Search Results (1,266)

The dynamics of Land Use/Land Cover changes are crucial to environmental sustainability, socio-economic development, and spatial planning. These changes stem from complex interactions between human activities, natural processes, and policies. In recent decades, LULC transformations have been linked to global challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and resource degradation. Key drivers include urban sprawl, agricultural expansion and abandonment, and deforestation, emphasizing the need for effective frameworks to monitor and assess their impacts. This study investigates Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) changes in Tuscany (Italy) over the period from 2007 to 2019. To achieve this, statistical analyses were conducted to quantify variations in LULC across different classes and administrative territories represented by provincial local authorities. Specifically, data spanning five temporal intervals (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019) enabled a comprehensive comparative analysis of spatial persistence in LULC patterns. Changes were assessed using a statistical approach based on Odds Ratios (OR). Additionally, Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) at the provincial level were employed to facilitate one-to-many provincial comparisons and to evaluate the statistical significance of observed LULC changes. The analysis revealed that certain classes exhibit a greater susceptibility to changes compared to others. Specifically, the classes categorized under ’Artificial Surfaces’ (LC_100) were, on average, 6.7 times more likely to undergo changes than those classified as ’Agricultural Areas’ (LC_200) and 11 times more likely than those under ’Forest and Semi-natural Areas’ (LC_300). Over time, the areas classified as artificial territories have exhibited a progressively decreasing probability of change. Notably, during the first update period (2007–2010), these areas were 3.5 times more susceptible to change compared to the most recent update period (2016–2019). An additional significant finding emerged from the statistical comparison of LULC changes across administrative regions governed by different authorities (Provinces). These findings underscore the potential of using administrative indicators and morphological parameters to analyze LULC change trends. The proposed approach provides a robust framework for interpreting territorial resilience and informing spatial planning strategies effectively. Full article

As modern society increasingly emphasizes quality of life, historic districts face the challenge of balancing the preservation of traditional culture with the integration of urban development. Many historic districts today struggle with low vitality and limited visitor engagement. By adopting sustainable development strategies, such as promoting tourism, these districts have the potential to enhance economic vitality. This study explores the spatial morphological characteristics of the ShuiXiLin Historic District (SHD) in Fuzhou, using spatial syntax theory and tools within the framework of sustainable urban renewal. The study proposes three strategies for the district: (1) enhancing connectivity positively influences the public experience within the SHD; (2) strengthening the district’s primary axis amplifies its influence across the area; (3) implementing protective reuse of historical buildings and improving service facilities can significantly enhance the district’s vitality. Through theoretical analysis and a review of existing research, this study proposes revitalization strategies aimed at formulating sustainable development plans for the district. These recommendations are intended to offer valuable insights for urban renewal projects and provide theoretical support for planning decisions related to the vitality of historic districts. This research illustrates the effective use of spatial syntax in historic districts, offering a robust method to evaluate and enhance the spatial structure and vitality of heritage areas. It supports sustainable development by integrating preservation with modern needs, ensuring a balance between conservation and urban growth. Full article

The thermal environment of urban riverside open spaces is crucial for enhancing outdoor comfort and well-being, especially amid extreme heat events caused by global warming and Urban Heat Islands (UHIs). Although significant progress has been made in this area, existing research still has some limitations. This study employed a scenario-based numerical simulation approach to investigate the combined impacts of spatial morphology and wind direction on the thermal environment and thermal comfort (TETC) in riverside districts along the Huangpu River in Shanghai. Focusing on two prototypes—O and SO types—we identified key factors influencing TETC, including tree canopy coverage, vegetation layout, building density, and building height. The findings also reveal that dense canopies and thoughtful building layout significantly enhance daytime thermal comfort, while controlled building height and increased riverbank distance are effective strategies for nighttime comfort. This study highlights the importance of considering both landscape morphology and wind conditions in climate-adaptive planning and design for urban riverside areas. Full article

Urban noise is considered a growing problem in major cities around the world. This paper explores the development of a nanomembrane-based material for noise attenuation. The experimental results show that a combination of acoustic foam and nanomembranes can act as a Helmholtz resonator. The average sound absorption coefficient was around 90%, with peak frequencies varying from 2400 Hz to 4000 Hz. The average thickness of the nanomembranes was approximately 5.0 µm, while the acoustic foam was 13 mm thick. The mean noise reduction, around 10 dB, depends on the morphology of the nanomembranes, their thickness, and their pore size. Full article

This research examines the transformation of the Lake Pontchartrain coastal landscape, including the New Orleans shoreline. The paper addresses the critical need to understand long-term environmental change through a comprehensive geospatial analysis of historical cartographic representations. The study employs a methodology involving three key steps: (1) georeferencing maps using QGis v. 3.4.8., (2) vectorization using AutoCAD v. 2013, and (3) comparative spatial analysis to quantify coastal morphological changes. The quantitative results reveal significant coastal dynamics, with Lake Pontchartrain experiencing a total erosion balance of −36.42 km², although the New Orleans coastal zone has experienced land reclamation. This loss can be attributed to the synergistic interaction of natural (e.g., subsidence, sea level rise, hurricanes) and anthropogenic (e.g., urban development, infrastructure, ecological fragmentation) processes that have accelerated coastal erosion in the study area. The research provides a critical historical analysis of the evolution of coastal landscapes in response to anthropogenic influences. However, the methodology is constrained when it comes to addressing the socioeconomic impacts. Nevertheless, the study considered the profound environmental and societal consequences of historical governmental and social decisions, thereby underscoring the intricate interplay between natural processes and human intervention in coastal ecosystems. These findings contribute to a more profound comprehension of the processes of coastal landscape transformation, underscoring the dynamic and fragile nature of coastal environments. Full article

Rivers are recognized as major unilateral pathways of microplastic transport between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, yet our understanding of their dispersal patterns over space and through time as they migrate from source to sink is limited. In this study, surface water samples were collected monthly from 12 sites along an urban ephemeral river (Leon Creek) in San Antonio between June 2021 and May 2022 to characterize and evaluate the spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics. Microplastics were found in all sites throughout the monitoring timeframe. The mean abundance of microplastics varied from 3.21 to 26.8 items/L. Surface waters consistently contained microplastics during months of dysconnectivity, suggesting atmospheric deposition as a considerable contributive variable. Contrary to prior studies of perennial systems, ephemeral pools and reaches showed no correlation between MP concentration and season precipitation. Fibers were the most abundant (~87%) morphology followed by foams (7%). This study is the first to report microplastics in ephemeral streams, suggesting that different environmental variables may be responsible for microplastic dynamics in intermittent river and ephemeral stream systems and headwater tributaries of major rivers. As the global extent of IRES systems is projected to increase with continued climate change, understanding such systems’ influence on MP spatial distribution and fluvial transport regimes constitutes valuable information in assessing MP pathways and their fate as a part of the global “Plastisphere” geochemical cycle in the Anthropocene. Full article

Urban greenspace is an effective strategy to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. While its cooling effects are well-established, uncertainties remain regarding the combined impact of internal and external landscape patterns, particularly the role of morphological spatial patterns. Taking 40 urban greenspaces in Wuhan as the sample, this study quantified cooling effects from maximum and accumulative perspectives and investigated the impacts of internal and external landscape patterns. First, using land surface temperature (LST) data, four cooling indexes—greenspace cooling area (GCA), cooling efficiency (GCE), cooling intensity (GCI), and cooling gradient (GCG)—were quantified. Then, the relationships between these indexes and landscape patterns, including scale and landscape composition, morphological spatial pattern, and surrounding environmental characteristics, were investigated by correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression. The results showed that the cooling effects of greenspace varied across different perspectives. Both greenspace area and perimeter exerted non-linear impacts on cooling effects, and morphological spatial pattern significantly influenced cooling effects. Core proportion was positively correlated with cooling effects, with an optimal threshold of 55%, whereas bridge and branch proportions had negative impacts. External landscape patterns, particularly the proportion of impervious surfaces and building coverage, also affected cooling effects. Additionally, cluster analysis using Ward’s system clustering method revealed five cooling bundles, indicating that urban greenspaces with diverse cooling needs exhibited different cooling effects. This study offers valuable insights for optimizing urban greenspace design to enhance cooling effects and mitigate UHI. Full article

In three periods of 3.25 years each, and at the same six different heights of a basin geomorphology, measurements were made, in the form of a time series, of urban meteorological variables (MV) (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed magnitude) and pollutants (P) (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and CO). It is verified that each time series has a fractal dimension, and the value of its maximum Kolmogorov entropy is determined. These values generate two entropic surfaces according to measurement periods: one for urban meteorology and another for pollutants. The calculation of the gradient to each entropic surface multiplied by the average temperature of the period according to the measurement location gives, approximately, the average entropic force for each location. Combining these results with an analysis of the ratio between urban meteorological entropies and pollutant entropies, it is shown that in a basin morphology the entropic forces associated with pollutants are dominant, a source of heat, and there is a high probability that they produce extreme events. This condition also favors anomalous subdiffusion. Full article

With the intensification of global climate change and urbanization, extreme rainfall and urban flooding have become increasingly frequent, making the flood tolerance of garden plants a key issue in urban landscaping and ecology. Identifying research progress and development trends in the waterlogging tolerance of garden plants, as well as selecting waterlogging-tolerant species, is a core strategy for advancing urban ecological development. This study employed the Web of Science database to conduct a systematic search using subject, title, and keyword criteria. After excluding irrelevant studies through full-text reviews, 164 articles were selected. Using bibliometric analysis, the research systematically reviewed relevant literature published over the past 21 years on waterlogging tolerance in landscape plants, both domestically and internationally, analyzing research trends and hotspots, while summarizing the physiological and molecular responses of garden plants in flood-prone environments. The research indicates significant differences in flood tolerance among different species of garden plants. The main research directions include morphology, physiology, molecular biology, ecology, cultivation, and species selection, with molecular biology emerging as a key area of development in recent years. Furthermore, in the context of global climate change, this study identifies 50 flood-tolerant plants with high ecological value, and proposes guidelines for selecting flood-tolerant species. It concludes by discussing future research directions in flood tolerance and the potential applications of these plants in urban landscaping, sponge city construction, and ecological restoration. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of site effects in the highly seismic area of L’Aquila in central Italy, which has been conducted within the framework of a seismic microzonation project funded by the Abruzzo Region’s Department of Government of the Territory and Environmental Policies. The project was aimed at best practices on the management of urban and land territory for seismic risk mitigation. Through the integration of detailed geophysical and geotechnical data with numerical modeling, we provide an accurate assessment of local seismic amplification. Two-dimensional numerical simulations using the LSR 2D code were performed on many representative geological sections to compute amplification factors for various period ranges. This case study allowed us to outline some key considerations for best practices in local seismic response analysis and seismic microzonation studies in Italy. Given the prevalence of 2D basin edge, buried morphology, and topographic effects in Plio-Quaternary geologically complex intermontane basins in central Italy, as demonstrated in the L’Aquila case study, use of two-dimensional models is suggested. In order to validate the numerical models and their associated spectra and amplification factors, it is also suggested to compare transfer functions with HVSR microtremor measurements at control points along the studied sections. Full article

The urban–rural fringe, serving as a frontier space and protective barrier for urban–rural factor circulation, is a complex area marked by significant human–land conflicts. Therefore, scientifically identifying and dynamically monitoring the urban–rural fringe is crucial for its integrated development and spatial governance. In this context, this paper constructs an information entropy model using land use data, combined with the central gravitational agglomeration method, to accurately identify the evolution of Harbin’s urban–rural fringe over the past 40 years. The research reveals that Harbin’s urban–rural fringe exhibits a distinct circling pattern, with spatial morphology changes characterized as “low-speed spreading—jumping expansion—internal dissimilarity”, allowing for improved identification of its three types: stable, expanding, and degrading. The study also tracks the scale of the urban–rural fringe in Harbin with three types of stable, expanding, and degrading urban–rural fringe. Drawing on previous research, we visualize the fringe area’s functional spatial positioning, showing its dominant function shifting from a production–ecological composite to a production–life–ecological coordinated function. Concurrently, the study’s findings, alongside Harbin’s socioeconomic development, indicate that the urban–rural fringe’s evolution is driven by economic, policy, and environmental factors. Based on the multi-dimensional research outcomes, we conclude that the evolution of Harbin’s urban–rural fringe can be divided into three stages: a slow gestation period (1980–1990), a rapid development period (1990–2010), and a stable reconstruction phase (2010–2020). In the initial phase, urban and rural development is minimal; during the second phase, the trend of urban expansion is significant, and the urban–rural fringe is rapidly shifted to the city; and in the latter stage, urban and rural elements are stabilized and coordinated, and urban and rural areas are realized to be developed and reconstructed as one. This paper provides a scientific basis for understanding the dynamic evolution of the urban–rural fringe in Harbin City and is an important reference for future territorial spatial planning and development. Full article

Air pollution in urban street canyons presents a serious health risk, especially in densely populated areas. While previous research has explored airflow characteristics in these canyons, it often lacks detailed data on pollutant dispersion and the effects of wind speed on airflow patterns and vortex formation. This study uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to deliver quantitative measurements of pollutant dispersion rates and qualitative insights into airflow patterns across various street canyon morphologies. The analysis examines a range of aspect ratios (ARs), from wide (AR = 0.75) to narrow (AR = 4.5), and different wind speeds to evaluate their effects on pollutant dispersion. Findings indicate that purging flow rates decline as the AR increases, with a more pronounced decrease at lower AR values. In narrower streets, airflow patterns are particularly sensitive to wind velocity, leading to unexpected vortices that hinder effective pollutant dispersion. By incorporating these insights into urban design strategies, cities can enhance street ventilation, thereby reducing pollutant concentrations and improving public health. This study also tests a specific street layout in Seville to predict pollutant accumulation under various conditions, assessing health risks based on World Health Organization guidelines. Ultimately, this research aids in developing healthier, more sustainable urban environments. Full article

Historical urban environments are frequently abandoned with the rise in expansion. An example is Kendari, a city that is over two centuries old with long historical colonialism, such as the Dutch East Indies and Japan. The city is presently eroded due to modern development and demographic pressure. Therefore, this research aimed to identify how the urban layout of Kendari was used to define long-term preservation procedures. Conzen’s school of urban morphology methodology, utilized for the examination of the historical evolution of the urban landscape and the interaction with present urban development processes, was used to conduct this research. Historical cartographic data and changes in land use were used to perform a detailed examination of the evolution of the street structure, land distribution, and architectural layout. The result showed how historical, cultural, and economic aspects shaped the formation of Kendari old town. In conclusion, this research improved the understanding of Kendari’s historical urban structure, and supplied useful empirical data for planning the future development and conservation of the districts. Full article

Topographical data are essential for hydrological analysis and can be gathered through on-site surveys, UAVs, or remote sensing methods such as Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). These tools are crucial in hydrological studies for accurately modeling basin morphology and surface stream network patterns. Two different DEMs with resolutions of 0.13 m and 5 m were used, as well as tools which carry out urban basin delineation by analyzing their morphometric parameters to process the hydrography of the study area, using three Geographic Information Systems (GIS): ArcGIS, GlobalMapper, and SAGA GIS. Each piece of software uses different algorithms for the pre-processing of DEMs in the calculation of morphometric parameters of the study area. The results showed variations in the quantity of delineated stream networks between the different GIS tools used, even when using the same DEM. Similarly, the morphometric parameters varied between GIS tools and DEMs, which tells us that the tools and topographic data used are important. The stream network generated using ArcGIS and the DEM obtained with UAV offered a more precise description of surface flow behavior in the study area. Concerning ArcGIS, it can be observed that between the resolutions of the INEGI DEM and the UAV DEM, the delimited area of micro-basin 1 presented a minimum difference of 0.03 km². In contrast, micro-basin 2 had a more significant difference of 0.16 km². These discrepancies in results are attributed to the different algorithms used by each piece of software and the resolution of each DEM. Although some studies claim to have obtained the same results using different software and algorithms, in this research, different results were obtained, and emphasize the importance of establishing procedural standards, as they can significantly impact the design of stormwater drainage systems. These comparisons will allow decision-makers to consider these aspects to standardize the tools and topographic data used in urban hydrological analyses. Full article

Vegetation characteristics significantly influence the impact of wildfires on individual building structures, and these effects can be systematically analyzed using heat transfer modelling software. Close-range light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data obtained from uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) capture detailed vegetation morphology; however, the integration of dense vegetation and merged canopies into three-dimensional (3D) models for fire modelling software poses significant challenges. This study proposes a method for integrating the UAS–LiDAR-derived geometric features of vegetation components—such as bark, wooden core, and foliage—into heat transfer models. The data were collected from the natural woodland surrounding an elevated building in Samford, Queensland, Australia. Aboveground biomass (AGB) was estimated for 21 trees utilizing three 3D tree reconstruction tools, with validation against biomass allometric equations (BAEs) derived from field measurements. The most accurate reconstruction tool produced a tree mesh utilized for modelling vegetation geometry. A proof of concept was established with Eucalyptus siderophloia, incorporating vegetation data into heat transfer models. This non-destructive framework leverages available technologies to create reliable 3D tree reconstructions of complex vegetation in wildland–urban interfaces (WUIs). It facilitates realistic wildfire risk assessments by providing accurate heat flux estimations, which are critical for evaluating building safety during fire events, while addressing the limitations associated with direct measurements. Full article