Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs (JCUA - Alanya Hamdullah Emin Paşa Üniversitesi)
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Exploring the Contemporary Challenges of Urbanization and the Role of Sustainable Urban Development: A Study of Lagos City, Nigeria
As urbanization accelerates, sustainable approaches are necessary to counter the adverse environmental impacts. The study investigates the multifaceted challenges of Lagos City due to urbanization and evaluates the effectiveness of sustainable urban development in tackling these problems. It employed a mixed-methods approach to provide informed decisions for liveable urban environments. Census data, satellite imagery, interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions provided a comprehensive understanding of Lagos’s urbanization and its effects. Findings reveal pressing problems such as housing shortages, infrastructure strain, traffic congestion, waste management difficulties, and socio-economic disparities in Lagos City. Local authorities and NGOs have implemented sustainable urban development initiatives, including transport upgrades, green space promotion, waste management, and housing solutions. Such case studies have revealed various interventions, such as informal settlement transformation, renewable energy integration, and urban regeneration. However, persistent issues still exist due to the city’s urbanization. Therefore, Integrated urban planning, inclusivity in policy-making, and technological advances are essential for tackling these challenges. The findings contribute to the academic discourse by providing insights into Lagos City’s urbanization and practical implications for sustainable urban development. It also highlights the need for comprehensive strategies to build a prosperous, equitable, and eco-friendly city
Influence of Urban Street Vending on Pedestrian Experience and Behaviour: A Systematic Quantitative Review
Urban street vending is an integral part of everyday public life and can contribute to vibrant and lively streets. Yet, few cities formally integrate this activity into public space design. This is because street vending is a highly contested, although transformative phenomenon that has complex inter-relationships with other urban entities. This paper systematically and quantitatively assesses the breadth and depth of academic literature that studied such a relationship; more specifically, the influence of street vending on pedestrians\u27 experiences and behaviours and thereby identifies gaps in the existing literature. A systematic review of 25 peer-reviewed journal articles is undertaken to provide an assessment of the geographic extent, disciplinary scope, timeline of publications, keywords, methods, theories, constructs and concepts. This review concludes that the existing research is emerging, but rapidly accelerating and cross-disciplinary. Although the research was predominantly conducted in the Global South, it is largely affiliated with the Global North with limited North-South partnerships. The literature is largely qualitative, indicating a propensity for skewed perspectives. It also lacks theoretical applications exclusive to pedestrian-vendor relationships. Finally, potential areas where future researchers may expand and influence the knowledge domain are identified. This includes developing multi-contextual global perspectives through North-South partnerships and combining or independently applying grounded theory, mixed methods and case study research to broaden theoretical and empirical bases
Revitalization Approaches to Maximize Heritage Urban DNA Characteristics in Declined Cities: Foah City as a Case Study
Revitalization is an important process in action area planning, especially in the heritage sites located within urban area contexts. Varied techniques and tools of revitalization are applied at various spatial levels, some are suitable for the urban scope, and others suit the architectural building scope. Urban DNA is a term used academically to reflect social, economic, and urban characteristics but has a different interpretation that depends on the spatial scale and context. In action areas, urban DNA refers to the essential visual, social, economic, and physical characteristics that preserve the vital structure of an urban area. Heritage areas are vital in a city structure, in the journey of maximizing the urban DNA chrematistics of heritage sites, sometimes the urban DNA is lost in the process. This paper identifies and encapsulates the importance of Urban DNA in heritage site considerations in the revitalization process within heritage urban context to maximize the socio-economic and visual impacts, especially in declined cities such as Foah City the case study in the Nile Delta region in Egypt. The results pinpoint the most effective urban DNA structure for the declined Foah Heritage Center, despite the city\u27s importance as a ranked third of heritage cities in the country
Disaster Vulnerability Assessment of Low-Cost Houses in Java Island
Among all of the Indonesian islands, Java poses the highest risk for all types of disasters, making it a significant threat to low-cost houses due to its high population vulnerability. The objective is to enhance comprehension of it by conducting a building typology analysis concerning various natural hazards/ risks. The methodology consists of 10 sample houses field observation, AutoCAD drawing, literature analysis, and built environment expert interviews. The results developed four categories of houses emphasising brick or timber walls with a combination of clay tile or zinc roofs. Related to disaster vulnerability, an improper building structure is the main problem. Smooth roof material is significant in a volcano eruption, a complete interconnection of structure is a must for the tornado, light materials are preferable in an earthquake zone, natural material is not recommended for high risk of forest fire, and elevating floor is mandatory in flooding. Focus on designing the four categories’ houses and quality control of the construction process are two strategies recommended. Also, a minimum of two types of disasters in the area should be considered in the design. Resilient low-cost houses will have an impact on reducing casualties, environmental damage, and economic losses. Covering more samples and areas in Java in future studies will provide a comprehensive understanding of low-cost houses
Urban Design Evolved: The Impact of Computational Tools and Data-Driven Approaches on Urban Design Practices and Civic Participation
In recent years, the changing pattern of human activities, increasing data regarding the spatial environment, and the possibility of collecting and processing this data allowed us to reconsider how we approach urban design, with a focus on a digital-oriented and data-driven perspective. In this study, we examine the evolution of urban design by analyzing the roles of designers and citizen empowerment. Our analysis includes a literature review and semi-structured interviews with computational design experts. In this sense, the literature is reviewed to investigate previous discussions and findings about the topic, and semi-structured interviews were carried out with seven computational design experts. The experts were selected by considering two criteria: (1) their experience with computational urban design subjects in practice and (2) their academic research background. This study concludes that technology-driven urban design solutions change designers\u27 relationship with data, opening new avenues for objective, data-driven & data-informed decision-making. There are few differences between traditional and computational design practices regarding user empowerment and participatory design. Moreover, technology-driven urban design tools and methods are still in their early stages and are rarely used in actual projects
Parametric Architectural Design for a New City Identity: Materials, Environments and New Applications
In contemporary architectural Design, we speak of a parametric structural design. A design that integrates new functionalities crossed with the spatial geometry of objects. It has been considered structured because it optimizes combinations that integrate a minimum of materials and data to respond to functions, uses, and needs more adapted to a society in perpetual evolution. Parametric modelling allows the usability of new materials and the integration of new structures in a variety of design environments. This transdisciplinary research explores aspects of parametric modelling, a design method that creates digital models using algorithms and parameters. By focusing on the material and immaterial plurality of the designed space, this method enables the generation of complex and innovative forms that would be difficult to realize with traditional methods. Then, from a position that redefines the city as both a "medium" city and an "object" city, we explore the fields of application and novelties that are investing in the fields of architectural construction. We examine how parametric modelling can be used to create more sustainable and environmentally efficient buildings, using parametric processes, and optimizing the use of space. In this sense, our research will lead us to identify two aspects of parametric modelling: the conceptual parametric design aspect and the constructive parametric design aspect. Finally, the results of our research enable us to identify a design process that demonstrates the feasibility of using parametric modelling to generate viable, sustainable, and versatile spaces
Liveability Considerations: Towards Designing Sustainable Public Housing in Niger State, Nigeria
This study investigates liveability in the context of sustainable public housing in Niger State, Nigeria, where existing housing efforts have fallen short of residents\u27 satisfaction. Recognizing the critical link between liveability indicators and environmental sustainability, this research aims to identify key liveability variables that could be integrated into the design and construction of sustainable public housing. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study involved cluster sampling for selecting housing estates and units, followed by the administration of 910 questionnaires containing 102 questions on liveability variables. Analytical techniques, including Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, Factor Analysis, and Multiple Regression Analysis, were used to group, refine, and validate the liveability variables. The results revealed 21 significant variables that collectively could achieve a 92.9% satisfaction rate among residents if incorporated into public housing design. These findings underline the potential of addressing liveability in the pursuit of sustainable housing solutions, offering insights for urban planners, architects, and policymakers. By focusing on the residents\u27 perspectives, the study contributes to a more user-centred approach in public housing development, promoting long-term satisfaction and reducing the need for post-occupancy alterations
Adaptive Strategies Used in Urban Houses to Overheating: A Systematic Review
Recently, urban regions are experiencing prolonged heat exposure due to climate change and increased population expansion. Physiological, psychological and behavioural measures improve residents’ thermal comfort to solve the overheating issues generated by the scenario. However, adaptive strategies have not been clearly categorized based on the building construction process. This paper systematically reviews 101 documents published from 2013 to 2023, across 22 countries, with a focus on Nigeria. Using descriptive statistics and content analysis, we identify and categorize 52 adaptive strategies into four groups: urban design, effective building design, insulation, and occupants’ behaviour. These strategies are further classified according to their application in the building process stages: pre-design, design, construction, and post-construction. The study provides a full response to overheating in the building sector with efforts to reduce energy consumption rate and greenhouse gas emissions. The findings of the study contribute, significantly to improvement in occupants’ health care and well-being, as well as high productivity levels and socioeconomic benefits. Future research is therefore recommended in the efficiency of its implementation to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions in the construction industry towards sustainable urban development
Revitalizing Urban Governance: Integrating Smart Growth and Decolonial Perspectives for Municipal Empowerment in Shaping Growth Across Egyptian Desert Landscapes
This article explores the connection between Smart Growth and the decolonization of urban growth management in Egypt, examining the impact of former colonial influence on present urban policy and practices. Drawing insights from the urbanization of Egyptian desert areas before and after the New Urban Communities Program (NUCP), it scrutinizes how historical influences adversely affect contemporary approaches, inducing socio-economic impacts. The primary objective is to identify the root causes of misguided urban growth management practices, arguing that mono-institutional and sectoral development is rooted in Egypt\u27s quasi-colonial history preceding the NUCP. The research employs a comprehensive methodological approach, using descriptive qualitative methods to investigate the growth of emerging cities based on Smart Growth principles and quantitative analysis to assess population decongestion resulting from the NUCP. It evaluates the implementation of Smart Growth principles during the NUCP and pre-NUCP, offering insights into adverse management practices. Despite the NUCP\u27s goal to alleviate congestion, only 1.6 percent of the population was decongested by 2017. The research highlights the need for a new municipally guided growth model, emphasizing indigenous and locally validated approaches. This model aims to rectify inefficiencies in current urban management practices, fostering a responsive and sustainable approach aligned with local community needs
Territoriality in Post-conflict Neighbourhoods: Unravelling the Dynamics of Territorial Marks in Ile-Ife, Nigeria
The pervasiveness of territorial marks in post-conflict neighbourhoods elicited this study. Relying on residents’ perceptions, the study explored the dynamics underpinning residents’ use of territorial marks. Primary data was collected by administering questionnaires to residents of various neighbourhoods within the study area. Physical observations were conducted to identify all residential neighbourhoods and categorised into three homogenous zones. From each homogenous zone, 30 neighbourhoods were purposively selected. In total, 2055 buildings were identified within these selected neighbourhoods. Thereafter, systematic sampling was employed, resulting in the selection of 206 residents living in separate dwelling units. Findings revealed significant territorial behaviour across all socioeconomic classes. Indigenous territorial marks were predominantly used across all income groups as elements used to communicate land ownership. The study concluded that while crime prevention may be correlated with territoriality, however, in post-conflict neighbourhoods, the need to demarcate land boundaries and communicate ownership was more important, as demonstrated in the adoption of indigenous elements as territorial marks. The paper concluded that in these neighbourhoods, territoriality is chiefly a land boundary regulation mechanism. The paper recommends clear-cut land policies in post-conflict communities while advocating for the recognition of indigenous territorial marks in Afro-centric literature