scholarly journals Locating trees to mitigate outdoor radiant load of humans in urban areas using a metaheuristic hill climbing algorithm – Introducing TreePlanter v1.0

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Wallenberg ◽  
Fredrik Lindberg ◽  
David Rayner
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Radiant Heat ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Hill Climbing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hill Climbing Algorithm ◽  
Tree Characteristics

Abstract. Mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) is a frequently-used measure of outdoor radiant heat conditions. Excessive Tmrt, linked especially to clear and warm days, have negative effect on human well-being. Highest Tmrt on such days is found in sunlit areas, whereas shaded areas have significantly lower values. One way of alleviating high Tmrt is by planting trees to provide shade in exposed areas. To achieve the most efficient mitigation of excessive Tmrt by tree shade with multiple trees requires optimized positioning of the trees, which is a computationally extensive procedure. By utilizing metaheuristics, calculations can be reduced. Here, we present TreePlanter v1.0, which applies a metaheuristic hill climbing algorithm on input raster data of Tmrt and shadow patterns to position trees in complex urban areas. The hill climbing algorithm enables dynamic exploration of the input data to position trees, compared with very computationally demanding brute-force calculations. The results show that the algorithm, in relatively low model runtime, can find positions for several trees simultaneously that lowers Tmrt substantially. TreePlanter can assist in future research on optimization of tree planting in urban areas to increase thermal comfort. The current version can only position trees of equal tree characteristics (tree height, tree canopy and trunk height). Expected developments include positioning of trees with different tree characteristics.

scholarly journals Estimating Air Pollution Removal and Monetary Value for Urban Green Infrastructure Strategies Using Web-Based Applications

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 788
Author(s):  
Alessio Russo ◽  
Wing Tung Chan ◽  
Giuseppe T. Cirella
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Pollutant Removal ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Pollution Removal

More communities around the world are recognizing the benefits of green infrastructure (GI) and are planting millions of trees to improve air quality and overall well-being in cities. However, there is a need for accurate tools that can measure and value these benefits whilst also informing the community and city managers. In recent years, several online tools have been developed to assess ecosystem services. However, the reliability of such tools depends on the incorporation of local or regional data and site-specific inputs. In this communication, we have reviewed two of the freely available tools (i.e., i-Tree Canopy and the United Kingdom Office for National Statistics) using Bristol City Centre as an example. We have also discussed strengths and weaknesses for their use and, as tree planting strategy tools, explored further developments of such tools in a European context. Results show that both tools can easily calculate ecosystem services such as air pollutant removal and monetary values and at the same time be used to support GI strategies in compact cities. These tools, however, can only be partially utilized for tree planting design as they do not consider soil and root space, nor do they include drawing and painting futures. Our evaluation also highlights major gaps in the current tools, suggesting areas where more research is needed.

The economic recession and subjective well-being in older adults in the Republic of Ireland

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Duffy ◽  
K. Mullin ◽  
S. O’Dwyer ◽  
M. Wrigley ◽  
B. D. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Health

ObjectiveSubjective well-being in older people is strongly associated with emotional, physical and mental health. This study investigates subjective well-being in older adults in Ireland before and after the economic recession that commenced in 2008.MethodsCross-sectional data from the biennial European Social Survey (2002–2012) were analysed for two separate groups of older adults: one sampled before the recession and one after. Stratification and linear regression modelling were used to analyse the association between subjective well-being, the recession and multiple potential confounders and effect modifiers.ResultsData were analysed on 2013 individuals. Overall, subjective well-being among older adults was 1.30 points lower after the recession compared with before the recession (s.e. 0.16; 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.61; p<0.001) [pre-recession: 16.1, out of a possible 20 (s.d. 3.24); post-recession:14.8 (s.d. 3.72)]. Among these older adults, the pre- and post-recession difference was especially marked in women, those with poor health and those living in urban areas.ConclusionsSubjective well-being was significantly lower in older adults after the recession compared with before the recession, especially in women with poor health in urban areas. Policy-makers need proactively to protect these vulnerable cohorts in future health and social policy. Future research could usefully focus on older people on fixed incomes whose diminished ability to alter their economic situation might make them more vulnerable to reduced subjective well-being during a recession.

scholarly journals Making Way for Trees? Changes in Land-Use, Habitats and Protected Areas in Great Britain under “Global Tree Restoration Potential”

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5845
Author(s):  
Martin A. Wilkes ◽  
James Bennett ◽  
Sara Burbi ◽  
Sue Charlesworth ◽  
Katharina Dehnen-Schmutz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Tree Canopy Cover ◽  
Restoration Potential

Numerous tree planting initiatives have been launched worldwide, based on the idea that carbon capture by trees can help to limit global warming. A recent study estimated the additional tree canopy cover that could be established given the growing conditions in every square kilometre of land on earth that is not already forested, urbanised, or used for crop production. It reported a total “tree restoration potential” of >900 million ha worldwide and identified hotspots where opportunities for tree planting initiatives may be the greatest. With the potential for an estimated 4.2 million ha of additional canopy cover, one such hotspot is Great Britain. We quantify the extent of habitats, land uses, and protected areas that would be impacted by tree planting on this scale in Great Britain and discuss the potential social–ecological trade-offs involved. Our findings show that realising the “tree restoration potential” would mean a considerable upheaval for the British landscape with 30–50% of ecologically valuable habitats lost and a reduction of 44% in the area of improved grassland. Up to 21% of land protected by law for its ecological, scientific, scenic, or cultural value would be impacted. Importantly, we demonstrate that an alternative approach based on increasing tree canopy cover by up to 20% in urban areas and on cropland could make a substantial contribution to tree planting targets, potentially offsetting losses elsewhere. Such shifts in the structure and function of the British landscape will depend on deep changes in the food system, evidence-based decisions about which existing habitats to protect, and a long-term commitment to tree planting and maintenance.

scholarly journals The concerns associated with future prospects of the food cart business in Chittagong, Bangladesh: is the concept of halalan tayyiba missing link?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariful Islam ◽  
Sazali Abd Wahab
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Muslim Countries ◽  
Halal Food ◽  
Role Based

Purpose The informal segment compared to the formal segment is developing rapidly in urban areas of many developing Muslim countries. However, matter of fact, the contribution factor of the food cart business to the economic outline of the country has been vastly overlooked or neglected. The authority, policymakers, social organisations, vendors and the customers together need to play a contributing role based on intervention tactics regarding the major focus areas related to the development of this business segment. As a result, this study aims to explore concerns or issues that are hampering future business prospects considering the philosophy of halalan tayyiba. Design/methodology/approach The study has organised 16 semi-structured interview procedures with relevant food cart vendors of Chittagong, Bangladesh. The study selected participants (food cart vendors) from lower- to medium-income areas occupying at least one high school, one college in relation to several commercial premises (ex-mini shopping malls, offices and small factories) considering 6 out of 41 wards of Chittagong city corporation. All meetings with reflected participants were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim and transcripts were loaded into NVivo for coding and analysis procedure. Findings This investigation revealed that issues with food security, weather, lack of proper legislation, lack of awareness related with halalan tayyiba and erratic policies are the major challenges for the development of the food cart business in Chittagong. This study also advances how street food security well-being and hygiene practices are a piece of the halal idea and should in this way be adjusted by the halal food segment to accomplish halalan tayyiba affirmation. The outcomes also indicate an agenda for future research in this area. Research limitations/implications More reflections from the different stakeholders do have both pertinence and potential for incorporation in suggestions. Practical implications The detected findings may help both authority and other concerned entities to identify the critical dynamics to initiate appropriate strategic activities towards local economic growth considering halalan tayyiba outlines. Social implications It will ensure social well-being and food security. Originality/value This explorative research is one of few studies in the Bangladesh context, which is investigating halalan tayyiba-oriented business development outline for micro entrepreneurs.

scholarly journals Prioritizing Street Tree Planting Locations to Increase Benefits for All Citizens: Experience From Joliette, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Sousa-Silva ◽  
Elyssa Cameron ◽  
Alain Paquette
Keyword(s):  
Urban Forest ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Species At Risk ◽  
Social Inequities ◽  
Street Tree ◽  
The City ◽  
Health And Well Being

As the climate continues to warm and the world becomes more urbanized, our reliance on trees and the benefits they provide is rapidly increasing. Many cities worldwide are planting trees to offset rising temperatures, trap pollutants, and enhance environmental and human health and well-being. To maximize the benefits of planting trees and avoid further increasing social inequities, a city needs to prioritize where to establish trees by first identifying those areas of greatest need. This work aims to demonstrate a spatially explicit approach for cities to determine these priority locations to achieve the greatest returns on specific benefits. Criteria for prioritization were developed in tandem with the City of Joliette, Canada, and based on nine indicators: surface temperature, tree density, vegetation cover, resilience, tree size and age, presence of species at risk, land use type, socioeconomic deprivation, and potential for active transportation. The City’s preferences were taken into account when assigning different weights to each indicator. The resulting tree planting priority maps can be used to target street tree plantings to locations where trees are needed most. This approach can be readily applied to other cities as these criteria can be adjusted to accommodate specific tree canopy goals and planning constraints. As cities are looking to expand tree canopy, we hope this work will assist in sustaining and growing their urban forest, enabling it to be more resilient and to keep providing multiple and sustained benefits where they are needed the most.

scholarly journals Bird Diversity Unconsciously Increases People’s Satisfaction with Where They Live

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
Lauren Hepburn ◽  
Adam C. Smith ◽  
John Zelenski ◽  
Lenore Fahrig
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Neighbourhood Satisfaction ◽  
Tree Canopy Cover

There is growing evidence that exposure to nature increases human well-being, including in urban areas. However, relatively few studies have linked subjective satisfaction to objective features of the environment. In this study we explore the links among objective environmental features (tree cover, water, and bird diversity) and subjective judgements of satisfaction. We surveyed residents of Ottawa, Canada (n = 1035) about their satisfaction with their local neighbourhoods. We then compared the survey responses to measures of nature near their homes, including bird diversity (number of bird species), tree canopy cover, and distance to water. After controlling for effects of income and subjective happiness, residents’ neighbourhood satisfaction was positively related to the number of bird species nearby, even before participants were prompted to consider nature. Residents’ appreciation of their local neigbourhood relative to others also increased with tree canopy cover and nearness to water. Unsolicited comments from participants following the survey indicated that while residents consciously appreciate trees and water, the relationship between bird diversity and neighbourhood satisfaction appears to be unconscious; very few of the participants mentioned birds. Based on these results, we speculate that a diverse local bird community may provoke feelings of satisfaction through their presence, activity, and songs. Our results create a compelling argument for city planners and individual residents to maintain bird-friendly spaces in urban areas.

scholarly journals Recursive Male Out-migration and the Consequences at Source: A Systematic Review with Special Reference to the Left-behind Women

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shatabdi Saha ◽  
Rupak Goswami ◽  
Sujit Kumar Paul
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Social Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Women Empowerment ◽  
Clear Trend ◽  
Left Behind

Male out-migration from rural to urban areas has amplified worldwide in the face of economic globalisation. Migration literature for long has engaged with the life of migrants at the destination and their support for the left-behind families in the form of remittances. Explicit scholastic undertaking for the left-behind women and their life experiences has started to receive attention only recently. We take stock of the existing literature to examine this social process and debate it within a women empowerment-disempowerment framework. Following a systematic review of the ‘migration left-behind nexus’ literature, we find a clear trend of transformation in the gender role of women everywhere, especially in the form of ‘feminisation of agriculture’. This process is largely moderated by the nature and amount of remittances received at source. The resultant well-being and empowerment of women is shaped by the socio-cultural context within which migration takes place. Both positive and/or negative outcomes for left-behind women are recorded in the literature, although its choice as a conscious decision and its subsequent permanence in a society is debatable. We expect a deeper engagement of future research that takes up the migration-led women empowerment issue within the context of the general social transformation process.

Violence Against Young Women in Non-urban Areas of Australia: A Scoping Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 534-548
Author(s):  
Leesa Hooker ◽  
Jacqui Theobald ◽  
Karen Anderson ◽  
Paulina Billet ◽  
Paula Baron
Keyword(s):  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
English Language ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Younger Women

Violence against women is globally prevalent and harmful to women’s health and well-being. Younger women are at higher risk of abuse, especially those from non-urban areas who may face specific barriers to disclosure and support. The aim of this review was to map the breadth and nature of the “violence against women” literature particular to young non-urban Australian women and identify research gaps to inform future research with young people. A comprehensive scoping review methodology, as outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, was adopted. English language, peer-reviewed articles were identified from five databases between January 2000 and July 2015. Grey literature was also examined. Inclusion criteria for the review included young women (15–24 years) from non-urban areas of Australia. Twenty-four full-text articles were included in this review. Themes identified include prevalence and type of abuse, experiences and response to violence, and the consequences of abuse. Recommendations from the review which are relevant to a global audience include the need for improved service access, improved data collection on the prevalence of violence, and a focus on more research with young women in non-urban areas. There is limited research on violence against young women living in non-urban areas of Australia. Evidence to date consists of predominantly quantitative data generated from general population surveys. There is a lack of qualitative research on this topic, and we argue that more is needed to gain a better understanding of the violence that young women experience.

scholarly journals Neighborhood Attributes and Well-Being Among Older Adults in Urban Areas: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 016402752199998
Author(s):  
Miguel Padeiro ◽  
José de São José ◽  
Carla Amado ◽  
Liliana Sousa ◽  
Carla Roma Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Neighborhoods ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Robust Evidence

Expanding urbanization rates have engendered increasing research examining linkages between urban environments and older adults’ well-being. This mixed-methods systematic review synthesizes the evidence for the influence of urban neighborhoods’ attributes on older adults’ well-being. We searched for literature published up to December 2020 across six databases and performed quality assessment and thematic analysis. The results, based on 39 identified studies, showed that natural areas in neighborhoods and a sense of community are the attributes most often associated with positive effects on well-being. Transit-related variables, urban furniture, and access to healthcare are also positively related to well-being. Neighborhoods may promote well-being more effectively when these elements are considered. However, almost half of the studies did not include all environmental dimensions simultaneously, and self-reported instruments were largely preferred over more objective assessments of the environment. Future research should thus holistically examine physical, social, and service-related attributes to produce more robust evidence.

scholarly journals Measuring Food Insecurity Using the Food Abundance Index: Implications for Economic, Health and Social Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Murrell ◽  
Ray Jones
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Food Abundance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Abundance Index ◽  
Key Dimensions ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Health And Well Being

High levels of food insecurity signal the presence of disparities and inequities in local food access, which have been shown to negatively impact the health and well-being of individuals and communities. However, the approaches used to define and measure high food insecurity, also known as a “food desert”, vary widely across research study and intervention methodology. This paper describes the development and validation of a measurement tool called the “Food Abundance Index” (FAI) which is a scorecard for assessing levels of food insecurity across five key dimensions: access, diversity, quality, density, and affordability. A pilot study was conducted to examine levels of food insecurity in order to test the extent to which the FAI can detect food deserts. Nine neighborhoods were selected based on the demographic characteristics of communities shown to be related to food insecurity. Our findings provide evidence that the Food Abundance Index provides a robust measurement tool to assess the extent of food insecurity within a community or neighborhood. Thus, this multidimensional scorecard can be used in future research to detect levels of food insecurity within urban areas and help to bridge the gap between academics, policymakers and practitioners in this important area.

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