Urban Centers Research Articles

A Health System-Wide Approach to Addressing Unmet Social Needs Among Children With Asthma.

It is well known that unhealthy housing, financial hardships, and lack of access to resources contribute to higher rates of asthma morbidity and health disparities. Despite extensive literature demonstrating that social factors drive health inequities in pediatric asthma, and although general social risk screening has been used in hospital settings to identify and address health-related social risks, asthma-specific screening models have not been well described. Furthermore, whereas social risk screening involves the identification of specific adverse conditions associated with poor health outcomes, social needs screening shifts the focus to patient and family preferences and priorities, which may facilitate more efficient, effective, and equitable provision of resources. Using the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment framework, we describe the process of implementing a health system-wide, asthma-specific social needs checklist. The community-based asthma program at our institution had previously implemented social needs screening in 2018, and we report on the process of expanding its use to multiple settings at a single urban pediatric medical center. We evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of implementation in these new settings and describe the social needs of families of children with asthma at our institution. Screening was broadly acceptable to families. Feasibility and sustainability varied by site and was more successful at sites with leadership buy-in and dedicated staffing. Overall, screening revealed a high burden of unmet social needs. Future work includes addressing barriers to screening and studying the impact of a system-wide, longitudinal approach on patient experience and outcomes.

Deaths in animal attacks: A 10-year retrospective forensic analysis of direct and indirect causes.

Animal attacks are a serious public health concern, resulting in fatalities through both direct and indirect mechanisms. This study aimed to analyze demographic characteristics, circumstances, and preventive measures related to fatal animal attacks in Türkiye. A retrospective analysis of 123 fatal animal attacks was conducted using data from 64,666 forensic reports archived by the Council of Forensic Medicine (2014-2023). Victims were predominantly male (72.4%), incidents mostly occurred in rural areas (74.8%), and nearly half (49.6%) took place during summer months. Fatalities were categorized as direct-acute, direct-delayed, indirect-traumatic, and indirect-nontraumatic. Direct fatalities primarily occurred due to venomous animal bites or stings and traumatic injuries caused by mammals. Direct-delayed fatalities included conditions such as rabies, sepsis, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Indirect fatalities, occurring without animal contact, included traffic collisions (12.2%), cardiac events (7.3%), and falls (5.7%) triggered by animal encounters. The analysis revealed that direct fatalities occurred more frequently in rural areas, while indirect fatalities were predominantly observed in urban centers. In urban areas, indirect fatalities were linked to uncontrolled dog populations and irresponsible pet ownership, highlighting the importance of desexing programs and community education. Effective management in urban areas requires responsible pet ownership, community education, enhanced medical infrastructure, and traffic safety measures. In rural areas, securing livestock enclosures, venomous animal awareness, and improved emergency care access are essential. Comprehensive strategies integrating education, responsible animal management, improved infrastructure, and rapid medical responses are essential to prevent animal-related fatalities.

Developing and consumer testing fire and burn and cold injury prevention education with people who are unhoused: EQUIP Toolkit.

Fifteen percent of people receiving care for major burn injuries in urban burn centers across North America were homeless pre-injury. The number and risk of such injuries are increasing due to greater numbers of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and frequency of extreme climate events. Prevention education, along with passive and active fire and cold weather protections are critical for preventing these injuries. To increase acceptability, understandability, and actionability, prevention education needs to be in plain language, contextualized, and consumer-tested. We aimed to test newly developed fire and burn and cold injury prevention education materials with PEH and gain insights for preferred prevention strategies to address and mitigate related risks and hazards. Forty cognitive interviews with PEH were conducted. The Model System Knowledge Translation Center's consumer-testing toolkit was used to evaluate understandability and actionability of the education materials. Transcripts were analyzed using a harm reduction framework and deductive and inductive thematic coding. Themes were: 1) engage - being approachable and accessible, 2) use context-specific design to enhance relatability - reflect the lived experiences of PEH and their environments, 3) reduce harm - focus on mitigating rather than eliminating hazards, 4) empower - incorporate prevention guidance, guided by PEH in combination with conventional prevention strategies, and 5) integrate - disseminate prevention education and PEH preferred safety equipment within services and locations utilized by PEH. The process of consumer-testing with PEH generated acceptable fire, burn and cold injury prevention and mitigation strategies. These strategies were used to develop actionable prevention education materials.

Projections of heat-related mortality in Chinese cities: The roles of climate change, urbanization, socioeconomic adaptation, and landscape level strategies.

Physiological heat strain induced by extreme temperature in cities has led to significant heat-related deaths. Although socioeconomic adaptation is suggested to mitigate this issue, its effectiveness is limited. Conversely, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluation on the effectiveness of landscape level strategies for mitigating heat-related deaths. We developed a comprehensive modeling framework to estimate the impacts of environmental stresses and mitigating strategies on heat-related deaths in China's cities from 2016 to 2055. The framework assesses future heat-related deaths through five experiments considering the influences of climate change, urbanization, socioeconomic adaptation, and landscape level strategies. We used extrapolated region-specific exposure-response functions (ERF) and recent advancement of geo-statistics for public health to generate urban patch level ERF curves. We used these curves, temperature and population data to generate future heat-related deaths with 1 km resolution and conducted 5,000 Monte Carlo simulations for uncertainty analysis. Our analyses estimated that heat-related mortality will increase from 136.5±16.5 deaths per million in 2016 to 175.7±27.5 deaths per million in 2055 under SSP2-RCP4.5 (shared socioeconomic pathways-representative concentration pathways) scenario and from 140.0±21.4 deaths per million to 230.2±38.7 deaths per million under SSP5-RCP8.5 scenario, despite socioeconomic adaptation and landscape level strategies. Socioeconomic adaptation (reducing deaths by 18.4-64.1 per million) and landscape level strategies (reducing deaths by 45.6-51.3 per million) significantly mitigate heat-related deaths with varying effectiveness across different income levels. Specifically, in high-income cities with dense populations, landscape level strategies are 2.2-4.3 times more effective than socioeconomic adaptation. Within these cities, implementing the same landscape level strategies in the high-density urban centers lead to an additional reduction up to 4.9-6.8 death•km-2 compared to surrounding areas. Our framework helps to systematically understand the effectiveness of landscape level strategies in reducing heat-related mortality. Future sustainable city management should prioritize landscape level strategies along with socioeconomic adaptation to support healthy and comfortable communities. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP15010.

Expanding supervised consumption services in rural Canada: Bridging gaps.

Supervised consumption services (SCS) and overdose prevention services (OPS) are core interventions for reducing risks of overdose death, HIV, and hepatitis C (HCV) and supporting the health of people who use drugs. However, most SCS/OPS are concentrated in major urban centres. There is an urgent need for the expansion of SCS/OPS in rural and small population centres across Canada, particularly given rising rates of drug-related mortality and morbidity in these settings. This commentary outlines current knowledge of SCS based in rural and small population centres, including availability and key barriers and facilitators of implementation and access. To support a public health approach that reduces drug-related mortality and morbidity, further research is needed on scaling up SCS/OPS in communities of all sizes. Alternative delivery models, including virtual and mobile, and the role of informal peer networks have the potential to enhance SCS/OPS in rural and other low resource settings.

<b>Exploring the Geographical Diversity of Canada: Landscapes, Climate, and</b> <b>Human Interaction</b>

This study explores the geographical diversity of Canada and its profound impact on population distribution, economic activity, environmental challenges, and regional development. Canada’s expansive landscape, comprising six primary geographical regions—from the mountainous Western Cordillera to the remote Arctic tundra—presents both opportunities and constraints for human settlement and natural resource use. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research synthesizes findings from academic literature, government reports, and geospatial datasets. Key themes include regional distinctions, agricultural productivity, climate change vulnerability, and urbanization trends. The study reveals that while regions like the Canadian Shield cover vast areas, they support minimal population due to inhospitable terrain, whereas areas such as Southern Ontario and the Prairies are highly productive and densely populated. Climate change is most acute in the Arctic, affecting Indigenous communities and ecosystems. Furthermore, urban centers like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal owe their growth to strategic geographic positioning near water bodies and trade routes. This research underscores the importance of geography in shaping national development and calls for regionally adaptive policies that integrate environmental sustainability and Indigenous land stewardship. The findings have implications for climate adaptation, infrastructure planning, and equitable regional development in Canada.

Epidemiological and Socioeconomic Disparities in the 1742–1743 Epidemic: A Comparative Analysis of Urban Centers and Indigenous Populations Along the Royal Road

Background/Objectives: Epidemics have historically shaped societies, influencing demographic structures, social organization, and economic stability. The 1742–1743 epidemic had a profound impact on populations along the Royal Road (Camino Real), the main colonial corridor between Buenos Aires and Lima. However, its specific demographic and socio-economic effects remain underexplored. This study aims to examine these impacts of the 1742–1743 epidemic through a comparative analysis of urban centers and Indigenous communities. Methods: A historical–comparative approach was employed, analyzing secondary sources including parish records and colonial administrative documents. This study assessed excess mortality and socio-economic consequences across different population groups and settlement types. Results: Mortality rates increased dramatically—up to twelve times the pre-epidemic average in Cordova (Córdoba) and by 45% in Santa Fe—disproportionately affecting Indigenous and enslaved populations. Urban centers experienced severe economic disruption and slow recovery, whereas Indigenous communities and Jesuit missions demonstrated greater resilience. Their communal strategies and early isolation measures contributed to a faster demographic stabilization. Additionally, the epidemic weakened colonial governance in some areas, altering local power structures. Conclusions: The epidemic of 1742–1743 revealed divergent patterns of vulnerability and resilience. Comparative analysis underscores recurring themes in the epidemic response and recovery, drawing relevant parallels with contemporary crises such as COVID-19. Recognizing these historical patterns of adaptation can inform present and future public health strategies. The terminology “plague” is used based on contemporary sources and not confirmed clinically.

Transforming the Urban Environmental Aesthetics of the Nigerian City through the Introduction of Advanced GeoAI Technologies: Issues and Challenges

Nigeria’s economic diversification hinges on transforming its urban centers into aesthetically vibrant, sustainable hubs, moving beyond reliance on crude oil. Advanced GeoAI technologies—encompassing satellite imagery, predictive analytics, and real-time urban monitoring—offer transformative potential to redeem the environmental aesthetics of Nigerian cities, fostering tourism, employment, and foreign exchange. Cities like Lagos, once celebrated for their cultural and architectural heritage, now grapple with aesthetic decline driven by rapid urbanization, inadequate planning, environmental degradation, and socio-economic disparities. This article critically examines the challenges undermining urban environmental quality in Nigeria, focusing on hotspot cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano, among others, as a case study, and identifies gaps in knowledge, infrastructure, and institutional support that exacerbate these issues. Key obstacles include limited geospatial data, high costs of GeoAI adoption, technical expertise deficits, and socio-cultural resistance to technology-driven urban interventions. Employing a multidisciplinary approach such as a systematic literature review, the study proposes novel contributions to innovative solutions, integrating sustainable urban planning, inclusive governance, public participation, and advanced geospatial technologies to restore and enhance urban beauty. It highlights the role of GeoAI in enabling precise urban design, green space optimization, and infrastructure monitoring, drawing on best practices from cities like Singapore and Kigali that have successfully revitalized their urban aesthetics. However, successful implementation in Nigeria demands robust policy frameworks, capacity building, and equitable technology access to bridge systemic inequalities. Through addressing these challenges, this article provides a new roadmap for policymakers, city planners, and stakeholders to leverage GeoAI for urban renewal, ensuring Nigerian cities reclaim their aesthetic allure while fostering economic and environmental resilience. This study's recommendations underscore that structuring Nigeria’s urban environmental aesthetics requires not only technological innovation but also a commitment to social equity and community-driven urban transformation.

The influence of cultural identity on achieving sustainable urban development in developing countries

PurposeAn urban center’s cultural identity (CI) is the tangible and intangible elements instituted and incorporated in the urban placemaking process to provide individuals or groups with their identity, sense of belonging, and ownership. With recent trends in urban growth, especially in developing countries, an in-depth understanding of the elements or determinants of urban development that will ensure a sustainable urban environment has become critical in the global development discussion. This study investigates the influence of CI and its essential elements of sustainable urban development (SUD).Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research method using closed-ended questions from a questionnaire survey was utilized to solicit responses from sampled professionals within the urban planning and development space in four urban centers in Ghana. The data obtained were analyzed by employing exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM) to establish the influence of CI and its elements in achieving SUD and to explain the common underlying dimensions of the elements.FindingsThe findings highlight that elements associated with government initiative and support systems and effective institutional structure for cultural development under cultural identity were identified as the most critical elements that influence the achievement of SUD. Furthermore, the hypothesis tested revealed a strong influence of CI in achieving SUD in developing countries.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is confined to the influence of CI and its essential elements of SUD.Practical implicationsAs part of the practical implications, the study suggests the strong need to consider CI and its elements in the urban placemaking process to attain SUD.Originality/valueIn addition to findings influencing CI and its essential elements of SUD in developing countries, using Ghana as a case study, the study indicates that government initiatives and support systems and institutional structures for promoting and protecting culture are relevant and influential in achieving SUD in developing countries.

Impact of Large-Scale Infrastructure Investment on Atal Setu on the Real Estate Market in Navi Mumbai

Abstract (300 words) The Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge, is a transformative infrastructure project linking Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai. This large-scale investment is poised to significantly impact the real estate market in Navi Mumbai, a rapidly growing urban center. This paper investigates how the Atal Setu project has influenced property demand, price appreciation, construction activity, and investor interest. Through the integration of secondary data, government reports, and market analyses, the research assesses the causal link between improved connectivity and the economic dynamism of the real estate sector. The study begins with an overview of Navi Mumbai's evolving role in Maharashtra’s economic framework and the importance of infrastructure in real estate development. The literature review explores prior academic and industry studies concerning infrastructure-led urban growth. Detailed technical insights into the Atal Setu project—including timeline, cost, and construction milestones—form the foundation for assessing economic outcomes. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the current market size of Navi Mumbai's real estate sector, highlighting recent trends and major players. Critical analysis is presented on the economic ripple effect of Atal Setu, particularly on price dynamics, land valuation, housing units developed, and industrial investments. A before-and-after comparative framework measures real estate parameters over the last five years. The research also addresses challenges such as regulatory uncertainties, fluctuating interest rates, and global economic pressures. The findings demonstrate that Atal Setu has catalyzed a paradigm shift, attracting both residential and commercial investments and redefining Navi Mumbai’s urban geography. However, the paper also notes caution due to market volatility and affordability concerns. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for balanced growth and sustainable urban planning to fully harness infrastructure dividends. Keywords: Atal Setu, infrastructure investment, real estate market, Navi Mumbai, urban development, connectivity, Maharashtra economy

The Discovery of Buried Archaeological Structures at Saepinum and the Villa of Neratii (Valley of Tammaro River, Italy) Through Data-Adaptive Probability-Based Electrical Resistivity Tomography Using the Tensorial Acquisition Mode

The Valley of Tammaro River lies between the regions of Molise and Campania in central southern Italy. The area has been inhabited since ancient times due to its fertile soil and plentiful water resources. The interest in this region is enhanced by the many urban centers and the isolated and rural building complexes that date back to the Samnite era and are connected by a road system that is still in use today. Saepinum, regarded as the symbol of Roman civilization in the Molise area (Italy), is one of these. Before becoming a Roman municipium and then a medieval and contemporary rural community, it was a Samnite trade forum and service center. A suburban villa belonging to the Gens Neratia, a family originally from the Roman municipality of Saepinum, is connected to it approximately 2 km northeast. Both sites were partially excavated, and much more can be learned from the material still available. To this end, geoelectrical studies using the tensor acquisition mode were used to conduct geophysical surveys in certain sectors. The data were processed using Data-Adaptive Probability-Based Electrical Resistivity Tomography, here adapted for the first time to Apparent Resistivity Tensor Analysis. The trace of the apparent resistivity tensor provides distortion-free maps and demonstrates that the anomalies are closely constrained on the source bodies.

Forecasting HIV Treatment loss of follow up rate Using Deep Learning and Survival Analysis in Ho Chi Minh City

Maintaining antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical for improving treatment outcomes and preventing thetransmission of HIV. However, dropout rates remain a significant challenge, particularly in urban centers like HoChi Minh City, which has the largest population of ART patients in Vietnam. This study aimed to predict ARTdropout rates using deep learning methods, specifically a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D CNN),in combination with survival analysis to identify factors affecting treatment retention. This approach leveragesadvanced machine learning techniques to analyze time-to-event data, offering deeper insights into patient retentiondynamics. The results demonstrate that the 1D CNN model significantly outperformed traditional methods, achievingan F1-score of 0.847 and a ROC AUC of 0.890, compared to significantly lower scores form traditional models. This highlights the model’s ability to efficiently process complex, high-dimensional datasets and identify high-risk patients for timely intervention. The model’s findings indicate retention rates of 52.09% after one year and 27.74% after 1.5 years, with factors such as treatment enrollment type and the presence of comorbidities being identified as significant factors reducing dropout rates. We recommend comprehensive care for patients at treatment facilities as a strategy to retain them in ART services, emphasizing the importance of addressing not only HIV treatment but also coexisting health conditions to enhance overall retention.

Characterizing spatial epidemiology in a heterogeneous transmission landscape using the spatial transmission count statistic

BackgroundViral genomes contain records of geographic movements and cross-scale transmission dynamics. However, the impact of regional heterogeneity, particularly among rural and urban centers, on viral spread and epidemic trajectory has been less explored due to limited data availability. Intensive and widespread efforts to collect and sequence SARS-CoV-2 viral samples have enabled the development of comparative genomic approaches to reconstruct spatial transmission history and understand viral transmission across different scales.MethodsWe proposed the spatial transmission count statistic that efficiently summarizes the geographic transmission patterns imprinted in viral phylogenies. Guided by a time-scaled tree with ancestral trait states, we identified spatial transmission linkages and categorized them as imports, local transmissions, and exports. These linkages were then summarized to represent the epidemic profile of the focal area.ResultsHere, we demonstrate the utility of this approach for near real-time outbreak analysis using over 12,000 full genomes and linked epidemiological data to investigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Texas. Our findings indicate that (1) highly populated urban centers were the main sources of the epidemic in Texas; (2) outbreaks in urban centers were connected to the global epidemic; and (3) outbreaks in urban centers were locally maintained, while epidemics in rural areas were driven by repeated introductions.ConclusionsIn this study, we introduce the Source Sink Score, which determines whether a localized outbreak serves as a source or sink for other regions, and the Local Import Score, which assesses whether the outbreak has transitioned to local transmission rather than being maintained by continued introductions. These epidemiological statistics provide actionable insights for developing public health interventions tailored to the needs of affected areas.

Assessing the Factors Contributing to Rural-Urban Migration of Youths in South Africa: The Case of Sekhukhune in Limpopo Province

Rural-urban migration of youths in Sekhukhune in Limpopo province of South Africa is primarily driven by many factors. This study examined factors contributing to the rural-urban migration of youths in South Africa, focusing on Sekhukhune in Limpopo province of South Africa. The data was sourced from both primary and secondary materials. Though primary data sources, both personal and telephonic interviews were held with participants, especially the youths in some areas in Sekhukhune, while secondary data sources utilized academic materials such as journal articles, review papers, books, dissertations/theses, conference papers as well as newspapers. The findings revealed that Sekhukhune youths are migrating into urban centres in search of a better life due to the inadequacy of social infrastructures and amenities in their rural areas. The study concluded that the lack of social and physical infrastructure is the main cause of the rural-urban migration of youths in Sekhukhune. The study recommends that the South African government and the Limpopo Provincial government, in particular, should develop rural areas such as Sekhukhune in order to minimise the inflow of youths into the urban centres. This study is original. It has not been researched before, especially on the rural-urban migration of youths in Sekhukhune. Thus this study seeks to make a contribution to the existing body of knowledge on rural-urban migration. The study provides data that will help policymakers, government officials and researchers to develop feasible strategies to curb rural-urban migration. It will also provide data for tertiary students, especially those who specialize in migration studies. Keywords: Youth, Factors contributing to rural-urban migration, South Africa, Sekhukhune

Refuse-Derived Fuel with the Addition of Peanut Shells: An Evaluation Using a Decision-Making Support Algorithm

Brazil has made progress in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management through national legislation focused on integrated waste handling. However, challenges persist, particularly regarding MSW overproduction. A sustainable alternative is Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), generated from MSW with or without biomass addition. To be viable for combustion, RDF must meet established energy and environmental quality standards. In this context, a mathematical model based on fuzzy logic was developed to classify RDF quality and support decision-making. Five RDF samples were tested, evaluating their Lower Heating Value (LHV), chlorine, and mercury contents using calorimetry, atomic absorption, and X-ray fluorescence. Results indicate that RDF produced solely from MSW tends to have inadequate LHV, necessitating drying pretreatment. Even with the addition of peanut shells, the highest classification achieved was “Regular”, suggesting limited suitability for combustion in furnaces or boilers without pretreatment. Since the general composition of MSW in Brazil is consistent with the characteristics analyzed, RDF may remain unviable for energy recovery under similar conditions. Economic feasibility studies on drying are recommended, especially in urban centers with limited landfill space.

A long-term experience of day-case pelvic osteotomy for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Developmental hip dysplasia has an incidence of 6.73 per 1000 live births and leads to a significant number of orthopaedic referrals annually. This high demand has encouraged the drive to optimize the efficiency of service provision in the paediatric orthopaedic setting. Here we describe our long-term experience with a novel day-case pelvic osteotomy initiative. We also describe any potential complications one can expect when performing day-case pelvic osteotomies. This was a non-randomized prospective cohort study conducted to compare conventional in-patient pelvic osteotomies with day-case osteotomies performed between January 2017 and November 2023. All surgeries took place at an urban tertiary national referral centre by four paediatric orthopaedic surgeons with a specialist interest in DDH. 164 Salter and Pemberton osteotomies were performed of which 115 met the day-case criteria. Based on the HSE 'Specialty Costing Report' and 'Annual Report and Financial Statements', the total discharge cost for patients undergoing an in-patient osteotomy was €6619 in contrast to €2670 per day-case patient. For the 110 day-cases, the cost to treat amounted to €293,700; hence, there was a total saving of €434,390 made by the hospital for the 110 day-cases performed. This amounts to €3949 saved for every day-case. Review at 7 years has demonstrated that day-case pelvic osteotomy surgery for DDH remains a safe and cost-effective initiative that significantly reduces the demand on in-patient hospital bed resources.

Modelling of atmospheric variability in gas and aerosols during the ACROSS campaign 2022 of the greater Paris area: evaluation of the meteorology, dynamics and chemistry

Abstract. Understanding the interaction of anthropogenic and biogenic emissions around large urban agglomerations remains an important question for atmospheric research and the key question of the ACROSS (Atmospheric Chemistry of the Suburban Forest) project. ACROSS is based on an intensive field campaign in the Paris area, including ground-based measurements in the urban inner centre and suburban and forested sites and measurements made on board aircraft, during the exceptionally hot and dry summer of 2022. In addition, 3D modelling represents an important tool in ACROSS, and here we use the available measurements from the campaign together with observations from air quality and meteorological networks to evaluate the WRF–CHIMERE model simulation for the ACROSS period. We find that the WRF model is able to reproduce the meteorological variability during the campaign, in particular during two heatwaves. The model reproduces the daily ozone maxima well but overestimates PM2.5 by a factor of 1.5–2, partly due to an overestimation of secondary aerosol, both organic and inorganic. For organic aerosol in the Île-de-France area, the biases are reduced to about ±20 %. These differences are in contrast with those of the existing literature and might have been increased by the hot conditions of summer 2022. For case studies during two heatwave days, the model shows the sources for two organic aerosol peaks above 20–30 µg m−3, on one occasion due to biogenic secondary organic aerosol formation in different forests around Paris and on another occasion due to the advection of wildfire aerosols in combination with secondary formation mainly from forest-emitted biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs).

Morphological Background-Subtraction Modeling for Analyzing Traffic Flow

Automatic surveillance systems have become essential tools for urban centers. These technologies enable intelligent monitoring that is both versatile and non-intrusive. Today, these systems can analyze various aspects, such as urban traffic, citizen behavior, and the detection of unusual activities. Most intelligent systems utilize photo sensors to gather information and assess situations. They analyze data sequences from these photo sensors over time to detect moving objects or other relevant information. In this context, background modeling approaches are crucial for efficiently detecting moving objects by differentiating between the foreground and background, which serves as the basis for further analysis. Although current methods are effective, the dynamic nature of outdoor environments can limit their performance due to numerous external variables that affect the collected information. This paper introduces a novel algorithm that uses mathematical morphology to create a background model by analyzing texture information in discrete spaces, leading to an efficient solution for the background subtraction task. The algorithm dynamically adjusts to global luminance conditions and effectively distinguishes texture information to label the foreground and background using morphological filters. A key advantage of this approach is its use of discrete working spaces, which enables faster implementation on standard hardware, making it suitable for a variety of devices. Finally, our proposal is tested against reference datasets of surveillance and common background subtraction algorithms, demonstrating that our method adapts better to outdoor conditions, making it more robust in detecting different moving objects.

Coastal encounters with electrical hybridity: Karpowership in Africa’s energy transition

Abstract Karpowership’s large floating vessels provide electricity to millions of people in Africa’s coastal urban centers. Both the technology choice and the business practices of the family-run company are controversial. Not only do the ships use highly polluting heavy fuels, but there are also persuasive allegations of corruption and predatory practices. Extending this critique, we read powerships through the lens of both energy transitions and electrical hybridity, focusing attention on the justifying logics and negotiating efforts of African energy actors. We assemble an archive of the use of these ships in Africa and deep dive into three cases: Sierra Leone; The Gambia; and South Africa to make three interlinked arguments. First, powership deployment in Africa reflects electrical hybridization, a mode of development whereby modular, decentralized technologies operate in service of the established network and utility. Short-term augmentation is taking place alongside piecemeal efforts to enhance energy security and improve the energy mix. Second, against the backdrop of deep uncertainties and recursive injustices, this hybridization is seen by African state actors to have high cost, but low risk, mitigating concerns over infrastructural lock-in or elite grid defecting. Finally, and despite claims that African states are at the mercy of this private company, we map how these terms of engagement are challenged through a wide range of tactics, specific to their respective context. In conclusion, we argue that Karpowership is enrolled in a hybrid, speculative, and additive project, whereby serving the urban network remains central to the ability of the state to deliver on both diverse imperatives.

Fluctuating Development Traits of Industrial Land Mismatch and Its Influence on Urban Ecological Modernization

Drawing on the longitudinal dataset from 262 cities at the provincial tier and higher across China between 2011 and 2022, this research employs the production model to formulate the China Urban Industrial Land Mismatch Index, quantifying the extent of industrial land misalignment across China. It also analyzes its spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and regional differentiation characteristics, and explores the influence of China’s urban industrial land discordance on the advancement of urban ecological modernization. The key insights are outlined below. Firstly, across the entire spectrum of Chinese urban centers, cities from the eastern, central, and western zones, as well as those situated along the Yangtze River and the Yellow River basins, exhibit comparable patterns in industrial land misalignment. The extent of industrial land discordance has diminished, regional disparities have lessened to some degree, and there is an absence of polarization or the Matthew effect. Secondly, the variation in industrial land discordance within cities in the eastern region is the most pronounced, followed by the central region, with the western region showing the least disparity. The greatest contrast in the urban industrial land mismatch is found between the eastern and central regions. The primary driver of the discrepancy in industrial land misalignment across the eastern, central, and western regions is predominantly the ultra-variable density, followed by intra-regional disparities, with inter-regional differences contributing the least. Furthermore, the variation in the industrial land mismatch within cities in the Yangtze River Basin surpasses that within cities in the Yellow River Basin. The disparity in industrial land misalignment between the two follows a pattern of initially increasing, then decreasing, and subsequently rising again. The primary origin of this discrepancy lies within regional variations, followed by ultra-variable density, with inter-regional differences contributing the least. Thirdly, the regression analysis reveals that the discordance in industrial land use across Chinese cities exerts a substantial negative influence on urban ecological evolution. This effect operates through technological innovation and the employment levels in the secondary sector. Fourthly, industrial land discordance significantly hampers urban ecological advancement in the eastern region, shows a negative but statistically insignificant impact in the central region, and has a positive yet inconsequential effect in the western region. Moreover, the misalignment of industrial land exerts a notable suppressive influence on the ecological modernization of cities within the Yangtze River Basin, while it plays a significant role in fostering the ecological modernization of cities in the Yellow River Basin. Fifth, the mismatch of urban industrial land has produced significant negative spatial spillover effects on urban ecological modernization.