scholarly journals A (In) Sustentabilidade da Vida Humana nas Cidades: Redirecionamentos Teórico-Metodológicos à Construção de Ambientes Urbanos Humanos (The (Un) Sustainable of Human Life in Towns:New Theoretic and Methodologic Directions for Constructing Human Urban...)

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Claudio Jorge Moura de Castilho
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Important Material ◽  
Interdisciplinary Perspective ◽  
Scientific Papers

Faz-se uma reflexão sobre redirecionamentos teórico-metodológicos à construção de ambientes urbanos mais humanos, sob parâmetros da sustentabilidade, discutindo perspectivas de enxergar, pensar e intervir na realidade territorial desses ambientes. Primeiramente, analisa-se a insustentabilidade dos ambientes urbanos de hoje. Em segundo lugar, resgata-se o conceito de sustentabilidade, em uma abordagem complexa e interdisciplinar. Por último, discute-se como se pode contribuir à construção de ambientes urbanos sustentáveis, apresentando dois exemplos de políticas públicas em Recife, que tentaram fazê-lo, mas que ainda não o conseguiram. A revisão da literatura sobre o assunto, com base em uma parte das reflexões teóricas e metodológicas encontradas em livros e artigos selecionados por nós, constituiu a principal fonte e material à realização deste trabalho. Palavras-chave: (In) Sustentabilidade, Ambientes urbanos, Complexidade, Interdisciplinaridade, Recife.  The (Un) Sustainable of Human Life in Towns:New Theoretic and Methodologic Directions for Constructing Human Urban Environments  ABSTRACT It points at new theoretical-methodical directions for constructing human urban environments, considering the parameters of sustainability, discussing a perspective of seeing, thinking and intervene in the urban reality. Firstly, it analyzes the current unsustainability of urban environments in towns. Secondly, it shows the concept of sustainability in its complex and interdisciplinary perspective. Lastly, it indicates two examples of public policies in Recife in order to contributing to thinking about the possibilities of a sustainable urban environment. The literature about this subject, based on a part of theoric and methodologic reflections found within books and scientific papers selected by us, provided the most important material and sources for this study. Keywords: (Un) Sustainability, Urban environments, Complexity, Interdisciplinarity, Recife. 

Relationships

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip James
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Select Group ◽  
Exotic Pets

Relationships between organisms within urban environments are many and varied. Plants are found in many households, and in addition to the benefits derived from their decorative properties, they also purify the air by removing pollutants. Over the course of history some animals have become domesticated: cows, horses, goats, providing food and transport. Of these, a select group have become companions (cats, dogs, and more exotic pets). Such domesticated and companion animals are an important part of the overall biology of urban environments and these relationships are explored and discussed. Some former companion or domestic animals have become feral, and other animals have never been domesticated and live freely in the urban environment. Some of these animals have beneficial relationships with humans whereas others are parasitic or are considered pests. These relationships are the focus for the later part of the exploration set out in this chapter.

What is the urban environment and what is biology?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip James
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
First Century ◽  
Final Part ◽  
Global Spread ◽  
Twenty First Century ◽  
Genes To Ecosystems ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Initial Focus

The two main themes contained within the title The Biology of Urban Environments are explored. The initial focus is on urban environments. A discussion of the origins of cities and the global spread of urbanization leads on to a consideration of urban environments in the twenty-first century. In the second section, the focus switches to biology. The scope of the discipline is set out in terms of both the range of sub-disciplines and of biological scales. It is established from this discussion that in this book the topics considered span from genes to ecosystems and will be illustrated by examples of the biology of micro-organisms, plants, and animals. Importantly humans will be included within this consideration: our biology is affected by urban environments. The final part presents the structure of the book.

scholarly journals FEATURES OF ASSESSMENT OF ANTHROPOGENIC LOADS ON NATURAL COMPLEXES

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
P. Evdokimov
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Anthropogenic Impact ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Regulatory Documents ◽  
Dialectical Approach ◽  
The Impact

the article describes the problems of assessing the anthropogenic impact of human activity on natural com-plexes surrounding urbanized territories. Among the main research tasks are development of methodological foundations for assessing the quanti-tative and qualitative composition at anthropogenic impact on natural complexes surrounding urban areas. The main method of this research include a dialectical approach that focuses on generally accepted logi-cal research methods (analysis, systematic approach, generalization) and their synthesis using relevant in-formation materials. The author considered various methods of assessing the impact of various factors on the environment, and also carried out the examination of urban decisions related to the appointment of a category (status) the natural resources included in the urban environment in Moscow. The Russian capital is a European metropolis, the largest city-millionaire in Europe and a typical object of research to identify the effects of various anthropogenic factors. The implementation at economic activity in the metropolis is accompanied by the emergence of problems, the solution of which has not been found yet. Analysis of methods for assessing the impact at the various factors on the environment was carried out taking into account the provisions in regulatory documents governing the appointment for protected areas urban environment. Provisions of regulatory documents and decisions of executive authorities designed to use natural (forest) resources in urban environments. The absence of approved methods for assessing certain types of land plots with a protected status was identified. The main factors affecting the quality of biogeocenosis were identified. The main features of the applica-tion methods for assessing the status and possibility in recreational development in territories of varying de-grees at development are considered.

scholarly journals PARAMETERS OF INTEREST FOR THE DESIGN OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

2019 ◽  
pp. 92-101
Author(s):  
Marija Šperac ◽  
Dino Obradović
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Land Surfaces ◽  
Selection Of

The urbanization process significantly reduced the permeability of land surfaces, which affected the changes of runoff characteristics and the relations in the hydrological cycle. In urban environments, the relationships within the hydrological cycle have changed in quantity, in particular: precipitation, air temperature, evaporation, and infiltration. By applying the green infrastructure (GI) to urban environments is beneficial for the water resources and the social community. GI has an effect on the improvement of ecological, economic, and social conditions. Using GI into urban areas increases the permeability of land surfaces, whereby decreasing surface runoff, and thus the frequency of urban floods. It also has a significant influence on the regulation of air quality, water purification, climate change impact, and the changes in the appearance of the urban environment. When planning and designing the GI, it is necessary to identify the type of GI and determine the size and location of the selected GI. Since each urban environment has its own characteristics, it is necessary to analyze them before deciding on the GI. The paper analyzed meteorological parameters (precipitation, air temperature, insolation, air humidity) affecting the selection of GI types, using the specific example of an urban environment – the City of Osijek, Croatia. Significant parameters when designing GI are operation and maintenance These parameters directly affect the efficiency of GI. The proper selection of GI and its location results in maximum gains: the reduction of land surface drainage - drainage of the sewage system, purification and retention of precipitation at the place of production, the improvement of air quality, and the improvement of living conditions in urban environments

scholarly journals ADVANTAGES OF QUARTER BUILDING IN THE FORMATION OF A COMFORTABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 140-147
Author(s):  
Liudmila A. VOLKOVA ◽  
Tatyana V. LITVYAK
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Residential Development ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Residential Areas

The article presents a comparative analysis of the main characteristics of planning elements “quarter” and “microdistrict”, identifies their significant differences; provides an analysis of the development of approaches to the construction of residential areas in Russia in terms of creating a comfortable urban environment for human life; reveals the advantages of modern quarter as a planning element of residential development.

scholarly journals Growing Value: Describing The Nature Of The Relationship Between Street-Level Greenery and Housing Prices in Toronto

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer Bridgwater
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Housing Prices ◽  
Urban Forestry ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Developmental Context ◽  
Street Level ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Aerial Perspective

The role of urban forestry has become increasingly important in the context of sustainability, both from an environmental context, and from a developmental context. Greenery in an urban environment has demonstrable implications for health, air quality, aesthetics, and land value, as described broadly across the literature. Until recently, studies on green urban canopies and housing prices have been limited in their methodology by using aerial-perspective data. The MIT Senseable City Lab in 2015 developed the Treepedia project, which uses Google Street View images to quantify greenery levels in urban environments. Using the green view index (GVI) data from the Treepedia project, street-level greenery densities were compared against housing prices across Toronto. Models for different property types, accounting for characteristic, locational, and demographic variables, were estimated. It was determined that a statistically significant relationship between street-level greenery and housing prices exists in Toronto for detached homes, semi-detached homes, row/townhouse units, condo apartments, and condo townhouses.

scholarly journals Understanding the distribution of introduced mammalian predators in an urban environment using monitoring tools and community trapping

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Cherie Balls
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Trap Density ◽  
Predator Control ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
Monitoring Devices ◽  
Tracking Tunnels ◽  
Broad Scale

<p>Introduced mammalian predators are one of the largest conservation threats to New Zealand native flora and fauna, and there is an increasing concern about their presence in urban environments, coupled with a recognition that cities present a unique opportunity for ecological restoration, due to the availability of a large number of volunteers and options for intensive management of green spaces and gardens. Predator control is an essential step towards the ecological restoration of urban environments, however, it requires an understanding of the factors influencing the distribution of these mammalian predators before successful control operations can be implemented. Few studies have investigated mammalian predators in urban environments, and there is little certainty about what drives their distribution in these environments. This thesis used simple mammal monitoring techniques and trapping data to investigate the distribution of mammalian predators within broad scale urban environments, with the aim of identifying drivers of their distribution.  Chew cards and tracking tunnels collected across three New Zealand cities were assessed for their efficacy as accurate monitoring devices in urban environments. In Chapter 2, monitoring devices were cross-checked between observers to assess the level of consistency in interpretation of chew and tracking marks. The consistency of chew card and tracking tunnel identifications was relatively high overall and were not substantially influenced by the city of identification, or the duration of card exposures. Monitoring devices were also assessed for their change in sensitivity between one and six-night exposures. Both devices were effective at detecting rats, however, tracking tunnels showed greater sensitivity and consistency in detecting mice and hedgehogs, whereas chew cards were better suited to the monitoring of possums. Neither device was particularly effective at detecting mustelids or cats.  In Chapter 3, mammalian predators were monitored across 24 monitoring lines in autumn, 2018, and results were compiled with spring 2017 and autumn 2018 data, pre-collected in two other cities, following the same procedures. There were distinct differences in the broad-scale habitat utilisation of rats, mice, hedgehogs, with possums being the only species to show a strong preference for urban forests. Only two of the tested microhabitat variables had an influence on species distributions. Detection of rats declined with increasing distance to the coast, and the increase in human population size was related to a significant increase in hedgehogs. There was a strong seasonal difference on the influence of local trap density and the detection of mammals. The increase in trap density within 25-50m radii was significantly related to a decrease in rat and hedgehog detections. Overall, there are substantial differences between the distributions of species in an urban environment.  Trapping is one of the main methods of predator control in New Zealand, and is already widespread within urban and suburban Wellington. In Chapter 4, I compiled trap data from 22 community trapping groups operating in residential and reserve areas in Wellington City. Residential groups (“backyard trappers”) used a high proportion of Victor and various rat and mouse traps, which was strongly linked to their high number of rat and mouse catches. Groups trapping in reserves used a high proportion of DOC 200, Victor and A24 traps, however, fewer hedgehogs were caught compared to residential areas. Catches were significantly influenced by various landscape variables. An increased distance of traps to streams led to significantly higher catches of rats, conversely, proximity to streams resulted in significantly higher catches of mice and hedgehogs. Although few catches of weasels were reported, traps closer to the coast and to forest fragments caught significantly more individuals.  The research in this thesis contributes to the small body of research conducted on mammalian predators within urban environments. The findings in this thesis can assist with the current and future predator management programmes, by highlighting areas of potential significance, particularly in Wellington.</p>

Perception Based Method for Measuring the Aesthetic Quality of the Urban Environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
Hourakhsh Ahmad Nia ◽  
Resmiye Alpar Atun ◽  
Rokhsaneh Rahbarianyazd
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Spatial Configuration ◽  
Human Perception ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Aesthetic Perception ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
Aesthetic Values

This study assesses changing aesthetic values and their characteristics in urban environments based on human perception. With this in mind, a model for assessing the aesthetic values of the urban environment based on the three steps of human cognition has been developed to elaborate the user's perception in different urban environments. The results of the survey confirm that by changing urban morphology the aesthetic perception of the environment also changes. The finding of this research opens up a new window for urban planners to assess the aesthetic effects of the elements of urban spatial configuration for future urban development.

scholarly journals Season dependent effects of urban environment on circadian clock of tree sparrow (Passer montanus)

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 1741-1749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zothanmawii Renthlei ◽  
Bijoy Krishna Borah ◽  
Tennison Gurumayum ◽  
Amit Kumar Trivedi
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Clock ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Tree Sparrow ◽  
Passer Montanus

Great efforts have been made recently to understand the effect(s) of urban environments on the circadian and seasonal physiology of wild animals, but the mechanisms involved remain largely unknown.

Outline of a Design Tool for Analysis and Visual Quality Control of Urban Environments

2002 ◽  
pp. 249-260
Author(s):  
Predrag Sidjanin ◽  
Waltraud Gerhardt
Keyword(s):  
Computer Science ◽  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Design Theory ◽  
Cognitive Mapping ◽  
Visual Quality ◽  
Database System ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Design Tool

In this chapter, the main idea about a design tool and its object database system will be described. The design tool should improve design practice with respect to analysis and improving existing and planned urban environments. Preconditions for defining the design tool’s purpose are the determination of the “well-situated” urban elements, their impact on cognitive mapping, and the exploitation of the knowledge on cognitive mapping for the improvement of urban environments. This leads to the conclusion that an urban environment design, which takes of the process of cognitive mapping into consideration, will be experienced by most of the people in the same way. Investigations of this process result in a conceptual model of the tool by using elements of urban environments, their relationships and their dependencies. The theoretical background of the tool is based on design theory, cognitive science and computer science. Design theory and cognitive science will be used to develop the conceptual model. This conceptual model together with computer science will be the basis platform for tool development. The tool uses a schematic representation of urban environment, based on Lynch’s theory of “urban forms.” Lynch’s theory is crucial for the tool development because it explains elements of urban environments. Systematic investigation of urban environments and their characteristics are also important for the object schema of the tool. The tool will use an object database system, which help to represent and to handle the urban elements with their properties and relationships, with their natural semantics. The information represented in the database will be used to analyze urban environment with the aim to improve and control their visual quality.

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