Tema. Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment (University of Naples)
Not a member yet
806 research outputs found
Sort by
A Methodology for Urban Sustainability Indicator Design
No full textIn recent times we have witnessed proliferation of indicators and models for measuring sustainability. This reveals the lack of common and shared scientific paradigm/common framework from which to confront the issue of quantitatively assessing the sustainability of our society.
With the aim of moving forward the definition of such common framework, in this article we explain an easy formal methodology for designing urban sustainability indicators based on Fuzzy Logic / Fuzzy Sets Theory. The interest of this methodology is threefold:
Firstly, formal procedures enable easier testing, a most fundamental issue forgotten in many current proposals of sustainability indicators.
Secondly, a formal procedure is easily understandable and can become a common language allowing shared use of the indicators and facilitating their continuous improvement.
And thirdly, fuzzy logic is widely used in computing and artificial intelligence, thus facilitating the progressive automation of our sustainability monitoring models.
To help understand the procedure, the design of two indicators is reviewed
The tourist-religious mobility of the “silver-haired people”. The case of Pietrelcina (BN)
No full textThis study deals with religious tourism as a particular social and cultural activity attaining high levels of interest also in the scienti c context. Within this form of tourism, the segment of “senior travelers” plays an important role considering the increase of the popula- tion aging phenomenon. Although there is not yet a unique and shared de nition of senior tourism, it is possible to outline some char- acteristics to de ne this speci c form of use of the urban system. The case study of Pietrelcina (BN) in Campania has been considered as a meaningful example of international religious pole connected to San Pio cult. In this regard, the study is aimed to explore the possibilities of de ning territorial strategies for the promotion of territorial resources. The main objective of this study is to overcome the sectorial approach, based on the “mono-pole supply” (the organization of tourist ows “exclusively oriented”, centralized in the most popular destination), suggesting a systemic-territorial supply recon guration aimed at improving the accessibility to older slow tourism. The study, thus, proposes a recon guration of the territorial organization in order to pre gure a systemic territorial-supply aimed at improving particularly accessibility referred to older slow tourism. Slow tourism as innovative form of territorial use could improve the relationship between tourism and territory that was the original sense of pilgrimage
Monitoring User-Based Accessibility Assessment in Urban Environments and in Public Buildings
No full textThe research features analysis of user-experience-based accessibility assessment and progress monitoring of buildings and public spaces; this analysis is used as a tool for facilitating the development of humane, socially sustainable and an inclusive urban environment. A group of users representing people with different kinds of disabilities, the elderly and families with children was created to assess the quality of access to various buildings with different functions and locations across Vilnius and in Singapore. A school, two hospitals, a rehab centre and two offices were selected for access monitoring in Vilnius City, while a hotel, a café and two metro stations with public squares were chosen for access assessment in Singapore. As the same method was principally applied to assess accessibility of selected buildings in Vilnius City in 2000 and 2017 and in Singapore in 2012, the article draws a comparative analysis of access levels in these two cities located in different global regions. The results show a definite improvement of access quality over time and also identify the critical aspects in this process. The segment of plot planning represents the lowest quality of access for all assessed building types as compared to the building segment and the external–internal element segments. The paper also draws conclusions that access improvement is a continuous process of implementing advanced urban policy instruments, and city planners can contribute to it by constantly analysing and presenting to public the monitoring data about the progress in access improvement. Comparing the assessment results between Vilnius City and Singapore – cities that are located in different global regions and in different socio-economic environments – provides a practical tool for benchmarking and setting the priorities for this process.The research features analysis of user-experience-based accessibility assessment and progress monitoring of buildings and public spaces; this analysis is used as a tool for facilitating the development of humane, socially sustainable and an inclusive urban environment. A group of users representing people with different kinds of disabilities, the elderly and families with children was created to assess the quality of access to various buildings with different functions and locations across Vilnius and in Singapore. A school, two hospitals, a rehab centre and two offices were selected for access monitoring in Vilnius City, while a hotel, a café and two metro stations with public squares were chosen for access assessment in Singapore. As the same method was principally applied to assess accessibility of selected buildings in Vilnius City in 2000 and 2017 and in Singapore in 2012, the article draws a comparative analysis of access levels in these two cities located in different global regions. The results show a definite improvement of access quality over time and also identify the critical aspects in this process. The segment of plot planning represents the lowest quality of access for all assessed building types as compared to the building segment and the external–internal element segments. The paper also draws conclusions that access improvement is a continuous process of implementing advanced urban policy instruments, and city planners can contribute to it by constantly analysing and presenting to public the monitoring data about the progress in access improvement. Comparing the assessment results between Vilnius City and Singapore – cities that are located in different global regions and in different socio-economic environments – provides a practical tool for benchmarking and setting the priorities for this process
The Adapting city. Resilience through water design in Rotterdam
No full textThe Netherlands is a fragile and vulnerable land; dutch landscape consists of a dense network of polders characterized by key elements such as dams, windmills and farms; it is a unique landscape but, at the same time, is very fragile and constantly changing; spatial planning is very important, just as important is the resilience of the system and its adaptation to climate change. Rotterdam is a delta city and, in a period of heavy climate change, it will experiment more extreme weather conditions, such as heavier rainstorms, longer periods of drought and more heat waves, as well as higher water levels in the river Meuse; so is important to know that it is a deep vulnerable city and need right strategies to overcome the problem and to be adapted to conseguences of climate change. Resilience has been under the attention of the municipality for about fifteen years; Rotterdam is the inspiring example to other delta cities around the world going through a sustainability approach; as a green city is an attractive and resilient city where people love to live, work and relax; sustainability is an integral part of all area development projects in Rotterdam; sustainable areas are future-proof areas with good living conditions. In Rotterdam, architects and urban designers are finally responding to the threats of rising sea levels by "welcoming the water" into city, so the waterscape is becoming a new paradigm of spatial planning; Rotterdam is striving to become a climate proof city that will be safe and attractive to inhabitants, visitors and businesses, and will remain so in the future. A healthy delta city in which it is pleasant to live, work and spend leisure time.The Netherlands is a fragile and vulnerable land; dutch landscape consists of a dense network of polders characterized by key elements such as dams, windmills and farms; it is a unique landscape but, at the same time, is very fragile and constantly changing; spatial planning is very important, just as important is the resilience of the system and its adaptation to climate change. Rotterdam is a delta city and, in a period of heavy climate change, it will experiment more extreme weather conditions, such as heavier rainstorms, longer periods of drought and more heat waves, as well as higher water levels in the river Meuse; so is important to know that it is a deep vulnerable city and need right strategies to overcome the problem and to be adapted to conseguences of climate change. Resilience has been under the attention of the municipality for about fifteen years; Rotterdam is the inspiring example to other delta cities around the world going through a sustainability approach; as a green city is an attractive and resilient city where people love to live, work and relax; sustainability is an integral part of all area development projects in Rotterdam; sustainable areas are future-proof areas with good living conditions. In Rotterdam, architects and urban designers are finally responding to the threats of rising sea levels by "welcoming the water" into city, so the waterscape is becoming a new paradigm of spatial planning; Rotterdam is striving to become a climate proof city that will be safe and attractive to inhabitants, visitors and businesses, and will remain so in the future. A healthy delta city in which it is pleasant to live, work and spend leisure time
Urban Travel Behavior Determinants in Saudi Arabia
No full textThe manuscript investigate the travel behavior in three saudi cities: Riyadh, Dammam and Buraydah. The whole transport system, accessibility and different mobility are related to urban strategies, urban patterns and to urban plans that, at different level, manage the country defining aims and strategies for the development and management of the territory. Travel behavior inside these three important and different cities is influenced by the whole urban structure, by economy reason and by urban and political strategies. Not less important are social factors that has to be studied and has to inspire every urban action. Make more diversified, dynamic and modern economy seems to be the priority of national agenda of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As happened in the past, exogenous factors are addressing a rapid transformation of the public policy, in which urban mobility is one main paradigm. In this framework, a part of paper focused on the main determinants of urban travel behavior and the blueprint agenda of government to make more transit oriented the cities. Although the urban travel behavior is complex phenomena in Saudi Arabia, of which the main effect is related to massive car dependency of people for mobility, some clarifications would suggest the approach to analyse current factors are impacting on national choices and introduce ideas to make urban policy part of a bigger project.The manuscript investigate the travel behavior in three saudi cities: Riyadh, Dammam and Buraydah. The whole transport system, accessibility and different mobility are related to urban strategies, urban patterns and to urban plans that, at different level, manage the country defining aims and strategies for the development and management of the territory. Travel behavior inside these three important and different cities is influenced by the whole urban structure, by economy reason and by urban and political strategies. Not less important are social factors that has to be studied and has to inspire every urban action. Make more diversified, dynamic and modern economy seems to be the priority of national agenda of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As happened in the past, exogenous factors are addressing a rapid transformation of the public policy, in which urban mobility is one main paradigm. In this framework, a part of paper focused on the main determinants of urban travel behavior and the blueprint agenda of government to make more transit oriented the cities. Although the urban travel behavior is complex phenomena in Saudi Arabia, of which the main effect is related to massive car dependency of people for mobility, some clarifications would suggest the approach to analyse current factors are impacting on national choices and introduce ideas to make urban policy part of a bigger project
Analysis of the main service quality dimensions that affect the satisfaction of users of the metropolitan rail public transit services in Algiers
No full textThe improvement in public transit is one of the basic and essential pillars to promote sustainable urban and metropolitan mobility everywhere. Algeria´s transportation system primarily relies on private vehicle, which causes innumerable problems such as congestion, emissions, traffic accidents, social inequalities, gender inequalities, and deterioration of the environment. Given that, the Algerian Government has recently carried out some transportation projects such as the Algiers metro and tramway service to promote collective public transportation in the country. Therefore, it becomes essential to provide public administrations and technicians with relevant information and efficient analytical tools to help enhance and develop this mass transit. In this line, the first Customer Satisfaction Survey was designed and implemented in November 2014 at the three railways transit services of Algiers: the light rail, the underground heavy rail (both started into operation in 2011) and the commuter rail. Thanks to this survey instrument, users’ profiles and travel patterns were found out. Moreover, an analytical framework based on a principal component analysis and an ordered probit model identified service quality dimensions and their impact on users’ overall satisfaction. In addition, the effect of socio-economic variables and travel patterns on the previously identified quality dimensions was obtained through multiple linear regression models. The results presented in this paper could help Algerian transport authorities towards elaborate specific proposals to increase transit ridership.The improvement in public transit is one of the basic and essential pillars to promote sustainable urban and metropolitan mobility everywhere. Algeria´s transportation system primarily relies on private vehicle, which causes innumerable problems such as congestion, emissions, traffic accidents, social inequalities, gender inequalities, and deterioration of the environment. Given that, the Algerian Government has recently carried out some transportation projects such as the Algiers metro and tramway service to promote collective public transportation in the country. Therefore, it becomes essential to provide public administrations and technicians with relevant information and efficient analytical tools to help enhance and develop this mass transit. In this line, the first Customer Satisfaction Survey was designed and implemented in November 2014 at the three railways transit services of Algiers: the light rail, the underground heavy rail (both started into operation in 2011) and the commuter rail. Thanks to this survey instrument, users’ profiles and travel patterns were found out. Moreover, an analytical framework based on a principal component analysis and an ordered probit model identified service quality dimensions and their impact on users’ overall satisfaction. In addition, the effect of socio-economic variables and travel patterns on the previously identified quality dimensions was obtained through multiple linear regression models. The results presented in this paper could help Algerian transport authorities towards elaborate specific proposals to increase transit ridership
Key Characteristics of an Age Friendly Neighbouhood
No full textEuropean Union’s inhabitants are quickly ageing. Therefore, ageing is an emerging issue, causing different kinds of problems. Among them, mobility is a remarkably complicated challenge, as it encompasses much more inter-related problems that have profound physical, mental and social consequences on well-being. Urban planning researchers indicate that a low level of mobility is generally linked to a low quality of life especially amongst elderly.Mobility has an important positive effect on old people’s independence and involvement in socio-economic life resulting in profits for themselves as well as the whole of society. Besides, mobility facilitates senior access to medical and health, educational, cultural, recreational services and other local welfare services; particularly to establish and foster social relations, and help them to combat social exclusion. Overall, everyday mobility is necessary for their social well-being, and physical and mental health.This paper aimed to review and critically analyze the literature on the contribution between key characteristics of the neighbourhood that improve the outdoor mobility of old adults, quality of life and well-being in a number of countries all around the worlds. It also aimed to identify gaps in the level of scientific knowledge about this subject.
Understanding the needs of MENA public transport customers: Culture of service and gender-responsive recommendations
No full textFast population growth, urban sprawl and the raise in households’ motorization observed in all major cities of the Middle-East and North-Africa (MENA) region, are constantly challenging public transport providers who seek to handle efficiently the continuously rising travel demand. Most of the MENA cities suffer from traffic congestion that not only impacts the quality of life of MENA citizens, but also their access to job opportunities, health services, and social and political participation. Alongside the development of public transport network, it is crucial to encourage urban dwellers to reduce their dependence on personal cars, use public transport, and develop soft mobility skills. Therefore, operators and service providers need to define customer-centric strategy and build a culture of service excellence in line with their customers’ expectations. In cooperation with academic partners, the UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence launched the User-Oriented Public Transport research project with the aim to understand the perceptions of female and male users and non-users about public transport services in five MENA cities: Algiers, Amman, Beirut, Casablanca and Muscat. The methodological framework was built around the five dimensions of the user’s needs pyramid: safety, security, ease-to-use, comfort and experience. Based on the quantitative analysis of data collected from 984 respondents and the qualitative analysis of 49 women’s testimonies collected during the focus groups, recommendations were made to encourage culture of service and gender mainstreaming in public transport development in the region.Fast population growth, urban sprawl and the raise in households’ motorization observed in all major cities of the Middle-East and North-Africa (MENA) region, are constantly challenging public transport providers who seek to handle efficiently the continuously rising travel demand. Most of the MENA cities suffer from traffic congestion that not only impacts the quality of life of MENA citizens, but also their access to job opportunities, health services, and social and political participation. Alongside the development of public transport network, it is crucial to encourage urban dwellers to reduce their dependence on personal cars, use public transport, and develop soft mobility skills. Therefore, operators and service providers need to define customer-centric strategy and build a culture of service excellence in line with their customers’ expectations. In cooperation with academic partners, the UITP MENA Centre for Transport Excellence launched the User-Oriented Public Transport research project with the aim to understand the perceptions of female and male users and non-users about public transport services in five MENA cities: Algiers, Amman, Beirut, Casablanca and Muscat. The methodological framework was built around the five dimensions of the user’s needs pyramid: safety, security, ease-to-use, comfort and experience. Based on the quantitative analysis of data collected from 984 respondents and the qualitative analysis of 49 women’s testimonies collected during the focus groups, recommendations were made to encourage culture of service and gender mainstreaming in public transport development in the region
Measuring Spatial Accessibility for Elderly. An Application to Subway Stations in Milan
No full textThis paper presents a method for mapping and measuring accessibility to subway stations for elderly. The methodology measures pedestrian accessibility by means of isochrones to specific urban functions, for quantifying the total amount of elderly people living within each isochrones and for evaluating the presence of services around each station. In particular, a real application on Milan city is carried out with the most updated available data.Main aim is the identification of neighborhoods that present more accessibility problems. The number of inhabitants, and in particular of aged persons living in less accessible areas are therefore quantified, such as the number of activities located within walking distance are counted. The methodology can be applied to different contexts and can be furtherly improved by integrating other information in the model. Accessibility analysis has an increasing role in policy making and evaluation for policies targeted towards social inclusion. because poor pedestrian infrastructures can hinder the potential movement of an increasing amount of urban population