Impacts of Rapid Urbanization to Traditional Living Environment and Community Linkage in Historic Old Quarters of Vietnam： A Case Study on Gia Hoi Area in Hue City, Central Vietnam

Though with slight ups and downs, Vietnamese economies have been flourishing for recent decades. Just like other remaining historical districts in Asia, those of Vietnam have been going through rapid urbanization and transformation. The rapid urbanization impacts on traditional living environment. This paper examines the impacts of rapid urbanization to traditional living environment and community linkage, illustrating a case study of the Gia Hoi area of the historic old district in the city of Hue in Central Vietnam. To identify the impacts, a comparative analysis is conducted between neighbors along a main street which were more impacted by urbanization and those along a small alley which were less impacted. Through the analysis of field and questionnaire surveys, it found out that socioeconomic conditions, in particular, community linkage of households along main street and small ally varied significantly. It argues that in historical district, social capital is not well-spread, but rather concentrated along small allies, and small allies play an important role for sustainable community.

Construction of Xi'an ecological old-age care community in the new urbanization

The new urbanization is an important carrier of ecological civilization construction, and ecological old-age care is the concrete manifestation of the perfect combination of the two, the proper meaning of the new urbanization connotation and an inevitable trend of its development. Based on the analysis of the connotation and relationship between the new urbanization and ecological old-age care, together with the current situation and existing problems of the current nursing institutions and ecological old-age care in Xi'an area, this paper discusses the major issues that should be noticed when constructing the ecological old-age care community in Xi'an and three main construction modes.

Patterns of species diversity and functional diversity of breeding birds in Hangzhou across an urbanization gradient

Given the rapid rise in human population and increasing urbanization,it is important to understand their potential impacts on biodiversity.From March 2007 to August 2007,we conducted bird surveys in 90 strip transects,each 3 km long and 100 m wide,along a gradient of urbanization in Hangzhou,China.This gradient spanned a range of urbanization levels including urban areas,rural-urban continuum areas,farming areas,mixed forest/farming areas and forested areas.We recorded 96 breeding bird species and classified them into nine functional groups based on nesting requirements.The nine functional groups consisted of canopy nesters,shrub nesters,canopy/shrub nesters,natural cavity nesters,building nesters,natural cavity/building nesters,ground nesters,water surface nesters and parasitic nesters.Species and functional diversities were estimated based on the Shannon-Wiener index.Environmental data of each transect as human disturbance,vegetation cover and building index were also measured,and a synthetic urbanization index of each transect was introduced based on these data.We used regression analyses to model the relationship of species abundance,species diversity,functional abundance and functional diversity with this synthetic index.The results show that urbanization significantly reduces species richness,species diversity,functional richness and functional diversity,but the specific patterns differed.The relationship between species abundance/species diversity and urbanization is linear.In contrast,the relationship between functional diversity and urbanization was quadratic.In other words,with increased urbanization,functional diversity declined only slightly at first but then dropped at an accelerating rate.This implies that,although moderate urbanization reduces species diversity of breeding birds,it affects functional diversity of breeding birds only slightly in Hangzhou.The regression analysis of species diversity and functional diversity suggests a quadratic relationship between species diversity and functional diversity,i.e.,a linear relationship between species diversity and functional diversity can only exist at low diversity levels across urbanization gradients and increasing species abundance does not lead to an increase in functional diversity at the highest diversity levels.

Effects of Urbanization,Soil Property and Vegetation Configuration on Soil Infiltration of Urban Forest in Changchun,Northeast China

Urban forest soil infiltration, affected by various factors, is closely related with surface runoff. This paper studied the effect of urban forest types, vegetation configuration and soil properties on soil infiltration. In our study, 191 typical plots were sampled in Changchun City, China to investigate the soil infiltration characteristics of urban forest and its influencing factors. Our results showed that the steady infiltration rates of urban forest soil were highly variable. High variations in the final infiltration rates were observed for different vegetation patterns and compaction degrees. Trees with shrubs and grasses had the highest infiltration rate and trees with bare land had the lowest infiltration rate. In addition, our results showed that the soil infiltration rate decreased with an increase in the bulk density and with a reduction in the soil organic matter content and non-capillary porosity. The soil infiltration rate also had significantly positive relationships with the total porosity and saturated soil water content. Urban soil compaction contributed to low soil infiltration rates. To increase the infiltration rate and water storage volume of urban forest soil, proper techniques to minimize and mitigate soil compaction should be used. These findings can provide useful information for urban planners about how to maximize the water volume of urban forest soil and decrease urban instantaneous flooding.

Construction of Eco-livable Communities in the New Urbanization:A Case Study of Zhangzhou Green Lake Eco-park

Taking the construction of Green Lake Eco-park for example, this paper introduced the achievements and experience of this project in rural land expropriation, ecological conservation, humanistic development, and commercial development via field investigation, literature consultation and resident interview, and also problems in the current construction. Then suggestions were put forward to provide references for the further improvement of the Green Lake Eco-park.

RAPID URBANIZATION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION A ROADMAP TO 2015 AND BEYOND

UNESCO,the UN nodal agency for education,science,culture and architecture,has made sustainability a key topic in its development oriented activities,and has launched a new initiative to address the increasing concern of nonsustainable urbanization which currently occurs in the Asia and Pacific region.It is a region of rapid change,cultural alienation and environmental crisis,with a threatening divide between city and countryside.This paper informs about the interdisciplinary research activities conducted by the newly established UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Urban Development for Asia and the Pacific.The Chair’s roadmap for the next ten years to facilitate sustainable urban growth is explored and described in detail.

Urbanization reduces resource use efficiency of phytoplankton community by altering the environment and decreasing biodiversity

Urbanization often exerts multiple effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms,including changes in biodiversity,species composition and ecosystem functions.However,the impacts of urbanization on river phytoplankton in subtropical urbanizing watersheds remain largely unknown.Here,we explored the effects of urbanization on phytoplankton community structure(i.e.,biomass,community composition and diversity)and function(i.e.,resource use efficiency)in a subtropical river at watershed scale in southeast China over 6 years.A total of 318 phytoplankton species belonging into 120 genera and 7 phyla were identified from 108 samples.Bacillariophyta biomass showed an increasing trend with increasing urbanization level.The phytoplankton community shifted from Chlorophyta dominance in rural upstream waters to Bacillariophyta dominance in urbanized downstream waters.Furthermore,phytoplankton diversity and resource use efficiency(RUE=phytoplankton biomass/total phosphorus)were significantly decreased with increasing urbanization level from upstream to downstream.Phytoplankton RUE exhibited a significant positive correlation with species richness,but a negative correlation with phytoplankton evenness.The variation in environmental factors(turbidity,total nitrogen,NH_(4)^(+)-N,total phosphorus,PO_(4)^(3-)-P and percentage urbanized area)was significantly correlated with phytoplankton diversity and RUE.Overall,our results revealed the influence of urbanization on phytoplankton community structure and ecosystem function was due to its altering the environmental conditions.Therefore,human-driven urbanization may play crucial roles in shaping the structure and function of phytoplankton communities in subtropical rivers,and the mechanism of this process can provide important information for freshwater sustainable uses,watershed management and conservation.

The Role of Library and Information Science Education in the Development of Community Health Information Services for People Living with HIV/AIDS: Perspectives of Directors and Managers of Public Libraries

This article identifies the role of library and information science (LIS) education in the development of community health information services for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Preliminary findings are presented from semi- structured qualitative interviews that were conducted with eleven directors and managers of local branches in the Knox County Public Library (KCPL) System that is located in the East Tennessee region in the United States. Select feedback reported by research participants is summarized in the article about strategies in LIS education that can help local public librarians and others in their efforts to become more responsive information providers to PLWHA. Research findings help better understand the issues and concerns regarding the development of digital and non-digital health information services for PLWHA in local public library institutions.

Library Network Virtual Community Model Building

This paper analyzed and expounded on library network virtual community construction, building library website virtual community function model, revealing resource advantage, service advantage, competition advantage, and cultural brand advantage around the platform of network virtual community.

Library Network Virtual Community Model Building

. This paper analyzed and expounded on library network virtual community construction, building library website virtual community function model, revealing resource advantage, service advantage, competition advantage, and cultural brand advantage around the platform of network virtual community.

Advancing climate resilience through a geo-design framework: strengthening urban and community forestry for sustainable environmental design

Urban and community forestry is a specialized discipline focused on the meticulous management of trees and forests within urban,suburban,and town environments.This field often entails extensive civic involvement and collaborative partnerships with institutions.Its overarching objectives span a spectrum from preserving water quality,habitat,and biodiversity to mitigating the Urban Heat Island(UHI)effect.The UHI phenomenon,characterized by notably higher temperatures in urban areas compared to rural counterparts due to heat absorption by urban infrastructure and limited urban forest coverage,serves as a focal point in this study.The study focuses on developing a methodological framework that integrates Geographically Weighted Regression(GWR),Random Forest(RF),and Suitability Analysis to assess the Urban Heat Island(UHI)effect across different urban zones,aiming to identify areas with varying levels of UHI impact.The framework is designed to assist urban planners and designers in understanding the spatial distribution of UHI and identifying areas where urban forestry initiatives can be strategically implemented to mitigate its effect.Conducted in various London areas,the research provides a comprehensive analysis of the intricate relationship between urban and community forestry and UHI.By mapping the spatial variability of UHI,the framework offers a novel approach to enhancing urban environmental design and advancing urban forestry studies.The study’s findings are expected to provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers,aiding in creating healthier and more livable urban environments through informed decision-making in urban forestry management.

Research on the Path of Improving the Efficiency of Urban Community Governance from the Perspective of Collaborative Governance:A Case Study of Daqing City,China

Under the background of“co-construction,co-governance,and sharing,”the role of the grassroots level is becoming increasingly important.In the past,the governance body was single with blocked information,and the inefficient governance mode required gradual transformation.In order to achieve collaborative governance and break through the obstacles in grassroots governance,the key lies in how to play the role of the community,coordinate the relationship between citizens and the community,and allow the community to better play the role of grassroots governance.Under the guidance of the concept of collaborative governance and combined with relevant data,this paper discusses the problems and current situation of community governance in Daqing City,China,explores the path to improve the efficiency of urban community governance,and puts forward relevant constructive suggestions to better realize the role of community in grassroots governance.

Impacts of Environmental Factors on the Structure Characteristics of Avian Community in Shanghai Woodlots in Spring

From March to May, 2004, we selected 8 typical parks or green lands in Shanghai downtown as the study sites to conduct a ornithological research. During this study, total 55 species of birds were recorded, which included 31 resident and 24 migratory species. With statistics methodology, we analyzed the avian communities with 10 major environmental factors covering the park area, water percentage, vegetation species, canopy cover, shrub cover, grass cover, hill number, location condition, human quantity, path width, the study results indicated that: (1) the following 7 environmental factors were important to impact the structures of the avian community, they were park area, vegetation species, shrub coverage, grass coverage, hill number, location condition of the parks and path width; (2) the avian community of theses urban parks tended to deteriorate in the bird number and diversity; the man-made lake which was currently promoted in the park designing and planning process would not be good to attract the birds.

基于“In Library”视角的城市公共阅读空间供给侧改革研究

当前,我国公共图书馆在文化服务供给上与读者需求之间的矛盾主要表现在服务时间供需错位、服务产品供给落后、服务空间供给平庸三个方面,城市公共阅读空间也需供给侧改革。围绕深圳青番茄文化传播公司的"In Library"计划和北京西城区特色阅读空间的具体实践,分析新型城市公共阅读空间的基本属性、现实意义、建设主体和发展特点,为公共图书馆建设、优化城市公共阅读空间提供借鉴;并从供给侧改革加减乘除四则混算法则的视角,为我国公共图书馆建设城市公共阅读空间提出建议。

公共图书馆构建城市公共阅读空间的策略研究——基于深圳“In Library”与北京特色阅读空间的比较分析

城市公共阅读空间是公共文化服务体系不可或缺的组成部分。文章围绕深圳青番茄"In Library"与北京西城区特色阅读空间两大案例,简述其发展历程,并通过比较分析,指出两者在基本属性、空间模式和现实意义3方面具有相同点,以及合作对象与建筑主体、服务内容与运营方式方面存在不同。最后从延伸空间、虚拟空间、建筑空间角度提出公共图书馆构建城市公共阅读空间的策略。

Study on Construction Strategy of Rainwater Landscape System in Urban Residential Community

On the basis of analyzing the function and restriction conditions of water features in residential community, the feasibility and specific strategies of using rain- water to construct the waterscape system in residential community were proposed, with the aim to deal with the problems of urban water shortage, urban waterlogging and initial rainwater non-point source pollution.

Assessing the impact of fungicide enostroburin application on bacterial community in wheat phyllosphere

Fungicides have been used extensively for controlling fungal pathogens of plants. However, little is known regarding the effects that fungicides upon the indigenous bacterial communities within the plant phyllosphere. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of fungicide enostroburin upon bacterial communities in wheat phyllosphere. Culture-independent methodologies of 16S rDNA clone library and 16S rDNA directed polymerase chain reaction with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （PCR-DGGE） were used for monitoring the change of bacterial community. The 16S rDNA clone library and PCR-DGGE analysis both confirmed the microbial community of wheat plant phyllosphere were predominantly of the γ-Proteobacteria phyla. Results from PCR-DGGE analysis indicated a significant change in bacterial community structure within the phyllosphere following fungicide enostroburin application. Bands sequenced within control cultures were predominantly of Pseudomonas genus, but those bands sequenced in the treated samples were predominantly strains of Pantoea genus and Pseudomonas genus. Of interest was the appearance of two DGGE bands following fungicide treatment, one of which had sequence similarities （98%） to Pantoea sp. which might be a competitor of plant pathogens. This study revealed the wheat phyllosphere bacterial community composition and a shift in the bacterial community following fungicide enostroburin application.

Eubacteria and Archaea community of simultaneous methanogenesis and denitrification granular sludge

Based on the successful performance of a lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket （UASB） reactor with the capacity of simultaneous methanogenesis and denitrification （SMD）, the specific phylogenetic groups and community structure of microbes in the SMD granule in the UASB reactor were investigated by the construction of the Eubacteria and Archaea 16S rDNA clone libraries, fragment length polymorphism, and sequence blast. Real time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction （RTQ-PCR） technique was used to quantify the contents of Eubacteria and Archaea in the SMD granule. The contents of some special predominant methanogens were also investigated. The results indicated that the Methanosaeta and Methanobacteria were the predominant methanogens in all Archaea in the SMD granule, with contents of 71.59% and 22.73% in all 88 random Archaea clones, respectively. The diversity of Eubacteria was much more complex than that of Archaea. The low GC positive gram bacteria and ε-Protebacteria were the main predominant Eubacteria species in SMD granule, their contents were 49.62% and 12.03% in all 133 random Eubacteria clones respectively. The results of RTQ-PCR indicated that the content of Archaea was less than Eubacteria, the Archaea content in total microorganisms in SMD granule was about 27.6%.

Introduction to Urban and Community Forestry in the United States of America: History, Accomplishments, Issues and Trends

The urban and community forestry movement in the United States has matured over the last 20 years from managing street trees, to understanding the benefits of trees in urban ecosystems, and now to managing urban green infrastructure. This paper introduced the history, development, and major accomplishments of the urban and community forestry movement, highlighted the economic, ecological, environmental, and social values of forests and trees to communities, and discussed issues and trends of the urban and community forestry program in the United States.

Opportunities and Challenges for the Development of China's Community Gardens

Since the 1970s,community gardens have played an important role in promoting the development of sustainable communities and improving urban environments in the United States. Despite the popularity of spontaneous urban farming activities in China,community gardens have not caught on as an ecologically and socially sustainable urban development strategy. Based on a comparison of community garden development in China and the U.S.,the authors of this article fi nd that the development of community gardens in China will require close collaboration between city planning officials,real estate agencies,urban citizens,and landscape architects.