Interactions between water-land resources and oasis urban development at the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains,Xinjiang,China

Urban development in arid and semi-arid regions is largely constrained by fragile physical environ- ments. The characteristics of an urban settlement are different from those in other regions of China. This paper analyses the coupling characteristics and spatio-temporal variations for oasis urban development and water-land resources at the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains by principal component analysis and a coupling degree model. The result shows that the degree and change in regional use of water and land resources are different among the studied cities/counties during their development. The built-up areas of these cities/counties have changed little with increasing populations and urbanization levels, which well reflects that the urban development in arid and semi-arid regions is limited by oasis areas. Per capita amount of water supplied, however, presented a trend of slowed growth with increasing levels of urbanization. Water consumption gradually increased with urban development and the improvement of people＇s living standards, accompanied by enhanced water use efficiency. The level of urbanization can be assessed through the coupling degree between oasis urban development and the use of water and land resources. A high coupling degree represents a high level of comprehensive urban devel- opment and use of water-land resources. Alternatively, a low coupling degree denotes a low level of urban devel- opment and water-land resource use.

A relationship between red tide outbreaks and urban development along the coasts of Guangdong Province

Red tides are one of the main coastal catastrophic events in Guangdong Province of southern China. The comparison between the number of red tide events and the development indexes of cities along the coasts of the province shows that the regional differences in red tide outbreaks has close relations with the coastal urban developments. The cause for an initiation of red tide blooms may be natural factors, while wastewater caused by the fast development of population, industry and aquiculture of the coastal cities enhanced the blooms. It may explain why the two periods of frequent outbreaks of the red tides over the last two decades matched the urban developments in the coastal areas of Guangdong not only spatially but also temporally. The red tides in the first period were restricted only to the coasts of middle Guangdong, where urbanization process was at a higher speed than the other coastal areas of the province. In the second period, fast development of the coastal cities in eastern Guangdong led to an increase in the occurrence of red tides in local sea areas of the same coasts.

Urban Development Boundary Simulation Based on“Double Evaluation”and FLUS Model

The delimitation of urban development boundaries plays an important role in optimizing the nation land space.“Double evaluation”is one of the important means to study and predict the scale of new construction land in the future and to determine the spatial distribution of urban construction land.This study combines the“double evaluation”with the FLUS(Future Land-Use Simulation)model to study the delimitation of the urban development boundary of Yichang.The results show that:(1)the“double evaluation”method comprehensively considers the carrying capacity of the resource environmental bear and the suitability of urban development;(2)the FLUS model can better couple the“double evaluation”method for Land Use/Land Cover(LULC)suitability evaluation,Land Use/land Cover Change(LUCC)simulation and urban development boundary delineation,and the overall accuracy of the simulation reaches 96%;(3)according to the requirements of relevant national policies,this study divides the urban development boundary of the study area into concentrated construction areas,elastic development areas and special purpose areas.This function-based division can meet the requirements of urban flexible development,ecological protection and urban safety.This research combines the FLUS model,which is widely used in the simulation of LUCC,with the double evaluation method used in China’s new round of land and space planning to obtain the result of the urban development boundary.This result is consistent with the existing plan of the study area.

Unified Data Model of Urban Air Pollution Dispersion and 3D Spatial City Model:Groundwork Assessment towards Sustainable Urban Development for Malaysia

Understanding the behavior of urban air pollution is important en route for sustainable urban development (SUD). Malaysia is on its mission to be a developed country by year 2020 comprehends dealing with air pollution is one of the indicators headed towards it. At present monitoring and managing air pollution in urban areas encompasses sophisticated air quality modeling and data acquisition. However, rapid developments in major cities cause difficulties in acquiring the city geometries. The existing method in acquiring city geometries data via ground or space measurement inspection such as field survey, photogrammetry, laser scanning, remote sensing or using architectural plans appears not to be practical because of its cost and efforts. Moreover, air monitoring stations deployed are intended for regional to global scale model whereby it is not accurate for urban areas with typical resolution of less than 2 km. Furthermore in urban areas, the pollutant dispersion movements are trapped between buildings initiating it to move vertically causing visualization complications which imply the limitations of existing visualization scheme that is based on two-dimensional (2D) framework. Therefore this paper aims is to perform groundwork assessment and discuss on the current scenario in Malaysia in the aspect of current policies towards SUD, air quality monitoring stations, scale model and detail discussion on air pollution dispersion model used called the Operational Street Pollution Model (OSPM). This research proposed the implementation of three-dimensional (3D) spatial city model as a new physical data input for OSPM. The five Level of Details (LOD) of 3D spatial city model shows the scale applicability for the dispersion model implementtation. Subsequently 3D spatial city model data commonly available on the web, by having a unified data model shows the advantages in easy data acquisition, 3D visualization of air pollution dispersion and improves visual analysis of air quality monitoring in urban areas.

The conception framework of Asian urban development in transition

Aiming at providing references to China's urban development in the reform era, this paper gives a brief summary of the recent academic advances about the contemporary urban development in Asia. Mainly based on reviewing the literature concerning Asian specificity, the author attempts at addressing the current critical orientations of international urban studies. The basic issues covered are the 1) changing conception of major forces for urbanization; 2) the. new concerns upon alternative urbanization approaches, ac 3) the more attention to the necessary reform of urban governance for a sustainable urban development

Minister Hou Jie on China's Housing Construction and Urban Development

At a reception held recently, Mr. Hou Jie, Minister of Construction, spoke about China’s housing construction and urban development. According to Mr. Hou Jie, the Chinese government always pays high attention to housing development, and has adopted many policies to speed up the construction of houses. Especially since 1979 when China introduced the policy of reform and opening, residential housing has developed rapidly and witnessed outstanding achievement. From 1979 to 1996, 13.8 billion square metres of residential

Mega-Events Serve as Catalysts for Rapid Urban Development--Take the Rio Olympics as an Example

During the past decades,more attention has paid to the concept of leveraging sports mega-events to fast-track urban development and bring lasting value for host city(Legroux,2014).The 2016 Rio Olympics brings a great chance to the city to transform,promoting economic development including boosting tourism,attracting investment and stimulating infrastructure development.However,unbalanced development of the three aspects of ecological,economy and social inclusion exists in the Olympic projects.More attention is paid for the economic accumulation and most public facilities are built in well-developed areas.At the end of the article,some recommendations are come up for coordinated development.The government should focus on the equal distribution of resources and public participation.The development taking the Olympic Games as an opportunity should adhere to the principle of sustainable development.Considering the decreasing trend of bidding for the Olympic Games,low-cost and high-efficiency development models should be applied.

Open Space Implications in Urban Development: Reflections in Recent Urban Planning Practices in Nepal

Open space has various implications in urban development planning and has been integrated in recent urban planning approaches and practices in Nepal.The open spaces are not only important for(re)shaping the urban form but are also important for enhancing urban social life and disaster risk management,particularly for dense cities.As most of the cities in Nepal have been growing haphazardly,the cities lack sufficient open space.However,the value of open space in dense cities like Kathmandu has been recognized more after the Gorkha Earthquake 2015 as the open spaces were extensively used for risk relief,treatment,recovery,and rehabilitation during and after the earthquake.With this background,this paper presents the major planning initiatives in Nepal and discusses how recent urban plans have provisioned and initiated open spaces development by reviewing concurrent urban planning practices,particularly reviewing Periodic Plans,Integrated Urban Development Plan,Smart City Plan,and Land Development Plan.The development of open areas has not been given much attention in the earlier urban planning practice but recent urban development planning has emphasized with a special focus which is very important for sustainable and safer city development and is expected to address the current bulging urban issues of spatiality and sociability.Therefore,it is very important for integrating open space implications in city planning and such open space should be conceptualized according to the city’s geography,landscape as well as socio-cultural contexts.

Theoretical framework of the Isfahani style: Inspiring sustainable aspects of a vernacular urban development

The Isfahani style represents a method of traditional Iranian architecture and urban development that existed in the early 20th century and is regarded as a leading model in most traditional Iranian cities. It exhibits several vigorous features contributing to its recognition as a traditional approach to sustainable architecture and urban development. This research endeavors to reveal a theoretical framework beneath these inspiring aspects using the typology of sustainable modern forms, including the hierarchy, passive design strategies, compactness, density, diversity, mixed land use, pluralism, balance, good composition, and integration over time. To this end, the study employs qualitative research methods, drawing from traditional samples, to identify innovative, energy and socially efficient, and low-impact strategies implemented in this vernacular architecture of Iran's semi-arid and hot climates. The findings revealed that the neighborhood concept as a local and plural community (Mahalla) was a vital phenomenon in Iran's urban development. Apparently, the demise of this paradigm effectively played an important role in the numerous challenges regarding the social, energy, and economic viability of modern Iranian cities. Hence, this study presented theoretical frameworks—aligned with sustainable concepts—from the Isfahani style through its analysis, classification, and interpretation, which can contribute to modern urban development.

Urban development and resource endowments shape natural resource utilization efficiency in Chinese cities

Improving the efficiency with which natural resources are utilized is an indispensable for achieving sustainable development and carbon neutrality. By analyzing the utilization efficiency of energy, water, and land, we established a comprehensive natural resource utilization efficiency index(NRUEI). We then calculated the 2016 index for 165 cities in China,and investigated what caused it to vary. We found three main results:(1) the NRUEI varied greatly across China and there were significant positive correlations between urban energy utilization efficiency(EUE), water utilization efficiency(WUE) and land utilization efficiency(LUE);(2) the NRUEI showed a significant positive correlation with a city’s population size,economy(Gross Domestic Product(GDP)), and the level of urban social development(GDP per capita);(3) cities in East China have the highest natural resource utilization efficiency,while cities in Northeast China have the lowest. These results indicate that China’s increasing urban development is associated with rising natural resource utilization efficiency and that the city’s endowment of natural resources is an important factor affecting that efficiency. Further, the results showed that the determinants of a city’s NRUEI differed in large and small cities. Lastly, our results suggest that improving EUE is key for improving NRUEI in urban China, and different efficiencies can be improved intertwined. A major takeaway of this study is that there is great potential for improving natural resource utilization efficiency in Chinese cities and we include city-specific suggestions for efficiency improvements.

Identity of Urban Spaces: Assessment and Evaluation

As a major symbol of civilization,the city was built by man for his security and comfort.It is not only a settlement,but also an urban development which has been identified with the spirit that has been breathed into the community.Urban identity which is also known as collective identity,has gained meaning through the content of objective manifestation and the creation of flashbacks,citizens’memories and mental associations.That is what makes urban dwellers become citizens.Although the identity of the city is a result of civic culture,it still has an influence on the process of citizenship and can also be a reason for developing criteria related to the participation and assessment of its inhabitants.According to the view that identity is a set of traits and characteristics that distinguishes the dignity of a person and a society from other individuals and communities,a city becomes characterized and independent by adhering to these criteria.Despite the importance of identity as one of the richest qualitative aspects of urban life that gives meaning and fulfilment to the human quiddity,this complicated and expanded concept has still not been seriously considered,especially in relation to urban spaces.In fact,identity in architecture and urban spaces has recently diminished,since the main focus lies on building spaces for optimized profit and not for high quality living areas.In this research paper,parameters affecting urban identity are evaluated,and strategies and guidelines to promote these parameters are finally presented.

Analysis of Citizen Participation in Urban Planning of Comala,Colima,Mexico-A Secondary Publication

The objective of this study was to determine the degree of citizen participation in urban planning processes in the municipality of Comala,Colima,Mexico to have a broader vision of the citizens and the environment in which they live.An instrument was designed specifically to perform this study and the instrument was validated by calculating Cronbach’s Alpha.The results showed that citizens were highly involved in issues concerning their urban environment,and the main problems of the public spaces were also identified.

Urban Densification Strategy and Land Value in Tijuana,Baja California-The Opinion of Specialists

Specialists can provide opinions regarding the city and land value based on their specialized field.Professionals in these fields are identified as urban planners and valuators,who play a crucial role in the current dynamics of cities.They have a qualified opinion on city issues based on their professional practice in various areas of expertise.This opinion was obtained through the formulation and application of a questionnaire to specialists.Subsequently,the results were analyzed and graphically represented.In the discussion,several findings were found related to the relationship between land value and the urban densification policy established in the urban planning that governs the city of Tijuana,Baja California.The study investigated the behavior of the real estate market in the region and the establishment of a solid strategy toward densification.

AN APPROACH ON SEVERAL PROBLEMS OF CHINA'S URBANIZATION DEVELOPMENT

China, having urique national conditions, is facing a basic contradiction between large numbers of less educated surplus rural labor forces and limited capacities of urban employment and infrastructure on the urbanization process.Hence, the urbanization model should prevail in comprehensive and several ways: (1)On occupational and spatial shift rural surplus labors, two fashions of 'leaving land bot not countryside' and 'leaving both land and countryside' should be integrated with joint effort of cities and countryside. (2) On urbanization motive, urban construction will be invested by not only the govermment (from the upper), but the locality, personnel and foreigners (from the lower). (3) On urban scales, metropolis,large, medium-sized and small cities and towns should play fully their roles to absorb rural surplus lanors. Thereby, the present urban development policy needs to be rectified, which this paper has discussed particularly. (4) On account of great regional disparities in China, urban development should perform different models in different regions. In addition, this paper has also focused on the problem and its primary countermeasures of 'labor force mass', a hot issue closely related to urbanization and rural labor transfer.

Environmental influence of Wuhan urban agglomeration development and strategies of environmental protection

In Wuhan urban agglomeration （WUA）, the population growth and concentration, the industrial development and urban sprawl have been affecting the environment ftmdamentally. Comparing with Yangtze delta metropolitan region, the level of urbanization and industrialization of WUA has lagged behind for about 10 years; but the problems in environmental protection and rehabilitation are commonly serious. In the future, WUA should avoid unnecessary mistakes and seek a win-win strategy for economy and environment in its large-scale development stage. Based on the analysis of the changing of main environmental pollutants and the coupled curves in past decades, the paper discussed the important links among the urban environmental pollutions, industry growth and urban sprawl in WUA. It is concluded that the integration of economic and environmental policies in urban development is more required and significant at the large urban agglomeration region. Four proactive and long-term strategies need to be adopted to provide prior guidance and better protection for the development of WUA.

Urban sprawl and its impact on sustainable urban development:a combination of remote sensing and social media data

Urbanization is one of the most impactful human activities across the world today affecting the quality of urban life and its sustainable development.Urbanization in Africa is occurring at an unprecedented rate and it threatens the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).Urban sprawl has resulted in unsustainable urban development patterns from social,environmental,and economic perspectives.This study is among the first examples of research in Africa to combine remote sensing data with social media data to determine urban sprawl from 2011 to 2017 in Morogoro urban municipality,Tanzania.Random Forest(RF)method was applied to accomplish imagery classification and location-based social media(Twitter usage)data were obtained through a Twitter Application Programming Interface(API).Morogoro urban municipality was classified into built-up,vegetation,agriculture,and water land cover classes while the classification results were validated by the generation of 480 random points.Using the Kernel function,the study measured the location of Twitter users within a 1 km buffer from the center of the city.The results indicate that,expansion of the city(built-up land use),which is primarily driven by population expansion,has negative impacts on ecosystem services because pristine grasslands and forests which provide essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and support for biodiversity have been replaced by built-up land cover.In addition,social media usage data suggest that there is the concentration of Twitter usage within the city center while Twitter usage declines away from the city center with significant spatial and numerical increase in Twitter usage in the study area.The outcome of the study suggests that the combination of remote sensing,social sensing,and population data were useful as a proxy/inference for interpreting urban sprawl and status of access to urban services and infrastructure in Morogoro,and Africa city where data for urban planning is often unavailable,inaccurate,or stale.

Multifaceted perspective on North American urban development

This study offers a multifaceted perspective on the history and theory of North American urban development.It extends a framework that deconstructs the complex urban evolution process into the three stages of assembly,disassembly,and reassembly.Urban development is explained through planning,architectural and critical theoretical perspectives.This study examines the inextricable links among land use regulations,public policies,transportation,urban economics,and communication technologies and underlines their impacts on shaping suburbia and downtown redevelopments.It argues that today’s revived traditional cores and medium-to-high-density mixed use developments are not mere incarnations of historic urban models.Despite responding to certain real-market demands for livable and vibrant urban environments,these quasi-traditional developments are driven by globalization forces and facilitated by cutting-edge technological advancements.Using combined evidence from theoretical investigations and interviews with experienced professionals,this research demonstrates the complexity and multidimensionality of urban development processes that require in-depth understanding of current global socioeconomic and technological transformations.

IMPACTS OF SEA LEVEL RISE ON MAJOR PROJECTS AND URBANDEVELOPMENT IN CHINA'S COASTAL PLAINS

Due to the dual dris oftural and man-made factors, relative sea leverise in China's coastal plains can be 2 to 3 times over the global mean dunng thefirst half of the 21st Century, it will strongly whuence the vanous coastal projectsand installations and the development of coastal dhes and towns. Research resultsshow that a 50-cm-nse in relative sea leve will cause maed decline in the functionof coastal defense and drainage projects and seriously endangur the functionalworking of the vast majority of coastal harbors. Meanwhile, it will also whuence thedevelopment of coastal dhes and towns throwi deterioratin water quality of thesource of urban water supply, increasing urban fiood risk and damagin seasidetounst resources etc.. Tianin, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the three most importancoastal dhes of China, will be Strongly affeded.

Theme: Chinese Media and Urban Development

The Media and Urban Development Forum hosted by Communication University of China and Singapore Media Corporation will be held in March 2009 in Beijing.China is now witnessing an unprecedented climax of urbanization and construction It has been recognized that the competition