Urban Planning Strategies Research Articles

Integration of Building Age into Flood Hazard Mapping: A Case Study of Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates

Accurate and timely information on building age is essential for mitigating the impacts of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Traditional methods for collecting these data are often inefficient and costly. This study leverages remote sensing and machine learning to classify building age and integrate this information into a comprehensive flood hazard map for Al Ain City. By combining building age with elevation, topography, land use, population density, and other factors, we generated a flood hazard map that effectively identifies high-risk areas. Our results show that a significant portion of the city is has low potential for flooding (61%), while others face moderate (32%), high, or very high flood hazards. This study provides crucial information for informed decision-making regarding future urban planning, disaster management, and development strategies in Al Ain City. By identifying vulnerable buildings in advance, it supports efforts to reduce disaster risks, protect lives, and optimize resource allocation.

Impact of social and environmental factors on child safety in gated vs. conventional areas

Gated communities are perceived as safer for children, yet they still raise concerns among parents regarding safety, security measures, play areas, and social cohesion. Developing a truly child-friendly environment requires creating safe and well-maintained spaces, but empirical research on these issues remains limited. This study investigates factors influencing parents’ perceptions of child safety, focusing on social cohesion, disorder, territoriality, and natural surveillance in both gated and conventional communities. Structured interviews were conducted with 118 residents from Al-Mafraq, Jordan, comparing perceptions in a gated community and a conventional district. The methodology combined quantitative analysis of survey data with qualitative insights from interviews. The results revealed that perceived social cohesion and disorder significantly affect parents’ perceptions of child safety in both types of communities (p < 0.05). Conversely, territoriality showed no significant relationship (p > 0.05), while natural surveillance significantly influenced perceptions in conventional communities but not in gated communities (p < 0.05). These findings underscore the importance of social and environmental factors in shaping safety perceptions and highlight the need for urban planning strategies to enhance child safety across different community settings.

Sensing noise exposure and its inequality based on noise complaint data through vision-language hybrid method

This study seeks to reveal urban noise exposure patterns and inequalities using noise complaint data and vision-language hybrid method. By applying a natural language processing model to 17,243 noise complaint records, we uncovered distinct patterns of traffic, industrial, and living noise exposures across residential communities. Our analysis of street view images near complaint locations, utilizing a Residual Network (ResNet) model and Class Activation Mapping (CAM), identified the key environmental elements of different noise sources. Notably, our assessment of noise exposure inequality across 9791 communities yielded a counterintuitive finding: contrary to previous studies in Western contexts, rich communities in China experience higher and more unequal noise exposure compared to average communities, with Gini coefficients exceeding 0.8. This unexpected result likely stems from China's unique rapid urbanization process. Our use of crowdsourced complaint data aligns more closely with human subjective perceptions of noise, offering a novel perspective on noise exposure inequality. These findings challenge existing assumptions about the relationship between socioeconomic status and environmental quality in urban China, and have significant implications for urban planning and noise management strategies in rapidly developing cities.

Exploring the scale effect of urban thermal environment through XGBoost model

The urban thermal environment constitutes a significant aspect of the urban physical environment and warrants consideration in urban planning. Nonetheless, the nonlinear relationship between various factors and the urban thermal environment across different scales, as well as effective strategies for mitigating it, remain unclear. This study employs XGBoost and SHAP models alongside Partial Dependency Plot to analyze the impact of changes in socio-economic activities, built environment, and blue-green spatial patterns on land surface temperature grades within the Shanghai municipality and central Shanghai. Findings underscore that factors influencing the urban thermal environment vary between the municipality and central urban scales. Specifically, blue-green spatial patterns change hold greater relative importance at the scale of the municipality in Shanghai, while socio-economic activities and built environment changes are more significant at central Shanghai scale. Moreover, the spatial contribution of factors varies across scales, and most exhibit a nonlinear relationship with the urban thermal environment. This in-depth exploration of the scale effect on the urban thermal environment offers insights for formulating urban planning strategies to alleviate associated challenges.

From expansion to efficiency: Machine learning-based forecasting of Japan's building material stocks under demographic declines

Japan's unique demographic trajectory, marked by population decline and aging, coupled with continued urbanization, presents distinct challenges for aligning built environment capacity with resource efficiency. This study aims to investigate the historical evolution and project future scenarios of building material stock (MS) and their spatial distribution across Japan's three major metropolitan areas. Through a comprehensive material flow and stock analysis, the historical accumulation of building materials from 2009 to 2020 was quantified, revealing a dominance of concrete and an increasing overall stock. The contributions of various driving factors to changes in construction areas were explored, identifying population dynamics as the predominant influence. Leveraging shared socioeconomic pathway scenarios (SSPs), this research forecasted building floor area and MS until 2050 under five distinct SSPs. The results indicated an overall reduction across all scenarios, yet with a continued concentration in high-density urban cores. The substantial gap between the highest and lowest projected MS scenarios highlighted opportunities for material conservation and emission reductions through sustainable practices. Sustainable urban development in densely populated regions necessitates a balance between infrastructure provision and environmental conservation, while in sparsely populated areas, the focus shifts to the efficient management and utilization of vacant properties and materials to cope with the impacts of significant population declines. By offering insights into the building floor area and MS implications of Japan's demographic changes, this study underscores the necessity of sustainable urban planning and resource management strategies to navigate the challenges posed by demographic shifts, ultimately contributing to sustainable development and environmental conservation goals.

URBANIZATION AND SOCIAL CRIME: A STUDY ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS OF THE MANIPUR CENTRAL VALLEY

Geography is concerned to provide accurate, orderly, and rational description and interpretation of the earth's surface. The study of population dynamics and its impact on social crime is crucial for understanding regional development and planning. The present study examines the dynamics of population growth, urbanization, and social crime in Manipur's Central Valley. Utilizing, the data from the primary and secondary sources (such: NCRB, Superintendent of Police, Manipur central Valley, and Census of India). The research adopts technique, such as Decadal Growth method, Principal component Analysis. Over a 70-year period from 1951 to 2021, the region witnessed a consistent rise in population, growing from 3,87,523 to 18,77,416. Despite this growth, the pace has decelerated, reflecting a shift from high to moderate growth rates due to factors such as birth rates, mortality rates, and migration patterns. Urban population data from the 2011 Census reveals significant regional disparities, with Imphal West being the most urbanized and Bishnupur the least. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of social crime data identifies three key patterns: "Anomie Violence," "Marginalized Deviance," and "Economic Strain Deviance," each associated with different regions and types of crime. A comparison of social crime patterns with urban population sizes highlights varying correlations, suggesting complex interactions between demographic changes and crime rates. This analysis underscores the need for targeted urban planning and crime prevention strategies in response to evolving socio-economic dimensions.

How does urban form explain water cooling effect heterogeneity: A case study in Wuhan, China

Water bodies in urban areas are considered to be natural and effective cooling factors that can help mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Previous studies highlighted the cooling effect is determined by the size and landscape of the water bodies. However, it is unclear how the urban form surrounding water bodies influences the water cooling effect received by human activity space. Using high resolution data and a multiple linear regression model, the effect of various 2D/3D urban form factors on the average water cooling intensity (AWCI) and water cooling intensity (WCI) at the fine scale were examined in Wuhan City on hot days. We further verified the spatial heterogeneity of the relationship between urban form factors and WCI according to the distance to and size of adjacent water bodies. The AWCI of the entire surrounding area were correlated with building morphology indicators. Urban form indicators effectively explained the variations of WCI at the fine scale, indicating that a mixture of large building volume density (BVD) with small building density (BD), and an aggregated impervious surface area (ISA) with a complex shape were conducive to WCI. Additionally, building morphology had a larger impact on the cooling effect around small water bodies and in the outer buffer area of water bodies. In comparison, the cooling effect of the area surrounding large water bodies was more affected by the landscape of the ISA. We therefore propose a differentiated urban planning strategy to take full use of the limited water cooling effect.

Leveraging context-adjusted nighttime light data for socioeconomic explanations of global urban resilience

Urban resilience, crucial for achieving sustainable development goals, entails the adaptation and recovery of urban systems from external shocks, such as the recent global pandemic. To investigate the response of urban systems to COVID-19, this study employs context-adjusted nighttime light data to model global urban resilience by combining an evolving urban resilience metric (EURm) with the shape similarity of resilience curves. Random effect analysis and counterfactual explanations are then implemented to explore the socioeconomic impacts on urban resilience during the pandemic, providing strategic insights for improvement. Our results delineate five diverse urban resilience patterns, each characterized by distinct phases of downturn, minimum, and recovery, with examples from Malaysia, Japan, the United States, China, and South Sudan. We also find notable correlations between socioeconomic factors and urban resilience, highlighting that stringent measures may reduce resilience, whereas proactive health and containment strategies could bolster resilience. Meanwhile, economic stress reflected by inflation adversely affects resilience. Furthermore, we delve into strategic socioeconomic modifications to enhance urban resilience using counterfactual explanations, underlining the importance of customized interpretation for varying countries. Overall, this study advances our understanding of urban resilience during global crises, guiding context-specific resilience strategies in urban planning and policy-making.

Built environment professionals’ perceptions of vertical greenery systems: a case of Delhi, India

ABSTRACT This study examines built environment professionals’ perceptions of vertical greenery systems in Delhi, a city confronting rapid urban growth and climate change challenges. Through a detailed mixed-methods approach using an online survey, this study evaluates the perceived benefits and challenges of such systems. The results indicate cautious optimism, with nearly 39% of respondents having prior experience and acknowledging their aesthetic and environmental benefits, including reducing urban heat and improving air quality. However, concerns regarding technical implementation and regular maintenance of vertical greenery systems emerge as significant barriers. This study highlights the critical need for inclusive urban planning strategies that embrace nature-based solutions, such as vertical greenery systems, to combat urban sustainability challenges considering Delhi’s distinctive climate. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of addressing the uncertainty among building owners and policymakers towards adopting these systems, despite their recognized potential for climate change mitigation. The findings advocate for further research and targeted policies to facilitate the broader application of vertical greenery systems, not only in Delhi, but also in urban settings globally facing similar environmental pressures, thereby contributing to the discourse on urban sustainability and climate resilience.

Assessing Immediate and Lasting Impacts of COVID-19-Induced Isolation on Green Space Usage Patterns.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly influenced urban lifestyles, particularly the utilization of green spaces. While existing studies have primarily focused on the immediate effects of COVID-19-induced isolation, less attention has been given to the enduring impacts on green space usage patterns. This study addresses this gap by conducting three comprehensive surveys in Dezhou, China-before, during, and after the first wave of social isolation (December 2019, March 2020, December 2020). These surveys assessed socioeconomic conditions, commuting habits, green space usage habits, and landscape preferences, specifically focusing on usage frequency, duration of stays, and activities undertaken. Using Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman's rho correlations, we identified significant long-term changes, including an increase in the frequency of visits by previously infrequent users, a reduction in visit durations, and a rise in high-intensity activities. These trends persisted 9months post-isolation, highlighting the pandemic's lasting impact on green space usage and its critical role in enhancing public health and pandemic preparedness through thoughtful urban environmental design. This study not only sheds light on behavioral adaptations during a public health crisis but also offers evidence-based strategies for urban planning to bolster societal resilience in the face of future pandemics.

Does supply match demand? Assessing the relationship between urban parks and residents from the perspective of equity and efficiency

The supply-demand relationship between urban parks and residents is a hot topic for promoting sustainable and efficient cities. Most studies have focused on the assessment of spatial equity, while ignoring the evaluation of park use efficiency. Taking Nanjing as an example, we developed specific indicators, namely, the supply intensity of urban park (UPSI), per capita park area (PCPA), usage ratio (UR), and demand satisfaction ratio (DSR), to measure equity and efficiency on the basis mobile phone signalling data. The results show that the service areas of urban parks cover only approximately 4/5 of the urban residences, and that the PCPAs of urban residences were divergent. In addition, most urban parks had unsuitable URs, and the DSRs indicated that most residents’ demand could not be satisfied by the surrounding parks. A spatial lag model (SLM) was introduced to explore the factors influencing residents’ demand. In combination with the literature, we concluded that the disparity between urban park supply and resident demand resulted from the spatial distribution of physical geographic factors, changes in urban planning and development strategies, and the diverse and dynamic demands of urban residents. On the basis of the above results, we further made recommendations for the management and planning of urban parks.

Complex network analysis of climate and landscape satellite data to explore spatio-temporal patterns in urban environment: the case of Athens

Motivated by the significance and complexity of exploring spatiotemporal patterns - regions within an urban environment, particularly in the context of extreme heat events- this research analyzes meteorological time series through complex network analysis. The data collected for the examination area is focused on Athens, Greece, and covers sections of the city’s urban landscape. The data was obtained from the Copernicus observation component of the European Union. Initially, the time series are transformed into networks using correlation network methodology, followed by examination of the discriminative capability of the topological measures of networks degree and modularity as community - region detection methods. Of particular interest is that our findings suggest that the proposed complex network analysis can lead to the extraction of spatial urban regions closely linked to land use and building heights in corresponding areas. These results may help investigate the spatial variability of heat in the urban environment and inform urban planning and management strategies in policy decision-making regarding the intensity of urban heat throughout the city and the planning of climate change adaptation strategies.

Impacts of urbanization on ecosystem carbon cycle: a case study of land use change in Tianjin metropolitan area.

For the sustainable development of the city, in a study of Tianjin's rapid urbanization, we explore the complex interplay between land use change and the ecosystem carbon cycle from 2000 to 2020. Spatial analysis and profit-loss matrix calculations reveal contrasting ecological impacts: expansion of woodlands and grasslands enhances Net Primary Productivity (NPP) and reduces carbon emissions, while urban construction shows the opposite effect. Over 20 years, Tianjin's urban transformation led to a 16.91 GgC decline in NPP amidst a construction boom. However, post-2015 ecological policy shifts resulted in a significant net carbon uptake of 0.85 Gt, demonstrating the potential of policy interventions in mitigating environmental impacts of urbanization. This study underscores the importance of sustainable urban planning and ecological conservation strategies in highly urbanized settings.

Quantifying the cooling effect and benefits of urban parks: A case study of Hangzhou, China

Urban parks are increasingly recognized as effective nature-based solutions for mitigating urban heat in large cities. Although the cooling effect of parks has been thoroughly assessed, comprehensive studies on their cumulative cooling effects remain relatively sparse. Moreover, the benefits of this cooling effect have not yet been fully explored. To address this gap, we selected 220 parks in Hangzhou City to quantify their cooling effects and reveal driving factors. Additionally, we developed indicators for cooling exposure and carbon-saving potential to investigate the livelihood and ecological benefits arise from park cooling. We find that 84 % of these parks demonstrated a cooling effect, with a park cooling intensity, maximum and cumulative cooling intensity of 0.35 °C, 2.35 °C and 0.05 °C, respectively. Notably, there were distinct variations in cooling exposure across neighborhoods, with 57 % of them being less than 0.06 %. Furthermore, the carbon saving potential of all parks was approximately 1.13 × 104 t. In addition, our findings highlight the importance of park perimeter as a critical factor influencing park cooling effects. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the cooling effects and associated benefits of urban parks, highlighting their critical role in urban planning strategies to combat climate change and enhance urban livability.

Spatial characteristics of carbon dioxide emission intensity of urban road traffic and driving factors: Road network and land use

Road traffic is a major contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. The impact of urban road networks and land use on these emissions remains controversial. This study proposed carbon dioxide emission intensity (CEI) based on road network length, analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics of CEI of passenger and freight traffic in the Southern Kanto region of Japan through spatial autocorrelation analysis, and examined the driving effects of urban road network and land use characteristics through Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models. The results showed that the CEI of passenger traffic demonstrated more significant spatial heterogeneity than freight traffic, exhibiting a spatial pattern of high-value clustering in the center and low-value clustering in the peripheral area. Road network characteristics are the primary driving factor for CEI of passenger traffic. A road network with lower density, rich branching streets does not necessarily promote the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The industrial land proportion exerts a stronger and more extensive driving effect on the CEI of freight traffic than road network characteristics. As a specialized study on carbon dioxide emissions from road traffic, this study provides the decision-making criteria for urban planning strategy and urban management to enhance urban sustainable development.

Measuring Traffic Speed Change After the Reallocation of Road Space for Cycling: A Data-Driven Analysis for Bogotá

In recent years, many local authorities have sought to accommodate cycling and active transportation in urban areas by creating dedicated spaces for them. However, densely populated cities face a land shortage, making it challenging to introduce measures such as bike lanes without impacting existing road users. Therefore, understanding the potential impacts of these initiatives is essential for informed decision-making, effective policy formulation, and successful urban planning strategies. In 2020, Bogotá, Colombia introduced extensive bike lanes along important corridors previously exclusively designated for motorized vehicles. The modifications were made possible in response to the unique context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study is to provide a data-driven assessment of the impacts of some of the implemented bike lanes by utilizing traffic speed data from 2019 (prior to the lane modifications) and 2021 (after the modifications). Rigorous statistical analysis and modeling were employed to measure the changes on speed levels of road traffic, on both, the treatment group with modified roads as well as on the control group with non-modified roads within the study area. Due to the intricate factors influencing traffic speeds, spatial relationships between road segments and estimation errors were explicitly accounted for. Findings revealed a maximum speed reduction of 4.5 km/h (equivalent to a 19 % decrease), for users on modified roads. Apart from quantifying the worsened speed conditions because of the reduced road space on treated segments, results also highlight that certain parallel road segments experienced an increase in speed levels. This observation lends support to the intervention and emphasizes the importance of comprehensively assessing the entire road network when considering the implementation of bike lane projects in similar context cities.

Urbanization and Its Environmental Impact on Rangareddy's Peri-Urban Landscape: Insights from Secondary Data

This study investigates the dynamics of urbanization and its environmental implications in peri-urban areas of Rangareddy, focusing on key regions including Shamshabad, Manikonda, Gachibowli, and Shadnagar over the past two decades. Through a comprehensive analysis of land use changes, environmental assessments, socio-economic dynamics, and sustainability challenges, the research highlights significant transformations driven by rapid urban expansion. The findings reveal a notable shift in land use patterns characterized by a substantial increase in residential and commercial developments, leading to a decline in agricultural lands and natural ecosystems. This urban sprawl is fueled by population growth, economic activities, and infrastructural developments, reflecting broader urbanization trends observed across Indian cities. Environmental assessments underscore critical challenges associated with urban growth, including deteriorating air and water quality attributed to increased industrial activities and vehicular emissions. The reduction in green spaces exacerbates environmental concerns such as heat island effects and biodiversity loss, necessitating urgent interventions to integrate sustainable land management practices into urban planning strategies. Demographic shifts in peri-urban Rangareddy reveal accelerated population growth rates, surpassing national averages. While urbanization has brought enhanced access to amenities and economic opportunities, it has also exacerbated socio-economic disparities among residents. Addressing these disparities requires inclusive development strategies that ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities, fostering social cohesion and community resilience. The study identifies critical sustainability challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, water scarcity, and inefficient waste management systems. These challenges underscore the imperative for effective policy interventions and governance frameworks aimed at promoting environmental conservation and enhancing urban resilience. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for integrated urban planning approaches that prioritize green infrastructure development, pollution control measures, and community engagement initiatives. Looking forward, future research should focus on longitudinal studies to monitor urbanization trends and evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions in mitigating environmental impacts and enhancing socio-economic conditions in peri-urban areas. Long-term strategies should emphasize adaptive governance mechanisms, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building to support sustainable urban development goals.

Integrated effect of aspect ratio and tree spacing on pedestrian thermal comfort of street canyon.

Increasing heat stress in urban environments due to climate change has a significant adverse impact on human work and daily life. Street canyons as the main component of the underlying surface of the city and the main place of residents' activities, a comprehensive understanding of street morphology and tree planting practices can help to improve thermal comfort. Based on survey data and field experiments, this study designed 30 scenarios and employed ENVI-met model (version 5.0.3) to quantify the effect of street aspect ratio (H/W: H is building height and W is street width) and tree spacing (TS) on pedestrian thermal comfort in two differently oriented streets (north-south and east-west) in Taiyuan, China. Results showed that H/W ratio and TS significantly influenced the street thermal comfort mainly owing to shading. H/W ratio played a pivotal role in reducing mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) and physiological equivalent temperature (PET), and was negatively correlated with Tmrt and PET. Compared to no-tree scenarios, street trees significantly improved thermal comfort (mean reductions of Tmrt and PET were 12.74℃ and 5.66℃, respectively), and PET and Tmrt were significantly negatively correlated with TS. The improvement effect of street trees on Tmrt and PET in east-west oriented street was better than north-south oriented street. H/W = 1.0 and TS = 6m appeared as the proposed combination to mitigate the summer thermal comfort in the temperate monsoon climate zone. These quantitative results provide new insights into renewal and design strategies for future urban planning.

Exploring Urban Greenery: A Case Study of Roadside Trees in Pokhara Metropolitan City

Roadside trees play a crucial role as important components of urban greenery, significantly enhancing the overall quality of cities and ultimately contributing to the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. This study examines the condition, maintenance, and proximity of roadside trees to electric wire corridors in Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal. This study employs field surveys, categorization based on tree attributes, and mapping techniques to analyze the distribution and characteristics of roadside trees. Out of approximately 1500 trees initially collected, 1435 were processed for further analysis. Trees were classified by species, height, condition, and the presence of fencing or resting structures (Chautaro), with proximity to electric wire corridors also assessed. Findings reveal a significant presence of trees in good condition, predominantly Dhupi, Kapur and Ashoka species, with a notable percentage requiring maintenance. A substantial number of trees were found in close proximity to electric wires, posing potential hazards. Mapping techniques facilitated visualizing the spatial distribution of trees, aiding in urban planning and management strategies. The study underscores the importance of sustainable urban greening practices and the need for proactive measures to address challenges related to tree maintenance and safety in urban environments like Pokhara Metropolitan City. This study emphasizes the pivotal role of roadside trees in enhancing the aesthetic appeal and quality of city life, positioning them as decisive factors in shaping urban environments and fostering a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors.

Comparison of the impact of school environment on body mass index, physical fitness, and mental health among Chinese adolescents: Correlations, risk factors, intermediary effects

Schools offer prospects to enhance adolescent health by encouraging physical activity. This study contributes to the understanding of adolescent health research, drawing on data from physical fitness and mental health surveys conducted in 2015. The participants included 8,967 seventh-grade students across 45 junior high schools in Dalian, China. By employing multilevel analytical models, this research explores the effects of both the school environment and school neighbourhood environment on adolescents’ body mass index (BMI), physical fitness (PF), and mental health (MH). Additionally, we delve into how physical activities (PA) affect these relationships through stepwise regression analysis. The findings indicate that the school setting significantly affects adolescents’ health outcomes. Specifically, BMI is positively correlated with distance to the nearest amusement park. Conversely, it negatively relates to the extent of school green space and playground, the diversity of land use, and sidewalk density. In terms of PF, positive associations were observed with land use mix and the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). However, PF demonstrates negative associations with distance to the nearest parks and beaches. Concerning MH, there is a positive relationship with the proportion of playground, land use mix, sidewalk density, NDVI, and the green view index (GVI). On the contrary, MH is negatively correlated with the distance to park, amusement park, and beach. PA, as an intermediary factor, moderates the relationship between the school environment and both adolescent PF and MH, with mediation effects of 3.713% and 25.193%, respectively. These insights offer valuable theoretical guidance for designing health-promoting schools and urban planning strategies.