Articles tagged with Urban Planning
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 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.
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 comprehensive study found that up to 82 percent of Berlin's vegetable demand could be met locally if all available land was used for urban gardening. Investing in water and human resources would be crucial for this production, with a total investment cost of 753 million euros required.
Researchers emphasize the importance of inclusivity and understanding past policies affecting marginalized communities in urban planning, design, and public policy efforts. The study identified three core focus areas: social justice and equity, circularity, and digital twins, to address environmental issues and infrastructure challenges.
Researchers use drone technology to detect changes in building facades and assess technical condition, enabling accurate classification and identification. The system can also be used for urban heritage site monitoring and planning urban development.
Researchers developed machine learning models to accurately calculate fine particulate matter in urban air pollution using AI and traffic data. The models provide a high-resolution estimation of city street pollution surface, enabling transportation and epidemiology studies to assess health impacts.
A new UC Riverside-led study reveals that drought-tolerant trees in urban areas use significantly more water than their natural counterparts. The research found that even 'drought-tolerant' species like eucalyptus and ficus increase their water intake when irrigated.
The study highlights the importance of a diverse city tree population, with private residences contributing significantly to urban forest diversity and structure. The research found that private trees serve unique functions such as providing fruit, flowers, or aesthetic beauty, while municipal trees tend to be bigger and more resilient.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
A study published in Landscape and Urban Planning found that improved perceptions of neighborhood walkability and enhanced access to public transport and safety from crime reduce depressive symptoms. The researchers suggest building environment design may influence mental health through behavioral and social pathways.
A study by the University of Eastern Finland and Vietnam National University found that people in urban areas have better access to healthcare than suburban residents. The researchers recommend digital healthcare solutions to improve healthcare quality and accessibility in a cost-effective manner.
A new ISGlobal study found that full adherence to the 3-30-300 green space rule was associated with improved mental health and fewer visits to a psychologist. However, only 4.7% of respondents met all three criteria, highlighting a need for more green spaces in urban areas.
A study found that up to 78% of walkers would choose a more challenging route with obstacles, suggesting 'Active Landscape' routes could improve health outcomes and tackle the 'inactivity pandemic'. The researchers identified design characteristics, such as handrails and signage, that influence participants' choices.
A comprehensive analysis of 20 US cities reveals widespread failure to incorporate equity and justice principles in green infrastructure planning. The study highlights the need for fundamental transformation in planning processes to ensure that benefits are distributed fairly and marginalized communities are involved.
A new study ranks Great Britain's city centers based on their green attributes, including tree cover, vegetation, and parks, revealing disparities in urban biodiversity and human health. The top five cities are located in southern England, while the bottom five relate to industrial areas in northern Britain.
A new study found that urban centres with higher tree cover, public parks, and sports fields have better health, equity, and biodiversity outcomes. Exeter was ranked as the most green city, while Glasgow had the lowest score, highlighting the need for re-imaging urban centers to boost biodiversity.
A 30-year tree planting campaign in Portland, Oregon found significant reductions in non-accidental and cardiovascular mortality associated with tree planting. The association grows stronger as trees age and grow, suggesting preserving existing mature trees is crucial for public health.
A new study by UBC researchers emphasizes the need for public urban greenspaces to be designed with the needs of young adults between 15 and 24 in mind. The research found that such spaces can promote social interactions, physical exercise, and psychological restoration, leading to improved mental health outcomes.
Using 1980s environmental inventories, researchers found that disaster risk assessment could have predicted the damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The study compared composite risk maps from the 1980s with post-2011 hazard maps to show a significant increase in high-risk areas.
A new atlas reveals extreme differences in urban built-up heights globally, with the Global South having nearly as much infrastructure as the Global North. This data can inform city planning and economic development efforts to address inequality and climate change.
A new study by Concordia researchers finds that greenbelts are effective at slowing urban sprawl, particularly in larger cities. 90% of cities with greenbelts experienced decreases in sprawl, while just over a third without them did.
A study by the University of Exeter shows that urban life leads to a decline in plant awareness, which can be addressed through activities like wild food foraging. The research found that people's interest in plants develops where they have frequent interactions with relevant plants.
The CityAccessMap tool assesses urban infrastructure distribution and identifies areas for improvement, helping policymakers address socio-economic disparities. Disadvantaged communities face lower access to urban services, which can hinder social mobility and exacerbate inequalities.
A study assesses and optimizes the landscape visual aesthetic quality of street pedestrian spaces in Jinan, China's historic downtown, using panoramic images and deep learning methods. The research finds that urban streets with high aesthetic quality serve as corridors among mountains and natural landscapes, improving city image.
A Brazilian study of 26,616 tree falls in São Paulo found that building height and neighborhood age are key factors influencing the risk of tree failure. Sidewalk width and tree height were also found to be significant variables. The research provides valuable insights for urban planning and tree management in the city.
A study by Lund University found that cities negatively impact bird diversity in natural woodlands, with on average a quarter fewer species in urban forests compared to rural ones. This suggests that urban development can lead to biotic homogenization of woodland bird communities.
The global survey highlights intense exposure to extreme heat, water scarcity, and flooding due to climate change, with cities in developing countries facing significant infrastructure gaps. City leaders also report challenges related to private automobiles, biking, and walking, as well as budgetary concerns and mental health issues.
A study reveals critical weaknesses in current tree-planting strategies in US cities, suggesting ways to build more resilient and diverse ecosystems. Urban forests provide numerous health benefits, but few have assessed city tree biodiversity.
A University of Queensland study reveals low-income Brisbane suburbs have significantly fewer trees than middle- and higher-income areas, leaving residents vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The research highlights the need for increased investment in tree planting to address this environmental inequity.
Researchers used computer models to link red squirrel sightings to environmental parameters, identifying areas with missing ecological corridors. The study aims to improve urban planning by understanding the challenges faced by urban squirrels due to habitat fragmentation and climate change.
Researchers found that environments with high walkability and greenness increase physical activity levels. People who spent more time in these areas had the highest levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity.
City digital twin technology is used to create synthetic training data for deep learning models, which are then trained on a combination of real and synthetic data. This approach yields promising results for architectural segmentation tasks, particularly for modern building styles.
Rice University researchers have received three NSF grants to develop tools and techniques for improving wireless communications. The projects focus on creating more efficient sensing and communication technologies, as well as protocols for resilience in the face of natural or human-induced disasters.
A new optimization model aims to improve the efficiency of bike-sharing systems by predicting user demand and adjusting service operations accordingly. The model has shown promising results, reducing problems by 41% compared to no rebalancing.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University found that only seven out of 50 largest US cities have strong evacuation plans in place, highlighting a need for improvement in preparing for natural disasters. The study suggests that cities with experience in major hurricanes tend to develop stronger plans.
A new study finds that urban agriculture can meet and sometimes exceed the yields of rural farms, with certain crops like cucumbers, potatoes, and lettuces producing two to four times higher yields in cities.
A recent HKU study found that Global South cities experience only one-third of the greenspace exposure level of Global North cities, highlighting the need for prioritizing greening policies and actions. The research reveals a severe disparity in greenspace exposure linked to differences in greenspace provision and landscape design.
Researchers found that NYC park users prioritized outdoor activities like walking, jogging, and biking during the pandemic. Social media data revealed concerns about social distancing, crowds, and mask-wearing, as well as specific incidents that reflected broader societal issues.
A study of bird survey data reveals that iconic backyard birds are experiencing declines in prevalence in urban areas, while introduced species are on the decline. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring and conservation action in suburbs to protect biodiversity.
Research highlights the 'worst of both worlds' for people living in suburban areas, with poor access to natural and built infrastructure. This can result in a lower quality of life compared to urban and rural areas.
A study found that exposure to urban greenness has unequal effects on men's and women's mental health, with women benefiting from walking and leisure activities but facing safety concerns. Researchers call for gendered equity in park planning to address these disparities.
A Dartmouth-led study found that urban gardens with rare plant species tend to attract rare bee and bird species. Women, older gardeners, and those living near the gardens are more likely to curate these rare plants, suggesting a cascading effect on biodiversity.