Articles tagged with Urban Planning
A PSU study finds that historically underinvested neighborhoods with lower median incomes and higher racial diversity are most vulnerable to multiple climate hazards. These areas, including East Portland, face the highest risk from landslides, wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat.
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.
A new McGill University study analyzed six years' worth of data across 309 Canadian neighbourhoods and found that restrictions on short-term rentals result in lower rents. The researchers estimate that these restrictions saved Canadian renters $192.4 million in rent payments each month in 2023.
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.
A nationwide study in Japan suggests that fully remote work and stable long-term care costs can buffer life satisfaction in shrinking small and medium-sized cities. For adults, work-life balance became more strongly associated with life satisfaction, while for older adults, caregiving support became more important.
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 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.
A new study found that invasive plant species in low-income neighborhoods boosted mosquito growth and survival, leading to larger mosquitoes capable of transmitting disease. By planting native tree species, cities can reduce mosquito infestations and protect against mosquito-borne diseases.
A new study suggests that future mobility infrastructure can be designed to minimize resource use and carbon emissions. By combining high-resolution global infrastructure mapping with integrated assessment frameworks, researchers found that optimizing infrastructure and production technologies can cut embodied emissions by up to 63%. T...
A new study found that living in greener neighborhoods is associated with lower levels of chronic stress hormones, such as cortisol and cortisone, during the second trimester of pregnancy. This discovery has significant implications for urban planners and policymakers seeking cost-effective ways to improve public health and well-being.
The study identified specific climate measures for each city type, including infrastructure investment in heat protection, urban greening, and transport transition. Rapidly growing cities like Tirana and shrinking cities like Daugavpils benefit from nature-based solutions and infrastructure upgrades.
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 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 study tracking 1,500 residents found that infrastructure within 500 meters of home encourages active transportation. The presence of bike lanes was a key factor in keeping people active and promoting cycling. The expansion of bike lanes and parks has encouraged physical activity and public health benefits in São Paulo.
Researchers develop a comprehensive framework to predict drilling instability in backfilled ground, considering strength differences and asymmetry. The proposed design criterion aims to reduce inclined drilling deviations by at least 10 millimeters per meter of depth.
Researchers found that ONIKURU's opening increased stay density near the facility and adjacent commercial areas, but decreased it around JR Ibaraki Station. The study used GPS trajectory data to measure the impact of walkable urban design initiatives on residents' behavior.
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.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that Japan's Location Optimization Plan can lead to higher care burdens in small municipalities. Small cities with populations under 50,000 saw increased Long-Term Care Insurance certification counts after adopting the policy, indicating rising service demands.
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.
Researchers found that areas with more vegetation in Taipei's metropolitan area had higher microbial richness and diversity. The Green View Index measures visible greenery from a pedestrian's perspective and correlates strongly with microbial richness.
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.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed an online tool called Cool Routes that uses real-time weather forecasts and shade data to find the coolest paths for walkers. The tool has been shown to reduce heat exposure by up to 4.5 degrees, making hot-weather walking less of an ordeal.
A Virginia Tech study found that AI image generators consistently produce more realistic and recognizable images of larger metropolitan areas than smaller towns. The research raises questions about how generative artificial intelligence tools portray places and whose communities are most visible online.
A recent study analyzed 138 Indian cities using satellite data and explainable AI methods to show why urban greening needs to be tailored to humidity, canopy structure, and airflow. The findings highlight the importance of considering moisture management and ventilation in urban planning to effectively mitigate heat-related stress.
A new study estimates that urban agriculture in European cities could produce up to 20 million tons of vegetables annually, representing roughly one-third of the region's current vegetable production. This could supply around 28% of Europe's vegetable demand for 190 million Europeans.
The Urban Bee Concept aims to enable coexistence of honeybees and wild bees in urban areas by reducing competition for resources. This is achieved through measures such as heat stress management and floral resource increase initiatives.
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.
Researchers at the University of Cordoba developed MAPLID, a tool that maps city structures and pace based on how residents use their cell phones. The multi-label classification provides information on population density changes and traffic patterns.
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 framework proposes a continuum of urbanity, challenging traditional thinking about urban and rural spaces. The study explores how urban, rural, and wild features are interconnected, affecting livelihoods, ecosystems, and human well-being in the Mid-Hudson Valley region.
A new study by Florida Atlantic University researchers highlights the role of urban planning in increasing pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities in the US. The study reveals that everyday destinations like grocery stores and pharmacies along busy roads significantly increase risk of serious injury or death.
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 from Florida Atlantic University challenges the narrative that rising temperatures will drive Americans away, finding that heat alone isn't driving large-scale out-migration. Instead, population shifts are shaped more by economic opportunity, housing affordability and local quality of life than climate conditions.
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 reveals that street greenery can reduce heat stress in cities, but its benefits depend on local conditions. The cooling effect is stronger in tropical and continental climates, but weaker in dry and temperate climates.
The study reveals that peri-urban agriculture is key to urban resilience and calls for an urgent shift in planning policies. Agricultural land losses are driven by urban expansion, real estate speculation, and low profitability.
Researchers examined how autonomous vehicles affect morning commutes and parking in business districts, finding that AVs could increase vehicle hours and miles traveled. Urban planners can adapt policies to accommodate AVs by adjusting parking fees or infrastructure, reducing total system cost by up to 28.5 percent.
The study found a significant reduction in NO2 levels, but limited effect on PM10 and PM2.5 particles within the LEZ. The results indicate that the zone contributes to improving air quality, highlighting the need for additional measures.
A new generative AI framework predicts future urban layouts considering multiple factors. The Memory-aware Multi-Conditional generation Network (MMCN) offers a novel approach to modeling complex urban evolution, providing a powerful tool for sustainable urban development.
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.
A new perspective in Nature Water highlights how urban flooding measures often exacerbate environmental injustices for society's most vulnerable groups. The study identifies two main reasons for this unequal distribution of risk: higher exposure to climate hazards and limited resources, leading to a lower capacity to bounce back.
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.
Researchers found that concrete slab size is the worst offender in terms of carbon emissions, with changing this feature alone able to save large amounts of emissions. Optimize design decisions such as floor thickness, building materials, and construction culture to reduce pollution.
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 by SMART has identified a strong statistical association between global air connectivity and patterns of multinational corporations' investments. The research found that few layovers meant more subsidiaries, with cities having better flight connections to influential hubs outperforming those with less-connected destinations.
Researchers developed a winged composite pile foundation system to enhance wind resistance and utilize surplus excavated soil. The study found that larger expanded base wing diameters significantly increased uplift resistance, while soil density and surface characteristics of the steel components also played crucial roles.
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.
The URBANK database aggregates and analyzes urban data to overcome fragmentation and variability in archaeological record. It offers a multidisciplinary platform for studying cities as dynamic networks of connected elements.
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.
Drexel researchers create machine learning program that integrates qualitative and quantitative data to identify gentrification in Philadelphia neighborhoods. The program, trained with data from thousands of images and focus groups, accurately identifies new-build gentrification with 84% accuracy.
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.
A study analyzing data from Berlin's Flora Protection Program found that biological threats, especially from highly competitive native species, pose a greater threat to urban biodiversity than non-native species. Threats related to agriculture, nutrient inputs, and urban development are also significant drivers of decline.
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 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.