Urban Shelter Research Articles

A multicriteria decision model to improve emergency preparedness: Locating-allocating urban shelters against floods

The increasing prominence of natural disasters in recent years has made emergency disaster management one of the main challenges for building resilient societies. This way, the warming combination with human-induced urban interventions with climate change reshapes the strategic decision-making that public managers must deal with to promote safety and preparedness. Consequently, it implies complex situations under uncertainty that comprise conflicting dilemmas about which decision-makers (DMs) should establish trade-offs. Given this backdrop, this work proposes a risk-based multidimensional model for assessing urban shelter location against flood risk with Decision Analysis and Multi-Attribute Utility Theory. By using principles of the Queue Theory, the decision model undertakes four criteria that measure in a probabilistic manner the alternatives’ performance when considering urban flood disaster evacuation routes in affected areas. Altogether, it enables the DM to establish his/her preferences with views to rank potential locations for mounting temporary shelters and for planning emergency preparedness in risky areas. Being replicable to any urban context, our proposal has the potential to support and promote the development and implementation of crisis protocols consisting of measures to reduce flood impacts and adapt critical areas to climate change. From a numerical application of the proposed model, the DM is encouraged to explore graphical and tabular visualization tools, as well as sensitivity analysis, to establish in strategic terms how to design and implement emergency shelters to reduce flood risks in urban areas effectively.

Locating the Optimal Areas for Multipurpose Urban Shelters Based on the Principles of Passive Defense in Isfahan, Iran

Locating the Optimal Areas for Multipurpose Urban Shelters Based on the Principles of Passive Defense in Isfahan, Iran

Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in Homeless People from Urban Shelters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2023).

Homeless people (HP) are disproportionally affected by respiratory disorders, including pneumococcal and mycobacterial infections. On the contrary, more limited evidence has been previously gathered on influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and very little is known about the occurrence of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of respiratory tract infections among children and the elderly. The present systematic review was designed to collect available evidence about RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections in HP, focusing on those from urban homeless shelters. Three medical databases (PubMed, Embase and Scopus) and the preprint repository medRxiv.org were therefore searched for eligible observational studies published up to 30 December 2023, and the collected cases were pooled in a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistics. Reporting bias was assessed by funnel plots and a regression analysis. Overall, 31 studies were retrieved, and of them, 17 reported on the point prevalence of respiratory pathogens, with pooled estimates of 4.91 cases per 1000 HP (95%CI: 2.46 to 9.80) for RSV, 3.47 per 1000 HP for influenza and 40.21 cases per 1000 HP (95%CI: 14.66 to 105.55) for SARS-CoV-2. Incidence estimates were calculated from 12 studies, and SARS-CoV-2 was characterized by the highest occurrence (9.58 diagnoses per 1000 persons-months, 95%CI: 3.00 to 16.16), followed by influenza (6.07, 95%CI: 0.00 to 15.06) and RSV (1.71, 95%CI: 0.00 to 4.13). Only four studies reported on the outcome of viral infections in HP: the assessed pathogens were associated with a high likelihood of hospitalization, while high rates of recurrence and eventual deaths were reported in cases of RSV infections. In summary, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections were documented in HP from urban shelters, and their potential outcomes stress the importance of specifically tailored preventive strategies.

Algorithm for planning shelters in oil and gas energy resource-based cities based on artificial intelligence resilient city model

Cities based on oil and gas energy resources are crucial to energy production and economic development, but they also face various disasters and security risks. To ensure the safety and well-being of urban residents during disaster events, the planning of urban shelters is crucial. In this paper, comprehensively considering multiple factors such as disaster risk, population distribution, and convenient transportation, the artificial bee colony algorithm is used to optimize the site selection and capacity planning of shelters. By comprehensively evaluating the disaster resistance capacity of urban refuges, the response speed of residents and other related indicators, the planning algorithm of refuges is continuously optimized to better meet the needs of oil and gas energy resource-based cities. The results of the study showed that the average overall disaster resilience of AI-based urban shelters reached 0.64. When the distance to the shelter was 4 km, the average response speed of residents reached 10.22 min, and other indicators also improved. The research shows that the oil and gas energy urban refuge planning algorithm based on the artificial intelligence elastic city model provides an innovative approach for urban planners and disaster managers. Further research and practice will help promote the application of this algorithm in real cities, improving the resilience and disaster resistance of cities and the safety and security level of residents.

The Lives of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors during their Transit Stay in Greece

Abstract This article explores daily threats in the lives of unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) in Greece. The aim is to stimulate debate and understanding in the context of growing forced migration. Our observations, arguments, and conclusions are primarily informed by critical discussion of politics, policies, and legislation of the European Union, Greece, and international treaties on human rights. Our analysis also draws upon impressions from site visits and interviews with social workers at urban shelters and supervised apartments of semi-independent living (SILs) on the Greek mainland. Aspects related to the social quality of URMs’ daily circumstances include quality of accommodation, presence of contact persons, sense of safety and security, and social inclusion. Vulnerabilities related to the insecurities of temporary transit status are central. The availability of formal and informal services providing care, protection, recovery, education, sports, and well-being is essential. The social quality perspective frames our analysis and interpretation.

A two-stage hierarchical model for spatial location and evacuation allocation problem of urban earthquake shelters: a case study in Central urban area of Yangbi county, Yunnan province, China

The scientific planning of urban shelters can greatly reduce property losses and casualties, and can improve the efficiency and safety of post-disaster evacuation. Based on the hierarchical characteristics of shelters and the shortcomings of previous studies on evacuation demands and blocked roads, this study proposes a two-stage multi-hierarchy planning method for shelters. In the first stage, the construction cost of shelters is taken as the objective function to complete the spatial configuration of shelters. In the second stage, the evacuation allocation model for refugees is established, which minimizes the total evacuation distance. The planning method also establishes the calculation method for dynamic high-precision refuge demands, and considers the blockage of evacuation roads caused by damaged buildings. The traditional genetic algorithm is improved and hierarchical 0-1 coding is adopted to solve the spatial configuration model of hierarchical shelters. An “exchange” heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve the hierarchical evacuation allocation model. Finally, Yangbi County in Yunnan Province, China, is taken as an empirical case to verify the applicability and accuracy of the proposed method. When the algorithm iterates to 150 rounds, the fitness function value converges to 3040675, indicating that 61 new shelters should be constructed to satisfy the refuge demands, and the minimum construction cost of these shelters is 3,040,675 RMB. The minimum evacuation distances in the first, second, and third evacuation stages are determined to be 51645192, 17351731, and 16136090 m, respectively.

The Cooling Station: Combining hydronic radiant cooling and daytime radiative cooling for urban shelters

Global warming has tried the world with challenges like increased cooling energy demand, heatwaves, and unbearable summers, with accentuated nuances in dense urban areas. Here heat island effects are most pronounced and heat-safe pockets are a necessity rather than a comfort. Bus stops can act as shelters for commuters with the advantage of usually being well distributed across the cities in the form of semi-enclosed spaces. Daytime radiative cooling is a novel technology that enables free cooling of a substance under direct solar radiation. In this study, radiative cooling is combined with the hydronic radiant cooling technology in the integrated design of the Cooling Station, a bus shelter capable of providing energy-free urban thermal comfort throughout the summer. The study aims at evaluating the effect of geometry, orientation, surrounding elements, and climate on the performance of the Cooling Station. It is found that humidity and surrounding buildings diminish the performance of the radiative cooling panels, but the penalty can be significantly mitigated by applying non-reciprocal asymmetric transmission windows on top of the panels. The results indicate that the optimized design of the Cooling Station is capable of decreasing the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) by up to 10 °C in the considered scenario of a mid-rise area in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Further, the performance evaluation across all Köppen-Geiger climate classes demonstrates that in hot and semi-arid climates, the Cooling Station develops its full potential.

The implementation of a smoking cessation and alcohol abstinence intervention for people experiencing homelessness

BackgroundIn the United States, eighty percent of the adult homeless population smokes cigarettes compared to 15 percent of the general population. In 2017 Power to Quit 2 (PTQ2), a randomized clinical trial, was implemented in two urban homeless shelters in the Upper Midwest to address concurrent smoking cessation and alcohol treatment among people experiencing homelessness. A subset of this study population were interviewed to assess their experiences of study intervention. The objective of this study was to use participants’ experiences with the intervention to inform future implementation efforts of combined smoking cessation and alcohol abstinence interventions, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).MethodsQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 PTQ2 participants between 2016–2017 and analyzed in 2019. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a socially constructivist approach to grounded theory.ResultsParticipants described the PTQ2 intervention in positive terms. Participants valued the opportunity to obtain both counseling and nicotine-replacement therapy products (intervention characteristics) and described forming a bond with the PTQ2 staff and reliance on them for emotional support and encouragement (characteristics of individuals). However, the culture of alcohol use and cigarette smoking around the shelter environment presented a serious challenge (outer setting). The study setting and the multiple competing needs of participants were reported as the most challenging barriers to implementation (implementation process).ConclusionThere are unique challenges in addressing smoking cessation with people experiencing homelessness. For those in shelters there can be the difficulty of pro-smoking norms in and around the shelter itself. Considering pairing cessation with policy level interventions targeting smoke-free spaces, or pairing cessation with housing support efforts may be worthwhile.. Participants described a discord in their personal goals of reduction compared with the study goals of complete abstinence, which may pose a challenge to the ways in which success is defined for people experiencing homelessness.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov, NCT01932996, registered 08/30/2013.

Optimization of Urban Shelter Locations Using Bi-Level Multi-Objective Location-Allocation Model.

Recently, global natural disasters have occurred frequently and caused serious damage. As an important urban space resource and public service facility, the reasonable planning and layout optimization of shelters is very important to reduce the disaster loss and improve the sustainable development of cities. Based on the review of location theory and models for shelter site selection, this study constructs a bi-level multi-objective location-allocation model, an accessibility, economy, and efficiency (AEE) model, based on sequential decision logic to maximize the economic sustainability and social utility. The model comprehensively considers factors such as the level of decision-making, the utilization efficiency, and capacity constraints of shelters. The gravity model is introduced to simulate the decision-making behavior of evacuees. A calculation example and its solution prove the high practicability and operability of the AEE model in an actual shelter site selection and construction investment, which can achieve the global optimization of evacuation time and the maximization of the use efficiency of the shelters under the financial constraints. It provides a scientific and effective decision-making method for the multi-objective location optimization problem of shelters.

Traumatic Brain Injury Screening and the Unmet Health Needs of Shelter-Seeking Women with Head Injuries Related to Intimate Partner Violence.

Background: Unmet health needs of women with head injuries sustained by intimate partner violence (IPV) include risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The purpose of this evaluation was to explore the potential effectiveness of TBI screening as a health promotion strategy for shelter-seeking women with IPV head injuries. We wanted to learn if shelter-seeking women, willing to disclose IPV, would accept TBI screening if offered.Methods: An extended version of the HELPS TBI screening tool and survey of daily symptoms and health needs were used to screen new residents of an urban shelter for women.Results: The participants (N = 18) primarily were educated black women with one or more self-reported IPV-related head injury. Most participants (77.8%) had positive TBI screens for probable brain injury. The majority (88.8%) lived with one or more daily symptoms they did not have before sustaining a IPV head injury. The symptoms reported most frequently were depression (88.9%), anxiety (77.8%), and headache (66.7%). All participants had one or more unmet health need. Although most (77.8%) needed to see a primary care provider, mental health care was the most important health need identified.Conclusions: TBI screening could be considered an effective health promotion strategy for IPV survivors if screening facilitates treatment for positive screens and other unmet health needs. Further research is needed to properly assess this.

Housing Policies: The Experiences and Constraints of Housing Industry in Ghana

Ghana housing policies in the pre- and post- independence have not been consistent and sustainable. Whiles the colonial government adopted self-help projects and piloted research findings, policies after independence focused on social housing, affordable housing and Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The impact of these policies did not improve the performance of the main stakeholders in the housing industry, thereby resulting to inadequate houses in most communities in Ghana. The research sought to identify the main challenges encountered by stakeholders in relation to government housing policies. The study adopted the exploratory and thematic literature review to ascertain the experiences and constraints faced by the Housing Industry (HI) in Ghana in relation to Ghana Housing Policies (GHP). The principle of demand and supply which determine the price mechanism in the housing market constitutes the theoretical orientation of the study. As such, challenges created by the housing policies in Ghana were related to the factors of demand and supply, principle of price mechanism and experiences of the global world and well as increase in urban shelter deviant rate. A comprehensive analysis was undertaken to reveal key findings on the challenges of the individual stakeholders namely households, financial institutions, estate developers and government land sector agencies. It was realized that prices of houses in Ghana were high in relation to households’ incomes. And that, the loan requirements of mortgage institutions of payment of 30% deposit, 50% monthly mortgage and 10 years mortgage term were unbearable by most households. It was recommended that estate developers should undertake demand assessment of households and the government should implement sustainable policies, hence reduce urban shelter deviant rate.

Managing free-roaming cats in U.S. cities: An object lesson in public policy and citizen action

ABSTRACT Citizens expect local elected and appointed officials to make, implement, and evaluate public policy. In recent years, citizen efforts to increase the number of companion animals leaving U.S. animal shelters alive have received considerable attention from animal welfare advocates, the mainstream media, and policymakers. Among the greatest challenges for urban shelters, where the most unowned, free-roaming cats are found, is how best to manage “community” cats. Three policy options have been identified: eradication, impoundment followed by lethal injection of cats not adopted (sometimes referred to as “trap-and-kill”), and trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR). Since governments at the state and local level are directly involved in any policy or decision-making strategy to manage community cats, public opinion and taxpayer-funded initiatives are important factors in policy making, especially in light of the recent push for “no-kill” animal shelters (i.e., where live outcomes are provided for 90% or more of the animals entering a facility).

Population Characteristics of Cats Adopted from an Urban Cat Shelter and the Influence of Physical Traits and Reason for Surrender on Length of Stay.

Simple SummaryEvery year, millions of cats are admitted to shelters around the world. Reducing the amount of time that cats stay in a shelter environment (length of stay, LOS) promotes animal welfare by reducing illness and stress, as well as supporting more efficient use of shelter resources. Understanding the factors that might influence LOS supports evidence-based interventions aimed at improving the flow of animals through shelters. Whether the same factors affect LOS in shelters of different types and from different geographic regions is poorly understood. We studied cats adopted from an urban shelter in Sydney, Australia, and found that stray cats have a longer LOS than owner-relinquished cats, supporting the results of previous studies. Surprisingly, in contrast to the widely held view that black cats stay in shelters longer than white cats, the opposite was true here—overall, white cats stayed longer than black cats in the shelter, even when other factors such as age were taken into consideration. Shelters might consider analyzing their own data, where possible, to inform strategies to reduce LOS.Measures aimed at reducing the length of stay (LOS) of cats in shelters can promote animal welfare and more efficient use of resources. The extent to which variables shown to impact LOS are broadly applicable is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe a population of cats adopted from an urban shelter, and to analyze the association between potential predictor variables and LOS. A study cohort was identified retrospectively from shelter records (n = 2584), 48.8% of which were < 12 weeks old at admission, and 80.7% were stray. Among 445 cats relinquished by owners, reasons for surrender were primarily owner-related (87.2%). Overall, reason for surrender and coat color were significantly associated with LOS. Hazard ratios showed that all reasons for surrender for owner-relinquished cats were associated with a shorter LOS than stray cats and this association was significant (p < 0.05) for all except cat behavioral or medical reasons. In contrast to previous reports, white cats had a significantly (p < 0.05) longer LOS than black cats. This study highlights an important role for shelter-specific baseline data to inform and measure the effect of interventional studies aimed at improving animal welfare by reducing LOS in shelter-housed cats

Urban homelessness and baseras/shelters: an evaluative study conducted during winter in NCT Delhi

ABSTRACT The relentless winters in Delhi compel many urban homeless to nestle in shelters run by the Delhi Government with the aid of non-governmental organizations. However, many still chose not to stay in those shelters. With Supreme Court of India’s directive following the spur in death toll of homeless due to dipping mercury, it becomes imperative to appraise the living conditions of the shelter homes in Delhi so that no homeless sleeps rough. This study has assessed the initiatives taken by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to upgrade the quality of life of the homeless. In this primary study, 21 caretakers and 72 inmates from 21 baseras situated in all 11 districts of Delhi were selected based on convenience and purposive sampling and interviewed. The thematic analysis is done to evaluate the facilities provided to shelter seekers including safety and security, the developments that have come up in the recent past, and the reasons for homelessness. Based on findings of this empirical study, recommendations have been put forward for the policymakers. To conclude, the authorities have overhauled persistently in improvising the living standards of homeless in Delhi but a lot more needs to be done.

'Sustainable Urban Shelter': Erectable within a Shared Used Facility when the Government Doesn’t Have a Budget

Ecumenopolis: town committed regarding the entire planet; is the hypothetical notion concerning a planet-wide city. The word used to be invented in 1967 by means of the Greek metropolis designer Constantinos Doxiadis in imitation of signify the idea that including day town areas then megalopolises would finally center or at that place would be an odd continuous international town as a progression beside the cutting-edge urbanization, population growth, transport, then ethnical networks. This notion was in the meanwhile contemporary among learning narrative among 1942, along Trantor into the Foundation series. When committed public, Doxiadis' concept concerning stability ecumenopolis seemed close longevity in imitation of science fiction, however lately is surprisingly pertinent in accordance to geography researchers Pavle Stamenovic, Dunja Predic & Davor Eres, especially then of globalization and Europeanization The Humanitarian Charter is worried about the most necessities for continuing the lives and respect of those influenced by disaster or strife, as reflected in the collection of worldwide human rights, compassionate and displaced person law. In helpful reaction, Asylum and settlement are recognizable terms that fall inside how much the privilege to lodging, which is cherished in human rights law. Everybody has the privilege of due lodging. This privilege is perceived in worldwide legitimate instruments and incorporates the privilege to live in security, harmony, and pride, and with the security of residency. Key parts of the privilege to lodging incorporate the accessibility of administrations, offices, materials, and framework; moderateness; tenability; openness; area; and Social fittingness. Ideal to lodging likewise reach out to merchandise and ventures, for example, maintainable access to characteristic and normal assets; safe drinking water; vitality for cooking, warming, and lighting; sanitation and washing offices; methods for nourishment stockpiling; reject transfer; site seepage; and crisis administrations. Everyone ought to have sufficient space and assurance from cool, clammy heat, downpour, wind or different dangers to well-being, auxiliary risks, and sickness vectors. The suitable sitting of settlements and lodging ought to give access to medicinal service's administrations, schools, youngster care focuses and other social offices and occupation openings. How lodging is built, the structure materials utilized, and the arrangements supporting these must properly empower the declaration of social character and assorted variety of lodgings. A town committed regarding the entire planet.

Barriers to urban shelter self-recovery in Philippines and Nepal: lessons for humanitarian policy and practice

Barriers to urban shelter self-recovery in Philippines and Nepal: lessons for humanitarian policy and practice

Surge dynamics of disaster displaced populations in temporary urban shelters: future challenges and management issues

Shelters are additional arrangements in a complex urban system to accommodate displaced populations following any major hazards. Standard shelters are designed to provide basic services to support a normal life by ensuring the security, privacy, and dignity of the affected community. In a complex urban system, rather than staying as an isolated entity, shelter facilities act as an integrated part of urban dynamics influenced by other elements and leaving challenges for future management. This research found three major domains—urban settlements, urban slums, and peri-urban areas from where population surge directed to the temporary shelter in Ratna Park/Tundikhel. It is also observed that drivers of population surge are unique for different domains based on disaster consequences and socio-economic conditions of the communities. Quality of basic survives and their accessibility influenced in evacuation decision making by the disaster-displaced population. Based on the observations and findings, this article proposed two conceptual models/frameworks: (1) comprehensive shelter surge model, and (2) system dynamic model for temporary shelter operation and management in the urban environment.

Effect of Visitor Perspective on Adoption Decisions at One Animal Shelter

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the visitor experience at one urban animal shelter. While several previous studies have examined the reasons particular nonhuman animals are chosen by adopters, few have investigated the possible reasons one would visit a shelter and leave without adopting. Over a two-month period, 158 visitors were surveyed after they were finished touring the shelter. One quarter of those exiting the shelter had adopted a pet (companion animal) compared to 11% who had been planning to adopt that day but did not. Almost 20% of survey respondents were just visiting with no plans for pet adoption either that day or in the near future. Being affectionate and friendly were important characteristics sought by potential adopters, although non-adopters reported more frequently than adopters that the animal’s reaction to them was important. Shelters should work toward increasing chances for pets to connect and interact with visitors and focus on educating and retaining the interest of those who are not quite ready for a new pet.

Biomechanically Inspired Machines, Driven by Muscle Like Acting NiTi Alloys

The Shape of the Memory Alloy (SMA) is a very promising class of metallic materials with interesting non-linear properties such as Pseudo-Elasticity (PE), memory (MEM) and damping capacity due to high mechanical hysteresis and internal friction. Research shows a bioinventory approach to Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) design, a class of intelligent materials capable of reacting to a pulse (thermal for SMA) with shrinkage. Martensitic transformations in shape-effect crystals under the effect of external forces lead to large deformations of an inelastic nature. In some materials, these reversible deformations are in the range from one digit to at least two digits. The recovery of accumulated inelastic deformation and, as a consequence, the return to the original shape of the body can occur both in the process of unloading at a constant temperature (superelastic effect) and in heating (a form memory effect). Both effects are exciting with regard to their application in compact servomotors when heating the effect of shape memory generates stresses in most materials. If the shape memory alloy faces any shape recovery resistance, it can generate reactive force. The importance of this effect in technical applications is that the reactive force significantly exceeds the force that caused the initial change of shape. This can be used to produce a useful mechanical work. The biomechanically inspired machine that is discussed in the paper refers to pairs of muscle antagonists that are part of the skeletal muscles and are usually arranged in opposition so that a group of muscles contractors another group that relaxes or prolongs. The study proposes a model, a solution not only to design a specific application but also to provide an approach to be used for a wide range of adaptive applications (switching windows, intelligent shadows, parking and urban shelters, etc.). The shape changes in response to various external stimuli. The use of pairs of antagonists provides a solution for SMA-optimized systems where the main and proven advantages are: Easier and quicker shape change, the energy requirement for system operation, lower costs for SMA training and lack of overheating problems.

Urban homeless shelters in India: Miseries untold and promises unmet

An urban shelter is designed to offer refuge to homeless people and access to basic services like drinking water, sanitation and safety. This research paper aims to critically appraise condition of such shelters, vis-à-vis common services mandated to be provided at each shelter by the Supreme Court of India. A survey of shelters was conducted in four cities of Uttar Pradesh (viz., Allahabad, Varanasi, Lucknow and Agra) spanning a sample of 426 shelter-inmates. Analysis has been done in two stages: evaluation of common services on the basis of their significance as perceived by inhabitants, and assessment of significant services to check their availability and functionality. Factor analysis has clubbed nineteen such services under five factors (named as: entitlement to schemes, hygiene & recreation, cooking support system, ambience, and drinking water & conservancy). Findings reveal large scale unavailability of services and bring to light the appalling condition of shelters in the cities surveyed. This study may be useful in framing a focused policy for providing shelters to homeless people in urban areas by identifying services considered significant by inmates and ensuring availability of such services.