Urban Science

33 pages, 20999 KB

Open AccessArticle

Does Public Transportation Infrastructure Always Improve Air Quality? Supply-Side Evidence on Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity, Nonlinearities, and Mechanisms from Chinese Cities

by Shuqi Zhang, Huiyu Zhou and Zihan Zhao

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050293 - 21 May 2026

Abstract

Does public transportation infrastructure expansion necessarily improve urban air quality? Using panel data from 168 Chinese cities, this study examines the impact of public transportation infrastructure development on air quality by applying GTWR (Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression) models to capture spatial–temporal heterogeneity. [...] Read more.

Does public transportation infrastructure expansion necessarily improve urban air quality? Using panel data from 168 Chinese cities, this study examines the impact of public transportation infrastructure development on air quality by applying GTWR (Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression) models to capture spatial–temporal heterogeneity. Partial Dependence Plots (PDPs) are further employed to identify nonlinear relationships, alongside mechanism analysis. The results indicate that the effects of public transportation infrastructure on air quality are significant but highly heterogeneous across cities and over time. Transport development is associated with air quality through channels related to industrial transformation and agglomeration dynamics, with the latter showing a stronger relationship. Moreover, several key variables exhibit nonlinear relationships with identifiable threshold effects. These findings suggest that the environmental benefits of public transportation infrastructure are context-dependent rather than universal. This study provides a more comprehensive understanding of transport–environment linkages and offers policy insights for optimizing urban transport systems and promoting sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Public Transit-Oriented Urban Areas—Planning, Coordination, and Optimization of Transportation Networks)

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28 pages, 1817 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Digital City Dividend: Modeling Residents’ Expected Financial Gains from Tech-Enabled Service Delivery

by Zubair Ali Raja, Muhammad Mashhood Arif and Nida Batool Sheikh

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050292 - 21 May 2026

Abstract

This study examines how tech-enabled municipal service delivery can generate a digital city dividend, measured as residents’ expected financial gains in urban context. The purpose is to identify the beliefs and enabling conditions that most strongly shape these expectations. We collected resident survey [...] Read more.

This study examines how tech-enabled municipal service delivery can generate a digital city dividend, measured as residents’ expected financial gains in urban context. The purpose is to identify the beliefs and enabling conditions that most strongly shape these expectations. We collected resident survey data and analysed the proposed model using PLS-SEM in SmartPLS. The reflective measurement model was evaluated for reliability and convergent validity (composite reliability; AVE) and for discriminant validity using both the Fornell–Larcker criterion and HTMT. We then tested the structural model through bootstrapping to assess the hypothesized paths. The results show that expected financial gains are driven primarily by behavioral intention, and are also supported directly by perceived value and trust. Behavioral intention rises mainly with trust and performance expectancy, while the effects of other adoption drivers are comparatively weaker. Service delivery quality contributes indirectly by strengthening perceived usefulness and trust, which subsequently improves intention and the expected dividend. The findings indicate that perceived financial benefits depend on a clear value pathway, credible institutional trust, and consistent service performance. The study therefore highlights practical priorities for cities: improve reliability and responsiveness, strengthen confidence through transparency and resolution mechanisms, and make the value-for-money case more legible to residents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Cities for People: Innovative Paradigms of Information Behavior and Urban Interaction)

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19 pages, 299 KB

Open AccessArticle

Do Sustainable Investments in Ports Improve Air Quality in Port Cities? Evidence from European Ports

by Gorana Mudronja, Mladen Jardas and Hrvoje Grofelnik

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050291 - 21 May 2026

Abstract

Ports are drivers of economic development, but at the same time, they create significant environmental pressures for port cities. Sustainable port development is an important aspect of urban and logistical planning in European coastal cities, helping to improve local air quality, the quality [...] Read more.

Ports are drivers of economic development, but at the same time, they create significant environmental pressures for port cities. Sustainable port development is an important aspect of urban and logistical planning in European coastal cities, helping to improve local air quality, the quality of life in port cities, and impact sustainable economic development. This research aims to analyze the relationship between investments in sustainable practices implemented in ports and air quality in port cities, based on a sample of five European ports observed from 2013 to 2024. The Fixed Effects (FE) estimation model was used as the estimation technique. The results indicate that higher investments in sustainable practices are associated with lower NO₂ concentrations in port cities. This highlights the significance of sustainable investments in improving air quality in port cities while advancing urban sustainability and contributing to economic development. This paper contributes to understanding the role of ports as an important link in the urban energy transition and provides guidelines for further integration of environmental policies into port and city planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Logistics of Port Cities and Urban Sustainable Development)

20 pages, 2230 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Management of Railway Infrastructure and Services in the Public Interest in a Protected Natural Area: An Electric Railway Case Study

by Eva Nedeliaková and Kristína Ovary Bulková

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050290 - 20 May 2026

Abstract

Rail transport is the basis for the proper functioning of a transport system that is sustainable for future generations. It is safe and environmentally friendly; moreover, it is suitable for carrying a large number of passengers. Train connections should be operated following the [...] Read more.

Rail transport is the basis for the proper functioning of a transport system that is sustainable for future generations. It is safe and environmentally friendly; moreover, it is suitable for carrying a large number of passengers. Train connections should be operated following the requirements of the traveling public, as well as with the potential to reach those who have hitherto preferred individual car transport. The study aimed to identify the needs of current as well as potential rail users and to propose measures for improving service provision and supporting more sustainable transport possibilities. Given the ecological nature of rail transport and the high numbers of tourists using individual car transport in the summer and winter seasons, the study sought solutions to shift transport from road to rail infrastructure. Visitors to the area were approached directly during their visit as part of a transport–sociological survey conducted during periods of peak visitation, specifically in the summer and winter seasons. Drawing on findings from previous studies and the results of the transport–sociological survey, four universal variants were developed. The study applies to the method of practical permeability indicators. It evaluates variants of measures involving timetable adjustments, line modifications, and construction of new stations. It assesses their impact on reducing travel times and proper timetable management. The result of the study is to propose building a station on the railway infrastructure, which brings fundamental changes in increasing the practical capacity of the line and meets the goal of sustainability concerning increasing the number of connections and thus increasing the number of public service opportunities. The study addresses the growing pressure of individual car transport in a protected natural area and the need to shift demand towards more sustainable rail transport. Full article

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30 pages, 2903 KB

Open AccessArticle

Shrubs Matter: An Evaluation of the Capacity of Nine Shrub Species to Dissipate Latent Heat and to Remove CO₂ and Airborne PM

by Sebastien Comin, Denise Corsini, Irene Vigevani, Caterina Villa, Christian Bettosini, Elena Crescini, Paolo Viskanic, Francesco Ferrini and Alessio Fini

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050289 - 20 May 2026

Abstract

The aim of this research was to quantify the capacity of different shrub species to remove atmospheric CO₂, to adsorb particulate matter and to dissipate latent heat through transpiration. A total of 308 established plants comprising Deutzia scabra, Elaeagnus × [...] Read more.

The aim of this research was to quantify the capacity of different shrub species to remove atmospheric CO₂, to adsorb particulate matter and to dissipate latent heat through transpiration. A total of 308 established plants comprising Deutzia scabra, Elaeagnus × ebbingei, Euonymus japonicus, Forsythia × intermedia, Laurus nobilis, Ligustrum vulgare, Pittosporum tobira, Prunus laurocerasus and Viburnum tinus were selected in Lugano (Switzerland) and Bolzano (Italy). Stem diameter, crown radius, Leaf Area Index, net CO₂ assimilation per unit leaf area (A_leaf), transpiration, and stomatal conductance (g_s) were measured during spring, summer, and fall. The net CO₂ assimilation per unit of crown projection area and per plant were calculated by upscaling A_leaf using a multilayer model. Latent heat dissipation was calculated using the Penman–Monteith equation. The amount of PM trapped on leaves was measured using a gravimetric method. Differences in leaf area and leaf gas exchange among species affected their capacity to deliver specific ecosystem services. Forsythia, Pittosporum, Elaeagnus and Deutzia removed about 40% more CO₂ per unit crown projection area than Laurus, Ligustrum, and Euonymus. Latent heat dissipation by shrubs was, on average, 130 W m⁻², which is comparable to that of tree species. PM removal per unit leaf area was higher in species with sparse canopies and rough leaf surfaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Monitoring, Modelling, and Intelligent Systems for Urban Air Pollution and Environmental Management)

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24 pages, 4718 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Roles, Impact and Challenges of Environmental Health Services in Communicable Disease Outbreak Response Focused on South Africa: A Systematic Review

by Ledile Francina Malebana, Maasago Mercy Sepadi and Matlou Ingrid Mokgobu

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050288 - 20 May 2026

Abstract

Environmental health services play a critical role in communicable disease outbreaks by addressing environmental determinants of disease transmission. However, the scope, impact, and challenges of Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP)-led interventions remain insufficiently documented. Aim and objectives: This systematic review objectively assessed the role, [...] Read more.

Environmental health services play a critical role in communicable disease outbreaks by addressing environmental determinants of disease transmission. However, the scope, impact, and challenges of Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP)-led interventions remain insufficiently documented. Aim and objectives: This systematic review objectively assessed the role, impacts, and challenges of municipal environmental health services in outbreak response, with a focus on South Africa, to inform the standardisation and strengthening of disease surveillance and prevention. Methods: The PICO framework guided the development of search terms and research questions. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched for English-language, full-text studies published between 2010 and 2024. Studies not meeting these inclusion criteria were excluded. Screening and reporting followed PRISMA guidelines, and data were synthesised using a standardised extraction tool. Results: A total of 58 studies were included. The key EHP functions identified were water quality monitoring, vector control, food safety, waste management, and outbreak response. While South Africa demonstrated comparatively advanced systems, persistent implementation challenges remain, including the integration of environmental monitoring with disease surveillance. The findings emphasised the need for integrating environmental monitoring with disease surveillance systems and integrating WASH and climate-responsive strategies. Conclusions and recommendation: The review recommends strengthening guidelines and advancing evidence-based practice. Enhancing EHP roles within surveillance frameworks is essential for improving outbreak preparedness and public health resilience. Full article

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20 pages, 697 KB

Open AccessArticle

Learning-Based Routing for Autonomous Shuttles Under Stochastic Demand Using Generative Adversarial Imitation Learning and Reinforcement Learning

by Hyun Kim and Branislav Dimitrijevic

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050287 - 20 May 2026

Abstract

Extensive research has been conducted to develop technologies that enable paratransit systems to operate autonomously, including advanced sensing technologies and associated software. However, there remains a gap in research addressing adaptive operational algorithms for such systems under stochastic and dynamically evolving demand. To [...] Read more.

Extensive research has been conducted to develop technologies that enable paratransit systems to operate autonomously, including advanced sensing technologies and associated software. However, there remains a gap in research addressing adaptive operational algorithms for such systems under stochastic and dynamically evolving demand. To address this gap, this study develops an imitation-learning-assisted deep reinforcement learning (DRL) approach for autonomous shuttle routing. The proposed framework integrates generative adversarial imitation learning with proximal policy optimization to enable sequential pickup and drop-off decision-making under stochastic passenger demand without centralized re-optimization. The DRL agent was trained over approximately 1.5 million training steps and evaluated across 1000 episodes with stochastic passenger generation. Its performance was benchmarked against a deterministic dial-a-ride problem (DARP) solver implemented using Google’s OR-Tools, as well as online heuristic baselines. Results indicate that while heuristic methods achieve lower average time-based performance metrics, the proposed approach is capable of learning adaptive routing policies and demonstrates consistent behavior across diverse demand realizations. These findings highlight the feasibility of learning-based routing in controlled environments and provide a foundation for extending such approaches to more complex and realistic autonomous mobility systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart City Transportation and Electric Vehicles: Innovations for Sustainable Urban Mobility)

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20 pages, 5938 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Neighborhood Environments on Perceived Livability in El Paso, Texas, US: A Survey Study Examining Individual and Sociocultural Influences

by Xuemei Zhu, Hanwool Lee, Sinan Zhong, Samuel D. C. Towne, Jr., Amaryllis H. Park, Chanam Lee, Wei Li and Marcia G. Ory

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050286 - 19 May 2026

Abstract

The perception of livability varies by individual, sociocultural, and environmental factors. Little is known about environment-livability relationships in unique sociocultural contexts with predominantly Mexican-origin Hispanic populations. This study examines how neighborhood environments relate to residents’ perceived livability in selected neighborhoods in El Paso, [...] Read more.

The perception of livability varies by individual, sociocultural, and environmental factors. Little is known about environment-livability relationships in unique sociocultural contexts with predominantly Mexican-origin Hispanic populations. This study examines how neighborhood environments relate to residents’ perceived livability in selected neighborhoods in El Paso, Texas, and potential differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic samples. We surveyed 2233 residents and generated GIS (ArcGIS 10.6.1) measures of their neighborhood environments. The binary livability outcome was derived from a survey question about satisfaction with their neighborhood as “a good place to live.” Three logistic regressions were estimated using the full sample and two subsamples (Hispanic and non-Hispanic). For the full sample, significant (p < 0.05) environmental predictors included social cohesion, crime safety, attractive surroundings, sidewalk availability and maintenance, surveillance and night lighting, walkable destinations, and land-use mix; significant interactions existed between Hispanic ethnicity and gender, between Hispanic ethnicity and the density of sit-down restaurants, as well as between age and crime safety. Comparing two subsample models, environmental features and personal health status were more influential in the Hispanic subsample, whereas personal and household factors were more influential in the non-Hispanic subsample. Culturally responsive designs should prioritize the most critical environmental improvements to effectively enhance livability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Urban Planning and Design)

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23 pages, 5628 KB

Open AccessArticle

Green Urbanism and Urban Transformation in Gamasa, Egypt: A Multi-Criteria Assessment Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

by Rasha Ali EL Ashmawy, Amany A. Ragheb, Ghada Ragheb, Tasneem Amr and Nourhane M. El-Haridi

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050285 - 19 May 2026

Abstract

This manuscript creates a framework for decision support based on green urbanism to direct the sustainable development of Gamasa, an Egyptian seaside city. The paper aims to convert the concepts of green urbanism into a multi-criteria evaluation that can support strategic urban development [...] Read more.

This manuscript creates a framework for decision support based on green urbanism to direct the sustainable development of Gamasa, an Egyptian seaside city. The paper aims to convert the concepts of green urbanism into a multi-criteria evaluation that can support strategic urban development and prioritize spatial interventions. Sustainable mobility, green and blue infrastructure, energy and resource efficiency, urban form and density, social livability and public space quality, and governance and implementation feasibility are the six dimensions that are defined. These dimensions are derived from international sustainability literature and tailored to Gamasa’s particular challenges. The study’s methodology combines a multi-criteria decision-making approach based on the AHP with spatial analysis of land use, street hierarchy, building shape, and green space distribution. Weights for these dimensions are determined by expert-based pairwise comparisons, which are backed by a SWOT analysis. To prioritize priority zones for green transformation, the weighted framework is applied to four important urban areas: residential districts, a large urban park, the waterfront, and the main urban corridor. The top priorities, according to the results, are climate-responsive coastal design, increased green and blue infrastructure, and sustainable transportation. For quickly urbanizing coastal cities, the method demonstrates how the AHP operationalizes green urbanism into quantifiable, context-sensitive goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Ecosystem Services into Urban Planning: A Novel Approach for Natural Resources Management in Metropolitan Areas)

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37 pages, 775 KB

Open AccessArticle

Advanced Producer Services and Core–Periphery Trajectories in German Metropolitan Regions

by Silke Zöllner, Uta Jüttner and Andrew Angus

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050284 - 18 May 2026

Abstract

This paper examines how the growth and decline of agglomerations and peripheries in metropolitan regions can be understood in the context of Advanced Producer Service (APS) firm decisions, regional conditions and institutional policies. Focusing on Germany, it responds to divergent quantitative findings for [...] Read more.

This paper examines how the growth and decline of agglomerations and peripheries in metropolitan regions can be understood in the context of Advanced Producer Service (APS) firm decisions, regional conditions and institutional policies. Focusing on Germany, it responds to divergent quantitative findings for Munich and Dresden and to outcome-oriented studies documenting spatial patterns, leaving underlying mechanisms under-specified. This study adopts an embedded qualitative case study design, analysing Munich and Dresden as contrasting metropolitan subunits within a shared national framework. Drawing on documentation, archival records and expert interviews with economic development and regional governance actors, it uses explanation building and template analysis to link empirical material to an analytical framework integrating firm, location and public authority perspectives. The results identify four recurrent configurations in the firm–location–policy nexus: reinforcing agglomeration, emerging limits to agglomeration, balancing peripheral growth and reinforced peripheral decline. These configurations show how the same metropolitan region can simultaneously exhibit core growth, constraints on further concentration, selective peripheral upgrading and cumulative peripheral disadvantage. Conceptually, this paper develops a mechanism-based account of APS-driven metropolitan development and proposes refined propositions that help reinterpret outcome-based studies on Munich and Dresden. More broadly, the configurations offer an analytical lens for analysing APS location dynamics and metropolitan governance challenges in other polycentric and federal contexts. Full article

18 pages, 666 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Impact of a Quintuple Helix Framework on Smart City Performance: A Country-Level Analysis of EU Capitals

by Erika Loučanová, Miriam Olšiaková, Florin Cornel Dumiter and Marius Boiță

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050283 - 18 May 2026

Abstract

Although Smart City transitions are typically assessed using technological and financial indicators, the underlying structural correlates remain insufficiently explored. This study examines how different forms of capital within the Quintuple Helix model—natural, social, intellectual, economic and institutional (governance)—are associated with a country’s position [...] Read more.

Although Smart City transitions are typically assessed using technological and financial indicators, the underlying structural correlates remain insufficiently explored. This study examines how different forms of capital within the Quintuple Helix model—natural, social, intellectual, economic and institutional (governance)—are associated with a country’s position in the Global Smart Cities Index and the Eco-Innovation Index. The methodology is based on data from 26 EU Member States. Correlation analysis was used to identify key factors of city performance, cluster analysis was applied to categorize countries/capitals based on their capital profiles and the impact of Smart Cities and eco-innovation. This study identifies three distinct clusters of EU countries/capitals, ranging from leaders to economies in transition. The results show that intellectual capital and institutional governance are the most significant correlates of Smart City success. In addition, governance emerged as a primary association of eco-innovation. These results provide a roadmap for lagging regions to optimize their Quintuple Helix synergies to achieve higher smart city rankings and environmental sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Cities—Urban Planning, Technology and Future Infrastructures)

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33 pages, 1672 KB

Open AccessArticle

Fostering Green Transportation Associated with Improving Green Literacy and Environmental Culture in a Transitional Country

by Van Quy Khuc, Minh Anh Hoang, Thi Thu Na Nguyen, Thi Nguyet Nuong Nguyen, Bich Ha Nguyen and Ngoc Duc Doan

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050282 - 15 May 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the transition toward green transportation in Hanoi through a culture-centered perspective by integrating the Culture Tower (KAUC) framework with PLS-SEM analysis. Using survey data from 172 urban residents, the research examines how factors of knowledge, action, perceived utility, contribution, infrastructure, [...] Read more.

This study investigates the transition toward green transportation in Hanoi through a culture-centered perspective by integrating the Culture Tower (KAUC) framework with PLS-SEM analysis. Using survey data from 172 urban residents, the research examines how factors of knowledge, action, perceived utility, contribution, infrastructure, and social norms interact to shape green transport policy acceptance. The findings reveal that sustainable mobility functions as a layered cultural process rather than a simple behavioral sequence. Environmental awareness emerges as the central driver, exerting significant direct and indirect effects on contribution and policy acceptance, while green transportation infrastructure influences acceptance primarily through normative and cognitive pathways. The absence of strong experiential reinforcement between action, utility, and contribution suggests that behavioral engagement has not yet consolidated into stabilized cultural practice. By conceptualizing policy acceptance as the outcome of accumulated cultural layers rather than short-term cost–benefit evaluation, the study advances a systemic and culturally grounded approach to green transport governance. The results underscore the importance of reinforcing environmental knowledge, stabilizing social norms, ensuring reliable infrastructure, and fostering participatory contribution to achieve durable, green mobility transitions in rapidly urbanizing contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Energy Management and Optimization in Smart Cities and Smart Factories)

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46 pages, 11160 KB

Open AccessReview

Ten Questions on Innovative Urban Design Strategies for Sustainable Noise Management

by Sanjay Kumar and Kimihiro Sakagami

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 281; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050281 - 15 May 2026

Abstract

This review paper examines innovative urban design strategies for sustainable noise management through a structured analysis framed by ten guiding questions. It begins with an overview of conventional noise assessment technologies and progresses to advanced mitigation approaches. Core principles of sustainable urban design [...] Read more.

This review paper examines innovative urban design strategies for sustainable noise management through a structured analysis framed by ten guiding questions. It begins with an overview of conventional noise assessment technologies and progresses to advanced mitigation approaches. Core principles of sustainable urban design are explored, alongside evaluations of urban and transportation planning, traffic-reduction measures, green infrastructure, and resilient architectural strategies. Material innovations and modern noise-control technologies are presented as complementary solutions. Community-based methods, including citizen science and participatory planning, are highlighted for fostering inclusive governance. The discussion concludes by addressing key challenges and future directions, underscoring interdisciplinary collaboration to transform urban noise pollution into opportunities for healthier, more livable cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Soundscape and Sustainability: Designing Cities That Speak)

33 pages, 8029 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Analysis and Forecasting of Traffic Accidents in Ecuador Using DBSCAN and Ensemble Time Series Modeling

by Nicole Chávez-García, Joceline Salinas-Carrión, Andrés Navas-Perrone and Mario González-Rodríguez

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050280 - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Traffic accidents pose a persistent challenge for urban mobility, public safety, and sustainable development in smart cities, particularly in rapidly growing urban environments. This study presents a data-driven spatiotemporal analysis of traffic accidents in Ecuador, aimed at supporting evidence-based urban traffic management and [...] Read more.

Traffic accidents pose a persistent challenge for urban mobility, public safety, and sustainable development in smart cities, particularly in rapidly growing urban environments. This study presents a data-driven spatiotemporal analysis of traffic accidents in Ecuador, aimed at supporting evidence-based urban traffic management and road safety planning. Using large-scale historical accident records, the proposed approach combines spatial clustering and temporal forecasting techniques to characterize accident concentration patterns and temporal dynamics at national and metropolitan scales. Spatial accident hotspots are identified using Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN), enabling the detection of high-risk zones without imposing assumptions on cluster shape or size. This analysis reveals strong spatial concentration of accidents, with a limited number of clusters accounting for a substantial proportion of fatalities and injuries. Complementary temporal analysis is conducted using a multi-model ensemble framework to examine accident trends and seasonal patterns. This approach integrates SARIMA for linear stochastic modeling and Prophet for additive trend analysis, alongside two Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) architectures: a direct 12-month vector output and a recursive horizon-3 model. By synthesizing these statistical and neural network-based methods through inverse-RMSE weighting, the study captures both stable seasonal cycles and non-linear, short-to-medium-term variations in accident frequency. Results show that traffic accidents in Ecuador exhibit stable diurnal and seasonal structures, alongside pronounced spatial heterogeneity across urban regions. The combined spatial and temporal insights provide a coherent representation of accident risk patterns, facilitating the prioritization of critical zones and high-risk periods. The resulting hotspot maps and multi-model forecasting horizons offer actionable information for smart city stakeholders, supporting targeted infrastructure interventions, adaptive enforcement strategies, and data-informed urban mobility policies. This work contributes to the broader understanding of traffic safety analytics as a core component of smart city decision-support systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Urban Mobility and Transportation)

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25 pages, 2298 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reading Significance: Using AI to Study Historic Recognition

by Melissa Rovner and Emily Talen

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050279 - 15 May 2026

Abstract

The National Register of Historic Places (NR) is a structured artifact of meaning-making that encodes disciplinary values linking architectural and cultural significance to wealth and stylistic distinction. In doing so, it systematically underrepresents vernacular, working-class, and the built environments of racially and ethnically [...] Read more.

The National Register of Historic Places (NR) is a structured artifact of meaning-making that encodes disciplinary values linking architectural and cultural significance to wealth and stylistic distinction. In doing so, it systematically underrepresents vernacular, working-class, and the built environments of racially and ethnically marginalized communities. This paper uses artificial intelligence (AI) to examine how that meaning is constructed. We analyze the preservation record across three scales: a national dataset of 100,117 NR listings (1966–2025), a state-level profile of Illinois’s 1997 NR listings, and a close analysis of Lake Forest, Illinois, a community whose exceptional concentration of NR-listed estate architecture makes it an ideal site for examining how preservation significance has been defined and what it excludes. Two parallel AI methods are applied to eighteen Lake Forest nomination documents and their associated photographs. Natural Language Processing (NLP) analyzes nomination text to trace how preservation professionals connect buildings to cultural value; blind AI image analysis examines the same properties to assess how a model trained on cultural imagery constructs visual meaning independently. NLP analysis reveals a corpus dominated by architectural description, with social history, landscape, and labor systematically underrepresented. The visual analysis confirms and amplifies the nomination record’s class-based assumptions while reproducing the same omissions regarding labor, diversity, and community context. These findings inform debates about AI’s potential to audit existing listings and support nominations for underrepresented property types, while showing that without deliberate corrective design and policy reform, such tools are as likely to replicate the preservation system’s inequities as to repair them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI-Driven Land Use Planning for Sustainable Cities)

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19 pages, 2057 KB

Open AccessArticle

Digitalization of Urban Biowaste Deposition and Collection Systems for Data-Driven Municipal Decision-Making

by Susana Maia, Vitória Souza and Carlos Afonso Teixeira

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050278 - 15 May 2026

Abstract

This study proposes and tests an analytical framework for interpreting digitally monitored municipal biowaste collection services through comparable diagnostics of operational performance, additional effort, and emissions intensity. The framework was applied to 572 collection services recorded between July and December 2025 in the [...] Read more.

This study proposes and tests an analytical framework for interpreting digitally monitored municipal biowaste collection services through comparable diagnostics of operational performance, additional effort, and emissions intensity. The framework was applied to 572 collection services recorded between July and December 2025 in the Municipality of Barreiro, Portugal, covering seven circuits operating under different urban morphologies and collection configurations. Service-level operational records were transformed into physically interpretable performance indicators and an additional operational effort index was derived from robust normalization of serviced container density and service time per kilometer. The results showed marked heterogeneity across service regimes, with the highest effort observed in residential circuits characterized by greater spatial and temporal demand, while the non-domestic and communal circuits remained at or below municipal reference conditions. At the municipal scale, operational effort was moderately associated with mass collected per kilometer (ρ = 0.490, n = 572), weakly and non-significantly associated with mass per hour (ρ = 0.075, p = 0.074), and negatively associated with mass per container (ρ = −0.325). For services operating above municipal reference conditions (Eesf > 0, n = 286), emissions intensity was negatively associated with both effort components and with the aggregate effort index, with the strongest association observed for Eesf (ρ = −0.554). The results indicate that higher operational effort tends to coincide with greater spatial mass recovery, but not with higher container-level yield or proportionate improvements in emissions performance. More broadly, the study shows that the analytical value of digital monitoring depends not only on data availability, but also on the ability to convert routine service records into interpretable diagnostics for municipal decision-making. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Urban Planning and the Digitalization of City Management)

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29 pages, 824 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Portability Paradox: How Best-Practice Reporting Filters Implementation Knowledge Across 250 UN-Habitat Cases

by Fabio Capra-Ribeiro, Jessica Peres, Filippo Vegezzi and Daniel Belandria

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050277 - 15 May 2026

Abstract

Implementation remains a central challenge in urban policy, yet the knowledge formats designed to bridge the gap between policy goals and on-the-ground delivery remain under-examined. This study treats 250 UN-Habitat Best Practice reports not as proof of effectiveness but as a standardized genre [...] Read more.

Implementation remains a central challenge in urban policy, yet the knowledge formats designed to bridge the gap between policy goals and on-the-ground delivery remain under-examined. This study treats 250 UN-Habitat Best Practice reports not as proof of effectiveness but as a standardized genre through which local interventions are narrated, compressed, and made portable for replication. We extract three focal sections, namely Results, Lessons Learned, and Transferability, apply systematic thematic coding with 906 open codes consolidated into axial categories, and compute co-occurrence networks using Jaccard similarity and Lift to detect thematic bundles, holes, and silos within and across sections. Three findings emerge. First, the reporting repertoire narrows progressively, as mean thematic richness declines by 28.2% from Results to Transfers while concentration increases 4.2 times, with substantive dimensions such as governance, equity, sustainability, and evidence losing prevalence to circulation-oriented themes. Second, formal bundle detection yields zero qualifying pairs across all six matrices, indicating a loosely coupled reporting grammar anchored by generic silos rather than integrated implementation packages. Third, structural holes concentrate at the pipeline’s end, where infrastructure transfer and sustainability as transferable value are the most systematically disconnected themes. These patterns reveal a portability paradox in which the reporting format achieves institutional legibility, making practices comparable within a shared vocabulary, but progressively filters out the physical, evidentiary, and context-sensitive content that operational reproduction would require. Full article

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42 pages, 12007 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Framework for Designing and Assessing Sustainable Urban Public Open Spaces: Community Parks Enhancing Quality of Life in Saudi Arabia

by Sara Qwaider, Mohammad Sharif Zami, Baqer M. Al-Ramadan, Mohammad A. Hassanain and Amer Al-Kharoubi

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050276 - 14 May 2026

Abstract

Urban community parks are important public open spaces (POSs) that support residents’ quality of life (QoL) by aiding recreation, social interaction, and physical activity. However, evidence on how to design and assess sustainable POS in Saudi Arabia remains limited, particularly in relation to [...] Read more.

Urban community parks are important public open spaces (POSs) that support residents’ quality of life (QoL) by aiding recreation, social interaction, and physical activity. However, evidence on how to design and assess sustainable POS in Saudi Arabia remains limited, particularly in relation to the country’s hot–arid climate, socio-cultural context, and emerging urban development priorities. This study aims to develop a context-sensitive framework for the design and assessment of sustainable POSs (a scope of urban community parks) in Saudi Arabia using a mixed-methods approach. The study combined: (i) a structured review of the literature on POSs’ sustainability and QoL/subjective well-being (SWB); (ii) naturalistic field observations in two community parks in Al-Khobar (Shells Park and Prince Ibn-Jalawy Park); (iii) an on-site questionnaire survey of park users assessing satisfaction and self-reported well-being (n = 89); and (iv) structured expert interviews to refine and prioritize the framework elements (n = 15). The quantitative analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and reliability testing using Cronbach’s alpha, the Mann–Whitney U test, and the Kruskal–Wallis test to explore the associations between perceived park attributes, user satisfaction, and self-reported well-being. The framework was iteratively refined through triangulation via the literature, field evidence, user feedback, and expert judgement, while expert responses were synthesized using weighted mean scores, simple ranking system, and the Relative Importance Index (RII). The findings indicate that shading and thermal comfort, safety, accessibility, maintenance, and cultural alignment are the most important design priorities in the Saudi Arabian context. The empirical assessment also highlights recurrent shortcomings in the selected parks, particularly inadequate heat mitigation measures, inconsistent maintenance, limited recreational infrastructure, and the weak integration of smart support features. Based on this triangulated evidence, the study proposes a framework comprising nine categories, 43 sub-categories, with 137 indicators organized across environmental, socio-cultural, economic, and smart-enabler considerations. The framework provides a practical and context-sensitive tool for evaluating existing parks, prioritizing interventions, and guiding future community park development in support the Quality-of-Life Programme of Saudi Vision 2030. Full article

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27 pages, 1137 KB

Open AccessReview

Governing AI-Enabled Climate-Resilient Housing and Infrastructure Prioritization: A Caring Urban Governance Framework

by Reyhaneh Ahmadi and Kaveh Ghamisi

Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050275 - 14 May 2026

Abstract

Smart city governance increasingly relies on AI-enabled planning systems, digital twins, vulnerability scoring tools, and capital investment platforms to allocate climate-resilient housing and infrastructure investments. Yet existing smart-urbanism and adaptation frameworks do not adequately specify how such systems should encode well-being, equity, and [...] Read more.

Smart city governance increasingly relies on AI-enabled planning systems, digital twins, vulnerability scoring tools, and capital investment platforms to allocate climate-resilient housing and infrastructure investments. Yet existing smart-urbanism and adaptation frameworks do not adequately specify how such systems should encode well-being, equity, and climate uncertainty when translating urban data into ranked projects and funded portfolios. This paper develops the Caring Urban Governance Framework for AI-enabled urban prioritization through a structured scoping review and conceptual framework analysis integrating climate-risk decision-making under deep uncertainty, built-environment pathways affecting psychosocial well-being, and public-sector algorithmic accountability. The framework proposes a five-layer architecture linking urban form and infrastructure, climate exposure and environmental resources, psychosocial mediators of well-being, algorithmic design choices, and institutional governance, with explicit feedback loops. Its main outputs are an auditable decision architecture, eight mechanism-based propositions for empirical testing, an operational specification matrix for objective functions, equity constraints, robust logic, and documentation, and an analytical validation of construct clarity, coherence, literature congruence, and operationalizability. The analysis argues that aligning AI-enabled urban prioritization with SDG 11 requires treating well-being-supportive living conditions as a decision objective, constraining optimization with equity conditions, and institutionalizing auditability and contestability to reduce distributive and psychosocial harm in public investment planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Urban Governance for Health and Well-Being)

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