Search Results (491)

Areas covered with vegetation play a key role in life on Earth and should be inventoried in a clear and complete manner in order to improve the process of their protection and development. Data showing the amount of greenery in areas most deformed by humans, i.e., urbanized areas, are particularly important. Local governments need to know how to invest their limited resources in the quality of life of residents by supplementing the urban fabric with additional vegetation. Unfortunately, there are currently few proposals in the scientific literature that would allow us to uniformly determine the amount of greenery resources in different cities. This article presents a proposal for how to calculate the degree of greenness of cities based on remote sensing data. Additionally, a novel method, including 3 new spatial indicators, was proposed to help in planning the development of areas covered with vegetation, taking into account the spatial distribution of the local population. Results were calculated for the city of Lodz (Poland) using a comprehensive method, which employs original formulas based on satellite and LiDAR data to present the actual natural situation in a specific city. In consequence, the results showed a similar area of green areas as the official repositories, but these areas were much more dispersed than these public databases would suggest. Full article

One possible solution that mitigates the effects of climate change is the implementation of vertical greenery systems, which have the potential to reduce the need for cooling and provide energy savings for heating. This paper evaluates the effects of an innovative modular green wall on indoor temperature and energy use in a residential case study building. This research was carried out on a residential house in the city of Ghent, Belgium, whose southwest facade is covered with a specific type of modular green wall (a structure with a specific substrate and plants that have the ability to purify water so that it can be reused in the house). The monitoring process included four different temperatures (in front of and behind the green wall, in the substrate, and on the wall without greenery) during winter and summer periods. To analyze the effect on the internal temperature and energy use, a DesignBuilder simulation model was built and validated against these experimental results. This green wall has proven to have the greatest effect during the hottest summer days by reducing the indoor temperature by up to 3.5 °C. It also effectively increases the indoor temperature by up to 1.4 °C on a cold winter day, leading to energy savings of 6% on an annual basis. Full article

Urbanization has significantly altered urban landscape patterns, leading to a continuous reduction in the proportion of green spaces. As critical carbon sinks in urban carbon cycles, urban green spaces play an indispensable role in mitigating climate change. This study aims to evaluate the carbon capture and storage potential of urban green spaces in Luohe, China, and identify the landscape factors influencing carbon sequestration. The research combines on-site data collection with high-resolution remote sensing, utilizing the i-Tree Eco model to estimate carbon sequestration rates across areas with varying levels of greenery. The study reveals that the carbon sequestration capacity of urban green spaces in Luohe City is 1.30 t·C·ha⁻¹·yr⁻¹. Among various vegetation indices, the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) explains urban green space carbon sequestration most effectively through an exponential model (R² = 0.65, AIC = 136.5). At the city-wide scale, areas with higher greening rates, better connectivity, and more complex edge morphology exhibit superior carbon sequestration efficiency. The explanatory power of key landscape indices on carbon sequestration is 78% across the study area, with variations of 71.5%, 62%, and 84.9% for low, medium, and high greening rate areas, respectively. Moreover, when greening rates reach a certain threshold, maintaining and optimizing the quality of existing green spaces becomes more critical than simply expanding the green area. These insights provide valuable guidance for urban planners and policymakers on enhancing the ecological functions of urban green spaces during urban development. Full article

Objective: This scoping review aims to investigate the complex interplay between the built environment, health, and well-being and to provide a comprehensive overview of the knowledge needed for crucial health and well-being enhancement in cities. Method: A scoping review method has been chosen using four databases. The first sample was reduced from 2819 papers to 71 papers by implementing exclusion criteria, snowballing, and direct searches to find a relevant final sample. Results: Built environmental elements such as the neighborhood, urban architecture, activities, public spaces, greenery, lights, safety, aesthetics, and amenities were identified to be impactful on health and well-being outcomes. The two-way association of each environmental factor and its criteria with specific types of health and well-being issues such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stress, etc. was determined to identify solutions and ways for improvement. Conclusions: This scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of the intricate interplay between the built environment, health, and well-being. By synthesizing existing knowledge of the built environmental factors, it explores the basis for evidence-based strategies to enhance health and well-being. By illuminating theoretical knowledge of the built environment on health and well-being, our findings will provide a deeper foundation of sources and practical insights for related fields. Full article

Students often experience high levels of daily academic pressure, spending extended periods within indoor classroom environments. Windows, as a medium of proximity to nature, play an important role in relieving stress. However, the broader implications of the Window Green View Index (WGVI) on individual well-being remain underexplored. This study aims to assess the effects of WGVI on stress recovery in college students by utilizing virtual reality technology to create five classroom environments with varying WGVI levels: 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Twenty-four participants were subjected to the Trier Social Stress Test before engaging with the different WGVI scenarios for stress recovery. Both subjective assessments and objective physiological indicators were evaluated. Results indicated that participants exhibited the lowest Profile of Mood States (POMS) score (−4.50) and significantly improved systolic blood pressure recovery at a 25% WGVI level. The examination of EEG data revealed that the O2 channel in the occipital region exhibited the highest level of activity in the alpha frequency range during the experiment. Additionally, a significant association was observed between the EEG measurements and the subjective rating of stress. This study underscores the significance of incorporating WGVI into the design and planning of college buildings to promote mental health and well-being among students. Full article

Sustainability and energy efficiency are now two pivotal goals that society aims towards. Green roofs and facades have gained significant attention in this direction for innovative, sustainable solutions for enhancing building energy performance. With a focus on sustainable urban development and energy-efficient building practices, this study delves into the intricate relationship between these green infrastructure elements and the overall energy dynamics of constructed environments. Furthermore, a range of case studies from diverse geographical locations are presented to provide valuable insights into their practical implications as emerging technologies that contribute to improved insulation, reduced heat transfer, regulating indoor temperatures, and mitigation of urban heat island effects, thus reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling and optimizing overall energy consumption. This comprehensive review serves as a dataset for understanding and highlighting all the research findings of the numerical and experimental investigations invested in the field of greenery systems to encourage their integration, which is crucial for combating climate change and pollution. Previous research is often focused on isolated, short-term, or single-climate analyses of consumption; therefore, by providing an inclusive description of their practical benefits in both temperate and extreme climates, the gap in previous articles is tackled. Full article

This study investigates the impact of vertical greenery systems (VGSs) applied to several typical wall configurations on indoor thermal conditions in a building module situated in the Mediterranean climate of Catania, Italy. By means of dynamic simulations in TRNSYS vers.18, the research compares the thermal behavior of walls made of either hollow clay blocks (Poroton) or lava stone blocks against a lightweight wall setup already in place at the University of Catania. The primary focus is on evaluating the VGSs’ capability of reducing peak inner surface temperatures and moderating heat flux fluctuations entering the building. The findings indicate that adding an outer vertical greenery layer to heavyweight walls can decrease the peak inner surface temperature by up to 1.0 °C compared to the same bare wall. However, the greenery’s positive impact is less pronounced than in the case of the lightweight wall. This research underscores the potential of green facades in enhancing the indoor thermal environment in buildings in regions with climates like the Mediterranean one, providing valuable insights for sustainable building design and urban planning. Full article

As street imagery and big data techniques evolve, opportunities for refined urban governance emerge. This study delves into effective methods for urban perception evaluation and street refinement governance by using street view data and deep learning. Employing DeepLabV3+ and VGGNet models, we analyzed street view images from Nanshan District, Shenzhen, identifying critical factors that shape residents’ spatial perceptions, such as urban greenery, road quality, and infrastructure. The findings indicate that robust vegetation, well-maintained roads, and well-designed buildings significantly enhance positive perceptions, whereas detractors like fences reduce quality. Furthermore, Moran’s I statistical analysis and multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) models highlight spatial heterogeneity and the clustering of perceptions, underscoring the need for location-specific planning. The study also points out that complex street networks in accessible areas enhance living convenience and environmental satisfaction. This research shows that integrating street view data with deep learning provides valuable tools for urban planners and policymakers, aiding in the development of more precise and effective urban governance strategies to foster more livable, resilient, and responsive urban environments. Full article

This paper introduces a methodology aimed at bridging the gap between building energy simulation and urban climate modeling. A coupling method was developed through the Building Control Virtual Test Bed (BCVTB) and applied to a case study in Taipei City, Taiwan, to address the microclimate factors of street trees crucial to cooling energy consumption. The use of the Urban Weather Generator for weather file modification revealed a 0.63 °C average air temperature disparity. The coupling method emphasized the importance of accurate wind speed and convective heat transfer coefficients (CHTCs) on building surfaces in determining cooling energy. The results indicated that elevated CHTC values amplify heat exchange, with higher wind velocities playing a crucial role in heat dissipation. The presence of street trees was found to significantly reduce heat flux penetration, leading to a reduction in building surface temperatures by as much as 9.5% during hot months. The cooling energy was lowered by 16.7% in the BCVTB simulations that included trees compared to those without trees. The EnergyPlus-only simulations underestimated the cooling energy needs by approximately 9.3% during summer months. This research offers valuable insights into the complex interactions between buildings and their environments. The results highlight the importance of trees and shading in mitigating the heat island effect and improving energy-efficient urban planning. Full article

Urban heat islands (UHIs) pose a significant challenge in cities worldwide, exacerbating energy use, air pollution, and health risks. This paper reviews the role of water bodies in mitigating UHI effects, which is vital for informed urban planning and climate adaptation. We analyze how water features, particularly when combined with green spaces and strategic urban design, can significantly cool urban environments. The effectiveness of water bodies in reducing temperatures is influenced by their size, shape, surrounding land use, climatic conditions, and vegetation. Empirical research and case studies indicate that larger and well-shaped water bodies, due to their extensive surface area and continuous evaporation, are more effective. Furthermore, the integration of water bodies with green spaces enhances cooling through increased evapotranspiration and shading. This review highlights the strategic placement and design of water bodies within urban landscapes as crucial for maximizing their cooling benefits. By integrating water features with other urban cooling strategies, such as tree planting and expanded greenery, cities can effectively counter UHI effects, leading to more sustainable and resilient urban environments. Full article

This paper develops a method integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Decision-Making Trials and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) for the analysis of factors influencing urban flood risk and the identification of flood-prone areas. The method is based on nine selected factors: land use/land cover (LULC: the ratio of built-up areas, the ratio of greenery areas), elevation, slope, population density, distance from the river, soil, Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The DEMATEL method is used to determine the cause–effect relationship between selected factors, allowing for key criteria and their weights to be determined. LULC and population density were identified as the most important risk factors for urban floods. The method was applied to a case study—the Serafa River watershed (Poland), an urbanized catchment covering housing estates of cities of Kraków and Wieliczka frequently affected by flooding. GIS analysis based on publicly available data using QGIS with weights obtained from DEMATEL identified the vulnerable areas. 45% of the total catchment area was classified as areas with a very high or high level of flood risk. The results match the actual data on inundation incidents that occurred in recent years in this area. The study shows the potential and possibility of using the DEMATEL-GIS method to determine the significance of factors and to designate flood-prone areas. Full article

Considering the impacts of climate change on the goal of obtaining sustainable and healthier cities, this research aimed to analyze and assess the impact of different urban forms with different trees densities on the dynamic physiological equivalent temperature (DPET) for pedestrians while walking further than the average walking distance (750 m) using ENVI-met. This study included five different areas within Greater Cairo, which is suffering from extreme heat stress. The selected study areas had lots of urban variety in terms of the canyons’ aspect ratios, orientations, urban form, green areas, mixed uses, and tree densities. Two tree scenarios were analyzed: the current tree density situation and a scenario where the tree density of each study area was increased to its capacity. The results proved that the DPET had different values than the steady physiological equivalent temperature (SPET) at each point within the walking routes. However, the DPET was closely related to changes in the SPET. Keeping the SPET lower or higher for a long time reduced or increased the DPET, and frequent changes (up and down) in the SPET kept the DPET stable. Changes between DPET values were driven more by the microclimate conditions of a space or canyon than the conditions of the overall area, and controlling the microclimate conditions of a whole urban canyon controlled the DPET. Changes in the DPET could reach as high as 10 °C between different walking routes, and increasing the tree density could help lower the DPET by as much as 6 °C in some cases. Full article

The campus environment directly impacts college students’ psychological and emotional well-being, influencing their behavioral performance and the development of their personalities. Investigating the complex relationship between the campus spatial environment and students’ emotions is crucial for designing urban environments that support mental health. Using Yuelu Mountain National University Science and Technology City as a case study, this research developed a framework to analyze campus environment characteristics and emotional perception. The study quantitatively assessed emotional perceptions, examined the specific contributions of different campus environment elements to individual emotions, and created an emotion prediction map to explore these relationships in depth. The results indicate that “campus greenery” and “diversity” negatively affect “disappointment” and “depression”, while “sky views” positively impact “happiness” and “sense of security”. Additionally, “diversity” positively affects “relaxation”, and “campus greenery” and “diversity” have negative effects on “disappointment” and “depression”, with “diversity” having a particularly strong positive effect on “relaxation”. The pronounced spatial clustering of emotional perceptions on campus further underscores the significant influence of the campus environment on individual emotional experiences. As the first study to explore the mechanisms underlying the emotional perceptions of Chinese college students in relation to the campus environment, this research overcomes the limitations of traditional environmental assessment indicators by identifying campus environmental elements and psychological factors that better align with the psychological needs of college students. This provides a scientific basis for optimizing campus environments based on the emotional perceptions of students, thereby supporting mental health promotion and guiding campus environment construction. Moreover, the research methodology is broadly applicable. The integration of campus environment image data and deep learning offers a significant tool for assessing campus space and environmental perception, thereby enhancing human-centered environmental assessment and prediction while more accurately reflecting architectural space perception. Full article

The transition towards nature-based cities has increasingly become a central focus in political–environmental agendas and urban design practices, aiming to enhance climate adaptation, urban biodiversity, spatial equilibrium, and social well-being as part of the ongoing socio-ecological urban transition process. Climate adaptation in cities is a complex problem and one of the main collective challenges for society, but the relationships between city managers and citizens as to urban green care still face many challenges. Parks design guided by technical-expert and globalised criteria; inflexibility from bureaucratic inertia; and citizens’ demands to participate in the urban green transition, sometimes without the necessary knowledge or time, are some of the challenges that require further research. In this study, we examine four long-lasting approaches to green-space management in four cities in the Netherlands, ranging from municipality-driven to community-driven management forms, and encompassing diverse spatial configurations of greenery within the urban fabric. Utilising the theoretical lens of the Social–Ecological Systems Framework, we employ a multiple-case-study approach and ethnographic fieldwork analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the norms, collective-choice rules, and social conventions embodied in each urban green management arrangement. The purpose of this research is applied, that is, to provide urban managers and decision-makers with a deeper understanding of drivers to promote effective collaborative management approaches, focusing on specific organisational rules that may contribute to more sustained planning and maintenance pathways for urban green spaces, regardless of changes in political leadership or significant external funding sources. The results of the investigated cases show that long-lasting collaborative management of forests and parks has established a set of collective-choice rules for resource transfer between municipalities and citizens, including non-monetary resources (such as pruning-training courses or guided tours that attract tourists and researchers). Additionally, these arrangements have been favoured by the existence of legal norms that enable co-ownership of the land, and monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms that offer a slightly different interpretation from the evidence identified so far in the scientific literature on collective resource management and organisational studies. Full article

Urban greening is a major goal in policies for sustainable cities, and spatial planners are nowadays strongly interested in the benefits of greenspace for the well-being of urban residents. We present a novel, model-based approach to support the development of effective greening strategies. The approach is quantitative and spatially explicit and accounts for multiple health benefits as well as burdens. In our study, we applied this generic approach to the city of Maastricht (The Netherlands) and conducted an integrated, city-scale assessment of the health benefits and burdens of four urban greenspace designs. These included: ‘No greenspace’, ‘Current greenspace’, ‘Green parking lots and squares’, and ‘Optimized greenspace locations’. For each greenspace design, indicator values were calculated for five determinants of health and well-being: heat stress, air pollution, perceived unsafety, unattractive views, and tick-bite risk. To assess the health contribution of urban greenspace in a given design, these indicator values were compared with the values in the ‘No greenspace’ design. The study produced clear, quantitative conclusions about the health benefits and burdens of the urban greenspace designs for the case of Maastricht but also generated novel, more general insights relevant to the planning of urban greenspace for health and well-being. These insights concern the importance of translating health policy objectives into specific target values or thresholds and the importance of ‘smart’ choices in greenspace type and location that can effectively reduce trade-offs between health benefits and burdens, as well as the insights that adding more greenery not always improves urban health and that urban greenspace alone cannot solve major air pollution problems. The priorities for future research, which will address the limitations of the presented approach, concern a further expansion of the range of health benefits and burdens covered by the model and the development of a common metric for the entire range of health benefits and burdens to optimize greenspace design and maximize its overall net health benefit. Full article