Mental health support through Artificial Intelligent (AI)

 

Problem definition (Akmal Nasimboev TP072456)

 Urbanization, as a process, is the rapid increase in size of cities at the expense of natural habitation. This leads to lowered biodiversity, loss of habitats and fragmentation. Additionally, urban areas contribute to air and water pollution through industrial emissions, transport and energy production. Pollution and urban runoff cause global cities to experience vanishing parks, falling populations of animals and diminished sources of fresh water. One approach to mitigate these impacts is adopting urban design approaches that enhance the importance of green infrastructure in fostering biodiversity and ecosystem functions (McPhearson,2017).

 Cities across the globe are facing numerous serious challenges due to climate change such as rising temperatures, sea level rise, frequent and intense heatwaves, storms and changing rainfall patterns. Climate resilience strategies are increasingly being implemented by cities. Some of these approaches involve incorporating green spaces into urban areas in order to reduce urban heat islands, reinforcing natural drainage systems so as to deal with floods, and upgrading infrastructure so that it can withstand severe weather conditions. Equally included in the climate adaptation plans are policies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development (McPhearson,2017).

 Air pollution, noise pollution, lack of access to green space and exposure to harmful substances are among challenges relating to public health in cities. To tackle this problem there is need for policies and initiatives that enhance access to parks and green spaces; promote active transportation; address air quality; ensure equal access to healthcare services (McPhearson,2017).

Story board (Yesbol Nurkeldi TP071379)

Wicked problems in modern cities are complex and multifaceted, defying straightforward solutions due to their interconnected nature. One significant example is urban housing affordability. Rapid urbanization has intensified the demand for housing, often outpacing supply, resulting in skyrocketing rents and home prices. This issue is exacerbated by income inequality, which leaves many unable to afford adequate housing (Rittel & Webber, 1973).

Another critical wicked problem is traffic congestion. As cities grow, so does the number of vehicles, leading to gridlocked streets and prolonged commutes. This congestion is not only a daily inconvenience but also contributes to increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, impacting public health and the environment (Litman, 2021).

Climate change presents another layer of complexity. Urban areas are significant contributors to carbon emissions, and cities are often more vulnerable to climate impacts like extreme weather events and rising sea levels. Efforts to mitigate these effects require coordinated actions across various sectors, including transportation, energy, and construction, highlighting the interconnected nature of this wicked problem (IPCC, 2021).

In summary, the wicked problems of housing affordability, traffic congestion, and climate change add to the complexity of urban life. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach that takes into account the complex interactions of many factors.

User Persona (Gerald Mathen Ethe Raj TP070645)

People of today’s cities experience various correlated problems that have strong influence on their lives. This means that home ownership continues to be a problem with a significant chunk of the population’s income still being devoted to rent, which shows the kind of hardship citizens of urban areas go through (Glaeser, 2011). This issue is worsened by overcrowding thus causing a reduced availability and increased competition for affordable accommodation. Transportation challenges also aggravate these challenges; traffic jam not only prolongs the duration of travel but also adds anxiety and pollution to the environment. Transit systems, though vital in providing means of transport, are often plagued with problems such as overcrowding and unpredictability, which are problems for persons using them daily. Such urban challenges are also accompanied by environmental dangers such as air pollution due to vehicle emissions, which poses a threat to respiratory systems and general health. Solving such complex problems calls for elaborate and holistic approaches to management of human settlements where special emphasis is made on the need to balance the availability and accessibility of housing space, mobility, environmental conservation, and health care facilities to enhance the well-being of the numerous inhabitants of the world’s urban centers.

Solutions (Sumanhraj a/l Selvam TP070274)

Climate change is a wicked problem in modern cities. There isn't a universally applicable solution or an easy way out. There is a connection between almost everything we see, do, consume, or purchase. In order to provide long-lasting solutions and address the interrelated causes like poverty, hunger, and inequality that increase the dangers, billions of dollars are being leveraged through the United Nations, the private sector, and national governments. (Kurukulasuriya, 2018)

One of the first things we should do to tackle this wicked challenge is to gather, examine, and disseminate climate data and information. Information is power. Large and small businesses, cities, governments, and society at large will all benefit from the knowledge it provides. These will include the ability to respond to climate risks, make better decisions in boardrooms, on farms, and in government hallways, and support an integrated, cross-border approach. For instance, farmers may utilise this knowledge to increase productivity, which will help to cut carbon emissions from unproductive farms as well as advance global goals of reducing hunger and poverty. Additionally, with improved weather forecasting capabilities, energy businesses may reduce emissions, save costs, and allocate resources more wisely towards long-term infrastructure and R&D projects. (Kurukulasuriya, 2018)

Solutions (Luveenan a/l Segar TP071565)

Undoubtedly, resolving the variety of issues that city residents experience is essential to building more sustainable, healthy cities. Let us analyze some possible remedies for property ownership, transportation, and preservation of the environment. What are Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI)? Urban planning and architecture that integrates blue features (water bodies, wetlands, and green roofs) with green spaces (parks, gardens, and urban forests) is known as green-built infrastructure (GBI). However, NbS refers to initiatives or actions that use natural processes to solve urban problems. In what way do they assist? Both NbS and GBI have a major impact on ecological and human well-being. They offer recreational activities, better air quality, and environmental services including flood regulation. The entire quality of life in cities can be improved by incorporating natural elements.  Examples include renovating wetlands, encouraging sustainable urban agriculture, and adding more parks, green roofs, and urban woods. (Valenca Pinto, L., Inácio, M., & Pereira, P. (2023))

 

References

 

McPhearson, T. (2017). Wicked problems, social-ecological systems, and the utility of systems thinking.  

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/wicked-problems-social-ecological-systems-and-utility-systems-thinking/113741/

Glaeser, E. (2011). The Triumph of the City How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter,

Greener, Healthier and Happier. Penguin Press. - References - Scientific Research Publishing. (n.d.).

https://scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=3068238

Kurukulasuriya, P. (2018, October 30). wicked solutions for wicked problems. Climate Change Adaptation.

https://www.adaptation-undp.org/wicked-solutions-wicked-problems

Valenca, Pinto, L., Inácio, M., & Pereira, P. (2023). Green and blue infrastructure (GBI) and urban nature-based solutions (NbS) contribute to human and ecological well-being and health. Oxford Open Infrastructure and Health, 1, ouad004. DOI: 10.1093/ooih/ouad004.

IPCC. (2021). *Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change*. Cambridge University Press. 

 (https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/)

Litman, T. (2021). *Congestion Costs*. Victoria Transport Policy Institute. 

(https://www.vtpi.org/cong_relief.pdf)

Rittel, H. W. J., & Webber, M. M. (1973). Dilemmas in a general theory of planning. *Policy Sciences, 4*(2), 155-169. 

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01405730)