In this paper, agent-based models of emergent ancient urban centers are constructed through the use of techniques from computational intelligence, agent-based modeling, complex systems, data-mining, and existing archaeological data from the prehistoric urban center, Monte Albán. The models are used to determine the extent to which the structure of ancient cities relates to the structural model ...

c Preface This study reviews policies that have been adopted and action taken with a view to decentralization in the various countries of the region. It addresses the issue at two levels: national or macro level and urban or micro level. At the national level, the paper reviews the policies adopted by different countries in the region which address administrative, political and fiscal decentral...

As one of the fundamental natural resources life, water and its management within ecosystems has always been most crucial aspect any settlement. Prior to urban modernization, was sourced upstream from rivers or groundwater, supplying settlements, with runoff being drained further downstream sea, creating a series flows; our livelihood coexisted this series. In rapid city growth led by due creat...

An important aspect of planning for shallow tunneling under urban areas is the determination of likely surface movements and interaction with existing structures. Back analysis of built tunnels that their settlements magnitude is available, could aid the designers to have a more accuracy in future projects. In this paper, one single Tehran Metro Tunnel (at west of Hor square, Jang University St...

The study identifies the gap between actual thermal sensation and theoretical comfort calculated through simulated microclimate data in different urban configurations in a tropical, high-density, megacity: Dhaka. The methodology stated here could be applied for evaluating outdoor comfort conditions for future urban areas at an early design stage. To apply the concept of theoretical comfort it i...

The continued growth of informal settlements constitutes one of the greatest urban development problems affecting African cities. Projects intended to upgrade these settlements have not been highly successful. In Kenya, project beneficiaries receiving land under individual titles sell or lose their land rights. This transfer of property is seen as stimulating informal settlement construction an...

Over recent decades, urban conservation has become an important strategy to improve urban competitiveness in the global economy. Insufficient attention has been paid to how urban conservation is governed and funded. Drawing on Lijiang Ancient Town, a Chinese World Heritage city, this study examines the power structure and funding systems of urban conservation, how social groups negotiate with t...