Search Results (57)

Saudi Arabia’s ambition to improve quality of life is paving its way, and this study aligns with that vision, adopting an experimental approach to explore urban solutions to enhance outdoor thermal comfort for pedestrians in neighborhoods within Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Given the city’s hot and arid climate, outdoor spaces are often subject to extreme thermal conditions that reduce the quality of life for residents. To address this issue, the study utilizes Ladybug in Grasshopper, a tool designed for modeling the microclimate and assessing the impact of urban design strategies on outdoor thermal comfort. A base model representing the current urban fabric of selected neighborhoods is developed, and then multiple alternatives of urban morphology (sidewalk, setbacks, fence, and vegetation) are evaluated for their effectiveness in mitigating heat stress and improving outdoor thermal conditions. The findings from this study provide valuable insights into how urban planning and design interventions can be tailored to the unique climatic challenges of Riyadh, with potential applications for enhancing the sustainability, livability, and overall quality of life of the city’s neighborhoods. Full article

Quality of life (QoL) is a multidimensional concept involving physical, psychological, social, and environmental dimensions. Therefore, it reflects not only individual well-being but also the overall well-being and sustainability of societies. Current approaches to QoL have expanded from purely economic or health-based indicators to incorporate a range of multidimensional analyses at urban, regional, and national levels, with more recent emphasis on interlinkages between socio-economic and spatial factors. This research investigates how geoinformation methodologies, including remote sensing, spatial analysis, and machine learning, can be applied to assess QoL across multiple spatial scales. Through a systematic review and comparative evaluation, the study aims to identify which indicators, data sources, and analytical tools are used at each spatial level—from neighborhood and urban scale to regional and national levels. Emphasis was placed on understanding how methodological approaches vary across scales and how spatial resolution, data availability, and urban context influence the design and implementation of QoL assessment frameworks. The main objective was to establish a common analytical framework for evaluating QoL across different spatial scales. The review revealed that combining data, machine learning algorithms, and spatial analysis approaches in a common framework will enhance comparative and predictive capabilities beyond the state of the art, although it will face significant data heterogeneity challenges. Future research aims to develop consistent, multidimensional models supportive of policies fostering sustainability and spatial equity in urban and regional contexts. Full article

Urban neighborhoods in India face an uneven distribution and limited accessibility to parks and playgrounds, particularly in dense mixed-use areas where rapid urbanization constrains green infrastructure planning. To address these challenges, the Sustainable Transportation Assessment Index (SusTAIN) framework was developed to evaluate sustainable transportation in Indian urban neighborhoods, with ‘Accessibility’ identified as a crucial subtheme. Recent advancements in Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and urban data analysis tools have enabled accessibility assessments of parks and playgrounds at a neighborhood scale, yet the OSMnx approach has been only marginally explored and compared in the literature. This study addresses this gap by comparing three tools—the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS), OSMnx, and Space Syntax—for accessibility assessments of parks and playgrounds in Ward 60 of Kalyan Dombivli city, based on the 15-Minute City concept. Accessibility was evaluated using 25 m and 100 m grid resolutions under peak and non-peak conditions across public and private transportation modes. The findings show that QGIS offers highly consistent results at micro-scale (25 m), while OSMnx provides better accuracy at coarser scales (100 m+). The results were validated with space syntax through integration and choice values. The comparison highlights spatial disparities in accessibility across different tools and transportation modes, including Intermediate Public Transport (IPT), which remains underexplored despite its crucial role in last-mile connectivity. The presented approach can support municipal authorities in optimizing neighborhood mobility and is transferable for applying the SusTAIN framework in other urban contexts. Full article

Urban neighborhoods experiencing socio-spatial pressures increasingly struggle with sustainability, especially in contexts where top-down redevelopment models dominate. In Turkey, the commonly used “demolish-and-rebuild” approach is often criticized for neglecting urban identity and the continuity of local communities. This study examines the Kükürtlü Neighborhood in Bursa, a “double-aged” area characterized by both an elderly population and aging housing stock. Using a mixed-method approach, the study integrates the EcoDistricts framework with participatory spatial analysis and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to assess sustainability across three priority areas: place, health and wellbeing, and connectivity. Results reveal that while the neighborhood faces structural limitations and underutilized public spaces, it benefits from strong social sustainability rooted in cultural continuity and intergenerational bonds, especially among long-term residents. Conversely, newcomers demonstrate weaker place attachment. These findings inform a set of inclusive, aging-in-place strategies aimed at balancing physical renewal with community preservation. Building on these insights, the study proposes a context-sensitive and potentially adaptable framework to guide sustainability efforts in similar aging urban contexts. The research contributes to international discussions on urban transformation by emphasizing the importance of integrating local lived experiences with spatial planning tools, offering a model for navigating demographic and physical aging in mid-sized cities. Full article

Cities around the world are facing growing challenges related to climate change, urban sprawl, infrastructure strain, and digital transformation. In response, smart and sustainable urban development has become a global focus, aiming to integrate technology and environmental stewardship to improve the quality of life. The smart and sustainable city concept is typically applied at the city scale; however, its impact is most tangible at the neighborhood level, where residents interact directly with infrastructure, services, and community spaces. A variety of global frameworks have been developed to assess sustainability and technological integration. However, these models often fall short in addressing localized needs, particularly in regions with distinct environmental and cultural contexts. In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 emphasizes livability, sustainability, and digital transformation, yet there remains a lack of tailored tools to evaluate smart and sustainable progress at the neighborhood scale. This study develops HayyScore, a localized evaluation framework and prototype digital platform developed to assess neighborhood performance across five core categories: (i) Environment and Urban Resilience, (ii) Smart Infrastructure and Governance, (iii) Mobility and Accessibility, (iv) Quality of Life and Social Inclusion, and (v) Economy and Innovation. The HayyScore platform operationalizes this framework through an interactive web-based tool that allows users to input data through structured forms, calculate scores, receive category-based and overall certification levels, and view results through visual dashboards. The methodology involved a comprehensive review of global frameworks, expert input to define localized indicators, and iterative prototyping of the platform using Python 3.13.5 and Streamlit 1.45.1. To demonstrate its practical application, the prototype was tested on two Saudi neighborhoods: King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). Key platform features include automated scoring logic, category weighting, certification generation, dynamic performance charts, and a rankings page for comparing multiple neighborhoods. The platform is designed to be scalable, with the ability to add new indicators, support multilingual access, and integrate with real-time data systems in future iterations. Full article

This study presents the first comprehensive spatial accessibility assessment of essential urban services in Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, conducted entirely with open-source tools and data. The analysis focused on six facility categories: primary healthcare centers, public pharmacies, primary and secondary schools, libraries, and green markets. Spatial accessibility was modelled using OpenRouteService (ORS) isochrones for walking travel times of 5, 10, and 15 min, combined with population data from the Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL). Results indicate that 79% of residents live within a 15-min walk of a healthcare facility, 74% of a pharmacy, 89% of an elementary school, 52% of a high school, 60% of a library, and 62% of a green market. Central administrative units such as Vračar, Zvezdara, and Stari Grad demonstrated nearly complete service coverage, while peripheral areas, including Resnik, Jajinci, and Višnjica, exhibited substantial accessibility deficits, often coinciding with lower-income zones. The developed workflow provides a transparent, replicable approach for identifying underserved neighborhoods and prioritizing investments in public infrastructure. This research emphasizes the role of spatial accessibility analysis in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributing to the creation of more inclusive, walkable, and sustainable urban environments, while on the other hand, it offers practical insights for improving urban equity, guiding policy formulation, and supporting necessary planning decisions. Subsequent research will focus on alternative facilities, other cities such as Novi Sad and Niš, and the disparity between urban and rural populations. Full article

In recent years, chrono-urbanism has ushered in the x-minute city concept. Effectively combined with the life unit concept, it introduced a new perspective—the neighborhood life circle. This emerging urban decision-making and planning paradigm represents China’s attempt to address the “urban disease” arising from rapid urbanization recently, attracting global attention for its implementation of sustainability. This study aims to reveal the driving factors behind the livable neighborhood life circle amid rapid urbanization by conducting a systematic review of relevant empirical research within China’s context. We used Scopus and WoS as search databases, identifying and extracting a literature review of 67 publications from 2010 to 2025. The findings indicate that the driving factors of a livable neighborhood life circle are a structure constructed comprising social well-being, management and regulation, the built environment, and economic vitality, which are interconnected in multiple ways. This study has advanced discussions on the livable neighborhood life circle and expanded the existing knowledge and literature. It has also deepened insights into how sustainability concepts impact livable neighborhood life circles in China. The study offers insights into four aspects: the systematization of concepts and driving factors related to the neighborhood life circle in China, the development of assessment tools, the establishment of new planning paradigms, and the localization of implementation frameworks. Additionally, it further enriches the global application of the x-minute city and the neighborhood life circle. Full article

Public green spaces are vital to urban life, offering recreational opportunities, enhancing mental and physical well-being, and supporting environmental sustainability. This study presents a structured evaluation of ten public parks in Riyadh, categorized as neighborhood, local, and large parks, and compares their performance to two internationally recognized benchmark parks—Hyde Park and Regent’s Park in London. A partly original evaluation framework was developed to assess the design-related and environmental (nature-based) qualities of these parks. The framework integrates 50 criteria grouped into nine categories, combining quantitative scoring on a five-point scale with qualitative on-site observations. This method enables a comprehensive assessment of design quality, accessibility, and sustainability features. A city-wide map with a color-coded legend illustrates the distribution of the evaluated parks, while field observations and photographic documentation supported the data collection. Findings reveal notable variations in design quality, accessibility, and sustainability across the parks. The results highlight both strengths and gaps compared to international benchmarks, providing valuable insights for improving park design and management. This study contributes to ongoing efforts to enhance park usability and align with Riyadh’s Vision 2030 objectives, offering a practical decision-support tool for planners, managers, and policymakers seeking resilient and inclusive public green spaces. Full article

Urban livability and sustainability are increasingly studied at the neighborhood scale, where built, social, and governance conditions shape residents’ everyday experiences. Yet existing assessment frameworks often fail to integrate subjective perceptions with multi-dimensional environmental indicators in replicable and scalable ways. To address this gap, this study develops an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)-informed framework for evaluating perceived environmental quality in urban communities. Using Baidu Street View imagery—selected due to its comprehensive coverage of Chinese urban areas—and Point of Interest (POI) data, we analyze seven communities in Shenyang, China, selected for their diversity in built form and demographic context. Kernel Density Analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) are applied to derive latent ESG-related spatial dimensions. These are then correlated with Place Pulse 2.0 perception scores using Spearman analysis to assess subjective livability. Results show that environmental and social factors—particularly greenery visibility—are strongly associated with favorable perceptions, while governance-related indicators display weaker or context-specific relationships. The findings highlight the differentiated influence of ESG components, with environmental openness and walkability emerging as key predictors of perceived livability. By integrating pixel-level spatial features with perception metrics, the proposed framework offers a scalable and transferable tool for human-centered neighborhood evaluation, with implications for planning strategies that align with how residents experience urban environments. Full article

Several studies in the literature have emphasized that public open spaces, such as recreational parks in residential neighborhoods, play a crucial role in enhancing social interaction among residents. As such, access to these parks is a key factor that may influence their use and, in turn, affect the quality of social engagement within the community. Traditional approaches to park accessibility, which focus solely on physical distance, have notable limitations, as proximity alone does not reliably predict park usage. Therefore, physical accessibility should be complemented by assessments of perceived or psychological accessibility. This study is designed to propose a framework for enhancing social interaction through improved access to recreational parks in the residential neighborhoods of the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA). It employs a mixed-methods approach comprising two primary methodologies: (1) observational behavioral mapping to identify key influencing factors based on user activities within the selected case study areas, and (2) an end-user questionnaire survey analyzed through inferential statistics, specifically Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), to assess residents’ perceptions of park accessibility and social interaction. The results indicate that adequate park maintenance significantly improves physical accessibility, while elements such as safety are essential for fostering psychological comfort. The ANOVA results yielded an F-value of 4.72 and a p-value of 0.00, confirming a statistically significant effect of the park’s physical features on facilitating social contact among local residents. The study presents a framework that integrates key demographic and social factors influencing park usage, advocating for infrastructure improvements aligned with user perceptions to foster greater community engagement. It highlights that addressing psychological barriers is just as important as making physical enhancements to achieve effective park accessibility. By combining physical design, demographic insights, and user experiences, the framework serves as a practical guide for planning inclusive and socially responsive public spaces. This research contributes to the fields of urban planning, social sustainability, and environmental psychology by offering localized insights and practical tools for implementation. Future research is recommended to further refine urban strategies that promote equitable access to recreational parks, particularly by addressing demographic-specific needs and psychological barriers that influence social interaction in open spaces. Full article

Agricultural terraces are critical landscape elements that promote sustainable rural development by enhancing water retention, mitigating soil erosion, and conserving cultural heritage. In northeastern Türkiye, particularly in the mountainous Erikli neighborhood of Uzundere, traditional terraces face growing threats due to land abandonment, topographic fragility, and socio–economic decline. This study applies a spatial–functional assessment framework that integrates UAV–based photogrammetry, GIS analysis, terrain modeling, and DBSCAN clustering to evaluate terrace conditions. UAVs provided high–resolution topographic data, which supported the delineation of terrace boundaries and morphometric classification using an adapted ALPTER model. A combined Terrace Density Index (TDI) and Functional Status Index (FSI) approach identified zones where terraces are structurally intact but functionally degraded. Results indicate that 76.4% of terraces fall within the meso and macro classes, yet 58% show partial or complete degradation. Cohesive terrace clusters are located near settlements, while isolated units in peripheral zones display higher vulnerability. This integrated approach demonstrates the analytical potential of drone–supported spatial diagnostics for monitoring landscape degradation. The method is scalable and adaptable to other terraced regions, offering practical tools for site–specific land use planning, heritage conservation, and resilience–based restoration strategies. Full article

This study presents a methodology for estimating the carbon footprint of urban neighborhoods as a necessary step in proposing and evaluating potential GHG reduction measures to enhance the sustainability of cities. Additionally, this method has been applied to Benicalap, a district in Valencia, Spain. This research employs the Datadis, QGIS, and HOMER tools to assess emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3. Tailored mitigation strategies are proposed, primarily focusing on reducing emissions in Scopes 1 and 2. While previous studies have extensively examined CO₂ emissions at broader geographic scales, like nations, regions, and cities, this study emphasizes the importance of neighborhood-level analysis to address localized environmental challenges effectively. The results reveal that Benicalap’s emissions contribute 28.69 ktCO₂ (15.56%) to Scope 1, 13.71 ktCO₂ (7.43%) to Scope 2, and 142 ktCO₂ (77%) to Scope 3. By 2030, targeted interventions could reduce emissions from Scopes 1 and 2 by 19,885 ktCO₂, representing a 50.69% reduction. Among the proposed measures, sustainable transportation improvements and photovoltaic deployment stand out, contributing to 25.39% and 24.87% of the reduction, respectively. Enhancements in public lighting and nature-based solutions would offer a minor decrease of 0.43%. These insights underscore the need for strategic, localized interventions to achieve meaningful emission reductions and support sustainable urban development efforts. Full article

Confronted with the climate emergency, reducing CO₂ emissions has become a priority for all nations of the world because the follow-up of humanity depends on it. Most European Union (EU) member states have pledged to cut their net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and reach full carbon neutrality by 2050, using 1990 as the baseline year. Despite this common effort, there is still a lack of effective decision-making on carbon neutrality strategies applied throughout the life cycle of a building in all EU countries. A common strategy is proposed in this study to fill this gap in the literature. The building sector is a real lever for reducing the carbon footprint and saving energy. Currently, the methodology for achieving large-scale carbon neutrality is well established. However, there is only a limited number of experts worldwide who have mastered this technology, making it challenging to develop a standardized approach for all nations. The absence of extensive, regular, and consistent data on carbon emissions has considerably hindered the understanding of the root causes of climate change at both the building and neighborhood levels. Is it not it time to break this barrier? With this in mind, this study was carried out with the intention of proposing a common method to achieve carbon neutrality at the neighborhood scale in European Union countries. The most significant parameters having a direct impact on carbon emissions have facilitated the adaptation of the three types of neighborhood in the different capitals of the EU countries, in particular, local building materials, microclimate, the energy mix of each country, and the mode of daily transport. The life cycle assessment of the three districts was conducted using the Plaides LCAv6.25.3 tool in combination with Meteonorm software version 8.2.0, considering a 100-year lifespan for the buildings. In addition, the cost of the various environmental impacts is assessed based on the monetary indicators for European Committee for Standardization indicators method. The main results showed that the distribution of carbon dioxide is 73.3% higher in urban areas than in sustainable neighborhoods and 39.0% higher in urban districts than in rural districts. Nearly zero emissions in the next decade are again possible by applying the scenario involves global warming combined with the complete (100%) renovation of all buildings and the transition to 100% electric vehicles along with the use of solar panels. This strategy makes it possible to reduce between 90.1% and 99.9% of the emission rate in residential districts regarding EU countries. Full article

Neighborhood facilities received global attention in sustainability implementation because they meet the daily needs of residents and represent the relationship between them, neighborhoods, and cities. This study aims to reveal the factors influencing sustainable facilities in Chinese neighborhoods under rapid urbanization through a systematic review of relevant empirical studies and the Chinese context. This review looks through the Scopus and WoS databases for 59 papers published between 1981 and 2025 on the implementation of sustainable neighborhood facilities; additional evidence was collected from neighborhood sustainability assessments (NSAs) conducted around the world and China’s current relevant regulations in neighborhood facilities for the literature review. The findings indicate that the influencing factors of sustainable neighborhood facilities are an intersubjective structure of providers, recipients, and coordinating mediators. This study extends the current knowledge and literature on sustainable neighborhood facilities and deepens our understanding of how sustainability implementation standards and decision-making influence these facilities to improve livability in China. Meanwhile, it also provides a perspective on four aspects, including the compilation of influencing factors, the development of assessment tools, the categorization assessment, and the development of a framework of sustainable neighborhood facilities in China. In addition, it further enriches sustainable cities and neighborhoods in applications worldwide. Full article

Currently, urban development has entered the stage of renewal and transformation. Energy transition is an important trend for sustainable urban development, and the assessment of solar energy potential in old residential areas in cold regions is of great significance. This study selects 47 old residential communities in Jinan, a cold region of China, as case samples. Using clustering algorithms based on spatial form characteristic parameters, the study divides the samples into five categories. The study then uses the Ladybug tool to simulate the distribution and total solar energy utilization potential of buildings in the five categories and analyzes the correlation between eight spatial form parameters and building solar energy potential. A linear regression model is established, and strategies for the application of BIPV in community buildings are proposed. The study finds that factors such as plot ratio, building density, open space ratio, volume-to-surface ratio, and form coefficient have a significant impact on the solar energy potential of residential communities; the p-values are −0.785, −0.783, 0.783, −0.761, and 0.724, respectively. Among these, building density (BD) is the most crucial factor affecting the solar energy potential of building facades. Increasing by one unit can reduce the solar energy utilization potential by 28.00 kWh/m²/y. At the same time, installing photovoltaic panels on old residential buildings in cold regions can reduce building carbon emissions by approximately 48%. The research findings not only provide methodological references for photovoltaic technology application at varying neighborhood scales in urban settings but also offer specific guidance for low-carbon retrofitting of aging urban communities, thereby facilitating progress in urban carbon emission reduction. Full article