Search Results (415)

Amman’s rapid population growth and sprawling urbanization have resulted in car-centric, fragmented neighborhoods that lack social cohesion and are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This study reframes walkability as a climate adaptation strategy, demonstrating how pedestrian-oriented spatial planning can reduce vehicle emissions, mitigate urban heat island effects, and enhance the resilience of green infrastructure in peri-urban contexts. Using Deir Ghbar, a rapidly developing marginal area on Amman’s western edge, as a case study, we combine objective walkability metrics (street connectivity and residential and retail density) with GIS-based spatial regression analysis to examine relationships with residents’ sense of community. Employing a quantitative, correlational research design, we assess walkability using a composite objective walkability index, calculated from the land-use mix, street connectivity, retail density, and residential density. Our results reveal that higher residential density and improved street connectivity significantly strengthen social cohesion, whereas low-density zones reinforce spatial and socioeconomic disparities. Furthermore, the findings highlight the potential of targeted green infrastructure interventions, such as continuous street tree canopies and permeable pavements, to enhance pedestrian comfort and urban ecological functions. By visualizing spatial patterns and correlating built-environment attributes with community outcomes, this research provides actionable insights for policymakers and urban planners. These strategies contribute directly to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by fostering more inclusive, connected, and climate-resilient neighborhoods. Deir Ghbar emerges as a model for scalable, GIS-driven spatial planning in rural and marginal peri-urban areas throughout Jordan and similar regions facing accelerated urban transitions. By correlating walkability metrics with community outcomes, this study operationalizes SDGs 11 and 13, offering a replicable framework for climate-resilient urban planning in arid regions. Full article

Precise extraction of rural settlements in alpine regions is critical for geographic data production, rural development, and spatial optimization. However, existing deep learning models are hindered by insufficient datasets and suboptimal algorithm structures, resulting in blurred boundaries and inadequate extraction accuracy. Therefore, this study uses high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing images to construct a specialized dataset for the extraction of rural settlements in alpine mountainous areas, while introducing an innovative shadow mitigation technique that integrates multiple spectral characteristics. This methodology effectively addresses the challenges posed by intense shadows in settlements and environmental occlusions common in mountainous terrain analysis. Based on the comparative experiments with existing deep learning models, the Swin Transformer was selected as the baseline model. Building upon this, the Feature Fusion Swin Transformer (FF-SwinT) model was constructed by optimizing the data processing, loss function, and multi-view feature fusion. Finally, we rigorously evaluated it through ablation studies, generalization tests and large-scale image application experiments. The results show that the FF-SwinT has improved in many indicators compared with the traditional Swin Transformer, and the recognition results have clear edges and strong integrity. These results suggest that the FF-SwinT establishes a novel framework for rural settlement extraction in alpine mountain regions, which is of great significance for regional spatial optimization and development policy formulation. Full article

China’s rapid urbanization has given rise to the phenomenon of “urban villages”, which are often regarded as chaotic fringe areas in traditional studies. With the rise of the concept of resilient cities, the value of urban villages as potential carriers of sustainable development has been re-examined. This study adopted research methods such as field investigations, in-depth interviews, and conceptual sampling. By analyzing the interlinked governance relationship between Xiamen City and the urban villages in the Bay Area, aspects such as rural housing improvement, environmental governance, residents’ feedback, geographical pattern, and spatial production were evaluated. A field investigation was conducted in six urban villages within the four bays of Xiamen. A total of 45 people in the urban villages were interviewed, and the spatial status of the urban villages was recorded. This research found that following: (1) Different types of urban villages have formed significantly differentiated role positionings under the framework of regional governance. Residential community types XA and WL provide long-term and stable living spaces for migrant workers in Xiamen; tourism development types DS, HX, BZ, and HT allow the undertaking of short-term stay tourists and provide tourism services. (2) These urban villages achieve the construction of their resilience through resisting risks, absorbing policy resources, catering to the expansion of urban needs, and co-construction in coordination with planning. The multi-cultural inclusiveness of urban villages and their transformation led by cultural shifts have become the driving force for their sustainable development. Through the above mechanisms, urban villages have become the source of resilience and sustainability of healthy cities and provide a model reference for high-density urban construction. Full article

Lifestyle blocks (LBs) are small rural holdings primarily used for residential and recreational purposes rather than commercial farming. Despite the rapid expansion of LBs over the last 25 years, which has been driven by lifestyle amenity preference and land subdivision incentives, their environmental performance remains understudied. This is the case even though their proliferation is leading to an irreversible loss of highly productive soils and accelerating land fragmentation in peri-urban areas. Through undertaking a systematic literature review of relevant studies on LBs in New Zealand and comparable international contexts, this paper aims to quantify existing knowledge and suggest future research needs and management strategies. It focuses on the environmental implications of LB activities in relation to water consumption, food production, energy use, and biodiversity protection. The results indicate that variation in land use practices and environmental awareness among LB owners leads to differing environmental outcomes. LBs offer opportunities for biodiversity conservation and small-scale food production through sustainable practices, while also presenting environmental challenges related to resource consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and loss of productive land for commercial agriculture. Targeted landscape design could help mitigate the environmental pressures associated with these properties while enhancing their potential to deliver ecological and sustainability benefits. The review highlights the need for further evaluation of the environmental sustainability of LBs and emphasises the importance of property design and adaptable planning policies and strategies that balance environmental sustainability, land productivity, and lifestyle owners’ aspirations. It underscores the potential for LBs to contribute positively to environmental management while addressing associated challenges, providing valuable insights for ecological conservation and sustainable land use planning. Full article

Off-grid and isolated rural communities in developing countries with limited resources require energy supplies for daily residential use and social, economic, and commercial activities. The use of data from space assets and space-based solar power is a feasible solution for addressing ground-based energy insecurity when harnessed in a hybrid manner. Advances in space solar power systems are recognized to be feasible sources of renewable energy. Their usefulness arises due to advances in satellite and space technology, making valuable space data available for smart grid design in these remote areas. In this case study, an isolated village in Namibia, characterized by high levels of solar irradiation and limited wind availability, is identified. Using NASA data, an autonomous hybrid system incorporating a solar photovoltaic array, a wind turbine, storage batteries, and a backup generator is designed. The local load profile, solar irradiation, and wind speed data were employed to ensure an accurate system model. Using HOMER Pro software V 3.14.2 for system simulation, a more advanced AI optimization was performed utilizing Grey Wolf Optimization and Harris Hawks Optimization, which are two metaheuristic algorithms. The results obtained show that the best performance was obtained with the Grey Wolf Optimization algorithm. This method achieved a minimum energy cost of USD 0.268/kWh. This paper presents the results obtained and demonstrates that advanced optimization techniques can enhance both the hybrid system’s financial cost and energy production efficiency, contributing to a sustainable electricity supply regime in this isolated rural community. Full article

Rapid urban development has exacerbated heat events. Vulnerable groups, due to deficiencies in physical functions and social support, often face higher health risks and survival pressures during heat events. Effectively identifying and assessing the heat risks they face and developing effective management strategies still pose many challenges. This study develops a heat risk assessment model based on the “hazard–accessibility–vulnerability” framework, incorporating circuit theory modeling to assess the health benefits of ventilation corridors for vulnerable populations and identifying high-temperature risk areas to better support science-based planning. The results show the following: (1) The urban heat island levels in the study area were classified based on the mean-standard deviation method, identifying that high-level heat islands account for 14.2% of the total area, with surface temperatures in urban built-up areas being significantly higher than in rural areas. (2) Based on the circuit theory model, 54 ventilation corridors were identified and 12 major corridors and 42 minor corridors were determined. (3) Based on the thermal risk assessment model, five residential areas covering 1.45 km² were identified as having the highest thermal risk, and 5.68 km² of residential areas had an imbalance between the ventilation demand and ventilation supply for vulnerable populations. This study innovatively assesses the health benefits of urban ventilation corridors from a social equity perspective and proposes urban renewal strategies such as introducing ventilation corridors, adjusting building layouts, enhancing green infrastructure, and promoting cooling technologies, offering new insights for future research. Full article

Introduction: Based on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2020 (CHARLS 2020), we analyzed the effects of physical activity (PA) on chronic diseases and depression symptoms in older adults in urban and rural areas and examined differences by residential location. Methods: A total of 5481 individuals aged 65 years and above were selected from the CHARLS 2020 dataset. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, two-way analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation analysis were used to examine the influence of different intensities of PA on chronic diseases and depression symptoms. According to PA recommendations, PA participants were individuals who engaged in PA two or more times per week, while non-participants engaged in PA fewer than two times per week. Results: Urban and rural older adults showed different patterns in PA participation and its health impacts. Urban residents were more likely to engage in high-intensity PA, which was related to lower prevalence of chronic diseases and fewer depressive symptoms; moderate-intensity PA was also effective in relieving depressive symptoms. In contrast, rural residents primarily participated in low-intensity PA, which had some effect in alleviating depression symptoms but limited impact on chronic diseases. Conclusions: Public health interventions should be tailored to regional differences. In rural areas, the promotion of appropriate PA programs is essential to improve overall health, while urban areas should emphasize mental health strategies, social engagement, and support network development. Full article

This study evaluates the current state of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Mexico, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines quantitative analysis of charging station distribution with qualitative insights from government officials, expert reports, and industry sources. Mexico’s EV infrastructure has grown significantly, increasing from 100 charging stations in 2015 to over 3300 public points by 2023, along with nearly 28,000 residential installations. Despite this progress, rural areas remain underserved, and challenges such as high installation costs, lack of incentives, inconsistent policies, and technological integration issues hinder further growth. Comparisons with countries like Chile and Brazil show the importance of government incentives, public–private partnerships, and standardised charging technologies to address these barriers. While government programs and private investments have driven Mexico’s infrastructure development, continued growth requires expanding coverage in underserved regions, aligning regulatory frameworks, and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. Learning from the experiences of other countries, Mexico has the potential to accelerate the growth of its EV infrastructure through enhanced incentives, improved policies, and standardised technologies, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable mobility. Full article

Background/Objectives: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has restricted access to healthcare, increasing the risk of poor disease control among patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). This study aimed to compare adherence to inhalers in patients with COPD before and during the COVID-19 lockdown and determine the characteristics of patients who were adherent to inhaler medications. Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of patients with severe COPD aged 40 or older using South Korea’s National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database, which documents all healthcare utilization covered for insured individuals. Medication adherence, measured by the proportion of days covered (PDC), was compared before and during the COVID-19 lockdown using a paired t-test. A multivariable logistic regression model was conducted to identify the characteristics of the adherent patients (socio-demographic, including age, sex, income level, insurance type, and residential area), health-conditions (disease severity, underlying diseases, and disability), and pharmacotherapy characteristics (prescriber practice setting, polypharmacy, medication treatment duration, and inhaler type). Result: A total of 15,971 COPD patients were identified (79.2% men). During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, there was a significant decrease in medication adherence to COPD inhalers compared to 2019 (49.8% in 2020 vs. 56.3% in 2019, respectively; p < 0.001). Moreover, the proportion of those adherent (≥80%) during the COVID-19 lockdown decreased (22.0% → 18.0%). Patients who remained adherent to inhaler therapy during the COVID-19 lockdown were typically aged in their 60s, beneficiaries of Medical Aid, residents of rural areas, clinic users, and patients without cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: Patients with COPD encountered significant challenges in accessing inhalers during the COVID-19 lockdown. Healthcare authorities should develop targeted strategies to ensure continued medication access for patients at increased risk of poor medication adherence, particularly during periods of restricted healthcare access, such as public health emergencies or pandemic lockdowns. Full article

This study initially examined the thermal comfort of rural residents in southern Jiangsu, analyzing their tolerance levels and expected temperature ranges during winter and summer. Subsequently, Design Builder 7.02.004 software was utilized to simulate the energy consumption of typical residential buildings. Furthermore, an orthogonal test method was employed to investigate the significant relationships among seven factors influencing building energy consumption in both winter and summer. These factors include external wall heat transfer coefficient, roof heat transfer coefficient, external window heat transfer coefficient, external window solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), window-to-wall-area ratio, air tightness, and building orientation. Finally, based on the findings from the thermal comfort study, recommended passive design parameters for near-zero-energy residential buildings in southern Jiangsu were proposed. This provides valuable references for the future construction efforts of such buildings within this region. Full article

Urban green spaces face increasing pressure to reconcile ecological conservation with rising public demand as urbanization accelerates. Yet the spatial coupling of human needs and natural provisioning in the urban–rural fringe remains insufficiently understood. Focusing on the country park cluster in Beijing’s Huitian region, this study develops an integrated assessment framework—combining ecological importance, ecological connectivity potential, construction suitability, and recreational demand—to evaluate nature suitability and pinpoint spatial mismatches in human–nature interactions. Ecological importance is quantified through ecological sensitivity analysis and InVEST-based habitat-quality modeling, while ecological connectivity potential is estimated via normalized least-cost corridor analysis. Construction suitability is derived from the proportion of artificial surfaces and road network density, and recreational demand is measured by population concentration, facility density, and transport accessibility. These metrics are synthesized to map nature-suitability patterns and reveal divergences between human demand and ecological provisioning. The results show a pronounced north–south gradient in ecological importance, with Dongxiaokou Ditch and Dongxiaokou Forest Park emerging as ecological hotspots. Nineteen ecological source patches are identified, with the strongest connectivity in the southern sector of Dongxiaokou Forest Park. Areas of high construction suitability coincide with well-developed infrastructure, whereas recreational demand clusters around Tiantongyuan and Beiqing Road. Natural and artificial elements intertwine to form an ecological core of 870.74 hm², yet 13.29% of the study area exhibits mismatches—particularly residential zones lacking green-space access. Over-development within Dongxiaokou Urban Recreation Park likewise falls short of ecological expectations. The study offers targeted recommendations—ecological protection, facility optimization, green-space enhancement, and the integration of multifunctional green infrastructure—and provides a transferable framework for coordinating human and natural systems in other urban–rural fringe contexts. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health threat, with antibiotic misuse in pediatric populations being a significant contributing factor. In Romania, antibiotic consumption and resistance rates are among the highest in Europe. Objective: To assess Romanian parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic use in children, and to identify key misconceptions and behavioral risks contributing to inappropriate antibiotic use. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 parents of hospitalized children in a pediatric department in Romania. Participants completed a 15 item structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression to examine associations and control for potential confounding effects between education level, residential environment, and parental misconceptions regarding antibiotic use. Results: Among the 400 surveyed caregivers, 86% (n = 344) held at least one misconception regarding antibiotic use. Additionally, 42.5% (n = 170) of participants reported that they had never heard of the concept of antibiotic resistance. Misconceptions were significantly more prevalent among individuals with lower levels of education and those residing in rural areas (p < 0.001). While 89.8% (n = 359) stated that they had never administered antibiotics to their children without a physician’s recommendation, a separate subset of 28% (n = 112) acknowledged that they had asked a doctor to prescribe antibiotics for their child. Moreover, 23.3% (n = 93) reported seeking a second medical opinion when antibiotics were not initially prescribed. Conclusions: Despite high adherence to medical advice, widespread misconceptions persist. These findings highlight the need for targeted, population-specific educational interventions to promote rational antibiotic use and address AMR in high-burden settings like Romania. Full article

The aim of this article is twofold: to identify physical rural characteristics that persist after villages undergo urbanization, and to propose an appropriate planning “language” for preserving them. The article contributes to the literature, as current studies addressing rural preservation focus on the early stages of urbanization and on several physical preservation recommendations, most of which emphasize residential buildings alone. The article addresses the case study of Jewish villages established in pre-statehood Palestine. These comprise dozens of settlements planned based on European models and built from the late nineteenth century until World War I. Most underwent urbanization and evolved into towns or large cities. The study identifies rural characteristics that have endured and explores how they can be preserved through contemporary planning. The findings reveal that in all major cities examined, large open areas have been preserved within the former farmyards located behind the pioneers’ residential buildings. The article argues that beyond the preservation of original structures, historical trees, and gardens, particular importance should be placed on preserving these former farmyards as intra-urban open spaces. Maintaining sightlines from the streets toward these areas and enabling movement into them will help retain the rural features of the former villages. Full article

As China’s urbanisation continues, the building area is expanding, of which the occupancy of rural residential buildings is also very large. However, most rural dwellings lack insulating structures and have poor thermal performance. This paper verifies and analyses the energy-saving potential of green façades for rural houses in northern China through comparative experiments as well as software simulations. The experiments were conducted from July to August 2024 to verify the reliability of the software simulations. And the simulation was carried out on an existing house in rural northern China. The experimental results show that the reference room consumes 1.84 times more electricity than the vertical greenery room, and the vertical greenery achieves a good energy saving of 45.75%. According to the simulated data, the building energy efficiency of rural houses in northern China after green façade retrofitting is obvious, the energy-saving rate reaches 14.94%, and 713.32 KWh of electricity can be saved in the whole cooling period. Full article

Pesticide exposure poses a significant health risk, with emerging evidence suggesting its impact on auditory function. This study investigated the effects of pesticide exposure on hearing in young rural residents living near agricultural areas in Chile’s O’Higgins Region. We evaluated 51 participants (31 exposed, 20 unexposed) aged 18–35 years, using comprehensive audiological assessments including high-frequency audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), and auditory brainstem responses (ABR). Participants were classified based on residential proximity to agricultural areas, with exposed individuals living around 400 m or less from monoculture fields. Results revealed significant differences in high-frequency hearing thresholds (14 and 16 kHz) in exposed individuals. The exposed group showed a higher number of absent DPOAEs and reduced ABR wave V amplitude in the right ear compared to the unexposed group. Additionally, the wave V/I ratio was significantly lower in exposed individuals. These findings suggest that pesticide exposure, even without direct occupational contact, may induce measurable changes in auditory function, particularly affecting high-frequency hearing and neural responses. These results emphasize the need for enhanced monitoring and protective measures for populations residing near agricultural areas where pesticides are extensively used. Full article