Search

This research paper examines threshold spaces in traditional housing within historic Indian cities, emphasizing how these transitional areas are shaped by cultural, social, and environmental influences. It underscores that thresholds function beyond mere physical divisions between interior and exterior; they are intricate spatial elements that engage the senses and perception. Key findings include the following: (a) Historical evolution: traditional dwellings display layers of history, shaped by cultural, economic, and climatic factors. (b) Character and morphology: this paper explores the qualities and structures of threshold spaces, analyzing features such as transparency, material choice, hierarchy, and enclosure. (c) Social significance: thresholds play essential roles, supporting a variety of activities, providing shelter, defining boundaries, enhancing community interaction and security, and contributing to residents’ identities. (d) Design implications: insights from this study suggest that a deeper understanding of these spaces can enhance design strategies for transitional areas in housing, highlighting their functional and socio-cultural value. The study adopts a structured comparative analysis of six case studies, evaluated at four scales—township, neighborhood, dwelling, and threshold—focusing on spatial parameters including design, function, definition, structure, and sequence. Overall, this paper highlights the critical role of threshold spaces in architecture and urban design, demonstrating their potential to enhance social interaction, define spatial relationships, and reflect cultural significance in contemporary design practices.

The aim of this research project is the investigation of the forgotten landscape of transhumance in mainland Greece, focusing on areas that have been abandoned by modern society and their historical significance. The goal is to make these lands functional again by preserving their cultural heritage and developing a sustainable community that meets the needs of people, livestock, and the environment. The investigation employs a dual approach: examining transhumance as a cultural and natural practice while analyzing vernacular architecture to preserve collective memory. This involves extensive historical research and a simultaneous analysis of spatial, social, symbolic, and architectural elements. This study identifies points of convergence between cultural practices and architectural heritage, applying these insights to contemporary redevelopment scenarios. Findings reveal a significant interplay between transhumance practices and the region’s anonymous architecture. Key characteristics of the landscape and its spatial identity are documented, providing insights into effective preservation and redevelopment strategies. Specific case studies validate these strategies, demonstrating their relevance to current and future efforts. This study concludes that understanding the historical context and spatial identity of transhumance landscapes is crucial for sustainable redevelopment. By preserving cultural practices and architectural heritage, this project provides a framework for revitalizing these landscapes, ensuring a balanced coexistence of people, livestock, and the environment.

In the contemporary world of social change, accelerated mobility and plural identities, the creation of open and inclusive environments seems to be a recurrent aim at all levels from cities to buildings and to museums in particular. Through the first-hand study and analysis of current case studies, the paper will argue that museums engage space to express the contemporary museological concepts of accessibility, openness and inclusiveness, and through these to engage visitors in cross cultural informational experiences and social encounters. The spatial nature of the contemporary museum, it is proposed, points to a new concept of the museum, which often aims to be part of the city, both in the sense of how it connects to it and in being internally more like a city, and so a continuation of it.

This paper deals with the landscape design strategy that was followed in the proposal that was submitted to the International Architecture Competition of the New Archaeological Museum of Cyprus. The aim of this document is to analyze how landscape and architecture interact. In the author’s design proposal for the New Archaeological Museum of Cyprus, the various “gardens” integrated into the Landscape are analyzed. The concept of landscape design is related to the sacredness of trees to certain gods in Ancient Greece and Greek Mythology. The proposal addresses the symbolic meaning of trees and water. The design triggered the creation of several “gardens”: the “Sacred Garden”, the “Stone Garden”, the “Olive Garden”, the “Sacred Grove”, and the “Public Garden”, combining their soft landscapes with the hard landscape of the “Plaza” and the “Courtyard”. Each figure in the garden has a symbolic meaning that allows for a dialogue between landscape and architectural design. In addition, the findings provide valuable insights into the historical and spiritual value of landscape elements (plants, water) that are also thermal regulators for sustainable urban planning. The research results may be of value to landscape architects, architects, and landscape designers in the Mediterranean region.

Green infrastructure and nature-based solutions are crucial for the sustainable transformation of cities into more resilient and inclusive places. However, the planning and design of these interventions must be tailored to different urban environments and socioeconomic contexts. Despite being one of the most urbanised global areas, the Latin American and Caribbean region still needs to be more researched. In this regard, this contribution provides an analytical and design framework for integrating nature-based solutions in dense urban contexts for microclimate mitigation and improved usability. It is constructed by considering the morphological, historical, climatic, and administrative peculiarities of Latin America, and it has been applied and tested in the case study of Bogotá (Colombia). The result is a matrix for constructing design strategies based on three key attributes of outdoor spaces and four design components. Article info Received: 18/03/2024; Revised: 22/04/2024; Accepted: 02/05/2024

The city, like a piece of architecture, is a structure in space, but one of gigantic scale, something perceived only over a long period. A space is termed a place when it acquires an identity. The entirety of urban personality, urban communication, urban conduct, and urban design constitute the urban identity. This research delves into divided urban identities and examines how urban and architectural design influence the fragmentation of the cityscape. It explores the connection between urban environments’ physical attributes and the divide of social, cultural, and political identities within cities. This study uses a multidisciplinary method to acquire thorough knowledge by combining architectural studies, urban planning theories, and social-cultural perspectives. The case study of reference is the city of Matera, in southern Italy, which has a unique history of a slow shaping of its urban and productive landscape throughout centuries due to heavy environmental constraints and resource availability and which has suffered forced evacuation and major discontinuities in the past century. Here, the opposing traits of the historical Sassi district and the new town are examined, focusing on their resulting separated urban identities. The study also looks at how divided cities may be reconciled and integrated, emphasizing the relevance of a holistic urban approach for the framing of complex issues. The research proposes methods and best practices for developing inclusive urban settings that promote cohesion and shared identities through the analysis of successful cases of urban regeneration, adaptive reuse of spaces, and participatory design processes. The findings of this research contribute to both academic and practical knowledge by deepening the understanding of the relationship between urban design, architecture, and divided urban identities. It emphasizes the value of comprehensive approaches to urban planning that take into account the social, cultural, and historical settings of cities to foster inclusivity, rapprochement, and the development of common urban identities.

In hot and arid environments, courtyards are essential architectural elements that significantly contribute to microclimate regulation and enhanced thermal comfort. Beyond providing protection against environmental severities, these spaces elevate the standards of livability and sustainability in urban design. The traditional landscape of Mardin, Turkey, exemplifying such challenges, takes center stage in this study, where courtyards hold a prominent role in architectural composition. Facilitated by the ENVI-met software, the evaluation process herein comprehensively analyzes four representative courtyard case studies in Mardin. Key parameters, including air temperature, humidity, predicted mean vote (PMV), and wind speed, are considered to gain a nuanced understanding of their thermal dynamics. The initial evaluation of existing conditions reveals varying thermal comfort levels, with higher PMV values indicating discomfort in the courtyards, underscoring the need for interventions to enhance their microclimate regulation and resilience to climate change challenges. This study aims to enhance our comprehension of the relationship between courtyards and microclimate regulation, particularly in hot–dry regions. By examining the design principles and passive strategies of courtyards, this research identifies effective approaches for optimizing courtyard design, aiming to create sustainable and comfortable living environments.

Urban heat island (UHI) mitigation and adaptation are urgent needs in a built environment, which requires us to search for sustainable solutions to limit the urban heat island effect and improve the energy efficiency of building envelopes. Among these solutions, vertical green structures (VGSs) have recently attracted significant attention for their potential to mitigate adverse effects, especially in densely built areas. This study presents a comprehensive data analysis of the microclimate of a living wall in Milan, Italy. Our aim was to evaluate this VGS’s performance in mitigating temperature increases caused by the UHI effect. In the literature, similar studies are limited to shorter monitoring periods (mostly in cooling seasons) and specific orientations (mostly facing south). However, the VGS presented in this case study here faces northwest and was continuously monitored for one calendar year. During this continuous in situ monitoring campaign, air temperature data from sensors either embedded in vegetation or exposed on a bare wall were collected and analysed over a whole calendar year, which is a novelty compared to the existing literature focused on VGSs due to the long duration. The findings indicate that the studied VGS has the ability to influence the outdoor microclimate depending on the season, the precipitation events, the wall exposure, the type of vegetation, and the vegetation’s phenological attributes. The analysis showed that the VGS consistently maintained cooler temperatures than the bare wall, with mean temperature differences ranging from 2.8 °C in autumn to 0.8 °C in spring through the winter. The vegetation acted as a natural insulator by reducing the air temperature during the hot summer and in early autumn, corresponding to the growing period of the vegetation. Thus, VGSs show potential to mitigate the global warming effect. These findings provide valuable insights on vegetation’s capability to act as a thermal regulator for sustainable urban planning and energy-efficient building design and retrofitting.

IntroductionDespite being recognized as a cost-effective method to enhance physical and mental health, Healing Gardens remain insufficiently popularized in outdoor spaces of hospitals. This paper aims to introduce a new perspective and offer guidelines for their implementation within general hospitals.MethodsA methodology is proposed for formulating hospital-specific guidelines, encompassing the extraction of successful Healing Garden features from case studies, definition of key components grounded in theoretical frameworks, validation of essential features through user questionnaires, and comprehensive site analyses.ResultsThe methodology was applied in a case study at Zhongnan Hospital in Wuhan. This research presents a novel perspective and robust methodology for implementing Healing Gardens in general hospital settings, potentially improving physical and mental health in a cost-efficient manner.DiscussionThis work aims to encourage the adoption of Healing Gardens as preventive medical tools in more healthcare settings. By providing a comprehensive methodology and a case study illustration, this research endeavors to stimulate broader acceptance and utilization of Healing Gardens in healthcare environments.

Recommendation systems are widely used in tourism in order to provide people personalized suggestions that would make their trip memorable. Nowadays, mobile assisted guided tours based on recommendation services are used in museums to enhance visitors ’ experience. However, all those systems have been designed to target indoor or outdoor museum visits. Is it feasible to design a system that supports mobile services that connect a museum visit to artworks situated outdoor in the city environment? Is it possible to connect the artworks of a city center to the exhibits of a museum? In this work, we attempt to give a first answer to such questions proposing and implementing a set of services that connects the museum to the city public space. In order to show the strength of the implemented services, we present a basic usage scenario along with a first system evaluation showing positive results.

This paper deals with the landscape design strategy that was followed in the proposal that was submitted to the International Architecture Competition of the New Archaeological Museum of Cyprus. The aim of this document is to analyze how landscape and architecture interact. In the author's design proposal for the New Archaeological Museum of Cyprus, the various "gardens" integrated into the Landscape are analyzed. The concept of landscape design is related to the sacredness of trees to certain gods in Ancient Greece and Greek Mythology. The proposal addresses the symbolic meaning of trees and water. The design triggered the creation of several "gardens": the "Sacred Garden", the "Stone Garden", the "Olive Garden", the "Sacred Grove", and the "Public Garden", combining their soft landscapes with the hard landscape of the "Plaza" and the "Courtyard". Each figure in the garden has a symbolic meaning that allows for a dialogue between landscape and architectural design. In addition, the findings provide valuable insights into the historical and spiritual value of landscape elements (plants, water) that are also thermal regulators for sustainable urban planning. The research results may be of value to landscape architects, architects, and landscape designers in the Mediterranean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper examines threshold spaces in traditional housing within historic Indian cities, emphasizing how these transitional areas are shaped by cultural, social, and environmental influences. It underscores that thresholds function beyond mere physical divisions between interior and exterior; they are intricate spatial elements that engage the senses and perception. Key findings include the following: (a) Historical evolution: traditional dwellings display layers of history, shaped by cultural, economic, and climatic factors. (b) Character and morphology: this paper explores the qualities and structures of threshold spaces, analyzing features such as transparency, material choice, hierarchy, and enclosure. (c) Social significance: thresholds play essential roles, supporting a variety of activities, providing shelter, defining boundaries, enhancing community interaction and security, and contributing to residents' identities. (d) Design implications: insights from this study suggest that a deeper understanding of these spaces can enhance design strategies for transitional areas in housing, highlighting their functional and socio-cultural value. The study adopts a structured comparative analysis of six case studies, evaluated at four scales—township, neighborhood, dwelling, and threshold—focusing on spatial parameters including design, function, definition, structure, and sequence. Overall, this paper highlights the critical role of threshold spaces in architecture and urban design, demonstrating their potential to enhance social interaction, define spatial relationships, and reflect cultural significance in contemporary design practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trend of urbanization nowadays has caused serious issues related to climate. One of the most important ones is that of the ‘Urban Heat Island (UHI)’ and it occurs in major cities throughout the world. The most important categories, and therefore the most studied ones, are the canopy urban heat island (CUHI) and surface heat island (SUHI). The aim and the novelty of the current study was to assess different remote sensing approaches to detect the thermal environment of an open area inside a large city. The study was undertaken in an urban area with green spaces, in the Bosco Verticale area in the city of Milan, during the spring and summer period of 2021. The area is characterized by different types of cover materials, which were investigated in terms of surface temperature under shaded and non-shaded conditions. Both field measurements and remote sensing techniques were applied. Remote sensing techniques included downscaling techniques and the usage of different split-window algorithms applied on the Landsat8 satellite sensor data. The land surface temperature (LST) extracted from remote sensing methods was compared with the surface temperature derived from in situ measurements. For the needs of the study, both in situ measurements and the collection of meteorological data from different fixed meteorological stations throughout the city of Milan were carried out. The results revealed the significance of greenery presence inside the urban environment, as a comparison of the meteorological data across the urban area of Milan showed that the areas with a low presence of greenery were found to be warmer than those with a higher presence of green elements. Concerning the field measurements in the study area, the results showed a significant reduction in both surface and air temperature in shaded places. On the other hand, the presence of conventional artificial materials in sunny areas led to relatively high values of both surface and air temperature. The downscaling method showed satisfying results in terms of average LST values; however, some discrepancies appeared in terms of the RMSE index. The application of split-window algorithms has shown that some forms of the ‘Generalized split-window algorithm’ and some forms of the ‘Jimenez-Munoz algorithm’ presented better performance among the studied algorithms. Comparing the LST values derived from the most representative algorithm, the ‘Du, Wan algorithm’, with those derived from downscaling methods, it was found to be quite close. However, under shaded conditions, the results derived from the ‘Split-window algorithm’ were found to be more precise. The application of remote sensing techniques in microscale in urban regions should be further studied in future, as they could be an essential tool for observing microclimatic conditions in urban areas and on building scale.

With escalating adverse effects, climate change is, presently, a critical global issue. The primary agent is the atmospheric high level of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Concrete significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Green building is, therefore, a professional responsibility. This analysis briefly proposes various possibilities for reverting to green concrete in construction, advising strategies and solutions implementable at the several life cycle phases of the construction material. Multi-faceted sustainable aspects would pertain to eco-friendly extraction and manufacturing processes, thermal energy-efficient layout, scrubbing of pollutants, and recyclability. In particular, the study sheds light on an important experimental possibility of symbiosing the inert building material with the biological realm: the Living Concrete. At Politecnico Di Milano – Department of Architecture, Built Environment & Construction Engineering, we, first, realized a symbiotic concrete tile with macro-algae Ulva lactuca; then, we developed the experiment to conceive a novel “living concrete” construction finish material designed to absorb/scrub carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This material consists of concrete blocks with Chlorella vulgaris cultivated on their surface. C. vulgaris is common microalgae with photosynthetic activity. This new photosynthetic concrete finish material was further developed and realized at the University of Verona – Department of Biotechnology with the help of expert professors. Researching effective negative greenhouse gas emissions techniques (NGHGET) from the chemical, physical and/or biological realm presents a valid approach to address and solve climate change problem.

In recent years, policymakers worldwide have emphasized innovative solutions for urban challenges, guided by initiatives like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal. Nature-based solutions (NBS) play a crucial role in addressing climate issues and improving urban well-being. With urban areas witnessing a surge in NBS demand due to their dense populations, initiatives like green wall technologies, such as Living Walls (LW), are becoming more prevalent. However, integrating vegetation onto buildings presents complexities requiring structured support. This research aims to establish a robust foundation for LW design by combining existing standards, exploring current approaches, and pushing architectural and structural practices. It seeks to provide comprehensive guidelines for LW design to enhance efficacy, durability, and safety while preventing errors. Notably, existing global guidance lacks uniformity, necessitating a detailed European guide for LW design and maintenance. The methodology involves consolidating global guidelines and analysing current LW solutions to identify guidance gaps. Anticipated outcomes include foundational guidelines for architects and structural designers to improve LW processes, guiding further research and testing for advanced LW practices.

Abstract Background Wearing facemasks is of proven efficacy as a public health protective measure against COVID-19. Currently there are no observational data concerning the wearing of facemasks and the adherence to guidelines concerning their handling. Methods Registration of the way passers-by were wearing facemasks at 26 different locations of five major cities in Greece. The results were correlated with the rate of COVID-19 deaths in the region. Results In total, 119,433 passers-by were registered, 57,043 females (47.8%) and 62,390 males (52.2%). From the total sample, 81.1% were wearing the mask properly, 10.8% had their nose out, 6.2% were wearing it under the jaw, and 1.9% had no mask at all . There was a significant difference between males and females concerning any use of mask. Inappropriate use of was correlated with COVID-19 death rate in the studied region. Conclusion Our findings suggest that under conditions of mandatory wearing and in central locations of major cities, during walking, proper use of masks is suboptimal, but still contributes with some protection. Fear and risk perception seem to be strong factors contributing to adherence to proper mask wearing.

Iraklis C Mitsogiannis,1 Maria Mitsogianni,1 Vissarion Bakalis,2 Anna Tzortzi de Paz,3 Panagiotis J Vlachostergios,4,&ast; Vassilios Tzortzis3,&ast; 1Second Department of Urology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sismanoglio General Hospital, Athens, Greece; 2Department of Nursing, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece; 3Department of Urology, University of Thessaly, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece; 4Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Panagiotis J Vlachostergios, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA, Tel +1 646-962-2072, Email pjv9003@med.cornell.eduPurpose: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment has become an integral part of clinical research across different disciplines. However, the degree of incorporation of QoL standardized questionnaires in daily routine is variable. This survey study examined how HRQoL is perceived and utilized among urologists from the Hellenic Urological Association (HUA) in their daily practice.Methods: A nationwide survey of Greek urologists registered with the HUA was conducted. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire sent via email. The survey questionnaire consisted of demographic data including sex, age, working position and working environment and 11 Likert-scale questions regarding perception and use of HRQoL in clinical practice.Results: A total of 1000 Greek urologists were contacted, of whom 400 (40%) responded. Participants were predominantly male (94.8%) with a mean age of 43.7 years and a mean working experience of 12.5 years. Most participants considered HRQoL assessment to be important in their clinical practice (95.3%) and valuable in both patient consultation (95.8%) and treatment follow-up (91.8%). Half of urologists (51%) agreed with the statement that there is limited time for HRQoL assessment in daily practice. Validated questionnaires were rated as useful by 75.5% of participants. Overall, only 26.7% of participants stated they have incorporated HRQoL questionnaires in their daily practice. A subgroup analysis of participants showed that experienced physicians (> 10 years) were less likely to utilize HRQoL (OR 0.38, p=0.008, 95% CI 0.19– 0.77) and experienced difficulty in distinguishing between HRQoL assessment and symptom-rating (OR 0.32, p< 0.001, 95% CI 0.17– 0.61). Lack of time for HRQoL assessment was a main concern for urologists in-training (OR 0.7, p< 0.001, 95% CI 0.57– 0.85).Conclusion: HRQoL assessment is well-perceived by Greek urologists, although it has yet to achieve a substantial degree of integration in their daily practice.Keywords: health-related quality of life assessment, urologic daily practice, survey, questionnaire

IntroductionThe use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as a front-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has significantly improved patient’ outcome. However, little is known about the efficacy or lack thereof of immunotherapy after prior use of anti-PD1/PD-L1 or/and anti-CTLA monoclonal antibodies.MethodsElectronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, were comprehensively searched from inception to July 2022. Objective response rates (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and ≥ grade 3 adverse events (AEs) were assessed in the meta-analysis, along with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and publication bias.ResultsTen studies which contained a total of 500 patients were included. The pooled ORR was 19% (95% CI: 10, 31), and PFS was 5.6 months (95% CI: 4.1, 7.8). There were ≥ grade 3 AEs noted in 25% of patients (95% CI: 14, 37).ConclusionThis meta-analysis on different second-line ICI-containing therapies in ICI-pretreated mRCC patients supports a modest efficacy and tolerable toxicity.

The city, like a piece of architecture, is a structure in space, but one of gigantic scale, something perceived only over a long period. A space is termed a place when it acquires an identity. The entirety of urban personality, urban communication, urban conduct, and urban design constitute the urban identity. This research delves into divided urban identities and examines how urban and architectural design influence the fragmentation of the cityscape. It explores the connection between urban environments' physical attributes and the divide of social, cultural, and political identities within cities. This study uses a multidisciplinary method to acquire thorough knowledge by combining architectural studies, urban planning theories, and social-cultural perspectives. The case study of reference is the city of Matera, in southern Italy, which has a unique history of a slow shaping of its urban and productive landscape throughout centuries due to heavy environmental constraints and resource availability and which has suffered forced evacuation and major discontinuities in the past century. Here, the opposing traits of the historical Sassi district and the new town are examined, focusing on their resulting separated urban identities. The study also looks at how divided cities may be reconciled and integrated, emphasizing the relevance of a holistic urban approach for the framing of complex issues. The research proposes methods and best practices for developing inclusive urban settings that promote cohesion and shared identities through the analysis of successful cases of urban regeneration, adaptive reuse of spaces, and participatory design processes. The findings of this research contribute to both academic and practical knowledge by deepening the understanding of the relationship between urban design, architecture, and divided urban identities. It emphasizes the value of comprehensive approaches to urban planning that take into account the social, cultural, and historical settings of cities to foster inclusivity, rapprochement, and the development of common urban identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research project is the investigation of the forgotten landscape of transhumance in mainland Greece, focusing on areas that have been abandoned by modern society and their historical significance. The goal is to make these lands functional again by preserving their cultural heritage and developing a sustainable community that meets the needs of people, livestock, and the environment. The investigation employs a dual approach: examining transhumance as a cultural and natural practice while analyzing vernacular architecture to preserve collective memory. This involves extensive historical research and a simultaneous analysis of spatial, social, symbolic, and architectural elements. This study identifies points of convergence between cultural practices and architectural heritage, applying these insights to contemporary redevelopment scenarios. Findings reveal a significant interplay between transhumance practices and the region's anonymous architecture. Key characteristics of the landscape and its spatial identity are documented, providing insights into effective preservation and redevelopment strategies. Specific case studies validate these strategies, demonstrating their relevance to current and future efforts. This study concludes that understanding the historical context and spatial identity of transhumance landscapes is crucial for sustainable redevelopment. By preserving cultural practices and architectural heritage, this project provides a framework for revitalizing these landscapes, ensuring a balanced coexistence of people, livestock, and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symbiosis between vegetation and the built environment in the context of the historic city poses questions and challenges that require a multidisciplinary approach. Today, Urban Green Infrastructure strategies exclude historic centres, where density, preservation constraints, and morphological complexities make it infeasible to apply standardized greening processes focused exclusively on public space. This study aims to provide an assessment of the solutions that are most compatible with historical areas and a methodology to develop green strategies that respect the cultural peculiarities of each context, reconciling the objectives of regeneration with those of cultural heritage enhancement. The ecological potential offered by private spaces is discussed based on the in-depth analysis of the case study focusing on the city of Milan.