Suburban Research Articles

Comparative Microplastic Analysis in Urban Waters Using μ-FTIR And Py-GC-MS: A Case Study in Amsterdam

The contamination of freshwater with microplastics (MPs) has been established globally. While the analysis of MPs has predominantly involved spectroscopic methods for revealing particle numbers, the potential of employing spectroscopy for mass estimation has been underutilized. Consequently, there is a need to enhance our understanding of the mass loads of MPs and ensure the complementarity and comparability of various techniques for accurate quantification. This study presents the first comparative results on urban water samples using micro Fourier-transform infrared (μ-FTIR) imaging and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) to identify and quantify MPs in both particle numbers and mass concentration. Two sampling campaigns in summer and winter were conducted at 11 locations within the Amsterdam canal network. An advanced in-situ volume-reducing sampling pump was employed to collect MPs from the surface water within the size fraction of 10-300 μm. The analysis revealed MP concentrations within the range of 16 -107 MP/m3, estimated to be 2.0-789 μg/m3 by μ-FTIR imaging and 8.5-754 μg/m3 by Py-GC-MS. The results of the two analysis techniques showed good comparability in terms of the general trends of MP abundances, with variations in polymer compositions due to the inherent inter-methodological differences. Elevated MP concentrations were observed in the city center compared to the suburban areas. In addition, seasonal differences in MP abundances were noted at the locations with high human activity.

Literature Synthesis of Emerging Last-Mile Delivery Technologies and their Applications to Rural Areas: Drones, Autonomous Delivery Vehicles, and Truck-Drones

Rural areas have the distinct opportunity to become trendsetters of innovation and technology, molding and optimizing delivery advances to operate in a way that meets their needs. Drones, autonomous delivery vehicles (ADVs), and truck-drones have the potential to improve rural delivery services significantly. However, rural environments have considerably different characteristics than urban or suburban areas. Therefore, delivery services must be evaluated specifically for the rural use case because the outcome of rural drone delivery is likely different from urban. This study conducted a systematic literature review about the current state-of-the-art drone, ADV, and truck-drone package delivery in rural areas (excluding medical or healthcare delivery). Drones can significantly reduce rural delivery emissions and costs while increasing efficiency. ADVs have the potential to greatly improve rural delivery efficiency. The truck-drone solution is one of the best mode choices for rural delivery because the truck can travel longer distances while the drone can cross challenging geography without delay. The literature review identified a general need for more drone, ADV, and truck-drone delivery research focusing on rural locations. There also is a need for research about the specific economic, environmental, and societal impacts of drone, ADV, and truck-drone delivery in rural areas. There is a significant gap in the literature on realistic rural delivery modeling and gaps about attitudes and perceptions of drone, ADV, and truck-drone delivery services in rural areas. With additional research, innovative delivery modes and technologies can become more cost-effective, accessible, and efficient in rural areas.

Avifaunal Diversity of Cantonment Area, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Birds have always fascinated mankind with their naturally attractive plumage, harmonious songs and creative behavior. Avifaunal Diversity is one of the most important ecological indicators, displays the environmental quality of an area, its pollution level, safety and accessibility of food and habitat. Cantonment area is one of the distinctive locations represents a sub-urban area of Lucknow. Cantonment area is an abundant green area around 23.43 square kilometer, preferred by number of bird species at its different types of habitat like shaded trees, bushes, grasses, grounds some parks and buildings etc. They provide food and shelter for the urban terrestrial bird’s community. The study was performed in Cantonment area for six months from February, 2022 to July, 2022. Bird surveys were carried out using the Line transect method across four different transects at this area. As a result of six months observation, 55 bird species were recorded belonging to 15 orders and 29 families. Majority of species were observed in the order Passeriformes and family Muscicapidae. Data analysis showed that 29 avian species were Common, 12 were Fairly Common, 6 were Uncommon and 8 were Rare, whereas 52 avian species were residents and 3 avian species were migrants.

Exclusive breastfeeding practice during COVID-19 pandemic in West Java Indonesia: A cross-sectional study.

The achievement towards 100% exclusive breastfeeding still a challenge in many countries despite adverse impacts due to the absence of exclusive breastfeeding. One consequence from the low practice of exclusive breastfeeding is malnutrition, including stunting that can be prevented by providing optimal food to infants, starting with providing exclusive breastfeeding from birth to 6 months of age. However, the practice of exclusive breastfeeding still low and it is suspected that this practice also decreased during the COVID- 19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in sub-urban areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study using cross sectional design conducted from interviewing 206 mothers in 2022 who meet the inclusion criteria, consisted of breastfeeding their babies in the last 1 year and live in Sub-urban area in Depok City, West Java. Multiple binary logistic regression used to measure the association and strength between independent variables with the outcome variable. Independent variables with a p-value < 0.25 during the Chi-square test were included in the logistic regression model. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding and early initiation of breastfeeding (EIB) was 58.3% and 57.8% respectively. Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding practices are education, employment status, knowledge and attitude about exclusive breastfeeding, self-efficacy in providing exclusive breastfeeding, EIB practice, and eating pattern. From multivariate analysis, it was found that the dominant factors to exclusive breastfeeding are EIB. The study highlights the importance of improving exclusive breastfeeding practice through early initiation of breastfeeding, mother's knowledge, education and self-efficacy. Therefore, health promotion and education should emphasize the importance of those factors, supported by the health policy and massive campaign as a key success in exclusive breastfeeding.

Physico-chemical characteristics of breeding habitats in relation to larval density and relative abundance of Aedes mosquitoes from Siliguri sub-division, West Bengal, India

Aim: Characterization of physico-chemical parameters of Aedes mosquito breeding habitats from dengue-endemic Siliguri sub-divisional area and correlation of larval density with the habitat characteristics. Methodology: Natural and artificial water-holding containers found in four blocks, namely- Naxalbari, Matigara, Khoribari and Phansidewa of Siliguri sub-divisional area were surveyed for the collection of Aedes mosquito larvae. Water parameters such as pH, temperature, electric conductance (EC), total dissolved solid (TDS), chloride, salinity, total hardness (TH) and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured and the larval density (LD) indices and relative abundance for Aedes spp., were calculated. Results: Out of 40 habitats, larvae of Aedes spp. were found in 20 habitats (50%). Ae. albopictus was found as the pre-dominant species (81.24%) in all the positive breeding habitats. Three habitat characteristics, like chloride (r= -0.959; p= 0.041), salinity (r= -0.958; p= 0.041)and TH (r= -0.961; p= 0.039) showed significant negative association with larval densityin the study. Whereas the remaining parameters, like-pH, temperature, EC, TDS, were positively correlated and DO showed a negative correlation with larval density. Although none of the later correlations were statistically significant. The larval density of Aedes spp. (mean ± SD) was lowest in Khoribari (27.66 ± 21.55) and highest in Phansidewa block (128.33 ± 187.26). Interpretation: Pre-dominance of Ae. albopictus reiterates its importance as a principal dengue vectorin rural, peri- or sub-urban area of the sub-division. Utilizing the obtained data, the efficacy of oviposition traps can be enhanced for locale-specific vector surveillance and development of novel techniques that may deter larval growth, development and survival in an area. Key words: Aedes mosquitoes, Dengue, Larval density, Mosquito-borne viral diseases, Siliguri

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY FOR LOW-INCOME GROUPS IN SUBURBAN AREAS OF JAKARTA, INDONESIA

The suburban areas of Jakarta have been chosen for the provision of subsidized housing to meet the needs of the Low-Income Community (MBR). The affordability level for MBR is a critical consideration in the provision of such housing. Suburban areas offer an advantage over inner-city areas due to relatively lower land prices. As a result, the development of housing for MBR has shifted to Jakarta's suburbs such as Bogor, Tangerang, and Bekasi Regencies. Previous research reviews have identified factors influencing MBR housing affordability, including housing location, housing accessibility, and travel behavior. Aims: This study aims to identify factors influencing Housing MBR affordability in Jakarta's suburban areas, including Tangerang, Bekasi, and Bogor Regencies. Methodology and results: Research variables include housing affordability, housing location, housing accessibility, and travel behavior. The research design uses a survey questionnaire method. The number of respondents from each regency is 40 MBR families residing in subsidized housing, randomly selected. The analysis technique used is multiple linear regression using Smart-PLS software. The study results show that the factors of housing location and travel behavior affect MBR housing affordability, while the accessibility factor does not. Conclusion, significance and impact study: In suburban areas, to make housing affordable for MBR, it is necessary to provide easily accessible, integrated, and affordable public transportation infrastructure; provision of various facilities accessible by walking/cycling; and considering the density of MBR housing to attract various parties to provide facilities.

Prospects and Obstacles Associated with Community Solar and Wind Farms in Jordan’s Suburban Areas

Jordan faces significant, immediate challenges of enhancing energy security while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. One of the most promising approaches to achieve sustainable development, energy security, and environmental conservation is to increase the integration of renewable energy into electricity generation. To this end, the Jordanian government aims to expand investments in the green energy sector, with solar and wind energy expected to play a crucial role in meeting energy demands and promoting environmental sustainability. This paper aims to examine the distinct dynamics, challenges, obstacles, and potential solutions related to establishing community solar and wind farms in suburban areas of Jordan. It seeks to highlight the opportunities and barriers influencing the adoption of sustainable energy in the country. Evaluation results from engaging 320 key stakeholders were obtained through a questionnaire, and after comprehensive analysis, it became evident that the benefits and positive aspects of solar and wind farms outweigh their drawbacks and obstacles. These insights can be useful in guiding policies and practices to make renewable energy community projects a reality within Jordan’s suburban areas. Additionally, the findings may serve as a valuable benchmark for other regions facing similar challenges in their pursuit of a sustainable energy future.

Beyond built environment: Unveiling the interplay of streetscape perceptions and cycling behavior

As an important means of shared micro-mobility, shared bicycles have become a crucial component of urban transportation in China. The impact of the built environment on bicycling has been widely acknowledged. However, can streetscape perceptions influence bicycle-sharing volume (BSV) and supplement the built environment? We first obtained millions of pieces of shared-cycling data from the Shenzhen Open Data Platform and carried out geographical quantification of BSV. As for streetscape, we improved the classification of subjective streetscape perception based on street view images using the k-means clustering algorithm and conducted predictions using XGBoost. Through the application of different regression models, we unveiled the nonlinear spatial interdependencies between BSV and streetscape perceptions as a complement to the built environment. Our findings indicate that greenery, vivid street-front facades, and diverse street facilities can promote BSV. Targeted strategies are proposed for different districts. For instance, urban planners can provide incentives for high-income groups in central urban areas to adopt active travel, and increase the supply of shared bicycles in suburban areas with high building density, particularly in industrial urban villages. As a supplement to the long-term planning recommendations derived from the macro-built environment analysis, an in-depth spatial perception quantitative assessment proffers a human-centric, flexible blueprint for urban street design.

Innovative On-Demand Transit for First-Mile Trips: A Cutting-Edge Approach

As a result of the lack of access to efficient public transit in suburban areas, residents often have to use their own vehicles to commute either within the area, to neighboring regions, or to a public transit hub (PTH). Thanks to information and communication technologies, on-demand transit (ODT) is a potential solution being proposed and considered by transit agencies. Although ODT has shown the potential to enhance transit level of service, its efficiency depends on different parameters such as demand spatial and temporal distribution or the configuration of the service. In this study, we propose a novel configuration for an ODT service and apply it to the first part of a commuter’s trip, or the commuter’s “first mile.” The proposed configuration depends on the availability of smart devices installed at bus stops. Passengers request their rides via smart devices and receive real-time and personalized information about their ride requests to travel to a PTH. The proposed ODT service is modeled with the Simulation of Urban Mobility or SUMO simulation framework. To evaluate the performance of the ODT service, it is applied to the city of Terrebonne in Quebec, Canada. The proposed service is compared with existing bus transit operating in the area as well as a door-to-PTH service. The results of the comparison analysis reveal that the proposed ODT service may result in a significant 36% reduction in total travel time as well as a 41% reduction in detour time compared with the existing bus transit service. A detailed sensitivity analysis is also conducted to capture the impacts of different parameters, variables, and dispatching algorithms on the service performance.

Reimagining Healthcare: What an Ideal Healthcare System Looks Like for Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals

Research is clear that transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals face a myriad of barriers accessing and participating in the healthcare system and these barriers often lead to negative health outcomes. In this study, in collaboration with the largest statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, we conducted seven focus groups with TNB individuals representing urban, suburban, and rural areas to assess what the ideal health system would look like. From these focus groups, four themes were identified: (a) addressing discrimination and invisibility in healthcare and healthcare provider training, (b) access to care, (c) medical cost and insurance, and (d) access to resources and information. Several subthemes were identified under each main category.

Adolescents’ attitudes, habits, identity and social support in relation to physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic

This study focuses on adolescents’ cognitive processes, behaviors and social support (SS) as they relate to physical activity (PA) before and after the pandemic. The aims of the study were: (1) to investigate the changes in adolescents’ engagement in moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and examine the changes in PA-related attitudes and behaviors before and after the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) to analyze the correlations between the significant changes that were found, PA engagement, and SS. The survey targeted third-year middle school students of Italian nationality, attending male and female mixed classes, residents in urban, periphery and sub-urban areas, living in families with different incomes, and different habits of engaging in PA. A longitudinal study was developed using a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered in April–May 2023 to a sample of 952 students aged 11/14 residing in the Marche region in Central Italy. Increasing values were found in the post-COVID-19 phase for all the cognitive processes and attitudes, in particular, those regarding habits (0.66 vs 0.50, + 32%) and identity (0.70 vs 0.55, + 27%) related to PA. Significant correlations were found between these values and VPA engagement and between the values of the same indicators and SS (p < 0.01). The strongest relationship was found with the dimension of identity (r = 0.51; r = 054).

Free-range poultry farming in a lowland suburban area increased the health risk of heavy metal contamination

Free-range poultry farming in a lowland suburban area increased the health risk of heavy metal contamination

Simultaneous optimization of network and fares for self-financing public transportation system

The public transportation system in densely populated areas is often managed as a self-financing system due to fare passenger revenues. In a self-financing system, the network structure and the monetary fare mutually interact; therefore, it is efficient to design both simultaneously. We developed an optimization model that endogenously determines the bus network and fares to maximize the total social surplus of the region. In this study, we conducted numerical applications of the model to a public transportation system around a railroad station in a metropolitan suburb area. The results showed that the optimal network topology changes with the scale of demand, and network shape significantly alters the optimal fare structure. Three types of virtual regions were examined to illustrate optimal fares.

Forecasting the Exceedances of PM2.5 in an Urban Area

Forecasting the Exceedances of PM2.5 in an Urban Area

Are we underestimating inner-megacity energy poverty in developing countries? Evidence from 2054 households in beijing, China

The prevalence of poverty and inequality in megacities often manifests as high levels of energy poverty and disparities in household energy consumption. A comprehensive survey of 2054 households in Beijing was conducted in 2023 to examine the dynamics of energy poverty within such an urban settings. As one of the world's most influential megacities, Beijing offers a distinct and insightful case study for understanding energy poverty in a rapidly urbanizing global context. Utilizing the 10 % and low-cost/high-income (LIHC) methods, we estimated that the energy poverty rate in Beijing ranges between 16.07 % and 17.53 %, with the highest rates observed in suburban areas. In addition, we explored the spatial differences in energy poverty and the root causes. Our research reveals a significant correlation between economic and geographical factors and the spatial distribution of energy poverty. Furthermore, our findings suggest that larger populations tend to be associated with reduced disparities in energy poverty across different areas. Therefore, we suggest promoting the use of energy-efficient installations, implementing time-sensitive heating systems, and providing electricity and hygienic cooking facilities.

Exploring Redevelopment and Police Presence in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Using Photovoice Methodology

The relationship between redevelopment and police presence is demonstrated in many neighborhoods by the influx of new residentsfrom suburban or rural areas and shifts in police response. As property values increase, police may prioritize order maintenance policing, also known as "broken windows" policing (Beck, 2020, p.247). This is disproportionately felt by Black and Brown residents who often suffer the consequences of rising costs, displacement, increased surveillance, and police presence. This paper explores the relationship between urban redevelopment and policing in one of the most popular neighborhoods in the borough of Brooklyn–Bushwick. As a socialwork researcher of color, I want to share the narratives that often go overlooked. I felt secure and empowered to conduct research and report my findings as a community member who is seeking to support and collaborate with my community. Photovoice allows me to do just this by highlighting the daily realities in my neighborhood. However, having more voices from long-term community members is imperative and will be essential in further exploration of this topic. Keywords: gentrification, redevelopment, policing, police presence, Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, photovoice, etc.

Nitrate formation mechanisms causing high concentration of PM2.5 in a residential city with low anthropogenic emissions during cold season

During the cold season in South Korea, NO3− concentrations are known to significantly increase, often causing PM2.5 to exceed air quality standards. This study investigated the formation mechanisms of NO3− in a suburban area with low anthropogenic emissions. The average PM2.5 was 25.3 μg m−3, with NO3− identified as the largest contributor. Ammonium-rich conditions prevailed throughout the study period, coupled with low atmospheric temperature facilitating the transfer of gaseous HNO3 into the particulate phase. This result indicates that the formation of HNO3 played a crucial role in determining particulate NO3− concentration. Nocturnal increases in NO3− were observed alongside increasing ozone (O3) and relative humidity (RH), emphasizing the significance of heterogeneous reactions involving N2O5. NO3− concentrations at the study site were notably higher than in Seoul, the upwind metropolitan area, during a high concentration episode. This difference could potentially attributed to lower local NO concentrations, which enhanced the reaction between O3 and NO2, to produce NO3 radicals. High concentrations of Cl− and dust were also identified as contributors to the elevated NO3− concentrations.

Wind-urban structure interplay in PM2.5 variation: Insights from multi-seasonal mobile air quality campaign

The health risks associated with particulate matter pollution (PM2.5) highlight the importance of comprehending key drivers of its spatial and temporal variability. While explanatory modeling is widely used for statistical inference in such applications, the role of wind variables (speed, direction) and their interplay with built environment are often overlooked. This study addresses this gap through a mobile air quality campaign in a suburban area over 10 days for each of three distinct seasons. We developed four innovative wind-based buffers to account for the wind factors and assess the impact of LiDAR-derived 3D built environment structure on PM2.5 variability at local and regional scales. Our second objective is to assess the predictive capabilities of wind-based variables. Results indicate that in our low-elevation, low-rise building study area, the built environment does not emerge as a significant factor, contrary to findings in larger, denser urban areas. Wind direction proves more effective in capturing concentration fluctuations than wind speed, and its interaction with pollution source orientation can change pollution dynamics. This study introduces new insights and methodologies for incorporating wind-related factors into the analysis of air pollution dynamics, offering opportunities for further investigation in various urban settings.

Temporal and regional trends of case-fatality in patients hospitalized with acute respiratory distress syndrome in Germany

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Aims Significant progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, ARDS it is still a life-threatening medical condition with a high mortality rate. Little is known about temporal trends and regional variations in Germany. Methods We analyzed data on the characteristics, comorbidities and in-hospital outcomes for all hospitalized patients with ARDS in Germany between 2005 and 2019. Diagnoses were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision with German Modification (ICD-10-GM), and diagnostic, surgical or interventional procedures according to the German Procedure Classification (OPS, surgery and procedures codes. The computed study analyses were performed on our behalf by the Research Data Center of the Federal Statistical Office and the Statistical Offices of the federal states in Wiesbaden, Germany. Results Overall, 8,369,723 inpatients aged ≥18 years were included in this analysis; among these, 155,872 (1.9%) were codes with the diagnosis of ARDS. The annual number of ARDS cases increased from 7,286 in 2005 to 13,722 in 2019 in parallel with a significant decrease of in-hospital mortality. Overall, 74,751 (48.0%) patients with ARDS died during the in-hospital stay and in-hospital case-fatality grew exponentially with age. Independent predictors of in-hospital fatality with an OR &amp;gt;2 were age ≥70 years, necessity of ECMO, severe liver disease, acute renal failure, dialysis, shock and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Most patients with ARDS were treated in hospitals in urban areas (n=56,582) with a high case-fatality rate (49.7%), but also with concomitant high proportion rate of mechanical ventilation (23.7%) compared to hospitals in suburban or rural areas. Conclusion The number of patients with ARDS increased markedly in Germany between 2005 and 2019, in parallel with a decrease of in-hospital fatality. Our findings may suggest that general management of ARDS have improved over time and might draw more attention to predictors for in-hospital fatality in patients hospitalized with ARDS. The need for mechanical ventilation and a poor outcome was more likely in urban areas – this might be accentuated by patient transfer to specialized high care centers usually located in urban settings.

Resisting the heat wave: Revealing inequalities in matching between heat exposure risk and healthcare services in a megacity

Climate warming and the growing urban heat island effect are exacerbating the unequal public health crisis in megacities, and thus it is important to assess the equity of matching relationship between the healthcare services and the heat exposure risk. We selected 255 census units in Tianjin city for the study, and calculated a heat exposure index based on the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) and constructed a comprehensive urban healthcare services evaluation system to measure the degree of mismatch between the two. The results showed the following. (1) The heat exposure risk and healthcare services followed an increasing pattern from the Outer suburb area (OSA) to the Metropolitan development area (MDA) and then to the Main urban area (MUA). (2) The overall imbalance in matching was low in the OSA, whereas the healthcare services were relatively insufficient in the MDA, and the heat exposure risk and healthcare services were relatively balanced in the MUA. (3) The degree of matching between the core and peripheral parts of the MUA was severely polarized, with an overall pattern of excess healthcare in the core area and a high risk of heat exposure in the peripheral areas. The results can provide effective guidance for rationalizing the allocation of healthcare resources from a heat exposure perspective, and provide a policy basis for risk management and fund investment.