scholarly journals Healthy cities after COVID-19 pandemic: the just ecofeminist healthy cities approach

2021 ◽  
pp. jech-2021-216725
Author(s):  
Margarita Triguero-Mas ◽  
Isabelle Anguelovski ◽  
Helen V S Cole
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Political Environment ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Healthy Cities ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Social Inequities ◽  
Approaches To Study

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has compromised the ‘healthy cities’ vision, as it has unveiled the need to give more prominence to caring tasks while addressing intersectional social inequities and environmental injustices. However, much-needed transdisciplinary approaches to study and address post-COVID-19 healthy cities challenges and agendas have been scarce so far. To address this gap, we propose a ‘just ecofeminist healthy cities’ research approach, which would be informed by the caring city, environmental justice, just ecofeminist sustainability and the healthy cities paradigms and research fields. Our proposed approach aims to achieve the highest standards of human health possible for the whole population—yet putting the health of socially underprivileged residents in the centre—through preserving and/or improving the existing physical, social and political environment. Importantly, the proposed approach recognises all spheres of daily life (productive, reproductive, personal and political) and their connections with inequities, justice and power dynamics. Last, the just ecofeminist healthy cities approach understands human health as interconnected with the health of non-human animals and the ecosystem. We illustrate the proposed new approach focusing on the implications for women’s health and public green spaces research and propose principles and practices for its operationalisation.

scholarly journals Existence theory: Outline for a theory of social behaviour

2021 ◽  
pp. 1468795X2199824
Author(s):  
Patrick Baert ◽  
Marcus Morgan ◽  
Rin Ushiyama
Keyword(s):  
Formal Education ◽  
Sociological Theory ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Existence Theory ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Contemporary Society ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Cultural Expectations

This article introduces ‘existence theory’ as a new approach to sociological theory and research. Existence theory starts from the assumption that people organise their lives around a limited set of existential milestones. Cultural expectations are such that without the accomplishment of those milestones, individuals may experience their lives as incomplete. Examples of milestones can include the attainment of formal education, a lasting partnership and the creation of a family, but in general the milestones which are important to individuals and their precise articulation will depend on a variety of cultural and structural factors. The achievement of existential milestones often depends on that of other existential milestones, thereby producing what we call an ‘existential ladder’. The article also elaborates on the significance of ‘existential urgency’ in that, due to a variety of factors (some biological, some cultural and structural), there are time limits on when certain existential milestones ought to be achieved by. In contemporary society, we note that individuals seem to have more choice about which milestones are important to them and when they can be achieved, although we emphasise that this flexibility is unevenly distributed. This then provides a steppingstone towards an elaboration of the power dynamics and inequalities underlying both the experience and the achievement of existential milestones. Finally, this paper shows how existence theory helps to reflect on a variety of social phenomena of contemporary significance: populism in politics, forced migration, and the coronavirus pandemic.

scholarly journals Deformation analysis with Total Least Squares

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 663-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Acar ◽  
M. T. Özlüdemir ◽  
O. Akyilmaz ◽  
R. N. Çelik ◽  
T. Ayan
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Total Least Squares ◽  
Transformation Model ◽  
Deformation Analysis ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Analysis Process ◽  
Alternative Methodology ◽  
Coordinate Changes

Abstract. Deformation analysis is one of the main research fields in geodesy. Deformation analysis process comprises measurement and analysis phases. Measurements can be collected using several techniques. The output of the evaluation of the measurements is mainly point positions. In the deformation analysis phase, the coordinate changes in the point positions are investigated. Several models or approaches can be employed for the analysis. One approach is based on a Helmert or similarity coordinate transformation where the displacements and the respective covariance matrix are transformed into a unique datum. Traditionally a Least Squares (LS) technique is used for the transformation procedure. Another approach that could be introduced as an alternative methodology is the Total Least Squares (TLS) that is considerably a new approach in geodetic applications. In this study, in order to determine point displacements, 3-D coordinate transformations based on the Helmert transformation model were carried out individually by the Least Squares (LS) and the Total Least Squares (TLS), respectively. The data used in this study was collected by GPS technique in a landslide area located nearby Istanbul. The results obtained from these two approaches have been compared.

Kansei’s Physiological Measurement and Its Application (2)

2010 ◽  
pp. 319-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santoso Handri ◽  
Shusaku Nomura
Keyword(s):  
Beating Heart ◽  
Physiological Signals ◽  
Kansei Engineering ◽  
Internal Organs ◽  
Physiological Measurement ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Physiological Signal ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Metabolic Activities

Physiological signals or biosignals are electrical, chemical, or mechanical signals that created by biological events such as a beating heart or a contracting muscle producing signals that can be measured and analyzed. These signals are generated from the metabolic activities of human internal organs. Therefore, in certain conditions, physiological signals have different pattern between healthy and unhealthy individuals. Based on this information, generally, physicians take some action and treat their patients. However, utilizing physiological signals is a new approach in Kansei engineering research fields for coping with human sensitivity. This study focuses on the possibility of physiological signal application in Kansei engineering.

scholarly journals Spatial Characteristics of Urban Green Spaces and Human Health: An Exploratory Analysis of Canonical Correlation

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3227
Author(s):  
Chia-Tsung Yeh ◽  
Ya-Yun Cheng ◽  
Tsai-Yun Liu
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Canonical Correlation ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Spatial Characteristics ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
Area Percentage ◽  
Criterion Variables ◽  
Insurance Database

In highly urbanized areas, urban green spaces (UGSs) are important natural and cultural entities. Previous studies have shown some evidence of positive relationships between UGSs and human health. Most of these studies relied on self-reported health data and often used institutional quantitative measures of UGSs instead of the spatial characteristics of UGSs. This study analyzed the relationships between the spatial characteristics of UGSs and morbidity of diseases, which were considered variables of human health in the Taipei Metro. The Longitudinal Health Insurance Database of Taiwan was applied as the source of morbidity of diseases. A canonical correlation analysis was performed by using the six variables of spatial characteristics of UGSs as predictors and three variables of morbidity as criterion variables to evaluate the multivariate shared relationships between the two variable sets. The results found a strong canonical correlation between the spatial characteristics of UGSs and human health. Furthermore, the results revealed that living in districts with a higher area percentage of green spaces and denser vegetation cover, as well as exposure to more aggregative and irregular-shape green spaces, can reduce the morbidity of diseases.

A Theory of Critical Junctures for Democratization: A Comparative Examination of Constitution-Making in Egypt and Tunisia

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal Jamal ◽  
Anna Kensicki
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Characteristics ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Environment ◽  
Democratic Transitions ◽  
Critical Juncture ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Cultural Elements ◽  
Critical Junctures ◽  
Comparative Examination ◽  
Constitution Making

Abstract Most studies on constitution-making emphasize how cultural and institutional characteristics independently impact successful democratic transitions. This article proposes a new approach to theorizing this process, positing that the character of institutional and cultural elements and the relationships between them give rise to a unique temporal and political context called a critical juncture, with qualities and characteristics that place some states on trajectories toward success and others toward failure. By analyzing and comparing the events surrounding the Egyptian and Tunisian transitions, we demonstrate how the placement of these institutional and cultural elements put Tunisia on the path to democratization and led Egypt inevitably toward autocracy. The findings show that, where these junctures fail to instill civic ideals and avenues for all parties’ participation, the political environment becomes uninhabitable for successful transition.

Effect of Food Structure and Processing on (Poly)phenol–Gut Microbiota Interactions and the Effects on Human Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco A. Tomás-Barberán ◽  
Juan C. Espín
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Food Matrix ◽  
Mediated Effects ◽  
Food Structure ◽  
Effect Of Food ◽  
Relevant Factors

The two-way interaction of food (poly)phenols with the human gut microbiota has been studied throughout the past ten years. Research has shown that this interaction can be relevant to explain the health effects of these phytochemicals. The effect of the food matrix and food processing on this interaction has only been partially studied. In this article, the studies within this field have been critically reviewed, with a special focus on the following groups of phenolic metabolites: citrus flavanones, pomegranate ellagitannins, and cocoa proanthocyanidins. The available research shows that both the food matrix and food processing can be relevant factors for gut microbiota reshaping to reach a healthier microbial ecology and for the conversion of polyphenols to bioactive and bioavailable metabolites. There are, however, some research gaps that indicate a more comprehensive research approach is needed to reach valid conclusions regarding the gut microbiota–mediated effects of polyphenols on human health.

scholarly journals Studying Industrial Decarbonisation: Developing an Interdisciplinary Understanding of the Conditions for Transformation in Energy-Intensive Natural Resource-Based Industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 2129
Author(s):  
Oscar Svensson ◽  
Jamil Khan ◽  
Roger Hildingsson
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resource ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Energy System Analysis ◽  
Integrated Research

The ambition to keep global warming well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, as recognised in the Paris Agreement, implies a reorientation towards low-carbon societal development and, ultimately, the decarbonisation of human societies and economies. While climate policy has been geared towards achieving set emission reduction targets, the decarbonisation of key socioeconomic sectors such as energy-intensive natural resource-based industries (ENRIs) has not yet been sufficiently addressed, neither politically nor in science. Decarbonising the ENRIs is a complex societal problem that will require structural transformation technologically as well as socially. Understanding the conditions for transformative change therefore necessitates integrated knowledge from multiple perspectives of different research fields. In this paper, we examine the potential of combining three different research fields and critically scrutinize the challenges to integration for understanding the conditions for industrial decarbonisation: energy system analysis, sustainability transition research and policy studies. We argue that these perspectives are complementary—a fundamental condition for fruitful integration—but not easily compatible since they are sometimes based on different ontological assumptions. The research fields are in themselves heterogeneous, which poses additional challenges to an integrated research approach. Drawing on experiences from a Swedish research project (GIST2050) on industrial decarbonisation, we suggest a modest approach to integrated research that could progressively develop from multidisciplinary exchange towards more integrated forms of interdisciplinarity by means of cross-disciplinary dialogue and understanding.

scholarly journals Merawat Harmoni Agama melalui Kolaborasi Musik Hadroh dan Trompet di Ambon

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-226
Author(s):  
Dewi Tika Lestari
Keyword(s):  
Musical Instruments ◽  
Religious Conflict ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Muslim Community ◽  
Christian Community ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Pluralistic Society ◽  
Religious Rituals ◽  
The Social

This article aims to describe the role of music for preserving religious harmony after the social-religious conflict that occurred in 1999-2004 in Maluku. The study is conducted toward the collaboration of musicians of the music of hadroh which come from the Muslim community and the music of trumpet which come from the Christian community in Ambon City. This study uses a qualitative research approach with a discourse analysis approach. The study shows that both of the musical instruments, hadroh and trumpet, are always used in religious rituals, both in Islam and Christian. The musicians are also fromthese two religions. This study also found that Muslim and Christian can collaborate to provide a new style and introduce a new approach for maintaining peace in Maluku. As a result, this study shows that music has the power to preserve peace in a pluralistic society.

scholarly journals Promoting Resilient and Healthy Cities for Everyone in an Urban Planning Context by Assessing Green Area Accessibility

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Rostang ◽  
Asa Gren ◽  
Adam Feinberg ◽  
Meta Berghauser Pont
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Community Resilience ◽  
Healthy Cities ◽  
Population Groups ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
Health Gap

Rapid economic development and population growth has led to urban densification and massive land use changes, putting pressure on both ecosystems, and people. In this context, public health issues have become crucial for cities to address to ensure they remain livable and healthy for everyone. Since the health challenges of cities tend to manifest themselves differently among different population groups—e.g., groups of higher socioeconomic status tend to be correlated with better health than groups of low socioeconomic status—closing the health gap has become a priority for creating healthy cities for everyone. More greenness close to where people live and better accessibility to green areas has been shown to be useful for improving human health and for tackling health inequalities. This paper aims at developing a method for supporting urban planners and policymakers on where to geographically prioritize investments in green infrastructure to contribute to closing the health gap and promote community resilience through improving public health. Using the City of Stockholm as a pilot, we apply a GIS analysis to identify vulnerable population groups in relation to geotagged empirical human health- and socio-economic data. By then assessing vulnerable populations in relation to population numbers and accessibility to urban green areas, an Urban Green Opportunity Map (UGOM) was created, identifying focus areas where investment in green infrastructure will contribute most to closing the health gap and building community resilience.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document