The role of blue and green infrastructure in thermal sensation in public urban areas: A case study of summer days in four Czech cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
pp. 102683
Author(s):  
Michal Lehnert ◽  
Marek Brabec ◽  
Martin Jurek ◽  
Vladimír Tokar ◽  
Jan Geletič
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Thermal Sensation

scholarly journals Ecological Connectivity in Agricultural Green Infrastructure:  Suggested Criteria for Fine Scale Assessment and Planning

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 807
Author(s):  
Simone Valeri ◽  
Laura Zavattero ◽  
Giulia Capotorti
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Landscape Heterogeneity ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Spatial Pattern Analysis ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Unique Type

In promoting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service capacity, landscape connectivity is considered a critical feature to counteract the negative effects of fragmentation. Under a Green Infrastructure (GI) perspective, this is especially true in rural and peri-urban areas where a high degree of connectivity may be associated with the enhancement of agriculture multifunctionality and sustainability. With respect to GI planning and connectivity assessment, the role of dispersal traits of tree species is gaining increasing attention. However, little evidence is available on how to select plant species to be primarily favored, as well as on the role of landscape heterogeneity and habitat quality in driving the dispersal success. The present work is aimed at suggesting a methodological approach for addressing these knowledge gaps, at fine scales and for peri-urban agricultural landscapes, by means of a case study in the Metropolitan City of Rome. The study area was stratified into Environmental Units, each supporting a unique type of Potential Natural Vegetation (PNV), and a multi-step procedure was designed for setting priorities aimed at enhancing connectivity. First, GI components were defined based on the selection of the target species to be supported, on a fine scale land cover mapping and on the assessment of land cover type naturalness. Second, the study area was characterized by a Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) and connectivity was assessed by Number of Components (NC) and functional connectivity metrics. Third, conservation and restoration measures have been prioritized and statistically validated. Notwithstanding the recognized limits, the approach proved to be functional in the considered context and at the adopted level of detail. Therefore, it could give useful methodological hints for the requalification of transitional urban–rural areas and for the achievement of related sustainable development goals in metropolitan regions.

Understanding the Role of Urban Morphology and Green Areas Configuration During Heat Waves

2020 ◽  
pp. 502-517
Author(s):  
Marialuce Stanganelli ◽  
Carlo Gerundo
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
Planning Strategies

This paper focuses on urban planning strategies to adapt cities to the increasing rising of temperatures during summer heat waves. The main target is to investigate which configuration and distribution pattern of green spaces could effectively improve natural cooling of urban environments. Although the benefit that green areas give to natural cooling is well known, this kind of studies has hardly been carried out, especially at an urban scale where it is crucial to define quantities and density of green areas to address open spaces design. To reach this goal, a methodology based on the interpretation of the statistical correlation among temperature, urban parameters and green areas configurational indicators was implemented and applied to the case study of the Municipality of Naples, performing all the analysis in a GIS. Results provide guidelines to improve natural cooling in urban areas adopting the most effective configuration and distribution of green areas within a densely-built context.

scholarly journals Understanding self-organization and formal institutions in peri-urban transformations: A case study from Beijing

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-303
Author(s):  
Shuhai Zhang ◽  
Gert de Roo ◽  
Ward Rauws
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Formal Institutions ◽  
Rural Village ◽  
Urban Transformations ◽  
The Impact

This article explores the mechanisms of urban self-organization and the role of formal institutions in shaping peri-urban areas. A case study of Gaobeidian, a former rural village that is now part of Beijing, examines the mechanisms of change and the interdependent relations between institutions and bottom-up initiatives that drive peri-urban transformations. The paper presents two main contributions: (1) it identifies the differences between government-controlled planning, shared governance, self-governance and self-organization and how these intertwine in urban transformations; (2) it proposes three distinct roles played by institutions in relation to self-organization: triggering, constraining and enabling. The empirical study of this Chinese case will enrich the current debate on planning for self-organizing cities by revealing the impact of, and the various responses to, self-organization dynamics in a hierarchical institutional environment.

scholarly journals ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE URBANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE IN LONDON THROUGH CHANGE OF USE AND FUNCTIONS OF ARCHITECTURE

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 11-21
Author(s):  
Danijela Rogina ◽  
◽  
Radivoje Dinulović ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
Urban Forms ◽  
National Theatre ◽  
Sustainable Urbanization ◽  
Key Aspects

The human population is currently on the rise and most Europeans live in urban areas, leading to increased urbanization. The change comes with its challenges, as cities, architecture, and urban spaces need to become more fluid, multi-functional, and innovative. This paper examines whether a change of use of public spaces, and functions of architectural and urban forms, can be used as an element in the implementation of sustainable urbanization. The theoretical framework of this paper focuses on literature findings relating to identified key aspects such as innovative approaches in changes of use — recycling and upcycling, green infrastructure and financial aspects, concepts of “right of the place”, and public participation. These aspects are addressed on both theoretical and practical levels, with the National Theatre in London as a case study. Findings convey that the change of use of spaces can be utilized to achieve sustainable urbanization, together with the management of functions and uses of architectural and urban forms. However, further research is needed with various stakeholders to identify a solid and inherent database, as a foundation on which the most optimal urban spaces would emerge, by identifying new functions and uses of urban space and architecture.

Unlocking the Potential: The Role of Universities in Pursuing Regeneration and Promoting Sustainable Communities

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Robinson ◽  
Neil Adams
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Sustainable Communities ◽  
Regional Economies ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Fresh Impetus ◽  
The Impact

The election of New Labour in 1997 gave fresh impetus to the regeneration and community engagement agendas, and these are clearly central pillars in the Government's drive for sustainable communities. As major institutions in many towns and cities, universities can potentially play a major role in the development of our urban areas and make a significant contribution to the creation of sustainable communities. This paper examines the contribution of universities to urban regeneration and to local communities in England. Whilst there have been numerous case studies assessing the impact of specific universities on local and regional economies and wider research on the impact of universities on the national economy, there has generally been little attention given to their contribution to wider regeneration aims. Rather than adopting a case study approach, the research has focused on a nationwide survey generating quantitative and qualitative data to assess how universities perceive their role within this wider context, the extent to which they have become involved in such initiatives and possible barriers to such involvement. The research indicates that whilst many universities in England have been involved in regeneration and community initiatives, there is potential for more substantial and influential involvement, which could have significant benefits for the country's deprived areas and communities.

scholarly journals Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Green Infrastructure in an Agricultural Peri-Urban Area: A Case Study of Baisha District in Zhengzhou, China

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 801
Author(s):  
Hua Xia ◽  
Shidong Ge ◽  
Xinyu Zhang ◽  
Gunwoo Kim ◽  
Yakai Lei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Dynamic Assessment ◽  
Ecological Security ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Security Research

Quantifying the dynamics of green infrastructure (GI) in agricultural peri-urban areas is of great significance to the regional ecological security, food security, and the sustainable development of urban integration. Based on remote sensing images, this study aims to provide a spatiotemporal dynamic assessment of the GI in Baisha District from 2007 to 2018 to improve the layout of GI and planning policies from the perspective of ecological security and food security. Research methods include landscape pattern indices, spatial autocorrelations, and grid analyses in this case study. The results suggest that ensuring the dominant position of farmland is critical to maintaining the composition and connectivity of the overall GI. The recreation, inheritance of farming culture, and ecosystem service functions of farmland should be improved to meet the growing needs of urban residents. GI includes the farmland, greenspace, and wetland on both sides of the Jialu River that should be retained and restored as much as possible to protect natural ecological processes. Simultaneously, construction of important urban facilities and residential areas in flooded areas should be banned. A part of the evenly distributed large greenspace patches should be moved to both sides of the Jialu River to increase the agglomeration effect of GI. Optimization measures in this case study also offer a perspective for other agricultural peri-urban areas that have experienced similar urbanization.

scholarly journals URBAN SUFISM: A CASE STUDY OF TASAWUF PRACTICES IN THE UICCI STUDENTS OF SULAIMANIYAH CIPUTAT

Teosofia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Muhammad Akmal Falah
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Boarding School ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Religious Knowledge ◽  
Muslim Students ◽  
Spiritual Path

<p><em>The phenomenon of the emergence of a higher interest in studying religious knowledge with a spiritual path began to develop in society. This cannot be separated from the role of the tarekat in the midst of urban life. People in urban areas who study religious knowledge and learn about Sufism in urban areas are then better known as "urban Sufism". The existence of an institution that facilitates students who want to explore religious knowledge while learning Sufism, UICCI Islamic Boarding School branch Sulaimaiyah Ciputat, located in Ciputat, South Tangerang, is a place for Muslim students who want to study religious knowledge and also Sufism. Most students in this pesantren are students from various fields and majors from various universities which are dominated by UIN Jakarta students. This pesantren has its own privileges compared to several other pesantren around it, namely that they practice the teachings of Sufism with the Naqsyabandiyah order as its basic foundation. </em></p>

scholarly journals The Role of Urban Slums in the Evolution of Megacities: A case of Nima and Old Fadama, Accra, Ghana

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunice Yorgri ◽  
◽  
Leng Hong ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
National Development ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Cultural Economic ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sustainable Planning ◽  
Volta Region

Urban areas are contributing unprecedentedly in modelling the social, cultural, economic, environmental and physical development of the globe as they are perceived as basket of opportunities to the poor. This phenomenon has undoubtedly resulted in the influx of poor migrants particularly in the global south and consequently causing the proliferation of slums. This is indirectly influencing the growth of megacities due to increasing population amidst limited infrastructure. So far, limited research has been conducted into the role of poor rural migrants in contributing to the growth of megacities. The study also attempted to propose sustainable planning strategies in guiding future urban planning. The case study used both primary and secondary data collection methods. In all, 304 questionnaires were administered in April 2017 (Nima=146 and Old Fadama=158). From the study, 46% of the respondents in Nima hail from the Northern part of Ghana and 14% from the Volta Region. On the other hand, 49% of the respondents in Old Fadama come from the Northern part of Ghana and 22% from the Volta Region. Both Nima and Old Fadama have high figures on migrant population which means a fair contribution to the growth of Accra as a megacity. Therefore, spatial equality through a comprehensive, integrated and universal national development(UND) covering all sectors should be employed. Also, economic opportunities upgrading which is essential for slum and rural communities in Ghana should be considered. Further research on how cities in Ghana are planning towards becoming megacities is prudent.

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