Urban Market-Gardening in Parakou (Republic of Benin): Spatial Dynamics, Food Security, Protection of the Environment and Creation of Employments

Nowadays, African cities are subjected to upsets which result from the extraordinary growth of urban populations. The growth of the population of cities has induced some changes in the structure of the activity of those cities. Agriculture which was formerly confined to the countryside henceforth develops in the urban area and occupies a preponderant place as a strategy of survival, of insertion and of food supplying of the city-dwellers. It has become an activity integrated to the urban tissue through systems of occupying and exploitation of land in the urban area. Population growth (4.81%) between 2002 and 2013 is a critical poverty rate (65%) of the population of Parakou city, entailing a misery perceptible in all its social and economic dimensions. The market-gardening activity has integrated itself to the urban tissue. The objective of this study is to understand how urban agriculture through market-gardening can be a solution for rural farmers who have moved to Parakou city. In this study, documentary research, interviews and field observation are used for data collection. The main results to be signaled among others are: evolution and status of the market-gardening areas in Parakou, the reduction of food insecurity with the permanent availability in quantity and in quality of market-gardening products accessible to the population: the protection of the environment through the drainage of the urban area and the preservation of the diversity of vegetables;the increase of the income of the households of the farmers and the creation of employments.

The Potential of Earth Observation Based Indicators to Assess the State of Urban Environment: An Application for the Urban Agglomeration of Athens

Earth observation (EO) provides the opportunity for periodic and spatially detailed assessment of the state of the environment in urban areas. In this study, the potential of EO based indicators (EI) to assess the state of environment in the urban agglomeration of Athens (UAA) is examined. EO based indicators as used in the study, include land surface temperature, land use, land cover and aerosols distribution. The indicators are also related to the household density and population density, as extracted from census data, for the same area. Indicators are applied at the municipal scale and are also used to estimate an aggregate environmental indicator (AEI), at municipal scale, by integrating all indicators mentioned above in a GIS environment. It is found that the urban agglomeration of Athens is practically “dichotomized”, by being divided in a western and eastern area, with considerably different environmental conditions. Results are considered important for focused interventions supporting environmental urban planning, whereas they represent the high potential of EO based indicators to monitor and assess the state of the urban environment.

Analysis on Ecological Benefits of Urban Wetlands and Protection Measures with a Case of Nansha Wetland

Nansha wetland plays a crucial role in ecological balance of the Pearl River Delta or even Guangzhou. The research, based on researches available, analyzed ecological benefits of Nansha wetland and proposed protection measures in order to better protect urban wetlands and achieve sustainable development of ecological resources of Nansha wetland.

Medieval Towns, Traffic and Urban Planning Half a Century since the First Pedestrian Zone in Siena, Italy

The Italian town is known as a collection of wails, gates, towers, palaces and cathedrals. The lanes and the squares were created in the Middle Ages, with an urban fabric suitable for horses and carriages, not for motor cars. At the beginning of the 1960s, it was no longer possible to delay a solution to the problem of traffic and the first ＂pedestrian isle＂ was realized in the centre of Siena in 1965. Other towns in a few years followed this virtuous example. Acts against traffic avoided the building of urban motorways and the demolition of ancient buildings that would have given the ＂coup de grace＂ to several important historic centres.

Integration and Symbiosis between Traditional Folk Culture and Urban Space during Urbanization in China

By taking the residential environment change in Tai'an City of Shandong Province over the past 30 years for example, the paper had introduced characteristics of traditional residential culture and their influence on the urban residential spatial pattern, and explained the mutual effect and guidance between the establishment of new residential concepts and the extension of city context. It had pointed out that the government planning and development should be considered from historical and cultural perspective rather than economic perspective. Through the analysis of problems at each level, it had proposed that urban construction should pay attention to historical inheritance, and characteristic livable city construction should lay stress on the coordinated development between urban economy and historical culture.

Review of challenges and strategies for balanced urban-rural environmental protection in China

With the rise of environmentalism in China, great efforts have been devoted to environmental protec- tion over the past several decades. Compared with urban environmental protection, rural environmental protection has not been attached enough importance in China due to the dual-track structure of socio-economic development. As a result, rural China is shouldering disproportionally heavy environmental burdens partly because of the differences and biases between urban and rural environmental protection seen in environmental policies, environ- mental rights and interests, environmental protection investment, and the environmental protection awareness of people. To eliminate the gap between rural and urban environmental protection, and achieve the goal of ＂balanced urban-rural environmental protection＂ （BUREP）, government should consider mapping out proper policies and strategies. In this paper we put forward an innovative strategy of BUREP against the background of China＇s urban-rural environmental protection. First, we review the current status of rural environmental protection status and its challenges compared with urban environ- mental protection in China. Secondly, we analyzed the main driving factors and reasons deeply, and then we put forward the BUREP strategy base on the unequal status between urban and rural environment. Finally, we proposed the framework of BUREP. This study may serve as a scientific reference regarding decision-making in coordinating urban and rural environmental protection and in constructing the new countryside of China.

An examination on several key problems inChina's urbanization process

Industrialization is the leading factor to urbanization which is the inexorable trend ofeconomic construction. In the future urbanization process three key problems are identified as I)relation between urban construction and cultivared land protetion, 2) how to take China's way tourbanization, and 3) China should take the Way of nd and urban coordination and forbid to occupyagricultural land for blind urbsn condtruction.

Locating Power and Decision-Making： Social Production of Space in Juiz de Fora, Brazil

This paper aims to discuss how the shaping of a city, Juiz de Fora, in Brazil, has resulted from the power of location of some social agents and from their disputes on the production of space. First, it introduces the concept of social production of space, emphasizing the role of social agents in urban processes. Then, it presents specific aspects of the history of Juiz de Fora＂ its origins and how social agents and forces have played a significant role in shaping the built environment of the city--specially represented by main streets of the city. The paper studies how the social agents, with their different visions and goals, have influenced the process of formation and development of the city. This demonstrates the complexity of the existing relationships between the built environment and the social context that is specific to the city. Different urban forces fight for city spaces, construct and modify its territory so that their needs are fulfilled. Their strength, their experiences and efforts, and their ideas of a city are inscribed in urban landscapes; in similar ways, these are revealed by the city paths we follow here.

会理古城更新改造设计策略初探

城市设计贯穿于城市发展建设的各个环节,优质的城市设计可以改善城市内部生态,美化城市环境,提高城市品味,满足人们日益增长的需求。城市设计应以城市更新思想为指导,立足于满足城市各区域公共设施合理规划,为城市居民提供优质服务,促进城市可持续健康发展。以会理古城更新改造为例,通过对古城历史文化进行分析,提出城市更新改造应保护和展示会理古城的历史遗迹和传统建筑,提供便利的交通和舒适的居住环境,从而将会理古城打造成以悠久的历史文化为基础,以保存完好的古城墙、街道、民居、寺庙等建筑为载体,以传统民俗文化活动和地方美食为特色,融历史文化旅游为一体的综合性古城。

城市污水处理在生态环境建设中的重要性分析

随着我国城市化进程的加速,所产生的大量生活污水、工业废水不仅对自然生态环境造成污染,也对人类健康产生严重影响。因此,城市污水处理成为生态环境建设的重要一环,在生态环境建设中的重要性不容忽视。基于此,本文在分析城市污水对生态环境建设影响的基础上,深度分析了城市污水处理在生态环境建设中的重要性,并从优化污水处理管理体系、建立完善的污水处理制度、采用先进的污水设备和处理技术等方面,探索突出城市污水处理在生态环境建设中重要性的实施策略,旨在保护城市生态环境的可持续发展。

文化生态视角下城市公园保护策略研究

文章主要研究了城市公园的文化价值和生态功能,并提出了文化生态视角下城市公园的保护策略.城市公园不仅具有历史、社会、艺术与审美文化价值,还具有生物多样性维护、碳氧平衡、水文调节和心理健康促进等生态功能.通过北京颐和园、上海世纪公园和深圳华侨城湿地公园等案例分析,启示人们应尊重和保护地方文化特色,促进社区文化繁荣,注重生态与文化的融合.在城市公园的保护策略中,应充分体现历史文化特色、加强生态多样性保护、合理规划公园使用、提高管理水平、确保资源合理利用、加强生态环境保护.

论生态环境监测在生态环境保护中的作用及意义

本文探讨了生态环境监测在生态环境保护中的关键作用及其意义。首先,对生态环境监测的定义和特点进行了概述。然后,详细探讨了生态环境监测在生态环境保护中的三个关键作用,包括确定环境影响因素治理目标、为环保标准的制定提供依据以及提高生态环境保护管控效果。最后,提出了充分发挥生态环境监测作用的四项关键措施,这些措施的实施将有助于更好地应对当今复杂的生态环境挑战,确保生态环境的可持续性和人类健康。

我国新型城镇化建设与生态环境保护探析

随着我国经济水平的不断提高,现代人们对于环境保护工作的重视度越来越高,可持续发展是未来的发展大趋势。传统以牺牲环境为代价来谋求经济发展的模式并不适用目前我国的实际情况,也不适应我国资源节约、环境保护的要求。基于此,有关人员要对新型城镇化建设和生态环境保护工作有一定的认识,把握两者的关联性,结合早期城镇化建设中的主要问题,提出科学合适的解决策略,进而保证新型城镇化的建设效果。本文主要分析我国新型城镇化建设与生态环境保护的相关策略。

城市土壤的生态服务功能演变与城市生态环境保护研究

城市土壤的生态服务功能演变与城市生态环境保护是长期而艰巨的任务。城市土壤的生态服务功能是指其为人类提供的各种利益,包括净化空气、调节气候、保持水源等。本文从城市土壤的生态服务功能内涵角度,论述其对于城市生态环境保护的重要性,并详细论述了城市土壤生态服务功能演变的成因及其保护策略。

城市园林绿化规划中的生态环境保护与绿色可持续发展研究

城市化进程快速推进的今天,城市园林绿化规划成为实现生态环境保护与绿色可持续发展的关键领域。尤其是随着城市人口的不断增加和土地利用的不断扩张,城市面临着严峻的生态挑战,不仅影响了城市居民的生活质量,也对城市的可持续发展构成了威胁。论文深入研究城市园林绿化规划中的生态环境保护与绿色可持续发展,为现阶段中国的城市规划发展提供参考性意见。

城市生活饮用水安全卫生监测技术的研究

近年来,随着我国工业技术的快速发展,城市饮用水安全卫生条件日益恶化,而饮用水的水质安全是每个人生命安全最基本的保障,是城市可持续发展的重要前提,因此,加强对城市生活饮用水的监测势在必行。本文分析了城市饮用水安全卫生监测的必要性,探讨了自动监测和在线监测两种基本监测技术,并从法律法规、社会重视度、新技术及新设备三个方面对饮用水监测技术应用的促进措施进行研究,以期能够加强对城市饮用水安全卫生的监测力度,促进水环境保护工作,保障城市居民用水安全。

城市水域环境治理对策研究

随着城市社会经济的发展和居民数量的增长,对于水域环境丰富且复杂的城市来说,其水域环境日益面临严峻的威胁和挑战。因此,要重视加强城市水域环境的治理和保护,实现水域生态环境的良性循环和发展。本文分析了当前城市水域环境面临的问题,并提出了加强城市水域环境治理的对策建议。

重庆市滨江路设计发展历程与多动能融合策略探讨

文章针对重庆市主城区滨江路的设计发展进行思考和总结,介绍并展望了重庆市直辖至今,滨江路在功能定位与防洪标准、线形指标、路网衔接及横断面布置等方面的设计历程。文章回顾了滨江路从满足交通功能到注重服务功能,再到保护历史文化、注重生态的转变;并探讨了滨江路多功能融合和人性化空间打造等方面的策略与思考。

举办大型运动会与城市生态环境保护的探讨

研究采用实地考察、文献分析以及生态学、城市规划、环境保护基本原理等。通过研究大型运动会城市生态环境问题的产生、特点和表现 ,提出举办大型运动会与城市生态环境保护协调措施。认为 ,大型运动会引起城市生态环境的问题主要表现在 :( 1)体育场馆设施建设 ;( 2 )建材的使用与废弃 ;( 3 )城市环境污染 ;( 4 )场馆设施与交通能源利用 ;( 5 )体育场馆设施赛后利用等。在举办大型运动会中 ,要确保城市生态环境的可持续发展 ,一是制定大型运动会城市生态环境保护具体规划 ,二是促进公众参与 。

城镇河道的水生态环境建设和保护

河流除具有为生活和工农业生产就近供水、交通航运、泄洪滞涝等功能外,还具有生态环境功能。除因过于重视防洪而造成的河道渠化问题外,随着城市化建设的加快,工农业和生活污水的剧增,中小河道填埋的发生对城镇现有河道产生了很大的影响,加重了河道的水污染、频繁引发洪涝灾害。分析了城镇河道现存问题及其对环境生态的影响,在参考和总结国内外有关城镇河道整治经验的基础上,介绍了城镇河道生态环境建设中河道生态护坡和河岸植被缓冲带建设的作用,并探讨了生态护坡建设的不同形式。