Research on Ecological Livable Urban Construction in Small and Medium Cities of China——A Case Study of Huaihua City

The paper has analyzed the concept of ecological livable city,considered that small and medium cities as the major pattern of China's urbanization are more likely to become ecological livable cities compared with large cities.Based on the actual situation of Huaihua City,it has pointed out its advantages in transport,ecology,foundation and national characteristic,and analyzed existing problems in the construction of ecological livable city from the perspective of urban eco-environment.It considers that its urban ecological planning is to be perfect,urban environment pollution is still serious and people's consciousness for environmental protection is to be improved.On this basis,relevant suggestions have been proposed for ecological livable urban construction in Huaihua City,emphasizing it should perfect urban ecological planning,enhance environmental pollution treatment,intensify environmental protection education,and improve people's consciousness for environmental protection.

Landscape Pattern Analysis of International Livable Communities Based on Satellite Images of Wenjiang District, Chengdu City

This paper used Google Earth satellite maps of Wenjiang District, Chengdu City in 2008, 2012 and 2015 as basic data sources, and field investigation data in recent years, and employed Photoshop and Auto CAD to analyze landscape pattern of urban and suburban areas of Wenjiang District—the international livable communities. The results showed that urban forest patches accounted for the absolute dominance in the study area, the overall landscape fragmentation index in 2008 was 0.0054, landscape diversity index 1.3603, landscape dominance index 0.2937, and evenness index 0.8452. From 2008 to 2012, patch density index reduced by 7.04, landscape fragmentation index increased by 0.0014, diversity index reduced by 0.043, evenness index reduced by 0.0269, landscape dominance index increased by 0.0027. From 2012 to 2015, patch density index increased by 1.22, landscape fragmentation index kept stable, diversity index reduced by 0.024, evenness index reduced by 0.0149, landscape dominance index increased by 0.0196. Through analyzing quantitative indexes of urban landscape pattern, and exploring basic features of the international livable communities from the perspective of landscape eco-pattern, this paper put forward suggestions for city management and green space system protection of Wenjiang as the references for the future researches on maintenance and operation of landscape eco-pattern.

Progress and Prospect of Livable City Researches in China

Livable city research involves multiple disciplines such as urban geography, city planning, architectural design. Research background of livable city in China was elaborated from three aspects: accelerating urbanization, increasing city problems, the construction of livable city becoming a requirement of the times. Then the researches of livable city were overviewed from four aspects: concept and connotation, evaluation standard, evaluation method, organization and classification of the correlative references. And prospects of livable city researches were given.

Livable and Ecological Theory of Chinese Classical Gardens and the Planning of Modern Eco-residential Community

With some modern communities in Suzhou as the example,this paper mainly expounded the application of the artistic techniques of landscapes in the planning of modern landscape-type eco-residential communities according to the classical livable and ecological theory in Yuan Ye(an ancient book of garden design in China).It was learnt that there were many inner links between the livable and ecological theory of classical Chinese gardens and the planning of modern eco-residential communities.Ecological community is a new-type inhabitation model which represents the future development direction of dwelling construction in China and the main type of ecological communities.Classical Suzhou-style gardens are the representation of gardens in southern Yangtze River as well as the classical livable environment in China.Both of the above two residential models emphasize the harmonious unification between human and nature as well as the sustainable development,and lay their cores on the livability and the harmony with the nature.

COMPLETE STREETS&LIVABLE CENTERSWhy Location Matters

INTRODUCTION In recent years,Houston has made great strides in green building,moving into the top ten nationally on both LEED certified and Energy Star rated structures.At the same time,fewer steps have been taken to address transportation,which accounts for one third of U.S.greenhouse gas emissions.3 To achieve greater sustainability,architects,planners,and developers must take the space between buildings into greater account.

Coupling and Coordination Characteristics and Influencing Factors of the Livable Environment System for the Elderly in China

The construction of a livable environment for the elderly is an important measure to address the challenges of aging and improve their livelihood and well-being.Based on China’s national conditions and combined with the actual development needs of the cities,it is of great significance to explore the coupling and coordination characteristics and influencing factors within the livable environment system for the elderly for the coordination and stable development.This article was based on the three subsystems of’living service environment,socioeconomic environment and ecological livable environment’,following the research framework of’process-pattern-trend-impact’,constructs an evaluation index system for the livable environment for the elderly.Entropy weight-TOPSIS evaluation model,coupling coordination degree model,center of gravity and standard deviation ellipse model and the geographic detector model were used starting from the evolution of coupling coordination types to study the spatial and temporal pattern and dynamic trend characteristics and influencing factors of internal coupling coordination types in the livable environment system for the elderly from2010 to 2019.The results showed that:1)The coordinated development of life service environment system and ecological livable environment system(LE)and socioeconomic environment system and ecological livable environment system(SE)in the livable environment for the elderly decreased from the intermediate coordination level coordination areas to the low-level quality improvement and optimization areas:coordinated transition type.The overall development level of life service environment system and socioeconomic environment system(LS)was low,and it was always at a low level.2)The coupling degree of livable environment system for the elderly was high,the coupling coordination type shown a gradually decreasing layer structure with Zhejiang,Beijing and Guangdong high-level leading demonstration areas as the axis belt.3)The coupling coordination center of the elderly livable environment system was located in Henan,and the standard deviation ellipse was distributed in the northeast-southwest direction.The development center and the ellipse of the high-level leading demonstration areas and the intermediate coordination level areas were concentrated in the central and eastern regions,while the low-level coordination areas for improving quality and efficiency are mainly located in the western region.4)Urban development,green facilities,infrastructure,government macroscopic regulation and control,economic stimulus,and housing construction were all important factors affecting the coordinated development of the livable environment system for the elderly,exerting a varying degree of effect on the level of coordinated development of various types of systems.

The Quest for Livable City Centers:A Study in Famagusta(Gazimagusa),North Cyprus

Concern about the livability of urban spaces has led to an increasing interest in findings from analyses aiming to quantify livability in particular places such as city centers.In traditional cities,city centers have always been known by their diverse functions,activities and social interactions.However,today,with the effect of fast urbanization and the growth of cities outwards of the city centers,we lose the meaning and use of the concept of city center in many cases.This paper therefore aims to explore the characteristics of successful city centers and tries to identify the main parameters to achieve livability.Based on these,a strategy is proposed in order to promote the city center of Famagusta,a city in North Cyprus with a serious problem in its central area,to achieve livability.The study contributes some experiential evidence to investigate the claimed benefits and deficiencies in terms of effects of physical,social and economic parameters on the overall perception of livability of the residents in the central area of Famagusta and cities of similar development trends.

Livable Environment Design in Superfluous Things

Superfluous Things, written by scholar Wen Zhenheng in the Ming Dynasty, is regarded as the encyclopedia on Chinese ancient landscape architecture and environmental design. It analyzed Chinese traditional garden systematically and comprehensively. This study emphasizes the contemporary value of the principles and methods in Superfluous Things. According to the book, 2 key environmental building principles that can be applied into modern landscape design have been put forward:(1) artificiality should fit with natural conditions;(2) less without reduction. Based on these, a coupling point on the practice and research of building a sustainable and friendly environment has been found, which combines natural resources, human needs, economic benefits and cultural factors.

Xiamen,A Livable City

People say the best way to know the layout of a city is to see it from the sky.Seen from the sky,Xiamen is circled entirely by water,newly built buildings standing in order like toy bricks.With new architecture,a well arranged layout and adjacent waters,Xiamen represents distinct characteristics of China's newly uprising cities.

The Development Path of the Construction of Ecological Livable City in Nanning

Congregation of the human activities, changes of the environment and weakening of the ecological capacity, prompts the emergence of new development concept. In order to adapt the development need, Ecological livable cities becoming a new pattern in the 21st century. This article puts forward with the significance of the construction of ecological livable city, analyses the achievement and problem of the construction of ecological livable cities in Nanning, and some methods and countermeasures are also proposed. Obviously, the ecological livable city is regarded as a key and direction for the development of Nanning in the future.

CREATING LIVABLE INFRASTRUCTURE:THE CONNECTOAKLAND VISION TO RECONNECT NEIGHBORHOODS AND CONNECT CITIES THROUGH FREEWAY REMOVAL

Throughout the second half of the 20th Century,our nation’s cities were marred by the onslaught of unsustainable suburbanization and the expansion of limited access highways that ripped through urban centers and divided communities within them.Paired with systematic disinvestment from redlining and white flight,these forces combined to create lasting physical,social and economic hardships in cities across the US.Over the last 20 years,cities have rebounded in America and new patterns of thought focused on livability,walkability and urban form have started to sprout:from the Big-Dig in Boston to Octavia Boulevard and the Embarcadero in San Francisco,cities are reassessing the value of highways that solely move automobiles through cities,and have started to focus on how these pieces of infrastructure impact the daily lives and economic interests of a their residents and visitors.In Oakland,California,through the efforts of ConnectOAKLAND,the city is taking up the mantle of this new pattern of thought and is beginning the planning process to reconnect West Oakland to Downtown by transforming an underutilized freeway(I-980)into a multi-modal transportation corridor that reestablishes the historic urban grid.The project’s dual benefit will reconnect two of Oakland’s historic neighborhoods while better connecting Oakland along with the entire East Bay to San Francisco,San Jose and Silicon Valley through the incorporation of a second transbay tunnel for Bay Area Rapid Transit(BART),commuter rail(Caltrain),and high speed rail(HSR).This article will explore the ConnectOAKLAND vision for I-980 as a case study for current and future patterns of highway removal,and as a part of the national movement to rethink the role of urban highways and holistically re-envision the US transportation infrastructure.

Step out the Paradox of Livable City Studies:Conceptual Model and Path Choice

Based on a comparative analysis on the concepts and standards of livable city in China and abroad,the paper creates a conceptual model and a fundamental formula for livable city development with economic development as the foundation,and the social and cultural conditions,the ecological status,and the city governance as three pillars,so as to provide a theoretical explanation for the two paradoxes of livable city.The paper suggests that China should choose Path C,which combines economic development with city livability.It also analyzes the development rules of livable city under Path C,and talks about the fundamental ideas of livable city construction under the current circumstances in China.In the end,the paper puts forward related planning strategies in terms of spatial structure,ecological environment,cultural construction,transportation system,and housing system,in order to establish a livable city development model that is suitable for China's practical conditions.

Climate services for addressing climate change: Indication of a climate livable city in China

China, like many countries, is under great pressure to reduce climate change and adapt to current situations while simultaneously undertaking economic development and transformation. This study takes advantage of climate opportunities and provides a new concept and mode of urban climate services in order to address climate change. Eighteen indicators based on climate and climate-related variables were used to provide an assessment, in the form of an index, of how livable a city is depending on prevailing climatic conditions. The resulting index can also be used to investigate how recent and future changes in the climatic conditions could affect livability. All Chinese cities and regions share the common goals of promoting low-carbon development, improving resilience against climate change, and integrating economic growth with climate actions. Climate services have been developed in China to provide decision-makers this measure of livability. Such a move facilitates sustainable development alongside economic growth by aiding government efforts in climate adaptation and low-carbon development. Our approach represents multidisciplinary and demand-driven research on adaptation to and the impacts of regional climate change, thereby transforming climate science into a climate service and ensuring that climate information can be provided in a scientific, practical, and customized way for policy-makers. The outputs can be used locally to take concrete climate actions and integrate climate services into decision-making processes.

Livable City Standards and Development in China

In recent times, China has shifted its position from the pursuit of pure GDP to that of humanistic GDP, environmental GDP, and to the unified harmonious development of population, resources, and environment. One of the objectives set at the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China （CPC） for building a well-off society in all aspects is to construct a harmonious society. A livable city is one of the most important aspects of a harmonious society. Being so called is closely associated with the living quality of the people in that city and one of the important yardsticks to measure the achievements of China＇s reform and development. As a development objective, a livable city should have its standards. However, different countries have advanced their standards differently for judging a livable city. There are still not international unified standards. With the passing of the times, the building of a standard system for a livable city is of increasing value both theoretically and practically. In January 2005, the ＂General City Planning for Beijing Municipality （2004-2020）＂ was approved by the State Council Beijing was the first to make ＂livable city＂ one of its objectives. This will have a significant impact on urban and economic development in the Chinese capital and will have a profound impact on other areas in the effort to build livable cities. In view of the actual conditions of the development of cities in China, this paper has advanced such standards as economic development, social harmony, and amenities for judging whether a city is a livable city, and made empirical analysis of the development of livable cities in China.

Livable Tangshan

Tangshan shifts focus from heavy industry to environmental friendly development Tangshan,Hebei Province,is known as the cradle of Chinese industry,and for its miraculous comeback after a devastating earthquake in 1976 that killed 242,000 people.Today a new miracle is improving the air quality of this once heavily polluted city.

Reflections on the Improvement of Rural Human Settlement Environment from the Perspective of Beauty and Livability

The construction of beautiful and livable villages is one of the important tasks of ruralrevitalization in the new era, and the development of rural areas attaches more and more importanceto the improvement of human settlement environment. By investigating the construction status andexisting problems of Zhaoba Village in Nanjing, it tries to take “beauty” and “livability” as the planningrequirements. The village positioning is planned accurately, and the functional layout is carried outreasonably. According to the characteristic industries, landscape features and infrastructure of ZhaobaVillage, humanized construction strategies are put forward, thus improving the quality of human settlementenvironment in Zhaoba Village.

Evaluation on Livability of Urban Residence Based on RS and GIS——A Case Study of Shihezi City of Xinjiang Province

By selecting environmental amenity,living convenience,and living health as the primary indexes as well as park,school,supermarket,main urban traffic road and industrial district as secondary indexes,the livability of urban residence in Shihezhi City was evaluated based on spatial analysis method of RS and GIS technology and the most suitable sites for residence was located,so as to provide references for future planning and construction of Shihezi City. The study showed that:in accordance with the benefits and harms of residential environment to residents,the livability of urban residence in Shihezi City could be graded into seven degrees;the most suitable site could be found in the area between Beiyi Road and Beiwu Road to the east of Xihuan Road,which was close to school,supermarket and park,and was the most ideal residential area in Shihezi City.

An Innovative Approach to Mitigate Vehicular Emission through Roadside Greeneries: A Case Study on Arterial Roads of Dhaka City

With the surge of human population, the need for transportation of goods and people also concomitantly increases, resulting in urban air pollution through emission from motorized traffic especially in developing countries. The extent of environmental pollution in an urban setting is significantly influenced by the pollutants of vehicular fuel combustion. Many effective measures are required in cities to sequester carbon thereby helping to reduce automobile pollution. Roadside greeneries can serve as ecological elements which reduce the concentration of pollutants from vehicular emissions by their direct involvement in absorbing vehicular emitted carbon. In this context, in this study an attempt has been taken to assess contribution of roadside greeneries in absorbing vehicular carbon dioxide emission. A case study has been conducted on arterial roads of mega city Dhaka to quantify the vehicular carbon emission and correlate it with roadside trees to absorb the emitted carbon dioxide. It is noted that in Dhaka city, carbon dioxide is accounted for more than ninety percent of air pollution. To achieve our goals, two busiest arterial roads (namely Mirpur Road and Rokeya Shoroni Road) were taken into account to quantify vehicular carbon emission as well as assess carbon absorption by roadside greeneries. Carbon absorption by different sizes of trees has been quantified using the amount of woody biomass. In addition, absorption by grass-shrubs-herbs has been quantified by the area they cover. The results thus obtained show that indeed the road with more side greeneries absorbs more vehicular emitted carbon dioxide. It is therefore evident that plantation of more roadside trees is an effective measure of reducing air pollution and consequently turning a city to become healthier and more suitable for living.

Relationship between the Ecological Livability and the Green Development of Agriculture

Ecological livability is one of the important tasks and objectives of the rural revitalization strategy proposed at the 19 th National Congress of the CPC.The most precious wealth of the countryside is the excellent ecological environment,and China must unswervingly follow the route of green agricultural development.Based on current research on the relationship between ecological livable and agricultural green development,comprehensive policy documents,journal literature and related reports,this paper explored the background and connotation of ecological livable,the current situation of agricultural green development and existing problems,and profoundly analyzed ecological livable and the internal connection between agricultural green development,aiming to provide theoretical reference and scientific reference for the final realization of ecological livable goal.

Quantitative evaluation and spatial differentiation of eco-environmental livability in Zhejiang Province, China

The scientific analyses of the spatial patterns of regional eco-environment livability,along with the explorations of the correlations between ecoenvironments and population and economic activity distributions,are of major significance in the guidance of the coordinated development between social economies,natural resources,and environments.In this study,the topography,climate,hydrology,land cover,air quality,and the dangers presented by natural hazards in the study area were investigated in order to establish an evaluation model for the regional eco-environmental livability.Then,the observed spatial patterns and regional differences in the eco-environmental livability,as well as their relationships with the distributions of population and economic activities in Zhejiang Province,were investigated.The results showed that the ecoenvironmental livability in Zhejiang Province displayed a gradual decreasing trend from southwest to northeast,as well as from the mountains to the hills,valleys,and plains areas.During the compartmentalization of the eco-environmental livability,it was observed that the lowest livable area covered the largest population,accounting for approximately 29.64%of the total population in the study area.The higher livable areas covered the widest land areas,accounting for approximately 26.15%of the total area.Moreover,it was found that the eco-environmental livability in the mountain areas was higher than that in the plain areas in Zhejiang Province.Furthermore,the ecoenvironmental livability was found to have a significant exponential relationship with the population and GDP densities of Zhejiang Province,with the R^2 of the curve-fittings reaching 0.835 and 0.656,respectively.However,it was determined that the coefficient of the exponential function was negative,which indicated that a strong negative relationship existed between the eco-environmental livability and densities of the population and economic activities.It was assumed that the impacts of anthropogenic factors were the fundamental causes of this negative correlation.This study introduced two new factors(air quality and natural hazards)into the evaluation framework of eco-environmental livability.As a result,a more comprehensive model was established for the evaluation of eco-environmenta livability in certain segments of the study area Additionally,the correlation between ecoenvironment livability and human activities was discussed in-depth,which can potentially provide theoretical and practical guidance for the implementation of eco-livability in China,and possibly even those of other vast developing countries.