Articles tagged with Urban Studies
Researchers discovered 20 coins, including a rare halfpenny, indicating a thriving Anglo-Saxon community in Rome's 'Little England' with special treatment from the Pope. The coins suggest a bustling hub of craft and trade, contradicting a long-held assumption that foreign currency was forbidden in the city.
A study examines how urban heat impacts everyday life, health, and social interactions in Mexico City, revealing a clear threshold beyond which heat becomes a public concern. The research combines satellite observations, social media data, and geographic analysis to understand the human dimension of urban heat.
A recent study by Emory University researchers analyzed socio-economic data and environmental indicators in Portland, Oregon, to understand current urban patterns of privilege and disadvantage. The study found that redlining, while a significant factor, is not the only contributor to urban inequality, and that gentrification and displa...
A US study found that affluent neighborhoods are at higher risk of fire, but tend to recover faster, with 78% of severely burned areas failing to return to pre-fire temperatures within five years. Higher-income areas also experienced smaller losses in vegetation and recovered temperatures more quickly.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers analyzed almost 300,000 km of Roman roads, revealing a complex network with provincial capitals acting as vital crossroads and Rome not being the dominant hub. The study also found a measurable relationship between Roman and modern roads, but with varying strengths across regions.
A new PNAS special feature examines how segregation shapes environmental risks and benefits in cities, including access to water, safety from floods, and exposure to extreme heat. The authors argue that understanding segregation as a social-ecological system can help break cycles and build more equitable cities.
A new model forecasts subway passenger destinations and travel times one day ahead by analyzing multi-time-scale patterns in rider behavior. The model outperforms widely used forecasting methods, enabling subway operators to better plan train schedules and manage congestion.
A new study of 22 million property listings across 30 European countries reveals that nearly half of people on average income can only afford a one-bedroom apartment or studio flat. The study highlights the emerging crisis over affordable housing, particularly in densely populated areas such as towns and cities.
A study of 25 European cities found that only 11.6% of climate strategies include green spaces, despite their potential to alleviate climate change effects such as heatwaves and heavy rain. Cities prioritize measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but neglect adaptation strategies that incorporate green spaces.
A new Cochrane map has identified significant gaps in dengue prevention research, with most studies lacking synthesis into reliable reviews that policymakers can use. The map highlights areas such as vaccine implementation, adult mosquito control, and environmental interventions, which require more evidence to inform effective dengue c...
Urban greenery provides substantial cooling benefits but also complicates ozone control by stabilizing the urban boundary layer and releasing ozone-polluting compounds. Locally tailored greening strategies are needed to maximize cooling benefits while minimizing air-quality trade-offs
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.
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.
New research suggests that collecting and spraying rainwater on rooftops during hot weather can significantly reduce energy demand for air conditioning and lower urban temperatures. The study found that this approach could cut the number of heatwave days overall and lessen the intensity of extreme heat events.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that neighborhoods with stronger senses of safety tend to have longer sleep durations, while highly walkable streetscapes are associated with shortened sleep duration. Greenery and high enclosure are also linked to longer sleep and reduced insomnia symptoms.
A new study from Carnegie Mellon University and Oxford Saïd Business School found that the entry of ride-hailing platforms drove measurable increases in economic output and intermittent employment. Regional GDP per capita increased, and the number of seasonal, temporary, or intermittent jobs rose after Uber and Lyft entered the region.
Researchers at ICTA-UAB developed a public tool to explore climate gentrification vulnerability across 36 municipalities in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The map shows that greener, less densely populated areas are at higher risk due to rising temperatures and heat exposure.
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 study suggests that chronic stress, obesity, and diet are major factors contributing to the growing rural-urban mortality gap. Researchers analyzed data from over 66,000 people across a 20-year span and found that rural health disadvantages exist across various adult populations. The study highlights the need for policies and pro...
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 SUTD study reveals that factors beyond temperature affect comfort at home. Residents who spent more time outdoors reported greater comfort without air-conditioning, while closed windows and blocked airflow contributed to warmer rooms. Practical advice is needed to help households understand these influences and make informed decisions.
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 new study estimates that by 2100, only 38% of the world's population will live in large cities, with 450 million fewer people projected to reside in cities over a century than current trends suggest. Urban growth slows as countries urbanize, with smaller cities growing faster than larger ones initially.
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.
New research warns that traditional legal systems are ill-equipped to cope with climate change's fast-moving impact on communities. The study proposes a blueprint for dynamic and responsive laws to help cities thrive amidst climate change and urban uncertainty.
A new study offers a framework for transdisciplinary urban science by combining particularising and generalising perspectives to inform policy decisions. The research emphasizes the need for constant interaction between researchers, publics, and policymakers to chart sustainable pathways for cities.
Research in Singapore finds that households relying heavily on air-conditioning are less likely to adopt energy-saving habits and support collective climate action. The study highlights the need for city-scale heat mitigation strategies alongside individual adaptation.
Researchers propose a method to measure urban vibrancy by analyzing biodiversity and activity categories. The framework applies ecological concepts to urban planning, highlighting the importance of balancing activities in neighborhoods.
Research reveals that pedestrians in Phnom Penh prefer shorter, simpler routes with fewer turns due to factors like path efficiency, street vitality, and perceived comfort. The study also found that high-traffic streets are often preferred over crowded footpaths, reflecting a desire for clarity, predictability, and ease of movement.
A year-long study of NYC's East River used environmental DNA to reveal insights into urban wildlife activity, human food consumption and ecosystem health. The findings suggest that urban waterways can become continuous biosensors tracking biodiversity and habitat restoration outcomes.
A Concordia-led study analyzed 53 green alleys and 23 conventional alleys in Montreal and Trois-Rivières, finding that results depend on alley design and purpose. The study suggests a middle ground between community-led projects and standardized approaches to achieve both biodiversity and social cohesion.
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 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 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.
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 by Hashem Akbari offers a simplified way to calculate the climate impact of reflective surfaces, allowing policy practitioners to view problems on a regional basis. Increasing albedo by 0.01 can offset about 1.8 to 2 kilograms of CO₂ per square metre globally, with some regions reaching up to 5 kilograms.
A new study by MIT researchers provides a high-resolution picture of auto emissions in NYC, allowing for more effective transportation and decarbonization policies. The method produces detailed data that bridges the gap between citywide emissions inventories and individual vehicle analyses.
A Concordia University study found that demographic factors such as income and household size drive energy consumption in Quebec's major urban centres. The research used meter readings and census data to reveal strong links between social characteristics and energy use, with higher-income areas and larger households consuming more energy.
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.
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.
Urban parks exhibit enhanced microbial activity and nutrient-cycling capacity, but with smaller genomes and reduced evolutionary potential. This 'function–evolution trade-off' highlights the need for urban green space planning that balances short-term ecological function with long-term microbial diversity and resilience.
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.
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 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.
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 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 research team from Osaka Metropolitan University found that optimizing window-to-wall ratio and insulation can reduce energy consumption by up to 27% in subtropical regions. The study provides tailored design guidelines for each climate zone, promoting net-zero energy housing and climate adaptation policies.
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 recent SFU study analyzed 3,200 Strava posts from Metro Vancouver runners between 2010 and 2021 to understand what makes running enjoyable. The research identified six key factors shaping runner experiences: psychological aspects, social connections, weather, surroundings, physical sensations, and path conditions.
A new study by MIT researchers reveals that cities with strong airline connections are more likely to attract multinational firms, particularly in knowledge industries. The study analyzed 7.5 million firms in 800 cities and found that direct flights lead to a 20% increase in subsidiaries, compared to cities with only one-stop connections.
A new study found that historic buildings in English cities enhance scenicness, with scores 25% higher than the average urban score. The study's findings suggest that heritage designations and architectural significance are key factors influencing scenic beauty.
Chronic pain prevalence differs between rural and urban adult cancer survivors, with rural areas showing higher rates despite having fewer resources. Limited access to pain specialists and insurance challenges contribute to these disparities.
A new framework reveals that compact, mixed-use districts like One-North are designed to generate cleaner travel patterns, but the reality is more complex. Emissions hotspots were identified at major arterial roads, weaker transit-accessible edges of districts, and busy corridors like North Buona Vista Road.
A comprehensive analysis of 383 US cities found common patterns of isolation and segregation, with wealthy suburban areas and poorer downtown zones often having limited interactions between residents. Researchers recommend zoning incentives and strategic development to encourage greater diversity and social mixing.