Urbanization is an increasingly important dimension of global change, and urban areas likely impose significant natural selection on the species that reside within them. Although many species of plants and animals can survive in urban areas, so far relatively little research has investigated whether such populations have adapted (in an evolutionary sense) to their newfound milieu. Even less of ...

Current literature on restorative environments generally shows the importance of urban natural landscapes in increasing perceived restorativeness of urban environments. However, little is known about the positive role of visual characteristics of urban natural landscapes in increasing Perceived Restorative Potential (PRP) of urban environments. This study aimed to understand the role of four pr...

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2384, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2013, pp. 74–84. DOI: 10.3141/2384-09 H. Ge and Y. Zhang, Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3136 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-3136. J. D. Miles and P. J. Carlson, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Texa...

abstract urban parks are important public multifunctional space used for a wide range of activities. the usage levels of parks depend on the spatial characteristics of the spaces, where its forms and occupancies are referred as the usage-spatial relationship. natural elements spatial complexity and park usability is of interest in this study. a photo - questionnaire was conducted among 296 of p...

The peri-urban area is the region where there is a more dynamic interaction between the urban and rural. The peri-urban area supplies natural resources, such as land for urban expansion and agricultural products to feed the urban population. In arid and semi-arid lands, such as northern Mexico, these areas may also be the source of water for the city's domestic demand. In addition, scholars arg...

Despite the progress made in controlling local air pollution, urban areas show increasing signs of environmental stress and air quality is one of the major concerns. The findings of several studies provide evidence that the shape of a city and the land use distribution determine the location of emission sources and the pattern of urban traffic, affecting urban air quality. This work focuses on ...

The human pressure on natural ecosystems and protected areas is steadily increasing. Urban growth is undeniably and irreversibly converting natural habitats as it is constantly expanding with population growth. In this study we analyze the urban expansion of mega city Calcutta over four time-steps (1975, 1990, 2000, 2010) as an example of expansion over time and threat to the surrounding enviro...

China's extensive urbanization has resulted in a massive loss of natural habitat, which is threatening the nation's biodiversity and socioeconomic sustainability. A timely and accurate understanding of natural habitat loss caused by urban expansion will allow more informed and effective measures to be taken for the conservation of biodiversity. However, the impact of urban expansion on natural ...

introduction urban landscape is experiencing rapid changes which put all urban domains under pressures. these processes revolutionize urban landscape into spaces without ecologic values. the sustainability of green patches and corridors has been scathed by lack of ecological approaches in planning and design. therefore, urban green spaces structures and functions have been damaged. green spaces...