Urban Development Policies Research Articles

Association between subjective well‐being and cognition of neighborhood places: An online questionnaire study conducted in the Tokyo metropolitan area

AbstractImproving individuals' subjective well‐being has become a focus of policymaking globally in recent times. The current study examined the association between cognition of neighborhood places and subjective well‐being, with the aim of informing urban planning and community development efforts to improve the latter. An online questionnaire was distributed among residents in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and 2600 individuals responded. Regression analysis showed that respondents with greater neighborhood awareness and higher levels of education and household income exhibited better subjective well‐being. Moreover, psychological distress, loneliness, and sense of coherence were observed to be associated with amount of cognition of neighborhood places. Another regression analysis revealed that amount of cognition of neighborhood places was associated with education levels and household income independently, suggesting the possibility of amount of cognition of neighborhood places playing a mediatory role in health disparities, a global public health concern. The findings of the current study suggest that urban planning and community development policies should aim to increase individuals' amount of cognition of neighborhood places by improving accessibility and providing information on the history, available facilities, and culture of their neighborhood. These measures should also be conducted in areas with residents from lower socioeconomic strata.

Sustainable Urban Planning and Development: A Systematic Review of Policies and Practices in Nigeria

This study provides a systematic review of sustainable urban planning and development policies and practices in Nigeria, analyzing their effectiveness, challenges, and successes. The Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act and the National Physical Development Plan form the core of the country's urban planning framework, aimed at promoting balanced regional growth and environmental sustainability. Through an in-depth analysis, the study reveals significant regional disparities, with major cities like Lagos and Abuja leading in infrastructure development and housing availability but falling short in environmental sustainability. Key barriers to effective implementation include inadequate funding, weak institutional capacity, and corruption. Despite these challenges, successful initiatives such as the Eko Atlantic City project and the Abuja Mass Transit Project demonstrate the potential for sustainable urban development through comprehensive planning, stakeholder collaboration, and local adaptation. The study underscores the importance of integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations into urban planning and offers practical recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. By comparing Nigerian practices with global examples, the study identifies valuable lessons and provides a foundation for future research and innovation in sustainable urban development.

The Modernisation and Socialisation of Street Vending Activities in Flourishing Human Livelihood for Sustainable Development. Urban Economic and Transportation Perspective

Revamping urban development policy and regulations. Making urban streets more accommodating for walkers and automobiles as they travel through city centers is susceptible to a variety of human activities in developing countries. This study aims to investigate the role of new technologies in altering street vending activities to increase people’s wages and reduce unemployment. Modernistic and socialist concepts of street vending for sustainable development were examined in this study. The study also discovered a link between current techniques for improving street vending and the social consciousness of street vendors, who thrive in the face of economic uncertainty. There is a need to strengthen and hybridise the significance and unprecedented street vending activities in most small towns and cities. The study revealed a strong correlation and statistical significance between modernisation and socialisation of street vending activities under a dynamic change of human economic situation. The coefficient determination 0.458*; 0.535** and 0.562 is significant at 0.001**; 0.002** and 0.011. The discovery supports local enterprises and societal transformations in the context of transportation planning. Stakeholders, decision-makers, future researchers, transportation planners, and other regulatory agencies will benefit from this research.

Environmental Complexes with Thermal Zoning for the Conditions of the Far North and the Arctic

The author’s proposals dedicated to the optimization of the design process, considering the specific requirements determined by the natural and climatic conditions of the Far North and the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation are disclosed. The authors rely on two methodological approaches: optimization of urban planning policy, on the one hand, and revision of the typology of residential and public buildings for the conditions of the Arctic and the Far North, on the other. The authors have developed and are actively promoting the basic principles of “green architecture” (the buffer principle, the community principle, the compensation principle, the principle of nature-likeness and the principle of vertical transfer). The main objective of this article is to put forward, develop and develop the concept of “thermal zoning”, which inherits the productive typological ideas of the Soviet period. It is shown how the scientific developments of the authors are tested in experimental and competitive design. In addition, specific proposals have been put forward to improve the urban development policy of the Arctic and create a new body that will optimize the activities of designers for the sustainable development of the architectural environment of Arctic cities and settlements.

Sociological Perspectives on Urban Gentrification and Its Societal Implications

This paper provides a sociological perspective on urban gentrification and its societal implications, employing a research method that primarily involves an extensive literature study. Gentrification, characterized by the influx of more affluent residents into previously disadvantaged urban neighborhoods, is a multifaceted phenomenon with significant social, economic, and cultural consequences. Drawing on sociological theories and empirical research from existing literature, the study examines the drivers and consequences of gentrification, exploring issues such as housing affordability, displacement, social demographics, and the dynamics of urban change. It also considers how gentrification both perpetuates and alleviates social inequalities, emphasizing the importance of inclusive urban development policies and community-based initiatives to address the challenges and opportunities that gentrification presents in contemporary cities.

Factors influencing the residential location choice of individuals working at an integrated township

The ‘Integrated Township Project’ is an urban development policy scheme by the Government of India to promote mixed land-use and result in reduced trip lengths. This study examines the prevalence of short work trip length scenario and the factors influencing the residential location choice at the Megapolis Township (MGT), Pune, India. The mean work trip length worked out from the trip data collected from individuals working at some of the employment centres in the MGT does not certify the short work trip length scenario as expected. With the help of a Stated Preference (SP) survey data administered on these individuals and the land-use data of Pune, a binary logit model is developed. Mixed land-use, house rental value, household size, and car ownership are found to be the significant factors influencing the residential location choice. This study infers that the promotion of mixed land-use through Integrated Townships coupled with the regulation of house rental prices within the townships can help in reducing work trip lengths. As an alternative to the regulation of house rental prices, provision of incentives to attract the individuals (working at various employment centres in the township) to reside within the township may help in reducing the work trip lengths and thus aid the process of sustainable urban land-use and transport growth. Hence, this study calls for necessary attention regarding the regulation of house rental values or alternative strategies at Integrated Townships to promote short work trip length scenario from policy makers involved in urban infrastructure and transport planning.

Autocratic Power and Older Citizens: The Political Subjectification of Retirees in Belarus

This article contributes to research on everyday resistance as a means of citizens’ political subjectification in autocracies and advances the literature on the manipulation of news. Through analysis of state-controlled media and individual interviews, it traces how older people in Belarus engage in anti-authoritarian protests by relying on pre-existing patterns of interactions with the state. My analysis demonstrates that to promote its legitimacy, the paternalist regime cultivates dependence in older citizens and represents itself as the primary solution to problems associated with old-age vulnerability. In response to their systemic marginalisation in the job market, urban development and public health policies, older people claim their equal rights by resisting old-age vulnerability or performing it to challenge the system. The article argues that by practising low-key acts of insubordination, older Belarusians acquire the collective self-awareness and cultural competence that allowed them to engage in the 2020 protests as a distinct political subject.

Political uncertainty and carbon emission trading: Evidence from China

This study explores the impact of political uncertainty on sustainable urban development by examining carbon emission trading systems (ETS) in four major markets in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Hubei) from 2014 to 2022. As an alternative to carbon taxes, carbon ETS markets have become increasingly popular due to their success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, their effectiveness is often hindered by political instability and uncertainty. Utilising logistic regression and AR(1)-GARCH estimations, we identify a negative relationship between political uncertainty and carbon trading volume. Our study also reveals significant variations in the responses of these markets to political uncertainty. The paper contributes to the understanding of how ETS markets operate in a complex and constantly changing political environment. We suggest that policymakers need to consider the impact of political uncertainty on carbon trading when designing and implementing urban policies that promote sustainable development. Additionally, our research contributes to the development of urban policies that can be effectively implemented in both developed and developing regions.

Economic valuation of industrial heritage: A choice experiment on Shanghai Baosteel industrial site

Industrial heritage has in recent years become an important component in land use and urban development policies. Yet, assessing the economic value associated with the preservation and reuse of industrial complexes remains an open question. In this paper, we apply a discrete choice experiment (DCE) method to assess the economic valuation of the Baosteel steel factory, an industrial brownfield in Shanghai planned to be transformed into an arts and entertainment hub. By eliciting the preferences of locals for the preservation and reuse of distinct attributes of the site, our findings suggest that the preservation of significant landmarks and the intangible component of the industrial site are the two most relevant attributes worth protection. Moreover, we add evidence on the relationship between respondents' economic preferences and their attitude toward the cultural value conveyed by industrial heritage by showing how distinct groups of respondents express different preferences for single attributes of the industrial heritage. The paper contributes to the heritage valuation literature by illustrating the implications and challenges of assessing the demand for industrial heritage rehabilitation projects.

Sustainability Assessment of Bus Low-Fare Policy Considering Three Stakeholders of the Public, Bus Enterprises and Government: A Case Study of Shenzhen, China

In order to quantitatively evaluate the sustainability of bus low-fare policy, this study establishes a sustainability evaluation index system for bus low-fare policy by using the PSR (Pressure–State–Response) model. Based on the matter–element extension model and entropy weight method, the sustainability evaluation model of bus low-fare policy is constructed. Finally, taking Shenzhen as an example, this study compares and analyzes the sustainability changes of bus fare policy in 2006, 2012 and 2016. The results show that the sustainability of the bus fare policy does not depend on the attribute of the fare (profit-making fares or public welfare fares): the sustainability of bus low-fare policy is closely related to the supporting fiscal subsidy system. Compared with the cost regulation subsidy system, the quota subsidy system is more conducive to the sustainability of bus low-fare policy. This study provides a decision-making reference for the sustainable development of urban bus low-fare policy.

Dynamic assessment and prediction of land use alterations influence on ecosystem service value: A pathway to environmental sustainability

In the face of rapid urbanization, understanding and managing changes in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) is crucial for the sustainability and resilience of urban ecosystems. Rapid urban growth resulting from changes in LULC, can lead to the fragmentation and degradation of Ecosystem Services (ES), including habitat provision, water regulation, and air purification. This study investigates LULC changes in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, from 2010 to 2021 and forecasts their future impacts on ES in 2030 and 2040. Landsat images were processed using the Google Earth Engine platform, and a cellular automata technique was integrated with an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for LULC mapping and prediction. Results showed an increase in built-up areas from 31% to 42% between 2010 and 2021, with a projected decrease to 34% and 32% in 2030 and 2040, respectively. Water bodies, vegetation, and agricultural land declined from 2010 to 2021 but are expected to increase in 2030 and 2040. This trend indicates a growing awareness of the need for a sustainable environment and resilience in urban ecosystem development. The value of ES is predicted to drop from $172.66 to $160.23 over thirty years (2010–2040), primarily due to the degradation of water bodies ($7.64) and agricultural land ($6.89). However, the projected increase in water bodies, vegetation, and agricultural land by 2040 suggests a potential for recovery and enhancement of these ES values through sustainable practices. Future land use policies should promote sustainable agriculture and water resource management while fostering resilience against rapid urban growth. This approach will ensure the sustainable development of urban ecosystems. This study informs future land use strategies in Dhaka City, supporting sustainable natural resource management, urban ecosystem quality management decisions, and resilience planning. It underscores the importance of integrating sustainability and resilience into urban development policies for the benefit of both the environment and the city's inhabitants.

IMPACT OF URBAN PLANNING RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF UNDERGROUND REAL ESTATE

The impact of urban planning restrictions on the use of underground real estate is an urgent contemporary problem that arises from urban development, the need to regulate the process of underground construction, and the broader context of maintaining comfort, safety, ecology, and preserving cultural and historical heritage. Addressing this issue entails finding a delicate balance between the needs of urban planning and the requirements for safeguarding various aspects of urban development. The article aims to study the manifestations of the influence of urban planning factors on the use of underground real estate. Urban planning restrictions constitute an essential component of any developed city, as they contribute to a structured and functional environment for residents and businesses. However, these restrictions can significantly affect the use of underground real estate. In this article, we consider what important aspects urban planning policy encompasses and how it influences underground space utilisation. The paper analyses different approaches to investigating the problems related to underground real estate usage and categorises the various types of urban planning restrictions that bear on such utilisation. Effective urban development requires an integrated approach and discussion of urban planning constraints that consider the interests of all parties: development, environment, and cultural heritage. Maintaining the right balance between the growth and preservation of values is becoming a crucial objective for urban planning and regulatory frameworks. Consequently, the impact of urban planning restrictions on the use of underground real estate requires careful monitoring and regulation within the framework of sustainable urban development. Solving this problem requires scientific research, effective interaction of all stakeholders, and the development of urban planning policies that account for various aspects of urban development and underground real estate. Based on our research findings, we provide a comprehensive overview of the possibilities of optimising the location of underground real estate objects, taking into account current urban planning trends. We also assess the prospects for utilising underground space in the modern structure of settlements. Keywords: urban planning restrictions, underground real estate, urban planning, land use, urban development.

Implementation of Urban Policy and Sustainable Development Goal 11 in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja

The quest to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 target through implementation of urban policies has continued to pose challenges in developing countries including Nigeria and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja in particular. The purpose of this paper is to examine the ways implementation of urban policies has influenced the realization of SDG 11 goals in the FCT given the challenges confronting the residents in the city, particularly in the areas of clean water and efficient transportation system. The paper was anchored on the elite theory which helps in explaining the connection between implementation of SDG 11 target and elite preferences. The population of the study consisted of 3,510 respondents, while the sample size of the study was 360 respondents determined using Rakesh sample size formula.360 questionnaires were administered. Twenty-five (25) respondents were selected for an in-depth interview on the basis of their knowledge on issues under study. Data, particularly in the areas of clean water were also collected using secondary sources. Data from questionnaires were analyzed using percentages and frequency tables, while data from in-depth interviews were analyzed using textual methods. Data from secondary sources were analyzed using relational-content analysis. Among other things, findings revealed that the level of implementation of urban development before the introduction of SDG 11 has been very poor, while the SDG 11 has not brought meaningful development in FCT since inception based on the records available. On the basis of the findings, it is concluded that significant improvement in the level of implementation of urban development policies in the FCT is vital to ensuring the objectives of SDG 11 target in the city and in its suburban areas are achieved. Among other things, it was recommended that urban development policies regarding availability of clean water should be adequately implemented in FCT in order to achieve SDG 11 targets in the city, while at the same time, implementing the Abuja Master Plan to achieve an efficient transportation system in the city.

Do Public-Led Housing Site Development Projects Affect Local Housing Prices: A Proposal for a Comprehensive Policy Evaluation Methodology

As the population in urban areas increases, the importance of adequate public-led development policies for sustainable cities with affordable housing is becoming more highlighted. In this regard, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of public-led urban development policies for sustainable growth in urban areas, specifically measuring the effect of housing site development projects on housing prices. The geographical scope of the study is the project sites and their surrounding areas in South Korea, and the temporal background is from 2006 to 2023. The project sites were subdivided into four groups by using the Self-Organization Map (SOM), a machine-learning-based clustering analysis, to collect characteristics of each region. Then, the impact of the policy and the prediction of the real estate market of each cluster were analyzed by applying the DID and LSTM models, which have recently been proven to show a high validity. The results show that each cluster had different characteristics and effects from the development projects, depending not simply on the location, but on several characteristics, including the level of size, infrastructure installation, input cost, etc. Furthermore, it is expected for future studies that more detailed research should be conducted with larger datasets of the regional characteristics.

Assessing Flood Vulnerability from Rapid Urban Growth: A Case of Central Java — Indonesia

Urban growth, in many Asian cities, may lead to increased exposure to flood and growing sensitivity mainly because of the presence of informal settlements. On the other hand, urban areas may offer better access to public facilities, improving adaptive capacity and enhancing the local government’s capabilities. This study aims to investigate to what extent urban growth exacerbates flood vulnerability in Central Java. Concurrently, floods are the most frequent disaster in the area. The approach used in the vulnerability assessment involves socioeconomic conditions (population density, the number of impoverished families, public facilities) associated with three main aspects (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity), resulting in the Exposure and Sensitivity Index and the Adaptive Capacity Index. Scoring and weighting analysis using secondary data in a sub-district unit from the Central Bureau of Statistics are applied. The result shows that urban growth contributes to the escalation of hazards and vulnerability. On the other hand, a high population also increases the number of public facilities and affects adaptive capacity in certain areas. Indeed, strategic urban development policies are critical to manage the three elements that form the flood vulnerability.

Environmental Justice for Children of Color: Energy Facility Pollution in Houston

Extensive prior research has been conducted on the imbalance between environmental hazards in majority-minority communities and majority-white communities and its negative physiological, psychological, and economic effects. This existing body of literature has suggested a positive correlation between environmental hazards and poor childhood development indicators. The study of the field is called “environmental justice”, founded on the belief that certain groups are disproportionately disadvantaged by negative environmental conditions induced by inequitable laws and policies. However, a clear correlation between environmental racism and minority childhood experiences has not been studied. This paper utilizes a proximity analysis between Houston-area schools and toxin-emitting energy facilities and survey-based research with a school community affected by such facilities in southeast Houston. Through this research, a clearer picture can be drawn of how policy and inaction have put children of color at a structural disadvantage over their wealthier, whiter counterparts. Results have established that urban development policies, the placement of energy production facilities, a lack of equitable urban planning boards, disinvestment in infrastructure, and carelessness by government officials have contributed to environmental inequality, with children being at a heightened risk of its negative effects. After assessing the findings of the inquiry concerning the negative developmental impacts of environmental inequality on children, future ramifications are discussed concerning suggestions for possible solutions.

THE ROLE OF STRATEGIC EVENT MANAGEMENT IN DESTINATION MARKETING

Natia Beridze 
 E-mail: beridze.natia@bsu.edu.ge 
 Assistant Professor,Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University 
 Batumi, Georgia
 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5706-5380
 
 Tamar Beridze 
 E-mail: beridze.tamar@bsu.edu.ge 
 Assistant Professor,Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University 
 Batumi, Georgia
 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8290-0998
 
 Tsira Tsetskhladze 
 E-mail: tsira.tsetskhladze@bsu.edu.ge 
 Assistant Professor,Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University 
 Batumi, Georgia
 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6907-7637
 
 Abstract: The role of destination management in the development of sustainable tourism is highly important. However, it is also essential to note that effective destination marketing has an equally vital role to play in shaping the success of the tourism sector. The organization of events of various kinds has become more important in recent years, not only by focusing on the short-term increase in tourism demand, but also as an element of urban development policy with hoped-for effects on politics, economy and society. The aim of this article is to highlight the challenges in event management with a focus on small events. Management approaches to the involvement and interaction of stakeholders, the formation of a planning strategy for the development of the destination are considered. The role and nature of sponsorship associated with increasing the value of small events, as well as the development of a marketing management model for territory marketing, are investigated. Article also emphasizes the role of complex communication strategies in increasing the value of small events. In the conclusion, the marketing management model for small events is represented, that can be the result of problem solving processes by event organizers based on the creation of alliances in the community ecosystem.

Quantifying urban expansion and its driving forces in Chengdu, western China

Understanding urban sprawl and its drivers is crucial for sustainable urban development. Most studies on Chinese urbanization have focused on coastal areas, paying little attention to urban centers in western China. This study examines urban expansion based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE), remotely sensed image, urban expansion model, and analysis of buffer and quadrant location in the Geographic Information System (GIS). Additionally, driving forces of urban expansion are examined based on the principle component analysis (PCA). Results indicate that urban land area increased more than 5.60 times, reaching 124,723 ha, an increase of over 400 % during 1990–2020. The urban expansion rate and intensity significantly increased and exhibited spatio-temporal heterogeneity. We identified that urban spatial expansion patterns changed from patch filling to patch border expansion, and urban expansion direction was mainly in the southern, northeastern, southwestern, and northwestern regions, extending along the traffic corridor, ring road, and adjacent cities. We suggest that economic development, population, and urbanization have become the driving factors of urban expansion. The GEE provides a new geographic processing algorithm based on massive image datasets, facilitating remote sensing processing. The results revealed that Chengdu is following trends witnessed in coastal cities of China; however, the significance of various drivers of urban expansion in these cities differs from that of the eastern cities. This study will help formulate policies for better urban land management and sustainable land development.

A Model Walkability Index for Sustainable Urban Mobility of a Region: The Case of Soccsksargen- A Transdisciplinary Research Approach

Although walkability studies have been pronounced and recognized as an important factor for sustainable urban development, few studies have focused on calculating a reliable walkability index that captures the multifaceted dimensions of urban mobility. Hence, this study aimed to formulate a Model Walkability Index for SoCCSKSarGen Region as the basis for urban development policies in achieving sustainable mobility. Using a convergent mixed methods design, data were collected from 399 pedestrians, five professional design organizations, and 2 public health experts. Through a transdisciplinary approach, it utilized statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and multivariate analysis. For the qualitative findings, data were analyzed using Quirkos and MaxQDA software. Likewise, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was employed to derive the key Walkability factors for formulating the Walkability Index Model. Data revealed that all groups of experts were similar in identifying safety, comfort, and aesthetics as walkability attributes. On the contrary, only the transdisciplinary design professionals considered anthropometric measures and activities as walkability attributes aside from those previously mentioned. Likewise, the converged data provided substance in developing the Model Walkability Index (MWI) for SoCCSKSarGen Region. The resulting MWI discussed in the study represents the convergence of transdisciplinary efforts integrating safe roadway design concepts and sustainability considerations. Furthermore, the study offers a holistic assessment of walkability, enabling stakeholders to foster the creation of future walkable urban communities that are safe, healthy, and environmentally conscious.

The green divide and heat exposure: urban transformation projects in istanbul

Extreme heat events are happening more frequently and with greater severity, causing significant negative consequences, especially for vulnerable urban populations around the globe. Heat stress is even more common in cities with dense and irregular planning and lacking urban blue-green infrastructures. This study investigates the greening and cooling effects of five selected urban transformation projects and their surrounding areas (within a 10-min walking distance) in Istanbul from 2013 to 2021, with a focus on environmental justice and climate adaptation planning perspectives. By employing temporal analysis of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Land Surface Temperature (LST) values derived from Landsat data sets to detect changes in these five selected urban transformation projects in the megacity of Türkiye, Istanbul, this study finds that the distribution of green infrastructures (e.g., tree canopy) is only limited to project sites of long-running and state-supported urban transformation projects in Istanbul. Consequently, the unequal distribution of green infrastructures creates cooling effects only for the locals residing in the new residential projects. However, the surrounding areas have less urban green infrastructure and are exposed more to the urban heat over time. Urban development policies and planning highly contribute to increasing the climate vulnerabilities among those who do not benefit from the recently developed residential units in Istanbul. Such a trend can affect adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities and redress environmental injustices in urban planning in the megacity of Istanbul.