Search

While the conservation efforts and constraints in the medieval town of Quedlinburg are typical of the conditions in the smaller historic towns in the former German Democratic Republic, they also resemble those of small heritage towns in other countries. Shifts and changes are assessed for a time frame of about 25 years, before and after the pivotal event of German reunification of 1990. Located in a previously prosperous but now depressed region with more than 20% unemployment, Quedlinburg has suffered from the breakdown of the former agricultural and other industries in the region after 1990 and subsequent out-migration. Some valuable historic buildings were lost before 1990, owing to neglect and lack of funding. Since then, improved funding, combined with public–private partnership, has helped the town to make very considerable conservation progress. The town’s World Heritage status since 1994 has been utilised as a significant supporting factor in tourism promotion, which has become an important part of the ongoing conservation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important changes in the political economy of Vietnam began with the Doi Moi (Renovation) reforms of 1986. The changes in the national economic system have been reflected almost immediately in urban development patterns, where the diversification of capital investment (especially the influx of foreign direct investment), the creation of a property market (dealing with land use rights), and the commercialization of the housing sector have created significant changes, while the planning system has not been sufficiently adapted to the new political reality. This article shows how the changes in the national policy framework have transformed the urban development patterns of Hanoi. Industrial development in the rural fringe areas, the new dynamics of the private housing sector, and the commercial redevelopment of the inner city are described and quantified. While the formerly rigid command-and-control system of urban management has already been simplified to some extent, inappropriate bureaucratic attitudes persist. This has resulted in a lack of authority, communication, and competency, while a thriving informal sector of urban development has emerged. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for building new forms of public involvement to ensure social equity goals and to avoid market distortions. The policy reforms at the national level need to be mirrored by a more capable urban management system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduces and discusses three city planning support system (PSS)--LADSS, FlowMAp, and LocNet--for specific spatial analysis and planning. Background concepts; Comparisons of the three software packages; Perspective for further development on use of software in an incremental PSS environment.

Abstract: Objective: In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a common finding. The characteristic feature is an asynchronous septal wall motion and most frequently a delay of the lateral and/or posterior wall segments. With the onset of cardiac resynchronization therapy, there is a focus on the specific pathophysiology of a LBBB. However, quantitative data on regional myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) and blood flow (MBF) are missing. Methods: We studied 31 patients with severe DCM and LBBB (ejection fraction 22.1±7.1%) and 14 patients with mild to moderate DCM without LBBB (ejection fraction 46.7±7.9%). Global and regional MVO2 as well as MBF were determined from a dynamic 11C-acetate positron emission tomography (PET) study. Results: Global MVO2 and MBF were lower in the DCM group with LBBB than in the control group (P<0.05). Regionally, the LBBB group revealed a higher (P<0.05) MVO2 and MBF in the lateral wall than in the other walls. The control group did not show significant differences between the myocardial walls and demonstrated a smaller variability of the parameters. Conclusion: DCM patients with LBBB exhibit a more heterogeneous distribution of MVO2 and MBF among the myocardial walls than DCM patients without LBBB. Due to the LBBB associated electromechanical alterations, the highest regional values of MVO2 and MBF are found in the lateral wall. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]