Ilorin, a rapidly urbanising city in Nigeria, faces multifaceted socio-economic and environmental challenges that exacerbate residents’ vulnerability to both natural and anthropogenic hazards. These hazards, including heatwaves, droughts, flooding, poverty, and housing insecurity, significantly impact the city’s sustainable development trajectory. This study examines the intricate interplay between vulnerability and everyday hazards, as well as the underlying socio-economic factors that exacerbate these challenges. A deductive research approach was adopted to assess the prevalence and drivers of vulnerability in Ilorin. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to a random sample of 273 residents across 20 wards. Findings reveal that economic vulnerability is particularly pronounced, with lack of access to stable income exhibiting the highest mean index (4.42), while inadequate access to safe, convenient, and affordable transportation represents the lowest vulnerability index (3.93). Social and environmental vulnerabilities were also prevalent, with mean values of 4.23 and 4.16, respectively. Among everyday hazards, food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition were identified as the most critical issues (mean value: 4.32), followed by income and financial disparities (4.25) and crime and violence (4.18). Housing-related hazards were found to be comparatively less significant. The primary drivers of these hazards include poverty (4.40), unemployment and underemployment (4.30), income inequality (4.21), lack of awareness (4.17), and weak institutional governance (4.16). The study underscores the interdependence between vulnerability, everyday hazards, and sustainable urban development in Ilorin. Addressing these challenges requires the institutionalisation of comprehensive sustainable development policies at the state level. The establishment of an Ilorin Sustainable Development Strategy (ISDS) is recommended to mitigate urban disparities and enhance resilience.
Campus safety is a universal concern for both students and their parents, particularly for students from vulnerable populations. This case study examines publicly available crime data collected by University Police for its two campuses in a metropolitan area in the U.S. The use of descriptive statistics, two-sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and p-values are employed to compare crime statistics between the two campuses. The results for select offenses are compared to national averages for postsecondary institutions to determine whether the university is more/less safe than the national averages of other postsecondary institutions in the U.S. Despite some crime occurring during the period under evaluation, 2021-2023, results indicate that this is a safe university in comparison with national averages. This approach offers a robust tool for comparing crime data for universities with multiple campuses.
Water networks are critical infrastructure components, ensuring the continuous supply of high-quality drinking water to consumers. To secure such water supply, regular maintenance, including the replacement of deteriorating pipelines, is essential. In this study, a methodology has been developed for determining optimal pipeline replacement solutions in water supply systems at water utilities with limited data availability. Hydraulic analysis has been conducted on the segment of 25 km of the water supply network using the free software EPANET (Environmental Protection Agency, NETwork) Applying water network optimization, eight pipeline replacement projects according to 13 pre-defined criteria have been identified and evaluated. The paper outlines the methods for evaluating the criteria, including defining specific quantitative limits. The Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method was used in the paper to determine the weights of the criteria. The reason for applying this method refers to problems that involve a set of criteria with a mixed structure, including both quantitative and qualitative aspects. Also, the paper describes the steps of the multi-criteria optimization method VIKOR (Serbian language – VIšekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje), used to select the optimal project. The obtained results were also confirmed by the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) multi-criteria optimization method. This paper, considered as a case study, describes a method, i.e., application of a new principle and an innovative way to solve a problem for developing countries.
Urban ponds play a critical role in sustaining ecological balance, enhancing urban resilience, and promoting community well-being. However, the rapid expansion of urban settlements has resulted in the gradual degradation and conversion of these water bodies, leading to significant environmental impacts, including biodiversity loss. This study investigates the transformation of urban pondscapes within Serampore Municipality, located in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA). A total of 191 ponds were identified and classified using Google Earth satellite imagery, field surveys, and statistical analysis. The ponds were categorized based on their size, condition, and usage, with field observations used to assess their health. Descriptive statistical methods were employed to analyze the distribution and size variations of these ponds. Additionally, secondary data on water quality parameters, such as turbidity and chlorophyll levels, were analyzed to evaluate the overall ecological health of the ponds. The results indicate a marked decline in the number of ponds, with nine ponds having been converted into built-up areas between 2011 and 2024. These findings underscore the adverse effects of urbanization on blue infrastructure and highlight the inadequacies of current policies in safeguarding urban water bodies. The evidence calls for stronger policy interventions and the adoption of sustainable urban planning practices to protect and conserve these vital aquatic resources. Without the proper management of urban ponds, the environmental and social functions they provide will continue to deteriorate, posing further risks to urban ecosystems and human health. Enhanced governance, alongside the integration of blue infrastructure into urban planning frameworks, is crucial for mitigating these challenges and ensuring the resilience of urban landscapes.
Crowdsourced delivery, a pivotal component of crowd logistics, represents a transformative model for optimizing logistics resources through the efficient allocation of available capacities, thus responding to the flexibility demands of contemporary businesses. At the heart of this model are digital platforms that facilitate the coordination of activities between couriers, users, and service providers. In Serbia, several prominent platforms stand out due to their advanced functionalities, extensive product offerings, and rapid delivery capabilities. Simultaneously, smaller platforms face significant challenges in maintaining competitiveness within an increasingly saturated market. Despite the numerous advantages offered by the crowdsourcing model, couriers engaged in this sector encounter a variety of obstacles that undermine its full potential. These challenges encompass issues related to working conditions, contractual arrangements, and the stability and security of courier incomes, all of which are essential to the sustainability of the system. A survey was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of the couriers' perspectives on the operational dynamics of crowdsourced delivery. The study aimed to gather empirical data on the daily challenges faced by couriers, their working conditions, job satisfaction, and relationships with platform companies. Additionally, insights were sought into the overall functioning of crowd logistics systems from the perspective of the couriers, with a particular focus on identifying areas where improvements could be made to enhance the working conditions and status of couriers. The findings are expected to inform strategies that could mitigate the current challenges, thereby contributing to a more equitable and efficient model of crowdsourced delivery. This research highlights the importance of addressing the couriers' concerns as a critical step toward the optimization of crowdsourcing logistics systems and the enhancement of their long-term viability.
The Prapatan coastal area, located along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman in Kelurahan Prapatan, Balikpapan City, is an area of significant urban and environmental potential, particularly in the context of waterfront city development. This area is strategically positioned as an environmental service centre within the city’s broader spatial structure plan, which identifies it as a key region for coastal development. Given the growing pressures on Prapatan Beach, particularly in light of the anticipated urban congestion due to the city’s role as a buffer for Indonesia’s new capital (IKN), there is a need for comprehensive planning to manage urban expansion and preserve the coastal ecosystem. This study employs a combined approach, integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis, to assess land suitability for waterfront development. The results of this analysis are then visualized through a WebGIS platform, enabling dynamic mapping of the area's environmental and spatial characteristics. The spatial analysis provides a framework for informed decision-making, highlighting areas with the greatest potential for sustainable development while addressing the challenges posed by urbanisation, environmental preservation, and infrastructure development. Ultimately, the research aims to contribute to the strategic planning of the coastal area, ensuring alignment with regional spatial policies and fostering the sustainable development of Balikpapan as a model waterfront city. The proposed spatial development concepts offer insights for future planning processes, assisting in the identification of potential risks and opportunities.
The Riung Participatory Design (RPD) model has been developed as a strategy for fostering sustainable community development and regeneration in Indonesia’s urban kampongs. This model integrates participatory design principles with design thinking methodologies to address the complex challenges faced by urban kampongs. The first stage of the RPD model, the Re-visit Participatory Art approach, investigates key dimensions such as relational dynamics, regional vitality, socio-cultural engagement, and territorial identity. Research findings highlight four significant factors: (1) robust community ties, wherein local residents collaboratively engage in problem-solving through the Indonesian cultural practice of ‘gotong royong’; (2) the preservation and promotion of local traditions by the community; (3) the presence of symbolic artifacts that reflect local values and wisdom; and (4) the articulation of distinct territorial narratives within the kampong environment. In the second stage, the model employs a hybrid approach that combines participatory art with design thinking, mobilising communities for active participation in place-making processes. This approach was applied across three case study locations: Kampong Pelangi in Semarang (Central Java), Kampong Sukapura in North Jakarta, and Kampong Pondok Pucung in South Tangerang (Banten, West Java). The participatory evaluation conducted during the regeneration of these urban kampongs revealed the critical role of local actors in driving sustainable urban transformation. The study assesses community participation through the lens of eight characteristics of sustainable communities, thereby demonstrating the relevance of the RPD model in urban kampong regeneration. The findings indicate that an integrated and contextually adapted participatory design model is essential for addressing the unique socio-cultural and territorial dynamics of Indonesian urban kampongs. This research contributes to the understanding of how participatory design can be effectively employed to regenerate urban spaces while fostering sustainable, community-driven development.
Parks play a pivotal role in urban environments, contributing to ecological balance, aesthetic appeal, and social well-being. At the neighbourhood level, they provide essential recreational spaces and promote community cohesion. However, many residential areas in Mosul, Iraq, lack adequate parks, disrupting the urban landscape and diminishing the quality of life. To address this issue, the potential of transforming school gardens—segregated by gender at the primary and intermediate levels—into public parks during non-school hours is explored. This adaptive reuse strategy is framed within a place-making approach, leveraging time as a resource and fostering community participation in the planning process. The study examines the feasibility of this intervention by assessing the interests and preferences of different demographic groups within the neighbourhoods, identifying key design considerations to ensure usability and long-term engagement. The findings confirm strong community support for this strategy, with adolescent boys (aged 12-14) expressing the highest interest, followed by grandmothers, fathers, adolescent girls (aged 12-14), grandfathers, girls aged 15 and above, mothers, and children aged 6-11. Each demographic group demonstrated unique preferences regarding the use and function of the proposed park spaces. These insights underscore the importance of designing adaptable, inclusive environments that cater to diverse needs, ensuring the success of place-making initiatives in Mosul. The integration of school gardens as shared community parks not only addresses the scarcity of recreational spaces but also strengthens social bonds through collaborative planning and shared use. This approach offers a sustainable and scalable solution for enhancing urban life in Mosul’s residential areas, promoting the creation of vibrant public spaces through local participation.
Kendal Regency faces significant challenges concerning the management of solid waste due to the constraints of its only landfill, Darupono Baru, which is situated adjacent to the environmentally sensitive Pagerwunung Nature Reserve. Recent assessments have indicated that the landfill has suffered from landslides on its northern and western flanks. The regency generates approximately 410 tons of waste daily, while the landfill's operational capacity is limited to 150 tons per day, leading to predictions of overload by 2027. In light of these issues, this study employed overlay scoring techniques and network analysis, specifically the fastest route methodology, in accordance with the standards set forth in SNI No. 03-3241-1994, to identify potential new landfill sites across a total area of 2,566 hectares within the regency. Six sites were identified as viable candidates: Gebangan Village in Pageruyung District, Kalibareng Village in Patean District, Kedungasri Village in Ringinarum District, Kalices Village in Patean District, Sojomerto Village in Gemuh District, and Singorojo Village in Singorojo District. The evaluation process employed elimination assessments, which rated Kedungasri Village the highest with a score of 548 out of a maximum of 690, while Singorojo Village received the lowest score of 393. The existing Darupono Baru landfill was found to score 424 out of 690, meeting only 5 out of the 10 assessment criteria established for new sites. Additionally, it was noted that Kendal Regency operates 155 temporary waste disposal sites and maintains 44 waste collection routes, which include 8 routes for tricycles, 20 for armrolls, and 16 for dump trucks. This study contributes valuable insights into waste management strategies and landfill site selection in Kendal Regency, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions in the context of increasing waste generation.
While significant empirical research has examined the use and benefits of designated bus stops in urban settings across Western and Asian countries, the factors influencing commuters' preference for non-designated bus boarding locations in developing cities remain understudied. This study investigates the determinants that lead commuters to board buses at non-designated locations in Enugu, a rapidly urbanizing city in southeast Nigeria. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey involving 424 commuters at 17 non-designated bus stop locations across three local government areas within Enugu metropolis. Descriptive statistics, commuters' perception index (CPI) and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to analyze the data. The analysis identified seven key factors influencing the choice of non-designated bus boarding locations: environmental and social conditions, cost-related considerations and diversity of routes, concerns over unsanitary conditions, bus availability and access to information, convenience and time-saving benefits, proximity to the desired destination, and perceived safety and comfort. These findings provide valuable insights for urban planners in designing effective and commuter-friendly bus stop infrastructures that encourage the use of designated boarding locations, thereby optimizing the multifunctional benefits of such facilities in Nigerian cities and similar urban contexts globally. It is recommended that targeted strategies be developed to address these factors, enhancing the overall efficiency and attractiveness of public transport systems in developing urban centers.
The rapid evolution of drone-assisted logistics for urban last-mile (ULM) delivery has garnered significant interest from both academia and industry. This article presents a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art research and practical implementations of ULM systems, focusing on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the final stage of goods and parcel delivery in urban environments. The applicability of UAV-based logistics across various contexts, including urban and rural areas, is examined, with real-world case studies highlighted to demonstrate practical uses. Key methodologies and models employed in optimising UAV routing and operations are discussed, particularly those that enhance the efficiency and reliability of ULM. The critical advantages and limitations of drone-assisted last-mile logistics are analysed, providing insights into the operational, regulatory, and technological challenges. The discussion is further expanded by addressing emerging trends in UAV technology, as well as innovations in drone deployment strategies and the evolving regulatory landscape. In conclusion, potential theoretical advancements and future applications of ULM systems are outlined, with an emphasis on integrating drones into broader logistics networks and smart city frameworks. The insights offered aim to guide future research and practical developments in this rapidly advancing field.
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