scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities for Public Participation in Urban and Regional Planning during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Lessons Learned for the Future

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1379
Author(s):  
Marijana Pantić ◽  
Juaneé Cilliers ◽  
Guido Cimadomo ◽  
Fernando Montaño ◽  
Olusola Olufemi ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred significant changes in the fields of economic development, social issues, everyday life, etc. Activities that used to depend on face-to-face communication were firstly suspended and then shifted to new forms of communication. This includes the public participation process in urban and spatial planning. Therefore, this study explores the new domain developed in urban and spatial planning with regard to public participation and surmises future realms in the post-pandemic era. On the occasion of the virtual collaboration platform Cyber Agora organized by the ISOCARP (International Society of City and Regional Planners), chosen participants got together virtually to share, discuss, and compare their practical knowledge in public participation before and during COVID-19. In addition, they addressed the potential benefits of shifting from traditional to virtual participation and potential benefits in the post-COVID-19 era. Considering the collected data and understanding them in the light of the available literature, this study concludes that the application of a combined approach (using both traditional and virtual modes of participation) is recommended because it would enable a larger number and higher diversity of participants. The study also elaborates particular modes of virtual participation with the pros and cons of their use in a particular context.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth A. Wilde ◽  
Emily L. Dennis ◽  
David F Tate

The Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium brings together researchers from around the world to try to identify the genetic underpinnings of brain structure and function, along with robust, generalizable effects of neurological and psychiatric disorders. The recently-formed ENIGMA Brain Injury working group includes 8 subgroups, based largely on injury mechanism and patient population. This introduction to the special issue summarizes the history, organization, and objectives of ENIGMA Brain Injury, and includes a discussion of strategies, challenges, opportunities and goals common across 6 of the subgroups under the umbrella of ENIGMA Brain Injury. The following articles in this special issue, including 6 articles from different subgroups, will detail the challenges and opportunities specific to each subgroup.


2017 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. E52-E59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sikolia Wanyonyi ◽  
Charles Mariara ◽  
Sudhir Vinayak ◽  
William Stones

AbstractThe potential benefits of obstetric ultrasound have yet to be fully realized in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), despite the region bearing the greatest burden of poor perinatal outcomes. We reviewed the literature for challenges and opportunities of universal access to obstetric ultrasound and explored what is needed to make such access an integral component of maternity care in order to address the massive burden of perinatal morbidity and mortality in SSA. Original peer-reviewed literature was searched in various electronic databases using a ‘realist’ approach. While the available data were inconclusive, they identify many opportunities for potential future research on the subject within the region that can help build a strong case to justify the provision of universal access to ultrasound as an integral component of comprehensive antenatal care.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Gerstenblatt ◽  
Diane Rhodes ◽  
Lida Holst

A commitment on the part of the academy to address social issues has increased over the past three decades, resulting in service learning courses, volunteering opportunities, and community-university partnerships. Faculty, staff, and community practitioners collaborating to lead these efforts often carry enormous responsibility and answer to often competing interests of students, community members, and universities. Using the experience of an scholar/artist/teacher in a university-community partnership founded by the first author in a racially polarized town, this article explores the potential of arts-based methods, specifically poetry and collage, to mitigate the consequence of this work. The format is a dialogue between two engaged teacher/researcher/practitioners and friends to clarify the hidden experience of the researcher with narrative truth to articulate and share not only experiences, but also lessons learned as a contribution to our fellow teacher/researcher/practitioners.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-175
Author(s):  
Edyta Bąkowska-Waldmann ◽  
Cezary Brudka ◽  
Piotr Jankowski

Abstract Geoweb methods offer an alternative to commonly used public participation methods in spatial planning. This paper discusses two such geoweb methods – geo-questionnaire and geo-discussion in the context of their initial applications within the spatial planning processes in Poland. The paper presents legal and organizational framework for the implementation of methods, provides their development details, and assesses insights gained from their deployment in the context of spatial planning in Poland. The analysed case studies encompass different spatial scales ranging from major cities in Poland (Poznań and Łódź) to suburban municipalities (Rokietnica and Swarzędz in Poznań Agglomeration). The studies have been substantiated by interviews with urban planners and local authorities on the use and value of Geoweb methods in public consultations.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhmad Affandi ◽  
Fatmawati Fatmawati ◽  
Adnan Ma'ruf

This study aims to clarify the role and efforts of the Department of Spatial Planning and Human Settlements in managing waste in Bulukumba. This type of research is qualitative with data collection using interviews and observation instruments. The data is analyzed deskriktif and interpretation to the informant to conduct interviews. The results showed that: in carrying out the role as implementor and supervisor of the waste management in Bulukumba, Spatial Planning and Human Settlements Bulukumba can not yet provide the maximum results. Not maximal results are affected by the lack of human resources and lack of infrastructure are still available have greater influence in waste management. The contributing factors are: public participation and the availability of land (TPA).    Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan peran dan upaya Dinas Tata Ruang dan Cipta Karya dalam mengelola sampah di Kabupaten Bulukumba. Jenis penelitian ini adalah Kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan instrumen wawancara dan observasi. Data tersebut dianalisis secara deskriktif dan interpretasi kepada informan dengan melakukan wawancara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: dalam melaksanakan peran sebagai implementor dan pengawas terhadap pengelolaan sampah di Kabupaten Bulukumba, Dinas Tata Ruang dan Cipta Karya Kabupaten Bulukumba belum dapat memberikan hasil yang maksimal. Belum maksimalnya hasil tersebut dipengaruhi oleh kurangnya sumber daya manusia serta masih minimnya sarana dan prasarana yang tersedia memiliki pengaruh lebih besar dalam pengelolaan sampah. Adapun faktor pendukung yakni: partisipasi masyarakat dan ketersediaan lahan (TPA).


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey C. Woerner ◽  
Renata C. Gallagher ◽  
Jerry Vockley ◽  
Aashish N. Adhikari

Newborn screening (NBS) is a population-based program with a goal of reducing the burden of disease for conditions with significant clinical impact on neonates. Screening tests were originally developed and implemented one at a time, but newer methods have allowed the use of multiplex technologies to expand additions more rapidly to standard panels. Recent improvements in next-generation sequencing are also evolving rapidly from first focusing on individual genes, then panels, and finally all genes as encompassed by whole exome and genome sequencing. The intersection of these two technologies brings the revolutionary possibility of identifying all genetic disorders in newborns, allowing implementation of therapies at the optimum time regardless of symptoms. This article reviews the history of newborn screening and early studies examining the use of whole genome and exome sequencing as a screening tool. Lessons learned from these studies are discussed, along with technical, ethical, and societal challenges to broad implementation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masud Chand

Purpose The countries that make up South Asia have young but rapidly aging populations. The purpose of this paper is to investigate some of the challenges that this rapid aging creates for societies and organizations in South Asia. It also points out how, properly managed, aging populations can create multiple opportunities for societies and organizations alike. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses secondary data about the aging situation globally. It pays special attention to the demographic situation in South Asian countries and uses as examples policies dealing with aging populations in other countries that have gone through demographic transitions in the recent past. Findings Aging populations are bringing about numerous challenges in the region, including rising costs for pensions and healthcare, higher dependency ratios, and changing family dynamics. South Asia will enjoy a one-time demographic dividend. Policy makers and managers need to put the right policies in place to ensure that they take maximum advantage of this opportunity. Research limitations/implications The study is based on secondary data. It is a perspectives piece and does not provide an in-depth study of the specific issues raised. Practical implications The study details how organizations can best manage this transition. This includes planning for a multigenerational workforce, providing accommodations for older workers, and fostering mentoring, knowledge transfer, cross-training and mixed-age work teams. Social implications This study analyzes some of the social issues that arise because of aging populations, such as the challenge of creating pension and healthcare systems, dealing with a rising old age dependency ratio, and dealing with a gradual transition to single-family households. Originality/value This is one of the first studies that look at the coming demographic transition in South Asia, and details some of the challenges and opportunities that arise both in terms of policies and managerial implications.


Author(s):  
Chris Skurka ◽  
Rainer Romero-Canyas ◽  
Helen H Joo ◽  
David Acup ◽  
Jeff Niederdeppe

Abstract There is much need to verify the robustness of published findings in the field of communication—particularly regarding the effects of persuasive emotional appeals about social issues. To this end, we present the results from a preregistered, direct replication of C. Skurka, J. Niederdeppe, R. Romero-Canyas, and D. Acup (2018). The original study found that a threat appeal about climate change can increase risk perception and activism intentions and that a humor appeal can also increase activism intentions with a large sample of young adults. Using the same stimuli, measures, and experimental design with a similar sample, we fail to replicate these main effects. We do, however, replicate age as a moderator of humor’s effect on perceived risk, such that the humor appeal only persuaded emerging adults (ages 18–21.9). We consider several explanations for our discrepant findings, including the challenges (and opportunities) that persuasion researchers must navigate when communicating about rapidly evolving social issues.


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