Search Results (389)

In this study, we investigate a shielded capacitive power transfer (S-CPT) system that employs cast iron road covers as transmission electrodes for both dynamic and static charging of electric vehicles. Coupling capacitance was evaluated from S-parameters using copper, aluminum, ductile cast iron, structural steel, and carbon steel electrodes, with additional comparisons of ductile iron surface conditions (casting, machining, electrocoating). In a four-plate S-CPT system operating at 13.56 MHz, capacitance decreased with electrode spacing, yet ductile cast iron reached ~70 pF at 2 mm, demonstrating a performance comparable to that of copper and aluminum despite having higher resistivity and permeability. Power transmission experiments using a Ø330 mm cast iron cover meeting road load standards achieved 58% efficiency at 100 W, maintained around 40% efficiency at power levels above 200 W, and retained 45% efficiency under 200 mm lateral displacement, confirming robust dynamic performance. Simulations showed that shield electrodes enhance grounding, stabilize potential, and reduce return-path impedance. Finite element analysis confirmed that the ductile cast iron electrodes can withstand a 25-ton design load. The proposed S-CPT concept integrates an existing cast iron infrastructure with thin aluminum receiving plates, enabling high efficiency, mechanical durability, EMI mitigation, and reduced installation costs, offering a cost-effective approach to urban wireless charging. Full article

Rapid urbanization and frequent extreme events have made urban flooding a growing threat to residents. This issue is acute in old urban districts, where extremely limited land resources, outdated standards and poor infrastructure have led to inadequate drainage and uneven pipe settlement, heightening flood risk. This study applies InfoWorks ICM Ultimate (version 21.0.284) to simulate flooding in a typical old urban district for six return periods. A risk assessment was carried out, flood causes were analyzed, and mitigation strategies were evaluated to reduce inundation and cost. Results show that all combined schemes outperform single-measure solutions. Among them, the green roof combined with pipe optimization scheme eliminated high-risk and medium-risk areas, while reducing low-risk areas by over 78.23%. It also lowered the ponding depth at key waterlogging points by 70%, significantly improving the flood risk profile. The permeable pavement combined with pipe optimization scheme achieved similar results, reducing low-risk areas by 77.42% and completely eliminating ponding at key locations, although at a 50.8% higher cost. This study underscores the unique contribution of cost-considered gray-green infrastructure retrofitting in old urban areas characterized by land scarcity and aging pipeline networks. It provides a quantitative basis and optimization strategies for refined modeling and multi-strategy management of urban waterlogging in such regions, offering valuable references for other cities facing similar challenges. The findings hold significant implications for urban flood control planning and hydrological research, serving as an important resource for urban planners engaged in flood risk management and researchers in urban hydrology and stormwater management. Full article

Planned events in urban public spaces often face design challenges, and consequent poor performance, due to limited consideration of spatial criteria during the planning process. Our previous work revealed that event designers tend to have no urban design, or similar, training. Consequently, this paper reports on a Virtual Reality (VR)/Mixed Reality (MR) tool developed as a ‘proof of concept’ to support event designers in evaluating and modifying event layouts using urban design principles. Building on a previous study that identified key design-based criteria, including pedestrian flow, permeability, and geometry, this research applies those criteria through interactive, immersive environments. A VR experiment involving three sessions with users demonstrated how the tool facilitates spatial analysis and encourages reflective design thinking. Insights from the sessions highlight the value of visual representation in decision-making and suggest directions for future tool development, such as expanding the criteria set and incorporating real-time data. The study concludes by proposing that immersive technologies can enhance collaborative and responsive temporary event design for public spaces. Full article

Urbanization and intensified human activity have significantly impacted city climates, amplifying the urban heat island effect and increasing thermal stress on residents. This study focuses on the design of a pocket park in the Municipality of Kallithea as a targeted bioclimatic intervention. Through the integration of on-site microclimate measurements, GIS mapping, and 2D design tools, the research evaluates key bioclimatic indicators to inform climate-responsive design strategies. Proposed solutions include the use of cool materials, reflective surfaces, permeable pavements, and water features to enhance natural ventilation and mitigate surface temperatures. The project demonstrates how small-scale green infrastructure can improve thermal comfort in dense urban areas while supporting sustainability goals. By highlighting the potential of localized interventions, the study contributes to the broader discourse on urban resilience and the role of bioclimatic planning in creating healthier, more livable cities. Full article

The traditional Arab-Islamic urban fabric of Riyadh, with its emphasis on privacy, social cohesion, and environmental adaptation, was radically disrupted when the 1970s Doxiadis master plan was implemented, transforming the city into a car-dependent gridiron design. The shift led to ever-spreading sprawl, reduced pedestrian-friendliness, and eroded local identity. Using Hegelian dialectics methodology, this paper proposes integration of fused grid theory and urban Islamic fractals geometry in the urban fabric of the city. Specifically for Riyadh, the proposed changes encourage urban quadrant nesting, change of block scale and layout, fractal landscape integration, and multi-modal permeability. These adaptations are intended to increase connectivity, reduce crash rates, minimize impacts on the environment, enhance walkability, and elevate overall quality of life. Full article

The construction of underground infrastructure in urban environments can significantly alter groundwater flow dynamics, particularly in karst settings, which are characterized by high permeability, rapid groundwater flow, and strong spatial variability in recharge and discharge processes. Tunneling in a karst system can severely deplete an aquifer and undermine the sustainability of water resources over the long term. These impacts pose significant challenges for regional water resources management, highlighting the urgent need for strategies that support both sustainable development and the protection of these complex hydrogeological systems. One of the most critical consequences of such construction activities can be tunnel drainage, which can modify the hydrogeological balance of karst aquifers. For this reason, an accurate estimation of groundwater recharge remains a major challenge, yet it is essential for effective groundwater management, particularly in regions that rely heavily on karst groundwater resources. This paper proposes a GIS-based methodological framework to assess the active recharge of the karst aquifer feeding the Mazzoccolo Spring, located in the urban area of Formia (southern Latium Region, Central Italy), which is potentially affected by a planned underground infrastructure. The study focuses on delineating the recharge area and evaluating the potential impacts of tunneling on this complex and sensitive hydrogeological system. Full article

Enhancing the vitality of historic districts is a key challenge in China’s urban regeneration. This study takes Shanghai’s Zhangyuan Historic District as a case, constructing a framework with six spatial indicators—width-to-height ratio (W/H), interface transparency, connectivity, integration, Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), and mean radiant temperature (MRT)—across spatial morphology, path accessibility, and thermal comfort. Using Grey Relational Analysis, the study quantitatively examines how these factors affect spatial vitality and pedestrian behavior. Findings indicate that, overall, W/H and connectivity are the primary drivers of vitality in plazas and alleys, while thermal comfort (MRT, UTCI) strongly affects stationary behaviors. By typology, plazas exhibit the strongest association with interface transparency (grey relational grade = 0.870), demonstrating that open sightlines and permeable interfaces promote pedestrian flow and staying. North–south alleys show pronounced associations with thermal comfort (MRT = 0.918; UTCI = 0.874), suggesting microclimate-friendly environments can substantially enhance vitality in linear walking spaces. East–west alleys are dominated by connectivity (0.831) and W/H (0.849), whereas integration shows a low grade (0.512), revealing weaker configurational coherence for this spatial type. At the micro-scale, connectivity outperforms integration in predicting pedestrian route choices, reflecting actual movement preferences. The study highlights the combined effects of multidimensional built environment factors and provides a scientific basis for targeted spatial optimization, sustainable renewal, and vitality-oriented design in historic urban areas. Full article

The study investigates the disconnect between formal urban planning standards and experiential walkability outcomes in Viranşehir, a planned neighborhood in Mersin, Türkiye. Although the area complies with national regulations on the provision of public services, it exhibits systemic limitations, including car-oriented street layouts, fragmented pedestrian networks, and underutilized public spaces. Employing a mixed-methods case study, the research integrates archival sources (aerial imagery, zoning plans, satellite data) with field observations to assess pedestrian environments. A light coding of sidewalk continuity, crossings, and edge conditions indicates that many streets are bounded by extensive inactive walls, protected crossings are absent along critical routes such as the school–park axis, and sidewalks are frequently narrow, obstructed, or discontinuous. These built-form features undermine safety, comfort, and social interaction despite formal regulatory compliance. The findings demonstrate how grid-pattern street systems prioritize vehicular mobility, while gated developments restrict permeability and diminish everyday encounters. In response, the study proposes a hierarchy of interventions: immediate measures such as school streets, protected crossings, and traffic calming, followed by medium- to long-term strategies including shaded seating, sidewalk widening, and participatory design guidelines. By linking statutory standards with lived experience, the paper conceptualizes walkability not only as a technical planning requirement but also as a socio-cultural right, offering transferable insights for the creation of more inclusive urban environments. Full article

With the continuous expansion of urban rail transit networks, construction safety of connecting passages—as critical weak links in underground structural systems—has become pivotal for project success. Although artificial ground freezing technology effectively addresses adverse geological conditions (e.g., high permeability and weak self-stability), it is influenced by multi-field coupling effects (temperature, stress, and seepage fields), which may trigger chain risks such as freezing pipe fractures and frozen curtain leakage during construction. This study deconstructed the freezing method workflow (‘drilling pipe-laying → active freezing → channel excavation → structural support’) and established a hierarchical evaluation index system incorporating geological characteristics, technological parameters, and environmental impacts by considering sandy soil phase-change features and hydro-thermal coupling effects. For weight calculation, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was innovatively applied to balance subjective-objective assignment deviations, revealing that the excavation support stage (weight: 52.94%) and thawing-grouting stage (31.48%) most significantly influenced overall risk. Subsequently, a Bayesian network-based risk assessment model was constructed, with prior probabilities updated in real-time using construction monitoring data. Results indicated an overall construction risk probability of 46.3%, with the excavation stage exhibiting the highest sensitivity index (3.97%), identifying it as the core risk control link. These findings provide a quantitative basis for dynamically identifying construction risks and optimizing mitigation measures, offering substantial practical value for enhancing safety in subway connecting passage construction within water-rich sandy strata. Full article

Urban green hearts provide essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, water purification, and hydrological regulation. The Green Heart Area of the Chang-Zhu-Tan Urban Agglomeration in Hunan Province, China, is the largest globally, and plays a critical role in regional water management. These functions are increasingly threatened by intensive land-use, while soil, as the foundational ecosystem component, mediates water retention, nutrient cycling, and erosion resistance. This study examined the effects of four land-use types—cropland, plantation, arbor woodland, and other woodland—on soil particle composition and key nutrients (organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus). Statistical comparisons among land-use types were performed. Results indicated that silt was the dominant soil fraction across all land-uses (64–72%). Arbor woodland exhibited significantly higher sand content (29%) compared to cropland (19%; p < 0.05), suggesting improved water permeability and erosion resistance. Cropland showed elevated nutrient levels, with TN (1450.32 mg·kg⁻¹) and TP (718.86 mg·kg⁻¹) exceeding both national averages and those in arbor woodland. Coupled with acidic soil conditions (pH 5.23) and lower stoichiometric ratios (C/N: 10.82; C/P: 35.67; N/P: 3.29), these traits indicate an increased risk of nutrient leaching in croplands. In contrast, arbor woodland displayed more balanced C:N:P ratios (C/N: 12.21; C/P: 48.05; N/P: 3.84), supporting greater nutrient retention and aggregate stability. These findings underscore the significant influence of land-use type on soil ecological functions, including water infiltration, runoff reduction, and climate adaptability. The study highlights the importance of adopting conservation-oriented practices such as reduced tillage and targeted phosphorus management in croplands, alongside reforestation with native species, to improve soil structure and promote long-term ecological sustainability. Full article

The objective of this article is to propose a novel model for evaluating retention solutions in urban areas. This model is designed to serve as a tool to support integrated urban planning in the context of reurbanization and climate change adaptation processes. The model is both diagnostic and decision-support in nature, integrating spatial, environmental, and functional data. It analyzes these data based on a spatial dependency matrix. A comprehensive consideration of both physiographic factors (e.g., geomorphological typology and land ownership) and social and institutional factors (e.g., institutional readiness and stakeholder engagement) was undertaken. The modelling employs methodologies that are characteristic of urban and landscape design, including multi-criteria analysis, case studies, expert assessment, and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. The assessment of the retention potential was conducted with consideration for the typology of buildings, infiltration capacity, soil permeability, and existing infrastructure. The findings of the present study demonstrate that local spatial and social conditions exert a substantial influence on the efficacy of retention implementation. The model enables the prioritization of actions and the selection of suitable solutions (context-sensitive retention strategies), thus making it a valuable instrument for designers, urban planners, and decision-makers. The proposed approach can be used in urban planning as a practical tool to support decisions on resilient city development and urban water management. Full article

Historic districts are key urban spaces that convey cultural heritage and support tourism and social interaction. As the spatial interface shapes form and perception, this study explores youth-oriented visual behaviour and cognitive preferences regarding historic street interfaces. Using Kuan-Narrow Alley in Chengdu as a case study, we analysed eye-tracking data to assess visual engagement with interface elements. Architectural components received the highest attention for Total Fixation Duration, Fixation Count, and Visit Count, while commercial elements yielded a longer Average Fixation Duration. A multiple linear regression model identified Historical Linguistic Landscape (β = 1.088), Street Permeability (β = 0.401), and Street Width-to-Height Ratio (β = 0.178) as significant predictors of perceived usability, with Historical Linguistic Landscape proving most influential. These findings underscore the value of preserving cultural significance in streetscape morphology and provide theoretical and practical insights from a youth-centric perspective. By integrating eye-tracking with morphological analysis, the study offers a novel approach to understanding visual perceptions in historic districts. Despite limitations in sample size and scope, the study provides solid insights, with future research needed to broaden contexts for greater generalisability. Full article

This study applies the Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM) to assess how morphology-driven, nature-based solutions reduce urban heat island (UHI) effects and flooding in Rio de Janeiro’s Cidade Nova. Multi-scale GIS diagnostics identify green continuity and vertical permeability as critical weaknesses. Simulations (Ladybug/Dragonfly) and hydrological modelling (rational method) quantify the intervention’s impact, including greening, material retrofits, and drainage upgrades. Results show a 38% increase in albedo, a 13% reduction in volumetric heat capacity, and a 30% drop in thermal conductivity. These changes reduce the peak UHI by 0.2 °C hourly, narrowing the urban–rural temperature gap to 3.5 °C (summer) and 4.3 °C (winter). Hydrologically, impervious cover decreases from 22% to 15%, permeable surfaces rise from 9% to 29%, and peak runoff volume drops by 27% (16,062 to 11,753 m³/h), mitigating flood risks. Green space expands from 7.8% to 21%, improving connectivity by 50% and improving park access. These findings demonstrate that IMM-guided interventions effectively enhance thermal and hydrological resilience in dense tropical cities, aligning with climate adaptation and the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

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

Urban waterlogging due to sudden rainfall leads to critical issues. This study aims to develop sustainable porous asphalt pavement by incorporating different proportions of recycled coarse aggregate. Recycled coarse aggregate from waste laboratory-tested concrete in 19, 12.5, and 9.5 mm sizes was prepared for a porous asphalt mix series (Mix-Types 1-9). The study showed that optimal aggregate ratios performed well in porous asphalt mixes. Mix-Type-3 with the aggregate ratio of 19:12.5:9.5 mm (1:1:0.5) achieved an optimal stability of 8.88 kN at the minimum flow rate. The movement of water flow results revealed that permeability decreases with time. The Mix-Type-3 permeability reductions were found to be 16.75% and 30.14% at 6 and 12 months, compared to the permeability of fresh mixes. The study results revealed that the Mix-Type-3 retained the highest stability level, and the permeability fell within the standard values. Hence, it is concluded that Mix-Type-3 balances in all parameters and is a viable choice for effective and sustainable urban water management. Full article