Search Results (77)

This study investigates indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring in a student dormitory located in northern Milan (Italy) using low-cost sensors. This research compares two monitoring periods in June and October 2024 to examine common PM_2.5 vertical patterns and differences at the building level, as well as their influence on the indoor spaces at the corresponding positions. In each period, around 30 sensors were installed at various heights and orientations across indoor and outdoor spots for 2 weeks to capture spatial variations around the building. Meanwhile, qualitative surveys on occupation presence, satisfaction, and well-being were distributed in selected rooms. The analysis of PM_2.5 data reveals that the building’s lower floors tended to have slightly higher outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations, while the upper floors generally had lower PM_2.5 indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios, with the top-floor rooms often below 1. High outdoor humidity reduced PM infiltration, but when outdoor PM fell below 20 µg/m³ in these two periods, indoor sources became dominant, especially on the lower floors. Air pressure I/O differences had minimal impact on PM_2.5 I/O ratios, though slightly positive indoor pressure might help prevent indoor PM infiltration. Lower ventilation in Period-2 possibly contributed to more reported symptoms, especially in rooms with higher PM from shared kitchens. While outdoor air quality affects IAQ, occupant behavior—especially window opening and ventilation management—remains crucial in minimizing indoor pollutants. Users can also manage exposure by ventilating at night based on comfort and avoiding periods of high outdoor PM. Full article

Ensuring a sustainable and healthy human environment in university dormitories is essential for students’ learning, living, and overall health and well-being. To address this need, we carried out a series of systematic field measurements of the noise levels at 30 dormitories in three representative major urban universities in a major provincial capital city in China and designed and implemented a comprehensive questionnaire and surveyed 1005 students about their perceptions of their acoustic environment. We proposed and applied a sustainability–health-oriented, multidimensional assessment framework to assess the acoustic environment of the dormitories and student responses to natural sound, technological sounds, and human-made sounds. Using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach combined with the field measurements and student surveys, we identified three categories and six factors on student health and well-being for assessing the acoustic environment of university dormitories. The field data indicated that noise levels at most of the measurement points exceeded the recommended or regulatory thresholds. Higher noise impacts were observed in early mornings and evenings, primarily due to traffic noise and indoor activities. Natural sounds (e.g., wind, birdsong, water flow) were highly valued by students for their positive effect on the students’ pleasantness and satisfaction. Conversely, human and technological sounds (traffic noise, construction noise, and indoor noise from student activities) were deemed highly disturbing. Gender differences were evident in the assessment of the acoustic environment, with male students generally reporting higher levels of the pleasantness and preference for natural sounds compared to female students. Educational backgrounds showed no significant influence on sound perceptions. The findings highlight the need for providing actionable guidelines for dormitory ecological design, such as integrating vertical greening in dormitory design, water features, and biodiversity planting to introduce natural soundscapes, in parallel with developing campus activity standards and lifestyle during noise-sensitive periods. The multidimensional assessment framework will drive a sustainable human–ecology–sound symbiosis in university dormitories, and the category and factor scales to be employed and actions to improve the level of student health and well-being, thus, providing a reference for both research and practice for sustainable cities and communities. Full article

In recent decades, university dormitories have gradually evolved from traditional residential spaces into educationally meaningful venues that support informal learning. However, limited research has explored how supportive environmental factors within dormitories influence students’ informal learning experiences. This study aims to evaluate key environmental factors that affect students’ satisfaction with informal learning in dormitory settings. Based on a comprehensive literature review, two types of informal learning behaviors—individual and collaborative—were defined, and a multi-dimensional evaluation framework comprising five categories and 26 environmental indicators was established. Field observations and structured questionnaires were employed to assess students’ satisfaction with each environmental factor and their overall informal learning experiences. Quantitative analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between environmental conditions and learning satisfaction. Results show that all five-factor categories—spatial designs, natural environments, physical settings, social aspects, and resources—positively influence informal learning, with resources being the most impactful. While environmental influences on individual and collaborative learning exhibit minor differences, the overall patterns are consistent. Compared to other informal learning spaces on campus, dormitory users place greater emphasis on spatial controllability. This study further demonstrates the cognitive and emotional value of dormitory environments and proposes targeted directions for optimizing them as informal learning spaces. Full article

As a densely populated area, college student dormitories consume a large amount of electricity every year to heat the domestic hot water used by students. Applying solar energy to hot water systems can effectively alleviate this situation. This paper first conducts a simulation of the hot water load and the calculation of the available area of the solar roof in a dormitory building of a certain university. Then, different solar-coupled air source heat pump systems were designed, and simulation models of the two systems were established. The thermal performance parameters and solar energy utilization of the two systems were discussed, and the energy efficiency, economy, and environmental protection of the two systems were analyzed. The results show that after coupling with the solar collector, the system operation time is shortened by 26.2%, the annual performance coefficient is 3.4, which is 0.8 higher than that of the original system, and the annual heating energy consumption is reduced by 24.4%. In contrast, the annual energy self-sufficiency rate of the photovoltaic coupled with air source heat pump system is 94.6%, achieving nearly zero energy consumption for heating. Full article

Limited research has characterized the occurrence of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in indoor microenvironment air. To address this gap, ten OPE congeners were measured in air samples collected from 46 homes, 12 offices, 6 student dormitories, and 60 private cars in Guangzhou, China. Among the four microenvironments, private vehicles exhibited the highest total OPE concentrations (ΣOPEs), with an average of 264.89 ng/m³—statistically significantly higher than the other three environments (p < 0.05). This finding underscores the need for increased attention to OPE environmental fate in vehicles and associated human exposure risks. Distinct compositional profiles of OPEs were observed across microenvironments. In homes, offices, and student dormitories, tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and tris(2-chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) dominated the OPE mixture, accounting for 56% and 34% of ΣOPEs, respectively. By contrast, private cars were characterized by elevated levels of TCPP (68% of ΣOPEs) and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCP, 12%), reflecting source-specific emission patterns related to automotive materials. Significant correlations existed in most of the OPEs in the private cars, indicating that there are many potential sources of OPEs in private cars, and one source may release multiple OPEs. Human inhalation exposure to OPEs was estimated based on measured air concentrations. Daily respiratory exposure doses ranged from 9.1 to 30.85 ng/kg/d across different populations, with all values falling below established thresholds for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. These results indicate that current indoor air OPE levels in the studied microenvironments do not pose significant health hazards via inhalation pathways under typical exposure scenarios. Full article

Focusing on the power consumption of a regional multi-energy system with the characteristics of energy congestion in students’ dormitory buildings in the hot summer and warm winter regions of southern China, a practical regional multi-energy system consisting of three subsystems, namely an integrated screw chiller (ISC), a screw ground-source heat pump (SGSHP), and an air-source heat pump (ASHP), was optimised by the operation control strategy. The system’s power consumption and cooling/heating load characteristics during operation were analysed, and changes in the terminal air-conditioning load were simulated. Based on the dynamic cooling and heating load of the building, a two-stage loading strategy was proposed for optimising the system operation. Taking the load demand matching requirement of the system output and the terminal load demand as constraints, a simulation model of the system was developed using TRNSYS 16 software, and the changes in power consumption and the cooling/heating capacity before and after optimisation were analysed. The results show that the optimised system reduced annual power consumption by approximately 19% and increased condensation heat recovery by about 2.3%. The optimised operation control strategy was aligned well with the terminal cooling and heating demands. Full article

Urban transportation systems are increasingly strained by population growth, changing mobility patterns, and the need for sustainable infrastructure planning. The accurate modeling of urban trip generation is critical for effective and sustainable transportation planning, especially in the context of rapidly growing urban populations and evolving travel behaviors. This study investigated the application of advanced statistical methods and artificial intelligence-based techniques for forecasting urban travel demand. Erzincan, with a population of approximately 200,000, serves as a representative mid-sized city, offering valuable insights for transportation planning and traffic management. Data collected from various user groups, including households and university students, provide a comprehensive understanding of local travel behavior. Four predictive modeling techniques, linear regression, Poisson regression, negative binomial regression, and artificial neural networks (ANNs), were applied to the dataset, followed by a comparative performance evaluation. Additionally, a macro-level simulation was conducted using VISUM (Release 18.2.22) software to evaluate the current transportation network and assess the potential impacts of proposed improvement scenarios. The results show that the ANN model provided the highest predictive accuracy for household-based data (R² = 0.62), while the linear regression model yielded the best results for dormitory-based data (R² = 0.95). Furthermore, Poisson regression proved most effective in estimating the minimum trip generation time, which was estimated to be 22.77 min under simulated conditions. The study offers practical insights for transport planners and policymakers by demonstrating how predictive analytics and simulation tools can be integrated to address urban mobility challenges. Full article

Optimizing the wind environment within university dormitory areas is essential for ensuring student safety, enhancing living comfort, and improving building energy efficiency. In this study, the wind environment of multi-story university dormitories in cold regions is comprehensively investigated through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations conducted with the PHONECIS software (version 2019), combined with orthogonal experimental design methods for systematic analysis and optimization. Through orthogonal experimental design, the effects of key morphological parameters—including building layout, length, width, and height—on the near-ground wind environment were evaluated. Among these, building width exerted the greatest influence, followed by building length, layout form, and finally building height. Based on the analysis, the optimal design scheme features a staggered building layout, with individual dormitory buildings measuring 60 m in length, 16 m in width, and 11.4 m in height. This optimized design was implemented in the multi-story dormitory area of the eastern section of Chang’an University’s New Campus. A comparative analysis of wind speed distribution before and after optimization, conducted specifically for the outdoor spaces during the winter season, revealed that the average near-ground wind speed was reduced from 3.3 m/s to 2.7 m/s, achieving an 18% reduction. The staggered arrangement and adjusted building proportions effectively dispersed airflow, mitigated high-velocity zones, and significantly enhanced outdoor wind comfort and pedestrian safety. This study introduces a morphology–wind environment coupling strategy from an architectural perspective to guide the design of dormitory buildings in cold regions. Rather than focusing on mathematical modeling, the research emphasizes design-oriented outcomes aimed at informing and optimizing practical architectural solutions for safer, more comfortable, and energy-efficient campus living environments. Full article

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly in generative technologies, have significantly redefined the design paradigm for community public cultural spaces, shifting from a traditionally designer-centric model to one that emphasizes multi-stakeholder co-creation. This paper focuses on the design of public cultural spaces at the community scale, proposing a generative dynamic workflow-based co-creation framework that integrates large language models (LLMs) with text-to-image technologies. The framework includes a natural dialogue-based needs-capturing module, a needs analysis module, and a needs expression text-to-image module. This study validates the proposed framework by developing a system prototype for renovating a public space in a student dormitory at Tongji University’s Jiading campus. The results show that the prototype demonstrates good usability and a relatively satisfactory capability in capturing user requirements. These findings indicate that this research helps address key limitations in traditional community design practices, such as limited resident participation, inefficient integration of diverse needs, and slow iteration processes. Full article

Wastewater surveillance has emerged as a cost-effective and equitable approach for tracking the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we monitored the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 on a university campus over three years (2021–2023) using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). Wastewater samples were collected from 11 manholes on campus, each draining wastewater from a corresponding dormitory building, and viral RNA concentrations were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Weekly clinical case data were also obtained from the university health center. A strong positive and significant correlation was observed between Grab and Composite sampling methods, supporting their robustness as equally effective approaches for sample collection. Specifically, a strong correlation was observed between Aggie Village 4 Grab and Aggie Village 4 Composite samples (R² = 0.84, p = 0.00) and between Barbee Grab and Barbee Composite samples (R² = 0.80, p = 0.00). Additionally, higher viral RNA copies of SARS-CoV-2 (N1 gene) were detected during the Spring semester compared to the Fall and Summer semesters. Notably, elevations in raw N1 concentrations were observed shortly after the return of college students to campus, suggesting that these increases were predominantly associated with students returning at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters (January and August). To account for variations in fecal loading, SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations were normalized using Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV), a widely used viral fecal biomarker. However, normalization using PMMoV did not improve correlations between SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels and clinical case data. Despite these findings, our study did not establish WBE as a consistently reliable complement to clinical testing in a university campus setting, contrary to many retrospective studies. One key limitation was that numerous off-campus students did not contribute to the campus wastewater system corresponding to the monitored dormitories. However, some off-campus students were still subjected to clinical testing at the university health center under mandated protocols. Moreover, the university health center discontinued reporting cases per dormitory after 2021, making direct comparisons more challenging. Nevertheless, this study highlights the continued value of WBE as a surveillance tool for monitoring infectious diseases and provides critical insights into its application in campus environments. Full article

This article analyzes the path towards achieving electric energy independence for dormitories. It examines electricity consumption in dormitories to determine the necessary volume for daily electrochemical energy storage systems, seasonal hydrogen storage system capacity, and photovoltaic (PV) system power. Electricity consumption data from dormitories between 2021 and 2024 were analyzed, showing hourly, daily, and monthly trends. The study developed a mathematical model of hourly electric energy usage and production in Matlab/Simulink to optimize the photovoltaic (PV) system, increase self-consumption potential, and enhance surplus energy storage. This enabled the selection of capacities for daily and seasonal storage, along with PV system power to meet dormitory energy needs, particularly in autumn and winter. The software accommodates monthly energy consumption profiles and PV system characteristics, allowing for the estimation of electric energy surplus after usage by inhabitants for hydrogen production and storage. The study offers a comprehensive framework for sustainable electric energy management in student housing. Full article

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in higher education institutions’ dormitories, without mechanical ventilation, is a significant concern for students’ health due to prolonged occupancy in cold regions. The present investigation assessed IAQ by measuring two dormitories’ CO₂, temperature, and relative humidity with the presence of one, two, three, and four occupants in the United Kingdom. Considering the possibility of natural ventilation by opening the windows in the summer, IAQ was monitored using two sensors located at 1 m and 2 m heights from the floor level of the dormitories in July. The tracer mass balance model showed close agreement with the monitored IAQ levels, with a direct relationship observed between occupant numbers and CO₂ build-up. CO₂ levels exceeded 1000 ppm within an hour during occupancy and closed ventilation, with air exchange rates between 0.12 and 0.2 h⁻¹, increasing to 1334, 1259, 1884, and 2064 ppm after 30 min with one, two, three, and four occupants, respectively. Desired IAQ standards (1000 ppm) were achieved in 13, 33, 80, and 86 min for one, two, three, and four occupants after starting natural ventilation by opening 20% of the windows. The analysis of variance affirmed the effect of occupancy on IAQ, while the impact of height (1 m and 2 m) on CO₂ levels was insignificant. This study underscores the need to effectively ventilate the partial opening of windows in dormitories to mitigate CO₂ build-up, ensuring the desired ambient environment within dormitory rooms during summers in cold regions. Full article

Background/Objectives: In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of a 12-week dance (Zumba) performance on the fear of happiness and life satisfaction perceptions of high school students studying at boarding school. Methods: The sample group of this study consisted of high school students staying in the school dormitory in the 2022–2023 academic year. A total of 82 students between the ages of 15 and 17, selected by the convenience sampling method, participated in the study, and 41 of the students were selected as the experimental group and 41 as the control group. The Fear of Happiness Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale were used in the study. The measurement tools were administered as a pre-test one week before the dance program started and as a post-test one week after the end of the program. Two-way ANOVA for mixed measures was applied to determine whether the fear of happiness and life satisfaction pre-test scores were statistically significantly different between the experimental and control groups and to compare the pre-test and post-test difference scores. Results: As a result of the research, it was concluded that the fear of happiness of the students who participated in the dance activity decreased, and their life satisfaction levels increased. These findings emphasize that dance can be an important resource that can increase the psychological well-being of young people. Conclusions: As a result, it can be said that the 12-week dance activity positively affected students’ fear of happiness and life satisfaction perceptions. Full article

University dormitories are vital spaces for students’ daily lives and informal learning, and require desks and chairs of utmost comfort. This study evaluates the desks and chairs at F University using Jack 8.01 software to optimize ergonomic design. By simulating three common sitting postures, this research identifies key issues, such as posture-related strain and limited reachability, particularly for female users. The optimized design introduces adjustable desk height (440~840 mm), chair height (250~520 mm), and tilt angle (0~60°), resulting in a 14.3% and 51.9% improvement in hip and knee joint comfort for the 5th percentile of female users, respectively, and effectively avoids the health risks caused by poor sitting posture. At the same time, based on the universal design concept, the design considerations for non-normative people are introduced. From the perspective of environmental sustainability, fewer wood-based panels used in the improved desk can reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint by approximately 135 kg CO₂ e. These enhancements highlight the critical role of digital human modeling (DHM) in developing ergonomic, “people-centered” furniture that promotes healthier and more effective learning environments, as well as the sustainable development of educational facilities. Future work will validate these findings in real-world settings and explore their applications across educational and professional spaces. Full article

This study explores the transportation behaviors of university students residing in dormitories in Kütahya, Türkiye, emphasizing their preferred modes for educational trips. Utilizing a Multinomial Logit model, the research analyzes the influence of socio-demographic factors, trip characteristics, and environmental perceptions on mode choice. The results indicate that public transport and walking are the predominant modes, with significant negative associations being observed between car ownership and the likelihood of choosing these sustainable options. Key findings reveal that, as trip distances increase, students are more likely to use public transport, while higher income levels decrease reliance on both public transport and walking. Male students demonstrate a higher preference for these modes compared to female students. Environmental perceptions, including feelings of safety and satisfaction with infrastructure, play a critical role in shaping transportation choices, highlighting the need for improved lighting, walkability, and public transport quality. These insights have important implications for transportation policy, suggesting that reducing private vehicle reliance and enhancing public transport services can significantly promote sustainable travel behaviors. Overall, the study underscores the importance of comprehensive transportation policies that not only enhance infrastructure and service quality but also consider environmental perceptions and safety to promote sustainable travel behaviors among university students. Full article