Urban Science

Form-based design codes have emerged as a planning tool aimed at shaping the physical form of neighborhoods to reinforce local character and enhance sense of place (SoP). However, their effectiveness in delivering these outcomes remains underexplored. This study investigates the extent to which Buffalo’s Green Code—a form-based zoning ordinance—enhances SoP in residential environments, using Elmwood Village as a case study. A multi-scalar analytical framework assesses SoP at the building, street, and neighborhood levels. Empirical data were gathered through an online survey, while the neighborhood was systematically mapped into street segment blocks categorized by Green Code zoning. The study consolidates six Green Code classifications into three overarching categories: mixed-use, residential, and single-family. SoP satisfaction is analyzed through a two-step process: first, comparative assessments are conducted across the three zoning groups; second, k-means clustering is applied to spatially map satisfaction levels and evaluate SoP at different scales. Findings indicate that mixed-use areas are most closely associated with place identity, while residential and single-family zones (as defined by the Buffalo Green Code) yield higher satisfaction overall—though satisfaction varies significantly across spatial scales. These results suggest that while form-based codes can strengthen SoP, their impact is uneven, and more scale-sensitive zoning strategies may be needed to optimize their effectiveness in diverse urban contexts. This research overall offers an empirically grounded, multi-scalar assessment of zoning impacts on lived experience—addressing a notable gap in the planning literature regarding how form-based codes perform in established, rather than newly developed, neighborhoods. Full article

This article presents an analysis on natural gas heating in residential areas, focusing on two primary systems: (1) local heating, where piped gas is delivered directly to individual dwellings equipped with autonomous gas boilers, and (2) district heating, where gas or an alternative fuel powers a central heating plant, and the generated heat is distributed to buildings via a thermal network. The choice between these systems should first consider safety and environmental factors, followed by the urban characteristics of the settlement. In particular, building typology—such as size, function, and spatial configuration—and urban topology, referring to the relative positioning of buildings, play a crucial role. For example, very tall buildings often exclude the use of piped gas due to safety concerns, whereas in other cases, economic efficiency becomes the determining factor. To support decision-making, a comparative cost analysis is conducted, assessing the required infrastructure for both systems, including pipelines, boilers, and associated components. The study identifies representative residential building types in selected urban areas of Serbia and Czechia that are suitable for either heating approach. Additionally, the article examines the broader energy context in both countries, with emphasis on recent developments in the natural gas sector and their implications for urban heating strategies. Full article

Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents pose significant challenges requiring swift, coordinated responses to safeguard public health. This is especially the case in densely populated urban areas, where the public is not only at risk but can also be of assistance. Public cooperation is critical to the success of mass decontamination efforts, yet prior research has primarily focused on technical and procedural aspects, neglecting the psychological and social factors driving casualty behaviour. This paper addresses this gap through a narrative literature review, chosen for its flexibility in synthesising fragmented and interdisciplinary research across psychology, sociology, and emergency management. The review identified two primary pathways influencing casualty decision making: rational and affective. Rational pathways rely on deliberate decisions supported by clear communication and trust in responders’ competence, while affective pathways are shaped by emotional responses like fear and anxiety, exacerbated by uncertainty. Trust emerged as a critical factor, with effective —i.e., transparent, empathetic, and culturally sensitive— communication being proven to enhance public cooperation. Cultural and societal norms further shape individual and group responses during emergencies. This paper demonstrates the value of narrative reviews in addressing a complex, multifaceted topic such as casualty behaviour, enabling the integration of diverse insights. By emphasising behavioural, psychological, and social dimensions, the results of this paper offer actionable strategies for emergency responders to enhance public cooperation and improve outcomes during CBRN incidents. Full article

Oases in arid regions are critical ecosystems, providing essential ecological, agricultural, and socio-economic functions. However, urbanization and climate change increasingly threaten their sustainability. This study examines land cover (LULC) and land surface temperature (LST) dynamics in four representative North African oases: Tolga (Algeria), Nefta (Tunisia), Ghadames (Libya), and Siwa (Egypt) over the period 2000–2023, using Landsat satellite imagery. A three-step analysis was employed: calculation of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), NDBI (Normalized Difference Built-up Index), and LST, followed by supervised land cover classification and statistical tests to examine the relationships between the studied variables. The results reveal substantial reductions in bare soil (e.g., 48.10% in Siwa) and notable urban expansion (e.g., 136.01% in Siwa and 48.46% in Ghadames). Vegetation exhibited varied trends, with a slight decline in Tolga (0.26%) and a significant increase in Siwa (+27.17%). LST trends strongly correlated with land cover changes, demonstrating increased temperatures in urbanized areas and moderated temperatures in vegetated zones. Notably, this study highlights that traditional urban designs integrated with dense palm groves significantly mitigate thermal stress, achieving lower LST compared to modern urban expansions characterized by sparse, heat-absorbing surfaces. In contrast, areas dominated by fragmented vegetation or seasonal crops exhibited reduced cooling capacity, underscoring the critical role of vegetation type, spatial arrangement, and urban morphology in regulating oasis microclimates. Preserving palm groves, which are increasingly vulnerable to heat-driven pests, diseases and the introduction of exotic species grown for profit, together with a revival of the traditional compact urban fabric that provides shade and has been empirically confirmed by other oasis studies to moderate the microclimate more effectively than recent low-density extensions, will maintain the crucial synergy between buildings and vegetation, enhance the cooling capacity of these settlements, and safeguard their tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Full article

Turbulent diffusion plays a critical role in atmospheric pollutant dispersion, particularly in complex environments such as urban areas. This study proposes a novel theoretical approach to enhance the calculation of the turbulent diffusion coefficient in pollutant dispersion models. We propose a new expression for the turbulent diffusion coefficient (KC), which incorporates both hydrodynamic and turbulence-related time scales. This formulation links the turbulent diffusion coefficient to pollutant travel time and turbulence intensity, offering more accurate predictions of pollutant concentration distributions. By addressing the limitations of existing empirical models, this approach improves the parameterization of turbulence and reduces uncertainties in predicting maximum individual exposure under various atmospheric conditions. The study presents a theoretical model designed to advance the current understanding of atmospheric dispersion modeling. Experimental validation, while recommended, is beyond the scope of this work and is suggested as a direction for future empirical research to confirm the practical utility of the model. This theoretical formulation could be integrated into urban air quality management frameworks, providing improved estimations of pollutant peaks in complex environments. Full article

Urban flooding presents a growing challenge amid rapid urbanization, climate variability, and fragmented governance. Although simulation and risk assessment tools have advanced considerably, their integration into urban planning remains limited. This study utilized a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 1293 articles from the Scopus database, selected through a PRISMA-guided workflow, to examine the temporal, structural, and conceptual evolution of simulation, flood risk, and planning in urban flood research from 1980 to 2025. The findings reveal a thematic progression from engineering-centric approaches to broader discourses on resilience, adaptation, and systemic risk. However, disciplinary fragmentation persists, with technical modeling, infrastructure planning, and governance still weakly connected. Despite a shared vocabulary around climate risk and resilience, practical integration into decision-making frameworks remains underdeveloped. The study highlights the need for more cohesive research-practice linkages and calls for frameworks that better align simulation outputs with urban planning imperatives. Full article

This article examines how governance structures and procedural timing influence the effectiveness of Territorial Management Instruments (TMIs) in Portugal. Anchored in a comparative analysis of two key legal reforms (Decree-Law No. 380/1999 and Decree-Law No. 80/2015), the study explores the tensions between democratic legitimacy and regulatory complexity. While the 1999 framework emphasized vertical coordination and participatory rights, it often led to procedural rigidity and institutional inertia. Conversely, the 2015 reform promoted digital tools and streamlined processes but introduced new governance gaps, reduced stakeholder diversity, and compressed consultation timelines. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of legal texts, policy documents, and technical documentation, the article introduces the concept of temporal governance, the idea that planning time is not merely a constraint but a governable resource. Through this lens, planning delays are reframed as either pathological (caused by inefficiency and fragmentation) or productive (used strategically to enhance environmental assessment and stakeholder engagement). A new conceptual framework is proposed to classify types of planning time, differentiate delays, and support temporal calibration in governance design. Findings show that effective planning outcomes hinge not only on legal architecture or participatory norms but also on the institutional ability to balance speed with deliberation and strategic foresight with procedural pragmatism. The paper concludes by calling for adaptive governance models that integrate time as a dynamic dimension of spatial planning, with implications for environmental resilience, democratic value, and, above all, institutional trust. Full article

Smart cities leverage digital marketing to promote sustainability and build a distinctive global branding. Despite its growing significance, the role digital marketing in smart city development remains underexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by employing bibliometric analysis of 1908 articles indexed in the Scopus database (2000–2024), using the Bibliometrix R-Studio (version 1.4.1743) and VOSviewer (version 1.6.20). The analysis reveals two thematic clusters: (1) “Digital Innovation and Sustainability”, which emphasizes technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data for energy efficiency and green urban development; and (2) “Governance and Policy”, which highlights digital marketing’s role in enabling participatory governance, citizen engagement, and inclusive urban policies. Findings underscore that digital marketing is not only a strategic communication channel but also a driver of sustainable urban transformation. By synthesizing insights from urban planning, technology, and sustainability, this paper provides a novel perspective on the intersection of digital marketing and smart cities. The results provide valuable guidance for policymakers, city planners, and researchers to harness digital marketing in promoting sustainability and further develop the smart city concept. Full article

Data is the starting point for generating information and knowledge in the decision-making process. Open data, which is information disclosed free of charge through open licenses and reusable formats, has great potential for value creation. Therefore, the objective of this research is to evaluate Spanish autonomous communities’ open data initiatives in a category of information of vital importance: housing. The methodology employed was a population analysis of datasets labeled as housing, followed by a necessary data cleansing process due to the identification of various errors, which reduced the number of labeled datasets from 1000 to 599. Only 12 of the 17 autonomous communities provided this type of information. The analysis of the results reveals that autonomous communities’ approaches to open data initiatives are highly heterogeneous and that the supply is irregular, with the Basque Country accounting for 70% of the datasets considered in the research. The creation of an indicator that equally assesses the existence of information and file formats (breadth and reusability) continues to identify the Basque Country as the undisputed leader, with Catalonia and Cantabria in second and third place, the only autonomous communities to exceed 50 points out of a possible 100. The study concludes by highlighting that the lack of uniformity in the formulation and implementation of open data policies will limit the use of information and, consequently, its value. Therefore, a series of recommendations is issued in this regard. Full article

Engaging in nightlife activities is an essential form of leisure, especially among young people. However, it also presents considerable risks associated with the occurrence of various forms of violence. Recently, increasing attention has been directed toward sexual violence occurring in nightlife settings. Despite numerous preventive efforts, such as awareness raising, bystander intervention training, alcohol policies, and situational preventive measures, sexual violence remains a persistent issue in nightlife contexts. With the extended usage of smartphones, mobile apps represent a promising approach that complements sexual violence prevention. This article presents findings from a systematic literature review and an online overview of mobile apps aimed at the intervention and prevention of sexual violence, focusing on identifying features suitable for nightlife contexts. The literature review revealed limited academic resources addressing such mobile apps, with only six articles found across four databases. An online review highlighted a wide range of mobile apps that tackle violence. However, when it comes to sexual violence, only 18 apps explicitly focus on prevention or intervention. Although many apps address some aspects of the problem, we noticed a lack of a comprehensive approach that would target all relevant stakeholders. Based on the conducted mobile app’s feature assessment, we propose a set of functionalities that should be incorporated into a holistic mobile app for nightlife sexual violence prevention, which may complement existing educational, community-based, and structural prevention efforts. Full article

The thermal environment problem is one of the main focuses of current urban environment research. At present, there are various methods used in urban space thermal environment (USTE) research. As a simulation method to quantify the USTE, the urban weather generator (UWG) has undergone great development and achieved many progressive results. It is necessary to establish and review its current research status by synthesizing UWG multi-scale applications. This review adopts a literature review approach, leveraging the Web of Science Core Collection to obtain previous relevant publications from 2010 to 2025 using “urban weather generator” and “thermal environment” as keywords. The literature is categorized by research themes, including model development, parameter optimization, and application cases. Through innovative analyses of spatio-temporal-scale classification, parameter optimization, the integration of anthropogenic heat emissions, and the multi-domain simulation potential of the UWG, this review synthesizes the application outcomes of the UWG model in multi-scale research, addressing gaps in current urban climate studies. The paper aims to elaborate and analyze the model’s current research status considering the following six aspects. First, the basic parameters in UWG simulation are introduced, including the data and parameter determination settings used in such simulations. Secondly, we introduce the simulation model and its basic principles, the simulation process, and the main steps of this process. Third, we classify and define UWG simulations of spatial thermal environments at different time scales and spatial scales. Fourth, regarding how to improve the accuracy of the UWG model, the deterministic parameters and uncertainty parameters settings are analyzed, respectively. Then, the impacts of anthropogenic heat during the simulation process are also discussed. Fifth, the applications of the UWG model in some major fields and its possible future development directions are addressed. Finally, the existing problems are summarized, the future development trends are prospected, and research on possible expected mitigation measures for the USTE is described. Full article

Residential segregation remains a persistent challenge in European urban environments and is an increasing focal point in urban policy debates. This study investigates the changing geographies of ethnic diversity and residential segregation in Riga, the capital city of Latvia. The research addresses the complex dynamics of ethnic residential patterns within the distinctive context of post-socialist urban transformation, examining how historical legacies of ethnic diversity interact with contemporary migration flows to reshape neighborhood ethnic composition. Using geo-referenced data from 2000, 2011, and 2021 census rounds, we examined changes in the spatial distribution of five major ethnic groups. Our analysis employs the Dissimilarity Index to measure ethnic residential segregation and the Location Quotient to identify the residential concentration of ethnic groups across the city. The findings reveal that Riga’s ethnic landscape is undergoing a gradual yet impactful transformation. The spatial distribution of ethnic groups is shifting, with the increasing segregation of certain groups, particularly traditional ethnic minorities, coupled with a growing concentration of Europeans and non-Europeans in the inner city. The findings reveal distinctive patterns of ethnic diversification and demographic change, wherein long-term trends intersect with contemporary migration dynamics to produce unique trajectories of ethnic residential segregation, which differ from those observed in Western European contexts. However, the specific dynamics in Riga, particularly the persistence of traditional ethnic minority communities and the emergence of new ethnic groups, highlight the unique context of post-socialist urban landscapes. Full article

Environmental comfort and air pollution are among the most important indicators for assessing the population’s quality of life in urban agglomerations. This study aims to explore long-term memory in air pollution time series by analyzing the dynamics of the Hurst exponent and evaluating the predictability index. This type of statistical pre-forecast analysis is essential for developing accurate forecasting models for such time series. The effectiveness of air quality monitoring systems largely depends on the precision of these forecasts. The Ekibastuz coal-mining center, which houses one of the largest coal-fired power stations in Kazakhstan and the world, with a capacity of about 4000 MW, was chosen as an example for the study. Data for the period from 1 March 2023 to 31 December 2024 were collected and analyzed at the Ekibastuz coal-fired power station. During the specified period, 14 indicators (67,527 observations) were collected at 10 min intervals, including mass concentrations of CO, NO, NO₂, SO₂, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀, as well as current mass consumption of CO, NO, NO₂, SO₂, dust, and NO_x. The detrended fluctuation analysis of a time series of air pollution indicators was used to calculate the Hurst exponent and identify long-term memory. Changes in the Hurst exponent in regards to dynamics were also investigated, and a predictability index was calculated to monitor emissions of pollutants in the air. Long-term memory is recorded in the structure of all the time series of air pollution indicators. Dynamic analysis of the Hurst exponent confirmed persistent time series characteristics, with an average Hurst exponent of about 0.7. Identifying the time series plots for which the Hurst exponent is falling (analysis of the indicator of dynamics), along with the predictability index, is a sign of an increase in the influence of random factors on the time series. This is a sign of changes in the dynamics of the pollutant release concentrations and may indicate possible excess emissions that need to be controlled. Calculating the dynamic changes in the Hurst exponent for the emission time series made it possible to identify two distinct clusters corresponding to periods of persistence and randomness in the operation of the coal-fired power station. The study shows that evaluating the predictability index helps fine-tune the parameters of time series forecasting models, which is crucial for developing reliable air pollution monitoring systems. The results obtained in this study allow us to conclude that the method of trended fluctuation analysis can be the basis for creating an indicator of the level of air pollution, which allows us to quickly respond to possible deviations from the established standards. Environmental services can use the results to build reliable monitoring systems for air pollution from coal combustion emissions, especially near populated areas. Full article

Agroecological transitions in collective urban gardens in Toulouse region were studied through the prism of global health (2011–2022). The specific meaning of “global health” in the context of urban gardens concerns the health of gardeners (well-being and physical health), plants, soil, and animals, as well as the interactions between humans and non-humans, which are crucial for gardeners. A sociotechnical research project was developed on four different collective gardening sites, consisting of the following: 1. surveys issued to 100 garden stakeholders to highlight issues and practices, participation in meetings with the social centers in charge of events, and focus groups; 2. participative agronomic and environmental measurements and field observations, including soil quality analyses; and 3. analysis of the available documentary corpus. In order to produce the results, these three research methods (surveys, agronomy, document analysis) were combined through a transdisciplinary approach, in that both the field experimentation outcomes and retrieved scientific publications and technical documents informed the discussions with gardeners. Consideration of the four different sites enabled the exploration of various contextual factors—such as soil or air quality—affecting the production of vegetables. A rise in the concerns of gardeners about the impacts of their activities on global health was observed, including aspects such as creating and enjoying landscapes, taking care of the soil and biodiversity, developing social connections through the transmission of practices, and regular outside physical activity and healthier eating. The increased consideration for global health issues by all stakeholders promotes the implementation of agroecological practices in gardens to improve biodiversity and adherence to circular economy principles. Four concepts emerged from the interviews: health, production of vegetables, living soil, and social interactions. Notably, nuances between the studied sites were observed, according to their history, environment, and organization. These collective gardens can thus be considered as accessible laboratories for social and agroecological experimentation, being areas that can strongly contribute to urban ecosystem services. Full article

Compared to multiple other European countries, Germany still lists among those countries restricting the operation of most retail activities on Sundays as well as public holidays. For a long time, the German populace backed this decision. The COVID-19 crisis had distinct effects on retail behavior, expectations, and perceptions among broad strata of German society. To quantify these changes, this study implements the results of two surveys from 2018 and 2025. Both samples were drawn from among the population of the fourth-largest German city of Cologne and visitors to the city. The results of t-tests and multiple multivariate regression analyses indicate that visitors still attend retail Sundays for hedonistic motives, i.e., related events, but in 2025 utilitarian motives have become more essential. While the amount of money spent during retail Sundays increased, this development is primarily driven by visitors not native to Cologne. However, city events continue to draw visitors and should be continued by city management. The financial potential for retailers by abolishing the German Shop Closing Act consequently remains limited, and its abolishment would only increase the ease of shoppers. Thus, legal changes to the act will have only limited potential for urban economic development. Full article

This paper analyzes the factors affecting the willingness to pay of urban households concerned with efficient waste management in Bangladesh. The multistage random sampling approach selected 1400 families from seven major cities in Bangladesh. This study addresses the socioeconomic and environmental factors that influence urban households’ willingness to pay for improved waste management services in Bangladesh. This study uniquely contributes to the literature by providing a large-scale empirical analysis of 1470 households using a logit model, revealing income, education, and environmental awareness as key predictors of WTP. Detailed survey data from respondents were then analyzed using a logit model based on the contingent valuation method. Indeed, the logit model showed that six variables (education, monthly income, value of the asset, knowledge of environment, and climate change) had a statistically significant effect on the WTP of the households. The results show that 63% of respondents were willing to pay BDT 250 or more per month. The most influential factors driving this willingness to pay were income (OR = 1.35), education level (OR = 1.45), and environmental awareness (OR = 3.56). These variables all contribute positively towards WTP. The idea is that families have some socioeconomic characteristics, regardless of which they are ready to pay for a higher level of waste collection. It is recommended that government interference be affected through various approaches, as listed below: support for public–private sector undertaking and disposal, an extensive cleaning campaign, decentralized management, cutting waste transport costs, and privatization of some waste management systems. These could be used to develop solutions to better waste management systems and improve public health. Full article

Urban mobility resilience plays a central role in sustainable urban planning discussions, especially considering the challenges of extreme events, climate change, and the increasing scarcity of fossil fuels. This study evaluates urban mobility resilience in Petrópolis (RJ), incorporating socio-spatial heterogeneity and energy vulnerability. This research fills methodological gaps in the literature by proposing a composite resilience index that integrates technical, socioeconomic, and fossil fuel dependency variables within a robust multicriteria framework. We selected eleven variables relevant to urban mobility and organized them into inference blocks. We normalized the variables using Gaussian functions, respecting their maximization or minimization characteristics. We applied the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assign weights to the criteria and then aggregated and ranked the results using multicriteria analysis. The final index represents the adaptive capacity of urban territories facing the energy crisis, and we applied it spatially to the neighborhoods of Petrópolis. The analysis identified a significant concentration of neighborhoods with low resilience, particularly in quadrants, combining deficiencies in public transportation, high dependence on fossil fuels, and socioeconomic constraints. Factors such as limited pedestrian access, insufficient motorized public transport coverage, and a high proportion of elderly residents emerged as significant constraints on urban resilience. Intervention strategies that promote active mobility, improve accessibility, and diversify transportation modes proved essential for strengthening local resilience. The results emphasize the urgent need for public policies to reduce energy vulnerability, foster active mobility, and promote equity in access to transportation infrastructure. Full article

The analysis of the spatial location of tourists is essential for effective tourism management. This study explores the potential effects of large language models (LLMs) on urban travel planning. Despite growing academic interest in LLMs, empirical research on their specific impact on urban tourist locations remains limited, even though these models may significantly affect tourist behavior and spatial dynamics. This article compares the location of heritage sites in the city of Barcelona that are traditionally visited by tourists (as identified through Instagram) with those recommended by ChatGPT. The results show that ChatGPT tends to recommend a much smaller and more spatially concentrated number of tourist attractions than those shared on Instagram. The findings indicate that ChatGPT reinforces mainstream representations of cities by prioritizing well-known landmarks, potentially overlooking emerging or local attractions. This simplification can lead to tourist overcrowding and the marginalization of less-visited areas. Likewise, it may entail new needs for the management of urban spaces. Urban planners and tourism managers may need to intervene to redistribute tourist flows in a context where various models of tourist behavior will coexist. Full article

This research aims to assess the contribution of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital twin technology in improving the predictive planning of European smart cities, particularly in Greece. It considers the effect of specific elements including simulation accuracy, real-time data processing, artificial intelligence tools, and system readiness on the urban planning process. Structured questionnaires were administered to 301 urban professionals working in smart cities across Greece, focusing on their perceptions of the impact of digital twin features on predictive urban planning effectiveness. Respondents were asked how crucial they found the different features of digital twins in actually improving predictive urban planning. Measurement data were described using the arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation, while categorical data were described using frequency distribution tables and percentages. This study revealed that the simulation fidelity, available real-time data integration, artificial intelligence analytics, and results- oriented monitoring system maturity have a positive impact on the accuracy, speed, and flexibility of urban planning. Some of the respondents noted these features as very useful for the prediction of urban conditions and decision-making purposes. Nevertheless, some drawbacks related to the computational load and data flow were also revealed. AI-driven digital twins are useful for improving the effectiveness of urban planning. However, they encounter technical issues; therefore, seeking to focus on system maturity and data integration is necessary for their successful implementation. Cities should adopt advanced digital twin technologies and enhance the compatibility of data and maintain AI transparency for better urban planning results. Full article