<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The article is focused on the problem of green infrastructure, which effectively helps to reduce the effects of floods and water deficit in cities. It presents examples of good practices implemented in China. In the end of 2014, China’s national government initiated the “sponge city” project. A “sponge city” is a city built around the concept of managing water in an ecologically sustainable way by imitating natural hydrological cycles in the city, which translates into the restoration of the ability to absorb, infiltrate, store and purify rainwater in urbanized, highly sealed spaces. In “sponge cities”, flood risk management is included in the mainstream of urban planning and has the appropriate legal framework. The intention is to improve urban resilience through rainwater capture, storage and use by means of green roofs, pavements made of permeable materials, tumbles, rigoles, retention ponds, water squares, rain gardens and creating wetlands parks.</abstract>

Redefining Cities in View of Climatic Changes “Sponge City” – Examples of Solutions in Chinese Cities at Risk of Flooding – Wuhan, Changde and Jinhua

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The development of Smart City systems and infrastructure should provide an implementation of assumptions for harmonious and sustainable development of urban areas. Implementation of Smart City assumptions within the city structure is related to introduction and development of passive and inert infrastructure that constitutes elements of the city infrastructure, as well as particular form of development of areas and buildings. The following research work concerns an analysis of spatial and infrastructure-related solutions as well as environmental, social and ICT systems applied within the city. Source material analyses (urban, architectural and technological sources) provide the basis for conclusions and formulation of typology and implementation of criteria for smart urban, social and ecosystem-related infrastructure implemented in the Smart City model, with the use of innovations in the field of intelligent information and communication technologies (ICT) as well as network infrastructure. The conclusions derived from the following research work contribute to the discussion on ways to shape the structure of infrastructure and nodal points in the Smart City development model in relation to sustainable development issues.</abstract>

Structure and Nodal Points of Smart City Infrastructure

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The article aims to identify areas of historical, cultural, and landscape values that are located in the suburban area of Warsaw and which may play an essential role in stabilizing the urban ecosystem of Warsaw in the future. Since it turns out that the most effective form of preserving these values is to take them under legal protection, the article shows good and bad practices in this area, identifying the most significant threats and indicating opportunities and scenarios worth considering for the future. Finally, the purpose of the article is to draw attention to the importance of spatial and scenic connections, emphasizing the importance of the surrounding landscape, which was once an immanent feature of, e.g. suburban estates. The hypothesis is that in the face of progressing climate change and melting natural resources, it is worth paying attention to the importance of all urban ecosystem elements, even smaller ones, because they are a component of a larger whole and are required for ecological balance. Existing resources should be strengthened and protected, and new places for protection should be sought. Such sites may be the former foregrounds, the immediate surroundings of monuments, which in the past functioned as larger compositions and should be protected as such.</abstract>

Suburban Areas of Historical Value as an Important Element of the Ecological Buffer of Warsaw

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The contemporary models of city shaping introduce the principles of sustainable design. The possibilities for a resilient urban ecosystem, improving the parameters defining the urban environment as well as improving social integration are related to the modern way of designing a functional and spatial structure that forms an inseparable whole with the natural system as part of concepts, such as green and blue infrastructure. In urban planning, regenerativity provides a development of the eco cities and smart cities concept. For both of these types of cities, their functions need to be defined, as well modern, pro-environmental parameters must be specified relating to building developments and infrastructure of urban areas in connection with the natural system of the city. Problem areas concerning the transformation of urbanized areas are being indicated. These concerns refer to the problem of the revitalization of degraded areas in the city, “field reserves” in extensive development and in areas related to technical infrastructure and public transport. The characteristics of the resilient and regenerative design model lead to the definition of planning guidelines for the needs of new standards for shaping the functional and spatial structure associated with the city’s natural system. The issues of transformations of urbanized areas, with reference to defining the connection of buildings with biologically active areas and infrastructure in the city, are indicated.</abstract>

Re-Urbanization in a Model of Sustainable Development of an Eco-City

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The article aims to present the research results on the possibility of using alternative energy sources and pro-ecological solutions as a tool supporting the protection of the cultural and natural landscape of the suburbs of Warsaw. Near Warsaw, there are individual objects or complexes that constitute this area’s cultural identity. The difficulty is to adapt them to current energy standards without interfering with their original material, especially concerning wooden buildings. Instead of subjecting them to thermal modernization, it is worth considering alternative solutions, such as photovoltaics. A wooden manor house in Warsaw-Białołęka was selected for detailed research. The study has shown that the optimal use of 26 photovoltaic modules that were adopted with a total installation capacity of 7.54 kWp will be optimal for this type of edifice. The simple payback time of the investment will be about ten years. To eliminate the negative aesthetic effect of the installation, panels in the appropriate color should be used, or the use of photovoltaic tiles should be considered, although the investment costs will increase. The study has shown indisputable benefits, including economic ones, resulting from the solutions used.</abstract>

Use of Renewable Energy Sources as a Tool Supporting the Protection of Cultural Values of Warsaw’s Suburbs: Case Study of Manor in Warsaw-Białołęka

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>In Warsaw, measures are taken to safeguard the city against dangerous, extreme natural phenomena. These measures include mitigating the urban heat island phenomenon, protecting against storms, floods, and preventing the low water level in the Vistula river (the ADAPTCITY project). The following article concerns the development of the Vistula areas in Warsaw in relation to the risk of flooding. The article discusses the first comprehensive concepts for the development of areas on the Vistula in Warsaw, which have been in progress since the second half of the 19th century. The article presents flood prevention measures in the area of Warsaw. An example Warsaw district located on the banks of the Vistula, namely Białołęka, was characterized, as the area is at risk of flooding. The case study covered new housing estates being developed in the flood plain area of Białołęka.</abstract>

Development of Areas by the Vistula River in Warsaw in the Context of Flood Issues as an Example of Adaptation to Climate Change

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
This paper consists of three parts. The first part presents the methodology of <italic>in situ</italic> tests using a CPT probe and methods of soil type determination that are based on them. The second part lays out the methodology of field tests with Marchetti’s dilatometer (DMT) and methods of soil type determination on their basis. In the third part, the process of validation of CPT and DMT tests with borehole test methods is carried out based on the analysis of <italic>in situ</italic> investigations in the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) Campus sites compared to the results obtained from laboratory tests. Validation of the CPT method using Marr’s nomogram was successful. The DMT method using Marchetti’s nomogram chart should be also considered as satisfactory.
</abstract>

Validation of Soil Type Interpretation and Determination from CPT and DMT Tests

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Nonwoven geotextiles have been widely used as a substitute for mineral materials to provide filtration functions in civil engineering. However, in filter systems, geotextiles are the first to be in contact with soft, saturated, and fine soils. For that reason, the selection of a geotextile filter depends on the characteristics of the geosynthetics and the base soil (e.g. grain size distribution, internal stability, permeability) and on the design and boundary conditions such as continuity of the soil–geotextile filter contact interface. The geotextile filter must be properly designed to avoid clogging. The most commonly method used for measuring filtration compatibility of soil–geotextile systems is the gradient ratio test. This paper presents the gradient ratio test program for needle-punched nonwoven geotextile used as a filter layer and internally unstable soil. Laboratory tests were conducted in a modified gradient ratio test apparatus. Test results show that gradient ratio increases with time due to clogging. Also the need for a measurementofwaterheadsveryclosetothegeotextiletomeasurement of water heads very close to the geotextile to provide additional information on the soil–geotextile system behaviour were presented.
</abstract>

Clayey Sand–Nonwoven Geotextile Interface Characterisation Through Gradient Ratio Test

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
While designing water supply networks, an important task consists in establishing the place necessary for an installation of water supply wells along with water supply units located in them, in aim to determine the number of structural elements in the composition of individual pipelines of this water supply network. It has been proposed to apply a methodology for predictive calculation of a number of structural elements of the water supply pipeline system by indirect signs. An improvement of this technique was carried out by systematising the structural elements into simple and complex ones, with the determination of an indicator of the structural device for each of them. In order to analyse the role of each structural element of the same type, belonging to an assembly consisting of a linear part of a pipeline and nodes, a concept of coefficient of constructiveness was introduced. Analytical and graphical dependencies for predicting the value of the coefficient of constructiveness have been obtained. For typical (simple) nodes, the minimum value of the coefficient of constructiveness is 1.3 and maximum value is 2.54. The largest value of the coefficient of constructiveness for a conventional (complex) node is 1.45, the minimum value is 1.13. Recommendations have been given for assessment of the complexity of the installation of water supply units in practice in the design of new and reconstruction of existing water supply networks. For the above water supply units, working chambers of a round shape are recommended, which makes it possible in practice to reduce the overall planned dimensions of a water well in comparison with a rectangular shape of the same chamber.
</abstract>

Analysis of the Construction Nodes a Water Pipeline Network and Modeling Planned Overall Dimensions Its Working Chambers

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The analysis of methods of strengthening reinforced concrete structures showed, that strengthen structures that work for bending can be both a way of increasing the cross-section, and a way to change the calculation scheme of the work of structure. To date, the effect of low-cycle loads of high levels on the work of strengthened bending reinforced concrete elements is not fully investigated. Research in this area is relevant and necessary for modern construction. The use of modern carbon-plastic materials and steel-fiber reinforced concrete is an effective way to strengthen bending reinforced concrete elements.
</abstract>

Effective Methods to Strengthen the Bending Reinforced Concrete Elements

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
In Bielsko-Biała (Poland), thanks to the initiative of the originator and architect, a green intensive roof was created on a shopping centre. This roof primarily serves as a garden that enhances the qualities of the residential area, but also as a means of absorbing some rainwater and slowing down the runoff. The water collects in the rainwater retention tank located under the building. Rainwater also evaporates, and its surface runoff is slowed down as it passes through the vegetation on the green intensive roof. This paper addresses some of the operational problems of a selected green roof. The Water Law introduces the obligation to pay charges for the reduction of natural terrain retention. Shopping centres usually occupy large areas of land, but their roofs are rarely used for rainwater management and the installation of biologically active surfaces. Green roofs undoubted advantage is the increase of biologically active surface in urban areas. It is also an oxygen-producing surface as well as reducing urban heat islands and attractive place for honeybees and butterflies. The roof in question meets the requirements of a retention facility mentioned in the Water Law Act. It is a multifunctional system for rainwater management. The analysis suggests that the roof under study is not a self-sustaining ecosystem and requires human intervention.
</abstract>

Anthropogenic Ecosystem of Green Roofs from the Perspective Rainwater Management

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The development of an appropriate soil-binder composite (stabilized soil) is associated with the selection of the appropriate strength class of the hydraulic binder (e.g. ash-cement) and its amount to stabilize the soil. Advanced statistical methods based on the use of the <italic>spline</italic> function were used in the analysis of tests of soil-binder composites. The analysis presents statistical modelling as a tool helpful in the design of soil-binder composites, showing possible interactions between the components of materials included in the mineral composition of composites. A logarithmic model of the compressive stress forecast was developed for soil-binder composites both with freezing cycles of the soil composition and without freezing cycles, in which the composites hardening time and the addition of ash-cement binders to the soil were continuous variables.
</abstract>

The Modelling of Soil-Binder Composites

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The aim of the article is an analysis of the possibility of introducing housing construction into a more sustainable and ecological level, through the concept of circular economy (CE) in the construction industry. Housing is an important part of the economy and construction sector. Development of this sector results from a growing population in urban areas and the need of modernization of existing residential buildings. Contemporary realizations of housing environments should consider the reduction of the negative impact on the natural environment. This is possible to achieve by reducing the use of natural resources and start using recycled materials. This assumption belongs to the basic CE task, which allows a recirculation of building materials. To discuss the basic work, the assumptions used a non-reactive desk research method. The review of scientific publications and reports included a subject: (i) concept of CE, (ii) CE in construction sector, (iii) CE in housing construction. The second part of the study analysed innovative ways of using recycled materials and their implementation in new building materials (used in residential construction). Eco-innovation overview includes: (i) bricks from plastic waste, (ii) 3D printing of buildings from recycled materials, (iii) facade plates made of recycling materials. In discussion, the research revealed a number of barriers preventing the effective implementation of CE in the construction industry. The discussion indicates three potential barriers to the implementation of CE in housing environments: (i) social responsibility of the construction industry, (ii) recycling of building materials, (iii) building material resulting from recycling. Final paper conclusions confirming the rightness to implement CE concept in housing construction, thanks to which it will be possible to reduce the negative impact on the environment.
</abstract>

Circular Economy in Housing Architecture: Methods of Implementation

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Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Architectura

 Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Architectura aims to provide a multidisciplinary forum for researchers, designers, engineers and administration staff, involved in different...

 Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Architectura aims to provide a multidisciplinary forum for researchers, designers, engineers and administration...