Articles tagged with Urban Planning
Researchers from FAU will examine the effects of smoke-related air pollution on social isolation, cognitive function and risk of Alzheimer's disease in rural residents along Lake Okeechobee. The five-year study aims to promote early awareness of the disease and earlier modification of associated risk factors.
A new framework by Concordia researchers shows that electrifying bus fleets can lead to significant reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions and maintenance costs. The study analyzed four Canadian cities and found a 18.7-34.6% reduction in cumulative GHG emissions from 2019 to 2030
Researchers found that increasing plant diversity in urban areas leads to a large increase in insect biodiversity and interactions. The study confirmed the ecological benefits of urban greening projects by transforming a small greenspace into a habitat for indigenous insect species.
A new study reveals massive urban expansions throughout the contiguous US, particularly on the Atlantic Coast, have led to significant tidal flat erosion. The research highlights the critical impact of human activities on tidal flat environments, providing important implications for coastal land use and planning.
Research from the University of Gothenburg reveals that both innate factors and environmental influences contribute to an individual's attitude towards nature. The study suggests that a wide range of factors shape how people express their love for nature, and emphasizes the importance of considering these variations in urban planning.
New research from the University of Ottawa's Telfer School of Management suggests that managing public transit projects requires a comprehensive approach considering rational, psychosocial, and political dimensions. This involves engaging stakeholders, including non-users, to ensure societal impact and cost-effectiveness.
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 UK-Sri Lankan research network aimed to develop research capacities among senior academic staff members from both countries. The training network investigated differences, overlaps, and synergies between Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) research communities.
Researchers from Finland and international partners applied the doughnut model to transport, finding that it can help balance social and environmental needs. The study highlights the need for metrics that consider both travel time and wider effects on the environment.
A study by Ohio State University researchers uses mobile cameras installed on campus buses to count vehicles, detect objects in the road, and track movements. The AI-powered YOLOv4 model provides accurate measurements with high spatial and temporal coverage, which could enhance current traffic systems and improve efficiency.
A recent study suggests that ancient Mesoamerican cities, such as Caracol and Teotihuacan, withstood environmental challenges like drought and earthquakes due to their advanced infrastructure and socio-economic systems. These cities' resiliency is often overlooked in historical accounts of their collapse.
A study found that activity-friendly neighborhoods with destinations, walkability, and amenities reduce the likelihood of metabolic syndrome. Residing in such areas encourages physical activity, social interaction, and reduces reliance on cars.
A new study finds that living in neighborhoods with higher air pollution, lower walkability, and density are associated with a greater incidence rate of hospitalization due to COVID-19. Neighborhoods with higher public transit quality and access also show a higher incidence rate of hospitalization.
Researchers use virtual reality to simulate urban scenarios, allowing them to measure the implicit effects of urban planning measures on human stress levels. The method has shown that higher traffic volumes can upset test subjects, paving the way for more climate-friendly and inclusive urban planning.
A Northwestern University study links underground climate change to shifting ground beneath urban areas, causing building foundations and surrounding ground to move excessively and crack. The researchers also found that past building damage may have been caused by rising temperatures, which will continue for years to come.
A Simon Fraser University study found that Vancouver struggles to adopt green infrastructure due to political, organizational, and funding barriers. The city lacks consistent funding and support for GI initiatives, and most projects are implemented on public land with minimal ownership control.
Researchers argue that 'The Line' should not be a showcase for future cities due to its unfeasible urban design, including extremely high population density and limited mobility. The city's planned 60-minute average commute times highlight the importance of efficient transportation systems in urban planning.
A study of 278 urban climate action plans (CAPs) since 2015 found that most focus on transportation, energy, and buildings, with a growing emphasis on mitigation and adaptation. The plans often lack co-benefits analysis and transparency, hindering effective implementation.
A study published in Health & Place found that walkable neighborhoods foster social interactions with neighbors, promoting a sense of community. Researchers analyzed data from 1,745 adults living in Seattle, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., revealing that these environments encourage active behaviors like walking and socializing.
A new study evaluates the success of migration as adaptation in the face of climate change. The research highlights trade-offs between well-being, equity and sustainability for migrants and their households. It suggests that creating an enabling policy environment is crucial to support successful migration as adaptation.
Professor Lapointe suggests treating certain types of wastewater with passive, modular, and decentralized solutions, reducing techno-economic barriers. These solutions include bioretention cells, aggregate-decant systems, and seepage areas through functionalized soils.
A Brazilian study combined urban expansion and land-use changes with hydrodynamic models to identify flood-prone areas of cities. The methodology, validated using actual data for São Caetano do Sul, can be used by other cities to devise public policies and make decisions to address flooding impacts.
A recent study of 106,000 births in New York City found that neighborhoods with healthier food options had lower rates of small for gestational age births. Higher densities of unhealthy food retail establishments were linked to increased risks of large or small-for-age birth weights.
A new metric, space syntax walkability index, is proposed to address limitations in linking cardio-metabolic risk factors to the built environment. The study found that walkability in urban areas is linked to cardio-metabolic risk factors, including blood pressure and obesity.
A study in Brazilian cities highlights the need for adapted nature-based solutions (NbS) to address environmental inequality. Municipal administrators are aware of NbS, but lack clarity on how to prioritize decision-making.
A new study from the University of Waterloo highlights four strategies to enhance equity and justice in climate action planning: modifying strategies, designing collaborative spaces, addressing gaps between words and actions, and considering underlying social processes. By prioritizing vulnerable populations and local actors, urban gov...
A new study found that strategic city planning can reduce the urban heat island effect by using trees, taller buildings with shade-providing effects, and pavement with high albedo levels. These design strategies can help create more comfortable thermal conditions in cities, especially for low-income communities and vulnerable populations.
A new study found that establishing a wildflower meadow in the historic grounds of King's College, Cambridge increased species richness and abundance by three times compared to adjacent lawn. The meadow also reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1.36 tonnes CO2-e per hectare per year.
Researchers found that tree coverage and high-albedo pavement significantly reduced mean radiant temperatures, improving thermal comfort levels in urban areas. The study suggests incorporating trees and pavement design elements into city planning to mitigate the urban heat island effect.
A laboratory study found that exposure to background traffic noise, even at 40 dB, significantly impairs concentration and perceived workload. Researchers also highlight the difficulties in avoiding high-frequency noise indoors due to reduced vehicle speeds.
A study of 700 participants found that time outdoors doesn't always reduce smartphone screentime. However, visits to nature reserves or forests saw significant declines in screentime compared to urban locations. Participants who visited wilder areas spent more time disconnected from their smartphones and regained attention.
Researchers at York University found more pathogens and parasites in urban bee populations, leading to inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity. Conservation efforts focused on green spaces and habitat connectors can help mitigate these effects.
A new metric, called the carbon storage (CS) factor, enables urban planners to evaluate how a new development will affect the city's carbon balance. By using the right kind of wooden construction technologies, up to 70% of future construction can preserve lost forest carbon storage capacity.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University will investigate the links between multimodal transportation, climate adaptation and resilience. The center aims to promote transit access, sustainable communities and resilient development.
Researchers at Drexel University developed a machine learning model to predict Philadelphia's future energy use based on zoning decisions and building characteristics. The model uses two machine learning programs to tease out patterns from massive datasets and make projections about future energy consumption.
Research reveals that urban bird species are generally smaller, less territorial, and have greater ability to fly long distances. They also have broader dietary and habitat niches, lay more eggs at a time, live longer, and inhabit wider elevations compared to other species.
A study by the University of Helsinki identifies nature-based solutions that work best as carbon sinks and for biodiversity conservation in urban areas. Community engagement is vital to ensure acceptable plans, according to the researchers.
A study in urban Appleton, Wisconsin, reveals that actively managed green spaces with native wildflowers support higher bee populations. By incorporating native species into urban landscaping, communities can promote biodiversity and enhance local ecosystems.
The University of Sheffield suggests policymakers offer financial incentives to encourage sustainable gardening practices, promoting greener gardens and boosting community health. Well-planted gardens provide habitats for wildlife, improve air quality, and reduce energy bills.
A new study found that neighborhood attachment is positively associated with people's walking behavior and physical activity. Place attachment, a person's emotional and functional relationship with their surroundings, influences the likelihood of engaging in outdoor activities like walking.
Storm geysers can cause significant flooding, damage, and injury due to poor city planning and inadequate drainage systems. A new computational model suggests increasing pipeline diameter and improving system design as effective preventive measures.
A Barcelona Institute for Global Health study suggests that increasing green space in the city may help alleviate mental health issues. By 2025, the expansion of Green Axes (Eixos Verds) could lead to a 14% decrease in cases of poor mental health and prevent 13% of antidepressant use, resulting in annual savings of €45 million.
A study found that honeybee hive debris contains diverse genetic information from environmental bacteria, fungi, and plants, indicating unique microbial signatures for each city. This could be used to assess the overall health of cities and honeybees.
A new study found that 20% of households have too little allocated parking and 13.4% of surveyed households do not own a car but are still allocated a parking space. Experts are calling for planning policy to 'unbundle' parking spaces from apartments to reduce housing costs and alleviate street parking woes.
Research reveals that financial landlords, including private equity firms and institutional investors, own nearly one in eight rental units in Montreal. This trend is linked to gentrification, displacement, aggressive rent increases, and eviction practices, particularly affecting precarious, racialized, and student groups.
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.
The UTSA ScooterLab will collect data on riders' mobility, context and environment to improve sustainable transportation solutions. The project aims to transform the way we think about micro-mobility.
A study by University of Gothenburg found that conifer trees are generally better at purifying air from gaseous pollutants, while broadleaved trees excel at capturing particle-bound pollution. The researchers analyzed leaves and needles from eleven different tree species to determine which ones absorb air pollutants most effectively.
A Florida Atlantic University study reveals that while private automobiles remain dominant, the share of car trips has decreased since its peak in 2001. In contrast, transit, non-motorized, and taxicab trips have increased. Lower-income groups rely heavily on public transportation due to limited mobility options.
A new machine learning model can predict city traffic activity in different zones of cities, enabling targeted responses from policymakers. Understanding people's mobility patterns is crucial for improving urban traffic flow, and the model provides insights into urban interactions.
Researchers from Cornell University recommend that planners in suburban and rural communities focus on promoting recreational programs, expanding transportation options, and creating safer environments to help an aging population get more exercise. The study found that demographic factors, such as minority populations and lower incomes...
Research at the University of Helsinki highlights the importance of emergent plants in supporting biodiversity in urban ponds. The study found that vegetation cover can enhance diving beetle diversity in ponds with fish, but not without them.
The metaverse can be used to investigate the effectiveness of large-scale interventions before implementation, saving time and money. It also provides a platform for people with limited access to natural environments to experience green spaces, reducing negative mental health effects.
A MIT experiment equipped second-hand bicycles with mobile trackers to track their whereabouts over time, revealing that most stolen bikes remain in the local area. The majority of bikes were resold and re-used within the city's bike fleet.
A long-term study from Lund University in Sweden found that native trees are preferred by urban birds due to their availability of resources. Non-native trees lack an evolutionary history with the local ecosystem and have fewer insects, leading to a shortage of food for insectivorous birds.
Tiantian Yang aims to develop an integrated solution addressing precipitation variability and uncertainty with a novel AI and data mining tool. His research will be tested in collaboration with U.S. agencies, aiming to better inform water management decisions.
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have found a correlation between traffic noise and the risk of developing tinnitus. The study, which analyzed data from 3.5 million Danes, suggests that exposure to high levels of traffic noise increases the risk of tinnitus by up to six percent.
A new study estimates that urban heat islands cause 6,700 premature deaths annually in European cities, with increasing tree cover up to 30% reducing temperature and mortality rates. Cities with high excess heat-mortality rates can benefit most from this measure.
A modelling study suggests that increasing urban tree cover to 30% could decrease deaths from higher summer temperatures by a third. The study found that tree cover reduced urban temperatures by an average of 0.4 degrees during the summer, resulting in 6,700 premature deaths attributable to hotter urban temperatures.