Geomorphology of the Anthropocene in Mediterranean urban areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierluigi Brandolini ◽  
Chiara Cappadonia ◽  
Gian Marco Luberti ◽  
Carlo Donadio ◽  
Leonidas Stamatopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Anthropogenic Landscapes ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Shallow Cavities ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Time Specific

Urban-geomorphology studies in historical cities provide a significant contribution towards the broad definition of the Anthropocene, perhaps even including its consideration as a new unit of geological time. Specific methodological approaches to recognize and map landforms in urban environments, where human-induced geomorphic processes have often overcome the natural ones, are proposed. This paper reports the results from, and comparison of, studies conducted in coastal historical cities facing the core of the Mediterranean Sea – that is, Genoa, Rome, Naples, Palermo (Italy) and Patras (Greece). Their settlements were facilitated by similar climatic and geographical contexts, with high grounds functional for defence, as well as by the availability of rocks useful as construction materials, which were excavated both in opencast and underground quarries. Over centuries, urbanization has also required the levelling of relief, which was performed by the excavation of heights, filling of depressions and by slope terracing. Consequently, highly modified hydrographic networks, whose streams were dammed, diverted, modified in a culvert or simply buried, characterize the selected cities. Their urban growth, which has been driven by maritime commercial activities, has determined anthropogenic coastal progradation through port and defence or waterfront works. Aggradation of artificial ground has also occurred as a consequence of repeated destruction because of both human and natural events, and subsequent reconstruction even over ruins, buried depressions and shallow cavities. As a result, the selected cities represent anthropogenic landscapes that have been predominately shaped by several human-driven processes, sometimes over centuries. Each landform represents the current result, often from multiple activities with opposing geomorphic effects. Beyond academic progress, we believe that detecting and mapping these landforms and processes should be compulsory, even in risk-assessment urban planning, because of the increase of both hazards and vulnerability as a result of climate-change-induced extreme events and extensive urbanization, respectively.

scholarly journals LIFE+2010 QUADMAP Project: a new methodology to select, analyze and manage Quiet Urban Areas defined by the European Directive 2002/49/EC

Noise Mapping ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Itziar Aspuru ◽  
Igone Garcia ◽  
Chiara Bartalucci ◽  
Francesco Borchi ◽  
Monica Carfagni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Environmental Noise ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
Health Safety ◽  
European Directive ◽  
Selection Analysis ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractConcerning quiet areas, the definition provided by the Environmental Noise Directive (END) is intended to preserve the acoustic environment in those areas where it is considered good, according to general indicators and limits. However, the END is not clear enough to allow appropriate assessment and management in urban environments. The aim of QUADMAP project was to deliver a method and guidelines for the identification, delineation, characterization, improvement and management of Quiet Urban Areas (QUAs) as defined by the END. The Project also wanted to help clarify the definition of a QUA, its meaning and its added value for cities in terms of health, safety and lowering stress levels. In this article, after an introduction of the current European scenario on QUAs, the main aspects of the methodology introduced for the selection, analysis and management of QUAs are described. Eventually, the major results achieved by the Project, in terms of the guideline on QUAs, the implemented interventions and the achieved benefits, are reported and discussed.

scholarly journals Broadening Understanding on Managing the Communication Infrastructure in Vehicular Networks: Customizing the Coverage Using the Delta Network

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiano Silva ◽  
Lucas Silva ◽  
Leonardo Santos ◽  
João Sarubbi ◽  
Andreas Pitsillides
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Road Network ◽  
Vehicular Networks ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Mobility ◽  
Circle Pattern ◽  
The Road ◽  
The Past ◽  
Communication Devices ◽  
Definition Of

Over the past few decades, the growth of the urban population has been remarkable. Nowadays, 50% of the population lives in urban areas, and forecasts point that by 2050 this number will reach 70%. Today, 64% of all travel made is within urban environments and the total amount of urban kilometers traveled is expected to triple by 2050. Thus, seeking novel solutions for urban mobility becomes paramount for 21st century society. In this work, we discuss the performance of vehicular networks. We consider the metric Delta Network. The Delta Network characterizes the connectivity of the vehicular network through the percentage of travel time in which vehicles are connected to roadside units. This article reviews the concept of the Delta Network and extends its study through the presentation of a general heuristic based on the definition of scores to identify the areas of the road network that should receive coverage. After defining the general heuristic, we show how small changes in the score computation can generate very distinct (and interesting) patterns of coverage, each one suited to a given scenario. In order to exemplify such behavior, we propose three deployment strategies based on simply changing the computation of scores. We compare the proposed strategies to the intuitive strategy of allocating communication units at the most popular zones of the road network. Experiments show that the strategies derived from the general heuristic provide higher coverage than the intuitive strategy when using the same number of communication devices. Moreover, the resulting pattern of coverage is very interesting, with roadside units deployed a circle pattern around the traffic epicenter.

scholarly journals Broadening Understanding on Managing the Communication Infrastructure in Vehicular Networks: Customizing the Coverage Using the Delta Network

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiano M. Silva ◽  
Lucas D. Silva ◽  
Leonardo A. L. Santos ◽  
João F. M. Sarubbi ◽  
Andreas Pitsillides
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Road Network ◽  
Vehicular Networks ◽  
Vehicular Network ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Mobility ◽  
Circle Pattern ◽  
The Road ◽  
The Past ◽  
Definition Of

Over the past few decades, the growth of the urban population has been remarkable. Nowadays, 50% of the population lives in urban areas, and forecasts point that by 2050 this number will reach 70%. Today, 64% of all travel made is within urban environments and the total amount of urban kilometers traveled is expected to triple by 2050. Thus, seeking novel solutions for urban mobility becomes paramount for 21st century society. In this work, we discuss the performance of vehicular networks. We consider the metric Delta Network. The Delta Network characterizes the connectivity of the vehicular network through the percentage of travel time in which vehicles are connected to roadside units. This article reviews the concept of Delta Network and extends its study through the presentation of a general heuristic based on the definition of scores to identify the areas of the road network that should receive coverage. After defining the general heuristic, we show how small changes in the score computation can generate very distinct (and interesting) patterns of coverage, each one suited to a given scenario. In order to exemplify such behavior, we propose three deployment strategies based on simply changing the computation of scores. The results show that the strategies derived from the general heuristic are very interesting, all of them deploying roadside units in a circle pattern around the traffic epicenter.

METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO SEARCH FOR RESERVES OF DECREASING COSTS IN THE BRANCHES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Cost Calculation ◽  
Cattle Breeding ◽  
Method Of Calculation ◽  
Prime Cost ◽  
Dairy Cattle Breeding ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Qualitative Characteristics

In this article approaches to search for reserves of decrease in cost of agricultural production are considered. The methods of cost calculation of dairy cattle breeding products used at the studied enter-prise are analysed, short characteristic of the standard method offered by the Ministry of Agriculture is given, and calculations of alternative options are also carried out. Today creation of accounting of a production unit is very important so that not only weight units must be considered in it, but also the quali-tative structure of products must be reflected. Definition of qualitative characteristics and technological properties by production of milk which depend on use purposes can be an example. The raw materials consumption on a unit of production and its quality and also firmness of storage depends on technologi-cal properties of milk. At calculation of prime cost taking into account qualitative characteristics for cal-culation milk in terms of basic fat content undertakes. The method of calculation of prime cost consider-ing qualitative characteristics is the most expedient as prime cost of 1 c of milk unlike the operating tech-nique is lower. In the article analytical methods of reserves calculation for decrease in prime cost taking into account various factors are proved. The revealed reserves will allow an enterprise to expand its in-vestment opportunities in the future, they will give an additional incentive of modernization of the worn-out machinery and equipment in branches of agriculture.

Diversity of organisms

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip James
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
The Common ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Diversity Of Life

The focus of this chapter is an examination of the diversity of living organisms found within urban environments, both inside and outside buildings. The discussion commences with prions and viruses before moving on to consider micro-organisms, plants, and animals. Prions and viruses cause disease in plants and animals, including humans. Micro-organisms are ubiquitous and are found in great numbers throughout urban environments. New technologies are providing new insights into their diversity. Plants may be found inside buildings as well as in gardens and other green spaces. The final sections of the chapter offer a discussion of the diversity of animals that live in urban areas for part or all of their life cycle. Examples of the diversity of life in urban environments are presented throughout, including native and non-native species, those that are benign and deadly, and the common and the rare.

scholarly journals High-Resolution Modelling of Thermal Exposure during a Hot Spell: A Case Study Using PALM-4U in Prague, Czech Republic

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Jan Geletič ◽  
Michal Lehnert ◽  
Pavel Krč ◽  
Jaroslav Resler ◽  
Eric Scott Krayenhoff
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Heat Exposure ◽  
Thermal Exposure ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Cooling Effect ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Climate Index ◽  
Street Canyons ◽  
General Terms

The modelling of thermal exposure in outdoor urban environments is a highly topical challenge in modern climate research. This paper presents the results derived from a new micrometeorological model that employs an integrated biometeorology module to model Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). This is PALM-4U, which includes an integrated human body-shape parameterization, deployed herein for a pilot domain in Prague, Czech Republic. The results highlight the key role of radiation in the spatiotemporal variability of thermal exposure in moderate-climate urban areas during summer days in terms of the way in which this directly affects thermal comfort through radiant temperature and indirectly through the complexity of turbulence in street canyons. The model simulations suggest that the highest thermal exposure may be expected within street canyons near the irradiated north sides of east–west streets and near streets oriented north–south. Heat exposure in streets increases in proximity to buildings with reflective paints. The lowest heat exposure during the day may be anticipated in tree-shaded courtyards. The cooling effect of trees may range from 4 °C to 9 °C in UTCI, and the cooling effect of grass in comparison with artificial paved surfaces in open public places may be from 2 °C to 5 °C UTCI. In general terms, this study illustrates that the PALM modelling system provides a new perspective on the spatiotemporal differentiation of thermal exposure at the pedestrian level; it may therefore contribute to more climate-sensitive urban planning.

scholarly journals An Eco-Friendly Multimodal Route Guidance System for Urban Areas Using Multi-Agent Technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2057
Author(s):  
Abdallah Namoun ◽  
Ali Tufail ◽  
Nikolay Mehandjiev ◽  
Ahmed Alrehaili ◽  
Javad Akhlaghinia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Flow ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Guidance System ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Flow Density ◽  
Route Guidance ◽  
Agent Based

The use and coordination of multiple modes of travel efficiently, although beneficial, remains an overarching challenge for urban cities. This paper implements a distributed architecture of an eco-friendly transport guidance system by employing the agent-based paradigm. The paradigm uses software agents to model and represent the complex transport infrastructure of urban environments, including roads, buses, trolleybuses, metros, trams, bicycles, and walking. The system exploits live traffic data (e.g., traffic flow, density, and CO2 emissions) collected from multiple data sources (e.g., road sensors and SCOOT) to provide multimodal route recommendations for travelers through a dedicated application. Moreover, the proposed system empowers the transport management authorities to monitor the traffic flow and conditions of a city in real-time through a dedicated web visualization. We exhibit the advantages of using different types of agents to represent the versatile nature of transport networks and realize the concept of smart transportation. Commuters are supplied with multimodal routes that endeavor to reduce travel times and transport carbon footprint. A technical simulation was executed using various parameters to demonstrate the scalability of our multimodal traffic management architecture. Subsequently, two real user trials were carried out in Nottingham (United Kingdom) and Sofia (Bulgaria) to show the practicality and ease of use of our multimodal travel information system in providing eco-friendly route guidance. Our validation results demonstrate the effectiveness of personalized multimodal route guidance in inducing a positive travel behavior change and the ability of the agent-based route planning system to scale to satisfy the requirements of traffic infrastructure in diverse urban environments.

scholarly journals Geophysical surveys integrated with rainfall data analysis for the study of soil piping phenomena occurred in a densely urbanized area in eastern Sicily

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graziano Patti ◽  
Sabrina Grassi ◽  
Gabriele Morreale ◽  
Mauro Corrao ◽  
Sebastiano Imposa
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rainfall Data ◽  
Soil Subsidence ◽  
Hydrogeological Characteristics ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Soil Piping ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Surface Collapse

AbstractThe occurrence of strong and abrupt rainfall, together with a wrong land use planning and an uncontrolled urban development, can constitute a risk for infrastructure and population. The water flow in the subsoil, under certain conditions, may cause underground cavities formation. This phenomena known as soil piping can evolve and generate the surface collapse. It is clear that such phenomena in densely urbanized areas represent an unpredictable and consistent risk factor, which can interfere with social activities. In this study a multidisciplinary approach aimed to obtain useful information for the mitigation of the risks associated with the occurrence of soil piping phenomena in urban areas has been developed. This approach is aimed at defining the causes of sudden soil subsidence events, as well as the definition of the extension and possible evolution of these instability areas. The information obtained from rainfall data analysis, together with a study of the morphological, geological and hydrogeological characteristics, have allowed us to evaluate the causes that have led to the formation of soil pipes. Furthermore, performance of 3D electrical resistivity surveys in the area affected by the instability have allowed us to estimate their extension in the subsoil and identifying the presence of further areas susceptible to instability.

Wetland Roofs as an Attractive Option for Decentralized Water Management and Air Conditioning Enhancement in Growing Cities—A Review

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1845
Author(s):  
Andreas Zehnsdorf ◽  
Keani C. U. Willebrand ◽  
Ralf Trabitzsch ◽  
Sarah Knechtel ◽  
Michael Blumberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
Climate Regulation ◽  
Decentralized Treatment ◽  
Attractive Option ◽  
Stormwater Retention ◽  
Positive Side Effects

While constructed wetlands have become established for the decentralized treatment of wastewater and rainwater, wetland roofs have only been built in isolated cases up to now. The historical development of wetland roofs is described here on the basis of a survey of literature and patents, and the increasing interest in this ecotechnology around the world is presented. In particular, this article describes the potential for using wetland roofs and examines experience with applications in decentralized water management in urban environments and for climate regulation in buildings. Wetland roofs are suitable as a green-blue technology for the future—particularly in cities with an acute shortage of unoccupied ground-level sites—for the decentralized treatment of wastewater streams of various origins. Positive “side effects” such as nearly complete stormwater retention and the improvement of climates in buildings and their surroundings, coupled with an increase in biodiversity, make wetland roofs an ideal multi-functional technology for urban areas.

Defining hormesis: the necessary tool to clarify experimentally the low dose–response relationship

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Carelli ◽  
I Iavicoli
Keyword(s):  
Dose Response ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Assessment Criteria ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Time Specific ◽  
Made In

The authors comment on Calabrese and Baldwin's paper ‘Defining Hormesis’, which, to date, is the first attempt to provide a definition of hormesis that goes beyond the different interpretations of this phenomenon reported in the literature. While appreciating the effort made in this study to place hormesis in a general and at the same time specific context, the authors believe some clarifications are needed as regards the quantitative features of this phenomenon. In this connection, they speculate on whether Calabrese and Baldwin think it appropriate to include hormesis assessment criteria in the document, referring in particular to those reported in a previous paper. The authors share Calabrese and Baldwin's conclusion that future experimental models designed to study hormetic phenomena must necessarily include the time factor, which not only guarantees this phenomenon will be detected, but is also able to detect the specific type of hormesis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document