Human capital in urban management
T. Nikraftar; M. Jalali
Abstract
Many studies have found that the perceived authenticity of cultural and religious events affects event satisfaction and loyalty. Little is currently known about how perceived authenticity is affected by the facilities, such as food and the availability of information, which are independent determinants ...
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Many studies have found that the perceived authenticity of cultural and religious events affects event satisfaction and loyalty. Little is currently known about how perceived authenticity is affected by the facilities, such as food and the availability of information, which are independent determinants of satisfaction and loyalty. This study aims to examine the antecedents of event loyalty. Questionnaire data were collected from 315 tourists participated in Ashoura event. This article explores this complex relationship using empirical data collected through a survey conducted during 2017 Ashoura event. The results indicate 53% of the variance of the event loyalty followed by event satisfaction and 35% of it belongs to event perceived authenticity. In addition, the results show that the greater the perceived authenticity with the event leads to the higher the degree of satisfaction with the event as indicated by a parameter estimated as 0.56 (p < 0.01). However, the relationship between facilities and event loyalty is no significant (0.006; p > 0.01). Based on the findings, the study concluded that facilities influence tourists’ loyalty through event satisfaction and perceived existential authenticity.
Human capital in urban management
M. Sabokro; M. Tajpour; E. Hosseini
Abstract
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 ...
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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. This study aims to investigate the Knowledge Management Effect on Managers Skills Improvement. The present study is practical and the data collection method is descriptive. The statistical population includes 200 managers in Shiraz Municipality, out of whom 128 people were selected as the statistics sample by simple random sampling and Morgan’s table. The standard questionnaire of knowledge management variables and managers skills were used as the instruments for data collection. And Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient confirmed the questionnaire validity to be 0.92. The data analysis of the study was investigated by Partial Least Squares and Statistical Package for Social Science software. The results show that knowledge management has a positive and significant effect on human, operational and perceptual skills of Shiraz Municipality managers.
Human capital in urban management
B. Mirafshar; M.R. Babaei; E. Rostamy Roochi; A. Rashidi; V. Pourahad
Abstract
Human capital is considered as a strategic resource among the main resources of any organization and an important factor in producing and presenting services to the society. Improving the productivity of human capital is the main cause of the improvement of productivity in organizations. Management of ...
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Human capital is considered as a strategic resource among the main resources of any organization and an important factor in producing and presenting services to the society. Improving the productivity of human capital is the main cause of the improvement of productivity in organizations. Management of human capital development, focuses on the quantitative models and technics to test the productivity of the entire system. The central goal is to determine common and distinguishable indicators of human capital productivity in two levels of staff (individual) and organization (management). According to the previous researches and available managerial theories, 29 variables were selected for two main indicators in two levels of staff and organization. Due to the complexity of testing the productivity in the urban management organizations and the need to determine the variables, exploratory factor analysis test was randomly distributed and conducted among 350 people from the target society of human capital urban management (Tehran Municipality) during four phases with setting out a questionnaire consisted of 22 items in Likert scale which distributed randomly. Output of first phase supported 19 variables out of 29 first variables. In the next phase, matrix of variables (partial indicators), was formed due to the correlation coefficients and classified and defined according to two main research indicators by variance analysis in which weight of organization index and staff index were calculated 0.623 and 0.597, respectively. Therefore, programing for the improvement according to process cycle for both main indicators and other exploratory indicators was offered.
Urban management and public health
A. Lemma Tadesse
Abstract
The study was conducted with the objective of mapping landscape cover of Nechsar National park in Ethiopia to produce spatially accurate and timely information on land use and changing pattern. Monitoring provides the planners and decision-makers with required information about the current state of its ...
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The study was conducted with the objective of mapping landscape cover of Nechsar National park in Ethiopia to produce spatially accurate and timely information on land use and changing pattern. Monitoring provides the planners and decision-makers with required information about the current state of its development and the nature of changes that have occurred. Remote sensing and Geographical Information System have gained importance as powerful and efficient tools for land cover mapping of inaccessible area. Digital image classification is generally performed to produce land cover maps from remote sensing data, particularly for large areas. In this project, LANDSAT 7 ETM+ 2000 data was prepared for producing land cover map of study area, Nechisar National Park. Digital image processing techniques were conducted for the processes of radiometric and geometric correction and classification for land cover analysis. Additionally, training data for supervised classification were collected in the study area. Signature development was carried out and evaluated. Training sites were re-defined such that significant separability was obtained for all six bands of LANDSAT 7 EMT+. Finally, Supervised Classification was applied to classify the satellite image using Maximum Likelihood Classifier and five major land class cover were identified and mapped for the Nechsar National park. These are: grassland, forest land, deciduous bush land, thickets, and water bodies.
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
D.V. Ogunkan; A.T. Adeboyejo
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Against the background of the growing awareness of the need to provide empirical answers to the fundamental questions of the location of human activities, the construction of social space and the relationship between social space and physical environment, this study examines ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Against the background of the growing awareness of the need to provide empirical answers to the fundamental questions of the location of human activities, the construction of social space and the relationship between social space and physical environment, this study examines the locational implications of child streetism in selected urban centres in South-western Nigeria. METHODS:Using simple random sampling, 45 locations were drawn from the three urban centres for the purpose of data collection. The required data was collected through the instrumentation of head count and analysed using Relative Incidence of Street Children (RISC) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA). FINDINGS: The results of RISC show that Oja-oba Central Mosque, Ibadan (247), Gbagi-Dugbe Market, Ibadan and Gbagi-Dugbe Motor Park, Ibadan generated highest incidence of street children. However, the results of HCA show that the problem of child streetism is most severe in Oja-oba Market (Akure); Igbona Market (Osogbo); Oja-oba Central Mosque (Ibadan). CONCLUSION: The study concludes that incidence of street children is greatly influenced by social, economic and physical attributes of locations. The study recommends physical planning measures to combat the menace of child streetism.
Urban social and cultural welfare
K. Fatehi; k. Teymournejad
Abstract
The foundation of most intellectual discourse is Western-centric to the exclusion of other views. This includes ideal patterns of social interaction, preference for aesthetic, accepted norms and values, and the concepts of dignity, respectability, morality and ethics. Such a position is culturally myopic. ...
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The foundation of most intellectual discourse is Western-centric to the exclusion of other views. This includes ideal patterns of social interaction, preference for aesthetic, accepted norms and values, and the concepts of dignity, respectability, morality and ethics. Such a position is culturally myopic. Western cultural influence colors all of them including moral precepts. The assumption is that Western-centric moral precepts are universally followed. This paper explores these concepts and discusses the dominance of Western-centric point of view in moral precepts. It describes how non-Western-centric views are different and argues that understanding non-Western-centric concepts is a useful undertaking that could expand our horizons.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
S. Najafnezhad Asl; Y. Mohammadi Moghadam; S.M. Poormoosavi
Abstract
The main objective of this research is to determine the role of passive defense in urban crisis management from the perspectives of experts and urban managers Municipality of Tehran- District, 5. In order to carry out the study, an analytical-applied research method and a combination of documentary, ...
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The main objective of this research is to determine the role of passive defense in urban crisis management from the perspectives of experts and urban managers Municipality of Tehran- District, 5. In order to carry out the study, an analytical-applied research method and a combination of documentary, descriptive, analytical and case study methods are used. All managers and experts of Tehran’s municipality in the District (n=950) at all divisions and departments constitute the population of this study. 274 samples are selected using simple random sampling method. A researcher-made questionnaire is used as research tool whose validity and reliability are tested based on the views of the research supervisor, advisor, experts and managers of the municipality, and Cronbach's alpha test (a= 0787), respectively. Then, data analysis is performed using SPSS software (v21). According to the research findings, passive defense is effective in reducing damages to cities and application risk, and developing a proper pattern for urban sustainability using experts and managers perspective (p<0.05).
Human capital in urban management
A. Salehi; N.M. Yaqhoubi; A. keikha
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In recent years, the occurrence of natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, storms, and the like, has increasingly resulted in severe concerns in Iran as such disasters were unfortunate, causing human and financial losses, especially in disaster-prone areas like the ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In recent years, the occurrence of natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, storms, and the like, has increasingly resulted in severe concerns in Iran as such disasters were unfortunate, causing human and financial losses, especially in disaster-prone areas like the south of Kerman province. Thus, it is critical to focus on innovative Community-based Crisis Management approaches. The present research aims to study the effect of community-based crisis management on the resilience to disasters with the role of social capital in the south of Kerman province. Although much research has been conducted in this area in recent years, no study can be found that has simultaneously measured these three variables and from the citizens' perspective, which is the innovation of this paper. METHODS: Research data were collected using a questionnaire; thus, the research questionnaire was distributed among many citizens in the south of Kerman province. Research findings were analyzed through using LISREL.FINDINGS: The results showed that the community-based crisis management variable with an impact factor of 0.37 has a positive and significant effect on citizens' resilience. Social capital also plays a mediating role in the relationship between community-based crisis management and resilience, while having a positive and significant effect on citizens' resilience.CONCLUSION: The research findings help policymakers, managers, and crisis management experts deliver effective programs to reduce vulnerability and enhance citizen resilience of south of Kerman province against natural disasters.
Urban civil engineering and related management issues
A. Busari; J. Oyedepo; A. Modupe; G. Bamigboye; L. Olowu; J. Adediran; F. Ibikunle
Abstract
This research elucidates the trip pattern of the low-density residential zone in a semi-urban industrial cluster of southwestern Nigeria. These sets of dwellers are often times neglected in the transportation planning process with the view that it is not a residential zone. Domiciliary information gathering ...
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This research elucidates the trip pattern of the low-density residential zone in a semi-urban industrial cluster of southwestern Nigeria. These sets of dwellers are often times neglected in the transportation planning process with the view that it is not a residential zone. Domiciliary information gathering procedure was employed in the analysis with 0.82 return rates. It was backed up with the focus group discussion method. Data on Frequency of trips, per capita trip, modal choice, and socio-economic and demographic data were collected, collated, and analysed using statistical software. Accordingly, a predictive model was formulated for the trip pattern for the low-density area. This was achieved with the aid of statistical software SPSS version 21.Consequently, the results of the multiple regression models showed that both monthly income and car ownership had a significant positive influence on the work trip while only car ownership positively influences non-work trip. R2 values of 0.729 and 0.739 were obtained for the descriptive model at 95% confidence level. This established the robustness of the model, the analysis showed that monthly income and car ownership had a significant positive influence on the work trip with an R-square value of 0.729 and 0.739 for work and non-work trip respectively. This indicated that household will embark on more trips with an increase in car ownership and monthly income. However, effective transportation planning and traffic infrastructural development are recommended to meet the demands of the increased number of trips daily.
Information and communications technology in Urban Management
F. Rahmanian; N. Mehdibeigi; N.M. Yaqhoubi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Social commerce is a subset of electronic commerce and refers to transactions that are conducted through social commerce media. Social commerce creates new channels for consumers that improve not only their purchasing decisions but also their shopping experiences. The attitude ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Social commerce is a subset of electronic commerce and refers to transactions that are conducted through social commerce media. Social commerce creates new channels for consumers that improve not only their purchasing decisions but also their shopping experiences. The attitude of consumers is one of the factors that influence the behavioral intention of consumers. As long as the customer does not have confidence in the social business, he does not want to buy, and the trust that the buyer gains is based on the information, knowledge, transparency and capabilities that social business provide to customers. So, this paper aims to investigate the moderating role of attitude toward purchasing in the relationship between knowledge-based trust and citizens' social commerce and for this purpose, citizens of the east and southeast of Iran are considered as the case of study.METHODS: In terms of purpose, the present study is applied and based on the nature and method, it is descriptive-survey. The statistical population of the present study consisted of 361 citizens of the east and southeast of Iran who use social network and were selected by random sampling. Required data were collected by a questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed and analyzed by structural equation modeling and partial least squares method. FINDINGS: Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability and Spearman correlation coefficients were greater than 0.7 and Communality was greater than 0.5, which indicated the high reliability of variables in the model. Also, the Average Variance Extracted square root of all variables was greater than the correlation of them with other variables. So, Discriminant validity of the model was appropriate. Average Variance Extracted was more than 0.5, which indicated the appropriate convergent validity of the variables. According to T-value, knowledge-based trust had a significant and direct effect (0.745) on citizens' social commerce. Knowledge-based trust explained 55.5% of changes in citizens' social commerce. According to T-Value, the attitude toward purchasing had a positive (+0.106) reciprocal role in the relationship of knowledge-based trust and social commerce.CONCLUSION: The findings showed that knowledge-based trust plays a positive role in social commerce; So, strengthening knowledge-based trust can lead to improved social commerce. Also, the attitude toward purchasing is positive moderator in the relationship between knowledge-based trust and social commerce; So, in order to change from a weak attitude to a strong attitude toward purchasing, the relationship between knowledge-based trust and citizens' social commerce is strengthened.
Information and communications technology in Urban Management
S.M. Mirpour; B. Mirafshar
Abstract
The current research is trying to identify the effective modules (system modules) that form the integrated e-learning dashboard for educational processes and learning opportunities based on ISO 29990 in the municipality of Tehran. The educational process management system, which is currently providing ...
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The current research is trying to identify the effective modules (system modules) that form the integrated e-learning dashboard for educational processes and learning opportunities based on ISO 29990 in the municipality of Tehran. The educational process management system, which is currently providing classroom training services, is able to improve the situation by incorporating integrated management systems for human resources development processes. Based on the conceptual model, the construction of the four main factors, the process of management system, the learning management system, evaluation and effectiveness system, the employee competence development system are marked as the factors that included in the electronic management dashboard of learning processes are in interaction with their constructive components, which, according to the problem and research questions, they were tested in terms of factor load and their effect on each other after defining the variables in the software and recording data using factor analysis and multiple regression at a meaningful level. The most influential factors with the 0.875 was the Process Management System, and other factors with the difference in impact levels being prioritized in the next rankings. Also, the fit of the whole model was calculated based on the relevant index along with the validity of the research structure and the result were positively evaluated.
Urban transportation systems and traffic management
S.O. Olorunfemi; A.O. Adeniran
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The significance of road mobility in any nation cannot be far-fetched or beyond economic purpose, spatial interaction and social integration. It contributes enormously to the livelihood of human existence most especially by facilitating regional complementarity of trade, intervening ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The significance of road mobility in any nation cannot be far-fetched or beyond economic purpose, spatial interaction and social integration. It contributes enormously to the livelihood of human existence most especially by facilitating regional complementarity of trade, intervening opportunities, and spatial transferability. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of road transport quality on urban dwellers’ satisfaction in Kogi state, Nigeria. METHODS: The study adopted a survey research design and systematic sampling method to elucidate primary data through questionnaire from 1215 respondents. FINDING: It was revealed that the status of the road network has an influence on the transport rate charge per trip at a correlation value of 0.998 and significant value of 0.000; and on the comfort derived from the passengers at correlation value of 0.545 and significant value of 0.000. The provision of transport scheme has an influence on the transport rate charge per trip at the correlation value of 0.905 and significant value of 0.000; and on the quality of road transport comfort at a correlation value of 0.523 and significant value of 0.000. The timely response of road maintenance and sub road infrastructure maintenance has an influence on the transport rate charge per trip at a correlation value of 0.545 and significant value of 0.000; and on the quality of road transport comfort at correlation value of 0.912 and significant value of 0.000. The communication link between the agencies in charge of road transport and the people in the study area influences the compliance of road transport operators with road safety rules and regulations at a correlation value of 0.565 and significant value of 0.000. CONCLUSION: The condition of the vehicle has a great impact on the level of comfort.
Urban and municipalities management
S. Mahdinezhad; M.H. Boochani; A.A. Malekafzali
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The importance of integrated urban management has become increasingly evident in today's world, particularly for large cities facing physical, spatial, and demographic growth and complexity. In Iran, the lack of effective citizen participation and integrated management has ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The importance of integrated urban management has become increasingly evident in today's world, particularly for large cities facing physical, spatial, and demographic growth and complexity. In Iran, the lack of effective citizen participation and integrated management has posed a significant challenge to the urban management system. To address this issue, this research focuses on the role of citizens and urban activists in various levels of Tehran metropolis management, including policy making, planning, supervision, and control. It also evaluates the legislative and executive layers to emphasize their importance in achieving effective urban management.METHODS: The present study adopts a qualitative research design, with a practical orientation in terms of its objectives, and an analytical-exploratory approach for data collection. The study focuses on experts and city managers as the statistical population of interest. To gather data, a questionnaire was developed and distributed among the target community. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which yielded a high value of 0.97. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics, including frequency, frequency percentage, mean, and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics, specifically the one-sample t-test. The statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS software package.FINDINGS: According to the findings, 31.4% of the responses identified the citizens and 25.7% of the responses identified the municipality as the owner of the city. 68.6% of the answers have identified the municipality as the manager of Tehran city. Also, 80% of the respondents said that management fragmentation is the biggest challenge of urban development in Iran. The most influential institutions in the process of urban management are Tehran Municipality at the policy-making level, self-governing experts and researchers at the planning level, the Tehran Islamic Council at the monitoring and control level, the Islamic Council at the legislative level and Tehran Municipality at the executive level, while the citizens are the last.CONCLUSION: The present urban management approach faces significant obstacles in the form of fragmentation and inadequate coordination among decision-making entities. These challenges result in disarray, duplication of efforts, and squandering of resources. Consequently, the absence of transparency and lucidity in the roles of city proprietors and managers, coupled with the lack of precise delineations for the engagement of organizations, individuals, and institutions in the urban management process, could impede the attainment of sustainable development objectives and curtail the capacity of civil society to comprehend and partake in effective urban governance.
Urban and municipalities management
Z. Omidi-Saravani; M. Kavoosi-Kalashami; A. Bakhshipour; I. Bagheri; C. Psomopoulos
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Establishing a good sound waste management system for a community requires a comprehensive knowledge of the current status and issues involved in present waste management system. This research was conducted to identify and prioritize waste management weaknesses in Saravan village ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Establishing a good sound waste management system for a community requires a comprehensive knowledge of the current status and issues involved in present waste management system. This research was conducted to identify and prioritize waste management weaknesses in Saravan village of Guilan province, Iran. METHODS: Data were gathered through a descriptive-analytical approach using a purposive sampling and researcher-made questionnaire method. Waste management weaknesses were prioritized by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), and Analytic Network Process (ANP). FINDING: The most important weakness of rural waste management in the study area was waste management structure, equipment, and infrastructures weakness (index C) with relative importance values of 38.1% in AHP, 37.3% in FAHP, and 38.2% in ANP approaches. The village inhabitants' weakness (index B) with relative importance values of 16.5% in AHP, 17.2% in FAHP, and 1.4% in ANP had the lowest priority among studied weaknesses. Workforce weakness (index A), and educational and cultural weakness (index D) were the second and third important weaknesses, respectively. The most important sub-indices weakness of these weakness indices were non-compliance of Rural Municipality Manager (RMM) with waste management standards, rules, and regulations; Waste disposal by the village inhabitants at the nearest site; failure to establish a solid waste fix station in the village; and lack of training and awareness of villagers about waste management. CONCLUSION: In order to establish a successful waste management system in rural areas, it is recommended to develop a comprehensive strategy that involves aspects such as; establishing proper waste management infrastructures, employment of skilled staff, and conducting training plans and motivational programs for staff and inhabitants.
Human capital in urban management
H. A. Gafari; A.R. Karbassi; A. A. Rajabi
Abstract
This study is an attempt to monitor and investigate the main elements of social harms from political, economic, sociocultural, technological, environmental and legal perspectives in accordance with the factors of PESTEL. One of the findings of the present study indicates that Iran has taken several measures ...
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This study is an attempt to monitor and investigate the main elements of social harms from political, economic, sociocultural, technological, environmental and legal perspectives in accordance with the factors of PESTEL. One of the findings of the present study indicates that Iran has taken several measures in order to fight narcotics. In poverty and unemployment, it must be admitted that casting shadow of global economic situation on Iran's economy along with failure to implement Article 44 on the Constitution have led to the fact that a considerable section of the country’s economy has remained under direct government control. It seems that broadcasting performance has been weak from cultural perspective; this issue has caused satellite networks intrusion on the culture of people. No organization instructs young generation in life skills and how to prevent from divorce. This problem together with lack of life facilities has caused many marriages to end in divorce within the first year. Considering limited financial resources, the municipality and its affiliated organizations have had a quite good performance in organizing homeless people, but it is not sufficient. Donations contributing to susceptible classes of society are assessed absolutely positive and worthwhile. Street children are considered as an increasing harm in the world and Iran. If we do not reflect on some strategies in order to address this issue, it will be converted to a social crisis. Beggary has a significant manifestation in megacities as a social harm and challenge; it is mostly assumed to be a social dilemma rather than an individual problem. It can be really influential to educate people how to behave with beggars.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
V.G. Gawaikar; A.G. Bhole; R.R. Lakhe
Abstract
The case study is based on ISO 14001 and compares the validation with other certified industries. In view of the above, response has been collected to have further improvements through developed model which was prepared based on the factorization of various input and output variables which is linked ...
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The case study is based on ISO 14001 and compares the validation with other certified industries. In view of the above, response has been collected to have further improvements through developed model which was prepared based on the factorization of various input and output variables which is linked to the clauses of ISO 14001. The developed model has represented almost all the clauses of ISO 14001 considering main content of the all the clauses. Response is collected from the industries where input and output variables were sent earlier and also those involved in the implementation of the system. Evidences arrived out of case study suggests that the model questionnaire improves the environmental performance of an organization and bringing effectiveness in the system. This study will give better results after implementation of the model in any sector. Due to the implementation of model, the study has brought the improvements in ISO 14001and surrounding environment as well. The study on validation stated that by implementing the model, the industries where survey took place have achieved almost 30% improvement in environmental performance.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
O.F. Olusunmade; T.A. Yusuf; C.O. Ogunnigbo
Abstract
Management of municipal solid wastes (MSW) in most developed societies now involves the use of thermo-chemical conversion methods. This leads to energy and material recovery while also protecting the environment. However, till date most of the wastes generated in Nigeria (including plastic wastes) are ...
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Management of municipal solid wastes (MSW) in most developed societies now involves the use of thermo-chemical conversion methods. This leads to energy and material recovery while also protecting the environment. However, till date most of the wastes generated in Nigeria (including plastic wastes) are either land-filled or openly burnt. These methods are not sustainable and environmentally non-friendly. The reason is that so much space will be needed to accommodate the ever increasing wastes as a result of land-filling and open burning leads to environmental pollution and health challenges. Also, the inherent energy in plastic wastes, as a result of the fact that they have their origins from oil and gas, is not recovered for the benefit of meeting the energy requirements of the populace. Meanwhile there is serious inadequate supply of heat and electricity, the production of which could be improved if the plastic wastes are also applied for electricity and heat generation. This study estimated the amount of energy loss due to the prevailing method of disposal adopted for plastic wastes in terms of quantity of oil and electricity that could have been produced if thermo-chemical approaches were adopted for these wastes. It showed that about 17.3 million barrels of crude oil (worth about $1 billion) and 7.1 million MWh of electricity (capable of powering 4.4 million households) could be produced from the plastic wastes generated in the country. Therefore, plastic wastes should be embraced and treated as a resource rather than “wastes”.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
S. Marzouk
Abstract
Rapid population growth and increasing demand for the modern settlement has led to the increase of environmental pollution. Limestone quarry is one among the activities that affect environment and ecosystem in Pemba Island-Zanzibar. Quarrying activities brought an inevitable destruction to the environments ...
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Rapid population growth and increasing demand for the modern settlement has led to the increase of environmental pollution. Limestone quarry is one among the activities that affect environment and ecosystem in Pemba Island-Zanzibar. Quarrying activities brought an inevitable destruction to the environments ranging from excavation, soil and land degradation, loose of biodiversity and water pollution. This study reports the impact of limestone quarries on groundwater quality based on analyses of various physico-chemical parameters of groundwater. Ground water samples were collected during the wet and dry season of 2016 from nine different wells in vicinity of limestone quarries. One groundwater sample, which was located about 5 kilometers from limestone quarries, was collected as a control. The result shows that the groundwater have an elevated level of pH, total dissolved solid, Electrical Conductivity, total alkalinity, as compared to control sample. Also the concentration level of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ slightly increases in all samples from dry season to wet season. This is probably due to the mixing of surface pollution and dissolution of limestone rocks. The study revealed that the nitrate and potassium concentrations are very high in the well nearest the limestone quarries. It is likely due to percolation of fertilizer from agricultural runoff stagnated nearby limestone quarries. This study shows that a conceptual physico-chemical interpretation of the results from water samples provides information of groundwater contamination, which is mainly derived from agricultural runoff and stagnated nearby limestone quarries. This study recommends that the quarrying activities should be minimal towards the subsurface level in order to reduce the possibility of aquifer contamination.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
M. Moghadami; A. Rasaizadi; M. Askari
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This research attempted to analyze the negative and positive aspects of Coronavirus: its effect on air quality and traffic volume. The sample city of this research was Tehran and transportation behavior toward the Coronavirus and minor quarantines in specific. METHODS: Six ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This research attempted to analyze the negative and positive aspects of Coronavirus: its effect on air quality and traffic volume. The sample city of this research was Tehran and transportation behavior toward the Coronavirus and minor quarantines in specific. METHODS: Six indices were considered for Tehran city in two consecutive years (in quarantine period): carbon mono-oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matters, air quality index, and daily traffic volume, which depart from Tehran city to other destinations. Daily traffic volume changes were examined for four roads separately, and total departed trips were also investigated. This comparison was made graphically and statistically by using the regression model and one-way t-test. FINDING: Results showed that from 20th February to 19th March, the average of produced CO, NO2, and PM10 decreased in 2020 compared to 2019, but other indices related to air pollution were increased in 2020. The average daily traffic in existing roads of Tehran City was declined significantly in 2020. Regression models and a one-way t-test showed that the growth rate of emission production was higher in 2019 compared to 2020. Also, this rate for daily traffic volume was higher from March 20 to April 19 of 2020 compared to 2020. CONCLUSION: The regression model on indices showed valuable results. For instance, the O3 emission slope in the second month reduced from 0.6 to 0.5; however, the exiting traffic of Tehran city reduced by 47 percent that indicates the higher resident population of Tehran city compare to the last year.
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
A.R. Sadeghi; F. Shahvaran; A.R. Gholami; T. Feyzabi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The concept of place as a multidimensional approach in the evolution of urban design concepts has always sought to improve the quality of urban environments and spaces. “Place” results from humans’ environmental experiences and cognition of space which is ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The concept of place as a multidimensional approach in the evolution of urban design concepts has always sought to improve the quality of urban environments and spaces. “Place” results from humans’ environmental experiences and cognition of space which is perceived through meaning in people’s minds within the interaction of humans and place. Placemaking is considered a participatory process and a practical approach for urban designers, which can be implemented by improving the physical quality of urban spaces. In urban design studies, several perspectives have been proposed regarding the structure of the place model. This paper aimed to examine the evolution of placemaking in urban design theories to propose a place model based on behavior. How and in what way behavior can contribute to the formation of place is the primary question of this research. In other words, what is the role of behaviors analysis and behavioral patterns in the formation of an urban place? METHODS: Descriptive-analytical method is used to review the concept of place and its conceptual evolution to provide placemaking recommendations and suggestions based on the proposed place model. In the case study section, Studies have been done using behavioral observation tools such as place-based graphic maps, movement path tracing of individuals, and recording various behavioral patterns by time intervals at the Hafezieh intersection, Shiraz, Iran.FINDINGS: The results of analyzing behavioral maps of Hafezieh intersection and recommendations from global experiences regarding public life and behavioral studies revealed that the combination of four aspects of form, function, meaning, and ecosystem with emphasis on the specific role of behavioral studies could lead to flourishing placemaking.CONCLUSION: Paying attention to the role of behavior-based placemaking in recent urban thoughts can promote sustainable urban design and determine optimal policies for social interactions, communication, and the importance of human behaviors that define a thriving place and support its constant progress.
Human capital in urban management
B.Kh. Almagharbeh; N.A. Alalean
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Green human resource management has become one of the most critical components of a forward-thinking for eco-friendly companies. The majority of academics hold the opinion that in order to implement green human resource management techniques, personnel must be encouraged and ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Green human resource management has become one of the most critical components of a forward-thinking for eco-friendly companies. The majority of academics hold the opinion that in order to implement green human resource management techniques, personnel must be encouraged and motivated to be ecofriendly. This study aims at investigating the impact of Green human resources practices on organizational sustainability: The mediating role of job embeddedness in the pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Jordan.METHODS: The current study looks at the effects of several green human resource management strategies on organizational sustainability either directly or indirectly through job embeddedness. a quantitative approach was used. The data is collected through questionnaire from the Study sample included (404) employee in (16) Jordanian Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. A Structural Equation Modelling is conducted to achieve study objectives.FINDINGS: Findings confirmed, that (green work life balance, green reward) showed a significant positive effect on the organizational sustainability, while (green training, green career opportunities) didn’t have direct significant effects on organizational sustainability, as well, the outcomes indicated that all green human resources practices (green work life balance, green reward, green training, green career opportunities) had direct significant effect on job embeddedness. The findings indicated that the mediator (Job embeddedness) improved the organizational sustainability. The results illustrate that green work life balance exerted positive and significant effects on organizational sustainability (β = 0.41) and Job embeddedness (β = 0.27). While No abbreviation in the abstract didn’t has direct significant effects on organizational sustainability (β = 0.03; t = 0.64; ρ > 0.01), and significant effects on Job embeddedness (β = 0.40). Also the result indicated that green rewards has direct significant effects on organizational sustainability (β = 0.24), and Job embeddedness (β = 0.26). While GCO green career opportunities didn’t has direct significant effects on organizational sustainability (β = 0.04 t = 0.87; ρ > 0.01) and significant effects on Job embeddedness (β = 0.39). As well as JE exerted positive and significant effects on organizational sustainability (β = 0.38). The findings imply that the mediator does increase organizational sustainability.CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses should provide their workers with green benefits and promote a green work-life balance and search for other green practices in order to prevent organizational deterioration.
Sustainable urban infrastructure
H. Faramarzi; M. khakzand; M.H. Talebian; M. Masoudinejad
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Abadan oil industry in Iran is very significant due to its various valuable layers as a part of national memory and identity. Therefore, to protect and reuse this industrial heritage, the adaptive reuse strategy by means of the landscape is considered. The purpose of this study ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Abadan oil industry in Iran is very significant due to its various valuable layers as a part of national memory and identity. Therefore, to protect and reuse this industrial heritage, the adaptive reuse strategy by means of the landscape is considered. The purpose of this study is to achieve urban sustainability through a landscape adaptable to the oil industry heritage.METHODS: This research is descriptive-correlational and has been done through a survey. The statistical population of this research consists of pundits and experts of Abadan’s oil industry and the sample size is 88 people. In the analytical section, while using documentary studies, a questionnaire with 21 closed questions was used for data collection. After collecting the data, its validity and reliability were measured and confirmed.FINDINGS: In this study, the relations between nine environmental, historical, economic, social, cultural, policy, technology, physical, and infrastructure factors were measured as the factors affecting the landscape adaptable to the oil industry heritage.CONCLUSION: The results showed that the completion and facilitation of policies lead to the creation and strengthening of opportunities for cultural and social interactions in the industrial landscape. Also, the impact of physical factors on infrastructure, economic, and environmental leads to strengthening economic factors and infrastructure reuse in urban development. Findings indicated that the impact of environmental factors on economics and policy by using landscape leads to success in the mentioned fields.
Urban and municipalities management
O. Gotore; A. Munodawafa; R. Rameshprabu; T.P. Phillip Masere; V. Mushayi; T. Itayama
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The major sources of pollution along the Mukuvisi River are industrial effluents from Msasa, Graniteside, and Southerton industrial sites, sewage effluent from Firle sewage works, pesticide and fertilizer runoff from Pension and surrounding farms, and domestic and diffuse pollution ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The major sources of pollution along the Mukuvisi River are industrial effluents from Msasa, Graniteside, and Southerton industrial sites, sewage effluent from Firle sewage works, pesticide and fertilizer runoff from Pension and surrounding farms, and domestic and diffuse pollution from residential areas. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of point and non-point pollution sources on macroinvertebrates variability and investigate the seasonal water quality deterioration along the Mukuvisi River. To evaluate macroinvertebrate community diversity using South African Scoring System 5 protocol for rapid bioassessment of water quality. The combined application of benthic macroinvertebrates and physic-chemical parameters was the focus of this research to validate the water quality status of the urban River systems concerning emerging pollutants in urban areas.METHODS: According to the Harare municipality pollution control strategy and surveillance, only twelve accessible sampling points were chosen along the river. Macroinvertebrate samples and physic-chemical measurements were collected once or twice a month, according to the city of Harare’s sampling schedule. The ancillary information, temperature, pH, and conductivity were measured on-site with a mercury bulb thermometer, a pH meter, and a conductivity meter, respectively. The standard South African Scoring System 5 sampling protocol was used for the sampling and identification of the macroinvertebrates community.FINDINGS: The early assessments showed that water pollution was, in the 1st place and as a primary issue, a biological matter, and its primary effects could have been traced to living organisms. Eutrophication in Manyame catchment, Harare, Zimbabwe is subjected to prolonged and cumulative ecosystem stress because of human activities, sewage disposal, and industrial discharges, among other pollution sources. The Phosphorus-P, Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, and Ammonia-NH3 (from 0, 6.9, 118, and 0 to 3.8, 81.9, 840, and 31 mg/L respectively) concentration increases downstream in both seasons. The Dissolved Oxygen saturation was 75% and 67% upstream in the dry-and-wet season and was reduced to 0% downstream in both seasons. The evaluation of macroinvertebrate diversity provided evidence that Mukuvisi River water was polluted based on the South African Scoring System, especially in the dry season.CONCLUSIONS: The physic-chemical parameters were significantly related to macroinvertebrates diversity. In the assessment of river water quality, both macroinvertebrate indices and physio-chemical parameters can be sampled together to avoid bias. The results indicated that human activities from the upstream were inducing water pollution. Industries need to adhere to the wastewater discharge guidelines.
Human capital in urban management
J.S. Dionysius; H.L. Vasudevan
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Energy is widely acknowledged as a critical aspect of economic development, and a country's ability to sustain economic growth depends on the security of its energy supply. Malaysia's persistent energy demand and diminishing local energy supplies have recently increased energy ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Energy is widely acknowledged as a critical aspect of economic development, and a country's ability to sustain economic growth depends on the security of its energy supply. Malaysia's persistent energy demand and diminishing local energy supplies have recently increased energy industry operators' and policymakers' concerns about the country's energy supply security. Finding economical energy options with secure production and a minimum environmental impact has long been the key goal for developing countries. For developing countries, energy security is a challenging task to meet rising energy demands in a long-term, environmentally sustainable manner. The study aims to examine the mediating effect of climate change on energy resources to achieve cost-saving sustainability and energy security in Sabah, Malaysia.METHODS: This study adopts quantitative research in which a public survey was conducted between April 28 and May 10, 2023, focusing on how Sabah's energy resources, including nuclear, fossil, and renewable fuels, relate to Sabah's cost-effective sustainability and energy security. In total, 100 questionnaires were distributed to different geographic or regional regions that are likely to differ from one another in terms of their beliefs or perceptions, educational backgrounds, income levels, and occupations. According to this study, the population of Sabah, Malaysia, will be 3.39 million in 2022. The sampling strategy used in the present research was non-probability convenience sampling. However, only 80 valid questionnaires were used as the sample size for this paper based on the Smart PLS sample size table. The response rate was 86.96%. A smaller sample was chosen in the study rather than a more thorough census due to the magnitude of the population.FINDINGS: The findings showed that protection motivation, theory consistency theory, and behavioral reasoning theory play important roles in planned behaviour when looking at practical, long-term solutions to the problems of cost-effective sustainability, energy security, and climate change as mediating factors. The results showed five (5) hypotheses have been accepted with p-value at 0.000 to 0.031. Unfortunately, there are twelve (12) hypotheses were not supported with p-value at 0.085 to 0. 0.563 due to most of Sabah’s people had a poor understanding of and lack of acceptance of the need for energy.CONCLUSION: The study empirically confirms and conceptually proves that policy on the conceptual framework of environmental literacy and pro-environmental behaviour should be adopted and reviews the country's existing energy policy, the renewable energy policy, and the legal framework in resolving renewable energy sources that are still underutilized, environmentally responsible, and have a great deal of potential to satisfy the energy needs of both established and emerging nations.
Human capital in urban management
S. Jafarinia; Y. Vakili; A. Hassanpoor; E. Yalveh
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Knowledge workers are people whose work is highlighted by the continuous and systematic development of organizational knowledge through the discovery mechanism and creation of new knowledge. The number of knowledge workers is increasing in today’s organizations, and proper ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Knowledge workers are people whose work is highlighted by the continuous and systematic development of organizational knowledge through the discovery mechanism and creation of new knowledge. The number of knowledge workers is increasing in today’s organizations, and proper conditions must be provided for their activities. Also, effective use of knowledge workers requires optimal psychological safety for them. So far, not so many studies have investigated psychological safety, especially for knowledge workers, and there is an obvious research gap in this field. Therefore, the innovation of this research is to increase knowledge about the psychological safety of knowledge workers and to create local and practical knowledge in the mentioned field.METHODS: This research aims to design a psychological safety model for knowledge workers in the Tehran Municipality. The applied-developmental purpose aspect of this research puts it in the category of mixed (method) research. In the qualitative phase, a semi-structured method of interviewing experts, and thematic analysis techniques were used to design the research model. 18 experts from Tehran Municipality were purposefully selected to participate in the interviews. The model of the research was validated by structural equation modeling and Smart PLS software in the quantitative phase. For this purpose, 110 managers and specialists of Tehran Municipality were surveyed using a questionnaire.RESULTS: The results indicated that the personal, interpersonal, occupational, managerial, organizational, and spiritual dimensions are 6 dimensions that influence the psychological safety of knowledge workers in organizations. Also, several antecedents, moderating factors, and consequences were identified, which were created based on the identified variables of the research model. Also, the coefficient of determination was calculated as 0.740 for the psychological safety variable and 0.711 for the outcomes variable, based on the results of structural equation modeling, which indicates optimal values.CONCLUSION: Ultimately, the results of the research indicated that the psychological safety of knowledge workers is a complicated, multidimensional, and a dynamic phenomenon, and achieving it requires considering several factors and components, and of course, it brings valuable results.
