Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs (JCUA - Alanya Hamdullah Emin Paşa Üniversitesi)
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Can Urbanization Influence Carbon Dioxide Emissions? Evidence from BRICS–T Countries
Full text linkClimate change is one of several issues confronting the planet today. Addressing this problem will create a safer environment for humans and other species. Thus, this study explores how the urban population (UBNP) influences carbon dioxide emissions (CO2e) levels in BRICS–T from 1990–2021 (192 observations) using Pooled OLS and Fixed Effects techniques. In addition, energy intensity (ENIT) and economic growth (GDP) are utilized as control variables. The Pooled OLS result demonstrates that UBNP growth reduces CO2e by 0.19%; a rise in ENIT levels spurs CO2e by 1.10%, and an increase in GDP enhances CO2e by 0.61%. The Fixed Effects outcome shows that an upsurge in UBNP reduces CO2e by 1.19%, while ENIT and GDP rise boosts CO2e by 1.19% and 1.04%, respectively. This study recommends continuous urban planning, rural area development, renewable energy integration, and the use ofenergy–efficient buildings
Do Young Professionals in Malaysian Urban Areas Prioritise Sustainability When Making Housing Decisions?
No full textThe present study delves into the decision-making processes pertaining to housing among young professionals residing in urban areas, focusing particularly on their preferences for sustainable housing options. Understanding the factors influencing the housing preferences of this demographic is critical for promoting sustainable urban development, given the ongoing challenges of urbanisation and environmental issues faced by cities. This study aims to explore the decision-making process pertaining to housing among young professionals in Malaysian urban areas and its correlation with sustainability. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, encompassing surveys and in-depth interviews, to analyse the significant factors and decision-making criteria of young professionals residing in urban settings concerning housing. This study primarily focuses on the economic aspect of housing decisions, specifically home affordability, without dismissing the social and environmental factors that may also influence these decisions. The present study contributes to the ongoing discourse on urban sustainability by elucidating the dynamic and evolving preferences of young professionals residing in urban areas. The findings provide valuable insights for politicians, urban planners, and developers who aim to construct housing options that are both sustainable and appealing to this influential demographic group. Ultimately, this contributes to the overall sustainability and resilience of urban communities
The Nexus between Residential Density, Travel Behavior and Traffic Congestion in Developing Metropolitans: A Case Study of Harare, Zimbabwe
Full text linkThere is a noticeable dearth of empirical studies on the mediating role of travel behaviour on the influence of residential density on traffic congestion in developing countries, particularly in Zimbabwe. To address this gap, this study examined the effect of residential density on traffic congestion and delved into the potential mediating role of travel behaviour in this relationship. This study used data from a sample of 384 households in the Harare metropolitan province of Zimbabwe. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypotheses. The findings indicate that residential density and travel behaviour have a positive effect on traffic congestion. The results also established that travel behaviour partially mediates the relationship between residential density and traffic congestion. This study adds to the existing body of knowledge by providing an array of indicators that can inform policymakers in transportation and urban planning to alleviate traffic congestion
Dynamics of Informal Settlement Expansion on the Urban Fringe: The Case of Birbir Town, Southern Ethiopia
No full textThis study examines the dynamics of fringe land invasion in Birbir Town, southern Ethiopia by adopting a descriptive survey design with both qualitative and quantitative data analyses. Primary data were acquired through a household survey, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. This study also benefited from relevant secondary sources. Using a simple random sampling technique, 156 household heads were selected from Birbir and two adjacent rural areas. The study revealed that informal settlement expansion in the form of fringe land invasion occurs in Birbir Town predominantly due to population increase, urban sprawl, migration, poor land administration and governance systems, a lack of boundary demarcation, and the presence of available unserviced public land near the town. The process was intensified by actors such as farmers, local administrators, informal dealers, politicians, and local elders. The encroachment of urban fringe areas has led to deforestation, relinquishment of cultivable acreage, entitlement disputes, a prevailing trend of illicit land occupation, an unstructured urban expansion pattern, and a surge in criminality, fostering discordant communities. This study contributes to the understanding of informality on the urban fringe as posing socioeconomic and governance challenges in small towns of developing countries by presenting the case of Birbir
Integrating Wind Flow Analysis in Early Urban Design: Guidelines for Practitioners
No full textThe research focused on simulating wind patterns in urban planning design offers substantial contributions to both the social and economic aspects of the urban planning and design field. To begin with, it addresses a critical factor in urban development, especially in Mediterranean climates, where natural ventilation significantly influences summer comfort. By incorporating predictive numerical simulations of urban wind patterns, this study provides valuable insights into improving outdoor thermal comfort within urban areas. This holds particular importance in the context of adapting to climate change, as it equips urban planners and architects with informed decision-making tools to create more sustainable and comfortable urban environments. Additionally, this research makes an economic contribution by presenting guidelines for iterative wind simulations in the early stages of designing medium-scale urban projects. Through the validation of a simulation workflow, it streamlines the design process, potentially reducing the time and resources required for urban planning and architectural design. This enhanced efficiency can result in cost savings during project development. Moreover, the study\u27s recommendations concerning simulation parameters, such as wind tunnel cell size and refinement levels, offer practical insights for optimizing simulation processes, potentially lowering computational expenses and improving the overall economic viability of urban design projects. To summarize, this research effectively addresses climate-related challenges, benefiting both social well-being and economic efficiency in the field of urban planning and design, while also providing guidance for more efficient simulation-driven design procedures
Mapping Safety, Security and Walkability of Historical Public Open Spaces in Post-Conflict Libya: Tripoli as North African Case Study
No full textNorth African cities have been undergoing major transformation over the past two decades following protracted instability, civic uprising, and conflicts, changing their perception from havens to territories of displacements with social, psychological, and physical problems. Historic public spaces in those cities, in particular, form a critical part of urban environments as they have the identity, livelihoods and cross-community engagement in a healthy and fulfilling urban fabric and culture. Whilst there have been several studies on the characteristics of open spaces in urban environments, there is very limited work on the changing perceptions, use and engagement of public spaces in historic cities especially in the post-Arab Spring and its relative instability. This study aims to deploy investigative and creative methods to map, analyse and navigate through the transformation in the perceptions of historic public spaces in Post-Conflict Libya and its divided cities. It will study the users\u27 (locals and visitors) attitudes, movements, and reflections on how those spaces have changed over time. visitors\u27 behaviour in open historical public spaces in Tripoli, Libya. The study explores the relationships between the characteristics of historical public spaces, physical activity, and psychological behaviour. The paper argues that safety and security in public spaces are critical and inherent qualities that inform much of the users’ attitudes in historic cities, which has continued to be the case in post-conflict Tripoli
From Urban Vulnerabilities to Resilience: Lessons from Messina\u27s Integrated Risk Approach
No full text
In the city of Messina, the multiplicity of vulnerable situations is a distinctive feature and is representative of the pervasiveness of the risk conditions present in the Italian territory. The critical residential tissues are part of an extended geography in which, to the conditions of seismic and hydro geomorphological vulnerability, are added additional criticalities including altered natural resources, abandoned infrastructure, brownfields, quarries, and unregulated landfills, etc. Despite this, for Messina, there is still no urban planning tool capable of interpreting in an integrated way the risks present, which instead continue to be addressed on an emergency basis and individually, without considering the interactions that are generated and of further damage. For these reasons, Messina was chosen as a prototypical case study, at the national level, to start an experimentation aimed at developing an urban planning tool capable of a new integrated approach to risk interpretation and management. In this process, a decisive role was aimed at building an updated knowledge of the territory through the identification of widespread critical conditions using multiple GIS tools and thanks to the interaction of some analytical-specialist readings from different sources. The results of this process are represented in a system of maps that are strongly integrated with each other and constitute a working document for the interdisciplinary group drafting the General Urban Plan
The Impact of Urban Home Gardens on The Mental Well-Being of Women in The Greater Jakarta Area
Full text linkPromoting positive mental health is of utmost importance, especially in today\u27s urban context, as recognized by the World Health Organization. However, the scarcity of green spaces in urban areas presents challenges for fostering a connection with nature. To address this gap, this study investigates the distinctive contribution of urban home gardens to the mental well-being of women in the Greater Jakarta Area. Through an online survey, participant backgrounds and mental well-being were assessed using the WEMWBS scale. Validity and reliability were established using Pearson\u27s product-moment correlation and Cronbach\u27s alpha, respectively. The study unravels several influential factors, including garden interaction (visit frequency and duration) and size. Crucially, it advances the literature by shedding light on the original contribution of urban home gardens to mental well-being. Notably, women who visit their urban home garden more than seven times a week and spend over two hours per day in their garden report the highest levels of mental well-being. These findings highlight the unique role of urban home gardens in promoting mental well-being among urban women. Consequently, they hold implications for policymakers and practitioners aiming to enhance mental well-being and foster access to green spaces in urban areas
Impact of Urban Heat Island on Formation of Precipitation in Indian Western Coastal Cities
No full textRapid urbanization is leading to a drastic hike in anthropogenic activities and urban surface alterations. As a result, there are many repercussions, one of them being higher temperatures in urban areas when compared to rural areas. This phenomenon is termed Urban Heat Island (UHI). The impacts of urban surface characteristics, climate, and population density on UHI have been extensively studied. However, the influence of UHI on the local climate remains elusive. Relatively few studies demonstrate interrelation between UHI, population density, and unanticipated precipitation events. Therefore, it is important to comprehend the connection as it can impact extreme temperature events like heat waves and unanticipated precipitation events like flash flooding. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between UHI, population density, and precipitation in the summer and winter seasons in Indian Western Coastal Cities. To comprehend this association, a hypothesis test employing the Spearman rank correlation coefficient is conducted for 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021. From the study, it is found that in summer, the surface temperature is directly proportional to population density and inversely proportional to precipitation. In winter the contrary relation is observed. This study also provides the seasonal variation and temporal evolution of the correlation among the parameters. This research will aid in making informed decisions for urban planning and addressing climate change.
 
Exploring Identity Issues in Development Areas of Vernacular Rural Settlements: A Case Study of Behramkale, Türkiye
No full textSustainable rural development is a challenging issue, considering the pressure of change brought by the demands of globalisation and intensified tourism activities in rural vernacular settlements. While studies in this field often focus on historical centres, research on the distinctive urban and architectural identity of “village development areas” in rural vernacular settlements remains scarce. To address this gap in the literature, a field study was conducted in the vernacular rural settlement of Behramkale, located in the Northern Aegean region of Türkiye. The study explored the continuity of architectural and urban identity and its significance. The research involved a qualitative assessment of primary data obtained through architectural surveys and archival documents collected in 2017 and 2021. Data analysis not only focused on static features of place identity but included dynamic and perceptual features of place identity. Planning policy inadequacies and the implications of top-down decisions on vernacular rural Türkiye are discussed. The key finding from the study highlights the necessity for a more participatory and site-specific approach to preserving vernacular rural heritage’s urban and architectural identity for sustainable development. In this regard, the paper proposes that an identity-based and people-centred approach should be integrated into the policies for the development areas of vernacular rural settlements. This integration aims to preserve the local architectural identity and promote a belongingness community among residents