Case Study Of Project Research Articles

Assessment of Stakeholders’ Engagement and Participation in Mass Housing Development

This paper examines stakeholder engagement and participation in mass housing development projects within Abuja's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives. Through case studies of prominent projects like Sunnyvale Estate, Garki II District Development, and the Life Camp Extension Project, it aims to explore the multifaceted roles of government agencies, private entities, local communities, residents, and the limited involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and advocacy groups. Drawing from extensive literature, the study delves into the theoretical underpinnings of stakeholder engagement within the context of Public-Private Partnerships and housing development, emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and social acceptance. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative approach, employing case studies and literature review to analyze the extent of stakeholder involvement in Abuja's mass housing projects, with a focus on government agencies, private developers, local communities, residents, and NGOs. Results and discussion underscore the significant roles played by government agencies and private developers in driving housing development projects, while also acknowledging the active participation of local communities and residents. However, the limited involvement of NGOs and advocacy groups poses challenges to achieving inclusive and sustainable housing solutions in Abuja. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the importance of enhancing stakeholder engagement and participation to address Abuja's housing challenges effectively, advocating for transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in future PPP housing projects. Recommendations include prioritizing community involvement in decision-making processes, adopting socially responsible practices by private developers, and strengthening the role of NGOs and advocacy groups in advocating for housing rights and social equity.

Guidance on farmer participation in the design, testing and scaling of agricultural innovations

CONTEXTDespite accelerated developments in agricultural innovations, there has been a limited progress in their adoption by smallholder farmers, especially in the Global South. Innovations are not adequately reaching farmers, and new technologies are often unsuitable for farmers, or the overall innovation landscape is discouraging the deployment of innovations at scale. The methodological approaches to designing, testing and scaling of innovations play an important role. Involving farmers in the innovation process from the start increases the likelihood of them being more relevant and having a higher chance of adoption. Whereas there is much literature on participatory approaches, there is a limited guidance on choosing an appropriate level of farmer participation across the innovation process. OBJECTIVEThis study aims to develop practical guidance for researchers, development agents and project managers on how to choose an appropriate methodological approach with a suitable level of farmer participation for designing, testing and scaling of agricultural innovations, according to levels of innovation readiness and innovation use. METHODSRelevant scientific literature on participatory design, research and scaling of agricultural innovations was reviewed, followed by compiling lessons learned from selected vegetable innovation projects implemented by the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) in Asia and Africa. A list of methodological approaches for participatory design, testing and scaling of innovations was generated, with various levels of farmer participation. A simple guiding framework was then developed for choosing an appropriate approach with a suitable level of farmer participation, according to the readiness and use of the innovations. Examples of selected approaches and application of the proposed guidance are given in project case studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSBased on the literature review and experience at WorldVeg, we believe it is critical to choose the right level of participation based on how ready are the innovations for application in the local setting. This dimension of how ready the innovations are has been largely overlooked in earlier frameworks on farmer participation. The developed guidance generally recommends increasing participation with higher levels of technology readiness and use. In addition, farmer consultation in early research design should also be strengthened, to co-design locally relevant innovations. The overall innovation systems' landscape must be considered when researching and scaling new innovations. SIGNIFICANCEThe guidance, experiences and lessons provided in this paper will be useful to various scholars, researchers, development agents, funders and project managers who aim to design, test and scale agricultural innovations in a more inclusive and responsible way.

Geophysical Survey as Part of Rescue Archaeological Excavation on Large Construction Projects—Case Study: Road I/16 Slaný–Velvary (Czech Republic)

Geophysical Survey as Part of Rescue Archaeological Excavation on Large Construction Projects—Case Study: Road I/16 Slaný–Velvary (Czech Republic)

Improvement of Traditional Energy-Saving Cold Alley Spaces: Case Study of Shixiangyuan Garden Renovation and Expansion Project in Guangzhou

Traditional cold alleys have the ability to adapt to hot climates with cooling and insulation, which is a traditional design method that conforms to sustainable development. Due to the limited depth of space and the adoption of mechanical ventilation in most contemporary architectural design, this passive energy-saving method is gradually being ignored. In this study, we use ventilation measurement and simulation to explore the characteristics of ventilation performance in the cold alleys of the renovation and expansion project of Shixiangyuan Garden. The research, using anemometers and thermometers for measurement, aims to explore how Shixiangyuan Garden can utilize its existing environment and improve it to adapt to local conditions, and also discusses the methods of increasing the number of air vents to improve the overall ventilation performance of the alleys, as well as the effects of form changes caused by utilizing water and plants to supplement the soft interface. Although many studies have explored the mechanisms of cold alleys in traditional architecture, few have discussed the variance of cold alley forms that could adapt to the limited depths of newly constructed buildings. This study attempts to explore the potential for this through simulation. The purpose is to find new ways to inherit the sustainable advantages of cold alleys in new projects.

Contribution of Non Governmental Organisations Projects Intervention on Social Economic Growth in Rural Areas. A Case of World Vision Rwanda 2019-2022 Kivuruga Sector, Gakenke Disrtict, Northern Rwanda.

This research is basically done to assess contribution of Non-Governmental Organizations projects intervention on socio economic growth of in rural areas a case study of World Vision Rwanda project in Kivuruga sector. This study had the following specific objectives: to find out the contribution of NGOs on socio economic growth in Kivuruga sector, to elaborate socio economic impacts of NGOs in rural areas especially in Kivuruga sector, to identify the relationship between activities of WVR and socioeconomic growth of its beneficiaries in Kivuruga sector and to give suggestions and recommendation on NGOs activities in rural areas. Due to financial means, time constraints and the need of precision of results, it was impossible to study all population. Target population of this study was 127 beneficiaries of World Vision Rwanda project in Kivuruga sector. A sample of 56 respondents was selected and cluster sampling was used for selecting groups, or clusters, of participants from the population. The clusters were chosen based on distribution of World Vision Rwanda project’s respondents in cells. The study also employed purposive sampling as the sampling technique. Questionnaire, interview and a documentation research were used as tools of data collection. The statistical analysis of the collected data was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). This study assessed the Contribution of WVR in socio-economic growth where the findings indicated that great extent and very great extent make 73.2%. Therefore, the WVR played a big role in economic growth of Rwanda especially in Kivuruga Sector. As conclusion, it has been revealed that the capacity of the beneficiaries to cover basic expenditure and need (such as food, clothing, transport, education and housing, etc.) has been improved over the program/project period. Likewise, the programs executed by WORLD VISION Rwanda have enabled beneficiaries to engage in small businesses, different income generating activities, developing markets through a systems approach and market linkage, promote and increase the saving practice. As a result, beneficiaries of the programs have their source of income and they become self-reliance and empowered. The recommendations to future action planners are to improve livelihood, socio-economic conditions and then to reduce poverty the participation of women.

‘The Sanctuary’ – developing a human-animal model to promote health in a supported residential aged care setting

Abstract Human-animal relationships are vital for many older persons. Finding ways to include animals in aged care settings can be part of reorienting aged care settings from a solely humancentric focus to a human-animal inclusive one for the 21st century. This case study project report describes the development of an animal inclusive model of care for a Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) in a regional town in Australia. The model’s primary objective was to facilitate residents’ empowerment through safe engagements with animals as a source of health and wellbeing while incorporating best practise animal-care and husbandry. Exemplars used to inform the model included The Eden AlternativeTM and Care Farms. The Sanctuary model sought to cover several gaps identified in these approaches. These included clear policies and protocols regarding animal welfare, infrastructure needs (animal housing and designated human-animal interaction areas), staffing models, stakeholder engagement approaches (both within the RACF and the local community) and developing sustainable resourcing and financial frameworks. A vision to establish a refuge for both humans and animals was inherent in the design of the Sanctuary model, and to operationalize this vision, policies, resourcing plans and practical processes were formulated informed by multi-species ethical understandings. Regrettably, it was not possible to fully implement the model. However, this case study is presented with the aim of seeking to redress the noted 85% wastage of global health research; a wastage that includes human-animal research knowledge. Insights into opportunities and barriers and experiential knowledge are shared with the aim of facilitating future endeavours to implement parallel visions that embed human and animal inclusive models in residential aged care in the future.

Managing coopetitive innovation: sharing while protecting knowledge in separated project teams

Existing research on coopetition acknowledges the dilemma companies face regarding sharing and protecting knowledge when developing coopetitive product innovation. To manage this dilemma, coopetitors can rely on two different organizational designs: the coopetitive project team (CPT) or the separated project team (SPT). The CPT fosters high knowledge sharing but creates uncertainty about knowledge protection. In contrast, the SPT limits the knowledge sharing but offers higher knowledge protection. While the CPT design has been studied in‐depth, the SPT design remains an underexplored black box. We know little about how knowledge is shared and protected within the SPT. To fill this gap, we conducted an ethnographic case study of a joint innovation project using SPT in the Chinese electric car industry. Our research shows how the SPT design manages the necessary knowledge sharing while protecting the knowledge. The project managers facilitate knowledge sharing by acting as the interface coordinator with the coopetitor, and the knowledge protection is guaranteed by a strict separation between the two coopetitors' operators. In SPT, the nature and the management of knowledge flows are not rigid but evolve according to the project stage.

Big infrastructure and/as systemic flexibility: The Sites Reservoir story

If constructed as planned, the Sites Reservoir Project will add roughly 1.85 billion m3 (1.5 million acre-feet) of storage capacity to California's water system. Per project proponents, however, the reservoir complex should be understood as infrastructure that would not only increase available water supply but also provide the state's water network with an infusion of a vital systemic quality: flexibility. This article considers such discourses of flexibility through a case study of the Sites project, grounded in analysis of planning documents, government, think tank, and NGO reports, and media coverage from outlets across California. The resulting account shows how the ideal of the flexible system orients efforts to adapt the California water network to the heightened forms of hydrological variability associated with climate change. The analysis traces the emergence of the notion of a "flexibility crisis" plaguing the state's water network and elaborates the temporalities and spatialities characteristic of the systemic flexibility that Sites is understood to enhance. The project of increasing the water network's flexibility through the construction of new large-scale storage infrastructures like Sites is shown to be an undertaking that serves to sustain of many of the system's established (and notably inflexible) consumptive arrangements. The case thus demonstrates the importance of attending to how material properties like flexibility – commonly glossed as desirable system-scale qualities – come to be unevenly spatialized within infrastructural networks and across landscapes.

Building Information Modeling Capability in Mitigating Change Orders and Cost Overrun

The Jordanian construction industry faces notable challenges, particularly about variation orders (VOs), contributing to budget overruns and project delays. The Jordan Engineers Association poll in 2020 found that variation orders (VOs) accounted for 23% of cost overruns in construction projects in Jordan. Research undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in 2019 found an average of 948 change orders per year, representing 25.5% of the total value of the projects. Our study introduces a highly tailored evaluation method to gauge the effectiveness of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in addressing these challenges. The study assesses the efficacy of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in diminishing variation orders (VOs) by examining sophisticated BIM functionalities. The study employs an intricate case study and diverse construction project data to construct a model that assesses the capacity of BIM to reduce project modifications and enhance cost efficiency. A novel approach has been devised to enhance the optimization of building information modeling (BIM) in the construction industry of Amman, Jordan. The objective of the concept is to minimize variation orders (VOs) and enhance project management. The study employs research approaches, such as semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, to pinpoint the essential abilities contributing to change orders. After comprehensively analyzing BIM's global and Middle Eastern applications, we created the model. The findings indicate that enhancing Building Information Modeling (BIM) capabilities can effectively mitigate the occurrence of variation orders within Jordan's building sector. The approach promotes the cooperation of stakeholders, sets quantifiable benchmarks, and strategically employs BIM for preliminary risk assessment. This research substantially enhances the productivity and cost-effectiveness of construction projects in Jordan, offering vital insights for professionals and policymakers.

Guide to ethical research and design practice when working with vulnerable participants and on sensitive topics

The purpose of this paper is to establish a set of guidelines for student designers and design researchers when working with vulnerable participants or/and on sensitive topics. This paper explores several case studies of design research projects where vulnerable participants have been involved at various stages and to varying degrees. The case study analyses key questions such as when is it/ not appropriate to involve participants? What are the most useful methods to work with participants? When are alternative methods of research and testing sufficient? How can expectations be managed? And what is the payback for people to participate? The paper concludes by collating the key lessons into a ‘living’ guide to which design practitioners, design educators and researchers can refer.

Digital memory construction in Lijiang

Purpose The ancient town of Lijiang is a representative place of ethnic minorities in China’s southwest border area jointly built by many ethnic groups. Its rich and diversified history, culture and architecture as well as its artistic and spiritual values need to be better retained and explored.Design/methodology/approach The protection and inheritance of Lijiang’s cultural heritage will be improved through the construction of digital memory resources. To guide Lijiang’s digital memory construction, this study explores strategies of digital memory construction by analyzing four case studies of well-known memory projects from China and America.Findings From the case studies analysis, factors of digital memory construction were identified and compared. Factors led to the discussion of strategies for constructing the digital memory of Lijiang within its design, construction and service phases.Originality/value The ancient town of Lijiang is a famous historical and cultural city in China, and it is also a representative place of ethnic minorities in the border area jointly built by many ethnic groups. The rich culture should be preserved and digitalized to offer better use for the whole nation.

Multi-objective optimization for generative morphological design using energy and comfort models with a practical design of new rural community in China

In recent years, the development of new rural communities has emerged as a pivotal new trend in china, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and residential comfort in rural regions. This study introduces a multi-objective optimization design framework for the morphological design of residential area, with a focus on performance objectives such as building energy use intensity, summer thermal comfort, and winter thermal comfort. A case study of a new rural community design project in Hongnan Village, Yancheng City, was conducted. Utilizing the Rhino-Grasshopper parametric platform, this study undertook parametric modeling, performance simulation, and multi-objective optimization to receive the Pareto-optimal solutions. ParetoResults indicate that in the Pareto-optimal morphology scheme for the Hongnan Village community, open spaces are predominantly located on the upwind side with respect to the prevailing summer winds of the site. The number of duplex houses is often 28, and the building orientations are predominantly aligned at 23°, mirroring the direction of the surrounding structures. There is a significant correlation between residential unit configuration, building spacing, and energy use intensity, with correlation coefficients of 0.53 and −0.43, respectively. This study would like to offer valuable insights into the energy-efficient design of new rural communities, thereby contributing to the creation of a more sustainable and habitable rural living environment.

Plane and vertical design research on end-around taxiways at high plateau airports

The end-around taxiways have been proven to effectively reduce the risk of runway incursions caused by frequent aircraft crossings on closely spaced parallel runways, thus enhancing airport capacity. This practice has gained popularity in recent years, especially in large airports. However, there is currently limited experience in designing and operating end-around taxiways, particularly in high plateau airports facing challenging conditions such as a high water table and low obstacle clearance gradient. In this paper, we present a case study of the second runway project at a specific airport and propose various operational schemes for end-around taxiway construction, including straight, oblique, and controlled designs. We calculate aircraft payload under different obstacle clearance gradients using flight performance analysis. Taking into account both operational and groundwater levels, we determine the appropriate plane and vertical design of end-around taxiways. The findings of this research provide valuable references for the design of end-around taxiways.

Commoning the compact city: The role of old and new commons in urban development

Although densification is generally seen to contribute to more sustainable urban development, it is often linked to market-oriented and for-profit development, contributing to the enclosure of urban space. We analyse how densification can take a different path through processes of commoning. We particularly aim to understand how commoning initiatives can contribute to new institutional arrangements that counteract enclosure and commodification in densification. We furthermore aim to contribute to conceptual clarity in the debate on urban commons by emphasizing the different roles of so-called ‘old’ and ‘new’ commons in urban development. Our analytical framework builds on a new institutionalist approach which stresses the analysis of localized and temporary institutional arrangements negotiated among actors in a given situation. We rely on a detailed case-study of a densification project in the city of Bern (Switzerland), where publicly-owned land was redeveloped into cooperative housing and urban green space. Our findings show how densification leads to a transition phase in which institutional arrangements defining land uses and allocating access and use rights are renegotiated. These are crucial moments where processes of commoning can shape the outcome of densification, although not independently from the supportive action of the public actor. We underline the potential of new commons, even when typically transitional, unstable, and temporary. Contrary to old commons, their potential lies not so much in the ability for long-lasting resource management, but rather in the capacity to change the conditions of governance during the transition between land uses, advancing more socially-sustainable outcomes in a key moment of the urban redevelopment process.

Toward inclusive teaching: Utilizing student‐created case studies in a personal finance course

AbstractIn this qualitative study, we explore the potential of an innovative case study approach in a personal finance course among college students with the goal of making the course inclusive for students who are from economically disadvantaged families and traditionally have unsuccessful experiences in math. Students were required to create their own cases based on their unique, diverse backgrounds. Student reflections on their personal case study projects underwent thematic analyses. Our analysis documents the benefits and barriers perceived by students in this unique case study implementation, which has implications for promoting inclusive teaching in personal finance course design and delivery.

Reporting the successful timing of pre-construction services in the New Zealand construction industry - development of a visualisation tool

The use of Pre-Construction Services (PCS), also known as Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) in construction projects has become common internationally due to the various advantages it offers in complex projects. What remains an open question to researchers and government organisations is defining the optimal time to engage in it. This paper develops a methodology that reports on the successful timing of PCS use in New Zealand. This methodology and findings can assist the industry in determining when to appropriately engage a contractor for PCS in New Zealand. Reporting on the successful timing of PCS can help the industry avoid costly pitfalls when engaging in PCS too early or too late. This approach could be extended to an international audience. The timing of PCS and project complexity are closely related. For this paper data was collected in two rounds. Firstly, an online survey was used to determine weights for complexity factors, then a visualization tool was developed and refined using 29 case study projects derived from semi-structured interviews. The results show that there is a relationship between the timing of PCS, the project complexity, and the scale of a project. Additionally, findings show that PCS is not always related to the procurement method. For example, Design-Bid-Build (DBB) projects can still receive valuable PCS to make them successful through fair risk allocation. PCS can have an impact on the contract terms. Each project was given a complexity ranking based on the information given by the interviewees during semi-structured interviews. While the semi-structured interviews were extensive, the information is only as accurate as the recollection of the participant. This risk was minimised by the prequalification of the participants. The findings of this research will assist clients in determining when the best time is to engage PCS. Independent of the procurement model, and will assist clients in maximising the value that the contractor can bring to construction projects.

Enhancing Efficiency in Industrial Metal Roof Replacement: Utilizing Goal Programming for Cost Optimization

This study explores the use of Goal Programming (GP) to optimise project management decisions in the construction industry, focusing on a case study of a roof replacement project. The construction industry is crucial to a country's development, contributing significantly to economic growth and employment rates. However, construction projects are often complex and resource-intensive. Project management is essential in ensuring the successful completion of construction projects. The study uses GP to address the time-cost trade-off in project management, aiming to minimise project costs while meeting project deadlines and quality requirements. The GP model considers various constraints, such as the availability of workers and equipment, project duration, and budget limitations. The study presents two optimisation options: a time-focused option and a cost-focused ed option. The time-focused option prioritises timely project completion, while the cost-focused option aims to minimise project costs. In the case study, the time-focused option is the most suitable choice. This approach allows the project to be completed in time as the alternative option delay delays the project far too unacceptable. Overall, the study demonstrates the effectiveness of GP in optimising project management decisions in the construction industry. By carefully evaluating project constraints and objectives, GP can help construction companies achieve the best possible outcomes in terms of cost, time, and quality. Keywords: Goal Programming, Construction Industry, Project Management, Time-Cost Trade-off, Optimization

Quantitative analysis of the numerical simulation uncertainties from geological models in CO2 geological storage: A case study of Shenhua CCS project

The intensifying global climate change has prompted the imperative implementation of CO2 capture and storage (CCS) projects as a mitigation strategy. Ensuring the safety and reliability of these projects requires meticulous validation, including the establishment of geological models and conducting numerical simulations. In CO2 geological storage initiatives, the limitation of well data during the initial stages leads to data deficiency. This scarcity compromises the precision of geological and numerical models, hindering their ability to accurately depict actual subsurface conditions. Meanwhile, parameters related to heterogeneity significantly also impact storage effectiveness and safety. This study addresses these challenges by utilizing the Shenhua CCS demonstration project as a case study. Various heterogeneous parameters are selected, and local and global sensitivity analysis methods are subsequently introduced to determine the ranges and sequences of these parameters in numerical simulations. The simulation results can aid in assessing the influence of various heterogeneous parameters on the CO2 plume and bottom hole pressure. The study establishes the importance ranking of various heterogeneous parameters under different temporal and spatial conditions through sensitivity analysis. The findings reveal the following key points:1. During the small-scale injection period, the CO2 plume is particularly sensitive to variations in net-to-gross and vertical permeable properties.2. During and after larger-scale injections, the net-to-gross significantly impacts plume evolution, while bottom hole pressure is predominantly influenced by variations in vertical permeable properties.3. Both the CO2 plume and well bottom pressure are primarily affected by changes in sand body morphologies, especially at low net-to-gross scenarios.These conclusions assist in prioritizing the collection of critical parameter data in CCS projects, facilitating the establishment of more precise and reliable geological and numerical simulation models. The heightened accuracy and reliability of these models contribute to improving their predictive capabilities, ultimately guiding engineering practices.

The ambidexterity of a triad structure in consultant-involved lean projects: cases from Chinese SMEs

The existing literature on consultancy-involved lean projects identifies two ambidextrous consultancy models, i.e. hard management consultancy and soft management consultancy. This study aims to explore how consultants leverage these two ambidextrous consultancy models, especially in a triad structure of consultants, SME owners, and managers and from an organisational ambidexterity perspective. Based on four case studies of consultancy-involved lean projects in Chinese SMEs, this study identifies two scenarios of the triad relationships of consultants, owners and managers and two rationales behind the selection of two scenarios. It further reveals two approaches adopted by consultants in these two scenarios to achieve ambidexterity. In doing so, this study extends the understanding of consulting practices in SMEs by focusing on not only the relationship between consultants and SME owners but also the relationship between consultants and managers. Through the theoretical lens of organisational ambidexterity, it further sheds new light on the dynamic nature of the consultant-client relationship by unfolding consultants’ adoption of sequential and contextual ambidexterity approaches in two identified scenarios.

The Discursive Struggle for Digital Sovereignty: Security, Economy, Rights and the Cloud Project Gaia‐X

AbstractThis article explores the struggle for ‘digital sovereignty’ in the European Union (EU). A seeming contradiction – the internet, after all, spans the globe – digital sovereignty is portrayed as the winning geoeconomic formula to keep the EU secure, competitive and democratic in the digital future. Approaching digital sovereignty as a discursive claim and analysing it through a case study of the European cloud project Gaia‐X, we show that there is no singular understanding of digital sovereignty in the EU. Instead, we identify six different conceptions across the domains of security, economy and rights. This article outlines three scenarios for how the digital sovereignty agenda may develop and thus shape the EU's digital policy and its relations with the rest of the world: constitutional tolerance (where the conceptions co‐exist), hegemony (where one conception dominates) or collapse (where the agenda falls apart due to inbuilt conceptual contradictions).