Abstract China has experienced the most serious habitat degradation, especially in fast-growing metropolis cities. Although increasing attentions have been brought to this issue, we still lack the understanding of the quantitative impacts of urbanization and landscape pattern on habitats. In this study, we used the “Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Trade-off” (InVEST) model to evaluate the habitat quality in Hangzhou city. We further employed spatial auto-correlation to analyze its spatiotemporal pattern variation characteristics. Finally, the ordinary least squares (OLS) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models were used to explore the impacts of urbanization and landscape pattern change on habitat quality. The results show that the habitat quality index of Hangzhou decreased from 0.608 to 0.577 during 2004–2015, and these areas mainly located around the suburb decreased significantly. The spatial distribution of habitat quality showed significantly positive spatial auto-correlation, and the overall spatial auto-correlation degree of the habitat quality increased during this time. Rapid urbanization has significant negative effects on habitat quality in various areas, while the magnitude and direction of the impacts of landscape pattern on habitat quality differed in time and space. These results provide decision-making criteria for formulating differential urban development policies and landscape management measures for urban ecological sustainability.
Gabriela ILIES, Marin ILIES*, Silviu Vasile BUMBAK
et al.
This study explores the geography of the perceived safety in Sighetu Marmației, Romania, a key cross-border hub in the
Maramures tourist region, particularly impacted by the ongoing conflict in the neighboring country. As interactions between locals
and tourists significantly influence the tourist experience, the research examines how local perceptions of safety shape tourist
behavior and the destination’s image. Utilizing a multidimensional approach, the study considers socio-demographic factors,
neighborhood conditions, and embedded past experiences to analyze the perceived safety. Data collection involved mapping 35
strategically chosen points within a pedestrian city tour that links various tourist attractions. The research design is based on a
qualitative analysis tool with the features of a short, structured human-operated interview. The visualization and mapping process is
based on spatial analysis. It is argued that positive perceptions of safety, rooted in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions,
contribute to the overall safety ratings, guiding tourists in their movement and decisions. The findings underscore the critical role of
local insights in shaping the safety narrative of the destination, with implications for destination marketing strategies aimed at
mitigating the negative impact of external conflicts on tourism development. The data retrieving tool is most effective when applied
to small or medium-sized cities, where the city structure and the spatial distribution of institutions and services are common
knowledge and allow the locals to express an informed opinion on each point throughout the process. Throughout the spatial analysis
results show a good overall level of perceived safety. Discussions focus on the generally perceived safety map of Sighetu Marmatiei
municipality, combined with map layers exhibiting detailed insights based on gender, age group, and frequent users of the space
highlighted several specific points that need to be addressed. While evaluating the perceived safety of the designated points, the
locals formulated advice for tourists along the pedestrian route. The resulting heatmaps, pseudo-relief maps, and other
operational representations are specifically tailored for the tourism and urban planning domain. These results will serve as a
decision-making tool for the tourism and local safety stakeholders – including the destination management organization (DMO
Maramures), as well as the national and border police, to implement communication strategies on safety and labeling.
O texto analisa as mudanças qualitativas na indústria de transformação da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Para tanto, é construído um índice de complexidade produtiva (ICP) baseado no volume de vínculos de trabalho formal. São analisados os diferentes subsetores da indústria de transformação e feitas comparações com o município de São Paulo, o estado do Rio de Janeiro e o Brasil. Os resultados apontam uma simplificação mais intensa da atividade industrial no município do Rio de Janeiro, indicando um processo de perda de centralidade da economia carioca no país e em relação ao restante do estado fluminense.
Political institutions and public administration (General), Cities. Urban geography
Reseña a: Kühne, Olaf (2023), Redescribing horizontal geographies. a neopragmatism approach to spatial contingency, complexity, and relationships, Cham, Suiza, Springer, 1041 pp., ISBN 9783031591242
Cities. Urban geography, Urban groups. The city. Urban sociology
Before the COVID-19 crisis, Thailand’s tourism industry, which is critical to the economy, relied on global tourists. The Thai government initiated a policy reform to stimulate domestic focus on the agricultural sector as the key occupation for income distribution, which involved changing tourist behavior from urban to local tourism. This study integrates quantitative and qualitative multiphase approaches to obtain reliable research results from six regions of Thailand. The travel behaviors of Thai tourists engaged in agritourism did not show a statistically significant difference. The paradigm was intercorrelated with variables of the entry mode, comprising internal and external factors that influence the decision to enter the agritourism business. An agritourism entrepreneur must perceive risks and benefits, and adjust and return to the homecoming of offspring. Thailand’s agritourism can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), resulting in economic growth based on sustainable domestic dependency.
Cities. Urban geography, Urbanization. City and country
Eric Duku, Collins Adjei Mensah, Iddrisu Amadu
et al.
AbstractGreen spaces are fast depleting in many urban areas across the world. This contributes to carbon dioxide emissions and affects the local climate and well‐being of city residents. Yet, there is limited empirical research on the spatio‐temporal patterns of change in urban green spaces and linkages to human well‐being, especially in coastal cities where urban green spaces additionally act as critical flood controls. This paper assesses the changing pattern of green space cover in Cape Coast Metropolis and the factors associated with the perceived well‐being of residents. Using a mixed‐methods design, we obtained open‐source geospatial data and gathered primary data through field observations, and in‐depth and semi‐structured interviews. These data were analysed using geospatial, statistical, and textual techniques. The results show that, from 1991 to 2018, the metropolis lost 26.57 km2 (21.66%) of its green space cover. The major land use change observed is the conversion of green spaces and wetlands into built‐up areas. The well‐being of residents related to green space use in the metropolis is associated with individuals' age and gender; the presence of good quality green space, its accessibility, and perceived importance; frequency of visits; and the time spent in the green space. The findings suggest the need for the integration of nature into urban development planning and policy, and enforcement of development controls to protect green spaces and enhance the well‐being of residents.
According to agonistic democracy theory, conflict is key for the functioning of plural democracies. In particular in ‘fractured’ societies, deliberative spaces in which adversary positions can be recognized and negotiated, serve as important arenas where antagonisms can be transformed into agonisms. Professionals dealing with conflicts between different interest groups – for instance in the field of spatial planning – are therefore challenged to identify appropriate ‘spaces’ for debate. Against this background, this paper discusses the extent to which localist discourses and practices can facilitate such spaces. For this purpose, we introduce a scheme for classifying different manifestations of New Localism. This scheme is unpacked and discussed by means of two contrasting case studies that reconstruct notions of New Localism based on a migration-related conflict in a rural area and on a conflict about traffic calming in an urban neighbourhood. Thereby we show how localist discourses and practices can contribute to establishing common symbolic spaces and temporary conflictual consensus, but also to concealing and normalizing exclusionary positions in small-scale conflicts.
Cities. Urban geography, Urbanization. City and country
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pro poor interventions with a special focus on wealth accumulation and diversity in income generating programs. The study used a Recursive Bivariate Probit model. The study used secondary data gathered by the Local Development Fund (LDF) in 2020 which drew a sample of 1396 households (868 beneficiaries, 528 non-beneficiaries). The study finds that participation in Livelihoods and Skills Development (LSD) programs significantly improved household asset accumulation by 14.8% and petty trading by 31.8%. Participation in Public Works Program (PWP) significantly improved asset accumulation by 17.7%. The study therefore concludes that the LSD program is more effective in helping households accumulate assets and engage in trade activities that result in improvement of income. Since the study demonstrates that the LSD program is more successful in assisting households to accumulate assets and participate in trade activities, the government should consider implementing a graduation model that extends the LSD's financial trainings to PWP and Social Cash Transfer (SCT) groups.
Cities. Urban geography, Urbanization. City and country
O artigo procura compreender como os/as ex-estudantes que ingressaram pelo sistema de cotas raciais na Universidade Estadual de Londrina entre 2010 e 2016 percebem a presença do racismo nos mecanismos de seletividade do mercado de trabalho. Para isso, foi feita uma análise bibliográfica, recolha e organização de dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, do Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada, da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios e do Nexo Jornal. Em um terceiro momento, foi confeccionado e aplicado um roteiro de perguntas aos/às egressos/as cotistas raciais da Universidade Estadual de Londrina. A pesquisa se caracteriza como quanti-qualitativa, com ênfase em uma abordagem interpretativa, que se propõe expressar o fenômeno estudado, dando mais liberdade e novas possibilidades no entendimento da realidade.
In the age of globalization and competitiveness of urban centers, the creative class is considered as one of the main drivers of growth and development of metropolitan areas. In this regard, the recruitment and maintenance of this social group, by identifying and evaluating their spatial preferences, has been included in the agenda of spatial development planning of cities and metropolitan areas. Accordingly, the aim of the present study is to (1) explain the relationship between the creative class as driving forces and growth and development as an achievement and also (2) identify the various spatial preferences of creative classes of Tehran metropolis to allocate residential, leisure, activity and communication needs. The combined methodology (qualitative and quantitative) has been used in this article; In collecting information, the methods of documentary, statistical and social analysis were used in the form of interviews and questionnaires, and in the classification of creative groups, the scenario method was used. The high correlation between the share of creative manpower and the value-added output confirms this claim. Similarly, the analysis makes it possible to identify four distinct groups: naturalistic, urbanist, knowledge-based, and artistic, depending on the differences in the characteristics of the activity and the spatial preferences of the creative class. Creating and maintaining a creative class in the metropolis of Tehran requires identifying the differences, features, and preferential spatial preferences of each of these groups. Based on this, their spatial-activity preferences were identified and presented in the form of solutions.
This paper introduces a set of analytical frames that explore the possibilities of conceiving, researching and writing a global geography of squatting. The paper argues that it is possible to detect, in the most tenuous of urban settings, ways of thinking about and living urban life that have the potential to reanimate the city as a key site of geographical inquiry. The paper develops a modest theory of ‘urban combats’ to account for the complexity and provisionality of squatting as an informal set of practices, as a makeshift approach to housing and as a precarious form of inhabiting the city.
As an agent in the production of place, transport plays a key role in shaping cities and their wider urban regions. Light rail transit can contribute to city boosterism - helping to enhance a city’s image and quality towards broader development agendas such as economic growth and creation of sustainable and liveable cities. This paper examines the place-making role of light rail (supertrams, light metros and streetcars) through analysis of its material and meaningful impacts in relation to boosting city image and quality. It provides a critical synthesis of empirical ex-post evidence from a literature review of published and unpublished sources on wider economic impacts of light rail. Impacts include a modern image, reinforcement of cultural identity, prestige, social inclusion/exclusion, environmental quality, and physical transformations such as pedestrianisation and ‘greening’ the city. More positive impacts than negative impacts were found, though these vary with geographical location and over time. Some cities deliberately seek to maximise impacts through integrated transport and urban planning strategies. The paper complements existing cultural approaches to transport geography to shed light on the relationship between transit development and city boosterism. The paper makes recommendations for future research.