In Hong Kong, while many rural areas have remained relatively untouched due to their remote locations, certain regions continue to face pressure for further development. As a result, there is an urgent need to conserve or document the remaining cultural heritage resources in these areas. However, not all landowners support conservation efforts, particularly when the land holds significant economic potential. This study investigates the constraints and challenges encountered in initiating a conservation project at the privately owned Ngong Ping Tea Estate, a site distinguished by its significant cultural landscape in Hong Kong. Most of the buildings at the Tea Estate are not protected under the current built heritage conservation framework, and much of the land falls under the “recreation” zoning category, which is statutorily approved under Hong Kong’s Town Planning Ordinance. This zoning encourages the development of both active and passive recreation, as well as tourism, in line with the surrounding tourist destinations. The development rights associated with the site present an attractive opportunity for the landowner; however, they also pose a substantial challenge to preserving the cultural heritage in situ. By sharing the preliminary conservation efforts undertaken by our team, this study aims to highlight the difficulties faced by researchers and other stakeholders while exploring potential solutions through ongoing engagement and collaboration with relevant parties.

China’s national goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 necessitate a comprehensive transition of Chinese cities from high-carbon to low- and zero-carbon development. The transportation sector, a crucial area for energy conservation and emission reduction, faces significant challenges in achieving carbon neutrality due to rapid urbanization and motorization, which are projected to increase total emissions. Accurate monitoring of carbon emissions is vital for managing these emissions and achieving the “dual carbon” goals. This study provides a detailed analysis of Beijing’s integrated carbon emission monitoring system for urban mobility. It examines the innovative technical framework, which combines top-down and bottom-up approaches, enabling real-time and precise emissions tracking. The findings reveal that the system significantly improves data accuracy, supports effective governance strategies, and offers practical recommendations for scalability and adoption by other cities. In addition, the study evaluates the policy effectiveness of Beijing’s initiatives, providing evidence of substantial progress toward reducing carbon emissions. The research highlights the potential for replicability of Beijing’s system worldwide in transforming urban carbon governance. By addressing challenges such as data integration and resource limitations, the study contributes a comprehensive framework that advances the field of urban mobility emissions monitoring. This approach highlights the necessity of digital transformation in achieving sustainable urban development while setting a benchmark for other cities aiming to align with global climate goals.

Despite the growing number and great variety of overseas Chinese gardens developed over the past four decades, a fundamental question persists that influences decision-making at every stage of such collaborative projects: how can the classical philosophy of “harmony between humans and nature” be interpreted in international contexts characterized by varied cultural and institutional systems? This article critically reviews the key essence of human–nature relationships underlying the design, construction, and adaptation of overseas Chinese gardens in response to practical conditions and constraints. Through comparative analysis of four selected cases spanning 40 years, the study examines the main changes in project focus, patterns, and influential factors, as well as the shared foundations that contribute to the vitality and sustainability of these gardens. The findings reveal that the concept of “harmony” has been redefined to balance complex relationships with the natural environment and among stakeholders and visitors throughout the whole process, from design to construction and operation. This redefinition reflects a broader transformation that emphasizes diversifying funding sources, engaging the public through lived experiences, and prioritizing long-term operational sustainability. Moreover, the growing emphasis on an open, inclusive, and green approach to growth and living has become a shared international goal, aligning with the philosophy of harmony in Chinese gardens and positions their internationalization as a potentially valuable element in urban planning, contributing to sustainability, equity, and quality of life in contemporary society.

Amid the shifting dynamics of global urbanization, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has emerged as a major force reshaping transnational architectural exchanges and development paradigms. This study explores the transcultural architectural exchanges facilitated by BRI through an analysis of projects in Gwadar, Pakistan, and Djibouti. By examining the Pakistan–China Friendship Hospital, the Pakistan–China Friendship Vocational Training Institute, and the National Library and Archive of Djibouti, this article reveals how architectural practices under the BRI negotiate between Chinese modern technological capabilities and local cultural contexts. Using the theoretical frameworks of transcultural dynamics, enriched by the concepts of “contact zones” and “third space,” this study reveals the dynamic interactions and cultural exchanges among several factors in shaping these architectural endeavors. The research highlights the complexities of integrating global design strategies with local traditions and the impact of these hybrid architectural forms on local communities and urban environments. The findings emphasize the need for a more in-depth investigation into the dynamics of designing and constructing architectural artifacts and the underlying rationale behind adopting different transcultural schemes. Ultimately, this study contributes to the discourse on global architectural mobilities, offering insights into how architecture serves as a diplomatic tool and a platform for cultural exchange in different regions shaped by processes of urban development.

The Heilongjiang River Basin (HRB), the largest cold river basin in northern China, exhibits a complex and regionally distinct settlement system. However, its intermediate-level regional typology remains underexplored, necessitating a systematic analysis of settlement distribution, spatial clustering, and morphological evolution. This article constructs a geographic information database of historical settlement sites in the HRB based on settlement inventories derived from cultural relic census records and regional archeological survey data. This study employs a structured spatiotemporal framework encompassing three distinct geographical regions and spanning four archaeological periods to examine the distribution characteristics of settlement sites. By integrating data from archeological excavations of selected sites, the research elucidates the regional typologies and morphological evolution of historical settlements in the basin, revealing their development principles and unique regional attributes. The findings indicate that the spatial distribution of historical settlement sites in the HRB presents distinct regional characteristics. The Sanjiang plain, the presence of ring-trench settlements, and the Yi-Luo city during the Han–Wei period (206 BCE – 420 CE) reflect a transitional phase from settlements to urban centers. In the Mudanjiang River Basin, the Bohai kingdom period is characterized by large-scale capital cities, a multi-capital system, and a comprehensive transportation network, forming a hierarchical urban system. The Songnen plain inherits the urban forms of the Bohai kingdom (698 – 926) as well as the Liao (916 – 1125) and Jin (1115 – 1234) dynasties, marked by the double-city connected capital pattern and standardized garrison settlements. Overall, historical settlements in the HRB exhibit prominent military defense attributes, simplified architectural forms, and regional differentiation. These characteristics provide valuable insights into the evolution of historical settlement patterns in Northeast China.

Microtransportation, including e-bikes and e-scooters, has experienced rapid global growth due to increasing demand for sustainable urban mobility solutions. Despite its potential to reduce environmental impact and promote social equity, challenges remain in its implementation, such as regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, and user behavior. This paper explores the opportunities and challenges of microtransportation within the context of sustainable development, offering a comprehensive overview of present research and identifying potential areas for future investigation and practice. A systematic literature review was conducted, analyzing recent scientific articles and case studies on microtransportation’s definition and types, along with its environmental, social, and economic implications. The findings highlight microtransportation’s potential to contribute to sustainable development goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving accessibility, and promoting social equity. However, the implementation of microtransportation faces various challenges, including technological limitations, regulatory barriers, and cultural and behavioral resistance. This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on sustainable transportation by providing a comprehensive review of microtransportation and its potential role in achieving sustainable development goals. It emphasizes the need for further research on the social and cultural dimensions of microtransportation adoption, as well as the development of supportive policies and infrastructure. The findings have important implications for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working to promote sustainable transportation. Successful implementation of microtransportation requires collaboration among stakeholders, including governments, private sector actors, and local communities. The paper also provides recommendations for overcoming the identified challenges and realizing the full potential of microtransportation for sustainable development.

The role of trees as natural windbreak barriers is significant in various aspects, not only in reducing wind velocity but also in mitigating odors and gas emissions. The effectiveness of these barriers depends on the number of tree rows, tree height, and the spacing between tree rows. Tree visualization is implemented using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) programs to calculate the wind velocity reduction percentage before and after the application of a tree barrier. This research aims to develop a novel measurement tool to quantify wind velocity reduction using the EDDY3D tool. The objectives of the present study are to present CFD models that visualize the effects of trees on wind flow regulation and to introduce EDDY3D as one of the latest CFD models for simulating airflow. To calculate the wind velocity reduction percentage following the application of a tree barrier in the study area, a series of visualization tests were conducted using EDDY3D. These tests took into account tree height, arrangement, number of rows, and spacing between individual trees and tree rows. The outcome is a quantitative tool for measuring wind velocity reduction, which can be applied in future research on wind dynamics and tree barrier effectiveness. The study demonstrates that EDDY3D-based simulations can effectively assess wind reduction percentages in tree windbreak configurations, revealing that positioning the tree barrier closer to the receptor optimizes wind speed reduction, while mid-distance placement diminishes its effectiveness.

Historical timber buildings in Shanxi province, China, face significant restoration challenges due to natural degradation, extreme weather events, and restrictions on native timber harvesting, necessitating the use of alternative timber species for structural repairs. This study examines the material properties of four timber species – Chinese pine ( Pinus tabuliformis Carrière), larch ( Larix gmelinii var. principis- rupprechtii [Mayr] Pilger), Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirbel] Franco), and Mongolian Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv.) – commonly used in the restoration of historical timber buildings in Shanxi. Given the structural diversity of these buildings, six loading modes were applied to assess the suitability of each species for different structural components: compression parallel to the grain, compression perpendicular to the grain in the radial direction, shear parallel to grain along the longitudinal-radial plane, shear parallel to grain along the longitudinal-tangential plane, four-point static bending, and tension. Douglas fir exhibited the highest compressive strength parallel to the grain, making it well-suited for load-bearing components, while Chinese pine demonstrated strong compressive strength perpendicular to the grain in the radial direction. Larch and Douglas fir excelled in shear resistance, and all four species exhibited high bending strengths, supporting their use in primary structural components. In contrast, Mongolian Scots pine exhibiting lower shear and bending strengths is more appropriate for non-load-bearing applications where structural demands are minimal. Positive correlations between strength, density, and dynamic modulus of elasticity suggest that density and ultrasonic testing can serve as effective non-destructive evaluation methods. These findings provide valuable insights into material selection for heritage timber restoration, promoting species-specific applications that enhance structural resilience while preserving traditional carpentry techniques.

Urban planning primarily depends on public input. However, citizen engagement is often limited by traditional communication channels. Historically, urban planning decisions have lacked mechanisms for incorporating feedback from the general public. Modern technology – particularly artificial intelligence (AI) – now offers the means to address this gap. Social media platforms, in particular, provide opportunities for broader and more dynamic interactions between citizens and planners. This study presents the design of an AI-based communication system for urban planning that gathers and analyzes citizen input in the Albanian language from social media platforms. Given the absence of existing natural language processing (NLP) tools for Albanian, the system uses a custom-built NLP pipeline, incorporating manual data preprocessing steps such as tokenization, lemmatization, and sentiment analysis. By integrating these preprocessing procedures with machine learning models for trend analysis and opinion classification, the system empowers urban planners to make data-driven decisions based on real-time public feedback. This work demonstrates the potential for additional automation and highlights the adaptability of AI techniques in addressing language-specific resource constraints.

China’s unprecedented urbanization has fueled technological innovation while simultaneously intensifying environmental degradation, cultural erosion, and social inequality. Amid this tension, traditional philosophies such as Feng Shui – long embedded in Chinese spatial planning – remain underutilized in the context of smart city development. This study explores the integration of classical Chinese feng shui philosophy with advanced smart city technologies to develop a culturally sustainable approach to urbanization in modern China. While traditional Chinese feng shui philosophy, rooted in the principle of harmony between humanity and nature, has informed urban planning for centuries, it remains under-researched as a framework for applying modern smart city technologies. By combining cultural heritage with cutting-edge technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and green infrastructure, this research addresses the growing tension between urbanization and cultural preservation. Using a mixed-methods approach – including case studies of Chinese cities such as Beijing and Hangzhou, spatial analysis through geographic information system mapping, and interviews with cultural experts and urban planners – the study identifies key synergies and challenges in aligning feng shui principles (e.g., energy flow [Qi] and natural balance) with smart city objectives such as energy efficiency and sustainable resource use. The proposed model not only advances environmental and social sustainability but also reinforces Chinese cultural heritage in urban development. The findings demonstrate that it is possible to design cities that are both technologically advanced and culturally meaningful – a model potentially replicable by other nations experiencing similar dilemmas. The study concludes with policy implications for urban planners and identifies areas for future research, such as the scalability of the framework and its adaptability across diverse cultural and geographic contexts.

Ecological livability is a key concept in environmental and ecology studies, playing a critical role in maintaining ecological balance and promoting sustainability. Given its importance, numerous studies in Chinese cities have assessed and ranked ecological livability based on various ecological indicators. However, the ecological potential of other regions has received comparatively less attention. A major research gap in existing studies is the lack of zoning frameworks for livable settlements based on ecological indicators. This study addresses this gap by investigating whether the spatial distribution of human settlements in the Chabahar, Konarak, and Zarabad counties of southeastern Iran aligns with the area’s ecological capacities and potentials. To this end, the study first examines livability trends over the period 2010 – 2022. It then identifies optimal zones for livable settlement development using 27 ecological indicators. For this purpose, regions in southern and southeastern Iran were selected, and the evaluation was conducted using multi-source data and geographic information system tools. The results indicate that ecological indicators in the region are in a sensitive and fragile state, and livability trends exhibit a sinusoidal pattern over time. In addition, the zoning analysis indicates that many current settlements are not located in ecologically suitable areas according to livability standards. The findings provide a basis for informed decision-making in human settlement development. They also enable planners to better understand the existing conditions and to formulate strategies that enhance resilience and improve livability in urban communities in the face of natural and anthropogenic challenges.

Rapid urbanization has often led to the erosion of cultural identity in cities, making the integration of traditional Chinese patterns into contemporary landscape architecture an important means of sustaining heritage and symbolism within modern urban spaces. This article investigates the integration of traditional Chinese patterns into contemporary landscape design, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural traces within urban environments. A convergent parallel mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (case studies, interviews, and visual analysis) data collection. Survey results highlighted how people perceive cultural identity and esthetic value, while case studies and interviews provided insights into the symbolic and design purposes of traditional patterns in urban contexts. Evidence shows that traditional forms, such as geometric motifs, lotus flowers, and feng shui principles, play a major role in reinforcing cultural identity and strengthening the sense of place amid contemporary urbanization. These practices have been widely embraced by society, fostering stronger connections to cultural heritage and contributing to the creation of esthetically pleasing and functional urban spaces.