Residential Neighborhoods Research Articles

Built environmental characteristics, physical activity in neighbourhoods of Accra, Ghana

Abstract There is increasing evidence that characteristics of the built environment can influence residents’ lifestyles, physical activity thereby influencing the development of obesity and non-communicable diseases even in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of the built and the social environment of neighbourhoods of Accra, Ghana, and to explore association between neighbourhood characteristics and the physical activity of the residents. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Accra, 12 neighbourhoods were randomly selected based on high and low values of residential density and socioeconomic status. Sociodemographic, household and neighbourhood information were collected with an adapted questionnaire of NEWS (Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale) for Africa. Physical activity was assessed by WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and social cohesion by the Perceived Neighbourhood Social Cohesion Questionnaire. Differences between variables by neighbourhood types were analysed using Chi square test and Kruskal Wallis test. Generalized linear model was performed to determine the association between neighbourhood characteristics and residents’ physical activity. The built environmental characteristics of different neighbourhood types and the physical activity of the residents showed significant differences. The associations indicated that individuals living in high residential density neighbourhoods had increased levels of engaging in physical activities. Land use mix, street connectivity, safety, aesthetics and social cohesion of neighbourhoods showed correlation with physical activity of residents. The built environment and social characteristics of neighbourhoods can influence the lifestyle and physical activity of residents in Accra, Ghana. Key messages • High residential density neighbourhoods correlated with higher level of physical activity. • Land use, street connectivity, safety and aesthetic of neighbourhoods and social cohesion showed correlation with physical activity.

Neighbourhood immigrant density and COVID-19 infection and hospitalization among healthcare workers

Abstract Background Studies have shown inequalities in COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs), with occupational exposure failing to fully explain the inequalities. Little is known about the role of other social determinants of health, such as neighborhood immigrant density. We examined if living in immigrant-dominated neighborhoods was associated with increased risk of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization among HCWs in Sweden, and if so, whether such exposure amplified the risk of COVID-19 among immigrant HCWs. Addressing this question would contribute to a better understanding of factors driving COVID-19 disparities among HCWs. Methods Data were from HCWs aged 20 to 62 years (N = 86187) resident in one of 14 Swedish municipalities (three of which are Sweden’s largest metropolitan cities) on 1 January 2020. Residential neighborhoods were categorised into Swedish-dominated, mixed, and immigrant-dominated. The study outcomes were the first occurrence of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization registered until 30 September 2022. Multilevel mixed-effects survival regression was used for the association analyses, with control for confounders (age, sex, income, comorbidities etc). Results After adjusting for confounders, living in immigrant-dominated neighborhoods was only associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection in the first pandemic wave (HR 1.17, 95%CI 1.07 - 1.29), but living in these areas was associated with an elevated risk of COVID-19 hospitalization throughout the entire period. Immigrant HCWs, regardless of where they lived, had around 2-fold higher risk of being hospitalised for COVID-19 than non-immigrant HCWs living in Swedish-dominated neighborhoods. Conclusions Neighborhood immigrant density was associated with COVID-19 hospitalization among HCWs in Sweden. However, immigrant HCWs had a high risk of the outcome regardless of where they lived. More research is needed to identify the root causes of the excess risk among immigrant HCWs. Key messages • HCWs living in immigrant-dominated neighborhoods had an elevated risk of COVID-19 hospitalization. • This study sheds additional light on the drivers of COVID-19 inequalities among Swedish HCWs.

Perceived Safety in Community Parks: The Case of Erbil

The parks are significant pillars of the city that fulfill various goals with clear objectives to engage. People can experience nature, engage in physical activity, and relax in parks. The research was based on a case study methodology to examine the reality of the park’s situation in residential neighborhoods through observations, in-person interviews, and a questionnaire. The study was conducted in neighborhoods and community parks within the city of Erbil (Sami Abdulrahman, Shanadar1, Peshmerga, Manar, Runaki, Kanyaw, Shanadar 2, Shanader 3, Gilkand, and Khanzad). The most significant conclusions from the study are: The research area's parks and gardens did not meet the requirements. In addition to lacking the majority of recreational amenities like sports fields and playgrounds, most parks offer areas for resting, strolling, and sitting down. According to the survey's findings, residents of Erbil's residential districts have a significant desire and curiosity to express their opinions in the city's parks. People of all ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds share this desire. Residents of the area make up the bulk of visitors to these parks and gardens (82%), and afternoons are the best times for them to visit., Additionally, only 8% of respondents think that these parks' playgrounds and exercise equipment satisfy their needs. Additionally, there is a great desire among visitors to add new recreational activities to these parks, such as sitting areas, family picnic areas, gathering areas for the elderly, play areas for kids, reading areas for school children, as well as walking corridors

Neighborhood Stressors and Epigenetic Age Acceleration among Older Americans.

Exposure to stressful neighborhood environments is a well-established risk factor for health deterioration and premature death. However, the biological underpinnings are not fully understood. Epigenetic aging may function as a key molecular pathway to adverse health outcomes among residents of high-stress neighborhoods. This study examines the associations between neighborhood social stressors (socioeconomic deprivation, observed and perceived disorder, and low social cohesion) and epigenetic age (DunedinPACE and Principal component adjusted (PC) PCHorvath, PCHannum, PCPhenoAge, PCGrimAge). Further, we identify sub-populations most vulnerable to neighborhood stressors. Respondent data are from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) DNA Methylation subsample. Neighborhood data come from respondent reports (2014/2016) and the census (2012-2016 ACS). The analytic sample included 3,146 adults ages 56 and older (mean age=68.8), of whom 54.9% were women and 19.3% were non-white. In multilevel regression models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, all neighborhood stressors were associated with faster DunedinPACE (B=0.008 to 0.017). Neighborhood deprivation, perceived disorder, and low cohesion were associated with PCPhenoAge (B=0.27 to 0.40) or PCGrimAge acceleration (B= 0.23). Health behaviors explained these associations to some degree. However, no significant associations were found with PCHorvath and PCHannum. In interaction analyses, adverse associations with deprivation, observed disorder, and low cohesion were more pronounced for women. No consistent interactions were found for race/ethnic and education groups. Our findings indicate that neighborhood stressors can accelerate epigenetic aging, with older women particularly vulnerable to their effects. These findings provide insights into the biological foundations of health disparities rooted in neighborhood environments.

‎The association between cumulative exposure to neighborhood walkability (NW) and diabetes risk, a prospective cohort study

PurposeTo examine the association between cumulative exposure to neighborhood walkability (NW) and diabetes risk. MethodsA total of 11,037 women free of diabetes at enrollment were included. We constructed a 4-item NW index at baseline, and a 2-item average annual NW across years of follow-up that captured both changes in neighborhood features and residential moves. We used multivariable Cox PH regression models with robust variance to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of diabetes by NW scores. ResultsCompared with women living in areas with lowest NW (Q1), those living in areas with highest NW (Q4) had 33 % (26 %−39 %) reduced risk of incident diabetes, using baseline NW, and 25 % (95 % CI 11 %−36 %), using average annual NW. Analysis using time-varying exposure showed that diabetes risks decreased by 13 % (10 %−16 %) per -standard deviation increase in NW. The associations remained similar when using inverse probability of attrition weights and/or competing risk models to account for the effect of censoring due to death or non-response. The associations of average annual NW with incident diabetes were stronger in postmenopausal women as compared to premenopausal women. ConclusionLong-term residence in more walkable neighborhoods may be protective against diabetes in women, especially postmenopausal women.

Exploring the interplay of urban form and greenery in residents’ affective and cognitive responses

Stress is a prevalent issue in modern cities, exacerbated by urban development and significantly affecting urban dwellers. While it is known that greenery can contribute to people’s wellbeing, it is unclear if it can mitigate the negative effects of urban development. In this study, we aim to explore the intricate dynamics between urban form and greenery to dissect their collective effect on human wellbeing, operationalized through physiological relaxation, preference, and emotional responses. The study employs an experimental study design using virtual reality technology to immerse participants (n=156) into residential neighborhood scenes, and measures affective and cognitive responses using skin conductance measures and a survey, respectively. In general, the findings confirm the critical role of urban greenery on affective and cognitive responses. Interestingly, we observe that this effect is highly dependent on the context and shows diverging patterns between different neighborhood types. In particular, in certain neighborhoods (popular, 60 s, and cooperative), greenery, no matter if species-poor or biodiverse, consistently improves preference and physiological relaxation. In contrast, urban centers and single-family residential areas may accommodate more biodiverse green spaces without compromising their existing high preference levels when compared to less affluent neighborhoods. The study concludes with a call for urban planning to cultivate equitable, green, and distinctively designed urban environments. This shift underscores the critical role of innovative urban design in improving the wellbeing of urban dwellers.

The implications of digital school quality information for neighbourhood and school segregation: Evidence from a natural experiment in Los Angeles

A digital information explosion has transformed cities’ residential and educational markets in ways that are still being uncovered. Although urban stratification scholars have increasingly scrutinised whether emerging digital platforms disrupt or reproduce longstanding segregation patterns, direct links between one theoretically important form of digital information – school quality data – and neighbourhood and school segregation are rarely drawn. To clarify these dynamics, we leverage an exogenous digital information shock, in which the Los Angeles Times’ website revealed measures of a particularly important school quality proxy – schools’ value-added effectiveness – for nearly all elementary schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Results suggest that although the information shock had no detectable effects on residential sorting or neighbourhood racial segregation, it did exert modest effects on school sorting – particularly for Latino and Asian students – albeit not in ways that materially diminished school racial segregation because the racial compositions of high- and low-value-added schools were broadly similar both before and after the information shock. We conclude that the urban stratification implications of digital information may be more nuanced than often appreciated, with effects operating through mechanisms beyond residential segregation and reflecting racial heterogeneity in constraints and preferences vis-à-vis specific types of information.

Does growing up in a physical activity-friendly neighborhood increase the likelihood of remaining active during adolescence and early adulthood?

BackgroundThe SOPHYA-cohort-study investigated whether the objectively characterized and perceived residential neighborhood of Swiss youth predict accelerometer-measured physical activity and activity in specific domains (participation in a sports club and cycling) five years later.MethodsAt baseline in 2014, 1230 children and adolescents aged 6 to 16 years participated and wore accelerometers for 7 days. Of these children, 447 participated again in the follow-up study in 2019 and provided longitudinal accelerometer measurements. Sociodemographic factors and perceptions of the local neighbourhood were assessed by questionnaire. Specific objective environmental data (e.g. built environment or social environment) was modelled to the children’s address at baseline. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were applied to identify short- and long-term characteristics that are associated with accelerometer-based physical activity, cycling and participation in organised sport.ResultsIf the neighborhood-score as perceived by the parents in 2014 was in the middle or lowest tertile, children were significantly less active cross-sectionally in 2014 (-41.1 (-78.0;-4.2) and -52.4 (-88.6;-16.2) counts per minute, cpm), and five years later (-52.4 (-88.6;-16.2) and 48.1 (-86.6;-9.7) cpm). In addition, they were also less likely to accumulate active minutes above the median at both measuring points compared to peers of the same age and sex. Using objective environmental data modeled around the children’s residential address, similar associations were found: In the tertile with the lowest proportion of green space children achieved less cpm in 2014, while a high main street density and a low socioeconomic environment, respectively, hindered physical activity tracking above the median longitudinally. Also for cycling and participation in a sport club, the associations with the perceived and objective environment were more pronounced in the longitudinal analyses.ConclusionThe results suggest that growing up in a physical activity friendly neighborhood increases the likelihood of remaining active during adolescence and early adulthood. Interventions should be implemented to ensure that children growing up in an unfavorable neighborhood do not fall behind at an early stage.

Examining the Impact of Social Factors on Spatial Desirability of Urban Neighbourhoods

The increasing importance of neighbourhoods in urban planning, combined with an enhanced focus on the social aspects of designing desirable communities and societies, has emanated the necessity of developing a clear understanding of spatially desirable neighbourhoods. When considering various dimensions of social vitality and existing urban planning norms for residential neighbourhoods, it appears essential to consider and integrate both social and spatial aspects to formulate a desirable community. This article examines the impact of social factors on spatial desirability and vitality of residential neighbourhoods in the context of Iran. The historic city of Yazd has been selected as the case study. Following thorough evaluation of existing neighbourhoods in the city, three study areas have been selected for detailed study; Zortosht neighbourhood, Shahrak University residential complex and Baqiyatullah Azam residential complex. Based on the nature of this study, a qualitative method has been adopted to conduct this research. Extracting from the literature review, three factors of safety and security, sense of attachment to place and social interaction are among the most important socio-cultural factors that can affect the social vitality of a neighbourhood. After the content analysis of the interviews (through semi-structured questionnaires) from the stakeholders and residents of the study areas, observation and documentation of physical and spatial structure of the neighbourhoods and analysing data by interrelating social, as well as spatial aspects, the study concluded that social and spatial aspects are interconnected and both are impacting each other to result in social vitality and spatial desirability of a neighbourhood. Moreover, it was observed that spatial layout of neighbourhoods can increase the potential for social vitality and liveliness. Finally, research recommends design policies for socially integrated and spatially desirable neighbourhoods in the context of Iran, which may be applicable in other similar contexts too.

All (economic) politics is local: Voting responses to localized price shocks during the great recession

AbstractThe connection between individual and macroeconomic conditions and voting behavior is well‐established. We contribute to the less resolved “spatial gap” in the literature that centers on how the localized economic conditions of where voters live influence their likelihood to vote. We test how space mediates the tension between voter mobilization and withdrawal in the face of economic shocks. We consider a scenario, the Great Recession, where economic shocks were quite localized and sudden, and compile an extensive dataset of all registered voters in the four‐county Tampa metropolitan area between 2006 and 2015. Using sales prices and property characteristics from the tax assessor rolls, we estimate a neighborhood‐level shock to housing values induced by the Great Recession. Results show that when we do not account for local neighborhood variation, the Great Recession is associated with a significant decrease in voter turnout. However, when we account for localized economic shocks, we find that residents in neighborhoods with negative price shocks were more likely to vote after the Recession, especially in non‐local elections. In addition, the propensity to vote increases with the size of the negative price shock. There is some evidence that variation at the neighborhood level matters more than voter‐level heterogeneity. The positive voting response is most profound in predominantly Black neighborhoods, and, to a lesser extent, in predominantly Hispanic and the lowest income neighborhoods. Increases in the propensity to vote are robust to models controlling for baseline economic vulnerabilities, such as localized unemployment, the weakness of the local housing market and exposure to sectors hit hardest by the Recession. The results indicate that dramatic and sudden changes in localized economic conditions can drive voting behavior, and in ways that are distinct from macroeconomic drivers. In addition, the housing asset channel appears to be a powerful one, which can induce significant voting responses at the national level apart from other localized economic drivers, especially among homeowners.

Is Zagreb Green Enough? Influence of Urban Green Spaces on Mitigation of Urban Heat Island: A Satellite-Based Study

The urban heat island phenomenon is a climatic condition in which urbanized areas exhibit higher temperature values than their natural surroundings. This occurs due to an unbalanced energy budget caused by the extensive use of synthetic materials. In such a scenario, urban green areas act as stressors to mitigate the intensity of the urban heat island and improve urban well-being. This study analyzes the spatial-temporal characteristics of the urban heat island in Zagreb, Croatia, aiming to examine the role of different types of green infrastructure in mitigating elevated temperature values and facilitating the definition of greener planning strategies. To achieve this, a multitemporal remote sensing- and NDVI-based analysis was conducted for the time series 1984–2014. An urban heat island intensity map was obtained for the selected 30-year period, along with thermal graphs registering land surface temperature values among different city districts. The results reveal significant heterogeneity, displaying variable behavior dependent on the city district. The role of Zagreb’s urban green areas in urban heat island mitigation is evident but largely dependent on urban morphology, construction types, and periods. Urban forests and urban parks play the most significant role in temperature reduction, followed by residential building neighborhoods and extensive neighborhoods consisting of familiar houses with gardens. Continuously built areas, such as the city center and industrial zones, are less prone to registering lower intensity values. Additionally, multitemporal intensity variations based on land use changes are registered in several districts.

Exploring Floristic Diversity, Propagation Patterns, and Plant Functions in Domestic Gardens across Urban Planning Gradient in Lubumbashi, DR Congo

Urbanization degrades natural habitats and creates new urban ecosystems like domestic gardens. The plant composition of these gardens varies with socio-economic factors and urban planning levels. However, the diversity and impact of introduced species are often poorly assessed, causing potential ecological imbalances (disruptions in the natural functioning and stability of ecosystems), particularly in Lubumbashi (DR Congo). The objective was to analyze the spatial structure, plant diversity, propagation strategies, and ecological functions of domestic gardens. Three distinct neighborhoods were selected: a planned, unplanned, and residential neighborhood. Twenty avenues (with five plots per avenue) were chosen to represent the diversity within each neighborhood, and stratified random sampling of plots was conducted to analyze gardening practices. Gardens were classified into types, and their vegetation was evaluated based on species origin and ecological impact. The analysis of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi reveals significant variations across different neighborhood types. Residential neighborhoods exhibit larger average garden sizes (315.1 m2), higher species richness (22 species), and larger plot sizes (1032 m2) compared to unplanned and planned neighborhoods, where garden areas and species richness are notably lower. Rectangular gardens dominate in unplanned areas, while planned neighborhoods feature more intentional landscaping elements, such as flowerbeds and hedges. The use of gardens for food production is prominent in planned areas (40.7%), whereas residential neighborhoods prioritize ornamentation (51.4%). The study identified 232 taxa across 68 families, with a predominance of exotic species (80%) in all neighborhoods, particularly in unplanned areas (82.25%). The data revealed that Mangifera indica and Persea americana are abundant in all neighborhoods, illustrating their adaptability to different urban contexts. Herbaceous species are most common, followed by woody plants, with vines being sparse. Species dispersal is primarily driven by human activities (anthropochory), accounting for over 85% in all neighborhoods. These findings highlight the strong human influence on the composition and structure of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi, emphasizing the dominance of exotic species and the importance of anthropogenic factors in shaping urban green spaces. Urban policies should incorporate strategies to minimize the negative impacts of exotic species on native flora.

Longitudinal Relationship between Built Environment and Physical Fitness in Chinese Children and Adolescents: Findings from the COHERENCE Study

BACKGROUNDThe built environment is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in promoting physical fitness (PF). However, there is a lack of research examining the relationship between the built environment and PF, and this study aims to address this gap. METHODSThe study utilizes data from the Children's Growth Environment, Lifestyle, Physical, and Mental Health Development Project (COHERENCE) in Guangzhou, China. This project collects annual data on PF and demographic information of primary and high school students from 2016/17 to 2019/20 academic year. The built environment data around participants' residential neighborhoods is obtained based on the 5Ds framework. RESULTSAmong the 96,402 participants, aged 8.66 (1.88) years old, 51,363 (53.3%) were boys. The fitted restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve revealed a reverse N-shaped relationship between population density and PF. Threshold analysis discovered that when the distance from the residential address to the nearest public transport station was not more than 470 m, a longer distance was associated with better PF [β (Unstandardized coefficient) = 0.764, 95%CI (Confidence Interval) = 0.297, 1.230]. CONCLUSIONSThis large population-based study suggests that there is an urgent need for community-scale policies related to built environment in order to enhance the PF of Chinese children and adolescents.

Perception of one's social environment and loneliness: results of the nationally representative "Old age in Germany (D80+)" study.

To examine the association between perception of one's social environment (in terms of residential attachment and neighborhood trust) and loneliness among the oldest old and whether these associations differ by living arrangement. We used data from the nationally representative "Old Age in Germany (D80+)" study that included individuals residing in private households and institutionalized settings. The analytic sample was 9,621 individuals (average age: 85.5 years, SD: 4.1 years; 62% female). Data collection took place from November 2020 to April 2021. Multiple linear regressions were conducted with adjustment for relevant covariates. Higher residential attachment (β=-0.02, p < .05) and higher neighborhood trust (β=-0.12, p < .001) were associated with less loneliness. The latter association was moderated by living arrangement (β=-0.09, p = .04) such that the association between neighborhood trust and loneliness was stronger among individuals living in institutionalized settings compared to individuals in private households. Greater residential attachment and neighborhood trust, particularly among individuals living in institutionalized settings, are associated with less loneliness among the oldest old. Finding ways to improve perceived attachment and trust may assist in avoiding loneliness among older individuals.

Beyond half-mile circle: Measuring the impact of subway expansion on home-based travels in Beijing, China

Subways play an important role in supporting travel needs, yet whether the benefits of subway expansion can justify the substantial investments remains a much-debated question. Existing studies have arbitrarily defined the catchment area of a subway station using walking distance and have disproportionately focused on commuting trips, potentially underestimating broader subway effects. To address these limitations, this study employed the distance-band approach to accurately define the treatment area of subway stations while incorporating both local and network effects. Based on longitudinal mobile signaling data, we used the difference-in-differences approach to estimate the average treatment effects of 32 new subway stations on different types of home-based travels in Beijing, China. We found that the opening of new subway stations has led to significant increases in subway usage, trip duration, and trip distance within a 2000-metre radius, and that commuting trips have been more affected than home-based non-commuting trips, except during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the new subway stations also enhanced the connectivity of the city-wide network, influencing the travel behavior of residents in the vicinity of existing subway stations. We further found that subway expansion is particularly beneficial for women, younger residents, and residents of low-rent neighborhoods. According to these findings, planning new subway stations in Beijing and other densely populated megacities requires an integrated approach that considers the relationships between the existing transport network and diverse travel demand.

Gendered Contexts? The Effect of Neighbourhood Socio‐Economic Deprivation on Girls' and Boys' Cognitive and Non‐Cognitive Development

ABSTRACTDoes socio‐economic deprivation of adolescents' residential neighbourhoods affect their cognitive and non‐cognitive development? Leveraging data from the National Child Development Study (NCDS) in the UK, this study investigates this question focusing on gender differences. By exploiting the quasi‐exogenous social housing allocation procedures in the UK, I aim to limit issues related to the endogeneity of neighbourhood selection. Results show that living in more deprived areas has overall a negative effect on cognitive and non‐cognitive development. However, neighbourhood deprivation negatively affects girls', as compared to boys', cognitive skills, academic motivation and employability skills, while no significant gender difference is detected for problem behaviour. On the one hand, these findings highlight the importance of taking gender into account in neighbourhood studies and, on the other hand, they suggest that the availability of support within the local area and the quality of institutions should be considered as relevant theoretical mechanisms to understand the role of neighbourhoods on different spheres of adolescent development.

Social order in Sweden's politicized and vulnerable neighborhoods – The perspective of residents

AbstractThis paper draws attention to a group of neighborhoods that are the object of heated elite discussions in many European countries. Using Sweden as our case, we demonstrate the feasibility of conducting high‐quality surveys with residents in neighborhoods where large shares have an immigrant background and low socioeconomic status. Moreover, we develop a measurement that allows us to assess what residents in two of Sweden's politicized and vulnerable neighborhoods think is needed to improve the social order of their local areas. We find that residents believe that neighborhood problems are generally about a lack of social control between people and that residents are not preoccupied with culture clash issues. Overall, beliefs about what contributes to social order are structured, largely homogenous and independent of elite discourse. Based on a comparison with a nationally representative sample, we conclude that residents in vulnerable neighborhoods and residents in other neighborhoods share a similar worldview and approach to daily life, but that the need for local social order is more keenly felt in the vulnerable neighborhoods.

Корректировка проекта планировки территории в целях комплексного развития

Land use in urban areas has been undergoing significant changes in recent years. The practical implementation of Law No. 494-FZ on the integrated development of urban areas, adopted in 2020, faces difficulties of both an objective and subjective nature. Public authorities continue to improve the mechanism of integrated development of territories on an ongoing basis for the successful implementation of the project. Amendments are made in respect of those territories whose borders have not been established and, accordingly, are not displayed on the urban zoning map. Often, the integrated development of territories is understood as the reconstruc-tion or demolition of dilapidated emergency housing, whereas this concept has a much broader meaning. In areas free from dilapidated housing, it means the design and construction of not only modern residential premises, but the construction of the entire infrastructure, starting from schools, kindergartens, clinics, pharmacies, etc. Territories and residential neighborhoods have been established on the territory of Krasnoyarsk, which fall into the zone of integrated development. Solving prob-lems related to the implementation of this project is relevant.

Uncovering barriers and drivers: private developer participation in the urban regeneration of Riyadh’s residential inner-city neighborhoods

ABSTRACT Cities worldwide are experiencing substantial urban expansion, leading to environmental degradation. Riyadh is a good example of this, growing at a rapid pace resulting in the urban sprawl becoming environmentally, socially, and economically unsustainable. Urban densification and sustainable revitalization are approaches to limit land usage, accommodate a growing population, and maintain high-quality urban areas, particularly, in the inner city. This process is complex and dynamic and necessitates the involvement of private developers whose engagement plays a critical role in facilitating property redevelopment. This research examines the barriers and drivers that impact developer participation in rejuvenating inner city neighborhoods in Riyadh. The mixed methods of a survey and focus group discussions are used to examine the perspectives of private developers. Three key themes evolved focusing on investment potential, the regulatory environment, and key enablers of urban regeneration. The findings reveal a cautiously optimistic view of these themes, with several challenges and opportunities identified. This research highlights the need for a holistic approach to urban planning for regeneration and land use management, especially in inner-city residential areas. This study adds to the scarce research on urban regeneration in the Middle East context and establishes a foundation for future research.

Designing a sustainable delivery network with parcel locker systems as collection and transfer points

Collection and delivery points, both attended and fully automated, have emerged as a popular solution in last-mile delivery. They offer not only operational advantages for the delivery company but also present a pathway to mitigating the negative environmental impact of parcel delivery operations. In this study, we explore a new approach, where parcel locker systems have a dual role: as collection points for customers and as transfer points for the delivery company. We introduce a variant of the Location-Routing Problem, optimizing the strategic location and capacity size of parcel locker systems as well as the delivery routes from those points. We develop an efficient branch-and-price algorithm and apply it to a real-life case study that focuses on the design of a delivery network with parcel lockers in a residential neighborhood in the city of Groningen, the Netherlands. Our case study findings underscore that the dual role of parcel locker systems considerably reduces the travel distance of delivery vehicles, is well-suited to deal with potential future increase in demand for parcel collection, and reduces the likelihood of customers traveling to parcel locker by car.