A modified vision transformer framework for image-based land cover segmentation in rural architectural design and planning

Artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and smart home technologies can enhance visual quality, functionality, and inclusion in built environments. AI algorithms are essential for refining lighting models, strengthening natural lighting, energy efficiency, and sustainability. VR provides immersive experiences in architectural and environmental planning, as well as in cultural heritage preservation and architectural education. Integrating VR with Building Information Modeling (BIM) platforms improves visualization and interaction in sustainable building design. Additionally, AR and smart home systems offer real-time information on space design, enhancing accessibility and efficiency, especially for people with disabilities. AR can also assist in assessing building safety and predicting disasters. This combination of technologies optimizes architectural design, lighting, and space distribution, promoting attractive, functional, and inclusive environments that enhance the well-being and quality of life of all people.

The information is provided about the modern architectural and town-planning reintegration of the cultural heritage objects, a new strategy in sphere of preservation of the cultural heritage in the Donbass cities, the region with specific historical and architectural development peculiarities. The existing approach to solving the problem of cultural heritage preservation today assumes the implementation of a set of measures aimed at the protection, preservation and use of objects of cultural and historical value. However, each of these measures suffers from a certain isolation of actions in terms of technology, architecture and urban planning, in terms of time and sequence of implementation. The general approach does not take into consideration the regional peculiarities of the architectural heritage of the Donbass, which results in a large number of non-functioning and deteriorating historical objects in the region. The proposed concept of the modern architectural and urban reintegration of objects of cultural heritage is aimed to compensate the drawbacks of the existing strategies and tactics of cultural heritage protection. This concept has the integral character and covers all the processes (regulatory and legislative, organizational and methodological, scientific and engineering, informational, implementation, financial and investment, operational) and levels of architectural and urban planning organization of the cultural heritage objects: their typological affiliation, peculiarities of the town-planning situation and environment, general site plan design and its development, functional and planning organization, structural and technical, volumetric and spatial, compositional and stylistic artistic solution.KeywordsModern architectural and urban reintegrationArchitectural heritageConceptThe DonbassThe Donetsk regionRegional features

Carbon storage and emissions offset potential in an East African tropical rainforest

Designing climate-adaptive buildings is crucial for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change by enhancing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, such designs improve thermal comfort and resilience in urban environments, particularly in regions with extreme climates, thereby promoting sustainable living conditions. This study aims to mitigate climate change through strategic urban and building design, focusing on the impact of building geometry and courtyard configurations on enhancing microclimates and thermal comfort in the UAE's hot arid climate. Utilizing ENVI-met software for qualitative analysis, the research examines design modifications in a school building's layout and courtyards. The analysis and findings reveal that strategic alterations can reduce outdoor air temperatures by up to 1.45°C and average building temperatures by approximately 1.89°C. Additionally, these modifications significantly improve thermal comfort perceptions on the PMV scale. The findings underscore the potential of architectural design to contribute to climate change mitigation efforts, highlighting the importance of thoughtful building and courtyard designs in promoting sustainable architecture and urban planning. This study offers novel insights into the role of design in enhancing thermal environments, providing a practical approach for developing climate-adaptive buildings in hot, dry environments. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-08-017 Full Text: PDF

Abstract. Accurate color recording is a fundamental feature for proper cultural heritage documentation, cataloging and preservation. However, the methodology used in most cases limits the results since it is based either on perceptual procedures or on the application of digital enhancement techniques only. The objective of this study is to apply a rigorous procedure for the characterization of cameras based on a second-order polynomial model. Trichromatic digital cameras capture color information in the well-known RGB format. Nevertheless, the signal generated by the digital camera is device dependent. By means of the characterization, we establish the relationship between device-dependent RGB values and the tristimulus coordinates defined by the CIE standard colorimetric observer. Once the camera is characterized, users obtain output images in the sRGB space that is independent of the sensor of the camera. We applied the methodology on a set of pictures targeting Levantine rock art motifs in Cova Civil (Castellón, Spain) which is considered part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We used raw image files, with different exposure conditions, with raw RGB values captured by the sensor. The outcomes obtained are satisfactory and very promising for proper color documentation in cultural heritage documentation.