Urban transportation systems and traffic management
A. Chan; A. Ng
Abstract
There has been an increasing concern about inactive drivers who would easily lead to road accidents and fatalities once return to driving. This study investigated the re-usability of traffic signs for inactive drivers with consideration of driver factors and cognitive sign features. Fifty-seven Hong ...
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There has been an increasing concern about inactive drivers who would easily lead to road accidents and fatalities once return to driving. This study investigated the re-usability of traffic signs for inactive drivers with consideration of driver factors and cognitive sign features. Fifty-seven Hong Kong Chinese, who possessed a full driving license but had not driven for an extended period, comprehended the meanings and rated the cognitive features of 21 traffic signs. The re-usability performance of participants who had not driven for at least a year was similar to those who had not been driving since obtaining driving license. The re-usability of traffic signs was better when the signs were familiar, concrete, simple and meaningful. To improve sign re-usability, designers should consider the cognitive sign features, provide direct and unambiguous visualization for underlying concepts, make better use of eye-catching design elements, and proper juxtaposition of similar pictorials in sign design.
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
H. Najafpour; R. Naghdbishi; F. Asadi Malekjahan
Abstract
Many people are encountered with finding the best way to reach to their destination. One definition for wayfinding is “the act of travelling to the destination by continuous processes of making route-choices whilst evaluating previous spatial decisions against stable cognition of the environment. ...
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Many people are encountered with finding the best way to reach to their destination. One definition for wayfinding is “the act of travelling to the destination by continuous processes of making route-choices whilst evaluating previous spatial decisions against stable cognition of the environment. General understanding and keen appraisal of the environment can aid decision-making process of how to navigate around an area in the form of mental schemas. However, having a level of familiarity and attachment to a place is the underlying factor. The study is aimed at evaluating what is the level of familiarity of people and what is their attachment to notable landmarks in the town of Muar, Malaysia. To do so, the traditional survey analysis with the focus on data set that is attributed to a specific phenomenon and the quantifiable variable using statistical analysis on the tabularized format is undertaken.
Human capital in urban management
A. Gholipour; E. Ebrahimi
Abstract
People in every organization could be considered as the most important resource which contributes to the development of that organization. In fact, human capital is the most important dimension of organization’s intellectual capital especially in service-oriented organizations like municipality. ...
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People in every organization could be considered as the most important resource which contributes to the development of that organization. In fact, human capital is the most important dimension of organization’s intellectual capital especially in service-oriented organizations like municipality. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to introduce a suitable framework for human capital evaluation of different municipal districts. This framework consists of three steps. First, the main human capital components and their related indicators are determined through literature survey. Then the relative importance of these components is calculated based on experts’ judgments. Finally, organizations are ranked in terms of human capital components and their relevant indicators. TOPSIS, A well-known multi-criteria decision-making method was used for ranking alternative municipal districts based on the weighted HC criteria. A fuzzy approach was integrated with this method to make up the vagueness of decision-makers’ judgments. The applicability of the proposed framework was demonstrated by a numerical example.
Human capital in urban management
M. Baoosh; Gh.R. Memarzadeh
Abstract
Human resources are the most valuable capital of an organization, and managers are trying to provide motivation and productivity along with preserving the workforce. One way to motivate and increase productivity is to provide welfare services to employees. Using Adams' theory of equality, the current ...
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Human resources are the most valuable capital of an organization, and managers are trying to provide motivation and productivity along with preserving the workforce. One way to motivate and increase productivity is to provide welfare services to employees. Using Adams' theory of equality, the current research attempts to design a desirable model for providing welfare services in the organization. It is an applied, descriptive and survey type research. The statistical population includes the staff of District 22 of Municipality of Tehran. Using the principles of sampling size in multivariate regression analysis, 357 questionnaires were completed by cluster sampling method. The process of data analysis was carried out in two stages: determining the relationships between variables and the dynamics of the systems. The results showed that the improvement of financial services was recognized as an attractive scenario of this research because of a 30% increase in productivity. Meanwhile, 38% increase motivation and 27% reduce dissatisfaction. Improvement in entertainment services has been identified as a desirable research scenario due to the optimal and simultaneous increase in motivation and quality of work life. Improving health services has been identified as a weak scenario for not having a significant impact on state variables due to the lack of influence on state variables.
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
W.O. Omollo
Abstract
Although a substantial body of research concurs that most urban areas have a challenge in providing adequate car parking space, there is a scarcity in the literature on how conformity to planning standards that regulates the provision of car parking spaces may be analyzed. This study, therefore, examines ...
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Although a substantial body of research concurs that most urban areas have a challenge in providing adequate car parking space, there is a scarcity in the literature on how conformity to planning standards that regulates the provision of car parking spaces may be analyzed. This study, therefore, examines the extent to which the planning standards that regulate compliance with the provision of car parking spaces in the residential areas are enforced in Kenya, a case study of Kisii Town. It is anchored in the theory of regulatory compliance with a sample size of 364 residential developments proportionately drawn from the seven neighborhoods. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using means, standard deviation, paired sample t-test and Pearson’s bivariate correlation. Research findings showed that although the recommended standard for car parking in Kenya is a ratio of one parking space for every two dwelling units, most developers disregarded the requirement. Hypothesis testing confirmed a significant difference between the recommended planning standards on the minimum number of parking spaces and the extent of conformity by developers, t (289) = 20.261, p=.000), thus, compliance declined by a mean of four. The study concludes that developers rarely comply with planning standard owing to insufficient development control. It is recommended that when approving building plans, it should be mandatory to make provision for adequate parking space followed by monitoring to ensure compliance. The study benefits the international readers by validating how conformity to the standards that regulate car parking space may be statistically analyzed.
Sustainable urban infrastructure
N. Kumar; R. Tyagi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global health crisis that had a deep impact on the world and our everyday lives. The deadly virus i.e. SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread around the world, posing enormous health, social, economic, and environmental challenges to the entire human ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global health crisis that had a deep impact on the world and our everyday lives. The deadly virus i.e. SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread around the world, posing enormous health, social, economic, and environmental challenges to the entire human population. Countries around the world have implemented complete or partial lockdown measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Corona lockdown has profound social implications and it has sparked fears of impending economic trouble and recession. Methods: However, this lockdown has also shown some positive effects on the natural environment due to the reduction of pollutant loading from vehicle emission, industries, and other sources. Based on a review of recent research in the relevant area, this paper assesses the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on air and water quality as well as on environmental noise. FINDINGS: A substantial reduction in the level of noxious NO2, particulate matter, and carbon emissions have been observed during the lockdown period, the lockdown also led to an appreciable drop in BOD (biological oxygen demand) and a significant increase in DO (dissolved oxygen) of different river water globally. In addition to this, the anthropogenic noise level has fallen by about one-third due to the COVID-19 lockdown. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that there is a substantial possibility for healing the environment from the detrimental effects of anthropogenic activities through partial or temporary lockdown measures.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
N. Mohebbi; J. Nouri; N. Khorasani; B. Riazi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Human communities encompass significant population proportion via various strategies of livelihood around the wetlands, including urban development, municipal wastewater discharge or solid disposal, construction growth, agriculture, and fishery piers. Wetlands essentially prepare ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Human communities encompass significant population proportion via various strategies of livelihood around the wetlands, including urban development, municipal wastewater discharge or solid disposal, construction growth, agriculture, and fishery piers. Wetlands essentially prepare precious biodiversity and are excellently approved as valuable ecosystems; however, have been exposed to destruction and ruin. The most impressive objectives of the research are briefly to improve the wetland ecosystem by highlighting biodiversity protection approaches. In this paper, the whole socio-economic activities, besides the environmental concerns, have been probed on the Boujagh Wetland to better figure out the trade-offs with this management practice.METHODS: Overall, a conceptual integrated management model has been utilized as the framework of the study, afterward identifying hazardous factors, vulnerability, and indicator species threshold, Ecological Risk Assessment has been implemented by Tiered-ERA model; MIKE 21 simulated contaminants in the widespread aquatic area. SWOT and Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix have been selected for strategy identification and classification, respectively. In order to illustrate sensitive habitats and other features, Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing instruments have been applied.FINDINGS: Results demonstrated “chemical fertilizers and pesticides of upstream farmlands” and “toxic metals of industrial wastes and boating” led to ecological hazards for organisms; in addition, nitrogen and phosphor parameters affected eutrophication, influenced due to residential effluents. Furthermore, the most sensitive ecosystems are situated on the surrounding Boujagh Wetland and Sefidrud River margin. Conservation and tourism are prioritized as key strategies and wise uses by scores 10.19 and 9.79 on the QSPM respectively.CONCLUSION: Finally, conservation, extensive tourism, urban wastewater treatment establishment, elimination of chemical fertilizers and pesticide consumption, prevention of boating, especially military maneuvers, and landfill removal have been suggested to restore the Boujagh Wetland instead of countless unaccustomed land uses.
Urban communications and services
S. Drobyazko; T. Hilorme; S. Nesterenko; Z. Shatskaya
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The economic consequences of the introduction of digital technologies are projected both at the level of electricity market participants and at the level of the state as a whole. As a result of the introduction of intelligent electricity metering it is possible to achieve energy ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The economic consequences of the introduction of digital technologies are projected both at the level of electricity market participants and at the level of the state as a whole. As a result of the introduction of intelligent electricity metering it is possible to achieve energy savings of 20 % and solve the problem of transparency of energy flows of the national economy (information asymmetry). The purpose of the work is to substantiate the organizational-economic management of the national integrated intelligent energy system of the country in the conditions of the digital economy.METHODS: Statistical analysis for technical-economic analysis of the functioning of the national energy system, technological forecasting and foresight for assessment of future changes in the architecture of energy systems, economic-mathematical modeling and scenario analysis for comparative assessment of future development of separate energy technologies.FINDINGS: Forecasting of development of macrotechnologies in the energy sector is carried out, points of bifurcation of competitiveness of various energy technologies are defined. Assessments of economic consequences of introduction of digital technologies in energy systems both at the level of energy market entities, and at the national level are carried out. In the presence of own generating capacity, the consumer becomes an active participant (producer) in the electricity market, which in turn reduces system technological losses and economic costs of suppliers in the expansion of energy grids.CONCLUSION: For generation companies, the effect lies in reduction of operating costs of up to USD 2 billion annually by smoothing the load schedule in Slovakia. Significant results can be achieved in the electricity distribution sector, in particular by reducing electricity losses by 50 % and reducing equipment maintenance and repair costs by 10 %. It was suggested to consider the technological platform as a business model for the digital development of the infrastructural sectors of the economy, in particular, the digitalization of the energy infrastructure. The authors developed the structure and presented the opportunities of the technological platform for the introduction of an intelligent energy system in Slovakia. Proposals for the implementation of the concept of an intelligent energy network as part of the digital transformation of the economy of Slovakia were developed.
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
M. Khakzand; S. Babaei
Abstract
This paper explores the developing of how designers can search for inspiration source which provided in the form of traditional elements and archetypes and also their role on idea generation in design from building to urban measure. In order to clarify of this, current study focuses on the Far-East region ...
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This paper explores the developing of how designers can search for inspiration source which provided in the form of traditional elements and archetypes and also their role on idea generation in design from building to urban measure. In order to clarify of this, current study focuses on the Far-East region as an ancient part of the world in which there is a huge number of symbols like well known, Yin-Yang. To understanding of how designers inspired by the symbols and forming the character of place via those, the case study method is used to an in-depth evaluation. The result is presented in a table involving cases which selected in divers rang of Far-East countries. Based on result, historical symbols, as a rich source of ideas and stimulation can play a significant in meaning-making and also forming the identity of city. In addition, these symbols help highly to revival the exiting values which ignored in contemporary urbanization particularly in developing countries like Iran. Accordingly, evaluation of cases observed that the symbol-inspired design can prove the durability of the urban character. Finally, inspiration source divided in two main types including: visual and verbal. Based on results of exist study, most of designers inspired visually (i.e. visual analogy, external) and a low percent of them inspired verbally (i.e. abstract, internal). Moreover, minority of designer inspired mediocre by combination of these (i.e. visual/verbal).
Urban management and public health
S.R. Sajjala; S.K. Al Dewery; A. Ahmed; A.H.H. Al Sakiti
Abstract
In this study the quality of Omani and United Arab Emirates bottled water brands which are sold in Oman were assessed by comparing the chemical composition indicated on manufacturer’s label with local and international bottled water standards. Results indicated that all the bottled water ...
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In this study the quality of Omani and United Arab Emirates bottled water brands which are sold in Oman were assessed by comparing the chemical composition indicated on manufacturer’s label with local and international bottled water standards. Results indicated that all the bottled water brands are complying with local and international standards. According to piper diagram, the most dominant water type among Omani brands is mixed Ca2+-Mg2+-Cl- and among United Arab Emirate brands is calcium chloride. Hierarchical cluster analysis divided Omani and United Arab Emirate brands in to four groups based on similarity in chemical composition. Some of the Omani and United Arab Emirate brands have same chemical composition, but marketed under different names. Calcium concentration in Omani and United Arab Emirate brands is low compared to imported mineral water brands, and their contribution towards recommended dietary allowances of calcium for adults is only 3%. Both Omani and United Arab Emirate brands used in this study are meeting United States Food and Drug Administration’s very low sodium category requirements and are suitable for individuals on severely restricted sodium diet.
Urban architecture, design, development and planning
H. Abaeian; M. Hashemi; N. Valibeig; Sh. Mohammadpour
Abstract
One of the common monuments in the Sassanid era was the square dome. Interestingly, corners and parts of the square dome were always geometrically proportionate to each other. Square domes have been mainly studied in terms of their historical background as well as the materials used. The present research, ...
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One of the common monuments in the Sassanid era was the square dome. Interestingly, corners and parts of the square dome were always geometrically proportionate to each other. Square domes have been mainly studied in terms of their historical background as well as the materials used. The present research, however, aimed to examine the geometric proportions governing the formation of square domes in the Sassanid era. The data were mainly gathered from field studies. First, the intended monuments were individually studied: the sizes were carefully measured and recorded. Then, the data were simulated by Auto CAD and the geometric repetitive proportions of the parts were extracted. The results indicated that the ratio of the corner depth to the radius of the dome circle was 0.3; the ratio of the angle length to the inward length was 0.11 and that of the outward side to the inward side was 1.6.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
T. Gala; L. Boakye
Abstract
The world is witnessing a dramatic shift of settlement pattern from rural to urban population, particularly in developing countries. The rapid Addis Ababa urbanization reflects this global phenomenon and the subsequent socio-economic and environmental impacts, are causing massive public uproar and political ...
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The world is witnessing a dramatic shift of settlement pattern from rural to urban population, particularly in developing countries. The rapid Addis Ababa urbanization reflects this global phenomenon and the subsequent socio-economic and environmental impacts, are causing massive public uproar and political instability. The objective of this study was to use remotely sensed Landsat data to identify and quantify the land use and land cover types, as well as changes over time. Maximum likelihood algorithm of the supervised image classification was used to map land use land cover types, which consisted of Vegetation areas, built-up areas, agricultural lands, Bare lands, and Scrublands, for 1985, 2003, and 2017 images. Built-up areas (69 %) are the dominant land cover type in the study area, followed by Agricultural lands (22%) and Vegetation areas (7%), though the compositions have changed since 1985. Rapid urban growth is evidenced by the expansion of built-up areas by 370% The growth is at the expense of agricultural and vegetation areas, exposing farmers to loss of massive farmland and woodlands. Additionally, urbanization eroding percent green and open spaces, while also degrading the diversity of the city’s land use land cover types. With one of the world's highest fertility rates and massive rural-to-urban migration, unsustainable Addis Ababa urbanization is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. It is, therefore, critical to adapt sustainable urban planning, which involves consideration of Compact City, Secondary Cities, and Edge city designs to mitigate the adverse impacts of the rapid Addis Ababa urbanization.
Urban management and public health
T.D. Adeniyi; P.U. Achukwu; A.A. Abubakar
Abstract
Heavy metals are one of the dreadful environmental pollutants. Its toxicity is a menace to the ecosystem and has attracted global concern over the decades. The attendant uncontrolled disposal and recycling of electronic-waste (e-waste) has greatly influence the elevated concentration of heavy metals ...
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Heavy metals are one of the dreadful environmental pollutants. Its toxicity is a menace to the ecosystem and has attracted global concern over the decades. The attendant uncontrolled disposal and recycling of electronic-waste (e-waste) has greatly influence the elevated concentration of heavy metals observed in Nigeria waterways. This study was carried out to investigate the frequency of the deadly heavy metals as part of public health intervention. The study was a cross sectional design in which waterways from the three geographical zones of Kwara State, Nigeria were sampled by integrated composite method and analyzed for physical and chemical parameters during the dry and rainy season. High frequency of e-waste generated heavy metals in the waterways was observed with respect to influence of settlement, geographical zones and seasonal variation in the study area. The mean concentrations of the heavy metals analyzed showed a decreasing trend in their quantity as Cr ˃ Cd ˃ Pb ˃ Hg in both seasons. Statistically, no significant difference in densities of Lead, Mercury and Chromium with respect to season (P cal = 0.482 in chromium, P cal = 0.067 in Lead, P cal = 0.146 in Mercury, P > 0.05). However, there was significant difference in frequency of Cadmium by season (P cal = 0.001, P ˂ 0.05). Assessment of the findings with respect to geographical zone revealed a significant difference in the mean distribution of Chromium during both seasons. Heavy metals were also recorded to be higher in the urban areas than the rural areas.
Human capital in urban management
A. Shahrabi Farahani; K. Teymournejad
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Career management determines the direction of staff's movement in the organizational hierarchy and directs them to perfection. The Objective of this study was to design a model for career management of Tehran Municipality employees. METHODS: The research method was Qualitative-Quantitative ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Career management determines the direction of staff's movement in the organizational hierarchy and directs them to perfection. The Objective of this study was to design a model for career management of Tehran Municipality employees. METHODS: The research method was Qualitative-Quantitative and the statistical population of the study was 11 experts in the qualitative section and 660 employees of the organization in the quantitative section. The data collection tool was semi-structured interviews in qualitative section and in quantitative part of the questionnaire was researcher-made. Using the Grounded BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Career management determines the direction of staff's movement in the organizational hierarchy and directs them to perfection. The Objective of this study was to design a model for career management of Tehran Municipality employees. METHODS: The research method was Qualitative-Quantitative and the statistical population of the study was 11 experts in the qualitative section and 660 employees of the organization in the quantitative section. The data collection tool was semi-structured interviews in qualitative section and in quantitative part of the questionnaire was researcher-made. Using the Grounded Theory and Theoretical Coding, the initial model was presented and the final model of the research was presented using Delphi technique and obtaining the opinions of experts. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were used to validate the model. FINDING: The final research model was based on 6 categories, 13 factors and 36 concepts: Causal Conditions included individual and organizational factors, Context including hardware and software capabilities, Intervening Conditions including environmental, behavioral and structural barriers, and Strategies including development and current strategies. Consequences of model implementation were classified into three categories: employees, organization and citizens. Among the 36 concepts identified, the highest factor load was related to the concept of job enrichment with a value of 0.882 and the lowest factor load was related to the concept of productivity with a value of 0.712. This model was investigated among the employees and the results of validation confirmed the model. CONCLUSION: By implementing career management, the field of growth and prosperity of employees in the organization is provided and improves the productivity of the organization and customer satisfaction.
Sustainable urban infrastructure
A. Bouba Oumarou; L. HongXia; C.A. Mbom
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The duality of Chinese management style called guanxi might have a potential difference between Chinese and African ideologies, and may give rise to injustice in some overseas contracting projects leading to conflicts, fights and safety issues. Therefore, effective action is ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The duality of Chinese management style called guanxi might have a potential difference between Chinese and African ideologies, and may give rise to injustice in some overseas contracting projects leading to conflicts, fights and safety issues. Therefore, effective action is needed in improving Chinese contractors-local workers relationships on project sites. Hence, assessing the extent to which Chinese managers practice guanxi on African workers, and how guanxi is affecting conflict and safety standards shows the extent of hope in mitigating risks and improving management. Specifically, this case study attempted to sort out and rank all difficulties Chinese managers encounter while undertaking hydropower projects in Cameroon, to find out whether or not there is a supervisor-worker guanxi relationship on dam construction sites and whether or not guanxi is implicated in Sino-Cameroonian workers conflict and safety.METHODS: SWARA method was used to analyze and rank difficulties, qualitative and quantitative assessments were undertaken for theories studies. After a workshop and semi-interview with Decision Makers a first survey was designed to gather scores of difficulties that ended to a ranking from most to least important using SWARA method. Then two questionnaires were structured and sent to local workers and Chinese project engineers, to gather all information about guanxi, conflicts and safety score. After a consistency study on 526 local workers and 40 Chinese manager’s responses selected from three different hydropower projects, the overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.93 for supervisors and 0.88 for workers.FINDINGS: The results of SWARA ranking showed that the problem areas giving rise challenges to Chinese contractors are mainly related to the language barrier (W=47.7%) and interpersonal issues (w=13.35%).The findings of hypotheses testing suggest that guanxi is not applied on local workers by Chinese managers with statistics X=4.36<26 and X=2.3514 respectively, thus ,hypotheses H21 and H22 were both supported; yet workers do have conflict relationship and do not feel safe working with Chinese managers stated with statistics 27.4 and 24.9 respectively. However, the application of guanxi may play an important role in positively affecting the conflicts and safety management in Chinese oversea megaprojects. Using these results, recommendations were thrown on project, conflict, and safety management. CONCLUSION: As the number of Chinese investments in infrastructures in Africa keeps increasing, the findings in this research may provide all parties with crucial information for better understanding of local workers they might hire for their numerous projects. This study has shown that Chinese managers do not practice guanxi on the local workers, yet it may help in improving safety and conflict management. Therefore, there is need for
Information and communications technology in Urban Management
F. Nazarova; T. Voropayeva; N. Horobets; O. Sokolova
Abstract
global and significantly affect (negatively, positively) the state and development of the national and world economy. The purpose of the paper is the formation of methodical-practical foundations of energy risk management in the energy sector.METHODS: The matrix method was used in building the energy ...
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global and significantly affect (negatively, positively) the state and development of the national and world economy. The purpose of the paper is the formation of methodical-practical foundations of energy risk management in the energy sector.METHODS: The matrix method was used in building the energy security risk assessment matrix. Economic-mathematical modeling was used. Depending on the characteristics of the dynamic series and the available information, the methods of analytical alignment, smoothing using the moving average, the average absolute increase, and the average coefficient of change were applied.FINDINGS: The energy security risk assessment matrix was created. The development of a strategy for the behavior of subjects of market relations in the electricity market should be based not only on the results of risk identification and assessment and the developed risk management plan, but also on the risk response plan and the method of their control (monitoring). The coefficient of use of the installed energy capacity was in the range of 32–26% in Poland in 2021. Calculations of average annual growth rates for each of the dynamic series give reason to state that the highest growth rates of dependence on energy imports were characteristic of coal (+4.17%) and the lowest ones — of oil (+0.35%) during 1990–2021. Considering the forecast values for 2030, a certain decrease in the growth rate of dependence on the import of energy resources (for coal and oil) and an increase- for gas are expected.CONCLUSION: As a conclusion, the method of forecasting the total final energy consumption of the country was improved for forecasting the amount of energy resources in order to use it for building an energy policy that considers such variables as the economic situation and the political situation in the country. The formation of a risk response plan should be based on management plans and documentation of risk manifestations, intellectual and organizational assets of the economic entity (generalized risk management experience, management strategies, templates, etc.). manifestations, intellectual and organizational assets of the economic entity (generalized risk management experience, management strategies, templates, etc.).
Human capital in urban management
F. M. Shahriar; J. Haque; M. K. Barai
Abstract
With the advent of digitalization, information and communications technology facilities have become an indispensable part of education especially at the universities. This study has been undertaken with dual purposes - to find the existing scenario of information and communications technology facilities ...
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With the advent of digitalization, information and communications technology facilities have become an indispensable part of education especially at the universities. This study has been undertaken with dual purposes - to find the existing scenario of information and communications technology facilities and to gauge the perception of the students onthe quality of those facilities - at the universities in Bangladesh. To that end, a survey was conducted on the undergraduate and graduate students of 9 private and public universities. To assess the quality of information and communications technology services, participants’ views on various aspects like the sufficiency of computers, availability of required software, maintenance and troubleshooting, internet and data sharing facilities, etc. were collected and analyzed. The study finds that although students are on the happier side with the information and communications technology installations and equipment, they are fairly unhappy about the maintenance services and internet facilities available at their universities. It gives some valuable insights about the information and communications technology facilities scenario at the universities that can be taken into consideration while planning future action plan and development of information and communications technology at the universities in Bangladesh.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
W.O. Omollo
Abstract
This study investigates the underlying factors elucidating why solid waste management in Eldoret Town, Kenya, has up to now remained inadequate notwithstanding the existing legal framework that mandates the County Government of Uasin Gishu to ensure that all residents have access to a ...
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This study investigates the underlying factors elucidating why solid waste management in Eldoret Town, Kenya, has up to now remained inadequate notwithstanding the existing legal framework that mandates the County Government of Uasin Gishu to ensure that all residents have access to a clean and healthy environment. The study adopted a descriptive research design. While, primary data were collected through field photography and a questionnaire administered to the Director of Environment and Enforcement, secondary data was obtained from the County Government publications and reports. The study findings indicated that the reasons why the County Government of Uasin Gishu was not successfully discharging its statutory mandate included understaffing, low education level of technical staff, lack of an adequate number of receptacles, irregular solid waste collection, inadequate number of transportation vehicles, limited prioritization in the funding of solid waste management and a scarcity in the engagement of stakeholders. Key recommendations included preparing a comprehensive staff establishment policy that includes succession planning, prioritizing solid waste management within the annual development planning, regular solid waste collection, incorporating system approach to solid waste management, and adoption of smart waste management through the integration of Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing. This paper contributes to the international debate on urban management by critically investigating the institutional barriers towards solid waste management.
Human capital in urban management
C.E. Akumu; S. Dennis; C. Reddy
Abstract
Land cover/land use categories are relevant components in land management. Understanding how land cover/land use change over time is necessary to assess the consequences of humans and natural stressors on the earth’s environment and resources. The aim of the study was to map and monitor the spatial ...
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Land cover/land use categories are relevant components in land management. Understanding how land cover/land use change over time is necessary to assess the consequences of humans and natural stressors on the earth’s environment and resources. The aim of the study was to map and monitor the spatial and temporal change in land cover/land use for the periods of 1977, 1991 and 2016 and to predict change detection areas in Davidson County, Tennessee. The land cover/land use categories were classified using maximum likelihood algorithm and post classification comparison change detection analysis was performed. Classified image differencing technique was also used to predict change detection areas in Geographic Information System. The land cover/land use categories were successfully classified with a kappa value of about 78%. The land cover/land use classes changed significantly from 1977 to 2016 in Davidson County, Tennessee. Wetlands and bare land had a net decrease on average of about 97% between 1977 and 2016 whereas; developed areas and forest had a net increase on average of around 40% between 1977 and 2016. Urbanization appeared to be one of the main drivers of the change in land cover/land use. This information could be used in land management and planning by environmental managers, policy makers and other stakeholders.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
I.F. Vincent –Akpu; F. Annor-Frempong
Abstract
Fisheries support livelihood of over half a billion of people globally. Many of these people live in coastal regions of developing countries; and have limited capacity to adapt and build resilience in the face of climate change. This research assesses the biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics ...
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Fisheries support livelihood of over half a billion of people globally. Many of these people live in coastal regions of developing countries; and have limited capacity to adapt and build resilience in the face of climate change. This research assesses the biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics of fishers in four coastal communities, Komenda, Elmina, Cape coast and Morree, in Ghana. Structured questionnaire based on selected indicators that serve as proxy for components of the vulnerability were administered randomly to 237 fishers through face-to-face survey. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the socio-demographic characteristics profile of fishermen and how it will affect their susceptibility to climate change. There were slight differences in the socio-demographic characteristics of the four communities, probably because of their similar physical locations and occupation. A theoretically-derived vulnerability index was used to determine their vulnerability which was based on the components of vulnerability identified from 1IPCC and capital assets identified from sustainable livelihood framework. The vulnerability index score in Morre was found to be the highest (0.64) while that of Elimina was the lowest (0.30). The size and activities in Elmina and Moree artisanal landing site did not play any role in the vulnerability of fishers in these communities rather better access to basic amenities and livelihood strategies affected their vulnerability. Since vulnerability and adaptations are highly specific to a particular people or location, this study will be used to examine the fishers’ vulnerability to climate change and to target adaptation interventions in these communities.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
H.O. Nyandika; E. Kitur; J.K. Nzeve
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban farming makes a substantial influence on the household economy of the urban poor especially in developing countries. Urban soil the hot spot of urban farming is a natural sink for contaminants especially the trace elements derived mainly from anthropogenic activities. ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Urban farming makes a substantial influence on the household economy of the urban poor especially in developing countries. Urban soil the hot spot of urban farming is a natural sink for contaminants especially the trace elements derived mainly from anthropogenic activities. This study’s aim was to quantify the concentrations of selected trace elements (Cr, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in topsoil (0-20 cm) and subsoil (21-50 cm) and to evaluate whether their concentration vary during dry and rainy season. METHODS: Grid soil sampling method was used to collect soil samples and their total concentration was determined using a portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. FINDING: The study revealed that the topsoil had higher concentration than sub soil. The topsoil concentration in mg/kg were 61.62, 4042.58, 30.82, 43.90 and 456.43 for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn respectively. The subsoil concentration in mg/kg were 54.67, 3791.38, 30.32, 27.83 and 370.32 for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn respectively. It also noted that concentration of the trace elements was higher during dry season than wet season but not significantly different (P ≥ .05) for all the elements. CONCLUSION: This study recommends that the level of trace elements studied in the soil be monitored to ensure that it does not reach the harmful levels.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
Gh. Ebraheim; A.R. Karbassi; N. Mehrdadi
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rainwater in the city of Tehran is regarded as a freshwater source; however, because of highly polluted air conditions, the rainwater quality could be seriously affected. Therefore, the treatment of it could be an attractive topic for assessment. The purpose of the present ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rainwater in the city of Tehran is regarded as a freshwater source; however, because of highly polluted air conditions, the rainwater quality could be seriously affected. Therefore, the treatment of it could be an attractive topic for assessment. The purpose of the present study was to treat Tehran rainwater by employing photoelectrocatalytic methods as one of the most powerful treatment methods. Also, this study aimed to find an easy laboratory procedure to create various redox environments and to assess a protocol for the release of metals.METHODS: The photoelectrocatalytic process was achieved by using a photocatalyst (Titanium dioxide) as the photoanode for the treatment of Tehran rainwater. Sodium ascorbate was used as a reducing modifier to assess the effect of various redox potentials on the performance of the photoelectrocatalytic process.FINDING: The positive redox potential, the 6 centimeter gap, and the sodium chloride concentration of o.65 g/L resulted in a considerable increase of the chemical oxygen demand, iron, manganese and lead removals. On the other hand, the negative redox potential, the 12 cm gap, and the sodium chloride concentration of o.65 g/L led to a noticeable increase in the removal of zinc. By employing the speciation and Pourbaix diagrams, the removal mechanisms of the PEC process were investigated. Chemical oxygen demand, iron and manganese by oxidation, lead, zinc and cadmium by precipitation were removed. Also, based on the cluster analysis, it was found that redox potential, dissolved oxygen and pH had a strong relationship.CONCLUSION: This work provided evidence that the redox potential could be regarded as a critical parameter helping to better estimate the risks associated with the polluted sites.
Urban health, safety and environment (HSE)
A. Rahaman; Md. R. Hosen; M. A. Hena; U. H. B. Naher; M. Moniruzzaman
Abstract
This study illustrates the process of removal of chromium from chrome tanning waste-water by fly ash which was drive from chrome shaving dust. This experiment was carried out in a batch process with laboratory prepared adsorbent samples and chrome tanning water collected from local tanneries. The influence ...
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This study illustrates the process of removal of chromium from chrome tanning waste-water by fly ash which was drive from chrome shaving dust. This experiment was carried out in a batch process with laboratory prepared adsorbent samples and chrome tanning water collected from local tanneries. The influence of various factors likes adsorbent doses, contact time, and initial concentration of chromium on the removal of chromium from effluent was investigated. FTIR analysis was done to identify the functional groups presents in the fly ash. The maximum removal of chromium and absorption capacity was found to be 97.86%. And 23.11 mg/g at chromium concentration of 1000.3mg/l and 1291 mg/l respectively. Total dissolve solid, turbidity, and conductivity were reduced significantly. Waste water samples containing several interfering ions like Na, Fe, Ca, Zn, Mn etc. The langmuir absorption isotherm was also used to explain the nature of adsorption. This result indicates that chrome shaving dust ash can be successfully used to treat chrome tanning wastewater.
Urban ecology and related environmental concerns
S.R. Debi; S. Bhattacharjee; T.D. Aka; S.C. Paul; M.C. Roy; M.A. Salam; Md.S. Islam; A.R. Azady
Abstract
Soil quality assessment is a significant approach for arable land, especially in a coastal region to gain a better understanding of soil productivity and effect of agricultural systems on soil resources. This study aimed to determine the quality of cultivated soil of both urban (Noakhali) and rural areas ...
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Soil quality assessment is a significant approach for arable land, especially in a coastal region to gain a better understanding of soil productivity and effect of agricultural systems on soil resources. This study aimed to determine the quality of cultivated soil of both urban (Noakhali) and rural areas (Kabirhat and Subarnachar) of Noakhali, Bangladesh. The soil quality was evaluated as soil quality index by using 117 soil samples data, collected from three different sites within the Noakhali District. Among 14 soil parameters (total data set), only six parameters namely organic matter, Phosphorous, Boron, potassium, and iron were selected for the minimum data set, based on a combination of principal component analysis, norm values and expert opinion. Four soil quality index calculation methods, namely: linear weighted additive; linear simple additive; nonlinear weighted additive and nonlinear simple additive; were calculated based on the minimum data set. A significant positive correlations (P <0.001, P <0.05) among the four methods were observed. The soil quality of the three sampling regions followed the order of Kabirhat> Subarnachar> Noakhali indicating the better quality soil in rural areas. In Noakhali, the major contributors to soil quality were organic matter (2.94–64.85%) followed by Boron (4.69-58.22%), iron (4.77–50.00%), electrical conductivity (3.48–32.53%), phosphorous (0.36–39.44%) and potassium (1.77–27.76%) whereas in Kabirhat, Boron (31.70%) and iron (23.83%) were the major contributors, and in Subarnachar, organic matter (28.98%) contributed the most.
Urban social and cultural welfare
Z. Nisa
Abstract
Northern areas of Pakistan have blessed with extremely beautiful natural landscapes, waterfalls, glaciated mountains, biodiversity rich valleys and forests and have extraordinary potential for ecotourism. Study is designed to propose potential sites for ecotourism in Kohistan, which is a least developed ...
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Northern areas of Pakistan have blessed with extremely beautiful natural landscapes, waterfalls, glaciated mountains, biodiversity rich valleys and forests and have extraordinary potential for ecotourism. Study is designed to propose potential sites for ecotourism in Kohistan, which is a least developed but biodiversity rich area of Pakistan. Poor planning and mismanagement of tourism practices have already disturbed the ecosystems of these highlands; there is a need to involve the local community in environmental conservation practices. As ecotourism has the potential to provide various new means of income for local people. Geographic Information System serves as a decision support tool in finding suitable locations for ecotourism by taking multiple factors into account and helps in devising strategy by providing ecotourism potential sites map in return. Same approach has been applied in the study with use of remote sensing and Geographic Information System based hybrid techniques. Thematic layers from classified image are overlaid with slope, elevation, soil, and vegetation density layers. Multiple criteria based decision is made from weighted overlay analysis which has given potential sites map. These potential sites can be appropriate places for trekking, skiing, white water rafting, sailing, mountain resorts, forest reserves and sports related activities. It is expected that implementing ecotourism in Kohistan will bring positive change in their economic life and it will be equally beneficial for tourism industry of Pakistan.
