Search Results (946)

Urbanisation has resulted in habitat degradation and destruction for native bat species in Florida, USA, posing a continuing threat to bat populations and ecosystem health. Citizen science has been documented to fill population data gaps and outline bat responses to urbanisation, but an understanding of how this influences societal perceptions of bats and can shape and evolve urban planning initiatives are under-researched and poorly understood. This paper explores how citizen science could contribute to urban planning for bat conservation. A literature review of citizen science projects and native species’ responses to urbanisation mapped the current situation and was supplemented by an analysis of semi-structured interviews with three key informants in the field of bat conservation. Only four of Florida’s thirteen species were featured in the citizen science projects reported in the literature. There was a clear lack of attention to the impact of urbanisation on these species, demonstrating a need for reimagining how data collection and public participation can be improved. An analysis of interviews identified themes of evolving individual perspectives and complex societal connections whose interdependence and coevolution influences the success of both citizen science and urban planning. Understanding this coevolution of society and bat conservation alongside our current knowledge could provide future opportunities for bat-friendly urban planning in Florida with the potential for this to be framed in terms of healthy more-than-human cities. Full article

Floods, especially in urbanised areas, incur enormous economic and social losses. The structural flood management is often limited by urbanization and environmental issues. Following the catastrophic flood events of 1997 and 2010, a relatively large dry polder was constructed in Racibórz Dolny, Poland, with the highest flood retention capacity in Central Europe. During the 2024 flood in Czechia and Poland, the polder was filled to 80%, which significantly reduced the floodwave crest on the Odra River (by 1.65 m), halved the peak discharge, and delayed the floodwave passage by two days according to hydrological calculations. The operation of the polder enables multifunctional use of the river valley—ranging from agriculture and mineral extraction to environmental protection—without the need for permanent water impoundment. Aggregate extraction carried out within the basin contributed to shaping the reservoir, reducing the demand for transport and construction materials, while the overburden was reused for engineering and reclamation purposes. Mining activities between 2007 and 2023 increased the retention capacity of the polder by 13%, providing an example of rational environmental resource management combined with effective flood protection. The findings demonstrate that integrating retention functions with mineral resource management represents an efficient and sustainable approach to mitigating flood impacts in large European river valleys. Full article

Currently, an active debate is underway among the academic community, urban planners, and policymakers regarding optimal models of urban development, given that the majority of the population now resides in cities. One concept under discussion is the 15 min city, which posits that all urban residents should be able to reach key, frequently used services within a 15 min walk or cycle. Although the literature suggests numerous potential benefits, debate persists about whether such cities would be optimal from the standpoint of sustainable development objectives and residents’ quality of life. The ongoing discussion also concerns the extent to which existing cities are capable of aligning with this concept. This is directly linked to the actual spatial distribution of individual services within the city. The literature indicates a research gap arising from a shortage of robust case studies that would enable a credible assessment of the practical implementation of this idea across diverse cities, countries, and regions. This issue pertains to Poland as well as to other countries. A desirable future scenario would involve comprehensive mapping of all cities, with respect to both the spatial distribution of specific services and related domains such as the quality and coherence of linear infrastructure. This article presents an analysis of the spatial accessibility of basic urban services in the context of implementing the 15 min city concept, using the city of Koszalin (Poland) as a case study. This city was selected due to its representative character as a medium-sized urban centre, both in terms of population and area, as well as its subregional functions within Poland’s settlement structure. Koszalin also exhibits a typical spatial and functional layout characteristic of many Polish cities. In light of growing challenges related to urbanisation, climate change, and the need to promote sustainable mobility, this study focuses on evaluating access to services such as education, healthcare, retail, public transport, and green spaces. The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) tools enabled the identification of spatial variations in service accessibility across the city. The results indicate that only 11% of Koszalin’s area fully meets the assumptions of the 15 min city concept, providing pedestrians with convenient access to all key services. At the same time, 92% of the city’s area offers access to at least one essential service within a 15 min walk. Excluding forested areas not intended for development increases these values to 14% and 100%, respectively. This highlights the extent to which methodological choices in assessing pedestrian accessibility can shape analytical outcomes and the interpretations drawn from them. Moreover, given this article’s objective and the adopted analytical procedure, the assumed pedestrian walking speed is the key parameter. Accordingly, a sensitivity analysis was conducted, comparing the reference scenario (4 km/h) with alternative variants (3 and 5 km/h). This approach demonstrates the extent to which a change in a single parameter affects estimates of urban-area coverage by access to individual services reachable on foot within 15 min. The analysis reveals limited integration of urban functions at the local scale, highlighting areas in need of planning intervention. This article proposes directions for action to improve pedestrian accessibility within the city. Full article

To mitigate the impacts of urbanisation and the attendant surface sealing, appropriate measures are required when adapting urban spaces and drainage infrastructure. In this context, the deployment of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDSs) has emerged as a viable alternative, delivering highly positive outcomes by enhancing hydrological, hydraulic and landscape performance while restoring ecosystem services to the community. This study evaluates the relative performance of five SuDS typologies, green roofs, bioretention cells, infiltration trenches, permeable pavements, and rain barrels, implemented in a 64 ha subbasin of the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain. Using Giswater integrated with the SWMM, the stormwater drainage network was modelled under multiple rainfall scenarios. Performance was assessed using two qualitative indicators, the junction index (I_j) and the conduit index (I_c), which measure surcharge levels in manholes and pipes, respectively. The results show that SuDS implementation affecting 42.8% of the drained area can enhance network performance by 35.6% and reduce flooded junctions by 67%. Among the typologies, rain barrels and bioretention cells were the most effective. The study concludes that SuDS construction, supported by open-source tools and performance-based indicators, constitutes a replicable and technically robust strategy for mitigating the effects of surface sealing and increasing urban resilience. Full article

Flooding poses a major hazard to rapidly urbanising cities in Southeast Asia, and risks are projected to intensify under climate change. Accurate risk assessment, however, is hindered by scarcity of hydrological and topographic data. Focusing on the Lower Prek Thnot River Basin, a peri-urban catchment of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the study applied the Rainfall–Runoff–Inundation model and systematically augmented inputs: hourly satellite rainfall data, field-surveyed river cross-sections and representation of hydraulic infrastructure such as weirs and pumping. Validation used Sentinel-1 SAR-derived flood-extent maps for the October 2020 event. Scenario comparison shows that rainfall input and channel geometry act synergistically: omitting either degrades performance and spatial realism. The best configuration (Sim. 5) Accuracy = 0.891, Hit Ratio = 0.546 and True Ratio = 0.701 against Sentinel-1, and reproduced inundation upstream of weirs while reducing overestimation in urban districts through pumping emulation. At the study’s 500 m grid, updating land use from 2002 to 2020 had only a minor effect relative to rainfall, geometry and infrastructure. The results demonstrate that targeted data augmentation—combining satellite products, field surveys and operational infrastructure—can deliver robust inundation maps under data scarcity, supporting hazard mapping and resilience-oriented flood management in rapidly urbanising basins. Full article

Exclusive residential developments have drawn growing attention in South African cities, where urbanisation and socioeconomic disparities continue to reshape the built environment. This study examines the underlying drivers of their proliferation and presents a taxonomy of the key forces influencing their growth. The aim is to present results of a study that sought to examine the driving forces behind the growth of exclusive residential developments. Drawing from a literature review and a quantitative inquiry approach, primary data was also collected from 109 built environment professionals. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods, particularly exploratory factor analysis (EFA), were employed to enhance the analysis. The descriptive assessment, utilising the mean score (MS) ranking technique, revealed that one of the primary factors influencing the development of exclusive residential communities was the perception among prospective residents that these environments offer enhanced safety and security. Additionally, there is a good chance that these developments may increase in value. Furthermore, the EFA revealed that the underlying grouped factors for exclusive development were ‘free market capitalism’; ‘safety and security’; ‘local demand’; ‘public–private partnership (PPP)’; ‘affordability’; and ‘profit seeking’. These findings suggest that if housing costs rise, the average citizen may not be able to afford them due to the emphasis on maximising profits over affordability. Safety and security precautions can create a sense of exclusivity and seclusion in these communities, possibly cutting them off from the larger local community and affecting local demand for goods and services outside the community’s borders. Full article

This paper presents the hydrological and meteorological parameters of the Wolfgang storm surge on the southern Baltic Sea coast and the storm’s impact on coastal areas with highly urbanised and developed zones. The surge emerged during a rare cyclonic system that was located over Western Europe in October 2023. A high difference in air pressure between the western and eastern parts of the Baltic coast led to the high-velocity wind blowing from the eastern direction to the centre of the cyclone located over Denmark. It caused high sea levels in the western part of the Baltic Sea. On the German and Danish coasts, the inflow of water at a high wind velocity perpendicular to the coast caused a very high surge of the sea and strong undulation. In this part of the Baltic Sea, the storm caused an increase in the sea level ranging from 1.5 to 2.2 m above average. It was lower on the eastern part of the Polish coast, exceeding 0.9 m above average sea level. The erosion of the base of cliffs ranged from 2 to 7 m, depending on the sea level. The dune erosion was larger but more varied, which resulted from different heights of the beach, at a maximum of up to 18 m. The water run-up reached 5.2 m above mean sea level (AMSL). The run-up parameter is a more accurate indicator of the potential threat than the sea level height. As a result of water run-up on the coast, lowlands situated even as far as 300 m from the shore were flooded. The storm caused significant damage to the coastal infrastructure and harbours. Research was conducted based on field studies and the analysis of digital documentation from websites, with the records of water run-up and the effects of the storm. Field studies were based on measures of coast retreat. Sea levels and wind were studied based on collected data. Full article

This research situates urban planning as a social well-being determinant, highlighting that cities function as social habitats that shape individuals’ quality of life, as well as being physical spaces. The study emphasises the dangers of inadequate urban management, particularly when it is based on biased or incomplete information. This has the potential to exacerbate inequality and undermine the benefits of urbanisation. The present study focuses on the intersection of gender, social roles, and access to basic infrastructure, including childcare centres, elderly facilities, healthcare services, pedestrian paths, street lighting, and green areas. By addressing this critical urban issue, namely the uneven distribution of opportunities for well-being, the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in this field. The Capability Approach, developed primarily by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, provides a theoretical framework for evaluating individuals’ freedom to pursue the lives they value. Theories of subjective well-being (SWB) are rooted in psychological and economic traditions that assess individuals’ life satisfaction, happiness, and emotional equilibrium The present study proposes a methodological framework that integrates the Capability Approach with Subjective Well-Being theory. This approach facilitates a more comprehensive measurement of citizens’ well-being, transcending the limitations of traditional gender dichotomies. The study identifies the manner in which infrastructural design affects individual capabilities and demonstrates the manner in which urban policies can foster gender equality and inclusive socio-economic development. It is therefore evident that the research provides urban planners and policymakers with actionable insights by demonstrating that equitable infrastructure provision is a cornerstone of sustainable, socially just urban development. Full article

Flooding is one of the most frequent and destructive natural disasters worldwide, with intensifying socioeconomic and environmental consequences linked to rapid urbanisation and climate change. This review examines flood risk delineation and assessment in Nigeria within a broader Global South perspective, synthesising evidence from peer-reviewed studies that employ remote sensing, GIS-based techniques, and multi-criteria decision analysis. The analysis reveals persistent challenges that undermine effective flood risk management, including incompatible datasets, limited stakeholder participation, and inadequate integration with formal planning systems. To address these gaps, the study introduces the GIS-Integrated Flood Risk Management (GIFRM) Framework, a conceptual model that integrates high-resolution risk mapping, adaptive infrastructure design, sustainable urban planning, and participatory governance. GIFRM advances resilience discourse beyond hazard mapping, offering a practical bridge between science, policy, and implementation by aligning technical geospatial analysis with actionable planning solutions. Comparative case insights from flood-prone countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Kenya highlight transferable strategies, including community-led data integration, modular infrastructure approaches, and localised zoning reforms. The review concludes by critically examining the operational disconnect between advanced geospatial risk assessment and its application in resource-limited, rapidly urbanising settings. It reframes flood risk assessment as an interdisciplinary planning tool with global relevance, delivering lessons for disaster preparedness, urban sustainability, and climate resilience. In the face of escalating hydrometeorological extremes, this research offers applied strategies for embedding GIS technologies into adaptive policy frameworks, positioning flood risk management as a core driver of sustainable development. Full article

Urbanisation exerts profound effects on biodiversity, driving species extinctions while promoting behavioural adaptations in generalist taxa. The European badger (Meles meles) exemplifies such adaptability, exploiting anthropogenic resources and modifying activity rhythms. This study assessed badger activity within the Varese province in northern Italy, comparing an urban park and a sub-urban landscape. From August 2023 to August 2024, camera traps recorded badgers and sympatric mesocarnivores, including red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), domestic cats (Felis catus), and beech martens (Martes foina). Despite high activity overlap between sites (∆ = 0.87), the Mardia–Watson–Wheeler test revealed significant differences. Urban badgers displayed heightened nocturnality relative to sub-urban individuals, consistent with comparisons to nearby protected natural areas. This pattern indicates anthropogenic disturbance as a driver of temporal adjustment. Urban badgers are active from 18:00 to 07:00, whereas sub-urban badgers are active from 17:00 to 08:00. The later onset and earlier termination of urban activity suggest behavioural avoidance of human presence. Red foxes exhibited even greater nocturnality in urban settings, while domestic cats were primarily crepuscular and less frequently detected, particularly in sub-urban areas. Results underline the ecological plasticity of badgers, highlighting their capacity to accommodate urban pressures and providing city administrations with information to improve park management planning. Full article

Sea mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum L. syn. Matricaria maritima) is a halophytic species widely distributed along the Atlantic shoreline. Unlike other Tripleurospermum species, the chemical composition and biological activities of this halophyte have received no attention. Here, a hydroalcoholic extract of sea mayweed leaves was evaluated for in vitro antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP bioassays), anti-inflammatory (NO reduction in RAW 264.7 macrophages), anti-diabetic (alpha-glucosidase inhibition), neuroprotective (inhibition of acetylcholinesterase), and skin protective (tyrosinase, melanogenesis, elastase, and collagenase inhibition) activities. Solid–liquid partition chromatography of the extract and NMR characterization of its fractions allowed the identification of some major compounds, including fructo-oligosaccharides in the MeOH_20% fraction, a new carbohydrate called tripleurospermine (1), 3-5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (2) in the MeOH_40% fraction, and matricaria lactone (3) in the MeOH_80% fraction. MeOH₄₀ fraction exhibited strong antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase (thus skin-whitening potential), and anti-glycosidase activities (anti-diabetic potential), whereas MeOH_80% fraction showed anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic potential. Overall, our results suggest that sea mayweed may have dietary or medicinal uses due to its biochemical composition and bioactivities. Full article

Climate change and intensive urbanisation contribute to an increase in groundwater temperatures, leading to the development of the subsurface urban heat island (SubUHI) and Groundwater Urban Heat Island (GUHI) phenomenon. This article presents the results of comparative studies conducted in Wrocław (Poland) in two measurement campaigns in 2004–2005 and 2022–2024. The study aimed to assess long-term thermal changes in groundwater in relation to air temperature using statistical and spatial analyses. The data were processed using descriptive methods, interpolation (ordinary kriging), map algebra, and correlation analysis (Pearson). The results indicate a clear warming of groundwater, especially in the winter season, where the average temperature increase ranged from 2 to 4 °C compared to the first measurement period. The most substantial changes were observed in shallow Quaternary aquifers, showing a strong correlation with air temperature (r ≈ 0.8). Spatial analyses revealed the major groundwater temperature (GWT) increases in the city centre and densely built-up districts, confirming the intensification of the GUHI effect. In addition, a decrease in the seasonal amplitude of GWT and a local lowering of the water table were observed. Full article

Floods are among Pakistan’s most common and devastating natural disasters, and they are becoming increasingly frequent and intense as a result of climate change, glacial melt, accelerated urbanisation, and weak governance. While coverage of climate change in 2025 has improved compared to 2010 and 2022 in terms of attention to climate change, it still silences local voices and long-term resilience narratives. However, much of the literature on disaster reporting in Pakistan has been descriptive, focusing on one-off events rather than situating them within wider framing theories, agenda-setting, and disaster journalism. This study employs qualitative document analysis (QDA) of a sample (n = 300) of media texts from five mainstream Pakistani media outlets (print and broadcast) published between June and August 2025. Drawing on framing theory and using a hybrid coding framework, this study examines causal attribution, impact reporting, actor representation, and narrative patterns. The results show ongoing sensationalism and political blame frames, low inclusion of community voices, and competing discourses of climate change versus nationalist explanations (especially cross-border water politics). This study contributes to global conversations about disaster communication by demonstrating the role of media in fragile governance settings to reveal and obscure the structural causes of vulnerability. Theoretically, it broadens framing and agenda-setting scholarship by showing the simultaneous functioning of dual causal narratives, scientific (climate-induced) and political (nationalistic). It also provides policy recommendations for more inclusive, accurate, and resilient disaster reporting. Full article

Sustainable transportation systems are becoming an increasingly important issue around the world, especially with the advancement of urbanisation. Autonomous vehicles and ride-sharing services represent innovative mobility solutions that can improve not only the efficiency of transportation but also its environmental sustainability. The aim of this study is to examine Hungarian consumers’ attitudes toward ride-sharing and their acceptance of AVs, with a focus on whether there is a link between the two phenomena. The research is based on a nationally representative sample of 2000 respondents. Correlation analyses were performed based on the dimensions of technology acceptance models. Based on the results, a significant positive correlation can be demonstrated between the willingness to use ride-sharing services in the future and the openness towards AVs. Perceived usefulness and social influence showed the strongest relationship with intention of usage. The results contribute to the social acceptance of autonomous technologies and sustainable transport in Hungary. Full article

The karst ecologically fragile region of northern Guangxi faces dual pressures from wetland shrinkage and landscape functional degradation driven by rapid urbanisation. The mechanisms governing its multi-scale landscape pattern evolution and the dominance of disturbances require urgent clarification. This study integrates land use data from 1980 to 2020, employing ArcGIS 10.8 analysis, Fragstats landscape indices, and optimal parameter geographic detectors to construct a ‘pattern-process-driver’ interpretative framework in northern Guangxi. It quantitatively reveals the evolution characteristics and driving mechanisms of wetland landscape patterns in northern Guangxi, thereby optimising wetland ecological conservation pathways. Results indicate the following: (1) Between 1980 and 2020, total wetland area decreased by 65.58 km², exhibiting a ‘structural substitution’ trend characterised by natural wetland decline and artificial wetland expansion. (2) Wetland landscape patterns exhibited intensified fragmentation and increased structural complexity. (3) Wetland evolution was primarily driven by annual mean temperature, GDP, and annual mean precipitation, reflecting a composite mechanism characterised by climate dominance, economic pressure, and policy failure. Specifically, the increase in temperature is the main reason for the decrease in natural wetlands, while economic growth dominates the expansion of artificial wetlands. This study provides scientific basis for karst wetland ecological restoration and differentiated territorial spatial planning, offering reference for ecological and environmental governance in karst watersheds. Full article