Urban Areas Research Articles

Land use and land cover mapping of the Saco River’s watershed, State of Maranhão, Brazil

Land use and land cover mapping benefits landscape understanding and its changes, especially those resulting from anthropogenic actions in the physical environment. The present study aimed at mapping land use and coverage of the Saco River’s watershed (located in Codó, state of Maranhão). The area comprises the coconut forest (named Mata dos Cocais), a region that encompasses the characteristics of different biomes on the same temporal and spatial scale. The methodology applied was based on remote sensing techniques developed in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment, processing data from Landsat 8 and supervised classification. The results showed a predominance of dense vegetation in the basin under study, in addition to a reduced occupation by classes of urban area and water bodies. The overall accuracy was 79% and dense vegetation presented a higher user and producer accuracy than the general, with 91 and 87%, respectively. On the other hand, the highest commission and omission errors were those in urban areas and water bodies, which coincided with the lowest occupation classes in the Saco River basin. These results are pioneering for the coconut forest and provide data for strategic planning of environmental actions.

Restoration Project for a Degraded Urban Ecosystem in Gölbaşı Flats, Ankara. A Precarious Equilibrium

Gölbaşı Flats, a wetland located in Ankara (Turkey), has been neglected and mismanaged for decades. Surrounded by human activities encroaching on its area, it has received high amounts of pollution, and its ecosystem is now degraded. Works on a restoration project for the area started in 2023, aiming to radically transform the interactions between the wetland and the city: from an open-access natural resource used primarily as landfill to an area in which both the freshwater ecosystem and human activities can coexist. While this project is presented as an improvement from an ecological viewpoint, it nonetheless attracted criticism from environmentalists who claimed that it gave too much space to recreational activities, lacked a clear management plan and would still be detrimental to the ecosystem. While urban green areas designed around good ecological practices may become essential for maintaining biodiversity in an increasingly urbanized world, this article points to the difficulty of finding a new equilibrium between the artificial and the natural in the densely populated capital city of Ankara, particularly in a middle-income country where post-materialist and environmentalist concerns are not yet dominant.

GESTÃO DE RECURSOS PÚBLICOS: PRÁTICAS DE REGULAÇÃO DOSANEAMENTO BÁSICO NO MUNICÍPIO DE PORTO VELHO- RO

This article analyzes the management and regulation practices of basicsanitation in the municipality of Porto Velho, Rondônia, focusing on the application ofpublic resources and the inspection of the Municipal Basic Sanitation Plan (PMSB).The research seeks to identify the main flaws and challenges in the administration andapplication of resources allocated to basic sanitation, in addition to understanding howregulatory practices are being implemented in the municipality. Through research anddocumentary analysis, it was observed that deficiencies in monitoring works andinspection compromise the effectiveness of the project. The objective is to verifywhether water supply, sewage collection and treatment and solid waste managementservices are being carried out in an efficient and sustainable manner, as provided for bythe Municipal Basic Sanitation Plan (PMSB). The research also intends to describe theinspection measures adopted, evaluating whether they are guaranteeing the quality anduniversalization of these services for the population. Furthermore, the investigationseeks to reveal the obstacles faced in the implementation of these public policies, suchas the lack of infrastructure, low sanitation coverage in urban and rural areas, to improveplanning, monitoring and transparency in the management of public resources.

Surplus or deficit? Quantification of carbon sources and sinks and analysis of driving mechanisms of typical oasis urban agglomeration ecosystems

The relationship between carbon sources and sinks, along with their balance, is a crucial indicator for assessing ecosystem health. Ecosystem protection mitigates climate change and promotes the carbon cycle balance. Consequently, to effectively assess the status of carbon sources and sinks in an oasis ecosystem, this study utilized remote sensing and statistical data to estimate the natural carbon sources and sinks, energy carbon emissions(ECE), and carbon surpluses or deficits in the urban agglomeration of the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains(UANSTM) for a period 2000–2022 from a perspective of the natural-social-economic system. The driving mechanisms were analyzed using the optimal geodetector model (OPGD) and generalized divisia index method (GDIM). The results show(1) throughout the study period, natural carbon sources and sinks in the UANSTM exhibited a distribution pattern that diminished from the Tianshan Mountains axis northward and southward, accompanied by a fluctuating increase over time. ECE predominantly occurred in urban built-up areas and adjacent cultivated lands, totaling an increase of 88.48 × 104 TgC. (2) The change trend showed an overall predominance of carbon sources, with the rate of increase of carbon sources being greater than that of carbon sinks. Grassland-cultivated land and construction land interaction area exhibited significant changes in carbon sources and sinks. (3) During the study period, the UANSTM experienced a consistent carbon deficit, averaging −68.11 TgC annually. Spatially, this deficit evolved from discrete points to linear and then to areal patterns. (4) Precipitation and elevation were the primary determinants of natural carbon sources and sinks. Whereas GDP with a contribution of 50.4%,was the predominant driver of ECE across each prefecture-level city. Development of policies that synergize regional natural and socioeconomic systems is an important means of achieving a carbon balance. The results of this study provide a reference for adding a research paradigm on carbon sources and sinks in oasis urban agglomerations and for low-carbon development.

Digital Economy and the Development of Rural Speciality Industries

Integration of digital economic (technological) development is an inevitable choice for the growth of industries in China's urban and rural areas. Industrial prosperity in the countryside requires the development of speciality industries according to the reality of the countryside. The integration of characteristic industries and digital economy helps rural industries to flourish and accelerates the realisation of the goal of rural revitalisation. Due to different natural endowments, villages in the categories of agglomeration and upgrading, suburban integration, characteristic protection and relocation and annexation focus on the development of different characteristic industries. According to the actual situation of each type of villages, the development of characteristic industries and the digital transformation and upgrading of characteristic industries are the basic paths for the optimisation and development of rural industries in China. The development of special industries in different types of villages requires a sound digital foundation, the pooling of financial resources in various aspects, and the support and promotion of the construction of digital talents.

Reasons for contraceptive discontinuation among women of reproductive age in Kano, Nigeria: A qualitative study

Women’s attempts to achieve their desired levels of fertility are hindered when they stop using contraceptives, which could lead to unwanted pregnancies. This study aimed to assess reasons for contraceptive discontinuation among women of reproductive age in urban and rural areas of Kano State, Nigeria. Qualitative data were collected in urban and rural communities of Kano State in February to May, 2022 from women of reproductive age group, their male partners, family planning service providers, and community and religious leaders. Focus group discussions (FGD), and key informant interviews (KII), using multi-stage sampling methods explored previous experience with contraceptive use, fertility consequences and reasons for contraceptive discontinuation. Following data collection, digitally recorded data were transcribed verbatim, translated, and coded using thematic analysis through an inductive approach. Study reported the high discontinuation rates and identified side effects as the primary reason for discontinuation, with injectable contraceptives being the most commonly discontinued method. Other reported reasons for contraceptive discontinuation by respondents in both urban and rural groups were: method failure, intention to get pregnant, health concerns, husband disapproval, methods not available, inconvenience to use and interference with body structure or functions. The high contraceptive discontinuation poses significant risks of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, thereby increasing maternal morbidity and mortality rates in Kano State. These consequences emphasize the need for family planning interventions that incorporate quality of care in service provision to address contraceptive discontinuation. Engaging men and other social influencers in family planning programs and services will help gather support for contraception, rather than focusing exclusively on women.

Clinical and socioeconomic predictors of hospital use and emergency department visits among children with medical complexity: A machine learning approach using administrative data

Objectives The primary objective of this study was to identify clinical and socioeconomic predictors of hospital and ED use among children with medical complexity within 1 and 5 years of an initial discharge between 2010 and 2013. A secondary objective was to estimate marginal associations between important predictors and resource use. Methods This retrospective, population-cohort study of children with medical complexity in Alberta linked administrative health data with Canadian census data and used tree-based, gradient-boosted regression models to identify clinical and socioeconomic predictors of resource use. Separate analyses of cumulative numbers of hospital days and ED visits modeled the probability of any resource use and, when present, the amount of resource use. We used relative importance in each analysis to identify important predictors. Results The analytic sample included 11 105 children with medical complexity. The best short- and long-term predictors of having a hospital stay and number of hospital days were initial length of stay and clinical classification. Initial length of stay, residence rurality, and other socioeconomic factors were top predictors of short-term ED use. The top predictors of ED use in the long term were almost exclusively socioeconomic, with rurality a top predictor of number of ED visits. Estimates of marginal associations between initial length of stay and resource use showed that average number of hospital days increases as initial length of stay increases up to approximately 90 days. Children with medical complexity living in rural areas had more ED visits on average than those living in urban or metropolitan areas. Conclusions Clinical factors are generally better predictors of hospital use whereas socioeconomic factors are more predictive of ED use among children with medical complexity in Alberta. The results confirm existing literature on the importance of socioeconomic factors with respect to health care use by children with medical complexity.

The Professional Development of Primary School Teachers in Rural China

The professional development of rural teachers is not only related to their personal growth, but also directly affects the improvement of rural education quality and the future development of rural students. Although the professional development of rural teachers is highly valued in today's society, there is still an issue of unequal education resources and investment between urban and rural areas in China. This study aims to determine the professional development of primary school teachers in rural China. This study used a questionnaire survey method to determine the career development in rural China. 600 teachers will be randomly assigned to 50 rural primary schools in Sichuan Province. After collecting data, this study will use SPSS for analysis to measure the professional development of participants. This has potential impacts on both policy and practice. In addition, this study provides a solid evidence foundation for policy-making on training opportunities.

Bridging the Disparity: An Optimization Model for Equitable Allocation of Urban and Rural Educational Resources in Western China

The persistent disparity in educational resources between urban and rural areas in western China remains a critical barrier to achieving educational equity. This study addresses the critical issue by developing an innovative optimization model. The model aims to allocate financial, human, and physical resources effectively to minimize the educational quality gap between these regions. Using information from the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS) and concentrating on Xinjiang as a representative instance, our design integrates budget constraints, minimum resource requirements, and a unique regional prioritization factor. The goal of the objective function is to reduce the squared disparity in educational quality between city and rural regions. It thinks about variables such as Teacher-Student Ratio (TSR), Per Capita Investment (PCI), and Teaching Equipment Perfection (TEP). Our searchings for show that strategic resource distribution can considerably lessen educational inequalities in between metropolitan and country setups, especially by focusing on underdeveloped rural regions. Sensitivity analysis shows that customizing the local prioritization specification makes it possible for versatile policy strategies, ranging from equitable distribution to plainly sustaining rural regions. This study presents a pragmatic structure for boosting resource allotment in education. It supplies vital understandings for policymakers aiming to promote an extra equitable educational environment in Western China.

Urban Heat Island and Environmental Degradation Analysis Utilizing a Remote Sensing Technique in Rapidly Urbanizing South Asian Cities

Rapid urbanization in South Asian cities has triggered significant changes in land use and land cover (LULC), degrading natural biophysical components and intensifying urban heat islands (UHIs). This study investigated the impact of LULC changes on land surface temperature (LST) and the role of biophysical indicators in enhancing urban resilience to thermal extremes. We used Landsat satellite imageries from 1993 to 2023, conducted a comprehensive analysis of LULC changes, and estimated LST variations at 6-year intervals in the Dhaka, Gazipur, and Narayanganj districts in Bangladesh. Afterward, we performed statistical analysis upon employing correlation, regression, and principal component analysis (PCA) techniques to summarize information. The results reveal that 339.13 km2 worth of urban expansion has occurred in last 30 years, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%, accompanied by a substantial reduction in water bodies (−139.17 km2) and vegetation cover. Consequently, summer temperatures exceeded approximately 36.52 °C in dense urban areas. Also, the results highlighted the strong influence of built-up areas (BSI and SAVI) on LST, while vegetation (NDVI) and water indices (NDWI) exhibited a negative association. The findings emphasize the urgency of integrating green infrastructure and deploying sustainable urban planning policies to mitigate the potential adverse impacts of scattered urbanization in the face of climate change.

Comparative Analysis of Using Water Quality in Urban Areas of Duhok City, Iraq

Water is sourced from various locations, including lakes, wells, artificial reservoirs, and rivers. Contamination of these sources poses a significant threat to human health, highlighting the need to monitor water quality. This study focuses on evaluating the water quality in the Duhok governorate of the Kurdistan region, Iraq, by analyzing several key physicochemical parameters: turbidity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), total alkalinity (TAL), total hardness (TH), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), sulfate (SO₄²⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), sodium (Na⁺), and potassium (K⁺). Over a period spanning from January 2019 to December 2021, a total of 1,374 water samples were collected from different sources, including reservoirs, deep wells, springs, the Duhok dam, and the water supply network within the Duhok governorate. The analysis revealed that parameters such as turbidity, pH, TH, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and Na⁺ varied significantly across the three years studied. In contrast, other parameters like TDS, EC, TAL, Cl⁻, and K⁺ showed no significant fluctuations. The results also indicated a decrease in most physicochemical parameter values in 2021 compared to 2019 and 2020, with the exception of turbidity. Overall, the majority of water samples were found to be within safe drinking limits. Ongoing monitoring of these water sources is essential to detect any variations in water quality promptly.

Dynamics of Land Use and Coverage and its Impacts on the Upper Moquegua River Hydrographic Basin

Objective: Evaluate; identify and qualify the impacts of the dynamics of land use and coverage in the years 1973 and 2016 in the Hydrographic Basin and in the marginal strip of the Upper Moquegua River in Moquegua Peru. Theoretical framework: In the area studied, human activities and global climate change have disturbed the balance of natural systems, causing major impacts and complex consequences on land use and cover. Method: Digital image processing techniques and supervised classification using the maximum likelihood method were used, followed by matrix editing with refinement of the base and thematic cartography, reaching 94.4% accuracy in interpretation for the year 2016. Result and discussion: The main changes identified regarding the dynamics of land use and coverage were similar in the basin area and in the marginal strip. An increase was noted in the urban area of the entire basin of 568.53ha (1,097.96%) and 134.86ha (1,263.33%) in the marginal strip, which may have been largely influenced by mining activity, which was not observed in 1973, but present in 2016, occupying an area of 1,092.77ha throughout the basin, with 171.99ha in the marginal strip. The areas that had the greatest reduction were those of the glacier, with 2,275.39ha (-93.33%) in the entire basin and 83.77ha (-100.00%) in the marginal strip. Conclusion: With the results of this research, we hope to contribute to the literature related to the topic and to actions and public policies that encourage the appropriate use of land in the Upper Moquegua River Basin, especially in environmental protection areas.

Rural-urban differentials in undernutrition among women in India: Evidence from a decomposition approach.

Background: Global healthcare and nutrition policies have not eliminated the pressing public health issue of undernutrition, which remains a paramount public health concern in countries like India, coinciding with overweight and obesity, in the form of dual burden of malnutrition. Aim: This study delves into the rural-urban differential in undernutrition among reproductive-aged women in India for targeted policy interventions and to achieve universal health coverage. Methods: Data from the recent iteration of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5; 2019-21) were utilized to examine the factors influencing rural-urban differentials in women's undernutrition. A set of logistic regression and Fairlie's decomposition analysis are employed to identify the associated covariates and understand the factors driving these differentials. Results: The analysis reveals that rural women are significantly more vulnerable to undernutrition compared to urban counterparts, with factors such as education, wealth status, age, and dietary diversity playing key roles. The decomposition analysis of the rural-urban gap revealed that the variables considered in the study accounted for approximately 75% of the disparity. The difference in household wealth between rural and urban areas contributed about 63% of the explained gap, followed by educational status (16%), age group (11%), dietary diversity (8%), religion (5%), and media exposure (4%). Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions addressing socio-economic inequalities to mitigate undernutrition among women in India. Enhancing access to education, improving economic opportunities, promoting dietary diversity, and challenging cultural norms are crucial steps towards achieving equitable nutritional outcomes and reducing the existing rural-urban disparity.

Il progetto di paesaggio come teatro di coesistenza tra specie. Parc Martin-Luther-King a Parigi

Landscape architecture plays a crucial role in defining new paradigms for urban development, capable of implementing environmental quality and favouring biodiversity. In this sense, Parc Martin-Luther-King in Paris constitutes a sophisticated device with a high ecological value as well as a surprising catalyst of social aggregation, able of regenerating the urban area of Clichy-Batignolles. The articulate plant palette, the use of water in several forms and the application of differentiated management regimes help defining a collection of heterogeneous ecosystems where various forms of controlled interaction between human and non-human users are configured. The strong spatial dynamism and ecological variety favour the coexistence of different species, allowing the park to accommodate spaces for biodiversity alongside a rich functional programme.

Knowledge Distillation for Urban Tree Image Classification Based on the Diffusion Model

As urban areas continue to emerge as significant contributors to global carbon emissions, the classification of urban street trees has gained increasing importance in carbon sequestration research. By precisely identifying and categorizing different tree species, the carbon absorption capabilities of urban vegetation can be evaluated more accurately. This understanding is essential for addressing the growing environmental challenges posed by carbon emissions, as urban trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and mitigating the effects of climate change. In this study, a Feature Distillation Based on Diffusion Model (FDBD) framework was proposed, utilizing state-of-the-art image classification technology to enhance the accuracy of urban tree species identification. The framework utilized knowledge distillation, a process where a smaller, more efficient “student” model is trained to mimic the performance of a larger, more complex “teacher” model, significantly reducing computational demands while maintaining high accuracy. The model’s effectiveness has been validated through combination experiments with a selected backbone model, achieving promising results. This approach not only enhances the understanding of urban trees’ carbon sequestration potential but also provides crucial insights for policymakers. By facilitating precise tree classification, it empowers urban planners to implement more informed and targeted strategies for carbon reduction, ultimately promoting more sustainable urban environments.

Response of urban flood resilience to climate change: An exploration with a novel performance-based metric considering the socioeconomic impacts of damage costs

Climate change stimulates the emergence of floods and increases flood risk for communities, resulting in extensive casualties and economic loss. Thus, flood resilience has been the focus of much attention. Integrated and holistic metrics are important for an accurate urban flood resilience evaluation. However, performance-based metrics involving surface inundation do not consider the socioeconomic impacts of damage costs on the recovery ability of the urban systems. This hinders the investigation of climate change-induced effects on flood resilience. Therefore, this study proposed a performance-based resilience metric considering the negative impacts of flooding damage costs. The proposed metric was then piloted in a highly urbanized area in Osaka City, Japan to explore the responses of flood resilience to climate change. The results suggest that climate change exerts non-negligible pressure on the study area to maintain its economic characteristics during flooding. Rainfall intensity primarily affects the urban system’s most unfavorable state, while the total amount and duration of rainfall mostly impact the relatively stable state following flooding. Climate change severity is positively linked to the reduction in overall flood resilience. Continued climate change will further expand the spatial coverage of flood resilience losses on a global scale. Furthermore, the negative impacts of economic losses on flood resilience are more noticeable during rainfall events with higher rainfall intensities. This study improves the comprehensiveness of performance-based flood resilience evaluations and provides a reference for the effective enhancement of urban flood resilience under climate change.

Near future flash flood prediction in an arid region under climate change

Flash floods represent a significant threat, triggering severe natural disasters and leading to extensive damage to properties and infrastructure, which in turn results in the loss of lives and significant economic damages. In this study, a comprehensive statistical approach was applied to future flood predictions in the coastal basin of North Al-Abatinah, Oman. In this context, the initial step involves analyzing eighteen General Circulation Models (GCMs) to identify the most suitable one. Subsequently, we assessed four CMIP6 scenarios for future rainfall analysis. Next, different Machine Learning (ML) algorithms were employed through H2O-AutoML to identify the best model for downscaling future rainfall predictions. Forty distribution functions were then fitted to the future daily rainfall, and the best-fit model was selected to project future Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves. Finally, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was utilized with sub-daily time steps to make accurate flash flood predictions in the study area. The findings reveal that IITM-ESM is the most effective among GCM models. Additionally, the application of stacked ensemble ML model proved to be the most reliable in downscaling future rainfall. Furthermore, this study highlighted that floods entering urbanized areas could reach 20.33 and 20.70 m³/s under pessimistic scenarios during rainfall events with 100 and 200-year return periods, respectively. This hierarchical comprehensive approach provides reliable results by utilizing the most effective model at each step, offering in-depth insight into future flash flood prediction.

Patches, Corridors, Matrix, Webs and Clouds. Expanding Richard TT Forman’s Land Mosaic Approach in the Medina of Tunis

This study proposes a framework for analyzing the medina of Tunis, based on Richard T.T. Forman's theory of land mosaics. Departing from traditional preservationist methods, it views the Medina as a multifaceted landscape, integrating both tangible and intangible elements. Drawing from Félix Guattari’s concept of the three ecologies, the paper expands upon Forman’s model by introducing two additional categories: webs and clouds, to encompass the social and subjective aspects of the landscape. Through a literature review and landscape fieldwork, the study advocates for an integrative approach to analyzing the medina's physical and intangible components. The resulting framework offers a landscape analysis tool applicable to other urban landscapes, moving beyond the taxidermy of urban/cultural conservation practices and considering marginalized communities affected by capitalism-driven heritage management and tourism. Such a perspective is integral in promoting social and ecological inclusivity and embedding sustainable practices, particularly in response to the pressing challenges of climate change. Ultimately, this approach would help the contemporary landscape project succeed in “grounding new narratives and topologies” of “re-signification” of other historic urban areas and medinas across North Africa.

Potential of Selected Species of Spiraea L. for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals from Soils of Urban Areas

Four taxa of Spiraea were selected for this study: S. × cinerea Zabel ‘Grefsheim’, S. nipponica Maxim. ‘Snowmound’, S. splendens É. N. Baumann ex K. Koch and S. × vanhouttei (Briot) Carrière growing for a minimum of 5 years along heavily trafficked traffic routes. This study included the genus Spiraea due to its popularity in horticultural practice (commercial availability, widespread in urban environments). In addition, the use of ornamental shrubs for phytoremediation in urban green spaces effectively combines the aesthetic needs of residents with those of caring for the urban environment. This study was conducted in Poznań (population 550,000, the fifth largest city in Poland). Soils and foliage were examined in spring and autumn. Soil pH and specific electrolytic conductivity (EC) were determined. The content of micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn) and toxic heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Pb) in soil dry matter and leaves was determined. The uptake capacity of bioavailable forms of heavy metals by Spiraea from the soil was analyzed by determining the bioconcentration factor (BCF). It was found that the studied taxa meet the basic requirements for plants used for soil phytoremediation processes, especially for chromium phytoextraction. The degree of salinity of the tested soils did not pose a threat to the shrubs growing there, and most of the sites, despite the alkaline reaction, are suitable for their cultivation. S. × cinerea and S. × vanhouttei have BCFs for lead <1. The remaining taxa are characterized by strong concentrations of all analyzed elements. A particularly high BCF, above 10, was recorded for chromium and high for manganese and nickel.

An Analysis of the Development of Sex Education in China

In contemporary China, despite growing awareness and attention to sexual education issues, the promotion and popularization of comprehensive sexual education remain hindered by deeply ingrained conservative attitudes that have persisted for millennia. These attitudes have led to sub-optimal outcomes, including limited access to accurate information and resources, which can negatively impact public health and social development. This study examines the historical development and current state of sexual education in China, as well as the various challenges that hinder its advancement, through an analysis of regionally gathered data. The study highlights the regional disparities in sexual education across China. Urban areas tend to have more progressive attitudes and better access to resources than rural regions, where conservative views and limited infrastructure can further restrict the dissemination of vital information. These disparities underscore the need for tailored approaches that address the specific needs of different communities. To overcome these challenges and optimize promotional efforts, the study suggests several key strategies, including formulating relevant policies by the government, managing relevant courses in schools, and parents’ understanding of related knowledge. By implementing these strategies, it is hoped that promoting and popularizing sexual education in China will lead to improved health outcomes, greater gender equality, and a more informed society overall.