City Officials Research Articles

Mapping Prejudice

Problem, research strategy, and findings Following the murder of George Floyd, Minneapolis (MN) residents and city officials turned to Mapping Prejudice—a project that mapped every racial covenant in the city and its suburbs—to understand Minneapolis’s deep racial disparities. For this study, we investigated how data on racial covenants, clauses that were used historically to prevent the sale of a property to a person of color, had influenced planning practice in the Twin Cities. In doing so, we considered whether and how engagement with data on structural racism might meaningfully advance anti-racist planning outcomes that enhance the self-development and self-determination of racially marginalized communities. To address this question, we conducted 16 semistructured interviews with 24 planners who have used the data on racial covenants, asking specifically about how racial covenant data shaped planning practice, the planning and policy outcomes that resulted from engaging with racial covenant data, and the characteristics of the racial covenant data that made it influential. This approach assessed planners already interested in addressing racial disparities. Interviews suggest that data on racial covenants were highly influential, leading to a new understanding of structural racism, critical reflection on Whiteness and planning, and a new narrative tool for explaining and addressing racial disparities. Policy outcomes included adopting new housing policies, helping residents remove racial covenants from deeds, and implementing redistributive financial policies. Planners felt these data were important because they could be mapped and visualized and because of their fine geographic scale, narrative qualities, and the process in which they were collected. Takeaway for practice We draw insights about the kinds of data projects that other planners and researchers might produce to advance and inform anti-racist planning, including data that foreground White privilege, focus on phenomena appropriate for specific geographic and historic contexts, are produced using participatory and transparent processes, and tell a compelling story.

Epidemiological characterization and sensitivity to traditional antimalarials of Plasmodium spp. isolates from Porto Velho, western Amazon, Brazil

Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of patients infected with malaria in Porto Velho and the susceptibility of Plasmodium spp. to different classes of drugs used in current treatment methods. Methods: 708 patients infected with malaria were treated at the Center of Tropical Medicine in Porto Velho, where they answered standard epidemiological questionnaires. Maps were built using place of residence information of 199 infected patients. In chemosensitivity assay, dihydroartemisinin, chloroquine, mefloquine and lumefantrine half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was assessed by schizont maturation assay. Results: A higher prevalence of Plasmodium spp. infection among men, young people, with recurrent events of malaria and residents of urban area can be observed. The most prevalent malaria species was P. vivax followed by P. falciparum. Regarding treatment, it was observed that P. falciparum demonstrated resistance only to chloroquine (CQ) with a median of IC50 (MD of IC50) = 119.8 nM, whereas P. vivax demonstrated sensitivity to all drugs (MD IC50 < 10; 100; 30; and 150 nM for dihydroartemisinin, CQ, mefloquine and lumefantrine, respectively). Conclusion: This study contributes to the understanding of the disease by the city’s public health organs, to Plasmodium chemosensitivity literature and vigilance, and to decision making processes of city officials.

Operationalizing Urban Climate Justice: A Case Study of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York City

Cities are increasingly incorporating climate resiliency goals into planning, development, and sustainability efforts. Such efforts are often touted as opportunities to promote climate justice that will not only support adaptation and mitigation efforts but also improve local environmental quality and bring higher paying, green jobs to frontline communities. Yet many local community leaders and residents remain skeptical of the promised benefits of climate-resilient development in their neighborhoods, fearing that new investments will attract higher income earners, intensify real estate pressures, and contribute to green gentrification. This study investigates the synergies and tensions that are emerging as cities develop policy responses to address climate change, implement resiliency projects, and meet economic, equity and social justice goals. Through a case study of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, a low-income working waterfront community in New York City, the paper explores community efforts to exert influence over two large-scale, climate resiliency-focused development projects. Data sources for the study include interviews with city officials, private sector representatives, community leaders and residents, participation in community events and workshops, and analysis of planning and policy documents. The study finds that an extensive legacy of community-led planning, the presence of proactive community champions, and grassroots mobilizations were critical factors that strengthened local influence over urban resiliency planning processes. It offers lessons and strategies for empowering local voices in community-based adaptation and resiliency efforts and for achieving climate justice objectives.

A Study on the Perception of School Members on Mid- and Long-Term Education Agenda at the Local Education Offices: Focused on Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education

A Study on the Perception of School Members on Mid- and Long-Term Education Agenda at the Local Education Offices: Focused on Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education - education policy;education agenda;publicity of education;future education

Characterizing land use with night-time imagery: the war in Eastern Ukraine (2012–2016)

The ongoing military conflict in Eastern Ukraine has resulted in significant land use changes as well as economic shifts particularly in agricultural and industrial activities. The day/night band detectors on-board the Suomi-NPP Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite provides an opportunity to assess socio-economic impacts of human conflicts based on physical radiometric measurements. In this study, we show a near 50% decrease in night-time light activity in Donetsk and Luhansk (Donbass Region) from 2012 to 2016. Furthermore, by separating night-time light losses between areas inside official city boundaries and those outside, we illustrate the sensitivity to residential land-use types. A 43.5% of night-time light loss inside cities was attributed to residential areas and 17.5% registered outside of cities. Additionally, this separation showed considerable differences for night-time light losses attributed to industrial land-use types with higher losses occurring in regions outside of cities (36.5%) than regions inside cities (24%). The separation of night-time light losses inside and outside cities reveal considerable discrepancies in night-time light losses showing that considerable activity occurs outside of traditionally targeted urban activities. The results demonstrate night-time light losses are sensitive to proximity to civilian-residential populations, and highlight discrepancies between urban cores and their attached peripheries.

Growing resilient: The potential of urban agriculture for increasing food security and improving earthquake recovery

Following an earthquake, urban agriculture has been shown to improve recovery by increasing food security and providing numerous community and social benefits. However, many communities often do not consider urban agriculture within their earthquake or disaster preparedness programs. This work explores the intersection between those two realms, considering how their integration may increase food security and improve resilience following an earthquake. Through a case study focusing on the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, this research involved a four-step strategic scan of planning and earthquake management documents to determine whether Vancouver has captured the benefit of urban agriculture for earthquake recovery. Results revealed that this benefit has yet to be realized, however there is ample opportunity to do so given the City's advances in urban agriculture. This research seeks to provide planners, city officials and emergency management with insight into the potential of urban agriculture for earthquake preparedness. More broadly, this work seeks to add to the discussion by exploring a tangible integration of two realms that are often planned in isolation, yet could have positive impacts if combined. This paper concludes with specific interventions for how urban agriculture can be utilized for earthquake recovery in order to build resilience.

Victim identification and body completeness based on last known location at the World Trade Center

This analysis focuses on the identification efforts conducted by the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (NYC OCME) over a 20-year period from September 11, 2001 to September 11, 2021. Due to this unprecedented level of commitment to victim identification, a wealth of data has been collected over the two-decade period and is still being collected as identification efforts are ongoing. The results of this data analysis are not only informative for the World Trade Center (WTC) victims, but may also be instructional for other large-scale, protracted victim identification efforts. Based on available data, most victims are associated with the impact zones and higher in both towers. No correlation was observed in the overall identification rates based on last known location in the buildings, suggesting that location in the towers does not affect the likelihood of a successful identification. There was, however, a significant difference in the body completeness values observed for victims from the upper floors compared to those below the impact zones. The identification rates and body completeness values for victims onboard the two airplanes are significantly different from each other, possibly related to the varying aircraft speeds at the time of impact.

The future of the corporate office? Emerging trends in the post-Covid city

Abstract Part of an ongoing longitudinal study, this article provides evidence on the emerging impacts of Covid-19 on the demand for, configuration and role of offices in cities, drawing on primary data from semi-structured interviews with UK-based corporate real estate managers. The research is grounded on a ‘theory of change’ framework combining real estate, institutional economics and economic geography literature. Our findings confirm an acceleration towards hybrid working patterns. While some changes in the current use of offices may be temporary or more dynamic, other adjustments may be permanent (for example working from home, portfolio rationalisations) and trigger structural changes across cities.

THE MANY LIVES OF CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY

THE MANY LIVES OF CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY

How to Save Chinatown: Preserving affordability and community service through ethnic retail

Chinatowns in North America have been especially hit hard by COVID-19, a reality of anti-Asian racist and xenophobic sentiment exacerbated by the global pandemic. The factors contributing to increased business closures, commercial vacancy, and gentrification in Chinatowns have existed before the pandemic and have only been exacerbated. In order to preserve Chinatowns, municipalities have enacted historic preservation and small business support measures, such as historic designations, technical assistance for businesses, increased permit scrutiny, and legacy business programs. This study investigates the difference in retail changes across three Chinatowns in Vancouver, San Francisco and Los Angeles both prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concurrently, this study also examines the impact of retaining a legacy business program and other preservation measures on the retail landscape. Interviews with city officials, organizers, community institutions, and members of the business community were conducted along with an analysis of existing local programs, policies and reports. This study finds that measures taken through historic preservation, small business support, and pandemic relief have not significantly addressed core needs within Chinatown communities. The most effective forms of relief and preservation was affordable housing, community-ownership of commercial businesses, and direct assistance for commercial rent. This study also acknowledges that some Chinatowns are faring better than others due to the ability of the Chinese community to fight against to historic discriminatory planning practices such as urban renewal, slum clearance, and highway building. The impact of these histories is deeply intertwined with the survivability of ethnic retail within each distinct Chinatown, and depending on the strength of existing community ties that remain will inform how preservation policies should be enacted.

Practical Applications of The Illusory Benefit of Working Longer on Retirement Financial Preparedness: Rethinking Advice That Working Longer Increases Retirement Income

In <b><i>The Illusory Benefit of Working Longer on Retirement Financial Preparedness: Rethinking Advice That Working Longer Increases Retirement Income</i></b>, from the Summer 2022 issue of <b><i>The Journal of Retirement</i></b>, authors <b>Teresa Ghilarducci</b> (of <b>The New School</b>), <b>Michael Papadopoulos</b> (of the <b>New York City Office of Labor Policy and Standards</b>), and <b>Anthony Webb</b> (of <b>The New School</b>) challenge assumptions that underpin popular retirement-planning advice. They find that, despite significant financial incentives for individuals to delay the commencement of Social Security benefits past their “full retirement age” (FRA), the great majority elect to commence receiving benefits upon reaching their FRA. This finding calls into question key assumptions underlying both key public policies and financial advice prepared for clients. The study analyzes national survey data and finds that only 45% of Americans who work until age 70 are prepared for retirement. Working from 62 to 70 increases preparedness by only 22 percentage points because nearly everyone (working and nonworking) commences receiving Social Security benefits by age 66. Almost no one waits until 70 to receive the full “delayed retirement credit” (DRC). The assumptions in earlier research about individual behavior have proven to be incorrect. Financial advisors should reconsider whether advising clients to work longer for higher retirement income is realistic.

Evidence-based Practice and Information and Communication Technology: Stakeholders’ Insights

Stakeholders’ role to support evidence-based practice (EBP) and enhancing the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for EBP is essential. However, how EBP is supported and how ICT is utilized in health care providers is unknown. Aim: This study aims to explore stakeholders’ insights regarding the implementation of EBP and the use of ICT. A qualitative study with semi-structured face-to-face interview was used to obtain the aim. Using purposive sampling, eleven management representatives from public and private hospitals, clinics, and health office in Depok city, Indonesia were asked about EBP and ICT. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Five themes emerged from this study. EBP services availability and accessibility showed ICT sources were adequate, but still need improvement in the library and Education and Training Department (ETD); Healthcare workforce represented doctors and nurses who hardly generate research although permitted by the stakeholders; Health information system such as clinical cases forums in hospitals was established, but current evidence was rarely discussed; Funding for research and training related to EBP were not allocated; Leadership and governance showed there were limited policies on EBP and clinical instructors available in hospitals but generally work on supporting training and student practices. Although EBP implementation needs improvement, the stakeholders in this study mostly support EBP and enable ICT for EBP purposes. Advocacy on policy and resource arrangements is urged to support information initiatives.

The Underground World of Secret Jews and Africans: Two Tales of Sex, Magic, and Survival in Colonial Cartagena and Mexico City

In this concise volume, Jonathan Schorsch focuses on two cases covered in his much longer work, Swimming the Christian Atlantic: Judeoconversos, Afroiberians and Amerindians in the Seventeenth Century (2009). Here the emphasis is on four individuals caught up in two different persecutions done by the Holy Office in its Novohispanic and neogranadino tribunals. Schorsch examines the extremely complex topic of the connections and conflicts that these case studies reveal as existing between judeoconversos and African-descended subjects within the Spanish empire. In the preface, the author acknowledges that a study of the tensions that simmered between these groups will resonate with current and highly polemical debates.This book has a different structure and analytical style than a conventional academic work of history, which allows Schorsch's text to range broadly and creatively in terms of both sources and the interpretations that he applies to his provoking topic. After an introduction providing brief background information on the two groups and the setting, there are really only two long chapters in the book, which are further divided into short sections.The first case study delves into the well-documented witch crazes of the 1620s and 1630s in Cartagena de Indias. Of course, these particular Holy Office trials have been studied since the nineteenth century. Several excellent historians working out of Colombia revived the topic in the 1990s. Since then a number of scholars writing in English have entered the discussion, to the point that the focal figure of the trials, Paula de Eguiluz, probably has now joined Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz among the most famous women from the era of the Spanish viceroyalties. Eguiluz's investigation alone numbers over 800 pages. When combined with the prosecution of Diego López, the main focus of Schorsch's analysis, there are endless possibilities for interpreting this material.Schorsch examines the relationship between López; one of his mistresses, an enslaved woman named Rufina; and the Portuguese surgeon and alleged judiazante Blas de Paz Pinto. Along with an excellent medical education, a specialty in local herbs, and hardworking, detail-oriented leadership of Catholic brotherhoods, Pinto also made an incredible fortune as a slave trader. Over the course of years of interrogations and statements made by witnesses on trial themselves, Pinto gradually developed a persona as a ringleader, even a rabbi, for a significant Jewish community. López and Rufina provided damning evidence through their strange hobby of spying on Pinto, which led them to testify bizarre and stereotypical tales of his desecration of Christian images and symbols as well as disturbing reports of his hemorrhaging as a kind of twisted menstruation. Schorsch speculates on why Rufina and López would choose to destroy Pinto's reputation as a leader in Cartagena's Catholic society. Is it a form of race-based rebellion? A facet of magic practitioners who thrived on gossip and persuasive talk? A desire to feminize converso men? Simply an attempt to bring down a professional rival, because of course López was also a surgeon practicing in Cartagena? There is certainly a range of interpretations of these testimonies. Ultimately however the end remains tragic—Pinto died an agonizing death 11 days after a horrific torture session and only participated in the later auto de fé in effigy.If possible, Schorsch's second case study is even more complex, involving an enslaved Spaniard with a New Christian father, Esperanza Rodríguez, who married a German and resided in Mexico City when she came before the Holy Office in the viceregal court city. Rodríguez seems to have belonged to a circle of practicing Jews, and she supplemented her meager resources by performing some form of religiously framed fasts to spiritually assist others in her extensive circle. While Rodríguez and her three daughters endured autos de fé, lashes, and incarceration, unlike Pinto they survived the ordeals. Although fitting into a community seems to have motivated the Rodríguez family, Schorsch also speculates on the potential rebelliousness of Esperanza's actions.The book ends with a provocative conclusion regarding the lack of unity between these two oppressed groups under Spanish rule. In his final pages, Schorsch argues that any Judaism practiced among them was not as coherent as some scholars assume. He also observes that many of the testimonies, similar to those made by Rufina and López, more resemble Catholic fantasies than any actions that so-called crypto-Jews actually did. Overall, Schorsch seeks to both appreciate the sophisticated survival skills of his subjects and complicate the responses of two dominated groups within the Spanish empire. This unique book should be read by scholars and students interested in the historical complexities of religious and racial identity and power. It will certainly provoke a debate, which one can only hope will be more fruitful and lack the bitterness and violence of the cases presented in this book.

Carsharing travel distance and its associated factors: A case study of Seoul, South Korea

This study explores the mobility patterns of carsharing members from their trip distance perspective and its associated factors with a specific focus on its members' personal, usage, and stations' locational characteristics. Using Seoul as a case study, one-month rental transaction datasets provided by two-way carsharing operators were used as a data source. The multilevel mixed-effect modeling approach was applied to remedy spatial heterogeneity across station locations that affect the distance traveled by each rental. In addition, a classification among the carsharing members based on trip distance was conducted using regression tree to obtain clusters of the most homogenous member groups. The multilevel model results confirmed the important roles played by the station location and individual-level factors that affect mobility patterns of carsharing members. Individual-level characteristics showed that members in their 50s and female travel longer. Similarly, rentals made on non-workdays and in the morning showed longer travel distances. The station-level characteristics indicate that carsharing stations' proximity to public transit and leisure areas positively affects trip distances, suggesting the effect of the built environment and land use on the travel patterns of carsharing members. By combining carsharing transaction and their stations’ built environment data, this study suggests a new interface for city officials and carsharing operators to work together for achieving their sustainable mobility objectives together.

Evaluasi Kinerja Simpang Empat Bersinyal di Kota Malang

An intersection is a part of a road where currents from various directions or directions meet. This is what causes conflicts between currents from opposite directions and intersect each other, resulting in congestion along the intersection arm. The signalized intersection on Jl. Panglima Sudirman – Jl. Urip Sumoharjo – Jl. Pattimura is one of the main network junctions in Malang City, precisely located in an area that provides several public facilities, namely the National Defense Field, Kota Baru Station and Klojen Market. This intersection connects to public places such as the city center, schools, offices and others. This reseach aims to evaluate the performance of the intersection and the degree of saturation as well as the level of service at the signalized intersection at the current condition based on the Indonesian Road Capacity Manual (MKJI) 1997. This reseach uses empirical methods to obtain data from observations that occur in the field. From the results of the reseach the degree of saturation (DS) on the north approach was 0.89, with queue length (QL) = 140.30 m, south approach 0.84, with queue length (QL) = 97.25 m, east approach 0, 49 with queue length (QL) = 69.25 m and the western approach 0.56 with queue length (QL) = 54.40 m. The average delay of the intersection is 27.31 sec/pcu and is included in the value of service level of service D.

PENGARUH MOTIVASI KERJA DAN LINGKUNGAN KERJA TERHADAP KEDISIPLINAN PEGAWAI PADA KANTOR BADAN PENANGGULANGAN BENCANA DAERAH (BPBD) KOTA BIMA

This study aims to determine how and how much influence work motivation and work environment on employee discipline at the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Bima City office. The population used is all employees of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Bima city, totaling 44 people (employees) with details of 30 ASN and 14 honorary people. The sample used in this study were 30 civil servants. Samples were taken by purposive sampling. Data collection methods are observation, interviews, literature studies and questionnaires. The analysis technique is multiple linear regression analysis using IBM SPSS 21 software. The results show that: (1) Work motivation partially affects employee discipline at the regional disaster management agency (BPBD) Bima city. (2) Work environment partially affects employee discipline. employee discipline at the regional disaster management agency (BPBD) office of Bima city. (3) Simultaneously or simultaneously work motivation and work environment affect employee discipline at the regional disaster management agency (BPBD) office of Bima city.

Designing for a Healthier Indore, India: Participatory Systems Mapping

In Indore, India, BHC engaged 247 multi-sector stakeholders through a systems mapping approach to gather qualitative data across three workshops and four citizen town halls from 2018 to 2020. These data were synthesized with results from BHC’s 18 other city activities to build a systems map and identify high-impact areas for engagement. Contextual findings showed a tension at the heart of Indore’s growth—Indore’s great success as a city has spurred rapid population growth. This growth creates pressure on municipal systems as population outpaces service delivery capacity. This is central to the systems map that BHC developed and is expanded upon through additional patterns that fall within four main domains: (1) leadership, governance, and financing; (2) essential service delivery and workforce; (3) information systems; and (4) community infrastructure and education. Stakeholders found three key leverage opportunities within this context that, if included in every action, could help overcome barriers. These opportunities are: (1) improving data quality, use, and integration; (2) supporting accountability to, and enforcement of, policies and regulations; and (3) increasing community engagement. Brought together through a better understanding of the key patterns driving system behavior from the context map and leverage opportunities, BHC was able to co-create, with stakeholders, seven “coherent actions” to move Indore to a healthier, more equitable state. When COVID-19 regulations ease, BHC and city officials will reconvene to finalize an implementation plan for these actions.

Spatial configuration and social sustainability in urban neighborhoods

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to investigate the influence of urban neighborhood spatial layout on social sustainability, which has received little attention in prior studies. Hence, three neighborhoods with diverse spatial configurations were chosen and evaluated. The primary methodology of this study is quantitative spatial configuration analysis. To analyze the spatial pattern, “Normalized Angular Integration (NAIN),” “Axial connection,” and “Intelligibility” were utilized. Questionnaires, on the other hand, examined social sustainability using three criteria and nine indicators. Finally, the relationship between these two concepts was investigated. The results showed how different urban layouts might affect social sustainability. “NAIN” and “Intelligibility” are significantly connected to metrics of social sustainability. Furthermore, we discovered that spatial configuration had the greatest effect on the two indicators of security and social justice. These findings can help city officials and planners enhance the social sustainability of areas through rehabilitation programs and new urban development plans.

The Existence of Tanjakas a Cultural Heritage That Must Be Preserved

Cultural diversity inherited from every previous generation create what is often called a local wisdom which in itself gives the area a unique socio-cultural identity. This cannot be any truer with Palembang with its many cultural wealth, one of which is a form of headdress or headband called tanjak. This study aims at investigating the existence of this culture from how it first got into the people of Palembang to today where even the government of the city has a mandate of making it an obligatory uniform for city officials on Fridays. to carry this investigation out, this study uses descriptive qualitative method. The data to be analysed come from both personal interviews (with experts on the matter) and literature or documentation studies. Initial results show that the move the government had taken was for the purpose of continuing to preserve and futher develop tanjak as a part of Palembang’s cultural wealth, as well as to educate the people regarding the needs to guard and preserver their local wisdom.

Chicago's investment in coordination of MH response continues to grow

A recent investment of $3.1 million in local grants is designed to ensure that by September, residents of each of Chicago's 77 distinct neighborhoods will have convenient access to adult and child mental health care in the city's trauma‐informed centers of care (TICC) network. City officials say this latest development adds important momentum to a multi‐year effort to establish a “no wrong door” approach to care regardless of whether an individual enters the system via a city‐operated mental health center, a state‐funded community mental health center (CMHC), or a federally qualified health center (FQHC).