scholarly journals Measuring COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage to Support Healthcare Equity Decision-Making in Urban Areas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Mohammadi ◽  
Abolfazl Mollalo ◽  
Robert Bergquist ◽  
Behzad Kiani
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Decision Matrix ◽  
Spatial Access ◽  
Public Health Decision

Abstract Background: Limited studies have been conducted on access to COVID-19 vaccines and identifying the most appropriate health centres for performing vaccination in metropolitan areas. This study aimed to measure potential spatial access to COVID-19 vaccination centres in Mashhad, the second-most populous city in Iran.Methods: The age structure of the urban census tracts was integrated into the enhanced two-step floating catchment area model to improve accuracy. The model was developed based on three different scenarios: only public hospitals, only public healthcare centres, and the top 20% healthcare centres were employed as potential vaccination facilities. The weighted decision-matrix and analytic hierarchy process based on four criteria (i.e. service area, accessibility index, capacity of vaccination centres, and distance to main roads) were used to choose potential vaccination centres with the highest suitability for residents.Results: Our findings indicate that including the both public hospitals and public healthcare centres can provide high accessibility to vaccination in central parts of the urban areas. However, using only public healthcare centres for vaccination can provide higher accessibility to vaccination sites in the eastern and north-eastern parts of the study area. Therefore, a combination of public hospitals and public healthcare centres is recommended for efficient vaccination coverage.Conclusions: Measuring spatial access to COVID-19 vaccination centres can provide valuable insights for urban public health decision-makers. Our model, coupled with geographical information systems (GIS), provides more efficient vaccination coverage by identifying the most suitable healthcare centres, which is of special importance when only few centres are available.

scholarly journals Measuring COVID-19 vaccination coverage: an enhanced age-adjusted two-step floating catchment area model

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Mohammadi ◽  
Abolfazl Mollalo ◽  
Robert Bergquist ◽  
Behzad Kiani
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Special Importance ◽  
Spatial Access ◽  
Area Model ◽  
Proposed Model

Abstract Background There are only limited studies on access to COVID-19 vaccines and identifying the most appropriate health centres for performing vaccination in metropolitan areas. This study aimed to measure potential spatial access to COVID-19 vaccination centres in Mashhad, the second-most populous city in Iran. Methods The 2021 age structure of the urban census tracts was integrated into the enhanced two-step floating catchment area model to improve accuracy. The model was developed based on three different access scenarios: only public hospitals, only public healthcare centres and both (either hospitals or healthcare centres) as potential vaccination facilities. The weighted decision-matrix and analytic hierarchy process, based on four criteria (i.e. service area, accessibility index, capacity of vaccination centres and distance to main roads), were used to choose potential vaccination centres looking for the highest suitability for residents. Global Moran’s index (GMI) was used to measure the spatial autocorrelation of the accessibility index in different scenarios and the proposed model. Results There were 26 public hospitals and 271 public healthcare centres in the study area. Although the exclusive use of public healthcare centres for vaccination can provide the highest accessibility in the eastern and north-eastern parts of the study area, our findings indicate that including both public hospitals and public healthcare centres provide high accessibility to vaccination in central urban part. Therefore, a combination of public hospitals and public healthcare centres is recommended for efficient vaccination coverage. The value of GMI for the proposed model (accessibility to selected vaccination centres) was calculated as 0.53 (Z = 162.42, P < 0.01). Both GMI and Z-score values decreased in the proposed model, suggesting an enhancement in accessibility to COVID-19 vaccination services. Conclusions The periphery and poor areas of the city had the least access to COVID-19 vaccination centres. Measuring spatial access to COVID-19 vaccination centres can provide valuable insights for urban public health decision-makers. Our model, coupled with geographical information systems, provides more efficient vaccination coverage by identifying the most suitable healthcare centres, which is of special importance when only few centres are available. Graphic abstract

scholarly journals Assessment of Switchgrass-Based Bioenergy Supply Using GIS-Based Fuzzy Logic and Network Optimization in Missouri (U.S.A.)

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 4516
Author(s):  
Huynh Truong Gia Nguyen ◽  
Erik Lyttek ◽  
Pankaj Lal ◽  
Taylor Wieczerak ◽  
Pralhad Burli
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Network Optimization ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Bioenergy has been globally recognized as one of the sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. An assured supply of biomass feedstocks is a crucial bottleneck for the bioenergy industry emanating from uncertainties in land-use changes and future prices. Analytical approaches deriving from geographical information systems (GIS)-based analysis, mathematical modeling, optimization analyses, and empirical techniques have been widely used to evaluate the potential for bioenergy feedstock. In this study, we propose a three-phase methodology integrating fuzzy logic, network optimization, and ecosystem services assessment to estimate potential bioenergy supply. The fuzzy logic analysis uses multiple spatial criteria to identify suitable biomass cultivating regions. We extract spatial information based on favorable conditions and potential constraints, such as developed urban areas and croplands. Further, the network analysis uses the road network and existing biorefineries to evaluate feedstock production locations. Our analysis extends previous studies by incorporating biodiversity and ecologically sensitive areas into the analysis, as well as incorporating ecosystem service benefits as an additional driver for adoption, ensuring that biomass cultivation will minimize the negative consequences of large-scale land-use change. We apply the concept of assessing the potential for switchgrass-based bioenergy in Missouri to the proposed methodology.

scholarly journals Using building types and demographic data to improve our understanding and use of urban sprawl simulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mojtaba Eslahi ◽  
Rani El Meouche ◽  
Anne Ruas
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Automata ◽  
Urban Growth ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Sleuth Model

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Many studies, using various modeling approaches and simulation tools have been made in the field of urban growth. A multitude of models, with common or specific features, has been developed to reconstruct the spatial occupation and changes in land use. However, today most of urban growth techniques just use the historical geographic data such as urban, road and excluded maps to simulate the prospective urban maps. In this paper, adding buildings and population data as urban fabric factors, we define different urban growth simulation scenarios. Each simulation corresponds to policies that are more or less restrictive of space considering what these territories can accommodate as a type of building and as a global population.</p><p>Among the urban growth modeling techniques, dynamic models, those based on Cellular Automata (CA) are the most common for their applications in urban areas. CA can be integrated with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to have a high spatial resolution model with computational efficiency. The SLEUTH model is one of the cellular automata models, which match the dynamic simulation of urban expansion and could be adapted to morphological model of the urban configuration and fabric.</p><p>Using the SLEUTH model, this paper provides different simulations that correspond to different land priorities and constraints. We used common data (such as topographic, buildings and demography data) to improve the realism of each simulation and their adequacy with the real world. The findings allow having different images of the city of tomorrow to choose and reflect on urban policies.</p>

scholarly journals Cataloguing Wards of Delhi for effective Local Area Planning using Geographical Information Systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 3828-3834
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Physical Planning ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Constitutional Amendment ◽  
Local Planning ◽  
Operative Planning ◽  
Ward Level

Increased urbanization in an unprecedented manner has resulted in the splitting of urban areas into small divisions for the administrative convenience and effective planning purpose. In India, ward is the smallest administrative unit and has been in attention since 74th Constitutional Amendment Act. This act provided for autonomy to the ULBs to be responsible for the planning, implementation and operation of municipal services at local level. As per the Master Plan of Delhi 2021, all the wards shall have a Local Area Plan (LAP) to meet the needs and aspiration of the local people. The LAP is deciphered at the individual ward level in case of Delhi. There are 272 wards in Delhi and the population of these wards varies from 5000 to 200000. Hence, it is gathered that one approach or framework for urban management at local level may not be suitable for all wards of Delhi and also it is technically not achievable to have 272 individual LAP in the light of both financial and material resources shortage. With this background, the study is conducted and authors have attempted to list the criteria for spatial categorization of wards through literature review with the view to catalogue the wards in Delhi. This will enable planners to formulate strategies suitable for various wards catalogued under one category leading to effective utilization of common resources As a pilot study three important planning criteria - population density, building density and development pattern - were identified from literature studies and Geographical Information System (GIS) application and correlation analysis statistical used over these three criteria to catalogue the wards in Delhi. Consequently, 272 wards of Delhi were catalogued under 9 different categories. The findings are suggestive that physical planning attributes are important tools to define the vast spatial built areas into categories that are more conducive for local planning in comparison to the administrative boundaries delineated on the basis of population only. This may give stimulus to the operative planning at local level and shall enable policy makers and planners to design the strategies which are more efficient in terms of resources, time and are more effective and implementable at ward level. The originality of the study is in the fact that no such study has been conducted in the Indian context that attempts to catalogue built and unbuilt spaces based on physical planning attributes

scholarly journals Potentiality Analysis of Physical Development of International Airports Surrounding Zones

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Sara Alaa Abdulkareem ◽  
Abdelwehab Ahmed Abdelwehab
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Physical Development ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Search Problem ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
The City

The areas surrounding Iraqi international airports generally suffer from a lack of interest in their planning in a manner compatible with the airport with the absence of integrated planning between the airport and the city. From here, the search problem appears. It is represented by a lack of interest in the integration of urban planning and airport planning and the lack of a clear policy to deal with the areas surrounding international airports. A desire to achieve the research aims to introduce compatible uses in the vicinity of airports and review the planning and global directions for dealing with the areas surrounding the airports within urban areas. In contrast, the second aspect of the research aims to assess the uses of the land surrounding the airports and determine their compatibility with the planning directions of these areas. The research studied the areas surrounding Baghdad International Airport and conducted a comprehensive survey of land uses within a distance of (4) km from the airport runway center. Then it conducted an analysis using geographical information systems(GIS) and studied the survey results, and assumed that the current uses of the areas surrounding international airports do not reflect the optimal use of these areas and, therefore, not exploiting the current capabilities and development opportunities provided by the airport for the surrounding areas. The research hypothesis is tested through the use of (GIS )and displaying the results of the field survey of land uses within the study area. Furthermore, the methodology of comparative spatial analysis was done by monitoring the current situation through (GIS) and analyzing the result and comparing it with international standards to achieve results that contribute to attaining physical development. The first part of the research presents an introduction to international airports that are one of the most significant urban nodes in the city. The surrounding areas have many features that require regulation and coordination. The presence of incompatible uses in the vicinity of the airport leads to the loss of the advantages provided by the airport and the occurrence of adverse effects on the surrounding areas. Part two introduced compatible uses in the vicinity of airports. Part Three analyzed the case study of the areas surrounding Baghdad Airport. Then the results of the field survey showed that there are incompatible uses and the absence of compatible uses, and this case requires the identification of many planning procedures and benefiting from global trends in planning these areas.

scholarly journals Assessing Equity in the Accessibility to Urban Green Spaces According to Different Functional Levels

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edorta Iraegui ◽  
Gabriela Augusto ◽  
Pedro Cabral
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Spatial Clustering ◽  
Spatial Association ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
The City

Accessibility of urban residents to different services and amenities is a growing concern for policy makers. Urban green spaces (UGS) provide services and benefits that are particularly important for people having less mobility, such as children, the elderly or the poor. Practical experience has led to the classification of UGS in hierarchic systems reflecting the type and degree of benefits and services or functions they provide to users, which vary, primarily with their size. It is therefore necessary to ensure equity in the spatial distribution of different classes of UGS in the urban areas. In this work, we explore a methodology based in geographical information systems (GIS) to assess equity of access by different population groups to UGS according to its functional levels in the City of Barcelona, Spain, using a spatial clustering method. Results did not support the existence of overall inequalities in the access to UGS by the different groups of the population. However, indicators of spatial association revealed insufficiencies concerning accessibility to nearby UGS by seniors, children and the less wealthy in some parts of the city. This methodology may be used to inform urban planners dealing with the provision of UGS in an equitable manner to different socioeconomic groups of the resident population.

scholarly journals MAPPING OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN ALLUVIAL SOILS OF THE MIDDLE NILE DELTA OF EGYPT

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 218-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed S. SHOKR ◽  
Ahmed A. EL BAROUDY ◽  
Michael A. FULLEN ◽  
Talaat R. EL-BESHBESHY ◽  
Ramadan R. ALI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Nile Delta ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Soil Profiles ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Contour Maps ◽  
Pollution Levels

Areas contaminated by heavy metals were identified in the El-Gharbia Governorate (District) of Egypt. Identification used remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) as the main research tools. Digital Elevation Models (DEM), Landsat 8 and contour maps were used to map physiographic units. Nine soil profiles were sampled in different physiographic units in the study area. Geochemical analysis of the 33 soil samples was conducted using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). Vanadium (V), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations were measured. V, Ni and Cr concentrations exceeded recommended safety values in all horizons of the soil profiles, while Cu had a variable distribution. Zn concentrations slightly exceeded recommended concentration limits. Concentrations were mapped in each physiographic unit using the inverse distance weighted (IDW) function of Arc-GIS 10.1 software. Pollution levels were closely associated with industry and urban areas.

scholarly journals Nature-Based Solutions for Storm Water Management—Creation of a Green Infrastructure Suitability Map as a Tool for Land-Use Planning at the Municipal Level in the Province of Monza-Brianza (Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6124
Author(s):  
Giulio Senes ◽  
Paolo Stefano Ferrario ◽  
Gianpaolo Cirone ◽  
Natalia Fumagalli ◽  
Paolo Frattini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Rainwater Infiltration ◽  
Suitability Map ◽  
Municipal Level

Growing and uncontrolled urbanization and climate change (with an associated increase in the frequency of intense meteoric events) have led to a rising number of flooding events in urban areas due to the insufficient capacity of conventional drainage systems. Nature-Based Solutions represent a contribution to addressing these problems through the creation of a multifunctional green infrastructure, both in urban areas and in the countryside. The aim of this work was to develop a methodology to define Green Infrastructure for stormwater management at the municipal level. The methodology is defined on the basis of three phases: the definition of the territorial information needed, the production of base maps, and the production of a Suitability Map. In the first phase, we define the information needed for the identification of non-urbanized areas where rainwater can potentially infiltrate, as well as areas with soil characteristics that can exclude or limit rainwater infiltration. In the second phase, we constructed the following base maps: a “map of green areas”, a “map of natural surface infiltration potential” and a “map of exclusion areas”. In phase 3, starting from the base maps created in phase 2 and using Geographical Information Systems’ (GIS) geoprocessing procedures, the “Green area compatibility map to realize Green Infrastructure”, the “map of areas not suitable for infiltration” and the final “Green Infrastructure Suitability Map” are created. This methodology should help municipal authorities to set up Green Infrastructure Suitability Maps as a tool for land-use planning.

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