Markov decision process models were extended to reflect some consequences of the risk attitude of forestry decision makers. One approach consisted of maximizing the expected value of a criterion subject to an upper bound on the variance or, symmetrically, minimizing the variance subject to a lower bound on the expected value. The other method used the certainty equivalent criterion, a weighted average of the expected value and variance. The two approaches were applied to data for mixed softwood–hardwood forests in the southern United States with multiple financial and ecological criteria. Compared with risk neutrality or risk seeking, financial risk aversion reduced expected annual financial returns and production and led to shorter cutting cycles that lowered the expected diversity of tree species and size, stand basal area, stored CO₂e, and old-growth area.

The paper used technical parameters to investigate optimized solutions to protect the ecological environment and improve the microclimate adaptability among the traditional villages in Beijing. Shuiyu Village was used as a case study to analyze the coupling relationship between landscape patterns and the microclimate of traditional villages, with a focus on the ecological relationship between residents and the microclimate. This study also developed a climate index system, which includes computer numerical simulation and microclimate comprehensive analysis methods. The distinct types of landscape patterns were studied using the system. In addition, this paper studied the adaptive design mechanism in-depth, the form parameters of comfort evaluation controllability, and map expression technology of morphological parameters. The findings of this study include the optimized value of the environment based on landscape pattern and the map through the Rhino modeling platform. An interactive platform was developed, and a parametric-assisted optimization design process for traditional villages in the northern part of China was proposed. Moreover, this study concluded optimized strategies and technical guidelines for future planning of the rural areas in northern China with a goal to protect traditional villages and transform them into smart villages with microclimate adaptability.

This article discusses the impact of urban layout on the energy performance of residential buildings. A comparative analysis of multiple variants of land development differing in building layout only, with all other features being the same, including the building envelope properties and technical equipment, was carried out. The research was conducted in two selected locations in Poznań metropolitan area (Poland), which is located in the Dfb climate zone (humid continental—warm summer subtype). For each location, the following variants of building layout were considered: parallel buildings (12 variants with an orientation towards the sides of the world rotated in steps of 15 degrees), perimeter frontage buildings, and comb-shaped buildings with semi-open courtyards (4 variants with courtyards open to each side of the world). The calculation of annual end uses for heating and cooling was conducted as well as the peak values. All calculations were performed using OpenStudio Application Release v. 1.2.1 software with the SketchUp plugin. The results showed that the proper arrangement of buildings on the urban plot may result in significant energy savings. The considered variants differed in terms of annual end uses for heating and cooling even by approx. 15%, and the peak values on the hottest days were 4–10 times lower in comparison with the least advantageous variants. The results show the slight advantage of compact development over free-standing development in terms of total end uses as well as the south and north orientation of facades over the east and west in terms of peak solar heat gain values.