scenario analyses based on statistical results were conducted to evaluate the potential reduction of PM2.5 and associated spatial implications resulting from the removal of batching plants, decreased traffic volume, and the substitution of transportation network with green spaces in Seoul. They highlighted the importance of reducing traffic and increasing green spaces in order to lower PM2.5 levels. The findings suggest that a multifaceted strategy is necessary to develop efficient policies for mitigating PM2.5 for a sustainable environment.

The development of ecological smart cities in the post-epidemic era

With the accelerated development of globalization and urbanization, the advent of the post-epidemic era means that the world has begun to enter the recovery stage, and the rapid development of urbanization has caused cities to transform from a decentralized model to a centralized model. The growing population puts cities under tremendous pressure. This paper studies the case of Barcelona, analyzes and summarizes the development of Barcelona's ecological smart city, as well as the practical application of information technology and Internet of Things technology, and discusses the challenges faced by smart cities. The concept of ecological smart city consists of the Internet, openness, intelligence, innovation and green to form an urban planning framework. Lay out smart sensors according to the size and shape of urban space, and use smart technology to activate the city's ecosystem. The digitalization and IoT technology services of smart cities are not only conducive to the tracking and prevention of the epidemic, but also conducive to the recovery and development of the city in the post-epidemic era. Smart cities represent the development of a city that is more efficient, sustainable, and livable. The development trend of smart cities is characterized by the integration of advanced technologies to improve the quality of life of urban residents, improve sustainability, and optimize city operations. Finally, it provides some suggestions and experiences for the development of smart cities in the world and expectations for the future of this field of research.

Temporal-spatial characteristics and sources of heavy metals in bulk deposition across China

With the rapid development of industries, agriculture, and urbanization (including transportation and population growth), there has been a significant alteration in the emission and atmospheric deposition of heavy metal pollutants. This has consequently given rise to a range of ecological and environmental health issues. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive two-year investigation on the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals in atmospheric deposition across China based on the Nationwide Nitrogen Deposition Monitoring Network (NNDMN). The atmospheric bulk deposition of Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni), Selenium (Se), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) were 6.32 ± 1.59, 4.49 ± 0.57, 1.31 ± 0.21, 1.05 ± 0.16, 0.60 ± 0.06 and 0.21 ± 0.03 mg m−2 yr−1, respectively, with a large variation among the different regions of China. The order for atmospheric deposition flux was Southwest China > Southeast China > North China > Northeast China > Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and rural area > urban area > background area. The concentrations of heavy metals in bulk deposition exhibit seasonal variation with higher levels observed during winter compared to summer and spring, which are closely associated with anthropogenic activities. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) results indicated that combustion, industrial emissions and traffic are the primary contributors to atmospheric deposition of heavy metals. The single factor pollution index (Pi) of heavy metals is consistently below 1, and the composite pollution index (Ni) is 0.16 across China, indicating that atmospheric heavy metal deposition is at a pollution-free level. The comprehensive potential ecological risk index of heavy metals is 11.8, with Cd exhibiting the highest single factor potential ecological risk index at 7.09, suggesting that more attention should be paid to Cd deposition in China. The present study reveals the spatial-temporal distribution pattern of atmospheric heavy metals deposition in China, identifying regional source characteristics and providing a theoretical foundation and strategies for reducing emissions of atmospheric pollutants.

Spatiotemporal Variations of Urban Spatial Dispersion and Its Vegetation Degradation in Joglosemar’s Urban Growth Corridors, Indonesia

ABSTRACT Indonesia has several expanding metropolitan regions, such as the Joglosemar Urban Region. The Joglosemar Urban Region includes three major urban growth centres – the Semarang Metropolitan Region (SMR), the Surakarta Urban Region (SUR), and the Yogyakarta Urban Region (YUR) with three urban growth corridors connecting them. Urban growth corridors cover areas crossed by the main road network linking urban growth centres. Rapid and uncontrolled urban development can endanger environmental sustainability along the corridors. This study compares the three urban growth corridors within the Joglosemar Urban Region – the SMR-SUR, the SUR-YUR, and the SMR-YUR. It examines the spatiotemporal variations of urban compactness and urban vegetation degradation. This study uses Landsat Satellite Imagery from 2001, 2008, 2015, and 2022. The index-based calculation was employed to obtain the built-up area change, urban compactness, and vegetation degradation. The most dispersed urban areas observed had the greatest vegetation degradation. Among the three urban growth corridors, the SMR-SUR corridor recorded the highest vegetation degradation of −0.21, with an increase in compactness index of 0.02. Vegetation greenness is significantly reduced along urban expansion corridors with high spatial dispersion. Our assessment offers new insight to inform the government in enacting policy changes to control urban growth and its sustainability.

Integrated approach for groundwater potential exploration in Abbay River Basin, East Africa

This paper presents and examines groundwater potential zones with the help of remote sensing and GIS methods for controlling and investigating the geospatial data of each parameter. Groundwater is a very important source for water supply and others, considering its availability, quality, cost, and time-effectiveness to develop. It is virtually everywhere and yet variable in quantity. Because of several conditions, such as rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural development, groundwater sources are under severe threat. Climate change plays an important role in the quality and quantity of groundwater potential. In addition, climate change severely affects parameters that influence groundwater recharge. Unreliable exploitation and poor quality of surface water resources tend to increase the decline in groundwater levels. Hence, it is necessary to identify groundwater potential zones that can be used to optimize and monitor groundwater resources. This study was conducted in the Abbay River Basin and identifies the location of groundwater potential for developing new supplies that could be used for a range of purposes in the study area, where groundwater serves as the main source for agricultural purposes rather than surface water. Seven selected parameters—lineament density, precipitation, geology, drainage density, land use, slope, and soil data—were collected, processed, resampled, projected, and reclassified for hydrological analysis. For the generation of groundwater zones, weightage was calculated using an analytical hierarchy method, reclassified, ranked, and overlaid with GIS. The obtained results of weightage were lineament density (37%), precipitation (30%), geology (14%), drainage density (7%), land use land cover (5%), slope (4%), and soil (3%). The consistency ratio estimated for this study was 0.089, which was acceptable for further analysis. Based on the integration of all thematic layers and the generated groundwater potential zones, the map was reclassified into five different classes, namely very good, good, moderate, poor, and very poor. The results of this study reveal that 1295.33 km2 of the study area can be considered very poor, 58,913.1 km2 is poor, 131,323 km2 is moderate, 18,557 km2 is good, and 311.5 km2 is very good. Any groundwater management project performed in the better regions would offer the greatest value. A similar study would be valuable before planning any water resource development activity, as this would save the expense of comprehensive field investigations. This study also demonstrates the importance of remote sensing and GIS techniques in mapping groundwater potential at the basin scale and suggests that similar methods could be applied across other river basins.

Analysis of influencing factors for housing construction technology in Desakota Village and town communities in China

Rapid urbanization has reformed the peripheries of China’s main cities during the last four decades. The rural areas have been constantly developed through infrastructure development in recent days which introduces a newly semi-urban region referred to as Desakota. The purpose of this research is to discover potential influencing factors of housing construction technology in desakotas of China which needs to be assessed for the implementation of Desakotas forming globally. In this study, a total of six key primary factors and twenty key secondary factors have been shortlisted, which were surveyed by 120 respondents. After the statistical analysis, it is seen that one primary factor, “Architectural and engineering mechanical factors” has been ranked top. Moreover, “Cost, financial and economic evaluation and Analysis of the impact of the natural environment on buildings” both ranked top among twenty secondary factors. This study adds to the body of knowledge by revealing the primary contributing elements for the first time that need to be taken into consideration in the rural and town communities of desakotas in China. The study results could help stakeholders, construction firms, academicians, researchers, and the government to focus their efforts and resources on the significant changes in the Desakotas in preparation for rapid urban development.

Age-Inclusive Transit Environments: An Exploration of Public Transportation Systems for Elderly

The rising elderly population and rapid urban development have given rise to many interconnected challenges demanding transformative changes in the living environments to facilitate improved mobility and accessibility for the elderly. These issues encompass insufficient accessibility and infrastructure that do not cater to the needs of the elderly. This research explores the public transportation facilities in urban areas, encompassing infrastructure, services, and amenities that are accessible to the public and designed to facilitate community mobility and to identify the current facilities in public transportation and assess how effective and accessible they are for the elderly population.

Large reductions in nutrient losses needed to avoid future coastal eutrophication across Europe

Rapid technological development in agriculture and fast urbanization have increased nutrient losses in Europe. High nutrient export to seas causes coastal eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. This study aims to assess the river exports of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and identify required reductions to avoid coastal eutrophication in Europe under global change. We modelled nutrient export by 594 rivers in 2050 for a baseline scenario using the new MARINA-Nutrients model for Europe. Nutrient export to European seas is expected to increase by 13–28% under global change. Manure and fertilizers together contribute to river export of N by 35% in 2050. Sewage systems are responsible for 70% of future P export by rivers. By 2050, the top ten polluted rivers for N and P host 42% of the European population. Avoiding future coastal eutrophication requires over 47% less N and up to 77% less P exports by these polluted rivers.

Analysis of Environmental Factors Affecting Children's Safety in Park Construction

With the rapid development of urbanization, the construction of parks has gradually become a prominent topic. In addition to addressing infrastructure and facilities, the quality of park development requires consideration of safety factors, particularly those that may be easily overlooked in relation to childrens safety. This paper conducts a research analysis of Peoples Park and Hongshi Park in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, pinpointing some issues affecting childrens safety in park construction. The paper concludes with recommendations for constructing child-friendly parks that cater to both the psychological needs and safety requirements of children.

Combined effects of copper and cadmium exposure on ovarian function and structure in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

With the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization, the issue of copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) pollution in aquatic ecosystems has become increasingly severe, posing threats to the ovarian tissue and reproductive capacity of aquatic organisms. However, the combined effects of Cu and Cd on the ovarian development of fish and other aquatic species remain unclear. In this study, female Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were individually or co-exposed to Cu and/or Cd in water. Ovarian and serum samples were collected at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days, and the bioaccumulation, ovarian development, and hormone secretion were analyzed. Results showed that both single and combined exposure significantly reduced the gonadosomatic index and serum hormone levels, upregulated estrogen receptor (er) and progesterone receptor (pr) gene transcription levels, and markedly affected ovarian metabolite levels. Combined exposure led to more adverse effects than single exposure. The data demonstrate that the Cu and Cd exposure can impair ovarian function and structure, with more pronounced adverse effects under Cu and Cd co-exposure. The Cu and Cd affect the metabolic pathways of nucleotides and amino acids, leading to ovarian damage. This study highlights the importance of considering combined toxicant exposure in aquatic toxicology research and provides insights into the potential mechanisms underlying heavy metal-induced reproductive toxicity in fish.