scholarly journals In-Between ‘Smart’ Urban Growth and ‘Sluggish’ Rural Development? Reframing Population Dynamics in Greece, 1940–2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 6165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosanna Salvia ◽  
Gianluca Egidi ◽  
Luca Salvati ◽  
Jesús Rodrigo-Comino ◽  
Giovanni Quaranta
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Capital City ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Urban Hierarchy ◽  
Demographic Dynamics ◽  
Economic Downturns ◽  
New Development ◽  
Distinctive Role

Multifaceted demographic dynamics have shaped population growth in Mediterranean Europe, reflecting a metropolitan cycle from urbanization to re-urbanization. To assess the distinctive impact of economic downturns on population dynamics, the present study illustrates the results of an exploratory analysis that assesses urban expansion and rural decline at various temporal scales in Greece, a peripheral country in southeastern Europe. Statistical analysis based on multivariate exploratory techniques outlined the persistent increase of regional populations, evidencing the distinctive role of agglomeration/scale with urbanization and early suburbanization phases (1940–1980) and accessibility/amenities with late suburbanization and re-urbanization phases (1981–2019). Recession accompanied (and, in some way, consolidated) the decline of agglomeration economies, leading to counter-urbanization in some cases. As an indirect result of counter-urbanization, the population increased more rapidly in low-density coastal areas with moderate accessibility and tourism specialization. Consistently, settlement expansion has altered the persistent gap in central and peripheral locations. A polarized urban hierarchy centered on the capital city, Athens, was replaced with a more diffused growth of medium-sized cities and attractive rural locations, depicting a new development path for lagging countries in the European Union and other socioeconomic contexts worldwide.

scholarly journals Increasing vulnerability to floods in new development areas: evidence from Ho Chi Minh City

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phan N. Duy ◽  
Lee Chapman ◽  
Miles Tight ◽  
Phan N. Linh ◽  
Le V. Thuong
Keyword(s):  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Spatial Development ◽  
Urban Resilience ◽  
Property Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Compact Spaces ◽  
Coastal Cities ◽  
Planning And Management ◽  
New Development

Purpose Flooding is an emerging problem in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, and is fast becoming a major barrier to its ongoing development. While flooding is presently of nuisance value, there is a growing concern that a combination of rapid urban expansion and climate changes will significantly exacerbate the problem. There has been a trend of population being rapidly accommodated in new urban areas, which are considered highly vulnerable to floods, while the development strategy by the local government still attracts more property investments into the three new districts on the right side of Saigon River. This paper aims to discuss the increase in the number of residences vulnerable to flooding, to underline the need for more appropriate future spatial development. For the vision, an application of compact and resilient theories to strategic planning and management of this city is proposed to reduce vulnerability. This paper also highlights the need to better understand growing vulnerability to floods related to urban expansion over low-lying former wetlands and the more important role of planning spatial development accompanied with transportation investment which can contribute to flooding resilience. Design/methodology/approach This research uses combined-methods geographical information system (GIS) analysis based on secondary data of flood records, population distributions, property development (with the details of 270 housing projects compiled as part of this research) and flooding simulation. This allows an integrated approach to the theories of urban resilience and compactness to discuss the implication of spatial planning and management in relevance to flooding vulnerability. Findings The flooding situation in HCMC is an evidence of inappropriate urban expansion leading to increase in flooding vulnerability. Although climate change impacts are obvious, the rapid population growth and associated accommodation development are believed to be the key cause which has not been solved. It was found that the three new emerging districts (District 2, 9 and ThuDuc) are highly vulnerable to floods, but the local government still implements the plan for attracted investments in housing without an integrated flooding management. This is also in line with the development pattern of many coastal cities in Southeast Asia, as economic development can be seen as a driving factor. Research limitations/implications The data of property development are diversified from different sources which have been compiled by this research from the basic map of housing investments from a governmental body, the Department of Construction. The number of projects was limited to 270 per over 500 projects, but this still sufficiently supports the evidence of increasing accommodation in new development districts. Practical implications HCMC needs neater strategies for planning and management of spatial development to minimize the areas vulnerable to floods: creating more compact spaces in the central areas (Zone 1) protected by the current flooding management system, and offering more resilient spaces for new development areas (Zone 2), by improving the resilience of transportation system. Nevertheless, a similar combination of compact spaces and resilient spaces in emerging districts could also be incorporated into the existing developments, and sustainable drainage systems or underground water storage in buildings could also be included in the design to compensate for the former wetlands lost. Social implications This paper highlights the need to better understand growing vulnerability to floods related to urban expansion over low-lying former wetlands and emphasizes the more important role of planning spatial development accompanied with transportation investment which can contribute to flooding resilience. Coastal cities in southeast countries need to utilize the former-land, whereas feasibility of new land for urban expansion needs to be thoroughly considered under risk of natural disasters. Originality/value A combination of compact spaces with improved urban resilience is an alternative approach to decrease the flooding risk beyond that of traditional resistant systems and underlines the increasingly important role of urban planning and management to combat the future impacts of floods.

An independent voice for children's rights in Europe? The role of independent children's rights institutions in the EU

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel A Thomas ◽  
Karl C Hanson ◽  
Brian B Gran
Keyword(s):  
Children's Rights ◽  
Children’S Rights ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Annual Conference ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Council Of Europe ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
Distinctive Role ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThis article attempts to understand the distinctive role of independent human rights institutions for children (IHRICs) in Europe, in the context of the proposed EU strategy on the rights of the child. It begins by explaining the distinctive characteristics of IHRICs, their presence, location and organisation in Europe, and the role of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC). It goes on to examine their developing relationships, individually and collectively, with European institutions (in particular the institutions of the European Union, but also with reference to the Council of Europe). The article draws on observations of the annual conference of ENOC in 2010, and on interviews with members of ENOC. The article follows this with a discussion of how IHRICs may be understood as operating at the interface of regional, national, European and global mechanisms, and concludes with a review of current issues and some questions for future research.

scholarly journals The spread of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and the regional connectivity in West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-478
Author(s):  
Syaiful Muazir ◽  
Lestari ◽  
Muhammad Ridha Alhamdani ◽  
Muhammad Nurhamsyah
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Urban Hierarchy ◽  
Indirect Contact ◽  
West Kalimantan ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Transmission Area

At the end of 2019, a disease was identified as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 or COVID-19. The expected modes of transmission are direct or indirect contact, droplets, and aerosol. The spread of an infection can be also caused by interaction between regions and the proximity to a central transmission area. This article elucidates the connectivity between regions in West Kalimantan in relation to the spread of COVID-19 using network analysis, which shall be superimposed with the data pertaining to the spread of COVID-19. From the findings, Kubu Raya and Pontianak have a high number of COVID-19 cases, especially confirmed ones. Considering their centrality and block measurements, Kubu Raya is featured as region with the highest score (degree: 60.3; closeness: 71.4; betweenness: 75.6; and eigenvector: 82.4), close to Pontianak city as the capital city. When regarded from the context of regional connectivity, both areas serve as the main ‘gateways’ and ‘hubs’. Additionally, the role of each region in urban hierarchy, the number of residents and their proximity to one another also tend to affect the spread of COVID-19.

Natural population growth and urban management in metropolitan regions: Insights from pre-crisis and post-crisis Athens, Greece

Urban Studies ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 004209802110350
Author(s):  
Sabato Vinci ◽  
Gianluca Egidi ◽  
Rosanna Salvia ◽  
Antonio Gimenez Morera ◽  
Luca Salvati
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Natural Population ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Urban Expansion ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Southern Europe ◽  
Metropolitan Regions ◽  
Economic Downturns

Between the 1970s and the 1990s, cities in Southern Europe experienced a progressive delocalisation of population, settlements and activities over larger regions. Economic downturns have increasingly influenced more recent waves of metropolitan growth, shaping differentiated patterns of urban change. While some cities evolved towards accelerated population dynamics in central districts responding to re-urbanisation impulses, other agglomerations were intrinsically bounded in a sort of ‘late suburbanisation’, with demographic shrinkage of both inner districts and rural areas, and uneven expansion of suburban population. By providing a comprehensive interpretation of the socioeconomic mechanisms underlying recent urban expansion, this study illustrates a diachronic analysis of population dynamics over multiple spatial scales and time frames in a metropolitan region of Southern Europe (Athens, Greece) between 1999 and 2019. Natural population balance was investigated vis à vis selected territorial indicators using descriptive, inferential and multivariate statistics. Results of the analysis identify different social forces underlying suburban population growth during economic expansion (2000s) and recession (2010s), evidencing a distinctive response of local communities to economic downturns that depends mostly on the background context (affluent versus disadvantaged neighbourhoods). Given the multiplicity of territorial dimensions involved in urban growth, our findings highlight how economic downturns distinctively shape metropolitan development based on locally differentiated demographic dynamics.

scholarly journals MOSQUE AS THE CENTER OF SOCIAL LIFE OF UMMAH OF THE VOLGA FEDERAL DISTRICT

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-151
Author(s):  
I. V. Ryzhov ◽  
M. Yu. Borodina ◽  
F. A. Dorofeev
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Historical Development ◽  
Normal Development ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Political Life ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
The Russian Federation

The article is devoted to the study of the sociocultural phenomenon of the mosque by considering it as a place of prayer and also as a center of social life of the Muslim Ummah. The article describes the historical development of mosques as a sort of political centre for the Islamic community, as well as the transformation of the role of mosques in the life of nowadays Muslims. The authors give a brief description of the largest mosques that are located within the Middle East, the European Union and the Russian Federation, who claim the role of the center of social life of Muslims. On the example of the Volga Federal district and its capital city of Nizhny Novgorod, the authors analyzed the contribution of mosques in social and political life of the Muslim Ummah, and also gave some recommendations to solve the existing problems of mosques that interfere with the normal development and functioning of the Muslim Ummah in the region.

Quality assurance and quality improvement in medical practice – Part 1. Definition and importance of quality in medical practice

2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (3) ◽  
pp. 83-92
Author(s):  
Sándor Gődény
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Quality Measurement ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Management Quality ◽  
Hungarian Population ◽  
Healthcare Finance

In Hungary healthcare finance has decreased in proportion with the GDP, while the health status of the population is still ranks among the worst in the European Union. Since healthcare finance is not expected to increase, the number of practicing doctors per capita is continuously decreasing. In the coming years it is an important question that in this situation what methods can be used to prevent further deterioration of the health status of the Hungarian population, and within this is the role of the quality approach, and different methods of quality management. In the present and the forthcoming two articles those standpoints will be summarized which support the need for the integration of quality assurance in the everyday medical practice. In the first part the importance of quality thinking, quality management, quality assurance, necessity of quality measurement and improvement, furthermore, advantages of the quality systems will be discussed. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 83–92.

Solidarity and Social Justice in the European Union Seventy Years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The Role of European Judges

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 138-148
Author(s):  
Francesco Zammartino
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Universal Declaration ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
International Level ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Government Programs ◽  
Binding Force

Seventy Years after its proclamation, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, despite not having a binding force for the states, still provides at international level the fundamental text from which the principles and the values for the preservation of liberty and right of people are taken. In this article, the author particularly underlines the importance of Declaration’s article 1, which states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. With these words the Declaration presses states to undertake economic policies aimed at achieving economic and social progress for all individuals. Unfortunately, we also have to underline the lack of effective social policies in government programs of the E.U. Member States. The author inquires whether it is left to European judges to affirm the importance of social welfare.

Role of New Development Bank and Food Security in the BRICS Countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-57
Author(s):  
Pintu Kumar ◽  
Prahlad Kumar Bairwa
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Development Bank ◽  
Brics Countries ◽  
New Development

La conexión entre política de cohesión y gobernanza económica en la UE: Eficiencia del nuevo marco para abordar las consecuencias de la crisis

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-62
Author(s):  
Laura Gómez Urquijo
Keyword(s):  
Social Protection ◽  
Economic Governance ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Current Economic Crisis ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
New Economic Governance ◽  
Social Protection Systems ◽  
New Instruments

The objective of this article is to contribute to the discussion on the validity of new instruments to enhance cohesion in the European Union (EU). First, we question to which extent cohesion policy is submitted to the new economic governance. Second, we discuss this subordination affects the fulfillment of cohesion aims. This question is especially relevant due to the increase of inequalities in the current economic crisis and the great diversity among State Members (including social protection systems and expenses). Thus, our starting point is the new economic governance framework and its impact on the fulfillment of cohesion objectives. Statistical data are considered with this aim. Next, we will assess the role of European Structural and Investment Funds to eventually compensate public expense cuts, as well as its subordination to the macroeconomic government. This aspect will be contrasted through the study of Country Specific Recommendations given by the European Semester. Spanish El objetivo de este artículo es contribuir a la discusión sobre la validez de los nuevos instrumentos para fomentar la cohesión en la Unión Europea. Nos preguntamos en qué modo queda sometida la política de cohesión a la nueva gobernanza económica y cómo afecta a la efectividad para cubrir susfines. Esta cuestión es particularmente relevante ante el incremento de las desigualdades suscitado en la crisis económica actual. Por ello, nuestro punto de partida es el nuevo marco de gobernanza económica y su impacto en el cumplimiento de los objetivos de cohesión, considerando para ello datos estadísticos. A continuación, valoraremos, el papel de los Fondos Estructurales y de Inversión Europeos como posibles compensadores de la reducción del gasto público así como su subordinación al gobierno macroeconómico. Esta cuestión será contrastada también a través del examen de las Recomendaciones Específicas por país dadas por el Semestre Europeo. French Le but de cet article est de contribuer à la discussion sur la validité de nouveaux instruments pour promouvoir la cohésion dans l'UE. Nous avons considéré, d'une part, en quoi la politique de cohésion est soumise à la nouvelle gouvernance économique et, d'autre part, la façon dont elle utilise l'efficacité pour répondre à ses fins.Cette question est particulièrement pertinente étant donnée l'augmentation de l'inégalité soulevée par la crise économique actuelle, dans un contexte de grande diversité d'États membres, notamment en ce qui concerne les systèmes de protection sociale et les dépenses publiques. Par conséquent, notre point de départ s'inscrit dans le nouveau cadre de gouvernance économique et son impact sur la mise en œuvre des objectifs de cohésion, à partir de la prise en compte de données statistiques. Pour ce faire, nous évaluons le rôle des Fonds Structurels Européens, leur capacité de compenser la réduction des dépenses publiques et leur subordination au gouvernement macroéconomique. Ce e question sera également abordée par l'examen des recommandations spécifiques par pays fournies par le Semestre Européen.

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