Articles tagged with Urban Planning
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.
Researchers found that personalized training areas, accessible healthcare, and transportation improve athlete performance. Built environments with open-air lounges and unique spatial designs also enhance mental well-being.
A new study found that remote work could reduce carbon emissions from car travel by nearly 200 million tons annually, but also lead to a 27% drop in public transit fare revenue. This shift may impact urban mobility and require transit agencies to adapt their services.
Researchers used Google Street View to analyze built environment factors and found they can predict 63% of coronary heart disease variation between neighborhoods. Features like green spaces and walkable roads are associated with lower risk, while poorly paved roads with higher risk.
A new study reveals a strong pattern of decline among moths of all sizes and life stages from rural to urban areas in Florida. Larger macromoths fared worse than smaller ones, likely due to increased metabolic stress in high temperatures.
A new study identifies characteristics of cities that would support young people’s mental health. The findings prioritize life skills, age-friendly environments, free public spaces, and employment opportunities.
A mixed-methods study examines the challenges faced by independent family physicians in urban communities, who serve socially vulnerable patients with limited support from healthcare entities. The researchers propose that health equity-focused policies and new payment models could help these practices stay afloat.
A study by NTU Singapore researchers found that cool paint coatings can reduce city heat by up to 2 degrees Celsius, improving pedestrian thermal comfort levels. The coatings reflected sunlight and absorbed less heat, resulting in cooler temperatures and reduced indoor air-conditioning energy consumption.
A recent review highlights China's successful urban greening efforts, with over 60% of cities demonstrating substantial recovery of greenness post-2011. This shift reflects the positive impact of rigorous urban planning and greening policies, enhancing biodiversity, improving air quality, and elevating city dwellers' quality of life.
A study in São Paulo's central area found that poor wood condition, sidewalk root constriction, and drastic pruning are major predictors of urban tree failure. The researchers propose guidelines for stakeholders to reduce the number of failures, which average 2,000 per year.
The eco-metropolis model redefines urban development by prioritizing ecological conservation alongside innovation and economic growth. It offers a comprehensive framework for policymakers and urban planners to adopt, merging green technologies with urban growth.
A study by Rebecca Walker found that places with historic racial covenants had lower temperatures, more tree canopy, and less impervious surfaces, indicating reduced exposure to extreme heat. This is particularly pronounced in middle- and lower-income neighborhoods where the covenants have a significant impact.
A new University of Washington study analyzed seven Vision Zero projects and found no negative impact on nearby business revenues. The research suggests that safety improvements do not come at the cost of economic viability.
A University of Waterloo study found that urban spaces with nature elements can significantly reduce anxiety and boost positive outcomes in adolescents. After just two minutes in a natural setting, youth scores decreased by up to 13%.
A new study from Texas A&M University suggests that city dwellers who have more exposure to urban green spaces require fewer mental health services. The researchers used the NatureScore database to assess mental health at the neighborhood level and found a correlation between urban nature exposure and better mental health.
Researchers found three oak species have become invasive along riverbanks and urban-wildland interfaces in Stellenbosch and Cape Town, threatening century-old oaks. The polyphagous shot hole borer disease is also affecting widespread species like English oak.
A rare case of an opossum infected with rabies has been reported in Brazil, highlighting the risk of virus transmission to humans. The study found that dogs can act as vectors for the virus and that opossums are key to surveillance in urban environments.
An analysis by Cornell University city planning scholars found that metropolitan areas with multiple city centers and dispersed green spaces are more effective at mitigating extreme heat than those with one dominant city. Polycentric development can moderate the urban heat island effect, especially in larger urban areas.
Smarter eco-cities harness real-time data to address environmental challenges and implement innovative approaches for ecological conservation. However, high energy demands associated with AI and AIoT applications pose a challenge to attaining environmental objectives.
A recent study shows that U of A's Rural Integrated Community Clerkship program is a reliable predictor for students choosing a career in rural or family practice. The program has helped address Alberta's shortage of rural doctors by providing students with hands-on experience and adaptive expertise.
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 found that solid waste scales linearly, while wastewater production and greenhouse gas emissions scale superlinearly and sub-linearly, respectively. Cities with higher per-capita GDP generate more waste, highlighting the link between economic growth and waste generation.
A new study from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology highlights the importance of ancient cities in understanding contemporary urban challenges. The research provides numerical datasets on road lengths, building types, population sizes, economic output, and environmental impacts to inform urban planning and policy.
Tackling inequality is vital to mitigate climate change effectively, as wealthy individuals often have greater ability to reduce their carbon footprint. Deep-rooted inequalities restrict people's capacity to switch to lower-carbon behaviours, making it essential for policymakers to provide equal opportunities across all income brackets.
A new study highlights the wide range of urban exposures during early childhood that can influence growth and development, including air and noise pollution, overcrowding, and limited green space. The first 2000 days of life are a critical period for physical, cognitive, social, and emotional health outcomes.
New ASU research models the benefits of combining heat adaptation strategies with mitigation efforts to lessen extreme heat exposure in major US cities. The study finds that Northeast and Midwest regions can expect greater benefits, while Sun Belt cities face limited reductions.
Researchers have developed a new method called ambient noise differential adjoint tomography to visualize rocks with fluids, potentially advancing the discovery of water and oil resources. The technique uses portable seismometers to record natural vibrations, revealing tiny holes filled with fluids in rocks near active faults.
Researchers investigated how urbanization affects interactions between plants and pollinators in a tropical city. They found that seasonal changes play a crucial role in shaping these interactions, leading to significant changes in plant-pollinator networks.
Research from the University of Gothenburg found that trees surrounded by grass are stronger, taller, and cooler than those with paving close to the trunk. The study suggests investing in good soil and water for trees in urban areas where optimal conditions can be challenging.
A research paper reveals a suburban backyard is home to 1,150 unique species of animals, plants, and fungi. The study's authors discovered unexpected diversity, including 436 moth and butterfly species, 56 spiders, and eight reptiles.
Researchers used machine learning and mobile mapping systems to analyze the town of Sabbioneta's streets and pavements, identifying accessible trajectories and paths for citizens with motor disabilities. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of AI in assessing physical accessibility in historic urban contexts.
A new study reveals that the protective effect of income has largely eroded in affluent neighborhoods over the past 40 years. This means that even if residents have more wealth, they won't be able to enjoy cooler temperatures as climate change worsens.
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.
A new framework for urban climate action planning has been developed to aid local governments in developing and assessing their climate action plans. The framework includes 43 globally recognized criteria across three stages of climate planning, with over half of existing urban plans having a medium level of suitability.
The study found that median premiums decreased across the board, especially for rural communities. Rural counties gained an average of three plans overall after the switch, while urban counties lost almost nine plans.
A study by Colorado State University found that redlined communities experience higher maximum noise levels, detrimental effects on urban ecosystems, and increased human health risks like hearing loss and stress. The research highlights the need for equitable planning and noise mitigation to benefit both people and wildlife.
Researchers found that well-designed urban land patterns can moderate or even reduce population exposures to weather extremes, regardless of city size. Properly designed cities can generate a meaningful reduction in the increase in risks from climate change.
A new land change model simulates interactions between urban growth, increased flooding, and human adaptation, offering deeper insights into adaptive capacities and identifying communities with limited resources. The model reduces projected developed land exposed to flooding by 5-24% depending on flood hazard zone.
Researchers found that drones could improve access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), a portable device for treating out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The simulation model suggests that drone delivery systems could reduce response times in urban and rural areas, with greater improvements expected in rural areas.
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.
Global cities have made significant progress in increasing physical greenspace coverage and reducing inequality in human exposure to urban greenspaces. The study found a marked reduction in greenspace exposure inequality over the past two decades, with faster rates of reduction in developing countries.
A new hybrid method developed by Concordia researchers combines data from Weibull probability distribution and numerical weather prediction models to improve wind speed forecasting accuracy. This innovation has the potential to significantly enhance urban power generation, particularly in areas with high variability in wind speeds.
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.
Researchers found that city-scale building energy use in US cities may increase by 13.8% for each degree of climate warming on average. The largest increase is expected in the South and Southwest regions, where electricity EUI will rise up to 7.2%.
A new study found that residents of neighborhoods with more greenspace tend to have longer telomeres, indicating better cellular health. However, the positive impact of greenspace is not enough to compensate for other environmental challenges like air pollution and racial segregation.
The UCLA Mobility Center of Excellence will conduct research on the impacts of new mobility technologies and highly automated vehicles on transportation systems. The center aims to improve efficiency, mobility, and sustainability by studying the long-term effects of emerging mobility technologies.
A new study by Caroline Hachem-Vermette and Kuljeet Singh analyzed the design and energy characteristics of various neighborhoods to assess their vulnerabilities to power outages. The researchers found that thoughtful design can reduce a neighborhood's energy vulnerability during disruptions, and they recommend modifications to shelter...
A researcher from Göttingen University advises on overcoming difficulties faced by mining communities in transition, suggesting a three-step approach centered around stakeholder collaboration. This approach combines early planning, local-based solutions, and targeted investments to foster economic and workforce transformation.
A new ecological theory may help explain the persistence of segregation in US cities. The theory, called the 'adaptive resilience cycle,' emphasizes how systems adjust to shocks and retain their structure. Researchers analyzed Baltimore's history and found that this cycle has reinforced segregation throughout the city's history.
A study found that gentrified neighborhoods have a 62% higher firearm injury incidence rate than non-gentrified communities. The researchers identified gentrification as a key factor contributing to the increased risk of firearm violence in these areas.
The Resilience Justice Project at Brandeis School of Law will examine how eight US coastal cities ensure climate adaptation plans are fair and equitable. The team aims to produce a guidebook of best practices and webinars to help cities adapt planning for all neighborhoods.
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 ...
Researchers from the University of Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research found that nature-based locations can cool urban areas by up to 3°C during heatwaves. The team recommends planting trees in public spaces, especially around schools, to help tackle the urban heat island effect.
A new UBC study used a local restorative nature index to assess the healing qualities of green space, finding that areas with the greatest need for restorative nature often have the least exposure to it. The study suggests that urban planners prioritize areas with high socioeconomic vulnerability and limited access to green spaces.
Researchers at Osaka University develop a method to train AI models using simulated city images, reducing the need for real data and saving human effort. The approach generates realistic images with accurate ground truth labels, addressing instance segmentation challenges.
A new field campaign, CoURAGE, will investigate the influence of surface-atmosphere interactions around Baltimore, Maryland, on its climate. The campaign aims to provide sound evidence for climate change mitigation options, such as urban greening, and partner with neighborhoods that have been historically neglected.
Skateboarders possess a unique sensory knowledge of cities, which can help mediate conflicts between those who enjoy and those who dislike the sport's sounds. By paying attention to sound, individuals can gain 'sonic' agency over spaces in the city.
Researchers from Japan and Canada explore how built environment enables walking behavior, finding that destinations strengthen the relationship between street integration and transportation walking. The study reveals that designing well-connected street layouts with easy access to amenities encourages walking.
A recent MU study found that health and healthcare organizations are increasingly offering basic social services, such as transportation, housing, food, and mental health support, to address disparities in health outcomes. The research team explored innovative solutions implemented by care coordinators and social services to help overc...
Researchers found 27 million cubic meters of sediment moved through Houston waterways, equivalent to 40% of the Mississippi River's annual discharge. The study suggests river straightening can exacerbate sediment bypass, decreasing reservoir holding capacities by up to 1.6%