Residential Landscapes Research Articles

Mapping coastal resilience: Precision insights for green infrastructure suitability.

Addressing the need for effective flood risk mitigation strategies and enhanced urban resilience to climate change, we introduce a cloud-computed Green Infrastructure Suitability Index (GISI) methodology. This approach combines remote sensing and geospatial modeling to create a cloud-computed blend that synthesizes land cover classifications, biophysical variables, and flood exposure data to map suitability for green infrastructure (GI) implementation at both street and landscape levels. The GISI methodology provides a flexible and robust tool for urban planning, capable of accommodating diverse data inputs and adjustments, making it suitable for various geographic contexts. Applied within the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO) in North Carolina, USA, our findings show that residential parcels, constituting approximately 91% of the total identified suitable areas, are optimally positioned for GI integration. This underscores the potential for embedding GI within developed residential urban landscapes to bolster ecosystem and community resilience. Our analysis indicates that 7.19% of the WMPO area is highly suitable for street-level GI applications, while 1.88% is ideal for landscape GI interventions, offering opportunities to enhance stormwater management and biodiversity at larger and more connected spatial scales. By identifying specific parcels with high suitability for GI, this research provides a comprehensive and transferable, data-driven foundation for local and regional planning efforts. The scalability and adaptability of the proposed modeling approach make it a powerful tool for informing sustainable urban development practices. Future work will focus on more spatially-resolved models of these areas and the exploration of GI's multifaceted benefits at the local level, aiming to guide the deployment of GI projects that align with broader environmental and social objectives.

Removing autumn leaves in residential yards reduces the spring emergence of overwintering insects.

Removing autumn leaves in residential yards reduces the spring emergence of overwintering insects.

Smart Casa: Transforming India\'s Residential Landscape through IoT & Automation.

The rapid growth of IoT and home automation is reshaping residential living, with Smart Casa at the forefront of this revolution. This paper explores Smart Casa’s vision to transform India’s residential landscape through cutting-edge smart home solutions. By leveraging advancements in IoT, AI, and cloud computing, Smart Casa offers energy-efficient, secure, and convenient home automation systems tailored to the needs of modern households. The operational plan outlines key aspects, including product development, supply chain optimization, customer service, and technology integration, ensuring seamless functionality and scalability. The study highlights market opportunities, such as energy management, home security, and elderly care, while addressing challenges like privacy concerns and high initial costs. Smart Casa’s commitment to sustainability and innovation positions it as a leader in India’s burgeoning smart home market, empowering residents to embrace a smarter, safer, and more connected lifestyle

Vitality Decline in Residential Landscapes: A Natural Experiment Insight from Hefei, China

This study selected green spaces from three residential areas in Hefei as the research subjects, combining behavioral observation methods and a natural experiment to collect behavioral data from 2010 and 2024. The data were then compared using Poisson regression models. Additionally, home visits were conducted to gather residents’ perceptions of the factors contributing to the decline in vitality. Based on the survey data, multilevel regression analysis was performed to explore the decline in RQGS usage vitality and its influencing factors in the context of rapid urbanization. This study found a significant decline in green space visits, particularly during the afternoon (16:00–18:00) and in areas adjacent to roadways. The main influencing factors include emerging leisure choices (such as taking the subway to large parks or preferring indoor activities) and residents’ satisfaction with RQGS characteristics (such as functional zoning, noise pollution, and neighborhood familiarity). Notably, there was no significant correlation between “disposable leisure time” and visit frequency. These findings suggest that, despite the inherent advantages of proximity, the vitality of RQGS faces increasing challenges due to emerging diverse leisure demands and growing environmental disturbances. In contrast to the traditional emphasis on accessibility, this study recommends that future RQGS planning prioritize functional zoning (e.g., dog-walking areas, sports zones), address the needs of vulnerable groups, and focus on mitigating vehicle noise and air pollution rather than merely expanding parking facilities. Interventions should be scheduled for the afternoon and emphasize strengthening community interaction and cohesion to enhance user experience. This research provides valuable scientific evidence and practical guidance for urban planners and policymakers to optimize residential green spaces in the context of rapid urbanization, offering new perspectives for the empirical evaluation of RQGS upgrades.

Smart Casa: Transforming India's Residential Landscape through IoT & Automation

The food delivery market has seen a radical shift with the introduction of online platforms, in response to growing demands for convenience, diversity, and customized dining experiences. This research paper discusses the innovative business model of FUDZY, an all-inclusive food delivery platform that exceeds traditional services through scheduled deliveries, catering services, and customized chef experiences. The research explores the market forces, operational strategy, and financial viability of FUDZY, emphasizing its distinct value proposition within a changing competitive environment. Through the examination of consumer behavior, technological changes, and service differentiation, this paper seeks to explore FUDZY's potential to transform the food delivery business. The study emphasizes operational effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and business scalability, analyzing the extent to which FUDZY complies with changing market trends and technological developments in the food-tech industry. The research indicates that by leveraging cutting-edge AI-based suggestions, smooth logistics, and a customer-first philosophy, FUDZY can overcome key industry pain points. Moreover, financial projections show the long-term viability and investment prospect for the platform, thus a feasible solution for contemporary food delivery problems.

노량진로 주변의 수평적 도시조직의 형성과정에 관한 연구 - 도시 경관의 형성과 도시기반시설에 대하여

This study examines the impact of the modern urban infrastructures and transportation systems introduced in the Noryangjin areas during the postwar periods. As the construction of the first crossing bridge in the Han River proceeded Noryangjin became the closest hinter land to the old town Seoul. Accordingly the construction of a new urban expressways as well as the relocation of old markets and schools from the old town to Norayngjin were carried out. The Noryangjin areas were physically divided into linear urban tissues as the newly introduced car roads and railways had been developed along the East-West direction. Depending on the accessibility to the new urban strips from the new railway station, pedestrian bridges and car roads, various programs, volumes and densities were gradually allocated to them. As a result they have influenced the formulation of unique commercial and residential landscape of Noryangjin with the Noryangjin Fisherie Market, the Gosiwon village and the low-rise housing district, develoed in parallel with Norayngjin-ro. Moreover the Noryangjin new town re-development plans of 2024 are based on the historically driven horizontal urban programs and densities where the areas for preservation are also found, which will continuously influence the future landscape of Noryangjin.

Exploring Common Residential Landscape Types and Their Water Budget in Amman, Jordan

Understanding the components of residential landscapes in Amman can deliver effective information about landscape elements, materials, and water requirements. This research aimed to identify the most common landscape types and materials for residential properties and their landscape water budget in Amman, Jordan. This research surveyed 54 residential properties with a landscape in six neighborhoods in Amman. All landscape elements and materials were measured, identified, and documented on an AutoCAD plan. The whole landscaped area around the home was divided into separate zones based on landscape location and use (front yard, back yard, and side yard). Each zone was treated as an individual landscape. All landscape areas were standardized per zone area. Seven common landscape types were identified, and they represented 87% of all studied landscapes. The common landscape types were hard-surface, hard-surface soil, hard-surface mulch, hard-surface turf, soil, tree hard-surface turf, and turf. The hard-surface landscape was the most common type, forming 42% of Amman’s residential landscape. Common landscape types were grouped into two water budget groups. Turf landscape type had the highest landscape water budget. Plants with a ‘low to moderate’ water use level were the most common in the Amman residential landscape.

Fertilizer management approaches influence nutrient leaching from residential landscapes.

Residential lawn management often includes fertilizer application to encourage healthy plant growth and support the aesthetic preferences of homeowners and communities. These inputs may negatively impact the environment by increasing nutrient export to aquatic ecosystems via surface runoff or leaching through soil into groundwater. Fertilizer management and nutrient export are of particular concern in karst areas like North-Central Florida, where the underlying karst geology leads to rapid, direct connections between surface and groundwater ecosystems. We quantified nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) leaching from residential landscapes in North-Central Florida. We investigated nutrient leaching from landscapes spanning a real estate gradient and across different fertility treatments (no N fertilizer, synthetic mineral fertilizer, biosolids-based organic mineral fertilizer, compost topdressing, natural areas). We measured leachate from these landscapes weekly for 1 year. All residential landscapes, including control yards that received no N fertilizer, leached >10x more nitrate than natural areas, and landscapes treated with synthetic fertilizer exhibited an >80x increase in nitrate leaching. Fertilizer treatments also appeared to alter the N leaching composition, with a greater proportion of total dissolved N leaching coming from nitrate in fertilized treatments (synthetic and organic) compared to natural, control, or compost-treated landscapes. These results show that landscape management and human actions are important drivers of nutrient leaching in residential landscapes. While all residential lawns leached more N than natural areas, less leaching was associated with certain management approaches. When implemented at larger scales, these approaches may reduce the likelihood of negative impacts of residential landscapes on regional water quality.

Into the Wild – U.S. Consumer Preferences for Residential Landscape Wildlife

Abstract A key benefit of botanically diverse landscapes is their ability to attract and support wildlife. Nature relatedness, a term that describes the affective, cognitive, and experiential aspect of human-nature relations, promotes positive well-being and happiness. Wildlife is a broad term which can include insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Because markets are typically heterogeneous, consumers are likely to respond differently to landscapes that are wildlife-friendly. The present study used an online survey to explore U.S. consumer preferences for 10 different types of wildlife in landscapes. Participants wanted landscapes that attracted songbirds, butterflies, pollinators, and bees. In general, participants were neutral about attracting gamebirds, deer, and chipmunks. However, they wanted to deter insects, bats, and snakes. Greater native plant knowledge and higher nature relatedness ratings improved the probability of participants wanting to attract all 10 types of wildlife. Demographics impacted preferences with older participants wanting to attract songbirds, butterflies, bees, and pollinators but deter all other types of wildlife. On average, women wanted to attract butterflies but deter game birds, deer, chipmunks, insects, bats, and snakes. Rural residents were more interested in attracting all types of wildlife. People with children wanted to attract gamebirds, deer, and chipmunks to their landscapes.

Formation of the spatial structure of the bird population in High-mountainous Dagestan and the concept of preserving its avifauna

The presented work is the concluding part of a previously published article (Vilkov 2023) and based on a mathematical analysis of the empirical material collected during route bird surveys in 1998–2021 in the High­mountainous Province of Dagestan. Based on the long­term average population density data for 96 birds nesting and likely nesting, a cluster analysis was carried out, during which the identified avifaunal communities were grouped according to the similarity of their abundance. Using correlation analysis, environmental factors were identified that determine the territorial variability of bird population abundance. Based on the estimates of the strengths of connections determined from the Jaccard­Naumov coefficients similarity data matrix, a graph was constructed that reflects the spatial structure of the bird population at the level of selected key areas. When interpreting the spatial structure of the bird population using cluster and correlation analysis data, as well as faunal and ecological ranking data, similarities between the compared avifaunal communities were revealed, and 4 main trends in bird population changes in factor space were identified. Based on the results of assessing the strength and generality of the relationships between structure­forming factors and the territorial variability of the bird population (taking into account the areas of landscapes), the most significant was the impact of afforestation, the area of open spaces and the area of residential landscapes. When interpreting spatial differences taking into account natural and anthropogenic changes, it is possible to create a predictive model of the transformation of avifaunal communities within the study area. Analysis of existing threats that have a negative impact on the number and species diversity of birds allowed developing a population management concept based on 4 strategic directions. 1. Gasification of High­Mountain Dagestan to prevent deforestation and restore the species diversity of forest birds. 2. To preserve the species diversity of meadow birds, redirect cattle grazing to areas of meadows with increased overgrowth of grassy vegetation. 3. Increase the area of fields for sowing grain crops to preserve the species diversity of granivorous birds. 4. To preserve the species diversity of birds of prey, install perches in a mosaic pattern in the fields of grain crops.

Global Invasion of Thrips parvispinus (Karny) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Across Three Continents Associated With Its One Haplotype

ABSTRACTThrips parvispinus (Karny) is an exotic pest that has invaded many regions around the world in the last three decades. It was first detected in Florida in 2020 on ornamental plants (Hoya and Anthurium) in greenhouses and subsequently on ornamental plants in residential landscapes (Gardenia) in 2021. However, its first report on open vegetable field crops (Capsicum) in Florida was in 2022. We conducted field surveys and genetic analysis to answer three questions: (1) Is the population of T. parvispinus that invaded Florida the same as the one that has spread globally in the last few decades? (2) Is the host expansion to Capsicum in Florida a new population or the extension of the existing population reported on ornamental plants? and (3) What are the native and invaded distribution ranges of T. parvispinus? We analysed the genetic variation in the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI) to address these questions. The global genetic diversity analysis of T. parvispinus revealed 18 haplotypes (populations) worldwide based on available data, but only one population (Hap1) invaded three continents: Africa, Europe, and North America. Based on available data, the highest haplotype diversity was observed in India, suggesting India may be part of the presumed native range (South and Southeast Asian countries) of T. parvispinus. Our survey of retail plant stores across 10 Florida counties indicated that plant trade is the source of T. parvispinus in open vegetable field crops and ornamental landscape plants. The outcome of this study will assist with regulatory and management decisions of T. parvispinus in Florida and elsewhere.

Four-walled or fourfold? Assessing if the gated community is an antidote to cities or a macrocosm of deprived houses

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study evaluates the effectiveness of established and emerging city typologies, comparing whether the gated city functions as a four-walled microcosm of the deprived concrete house or serves as an antidote to urban sprawl. The fourfold model is grounded in evidence-based theories on residential greenness and urban health, resulting in four variables: greenness, sky views, social enrichment, and personal boundaries. Against the backdrop of the Greater Cairo Region, where urban evolution unfolded over two decades, leading to the emergence of gated cities, adult participants completed surveys representing pre- and post-decades. This shift in the residential landscape towards independent and gated communities allows for an assessment of well-being across city/community types and house typologies, comparing the efficacy of gated cities in relation to macro and micro typologies with the four variables. The results reveal intriguing patterns and pitfalls of gated communities, contributing to the ongoing discourse on creating inclusive and fulfilling residential environments. The study underscores the importance of examining interactive experiences within the macro-scale environment and calls for future research to extend beyond the blueprint, engaging residents with the four variables through urban and architectural designs, rather than closing doors and expecting an experience that enhances their well-being.

Remote Sensing of Residential Landscape Irrigation in Weber County, Utah: Implications for Water Conservation, Image Analysis, and Drone Applications

Analyzing irrigation patterns to promote efficient water use in urban areas is challenging. Analysis of irrigation by remote sensing (AIRS) combines multispectral aerial imagery, evapotranspiration data, and ground-truth measurements to overcome these challenges. We demonstrate AIRS on eight neighborhoods in Weber County, Utah, using 0.6 m National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) and 0.07 m drone imagery, reference evapotranspiration (ET), and water use records. We calculate the difference between the actual and hypothetical water required for each parcel and compare water use over three time periods (2018, 2021, and 2023). We find that the quantity of overwatering, as well as the number of customers overwatering, is decreasing over time. AIRS provides repeatable estimates of irrigated area and irrigation demand that allow water utilities to track water user habits and landscape changes over time and, when controlling for other variables, see if water conservation efforts are effective. In terms of image analysis, we find that (1) both NAIP and drone imagery are sufficient to measure irrigated area in urban settings, (2) the selection of a threshold value for the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) becomes less critical for higher-resolution imagery, and (3) irrigated area measurement can be enhanced by combining NDVI with other tools such as building footprint extraction, object classification, and deep learning.

Regional variation in the landscape ecology of West Nile virus sentinel chicken seroconversion in Florida.

How landscape composition and configuration impact the distribution of multi-vector and multi-host mosquito vector-borne disease systems, such as West Nile virus (WNV), remains challenging because of complex habitat and resource requirements by hosts and vectors that affect transmission opportunities. We examined correlations between landscape composition and configuration and 2018 WNV sentinel chicken seroconversion in Florida, USA across the state and within five National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) bioclimatic regions to understand strength and variation of landscape effects during an elevated transmission year. Although few landscape studies have examined WNV in Florida, we expected higher percentages of residential or medium-developed landscapes and more fragmented landscapes would be positively correlated with WNV seroconversion owing to the main mosquito vector habitats and avian host distributions. However, we expected to find variation in the importance of forest, wetland, and agriculture landscapes across bioclimatic regions in the state. WNV seroconversion rates were calculated using Florida 2018 Department of Health WNV sentinel chicken seroconversion data from 187 flocks maintained by mosquito control programs. Percent land cover and edge density metrics were calculated for multiple land cover classes and within multiple buffer distances from chicken coops using 2019 National Land Cover Data. We used binomial generalized linear mixed effects models to calculate the importance of landscape metrics to WNV seroconversion. We found no statewide predictors of seroconversion, but as expected, the importance of landscape varied across regions. In the north-central part of the state, we found higher seroconversion in less populated suburban areas while higher seroconversion in south-central Florida was correlated with fragmented forested areas within 0.5 km of coops and intact woody wetland areas within 2 km of coops. This work corroborates previous findings that consistent landscape predictors of WNV are difficult to identify across broader geographic areas and sets the stage for additional work that incorporates climate and landscapes interactions for a greater understanding of WNV ecology in this geographic region.

Strategic housing decisions and the evolution of urban settlements: optimality modelling and empirical application in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Investments in housing influence migration and landscape construction, making them a key component of human-environment interactions. However, the strategic decision-making that builds residential landscapes is an underdeveloped area of research in evolutionary approaches to human behaviour. Our contribution to this literature is a theoretical model and an empirical test of this model using data from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. We develop a model of strategic housing decisions using stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) to explore the trade-offs between building, moving and saving over time, finding different trade-offs depending on optimization scenarios and housing costs. Household strategies are then estimated using data on 825 households that settled in the Ger districts of Ulaanbaatar between 1942 and 2020. The Ger districts are areas of self-built housing that feature both mobile dwellings (gers) and immobile houses (bashins). Using approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), we find the parameters of our dynamic programming model that best fit the empirical data. The model is able to capture the time horizon of housing changes and their bi-directionality, showing that moving from a fixed to mobile dwelling can also be an optimal strategy. However, the model underpredicts household persistence in dwelling types. We discuss deviations from model predictions and identify a more detailed exploration of risk and population mixes of strategies as key steps for future research.

Pittosporum tobira Japanese Pittosporum, Japanese Cheesewood

This document provides an overview of Pittosporum tobira, commonly known as Japanese pittosporum or Japanese cheesewood. It details the plant’s characteristics, including its glossy, dark green leaves, creamy white flowers, and natural mounding shape. The document highlights its uses in landscaping, such as for screens, hedges, and container planting, and discusses its growth requirements and maintenance needs. Additionally, it addresses potential issues like pest sensitivity and soil preferences, emphasizing the importance of proper drainage to prevent root rot. The document also mentions different cultivars and their suitability for residential landscapes. Original publication date October, 1999.

Molecular analysis of St. Augustinegrass cultivar mixtures composition over time and latitude

AbstractSt. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] is commonly planted in residential and commercial landscapes as a cultivar monoculture predisposing this lawn to pest invasion and high‐maintenance inputs. Researchers have suggested that increasing genetic diversity by growing cultivars in mixtures may increase turfgrass stress resilience. However, the stability and uniformity of those mixtures has not been studied. The present study was carried out to evaluate the stability of St. Augustinegrass cultivars mixtures over time and across three latitudes. The study was conducted in Citra and Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Jackson Springs, NC. Simple‐sequence repeats markers were used to genotype leaf samples of St. Augustinegrass cultivars planted in two‐ and four‐cultivar mixtures. Leaf samples were collected 1 and 3 years after establishment. In all locations, cultivar richness and evenness declined over time. Similarly, the relative abundance of the least persistent cultivars decreased approximately 50%–100% depending on cultivar and location. Differences in growth patterns among cultivars resulted in cultivar displacement and the predominance of a single cultivar. Cultivars that covered the ground faster or formed dense canopies early after establishment were dominant at the end of the study. Locally developed cultivars tended to be more dominant in their original latitude. The use of cultivar mixtures may help the identification of vigorous, competitive, and stress tolerant cultivars in turfgrass breeding programs. However, their commercial use remains challenging as if the patterns observed here for 3 years are representative of a continuous trend, and they do not persist over time.

Exploring the dose-response of landscape preference: A case study in Singapore

Exploring the dose-response of landscape preference: A case study in Singapore

Enhancing water efficiency programming in the City of Calgary

ABSTRACT This article presents the steps undertaken in a two-phase study to enhance the City of Calgary's (the City) water efficiency programming for indoor and outdoor industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) customers and outdoor residential customers. Study objectives included evaluating programs in other urban jurisdictions for suitability to Calgary, and developing short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations for water efficiency programming for the City. Phase I of the study included a literature review of Calgary's water consumption trends and explored over 150 water efficiency programs implemented across jurisdictions in North America, identifying a subset of 33 programs for further evaluation. Phase II evaluated program options through an integrated assessment, including gap, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, and cost-benefit analysis. An implementation strategy was developed for seven water efficiency programs, grouped into complementary bundles of indoor and outdoor ICI and residential landscape transformation programs. The study also identified areas for further research, and key supporting elements or ‘success factors’ for water efficiency programming in the City. This article adds value to the discussion on approaches to select suitable indoor and outdoor ICI and outdoor residential water efficiency programs, and aids in informing the City's current and future strategic water planning and programs.

Uncovering Spatial Patterns of Residential Settlements, Segregation, and Vulnerability of Urban Seniors Using Geospatial Analytics and Modeling Techniques

We harnessed the analytical power of geospatial analysis and modeling techniques, pioneering a novel approach to studying the spatial distribution of households with at least one senior aged 65 or over, known as senior households (SHHs). We developed and implemented a spatial modeling approach that disaggregates the senior household counts obtained from the U.S. Census block data to residential land parcels. This innovative method models the senior household count on each land parcel, generating a detailed, reliable synthetic microspatial dataset for urban senior studies. Robust spatial analysis techniques are then applied to examine senior household spatial distribution in the context of segregation and access vulnerability in the study area. Our research, conducted in the urban setting of Colorado Springs, provides a deeper understanding of the senior residential landscape and identifies vulnerability. Our research findings are not just academic but also practical tools for planners, policymakers, and community advocates in the city to understand senior residential settlements, segregation, and social inequality. Our adaptable approach can be applied using similar modeling and analysis techniques for different study areas. The synthetic data and its generation approach are valuable resources for future urban senior research, enabling further examinations of different senior residential neighborhood typologies beyond basic demographic and socioeconomic aggregated indicators. They can assist studies interested in analyzing the influence of local factors and neighborhood effects on active aging among individuals, as well as simulating individual senior choices and spatial behaviors. Furthermore, they serve as a comparison baseline for future attempts to develop synthetic senior population data with socioeconomic and health characteristics.