E-commerce is transforming urban freight systems and creating challenges for last-mile delivery due to fragmented demand, high stop density, and diverse delivery models. This study examines last-mile e-commerce delivery in five cities, primarily focusing on parcel deliveries, and analyzes how the state …

Cape Town faces a complex and interlinked set of climate-related challenges, including recurring droughts, flooding, intensifying heat stress and biodiversity loss. These impacts are further amplified by rapid urbanization, pollution (often due to poor infrastructure and service delivery), ageing water …

Decades of research on intercultural competence (ICC) development in higher education have primarily focused on interventions implemented during enrollment, with limited attention to the experiences students bring with them upon entry. This study therefore explores differences in ICC at the point of …

This thesis investigates the structural feasibility of a vertical extension on an existing former industrial building located in Eltville am Rhein, Germany. The case study focuses on a former cocoa factory constructed in the 1960s, which was later partially converted into residential use. Due to the …

Globally, 70% of Average Annual Losses (AAL) are attributed to climatic hazards - rising temperature extremes, increased flooding, and water scarcity and security - marking a significant impact on urban areas. Notably, flooding has been the most prominent disaster, accounting for 44% of total reported …

Small wind turbines face significant challenges in achieving commercial viability due to lower efficiency and higher energy costs compared to utility-scale systems and competing renewable technologies. Counter-rotating dual-rotor wind turbines (CR-DRWTs) with dual-rotational armature configurations offer …

This thesis investigates the development of internal shear stresses in stiffened-core deep composite pile foundations, with particular focus on the FUNDEX Combi Pile system. These piles are widely used in urban environments due to their vibration-free installation and ability to perform under challenging …

IMPORTANCE: Older patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at risk of physical function decline and adverse health outcomes. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves physical functioning but is underutilized by older patients. Home-based CR potentially improves utilization, yet its effectiveness …

The approach to homelessness in the Netherlands is currently undergoing a paradigm shift, moving away from shelter-based systems toward direct and unconditional housing, as articulated in the National Action Plan on Homelessness Eerst een Thuis. However, the regular housing supply often fails to meet …