Industrialization is a key element for economic growth in both developed and undeveloped countries. Due to globalization, the cause-effect between industrialization, economic growth and urbanization are changing. This study investigates the relationship between economic expansion, urbanization, and industrialization in Kenya using a quantitative methodology. Using World Bank economic indicator parameters, it focuses on understanding the complex interrelationships between these factors. Vector Autoregression (VAR) modeling is used to analyze the relationships between GDP, urbanization, and industrialization between 1990 and 2018. The Granger causality test is used to determine the causal linkages between GDP, urbanization, and industrialization. Results show that urbanization is increasing steadily across Kenya, with a high population in central, western, Rift valley, and coastal regions. The availability of agricultural land influences urbanization, with a significant positive relationship between the three parameters. The Granger causality test shows a unidirectional relationship between GDP, urbanization, and industrialization. A minimum of 20% is considered as the benchmark for urbanization to reduce both GDP and industrialization. Unplanned and rapid urbanization, accompanied by ecologically unfavorable industrialization schemes, threatens Kenya's biodiversity. The study provides insight into the interconnection between the three pillars of the economy and the statistical models developed are useful in forecasting future trends.
Beijing is a typical traditional city in China, originating from the uniform and conventional grid plan, but transformed diversely, either on purpose or spontaneously. This research took the diversification process of grid blocks as an angle to understand the transformation process of Beijing's urban morphology. It took 194 grid blocks within the 3rd Ring Road of Beijing as research objects. First, the paper proposed a whole view of Beijing's grid blocks by 1) visualizing their construction process, 2) classifying 5 morphological clusters by 7 indicators (Block size, Block shape regularity, Intensity, Coverage, Network density, Plot shape regularity, Standard deviation of plot size), and 3) investigating their distribution. Second, the diversification process of grid blocks was clarified from two layers: the block-boundary layer and the inner-space layer. Finally, the mechanism of block form diversification was clarified by exploring the connections between elements in each layer, and the influence of urban development on block form transformation. The study re-defined the diversification process in a more quantitative way from both time and spatial dimension. It concluded that the diversification is influenced by changes in urban planning principles and locations, and emerged thorough the long-term transformation and re-subdivision. The interaction between the boundary and the inner space stimulates the diversification. And based on these, it concluded with a discussion of limitations and potentials on grid blocks' construction and renovation.
Bazaars are considered essential components of a society's economy and significant features in the urban context of cities, which have emerged based on exchanging goods and meeting people's needs. Since the late Qajar period, amidst the rapid changes resulting from interaction with modernization, the form of Tabriz Grand Bazaar has undergone significant changes. The research aims to explain the contemporary transformations of marketplace form in the leather and shoe sectors. The objectives aim to elucidate the contemporary physical, functional, and sementic changes and propose strategies. The research method is qualitative, with a phenomenological approach. The results indicate that the Bazaar has lost some physical and sementic functions. Despite providing goods, it has failed to meet the public's demands because of eliminating production workshops by changing the productive function to service-oriented and the size and shape of spaces. The decline of religious activities is also one reason for the diminished sementic dimension. Regarding functional and physical aspects, some proposed solutions include preserving the authenticity of the spaces and utilizing suitable Functions with the dominant architectural style. Regarding sementic characteristics, suggestions include enhancing the sense of identity.
Regions near latitude 0° are characterized by warm-humid climate and also by high cloudiness. In these regions, metal roofs has been the most widely used typology. However, in the last decades, the use of heavy concrete roofs has increased significantly. Given its material characteristics, this roof typology offers a higher thermal resistance and thermal mass than a metal roof. Most strategies focus on the use of these characteristics, as well as the use of high reflectivity and emissivity. However, the impact of cloudiness on the effectiveness of these strategies has been little addressed. This research focuses on the impact of reflectivity and emissivity change on the thermal performance of these two roofs in a cloudy warm-humid climate. To achieve this objective, simulations validated with measurements were used. The results show that the efficiency of reflectivity and emissivity is lower in this region compared to other regions. The impact of these properties is further reduced with increasing thermal mass or decreasing thermal transmittance, so the effectiveness of reflectivity and emissivity is minimal on the concrete roof. Finally, this study supports that a metal roof with a reflectivity and emissivity above 0.70 can offer lower daily average temperatures than a concrete roof.