Search Results (84)

The Old City of Sana’a, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains morphologically unclassified at the urban block scale, with understanding still grounded in descriptive narrative rather than quantitative data—leaving conservation decisions without a measurable, reproducible spatial evidence base. This study introduces a numerical taxonomy of 115 historic urban blocks built from four standardized morphometric indicators—area, compactness, elongation, and rectangularity—together with axially encoded orientation, reduced through Principal Component Analysis (74.7% variance, three components) and partitioned by K-means into five morphologically distinct block types ($n=36,29,19,16,15$). Kruskal–Wallis tests confirmed significant differentiation across all types for every rankable indicator (all $p<0.001$; Dunn’s post-hoc: 28 of 50 pairwise contrasts significant). Qibla deviation—a culturally specific measure of angular proximity to Mecca, deliberately withheld from clustering—emerged as the strongest discriminator between types (${\eta }_H^2=0.714$), showing that shape and orientation alone recover a coherent pattern in which one type’s mean orientation axis falls within $4.5°$ of the Qibla axis. However, this statistical discriminator reflects the distinctiveness of a single type rather than a universal cultural organizing principle across the fabric. Types are distributed across all three historic zones rather than clustering spatially, and shape regularity shows no association with distance from the Great Mosque. Building on these signatures, a percentile-based screening instrument offers a reproducible, block-level morphometric baseline to help prioritize this UNESCO-listed site’s conservation under active conflict-related threat. Full article

As unique settlements born of industrial civilization, workers’ residential areas carry rich heritage and the collective memory of communities they contain, endowing them with distinct historical and cultural significance. Assessing and enhancing their resilience are essential for both heritage preservation and sustainable community development. Despite the prevalence of such neighborhoods in China’s old industrial cities, systematic evaluation of their comprehensive resilience remains limited. To address this research gap, we take Taiyuan Mining Machinery Dormitory as a case study. Integrating multi-source spatial and demographic data, we construct a resilience evaluation framework based on the DPSIR model, comprising five criterion layers, 22 element layers, and 49 indicators. Combined with an obstacle degree model, it identifies key factors constraining resilience. Results indicate that comprehensive resilience of the study area is at a “moderate” level, with the “response” subsystem scoring notably low, reflecting insufficient stakeholder attention. Major obstacles include per capita shelter area, building quality, road accessibility, residents’ willingness to participate in governance, and organizational leadership capacity. Based on these findings, targeted strategies are proposed to enhance resilience amid increasing risks. This study contributes to community resilience theory and offers practical insights for the conservation and regeneration of workers’ residential areas under urban renewal. Full article

This paper addresses the issue of lighting in historic urban spaces, using Tarnow (Poland) as a case study. The aim is to assess the impact of artificial light sources on visual comfort within the area, with particular consideration given to light pollution. A comprehensive inventory of active street lighting in the Old Town was conducted. Measurements taken at ground and eye level revealed strong inconsistencies: some areas were under-lit (<1 lx), while others showed façade illuminance above 100 lx, far exceeding recommended thresholds. The highest environmental impact was shown by decorative and globe-type fixtures, with Sky Glow Contribution Index (SGCI) values of up to 0.62. Only suspended street luminaires met CIE requirements (ULR ≤ 15%). The findings reveal that several lighting installations do not meet recommended standards, adversely affecting both human comfort and ecological balance. The study proposes strategies to optimise urban lighting, such as replacing inefficient fixtures with full cut-off LED luminaires and implementing intelligent lighting control systems which could reduce energy consumption by 50-67% while preserving the architectural character of the historic centre. The results provide evidence-based strategies for sustainable lighting modernisation in heritage cities across Europe. Full article

Historic structures that possess cultural heritage value are important documents that convey the architectural understanding, material technology, and construction techniques of past civilizations to the present day. However, these structures are exposed over time to physical, chemical, and mechanical deterioration due to environmental effects, climatic conditions, the natural aging processes of materials, and human interventions. The conservation and faithful restoration of historic structures necessitate the scientific determination of the properties of original building materials. In this study, we aimed to determine the physical, chemical, mineralogical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the original building materials used in the Old Armenian Church located in the city of Çanakkale. In order to reveal the chemical and mineralogical compositions of the samples, XRD, SEM, Raman, and FTIR analyses were applied. The thermal behaviors of the materials were examined through TGA. To determine the physical properties, tests for unit volume weight, specific gravity, compactness, porosity, and water absorption capacity were carried out. For the determination of mechanical properties, compressive strength tests—as well as non-destructive testing methods such as the Schmidt hammer and UPV measurements—were employed. The analysis results indicate that the materials used in the structure have a carbonate-based mineralogical composition and that calcite-bonded systems are dominant. While the physical and mechanical data reveal that the materials possess a compact internal structure, they also indicate that microcracks and weathering processes may be effective in certain areas. These findings emphasize the importance of using lime-based mortars and stones compatible with the original materials in restoration works. Full article

(1) Background: In the context of rapid urbanization and climate change, Chinese traditional villages are facing severe challenges such as deterioration of hydrological environment, weakened social resilience, and degradation of cultural heritage. (2) Methods: This paper took Baoyan Village in Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province as the research object and constructs a research framework of “assessment of historical hydrological resilience–diagnosis of current problems–construction of enhancement strategies”, aiming to explore the paths and driving mechanisms for enhancing the resilience of traditional villages. The spatio-temporal evolution of historical hydrological resilience in Baoyan Village was quantitatively evaluated by establishing a three-dimensional resilience index system of “ecological governance–social adaptation–cultural continuity”, combined with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and GIS spatial overlay technology. (3) Results: The study found that ① The hydrological resilience zoning of Baoyan Village presented spatial differentiation characteristics of “core vulnerability-marginal resilience”, and the high-risk area was concentrated in the cultural building density area along the old Tongji River in the historical town area, indicating that this area requires key flood protection and resilience construction; ② this paper constructed a composite evaluation system of “Ecological Governance–cultural inheritance–social adaptation”, and the total score after evaluation was 0.67, indicating that the overall HHRI of Baoyan Village has declined. Specifically, the scores for Ecological Governance Resilience and Cultural Heritage Resilience were 0.48 and 0.46, respectively, reflecting a significant decrease compared to historical scenarios. Conversely, the score for Social Adaptation Resilience was recorded at 1.05, suggesting an improvement in this dimension. This enhancement can be attributed to advancements in water infrastructure and increased levels of community organizational support, which have bolstered the village’s capacity to withstand flooding events. ③ The integrity of weir fields, the transmission of traditional disaster prevention knowledge, and the stability of natural river channels are the main factors hindering the improvement of resilience systems. (4) Conclusions: Based on the assessment results, this study proposed the resilience enhancement path of “ecological space reconstruction-traditional water management wisdom activation–cultural resilience empowerment” for this case, and constructed a four-pronged driving mechanism consisting of government guidance, community participation, technology empowerment, and industrial synergy for implementation. Practice has shown that through specific strategies such as restoring the weir and field system, constructing sponge village units, and developing the rain and flood cultural experience industry, the key obstacle factors of the village can be effectively addressed, and the goals of flood safety and cultural inheritance can be achieved in a coordinated manner. This case provides an empirical reference that combines historical wisdom with modern technology for understanding the evolution of human–water relationships and the enhancement of resilience in traditional villages, and its research framework and methods are also of reference value for similar villages. Full article

Rapid urbanization in developing countries has produced a marked mismatch between residents’ subjective well-being (SWB) and residential environment quality (REQ). Visually appealing new urban areas do not necessarily yield higher well-being, while dense old districts do not always exhibit low well-being. To explain the emergence of this perceptual bias (PB), this study advances a dual-pathway perspective that links the visual dimension of REQ to the psychological dimension of SWB. We develop an interpretable, spatially explicit machine-learning framework that integrates social-media-derived SWB, street-view-based perceptual metrics, and multi-scale built-environment and socioeconomic indicators at the community level. Using Beijing and Nanjing—two historic Chinese cities—as contrasting cases, we examine how facility density, greenness, accessibility, and housing market conditions jointly shape PB across old cores and newly developed districts. The framework identifies nonlinear responses and planning-relevant thresholds, providing a transferable approach for diagnosing REQ–SWB divergences and prioritizing regeneration strategies. Moving beyond a single “environment → well-being” logic toward a social–spatial interaction perspective, this study offers evidence-informed guidance for well-being-oriented and context-sensitive urban renewal in historic cities and other rapidly urbanizing settings. Full article

This study addresses the critical conflict between livelihood preservation and commercial tourism in the residential historic districts of small-town China—a context often overlooked in urban studies. Taking Meizhou’s “One Town, Two Lanes” as a case, we propose a novel multi-source data fusion framework integrating POIs, population heatmaps, and questionnaire surveys. By applying Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Poisson regression, and spatial correlation analysis, we quantitatively diagnose spatial disorders. The results reveal a dual-suppression mechanism: residential vitality, reliant on public services, is suppressed by commercial tourism, while tourist vitality is diminished by experience–quality gaps. This conflict manifests as pronounced vitality fractures. Our methodology and findings provide a replicable framework for diagnosing and resolving spatial conflicts in similar historic districts, emphasizing the imperative of prioritizing residential continuity. Full article

Rapid urbanization has resulted in widespread habitat loss and fragmentation, threatening global biodiversity. Urban parks serve as essential refuges for wildlife within cities, particularly for birds, which are sensitive indicators of ecosystem health and habitat quality. In recent years, numerous Chinese cities have begun integrating biodiversity-friendly design approaches into new park development. However, the effectiveness of these strategies remains insufficiently evaluated. This study assesses the ecological performance of newly built parks by examining 11 recently constructed parks (within the past decade) and 9 historical parks in Zhengzhou, China’s high-density urban area. Monthly bird surveys were conducted across all 20 parks from May to December 2020, covering breeding, post-breeding, and overwintering seasons. Our findings reveal that new parks significantly outperformed old parks in bird abundance, species richness, Shannon diversity index, and functional diversity. Analysis of environmental variables at both local (within-park) and landscape (1-km buffer) scales showed that habitat diversity and multi-layered vegetation structure were the most influential local factors promoting bird diversity, while green space connectivity was the primary landscape-scale contributor. Notably, neither park area nor age significantly predicted diversity patterns. Based on these results, we propose three key planning strategies: (1) enhancing habitat diversity within parks to support species from various ecological niches; (2) implementing multi-layered vegetation planting to provide diverse food resources and nesting opportunities; (3) improving green space connectivity to facilitate species movement and population persistence within urban environments. These findings provide valuable insights for designing more effective biodiversity-friendly urban green spaces. Full article

The centres of historical cities have changed trying to accommodate modern urban needs, while maintaining the original bohemian atmosphere that represents the identity of the local community. Restoration, according to Cesare Brandi, goes beyond mere physical repairs and focuses on preserving the core historical and cultural significance of a building within its context. Brandi highlights the importance of the surrounding environment, suggesting that the “horizontal plan” around a structure should be prioritised to ensure its recognition within its historical setting. Decisions about preserving or removing additions should be informed by historical evidence, as modifications over time contribute to the building’s narrative. Aesthetic considerations are secondary to historical accuracy, with the primary goal being the preservation of the building’s relationship with its context rather than its visual appeal. This perspective aligns with Giovannoni’s view that preservation should not focus solely on individual monuments but on the broader urban fabric, which collectively forms the city’s historical environment. By respecting the context in which buildings exist, restoration efforts can maintain their role in the larger space. Ultimately, the aim is to balance the conservation of architectural value with modern needs, all while ensuring that the structure’s historical integrity is maintained. While there is extensive research on heritage conservation and accessibility, there remains a lack of integrated strategies that harmoniously address both cultural preservation and inclusive access. This paper presents an urban study made on the historical centre of Lugoj, a Romanian city with interesting architecture. This study aims to illustrate how creating an urban promenade can improve cohesion between old and new, creating a harmonious public space that reflects the identity of the local community. Moreover, the accessibility of the case study area is investigated, following four major categories of special needs, mobility, visual, auditory, and cognitive impairments, and offering recommendations for a better public space for all the citizens. Full article

As Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs) emerge as a transformative force in urban mobility, integrating them into dense, historic urban environments presents distinct spatial and planning challenges—such as narrow street patterns, irregular road networks, and the need to protect cultural heritage. This study investigates the spatial adaptability of SAVs in Suzhou old town, a representative example of East Asian heritage cities. To assess spatial readiness, a hybrid weighting approach combining the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) is used to evaluate 22 spatial indicators across livability, mobility, and spatial quality. These weighted indicators are mapped using a spatial density analysis based on Point of Interest (POI) data, revealing urban service distribution patterns and spatial mismatches. Results show that “Accessibility to Transportation Hubs” receives the highest composite weight, emphasizing the priority of linking SAVs with existing subway and bus networks. Environmental comfort factors—such as air quality, noise reduction, and access to green and recreational spaces—also rank highly, reflecting a growing emphasis on urban livability. Drawing on these findings, this study proposes four strategic directions for SAV integration that focus on network flexibility, public service redistribution, ecological enhancement, and cultural preservation. The proposed framework provides a transferable planning reference for historic urban areas transitioning toward intelligent, human-centered mobility systems. Full article

Water resources allow us to trace the history of many of our towns. In settings with limited surface water, a very interesting case study is represented by the presence/preservation of water in the rupestrian towns located along the rocky walls of canyons (locally named “gravine”) southward, cutting the Murge karst area (Puglia, Southern Italy). In some sections of their valleys, soft rocks, easy to dig, are exposed, and, along the canyon flanks, favored the development of rupestrian towns (cities where dwellings are carved in these soft rocks). Here, before the construction of aqueducts that now bring water from the “distant” Apennines (at least 30 km away), the building of historical fountains, in addition to the collection of rainwater in cisterns, testifies to the presence of an aquifer now undervalued as a local water resource useful for human settlements in a predominantly karst territory. Our study regards an aquifer feeding the Mascheroni Fountain (Great Masks Fountain) through a short qanat that allowed for the development of the old town of Laterza, in Puglia (Southern Italy). Starting from the attractiveness of the ancient fountain, the connection between geological features of the area and the ancestral origin of the city could be proposed to a large audience, representing an intriguing opportunity to develop themes useful for geotouristic purposes and disseminating concepts about sustainability and the importance of preserving local renewable resources. This topic is of paramount importance since the town of Laterza is located at the boundary between the UNESCO MurGEopark and the “Terra delle Gravine” Regional Park, making it the ideal starting point for both parks. Full article

The integration of shared autonomous vehicles into historic urban areas presents both opportunities and challenges. In heritage-rich environments like very old Asian (such as Suzhou old town, which serves as a use case example) or European (especially Mediterranean coastal cities) areas—characterized by narrow alleys, dense development, and sensitive cultural landscapes—shared autonomous vehicle adoption raises critical spatial and social questions. This study employs a qualitative, user-centered approach based on the ripple model to examine residents’ perceptions across four dimensions: residential patterns, parking land use, regional accessibility, and street-level infrastructure. Semi-structured interviews with 27 participants reveal five key findings: (1) public trust depends on transparent decision-making and safety guarantees; (2) shared autonomous vehicles may reshape generational residential clustering; (3) the short-term parking demand remains stable, but the long-term reuse of space is feasible; (4) shared autonomous vehicles could enhance accessibility in historic cores; (5) transport systems may evolve toward intelligent, human-centered designs. Based on these insights, the study proposes three strategies: (1) transparent risk assessment using explainable artificial intelligence and digital twins; (2) polycentric development to diversify land use; (3) hierarchical street retrofitting to balance mobility and preservation. While this study is limited by its qualitative scope and absence of simulation, it offers a framework for culturally sensitive, small-scale interventions supporting sustainable mobility transitions in historic urban contexts. Full article

Background: Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. In Colombia, asbestos use began in 1942, but mortality surveillance remains limited. Long latency periods and poor documentation hinder public health action. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using mortality data from 1997 to 2022 obtained from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), including all mesothelioma cases recorded under the five ICD-10 diagnostic categories (C45.0 to C45.9), covering all anatomical sites of first occurrence. Variables analyzed included sex, age, occupation, and place of residence. Mortality rates and trends were estimated using R, Excel, JoinPoint, and Minitab. Results: A total of 1539 mesothelioma deaths were recorded. Most occurred in men (65.1%) and in individuals over 60 years old (62.6%). Urban areas accounted for 92% of deaths. The most frequent diagnosis was unspecified mesothelioma (61.3%). Cities with the highest adjusted mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants were Sibaté (38.36), Soacha (8.41), and Bogotá (1.89), aligning with historical exposure zones. Conclusions: Mesothelioma is still a preventable public health issue in Colombia, with sustained mortality affecting even working-age populations. The high rate of unspecified diagnoses and weak linkage between morbidity and mortality data underscore the need to strengthen diagnostic capacity, improve surveillance, and implement a national asbestos-related disease elimination strategy. Full article

In many European cities, old urban centres, particularly historical centres, reveal significant limitations to the intervention of civil protection agents—namely, firefighters—in terms of their mobility and action in emergencies, thus conditioning their action. This article analyses the case of a Portuguese city (the city of Ílhavo), proposing possible solutions applicable to territories with these specificities. This study was developed with the support of a literature review and field work that accompanied the actions of the local fire department. The proposals include new technical solutions (such as underground dry pipeworks), measures regarding traffic restrictions, the adequacy of signage, and recommendations for training the population living in these areas to intervene in fire situations. This study was developed through monitoring several interventions by the local fire department in real emergencies, allowing for the identification of some existing limitations in its activity resulting from the specific characteristics of the old urban centre. Measures already adopted in other Portuguese cities to improve mobility and reduce the negative impact on firefighters’ work in historical centres are also mentioned. It is also recommended that all civil protection agents be closely involved in planning and designing these urban rehabilitation interventions when carrying them out in these areas. Full article

Scientific route selection is the premise of constructing the Grand Canal National Trails (GCNTs). How to highlight the historical and cultural characteristics of the cities along the Grand Canal and meet the diverse needs of urban residents and tourists through GCNTs while considering the reality is an important goal of the route selection research. Taking the old town of Jining City as an example, this study proposes a theoretical framework for route selection of the GCNTs based on resource connectivity, spatial continuity, and residents’ promotion, with a realization path of “three sections and six steps”. The results show that the optimal connection path between “canal–resource–community” can be found through systematic methods such as the optimized minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model and space syntax, and the “main route–branch route–connection route” system of the GCNTs can be constructed. The GCNTs closely connect the canals, 59 resources, and 352 communities into an integral spatial network, forming a complete canal cultural narrative system and path. The results offer theoretical and methodological support for the route selection of GCNTs in 35 prefecture-level cities and 150 districts and counties along the Grand Canal, providing reference for route selections of similar related concepts in central urban areas. Full article