scholarly journals Because space matters: conceptual framework to help distinguish slum from non-slum urban areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e001267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Lilford ◽  
Catherine Kyobutungi ◽  
Robert Ndugwa ◽  
Jo Sartori ◽  
Samuel I Watson ◽  
...  

Despite an estimated one billion people around the world living in slums, most surveys of health and well-being do not distinguish between slum and non-slum urban residents. Identifying people who live in slums is important for research purposes and also to enable policymakers, programme managers, donors and non-governmental organisations to better target investments and services to areas of greatest deprivation. However, there is no consensus on what a slum is let alone how slums can be distinguished from non-slum urban precincts. Nor has attention been given to a more fine-grained classification of urban spaces that might go beyond a simple slum/non-slum dichotomy. The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework to help tackle the related issues of slum definition and classification of the urban landscape. We discuss:The concept of space as an epidemiological variable that results in ‘neighbourhood effects’.The problems of slum area definition when there is no ‘gold standard’.A long-list of variables from which a selection must be made in defining or classifying urban slum spaces.Methods to combine any set of identified variables in an operational slum area definition.Two basic approaches to spatial slum area definitions—top-down (starting with a predefined area which is then classified according to features present in that area) and bottom-up (defining the areal unit based on its features).Different requirements of a slum area definition according to its intended use.Implications for research and future development.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Badach ◽  
Elżbieta Raszeja

Urban landscape (UL) management and urban greenspace (UG) delivery require effective planning tools. The aim of the study is to develop a conceptual framework for the implementation of ecological, structural and visual landscape and greenspace indicators (LGI) in spatial development of urban areas. The UL and UG management provisions in Poland are identified at various levels of urban planning (local, municipal and regional). Furthermore, the applicability of the selected set of LGI in the Polish planning system is considered based on the existing planning documents. The quality of UL and UG transformation is discussed in three case studies in Bristol, Gdańsk and Poznań in the broader context of the English and Polish spatial planning systems. Bristol is used as a point of reference for the evaluation of UL and UG management in Poland and for the comparison between English and Polish landscape policies. Based on the conceptual framework and the analysis of the case studies, critical areas of UL and UG management in Poland are identified. The existing planning system often fails to ensure the continuity of landscape structures, and it does not include its preservation and enhancement to a sufficient extent. Therefore, the implementation of the proposed LGI framework could significantly improve the ecological and visual quality, as well as the structural diversity of UL and UG. Moreover, the article concludes by indicating some practical implications of the proposed LGI framework for urban planners, policy makers and other stakeholders in terms of improving the modes of governance for UL and UG management as well as of accounting for human health and well-being.


Author(s):  
Sigit Arifwidodo ◽  
Orana Chandrasiri

Public Park is considered one of the essential settings for physical activity, especially in urban areas. Parks support physical activity through their accessibility, their provision to facilitate active pursuits; their capacity to provide opportunities to a wide range of users; and their semi-permanent nature. The paper explores the design intervention assessment of Benchakitti Park, which serves as the pilot project for active park and showcase during the past ISPAH 2016 conference. The objective of the paper is to understand the health and well-being benefits of an urban park in increasing PA levels of urban population and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Keywords: Public park; physical activity; urban landscape design; public health; SOPARC


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6836
Author(s):  
Rocío Santo-Tomás Muro ◽  
Carlota Sáenz de Tejada Granados ◽  
Eva J. Rodríguez Romero

Providing conditions for health and well-being, especially for those most exposed to social and environmental inequalities, is a precondition for sustainable development. Green infrastructures in peri-urban areas have the potential to improve the quality of life of locals by fostering healthy practices, providing views, or bringing nature closer to the city. This work explores the local perception of well-being within urban green infrastructures (UGI) in the peri-urban fringe of Madrid (Spain) through a combination of qualitative methods: “go-alongs” and “semi-structured static interviews”. The grounded-theory based codification of the data using NVivo software and their subsequent analysis results in the identification of social, natural, and perceptual elements that prove to play a relevant role in locals’ perception of well-being. Among these, connectivity with other green spaces, panoramic views and place-based memories are aspects that seem to make UGI serve the community at its full potential, including perceived physical and psychological well-being. We identify in each case study both positive characteristics of UGI and dysfunctional aspects and areas of opportunity. Lastly, a methodological, geographical, and theoretical discussion is made on the relevance of the case studies and pertinence of the two interview methods as valuable tools for analysis and intervention in the peri-urban landscape.


Pondasi ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Boby Rahman ◽  
Dhea Fina Ramadhanty ◽  
Mohammad Agung Ridlo

Abstract. Indonesia, a developing country, has launched a program with a target of 0% slum in urban areas by 2020. It has been more than ten years since this program for handling urban slums has made many improvements. One aspect of the parameter that becomes an improvement in handling urban slum areas is the improvement of uninhabitable houses. This study investigates how the quality of urban slum settlements can be improved in the aspect of houses that are not habitable, especially in terms of determining the recipient of rehabilitation assistance for houses that are unhabitable in urban areas. This study used a qualitative methodology and analysis of the literature review in 21 scientific papers on selecting houses that are not habitable assistance and related regulations. The result is that there are two processes in determining Receivers of Support for Rehabilitation "The Houses Unhabitable", first through the aspects of the criteria for houses unhabitable which are technical in the field, and selection techniques that are more academic in nature. Aspects of the criteria for houses unhabitable provide an assessment of the area and buildings. whereas the selection technique requires a selection technique capable of managing data that has many criteria.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (S1) ◽  
pp. e000152
Author(s):  
Kinjal Solanki ◽  
Harsh Joshi ◽  
Alpesh Patel ◽  
D V Bala

Aims and Objectives: To compare the oral hygiene practices and study the proportion of dental problems among urban and urban slum areas. Methodology: An observational, cross sectional study was carried out in 150 people in urban and urban slum areas. The study duration was four months (June 2015 to September 2015). The data was collected in a pre-designed proforma. The knowledge of the community was considered with regards to oral hygiene and harmful effects of bad food habits and tobacco consumption. The oral problems and hygiene was assessed by using mouth mirror and probe. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 24.0 Software. Results: Out of the total data collected, 75 of the data entries were obtained from urban area and urban slum area each. The age wise distribution was done as well in both the areas. Among them, most common age group was 20-45 years (50.7% in urban while 48.0% in urban slum) followed by 10-19 years, 46-60 years, 1-9 years and 60and above age group. The common symptoms observed like broken teeth (28%), gingivitis (13.30%), caries (21.10%) etc. were more in urban as compared to urban slum areas. Most common brushing practice was using paste (90%) followed by powder (10%) and salt (1%). More number of people in urban area (28%) consumes carbonated drinks as compared to urban slum (6.7%) (P value = 0.001). The proportion of sensitive teeth was more in urban (36%) as compared to urban slum (26.7%) (P value = 0.126). Most of the people in urban as well as urban slum area (97.3%) change their brush within 15 days-3 months. Conclusion: The proportion of gingivitis, dental illness, grinding teeth, sensitive teeth are more commonly seen in urban areas as compared to that of the urban slums. However, the proportion of bleeding gums, awareness regarding dental problems, frequency of brushing teeth and pattern of brushing were almost similar in both of the areas.


Land ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Panagopoulos ◽  
Stilianos Tampakis ◽  
Paraskevi Karanikola ◽  
Aikaterini Karipidou-Kanari ◽  
Apostolos Kantartzis

Pedestrian zones are public spaces intended for the continued and safe mobility of pedestrians and people with disabilities, and they provide multiple benefits to urban areas. They counterbalance the densely built-up areas, decrease atmospheric pollution, increase available green or social space, increase walking and cycling rates, and facilitate active play for children. Done properly, pedestrianization may also increase local business sales. Greece boasts open public spaces and the pedestrianization of common roads. The economic crisis that Greece has been experiencing since 2008 has led people to give up their vehicles and use the pedestrian streets more frequently. The purpose of this paper was to investigate residents’ perceptions and satisfaction rates concerning the pedestrian streets of Kalamaria, Greece, and evaluate their importance for residents’ well-being. Following a random sampling method, 400 residents were interviewed. A two-step cluster analysis was conducted. The survey showed that the urban residents visited pedestrian zones in Kalamaria at least once a week, and the visits lasted 46–60 min. The improvement of urban landscape aesthetics and people’s health and well-being were evaluated as important functions of pedestrian zones. The results also indicate that residents were not satisfied with their quality of life and the existing green infrastructures of the pedestrian streets, even though they have a positive disposition toward the construction or transformation of pedestrian streets. The residents expressed their unwillingness to pay more public taxes for the construction and maintenance of pedestrian and cycling streets. The safety and convenience of the mobility of residents were the most important advantages of the pedestrian streets. Meanwhile, overspill parking and difficulties with finding parking spaces were the main disadvantages for the residents. Local authorities can use the results of the present survey to manage the city’s green infrastructure and use this information in the urban planning framework.


Akustika ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 56-60
Author(s):  
Irina May ◽  
Dmitrii Koshurnikov

The present research dwells on existing methodical approaches to modeling and noise assessment involving mapping procedures in high density urban areas by the example of urbanized territories in a big city. The suggested approach is based on results obtained via multiple acoustic computations that were performed using specialized software packages. Computed data are interfaced with geoinformation systems for further visualization and quantitative assessment of obtained results. As regards hygienic standardization, hardware and software that are used within the approach allow accomplishing it in high density urban areas. The research concentrates on basic approaches to creating a calculated model as well as parameters of all accomplished computations. The research was performed as per a regular grid within a calculated rectangle sized 0.8*0.8 km and with a step being equal to 25 meters. This calculated rectangle contained 1,122 points. Overall, computed exposure was determined at 486,246 points located in 43 planes. A separate calculated grid corresponded to each of them in order to build a 3D model. This 3D model was made up of 43 planes including one built at 1.5 meter height in a residential area. This 3D model was created for assessing living conditions depending on a height of living (a floor in a residential building). A square of acoustic discomfort was assessed depending on a height as per such a hygienic criterion as noise exceeding 55 dBA and it allowed establishing effects produced by motor transport on noise levels. This research is an initial stage in substantiating violations of citizens’ rights for a favorable living environment and human well-being; in future it is planned to perform instrumental measurements and assess health risks.


2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-251
Author(s):  
Victor F. Petrenko ◽  
Olga V. Mitina ◽  
Kirill A. Bertnikov

The aim of this research was the reconstruction of the system of categories through which Russians perceive the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Europe, and the world as a whole; to study the implicit model of the geopolitical space; to analyze the stereotypes in the perception of different countries and the superposition of mental geopolitical representations onto the geographic map. The techniques of psychosemantics by Petrenko, originating in the semantic differential of Osgood and Kelly's “repertory grids,” were used as working tools. Multidimensional semantic spaces act as operational models of the structures of consciousness, and the positions of countries in multidimensional space reflect the geopolitical stereotypes of respondents about these countries. Because of the transformation of geopolitical reality representations in mass consciousness, the commonly used classification of countries as socialist, capitalist, and developing is being replaced by other structures. Four invariant factors of the countries' descriptions were identified. They are connected with Economic and Political Well-being, Military Might, Friendliness toward Russia, and Spirituality and the Level of Culture. It seems that the structure has not been explained in adequate detail and is not clearly realized by the individuals. There is an interrelationship between the democratic political structure of a country and its prosperity in the political mentality of Russian respondents. Russian public consciousness painfully strives for a new geopolitical identity and place in the commonwealth of states. It also signifies the country's interest and orientation toward the East in the search for geopolitical partners. The construct system of geopolitical perception also depends on the region of perception.


Author(s):  
John MacDonald ◽  
Charles Branas ◽  
Robert Stokes

The design of every aspect of the urban landscape—from streets and sidewalks to green spaces, mass transit, and housing—fundamentally influences the health and safety of the communities who live there. It can affect people's stress levels and determine whether they walk or drive, the quality of the air they breathe, and how free they are from crime. This book provides a compelling look at the new science and art of urban planning, showing how scientists, planners, and citizens can work together to reshape city life in measurably positive ways. It demonstrates how well-designed changes to place can significantly improve the well-being of large groups of people. The book argues that there is a disconnect between those who implement place-based changes, such as planners and developers, and the urban scientists who are now able to rigorously evaluate these changes through testing and experimentation. It covers a broad range of structural interventions, such as building and housing, land and open space, transportation and street environments, and entertainment and recreation centers. Science shows we can enhance people's health and safety by changing neighborhoods block-by-block. The book explains why planners and developers need to recognize the value of scientific testing, and why scientists need to embrace the indispensable know-how of planners and developers. It reveals how these professionals, working together and with urban residents, can create place-based interventions that are simple, affordable, and scalable to entire cities.


Author(s):  
Herman Herman ◽  
Demi Adidrana ◽  
Nico Surantha ◽  
Suharjito Suharjito

The human population significantly increases in crowded urban areas. It causes a reduction of available farming land. Therefore, a landless planting method is needed to supply the food for society. Hydroponics is one of the solutions for gardening methods without using soil. It uses nutrient-enriched mineral water as a nutrition solution for plant growth. Traditionally, hydroponic farming is conducted manually by monitoring the nutrition such as acidity or basicity (pH), the value of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), and nutrient temperature. In this research, the researchers propose a system that measures pH, TDS, and nutrient temperature values in the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) technique using a couple of sensors. The researchers use lettuce as an object of experiment and apply the k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) algorithm to predict the classification of nutrient conditions. The result of prediction is used to provide a command to the microcontroller to turn on or off the nutrition controller actuators simultaneously at a time. The experiment result shows that the proposed k-NN algorithm achieves 93.3% accuracy when it is k = 5.


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