scholarly journals Urban water security priorities. An Australian industry perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie V. Allan ◽  
Steven J. Kenway ◽  
Brian W. Head
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Provider Group ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Priority Needs ◽  
Supply Systems

Abstract Urban water security is a critical element of sustainable development, and sustainable water management requires a participatory and collaborative approach across all stakeholders. However, literature suggests that there can be diverse and potentially conflicting views within community and expert groups. This research aimed to understand the extent of views within a group of industry professionals on objectives, themes and definitions of urban water security. Using 22 semi-structured interviews with participants from Queensland Australia, we found that, for the group, the priorities for urban water security are water quality and human health, quantity of supply to meet efficient demand, and reliability and resilience of supply systems. We also found diverse views on the importance of sustainability, water-related hazards, environment and ecosystem health, affordability and risk, to water security in the urban context. We conclude that there is agreement within the water service provider group on priority needs, and suggest there is potential for community and service providers to agree on urban water security needs. The research findings support operationalisation of security concepts, highlight potential barriers to achieving urban water security, and provide insights for further engagement with urban water stakeholders.

scholarly journals Attributes of Perceived Bikeability in a Compact Urban Neighborhood Based on Qualitative Multi-Methods

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3738 ◽  
Author(s):  
HaeLi Kang ◽  
Dong Ha Kim ◽  
Seunghyun Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Internal Conflict ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Policy System ◽  
Community System ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Urban Contexts

Cycling provides opportunities to promote healthy and sustainable cities. However, few studies examine cyclists’ perceived attributes of a bicycle-friendly environment in relation to compact urban contexts. This study explored the attributes of perceived bikeability and urban context related to the cycling experience in Seoul, Korea. Purposive sampling with public recruitment and a snowball technique was used to recruit twenty-two cyclists and three bicycle-related community service providers from a bikeable environment. Qualitative multi-methods, including semi-structured interviews and bicycle tours with a GPS device, were adopted. The main themes of perceived bikeability were derived through thematic analysis. Cyclists perceived the attributes of a bicycle-friendly physical environment as essential components of bikeability. In urban environments where cycling is not yet recognized as the main transportation mode, internal conflict among cyclists and external conflicts between cyclists and other transportation users were evident. A supportive community system included developing an appropriate environment, providing information, and expanding riding opportunities. A bicycle-friendly culture accumulated over a long period influenced the initiation and maintenance of cycling and contributed to a more bikeable community environment. Cyclists’ attitude, behaviors, and perceived environment differed according to purpose. Policy, system, and environmental changes are required to promote cycling in compact urban contexts.

scholarly journals Smart urbanism? ICTs for water and electricity supply in Nairobi

Urban Studies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 2333-2352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prince K Guma
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Electricity Supply ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
African City ◽  
Spatial Justice ◽  
Spatial Targeting ◽  
Utility Systems ◽  
Empirical Perspective ◽  
Returns On Investment

In recent years, the study of urban infrastructure has become central to examining African cities. This paper is a contribution to this scholarship. Of particular interest is the interface between telecommunications and urban water and electricity utility systems. I examine the degree to which ICT deployments for urban water and electricity supply shape and are shaped by the urban context of Nairobi, Kenya. I show how in recognition of the city’s splintering and fragmentation, service providers have employed spatial targeting, strategically deploying ‘pro-poor’ services. I argue that while framed along narratives of spatial justice, ‘pro-poor’ deployments demonstrate market-led priorities for utility providers in their desire to maximise returns on investment, expand centralised networks, increase market share, and counter competition from private and heterogeneous providers. I also show that these deployments have had to contend with micro-political dynamics and implications. Ultimately, the objective for this paper is to offer an empirical perspective on the efficacy of the urban nexus and the contested nature of the politics and spatialities of smart or ICT-led urbanism especially in the context of an African city.

Hearing their voices: Youths’ experiences of unstable housing and homelessness post-care

2020 ◽  
pp. 147332502092302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocelyne Lalonde ◽  
Andrea E Thomson ◽  
Karen Duncan ◽  
Kerstin Roger
Keyword(s):  
Life Skills ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Support Program ◽  
Child Welfare Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Unstable Housing ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
New Information ◽  
Youth In Care ◽  
Research Findings

Youths who age out of care face adverse health outcomes and high rates of homelessness. This study used content analysis to explore: “What are the post-care housing experiences of youth who have transitioned from care through an independent support program?” Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 youths who had aged out of care. Six service providers who worked with youth in care in various capacities were also interviewed. Data analysis revealed themes including: the experience of unstable housing and homelessness, lack of formal supports, and youth leaving care then wishing they could return. Another theme to emerge, I take responsibility for where I am now, adds new information to the literature. The research findings support that child welfare services should place greater emphasis on developing youths’ life skills while they are in care. In addition, allowing youths the option to return to care after discharge may reduce experiences of unstable housing and homelessness post-care.

scholarly journals Socio-political processes must be emphasised alongside climate change and urbanisation as key drivers of urban water insecurity

Water Policy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Fallon Grasham ◽  
George Neville
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Water Insecurity ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Key Drivers

Abstract Urban water security is of critical global and local importance. Across many parts of low- and middle-income countries, urban water security either remains elusive or is becoming stressed. Rapid urbanisation and climate change are two key drivers of resource insecurity and at the forefront of urban water discourse. However, there are manifold and complex socio-political processes functioning alongside these megatrends that are often underemphasised. Drawing on three urban case studies in Ethiopia, we highlight these structural issues and the need for their continued consideration to fully understand and address urban water insecurity. Household water-use surveys, semi-structured interviews and participatory exercises with community residents, stakeholders and informal water vendors were used as part of a mixed-method approach in three urban areas. We found that government-managed urban water supplies were intermittent and unsafe, resulting in economic, health and time-use burdens for households, and that the socio-political dimensions reproducing urban water insecurity have historical roots. We argue that the uncertainty of climate change and unprecedented urbanisation do not offer sufficient explanation for why urban water insecurity persists. Moreover, we call for caution in only employing these narratives, to avoid obscuring deeply rooted challenges within socio-political systems. We call for socio-political processes to continue to be a central component of future interventions that seek to improve urban water insecurity.

scholarly journals Dynamics of Rural Urban Water Flows and Implications on Peri-urban Water Security

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anushiya Shrestha ◽  
Rajesh Sada ◽  
Ashutosh Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Water Transfer ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Rural Landscapes

The rapid and haphazard urbanization in Kathmandu and expansion of built-up area to the peri-pherial rural landscapes has resulted to formation of peri- urban areas which are now themselves transforming into urban form. Simultaneously, the water being diverted or transferred from these peri-urban areas is rapidly evolving. This paper describes the changing modes of urban oriented water flow from the peri-urban landscape of Kathmandu and the implications of this water transfer on water security of peri-urban areas. Through series of semi-structured interviews, formal and informal discussions with local people and key informant interviews, the study found that Matatirtha, a peri-urban village, has traditionally been a source of water for the domestic water demand in Kathmandu. However, the social and economic developments have induced a paradigm shift in urban water transfer from the area and promoted the economic benefits as a way of compensating the loss of local water resources. Moreover, the increasing opportunities of economic benefits through water in absence of regulatory mechanism have facilitated exploitation of resources. This, therefore, created need of strong mechanism, promoting insights for sustainable management of water resources and contribute to improve rural urban linkages through optimal use of water resources.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v15i1.12025 Nepal Journal of Science and TechnologyVol. 15, No.1 (2014) 99-106

scholarly journals Exploring the Impact of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Its Relationship with Domestic Violence: A Qualitative Study on Experts’ Perceptions

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 233339362110281
Author(s):  
Renee Fiolet ◽  
Cynthia Brown ◽  
Molly Wellington ◽  
Karen Bentley ◽  
Kelsey Hegarty
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Specialist Service ◽  
Data Coding ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
Impact Of Technology ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

Technology-facilitated abuse can be a serious form of domestic violence. Little is known about the relationship between technology-facilitated abuse and other types of domestic violence, or the impact technology-facilitated abuse has on survivors. The aim of this interpretative descriptive study is to understand domestic violence specialist service providers’ perspectives on the impact of technology-facilitated abuse, and the link between technology-facilitated abuse and other forms of domestic violence. A qualitative approach using 15 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with Australian domestic violence specialist practitioners, and three themes were identified through data coding using inductive thematic analysis. Another form of control describes technology-facilitated abuse behaviors as enacting controlling behaviors using new mediums. Amplifies level of fear characterizes the impact of technology-facilitated abuse. A powerful tool to engage others describes opportunities technology offers perpetrators to abuse through engaging others. Findings highlight technology-facilitated abuse’s complexity and integral role in domestic violence and can assist clinicians to understand the impact and harm that can result from technology-facilitated abuse.

“There Was No ‘That’s Not My Job’”: New York Area Agencies on Aging Approaches to Supporting Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482199102
Author(s):  
Claire Pendergrast
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
New York ◽  
New York State ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Contextual Influences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Increasing Demand ◽  
Priority Needs

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many older adults’ traditional sources of formal and informal supports, increasing demand for Area Agency on Aging services (AAAs). This study examines strategies used by AAAs to support older adults’ health and well-being during COVID-19 and identifies contextual influences on AAA pandemic response activities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of 20 AAAs in New York State. A combined inductive and deductive approach was used to code and thematically analyze the data. AAAs rapidly expanded capacity and dramatically modified program offerings, communications activities, and service delivery protocols to address emergent needs and minimize COVID-19 exposure risk for clients. AAAs’ trusted relationships with older adults and community partners improved their capacity to identify priority needs and coordinate appropriate supports. Policymakers should ensure that AAAs receive sustained financial and technical support to ensure critical community-based services are available for older adults throughout pandemic response and recovery.

scholarly journals Doctors’ maintenance of professional competence: a qualitative study informed by the theory of planned behaviour

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anél Wiese ◽  
Emer Galvin ◽  
Janet O’Farrell ◽  
Jantze Cotter ◽  
Deirdre Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Planned Behaviour ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Meaningful Engagement

Abstract Background Medical regulators worldwide have implemented programmes of maintenance of professional competence (MPC) to ensure that doctors, throughout their careers, are up to date and fit to practice. The introduction of MPC required doctors to adopt a range of new behaviours. Despite high enrolment rates on these programmes, it remains uncertain whether doctors engage in the process because they perceive benefits like improvements in their practice and professional development or if they solely meet the requirements to retain medical registration. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between doctors’ beliefs, intention and behaviour regarding MPC through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to make explicit the factors that drive meaningful engagement with the process. Methods We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. From a pool of 1258 potential participants, we purposively selected doctors from multiple specialities, age groups, and locations across Ireland. We used thematic analysis, and the TPB informed the analytic coding process. Results Forty-one doctors participated in the study. The data analysis revealed doctors’ intention and behaviour and the factors that shape their engagement with MPC. We found that attitudes and beliefs about the benefits and impact of MPC mediated the nature of doctors’ engagement with the process. Some participants perceived positive changes in practice and other gains from participating in MPC, which facilitated committed engagement with the process. Others believed MPC was unfair, unnecessary, and lacking any benefit, which negatively influenced their intention and behaviour, and that was demonstrated by formalistic engagement with the process. Although participants with positive and negative attitudes shared perceptions about barriers to participation, such perceptions did not over-ride strongly positive beliefs about the benefits of MPC. While the requirements of the regulator strongly motivated doctors to participate in MPC, beliefs about patient expectations appear to have had less impact on intention and behaviour. Conclusions The findings of this study broaden our understanding of the determinants of doctors’ intention and behaviour regarding MPC, which offers a basis for designing targeted interventions. While the barriers to engagement with MPC resonate with previous research findings, our findings challenge critical assumptions about enhancing doctors’ engagement with the process. Overall, our results suggest that focused policy initiatives aimed at strengthening the factors that underpin the intention and behaviour related to committed engagement with MPC are warranted.

scholarly journals Advancing urban water security: The urbanization of water–society relations and entry–points for political engagement

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Vanessa Lucena Empinotti ◽  
Jessica Budds ◽  
Wendy Jepson ◽  
Nate Millington ◽  
Luciana Nicolau Ferrara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Security ◽  
Political Engagement ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Entry Points

scholarly journals Energy implications of the millennium drought on urban water cycles in Southeast Australian cities

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 214-221
Author(s):  
K. L. Lam ◽  
P. A. Lant ◽  
S. J. Kenway
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Related Energy ◽  
Millennium Drought ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Supply Systems

Abstract During the Millennium Drought in Australia, a wide range of supply-side and demand-side water management strategies were adopted in major southeast Australian cities. This study undertakes a time-series quantification (2001–2014) and comparative analysis of the energy use of the urban water supply systems and sewage systems in Melbourne and Sydney before, during and after the drought, and evaluates the energy implications of the drought and the implemented strategies. In addition, the energy implications of residential water use in Melbourne are estimated. The research highlights that large-scale adoption of water conservation strategies can have different impacts on energy use in different parts of the urban water cycle. In Melbourne, the per capita water-related energy use reduction in households related to showering and clothes-washing alone (46% reduction, 580 kWhth/p/yr) was far more substantial than that in the water supply system (32% reduction, 18 kWhth/p/yr). This historical case also demonstrates the importance of balancing supply- and demand-side strategies in managing long-term water security and related energy use. The significant energy saving in water supply systems and households from water conservation can offset the additional energy use from operating energy-intensive supply options such as inter-basin water transfers and seawater desalination during dry years.

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