Editorial

This issue (5.1) of Transactions of AESOP brings together a selection of papers submitted to recent rounds of the Best AESOP Congress Paper Award and an invited paper by Tuna Taşan-Kok the Chair of the AESOP Congress Paper Award Committee. They provide original and insightful contributions addressing key themes in contemporary planning research and practice.

Tips for a superior coastal natural infrastructure project

ASBPA announced the winners of the 2020 Best Restored Shores (BRS) award on 14 September 2020. This award has three goals: First, to boost recognition of the importance of shoreline restoration for building coastal resilience to climate change; second, to acknowledge the teams that put the hard work necessary to complete a project that delivers; and, third, to advance others’ capabilities and success. In this article, winners of the BRS award and the BRS Award Committee share their thoughts based on their project experience. Follow this advice and you too can implement a great coastal natural infrastructure solution and, perhaps, find your team on the receiving end of this award.

IUPAC recognized by OPCW

The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, is pleased to announce the decision of the OPCW-The Hague Award Committee to honour Robert Mikulak (US); Cheng Tang (China); and IUPAC as joint recipients of the 2019 OPCW–The Hague Award.

Implementation of R.A.9184 in DPWH Region III in the Bidding of Infrastructure Projects

Compliance to Government Procurement Act R.A.9184 by procuring entities remains the biggest challenge to realize the objectives of equality, transparency and responsibility in government procurement in the country. The study focuses on assessing the existing implementation of R.A. 9184 in the bidding of infrastructure projects of concerned District Engineering Offices in Region III by considering the constraints on its processes. There were 45 respondents answered the questionnaires gathered from the seven (7) District Engineering offices of DPWH Region III, namely, Zambales , Bataan and Pampanga. Interviews and feedbacks from the Bids and Award Committee members (BAC), BAC secretariat and Technical Working Groups (TWG) of the Procurement Division of Infrastructure projects were conducted to substantiate the answers of the respondents. The data collected were treated statistically using percentage and weighted mean. All respondents show level of awareness and understanding in the implementation of R.A 9184 of bidding process and they are able to review and re-evaluated all concerns pertaining to any ambiguity of the process. Respondents show competence on how far they understand and implement the process properly. The researchers find that there is a need in identifying minor irregularities to major irregularities to eliminate confusion in selecting the lowest responsive bidder.

And the Newbery Goes To . . . A Picturebook?

In 2016, the top prize for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children went to a picturebook: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña. Previously, only one other picturebook had won the Newbery Medal.As a member of the 2016 Newbery Award Committee, I had a voice in selecting a picturebook for the coveted Newbery Medal. But after the announcement, I started to wonder just how many picturebooks had received either the medal or the honor title in the past.

Irén Dobos horticulturalist-teacher plant protection engineer expert awarded by Antal Gulyás medallion for crop protection" in 2015 (laudation)

The Public Utility for Development of Crop Protection Teaching (NOFKA) and The Hajdú-Bihar County Regional Association of Hungarian Chamber of Crop Protection Specialists and Plant Doctors established a joined Award Committee in 2011, which intend to serve as moral appreciation to prominent persons with excellent achievements by awarding the „Antal Gulyás medallion for crop protection” which are available for outstanding teachers, researchers, and practical crop protection specialists. In 2015 dr. Irén Dobos horticulturist- teacher and plant doctor has been decorated with the „Antal Gulyás medallion for crop protection” for her “excellence in integrated plant protection practical research activity and effective knowledge transfer”.