Integrating the Biophilia Concept into Urban Planning: A Case Study of Kufa City, Iraq

Journal Title: Journal of Urban Development and Management - Year 2023, Vol 2, Issue 3

Abstract

In an exploration of biophilic cities, this study examines the integration of nature into urban environments, emphasizing its critical importance to human well-being. Biophilic cities are characterized by abundant green and blue spaces, facilitating human interaction within natural settings. These cities prioritize pedestrian spaces, cultural and historical sites linked to nature, and diverse usage ensuring habitat conservation. To ascertain the key factors enabling effective and sustainable incorporation of nature into urban spaces, two primary components were identified. Firstly, the block-level nature integration factor was investigated, represented by the Meso Index. This index is calculated by the green area's ratio within a designated block. Secondly, the citywide nature integration factor, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of green spaces throughout the city, was examined. This factor promotes direct interaction with nature across various urban functions, including housing, commerce, education, and recreation. Both the lawn afforestation index and the linear garden index serve as measures for this integration. Direct and indirect indicators affected by the establishment of biophilic cities were then applied to Kufa City, Iraq. Employing GIS for map production and analysis alongside mathematical models, indicators were analyzed through field surveys, observation, and feedback forms. Results revealed the innate human predisposition towards nature, highlighting its significance in daily life. Adverse effects on human life and behavior were observed in areas devoid of greenery. Kufa City exhibited potential for biophilic transformation, contingent upon accurate indicator application and improved green space planning.

Authors and Affiliations

Wafaa Abbas Hussein, Ahmed Shamkhi Al-Khafaji

Keywords

Related Articles

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Haze Agglomeration Analysis in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region: A WOA-LSTM Approach

The intensification of industrial and urban growth has precipitated a significant increase in atmospheric pollutant emissions, thereby exacerbating air quality deterioration. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced wi...

A Data Driven Approach to Measure Evolution Trends of City Information Modeling

This work aims to reveal the current status of the city information modeling (CIM) from massive patent data, using the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) model, and quantify the evolution trends of future topics by the Hi...

Vertical Market Integration and Behavioral Variations of Medium-Quality Rice Prices Before and During Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has put pressure on the prices of food, particularly rice, a strategic commodity for trade across Indonesia. The traditional market and wholesalers face intense price competition for rice, which ren...

Factors of Identity Loss in Buraydah City Saudi Arabia

Buraydah, a small Saudi Arabian city, has transformed rapidly in the last few decades. This transformation has occurred due to economic growth, population growth, infrastructural development, and environmental factors. T...

Optimizing Logistics Center Location in Brčko District: A Fuzzy Approach Analysis

In urban logistics, the strategic placement of logistics centers significantly influences cost efficiency. This study explores optimal locations for establishing logistics centers within the Brčko District of Bosnia and...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP732646
  • DOI https://doi.org/10.56578/judm020302
  • Views 59
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Wafaa Abbas Hussein, Ahmed Shamkhi Al-Khafaji (2023). Integrating the Biophilia Concept into Urban Planning: A Case Study of Kufa City, Iraq. Journal of Urban Development and Management, 2(3), -. https://www.europub.co.uk/articles/-A-732646