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Refuge floors in high-rise buildings ensure a haven for occupants to stay in an emergencyprimarily during a fire breakout. Provisions for natural ventilation of the refuge floor are mandatory in all fire codes as they help release smoke and heat build-up. However, the effectiveness of such provisions has been questioned in many studies. This research employs large eddy simulations based three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics modelling on a real-world high-rise building to investigate the efficacy of natural ventilation in a refuge floor during a fire. Consequently, the performance was assessed by evaluating the temporal and spatial distributions of temperature, visibility, smoke and carbon monoxide concentration. Emphasis was placed on determining the adequacy of window placement and openings. Analysis was started with a code-compliant window configuration. Subsequently the window size and the layout were iteratively modified using simulation results. Seasonal wind variations were also considered. Results showed that a well-engineered natural ventilation strategy can considerably improve the refuge floor habitability. Simulations also revealed limitations of natural ventilation under certain wind conditions, necessitating a backup mechanical system. This also underlined that combining fire analysis with cutting-edge modelling allows tailored natural ventilation for refuge floors, maximising safe occupancy during fires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the prevailing subjective pricing paradigms for high-rise apartments in India, this paper advocates for a paradigm shift toward thermal comfort–based differential pricing, recognizing its pivotal role in influencing residents' well-being in hot and humid climates and energy savings. Understanding the correlation between thermal comfort, floor level, and orientation can lead to implementing such pricing strategies. Three models are proposed through market surveys and simulations, incorporating thermal comfort and other existing market preferences using Hedonic regression and two models using the analytic hierarchy process. The comparison reveals that Model 1, based on buyers' preferences, yields a 0.72% mean improvement in the total sale price, Model 2, focused on thermal comfort, sees a mean increase of 0.86%, and Model 3, incorporating both thermal comfort and buyer preferences, results in a mean increase of 2.22%. The study emphasizes the significance of a multicriteria-based pricing model for high-rise apartments with thermal comfort as the focus, highlighting its flexibility to accommodate diverse criteria and determine suitable differential prices by adjusting percentage priorities based on specific requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radon (Rn 222) is a significant contributor to natural radiation exposure in residential environments such as single-family houses and multistory buildings. This study monitored radon activity concentration (RAC) in 455 apartments in 30 multistory buildings in Buzău, Romania. Integrated measurements of the RAC using CR-39 nuclear track detectors were conducted for a period of 3 to 4 months. The results revealed that the RAC varies between buildings, with an annual average between 33 and 77 Bq/m3. This variation may be attributed to poor ventilation and the chimney effect in common ventilation ducts, which may facilitate radon displacement vertically. Also, apartments with low occupancy or inadequate ventilation showed higher radon levels of up to 285 Bq/m3. The study highlights the potential risk of increased radon exposure in energy-efficient buildings due to poor ventilation, emphasizing the need for special attention to radon mitigation measures in building design. The results emphasize that the RAC is influenced by building characteristics, room use, and ventilation, with significant implications for health risks in urban residential environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have investigated the impacts of high-rise living on neighbourhood social interactions, yet this body of literature does not focus explicitly on intergenerational interactions, which are associated with distinctive benefits for older and younger generations. This qualitative study investigated how younger and older people interact in high-rise neighbourhoods, and identified the factors that hinder intergenerational interactions, through in-depth interviews with 23 young adults and 26 older people in Hong Kong. The findings revealed that the two generations rarely interact, partly due to generational differences in the use of public spaces, and partly due to socio-cultural factors, especially the pervasive culture of digital communication among younger people, and aversion to small talk in public spaces. The findings also highlighted the potential of new forms of interdependency-oriented interventions in enhancing intergenerational support, while respecting residents' desire for privacy. These findings highlight the need for culturally-sensitive interventions, in order to foster meaningful intergenerational interactions in high-rise neighbourhoods across different cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, IoT has been combined with artificial intelligence (AI) technology to develop into intelligent IoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things, AIoT) and can provide smart services to all industries. Generally, buildings with 30 or more floors are classified as high-rise apartments. There are high-rise apartments in many countries with small land areas and high population densities around the world, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Korea. Korea has many high-rise apartments and buildings with 30 or more floors, and residents there inevitably use elevators to move between floors. Because it is a high-rise apartment, it takes time for EVs to move, and a contactless method is needed when using EVs, especially due to COVID-19. In this study, we proposed a smart elevator system using AI that allows residents of high-rise apartments to conveniently shorten waiting and use times and use elevators without contact during rush hours due to the impact of COVID-19. The proposed system uses AI facial recognition to shorten EV waiting time and moving time and has a contactless floor selection function. As a result of the proposed system, it was confirmed that residents' EV waiting time and travel time were shortened compared to existing EV systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel damper columns (SDCs) are energy-dissipating members that are suitable for reinforced concrete (RC) moment-resisting frames (MRFs) and those often used for multistory housing. In a previous study, the authors proposed an energy-based prediction procedure for the peak and cumulative response of an RC frame building with SDCs. In this procedure, the accuracy of the equivalent velocity of the maximum momentary input energy (VΔE1*)-peak equivalent displacement (D1*max) relationship is essential for improved prediction. In this article, the seismic capacity curve (VΔE1*-D1*max relationship) of RC MRFs with and without SDCs is evaluated using incremental critical pseudo-multi impulse analysis (ICPMIA). In the ICPMIA, which is based on a study by Takewaki and coauthors, the structure is subjected to various intensities of critical pseudo-multi impulsive lateral force. An ICPMIA of planer four 8- and 16-story RC MRFs with and without SDCs is performed to obtain their structural behaviors under various intensities of pulsive input. Then, the seismic capacity curve obtained from the ICMPIA results are compared with the predicted results based on the simplified equations. The main findings of this article are as follows. (i) The seismic capacity curve of RC MRFs without SDCs strongly depends on the number of impulsive lateral forces (Np). As Np increases, the seismic capacity decreases. The predicted seismic capacity curve severely underestimates that obtained from the ICMPIA in the case of large Np. This trend is notable when the level of pinching behavior in the RC members is severe. (ii) In the case of an RC MRF with SDCs, however, the influence of Np on its seismic capacity curve is small. The predicted seismic capacity curve agrees very well with that obtained from the ICMPIA. The influence of the level of pinching behavior in RC members on the seismic capacity curve is small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible housing resolves the fundamental conflicts between the long-standing structure and the evolving demands. We propose a computational method of optimizing the structural layout of high-rise residential buildings. Chinese high-rise apartment buildings have widely employed shear wall-frame structure in which one big room or multiple small rooms could occupy the same span. Fitting multiple floor plans into a fixed sparse scheme of shear walls and columns is feasible. We developed a computational framework to seek flexible structural schemes. A building scheme consists of a circulation core, shear walls, columns, and boundaries. The computer program automatically adapts floor plans to any drawn or generated scheme. Based on a large dataset of apartment layouts, the number of apartments that fit into a building scheme statistically reflects the flexibility of the scheme. If many hypothetical plans can fit into a wall-frame structure in computer simulation, this structure could probably support several generations of unknown plans. Such a data-driven computational method provides the possibility of creating a one-to-many mapping between permanent structure and evolving apartment plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One Kensington Gardens is a large nine-storey luxury apartment building on High Street Kensington. Rarely are there any lights on. The building exemplifies the many buy-to-leave homes in Kensington and Chelsea, the richest local authority in the UK. Looking at these homes from the perspective of residents and councillors who live and work in the borough, I explore how buy-to-leave housing hollows out community, increases the cost of living, sanitises public space, and results in exclusionary and physical displacement. I also identify what role the local authority has in the process of financialising housing in the borough, including how councillors work with developers to make decisions that do not meet the needs of the residents they have been elected to serve. By concentrating on the voice of residents, I show how buy-to-leave homes reinforces the super-gentrification of the borough and becomes another form of gentrification that contributes to displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With rapid urbanization, traffic growth has accelerated in some cities in China. Due to strict urban construction land utilization policies, many high-rise apartment buildings have been constructed adjacent to expressways. To better understand the impact of urban traffic noise on the residents of high residential buildings adjacent to expressways and the differences in noise impacts on different floors, on-site noise monitoring and questionnaires for building residents have been conducted. The characteristics of traffic noise were analyzed based on the measured data, and factors, including time periods and building floors, were considered. According to the results of the questionnaire survey, 56.06% of the male respondents and 54.55% of the female respondents think that the impact of traffic noise on high-rise buildings is "high" or "very high"; 50.53% of the respondents who were in "good" or "very good" condition thought that the traffic noise has a "significant impact" or "very significant impact" on their sleep and daily life. In addition, 25% of respondents living on floors 4–10 and 62.5% of respondents living on floors 11–20 considered the traffic noise to have a "significant impact" or "very significant impact" on their sleep and daily life. The on-site noise monitoring results show that the noise levels (LAeq) outside the windows of the studied buildings remain significantly elevated, with daytime noise on working days ranging from 56 to 70 dB(A), and on weekends ranging from 50 to 65 dB(A). During the four time periods on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., the average LAeq levels on floors 11–20 are higher than those on floors 4–10 by 4.04 dB(A), 4.92 dB(A), 4.06 dB(A), and 2.67 dB(A), respectively. Similarly, during these time periods on weekends, the levels on floors 11–20 are higher than those on floors 4–10 by 4.96 dB(A), 6.32 dB(A), 5.28 dB(A), and 5.24 dB(A), respectively. This indicates that floors 4–10 of the building experience relatively lower noise levels, while floors 11–20 are subjected to comparatively higher levels of noise disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel damper columns (SDCs) are energy-dissipating members that are suitable for reinforced concrete (RC) buildings and are often used for multistory housing. The evaluation of the peak deformation and hysteretic dissipated energy of such building structures is essential for the rational seismic design of RC buildings with SDCs. In a previous study, the authors proposed an energy-based prediction procedure for the peak and cumulative response of an RC frame building with SDCs. In this procedure, the accuracy of the equivalent velocity of the maximum momentary input energy (VΔE1*)-peak equivalent displacement (D1*max) relationship is essential for high quality predictions. In this article, the VΔE1*-D1*max relationships of RC moment-resisting frames with and without SDCs are investigated using a critical pseudo-double impulse (PDI) analysis based on a study by Takewaki and coauthors. The results show that the VΔE1*-D1*max relationship obtained from the critical PDI analysis agrees well with that calculated from the equations proposed in the previous study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire is a major disaster event that can have a significant effect on public safety and social development. In a college or university, fire can seriously threaten the safety, lives, and property of those there due to the compact layout of apartment buildings and high population density. The ecological safety and sustainable development of buildings are also affected. In this study, PyroSim and Pathfinder software (version 2019) were used to simulate and analyze fire-spreading characteristics based on a multi-story university student apartment building. Additionally, the most effective safe evacuation plan from four fire evacuation drill schemes was identified by analyzing and comparing their performance. Results show that the spreading of fire smoke on different floors is significantly affected by the roof structure and the vertical and horizontal diffusion characteristics of smoke. While the smoke layer at the evacuation stairways has little effect on a safe evacuation, poor visibility due to smoke and ceiling temperatures has a significant effect. Safe evacuation becomes progressively more difficult at different floor levels from the top to the bottom of the building. The optimal safety scheme involves orderly evacuation through two open emergency exits. The number of emergency exits has a significant impact on the evacuation effectiveness. Measures and suggestions have been proposed to deal with apartment fires that address pre-event prevention, emergency loss reduction during the event, and post-event report-back. These proposals form an important theoretical reference for emergency evacuation and student apartment fire safety, providing important guidance for ecological safety protection of buildings and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The timely identification of severe dengue in peadiatric patients is of utmost importance, as any delay in diagnosis could lead to an irreversible state of shock potentially leading to fatal consequences. The primary aim of our study was to characterize dengue severity in paediatric patients based on initial symptoms, signs, and laboratory investigation of their presentation in the emergency department. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective data retrieval from the medical records of 254 paediatric patients who had been diagnosed with confirmed cases of dengue fever. The clinical characteristics were compared between severe and non-severe dengue. Multiple logistic regression analysis was utilised to elucidate the variables that exhibited associations with severe dengue. Results: A total of 254 paediatric patients were included, among whom 15.4% (n = 39) were diagnosed with severe dengue. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified lethargy, systolic blood pressure (SBP) below 90 mmHg, capillary refilled time (CRT) longer than 2 seconds, ascites, and hepatomegaly were independently associated with severe dengue. Conclusion: In paediatric patients, severe dengue is associated with specific clinical indicators, including lethargy, low systolic blood pressure, prolonged capillary refill time (CRT), and the presence of ascites and hepatomegaly. Identifying these clinical features early is crucial for primary care physicians, as it enables accurate diagnosis and timely intervention to manage severe dengue effectively. Author summary: Cheras is a suburban area located in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia. In recent years, the population of Cheras has grown rapidly due to urbanization and economic development in the surrounding areas. Cheras has a relatively high population density (N = 135,823, 8,489 / km2) with a mix of high-rise apartment buildings, landed residential properties, and commercial areas. The area is well-connected to other parts of the Klang Valley via major highways and public transportation, which also contributes to the population density. The present study documented clinical and laboratory profiles of 254 paediatric patients with dengue who presented in the emergency department between November 2018 to November 2019 at the only hospital in Cheras, a prevalent dengue area. Patients had an average age of 13 years old, and the male-to-female ratio was nearly balanced. More than 15% had severe dengue manifestation. We found the independent clinical risk factors for severe dengue in paediatric patients include lethargy, systolic blood pressure (SBP) below 90 mmHg, capillary refilled time (CRT) longer than 2 seconds, ascites, and hepatomegaly. Early recognition of these manifestations will assist primary care physicians in making correct diagnosis with timely intervention and management. The presence of dengue in a high-density population and rapidly growing zone warrants further holistic actions to reduce its impact on children's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the eyes of Zialcita (p. 244), not just historic buildings but also entire streets are under threat in many parts of central Metro Manila: as such, the history of people and institutions once central to the cultural and economic advancement of Manila, and the Philippines at large, is being wiped away in the name of speculative development and politically driven "advancement." Whereas during the Commonwealth Era (1935-1946), the Filipino elites perceived Manila as a fragmented, troubled locality and, against this background Quezon City was to offer a social and spatial "fresh start", the development of the postcolonial capital city has eventually mirrored many of the problems Manila was judged to have before World War II occurred. Keywords: The Philippines; National Capital Region; urbanism; governance; culture EN The Philippines National Capital Region urbanism governance culture 1410 1416 7 11/07/23 20231101 NES 231101 Zialcita, Fernando N. Akpendonu, Erik with Venida, Victor S. (2021). As Akpendonu points out in the chapter "Endangered Splendor: Manila's Disappearing Heritage" (pp. 45-57), Manila in recent decades has become hell-bent on removing any old features in the cityscape given the city's and nation's quest for "progress.". [Extracted from the article]

After industrialization, advancements in construction technologies and the rural-to-urban migration that began in the 1950s have led to the transformation of historical city centers. This transformation resulted in the construction of high-rise apartment buildings in proximity, replacing low-rise residential areas. These practices have caused the disappearance of public spaces and increased population density in historical city centers. Over time, the vitality of city centers has diminished, turning them into low-quality, declining areas. Within the scope of building stock, this decay has made these areas more vulnerable and less resistant to disasters. As a result, projects have been prepared for the renewal of these areas, the protection of historical areas and the restoration of the lost vitality in the city centers. Strategies are produced and generally enacted within the scope of sustaining the life span of cities on the slums, increasing welfare, and acquiring building blocks. These places are the Gölcük Earthquake in 1999, the Van Earthquake in 2011 and the earthquake that occurred in the Kahramanmaras in 2023 with serious damage in Hatay, Adıyaman, Gaziantep, and Malatya; demonstrates the importance of overcoming the vulnerability of disaster risk. It is aimed to analyse the built environment and to contribute to the disposal of the evacuations obtained from the analysis, based on the idea that the houses built before 1960 and after 1966 in Amasya, where there is an earthquake in the 1st degree region in this region. The two axes of the order buildings in the working environment, the building floor structure, land use, building quality and construction type analyses and field visuals were made. By evaluating the results obtained within the scope of wear performance, suggestions were made for planning and design practices to minimize the vulnerable in the event of a limited earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the motivational forces of self-transcendence and self-enhancement values in consumers' green apartment purchase intention since the values have been seen as the key determinants of environmental beliefs and concerns that motivate pro-environmental behaviour adoption amongst consumers regardless of external barriers. Additionally, this study identifies the role of environmental content in strengthening the effects of self-transcendence value. Design/methodology/approach: Survey data were collected from 234 residents of three high-rise apartment buildings in Hanoi, Vietnam. Measure reliability and validity were tested by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) before hierarchical ordinal least squares regression (OLS) was conducted to test the hypotheses. Findings: The research results reveal a significant positive relationship between self-transcendence value and consumers' green apartment purchase intention. However, environmental problem-related content exposure was found to weaken the effect of self-transcendence value on the purchase intention whilst the effect was reported to be strengthened by pro-environmental action-related content exposure. Originality/value: Theoretically, this study emphasizes the importance of interaction effects between external factors and personal values in explaining consumer's decisions and behaviours. Practically, the research results provide valuable insights for marketers and developers into fostering the adoption of green building apartments amongst consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic crisis is one of the most important concepts in considering economic growth and development. It affects all sectors including housing in a country. With accelerating urbanization, high-rise residential buildings have become the solution for the increasing housing demand in urban areas. Consequently, number of such buildings have emerged around the world during the past decade. As many people inhabited these residential buildings, providing required facilities continuously is vital. Thus, the performances of these properties are required to be maintained at a standard level. However, it can be challenging to do during an economic crisis. Despite the large amount of research devoted to examining the impact of economic crisis on housing sector, the insights on its impact on sustainable performance pertaining to high-rise residential buildings are rare. Therefore, this study aimed at examining the impact of economic crisis on the sustainability of performances in high-rise residential buildings in Colombo urban area. Using inductive approach and qualitative method, primary data were collected from representatives of management corporations of seven high-rise residential properties located in Colombo. Collected data were analysed using descriptive analysis, content analysis methods and Operating Model Canvas developed as the theoretical basis. Study findings revealed that all the selected buildings were equipped with all the required services for expected performances. Moreover, air conditioning, intercom, waste water disposal, cleaning service and garbage collection are the leading performances that have been negatively affected by consequences of economic crisis mainly due to fuel shortage and power failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With rapid urbanization, traffic growth has accelerated in some cities in China. Due to strict urban construction land utilization policies, many high-rise apartment buildings have been constructed adjacent to expressways. To better understand the impact of urban traffic noise on the residents of high residential buildings adjacent to expressways and the differences in noise impacts on different floors, on-site noise monitoring and questionnaires for building residents have been conducted. The characteristics of traffic noise were analyzed based on the measured data, and factors, including time periods and building floors, were considered. According to the results of the questionnaire survey, 56.06% of the male respondents and 54.55% of the female respondents think that the impact of traffic noise on high-rise buildings is “high” or “very high”; 50.53% of the respondents who were in “good” or “very good” condition thought that the traffic noise has a “significant impact” or “very significant impact” on their sleep and daily life. In addition, 25% of respondents living on floors 4–10 and 62.5% of respondents living on floors 11–20 considered the traffic noise to have a “significant impact” or “very significant impact” on their sleep and daily life. The on-site noise monitoring results show that the noise levels (LAeq) outside the windows of the studied buildings remain significantly elevated, with daytime noise on working days ranging from 56 to 70 dB(A), and on weekends ranging from 50 to 65 dB(A). During the four time periods on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., the average LAeq levels on floors 11–20 are higher than those on floors 4–10 by 4.04 dB(A), 4.92 dB(A), 4.06 dB(A), and 2.67 dB(A), respectively. Similarly, during these time periods on weekends, the levels on floors 11–20 are higher than those on floors 4–10 by 4.96 dB(A), 6.32 dB(A), 5.28 dB(A), and 5.24 dB(A), respectively. This indicates that floors 4–10 of the building experience relatively lower noise levels, while floors 11–20 are subjected to comparatively higher levels of noise disturbance.

In "Moscow monumental: Soviet skyscrapers and urban life in Stalin's capital" by Katherine Zubovich, the author examines the construction of seven skyscrapers in Moscow during the Stalinist era. The book explores the social dynamics and consequences of these monumental structures, using archival sources to delve into the complex context of late Stalinist society. Zubovich argues that the skyscraper project required international expertise and engagement, impacted urban development and resources, and contributed to the legitimization of the Soviet state. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the project and its effects, making it a valuable resource for those interested in Soviet architecture and urban studies. [Extracted from the article]

The article "THE CITY AT THE SERVICE OF REAL ESTATE CAPITAL" analyzes how urban regulations influence housing prices in Concepción, Chile. It questions the conventional explanation that the relaxation of urban norms stimulates economic growth. It highlights the pressure of real estate capital to pass laws that benefit developers, at the expense of the quality of life of citizens and the city. It mentions the resistance of neighbors and municipalities to high-rise apartment buildings as a measure to reduce land prices. [Extracted from the article]

Urban residential redevelopment projects in Seoul, South Korea gradually replaced the deteriorating low-rise residential fabrics with high-rise, high-density apartment complexes. Despite flat-type being the dominant style for apartment buildings, compact tower-type buildings popularised in the late 1990s to maximise density in terms of floor area ratio, ensure open green spaces and provide favourable views. However, as tower-type buildings possessed several deficiencies, such as non-southern orientation, difficulties in cross-ventilation, and comparatively higher construction costs, a compromise emerged in the 2000s. In succession, various morphologically modified and intentionally deformed buildings and their accompanying site planning configurations emerged to overcome the shortcomings of the newly built high-rise apartment complexes. This study aims to (1) track the evolving apartment building morphology and (2) identify different layout configurations in accordance with the transformed building types, specifically those constructed in redeveloped and reconstructed housing projects. Diverse building modification and relevant arrangement strategies are primarily oriented to the internal residents' interests, while the public dimension outside the complex is inconspicuously underestimated. Thus, it is crucial to further perceive and promote awareness of the public space in ways that counterbalance the dominantly privatized pedestrian environment and neighbourhood-scape based on systematic comprehension of apartment buildings and their layout morphologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shanghai has numerous high-rise apartment and office buildings, but the effects of these high-rise spaces on the vertical dispersal, oviposition and blood feeding behavior of Aedes albopictus are unknown. Methods: In six multi-story building blocks in downtown Shanghai, 174 mosq-ovitraps (MOT) were placed both indoors and outdoors for Ae. albopictus collection at different vertical heights from the 1st to 6th floors and a terrace on the 8th floor. Collections were made for 4 months. The human landing catch (HLC) method for Ae. albopictus monitoring was also conducted on 6 consecutive days on six floors of two of the six buildings to study the feeding behavior of Ae. albopictus at different heights. Results: Both MOTs and HLCs collected Ae. albopictus at all monitored heights. The vertical distribution, oviposition pattern and biting behavior varied significantly among the seven heights (1st–6th floors and 8th floor) (mosq-ovitrap index (MOI): X2 = 140.616, df = 6, P < 0.001; HLC: F (5, 138) = 15.111, P < 0.001). The MOI at low heights (1st + 2nd floors) was significantly higher than that at medium (3rd + 4th floor, P < 0.001) and high heights (5th + 6th floors, P < 0.001), and there was no significant difference in the MOI for the 3rd–6th floors. The outdoor MOIs were significantly higher than indoor MOIs at all heights (outdoor 23.09% vs. indoor 9.58%, X2 = 74.121, df = 1, P < 0.001). Aedes albopictus HLC density on the ground floor was significantly higher than that on all other heights (5.04 vs. 0.13, 0.29, 0.58, 0.79 and 1.50 per half hour, P < 0.05), while no difference was detected among the heights above the ground floor (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Aedes albopictus is more common near the ground level, but it can easily disperse to higher floors in the multi-story buildings of urban Shanghai. No significant differences in Ae. albopictus density were detected within the 3rd–6th floors using MOT or HLC. This suggests that Ae. albopictus might also disperse to areas above the 6th floor and seek hosts there. Aedes albopictus prefers to oviposit outdoors; however, Ae. albopictus was also able to inhabit, oviposit and engage in blood-feeding behavior indoors on different floors. The three-dimensional dispersal pattern of Ae. albopictus in urban areas could facilitate arbovirus transmission and increase the difficulty of dengue control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jordan imports 94% of its oil and gas (fossil fuel) to meet its energy needs, making the country vulnerable to fluctuations in fuel prices. Jordan's energy demand is growing by 3% annually mainly because of the growth of the residential sector, the government has set a target of meeting 10% of energy demand from renewable energy sources. We proposed a design solution of four floors of housing consisting 2 flats each, using the facades of a building as a Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV), and evaluate the energy that a Photovoltaic(PV) system could yield by new facades design, we take an example of a real house designed here in Amman, Jordan using Cells as integrated elements on facades and roofs, We will use simulation to determine energy yielded for each intended elevation, by taking the most traditional sample of apartment housing in Jordan, then using Revit Architecture for 3d modeling the two-dimensional design by AutoCAD program, to get plans for the house in one of the 3D modeling programs, in an exact copy of the building with the same spaces, heights, and technical factors. Then assuring the location of newly designed PV Panels by skelion application that approve distances between PV panels on the roof, then using Solar GIS to calculate the radiation for all orientating to facades according to selected location, and lastly using equations to get the results. The results of the simulations indicate that the efficiency of using PV panels in an integrated way is more efficient in winter than in summer, covering the need for an apartment which has an area of 170,175 m2 as an energy source through solar panels, and part of the roof was also used. The result was that we can generate about 18,648 kWh per year, which is 42% of the total energy, if the integrated PV panels in the railing elements on the south facade are used, and about 9,720 kWh, which is 22% of the total energy, if the integrated PV panels on the west or east facades are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid increase in urbanization and the number of residents living in high-rise apartment buildings, the quality of living environments in terms of the facility, safety and hygiene of high-rise housing has become an important topic. Although numerous studies have investigated occupant satisfaction through subjective assessment, only few studies have used objective assessment methods, such as expert evaluation, to elucidate the quality of high-rise apartments and the related occupancy factors. According to the dataset from Toronto's RentSafeTO programme, which provides the results for 9928 high-rise apartments evaluated using 20 quality indicators, this study conducted a factor analysis and identified two main factors for assessing high-rise housing: building structure and building facilities. Furthermore, this study used multiple regression models and census data to analyse the housing quality at the regional level. The results of social housing and private housing differed. Labour force attributes, education, immigration and ethnic origin significantly affected the quality of private housing. The results provide important directions for the post-occupancy evaluation of high-rise apartments. In addition, demographic factors significantly affected residential quality. This study provides a basis for the government to formulate equal and unbiased support for high-rise building maintenance and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a review of the book "Micro-residential Dynamics: A Case Study of Whitechapel, London" by Flint Ashery. The book focuses on micro-segregation research, examining the smaller scales of segregation within neighborhoods, such as streets and buildings. It explores the socio-economic and cultural differences within these micro-spaces and how they contribute to a more diverse society. The book also discusses the role of private and public property in micro-segregation and examines issues related to social diversity, vertical segregation, and the impact of the real estate market on immigration and immigrants. Overall, the book provides a comprehensive overview of micro-segregation research and offers insights into the ethnic and religious complexity of the Whitechapel neighborhood. [Extracted from the article]

A steel damper column is an energy-dissipating member that is suitable for reinforced concrete (RC) buildings and multistory housing. To assess the seismic performance of buildings with steel damper columns, the peak displacement of the whole building and the energy dissipation demand of the dampers must be evaluated. This article proposes an energy-based prediction procedure for the peak and cumulative response of an RC frame building with steel damper columns. The proposed procedure considers two energy-related seismic intensity parameters, namely the maximum momentary input energy and the total input energy. The peak displacement is predicted considering the energy balance during a half cycle of the structural response, using the maximum momentary input energy. The energy dissipation demand of the dampers is then predicted considering the energy balance during a whole response cycle using the total input energy. The local responses (e.g., peak drift, maximum plastic rotation of beams, maximum shear strain, and energy dissipation demand of dampers) are predicted using pushover analysis. Numerical analysis results for 8- and 16-story RC buildings show that the proposed prediction method achieves satisfactory accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In these studies, we show that the seismic risk of large cities in developing countries is most often due to the high vulnerability of apartment buildings. To reduce the seismic risk in the territory of such cities, it is important to study the dynamics of its change over time, since the risk is not formed immediately and for various reasons. Establishing these causes is important for both risk prevention and reduction. As an object of study, we chose the capital of Armenia, the city of Yerevan, whose high seismic risk was formed mainly due to the construction of a large number of seismically vulnerable apartment buildings and the associated rapid mechanical population growth. The seismic risk of the territory of Yerevan has been repeatedly estimated, while the dynamics of risk growth over time has not been studied. This paper is aimed at studying the dynamics of the growth of seismic risk in the territory of Yerevan for 1900–2019, depending on the seismic hazard level, the number of vulnerable apartment buildings, and the number of residents in these buildings. To estimate the risk, a special methodology based on the lessons of the devastating Spitak earthquake 1988 was used. It was confirmed that a high level of seismic risk was formed mainly from 1957 to 1989 due to an underestimation of the seismic hazard, the construction of a large number of apartment buildings with high and medium seismic vulnerability, rapid growth, and an uneven population distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for vertical residential development, particularly in urban areas, contributes to regional income growth through the collection of building taxes. In Indonesia, the vertical building is one of the non-standard objects applying an individual tax building assessment based on the building component cost list (BCCL) table in determining the value of the payable tax. However, the existing assessment system still cannot show the actual value of the building due to its limitations. Consequently, the building tax assessment process is ineffective and inefficient regarding assessment time and value accuracy. This study investigates the utilization of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the assessment process of building taxation, considering a high-rise apartment building in Indonesia as the case study. The findings show that compared to the existing system, the final building value used as the basis in the tax assessment can be generated more accurately, involving a detailed calculation of dimensions and variations of building materials. It can be concluded that BIM's capability to recognize building objects, extract quantity, and calculate automatically can help improve the objectivity of the assessment results and time efficiency in the tax assessment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A horizontal domestic drain water heat recovery (DDWHR) unit was proposed. • The experiment was conducted to consider various operating conditions. • The DDWHR unit achieved a high energy efficiency of 90–95% depending on the operating conditions. • The domestic hot water system with the DDWHR unit showed around 15% of heating energy saving. • The DDWHR unit can be used as an eco-friendly measure for sustainable energy practices. In residential buildings, domestic hot water (DHW) used for showering and handwashing produces significant amounts of hot drain water (DW), which is typically wasted. This study proposes a horizontal drain water heat recovery (DDWHR) unit to capture waste heat from DW and improve overall DHW system efficiency with the focus on thermal exchange in a compact installation suitable for high-rise apartment buildings. Experiments under different operating conditions were conducted to evaluate the DDWHR unit's thermal performance and energy-saving potential. Results showed that the proposed DDWHR unit achieved energy efficiency of 90–95%, depending on operating conditions, due to high heat recovery rates. In the entire DHW system, the DDWHR unit demonstrated approximately 15% heating energy savings compared to conventional DHW setups. Also, nationwide adoption of the DDWHR unit in two-person apartments could reduce gas costs by about 14% annually. The findings of this study indicate that the horizontal DDWHR unit can effectively promote sustainable DHW use in high-rise residential buildings and offers a promising solution for improving energy efficiency in DHW systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building energy modeling is pivotal in achieving sustainable energy goals throughout a building's design and operation. However, discrepancies often arise between actual energy consumption and predictions made by building energy models due to uncertainties in input parameters. This study addresses this challenge by calibrating building energy modeling with empirical data, focusing on apartment buildings in South Korea. Specifically, it targets public and lease apartments, which is crucial in attaining Zero Energy Building (ZEB) ratings. This study develops an apartment building model based on architectural design and energy use patterns, employing the whole building energy simulation tool, EnergyPlus. Key calibration elements were identified through systematic literature reviews, statistical analysis, architectural drawings, and monitoring data. The calibrated model achieved a prediction error of 2.7 % and a CV(RMSE) of 9.4 %, closely mirroring actual measurements. This was particularly influenced by using realistic occupancy schedules instead of generic ones. The results provide valuable insights for refining the residential building energy modeling process, especially in the context of ZEB goals. The study underscores the importance of accurate data collection and model calibration in bridging the gap between theoretical models and real-world energy consumption. [Display omitted] • This study investigates the energy consumption patterns in high-rise apartments in South Korea. • Comprehensive review and collection of energy and architectural characteristics were performed. • A benchmarking model for high-rise apartment buildings was developed and calibrated. • A detailed calibration and validation process was conducted, utilizing collected field data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article has the objective of revealing the history of duplex apartments in Havana in the period from 1940 to 1959, and its influence on the growth in height of the city. This is a historical investigation, in which 27 apartment buildings were documented, six of them made up entirely of duplex apartments. From the mid-1940s, duplex apartments proliferated in Havana. This article argues that this new type of apartment fostered higher profits in the rental housing industry, by permitting the increase of the number of dwellings in a building, without contravening contemporary Planning Regulations (Ordenanzas de Construcción) with regard to the permitted number of floors. As high-rise buildings multiplied in the city, following the passing of the Horizontal Property Law in 1952, these apartments, along with penthouses, proved to be the most desirable types, for being associated with a higher economic standing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless sensor networks have enabled smart infrastructures and novel applications. With the recent roll-out of Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) cellular radio technology, wireless sensors can be widely deployed for data collection in cities around the world. However, empirical evidence regarding the coverage and connectivity of NB-IoT in dense urban areas is limited. This article presents an empirical study that focuses on evaluating the coverage and connectivity of NB-IoT in a dense urban environment. We have designed an NB-IoT sensor node and deployed over 100 of them in high-rise apartment buildings in Hong Kong. These sensor nodes utilize a commercial NB-IoT network to collect high-resolution water flow data for machine learning model training and provide timely feedback to users. We collect and analyze the empirical NB-IoT signal measurements from the sensor nodes deployed in various challenging outdoor and indoor environments for over three months. These empirical measurements reveal correlations between NB-IoT connectivity and sensor installation environments. We also observe that inter-cell interference, as a result of coverage by multiple neighboring NB-IoT cells in a dense urban environment, is a source of connectivity degradation. We discuss potential issues that IoT application designers and system integrators might encounter in practical NB-IoT devices deployment, and we propose a transmission decision algorithm based on signal measurements for mitigating energy wasted due to transmission failures. Finally, we demonstrate the results and the benefits of using high-resolution water flow data collected by our purpose-built NB-IoT sensor nodes for studying the patterns of domestic water consumption in Hong Kong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-rise apartment buildings, the preferred type of housing in South Korea, have very similar exteriors. Thus, apartment complexes tend to look similar with no unique identity of complex or city. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the exterior design of high-rise apartment buildings in their 40-year history. I surveyed 50 apartment complexes from the 1970s to 2010, categorized important periods in Korean history, and analyzed corresponding changes in the exterior design of high-rise apartment buildings. I visited apartments in Seoul to take photos and conduct field surveys, and statistically analyzed the results by classifying the buildings' external characteristics. I found correlations between the exterior design of the buildings and three major factors influencing their changes and development. The first is increasing institutional supply in the 1970s and developing landscapes in the 2000s. The second is an economic factor—economic growth. Third, as technology developed, apartment buildings transitioned from low-rise to high-rise, and their exterior design underwent many changes. This study reveals the relationship between changes in high-rise apartment buildings' exteriors as they developed alongside South Korea's growth and the influencing factors, and presents major factors that determine the direction of exterior design for high-rise apartment buildings in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]