Urban Resilience Research Articles

Landslide-oriented disaster resilience evaluation in mountainous cities: A case study in Chongqing, China

Natural and human-made disasters are threatening cities around the world. The resilience of cities plays a critical role in disaster risk response and post-disaster recovery. In mountainous cities, landslides are among the most frequent and destructive hazards. This study presents a novel methodological framework for assessing the spatial resilience of mountainous cities specifically against landslides. Focusing on Chongqing in the Three Gorges Reservoir region, this study conceptually divides the disaster resilience of mountain cities to landslides into two dimensions: environmental resilience and social resilience. This study developed a comprehensive database by compiling data from 4,464 historical landslide events, incorporating 17 environmental resilience indicators and 16 social resilience indicators. Random forest (RF) model was employed to evaluate environmental resilience, achieving a high AUC of 0.968 and an accuracy of 97.1 %. Social resilience was assessed by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and comprehensive resilience was ranked by the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Key findings include: (1) Establishing a multi-dimensional resilience indicator system that effectively assesses landslide-oriented resilience in mountainous cities. (2) Comprehensive resilience in mountainous cities exhibit distinct spatial clustering patterns. Regions with lower environmental resilience are mainly characterized by high rainfall and complex terrain. higher social resilience concentrated in city centers, while peripheral regions face challenges due to weaker economies and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. (3) In the future development of mountain cities, comprehensive and sustainable strategies should be adopted to balance the relationship between environmental resilience and social resilience. This study provides a robust framework for disaster prevention and resilience assessment in mountainous cities, which can be applied to evaluate the disaster resistance capabilities of other mountainous cities.

Spatio-temporal heterogeneity and influencing factors in the synergistic enhancement of urban ecological resilience: Evidence from the Yellow River Basin of China

Urban ecological resilience (UER) reflects the ability of cities to adapt to environmental changes and cope with natural disasters. Further, UER is an important perspective for understanding human–land relations in the Yellow River Basin (YRB). We constructed a novel system of UER evaluation indicators from the perspective of synergistic enhancement, with 99 cities in the YRB as objects for the research conducted from 2011 to 2021. The spatiotemporal heterogeneity and network pattern of UER were measured using the Theil index and modified gravity model. The factors influencing UER in the YRB were analysed using a multiscale geographically weighted regression model. The results show that (1) regarding time-series analysis, the UER in the YRB shows a fluctuating upward trend from 20.89 in 2011 to 26.23 in 2021, with the contribution of ecological image being the largest. The UER at different reaches, urban agglomerations, and cities varied considerably. (2) Regarding spatial analysis, the UER has a 'center-periphery' spatial distribution pattern dominated by provincial capital cities. The spatial network shows a '几'-shaped distribution pattern similar to the YRB mainstream distribution. Regarding UER connectivity, the ability for cross-regional joint development has improved. (3) The main influencing factors were urbanisation rate, education level, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and upgrading of the industrial structure, which represent urban development progress and geographical ecological characteristics. This study expands UER measurement and provides a basis and reference for synergistic enhancement of UER in the YRB.

Key networks to create disaster resilient Smart Cities Mission: A case for remodeling India's Smart Cities Mission to include disaster resilience

Amidst a concerning surge in urban losses attributed to disasters, this research paper explores the intricate relationship between urban development, disaster mitigation, and resilience emphasizing the significance of addressing disaster vulnerability in urban settings, where a substantial portion of the population faces risks stemming from high population density, limited resilience, and inadequate coping capabilities. The study advocates for the integration of disaster resilience principles into the Smart Cities Mission of India, placing particular emphasis on the necessity of developing infrastructure, establishing early warning systems, and fostering community engagement to bolster urban resilience. Furthermore, the paper draws comparisons and parallels between the components of smart cities, mitigation strategies, and disaster resilience, illuminating their interconnectedness and potential synergies. In conclusion, the study recommends the incorporation of essential network elements to establish a Smart Cities Mission that is resilient to disasters, ultimately aiming to safeguard urban communities from the adverse impacts of future calamities.

Surface temperature change amplifies social inequality in heat exposure? Evidence from Shanghai, China

Heat-related environmental justice has gained increasing attention, with many studies focusing on social inequalities in exposure to extreme surface temperatures. However, changes in land surface temperature (LST) also contribute to residents’ thermal discomfort, underscoring the need to explore inequalities in exposure to these changes. This study addresses this gap by analyzing spatial and social disparities in exposure to both LST changes and summer LST in Shanghai. We employed a boosted regression tree model to quantify LST changes, offering better predictive performance than traditional linear regression, and used geographically weighted regression with data from China's sixth population census to assess the city-wide and local scale inequality differences in exposure to LST changes and summer LST. Our findings reveal that 57.83% of Shanghai's subdistricts experienced above-average LST changes and summer LST. Specific groups—males (22.17%), children (22.61%), the elderly (13.04%), and residents in older housing (60.87%)—were disproportionately exposed to local-scale LST changes. In contrast, those employed in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries faced consistently lower exposure. Furthermore, exposure to LST changes was 3.47% higher among the elderly and 28.26% higher for residents in older housing compared to exposure based on summer LST alone. To mitigate these inequalities, we recommend increasing water coverage and green roofs, enhancing green infrastructure in aging neighborhoods, and providing financial subsidies for outdoor workers. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing social inequalities in exposure to temperature changes to enhance urban resilience and promote sustainable urban planning in the face of climate change.

Analyzing the Contribution of Urban Land Uses to the Formation of Urban Heat Islands in Urmia City

An Urban Heat Island (UHI) is an important variable in climate and environmental studies. Nowadays, population growth and urbanization development are the most important factors affecting the temperature increase in urban areas, which cause the creation of heat islands in urban areas. (1) Background: This study explores the influence of major land uses on the creation of Urban Heat Islands in Urmia city, Iran. (2) Methods: To achieve the aim of this study, Landsat satellite data including Landsat 5 and 8 imageries from the time periods of 1990 and 2023 were used. With the series of data processing and analyses on vegetation cover and land surface temperature, the impact of main land uses on the creation of Urban Heat Islands and the intensification of their effects have been investigated. (3) Results: The analysis reveals that barren lands consistently exhibit the highest temperature, while garden lands show the lowest temperature across both periods. In addition, the spatial distribution of Urban Heat Islands demonstrates a clustered pattern throughout the study period, with hot spots mainly located in the northwestern and southwestern areas. (4) Conclusions: This study’s findings can be helpful for urban policymakers and planners to develop practical strategies to mitigate UHIs and improve climate resilience in cities.

Urban recreation areas and climate change resilience: Hunter's Point South Park, New York City

Urban recreation areas and climate change resilience: Hunter's Point South Park, New York City

Adaptive governance and evolution of a groundwater-based resilient city: a case study of Kure City, Japan

ABSTRACT Discussion on adaptive governance is criticized for being overly conceptual and limited in application beyond environmental issues. To fill this gap, this paper examines how adaptive governance functions in specific contexts, such as addressing post-disaster water supply cut-offs. In Kure City, Japan, different levels of government and NGOs helped local well owners emerge as informal water suppliers after the 2018 flood. This research identifies four elements of adaptive governance (polycentricity, participation, self-organization, social learning) underpinning this initiative. Furthermore, it reveals the importance of financial incentives for well owners and pre-registration of local wells as policy lessons for emergent groundwater utilization.

A blue–green ratio of urban wetlands as an ecosystem health indicator: the case of urban sprawl in Nagpur, India

ABSTRACT Rampant urban sprawl has affected the structure and function of existing urban green and blue spaces, exposing developing cities to unexpected disaster events. Drawing on a mixture of secondary information supported by GIS and field-based studies, we assessed the impact of growing impervious surfaces on the dynamic zones of urban wetlands in Nagpur, India. We compared decadal data (2000-2020) to understand the pattern of wetland loss and its drivers in the region. Our findings reveal a significant loss of wetland structure and area over the past two decades, raising alarming concerns regarding ecological and economic repercussions. To address these issues, we propose a blue–green buffer-based assessment approach that incorporates local knowledge and observations along with proactive monitoring of ecosystem health. Our study highlights the urgency of reducing the spatial complexity of landscape patches, restoring wetland buffers, declaring wetland buffers as no-go zones, and promoting corridor connectivity to urban wetlands to improve urban blue infrastructure health. Multi-sectoral and stakeholder cooperation, involvement, and strict enforcement of the Wetland Rules (2017) by local governing bodies can help build urban resilience by protecting urban blue–green infrastructure.

Migration, Urbanism and Health: Moving Toward Systems-Informed Policy and Practice

Migration and displacement are pivotal determinants of urban health, influencing both direct and indirect health outcomes. Migrants may face unique health risks, often exacerbated by economic, social, and environmental factors encountered during transit or upon resettlement. As migration patterns shift due to geopolitical, climatic, and economic pressures, they reshape the global and urban policy landscapes in unpredictable ways, presenting challenges that will continue to evolve in the coming decades. Current legal frameworks, in many cases, do not adequately account for migrant populations, hindering policy responses and complicating the protection of migrant health. Therefore, effective urban health interventions must be inclusive of migrant populations and expand beyond healthcare services. A systems-thinking approach that recognizes the broader determinants of health—including housing, employment, social services, and urban infrastructure—is essential to address the intersecting challenges migrants face. Despite these challenges, migration remains crucial to the functioning of urban environments. Migrant workers consistently contribute to the healthy operation of cities, underpinning key infrastructure and services. However, to optimize policy responses and improve urban health outcomes, more robust data and evidence on the health risks and outcomes of migrants, as well as the structural drivers of migration, are needed. Moreover, macro factors such as climate change, future pandemics, and geopolitical shifts are likely to influence both migration dynamics and migrant health. To anticipate and respond to these evolving challenges, a systems-informed and holistic vision of urban health is required—one that integrates migration into the broader urban policy and planning frameworks to foster healthier, more resilient cities.

Assessment of urban seismic resilience of a town in Eastern Turkiye: Turkoglu, Kahramanmaras before and after 6 February 2023 M 7.8 Kahramanmaras earthquake

Assessment of urban seismic resilience of a town in Eastern Turkiye: Turkoglu, Kahramanmaras before and after 6 February 2023 M 7.8 Kahramanmaras earthquake

The Chinampa a Response to Climate Change: A Complex Model of Ancestral Wisdom for Urban Resilience

Introduction: In the context of climate change, cities face critical challenges in water management and sustainability. One of the most ingenious and adaptive procedures that has endured throughout history is that of chinampas, which is a model of sustainable agriculture, and reflects a way of life intimately connected with nature. Objective: Evaluate the possibility of incorporating the method based on the chinampas built by the Mexica culture in current cities to generate a complex model of urban resilience. Theoretical Framework: In the theoretical framework there are theories such as ecological utopia, dystopia, stationary urbanism addressed by Fernando Gaja, smart cities by Tim Campbell and sustainability from the perspective of Francisco Javier Aceves, in addition to the agroecology of Nicholls and the socioecological systems of Towers as main axes of analysis. Method: The methodology is based on complex systems from the approach of Edgar Morin and Rolando García, with stratification, and the application of different methods to form a complex unit that is a resilient city model with the use of chinampas. Results and Discussion: The excessive construction, pollution, traffic and various problems show an urban crisis that was drying up the basin of the Valley of Mexico and there are currently few areas where bodies of water and chinampas such as Xochimilco are still conserved with socio-ecological systems and agroecology. Research Implications: Urban resilience, which aims to recover from an impact caused by climate change to current cities, health, adequate habitability conditions, and natural resources, which is why searching for a resilient urban city model is a complex task. Originality/Value: It is based on the recovery of ancestral knowledge to reestablish healthy cities of the 21st century from sustainability and bioclimatics since chinampas are used by the Mexica culture in pre-Hispanic times.

Human Dynamics Research in GIScience: challenges and opportunities

The Symposium on Human Dynamics Research, first organized at the 2015 AAG Meeting in Chicago, celebrated its 10th anniversary at the 2024 AAG Meeting in Honolulu, marking a decade of transformative advancements in the field. Over the past decade, the focus of human dynamics research has shifted from traditional spatial-temporal analyses to sophisticated modeling of human behavior in a hybrid physical-virtual world. This evolving field now examines the intricate interdependencies between physical and digital environments, addressing critical issues such as urban resilience, public health, social equity, and community sustainability. The symposium emphasized the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, advanced data-driven analytical platforms, and innovative theoretical frameworks to better understand human interactions across these spaces. As human dynamics continue to shape global urban systems, these advancements are pivotal for future research and real-world problem-solving, offering novel insights into the interconnectedness of mobility, technology, and societal well-being in a rapidly changing world.

A comparative study of urban ecological resilience in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yellow River Basin

A comparative study of urban ecological resilience in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yellow River Basin

Gaps in and Opportunities for Disaster Risk Reduction in Urban Areas Through International Standardization of Smart Community Infrastructure

Global communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change, and the rapid pace of urbanization exacerbates these risks. According to the World Bank, approximately 50% of the world’s population lives in areas exposed to natural hazards, making the need to overcome the challenges to sustainable urban development pressing. The increasing frequency of heavy rain, flooding, landslides, and wildfires underscores the urgent need for disaster risk mitigation strategies, aligned with sustainable development goals. Infrastructure plays a crucial role in cultivating resilient cities that can withstand, recover from, and adapt to disasters, while promoting long-term sustainability, by minimizing environmental degradation and encouraging responsible development. International standards for smart community infrastructure provide significant advantages, including cost reductions, technology transfer, and enhanced innovation through improved global competitiveness. This paper investigates how these standards can empower community stakeholders to strengthen both the resilience and sustainability of urban areas, facilitating balanced growth that addresses environmental and social demands.

Spatiotemporal differentiation and influencing factors of the degree of resilience coupling coordination in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, China

Urban agglomeration system resilience involves multiple subsystems that are interconnected and interactive, and exploring the relationships among subsystems can elucidate and increase urban agglomeration resilience. This study constructed a social-economic-built environment resilience model and proposed a social-economic-built environment resilience index system. Using the entropy weight method, the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, GeoDetector, spatial autocorrelation analysis and the autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) model, the resilience development level of the Beijing‒Tianjin‒Hebei (BTH) region from 2000 to 2020 was evaluated, the main influencing factors for the spatiotemporal differentiation pattern were identified, and the development levels in 2030 and 2050 were predicted. The results show that (1) high-resilience and high-CCD regions are concentrated in the region of Beijing and Tianjin in the centre, and low-value regions are concentrated in the districts and counties in the west and south; (2) economic elements, especially the economic aggregate status of a region as a whole, are the main factors contributing to the differences in resilience levels between regions, but their influence gradually decreases; and (3) the gap between the CCDs of Beijing, Tianjin and cities in Hebei increased from 2000 to 2020, but this gap is expected to narrow by 2030 and 2050. On this basis, five categories of future development guidelines for cities in the BTH region are proposed.

Urbanization and urban ecological resilience in resource-based cities: coupling coordination and its key factors

Urbanization and urban ecological resilience in resource-based cities: coupling coordination and its key factors

Spatio-temporal land use/land cover change analysis and assessment of urban heat island in Ghana: A focus on the Greater Accra Region

The expansion of cities coupled with economic development over the years has transformed many locations into hotspots for massive urban populace. The Greater Accra Region which is the capital city of Ghana is no exception. The urban population growth rate in the region has expanded extensively at the expense of increasingly vegetation cover. As a result, there is an increasing need to investigate urban resilience, land use/land cover (LULC) change, and urban heat islands (UHI) dynamics in the region. The aim of this study is to analyze multi-spectral Landsat images of 2000 and 2020 to examine the LULC change and the UHI trend across the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The results from the analysis show a significant change in the spatial trend of land surface temperature (LST) and UHI between the years 2000 and 2020. Spatial distribution of LST from 0°C to 28°C and 17°C to 33°C in the years 2000 and 2020 respectively were observed. Urban areas dominated more than half of the study area in 2020, covering 85% (equivalent to 3160 sq. km), and reflecting a 20% increase from the year 2000 to 2020. During the same period, sparse and dense forested areas decreased by 10% (373 sq. km) and 4% (146 sq. km) with a 5% reduction in bare land (equivalent to 177 sq. km). The spatio-temporal analysis revealed a significant surge in the population of urban areas within the study area. The UHI areas also increased from 13.20% in 2000 to 18.20% in 2020. On the other hand, non-UHI areas decreased from 86.80% to 81.80% during the same period. The successful contribution of this research demonstrates the usefulness of spatial models as tools in generating LULC maps for assessing UHI to facilitate future sustainable city planning.

Strengthening capacities in Latin America by designing teacher professional development programmes for climate change education

PurposeThis study aims to describe the design process of two teacher professional development programmes on Climate Change Education in Chile and Mexico, their initial outcomes on teacher practices and feedback on course activities, content and format, and their expectations of future topics for deepening their understanding.Design/methodology/approachA systematization of the design and implementation process of both programmes was conducted. Subsequently, an online survey comprising 21 questions was administered to 115 teachers from both countries, representing 5% of the graduates from each programme. The survey evaluated their experiences, the impact on their teaching practices and the effects on their personal and professional lives. This non-experimental design relied on teachers' self-reported perceptions after completing the course.FindingsTeachers rated their experience highly, particularly regarding content quality and relevance to their local environment. Most (97.4%) applied their learning in their classrooms, with 78.3% noting it helped raise student awareness of climate change and facilitate collaborative projects. Additionally, 92.2% reported personal sensitization to climate issues and 87% changed personal habits. The course influenced 91.3% to take daily actions to reduce CO2 emissions. Some reflections are made on the design and implementation of the programmes, considering the survey results and the available literature.Research limitations/implicationsThe study relied on self-reported data from teachers after they had completed the courses. This approach was chosen because it allowed for a direct assessment of teachers' understanding and experiences. However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations inherent in self-reported data, such as the potential for response bias.Practical implicationsEducators, scientists and healthcare professionals can explore innovative pedagogical approaches to make CCE engaging and relevant, ensuring that all students not only comprehend the content but also feel empowered to contribute to environmental sustainability and learn to regulate their eco-anxiety. Teachers would have the opportunity to attend professional development courses based on research, reflect on their personal and technical habits, transform them, be role models for their students and build professional learning communities. Schools are transformative with a high quality of climate change education.Social implicationsClimate change demands urgent transformations in our consumption, energy generation and the construction of resilient cities. Education is pivotal in empowering environmentally conscious citizens. It fosters environmental awareness, develops skills to tackle climate challenges, promotes active citizenship, advocates for sustainable lifestyles and encourages innovation in clean technologies. By connecting people with nature, education strengthens environmental responsibility. Additionally, it equips society to advocate for sustainable policies and take action for the environment. A comprehensive educational approach is essential to forge global consensus and effectively address climate change.Originality/valueBy systematically evaluating teacher experiences and the impact on their personal and professional lives through detailed survey data, the study provides valuable insights into effective educational strategies for climate change awareness. Additionally, it highlights practical applications and behavioural changes among educators, contributing to the broader discourse on environmental education.

Quantitative assessment and dynamic characteristic measurement of regional resilience: from the perspective of post-earthquakes effects

Strong geological disasters have caused persistent losses in society, economy, and ecological environments. Given the unique geographical settings of the stricken areas, their resilience is prone to damage or even loss. Comprehensive risk assessment of natural disasters is the core content and important foundation for building regional resilience. Therefore, conducting dynamic characteristics analysis of resilience in mountainous disaster areas impacted by strong earthquake geological disasters is vital for ensuring the region's high-quality and sustainable development. This article takes the 51 stricken areas of Wenchuan earthquake as the research object. To this end, social, economic and ecological environmental data from 2008 to 2020 was hereby collected. Initially, a regional resilience assessment system based on "socio-economic-ecological environment" was established, considering the long-term and spatial heterogeneity of geological disasters. Secondly, the regional resilience assessment model was constructed using Spectral clustering-genetic algorithm-improved entropy weight method. Following that, the dynamic characteristics of regional resilience were quantitatively analyzed from two aspects, including change velocity state and change rate trend. Finally, based on the regional resilience characteristics, differentiated resilience enhancement strategies were proposed. Collectively, the results revealed that: (1) From a geological disaster standpoint, the risk in post-earthquake disaster areas exhibited a strikingly rapid decline, with the spatial distribution of geological disaster risk being notably higher in the central areas and diminishing towards the peripheries. (2) Overall, the regional resilience of the 51 stricken areas showed a "V-shaped" trend, with a significant upturn since 2012. (3) From the perspective of dynamic characteristics, more counties (cities) presented an upward trend. (4) The 51 stricken areas were hereby divided into the "benchmarking type", the "declination type", the "backward type", and the "potential type". In conclusion, the current study enhances the technical framework for evaluating regional resilience and provides technical support for the construction of resilient cities.

What Is My Plaza for? Implementing a Machine Learning Strategy for Public Events Prediction in the Urban Square

Plazas are an essential pillar of public life in our cities. Historically, they have been seen as public fora, hosting public events that fostered trade, interaction, and debate. However, with the rise of modern urbanism, city planners considered them as part of a larger strategic development scheme overlooking their social importance. As a result, plazas have lost their function and value. In recent years, awareness has risen of the need to re-activate these public spaces to strive for social inclusion and urban resilience. Geometric and urban features of plazas and their surroundings often suggest what kinds of usage the public can make of them. In this project, we explore the application of machine learning to predict the suitability of events in public spaces, aiming to enhance urban plaza design. Learning from traditional urbanism indicators, we consider factors associated with the features of the public space, such as the number of people and the high degree of comfort, which are evolved from three subcategories: external factors, geometric shape, and design factors. We acknowledge that the predictive capability of our model is constrained by a relatively small dataset, comprising 15 real plazas in Madrid augmented digitally to 2025 fictional scenarios through self-organising maps. The article details the methods to quantify and enumerate quantitative urban features. With a categorical target variable, a classification model is trained to predict the type of event in the urban space. The model is then evaluated locally in Grasshopper by visualising a parametric verified geometry and deploying the model on other existing plazas worldwide regarding geographical proximity to Madrid, where to share or not the same cultural and environmental conditions. Despite these limitations, our findings offer valuable insights into the potential of machine learning in urban planning, suggesting pathways for future research to expand upon this foundational study.