Beyond Scattered Applications

As a decentralised digital ledger, blockchain has become a buzzword in the recent years, due to its advantageous characteristics. The application of blockchain has been associated with different implications, ranging from trust generator to increased efficiency. Recently, blockchain application has gained momentum by being implemented by different governments and public bodies, as a solution for tackling different issues, with the intent of providing more efficient public policies. Different blockchain-based systems and platforms have been increasingly introduced as a more secure and orderly alternative of delivering various public functions and services. Given the expansion of use cases in different countries and the scattered information in this regard, this chapter develops a taxonomy of blockchain outcomes in the public domain by identifying the emerging patterns and subcategories. The proposed taxonomy can support decision makers and researchers to better identify the various blockchain applications, alongside their benefits, implications, and possible associated risks.

Almoravid Works on Defensive Architecture in Southeast Al-Andalus: Analysis of Their Remains and Proposal for Preventive Conservation

In the first half of the 12th century, several military works were developed throughout the territories under Almoravid rule, above all after 1126, both in the main towns and the rural areas of the Empire. Within this context, the aim of this paper is to present the results achieved in the framework of the PREFORTI R&D Project (BIA2015-69938-R) concerning the particular case of these military constructions built in the region of Southeast Al-Andalus (Granada and Almeria, Spain). To achieve this aim, we have studied their remains during field work, as well as documentation contained in archives, written sources and historiography, focusing on the risks that affect their conservation. The analysis of six cases of study has been included, where a sample of the systematic method based on preventive conservation measures has been detailed in two particular cases: the walls of the Alcazaba Qadīma (Granada) and the walls of La Hoya and Cerro de San Cristóbal (Almeria). The proposed method has been validated by the public bodies responsible for the protection of this heritage. Its importance lies in the guarantee to slow down the deterioration of this heritage, which facilitates the implementation of effective and economic strategies for its conservation.

I progetti paesaggistici toscani quali strumenti per una migliore salvaguardia del territorio

This article discusses the landscape plans of Tuscany designed to ensure the incorporation of landscape in the diverse territorial policies and the extension of the participation of local public bodies and of civil society in the process.

Implementing the Race Equality Action Plan

The Welsh Government’s Race Equality Action Plan sets out to tackle structural racial inequalities in Wales in order to make ‘meaningful and measurable changes to the lives of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people by tackling racism’ and achieve ‘a Wales that is anti-racist by 2030’. The consultation closed in July and responses are currently being reviewed. Delivering on this ambitious vision will require concerted and carefully thought-through actions. The Welsh Government and public bodies are going to need to establish a very clear set of priorities and metrics to ensure accountability for achieving measurable race equality improvements. Building on the recommendations in WCPP’s evidence reviews on improving race equality in Wales, which informed the development of the Race Equality Action Plan, this commentary highlights some of the steps that might be necessary or helpful to make good on the Plan’s aims.

Perception of the important characteristics and conditions of bike lanes and cycle lanes in a medium-sized Brazilian city, according to cyclists

Although the rates of supporters of active mobility, especially cyclists, are considered low for most countries in Latin America, the benefits are great to the city and health of users. Understanding the profile of users of this mode of transport, their perceptions and possible difficulties is necessary to propose improvements with the competent public bodies. The aim of this study was to consult cyclists from a city in the interior of Brazil through the application of questionnaires and to assess their perception of the characteristics of the roads, the environment, the journey, the route, the journey traffic, the route, and the cyclist behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. By means of the statistical treatment, it was possible to measure the most relevant characteristics for this group, in addition to verifying that the number of vehicles was a determining factor in the perception of traffic, since there is an unreasonable dispute for space in traffic in which the bicycle is often invisible and it seen as an obstacle to the flow of motor vehicles on the roads. Based on the conclusions of the study, investments in infrastructure and urban equipment that improve the interconnection of bike lands and cycle lanes are proposed. Awareness campaigns can also encourage a greater number of users to choose the bicycle as the main means of transport.

SPRING WAS REBELLIOUS, BUT IT’S ALL OVER NOW – PUBLIC ART, POLITICS AND THE LAW IN POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA – PART ONE

Politics, art and the law make uncomfortable bedfellows. The commissioning of public art by public bodies, in particular, often gives rise to bitter controversy. As a recent ongoing public spat over the suitability of a sculpture of three large elephants in the Durban area attests, South Africa is not immune from such controversy. Using the facts of this particular case as a lens, this article seeks to address the following central question: In the context of post-apartheid South Africa, when public works of art are commissioned by public bodies, to what extent do state officials have the right to involve themselves and/or interfere in the process? After outlining salient details of the Durban elephant sculpture case, part one of this article seeks to situate the central issues raised in their historical and ideological context. It then proceeds to address the issue of the “proper” relationship to be maintained between state officialsand public art within a constitutional democracy such as South Africa. A strong case is made that the values of tolerance, openness and diversity should be central in setting the broad parameters of the present debate on this issue. In particular, it is argued that the South African state should adopt a “hands-off” and “arms-length” approach when it comes to the funding and commissioning of public art. Part one of this article concludes with a discussion on the legitimate limits to free artistic expression.

SPRING WAS REBELLIOUS, BUT IT’S ALL OVER NOW – PUBLIC ART, POLITICS AND THE LAW IN POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA – PART TWO

As pointed out in part one of this article, politics, art and the law make uncomfortable bedfellows, and the commissioning of public art by public bodies often gives rise to bitter controversy. Part one traced a recent ongoing public spat in the Durban area concerning a sculpture of three large elephants by the acclaimed international artist, Andries Botha. Using that case as a lens, part one attempted to situate the central issues surrounding the commissioning of public art by public bodies in post-apartheid South Africa within a broad historical, political and constitutional framework. Part two of this article examines certain of the more specific and salient legal issues which the authors believe South African courts dealing with matters of this kind will need to address. The possible legal rights of both the South African public when confronted with undue state interference in matters of public art, as well as those of individual artists involved in such matters, are discussed. In relation to the rights of the South African public, the constitutionality of the commissioning process itself (that is, potential constitutional constraint on the actions of public officials who commission public works of art), as well as the potential right of the general public to the preservation of works of art of “recognized stature”, is discussed. As for the rights ofindividual South African artists, a number of areas of the law – constitutional, contractual and statutory – as possible sources for such rights are examined. In particular, the “moral rights” of South African artists, protected in terms of statute, are analysed and discussed in detail. The authors conclude that the funding and commissioning of public art by public bodies in South Africa should be arms-length, and that artists should be maximally free to determine the content of their creative expression. Furthermore, public art should be as diverse as possible within South Africa’s constitutional democracy, reflective of the beautiful diversity of the country’s people. Direct political interference in matters of public art should be strenuously avoided.

Reassessing the framework for the protection of civil servant whistleblowers in the European Court of Human Rights

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or Court) has included civil servant whistleblowers in the protective ambit of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The article argues that the Court should revisit its approach to proportionality in such cases. When determining whether a restriction to a civil servant whistleblower's free speech was necessary in a democratic society, the Court weighs what the article identifies as the quasi-public watchdog function of whistleblowers (namely their role in imparting information on matters of public concern) against their duties and responsibilities as civil servants. In some instances, the Court gives primacy to whistleblowers’ duties of loyalty to the government over their contribution to the accountability of public bodies. The article challenges this approach on the basis that it fails to adequately consider the key justification that underpins the Court's recognition of whistleblowing as speech, namely the audience interest in receiving the information the whistleblower discloses. The article argues that the Court should give primacy to the watchdog function of whistleblowers. It concludes by making suggestions on how the ECtHR can adopt a more principled approach to proportionality in whistleblowing cases.

YL v Birmingham City Council [2007] UKHL 27, House of Lords

Essential Cases: Public Law provides a bridge between course textbooks and key case judgments. This case document summarizes the facts and decision in YL v Birmingham City Council [2007] UKHL 27, House of Lords. This case is concerned with the identification of public bodies and public functions under s. 6(3)(b) of the Human Rights Act 1998. The document also includes supporting commentary from author Thomas Webb.