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Abstract: According to the problem that in what scope can subway engineering influence the prices of peripheral real estate, this paper summarized the problems in similar research presented, and put forward that the influence is taken by factors of person, and the influence can be studied by the probability of choosing subway. Different from other similar research, based on the analysis of the factors which can influence people choose subway or not, this paper constructs the logistic model. Testing the model by using the research data of Beijing, this paper get the list on which we know in what scope can subway engineering influence the surrounding real estate prices by adjusting the logistic model variable X4. Finally, discussed the model applicability and in different cities to application. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper aims to discuss innovative plan models for Chinese cities that are currently under rapid development. The study considers Complexity Theories of Cities as the theoretical basis and applies a holistic approach in city planning by recognizing the complex nature of city. It strives to integrate the diverse local structure in social and spatial aspects with the ambition and demand of city''s expansion. Digital sequence simulation is used as an innovative tool to represent local activities, promote interventions and predict possible self-organization process in the future. The study arrives at an open scenario, the feasible prospect. A conclusion is drawn to reflect the process and achievement and propose future works for this research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An investigation of historical database of environmental pollutants (RSP, NO, NO2, NOx, Ozone, SO2, NO/NO2 and NO2/NOx) and meteorological parameters at selected air monitoring stations in Hong Kong, is reported in this paper. Multiple regression and principal component analysis are employed to predict ozone levels from data of pollutants and meteorological variables. The results indicated that the performance of logarithmic transformation of ozone values is better than original data; based on this transformation, the variable NO2/NOx explained 75% of variation of the ozone level at Sha Tin and 83% at Kwun Tong. The ozone level increased exponentially with increase of NO2/NOx but the critical point was judged to be 0.5. In addition, due to close relationships between these studied variables, influence of meteorological variables on ozone concentration was confirmed being incorporated in pollutant variables and could not be segregated in the regression model. The results showed that meteorological variables account for 31% and 34% of ozone variation at Sha Tin and Kwun Tong, respectively. The cloud amount was observed as the most important factor at both stations. Data of Sha Tin and Kwun Tong were compared to ascertain the effect of geographical location on ozone variation. It seems that ozone level depended more heavily on variations in pollutants and meteorological variables. It can be deduced that Kwun Tong located near Victoria harbor and surrounded by hilly terrain of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island is in a disadvantageous position in terms of ozone dispersion, which results in relatively high ozone concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Urban greenways are proven strategies to counter ecological fragmentation and improve urban sustainability. However, significant challenges remain when seeking to integrate multiple functions into priority-oriented planning. In this paper, we focus on the city of Wuhan (China) to present an innovative approach for developing multi-functional greenway networks. Based on remote sensing and geographical information systems, this approach applies a least-cost path model, a kernel density analysis and a proxy index to identify and integrate multiple needs into priority greenway networks. Our priorities are bird and small mammal conservation, human recreation and water protection. In the cost settings of the least-cost path model, we include simulated construction costs to realistically identify corridors. This method insures that our results reflect the expenses necessary for the construction of greenways. Our study demonstrates that the kernel density method is an effective tool to illustrate priorities by revealing the potential utilisation intensity of corridors. Based on the proposed method, we identify eight potential greenway networks, each highlighting different sets of priorities. We divide these priority greenway networks into three categories of ecological security: ideal greenways, backbone greenways and the comprehensive greenway network. The latter represents the integration of animal conservation, human recreation and water protection objectives. Because priorities can be added, interchanged or weighted according to local specificities, our study offers a methodological framework applicable to developing and developed cities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Green space positively affects the quality of the environment and urban life. However it is still hard to decide where and how much green space should be planned. In China, mandatory green space required by national and local laws and regulations entails the specifying of locations and quantities of the green space. This paper proposes a new method for automatically generating the plan of mandatory green and presents a case study in the Yuhua District in Nanjing, China. Based on the regulatory plans of this area, GIS data layers are first assembled. A model is built to generate the final plan of mandatory green of the study area. In comparison with the modeled mandatory green plan, the regulatory green plan is found to be arbitrary and to fails to comply with legal requirements. The results present the model for generating the plan of mandatory green is effective and accurate. This model bridges the gap between the legal parameters of mandatory green and practical green space planning and enables those legal parameters to become the guide and assessing criteria for planning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The benefits of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) are widely known but its recommendations remain thinly implemented. Designing wastewater treatment plants for reuse in irrigation is a particularly underutilized IWRM opportunity that could potentially increase agricultural yields, conserve surface water, offset chemical fertilizer demand, and reduce the costs of wastewater treatment by eliminating nutrient removal processes. This paper presents a novel planning model, consisting of a reuse-centric performance assessment and optimization model to help design wastewater treatment plants for reuse in agriculture. The performance assessment and optimization model are described, and their coupled application is demonstrated in the peri-urban district of Pixian, China. Based on the results of the performance assessment, two reuse scenarios are evaluated: wastewater to supplement business as usual (BAU) irrigation, and wastewater to replace BAU irrigation. The results indicate that wastewater supplementation could increase profits by $20 million (M) annually; alternatively, wastewater replacement could conserve 35Mm3 of water in local rivers each year. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a model to quantify the impact of electric power outages on GDP by using Cobb–Douglas production function to develop an economic relationship between the reliability of the electric power supply system and the cost of electric energy unserved. Our findings show that average costs for providing a stable power supply are much lower than disruption costs, which is supported by recurring to the data available of Shanghai. Estimated by using Shanghai’s macroeconomic data of 1990–2006, this relationship indicates that the impact of electricity service disruption on Shanghai’s GDP is about 48.18×108 CNY in 2006, matching an alternative “back-of-envelope” estimate of 50.91×108 CNY. The estimated costs per kWh unserved are 1.81–10.26 CNY in 1990–2006, mirroring the increasing importance of electricity in the period’s economic development. These results demonstrate the usefulness of our approach for quantifying the reliability benefits of investments in electricity infrastructure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, the time series method is used to analyze the effect of fire disasters and serious fires on monthly fire occurrence statistics in 10 cities from January 1997 to December 2001 in Jiangsu province. After removal of outliers in the irregular component of the original data series and seasonal adjustments, the intervention model is applied to quantify the effect of the fire disasters and serious fires on the total monthly fire statistics in the cities of Jiangsu province. The results show that the impact on monthly fires lasts for 3 months for eight cities and 2 months for two cities. Other phenomena are also detected in these 10 cities. Finally, some explanations for these phenomena are proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]