The impact of urban form on disaster resiliency

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Irajifar ◽  
Neil Sipe ◽  
Tooran Alizadeh
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Form Factors ◽  
High Density ◽  
Disaster Resilience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Land Use Mix ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper examines the impact of urban form on disaster resiliency. The literature shows a complex relationship between urban form factors such as density and diversity and disaster recovery. The empirical analysis in this paper tests the impact of land use mix, population density, building type and diversity on the reconstruction progress in three, six and nine months after the 2010 flood in Brisbane and Ipswich as proxies of disaster resilience. Considerable debate exists on whether urban form factors are the causal incentive or are they mediating other non-urban form causal factors such as income level. In view of this, the effects of a series of established non-urban form factors such as income and tenure, already known as effective factors on disaster resilience, are controlled in the analysis. Design/methodology/approach The structure of this paper is based on a two-phase research approach. In the first phase, for identification of hypothetical relationships between urban form and disaster resiliency, information was gathered from different sources on the basis of theory and past research findings. Then in phase two, a database was developed to test these hypothetical relationships, employing statistical techniques (including multivariate regression and correlation analysis) in which disaster recovery was compared among 76 suburbs of Brisbane and Ipswich with differing levels of population density and land use mix. Findings The results indicate that population density is positively related to disaster resilience, even when controlling for contextual variables such as income level and home ownership. The association between population density and disaster reconstruction is non-linear. The progress of reconstruction to population density ratio increases from low, medium to high densities, while in very low and very high density areas the reconstruction progress does not show the same behavior, which suggests that medium-high density is the most resilient. Originality/value The originality of this paper is in extracting hypothetical relationships between urban form and resiliency and testing them with real world data. The results confirmed the contribution of density to recovery process in this case study. This illustrates the importance of attention to disaster resiliency measures from the early stages of design and planning in development of resilient urban communities.

Evaluating the effect of compact urban form on air quality in Korea

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Eun Kang ◽  
D.K. Yoon ◽  
Hyun-Joo Bae
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Planning ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Urban Land Use ◽  
Theil Index ◽  
Ozone Pollution ◽  
Ozone Concentrations ◽  
Land Use Mix

Air quality is affected by the interplay between emission sources and urban planning factors such as land use, built environment, development pattern, and transportation. Few empirical studies have been conducted to determine the influence of urban form characteristics on air quality in Korea. Thus, the purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between urban form and air pollution, focusing on ozone pollution in Korea. The characteristics of urban form include density, concentration, clustering, and land use mix. In this study, those characteristics were measured by population density, the Theil index, Moran’s I index, G-statistic values, and an entropy index using statistical methods and a geographic information system. We employed a spatial regression model to consider the spatial effects of ozone concentrations. We found that the degree of urban land use mix, clustering, and concentration of development are significantly associated with better air quality by using a spatial lag model, which was found to be the best fit for the data used in this study. However, an increase in population density was found to be associated with exacerbated ozone concentrations. Communities with higher daily temperatures, a large number of cars, and polluting facilities exhibited poor air quality, while those with a larger percentage of residential land use tended to have lower ozone pollution. These findings suggest that, to properly address concerns over air quality, mixed-land use and compact urban form need to be more seriously considered in sustainable urban planning.

Rubber specialization vs crop diversification: the roles of perceived risks

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Min ◽  
Jikun Huang ◽  
Hermann Waibel
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of farmers’ risk perceptions regarding rubber farming on their land use choices, including rubber specialization and crop diversification. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey data of some 600 smallholder rubber farmers in Xishuangbanna in Southwest China is employed. This paper develops a general conceptual framework that incorporates a subjective risk item into a model of farmers’ land use choices, thereby developing four econometric models to estimate the role of risk perceptions, and applies instrumental variables to control for the endogeneity of risk perceptions. Findings The results demonstrate that risk perceptions play an important role in smallholders’ decision-making regarding land use strategies to address potential risks in rubber farming. Smallholders with higher risk perceptions specialize in rubber farming less often and are more likely to diversify their land use, thereby contributing to local environmental conservation in terms of agrobiodiversity. The land use choices of smallholder rubber farmers are also associated with ethnicity, household wealth, off-farm employment, land tenure status, altitude and rubber farming experience. Originality/value This study contributes to a better understanding of the implications of farmers’ risk perceptions and shows entry points for improving the sustainability of rubber-based land use systems.

scholarly journals An integrated social response to disasters: the case of the Indian Ocean tsunami in Sri Lanka

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 595-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siri Hettige ◽  
Richard Haigh
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Indian Ocean Tsunami ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The impact of disasters caused by natural hazards on people in affected communities is mediated by a whole range of circumstances such as the intensity of the disaster, type and nature of the community affected and the nature of loss and displacement. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the need to adopt a holistic or integrated approach to assessment of the process of disaster recovery, and to develop a multidimensional assessment framework. Design/methodology/approach The study is designed as a novel qualitative assessment of the recovery process using qualitative data collection techniques from a sample of communities affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami in Eastern and Southern Sri Lanka. Findings The outcomes of the interventions have varied widely depending on such factors as the nature of the community, the nature of the intervention and the mode of delivery for donor support. The surveyed communities are ranked in terms of the nature and extent of recovery. Practical implications The indices of recovery developed constitute a convenient tool of measurement of effectiveness and limitations of external interventions. The assessment used is multidimensional and socially inclusive. Originality/value The approach adopted is new to post-disaster recovery assessments and is useful for monitoring and evaluation of recovery processes. It also fits into the social accountability model as the assessment is based on community experience with the recovery process.

Land use change and precipitation implication to hydro-meteorological disasters in Central Java: an overview

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Intan Hapsari Surya Putri ◽  
Imam Buchori ◽  
Wiwandari Handayani
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Specific Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Meteorological Disasters

Purpose This study aims to prove that land-use change plays a role in the occurrence of hydro-meteorological disasters in Central Java, especially in relation to its upstream and downstream. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents empirical findings from quantitative research using a spatial analysis and descriptive analysis. Findings The upstream and downstream area of Central Java is categorized as a rapid development area that results in changes in land use and land cover. The findings showed that there was an increasing number of hydrometeorological disasters such as floods and landslides as the impact of land-use change and rainfall conditions. Research limitations/implications Analysis of the relationship between rainfall and disaster events with more technical and specific analysis could be done in the further research. Originality/value In this study, more analysis in the context of river basin systems including upstream and downstream in different periods to examine the linkage between them have been considered and incorporated.

scholarly journals Quantifying the Effects of Urban Form on Land Surface Temperature in Subtropical High-Density Urban Areas Using Machine Learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanwei Sun ◽  
Chao Gao ◽  
Jialin Li ◽  
Run Wang ◽  
Jian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Land Surface Temperature ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
High Density ◽  
Cooling Effects ◽  
Urban Thermal Environment ◽  
The Impact

It is widely acknowledged that urban form significantly affects urban thermal environment, which is a key element to adapt and mitigate extreme high temperature weather in high-density urban areas. However, few studies have discussed the impact of physical urban form features on the land surface temperature (LST) from a perspective of comprehensive urban spatial structures. This study used the ordinary least-squares regression (OLS) and random forest regression (RF) to distinguish the relative contributions of urban form metrics on LST at three observation scales. Results of this study indicate that more than 90% of the LST variations were explained by selected urban form metrics using RF. Effects of the magnitude and direction of urban form metrics on LST varied with the changes of seasons and observation scales. Overall, building morphology and urban ecological infrastructure had dominant effects on LST variations in high-density urban centers. Urban green space and water bodies demonstrated stronger cooling effects, especially in summer. Building density (BD) exhibited significant positive effects on LST, whereas the floor area ratio (FAR) showed a negative influence on LST. The results can be applied to investigate and implement urban thermal environment mitigation planning for city managers and planners.

The Moderating Influence of Property Legislation on Planning Policy and Urban Form

Urban Studies ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (16) ◽  
pp. 3479-3494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Davies ◽  
Mark Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Urban Form ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Land Use Policy ◽  
Urban Land Use ◽  
High Density ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Planning Policy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Density Development

This paper investigates the role that property titling legislation has had on the form of high-density residential development. A conceptual framework is developed for theorising the role of property legislation in moderating the impact of urban land use policy. It is argued that the impact of legislation on urban form is much more significant and direct than is often implied or suggested in reviews of planning policy. It is argued that property legislation has a greater role than simply supporting the implementation of urban planning policy. Property legislation has a moderating influence on policy and provides a barrier to the implementation of urban policy. To support this argument, the paper considers the development and implications of Western Australia’s strata titling legislation for the form of high-density development in that state’s capital city.

scholarly journals Urban form and economic sustainability in housing projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Mahmoud Ahmed Abdel Ghaffar ◽  
Noha Ahmed Abd El Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Economic Sustainability ◽  
Land Use Pattern ◽  
Housing Projects ◽  
Urban Economic ◽  
The Impact

AbstractUrban areas in metropolitan cities like Cairo suffer from economic, social, and environmental predicaments. Urban economic sustainability is an approach that reforms the urban performance to gain direct benefits such as minimizing costs and maximizing profits and indirect benefits as better social, environmental, and cultural aspects. This research suggests applying such an approach to enhance Egyptian housing projects. The main research question is how to evaluate the economic sustainability of urban forms?. The study presents a “Sustainable Urban Economy model” (SUE model) linking urban fabric, land use pattern, transportation, and street network design with economic sustainability. Research methods and tools include interviews (Delphi method) with 25 urban planning/design and urban economic experts to refine the model. Results show the most effective components of the urban form on economic sustainability (accessibility and degree of permeability, population density, built, and the impact of sub-indicators on the main components. Moreover, results indicate that the seven most influential indicators are the built-up to total space ratio, mixed-use ratio, built-up ratio, population density, floor area ratio, degree of accessibility, and public transportation. Experts suggested values for the seven indicators to measure how the urban form can achieve high economic, environmental, and social performance in the Egyptian context.

The impact of social media on disaster relief effort – recovery coordination for Hurricane Harvey

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bidyut Hazarika ◽  
Alan Rea ◽  
Reza Mousavi ◽  
Kuanchin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Event ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Relief Organizations ◽  
Post Disaster

Purpose This study aims to investigate patterns of social media posting occurring during the initial post-disaster recovery period. In addition, the study investigates the antecedents of user engagement with Twitter posts or “tweets.” Design/methodology/approach This study uses Hurricane Harvey as the research focus because of its $125bn in damage and the recovery effort associated with it. Analyzing nearly 38,000 tweets related to 2017’s Hurricane Harvey and specifically focuses on rescuers who became to be known as the “Cajun Navy.” Findings The popularity of the tweet significantly influences social media engagement; disaster relief organizations first should seek out alliances and partnerships with those who already are well-known or influential in social media. In addition, by regularly monitoring and participating in social media, such as encouraging retweets and mentions even when not responding to a disaster, agencies will gain social media followers and influence when these are most needed. Research limitations/implications By analyzing patterns of social media posts during and after Hurricane Harvey, this study attempts to quantify social media’s effectiveness during this disaster, in particular with a focus on what characteristics of Harvey-related Twitter posts most influenced user engagement. Practical implications Findings underscore the need for agencies to strengthen their social media presence and use it in all three phases of disaster conceptualization. Beyond managing communication with other agencies and the community, which alone is critical for an agency’s impact, social media offers the world as a potential audience for agencies that can deftly leverage it. Originality/value Social media has revolutionized not only communication but also inter-connectivity as people have normalized its use. Its ubiquity and efficiency have seen its incorporation into the critical area of emergency management, both during and after disasters. The main objective of this paper is to investigate and evaluate the usefulness of social media in disaster recovery efforts, focusing on its advantages in relation to a recent disaster event.

Analysis of urban thermal environments based on the perception and simulation of the microclimate in the historic city of Tlemcen

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafa Ghaffour ◽  
Mohammed Nabil Ouissi ◽  
Marc André Velay Dabat
Keyword(s):  
Urban Form ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
View Factor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

PurposeThe preservation of historic urban centres prevents anarchic development of the city and ensures a harmonious evolution of the urban form. It also improves the quality of life in the context of climate and environmental change. Morphological and geometric indicators of the urban fabric are key parameters in the formation of external microclimates. They provide a positive effect on the thermal comfort of pedestrians. The objective of this work is to study the impact of the site morphology on the external microclimate and to understand the relationship between the subjective perception and the objective quantification of the thermal environment. The result of this study has allowed us to propose solutions for the creation of a microclimate favourable to the appropriation of outdoor spaces. The authors finally propose guidelines for the design and rehabilitation of the historic site based on the establishment of links between the site's configuration, microclimatic conditions and users' perceptions.Design/methodology/approachPart of this study included the analysis of the microclimate of the historic “Bab El Hadid” district of the City of Tlemcen, by developing a questionnaire survey and a numerical simulation validated by measurements of the microclimate the authors made on site. To complete this task, the authors applied the Envi-met 4.1 model during the coldest month of the winter and the hottest month of the summer. Urban parameters are represented at different measurement points characterised by a variability of the sky view factor (SVF).FindingsThe results presented in terms of average expected the predicted mean vote (PMV) voting, solar access and air temperature. They show that thermal conditions are directly related to the SVF, the height/width ratio (H/L) of streets as well as the orientation of urban canyons. The points located in the streets facing North–South, present an acceptable performance. Streets shaded by trees with a canyon aspect ratio of between 1.18 and 1.70 reduce heat stress in outdoor spaces. The PMV models discussed provide information on the most appropriate locations for pedestrians. The authors have proposed urban orientations that could limit unfavourable conditions in outdoor spaces. They are useful for architects and urban planners in the design and rehabilitation of historic centres.Originality/valueIn Tlemcen, the microclimate is not taken into account in the design and rehabilitation of urban fabrics. For this specific purpose, the authors want to stress in the research the importance of safeguarding urban heritage through the renewal of the old city and the bioclimatic rehabilitation of its urban spaces.

Review of the Land Use Variables Affecting the Transportation Behaviour, Review paper

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Abeer K. Jameel ◽  
Najwa W. Jassim ◽  
Areej M. Abdulwahab
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Production Rate ◽  
Direct Relationship ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Travel Behaviour ◽  
Employment Density ◽  
Trip Production ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Travel Length

The aim of this paper is to review research conducting the impact of land use variables on the travel behaviour. It is focused on the density as an important measure of land use that reflects the interaction with the transportation system. The effect of density has been addressed years ago; therefore, papers have been published since 1960s were reviewed in this paper. These papers are classified into two groups according to the most common measure of the density and the most common variables of the travel behaviour considered in these researches. The first group contains about 26 papers published before 2000 while the second group contains about 45 papers published after 2000. It has been noticed that the population density is the main term of density used in the first group while the employment density and the configuration of densities are integrated as measures in the papers published after 2000. The direct relationship with mode choice and travel length has been approved. However, there are some gaps are identified in the discussion and conclusion sections, such as the effect on the trip production rate, the type of trips according to its purposes, internal and external, and weekdays and weekend.

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