Spatial Distribution and Mechanism of Urban Occupation Mixture in Guangzhou: An Optimized GeoDetector-Based Index to Compare Individual and Interactive Effects

Numerous studies have been devoted to uncovering the characteristics of resident density and urban mobility with multisource geospatial big data. However, little attention has been paid to the internal diversity of residents such as their occupations, which is a crucial aspect of urban vibrancy. This study aims to investigate the variation between individual and interactive influences of built environment factors on occupation mixture index (OMI) with a novel GeoDetector-based indicator. This study first integrated application (App) use and mobility patterns from cellphone data to portray residents’ occupations and evaluate the OMI in Guangzhou. Then, the mechanism of OMI distribution was analyzed with the GeoDetector model. Next, an optimized GeoDetector-based index, interactive effect variation ratio (IEVR) was proposed to quantify the variation between individual and interactive effects of factors. The results showed that land use mixture was the dominating factor, and that land use mixture, building density, floor area ratio, road density affected the OMI distribution directly. Some interesting findings were uncovered by IEVR. The influences of cultural inclusiveness and metro accessibility were less important in factor detector result, while they were found to be the most influential in an indirect way interacting with other built environment factors. The results suggested that both “hardware facilities” (land use mixture, accessibility) and “soft facilities” (cultural inclusiveness) should be considered in planning a harmonious urban employment space and sustainable city.

Interculturalism as a means toward cultural inclusiveness and cross-cultural dialogue:

Using a case study approach, this article explores the role of the Jose Domingo de Obaldia maternity hospital in Western Panama, and its policies and practices for responding to the cultural differences between Panamanian hospital staff and pregnant Ngöble Buglé patients, and their different understanding of health and illness that has been shaped by principles of traditional medicine. Using a range of in-depth interviews with hospitality staff and management and intercultural interpreters, this study explores how cultural aspects and differences can be of a compound and complex nature, requiring strong intercultural understanding, awareness andcross-cultural dialogue. The case of the Ngöble Buglé illustrates how interculturalism can foster such cultural inclusiveness and cross-cultural dialogue, and how interculturalism can have implications for other Indigenous communities in Latin America, and for non-Indigenous communities facing increasingly cultural diverse environments and contexts.

Ethically Responsible Knowledge Organization Systems: Towards an Intercultural User Interface

PURPOSE/THESIS: This paper discusses the challenges of creating a theoretic framework within the context of an intercultural and ethically responsible knowledge organization system (KOS). APPROACH/METHODS: First, the paper explores ethical and societal concerns linked to the development of KOS. Second, it illustrates a way to tackle this ethical factor by proposing an applicable architecture for intercultural interfaces which respects cultural diversity on a global scale. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The author emphasizes the importance of opening up the notion of cultural inclusiveness, to weigh not only linguistic diversity but also other cultural and social aspects, such as geography, religious affiliations, tradition, historical elements, ethnic. This kind of approach should be attentive to intersectionality and cultural interoperability. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: By addressing local circumstances, the author offers insights into essential approaches that take into account cultural diversity when designing KOS and access interfaces to knowledge.

The Human Security Dimension of China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Despite the geopolitical calculations associated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and how this will allow Beijing greater influence in transregional relations, the human security dimension goes to the heart of China’s wider regional strategy. The importance of development cannot be understated even as the “rise of China” attracts the headlines. How well Beijing can engage wider human security concerns will be crucial for the success of this megaproject. It is argued that the human security aspect of China’s Belt and Road Initiative requires a stronger ethical base—one which draws on China’s own Confucian heritage. This allows for both cultural inclusiveness and the promotion of higher levels of trust towards Beijing’s policies and intentions.