A place’s personality is beyond the sum of its characteristics. It’s how people perceive it on a human level, hoping for a better understanding and seeking connection. This study aims to understand how people connect with public spaces to enhance the quality of urban life. A place’s personality extends beyond its physical attributes—it reflects how people emotionally perceive and connect with it. This study investigates the relationship between the perceived personality of urban streets and users’ behaviour to enhance the quality of urban life in Cairo. Focusing on Downtown Cairo and New Cairo, it addresses a gap in destination personality research by examining an underexplored context and scale: Cairo’s streets. A mixed-method approach was used to achieve this aim. First, an online questionnaire was distributed to investigate how Egyptians perceive the personality of the main streets of the two selected districts in Cairo, and to understand their preferred activities on these streets. Second, field studies that included observation, photographing, Visual mapping, behavioural mapping and test walks were conducted in selected streets of these districts to analyse users’ behaviour on-site. The study concluded that the relationship between a place’s perceived personality and users’ behaviour within it is reciprocal, with each influencing and shaping the other. Together, they form an opportunity to affect the connections between people and public spaces.

Reinforced concrete (RC) columns are essential structural components in buildings and infrastructure, providing vertical load support and stability. However, these columns can be degraded over time due to various factors, such as environmental exposure, seismic events, and increased loading demands. As a result, the need for effective and reliable column-strengthening techniques arises to ensure the safety, durability, and longevity of structures. The main objective of this study is to investigate how fully strengthening damaged columns affects load-bearing capacity and overall structural performance. Moreover, this study tested thirteen reinforced concrete columns during the experimental program. The original dimensions of these columns were 150 * 150 * 1200 mm. One specimen served as a control, while the remaining twelve underwent strengthening and enlarged to be (250 * 250 * 1200) mm. These specimens varied in stirrup spacing, reinforcing materials such as glass fiber and steel rebar, and different concrete’s compressive strengths. The results revealed that the load increasing ratio values were increased from 2.87 to 4.13 times of the reference specimen. The failure pattern was changed from brittle failure to ductile failure. Both stress-strain behavior and axial load deformation were enhanced. The ductility was increased from twice to six times the value of the reference specimen. On the other hand, the designed proposal was compared with standard codes (ECP 203-2020 and Eurocode 4). Strengthening RC columns using steel jackets and filling with various concrete’s compressive strengths enhanced their durability, stiffness, and performance under eccentric loads.

Traditional construction methods are one of the main causes of resource depletion. This research explores the intersection of digital fabrication methods using recycled materials and eco-friendly construction through retrofitting the building envelope to achieve sustainability. Traditional methods of retrofitting existing building elements consume many resources (materials-energy) and produce a lot of waste. In this context, 3D printing, a modern digital manufacturing method, stands out as a promising alternative, offering innovative ways to reduce material and energy consumption and reduce waste in the building construction process. This technique can be used to produce innovative modules that may improve the environmental performance of buildings during their use phases. Environmental footprint can be reduced and economic returns increased by recycling building demolition waste and using recycled materials in 3D printing tools. Therefore, the research studies the different technologies, applications and digital tools that support using recycled materials from expected demolition waste in 3D printing to manufacture fixed units designed using grasshopper that are mechanically installed on an existing building envelope in Egypt, to presents an innovative idea to achieve sustainability using modern digital manufacturing methods.

The implementation of strategic plans varies across regions based on their developmental typologies and the distribution of economic, natural, and human resources. This study explores differentiated approaches to strategic plan implementation by identifying typologies of development management, their mechanisms, and criteria for application. Drawing upon theoretical frameworks and global experiences, the research employs a comparative methodology to align the requirements of each development management model with the socio-economic and administrative characteristics of various Egyptian governorates. It further examines the prerequisites and success factors of each model, highlighting the suitability of each region. Key findings include the development of a novel classification map for Egyptian governorates, based on their appropriate development management typologies and developmental capacities. This map serves as a practical tool for planners to select the most suitable implementation models and mechanisms, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of strategic plans and ensuring their intended developmental impact.

Water is an important element in campus landscaping. Hence the importance of the lake opposite the Department of Architecture at the University of Mosul. However, the lake and its surroundings are currently neglected and in need of development. But any development must consider the expectations of the users, as the lake is there for them. Therefore, the research aims to identify users’ expectations of the lake as a recreational element on the campus, which can be used in any development of the lake. To this end, the literature review identified several characteristics related to the lake, such as size, movement, sound, elements that can be added, activities that can be done, movement paths, and the type of lighting used. To identify users’ expectations, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed via Google Forms to all students and staff of the Department of Architecture at Mosul University during the spring semester of the academic year 2023–2024, and responses were received from 173 users. The questionnaire helped to identify the users’ expectations; they prioritized features that support relaxation and thermal comfort, such as shaded seating, walking paths, and moving water elements. Based on these findings, the study recommended a comprehensive development of the lake and its surroundings without requiring drastic changes in size or shape. Key proposals included the addition of natural-looking moving water features such as waterfalls, walking and running paths, shaded benches, daylight-colored lighting, food and drink areas, improved connectivity by upgrading existing bridges and adding new ones, and increased green space.

ABSTRACT Highway sign support structures are critical components of transportation infrastructure, particularly within the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) bridge management system. Ensuring their structural integrity through regular inspection and maintenance is essential for public safety and cost-effective asset management. This study presents a comprehensive investigation combining non-destructive field testing and finite element modeling (FEM) to assess the performance and longevity of a cantilever-type highway sign support. In collaboration with CTDOT, a full-scale field test was conducted on a selected sign support structure using advanced instrumentation, including strain gauges, accelerometers, and anemometers, to monitor real-time responses to environmental loads over a six-month period. The collected data was used to calibrate and validate a detailed three-dimensional FEM developed. The model accurately replicated the structural behavior observed in the field, with predicted strain values within 10% of experimental results. Analysis revealed that the structure experienced only 22.4% of its elastic yield capacity under peak loading conditions, indicating substantial remaining strength. Furthermore, the study explored the effects of fatigue loading, demonstrating its significant impact on long-term performance. These findings suggest that the current 34-year service life assumption may be conservative, and with proper monitoring and maintenance, sign support structures could remain functional well beyond this threshold, offering potential cost savings and improved asset management strategies.

ABSTRACT Menteng is a historic neighborhood in Indonesia known for its ‘Garden City’ design that seamlessly combines beautiful landscapes with cultural and architectural heritage. As part of a historic environment, these spaces are critical in shaping urban identity, serving as hubs of social interaction and cultural exchange within the city. Public open spaces in Menteng play an essential role in maintaining the character and identity of the area, ensuring their continued relevance. This study aims to examine the characteristics of public open space elements and their effect on the image of the historic environment. Three different characteristics of public open spaces in the Menteng area were chosen as study locations: Ismail Marzuki Park, Suropati Park, and Menteng Park. The research employed a quantitative survey using a 7-point Likert scale paper-based questionnaire, ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree involving 155 respondents. The characteristics of public spaces are analyzed using the mean score test. This study applied factor analysis and multiple linear regression to evaluate the impact of public space elements on the image of the historic area. This research reveals three key elements – landscape design, open space quality, and socio-cultural aspects – that underscore the essential physical and cultural attributes defining Menteng’s historical value and distinctive identity.

ABSTRACT In recent years, the concept of sustainable circular economy has emerged due to the increasing awareness of environmental protection. In 2015, the United Nations proposed the ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ and developed 17 sustainable development goals, with Goal 12 being ‘Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns by promoting a green economy and significantly reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse’. In 2015, Taiwan passed the ‘Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act’ (referred to as the GHG Act), with the legislative purpose of addressing climate change and fulfilling environmental responsibilities. In 2022, the Ministry of Economic Affairs formulated the ‘2050 Net Zero Emissions Pathway Plan’ with four major strategies and two foundations (technology research and development and climate legislation) as the main focus. The four major strategies include industrial transformation, encouraging the manufacturing sector to focus on process improvement and energy conversion, and introducing carbon reduction technology in the construction sector to achieve a circular economy. As Taiwan’s road construction area continues to grow, a new pavement material called ‘Cold-mixed cold-laid recycled carbon-reduced pavement material’ has been developed. This innovative material reduces carbon dioxide emissions by eliminating the need for on-site fuel heating during construction. It saves energy and helps to reduce greenhouse effects, aligning with environmental protection goals.

ABSTRACT Reliable energy analysis of buildings relies heavily on high-quality data leading to proper indicators. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of data quality in analyzing energy usage in residential and non-residential buildings in order to transform declarations to actions, optimise energy efficiency policies and monitor progress and failures in countries. Collected data must adhere to national and international standards for energy performance in buildings. This study aims to provide practical guidelines for effectively collecting and preparing data suitable for evaluating energy performance in Egyptian higher-education (HE) buildings. The guidelines are developed based on a comprehensive case study, considering data availability in typical educational facilities. Architectural and civil engineering drawings, construction specifications, and occupancy details are accessible. However, actual monthly electrical and natural gas consumption data for individual buildings are lacking. To address this, the study proposes the creation of detailed datasheets for each building, encompassing all energy sources and their electrical and power specifications, such as equipment, machinery, and HVAC systems. These datasheets were utilized to calculate energy consumption and energy usage indicators (EUI). The findings demonstrate that the datasheets enable adequate assessment of energy usage in various spaces within educational buildings, including staff rooms, lecture halls, and laboratories. This facilitates the identification of areas in need of targeted energy efficiency improvements. Notably, the study reveals that electricity consumption in the Faculty of Engineering building is significantly influenced by PCs, laboratories, lighting, and air conditioning.

ABSTRACT In recent months, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern about the spread of a new pandemic after the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a significant impact on education. UNICEF says Over 168 million children’s classrooms around the world have been shuttered. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to identify the criteria and requirements of resilient design for classrooms to avoid closures during crises. Researchers have addressed the relationship between spaces and the spread of viruses inside them, so the research assumes that there is a relationship between the design criteria of classrooms and the spread of viruses inside them. Hence, the research methodology consists of a qualitative approach then comparative analysis. The first part involves analyzing the literature review to identify a design matrix that includes design criteria for classrooms. The research has identified four resilient design criteria and their requirements for classrooms, such as 1- Epidemic Prevention, 2-Climate Change Adaptation, 3-Integration of Technological Advancements, and 4- Support Advanced Education. The research focused on primary school due to the high infection rates of the Omicron variant among children, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Therefore, the second part involves a comparative analysis of four classrooms in government primary schools using the design matrix. The case studies Two within Egypt and Two outside Egypt. Finally, the results include an evaluation of the four proposed resilient design criteria for the classrooms and which one is the most resilient and adaptable during the crisis.