Articles tagged with Cities
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.
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 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.
Researchers at PSU used ODOT's push-button data to estimate pedestrian counts, develop a workflow for integrating traffic counts into the enterprise system, and explore applications in pedestrian infrastructure planning. The new dashboard allows agencies to analyze usage patterns and prioritize upgrades at high-demand locations.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers used AI language models and human readers to analyze 1.3 million news excerpts referencing the police in 10 US cities from 2013 to 2023. The study found that local media criticism of police has remained steady, with only small differences in coverage between conservative and libe...
A recent study found that urban highways in US cities reduce social ties within cities, particularly over short distances. The research, led by the Complexity Science Hub, used online social network data to quantify the barrier effect of highways on social connections.
A study developed an integrated assessment framework to help policymakers and urban planners translate digital participation data into actionable strategies. The framework balances transparency and representativeness in decision-making, highlighting the need for long-term tracking of participation outcomes.
A new study by the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology reveals striking quantitative similarities between ancient and modern cities regarding elite wealth concentration. As cities grow larger, elite wealth increases in a sublinear way, with diminishing returns on each increase in city size.
A new method developed by Osaka Metropolitan University accurately predicts housing prices in Osaka City, with neighborhood perception being a key factor. The approach achieves nearly 75% accuracy by combining existing property data with machine-learning-processed street view images.
A new USC study reveals that the US is facing a shortage of 4.5 million homes due to policy missteps in the early 2000s, which led to a historic housing bubble and subsequent Great Recession. The crisis has disproportionately affected millennials and people of color, with racial and ethnic disparities in homeownership widening over time.
Research reveals more American cities are struggling with people living without running water due to unaffordable housing and the cost-of-living crisis. The study found that households of color were disproportionately affected, with 40% of Philadelphia's population but 66% of those without access to running water in 2021.
The USC-led CLIMA Center will investigate the combined impacts of climate-related exposures and adaptation capacity on human health, using a transdisciplinary approach. The center aims to inform policies that protect vulnerable communities and strengthen climate resilience.
A study in Warsaw, Poland found no difference in insect-pollinated plant composition or species richness between sown and natural meadows. However, natural meadows had twice the number of butterflies compared to sown meadows.
A new study reveals gentrification's complex impact on residential communities in Seoul, Korea, finding that state-led urban change can lead to emotional displacement of residents. Meanwhile, property-led redevelopment has resulted in direct displacement and replacement of industrial clusters with high-rise residential construction.
A new study from Virginia Tech shows large language models can assess human-made environments using street-view images, similar to traditional methods. LLM-based performance offers a more accessible tool for users in small to medium-sized cities, making it easier to manage smart urban infrastructure.
A recent study found that the pandemic led to a significant shift towards staying at home, with people spending nearly an hour less per day on out-of-home activities. The trend has continued post-pandemic, with time spent away from home still lower than in 2019.
A Kobe University research team analyzed conditions for access to nature across generations, finding that availability of green spaces, nature-relatedness, and childhood experiences drive visits. The study highlights the importance of effective environmental education and urban planning policies to address inequalities in nature access.
Cities with high-performing streetcar systems prioritize transporting people to desired locations, while those that focus on economic development often experience poor performance. The study highlights the importance of focusing on passenger attraction and coordinated fare policies for successful streetcar systems.
A new study found that most US cities are successfully limiting floodplain development by applying existing tools and strategies. In New Jersey, municipalities have consistently limited new housing in floodplains and impervious surface growth using conventional local ordinances and modest government capacity.
A global study published in PNAS found that most cities (over 60%) receive more rainfall than their surrounding rural areas, leading to worsened flash flooding. This is due to the convergence of air toward city centers caused by tall buildings and population density.
A new study analyzing 199 cities worldwide reveals that adaptation efforts are mostly inadequate, with most measures focusing on sea level rise and flooding. The researchers emphasize the need for more comprehensive approaches considering socioeconomic factors and future trends in societal vulnerability.
A new study finds that exposure to particulate matter 2.5 microns or bigger rises by about 2.4 percent when daily travel patterns are taken into account. The research also reveals demographic disparities in exposure levels, with income and ethnicity playing a significant role.
Researchers in the Netherlands have developed a self-cooling artificial turf system that stores rainwater under the surface, reducing surface temperatures by up to 35°C. This innovation makes sports fields safer for players and helps mitigate urban flooding, while also offering a durable and low-maintenance alternative to natural grass.
A study by ISGlobal analyzed 919 European cities, identifying four urban configurations: compact-high density, open lowrise-medium density, open lowrise-low density, and green-low density. Compact high-density cities have lower carbon footprints but higher mortality rates due to poorer air quality and less green space.
A new index reveals that election administration performance varies widely among counties, with lower-performing areas often having greater numbers of low-income people and racial minorities. The study found that urban areas tended to rank lowest on the index, while more affluent counties performed better.
Research by Osaka Metropolitan University suggests that converting vacant homes in old new towns into healthcare facilities can slow population decline. This urban transformation can enable older adults to remain in their communities, promoting healthy and connected living.
A new mathematical model developed by researchers at the Complexity Science Hub shows how diaspora size affects migration flows. The study reveals that people migrate to smaller destinations if their diaspora is present, highlighting the importance of social influence in shaping migration patterns.
A new study found that communities with higher-than-average illegal market opportunities are more likely to be targeted by organised crime groups. Organised crime offenders tend to move into areas with similar socio-demographic profiles and target urban communities with higher levels of criminal activity.
Researchers developed a framework to measure plastic pollution emissions, estimating Toronto emitted nearly 4,000 tonnes in one year. The approach will help identify major contributors and inform strategies to reduce emissions worldwide.
A three-year research project at the University of Oldenburg examines the resettlement history of Hazor, a Bronze Age megacity in eastern Mediterranean, and its impact on early Israelite identities. The team aims to uncover how narratives about these events influenced the shaping of early Israelite cultures.
A new study finds that remote work has changed urban transportation patterns in the U.S., with significant variation across regions. The research reveals that remote work has reduced vehicle miles driven by about 1% per 1% decrease in onsite workers, but had a more substantial impact on mass-transit ridership.
A study predicts that climate change will lead to a major species turnover in North American cities by the end of the century. Cities with cooler and wetter climates are expected to gain new species, while warmer cities may lose many species.
A new study projects that as many as 500,000 people could be affected and 1 in 35 properties damaged by flooding in 32 US coastal cities by 2050. The research highlights racial and socioeconomic demographics of those potentially affected.
Biologist Elizabeth Carlen's investigation into iNaturalist data revealed biased species distribution in St. Louis, with northern parts of the city underrepresented. The framework developed by Carlen and her co-authors identifies four filters contributing to this bias: participation, detectability, sampling, and preference.
A Dartmouth-led research team created an experimental green roof to test the effect of native prairie microbes on soil microbial community development. Their findings demonstrate that active management accelerates soil development faster than passive reestablishment, fostering a more diverse and sustainable soil community.
A new study finds that cities with higher per-capita GDP generate more waste, while economies of scale reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The research uses scaling theory to analyze waste products from over 1,000 cities worldwide.
Research using cellphone data found that most people in big cities primarily interact with others within their own socioeconomic bracket. However, locating meeting places between neighborhoods could help change this, as cities with frequently-visited hubs in between neighborhoods were less segregated.
Researchers found that green spaces alleviate extreme heat's negative impacts on human health, while densely packed buildings increase mortality risk. Urban design strategies incorporating different types of greenery are recommended to mitigate heatwave-associated mortality.
Researchers developed an AI-powered method to measure urban decay using street view images, identifying object classes like potholes and graffiti. The model showed promise in detecting urban decline in cities like San Francisco and Mexico City, with potential applications for informing urban policy and planning.
A new study using wastewater surveillance has predicted the start of the annual RSV season 12 days early, allowing hospitals to prepare and allocate resources effectively. The study used real-time wastewater measurements to forecast the surge in pediatric RSV cases, providing a population-level early warning signal for the community.
A study from the Complexity Science Hub reveals that rare shops and services in urban locations can bring people of different socio-economic backgrounds together. Researchers found that neighborhoods offering a range of unique amenities, like zoos or cinemas, tend to attract more diverse audiences. This understanding can inform policy ...
A study found that urban great tits have paler plumage than their forest-living counterparts due to inadequate carotenoid intake from city diets. Researchers suggest planting native trees and plants can help provide a healthy diet for these birds.
A global analysis of pollinator decline in cities reveals that butterflies are most affected, with shrinking habitats and food availability causing populations to drop. Meanwhile, certain groups of wild bees, such as those nesting above ground, remain less impacted by urbanization.
The study provides a detailed map of Urban Heat Islands in Turin, Italy, identifying the population's risk and vulnerable areas. The researchers used an interdisciplinary approach to assess the heat-health nexus, considering factors such as demographic, socioeconomic, health conditions, and environmental context.
Researchers from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya studied sidewalk networks in Barcelona and found that even pedestrian-friendly cities like Barcelona struggle with mobility constraints. The study proposes a framework for assessing multi-factor walkability using percolation theory and insights into pedestrian behavior to improve sidewal...
A study found that declines in racial disparities in COVID-19 mortality rates were largely due to increases in mortality among White individuals, rather than decreases in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations. The shift from urban to rural areas also contributed to the decline.
Researchers developed a model to track COVID-19 data, predicting transmission and informing health surveillance systems. The model successfully predicted the spread of COVID-19 in Cali, Colombia, highlighting the importance of high-resolution data in understanding virus dynamics.
A low-cost, open-source device called Flatburn can measure air pollution using 3D printing or inexpensive parts. Researchers have tested and calibrated it against existing state-of-the-art machines, making it suitable for community groups and individual citizens to track local air quality.
A new open-source tool called TILE2NET uses aerial imagery and image-recognition to create complete maps of sidewalks and crosswalks. The tool has been trained on 20,000 aerial images from Boston, Cambridge, New York City, and Washington, recognizing 90% or more of all sidewalks and crosswalks in these cities.
Researchers analyzed 183 million buildings in 6,000 African cities and found that a city's shape affects its energy demand. Double the population means triple the energy costs due to increased commuting distances and pollution.
A new study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reveals that even with broad coverage, public transit systems may still exclude low-income and vulnerable populations. The researchers used a GIS-based approach to evaluate travel times by location and economic conditions, finding that routes often leave behind those who rel...