Souhrnný katalog publikací

This research study investigates the effect of different heating and cooling regimes on the effective cross-section of timber elements exposed to natural fires. An advanced calculation method based on a 1D finite-difference heat transfer model and effective thermo-physical properties is adopted to analyse the heat penetration and the consequent reduction in mechanical properties. In particular, the research focuses on the evolution and penetration speed of the char depth (300 °C isotherm) and zero-strength layer (determined through in-depth temperatures and reduced mechanical properties). Results reveal how the char depth mainly develops during the heating phase, with non-negligible contributions from the cooling phase. In contrast, the zero-strength layer increases throughout the whole fire exposure, particularly during cooling and, possibly, after the end of the cooling phase. In general, the heating phase contributes about 2/3 to the total effective char depth, while the cooling phase about 1/3. The most challenging conditions were found for the fires of the longest durations (heating and overall), corresponding to low ventilation and high fuel load density conditions. The study emphasises the necessity of incorporating the cooling phase in performance-based methodologies for fire-safe timber structures to avoid under-estimating heat penetration effects.

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Ing. Diana Salahieh

15119 Ústav urbanismu

This paper examines how armed conflict impacts the recalibration of Aleppo’s historic urban and cultural fabric, using the Al-Jdeideh quarter as a case study. This article critically reflects on the ongoing (post-)conflict, top-down (post-)reconstruction activities in Aleppo’s historic core, drawing on ethnographic research of visual mapping and semi-structured interviews with current Aleppo dwellers in the city and former dwellers displaced across Europe. Our findings highlight that the current reconstruction activities lack locals’ values and needs, and amplify the altered socio-economic dynamics between the (former) communities’ absence and presence. Therefore, these activities are resulting in a skewed representation of what once was a major hub of culture, commerce, heritage, and everyday life. As such, the paper argues that the current reconstruction attempts lack a comprehensive and context-specific approach, and need to explore more inclusive pathways of human-centered and sustainable recovery.

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MgA. Jitka Aslan, Ph.D.

15118 Ústav nauky o budovách, 15150 Ústav designu

Transition Design is a new design proposition for a rapidly changing society based on Service Design and Social Innovation Design, thinking about the concept of the “long term” and global localism, and placing the natural world in a more macro context. It promotes a transition to a more sustainable future for a design-led society and a more systematic way of thinking. In a workshop context, it can play a role in guiding stakeholders associated with seniors to explore deeper needs, explore more inclusive ways of “being” in the future and promote more sustainable systemic change in communities by a diverse group of participants. This paper presents a case study of the design workshop “Age-Friendly Community Centres in 2050,” which uses Transition Design as a guideline. The workshop involved students from the Department of Architecture and Design and stakeholders (seniors, social workers, volunteers), looking at the future of more inclusive communities in a more holistic world view based on local realities in the context of an ageing world. The workshop focused on how to analyse complex problems at the societal and systemic levels from a design perspective and identify solutions that can be iterated at multiple levels of scale and over longer time scales to facilitate the construction of new and more harmonious spaces and lifestyles for seniors and other residents in the community of the future. In the workshop, the current dilemmas faced and the way forward were analysed in terms of a map of problems, stakeholder relationships, stakeholder concerns, and a 4-step design intervention to expand possible solutions. As a result, the workshop built a discussion and vision on the future possibilities of ageing and communities, while also providing a methodology for analysing transformation issues and discovering sustainable and inclusive solutions for communities.

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Ing. Dagmar Richtrová

15124 Ústav stavitelství II

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Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc.

15116 Ústav modelového projektování

This paper presents a novel approach in industrial maintenance training with the development of an interactive game using the Unity3D game engine, aimed at simulating the Compressor Air System maintenance process. Incorporating Extended Reality technologies, this educational tool strives to improve the practical skills and safety awareness of maintenance personnel by simulating real-life scenarios in an engaging environment. This facilitates a deeper understanding of technical challenges and maintenance operations. The study highlights the significance of game-based learning in technical education and virtual simulations’ role in enhancing the learning experience. Utilizing Unity3D platform's robust graphical and physics engines, the game constructs an immersive 3D industrial environment with interactive modules designed to assist technicians in overcoming common challenges, thereby sharpening critical skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical thinking. With realistic controls, the game guides participants through the compressor maintenance process, dynamically responding to user interactions. This method not only allows learners to refine their technical skills but also to perform maintenance tasks with an emphasis on safety. Performance evaluation is based on adherence to safety standards and technical accuracy, underscoring impact of game-based learning and virtual simulations in enriching technical education.

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Ing. arch. Jan Bittner

15121 Ústav prostorového plánování

The sudden transition from central planning to a free market in Eastern Bloc countries caused uncoordinated and deregulated growth followed by sheer car ownership. Extensive suburban areas heavily dependent on cars exploded around larger cities (Stanilov and Sýkora 2014). Nowadays, ongoing climate changes, technological revolution, and planned energetic transition bring entirely new challenges to urban transport planning (Shakibamanesh et al. 2020). Such challenges also draw attention to the question of car dependency in the Czech planning practice. In response, Czech local plans started working with various planning practices to reduce car dependency in suburban areas. One of the most widespread practices constitutes retrofitting of local amenities in suburban residential areas. Since such practice is part of various well-established global urban concepts (New Urbanism, low-traffic neighbourhoods, TOD, 15-minute city, etc.), the relationship between amenities and transport has been well-researched for decades in the USA and Western Europe (Ewing and Cervero 2010; Næss 2022). Thus, solid evidence in various backgrounds supports Western urban transport planning, whereas Czech planning remains to hover “in the dark” without empirical findings concerning specific central European contexts. This paper aims to present a novel interdisciplinary framework investigating the phenomenon of urban transport based on behavioural aspects of mobility interaction with the built environment in the Czech-specific context. The central research question lies in testing the influence of the accessibility of local amenities on car dependency within the suburbs of Prague. The work utilises an activity-based modelling technique (Ortúzar and Willumsen 2011; Kagho et al. 2020) to quantify individual travel behaviour using geolocated travel diaries. The method is based on regression modelling where total car PMT (person miles travelled) constitute the dependent variable, local amenities accessibility independent variables, and personal socio-economic background plus built environment characteristics control variables (Stoker et al. 2015). Local amenities (independent variables) are considered as kindergarten, primary school, corner shop, GP and dentist, library, community centre, and outdoor/indoor sports ground. The regression outcomes are put into the context of contemporary planning practice in selected case studies. The work brings much-needed empirical evidence for the assessment of the current Czech planning practice course in times of rapid changes.

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, M.A. Lijun Chen, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

15116 Ústav modelového projektování, 15118 Ústav nauky o budovách, 15119 Ústav urbanismu

Smart cities continue to be discussed throughout Europe as a result of the continent's rising urbanization and the need for sustainable development. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly promote this shift by assisting cities in becoming more effective, sustainable, and receptive to the requirements of their residents. This study examines the potential and difficulties of AI in urban development and presents a framework for incorporating AI into city planning and management. This study evaluates the advantages of AI in fostering public involvement, reducing costs, and enhancing city services, as well as the potential challenges related to data privacy, ethics, and socioeconomic imbalance. It does this by using examples from European cities. This study presents a set of ethical and inclusive AI criteria, such as transparency, inclusion, and accountability, to enable responsible AI research and implementation. It continues by emphasizing the need for efficient AI integration in smart cities and pushing for a holistic AI-enabled transition to inclusive and sustainable smart cities.

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prof. Ing. arch. Michal Kohout, Arch. Gulbahar Emir Isik, MSc., Noor Marji, MSc., Ing. arch. Akshatha Ravi Kumar

15116 Ústav modelového projektování, 15118 Ústav nauky o budovách, 15119 Ústav urbanismu

Smart cities continue to be discussed throughout Europe as a result of the continent’s rising urbanization and the need for sustainable development. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly promote this shift by assisting cities in becoming more effective, sustainable, and receptive to the requirements of their residents. The goal of this study is to examine the potential and difficulties of AI in urban development and present a framework for incorporating AI into city planning and management in European cities. This is done by analyzing case study examples from European cities and examining primary and secondary data sources, with the aim of providing a comprehensive framework for the sustainable integration of AI systems. This study presents a set of ethical and inclusive AI criteria, such as transparency, inclusion, and accountability, to enable responsible AI research and implementation. It continues by emphasizing the need for efficient AI integration in smart cities and pushing for a holistic AI-enabled transition to inclusive and sustainable smart cities.

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Ing. arch. Jan Bittner

15121 Ústav prostorového plánování

Residential car dependency is a significant challenge to achieving sustainable urban mobility, especially in suburban areas. Its negative impacts include energy consumption, land-use inefficiency, public health, deepening socio-economic polarization, all hindering the transition to resilient and inclusive urban mobility. This research focuses on Prague's suburban areas, specifically exploring the relationship between accessibility to primary educational amenities and parental transport behaviour, measured through both car dependency and public transport (PT) use frequency. Urban planning concepts like the 15-minute city or Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) aim to address car dependency by improving access to essential services and amenities, but their real-world impact on transport behaviour, particularly in suburban environments, is still not fully understood. This study adds new insights by examining parental travel behaviour using travel diaries and regression models, focusing on how proximity to primary educational facilities correlates with both car and PT used in the Prague suburban area.

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