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As cities grow, more people face poor living conditions and greater wealth inequality. By overcoming conceptual, data-based and computational challenges, and focusing on cities in sub-Saharan Africa, a new study demonstrates how to measure this trend at scale.
Nature enhances mental health, but it is unclear exactly what kind of urban green and blue spaces are needed. A global systematic analysis reveals that urban forests account for the largest proportion of improved mental well-being, especially among young adults.
A study by Salazar-Miranda and Talen investigates the adoption and effect of form-based codes in the promotion of sustainable urban forms. Using natural language processing, it analyzes zoning documents from over 2,000 US census-designated places.
Urban inequality is rising, but neighborhood organizations can help to resist this problem. A groundbreaking study of the effects that neighborhoods have on civil society organizations shares data and insights to combat uneven resource distribution in cities.
Delivery cyclists have become common in urban life, which subtly transforms how we all experience and move through cities. Although they are often viewed negatively, an Australian study now highlights a more balanced and positive outlook.
Amid growing urbanization, the 15-minute city model seeks to transform city living by ensuring that essential services are just a short walk away from city inhabitants. New research now quantitatively measures this urban ideal, revealing significant disparities in access across cities globally.
Cities are grappling with climate change. A study examines the mechanisms of climate justice policy in Boston, Massachusetts, including efforts to incorporate various definitions of justice into urban climate policy.
The escalating intensity of heatwaves due to climate change is making the cool respite provided by urban green spaces crucial. Yet, a recent comprehensive study underscores a stark disparity: the most vulnerable urban populations in Europe are the least served by these essential green cooling services.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect urban climate actions worldwide? A study now finds that although the climate commitments of most cities persisted, low engagement in green recovery interventions can hamper long-term goals.
The relationship between urban mobility and economic development remains controversial. New research analyzes how people in major US cities move and shows the power of infrequent and irregular activities in predicting economic development.
Climate change is worsening heat waves across American cities. New research compares the benefits of urban infrastructure adaptation — such as the addition of trees and parks to cities — with those of reducing greenhouse gases on the effectiveness of cooling US cities.
The relationship between cities and infectious disease spread has been heavily debated due to the perceived risk of high urban population densities. A new study examines this relationship in US cities, finding the influence of inequality looms larger than population density per se.