scholarly journals Are we planning blue-green infrastructure opportunistically or strategically? Insights from Sydney, Australia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martijn Kuller ◽  
David J. Reid ◽  
Veljko Prodanovic
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Suitability Analysis ◽  
Socioeconomic Variables ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Water Sensitive Urban Design ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Sydney Australia

Abstract Strategic placement of water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) is essential in optimising its performance and maximising co-benefits. However, little is known about the current placement and interconnectedness between WSUD assets and the performance of current planning strategies. We evaluated the placement of existing WSUDs in a highly urbanised catchment in Sydney, Australia. We used a three-step process: (1) compiling a comprehensive spatial asset database, (2) performing spatial correlation analysis between asset locations and biophysical, urban form and socioeconomic variables and (3) using a novel approach to facilitate holistic understanding through analysing asset locations compared with the outcome of the spatial suitability analysis tool (SSANTO). WSUD coverage was generally low, with clustering in some municipalities. Placement was constrained by physical variables, such as slope, limited space and varying land uses. However, placement was not detectably influenced by most socioeconomic variables. SSANTO's suitability score at asset locations was only slightly higher than average, suggesting that the placement of existing WSUD was opportunistic, rather than strategically planned. Further development and implementation of tools able to account for spatial constraints will help guide future WSUD placement as a component of green urban stormwater management.

scholarly journals Environmental Product Declarations for plants and soils: how to quantify carbon uptake in landscape design and construction?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Kuittinen ◽  
Ranja Hautamäki ◽  
Eeva-Maria Tuhkanen ◽  
Anu Riikonen ◽  
Mari Ariluoma
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Landscape Design ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
Mitigation Potential ◽  
Environmental Product Declarations ◽  
Construction Products ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Change Mitigation ◽  
Design And Construction

Abstract Purpose Currently, no clear guidance exists for ISO and EN standards of calculating, verifying, and reporting the climate impacts of plants, mulches, and soils used in landscape design and construction. In order to optimise the potential of ecosystem services in the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment, we unequivocally propose their inclusion when assessing sustainability. Methods We analysed the life cycle phases of plants, soils, and mulches from the viewpoint of compiling standard-based Environmental Product Declarations. In comparison to other construction products, the differences of both mass and carbon flows were identified in these products. Results Living and organic products of green infrastructure require an LCA approach of their own. Most importantly, if conventional life cycle guidance for Environmental Product Declarations were to be followed, over time, the asymmetric mass and carbon flows would lead to skewed conclusions. Moreover, the ability of plants to reproduce raises additional questions for allocating environmental impacts. Conclusions We present a set of recommendations that are required for compiling Environmental Product Declarations for the studied products of green infrastructure. In order to enable the quantification of the climate change mitigation potential of these products, it is essential that work for further development of LCA guidance be mandated.

scholarly journals Use of Dynamic Analysis to Investigate the Behaviour of Short Neutral Sections in the Overhead Line Electrification

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
John Morris ◽  
Mark Robinson ◽  
Roberto Palacin
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Analysis ◽  
Dynamic Simulation ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Overhead Line ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Section Model ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Neutral Section

The ‘short’ neutral section is a feature of alternating current (AC) railway overhead line electrification that is often unreliable and a source of train delays. However hardly any dynamic analysis of its behaviour has been undertaken. This paper briefly describes the work undertaken investigating the possibility of modelling the behaviour using a novel approach. The potential for thus improving the performance of short neutral sections is evaluated, with particular reference to the UK situation. The analysis fundamentally used dynamic simulation of the pantograph and overhead contact line (OCL) interface, implemented using a proprietary finite element analysis tool. The neutral section model was constructed using physical characteristics and laboratory tests data, and was included in a validated pantograph/OCL simulation model. Simulation output of the neutral section behaviour has been validated satisfactorily against real line test data. Using this method the sensitivity of the neutral section performance in relation to particular parameters of its construction was examined. A limited number of parameter adjustments were studied, seeking potential improvements. One such improvement identified involved the additional inclusion of a lever arm at the trailing end of the neutral section. A novel application of pantograph/OCL dynamic simulation to modelling neutral section behaviour has been shown to be useful in assessing the modification of neutral section parameters.

scholarly journals Possible Assessment Method of Green Infrastructure in the Case of Small Town Keszthely, Hungary

Land Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. p21
Author(s):  
Vera Iváncsics ◽  
Krisztina Filepné Kovács
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Environmental Planning ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Further Development ◽  
The Eu

Recently the planning of green infrastructure (GI) has become a general practice around metropolis (Paris, München, Budapest, etc). A complex methodology is required that goes beyond the scope of traditional green surface systems. However, there are various policy implications in the EU, the smaller towns are lagging to apply them. The paper presents a potential evaluation method through the case study of Keszthely, HU. As Keszthely at Balaton Riviera, is a popular touristic target of CEE, the environmental planning is an essential part of sustainable development. After a literature analyses of assessment methods of GI and ecosystem services, the aspects of GI have been valued on grade scales, based on field surveys and indicators. The current status of the GI was surveyed which is a base for further development and monitoring activities. The paper introduces the methodology, which contributes to preservation of ecosystems.

scholarly journals The Legacy Effects of Colonial and Apartheid Imprints on Urban Greening in South Africa: Spaces, Species, and Suitability

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlie M. Shackleton ◽  
N. Gwedla
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Space Distribution ◽  
Legacy Effects ◽  
Urban Greening ◽  
Urban Nature ◽  
Urban Green

Colonialism is a significant legacy across most aspects of urban form, the nature and distribution of public green spaces, and tree species composition in many cities of the Global South. However, the legacy effects of colonialism on urban green infrastructure and the uses thereof have only recently come under scrutiny. Here we collate information from South Africa on urban greening and interpret it through a colonial and apartheid legacy lens in relation to the distribution and types of urban nature found and their resonance with contemporary needs as an African country. The analysis indicates marked inequalities in public green space distribution and quality between neighborhoods designated for different race groups during the colonial and apartheid periods, which continues to be reproduced by the post-colonial (and post-apartheid) state. Additionally, in the older, former colonial neighborhoods non-native tree species dominate in parks and streets, with most of the species having been introduced during the colonial period. Such colonial introductions have left a burdensome legacy of invasive species that costs billions of Rands annually to keep in check. Lastly, the forms of nature and activities provided in public urban green spaces remains reminiscent of the colonial norm, with little recognition of African worldviews, identity and needs. We conclude in emphasizing the necessity for urban authorities and planners to address these anachronistic legacies through adopting a more inclusive and co-design approach with respect to the extent, location and types of urban nature provided, as well as the types of cultural symbols and activities permitted and promoted.

Integrating PDF interface into Java application

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quan Lu ◽  
Gao Liu ◽  
Jing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Complex Structure ◽  
Portable Document Format ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Specification ◽  
Java Application ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Extensible Markup ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel approach to integrate portable document format (PDF) interface into Java-based digital library application. It bridges the gap between conducting content operation and viewing on PDF document asynchronously. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, the authors first review some related research and discuss PDF and its drawbacks. Next, the authors propose the design steps and implementation of three modes of displaying PDF document: PDF display, image display and extensible markup language (XML) display. A comparison of these three modes has been carried out. Findings – The authors find that the PDF display is able to completely present the original PDF document contents and thus obviously superior to the other two displays. In addition, the format specification of PDF-based e-book does not perform well; lack of standardization and complex structure is exposed to the publication. Practical implications – The proposed approach makes viewing the PDF documents more convenient and effective, and can be used to retrieve and visualize the PDF documents and to support the personalized function customization of PDF in the digital library applications. Originality/value – This paper proposes a novel approach to solve the problem between content operation and the view of PDF synchronously, providing users a new tool to retrieve and reuse the PDF documents. It contributes to improve the service specification and policy of viewing the PDF for digital library. Besides, the personalized interface and public index make further development and application more feasible.

Design Automation of Modular Industrial Robots

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Tarkian ◽  
Johan O¨lvander ◽  
Xiaolong Feng ◽  
Marcus Petterson
Keyword(s):  
Design Automation ◽  
Parametric Design ◽  
Industrial Robot ◽  
Industrial Robots ◽  
Modular Robots ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Modeling Methodology ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Main Components

This paper presents a novel approach for designing modular robots. There are two main components in this approach namely the modeling methodology of the robot and a framework for simulation of the models and execution of an optimization process. To illustrate the presented methodology an integrated analysis tool for an industrial robot is developed combining dynamic and geometric models in a parametric design approach. An optimization case is conducted to visualize the automation capabilities of the proposed framework, and enhance the design for modular industrial robots.

scholarly journals Exploring urban agriculture as a component of multifunctional green infrastructure: Application of figure-ground plans as a spatial analysis tool

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Tóth ◽  
Axel Timpe
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
Urban Agriculture ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Metropolitan Regions

Abstract Using ‘Urban Atlas’ as a data source, the authors present and critically discuss in this paper the application of figure-ground plans in combination with complex land-use maps as a tool for spatial analysis of urban agriculture in European cities and their multifunctional green infrastructure. The selected cities and metropolitan areas (including Dublin, Ruhr Metropolis, Geneva and Sofia) represent different regions in Europe from the Northwest to the Southeast. Urban fabric, agriculture and non-agricultural open spaces have been analysed and compared as the main land-use components. Agricultural open spaces include arable land with annual crops and permanent crops, such as vineyards, fruit trees and olive groves; pastures; as well as complex and mixed cultivation patterns. The results reveal the scale and land-use diversity of metropolitan regions and different spatial patterns of urban agriculture at the regional level and in central urban areas.

scholarly journals “Molecular Anatomy”:  A New Multi-Dimensional Hierarchical Scaffold Analysis tool

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candida Manelfi ◽  
Marica Gemei ◽  
Carmine Talarico ◽  
Carmen Cerchia ◽  
Andrea R. Beccari
Keyword(s):  
Graphical Representation ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Molecular Scaffold ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Molecular Anatomy ◽  
Fragmentation Rules ◽  
Hierarchical Scaffold ◽  
Abstraction Levels ◽  
Sar Analysis

Abstract The scaffold representation is widely employed to classify bioactive compounds on the basis of common core structures or correlate compound classes with specific biological activities.In this paper, we present a novel approach called “Molecular Anatomy” as a flexible and unbiased molecular scaffold-based metrics to cluster large set of compounds. We introduce a set of nine molecular representations at different abstraction levels, combined with fragmentation rules, to define a multi-dimensional network of hierarchically interconnected molecular frameworks. We demonstrate that the introduction of a flexible scaffold definition and multiple pruning rules is an effective method to identify relevant chemical moieties. This approach allows to cluster together different molecular species with similar biological activity, capturing most of the structure activity information, in particular when libraries containing a huge number of singletons are analyzed. We also propose a procedure to derive a network visualization that allows a full graphical representation of compounds dataset, permitting an efficient navigation in the scaffold’s space and significantly contributing to perform high quality SAR analysis.

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