Urban Development Initiatives Research Articles

Green space-building integration for Urban Heat Island mitigation: Insights from Beijing's fifth ring road district

In this research, we delve into the complex arrangement of urban landscapes, where green spaces and buildings are not merely co-existing but are interwoven into a cohesive fabric that shapes the thermal environment. Our approach transcends the conventional methods of analysis, which typically isolate the roles of greenery or built environments. Instead, we adopt a synergistic perspective that recognizes the collective influence of these landscape constituents on the urban thermal pattern. Key insights are: (1) A linear decrease in average land surface temperature with increasing green space coverage is observed. However, substantial temperature variations (up to 8 °C) within the same coverage interval highlight the significant impact of built-up pattern on thermal conditions; (2) High Building Height and Floor Area Ratio, and low Building Coverage Ratio and Sky View Factor, are linked to cooler temperatures in areas with up to 50 % green space; (3) The study suggests that low-temperature areas can inform the adjustment of built-up patterns in high-temperature areas, offering a strategy for thermal environment optimization within specific green space coverage intervals. This research contributes insights into the integrated planning of green spaces and buildings, with implications for urban development and renewal initiatives aiming to enhance the urban thermal environment.

Assessment of flash flood risks in the desert cities: a case study on Sabah Al-Ahmad, Kuwait

ABSTRACT Flash floods from rainstorms pose a severe natural hazard, especially dangerous in arid regions. This has occurred multiple times in Kuwait: in 1967, 1997, 2009, 2013, 2018, and 2020. For example, about 300 mm of rain beset the State of Kuwait on the 14th and 15th of November 2018. Subsequently, Sabah Al-Ahmad City was declared an environmental disaster zone, grappling with extensive water accumulation in its roads, urban zones, and surrounding valleys. This study focuses on (i) monitoring the hydro-geomorphological impacts of the floods on Sabah Al-Ahmad City and (ii) assessing the strategic plan to diminish flood risks, aiming to prevent a recurrence akin to the catastrophic events during rainstorms. (iii) proposing a protection plan for the city. The research employs various methodologies, including drones (UAV), field surveys, hydrological modelling, digital elevation model analysis, and spatial analysis of multi-spectral satellite imagery. These methods are instrumental in comprehending how flash floods impact the sustainable development of urban areas in Kuwait. Our approach is designed to support decision-makers and urban planners, enabling them to proactively identify flood-prone zones before future urban development initiatives in Kuwait.

Community Engagement and Social Equity in Urban Development Projects

The critical role of community engagement and social equity in urban development projects. As cities expand and evolve, ensuring that development processes are inclusive and equitable becomes increasingly important. various urban development initiatives to assess how effectively they incorporate community participation and address social equity concerns. By analyzing case studies from diverse urban contexts, the research identifies best practices for fostering meaningful community involvement and achieving equitable outcomes. The findings reveal that projects which prioritize community engagement and social equity not only enhance the social fabric of neighbourhoods but also contribute to more sustainable and resilient urban environments. Key strategies include transparent decision-making processes, inclusive planning practices, and the incorporation of community feedback into project design and implementation. The study concludes with recommendations for policymakers and urban planners on how to integrate community engagement and social equity into future urban development projects, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration with local communities to ensure that urban growth benefits all residents.

Assessment of Land Capability and Zoning for Sustainable Urban Development in Ambon City

The optimization strategy replaces ability-useful land with conservation-source power land, which may help with problem degradation. Investigate this to determine the level of land ability and the function area designation for good protection and cultivation in the Satuan Wilayah Pengembangan (SWP). The research method is descriptive and quantitative, with stepwise data collection and processing. Data collection is carried out through studies and literature from several agencies. Temporary spatial data analysis was conducted using Geographic Information System (GIS) software. The research findings underscore a significant aspect regarding land analysis, specifically about allocating areas for settlement purposes. The documented 3687.35 hectares identified as suitable for settlement development, alongside the approximately 11755.27 hectares allocated as buffer zones, highlight a limited portion of land deemed suitable for urban expansion within the studied region. This observation underscores the challenge of finding suitable and adequate spaces for urban development initiatives in Ambon City. Identifying such a confined area underscores the need for strategic urban planning that considers land constraints, such as the predominantly hilly terrain, to ensure balanced development, efficient land use, and the preservation of environmental integrity. Efforts toward optimizing these available areas for urban growth while concurrently focusing on conservation and ecological sustainability become imperative for Ambon City's future urban development trajectory. They created a barrier to physical land where hilly areas dominate the characteristics of the Ambon City area

ANALYSIS OF THE FUNCTIONALITY OF LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT FOR EFFECTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION

The article delves into the critical role of logistics management in the construction industry, emphasizing the need for efficient material resource management and optimized supply chains. It aims to explore the principles of logistics management in construction organizations for supply chain management, with a specific focus on minimizing costs and optimizing resource utilization. The proposed strategic approach involves the transformation of classical concepts into logistics-oriented organizational activities, integrating advanced technologies and innovative resource management systems to unlock the full potential of material assets and streamline operations. The article underscores the potential impact of these strategies on the nation's economic landscape, emphasizing their contribution to economic stability and resilience. Additionally, the integration of logistics management into construction practices is highlighted as a catalyst for scientific advancements within the field. Serving as a roadmap for construction companies, the article urges the adoption of forward-thinking strategies aligned with the demands of the contemporary construction landscape. By embracing innovative approaches and leveraging advanced technologies, construction organizations can drive economic revitalization and contribute to broader urban development initiatives. Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of collaboration and integration among stakeholders in the construction industry, leveraging digital platforms and collaborative tools to enhance communication, share real-time data, and streamline coordination among suppliers, logistics providers, and project teams. Integrated logistics networks will enable seamless flow of information and resources.

How to Make Future Cities Smart in the Realm of Environmentally Friendly Healthy Cities? Looking from the Perspective of Ease of Living Index

Rapid urbanization and environmental issues have led the Government of India to implement urban development initiatives like Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, Smart Cities Mission, Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihood Mission, and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban to improve citizens' quality of life. The Ease of Living Index (EOL), developed to assess the outcomes of these initiatives, is a data-driven assessment tool aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals that enables cities to adopt evidence-based planning and execution. It assesses the well-being of citizens in 111 cities, including cities under the Smart Cities Mission, capital cities, and cities with populations over one million. The concept of healthy cities gained popularity in the South-east Asian Region of the World Health Organization, with the Healthy City Network Assessment Tool being introduced in 2021 to help cities assess their health profile in its eleven member countries, including India. In view of NITI Aayog's 2021 recommendation for the development of 500 healthy cities by 2030, there is a need to expand the scope of the existing EOL Index (2020). This research aims to integrate the healthy city evaluation criteria from WHO's South-east Asia Regional Guidelines with the EOL Index 2020 to develop an integrated tool for data-driven assessment of India's proposed healthy cities program. The study based on literature review and comparative analysis identifies 8 determinants, 28 sub-determinants and 112 indicators, enhancing the comprehensiveness of the EOL Index to promote smart, environmentally friendly, healthy, and sustainable urban development.

The tortoise in the urban development network: How social relations affect decision-making speed in a road expansion project in Kristiansand, Norway

ABSTRACT Why do urban development projects take a long time to complete? This question is of paramount importance, both practically and academically. Practically, understanding the reasons for delays in these projects can help improve project efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance stakeholder satisfaction. Academically, the study contributes to the field of urbanization by applying social network analysis (SNA) to explore the interactions and relationships among decision-makers in urban development projects. This study draws upon original data from a road extension project in Kristiansand to illustrate and explain why the implementation of large development projects suffers from convoluted and slow decision-making processes after an overall agreement on project aims and goals has been established. This study draws on a sample of 33 actors who participated in the decisions concerning the project. I collected the data through a combination of interviews and document reviews and subsequently analyzed them using social network structural metrics and visualization techniques. The results show that the actors are connected in less dense, more centralized, and clustered networks with subgroups and low reciprocity which have hampered efficient communication, resulting in delays. The findings imply that the pattern of relationships among decision-making actors can affect the amount of time taken to reach conclusions in urban development initiatives.

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

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

Housing governance and racialisation: ‘inclusivity’ in housing access and experience

ABSTRACT In March 2022, the UK government refined its approach to tackling systemic inequalities with a seemingly innocuous refrain: ‘inclusivity’. The instilling of shared values and economic development were discursively framed in central government rhetoric as the solutions to existing disparities and processes that were linked to places deemed as deprived. Drawing on data from forty-seven interviews with policy practitioners, anti-racist networks, and racially minoritised residents in two UK sites (Oldham and Glasgow), this article examines the persistent ways that racialised discourses, structures and ideologies shape housing access and experience. The insights generated from this article shed light on housing policy in three ways: firstly, by identifying the pervasiveness of racialisation and racism in social housing allocation systems; secondly, by evidencing the devaluing of anti-racist knowledge and the role of urban development initiatives in erasing anti-racist networks; and, thirdly, by exploring how local practitioners identify the problems of housing inclusivity as rooted in lack of residential mixing and inter-personal racism, rather than operating institutionally. The article concludes that adopting an approach that is attentive to institutional forms of whiteness and racialisation enhances understanding of the policy landscapes within which practitioners operate, and the existing racial injustices in housing experience that are reproduced.

Negotiating participation: investigation of an informal art and urban development initiative in Norway

ABSTRACT Based on in-depth ethnography, this article examines approaches to participation in arts and urban development, using the informal, non-institutional arts and urban development initiative, Byverksted, as a case. Byverksted aspires to be democratically radical and is dedicated to re-thinking urban development through increased citizen involvement, knowledge sharing, and participation. The modes of participation that surface through Byverksted are discussed with reference to existing literature on degrees, levels, forms, models and modes of participation. The article highlights the ways in which participation is negotiated in the absence of guidance. From the data, I identify five unspoken values that guide participation in Byverksted: criticality, horizontality, locality, collectivity, and activity. Both the re-thinking of modes of participation, and the inductive identification of ideals guiding participation, affect research on participation.

Revitalizing Ukrainian Cities: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Smart Urban Development

Purpose: The article examines the role of public-private partnership (PPP) as a key tool for urban infrastructure restoration and the development of Ukrainian cities within the framework of the Smart City concept. It underscoresthe urgent need for effective mechanisms to restore urban infrastructure, especially in light of the challenges associated with the Russian military aggression and the resulting destruction in Ukrainian cities. The study explores key aspects of smart cities development, including the integration of digital technologies, the use of data, and innovative business models aimed at optimizing city functions.Design/Methodology/Approach: The research employs a multi-stage methodological approach, encompassing elements such as gauging urban population satisfaction with municipal services, graphical analysis using CIMI, assessing the relevance of revitalizing Ukrainian cities and the need for mobilizing business resources, sociological surveys, developing a Smart City model based on PPP project outcomes, and formulating key elements of the national Smart City development strategy.Findings: Emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and cooperation between public and private sectors, the study demonstrates the advantages offered by PPP-based projects. The obtained results highlight the pivotal role of PPPs in promoting urban development initiatives basedon the Smart City concept. The study emphasises the potential of PPPs in shaping stable and prosperous smart cities in Ukraine. Through effective PPP utilisation, local governments can restore urban infrastructure,improve service quality, and enhance the quality of life for their citizens.Practical Implications: The research results can serve as the basis for strategic planning and investment in infrastructure projects necessary for the creation of a smart city. The envisioned strategy will allow for the improvement of legislative acts covering a wide range of aspects of smart cities development while promoting collaboration between public and private entities. This includes bolstering the transportation system, deploying digital technologies, modernizing social institutions, and enhancing the efficiency of urban resource management.Originality/Value: The originality and value of the study lie in its multifaceted approach to assessing and promoting the Smart City concept in Ukrainian urban development. It combines various research methods, including satisfaction assessments, CIMI-based graphical analyses, sociological surveys, and the development of a Smart City model based on PPP project results. This approach not only provides a comprehensive understanding of the state of urban infrastructure and citizen satisfaction but also offers a strategic framework for smart cities development.

Exploring the Influence of Dynamic Indicators in Urban Spaces on Residents’ Environmental Behavior: A Case Study in Shanghai Utilizing Mixed-Methods Approach and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Modeling

The main aim of this article is to evaluate the impact of dynamic indicators associated with urban spaces on the environmental behavior of residents in Shanghai, China. With the city experiencing rapid urbanization and increasing environmental concerns, it is crucial to understand how the design and management of urban spaces can encourage pro-environmental attitudes and actions among the population. The study specifically focuses on dynamic indicators, namely vitality, accessibility, quality, and walkability, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the utilization and experience of urban spaces. The research outcomes will make valuable contributions towards Shanghai’s objectives of achieving environmental sustainability, while also providing insights that have broader relevance to sustainable urban development globally. As the built environment significantly influences energy consumption, resource utilization, pollution generation, and overall human wellbeing, attaining urban sustainability is of paramount importance. The findings of this study will aid in informing strategies and policies that promote sustainable practices, not only benefiting Shanghai but also serving as a valuable resource for urban development initiatives worldwide. Sustainable urban design principles, including compactness, density, mixed land use, greening, and walkability, have been associated with pro-environmental behaviors, including reduced reliance on automobiles, increased walking and cycling, and heightened environmental consciousness. Nevertheless, the relationship between the built environment and sustainability behaviors is intricate and is influenced by multiple factors. Consequently, further research is necessary to comprehend how specific spatial and temporal dynamics impact environmental behaviors within urban settings. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to estimate the quality and walkability of an area and environmental behaviors by considering the augmented vitality and accessibility factors. The ANN’s predictions demonstrate that higher levels of vitality and accessibility positively contribute to improved walkability and environmental behaviors. The accuracy of the ANN’s predictions was assessed using linear regression, which yielded acceptable error rates when compared with experimental results.

Promoting residents’ happiness through a human-centric approach to tourism city development

PurposeThe study aims to delve into the influence of tourism on the happiness of city residents, grounded in the overarching concept of livability. It posits that prioritizing residents’ happiness is crucial for effectively addressing cities’ challenges in balancing development and distinctiveness. The study pursues three primary objectives: first, establishing a potential correlation between city tourism and residents’ happiness; second, examining the contributing factors to this correlation and third, identifying potential mediators that influence the connection between tourism development and residents’ happiness.Design/methodology/approachUsing a quantitative single-case design and partial least square analysis, the study underscores the intricate nature of various tourism development components. It specifically explores the roles of cognitive flexibility and social comparison in shaping the relationship between city tourism and happiness.FindingsThe findings make a distinctive contribution by revealing that not all tourism domains contribute positively to happiness. Furthermore, it sheds light on how tourism development impacts the emotional and cognitive dimensions of happiness, emphasizing the adverse effects of inequality and feelings of insecurity.Research limitations/implicationsThe study acknowledges certain constraints, including its employment of a cross-sectional design, the issue of generalizability, potential sampling bias and the reliance on subjective measurements when evaluating constructs like happiness and satisfaction with life. Using self-reported data introduces susceptibility to social desirability bias and individual perceptual differences, potentially resulting in measurement inaccuracies. Nevertheless, despite these limitations, the study’s findings offer valuable insights that contribute to both theoretical advancement and the realm of urban management.Practical implicationsThe findings elucidated through the mediation analyses conducted for hypotheses three to seven shed light on the significant roles played by mental adaptation and social comparison mechanisms in shaping individuals’ happiness. These insights substantially enhance our understanding of this field. Particularly, the dimensions of social and environmental impact within tourism appear to counterbalance the positive effects stemming from the economic and cultural aspects. This suggests a scenario where an excessive focus on tourism development could potentially undermine the overall livability of the city. These outcomes further indicate the necessity for proactive interventions by destination managers. Their efforts should be directed toward enhancing the environmental and social domains, aiming to reinvigorate the sense of community among residents, which appears to be gradually waning.Social implicationsThe outcomes of this study emphasize the utmost significance of prioritizing residents’ happiness above mere considerations of economic growth when formulating efficacious strategies for tourism. By concentrating on the happiness of the local population, a harmonious resonance is established with Sustainable Development Goal 11, which advocates for the creation of habitable cities founded upon the principle that “a city that is not good for its citizens is not good for tourists.” This alignment underscores the interconnected nature of residents’ happiness and the sustainable development of tourism. Moreover, residents’ happiness plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenge that cities face in harmonizing growth and their uniqueness, ensuring competitiveness and sustainability.Originality/valueThe research underscores the need for a people-oriented perspective in urban planning and tourism development initiatives. The study identifies diverse factors impacting residents’ happiness in city tourism, highlighting the complex interplay of environmental, cultural and socioeconomic elements. It emphasizes income’s role but underscores nonmaterial factors and individual preferences. Overall, the study offers timely and valuable insights into the intricate connection between tourism development, residents’ happiness, living conditions and human perception, guiding urban planners and stakeholders.

Study on the urban digital transformation gyroscope model

Purpose Urban digital transformation has become a key strategy in global countries. This study aims to provide a comprehensive and dynamic exploration of the intrinsic traits associated with urban digital transformation, in order to yield detailed insights that can contribute to the formulation of well-informed decisions and strategies in the field of urban development initiatives. Design/methodology/approach Through analysis of parallels between urban digital transformation and gyroscope motion in physics, the study developed the urban digital transformation gyroscope model (UDTGM), which comprises of seven core elements. With the balanced panel dataset from 268 cities at and above the prefecture level in China, we validate the dynamic mechanism of this model. Findings The findings of this study underscore that the collaboration among infrastructure development, knowledge-driven forces and economic operations markedly bolsters the urban digital transformation gyroscope’s efficacy. Practical implications This research introduces a groundbreaking framework for comprehending urban digital transformation, potentially facilitating its balanced and systemic practical implementation. Originality/value This study pioneers the UDTGM theoretically and verifies the dynamic mechanism of this model with real data.

Revealing Urban Color Patterns via Drone Aerial Photography—A Case Study in Urban Hangzhou, China

Urban color, primarily emanating from building façades and roofs, plays a pivotal role in shaping a city’s image and influencing people’s overall impression. Understanding the nuances of color patterns contributes significantly to unraveling the uniqueness and identity of a city. This study introduces a statistical method for the systematic analysis of urban color and macroscopic urban structure. Specifically, we employ drones to collect and extract building roof and façade colors in the main urban area of Hangzhou, mapping these colors to the HSV color space. Subsequently, we establish a random walk model and an origin–destination trip model within the urban transportation network to simulate the movement of people. Our experiments reveal robust correlations between façade and roof values and passing frequency (with the Pearson correlations reaching 0.70). Through a rigorous statistical analysis, we gain insights into the distribution of urban color and the impact of architectural structures on color variations, identifying potential patterns or trends. By integrating color data with architectural structure data, our systematic research method deepens the understanding of the visual features that define cities. Beyond theoretical exploration, this approach offers practical insights for building planning and design. This study not only sheds light on the relationship between architectural structures and urban color but also provides valuable guidance for future urban development initiatives.

Development of Inherent Vulnerability Index within Jammu Municipal Limits, India

Evaluating inherent vulnerability, an intrinsic characteristic becomes imperative for the formulation of adaptation strategies, particularly in highly complex and vulnerable regions of Himalayas. Jammu City, situated in the north-western Himalayas within a transitional zone between the Himalayan range and the plains, is not only susceptible to intense seismic activities but also faces multiple hazards, including floods, earthquakes, avalanches, and landslides. In recent years, the region has experienced growth in population with rapid progress in infrastructure development, encompassing the construction of highways, dams, and tunnels as integral components of urban development initiatives. Therefore, this study has been conducted to assess the inherent vulnerability index (VI) in Jammu City at ward level as a function of sensitivity, adaptive capacity, and exposure, using ecological and social indicators in GIS environment. The primary objective was to identify the most vulnerable area and ascertain the corresponding municipal ward, aiming to formulate a comprehensive ranking. The 22 indicators analysed were from four major components, namely social, infrastructure, technological, and ecological. The ecological indicators like Land Surface Temperature (LST), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Land use/Land cover were derived from Landsat 8 OLI satellite data. The results show that the majority of the area of the city falls into the moderate (20%), high (25.49%), and very high (25.17%) vulnerability categories, respectively, clustered in north-western and south-western transects with densely populated residential areas. The results can assist policymakers in identification of components of inherent vulnerability for focused resource management and formulating adaptation strategies to address the current stressors in the region.

Leveraging Big Data Analytics for Urban Planning: A Study Using the Big Data Analytics Efficiency Test

Data from a variety of sample cities was evaluated as part of a research looking into the integration of big data analytics into urban planning. The goals were to evaluate the impact of data analytics infrastructure, data volume and processing time, urban development initiatives, and data analytics efficiency. The results showed significant differences in data analytics resources across cities, indicating different levels of investment and preparedness for data-driven decision making. It was clear that cities could handle large amounts of data efficiently thanks to their strong data processing skills. Data analytics have an impact on urban development initiatives, highlighting the revolutionary potential of data-driven urban planning. The outcomes of efficiency tests demonstrated how data analytics procedures are useful for improving urban services and for making well-informed judgments. This study offers important new insights into the mechanics of data-driven urban planning and how it can influence how cities develop in the future.

Specialized Urban Planning Chatbot: A Participatory Approach for Evaluating Efficiency

This research investigates the use of a specialized Chatbot tool in the field of urban planning as a participatory approach and how efficient it is in handling concerns related to this domain. This specialized urban Chabot was prepared during an exhibition at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka in 2023. We argue that specialized chat-bots, which are trained on a dataset including text and code, exclusively involved in urban planning, have the potential to offer more pertinent and useful insights and suggestions compared to conventional chat-bots. It is also suggested that a transition from standard Chatbots to specialized urban Chatbots is essential because AI (Artificial Intelligence) Chatbots possess the capability to comprehend and address a broader spectrum of inquiries and prompts while also exhibiting the capacity to acquire knowledge and adjust their responses over time. Accordingly, we developed a special urban planning Chatbot and tested the results with the general public from different fields. The findings of our study indicate that almost 65% of the total respondents have emphasized the suitability of this application for planning purposes and its importance in the future. The majority of respondents also highlighted the use of specialized Chatbots, designed for urban planning would be beneficial for city planners. Citizens may use them as a means to collect input, suggest prospective solutions to urban planning challenges, and formulate design briefs for upcoming urban development initiatives. The use of Chatbots in the field of urban planning displays considerable potential for study, and we anticipate that our findings will catalyze further advancements in this domain.

Optimization and Removal of Heavy Metals from Groundwater Using Moringa Extracts and Coconut Shell Carbon Powder


 
 
 
 Abstract: This study focuses on enhancing the efficacy and elimination of heavy metals from groundwater by employing bio-absorbents generated from Moringa extracts and Coconut shell carbon powder. The green synthesis technique was utilized to produce cost-effective absorbents, including powdered Moringa seeds, leaves and carbon from coconut shells. The study examines the effectiveness of synthetic bio-absorbents in removing heavy metals, including Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), and Zinc (Zn), from groundwater. Identifying functional groups such as Hydroxyl (OH), C-H of alkenes, C=C of alkenes, and C-O from carboxylic acids have been determined to be essential for removing metals in groundwater. The method of FT-IR spectroscopy was used to characterize these functional groups. The examination of the morphology of Moringa seeds indicated the presence of consistent spherical network sheets, but Moringa leaves had a hexagonal network structure like a flower. The coconut shell photos revealed the presence of irregular, small-sized flakes that were clustered together to create a sheet. In light of the escalating deterioration of groundwater quality in Vijayawada as a result of industrial expansion, urban development, and significant infrastructure initiatives, the primary objective of the study was to ascertain the primary contaminants present in the groundwater. Subsequently, adsorption methods utilizing natural bio-absorbents were employed. Water samples were gathered and exposed to bio-absorption utilizing powdered Moringa olifera leaves, powdered Moringa olifera seeds, and powdered carbon derived from coconut shells. The technique of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was utilized to examine the decrease in concentrations of heavy metals. The findings demonstrated that the bio-absorption of heavy metals was more prominent in Moringa olifera seed powder than in Moringa olifera leaf powder and coconut shell carbon powder. The highest levels of adsorption for copper, cadmium, and lead were achieved at 98.5%, 99.5% and 99.4%, respectively. This work offers useful insights into the potential of bio-absorbents manufactured using green methods for effectively eliminating heavy metals from groundwater. It addresses the crucial problem of water quality in metropolitan areas.
 
 
 

Urban resilience and sustainability through and beyond crisis – evidence-based analysis and lessons learned from selected European cities

PurposeDespite striving for resilience and a sustainable urban future, European cities face a multitude of crisis caused by both natural and human-induced risks. This paper asks two key questions: How have cities experienced and managed crises situations they encountered? and What are the plans and actions for embedding sustainability at a local level within a clear decision-making structure? Hence, it aims to examine urban resilience in the context of urban crisis and the associated health concerns that took place because of crisis situations, while identifying sustainable urban development initiatives and strategies that were conceived and implemented beyond crisis.Design/methodology/approachAn evidence-based analytical approach is undertaken following two lines of inquiry. The first is case-based and identifies 11 cities that have experienced crisis situations and a further 10 cities that have instigated urban resilience strategies. The second is theme-based and engages with identifying strategies relevant to sustainable urban development at city and project levels. The outcomes of the two lines of inquiry are verified by mapping the lessons learned from the analysis to recent international guidance and a further co-visioning workshop with 6 experts.FindingsThe evidence-based analysis reveals key lessons which were classified under two primary types of findings: (a) lessons learned for a future urban resilience resulting from the 1st line of Inquiry (case-based) and (b) lessons learned for a future sustainable urban development resulting from the 2nd line of inquiry (theme-based). The verified lessons provide four areas that can be utilised as key priorities for future urban resilience and sustainable urban development including (a) Governance, effective communication, and decision making for city resilience and urban sustainability; (b) the social dimension of resilience and participatory practices for sustainable urban development; (c) from implicit strategies for health to positive impact on health; and (d) diversification of initiatives and localisation of sustainable development endeavours.Research limitations/implicationsThere is always limitation on what a bibliometrics analysis can offer in terms of the nature of evidence and the type of knowledge generated from the investigation. This limitation manifests in the fact that the analysis engages with the body of knowledge but not based on engaging physically or socially with the contexts within which the cases took place or through empirical investigations including systematic observations, focused interviews, and attitude surveys. While the study does not generate empirical findings, the rigour of the bibliometrics analysis offers a credible and reliable evidence on how cities experienced and managed crises situations and their current plans and priority actions for embedding and localising sustainable development measures.Practical implicationsThis research conveys significant implications for policy, practice, and action in that it crystalises the view that understanding urban resilience and sustainability, at the city or urban level, requires coupling the two. The findings offer a solid foundation for a more contextualised, evidence-based examination of urban resilience and sustainability during and beyond crisis. Highlighting urban and health challenges that emerged from experienced crisis situations, how these were managed and developing an understanding of sustainable urban development and local resilience strategies elucidate insights that can be adopted and acted upon by city councils and built environment practitioners.Originality/valueThe analysis provides comprehensive insights into urban resilience and sustainable urban development at both city and continental Europe scales in the form of key lessons that represent the first step towards developing rudiments for building a better urban future. Little is known about resilience and sustainability at these scales. The originality of this work lies in the breadth and depth for capturing an inclusive understanding of urban resilience and sustainable urban development based on systematic inquiry and scrutinising the body of knowledge emerged over the past 2 decades.