Advances in Science and Technology Vol. 173

Abstract: To meet the growing demand for everyday leisure and improve land use efficiency, high-density mixed-use development and compact, spatially efficient planning strategies are increasingly being adopted in small and medium-sized cities. This study investigates how the spatial distribution of public leisure and cultural facilities affects residents' perceived accessibility in this context. Key indicators include spatial concentration, spatial equity, and diversity, analyzed using a multilevel ordinal logistic regression model—an extension of the Hierarchical Linear Model (HLM). The findings reveal that higher spatial concentration is significantly associated with greater perceived accessibility. Notably, several cities in Jeollanam-do demonstrate high accessibility perceptions despite a limited number of facilities, due to their strategic placement within core neighborhood zones. Conversely, spatial equity and diversity showed no significant effect. These results suggest that high-density development strategies can be effective even in smaller cities and highlight the importance of neighborhood-level planning that achieves a balance between concentration and equity.

Abstract: In light of global climate change mitigation goals and the transition toward net-zero carbon cities, this study investigates the relationship between urban spatial configurations and pedestrian behavior, with a particular emphasis on designing therapeutic and walkable environments. By employing Space Syntax analysis and pedestrian trajectory simulations within a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) framework, this study identifies key spatial features influencing pedestrian hotspots. Notably, Unit 12 demonstrated the highest level of spatial integration (R³ = 4.951), despite the absence of sidewalks and the presence of fragmented arcade spaces interspersed with retail activity. This spatial condition reflects a strong correlation between integration values and pedestrian movement potential, even in environments lacking conventional walkability infrastructure. The findings highlight spatial variability across TOD zones and underscore the importance of area-based analysis over traditional station-centered approaches. Ultimately, the study advocates for urban design strategies that prioritize spatial continuity and psychological well-being, thereby contributing to sustainable, low-carbon urban lifestyles. These insights provide a foundation for inclusive and resilient spatial planning aligned with net-zero development goals.

Abstract: This study explores the required Level of Detail (LOD) in 3D urban models to elicit observation responses similar to those in real spaces. Through experiments involving 30 participants, both real-world and 3D-modeled streetscapes were evaluated using psychological surveys and webcam-based eye-tracking. Results showed that higher model precision generally produced responses closer to those from real environments. However, inconsistencies appeared at higher LODs, likely due to fatigue or equipment limitations. Open horizontal spaces attracted greater attention, suggesting the need for detailed modeling in such zones. While a clear threshold of sufficient detail was not found, the findings highlight the potential of 3D models as substitutes for field observation and the necessity for standardized LOD criteria in urban simulations.

Abstract: This paper examines how inflation, economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and urbanisation affect housing affordability in Australia. The study uses secondary-source data (ABS series) and a simple city panel (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth), in conjunction with the housing inflation component of the indicator (mortgage rate) to establish a connection, followed to show inflation and urbanisation are pressures exerting their stress on affordability in parallel. Sydney is shown to have experienced the largest annual rise (≈12.5%: 6.2pp inflation, 6.3pp urbanisation). The relatively linked movements were represented via weak inverse correlation (r≈−0.14), therefore we recommend separate state and federal policy levers for these returns to housing affordability. Low-income renters are often exposed to pay ≥30% of their income towards housing, while middle-income first-home buyers are now experiencing tighter serviceability and deposit requirements. Regional areas may appear to be cheaper areas to rent or purchase... yet likely contain unrecognised stress. We propose adjusted transitions over the near-term (indexed cap on rent movement, offset mortgage-stress for all welcome), followed by longer-term supply reforms (diminished approval times, mid-rise infill, Build-to-Rent), but acknowledge the limitations of our data collection that relates to a range of 12 months up to 2024.

Abstract: This study comparatively analyzed residential architecture in Santarém, Portugal, as a representative case for the broader inland Mediterranean context, evaluating vernacular, contemporary, and hybrid typologies in terms of thermal performance and cost-effectiveness. Traditional buildings, characteristic of Mediterranean climates, relied on high thermal mass and cross-ventilation for summer cooling but exhibited poor envelope insulation (average U≈1.4 W/m²K), leading to elevated winter heating needs (≈150 kWh/m²·year) and non-compliance with Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB) standards. By contrast, contemporary NZEB-compliant solutions, optimized for Mediterranean conditions, employed high-performance insulation and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (average U≈0.13 W/m²K; ~35 kWh/m²·year), offering enhanced comfort but requiring a significant initial investment (+75%) and long payback periods (~46 years). The hybrid approach, integrating Mediterranean vernacular strategies with targeted technological upgrades, presented the most effective compromise. It reduced energy consumption by ~50% (78 kWh/m²·year, net 39 kWh/m²·year with renewables), involved a moderate additional cost (~28%), and shortened the payback period to ~33 years. This typology demonstrates a feasible and regionally adaptable model for energy-efficient housing in Mediterranean settings, aligning climate-responsive design with current energy performance requirements.

Abstract: Balancing thermal comfort and energy efficiency in buildings remains a key challenge. While HVAC systems regulate temperature directly, recent studies suggest that visual factors—such as horizontal illuminance and correlated color temperature (CCT)—can influence perceived thermal comfort through psychological mechanisms. This study examined how these visual factors affect thermal sensation and comfort in cooling environments (26–30°C). A controlled climate chamber experiment was conducted with 54 healthy female participants under varying air temperatures, illuminance levels (100–2900 lx), and CCTs (2800–5200 K). Mean skin temperature increased with air temperature but remained unaffected by variations in illuminance or CCT, indicating stable physiological responses to visual conditions. However, higher illuminance and CCT levels led to enhanced sensations of coolness, particularly at 30°C. Visual comfort also improved slightly with increasing illuminance, while CCT effects on comfort were modest and dependent on air temperature. These findings suggest that adjusting the visual environment can enhance thermal comfort without changing actual temperatures, supporting higher cooling setpoints (around 28°C) and contributing to energy-efficient building design.

Abstract: While microclimate studies tend to focus almost exclusively on large cities and densely urbanized areas, small historical villages are often left out of the scientific debate, despite their potential in terms of climate resilience, cultural value, and sustainable tourism development. This study explores the case of Sistelo, a historical village in northern Portugal, to investigate outdoor microclimatic conditions in a rural and heritage-rich setting. The research was structured in two complementary phases: an on-site monitoring campaign conducted during a springtime heatwave, involving detailed measurements across various outdoor spaces in the village; and a subsequent digital modelling and microclimate simulation based on historical average climatic data using specialized software. The comparison between the measured data and simulated results highlights meaningful discrepancies and raises questions about the representativeness of standard models in smaller settlements. This work aims to serve as a first step toward a more inclusive approach to microclimate analysis—one that recognizes the role of peripheral and small-scale contexts in shaping more nuanced and locally grounded climate and planning strategies.

Abstract: A healing environment, as a therapeutic and rehabilitative spatial setting, leverages the user's environmental recognition process to enhance environmental psychological suggestion, thereby stimulating physiological and psychological self-healing abilities. Concurrently, as a vital therapeutic and rehabilitative space within healthcare, a healing environment necessitates the fulfillment of medical treatment demands and technological requirements, resulting in unique spatial characteristics with strong identifiable features. Based on the perspectives of patient and provider psychology and environmental needs, this study analyzes how women and children perceive healing environments. By considering the structural form and intrinsic characteristics of spaces, it identifies the recognizable features of women and children friendly healing environments in primary healthcare settings. Consequently, it extracts the influential factors of such environments in primary hospitals and establishes an index system for them. The research findings can serve as a reference for constructing women and children friendly healing environments in medical institutions or urban spaces.

Abstract: To support responsible production and consumption while building sustainable cities and communities, using local resources can help curb the ever-increasing carbon footprint of the construction and cement industries. This study provides baseline estimates of the availability of waste fibers from abaca and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) production that could be tapped in implementing fiber-reinforced concrete designs. Additionally, this study offers a new perspective on how incorporating waste fibers into concrete mix design can lead to reduced cement usage and a potential reduction in carbon emissions. Approximately 50 kt/yr of waste fibers are generated and remain untapped. Given their availability, using waste fibers from abaca and PALF production in the Philippines could displace between 1 to 25 kg cement/m³ of concrete, potentially resulting in an annual emissions reduction of 20 to 30 kt CO_2-eq.