Articles tagged with Cities
The study examines how the Odyssey has been systematically reinterpreted in light of historical and cultural dilemmas, showcasing its impact on modern human experience and characterization of scientific concepts. Female figures like Circe and Penelope are reimagined as symbols of autonomy and resistance in contemporary literature and t...
Researchers analyzed 2,826 brain MRI exams and found that individuals living in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods exhibited a higher brain age gap and lower total brain volume. This association was linked to increased risk of memory loss, cognitive problems, and dementia.
Researchers from MSU and U-M are launching a three-year study to examine the impact of urban clean energy investments on local communities, with a focus on equity and participation. The project aims to understand how cities can reduce carbon emissions while ensuring community voices are heard and benefits are shared.
A new PNAS special feature examines how segregation shapes environmental risks and benefits in cities, including access to water, safety from floods, and exposure to extreme heat. The authors argue that understanding segregation as a social-ecological system can help break cycles and build more equitable cities.
A recent study found that coyote density in Seattle is 9 times higher than in wild areas, with urban coyotes benefiting from abundant food and reduced predation. Coyotes' diets are also more diverse in cities, with a wider variety of food options available, including berries and rabbits.
A new study of 22 million property listings across 30 European countries reveals that nearly half of people on average income can only afford a one-bedroom apartment or studio flat. The study highlights the emerging crisis over affordable housing, particularly in densely populated areas such as towns and cities.
A study by the University of Queensland suggests that urban parks lack vital midstorey vegetation, which is essential for small animals and birds. The researchers propose designing parks with denser, midstorey vegetation to improve the quality of urban green space and support wildlife, while also promoting community wellbeing.
A study of 103 European cities' climate neutral plans reveals that many rely on carbon removal to compensate for a significant portion of their emissions. Key findings include the energy and transport sectors being major contributors to residual emissions, with only 32% of cities mentioning permanent carbon removal options.
Assistant Professor Yingxue Zhang's project aims to develop urban AI models that can efficiently process vast amounts of human-generated data to optimize commute times, traffic safety, and more. The model will utilize offline reinforcement learning to tackle spatial-temporal dynamics in urban life.
New research suggests that collecting and spraying rainwater on rooftops during hot weather can significantly reduce energy demand for air conditioning and lower urban temperatures. The study found that this approach could cut the number of heatwave days overall and lessen the intensity of extreme heat events.
A Northwestern University study found that areas with shrinking tree canopy cover experience higher mortality rates, particularly in hot neighborhoods. Protecting mature trees alongside planting new ones is crucial for reducing health risks and strengthening climate resilience.
Researchers found that natural sounds, specifically biophonic ones, are associated with the highest levels of place attachment. Biophonic sounds were also perceived as more pleasant and linked to a strong sense of place attachment. The study highlights the importance of managing soundscapes near residential areas.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia examine how heat and daylight patterns transform urban life, highlighting unequal impacts on social groups. They emphasize the need for urban planning to consider bodily and temporal perspectives, integrating social justice considerations into climate adaptation efforts.
Researchers at ICTA-UAB developed a public tool to explore climate gentrification vulnerability across 36 municipalities in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The map shows that greener, less densely populated areas are at higher risk due to rising temperatures and heat exposure.
A new tool, Tree Value Visions, aims to support councils and communities in thinking about the future of trees in towns and cities in a more inclusive way. The research highlights the importance of considering deeper connections people have with nature and integrating urban tree planning across different policy areas.
A SUTD study reveals that factors beyond temperature affect comfort at home. Residents who spent more time outdoors reported greater comfort without air-conditioning, while closed windows and blocked airflow contributed to warmer rooms. Practical advice is needed to help households understand these influences and make informed decisions.
A new study develops the first high-resolution urban air temperature dataset, providing detailed maps of air temperature across cities. This dataset helps explain why satellite-based data often overestimates heat stress and exaggerates disparities between neighborhoods.
A new study finds that cities with slower urban development tend to maintain plant communities and their climate benefits, while faster-developing cities experience declining productivity. The researchers hope their findings will inform urban development strategies to maximize plant growth.
New essay highlights policy priorities to safeguard urban forests, essential infrastructure for climate emergency resilience and equity. The authors emphasize the vital role of these ecosystems in promoting biodiversity and improving public health.
Research from the University of Texas at Austin finds that foreign investment drove up US housing costs, outpacing supply growth. Cities with lax regulations on foreign investors saw prices rise more quickly than in areas with stricter controls.
A new study by UCL researchers found that electric vehicles' carbon-reduction benefits vary across Chinese cities due to unequal distribution of electricity generation. The study suggests that richer cities can transfer their emissions to less developed cities, increasing pollution and costs.
A study by University of Kansas researchers found that landback returns of Indigenous lands are occurring rapidly across the country. The findings show that over 75 distinct tribal nations have received lands, with private landowners, nonprofits, and corporations being among the most frequent returners.
Urban parks are found to have a significant impact on mitigating heat, air and noise pollution in cities, extending far beyond their boundaries. Parks with tree cover and grassland areas improve thermal comfort and reduce Physiologically Equivalent Temperature by up to 8.5°C.
New research warns that traditional legal systems are ill-equipped to cope with climate change's fast-moving impact on communities. The study proposes a blueprint for dynamic and responsive laws to help cities thrive amidst climate change and urban uncertainty.
The UC3M project analyzes how Leganés transitioned from an agricultural environment to a commercial city, losing youth leisure spaces and local retail networks. Citizen testimonies reveal the history of the city is not only in official archives but also in daily resident experiences.
A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research finds that reducing car commutes can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. By targeting densification of neighborhoods around city centers, planners can reduce emissions and create more sustainable urban environments.
Research in Singapore finds that households relying heavily on air-conditioning are less likely to adopt energy-saving habits and support collective climate action. The study highlights the need for city-scale heat mitigation strategies alongside individual adaptation.
Research reveals that pedestrians in Phnom Penh prefer shorter, simpler routes with fewer turns due to factors like path efficiency, street vitality, and perceived comfort. The study also found that high-traffic streets are often preferred over crowded footpaths, reflecting a desire for clarity, predictability, and ease of movement.
A year-long study of NYC's East River used environmental DNA to reveal insights into urban wildlife activity, human food consumption and ecosystem health. The findings suggest that urban waterways can become continuous biosensors tracking biodiversity and habitat restoration outcomes.
A study by ETH Zurich and the University of Wisconsin found that urban development and transport are mutually dependent and have cause-and-effect relationships. The researchers correlated congestion data with city characteristics, such as road network structure, green spaces, and urban function.
A Concordia-led study analyzed 53 green alleys and 23 conventional alleys in Montreal and Trois-Rivières, finding that results depend on alley design and purpose. The study suggests a middle ground between community-led projects and standardized approaches to achieve both biodiversity and social cohesion.
A study by Brown University and Columbia University found that road infrastructure isolates communities, leading to increased schizophrenia-related hospital visits. The Community Severance Index measures physical and social disconnection using roads, traffic, and lack of pedestrian infrastructure.
A new study reveals a post-pandemic cycling boom in major cities, with fatality rates dropping by up to 88% in Paris, 82% in London, and 62% in New York City. The improvement is attributed to the expansion and improvement of cycling infrastructure, including cycleways separated from motor vehicle traffic.
The book analyzes Jakarta through the lens of post-suburbanization, highlighting how rapid expansion, infrastructure politics, spatial fragmentation, and socio-environmental challenges shape its growth. The volume provides a comprehensive English-language analysis of Jakarta's contemporary urban evolution.
A new study reveals that Waikiki is facing a fundamental shift in flood hazards as sea levels rise, transitioning from rainfall-driven floods to tidal process-dominated events. The team identified two key pathways, storm drain backflow and groundwater emergence, which will increase public exposure to sewage-contaminated waters.
A new study by Hashem Akbari offers a simplified way to calculate the climate impact of reflective surfaces, allowing policy practitioners to view problems on a regional basis. Increasing albedo by 0.01 can offset about 1.8 to 2 kilograms of CO₂ per square metre globally, with some regions reaching up to 5 kilograms.
A new study by MIT researchers provides a high-resolution picture of auto emissions in NYC, allowing for more effective transportation and decarbonization policies. The method produces detailed data that bridges the gap between citywide emissions inventories and individual vehicle analyses.
A Concordia University study found that demographic factors such as income and household size drive energy consumption in Quebec's major urban centres. The research used meter readings and census data to reveal strong links between social characteristics and energy use, with higher-income areas and larger households consuming more energy.
A team from Ohio State University has digitally reconstructed three historically Black communities that were fragmented or demolished for freeway construction. The project, known as Ghost Neighborhoods of Columbus, aims to show how urban renewal decisions of the past have a positive impact on future development.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.