Search Results (28)

There has been substantial debate regarding the consequences of overtourism in cities. Scholars have also examined variables that are directly and indirectly related to tourism, including demography, urban rehabilitation and requalification, gentrification, speculation in the real estate market, the influence of digital booking platforms, and the expansion of short-term rental (STR) accommodation. This research seeks to develop a clearer spatial understanding of this last one. By analyzing their distribution, density (maximum occupancy), and clustering and by employing Geographic Information Systems (GIS), this article will propose methodologies to better visualize spatial patterns, providing different perspectives of the city of Lisbon and its most tourism-intensive parishes. The article finds that STRs in Lisbon have expanded rapidly, concentrating overwhelmingly in six historic parishes where STR supply and maximum occupancy now exceed resident populations and housing availability. GIS analysis reveals intense clustering in central neighborhoods—especially Alfama—indicating significant tourism pressure and signs of overtourism. These spatial patterns correlate with depopulation and rising housing costs. The study concludes that STR are now a decisive factor in urban imbalance and that detailed spatial analysis is essential for regulating tourism, defining carrying-capacity thresholds, and developing more sustainable, socially just urban planning policies. Full article

This article examines whether, and under what conditions, there is room for new mosques in Belgian cities by analyzing how media controversies around mosque projects are assembled. We study a corpus of press articles (2014–2024) using a two-step approach: First, keyword mapping identifies dominant discursive patterns across six themes (mobility, legality, size and visibility, social cohesion and integration, security and extremism, financing). Second, argument coding links lexical signals to public modes of judgment through actor–network theory (ANT) and controversy registers. Applied to five case studies across Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region, this framework offers comparative depth. The results show that identity and security controversies frequently outweigh strict urban planning controversies; neutral planning criteria (e.g., traffic congestion, permit compliance) are often recoded as symbolic markers of alterity. Regional contrasts provide nuance to this pattern: in Flanders, politicization through security/identity is salient; in Wallonia, debates emphasize size, form, and spatial integration; in Brussels-Capital, technico-legal compliance intertwines with aesthetic visibility. Media operate as boundary objects that hierarchize registers and amplify controversies. We conclude that mosques are treated less as ordinary urban infrastructure than as contested symbols of belonging and visibility. Moving toward negotiated pluralism requires institutional mechanisms that ensure transparency, equal treatment, local anchoring, and symbolic requalification. Full article

The critical and urgent issue of decarbonization by 2050 needs to include the existing historical built environment in the process of energy requalification. These buildings, subjected to heritage preservation, are extremely inadequate to the modern standards of energy efficiency and thermal comfort, and they exhibit the poorest energy performance. In this study, a review of the existing scientific literature on the matter of energy renovation processes applied to historic buildings is provided. The reviewed papers, selected from scientific databases, were initially categorized according to their reference scale—either individual buildings or urban contexts. Subsequently, the papers were grouped on the basis of the main energy efficiency levels they investigated. The goal is to offer a comprehensive overview of the materials, technologies and strategies currently in use, as well as future perspectives, to aid the ecological transition and foster sustainable development, all while preserving the artistic, cultural and architectural heritage of these buildings. Full article

The integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a growing reality in the building production sector. Through this integration, it is possible to improve the efficiency of management, maintenance, use and planning of conservation operations, providing an integrated and dynamic vision of the built environment. Simultaneous exchange of BIM-GIS elements in a shared environment facilitates information access and optimizes processes like requalification, activity planning, safety and sustainable urban design. Two alternative strategies are proposed for the multidisciplinary approach, using advanced technologies to acquire, process and manage detailed and georeferenced data. The first one is an open-source environment to guarantee flexibility, customization and accessibility. The second option, in a closed-source environment, provides advanced functionalities and dedicated support. Both require careful planning, detailed analysis and collaboration between the disciplines of architecture, engineering and geoinformatics. The study transcends theoretical analysis by exploring practical implications for real-world systems integration, examining their advantages, limitations and potential synergies in terms of flexibility, security and sustainability. This will enable a more efficient and comprehensive management of the architectural heritage and the built environment, contributing to its preservation and enhancement in the context of the digital transition in a future perspective of smart cities. Full article

Research on urban transport and mobility through everyday practices has generated new theoretical and methodological approaches to achieve more sustainable urban morphologies. This paper focuses on the characterization of the process of urban (re)qualification through the binomial of public space–public transport, based on the analysis of Trambesòs tramway in Barcelona, from 2004 to the present. This methodology consisted of an exploratory morphological analysis that identified patterns derived from punctual interventions, articulation axes, and saturation pieces in the urban fabric. The results revealed three main morphological patterns: the configuration of a particular character in each public space intervention associated with the tramway, the morphological improvement and dynamization of the urban fabric, and the transformation of the city’s image through the standardization of accessibility conditions, a key social sustainability indicator. In the discussion, the results are triangulated with the concepts of urban morphology and social processes and compared with quantitative studies, which can serve as a foundation for further in-depth research. In conclusion, the tramway has facilitated a transition from urban discontinuity and segregation to continuity and cohesion, highlighting the impact of the public space–public transport binomial on more sustainable urban morphologies. This contributes to how urban morphological analysis provides new approaches to understanding public transport as an extension of public space and support for urban habitability. Full article

The tension between rivers and cities reaches its highest expression in urban river basins. Given the high level of interaction between natural and cultural factors in many riverfronts, an integral project design is essential. The large number of urban river basin enhancement cases that have been conducted has resulted in a large amount of urban scientific literature. The multifaceted nature of these systems renders their analysis and contextualization a challenging endeavor. The objective of this research is to propose a novel evaluation tool based on a reformulation of Lynch’s theory of urban form performance, which has been updated from a landscape urbanism perspective. The conceptual framework provides a comprehensive method for translating diverse design strategies into comparable and meaningful categories. The results illustrate the impact of urban riverbank requalification initiatives on the formal quality dimensions of the city–river socio-ecological system. The assessment tool was applied to two cases: the Ebro River in Zaragoza (Spain) and the Isar River in Munich (Germany). Despite differences between the cases, comparative analysis revealed similar levels of urban landscape quality parameters and common elements that can provide new insights when considering the solutions applied and the degree of improvement in quality and river–city cohesion achieved with these projects. Full article

The design and performance of a shallow geothermal system is influenced by the geological and hydrogeological context, environmental conditions and thermal demand loads. In order to preserve the natural thermal resource, it is crucial to have a balance between the supply and the demand for the renewable energy. In this context, this article presents a case study where an innovative system is created for the storage of seasonal solar thermal energy underground, exploiting geotechnical micropiles technology. The new geoprobes system (energy micropile; EmP) consists of the installation of coaxial geothermal probes within existing micropiles realized for the seismic requalification of buildings. The underground geothermal system has been realized, starting from the basement of an existing holiday home Condominium, and was installed in dry subsoil, 20 m-deep below the parking floor. The building consists of 140 apartments, with a total area of 5553 m², and is located at an altitude of about 1490 m above sea level. Within the framework of a circular economy, energy saving and the use of renewable sources, the design of the geothermal system was based on geological, hydrogeological and thermophysical analytical studies, in situ measurements (e.g., Lefranc and Lugeon test during drilling; Rock Quality Designation index; thermal response tests; acquisition of temperature data along the borehole), numerical modelling and long-term simulations. Due to the strong energy imbalance of the demand from the building (heating only), and in order to optimize the underground annual balance, both solar thermal storage and geothermal heat extraction/injection to/from a field of 380 EmPs, with a relative distance varying from 1 to 2 m, were adopted. The integrated solution, resulting from this investigation, allowed us to overcome the standard barriers of similar geological settings, such as the lack of groundwater for shallow geothermal energy exploitation, the lack of space for borehole heat exchanger drilling, the waste of solar heat during the warm season, etc., and it can pave the way for similar renewable and low carbon emission hybrid applications as well as contribute to the creation of smart buildings/urban areas. Full article

In the last decades, historic European cities such as Lisbon have faced the challenge of aging dwellings, infrastructures, and a growing number of vacant buildings. These vacant spaces represent both a problem and an opportunity for the cities. While they detract from the city’s aesthetics and safety, they also offer a chance for renewal. Strategic reuse can address housing shortages, boost businesses, and revitalize neighborhoods. This study examines Lisbon’s efforts to revitalize vacant buildings from 2009 to 2022, with projections extending into the next five to ten years. Analyzing data on building use and reoccupation, the study reveals significant progress. A detailed survey of 1674 vacant buildings in 2009 shows many have been transformed. Then, through a GIS-based analysis, the immediate social and economic impacts of the requalification process are assessed, and two future development scenarios are evaluated. By 2022, 60% of these buildings (999) were reoccupied, expanding housing options and driving economic growth. Shops saw a 166% increase in occupancy, highlighting a thriving commercial sector. Additionally, 27% of the reoccupied buildings now hold tourism activities, including short-rental accommodation and hotels. Short- and long-term scenarios are proposed based on a comprehensive survey that captured the status, function, and preservation conditions of the vacant buildings within the city. These scenarios are planning tools for exploring potential future trajectories of urban development, allowing policymakers to anticipate issues, mitigate risks, and make informed decisions, shaping a more sustainable and resilient Lisbon. Full article

The increase in new infrastructure development has raised closer attention to the environmental noise of new expansion areas. This study investigates the urban evolution of Terracini Street’s surrounding area in the Navile district, Bologna, Italy. In the last 20 years, this area has undergone various transformations, from a suburban industrial area to a new university and residential one. First, the morphologic and infrastructural characteristics of the site are established. Then, the existing regulations (acoustic, urban, and infrastructural regulations, whether local or national) are evaluated. Next, the results of environmental noise measurements are presented. Since a heavily trafficked infrastructure is very close to the occupied public area, noise limits are severely exceeded. A noise mitigation design stage follows, focusing on a novel noise barrier design. Specifically, particular attention is paid to the visual and ecological impact of the noise barrier on the area’s landscape, which must be representative of the new location of the School of Engineering. The sonic crystal technique is exploited to implement an effective noise barrier (average insertion loss of 10 dB(A) in the 200 Hz–1 kHz range), allowing air ventilation and visual transparency. This case study could further evolve using other acoustic metamaterial techniques or in different application sites. Full article

Background: This paper proposes a risk analysis of transport requalification projects in the urban mobility problem caused by a mining disaster related to irregular rock salt extraction in the city of Maceió, Brazil. Methods: The model is composed of three main steps: problem definition, risk management, and decision analysis. For this purpose, we used the Picture Fuzzy-Delphi method for data collection and experts’ judgment elicitation and the Delphi method was used to assess the problem without interference from others. In addition, we used Picture Fuzzy Sets (PFSs) to incorporate uncertain information in the decision-making process. Results: The results of the proposed model demonstrated consistency and relevance to the discussion. The application of methods shows the risks of the project based on a general perspective. It evaluates the sustainability tripod: economic, environmental, and social points of view, assessing the occurrence risk and intensity of the risk. Conclusions: The main objective of the work was achieved; however, some limitations of this study are related to the methods used to assess risks and the options of projects of requalification available at the moment of data analysis. This paper contributes because it systematizes the risk management of projects related to requalification in urban mobility. Full article

Retaining their ancestral footprint, rural settlements anchored developments driven by suburbanisation and became small towns embedded in the generic metropolitan landscape in the late 20th century. In subsequent phases, they integrated the functional diversity necessary to maintain a certain autonomy, while always being rooted in a community whose bonds are densified. In the specific case of Queijas, in the municipality of Oeiras (Lisbon metropolitan area), apart from the recent identification of the historical nucleus and the maintenance of public spaces, one can infer from the Oeiras Municipal Master Plan (2022) the need for an integrated approach to urban design and planning, which is linked to the requalification of place and the community. That is how climate action, well-being and public space took priority as the leading factors in the present study. Full article

The proximity and accessibility of a green space to places of care have recognized beneficial effects on healing processes. In this communication, we present the results of a pilot research action which has been focused on a neglected urban green area located near to a university hospital. The research action was conducted with a participatory approach, which mainly involved university students, to make the renovation project more inclusive and to create an opportunity for training on green and sustainability themes. The specific aims were: (i) to initiate the renovation of a green space of 18,000 square meters with potential benefits for users of both the hospital and the University of Verona (north-eastern Italy); (ii) to map and classify the greenery in the park; and (iii) to investigate the opinions and attitudes of the potential users of the green area. By performing digital identification and mapping, a detailed tree inventory of the green space was created. Results showed that five species accounted for more than 70% of the trees, with the majority being deciduous plants (59%) between 5 and 20 m tall (72.5%) and 20–200 cm in circumference (80.8%). Through interviews with the population, we highlighted a limited knowledge of the area but a consensus on the importance of the requalification. We highlight how the participatory methodology may represent a valuable tool for local policymakers to manage the city’s green spaces at various scales and implement greenery for the common well-being. Full article

The current dimension of informal settlements in Maputo requires the definition of action models framed by empirical evidence, taking advantage of pre-existing socio-spatial and environmental conditions to define physical interventions through sustainable urban design strategies, with a view to their physical (and socio-economic) upgrading. Thus, this paper highlights the potential of urban design in the environmentally sustainable upgrading of Maputo’s informal neighbourhoods. This article aimed to develop sustainable and resilient urban design proposals and identify strategies capable of guiding the future process of physical territorial transformation towards a more sustainable model. Methodologically, a literature review was undertaken for the purpose of understanding the issues related to the theme and the general characteristics of informal neighbourhoods, as well as for exploring a case study: the George Dimitrov Neighbourhood. It was concluded that the current fabric of informal settlements possesses physical characteristics which facilitate the application of sustainable and responsive urban design strategies for the requalification of these deprived areas. Despite the marked difference between the spatial configurations of informal neighbourhoods and those of formal cities, it is possible to increase the level of resilience and sustainability of informal settlements through surgical and deep solutions, anchored on the particularities of the existing fabric. Full article

Through the requalification of buildings, the improvement of public spaces and the reorganization of motorized and pedestrian circulation, success is achieved, and thus the trend of decay of the urban fabric is reversed, transforming and returning urban centers to the people. The Strategic Plan for Urban Rehabilitation of Machico is an important document for the sustainable development of the city, which will contribute to social harmony and the improvement of the people’s quality of life, reducing the environmental impact of human mobility, boosting the economy, and creating conditions for the usufruct of the city of Machico in terms of mobility. The current article arises with the main objective of analyzing the Strategic Plan for Urban Rehabilitation of the Municipality (PERU) of Machico, which is an essential tool for the sustainable development of Machico. It is also important to emphasize the dimension of PERU in local economic development, from the perspective of the real estate market and in public investment. The results obtained showed that the Municipality of Machico faces some challenges in the implementation of sustainable urban development programs, due to the recent financial and economic crisis, which could limit the existing funding to fund sustainable urban development programs. It is from this plan, from the solutions determined for the rehabilitation of the public space in terms of security and mobility, based on the urban operations that are being developed, that it will be possible to offer the population a sustainable future. Full article

Waste-contaminated areas have been reused and requalified environmentally across the globe, aiming to reintegrate them into urban dynamics with new functions such as public parks. This practice has attracted the attention of public health and environmental control agencies due to the scarcity of free areas and vacant spaces for creation of green areas, and d the need for more sustainable planning guidelines in large cities. The present work aimed to study processes of requalification of waste-contaminated areas for transformation in parks, using as study two cases located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Method: Documentary research in environmental agencies, literature review and field visit. Results: In the two cases the process of requalification was unequal, with emphasis on three aspects: the actors involved in the case, the role of civil society and the action of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the State of São Paulo. Thus, it becomes evident that successful cases of waste-contaminated areas in the city of São Paulo are linked to the direct support of these aspects complemented with the private sector. Furthermore, a consensus is necessary among the public authorities regarding the laws of contaminated areas versus environmental damage full repair in the process of requalification. Full article