Urban Science

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18 pages, 5278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Critical Infrastructures in Informal Settlements of Maputo City, Mozambique: The Importance of Interdependencies for Interventions Prioritization

by Sílvia Cabrita, José Saldanha Matos and Filipa Ferreira

Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040195 - 1 Nov 2024

Viewed by 968

Abstract

In Africa, the urban population and informal settlements are increasing, resulting in additional public health and environmental risks and challenges related to the need for basic and sustainable infrastructures and services. In Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, at least 80% of the city [...] Read more.

In Africa, the urban population and informal settlements are increasing, resulting in additional public health and environmental risks and challenges related to the need for basic and sustainable infrastructures and services. In Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, at least 80% of the city is composed of informal settlements, and although some areas are regularized and have approved urbanization plans, the municipality has major deficiencies in meeting current demands in terms of basic infrastructures, such as water supply, sewerage, solid wastes, energy, roads, and communications. Most of the peri-urban areas are occupied by small but overcrowded houses, mostly self-built, served by unpaved roads, and with access limitations. The water pipe network is almost non-existent, and the same occurs with stormwater drainage, sanitation, waste collection, and public illumination services. Despite the improvements made in the last few years, some households still do not have safe sanitation, and in some neighborhoods, open defecation still prevails. In this study, the authors try to understand and explore the interdependences among the infrastructures of the different sectors and how they may jointly contribute to adequate services and a better life for the urban poor. And how to identify the combination of infrastructures to be implemented in the short term in the face of limited budgets for investments. For that purpose, a simplified conceptual approach is proposed and applied to an informal neighborhood in Maputo. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Land Resource and Environmental Governance for Future Cities)

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15 pages, 3360 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Climate Environmental Vulnerability Index for Urban Settlements on the Mediterranean Coast: A Case Study in Sicily

by Floralba Pirracchio Massimino, Rui Alexandre Castanho, Inmaculada Gómez, Víctor Rincón and Javier Velázquez

Urban Sci. 2024, 8(3), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030130 - 30 Aug 2024

Viewed by 762

Abstract

Climate change poses a severe environmental crisis where many European urban centers face increased risks, among others, of flooding and/or water scarcity due to intense rainfall and prolonged droughts. Urgent adaptation measures are required to enhance resilience in urban, peri-urban, and agricultural areas [...] Read more.

Climate change poses a severe environmental crisis where many European urban centers face increased risks, among others, of flooding and/or water scarcity due to intense rainfall and prolonged droughts. Urgent adaptation measures are required to enhance resilience in urban, peri-urban, and agricultural areas against extreme weather events. This article describes a method for categorizing urban areas based on climate-related risks as a targeting and prioritization system for allocating climate resilience measures in cities. The method allows for calculating a climate vulnerability index value, considering temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, population density, altitude, and urban area. Focused on the Mediterranean region, particularly Sicily, the index application generates quantifiable vulnerability values for urban settlements, enabling comparison and prioritization. The reproducible and scalable method provides a valuable tool for urban analysis beyond the Mediterranean and can facilitate decision-making processes to initiate future studies and projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Land Resource and Environmental Governance for Future Cities)

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21 pages, 4752 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Spatial Pattern Evolution of Urban Innovation Actors and the Planning Response to Path Dependency: A Case Study of Guangzhou City, China

by Luhui Qi, Yuan Zhang, Yuanyi Chen, Lu Chen, Shuli Zhou and Xiaoli Wei

Urban Sci. 2024, 8(3), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030111 - 13 Aug 2024

Viewed by 954

Abstract

The capacity for urban innovation is a significant symbol of contemporary urban development. In order to promote sustainable urban innovation, it is crucial to match and optimize innovation spaces, actors, and their behavioral needs. Based on the data from patent inventions, which are [...] Read more.

The capacity for urban innovation is a significant symbol of contemporary urban development. In order to promote sustainable urban innovation, it is crucial to match and optimize innovation spaces, actors, and their behavioral needs. Based on the data from patent inventions, which are commonly used to represent urban innovation, in this study, we investigated the formation mechanism of Guangzhou’s innovation pattern and its characteristics from 1990 to 2020 using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The results indicated that Guangzhou’s innovation spaces developed a center-radiation structure of “two districts and seven cores”. We investigated the path dependence of spaces, actors, and behavioral needs by examining the interaction between the innovation space layout and behavioral needs. The findings provide theoretical support for the city’s sustainable development in terms of innovation in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Land Resource and Environmental Governance for Future Cities)

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13 pages, 3890 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Carbon Emission Implications of Intensive Urban Land Use in Emerging Regions: Insights from Chinese Cities

by Ping He, Qian-Cheng Wang and Geoffrey Qiping Shen

Urban Sci. 2024, 8(3), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030075 - 26 Jun 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1471

Abstract

Intensive urban land use is a strategy to enhance productivity and mitigate environmental challenges in emerging regions, but its relationship with carbon emissions needs further city-level investigation. This study investigates the impact of intensive urban land use on carbon emissions across 153 cities [...] Read more.

Intensive urban land use is a strategy to enhance productivity and mitigate environmental challenges in emerging regions, but its relationship with carbon emissions needs further city-level investigation. This study investigates the impact of intensive urban land use on carbon emissions across 153 cities in China, thus employing the STIRPAT model with the ordinary least square (OLS) and geographical weighted regression (GWR) methods. The findings underscore the heterogenous influence of intensive urban land use on carbon emissions across China’s urban landscapes: (1) R&D investment intensity and population density show significant negative association with carbon emissions in general. (2) Capital investment intensity positively affects carbon emissions in low-income cities, R&D investment intensity shows negative effects on carbon emissions in middle-income cities, and population density emerges as a substantial factor in reducing carbon emissions in both middle- and low-income cities. (3) Capital intensity, labor intensity, and R&D investment intensity exert positive effects on emissions in middle China and negative influences in northeastern and southern China, whereas population density shows converse spatial effects. Based on the study’s results, tailored policy implications are provided for urban planning authorities in emerging regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Land Resource and Environmental Governance for Future Cities)

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19 pages, 5044 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does Shrinking Population in Small Towns Equal Economic and Social Decline? A Romanian Perspective

by Cristiana Vîlcea, Liliana Popescu and Alin Clincea

Urban Sci. 2024, 8(2), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020060 - 30 May 2024

Viewed by 1519

Abstract

Sustainable development has been a global concern worldwide for the last decades now, but only recently have the challenges faced by small towns, especially in regions experiencing population contraction been addressed. (1) Background: This article delves into the case of Romania, a country [...] Read more.

Sustainable development has been a global concern worldwide for the last decades now, but only recently have the challenges faced by small towns, especially in regions experiencing population contraction been addressed. (1) Background: This article delves into the case of Romania, a country in Eastern Europe that has witnessed significant demographic, social and economic changes in recent decades. Population contraction in small towns can significantly impact their future development. (2) Methods: The research was conducted in three stages: first, we selected relevant demographic, economic, financial and social indices (16 in total), then we analysed their changes over time, and forecast their values based on statistical data to assess economic development sustainability for 215 small towns with less than 20,000 inhabitants. (3) Results: Following the aggregation of the quantitative indicators and the demographic changes, we identified four categories of small towns. (4) Conclusions: the study underlines the importance of adopting proper policies targeting small towns in Romania to ensure their long-term viability by implementing targeted policies and strategies such as incentives for local businesses, improving educational and healthcare facilities, and promoting entrepreneurship. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the adverse effects of population contraction and pave the way for more sustainable and resilient communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Land Resource and Environmental Governance for Future Cities)

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24 pages, 4000 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identifying the Impact Factors on the Land Market in Nepal from Land Use Regulation

by Nab Raj Subedi, Kevin McDougall and Dev Raj Paudyal

Urban Sci. 2024, 8(2), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8020058 - 28 May 2024

Viewed by 2750

Abstract

Measuring the impact of land use regulation on the land market involves identifying and classifying relevant impact factors related to the land market. The objective of this study was to identify land market impact factors in the context of the introduction of land [...] Read more.

Measuring the impact of land use regulation on the land market involves identifying and classifying relevant impact factors related to the land market. The objective of this study was to identify land market impact factors in the context of the introduction of land use regulation in Nepal. Through a combination of desktop review and the incorporation of stakeholder perspectives, the paper presents a new approach for determining land market impact factors due to land use regulation where both generic and country issues are considered. A desktop review was carried out to identify a preliminary set of impact factors, which were reclassified through intuitive analysis based on the degree of thematic closeness. Perspective-based impact factors were identified through the qualitative analysis of primary data collected through semi-structured interviews with the Nepalese land market stakeholders. These independently derived impact factors were compared with the desktop literature review impact factors, resulting in 14 land market impact factors across four dimensions, including transaction cost, valuation, mortgage availability, taxation, and compensation across the economic dimension; lot size, subdivision restrictions, and coordination across the institutional dimension; awareness, expectation, and proximity across the social dimension; and risk reduction, quality of residential land, and suitability of zoning classification across the environmental dimension. There was significant overlap and commonality across factors identified from both the literature review and semi-structured interviews. The land market impact factors determined in this study may be adapted and generalized across other countries and could be utilized to better understand the impacts of land policy decisions on urban planning and development. Further research is recommended on the process to operationalize the use of these factors to quantify the impact of land use regulation on different land markets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Land Resource and Environmental Governance for Future Cities)

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24 pages, 5001 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring Net Land Take in a Metropolitan Region—Portugal

by Rita Nicolau and Beatriz Condessa

Urban Sci. 2024, 8(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8010008 - 18 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1891

Abstract

This study seeks to contribute to the definition of a “no net land take” policy by 2050 for Portugal’s second-largest metropolitan region (AMP, Porto Metropolitan Area) while sensitising those involved in regional and local planning to the European target. Based on an assessment [...] Read more.

This study seeks to contribute to the definition of a “no net land take” policy by 2050 for Portugal’s second-largest metropolitan region (AMP, Porto Metropolitan Area) while sensitising those involved in regional and local planning to the European target. Based on an assessment of land use changes in AMP and its municipalities during 2007–2018, soil sealing levels in 2018 and population evolution, the study quantifies the processes that may impart achievement of the 2050 objective and identifies the regional drivers of net land take, to support the definition of both interventions to decrease land take and soil sealing and related targets. The main contribution of the research is the exploration of new indicators in terms of soil sealing and population data to identify the potential for implementing interventions proposed by the EU Soil Strategy that do not jeopardise the maintenance of biodiversity in urban areas. The land take rate in the AMP was the highest among mainland Portugal regions. Its main drivers were the development of transport networks, industrial and commercial units and dispersed housing. The reuse and re-naturalisation of artificial land have seen little use in the region. Accordingly, the daily net land taken in the AMP (0.59 ha/day) still needs to decrease until 2050. While artificial land increased across the AMP, most of its municipalities lost population. To reverse this trend, the AMP should implement tighter control mechanisms that ensure that infrastructure and housing needs are fully met through the reuse of urban areas that are already sealed. However, given that the share of impermeable soil in most urban areas is already significantly high, there will have to be a careful choice of locations where intensifying land use will cause less environmental damage. It is concluded that the degree of soil sealing within urban areas is fundamental for deciding on the interventions to be carried out to reduce net land take and for defining a policy towards meeting the 2050 target. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Land Resource and Environmental Governance for Future Cities)

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26 pages, 12702 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mitigation and Resilience of Local Climatic Zones to the Effects of Extreme Heat: Study on the City of Barcelona (Spain)

by David Hidalgo García and Julián Arco Díaz

Urban Sci. 2023, 7(4), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci7040102 - 26 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1826

Abstract

Global warming is precipitating an amplification of severe meteorological occurrences such as prolonged dry spells and episodes of elevated temperatures. These phenomena are instigating substantial elevations in environmental warmth, with metropolitan regions bearing the brunt of these impacts. Currently, extreme heat is already [...] Read more.

Global warming is precipitating an amplification of severe meteorological occurrences such as prolonged dry spells and episodes of elevated temperatures. These phenomena are instigating substantial elevations in environmental warmth, with metropolitan regions bearing the brunt of these impacts. Currently, extreme heat is already impacting 30% of the global populace, and forecasts suggest that this figure will escalate to 74% in the forthcoming years. One of the objectives outlined in the United Nations 2030 agenda, specifically within Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG11), is the attainment of sustainable urban development. To achieve this, it is imperative to scrutinize and delve into urban environmental conditions in order to understand their dynamics comprehensively. This understanding serves as the foundation for implementing mitigation and resilience strategies against climate change, ultimately enhancing the well-being of city residents. In this context, the field of remote sensing and geographic information systems has made substantial advancements. Notably, the UrbClim model, developed by the European Space Agency, facilitates the assessment of environmental conditions within numerous European urban centers. This research, utilizing data from UrbClim, examines the evolution of the heat stress index (Hi) during extreme heat conditions in Barcelona during the summer of 2017. Leveraging Landsat 8 satellite imagery, we derived the following variables: the normalized difference vegetation index and the normalized building difference index. Our findings reveal that during extreme heat conditions, the Hi index experiences an escalation, with areas characterized by a higher population density and industrial zones displaying lower resistance in contrast to regions with a lower population density and rural areas, which exhibit greater resilience to Hi. This disparity can be attributed to higher vegetation coverage and reduced building density in the latter areas. In this way, Hi increases more quickly and intensely and decreases more slowly when using high temperatures compared to average temperatures. This is of utmost importance for the future planning of new urban developments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Land Resource and Environmental Governance for Future Cities)

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