1,721,782 research outputs found
Multicriteria analysis model for urban open space renovation. An application for Rome
No full textUrban public open space has continuously played a significant role in enhancing the quality of life of urban inhabitants and in supporting urban metabolism. However, open space has experienced a physical and social decline, while its heterogeneity and richness is often neglected and its contribution to the well-being of a community ignored within current planning instruments. Therefore, the aim of the research presented in this study is to develop a multicriteria analysis (MCA) method to support the decision process of open space renovation and the selection of a renovation scenario. The method is based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and adapts existing models and criteria to the investigation field. It is applied by means of a computer-based tool, which permits an ex-ante evaluation of alternative projects, rating them against several weighted objectives using a set of indicators, thus combining the common design practice of scenario planning with a multicriteria analysis. In order to clarify the tool operation, this article illustrates its application to a theoretical case, which represents a conceivable public open space renovation in a simplified way. The choice of a theoretical case, instead of an actual one, permits us to follow the process without referring to a specific situation, in order to have a general overview of the MCA method's implementation. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Introducing a script for calculating the sky view factor used for urban climate investigations
No full textThe sky view factor (SVF) is a parameter widely used in several research fields, applied research and planning. It is of crucial importance concerning the energy budget of a certain location. Many methods for calculating the SVF have been developed. In the present study, a selection of methods and models is analyzed in order to find out about possible improvements. Also, a new method using GIS software is introduced. In the city of Szeged fisheye pictures were taken along transects and evaluated. For the images' coordinates, SVF was calculated by numerical models which use a 3D-building database as input. Also, a set of artificial fisheye pictures was created and used for validating the applied methods. The calculations were performed with the models SkyHelios (Matuschek and Matzarakis 2010, Matzarakis and Matuschek 2010), SOLWEIG (Lindberg et al. 2008) and the ArcView SVF-Extension (Gál et al. 2009). The evaluation of the fisheye pictures was done according to the manual Steyn-method (Steyn 1980), RayMan (Matzarakis et al. 2007 2010) and with BMSkyView (Rzepa and Gromek 2006). Additionally, a new ArcView-script has been developed in order to enhance the only manual method (Steyn 1980). The comparison of the obtained results showed a systematic deviation of the SVF values. After including a cosine weighting factor in the differing models, all SVF values corresponded to each other
Present and future responses of growing degree days for Crete Island in Greece
No full textAbstract. Climate affects practically all the physiological processes that determine plant life (IPCC, 2014). A major challenge and objective of the agricultural science is to predict the occurrences of specific physical or biological events. For this reason, flower phenology has been widely used to study the flowering in plant species of economic interest, and in this concept, temperature and heat units have been widely accepted as the most important factors affecting processes leading to flowering. The determination of heat requirements in the first developing phases of plants has been expressed as Growing Degree Days (GDD). Determination of GDD is useful for achieving a better understanding of the flowering season development in several plant species, and for forecasting when flowering will occur (Paparrizos and Matzarakis, 2017). Temperature and GDD represent two important spatially-dynamic climatic variables, as they both play vital roles in influencing forest development by directly affecting plant functions such as evapotranspiration, photosynthesis and plant transpiration. Understanding the spatial distribution of GDD is crucial to the practice of sustainable agricultural and forest management, as GDD relates to the integration of growth and provides precise point estimates (Hasan et al., 2007; Matzarakis et al., 2007). The aim of the current study was to estimate and map through downscaling spatial interpolation and multi-linear regression techniques, the future variation of GDD for the periods 2021–2050 and 2071–2100, under the A1B and B1 IPCC emission scenarios in relation with the reference periods for Crete Island in Greece. Future temperature data were obtained, validated and analysed from the ENSEMBLES European project. A combination of dynamical and statistical approach was conducted in order to downscale and perform the spatial interpolation of GDD through ArcGIS 10.2.1. The results indicated that in the future, GDD will be increased and the existing cultivations can reach maturity sooner. Nevertheless, rough topography will act as an inhibitor towards the expansion of the existing cultivations in higher altitudes.
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Klimawandel und invasive gebietsfremde Arten in Städten
No full textSteinlein T. Klimawandel und invasive gebietsfremde Arten in Städten. In: Lozán JL, Breckle S-W, Graßl H, Kuttler W, Matzarakis A, eds. Warnsignal Klima: Die Städte - Wissenschaftliche Fakten. 1st ed. Hamburg: Wissenschaftliche Auswertungen & GEO; 2019: 166-169
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
No full textThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Quantifying thermal stress for sport events-The case of the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo
No full textThe effect of weather on sport events is largely discussed in the sports medicine and exercise physiology context. It is important, both for event organizers and for medical staff, to know whether the competition is happening at a time and place with extreme weather or in general not appropriate weather and climatic conditions. In order to find out, whether a place or time is appropriate, two factors should be included when establishing the effect of atmospheric conditions on visitors and athletes. These are the main climatic conditions, based on long term data, and the quantification of extreme events, like heat waves. The present analysis aims at determining what kind of data are required for an appropriate quantification of weather and climate thermal stress. For the analysis, indices like Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) and mPET (modified PET) are applied. The advantage of these indices is the consideration of both, thermo-physiological and meteorological factors to provide results and information that can be used for decision making. In this paper, we analyzed the Tokyo area with regards to the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games. The results show that this kind of event may not be appropriate for visitors, if it is placed during months with extreme conditions. For Tokyo, this is the period from May to September, when conditions cause strong heat stress to the visitors for the vast majority of hours of the day. A more appropriate time would be the months from November to February or the early morning and the late afternoon hours, when thermally comfortable conditions are much more frequent. The methods that are applied here can quantify the thermal conditions and show limitations and possibilities for specific events and locations. Should the organizers still want to have these competitions organized during these months with extreme conditions, they should promote and propose all possible countermeasures for the spectators, workforce, and athletes
Variations on the Author
No full text“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
No full textWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Variabilität von meteorologischen Parametern in Städten
No full textIn diesem Beitrag wird die Differenzierung des Mikroklimas innerhalb von bebauten Flächen, also innerhalb von Straßenschluchten, Plätzen wie auch lokal-klimatische Unterschiede zwischen einzelnen Stadtteilen, Parks und städtischen Wasserflächen herausgearbeitet. Die Unterschiede in der Strahlung, der Lufttemperatur und -feuchte, der thermischen Belastung und der Luftschadstoffbelastung werden mit der Energiebilanz, der Wasserbilanz und der Stärke von und der Nähe zu Emissionsquellen erklärt. In der Anwendung ist es oft nicht möglich, die Temperatur, die Feuchte oder die Luftqualität direkt in der Luft zu ändern. Anstatt dessen müssen die bestimmende Energiebilanz der Stadtoberfläche, die Wasserbilanz und die Emissionen in eine Richtung modifiziert werden, dass vorhandene, natürliche Ressourcen effizient genutzt, die Belastungen der Bevölkerung bei Extremwetterlagen reduziert und die Bevölkerung vor atmosphärischen Naturgefahren geschützt wird.
Variability of meteorological parameters within cities: This contribution discusses the differential microclimates within built-up areas, i.e. within street canyons, city squares but also local-scale differences between urban districts, parks and urban water bodies. The differences in radiation, air temperature and humidity, thermal stress and air pollution exposure are explained by the energy balance, the water balance and the strength of and proximity to emissions. Instead of directly modifying temperature, humidity or air quality, sustainable urban planning and architecture must modify the underlying energy balance of the urban surface, water balance and control emissions in a way that existing, natural resources are used efficiently, the stress on the population in extreme weather conditions is reduced and populations are protected against atmospheric hazards in cities
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