Search Results (1,855)

Universal accessibility remains a critical challenge for effective public transport and urban equity. This study addresses the need for operational prioritisation tools by proposing a robust hybrid methodology to rank interventions at urban mobility nodes. The approach combines the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for integrating expert and participatory criteria weighting with four Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques (TOPSIS, VIKOR, COPRAS, and ARAS) to ensure solution reliability. Empirical validation, conducted on 30 bus stops in Segovia, Spain, confirmed the methodological soundness, evidenced by near-perfect correlations (ρ = 0.99) among the compromise and additive ratio models (TOPSIS–VIKOR and COPRAS–ARAS) and stability across over 85% of sensitivity simulations. The findings validate that the methodology effectively guides resource allocation towards interventions yielding maximum social impact and demonstrate its transferability to complex urban supply chain contexts, such as logistics microhubs. Ultimately, this replicable and adaptable model supports the transition towards more equitable, resilient urban systems, aligning directly with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Full article

The study of energy needs in rural areas continues to be an active field of research. Although numerous gaps hinder the achievement of a sustainable energy transition in these areas, it is necessary to develop comprehensive strategies that integrate local participation with the implementation of efficient and appropriate energy technologies. This research analyzes local energy needs using a community participatory approach and considers four main stages, including a participatory diagnosis at the community level to identify energy needs, defining priority energy needs from the community’s viewpoint, estimating a baseline of the identified needs, their economic costs, and environmental impacts, constructing a scenario with a 20-year projection, and the benefits of implementing more efficient technologies. The results show that 98.9% of energy is destined for residential needs, 0.6% for community needs, and 0.5% for productive needs, and the economic expenditure follows the same hierarchy, while total emissions are estimated annually at just over 30,000 tCO_2e and 3 tPM_2.5. With the proposed scenario, at the end of year 20, a reduction in consumption of just over 200 TJ is estimated, together with present value savings of USD 490,000, and a decrease in emissions of approximately 27,000 tCO_2e and 2.7 tPM_2.5. This proposal is expected to contribute to encouraging research with broad community participation and to the formulation of strategies that enable a sustainable energy transition in rural contexts. Full article

Urban resilience has emerged as a critical paradigm for addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change, rapid urbanization, and social inequality, positioning green public spaces as catalysts for social, ecological, and institutional transformation. This article presents a systematic review conducted under the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, examining how collaborative and community participation influenced transformative urban resilience in green public spaces between 2021 and 2025. A total of 6179 records were initially identified across ScienceDirect and MDPI (last search: July 2025), of which 26 empirical studies met the inclusion criteria (peer-reviewed, empirical, published 2021–2025). Methodological rigor was strengthened through the application of the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT, 2018) and confidence in qualitative evidence was assessed using the GRADE-CERQual approach, enhancing transparency and reliability. Data extraction and synthesis followed a theoretical-methodological coding framework, allowing for the comparison of participatory strategies, typologies of green spaces, resilience dimensions, and applied instruments. The results show that multi-actor co-management, co-design, and community self-organization are the most frequent participatory strategies, while urban green infrastructure, pocket parks, and urban gardens constitute the predominant spatial contexts. Socio-ecological and social-participatory resilience emerged as dominant theoretical perspectives, with qualitative and mixed-methods designs prevailing across studies. Evidence synthesis through GRADE-CERQual identified seven key pathways—multi-actor co-management, Nature-based Solutions, community-based actions, social equity, cultural identity, institutional innovation, and planned densification—each contributing differently to resilience dimensions. Overall, the findings highlight that transformative resilience depends on deep, inclusive participatory processes, multi-level governance, and the integration of social, ecological, and cultural dimensions. Despite the heterogeneity of designs and unequal data adequacy, this review confirms that transformative urban resilience is a co-produced process grounded in community action, ecological sustainability, and collaborative governance. Strengthening underexplored areas—technological innovation, cultural resilience, and standardized methodological instruments—is essential for advancing comparative research and practice. Full article

Multimodal methods provide valuable opportunities within Participatory Action Research (PAR), to foster meaningful participation, and amplify marginalized voices. However, conventional research approaches have not always adequately captured the complex realities of the lived experiences of families, and multimodal techniques have remained underutilized for the exploration of such experiences. This study aimed to explore the use of creative multimodal methods, within a PAR framework, grounded in care among vulnerable South African families. A qualitative design was adopted, incorporating Human-centered Design principles, within a PAR approach. The participants were recruited from the Saldanha Bay Municipality area (n = 70), as well as Mitchells Plain (n = 59). The multimodal methodology included Draw-and-Tell, painting, object and photo elicitation, I-Poems, and LEGO^®-based activities. Data were annotated and transcribed verbatim, followed by thematic analysis. A total of 42 participants contributed towards the validation of the methods. The participants described experiences of deep emotional insight, self-reflection, and self-recognition, through engagement with the multimodal activities. The findings revealed that these approaches were: (1) credible, producing internally valid and contextually rich data; (2) contributory, generating original and applicable insights into family life; (3) communicable, offering accessible and structured ways for diverse participants to express their experiences; and (4) conforming, ensuring ethical engagement through inclusive participation. These findings demonstrate the potential of creative, arts-based, and participatory approaches, to advance methodological innovation in qualitative family research. Full article

Inclusive graphic design has emerged as a relevant approach within contemporary visual communication studies, driven by the need to ensure that graphic messages can be understood and used by diverse groups of users. Within this context, the present study conducted a systematic literature review with the aim of identifying the advances, trends, and recommendations that support the development of inclusive practices in graphic design. Using the PRISMA methodology, 85 primary studies were selected and analyzed, providing evidence to address the proposed research questions. The findings indicate a concentration of applications in digital interface design and visual communication, alongside the recurrent use of perceptual, cognitive, and semiotic theories, as well as principles of universal design. The analysis also reveals emerging trends related to new technologies, participatory approaches, and multisensory interactions, in addition to strategies that prioritize legibility, contrast, diverse representation, and user-centered design. Altogether, these findings depict a consolidating field that integrates technical, cultural, and social dimensions, highlighting the importance of continuing to develop research and tools that strengthen accessibility and inclusion in visual communication. Full article

Every act of design tells a story about who belongs, who is seen, and who is heard. This paper looks at how participatory design-based research (PDR), practiced with relational care and reflexivity, can help shift interactions among marginalized youth from urban Indigenous and newcomer immigrant communities in Canada from othering toward understanding. Moving beyond surface-level celebrations of multiculturalism, the study frames design as a relational and ethical practice, one that surfaces assumptions, holds space for difference, and creates openings for intercultural dialogue. The study draws on a series of design circles (d.circles) in which youth co-created visual communication artefacts reflecting their lived experiences. These artefacts became catalysts for dialogue, enabling participants to challenge stereotypes, articulate concerns, and develop shared perspectives. Reflexivity was integral to the process, guiding both participants and the facilitator to consider power, positionality, and relational accountability throughout. Findings show that participatory design, grounded in Indigenous relational principles and participatory action research, can unsettle dominant narratives, foster mutual recognition, and support youth-led meaning-making. This work contributes to emerging conversations that position design thinking as a practice of ethical engagement rather than a tool for problem-solving alone. The learnings from this study show how critically practiced PDR can cultivate more inclusive and socially responsive pathways for intercultural understanding to take shape. Full article

Climate change and sea-level change (SLC) are intensifying flooding in U.S. coastal communities, with disproportionate impacts on Black and minority neighborhoods that face displacement, economic hardship, and heightened health risks. In Norfolk, Virginia, sea levels are projected to rise by at least 0.91 m (3 ft) by 2100, placing underserved neighborhoods such as Oakleaf Forest at particular risk. This study investigates the compounded impacts of flooding at both the building and urban scales, situating the work within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). A mixed-method, community-based approach was employed, integrating literature review, field observations, and community engagement to identify flooding hotspots, document lived experiences, and determine preferences for adaptation strategies. Community participants contributed actively through mapping sessions and meetings, providing feedback on adaptation strategies to ensure that the process was collaborative, place-based, and context-specific. Preliminary findings highlight recurring flood-related vulnerabilities and the need for interventions that address both environmental and social dimensions of resilience. The study proposes multi-scale, nature-based solutions (NbS) to mitigate flooding, restore ecological functions, and enhance community capacity for adaptation. Ultimately, this work underscores the importance of coupling technical strategies with participatory processes to strengthen resilience and advance climate justice in vulnerable coastal neighborhoods. Full article

Access to ecologically grown, nutritious food remains limited in low-income U.S. communities due to cost, structural inequities, and the dominance of industrial food systems. Stone Barns Center’s Leading an Ecological and Accessible Food System (LEAF) program—developed through a community-based participatory partnership in the South Bronx—aims to address these challenges through biweekly distributions of regeneratively grown produce, seasonal gardening kits, and culturally responsive nutrition education. This study presents findings from the first two years (2023 and 2024) of a multi-timepoint repeated cross-sectional evaluation using six household-level surveys (n = 79–80 families per round). The surveys captured changes in fruit and vegetable consumption, gardening comfort, emotional well-being, participation in SNAP and WIC programs, food purchasing behaviors, and unmet needs. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements were observed across key outcomes: mean fruit and vegetable intake increased from 3.8 to 4.5 (1–5 scale), comfort with growing food increased from 3.1 to 4.6, emotional response to gardening from 4.1 to 4.6. SNAP participation increased from 15% (12 of 79 households) to 33% (26 of 79 households), and purchasing shifted toward local access points. Notably, 99% (79 of 80 households) of Year 1 families returned for Year 2, reflecting strong engagement and trust. These results highlight the potential of integrated, community-partnered, and climate-aligned interventions to advance health equity, ecological literacy, and food justice. The LEAF program offers a replicable model that may support pathways towards more sustainable and community-aligned food systems in other under-resourced settings. Full article

Urban public spaces increasingly need to address inclusivity, adaptability, and resilience in the face of health, environmental, and social challenges. Urban policies also promote improving the relationship between schools and their surroundings to mitigate and adapt to climate and social risks. This article presents EDUS Point, an experimental prototype developed within the European project FURNISH and tested in Barcelona during the COVID-19 crisis. Conceived as an Urban Living Lab (ULL), the initiative explored how modular, digitally fabricated, and temporary structures could transform school environments into open, inclusive, and human-scale public spaces. Through an inter-scalar and interdisciplinary approach, the project implemented an urban strategy, a participatory community-building process, and a digital collective platform, alongside the design, fabrication, and testing of a pilot classroom device adaptable and replicable in other schools. A mixed-methods methodology combined tactical urbanism and co-design with fabrication feasibility assessments, social observations, and spatial impact analysis. Results demonstrate that EDUS Point fostered new socio-spatial dynamics among students, teachers, and residents, improved accessibility and usability of nearby public spaces, and validated the effectiveness of low-cost, rapidly deployable interventions in addressing urban needs. The findings propose actionable frameworks, tools, and design criteria for the socio-environmental integration of schools as catalysts for inclusive and resilient urban transformation. Full article

Understanding residents’ perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) and ecosystem disservices (EDS) is crucial for protected areas governance. This study, conducted in China’s Three-River-Source National Park (TNP), employed participatory rural appraisal and household questionnaires to examine local cognitive patterns of ES and EDS, along with their socio-spatial heterogeneity and perceived synergies and trade-offs among them. The key findings are as follows: (1) Cultural services received the highest scores, followed by regulating services, whereas provisioning services, especially food provisioning, were rated as relatively inadequate. Safety threats were considered the most severe EDS. Overall, a Matthew Effect emerged: services with high current perception scores showed an improving trend, while those with low scores deteriorated. (2) Spatially, ES/EDS evaluation scores exhibited a “core zone < general control zone < peripheral zone” gradient. Socio-demographic and economic factors also influenced residents’ perceptions; women and the elderly were especially more concerned about food and energy supply shortages and safety issues. (3) The relationships among the various ES and EDS are primarily synergistic rather than trade-offs. Specifically, gains in regulating services were associated with enhanced cultural services, while declines in provisioning services and intensified safety threats coincided with the deterioration of material EDS. These findings offer a scientific basis for managing protected areas in high-altitude, ecologically fragile regions and provide practical insights for balancing ecological conservation with community development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adaptive sports engagement has been strongly studied for physical and social gains for athletes with disabilities, with much less investigation into adaptive sports encompassing holistic health (i.e., reaching domains of physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore adaptive sport participants’ perspectives on their engagement in sport as a complementary and holistic intervention to improve resiliency, promote health, and live in recovery. Methods: This study employed a qualitative, phenomenological, and participatory action research design to explore how individuals with disabilities perceive their engagement in adaptive sports. Data were collected from eligible participants across the United States, aged 12 years and older, who provided open-ended responses via survey detailing their adaptive sport experiences. Results: Adaptive sport participants (n = 47), primarily male (n = 26), and White (n = 37) with a range of ages 12–75, provided qualitative findings that formed three deductive themes with further inductive subthemes: (1) Improving Resiliency highlighting promotive and protective factors supporting resilience development, (2) Promoting Health defined by World Health Organization’s holistic health definition, and (3) Living in Recovery framed by the Health Protection/Health Promotion Model. Conclusions: For this sample of adaptive sport participants across the United States, engagement in adaptive sports is seen as a complementary and holistic health intervention that achieves outcomes beyond just physical and social. Key aspects of adaptive sports were shown to be vital for building resiliency through the disability community environment, improving holistic health, and providing a recovery mindset through new life opportunities. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pediatric asthma remains a pressing public health issue, especially among low-income, minority children living in subsidized housing. Methods: This study employed a community-based participatory research approach to explore barriers and potential solutions for improving asthma management in this vulnerable population. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 caregivers of children with asthma and 8 community health workers in Washington, DC—a city marked by high childhood asthma rates and concentrated subsidized housing. Results: Thematic analysis identified six core findings: (1) families frequently encountered multiple home environmental asthma triggers, including pests, mold, secondhand smoke, leaks, poor ventilation, and aging infrastructure; (2) healthy housing services were under implemented, often due to unresponsive landlords, inadequate inspections, and poor maintenance; (3) existing services such as pest control, mold remediation, and smoke-free policies were ineffectively implemented; (4) challenges to service delivery included difficulties faced by landlords and structural barriers tied to geography, race, and socioeconomic status; (5) substandard housing conditions contributed to residents’ feelings of powerlessness, frustration, and distrust, with some taking legal action to address persistent hazards; and (6) participants recommended stronger housing code enforcement, sustained funding for home-based environmental interventions, housing-health liaisons, strengthened landlord accountability, support for landlords to facilitate repairs, centering families’ voices, and advocacy. Conclusions: This study underscores the persistent challenges caregivers face in managing asthma triggers in subsidized housing. The findings highlight the critical need for improved housing conditions, greater landlord and housing authority accountability, and policy reforms to ensure consistent, equitable, and sustainable healthy housing services that reduce pediatric asthma disparities. Full article

The deepening of the “Belt and Road” Initiative urgently requires breaking through the dilemmas of symbolization, unidirectionality, and contextual de-embedding in the export of traditional cultural heritage. This paper takes the 2023 China-Germany “Tracing the Belt and Road” cultural heritage exchange project as the research object, employing a single-case exploratory research method to construct a theoretical model of “narrative carrier innovation—cultural heritage dimension adaptation” aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of cultural heritage dissemination. The study finds that international communication projects for cultural heritage can systematically deconstruct the cultural core (“Dao”) and innovatively adapt modernized, localized dissemination forms familiar to the audiences in the host regions (“Qi”), thereby achieving a paradigm shift from passive introduction to active resonance. The paper specifically elucidates how four types of innovative carriers-digital narrative, public participatory, competitive co-creative, and academic artistic-adapt to the dimensions of historical cognition, aesthetic experience, creative interaction, and value identification in Han Dynasty cultural heritage. This adaptation ultimately forms effective cross-cultural dissemination pathways. This research provides an operable theoretical framework and practical paradigm for “Belt and Road” humanistic exchanges, offering insights for the international dissemination of cultural heritage. Full article

Urban Green Spaces (UGS) are integral components of the built environment, significantly contributing to its ecological, social, and performance dimensions, including microclimate regulation, occupant well-being, and energy efficiency. This decadal review (2015–2025) systematically analyzes 70 high-impact studies to propose a “Symbiotic Intelligence” framework. This framework integrates Generative AI, ethical algorithms, and innovations from the Global South to revolutionize the planning, design, and management of UGS within building landscapes and urban fabrics. Our analysis reveals that Generative AI can optimize participatory design processes and generate efficient planning schemes, increasing public satisfaction by 41% and achieving fivefold efficiency gains. Metaverse digital twins enable high-fidelity simulation of UGS performance with a mere 3.2% error rate, providing robust tools for building environment analysis. Ethical algorithms, employing fairness metrics and SHAP values, are pivotal for equitable resource distribution, having been shown to reduce UGS allocation disparities in low-income communities by 67%. Meanwhile, innovations from the Global South, such as lightweight federated learning and low-cost sensors, offer scalable solutions for building-environment monitoring under resource constraints, reducing model generalization error by 18% and decreasing data acquisition costs by 90%. However, persistent challenges-including data heterogeneity, algorithmic opacity (with only 23% of studies adopting interpretability tools), and significant data gaps in the Global South (coverage < 15%)-hinder equitable progress. Future research should prioritize developing UGS-climate-building coupling models, decentralized federated frameworks for building management systems, and blockchain-based participatory planning to establish a more robust foundation for sustainable built environments. This study provides an interdisciplinary roadmap for integrating intelligent UGS into building practices, contributing to the advancement of green buildings, occupant-centric design, and the overall sustainability and resilience of our built environment. Full article

Over the past two decades, museums have increasingly experimented with digital technologies to connect with broader contemporary culture. This review article investigates the role crowdsourcing can play in transforming museums into more engaged environments, raising visibility and inclusivity, and involving diverse voices and populations in knowledge-creation processes. Its contribution is to provide an overview of the history, definitions and concepts of crowdsourcing, and examples of crowdsourcing policies and practices that have been adopted by museums. Participation in crowdsourcing has been influenced by gender, education, and socio-economic and cultural background. In the past, historical structures and traditions and infrastructural complexities have stood in the way of wider diversity and inclusivity. As museums move increasingly online, the circulation of information outside the museum’s walls is just as important as the specialist knowledge held within. Museums can play a leading role in public communication by reaching those who constitute the ‘crowd’. This paper explores how museums, through strong collaboration and various forms of crowdsourcing, such as citizen science and participatory engagement, can offer more wide-ranging open access for the sharing and democratisation of knowledge. Full article