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Spatial Paradigms of Exclusion: Gated Communities and Post-Apartheid Inequality
Full text linkLand ownership continues to be a potent symbol of social stratification and inequality in South Africa as it continued to be used as a tool of segregation, even in the post-apartheid era. This paper explores the impact that gated communities have on spatial transformation in the new democratic era separating the haves and the have-nots. In South Africa, the advent of democracy brought with it a new spatial paradigm in the field of urban planning known as gated communities. This paper argues that gated communities are not founded on racial discrimination, but do restrict and monitor the movement of individuals who are not allowed within these communities. This spatial paradigm emerges based on the preferences of a specific socioeconomic group and is seen by this study as a segregation instrument manifesting as economic apartheid that strengthens pre-existing prejudices. This study adopted a qualitative method using an exploratory design approach to highlight the spatial disintegration phenomenon promoted by gated communities. This approach enabled the study to identify the shortcomings of spatial planning policies and their limitations in terms of integrated planning, sustainability and inclusivity of our cities. The findings suggest that there is a form of continuous disintegration of settlements within the city of Johannesburg through constructed spatiality that may be an intended form of segregation. The study concludes that the constructed spatiality within Johannesburg continues to promote segregation, revealing a persistent and potentially deliberate form of urban disintegration
Urban Village
Full text linkThis paper is about a concept “Urban Village” as a new perspective for layered building in the densified city of tomorrow. The concept is a development of Living Lab 040 in Eindhoven. This paper explains the Living Lab 040 initiative, discusses the currently appliedapproach of appartment buildings and methods of densification as well as the reasons why innovation is desired here. And of course the concept itself will be presented and explained in images and in words, This includes the status quo, the context and the R&D ambitions. Finally there is a callfor companies and knowledge institutions to join forces in developing this concept
Assessing the Effects of Road Infrastructure on Rural Mobility and Development: A Bibliometric Review
Full text linkA critical issue developing countries globally face is insufficient investment in road infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, where the lack of reliable road networks significantly makes development in these areas almost stagnant. Rural roads in these regions are often poorly constructed, predominantly consisting of gravel surfaces, unlike the paved roads commonly found in urban centres. This disparity creates substantial challenges in attracting private-sector funding or forming effective public-private partnerships for infrastructure development. Rural roads frequently lack proper signage and are inadequate for large-scale public transport, restricting mobility and accessibility. The absence of high-quality road networks not only limits public transport industry growth but also exacerbates transport challenges in these areas. Moreover, rural road infrastructure is often disconnected from national or regional networks, further isolating rural populations from urban centres and marginalizing them from opportunities for development. This paper explores the negative consequences of neglecting rural road infrastructure, focusing on its impact on rural development and economic growth. It also identifies key issues such as the lack of threshold densities for collective public transport and explores alternative solutions, including pilot projects implemented in developing countries. A bibliometric analysis will be conducted to uncover key research trends, identify gaps in existing literature, and highlight policy recommendations to address systemic inadequacies in rural road infrastructure. The study emphasizes the need for enhanced connectivity between rural and national/regional transport networks to support the rural economy, create development opportunities, and improve access to essential services like healthcare and education. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of community empowerment in ensuring road development projects meet quality standards and are maintained properly
Zukunft Otto-Wagner-Areal – Transformation vom Spital zum New-European-Bauhaus-(NEB)-Quartier
Full text linkDas Otto-Wagner-Areal (OWA) soll in den kommenden Jahren eine substanzielle Transformation erfahren. Nach mehr als einem Jahrhundert klinischer Nutzung soll das von Otto Wagner entworfene, denkmalgeschützte Ensemble zu einem zukunftsweisenden und innovativen Standort für Wissenschaft, Bildung, Kunst und Kultur, Soziales, Gesundheit und Tourismus transformiert werden. Für den Erfolg dieser Transformation wurden in den vergangenen Jahren bereits wichtige Grundlagen geschaffen. Das FFG-Projekt „Zukunft OWA“ schafft nun die Möglichkeit für einen weiteren, entscheidenden Schritt zur Entwicklung eines New European Bauhaus (NEB)-Quartiers. Damit soll das denkmalgeschützte Areal und dessen gelungene Transformation zu einem Vorbild und zu einer Inspiration für eine nachhaltige und ästhetische Aufwertung von Bestandsquartieren werden.
Dabei sieht das Projekt eine breite Stakeholder-Einbindung vor: Zur Umsetzung kommt ein dialogorientiertes Prozessdesign, in dessen Zentrum die Umsetzung von interdisziplinär zusammengesetzten Expert-Foren stehen. In diesen wird an der Entwicklung von Planungszielen anhand der NEB Grundwerte Ästhetik – Nachhaltigkeit – Inklusion sowie der NEB Arbeitsprinzipien Partizipation – Transdisziplinarität – Skalierbarkeit gearbeitet.
Mit der Entwicklung präziser quantitativer und qualitativer Planungsziele sowie einer Umsetzungsstrategie für das NEB Quartier OWA wird nicht nur ein Rahmen für die weitere Transformation und Entwicklung des OWA geschaffen, es werden darüber hinaus auch wichtige Erkenntnisse für die notwendige Transformation von Bestandsgebieten und Bestandsgebäuden in anderen Städten gewonnen. Neben (1) Fragen der Dekarbonisierung und der thermisch-energetischen Ertüchtigung gehören dazu insbesondere auch die Themen (2) neue Formen der Nutzungsmischung bzw. innovative Formen der Mehrfachnutzung, (3) die Neuinterpretation und den Bedürfnissen einer vielfältigen Stadtgesellschaft entsprechende Gestaltung von Grün- und Freiflächen sowie (4) die Aneignung und die Forcierung von Ownership-Prozessen, um Quartiere zu vollwertigen Teilen einer Stadt zu machen
Empowering Urban Transformation: The Role of Citizen Observatories in Inclusive and Data-Driven Governance
Full text linkThis paper explores how Citizen Observatories can foster participatory, data-driven governance by actively engaging local communities in co-creating urban knowledge and contributing to evidence-based decision-making processes. Within the EU-funded Innovation Action GREENGAGE (HORIZON 2020), five innovative Citizen Observatories have been established as dynamic ecosystems where technology, citizen science, and policy intersect. These ecosystems empower local communities through interactive socio-technical methodologies and tools, enabling them to monitor environmental conditions, share insights, and collaboratively develop solutions to pressing urban issues. Hence, the creation of Citizen Observatories requires a strong focus on two dimensions: social (socio-economic and political context) and technical (digital tools and platforms). By bringing together citizens, scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders, GREENGAGE harnesses collective knowledge and expertise to co-create sustainable solutions. In GREENGAGE, Citizen Observatories are located in diverse geographical and social contexts: Bristol (UK), North Brabant (NL), Copenhagen (DK), Turano Valley (IT) and Gerace (IT). This paper highlights initial implementations carried out in these Observatories where local communities, further supported by the consortium members, were provided with skills for collecting valuable, community-sourced data from their neighborhoods using the provided tools. Citizens are involved as Citizen Observers throughout the onboarding, training, and implementation phases, contributing to environmental monitoring and urban planning. The data that is currently being gathered will help directly address local urban challenges that are identified as the most critical by these communities, helping to resolve issues that resonate with local needs and concerns. Furthermore, the paper also illustrates how such initiatives have the potential to not only contribute to healthier, more sustainable urban environments but also foster a culture of participatory governance, where citizens are co-creators of the cities they inhabit
A Data Space for Accessible Multimodal Transport: Enabling Inclusive Mobility
Full text linkIt is a long-term strategic goal of the European Union to promote multimodal mobility and thereby create a more sustainable, efficient and liveable environment. Offering travellers a wider range of choices and promoting the integration of different transport modes can help to transform the way we get around. Despite existing infrastructure, a lack of accessible and integrated information creates significant barriers for travellers. Multimodal travel is even more difficult for people with disabilities because they have more specific needs in terms of infrastructure and their itinerary. More than 8% of the population in Austria have a registered disability.
This research proposes a solution from a data perspective. We aim for a non-discriminatory low-threshold access to mobility information, especially for the group of people with disabilities or impairments and for individuals with restricted mobility. The requirements have been worked out in a participatory process with co-creation workshops and expert interviews. A use case of a person with mobility impairments has been described together with a data requirements schema. This schema of data categories covers all passenger needs from travel itinerary, change between modes of transport, and getting support. It helps to identify data specifically for similar use cases.The requirements were the starting point to design and set up the prototypical data space for mobility data. Various data sources for mobility data in Austria have been identified and analysed for their content and quality. This subsequently allowed the definition of data products with their attributes and quality measures. Data products need to satisfy consumer’s needs. In the context of this work, data products are for example: disabled parking spaces in Austria, or accessible routes in and around railway stations. The actual data also includes metadata that makes it easier to find the right data product and obtain information about its origin and license terms. A specific schema was defined to fulfil the requirements for mobility data.
To successfully operate a mobility data space, suitable operator models were analysed, and the legal requirements were defined. Digital services for mobility have significant market potential. We therefore suggest establishing a dedicated task force that brings together key public and private stakeholders to create a comprehensive implementation strategy. The primary goal should be to generate practical value through improved mobility services while maintaining a sustainable operational model that promotes broad participation from current market players and fosters ongoing innovation in the accessibility sector. Well-integrated and high-quality data are a prerequisite for more usable multimodal transport. People with disabilities or individuals with restricted mobility have additional requirements in data that must be taken into account. The general public also benefits from this development as more accessible options with better information strategies is valuable for everyone
Al-Bireh Resilient City
Full text linkAl-Bireh city, located in the central West Bank, faces growing challenges due to climate change, Israeli occupation, and settlers. The municipality has implemented five key strategies to enhance resilience and sustainability: Adaptive urban planning, Climate change mitigation policies, Building community resilience, Enhancing food security, and Sustainable mobility. These strategies are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to create a resilient, adaptive, and sustainable urban environment. The implementation of these strategies positions Al-Bireh as a model for cities facing similar challenges worldwide
Sheltering the Displaced: Lessons from Global Disasters and Conflicts
Full text linkHousing and shelter solutions play a crucial role in disaster recovery, yet many displaced communities face prolonged instability due to inadequate policies and poorly integrated temporary housing. This paper explores global approaches to post-disaster housing, analysing both short-term shelter solutions and long-term integration strategies. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study employs bibliometric analysis to identify research trends and gaps in disaster housing literature alongside a comprehensive literature review of past policies and interventions. Findings highlight the socio-economic and psychological impacts of displacement, the limitations of emergency shelters, and the challenges of transitioning temporary housing into permanent settlements. Case studies from major disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake, and the Syrian refugee crisis, offer insights into both successful and problematic housing recovery efforts. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for governments and humanitarian organisations, emphasising the need for resilient, community-driven, and sustainable housing solutions. By synthesising existing research and lessons from past disasters, this study aims to contribute to ongoing discussions on improving post-disaster housing strategies
Accelerating Climate Change Adaptation in Cities with FAIR2Adapt: FAIRifying Hamburg’s Risk Map
Full text linkAs climate change intensifies, cities must develop adaptive strategies to mitigate risks and enhance resilience. The FAIR2Adapt project applies FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles to climate adaptation data, ensuring long-term usability and interoperability across urban planning tools. This paper presents our work on identifying requirements for the FAIRification of Hamburg’s Risk Map, a critical resource for urban climate adaptation.
We outline the methodological framework used to enhance data findability, accessibility, and interoperability, integrating the Risk Map with broader urban data infrastructures. The approach involves a requirements elicitation process as a pre-phase of the FDO-driven FAIRification Framework we develop in the FAIR2Adapt project. Based on the description of the city of Hamburg case study, which is one of six in the FAIR2Adapt project, we identified user stories and extracted more specific requirements. To address these requirements customized FAIR Supporting Resources will be needed, such as a FAIR metadata schema for geospatial risk maps and simulation models, improving data sharing and reusability within ArcGIS-based risk assessment tools, and applying Scientific Knowledge Graphs (specifically, the Open Research Knowledge Graph) to ensure scientific transparency and reproducibility. Additionally, we will enhance urban climate modeling workflows making the developed procedures accessible via RO-Crates that allow to package the software together with structured documentation.
By embedding these principles, we strengthen decision-making for urban climate adaptation, providing city planners and stakeholders with actionable, interoperable data. We discuss challenges in the uptake of FAIR implementation, and present an outlook on scaling our approach to other cities. Our findings contribute to the broader discourse on how FAIR principles can accelerate climate resilience efforts in urban environments
Reconnecting Academia and Practise: Curriculum Improvement in Urban and Regional Planning Education
Full text linkIn contemporary academia, institutions of higher learning are experiencing an ideological shift as they strive to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while maintaining relevance within professional planning practices. Research and innovation in community-based projects have emerged as pivotal strategies to enhance planners’ engagement with real-world challenges. However, curriculum improvement remains a significant undertaking, particularly as institutions aim to secure accreditation for their academic programs from professional bodies. At the University of Johannesburg, a critical gap has been identified in exposing students to real-world projects, which was previously addressed in the National Diploma program through in-service training and mentorship by professional planners – a feature not retained in the transition to the Degree program. This study examines curriculum improvement as a strategy for program accreditation, using the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Johannesburg as a case study. A qualitative research approach was employed, drawing on university documents, a literature review, and semi-structured interviews. Content and thematic analyses were applied to interpret the data. The findings highlight the potential for partnerships, such as memorandums with municipalities, to reintroduce professional mentorship for students. This mentorship program, leveraging innovative and transformative approaches, promises to achieve outstanding outcomes in teaching, learning, and research, thereby bridging the gap between academic training and professional practice. This study underscores the necessity of continuous curriculum evaluation and the adoption of innovative, inclusive, and sustainable practices. It concludes with recommendations for implementing a dynamic, future-oriented curriculum that prepares graduates to excel within the planning professional while addressing societal and global challenges