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ABSTRACT Urban green spaces, despite their recognized importance for sustainable urban development, face significant challenges to their resilience and viability due to rapid urbanization and various associated pressures. The scientific problem addressed in this paper is the vulnerability of urban green spaces to various stressors, including proximity to settlement, land use and land cover changes, and proximity to roads, among others. Despite their importance, there is a lack of comprehensive assessments and frameworks to systematically evaluate and address this vulnerability. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by employing a multi-criteria decision-making framework, namely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework. By analyzing 10 indicators related to urban green space vulnerability through a pairwise comparison matrix, the study identifies critical factors influencing vulnerability and categorizes urban green spaces into different susceptibility levels. Additionally, the research extends its analysis to future scenario development for the years 2030 and 2040, using a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) based Markov Chain model, incorporating various parameters such as distances from built-up areas, roads, rails, streams, slopes, and elevation. Through these methodologies, the study aims to provide valuable insights to urban planners, policymakers, and environmental practitioners, enabling them to make informed decisions to enhance the resilience and sustainability of urban green spaces and urban areas as a whole.

This study presents the application of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) aided with geospatial analysis for identifying vulnerable zones to waterborne diseases in Azamgarh city, India. It synergistically employs two stages analyses; the first stage analyses eight determining criteria of waterborne diseases, five from socio-economic factors, one from criteria from drinking water (WQI) and two criteria from environmental factors to support the second stage analysis using FAHP. Moreover, weighted overlay analysis was utilised to produce final vulnerability map. The study of triangular fuzzy numbers and extent analysis shows that major responsible factors for controlling the distribution of waterborne diseases in the city are water quality index, irregular water supply and improper sanitation with 0.247, 0.204 and 0.194 weights respectively. The result shows that about 1.99% area in the city lies in very high vulnerability zone, 16.48% in high category, 37.11% in medium category, 37.30 in low category and 7.12% in very low category. Similarly, it has been found that most of the area under high vulnerable zones is found near the city centre in the central congested part of the city. Validation of the results with ground data of occurrence of waterborne diseases has shown that high incidence of waterborne diseases were in conformity with the most vulnerable zones of waterborne diseases. Hence, the current model to identify vulnerable zones to waterborne diseases is validated. The study result also suggests that the study approach adopted and its application process can be employed in other studies to identify vulnerable zones for various diseases.

Monitoring changes in land use and land cover over a specific timeframe and predicting future trends is paramount due to its increasing influence on local, regional and global environments. This study analyzes the dynamics of land use and land cover patterns, rapid urban expansion and the underlying driving forces in the past three decades in Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), West Bengal. To establish the relationship between land use/land cover dynamics and built-up expansion from 1990 to 2040, this study utilizes multi-temporal satellite data (Landsat-5 TM, Landsat-8 OLI) and census data, employing models such as MLP-based Markov chain models. The analysis reveals that the highest transformation occurred in green spaces, followed by fallow lands and water bodies, as they were converted into built-up areas and also there is potentiality of expansion around 6129.06 ha area of built-up at the cost of 1053.35 ha water body, 164.48 ha fallow land and 4911.23 ha green spaces up to the year 2040. Kolkata, the third-ranking megacity in India and the capital of West Bengal, faces immense pressure for land transformation due to its Kolkata Municipal Corporation floating population 6 million, surpassing the total residential population of 4.5 million. This rapid urbanization is driven by the need for residential facilities, administrative services, business and commercial services, and employment opportunities. Statistical analysis demonstrates a strong correlation (coefficient of determination = 0.93) between built-up expansion and population growth. These results will support government officials, urban planners and researchers in making decisions and planning for future cities, with a focus on environmentally friendly and sustainable urban development, not just in Kolkata Municipal Corporation but also in other major urban areas.

The research article delves into the background of urban land use and land cover (LULC) change, specifically focusing on built-up expansion, and underscores its significant implications on land surface temperature (LST) and the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. This research aims to unravel the intricate associations among urban green cover, built-up index, and surface temperature, specifically within the spatial confines of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The primary objective is to comprehensively understand how the conversion of green spaces into built-up areas influences land surface temperature and, consequently, the urban heat island effect. Employing a geospatial approach, the study utilizes normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI), normalized differential built-up index (NDBI), and land surface temperature (LST) data extracted from Landsat imagery spanning four temporal points (1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020). The borough-level analysis offers a micro-level perspective within the limited urban space of Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Correlation analyses and scatter diagrams are employed as tools to scrutinize the complex relationships between these variables, providing a robust methodology for the investigation. The research underscores the significant impact of urbanization on the study area, revealing a consistent trend of converting green spaces into built-up areas over the studied decades. This transformation has led to a reduction in green coverage and a concurrent increase in surface temperatures. The study reveals compelling correlations and patterns through NDVI, NDBI, and LST analyses, emphasizing the urgency for serious attention from urban planners, environmentalists, and ecologists. The findings highlight the pressing need for the development of appropriate policy frameworks to ensure the future sustainability and health of cities.

The study attempts to examine the impact of firework activities during Diwali Festival on ambient air quality of Jodhpur city. Air quality parameters particulate matter of diameter 10 μm (PM 10 ), particulate matter of diameter 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2) , nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and heavy metals in PM 2.5 like Pb, Ni, Ba, Al, As and Sr are monitored at two locations, for 15 days, starting from 7 days before the festival of Diwali, on the day of the festival (Diwali) and 7 days after Diwali. On the occasion of Diwali, it was discovered that the 24-h average levels of various pollutants were significantly elevated compared to regular days preceding the festival. Specifically, at the HBO site, the concentrations were notably increased, with sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) reaching 5.62 times higher, nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) at 3 times higher, particulate matter of diameter 10 μm (PM 10 ) at 2.35 times higher, and particulate matter of diameter 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ) at 1.01 times higher than the usual levels before Diwali. Similarly, at the PTMM site, there were substantial elevations in pollutant concentrations during Diwali compared to pre-festival days, with SO 2 registering 2.53 times higher, NO 2 at 2.37 times higher, PM 2.5 at 1.9 times higher, and PM 10 at 1.57 times higher levels than normal. Concentration of Al, Ba, Sr and Pb at HBO site and Al at PTMM site was highest on Diwali day. Air quality index which was in good category on normal days before Diwali, fell into poor category starting from the day before Diwali and remain in poor category on normal days after Diwali. The result indicates the worsening of ambient air quality during Diwali which can adversely impact the human health in terms of various respiratory complications.

Agroforestry systems have grown significantly in popularity in Bangladesh during recent years due to their favorable effects on the environment and human health. These systems are essential for supporting sustainable agriculture because they increase diversity, improve food security, and provide revenue. This study's main objective is to show how agroforestry is a widely used ecological and climate‐resilient practice in Bangladesh. The research explores investment analysis, adoption‐influencing factors, and a strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of agroforestry practices. A total of 340 respondents were chosen for this extensive study using a multistage random selection technique. The results showed a discrepancy in practice, with farmers exhibiting a high degree of awareness but limited application. Financial analysis employing metrics such as benefit‐cost ratio, net present value, and internal rate of return favored agroforestry, indicating its economic viability and potential benefits for adopters. Additionally, the adoption of agroforestry was found to be significantly influenced by a binary logistic regression model that highlighted several important features, including larger farm sizes, younger age groups, greater education levels, training experiences, frequent extension visits, and enhanced market access. The study also identified barriers to adoption, such as a lack of trained labor, poor technical assistance, and education. This thorough analysis clarifies the opportunities and constraints for agroforestry implementation in Bangladesh. It suggests broad adoption by means of focused training initiatives that empower farmers, provide observable advantages, and promote nationwide acceptance. Core Ideas This study explores how agroforestry is a widely used ecological and climate‐resilient practice in Bangladesh. Important features such as age, education, farm size, and training as key factors for agroforestry are highlighted. Barriers of agroforestry, such as a lack of trained labor, poor technical assistance, and so on are identified. This study suggests broad adoption by means of focused training initiatives.

This study aimed to explore the WASH service accessibility and satisfaction among street informal workers in Dhaka City. Employing a quantitative research method, data was collected via a survey questionnaire from a randomly selected sample of 407 participants from Dhaka City. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to extract research objectives. The study employed a chi-square test for significant validation and descriptive statistics to analyze satisfaction levels regarding sanitation, hygiene, and safe drinking water practices. Additionally, logistic regression analysis was conducted. Findings revealed that many participants lacked formal education, indicating functional illiteracy, which is consistent with a global trend among informal laborers. Moreover, a significant portion of respondents struggled to meet their daily needs due to insufficient income, underscoring a widening income gap within the informal sector. Despite facing adverse conditions, approximately 70% of respondents reported satisfaction with their health status. However, issues pertaining to water and sanitation inadequacies persisted, with challenges such as ventilation issues and makeshift kitchens posing health risks. Satisfaction levels were found to correlate with occupation and income, highlighting socio-economic disparities in accessing essential services. This study sheds light on the pressing challenges faced by informal workers in Dhaka City concerning their access to WASH services. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve the living and working conditions of informal workers, particularly in addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene inadequacies, and mitigating socio-economic disparities within this vulnerable population.