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Urban Science
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Shaping the Equitable Future of Urban Living: Exploring Well-Being and...
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Shaping the Equitable Future of Urban Living: Exploring Well-Being and New Mobility in Low-Carbon Cities

A special issue of Urban Science (ISSN 2413-8851). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Governance for Health and Well-Being".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027 | Viewed by 4594

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xinyi Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S Cass Ave, Lemont, IL 60439, USA
2. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
Interests: equity; sustainable transportation; alternative fuel vehicles; transportation infrastructure; subjective well-being; urban emissions reduction
Dr. Chia-Yuan Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Public Administration, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32801, USA
Interests: urban transportation planning; sustainable transportation; traffic safety; disparity issues in planning; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rapid urbanization around the globe has brought unprecedented challenges and opportunities to modern cities. As urban areas continue to grow, the transportation sector remains the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, making it the cornerstone of creating low-carbon cities. Meanwhile, quality of life in urban areas is also impacted by equitable access to transportation solutions. Therefore, it becomes critical to create cities where residents can thrive, both physically and mentally, through equitable access to sustainable transportation solutions such as alternative fuel vehicles, public transit, and pedestrian-/cyclist-friendly infrastructures.

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore how low-carbon cities can align sustainable mobility strategies with the broader goals of enhancing well-being in an equitable way. By addressing research topics such as how transportation planning affects subjective well-being or how to achieve equity when deploying transportation infrastructures, articles in this Special Issue should aim to provide actionable insights for researchers, urban planners, and policymakers.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Adoption and impact of alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles);
  • Active transportation Infrastructures (e.g., transit lines, sidewalks, and bike lanes); 
  • Equitable access to sustainable transportation options;
  • Physical and mental health outcomes of active transportation;
  • Deployment of alternative fuel vehicle infrastructures (e.g. EV charging, hydrogen fueling);
  • Community engagement in designing inclusive and accessible transportation systems;
  • New metrics and methodologies in evaluating the impacts of new mobility;
  • Environmental impacts of alternative fuel vehicles and active transportation;
  • Travel behavior changes related to alternative fuel vehicles and active transportation;
  • Land use and the built environment in promoting active travel.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Xinyi Wu
Dr. Chia-Yuan Yu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Urban Science is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • transportation equity
  • urban emissions reduction
  • alternative fuel vehicle
  • active travel
  • urban subjective well-being
  • travel behaviors
  • built environment
  • urban infrastructure

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 278 KB  
Article
User Acceptance of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Their Implications for Urban Mobility: Evidence from Focus Groups in Hungary
by Boglárka Eisinger Balassa, Minje Choi, Jonna C. Baquillas and Réka Koteczki
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(5), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10050241 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 414
Abstract
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are increasingly shaping urban mobility and road safety, yet their benefits depend not only on technical performance, but also on driver acceptance. This study examines how Hungarian drivers perceive and evaluate key ADAS functions, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), [...] Read more.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are increasingly shaping urban mobility and road safety, yet their benefits depend not only on technical performance, but also on driver acceptance. This study examines how Hungarian drivers perceive and evaluate key ADAS functions, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping/Centering Assist (LKA/LCA), and Forward Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), in urban driving contexts. The research is based on qualitative focus group discussions conducted in Győr, Hungary, involving drivers aged 20–50 from different age cohorts. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings show that the acceptance of ADAS is strongly context-dependent and function specific. ACC was perceived primarily as a comfort-enhancing tool, especially on longer or more monotonous routes, while LCA was often regarded intrusive and less reliable in urban conditions due to poor road markings, potholes, and frequent stop-and-go situations. On the contrary, blind spot and cross-traffic-related functions were evaluated more positively due to their direct safety benefits. Trust, perceived risk, and control emerged as key dimensions of acceptance, with many participants emphasising the importance of warning-based support rather than a strong autonomous intervention. In general, the study concludes that urban acceptance of ADAS is shaped by the interaction of infrastructure conditions, perceived usefulness, and driver trust, highlighting the need for more transparent, context sensitive, and user-centered system design in support of safer urban mobility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shaping the Equitable Future of Urban Living: Exploring Well-Being and New Mobility in Low-Carbon Cities)
25 pages, 810 KB  
Article
Smart Adaptation and Seasonal Urban Exodus: A Survey-Based Approach to Climate-Resilient Cities
by Adriana Olteanu, Silvia Oana Anton and Radu Nicolae Pietraru
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(4), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10040196 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 603
Abstract
As global temperatures rise, cities struggle with heat stress and the limitations of traditional cooling strategies. This study introduces “seasonal urban exodus”—temporarily relocating urban residents to cooler areas during summer—as a behavioral climate adaptation strategy driven by the need for thermal comfort. To [...] Read more.
As global temperatures rise, cities struggle with heat stress and the limitations of traditional cooling strategies. This study introduces “seasonal urban exodus”—temporarily relocating urban residents to cooler areas during summer—as a behavioral climate adaptation strategy driven by the need for thermal comfort. To assess social feasibility, a survey was conducted among 163 urban residents in Romania. The dataset was analyzed using linear regression and machine learning algorithms (Random Forest and K-Means clustering). The results show that 77.9% of respondents would relocate for 1–2 months if they had adequate destination infrastructure, while a 2 °C temperature increase would cause 46% to migrate temporarily. Predictive modeling identified barriers related to heat (p = 0.009) and transportation (p = 0.016) as the most significant predictors of relocation intention. These results suggest that seasonal mobility is a viable social response to urban heat islands. However, while this adaptation strategy improves individual thermal comfort, further interdisciplinary research—including life-cycle assessments, travel emission calculations, and the evaluation of rural energy systems—is absolutely necessary to determine the net carbon balance and environmental viability of these relocation patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shaping the Equitable Future of Urban Living: Exploring Well-Being and New Mobility in Low-Carbon Cities)
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22 pages, 6017 KB  
Article
Street Store Spatial Configurations as Indicators of Socio-Economic Embeddedness: A Dual-Network Analysis in Chinese Cities
by Xinfeng Jia, Yingfei Ren, Xuhui Li, Jing Huang and Guocheng Zhong
Urban Sci. 2026, 10(2), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10020078 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 779
Abstract
Street networks shape urban dynamics. However, at the important meso- and micro-scales, a research limitation remains in systematically linking the spatial logic of streets to the physical configuration of street-level commerce, in particular through an analytical lens that distinguishes between different urban network [...] Read more.
Street networks shape urban dynamics. However, at the important meso- and micro-scales, a research limitation remains in systematically linking the spatial logic of streets to the physical configuration of street-level commerce, in particular through an analytical lens that distinguishes between different urban network functions. With a view to overcoming this limitation and extending space syntax theory into the fine-grained analysis of commercial form, this study applies its dual-network logic, contrasting foreground networks and background networks. The spatial patterns of street stores were analyzed across eight street segments in four Chinese cities: Tianjin, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, and Hong Kong. Network types were distinguished using Normalized Angular Choice and patchwork pattern analysis. By using 2019 POI data, Street View imagery, and field surveys, a comparative quantitative analysis was conducted across three metrics: operation methods, functional diversity, and 100-m density. The results indicate differences: chain stores hold a clear advantage in high-value segments of the foreground network, a pattern supported by statistical tests. These segments also exhibit higher functional diversity (mean ENT = 5.12). In contrast, high-value street segments of the background network exhibit a consistently higher prevalence of sole stores. They also have a commercial density approximately 2.6 times greater than that of their foreground counterparts. These findings provide empirical evidence on how foreground and background networks support different kinds of commercial ecologies: one oriented toward micro-economy efficiency and standardized supply, the other toward socio-culturally embedded, high-intensity local exchange. Consequently, by linking specific street spatial configurations to measurable commercial outcomes, this research contributes methodologically by operationalizing the dual-network framework at a novel scale and offering a replicable analytical tool for diagnosing and guiding commercial spatial planning in cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shaping the Equitable Future of Urban Living: Exploring Well-Being and New Mobility in Low-Carbon Cities)
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21 pages, 8223 KB  
Article
Analysis of Goods Delivery Models in Urban Environments for Improving Logistics Activities: The Case of Rijeka City
by Mladen Jardas, Matej Plenča, Marko Gulić and Jakov Karmelić
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(9), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9090334 - 27 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1905
Abstract
This paper analyzes models of goods delivery to city centers, with a specific focus on the city of Rijeka. Urban areas are increasingly facing problems such as traffic congestion, lack of delivery space, and negative environmental impacts. The aim of the research is [...] Read more.
This paper analyzes models of goods delivery to city centers, with a specific focus on the city of Rijeka. Urban areas are increasingly facing problems such as traffic congestion, lack of delivery space, and negative environmental impacts. The aim of the research is to examine existing delivery models and propose sustainable solutions that include consolidation centers, alternative fuel vehicles, and smart technologies. The paper presents three main delivery models: using consolidation centers, environmentally friendly vehicles, and modular BentoBox systems. Based on traffic data analysis and surveys with carriers and business entities, it was found that most deliveries are carried out by large diesel vehicles, which often face difficulties due to the lack of designated unloading zones. Building on these findings, several improvement scenarios were developed, including the introduction of one or two consolidation centers and the use of eco-friendly vehicles. The results indicate that the proposed models have the potential to reduce the number of large freight vehicles in the city center, ease traffic congestion, and lower emissions. However, quantitative confirmation of these effects will require the development and application of simulation models. This study therefore serves as a foundation for such future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shaping the Equitable Future of Urban Living: Exploring Well-Being and New Mobility in Low-Carbon Cities)
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