Architecture Commons^™

Reviving Heritage, Soreya Ganda

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Niger’s cultural identity is shaped by a rich mosaic of ethnic groups, including the Hausa, Zarma-Songhai, Tuareg, and Fulani, each with distinct traditions, building practices, and relationships to the land. For centuries, these communities lived according to their own social and spatial systems, rooted in environment-specific knowledge and craftsmanship. This balance was disrupted during the French colonial period, which began in the late 19th century and lasted until Niger’s independence in 1960. Colonial administration redrew territorial boundaries, centralized authority, and introduced foreign materials, aesthetics, and construction standards, redefining how people built and interacted with their environments. While Niger now appears …

Sbv_Dps: A Stacking-Bagging-Voting Nested Ensemble Based Diabetes Prediction System Using K-Fold Cross Validation, Sourabh Shastri, Sachin Kumar, Paramjit Kour, Vibhakar Mansotra

Mansoura Engineering Journal

With the advancement of machine learning techniques, the introduction of the most accurate model has become a necessity. In real-world scenarios, every model has some constraints and assimilates errors, so their performance is not always highly efficient; this sparked the development of ensemble learning. The ensemble approach aims to consolidate the strengths of existing approaches and minimize their weaknesses or decision-making risks. The proposed diabetes prediction system encases a resampling filter, applied to balance the dataset and model builder method, i.e., without the SBV ensemble and with the SBV ensemble method. The model is initially built without using the SBV …

Humanization Strategy Of The Public Urban Space In Cairo, Rania Badawy Shokry

Mansoura Engineering Journal

An accurate scientific definition of the term “humanization of cities” has not yet crystallized, which refers the term to the word from which it is derived. She is "human". Obviously, anything contrary to it is inhuman; starting from wild nature or a life entirely dependent on vehicles. If a person cannot dispense with vehicles when carrying out his daily activities, then here we know that the standard of humanization in a place is low. However, if the planning of a city or neighborhood takes into account the needs of the population and the human standard, then the city may reach …

A Comprehensive Study Of Transportation Projects Impact In Congested Cities Through Travel Demand Modeling And Decision-Making Tools: A Case Study Of Zagazig City, Egypt, Amr M. Sakr, Metwally Gouda Mohamed Altaher, Mahmoud El-Saied Ali Solyman, Mohamed Ibrahim El-Sharkawi Attia

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Transportation projects are major resource-intensive projects that largely influence the transportation system’s resilience, human health, and quality of life. This study aims to assess and prioritize four transportation projects in Zagazig City, Egypt, in an attempt to build a more sustainable transport system. The travel demand model is used to determine various traffic characteristics and environmental impacts, and decision-making tools are used to evaluate the proposed projects. Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) is employed to investigate the economic feasibility of the proposed projects, and two hybrid multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are used to prioritize the proposed projects. Through the work conducted in …

A Deep-Learning-Based Dehazing Framework For Non-Homogenous Scenes, Shimaa Mohammed Abd Elghany, Doaa A. Altantawy, Hossam El-Din Moustafa Moustafa

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The advancement of single-image dehazing techniques has been rapid in recent years. Several existing algorithms that are based on deep learning have shown remarkable efficiency for dealing with homogeneous hazing-free issues, but convolutional neural networks (CNNS) frequently fail on non-homogeneous dehazing datasets. Meanwhile, dehaze results from dense haze regions are often blurry because the information of these regions is typically unknown and difficult to estimate. To address these issues, an efficient image enhancement dehazing algorithm that utilizes deep learning techniques, and a non-uniform atmospheric scattering model had been proposed. Unlike the majority of existing dehazing methods, the medium transmission function …

Collaborative Class Zine: Weekly Reflection Assignment With Powerpoint Template, Brett Whysel

Open Educational Resources

Abstract

This collaborative class zine assignment uses a shared PowerPoint format to deepen student learning while building community. Students contribute visual reflections (graphics, diagrams, quotes, or doodles) weekly or periodically throughout the semester. Faculty provide reflection prompts about key takeaways and unclear concepts (sample prompts included). The resource includes both sample LMS instructions and a ready-to-use PowerPoint zine template that works across all disciplines. By combining metacognitive reflection with creative expression, students consolidate learning by finding new connections and applications. The collaborative format creates community connections and joy while students learn from peers' diverse perspectives.

Rethinking Green Building Development Through Policy And Operational Metrics: Insights From Baton Rouge And Beyond, Oluwafemi Awolesi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the challenges and opportunities associated with the development, adoption, and performance of green buildings in regions with relatively low certification uptake, drawing insights from Baton Rouge and its parish system as a case study. It addresses three primary research questions: (1) How can the adoption rate of green buildings be enhanced? (2) How do certified buildings perform compared to their non-certified counterparts? (3) What operational metrics can be applied to better evaluate building performance in the future?

Using a mixed-methods approach, the study examines stakeholder perceptions in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, investigates energy performance, indoor environmental quality, …

The Effect Of Transformer Based Pre-Trained Language Models On Biomedical Relation Extractions, Eman Saad, Sherif Kishk, Amr Ali-Eldin, Ahmed I. Saleh

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Biomedical relation extraction represents a critical advancement in healthcare research. As the volume of biomedical publications continues to grow exponentially, efficient extraction of entity relationships has become essential for accelerating knowledge discovery, drug development, and precision medicine initiatives. The field has evolved from focusing on simple binary relations, such as Protein-Protein Interactions (PPI), which are fundamental to understanding cellular processes and therapeutic development, to addressing more complex multi-class classification challenges like Drug-Drug Interactions (DDI) and Chemical-Protein Interactions (CPI).Pre-trained language models have become the cornerstone of modern approaches of extracting biomedical relations. Models like BioBERT, PubMedBERT, and SciBERT, along with general-purpose …

The Reactivation Of Moucharaby As Light Ornaments Through Digital Design, Noha Gamal Said, Amal Abu Daya

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Ornaments are considered essential part of architecture, contributing to the atmosphere and sense of place through its diverse visual effects. The Moucharaby is one of the traditional architectural elements that requires technical, professional, and artisanal knowledge to exist. It is closely related to light, affecting the privacy of the space and controlling the movement of the eye. Despite the disappearance of both elements: ornaments and Moucharaby from the modern architectural scene, the recent sustainability trends, parametric design, and modern technologies offer an opportunity to revive these elements. The article describes the experiential methodology of an intensive workshop that took place …

Examining Sustainable Materials: Enhancing Indoor Air Quality For Office Interiors, Ayah Eldeeb, Asmaa Elantary

Emirates Journal for Engineering Research

As awareness of environmental issues grows, the demand for healthier workspaces has led to an increased focus on sustainable building materials in office interiors. This study explores how these materials influence indoor air quality (IAQ) and the overall health of occupants. Through a qualitative analysis of multiple case studies from various regions, it is found that offices using sustainable materials, like low-emission paints and natural fiber insulation, showed a 30% improvement in IAQ compared to traditional settings. Additionally, essential criteria are identified for selecting sustainable materials, such as embodied energy and local sourcing. The findings offer practical recommendations for designers …

Ghost Highway: De-Touring Albuquerque's Route 66, Madison A. Garay

Art & Art History ETDs

Route 66 was a U.S. Numbered Highway stretching from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA, rising to fame through music and popular culture. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Route 66 has a troublesome twin life as Central Avenue, a highly politicized space where bodies are contested. In this thesis, the function of public arts and architecture of Albuquerque’s main street thoroughfare, Central Avenue, will be analyzed as visual devices of U.S. Highway 66, or known in popular culture as “Route 66.” I employ a critical Derridean framework through Mark Fisher’s theorization of hauntology and Gerald Vizenor (White Earth Ojibwe)’s theory of …

Strategic Development Plan – San Pedro Dr. Main Street Corridor, Adrian N. Carver

Student Publications

The San Pedro MainStreet Strategic Development Plan is a place-based, community-driven roadmap for revitalizing the San Pedro Drive corridor in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The corridor sits at the intersection of historical significance and present-day opportunity—bridging the old and new alignments of Route 66 while serving a diverse, working-class population. Drawing from urban planning theory, spatial analysis, and community input, this plan identifies challenges and assets related to land use, infrastructure, business development, housing, and cultural identity. Special attention is given to past and ongoing patterns of racialized disinvestment and displacement, with strategies proposed to ensure equitable reinvestment and climate resilience. …

Community Members’ Perspectives On A Community-Engaged Process For Supporting Vibrant Greenspaces In Detroit, Alysha D. Matthews, Guilherme Hebling Costa, Karl Erickson, Karin A. Pfeiffer, Amber L. Pearson, Benjamin V. Dougherty

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Greenspaces provide several well-being (Dinnie et al., 2013) and psychosocial benefits (Addy et al., 2004). Community-engaged research affords community partners a voice in the project (Cushman et al., 2004). This study assessed Detroit community members’ perceived benefits of and suggestions for engaging with the community to support greenspaces. Through qualitative analysis, a three-step process for community-engaged planning was revealed. Findings highlight strategies that involve community members in this process to enhance community engagement and well-being.

Adaptation Planning To Mitigate Flood Risk: Bellevue, Nebraska As A Case Study, Michael Nti Ababio

Community and Regional Planning Program: Theses

Flooding remains one of the most pressing natural hazards in the United States, with increasing frequency and intensity driven by climate change. This thesis explores the adaptation planning strategies employed to mitigate flood risks in Bellevue, Nebraska, a city significantly impacted by the 2019 floods in eastern Nebraska. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative analysis of flood vulnerability with a critical review of local planning policies using documents, zoning ordinances and institutional frameworks. Spatial analytical tools such as Global Moran’s I and Hot Spot Analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) were used to detect clustering of inundated buildings during the 2019 …

Gis-Based Swat Modeling For Surface Runoff Assessment To Support Urban Flood Resilience In Central Java, Indonesia, Putri Amalia Sholichah Ms., Endah Sulistyawati, Susana Paulina Dewi

Smart City

Surface runoff significantly contributes to environmental hazards such as floods in Indonesia, including in Borobudur District. Based on watershed delineation, the administrative area of Borobudur District is predominantly located within the Sileng Subwatershed. The rehabilitation zones managed by PT Adaro Indonesia are located in several specific areas within this subwatershed. This study utilizes the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model integrated with GIS (Geographic Information System) to simulate surface runoff quantitaively in the Sileng subwatershed, part of the Progo watershed in Central Java Province. SWAT is applied in this research to simulate surface runoff in both watershed and …

A Historic Context For House Moving: Why Moved Houses Are Eligible For The National Register Of Historic Places, Ian Tomashik

Historic Preservation Final Projects

Structural moving, the process of moving complete buildings to new sites, has shaped American landscapes for over two centuries. Thousands of wood-frame houses were moved with surprising frequency between the mid-nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries. Yet, moved buildings are “ordinarily” ineligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This project explores this exclusion two parts: an analytical essay that argues for their inclusion for nomination and a historic context survey that explains the prevalence of house moving. The essay first explains the National Register’s rationale for questioning the historic significance of moved buildings. It also examines why large-scale house …

Public Spaces For Community Campuses And Universities, Marichela Sepe

Books and Monographs

Chapter: Modern Pedestrian Campus Design in North America, 1940s-70s, Eric Mumford, pages 13-22

This volume explores the growing significance of open public spaces within università campuses—spaces that go far beyond their functional role to become essential arenas for social interaction, informal learning, well-being, and urban integration.

Structured around three interconnected themes—Campus and Public Spaces, Campus and University Communities, and Campus and the City—the volume gathers international best practices, offering an insightful tool for students, academics, designers, administrators, and urban thinkers.

Full text also available for download at https://www.inuedizioni.com/en/prodotti/pubblicazione/public-spaces-community-campuses-and-universities

Graduate School Blog - July 2025 Volume 1, Cynthia Haynes

UofM Grad School Blog

The July 2025 UofM Graduate School Blog – Volume 1 continues the Cost of Graduate School Guide with a deep dive into hidden and variable expenses such as residency-based tuition differences, program-specific fees, and differential tuition. The blog provides practical tips for prospective students on how to ask the right financial questions when comparing programs. It also features a student spotlight on Billy Brooks, a dual MHA/MBA candidate motivated to transform healthcare access and equity. Upcoming events include a Virtual Fall 2025 Open House with Financial Aid and USBS, a Dissertation Writers Retreat, and both in-person and virtual Graduate Student …

Mutualistas: La Sociedad Auxiliar De Mutua Beneficiaria, Antonito Colorado, 1937-1994, José A. Rivera Ph.D

Faculty Publications

Mutual Aid Societies proliferated in the American Southwest during a period of rapid social change, 1880-1930. In Hispanic towns, these societies were referred to as mutualistas, with a large number concentrated in the San Luis Valley of Colorado and rural counties of northcentral New Mexico. One of the men’s organizations, La Sociedad Protección Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (SPMDTU), started in Antonito, Colorado, and quickly spread to other communities of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico and eventually to a few mining towns in Utah. With a tri-state model in place, women formed their own mutual protection societies: Sociedad Protectora …

Multiscale Modelling Of Heat And Mass Transfer In Hemp Wools, Rayan El Sawalhi, Marwan Al Kheir, Louay El Soufi, Hassan Assoum

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

This paper deals with the development of a multi-scale model of coupled heat and mass transfer for hemp wool insulating materials. Natural fibrous insulating materials from renewable resources like hemp offer an attractive environmental option for conventional insulation materials. These materials exhibit excellent thermal performances in terms of thermal conductivity and thermal capacity but are highly sensitive to moisture variations. To fully describe their behavior, we developed a multi-scale approach founded upon three characteristic scales: the heterogeneous fiber scale, the homogenized fiber network scale, and the final product scale. Using the method of volume averaging, we established transfer equations at …