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An Integrated Web-Based GIS Platform for the Environmental Monitoring of Industrial Emissions: Preliminary Results of the Project. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12073369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The European regulatory framework requires prior authorization for the use of plants and activities that may impact the environment, to ensure an adequate level of environmental and human health protection. Data on industrial wastewater, urban sewage, atmospheric emissions and waste management of installations subject to licenses generate interest among stakeholders (Environmental Protection Agencies, Police Forces, regions, provinces, municipalities, Local Health Authorities, operators, research bodies, citizens), but unfortunately, they are not properly digitized and processed, as they are often unavailable. Therefore, the main goal of this project is to provide a flexible, interactive and easy-to-use tool for stakeholders to allow them to consult these kinds of environmental data. For this purpose, a database integrated with a web-based Geographical Information System (GIS) platform to collect, manage and share pollutant emissions data, is currently being designed and developed. The web platform offers to users interconnected informative modules on required authorizations, license processes and analytical controls. Moreover, stored data from industries and on emissions are georeferenced and displayed in a web GIS map. Stakeholders have free but limited access to specific sections of the web platform, depending on their tasks. They can consult environmental data and GIS representations, download reports or documents and enter new data. This web application seeks to: (1) promote collaboration among stakeholders, (2) simplify the monitoring of an installation’s authorization status and industrial emissions trends, (3) optimize the environmental licensing procedures, (4) enhance the management of environmental control by the relevant authorities, (5) support health and environmental research, and (6) provide industries with innovative services for data transmission. To evaluate the performance and benefits of the newly-developed tool, a real-life pilot case has been applied using data from industries located in the Province of Ascoli Piceno (Marche region, Italy).
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The Urban CoCreation Lab—An Integrated Platform for Remote and Simultaneous Collaborative Urban Planning and Design through Web-Based Desktop 3D Modeling, Head-Mounted Virtual Reality and Mobile Augmented Reality: Prototyping a Minimum Viable Product and Developing Specifications for a Minimum Marketable Product. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12020797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Both policy and research highlight the importance of diverse stakeholder input in urban development processes but visualizing future built environments and creating two-way design communication for non-expert stakeholders are challenging. The present study develops an intuitive and simplified 3D modeling platform that integrates web-based desktop, virtual reality and mobile augmented reality technologies for remote simultaneous urban design collaboration. Through iterative prototyping, based on two series of workshops with stakeholders, the study resulted in such an integrated platform as a minimum viable product as well as specifications for a minimum marketable product to be used in real projects. Further study is required to evaluate the minimum level of detail in the 3D modeling necessary for good perception of scale and environmental impact simulation.
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Hammond EB, Coulon F, Hallett SH, Thomas R, Hardy D, Kingdon A, Beriro DJ. A critical review of decision support systems for brownfield redevelopment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 785:147132. [PMID: 33957586 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, many decision support systems (DSSs) have been developed to support decision makers and facilitate the planning and redevelopment process of brownfields. Existing systems are however often siloed in their approach and do not fully capture the complexity of brownfield sites from a sustainable development point of view. This critical review provides an insight into the development and implementation of DSSs, published and emerging, together with assessment of their strengths, limitations and opportunities for future integration. Brownfields DSS applications include: remediation technology selection; and land use planning; and risk assessment. The results of this review lead the authors to identify four opportunities to improve brownfield DSSs: (i) increased use of qualitative socioeconomic criteria, particularly costs and economic variables, (ii) decision-support during the early stages of brownfield redevelopment, (iii) the integration of predictive modelling methods, and (iv) improvements of user interfaces and modern web-based functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis B Hammond
- British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK; School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Frederic Coulon
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | - Stephen H Hallett
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 0AL, UK
| | | | - Drew Hardy
- Groundsure, Sovereign House, Church Street, Brighton BN1 1UJ, UK
| | - Andrew Kingdon
- British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Darren J Beriro
- British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK.
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Ronchi S, Salata S, Arcidiacono A, Ghirardelli F. Mapping Habitat Quality in the Lombardy Region, Italy. ONE ECOSYSTEM 2017. [DOI: 10.3897/oneeco.2.e11402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Ortiz R, Ortiz P, Martín JM, Vázquez MA. A new approach to the assessment of flooding and dampness hazards in cultural heritage, applied to the historic centre of Seville (Spain). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 551-552:546-555. [PMID: 26896583 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Flooding and dampness have caused considerable damage to historic towns and cities and have become more frequent in recent years. The aim of this paper is to analyse the hazards of flooding and dampness in historic cities to establish a methodology that prioritises preventive conservation actions and restorations. The case study concerns the historic centre of Seville (Spain) and parish churches built between the 13th and 18th centuries. Geographic information system (GIS) software has been used to assess hazards caused by flooding and dampness along with a Delphi consultation process surveying a multidisciplinary group of seven experts-archaeologists, geologists, chemists, architects, engineers and environmentalists-to gain a general overview of the hazards affecting each area of the city. Currently, the historic centre of Seville is at a very low risk of flooding due to the engineering works being undertaken to divert the river course. For flooding to occur, water levels would need to rise over 6 to 12m along the different sections of the defensive walls; as a result, the historic centre has not been flooded since 1961, when these defences broke. However, there is a continual presence of dampness due to the proximity of the river, the presence of underground water and the permeability of the subsoil, resulting in continual damage to the lower sections of the monuments studied. Hence, hazard maps of flooding and dampness need to be dovetailed. This new approach provides tools for decision-makers in the current crisis, allowing them to prioritise strategies that will minimise damage in a town, as the urban unit where territorial policies could be applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Ortiz
- Department Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera Km 1, ES-41013 Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Pilar Ortiz
- Department Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera Km 1, ES-41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - José María Martín
- Department Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Carretera de Utrera Km 1, ES-41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - María Auxiliadora Vázquez
- Department Crystallography, Mineralogy and Agricultural Chemistry, Universidad de Sevilla, Calle Profesor García González, S/N, ES-41072 Sevilla, Spain
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Bagaria V, Bagaria S. A geographic information system to study trauma epidemiology in India. J Trauma Manag Outcomes 2007; 1:3. [PMID: 18271993 PMCID: PMC2241765 DOI: 10.1186/1752-2897-1-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2007] [Accepted: 11/26/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Geographic Information Systems (GIS) describe the topography and chronology of events in a defined vector space. GIS may also be used for an integrated analysis of environmental and road-related risk factors for traffic accidents. METHODS In a retrospective study, various features of 165 road crashes were linked to a GIS-generated digital map of an area close to a national highway in India. By overlay tools, clusters of accidents were identified, and color-coded according to accident mechanisms and injury patterns. RESULTS Spatial analysis revealed a cluster with a high incidence of motorbike injuries resulting in fractures. Examination of the spot demonstrated the risky combination of a speed breaker and a broken traffic light. After fixing the light, no further accidents occurred at the site. CONCLUSION GIS is a promising technology for geo-referencing accident data, and may be a valuable tool to identify areas of priority for injury prevention in India.
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Bealey WJ, McDonald AG, Nemitz E, Donovan R, Dragosits U, Duffy TR, Fowler D. Estimating the reduction of urban PM10 concentrations by trees within an environmental information system for planners. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2007; 85:44-58. [PMID: 16996198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2005] [Revised: 05/24/2006] [Accepted: 07/13/2006] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Trees have been widely quoted as effective scavengers of both gaseous and particulate pollutants from the atmosphere. Recent work on the deposition of urban aerosols onto woodland allows the effect of tree planting strategies on airborne aerosol concentrations to be quantified and considered within the planning process. By identifying the potential planting locations in the local authority area, and applying them within a dispersion and deposition model, the potential magnitude of reduction in the ambient concentration of PM(10), achievable through urban tree planting, has been quantified for two UK cities. As part of the Environmental Information Systems for Planners (EISP), flow diagrams, based on planning decisions, have incorporated output from the model to make decisions on land use planning ranging from development plans and strategic planning, to development control. In this way, for any new developments that contribute to the local PM(10) level, the mitigation by planting trees can be assessed, and in some cases, reductions can be sufficient to meet air quality objectives for PM(10).
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Bealey
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0QB, UK.
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