scholarly journals Assessing Ecosystem and Urban Services for Landscape Suitability Mapping

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 8232
Author(s):  
Sara Antognelli ◽  
Marco Vizzari
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Spatial Indices ◽  
Urban Services ◽  
Suitability Assessment ◽  
Landscape Suitability ◽  
Different Characteristics

Ecosystem services (ES) and urban services (US) can comparably improve human well-being. Models for integrating ES and US with unexpressed and objective needs of defined groups of stakeholders may prove helpful for supporting decisions in landscape planning and management. In fact, they could be applied for highlighting landscape areas with different characteristics in terms of services provided. From this base, a suitability spatial assessment model (SUSAM) was developed and applied in a study area considering different verisimilar scenarios that policy makers could analyse. Each scenario is based on the prioritization of a set of services considering a defined group of stakeholders. Consistent and comparable ES and US indices of spatial benefiting areas (SBA) of services were calculated using GIS spatialization techniques. These indices were aggregated hierarchically with the relevance of services according to a spatial multicriteria decision analysis (S-MCDA). Results include maps for each scenario showing detailed spatial indices of suitability that integrate the local availability of SBA of ES and US, along with their relevance. The results were compared with known landscape classes identified in previous studies, which made it possible to interpret the spatial variation of suitability in the light of known landscape features. A complete sensitivity analysis was performed to test the sensitiveness of the model’s outputs to variations of judgements and their resistance to the indicators’ variation. The application of the model demonstrated its effectiveness in a landscape suitability assessment. At the same time, the sensitivity analysis and helping to understand the model behaviour in the different landscape classes also suggested possible solutions for simplifying the whole methodology.

scholarly journals LISAM: an open source GIS-based model for liveability spatial assessment

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Antognelli ◽  
Marco Vizzari
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Spatial Indices ◽  
Spatial Assessment ◽  
Decision Aiding ◽  
Viewshed Analysis

Ecosystem Services (ES) and Urban Services (US) influence place liveability in a comparable manner. Consequently, assessing landscape liveability considering both types of services can result effective for landscape planning and policy-making purposes. Since liveability depends also on local population preferences and perceptions, stakeholder involvement results essential for a more coherent liveability assessment. In this study a Spatial Multicriteria Decision Aiding (S-MCDA) approach guided the development of a LIveability Spatial Assessment Model (LISAM). Using a combination of GIS techniques (Euclidean distance, kernel density estimation, network analysis, viewshed analysis), consistent and comparable ES and US spatial indices were calculated in a study area located in central Italy. The indices were implemented in open-source geo-spatial software (QGIS, PostGIS and PostgreSQL). According to the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), they were integrated with their percentage weights on liveability deriving from stakeholders interviews. Then, to investigate the liveability levels of local population, main statistics of liveability values were calculated per census section. Results include overall liveability indices at a local scale, and key statistics of liveability related to resident population. The work highlights the effectiveness of LISAM to assess local liveability and to deliver important information for policy-makers. LISAM approach opens the opportunity to integrate also ecosystem and urban disservices together with ES and US in liveability assessment to consider also the factors generated by landscape components that reduce the overall level of place liveability.

scholarly journals LISAM: an open source GIS-based model for liveability spatial assessment

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Antognelli ◽  
Marco Vizzari
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Spatial Indices ◽  
Spatial Assessment ◽  
Decision Aiding ◽  
Viewshed Analysis

Ecosystem Services (ES) and Urban Services (US) influence place liveability in a comparable manner so that assessing landscape liveability considering both types of services can result effective for landscape planning and policy-making purposes. Considering that liveability is strongly dependent also on landscape perception by local population, stakeholder involvement results essential for a more coherent liveability assessment. In this study, a Spatial Multicriteria Decision Aiding (S-MCDA) approach guided the development of a LIveability Spatial Assessment Model (LISAM). Using a combination of GIS techniques (euclidean distance, kernel density estimation, network analysis, viewshed analysis), implemented in open-source geo-spatial software (QGIS, PostGIS and PostgreSQL), consistent and comparable ES and US spatial indices were calculated in a study area located in central Italy. These indices, according to the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), were integrated with their percentage weights on liveability deriving from stakeholders interviews. Then, to investigate the liveability levels of local population, main statistics of liveability values were calculated per census section. Results include overall liveability indices at a local scale, and key statistics of liveability related to resident population. The work highlights the effectiveness of LISAM to assess local liveability and to deliver important information for policy-makers. Results show a strong, nonlinear correlation between local liveability and population density. Both the tendency to attribute higher importance to US than ES, and to the underestimation of ES quantity has emerged. The future integration in LISAM of ecosystem and urban disservices would be relevant to consider those landscape factors that reduce the overall level of place liveability.

scholarly journals LISAM: an open source GIS-based model for liveability spatial assessment

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Antognelli ◽  
Marco Vizzari
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Landscape Planning ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Spatial Indices ◽  
Spatial Assessment ◽  
Decision Aiding ◽  
Viewshed Analysis

Ecosystem Services (ES) and Urban Services (US) influence place liveability in a comparable manner. Consequently, assessing landscape liveability considering both types of services can result effective for landscape planning and policy-making purposes. Since liveability depends also on local population preferences and perceptions, stakeholder involvement results essential for a more coherent liveability assessment. In this study a Spatial Multicriteria Decision Aiding (S-MCDA) approach guided the development of a LIveability Spatial Assessment Model (LISAM). Using a combination of GIS techniques (Euclidean distance, kernel density estimation, network analysis, viewshed analysis), consistent and comparable ES and US spatial indices were calculated in a study area located in central Italy. The indices were implemented in open-source geo-spatial software (QGIS, PostGIS and PostgreSQL). According to the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), they were integrated with their percentage weights on liveability deriving from stakeholders interviews. Then, to investigate the liveability levels of local population, main statistics of liveability values were calculated per census section. Results include overall liveability indices at a local scale, and key statistics of liveability related to resident population. The work highlights the effectiveness of LISAM to assess local liveability and to deliver important information for policy-makers. LISAM approach opens the opportunity to integrate also ecosystem and urban disservices together with ES and US in liveability assessment to consider also the factors generated by landscape components that reduce the overall level of place liveability.

Penguatan Wilayah Perbatasan: Studi Kasus Pulau Sebatik Kabupaten Nunukan Provinsi Kalimantan Timur

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
Baskoro Wicaksono
Keyword(s):  
Central Government ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Public ◽  
East Kalimantan ◽  
Border Policy

This study describes the border management policy conducted by the central government, provinceof East Kalimantan and Nunukan. Policies such as the establishment of regulatory, institutionalstrengthening, programs and infrastructure development. The policy is getting good responsefrom the elite and the masses. On the other hand policy makers have expectations of localcommunities border synergism Sebatik Island in order to build and develop the border areas so asto break the chain of dependence on Malaysia. The research was conducted in Sebatik Island,East Kalimantan province Nunukan with the formulation of the problem (a) what policies areoriented to maintain borders, (b) How is the public response to government policy, (c) What areyour expectations of policy makers in local communities to regional border. This study usedqualitative methods to phenomenological research strategy. Techniques of data collection in thisstudy using two ways, namely in-depth interviews and secondary data view Results indicate thatthe existing policy of both the central and provincial to district borders do not solve the problembecause it is made on the island of Sebatik with other border regions. The policy does not includelocal knowledge, where it is desperately needed by the people Sebatik. In addition to policies onprograms and infrastructure development of the center, the district adopted a policy of inactionagainst the illegal cross-border trade, which on the one hand against the rules but if enforced thenpeople can not perform economic activities that impact well-being. Policies like this gets a positiveresponse from the public. Expectations for the future border policy is to load local content orlocal knowledge.Keyword: border policy, local knowledge, dependent relationship

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Working Conditions, Employment, Career Development and Well-Being of Refugee Researchers

Societies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Ourania Tzoraki ◽  
Svetlana Dimitrova ◽  
Marin Barzakov ◽  
Saad Yaseen ◽  
Vasilis Gavalas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
The Public ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
The Impact

The ongoing ‘refugee crisis’ of the past years has led to the migration of refugee researchers (RRs) to European countries. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, RRs often had to work from home and/or to continue their social, cultural and economic integration process under new conditions. An online survey carried out to explore the impact of the pandemic on the refugee researchers showed that RRs found it difficult to adapt their everyday working life to the ‘home’ setting. The majority have had neither a suitable work environment at home nor the appropriate technology. Although they stated that they are rather pleased with the measures taken by the public authorities, they expressed concern about their vulnerability due to their precarious contracts and the bureaucratic asylum procedures, as the pandemic has had a negative impact on these major issues. The majority of RRs working in academia seem not to have been affected at all as far as their income is concerned, while the majority of those employed in other sectors became unemployed during the pandemic (58%). Recommendations are provided to the public authorities and policy makers to assist RRs to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic on their life.

scholarly journals Buffer Stock Operations and Well-Being: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Abokyi ◽  
Dirk Strijker ◽  
Kofi Fred Asiedu ◽  
Michiel N. Daams
Keyword(s):  
Stock Price ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Buffer Stock ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Stabilization Policy ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Aid Policy

AbstractThis study investigates the possible causal relationship between buffer stock operations in Ghanaian agriculture and the well-being of smallholder farmers in a developing world setting. We analyze the differences in the objective and subjective well-being of smallholder farmers who do or do not participate in a buffer stock price stabilization policy initiative, using self-reported assessments of 507 farmers. We adopt a two-stage least square instrumental variable estimation to account for possible endogeneity. Our results provide evidence that participation in buffer stock operations improves the objective and subjective well-being of smallholder farmers by 20% and 15%, respectively. Also, with estimated coefficient of 1.033, we find a significant and robust relationship between objective well-being and subjective well-being among smallholder farmers. This relationship implies that improving objective well-being enhances the subjective well-being of the farmers. We also find that the activities of intermediaries decrease both the objective and subjective well-being of farmers. This study demonstrates that economic, social, and environmental aspects of agricultural life could constitute priorities for public policy in improving well-being, given their strong correlation with the well-being of farmers. Based on the results of this study, we provide a better understanding, which may aid policy-makers, that public buffer stockholding operations policy is a viable tool for improving the well-being of smallholder farmers in a developing country.

Psychiatric symptoms among migrants to Malaysia from the southernmost provinces of Thailand

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402198973
Author(s):  
Kathleen Ford ◽  
Aree Jampaklay ◽  
Aphichat Chamatrithirong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Working Age ◽  
Self Reporting Questionnaire ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Migrant Groups

Aim: The objective of this paper is to examine the level of psychiatric symptoms and associated factors among Thai migrants from the southernmost Thai provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narithiwat who are working in Malaysia. Comparisons will be made with the sending population in the southernmost provinces of Thailand. Methods: Data are drawn from survey and in-depth interviews with Thai migrants who are working in Malaysia. Comparisons are made with a probability sample of working age adults in Thailand. The twenty item Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) was the measure of mental health. Results: The study found that the migrants, on average, have normal levels of psychiatric symptoms. However, although about 24% of migrants reported more eight or more symptoms that may indicate a need for evaluation. There are many stressors in their lives including distance from families, reduced social support, legal matters surrounding immigration, and discrimination/exploitation of migrant groups. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for policy makers and non-governmental organizations to give attention to migrants’ mental health, well-being and sustainable livelihoods.

scholarly journals Young People as Drivers or Inhibitors of the Sustainability Movement: The Case of Anti-Consumption

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Ziesemer ◽  
A. Hüttel ◽  
I. Balderjahn
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Voluntary Simplicity ◽  
Collaborative Consumption ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Future Consumption ◽  
Sustainability Movement ◽  
Laddering Interviews

AbstractAs overconsumption has negative effects on ecological balance, social equality, and individual well-being, reducing consumption levels among the materially affluent is an emerging strategy for sustainable development. Today’s youth form a crucial target group for intervening in unsustainable overconsumption habits and for setting the path and ideas on responsible living. This article explores young people’s motivations for engaging in three behavioural patterns linked to anti-consumption (voluntary simplicity, collaborative consumption, and living within one’s means) in relation to sustainability. Applying a qualitative approach, laddering interviews reveal the consequences and values behind the anti-consumption behaviours of young people of ages 14 to 24 according to a means-end chains analysis. The findings highlight potential for and the challenges involved in motivating young people to reduce material levels of consumption for the sake of sustainability. Related consumer policy tools from the fields of education and communication are identified. This article provides practical implications for policy makers, activists, and educators. Consumer policies may strengthen anti-consumption among young people by addressing individual benefits, enabling reflection on personal values, and referencing credible narratives. The presented insights can help give a voice to young consumers, who struggle to establish themselves as key players in shaping the future consumption regime.

Forecasting the impacts of climate variability: lessons from the rainfed corn market in Ceará, Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARIASTER B. CHIMELI ◽  
FRANCISCO DE ASSIS DE SOUZA FILHO ◽  
MARCOS COSTA HOLANDA ◽  
FRANCIS CARLO PETTERINI
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
The World ◽  
Forecast Models ◽  
Climatic Impacts ◽  
Semi Arid

ABSTRACTA number of studies show that climatic shocks have significant economic impacts in several regions of the world, especially in, but not limited to, developing economies. In this paper we focus on a drought-related indicator of well-being and emergency spending in the Brazilian semi-arid zone – rainfed corn market – and estimate aggregate behavioral and forecast models for this market conditional on local climate determinants. We find encouraging evidence that our approach can help policy makers buy time to help them prepare for drought mitigating actions. The analysis is applicable to economies elsewhere in the world and climatic impacts other than those caused by droughts.

Enhancing social indicators research in a forest-dependent community

1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 771-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Parkins
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Statistical Information ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Measure Change ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Northern Alberta

Forest industry host communities are receiving increased attention from policy makers, academics, and municipal leaders. Recently, this attention is trained on measuring social and economic change at the community level and on identifying and developing avenues to greater community well-being. This paper examines aspects of two common social indicators, employment and migration, in the context of a forest-dependent community in Northern Alberta. By using statistical information along with two other major data sources that include interviews with local residents and a variety of reports from local institutions, specific social changes taking place within the community are described. Readers are cautioned against relying solely on statistical information to measure change and are encouraged to triangulate data with local sources. Such efforts may be more time consuming but the results are likely to provide more important insights into how and why certain communities are prospering while others are struggling. The paper concludes with a discussion of social capital as a crucial dimension of community well-being. Key words: forest-dependent communities, social indicators, employment, migration, mobility, community well-being, social capital

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