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Urban Science
Special Issues
Sustainable Urban Development: Green Infrastructure, Built Environment and Construction Activities
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Sustainable Urban Development: Green Infrastructure, Built Environment and Construction Activities

A special issue of Urban Science (ISSN 2413-8851).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 6146

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Eziyi Offia Ibem

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria
Interests: sustainable human settlements; urban green infrastructure; sustainable construction procurement practices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Olumuyiwa Adegun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
Interests: sustainable housing; urban green infrastructure; slum upgrading
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering (MACE), Infrastructure and Resilience, Thomas Ashton Institute, and Manchester Environmental Research Institute (MERI), The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Interests: built environment sustainability; digital; health and safety; productivity; project management; procurement; carbon neutrality in buildings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

1) Introduction, including scientific background and highlighting the importance of this research area.

Amid rapid urbanization, biodiversity loss, and the increasing adverse impact of climate change on urban ecosystems, health, well-being, and livelihood, green infrastructure offers new dimensions in policies, practices, and strategies for sustainable urban development. Urban green infrastructure and green construction activities are receiving increased attention for their potency in simultaneously addressing several urban ecological, social and economic issues. This is why knowledge development and dissemination on current policy directions, strategies, and techniques for protecting and preserving urban ecosystems and improving the liveability of urban settlements through the incorporation of green elements into the design and planning of layouts and municipal engineering services, and reduction of carbon emissions in the lifecycle of buildings and physical infrastructure projects have taken the center stage in the global discourse on sustainable urban development. This area of research is considered very important as it leverages multidisciplinary knowledge and methodologies to identify and evaluate current and future pathways to the attainment of sustainable development goals.

2) Aim of the Special issue and how the subject relates to the journal scope.

This special issue seeks to bring together articles showing the trajectory and current state of knowledge in policy, practice, and technology associated with all aspects of green infrastructure planning and management and sustainable construction activities. These fall within the scope of Sustainability’s focus on socio-economic, scientific and integrated approaches to sustainable urban development, education and awareness of sustainability, sustainable utilization of resources, and lifecycle assessment.

3) Suggest themes

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

  • Green infrastructure design, planning and management
  • Governance and policy framework for urban green infrastructure
  • Cost-benefit analysis and affordability of green construction
  • Vertical greening in dense urban environments
  • Adaptation to future climate scenarios through green infrastructure
  • Artificial intelligence, 4th industrial revolution and green construction
  • Zero carbon construction and lifecycle assessment
  • Gender, equity, and inclusion in urban greening and green construction
  • Education and awareness of green infrastructure and green construction initiatives
  • Digital

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Eziyi Offia Ibem
Dr. Olumuyiwa Adegun
Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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 quarterly 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 1600 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

  • climate adaptation
  • ecological urbanism
  • green housing
  • sustainable built environment
  • green construction
  • sustainable urbanization
  • digital
  • urban green infrastructure

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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30 pages, 25180 KiB  
Article
Green Corridors and Social Connectivity with a Sustainable Approach in the City of Cuzco in Peru
by Diego Mancilla, Sayny Robledo, Doris Esenarro, Vanessa Raymundo and Violeta Vega
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(3), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8030079 - 6 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2297
Abstract
The present research aims to propose the design of a green corridor with a systemic/sustainable approach to function as an ecological lung for the city of Cuzco. A lack of planning has resulted in uncontrolled urban development, with a shortage of green areas, [...] Read more.
The present research aims to propose the design of a green corridor with a systemic/sustainable approach to function as an ecological lung for the city of Cuzco. A lack of planning has resulted in uncontrolled urban development, with a shortage of green areas, negatively affecting the quality of life. Green corridors stand out as solutions that encourage social interaction and improve public health. This approach recognizes the need for balanced resource management and institutional, economic and social organization. In the specific case of Cusco, the lack of social interaction highlights the importance of addressing these challenges to improve the quality of life for both residents and visitors. The methods developed were an extensive literature review, urban analysis and climate analysis, applying sustainability strategies supported by digital tools (Google Earth, Climate Consultant 6.0, Autocad, SketchUp and 3d Sun Path). As a result, this proposal presents green areas covering 69.96% of the total area, aimed at providing recreational spaces and connecting residents and visitors with nature. Additionally, biolakes were designed, accounting for 3.18% of the area, serving as ornamental elements and contributing to the environmental quality of the urban environment. The botanical zone, encompassing 18.14% of the project, was designed to accommodate a diverse range of plant species, providing an educational and aesthetic environment. The convention area, representing 9.7% of the total area, was designed to host events and community activities, promoting social and cultural interaction. Finally, 0.98% of the space was allocated to the cultural zone, where artistic exhibitions, cultural events, and related activities can be planned, enriching the cultural and social life of the community. These percentages reflect careful consideration of the needs and aspirations of the population, as well as a comprehensive approach to sustainable urban design and the creation of multifunctional spaces. In conclusion, through a green corridor, the aim is to counteract uncontrolled urban expansion and environmental degradation by generating a green lung in the city of Cuzco, naturally regulating the climate and contributing to air and water purification. The absence of green corridors and sustainable approaches to social connectivity in Cusco could reduce the quality of life of residents, affecting their physical and mental health. The lack of green and recreational spaces could increase segregation and alienation in the community, weakening social cohesion. Without green corridors, the city would also face environmental and biodiversity challenges, as well as a reduced ability to respond to extreme weather events. The lack of implementation of these strategies could compromise comprehensive development and quality of life in Cuzco. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Development: Green Infrastructure, Built Environment and Construction Activities)
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23 pages, 19227 KiB  
Article
Using a Space Syntax Approach to Enhance Pedestrians’ Accessibility and Safety in the Historic City of George Town, Penang
by Mo Fan, Massoomeh Hedayati Marzbali, Aldrin Abdullah and Mohammad Javad Maghsoodi Tilaki
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8010006 - 11 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3047
Abstract
Contemporary urban development places a critical emphasis on pedestrian environments, especially in historic cities like George Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malaysia. Although survey questionnaires effectively captured public perceptions of issues such as poor road connectivity, weak accessibility, crime [...] Read more.
Contemporary urban development places a critical emphasis on pedestrian environments, especially in historic cities like George Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malaysia. Although survey questionnaires effectively captured public perceptions of issues such as poor road connectivity, weak accessibility, crime and safety concerns in George Town, they fell short in providing a comprehensive understanding of the root causes. This study leverages space syntax theory to model and analyze George Town’s unique pedestrian landscape, aiming to identify strategies for improving pedestrian networks in historical urban landscapes. Space syntax theory, known for revealing structural issues within urban contexts, is applied after a thorough examination of George Town’s urban layout, climate, architectural features, and development policies. George Town employs an informal grid layout widely utilized in British colonial port cities to enhance overall efficiency. The predominant architectural form is the shophouse, which is characterized by a ground level designed for pedestrian movement known as the “five-foot way” and adapted to Malaysia’s climate. Various axis drawing methods for the unique five-foot way under different circumstances are considered. The George Town special area plan (SAP) emphasizing heritage preservation guides development policies, thus requiring an inclusive approach to pedestrian environments. This enhances the practical significance of the current study, with the eastern and northern coastal areas serving as crucial focal points for investigation. This approach results in a comprehensive spatial model that captures the essence of George Town’s pedestrian landscape. Evaluation using space syntax indicators such as connectivity, integration, intelligibility, and choice reveals issues like poor overall network connectivity, inadequate access to key attractions, suboptimal integration, concentrated pedestrian flows, and significant safety concerns, which are exacerbated by limited infrastructure on certain two-way roads and a lack of zebra crossings. The practical implications of this study include recommendations for enhancing pedestrian spaces along identified roads and strategically installing zebra-crossings. This research is significant for its focus on a historical city in a Southeast Asian developing country, deeply integrating local environmental characteristics and providing insights into urban planning and optimization, thereby serving as a reference for similar cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Urban Development: Green Infrastructure, Built Environment and Construction Activities)
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