Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Open Access Publishing
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Energy - efficient home design: Learning from the past
Get PDFThe paper is focusing on Energy?Efficient Home Design or how to design a house in order to reduce energy consumption. We will use the vernacular architecture as an example for good energy?efficient home design, the past experience serving as a base for future housing development. Green Architecture is the theme that surrounds our approach because it tries to articulate the past experience and innovative technology, considering different design features, such as: size of the house, insulation, ventilation, heating and cooling equipment, solar energy systems and other parameters which serve to obtain environment certification (e.g. Leed, Itaca, Breeam, CasaClima). Various examples of vernacular architecture in Italy and Romania will lead us to consider the importance of the climate, site, house orientation and shape and local materials in designing an energy?efficient house. Finally, new green house design should be seen as an investment in building a better community rather than a cost
Critical aspects of health security of the Republic of Moldova compared to eastern European countries, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFIn this paper we analyze the state’s preparedness for the COVID-19 crisis, as well as argues the need for selective changes following the detection of critical aspects of health security in the Republic of Moldova. The main objective of this paper is to assess the situation in the fi eld of health security in the Republic of Moldova, as well as its comparison with neighbouring countries in the regional framework of Eastern European countries, in order to identify gaps in health security indicators in the country. The novelty of the research consists in conducting for the fi rst time the benchmarking analysis of health security in the Republic of Moldova based on the Global Health Security Index. In the benchmarking analysis, the average score calculated for Eastern European countries is considered as the reference value for each category. In the analysis performed the categories with lower than average ratings are considered critical. Research has shown that the most critical categories of health security for the Republic of Moldova are: Rapid response to and mitigation of the spread of an epidemic; Health system; Early detection and reporting for epidemics of potential international concern, and Overall risk environment. Study has found significant weaknesses in the state’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies; severe gaps in the health system; vulnerability to political, socio-economic risks that may undermine pandemic preparedness and response. The paper also identifi es critical categories of health security in Eastern European countries, including: Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Belarus that can be used by decision makers in these countries in the process of adjusting state policies and drafting policy documents. At the end of the paper are formulated two groups of conclusions and proposals: in the regional context of Eastern European countries, as well as those directly addressed to decision makers in the Republic of Moldova
Social networked cities: the portals
Get PDFWhat is a “social network” ? It is a social structure made up of a set of social participants (such as people or organizations), sets of group ties, and other social interactions between those participants. The social network perspective provides a set of methods for analyzing the structure of the entire society as a whole as well as a variety of theories explaining the patterns observed in the interaction between individuals, independently of the space factor, if the individuals are in direct contact or they are communicating remotely, from different parts of the world, or even if they do know each other or not. The extraordinary success of the online communication proves us that the development of the communication technology we have today have drastically changed the connection we can have with co-workers, friends or family members that are located in a different places, making possible an instant communication with people that are parted by great geographical distances: different cities, different countries, different continents. This presentation comes with an innovative inter-connected communication network for public spaces that can rise a high level of interest from the local communities worldwide, connecting people from different cities with each other and bringing in the urban landscape a direct visual connection with another urban landscape through a virtual connected “window” (“portal”) that opens up to the other side towards a different geographicallocation. Based on the principles of the existing communication networks and the success of the live web-cams installed by the municipalities that allow people from all around the globe to watch the daily life of an urban location, this solution is very simple, easy to put into practice and with a great potential of improving the leisure time of the inhabitants of any smart city
Sincronizarea atmosferelor smart
Get PDFVedem evenimentul pandemic din 2020 ca pe o oportunitate interesanta de a sublinia importanta cercetarii atmosferelor arhitecturale ca influente de comportament social. Etimologia cuvantului ”atmosfera” conecteaza in viziunea noastra dezastrul de tip „airquake” al lui Peter Sloterdijk (concretizat iata inca o data consecutiv dezvoltarii armamentului cu gaze toxice din 1914 si suprematiei atmosferelor sociale curatoriate de media din era postmoderna). COVID-19 - acest nou tip de „airquake” se suprapune demonstratiilor de putere ale retelelor sociale si a unei accentuate globalizari. Pentru a ne pregati pledoaria pentru sincronizarea atmosferelor inteligente, definim din nou conceptele de limita inteligenta si loc inteligent derivate din abordarea arhitecturala si tehnologica interdisciplinara, impreuna cu noul concept de atmosfere inteligente. Dupa ce C. Borch a declarat ca proiectarea atmosferelor arhitecturale este intim legata de putere (2), studiem conceptul de atmosfera inteligenta care sintetizeaza trasaturi senzoriale arhitecturale, tehnologice si politice.. Atmosferele politice inteligente vor completa in contradistinctie trilogia sferica propusa de filosoful P. Sloterdijk in 2004: ”bubbles” - microsfere marcate dihotomic, globuri - sau macrosfere si ”foams” - - spume - plurisfere. E-guvernarea este un aspect al unei sfere digitale globale recent aparute concomitent saltului inteligent tehnologic. Acesta ar putea fi ultimul tip de sfera, si o vom defini ca meta-sfera, deoarece combina toate trasaturile trilogiei sferelor Sloterdijk. Ea include binomul utilizator- tehnologie, plurisferele mediilor moderne interdependente, dar autosuficiente, cu adapostul ideologic larg al apartenentei-impreuna pe care internetul (ca macrosfera) il garanteaza. In conditiile reale de pandemie, spuma atmosferelor inteligente nu mai este vaga, dar este modelata de noua meta-sfera a controlului tehnologic, favorizand ideile de apropiere sociala si distantare fizica. Atmosferele inteligente definite prin caracteristici vizuale, acustice, aromatice, haptice, politice, informationale si arhitecturale vor suferi o schimbare ca raspuns la pandemie, de la colectiv la individual, de la ierarhic la distribuit (moduri de invatare Elmer). Acest lucru poate limita influenta aspectelor arhitecturale si multisenzoriale ale atmosferelor inteligente la cele legate de locuinte, dar va diminua influenta aspectelor politice si informationale, intr-un mod in care atmosferele politice vor deveni in cele din urma un domeniu paradoxal, concomitent familiar si indepartat. Vedem sincronizarea necesara a acestor campuri de imunitate segregate de pandemie; sincronizarea este cuvantul generic care coreleaza persuasiunea e-guvernarii, reducand decalajul tehnologic si arhitectural pentru a atinge dezideratul real de „gestionare a posibilitatilor” eficienta (Foucault)
Coridor de mobilitate urbana integrata in municipiul Alexandria si proiecte complementare aflate in implementare
Get PDFProiectul are ca scop constituirea unui corridor de mobilitate integrat alcatuit din propuneri investitionale care, complementar cu coridorul verde infiintat prin proiectul aflat in implementare ” Reducerea emisiilor de carbon in municipiul Alexandria, prin adoptarea unui transport public ecologic”, sprijina transportul public in comun, circulatia biciclistilor si a pietonilor, in scopul reducerii traficului rutier auto si reducerii emisiilor de CO2, dezvoltand mobilitatea urbana si raspunzand astfel directiei de dezvoltare a transportului urban” Alexandria- un oras verde, fara poluare, cu mobilitate crescuta pietonala si velo si accesibilitate ridicata a tuturor zonelor urbane” si obiectivelor strategice ale Planului de Mobilitate Urbana Durabila, cat si a viziunii de dezvoltare a municipiului de crestere a calitatii vietii locuitorilor, cuprins in Strategia de Dezvoltare Locala. Obiectivul general al proiectului consta in cresterea numarului de utilizatori ai transportului in comun ca urmare a realizarii unor masuri destinate incurajarii utilizarii transportului alternativ. Obiectivele specifice sunt stabilite in conformitate cu obiectivul general al proiectului propus si urmaresc dezvoltarea sistemului de transport velo prin realizarea de piste de biciclete si sistem de inchiriere biciclete; cresterea gradului de siguranta prin implementarea unui sistem de monitorizare video; accesibilitate si confort pentru pietoni prin modernizarea spatiului pietonal al zonei centrale, prevazut cu sisteme de siguranta care sa impiedice accesul auto pe trotuar si cu un sistem de iluminat public pentru confortul utilizatorilor; imbunatatirea spatiului urban prin asigurarea de spatii verzi. Realizarea de constructii verzi, sustenabile, cu functiunea de parcare, constituie si ele un obiectiv, intrucat dezvoltarea infrastructurii urbane verzi in sistem clasic, sub forma de parcuri, gradini publice sau zone de recreere cu verdeata a inceput sa devina o misiune imposibila din lipsa efectiva a zonelor neconstruite. In aceste conditii, solutiile care mai pot asigura, pe termen lung, habitate verzi viabile, cu toate avantajele spatiilor vegetale, sunt cele care incorporeaza cladirile in ecosistemele urbane, prin amenajarea acoperisurilor vii si/sau fatadelor verzi. Rezultate. Efectele pozitive previzionate prin realizarea obiectivului de investitii, vor fi: dezvoltarea mobilitatii urbane prin schimbarea accentului de la o mobilitate bazata in principal pe utilizarea acestora la o mobilitate bazata pe mersul pe jos, utilizarea bicicletei ca mijloc de deplasare, sisteme de transport de inalta calitate si eficienta; sporirea capacitatii de circulatie prin marirea fluentei traficului; scurtarea duratei medii de calatorie reducerea costurilor de calatorie cauzate de uzura si consum de combustibil prin eliminarea stationarii nenecesare in trafic si a utilizarii excesive a motoarelor la ralanti; realizarea unui confort pentru participantii la trafic- autovehicule si pietoni; marirea sigurantei circulatiei; reducerea numarului de accidente; imbunatatirea mediului din municipiu prin reducerea noxelor si a poluarii sonore, reducerea insulelor de caldura umana, reducerea expunerii la radiatia UV datorita peretilor verzi ai parcarilor ecologice; cresterea nivelului de trai si a confortului riveranilor
Smart toilet cleanliness detection system using IoT
Get PDFSignificant technological developments and improvements have emerged during the last decade, propelling us forward in this era of technological discovery. Regardless of the field of activity, this rapid evolution phenomenon has produced significant changes and improved human life, acting as an incentive in developing solutions that improve the quality of life and well-being of all groups of people. Thus, this paper aims to present the implementation of a state-of-the-art system for detecting the cleanliness level of toilets. Used in the Toilet4Me2 project, this system addresses the adjacent problems concerning the cleanliness level of the toilets, such as different kinds of infections and bacteria. Health risks associated with this present a major concern, countries such as India being one of the most affected by this lack of toilet sanitation. Over the last years, the Indian government has made huge investments in the search for solutions, opening the door for implementing IoT technology in this aspect of our lives. Increased awareness has even spread to Europe. Many such projects focus on the quality of life and well-being of elderly and disadvantaged people, who are often overlooked in our society. Therefore the monitoring of a toilet’s cleanliness represents an important factor in the ordinary lives of elderly and young people alike, results of its use showing an abrupt reduction in health risks and an increase in usage and accessibility. The scope of this project is to achieve these milestones and spread awareness of this silent problem in our society and all the risks related to it
Study on state of the art in reusing recyclable waste materials in orange, circular and green economy
Get PDFNowadays, there is an increased interest by both authorities and citizens in recycling waste, especially plastic-based waste. The negative impact of over-used landfills and incineration of waste on the environment is very high and affects everyone. It is necessary to find ways to reuse, reduce and recycle waste to clean the environment. Several studies and projects have been investigated to find the most suited way to treat this situation. Education of citizens, the connection between waste management stakeholders and orange economy, circular economy and green economy have been found as successful solutions to manage the problem of waste. Our solution to mitigate the problem of waste and to fulfil the necessity of artists for materials in the orange economy is the RRREMAKER project that aims to develop an artificial intelligence-based maker platform that has multiple purposes. First and foremost, the platform wants to create a bridge between those who collect recyclables and eco-friendly designers/producers. Then, using information taken from knowledge communities, green design, and democratization invention, and integrating orange, sharing and circular economy, the platform will be able through artificial intelligence algorithms to redefine the purpose of an old product, providing data about the new shape of the product, whether it could be combined with another material, new uses, etc. Transfer of knowledge between experts in design, materials, manufacturing, supply management, economy and distribution on the one hand, and computational experts, on the other hand, will focus on several research layers (green and circular economy, machine learning, data management, cloud environment). The project will have a significant impact on both societal and environmental challenges of the world
Monitoring water parameters using IoT technology
Get PDFRivers are one of the most important sources of water for agriculture, industrial use, and other applications. The river systems are particularly exposed to the negative effects of pollution due to their dynamic nature and easy accessibility for waste management. The concept "water quality" refers to the state or condition of a body of water, taking into consideration its chemical, physical, and biological aspects. The importance of measuring the water quality parameters for studying any aquatic system cannot be overstated. Indirectly, increasing the rate of water pollution will affect agriculture, leading to a decrease in the quality and quantity of vegetables and fruits grown. The objective of the article focuses on water quality determined by the analysis of the values of some parameters such as salinity, pH and conductivity. This article is based on the SWAM project’s study, which intends to provide a strong and flexible platform through which humans can discover the reasons their health is affected by low water quality. The parameter monitoring system is based on IoT technology, the data being collected by sensors and then transmitted via an MQTT protocol to a Cloud database where it will be stored and processed. The results obtained from the parameter analysis were optimal, with the data collected not being drastically affected by the external environment. The presented study differs from other research due to the experimental data interpreted in a different way and the monitored parameters, the article being based on the evolution of pH, conductivity and salinity and how these parameters evolve in two weeks
Can we speak of smart education during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Get PDFThe objectives of this research are: in what way is education in universities smart education during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it comes to teaching and studying online? This is a topic of current concern. Prior work includes research done on remote work and online higher education based on virtual labs (Perales et al 2019). Mass online courses can also be considered prior work. Smart education during the COVID-19 pandemic had all these as its basis, and continued from there. The approach of this paper uses observation of class activity at the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, for foreign languages and culture and civilization courses, which the author teaches, using the Microsoft Teams platform. With respect to results of the research, the present paper shows that online education in universities during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic fit in the concept of a smart city, where the majority of students and professors have access to smartphones in order to always keep in touch via Microsoft Teams, as well as tablets and laptops. The majority of university staff and students are also familiar with online social media platforms, which makes them easily adapt to the Microsoft Teams platform and to using it for teaching and learning communication purposes. The implications of this research are that teaching and learning material should be adapted by taking into account the students’ background of knowledge and needs, to the online environment and the facilities it offers. With respect to the value of the present research, studying a concrete example of groups of students reacting to the materials and methods used offers feedback regarding the use of the online environment for teaching
On the need to create a monitoring system for safe gas consumption in multi-apartment residential buildings for a smart city
Get PDFSmart city is not only the application of a large number of digital and electronic technologies for transforming the life and working environment of the city, it is mainly ensuring the safety of citizens\u27 lives. The security component in the Smart City concept includes issues of safe consumption of electricity, gas and water. To solve the problems that have arisen and ensure the safety of the population, it is necessary to install devices for detecting and fixing gas leaks in apartments, houses and buildings. For several years, the Georgian Technical University (Tbilisi) has been working on the creation of a new, innovative gas leak detector based on the semiconductor sensor of the Japanese company Figaro Engineering and on the creation of a gas control and gas leakage system in residential premises, including for multi-apartment high-rise buildings, which will be an obligatory component (subsystem) of the "Smart Home" and "Smart City". However, it should be noted that the installation of the above devices in individual apartments does not solve the problem of ensuring security for the entire apartment building, since they should be installed in all apartments without exception. It is clear that a gas explosion in high-rise buildings will lead to destruction of neighboring apartments. Therefore, it is necessary to create a monitoring system for safe gas consumption for the entire apartment building