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The construction of child-friendly cities has become a global issue, and the diverse needs of children during their growth has attracted widespread attention. This study uses CiteSpace 6.4.1 to perform a visual analysis of 966 papers published from 2004 to 2024 in the SSCI, SCI, ESCI, and A&HCI citation indexes of the Web of Science database. First, the study analyzes the publication trends over the past two decades in the context of different citation indexes and research fields. Then, we identify influential journals, institutions, countries, author institutions, and funding agencies within this domain. Additionally, this study uses the visualized results to outline the core keywords and research themes in child-friendly city research, clarifying the development trajectory of the field and identifying future research priorities and hotspots. The results derived from CiteSpace and bibliometric analysis will assist future researchers and practitioners in a better understanding of the comprehensive framework of child-friendly city research, thereby advancing the progress of child-friendly city construction under the broader context of sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to a shortage of funding and other market challenges, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) face difficulties in adopting new technologies. Numerous technological obstacles negatively impact the long-term commercial achievement of SMEs. The deployment of Industry 4.0hopes to resolve these technological challenges. A sustainable city is a complex structure where economic, societal, and ecological components interact and compete. There is a scarcity of l methodologies for measuring interactions in this complex structure. Industry 4.0 aims to obtain higher performance effectiveness, profitability, and automation. The main goal is to develop a reliable method of evaluating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adopting Industry 4.0 technologies, particularly concerning smart city applications. This paper aims to determine the influence of Industry 4.0 in fostering economic efficiency and sustainability amongst these SMEs. The study introduces a multi-criteria decision-making (SC-MCDM) system designed to test an SME’s achievement of their targeted sustainable developmental goals. A technique for computing the interaction between various standards, i.e., (static interactions and dynamical pattern resemblance), as well as the weightage of variables of every indicator generated by the connection, is included within SC-MCDM. Furthermore, applying the suggested technique is validated by assessing the sustainable development goals of twelve Chinese cities within the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) paradigm. From a geographic-temporal viewpoint, spatial variations in city sustainability reveal regional sustainable inequalities. Indicator scores suggest that the most significant factors for most communities are the lack of research spending, falling financing in stationary assets, shortage of financial development, and inadequate shared transit. Furthermore, the growth of tertiary industries, improvement of energy performance, expansion of green areas, and reduction of pollution emissions are key driving forces for enhancing sustainability. Compared to other methodologies, Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) considers the interplay between conditions. This is why it is an excellent approach to assess the sustainability of any city. Our experimental findings highlight the impact of MCDM and sustainability towards achieving a city’s sustainable development goals. Compared to other methods, the SC-MCDM system is more successful rate of 89.7%, a more sustainable rate of 92.1%, a more precise ratio 93%), more accurate (95%), and a less mean absolute error, and mean squared error rate of 8.3% while trying to achieve sustainable city development goals. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2024-05-04-018 Full Text: PDF

Condominium housing is a critical housing option, but its affordability measures continue to be debatable. This study examined the mutual effect of housing & transportation monthly expenses on housing location affordability and accessibility, considering three comparable locations- inner-city, intermediate, and outer-city condominium locations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 1152 condominium residents were surveyed to assess urban housing location affordability using the combined H+T affordability index, GIS, one-way ANOVA, and Logit model. Housing affordability is diversified in the city, distance to CBD & transport are significant factor. Outer-city and intermediate neighbourhoods are unaffordable & inaccessible, with 55% and 48% index, respectively. Outer-city residents and lower-incomers face higher financial burdens. Nevertheless, inner-city is affordable & accessible, and residents enjoy better proximity to services. It contributes insights to enhance literature and debates on the model. H+T index provides up-to-date understanding and informs policymaking for innovative, smart, and sustainable, location-sensitive, integrated, and pro-poor policies.

In the face of climate change, urban areas, as major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, are pivotal in mitigation efforts. Cities worldwide are striving to achieve carbon neutrality, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Quantum computing (QC), with its ability to leverage qubits and surpass the limitations of classical computing, presents a promising avenue for optimizing processes in energy, transportation, and climate change mitigation. This study conducts a systematic literature review following Kitchenham's framework, analyzing 96 out of 3397 articles from four major academic databases. The review focuses on the implementation of quantum algorithms, including pure quantum algorithms (PQA), hybrid quantum-classical algorithms (HQC), and quantum-inspired classical algorithms (QIC), with 40 distinct methods such as Quantum Annealing (QA), Quantum-inspired Particle Swarm Optimization (QiPSO), and Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA). The analysis identifies key application domains: algorithmic tasks, types of implications, GHG emission sectors, and quantum methods, highlighting allocation and routing tasks as dominant themes. Notably, the transportation and energy sectors, along with the QA method, feature prominently. Furthermore, a detailed nexus analysis reveals significant interconnections between algorithmic tasks, quantum methods, and their practical implications, particularly in energy efficiency and resource allocation. The findings underscore the growing role of quantum algorithms in reducing urban GHG emissions and advancing toward carbon neutrality, showcasing QC's potential in supporting sustainable cities and effective climate action.© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rational urban design helps to build sustainable cities with high ventilation capacity and pollutant removal capacity, but the effect of building height on ventilation and pollutant dispersion inside asymmetric canyons has not been fully studied. In this paper, we studied the effect of increasing the degree of building height asymmetry (DBHA) on canyon ventilation and pollutant diffusion in shallow and deep asymmetric street canyons by considering six different building height ratios (BHR = 3/4, 1/2, 1/3, 4/3, 2/1 and 3/1). The results show that increasing the DBHA in asymmetric canyons can improve the ventilation and pollutant removal capacity. For step-up canyons, increasing the downwind building height is very useful to improve ventilation and pollutant removal. For shallow/deep step-up canyons with BHR = 1/3, the air exchange rate (ACH) increased to 211.2% and 380.1% of the flat canyons, respectively. The spatially-average pollutant concentration in the pedestrian zones (leeward Kavg* ang windward Kavg*) decreases significantly with the increase of DBHA, especially for the deep step-up canyon with BHR = 1/3, the leeward Kavg* and windward Kavg* decrease to 15.3% and 3%, respectively. Also, increasing the upwind building height can also improve the ventilation capacity in the step-down canyons. For the deep step-down canyon with BHR = 3/1, the leeward Kavg* and windward Kavg* decreased to 40.6% and 24.1% of the deep flat canyon, respectively. Notably, the ventilation capacity is very low for step-down canyons with BHR = 4/3, and for step-down canyons with BHR ≥ 2/1, the ventilation capacity and pollutant removal capacity increase significantly with the increase of DBHA. Therefore, in urban planning, step-down canyons with BHR = 4/3 should be avoided and designed to satisfy the condition of BHR ≥ 2/1. These findings will be a valuable reference for urban designers to build sustainable cities with high ventilation capacity.

With rapid urban growth posing major environmental and social challenges, nature-based solutions (NbS) are at the heart of urban strategies for sustainability and resilience. They help to maintain biodiversity and respond to contemporary climatic and societal challenges. To be best planned and implemented, they need to consider geographical and socio-cultural contexts, including the local perceptions and experiences of residents. Lack of information on social aspects and absence of data are often obstacles to implementation. This article is part of a study on the challenges and opportunities of implementing nature-based solutions for sustainable urban development in Ouagadougou. This study aimed to explore how socio-demographic factors influence perceptions and experiences of urban nature, and to identify implications for urban planning and the implementation of nature-based solutions. Questionnaire surveys were conducted among 401 people, with different socio-demographic profiles and different places of residence. Group interviews with 20 people were then conducted to triangulate the collected data to understand the different interactions between the residents and urban nature. The main results show that, overall, residents perceive urban nature positively. Perceptions and experiences of nature vary considerably according to respondents' socio-demographic profiles and proximity to green spaces. The study also identified the need for appropriate maintenance and management, as well as participatory planning to align nature-based solutions with residents' expectations, with a focus on benefits. The recommendations offered to practitioners, planners, and those involved in urban development for implementing nature-based solutions and identifying limitations, such as a lack of revenue data, provide a solid basis for future action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gulf states have become home to many spectacular environmental sustainability projects, ranging from new infrastructure like solar parks and green cities to global events like the COP28 climate talks in Dubai. These projects are designed to be visually impressive and to illustrate the Gulf commitment to building a post-oil "green" future. Increasingly used to promote nationalist pride among Gulf citizens, symbols of green modernity are also used to recruit valuable knowledge workers to the region. Yet sustainability spectacle ultimately obscures Gulf state leaders' refusal to shift their economies and political systems away from fossil fuels, while simultaneously justifying yet more unsustainable development—just with a new green label. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of climate change, urban areas, as major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, are pivotal in mitigation efforts. Cities worldwide are striving to achieve carbon neutrality, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Quantum computing (QC), with its ability to leverage qubits and surpass the limitations of classical computing, presents a promising avenue for optimizing processes in energy, transportation, and climate change mitigation. This study conducts a systematic literature review following Kitchenham's framework, analyzing 96 out of 3397 articles from four major academic databases. The review focuses on the implementation of quantum algorithms, including pure quantum algorithms (PQA), hybrid quantum-classical algorithms (HQC), and quantum-inspired classical algorithms (QIC), with 40 distinct methods such as Quantum Annealing (QA), Quantum-inspired Particle Swarm Optimization (QiPSO), and Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA). The analysis identifies key application domains: algorithmic tasks, types of implications, GHG emission sectors, and quantum methods, highlighting allocation and routing tasks as dominant themes. Notably, the transportation and energy sectors, along with the QA method, feature prominently. Furthermore, a detailed nexus analysis reveals significant interconnections between algorithmic tasks, quantum methods, and their practical implications, particularly in energy efficiency and resource allocation. The findings underscore the growing role of quantum algorithms in reducing urban GHG emissions and advancing toward carbon neutrality, showcasing QC's potential in supporting sustainable cities and effective climate action. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Condominium housing is a critical housing option, but its affordability measures continue to be debatable. This study examined the mutual effect of housing & transportation monthly expenses on housing location affordability and accessibility, considering three comparable locations- inner-city, intermediate, and outer-city condominium locations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 1152 condominium residents were surveyed to assess urban housing location affordability using the combined H+T affordability index, GIS, one-way ANOVA, and Logit model. Housing affordability is diversified in the city, distance to CBD & transport are significant factor. Outer-city and intermediate neighbourhoods are unaffordable & inaccessible, with 55% and 48% index, respectively. Outer-city residents and lower-incomers face higher financial burdens. Nevertheless, inner-city is affordable & accessible, and residents enjoy better proximity to services. It contributes insights to enhance literature and debates on the model. H+T index provides up-to-date understanding and informs policymaking for innovative, smart, and sustainable, location-sensitive, integrated, and pro-poor policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Playgrounds are envisaged as spaces designed to provide a safe and enjoyable environment that facilitates physical activity among children and adolescents. However, in various instances within cities formerly under socialist governance, these playgrounds have suffered neglect and lacked maintenance, coherent conceptual frameworks, professional oversight, suitable materials for playground structures, and attention to vegetation or potentially toxic elements. They became residual areas in the city's built environment. Presently, the evaluation and the regeneration of playgrounds in cities have emerged as a significant task. Amidst the densely populated urban fabric, these spaces hold considerable importance for outdoor activities, social interaction, recreational pursuits, and the healthy development of future generations. Simultaneously, these places can play a crucial role in a city's green infrastructure, local landscapes, and the challenges of sustainability prompted by climate change. The landscape analysis of 22 playgrounds classified them based on land use characteristics, location, functions, equipment, quality, and accessibility. A case study in Târgu-Mureș, scrutinized in detail within this analysis due to its proximity to the city center, within a densely populated urban area, and its multifaceted functionalities, underscores the need for a comprehensive approach encompassing diverse disciplines to address its manifold usage requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a surge in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) research into how urban morphology affects ventilation in cities. However, studies are scattered, with varying parameter definitions, limiting their application in architectural and urban design. This article aims to review and assess the relevance of geometric parameters studied in aerodynamics field to urban planning and architectural design in polish conditions. By reviewing previous publications on morphological parameters in wind studies, it evaluates their recognition and potential for their implementation in urban and architectural design in Polish conditions. Comparisons are made between these parameters and those commonly used in architectural and urban theory and practices in Poland. Results reveal minimal convergence, incorporating other parameters requires interdisciplinary research and significant planning procedure changes. This highlights the need for detailed interdisciplinary research and substantial planning changes to fully integrate CFD results into architectural and urban design practice in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Artificial Tree project, developed by the authors, presents an innovative approach to urban sustainability by integrating microalgae cultivation systems for CO2 capture, biomass production, and urban cooling. This study evaluates the project's feasibility and effectiveness in transforming urban furniture into functional photobioreactors that enhance environmental quality. Inspired by natural aesthetics, the Artificial Tree functions as both a CO2 sink and a biofertilizer producer. Using Scenedesmus microalgae, the system captures 50 kg of CO2 annually per unit and generates 28 kg of biomass, which further reduces emissions when utilized as a biofertilizer. To assess its impact, a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method was employed, considering factors such as CO2 capture, biomass production, social engagement, visual appeal, and scalability. This methodology incorporated a three-level qualitative scale and criteria tailored to compare similar projects with at least three months of operation and available data on microalgae productivity. Results highlight that the Artificial Tree achieves up to 2.5 times more CO2 fixation than a mature tree while combining environmental benefits with public engagement. Its modular and aesthetic design supports educational outreach and inspires larger-scale implementation. This project demonstrates significant potential to redefine urban spaces sustainably by seamlessly integrating functionality, artistic expression, and public interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal 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 Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal 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.)

The most important basic need in today's cities is water. Population growth in cities, climate change, and decreasing access to water resources make the issue of sustainable city and water relationship more important. In addition to the industry being the sector that consumes the most water, water use is also high in domestic use, agriculture, commercial, and tourism areas. Settlements at risk of water scarcity must take precautions to avoid becoming a waterless settlement in the future. To protect the delicate balance of nature, sustainability in urban areas should be ensured. Environmental pollution should be analyzed and suggestions should be presented for the solution to this pollution. Based on the concepts of sustainable city and urban water cycle, it also mentions how the city and water are and should be in a relationship. It contains concepts that will better express the relations of basic concepts with each other and complement the context. Sustainable use of water also contributes to the protection of natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Water resources management for sustainable cities plays an important role in achieving the goal of creating an environmentally friendly, healthy, and safe living space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With poor transportation infrastructure and increased reliance on motorization, fast-growing cities in the Global South that are experiencing rapid urbanization have received less attention in terms of sustainable transportation research. In this regard, it is imperative to support active mobility and public transit that help to reduce vehicle emissions, traffic congestion, road fatalities, and energy depletion while supporting public health, robust economies, and social equity. However, in the emerging cities context, the adoption of sustainable transportation options are constrained by various factors. This study aims to explore the key factors hindering the adoption of sustainable transportation options in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. To do so, travel survey data were gathered from 720 households using stratified sampling and analyzed using factor analysis. The results from factor analysis indicated five groups of factors hindering residents' intention to adopt sustainable transportation options, including (1) infrastructure condition, (2) modal characteristics, (3) land use pattern, (4) policy framework, and (5) technology-related factors. The confirmatory factor analysis also depicts the five latent factors and the contributions of observed variables that are statistically significant (p < 0.01). More specifically, observed variables such as (i) inadequate pedestrian facilities, (ii) lack of bike facilities, (iii) poor public transit facilities, (iv) limited availability of reliable public transport, (v) long wait times, (vi) high public transport fare, (vii) discomfort, (viii) safety and security issues are the most significant factors. Another set of factors includes (ix) walking distance, (x) dispersed land use pattern, (xi) poor land use mix, (xii) inadequate policy support, and (xiii) lack of real-time information. Furthermore, the intention to adopt sustainable modes of transportation is influenced by socio-demographic characteristics such as gender, age, educational status, income, family size, and car ownership. The result contributes to the existing literature by providing insight into adopting sustainable transportation modes in emerging cities like Addis Ababa, which are characterized by several urban transportation challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slum management model is also part of effective development efforts that need to be improved and developed in an integrated, directed, planned, and sustainable manner. The objectives of this study are; (1) To find out how the pattern of slum management in Kendari City, and (2) Providing a Collaborative Model for Sustainability of Slum Management. It was conducted using a qualitative descriptive approach with observation, naturalistic, and phenomenological methods to reveal phenomena that occur based on observations and information obtained in the field. The results of the study confirmed that the slum management strategy can only be implemented with a new approach, namely the paradigm of network optimization towards welfare. This paradigm does not only prioritize the infrastructure aspect which connotes the economy can realize prosperity independently. Effective slum management is to synergize all management resources in an institutionalized sustainable collaboration model. Slum management in applying a patterned network optimization approach in 3 (three) major parts; (1) management of access to intra-community resources, (2) management of network access to government organizations, and (3) Optimization of non-government network management, in a sustainable collaboration for slum management can be more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization has increasingly led to the overlapping of old and new spaces in historic city areas, creating challenges in preserving valuable urban heritage. To meet the requirements of the effective protection, utilization, and sustainable development of these historical spaces, this study introduces a comprehensive framework grounded in the theory of heritage corridors. The proposed framework subdivides and connects fragmented historical spatial resources through the "point–line–plane" dimensions, fostering sustainability across the environmental, ecological, and cultural domains. To validate the effectiveness of the framework, we apply it to the historic city center of Wuxi. This case study demonstrates that integrating spatial resources within the old city enhances the overall quality of urban living spaces in the historic district. The findings suggest that the heritage corridor framework is a feasible and systematic approach for the sustainable renewal of historic urban areas. Furthermore, this study offers valuable insights for advancing Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), particularly in promoting inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green areas, in particular lawns, play important roles in cities. Unfortunately, they are often arranged in sites contaminated with heavy metals. This study analyzed soils and lawn swards in three districts of the city of Wrocław. Three different categories of lawns were examined: residential areas, street lawns and parks. Particular focus was placed on soil contamination with the metals Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb and their accumulation in the aboveground biomass of the perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne, the main grass species, and in the biomass of other components of the lawn sward. The research revealed local occurrence of elevated metal concentrations in soils, although in most of the studied sites, they did not exceed the safe values set byPolish law. The accumulation of metals in the aboveground parts of ryegrass and other plants forming the lawn sward depended primarily on the type of metal. The study confirmed the high phytoavailability of cadmium and zinc and the very low phytoavailability of lead. Perennial ryegrass accumulated considerably lower amounts of lead and copper compared with other components of the lawn sward, which indicates the potential suitability of this species for the phytostabilization and sustainable development of areas contaminated with these two metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the context of ongoing discussions in Chongqing (China) about urban development strategies for the city's transit system, this paper introduces an empirical framework for assessing the development of urban transit stations in mountainous cities. Cities in mountainous areas possess unique natural topography, development patterns, cultures, and natural resources, leading to distinct urban development characteristics compared to cities built on plains. Methods: Drawing on the node-place modelling literature, we develop a multidimensional station assessment methodology adapted for mountainous cities. By adding the dimension of pedestrian experience, we propose indicators that represent the unique challenges of accessing stations in such terrains that are not typically reflected in conventional node-place analysis. Results: Our findings reveal station-specific development opportunities in greater detail and can guide more targeted planning for land use around stations. Discussion: Our assessment method is particularly useful for cities facing terrain challenges that impact pedestrian experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the potential impact of wind farm locations on the sustainable development of cities in Poland was evaluated, considering the availability of wind-generated electricity. We analyzed 37 cities in Poland with populations over 100,000. Research indicates that wind farms located 30–80 km from large cities perform best in terms of generating capacity, while greater distances increase transmission costs and energy losses. In Poland, wind farms are primarily situated in the northwestern regions, posing challenges for energy transmission to the southern cities, which are the main centers of energy consumption. The findings show that wind farms with the highest generating capacity are generally about 50 km from major cities. Key factors influencing wind farm locations include technical criteria, economic feasibility, environmental impact, public opinion, and the availability of transmission networks. Sustainable development of wind farms requires strategic cooperation between urban and rural municipalities, joint spatial planning, coordinated land acquisition, and the exchange of know-how. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ausart Aldizkaria is the property of UPV / EHU Press 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 Agathon: International Journal of Architecture, Art & Design is the property of DEMETRA CE.RI.MED 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.)

The planetary boundaries transgressions show that the functional integrity of the biosphere is in great danger. The cause lies in human activities, which are the product of the current economic and cultural model. The complex environmental system, with its tight interconnections between various planetary boundaries, is closely linked to another complex system: human society. Together, they form a super-system whose stability is at risk. The most significant cause of this instability is represented by urban centres, due to their metabolism, the analysis of which allows us to identify actions to minimise their environmental and social impacts. To implement these actions, since urban centres are also complex systems, we must abandon the planning models followed so far and adopt one more suitable for them. Article info Received: 13/09/2024; Revised: 28/09/2024; Accepted: 05/10/2024

With rapid urban growth posing major environmental and social challenges, nature-based solutions (NbS) are at the heart of urban strategies for sustainability and resilience. They help to maintain biodiversity and respond to contemporary climatic and societal challenges. To be best planned and implemented, they need to consider geographical and socio-cultural contexts, including the local perceptions and experiences of residents. Lack of information on social aspects and absence of data are often obstacles to implementation. This article is part of a study on the challenges and opportunities of implementing nature-based solutions for sustainable urban development in Ouagadougou. This study aimed to explore how socio-demographic factors influence perceptions and experiences of urban nature, and to identify implications for urban planning and the implementation of nature-based solutions. Questionnaire surveys were conducted among 401 people, with different socio-demographic profiles and different places of residence. Group interviews with 20 people were then conducted to triangulate the collected data to understand the different interactions between the residents and urban nature. The main results show that, overall, residents perceive urban nature positively. Perceptions and experiences of nature vary considerably according to respondents’ socio-demographic profiles and proximity to green spaces. The study also identified the need for appropriate maintenance and management, as well as participatory planning to align nature-based solutions with residents’ expectations, with a focus on benefits. The recommendations offered to practitioners, planners, and those involved in urban development for implementing nature-based solutions and identifying limitations, such as a lack of revenue data, provide a solid basis for future action.

In China, like in other countries, smart cities have been proposed to make cities more efficient and, ideally, also more sustainable and low-carbon. Unlike other countries, China pursued a smart city strategy since 2008 with substantial funding and intermediate goals, resulting in high data and computational-intensive digital infrastructures in some cities. However, there is a lack of systematic understanding of how Chinese smart city policies and practices evolved. It is also unclear if and how smart cities achieve sustainability goals. Here, we fill these gaps by conducting a systematic literature review on the timeline of China’s smart city policies during the past three Five-Year Plans. The literature review, based on screening 7995 papers, and analyzing 364 relevant articles, shows that priority research topics are smart city systems and governance, including surveillance, with a more limited focus on policy. China’s net-zero carbon strategy is far less developed than its smart city strategy. The funding and development of large-scale data and AI technology is exemplified in Hangzhou’s ‘Urban Brain’. While sustainability goals are often associated with smart cities, we find few applications with demonstrated sustainability benefits. We suggest that mutual learning is possible by combining the net zero strategy and sustainable city strategy of cities like Copenhagen, Nairobi, Singapore and Toronto with the urban brain strategy of cities like Hangzhou.

This study focused on predicting the spatial distribution of environmental risk indicators using mathematical modeling methods including machine learning. The northern industrial zone of Pavlodar City in Kazakhstan was used as a model territory for the case. Nine models based on the methods kNN, gradient boosting, artificial neural networks, Kriging, and multilevel b-spline interpolation were employed to analyze pollution data and assess their effectiveness in predicting pollution levels. Each model tackled the problem as a regression task, aiming to estimate the pollution load index (PLI) values for specific locations. It was revealed that the maximum PLI values were mainly located to the southwest of the TPPs over some distance from their territories according to the average wind rose for Pavlodar City. Another area of high PLI was located in the northern part of the studied region, near the Hg-accumulating ponds. The high PLI level is generally attributed to the high concentration of Hg. Each studied method of interpolation can be used for spatial distribution analysis; however, a comparison with the scientific literature revealed that Kriging and MLBS interpolation can be used without extra calculations to produce non-linear, empirically consistent, and smooth maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to rapid development of cities, number of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) has faced drastic growth in recent decades. Reviewing the literature indicates that WWTPs in urban areas are one of the essential energy consumers, and it is necessary to evaluate their energy consumption. In Tehran, the capital of Iran, the number of WWTPs has increased to meet the demands of its increasing population. Yet, the energy consumption of these WWTPs in Tehran has not been thoroughly examined. This research aims to measure and provide the specific energy consumption of Tehran WWTPs and bridge the research gap by providing precise measurements for three key performance indicators (KPIs): energy consumption per influent volume (kWh/m³), per population-equivalent (kWh/PE-year), and per kilogram of Chemical Oxygen Demand removed (kWh/kg COD). The South Tehran Wastewater Treatment Plant (STWWTP), the largest WWTP in Tehran, demonstrated highest energy efficiency with consumption rates of 0.21 kWh/m³ for influent volume, 16.75 kWh/PE-year, and 0.48 kWh/kg COD removed. Furthermore, the smallscale WWTPs of Tehran showed a significant variation in specific energy consumption. Zargandeh Wastewater Treatment Plant (ZWWTP) represented the poorest efficiency by consuming 96.34 kWh for each person under its service and 3.66 kWh per kg COD removed. In contrast, Ekbatan Wastewater Treatment Plant (EWWTP), among the small-scale WWTPs, demonstrated great energy efficiency with consumption rates of 33.15 kWh per capita and 0.52 kWh/m³. However, this great variation in energy consumption of Tehran WWTPs needs further investigation, and strategies for improving the energy efficiency of these WWTPs are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital twins (DTs) are highly valuable tools for urban planning as they provide a virtual replica of the physical city, integrating real-time data and simulations to enhance the decision-making and management processes. The use of DTs expands the possibilities for data integration and visualization in urban contexts. This includes real-time data measurements from multiple sources, such as sensors and IoT devices, facilitating comprehensive insights. DT's virtual representation helps authorities and planners visualize urban dynamics and improve their understanding of urban ecosystems, energy efficiency, traffic management, emergency response, and more. DT supports the simulation and modeling of different scenarios in an urban built environment, enabling the predictive analysis of transformation decisions and the anticipation of future trends and challenges. This paper highlights the assumptions and ongoing progress in the development of a DT for the city of Turin (Italy), focusing on a range of applications, such as the extraction of built and natural environment features, land use data, road network and pavement quality, and signage, along with continuous model updates over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most people now prefer to live in cities, and the urban population has grown significantly. The decrement of urban green corridors causes an essential need for livability in highly populated areas. The needs of population health and sustainable city development are put under prolonged stress by the shortage of publicly accessible green infrastructure and its placement in inappropriate areas. The inventory of green corridor areas and the distribution of significant infrastructure are not fully understood, thus encouraging conflicts between residents and wildlife and increasing flood risk in their vicinity. Optical satellite images were required to (1) develop a green corridor (GC) map, (2) investigate the green infrastructure (GI) demand with the existing land use, and (3) propose new green trails (GT) in the Kuantan district using a geospatial approach. NDVI and site suitability analysis were carried out on Landsat OLI and Sentinel-2 MSI images, which were integrated with GIS tools to achieve all the objectives. A GC map has been developed, and five new proposed areas for GI development have been identified. Based on the results, 5 proposed green trails (3 long GTs, 2 short GTs) with a total length of 79.3 km are scattered in the Kuantan district at the most suitable site, identified using a geospatial approach. This study supports SDG 15: Life on Land, where green corridors reinforce biological connectivity, provide conducive space for high-populated areas, and minimize the negative impact of urbanization on the designed areas of GC, GI and GT in the developing city of Kuantan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With poor transportation infrastructure and increased reliance on motorization, fast-growing cities in the Global South that are experiencing rapid urbanization have received less attention in terms of sustainable transportation research. In this regard, it is imperative to support active mobility and public transit that help to reduce vehicle emissions, traffic congestion, road fatalities, and energy depletion while supporting public health, robust economies, and social equity. However, in the emerging cities context, the adoption of sustainable transportation options are constrained by various factors. This study aims to explore the key factors hindering the adoption of sustainable transportation options in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. To do so, travel survey data were gathered from 720 households using stratified sampling and analyzed using factor analysis. The results from factor analysis indicated five groups of factors hindering residents’ intention to adopt sustainable transportation options, including (1) infrastructure condition, (2) modal characteristics, (3) land use pattern, (4) policy framework, and (5) technology-related factors. The confirmatory factor analysis also depicts the five latent factors and the contributions of observed variables that are statistically significant (p

The Artificial Tree project, developed by the authors, presents an innovative approach to urban sustainability by integrating microalgae cultivation systems for CO2 capture, biomass production, and urban cooling. This study evaluates the project’s feasibility and effectiveness in transforming urban furniture into functional photobioreactors that enhance environmental quality. Inspired by natural aesthetics, the Artificial Tree functions as both a CO2 sink and a biofertilizer producer. Using Scenedesmus microalgae, the system captures 50 kg of CO2 annually per unit and generates 28 kg of biomass, which further reduces emissions when utilized as a biofertilizer. To assess its impact, a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method was employed, considering factors such as CO2 capture, biomass production, social engagement, visual appeal, and scalability. This methodology incorporated a three-level qualitative scale and criteria tailored to compare similar projects with at least three months of operation and available data on microalgae productivity. Results highlight that the Artificial Tree achieves up to 2.5 times more CO2 fixation than a mature tree while combining environmental benefits with public engagement. Its modular and aesthetic design supports educational outreach and inspires larger-scale implementation. This project demonstrates significant potential to redefine urban spaces sustainably by seamlessly integrating functionality, artistic expression, and public interaction.

Playgrounds are envisaged as spaces designed to provide a safe and enjoyable environment that facilitates physical activity among children and adolescents. However, in various instances within cities formerly under socialist governance, these playgrounds have suffered neglect and lacked maintenance, coherent conceptual frameworks, professional oversight, suitable materials for playground structures, and attention to vegetation or potentially toxic elements. They became residual areas in the city’s built environment. Presently, the evaluation and the regeneration of playgrounds in cities have emerged as a significant task. Amidst the densely populated urban fabric, these spaces hold considerable importance for outdoor activities, social interaction, recreational pursuits, and the healthy development of future generations. Simultaneously, these places can play a crucial role in a city’s green infrastructure, local landscapes, and the challenges of sustainability prompted by climate change. The landscape analysis of 22 playgrounds classified them based on land use characteristics, location, functions, equipment, quality, and accessibility. A case study in Târgu-Mureș, scrutinized in detail within this analysis due to its proximity to the city center, within a densely populated urban area, and its multifaceted functionalities, underscores the need for a comprehensive approach encompassing diverse disciplines to address its manifold usage requirements.

Nowadays, new urban development strategies emphasize on pedestrian construction where pedestrian zones must meet the standard requirements in order to improve citizen mobility. Urban economies, social justice, and sustainable transportation may be impacted by pedestrianization. Certainly, pedestrianization and walkability can significantly reduce traffic congestion in historic and downtown districts. Concerning historical urban attitudes and relevant potentials, this paper proposes reconstructions to build better pedestrian areas in historic places where private car traffic and public transport lanes are also considered in pathway construction. As a case study, a historic area in the Iranian city of Kerman has been studied due to its unique cultural and climatic conditions. Consequently, all guidelines and regulations for changes to potential streets of historical districts into pedestrian zones have been carefully reviewed followed by defining scenarios of walkability and non-walkability (turning historic passageways into new roadways) of streets as well as improving traffic conditions. In addition to investigating variables including costs, traffic enhancement, and urban development priorities, the analysis has been done by performing the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The results indicated that non-walkability-based scenarios (passage and roadway widening) could merely reduce delays while incurring significant expenses and the highest destruction of historic districts. Nevertheless, the analysis carried out using three criteria showed that walkability and the development of public transportation could provide the most reliable solutions (the highest point) to secure sustainable transportation.

Abstract Sustainable urban development is an increasingly important concept as cities around the world continue to grow and face challenges related to urbanization, including environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic instability. Chiang Mai is a rapidly growing city in Thailand that steers towards sustainability. In this work, we examine the state of sustainable urban development in Chiang Mai by analyzing various indicators, including transportation, waste management, air quality, and energy consumption. A multi-dimensional framework was used to assess the sustainability of Chiang Mai. Our analysis suggests that while Chiang Mai has made progress in some areas of sustainable urban development, such as promoting green transportation and waste reduction and reduction consumption, there are still many challenges to be addressed, particularly in air pollution, water management, transportation and energy consumption. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for policy makers, urban planners, and other stakeholders interested in promoting sustainable urban development. This study assesses Chiang Mai’s sustainability using a comprehensive set of 35 indicators. It was found that Chiang Mai has potential for sustainable development, but some indicators require improvement. The study presents guidelines for prioritizing sustainable development, improving air and water quality, promoting sustainable tourism, enhancing waste management, transportation management and energy consumption. This research provides alternative framework for evaluating cities and presents a valuable contribution to the field of sustainable urban development.

City competitiveness is a complex product of local and international conditions, local characteristics, social and economic superstructure, and the actions of individual companies. Although many scientific studies have examined the country’s and urban competitiveness, the competitiveness of port cities still needs to be assessed comprehensively, taking into account their crucial economic role. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the competitiveness and economic security of the Baltic port cities (Klaipėda, Riga, and Tallinn). Statistical processing and multi-criteria evaluation methods (SAW, COPRAS, and TOPSIS) were chosen to achieve this goal. The comparative analysis showed that the population change in port cities is not significant for the final result of the competitiveness assessment, and the unemployment rate in port cities is lower than in the country. The assessment of the competitiveness of port cities from the point of view of economic security shows (after checking such indicators as unemployment rate, company income, and infrastructure) that Tallinn is the most competitive port city according to the three multi-criteria evaluation methods, while Klaipėda is the least competitive. The assessment was carried out in three stages to monitor changes in the situation of port cities, compared to changes in a certain indicator and the costs of timely solutions or the improvement of the city’s position in relation to other cities.

In the quest to understand urban ecosystems, traditional evaluation techniques often fall short due to incompatible data sources and the absence of comprehensive, real-time data. However, with the recent surge in the availability of crowdsourced data, a dynamic view of urban systems has emerged. Recognizing the value of these data, this study illustrates how these data can bridge gaps in understanding urban interactions. Furthermore, the role of urban planners is crucial in harnessing these data effectively, ensuring that derived insights align with the practical needs of urban development. Employing the Design Science Methodology, the research study presents an assessment model grounded in the principles of the city ecosystem, drawing from the General System Theory for Smart Cities. The model is structured across three dimensions and incorporates twelve indicators. By leveraging crowdsourced data, the study offers invaluable insights for urban planners, researchers, and other professionals. This comprehensive approach holds the potential to revolutionize city sustainability assessments, deepening the grasp of intricate urban ecosystems and paving the way for more resilient future cities.

Compact city policies have gained global attention for their potential to combat urban sprawl, conserve suburban open spaces, reduce energy consumption, and cultivate vibrant urban living environments. While these policies are widely believed to contribute to urban low-carbon objectives, empirical evidence has been lacking. This study focuses on the pivotal elements of compact city development, investigating impacts on sectoral urban carbon emissions and uncovering spatial heterogeneity. The research outcomes affirm that density and accessibility indicators exert significant negative influences on carbon intensity for the energy, industrial, household, and transportation sectors. While public transport, despite its fundamental role in compact city theory, does not show effectiveness in reducing urban carbon emissions as expected. The study highlights that as an approach toward achieving urban sustainability under the scope of climate change adaptation, compact city development strategies necessitate a careful balance in their application. Further, we underscore the importance of complementing compact city policies with greener energy strategies to effectively realize low-carbon urban transportation goals.

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This study explores the intersection of dynamic culture and participatory design in urban spaces, emphasizing the role of user experiences in shaping urban environments. By integrating residents' input in the design and planning processes, this research aims to foster sustainable, viable urban futures that reflect local cultural dynamics and community needs. Utilizing a case study in Tataouine, Tunisia, the research employs parametric mapping and user experience mapping to analyze interactions with heritage sites and public spaces. This approach captures qualitative data on user experiences and overlays it with spatial context, enabling the identification of patterns and relationships between cultural practices and territorial dynamics. The study aims to identify key factors for citizen participation, analyze user experiences in relation to cultural dynamics, and formulate recommendations for integrating participatory design principles. By aligning urban development with a dynamic culture and user-centric design, the study envisions urban spaces that are inclusive, sustainable, and reflective of local identities. The findings underscore the potential of participatory design to enhance the value of urban heritage and promote a more engaged and resilient urban community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The socio-economic conditions provided by the cities become centers of attraction to improve the quality of life of people. On the other hand, the uncontrolled growth of urban areas in meeting the needs of the increasing population has adverse effects on natural resources. Sustainable urbanization aims to increase the socio-economic quality of life by ensuring the rational use of natural resources, minimizing non-renewable resources, and meeting people's basic needs. However, due to the unconscious use of natural resources and increasing pressure on the environment, environmental components are seen as the basis of sustainable urbanization and affect economic and social sustainability development. This study aims to explain the process of determining the indicators related to environmental sustainability. In this context, by examining the studies carried out in the national and international arena, 20 indicator sets were created under eight themes at the national level, which will be beneficial in spatial planning decisions. It is thought that the determined indicator set will make important contributions to institutions and managers from the local level to regional and national levels in spatial planning studies to ensure environmental sustainability.

In this article, we wish to examine the place of sustainability, urbanity and diversity in major French urban projects labeled operations of national interest (OIN). Thanks to a certain number of field studies and surveys carried out in Marseille and Nice, within the OIN Euroméditerranée and Écovallée Plaine du Var, we will question their reality and their different territorial impacts.

The slum management model is also part of effective development efforts that need to be improved and developed in an integrated, directed, planned, and sustainable manner. The objectives of this study are; (1) To find out how the pattern of slum management in Kendari City, and (2) Providing a Collaborative Model for Sustainability of Slum Management. It was conducted using a qualitative descriptive approach with observation, naturalistic, and phenomenological methods to reveal phenomena that occur based on observations and information obtained in the field. The results of the study confirmed that the slum management strategy can only be implemented with a new approach, namely the paradigm of network optimization towards welfare. This paradigm does not only prioritize the infrastructure aspect which connotes the economy can realize prosperity independently. Effective slum management is to synergize all management resources in an institutionalized sustainable collaboration model. Slum management in applying a patterned network optimization approach in 3 (three) major parts; (1) management of access to intra-community resources, (2) management of network access to government organizations, and (3) Optimization of non-government network management, in a sustainable collaboration for slum management can be more effective.

In geography and, to a lesser extent, in urban planning and development, the topic of Public Procurement (PP) has received little consideration from the French and international scientific community. This observation must be set against the abundant scientific literature from the other related disciplines (management sciences, economics and legal sciences). In France, no thesis on this subject has ever been defended in Geography, a few articles and no books have been published on this interaction between PP and "territories". This observation challenges geographers, policy designers and planners, even though, beyond the question of the law that frames it, PP has always been a major instrument of public policies and their implementation. This research project focuses on how PP is taken into account in the analysis of the dynamics of territorial innovation.In particular, it will enrich our understanding of the dynamics of proximity and territorial intermediation processes, which have become key issues in economic geography and Regional Science. The aim is to understand how, on a territorial scale, public procurement enables coordination and matching between the players involved in these territorial innovation dynamics. The smart city perspective is introduced as a relevant analytical framework for studying the manufacture of urban innovation, focusing on the way in which public procurement facilitates exchanges and interactions between stakeholders with sometimes conflicting objectives and differing timeframes. The text describes a research methodology based on a case study of the Toulouse scene engaged in proactive programs to support innovation since 2014, with a protocol incorporating a complete literature review, a systemic analysis, a data collection via semi-structured interviews, and a comparative approach with other similar territorial scenes.

Well-being is a critical element of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. Given the complexity of the concept of well-being, it follows that its measurement requires complex, multivariate methods that can characterize the physical, economic, social and environmental aspects along with the mental state of a city. Although it is not sufficient to carry out settlement-level analyses to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. It is necessary to understand patterns within settlements. This work aims to present how the urban macrostructure of urban well-being indicators can be estimated based on GIS-based multilayer analysis. Open-source data, e.g. road networks, points of interest, green spaces and vegetation, are used to estimate urban well-being parameters such as noise levels, air quality and health-related impacts supplemented by climate models to assess urban resilience and sustainability. The proposed methodology integrates 24 models into six categories, namely walkability, environment, health, society, climate change and safety, which are weighted based on a multilevel Principal Component Analysis to minimize information loss for aggregated composite indicators. The study revealed two main components of the macrostructure related to well-being in the studied city: one related to the geometrical features and the other can be derived from the structure of the natural environment. In Veszprém a natural restoration of the detached house area, industrial area and downtown is recommended including developments with green and blue infrastructural elements and nature-based solutions.