Urban Facilities Research Articles

기후변화에 대한 도시 웨이파인딩 변화 고찰

This study explores the possibility of a wayfinding system that can reduce carbon emissions in cities facing climate change. First, we investigate the city's response to climate change, analyze the case of path-finding signs considering carbon emissions, and propose a sustainable wayfinding system design direction. Currently, more than half of the world's population lives in cities, and it is expected to increase to 70% by 2050. Therefore, many cities are adopting eco-friendly energy, improving transportation, and recycling waste to combat urban heatwaves and heat islands with the aim of being carbon neutral. Wayfinding systems, one of the utilities, can also reduce maintenance costs and reduce carbon emissions if they utilize sustainable recycled materials or natural elements, use renewable energy, and are expressed directly on roads or walls. In addition, various types of road signs can be implemented through the flexible installation space, and user experience-oriented information considering the surrounding environment will promote walking and cycling, further reducing urban carbon emissions. It is expected that this study will provide a new perspective in consideration of climate change in the design of urban public facilities.

Air Pollution Airshed Map of the Chaurjahari Model City, Rukum West, Karnali, Nepal

Chaurjahari area of the Rukum West District of the Karnali Province is one of the proposed model cities of the Government of Nepal, being developed to manage the unbalanced, rapid, haphazard, and uncontrolled urbanization in Nepal. While the model city plans to integrate physical, social, economic, and other anticipated urban facilities, no necessary thoughts on the protection of air quality seem to be given. The present study has been conceived to understand the meteorological implications of air pollution transport and the formation of pollutant fields over Chaurjahari City using weather and chemical transport modeling. The meteorological fields and pollution transport were simulated with the Advanced Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF-ARW) modeling system and an Eulerian Chemical Transport Model (CTM), respectively. The WRF simulated fields displayed a strong diurnal pattern with windless conditions throughout the early morning to late morning hours, whereas, strong winds accompanied the significant up and downndrafts in the afternoon. Similarly, the pollution dispersion simulation revealed that the city area remains stagnated blanketing the city area from early morning to noontime deteriorating air quality. However, in the afternoon time, local meteorological flows over the area generally organize pollutants transport towards the northern and northeastern high mountainous region reducing air pollution but risking deposition of pollutants in the mountain glaciers. Such deposition of pollutants over the mountains may accelerate the melting of glaciers and snow enhancing the effects of climate change.

Identifying Relationship between Regional Centrality and POI Facilities: A Case Study of Seoul Metropolitan Area

While understanding the dynamic urban network through the concept of regional centrality has provided various implications on the structure and hierarchy of cities, the macroscopic focus of previous studies has largely overlooked the small-scale physical and social urban entities in central places. Meanwhile, recent advances in real-time Point-of-Interest (POI) data have quickly replaced much of traditional urban facility data, emerging as a new representation of urban activities and demands. Therefore, this study proposes a method to identify the relationship between regional centrality and the distribution of POI facilities, particularly focused on the Seoul metropolitan area of South Korea. To this end, this study conducts a correlation analysis between regional centrality results derived from social network analysis and POI indices obtained from POI distribution analysis. The results indicate that a statistically significant relationship exists between regional centrality and the distribution of urban facilities, with a particularly strong correlation exhibited in specific POI categories. The results also demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in capturing disparities in the provision of facilities concerning growing commuting centers. The findings of the study provide pragmatic implications for prioritization and planning of facility development, as well as making informed decisions in real estate and facility investment.

Ecological Interpretation of Regional Elements in the Design of Local and Korean Urban Public Facilities

In the planning and construction of modern city, how to highlight the regional elements of the city and show the ecological design of the city has become the key content. Public facility design is an important part of urban construction. On the one hand, it is directly related to the public life, and on the other hand, it is closely related to the urban context and future development. Based on this, this paper mainly discusses the regional elements and ecological interpretation in the design of urban public facilities in our country and South Korea, aiming to provide reference for the subsequent design. To answer our research question, we begin by constructing a sample of all Chinese non- financial firms listed in the A-share market between 2007 and 2018 (n=29,181). We obtain financial statement data from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR) database. We obtain individual audit partner’s demographic information, such as gender and educational background, from the Chinese Research Data Services CARD database and the China Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CICPA) website. We lose 1,674 observations because we cannot find the signing auditor’s demographic information needed in the Heckman’s model and PSM; we further delete 4,783 observations because they do not have enough firm financial data to compute the variables used in our empirical tests; we exclude 672 observations because the annual reports are signed with three auditor signatures. Our final sample consists of 22,052 firm-year observations.

Current Situation and Optimization Suggestions for Ageing-Appropriate Development of Urban Public Rest Facilities

With the increasing proportion of elderly people, China has long since entered an aging society, and the development of aging has continued to deepen. In the construction of the humanization level of the city, the development of age-appropriate public rest facilities has attracted much attention. This study will take the current aging society as the background and meet the physiological and psychological needs of the elderly group as the starting point to investigate in depth the current situation of the construction of urban public open space facilities. Based on the degree of aging, the level of urban construction, and social concern, this study selects the public rest facilities in Changning District, Shanghai, as the research object, and conducts a comprehensive analysis of the level of construction of aging-appropriate rest facilities. The study found that the construction of existing urban public rest facilities is still characterized by a variety of problems such as scarcity, single type, poor comfort, safety hazards, and lack of consideration for the physical scale of the elderly population and suggested corresponding improvements. Public rest facilities must follow the people-oriented principle, be based on the many different needs of the elderly, fully integrate the living habits of China's elderly population, and comprehensively improve the quality of life of the elderly population. This study is of great significance for the subsequent promotion of the construction of public rest facilities and the implementation of the construction of the humanization level of the city.

Sponet: solve spatial optimization problem using deep reinforcement learning for urban spatial decision analysis

ABSTRACT Urban spatial decision analysis is a critical component of spatial optimization and has profound implications in various fields, such as urban planning, logistics distribution, and emergency management. Existing studies on urban facility location problems are based on heuristic methods. However, few studies have used deep learning to solve this problem. In this study, we introduce a unified framework, SpoNet. It combines the characteristics of location problems with a deep learning model SpoNet can solve spatial optimization problems: p-Median, p-Center, and maximum covering location problem (MCLP). It involves modeling each problem as a Markov Decision Process and using deep reinforcement learning to train the model. To improve the training efficiency and performance, we integrated knowledge SpoNet. The results demonstrated that the proposed method has several advantages. First, it can provide a feasible solution without the need for complex calculations. Second, integrating the knowledge model improved the overall performance of the model. Finally, SpoNet is more accurate than heuristic methods and significantly faster than modern solvers, with a solution time improvement of more than 20 times. Our method has a promising application in urban spatial decision analysis, and further has a positive impact on sustainable cities and communities.

Rainfall Pattern Construction Method Based on DTW-HCA and Urban Flood Simulation: A Case Study of Nanchang City, China

Due to the different design standards of urban drainage and water conservancy facilities, numerous coordination and linkage issues arise when confronting extreme rainfall. In this paper, three clustering methods were used to cluster rainfall events, and the results demonstrate that the dynamic time warping-hierarchical clustering algorithm (DTW-HCA) effectively captures the temporal similarity of time series. Then, the Pilgrim and Cordery rainfall distribution method was utilized to extract the characteristics of eight clusters of rainfall events, and eight kinds of rainfall patterns were obtained. Last, after importing the rainfall patterns into the MIKE model of Qingshan Lake to conduct flood simulations, the impacts of different rainfall patterns on municipal systems and water conservancy systems were assessed by the depth and area of urban waterlogging, as well as the water levels and discharge of rivers. Based on this, three rainfall patterns are proposed as a designed rainfall pattern (DRP), an extreme rainfall pattern for urban drainage facilities verification (ERPUDFV) and an extreme rainfall pattern for water conservancy facilities verification (ERPWCFV), which aim to provide a reference basis for designing region-specific extreme rainfall patterns, as well as the verification of urban drainage and water conservancy facilities.

Spatio-temporal characteristics of sexual crime and influencing factors of commercial service facilities: A case study of Haining City, China

This study aims to reveal the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of sexual crimes in Haining city and the spatial relationship between them and urban commercial service facilities, so as to provide decision-making reference for the prevention and treatment of sexual crimes. Based on the data of 311 sexual crimes in the case management system of public security organs and the POI data of urban functional facilities in the community policing system, using methods such as nearest neighbor index, nuclear density estimation and Geodetector, the data from January 2014 to September 2021 are analyzed. The formation of the spatial pattern of sexual crimes is the result of the multiple factors, especially the distribution of KTVs, Internet cafes, hotels and other commercial service facilities. Sexual crimes will increase significantly in areas with mixed facilities. We put forward countermeasures and suggestions for the effective development of sexual crime rectification work in Haining.

Enhancing nighttime light remote Sensing: Introducing the nighttime light background value (NLBV) for urban applications

Artificial light at night, as captured by nighttime light (NTL) remote sensing, typically consists of two components: static urban lighting facilities and dynamic outdoor human activities. Separating these components can improve our understanding of the mechanism underlying NTL remote sensing and broaden its applications. In this paper, we introduce the concept of Nighttime Light Background Value (NLBV) to represent NTL emitted solely by static urban lighting facilities, excluding the influence of outdoor human activities. By utilizing a random forest method, we derived the pixel-level NLBV for Shanghai from NTL data. Comparative analysis demonstrates that NLBV exhibits a stronger correlation with building density and road density compared to the original NTL data. Our empirical findings demonstrate that the definition and application of NLBV can significantly enhance NTL-based applications for extracting urban physical attributes and estimating socioeconomic variables. Firstly, the urban built-up area extracted based on NLBV outperforms the original NTL data, especially in highly urbanized. Secondly, separating static urban lighting and dynamic human activity enables a more accurate estimation of socioeconomic variables with different contributions. Moreover, our results highlight the significant potential of incorporating NLBV in NTL-based applications across various disciplines. Overall, this study demonstrates the significance of NLBV in improving the accuracy and applicability of NTL data, opening up new opportunities for research and practical applications across various domains.

Legal Tools for Blue-Green Infrastructure Planning—Based on the Example of Poznań (Poland)

In Polish law, no mechanisms exist to maximize the application and protection of blue and green infrastructure (BGI) in urban areas. A comprehensive legal framework does not entirely govern urban BGI facilities. Urban planning lacks an appropriate indicator, first and foremost. This study aimed to analyze the Polish legal criteria for the viability of designing and implementing BGI facilities. The authors also researched ways to aid legislators in growing and maintaining BGI in urban areas. In Poznań, a case study was carried out on applying the greenery planning and design law. Local spatial development plans (MPZP) are now the only legal tools in Poland that allow for the protection and establishment of BGI. According to data from Statistics Poland for 2021, the proportion of the country’s total area covered by existing local plans (based on current law) is around 20.51%. When the MPZP does not cover a portion of a municipality, administrative decisions are made by issuing development conditions (WZ) for the plot. WZ may become a tool for environmental damage under investment pressure. Ideas put forward by the authors are: (1) creating urban nature reserves (as one method of land use); (2) evaluating BGI as an integral part of eco-physiographic studies and spatial planning; and (3) creating a new urban indicator with more complex parameters.

Users’ Perceptions on The Role of Recreational Parks in Societal Development: A Public Administration Study of Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Our cities gain from recreational parks' fundamental environmental, aesthetic, and recreational benefits. They also bring great economic benefits to any country. The purpose of this research is to assess Citizens' views on the state of three recreational parks and landscaping in Akure, Ondo State. The study aims to evaluate three recreational parks and landscaping in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, their properties, their impact on users, and the contribution of recreational landscapes to societal development and revenue generation. This paper also suggests better ways to maintain these recreational parks. Gardens with a broad assortment of trees and other plants are a significant recreational feature in developing countries like Nigeria. Urban and recreational facilities have been seen as a tool to improve living conditions in Ondo State. One of the most difficult aspects of maintaining recreational parks is balancing the needs of different user groups, such as those seeking solitude and those seeking raucous play and picnicking. Parks and recreation are typically the "engine" of local tourism. In a simplified tourism model, people leave their homes and travel to attractions supported by services such as hotels/motels, restaurants, and commerce.

Urban growth by fragments. Consolidation and land value in peripheral areas resulting from housing policy in Córdoba, Argentina

The study of the consolidation of built-up areas in the periphery of cities is interesting because it is linked to the differential forms of access to land, services, urban facilities, workplaces, and daily mobility for the inhabitants. The research identifies the locations of public housing in Córdoba city and the transformations that were produced in the physical morphology of the surroundings during a decade. Land uses, the level of building consolidation, and the dynamics of land prices in the surrounding areas lead us to reflect on the evolution of social housing areas as urban fragments built on the periphery. The objectives of the study are to recognize the effects of housing policy location in urban development and to discuss the sustainability of the urban-growth model. In the context of the increasing commodification of the city, this development pattern intensifies socio-territorial inequalities derived from the location of low-income families in scattered outlying areas.

UAV path planning based on third-party risk modeling

Drones play an important role in modern cities, they bring convenience but also bring corresponding risks. Falling drones can cause casualties or damage to urban facilities and serious property damage, which increases the third-party risk problem. An effective way to reduce these third-party risks is to avoid high-risk areas in path planning, but most current path planning methods are optimized to minimize flight distance, and third-party risk costs are rarely considered. In this paper, a comprehensive risk-cost UAV path planning method is proposed, which evaluates urban risk by establishing a third-party risk model that incorporates obstacle risk, death risk, and property loss risk. This paper proposes a Min-cost A* algorithm based on city risk assessment, and smooths the generated low-risk path through the improved Floyd algorithm. The results show that the path planning method can effectively reduce the risk in the flight path, improve the reliability of the UAV flight path in the urban environment, and solve the problem of planning the third-party risk path of the UAV.

Exploring and Documenting Urban Renewal Projects in Kisumu City, Kenya with Emphasis on Preservation of Urban Landscape Identity

Urban renewal is undertaken to respond to physical deterioration within cities to improve the quality of urban life. Urban renewal in Africa is undertaken in once colonial societies with their existing spatial built forms undergoing changes in post-colonial times. This paper aimed to explore and document the various projects undertaken in Kisumu City's urban renewal in Kenya with emphasis on preservation of urban landscape identity. The main aim of the various projects was to improve the urban infrastructure, public facilities and spatial planning and carry out slum upgrading in addition to modernisation of public policies to improve public service delivery through effective city management. Consequently, several urban renewal projects were implemented in Kisumu City from 2019 to 2022. The research was done as a case study analysis of Kisumu City, Kenya, which has been undergoing the upgrading of various urban forms and spaces. Data capturing was based on mixed methods, including archival records, mapping, photographic documentation, and semi-structured interviews. This paper sets out the categories of ongoing and completed projects and describes them in terms of project locations, type of project, what components it entailed. Data collection was through desk review on urban renewal and review of City of Kisumu documents, interviews and field investigations. The interviews were carried out with purposively selected officials from Kisumu County including the City Planning Department, Environment Department, Kisumu Urban Project. The findings revealed the projects included non-motorised transport (NMT) within the CBD that comprises the improvement of pedestrian walkways, parking spaces, construction of new markets, bus parks, rehabilitation of public parks, beautification of roundabouts, road islands and proposed new high-rise affordable housing

Quality of antenatal care and outcomes of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy among antenatal attendees: A comparison of urban and periurban health facilities in Ghana.

Rural-urban-peri urban disparity assessments on health outcomes have been considered as critical determinants of health and health service outcomes. It is policy relevant in terms of the burden of disease and also provides focus on target interventions. This study aimed to assess the differences in the quality of Ante-natal Care (ANC) and the outcomes of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy (HDPs) from selected health facilities in Ghana. This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. Data on demographics, proportions of HDPs, quality of ANC and the outcomes of HDPs were collected. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of the independent variables with the location of the health of facility. A total of 500 pregnant women were included in this study. There were 270 (54%) urban and 230 (46%) peri-urban dwellers. The proportion of HDPs varied with the location of the health facility. Women attending urban health facilities were more likely to be hypertensive (μ2 = 126.4; p<0.001), have chronic hypertension with superimposed pre-eclampsia (p< 0.001), have good quality ANC (μ2 = 41.28; p< 0.001), deliver full term (μ2 = 4.83; p = 0.028), and have excellent knowledge on HDPs (μ2 = 227.65; p< 0.001) compared to women receiving care in peri-urban health facilities. The method of delivery and outcome of birth did not statistically vary amongst the periurban and urban health facilities. There was an increase in the proportion in preterm in urban compared to periurban. The burden of HDPs was high in urban health facilities with high proportion of its mothers receiving quality ANC as well as having excellent knowledge on HDPs compared to mothers receiving care at the periurban health facilities. There is a need to target maternal care interventions to the periurban health facilities to improve obstetric health outcomes.

Penentuan Sistem Pusat Pelayanan Perkotaan Berdasarkan Data Point of Interest di Kota Pangkalpinang

An interconnected city service system exists in urban areas. A good urban space structure should be able to encourage sustainable development for the people and the countryside, as a process of changing the use of dynamic urban space. The high service requirements of the central area of Pangkalpinang City are not offset by the availability of adequate urban facilities. The purpose of this study is to describe the service center system in Pangkalpinang City. The method used in this research with kernel density analysis uses POI (Point of Interest) data related to social, cultural, economic, and/or public administration. Analysis results showed that the Padi Market Area is still a potential service center in Pangkalpinang City, with the main character of trade and services. This is in line with the 2011-2030 RTRW of Pangkalpinan City that makes the Pedi Market area the service center of Pangcalpinang Town. Several areas have the potential to develop functions and roles as a City Service Subcenter. The results of this analysis are expected to provide recommendations to policymakers in drawing up the structure of urban spaces in urban spatial documents.

FORMATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL IMAGE OF THE CITY OF ZAPORIZHZHIA BY MEANS OF CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

This study examines the problems and prospects of the concept of cultural landscape design in the formation of an individual image of the city of Zaporizhzhia. In the process of identifying the features of the individual image of the city of Zaporizhzhia, a pre-project analysis of the state of the formed image was carried out. Through the study of its landscape areas and their research regarding potential development, urban recreational facilities such as parks, boulevards, fragments of gardens at public centers, landscaped adjacent areas, urban landscaped areas with a size of no more than 0.2 - 1 ha are taken into account, and as well as urban open spaces at the intersection of the main transport and pedestrian routes, in particular in the historical buildings of the city. As a result, the main problems were identified and the main directions of the development of greening of the urban environment were determined.&#x0D; In general, green areas of the city have a number of shortcomings of a systemic nature without a single stylistic and compositional approach. There are not enough green recreation areas in the central part. Therefore, the creation of a single landscaping system with its own design code and interconnected cultural landscape is possible when implementing the following proposals:&#x0D; 1) Development of the city-wide concept of forming an individual image of the city of Zaporizhia by means of the cultural landscape.&#x0D; 2) Development of a city-wide program for the organization of the city's green framework, taking into account the city-wide concept of forming an individual image of the city of Zaporizhia by means of the cultural landscape. &#x0D; 3) Development of a city-wide concept for the development of the coastal areas of the city of Zaporizhia, taking into account the city-wide program for the organization of the city's green framework and the city-wide concept of forming an individual image of the city of Zaporizhia by means of the cultural landscape.

Urban Facility Management Improving Livability through Smart Public Spaces in Smart Sustainable Cities

Public spaces play a significant role in improving social, recreational and cultural activities that are inclusive. However, smart public spaces are required to save time and costs, and to provide comfort to the public, ultimately enhancing livability. There are various user requirements and demands to respond to. This research aims to adopt intelligent technologies applied in public spaces to facilitate livability through urban facility management (UFM) involvement in improving livability. The establishment of intelligent systems in the architecture industry goes hand in hand with the growing advancement of science and technology in several aspects of human life. A fundamental key to the success of smart cities is the high quality of livability offered to their residents and visitors. The UFM can enable livability by providing data centers, access controls, integrated security systems, monitoring, smart waste, energy and water management in public spaces. This study focused on five elements of livability, including accessibility, functional infrastructure, interaction and social cohesion, amenity and participation, quality of life through safety and security and privacy. The research methodology adopts the activity theory (AT) as its underpinning theory for the qualitative data collection process (interviews and a workshop) from industry experts in two prominent smart cities in Qatar, Lusail and Msheireb, along with a literature review. This study’s results provide information on existing smart city and public space features, infrastructures and their impact on livability. The findings of this study support the development of the smart livable public spaces (SLiPS) framework. The framework is a baseline for improving livability in smart cities, which allows future updates based on existing ICT infrastructure, enabling new functions and the availability of novel technology applied by UFM. The outcome of livability leads to the achievement of smart city goals.

The influence of migration and urbanization on the incidence of street children in Nigeria

Many countries around the world are experiencing rapid urbanization, which is closely linked to migration. Cities are growing exponentially as people migrate in search of better opportunities. As the rural-urban influx continues, urban facilities are strained, and this results in poverty, which is a promising situation for the incidence of street children. Through the literature review, the study provides insights into the relationship between migration, urbanization and street child incidence in sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria, and the reasons why children are involved in street life. It also explains some important theories that have advanced our knowledge of the phenomenon. The study shows that there is a relationship between migration, urbanization, and the incidence of street children in Nigeria. Although these children have some opportunities and freedom to work and do whatever they want on the streets, their dignity is still violated, which has adverse effects on their overall well-being in terms of mental, physical, emotional, and moral health. The article identifies poverty as the main factor that pushes children to the streets in Nigeria, and the same factor is observed to influence their migration from one geographical area to another. The article concludes by suggesting the enormous demographic benefits for children.

Numerical simulation and performance analysis of solar hydrogen production using anion exchange membrane electrolyzer and blending with natural gas

Hydrogen production using solar energy and blending in a natural gas pipeline is a cost-effective alternative to hydrogen storage and transmission that leads to lower CO2 emissions caused by the energy infrastructure. In this paper, energy, exergy, and Exergoeconomic analyses of a solar hydrogen production system and its blending with natural gas in a city gate station of Isfahan city are performed in three days with minimum, average, and maximum solar irradiations. The system includes photovoltaic arrays, anion exchange membrane electrolyzer cells (AEMECs), a hydrogen compressor, and a system blending. The AEMEC is used due to its less expensive catalysts, non-acidic electrolyte, and high efficiency at high pressures. A three-dimensional numerical model is developed to determine the AEMEC’s polarization curve, accurately. The results show that with increasing solar irradiation and decreasing ambient temperature, the maximum power of the PV increases and the energy and exergy efficiency of the PV decreases. By increasing the injection of hydrogen into natural gas from 1% to 10% vol., the lower heating value of the fuel and the Wobbe Index decrease by 6% and 1.55%, respectively. By injection of 10% vol. hydrogen gas into natural gas compared to the case of using natural gas without hydrogen, the exergy cost of natural gas blended with hydrogen increases by 5.9%. Considering the environmental benefits of using hydrogen in combination with natural gas, including the reduction of greenhouse gases, and the fact that blending hydrogen up to 10% vol. with natural gas does not require any change in urban gas supply facilities, this process is feasible. In the case of using high-pressure AEMEC and removing the compressor to produce hydrogen at high pressure, the exergy cost of high-pressure hydrogen reduces by 29.3%.