Urban modelling as storytelling: using simulation models as a narrative

This article examines the distinctions between empirical and simulation models using the metaphors of argument and narrative. It argues that all argumentation is contextualized within a narrative that is either inferred or communicated. The paper provides another semantic structure for urban models that applies elements of systems- dynamic method to construct "stories" of the past and possible futures of communities in a watershed in southern Arizona. By constructing such narratives this paper demonstrates how computer-based urban models can "tell a story"

Impact of Urban Form on Energy Use in Central City and Suburban Neighborhoods: Lessons from the Phoenix Metropolitan Region

Urban form, land use patterns, and the type of structures significantly influence a city\u27s energy needs, and consequently, its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aims to clarify connections between urban form and its use together with the associated energy demands for infrastructure (buildings and paved surfaces) and transport. The model is tested through case studies of two Phoenix sub-areas, one in downtown Phoenix, which is undergoing redevelopment towards higher density housing and the second, a low-density suburban area at the edge of Phoenix, which has undergone significant growth in the last two decades. The results indicate that older inner city areas continue to have the lowest energy demands and carbon emissions per capita compared to other neighborhoods examined. The low-density areas in the inner city and in the newer suburbs have almost equal amounts of energy demands per capita. However, the bulk of the energy demands in the newer suburbs is related to the transportation infrastructure while the older low-density neighborhoods have higher energy intensive residential structures

Patterns and Rates of Land Use Land Cover Change: A Case Study of Ambos Nogales (Arizona and Sonora), 1985-2004

Abstract The continued expansion of the paired U.S.–Mexican border cities of Ambos Nogales presents many environmental management and urban planning challenges. This study focuses on a comparative study of spatial patterns and rates of land-use and land-cover change, in relation to land degradation, deforestation, and urban growth over different time periods. Based on historical data the study suggests that both cities have experi- enced high land degradation; however, land on the Arizona-side has been more stable and less degraded. However, there were more severely degraded areas found in Nogales, Arizona, than in Nogales, Sonora. The delineation of land use change and the severity of land degradation provide important information to planners about areas that should be targeted for development and other areas that require restoration to natural settings. Keywords: Nogales, land use land cover, urban growth, land degradation Resumen La expansión continua de las ciudades gemelas de Ambos Nogales (USA-Mexico) presenta muchos desafíos de planificación urbana y manejo ambiental. Este estudio se concentra en un análisis comparativo de los patrones espaciales y velocidad de cambios de uso del suelo con relación a la degradación del terreno, deforestación, y crecimiento urbano durante distintos períodos de tiempo. Basado en datos históricos el estudio sugiere que ambas ciudades han experimentado alta degradación de tierra, pero la tierra en el lado de Arizona ha sido más estable y menos degradada. Sin embargo, en Nogales Arizona, habían áreas severamente más degradadas que en Nogales, Sonora. Palabras clave: Nogales, crecimiento urbano, uso de suelo, degradación de tierra

Modeling and visualizing urban sprawl and carbon footprints in Phoenix metropolitan area

Urban planners are dealing with problems of urban sprawl and CO2 emissions. The multidimensional character of these phenomena requires new analysis and visualization tools that are unavailable in platforms like the Geographical Information Systems (GIS). This paper, first, presents an approach for measuring and monitoring urban sprawl and carbon footprints. Second, it offers a three-dimensional visualization method that takes into account the multi-dimensional nature of the data. The visualization of the data is based on an intuitive approach involving B-Splines and Bezier techniques to create three-dimensional surfaces. Finally the paper introduces an analysis tool for planners and decision makers to examine household carbon footprints in relation to their direct spatial neighborhood based on unstructured census data

ASPED: An Audio Dataset for Detecting Pedestrians

We introduce the new audio analysis task of pedestrian detection and present a new large-scale dataset for this task. While the preliminary results prove the viability of using audio approaches for pedestrian detection, they also show that this challenging task cannot be easily solved with standard approaches.Comment: 4+1 page

Are Millennials More Multimodal? A Latent-Class Cluster Analysis With Attitudes and Preferences Among Millennial and Generation X Commuters in California

65A0527 TO 011Citation: Lee, Y., Circella, G., Mokhtarian, P.L. et al. (2019). Are millennials more multimodal? A latent-class cluster analysis with attitudes and preferences among millennial and Generation X commuters in California. Transportation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-019-10026-6Millennials tend to use a variety of travel modes more often than older birth cohorts. Two potential explanations for this phenomenon prevail in the literature. According to the first explanation, millennials often choose travel multimodality at least in part because of the effects of the economic crisis, which affected young adults more severely than their older counterparts

When and Where Are Dedicated Lanes Needed under Mixed Traffic of Automated and Non-automated Vehicles for Optimal System Level Benefits?

Automated vehicle (AV) technology is rapidly moving towards reality and will be mature within the next decade. However, the physical, institutional, and legal infrastructure for enabling widespread adoption of this technology is still lagging significantly. The focus of this research is on developing a decision framework for optimal upgrading of the road network for mixed AV and conventional (NAV) traffic. Given that AVs will undoubtedly share a large segment of the current road network with conventional traffic for the foreseeable future, how the network can be retrofitted to optimize the flow of all traffic is a critical issue. Of interest are questions regarding when and where the provision of dedicated lanes for AVs can offer benefits for all traffic, and at what level of AV adoption this investment becomes cost-effective. Answers to these questions are critical for planning the future transportation system. We use the term autonomous vehicle to indicate that they can not only drive without human interference using sensing technology but can also communicate with other vehicles and road infrastructure. While the technology is progressing rapidly, planning infrastructure investments and enhancements to optimally harness the benefits of AV technology capabilities merits serious attention. Specifically, the use of dedicated lanes to accommodate AVs so that they may platoon is an important consideration from a policy as well as planning perspective. The proposed study investigates this issue to determine when and where dedicated AV lanes would provide the maximum benefit to all traffic and make such infrastructure investments cost effective

Regulation of Firm Size in Industrial Development: The Experience of Two Manufacturing Sectors in India

This paper examines two manufacturing sectors in India and shows that regulation aimed at protection does not provide the necessary impetus for growth and survival of small indus­ tries. Rather, such regulation provides a fertile territOI)' for larger businesses to avail themselves of undue rents through protected markets and regulatory loopholes. The article also proposes a new role for the state to better serve the twin objectives of social equity and industrial growth. Such a role would rely on the existing coalitions of small enterprises and pool resources to consolidate their economic and political power. The article concludes that state institutions can pro­ vide a forum for small-business coalitions that would create conditions for all scales of operation to survive and grow without protective regulations