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Displacement and seismic activities are critical elements in understanding the geodynamic behaviour of regions. Particularly in Banten, a region with significant irrigation infrastructure, these factors have implications for land use and infrastructure stability. From 2017–2020, Banten experienced varying displacement dynamics and seismic events, and DInSAR processing proved instrumental in achieving high-precision vertical displacement measurements. The challenge was to discern the pattern of these displacements in relation to significant earthquakes and the implications for specific high-density irrigation zones. Our study reveals a notable differentiation in displacement dynamics across different periods, especially in regions proximal to earthquake epicentres. For instance, the 2019 earthquake of magnitude 5 MW corresponded with uplift activities in certain irrigation areas, contrary to the subsidence observed in the preceding period. These findings emphasise the intricate relationship between seismic activities, vertical displacements, and their potential impact on key infrastructural elements in Banten. Moreover, understanding this interplay is not only crucial for regional planning but also offers insights into how such dynamics can influence areas with similar geophysical properties globally. Broadly, our results underscore the importance of consistent monitoring and analytical methodologies, like DInSAR, in regions susceptible to seismic shifts. Such knowledge can inform infrastructure development, resource allocation, and disaster preparedness strategies, ensuring the safety and sustainability of both natural and man-made environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing integrated energy station (IES) planning does not consider the lifecycle of the energy conversion equipment and the growth modes of various loads at the same time, which will inevitably affect the economics of the IES planning. This paper proposes a planning and design of regional IESs that takes the load growth mode into account, aiming at the lowest total cost of regional IESs in the planning lifecycle. Based on the operation mode about of the IES coupled with the three-networks involving the natural gas network (NGN), power distribution network (PDN) and transportation network (TN), the selection and capacity configuration of the equipment in the IES are optimized. The solution process of staged planning for IESs is proposed based on load calculation, power distribution and economic checking computations. The optimization calculation is carried out by reasonably dividing the time interval and setting the calculation criteria for the power distribution module. Finally, four MW-level IESs coupled with IEEE 33-node PDN, 20-node NGN and 12-node TN are simulated on the basis of MATLAB. The results show that the equipment investment and operation costs of the regional IESs can be decreased by about 7.1%, and the accumulated waste of various equipment capacity is decreased by nearly 16.51 MW, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed model and strategy. Furthermore, the results show that it is more practical and economical to consider the equipment lifecycle and load growth mode for the medium and long-term planning of IESs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change impact on crop production using different climate model projections varies considerably and it is challenging to choose a suitable climate scenario for risk assessment. This study aims to assess the climate change impact on the wheat crop in nine agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in Northern India using the CERES-Wheat crop model, driven by high resolution projected climate from different regional climate models (RCMs). The results show that the vegetative growth period would be shortened across the ACZs and scenarios where higher reductions will be witnessed under RCP 8.5 viz., up to 10 days in the 2050s (2040–2069), and 14 days in the 2080s (2070–2099). Also, in the 2080s shortening up to 17 days will be observed in the total growth period under RCP 8.5. When elevated CO2 concentration was not considered the wheat yields were found to reduce up to 20.5 and 30% under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, respectively, in the 2050s. In the 2080s, the losses will be more pronounced reaching up to 41.5% under RCP 8.5. With the consideration of CO2, the yield reductions will be up to 14 and 18% under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 respectively in the 2080s. Uncertainty associated with climate model revealed that ACCESS 1-0 and MPI-ESM-LR predicted higher mean yield reductions while CNRM-CM5 has shown a mild effect. Present study concluded that eastern UP is a vulnerable region for wheat production in the 21st century. The results suggest that there is an urgent need for developing suitable adaptation strategies to ameliorate the adverse effects on wheat production in UP through regional policy planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial planning and development use various visualisation methods. Technological advancements in visualisation techniques have allowed imaging to shift from 2 to 3D dimensions. 3D optical illusion, which converts information recorded in the digital form into a three-dimensional presentation, can be a new tool for presenting spatial development solutions. Since a optical illusion is a direct spatial presentation, it requires neither specialist preparation nor spatial imagination. For this reason, it can become an effective means of visual communication with the public in the area of spatial planning and development. This article shows an example of the imaging of a model element of spatial development (a building) using the 3D illusion technique. Collected opinions of the test group of viewers confirm the usefulness of this tool. The presented 3D visualisation effect evoked positive reactions among the viewers. The use of the hologram technique in spatial planning and development appears to be justified and is an interesting research trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of economy, China's cities and villages have been changing with each passing day. The planning and updating of traditional settlements have become an important topic in the development of our country. By studying the theory of space syntax, the author extracted the technical method of updating traditional settlements. We chose a traditional settlement as the research object. Based on the regional function of traditional settlements, the spatial structure of the region has been used to plan and update the area. The method designed in this paper can effectively update and transform traditional settlements. This is of practical significance to the progress and construction of our society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to distinguish rocks that may have negative health impacts and to reveal the risks and effects of urban development in this polluting environment. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the radiological risk and related cancer effect caused by rocks with high radioactivity. For this, in situ radioactive element measurements can be directly performed on the rocks with a gamma-ray spectrometer or by investigating samples under laboratory conditions. In this study, radioactive element measurements were performed directly on the rock or soil with a gamma-ray spectrometer. Gamma-ray spectrometer measurements were applied at 1082 different points in an area of approximately 1200 km2 comprising Afyon and its surroundings in Turkey. These measurements included 40K, 238U, and 232Th concentrations. The absorbed gamma dose rate, the annual effective dose, the radium equivalent, the external hazard index, and the cancer effects of the study area were assessed by using these concentration values. Radiological risk areas were determined by mapping the measured and calculated values in the whole study area. Areas with a potential health risk were distinguished, and it was concluded that these areas could pose a risk to human life. In addition, if new settlements are preferred in volcanic areas, it will be necessary to determine the radiological hazard of the rock or soil in that area. Therefore, when planning urban development in the area, gamma-ray spectrometry mapping can help to identify suitable locations for new settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Cycling is a climate-friendly means of transport that enables people to reduce their use of motorized transport and makes human settlements more inclusive and resilient. In Italy, the development of cycling has recently been boosted by the approval of Law no. 2/2018, which makes it compulsory for all Italian regions to draw up a regional cycling mobility plan. Objective: To meet this regulatory provision, the Region of Sardinia approved the Regional Plan for Cycling Mobility in December 2018. Drawn up by the Sardinian Regional Transport Agency and the transportation research group of the University of Cagliari, the plan aims to lay out a regional cycle network to promote the use of the bicycle as a means of transport for both every day and tourist–recreational needs. One of the main objectives of the plan is to make the inland areas of the island more accessible, as the development of such areas tends to have been neglected compared to the coastal areas linked to seaside tourism. Hence, the plan intends to contribute to the increase of tourist flows into rural areas, which can be a strategic segment of local development. Results: By analysing the methodology adopted to lay out Sardinia's regional cycle network, the aim of the current paper is to show how the planning of an integrated cycle network in an island context can improve sustainable mobility and accessibility in the rural areas through which it passes. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that many rural settlements along the routes of the planned cycle network are sufficiently near each other for people to travel between them by bicycle. Conclusions: Therefore, the cycling infrastructure could prompt a sustainable increase in the accessibility and connectivity of inland areas and stimulate the formation of clusters of small, interconnected towns and villages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As global water resources are decreasing and the demand for it is constantly increasing, the problem of proper water management is becoming more pressing. Poland is one of the largest producers of vegetables in Europe, including carrots, with significant exports. However its freshwater resources are relatively small. The paper presents the results of research on the water footprint (WF) life cycle assessment (LCA) in conventional and organic carrot production. The methodology of calculating WF was used in accordance with PN-EN ISO 14046. It was found, e.g., that WF for organic production of carrot (WF = 1.9 m3 ha−1) is over five times lower, as compared to conventional production (WF = 10.4 m3 ha−1). In the case of conventional production, the fertilization process (67.0–67.7%) has the greatest impact on the shaping of WF in the individual impact categories, i.e. Human Health, Ecosystem Quality and resources. In organic production, the WF-shaping factor is carrot harvesting (41.9–43.1%). The research can be used to develop pro-ecological carrot production technologies, as well as to shape sustainable development plans in agricultural areas. It can also be used to outline policy directions regarding foreign trade in water-consuming agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutria, (Myocastor coypus), is a semiaquatic rodent native to the subtropical and temperate regions of South America. The species was introduced to South Korea for meat and fur production purposes and a wild population has become established. The species subsequently invaded aquatic ecosystems and destroyed aquatic vegetation and cultivated crops. Thus, it is essential to understand their current distribution and future range expansion for effective control and eradication strategies to reduce the risk of colonization into new regions. In this study, we used niche modeling procedure to identify potentially suitable habitats for M. coypus under current and future predicted climate change using the maximum entropy algorithm. We found that the main habitat area of M. coypus is expected to expand under a warming climate from ~ 4069 km2 in the southern and southeastern regions of South Korea, to the northern border of the country, with estimated ranges of 21,744 km2, 55,859 km2, and 64,937 km2 by 2030, 2050, and 2070, respectively. The findings of the present study assist in identifying the future distribution and potential dispersion routes of M. coypus in South Korea, which is important for informing the government regarding essential management actions plans at regional and local scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the ongoing expansion of wind energy onshore and offshore, large-scale wind-farm-flow effects in a temporally- and spatially-heterogeneous atmosphere become increasingly relevant. Mesoscale models equipped with a wind-farm parametrization (WFP) can be used to study these effects. Here, we conduct a systematic literature review on the existing WFPs for mesoscale models, their applications and findings. In total, 10 different explicit WFPs have been identified. They differ in their description of the turbine-induced forces, and turbulence-kinetic-energy production. The WFPs have been validated for different target parameters through measurements and large-eddy simulations. The performance of the WFP depends considerably on the ability of the mesoscale model to simulate the background meteorological conditions correctly as well as on the model set-up. The different WFPs have been applied to both onshore and offshore environments around the world. Here, we summarize their findings regarding (1) the characterizations of wind-farm-flow effects, (2) the environmental impact of wind farms, and (3) the implication for wind-energy planning. Since wind-farm wakes can last for several tens of kilometres downstream depending on stability, surface roughness and terrain, neighbouring wind farms need to be taken into account for regional planning of wind energy. Their environmental impact is mostly confined to areas close to the farm. The review suggests future work should include benchmark-type validation studies with long-term measurements, further developments of mesoscale model physics and WFPs, and more interactions between the mesoscale and microscale community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy design has returned as a central topic in public policy research. An important area of policy design study deals with effectively attaining desired policy outcomes by aligning goals and means to achieve policy design fit. So far, only a few empirical studies have explored the relationship between policy design fit and effectiveness. In this paper, we adopt the multilevel framework for policy design to determine which conditions of policy design fit—i.e., goal coherence, means consistency, and congruence of goals and means across policy levels—are necessary and/or sufficient for policy design effectiveness in the context of policy integration. To this end, we performed a qualitative comparative analysis of Dutch regional transport planning including all twelve provinces. Outcomes show no condition is necessary and two combinations of conditions are sufficient for effectiveness. The first sufficient combination confirms what the literature suggests, namely that policy design fit results in policy design effectiveness. The second indicates that the combination goal incoherence and incongruence of goals and means is sufficient for policy design effectiveness. An in-depth interpretation of this counterintuitive result leads to the conclusion that for achieving policy integration the supportive relationship between policy design fit and policy design effectiveness is less straightforward as theory suggests. Instead, results indicate there are varying degrees of coherence, consistency, and congruence that affect effectiveness in different ways. Furthermore, outcomes reveal that under specific circumstances a policy design may be effective in promoting desired policy integration even if it is incoherent, inconsistent, and/or incongruent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquake-induced slope instability is one of the most important hazards related to ground shaking, causing damages to the environment and, often, casualties. Therefore, it is important to assess the seismic performance of slopes, especially in the near fault regions, evaluating the permanent displacements induced by seismic loading. This paper applies a probabilistic approach to evaluate the seismic performance of slopes using an updated database of ground motions recorded during the earthquakes occurred in Italy. The main advantage of this approach is that of accounting for the aleatory variability of both ground motions and prediction of seismic-induced displacements of slopes. The results are presented in terms of hazard curves, showing the annual rate of exceedance of permanent slope displacement evaluated using ground motion data provided by a standard probabilistic hazard analysis and a series of semi-empirical relationships linking the permanent displacements of slopes to one or more ground motion parameters. The procedure has been implemented on a regional scale to produce seismic landslide hazard maps for the Irpinia district, in Southern Italy, characterised by a severe seismic hazard. Seismic landslide hazard maps represent a useful tool for practitioners and government agencies for a regional planning to identify and monitor zones that are potentially susceptible to earthquake-induced slope instability, thus requiring further detailed, site-specific studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Countries generally aim to attain several different or sometimes contrary goals. To this end, a Goal Programming (GP) model integrated with an Input–Output (I-O) one was implemented in a number of previous studies. This paper attempts to integrate a GP with a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) framework to allocate economic resources of an economy among alternative sectors in order to achieve a number of goals. To do so, although the goals and limitations of regions are determined with respect to their situations, the supply and demand for products of economic sectors, as well as Gross Regional Products (GRP); employment for different educational groups of human forces; and income distribution inequality in addition to the personal income mean are formulated as the first to third goals of the research, respectively. The model has been examined by using the SAM Table for the Golestan Province of Iran. The result of implementing the model demonstrates that integrating SAM instead of I-O with GP will increase the capability of the integrated model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rationality of regional land planning needs to be evaluated through intelligent technology and continuously optimized. At present, most land planning is temporarily adjusted according to actual needs, so it does not have real-time dynamics. In order to improve the rationality of regional land planning, based on BP neural network, this study combined the spatial mining technology to construct a regional land planning model, and used BP neural network and SVM technology to establish a relationship model between the impact factor value and distance scale factor. Moreover, based on the gray system theory, this study uses the gray correlation model to measure the coupling degree between industrial structure and land use, and analyzes the correlation between various factors. In addition, the artificial neural network after learning and testing can be used for dynamic simulation calculations. The research results show that this algorithm has some practical effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional foresight is one of the regional planning approaches that increase the ability to deal with uncertainty and changes. This study aims to provide an overview of regional foresight studies and domain map to evaluate their merits and defects and direct future studies in this field. For this purpose, 111 papers related to regional foresight were identified at the "Web of Science" in the period 2000 to 2019 and used as the basis for further analysis. These papers have been reviewed in various aspects. In addition, the domain map of regional foresight and its intellectual bases was drawn based on co-citation analysis of these papers and their 4194 references. The domain map includes five main clusters of research areas or intellectual bases for regional foresight: normative forecasting, participation, foresight in policy and strategy, innovation systems, and multi-level governance. Finally, the merits and defects of regional foresight studies are evaluated based on research results and some suggestions are provided for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reflects on a transdisciplinary complex adaptive systems (T-CAS) approach to the development of a school health research network (SHRN) in Wales for a national culture of prevention for health improvement in schools. A T-CAS approach focuses on key stages and activities within a continuous network cycle to facilitate systems level change. The theory highlights the importance of establishing transdisciplinary strategic partnerships to identify and develop opportunities for system reorientation. Investment in and the linking of resources develops the capacity for key social agents to take advantage of disruption points in the re-orientated system, and engagement activities develop the network to facilitate new social interactions and opportunities for transdisciplinary activities. A focus on transdisciplinary action research to co-produce interventions, generate research evidence and inform policy and practice is shown to play an important part in developing new normative processes that act to self-regulate the emerging system. Finally, the provision of reciprocal network benefits provides critical feedback loops that stabilise the emerging adaptive system and promote the network cycle. SHRN is shown to have embedded itself in the system by securing sustainability funding from health and education, a key role in national and regional planning and recruiting every eligible school to the network. It has begun to reorient the system to one of evidence generation (56 research studies co-produced) and opportunities for data-led practice at multiple levels. Further capacity development will be required to capitalise on these. The advantages of a complex systems approach to address barriers to change and the transferability of a T-CAS network approach across settings and cultures are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation of extreme hydrological events are necessary for planning and designing hydrological structures. In this study, we examine and project two hydrological extremes of drought and wet conditions over the north and eastern regions of the country. A statistical procedure of the Reconnaissance Drought Index at the annual time scale was used to combine the monthly rainfall and temperature data for the assessment of extreme drought and wet events. These hydrological extreme events were combined with Index-Drought Procedure using L-moments to obtain study results. Homogenous regions were satisfied for both the extremes based on statistical measures. Two statistical tools were used to select suitable probability distributions in the form of Generalized Pareto and Pearson Type-III distributions to discuss drought risk and wet conditions in the regions. Secondly, regional projections of drought risk and wet conditions were performed based on regional quantiles at different interarrival periods which show greater chances of the wet condition in region one while drought risk in region two. Lastly, at-site projections were carried out for all the included sites for both extremes at various interarrival periods using the suitable probability distributions. Both at-site and regional projections show greater similarity at lower while uncertainty at higher interarrival periods. As droughts and wets cover, a large area, therefore, regional results are more functional and better for regional planning and development programs. These statistical projections will help planners of water resources management and hydrological extremes in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flood risk in urban areas around the world is increasing due to socio-economic development and climate change. Urban climate adaptation measures are beneficial over the longer term, particularly in coastal areas, yet the upfront costs of such measures are significant. Moreover, public actors responsible for adaptation to flood risk face constrained budgets. A promising strategy for overcoming these constraints and enabling greater adaptation investment is land reclamation that includes adaptation, i.e. flood risk reduction. Land reclamation in high-value urban areas can generate substantial revenues through the sale or lease of new land, or taxes on increased economic activities, thus offsetting public adaptation investments. This paper explores the potential of land reclamation for leveraging public adaptation investments and associated distributional issues, by analysing 3 urban land reclamation and adaptation projects in Germany, the Netherlands and the Maldives. We find that all projects have leveraging potential, and leveraging in projects primarily aimed at land creation is particularly high. Further, due to low adaptation costs needed to protect revenue streams in such projects, these investments appear to be 'low-regret'. Regarding distributional aspects, high project costs and limited public budgets for adaptation constrain public actors' ability to ensure equitable outcomes through planning instruments, for example, social housing. Further, in implementation, competition for project benefits can lead to further inequalities. We conclude that urban land reclamation presents a significant opportunity to leverage public adaptation investments under certain conditions. We further outline future research needs including to extend land-based financing theory from related urban infrastructure sectors to inform the design of equitable governance arrangements and to better understand the role of such urban land reclamation projects in regional or national development pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamentally new integrated approach to the state activity on the adaptation to changing environmental conditions, namely, the territorial planning of land use is proposed by the example of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation being the most vulnerable region to climate change. Adaptation measures for natural ecosystems are scientifically grounded for the Arctic region: the prevention of permafrost surface cover disturbances, the minimization of other types of anthropogenic impact and pollution, the maintenance and increase in surface albedo in winter. The examples of development of a dual indicator system are given: for monitoring the implementation of measures and adaptation efficiency (the quantitative markers of climate-caused damage). The analysis of all indicators in the adaptation efficiency monitoring system, as well as the projections of indicators for 5–10 years ahead help to make reasoned management decisions to correct the applied adaptation measures. The practical application of the results includes the use of the developed approaches in the sectoral and regional plans and at the second stage of the National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acceptance sampling plans are a cross-functional quality control instrument for benchmarking compliant standards of incoming as well as outgoing lots. The multiple dependent state (MDS) plan has been proposed and proven to advantage the conventional single sampling plan (SSP). However, the MDS plan presents a contradictory situation: Its performance depreciates as the number of previously considered lots increases. This outcome implies that the greater the number of cumulative lot-sentencing results one intends to include is, the greater the sample size is required for inspection, where a loosened criterion for quality acceptance levels, unfavorably, is introduced as well. Therefore, we proposed a modified MDS plan that depends on the loss-based capability index to accommodate an adjustable mechanism, namely, the adjustable multiple dependent state (AMDS) sampling plan. The AMDS plan allows encompassing not only a greater number of preceding lots in the lot disposition decision but also reducing the sample size required for the inspection and raising the lot-sentencing quality standards to stimulate the supplier attaining with persistently reliable submissions for a long-term supplier-consumer relationship. In comparison to the plans' performance, our proposed AMDS plans demonstrate superior cost-effectiveness, discriminatory powers, and average run lengths than those of the SSP and MDS sampling plans. Furthermore, we tabulated the plan parameters under numerous conditions and delivered a real industry case to demonstrate its applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the urbanization and economic growth, planning of regional sustainable development has become one of the major challenges in the world. The key indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP), electricity and energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission (GHG) are considered in sustainable development planning. This paper determines number of required workforce in different sectors of each province in Iran considering targets/goals for sustainable development indicators in the 2030 macroeconomic and regional planning. First, the relative goals are designed for GDP, electricity, energy and GHG emission and then, two weighted goal programming models are applied to allocate the optimal workforce among four sectors: agriculture, industry, services and transportation. The first model minimizes recruitment of new workforce and allows current workforce exchange among the four sectors in each province in order to achieve the goals, while the second model indicates equitable distribution of new workforce recruitment in different sectors within each province. In both models, the workforce changes have been investigated based on achieving the desirable growth rates of GDP, GHG, electricity and energy consumption as planned by the government. Based on the results of this paper, policy makers can manage workforce and the government can make optimized decisions to macroeconomic and regional planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in bicycling and its determining factors is growing within the public health, transportation and geography communities. Ownership is one factor affecting bicycle usage, but work is still ongoing to not only quantify its effects but also to understand patterns in its growth and influence. In recent work, we mined and discovered patterns in global bicycle ownership that showed the existence of four characteristic country groups and their trends. Building on these results, we show in this paper that the ownership dataset can be modeled as a network. First, we observe mixing tendencies that indicate neighboring countries are more likely to be in the same ownership group and we map the likelihoods for cross-group mixings. Further, we define the strength of connections between countries by their proximity in ownership levels. We then determine the weighted degree assortative coefficient for the network and for each group relative to the network. We find that while the weighted degree assortativity of the ownership network is statistically insignificant, the highest and lowest ownership groups exhibit disassortative behavior with respect to the entire network. The second and third ranked groups, however, are strongly assortative. Our model serves as a step toward further work in studying the relationship between proximity and bicycle ownership among nations and unearthing possible patterns of influence. Considering further developments, this work can inform policy-relevant recommendations toward regional planning. This effort also contributes to expanding research in assortativity analyses, especially in weighted networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are approximately one million existing electrically heated homes in the Northwest. The Northwest region of the USA as defined for this project includes the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana. Within this area, there are a range of climate zones. The region also includes a wide range of electric markets, from rural to large urban areas. Ductless heat pumps (DHPs) have the potential to save several hundred average megawatts in this market and reduce the carbon intensity of target homes by more than 30 %. To leverage this large potential resource for the region, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) used a holistic approach to design, implement, and evaluate the Northwest DHP Pilot Project. NEEA worked with contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and utilities to generate demand for DHPs, build a thriving and sustainable network to meet that demand, and ultimately transform the DHP market. NEEA designed the DHP Pilot Project evaluation to conduct an integrated assessment of DHP technical performance and market acceptance. The evaluation included five 'tiers' of DHP research: (1) market acceptance, including interviews with manufacturers, distributors, utilities, program implementation staff, and nearly 300 participants; (2) lab testing of two DHPs; (3) field monitoring of 95 participating homes; (4) billing analysis of the pilot population (3899 sites); and (5) cost-effectiveness analysis of the DHP measure. By taking a '360 degree' perspective, the evaluators were able to make granular distinctions between performance-based and behavior-based determinants of energy savings. This paper discusses the tools used to influence DHP market perception and to overcome skeptics of this technology. The paper also assesses the evaluation approach, including the pros and cons of assessing a technology and program design from multiple angles in order to identify reliable savings and the potential for future programs. The paper summarizes extensive primary research and case studies. As such, the paper focuses solely on the direct experience and findings from the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating crop suitability is usually based on traditional land approaches in many countries, using only agro-ecological zoning and soil data. However, land use is also controlled by socio-economic and other biophysical factors. It is actually unknown how coffee suitability is influenced by such socio-economic and biophysical factors. Therefore, here, we studied all known factors that influence coffee production in Rwanda using an inventory of small holder coffee fields, including at least 200 coffee trees. We identified 29 potential factors, including demography, and environmental factors such as climate, soil and topography. These factors were reduced to 17 variables explaining 86 % of the total dataset variability, by factor analysis. The dataset was subsequently stratified into ten agro-ecological zones, yielding regional models that explain regional variability of coffee field density up to 54 %. Regional models show that 60 % of the actual coffee farms are located in suitable locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moral issues in urban planning involving technology, residents, marginalized groups, ecosystems, and future generations are complex cases, requiring solutions that go beyond the limits of contemporary moral theory. Aside from typical planning problems, there is incongruence between moral theory and some of the subjects that require moral assessment, such as urban infrastructure. Despite this incongruence, there is not a need to develop another moral theory. Instead, a supplemental measure that is compatible with existing moral positions will suffice. My primary goal in this paper is to explain the need for this supplemental measure, describe what one looks like, and show how it works with existing moral systems. The secondary goal is to show that creating a supplemental measure that provides congruency between moral systems that are designed to assess human action and non-human subjects advances the study of moral theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective integration across policy domains and between spatial scales is indispensable in dealing with the inherently complex process of policy formulation and implementation at all levels. In this paper, we examine the key features of Ghana's spatial planning system focusing on the mechanisms and challenges of policy integration in practice. We show that a combination of path dependence and recent reforms has inevitably created two distinctly separate planning systems: an established Development Planning System and a newly instituted Spatial Planning System. Under the established notion of the 'spatial' being distinctively separate from the 'socio-economic' in planning, these two systems deploy separate institutional and legal arrangements as well as policy instruments to accomplish the task of planning. Within this context, mechanisms to ensure effective policy integration were found to be weak and ineffective. Moreover, the absence of a tradition of strategic regional planning and a culture of strategic partnerships among local authorities, the lack of appropriate institutional arrangements and sustainable sources of finance and duplicitous institutional functions were the key barriers to effective integration within the new concept of hierarchical spatial planning. We argue that a new paradigm of integrated planning under a unified planning system is urgently needed as a pre-condition for effective multi-level policy integration. We suggest that some forms of institutional restructuring would be necessary to establish a tradition of integrated planning. Finally, we recommend the use of legally binding mechanisms to institutionalize and enforce a culture of strategic alliance among local governments in cross-cutting matters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, South Africa has a single national piece of legislation, the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, 2013, that creates an overarching framework for spatial planning, policy and land use management for the entire country, including rural and informal settlements. Spatial plans linked to zoning schemes are at the heart of this planning system. However, zoning as a land use management tool has been intensely criticised as being exclusionary and socially, economically and environmentally unsustainable. Given that the purpose of the new legislation is to create equitable and sustainable development, this paper questions whether zoning is indeed the most suitable land use management tool in South Africa. The paper briefly outlines the requirements of the new act and then evaluates the usefulness of various forms of land use management such as land use zoning, performance zoning, form-based control and discretionary systems in the South African context. Drawing on the strengths of some of the alternative land use management systems, proposals are made for a more suitable land use management system for South Africa that could have applicability in other countries with a similar colonial history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical planning is influenced by a number of variables. The key among these in the Ghanaian context is the system of land governance. This paper attempts to examine the extent to which the decentralised planning system of Ghana is capable of addressing the challenges facing mid-sized cities, particularly under the reformed land governance system. This is important because physical planning in Ghana is organised under a system whereby land is governed and/or owned by authorities other than the state apparatus. Two key questions are the basis for this enquiry-how is physical planning in Ghana conceived and actually executed? What are the characteristics of the reformed land governance system of Ghana and how have these affected decentralised physical planning and spatial governance? A case study approach which enables a detailed and holistic analysis of the phenomenon was used to investigate physical planning practice in a selected mid-sized city in Ghana. The study establishes that physical planning in Ghana is not driven by long-term sustainable development visions; there is the absence of planning concepts, principles and norms; and there is no clear land use regulator. The study recommends that the local government bodies in Ghana take up their responsibility as land use regulators by improving the capacity of their physical planning departments to deliver on their mandate. It is also recommended that physical planning be conducted in a participatory manner within the framework of the National Development Planning (Systems) Act 1994 (Act 480). It is argued that this will imply a move away from 'zoning and rezoning' to strategic spatial planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Last decade's surge in commodity prices has now abated, but some of its effects on the mining industry may well be longer-lasting. The combination of booming consumer demand and continued depletion of mineral deposits in established producing nations expanded investor attention to the developing world. Projects grew bigger to capture economies of scale and compensate for rising capital costs, and the industry's pipeline soon filled with some of the largest projects ever proposed. Expectations of social and economic gain in mineral-rich nations also increased dramatically, fuelling a surge of resource nationalism worldwide. As a new tier of developers courted governments to access mineral resources, a sense of choice became entrenched. Individual mining corporations came under pressure to demonstrate that their ever-larger investments delivered commensurate economic benefits to host countries. In an attempt to balance the need to attend to local hegemony in policy making with a growing interest in economic development outcomes, some large mining corporations have started to develop innovative responses-illustrated in this paper with the case of Simandou and its promotion of a Southern Guinea Growth Corridor. The authors contend that a company's ability to address and manage development matters will become an increasingly important dimension of competitive advantage in the mining industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of urban and regional plans have been developed with the advancement of urbanization and regional integration, among which the delineation of sphere of urban influence and improvement of integration between the city and its hinterland have become vital important for guiding practices. In terms of delineating sphere of urban influence, existing studies have been focused on static study by using single year data or single method, resulting in a lack of time-series longitudinal analysis or comprehensive analysis based on multiple methods. This study emphasizes on comparing two methods from both the theoretical and empirical perspective. Both gravity model and improved field model are applied to the selected study area for measurements and comparison, to explore their strengths and weaknesses. A research framework for comprehensive analysis on delineating sphere of urban influence is proposed. In the end, the differences of delineating methods are illustrated and the feasibility of comprehensive analysis is discussed. Recommendations are provided for selecting appropriate methods for delineating sphere of urban influence or developing regional hierarchy system plans and urban spatial structure schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslide risk assessment is often a difficult task due to the lack of temporal data on landslides and triggering events (frequency), run-out distance, landslide magnitude and vulnerability. The probability of occurrence of landslides is often very difficult to predict, as well as the expected magnitude of events, due to the limited data availability on past landslide activity. In this paper, a qualitative procedure for assessing the exposure of elements at risk is presented for an area of the Apulia region (Italy) where no temporal information on landslide occurrence is available. Given these limitations in data availability, it was not possible to produce a reliable landslide hazard map and, consequently, a risk map. The qualitative analysis was carried out using the spatial multi-criteria evaluation method in a global information system. A landslide susceptibility composite index map and four asset index maps (physical, social, economic and environmental) were generated separately through a hierarchical procedure of standardising and weighting. The four asset index maps were combined in order to obtain a qualitative weighted assets map, which, combined with the landslide susceptibility composite index map, has provided the final qualitative landslide exposure map. The resulting map represents the spatial distribution of the exposure level in the study area; this information could be used in a preliminary stage of regional planning. In order to demonstrate how such an exposure map could be used in a basic risk assessment, a quantification of the economic losses at municipal level was carried out, and the temporal probability of landslides was estimated, on the basis of the expert knowledge. Although the proposed methodology for the exposure assessment did not consider the landslide run-out and vulnerability quantification, the results obtained allow to rank the municipalities in terms of increasing exposure and risk level and, consequently, to identify the priorities for designing appropriate landslide risk mitigation plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a generic framework for assessing inherent climate change hazards in coastal environments through a combined coastal classification and hazard evaluation system. The framework is developed to be used at scales relevant for regional and national planning and aims to cover all coastal environments worldwide through a specially designed coastal classification system containing 113 generic coastal types. The framework provides information on the degree to which key climate change hazards are inherent in a particular coastal environment, and covers the hazards of ecosystem disruption, gradual inundation, salt water intrusion, erosion and flooding. The system includes a total of 565 individual hazard evaluations, each graduated into four different hazard levels based on a scientific literature review. The framework uses a simple assessment methodology with limited data and computing requirements, allowing for application in developing country settings. It is presented as a graphical tool-the Coastal Hazard Wheel-to ease its application for planning purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even with aggressive global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the climate will continue to change for decades due to previous emissions and the inertia in biogeophysical and social systems. Therefore, as a complement to mitigation actions, society must also focus on enhancing its capacity to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change that we are already experiencing and will continue to experience over the next few decades. Resource managers, regional planners, and government agencies need to consider climate risks in their planning. We provide an overview of climate change scenarios for California and suggestions on the use of climate projections in state and regional planning efforts in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper firstly investigated the land-use and land-cover change (LUCC) in the Hun-Taizi River watershed, Northeast China from 1988 to 2004 based on remotely sensed images and geographic information systems (GIS) technology. Then, using the famous land-use change model of Conversion of Land Use and its Effects at Small regional extent (CLUE-S), this paper simulated the land use changes under historical trend (HT), urban planning (UP) and ecological protection (EP) scenarios considering urban planning and ecological protection over the next 20 years. The simulated results under UP scenario in 2020 were compared with the planning map to assess the feasibility of using land-use change model to guide regional planning. Results show that forest land, dry farmland, paddy, and shrub land were the main land-use categories. Paddy and dry farmland being converted to urban area and rural settlement characterized the land-use change from 1988 to 2004. The main land-use categories changed over time. Landscape-pattern fragmentation will be worse under HT and UP scenarios, but better in EP scenario. The comparing results of simulated map with planning map in 2020 show that land-use change model is powerful tool to guide regional planning. Land-use scenarios can support regional planning and policy-making through analyzing future consequences scientifically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design rainfall is an important input to rainfall runoff models and is used for many other water resources planning and design applications. The estimation of design rainfall is generally done by applying a regional frequency analysis technique that uses data from a large number of rainfall stations in the region. This paper presents a regional rainfall frequency analysis technique that uses an L moments based index method coupled with Generalized Least Squares Regression (GLSR). The particular advantages of the GLSR method are that it accounts for the differences in record lengths across various sites in the region and inter-station correlation in deriving regional prediction equations. The proposed method has been applied to a data set consisting of 203 rainfall stations across Australia. It has been found that the proposed method can be applied successfully in deriving reasonably accurate design rainfall estimates from 1 to 72 h durations. It has also been found that the proposed method provides quite consistent estimates where a third order polynomial is adequate in smoothing the intensity-frequency-duration (IFD) curves. The method can readily be extended to a larger data set of Australia and other countries to derive generalized IFD data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Protocol in the Mediterranean means the coastal zone can be better protected and problems can be targeted in a coordinated manner. This research developed a model to improve Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) implementation in the region. The methodology collected data from Mediterranean coastal zone experts via semi-structured interviews and a review of Mediterranean Coastal Foundation ICM Conferences in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Results identified issues and recommended solutions at various points in the policy process and these were used to propose a model for the implementation of ICM. Research demonstrated the need for non symbolic engagement with science especially during the ex-ante, interim and ex-post reports of implementation. Improved and considered horizontal governance and capacity building was highlighted as crucial. Findings also emphasised the importance of legislatively supported bottom-up policy implementation for the Mediterranean to help develop local coastal management ownership. Finally, the particular complexity of coastal policy in an administratively and culturally diverse region was identified as the main difficulty for successful implementation of coastal policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions relating to the causes and responses to spatial inequalities are attracting renewed international focus. Uncertainty exists in South Africa as to appropriate responses to persistent and deep-rooted spatial inequalities in the country. This article analyses international research into patterns and causes of spatial inequality to inform policy debates on addressing spatial inequality in contemporary South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adopts both one-dimensional and multi-dimensional cluster analysis to analyze China’s HDI data for 1982, 1995, 1999, and 2003, and to classify China’s provinces into four tiers based on the three basic developmental aspects embedded in HDI. The classifications by cluster analysis depends on the observations’ similarities with respect to clustering variable(s), rather than subjectively predetermined threshold values adopted by major international organizations, like UNDP, to make their classification. By investigating the multi-dimensional clustering results, this paper describes the features of each of the four tiers based on their characteristics within the three developmental aspects, explores the patterns of cross-tier disparities, and tracks the evolutions from a historical perspective. Also found is that, in China, the overall regional disparities have been increasingly attributable to regional economic disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the common-sense and methodical ways in which “the citizen” is produced and enrolled as an active participant in “sustainable” regional planning. Using Membership Categorization Analysis, we explicate how the categorization procedures in the Foreword of a draft regional planning policy interactionally produce the identity of “the citizen” and “civic values and obligations” in relation to geographic place and institutional categories. Furthermore, we show how positioning practices establish a relationship between authors (government) and readers (citizens) where both are ascribed with the same moral values and obligations toward the region. Hence, “the citizen” as an active participant in “sustainable” regional planning is viewed as a practical accomplishment that is underpinned by a normative morality associated with the task of producing orderliness in “text-in-interaction.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant issue existing within the rural economic development literature revolves around the difficulty with sorting out the controversy of the effects of amenity activities on rural economic growth. This problem is due to the different ways amenity attributes are linked to regional economic performance. Numerous researchers utilize principal component analysis to compress groups of variables that describe attributes of natural-based amenity and quality of life into scalar measures. While principal components are good at reducing a collection of variables into single measures, they often lack interpretability because they define some abstract scores which are often not meaningful or not well interpretable in practice. We apply the simple component analysis suggested by Rousson and Gasser (2004, Applied Statistics 53, 539–555) to summarize the information in groups of variables into a limited number of simple components and improve interpretability at a modest loss of optimality. Simple components allow us to identify and interpret the effect of attributes that most influence regional economic performance so as to gain better insight into policies to preserve and advance those attributes. The same methodology is appropriate for any social science discipline when there is a need to replace a larger number of multiple indicator measurements with a smaller set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines farm and household characteristics associated with a rapid fertility decline in a forest frontier of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The Amazon basin and other rainforests in the tropics are among the last frontiers in the ongoing global fertility transition. The pace of this transition along agricultural frontiers will likely have major implications for future forest transitions, rural development, and ultimately urbanization in frontier areas. The study here is based upon data from a probability sample of 172 women who lived on the same farm in 1990 and 1999. These data are from perhaps the first region-wide longitudinal survey of fertility in an agricultural frontier. Descriptive analyses indicate that fertility has plummeted in the region, which is surprising since it had remained high and unchanging among migrant colonists up to 1990. Thus only half of the women in our sample reported having a birth during the 1990–1999 time period, and most women report in 1999 that they do not want to have any more children. Analyses, controlling for women’s age, corroborate hypotheses about land-fertility relations. For example, women from households with a legal land title had fewer than half as many children as those from households without a title. Large cattle (pasture) holdings and hiring laborers to work on the farm (which may replace household labor) are both related to socio-economic status that is traditionally associated with lower fertility. Similarly, distance to the nearest community center is positively related to fertility. Factors negatively related to fertility include increasing temporary out-migration of adult men or women from the household, asset accumulation, and access to electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article comments on van der Merwe's paper on strategic spatial decision-making and facilitative role for the state presented at the South African Geography Conference held in Cape Town. The author argues that determining economic development potential in the way van der Merwe and the National Spatial Development Perspective attempt to determine it, is somewhat more complex.

This article analyses four main models of participation in Swedish natural resource management and assesses strengths and weaknesses of one model (participation in physical/spatial planning) based on empirical studies of coastal resource conflicts in two Swedish west coast municipalities. In comparison to other administrative and planning procedures, physical planning offers possibilities to coordinate land and water management across sectors and resources and to broaden stakeholder participation. Local influence on coastal management increases with participation beyond the statutory minimum requirements, although management frameworks and practice of participation need to be developed further. Besides educating professionals and experimenting with combinations of existing procedures, in the long run an adaptation of legislation to the requirements of integrated and sustainable coastal management will be necessary. INSETS: Basic requirements for integrative coastal management;Statutory planning instruments and requirements of...;Examples of delegation of responsibilities (case studies). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consideration was given to optimization of the development strategies for the aggregated ecologo-economic model taking into account the innovation factor formalized by a relatively simple and rather general scheme that had appeared in the course of practical modeling of some regional development strategies. The turnpike solution that is not explicitly dependent on the boundary conditions was determined under idealizing assumptions reflecting the specific characteristics of the model (domination of linear control actions). It can be used as an effective initial approximation in the computer experiments estimating the effects of various physical factors. Opportunities for extending this approach to similar multicomponent regional models of arbitrary size with the aim of constructing effective procedures of their practical examination were specified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reflects on the creation of an integrated European political entity arising from the achievements of the European nation state beyond its national boundaries. The most powerful driving force behind integration right up to Helmut Kohl's generation was the desire to put an end to the history of bloody wars in Europe. Another reason was to bind Germany firmly to Europe in order to mitigate the great historic distrust towards the politically insecure nation at the heart of Europe which was soon restored to economic health. The third consideration was an interest in the economic unification of Europe.

Can universities be agents of progressive social change? How would we know if a university was acting as an agent of social change? Drawing on four case studies, I raise a number of questions to problematize our understanding of the university as an agent of social change. I outline a number of contributing factors that appear to explain successful cases. I conclude by arguing the relevancy of these cases for larger, and more traditional, sociological projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which reviewed the Beijing-Seoul-Tokyo cooperative scheme in Northeast Asia. Urban competitiveness of the cities; Intercity cooperation in Northeast Asia; Conclusion.

Opinion. Focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of regional planning, as it relates to population growth. Effects of reginal planning on population growth; Impact of regional planning on democracy; Author's views on the trends of regional planners.

This article discusses regional planning in the United States and the negative attitude of citizens regarding the practice. Vermont combines New England's strongest banking climate and strictest regional land-use planning. It is the only New England state that has not suffered a savings-and-loan collapse, and it has the region's most demanding statewide environmental regulations. Vermont's experience marks a fascinating turn in America's generations-long ambivalence toward regional land-use planning. Let us define regional planning as the regulation of land development projects that is conducted by governments above the municipal and county levels. Regional planning has traditionally foundered on the plain fact that many Americans truly loathe modem, centralized, regulatory government. In no area is the contradiction as apparent as in regional land-use planning. Regional planning in the United States has provably increased each year for at least the last two decades and it is likely to expand in coming years. This activity has been genuinely embraced at federal and state levels. And yet, it is hated anyway. The time has come to rework this complex tangle of attitudes and bring them more in line with reality, in the Vermont manner.

Presents information on a study which assessed the integrated rural development programs in Mexico and Colombia. Factors that limit the impact of PIDER and DRI programs; Purpose of the programs; Rural conditions and public policies.