scholarly journals Quantifying the Characteristics of the Local Urban Environment through Geotagged Flickr Photographs and Image Recognition

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meixu Chen ◽  
Dani Arribas-Bel ◽  
Alex Singleton
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Image Recognition ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Population ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Recognition Method ◽  
Dynamic Distribution ◽  
Large Numbers

Urban environments play a crucial role in the design, planning, and management of cities. Recently, as the urban population expands, the ways in which humans interact with their surroundings has evolved, presenting a dynamic distribution in space and time locally and frequently. Therefore, how to better understand the local urban environment and differentiate varying preferences for urban areas has been a big challenge for policymakers. This study leverages geotagged Flickr photographs to quantify characteristics of varying urban areas and exploit the dynamics of areas where more people assemble. An advanced image recognition model is used to extract features from large numbers of images in Inner London within the period 2013–2015. After the integration of characteristics, a series of visualisation techniques are utilised to explore the characteristic differences and their dynamics. We find that urban areas with higher population densities cover more iconic landmarks and leisure zones, while others are more related to daily life scenes. The dynamic results demonstrate that season determines human preferences for travel modes and activity modes. Our study expands the previous literature on the integration of image recognition method and urban perception analytics and provides new insights for stakeholders, who can use these findings as vital evidence for decision making.

Healthy Places to Play, Learn, and Develop

Urban Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 102-111
Author(s):  
Renée Boynton-Jarrett
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
Healthy Living ◽  
Urban Populations ◽  
The Past ◽  
Physical Environments ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
The World

The urban environment is characterized by human-made spaces, by environments that are created to allow large numbers of people to coexist. These spaces literally shape where and how we play and work, representing an enormous opportunity for urban spaces to influence all aspects of our daily life—including our health. Although abundant urban areas have emerged over the past decades that disincentivize healthy living, innovation around the world is providing examples of approaches to urban design that generates healthy and safe places to play and work. This chapter provides a framework for thinking about the creation of urban spaces, about how the physical environment influences health, and how, to that end, we can create healthy physical environments to improve the health of urban populations.

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 Functional links between rural and urban areas in the territory of the city of Banja Luka and the perspective of their development

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
Milan Tomić ◽  
Sandra Rover ◽  
Bojan Pejović ◽  
Nina Uremović
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Center ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Political Dimensions ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas ◽  
Banja Luka

Different types of interactions between rural and urban areas have the effect of improving economic, social, cultural and political dimensions in both areas, separating these two areas by their type of activity. Rural and urban types of regions have different resources and means that can be used in a complementary way. In rural-urban interaction there is a possibility of occurrence of conflict of interest of these two areas. This kind of conflict should be overcome when applying the partnership approach between rural and urban areas. The types of rural areas, depending on the proximity of the urban center and the functions of these areas, are divided into suburban, agricultural and remote type areas. By determining the functions of each type of area, the type and intensity of the interactions of rural areas with the urban center are presented. Rural entrepreneurs are able to bridge rural-urban differences, possessing certain market knowledge and descriptions of the characteristics of urban environments, while benefiting from their position. Rural entrepreneurs' interaction with the urban environment can contribute to sustainable economic relations between citizens in urban and rural areas. This paper presents the results of research related to determining the functions of certain areas, their strengths, unused and utilized resources, the frequency of interaction with the urban environment and the perspectives of suburban, agricultural and remote type areas in the context of interaction with the urban environment.

scholarly journals Guided by the light: Roost choice and behaviour of urban Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus)

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Savannah Daoud-Opit ◽  
Darryl N. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Artificial Light ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rainbow Lorikeet ◽  
Individual Trees ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract 1. The formation of large communal roosts is a conspicuous phenomenon associated with a wide range of bird species successfully exploiting urban environments. In many Australian cities, the abundance of the Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus), a native parrot, has increased markedly in recent decades, with the species roosting in very large numbers within suburban sites. These roosting locations are noisy and cause significant fouling of the land beneath, resulting in conflict with humans. 2. We investigated the selection of roosting sites in this species in Brisbane, Australia, by comparing characteristics of both the general sites of these roosts as well as individual trees used within roosting sites and trees that were avoided. 3. Lorikeets used a wide variety of tree types for roosting but demonstrated a clear preference for clumped trees within sparsely treed areas that received significantly more artificial light at night than otherwise suitable sites and trees nearby. 4. These features of roosting sites may enhance the detection of nocturnal predators by Rainbow Lorikeets, suggesting a potential positive impact of anthropogenic lighting. Our findings provide valuable insights into the management of roost-related conflicts in urban areas. We encourage further investigations into the possible benefits of artificial light.

scholarly journals The role of invasion and urbanization gradients in shaping avian community composition

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M Rogers ◽  
Andrea S Griffin ◽  
Françoise Lermite ◽  
Berndt van Rensburg ◽  
Carla Archibald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Avian Community ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
Common Myna ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Gradual Loss ◽  
A Site

Abstract The extent to which native species utilize urban environments depends on species responses to multiple threatening processes. Here, we aimed to quantify changes in bird communities in response to changing habitat structure, invasive species and aggressive native species. We conducted surveys in two independently invaded regions with similar patterns of urban development. The study regions were New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD), Australia. We observed 127 species in NSW and 144 species in QLD. Most species (NSW 83 and QLD 84) are urban adapters making use of some or all urban sub-environments. Urban avoiders, species only found in remnant vegetation, were the second largest group (urban avoiders: NSW 23 and QLD 31). We found the lowest richness in the most urban sites (urban exploiters: NSW 10 and QLD 15). Using generalized linear mixed models, we found a non-significant relationship between species richness and the abundance of aggressive species like the common myna and noisy miners, Manorina melanocephala, but a significant positive correlation with the percentage of shrub cover at a site. As there is a gradual loss of species with increasing urbanization, retaining higher complexity in vegetation structure in urban areas will support large numbers of species and could help mitigate the potential impacts of aggressive urban-adapted species and habitat loss.

Perthes’ disease of the hip: socioeconomic inequalities and the urban environment

2012 ◽  
Vol 97 (12) ◽  
pp. 1053-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel C Perry ◽  
Colin E Bruce ◽  
Daniel Pope ◽  
Peter Dangerfield ◽  
Mary Jane Platt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Socioeconomic Deprivation ◽  
Perthes Disease ◽  
Discharge Rates ◽  
Rural Environments ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Using Data

IntroductionPerthes’ disease is a puzzling childhood hip disorder for which the aetiology is unknown. It is known to be associated with socioeconomic deprivation. Urban environments have also been implicated as a risk factor, however socioeconomic deprivation often occurs within urban environments and it is unclear if this association is the result of confounding. The objective of the current work was to gain a greater understanding of the influence of the urban/rural environment in Perthes’ disease.MethodsThis was a descriptive observational study using the Scottish Morbidity Record, based in Scotland, UK using data from 2000–2010. A total of 443 patients with a discharge diagnosis of Perthes’ disease were included. Socioeconomic deprivation was determined using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, and exposure to the ‘urban environment’ was recorded based on the Scottish Urban–Rural Classification.ResultsThere was a strong association with socioeconomic deprivation, with rates among the most deprived quintile more than twice those of the most affluent (RR 2.1 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.9)). Urban areas had a greater rate of Perthes’ disease discharges (RR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.2)), though this was a reflection of greater deprivation in urban areas. Stratification for socioeconomic deprivation revealed similar discharge rates in urban and rural environments, suggesting that the aetiological determinants were not independently associated with urban environments.ConclusionsThe occurrence of Perthes’ disease within urban environments is high, yet this appears to be a reflection of higher socioeconomic deprivation exposure. Disease rates appear equivalent in similarly deprived urban and non-urban areas, suggesting that the determinant is not a consequence of the urban environment.

scholarly journals Integrity Analysis for GPS-Based Navigation of UAVs in Urban Environment

Robotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Oguz Kagan Isik ◽  
Juhyeon Hong ◽  
Ivan Petrunin ◽  
Antonios Tsourdos
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite Systems ◽  
Integrity Monitoring ◽  
Satellite Systems ◽  
Joint Consideration ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite

The increasing use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in safety-critical missions in both civilian and military areas demands accurate and reliable navigation, where one of the key sources of navigation information is presented by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). In challenging conditions, for example, in urban areas, the accuracy of GNSS-based navigation may degrade significantly due to user-satellite geometry and obscuration issues without being noticed by the user. Therefore, considering the essentially dynamic rate of change in this type of environment, integrity monitoring is of critical importance for understanding the level of trust we have in positioning and timing data. In this paper, the dilution of precision (DOP) coefficients under nominal and challenging conditions were investigated for the purpose of integrity monitoring in urban environments. By analyzing positioning information in a simulated urban environment using a software-based GNSS receiver, the integrity monitoring approach based on joint consideration of GNSS observables and environmental parameters has been proposed. It was shown that DOP coefficients, when considered together with a number of visible satellites and cut-off elevations specific to the urban environment carry valuable integrity information that is difficult to get using existing integrity monitoring approaches. This has allowed generating indirect integrity measures based on cut-off elevation and satellite visibility that can be used for UAV path planning and guidance in urban environments.

scholarly journals Optimized indoor daylight for tropical dense urban environments

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iara Gonçalves dos Santos ◽  
Thomas Auer ◽  
Roberta Vieira Gonçalves de Souza
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Cardinal Directions ◽  
Daylight Performance ◽  
Sky Conditions

Abstract Studies using metrics related to dynamic sky conditions for indoor daylight performance assessment in urban environment are rare in tropical latitudes. This study applied one of these metrics, the spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA 300,50% ≥75%, IES LM 83-12) for Cuiabá (15ºS, 56ºW, Brazil), a savanna climate city with a high frequency of partly cloudy skies. Parametric simulations were used to investigate the availability of daylight in dense urban areas. So daylight conditions inside a reference room with varied depths located within a continuous urban canyon were simulated with Radiance/Daysim in Grasshopper/Honeybee. Dimensions of the street and heights of front buildings (obstructions) are also varied in order to observe the relation between the sky angle and the sDA, for the four main cardinal directions. The results of regression analysis for this case study showed that among all evaluated parameters, room depth tended to be the most relevant for the optimization of indoor daylight. Finally, limitations of this approach and opportunities for further investigations were discussed.

scholarly journals Selective disappearance of great tits with short telomeres in urban areas

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1862) ◽  
pp. 20171349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Salmón ◽  
Johan F. Nilsson ◽  
Hannah Watson ◽  
Staffan Bensch ◽  
Caroline Isaksson
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Telomere Attrition ◽  
Rural Environments ◽  
The Relationship

Urban environments pose novel challenges, as well as opportunities, for urban-dwelling wildlife. Although differences have been reported in several phenotypic traits (e.g. morphology, physiology and behaviour) between urban and rural populations, it is poorly understood whether this affects individual fitness. Telomere dynamics are posited as one possible mechanism underlying senescence and mortality. It was recently shown that telomere shortening is accelerated when growing up in an urban, compared with a rural, environment. However, the implications of accelerated telomere attrition for fitness are still unclear. Here, we examine the relationship between telomere length (TL) and survival in a bird common to urban and rural environments, and during both early and later life. The results reveal that TL is a strong predictor of post-fledging survival and recruitment in both habitats but, crucially, selective disappearance of individuals with short telomeres early in life is more pronounced in the urban environment, resulting in a longer average TL among the adult population. However, following recruitment, we found no difference in the relationship between TL and survival between the urban and rural environments. This indicates that the urban environment has negative effects in early life, while during later life the benefits could potentially outweigh the costs.

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