arXiv subjects

Mahshid Gorjian

Publications and source records attributed to Mahshid Gorjian.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Statistical Methodologies for Urban Morphology Indicators: A Comprehensive Review of Quantitative Approaches to Sustainable Urban Form

Urban morphology has a significant impact on sustainable urban outcomes in the ecological, social, and economic sectors. Nonetheless, academics lack clarity and consensus on how to quantify urban morphology indicators, which impedes multidisciplinary research and the creation of integrated sustainable solutions. This comprehensive study develops a detailed taxonomy of urban form indicators related to sustainability, describes quantitative approaches for investigating the linkages between urban morphology and sustainability, and examines research trends, gaps, and future directions. A review of 89 carefully selected studies showed 365 distinct urban morphology measures, with significant variation in names, interpretations, and data formats. The measures were divided into six categories: urban tissue configuration, roadway network, building plot characteristics, land use, natural elements and greenspace, and urban expansion, each with its own subclass. The study indicates that, even though urban morphology is intrinsically spatial, spatial modeling is rarely used to investigate its relationships with sustainability. The research shows a regional bias, with insufficient representation of studies focusing on the Global South and natural elements. This synthesis calls for a standardized classification framework as well as more broad, spatially explicit techniques to foster multidisciplinary research and support effective policy and planning for sustainable urban development.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2025

Statistical Perspectives on Urban Inequality: A Systematic Review of GIS-Based Methodologies and Applications

Urban inequality, as reflected by uneven spatial allocations of resources, services, and opportunities, has arisen as a major topic for quantitative research and policy intervention. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide a solid framework for quantifying, analyzing, and visualizing these disparities; nevertheless, the many statistical approaches used in different studies have not been completely pooled. This analysis looks at 201 peer-reviewed articles published between 1996 and 2024, obtained from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, that use GIS-based approaches to investigate intra-urban differences. Eligibility was limited to English-language, peer-reviewed research that focused on urban settings, with the screening technique following the PRISMA methodology. The review identifies five key theme domains: accessibility, green space, health-related disparity, socioeconomic status, and open space provision. In the literature, statistical and network-based approaches, such as spatial clustering, regression analysis, and bibliometric mapping, are critical for identifying patterns and driving thematic synthesis. Although accessibility remains the core focus, the subject has expanded to include a variety of indicators such as environmental justice and health vulnerability, aided by advances in data sources and spatial analytics. Ongoing methodological issues include spatial concentration in industrialized countries and the limited use of longitudinal or composite measurements. The report concludes by outlining research priorities and practical recommendations for improving statistical rigor, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and assuring policy relevance in GIS-based urban inequality studies.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2025

Greening Schoolyards and Urban Property Values: A Systematic Review of Geospatial and Statistical Evidence

1.1 Background Parks and the greening of schoolyards are examples of urban green spaces that have been praised for their environmental, social, and economic benefits in cities all over the world. More studies show that living near green spaces is good for property values. However, there is still disagreement about how strong and consistent these effects are in different cities (Browning et al., 2023; Grunewald et al., 2024; Teo et al., 2023). 1.2 Purpose This systematic review is the first to bring together a lot of geographical and statistical information that links greening schoolyards to higher property prices, as opposed to just green space in general. By focusing on schoolyard-specific interventions, we find complex spatial, economic, and social effects that are often missed in larger studies of green space. 1.3 Methods This review followed the PRISMA guidelines and did a systematic search and review of papers that were published in well-known journals for urban studies, the environment, and real estate. The criteria for inclusion stressed the use of hedonic pricing or spatial econometric models to look at the relationship between urban green space and home values in a quantitative way. Fifteen studies from North America, Europe, and Asia met the requirements for inclusion (Anthamatten et al., 2022; Wen et al., 2019; Li et al., 2019; Mansur & Yusuf, 2022).

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2025

Green schoolyard investments influence local-level economic and equity outcomes through spatial-statistical modeling and geospatial analysis in urban contexts

Investing in urban green schoolyards is becoming more popular around the world because they could enhance health, education, and community outcomes. There is still considerable debate regarding the impact of urban green schoolyards on economic growth, equity, and community stability, particularly when analyzed using spatial-statistical and geospatial methods. The current study focuses mostly on health or individual case results and avoids looking at broader economic and equality concerns. It also fails to effectively integrate all the methodological rigor and policy implications. Using GIS analysis and comparative spatial-statistical modeling, this study fills in the gaps by examining five essential recent studies, which included cases from the US, the Netherlands, and Australia. The study uses methods such as hedonic pricing, difference in differences, spatial econometrics, and participatory GIS to look carefully at changes in property values, equitable outcomes, and displacement risks in different metropolitan areas. Studies show that while investing in green schoolyards usually raises property values in the area (by 2, 5% in Denver and Los Angeles) and is beneficial for kids' health and development, these benefits are not equitably shared. Most of the time, wealthy neighborhoods obtain the biggest benefits. Displacement and gentrification are most likely to occur in areas with inadequate tenant protections. Examples from around the world show that policies that focus on equity, public ownership, and participatory planning are necessary to get the most out of everyone's benefits and keep people from being left out.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2025

Schoolyard Greening, Child Health, and Neighborhood Change: A Comparative Study of Urban U.S. Cities

Background: Schoolyard greening has emerged as an innovative approach to enhancing childrens health and environmental equity in urban U.S. cities. Yet, the implications for neighborhood dynamics and social equity are insufficiently understood. Methods: This comparative literature review synthesizes quantitative and qualitative evidence from peer reviewed studies and case analyses of schoolyard greening in major U.S. cities. Results: Schoolyard greening consistently increases utilization and has a positive, though variable, effect on childrens physical activity and well-being. However, the benefits are not always equitably distributed, and greening projects can catalyze neighborhood change, sometimes leading to green gentrification. Conclusions: Greening urban schoolyards offers benefits for childrens health and urban sustainability but poses challenges for equity and social justice. Policies must prioritize inclusive, community driven approaches to ensure the gains of greening are shared by vulnerable populations.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2025

Greening Schoolyards and the Spatial Distribution of Property Values in Denver, Colorado

Schoolyard greening initiatives have become increasingly prominent in urban school districts across the United States, particularly as mechanisms to promote environmental justice, child well-being, and neighborhood revitalization. While these interventions aim to address health and ecological disparities, they may also trigger real estate speculation and displacement in historically marginalized areas. This study investigates how property values are affected by proximity to greened schoolyards in Denver, Colorado. Using spatial analysis and hedonic regression techniques, we examine whether these greening efforts correlate with uneven housing market changes across diverse neighborhoods. Results suggest that homes located within 250 meters of greened schoolyards experienced significantly higher value appreciation than those further away, especially in neighborhoods already undergoing gentrification. These findings raise questions about the unintended consequences of environmental investments and emphasize the need for equitable policy frameworks.

physics.soc-ph↗