Search Results (1,026)

The external relations of small towns are an important dimension in the regional urban system. However, the “metropolitan bias” in existing studies results in a lack of empirical verification of their characteristics, hindering effective regional policymaking. Applying Central Flow Theory (CFT), mobile phone data, and a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model, this study investigates the spatially non-stationary associations between built environment factors and the “city-ness” and “town-ness” of small towns in the Yangtze River Delta. The results show: (1) Enterprise density in metropolitan shadow areas is positively associated with cross-city jobs–housing separation; in peripheral areas, both enterprise density and housing prices exhibit a strong correlation with intra-municipal jobs–housing separation. (2) Middle schools consistently correlate with localized intra-municipal flows, suggesting a plausible spatial anchoring role; around metropolises, medical and commercial facilities link to recreational flows and commuting town-ness, while in distal small towns, medical facilities coincide with intratown jobs–housing balance, and commercial facilities correlate with localized consumption and cross-town employment mobility. (3) Higher road network density corresponds to a shrinking commuting radius near metropolises and intra-municipal intertown interconnection in distal towns, rather than mere external relation channels. This study empirically supports CFT at the small-town scale, explores plausible mechanisms, and informs differentiated planning strategies. Full article

This paper develops and applies a techno-economic optimization framework for sizing photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESSs) in grid-connected energy communities. An in-house developed modeling platform featuring custom MATLAB (R2025a) code implements a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model that minimizes differential net present value (NPV) over a 25-year lifetime, integrating capital expenditures, operating cash flows, and carbon taxation. The formulation captures temperature-dependent PV efficiency, battery round-trip efficiency, and time-varying electricity prices, and is validated on a real campus energy community with hourly demand, irradiance, and tariff data. Two design scenarios are examined: the optimal unconstrained case and a budget-constrained configuration (CAPEX ≤ 2.0 M€). Results show the unconstrained system installs 3.19 MW_p PV and 12.3 MWh storage, achieving 78.9% self-sufficiency and a 78.9% emissions reduction. The constrained case installs 0.99 MW_p and 1.68 MWh, achieves 32.0% self-sufficiency, and delivers a 4.46 M€ NPV with payback in 3.9 years. Under current costs and tariffs, PV-dominated configurations provide the highest value, with limited battery benefit except under generous budgets or higher carbon prices. A dedicated CAPEX sensitivity analysis explores PV and battery cost variability and its impact on optimal sizing and economic outcomes. The core methodological contribution is a master-planning formulation that solves design decision variables and optimal dispatch concurrently within a single MILP. The flexible platform enables future reassessment as technology, tariff, and policy landscapes evolve. Full article

The decarbonization of the residential sector is a critical component of the European Green Deal, particularly in transition economies like Poland. This study proposes a comprehensive techno-economic optimization of a deeply retrofitted single-family house aiming for net-zero energy building (NZEB) status. The research specifically focuses on the Polish coastal climate zone, characterized by distinct humidity, wind, and temperature profiles compared to inland regions, which significantly influence the efficiency of air-to-water heat pumps (ASHP). Based on a real-world energy audit, the study simulates the synergy between a deep thermal envelope upgrade and a hybrid system comprising an ASHP, photovoltaics (PV), and battery energy storage (BES). This paper presents a detailed economic analysis of such hybrid systems under the new Polish ‘net-billing’ prosumer mechanism. The study evaluates the impact of electricity tariff structures (flat-rate G11 vs. time-of-use G12w) on the investment’s profitability. By calculating key performance indicators—including the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), net present value (NPV), and self-sufficiency ratio (SSR)—the research assesses various system configurations. The initial evaluation indicates that while deep retrofitting significantly reduces heating demand, integrating battery storage plays a critical role in enhancing economic returns under the net-billing framework. The analysis demonstrates that the optimized hybrid system (9.0 kWp PV + 10 kWh BESS) achieves an average annual self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) of 49.8% and reduces the non-renewable primary energy (EP) indicator to 0.0 kWh/(m²·year). Economically, the investment yields a positive NPV of €3194, an IRR of 5.25%, and a LCOE of €0.184/kWh, which is 34% lower than projected grid prices. Furthermore, switching to a time-of-use tariff (G12w) generates an additional 11% (€139) in annual savings. These quantitative findings provide actionable guidelines for policymakers and investors, confirming the financial viability and environmental benefit (annual reduction of 6.12 MgCO₂) of NZEB standards in coastal areas. Full article

This study examines the relationship between house prices and the factors driving their growth during the transition from a long-standing currency board regime to Eurozone membership. The main objective is to identify and quantify the key factors explaining the variation in house price growth in Bulgaria under conditions of prolonged currency convergence. The study applies a set of econometric techniques, including stationarity tests (ADF and KPSS), diagnostic checks for normality, serial correlation and heteroscedasticity, and robustness checks. The study is based on 40 quarterly observations covering the period 2015Q4–2025Q3 and 48 selected predictors of the General house price index. The final ARIMAX(0,2,1) model is estimated using second-differenced data. The model includes a first-order moving average component and three exogenous regressors: the owner-occupiers’ housing expenditures, the actual rentals for housing in Bulgaria and the homeowners’ utility expenses. The model explains 87% of the variation in house price acceleration, with a comparatively low mean squared error. The diagnostic analysis confirms model adequacy. The three exogenous regressors are statistically significant at the 1% level with strong and stable effects on house price dynamics. No statistically significant relationship is found for the set of traditional macroeconomic, demographic, financial, and sectoral factors. The results show that during Bulgaria’s transition from a currency board to the Eurozone, the sustained house price growth was driven by country-specific factors. The three statistically significant determinants of the house price acceleration in Bulgaria reflect, respectively, the active investment behaviour of homeowners in improving existing properties, the rational assessment by housing market participants of the balance between mortgage and rental payments, and the burden of utility and maintenance costs borne by owners and tenants, depending on property size and energy efficiency. The first factor is most influential for homeowners, the second for tenants, and the third has a similarly significant impact on both groups. Full article

Thermal bridges at window installations significantly influence the energy performance and indoor comfort of buildings, particularly in nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB). This study investigates the impact of window mounting-position on thermal-bridge intensity at window-to-wall junctions using finite element method (FEM) simulations of representative junction configurations. Mounting depth, frame alignment relative to the insulation layer, and junction detailing were systematically varied to quantify their effect on linear thermal transmittance (ψ-values) and internal-surface temperatures. The results show that relatively small changes in mounting position can markedly reduce thermal-bridge effects; the most effective strategy combines installing the window within the insulation layer at an optimal depth of 7–12 cm. Across the studied configurations, ψ decreased from traditional installation values of 0.27 W/(m·K) to 0.02 W/(m·K) for installation in the insulation layer, and with frame overlap and frame extenders, the ψ-value can be further reduced, reaching 0.005 W/(m·K) in the best case. Applying external insulation increases the minimum internal-surface temperature by at least 2 °C compared with cases without frame covering. In the case study of a historical building retrofitted to Passive House (PH) standard, installing windows in the insulation layer reduced annual heating demand from 32 kWh/m² to 24 kWh/m². The additional investment is economically justified, with a simple payback period of about 25 years, decreasing to around 20 years assuming a 3% annual increase in energy prices. These findings demonstrate that optimised window positioning is an effective and economically viable measure to improve the energy performance, durability, and sustainability of high-performance buildings. Full article

Urban street greenery plays a crucial role in enhancing biodiversity, environmental quality, and human well-being. However, how different street greening strategies shape urban plant diversity across functional urban contexts remains insufficiently understood. Taking Jinan, a rapidly urbanizing city in China, as a case study, this research investigates the spatial patterns, compositional differences, and driving mechanisms of plant diversity between Green Streets (GS) and Non-Green Streets (NGS) across various Urban Functional Units (UFUs). A 1 km × 1 km grid was used to delineate UFUs, combined with field-based plant surveys, linear regression analyses, and the public space assessment framework of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.7.1. Results indicate that plant diversity is strongly dependent on urban functional types, with higher species richness observed in residential and recreation/leisure districts, and lower levels in industrial, commercial, and transportation districts. The ecological effects of GS exhibit clear context dependence, being more pronounced in residential, educational, and public service areas, but limited in commercial and industrial zones. NGS recorded a significantly higher total number of plant species (346) than GS (116), with NGS dominated by native spontaneous species and GS characterized by introduced cultivated plants, reflecting the filtering effects of different management intensities. Management variables, particularly watering (positive) and fertilization frequency (negative), is primarily positively associated with plant diversity in GS, whereas diversity in NGS is more closely associated with socio-economic and spatial factors such as UFU area and housing prices. Furthermore, the current SDG 11.7.1 indicator emphasizes the quantity and accessibility of public spaces but insufficiently captures their ecological quality. This study highlights the need to integrate biodiversity and vegetation structural complexity into public space assessments, providing scientific support for quality-oriented urban green infrastructure planning and sustainable urban development. Full article

Housing prices exert a notable impact on labor force sustainability, a key component of socioeconomic sustainable development. Skyrocketing housing costs tend to postpone young adults’ marriage and childbearing schedules, reduce their fertility intentions, and eventually lead to a shrinking labor force. It is therefore essential to explore the intrinsic links between housing prices, fertility intentions, and labor force sustainability. Based on data on China’s commercial housing prices, fertility rates, and related socioeconomic indicators from 2005 to 2024, this paper analyzes the theoretical mechanisms of how housing prices affect fertility intentions. It examines the trends of housing prices, housing price-to-income ratios, and disposable income growth at the national level, and further discusses the heterogeneous characteristics of these indicators in eastern, central, western, and northeastern China. In addition, this study analyzes the overall trends and regional disparities of fertility rates, conducts regression analyses combined with mortality rates and population growth rates, and implements correlation analyses between housing prices and fertility rates at national and regional levels. Using 2018 and 2022 CFPS data with control variables including education years, household registration type, employment nature, gender, and number of siblings, an improved interaction terms fixed-effects model is adopted to empirically examine the impact of housing prices on fertility intentions. The reliability of the results is verified by three methods: parallel trend test, alternative estimation method, and data source replacement. Full article

Rapid housing expansion exacerbates the urban heat island (UHI) effect, yet the influence of household-level awareness on sustainable housing decisions remains underexplored, particularly in tropical contexts. This study integrates the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) into a moderated-mediation model to examine how UHI awareness shapes the relationships among attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, socioeconomic factors, purchase intention, and willingness to pay (WTP) for heat-mitigating housing. Survey data from 441 homebuyers in Bandung City, Indonesia, were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (SEM). Results reveal that awareness fundamentally alters decision pathways: without awareness, subjective norms (β = 0.066, p-value = 0.007) and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.050, p-value = 0.005) significantly influence WTP via purchase intention; with high awareness, attitude becomes the sole significant predictor (β = 0.109, p-value = 0.035), while the effects of social pressure (β = −0.015, p-value = 0.130) and perceived control (β = −0.005, p-value = 0.376) diminish. The model explains 50.1% of the variance in purchase intention (R² = 0.501) but only 14.7% of the variance in WTP (R² = 0.147), reflecting the low-price premiums respondents are willing to pay (0–5%). These findings highlight that climate-specific awareness acts as a cognitive filter, guiding pro-environmental housing choices, and underscore the importance of awareness-driven interventions for promoting sustainable urban development in tropical cities. Full article

Intra-urban commuting plays a fundamental role in shaping urban spatial structure and daily mobility patterns. Existing studies have largely explained commuting flows using attribute-based or distance-centred approaches. Such approaches overlook the interdependent and relational nature of commuting within complex urban systems. This study constructs a subdistrict-level commuting network using anonymised mobile phone signalling data from Hangzhou, China, and a valued exponential random graph model (valued ERGM) to examine how commuting flows are generated through the interaction of network self-organization, local job-housing conditions, and multi-dimensional proximity. The results reveal strong endogenous dependence exemplified by reciprocal commuting ties. Employment agglomeration and public rental housing provision are associated with stronger integration of subdistricts within the commuting network, while high housing prices and certain residential amenities are associated with reduced inter-subdistrict commuting. Beyond geographic distance, metro connectivity, administrative affiliation, and social interaction are significantly associated with commuting flows. This study advances a relational explanation of intra-urban commuting and demonstrates the methodological value of valued ERGMs for analysing weighted urban flow networks. The findings have implications for integrated transport, housing, and governance strategies, particularly transit-oriented development, cross-jurisdictional coordination, and the strategic siting of affordable housing, aimed at promoting more locally embedded and sustainable urban mobility. Full article

Against the backdrop of rapid development in megacities, urban park green spaces serve as essential public resources whose accessibility and equity directly affect residents’ quality of life and broader social justice. This study addresses the imbalance between the spatial distribution of green space resources and the socio-demographic characteristics of different population groups in megacities. It takes the six central districts of Beijing as the study area and integrates data from 457 urban parks. The research applies the Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (G2SFCA) method and bivariate spatial autocorrelation analysis (Moran’s I) to systematically evaluate the equity of urban park green space provision across multiple social dimensions, including economic status, educational attainment, and vulnerable groups. The results indicate that urban park green spaces in Beijing’s six central districts exhibit a pronounced central and northern advantage, with significant deficits in southern and peripheral areas. High accessibility and greater per capita green space are concentrated in core and high-housing-price districts, overlapping with high-income and highly educated populations. In contrast, vulnerable groups and migrant workers are more likely to reside in green-space-deficient areas, facing a structural “high population density–low green space provision” disadvantage, reflecting clear social inequities. In addition, inequity is more pronounced at the walking scale than at the cycling scale. The study reveals a dual mismatch in green space provision across both spatial and social dimensions within a megacity context. The findings suggest that future urban planning should shift from quantitative expansion to the optimization of existing green space resources. Planning strategies should prioritize vulnerable groups and adopt a people-oriented approach. Policymakers should allocate greater support to southern and peripheral areas, increase the provision of pocket parks, and improve slow-mobility systems. These measures can more precisely safeguard equitable access to green space for disadvantaged populations and promote the realization of spatial justice. Full article

This study examines how zoning regimes mediate the capitalization of officially assessed land values into housing prices in a high-density metropolitan housing market. Using transaction-level housing data from New Taipei City, Taiwan, we estimate a hedonic pricing model combined with a boundary-based spatial comparison that restricts observations to properties located near zoning borders. The results indicate that official land values are significantly associated with housing prices but are only partially capitalized, with an estimated elasticity of approximately β ≈ 0.37 in the baseline specification. Interaction models further reveal that capitalization elasticities vary systematically across zoning regimes, suggesting that planning regulations influence how administratively determined land values are translated into market prices. These heterogeneous capitalization patterns remain stable across alternative boundary bandwidths and model specifications. The findings highlight the institutional role of zoning systems in shaping the relationship between administratively assessed land values and housing market outcomes. More broadly, the study contributes to the literature on housing market regulation by demonstrating how land-use institutions mediate price formation processes in densely developed urban environments. Full article

Urban competitiveness and vulnerability have traditionally been studied as analytically distinct dimensions, grounded in the assumption that competitive performance necessarily strengthens urban structures. However, empirical evidence from tourist cities reveals a paradox, as high levels of tourism competitiveness may coexist with cumulative processes of structural fragilisation. This article introduces urban competitive vulnerability—an urban system’s propensity to competitive erosion driven by internal fragility accumulation, even during high performance. Using panel data from six major Spanish tourist cities (Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Palma, Seville, and Málaga) over 2014–2024, we develop an integrated framework with four dimensions: tourism competitiveness, sectoral specialisation, territorial pressure, and governance capacity. We construct the Urban Competitive Vulnerability Index (CVI) and test four hypotheses using panel-data models with fixed effects and interaction terms. Results confirm significant positive relationships between tourism competitiveness and structural vulnerability (β = 0.540, p < 0.001). Sectoral specialisation increases vulnerability both directly (β = 0.504, p < 0.001) and indirectly through competitiveness (65.8% mediated effect). Tourist housing intensity significantly increases housing prices (β = 0.288, p < 0.001) and evictions (β = 0.125, p < 0.05). Cities with high prior vulnerability experienced more severe COVID-19 impacts (β = −3.688, p < 0.05) and slower recovery. While limited to Spanish cities, this study provides the first urban-specific framework for competitive vulnerability with direct implications for urban tourism planning and governance. Full article

This research examines the structural evolution and functional performance of urban spatial expansion in Changchun, Northeast China. Utilizing an integrated framework of the Adjusted Sprawl Index, Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (Gaussian 2SFCA) accessibility modeling, and XGBoost-SHAP machine learning, the study identifies a decoupled growth pattern where land development and infrastructure construction proceed without a corresponding increase in population density, reflecting a structural-demographic divergence. Empirical results demonstrate that land expansion reached a significant peak between 2015 and 2020, followed by a transition toward morphological equalization and stabilization after 2020. This process manifests as asynchronous urbanism, where the strategic deployment of physical infrastructure frameworks systematically precedes the functional integration of essential social services. The analysis reveals the emergence of localized service-value misalignment clusters in peripheral zones. The phenomenon represents a deviation from the traditional monocentric paradigm toward McCann’s framework of modern urban economics, as high residential valuations are sustained by social capital and institutional expectations despite physical service gaps. Within these clusters, the club realm and private enclosure function as critical forward-looking mechanisms, where the presence of influential groups signals future social and infrastructural investment. A negative interaction effect between property management levels and regional accessibility confirms that these private governance structures effectively substitute for maturing public resources. These findings suggest that future development should prioritize the functional integration of social systems over mere material expansion. Full article

This study empirically examines the impact of the Areas subject to permission of transaction (ASPLT) implemented by Seoul City on local real estate markets. Focusing on the case of the Seoul International District (MICE project area), where the regulated area (the geo-graphical districts subject to ASPLT) was initially designated, lifted, and later re-imposed, the analysis employs a modified repeat sales Difference-in-Differences (DID) methodology to assess its policy effect on housing price stabilization. The results indicate that the regulated areas experienced more subdued transaction volumes and price increases compared to non-regulated areas, suggesting the policy was effective in curbing short-term speculative demand. Additionally, neighboring areas exhibited signs of spillover effects due to displaced investment interest. The findings highlight both the utility and limitations of localized real estate controls and offer empirical insights for future policy design. Full article

Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) are typically trained by learning to replicate observed housing transaction prices. This paper argues that such benchmarking is theoretically debatable. Market transaction prices are not direct measures of underlying property value but are realised outcomes of exchange processes that involve buyer-specific attributes that are unobservable prior to sale. Using residential housing transactions from Auckland, New Zealand, and buyers’ gender inferred from unstructured purchaser name data via artificial intelligence-based natural language processing, we provide empirical evidence that buyer attributes systematically affect transaction prices. Specifically, gender composition is shown to influence the discrepancy between AVM estimates and transaction prices, while no corresponding effect is found when AVMs are compared with capital values, which are the Council’s appraisals for rating purposes. This asymmetry reflects the shared information set of AVMs and professional appraisals, as both are based only on property and market information available prior to sale and do not incorporate buyer identity. The findings provide initial evidence for valuers to address the latest professional requirements of using AVMs. Full article