Celina Balderas Guzman, Networked shorelines: A review of vulnerability interactions between human adaptation to sea level rise and wetland migration, Global Environmental Change, Volume 92, 2025, 102985, ISSN 0959-3780, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.102985.
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Abstract
Facing urgent climate risks, many human and non-human actors are adapting to climate change with adaptations that sometimes shift vulnerabilities to other actors. Shifting vulnerabilities is a type of maladaptation and understanding them is a critical component of adaptation planning given the growing incidence of maladaptation across many sectors and regions. This review creates an analytical framework, called the Vulnerability Interactions Framework, to identify instances of shifting vulnerabilities from across the natural and social science literature and interpret them using a systematic approach. To demonstrate its utility, the analytical framework is applied in the context of coastal adaptation to sea level rise on the topics of coastal squeeze and wetland migration. Along certain shorelines, humans are building protective infrastructure, such as sea walls and levees, to protect themselves from sea level rise. Meanwhile, coastal wetlands—one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems—are able to adapt to sea level rise when they can migrate landward. This wetland adaptation is often blocked by human shoreline development and infrastructure—a phenomenon known as coastal squeeze. Yet migrating wetlands may also impact human actors in negative ways. This review identifies 53 distinct ways that vulnerabilities can shift across human and non-human actors on physical, economic, environmental, social, cultural, and institutional dimensions. These interactions reflect particular biophysical and social contexts and can operate on multiple spatial and temporal scales. Because of these complex interactions, adaptation planning must look towards developing solutions that are cross-sectoral and cross-scalar in scope, place adaptation within a larger socio-ecological context, consider a phased approach, engage with communities, build local adaptive capacity, and address personal, social, and cultural losses inherent in coastal transformations. Overall, the Vulnerability Interactions Framework can be used as a research or planning tool to map observed or hypothetical shifts in vulnerability.
Keywords
Vulnerability; Adaptation; Maladaptation; Sea level rise; Wetlands; Socio-ecological systems
Rashtian, Z., Manesh, M. T., Tahsildoost, M., & Zomorodian, Z. S. (2025). Data-driven real-time visualization of urban heat islands using mean radiant temperature for urban design. Energy and Buildings, 115470-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.115470
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Abstract
The Mean Radiant Temperature (Tmrt), is a critical indicator for understanding urban thermal comfort and microclimate conditions, particularly in urban areas experiencing higher temperatures compared to rural surroundings. Tmrt is heavily influenced by urban morphology, including building layout, street design, and green spaces which alter airflow, shading, and heat retention. Evaluating geometry alternatives during the early design stages in urban neighborhoods is challenging due to lengthy simulations and the need for extensive expertise in physical models. Recent studies have employed data-driven methods for quick design comparisons and new urban layout evaluations, successfully predicting Thermal indicators of Urban heat Island phenomenon but often limited by the diversity of urban configurations inputs used in training datasets. To address these limitations, this study proposes a novel framework that uses machine learning models to predict Tmrt as the primary indicator. A comprehensive training dataset of 200 cases was generated in Rhino7 using Grasshopper, Ladybug, and Dragonfly plugins. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of input uncertainties on model predictions, and the model’s performance was validated against unseen configurations. Among six machine learning algorithms tested, the CatBoost Regressor achieved the highest accuracy, predicting Tmrt with an R2 = 0.93, RMSE = 4.30 °C, and MAE = 2.34 °C. Validation using 20 additional cases showed an accuracy of R2 = 0.71, RMSE = 3.34 °C, and MAE = 2.27 °C in predicting Tmrt heat maps for new urban configurations. This framework successfully enables real-time Tmrt heat map analysis in simplified cubic neighborhoods within a 3D environment. Additionally, it enhances the temporal and spatial resolution of thermal patterns predictions, offering rapid and detailed insights into various urban design alternatives.
Mix, E. C., Hamele, M., Dannenberg, A. L., Freitag, R., & Errett, N. A. (2024). Integrating climate change into state hazard mitigation plans: A five-year follow-up survey of state hazard mitigation officers. PLOS Climate, 3(10), e0000385-. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000385.
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Abstract
Climate change is making disaster events more frequent and intense, increasing the risk to economic security, ecosystem health, and human health and well-being. Hazard mitigation planning, overseen in the United States by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), aims to reduce disaster risk by identifying hazards and taking action to reduce their impact. While FEMA policy requires states and territories to consider the risks of climate change in their plans, guidance remains broad. As a result, jurisdictions have taken different approaches to integrating climate change into their hazard mitigation plans (HMPs). Thirty of 56 U.S. State and Territorial Hazard Mitigation Officers (SHMOs) responded to a survey concerning climate planning, building on a similar survey conducted in 2018. A majority of respondents recognized that their jurisdictions are vulnerable to climate change and agreed that climate change is a threat to their jurisdictions both now and in the future. Respondents were motivated to integrate climate change into their HMPs by factors including increased evidence for climate change projections and disaster events in either their jurisdictions or neighboring ones. Among the most frequently reported barriers was reliance on historical patterns of hazard exposure. Most respondents had incorporated at least one climate change adaptation strategy into their HMPs but reported having insufficient resources to plan for and implement climate-related hazard mitigation activities. Findings suggest that state and territorial hazard mitigation planning programs are taking more steps to integrate climate change into their plans and that SHMOs are more aware of the risks that climate change poses than in 2018. Further research is needed to explore how best to support state-level hazard mitigation program response to climate change.
Fatima, S., Hsiu Lee, C., & Dannenberg, A. L. (2024). Equity issues associated with the widespread implementation of autonomous vehicles. Oxford Open Infrastructure and Health, 2. https://doi.org/10.1093/ooih/ouae002.
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Abstract
Autonomous vehicles (AVs), either shared or privately owned, are predicted to become a common transport mode used by the general population in coming decades. Policies governing the use of AVs may increase or decrease social inequities. This review synthesizes existing literature and provides policy recommendations to enhance equity as the use of AVs becomes more widespread. We identified nine areas in which AVs could impact equity: (i) assessment of community mobility needs and priorities, (ii) education and outreach, (iii) disparities in infrastructure quality, (iv) equitable distribution of customer services, (v) access to AVs by persons with low incomes, (vi) shared infrastructure services, (vii) barriers to shared AV use, (viii) access to AVs by persons with disabilities and (ix) disruption of existing transportation jobs. Recommendations for promoting equitable use of AVs include (i) policies governing how jurisdictions oversee AV implementation and (ii) policies addressing how jurisdictions issue permits to AV service providers. Oversight policies include ensuring input from disadvantaged communities, providing subsidies for low-income users, establishing ride-sharing rules to protect vulnerable populations, reviewing the equity implications of proposed AV infrastructure improvements, providing retraining opportunities for those who may lose jobs due to AV implementation and monitoring the impact of AV policies implemented. Permitting processes include ensuring equitable access to AVs for low-income, minority, and older users and persons with disabilities, ensuring equitable distribution of AV service areas and verifying that data from all communities are incorporated into the artificial intelligence algorithms used to guide AVs.
Cahen, A., Dannenberg, A. L., & Kraft, M. K. (2024). Municipal Sidewalk Inventories: A Tool to Support Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Transportation Research Record. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981241281738.
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Abstract
Sidewalks are a critical but underresourced part of our transportation system. Despite their importance in promoting equity, health, and safety, sidewalk networks are often underfunded and municipalities may have little information about their condition. We conducted a document review, informant interviews, and a descriptive study of 21 selected U.S. cities to compare practices for conducting sidewalk inventories and their use for improving municipal sidewalk networks. Although diverse in geography, population size, density, and median household income, the selected cities represent a sample of convenience and not a random sample of U.S. cities. The results suggested that compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is a primary motivator for conducting sidewalk inventories and the cost of conducting an inventory is not prohibitive. Inventory methods included walking each sidewalk segment using handheld devices, LIDAR mounted on wheeled vehicles, and aerial photography, with data uploaded to geographic information system databases. Sidewalk inventories can be used to promote equity by increasing the percentage of city streets that have sidewalks. Areas for future study include developing better cost estimates for each type of sidewalk inventory method, examining the legal implications of sidewalk inventories, and estimating the incremental health benefits obtained for each additional investment in sidewalk construction and repair.
Osterhage, D. R., Acolin, J., Fishman, P. A., & Dannenberg, A. L. (2024). Economic impact on local businesses of road safety improvements in Seattle: implications for Vision Zero projects. Injury Prevention, 30(6), 468–473. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip-2023-044934.
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Abstract
Background Local transportation agencies implementing Vision Zero road safety improvement projects often face opposition from business owners concerned about the potential negative impact on their sales. Few studies have documented the economic impact of these projects.
Methods We examined baseline and up to 3 years of postimprovement taxable sales data for retail, food and service-based businesses adjacent to seven road safety projects begun between 2006 and 2014 in Seattle. We used hierarchical linear models to test whether the change in annual taxable sales differed between the 7 intervention sites and 18 nearby matched comparison sites that had no road safety improvements within the study time frame.
Results Average annual taxable sales at baseline were comparable at the 7 intervention sites (US$44.7 million) and the 18 comparison sites (US$56.8 million). Regression analysis suggests that each additional year following baseline was associated with US$1.20 million more in taxable sales among intervention sites and US$1.14 million more among comparison sites. This difference is not statistically significant (p=0.64). Sensitivity analyses including a random slope, using a generalised linear model and an analysis of variance did not change conclusions.
Discussion Results suggest that road safety improvement projects such as those in Vision Zero plans are not associated with adverse economic impacts on adjacent businesses. The absence of negative economic impacts associated with pedestrian and bicycle road safety projects should reassure local business owners and may encourage them to work with transportation agencies to implement Vision Zero road safety projects designed to eliminate traffic-related injuries.
Akerele, D. D., & Aguayo, F. (2024). Evaluating the Impact of CO2 on Calcium SulphoAluminate (CSA) Concrete. Buildings, 14(8), 2462. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082462
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Abstract
The construction industry is a significant contributor to global CO2 emissions, primarily due to the extensive use of ordinary portland cement (OPC). In response to the urgent need for sustainable construction materials, calcium sulphoaluminate (CSA) cement has emerged as a promising alternative. CSA cement is renowned for its low carbon footprint, high early-age strength, and superior durability, making it an attractive option for reducing the environmental impact of construction activities. While CSA cement offers benefits in carbon emissions reduction, its susceptibility to carbonation presents challenges. Although the body of literature on CSA cement is rapidly expanding, its adoption rate remains low. This disparity may be attributed to several factors including the level of scientific contribution in terms of research focus and lack of comprehensive standards for various applications. As a result, the present study sets out to track the research trajectory within the CSA cement research landscape through a systematic literature review. The study employed the Prefer Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework to conduct a literature search on three prominent databases, and a thematic analysis was conducted to identify the knowledge gap for future exploration. The study revealed that while CSA concrete demonstrates superior early-age strength and environmental resistance, its susceptibility to carbonation can compromise structural integrity over time. Key mitigation strategies identified include the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), use of corrosion inhibitors, and optimization of mix designs. The review also highlights the global distribution of research, with notable contributions from the USA, China, and Europe, emphasizing the collaborative effort in advancing CSA concrete technology. The findings are crucial for enhancing sustainability and durability in the construction sector and advancing CSA binders as a sustainable alternative to traditional cement.
Keywords
concrete; calcium sulphoaluminate cement (CSA); mechanical properties; carbonation (CO2); durability; sustainability
Ruoniu (Vince) Wang, Wei Kang, Xinyu Fu, Do inclusionary zoning policies affect local housing markets? An empirical study in the United States, Cities, Volume 158, 2025, 105736, ISSN 0264-2751, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.105736.
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Abstract
In the face of a housing affordability crisis, many cities have adopted inclusionary zoning (IZ) policies to increase the supply of affordable housing. Yet, IZ remains a controversial local policy due to its varied and inconclusive effects on housing market outcomes. This study investigates this debate by adopting a quasi-experimental design with a national dataset of IZ policies in the United States. We find that, on average, IZ policies did not affect municipality-wide housing permits or rents. However, the implementation of IZ resulted in an average of 2.1 % increase in home prices. Our results also underscore the connection between IZ policy design and market outcomes: more stringent IZ policies (i.e., those that are mandatory and apply to the entire jurisdiction) led to a higher impact on home prices while mitigating the rent effect. Additionally, IZ's market effects varied based on market conditions and the time elapsed since policy adoption. We discuss these findings in terms of implications for policy design and planning practice.
Keywords
Inclusionary zoning; Housing market outcome; Policy effect; United States; Staggered Difference-in-Differences
Xiao, B., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Chen, C., & Darko, A. (2024). Automated daily report generation from construction videos using ChatGPT and computer vision. Automation in Construction, 168, 105874-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2024.105874
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Abstract
Daily reports are important in construction management, informing project teams about status, enabling timely resolutions of delays and budget issues, and serving as official records for disputes and litigation. However, current practices are manual and time-consuming, requiring engineers to physically visit sites for observations. To fill this gap, this paper proposes an automated framework to generate daily construction reports from on-site videos by integrating ChatGPT and computer vision (CV)-based methods. The framework utilizes CV methods to analyze video footage and extract relevant productivity and activity information, which is then fed into ChatGPT using proper prompts to generate daily reports. A web application is developed to implement and validate the framework on a real construction site in Hong Kong, generating daily reports over a month. This research enhances construction management by significantly reducing documentation efforts through generative artificial intelligence, with potential applications in jobsite safety management, quality reporting, and stakeholder communication.
Keywords
Construction daily report generation; Computer vision; ChatGPT; Construction management; Project documentation
Bourassa, S. C., Dröes, M. I., & Hoesli, M. (2024). Housing Market Segmentation: A Finite Mixture Approach. De Economist (Netherlands), 172(4), 291–337. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10645-024-09446-2
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Abstract
This paper investigates the usefulness of adding a discrete choice model to the hedonic model via a finite mixture approach. Our approach leads to different hedonic models for different housing market segments based on household information. As such, the proposed method goes beyond measuring the average price of housing attributes. As a case study, we estimate the finite mixture model for the Miami and Louisville metropolitan areas using information on race, ethnicity, and income from the American Housing Survey. We find that the model outperforms the standard hedonic model or a model with linear interaction terms between demographics and housing characteristics. Moreover, market segmentation is based on a complex combination of race, ethnicity, and income. For Louisville, Black households need 2.5 times higher income than White households to advance to a higher market segment and even at high incomes tend to occupy their own segment. For Miami, low-income, non-Hispanic households live in their own segment even if occupying the same dwelling size as households in other segments.
Keywords
Housing market segmentation; Hedonic model; Finite mixture model; R31; O18; D51