Measuring of Subjective and Objective Aesthetics in Planning and Urban Design

The article includes the concept of aesthetics through what has been dealt with in the literature by philosophers and researchers who have addressed this concept in an attempt to derive indicators of aesthetics. The article adopted a descriptive and analytical methodology by reviewing recent literature on the concept of aesthetics and its relation to urban planning and design issues. Many subjective and objective aesthetics indicators have been identified, some of which are classified under real aesthetics, and some under fake aesthetics. The indicators were applied to the Kufa Mosque complex and Sahla Mosque complex as a comparative case study. It was found that the indicators of real aesthetics have a higher weight in determining the final aesthetic judgment on the complex form versus the fake indicators, which in turn reinforced the weighting of the subjective aspect over the objective. This was consistent with the answer to the question directed to the sample about which complexes are more aesthetic. The answer was that the Kufa Mosque complex is most aesthetically. This was proven by the questions directed in the questionnaire, which outweighed the real aesthetic indicators for the Kufa Mosque complex. As for the results of analyzing the indicators of fake aesthetic were equal, as each complex achieved higher values in three indicators. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091743 Full Text: PD

Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments (SHAFE) Bridging Innovation to Health Promotion and Health Service Provision

A number of experiences have demonstrated how digital solutions are effective in improving quality of life (QoL) and health outcomes for older adults. Smart Health Age-Friendly Environments (SHAFE) is a new concept introduced in Europe since 2017 that combines the concept of Age-Friendly Environments with Information Technologies, supported by health and community care to improve the health and disease management of older adults and during the life-course. This chapter aims to provide an initial overview of the experiences available not only in Europe, based on the research work of the participants of the International Interdisciplinary Network on Health and Well-being in an Age-Friendly Digital World (NET4Age-Friendly), which could be of interest to preventive, health and social authorities. The chapter reports good practices, pain points, and bottlenecks that may require a collaborative, interdisciplinary research approach to facilitate the transformations towards smart, sustainable, health and age-friendly cities and communities

Adaptation Toward A Sustainable Built Environment: A Technical Potential & Quantification of Benefit for Existing Boilding Deep Energy Retrofits in a Subtropic Climate

The issues surrounding energy consumption in our existing building stock is proving to be a key component in the move toward a truly sustainable built environment. Best practice energy levels today are much lower than they have been in the past meaning that the buildings we are currently occupying are using much more than they need to be. It is clear that the majority of these structures will remain in operation through 2030 and even 2050. In order to limit overall energy consumption for the foreseeable future, our societies will need to focus on existing building retrofits based on finding the minimum consumptions possible. Methods for attaining deep energy retrofits can be applied to a wide variety of climates and building typologies. Measures utilized to realize results will vary by climate, building function, building use, and other site specific variables. This project focuses on developing a methodology and set of criteria for determining approaches to deep energy retrofits for office space in the Hawaiian climate. The method generated focuses on a passive first approach in order to pursue the deepest savings - otherwise known as a technical potential energy solution. The method is then applied to a specific property in Honolulu to display its potential energy consumption and economic benefits. Best practice levels were researched and applied to the property in question. By reducing active and passive loading, the space is able to reach temperature level suitable for natural ventilation with a ceiling fan assist. Application of the strategies to this property were able to show the potential to save 83% over its existing condition and a consumption level of 7.53 kBtu/sf/yr. Future steps would need to consider a moisture mitigation strategy which are not included in this package. Benefits stemming from the design are many and are calculated to a life cycle present value to show an order of magnitude value associated with the package. Direct owner value is calculated to a present value of $47/SF and qualitative tenant benefits equate to$368/SF showing that direct owner benefit is not enough accomplish the scope proposed, but when combined with tenant benefit it becomes an option that may be viable and deserves further investigation. Benefits quantified include energy savings, indoor environmental improvements, value adding amenities, and increased square footage included in the design package

Restoration: Bridging the Gaps A Graphic Translation of Ecological Restoration

The terms restoration ecology and ecological restoration are used interchangeably confusing the definition and work of ecological restoration and its many components. Restoration ecology is a type of scientific practice whose work will be a component of a restoration project while ecological restoration is the sum of practices, social, historical and ecological that constitute the field of restoration (Higgs, 2005). Within our rapidly urbanizing society the role of ecological restoration and restoring ecosystem services is increasingly important, especially within our coastal cities. The goals of restoration differ when the classification of restoration techniques is by ecosystem service, not ecological function, framing restoration around people’s use of the ecosystem, not the ecosystems needs. The problems faced in restoration work affect social, historical and ecological aspects that reach beyond the physical and political boundaries of the restoration site. Ecological restorationists need to understand the differences in framing that a non-universal definition for ecological restoration creates, while also understanding how to bridge these differences. One solution is graphic communication and representation of the different components that scientists and non-scientists alike can understand. This study uses restoration project plans to illustrate the goals within projects, and shows where the goals of scientists and designers conflict and harmonize. Shown through map overlays and graphics, this comparison provides professionals within the field, with resources and illustrations to better communicate. In addition, graphics and matrices will illustrate key terms, concepts and the intersection of restoration types with habitat types, ecosystem services and social components. In conclusion, this study addresses differences in ways of learning, and kinds of knowledge other than science needed in ecological restoration projects, and uses graphics to bridge these gaps

CDMX Código Resiliente: Aqua-Commons en Ciudad de Méjico

Using Mexico City (CDMX) as a paradigmatic example of seriously unbalanced water regimes, our project Resilient Code helps strengthen and communicate CDMX’s government efforts toward risk reduction and water resilience in marginal communities. Our project does so by bridging otherwise separate agents in the government towards a common goal: equitable resilience. Resilient Code provides design solutions that link the social infrastructure of PILARES (a network of 300 vocational schools distributed throughout the city) to CDMX’s environmental and risk reduction initiatives, including their Risk Atlas. This strategic program of design-based solutions began with “water resilience” as a Pilot to repurpose public space throughout underserviced barrios as a network of “water-commons”. Resilient Code helps partners in CDMX implement projects to reduce environmental risks and complement socio-economic programs, fostering growth of the “water-commons”. Resilient Code is socialized through a participatory game-based workshop, and through an online Atlas of Risk Reduction.Tomando la Ciudad de Méjico (CDMX) como un ejemplo paradigmático de regímenes hídricos en serio desequilibrio, nuestro proyecto Código Resiliente ayuda a reforzar y comunicar los esfuerzos del gobierno de la CDMX hacia la reducción de riesgos y la resiliencia hídrica en las comunidades marginales. Nuestro proyecto lo hace enlazando agencias separadas del gobierno hacia un objetivo común: la resiliencia equitativa. Código Resiliente brinda soluciones que vinculan la infraestructura social de PILARES (una red de 300 escuelas vocacionales distribuidas por toda la ciudad) con las iniciativas ambientales y de reducción de riesgos de la CDMX, para promover recursos comunes de agua entre sus ciudadanos. Este programa estratégico de soluciones de infraestructura participativa y blanda comenzó con la “resiliencia hídrica” como piloto para mejorar el espacio público como red de “aqua-commons” en barrios marginales. Código Resiliente se diseña para implementar dichas soluciones, reducir los riesgos ambientales complementando programas socioeconómicos y fomentar el la red de “aqua-commons”como resultado. Código Resiliente se socializa a través de un taller de acción participativa basado en juegos y a través de un Atlas de Reducción de Riesgos en línea

VIMES : A Wearable Memory Assistance System for Automatic Information Retrieval

The advancement of artificial intelligence and wearable computing triggers the radical innovation of cognitive applications. In this work, we propose VIMES, an augmented reality-based memory assistance system that helps recall declarative memory, such as whom the user meets and what they chat. Through a collaborative method with 20 participants, we design VIMES, a system that runs on smartglasses, takes the first-person audio and video as input, and extracts personal profiles and event information to display on the embedded display or a smartphone. We perform an extensive evaluation with 50 participants to show the effectiveness of VIMES for memory recall. VIMES outperforms (90% memory accuracy) other traditional methods such as self-recall (34%) while offering the best memory experience (Vividness, Coherence, and Visual Perspective all score over 4/5). The user study results show that most participants find VIMES useful (3.75/5) and easy to use (3.46/5).Peer reviewe

Integrated project delivery: a normative model for value creation in complex military medical projects

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is a collaborative project delivery process that reduces waste and maximizes value creation by harnessing the expertise and experience of all relevant stakeholders throughout the design and construction process of a given project. The owner, designer, builder, and user integrate people, systems, business structures and practices into a project team to optimize collective value creation while maintaining balance of individual benefits. The research utilizes a Delphi survey method to (1) select and assess the relative importance of critical success factors for value-creation, and (2) use the selected factors as a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of three project delivery methods: Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and Integrated Project Delivery. Key concepts for the theoretical framework of the research include: a macro-viewpoint understanding of project delivery must be adopted to define and measure value-creation; a significant relationship exists between project goals and value-creation; perceptions of relative importance and success differ within the stakeholder groups, and Integrated Project Delivery logically provides a normative model to optimize the collaborative processes to account for the different stakeholder perceptions and provide maximum benefit of all. The research and Delphi panel of experts is centered on the U.S. Army's Integrated Design-Bid-Build (IDBB) pilot-projects which for the first time test Integrated Project Delivery on a large scale within Military Construction (MILCON) program

Foundational Curriculum: Integrating Art, Literacy and Social Emotional Learning

This research examined foundational educational components to create an art curriculum for early learners. The curriculum integrates art education, literacy, social justice, and social-emotional learning. Various studies support that these components enhance confidence, communication, social awareness, and interpersonal skills. International art education models were also explored to select key pieces of information that support the need for such a curriculum. The National Art Education Association standards, Georgia Performance Standards, and social-emotional learning program Second Step® standards influenced the learning objectives. This study cumulates in year-long curriculum map for kindergarten visual arts education, which seeks to integrate multiple facets for comprehensive learning experience