scholarly journals Detecting Vicious Cycles in Urban Problem Knowledge Graph using Inference Rules

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Shusaku Egami ◽  
Takahiro Kawamura ◽  
Kouji Kozaki ◽  
Akihiko Ohsuga
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Knowledge Graph ◽  
Inference Rules ◽  
Problem Structure ◽  
Cost Information ◽  
Related Cost ◽  
Urban Problem ◽  
Urban Problems

Abstract Urban areas have many problems, including homelessness, graffiti, and littering. These problems are influenced by various factors and are linked to each other; thus, an understanding of the problem structure is required in order to detect and solve the root problems that generate vicious cycles. Moreover, before implementing action plans to solve these problems, local governments need to estimate cost-effectiveness when the plans are carried out. Therefore, this paper proposes constructing an urban problem knowledge graph that would include urban problems' causality and the related cost information in budget sheets. In addition, this paper proposes a method for detecting vicious cycles of urban problems using SPARQL queries with inference rules from the knowledge graph. Finally, several root problems that led to vicious cycles were detected. Urban-problem experts evaluated the extracted causal relations.

scholarly journals Development of a Partial Repair Process for Sewer Lines to Prevent Ground Subsidence in Urban Areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 43-50
Author(s):  
Seok In Hong ◽  
Won Jik Yang
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Repair Process ◽  
Ground Subsidence ◽  
Similar Process ◽  
Sewer Pipe ◽  
Sewer Pipes ◽  
Repair Method ◽  
Partial Repair ◽  
Urban Problem

Ground subsidence and pollutant runoff due to old sewer lines have been considered a major urban problem. Accordingly, the central and local governments are continuously making efforts to repair the sewage lines. In this study, an economical sewage line repair method based on glass fiber was developed, and its performance was evaluated. In the case of physical characteristics, it was found that the new method can secure more stability and strength compared to the existing sewer pipe repair method. In addition, it was found that economic efficiency was effectively improved by more than 10% in sewage pipes of 300 mm or more and 28%, which is the maximum value in 900 mm pipes, compared to the existing, similar process. In particular, since 70% of domestic sewer pipes are composed of pipes with a diameter of 300 mm or more, the partial repair method developed through this study is expected to be economically beneficial for sewer pipe repairs in the future.

scholarly journals Key factors to facilitate locally driven family planning programming: a qualitative analysis of urban stakeholder perspectives in Africa and Asia

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Mwaikambo ◽  
Sarah Brittingham ◽  
Saori Ohkubo ◽  
Ruwaida Salem ◽  
Denis Joel Sama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Country Ownership

Abstract Background There has been greater recognition of the importance of country ownership in global health and development. However, operationalising country ownership to ensure the scale up and sustainability of proven interventions remains elusive at best. To address this challenge, we undertook a thematic analysis of interviews collected from representatives of local governments, public health systems, and communities in poor urban areas of East Africa, Francophone West Africa, India, and Nigeria, supported by The Challenge Initiative (TCI), aiming to rapidly and sustainably scale up evidence-based reproductive health and family planning solutions. Methods The main objective of this study was to explore critical elements needed for implementing and scaling evidence-based family planning interventions. The research team conducted thematic analysis of 96 stories collected using the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique between July 2018 and September 2019. After generating 55 unique codes, the codes were grouped into related themes, using TCI’s model as a general analytical framework. Results Five key themes emerged: (1) strengthening local capacity and improving broader health systems, (2) shifting mindsets of government and community toward local ownership, (3) institutionalising the interventions within existing government structures, (4) improving data demand and use for better planning of health services, and (5) enhancing coordination of partners. Conclusion While some themes feature more prominently in a particular region than others, taken together they represent what stakeholders perceive to be essential elements for scaling up locally-driven health programmes in urban areas in Africa and Asia.

scholarly journals Cost-efficient factors in local public spending: Detecting relationships between local environments, population size and urban area category

2021 ◽  
pp. 239980832110038
Author(s):  
Hiroki Baba ◽  
Yasushi Asami
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Public Spending ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Environment Factors ◽  
Major Factors

This study examines regional differences in local environment factors to better understand the sustainability of local governments indexed by per capita public spending. Under the condition of heterogeneous population size, we examine how factor characteristics differ depending on the spatial context represented by the urban area category. By employing a Cobb–Douglas cost function with congestion effects on public service provision, the estimated factors enable us to articulate major factors and differences in cost-efficiency between urban area categories. We found that statistical significance and even the signatures of local environment factors differ depending on the urban employment area category. Regarding factors such as the ratios of employees in secondary and tertiary industries, these did not tend to be statistically significant in small-sized urban areas, while small-sized cities in large-sized urban areas were likely to gain confidence intervals. Moreover, we did not observe any statistical significance for the ratio of elderly people due to the balance of spending between national and local governments. These findings could contribute to sustainable management of cities in the advent of population decline.

scholarly journals Community Perceptions and Knowledge of Modern Stormwater Treatment Assets

Urban Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Hadi Zamanifard ◽  
Edward A. Morgan ◽  
Wade L. Hadwen
Keyword(s):  
Urban Design ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Urban Runoff ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Stormwater Treatment ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Community Acceptance ◽  
Water Sensitive Urban Design

Modern stormwater treatment assets are a form of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) features that aim to reduce the volumes of sediment, nutrients and gross pollutants discharged into receiving waterways. Local governments and developers in urban areas are installing and maintaining a large number of stormwater treatment assets, with the aim of improving urban runoff water quality. Many of these assets take up significant urban space and are highly visible and as a result, community acceptance is essential for effective WSUD design and implementation. However, community perceptions and knowledge about these assets have not been widely studied. This study used a survey to investigate community perceptions and knowledge about stormwater treatment assets in Brisbane, Australia. The results suggest that there is limited community knowledge of these assets, but that communities notice them and value their natural features when well-maintained. This study suggests that local governments may be able to better inform residents about the importance of these assets, and that designing for multiple purposes may improve community acceptance and support for the use of Council funds to maintain them.

Remotely Delivered Monitoring and Management of Diabetes-Related Foot Disease: An Overview of Systematic Reviews

2021 ◽  
pp. 193229682110124
Author(s):  
Aaron Drovandi ◽  
Shannon Wong ◽  
Leonard Seng ◽  
Benjamin Crowley ◽  
Chanika Alahakoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Limb Amputation ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Or Management ◽  
Foot Disease ◽  
Poor Reporting

Background: Diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) management requires input from multiple healthcare professionals, and has worse outcomes for people living in remote localities by comparison to urban areas. Remotely delivered healthcare may reduce this disparity. This overview summarizes current evidence on the effectiveness, stakeholder perceptions, and cost-effectiveness of remotely delivered healthcare for DFD. Methods: A search of 5 databases was conducted to identify systematic reviews published between January 2000 and June 2020. Eligible reviews were those evaluating remotely delivered monitoring or management of patients at risk of or with active DFD, or clinicians managing these patients. Risk of bias was assessed using the AMSTAR-2 tool. Results: Eight reviews were eligible for inclusion, including 88 primary studies and 8509 participants, of which 36 studies involving 4357 participants evaluated remotely delivered monitoring or management of DFD. Only one review had a low risk of bias, with most reviews demonstrating limited search strategies and poor reporting of participants. Evidence on effectiveness was mixed, with meta-analyses demonstrating long-term ulcer healing and mortality were not significantly different between telehealth and standard care groups, although the lower-limb amputation rate was significantly decreased in one meta-analysis. Perceptions of telehealth by patients and clinicians were generally positive, whilst acknowledging limitations relating to access and use. Cost-effectiveness data were limited, with poor reporting preventing clear conclusions. Conclusions: Remotely delivered healthcare of DFD is well received by patients and clinicians, but its effectiveness is unclear. High quality trials are needed to evaluate the risks and benefits of remotely delivered DFD management.

scholarly journals Urban agriculture: local government stakeholders’ perspectives and informational needs

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Catherine G. Campbell ◽  
Shelli D. Rampold
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Urban Agriculture ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
Public Issues ◽  
Subjective Knowledge ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Study Support

Abstract In many US states, the power to regulate urban agriculture (UA) rests in local governments. Although there has been increased interest in UA, some local governments have been slow to adopt policies or ordinances to foster food production in urban areas or have actively sought to limit UA in their municipalities. To learn more about the disconnect between resident interest and local government policy, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension and Center for Public Issues Education conducted a statewide survey of local government stakeholders (LGS) to assess their attitudes toward UA, subjective knowledge of UA, perceived benefits of and barriers to the implementation of UA and educational needs. Responses were collected using 5-point semantic differential and Likert-type scales. Overall, respondents displayed positive attitudes and moderate knowledge of UA, and they identified a number of benefits of and barriers to implementing UA in their communities. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that lack of basic knowledge about UA is one difficulty in fostering UA. Despite being positively disposed toward UA, LGS may not fully understand how to effectively develop and implement policies to foster UA. This finding may also help explain reluctance to adopt local government policies to support UA. Efforts to provide LGS key information and enhance their knowledge of UA may support the development of UA activities.

The Urban Transition in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

10.1068/c3p ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Kessides
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
National Development ◽  
Favourable Outcome ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Urban Transition ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Sub Saharan

In this paper I ask how the ongoing processes of urban and local government development in Sub-Saharan Africa can and should benefit the countries, and what conditions must be met to achieve this favourable outcome. The region faces close to a doubling of the urban population in fifteen years. This urban transition poses an opportunity as well as a management challenge. Urban areas represent underutilised resources that concentrate much of the countries' physical, financial, and intellectual capital. Therefore it is critical to understand how they can better serve the national growth and poverty reduction agendas. The paper challenges several common ‘myths’ that cloud discourse about urban development in Africa. I also take a hard look at what the urban transition can offer national development, and what support cities and local governments require to achieve these results. I argue that, rather than devoting more attention to debating the urban contribution to development in Africa, real energy needs to be spent unblocking it.

Design of a cable-stayed footbridge adaptable to various urban areas

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco Clerici ◽  
Silvia Mirabella
Keyword(s):  
Public Transportation ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Limited Space ◽  
Reduced Mobility

<p>The present paper relates to the design of a cable-stayed footbridge, composed by ready made elements and with span suitable to various urban and building areas. At present, in order to find a solution to traffic problems, local governments look for many ways to alleviate city’s main roads, increasing public transportation and designing dedicated underground pedestrian routes. Although this subways already built are not really used by pedestrians, which prefer wide-open spaces, such as skyways also designed for people with reduced mobility. In this context the described footbridge, with access ramps designed in accordance with accessibility standards, represents not only a good solution for cycle and pedestrian mobility problems, but it is also easy to transport and to be installed, due to its modular elements. The access ramps are suspended to pilons with inclination depending by the required bridge lengths and they can be assembled in different configurations in order to be well integrated also in limited space areas. Finally a particular focus is dedicated to cables, with dismountable end terminations designed to reduce transportation space and costs</p>

scholarly journals Housing Resources and Needs in Light of Modern Urban Transformations: the Case of Poznan

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-78
Author(s):  
Sławomir Palicki
Keyword(s):  
Urban Sprawl ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Real Estate Market ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Central Cities ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Suburban Areas ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Urban Transformations

Abstract Polish cities have been at the stage of a dynamic suburban development for over a decade (which has led to the phenomenon of urban sprawl beyond any control). The population of big urban areas, together with their agglomerations is continuously increasing; however, migration tendencies towards suburban areas are strong as well. In such a situation, the question arises regarding the possibilities and the methods of suppressing the outflow of people to the neighboring communities, and once again, making the city an attractive place to live. The attempt to explain such an issue requires research into both the housing infrastructure and its inhabitants. Poznan has been severely affected by suburbanization. The diagnosis and assessment of Poznan housing resources and the preferences of its inhabitants are the starting point for taking further steps in making the housing conditions more attractive. The article shows the initial results of widespread research regarding housing in the capital city of the Wielkopolska Province (comprising over 2,500 households). A similar study for the entire agglomeration (Poznan County) is due to be completed soon. It will allow for a comparative analysis and formulating recommendations regarding the conditions and the direction of changes on the real estate market which would increase the attractiveness of central cities suffering from suburbanization. In a wider context, the publication might be seen as an analysis of one of the elements of modern urban changes, such as either market driven, or free and spontaneous processes of urban sprawl, and conscious actions taken by local governments (together with developers) regarding the integrated urban revitalization policy.

scholarly journals Float: Designing for the Rise in Sea Level

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilo Cerro ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Healthcare Education ◽  
American University ◽  
Real Possibility ◽  
Urban Problem ◽  
Will Force ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Floating Systems

According to the United Nations, presently, about 54% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, with the number expected to increase to 66% by 2050. Urban areas which are ill prepared to deal with their present population needs will have to develop and manage; housing, healthcare, education, transportation, infrastructure and food pro-duction for an additional 2.5 billion people. With three-quarters of the world’s megalopolis by the sea and 80% of people living within 60 miles of the coast, sea level rise will force a new way of thinking about urban development. Managing urban areas has become one of the most important development challenges of the 21st century. In the UAE specifically, there are nearly 1,300 kilometers of coast-line. Approximately 85% of the population and over 90% of the infra-structure are located within several meters of sea level in low-lying coastal areas. This poses a very specific urban problem of relocation. But not all relocation will need to be done inland. The potential for floating architecture is a very real possibility to help solve some of the problems brought on by the rise in sea level. This is why at the American University of Sharjah, we have been studying this issue and other sustainability related opportunities in a series of courses that started in 2014 with a summer studio course set in Cambodia. Students lived with a floating community in the Tong le Sap lake for a month, studying vernacular floatation systems to inform the development of proposals for floating dwelling studies. This semester (Spring 2018), a fifth year architecture studio set up to transfer specific urban functions to the water within protected areas in the UAE. The aim of the studio was to start looking at possible implementation of floating systems within everyday functions to start a discussion of the potential of this technologies and the feasibility of its use at both an industrial and commercial level. The idea was to develop a series systemic interdependent sustainable designs based on the idea of third nature, hybridizing complex relationships between distinct functions in environments above and below water. This paper will cover the methodology implemented to start tackling these subjects in the studio environment with the aim to create awareness for designers and the general public.

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