Articles tagged with Cities
Researchers investigated the Mississippi River's hydrological trends, ocean carbon storage, and gender dynamics in flood mortality. A study found that precipitation increases, but soil moisture decreases, while high-resolution models reveal stronger Southern Ocean carbon absorption. Additionally, data showed men are overrepresented in ...
A study in Barcelona found that pedestrianisation reduces noise levels by 3.1 dB, exceeding WHO guidelines, but finds no impact from pedestrian activity, which takes over acoustical space previously dominated by motorised traffic.
A new study reveals disparities in urban shade levels, leading to greater health risks and exacerbating the 'heat island' effect in cities. Wealthier neighborhoods tend to have more trees, resulting in better shade provision for pedestrians, highlighting a consistent link between wealth and neighborhood tree abundance.
A new study assesses indoor heat vulnerability for each single-family home in Austin, finding that 85% of homes would pose significant risk to an elderly person during a power outage. The city can now take a methodical approach to mitigating risk through cooling centers and home weatherization programs.
A new model maps foot traffic in New York City, providing insights into pedestrian activity and hazard locations. The study reveals high densities of foot traffic outside Manhattan, with many streets having similar foot-traffic levels to Manhattan's busiest areas.
Research from the University of East Anglia predicts that tropical cities will experience increased urban heat island effects under 2°C global warming. The study finds that up to 81% of medium-sized cities will warm more than surrounding rural areas, with some experiencing warming rates up to 100% higher.
A new Concordia study finds that Montrealers face difficulties accessing fresh and healthy food due to inadequate public transportation and limited grocery store locations. The researchers recommend combining active transportation with public transit to increase accessibility to healthy food establishments.
Urbanization may be shaping the spotted lanternfly's spread into new environments by allowing them to adapt to heat, pollution, and pesticides. The insects' genetic diversity is lower in the US compared to China, but they are still adapting to local climate conditions.
A Concordia University study reveals that nearly half of Montreal's elderly care facilities lack public EV charging stations within a 15-minute walk. This limits access not only for residents but also for caregivers and staff. Strategically placing new chargers in underserved areas can improve accessibility without expanding the network.
A new study by IIASA and UN-Habitat finds that citizen science can strengthen urban sustainability monitoring, particularly for issues like air quality and community wellbeing. The analysis reveals that many indicators remain incomplete and are reported mainly at national level.
A new study has found that living walls can significantly enhance urban biodiversity by attracting pollinators and other wildlife. The research revealed that soil-based living walls with plants in soil attracted more wildlife than those with artificial substrates, and specific plant species like ivy and honeysuckle were most effective.
A multi-institutional study found that living in urban areas with visible trees is associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, with a 4% decrease. In contrast, higher percentages of visible grass were linked to a 6% increase in cardiovascular diseases.
Cities need clear limits on urban sprawl to achieve sustainability. A new Concordia study proposes combining greenbelts with densification policies to limit sprawl and promote sustainable development. The study found that without additional policies, greenbelts alone are insufficient to halt urban sprawl.
A new study from King's College London and Nokia Bell Labs found that inner-city parks consistently scored higher in cultural, natural, social, and physical activity provisions compared to suburban parks. This suggests that urban inequality may be undermining the 'suburban dream' of having access to high-quality green spaces.
A new study by MIT researchers reveals that cities with strong airline connections are more likely to attract multinational firms, particularly in knowledge industries. The study analyzed 7.5 million firms in 800 cities and found that direct flights lead to a 20% increase in subsidiaries, compared to cities with only one-stop connections.
A new framework reveals that compact, mixed-use districts like One-North are designed to generate cleaner travel patterns, but the reality is more complex. Emissions hotspots were identified at major arterial roads, weaker transit-accessible edges of districts, and busy corridors like North Buona Vista Road.
A comprehensive analysis of 383 US cities found common patterns of isolation and segregation, with wealthy suburban areas and poorer downtown zones often having limited interactions between residents. Researchers recommend zoning incentives and strategic development to encourage greater diversity and social mixing.
Research finds that standard road crossing intervals are too short for older adults with limited mobility, resulting in a need for slower crossings. The study analyzed walking speeds of 1,110 adults aged 65 and over and found that just 1.5% can cross the road within the typical time allowed by pedestrian signals.
A study analyzing over 100 cities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America found that compact urban planning is crucial for delivering water and sanitation to growing populations. The research suggests that if cities spread outward rather than building more densely, access to clean water and basic sanitation could be significantly impacted.
A research team led by Göttingen University found that urban blue spaces play a critical role in food security and social inclusion in four major Indian cities. Women, the elderly, and marginalized communities most frequently collected, shared, cooked, and sold food products.
Over half of global coastal settlements have retreated from the coast over the past 30 years in response to intensifying climate hazards. Coastal regions in Africa and Oceania lead the retreat, while poorer regions often expand shoreline settlements due to economic needs.
Researchers from the University of São Paulo identified 410,000 hectares in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with potential for forest restoration in urban fringe areas. These areas have diverse land uses and are not normally included in surveys of potential restoration areas.
Researchers investigate how adjacent cities exacerbate each other's heat island effects. A study also highlights the need for improved hindcasting infrastructure in climate science. Additionally, a campaign monitors pinned clouds over industrial sources of heat and finds that trees are more reliable against heat stress than buildings.
A new report by the University of Warwick finds that artificial intelligence is being developed primarily for efficiency and service improvements, rather than benefits for local communities. The report calls for greater public participation in AI policy design to ensure technologies deliver tangible benefits where they are needed most.
A new study by Complexity Science Hub researcher Rafael Prieto-Curiel challenges the assumption that larger cities are more violent. The study shows that isolated cities, with limited highway connections, experience nearly seven times more violence against civilians per 100,000 residents than well-connected cities.
A new study suggests that coyotes are more likely to overlap with humans in areas with high levels of open space, such as parks and golf courses. The analysis found that coyotes were attracted to areas with moderate levels of open space, like parks or golf courses, where they could find food and shelter. In contrast, coyotes may be les...
A new paper argues that modern life has outpaced human evolution, leading to chronic stress and health issues. The researchers suggest that societies need to rethink their relationship with nature and design healthier environments to mitigate these effects.
Concordia researchers propose a new model for urban development combining key strategies to ensure an environmentally friendly future. By integrating energy, mobility, land use, and social functions, the 15-minute city principle can be applied to create sustainable neighborhoods with reduced carbon emissions.
Shared houses in Tokyo are marketed as lifestyle-driven homes focusing on comfort, connection, and personal growth. The study reveals that properties near train stations emphasize accessibility and neighborhood convenience, while those farther away highlight natural surroundings and social interaction.
A new report from the University of Liverpool highlights the uneven progress toward achieving UN SDG11, a goal to make cities more inclusive, safe, and sustainable. To meet this goal by 2030, planners must translate global awareness into local action.
A new study from the Complexity Science Hub found that European cities with a metro system have a significant reduction in car use, with an average of 37% of car trips compared to 50% in cities with only trams and 54% without rail. In contrast, tram cities show no measurable impact on reducing car use.
Street art in Kaunas, Lithuania acts as a form of cultural activism and collective memory, blending languages, images, and historical narratives. Murals have become powerful tools for community reflection and dialogue, turning public space into a living archive of cultural identity.
A new study found that public greenspaces are lacking in many American communities, with some groups facing significant barriers to access. The research highlights the need for more inclusive park planning and distribution to ensure equal benefits for all residents.
The city's relocation to a depression resulted in colder temperatures, up to 10 degrees lower in winter. The new design prioritizes aesthetics over climate protection, creating a 'bloody wind tunnel' and neglecting essential features like snow insulation.
A new study reveals that middle-class Mancunians, including doctors and engineers, lived alongside working-class residents in the same buildings and streets. The research found that over 60% of buildings housing wealthy occupational classes also housed unskilled laborers.
Researchers propose using the Agent Deed Consequence (ADC) model to program ethical values into smart city technologies. The model captures human moral judgments by considering agent intent, deed, and consequence, enabling AI systems to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate orders.
A Concordia University study reveals that neighborhoods with lower incomes and higher proportions of racialized residents tend to be hotter due to less vegetation. Increasing tree coverage can lower land surface temperature by 1.4°C, but wealthier areas have more access to green infrastructure.
A study of food delivery couriers in Montreal and Toronto reveals a system characterized by low pay, long hours, and limited job security. The research highlights the role of economically precarious immigrant workers in supporting the industry's rapid growth.
A new study reveals that US cities maintain a constant level of economic coherence despite technological revolutions, with larger cities being less coherent. Coherence combines variety, workforce balance, and industry diversity, constraining transformations and diversification.
A new vision plan for Innovation District Copenhagen outlines a comprehensive strategy to strengthen cooperation between businesses, educational institutions, and public actors. The district is set to become Denmark's new beacon for Life Science, with the goal of creating thousands of new jobs and attracting investments of billions.
Researchers at the University of Chicago created an unprecedented approach to urban development using high-resolution data. The analysis shows that cities with better infrastructure have better developmental outcomes, and that improving access can improve residents' well-being beyond just physical needs.
Compound heat and air pollution episodes are becoming more frequent and intense in US cities, posing a significant threat to public health. The study found that urban areas experience more frequent overlaps of extreme heat with harmful air pollutants than surrounding rural areas.
The study reveals that when physical constraints are removed, human mobility follows a power-law pattern, decreasing steadily with distance. The researchers found this pattern across five orders of magnitude, from 10 meters to hundreds of kilometers.
A European-wide synthesis finds that pollinator-promoting interventions generally benefit plants and pollinators, with varying effects depending on intervention type and habitat. The study suggests that biodiversity-friendly urban management practices can improve public perception and promote healthier ecosystems.
A large-scale modeling study led by MIT researchers reveals that dynamically adjusting vehicle speeds can cut annual city-wide intersection carbon emissions by 11-22%. Implementing eco-driving measures could also result in a 25-50% reduction in CO2 emissions if only 10% of vehicles adopt the technology.
A new study reveals that pedestrians are now walking faster and spending less time in public spaces. Researchers analyzed 40 years of video footage to find a 14% decline in people lingering in these areas.
A report by ICTA-UAB reveals that 40% of Spanish tenants spend more than 30% of their income on housing, with up to 28% experiencing energy poverty. The study highlights the need for coordinated reforms to address housing inequality and improve energy efficiency.
A UC study finds that murals are associated with higher foot traffic, denser housing, and increased cultural identity in Cincinnati's neighborhoods. The research also highlights the potential for murals to contribute to urban policy decisions, guiding investments in public art to achieve broader community development goals.
Researchers at The University of Osaka develop AI-powered method to analyze urban vegetation color, structure, and seasonal changes using street view imagery. This allows city planners to enhance the 'feel-good' factor of urban green spaces throughout the year.
A new analysis reveals that religion, politics, and war can drive evolutionary changes in urban wildlife, leading to population differences and genetic drift. The study's findings have implications for city planning and management, highlighting the need for researchers to record changes as they happen using digital technology.
A new study by the Complexity Science Hub questions Rotterdam's 'balanced neighborhoods' policy, finding little evidence of stronger community ties despite efforts to mix income groups. The research highlights the risks of gentrification and displacement of low-income communities.
The Healthy Urban Design Index (HUDI) evaluates 917 European cities based on 13 indicators connected to people's health and well-being. Small cities tend to show better environmental quality and a higher overall score.
The study found that the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline has been contacted over 16 million times since its launch in July 2022. Despite this high number, regional and state-level variations in usage suggest potential for further growth and improvement.
A study by the University of Cambridge found that two-thirds of UK gig economy riders and drivers experience anxiety over ratings and pay, with over half risking health and safety while working. The study also revealed that local workers spend an average of ten hours a week waiting for jobs to come through on the app.
University of Missouri researchers create digital sentiment map using AI to analyze public Instagram posts, linking emotional tone to real-life features. The tool aims to improve city services, identify areas of concern, and inform emergency response decisions.
A new computational model shows that structural inequalities, including wealth inequality and social segregation, accelerate the spread of infectious diseases through society. In a hypothetical 'ideal' scenario without segregation, infection rates were lower in most metropolitan areas.
Research reveals nature-relatedness is crucial for improving well-being in urban areas with poor socioeconomic conditions. Early-life exposure and equitable access to nature are essential factors in public health.
Research in China's Greater Bay Area found that almost 6,000 vessels move daily, leaving little space for nature. The study highlights the need for conservation efforts and sustainable management of coastal development.
A study by Eawag and the University of Zurich found that human impacts on biodiversity are widespread and severe, with average species declines of 20% across all biogeographic regions. The composition of species communities is also shifting, with environmental pollution and habitat changes having a particularly negative impact.
A team of mathematicians studied crowd flow and developed a way to predict when pedestrian paths become disorganized. They found that an angular spread of around 13 degrees is the threshold for transition, beyond which the flow becomes less efficient and potentially more dangerous.