City Space Research Articles

Media Discourse as a Generator of the Urban Imaginary

The article studies the urban imaginary generating processes in modern society. The relevance of this interdisciplinary problem is proved by the fragmanted character of the existing research in this area including urban practices diversity through which the city is imagined. The author demonstrates that media discourse is an urban imaginary generator, and it determines how the city is presented and perceived today. The theoretical analysis of the media discourses’ specifics that generate the urban imaginary is carried out in three key modes. The article reveals the specifics of media discourse, impacting the real and virtual collective city representations formation by appealing to discursive practices various modes: media content structuring, discourse actors, media technologies features alongside symbolic fight for city mental images. Besides, the author identifies the media discourses types based on research practices aimed at studying the urban imaginary generating features (media images, place uniqueness, urban space semiotics, urban discourses, etc.). The research also contains the author’s typology of media discourses, producing urban imaginary, is the main result of the researches based on the A. Lefebvre “Production of space” theory: a) media discourse of city space representation (official discourse); b) urban space media discourse (citizens discourse); c) urban practices’ media discourse (communities discourses). Such an analysis and the above typology allow to reveal the variety of the discursive practices production areas in the media sphere, the dominant vectors of the city’s meanings constructing, thus, to explain the discourse landscape, projecting different city representations.

Security means age-friendliness. Analysis of older people’s needs regarding the safe infrastructure of open residential spaces. A Case Study of Poland, the EU member country

Motives: In the era of ageing population and threats arising from economic and geopolitical circumstances there is a need to adapt housing estates to different social groups, especially older persons as a particularly vulnerable group.Aim: The research objective of the article was to study the relevance of selected elements of infrastructure in open residential spaces regarding the safety in the eyes of older people in the face of various threats, such as pandemics and military conflicts.Methods: A questionnaire was developed to investigate the level of significance of selected elements of infrastructure based on in-depth literature research. The questionnaire survey was conducted twice on two random population samples (October 2021 and March/April 2022) in five chosen Polish cities (capitals of voivodeships).Results: Changes in the perceived importance of factors associated with residential safety were identified in the face of two types of threats. Urban planning solutions that contribute to a sense of security were identified in different gender and age groups. Public open spaces in cities should be accessible, user-friendly, and safe; they should promote social interactions with other residents, be aesthetically appealing, and encourage social activation.

Comparative study of ergonomic and technological criteria for universal accessibility at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Accessibility focused on people with reduced mobility has been a challenge for urban design in Latin America since these considerations are only met in 25% of public spaces in cities. Universal accessibility within the study centers is even more limited since the facilities do not have inclusive designs focused on people with reduced mobility. The University of Guayaquil was chosen as a case study, specifically the facilities of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism due to their spatial and architectural conditions. The objective of this study proposes the architectural redesign of public and buildable spaces with ergonomic and technological criteria that improve accessibility for people with disabilities. A qualitative and quantitative approach methodology is applied, evaluating the spatial and architectural conditions through weightings applied to ergonomic and technological criteria. As a result, it is obtained that the ergonomic criterion improves the conditions of users with physical disabilities by 60% according to adaptations of size and design and that the technological and communication information systems generate a better performance around disabilities. visual and auditory generating a 90% general improvement in users. As a future line of research, it is intended to extend these criteria to the rest of the faculties of the University of Guayaquil to obtain an inclusive model of higher education.

Urban Space and Its Structural Components Study in Russian Historiography

The article examines the historiography of studies devoted to various components of urban space and approaches to its study in Russian historical urban studies. It is noted that in most of the studies on the history of the city, the urban space is considered only partially, from the point of view of a separate aspect, which often does not allow to form a complete picture. The authors trace the formation of modern trends in the study of the city as a historical phenomenon, highlight the main components of the concept of "urban space", the study of which together allows you to make a synthetic description of the city space and trace its changes in the historical perspective, such as natural landscape conditions, development, zoning, culture, as well as the activities of the citizens themselves. Each of these aspects contains a separate layer of characteristics that are significant for understanding urban space. From the point of view of the historical process, the importance of each of these components for the representativeness of research findings is traced. The importance of multidimensional analysis of the city's space to identify patterns of historical development is emphasized. The conclusions reflect the main trends in the study of urban space in different periods.

Global inequities in population exposure to urban greenspaces increased amidst tree and nontree vegetation cover expansion

Cities worldwide are expanding greenspaces, including parks, urban forests, and grasslands. However, population exposure to tree and nontree vegetation is less well understood. Here, we use multiple satellite-derived datasets on vegetation, climate, and socioeconomic factors to examine the variations of urban tree and nontree vegetation cover, drivers of changes, and the impacts on global urban population exposure between 2000 to 2020. We find that approximately 90% of cities experienced an ascending trend in tree cover, and 49% of cities showed growth in nontree vegetation (p < 0.05). The increase in urban tree cover is most evident in high-latitude areas, such as Eastern Russia and Northern Europe. Human exposure to urban tree vegetation considerably declined in the Global South, widening the disparity between the North and South. Our study underscores persistent inequalities in human exposure to green space in cities and calls for evidence-based strategies that reduce increasing disparities.

Urban gardening as a risk-reduction strategy – an intersectional analysis of top-down gardening initiatives

In cities around the world, urban gardening is increasingly used as a municipal strategy to tackle both environmental and social risks. In this study we draw on critical and intersectional studies of risk to analyse municipalities’ framing of urban gardening as a way to illuminate how it is entangled with contemporary structures of power. The material consists of strategy documents and information on the municipalities’ websites, and the texts were analysed using critical discourse analysis, which enabled us to integrate a sociocultural, an intersectional and an ecopolitical theoretical approach to risk. We identified two discourses: an eco(no)logical risk discourse where ecological risks were addressed within a capitalist market logic, and a social risk discourse, where focus was on gardening as work training and integration. We found that within these discourses, several gardening subjects appeared, and these could be positioned as either capable of solving and/or mitigating risks, or as at risk and in need of intervention. The results show how the top-down initiating of urban gardens display contemporary inequalities in urban spaces, which are crucial to identify in order to create city spaces that are safe, inclusive and enjoyable for all citizens.

«La ferrovia e il telegrafo muteranno le sorti del mondo» I progetti per gli affreschi della prima stazione di Genova di Francesco Gandolfi (1860)

The drawings preserved in the collection of the Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe di Palazzo Rosso in Genoa include three sketches concerning the involvement of Francesco Gandolfi (1824‑73) in the pictorial decoration of Genoa’s first railway station between 1859 and 1860. Except for the medallion under the entrance porch, these frescoes have been considered lost since the early 20th century. This research is grounded in the stylistic and cultural homogeneity that these drawings express, as well as in the remarkable evidence they provide about an iconographic scheme intended for a novel public space in the 19th-century city. The aim of this paper is also to outline the artistic and social environment of Genoa at the time when it became the first commercial centre of the Kingdom.

Влияние физкультурно-оздоровительной и спортивной среды города на здоровье жителей.

Recreation and sports environment is an essential part of the urban space, which is the most important factor in improving and maintaining health of the citizens, contributing to better mental health, cognitive functions, lower overall mortality, higher life expectancy, lower morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes, better pregnancy and birth outcomes. Recreation and sports environment of the urban space includes the city’s greenery, recreational areas, areas for physical activities and sports, and waterfront areas. This study uses a correlation analysis to analyze impact of the recreation and sports environment of cities on health of the population of working and post-working ages. The study was conducted in 2019 on the example of large and huge urban cities of the Moscow region populated with more than 125,000 people. Based on the correlation analysis results, the authors have demonstrated the impact of the overall set of all sports facilities, sports structures, flat sports structures, swimming pools, sports halls, and public green spaces in cities on health of the post-working age. The study has also shown the impact of swimming pools, the overall set of all types of sports facilities, sports structures, flat sports structures, sports halls, and public green spaces in cities on health of the workingage population. The development and constant support of the city’s fitness and sports environment in a functional state is an important task of city administrations, the result of which is able to increase the physical activity of citizens and lead to a decrease in the morbidity of the urban population.

Bird’s Consortium Ties with Parthenocissus inserta (A. Kern.) Fritsch., 1922 on the Example of Forest Parks and City Phytocenoses in Kyiv City (Ukraine)

Abstract Parthenocissus inserta (A. Kern.) Fritsch. adapts to living in the forests of Ukraine. The influence of P. inserta on native species and its consortial ties with representatives of the secondary ranges biota, in particular birds, has not been studied. The purpose of this study is to make an inventory of the consorts’ ornithocomplexes of P. inserta, to give a comparative analysis of topic and trophic consorts as a result of an introduced species’ participation in the transformation of habitat’s conditions. The material was collected from 2019 to 2022 in forest parks and urban green spaces of the Kyiv city. The bird distribution was determined by the standard method of counting birds at points. Exactly 12.2 ha of P. inserta plantations were surveyed. Trophic consortium relationships of P. inserta with 32 bird species and topic ones with six bird species were revealed. The species composition of consorts was higher in forest fragments than in urban plantations (26 and 21 species, respectively). In the ornithocomplexes of P. inserta consorts in forest biotopes, there was a smaller pressure of dominant species and a more evenly ranked distribution of species by abundance than in urbanized ones. The similarity of the consort’s species composition in urbanized and natural biotopes according to the Sorensen index was 0.64, in consorts 1 and 2 of the consortium concentres was 0.32, and in topic and trophic consorts was 0.27. According to the status of stay in the region, trophic consorts of P. inserta were mainly resident birds – 20 species (62.50%), wintering birds – six species (18.75%), and birds migrating through the region – six species of birds (18.75%). Among the topic consorts, there were four species of sedentary species and two species arriving for nesting. Principal component analysis revealed the largest positive relationship between P. inserta planting area and the number of consort bird species nesting (0.999) and feeding (0.889) on girlish vine plants. We predict that in the future, P. inserta will be more strongly woven into the matter cycle of the secondary range ecosystems. The study of consortial relationships between invasive plants and birds, taking into account the knowledge of the ecological characteristics of consort birds, will make it possible to more effectively prevent the spread of plants into natural biotopes.

Formation of the Architectural Space of Central Ukrainian Cities. The Example of Kropyvnytskyi (Yelisavetgrad)

Abstract The article examines the architectural spatial development of cities in Central Ukraine under the influence of landscape conditions and changes in socio-cultural factors using the city of Kropyvnytsky (Elysavetgrad) as an example. The peculiarities of the historical development of the architectural and planning structure of the city, located on the border of Central Ukraine and the northern Black Sea region, are poorly studied due to its location in the agricultural steppe region of Ukraine. The aim of the paper is to reveal the regularities and basic principles of the relationship between the architectural and spatial development of the city with natural and landscape conditions and changes in socio-cultural factors. The work is based on a complex application of general scientific and special research methods. The transformations of the urban environment of the centre of Kropyvnytskyi (Elysavetgrad) at the end of the 20th century led to the distortion of the scale of the buildings and the loss of their significant elements. Comprehensive studies of the evolution of the urban structure and historic buildings in the city centre will help architects and urban planners to preserve the architectural and urban heritage in the modern urban space.

Can We Do More with Less? Analyzing the Organization of Flexibility of Space and Infrastructure at UDCs: A Case Study for Food Center Amsterdam

Background: How can flexible applications of the space and infrastructure of urban distribution centers (UDCs) be organized to help lower demands on space and infrastructure in cities? The application of flexible use of space and infrastructure can improve the efficiency of a UDC, but the challenge lies in the organization of the application of flexibility. Methods: The goal of this research was to identify how flexibility can be organized to impact overall societal benefits for the stakeholders in UDCs. This explorative and qualitative research was applied to the case of Food Center Amsterdam. Results: The results show that stakeholders have a limited understanding of the potential that flexibility can offer; that there is a need for an independent organizing capability and responsibility for collaboration on flexibility; and that a clear way to divide costs, benefits, risks, and opportunities in relation to stakeholder interests is required. Conclusions: Overall, flexibility shows potential to improve the efficient use of infrastructure and space. Further research avenues include the initiation of an organizing capability and distribution method for costs, benefits, risks, and opportunities between stakeholders. The remaining question is, can we get this organized in order to do more with less?

Analysis of Marta Christina Tiahahu Literacy Park as a New Tourism Object in Jakarta

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;This research discusses the readiness of Christina Martha Tiahahu's literacy park as a new tourist attraction in Jakarta. Public spaces in this capital city have an aesthetic architectural design, so they can be used as Instagramable photo spots and are expected to become new tourist attractions in urban areas. However, to become a tourist destination, the facilities that are owned still need to be studied to see whether this park is ready to become a new tourist object or needs additional equipment so that it is expected to increase the attractiveness of visitors. This research was designed with a descriptive method, namely research that leads to the disclosure of existing facts. Data collection was in the form of a literature review and direct observation to see the facilities and infrastructure owned by Blok M Literacy Park. Looking at its development and field facts the Martha Christina Tiahahu Literacy Park is currently not just a park, but its function as a tourist destination that has recreational functions, educational functions, the interaction function. As an indicator of tourism development, the level of facilities and infrastructure of the Martha Christina Tiahahu Literacy Park as a new tourist attraction has reached 80%, which includes, objects, access, accommodation, facilities, transportation, catering services, recreational activities, communication, shopping, security, cleanliness, religious facilities, and sports facilities. What is not yet available is the banking system and educational facilities. However, from this readiness, this Literacy Park is capable enough to become a new tourist destination for the community&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

Трансформации манихейства в Средние века

Firstly, the article discusses the general significance of the phenomenon of "heresy" in the history of European culture. At the same time, it is indicated that in the long term of the social development process, inversions of assessments and understanding of orthodox and non-orthodox views and beliefs occur quite often, when the persecuted become true heroes and their persecutors are declared retrograde. It is also emphasized that the very practice of knowing the truth implies the need for certain experiences that go beyond the scope of traditional intellectual activity, which causes rejection by society. The article notes that heretics were often sacrificed to preserve the social status quo, but, in the end, this led to the exact opposite results. Secondly, the article examines the medieval transformation of the heresy of the Manichaeans, the attitude towards which in modern culture has fundamentally changed, and a wide scientific and philistine interest in the heritage of the Cathars has developed. In this regard, the article studies the problem of the continuity of Manichaeism and Catharism, the relationship between the Cathar doctrine and the principles of Christian religiosity, and demonstrates the special significance and role of the Cathar movement in the development of the social space of cities and the mentality of medieval townspeople. Thirdly, on the example of understanding the world and man, the fundamentally dualistic nature of the worldview of the Cathars or Albigensians is revealed, which led them to the implementation of extreme forms of asceticism up to the practice of self-mortification (endura). Fourthly, as a conclusion, it is indicated that the Cathar movement played a special role in the history of the Middle Ages, demonstrating new social demands of the dynamically developing ethos of the burghers while paying attention to the fact that the experience of traditional monastic ascetics was based not on mortification of the flesh but on the fundamental transformation of whole human nature (theosis).

Safety Needs Management for People with Disabilities in Contemporary Cities

Abstract Adapting city space to the needs of disabled people is an increasingly important area of activities of local government authorities. Well-thought-out architecture of buildings, road construction and adaptation of broadly understood urban transport ensure free use of city life for all users. The aim of this study is to analyze chosen urban planning solutions tailored to the needs of disabled people. Research methods of this paper are problem-oriented theoretical studies, case studies.

Framing utopia: Following Warren and Mosley from urban site to textual practice (and back again)

This article concerns interconnected works by artists Sophie Warren and Jonathan Mosley, with various collaborators: Planning for Utopia (2007–08), Beyond Utopia (2012) and Utopian Talk-Show (2012–14). It follows their initial proposal to construct an open timber framework tower on a small site near Smithfield Market in London. Discussions with the planning authority there faltered in 2008. In 2012, aspects of the initial project were revisited as a collectively authored, polyphonic book and follow-on instruction-based performance piece. The article will focus on how an initial desire to challenge accepted uses and values of city space was transposed from a real urban situation into the multiple sites of textual practice and how the relationships between representational space, utopia and reality were put into play. Maintaining an explicit conversation with utopic conceits and motifs, these projects test how far an extended critical spatial practice might develop within the specifics of a given urban situation.

Soundscape diversity of different public green spaces in cities

Soundscape of urban public green space plays an important role in urban green space sightseeing experience, but it is not clear whether there are differences in soundscape diversity of different urban green space. This study investigated soundscape diversity of 30 urban green space samples, including urban park green space, roadside green space, square green space, campus green space and residential green space. The results showed that there are differences in soundscape diversity of urban different public green spaces. In campus green space, soundscape diversity and soundscape perceived affective quality are closely related, while in urban parks and roadside green space, soundscape diversity and soundscape perceived affective quality are not significantly related. The linear regression of soundscape diversity indices and overall quality evaluation of soundscape fit well in campus green space, square green space and residential green space. The R2 of these regression equations were 0.65, 0.74 and 0.63, respectively. This study provides potential ideas for the design and management of urban different public green spaces in the future.

Acoustic environment and its restorative potential in small urban green spaces

Small urban green spaces (SUGS) in dense city areas have been widely demonstrated to have restorative benefits to surrounding residents. However, residents' usage and experience of SUGS were indicated to be adversely influenced by adjacent traffic noise, whilst natural sounds inside could provide restorative soundscape resources. Thus, this study investigated the acoustic quality and its restorative potential in 12 SUGS in Qingdao via field measurements and questionnaire surveys. The results show that: (1) The noise level of SUGS largely ranged in 50-60 dBA, with dominant road traffic noise. Three perceptual soundscape dimensions were identified: appreciation, diversity and dynamics. (2) Scenic SUGS featured more natural sounds, lower noise levels, and more appreciation; residential SUGS featured more human sounds and worse soundscape evaluation; and business SUGS featured higher noise levels. (3) The acoustic environments in scenic SUGS showed much more restorative potential than residential and business ones, and the restorative potential of SUGS was highly influenced by sound levels (LAeq, L10, and L90), sound sources (traffic noise and natural sounds), and soundscape qualities (appreciation and diversity). The findings were expected to provide references for the sustainable planning and design of small urban green spaces in dense cities.

The impact of densification and orientation manipulation on outdoor thermal comfort at social housing in arid regions: a sensitivity analysis

ABSTRACT Many developing countries are experiencing rapid urban growth, resulting in a high demand for social housing schemes. In Egypt, newly built communities and potential extensions are incompatible with its hot climate due to low aspect ratios, high sky view factors values (SVF) and less shaded areas, which negatively affect outdoor thermal comfort at the pedestrian level. This study aims to find a relationship between density (represented in SVF), Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) and orientation through a sensitivity analysis to improve the thermal comfort of outdoor spaces in new cities. The research was held on the peakiest summer day using a validated ENVI-met simulation model for a residential area in New October city. The simulation results of 36 scenarios with a total of 37,138 spatial grids were examined through sensitivity analysis to quantify the impact of densification parameters like building coverage ratio, floor area ratio, building height variation, and orientation on PET. PET was found to be more sensitive to densification in cardinal directions. With Higher mid-range densities PET at cardinal orientation reached up to 10℃ higher than in diagonal. Also, the results revealed that optimizing density and building heights could improve average PET (08:00 to 18:00) in diagonal orientation with up to 8℃ in the mid-range densities. However, orientation is insignificant in low densities. Out of the tested parameters, densification was found to be the most impactful strategy than height variation. These results can aid in developing public and private housing schemes that are more climate responsive.

Mapping Safety, Security and Walkability of Historical Public Open Spaces in Post-Conflict Libya: Tripoli as North African Case Study

North African cities have been undergoing major transformation over the past two decades following protracted instability, civic uprising, and conflicts, changing their perception from havens to territories of displacements with social, psychological, and physical problems. Historic public spaces in those cities, in particular, form a critical part of urban environments as they have the identity, livelihoods and cross-community engagement in a healthy and fulfilling urban fabric and culture. Whilst there have been several studies on the characteristics of open spaces in urban environments, there is very limited work on the changing perceptions, use and engagement of public spaces in historic cities especially in the post-Arab Spring and its relative instability. This study aims to deploy investigative and creative methods to map, analyse and navigate through the transformation in the perceptions of historic public spaces in Post-Conflict Libya and its divided cities. It will study the users' (locals and visitors) attitudes, movements, and reflections on how those spaces have changed over time. visitors' behaviour in open historical public spaces in Tripoli, Libya. The study explores the relationships between the characteristics of historical public spaces, physical activity, and psychological behaviour. The paper argues that safety and security in public spaces are critical and inherent qualities that inform much of the users’ attitudes in historic cities, which has continued to be the case in post-conflict Tripoli.

Impact of danger, legibility and mystery on visitor’s preference in fortified landscapes compared with park landscapes in urban areas

Both the parks and historical fortifications constitute important components of urban green spaces in many cities around the world. The approach taken in terms of shaping these spaces often appears similar regardless of provenance. For this reason, recognising the preferences of their visitors is relevant from the perspective of creating and managing spaces that are not only safe, but also interesting. In this study we were interested in how fortress landscapes are perceived compared with typical urban parks in Poland. To this end, we conducted a questionnaire involving 117 participants who evaluated a set of 116 eye-level photographs (58 fortified landscapes and 58 urban parks environments). We analysed a range of correlations and mediation models, testing hypotheses regarding the mediating role of mystery, legibility and danger on preferences towards the two types of studied landscapes. We wished to establish what hidden mechanisms underpin the studied variables as well as their influence on the shaping of the researched landscapes. The results indicate that in the case of fortified landscape, it is important to maintain greenery favoured by the respondents, conducive to diversity and mystery while limiting perceived danger. Legibility can support educational values in the protection and maintenance of fortifications when sites are not devoid of mystery. In the case of park landscapes, legibility should not be improved at the expense of a complete loss of mystery, but should be accompanied by a reduction in perceived danger. In turn, mystery in parks plays an important role because without it, even legible park landscapes cease to be liked by the respondents. In turn, in fortress landscapes, mystery has a strong impact on preference, regardless of its relation to danger and legibility. At the same time, were it not for the fact that legibility reduces sense of danger, legible fortress landscapes would not be liked. Therefore, our findings can support the successful restoration and maintenance of fortress landscapes especially when their function shifts and they need to be managed and maintained in a planned manner in modern green areas.