ABSTRACT Road traffic is emerging as a major source of noise pollution in urban areas. The main objective of this study is to evaluate traffic-induced noise pollution at selected 31 intersections in Agartala city. Noise measurements were conducted during peak hours, and key indicators such as L10, L50, L90, Equivalent Continuous Sound Level (Leq), Traffic Noise Index (TNI), Noise Pollution Level (NPL), and Noise Climate (NC) were analysed to assess noise conditions. Various statistical techniques, such as cluster analysis, hotspot analysis, and t-test, have been performed. The results indicate that the highest Leq ranges from approximately 79.6 dB(A) to 90.3 dB(A) during peak hours, substantially exceeding the permissible limits prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for both residential and commercial zones. The novelty of this study lies in integrating field-based noise monitoring with spatial statistical techniques and GIS-based mapping to provide a comprehensive assessment of urban traffic noise patterns.

210Po activity in aerosols at Thai Nguyen, Vietnam: An application to assess the emission source and health risk assessment.

This study addresses the critical issue of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bound to total suspended particulate (TSP) in urban-industrial environments, focusing on an understudied residential area in Agra, India-a city within the heavily polluted Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). The research aimed to investigate seasonal variations in PAH concentrations, identify their emission sources, and assess the associated health risks. TSP samples were collected during cold weather months (CWM; January and February 2023) and hot weather months (HWM; March-May 2023) and analysed for 16 priority PAHs. The results showed notably higher TSP (349.4 ± 56.2 µg m-3) and PAH (1857.3 ng m-3) levels in CWM compared to HWM (266.5 ± 33.1 µg m-3 and 721.7 ng m-3), with high-molecular-weight PAHs dominating in CWM and 3-ring PAHs prevailing in HWM. Source apportionment using diagnostic ratios and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) indicated vehicular emissions, fossil fuel combustion, and industrial activities as primary contributors. Conditional Bivariate Probability Function (CBPF) analysis revealed seasonal shifts in dominant source regions-southwest in HWM and northeast in CWM-correlating with local wind patterns. Health risk assessments based on benzo(a)pyrene toxicity equivalent (BaPeq-TEQ), benzo(a)pyrene mutagenic equivalent (BaPeq-MEQ), and Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) highlighted carcinogenic and mutagenic risks from BaP, BbF, and DbA via dermal and ingestion pathways. These findings underscore the need for season-specific air pollution mitigation strategies, cleaner fuels, and stricter emissions controls. The study contributes to environmental chemistry by enhancing the understanding of TSP-bound PAH behaviour, exposure pathways, and health risks in urban residential zones, thereby supporting evidence-based policymaking aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 11.

Rapid urbanization has profound impacts on land cover, hydrological processes, and groundwater sustainability, this is a global challenge. This study assessed the influence of urban expansion on groundwater recharge and quality between 2013 and 2024 using an integrated Remote Sensing-Geographical Information System framework in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. Multi-temporal Landsat imagery, Digital Elevation Models, soil data, rainfall records, and hydrogeological information were processed to derive land-use/land-cover classes and spectral indices including NDVI, NDWI, NBR, and NDBI. Groundwater recharge potential was quantified using a GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation in which land cover, soil permeability, slope, drainage density, and rainfall were standardized and weighted to reflect their relative influence on infiltration. A weighted overlay model generated a recharge index ranging from 0 to 1. Recharge-prone zones cover 27.86% of the study area; however, the mean recharge value of 0.14 and median of 0.00 indicate that most of the landscape has low infiltration capacity, with recharge spatially restricted to limited vegetated and permeable zones. Results revealed substantial environmental changes over two decades. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) showed a 71.13% decline in vegetation density, while the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) indicated persistently low surface water availability. The Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) demonstrated increasing land degradation and vegetation loss, whereas the Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI) confirmed significant urban expansion. Land cover analysis indicated increased impervious surfaces, which now occupy 11.48% of the study area, reducing infiltration capacity. Recharge zones were found to cover 27.86% of the landscape, with a mean recharge potential of 0.14, suggesting limited groundwater replenishment. Urban extent expanded from 51.72% to 57.45%, reflecting an 11.08% growth in built-up areas, strongly correlating with reduced recharge. Water quality analysis revealed spatial variability in physicochemical parameters. Mean concentrations of total dissolved solids, nitrates, and electrical conductivity were higher in densely urbanized zones, and maximum values of some parameters exceeded recommended drinking water limits in localized areas. The Water Quality Index classified parts of the area as good to poor, with poorer quality concentrated near industrial and high-density residential zones. Hence, the findings demonstrate a clear linkage between urban expansion, recharge suppression, and emerging groundwater quality deterioration, providing a basis for sustainable land-use planning and groundwater protection strategies.

Air pollution remains a major environmental health concern globally, with children being particularly vulnerable due to the ongoing development of their respiratory systems, which typically continues through adolescence. This study analyses exposure to selected air pollutants among school children in Lagos State, Nigeria. A field-based quantitative approach was adopted, involving real-time in-situ air quality measurements conducted across 45 purposively selected secondary schools located in high-traffic, industrial, and residential zones. Measurements were collected during peak school hours using an Aeroqual Series 500 portable monitor (8-hour mean), capturing temporal variations associated with student activity and traffic intensity. Exposure was further quantified using the Total Respiratory Deposition Dose (TRDD) model, which integrates pollutant concentration, inhalation rate, and exposure duration to estimate the actual dose of particulate matter deposited in the respiratory system. The results indicated that while gaseous pollutants generally remained within acceptable limits, particulate matter concentrations frequently exceeded recommended thresholds. The findings also revealed that increased physical activity significantly elevates inhalation dose, indicating that children may experience higher internal exposure during routine school activities such as outdoor play. The elevated exposure and dose levels observed suggest increased risk of adverse respiratory effects, particularly in high- exposure environments. These findings highlight the importance of addressing micro-environmental pollution within school settings. The recommended practical interventions include improved school siting, vegetation buffers, dust control measures, and regulation of traffic emissions around schools.

Vietnam's Electric Vehicle (EV) market is expanding rapidly, yet public charging infrastructure development lags significantly, exhibiting pronounced spatial imbalance in dense urban cores. This study addresses this gap through an integrated demand forecasting and location optimization framework for District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. We develop a log-linear regression model using Vietnam's macroeconomic data (2003–2023), identifying GDP and CPI as dominant determinants of vehicle ownership (R$^2$ = 0.962). Forecasted vehicle stocks for 2026–2030 are translated into public charging demand through vehicle-type disaggregation and service-capacity modeling. Spatially, we propose a four-stage optimization pipeline: demand point generation → K-Means spatial zoning → P-Median location optimization → budget-constrained allocation. Results reveal a multi-tier station distribution centered on commercial cores (Nguyen Hue–Ben Thanh corridor) with supplementary coverage in residential and tourist zones. Core areas require fast-charging expansion to manage 12% annual demand growth, while northern/southern residential blocks need baseline coverage to eliminate service gaps. Critically, we demonstrate that profit-driven private deployment creates spatial inequity, necessitating government-coordinated planning to balance efficiency and accessibility. Despite data constraints, our framework provides a replicable methodology for charging infrastructure planning in high-density Southeast Asian urban contexts, with direct implications for Vietnam's green mobility transition.

The housing and settlement sector encounters considerable technical and social obstacles, especially in coastal and rural regions where irregular construction patterns, excessive population, insufficient infrastructure, and minimal community involvement result in unsuitable living circumstances. These concerns are intricately linked to poverty and the constrained ability of local communities to fulfil basic housing standards. This study proposes an integrated, community-based settlement planning model that combines participatory SWOT analysis, spatial zoning, and tourism-oriented development to upgrade traditional Bajo over-water settlements while preserving the existing settlement footprint. Following this research, a sustainable settlement planning strategy was developed without modifying the current settlement footprint. Two primary development models were proposed: (1) a shift towards a tourism-centric village model and (2) spatial zoning comprising a seaside recreation/tourism zone, a transition zone, and a residential zone. The proposed plan amalgamates environmental sustainability, socio-cultural preservation, and economic development via marine and culinary tourism. The results indicate that participatory settlement planning can improve living circumstances, preserve coastal environmental integrity, and bolster local economic resilience.

Urban development in floodplains generates economic gains but also increases hazard exposure. This study would like to name such contradictory development patterns as Disaster Risk Increasing Development (DRID), drawing on sociohydrological discourse. Flood control achieved through pre-disaster disaster risk reduction (DRR) investments in the process of DRID may lower risk perception (the levee effect), encourage settlement, and ultimately increase potential losses (the safe development paradox). Japan, with its DRID-with-DRR investment model, has promoted pre-disaster DRR investment globally; however, it continues to face challenges such as low economic growth, population aging, and climate change. In this context, how DRID can be suppressed despite the degradation of risk perception arising from DRR investment remains unclear. This study investigates whether heightened flood-risk perception associated with hazard map disclosure can coincide with population decline in inherently high-risk areas, suggesting a potential pathway to reduce long-term DRR burdens while setting aside the urgent short-term resolution of such conditions. The study focuses on the downstream area of the Arakawa River in Tokyo (11 wards), which has consistently received DRR investments over many years and has experienced fewer flood incidents in recent decades. Building on prior research that revealed statistically significant land-price declines in higher flood-hazard zones from 2005 to 2024, we evaluate development and exposure trends by overlaying a probable maximum rainfall hazard map (1-in-1000-year event) with multiple spatial datasets: 100-m mesh land-use subdivision data (1976–2021), 500-m mesh census population statistics (1970–2020), and zoning revision records (2011–2019). The results indicate that the population share in the highest hazard categories (rank ≥ 3) has declined since around 2000. Regression analysis further reveals statistically significant population decline in higher-risk areas during 2010–2020, although the total population of the Tokyo 23 wards had been consistently increasing since 1996. Further analysis of zoning changes and new residential zone development suggests that risk information, together with regulatory and planning interventions, can work in alignment to counter DRID by shifting residential exposure away from the highest flood-risk areas reversing the past levee effect.

Previous studies have examined prevalence of leprosy-causing bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, in rural Mexican long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus mexicanus) populations of the southeastern USA. However, few prevalence studies have been conducted in Alabama nor in urbanized, human-dominated areas where potential zoonotic transmission may be a public health concern. This study evaluated the prevalence of leprosy-causing bacteria in armadillos from rural, suburban, and urban zones in Lee and Mobile County, Alabama, USA. This study detected the first evidence of M. leprae-infection in a wild juvenile armadillo, from an individual sampled in a suburban zone of Mobile County, indicating potential vertical or environmental transmission. Additionally, 15/83 adult armadillos were infected in the Mobile County population, giving a total population prevalence of 16/93 (17%). Of the adults, more females were infected with M. leprae (11/36), especially lactating females, compared to males (4/47), despite more adult males being sampled overall. In Lee County, 64 adults were sampled and only one, a male, was M. leprae-positive, resulting in a total population prevalence of 1/94 (1%). The significantly lower occurrence than in Mobile County may be a result of environmental conditions, as the counties predominantly exist in two different ecoregions, the Piedmont and Southeastern Plains. Therefore, this study presents findings that may support an ecological-constraints hypothesis, previously applied to the northward expansion of M. leprae. Although no significant difference in prevalence was observed among the residential zones in this study, future research should investigate the prevalence of leprosy-causing bacteria in armadillos across different ecoregions and land use types to elucidate transmission dynamics and zoonotic risk, and inform public health strategies and wildlife management efforts in the southeastern USA.

ABSTRACT The historical legacies embedded in a city’s very structure represent a valuable resource for tourism. Yet, the study of urban form has not been fully recognized for its potential contributions to tourism research and practice. Urban fringe belts exemplify this untapped potential. These areas typically emerge on the city’s edge during periods of slow housing growth. In cities with long histories, the process often produces a series of concentric fringe belts, each separated by residential zones. Such belts are usually green and heritage-rich, containing institutions, market gardens, nurseries, and public spaces such as parks and playing fields. Despite encompassing significant landmarks and ecological zones that preserve physical evidence of a city’s historical development, fringe belts are rarely acknowledged as tourist attractions. This paper addresses that gap by examining the fringe belts of Zhengzhou, China. It seeks to demonstrate how the fringe belt concept can be applied to analyze a city’s spatial structure and, in turn, inform urban tourism strategies. Ultimately, research into fringe belts can help uncover overlooked tourist destinations and provide a stronger foundation for sustainable tourism development.

This article invites more substantial attention to the renaissance of employee housing. At a time when a wide range of people struggle to find affordable and adequate housing in urban areas close to their places of work and learning, the housing question is no longer only an individual challenge but threatens to undermine the functioning of intricate urban economies and social ecologies. The lack of affordable housing has thus reached a point where employees have to search for housing in remote locations and deal with long commutes and, simultaneously, employers struggle to find skilled workers in urban areas. Here, employee housing could offer a forward-thinking solution. While the concept itself is not new, it has been overlooked for decades, leaving municipalities unprepared for the demand from employers and companies for housing as they try to attract skilled workers by offering a job with housing. We argue that these dynamics are not only timely in providing affordable housing in central locations and ensuring economic and social stability in urban areas, but also in possibly tackling questions of sustainability by reducing commuting and car traffic while strengthening walking, cycling, and public transport in cities. By integrating residential and business zones, employee housing could become a tool in tackling questions of social, economic, and ecological resilience. The goal of this article is thus to start a debate about the potential and risks of employee housing in the 21st century and invite fellow researchers to join.

Occurrence and distribution of phthalate esters in stormwater runoff and coastal water receiving bodies, Macao, South China.

The residential and public zones are the main components that define the spatial organization of student housing. The public zone is particularly significant; its size and content vary across buildings according to factors such as location, capacity and academic profile. The paper presents a comparative analysis of contemporary student residences built in recent years in Bulgaria and abroad. It derives guiding principles for planning and organizing public areas within their spatial structure. These principles focus on differentiation and integration – separation and combination of functions and activities. The study outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. It also proposes recommendations for student-housing planning and design in response to changing conditions and the evolving needs of student residents.

Natural grasslands are among the most endangered habitats in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe due to the agricultural intensification, land abandonment and afforestation, urban expansion, and the loss of traditional low-intensity management, on which their biodiversity depends. One way to increase the number of natural grasslands is by integrating them into urban green infrastructure as a nature-based solution to enhance ecological resilience and urban livability: diverse grassland systems support pollinators, improve soil structure and stormwater infiltration, mitigate urban heat and provide restorative, experience-rich public spaces. The aim of the study is to explore opportunities and barriers to integrating different types of grasslands into the green infrastructure of Latvian cities, with a primary focus on public perceptions and institutional aspects of urban grassland implementation and management. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining resident surveys, interviews with municipal experts—territorial development specialists, planners and maintenance managers—and comparative policy analysis. Results show that although residents acknowledge the ecological benefits of urban grasslands, they prefer them in peripheral or underused areas rather than in city centres and residential zones, as these areas are often aesthetically perceived as “untidy” or neglected, conflicting with cultural norms that favour short, intensively mown lawns and raising concerns about insects. Acceptance increases through communication and participatory practices. Municipal approaches range from structured maintenance guidelines, including delayed mowing, biomass removal, and invasive species control, to flexible experimentation. The study contributes scientifically grounded insights into governance, perception, and management interfaces critical for mainstreaming socially accepted urban grasslands.

This study evaluates spatiotemporal variation of particulate pollution and associated health impacts in Jodhpur, an arid Indian city among the most polluted in the country. Data from nine monitoring stations (2019-2024) were analyzed for PM2.5 and PM10 using meteorological parameters, geospatial mapping, and the Air Quality Index (AQI). Health risks were quantified with the WHO-recommended AirQ+ model for both long-term (LTEs) and short-term exposures (STEs). Results indicate that city-averaged PM2.5 concentrations declined from 100.9 µg/m3 in 2019 to 53.5 µg/m3 in 2024 (-47%), while PM10 decreased from 213.0 to 135.6 µg/m3 (-36%). Seasonal patterns remained distinct, with pre-monsoon and winter peaks influenced by boundary-layer dynamics, wind regimes, and monsoonal washout. Spatial analysis identified persistent hotspots in residential (S-2) and traffic-dense (S-9) zones, while S-6 showed the largest relative improvement. The AQI improved from poor (273) in April 2019 to good (50) in August 2024. PM2.5-attributable all-cause and lung cancer mortality declined by 47% and 44%, respectively, alongside 69% reductions in asthma and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Despite these gains, persistent hotspots necessitate stricter emission control and seasonally adaptive strategies for sustainable urban air quality management in arid regions.

Urban–industrial environments can generate mixed geogenic and traffic-related metal signatures in paediatric scalp hair, yet interpretation is challenged by left-censoring and limited health-based guidance values for hair. We quantified barium (Ba), strontium (Sr) and vanadium (V) in archived scalp hair collected in 2001 from children (6–9 years, n = 120) and adolescents (13–16 years, n = 97) residing in Alcalá de Henares (central Spain). Samples were washed, digested and quantified by Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS; laboratory processing in 2025); results below the limit of detection (LoD) were treated as left-censored using NADA2 (no substitution). In children, Ba and Sr were frequently quantifiable (medians 0.193 and 0.412 µg/g; 38.3% and 23.3% <LoD), whereas V was heavily censored (74.2% <LoD; median 0.003 µg/g). Adolescents showed higher Ba and Sr and broader upper tails (Ba median 0.287 µg/g, P95 2.061 µg/g; Sr median 1.105 µg/g, P95 4.995 µg/g), while V remained low (median 0.011 µg/g, P95 0.052 µg/g). Ba and Sr displayed strong spatial gradients across four residential zones in adolescents (censored-data Peto–Peto tests p < 1 × 10−8), but V did not (p = 0.162). Co-located residential topsoils were available only for V and showed limited between-zone contrast; soil–hair correspondence was weak overall but moderate in adolescent girls (Spearman ρ = 0.433). These findings provide a historical baseline and support a cautious tracer-oriented interpretation in which the observed Ba–Sr spatial patterning is consistent with heterogeneous contact with dust- and traffic-influenced surface materials, while V appears less discriminatory in low-contrast community settings.

Urban green spaces (UGSs) are widely recognized as a key strategy to mitigate urban heat islands (UHIs) through evapotranspiration and shading. However, their cooling effectiveness depends not only on size but also on spatial configuration and surrounding urban morphology. This study provides a cross-latitude, local climate zone (LCZ)-based comparative analysis of UGS cooling effects in four medium-sized cities located at similar latitudes but with distinct morphological patterns: Salt Lake City (USA), L’Aquila (Italy), Krakow (Poland), and Kastamonu (Türkiye). Using MODIS-derived land surface temperature (LST), LCZ classification, and Getis-Ord (Gi*) hotspot analysis, we quantified spatial clustering of heat. We identified where parks and natural landscapes are most effective in lowering temperatures. Furthermore, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression was used to establish global relationships between green space coverage and LST, followed by Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) to capture local variations and spatial heterogeneity in this relationship. Results reveal that green areas significantly lower LST, with the strongest cooling observed within 400 m of parks. Rather than treating this buffer distance as a universal planning threshold, the analysis demonstrates that cooling magnitudes and spatial consistency vary systematically across LCZ types and urban contexts. In Salt Lake City, for instance, UGSs reduced temperatures by up to 4.2 °C in compact residential zones (LCZs 2–3). Hot spot analysis further shows that statistically significant heat clusters (95–99% confidence) are concentrated in dense, built-up LCZ types, while cold spots are predominantly associated with natural LCZ classes (A–D). Together, these findings suggest that urban morphology not only influences the presence but also the effectiveness of cooling buffers around green spaces. By integrating LCZ mapping, spatial statistics, and a comparative, cross-latitude design, this study moves beyond distance-based generalisations. It advances urban climate research by demonstrating a transferable yet context-sensitive framework for diagnosing UHI intensity and prioritising green space interventions. The results provide actionable guidance for planners: park siting and design should prioritize heat-prone, high-density zones to maximize cooling benefits and support climate-resilient urban development. The spatial distribution of the cooling effects of UGS on four cities was determined. The relationship between UGS and LST was evaluated comparatively using LCZ. The cooling effects of UGS were compared among LCZs. Getis-Ord Gi* analysis revealed significant heat/cool clusters, indicating priority zones for green infrastructure. The strongest cooling was observed within 400 m of parks, particularly in compact, dense LCZs.

This study investigates heavy metal contamination in water sources in Shafa Badran, Jordan, focusing on Pb, Cd, and bromate (BrO3−). Over a 12-month period, water samples were collected monthly from 22 sites representing industrial, agricultural, residential, and urban runoff zones. The concentrations of Pb (25 μg∙dm−3), Cd (5 μg∙dm−3), and BrO3− (1.48 μg∙dm−3) exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, indicating significant contamination risks. To identify contamination sources, principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis (FA) were used to reduce data complexity and reveal patterns. These methods identified strong correlations between high levels of Pb and Cd with industrial zones, while BrO3− levels were linked to urban runoff and water treatment processes. Spatial contamination patterns were mapped using inverse distance weighting (IDW), which identified contamination hotspots in industrial and agricultural zones, reinforcing statistical findings. A random forest (RF) model was applied to predict contamination levels, with cross-validation (10-fold) showing moderate accuracy for Pb and promising results for Cd and BrO3−. The RF model highlighted key predictors of contamination, such as industrial discharge and agricultural runoff. The findings emphasise the critical role of industrial discharges and agricultural runoff in heavy metal contamination in Shafa Badran’s water sources. These insights are essential for directing targeted remediation efforts and improving water quality management strategies in urbanising regions.

In tropical climates, building orientation extensively affects electricity demand, specifically in mixed-use traits combining residential, industrial, and office spaces. This study investigates the impact of orientation on energy consumption in consultant mixed-use homes positioned in Lagos and Ogun State, Nigeria. Using EnergyPlus and DesignBuilder simulations, eight orientation eventualities at 45° increments were evaluated throughout more than one useful zone, incorporating local climatic statistics, occupancy schedules, and constructing parameters. Findings indicate that north–south aligned homes continually attain lower general strength call for, reducing annual cooling loads with the aid of up to 21% in business zones and 16% in residential zones. East–west orientations elevated strength use because of higher sun publicity, especially affecting commercial spaces. Optimised orientations also advanced daylight distribution, lowering lighting fixtures energy requirements via 9–12%, thereby enhancing both occupant comfort and constructing overall performance. The study demonstrates that constructing orientation is a value-effective, passive strategy for power performance in tropical combined-use homes. The results provide actionable insights for architects, engineers, and policymakers in Nigeria, emphasising the integration of orientation issues into early-degree design to lessen strength intake, improve thermal consolation, and support sustainable urban development.

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as pervasive contaminants in mangrove ecosystems, yet their driving factors, carbon contributions, and ecological risks remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigated MP pollution across six functional areas in two representative mangroves of Hainan, China. MPs were ubiquitous in both water and sediments, with higher abundances in fishing and aquaculture zones than in tourist protection and residential zones. Sediments in the low-tide zone acted as major MP sinks compared to those in the high-tide zone. PP was the main polymer type, and fibers dominated in water and fragments in sediments. The studied mangroves exhibited a moderate level of MP pollution on a global scale. Partial least-squares path modeling (PLS-PM) identified vegetation density, nutrient enrichment, and heavy metals as key drivers. However, its effects vary between sediment and water environments. Integrated ecological risk indices indicated generally low-to-middle risk with localized pollution hotspots in estuarine and aquaculture areas. MP mass concentrations averaged 5.69 mg/m3 in water and 4.73 mg/kg dw in sediments, contributing 0.0050-0.0147% to sedimentary organic carbon as an emerging inert carbon pool. In addition, it is estimated that the study area receives an additional annual MP load of 3457.08 kg and an MP carbon load of 2795.83 kg. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of MP behavior and environmental effects in mangrove wetlands, offering a scientific foundation for targeted mitigation and long-term monitoring of coastal plastic pollution.