Volume 1, Issue 2, November 2016


Volume 1, Issue 2, November 2016

ISSN 2501-7837
ISSN-L 2501-7837

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Articles

  • Using LiDAR in analyzing the relantionship between vegetation and built space – influences and interdependence. Case Study: Bucharest Municipality

    Author: Sofia Scăunaș, George-Laurențiu Merciu

    Abstract: Under increased urban settlement density, the central areas of cities are usually the main targets of the regeneration process. This action involves modern urban modelling methods to emphasize the buildings structures and vegetation assessment. One of the methods is represented by LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) technology. LiDAR offers highresolution imagery for very detailed information on object attributes, such as spectral signature, texture and shape, very accurate position and height information. Recently, remote sensing techniques are being increasingly used for inventory, monitoring and management of vegetation. Precise and up to date spatial information on the current status of green areas is a requirement for the sustainable conservation of urban vegetation. Correct information of urban vegetation is important to preserve the ecological environment within urban spaces. The aim of this study is to expose the utility of the LiDAR technique for assessment of urban vegetation in relation with built-up space in Bucharest Municipality. The results show that spectral details of data reflect the relationships between green areas and their surrounding environment. Urban evolution of Bucharest municipality was very rapid, especially starting with the second half of the 19th century, which led in time to a reduction of the green spaces. Although the capital city has a rich patchwork of green spaces (parks, public gardens, urban lawns, squares) and varied in terms of functionality (for recreation, for decorative purposes, with ecological function), we can observe they are diminishing in the recent years, due to the tendency for expansion of the residential areas.

    Keywords: urban vegetation mapping, built-up space, modified environments, spatial data, LiDAR, Bucharest municipality.

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  • Quantitative assessment of soil erosion using GIS empirical methods in the upper catchment of Bârsa River

    Author: Diana-Alexandra Coca, Mara-Ioana Nilca

    Abstract: The study regards the estimation of soil erosion rate through the application of the USLE/RUSLE equation within GIS in the upper basin of Bârsa River. Our work also compares between treed and deforested nearby areas. The end product is a susceptibility map that can be used as a support to determine the regions that are prone to erosion. This study only addresses rill and inter-rill erosion.

    Keywords: soil erosion, susceptibility, RUSLE equation.

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  • A methodological framework for the morphometric analysis of the fluvial islets along the Danube River in the Giurgiu – Oltenita sector

    Author: Andreea-Florentina Marin

    Abstract: This paper presents a methodology exclusively based on using the Open Source GIS Technology for the morphometric analysis of the fluvial islets along the Danube course. The study area corresponds to the Giurgiu-Oltenita sector, one of the sectors displaying a relative stability regarding the number and distribution of such geomorphological landforms. In order to identify and achieve a morphometric analysis of the Danubian fluvial islets, we suggest a set of eight parameters: the total number of fluvial islets, maximum length, maximum width, elongation ratio, area, perimeter, perimeter/area ratio and shape index. The necessary geospatial data used to compute the morphometric parameters have been obtained from cartographic documents and ortorectificated aerial imagery, while in order to obtain the final results, a graphical geoprocessing model has been created and run.

    Keywords: methodology, morphometric analysis, fluvial islets, Danube, graphical model, GIS.

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  • Participatory research methods applicable in geographic studies

    Author: Cristina Posner

    Abstract: The aim of this article is to present methods of participatory research and PGIS participative mapping and their applicability to geographic studies. Participatory research has emerged as a reaction to the traditional pyramidal research approaches. 2014's Future Earth Agenda indicates that there are issues regarding a) the need for the co-creation of knowledge and integration of academic and non-academic knowledge and b) development of collaborative research with different stakeholders in order to address current global environmental challenges in a sustainable manner. After a theoretical introduction, the author presents the applicability of focus groups interviews and PGIS participative mapping in a trans-disciplinary project concerning the Lower Danube Floodplain evolution. The PGIS research field is a domain, which links GIS with the critical geography thinking being based on the implementation of participatory research methods. The current international policy of Future Earth is raising awareness about the importance of participative research methods and the article presents two practical applications of such methods.

    Keywords: participative research, focus group interviews, PGIS participative mapping, Lower Danube.

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  • Corporate characteristics and anthropological disasters

    Author: Radu Ionescu

    Abstract: Critical infrastructure is business. All critical infrastructure is managed by companies, whether state, public, or joint companies. These companies have owners (stockholders), again private and/or state entities, and employees (managers and workers). If we are to understand how an operationalisable behaviour such as whistleblowing works in relation to critical infrastructure vulnerability we must first analyse the wider level relationship companies/corporations have with society, particularly in terms of human health and safety and the environment. We therefore look at corporate accidents, characteristics, dangers, and accountability. The aim is to offer a background on which we can identify what makes a company behave ethically.

    Keywords: corporate accidents, whistleblowing, corporate dangers, corporate responsibilities, business ethics, critical infrastructure.

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  • Monitoring historical urban infrastructure using multi-temporal InSAR techniques

    Author: Mihaela Gheorghe, Iuliana Armaș

    Abstract: Ranked tenth in the world regarding seismic risk, Bucharest is the most seismically exposed capital in Europe and has the highest risk among Romanian cities. Location on two faults, high population and preponderantly old buildings make Bucharest even more vulnerable to strong earthquakes that occur periodically in Romania. In order to prevent major live and material losses in the future, authorities are trying to generate a map of buildings classified according to the risk of collapsing at the next earthquakes. In an attempt to reduce the time necessary to identify buildings at high risk we propose using InSAR technology that detects fine movements of objects. In our study we are interested to find out if satellite measurements are able to distinguish between effects produced by damage and those brought about as a result of changes in for example non-structural components and the environmental conditions. Also it is important to consider whether the dynamic characteristics can be identified with the required accuracy using InSAR techniques. In this purpose we compare building behavior identified from satellite data with that resulted from terrestrial monitoring using high precision techniques. In the current paper, we present the methodology of rating buildings using health indices, and discuss possible outcomes.

    Keywords: infrastructure, InSAR, Permanent Scatterers, seismic risk.

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  • Review: EGU TOPICAL EVENT - WATER AS HAZARD AND WATER AS HERITAGE, June 2016, Accademia di Romania, Rome

    Author: Marina Mihaila

    Abstract: The paper is proposing a successive review of the EGU Topical Event: WATER AS HAZARD AND WATER AS HERITAGE that has been held in Rome within Accademia di Romania, on 13th June 2016, under the patronage of EGU – European Geosciences Union, Accademia di Romania, ICR – Institutul Cultural Român, Spazi Aperti, and Eng.Arch., PhD Architect, Maria Bostenaru Dan, Scholar Researcher of Vasile Pârvan Institute. The program has included more than twelve presentations from a wide inter_ and dedicated professional contemporary approaches of the proposed topic, several posters, dedicated discussions on the opportunities and emergencies at the beginning of the 21st century regarding water, from conceptual and practical studies, to connected inspirations, notable figures, urban behaviors and policies.

    Keywords: geosciences, landscape, architecture, art, cultural studies.

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