Romania’s urban policy in the context of COVID-19 pandemic time

Under the conditions of frequent changes, of some edifying transformations and perpetual challenges, urban policy undergoes changes/adjustments/updates over certain time intervals. These changes generate increasingly more complex requirements that impose drafting a flexible multidisciplinary framework able to support the future development of a territory. In full debate-process, the new urban policy of Romania promotes sustainability, resilience and inclusive growth, on the background of a critical period under the dominance of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic. This new policy brings around the discussion table experts from relevant fields: decision factors, urbanists, economists, architects, citizens, civic initiative groups, etc. The national urban policy must address all categories of urban areas (defined as a city area considered as the inner city plus built-up environs, irrespective of local body administrative boundaries), being fundamental in implementing the goals set by the New EU Urban Agenda, approved in the framework of the Habitat III conference of the United Nations (2016) and the new provisions of the New Leipzig Charter (2020). Urban policy must ensure a single planning framework that would support the implementation of the programs and projects financed from European and national funds, preparing thus the financial exercise 2021-2027. Considering the above mentioned, the present paper aims to review the important and strategic elements of the future urban policy from Romania and its role in promoting and supporting balanced territorial development under the conditions of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic crisis which is far from over.

Exploring unbalanced urban spatial expansion in sprawling cities. Case study of Kimara Matangini, Kibululu and Dovya settlements in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania

Unbalanced urban expansion characterize urban growth in rapidly urbanizing cities in the global south. This pattern of growth has resulted into difficulties in provision of services which leads to challenges of livability within settlements. Services such as education, health, water supply and road network are not easily accessible because of unbalanced growth. Balanced urban growth is concerned with three key themes: place, people and planning. The aim of this study is to help policy makers, local governments, developers and service providers to analyze and visualize different options and scenarios to achieve balanced urban expansion. The overall goal of balanced urban spatial expansion is to achieve livable, sustainable, resilient and affordable cities. This paper adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches for data collection and subsequent analysis and captured empirical evidence from primary and secondary data sources. The key methods included; literature review, interviews and observations. The research was conducted in three settlements with a sub-ward status namely; Kimara Matangini, Kibululu and Dovya. Finding indicates that the drivers of urban spatial growth are related to economic and social factors, people’s choice and satisfaction of residential areas, modalities in land acquisition, provision or non-provision of services, mobility and proximity to services and at times, planning intervention. Yet the emerging development pattern pose some challenges to residents settling in these areas because of unavailability of longer distances to basic services. This pattern of growth has culminated into unbalanced urban growth. This study recommends that the government in collaboration with key stakeholders should strengthen development control even in unplanned settlements so as to monitor development and potential service requirements, acquire parcels of land for future service provision, strengthen regularization activities to provide for land reserves for infrastructure and conduct a city wide analysis on the unbalance pattern especially in rapidly urbanizing peri-urban areas.

Peculiarities of local elections in pre-war Romania. The chrono-spatial distribution of key electoral variables (1864-1914)

The article analyzes the chrono-spatial distribution of some electoral variables – the turnout, the political preferences of the voters and the political representation in the local councils (county and / or communal) – in pre-war Romania (1864-1914). Regarding the voters turnout, there is a downward trend, favored by some legislative measures (declaring the winner of the list submitted by a party, if it is the only one registered). The political preferences of the electorate were directed, predominantly, towards the big pre-war parties – Liberal or Conservative – with a modest presence of other formations, while only representatives of the two mentioned formations entered the local councils. The results of the local elections are very similar to the legislative ones (for the Assembly of Deputies and / or the Senate).

Critical Appraisal of an Example of Best Practice in Urban Sustainability

Urban centers are key to achieving the global goals of sustainability. Urban sustainability entails having thriving cities that fulfill their needs without impacting the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem. Achieving urban sustainability is, therefore, an important goal as sustainable urban centers portend numerous benefits to the ecosystem. This paper critically appraises Singapore as a best practice in Urban Sustainability. It reviews the literature on urban sustainability and discusses the high and low-performing sectors in Singapore. It finds a gap in contemporary urban sustainability metrics whereby most of the globally acclaimed Urban Sustainability Indicators do not measure universal design for inclusivity as an aspect of urban sustainability. This study, therefore, includes it as a measure and appraises it. High-performing areas highlighted in this study comprise education; universal design for inclusivity; transportation; people-centered approach; water and energy management; healthcare, safety and security; and food security. Areas for improvement comprise self-sufficiency in food production, urban heat island effect, and public participation and social welfare. The aim is to serve as a lesson to cities worldwide as they work towards achieving urban sustainability and provide key information to policymakers as they seek to improve the sustainability of their urban environment.

Nuclear energy in the context of climate change

Human society faces the great challenge of drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions while providing increased amounts of energy. Although the share of renewable energy sources has increased in recent years, fossil fuels are still widely used and burning them makes large amounts of carbon dioxide enter the atmosphere. However, renewable energy sources may not be able to supply in time enough energy to replace fossil fuels. Under the circumstances, the question arises as to whether nuclear energy could play a significant role in mitigating climate change. Although there is still confidence and support for nuclear energy, it is unlikely that this energy source will make a greater contribution to combating climate change in the coming decades. This study analyzes the current state of nuclear energy, as well as the development prospects in the context of climate change and risks to the environment and human health.

The COVID-19 crisis worsens with the occurrence of climate extremes and disasters

Climate change and the associated weather extreme events are a major threat to humanity as it affects agriculture and food security. Climate change disaster is on the increase as the global temperature keeps rising. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been complicated by climate change and related extreme events especially with the imposed lockdown which has affected the global economy. The COVID-19 has killed over 4 million persons with the USA, Brazil and India being the worst affected nations. Thus, the multi-hazard scenario presented by extreme events like drought, flood and cyclones this period of the pandemic worsened its spread as it affected social distancing and personal hygiene as many people are crammed in camps and water become scarce for handwashing. It is suggested for countries to strengthen their emergency department by boosting the staff component, provide adequate technical support and develop detailed plans for multi-hazard preparedness.

Apulia agro-biodiversity between rediscovery and conservation: the case of the «Salento km0» network

Green Revolution and the birth of the current global economic system had two opposite, subsequent effects. If, initially, they led to processes of crop homogenization, seasonal adjustment, homogenization of the landscape and markets standardization, they have subsequently pushed local communities towards a recovery of endemic biodiversity at risk of extinction because of such planetary processes, as well as a fundamental element in terms of local development, food security and sovereignty and reduction of environmental impacts. Starting from these instances of recovery and protection, which are increasingly taking place in Apulia, this work will examine both projects created "from above" and initiatives "from below", being the latter the result of a new consciousness that renews social cohesion and gives new value to the territorial milieu. In this regard, the case of the Salento km0 network will be examined: born in 2011 and now made up of 61 local subjects including producers, restaurateurs, associations, ethical purchasing groups and traditional stores, which represent a key symbol of a territory that resists and a population that has chosen to stay and innovate according to economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability.