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Neural network refers to an algorithmic mathematical model that imitates the behavioral characteristics of animal neural networks and performs distributed information processing. This kind of network depends on the complexity of the system and needs to adjust the internal node relationship, so as to achieve the purpose of processing information. With the continuous development of the economy, the transportation problem needs to be solved urgently, and the urban subway has emerged at the historic moment. The subway is a fast, large-capacity, electric-driven rail transit built in the city. The advantages of the subway provide conditions for the mitigation of urban traffic, due to the large number of cars, traffic jams, frequent accidents, and serious environmental pollution. In the city center, there are more cars and less space, and the parking lot is not commensurate with the number of cars, making parking difficult. This paper aims to study the intelligent performance evaluation of urban subway PPP projects based on deep neural network models. The subway project has a large investment, a long period, and a wide range, but the development time of the subway in China is relatively short. In order to promote the stable progress of subway projects, it is very necessary to conduct intelligent performance evaluation on subway projects. This paper compares and analyzes the basic characteristics of the PPP model and verifies the applicability and necessity of the PPP model in urban subway transportation projects. Through the investigation of relevant literature, this article puts forward the research content of the social impact assessment of subway projects. The experimental results of this paper show that, from the perspective of whether it is necessary to evaluate the performance of PPP projects, 65% of people think it is very necessary, and 22% think it is more necessary. 3% of people think it is unnecessary, and 10% of people hold an indifferent attitude. These data show that the intelligent performance evaluation of urban subway PPP projects has exploratory significance for urban infrastructure design and construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is widely used in the field of international evaluation, but its application in China has been limited. Based on the dual requirements of developing the economy and maintaining stability, social stability risk assessment (SSRA) systems have come into being in China at a historic moment. Starting from the similarities and differences between SIA and SSRA, this paper reviews the influencing factors, sources, evaluation methods, existing problems and suggestions of SSRA in major decision-making, policy, reform and construction projects. On this basis, considering Wudongde hydropower station as an example, the social stability risk of land acquisition and resettlement (LAR) is assessed by using fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) methods. The research shows that relying solely on SIA or SSRA makes it difficult to meet the social risk management requirements of major matters. SIA should be identified as a necessary link, and SSRA content should be embedded in SIA to achieve effective integration of the two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restrictions on travel and quarantine on arrival are typical strategies imposed by public health authorities during pandemics. While much research has analyzed the consequences of policies about global public health emergencies including COVID-19, to date there has been little discussion of the social consequences of these policies. We undertook an exploratory study using qualitative research to understand the social impacts experienced by travelers as a result of the restriction policies implemented in China following its implementation of a zero-COVID policy. Using online sources and 40 interviews with quarantine hotel staff, government officials, and arrivees to China, we found that the people with a strong justification for travelling during the pandemic were significantly affected by the restrictions, resulting in them experiencing a wide range of negative social impacts, including on their: psychosocial health and wellbeing; family cohesion; social networks; the experience of unexpected and unpleasant circumstances; and a sense of persecution. These outcomes were partly a consequence of the characteristics of Chinese society and the returnees themselves, and were influenced by the government's COVID management strategies. With medical experts having dominated the battle against the virus, ordinary people's feelings and concerns were ignored. We argue that these also need to be understood and considered in the planning of public health strategies. To improve outcomes in future situations, much can be learned from the field of Social Impact Assessment (SIA), especially in terms of understanding how people are affected, and to achieve acceptance and a social licence for pandemic management strategies, the importance of meaningful community engagement, ongoing monitoring, adaptive management, and an effective grievance redress mechanism. Our paper enriches the understanding of SIA when applied in the policy arena, and it demonstrates the value of a SIA perspective for improving social outcomes in public health emergencies. It also adds to understanding the consequences of pandemics and restriction policies on people. • The concerns of arrivees have been ignored in management of the COVID pandemic. • Restriction policies have significantly affected people other than just travelers. • Although various elites dominate the battle against virus, people's feelings matter. • National policies should consider the unintended consequences of actions. • A Social Impact Assessment perspective helps analyze the social impacts of policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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China is the largest emitter of carbon emissions in the world. In this paper, we present an Integrated Model of Economy and Climate (IMEC), an optimization model based on the input-output model. The model is designed to assess the tradeoff between emission deceleration and economic growth. Given that China's projected average growth rate will exceed 5% over the next two decades, we find that China may reach its peak CO 2 emissions levels by 2026. According to this scenario, China's carbon emissions will peak at 11.20 Gt in 2026 and will then decline to 10.84 Gt in 2030. Accordingly, approximately 22 Gt of CO 2 will be removed from 2015 to 2035 relative to the scenario wherein China's CO 2 emissions peak in 2030. While this earlier peaking of carbon emissions will result in a decline in China's GDP, several sectors, such as Machinery and Education, will benefit. In order to reach peak CO 2 emissions by 2026, China needs to reduce its annual GDP growth rate to less than 4.5% by 2030 and decrease energy and carbon intensity levels by 43% and 45%, respectively, from 2015 to 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sponge city (SPC) is currently being promoted as an initiative under the principle of sustainable development to solve the urban water crisis across China. Moreover, with the introduction of the public-private partnerships (PPPs) in SPC development, the public's concern regarding SPC PPPs has increased in terms of their more sophisticated outcomes and greater social impacts than general urban development. Thus, to develop an effective set of SIA key indicators for SPC PPPs, this study uses social impact theory (SIT) to explore in greater detail the influencing mechanism for the social impact assessment (SIA) conceptual model proposed in the authors' previous studies. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to examine whether the hypothesized relationships in the influencing mechanism fit the empirical data and to further consolidate the SIA key indicators. Based on a survey questionnaire and CFA results, a verified and refined SIA framework using 23 key indicators and five corresponding dimensions was proposed, particularly within the context of SPC PPPs. Implications generated from the CFA were discussed to improve the comprehensive performance of sponge city PPPs. These 23 key indicators and the clarification of their relationships to the respective SIA dimensions and to the overall SIA results can be a useful tool for enhancing the social benefits of SPC PPPs. Moreover, this study also provides governments with insights into enabling the low-impact and sustainable development of infrastructure within urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural sustainable development for human well-being considers food security and ecological health as well as people's socio-economic conditions. Nowadays, most of the holistic assessments of agricultural sustainability, mainly focus on food production and ecological consequences, relatively lacking analysis from the socio-economic perspective. In this context, this study constructs an agricultural social life cycle assessment model based on the guidelines of UNEP to assess the social and economic impacts on the three major staple grain crops in China, including maize, rice and wheat. The assessment model aims to analyze effects of stakeholders containing farmer, agricultural value chain actors, consumer, rural areas, society, and impact categories including high-quality growth of agriculture, a comfortable life in rural areas, the prosperity of rural people. The data is mainly from national statistical databases and representative industry databases. The impact assessment adopts social risk and social impact as quantitative characterization methods, and Analytical Hierarchical Process to obtain weights. The results show that: among the three major grain crops, farmers are the most important factors for stakeholders, and agricultural industrial development has the greatest potential negative impacts on society; maize has the most positive impacts on agricultural sustainable development in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper applies the tool of social impact assessment (SIA) to understand the effects of large dam projects on human communities. We draw upon data from two recent SIA projects: the Lesotho Highlands Water Project in Southern Africa, and the Manwan Dam, located on the upper Mekong River in southwestern China. These two cases allow us to examine the social impacts of large dam projects through time and across various geographical scales. We focus on a range of social impacts common to many large-scale dam projects, including: the migration and resettlement of people near the dam sites; changes in the rural economy and employment structure; effects on infrastructure and housing; impacts on non-material or cultural aspects of life; and impacts on community health and gender relations. By identifying potential impacts in advance of a large dam project, agencies and policymakers can make better decisions about which interventions should be undertaken, and how. We conclude our analysis with an overview of lessons learned from the case studies and suggestions for best practice in assessing the social impacts of large dams. Conducting proper social impact assessments can help to promote development strategies that address the most important concerns for local populations, enhancing the long-term sustainability of dam projects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study examines the current prospects for and obstacles facing the implementation of social impact assessment (SIA) and participatory planning in the People''s Republic of China. During the past two decades, rapid urbanisation and the conversion of rural land for urban development have led to numerous social conflicts and tensions between the Chinese government and its people. SIA and public participation in development decisions have received increasing attention from the Chinese authorities as possible ways to tackle the problem. Based on a Guangzhou case study, this paper argues that the assessment and mitigation of adverse impacts on the community from urban development have been carried out with different objectives, core values and principles when compared with those in Western societies. It concludes that the poor prospects of SIA and collaborative planning in China lie not only in the weak framework for environmental legislation, but also in all institutions concerning state–society relations, the socialist governing ideology and traditional Chinese culture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

International development institutions have a long history of projects gone awry with unfulfilled promises. Their failure to recognize and integrate the local contextual details and to learn from mistakes are primary reasons why they typically fall short of projected goals. In this paper we take an ethnographic approach to a case study of a rural energy project in an urbanizing village in Northeast China. We present our findings from a social, economic and environmental impact assessment (SEEIA) of the project and show how cultural conflicts, institutional manipulation and false reporting functioned to eclipse SEEIA findings and preclude the chance for project success. Failure is bound to repeat itself in the absence of accountability to intended beneficiaries and stakeholders, and in the perpetuation of apolitical pretense in the institutional structure of the international development industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social development practitioners often think of their tools as neutral and universal. This is a misconception. The project preparation tools promoted by social development specialists in international financial institutions and allied agencies are culturally embedded, reflecting a specific set of Western values including equality, openness, and direct action. Uncritical application of these tools and approaches often results in political and social resistance which can curtail their intended benefits and further marginalize vulnerable groups. This paper discusses the political context of social assessment and suggests some corrective approaches for practitioners in the field of international social development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao instituted a “Harmonious Society” policy marking a new China’s approach toward development. This generated intense excitement among observers of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) who perceive an overlap in objectives between CSR and Harmonious Society and believe that Harmonious Society will lead to increased CSR engagement in China. However, there is little exploration of how Harmonious Society will contribute to increasing CSR engagement. This article seeks to explore whether Harmonious Society will meet this promise. It does so by drawing up a list of actions that if taken by the government would increase the level of CSR in China and make Harmonious Society a relevant factor in the development of Chinese CSR. To do so, my article studies comparative literature on CSR development to develop a framework that divides causes of CSR in a country into environmental constraints and discretionary responses. Understanding what drives the development of CSR allows us to understand what measures the Chinese government can take to influence the level of CSR. Using this framework, my article suggests that Harmonious Society is unlikely to promote CSR in China’s growing private sector because policy measures that affect the “constraints” driving CSR are bounded by other political considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shared parking schemes are not commonly implemented in residential areas due to the uncertainty and conflicts associated with the benefits of such schemes for stakeholders, namely, parking suppliers, parking managers, and the public. To evaluate the economic and social impacts of shared parking in residential areas on its stakeholders, the risk and benefit factors were determined through influential analysis and a questionnaire. A risk–benefit model was established to quantify the risks and benefits for stakeholders. The social return on investment and sensitivity analysis were applied to estimate the economic feasibility of shared parking in residential areas. The methodology combined the use of qualitative, quantitative, and financial information gathered and analyzed to estimate the "value" of shared parking, including its risks, benefits, management pressure, and social benefit. The model was calibrated using the survey data collected from the city of Ningbo in China. The results showed that: (1) The net present value was negative, indicating that the benefits of shared parking were lower than the risks, and thus this scheme would not be economically feasible in residential areas. (2) The cost of purchasing new equipment and rebuilding parking lots had the greatest impact on the benefits of shared parking in residential areas, with a sensitivity coefficient of 4.396, followed by the income from shared parking charges (3.885), and the salary of parking managers (3.619). (3) If the income from parking charges and the salary of parking managers were more than 69,408.5 and 31,091.1 yuan per month, respectively, and the cost of improving parking infrastructure was less than 14,003.2 yuan per month, residential areas could obtain additional benefits due to the acceptance of a shared parking scheme. This study provides theoretical support for the reasonable determination of the costs, risks, and benefits associated with participating in a shared parking scheme in a residential area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]