Search Results (3,538)

Urban–rural fringes within contaminated regions frequently exhibit severe socio-environmental fragmentation and territorial stigmatization. This study evaluates the implementation of a Successional Agroforestry System (SAFS) in the “Land of Fires” (Southern Italy), which is conceptualized as a multifunctional socio-ecological infrastructure. Adopting a six-year longitudinal case study design (2019–2025), the research utilizes the Gioia methodology to triangulate retrospective field records and systematic monitoring with iterative qualitative narratives. Semi-quantitative and retrospective ecological evaluations indicate that the established multi-layered vertical stratification improved proxy indicators of structural complexity and soil functionality. Estimated soil surface coverage increased from 5.0 ± 1.2% to 85.0 ± 4.3%, while proxy vegetation density rose from 4.8 ± 1.2 to 36.4 ± 4.7 plants/m² (p < 0.001). Beyond these biophysical trends, the intervention catalyzed a “narrative inversion,” transitioning the site from a stigmatized wasteland to a socio-ecological hub that fostered a significant increase in community engagement (from 6.2 ± 1.4 to 34.8 ± 6.5 participants per event). By integrating agroecological practices with the EcoFoodFertility framework, the project highlights the potential of localized interventions to support primary environmental prevention strategies aligned with a One Health paradigm. The findings suggest that this SAFS represents a scalable model for territorial re-signification, offering transferable insights for aligning ecological restoration with social innovation in degraded peri-urban landscapes in accordance with Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) and European Green Deal objectives. Full article

Contemporary post-war cities increasingly require adaptive urban systems capable of addressing climate vulnerability, infrastructural instability, environmental degradation, and human well-being simultaneously. This study develops an interdisciplinary framework for adaptive biophilic infrastructure and resource governance within the context of sustainable post-war reconstruction in Ukraine. The research combines literature analysis, comparative urban assessment, and experimental evaluation of eco-modified construction materials. Particular attention is given to vertical greening systems, adaptive underground infrastructure, daylight-integrated public environments, multifunctional urban systems, and environmentally responsive concrete composites incorporating porous minerals and plant-based biomass. Comparative examples from Montreal, New York, Seoul, and Singapore are examined alongside differentiated Ukrainian urban contexts, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Kherson, Lviv, and Uzhhorod. The findings demonstrate that adaptive biophilic infrastructure may improve urban microclimates, strengthen thermal and acoustic regulation, enhance infrastructural adaptability, and support psycho-emotional comfort within dense and post-conflict urban environments. The study further indicates that underground and layered urban systems increasingly function as multifunctional socio-ecological infrastructures integrating mobility continuity, environmental regulation, public accessibility, emergency protection, and human-centered spatial resilience. The experimental assessment demonstrates that eco-modified materials contribute to moisture stabilization, thermal buffering, acoustic moderation, and passive environmental regulation within adaptive urban systems. The incorporation of porous mineral additives and plant biomass improved the environmental responsiveness of the investigated composites while supporting more resource-efficient construction approaches. The study concludes that sustainable post-war reconstruction requires a transition from fragmented technological interventions toward integrated socio-ecological urban frameworks capable of combining environmental regulation, infrastructural resilience, resource efficiency, adaptive governance, and human-centered spatial design within long-term urban sustainability strategies. Full article

This study examines the retail food environment surrounding public schools in Michigan using a multiscale, multidimensional framework. A cross-sectional spatial analysis integrates relative healthfulness (modified Retail Food Environment Index, mRFEI), availability (outlet counts), and accessibility (network-based walking time) across school districts, census tracts, block groups, and school-centered buffers. The analysis includes 3530 public schools, 7680 fast food restaurants, and 2065 convenience stores. Results show pronounced spatial heterogeneity and clustering of unhealthful outlets (Nearest Neighbor Index = 0.284, p < 0.001), with many located near schools. Approximately 34% of schools are within a 10 min walk of a fast food restaurant, increasing to 65% within a 20 min walk. Urban schools face significantly greater exposure—2.27–2.80 times more fast food outlets and shorter walking times than rural schools (p ≤ 0.002)—with consistent gradients across city, suburban, town, and rural contexts. Overall, school neighborhood food environments are highly structured, obesogenic, and inequitable. By integrating multiple spatial scales and complementary measures of food environments, this study advances food environment research and provides policy-relevant evidence for targeted, place-based interventions to improve access to healthier food around schools. Full article

The purpose of this study is to examine positive and negative emotions about climate change reported by youth living in northern California and explore how these emotions are linked to climate anxiety, activism, and other measures of well-being. We surveyed ethnically diverse first- and second-year students (N = 521, mean age = 19) at a Jesuit, urban university in California in Fall 2022. Survey measures assessed climate-related emotions, eco-anxiety, and eco-impairment, along with activism, optimism, and compassion. Bivariate and multivariate models examined positive and negative eco-emotions, controlling for race, gender, and income. Overall, climate anxiety was linked to greater activism and confidence that actions matter. However, experiencing positive climate-related emotions had a stronger relationship to activism and optimism for the present and future, compared to negative emotions which were linked to higher eco-anxiety and greater compassion for others. Climate education and communication should consider inducing and reinforcing positive emotions to encourage youth activism, especially since negative emotions in response to climate change are linked to worse mental health. More research on a range of climate emotions is needed, and future interventions should test how to induce hope without minimizing the seriousness of climate change to support confidence and youth action. Full article

Background: Physical activity is a key modifiable factor influencing healthy aging, yet data on activity patterns and their physiological correlates in older adults from Central Asia remain limited. Understanding these relationships is essential for informing region-specific health promotion strategies. Objectives: This study assessed physical activity levels among urban-dwelling older adults in Astana, Kazakhstan, and examined associations between activity level, body composition, visceral fat accumulation, metabolic indicators, and muscle strength. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 608 adults aged ≥60 years (median age: 68 years; 82.1% women). Physical activity was measured using the validated Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Anthropometric and body composition indicators, including BMI, total and visceral fat, skeletal muscle mass, and handgrip strength, were evaluated. Spearman correlation and linear regression analyses were applied. The analyses were exploratory and did not include adjustment for potential confounders such as sex, chronic disease burden, or socioeconomic status; therefore, the observed associations should be interpreted with caution. Results: The median PASE score was 55.55, with 61.8% of participants demonstrating moderate activity levels, primarily through walking and household tasks. In analyses without adjustment for potential confounding factors, PASE scores showed weak inverse associations with visceral fat (ρ = −0.214; p < 0.001) and waist-to-hip ratio (ρ = −0.154; p < 0.001), as well as weak positive associations with handgrip strength. Across the reported significant associations, correlation coefficients ranged from |ρ| = 0.103 to 0.235, and the explanatory capacity of the regression models was low, with R² values ranging from 0.6% to 8.2%. Conclusions: Higher habitual physical activity may be linked to selected bioelectrical impedance parameters, WHR, and handgrip strength among urban older adults. Given the cross-sectional design, causal interpretation should be approached with caution. These findings provide meaningful regional baseline evidence for future longitudinal and intervention studies on physical activity and healthy aging in Central Asia. Full article

Leftover spaces, often associated with neglected urban corners, bear physical and conceptual similarities to ignored parts of designed wholes. This study proposes an analytical approach to develop resilient intervention strategies by analyzing the production of leftover spaces through users’ emotional experiences. An experimental pilot study was conducted along Söğütlüçeşme Street in Kadıköy, Istanbul, where all corner points were typologically classified based on morphological characteristics. To measure the impact of these configurations on spatial emotional characters, a survey was implemented using Plutchik’s wheel of emotions. Following a quantitative analysis of emotion frequencies and intensities, findings were visualized via radar charts and spatialized using QGIS 3.40 to generate an emotional map. The resulting emotional maps were further used to identify spatial vulnerabilities and resilience priorities across the study area. By making the gaps between point-based emotional clusters continuous through the IDW interpolation method, the emotional topography of the study area was modeled, thereby presenting an analytical framework that identifies emotional thresholds, spatial vulnerabilities, and resilience priorities. Results indicate that as the physical boundaries of corner voids expand, influenced by angling and massing decisions, public diversity increases, creating a positive emotional atmosphere. Conversely, compressed voids demonstrate a higher potential for producing leftover spaces. This study reveals that mapping user emotions as a data layer is critical for constructing more inclusive and resilient urban environments. Full article

Suburban areas increasingly shape contemporary urbanisation, yet public-space dynamics in these environments are weakly represented by conventional urban indicators. This study examines suburban public-space use as a behavioural dimension of urban metabolism, understood here as the observable patterns of human movement, activity, and co-presence occurring within suburban public spaces. It addresses the limited ability of density- or infrastructure-based measures to capture everyday spatial practices in dispersed, car-oriented settings. While urban metabolism research has expanded beyond material and energy flows, empirical evidence linking configurational accessibility with directly observed public-space behaviour in suburban contexts remains limited. To address this gap, we integrate district-scale space syntax analysis with site-scale UAV-based observation across five public spaces in and around Gdańsk, Poland. Based on a dataset comprising 30 standard observation sessions conducted in September and October 2024, spatial syntax indicators (integration and choice) were used to characterise configurational accessibility and support location selection, while UAV monitoring captured traffic intensity, stationary presence, diversity of activities, and temporal rhythms of use. The results reveal distinct behavioural metabolic profiles shaped by interactions between spatial configuration, functional programming, and temporal dynamics. These profiles vary depending on the function of public spaces and dominant modes of movement (pedestrian or vehicular). The study demonstrates that suburban urban metabolism cannot be interpreted through configurational accessibility or residential density alone. By linking space syntax measures with a repeatable UAV observation protocol, the proposed framework supports comparative assessment of suburban public-space performance and informs planning interventions aimed at suburban transformation and improved accessibility. Full article

Urban historic districts often present archaeological sites and historic buildings in a fragmented way, posing significant challenges for public understanding and enhancing heritage value. Solely physical conservation fails to fully communicate their cultural significance, while excessive commercialization often results in the erosion of cultural authenticity and the displacement of local communities. Drawing from cultural capital theory in sociology and cultural economics, this study redefines historical districts as sustainable urban cultural capital, comprising habituated, objectified, and institutionalized components. A Value Chain Model of Cultural Capital (VCMCC) is developed, consisting of three stages: cultural resource excavation, cultural asset cultivation, and cultural capital management. This model aims to empower heritage adaptive reuse and foster synergy between cultural heritage and economic development. Utilizing an embedded single-case design with longitudinal ethnography, the research focuses on the Western Han Archaeological Sites Historical District (WHAS HD) in Hanzhong, China. It involves multiple rounds of mixed-data collection from 2023 to 2025, on which design-based research is performed. This study operationalizes VCMCC through a series of spatially and socially grounded strategies. In the cultural resource excavation stage, superior resources are identified through a systematic review of historical archives, archaeological reports, and local gazetteers, along with surveys of architectural remains and spatial mapping. In the cultural asset cultivation stage, these resources are transformed into experiential and communicable cultural assets via a “one courtyard, one strategy” approach for activating courtyard functions, developing dual-theme heritage routes, and deploying digital interpretation tools. In the cultural capital management stage, a multi-stakeholder community committee is established, and binding institutional safeguards are integrated to ensure sustainable heritage adaptive reuse. Concurrently, a baseline indicator system covering three dimensions, cultural, social, and economic benefits, is developed to provide benchmarks for future post-intervention benefit evaluation and verification. The proposed and implemented VCMCC model translates cultural capital theory from an abstract explanatory framework into an actionable pathway for heritage adaptive reuse, offering theoretical and methodological guidance for the adaptive reuse of similar small and medium-sized historic districts. Full article

Indian metropolitan cities such as Mumbai grapple with rapid urbanisation, extreme urban density, high built-up areas, loss of green cover, and shrinking open spaces, resulting in increased impermeable surfaces, urban heat island effects, and frequent flooding occurrences. Modern stormwater management has increasingly been characterised by integrated grey-green approaches; however, cities in the Global North benefit from established policies, technical expertise, and financial resources that enable the systematic and large-scale integration of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) through district-wide geospatial assessment frameworks, unlike many cities in the Global South. Despite growing interest in nature-based stormwater solutions, there remains a dearth of geospatial empirical research from India examining the placement, distribution, performance, and functionality of BGI integrated with existing stormwater management systems in cities such as Mumbai. Furthermore, hydrological modelling using tools such as the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) for the design, planning, and implementation of BGI in Indian cities remains largely unexplored. This study explores the role of BGI strategies in improving urban stormwater management within high-density Indian cities under a 25-year return period extreme rainfall scenario. Using an integrated approach that combines QGIS-based spatial analysis with EPA-SWMM hydrologic-hydraulic modelling, the research examines runoff behaviour, identifies flooding hotspots, and evaluates the effectiveness of Low Impact Development (LID)-based BGI measures such as permeable pavements, infiltration trenches, and green roofs applied at the ward level in Mumbai’s F/North and G/North Wards. Detailed land use classification, spatial mapping, and rainfall simulation corresponding specifically to a 25-year return period rainfall event was used to assess pre- and post-intervention conditions. The findings indicate that the applied BGI measures led to a 12.6% reduction in peak runoff (137.6 m³/s to 120.2 m³/s) and a 5.5% decrease in total runoff volume (783,510 m³ to 740,410 m³). More importantly, the peak flooding flow rate decreased by 45% (94.1 m³/s to 51.7 m³/s), demonstrating that BGI measures can efficiently reduce peak flooding flows by extending runoff hydrographs during extreme rainfall events. These findings are specifically applicable to the simulated 25-year return period extreme rainfall scenario and may vary under different rainfall intensities or return periods. Less extreme events could potentially experience even greater relative reductions or prevent flooding altogether, while also easing downstream hydraulic loads. Overall, strategically placed BGI interventions can significantly reduce surface runoff and peak flow, thereby enhancing stormwater resilience within spatially constrained urban environments. This study provides a replicable, data-driven framework for catchment-scale stormwater planning in dense Indian cities under extreme rainfall conditions, offering practical insights into methods, local contextual considerations, and spatial planning strategies for policymakers and urban planners seeking to retrofit and adapt existing infrastructure under increasing hydrologic stress and climate variability. Full article

The present contribution provides a systematic review of the international scientific literature on the relationship between contaminated sites and real estate market dynamics. The objective is to investigate whether and to what extent the presence of environmental risk sources—both active or decommissioned—affects the value of surrounding residential properties. In particular, the review is focused on an examination of the methods commonly used in relevant studies to measure, interpret, and represent this impact across different geographical contexts, identifying the main magnitude ranges found in the selected contributions. Several studies consistently confirm a statistically significant negative relationship between proximity to polluting sites and real estate values, although the relevance of this effect varies considerably across case studies. Other records highlight non-notable impacts or even positive effects following remediation and redevelopment interventions. The evidence suggests that this relationship is complex and influenced by factors such as site type, contamination severity, specificities of the local urban context and community perception. Moreover, the findings underscore regional variations in the extent and nature of price impacts, reflecting diverse regulatory frameworks and remediation efforts. The outcomes of the literature review provide a robust foundation for developing more effective evaluation tools able to support decision-making processes, enabling policymakers, planners, and investors to promote sustainable urban regeneration, improve environmental justice, and reduce spatial inequalities. Ultimately, this study highlights the critical need for integrating environmental, social, and economic dimensions to fully capture the multifaceted effects of contaminated sites on property markets, thereby orienting more informed and equitable urban development strategies worldwide. Full article

Plastic waste presents a significant environmental and public health concern in Malawi, where rapid urban growth, limited waste collection services, and informal disposal practices contribute to persistent plastic waste hotspots. In Lilongwe City, the waste collection rate has been reported ranges from 10% to 30%. This means that out of the 500 to 600 tons of municipal solid waste produced each day, only about 50 to 150 tons are collected daily. These hotspots occur in settings such as drains, markets, settlement edges, riverbanks, and lakeshore environments. They intensify health-relevant exposure pathways by encouraging stagnant water, increasing flood risk, facilitating open burning, and supporting the formation of plastisphere biofilms that can contain pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant organisms. This research synthesises evidence on the main sources of plastic waste in Malawi, the mechanisms of leakage across different environments, and the associated health implications. It uses a scoping approach aligned with PRISMA-ScR guidance and is informed by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded Sustainable Plastic Attitudes to benefit Communities and their Environments (SPACES project), which highlights the influence of behavioural, governance, and environmental factors on plastic pollution. A two phase, risk-based decision framework to support targeted management of plastic waste hotspots is described. Phase 1 focuses on rapid harm reduction through the identification and ranking of hotspots according to risk severity, spatial extent, and feasibility, guiding timely interventions such as drain clearance, waste capture, and temporary stabilisation. Phase 2 addresses longer term prevention by tackling upstream drivers through policy measures, improved services, reuse and reduction schemes, and community engagement. The framework has been developed using evidence from Malawi; however, its methodology could be applied to other low- and middle-income countries that experience similar constraints and exposure pathways. The framework offers a transparent and practical tool for decision makers seeking to allocate limited resources effectively while reducing environmental and health risks associated with plastic waste. Full article

Façades play a decisive role in shaping the visual and symbolic character of historic urban environments. Recent European funding schemes promoting energy-efficient retrofitting have accelerated interventions on building envelopes. Although aligned with decarbonization objectives, these processes are generating significant chromatic and material transformations that risk eroding the visual coherence and cultural sustainability of consolidated urban areas. In the historic Ensanches of San Sebastián, the replacement of traditional envelope systems with new cladding solutions is leading to the loss of the architectural style of some facades and altering their materials, textures, and colors. A progressive “contagion effect” has been identified, whereby dissonant chromatic schemes—often associated with the proliferation of so-called “zebra blocks”, residential buildings with façades clad in alternating black and white stripes that have proliferated in recent urban developments—are replicated across adjacent buildings, gradually weakening spatial continuity and the genius loci of the neighborhood. In response to this phenomenon, this research develops a systematic methodology to analyze, quantify, and anticipate chromatic transformation in consolidated urban fabrics. The study combines historical morphological analysis, classification of architectural periods, and chromatic mapping of recent façade interventions. Based on this framework, a CARI, Chromatic Alteration Risk Index is proposed to evaluate the potential impact of façade alterations on urban chromatic coherence. Drawing on an epidemiological framework, the methodology enables the identification of critical transformation clusters, the assessment of contagion dynamics, and the definition of regulatory thresholds for color and material interventions. By integrating perceptual criteria, urban morphology, and spatial distribution patterns, the study moves beyond descriptive diagnosis and offers a transferable tool for municipal planning. The proposed approach supports the proactive regulation of façade rehabilitation processes, balancing energy efficiency objectives with the preservation of collective memory, material identity, and urban sensory quality. This study proposes a quantitative model of “urban chromatic contagion” to assess how façade color interventions propagate within a neighborhood. We define the Chromatic Integration Percentage (CIP) and the Chromatic Alteration Risk Index (CARI) of the analyzed area. Results indicate that poorly regulated façades show higher chromatic dissonance (low CIP) and act as contagion hotspots, while a clear risk gradient emerges: highly protected buildings present lower risk, whereas mixed typologies and recent rehabilitations concentrate higher CARI values. The model supports preventive urban color management by identifying areas at risk before visible alteration. Full article

Understanding the impact of neighborhood-level factors on stroke prevalence is crucial for addressing existing disparities. However, there is a distinct lack of ecological studies at the census tract level that investigate the social determinants of health (SDOH) influencing stroke prevalence within the U.S. Health and Human Services Region 3 (HHS Region 3: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia). This study adopted a multivariate modeling approach to investigate the association between the 13 indicators of the Health Opportunity Index (HOI) and stroke prevalence at the census tract level in HHS Region 3 using four HOI indicator profiles and to highlight the specific SDOHs that are most associated with stroke prevalence. The four HOI indicator profiles include: (a) neighborhood and built environment profile, (b) social and community context profile, (c) resource profile, and (d) economic profile. The methodological approach was quantitative, using secondary data. The sample size was 8021 census tracts. The HOI was estimated for each census tract in the study area. Ordinary least squares regression (OLS) analysis and spatial lag model (SLM) were run to examine whether the 13 indicators of the HOI (categorized into four profiles) reliably predict stroke prevalence and to determine the most appropriate model that best identifies the strongest predictors of stroke prevalence. The results show that affordability, education, spatial segregation, and income inequality indicators were the strongest predictors of stroke prevalence in HHS Region 3. This granular research identifies the neighborhood-level SDOH most strongly linked to stroke prevalence, which can be leveraged to guide the development of targeted public health programs, quality improvement initiatives, resource allocation, and policy creation to combat stroke-related morbidity and mortality across census tracts in HHS Region 3. For example, the built environment, encompassing factors like employment access, affordable housing, and walkability, profoundly influences stroke prevalence and provides urban planners with practical insights for developing healthier, more equitable communities, such as creating neighborhood parks to encourage physical activity, a key factor in stroke prevention. This study also provides neighborhood organizations with the evidence needed to pursue grant funding and raise awareness about the socio-structural influences on stroke outcomes in their respective neighborhoods. Lastly, the insights generated from our study can facilitate collaborative decision-making processes with communities in HHS Region 3 regarding the prioritization of neighborhood-level SDOH for targeted public health interventions. This prioritization should focus on addressing predictors of stroke prevalence that are congruent with the community’s established priorities, thereby maximizing cost savings. Full article

The rapid expansion of urbanization in recent decades has intensified the urban heat island effect, driven by reduced vegetation cover, widespread use of heat-absorbing materials, and increases in surface and atmospheric temperature that may reach 5–6 °C. These conditions negatively impact well-being, quality of life, and human health. In response, numerous studies have examined mitigation strategies based on high-albedo materials and urban vegetation. This systematic review analyzes 225 peer-reviewed articles published between 2016 and 2025 addressing urban heat mitigation, surface thermal conditions, urban vegetation, outdoor thermal comfort and microclimate simulations. It provides a comprehensive synthesis, highlighting key findings and implications for future research. According to the Köppen–Geiger classification, most studies were conducted in humid subtropical and warm Mediterranean climates. The analysis focuses on urban canyon interventions, where vegetation is primarily modeled as shading trees (79.2%), along with other forms such as grass or shrubs (27.1%), mainly during the summer season. Results indicate that integrated mitigation strategies combining vegetation and high-albedo surfaces (≈0.8) generally provide greater cooling benefits than isolated interventions. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of the interaction between vegetation shading and surface properties for mitigating urban heat in outdoor spaces. Full article

As climate change intensifies, transitioning the construction sector away from fossil fuels is vital to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and localized urban pollution. This paper assesses the economic feasibility of electrifying construction machinery by developing an Annualized Cost of Ownership framework that incorporates mobile charging solutions, internalizes environmental and public health operational externalities (CO₂, PM_2.5, NO_x, and SO₂), and relies on Monte Carlo simulation with Cholesky decomposition to capture the interdependencies among cost drivers. We analyze twenty distinct models of excavators and wheel loaders—the two largest contributors to construction-machinery emissions—comprising functionally equivalent diesel and battery-electric variants. Our results show that several compact electric models are already cost-competitive even without internalizing environmental and public health operational externalities. When these are accounted for, the economic advantage of electric machinery increases, particularly in denser urban areas where local air pollution damages are severe. While projected battery cost reductions further lower electric ownership costs, the magnitude of this effect is modest. However, the weak penetration of electric construction equipment in the US underscores that targeted policy interventions—such as point-of-sale rebates, green procurement mandates, tax credits, charging infrastructure subsidies, or the creation of low-emission zones and noise ordinances that advantage electric construction machinery—are needed to accelerate market adoption. These measures are particularly critical in densely populated urban areas, where internalizing local air pollution and public health externalities significantly amplifies the economic value of zero-emission machinery. Full article