Genoa is an example of how to rethink cultural heritage and urban sustainability
Urban planning has a long history, stretching back to Ancient Greece and even Mesopotamia. Many centuries later, Europe finally caught up with the idea when Genoa developed the Strade Nuove and the Palazzi dei Rolli—the "new streets" and "Rolli pal.....»»
Summer storms found to be stronger and more frequent over urban areas
Summer storms are generally more frequent, intense and concentrated over cities than over rural areas, according to new, detailed observations of eight cities and their surroundings. The results could change how city planners prepare for floods in th.....»»
Europe fails to harmonize sustainability reporting in the agri-food sector
A team from the University of Cordoba compared the sustainability reports put out by 100 agri-food companies in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany. Their study is published in the Journal of Policy Modeling......»»
AI boosts indoor food production"s energy sustainability
Integrating artificial intelligence into today's environmental control systems could reduce energy consumption for indoor agriculture by 25%—potentially helping to feed the world as its population rises, Cornell engineers have found......»»
Greenpeace sounds alarm on microplastics ingested by Hong Kong wildlife
Microplastic particles turned up in the vast majority of waste samples taken from Hong Kong wildlife in a Greenpeace study, the group said Monday, suggesting that animals still ingest plastics even if they are not feeding in urban areas......»»
Plot twist: How giving old graveyards new life as parks can improve our cities
Old graveyards are a forgotten land asset that can find new life as urban parks in crowded cities. As the density of our cities increases, efficient use of urban land becomes paramount. In particular, land for urban parks becomes more important and h.....»»
Saturday Citations: Teen seals photobomb research site; cell phones are safe; serotonin and emotional resilience
If you're not susceptible to urban myths and misinformation, there's a new study from the World Health Organization that will ease your 2010s-era anxieties about cell phones. There were a lot of other developments this week, including the return of B.....»»
$1.6M in 401(k)s at 58: Is It Time to Rethink Roth Contributions?
$1.6M in 401(k)s at 58: Is It Time to Rethink Roth Contributions?.....»»
Examining climate justice in urban public space adaptation
Evaluating processes and outcomes of climate change adaptation enables learning to facilitate climate-resilient pathways and prevent potentially unjust outcomes. A new study by Vanesa Castán Broto and her colleagues focuses on adaptation interventio.....»»
An ecological history of resilience and rewilding of a tall forest in southern Italy
Human disturbance has altered the integrity and functionality of forests throughout the globe, with the greatest impact on regions characterized by historical human cultural development and long-term natural resource exploitation. This is the case in.....»»
Genomic study illuminates mango"s heritage and future
Mango, a tropical fruit with a long cultivation history, faces significant challenges such as low genetic diversity and limited breeding improvements due to complex domestication and self-pollination. These issues hinder genetic advancements in trait.....»»
Scientists develop multifunctional photocatalyst for wastewater treatment
Water contamination by pharmaceuticals and heavy metals poses severe environmental and health risks. Traditional methods like biodegradation and filtration often lack efficiency and sustainability. Photocatalysis, using solar energy to degrade pollut.....»»
Global South cities lack cooling green spaces
Cities in the Global South are more exposed to extreme heat because they lack cooling green spaces, new research shows. The study found that Global South cities have just 70% of the "cooling capacity" provided by urban greenery in the Global North. T.....»»
JP Clausen brings auto, tech experience to GM manufacturing
JP Clausen, who previously worked for Tesla, Google and Lego, joined GM in April to succeed the retiring Gerald Johnson executive vice president of global manufacturing and sustainability......»»
Study finds lower-income NYC residents trade comfort for affordability
In a revealing piece of research coauthored by a Singapore Management University academic, public policies to ease urban heat in one of the largest first world cities have seen price gaps emerge between homes in cooler and hotter areas, with lower-in.....»»
Study reveals key strategies to combat urban heat vulnerability
A QUT study analyzing five decades of research and thousands of studies has identified five critical areas needed to tackle urban heat vulnerability (UHV), a growing issue impacting millions in increasingly heat-prone cities......»»
Scientists make plea for greater focus on natural textile fibers
A King's researcher has urged environmental scholars to give greater focus to the environmental sustainability issues associated with natural textile fibers used in fashion, highlighting key areas to address......»»
There"s more to accessibility than availability of recreational spaces, says study
Urban planners and developers have predetermined markers of accessibility for recreational spaces, such as parks and playgrounds that might include ramps or the ability to travel to the space using public transportation......»»
Identifying inclusive training needs for English teachers in Japan teaching students with disabilities
Access to education is recognized as one of the pillars of sustainability; it is certainly a necessary foundation if we are to build a better world for ourselves and future generations. However, education needs to be not only accessible, but also inc.....»»
Q&A: Rwanda is creating shiny, modern cities after the genocide—but this won"t help communities heal from the past
Over the past 17 years, Rwanda has cleared informal settlements to make way for modern urban construction. Kigali's ambitious city master plan is expected to be fully realized by 2050. But what about the people who are pushed out in the process, and.....»»
On wildfires, experts say the West needs to rethink its response
Wildfires and the pain they cause to people, property and the planet are here to stay. And if Western management practices don't change to anticipate more and more record fire years, that pain may spread and worsen......»»