Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
M.T. Islam; M. Islam; A.A. Nayeem; A.K. Majumder
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Air pollution and its associated health impacts have become a major concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Anthropogenic activities were significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for the opportunity for source reduction of air pollutants. ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Air pollution and its associated health impacts have become a major concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Anthropogenic activities were significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for the opportunity for source reduction of air pollutants. A number of studies have been conducted in Dhaka, but most of them are concentrated on a single ground-monitoring station, making it impossible to draw a comprehensive pollution scenario for the entire city. In contrast, this study evaluated the spatio-temporal changes of urban Particulate Matters (PM) in 70 locations from five different land use categories. Hence, this study investigated the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on PM1 (aerodynamic diameter ≤1 µm), PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm) and PM10 (aerodynamic diameter ≤10 µm) concentration during three specific time frames: November 2019 (Pre-lockdown), April 2020 (During lockdown), and November 2020 (Post-lockdown).METHODS: The data were collected through portable air quality meter (AEROQUAL 500) during lockdown (April 2020) and post-lockdown (November 2020) period. Data set of pre-lockdowns (November 2019) was collected from Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS). The Tukey’s Post Hoc Multiple Comparison Test was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSSv26) to address the significant changes in air quality between the periods. Additionally, the GIS (Geographical Information System) platform was used to see the spatial and temporal variations of PMs over the city.FINDINGS: The study found that average ground level PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 concentration reduced by 75.1, 75.4, 69.6% and 41.1, 32.6, 29.2% respectively during lockdown compared to pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods. Moreover, the reduction during lockdown was significant at α=0.05 level. The highest reduction was seen in residential areas from the pre-lockdown to lockdown period, whereas in the lockdown to post-lockdown phase that was found in the industrial areas. Interestingly, the northern part of Dhaka city was less polluted than the southern part in all three studied periods. Besides, the Dhaka city dwellers enjoyed comparatively good quality air in lockdown.CONCLUSION: This study suggested that land use-based source apportionment is required to eliminate the particulate concentration from Dhaka city. Besides, 24 hours continuous data is also important to understand the interaction between particulate concentration and climatic forces. Promoting cleaner transportation options, such as electric vehicles and public transportation is recommended as a means of reducing vehicle emissions. Furthermore, governments could consider implementing emissions regulations, setting limits on emissions, or mandating the use of cleaner fuels and technologies to reduce industrial pollution.
Human capital in urban management
A. Heravi; A. Zamani Moghadam; S.A. Hashemi; Y. Vakil Alroaia; A. Sajadi Jagharg
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to analyze the factors influencing human resource development for state-owned enterprises.METHODS: This research was an applied study concerning its objective with a descriptive-exploratory type. The study was conducted by two quantitative and qualitative ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to analyze the factors influencing human resource development for state-owned enterprises.METHODS: This research was an applied study concerning its objective with a descriptive-exploratory type. The study was conducted by two quantitative and qualitative approaches. The research statistical population included two groups for both approaches. In the qualitative approach, 22 experts were selected to design the model using fuzzy Delphi methods, structural-interpretive modeling. In the quantitative approach of 360 employees of state-owned enterprises companies were selected from the statistical population of 2738 people by the stratified random sampling method. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data and in the quantitative method used interpretive structural method, analytic network process and MICMAC.FINDINGS: The result of determining the relationships revealed that organizational factors, job factors, behavioral factors, and empowerment factors affect human resource development, respectively. The findings of weighting the factors by fuzzy network analysis process indicated that empowerment factors with a weight of 0.361 among the dimensions and the knowledge management factor with a weight of 0.132 among the components have the highest importance in the development of human resourceR. CONCLUSION: The variable “human resource empowerment” leads to success in human resource development, which needs to be improved quickly to bring success to the organization and improve its performance. The managers should pay attention to the high levels of the model and improve the relationships set between the factors to improve this factor. Considering the high significance of the “knowledge management” component, the managers’ most important measure should be focused on improving this factor followed by continuous efforts in this context since paying attention to knowledge management has the greatest impact on the success of human resource development and requires special attention.
Urban and municipalities management
S. Motahari; A. Taftiyan; M. Moeinadin
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Global events in recent months, such as the (COVID-19) pandemic, have put pressures on the public budget Especially in municipalities that have made it more difficult to understand and measure. Meanwhile, Fiscal discipline as one of the most basic concepts of optimal management ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Global events in recent months, such as the (COVID-19) pandemic, have put pressures on the public budget Especially in municipalities that have made it more difficult to understand and measure. Meanwhile, Fiscal discipline as one of the most basic concepts of optimal management of resources and expenditures requires purposeful research and in this regard, the present study was conducted to identify and ranking the factors affecting the fiscal discipline of Municipalities to improve financial aspects of urban management.METHODS: In this research, the mixed exploratory approach has been used so that the qualitative method has played an exploratory role and the quantitative method has played a confirmatory role. Also, in the qualitative stage, the Meta-Synthesis Method and in the quantitative stage, the Shannon entropy method have been used to ranking the factors.FINDINGS: By reviewing 34 studies out of 114 initial studies, researchers identified 14 indicators and 110 codes as factors affecting the Fiscal discipline of Municipalities mentioned in various studies during the years 2000 to early 2021; Identified and categorized in the form of four balanced scorecard (BSC) perspectives.CONCLUSION: The results of this research, in addition to the richness of the literature on the concept of fiscal discipline, assist municipalities in managing fiscal discipline and supervisory institutions in assessments by providing a categorized checklist of factors.
Urban social and cultural welfare
T.L.S. Mangahas
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Innovation can help the human capital of teachers to work more creatively. The job atmosphere consists of the physical environment in which teachers work and the psychological or social-emotional climate created by the interactions and relationships between teachers, students, ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Innovation can help the human capital of teachers to work more creatively. The job atmosphere consists of the physical environment in which teachers work and the psychological or social-emotional climate created by the interactions and relationships between teachers, students, and school officials. The study focused on the teaching environment of public tertiary teachers and their association with innovation.METHODS: The study employed a descriptive research method to examine the relationship between the teaching environment and innovation among tertiary teachers. 196 teachers and 28 superior respondents filled out the survey questionnaire. The instrument used the percentage and frequency to analyze the respondent’s profile data and verbal descriptions and weighted mean to describe the variables. It used the following scale: Never, Seldom, Sometimes, Often, and Always.FINDINGS:The respondent profile reveals that 53.1% are females and 46.9% are males. 36.7% of respondents have five years of teaching experience, and 30.6% have a master's degree, while 22.4% have a doctorate degree. Regarding challenging work, teachers and their superiors responded "always" to opportunities to express their ideas, with a mean rating of 4.25 and 4.29, respectively. Teachers also use innovative strategies to improve student performance, with mean ratings of 4.15 and 4.35. Teachers are recognized for a job well done in terms of organizational encouragement, with mean ratings of 3.98 and 4.14, respectively. Teachers possess the professional skills required for resources, with mean ratings of 4.05 and 4.54. Their superiors appreciate extra effort in supervisory engagement, with mean ratings of 4.20 and 4.43. Peers are supportive, with mean ratings of 4.23 and 4.25. Organizational independence was rated "seldom" by superiors on the item that some teachers ingratiate themselves with school officials to the disadvantage of their co-teachers, with a mean rating of 2.43. The result in the Culture of Innovation category shows that school officials allow teachers to try new ideas or strategies, as rated "always" by teachers and their superiors.CONCLUSION: These findings may provide teacher’s human capital development program to align the faculty in their field of specialization, minimize inbreeding and raise the quality of faculty members, and encourage senior faculty to undergo leadership capability training to prepare them how to handle sensitive positions in the university, to give opportunities to be more innovative, to engage them in high-quality research.
Information and communications technology in Urban Management
H. Moghadam; J. Nouri; M. Samimi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Solar panels are always installed at an angle in which receive the maximum amount of energy. Small and even 1-degree changes in the angle of the installed panel have a significant impact on the annual energy received. The objective of this study was to study the evaluation ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Solar panels are always installed at an angle in which receive the maximum amount of energy. Small and even 1-degree changes in the angle of the installed panel have a significant impact on the annual energy received. The objective of this study was to study the evaluation of change in the sun's radiant energy on the surface perpendicular to the radiation during the day.METHODS: Calculations of changes in the intensity of radiation on the surface of the panel are generally performed by assuming that the intensity of solar radiation is constant on the surface perpendicular to the radiation during the day (choosing the solar constant) and multiplying it by the cosine of the azimuth angle (which varies during the day). Since the sun's rays travel different lengths in the atmosphere at different times of the day, the intensity of the sun's radiation on the surface perpendicular to the radiation varies throughout the day. In this study, the effect of daily changes in the intensity of solar radiation on the surface perpendicular to the radiation, on the optimal angle of the solar panel has been investigated.FINDING: The results showed that the daily optimal angle difference reported in this study compared to previous studies is more than 5 degrees in some cases. Also, installing the panel under the optimal daily angle (for day number 100) and the correct yearly angle resulted in receiving 128.56 kilowatts per square meter and 2.977 megawatts per square meter more energy, respectively.CONCLUSION: According to the results of this research, the annual optimal angle for a geographic latitude of 30 degrees, taking into account the changes in solar radiation energy on the surface perpendicular to the radiation, is 26 degrees, which is 4 degrees different from the geographic latitude. Also, the results show that if the panel is installed at an angle of 30 degrees, the energy received annually is 16.122 megawatts per square meter less than if the panel is installed at an angle of 26 degrees.
Urban social and cultural welfare
K. Fatehi
Abstract
The central issue in strategy formulation and implementation process, or strategy-making, is the identification of environmental forces and the preparation of a plan of action to deal with them. This necessitates scanning the environment for gathering information. Environmental scanning should enable ...
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The central issue in strategy formulation and implementation process, or strategy-making, is the identification of environmental forces and the preparation of a plan of action to deal with them. This necessitates scanning the environment for gathering information. Environmental scanning should enable the firm to identify these forces. Doing this not only calls for information gathering, but also for deciding what to look for, where to look, and what to select from the very large amount of information available. These steps are based on culturally programmed perception processes. Also, strategy-making requires assessing internal capabilities of the firm. Both, internal and external steps in the strategy-making process involve perception and thinking, both of which are influenced by culture. Therefore, country differences can be expected in each step. In this regard, the process of strategy making varies among managers of different cultures. This paper addresses these issues and discusses implications of cultural differences on the strategy-making process.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
M. Zarghami; F. Nazarhaghighi; M. R. Fatemi; R. Mousavi Nadoushan; M. Sohrabi Mollayousefi; B. Moghaddasi
Abstract
Biodiversity and distribution of benthic Meiobenthos in the sediments of the Southern Caspian Sea) Mazandaran) was studied in order to introduce and determine their relationship with the environmental factors. From 12 stations (ranging in depths 5, 10, 20 and 50 meters), sediment samples were gathered ...
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Biodiversity and distribution of benthic Meiobenthos in the sediments of the Southern Caspian Sea) Mazandaran) was studied in order to introduce and determine their relationship with the environmental factors. From 12 stations (ranging in depths 5, 10, 20 and 50 meters), sediment samples were gathered in four seasons (2012). Environmental factors of water near the bottom including temperature, salinity, dissolved Oxygen and pH were measured during sampling with CTD instrument(conductivity, temperature and Depth) and the grain size and total organic matter percentage and calcium carbonate were measured in the laboratory. From the 4 group animals (Foraminfera, Crustacea, Worms and Mollusca), 40 species were identified belonging to 29 genera of 25 families belonging to meiofauna and 15 species belonging to 15 genera of 13 belonging to macrofauna. Among seven parameters evaluated, Pearson correlation showed that there is a negative correlation between density of meiobenthos, TOM and depth and there is not a correlation between macrofauna and environmental factors. However, according to the results of One Way ANOVA, the density of meiofauna was significantly different from station, season and depth, and macrofaunain was also significantly different from station and season (P<0.05). Maximum Shannon–Wiener index was observed in winter.
M. Shirafkanlamso; P. Mohammadzadeh; D. Behboudi
Abstract
Optimal housing selection is one of the most important challenges in housing demand, which most people, especially housing investors, are facing. Although there is an overall agreement on the importance of the budget role on choosing the house, the model that uniquely measures the role and impact of ...
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Optimal housing selection is one of the most important challenges in housing demand, which most people, especially housing investors, are facing. Although there is an overall agreement on the importance of the budget role on choosing the house, the model that uniquely measures the role and impact of all the factors of investment demand for housing has not been presented and no clear explanation is made. Considering the central role of budget constraints, behavioral and control factors in investment demand, this research carried out in the framework of the qualitative (method of data research method) and quantitative (polynomial logistic method) approach to explaining the mental pattern of investment demand for housing in Tabriz. The data were obtained from semi-structured interviews of 12 experts familiar with the issues of housing capital and distributing a questionnaire among 720 households in Tabriz. The result revealed 250 code, 20 concepts, and 4 categories, based on which the qualitative research model was designed. Also, the results of estimating the logit model using the STATA software indicate that important factors such as welfare and comfort aspects with a coefficient of 0.8292, access to urban services with a coefficient of 0.2287 and proximity to relatives with the coefficient of 0.2199 have had a positive and significant effect on the capital investment demand. But the close proximity of the household header with the coefficient of -0.2014 has a negative impact on the choice of housing capital.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
A. Talla; F.D. Motto; G.E. Nkeng
Abstract
This study is a contribution to the study of the spatial evolution of the properties of the municipal lake of Yaounde-Cameroon. The objective was the characterization of the physico-chemical, bacteriological and organoleptic parameters of water of this lake in order to provide the scientifically exploitable ...
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This study is a contribution to the study of the spatial evolution of the properties of the municipal lake of Yaounde-Cameroon. The objective was the characterization of the physico-chemical, bacteriological and organoleptic parameters of water of this lake in order to provide the scientifically exploitable data. To understand the sources and the evolution of the pollution of this lake, we carried out on the surface of water, fifteen samples horizontally representative and arranged on the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis of this one. Analyzes of the parameters of these samples allowed us to establish that three classes of water coexist within the expanse of this lake, in this case water of class 5 (colour = 380.3 mgPt-Co/L, conductivity at 20 °C = 3620 μS/cm, pH = 6.2, dissolved oxygen = 0.4 mg/L) at its its eastern bank; water of class 4 (101.4 ≤ colour ≤ 172.8 mgPt-Co/L, 25.7 ≤ temperature ≤ 26.1 °C, 6.6 ≤ pH ≤ 7.0, 8.9 ≤ BOD5 ≤ 20.7 mg/L, 43.0.103 ≤ total coliforms ≤ 49.7.103 CFU/100 mL) around 300 meters from its tributary and water of class 3 (54.9 ≤ colour ≤ 93.4 mgPt-Co/L, 24.2 ≤ temperature ≤ 25.5 °C ; 7.4 ≤ pH ≤ 7.7, 6.6 ≤ BOD5 ≤ 8.7 mg/L) in the rest of the lake. These water classes, as indicated above, cause this lake to be polluted differently. The study also allowed us to identify two directions of self-purification within the lake expanse.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
V. Mehdipour; M. Memarianfard; F. Homayounfar
Abstract
This research based on record and collected data from four stations at Eymir Lake, Turkey, which are monitored daily in seven months. Water quality monitoring using former methods are time-needed and expensive, while the application of gene expression programming is more understandable, rapid, and reliable ...
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This research based on record and collected data from four stations at Eymir Lake, Turkey, which are monitored daily in seven months. Water quality monitoring using former methods are time-needed and expensive, while the application of gene expression programming is more understandable, rapid, and reliable which is used in this article to provide a prediction for dissolved oxygen. The concentration of oxygen is one of the most important factors of water quality identification, which shows if water has proper ability for aquatic life, agriculture, sanitary and drink, or not. Therefore, the concentration of oxygen is one of the most important parameters, which cannot be calculated by mathematical analyses directly. Phosphor, nitrate, phosphate, dissolved nitrogen, water alkalinity, water temperature, dissolved chlorophyll, electrical conductivity, precipitation rate, wind velocity and environment temperature are parameters which used as correlated factors to better prediction of dissolved oxygen in this paper. In the best model determination coefficient and root mean square error values respectively, were found to be 0.8031 and 0.0937. Finally, the assessment of forecasted data showed that the proposed approach produces satisfactory results.
Urban and municipalities management
M. Montezarhojat; Y. Vakil Alroaia; E. Rashidi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study in qualitative section is to identify the factors affecting social media marketing in urban cyberspace and then in quantitative section, ranking these factors. Hence, the question has been raised as to what factors affect social media marketing ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study in qualitative section is to identify the factors affecting social media marketing in urban cyberspace and then in quantitative section, ranking these factors. Hence, the question has been raised as to what factors affect social media marketing in urban cyberspace?METHODS: Due to the exploratory nature of this research, it is not possible to provide an initial answer or hypothesis to the aforementioned question, and the final answer has been obtained using the theme analysis approach. In addition, based on the Analytic Network Process multi-criteria decision-making technique, the priority of the elements affecting social media marketing was discussed. In order to collect the data and get the opinions of experts, professors of the Iran Broadcasting University and senior media managers, in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants who were selected using the theoretical sampling method as well as the snowball method.FINDINGS: Through a reciprocal process based on the theme analysis, key concepts associated with the social media marketing in urban cyberspace were extracted and finally, 1 pervasive theme and 32 subthemes were identified and categorized within the 4 main themes including factors related to marketing, competitive, and managerial factors, as well as, factors related to the social media. Also, the results from Analytic Network Process shows the preference value (Φ) of these factors respectively include the parameters of: Marketing-related factors (Φ=0.169); Managerial (Φ= 0.163); Competitiveness (Φ=0.139); and Social media (Φ=-0.133).CONCLUSION: Presence of media in novel communication space with its general and special audiences is an opportunity which should not be ignored by the National Media. Compared to the commercial advertisements in various radio and Television channels, marketing in this atmosphere is likely to make less money (particularly at the early days), but such presence is highly significant. According to the results, the most important factors affecting social media marketing in urban cyberspace are Marketing-related factors, Managerial, Competitiveness and Social media factors.
Human capital in urban management
M.R. Bahadoran; H. Ghasemi; A. Farahani; M. Hoseini
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Knowledge is a key factor and strategic resource for gaining assets and non-functional organizational capabilities. Knowledge Management is the knowledgeable process of creating, validating, presenting, distributing and using the knowledge in an organization. Successful organizations ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Knowledge is a key factor and strategic resource for gaining assets and non-functional organizational capabilities. Knowledge Management is the knowledgeable process of creating, validating, presenting, distributing and using the knowledge in an organization. Successful organizations consider human resource development as a fundamental principle. Many organization find their knowledge management process to be ignored by the employees. Gamification is a way of enhancing knowledge management with game design elements to increase employee’s engagement, content creation and satisfaction.METHODS: The research method was descriptive-survey and based on variance-based structural equation modeling. The statistical population included 384 employees of the sports organization of selected metropolises. The statistical sample size was determined by stratified random sampling method, 384 employees who answered the research tools: questionnaires of gamification, performance improvement and knowledge management. The validity of the instrument was confirmed by 5 professors of sports management and their reliability was calculated with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and combined reliability in the dimensions of the questionnaires, higher than 0.696 and 0.757, respectively. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics tests and sobel test in SPSS 22.0 and SmartPLS 2.0.FINDINGS: The relationship between research constructs with their dimensions, gamification with performance improvement and knowledge management with performance improvement of positive and significant research model (T≥2.86) and research model fit (GOF = 0.589) was evaluated as strong. As a result, managers of metropolitan municipal sports organizations can play a mediating role in the relationship between gamification and performance improvement by implementing knowledge management in the organization.CONCLUSION: According to the research results, although gamification is an effective factor in improving employee performance, but knowledge management plays a crucial role. Therefore, it is suggested that municipal sports managers pay special attention to knowledge management and gamification to improve employee performance.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
P. Nwaerema; S.N. Jiya
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated temperature and urban heat island variability in days of the week and weekends of Port Harcourt city, due to the continuous heat stress and resultant health disaster common in tropical countries such as Nigeria. METHODS: The data were generated from field ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated temperature and urban heat island variability in days of the week and weekends of Port Harcourt city, due to the continuous heat stress and resultant health disaster common in tropical countries such as Nigeria. METHODS: The data were generated from field observation and Satellite Remote Sensing using Google Earth Engine of Landsat 5, 7, and 8 thermal infrared sensors. Temperature data from the field were captured with LCD Digital Multi-Thermometer Loggers located at different land-use types of 35 sample points in wet and dry seasons. Analysis of Variance was used to establish the temperature difference between days of the week and weekend. FINDINGS: The rural site during days of the week had temperature of 29.30C and the weekend had 29.50C indicating a concentration of human activities at the rural fringes during the weekend. The temperature of Saturday and Sunday varied between 33.20C and 27.60C (5.60C) with an urban heat island difference of 1.90C. Saturday was the coolest day having 3.70C. During days of the week, Monday had the highest UHI of 70C with the least UHI of 4.20C recorded on Friday showing the coolest day. The temperature difference between days of the week and weekend was 0.20C and UHI variation of 0.40C indicating that days of the week were warmer. The result showed that temperature in days of the week and the weekend differed significantly. CONCLUSION: It was established that days of the week contributed 52% of the temperature condition of Port Harcourt city and weekend donated 48% showing that 3,095,342 occupants of the city experienced lesser thermal stress during the weekend. Thus, the study concluded that the temperature of urban areas decreased from the city center to the rural fringes. The land surface temperature indicated that the north-eastern part of the city was the warmest. The study recommends proactive city planning and management framework with effective urban greening implementation for a healthy city living.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
O.P Agboola; S.D. Zakka; S.A. Olatunji
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are indications that climate change and its consequences are already creating threats to the built environment in Nigeria. These environmental threats have negative implications for healthy, well-being, and urban sustainability. This empirical study aim to identify how ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are indications that climate change and its consequences are already creating threats to the built environment in Nigeria. These environmental threats have negative implications for healthy, well-being, and urban sustainability. This empirical study aim to identify how climate change has influenced the built environment in Nigeria's South-Western region, considering the following objectives: to explore the reasons for climate change in South-western, Nigeria, to determine the consequences of environmental issues on inhabitant health in South-western, Nigeria; and to critically determine the key measures of climate change mitigation and adaptation to enhance the environmental sustainability of the Southwestern region of Nigeria.METHODS: An empirical quantitative method comprising 300 questionnaires survey was administered, and 235 were retrieved and used as a sample population for the research analysis. The distribution of questionnaires was based on the convenience sampling methods among professionals within the built environment. The internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (α), and the analysis was performed using the Statistical Software program; SPSS for Windows, version 22.FINDINGS: The results from descriptive analysis revealed that Land-degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution, deforestation, urbanization, health challenges and population growth are predictors factors of climate change with mean scores of 4.2576, 4.2300, 4.0775, 4.0875, 4.1075, 3.8450 and 4.0925 respectively. Furthermore, the research showed a causal linkage relationship of climate change and the factors of land degradation, biodiversity, pollution and deforestation of (p<0.001). Generally, the results affirm that the predictors of climate change are attributed to the factors of land degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution, urbanization and deforestation in the region.CONCLUSION: The research gives an understanding about the impacts of climate change in the south west region, Nigeria and remains a veritable document to government and policy maker towards the prevention and mitigating measures on climate change impacts. The outcome of the research has revealed negative impacts of environmental issues on inhabitants’ health through air pollution, temperature related effects and mental related infectious diseases. The climate change mitigation and adaptations results agreed that greening the environment/green infrastructure, provision of stronger urban-rural connections and promulgation of law that discourages human activities impacts are few among the items recommended in mitigating and combating the impacts of climate change in South-western Nigeria.
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
R. Farhady; E. Tamimi
Abstract
This research has been conducted with the aim of analyzing the spatial distribution of existing cultural land use in district 3 of Tehran Municipality and proposal for new site selection for cultural land use in this district. After studying previous researches on the issues of land use and site selection, ...
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This research has been conducted with the aim of analyzing the spatial distribution of existing cultural land use in district 3 of Tehran Municipality and proposal for new site selection for cultural land use in this district. After studying previous researches on the issues of land use and site selection, 13 indicators for locating cultural land use were identified then by using distance mapping and according to their compatibility or incompatibility with cultural land use, land valuation was obtained. By overlaying data layers and applying their weight using Geographical Information Systems, the best places for new cultural land use were specified. The results showed that distribution of cultural land use in district 3 of Tehran is not desirable in terms of proper site selection and these places have been chosen randomly and without prior planning. So after investigating suitable sites for construction of cultural centers, optimal sites in accordance and matching with ground realities were identified, And finally proposal to create new cultural centers in the region were prioritized The research methodology was descriptive-analytical.
Human capital in urban management
M. Kumar; P. Pandey
Abstract
This paper presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of this decision and how it relates to wage setting and the provision of general training. The theoretical framework is a promotion tournament involving M competing firms with heterogeneous productivities, two-level job hierarchies, and a fixed ...
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This paper presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of this decision and how it relates to wage setting and the provision of general training. The theoretical framework is a promotion tournament involving M competing firms with heterogeneous productivities, two-level job hierarchies, and a fixed number of managerial positions. This paper also considers an alternative model based on variation in the quality of the worker-employer match. Both models predict the following results: As the number of workers at the lower level of the hierarchy increases, holding fixed the number of managers at the top, 1) internal promotion increases relative to external recruitment, 2) employers provide more general training, 3) the percentage of employees in the upper tail of the wage distribution decreases, 4) profitability increases. This paper tests these predictions using data from the 2017 wave of the WERS, a nationally-representative cross section of Indian establishments. The empirical results are supportive and contribute to the literature some new stylized facts concerning how key employer decisions vary with both the size and shape of the organizational hierarchy.
Information and communications technology in Urban Management
S. Tootian
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the evaluation of training courses applied in succession planning in organizations using the CIPP model. This was an applied research in terms of purpose and descriptive-survey in terms of data gathering type. Statistical population of the study included 100 ...
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The objective of this study was to examine the evaluation of training courses applied in succession planning in organizations using the CIPP model. This was an applied research in terms of purpose and descriptive-survey in terms of data gathering type. Statistical population of the study included 100 employees of Chamber of Commerce, of which a sample size of 80 people were selected using the random sampling method and Cochran formula. Face validity and content validity were also used to assess the validity of questionnaire and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to calculate its reliability that the value of them was higher than 0.7, and the results indicated the validity and reliability of the researcher-made questionnaire. To analyze the data, with respect to research questions, descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency distribution tables and charts) and inferential statistics (confirmatory factor analysis and one-sided one-sample t test) were applied using SPSS and PLS software. The results revealed that context, input, output (product) and process components in the evaluation model of training courses used in succession planning are at a favorable level.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
M. Sawairnathan; N. Halimoon
Abstract
The Kuala Selangor mangrove forest are facing massive reclamation for economic development but the conservation aspect and fisheries values of mangroves have been ignored in the decision-making process. The local community support and awareness of the mangrove forest conservation are still doubtful. ...
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The Kuala Selangor mangrove forest are facing massive reclamation for economic development but the conservation aspect and fisheries values of mangroves have been ignored in the decision-making process. The local community support and awareness of the mangrove forest conservation are still doubtful. The aim of the study is to analyse the local community perception on the mangrove forest conservation and management by the current and future development factor. Statistical data was generated using the SPSS software version 22 to develop a descriptive analysis and cross tabulation chi- square for data analysis and interpretation. The results reveal that knowledge and perception towards the mangrove forest are influenced by the socio-demographic factors such as age, level of education, occupation, living duration and distance from the mangrove forest. The data analysed showed that the distance of living from mangrove forest had a positive relationship towards mangrove conservation followed by age and education. Education plays a role in increasing the community awareness and appreciation of the mangrove ecology. The outcome of the study could be utilized by the policy maker and local authority by taking into account the community perception of mangrove forest development, encouraging the community participation in the decision-making process and selecting a sustainable livelihood option for the mangrove forest.
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
W.O. Omollo; R.O. Opiyo
Abstract
Although previous studies have attempted to address the challenge of land subdivision, there is still a scarcity in the literature on how the extent of conformity to land subdivision planning regulations may be statistically and spatially analyzed. This study, therefore, explores the extent to which ...
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Although previous studies have attempted to address the challenge of land subdivision, there is still a scarcity in the literature on how the extent of conformity to land subdivision planning regulations may be statistically and spatially analyzed. This study, therefore, explores the extent to which residential developers comply with land subdivision planning regulations in Kenya, a case study of Kisii Town. It was guided by the public interest theory of regulation with a target population of 7,430 residential developments from the seven sublocation neighbourhoods of Kisii Town. Four administrative sublocations were used as strata out of which proportional random samples were drawn from their respective residential neighbourhoods to attain a sample size of 364. Structured checklists were used to collect data on the extent of conformity. Results revealed that although the recommended minimum plot size in Jogoo, Nyamataro and Nyanchwa neighbourhoods was 0.1 ha, 84%, 100% and 88% of developers did not respectively comply. Further, although the recommended minimum plot size for Egesa, Daraja Mbili, Mwembe and Nyamage neighbourhoods was 0.05 ha, 83%, 46%, 58% and 63% of developers failed to, in that order, comply. The problem continues notwithstanding the legal framework that grants the County Government of Kisii powers of development control. Key recommendations comprised establishing a coordinating committee to harmonize agencies that deal with land subdivisions and ensuring that only registered persons’ process of land subdivisions. This study generally benefits international readers by highlighting how compliance with recommended land subdivision planning regulations may be statistically and spatially analyzed.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
S.R. Chikabvumbwa; D. Sibale; S.W. Chisale
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The use of traditional site selection methods for potential irrigation schemes is so common in Malawi. The overdependence of these methods has had significant consequences on the environment such as pollution, siltation, and land degradation and soil erosion. Traditional selection ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The use of traditional site selection methods for potential irrigation schemes is so common in Malawi. The overdependence of these methods has had significant consequences on the environment such as pollution, siltation, and land degradation and soil erosion. Traditional selection of irrigation sites is a complex task which is time-consuming, costly and involves collection of a lot of data sets. However, advances in Geographic Information Systems present an opportunity to easily integrate complex systems involving a lot of data sets. The objective of this study was to identify potential areas for irrigation farming in Kasungu district in Malawi using hybrid spatial datasets. METHODS: Multi criteria decision analysis approach was used in Arc GIS 10.8 to analyze datasets such as slopes, rivers, land use, soil types, soil depths, water quality, water quantity and drainage patterns. A questionnaire was used to solicit expert views on factors to consider when siting feasible irrigation areas. FINDING: This study observed that the use of Geographic Information System in irrigation site selection is flexible and time efficient due to its ability of handling complex and huge volume of datasets. Moreover, the produced maps enhanced an easy understanding of the identified areas hence providing an aid to making right decisions in environmental management. The study found that in Kasungu district, 36.9% of the land is highly suitable, 20.7% is moderately suitable, 33.1% is lowly suitable and 9.3% is not suitable for irrigation. CONCLUSION:This paper provides good information on promoting the utilization of GIS to solve site selection problems in a bid to reduce soil erosion, pollution and improve land management. The study recommends the promotion of using GIS in government agencies for better decision-making in sustainable irrigation development. The scientific approach used in this study can also be extrapolated in the assessment and evaluation of water resources in Malawi.
Human capital in urban management
T. Nikraftar
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of Jihadi camps on the identity formationof teenagers in Iran. Seventy-six campers participated in the study and were randomly divided into control(n = 42) and experimental groups (n =34). The control group does not follow the camp’s regular ...
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The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of Jihadi camps on the identity formationof teenagers in Iran. Seventy-six campers participated in the study and were randomly divided into control(n = 42) and experimental groups (n =34). The control group does not follow the camp’s regular program whilethe experimental group attended to the camp’s regular program. All participants completed the DellasIdentity Status Inventory, this questionnaire consists of two subscales of achievers: commitment andexploration. The results revealed statistically significant differences between the experimental andnonexperimental group, in two specific attitude subscales. These findings imply that participation in thisparticular camp can have a positive influence on teenagers’ professional Identity.
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
W. O. Omollo
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Universities have customarily been seen as agents of development in the regions they serve owing to their roles of teaching, research, innovation and community extension. There is however a dearth of knowledge on how they influence land use change with a specific reference ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Universities have customarily been seen as agents of development in the regions they serve owing to their roles of teaching, research, innovation and community extension. There is however a dearth of knowledge on how they influence land use change with a specific reference to compliance with planning standards. This paper therefore through a case study investigates the impacts that the growth of Kisii University has on land use change in Nyamage, a neighbourhood where it is situated within Kisii Municipality, Kenya. It subsequently links the observed change to compliance with planning standards.METHODS: Guided by the theory of regulatory compliance, the study adopted a case study research design with a sample size of 226 drawn from 577 developments in Nyamage. Spatial data on land use change was collected using satellite images from Google Earth covering three epochs of 2005, 2014 and 2021. Analysis was undertaken using GIS. Data investigating compliance with planning standards were conversely collected using an observation checklist, land survey maps and analyzed using a one-sample t-test and paired t-test.FINDINGS: The study established that in 2005, forest, short vegetation, transitional and built-up areas respectively covered 17%, 39%, 34% and 11%. These by 2021 correspondingly changed by 46%, -10%, -29% and 57% for the forest, short vegetation, transitional and built-up areas. The latter recorded the highest land use change, a condition mainly credited to the hostels built by private developers in an attempt to meet a demand created by students who could not find accommodation within the university. Research findings further disclosed that developments around the university were not complying with the planning standards used in regulating plot sizes, building coverage ratio and road reserves, leading to land use conflicts.CONCLUSION: The establishment and growth of Kisii University have remarkably influenced land use change, which in the absence of development control contributes to the disregard of planning standards. This is because the government mainly sees universities as an avenue for spurring regional economic growth with less attention on their spatial implications. These findings may enlighten policy-making institutions with critical information for effective planning and development control around universities. The study also fills a gap that hitherto existed on the nexus between land use change and compliance with planning standards as relates to the growth of universities. It additionally enlightens the international audience on how the impacts of universities growth on land use may be evaluated through a triangulation of spatial and statistical approaches.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
O.F. Olusunmade
Abstract
This study was carried out to reveal the plastic wastes separation practice and disposal mechanism as well as awareness of the negative impact of plastic wastes on the environment, in Makurdi area of Benue State, Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered to 468 individual respondents in 6 sub-locations ...
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This study was carried out to reveal the plastic wastes separation practice and disposal mechanism as well as awareness of the negative impact of plastic wastes on the environment, in Makurdi area of Benue State, Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered to 468 individual respondents in 6 sub-locations of the city. Inquisition was also made from 10 hospitals, 6 market centers and the waste management body. The results revealed that 81.2% of the respondents do not separate plastic wastes from other waste stream. All the hospitals and markets do not sort at all. The government agency responsible for the final management of the waste stream does not have a practice of sorting plastic wastes from the whole waste collected with a view to achieving material and energy recovery. The most adopted methods of disposal for plastic wastes by all the stakeholders considered are dumping/burning and dumping. 50.4% of the respondents adopted dumping/burning as a disposal method for plastic wastes while 19.2% burn theirs. Although almost 50% of the population examined for the study claimed to be aware of the dangers of plastic wastes, there is still indifference in the way these wastes are handled as can be observed by the indiscriminate dumping of these wastes, creating litters around the environment. These result revealed a need for the development of a proactive and sustainable management system involving individuals, businesses, hospital managements and waste management body that will protect the environment and enhance resource and energy recovery from plastic wastes.
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
P. Shehu; L.S. Rikko; M.B. Azi; D.B. Bawa; A.Y. Taimako
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: One of the fascinating and complex realities of global development in the 21st century is urbanization. The present study focused on appraising the spatial pattern, nature, and growth drivers in selected peri-urban areas of Jos Metropolis. Accuracy assessment and classification ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: One of the fascinating and complex realities of global development in the 21st century is urbanization. The present study focused on appraising the spatial pattern, nature, and growth drivers in selected peri-urban areas of Jos Metropolis. Accuracy assessment and classification of Landsat Satellite Images, evaluation of the spatial pattern of growth, the nature of growth, and the driving forces of growth were conducted.METHODS: Data were collected through field observation and questionnaire administration, use of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System, Global Positioning System, and camera. Satellite imageries used to identify the classes of LULC from 1999 to 2022 were Thematic Mapper (L5_TM) 1999, Landsat 7 ETM+ 2014, and Landsat 8 ETM+ 2022. GPS was used for Ground Truthing, and IDRISI Taiga software was used for image classification and area calculation. ArcGIS 10.1 used to visualize the satellite images and produce maps. FINDINGS: Results revealed a definite growth rate pattern and land modification trends in the peri-urban areas over the study period. Between 1999 and 2014, fast growth was observed in Farin Gada and Rantya at 42.5% and 35.8% change, respectively; there was slow growth in Sabon-Gari at 7.0% proportion. From 2014 to 2022, growth in Farin-Gada (41.9%), Rantya (35.9%), and Rahowl Kanang (21.9%) proceeded rapidly with Sabon-Gari maintaining the least growth (0.3%). The study observed a linear growth pattern along arterial roads and a dispersed pattern proceeded by land fragmentation as built-ups spread farther from the road corridors. The nature of growth in the peri-urban areas was significantly unplanned, irregular, and disorderly and observed to be massively taking over agricultural land and swallowing up adjoining settlements. The study identified eight drivers that contributed to shaping and propelling growth in the areas.CONCLUSION: The study recommended that the government should integrate the peri-urban areas into its physical development planning schemes and should enforce an effective Development Control mechanism to manage the spatial growth of these areas. The findings will help planners and policy-makers make informed and unified decisions beyond administrative boundaries. The study also adds to the body of knowledge globally and provides the bases for further research.
Human capital in urban management
S.A. Vedra; M.J.O Baclayon; J.L. Labalan; D.D. Gonzales; H.E. Dejarme; J.P. Juario; P.G. Roxas
Abstract
Declining fish catch, conversion of mangroves into fish ponds and overexploitation of coastal resources were rampant among the coastal areas of Philippines. Hence, the national government initiated the implementation of Philippine National Aquasilviculture Program aimed to achieve food security, promote ...
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Declining fish catch, conversion of mangroves into fish ponds and overexploitation of coastal resources were rampant among the coastal areas of Philippines. Hence, the national government initiated the implementation of Philippine National Aquasilviculture Program aimed to achieve food security, promote sustainable development of fisheries resources, and reduce poverty incidence among fisherfolk and other disadvantaged groups. To this, the Mindanao State University at Naawan served as the academic partner of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 in implementing three major projects namely, mangrove plantation, aquasilviculture and king crab hatchery in the community. Several people’s organizations in Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte served as the project beneficiaries and implementors, particularly on mangrove plantation and aquasilviculture projects. After a year of mangrove planting, 621,852 living propagules survived (48.47%) from 1,282,770 propagules planted. In terms of aquasilviculture project, bangus cultured had a harvest of 3,513 from 4,500 juveniles reared, while only 50 individuals matured crabs were harvested out of 8,700 crablets raised simultaneously with the bangus in the same aquasilviculture pens. Hatchery of king crab attained ~1% zoeas that turned to megalopa stage. Only few reached to crablet stage due to severe cannibalism and microbial contamination. Major challenges of the project included the lack of support from local governments, internal issues of the organizations and natural disturbances like storm occurrences. All issues and concerns were brought to the partners people’s organizations and Regional Steering Committee for further deliberations and appropriate actions should similar projects be undertaken in the future.
