Articles tagged with Urban Planning
A study of nearly 35,000 routes found that traffic speeds under 20mph are most likely to encourage cycling, with higher speeds deterring commuters. The research also highlights the importance of cycle paths and separates roads for encouraging more cycling.
A new study led by researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that trees contribute to cleaner air in cities. The study measured pollutants in tree leaves and compared them with air pollution levels, showing a clear correlation between the two.
Residents in eastern US cities experience up to 4.9 degrees Celsius increase in nighttime urban heat stress index, with extra 30 minutes of uncomfortable weather per degree C temperature increase. This effect is more pronounced in the southeastern US, where residents face up to five extra hours of uncomfortable weather during summer.
The QUENCH network aims to discover how the quality of urban ecosystems affects nature-connectedness and health. Funded by £312,000 from NERC, UKRI, the project brings together experts in environmental science, health, psychology, social sciences, and more.
Researchers found that individual urban trees, such as street trees, can capture and store rainfall at a rate of three times that of clusters or patches. The study used sap flux sensors to monitor transpiration rates in 18 mature red maple trees, revealing significantly higher transpiration rates in single trees compared to cluster trees.
A recent study suggests that the ancient Maya's agricultural strategies may have been more effective than previously believed. The research, which analyzed airborne lidar data, found that Maya settlements in Mexico and Guatemala were able to maintain a stable food supply despite environmental challenges.
Researchers found that tree-cover area, impervious surface area, and building density have a consistent impact on building energy use across cities. The study's results suggest that the relationship between urban form/density and energy use is city-specific and distance-specific.
High air pollution exposure worsens COPD patients' quality of life, while living far from green spaces also reports negative effects. Access to blue and green spaces improves mental and physical health through increased physical activity.
The project aims to evaluate how artificial intelligence can be used to improve analytical processes in urban planning, focusing on data and analytical tools that enable human stakeholders to interact with AI algorithms. The research also seeks to shed light on the broader impacts of automation in urban life, such as workforce.
A UBC study found that children living in areas with high greenspace exposure showed better overall development than peers with less access. Greenspaces reduce the negative impacts of air pollution and noise on children's health and development.
Research from Florida Atlantic University suggests that older adults living in walkable neighborhoods with greenspaces benefit from increased physical activity, with 5.4 minutes of daily neighborhood walking associated with African Americans and 3 minutes for whites
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that Airbnb units cause a mild decrease in long-term rental supply, including affordable housing, while expanding the rental market. The study suggests a new tax to alleviate resulting inequities and maintain social equality.
A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that 62% of Europeans live in areas with less than recommended green space, leading to 42,968 premature deaths. The study suggests that European cities should focus on reclaiming urban land for green spaces and implementing nature-based solutions.
A $1 million NSF Award supports a project to create an open underground infrastructure map to improve disaster resilience in New York City. The Unification for Underground Resilience Measures (UNUM) project will standardize data sharing and visualization, enabling faster response times and increased safety.
A recent discovery at Tikal reveals a previously unknown neighborhood designed to replicate Teotihuacan's citadel, sparking new insights into the interaction between the two civilizations. Excavations found evidence of occupation and surveillance, as well as artifacts linking Tikal to Teotihuacan's imperial power.
Research finds that neighborhoods with longer commute times and high residential density are more prone to infectious disease hotspots, while dense urban design can improve mobility conditions and resilience. The study suggests that a 20-minute city concept can promote livability, sustainability, and pandemic-resilient urban planning.
Researchers have developed an AI-powered tool, Roofpedia, to track sustainable roof adoption worldwide. The tool uses satellite images to gauge cities' green and solar roof penetration, with Singapore ranked third in solar roof coverage.
Urban climate change adaptation measures can improve human health and wellbeing, reducing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, heat stress, and exposure to food-borne diseases. Early warning systems and policy changes can deliver immediate benefits.
Fine root anatomy and function data from the FRED 3.0 database informs Earth system models predicting future climate changes. Meanwhile, 3D printed concrete smart walls demonstrate energy efficiency and potential cost savings in buildings.
Researchers analyze impact of risk factors on heat-related mortality at different spatial scales, finding age, education, and socioeconomic status are key contributors. A localized approach is needed to address specific conditions at the city, region, and neighborhood levels.
A new article examines polycentric development in the Wasatch Front Region, Utah, finding that moderately compact urban design fosters trip generation through walking and biking. The study also highlights the importance of public transit connections to reduce vehicle miles traveled and combat urban sprawl.
The Research Roadmap addresses important active transportation needs, focusing on speed management strategies, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and addressing racial and economic disparities. Funded by NCHRP, the project provides guidance for future research directions.
Scientists from Incheon National University identified interzonal airflow across household entrance doors as a dominant factor in calculating heating loads. They found that strong stack effect and weather-driven airflow rates were larger than external infiltration rates, making conventional airtightness measures unreliable.
New research shows that certain types of urban greening efforts can support multiple ecosystem services provided by plants and insects. Large green spaces with native plants, particularly flowering prairies, are ideal for conserving native bees and predatory wasps.
New research reveals that low-income neighborhoods and minority communities experience significantly more urban heat than their wealthier counterparts. The study, published in Earth's Future, found that land surface temperatures in these communities can be up to 4 degrees Celsius warmer during the summer months.
A new study from American University found that individual trees can help mitigate urban heat, particularly in evening hours. The research showed that neighborhoods with at least half of the area covered by canopy were 1.4 degrees Celsius cooler than those with few trees.
Researchers from RUDN University and Australia found that citizens in Moscow and Perth valued access to green spaces for physical and mental health, as well as socialization and sense of unity with nature. During the pandemic, residents' contact with natural objects decreased, especially in cities with restricted access.
A study published in Landscape and Urban Planning found that viewing buildings with green plants reduced stress levels and improved positive emotions in participants. The research suggests that incorporating vertical greenery into urban design can have a significant impact on mental health, guiding greening efforts in cities.
Researchers evaluated a multifaceted COVID-19 control plan on a large urban university campus, revealing its effectiveness in reducing SARS-CoV-2 spread. The study found that the plan's implementation resulted in lower case rates and improved student safety during the second pandemic wave.
The Barcelona Institute for Global Health has identified 10 key principles for integrating health components into urban design, aiming to reduce premature mortality. The study provides a checklist for urban planners to incorporate public health into their work, promoting active and public transport, green spaces, and mixed land use.
Seiichi Shirai's practice of calligraphy was characterized by four aspects: interest in kanji's primitive aspects, emphasis on utility, asceticism, and rapid writing. His calligraphy reflected the universal potential of objects without being misled by external form or origin.
A study of 158 European butterfly species found that 25 thrive in urban environments, while others decline. Generalist species with adaptable traits are more likely to succeed.
Scientists discovered a scaling law governing urban visitor numbers based on travel distance and frequency, with surprising implications for city planning and pandemic prevention. The law predicts equal energy allocation to travel regardless of distance or frequency, optimizing trip choices.
A study by ICTA-UAB finds that combining white roofs with green areas can reduce temperature during heat waves, with an average reduction of 1.26°C. This combination has the greatest impact on energy consumption, reducing spending on air conditioning by 26%.
Urban megaprojects have severe implications for environmental processes, disrupting urban water flows, biodiversity, and flood regimes. The study's findings emphasize the need for community involvement and funders' accountability to ensure sustainable development.
A new synthetic framework, TB-ResNet, combines discrete choice models and deep neural networks to improve individual decision-making analysis in travel behavior research. The framework has been proven to be highly predictive, interpretable, and robust.
A new model developed by MIT's Andres Sevtsuk can estimate pedestrian journeys and trip distribution, providing a solution for planners and developers to better understand foot traffic in cities. The model uses network analysis and real-world data to calculate pedestrian flows, which can be applied to various urban settings.
Researchers highlight the need for urban planning to promote physical activity, reduce air pollution, and improve chronic disease outcomes. Designing cities with inclusivity in mind can lead to better health outcomes, even during pandemics.
A new study by ISGlobal estimates that poor urban and transport planning is associated with over 1,000 premature deaths per year in Barcelona and Madrid. The study found that fine particulate air pollution was the leading cause of death, accounting for 524 deaths per year in Barcelona.
Urban scaling laws, observed in cities worldwide, can be explained by the spatial geometry of a city. Researchers mapped building heights and assigned dots to people living in buildings to determine fractal dimensions, revealing a constant sublinear scaling exponent that determines city growth rates.
The USDA Forest Service has established a new urban long-term ecological research site in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, focusing on the dynamics of urban nature and social systems. The project aims to improve environmental outcomes for all city residents, addressing disparities in access to urban benefits.
The study found that having indoor plants had a positive influence on emotional well-being during the first COVID-19 lockdown, with 74% of respondents agreeing. The majority of participants reported spending more time on plant care at home and expressed desire to have more plants once normality was restored.
The study explores how different factors contribute to heat-related mortality in urban areas, including the built environment and socio-economic conditions. It highlights the need for efficient infrastructure measures and spatial planning considerations to mitigate heatwave impacts on public health.
KAUST researchers applied statistical geometry to study the impact of wireless charging roads on driver behavior and city planning. They found that drivers would have an 80% chance of encountering a charging road after driving 500 meters when installed on 20% of roads.
Scientists developed a new land surface model incorporating multiple processes and human activities to improve water-energy simulations and environmental protection. The CAS-LSM model can evaluate ecohydrological effects of stream water transfer and provide advice for urban planning.
Singapore's smart city initiatives harness data and digital tools to design a greener, more livable and sustainable city. However, experts caution that these technologies must be balanced with material infrastructure development to address issues like inequality.
Researchers developed a computer algorithm that captures traffic network topology to identify congestion hotspots. The algorithm suggests ways around congested areas in cities.
Researchers analyzed the impact of a plain afforestation project in Beijing, finding that some forest patches showed worse growth due to interrupted afforestation. They also found that this project occupied fertile farmland, decreasing connectivity and compactness.
A recent ASU climate study forecasts a substantial rise in human exposure to extreme temperatures in the US during the 21st century. By the end of the century, the annual heat exposure is expected to increase nearly 30-fold, with major metropolitan regions like New York and Los Angeles facing significant changes.
A new study from Cornell University highlights the importance of urban green space and tree canopy for supporting diverse bird populations. The research found that increasing green space by 50% results in an 11.5% increase in annual species diversity.
A study found that urban community gardens can be a rich habitat for diverse pollinators, with higher pollination rates compared to other park types. Community gardens showed similar levels of visitation as rural sites, while recreational parks had lower visitation rates.
The program results in continued improvements in lot condition and care over a 5-year period, with residents gaining a stronger sense of place and belonging. The study develops a practical monitoring tool to assess the progress of vacant lot repurposing programs.
Researchers found that home gardening was associated with higher levels of happiness comparable to other leisure activities. The study revealed that women and people with low incomes reported higher emotional well-being while gardening, suggesting a potential solution for equity in food action planning.
Using digital twins, researchers simulate the complex interactions within urban environments to predict how changes in design could affect life there. The team developed a comprehensive model of Herrenberg city using space syntax, GIS data, and traffic control systems.
A study by New York University researchers found that mandatory building energy audits led to modest reductions in energy use, but not enough to meet citywide carbon-reduction goals. The results suggest that a more comprehensive data-driven energy policy is needed to encourage significant energy efficiency investments.
A study found that urban areas in the US experience an earlier start to plants' greening season compared to rural areas. The advancement of spring phenology is driven by warmer temperatures, but the rate of change slows down under continued warming.
A new study projects that urban expansion will trigger 'extra' warming due to the urban heat island effect, increasing extreme heat risks for half of the world's future urban population. The study forecasts temperatures may rise up to 3 degrees C in some locations, particularly in tropical regions.
A University of Surrey study suggests that clear guidelines for green infrastructure can maximize benefits and reverse air pollution effects. The researchers argue that housing developers, urban planners, and politicians need easy-to-follow guidelines to create healthier built communities.
Researchers discovered a law of joint climb in sustainable development of urban agglomerations. The study found that cities unite to enhance each other's sustainability, with a limited number of cities needed for maintenance. By 2015, Beijing's comprehensive unite strength was still lower than the threshold of 6.14.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that larger green areas in urban neighborhoods are associated with higher wellbeing. Participants who spent more time in green spaces showed reduced activity in the brain region responsible for processing negative emotions.