Search Results (377)

In many Latin American cities, rapid densification, shrinking public land reserves, and growing spatial, social and biophysical fragmentation have heightened the urban significance of large, private, closed open spaces (COSs). COS, marked by restricted access and social homogeneity, operate as capsular urban models that limit socio-environmental integration, urban continuity and resilience. Far from being mere enclaves, the reconfiguration of COS emerges as a critical response to contemporary urban challenges with the capacity to reshape urban structures by generating new social and spatial connectivities. This article examines the transformation of COSs in urban contexts, such as golf clubs, into accessible public landscapes as hybrid open spaces (HOSs), a topic that remains underexplored internationally. For that, this research proposes a design-oriented, multiscalar framework (city and zonal/local) that integrates open and closed spatial programs within the wider urban open space system. Considering urban, biophysical, and sociocultural dynamics, and drawing on the concepts of accessibility, connectivity, diversity, and flexibility, the study develops guidelines and design strategies for hybridising private and public recreational and environmental uses to strengthen urban integration. Using El Rodeo Gold Club in Medellín as a case study, the work contributes to landscape architecture by advancing the transformation of underutilised COS into inclusive, multifunctional HOS, positioning COS as a strategic asset for sustainable urban environments. The framework can be replicable in other similar contexts. Full article

With accelerating urbanization and climate change, outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) in high-intensity urban blocks presents a critical challenge. While existing studies have established the general correlation between morphology and microclimate, most remain descriptive and lack a systematic framework to quantitatively integrate the non-linear coupled effects between multi-dimensional morphological variables and green infrastructure. To address this, this study proposes an automated performance-based design (PBD) framework for urban morphology optimization in Shenzhen. Unlike traditional simulation-based analysis, this framework serves as a generative tool for urban renewal planning. It integrates a multi-dimensional design element system with a genetic algorithm (GA) workflow. Analysis across four urban typologies demonstrated that the Full Enclosure layout is the most effective strategy for mitigating thermal stress, achieving a final optimized UTCI of 37.15 °C. Crucially, this study reveals a non-linear synergistic mechanism: the high street aspect ratios (H/W) of enclosed forms act as a “radiation shelter”, which amplifies the cooling efficiency of green infrastructure (contributing an additional 1.79 °C reduction). This research establishes a significant, strong negative correlation between UTCI and the combined factors of building density and green shading coverage. The results provide quantifiable guidelines for retrofitting existing high-density districts, suggesting that maximizing structural shading is prioritized over ventilation in ultra-high-density, low-wind climates. 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

The thermal influence of Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) is not limited to periods of high temperature but persists throughout the year. The present study utilizes hourly data collected over a period of one year from a network of hygrothermal monitoring stations with a high density, which were deployed across the city of Cáceres (Spain). The network was designed in accordance with the World Meteorological Organization’s guidelines for urban measurements (employing radiation footprints and surface roughness) and ensures representation of each Local Climate Zone (LCZ), characterized by those factors (such as building typology and density, urban fabric, vegetation, and anthropogenic activity, among others) that influence potential solar radiation absorption. The magnitude of the heat island effect in this city has been determined to be approximately 7 °C in summer and winter at the first hours of the morning. In order to assess the energy impact of UHIs, Cooling and Heating Degree Days (CDD and HDD) were calculated for both summer and winter periods across the different LCZs. Following the implementation of rigorous quality control procedures and the utilization of gap-filling techniques, the analysis yielded discrepancies in energy demand of up to 10% between LCZs within the city. The significance of incorporating UHIs into the design of building envelopes and climate control systems is underscored by these findings, with the potential to enhance both energy efficiency and occupant thermal comfort. This methodology is particularly relevant for extrapolation to larger and denser urban environments, where the intensification of UHI effects exerts a direct impact on energy consumption and costs. The following essay will provide a comprehensive overview of the relevant literature on the subject. Full article

XR technologies enhance the sustainable development of urban areas by merging digital and physical worlds. In smart city contexts, XR has been applied in miscellaneous ways, from supporting urban planning and design through immersive visualization, to improving traffic and navigation services via real-time overlays, and to enhancing public safety and emergency response through simulation and situational support. However, the literature does not clearly categorize XR application domains in smart cities, interaction methods, and types of sensory feedback. This study presents an SLR reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We included 92 studies published between 2009 and 2024, proposing a classification of application domains, interaction modalities, and sensory feedback. We searched Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore using predefined search terms and eligibility criteria. This review offers a comprehensive overview of nearly 20 years of XR research in smart cities, highlighting established practices and guiding future application development and research directions. Full article

Traditional settlements exhibit remarkable climatic adaptability, representing a form of “Morphological Intelligence” developed over centuries. However, this inherent, physics-based wisdom remains underutilized in contemporary urban planning and design. This systematic review aims to decode such intelligence by analyzing the relationship between the morphological characteristics of traditional settlements and their thermal performance. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, literature retrieval and evaluation were conducted via the databases of Web of Science, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for articles published during 2004~2024. A total of 82 related articles with available full texts were selected from 1227 records for in-depth analysis, including peer-reviewed journal articles and reputable conference publications. This study first presents an overview of bibliometric and methodological landscapes, revealing that research is increasingly concentrated in Asia’s tropical and subtropical climates, predominantly employing case studies and computational simulations. Secondly, we synthesize a few key climate-adaptive morphological features across macro- (e.g., settlement layout), meso- (e.g., street canyon geometry), and microscales (e.g., courtyards). The findings illustrate a reliance on methods and metrics developed for modern urban contexts, which could not fully capture the specific morphological characteristics of traditional settlements. Most importantly, this study summarizes four core principles of “Morphological Intelligence” in traditional settlements, i.e., strategic solar control, facilitated natural ventilation, use of thermal mass, and integration of natural elements and creation of thermal buffer zones. By identifying the limitations of existing investigations, this study highlights a few directions for future studies, including conducting more systematic multi-scalar integrated analysis, focusing on the development of dedicated quantitative metrics and analytical frameworks, delving into more mechanism-oriented investigation, assessing morphological resilience under urbanization, and translating principles into contemporary design guidelines. This study provides a foundational framework for translating the “Morphological Intelligence” of traditional settlements into actionable, evidence-based strategies for resilient and energy-efficient urban planning and design amidst climate change. Full article

Background: Wildlife is increasingly recognized as an important component in the epidemiology of zoonotic pathogens. Salmonella spp., a leading cause of foodborne disease worldwide, can circulate across human, domestic animal, and environmental interfaces. European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), a synanthropic species frequently inhabiting urban and peri-urban areas, may act as reservoirs or sentinels for Salmonella. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, serotype distribution, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Salmonella spp. isolated from European hedgehogs admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centers in Italy. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 100 European hedgehogs housed in five wildlife rehabilitation centers located in four Italian regions. Salmonella spp. were isolated using standard bacteriological methods, serotyped according to the Kaufmann–White–Le Minor scheme, and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by broth microdilution for ampicillin, enrofloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were interpreted following CLSI guidelines. Results: Salmonella spp. was isolated from 30% of the animals sampled. Four serovars were identified, with S. Enteritidis (50%) and S. Typhimurium (36.7%) being the most prevalent, followed by S. Agona (10%) and S. Chester (3.3%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed a high level of susceptibility, with 90% of isolates sensitive to all tested antibiotics. One S. enteritidis strain showed resistance to enrofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim, while two isolates exhibited intermediate susceptibility to enrofloxacin. Conclusions: The detection of Salmonella serovars commonly associated with human infections in European hedgehogs highlights the potential role of this species in the ecology of zoonotic Salmonella. Although antimicrobial resistance levels were low, the presence of resistant and intermediate strains underscores the importance of continued surveillance. Despite some limitations related to the study design and sample representativeness, these results support the need for further large-scale investigations, reinforcing the need for integrated One Health surveillance strategies. Full article

Using Shanghai as a case study, this paper estimates multi-sector urban carbon emissions by integrating multi-source statistical data from 2000 to 2023 with IPCC guidelines. Via rolling-window time-series validation, XGBoost is the most reliable model. To better understand the underlying drivers, explainable machine-learning approaches, including SHAP and the Friedman H-statistic, are applied to examine the nonlinear effects and interactions of population scale, industrial energy efficiency, investment structure, and infrastructure. The results suggest that Shanghai’s emission pattern has gradually shifted from a scale-driven process toward one dominated by structural change and efficiency improvement. Building on an incremental framework, four scenarios, Business-as-Usual, Green Transition, High Investment, and Population Plateau, are designed to simulate emission trajectories from 2024 to 2060. The simulations reveal a two-stage pattern, with a period of rapid growth followed by high-level stabilisation and a weakening path-dependence effect. Population agglomeration, economic growth, and urbanisation remain the main contributors to emission increases, while industrial upgrading and efficiency gains provide sustained mitigation over time. Scenario comparisons further indicate that only the Green Transition pathway supports early peaking, a steady decline, and long-term low-level stabilisation. Overall, this study offers a data-efficient framework for analysing urban carbon-emission dynamics and informing medium- to long-term mitigation strategies in megacities. Full article

Understanding how green spaces foster sense of place is critical for sustainable urban planning and human well-being, yet no comprehensive synthesis has integrated findings across the fragmented literature spanning multiple disciplines. This systematic review analyzed 497 empirical studies examining green space-place attachment relationships, following PRISMA guidelines across three major databases through June 2025. Beyond documenting the field’s rapid growth—from 10 annual publications pre-2010 to over 50 by 2021—this review reveals critical patterns and gaps with implications for theory and practice. While the term ‘place attachment’ was most frequently used (45% of studies), the field employs diverse terminology often without clear definitional boundaries. Only 18% comprehensively addressed the Person-Process-Place tripartite model, with process dimensions particularly neglected. This theoretical incompleteness limits the understanding of how attachments form and evolve. Geographic analysis exposed severe disparities: 78% of studies originated from high-income countries, with Africa (2.4%) and South America (3.6%) critically underrepresented, raising questions about the applicability of current theories beyond Western contexts. Urban settings dominated (49.5%), potentially overlooking rural and indigenous perspectives essential for comprehensive understanding. Methodologically, studies demonstrated sophistication through strategic deployment of quantitative (60%), qualitative (15%), and mixed methods (25%). Key thematic areas, residence duration, restorative benefits, and pro-environmental behaviors, showed promise, yet environmental justice remained underexplored despite its critical importance. This synthesis advances the field by identifying specific pathways for progress: expanding geographic representation to develop culturally inclusive theories, employing longitudinal designs to capture attachment formation processes, developing validated cross-cultural measures, and centering environmental justice in green space planning. These findings provide essential guidance for creating equitable green spaces that foster meaningful human-nature connections across diverse global contexts. Full article

Against the backdrop of accelerating population aging, urban green spaces have become primary venues for elderly daily activities, with their winter thermal comfort emerging as a critical determinant of senior wellbeing. However, existing studies lack quantitative guidelines on how plant characteristics affect thermal comfort, limiting age-friendly design. Thirty representative landscape space sites (waterfront, square, dense forest, and sparse forest) in Beijing’s Zizhuyuan and Taoranting Parks were analyzed through microclimate measurements, 716 questionnaires, and scoring evaluations, supplemented by PET field data and ENVI-met simulations. A scoring system was developed based on tree density, plant traits (height, crown spread), and spatial features (canopy closure, structure, enclosure, and evergreen coverage). Key findings: (1) Sparse forests showed the best overall thermal comfort. Square building spaces were objectively comfortable but subjectively poor, while waterfront spaces showed the opposite. Dense forests performed worst in both aspects. (2) Wind speed and humidity were key drivers of both subjective and objective thermal comfort, and differences in plant configurations and landscape space types shaped how these factors were perceived. (3) Differentiated optimal scoring thresholds exist across the four landscape space types: waterfront (74 points), square building (52 points), sparse forest (61 points), and dense forest (88 points). (4) The landscape space design prioritizes sparse forest spaces, with moderate retention of waterfront and square areas and a reduction in dense forest zones. Optimization should proceed by first controlling enclosure and shading, then adjusting canopy closure and evergreen ratio, and finally refining tree traits to improve winter thermal comfort for the elderly. This study provides quantitative evidence and optimization strategies for improving both subjective and objective thermal comfort under diverse plant configurations. Full article

Current research on disaster-adaptive resilience predominantly focuses on urban systems, with insufficient attention paid to the unique scale of traditional settlements and their formation mechanisms and pathways to systemic realization remain significantly understudied. There is also a lack of multi-dimensional coupling analysis and innovative methods tailored to the specific contexts of rural areas. To address this, this study innovatively introduces ant colony bionic intelligence, drawing on its characteristics of swarm intelligence, positive feedback, path optimization, and dynamic adaptation to reframe emergency decision-making logic in human societies. An evaluation model for disaster-adaptive resilience is constructed based on these four dimensions as the criterion layer. The weights of dimensions and indicators are determined using a combined AHP–entropy weight method, enabling a comprehensive assessment of settlement resilience. Taking Fenghuang Ancient Town as an empirical case, the research utilizes methods such as field surveys, questionnaire surveys, and GIS data analysis. The results indicate that (1) the overall resilience evaluation score of Fenghuang Ancient Town is 3.408 (based on a 5-point scale); (2) the path optimization dimension contributes the most to the overall resilience, with road redundancy design (C21) being the core driving factor; within the positive feedback mechanism dimension, soil and water conservation projects (C15) provide the fundamental guarantee for village safety; (3) based on these findings, hierarchical planning strategies encompassing infrastructure reinforcement, community capacity enhancement, and ecological risk management are proposed. This study verifies the applicability of the evaluation model based on ant colony bionic intelligence in assessing the disaster resilience of traditional settlements, revealing a new paradigm of “bio-intelligence-driven” resilience planning. It successfully translates ant colony behavioral principles into actionable planning and design guidelines and governance tools, providing a replicable method for resilience evaluation and enhancement for traditional settlements in ecological barrier areas such as the Qinling Mountains. Full article

Across the Baltic Sea region, areas situated in climate-sensitive water zones are increasingly exposed to environmental and socio-economic challenges. Gdańsk, Poland, is a prominent example where the rising threat of climate-related hazards, particularly connected with flooding, coincides with growing demand for resilient and adaptive housing solutions. Located in the Vistula Delta, the city’s vulnerability is heightened by its low-lying terrain, polder-based land systems, and extensive waterfronts. These geographic conditions underscore the urgent need for flexible, climate-responsive design strategies that support long-term adaptation while safeguarding the urban fabric and the well-being of local communities. This study provides evidence-based guidance for adaptive housing solutions tailored to Gdańsk’s waterfronts. It draws on successful architectural and urban interventions across the Baltic Sea region, selected for their environmental, social, and cultural relevance, to inform development approaches that strengthen resilience and social cohesion. To achieve this, an exploratory case study methodology was employed, supported by desk research and qualitative content analysis of strategic planning documents, academic literature, and project reports. A structured five-step framework, comprising project identification, document selection, qualitative assessment, data extraction, and analysis, was applied to examine three adaptive housing projects: Hammarby Sjöstad (Stockholm), Kalasataman Huvilat (Helsinki), and Urban Rigger (Copenhagen). Findings indicate measurable differences across nine sustainability indicators (1–5 scale): Hammarby Sjöstad excels in environmental integration (5/5 in carbon reduction and renewable energy), Kalasataman Huvilat demonstrates strong modular and human-scaled adaptability (3–5/5 across social and housing flexibility), and Urban Rigger leads in climate adaptability and material efficiency (4–5/5). Key adaptive measures include flexible spatial design, integrated environmental management, and community engagement. The study concludes with practical recommendations for local planning guidelines. The guidelines developed through the Gdańsk case study show strong potential for broader application in cities facing similar challenges. Although rooted in Gdańsk’s specific conditions, the model’s principles are transferable and adaptable, making the framework relevant to water sensitivity, flexible housing, and inclusive, resilient urban strategies. It offers transversal value to both urban scholars and practitioners in planning, policy, and community development. Full article

Urban green spaces, as vital land use components, play a crucial role in promoting public mental health and well-being. This study investigates the differential restorative benefits and stress relief pathways in urban green spaces for populations with varying stress thresholds. This study employed a controlled experiment (pre-test–free activity–post-test) with 120 park users, integrating subjective scales (DASS-21, SRRS, etc.). We innovatively stratified participants by stress threshold to analyze recovery mechanisms. Key findings reveal: (1) Park visits were associated with significant restorative benefits across all stress groups (p < 0.05), yet the recovery patterns and potential pathways appear to be stress-threshold-dependent. (2) Our findings suggest distinct patterns: low-stress individuals benefit via cognitive-behavioral routes (environmental awareness, dynamic activities), while medium-high stress groups rely more on physiological regulation (environmental enclosure, static relaxation). (3) Crucially, these mechanisms suggest stratified landscape design strategies: multi-sensory interactive spaces for low-stress, static rest areas for medium-stress, and low-interference, high-enclosure meditative environments for high-stress individuals. However, given the single-group pre-post design, observed benefits should be interpreted as associations and plausible pathways rather than definitive causal effects. By introducing stress threshold stratification into restorative landscape research, this study provides actionable, evidence-based guidelines for optimizing urban green space planning and design. It offers a crucial scientific foundation for creating healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable urban environments that effectively address diverse mental health needs and contribute to public health promotion through sustainable land use practices. Full article

Rapid urban growth and the expansion of impervious surfaces have intensified environmental issues such as flooding, water pollution, and urban heat islands. Permeable pavements have emerged as a green infrastructure solution to mitigate these impacts and support the sustainable development of cities. The aim of this study was to conduct an integrative review on the state of the art of permeable pavements, with a focus on their technical and environmental contributions. The methodology followed the PRISMA guidelines, using the Scopus database to select the most cited articles across four thematic areas: Life Cycle Assessment; infiltration capacity and pollutant retention; mitigation of heat islands and flooding; and the impacts of climate and clogging. The results show that, despite the initial cost and production-related impacts, permeable pavements offer long-lasting benefits, including reduced surface runoff, pollutant filtration, and evaporative cooling. The main economic limitations identified were clogging, which decreases system efficiency, and the high implementation cost, highlighting the need for regular maintenance and innovations in materials. In summary, permeable pavements are an effective strategy for sustainable urban development, but their longevity depends on proper design and maintenance. Full article

Promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transport is a pressing priority in contemporary urban mobility planning. This study examines the infrastructure characteristics that most strongly influence bicycle use in dense metropolitan contexts. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining a systematic review of current design guidelines with a large-scale empirical analysis of Barcelona’s Bicing bike-sharing system. The dataset comprised more than 54 million recorded trips, enabling the identification of the most and least frequented routes and the subsequent assessment of their infrastructural attributes. The results indicate that network configuration, continuity, and adaptation to topographic conditions have the greatest influence on cycling uptake. By contrast, factors frequently emphasized in design recommendations, such as lane width, were not decisive, as several of the city’s most intensively used corridors did not conform to these standards. These findings suggest that the expansion of network coverage and the improvement of route connectivity are more effective strategies for increasing cycling adoption than isolated design optimizations. This study contributes evidence-based guidance for urban planners and policy-makers seeking to advance cycling as a principal component of sustainable urban mobility in Barcelona and other comparable urban environments. Full article