Strategies For Sustainable Urban Development Research Articles

Transferred Bias Uncovers the Balance Between the Development of Physical and Socioeconomic Environments of Cities

Evaluating the balance between a city’s physical and socioeconomic environmental development is crucial for creating sustainable and livable urban spaces. Although they might appear contradictory, they jointly support the comprehensive sustainable urban development strategy. Traditional methods usually focus on assessing this balance from a specific perspective, such as how neighborhood greenery shapes real estate value. Yet, they fail to deliver a holistic balance assessment in developing the physical and socioeconomic dimensions. To fill this gap, this study introduces a research framework that measures this balance through house prices based on transferred bias. Using house price as an indicator shaped by both physical and socioeconomic environments, the framework first constructs a series of deep learning models to estimate house prices through street view images for each city. These models capture the relationship between neighborhood appearance and house price. Second, by leveraging transfer inference, we introduce neighborhood appearance from one city into the model trained from another city. This process identifies the transferred bias, which is the disparity between inaccurate inference resulting from a mismatched neighborhood appearance and the trained model. Through transferred bias, we can quantify the differences in physical and socioeconomic environments across cities and evaluate the urban balances of these two environments. The results show that the transferred bias effectively quantifies the disparities among cities in physical and socioeconomic environments, thereby facilitating further investigation into the urban balance between these two environments.

Density as an indicator of sustainable urban development: insights from Helsinki?

ABSTRACT Densification has become a dominant strategy for sustainable urban development in recent decades, viewed as a main antidote to urban sprawl and essential for achieving a range of urban qualities from economic to ecological. Despite its prominence as an indicator and driver of sustainable development, measuring density in a meaningful way poses significant challenges. Arbitrary metrics often overlook the complexity of density and its associations, leading to potential unintended outcomes in density-driven planning. Using the Helsinki region as a case study, this article demonstrates the sensitivity of density measurements to minor changes in reference areas and calculation units, highlighting how different types of density can loosely relate to each other. Our findings underscore the importance of precise methodological choices in avoiding misguided planning decisions and policy advice that could compromise sustainability goals, revealing the complex dynamics of infill and edge growth often obscured in regional density measures.

Enhancing Urban Livability with Vertical Gardens in Mexico City Strategies for Sustainable Urban Development

This thesis explores the implementation of vertical gardens in Mexico City as a strategic approach to enhance urban livability and promote sustainable development. Faced with environmental challenges such as severe air pollution and the urban heat island effect, coupled with limited availability of green space due to high urban density, Mexico City requires innovative solutions to improve its urban ecosystem. This research examines the role of vertical gardens in addressing these challenges by purifying air, reducing temperatures, and supporting urban biodiversity. Additionally, it investigates the socio-economic and psychological impacts of increased greenery on the community. The study draws on case studies from cities with similar challenges and proposes tailored implementation strategies for Mexico City, assessing the potential benefits and impacts of vertical gardens on property values, community well-being, and public health. This thesis contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive framework for integrating vertical gardens into urban landscapes, potentially transforming them into more sustainable and livable environments.

Urban resilience: Multidimensional perspectives, challenges and prospects for future research

This manuscript investigates the multifaceted concept of urban resilience amidst escalating urbanization and environmental challenges. The study identifies and examines key problems across environmental, infrastructural, economic, human, social, and institutional dimensions of urban resilience through a systematic review of literature and consultations with experts in the field. Emphasizing the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and community involvement, the research underscores the necessity for innovative approaches to bolster urban resilience. By shedding light on the intricate dynamics of urban challenges, the study advocates for sustainable urban development strategies that prioritize resilience-building. Insights from the study pave the way for future research endeavors aimed at addressing urban complexities and fostering resilient urban environments that can withstand and adapt to external and internal disturbances effectively.

Agent-Based Modeling for Sustainable Urban Passenger Vehicle Mobility: A Case of Tehran

In response to escalating congestion and deteriorating air quality in urban centers worldwide, exacerbated by overburdened transportation systems, there is an urgent need for accurate traffic forecasting and effective sustainable urban development strategies. This study employs agent-based modeling through four distinctive scenarios for Tehran, I. R. Iran. A synthetic population is meticulously crafted using simulated annealing, enabling the emulation of daily commuting patterns. Results show that by bolstering cycling infrastructure and enhancing public transportation services, reliance on private cars is reduced up to 46%. The introduction of flexible working hours reduces the traffic volumes during peak traffic hours by 47% and significantly altering the daily distances traveled by personal cars, as evidenced by a 1:6 ratio in car volume increase between scenarios emphasizing flexible working hours and those with more conventional traffic patterns. The results provide powerful insights for decisionmakers to manage the traffic especially in high polluted air conditions.

Application of a Multi-Layer Perceptron and Markov Chain Analysis-Based Hybrid Approach for Predicting and Monitoring LULCC Patterns Using Random Forest Classification in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan.

Land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) is a critical environmental issue that has significant effects on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate change. This study examines the land-use and land-cover (LULC) spatiotemporal dynamics across a three-decade period (1998-2023) in a district area. In order to forecast the LULCC patterns, this study suggests a hybrid strategy that combines the random forest method with multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and Markov chain analysis. To predict the dynamics of LULC changes for the year 2035, a hybrid technique based on multi-layer perceptron and Markov chain model analysis (MLP-MCA) was employed. The area of developed land has increased significantly, while the amount of bare land, vegetation, and forest cover have all decreased. This is because the principal land types have changed due to population growth and economic expansion. This study also discovered that between 1998 and 2023, the built-up area increased by 468 km2 as a result of the replacement of natural resources. It is estimated that 25.04% of the study area's urbanization will increase by 2035. The performance of the model was confirmed with an overall accuracy of 90% and a kappa coefficient of around 0.89. It is important to use advanced predictive models to guide sustainable urban development strategies. The model provides valuable insights for policymakers, land managers, and researchers to support sustainable land-use planning, conservation efforts, and climate change mitigation strategies.

Material Flow Analysis-Based Sustainability Assessment for Circular Economy Scenarios of Urban Building Stock of Vienna

Urban buildings consume raw material and energy, and they produce waste and greenhouse gasses. Sustainable urban development strategies aim to reduce these. Using the case study of buildings in Vienna, this article evaluates the impact of a defined urban development pathway on the heating energy demand, greenhouse gas emissions, and total material requirement of buildings in Vienna for 2021–2050. Furthermore, the impact of recycling to reduce the total material requirement and to increase the circular material use rate is evaluated. The results show that the heating energy demand can be reduced to meet the targets of Vienna’s sustainable development strategy. The same does not count for greenhouse gas emissions. To meet the targets for the latter, the renovation of old buildings by thermal insulation should be expanded and heating systems substituted. With respect to the total material requirement, the recycling of demolition waste from buildings in Vienna to produce secondary raw materials for buildings in Vienna can help to achieve the reduction targets of Vienna’s sustainable development strategy so that in the year 2050, the material footprint is only 44% of the value of the year 2019. Since there is a contradiction between the total material requirement and the circular material use rate, the latter has to be discussed for its use as a circular economy indicator, since the aim of circular economy is not to produce as much recycling materials as possible, but to reduce resource consumption to a sustainable level.

Αn integrated framework to monitor progress of sustainable urban development strategies, addressing societal, ecological and innovation dilemmas

This paper presents an integrated Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework, an all-encompassing approach suitable for European cities and regions aiming to monitor and evaluate the implementation and results of sustainable urban development strategies or projects related to urban planning, transport planning, or urban energy management. The framework features a co-created and co-implemented reflexive and adaptive method tailored specifically for strategies or projects that introduce innovative elements from contemporary research and innovation in science and technology, such as net-zero development, systemic solutions for cities, or integrated urban mobility and planning. The approach to designing and implementing the M&E framework was realized through a six-phase process: (i) development of the M&E framework, (ii) tailoring indicators to each region’s specificities, (iii) developing data collection questionnaires and a reporting database, (iv) collecting the data, (v) populating the database, and (vi) writing the final report. The framework was tested and enhanced with four European regional authorities over a 19-month period, enabling them to address their so-called 'policy dilemmas,' defined as the challenges they face in balancing societal and inclusivity objectives with economic and innovation goals. This framework is designed for replication in future sustainable urban development strategies or projects with similar societal, ecological, and innovation objectives.

Urban agriculture as ecosystem services provider: A review

Background: Urban agriculture’s role in mitigating the urban environment deterioration as ecosystem services provider. Urban agriculture adds various functions to different landscape scales, providing numerous benefits if managed correctly. This paper aims to study the role of urban agriculture as ecosystem services provider in mitigating urban environment deterioration. Method: The method that will be used in this article is literature review from articles related to urban agriculture and ecosystem services from provisioning, regulating, services, and cultural. The review is compiled from urban agriculture’s function as ecosystem services provider, such as biodiversity conservation, microclimate regulation, aesthetic function, and food production. Result: In essence, urban agriculture is a diverse and vital solution for cities, and it takes various forms, from private gardens to community plots, addressing challenges like limited public funding and promoting greening initiatives. Urban agriculture plays a key role in biodiversity conservation, contributing to enhanced environmental benefits and the preservation of local habitats. Another crucial role in regulating the complex dynamics of the urban microclimate, offering ecological benefits such as reduced Urban Heat Island effects, wind protection, and pollutant absorption. Beyond its ecological impact, urban agriculture adds aesthetic value to urban spaces, creating visually appealing landscapes and promoting cultural integration. Moreover, it serves as a multifaceted strategy for sustainable urban development, addressing food security, resilience, and well-being. Conclusion: Amidst challenges, such as the threat to urban biodiversity and the need for proper green space management, urban agriculture emerges as a holistic approach, contributing to the visual, cultural, and environmental fabric of cities. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study offers a new perspective on urban agriculture as a multifunctional solution to address urban environmental degradation. By integrating agriculture into the urban landscape, the study reveals the transformative potential for creating greener, more resilient and sustainable cities.

Restoration and resilience strategies for sustainable urban development

Restoration and resilience strategies for sustainable urban development

Digital finance reduces urban carbon footprint pressure in 277 Chinese cities

As global warming's impact on humanity surpasses initial predictions, numerous countries confront heightened risks associated with escalating urban carbon footprints. Concurrently, digital finance has flourished, propelled by advancements in digital technology. This convergence underscores the urgency of exploring digital finance's role in mitigating urban carbon footprint pressures. This study analyzes data spanning 277 Chinese cities from 2011 to 2020, yielding several key findings: Firstly, we developed a dataset detailing the carbon footprint pressures in these cities, revealing that variations in these pressures predominantly correlate with economic growth. Secondly, our analysis indicates that digital finance has a significant impact on reducing urban carbon footprint pressures, through mechanisms such as reducing the number of physical bank branches and enhancing residents' environmental awareness. Thirdly, the study identifies that the efficacy of digital finance in reducing carbon footprint pressures varies according to factors like sunshine duration and geographic location. The insights from this research aim to contribute substantively to strategies for sustainable urban development.

The Holocene to modern Fraser River Delta, Canada: geological history, processes, deposits, natural hazards, and coastal management

The Fraser River Delta (FRD) is a large sedimentary system and home to Metro Vancouver, situated within the unceded territories of several First Nations. This review provides an overview of the geological evolution of the FRD, connecting hydrodynamic processes with sedimentary deposits across its diverse environments, from the river to the delta slope. The study emphasizes the implications of sedimentation and delta evolution for natural hazards and coastal/delta management, pinpointing knowledge gaps. Comprising four main zones—river, delta plain, tidal flats, and delta slope—the FRD is subject to several natural hazards, including subsidence, flooding, earthquakes, liquefaction, and tsunamis. The delta plain, bordering the Fraser River's distributary channels, hosts tidal marshes and flats, including both active and abandoned areas. Active tidal flats like Roberts Bank and Sturgeon Bank receive sediment directly from the Fraser River, while abandoned tidal flats, like those at Boundary Bay and Mud Bay, no longer receive sediment. The tidal flats transition into the delta slope, characterized by sand in the south and mud in the north of the Main Channel. The FRD's susceptibility to hazards necessitates protective measures, with approximately 250 km of dykes shielding the delta plain from river floods and storm surges. Subsidence amplifies the impact of rising sea levels. Earthquakes in the region can induce tsunamis, submarine slope failures, and liquefaction of delta sediments, emphasizing the importance of incorporating sedimentation patterns and delta evolution into management strategies for sustainable urban development, habitat restoration, and coastal defence initiatives.

Integrating Spatiotemporal Analysis of Land Transformation and Urban Growth in Peshawar Valley and Its Implications on Temperature in Response to Climate Change

Examining the interconnected dynamics of urbanization and climate change is crucial due to their implications for environmental, social, and public health systems. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of these dynamics in the Peshawar Valley, a rapidly urbanizing region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, over a 30-year period (1990–2020). A novel methodological framework integrating remote sensing, GIS techniques, and Google Earth Engine (GEE) was developed to analyze land use/land cover (LULC) changes, particularly the expansion of the built-up environment, along with the land surface temperature (LST) and heat index (HI). This framework intricately links these elements, providing a unique perspective on the environmental transformations occurring in the Peshawar Valley. Unlike previous studies that focused on individual aspects, this research offers a holistic understanding of the complex interplay between urbanization, land use changes, temperature dynamics, and heat index variations. Over three decades, urbanization expanded significantly, with built-up areas increasing from 6.35% to 14.13%. The population surged from 5.3 million to 12.6 million, coupled with significant increases in registered vehicles (from 0.171 million to 1.364 million) and operational industries (from 327 to 1155). These transitions influenced air quality and temperature dynamics, as evidenced by a highest mean LST of 30.30 °C and a maximum HI of 55.48 °C, marking a notable increase from 50.54 °C. These changes show strong positive correlations with built-up areas, population size, registered vehicles, and industrial activity. The findings highlight the urgent need for adaptive strategies, public health interventions, and sustainable practices to mitigate the environmental impacts of urbanization and climate change in the Peshawar Valley. Sustainable urban development strategies and climate change mitigation measures are crucial for ensuring a livable and resilient future for the region. This long-term analysis provides a robust foundation for future projections and policy recommendations.

Analysis of the Importance of Environmental Art Design in Smart Cities

Urbanization is reshaping the world, with more than half of the global population now living in cities. However, this rapid urban expansion places significant strain on natural resources and the environment, necessitating sustainable urban development strategies. Smart cities have emerged as a solution, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and promote sustainability. Environmental art plays a crucial role in this context, transcending traditional boundaries between art, technology, and nature. This article explores the impact of environmental art on smart city development, drawing on case studies from Singapore and China. It examines how environmental art enhances urban aesthetics, improves resident well-being, and revitalizes public spaces. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and suggests future directions for research in leveraging environmental art for sustainable urban development in smart cities.

Determinants of housing prices: Serbian Cities’ perspective

This study investigates the spatial and temporal dynamics of housing prices in Serbia, addressing the critical need to understand the drivers of real estate prices and their implications for economic and social welfare. Employing a panel data analysis approach on a unique dataset covering 24 distinct urban areas in Serbia from 2011 to 2021, we examine the relevance of diverse economic, demographic, and infrastructural indicators, providing novel insights within a developing country context. Our findings reveal that the housing market stock-flow model effectively predicts housing price appreciation trends, explaining over 60 percent of variation in property prices. Notably, disparities in labour income, captured by average wages and registered employment rates, emerge as significant determinants of real estate prices, underlining socio-economic disparities within Serbian cities. Housing prices exhibit a positive response to the population/housing stock ratio, suggesting higher prices in cities experiencing faster population growth relative to housing supply. Intensified construction is associated with elevated housing prices. Additionally, we find positive association between the inflation variable and housing prices, underlining real estate’s potential as an inflation hedge. Public service provision and infrastructural amenities also emerge as contributors to higher housing prices in urban areas, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive urban planning strategies. Our study contributes to the literature by providing specific quantitative evidence, advancing the understanding of urban housing market dynamics in developing countries. By offering nuanced insights into determinants of housing prices, our research informs policymakers and urban planners seeking to foster equitable and sustainable urban development strategies.

Evaluating the Development Levels of Green Urban Transportation Systems

To promote the green and resilient development of urban transportation and the sustainable development of cities, we developed a technique that can be used to evaluate the level of urban green transportation development. First, the toughness evaluation indexes were integrated according to the connotation requirements of green transportation development, and the evaluation index system was constructed using the hierarchical analysis method. Second, subjective and objective weighting methods, such as the G1, entropy weighting, and “addition” integration methods, which provide a simple and easy-to-use evaluation method that can improve evaluation accuracy, were adopted. Finally, Harbin, a typical city in the north, was chosen as a representative city to verify the method effectiveness. The study findings can be used to evaluate the current level of green development of a city as well as for future planning, providing a basis for formulating sustainable urban transportation development strategies. We will continue to conduct comparative studies on different evaluation methods and cities to improve the generalizability of the method.

Environmental Risks Associated With Urban Development Projects in Kenya

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine environmental risks associated with urban development projects in Kenya Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study revealed that urban development projects in Kenya present significant environmental risks that require careful consideration and proactive mitigation measures. The rapid urbanization and infrastructure expansion in Kenya's cities have been associated with various environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, habitat loss, soil degradation, urban heat island effects, and adverse impacts on human health. These environmental risks stem from factors such as increased vehicular emissions, industrial activities, improper waste management practices, deforestation, and inadequate urban planning and infrastructure. The concentration of population and economic activities in urban centers exacerbates these environmental pressures, further highlighting the urgent need for sustainable urban development strategies in Kenya. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: urban political ecology theory, environmental justice theory & sustainable development theory may be used to anchor future studies on environmental risks associated with urban development projects in Kenya. Prioritize the implementation of green infrastructure initiatives, such as green roofs, urban parks, and sustainable drainage systems, to mitigate environmental risks associated with urban development. Integrate nature-based solutions into urban planning and design processes to enhance ecosystem services, improve air and water quality, and reduce urban heat island effects. Advocate for legislative reforms and policy interventions that prioritize environmental sustainability in urban development planning and regulation. Implement stringent environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes for all urban development projects to ensure compliance with environmental standards and regulations.

Strategies for sustainable urban development: Assessing the impact of adaptation readiness, nanotechnology, and renewable energy on urban ecosystems

Strategies for sustainable urban development: Assessing the impact of adaptation readiness, nanotechnology, and renewable energy on urban ecosystems

Implementation challenges of Integrated Sustainable Urban Development Strategies in Spain during the period 2014-20

Integrated Sustainable Urban Development Strategies (ISUDS) have become the approach adopted by Spain for the promotion of sustainable urban development co-financed by the ERDF during the period 2014-20. While previous research has mainly focused on the design stage of these policies, this study focuses on the implementation stage. Through document analysis and in-depth interviews with actors from the Spanish public administration, this study reveals a low rate of execution of the strategies and the challenges faced by local entities. This research aims to broaden our knowledge about ISUDS in Spain and to propose measures that could improve the implementation of future European programmes on urban sustainability.

The Relationship between Farmland Abandonment and Urbanization Processes: A Case Study in Four Chinese Urban Agglomerations

Clarifying the relationship between urbanization and farmland abandonment in urban agglomerations (UAs) is crucial to guide the formulation of arable land management policies and strategies for sustainable urban development. Despite numerous studies confirming the correlation between farmland abandonment and certain urbanization factors, the exploration of the patterns and underlying mechanisms of farmland abandonment in China’s UAs remains worthy of systematic investigation. In this study, we conducted an analysis of the spatiotemporal trends in farmland abandonment and examined the key drivers of farmland abandonment in four representative Chinese UAs—Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH), Chengdu–Chongqing (CC), Pearl River Delta (PRD), and Yangtze River Delta (YRD). Our findings reveal that farmland abandonment has been intensified with increasing fragmentation and aggregation patches across these UAs. Abandonment experience was the main driver of continuous abandonment. Moreover, natural conditions persistently influenced farmland abandonment in the BTH, while land urbanization and economic urbanization were predominant drivers in the CC. The abandonment in the PRD was mainly driven by population urbanization, while the abandonment in the YRD was primarily driven by economic urbanization and land urbanization. The research findings provide data support and scientific explanation for land policy-making in these typical UAs under different development strategies.