Emptiness as a Project

o predict the possibility of ice deposits on the territory of Ukraine in the winter season, an analogous approach is proposed using the construction of the equations of the linear discriminant function. For this, the correlation coefficients between 13 meteorological values (per day) at the start dates of ice deposits at all stations of Ukraine were calculated. Significant correlation coefficients were determined between individual meteorological variables, such as average air temperature, maximum, minimum average air humidity, average wind speed, and atmospheric pressure at sea level. It is these quantities that were used to construct the equations of the linear discriminant function and for the dates of the actual formation of ice deposits and the further forecast of its formation from a three-day lead time. As a result of the calculations for the winter season of 2001-2013 an equation of the linear discriminant function was obtained for the dates of the actual formation of ice deposits and a sufficiently high justification was obtained. Also, to predict the possible formation of ice deposits with a three-day lead time, a prognostic function of linear discriminant analysis was obtained to determine possible such deposits for the winter season of 2001-2010. On the example of the regional centers, a satisfactory assessment of the justification on an independent material for the winter season of 2011-2016 was obtained. Thus, in constructing linear discriminant functions to determine the possibility of such an adverse event as ice deposition, a number of conclusions were obtained: – The sufficiently high validity of the discriminant functions of extreme meteorological phenomena (ice deposits) for the winter season 2001-2013 was obtained. It ranges from 91 % (for the data set at selected dates with ice deposits) up to 90% (for an array of data at the date of extreme cold ). – A sufficiently high estimate of the validity of the independent material for the winter season 2014-2016 was obtained. It is up to 78 % (for an array of data on extreme cold dates and from 90 % ( for an array of data on selected dates with ice deposits) . – The prognostic function of linear discriminant analysis was obtained to determine possible (with 3-day timeliness) extreme meteorological phenomena (ice) during the winter season 2001-2010, using only meteorological values with statistically significant correlation, namely, the maximum air temperature; average humidity; and average wind speed. – Sufficiently significant and satisfactory validity of the prognostic functions of possible (with 3-day timeliness) extreme meteorological phenomena (ice deposits) for the winter season 2001-2010 was obtained.

Heatwaves constitute some of the most extreme meteorological phenomena, profoundly affecting public health. Notwithstanding global focus on heat-related mortality, research on this topic in Romania remains scarce. This study seeks to estimate the impact of heat-related mortality in Romania from the summers of 2015 to 2024, a timeframe characterised by rising temperatures and extreme weather phenomena. Utilising national mortality records that include data from all regions of Romania and a population of around 19 million, we estimate the fatalities related to heat throughout this timeframe. Initial findings indicate considerable variability in death rates among locations and demographic cohorts, with elderly women (80+ years) and men aged 0–64 years being the most impacted. Results demonstrate a significant effect in metropolitan areas and locales with inadequate adaptive strategies. These findings underscore the pressing necessity for improved heat monitoring systems, focused public health initiatives, and sustainable climate adaption strategies in Romania. This study constitutes one of the initial thorough examinations of heat-related mortality in Romania, providing essential information for policy formulation and public health strategy. Recent research have emphasised the rising frequency and severity of heatwaves in Romania. In the summer of 2023, a record-breaking heatwave persisted for 19 consecutive days in southeastern Romania, spreading into Ukraine. Furthermore, studies demonstrate that the duration, spatial range, and occurrence of heatwaves in Romania exhibit decadal fluctuations, with a significant acceleration in their rise following the 1990s. The increasing frequency of heat events highlights the necessity of examining heat-related mortality in Romania to guide appropriate public health responses and policy measures.

This study aims to explore the cult of Saint Urban and Saint Donatus in the Arad vineyard region between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries, highlighting the profound impact these saints had on local Catholic communities, especially among winegrowers and vineyard workers. The research combines the historical analysis of documents and epigraphic inscriptions with a socio‑anthropological perspective on the relationship between religion and rural life. Saint Urban, pope and martyr, became an essential symbol of the identity of winegrowers in the Habsburg and Austro‑Hungarian Empires. He was invoked during annual processions and through the erection of votive monuments for the protection of vineyards. A recent discovery—a votive inscription in Pâncota—provides new evidence regarding the continuity of this cult in the area. The study also examines the artistic representations of Saint Urban and the ways in which they shaped the local spiritual landscape. Saint Donatus, venerated as a protector against storms and other extreme meteorological phenomena, is analyzed in connection with viticulture and popular beliefs. The paper highlights how these religious traditions contributed to strengthening community solidarity. With the economic and demographic changes that marked the twentieth century, the cult of Saint Urban entered a period of decline, also influenced by communist ideology. Nevertheless, the rediscovery of lost monuments offers a valuable opportunity to revitalize this religious and cultural heritage, reinforcing local identity and opening new perspectives for wine‑related and spiritual tourism.

Sustainable development means to protect and improve environment for future generation use. An effective protection requires action to limit global warming prevention catastrophic phenomena, such as severe floods or long-term droughts, and safeguarding people from their effects. Analyzing these phenomena evolution, the Romanian specialized institutes have adopted a new approach and developed a modern strategy, based on the latest hydrological theory available worldwide. According to this strategy, the Romanian authorities have begun to develop and implement new norms and technical regulations. These norms and technical regulations have fully changed the previous approach of the storm and runoff modelling in Romania. The paper presents the modeling methods of the design storm and overland runoff, which have been the base of the new norms and regulations (Romanian Standard SR 1846-2/2006, “National medium and long-term flood risk management strategy”, “Methodology for the establishment of the hydrographic basins exposed to floods”) and points out their implications in the environmental protection, water management field and in the fight against extreme meteorological phenomena such as severe floods and droughts.

Coastal zones are threatened by extreme meteorological phenomena such as storm–wave events. Understanding storm-wave events is essential for sustainable coastal management. This study analyzed the temporal variability (both long-term and seasonal) of the frequency and energy content of storm-wave events in the Gulf of California for the period 1980–2020 using storm-wave data from the fifth-generation climate reanalysis dataset (ERA5). The results indicate that storm events in the Gulf of California are becoming more frequent and energetic. Storm-wave events coming from the north are more frequent but less energetic than those coming from the south. Throughout the year, storm-wave events from both the north and south show seasonal behavior. This paper aims to enhance the understanding of storm-wave events in the Gulf of California and serve as a foundation for future studies, such as coastal impact assessments.

Drought is one of the main extreme meteorological and hydrological phenomena which influence both the functioning of ecosystems and many important sectors of human economic activity [...]

In the Mexican context of industrialized social housing production, the objective is to evaluate the level of satisfaction during the process of appropriation and use of the adjoining public space from social housing. It delimits two different analyses between public space and social housing in two dimensions: urban-architectonic and socioeconomic within a qualitative and quantitative methodology. The cases of study are social housing in a condominium (Geovillas del Real) and social housing in an entire district (Los Mangos 1 & 2), in the Metropolitan Area of Poza Rica and Coatzintla, Veracruz, Mexico. We have demonstrated that the purpose and the urban design in this framework have negative consequences. As a result, the physical, the material, and the socio-economic conditions are determining factors of habitability.

The city of Denpasar has made a new public open space arrangement by utilizing the existing space, in the form of the arrangement of the Tukad Badung riverbank at Kumbasari Park in Denpasar City. The activities carried out are recreation and as a forum for interaction for the community. Because of the phenomenon of using the Tukad Badung riverbank as a forum for interaction and community activities, it is therefore important to see the level of effectiveness and the dominant factors used in measuring the effectiveness of using the Tukad Badung bank as an open space public. The effectiveness of good utilization of public open space can be seen from the characteristics of space users and the characteristics of activities as an approach. The research data were obtained through observation, questionnaires, interviews, documentation, and agency surveys. Data analysis used qualitative descriptive analysis techniques with the Good Public Space Index method approach. The results showed the level of effectiveness of the use of the Tukad Badung riverbank as a public open space in Denpasar City at a value of 0.70 which is included in the "high" category. This assessment is obtained based on the results of the average value of the six indexes of the Good Public Space Index method. The dominant factors to measure the effectiveness of the use of the Tukad Badung riverbank as a public open space, namely the six GPSI indexes. The highest factor is the people's duration of stay index with a value of 0.88 or very high, it can be said that the Tukad Badung riverbank is very effective in accommodating the utilization of the diversity of time duration carried out by visitors in activities on the banks of Tukad Badung, on the contrary the intensity of use shows value of 0.45 and intensity of social use with a value of 0.60. This shows that the effectiveness of the Tukad Badung riverbank as a public open space in accommodating the large number of visitors and community groups who are included in the "medium" category due to the dominance of the number of people significant at a time.

Thispaper studiesthe public outdoor spaces in social housing and the role ofdesign characteristics of the public spaces and their impacts on enhancing social interactions. However, since 1962, one may notice that Algeria has opted for social housing in its housing programmes to meet the growing demand; but social housing did not satisfy the residents’ needs as authorities focused on the quantity of residential neighborhoods,but they neglected designs of public spaces, which urged us to study them to see the extent to which the design characteristics of these spaces contribute to theachievement of social interactions between inhabitants.The research relies on the analytical approach by observing and analyzing the design characteristics of public spaces in social housing and their role in promoting social interactions in the neighborhood of 520 in M’sila, Algeria. A questionnaire form is addressed to the neighborhood residents to evaluate social interactions. The results of the study show dissatisfaction of the residents and the need to take into account the design characteristics during planning because of their importance in promoting social interactions

Sanayileşme, hızlı kentleşme, nüfus artışı, dünya savaşları ve çatışmalar sonrasında gerçekleşen zorunlu göçler gibi sebepler sonucunda toplumlardaki alt gelir gruplarının konut ihtiyaçlarını karşılayamaması, devletlerin toplu konut ve sosyal konutları içeren kitlesel konut üretimini hayata geçirmesine neden olmuştur. Bu çalışmanın amacı, 2000 yılından sonra dünyada ve Türkiye’de düşük maliyet ile inşa edilen toplu ve sosyal konutlarda merkezi ve yerel politikalar doğrultusunda küreselleşmenin etkilerini irdelemektir. Çalışma kapsamında, 2000 yılından sonra farklı ülkelerde inşa edilmiş 20 toplu konut ve sosyal konut projesi çeşitli kriterler (tasarım firması, bütçe ve yatırımcı, konut özellikleri, sosyal ve kamusal alanlar, yerleşim şeması) üzerinden incelenmiştir. İncelenen projelerde, dünyada ve Türkiye’de uygulanan toplu ve sosyal konut projelerinin tasarım, planlama ve uygulama aşamalarında benzerlikler ve farklılıklar barındırdığı görülmüş, belirli ortak özelliklere göre seçilen projeler arasında karşılaştırmalı analiz yapılmıştır. Analizden elde edilen bulgulara göre, tüm dünyada benzer şekilde üretilmiş standart konutlar yerine, yerel iklim ve malzemeyi, çevre değerlerini, kullanıcıların ihtiyaçlarını dikkate alan, farklı konut tipleri, kişisel ve ortak etkinlik alanları ve sosyal alanlar sunan konutların üretilmesi uzun vadede etkili ve verimli olabilmektedir. Çalışma, farklı ülkelerde alt ve orta gelir grubu için uygulanmakta olan toplu ve sosyal konutların incelenmesi ve karşılaştırılması, etkili ve sürdürülebilir konut ve çevresi üretimine dair çıkarımlarda bulunması bakımından önem arz etmektedir. Gelecek çalışmalar için ülkelerin yerel politikaları, ekonomileri, kültürel ve sosyal özelliklerine karşılık gelecek toplu ve sosyal konut fikirleri geliştirilmesi önerilmektedir.

Understanding the effect of climate warming and technological progress on crop production systems is crucial for developing climate adaptation strategies. This study presents a methodological framework with which to assess the suitability of the double rice cropping system in Southern China and the effects of crop management and climate warming on its distribution. The results indicate that the isolated effects of climate warming have led to the northward and westward expansions of double rice northern limits over the past six decades and an increase in suitable areas by 4.76 Mha. Under the isolated effect of crop management, the northern limits of the medium- and late-maturity double rice changed significantly due to the increased accumulated temperature required caused by varietal replacement and planting date change, which moved an average of 123 and 134 km southward, respectively. A combined scenario analysis indicated that crop management could offset the effects of climate warming and push the northern limits southward, reducing the overall suitable area by 1.31 Mha. Varietal replacement and other crop management methods should also be appropriately considered in addition to climate warming to develop locally adapted agricultural management strategies.

The dramatic increase in automobile transport over the last few decades has often led to the degradation of a basic element of the urban space – streets, the essential part of every urban area – to simple transport corridors. Life in the street is a dramatic stage on which we all are participating actors. The meaning of streets goes beyond the fact that they lead somewhere else and thus hold the city together, but the streetscape has a meaning in and of itself – we are out in the street because we want to be there. Like other components of the urban space, streets have a spatial dimension but, perhaps uniquely, also have their temporal element. In my contribution I would like to characterize a street in a town and its role in the modern way of life. Streets and public spaces are important elements that make up a city. The rapid increase of number of vehicles brought changes in the character and function of the street space. The streets were perceived primarily as a space reserved for transport, to the detriment of its residential, social and aesthetic function. Vehicles in motion and mainly parked cars gradually occupied a larger part of public areas and they do not allow other activities.

<p><b>New Zealand is home to a broad demographic of people. We are proud to label ourselves as a multicultural nation that is accepting of all backgrounds and cultures. Unfortunately, social structures upheld by mechanisms of capital and profit have rendered certain groups in our community as worse off than others – and this is not an invisible phenomenon. Our sidewalks serve as beds for the homeless and our parks serve as meeting rooms for the jobless. Whilst our public spaces may intuitively tell you that they are open for everyone, the occupation of such spaces is determined by narratives purported of those that are trying to capture space for their own purposes. There are some that claim that public space is under threat from the actions of developers and corporations more concerned with profit than public use; by overzealous law enforcement agencies who value order over democratic expression; by modernist planners who value rationality over community. Conversely, others will argue that rather it is drug dealers, teenage gangs, and other ‘anti-social’ groups who have appropriated public space through intimidation and violence. Each of these narratives is concerned with the erosion of public space by those they claim are anti public. The heroes and villains change depending on who is telling the story. Te Aro Park, Wellington, is an example of a public space that has a contested history. The surrounding neighbourhood is home to both middle- and upper-class businesses, as well as social and emergency housing tenants (Cornish & Te Ora, 2021). This concoction has led to a social divide within our inner-city, where two differing social spheres have collided to cause friction and feelings of unsafety toward one another. This perception of the ‘Other’ has further perverted the sense that certain bodies represent a threat to public-private space in the re-made city (Hillier & Rooksby, 2005, p. 230).</b></p> <p>Is there a way urban design and architecture can foster positive social interactions between different groups of people? Is there a way architecture can activate public spaces to break down stigma to regenerate the social boundaries of our inner cities? This thesis proposes an approach to the revitalisation of Wellington’s Te Aro suburb. It examines the appropriation of public-private space through a sociological and architectural lens, addressing how space and people interact in infinitely different ways. The success of this approach will be dependent on the investigation into thresholds between public-private space, the marriage of public spheres, public and social facilities, and activities that are conducive to fostering social capital and social interaction in the wider community.</p> <p>Overall, this research seeks to provide an example of urban regeneration that destigmatises the perception of those that require social services, easing ways in which widely varying demographics are able to mix and foster a greater sense of community.</p>

Data-driven placemaking: Public space canopy design through multi-objective optimisation considering shading, structural and social performance

Intensified human population encourages urbanization changing the morphology and metabolism of urban environments, thus altering the local climate and outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) in public spaces. OTC is an increasingly urgent area of research for tropical climates. This study explores the literature from the Scopus database on urban microclimate and OTC in public spaces and contrasts the studies in warm-humid cities through a bibliometric mapping of literature. The adapted methodology includes; Bibliometric Search, Scientometric Analysis, and Content analysis using VOSviewer software to identify the evolution paths, gaps, and the most recent movement of OTC assessments in urban public spaces. Results reveal five evolution paths related to all climatic regions; 1) materials and cooling strategies, 2) simulation modeling and urban planning, 3) design parameters affecting thermal perception, 4) cooling effects of green infrastructure, and 5) thermal adaptation in urban design. Although urban morphology and vegetation have been received the highest attention respectively, only a few for blue infrastructure related to warm-humid cities. This review identified five research gaps; the impact of blue infrastructure on OTC, strategies to overcome the effect of reflective materials, vegetation configurations in street canyons with wind flow, OTC improvements in asymmetrical street canyons, and how local climate zone (LCZ) classification approach could be used for OTC assessments. Past empirical studies have revealed that urban vegetation, surface materials, and morphological parameters are of paramount importance. Yet, the urban blue infrastructure has not received adequate research. Recently, the attention of researchers has been drawn to strategies in improving OTC using micro-meteorological simulation modelling to examine the impact of urban design interventions. Finally, comprehensive content analysis, bibliographic coupling based on documents, co-occurrence of all-keywords, are suggested for future bibliometric reviews. Finally, further research on recommended areas would assist decision-makers in planning and design to enhance livability by improving microclimate and OTC in urban spaces.