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Environmental Protection Through Sustainable Land Management
No full textSustainable land planning and successful land use change methods are essential as the world faces rising environmental challenges. This study examines the transformative potential of biomimicry and biophilia in addressing these challenges and the potential of bio-collaboration, bio-utilization, bio-inspiration, biophilic design, and biomimicry in creating a sustainable environment. The argument is that such integration can potentially create creative ways to lessen the effects of human activity on the environment by utilising the knowledge of nature and combining biological system concepts. This study argues that by incorporating the above environmental factors into land planning practises, a holistic and sustainable approach can be achieved, fostering peaceful coexistence between human activities and the natural environment. This will also improve the resilience of urban and rural environments while offering practical solutions for a climate change-conscious world. As the main theoretical contribution, this study synthesizes a theoretical framework in the form of a conceptual structure for understanding, analyzing, and interpreting sustainability by adopting an ecosystem theoretical framework for achieving sustainable land management
Evaluating Thermal Comfort and Overheating Risks in A Social Housing Prototype: As-Built Versus Retrofit Scenarios
No full textClimate change has highlighted the importance of thermal comfort and its health-related outcomes, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society living in social housing. Due to their vulnerable living conditions, low-income people are more exposed to negative outcomes of overheating and cold indoor temperatures in buildings. Previous studies suggest that there is a significant risk of overheating in retrofitted buildings both for the current and future weather scenarios. The UK government has introduced new building regulations to assess and limit the risk of overheating in new buildings; however, there is still a need to assess and improve conditions for existing and retrofitted properties. This study aims to evaluate the effect of retrofit strategies on thermal comfort and the risk of overheating in social housing under current and future climatic conditions. A typical case study building was simulated in DesignBuilder to assess thermal comfort conditions for upgraded building fabric to Part L of the UK building regulations and Passive House standards. The summer results were analyzed according to CIBSE TM59 while the Predicted Mean Vote index (PMV) was used for winter analysis. Findings revealed that the south-facing bedrooms are most exposed to overheating. Risk of overheating significantly increased for the future weather scenarios by up to 10 times while winter thermal comfort improved for the retrofitted scenarios
Promoting Peri-urban Agriculture: A Remedy for Climate Change. Case of the Town of Delly Brahim in Algiers
No full textThe issue of promoting peri-urban agriculture seems to be an important one in response to the various current concerns about the future of cities in the face of climate change. At first glance, these urban and peri-urban agricultural areas, which in the past served as a shelter for cities, are now threatened and increasingly losing their function of protecting urban areas from climatic hazards. This question is a priority when considering the future of agriculture in the context of urban expansion. We are therefore raising a number of concerns linked to multiple issues: significant reduction of land available for local agriculture, accelerated degradation of the city's natural environment, fragmentation of ecosystems, and deterioration of air and water quality.
Around these questions, this research is structured to provide theoretical and practical knowledge that will enable us to place urban and peri-urban agriculture at the heart of urban concerns, in a perspective of reaction to climate change. The interest of this work is reinforced in the case of peri-urban areas surrounding the capital of Algeria, Algiers, such as the commune of Delly Brahim: a concrete example of a territory concerned by the subject. On the one hand, this periphery boasts important agricultural production zones in close geographical proximity to the capital Algiers, and on the other, it plays a fundamental economic, environmental, and landscape role in relation to its region. Between its dense urban residential areas, agricultural lands, and natural areas rich in resources, this territory is today confronted with numerous environmental vulnerabilities. The aim is therefore to examine the issue of preserving the agricultural sector and its role in mitigating climate change. This study is based on data collected in 2020 to analyze the current and future dynamics of these territories
The Importance of Stakeholder Involvement in Promoting the Cherchell Aqueducts as Tourist Attractions: Current Situation and Prospects
No full textThe Roman aqueducts in Cherchell, built in the second century AD, are a remarkable engineering achievement that spans over 130 kilometers and has historical significance. Today, the aqueducts have five easily accessible bridges. However, there is a lack of coordination among stakeholders involved in managing the cultural heritage in Cherchell.
The 2014 strategic plan aimed to safeguard and enhance archaeological monuments and historic buildings by promoting and advertising the Cherchell aqueducts. The Protection and Enhancement Plan for Archaeological Sites with their protected zones (PPMVSAZP) focuses on tackling tourism through various measures and attributes.
Two methodological techniques were used for this case study: Researching accounting values through design (RtD) and the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach. Consulting examples of Gallo-Roman aqueducts in France allowed for a critical comparison of strategies required for managing development projects with all stakeholders.
The main focus of this paper is to establish a critical analysis of the current situation by situating dysfunctions in the collaborative relationships between different stakeholders. The paper aims to emphasize how stakeholders, community organizations, and professionals can work together to designate, enhance, and manage the case study, proposing an efficient collaborative assessment as a potential opportunity for the future
Gender and Culture Inclusivity in the Story of Hope Fashion Collection
No full textDiscrimination against minority groups often still occurs and becomes a global problem. The problem of discrimination, such as minority gender and cultural minorities, is a social issue that needs to be exposed to get awareness. Inclusivity is one of the methods used to increase awareness of issues of gender and cultural discrimination. Inclusivity is one of the discourses to answer the challenges of sustainable development goals related to the topic of gender equality and reducing inequality. Fashion is a branch of design that often presents the context of inclusivity through works. The discourse of glocalization in the fashion industry also provides an opportunity to raise local content related to minority culture and gender as inspiration and communication through fashion works. The Story of Hope collection is an example of a fashion creation with the theme of gender and minority culture. The problem discussed in this paper is how gender and cultural inclusivity communicated through fashion stories of hope. The study applied qualitative methods with primary data collection techniques through observation and interviews. The secondary data obtained through literature studies. The theory used in analyzing the data uses a Barthes semiotic approach and postmodern aesthetic of bricolage. The Story of Hope collection is a fashion creation that adapts gender-fluid trends and applies traditional fabrics to represent culture in contemporary clothing. Story of Hope collection can be used as a communication tool in conveying inclusive discourse through its constituent visual elements
Investigating AI's Role in Enhancing Multi-Sensory Experiences in Public Spaces
No full textThis research paper investigated the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public spaces, focusing on enhancing multi-sensory experiences that augment psychological comfort and foster social interactions. AI's revolutionary application in public environments, from smart city initiatives to interactive art displays, transforms these spaces into dynamic, responsive environments that adapt to human needs and presence. This study examines how AI can significantly enhance the sensory richness of public spaces in Dubai, UAE, making them more engaging, accessible, and efficient. It reflects a profound understanding of user behaviors and needs. Employing a structured survey to investigate the public's views on AI's influence on city life, the expected outcomes included a deeper understanding of how immersive environments altered human multi-sensory experiences in Dubai public spaces. The paper highlights the importance of multi-sensory experiences in public spaces, where interactions through touch, sight, sound, and scent contribute to a sense of belonging, enhance well-being, and strengthen community bonds. It argues for a human-centric design that prioritizes multi-sensory engagement, offering insights into how AI integration can further enrich these experiences, making public spaces more adaptable and sensitive to users' requirements. The findings of this research will enrich the existing body of knowledge in the professional field of architecture and urban design. It will present practical insights for architects and designers to develop innovative spatial designs that promote the multi-sensory experience of the users in public spaces
The Methodology of Applying Inverse Distance Weighting Interpolation Method in Determining Normal Heights
No full textThis article explores the application of the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation method in determining normal heights, utilizing a network of points with measured ellipsoidal and normal heights by the use of GNSS/levelling method. The IDW method, which assumes that points closer to each other are more alike, is employed to locate points within the correct quadrant and calculate their normal height based on the determined average height anomaly across the entire area. The accuracy of this method is validated using check points. The article further discusses the methodology of normal height determination at a country level by using generated coefficients, representing the average difference between various height-systems, which could be used as an integral to the interpolation methods used for generating a refined Digital Elevation Model (DEM) across the country. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the effective use of interpolation methods in geospatial analysis and DEM generation. It provides valuable insights into the practical application of the IDW method and its potential for enhancing the accuracy of normal height determination and DEM refinement. Importantly, such methods hold significant value for countries lacking gravimetric data, as they provide a viable means of determining normal heights in the absence of a local quasi geoid model
Quantitative Method For Post-Windstorm Function of Community Shelters Considering The Impact of Urban Road Network
No full textDuring strong windstorms in coastal cities, community shelters play a crucial role in reducing injures and ensuring the basic living needs of citizens. However, previous studies mainly focus on the function assessment of healthcare systems during earthquakes, few studies discuss the post-windstorm functionality of community shelters. Thus, this study proposes a quantitative method for the post-windstorm function of community shelters considering the impact of urban road networks. In which, the refugee traveling time (RTT) and refugee admitted ratio (RAR) are introduced to quantify the post-windstorm functionality of community shelters. Both the networks of urban roads and community shelters are established using graph theory, and the wind-induced fragilities of urban road facilities are included to quantify the physical damages during windstorms, including tree/pole blow-down, damages on building envelops, etc. Then, the population distribution and refugee generation models are also introduced. To determine accurate RTT and RAR, an efficient traffic flow allocation algorithm based on stochastic non-equilibrium assignment model are proposed to calculate the post-windstorm flows on urban roads. The proposed method can accurately and effectively quantify the post-windstorm functionality of community shelters, which can be applied on different cities and help improving urban resilience under wind hazards
How Artificial Intelligence Could Affect the Future of Architectural Design Education
No full textThere is currently a high level of uncertainty about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on architecture as a profession and consequently on architectural education. Some suggest that schools of architecture should prepare themselves for a dramatic reform that clearly integrates AI technologies into their study plans and pedagogical methods, while others argue that AI can’t fully replace the traditional methods and conventions in architectural education and that more time is needed to understand its potential impact in this regard. In all cases, AI is coming and will be soon or later an integral part of our work and teaching methods in architecture. This paper discusses this issue considering some AI applications in the different design stages from an educational perspective. The study concluded that there is an urgent need to explore and understand how AI could affect our educational systems and provoke changes in the architectural design process we currently follow. Quality assurance organizations should reflect this in their accreditation guidelines to offer the required guidance for the schools of architecture in this regard
Hospital Food Waste: Contributing Factors of Waste Generation and Strategy for Waste Minimization
No full textThe rapid and concerning increase in global food waste has garnered much attention due to its profound social, economic, and environmental ramifications worldwide. Healthcare facilities significantly influence the food chain because of their considerable resource consumption, waste generation, and procurement capabilities. Furthermore, insufficient waste management procedures can have significant ecological repercussions, predominantly due to the carbon emissions generated while disposing of healthcare waste, which also encompasses food waste. The matter of food waste in hospital food services is a complex and multifaceted problem, influenced by a multitude of factors. Conversely, endeavors to mitigate food waste within hospital settings encountered substantial obstacles. The challenges encountered pertain to every facet of hospital services through the emphasis on sustainability. This literature review aims to examine the literature on hospital food waste and identify the gaps in the existing resources that concentrate on the factors that lead to food waste being produced in healthcare facilities and the possible solutions to this problem. The findings point to the contributing factors of hospital food waste, including food quality and quantity, patient satisfaction, patient characteristics and clinical condition, meal times and food from outside, and the environment surrounding the hospital. It also indicates that implementing strategies such as improving the food delivery system, design of the menu, implementing room service model, improving food quality and the presentation of the meal, recruiting food dietitians, improving the dining environment as well as promoting reuse, recycling, composting, and anaerobic digestion can all help reduce food waste. Since food waste generation is context-specific, study outcomes may vary. Therefore, reduction strategies may vary by circumstance. Future research requires more advanced analytical methodologies and specific study designs, time frames, and locations