Integrating Metro Stations with the Adjacent Urban Fabric Using TOD Principles: A Case of Agargaon Metro Station, Dhaka

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles offer a promising framework for integrating metro stations with their surrounding urban fabric, promoting sustainable urbanization and efficient transportation systems. Dhaka, one of the fastest-growing cities globally, faces significant challenges in traffic congestion, air pollution, and urban sprawl. Introducing metro systems offers a promising solution to alleviate these issues and enhance urban mobility. This study presents a case study of Agargaon Metro Station in Dhaka City, examining its integration with the adjacent urban fabric using TOD principles. Through a combination of field observations, spatial analysis, and stakeholder interviews, the study evaluates the current state of Agargaon Metro Station. On-site assessments examined the station\u27s physical infrastructure, accessibility, and connectivity with nearby areas, while Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyzed spatial data, including land use patterns and transportation networks. Semi-structured interviews with urban planners, government officials, and community members provided insights into the challenges and opportunities for implementing TOD at Agargaon. The findings reveal that the station is underutilized as a TOD hub, with inadequate pedestrian infrastructure and mixed-use developments, leading to poor connectivity and accessibility. The study highlights the necessity of improved land use planning, policy support, and community engagement to enhance the station\u27s role in fostering TOD. These recommendations, if implemented, could alleviate traffic congestion, improve air quality, and create more livable urban spaces, thereby enhancing Dhaka\u27s overall quality of life. Additionally, the research contributes to the social and economic dimensions of urbanization by offering a framework that can be adapted to similar metro stations in Dhaka and other rapidly urbanizing cities

The Dynamics of Heritagization in Urban Regeneration: East-West Dichotomy

Heritagization —the process of assigning heritage value to places, objects, or traditions— has become increasingly entwined with urban regeneration initiatives. However, its theoretical grounding remains underdeveloped, particularly regarding its diverse expressions across Eastern and Western contexts. This study examines the dynamics of heritagization as both a cultural and socio-political process within urban regeneration, drawing on the framework of Critical Heritage Studies. Using a descriptive qualitative methodology and global case-based literature review, the research dissects how heritage is strategically reinterpreted to fulfil contemporary socio-economic and political goals. Findings reveal a clear East–West dichotomy: while Western practices often commodify heritage for branding and tourism, Eastern cases reflect heritage as a tool for identity reconstruction, postcolonial resilience, and state-led regeneration. The study argues that heritagization should be understood not as a Western-centric imposition, but as a globally variable process shaped by local agency, historical context, and development agendas. To support this claim, the paper presents comparative process diagrams delineating regional differences. Ultimately, this research contributes to a more nuanced, decolonised understanding of heritagization in the built environment

Smart Technologies for Socioeconomic Sustainability in Urban Housing: A Southeast Asian Perspective

Rapid urbanisation across Southeast Asia intensifies the demand for housing that is simultaneously affordable, sustainable, and socially inclusive. This study investigates how smart technologies—Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things devices (IoT), Building Information Modelling, and passive cooling innovations—can advance socioeconomic sustainability in urban housing. A three-phase methodology combined a scientometric analysis of 454 Scopus-indexed papers, a systematic literature review of eight rigorously screened studies, and a qualitative content analysis of practice-based sources. The scientometric mapping reveals growing scholarly attention to energy efficiency and climate resilience, yet affordability and social equity remain peripheral themes. Evidence from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand shows that smart sensors, digital simulations, and value-management frameworks can reduce cooling energy by up to 18,000 kWh annually, cut construction costs, and enhance thermal comfort in low-income settings. However, adoption is uneven owing to high capital costs, limited policy incentives, and skills gaps. The study proposes an integrated framework linking environmental performance, housing affordability, and social inclusion through appropriate digital tools. Policymakers and urban planners are urged to embed financing mechanisms, capacity-building, and participatory design into housing programmes to mainstream technology-enabled, equitable sustainability across the region within the next decade

Comprehensive Evaluation of Urban Renewal Based on Entropy and TOPSIS Method: A Case of Shandong Province

This study offers a comprehensive evaluation of urban renewal efforts in Shandong Province, China, by employing the entropy method combined with the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). An evaluation index system was constructed to assess the weights of key factors influencing urban renewal, including the renovation of old residential areas, improvement in sewage treatment quality, development of sponge cities, adoption of clean heating, and enhancement of air quality. Analysis of 16 prefecture-level cities in 2019 reveals significant disparities in performance, with Jinan achieving the highest ranking due to notable improvements in infrastructure and environmental management. Meanwhile, other cities displayed varying levels of success, reflecting different developmental stages and capacities. The findings underscore the necessity for tailored strategies to optimize urban renewal outcomes, focusing on high-weight factors such as sewage treatment, clean heating, and residential renovation. This study provides actionable insights for policymakers, advocating adaptive renewal strategies that align with local contexts and encourage continuous innovation. The results highlight the importance of targeted policy interventions to enhance urban renewal quality across Shandong Province, promoting sustainable urban development and better living standards

From Connectivity to Liveability: Enhancing Urban Waterbody Accessibility through Space Syntax in Dhaka

Urban waterbodies play a vital role in enhancing ecological sustainability, social interaction, and neighbourhood liveability, yet in rapidly urbanising contexts such as Dhaka, they are increasingly threatened by encroachment, pollution, and reduced accessibility. This study investigates the accessibility and spatial integration of two significant urban waterbodies (Dholaikhal Narinda Pond and Shahjahanpur Jheel) under the Dhaka City Neighbourhood Upgrading Project (DCNUP), which seeks to revitalise public open spaces for disadvantaged communities. Using Space Syntax analysis, the research assesses spatial configuration through measures of Connectivity (CN), Global Integration (Rn), and Local Integration (R4) to evaluate accessibility at city and neighbourhood scales. Results indicate that Dholaikhal Narinda Pond demonstrates higher connectivity and global integration values, positioning it as a potential city-scale destination capable of enhancing urban inclusivity. By contrast, Shahjahanpur Jheel, though limited in city-wide accessibility, exhibits strong local integration, highlighting its potential as a neighbourhood-scale public space. These findings underscore the importance of aligning spatial analysis with urban design strategies to enhance accessibility and maximise social benefits. The study concludes that integrating syntactic measures into early project planning can help policymakers and urban designers anticipate patterns of use and achieve more equitable and sustainable revitalisation of public waterbodies in Dhaka

Heritage-Led Urban Regeneration in Rome: Recontextualising the Campo Trincerato through Network Strategies

Contemporary peri-urban landscapes face fragmentation, marginalisation, and the neglect of widespread cultural heritage. This article explores heritage-led regeneration as a strategic framework to revitalise marginal areas by focusing on the Campo Trincerato in Rome, a system of fifteen forts and three batteries constructed between 1877 and 1891. Despite being largely abandoned, these fortifications remain structurally intact and spatially coherent, offering opportunities for reconceptualisation as infrastructural nodes within broader urban and territorial networks. The study adopts a multi-scalar methodological approach, combining architectural analysis of typological and structural features with contextual investigation of accessibility, ownership, and planning frameworks. Results reveal that while the Campo Trincerato maintains its systemic coherence, institutional fragmentation and limited reuse represent major barriers to regeneration. Nevertheless, its configuration as a defensive ring highlights potential to establish cultural polarities, ecological connections, and community-driven functions in Rome’s suburban areas. The findings underscore the significance of integrating cultural heritage into contemporary regeneration strategies, transforming neglected military infrastructure into catalysts for urban identity, social cohesion, and sustainable development

Shaping Tourism Strategies through Local Perceptions: A Case Study of Muharraq

Bahrain, a longstanding tourist destination in the Gulf region, has seen its economy benefit significantly from tourism. However, the improper development of tourism has led to negative impacts on urban tourism in historic areas, risking the loss of authenticity. This study aims to explore factors influencing the development of tourism strategies in Muharraq city, focusing on residents\u27 perceptions. A qualitative approach was used, including a comprehensive literature review, interviews with residents to capture their views on tourism-related issues, and a self-administered questionnaire with key officials and stakeholders. The study identifies critical factors affecting tourism development and offers recommendations for enhancing cultural tourism in Muharraq. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers to create sustainable strategies that balance economic growth with cultural preservation, ensuring that Muharraq remains a culturally vibrant city while promoting sustainable urban tourism. This research contributes to the broader field of urban tourism studies by highlighting the importance of local perceptions and participatory approaches in shaping effective tourism policies. By addressing key elements that influence tourism development, the study supports the creation of strategies that safeguard heritage while fostering sustainable growth in one of Bahrain\u27s most culturally significant cities

What Do Egypt’s New Urban Communities Need to Outperform? A Strategic Framework for Equitable Population Redistribution

Low occupancy and persistent dependence on Greater Cairo reveal that Egypt’s New Urban Communities (NUCs) cannot fully fulfil their foundational mandate of population redistribution. Grounded in polycentric urban governance theory, this study evaluates the effectiveness, livability, economic autonomy and strategic practice of twenty-two NUCs. Mixed-method analysis combined official statistics, spatial datasets and a questionnaire survey of fifty-four domain experts. Quantitative indicators show that, on average, NUCs have absorbed only 31 % of their planned residents; densities in five cities remain well below the UN-Habitat benchmark of 7,000 inh./km². Expert scores confirm low liveability (mean = 3.26/6) and merely moderate economic independence (3.92/6), while strategic review exposes unrealistic population targets and contradictory datasets across national platforms. Synthesizing these insights, the research formulates a five-phase integrated development strategy: (1) revise NUCA’s vision in line with Egypt Vision 2030/2050; (2) establish an up-to-date geo-referenced database; (3) conduct SWOT diagnostics; (4) delineate mutual and unique development areas; (5) implement a realistic, priority-driven strategic plan that mobilises private partnerships and community input. The findings mirror international evidence that new cities risk privileging real-estate speculation over long-term socio-economic sustainability, providing a transferrable framework for corrective action and immediate implementation

Gender Disparity and Housing Development: Examining Socioeconomic Barriers and Policy Solutions in Nigeria

Gender disparity (GD) significantly impacts housing development, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, where socioeconomic and cultural barriers constrain equitable housing access. This study investigates the features and effects of GD on housing development in Iwo Central Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. Using a mixed-method approach, data were collected from 328 respondents through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including indices and ANOVA. Key findings highlight societal mindsets as the most influential feature of GD, followed by lack of bodily autonomy and employment equality, with respective relative significance indices (RSIs) of 4.23, 4.06, and 4.00. Denied access to housing and homelessness emerged as the most critical effects of GD, with effects indices (EGDIs) of 4.36 and 4.31. Regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between GD characteristics and housing development (F = 99.964, p = 0.04), emphasizing the pervasive impact of GD on housing equity. The study concludes that GD restricts women\u27s access to adequate housing, perpetuating socioeconomic inequalities. Recommendations include promoting gender-responsive housing policies, enhancing women\u27s access to affordable housing finance, and integrating gender equity into urban planning and housing design. Addressing GD is crucial for fostering inclusive, equitable, and sustainable housing development in Nigeria

Influence of the Mass Rapid Transit System on Plotted Residential Property Prices: A Case Study of Gurugram, India

Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) are increasingly recognised as critical drivers of urban transformation, particularly in rapidly urbanising cities at the Global level.  However, empirical research on their influence on plotted residential property markets in emerging urban contexts remains limited. This study investigates the socio-economic impact of the Delhi Metro Line extension in Gurugram, India, across the various phases of the metro project. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines a hedonic price modelling of 300 residential properties from 2007 to 2024 with qualitative surveys and spatial analysis. The study measures "proximity premiums" and contextualises them through stakeholder perspectives. The results indicate that properties within 500 metres of a metro station experienced price growth of 20–25% after project announcement and around 30% post-operation, relative to earlier trends. These effects are highly localized, with premiums diminishing beyond 1km and disappearing beyond 1.5-2km. The hedonic model confirmed distance to the nearest station as a key determinant of price with an average 12% price decrease per kilometre (p < 0.01), along with other influential variables like plot size, proximity to the CBD, and highway access. The model showed strong explanatory power (R² ≈ 0.64). The findings reveal that MRTS can substantially enhance residential property prices but also influence the spatial distribution of economic opportunities, potentially intensifying socio-economic disparities if unregulated. This paper advances the debate on land value capture in Indian cities, offering evidence-based recommendations for equitable urban development strategies in the context of contemporary urbanisation