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Search Results (5,203)

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Keywords = urban mapping

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27 pages, 10778 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Spatial Correlation of Blight and Litter: A Case Analysis of Memphis, Tennessee Neighborhoods
by Reza Banai and Navid Enayati Shabkolaei
Land 2025, 14(9), 1702; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091702 - 22 Aug 2025
Abstract
Urban blight and litter are twin issues that significantly affect the quality of life in city neighborhoods. This paper investigates the relationship between blight and litter, commonly overlooked in urban studies literature. We measure the prevalence of blight and litter across block groups [...] Read more.
Urban blight and litter are twin issues that significantly affect the quality of life in city neighborhoods. This paper investigates the relationship between blight and litter, commonly overlooked in urban studies literature. We measure the prevalence of blight and litter across block groups in our mapping with a focus on socioeconomic factors, including income levels, crime rates, and land use types (industrial, commercial, and residential) for our case study, Memphis, Tennessee. Using statistical and spatial analytics, as well as data from the Memphis Data Hub and the City of Memphis, we show the prevalence of blight and litter across block groups. GIS was used to map neighborhood-specific blighted structures and their spatial connection to litter accumulation. We also explore the distribution of blight and litter across different land uses. A Pearson correlation value of 0.639 suggests a strong positive relationship between blight and litter at the block group level. Spatial clustering is assessed by Global Moran’s Iand Local Moran’s I, identifying neighborhood-level hotspots. The block group is used as the unit of analysis to capture micro-spatial variation and to enable meaningful equity-based insights at the neighborhood level. Our mapping offers practical insights into urban revitalization strategies in deference to per capita income, crime rate, and land use. The findings contribute to urban policy discussions by promoting the joint consideration of blight and litter, helping guide future community-based interventions aimed at alleviating the negative impacts of blight and litter, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Full article
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26 pages, 4711 KiB  
Article
The 15-Minute City in Portugal: Reality, Aspiration, or Utopia?
by Beatriz Gomes Pinto and Pedro Chamusca
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(9), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9090330 - 22 Aug 2025
Abstract
Cities play a central role in territorial development, acting as engines of economic growth, innovation, and social well-being. However, contemporary urban challenges, such as socio-spatial segregation, environmental degradation, and mobility constraints, necessitate innovative planning approaches. The “15-minute city” model, conceptualised by Moreno, seeks [...] Read more.
Cities play a central role in territorial development, acting as engines of economic growth, innovation, and social well-being. However, contemporary urban challenges, such as socio-spatial segregation, environmental degradation, and mobility constraints, necessitate innovative planning approaches. The “15-minute city” model, conceptualised by Moreno, seeks to reorganise urban spaces to enhance proximity, sustainability, and quality of life by ensuring that essential services are accessible within a short walk or bike ride. This study examines the applicability of this model in Portugal, analysing its presence in national scientific research and its integration into recent Sustainable Urban Mobility Action Plans. Additionally, a spatial analysis using pedestrian-based isochrone mapping assesses accessibility to education and health services, identifying areas with potential for implementation. The results indicate a selective adoption of the model’s operational dimensions, with an emphasis on fare integration and soft mobility infrastructure. However, there is a noticeable deficiency in regulatory instruments designed to promote multifunctionality and social–spatial inclusion. The spatial pattern in northern Portugal reveals disparities in pedestrian accessibility. This study highlights the stronger need for context-sensitive urban strategies, emphasising that while the 15-minute city offers a promising framework, its success depends on local adaptations and governance models. Full article
21 pages, 6814 KiB  
Article
Urban Land Subsidence Analyzed Through Time-Series InSAR Coupled with Refined Risk Modeling: A Wuhan Case Study
by Lv Zhou, Liqi Liang, Quanyu Chen, Haotian He, Hongming Li, Jie Qin, Fei Yang, Xinyi Li and Jie Bai
ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2025, 14(9), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi14090320 - 22 Aug 2025
Abstract
Due to extensive soft soil and high human activities, Wuhan is a hotspot for land subsidence. This study used the time-series InSAR to calculate the spatial and temporal distribution map of subsidence in Wuhan and analyze the causes of subsidence. An improved fuzzy [...] Read more.
Due to extensive soft soil and high human activities, Wuhan is a hotspot for land subsidence. This study used the time-series InSAR to calculate the spatial and temporal distribution map of subsidence in Wuhan and analyze the causes of subsidence. An improved fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (GD-FAHP) was proposed and integrated with the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) to assess the hazard and vulnerability of land subsidence using multiple evaluation factors, thereby deriving the spatial distribution characteristics of subsidence risk in Wuhan. Results indicated the following: (1) Maximum subsidence rates reached −49 mm/a, with the most severe deformation localized in Hongshan District, exhibiting a cumulative displacement of −135 mm. Comparative validation between InSAR results and leveling was conducted, demonstrating the reliability of InSAR monitoring. (2) Areas with frequent urban construction largely coincided with subsidence locations. In addition, the analysis indicated that rainfall and hydrogeological conditions were also correlated with land subsidence. (3) The proposed risk assessment model effectively identified high-risk areas concentrated in central urban zones, particularly the Hongshan and Wuchang Districts. This research establishes a methodological framework for urban hazard mitigation and provides actionable insights for subsidence risk reduction strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Geotechnics for Hazard Mitigation, 2nd Edition)
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21 pages, 4720 KiB  
Article
Infestation and Larval Habitat Ecology of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in an Urban Gradient in Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
by Gilliarde de Carvalho Caetano, Samanta Cristina das Chagas Xavier and Mariana Rocha David
Insects 2025, 16(8), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16080869 - 21 Aug 2025
Abstract
Since there are no available vaccines against some arboviruses, vector control is the most effective way to reduce their incidence. In this context, mechanical control is one of the most cost-effective ways to suppress Aedes populations, but it requires knowledge about vector breeding [...] Read more.
Since there are no available vaccines against some arboviruses, vector control is the most effective way to reduce their incidence. In this context, mechanical control is one of the most cost-effective ways to suppress Aedes populations, but it requires knowledge about vector breeding ecology in varied landscapes and climates. Here we investigated the infestation levels and container types used as larval habitats by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in an urban gradient of Vassouras, a countryside city in Rio de Janeiro. Larval surveys were conducted bimonthly from January 2017 to December 2018. Infestation was measured through the House (HI) and Breteau indexes (BI). Container types found with Aedes spp. immatures were correlated with temperature and rainfall and were compared between urbanization zones. The distribution of positive containers was mapped. The HI for Ae. aegypti increased during rainy seasons, but the HI and BI were always <1% for both mosquito vectors. More reservoirs were found harboring Ae. albopictus than Ae. aegypti, but in general their relative distribution into types was similar between species. On the other hand, the amount and distribution of containers into types varied across urbanization zones. Finally, the spatial distribution of larval habitats was similar between species, as well as often constant between seasons and study years. Full article
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23 pages, 3781 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Urban Visual Attractiveness Perception Using Multimodal Large Language Model and Street View Images
by Qianyu Zhou, Jiaxin Zhang and Zehong Zhu
Buildings 2025, 15(16), 2970; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162970 - 21 Aug 2025
Abstract
Visual attractiveness perception—an individual’s capacity to recognise and evaluate the visual appeal of urban scene safety—has direct implications for well-being, economic vitality, and social cohesion. However, most empirical studies rely on single-source metrics or algorithm-centric pipelines that under-represent human perception. Addressing this gap, [...] Read more.
Visual attractiveness perception—an individual’s capacity to recognise and evaluate the visual appeal of urban scene safety—has direct implications for well-being, economic vitality, and social cohesion. However, most empirical studies rely on single-source metrics or algorithm-centric pipelines that under-represent human perception. Addressing this gap, we introduce a fully reproducible, multimodal framework that measures and models this domain-specific facet of human intelligence by coupling Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4o (GPT-4o) with 1000 Street View images. The pipeline first elicits pairwise aesthetic judgements from GPT-4o, converts them into a latent attractiveness scale via Thurstone’s law of comparative judgement, and then validates the scale against 1.17 M crowdsourced ratings from MIT’s Place Pulse 2.0 benchmark (Spearman ρ = 0.76, p < 0.001). Compared with a Siamese CNN baseline (ρ = 0.60), GPT-4o yields both higher criterion validity and an 88% reduction in inference time, underscoring its superior capacity to approximate human evaluative reasoning. In this study, we introduce a standardised and reproducible streetscape evaluation pipeline using GPT-4o. We then combine the resulting attractiveness scores with network-based accessibility modelling to generate a “aesthetic–accessibility map” of urban central districts in Chongqing, China. Cluster analysis reveals four statistically distinct street types—Iconic Core, Liveable Rings, Transit-Rich but Bland, and Peripheral Low-Appeal—providing actionable insights for landscape design, urban governance, and tourism planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)
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28 pages, 5969 KiB  
Article
Geospatial Analysis of Chloride Hot Spots and Groundwater Vulnerability in Southern Ontario, Canada
by Ceilidh Mackie, Rachel Lackey and Jana Levison
Water 2025, 17(16), 2484; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17162484 - 21 Aug 2025
Abstract
Elevated chloride (Cl) concentrations in surface water and groundwater are an increasing concern in cold region urban environments, largely due to long-term road salt application. This study investigates the Cl distribution across southern Ontario, Canada, using geospatial methods to identify [...] Read more.
Elevated chloride (Cl) concentrations in surface water and groundwater are an increasing concern in cold region urban environments, largely due to long-term road salt application. This study investigates the Cl distribution across southern Ontario, Canada, using geospatial methods to identify contamination hot spots and assess groundwater vulnerability at both regional and watershed scales. Chloride data from 2001 to 2010 and 2011 to 2020 were compiled from public sources and interpolated using inverse distance weighting. A regional-scale vulnerability index was developed using slope (SL), surficial geology (SG), and land use (LU) (SL-SG-LU), and compared it to a more detailed DRASTIC-LU index within the Credit River watershed. Results show that Cl hot spots are concentrated in urbanized areas, including the Greater Toronto Area and Golden Horseshoe, with some rural zones also exhibiting elevated concentrations. Vulnerability mapping corresponded well with the observed Cl patterns and highlighted areas at risk for groundwater discharge to surface waters. While the DRASTIC-LU method offered finer resolution, the simplified SL-SG-LU index effectively captured broad vulnerability trends and is suitable for data-limited regions. This work provides a transferable framework for identifying Cl risk areas and supports long-term monitoring and management strategies in cold climate watersheds. Full article
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27 pages, 6232 KiB  
Article
Insights from Earth Map: Unraveling Environmental Dynamics in the Euphrates–Tigris Basin
by Ayhan Ateşoğlu, Mustafa Hakkı Aydoğdu, Kasım Yenigün, Alfonso Sanchez-Paus Díaz, Giulio Marchi and Fidan Şevval Bulut
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7513; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167513 - 20 Aug 2025
Viewed by 13
Abstract
The Euphrates–Tigris Basin is experiencing significant environmental transformations due to climate change, Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC), and anthropogenic pressures. This study employs Earth Map, an open-access remote sensing platform, to comprehensively assess climate trends, vegetation dynamics, water resource variability, and [...] Read more.
The Euphrates–Tigris Basin is experiencing significant environmental transformations due to climate change, Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC), and anthropogenic pressures. This study employs Earth Map, an open-access remote sensing platform, to comprehensively assess climate trends, vegetation dynamics, water resource variability, and land degradation across the basin. Key findings reveal a geographic shift toward aridity, with declining precipitation in high-altitude headwater regions and rising temperatures exacerbating water scarcity. While cropland expansion and localized improvements in land productivity were observed, large areas—particularly in hyperarid and steppe zones—show early signs of degradation, increasing the risk of dust source expansion. LULCC analysis highlights substantial wetland loss, irreversible urban growth, and agricultural encroachment into fragile ecosystems, with Iraq experiencing the most pronounced transformations. Climate projections under the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios indicate intensified warming and aridity, threatening hydrological stability. This study underscores the urgent need for integrated water management, Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), and climate-resilient policies to safeguard the basin’s ecological and socioeconomic resilience. Earth Map is a vital tool for monitoring environmental changes, offering rapid insights for policymakers and stakeholders in this data-scarce region. Future research should include higher-resolution datasets and localized socioeconomic data to improve adaptive strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drinking Water, Water Management and Environment)
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17 pages, 981 KiB  
Article
The Tourist Carrying Capacity as a Basis for Sustainable Management of Ecotourism Activities: Case Study of the Southern Mexican Caribbean
by Jorge Manuel Tello Chan, Kennedy Obombo Magio and Eloy Gayosso Soto
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7492; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167492 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 218
Abstract
In the Mexican Caribbean, the demand for tourism services led to the expansion of the hotel industry from the coast inland. This caused rural and urban communities in the region to become involved in tourism activities, initiating the formulation of an international model [...] Read more.
In the Mexican Caribbean, the demand for tourism services led to the expansion of the hotel industry from the coast inland. This caused rural and urban communities in the region to become involved in tourism activities, initiating the formulation of an international model of sustainable development with a focus on cultural tourism. Considering the tourism potential that the study area can offer to nearby rural communities, as well as the limited number of studies aimed at estimating tourism carrying capacity (see examples of TCC for environmental management units in communal land areas like Baja California, Mexico and the Huagapo cave in Peru), the present research aims at estimating the tourism carrying capacity in the southern region of the Mexican Caribbean. A mixed methodological approach was adopted for the present study entailing a detailed description of flora and fauna in the study area using natural resource mapping tools, social diagnosis of the communities in the study area using the Participatory Action Research (PAR) technique in the communities of Caobas and San José de la Montaña and the estimation of tourism carrying capacity (TCC), Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC), Real Carrying Capacity (RCC), and Effective Carrying Capacity (ECC) using information gathered through fieldwork and bibliographic review. It was found that the area can support a tourism carrying capacity of 538.33 visits per day. In this initial assessment, it was estimated that the implementation of an ecotourism project in a rural community would not alter its environmental conditions. The estimated indicators provide appropriate tools for designing and planning long-term sustainable tourism proposals. Moreover, they integrate environmental, economic, and social aspects in a balanced manner, generating tangible and lasting benefits. Full article
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25 pages, 12166 KiB  
Article
Physical Flood Vulnerability Assessment in a GIS Environment Using Morphometric Parameters: A Case Study from Volos, Greece
by Christos Rodopoulos, Giannis Saitis and Niki Evelpidou
Water 2025, 17(16), 2449; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17162449 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 166
Abstract
This study assesses and maps the physical flood vulnerability within the Xerias, Krafsidonas, and Anavros ungauged catchments in Volos, Thessaly, Greece, using a Geographical Information Systems (GIS)-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) integrated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Six factors influencing flood dynamics [...] Read more.
This study assesses and maps the physical flood vulnerability within the Xerias, Krafsidonas, and Anavros ungauged catchments in Volos, Thessaly, Greece, using a Geographical Information Systems (GIS)-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) integrated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Six factors influencing flood dynamics were selected including slope, flow accumulation, geology, land use/cover, flood history and burned areas. The factors were weighted using the AHP based on their relative influence in flood occurrence. Physical flood vulnerability was assessed utilizing the Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method and visualized through thematic flood-vulnerability maps. The analysis indicates that the southwestern and central-southern parts of the study area, which are highly urbanized and industrialized, exhibit the highest physical flood-vulnerability. Specifically, 32.76% of the Xerias catchment, 41.16% of the Krafsidonas catchment, and 34.71% of the Anavros catchment exhibit high to very high flood vulnerability. On the other hand, mountainous areas with steep slopes, permeable lithology, and dense forests exhibit low to very low physical flood vulnerability. The method’s accuracy was verified through sensitivity analysis and comparison with national flood-risk data for the study area. The results emphasize the physical vulnerability of Volos to flooding and the necessity for targeted flood mitigation measures, demonstrating the value of GIS in flood risk management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Flood Risk Assessment and Management)
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19 pages, 11607 KiB  
Article
Hydrogeochemistry of Surface Waters in the Iron Quadrangle, Brazil: High-Resolution Mapping of Potentially Toxic Elements in the Velhas and Paraopeba River Basins
by Raphael Vicq, Mariangela G. P. Leite, Lucas P. Leão, Hermínio A. Nalini Júnior, Darllan Collins da Cunha e Silva, Rita Fonseca and Teresa Valente
Water 2025, 17(16), 2446; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17162446 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 140
Abstract
This study delivers a pioneering, high-resolution hydrogeochemical assessment of surface waters in the Upper Velhas and Upper Paraopeba river basins within Brazil’s Iron Quadrangle—an area of critical socioeconomic importance marked by intensive mining and urbanization. Through a dense sampling network of 315 surface [...] Read more.
This study delivers a pioneering, high-resolution hydrogeochemical assessment of surface waters in the Upper Velhas and Upper Paraopeba river basins within Brazil’s Iron Quadrangle—an area of critical socioeconomic importance marked by intensive mining and urbanization. Through a dense sampling network of 315 surface water points (one every 23 km2), the research generates an unprecedented spatial dataset, enabling the identification of contamination hotspots and the differentiation between lithogenic and anthropogenic sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Statistical methods, including exploratory data analysis and cluster analysis, were applied to determine background and anomalous concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Geospatial distribution maps were generated using GIS. The results revealed widespread contamination by As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn, with many samples exceeding Brazilian, European, and global drinking water standards. Arsenic and cadmium anomalies in rural and peri-urban communities raise concerns due to the direct consumption of contaminated water. The innovative application of dense spatial sampling and integrated geostatistical methods offers new insights into the pathways and sources of PTE pollution, identifying specific lithological units (e.g., gold schists, mafic intrusions) and land uses (e.g., urban effluents, mining sites) associated with elevated contaminant levels. By establishing robust regional geochemical baselines and source attributions, this study sets a new standard for environmental monitoring in mining-impacted watersheds and provides a replicable framework for water governance, environmental licensing, and risk management in similar regions worldwide. Full article
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21 pages, 7943 KiB  
Article
Mapping Meaning: Perceptions of Green Infrastructure and Cultural Ecosystem Services in the Rapidly Urbanizing Town of Vác, Hungary
by István Valánszki, László Zoltán Nádasy, Tímea Katalin Erdei, Anna Éva Borkó, Vera Iváncsics and Zsófia Földi
Land 2025, 14(8), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14081669 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 271
Abstract
Urban sprawl and suburbanization are reshaping peri-urban areas, challenging urban planning and community well-being. Our study investigates questions regarding the perception of Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) and development preferences (DP) related to Green Infrastructure (GI) in Vác, Hungary, including how CES and DP [...] Read more.
Urban sprawl and suburbanization are reshaping peri-urban areas, challenging urban planning and community well-being. Our study investigates questions regarding the perception of Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) and development preferences (DP) related to Green Infrastructure (GI) in Vác, Hungary, including how CES and DP indicators related to GI vary spatially; how they align with municipal DI designations; how they relate to sociodemographic factors; and how they are applicable to urban planning practices. We used PPGIS and structured interviews with 375 residents to collect over 4900 spatial data points in order to analyze how perceived values, development preferences, officially designated GI elements and sociodemographic characteristics, relate to each other. The results show that CES are strongly associated with GI elements, especially along the riverfront and in downtown areas. However, development preferences, especially congestion and safety concerns, were more dispersed, often located in outer residential areas and along transportation routes. Statistical analyses showed significant differences across age, marital status, and co-residence with children, influencing both CES perception and development preferences. Our study highlights the gap between official GI designations and community-valued spaces, emphasizing the importance of participatory planning and the integration of sociodemographic dimensions into planning practices in rapidly transforming suburban environments. Full article
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22 pages, 9020 KiB  
Article
Towards Transparent Urban Perception: A Concept-Driven Framework with Visual Foundation Models
by Yixin Yu, Zepeng Yu, Xuhua Shi, Ran Wan, Bowen Wang and Jiaxin Zhang
ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2025, 14(8), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi14080315 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 203
Abstract
Understanding urban visual perception is crucial for modeling how individuals cognitively and emotionally interact with the built environment. However, traditional survey-based approaches are limited in scalability and often fail to generalize across diverse urban contexts. In this study, we introduce the UP-CBM, a [...] Read more.
Understanding urban visual perception is crucial for modeling how individuals cognitively and emotionally interact with the built environment. However, traditional survey-based approaches are limited in scalability and often fail to generalize across diverse urban contexts. In this study, we introduce the UP-CBM, a transparent framework that leverages visual foundation models (VFMs) and concept-based reasoning to address these challenges. The UP-CBM automatically constructs a task-specific vocabulary of perceptual concepts using GPT-4o and processes urban scene images through a multi-scale visual prompting pipeline. This pipeline generates CLIP-based similarity maps that facilitate the learning of an interpretable bottleneck layer, effectively linking visual features with human perceptual judgments. Our framework not only achieves higher predictive accuracy but also offers enhanced interpretability, enabling transparent reasoning about urban perception. Experiments on two benchmark datasets—Place Pulse 2.0 (achieving improvements of +0.041 in comparison accuracy and +0.029 in R2) and VRVWPR (+0.018 in classification accuracy)—demonstrate the effectiveness and generalizability of our approach. These results underscore the potential of integrating VFMs with structured concept-driven pipelines for more explainable urban visual analytics. Full article
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17 pages, 6335 KiB  
Article
Machine Learning-Based Flood Risk Assessment in Urban Watershed: Mapping Flood Susceptibility in Charlotte, North Carolina
by Sujan Shrestha, Dewasis Dahal, Nishan Bhattarai, Sunil Regmi, Roshan Sewa and Ajay Kalra
Geographies 2025, 5(3), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5030043 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 394
Abstract
Flood impacts are intensifying due to the increasing frequency and severity of factors such as severe weather events, climate change, and unplanned urbanization. This study focuses on Briar Creek in Charlotte, North Carolina, an area historically affected by flooding. Three machine learning algorithms [...] Read more.
Flood impacts are intensifying due to the increasing frequency and severity of factors such as severe weather events, climate change, and unplanned urbanization. This study focuses on Briar Creek in Charlotte, North Carolina, an area historically affected by flooding. Three machine learning algorithms —bagging (random forest), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and logistic regression—were used to develop a flood susceptibility model that incorporates topographical, hydrological, and meteorological variables. Key predictors included slope, aspect, curvature, flow velocity, flow concentration, discharge, and 8 years of rainfall data. A flood inventory of 750 data points was compiled from historic flood records. The dataset was divided into training (70%) and testing (30%) subsets, and model performance was evaluated using accuracy metrics, confusion matrices, and classification reports. The results indicate that logistic regression outperformed both XGBoost and bagging in terms of predictive accuracy. According to the logistic regression model, the study area was classified into five flood risk zones: 5.55% as very high risk, 8.66% as high risk, 12.04% as moderate risk, 21.56% as low risk, and 52.20% as very low risk. The resulting flood susceptibility map constitutes a valuable tool for emergency preparedness and infrastructure planning in high-risk zones. Full article
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17 pages, 2863 KiB  
Article
Remote Observation of the Impacts of Land Use on Rainfall Variability in the Triângulo Mineiro (Brazilian Cerrado Region)
by Ana Carolina Durigon Boldrin, Bruno Enrique Fuzzo, João Alberto Fischer Filho and Daniela Fernanda da Silva Fuzzo
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(16), 2866; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17162866 - 17 Aug 2025
Viewed by 581
Abstract
Throughout history, humans have modified the environment, transforming natural biomes into agricultural areas. In the 1990s, economic policies accelerated the expansion of agricultural frontiers in Brazil, including the Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba regions. This study analyzes rainfall variability from 1990 to 2021 [...] Read more.
Throughout history, humans have modified the environment, transforming natural biomes into agricultural areas. In the 1990s, economic policies accelerated the expansion of agricultural frontiers in Brazil, including the Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba regions. This study analyzes rainfall variability from 1990 to 2021 and its relationship with land use. For this purpose, satellite data from MapBiomas, ERA5, and NASA POWER were processed using Google Earth Engine and QGIS. Statistical methods included the Spearman correlation and the Mann–Kendall trend test. The results revealed that average annual precipitation decreased from 1663.35 mm in 1991 to 1128.94 mm in 2022—a 32.14% reduction. Simultaneously, agricultural and urban areas increased by 365% and 237.59%, respectively. Spearman analysis showed negative correlations between precipitation and agriculture (ρ = −0.51) and urbanization (ρ = −0.51), and positive correlations with pasture (ρ = +0.52) and water bodies (ρ = +0.46). These trends suggest that land use intensification significantly affects regional rainfall patterns. Unlike studies focusing mainly on Amazon deforestation, this research emphasizes the Cerrado biome’s climatic vulnerability. The use of long-term, high-resolution remote sensing data allows a robust analysis of land use impacts. By highlighting a clear link between land transformation and precipitation decline, this study offers insights for policymaking aimed at balancing agricultural development and water resource preservation. This research underscores the importance of sustainable land management practices, such as agroecology, reforestation, and ecological corridors, for regional climate resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Remote Sensing)
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26 pages, 1420 KiB  
Article
Fuzzy Logic-Based Expert Evaluation of Tram Driver’s Console Fidelity in a Universal Simulator
by Łukasz Wolniewicz and Ewa Mardeusz
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(16), 9048; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15169048 - 16 Aug 2025
Viewed by 250
Abstract
Simulators are an effective tool for improving tram driver training. In urban rail transportation, the fidelity of reproducing the driver’s working environment is crucial due to the high diversity of vehicle models. This study presents a structured assessment model for evaluating the mapping [...] Read more.
Simulators are an effective tool for improving tram driver training. In urban rail transportation, the fidelity of reproducing the driver’s working environment is crucial due to the high diversity of vehicle models. This study presents a structured assessment model for evaluating the mapping of a tram driver’s console in a universal simulator. The model is based on expert judgment and utilizes fuzzy logic to evaluate four key criteria: perspective, button placement, functionality, and time required to locate safety buttons. A group of 30 experts, including experienced tram drivers and technical specialists, assessed the fidelity of the simulated consoles for three tram types: Solaris Tramino S105p, Moderus Gamma LF 06 AC, and Škoda 16T RK. The results enable the classification of console fidelity levels (low, moderate, high) and support the identification of design inconsistencies. The proposed model provides a standardized tool for assessing simulator realism, which can be applied by transport operators, manufacturers, and training centers to improve simulator configurations. Researchers may also use the model as a methodological framework for further evaluation studies involving human–machine interface fidelity. Full article
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