Search Results (895)

This research aims to identify and prioritize key planning elements for the redevelopment of such housing complexes by incorporating perspectives from both experts (supply-side) and residents (demand-side). To achieve this, a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making framework was developed by integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). A total of 25 planning elements were identified through Focus Group Interviews and organized into five domains: legal and institutional reforms, project feasibility, residential conditions, social integration, and complex design. The AHP was used to assess the relative importance of each element based on responses from 30 experts and 130 residents. The analysis revealed a clear divergence in priorities: experts emphasized feasibility and regulatory considerations, while residents prioritized livability and spatial quality. Subsequently, the TOPSIS method was applied to evaluate four real-world redevelopment cases. From the supply-side perspective, Seoul A District received the highest score (0.58), whereas from the demand-side perspective, Gyeonggi D District ranked highest (0.69), illustrating the differing priorities of stakeholders. Overall, Gyeonggi D District emerged as the most favorable option in the combined evaluation. This research contributes a structured and inclusive decision-making framework for the regeneration of public housing. By explicitly comparing and quantifying the contrasting preferences of key stakeholders, it underscores the critical need to balance technical feasibility with resident-centered values in future redevelopment initiatives. Full article

Background: Falls in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) have a significant impact, often leading to costly and unnecessary emergency department (ED) transfers. This scoping review examined the ED discharge proportions and patient characteristics of RACF residents presenting to the ED following a fall, to identify factors that could reduce unnecessary ED transfers. Methods: The databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched, resulting in an initial 1385 articles. Nine of these articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Results: The median age of patients reported in the nine papers ranged from 80.8 to 88 years. Discharge proportions from ED back to RACF ranged from 36% to 91%, with an average of 63%. The studies that reported on computed tomography of the brain (CTB) showed that CTB findings did not significantly influence discharge decisions. Conclusions: Many RACF residents transferred to EDs following falls are discharged without hospital admission. The heterogeneity of study methods makes it challenging to draw definitive conclusions about factors that may help identify patient groups that do not require transfer to the ED following a fall. However, this scoping review highlights potential opportunities to reduce ED transfers from RCAFs. These findings highlight a need for geriatric-specific, person-centred protocols that reduce unnecessary ED transfers while safeguarding quality of care and respecting residents’ advance care preferences. Full article

As part of the post-conflict reconstruction and recovery, the development of Kabul New City aims to bring relief to the existing capital city, Kabul, which has experienced exponential population growth, putting heavy pressure on its existing resources. Kabul New City is divided into four subsectors, and each of them is being developed and is expected to reach a target population by 2025, as defined by the master plan. The study’s objective is to determine which of the four zones are in demand and need to be prioritized for development, as per the model results. The data collection involves an online questionnaire, and the responses are collected from residents of Kabul and Herat. Agent-based modeling (ABM) is an emerging method of simulating urban dynamics. Cities are evolving continuously and are forming unique spatial patterns that result from the movement of residents in search of new locations that accommodate their needs and preferences. An agent-based model is developed using the weighted random selection process based on household size and income levels. The agents are the residents of Kabul and Herat, and the environment is the land use classification image using the Sentinel 2 image of Kabul New City. The barren class is treated as the developable area and is divided into four sub-sectors. The model simulates three alternative growth rate scenarios, i.e., ambitious, moderate, and steady. The results of the simulation reveal that the sub-sector Dehsabz South, being closer to Kabul city, is in higher demand. Barikab is another sub-sector high in demand, which has connectivity through the highway and is an upcoming industrial hub. Full article

Indoor radon constitutes a public health issue in various regions across the United States as the second leading cause of lung cancer following tobacco smoke. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises radon mitigation interventions for residential buildings with indoor radon concentrations exceeding the threshold level of 4 pCi/L. Despite considerable research assessing the technical effectiveness of radon mitigation systems, there remains a gap in understanding their broader influence on occupant behavior and preferences in residential design. This study aims to investigate the impact of residing in radon-mitigated homes within the Commonwealth of Kentucky—an area known for elevated radon concentrations—on occupants’ preferences regarding healthy home design attributes. The objectives of this research are twofold: firstly to determine if living in radon-mitigated homes enhances occupant awareness and consequently influences their preferences toward health-related home attributes and secondly to quantitatively evaluate and compare the relative significance homeowners assign to health-related attributes such as indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and water quality relative to conventional attributes including home size, architectural style, and neighborhood quality. The overarching purpose is to explore the potential role radon mitigation initiatives may play in motivating occupants towards healthier home construction and renovation practices. Using choice-based conjoint (CBC) analysis, this paper compares preferences reported by homeowners from radon-mitigated homes against those from non-mitigated homes. While the findings suggest a relationship between radon mitigation and increased preference for indoor air quality, the cross-sectional design limits causal interpretation, and the possibility of reverse causation—where health-conscious individuals are more likely to seek mitigation—must be considered. The results provide novel insights into how radon mitigation efforts might effectively influence occupant priorities towards integrating healthier design elements in residential environments. Full article

(1) Background: The provision of monofunctional or inadequately distributed services in urban park green spaces often constrains residents’ opportunities and diversity for outdoor activities, particularly limiting access and participation for specific age groups or activity preferences. However, functional nodes with temporal and spatial flexibility demonstrate high-quality characteristics of resilient and shared services through integrated development. Accurately identifying user demand provides a solid basis for optimizing the functional configuration of urban parks. (2) Methods: This study took the old city area of Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, as a case study. By collecting and integrating various types of data, such as geographic spatial data, field investigation data, and behavioral observations, we developed a population demand quantification method and a modular analysis approach for park service functions. This framework enabled correlation analysis between diverse user needs and park services. The study further classified and combined park functions into modular units, quantifying their elastic and shared service capabilities—namely, the adaptive flexibility and shared utilization capacity of park services. Additionally, we established a demand-responsive evaluation system for identifying and diagnosing problem areas in park services based on multi-source data. (3) Results: The demand response index and diagnostic results indicate that the supply of fitness facilities—particularly equipment-based installations—is insufficient within the old urban district of Zhengzhou. Among the three user groups—children, young and middle-aged adults, and the elderly—the elderly population exhibited the lowest demand response index, revealing a significant gap in meeting their specific needs. (4) Conclusions: Based on the research findings, a three-tier optimization strategy is proposed: A. improve green space connectivity to expand the service coverage of parks; B. implement multifunctional overlay and coordinated integration in spatial design based on site characteristics and demand diagnostics; and C. increase the total supply of facilities to enhance spatial efficiency in parks. By integrating the demand assessment data and diagnostic results, this approach enabled a data-driven reorganization of service types and targeted allocation of resources within existing park infrastructure, offering a practical tool and reference for the planning of urban outdoor activity spaces. Full article

As part of its modernisation and economic diversification policies, Saudi Arabia is building smart, sustainable cities intended to improve quality of life and meet environmental goals. However, involving the public in urban planning remains complex, with traditional methods often proving expensive, time-consuming, and inaccessible to many groups. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into public participation may help to address these limitations. This study explores whether Saudi residents are ready to engage with AI-driven tools in urban planning, how they prefer to interact with them, and what ethical concerns may arise. Using a quantitative, survey-based approach, the study collected data from 232 Saudi residents using non-probability stratified sampling. The survey assessed demographic influences on AI readiness, preferred engagement methods, and perceptions of ethical risks. The results showed a strong willingness among participants (200 respondents, 86%)—especially younger and university-educated respondents—to engage through AI platforms. Visual tools such as image and video analysis were the most preferred (96 respondents, 41%), while chatbots were less favoured (16 respondents, 17%). However, concerns were raised about privacy (76 respondents, 33%), bias (52 respondents, 22%), and over-reliance on technology (84 respondents, 36%). By exploring the intersection of generative AI and participatory urban governance, this study contributes directly to the discourse on inclusive smart city development. The research also offers insights into how AI-driven public engagement tools can be integrated into urban planning workflows to enhance the design, governance, and performance of the built environment. The findings suggest that AI has the potential to improve inclusivity and responsiveness in urban planning, but that its success depends on public trust, ethical safeguards, and the thoughtful design of accessible, user-friendly engagement platforms. Full article

Background: After an older person moves into a nursing home, the next of kin often continues to participate in the care provided there. This participation in care may contribute valuable knowledge of the preferences and wishes of the older person, thereby helping nursing staff deliver personalised care. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore how next of kin experience their participation in the care of older persons residing in nursing homes after educating nursing staff about participation in palliative care. Methods: This follow-up study used a qualitative design based on semi-structured interviews with 37 next of kin. A thematic analysis was applied. Results: Participation of the next of kin involved active communication and collaboration with nursing staff, expressed in three themes: striving to achieve co-created care, navigating involvement through presence, and building commitment through communication and information. The dual role of being an emotionally close next of kin and a participant in the relative’s care was challenging and became increasingly burdensome and often overwhelming when the older person’s health deteriorated. Conclusions: This study reveals the need to develop and implement a policy for the participation of next of kin in the care of older people living in nursing homes. In addition, support groups can increase well-being through dialogue with other next of kin, thereby alleviating emotional strain. Increased implementation of life stories and the use of digital communication would keep the next of kin informed about the older person’s condition, especially when they cannot be present in person. Life story is a valuable tool for person-centred care and strengthens the relationships between the next of kin, the older person, and the nursing staff. Full article

The Italian market for non-alcoholic beer is very small, with a volume per capita of around 0.7 L. However, there are interesting prospects for future growth for reasons ranging from strict traffic code rules on the quantity of alcohol ingested to simple curiosity. This research aimed to investigate the willingness of Italian consumers/potential consumers to pay for non-alcoholic beer. To accomplish this, a questionnaire was administered using the Google Forms application. Three hundred and ninety-two people participated in this survey voluntarily and without monetary compensation. A probit regression model was used to estimate the impact of certain sociodemographic characteristics (number of inhabitants of the place of residence, region of residence, age group, gender, education level, employment situation, and annual net income), participants’ consumption habits with respect to alcoholic beer, and participants’ knowledge of and preference for non-alcoholic beers with respect to willingness to pay for non-alcoholic beers. The prices respondents were willing to pay ranged from EUR 1.51 to 2.00 for a 33 cL glass bottle. Only two factors significantly affected (p < 0.1) non-alcoholic beer WTP, namely, “Age” and “Non-alcoholic beer color”. WTP decreased as the age of the respondents increased and was higher for the darker beer. Full article

The conflicting demands of urban trees and walkable surfaces result in significant financial burdens for municipal administrators who understand that urban residents want tree-lined walkable surfaces. This study investigates three methodologies for mitigating this tension: suspended grating systems, modular box systems, and structural soils. A Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) was conducted to evaluate their suitability in dense urban areas, employing criteria categorized into Environmental, Economical, and Other considerations. The comparison focused on critical aspects such as the impact on tree health (root growth, water availability), installation complexity, initial costs, and overall suitability for diverse urban contexts. The MCA indicates that, under the given weighting of criteria, suspended grating systems (especially those suited for existing trees) rank the highest, primarily due to their superior root protection and minimal disturbance to established root systems. In contrast, modular box systems and structural soils emerge as particularly strong contenders for new tree plantings. Structural soils may have application at sites with existing trees, but the costs of removing native soil are a consideration. Sensitivity analysis suggests that modular box systems may become the preferred option when greater emphasis is placed on stormwater management and new plantings, rather than on challenges for existing trees or underground infrastructure. Structural soils score well in cost-effectiveness and installation speed but require careful implementation to address their lower root protection performance and long-term maintenance concerns. Ultimately, the optimal solution depends on unique site-specific conditions and budgetary constraints, emphasizing the necessity of tailored approaches to balance urban infrastructure with tree health. Full article

Background: As e-commerce expands and delivery services diversifies, understanding the factors that shape consumer preferences becomes critical to designing efficient and sustainable urban logistics. This study examines how perceived walkability influences consumers’ preferences for shopping channels (in-store or online) and delivery methods (home delivery versus pickup points). Method: The analysis is based on structural equation modeling and utilizes survey data collected from 444 residents of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Results: The findings emphasize the importance of walkability in supporting weekday store visits, encouraging pickup for online purchases and fostering complementarity between different modes of purchase and delivery services. Perceived walkability positively affects the preference to buy in physical stores and increases the likelihood of using pickup points. Educated men, particularly those living in walkable areas, are the most likely to adopt pickup services. In contrast, affluent individuals and women are less likely to forgo home delivery in favor of pickup points. Conclusions: The results highlight the role of perceived walkability in encouraging in-person pickup as a sustainable alternative to home delivery, providing practical guidance for retailers, urban planners, and logistics firms seeking to align consumer convenience with sustainable delivery strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: How to best assist people living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners to maximize quality of life and quality of living, through appropriate and effective non-pharmaceutical approaches, remains a focus of dementia societies and organizations worldwide. This scoping review explored the types, opportunities, benefits and challenges of outdoor-based care and support programs for community-dwelling PLWD and their care partners. Methods: The methodological framework proposed by Arksey & O’Malley (2005) and modified by Levac et al. (2010) was followed. Four research databases were searched from January 2000 to November 2024; 2817 articles were retrieved and 20 met inclusion criteria and underwent data extraction. Results: Program types included the following: nature-based, care farm, green care farm, and farm-based dementia care programs, representing more than half of the included articles; health walks; and outdoor horticulture/garden/gardening programs. The number of PLWD participants ranged from 4 to 136. The total number of care partner participants was 151 and the total number of service provider participants was 87. The essence of, and connections with, nature and the outdoors had notable relevance and value for PLWD. Reported benefits, assessed quantitatively and qualitatively, were numerous and those in the social domain were reported most often. Identified challenges and barriers were related to risks and safety and program development, and implementation and delivery. Conclusions: The noteworthy potential of outdoor-based care and support programs to promote and enhance the quality of life and quality of living of community-dwelling PLWD and their care partners was elucidated. As most PLWD prefer to, and do, continue to reside in their homes, including those with advancing symptoms, the findings have significant relevance and implications for real-world practice and policy. Future research addressing current gaps will strengthen this growing field of dementia research. Full article

Background: The Lingnan region is characterized by a hot and humid climate and abundant, diverse natural resources, while the Central Plains region experiences distinct four seasons and has a rich agricultural culture. Both regions possess unique dietary traditions and preferences. This study aims to investigate the differences in dietary structure between the Lingnan region (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan) and the Central Plains region (Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan) and their impact on health. Methods: Using cross-sectional survey data from the 2015–2017 China National Nutrition and Health Survey, this study selected residents aged 18 and above as the research subjects. Generalized linear models were employed to analyze differences in the intake of various food groups between the two regions, while logistic regression models were used to examine regional differences in the prevalence of obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. Results: A total of 14,484 adults were included in this study. Lingnan participants consumed significantly more rice products, red meat, poultry, seafood, and dark-colored vegetables, while Central Plains residents had higher intakes of wheat products, other cereals, soybeans, and eggs. Lingnan exhibited lower prevalence rates of obesity (8.6% vs. 18.1%), diabetes (7.6% vs. 9.8%), and hypertension (33.0% vs. 46.9%) compared to the Central Plains, with no significant difference in hyperlipidemia prevalence. Adjusted analyses confirmed that Lingnan residents had significantly reduced risks of obesity (OR = 0.431, 95% CI: 0.388–0.479), diabetes mellitus (OR = 0.841, 95% CI: 0.744–0.950), and hypertension (OR = 0.564, 95% CI: 0.523–0.608). Conclusions: The dietary structure in the Lingnan region plays a positive role in cardiometabolic health. Further analysis of the combined effects of different foods on health could provide a scientific basis for future nutrition and health management. Full article

This research study proposes an indoor temperature regulation predictive optimal control system that entails the use of both deep reinforcement learning and the Modbus TCP communication protocol. The designed architecture comprises distributed sub-parts, namely, distributed room-level units as well as a centralized main-part AI controller for maximizing efficient HVAC management in single-family residences as well as small-sized buildings. The system utilizes an LSTM model for forecasting temperature trends as well as an optimized control action using an envisaged DQN with predicted states, sensors, as well as user preferences. InfluxDB is utilized for gathering real-time environmental data such as temperature and humidity, as well as consumed power, and storing it. The AI controller processes these data to infer control commands for energy efficiency as well as thermal comfort. Experimentation on an NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano as well as on a Raspberry Pi 4 proved the efficacy of the system, utilizing 8761 data points gathered hourly over 2023 in Cheonan, Korea. An added hysteresis-based mechanism for controlling power was incorporated to limit device wear resulting from repeated switching. Results indicate that the AI-based control system closely maintains target temperature setpoints with negligible deviations, affirming that it is a scalable, cost-efficient solution for intelligent climate management in buildings. Full article

Cultural and ecological heritage is often an essential ingredient for sustainable urban and regional regeneration and needs to be properly managed for an environment-benign development. Many heritage-led areas in Europe, named here ‘cultural-ecological complexes’ (CECs), seek a sustainable, regenerative, and actionable strategy. Our study aims to identify successful CECs from the viewpoint of their transformative cultural potential, assessed through surveys among visitors and residents. The research focuses on the assessment of seven Cultural-Ecological Complexes (CECs) in Europe: Karlsborg (Sweden), Mark (Sweden), Larnaca (Cyprus), Basilicata (Italy), Huesca (Spain), Vojvodina (Serbia), and Sibiu (Romania/Moldova). The European areas under study are selected on the basis of their transformative cultural tourism profile and potential, with the aim of tracing a balanced, sustainable development and a positive regenerative or circular transition. Each CEC was analyzed based on its transformative cultural potential and sustainability impact using multivariate Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Each region under consideration comprises a set of ‘information agents’, in particular visitors and residents, who may be regarded as informal stakeholders providing crucial or decisive information and guidelines on the sustainability situation in the region and on ways to proceed to transformative cultural tourism. This novel approach is essentially a form of citizen-based or agent-based co-creation. In our study, empirical information on the perceptions, preferences, and involvement of such agents was collected through systematically structured and consistently administered surveys among hundreds of participants (visitors, residents, etc.) in seven CECs in Europe. The research methodology is based on a blend of multivariate statistics (in particular, Principal Component Analysis—PCA) and spatial efficiency analysis (using Data Envelopment Analysis—DEA). The agents in each region are conceived of as spatial decision-making units (DMUs) in a DEA framework. Our DEA assessment model contains a multiscalar structure organized in a cascadic and interactive form with two constituents, namely cultural-ecological areas (CECs) and place-based information agents. The findings from this novel Multivariate DEA provide generic directives for an enhancement of the cultural-ecological performance for CECs and offer quantitative information for place-based efficiency-improving strategies of CECs in various contexts. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the NENGOUE residence, a multi-occupancy building located in Yaoundé, Cameroon, over an 80-year lifespan. The analysis encompasses four life cycle phases—construction, use, renovation, and deconstruction—and evaluates twelve environmental impact categories. The results reveal that the use phase contributes overwhelmingly to environmental burdens, accounting for over 96% of total impacts. To mitigate this dominance, two alternative scenarios were assessed: a sustainable transport model and the integration of a photovoltaic system. In the first scenario, environmentally friendly commuting strategies, such as increased walking, cycling, and public transport, led to a 17.10% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the second, rooftop photovoltaics offset 69.29% of the building’s electricity needs, resulting in a 26.72% GHG reduction. A third, combined scenario demonstrated the highest environmental gains, achieving a 42.97% reduction in GHG emissions, alongside substantial improvements across other impact categories, including acidification (−38.4%), cumulative energy demand (−28.3%), and photochemical ozone formation (−40.18%). In addition to the environmental benefits, the study highlights the importance of considering social acceptance, behavioral change, and economic feasibility for real-world implementation. The willingness of residents to adopt sustainable mobility practices, cultural preferences, safety concerns, and the initial cost barriers associated with photovoltaic technology are identified as critical factors. These findings underscore the need for integrated strategies that combine technological innovation with inclusive urban planning and stakeholder engagement. The proposed approach demonstrates that aligning environmental measures with local socio-economic realities can significantly enhance the sustainability of residential buildings, contributing meaningfully to climate change mitigation in Sub-Saharan African cities. Full article