Sites In City Research Articles

Awareness Of Occupational Health Hazards Practice of Safety Measures Among Construction Workers in Rewa City

Context/Background: Occupational hazards refer to potential risks and dangers that exist in the workplace, which can harm the health, safety, and well-being of workers. Understanding and managing occupational hazards is necessary to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for employees. Aims/Objectives: The study is aimed at studying the demographic profile of the construction workers, awareness and knowledge regarding occupational health problems, occupational safety, and practices of occupational safety measures. Methodology: This community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in various construction projects of unorganized sector in Rewa City. About 180 construction site workers were included in the study. 14 construction sites in Rewa city were identified and randomly 13 construction workers from each site were selected by simple random sampling. Managers/supervisors of the selected projects were contacted, and data was collected using an interview administered questionnaire from construction workers giving consent to participate in the study. Conclusions: From the study, it is evident that it is essential to come up with measures that can create awareness among the construction workers on the importance of safety measures and preventions. To improve the safety of construction workers, it is necessary to identify certain factors that are essential to safety practice, be it education or personal behavior.

The Inhalation Exposure of Fine Dust (PM10) of Year 2022 in Phitsanulok City site, Thailand

The Inhalation Exposure of Fine Dust (PM10) of Year 2022 in Phitsanulok City site, Thailand

Determining the Optimal Fire Station Locations in Baghdad Al-Rusafa Using GIS Models and Data

The study of sitology has a long historical background and has recently attracted the attention of many researchers. One of its most important branches is the location of fire stations, which are of great importance in major cities. One of the most important features of an appropriate location is increasing coverage and reducing access time. In this research, geographic information systems were used to choose the most appropriate sites on the Al-Rasafa side in the city of Baghdad/Iraq to facilitate access to the scene of the accident as soon as possible from the fire stations and through the use of the geographical database of the city of Baghdad. GIS analysis was used to build the mathematical model that was adopted based on a number of criteria, including land use, distance to commercial malls, government and educational institutions, hospitals, and distance from existing fire stations. A weight was given to each of these criteria using the Overlay Weighted tool from spatial analysis in geographic information systems to determine the most appropriate areas. Then the road network was added to the criteria used, and then the selection was made on the areas close to the main roads, so the search results were to determine the best sites in Al-Karrada, Al-Sadr City, and Al-Adhamiya.

Status of Heavy Metals and Remediation Potential of Indigenous Plants at Contaminated Benin City and Abudu Sites of Edo, Nigeria

Status of Heavy Metals and Remediation Potential of Indigenous Plants at Contaminated Benin City and Abudu Sites of Edo, Nigeria

Chengba: the Dangqu City of the Han Dynasty in south-west China

Abstract The Chengba site is the only city site dated from the late Warring States Period in eastern Sichuan Province, China. New discoveries of artefacts and structures at the site enable exploration of the regional role and management of counties that were established at this time by the central government.

Assessment of environmental noise scenario and correlation of Air Quality Index and sound levels of urban zones of Delhi City, India

Air and noise pollution and associated health hazards have been a serious concern for metropolitan cities of India. This article analyzed the environmental noise scenario of 26 sites in Delhi city, India, and discussed the correlation between the concentrations of various air pollutants as well as Air Quality Index (AQI) levels with the ambient noise levels for the year 2021. The ambient noise data acquired by the real-time noise monitoring stations installed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Delhi, at distinct zones throughout Delhi city were utilized for the study. The study observed that the majority of the sites exhibited annually averaged day equivalent sound pressure levels within the range 60 dB(A) to 70 dB(A) and annually averaged night equivalent levels within the range 55 dB(A) to 65 dB(A). The annually averaged 24-hour equivalent levels were also observed in the range of 60 dB (A) to 70 dB(A). It was also revealed from the study that no commercial, residential, or silence zone site complied with the ambient noise standards. Additionally, the correlation between the AQI and sound levels was observed to be in a good range for most of the months. This study shall be helpful in recommending appropriate mitigation measures for the abatement and control of environmental noise pollution levels in the megacity of India, Delhi.

Synergistic effect of pyridate-based herbicide mixtures for controlling multiple herbicide-resistant kochia

Abstract Multiple herbicide classes resistant (MHCR) kochia poses a serious concern for producers in the Central Great Plains, including western Kansas. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted at Kansas State University Research and Extension Centers near Hays and Garden City, KS to evaluate pyridate-based postemergence (POST) herbicide mixtures for controlling MHCR kochia. One previously confirmed MHCR population (resistant to atrazine, glyphosate, dicamba, and fluroxypyr) and a susceptible (SUS) kochia population were tested in a greenhouse study. The kochia population at Hays field site was resistant to atrazine, dicamba, and glyphosate while kochia population at Garden City site was resistant to atrazine and glyphosate. Colby’s analysis revealed synergistic interactions when pyridate was mixed with atrazine, dicamba, dichlorprop-p, fluroxypyr, glyphosate, or halauxifen/fluroxypyr and resulted in ≥94% control and shoot dry biomass reduction of MHCR kochia in a greenhouse study. Similarly, synergistic interactions were observed for MHCR kochia control in fallow field studies at both sites when pyridate was mixed with glyphosate or atrazine. Kochia control was increased from 26% to 90% with the application of glyphosate + pyridate and from 28% to 95% with atrazine + pyridate at both sites as compared to separate applications of glyphosate or atrazine. This is the first report for such a strong synergistic effect for both glyphosate and atrazine mixtures with pyridate on a weed resistant to both. All other pyridate-based herbicide mixtures showed an additive interaction and resulted in better control of MHCR kochia (87 to 100%) as compared to their individual applications (23 to 92%) across both sites except 2,4-D. These results suggest that pyridate can play a crucial role in various POST herbicide mixtures for effective control of MHCR kochia.

Visitors’ Behaviors and Perceptions of Spatial Factors of Uncultivated Internet-Famous Sites in Urban Riverfront Public Spaces: Case Study in Changsha, China

This article takes representative uncultivated riverfront internet-famous sites (uncultivated RIFSs) in Changsha city, China, as an example to explore the internal mechanism of their formation and finds that they are closely related to the “urban subculture” and the “informality of urban public space”. In terms of methodology, through questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews, this study investigates the behavioral characteristics of onsite visitors, the overall perceptions and satisfaction of public spaces, and the perceptions of spatial and humanistic elements of visitors. The main findings are as follows: ① Onsite visitors are mainly male, with local tourists and nearby residents accounting for over 80%. Furthermore, over half of the visitors have limited understanding of the uncultivated RIFSs. ② People’s overall attitudes towards the uncultivated RIFSs are positive. And the ability to carry out meaningful activities and find comfort and safety are of the greatest concern to onsite tourists. ③ Among the visiting reasons, leisure stays accounted for the highest proportion, followed by sightseeing, sports stays and social stays. ④ The onsite visitors’ main focus of spatial elements and humanistic elements is different according to the different sites. However, visitors’ dissatisfaction is mainly reflected in poor site safety and sanitation conditions, inadequate facilities and poor surrounding environments. This paper also compares the online–offline differences in the spatial perceptions of the uncultivated RIFSs between this study and previous research; instead of focusing on the urban physical spaces, online social media users pay more attention to their self-presentation. Meanwhile, the visitors place greater emphasis on the functionality, practicality and experiential activities of the urban physical spaces. Finally, this article proposes optimization strategies for uncultivated RIFSs from planning and governance and public space design aspects to protect and strengthen the composite utilization of space, therefore enhancing diverse vitality.

Spatially seamless and temporally continuous assessment on compound flood risk in Hong Kong

Compound flooding results from the simultaneous occurrence of extreme storm surges, sea level rise, and heavy rainfall. These events often lead to impacts significantly more severe than those caused by any individual flood-inducing factor alone. However, the limited and sparse data from tidal gauges hampers precise risk assessment at ungauged sites in coastal cities. Our study addresses this gap by integrating ensemble machine learning with Bayesian inference, offering a comprehensive spatial–temporal analysis of compound flood risk from 1979 to 2022 in Hong Kong. We developed an ensemble machine learning approach within the Bayesian hierarchical modeling framework to achieve spatial–temporal continuity in the estimation of extreme storm surges and mean sea level at sites without tidal gauge stations. Results show a significant yearly increase in maximum storm surge levels by 3 mm and a significant rise in mean sea level of 25 mm per decade in Hong Kong. Our analysis also indicates a significant increase in daily heavy rainfall intensity. Furthermore, in 14.54 % of cases, extreme storm surges coincided with heavy rainfall, while 13.69 % of heavy rainfall events occurred alongside extreme sea level conditions. The copula-based joint analysis reveals significant positive correlations among these extreme events. Our findings further reveal that the return level for a 100-year heavy rainfall event increases dramatically from 126.36 mm in the univariate case to 261.16 mm in the trivariate scenario, underlining the escalated risk associated with compound flooding. Similarly, for storm surge extremes, trivariate analysis reveals elevated risk during compound flood events, with the return level rising from 1.18 m (univariate scenario) to 1.40 m (trivariate scenario) for a 100-year return period. These spatial–temporal maps and comprehensive compound flood risk assessments offer crucial insights for addressing the multi-hazard flood risk in coastal urban areas.

Optimisation and Application of Entropy Weight Method-TOPSIS Model for Ranking the Importance of Urban Express Sites

With the rapid development of e-commerce, the importance of express delivery network in the modern logistics system is becoming more and more prominent. In order to scientifically assess the importance of urban express sites, this paper proposes a multi-objective decision-making method based on entropy weight method and TOPSIS model. The entropy weight method is objectively assigned by analysing the data dispersion of indicators, and the TOPSIS model is used to rank urban sites by calculating their distance from ideal and negative ideal solutions. In this paper, we firstly processed the data with multiple interpolation to ensure its accuracy, and selected four key indicators, namely, shipping volume, receiving volume, correlation and growth trend of express delivery volume. The results show that the entropy weight method-TOPSIS model can effectively assess the importance of each city site, provide a scientific basis for optimising the express delivery network, and have a wide range of application potential.

Demographic influences on digital service perceptions and satisfaction at World Heritage Sites in Chinese coastal cities: An empirical analysis

This study investigates how digital transformation influences visitor satisfaction at 12 World Heritage Sites (WHS) across eight coastal provinces in Eastern and Southern China. Utilizing 402 valid survey responses, it explores the impact of demographic factors—education, age, and income—on visitors’ perceptions of digital services, particularly focusing on usability, quality, and overall experience. The findings reveal that younger, higher-income, and STEM-educated visitors express significantly higher satisfaction with digital services, while older, lower-income visitors report lower levels of engagement and satisfaction. This research highlights the need for tailored digital strategies that cater to diverse demographic groups, ensuring the balance between technological innovation and the preservation of cultural authenticity at heritage sites. The originality of this study lies in its focus on non-Western contexts, particularly China’s rapidly developing coastal regions, which have been largely overlooked in the global discourse on digital tourism. By applying established theoretical frameworks—such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Expectation-Confirmation Theory (ECT)—to a non-Western setting, this research fills a crucial gap in the literature. The insights provided offer actionable recommendations for heritage site managers to enhance visitor engagement, adapt digital services to demographic variations, and promote sustainable tourism development.

Microbial Degradation of Polyester Microfibers Using Indigenously Isolated Bacterial Strain Exiguobacterium Sp.

ABSTRACTSynthetic microfibers are emerging environmental microplastic pollutants released from different industrial and domestic sources. The present investigation describes the isolation of potential bacterial strains from microplastic‐contaminated sites of Bhubaneswar city of Odisha, India. Four morphologically distinct bacterial strains were isolated using 2% polyethylene glycol (PEG) supplemented nutrient agar (NA) medium and were screened for their polymer tolerance ability by growing them on 2%–8% PEG. A single microorganism capable of growing on 8% PEG was selected for biodegradation experiment. Through 16S rRNA sequencing, the selected bacterial strain was identified as Exiguobacterium sp. with gene bank accession number ON318396. The microbial strain's microfiber biodegradation ability was assessed in a laboratory setting over a period of 28 ± 2 days, utilizing optimized conditions with an initial pH of 7, 2 mL inoculum volume, an incubation temperature of 30°C ± 2°C, and 150 rpm, using 2 g of polyester microfiber. In optimum conditions, the weight loss of the treated sample with the selected microbial strain was 19.2%. The polyester degradation was confirmed through scanning electron microscopic images viewing the degradation of the polyester microfiber surfaces. Variation in functional groups confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry. Detection of carbonyl (C═O) group stretching band at 1711 cm−1 through ATR‐FTIR analysis in the treated sample confirmed the polymer biodegradation. The potential isolate can efficiently degrade polyester and, in the future, can be employed as a promising solution for the sustainable treatment of synthetic microfiber pollution.

Archaeological Excavation, Protection, and Display Engineering Design Practice: A Case Study in the Ruins of the Imperial City of the Minyue Kingdom

The Han Dynasty Ruins in Chengcun Village of Wuyishan City, also known as the Ruins of the Imperial City of the Minyue Kingdom, are located on the hilly slope southwest of Chengcun Village, Xingtian Town, Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, China. These are ruins of a Han Dynasty city. Wuyi Mountain’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage Committee declared it a World Heritage Site in 1999. It is also the only imperial city site from the Han Dynasty that has been declared a World Heritage Site in China, and it is the most well-preserved large-scale imperial city site from the Middle Ages on the Pacific Rim. This study used comprehensive archaeological techniques, including archaeological excavation work, site information recording, erosion situation analysis, and geological surveys, to design and implement protective engineering projects in response to existing problems. In this study, the researchers conducted a geological survey of the study area to analyze the topography, rock and soil distribution characteristics, groundwater storage conditions, and geotechnical engineering conditions. At the same time, they explored the preservation status of the site, including the preservation status of the East Gate and the East City Wall, and they analyzed the causes of damage. Finally, the investigation and analysis results guided the design of a site display project, which included safeguarding against collapse and erosion, treating trees and shrubs, and designing the exhibition project for the East Gate. This study provides some practical reference for the excavation and archaeological work of the royal city in the surrounding areas. At the same time, in terms of the technical process of the project, it is also hoped to provide ideas for international ancient city excavation, display, and protection projects.

Aesthetics of Afro-Andean Smoking Culture: Early Modern Peruvian Tobacco Pipes at the Edge of the Atlantic World

Although situated at the geographic margin of the early modern Atlantic World, the Pacific coast of Peru was an important region in the development of African diasporic material culture. Adopting an interdisciplinary material historical approach, we present the first systematic discussion of the known Afro-Atlantic-style tobacco pipes to be archaeologically recovered in Peru. Eighteen Afro-Atlantic-style tobacco pipes or pipe sherds dating to Peru’s Spanish colonial period have been identified across sites in the coastal cities of Lima and Trujillo and from a vineyard hacienda in rural Nasca. Tobacco pipes are among the most recognized and debated forms of early modern Atlantic African and diasporic expressions of material culture, as such, they present a powerful entry point to understanding the aesthetic consequences of colonial projects and diverse articulations across the Atlantic World. The material history of Afro-Atlantic smoking culture exemplifies how aesthetics moved between localities and developed diasporic entanglements. In addition to the formal analysis and visual description of the pipes, we examine historical documentation and the work of nineteenth-century Afro-Peruvian watercolorist Francisco (Pancho) Fierro to better understand the aesthetics of Afro-Andean smoking culture in Spanish colonial and early Republican Peru.

Solid waste open dumpsite mining in India and sustainable deployment through circular economy

ABSTRACT There are about 3159 open dump sites in India, which cause severe environmental pollution and are a danger to public health. This study demonstrates that the embedded resources in these dumpsites can be recovered profitably. The paper surveys the excavation, segregation, re-cycling and re-use of an open dumpsite containing legacy waste, at a cost of 8 $/m3 of rubbish, recovered, incinerable and inert fractions. A land reclamation of 3.16 ha yielding 1048 tonnes of refuse-derived fuel was achieved. This study demonstrates that dumpsite mining can be profitable while preventing the environmental hazards caused by existing waste dump sites in most Indian cities.

Respecting, retaining, recreating: The successful renovation of the Beijing 751 D-Park

Post-industrial sites in Chinese cities are being redeveloped as catalysts for urban regeneration and economic development. Calling the shift from ‘Made in China’ to ‘Created in China’, the Chinese government is encouraging the development of the creative industry to transform post-industrial sites. Successful examples of city renewal projects provide examples of this strategy, tuning into the creative cultures and industrial heritage of these cities and offering platforms for creative enterprises to flourish. This paper describes a recently funded renovation project, Beijing 751 D-Park, which has been undertaken to analyse these opportunities, and offers the initial findings of a case study. It unlocks the development process of the renovation project in terms of its philosophy, design method and planning strategy.

Respecting, retaining, recreating: The successful renovation of the Beijing 751 D-Park

Post-industrial sites in Chinese cities are being redeveloped as catalysts for urban regeneration and economic development. Calling the shift from ‘Made in China’ to ‘Created in China’, the Chinese government is encouraging the development of the creative industry to transform post-industrial sites. Successful examples of city renewal projects provide examples of this strategy, tuning into the creative cultures and industrial heritage of these cities and offering platforms for creative enterprises to flourish. This paper describes a recently funded renovation project, Beijing 751 D-Park, which has been undertaken to analyse these opportunities, and offers the initial findings of a case study. It unlocks the development process of the renovation project in terms of its philosophy, design method and planning strategy.

COVID-19 and the biopolitics of stigma in public housing: dividing practices and community boundaries in pandemic times

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 ‘hard lockdowns’ in Melbourne, Australia in 2020 targeted public housing estates thus trading on perceptions of risk associated with public housing as some of the most stigmatised sites in post-industrial cities. This article draws on interviews with Melbourne public housing tenants on their experience of COVID-19 lockdowns to analyse the place of stigma in residents’ accounts. Pairing Wacquant et al's (2014) concept of 'territorial stigma' with sociological work on the biopolitics of stigma we consider the dynamics of stigma, tracing how it functions to delimit community boundaries and justify pandemic containment measures. Residents navigate multiple layers of stigma, including stereotypes of public housing, normative judgements of neighbouring residents, and a broader public housing system riven with structural issues. Members of these communities are both the targets of stigma and seek to distance themselves from those seen as vectors of stigma. Our participants report mobilising social distancing strategies couched in normative assessments of perceived risk based on physical appearance, presumed drug use and past conduct. We explore the implications of these enactments of territorial stigma and trace the logics of abjection that construct public housing as deprived urban zones, home to abject ‘Others’ perceived as threatening the health of the community.

Telehealth Parenting Program and Salivary Epigenetic Biomarkers in Preschool Children With Developmental Delay

Children with developmental delays are at a heightened risk of experiencing mental health challenges, and this risk is exacerbated among racially minoritized children who face disproportionate adversity. Understanding the impact of parenting interventions on biological markers associated with these risks is crucial for mitigating long-term health disparities. To examine the effect of 20 weeks of an internet-based parent-child interaction training (iPCIT) program on biomarkers associated with aging and chronic inflammation among preschoolers with developmental delay at 12-month follow-up. An observational secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial conducted from March 17, 2016, to December 15, 2020, to assess changes in salivary DNA methylation (DNAm)-derived biomarkers following iPCIT intervention. Participants were recruited from 3 Part C early intervention sites in a large southeastern US city. Eligible participants included children recruited within 3 months of their third birthday who had a Child Behavior Checklist Externalizing Problems T score greater than 60 and provided saliva in at least 1 study wave. Data analysis was conducted May 2023 to April 2024. Participants received either iPCIT (a telehealth therapeutic intervention focused on enhancing the parent-child relationship and addressing behavioral challenges in young children) or referrals as usual. DNAm at the 12-month follow-up was assessed using the Infinium HumanMethylationEPIC Bead Chip Assay to derive biomarkers DunedinPACE, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Analyses were intent-to-treat and used path analysis. A total of 71 children (mean [SD] age, 36.27 [0.61] months 51 male [71.8%] and 20 female [28.2%]) were analyzed, of whom 34 received iPCIT and 37 received referrals as usual. The iPCIT group had a slower pace of aging (β = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.50; P = .03) and less DNAm-derived CRP (β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.49; P = .01) relative to the control condition at the 12-month follow-up. These associations remained significant after accounting for baseline DNAm score, child demographics, and symptom severity, and were independent of predicted buccal epithelial cell proportion for both DunedinPACE and CRP. There was no association with DNAm-derived IL-6 (β = 0.14; 95% CI, -0.08 to 0.36; P = .21). In this study of a parenting intervention, iPCIT, the association of intervention with decreased molecular markers of inflammation and biological aging suggests their potential to modify aspects of the biological embedding of stress. Understanding the systemic biological impact of such interventions offers insights into addressing health disparities and promoting resilience among vulnerable populations. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03260816.

Aliphatic and cyclic hydrocarbons in urban street dust from Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia: Levels, distribution, and sources

Dust particles contain diverse natural and anthropogenic organic compounds and act as local collectors of pollutants, particularly in urban settings. Samples of street dust were collected from various sites in Riyadh city in 2023. These samples were extracted using a dichloromethane–methanol mixture, and the resulting extracts were subjected to analysis through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The primary compounds identified included n-alkanes, methyl n-alkanoates (FAMEs), hopanes, steranes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), plasticizers, tobacco miscellanies, and an unresolved complex mixture (UCM). Vegetation detritus constituted the primary natural source of organic compounds, ranging from 7.4 ± 3.5% to 15.0 ± 4.0%, and included fractional n-alkanes and FAMEs. Petroleum-related products from vehicular emissions, oil combustion, and spills were predominant, accounting for 73.3 ± 5.1% to 87.5 ± 4.8%, and included partial n-alkanes, hopanes, steranes, PAHs, and UCMs. Litterings from discarded plastics and tobacco smoking varied from 5.2 ± 1.3% to 12.0 ± 5.3%, and included phthalates, nicotine, and cotinine, as well as recreational drinks (coffee and tea beverages containing caffeine). The occurrence and distribution of natural and anthropogenic extractable organic matter in this arid urban area were influenced by local vegetation and human activities. The prevalence of anthropogenic organic compounds in Riyadh city's street dust depended on the location and type of urban activity, with elevated levels observed in high-traffic and industrial zones. Consequently, further investigations are necessary to understand the potential health effects of anthropogenic organic matter on city residents.