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One of the goals of this paper is to outline the significant problems in the historical urban structure and marginal areas of Baghdad. It is hypothesized these challenges could affect other aspects, such as urban life, urban development, and sustainability. However, before addressing these impacts, it is essential to define the framework of the study to determine a feasible scope, which will guide the development of a research process map (RPM). The paper highlights two urban issues in Baghdad—elementary and ancillary—whereby the historical pattern of the city is perceived as an asset, while the value of the entire urban pattern is compared with that of individual memorials. Based on these two issues, the paper identifies a research problem and applies four critical questions to address it. The study adopted a case study strategy and a mixed-method approach to identify and monitor key urban problems affecting the context. Moreover, variables of the urban parameters were defined, and ethnographical analysis was performed to develop the RPM. The study concludes that four interfaces contribute significantly to the issues and morphological dialectics of Baghdad City, namely, human–edge interface, link–node interface, edge–edge interface, and human–human interface. These interfaces signify the interrelatedness between various attributes of the physical setting and the people within it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay examines Tommy Orange's novel There There through the lens of crime fiction, proposing that reading the novel as a mirrored or reversed crime plot allows for a unique exploration of Indigenous identity in urban spaces. The author argues that Orange's portrayal of the city of Oakland defies traditional crime fiction tropes and challenges the notion that urban landscapes can reliably represent and reconstruct history. The essay analyses the novel's use of mirrored images, its subversion of detective figures like Tony Loneman, and its portrayal of blood as an unreliable marker of identity. Ultimately, the essay contends that by inverting the crime fiction plot, There There directs the reader's attention towards constructing the future rather than restoring the past, offering an inversion of the satisfaction that crime fiction offers to readers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultural turn in the discourse of urban studies and attention to maintaining cultural diversity in the structure of cities has raised the concept of intangible cultural heritage as a serious matter in the cities. According to the 2003 UNESCO convention, intangible cultural heritage includes knowledge and skills, representations and actions that communities, groups, and individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This issue includes inherited traditions, social activities and actions, rituals, general knowledge and actions related to nature and the surrounding world, which are closely related to the sense of identity and belonging, cultural diversity, and memory and lifestyle in the structure of the city. Fewer theoretical discussions have been raised about the issue of intangible urban heritage. This study leaves aside the discussion about what is called visible and tangible heritage and focuses on its source and origin, that is, intangible heritage. The main scope of this research is a theoretical and conceptual attempt to reach a more expanded definition of the inherent characteristics of intangible heritage as a language of understanding that refers to different dimensions of knowing and understanding the urban problem. In addition, this study discussed the dimensions of understanding intangible heritage in the urban landscape based on Gadamer's opinions about the dimensions of understanding, which are related to the three concepts of language, time, and place. Considering the adaptability and self-regeneration potential of intangible heritage, as well as the capacity to accompany the contemporary and modern trends of urban life and the connection with popular culture and everyday life, it can be expanded as a contextual experience and a social and cultural order of a society. Therefore, reading "the new intangible heritage" is considered a vital problem for the "new social order" in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a call for the historical study of transit etiquette: the behavioural expectations that guide the mundane conduct of transport users. It identifies the formation of contemporary protocols of transit etiquette as a productive line of scholarly inquiry by taking the transformation of (de)boarding behaviours in Tokyo between the 1880s and the 1960s as a case study. Zooming in on urban railways in the Japanese capital, it describes the processes through which (de)boarding practices grew more elaborate in character and more narrowly defined in terms of the spatio-temporal location at which they could be legitimately exercised. It examines three groups of factors that contributed to this process: "software" and "hardware" interventions in transport operations as well as their broader historic context. Simultaneously, it cautions against linear narratives of consistent improvement by stressing the contradictions of this process. The article contributes to mobility studies by calling attention to the malleability and socio-technical construction of the norms that guide mundane mobility practices. It provides a provisional template for subsequent historical accounts of transit etiquette, and argues that such studies can empower research on mobilities and transport to contribute to wider debates about (in)civility and the organisation of urban life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cityscapes undergo a profound transformation as night falls, revealing a vibrant tapestry of leisure and entertainment that becomes the heartbeat of urban life. This nighttime activity, however, often coexists with the complex issue of urban crime. In this bibliometric study, spanning over forty-one years of literature, we explore the nexus between nightlife activities—specifically leisure and entertainment—and their relationship with urban crime for the first time. Through the analysis of 313 documents, we employ performance analysis and science mapping to navigate the extensive information base and assess the evolving dynamics in this domain. This novel study reveals patterns, trends, and scholarly contributions, offering unprecedented insights unveiling the nexus between the nighttime economy and urban crime. It also explores the evolution of research themes and discerns the major research areas, examining the conceptual, social, and intellectual structures that underpin this field. Additionally, the study identifies trending topics, offering a comprehensive view of the current state and trajectory of research. This study offers a concise yet comprehensive resource for policymakers, practitioners, and urban planners, shedding light on the complex link between nightlife vibrancy and urban crime, which is essential for crafting targeted urban safety policies and crime prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the 2010–12 earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the subsequent demolition of multiple buildings within the central business district, a host of creative projects emerged intermittently as vacant spaces appeared in the betweenness of demolition and rebuild. This widespread do-it-yourself (DIY) urbanism brought back life and energy to the city. These expressions demonstrated how citizens can be involved in the (re-)making of a city through projects that experiment with ideas about what it means to be urban and what is possible in urban space. These projects inhabit an alter-temporality that treats the future as open-ended and time as an active force in the becoming of things. Understanding the temporality of such urban engagement in Christchurch holds significance for understanding the value of open experimentation in cities in general and the importance of process to urban learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary era has witnessed damage to the various dimensions of the sense of place in numerous historic and urban heritage sites, which has led to issues such as the disruption of urban life, neglected aspects of the urban poor, and abandonment. This study aims to identify the most important factors contributing to the sense of place in historic fabrics in the present day. A comparative analysis is carried out on the two neighborhoods of Imamzadeh Yahya in Tehran (a progressively dilapidated neighborhood), and Shah Abol-Ghasem in Yazd (with continuity of urban life). The assessment of the residents' sense of place in the two neighborhoods (n 1 = 271) and (n 2 = 267) was carried out using the questionnaire tool, and the contributing factors were determined. The results of the two cases were compared using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings showed that the sense of place in Imamzadeh Yahya, with a significant difference (P = 0.00), is at a much lower level than in Shah Abol-Ghasem. Also, most of the factors affecting the sense of place in Imamzadeh Yahya were significantly different (P < 0.05) and at a much lower level compared to Shah Abol-Ghasem, as assessed by the inhabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevators play an indispensable role in modern urban life. Ensuring the safe operation of elevators is crucial due to the severe consequences of malfunctions. Traditional maintenance methods are costly and may not comprehensively capture potential faults. Leveraging deep learning technologies, this study proposes a Risk Prediction Model based on Elevator Transformer and Self-temporal Compression Mechanism (RPM-ETC). By analyzing rich operational data, the model predicts potential faults before significant issues arise. The model utilizes the Transformer architecture to effectively capture temporal relationships and employs a temporal compression mechanism to enhance prediction efficiency. Additionally, it uses Enhanced Positional Encoding to prevent the the loss of temporal information as network depth increases. Based on the obtained performance results, the model achieves an accuracy of 86.3% and a frame-per-second (FPS) rate of 388.7, accurately and rapidly predicting elevator faults. Additionally, this paper provides a comprehensive dataset for elevator operation prediction to facilitate further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This ethnographic study investigates the perceptions of place and migration aspirations among young migrants within the Malawian diaspora in Lydiate, an informal settlement in Zimbabwe. Unlike traditional conceptions of diaspora that emphasize long-term settlement and place attachment, this study introduces the concept of a 'radical sense of place,' where the settlement is viewed not as a permanent home but as a temporary staging ground for future aspirations. Through qualitative data collected between 2018 and 2020, including participant observations and in-depth interviews with young migrants aged 15 to 35, this research explores how these youths strategically navigate their socio-economic marginalization. The findings reveal that young migrants perceive their settlement as a launch pad to better opportunities in more affluent urban areas, driven by a combination of harsh living conditions and the allure of urban life. This perspective challenges existing migration theories by highlighting the temporary and strategic relationships with place among diaspora youths. The study also highlights the interplay between age, identity, and aspirations, showcasing the pivotal role these factors play in shaping the radical decisions of young migrants. While young migrants exhibit resilience in the migration process, they also face social exclusion, lack of social protection, and the risk of abuse and discrimination. The study advocates for policies tailored to address the specific conditions and vulnerabilities faced by youths in diaspora ethnic enclaves, promoting avenues for meaningful employment and advocating for youth migration based on informed choices rather than forced migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the city novel's relationship to the idea of everyday life through an analysis of Tom McCarthy's Remainder (2005). Remainder is emblematic of a broader shift from realism's preoccupation with the “real”, to the “speculative”- models of prediction and anticipation that attempt to incorporate the flux of everyday life into new forms of social control. McCarthy's novel self-consciously explores how twentieth century attempts to celebrate the contingency of everyday life in the metropolis in fact anticipate forms of metropolitan control based not on the imposition of models of normative behaviour, but on the capacity to respond in real time to the discrete permutations of everyday urban life. Ultimately, McCarthy's novel is sensitive to the inherent violence of the speculative, revealing how ideals of spontaneity and contingency are no longer exclusive to the privileged domain of the quotidian, but are the very foundations of financialised and gentrified urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In a world where one in four individuals lacks assured access to water, this article investigates how the experiences of Traditional Peoples and Communities (TPCs) can serve as a guiding light in the search for solutions to water disparities, exacerbated by global warming. The study focuses on the microterritory known as Carapitanga in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the presence of indigenous, quilombola and caiçara communities highlights the significance of territorially-based and nature-focused solutions. Methods: The research utilises the Ecology of Knowledge and Action Research as methodological pillars to investigate the Water Culture of TPCs and its impact on the Hydrosocial Cycle. Results: The study reveals that the Water Culture of TPCs stimulates actions that propel balance in the Hydrosocial Cycle. This knowledge casts new light on the governance of water and sanitation. Discussion: The findings offer alternatives anchored in the concept of Buen Vivir and the recognition of water as a fundamental source of life for cities worldwide. This not only contributes to the understanding of water resource management but also presents potential solutions for global water access disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imam Hatip schools are among the educational institutions that have had a major impact on the social transformations in Turkey's recent history. These institutions have played a major role in integrating the rural population to urban life and culture by providing access to education and integrating them into modern urban society. The critical role these 'religious' Imam Hatip schools have played could only have been realized with the social and financial support of civil society organizations. Organizations such as İlim Yayma Cemiyeti (Society for the Dissemination of Knowledge) (IYC) have contributed greatly to these schools' ability to reach out to large masses and the continuation of education among lower income students. This article aims to reveal the relationship between Imam Hatip schools and civil society through the example of the Istanbul Imam Hatip School opened in 1951 and to discuss the impact of civil organizations on schooling in Turkish society. Furthermore, the study examines the role of IYC has had in the mental, physical, and outward transformation of the modern urban citizen. This article therefore argues Imam Hatip schools and the IYC to have played vital roles in modernizing Turkish society since the second half of the twentieth century. According to the research findings, the IYC's contributions range from housing and providing clothing to educational materials, medical and hospital expenses, university preparation courses, and undergraduate scholarships. The IYC Archive's decision records will be used for the first time in a study and constitute the main source upon which this research is based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The notion of infrastructural politics has been increasingly used in urban studies as it helps to explore urbanisation processes, the urban condition and urban life. Given its relevance, this article maps out and critically reviews the main analytical strands that inform its meanings, namely, conventional and popular infrastructural politics. These strands reveal the current tendency to demarcate infrastructural politics as two separate, antagonistic domains that associate the notion with particular hegemonic and subaltern actors, practices and processes. The article problematises this tendency and proposes a broader understanding of infrastructural politics as an ordinary and contentious political arena where diverse actors develop politico-infrastructural repertoires that co-exist in multifaceted, conflictive ways rather than as separate domains. Drawing on political ethnographic understandings of politics, infrastructural politics is conceived as a point of convergence where conventional and popular infrastructural politics meet and mesh. This suggests the possibility of cross-fertilising conversations between infrastructure studies and political ethnography that can refine our understanding of infrastructural politics, first, by promoting a more nuanced examination of the overlaps and interdependencies between hegemonic and subaltern politico-infrastructural actors and practices, and second, by addressing the critical role of infrastructures in enabling and materialising such overlaps and interdependencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the analysis of twenty-one press releases about the fire of the popular settlement La Mano de Dios (Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia, March 6, 2003), the article seeks to show that the way regional newspapers covered this disaster aimed, through a specific method of constructing reality, to reinforce the figures now widely known as victims, at the expense of their historical role as displaced persons and the burden that entails. The hypothesis that, through this strategy of disinformation, characterized by a biased framing, the newspapers execute a semantic shift (from displaced to victims) that ultimately benefits the image of the dominant hegemony. This is because it not only absolves the hegemonic powers from any responsibility for displacement in the context of the internal armed conflict --an outcome of state neglect-- but also portrays them as the primary providers of aid and benefits to the victims of such tragedies, which are, it should be noted, not uncommon in the daily life of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates how heat and humidity—as lived experiences in the summer—were negotiated through an analysis of various sites of coolness and heat, focusing on the period between the American occupation and high economic growth in postwar Tokyo. As the population of Tokyo grew from eight to eleven million between 1955 and 1965 and major infrastructure projects changed the urban landscape, the study shows how coping mechanisms for dealing with the heat and humidity were characterized, on one hand, by heat avoidance strategies that manifested themselves in a search for coolness in nonurban environments, in the home, and in shades created by new urban assemblages. Yet the article also demonstrates that the dictates of employment bore witness to paradoxical heat-inducing practices embodied in the not-so-cool clothes men and women wore, revealing the extent to which social and sexual norms inhibited the realization of individual corporeal coolness. As mechanical cooling made inroads into urban life, a shift from a passive to an active strategy of combating the summer emerged, resulting in inhabitants increasingly choosing not to leave the capital but to stay in it. Despite resistance to artificial coolness at home, where heat avoidance strategies had been largely successful, the article finds that the air conditioner managed to establish itself first in the workplace, and then eventually in the home, as the needs of middle-class urban families living in more western-style apartment blocks made themselves felt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasons form part of changing sensory experiences of urban environments. But it is important to note that, at times, urbanites broke down seasons into smaller slices. The "Dog Days" are a case in point. This term has now passed into urban myth, but the linking of Sirius with the heat of the summer and canine madness during the dog days stretches back to at least the Romans, and was still widely feared and discussed in the nineteenth century. This roundtable intervention aims to recover the meaning and experience of this season within a season using nineteenth-century New York City as a case study. Drawing on newspaper articles, medical reports, and other sources, it will discuss how the dog days were framed as a louche period of sultry heat and canine madness, a time when tempers and the fabric of urban life frayed. Situating itself within urban environmental and sensory history, this essay also aims to bring together climate and animal history. Before the widespread acceptance of germ theory at the end of the nineteenth century, the theory that the heat of the dog days and the strange influence of Sirius caused rabies was hotly debated in the press and among doctors. It also stoked vivid fears of the dog days, which led to material changes in the lives of dogs: muzzling, impoundment, and death. The dog days was a time when the nonhuman agencies of climate and canine seemingly combined in ways that threatened the physical and emotional health of New Yorkers. As such, the dog days stood for the sinister side of summer that was only broken with the arrival of autumnal freshness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasons shape infrastructures, temporalities, and life worlds in fundamental ways. Urbanites have long recognized the seasonality of their environments, but seasons have been little studied by historians. This special section explores the diverse ways that urban seasonality affects urban life, focusing on cities in temperate zones across the globe, from North America to Europe to Japan. This collection of essays shows how seasonal rhythms, differentiated from weather (with its transient nature) and climate (with its vast scales) can reveal new areas of inquiry for historians concerned with how urban environments are located in time and space. Taken together, these collected essays move beyond seasonal descriptions to frame seasonality as an analytical and methodological tool, suggesting new ways of thinking about everything from childhood to potholes, social solidarity, style, sewage and human-animal relations. This introduction is an effort to focus our attention on urban seasonality as generative of often surprising ways of approaching familiar topics in urban history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In early modern Europe, spontaneous festive activities such as gambling and other street entertainments were a prominent part of everyday urban life. This article analyses their impact on some of Venice's informal political spaces. Ludic gatherings disrupted the rhythms of everyday life and often provoked violent reactions from residents who complained of being denied access to these public spaces. These daily struggles have long gone unnoticed, but they provide an example of how residents conceived of the urban environment in which they lived and how they established a political relationship with the authorities. Historians usually associate the suppression of street entertainment with a process of moralization imposed from above, beginning in the sixteenth century. The article reinterprets this narrative, arguing that the authorities' policy of controlling urban space found fertile ground in a section of the community and depended on it to be effective. It shows how the prohibition of public ludic activities emerged from the demands of resident communities, who repeatedly appealed to the authorities for action to defend their use of informal spaces. The authorities' repression relied heavily on neighbourhood control, which in turn depended on political decisions: in fact, residents usually denounced undesirable individuals or those with no ties to the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of EURE is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arab Journal for Scientific Publishing is the property of Research & Development of Human Recourses Center (REMAH) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) aims to transform urban transportation through innovative applications of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This paper focuses on tilt-wing eVTOLs, which offer significant advantages in energy efficiency and operational versatility. However, their unique flight characteristics present challenges, particularly during emergency landings. To address this, we propose a novel control framework that utilizes control barrier functions (CBFs) to ensure safe landings within urban environments, characterized by numerous obstacles and varying conditions. By integrating trajectory generation, tracking, and attitude control under stringent safety constraints, our method prioritizes occupant safety while complying with FAA airworthiness standards. We illustrate the framework's effectiveness through simulations, demonstrating its ability to guide eVTOLs to safe touchdowns despite power loss or other emergencies. This study not only advances the understanding of emergency landing mechanisms for eVTOLs but also contributes to the broader field of urban air traffic management, offering a foundation for future research and practical implementations of UAM. The innovative combination of CBFs and global optimization techniques sets a new precedent for resilient aircraft control in complex urban scenarios, paving the way for the safe integration of eVTOLs into everyday urban life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arcos: Design, Cultura e Visualidade is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Engineering (17264073) is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

So far, the primary urban informatics connections between service design and urban design have been researched within healthcare and transportation systems. However, as mass events are becoming essential to urban life and new event venues are built in densifying downtowns, a particular design challenge linking the venue and its urban surroundings comes from the people flow. This study investigates mobility and privacy issues related to the information shared in the context of event attendance, with a survey of 880 ice-hockey fans as the respondents. The study addresses the factors that impact the experiences of sharing urban informatics among event attendees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through delineating the struggles and challenges of Dalits in making of the Dalit middle class, this article seeks to argue that the struggle and aspiration of Dalits to live a dignified life and urban as a space of 'liberation from caste' represents a high point in making of the new Dalit middle class. However, existing literature about the Dalit middle class revolves around identity, provision of reservation in education, employment and cultural assertion, but many unfolded narratives of the Dalit middle class exist. This article attempts to reveal the struggle and challenges of the new Dalit middle class to achieve the status of the middle class. Keeping this in mind further, this article aims to explore the transformations in everyday life of the new Dalit middle class regarding consumer behaviour and lifestyle. Besides this, the article provides a detailed narrative of the new Dalit middle class and about their experience of caste and class in the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes that Japanese science fiction emerged as an escape from the limits of the realistic representation of the world proposed by Naturalism. It reads three science fiction short stories published in the magazines Tanken sekai (World of Exploration) and Bōken sekai (World of Adventure) between 1907 and 1910 to discuss early science fiction in which authors utilised technoscientific discourse. Engaging in a set of textual practices centred on developments of modern science and technology, these authors developed one of science fiction's distinctive features: anti-mimeticism, a literary mode focused on the depiction of anything that cannot happen in real life. This article focuses on the modalities by which these stories—Tenkūkaikatsu Dōjin's 'Gessekai shinkon ryokō' (Lunar Honeymoon), Ishii Kendō's 'Gessekai dokuryoku tanken' (Self-made Exploration to the Moon), and Hakui Michihito's 'Yukai to benri wo kiwametaru ōgon jidai no tokai seikatsu' (The Extremely Amusing and Comfortable Golden Age of Urban Life)1—employ a rationalistic view of the phenomenal realm to generate fictional worlds that relinquish the dominance of a mimetic representation of reality. An analysis of early Japanese science fiction from the late Meiji period reveals two elements that eschewed the realistic literature such as Naturalism: objective narration and an anti-mimetic base for the fictional world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guitar cycle of Heitor Villa-Lobos "Five Preludes" is researched in terms of the national genre traditions of various etymologies - European, African, Indian. At the level of musical language, the interaction of melodic and metro-rythmic features, connection with Portuguese Modinha, Brazilian Choro, Waltz-Choro, Afro-Brazilian Capoeira, Indian chants of the indigenous people of the country are revealed. Adaptive mechanisms of mixing genre elements on the scale of the entire cycle and each of the miniatures are designated. The features of socio-cultural environment of origin, existence of genres, as well as their participation in popular music of urban and rural life, carnival processions and tribal rituals are taken into consideration. References to Villa-Lobos's personal experience of amateur music-making in the street Choro ensembles and ethnographic expeditions allowed correlating the timbre sound of genres in authentic folk practices with solo guitar version of their academic embodiment. Innovative technical methods of playing the guitar are indicated: shift of the stable fingering configuration along the fingerboard, introduced by the composer to modernize the language of music based on the idiomatic of the instrument. Program dedications are revealed in connection of targeted stylization of the sound atmosphere or the styles of European and Brazilian composers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper suggests that we lack scholarship that analyses EU law spatially. A spatial reading of EU law can help reveal the incidence, contingencies, pathologies and contestation of EU law. This paper looks at one specific spatial dimension of EU law: the interaction between, and the construction of, the urban and its hinterland. It suggests that EU law is much more sensitive to the spatial dynamics that underpin urban life than rural life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the dynamics of networks among informal recyclers in Fietas, Johannesburg, South Africa, focussing on how these networks embody their struggle for the "Right to the City." By observing informal recycling activities across various Johannesburg suburbs, the study highlights how recycling not only provides livelihoods for the unemployed but also allows marginalised groups to assert their presence and rights within the cityscape. Building upon Adama's (2012) analysis of urban livelihoods and social networks, this research explores the interactions and spatial practices of informal recyclers in Johannesburg. Informal recyclers develop connections with city stakeholders that demonstrate interdependencies crucial for their survival and claiming space within the city. These networks are vital for accessing resources such as recyclable waste, which provides essential needs like food and shelter. These everyday practices underscore the importance of social connections in building networks that sustain livelihoods and assert a right to belong in the city. The nature of these networks varies by location, policies, and social relations. Some are shaped by power dynamics and monopolies, while others reflect interdependence and mutual support. This paper argues that recognising these diverse networks is key to understanding how informal recyclers navigate the urban landscape. In line with Harvey's (2003) "Right to the City," these networks reflect efforts to reshape urban spaces to meet recyclers' needs, despite structural challenges. As Sung (2021) shows, hierarchies and power dynamics influence access to resources, highlighting the contested nature of urban life for informal recyclers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of the Islamic city elucidates the spatial structures specific to Islam religion and civilization, deeply influencing the lives of Muslims. Despite geographical, ethnic, and cultural diversities, it has been observed that the fundamental influence of the religion shaped similar urban formations in the Islamic geography. A key determining factor in the transition from traditional Bedouin tribal life to urban civilization is the need for more suitable settlements to meet the multifaceted requirements and rituals of Islam. Societies embracing Islam have restructured their ways of life, with mosques becoming worship centers, simultaneously reshaping legal, administrative, educational, and commercial structures, thereby becoming central to urban life. Islamic cities, reaching their zenith during the Golden Age of Islam, gradually weakened over time during the processes of modernization/secularization, with the rise of rational/bureaucratic powers diminishing their role as the primary shaping force of space. Konya, representing the characteristics of the Islamic city during the Seljuk and Ottoman Empires, underwent significant transformations approaching the modern era, affecting its physical, social, economic, and administrative fabric. Particularly in the Republican era, the Islamic city features were sidelined due to modernist spatial shaping, but have recently regained importance with the emergence of Islamic political movements and approaches by National Vision (Milli Görüş) municipalities. This study examines the Islamic city from a historical perspective, highlighting common characteristics of Islamic cities worldwide, scrutinizing the erosive effects of secularization/modernization trends on the Islamic city, specifically focusing on Konya, and finally evaluating recent revitalization policies directed towards the Islamic city in Konya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study draws from W. E. B. Du Boi's urban sociology in The Philadelphia Negro, Darkwater, and Black Reconstruction in America to offer a conceptual foil to present-day broken windows policing. We suggest that the Chicago School's ecological model of urban life facilitated a broken windows approach to policing by labeling people and places as disordered but also that a Du Boisian approach—what we call "mended windows"—offers new ways of addressing underlying inequalities that reproduce harm. After drawing out the distinct intellectual trajectories of these two approaches, we turn to two contemporary cases of racialized police violence—Syracuse, NY, and the Antelope Valley, CA—to illustrate the theoretical and methodological significance of a Du Boisian mended windows analysis of urban policing across time and place. We conclude by considering what this approach might have foretold about contemporary movements to defund policing in favor of investing in community vitality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robots now allow artificial forms of intelligence to be present in cities, generating unanticipated mobilities and new forms of urban life. In the article, the introduction of autonomous delivery robots in the English city of Milton Keynes provides a point of departure to interrogate how the spatial dynamics of sociotechnical transitions are inflected by the distributed cognition and non-human agency of artificial intelligence (AI) when deployed in urban contexts. A case study drawing on non-intrusive observations and documentary approaches follows robots in space, conceptualising urban robots as actuators of distributed non-human cognition whose operation and diffusion are subjected to complex spatialities. Thematic analysis is used to draw out topographical and topological features of the spatialities of AI, and the case shows robots are present in a territory (e.g. a city) but exceed territorial boundaries, thus requiring complementary spatial imaginaries to investigate their geographies. The authors conclude that the types of power at work in the implementation of AI and robots cannot be captured adequately by scalar relations and territorial units, and must be considered transversally in topological networks where reach matters. Consequently, topographical conceptions of fixed Cartesian space must be complemented by relational and topological spatial imaginaries of AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay pays homage to the late Danish sociologist Henning Bech's groundbreaking work on sexuality, urban life, phenomenology, and modernity. Bech's contributions are praised for their critical yet affirmative perspective, offering insights into the complexities of contemporary society, particularly regarding gender, sexuality, and urban life. Central to Bech's thesis is the idea that the city itself is a dynamic space where sexuality is not only displayed but also actively generated, influencing people's experiences and interactions. He challenges traditional notions of sexuality by arguing that it is not merely an inherent trait but a sociocultural construct deeply intertwined with urban life. By examining the aesthetic and erotic potential of urban spaces, he sheds light on the role of the city in shaping people's tunings and experiences of pleasure. Bech conceptualizes male homosexuality as a form of existence rather than a fixed identity and explores the experiences of the male homosexuals while emphasizing broader shifts in societal attitudes towards sexuality and intimacy. Bech's sociology provides a valuable framework for appreciating the complexities of late modern social life. By foregrounding the aesthetic dimensions of the urban social world and adopting a critical yet affirmative stance, he offers a nuanced perspective that enriches our understanding of contemporary societies. Ultimately, Bech's legacy lies in his ability to provoke thought and challenge conventional wisdom, and thereby stimulating new innovative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This interview delves into the intricate and vibrant literary landscape of contemporary India and focuses among others on themes of migration, nostalgia, and urban life in Anjum Hasan's work. It offers deep insights into the complexities of urban existence, including the fast-paced lifestyle, diversity, and myriad opportunities and challenges that characterize urban spaces, and their impact on human identity, relationships, and culture. The extensive conversation explores the struggles of individuals and societies to adapt to change while preserving cultural heritage and reflecting personal history. A detailed analysis of Hasan's work reveals how she intricately weaves the poetics of place into her literary creations. Her writings reflect and engage with the multifaceted realities of modern India. Through an exploration of the poetics of place, Hasan invites readers on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. The interview highlights her foundational literary works such as The Cosmopolitans, Neti, Neti, Lunatic in My Head, and the short story collection Difficult Pleasures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Treball Social is the property of Col·legi Oficial de TreballSocial de Catalunya and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Redefining the concept of urban green space not only as a place for recreation but also as a flexible and multipurpose use in different conditions can be effective in the resilience of life and urban life after disasters. Therefore, one of the main goals in the construction of multi-purpose green spaces is to promote urban resilience and temporary accommodation. The aim of the current research is the optimal placement of multi-purpose green spaces with an emphasis on temporary accommodation in Rasht city. The method used in this research combines the best-worst approach (BWM) and fuzzy functions in GIS. By determining the final weight of effective criteria and subcriteria in locating multi-purpose green spaces and comparing them using the best-worst method, the highest weight of sub-criteria was determined as "natural" and "compatible." The criteria of "incompatibility" and "efficiency" are "distance from the fault," "close to residential areas," "distance from high-risk facilities," and "population density," respectively. Then, the zoning of Rasht was done using the fuzzy method, and the optimal ranges were determined in five districts of Rasht. The results show that the most suitable place for the construction of multi-purpose green spaces and temporary accommodation is in Districts 3 and 1, with an area of 967.01 and 718.6 hectares, respectively, in the north and east of Rasht city. However, regarding the ratio of optimal levels to areas, District 2 has the highest ratio of 0.64. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Materia Arquitectura is the property of Universidad San Sebastian and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Economics & Administrative Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Anatolian Journal of Social Sciences / Uluslararasi Anadolu Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi is the property of Uluslararasi Anadolu Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Traditionally, festivals have been propitious spaces and times for the renewal of community ties and the strengthening of identity. With the secularization of contemporary societies, the prominence of urban life and the dynamics of individualization and conflict inherent in capitalist cities, this totalizing character has gradually lost its prominence. But this does not mean that festivals do not continue playing, today, a fundamental role in the processes of socialization and reaffirmation of the sense of belonging, besides the social conflicts. The expression of these has been carried out in the urban space, the ideal physical and symbolic setting for the party. This is the case of the Festes de Gràcia de Maó, where the celebration of its great week does not hide the profound differences that exist within local society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the growth, prevalence and influence of private urban governance, scholarship that explores the intimate workings of these manifold and mutating forms remains limited. While these private ventures carry forward elements from the past, the landscape of urban governance has nonetheless undergone profound transformation. Over the past few decades, the global expansion and influence of private governing ventures have reshaped how cities are managed, organised and experienced. This special issue on the New Private Urban Governance examines the constantly evolving modalities of private governance (i.e. business improvement districts/areas, condominium/strata corporations, gated communities, POPS and others) in a global context. Organised around new, interrelated themes of vestiges, ventures and visibility, this issue comprises case studies, syntheses of longstanding empirical projects and novel theoretical/conceptual interventions into political and spatial practices, knowledges and technologies of these privately governed realms. Focused on the spatialisation of politics, vestiges reflects the idea that while neoliberal forms of private urban governance continue to proliferate, they rely and build upon, rather than fully replace, earlier, more public governance practices, logics and spaces. Ventures emphasises that the private and market-oriented thrust of urban governance is heavily predicated on the protection and extraction of value and the intensifying financialisation of urban landscapes and life. Visibility highlights how governing technologies render private urban governance visible and in doing so highlight the politics of space. These three themes together expose the workings of the new private urban governance while invigorating further explorations of this complex phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An earthquake is the most destructive natural phenomenon, with its sudden onset and rapid spread impacting large areas. Among the various geohazards, seismic ones dominate in terms of their social and economic effects on human life and the urban environment. In the present study, a deterministic earthquake ground motion scenario for the city of Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria) is presented. The earthquake risk posed to Sofia is quantified by considering the city's seismic context, which contributes to its hazard and risk. The assessment of seismic hazards and the generation of earthquake scenarios make up the first step of seismic risk evaluations, as risk reduction strategies can only be developed with a better understanding of these threats. Risk assessment and its associated management comprise the most effective approach to estimating the impact of seismic hazards on the city of Sofia, which exhibits high seismic activity. Our findings provide a basis for local governments to review their susceptibility and preparedness. The consideration of earthquake scenarios in the creation of policies for seismic risk reduction will allow us to focus on the prevention of earthquake effects rather than on the activities following these disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the intention to use shared autonomous vehicles in Brussels before and after an experience in virtual reality, in which a scenario of a city with shared autonomous vehicles was visualized taking into account transformations that are not possible to implement in real life such as urban form changes. 51 participants took part in a quasi-experiment and their acceptance of autonomous vehicles was measured before and after, using surveys based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). Using partial least squares structural equation modeling, we model user acceptance pre- and post-VR experience and compare the change in influencing factors. Results show that, under the conditions we defined, the intention to use autonomous shuttles was influenced by the virtual reality experience, as there was an increase in the behavioral intention and a change in the significant predictors. Overall, we found evidence that the virtual reality experience did influence the acceptance of autonomous vehicles, and can then be an effective test bed to visualize future impacts of autonomous vehicles that are impossible to project in real life. Our study constitutes then a first step into exploring potential usages of virtual reality to project long-term visions of future developments of cities with shared autonomous vehicles. • Pre-test post-test design to evaluate effect of virtual reality on acceptance. • We estimate SEM model before and after experience. • Intention to use autonomous shuttles increases after the VR experience. • Hedonic motivation is no longer significant after the VR experience. • Environmental perception is positively linked with acceptance after the experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]