Articles tagged with Cities
Researchers analyzed over 51 million tweets to find that people are more likely to interact with those geographically near, even in the age of digital technologies. This study challenges the idea that geography is dead and instead highlights the importance of distance in human interactions.
Researchers mapped Barcelona's urban vitality using a new methodology that combines Jane Jacobs' theories with data analysis. The study reveals high levels of street life in peripheral and poor districts, challenging traditional views of vital areas.
A new study by Vanderbilt University researchers reveals that urban water conservation policies are closely tied to a city's political leaning, with left-leaning cities adopting stronger water-saving measures. This finding suggests that water conservation may be more politicized than previously thought, and could have important implica...
Research suggests that cities like Portland and Copenhagen benefit from high-rugosity layouts, with diverse uses and green spaces supporting resilience and growth. By integrating farms and greenways, developers can accommodate more population while reducing the urban heat island effect and improving stormwater management.
A Drexel University study found that mayors' political beliefs influence their opinions on civic policies reducing health disparities. Approximately 8% of socially conservative mayors believed city policies could have a major impact, compared to 29% of liberal mayors.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich studied three architectural projects in Graz, Lucerne, and Wolfsburg to investigate their effects. Positive economic impacts were found, but no clear repositioning of the cities was observed.
Researchers from FAU are studying German cities' bids for European Capital of Culture to understand the impact on EU culture and identity. Initial findings suggest that cities prioritize cooperation over competition, highlighting the initiative's potential as a counter-balance to EU politics.
A study found that police officers are highly responsive to rules and supervision, leading to more conservative tactics after the NYPD mandated detailed stop reports. The intervention increased the perceived level of supervision, resulting in a sharp drop in unnecessary stops and a rise in the hit rate.
A researcher from MSU has discovered complex changes in temperature and relative humidity in Moscow over the past century. Urban heat island intensity stabilized in the second half of the 20th century but increased in recent years due to urban densification.
A new study uses high-resolution geospatial modeling to quantify the effects of urban infrastructures on US rivers and streams. The research found that urban land transformation and electricity production together affect seven percent of U.S. streams, influencing habitats for over 60 percent of North American freshwater fish species.
A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that diverse immigrant populations lead to higher wages in cities with inclusive institutions, whereas anti-immigrant policies stunt wage growth for US-born employees. The study tracked data from 33 million people across 160 metropolitan areas and showed a significant wage increase of ...
A new Indiana University study found that adding more black police officers does not reduce police-involved homicides of black citizens. In fact, it may even increase the number of such shootings until a critical mass of 35-40% is reached.
A new study by Dr. Jan Blustein reveals China's cesarean rate is substantially lower than the WHO's reported figure of 46.2%, with a rate of 34.9% in 2014. The study highlights geographic variations in cesarean rates across different regions of China.
A study found that West African cities with lower male circumcision rates in 1950 tended to have higher HIV-2 prevalence from 1985. Male circumcision is known to reduce HIV-1 prevalence, suggesting that lack of circumcision may have driven initial HIV-2 emergence.
A new study reveals that Democratic voters are more likely to perceive a higher probability of flood damage, expect climate change to increase the risk, and invest in individual protection measures. Republicans, on the other hand, are less likely to trust government to address flood risks and receive federal disaster relief.
A Yale-led study provides a spatially explicit dataset of urban centers from 3700 BC to A.D. 2000, offering insights into long-term historical urbanization trends and patterns. The dataset allows researchers to map and visualize city-level population changes through time, shedding light on human interactions with the environment.
Researchers argue that Wendell Scott's racing career was a form of political practice for moving freely in the segregated South. The study highlights the struggle for equal rights and access to transportation today, particularly for people of color.
A Michigan State University study found that relocating a farmers' market to downtown Flint has increased customers from low-income neighborhoods, who now have better access to fresh produce. The market's move also boosted local economic activity and attracted more bus riders.
Researchers found a correlation between low-income neighborhoods and high BMI in Lausanne, Switzerland. The study suggests that urban environment plays a role in obesity, independent of common factors.
A new study published in Current Anthropology found that religion often created strong ties within communities, impeding the creation of state institutions. In contrast, elites in other regions used their religious roles to mediate between their communities and gods, leading to conflict with traditional leaders.
A study ranks six American cities on their preparedness for climate change, with Portland ranking number one. The research found that the political culture of a city plays a significant role in its ability to prepare for extreme weather events linked to climate change.
Researchers from Mainz University excavate the ancient Elamite site of Haft Tappeh, discovering a mass grave containing hundreds of skeletal remains, indicating a tragic event in the city's history. The excavation sheds light on the urban development and trade relations of the city during its peak.
Research finds that climate variability played a significant role in the emergence, decline, and re-establishment of ancient agrarian states in Mexico and Peru. The study analyzed climate records from stalagmites and ice caps to understand how climate conditions influenced the growth and instability of these civilizations.
A new survey from Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research reveals that Copenhagen residents are less welcoming to immigrants, with only 29.5% rating relations between Danes and non-Western immigrants as 'excellent' or 'good'. In contrast, 48% of Houstonians said the same about their city.
Research found higher levels of inflammatory markers in young adults living in polluted cities, indicating a greater risk of heart attack. Long-term air pollution exposure was linked to increased levels of CRP, hsCRP, homocysteine, and fibrinogen.
Arizona State University's Decision Center for a Desert City will explore transformational changes to sustain water supplies in the Colorado River Basin region, enabling cities like Colorado, Nevada, and California to build capacity for sustainable water management. The four-year award brings total NSF investment to $18 million.
Research shows racial segregation is manifesting in different ways, including increasing macro-segregation between suburbs and cities. Segregation is still high in America, with whites leaving urban areas for suburban communities, leading to increased racial homogeneity.
The study found that out of 25 cities, five had the worst commutes in 2011, while cities like Omaha and Las Vegas had the shortest. The UC study also analyzed how commuting travel changed between 1990 and 2002 and from 2002 to 2011, providing new insights into the impact of planners' efforts on traffic congestion.
Research reveals that cities in Spain have a 15-year memory, while those in the US have a 25-year memory, influenced by historical events. The study also shows that city growth is linked to neighboring cities and their surrounding areas.
A University of California, Berkeley study reveals that a 650-year period of below-average rainfall led to the abandonment of Cantona, a major city in highland Mexico. Climate change is considered one of the major causes of the collapse.
Researchers analyzed over 180 million geocoded tweets to understand how people in 95 cities worldwide reacted to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Citizens expressed emotions based on geography, social connections, and cultural ties to Boston.
The Kresge Foundation has awarded Wayne State University a $100,000 grant to support CitizenDetroit, a community outreach program that educates and mobilizes residents on political discourse. The program aims to create informed civic activists by challenging myths and educating voters about current issues.
A Concordia University study found that businesses located furthest from market expansion have higher profits than those chasing customers. Retailers should analyze the market and secure good locations early on to maximize profits.
A comprehensive US study reveals that city governments closely match citizens' politics and policies, with liberal cities taxing and spending more. The research challenges the popular image of local governance being under the sway of machine politics or big-money interests.
Research by Virginia Parks found that African-Americans spend more time commuting than any other group, with a 25% increase over average urban commutes. The study highlights the negative impact of racial segregation on low-wage workers, particularly black women who have the longest commutes.
A new study confirms that big-city legislation is passed at lower rates than smaller bills, citing infighting within city delegations as the primary cause. Despite larger representation, urban areas struggle to pass legislation due to internal divisions and party politics.
A doctoral candidate used historical proxies, including coins, to create an interactive map of ancient Antioch's boundaries. She found the city's influence extended farther than previously theorized and was particularly abundant along a known trade route.
A new study by MIT researchers uses network data to show communication patterns and divisions in many major nations, including Britain, Italy, and Belgium. The study found that only a small percentage of communications cross regional boundaries, highlighting invisible borders between communities.
A study by Princeton University finds that black mayoral candidates in Southern cities tend to win close elections with higher voter turnout than their opponents. This is attributed to effective voter mobilization strategies that targeted unregistered African-American voters, making it cheaper for black campaigns to get these votes out.
Researchers at EPFL have discovered a law that can predict the growth of cities based on past population data and neighboring cities. This allows for better planning and management of urbanization. The study analyzed data from Spain over 111 years, uncovering patterns in urban migration.
A new study by researchers at Rice University and others found that restricting the Voting Rights Act of 1965 could negatively impact black political representation on city councils. The study analyzed data from 1981-2006 and found that cities protected by Section 5 of the VRA saw stronger gains in African-American representation.
A UW geographer proposes a 15-year plan to dismantle China's 55-year-old hukou system, which limits rural laborers from moving to cities. The plan aims to create a more sustainable consumer-based economy by reforming the household registration status of millions of rural migrants.
A computer model was developed to assess how different levels of segregation would affect violence in Jerusalem. The study found that social distance is a key mechanism explaining violence, with higher levels increasing the likelihood of violent encounters.
A computational model developed by Northwestern University's Dirk Brockmann can pinpoint the source of an outbreak and predict disease spread using transportation data. The model generates accurate findings on origin and predicted arrival times, providing a lifesaving advantage in responding to diseases.
In 18th century Guatemala City, economically independent single women played a key role in shaping devotional networks and spiritual geographies. They positioned themselves as pious benefactors, bestowing patronage on priests while also invoking their assistance for worldly matters. These relationships highlight the agency of ordinary ...
Researchers developed visual data mining software to detect subtle city-specific features in Google Street View images. The software identified unique elements such as cast-iron balconies in Paris and fire escapes in New York City, which can be used for computational geography tasks.
New research by Richard Wright and colleagues found that while racial diversity is increasing in major US cities, highly diverse neighborhoods are still rare. The study also showed that many African Americans remain concentrated in segregated neighborhoods despite immigration, which has led to more racially diverse tracts.
Researchers found that Yankees fans estimated Fenway Park as closer to Yankee Stadium than Camden Yards, while non-Yankee fans accurately perceived the actual distance. This suggests that social categorization and identity threat play a role in shaping our representations of physical distances.
A UW geographer argues that China's urbanization is largely driven by impoverished laborers moving to cities for employment, limiting their prospects of joining the middle class. The country's 'hukou' system restricts rural citizens' upward mobility, creating a significant income gap between rich and poor.
Researchers have uncovered a network of cisterns and reservoirs that fed the community's water supply in the ancient city of Xcoch, Mexico. The findings provide insights into the city's ability to adapt to drought and its significance as a religious site.
Researchers found that Phoenix's water problems are a demand problem, not a supply problem. Higher urban densities, slower growth, and fewer backyard swimming pools can reduce the risk of future shortages.
Researchers found that sustainability science has become a cohesive global field, doubling in size every 8.3 years, with contributions from over 2,200 cities and 174 countries. The most productive city for sustainability publications was Washington, D.C., surpassing major tech hubs like Boston and the Bay Area.
Professor Martin Melosi's research focuses on the historical management of water supply and sanitation systems in American cities. He argues that cities should be viewed as ecosystems with a physical, biological, and social structure, and explores the role of government in managing water resources.
A University of Maryland study suggests that engaging in environmental stewardship activities like tree planting can lead to increased civic engagement. The research found that volunteers involved in the MillionTreesNYC project were more likely to be civically active than their peers.
A team of researchers has used a large database to create a new map of Great Britain, dividing the country into smaller regions based on human interactions. The analysis reveals unexpected patterns, such as a 'western crescent' centered on high-tech activities and Wales being well-integrated with its English neighbors.
Researchers found that beverage isotopes in hair can serve as chemical fingerprints to pinpoint geographic regions where individuals have been. The study analyzed isotope patterns in bottled water, soda pop, and beer from 33 cities, revealing characteristic 'iso-signatures' for each region.
The rise of female-driven movies marks a significant shift in Hollywood, with films like Precious and Sex and the City receiving critical acclaim. This change is attributed to a shift in identity from traditional 'chick flicks' to more topical and relevant stories for modern women.
A new study by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers shows striking similarities between the evolution of brains and cities. The study found that both require advanced infrastructure to maintain sufficient interconnectedness, with scaling laws governing the growth of connectors, highways, and synapses.
A study by David Albouy finds that workers in expensive cities pay a higher share of federal income taxes due to higher wages and lower buying power. The net effect is a transfer of $269 billion from high-cost areas to rural areas, causing workers to flee large urban centers.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that some US cities make it harder to reduce commuting miles than others. Cities with sprawling suburbs like Las Vegas and Miami showed promise, while cities with compact geography, such as the Northeast Rust Belt, faced more challenges.