Search Results (61)

Air pollution is a growing environmental issue in densely populated urban areas worldwide. Rapid population growth and the consequent increase in energy demand, emissions from industrial activities and vehicular traffic, and the reduction in vegetation cover have in recent years led to increasing concerns about quality of life, especially due to serious health problems associated with respiratory diseases. This study focuses on air quality in the city of Turin in north-western Italy. Continuous one-year monitoring, which collected approximately two million georeferenced data points, was possible using specific devices—palm-sized, wearable, and commercially available sensors—in different parts of the city. This enabled the assessment of the geographical and seasonal distributions of the most commonly studied air pollutants, namely particulate matter (PM) of three size fractions, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). The results highlight that the north-western zone and the urban centre are the most polluted areas. In particular, seasonal variations suggest that space heating and cooling systems, together with industrial activities, are the main contributors, more so than vehicular traffic. In this context, handheld devices in an IoT context can provide a reliable description of the spatial and temporal distribution of common air pollutants. Full article

Currently, an active debate is underway among the academic community, urban planners, and policymakers regarding optimal models of urban development, given that the majority of the population now resides in cities. One concept under discussion is the 15 min city, which posits that all urban residents should be able to reach key, frequently used services within a 15 min walk or cycle. Although the literature suggests numerous potential benefits, debate persists about whether such cities would be optimal from the standpoint of sustainable development objectives and residents’ quality of life. The ongoing discussion also concerns the extent to which existing cities are capable of aligning with this concept. This is directly linked to the actual spatial distribution of individual services within the city. The literature indicates a research gap arising from a shortage of robust case studies that would enable a credible assessment of the practical implementation of this idea across diverse cities, countries, and regions. This issue pertains to Poland as well as to other countries. A desirable future scenario would involve comprehensive mapping of all cities, with respect to both the spatial distribution of specific services and related domains such as the quality and coherence of linear infrastructure. This article presents an analysis of the spatial accessibility of basic urban services in the context of implementing the 15 min city concept, using the city of Koszalin (Poland) as a case study. This city was selected due to its representative character as a medium-sized urban centre, both in terms of population and area, as well as its subregional functions within Poland’s settlement structure. Koszalin also exhibits a typical spatial and functional layout characteristic of many Polish cities. In light of growing challenges related to urbanisation, climate change, and the need to promote sustainable mobility, this study focuses on evaluating access to services such as education, healthcare, retail, public transport, and green spaces. The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) tools enabled the identification of spatial variations in service accessibility across the city. The results indicate that only 11% of Koszalin’s area fully meets the assumptions of the 15 min city concept, providing pedestrians with convenient access to all key services. At the same time, 92% of the city’s area offers access to at least one essential service within a 15 min walk. Excluding forested areas not intended for development increases these values to 14% and 100%, respectively. This highlights the extent to which methodological choices in assessing pedestrian accessibility can shape analytical outcomes and the interpretations drawn from them. Moreover, given this article’s objective and the adopted analytical procedure, the assumed pedestrian walking speed is the key parameter. Accordingly, a sensitivity analysis was conducted, comparing the reference scenario (4 km/h) with alternative variants (3 and 5 km/h). This approach demonstrates the extent to which a change in a single parameter affects estimates of urban-area coverage by access to individual services reachable on foot within 15 min. The analysis reveals limited integration of urban functions at the local scale, highlighting areas in need of planning intervention. This article proposes directions for action to improve pedestrian accessibility within the city. Full article

Symbiosis and synergy among urban uses are key determinants of spatial quality, liveability, and resilience. While symbiosis denotes the coexistence of users and functions within specific places, synergy refers to the collective benefits emerging from their interaction. These dynamics are especially relevant in city centres and main streets, which serve as structural and social backbones of urban life. This article applies the SyM_SyN Method to Zwycięstwa Street in Gliwice, Poland, to assess the intensity and distribution of symbiotic and synergistic relations. The analysis identified significant spatial deficiencies that weaken the coherence and attractiveness of the street. The results demonstrate how a systematic, data-driven evaluation can expose hidden weaknesses in urban structures. Importantly, from the perspective of the smart city paradigm, liveability and responsiveness of urban spaces cannot be reduced to technology-driven systems of sensors and devices. They must also be understood in terms of human-scale interactions and the ability of urban form to support them. Beyond its methodological contribution, the study emphasises the practical implications for urban renewal: reinforcing positive interactions between adjacent uses enhances street vitality, improves social inclusiveness, and supports more sustainable development strategies. The SyM_SyN Method thus provides both an analytical framework and a decision-support tool for designing user-oriented, high-quality urban spaces within the broader smart and sustainable city paradigm. Full article

This research situates urban planning as a social well-being determinant, highlighting that cities function as social habitats that shape individuals’ quality of life, as well as being physical spaces. The study emphasises the dangers of inadequate urban management, particularly when it is based on biased or incomplete information. This has the potential to exacerbate inequality and undermine the benefits of urbanisation. The present study focuses on the intersection of gender, social roles, and access to basic infrastructure, including childcare centres, elderly facilities, healthcare services, pedestrian paths, street lighting, and green areas. By addressing this critical urban issue, namely the uneven distribution of opportunities for well-being, the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in this field. The Capability Approach, developed primarily by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, provides a theoretical framework for evaluating individuals’ freedom to pursue the lives they value. Theories of subjective well-being (SWB) are rooted in psychological and economic traditions that assess individuals’ life satisfaction, happiness, and emotional equilibrium The present study proposes a methodological framework that integrates the Capability Approach with Subjective Well-Being theory. This approach facilitates a more comprehensive measurement of citizens’ well-being, transcending the limitations of traditional gender dichotomies. The study identifies the manner in which infrastructural design affects individual capabilities and demonstrates the manner in which urban policies can foster gender equality and inclusive socio-economic development. It is therefore evident that the research provides urban planners and policymakers with actionable insights by demonstrating that equitable infrastructure provision is a cornerstone of sustainable, socially just urban development. Full article

Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry (Latitude 30.1 N) in the Big Bend area of Florida with a central pressure of 939 hPa. It moved northwards creating devastating damage and loss of life; however, the greatest damage and number of fatalities occurred well to the north around the City of Asheville (Latitude 35.6 N) where extreme rainfall fell and some of the strongest wind gusts were reported. This paper describes the change in the hurricane’s structure as it tracked northwards, how it gathered tropical moisture from the Atlantic and a turning wind profile between the 850 hPa and 500 hPa elevations, which led to such extreme rainfall. This turning wind profile is shown to be associated with extreme rainfall and loss of life from drowning and landslides around the globe. The area around Asheville suffered 157 fatalities, which is a considerable proportion of the 250 fatalities so far recorded in the whole United States from Helene. This is of extreme concern and should be investigated in detail as the public expects the greatest impact from hurricanes to be confined to coastal areas near the landfall site. It is another example of increased death tolls from tropical cyclones moving inland and generating heavy rainfall. As the global population increases and inland centres become more urbanised, runoff from such rainfall events increases, which causes greater devastation. Full article

This article stems from the PRIN GOV_REL (Urban Governance of Interreligious Dialogue) research project carried out in four Italian cities in 2023–2025 and reports on some preliminary results of the empirical enquiry held in the city of Brescia. The Brescia area is characterised by high rates of residents with an immigrant background and a consolidated presence of religious minorities (Muslim, Orthodox, Sikh, Hindu and Protestant groups), many recognised centres (mosques, temples and Christian non-Catholic churches) and a significant commitment of ethnic–religious communities to local public life. This paper examines the creation of grassroots-level interreligious dialogue, seen as a communicative process. The empirical evidence is based on material collected by participant observations and semi-structured interviews regarding four initiatives that occurred in 2024. A sociocultural analysis outlines the communicative frame: text; context; aims; acts; interlocutors and their power/freedom of expression; interactions; results. The article examines the communicative pattern of each initiative, considering an intercultural orientation and a pluralistic model of interfaith dialogue. It seeks to answer the following questions: what was the fundamental message that the promoters wanted to convey? How do the single actors communicate their perspective of religious “others”, and what results did they achieve or not achieve? The analysis leads to identifying the patterns that facilitate and/or hamper dialogue, taking into account misunderstandings and “cul-de-sac” aspects. Final recommendations highlight the recurrent breaking points that should be prevented and some premises to guarantee successful communication between members of different religions in multicultural urban spaces. Full article

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy affecting women globally, significantly impacting their quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of symptoms in newly diagnosed BC patients undergoing chemotherapy in Oman using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-A); Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2022 and February 2024 at the Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC), University Medical City, Oman. The study included 105 Omani women, aged 18 to 60, diagnosed with stage I to III BC and undergoing chemotherapy. Symptom evaluation was performed using ESAS-A. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize socio-demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes, while the Mann–Whitney U test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to examine associations between independent variables and symptom scores; Results: Out of 127 invited participants, 105 (82.6%) agreed to participate. The average age was 43.6 years (SD = 7.2). Fatigue (37.1%), poor well-being (30.5%), and drowsiness (27.6%) were the most commonly reported symptoms. Anxiety and depression affected 21.9% and 17.1% of participants, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that having children was linked to higher fatigue and shortness of breath, while inversely associated with pain. A family history of chronic disease was significantly correlated with higher depression scores; Conclusions: This study is the first in Oman to utilize ESAS-A for assessing symptom burden in newly diagnosed BC patients undergoing chemotherapy. The findings highlight the importance of personalized symptom management and enhanced supportive care to improve patient well-being. Full article

From 2020 to 2023, I spent 3 years as the Prior of the Community of St Cuthbert based at St Nics Church in central Durham. St Nics is a classic UK evangelical city-centre church with a beloved history of Bible teaching, market-square engagement, and mission. In 2019 the church leadership discerned an opportunity to refresh the church’s (and wider) practice of discipleship by launching the Community of St Cuthbert, and I was recruited as its Prior. This article gives an account of some of the strengths and weaknesses of this endeavour, focused particularly on four issues: the importance of a clear, positive and upbuilding ‘rule of life’ statement; the core issue of how a Rule of Life can facilitate widespread missional discipleship in a dispersed community model; the importance of a clear marker of membership in the Community (and the difficulties around developing one); and the potential (albeit largely unrealised) to use the Community of St Cuthbert model as a way of establishing new worshipping communities. My own retrospective reflection as Prior concludes with two convictions that may be of relevance to those considering such a ‘Community’: the nature and challenge of keeping the focus on God rather than on policing practices; and the ways in which such a re-energising of discipleship can offer an evangelical contribution to the life of the whole church, rather than being limited to self-described evangelical churches. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) is a significant life and limb-threatening condition. Two recent seminal trials, BEST-CLI and BASIL-2, have provided seemingly conflicting results concerning the optimal treatment modality for patients with CLTI. We sought to investigate the outcomes of patient undergoing infrainguinal bypass at two centres in Aotearoa New Zealand. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective review of all patients who underwent infrainguinal bypass grafting for CLTI at Auckland City Hospital and Waikato Hospital between January 2020 and December 2021 was performed. The primary outcome was a composite of death, above-ankle amputation, and major limb reintervention. The secondary outcome was minor limb reintervention. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to determine time to the primary and secondary endpoints. Demographic factors were examined using the log-rank test to examine the effect on the outcome. Results: One hundred and nineteen patients who underwent infrainguinal bypass for CLTI in the study period were identified. Of these, 93 patients had a bypass with ipsilateral or contralateral GSV. The median follow-up time was 1.85 years. The most common indication for surgery was tissue loss (69%, n = 63), with the most common distal bypass target being the below-knee popliteal artery (45%, n = 41). The primary composite outcome occurred in 42.8% of the cohort (n = 39). Death was the most common component of the primary outcome (26%, n = 24). Male sex (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26–0.88, p = 0.018) and statin use (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24–0.98, p = 0.044) were independent predictors of protection from the composite outcome on multivariate analysis. Dialysis dependence (HR 3.32, 95% CI 1.23–8.99, p = 0.018) was an independent predictor for patients meeting the composite outcome. Conclusions: This study’s results are consistent with the published outcomes of BEST-CLI. The patient cohorts examined, anatomical disease patterns, and conduit use may explain some of the differences observed between this study, BEST-CLI and BASIL-2. Further work is required to define the specific patient populations who will benefit most from an open surgical or endovascular first approach to the management of CLTI. Full article

Decarbonising holiday travel is crucial for climate change mitigation: policy interventions need to encourage less frequent trips, closer destinations, and travelling on the ground. To increase effectiveness, interventions should fit with the specific ways holidays are perceived and performed in each context. We explore the holiday behaviour of people living in a medium-sized city in Southern Switzerland (Lugano, 70,000 inhabitants), with the aim of identifying key intervention strategies for a future “community challenge” encouraging the population to take low-carbon holidays. We combine a literature review with n = 15 qualitative, semi-structured interviews that allow us to understand the reasons for taking a holiday, the favourite destination and activity types, and the transport mode choices. As Switzerland is characterised by high cultural and linguistic diversity providing the feeling of being abroad even at a short distance from home, it could be a valuable holiday destination for Swiss people themselves. Located at the centre of Europe, it is also well-connected by train with many holiday destinations abroad. Gaps between pro-environmental attitudes and holiday behaviour suggest leveraging digital carbon trackers showing how carbon emissions compare between holiday and everyday life. Also, interventions could leverage social norms via social networks, local influencers, and travel agencies. Full article

Understanding solar radiation in urban street spaces is crucial for comprehending residents’ environmental experiences and enhancing their quality of life. However, existing studies rarely focus on the patterns of urban street solar radiation over time and across different urban and suburban areas. In this study, street view images from the summers of 2013 and 2019 in Shanghai were used to calculate solar radiation in urban street spaces. The results show a general decrease in street solar radiation in 2019 compared to 2013, with an average drop of 12.34%. The decrease was most significant in October (13.47%) and least in May (11.71%). In terms of solar radiation data gathered from street view sampling points, 76.57% showed a decrease, while 23.43% showed an increase. Spatially, solar radiation decreased by 79.66% for every additional 1.5 km from the city centre. In summary, solar radiation generally shows a decreasing trend, with significant variations between different areas. These findings are vitally important for guiding urban planning, optimising green infrastructure, and enhancing the urban ecological environment, further promoting sustainable urban development and improving residents’ quality of life. Full article

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer, representing those between 15 and 39 years of age, face distinctive challenges balancing their life stage with the physical, emotional, and social impacts of a cancer diagnosis. These challenges include fertility concerns, disruptions to educational and occupational pursuits, issues related to body image and sexual health, and the need for age-appropriate psychosocial support within their communities. The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM), a quaternary care center, established a specialized AYA program in 2014, offering holistic and developmentally tailored psychosocial support and currently, efforts are underway to expand this to other regions in the province to address the need for equitable access. The establishment process involves securing funding, conducting an environmental scan, identifying service gaps, developing clinical pathways, and implementing AYA supportive care. An accessible AYA program should also consider social determinants of health, social location, intersectionality, and an interdisciplinary health approach in understanding health inequities in AYA oncology care. This paper describes the processes implemented and challenges faced in creating a community-based AYA program beyond major resource-rich cities and efforts to address intersectionality. Full article

In multicentric and increasingly complex urban regions, a city centre reinvents itself. In the case of Porto, tourism was essential for its “Baixa” renaissance. A relevant increase in visitors meant also a dramatic increase in real estate prices and significant land-use change. In field interviews, retailers noticed a “new life” before COVID-19 arrived, remarking on the positive role of tourism on urban rehabilitation and the economic viability of companies, and the negative effects for residents and traditional shops, directed to the common resident. In this article, we present and discuss its main effects in this exceptional area in Portugal’s second city. We also discuss tourism dependency and the challenge of sustainability in a high-density context, defending public policies oriented for a “city with tourists” that replaces the current construction of a “city of tourists”. Full article

The discourse surrounding sustainability, particularly in the urban environment, has gained considerable momentum in recent years. The concept of a smart city epitomises the integration of innovative technological solutions with community-centred approaches, thereby laying the groundwork for a sustainable lifestyle. One of the crucial components of this integration is the effective and innovative management of waste. The aim of this article was to classify scientific research pertaining to waste management within the context of smart city issues, and to identify emerging directions for future research. A systematic literature review, based on a bibliometric analysis of articles included in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, was conducted for this study. The purpose of such a systematic review is to identify, integrate, and evaluate research on a selected topic, using clearly defined criteria. The research query included: TITLE-ABS-KEY (“smart city” AND (waste OR garbage OR trash OR rubbish)) in the case of Scopus, and TS = (“smart city” AND (waste OR garbage OR trash OR rubbish)) in the case of the Web of Science database. A total of 1768 publication records qualified for the analysis. This study presents an investigation into the current and forthcoming directions of waste management in smart cities, synthesising the latest advancements and methods. The findings outline specific future research directions encompassing technological advancement, special waste challenges, digitisation, energy recovery, transportation, community engagement, policy development, security, novel frameworks, economic and environmental impact assessment, and global implications. These insights reflect a multifaceted approach, advocating a technology-driven perspective that is integral to urban sustainability and quality of life. The study’s findings provide practical avenues for cities to enhance waste management through modern technologies, promoting efficient systems and contributing to sustainable urban living and the circular economy. The insights are vital for policymakers and industry leaders globally, supporting the creation of universal standards and policies, thereby fostering comprehensive waste management systems aligned with global sustainability objectives. Full article

The quantity and condition of urban greenery directly affect the quality of life of residents and space users. This quality is linked to measures that reduce the negative impact of climate change. It was assumed that urban greenery should not only be protected but also should have its stock increased, which is not easy in a historical, compact structure under statutory conservation. This paper discusses the issue of green areas in the strict city centre of Krakow, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. The study area includes two medieval towns that had their town charters issued in the 13th and 14th centuries, which together formed a central town and a satellite town. Kazimierz and Stradom were subjected to a detailed investigation. A review of the literature and other sources made it possible to identify changes in the structure of green spaces in terms of chronology and quantity. Changes in the area, accessibility and the legal provisions arising from the various forms of statutory conservation and their consequences were analysed. Multi-criteria analyses of the historical urban structure and the types, forms and potential for introducing greenery into the historical area were also performed. The intention was to strengthen green infrastructure, which is a key element in climate change mitigation. Full article