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The morphologies of informal settlements constantly change as they undergo processes of incremental adaptations and transformations in relation to emerging circumstances. One of the ways to explore the underlying morphogenic processes governing such adaptations and transformations is to study the morphogenesis of informal settlement. Informal settlements can tell the story of how access networks evolve through incremental processes of change as they generally emerge and where possible become consolidated through forms of adaptations and transformations. Adopting a comparative case study research design approach, this paper explores the incremental transformations of access networks across three emerging settlements located in proximity to Abuja in Nigeria. These settlements are comparatively mapped using historic satellite images illustrating eight temporal stages between 2007 and 2021. Space Syntax is used as an analytical method to study the configurational morphogenesis of the access network with a focus on the measures of connectivity, betweenness, closeness, and intelligibility. The study shows how the flexibility of the early stages of development provides opportunities for the formation of what might be considered irregular elements in the access network. The research findings also suggest that the access network becomes less intelligible as it evolves. The locations of the main local cores of the access networks are found to remain relatively unchanged and somewhat fixed as emerging local cores come about in the newly developed areas. The spatial circumstances of the studied settlements are also found to have impacts on how the incremental adaptations and transformations generate new elements as part of the access networks. The findings of this study can inform the ways the built environment professions can engage with processes of incremental transformation by providing a better understanding of configurational morphogenesis in the context of informal urbanism. • The paper explores the configurational morphogenesis of incremental urbanism through a comparative study. • The study analyses the configurational development of three emerging settlements near Abuja in Nigeria over about 14 years. • A systematic spatio-temporal mapping using GIS and Space Syntax is employed to explore the configurational morphogenesis. • Findings show that flexibility in early development can enable the emergence of irregular elements in the access network. • The study findings also suggest that the access network becomes less intelligible as it expands over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shenzhen is one of the world's cities with the fastest urbanization and the most astonishing changes, and it is also a typical benchmark of Chinese rapid urbanization miracle. Under the tide of neoliberalism and globalization, the central government gave Shenzhen the priority of reform and experimentation first, then it has been rapidly pushed to the front stage as a test field for China's reform and opening up. Shenzhen has become the world's first-tier city in a short time with its location advantage and high-quality talent attraction, as well as active private economy and scientific and technological innovation. Through the multi-dimensional data analysis of the great changes during Shenzhen's urbanization, and a summary of the advantages of the Shenzhen model, this paper systematically answers the question that why Shenzhen can achieve urbanization so quickly. Furthermore, it concludes challenges of Shenzhen's future development and discusses the inspirations of the Shenzhen model for other cities. Based on the above analysis, this paper constructs an organic framework comprehensively covering achievements, characteristics, challenges, and inspirations of Shenzhen's rapid urbanization model. In the future, Shenzhen needs to transform from "Shenzhen Speed" to "Shenzhen Quality" to realize sustainable high-quality urbanization. • The drastic changes of Shenzhen's urbanization in the past 40 years from three dimensions of population, economy and land. • Five prominent characteristics of Shenzhen's urbanization development model. • Summary of three challenges of Shenzhen's future sustainable development. • Some inspirations from Shenzhen model for other cities, especially global southern cities, to learn and replicate. • A comprehensive framework covering achievements, model, challenges, and inspirations of Shenzhen's urbanization development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to investigate how a blockchain-based platform for citizens' participation in urban planning should be developed adopting a Value Sensitive Design approach (VSD). VSD can be considered as an overarching methodological framework for new technologies development which takes into account moral and human values of all the direct and indirect stakeholders which might be impacted by the technology. By considering the perspectives of the different involved stakeholders, the paper specifically addresses the call for more research about blockchain-based services which adopts a human-centred approach instead of technocentric. The paper is based on the empirical analysis of a DApp called BBBlockchain which was specifically created with the purpose to improve citizens participation in urban planning decisions in two major residential development projects in Berlin, Germany. BBBlockchain is a proof of concept which is currently running on its own in-house test network but it can run on every EVM compatible blockchain. From the analysis of the information layer of participation, it can be argued that the most important values include transparency, inclusiveness and confidentiality. • Value Sensitive Design proved to be a good approach to develop a blockchain-based platform for citizens' participation in urban planning. • The most important values include transparency, inclusiveness and confidentiality. • Taking the perspective of the different involved stakeholders, the paper adopts a human-centred approach instead of technocentric. • Stakeholders' values should be incorporated into the design of the platform to enhance stakeholders' adoption. • Conflicts among stakeholders' values have emerged and they have been addressed through platform's design and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapidly urbanizing cities in Southeast Asia experience increasing flood impacts due to the consequences of climate change. In these cities, policy efforts to build flood resilience are gaining momentum. The aim of this paper is to understand and assess flood resilience policy development, particularly in cities in developing countries. Bangkok is one of the cities that participates in the 100 Resilient Cities Programme (100RC) - the international policy platform for building resilient cities. In 2017, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) launched the 'Bangkok Resilience Strategy' to translate the resilience concept to its urban context. A framing perspective is adopted to reconstruct the strategy, process and anticipated outcome of Bangkok's flood resilience policy. We studied data obtained from 'insiders' (involved policy makers, experts and consultants) and 'outsiders' (local communities, civil society organizations and news media). Findings indicate that the economic growth frame is prevailing in the development of Bangkok's flood resilience policy, prioritizing structural flood protection with little attention for flood adaptation measures and related social impacts among vulnerable communities. The role of local communities and civil society in the formulation of Bangkok's flood resilience policy is limited. This paper therefore recommends cities in developing countries and cities in the 100RC Programme to organize a more inclusive resilience building process for addressing social problems regarding urban poor communities along with increasing flood safety and protection. • Strategy, process and outcome are key aspects of flood resilience building. • The formulation of Bangkok's flood resilience policy mainly involved 'insiders'. • The Bangkok Resilience Strategy prioritizes safeguarding economic growth. • Structural flood protection is persistent despite attempts to adopt new strategies. • To achieve flood resilient cities, 'outsiders' need to be involved and empowered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European countries are facing rising demand for affordable housing by a widespread and differentiated audience. Both in Italy and in the Netherlands policy-makers and practitioners address this emerging need by implementing new social housing projects targeting diverse social groups – such as students, young households, welfare dependents, and refugees – which results in a fine-grained social mix. This paper discusses the development of these initiatives within wider trends in housing policies and in relation to the domestic debate on social mix in the two countries. Drawing on Magic Mix and Housing Sociale projects as case studies, respectively in the Netherlands and in Italy, we aim to explore and unfold the contemporary meanings and the practices attached to the idea of social mix. In so doing, this paper paves the way for a new conceptualization of social mix in the current post-crisis and hyper-diversified European scenario. We discuss traces of continuity and discontinuity between these forms of social mix and the mainstream idea of tenure mix, which has been a cornerstone of area-based urban renewal policy in many European countries. This paper contributes to the existing literature by offering insights into new practices of social mix in housing sphere. • Societal and historical contexts influence policy approaches, discourses, and values attached to the idea of social mix. • Recent forms of social mix in social housing projects in Italy and the Netherlands target a variety of low-income groups. • Social mix is reframed along five domains: discourses, target groups, practices, institutional frame, urban downscaling. • New role models are defined according to tenants' resourcefulness, rather than economic capital (i.e. middle-classes). • Mechanisms of conditionality require tenants to take part in community-oriented activities in return to affordable rents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper connects the localization of government leaders with the theory of "sense of place" and constructs a theoretical framework reflecting the relationship between government leaders' localization and farmland conversion based on that theory. Then, the paper explores in depth the theoretical influence of government leaders' localization on farmland conversion and discusses a corresponding empirical test we conducted by constructing an econometric model and applying the statistical data of 284 cities in mainland China from 2004 to 2014. The results showed that, relative to outlanders, natives acting as government leaders could have the effect of inhibiting large-scale farmland conversion to some extent, and such an inhibition effect would be expanded by a drop in the promotion probability of the involved government leaders. The inhibition effect of government leaders' promotion at local levels on farmland conversion was not obvious, generally. The tenure extension of government leaders sometimes had a positive influence on the change of the farmland conversion scale, which was closely related to leaders' ongoing hopes for promotion at different stages in their careers. The research findings of this paper also provided policy implications for the Chinese government to effectively protect land resources and develop the local economy in an orderly manner based on perspectives for improving the administration system. • We connect the localization of government leaders with the "sense of place" theory. • Leaders' localization could inhibit overconversion of farmland to some extent. • Leaders' place attachment will expand with a drop in promotion probability. • Leaders' place attachment has clearer effects than place identity or dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cities are increasingly turning towards specialized technologies to address issues related to society, ecology, morphology and many others. The emerging concept of Smart Cities highly encourages this prospect by promoting the incorporation of sensors and Big Data through the Internet of Things (IoT). This surge of data brings new possibilities in the design and management of cities just as much as economic prospects. While Big Data processing through Artificial Intelligence (AI) can greatly contribute to the urban fabric, sustainability and liveability dimensions however must not be overlooked in favour of technological ones. This paper reviews the urban potential of AI and proposes a new framework binding AI technology and cities while ensuring the integration of key dimensions of Culture, Metabolism and Governance; which are known to be primordial in the successful integration of Smart Cities for the compliance to the Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda. This paper is aimed towards Policy Makers, Data Scientists and Engineers who are looking at enhancing the integration of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Smart Cities with an aim to increase the liveability of the urban fabric while boosting economic growth and opportunities. Highlights • Smart Cities are gaining popularity and the Internet of Things (IoT) is leading to the generation of massive amounts of Data. • Big Data can be better managed through Artificial Intelligence processes and render faster and more intelligent systems • Technology must however not be the sole focus of Smart Cities as we may lose in human dimensions • Technology must support liveability dimensions to ensure Resilience, Safety and Sustainability as prescribed by the SDG 11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Accra, the capital of Ghana, has been experiencing severe flood events since 1939, with the most affected often being the people living in vulnerable communities. Unfortunately, the flood management regimes by state agencies 2 2 National government decentralized agencies working at the city level have been limited to weak urban planning response in terms of demolition exercises, forced evictions or distribution of relief items. How successful have these regimes been? How have affected communities responded? What should be the urban planning response? These questions remain unanswered. This paper responds to these questions using cities as complex systems theory, and Agbogbloshie and Old Fadama communities in Accra as case studies. This study used a qualitative research approach comprising agency and community interviews, and document reviews. Findings indicate that flood management regimes have been ineffective due to city planning authorities 3 3 City level planning and management agencies and state agencies' limited recognition of the urban space as a complex system. As a result, constructs, responses and contexts of urban floods are determined based on land use legality and acknowledgment of urban communities by city planning authorities, evidence of urban planning, and community initiatives. Recommendations to improve the situation are proffered. Highlights • This paper examines the geopolitics of flood management responses in Accra. • It discusses residents responses to flood management regimes in vulnerable communities. • Flood responses are ineffective due to urban planning neglect and lack of participation. • Flood responses are shaped by the legitimacy and recognition of the communities by city authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract City managers need indicators for target setting, performance assessment, monitoring, management and decision-making purposes. The choice of the most suitable indicator framework is crucial, but difficult, as it requires expert knowledge. To help cities in their choice, this paper compares seven recently published indicator standards for Smart sustainable cities. A taxonomy was developed to evaluate each of their 413 indicators against five conceptual urban focuses (types of urban sustainability and smartness), ten sectoral application domains (energy, transport, ICT, economy, etc.) and five indicator types (input, process, output, outcome, impact). The results clearly discriminate between indicator standards suited for evaluating the implementation of predominantly smart city approaches versus standards more focused on sustainability assessment. A further distinction is possible in standards almost fully oriented towards impacts reached, and standards that allow for progress evaluation according to steps in the implementation process. Some standards provide a narrow focus on output indicators evaluating the progress in implementing smart urban ICT solutions (e.g. number of smart meters installed). Cities are encouraged to complement such evaluations with impact indicators that demonstrate the effects of those solutions. This paper provides guidance for city managers and policy makers to select the indicators and standard that best correspond to their assessment need and goals, and align with their stage in Smart sustainable city implementation. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • 7 city indicator standards (413 indicators) analyzed and compared • Clear differences in focus on sustainability or smartness and the role of ICT • Some standards focus on short-term evaluation of efficiency in smart city deployment. • Others allow evaluation of progress in steps, and achieved (sustainability) impacts. • Guidance for choice of an indicator standard that best suits your goal and need [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper explores the socio-economic conditions that produce the lack of affordable housing in cities along the U.S.-Mexico border and describes various efforts to tackle this issue. Specifically, the paper evaluates publicly funded initiatives such as Casas Urbi and Homex, privately funded projects, as well as community based initiatives such as the work of the non-profit organization Fundación Esperanza de Mexico in the city of Tijuana. The paper interrogates the use of self-build construction systems, volunteer support, community empowerment, ecological programs, and affordable financing as a framework for future affordable housing developments in the area. Highlights • In border cities manufacturing plants attract workers in need of affordable housing. • Private self-build and large-scale public projects have not been successful. • Community participation strategies have shown to be successful at small scales. • Esperanza de Mexico is building high-quality affordable housing in Tijuana. • This represents a new and promising strategy for affordable housing in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The innovation recently brought into the market for mobility innovation (by apps, social networks and sharing economy practices) impacts upon the economic appeal of urban areas and strongly influences the preferences of individuals in happiness, lifestyles and related aspect of urban consumption. Several sharing devices are nowadays producing such effects, offering innovative solutions to support the availability of mobility supply. They do so by conveying useful tools to the whole community of users, by proposing new ways of producing knowledge and services, and by favoring symmetric information in the urban mobility market. The paper aims to discuss the impact of these innovation devices in shaping individual's mobility preferences, by drawing on a wide set of experiences that have introduced new technologies and shared mobility practices that provide significant information related to mobility. Drawing on a literature review referred to a wide set of new technologies and shared mobility practices based on significant information related to mobility, the paper draws its discussion on three analytical dimensions: the role that information has in shaping individual mobility choices, and how it may interact with individual preferences and needs; the varied forms of relevant mobility information made available by information-sharing devices; the many actors (corporations, public administrations, community groups...) who produce information collecting data and making them available in different forms. Drawing on these elements, a policy framework is discussed, to define suitable operational approaches to urban mobility that are more attentive to individual needs and more effective in terms of sustainability. Highlights • Information-sharing devices contribute to shape individuals' mobility choices. • Devices make available both objective and subjective forms of information. • Emerging actors like corporations and communities produce and make information usable. • Information allows unprecedented initiatives addressing individual mobility behaviours. • A policy framework for information-based initiatives is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Given the ongoing "mobility turn" in social science research, a more comprehensive understanding of segregation is needed. Activity-space-based segregation studies have aroused renewed interests in geography and urban planning research. Most of the existing studies utilized the differences in spatial characteristics of people's actual activity space to identify the segregation among social groups. However, few studies have examined activity-space-based segregation in terms of individuals' potential activity space and the temporal variations in their segregation experiences. This paper aims to help fill these two research gaps by implementing an empirical study in Beijing. We examine the activity-space-based segregation of the residents of different types of housing in a Beijing suburb in terms of both actual activity space and potential activity space. We further investigate the temporal variations of the residents' segregation experiences during a week. A 7-day individual GPS tracking dataset, combined with the activity diary data and the socioeconomic attributes data of 422 participants is used for the study. The major finding is that residents of different types of housing in Beijing do experience activity-space-based segregation, while the characteristics of segregation vary with respect to actual activity space and potential activity space. Also, participants' segregation experiences varies between different days of the week. This paper offers some empirical evidence on enriching the understanding of activity-space-based segregation research as well as improving the understanding about social segregation among the residents of different types of housing in Chinese cities. It also generates some nuanced knowledge for future policy recommendations in a broad context. Highlights • Residents of different housing types in Beijing do experience activity-space-based segregation, while the characters of segregation varies in AAS and PAS. • The residents of affordable housing have both the smallest AAS and PAS on weekdays, which makes them the most isolated group. • With respect to the residents of market housing and institutional housing, they have relatively large AAS on weekdays while having relatively moderate PAS. • As for the residents of resettlement housing, their PAS are relatively large, although their AAS are small. • Significant differences in the extensity of both the AAS and PAS of the residents in different housing types can only be identified on weekdays. In weekends, differences in the extensity of the activity spaces are not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Where we live affects all aspects of our life and thus our happiness. In recent years, and now for more than half of the population of the Earth, our place of residence or activity has been increasingly transformed into an urban one. However, while the impact of happiness studies has grown in importance during the last twenty years, we note that happiness-related concepts find it difficult to penetrate the planning and design of cities, and affect the field of urban studies. In this paper, we map the temporal evolution of the fields of happiness and urban studies into dynamic networks obtained by paper keywords co-occurrence analysis. We identify the main concepts of the "urban happiness" field and their capacity to agglomerate into coherent thematic clusters. We find that while quality of life and well-being are highly interconnected with some well-defined urban categories, other happiness-related concepts, as subjective well-being or happiness itself, are located in peripheral positions where their influence is minimised. We present a one-parameter spatial network model in order to reproduce the changes in the topology of these networks. Results explain the evolution and the level of interpenetration of these two fields as a function of "conceptual" distances, mapped into Euclidean ones. In addition to other approaches (i.e., co-frequency matrix of bibliometric analysis), complex networks science appears as a valid alternative and opens the way for the systematic study of other academic fields in terms of complex evolving networks. Highlights • We use paper keywords co-occurrence analysis to map the temporal evolution of the fields of happiness and urban studies. • We show how happiness concepts have penetrated the urban studies field during the past years. • The intersection between happiness and urban studies fields is most adequately described by quality of life and well-being. • Mapping of "conceptual distances" into Euclidean ones is used to explain the complex interplay between scientific fields. • The methodology is universal and can be applied to the systematic study of complex evolving networks of any kind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Taxi is a core component of urban transit systems. Since they can provide more time-saving and convenient service than many other transit options, taxis have a certain passenger base. The analysis of taxi ridership can be used to better understand the travel mobility of passengers and the traffic structure of urban areas. In previous studies, taxi trajectory data have been widely used, especially in exploring taxi ridership, and point-of-interest (POI) data are usually used to evaluate the land-use type of a certain sub-district. On the basis of preceding research, this paper uses taxi trajectory data within the long time scale of one week. Five traffic factors are taken into consideration: pick-ups, drop-offs, and the ratio of pick-ups to drop-offs, pick-up probability and drop-off probability. The research model is divided into weekdays and weekends. For the calculation of probabilities, an index termed the Area Crossing Index is proposed to reflect the taxi cardinality and accessibility of a region. At the same time, POI and demographic data are used as explanatory variables. In this study, we also take the business hours of POIs into consideration. In order to explore the ridership in each hour, hierarchical clustering is used to determine the similarity characteristics of hourly dependent variables. Then, stepwise linear regression is used to screen and evaluate coefficients without collinearity. Finally, geographically weighted regression is adopted to evaluate spatial variability, and the coefficients of common explanatory variables on weekdays and weekends are examined. At the end of this paper, the causes of common explanatory factors on weekdays and weekends for each traffic factor are discussed. This paper also analyzes ridership by combining all the results of dependent variables and proposes some suggestions for taxi scheduling. Highlights • The Area Crossing Index is proposed to reflect the taxi cardinality and accessibility of a region. • Five indicators are used to analysis urban taxi ridership from different angles. • Full-day ridership patterns research through POI data with business time and demographic data • Analyze the taxi activities and taxi spatial-temporal distribution rules • Discuss urban traffic source and sink place, and propose some suggestions for taxi scheduling [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Household decisions to move from or stay at a current location may be based on a great number of variables. There has been substantial discussion among planners about the effect of the built environment in the choice of residential location. However, there is limited research on the role of non-motorised accessibility on residential location. Households may base their decision to move from or stay at a current location on the neighbourhood's accessibility. The public transport accessibility, walkability and bikeability of a neighbourhood may affect residents' decisions to stay or move from their current location. The focus of this paper is on modelling and comparing the influence of non-motorised accessibility measures on the number of years that households stay at their current location. The paper addresses this issue by employing three non-motorised accessibility measures in separate ordered logistic regression (OLR) models. Focusing on metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, the Victorian Integrated Survey of Travel and Activity (VISTA, 2012) was adopted to model years of residency incorporating socio-economic characteristics, built environment features and accessibility measures. Key findings indicate that non-motorised accessibility has statistically-significant impacts on the number of years that residents live at their current address. Furthermore, of the accessibility measures, access to public transport has the greatest impact. Highlights • This paper aims at investigating the influence of non-motorised accessibility on residential location. • Focusing on Melbourne, Australia, three accessibility measures were employed in Ordered Logistic Regression (OLR) models. • Findings indicate that accessibility had significant impacts on residents' tendency to stay in the same neighbourhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Conflict is inevitable in public-private partnership (PPP) due to the long-term agreement and multiplicity of stakeholders with varying beliefs and interests. However, a thorough understanding of the root causes of conflict beforehand helps to minimize conflict occurrence, thereby ensuring a smooth PPP process. This paper aims to explore and evaluate the root causes of conflicts in PPPs through a comparative study between Ghana and China. Further, the most suitable conflict resolution mechanisms are explored from the Ghanaian and Chinese perspectives. Results show that causes of conflict ranked higher in Ghana directly relate to poor governance and contract arrangement, whereas causes related to poor risk management and communication are ranked higher in China. Further, arbitration and negotiation are the most suitable conflict resolution mechanisms for PPPs in Ghana and China respectively. The outputs of this study inform international private investors interested in PPPs in Africa and China of the possible sources of disputes and resolution mechanisms in PPPs. This will enable international investors to develop strategic measures before entering into the PPP markets of both regions. Highlights • Conflict is inevitable in public-private partnership arrangements • This paper explores the root causes of conflicts and conflict resolution mechanisms in PPPs • Causes of conflicts related to poor governance and contractual arrangements emerged as critical in Ghana, whereas causes related poor risk management and communication emerged as critical in China • Arbitration and Negotiations are the most suitable resolution mechanisms for conflicts in PPPs in Ghana and China respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Despite the fact that China is becoming increasingly urbanised, some Chinese cities have witnessed a loss of urban population. In recent years, with the extensive expansion of the Chinese High-Speed Railway (HSR) network, the reduction in travel time has greatly increased the mobility of people across cities, thus affecting the spatial redistribution of the urban population in China. An important question arises: for cities experiencing population loss, when they were connected to the HSR network, did the HSR further aggravate this urban shrinkage? Using cities experiencing population loss as a sample, the paper provides a quantitative assessment of population loss in HSR-served cities. A Difference-in-Difference (DID) method was adopted to investigate whether the HSR aggravated population loss in shrinking cities. On the whole, empirical results show that the phenomenon of urban shrinkage in China was further aggravated by the HSR. Furthermore, the results unveil the dynamic impact of the HSR on shrinking cities, and multi-stage DID results reveal that the impact of the HSR on urban population may have a certain time lag effect. The HSR has significantly contributed to the population loss of shrinking cities four to five years after it first started operating. The paper highlights that the HSR does not always yield growth opportunities; on the contrary, for cities suffering from population decline, the HSR may bring a serious challenge. Highlights • The phenomenon of urban shrinkage in China was further aggravated by the HSR. • The multi-stage DID results reveal that the impact of HSR on urban population may have a certain time lag effect. • The paper highlights that HSR does not always yield growth opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract As a megacity, Beijing has experienced traffic congestion, unaffordable housing issues and jobs-housing imbalance. Recent decades have seen policies and projects aiming at decentralizing urban structure and job-worker patterns, such as subway network expansion, the suburbanization of housing and firms. But it is unclear whether these changes produced a more balanced spatial configuration of jobs and workers. To answer this question, this paper evaluated the ratio of jobs to workers from Smart Card Data at the transit station level and offered a longitudinal study for regular transit commuters. The method identifies the most preferred station around each commuter's workpalce and home location from individual smart datasets according to their travel regularity, then the amounts of jobs and workers around each station are estimated. A year-to-year evolution of job to worker ratios at the station level is conducted. We classify general cases of steepening and flattening job-worker dynamics, and they can be used in the study of other cities. The paper finds that (1) only temporary balance appears around a few stations; (2) job-worker ratios tend to be steepening rather than flattening, influencing commute patterns; (3) the polycentric configuration of Beijing can be seen from the spatial pattern of job centers identified. Highlights • We evaluated the ratio of jobs to workers from Smart Card Data at the transit station level in Beijing. • A year-to-year evolutionary analysis of job to worker ratios was conducted at the transit station level. • We classify general cases of steepening and flattening job-worker dynamics. • The paper finds that only temporary balance appears around a few stations in Beijing. • Job-worker ratios tend to be steepening rather than flattening from 2011 to 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper presents the big data architecture and work flow used to download georeferenced tweets, store them in a NoSQL database, analyse them using the Apache Spark framework, and visualize the results. The study covers a complete year (from December 10, 2016 to December 10, 2017) in the city of Valencia (Eastern Spain), which is considered to be the third most important in Spain, having a population of nearly 800,000 inhabitants and a size of 135 km2. The concepts of a specific event map and a specific event map with positive or negative sentiment are developed to highlight the location of an event. This approach is undertaken by subtracting the heat map of a specific day from the mean daily heat map, which is obtained by taking into account the 365 days of the studied period. This paper demonstrates how the proposed analysis from tweets can be used to depict city events and discover their spatiotemporal characteristics. Finally, the combination of all daily specific events maps in a single map, leads to the conclusion that the city of Valencia city has appropriate urban infrastructures to support these events. Highlights • Big Data tools are used for harvesting, storing and analysing Twitter data. • Specific events are highlighted automatically in maps. • Urban infrastructure adequacy to city events is studied. • Background knowledge of the dynamics of the city is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Although the causes of asthma are inconclusive, it is fairly known that exposure to outdoor air pollutants can cause asthma, especially children's asthma morbidity. Whereas transportation is one of the major sectors that generate air pollutants, previous research that investigates the correlation between transportation and asthma narrowly focuses on the contribution of automobile traffic to children's asthma. Developing three spatial regression models (a spatial lag (SL) model, a spatial error (SE) model, and a general spatial (SAC) model), this paper investigates the roles of a variety of transportation factors in two distinct stages of children's asthma morbidity; asthma and severe asthma. With consideration to asthma-related socio-economic factors in the City of Seoul, the SE (R2 = 0.31) and SAC (R2 = 0.34) models consistently indicate that three out of four transportation factors associate with children's severe asthma at statistically significant level. They include the negative influence of bus transit and dense intersections, and the positive influence of active transportation activities on children's asthma severity. Interestingly, however, no significant contribution of transportation factors to children's asthma morbidity was identified by the SE (R2 = 0.29) and SAC (R2 = 0.28) models. Shedding more light on the complexity of children's asthma morbidity and severity, this paper proposes collaborative partnerships not only among multi- dimensional agencies, but also among multi-level government organizations. Highlights • Transportation factors become a significant contributing factor to children's severe asthma rather than asthma morbidity. • The transportation factors include bus transit, dense intersections, and active transportation activities. • The strong public health insurance program reduces the influence of socio-economic characteristics on children's asthma. • It is important to consider children asthma when planning transportation strategies such as Complete Streets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The rising fluidity of the society in contemporary China has led to a restructuring of people's cognition and emotion toward their place of residence. Although a growing body of literature has attempted to identify place-based factors that influence residents' attachment to their neighborhoods in Chinese large cities, little effort has been devoted to unraveling the migrant-local distinction regarding the meaning and mechanism of neighborhood attachment. Using both questionnaire survey data and in-depth interview data collected in 23 neighborhoods of Guangzhou, China, this paper aims to explore the meaning and mechanism of neighborhood attachment through the combination of both structure equation modelling and qualitative analysis. The novelties of this study relate to the focus of migrant-local distinction and to the breakdown of place attachment into its social and functional dimensions. Results from structure equation modelling show that local residents have stronger attachment to their neighborhoods than migrants. Migrants' neighborhood attachment is more related to its social dimension, as measured by social contact and social trust, and locals' neighborhood attachment is more linked to its functional dimension, as measured by satisfaction with living environment of the neighborhood. This paper enhances our understanding of the nature of place attachment by taking into account the effects of institutional constraints and migration experiences. Highlights • Social dimension and functional dimension contribute to place attachment. • Social dimension interacts with functional dimension. • Social dimension is an important predictor of place attachment for the migrant group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract An emerging literature recognizes cities as the optimal scale for food policy innovation, pointing to their pervasive emphasis on the adoption of a systemic approach to address the complex socio-ecological issues that have disrupted the internal metabolism of the food system. To date, however, no empirical effort has been made to identify the meanings and goals attributed to such an approach by municipal actors who are concretely involved with its implementation. To begin to fill this gap, this paper analyzes data (collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and a focus group) from 33 cities across the globe as part of a project that aimed to understand how a systemic approach to food is interpreted and applied in different urban contexts and, more broadly, whether there is a gap between food systems theory and practice. The analysis highlights a widespread emphasis on food policy integration and on the creation of an inclusive governance context but it also uncovers low levels of engagement by city governments with key food system actors operating at higher governance scales. As the paper concludes, there are substantial knowledge gaps that raise the need for a new research and policy agenda focused on the dialectical relationships between ordinary food practices and infrastructural transformations to enhance understanding of the role of food in place-making processes and to meet the challenge of systemic food change. Highlights • Adds empirical weight to ongoing theorizations of systemic approaches to food policy • Identifies tendency by cities to connect food with other complex systems and policy priorities • Examines the nature and functioning of multi-actor urban food governance contexts • Highlights lack of understanding by city food policy actors of the relational character of scale and place-making processes • Raises the need for a new interdisciplinary research agenda that engages planners, urban designers and social scientists [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Most existing studies of high-speed rail (HSR) have paid attention to inter-regional trunk lines. This paper presents a case study of the City-Cluster HSR (C-HSR), a particular type of HSR line serving municipalities within a city-cluster (conceptually equivalent to a mega-city region in Europe or a mega-region in the United States context). The study investigated the effects of C-HSR on regional spatial reconfiguration along the corridor between Shanghai and Nanjing (namely the Hu-Ning Corridor) located in the Yangtze River Delta, China. In particular, the study attempted to answer the following questions: What role does the C-HSR play in city-cluster growth of the corridor? Does it increase regional integration or induce polarization? Three research steps are carried out: identifying the type of travel benefiting most from the C-HSR, describing the changing paradigm of city network structure in the corridor, and revealing the mechanism of the change. Based on the perspective of a "space of flows", the passenger flows of Hu-Ning C-HSR in 2010 and 2015 were compared in terms of link intensity and aggregation intensity. The results show that the main service objects of C-HSR were secondary intermediate districts and their trips to urban districts in different municipalities. These trips provide the opportunity for potential sub-districts, especially those adjacent to regional core urban districts, to give rise to a horizontal and polycentric city network and promote regional integration. The competitive travel distance to other transits, reasonable travel time, and internal conditions are found to be the main C-HSR's effects. This ex-post study uses a combination of aggregated flows and individual movements, a perspective not yet applied to the regional level, to explain the process of reconstruction of the regional spatial system. Theoretically, the findings are conducive to illustrate this emerging spatial phenomenon and presenting hard evidence of the importance of short and medium HSR service in an advanced stage of urbanization. In practical terms, they have implications for regional planning policies on C-HSR station set up, regional land use layout, and industry distribution, and provide suggestions for C-HSR operation schemes. Highlights • This paper is aimed to evaluate the C-HSR's cohesion effect by characterizing the distribution of actual passenger flows. • We use combination of aggregated flows and individual movements, a perspective not yet applied to the regional level. • The findings have implications for regional planning policies on C-HSR station set up and operation schemes and land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Zhengzhou is one of the fastest growing cities in China, but has attracted comparatively little international attention. This paper charts the contemporary transformation of Zhengzhou and highlights some of the challenges that arise from its recent growth. It demonstrates the rise of Zhengzhou from small town to megacity. This transformation has occurred in less than seven decades with Zhengzhou benefiting from its geographic importance and its position as a provincial capital in China's hierarchical system of government. While western accounts typically focus on the role of market forces and agglomeration economies in explaining the rise of megacities, we show the role of political decisions in explaining the growth of Zhengzhou as an international centre for manufacturing, commerce and logistics. The paper concludes that innovation and reform in regional governance, particularly to deal with emerging challenges, are necessary, if it is to develop a well-functioning megacity. Highlights • Zhengzhou is one of the eight great capitals of ancient China benefiting from its geographic importance; • Zhengzhou's contemporary transformation highlights the importance of political decision-making in shaping urban development in China; • Zhengzhou is leading the way of e-commerce cross-border trade and logistics industries. • Challenges facing Zhengzhou call for paradigm change in the governance of urban development [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper seeks to contribute to the growing literature on how neighborhood amenities such as parks relate with active ageing. It draws attention to this relationship in the context of developing country - India where with changing demographics, population ageing is emerging as a major challenge. It builds on empirical evidences from a neighborhood park in the city of Pune - a metropolis of 3.5 million people in western India. Employing a mixed research approach, the paper explains how a neighborhood park plays a significant role in promoting healthy living among older persons by offering various perceived health benefits. Although various physical characteristics of park encourage physical activities, it is found that social connections such as groups formed in the park encourage regular participation in physical activities and thereby provide psychological health benefits and social support for older users. The paper argues for considering the important role of parks in fostering social participation critical for active ageing while designing cities that are friendly and supportive to ageing populations. Highlights • Parks help in active ageing by offering physical, mental and social benefits • In neighborhood parks, older persons are dominant and regular users with women outnumbering men • Older persons use parks differently at different times of the day and prefer absence of noisy activites • Park use facilitates social participation at various levels leading to perceived health benefits • Social interaction in parks follows existing groupings amongst people of same age, gender and status [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Factors such as air and sound quality are important aspects of the urban environment with potential impacts on public health, especially in walkable areas where the public is constantly using the public space for their daily activities, accessibility, leisure and recreation. Knowing which are user's preferences regarding acoustic and air quality environments is a big advantage for public spaces management. This paper aims at investigating the correlation between air quality and sound perception in walkable areas, through subjective evaluations and on-site measurements of particulate matter, acoustic and psychoacoustic data. For this purpose, a Canonical Correlation Analysis was carried out. This paper found out correlations regarding background sound qualities and air quality perception (Rc = 0.485), as well as correlations between background sound acceptance & cognitive aspects and air quality perception (Rc = 0.532), on data collected at urban parks. The involved objective parameters which led to those results are sharpness, roughness, hearing model roughness ½ Bark, PM 1 , PM 2.5 and PM 10. In busy street areas there are correlations between background sound qualities and air quality perception (Rc = 0.450). For this correlation the correlated objective parameters are sound pressure level (SPL), sharpness, tonality, PM 1 , PM 2.5 and PM 10. Highlights • Canonical Correlation Analysis on perceptual studies about air quality and sound. • Perceptual studies on urban walks. • Particulate matter and psychoacoustic perception in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper explores the influence of mining activities on towns in Ghana in order to appreciate their political economy and implications for urban planning. It first provides a historical account of the relations between mining activities and emergence of towns. Second, the legal environment informing the development or otherwise of mining towns is presented. Third, implications of mining induced towns on Ghana's urban planning are discussed. Using documentary review and empirical cases of selected mining towns, findings indicate that the political economic situation of Ghana's mining industry has produced and continues to shape affected intermediate towns in five ways: 1) some mining towns are experiencing relative growth, while others are slowly dying; 2) death or complete collapse of mining communities after mining boom 3) changed functions and local economy after mine operations are closed down; 4) emergence of new mining settlements resulting from new investments; and 5) resettlement communities resulting from displacement from the harmful effects of mine operations. These factors have implications for urban planning, and this paper proposes three entry points with implications for other developing countries: a space in Ghana's urban development policy for mining towns; a re-look at the content and focus of corporate social responsibilities of mining firms; and a functional link between growth of mining and urban planning. Highlights • The paper analyses the political economy of mining towns in Ghana. • It provides a historical account of the relations between mining activities and emergence of towns. • The legal environment for the development or otherwise of mining towns is analysed. • The implications of mining induced towns on Ghana's urban planning are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Smartphones present new forms of spatiality and sociality for cities worldwide. The sudden outburst in smartphone technologies has revolutionised human relations creating new possibilities of encounter and connectivity. This paper examines people's smartphone usage patterns and highlights how this is increasing human vulnerabilities in cities with resultant wider societal implications. Drawing on the theory of vulnerability, Hofstede's cultural dimension theory and carrying out semi-structured interviews in the United Kingdom and Ghana, the paper reveals that the current scale of usage and addiction to smartphones and social media are fostering emerging forms of everyday vulnerabilities. Victimisation, privacy breach, home emergencies and road accidents are prevalent vulnerabilities in both Accra and London. By comparing participants' smartphone usage patterns and their motives for adopting or ignoring certain social media practices, the study illustrates how the concept of attitudinal vulnerability extends our understanding of Hofstede's theory of collectivism and individualism. While the finding from Accra complicates Hofstede's collectivism label as there seems to be a loss of genuine sense of care and people-centeredness among participants it confirms individualism tendencies among the participants in London though some tendencies of 'virtual collectivism' were observed. In conclusion, the study emphasises how significant behavioural changes among smartphone users can reduce human-induced vulnerabilities in cities. By so doing, we add weight to the literature that focuses on the importance of developing context-specific cutting-edge ICT policies vis-à-vis building smart, safe and sustainable cities. Highlights • The scale of usage and addiction to smartphones and social media are fostering emerging forms of everyday vulnerabilities • Victimisation, home and road accidents and loss of genuine sense of care are key aspects of smartphone vulnerabilities • Personal traits and lifestyle are key factors that influence SMP usage patterns, human vulnerabilities and emergency response • Smartphones and social media are altering the notions of individualism and collectivism thereby affecting cultural identities • ICT policies should be cross-cutting and people-centered in order to address risks and promote inclusive and smart cities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Slum upgrading is one of the preferred options in dealing with ubiquitous informality in cities across the world. Drawing on experiences in two African cities namely Harare and Kampala; the article focuses on the role of policy, politics and leadership in slum upgrading. This paper is based on interviews conducted with urban leaders and managers, politicians, slum dwellers federation members and government officials. With regards to slum upgrading, the paper makes three arguments. First, policies guiding upgrading should evolve gradually over time, taking into consideration lessons learned. Second, tensions in party-politics tend to undermine slum upgrading programmes. This is mainly because of the vulnerability of informal settlers who are often used as sources and resources for political agency. Third, leadership at the city level plays a fundamental role in diffusing party-politics and championing inclusive municipal governance, and development. Highlights • Policies guiding upgrading should evolve gradually over time, taking into consideration lessons learned. • Tensions in party-politics tend to undermine slum upgrading programmes • Leadership at the city level plays a key role in diffusing party-politics and championing inclusive municipal governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Congestion and traffic-related pollution are typically the largest contributors to air pollution in cities. Rapid urbanization in developing countries has caused large-scale proliferation in motor vehicle use making cities increasingly congested and, subsequently, polluted. There is a growing awareness that the air quality status quo in East African cities is unacceptable. This paper uses the case of Nairobi, Kenya to discuss current traffic pollution challenges and how they may be addressed. The paper begins with an overview of urbanization and pollution effects. It goes on to look at the specific case of Nairobi as it searches for solutions to the negative impacts of pollution through a lens which sees resolution of congestion effects as key to amelioration of traffic-related air pollution. It suggests that a combination of infrastructure, policy, regulatory and softer measures may provide the most effective way to address traffic congestion and, thus, traffic pollution. In addition, the paper highlights the need for further research into the lived experience of negotiating daily life in Nairobi, as well as further exploration of the social, economic and environmental feasibility of potential solutions for the city. While Nairobi is used as the case study city, the lessons learned are generalized for cities in the East African region, which often share similar traits of congestion and traffic related pollution. Highlights • Rapid urbanization in developing countries often causes motorization proliferation. • The links between urbanization, motorization and air pollution are explored. • Nairobi, Kenya is used as case study city for East Africa. • Resolution of congestion is key to amelioration of traffic-related air pollution. • Solutions involve infrastructure, policy, regulation and softer actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cities worldwide are attempting to transform themselves into smart cities. Recent cases and studies show that a key factor in this transformation is the use of urban big data from stakeholders and physical objects in cities. However, the knowledge and framework for data use for smart cities remain relatively unknown. This paper reports findings from an analysis of various use cases of big data in cities worldwide and the authors' four projects with government organizations toward developing smart cities. Specifically, this paper classifies the urban data use cases into four reference models and identifies six challenges in transforming data into information for smart cities. Furthermore, building upon the relevant literature, this paper proposes five considerations for addressing the challenges in implementing the reference models in real-world applications. The reference models, challenges, and considerations collectively form a framework for data use for smart cities. This paper will contribute to urban planning and policy development in the modern data-rich economy. Highlights • We analyze and classify urban data use cases into four reference models. • We identify six challenges in transforming data into information for smart cities. • We give five considerations to address the challenges in implementing the models. • The challenges and considerations are based on four action research projects with government. • Our findings can aid urban planning and policy development in a data-rich economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The convergence of technology and the city is commonly referred to as the ‘smart city’. It is seen as a possible remedy for the challenges that urbanisation creates in the age of global climate change, and as an enabler of a sustainable and liveable urban future. A review of the abundant but fragmented literature on smart city theories and practices, nevertheless, reveals that there is a limited effort to capture a comprehensive understanding on how the complex and multidimensional nature of the drivers of smart cities are linked to desired outcomes. The paper aims to develop a clearer understanding on this new city model by identifying and linking the key drivers to desired outcomes, and then intertwining them in a multidimensional framework. The methodological approach of this research includes a systematic review of the literature on smart cities, focusing on those aimed at conceptual development and provide empirical evidence base. The review identifies that the literature reveals three types of drivers of smart cities—community, technology, policy—which are linked to five desired outcomes—productivity, sustainability, accessibility, wellbeing, liveability, governance. These drivers and outcomes altogether assemble a smart city framework, where each of them represents a distinctive dimension of the smart cities notion. This paper helps in expanding our understanding beyond a monocentric technology focus of the current common smart city practice. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Determines the current state of conceptual understanding of smart cities • Highlights the key smart city drivers and desired outcomes • Generates insights into expanding our understanding on smart cities • Develops a comprehensive multidimensional smart city framework • Intertwines smart city drivers with desired outcomes in a multidimensional framework [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The problem of employment access for the urban poor is often articulated across the urban-suburban divide in metropolitan areas, such that job opportunities concentrate in suburban areas, at a distance from areas of concentrated, racialized poverty in the inner city. The lack of public transit options that reasonably connect urban workers to suburban job opportunities only furthers this problem. However, transportation scholars have noted that a substantial population of the urban poor take this “reverse” commute. While these studies have grown knowledge on the characteristics of the reverse commuting population and their journey to work, they do not address, to the same extent, the demographic characteristics where reverse commuters live in the city and where they work in the suburbs. To learn more about the equity issues in the reverse commuting problem, this paper uses cluster analysis to develop typologies of commutes based on differences in key socio-demographic indicators between home (origin) and work (destination) geographies. This paper analyzes how commute patterns (intra-urban, suburb-city, etc.) and the number of jobs nested within these commute patterns, concentrate across socio-demographically defined commute typologies. Focus is given to how reverse commutes are distributed across these typologies. Reverse commutes constitute approximately 10% of all commutes in our sample and 10% of all primary jobs (the job that provides a worker the most income of all of their jobs) in the sample are accessed via reverse commute. The paper concludes with a number of transportation and social policy interventions that address issues facing particularly low-income, minority, reverse commuting workers. In light of the literature on metropolitan fragmentation, we recommend redistributive policies that build suburban, municipal accountability to urban, low-income reverse commuters. Highlights • Large numbers of workers take a reverse commute from city to suburb. • Many reverse commuters traverse socio-demographic disparity in the journey to work. • Policy should encourage suburban, municipal accountability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Local governments increasingly justify the hosting of mega-events because of their legacy value, assuming that all local residents benefit from those events. Yet, little attention has been paid to the distributive question of who benefits from the transport legacy left by those events. This paper reflects on the delimitation of transport legacies and its social impacts in terms of how such developments can reshape urban accessibility to opportunities. It analyses the transformation in the transport system of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in preparation for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. That transformation involved substantial expansion in public transport infrastructure, followed by cuts in service levels and a reorganization of many bus lines to streamline the transport system. The paper examines whether those recent changes have increased the number of people from different income levels who could access Olympic sports venues and healthcare facilities by public transport within 15, 30, 60 and 90 min. The analysis uses a before-and-after comparison of Rio's transport network (2014–2017) and a quasi-counterfactual scenario to separate the effects of newly added infrastructure from the reorganization and cuts of transport services. The results show that the infrastructure expansion alone would have increased the number of people who could access the Olympic sports venues, but it would have only marginally improved people's access to healthcare facilities. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that the streamlined bus system have offset the benefits of infrastructure investments in a way that particularly penalizes the poor. The analysis of both the implemented changes to the public transport network and the counterfactual scenario show that the accessibility benefits from the recent cycle of investments and disinvestments in Rio generally accrued to middle- and higher-income groups, reinforcing existing patterns of urban inequality. Highlights • Mega-events have the potential to catalyze substantial changes to the transport system of host cities • The evaluation of transport legacies needs to consider whether their benefits and burdens are distributed equitably • Benefits of transport infrastructure expansion were offset by the reorganization of bus lines in a way that penalizes the poor • Mega-events have brought little improvement to the transport conditions of poor peripheral urban areas in Rio de Janeiro • Transport legacy of Rio’s mega-events involved the violation of basic rights of local communities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The main objective of this paper was to examine patterns of growth and change in Sydney over the time period from 1981 to 2006. To achieve this aim, the paper took employment density as a structural dimension, and modelled the linear and interactive effects of this dimension in order to better understand the dynamics of urban spatial structure change in the Sydney metropolitan area. The estimation of the traditional negative exponential models of mono-centricity and poly-centricity indicated a polycentric pattern at the beginning and end of the study period. Employment density distributions, suggest a system of polycentric nodes of varying importance between 1981 and 2006. The legacy of this paper for the planning community is the importance of developing an evidence base, and application of concepts and advanced spatial techniques for urban spatial structure analysis. Highlights • Sydney had a polycentric structure at the beginning and end of the over the 25 year study period. • Employment density was clustered at relatively high levels over the study period, and high density areas were found across the metropolitan area – interspersed with low and medium density employment density. • The concentrations of employment in the core areas over the study period have reinforced the role of the CBD and inner areas to a level never before experienced in the urban history of this city. The key polycentric nodes outside the CBD only exert a minor influence on the employment surface of the Sydney metropolitan area. • Distance from the CBD, remains a key influence on how employment has been structured in the metropolitan area, but there are other metrics that also affect this distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper argues for more conceptually-laden research on the constitution of place branding as a hybrid form of urban policy. By both drawing from empirical examples and problematizing the extensive research on place branding, this paper offers the view of place branding as an impolitical form of urban policy that emerges as a biopolitical apparatus in an ecology of complex political practices which can materialize both negatively and positively. Ultimately, this paper outlines a novel alternative approach for conducting research and analyse the politics of place branding. Such an approach has the potential to more clearly analyse and theorize the political dimensions of place branding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This city profile on Leicester focuses on the representation of ethnical diversity in city branding. Through a historical approach, the paper discusses how the local authorities have taken advantage of the arrival of different migration flows into the city, in order to redefine its post-industrial identity in terms of multiculturalism, tolerance and inclusivity. In so doing, the paper emphasises the combination of deliberate marketing communicative activities, the provision of services for attracting and retaining foreign businesses and the creation of an open urban milieu where various ethnic groups are free to express and celebrate their own cultures through festivals and events. The paper identifies the alignment between place communication and place ‘offerings’ development as the crucial element underpinning Leicester's model for multicultural cooperation and critically assesses the recent challenges that are being posed to the sustainment of a multicultural city image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities looking to embark on more sustainable development pathways may need to evaluate the controversial but usually impactful measure of road pricing as a means of reducing their reliance on conventionally fuelled automobiles. Understanding the mechanisms determining the public acceptability of road pricing could be critical for its implementation. Studying the attitudes of older people is of particular significance because of their increasing demographic and political importance and vulnerability to transport-related social exclusion. Prior research identified that older people's social norms and pro-social values affect their attitudes to road pricing. The present paper extends this understanding based on the results of three focus groups conducted in Bristol, UK. According to these, there are three distinctive expressions of pro-sociality: pro-environmental values and generativity, which are mainly drivers of support for road pricing, and pro-equity values, which are mainly drivers of opposition. Social norms have two particular expressions: subjective norms (i.e. norms reflecting participants' immediate social environment) and norms about others and society in general. Furthermore, a theory-driven thematic analysis indicates that trust on the integrity of the concept and older age as a life stage associated with ageing, retirement, lower income, mobility barriers and deteriorating health are important in how attitudes reflecting and affecting public acceptability to road pricing form. Finally, the paper highlights the need for packaging road pricing with measures promoting its pro-social potential and the importance of peer-to-peer communication and accepting citizens as “social influencers”, tailored consultation, pro-social branding, pre-implementation trials, clear administrative roles, transparency, and “political patience”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the hukou system has long been cited as the underlying cause of the disadvantages in housing access that rural migrants encounter in urban destinations. However, following the latest round of hukou reform, does the hukou system still have a significant impact on rural migrants' housing outcomes? This paper addresses the question by examining hukou -related arrangements faced by rural migrants, in both their urban destination and their rural town of origin. Based on data from a nationwide survey conducted in 2011, we find that city entry criteria together with insecure and inalienable land rights negatively predict rural migrants' homeownership attainment. Moreover, the impact differs across urban locations. Consequently, although hukou reform has eased discrimination against rural individuals, disparities persist between urban natives and rural migrants. This paper demonstrates that these disparities result from unequal access to social welfare and housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public spaces are the loci of complex interactions among multiple stakeholders whose decisions and activities affect places' qualities. The paper builds upon governance theory to provide a holistic in-depth approach in understanding the complexity and quality of the place-shaping processes in public spaces. In the absence of adequate conception of governance in urban design and public spaces, the paper introduces a framework for analysing governance capacity of public spaces and applies the framework to a flagship but highly contested public space in Brisbane, Australia namely South Bank Parklands. The proposed framework encompasses four major components of 1) actors and stakeholders, 2) governance structure, 3) governing tools, and 4) governing tasks. The framework puts special emphasis on the contextual factors, the way public spaces are shaped and governed, and political economy of the space. The case study application showcases the applicability of the PSGF which helps holistically analyse the trends in public space governance structure accounting for the diversity and complexity of all elements involved. The findings reveal that South Bank Parklands governance is mix-structured, hierarchical, and highly political. It is, however, a likeable public space for which civic engagement in the decision-making processes is notably limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focusses on the concept of a smart city and its specific components in relation to size of the city. Smart cities are a topic whose key importance is being increasingly recognised across both academic disciplines and urban planning. The idea of a smart city is a dream of urban planners all over the world, and a subject of many research and business initiatives as well as policy debates. As cities vary considerably in size, it is important to ask if the size influences the level of selected indicators of smart cities. Our main presumption is that the development level of indicators of smart cities varies in cities of different size. Our scientific objective is to find a simple understandable model linking the categorical variable “city size” to a group of smart city indicators. Our data set contains 26 smart city indicators for 158 European smart cities, divided into two sizes: medium-sized cities and larger cities. We draw from the methodology of “European Smart Cities” elaborated by the Vienna University of Technology (Project ID: 314704 ) that classify European smart cities and smart city indicators by considering their size. Analysing the statistics by using decision tree modelling, we identify the most significant indicators of smart cities that can divide smart cities into size categories with impressive 96.2% correct classification. Besides excellent classification result based on real empirical data, several research results overturn common assumptions about smart cities. Based on the research results the paper also highlights intriguing future challenges in smart city research and policy development. Several research results have policy implications and might be useful for urban planners, policy representatives and decision makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many countries, achieving social mixing through a mix of housing tenures became a central strategy in socially inclusive urban renaissance initiatives. While several studies have explored the relationship between tenure and social mix, they often treat social and affordable housing as a homogeneous segment, neglecting the diversity of housing providers and their individualized housing allocation strategies. There is limited understanding of the role of diverse housing providers in creating social mix. This paper aims to address this gap by examining how the presence of different types of social and affordable housing providers impacts the level of social mix and the changes in social mix resulting from tenure conversions in the housing stock owned by different providers. Using population census data in 1988 and 2002 from Warsaw, Poland, from two periods characterized by different housing policies and tenures, the paper argues that social mix was primarily associated with a combination of housing tenures and property ownership, but only in 2002. The findings suggest that limitations on tenure conversions are necessary to achieve long-term social mix. In addition, there is a need for affordable housing providers to diversify and specialize in addressing changing housing needs and dynamic housing aspirations. • A 'socialist' social mix was prevalent in areas dominated by a single ownership form. • 40% of both public rentals and privately-owned units maintained social mix. • The presence of state-owned housing with a single tenure ensured social mixing after the conversion of tenures. • Privatization in cooperative housing with two tenures resulted in social upgrading. • Affordable housing providers need to specialize in order to address changing housing needs and dynamic housing aspirations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have shown that high-speed rail (HSR) can reshape the spatial pattern of economic geography. However, there needs to be more logical argumentation and rigorous empirical design on the paths and mechanisms involved. This paper considers the impact of the border effect on HSR links and innovation clusters from the perspective of inter-regional collaborative innovation. It provides a logical and compact theoretical framework for HSR to reshape the pattern of the economic geography of innovation and then give a data-based empirical test. Using a benchmark sample of 285 cities in China from 2001 to 2020, the paper empirically examines the impact of HSR links on collaborative innovation and its mechanism in different border samples. The results show that HSR can break through various types of regional borders, shorten the tangible and intangible distances between regions, and increase cross-regional collaborative innovation through three primary mechanisms: market integration, matching human capital, and activating innovation activities. The paper also inspires how to improve collaborative innovation in regions with economic, cultural, policy, and administrative borders in addition to traditional geographical borders and verifies the negative superposition effect of regional borders to provide adequate references for policymakers. • The HSR can provide opportunities for innovative cooperation between cities. • The HSR between cities breaks through regional boundaries. • Study heterogeneous boundary effects based on the theory of the center-periphery. • Research on the three main micro mechanisms of "sharing, learning and matching". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article tells the story of how Tallinn urban gardener Anton turned from community gardening to guerrilla gardening. While both gardening types have recently been critically studied focusing on the tension between cooperation with or a rebellious act against neoliberal urban governance regimes, this paper investigates the topic from a more-than-human theory perspective. Building on Anton's practitioner memoirs and in-depth interviews with city officials and gardening activists, the paper emphasizes the role of materialities, encounters and emotions involved in governing and practicing urban gardening in Tallinn. In exposing the case, it shows how strong emotions driving early community gardening experiments elicited the institutionalization of a more controlled governance model for community gardening. This subsequently fostered an alienation of the first-generation community gardening activist from the gardens, in particular Anton, who consequently turned towards guerrilla gardening. Looking at this process from a more-than-human perspective allows us to paint a nuanced and interwoven picture of urban gardening without diminishing the actions undertaken as a mere opposition to the status quo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is central for climate policy to understand, monitor and forecast greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, generating insights on the key factors and actions with a greater impact to mitigate and adapt to global warming. Focusing on the leading role of cities, it is relevant to build robust and reliable GHG emissions prospects for every city committing to mitigate and adapt to climate change. In this paper, a novel methodology is proposed to build those prospects, presenting a case study with 6231 EU-27 cities and local municipalities taken from the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM). Key GHG emissions predictors for the target years of 2020 and 2030 refer to the baseline energy consumption and associated GHG emissions, as well as the population and the national emissions per capita trend. Additionally, other informative predictors are the baseline inventory year, the reduction target, the disaggregated baseline emissions by type of fuel (fossils or renewables), the heating and cooling degree days and the NUTS urban/rural categorization. The proposed methodology allows assessing the cities' achievements based on their expected performance, and it could be further implemented to support new cities willing to commit to a significant reduction of their GHG emissions. • A robust methodology is proposed to predict GHG emissions for cities committing to climate change mitigation and adaptation. • Key predictors refer to local, regional and national sources of information. • A case study is performed with 6231 European cities: 2030 commitments are expected to achieve a 40 % GHG emissions reduction. • The models described in this paper provide useful information to urban policy makers in the climate action planning process. • The results are replicable in the context of transnational initiatives involving cities in the fight against climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-commuting travel is essential for people to meet daily demands and regulate mental health, which is greatly disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To explore non-commuting intentions during COVID-19 across different groups of residents, this paper uses online survey data in Nanjing and constructs a hybrid latent class choice model that combines sociodemographic characteristics and psychological factors. Results showed that the respondents can be divided into two groups: the "cautious" group versus the "fearless" group. The "cautious" group with lower willingness to travel tend to be older, higher-income, higher-educated, female and full-time employees. Furthermore, the "cautious" group with higher perceived susceptibility is more obedient to government policies. In contrast, the "fearless" group is significantly affected by perceived severity and is more inclined to turn to personal protection against the pandemic. These results suggested that non-commuting trips were influenced not only by individual characteristics but also by psychological factors. Finally, the paper provides implications for the government to formulate COVID-19 management measures for the heterogeneity of different groups. • Using a hybrid choice model to explore residents' non-commuting travel intentions during COVID-19 outbreaks. • Perceived severity and perceived susceptibility had significant effects on non-commuting travel. • Separating residents into cautious group and fearless group based on a latent class approach. • In cautious group, those less willing to travel are older, higher paid, higher educated, female and full-time employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we interrogate how digital technologies and practices contribute to imaginaries of counter cities by telling the stories of people who navigate digital inequality. Digital inequality offers a lens onto the ways in which the privatised provision of services reshapes opportunities for collective organising. Digital technologies are commonly viewed as useful tools for collective organising, overlooking the fact that digital products are inequitable in their functioning and availability. In Australia, internet connections are offered as a for-profit service and digital inequality is persistent. The paper presents focus groups and participatory mapping interviews with residents of a Melbourne public housing estate. The study reveals that public housing residents pay relatively more money and receive lower quality service from internet providers. We identify three forms of dependency that arise as residents endeavour to stay connected to an essential infrastructure that was designed without their needs in mind: strategic alliances with community organisations to secure a digitally connected future; household strategies for meeting digital needs; and collaborative troubleshooting with technological 'experts'. In the conclusion we stress that digital infrastructures both require and enable collective organising and we argue that the political projects of counter cities must protect those infrastructures that support the relationships that can lead to more equitable cities. • Public housing residents pay more for internet and receive less reliable connections. • Telecom providers do not communicate barriers nor provide solutions within their ability. • Individualisation of services inhibits collective action for just provision. • Concept of counter publics needs to be critical of inequitable internet provisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on return migration has tended to focus their analyses on two imagined places: a host country where they used to live, and an origin country where they must reintegrate after a long period of being away. This paper reveals how spaces within the city can undermine the reintegration of former migrants seeking to reestablish themselves in their home countries. Based on in-depth interviews with 25 Singaporean academics, we discuss how the priorities of globally oriented universities can impact the reintegration of highly skilled returnees within their home city. Specifically, this paper reveals how returnees face the challenge of negotiating two conflicting demands upon their return home. As academics, they must adhere to the needs of their fast-changing universities, where the pressures of world rankings demand "global impact" through research and publications. Yet, as Singaporean citizens, they also face expectations to fulfill the responsibilities of being "home" in their city, juggling calls for national service and community outreach among local university faculty. We examine the conflict between these two demands as an understudied factor that shapes migration flows into Asia's global cities. • Spaces within the city can undermine the reintegration of highly skilled returnees. • Singaporean returnees must perform in line with their global universities • They also face expectations to contribute to their home city as returning citizens • Such conflicting demands push them to either remigrate to other countries or leave academia for other careers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities today are confronted with pressing issues of mobilities - not only concerning greener movement but also more just movement. This article explores the physical and imaginary aspects of urban mobility injustice and its (re)production through a study of two neighbourhoods in Copenhagen. It examines the interplay between city dwellers' experiences of (im)mobility and the social and spatial structure of neighbourhoods that shape and are simultaneously shaped by images of these places. Through interviews and focus groups, residents' mobility capacity and mobility providers' decision-making are scrutinised. The study demonstrates that residents' experiences of mobility vary remarkably between places in a relatively equal city, and this is intensified by territorial images of being deprived. The paper argues that paying attention to neighbourhoods' sociospatial composition in relation to their internal and external reputation helps to understand experiences of mobility injustice and how such injustice is reproduced in planning decisions. • The paper examines residents' experiences of (im)mobility in socioeconomically different neighbourhoods in Copenhagen. • Investigating experiences of mobility helps to understand sociospatial and imagined inequalities in cities. • The study demonstrates that residents' experiences of mobility vary remarkably between places in a relatively equal city. • Uneven urban mobilities are related to the physical and imagined landscape and is perpetuated in planning decisions. • Knowledge about residents' mobility in different socioeconomic contexts can inform more just sustainable planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas and historical centres are exposed to climate change, decay, human threats, among other menaces, which jeopardize their safeguard. Besides, in general, stakeholders, or decision-makers, do not require interventions to be sustained by previous evaluations of their impact in the urban heritage. To fill this gap, the international organizations in charge of the protection of cultural heritage (e.g., UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM), in line with what happens with the environment, request a holistic and integrated evaluations, regarding heritage impact assessment to maintain the urban heritage. The paper proposes a Monitoring and Assessment Heritage Tool (MAHT) to collect data concerning heritage, technical and social dimensions of urban heritage buildings. This tool aims to create shared databases, using a systematic assessment and monitoring to identify attributes and transformations, especially regarding physical features of urban fabrics and buildings, and the quality of life of citizens. It involves data analysis, supported by statistical procedures, which underline complementarity dimensions, and combined indicators, i.e., distinct levels of quantitative information. Finally, the paper concludes that, as a holistic assessment tool, MAHT contributes to catalogue buildings in cities, providing structured and systematised data, to support the decision-making processes of the different stakeholders at different urban heritage levels. • The rehabilitation of urban areas requires cataloguing and periodic monitoring. • A Monitoring and Assessment Heritage Tool (MAHT) is designed to assess urban heritage. • MAHT allows measuring, comparing and classifying urban heritage buildings indicators. • Distinct levels of information are assessed through combined indicators. • Proposed information feed and improve urban instruments and policies in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]