Sustainability

2024

Jump to: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

22 pages, 1190 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Erbil Citadel as a Brand for the City, the Role of Residents Awareness and Perceptions

by Haval Sami Ali and Mahmood Khayat

Sustainability 2024, 16(19), 8529; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198529 - 30 Sep 2024

Viewed by 727

Abstract

The branding of cities through their historical and cultural assets has become a pivotal strategy in urban development and tourism. This study focuses on Erbil Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its potential as a brand for Erbil, a city with a [...] Read more.

The branding of cities through their historical and cultural assets has become a pivotal strategy in urban development and tourism. This study focuses on Erbil Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its potential as a brand for Erbil, a city with a rich historical backdrop and flourishing urban landscape. The study aimed to explore the perceptions of Erbil’s residents regarding the cultural significance of the Citadel and its potential as a city brand. A mixed-method survey questionnaire was conducted, collecting data from around 440 residents through both manual distribution around the Citadel and an online platform. The findings were analyzed using SPSS 23 to provide both descriptive and inferential statistical insights. The findings show that locals are well aware of the Citadel’s significance as a significant historical and cultural symbol of the city. The vast majority of participants acknowledged its unique visual attributes and their representation of the city’s cultural and historical identity. Additionally, the results showed that citizens’ perceptions of the Citadel as a good component of city branding were positively correlated with their level of cultural awareness. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on city branding and heritage sites by providing empirical evidence on the impact of residents’ cultural awareness on their perceptions of heritage sites as city brands. The results highlight how crucial cultural education and community involvement are to maximizing the branding potential of historic locations. Policymakers and urban planners may find the findings of the study useful in utilizing Erbil Citadel’s historical relevance to strengthen Erbil’s brand identity internationally. Full article

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19 pages, 4096 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Causes of Waterlogging in Chinese Southern Hilly Cities Based on Hydrological Processes

by Bei Li, Sheng Jiao, Yuan Zhou and Min Zhou

Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7804; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177804 - 7 Sep 2024

Viewed by 591

Abstract

The various hydrological processes that cause waterlogging exhibit regional differences. Studies on the causes of waterlogging in Chinese southern hilly cities from the perspective of urban regional hydrological processes are needed. This article examines Changsha Central City to study the hydrological processes of [...] Read more.

The various hydrological processes that cause waterlogging exhibit regional differences. Studies on the causes of waterlogging in Chinese southern hilly cities from the perspective of urban regional hydrological processes are needed. This article examines Changsha Central City to study the hydrological processes of Chinese southern hilly cities based on waterlogging point data from 2015 to 2017, analyzing the relationships between the degree of waterlogging and changes in the material elements of runoff sources, runoff convergence terminals, and runoff convergence processes using correlation analysis, principal component analysis and comparative analysis. These results show that the urban waterlogging in Chinese southern hilly cities is caused by the hardening of convergence spaces, concentrated water distribution, a decrease in the connectivity of rainwater corridors, complex topographic slopes, and a lag in the construction of drainage facilities. The expansion of impervious surfaces, particularly in areas intended for convergence terminals, has significantly reduced the number of these critical structures. Additionally, disordered changes in topographic slopes, the division caused by roads, and the hardening of underlying surfaces in rainwater corridors have collectively diminished the structural and ecological connectivity of the rainwater corridor system. This obstruction of surface runoff into concentrated water bodies has rendered the runoff regulation function of these water bodies ineffective, making their size a leading cause of urban waterlogging. To mitigate the risk of waterlogging, Chinese southern hilly cities should prevent urban development from encroaching on natural runoff areas. They should also implement dispersed water body layouts, enhance both the structural and ecological connectivity of rainwater corridors and their underlying surfaces, and improve the design standards of drainage facilities. Full article

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23 pages, 10884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Resilience of the Built Environment to Flooding: The Case of Alappuzha District in the South Indian State of Kerala

by Afeef Abdurahman Choorapulakkal, Muhammed Gbolahan Madandola, Amina Al-Kandari, Raffaello Furlan, Goze Bayram and Hassan Abdelgadir Ahmed Mohamed

Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 5142; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16125142 - 17 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1706

Abstract

In recent years, floods and climate-induced cataclysms have caused significant annual damage to livelihoods worldwide, with limited research on their vulnerability, impact, resilience, and long-term adaptation strategies in developing countries. In the South Indian State of Kerala, the major flood in 2018 caused [...] Read more.

In recent years, floods and climate-induced cataclysms have caused significant annual damage to livelihoods worldwide, with limited research on their vulnerability, impact, resilience, and long-term adaptation strategies in developing countries. In the South Indian State of Kerala, the major flood in 2018 caused immense economic losses in the low-lying and densely populated Alappuzha District. While the region has a heightened risk of periodic flooding, the considerable destruction of buildings and infrastructure highlights the need for effective solutions for flood resilience in the existing housing stock and new construction. In this context, this study examines flood resilience in the built environment of Alappuzha, focusing on flood vulnerability, building practices, and potential approaches suitable for the region that the current literature does not address. This study employs a qualitative research approach to understand current trends in adaptation strategies and the influencing socioeconomic and cultural factors. The study employs various data collection methods, including interviews, site observations, and content analyses of existing government reports, journal articles, and popular media sources. The findings indicate that although there are three types of established flood resilience techniques (static elevated, floating, and amphibious structures), their suitability for the low-lying areas of Alappuzha depends on the geographic, climatic, socioeconomic, and cultural contexts. Stilted houses have become the most common construction method, in response to climatic and socioeconomic conditions. In addition, the findings highlight the bounce-forth resilience quality of amphibious building techniques and suggest further exploration by integrating them with local technologies and materials. The study concludes that a comprehensive approach is needed that integrates traditional and modern knowledge and practices in disaster risk reduction and management to enhance the resilience of the built environment to flooding. Full article

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36 pages, 62805 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chasing Comfort in the Chill: Simulating the Impact of Opened Streamlines on Microclimatic Conditions, Thermal Comfort and Building Facades in Cold Climate Cities

by Defne Dursun and Merve Yavaş

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 2138; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052138 - 5 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1110

Abstract

This project aims to evaluate the impact of water surfaces on urban microclimate change and the presence of water in dense urban areas on the heating and cooling loads of buildings by proposing the rehabilitation of urban water resources. It mainly questions whether [...] Read more.

This project aims to evaluate the impact of water surfaces on urban microclimate change and the presence of water in dense urban areas on the heating and cooling loads of buildings by proposing the rehabilitation of urban water resources. It mainly questions whether favorable outcomes for urban microclimate may be expected at the local level with the rehabilitation of water bodies and the contribution of repaired water lines to energy savings in nearby buildings. The analyses are made for Erzurum, the coldest climate city in Türkiye, by using the ENVI-met program, a dynamic simulation tool widely used for microclimate analysis. The analyses use the meteorological data recorded on the site during the same years’ summer and winter periods. The microclimate change caused by the green areas, which involve the opening of covered streamlines, was estimated, and the change in the energy load of buildings was quantitatively analyzed. The findings show that rehabilitation of water lines in urban areas improved microclimate conditions and provided energy-saving opportunities for buildings. Thus, policy-makers should produce more green spaces, including water surfaces, in urban areas to improve the adaptation capacity of cities and mitigate the negative effects of climate change. Full article

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2023

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25 pages, 20376 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Street Design Strategies Based on Spatial Configurations and Building External Envelopes in Relation to Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Arid Climates

by Fatima Zahra Ben Ratmia, Atef Ahriz, Giovanni Santi, Soumia Bouzaher, Waqas Ahmed Mahar, Mohamed Akram Eddine Ben Ratmia and Mohamed Elhadi Matallah

Sustainability 2024, 16(1), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010221 - 26 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1782

Abstract

Climate change patterns and expected extreme weather conditions drive urban design practices toward more effective adaptation strategies for the built environment. Biskra City, one of the largest urban areas in the Algerian Sahara territory, has suffered from unprecedented extreme weather patterns, specifically during [...] Read more.

Climate change patterns and expected extreme weather conditions drive urban design practices toward more effective adaptation strategies for the built environment. Biskra City, one of the largest urban areas in the Algerian Sahara territory, has suffered from unprecedented extreme weather patterns, specifically during the summer. This paper examined outdoor thermal comfort in the arid climates of Biskra, Algeria, during summer extreme conditions by investigating the impact of the height-to-width (H/W) ratio aspect and the north–south (N-S) and east–west (E-W) street orientations on pedestrian thermal comfort with the parameterization of external building envelopes using brick, concrete, adobe, and limestone materials. This study was conducted with ENVI-met 5.1.1 software, based on 24 parametric scenarios, to identify the most effective composition for outdoor thermal stress mitigation using the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) thermal index. Across all scenarios, the PET index values fluctuated between PETmin = 32.2 °C and PETmax = 60.6 °C at different hours. The coupling between the H/W ratio and street orientation as geometry factors and building envelope characteristics reveals six distinct categories of building materials, each with an impact on outdoor thermal comfort: (1) high cooling (60–100%), (2) medium cooling (40–60%), (3) low cooling (<40%), (4) high heating (60–100%), (5) medium heating (40–60%), and (6) low heating material (<40%). Therefore, in the N-S orientation, limestone walls can provide a cooling efficiency range from 85% to 100% throughout deep and shallow canyons. Contrary to this, brick walls can cause a heat retention range varying from 70% to 93% within the same canyons. When considering extreme summer conditions in arid climates, the results show that the most effective bioclimatic passive strategy that could be achieved is the E-W orientation, within H/W < 1, characterized by a high albedo building material. Full article

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23 pages, 7996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Supply and Demand for Planning and Construction of Nighttime Urban Lighting: A Comparative Case Study of Binjiang District, Hangzhou

by Lingyan Zhang, Shan Huang, Yunchen Zhu, Chen Hua, Mingjun Cheng, Song Yao and Yonghua Li

Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11288; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411288 - 20 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1590

Abstract

Demand planning-oriented research on nighttime urban lighting provides a foundation for formulating strategies to eliminate dark areas and reduce light pollution. In this paper, Binjiang District of Hangzhou was investigated. Four factors, namely land-use type, road grade, parcel volume, and nighttime crowds, were [...] Read more.

Demand planning-oriented research on nighttime urban lighting provides a foundation for formulating strategies to eliminate dark areas and reduce light pollution. In this paper, Binjiang District of Hangzhou was investigated. Four factors, namely land-use type, road grade, parcel volume, and nighttime crowds, were evaluated. Based on the spatiotemporal geographic data and the urban lighting planning of Hangzhou, a calculation method for the supply and demand of urban lighting at night in Hangzhou was constructed. In this process, the current state of lighting brightness in different areas of the district were calculated and compared with the results of the total lighting demand to analyze reasonableness. The research results show that according to the actual lighting demand classification, the first to fifth levels of lighting control zones accounted for 1.84%, 19.69%, 49.61%, 21.74%, and 7.12% of the total statistical land area of the district, respectively. Focus should thus be placed on the second, third, and fourth levels of lighting control zones when covering lighting demand. Importantly, areas with unreasonable supply and demand for lighting construction accounted for 20.8% of the total statistical land area, indicating that the nighttime lighting demand and carbon emissions in the Riverside District should be adjusted and optimized. This paper proposes a research method to compare supply and demand for the planning and construction of nighttime urban lighting, which can improve the science on lighting demand measurement. Full article

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2022

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19 pages, 2409 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Collaborative Governance Approaches towards Urban Transformation: Experiences from the CLEVER Cities Project

by Sean Bradley, Israa H. Mahmoud and Alessandro Arlati

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15566; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315566 - 23 Nov 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4476

Abstract

Within the framework of CLEVER Cities Horizon 2020, London, Milan, and Hamburg are putting in place nine Urban Living Labs in order to implement Nature-based Solutions that address urban challenges in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods. In this article, the means by which co-creation processes [...] Read more.

Within the framework of CLEVER Cities Horizon 2020, London, Milan, and Hamburg are putting in place nine Urban Living Labs in order to implement Nature-based Solutions that address urban challenges in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods. In this article, the means by which co-creation processes and pathways may lead to innovation in governance structures are considered. Through a comparative case study analysis, this research aims to identify integrated, collaborative governance frameworks that are complex and adaptive, as well as reflect the actual changes in governance in cities. Herein, ULLs are intended not just as a vehicle for place-based urban regeneration but also as a starting point for collaborative governance. In this article, it is considered how co-creation pathways may lead to innovation in current local governance structures and achieve transformational change. This paper analyzes the collaborative governance dynamic models at three points in time in the three cities. It is also considered how co-creation pathways may lead to innovation in current local governance structures and achieve transformational change. Full article

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11 pages, 2799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is PET an Adequate Index to Determine Human Thermal Comfort in Mexico City?

by Monica Ballinas, Sara Ivonne Morales-Santiago, Victor L. Barradas, Adriana Lira and Gerardo Oliva-Salinas

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12539; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912539 - 1 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2044

Abstract

The urban heat island (UHI) is mostly due to urbanization. This phenomenon in concert with the high temperatures caused by global climate change may profoundly affect human thermal comfort, which can influence human productivity and morbidity especially in spring/summer period. The main objective [...] Read more.

The urban heat island (UHI) is mostly due to urbanization. This phenomenon in concert with the high temperatures caused by global climate change may profoundly affect human thermal comfort, which can influence human productivity and morbidity especially in spring/summer period. The main objective of this investigation was to determine changes in degree of thermal comfort of Mexico City’s inhabitants and compare it with the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) to evaluate whether PET and its categorization are adequate to be applied in Mexico City. A series of microclimatological measurements to estimate PET were made at four sites including the city’s center. Concomitantly, a series of surveys of thermal perception were applied to 1300 passersby. The results show that PET has increased from 1990 to 2020 from 0.1208 °C/year to 0.1498 °C/year in the study sites, in addition to overestimating the degree of thermal comfort of people according to the stablished categories or classes. It is concluded that it is necessary to adjust thermal stress categories. Knowing the percentages of people without thermal comfort will lead us to determine different ranges in environmental parameters to define an acceptable environment for most people. Full article

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2021

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14 pages, 11695 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Comparative Study of Factors Contributing to Land Surface Temperature in High-Density Built Environments in Megacities Using Satellite Imagery

by Frankie Fanjie Zeng, Jiajun Feng, Yuanzhi Zhang, Jin Yeu Tsou, Tengfei Xue, Yu Li and Rita Yi Man Li

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13706; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413706 - 12 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3907

Abstract

In this study, the root sources contributing to the urban heat island (UHI) effect between megacities, such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen, were integrated and compared using satellite remote sensing data. Classification and multilayer perceptron regression tree (CARTMLP) algorithms were used to classify [...] Read more.

In this study, the root sources contributing to the urban heat island (UHI) effect between megacities, such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen, were integrated and compared using satellite remote sensing data. Classification and multilayer perceptron regression tree (CARTMLP) algorithms were used to classify land use. The radiative transfer equation method was applied to retrieve the land surface temperatures (LSTs) in the study area. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to determine the relationship between land-use types and UHIs. The experimental results show a large area of relatively high temperature dispersed within Shenzhen, and comparatively small areas highly centralized in Hong Kong, with the retrieved LST in Hong Kong lower than that in Shenzhen. In addition, the surface temperature of large complex buildings decorated with high-albedo materials in Hong Kong was higher than in Shenzhen (e.g., Hong Kong International Airport, 25.12 °C; Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, 23.38 °C), with artificial heat being an important contributor to these differences. These results also imply that high-albedo materials are sufficient to alleviate high temperatures. These findings are integrated to propose an organic combination strategy for reducing UHI effects in urban areas in megacities worldwide, such as Hong Kong and Shenzhen in China. Full article

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24 pages, 4439 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enabling Socio-Ecological Resilience in the Global South: Insights from Chennai, India

by Nilofer Tajuddin and Marcin Dąbrowski

Sustainability 2021, 13(19), 10522; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910522 - 22 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4253

Abstract

Addressing climate change adaptation in the cities of the Global South is crucial as they are the most at risk and, arguably, the least capable of coping with it due to their rapid expansion, informal development, and limited institutional capacity. This paper explores [...] Read more.

Addressing climate change adaptation in the cities of the Global South is crucial as they are the most at risk and, arguably, the least capable of coping with it due to their rapid expansion, informal development, and limited institutional capacity. This paper explores this challenge in the case of Chennai, India, a city which, in recent years, has faced several climate related disasters, including floods. Building on an innovative combination of research methods (policy documents analysis, stakeholder interviews, and a community workshop), the study analyses the barriers and explores potentials for operationalising socio-ecological resilience in Chennai in the face of an ongoing conflict between rapid urbanisation and the natural water system, compromising the region’s hydrological capacity and resilience to flooding. In particular, drawing on the notion of evolutionary resilience and multi-level approach, the paper investigates (1) the scope for developing an integrated vision for resilience of the Chennai region (macro level); (2) the presence and the capacity of institutions to connect the different stakeholders and mediate their interests (meso level); and (3) the barriers and potentials developing local adaptation strategies in a bottom-up manner (micro level). The study sheds light on the under-researched issue of socio-ecological resilience in Chennai, while identifying potentials for implementing it through a combination of top down and bottom-up approaches, which in turn provides useful lessons for planning for resilience in other cities in the Global South. Full article

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25 pages, 1609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eco-Hammam: The Complexity of Accelerating the Ecological Transition of a Key Social Heritage Sector in Morocco

by Magda Sibley, Camilla Pezzica and Chris Tweed

Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9935; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179935 - 4 Sep 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3603

Abstract

Hammams are key providers of affordable hygiene and wellbeing services for the less wealthy in the Maghreb region. However, the UN climate change conference COP22, held in Marrakech in 2016, highlighted hammams are major contributors to air pollution, deforestation, loss of ecosystems, water [...] Read more.

Hammams are key providers of affordable hygiene and wellbeing services for the less wealthy in the Maghreb region. However, the UN climate change conference COP22, held in Marrakech in 2016, highlighted hammams are major contributors to air pollution, deforestation, loss of ecosystems, water overconsumption and wastage in Morocco. This paper analyses the complexity of advancing their energy transition from the viewpoint of key stakeholders engaged in two half-day virtual forums focusing on the water–energy nexus; organised as part of the AHRC funded project “Eco-Hammam: engaging key stakeholders with bespoke low-carbon technologies for lighting, heating, and water recycling to sustain a Moroccan heritage”. Results reveal that the Moroccan hammam sector could benefit greatly from stakeholders’ networking and collaboration to accelerate the uptake of low-carbon technologies and ecological practices. Key stakeholders’ priorities and barriers (economic, policy-induced or governance related) are presented and show that the lack of coordination between governmental and non-governmental organisations is perceived as contributing to the slow pace of the hammam energy transition. Although managers seem fully aware of available energy transition technologies for their furnaces, energy and water are treated independently and disconnected in their governance. Finally, Marrakech is identified as a potential hammam sustainability hub. Full article

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23 pages, 43577 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantification of the Outdoor Thermal Comfort within Different Oases Urban Fabrics

by Mohamed Elhadi Matallah, Djamel Alkama, Jacques Teller, Atef Ahriz and Shady Attia

Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3051; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063051 - 10 Mar 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4227

Abstract

Oases settlements are common entities of human agglomerations throughout desert regions. Oases settlements face several environmental challenges such as climate change, which can render them insufferably hot and unlivable within decades. Therefore, this study aims to assess the outdoor thermal comfort variation within [...] Read more.

Oases settlements are common entities of human agglomerations throughout desert regions. Oases settlements face several environmental challenges such as climate change, which can render them insufferably hot and unlivable within decades. Therefore, this study aims to assess the outdoor thermal comfort variation within three different oases urban fabrics of Tolga Oases Complex in Algeria. The overarching aim is to quantify thermal comfort and guide landscape, and urban designers improve outdoor thermal comfort. The methodology relies on microclimatic measurements and weather datasets (TMY2, TMY3, TMYx), combining observations and numerical simulations. A total of 648 Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) values were calculated in three different urban fabrics in Tolga Oases Complex, Algeria. Between 2003 and 2017, a remarkable microclimatic change was found, causing a high and accelerated heat stress level of 76%. The study results inform architects, urban planners and climatologists about climate change effects and urban sprawl impact on the oases lands. Moreover, urban strategies should seek mitigation and adaptation benefiting from the existing green infrastructure of palm groves. Full article

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21 pages, 5924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sea Level Rise and Coastal Impacts: Innovation and Improvement of the Local Urban Plan for a Climate-Proof Adaptation Strategy

by Carmela Mariano, Marsia Marino, Giovanna Pisacane and Gianmaria Sannino

Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1565; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031565 - 2 Feb 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4519

Abstract

In recent years, the territorial impacts connected to sea level rise have prompted a reflection on the responsibilities of policy makers in transposing these issues into urban agendas. The need also emerged to both broaden and update the skills of urban planners and [...] Read more.

In recent years, the territorial impacts connected to sea level rise have prompted a reflection on the responsibilities of policy makers in transposing these issues into urban agendas. The need also emerged to both broaden and update the skills of urban planners and to improve territorial governance tools, with the aim of developing feasible regeneration and resilience strategies to face climate change. In this paper, a methodology for the production of Flood Risk Maps is presented, as applied to the Municipality of Ravenna, Italy, by only considering the static component of inundation hazard, i.e., the projected Mean Sea Level Rise, as a first step towards increased preparedness. The resulting Flood Risk Maps represent, in fact, an innovation with respect to the current cognitive framework that supports local urban planning, by providing information on a potential risk that has so far been overlooked. The method combines sea level rise projections under the pessimistic RCP8.5 scenario with georeferenced territorial data, aiming to identify the physical consistency of the urban-structure components which are potentially at risk. For successive time horizons (2030, 2050 and 2100), our results show the progressive impairment and potential degradation of extensive urban areas that are disregarded in the urban planning regulations currently in force. This preliminary evaluation phase is aimed at prompting and supporting the necessary updating of the planning tools and regulations adopted by the public bodies responsible for territorial governance, by identifying priority areas for intervention, and helping define mitigation and adaptation actions. Full article

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2020

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30 pages, 59144 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Policies and Architectures for the Unthinkable Era: New Resilient Landscapes in Fragile Areas of Sardinia

by Gianfranco Sanna, Silvia Serreli and Giovanni Maria Biddau

Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8714; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208714 - 21 Oct 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2390

Abstract

The culture of urban space design is not separate from the uncanny nature of climate change, even though this latter now appears more threatening than the production of risks or new vulnerabilities. Environmental disasters and cities’ high degree of exposure to these risks [...] Read more.

The culture of urban space design is not separate from the uncanny nature of climate change, even though this latter now appears more threatening than the production of risks or new vulnerabilities. Environmental disasters and cities’ high degree of exposure to these risks are well known. What is apparent is the close relationship between these disasters and the urban transformations generated by approaches which, quoting the writer Amitav Gohsh, can be defined as outcomes of the Great Derangement Era. Through our research and design project; we have outlined the need to break free from the uncanny feeling caused by the specific phenomena which make territories more fragile and vulnerable to extreme weather and climate events. The design process illustrated, which involved a small town in central-western Sardinia, is an example of how the construction of a new urban landscape and architecture can take place starting, not only from the contingent risks of emergency situations, but rather from the recognition of any potential risks. With the goal of setting up an open and sustainable territorial plan, the case study has been designed as an approach to climate adaptation even if in Sardinia the link between climate change and flood risk has not been studied in depth and no evidence of this link has yet emerged. The project scenarios of an urban plan for one of the local governments in Sardinia, highlighted in the paper, has been conceived as a path of coevolution between new urban transformations and ecological dynamics of the environment. Full article

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23 pages, 651 KiB

Open AccessReview

Enhancing Flood Resilience and Climate Adaptation: The State of the Art and New Directions for Spatial Planning

by Meng Meng, Marcin Dabrowski and Dominic Stead

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 7864; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197864 - 23 Sep 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 8328

Abstract

The need to respond to increasing flood risk, climate change, and rapid urban development has shaped innovative policies and practices of spatial planning in many countries over recent decades. As an instrumental–technical intervention, planning is mainly used to improve the physical environment (through [...] Read more.

The need to respond to increasing flood risk, climate change, and rapid urban development has shaped innovative policies and practices of spatial planning in many countries over recent decades. As an instrumental–technical intervention, planning is mainly used to improve the physical environment (through concepts such as regulating waterproof facades of architecture, setting buffering zones, and designing green–blue corridors). However, the implementation of the proposed physical interventions is often challenging and necessitates assistance from practices such as climate assessment, policy disciplines, civil societies, and economic resources. These extensive perspectives have spawned many new research domains in the realm of spatial planning. This paper provides a review of the recent developments in flood resilience, risk management, and climate adaptation; based on this, it positions planning research and practice within these works of literature. Four clusters of thought are identified, mainly in the European and American scholarship of the last two decades. They are environmental concerns, disaster management concerns, socio-economic concerns, and institutional concerns. Current planning research concentrates on disaster management in the underlying belief that planning is functionally efficient. The attention to environmental concerns, socio-economic concerns, and institutional concerns of planning research remains insufficient but has been growing. This, in turn, enlarges the scope of planning research and indicates future directions for study. These new concerns relate to spatial planning’s ability to operate effectively in a multi-sectoral setting, despite limited resources and in the face of uncertain risk. Full article

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18 pages, 1763 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of the Integrated Design Process (IDP) Method to the Design of Riverside on the Example of Żmigród (Poland)

by Anna Bocheńska-Skałecka and Ewa Walter

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6684; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166684 - 18 Aug 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3481

Abstract

Today, natural resources of urban areas have been given the rank of a necessary tool for combating climate change. Many cities are trying to manage biologically active areas of great quality by applying a blue-green infrastructure (BGI) strategy. Designing areas such as riverside [...] Read more.

Today, natural resources of urban areas have been given the rank of a necessary tool for combating climate change. Many cities are trying to manage biologically active areas of great quality by applying a blue-green infrastructure (BGI) strategy. Designing areas such as riverside areas belonging to BGI is particularly challenging. On the one hand, they are environmentally valuable areas requiring protection. On the other hand, they form urban public spaces subject to requirements of urban continuity as well as social and cultural conditions. The authors of the article argue that the optimal way of shaping riverside areas in cities that responds to diverse conditions (environmental, economic, legal, social) can be achieved by applying an integrated system of cooperation between designers known as the integrated design process (IDP) in the design process. The study aimed to answer the question of whether the integrated design process (IDP) that combines both the expert and social approach at the first stage, in the pre-concept phase may be optimal when developing riverside areas as part of blue-green infrastructure (BGI). The method was originally applied to architectural design, therefore the authors analyzed to what extent its assumptions may be used in the waterfront design process. First, the authors’ study compares design processes (traditional and integrated) for use in these processes of expert and social perspective. As a result, the integrated design process (IDP) has been considered as an optimal design process to create such areas. Then, the authors analyze the waterfront design process in Żmigród. The authors wanted to see to what extent the process corresponds to the assumptions of the IDP method. The authors point out the stages that implement assumptions of the IDP method partially or not at all and indicate the reasons for such a situation. The authors evaluated the role of various stakeholders. The analysis and critique of Żmigród case study presented here provide conclusions regarding the possibilities and limitations of the IDP method when implementing blue-green infrastructure projects in a small town. Full article

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20 pages, 8443 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Building Consensus with Local Residents in Community-Based Adaptation Planning: The Case of Bansong Pilbongoreum Community in Busan, South Korea

by Donghyun Kim and Jung Eun Kang

Sustainability 2020, 12(4), 1559; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041559 - 19 Feb 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3652

Abstract

Climate change adaptation is challenging in community planning because of the conflict between planners’ scientific knowledge and residents’ local knowledge. Focusing on the Bansong Pilbongoreum community in South Korea, we suggest a community-based adaption plan that uses local knowledge and builds consensus between [...] Read more.

Climate change adaptation is challenging in community planning because of the conflict between planners’ scientific knowledge and residents’ local knowledge. Focusing on the Bansong Pilbongoreum community in South Korea, we suggest a community-based adaption plan that uses local knowledge and builds consensus between local residents and planners by identifying problems and planning objectives. We applied this plan to our case study, using in-depth interviews, a community workshop, local knowledge, and scientific climate adaptation measures to identify the community’s problems and develop a plan. Planners and residents must communicate so that planners can incorporate local knowledge into effective planning objectives for community adaptation. Full article

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16 pages, 2130 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mapping Heat Stress Vulnerability and Risk Assessment at the Neighborhood Scale to Drive Urban Adaptation Planning

by Denis Maragno, Michele Dalla Fontana and Francesco Musco

Sustainability 2020, 12(3), 1056; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12031056 - 2 Feb 2020

Cited by 44 | Viewed by 6917

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most complex issues of the 21st century, and even though there is general consensus about the urgency of taking action at the city level, the planning and implementation of adaptation measures is advancing slowly. The lack of [...] Read more.

Climate change is one of the most complex issues of the 21st century, and even though there is general consensus about the urgency of taking action at the city level, the planning and implementation of adaptation measures is advancing slowly. The lack of data and information to support the planning process is often mentioned as a factor hampering the adaptation processes in cities. In this paper, we developed and tested a methodology for heat stress vulnerability and risk assessment at the neighborhood scale to support designers, planners, and decision makers in developing and implementing adaptation strategies and measures at the local level. The methodology combines high-resolution spatial information and crowdsourcing geospatial data to develop sensitivity, adaptive capacity, vulnerability, exposure, and risk indicators. The methodology is then tested on the urban fabric of the city of Padova, Italy. Our results show that different vulnerability and risk values correspond to different typologies of urban areas. Furthermore, the possibility of combining high-resolution information provided by the indicators and land use categories is of great importance to support the adaptation planning process. We also argue that the methodology is flexible enough to be applied in different contexts. Full article

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16 pages, 9672 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Residential Building Layouts on Microclimate in a High Temperature and High Humidity Region

by Yingjie Jiang, Changguang Wu and Mingjun Teng

Sustainability 2020, 12(3), 1046; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12031046 - 2 Feb 2020

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5297

Abstract

Microclimatic condition is a fundamental indicator for evaluating outdoor space livability and vitality. Research has shown that poorly designed building layouts can lead to discomfort; however, the mechanisms influencing outdoor microclimate based on residential building layout are unclear for high temperature and high [...] Read more.

Microclimatic condition is a fundamental indicator for evaluating outdoor space livability and vitality. Research has shown that poorly designed building layouts can lead to discomfort; however, the mechanisms influencing outdoor microclimate based on residential building layout are unclear for high temperature and high humidity regions. This study explores the relationship between residential building layouts and the outdoor wind and thermal environment at the pedestrian level in Wuhan, a city renowned for high temperatures and high humidity. Six typical residential building layouts were simulated, using the ENVI-met numerical model, to determine the spatial distribution of wind speed and air temperature. The Universal Thermal Climate Index was adopted as a comprehensive index with which to assess spatial and diurnal variations in microclimates surrounding each building layout. Results showed that parallel building layouts formed a ventilation corridor that increased wind speeds by approximately 0.3 m/s. A staggered building layout, in line with the prevailing wind direction, facilitated airflow in the ventilation corridor and further increased wind speeds. Windward buildings blocked high-temperature airflows and reduced air temperatures by approximately 1 ℃ in parallel layouts, and 1.4 ℃ in enclosed layouts. However, the cooling effect of windward buildings on high-temperature airflow was weaker than the warming effect caused by the wind shadow effect and direct sunlight. Additionally, the performance of the thermal comfort of the enclosed type layout was significantly better, for most of the day, than the parallel type layout. Full article

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26 pages, 10054 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Flood Resilient and Sustainable Urban Regeneration Using the Example of an Industrial Compound Conversion in Seoul, South Korea

by Kyoyoung Hwang, Thorsten Schuetze and Fabrizio M. Amoruso

Sustainability 2020, 12(3), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12030918 - 27 Jan 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5665

Abstract

The objective of this study was to illustrate the urban flood resilience and sustainability improvement potential by integration of decentralized water management systems in sustainable urban regeneration projects. This paper discusses sustainable and resilient urban regeneration potentials using the example of an industrial [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to illustrate the urban flood resilience and sustainability improvement potential by integration of decentralized water management systems in sustainable urban regeneration projects. This paper discusses sustainable and resilient urban regeneration potentials using the example of an industrial compound (ICs) conversion in Seoul, South Korea. Urban flood vulnerability has been a concern globally due to land use changes, limited capacity of existing stormwater management infrastructures and the effects of climate change. Due to their comparably low building density, ICs can effectively contribute to the separation and decentralized retention and infiltration of stormwater. However, no sustainable and resilient conversion examples of ICs have been realized in Seoul so far. After identification of a representative IC, its exemplary sustainable conversion with implementation of decentralized water management infrastructures were designed. The rainwater collection, retention and infiltration system was dimensioned in order to create a stormwater discharge-free property. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the improvement potentials before and after the conversion unveiled that this conversion contributes also to the improvement of the neighborhoods’ sustainability, spatial quality and resilience to disasters. The research results are transferable to other urban ICs and are a good practice example for sustainable and resilient regeneration of existing urban districts. Full article

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2019

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14 pages, 3373 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Land Use Zoning and Densification on Changes in Land Surface Temperature in Seoul

by Jae-Ik Kim, Myung-Jin Jun, Chang-Hwan Yeo, Ki-Hyun Kwon and Jun Yong Hyun

Sustainability 2019, 11(24), 7056; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11247056 - 10 Dec 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3600

Abstract

This study investigated how changes in land surface temperature (LST) during 2004 and 2014 were attributable to zoning-based land use type in Seoul in association with the building coverage ratio (BCR), floor area ratio (FAR), and a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). We [...] Read more.

This study investigated how changes in land surface temperature (LST) during 2004 and 2014 were attributable to zoning-based land use type in Seoul in association with the building coverage ratio (BCR), floor area ratio (FAR), and a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). We retrieved LSTs and NDVI data from satellite images, Landsat TM 5 for 2004 and Landsat 8 TIRS for 2014 and combined them with parcel-based land use information, which contained data on BCR, FAR, and zoning-based land use type. The descriptive analysis results showed a rise in LST for the low- and medium-density residential land, whereas significant LST decreases were found in high-density residential, semi-residential, and commercial areas over the time period. Statistical results further supported these findings, yielding statistically significant negative coefficient values for all interaction variables between higher-density land use types and a year-based dummy variable. The findings appear to be related to residential densification involving the provision of more high-rise apartment complexes and government efforts to secure more parks and green spaces through urban redevelopment and renewal projects. Full article

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20 pages, 5117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparison of Neighborhood-Scale Interventions to Alleviate Urban Heat in Doha, Qatar

by Salim Ferwati, Cynthia Skelhorn, Vivek Shandas and Yasuyo Makido

Sustainability 2019, 11(3), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030730 - 30 Jan 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4614

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that many densely populated areas of the world will be uninhabitable in the coming century due to the depletion of resources, climate change, and increasing urbanization. This poses serious questions regarding the actions that require immediate attention, and opportunities to [...] Read more.

Recent evidence suggests that many densely populated areas of the world will be uninhabitable in the coming century due to the depletion of resources, climate change, and increasing urbanization. This poses serious questions regarding the actions that require immediate attention, and opportunities to stave off massive losses of infrastructure, populations, and financial investments. The present study utilizes microclimate modeling to examine the role of landscape features as they affect ambient temperatures in one of the fastest growing regions of the world: Doha, Qatar. By modeling three study sites around Doha—one highly urbanized, one newly urbanizing, and one coastal low-density urbanized—the research indicates that at the neighborhood scale, the most effective scenario was that of adding mature trees along the sides of roads. In the coastal study area, the model results estimated a maximum hourly air temperature reduction of 1.35 °C, and in the highly urbanized inland site, surface temperature reductions were up to 15 °C at 12:00. While other scenarios were effective at reducing air and surface temperatures, the mean radiant temperature was also increased or nearly neutral for most of the other scenarios. This result highlights the need to develop improved shading measures for pedestrian pathways and outdoor recreational areas, especially for highly urbanized inland areas in Doha and cities with similar climatic conditions. Full article

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2018

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18 pages, 11980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morphological Indices as Urban Planning Tools in Northeastern Brazil

by Ivanize Silva, Rafael Santos, António Lopes and Virgínia Araújo

Sustainability 2018, 10(12), 4358; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124358 - 22 Nov 2018

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4439

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze urban form through the mapping of morphological indices, namely impervious surface fraction, building density, verticality, height/width ratio, roughness length, and porosity, to support urban planning in the city of João Pessoa, PB, in northeastern Brazil. [...] Read more.

The purpose of this article is to analyze urban form through the mapping of morphological indices, namely impervious surface fraction, building density, verticality, height/width ratio, roughness length, and porosity, to support urban planning in the city of João Pessoa, PB, in northeastern Brazil. The application of this study identifies and calculates such significant indices for the city’s urban space from a Geographic Information System (GIS) model. The spatial indices play notable roles in climate at different scales, developing guidelines to maximize environmental quality, promote improvements to thermal comfort, minimize the urban heat island in the city of João Pessoa, and provide relevant data (considering microclimate aspects), guiding decisions related to the planning process. Full article

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26 pages, 8763 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Zoning Strategy of Urbanization Based on Urban Climate Co-Movement: A Case Study in Shanghai Mainland Area

by Yunfang Jiang, Luyao Hou, Tiemao Shi and Yuemin Ning

Sustainability 2018, 10(8), 2706; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082706 - 1 Aug 2018

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5541

Abstract

Urbanization has brought with it large populations in cities, which has then led to changes in urban land use intensity and spatial patterns, resulting in changes in underlying surfaces and urban climate. The impacts of the early urbanization process and the rapid development [...] Read more.

Urbanization has brought with it large populations in cities, which has then led to changes in urban land use intensity and spatial patterns, resulting in changes in underlying surfaces and urban climate. The impacts of the early urbanization process and the rapid development of the international metropolis on the interactive development of spatial zoning, urban climate, and urbanization in the main region of Shanghai are studied. This study has important practical and methodological implications with respect to two major themes in the current urban planning area of China, specifically, the construction of new urbanization and the changes in urban climate adaptation. Through the experiences of the human activities model from ecology, factors are selected based on the effects of climate on four dimensions, namely, economy, urban construction, ecological, and environment, where the weight of each index is determined by the coefficient of the variation method and the important spatial factors influencing the climate effect are screened out. The four important influential factors are population density, road density, built-up areas, and the green coverage ratio of spatial distribution. A quantitative analysis determined that there exists a consistent relationship between urban climate factors and the four urbanization spatial factors. Based on urbanization classification that considered each factor evaluation along with integrated analyses and statistical correlation analyses of the spatial grid index using ArcGIS software, the urban space partition level is identified, and urban spatial zoning strategies based on the co-movement of urban climate system are put forward. Combined with the zoning study of land use and the urban heat island distribution pattern, the spatial zoning strategy of controlling urbanization intensity based on the urban climate system is proposed. This research will guide the integration of the urbanization spatial structure and urban climate system toward rational development in Shanghai city. Full article

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Adaptive Cities: Urban Planning and Design Contribution for Achieving Climate Resilient Cities

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