Government Community Research Articles

Two Tales of the Energy Commons Through the Lens of Complexity

Abstract The Energy Commons embody the small-scale generation of renewable energy by groups of citizens. Existing scholarship and the European Union’s rules on the internal governance of citizen and renewable energy communities envision the Energy Commons as making the energy transition more democratic, equitable, inclusive, and local. Based on empirical research on citizen-led energy generation in Germany, this contribution examines the extent to which Energy Commons in practice live up to these normative ideals, why they partially fail to do so and how regulatory change can enable Energy Commons to converge to these ideals. This contribution sets out different types of Energy Commons and assesses how each type performs against scholarly expectations and the EU rules on their internal governance. It identifies the complexity of the energy sector as the main obstacle to achieving said normative ideals and sketches guidelines for regulatory change to reduce this complexity.

Strengthening Institutional Social-Economic Institutions Through Bumdes in Pagerharjo Village, Samigaluh District, Kulonprogo Regency

Potential in the area, including institutions, people, and natural resources, should be handled, one of which is BUMDES. BUMDES is an organization that was entrenched based on the needs and possibilities of the village and is run by the community and village government to boost the rural economy. The performance of BUMDES must considerably enhance the welfare of the populace. Under BUMDES's work system, all commercial and community economic activities are facilitated in a professionally managed institution or corporate organization. As a consequence, community companies are successful and fruitful, enabling the best possible management of all village economic endeavors. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the methods used by the Pagerharjo Village, Samigaluh Regency, and the Government to fortify village institutions (BUMDES). The research employs a qualitative descriptive methodology, with findings that highlight the significance of generalization. In an attempt to fully realize the village's potential, BUMDES Binangun Pagerharjo Village has developed into an organization that is capable of boosting the local economy through the establishment of social services, economic business development, and BUMDES institutional strengthening initiatives. BUMDES Pagerharjo can create jobs, boost local revenue, and bolster the local economy by empowering the people and opening up business options.

Meaningful Public Accountability in Collaborative Infrastructure Governance: Lessons from Sydney’s Western Parkland City

ABSTRACT Within infrastructure governance research, conceptual gaps remain in how to understand public accountability’s manifestations in complex collaborative planning projects. Contrasted with literature, this case study of infrastructure governance in the Western Parkland City project in Sydney, Australia explores social understandings of accountability drawn from 56 stakeholder interviews. Multiple intersecting accountability conceptions are revealed, including institutional transparency, clear communication, social legitimacy and community engagement, governance coherence, and effective implementation capacities. In seeking meaningful accountability approaches, we emphasise the need for multidimensional, and contextually and collaboratively developed understandings of accountability towards rebuilding public trust foundations and embracing relational and systemic approaches.

Community Governance for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Development: Lessons from Northern and Indigenous Energy Projects

Community Governance for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Development: Lessons from Northern and Indigenous Energy Projects

Study on the Demand and Supply of Cultural Space for Different Groups of People from the Perspective of Sustainable Community Development: A Case Study from the Hanzhong Section of the Hanjiang River Basin, China

Cultural space (CS) holds significant importance for inheriting regional culture, serving people’s lives, and boosting sustainable community development. In this study, based on the research case of the Hanzhong section of the Hanjiang River Basin (HSHRB), the demand and supply matching relationships between three groups of people, namely residents, employees, and tourists, and four types of CS—memorial or religious space (MRS), cultural heritage space (CHS), cultural facilities space (CFS), and cultural industries space (CIS)—is analyzed, with communities as the units. Findings: (1) The CS demand–supply matching relationship exhibited the spatial distribution characteristics of high value balance in urbanized areas, significant lag in suburban supply, and low value balance in rural areas. (2) For the CS demands of residents, employees, and tourists, the total supply was in a substantial shortage, in general balance, and in significant surplus, respectively. (3) There were significant differences in the fairness and adequacy of the demand–supply matching of the four types of CS, with MRS and CHS more equitable and better able to meet the needs of different regions and populations. (4) Six community types with significantly different demand and supply characteristics were classified based on the demand–supply relationship within the community and the supply environment of neighboring communities. They presented a spatial structure of circles outward in the order of high-value-balanced communities, deprived communities, insufficient-supply communities, low-value-balanced communities, and shared communities, with urbanized areas as the core. Deprived communities and shared communities have shown spatial dynamics of urban expansion and village decay, respectively, and they require urgent attention. The study employs a more systematic categorization of CS supply and a more diverse perspective of demand entities, offering new evidence for the equitable distribution of cultural resources among heterogeneous groups and regions. Ultimately, it presents strategies for optimizing demand and supply as well as policy recommendations for community governance, bringing fresh insights into promoting sustainable community development.

Governance, Mobility, and Pastureland Ecology. An Eco-Anthropological Study of Three Pastoral Commons in Northeastern Andalusia

Community-based natural resource governance is increasingly valued by the leading international organizations that promote environmental conservation and sustainable development. At the same time, the ecosystems of the northeastern Andalusian mountains are intrinsically related to the long-standing presence of pastoralism and its different communal forms that have favored a very particular biocultural diversity and sustainable socio-ecological systems locally. Through a transdisciplinary anthropological and ecological study, we aimed to compare how different types of communal governance and pastoral mobilities impact pasturelands in the region. We focused on three contiguous mountain pastoral commons, those of Castril, Santiago de la Espada, and Pontones, which exhibit different forms of communal organization and two main transhumant types of mobility: long-distance and short-distance transhumance. We conducted long-term ethnographic fieldwork with year-round participatory observations of social life, pastoral practices, and governance systems, and performed botanical and soil analyses. As a general result, we found that local pastoralism positively impacts the environment. There were differences between commons and mobility regimes, with a positive impact related mainly to closer forms of cooperation between herders and daily guiding of flocks, along with seasonal long-distance transhumance, especially when the latter is combined with stricter formal community rules. Within the current context highly determined by public subventions, particularly from the EU, primarily directed at pastureland management’s administrative and economic aspects, local governance increasingly favors these methods over the conservation of traditional, sustainable uses of pastures. This innovative research marks the first step towards a sounder intertwining of anthropological and ecological approaches towards a more holistic understanding of pastoral commons in general and in the Mediterranean region specifically.

Analysis of Economic Development on West Coast Regency, Indonesia, based on Location Quotient (LQ) and Shift Share (SS)

The research conducted in the West Coastal Regency, Lampung province, Indonesia, aimed to determine the base sector and analyze the district’s economic performance for strategic development. The study used Location Quotient (LQ) and Shift Share (SS) analysis tools and identified agriculture, forestry, and fisheries as sectors with high LQ scores. The Shift Share (SS) analysis revealed positive performance in five industries, with education, health, and social activities being the basis for development. The development planning in the West Coastal Regency in Lampung province can focus on the Development of Maritime Agroecotourism considering the potential of existing natural resources. The results of the location quotient (LQ) and shift share (SS) analysis can guide regional development planning and improve people’s living standards through community participation and government and private sector support.

Use of Local Culinary to Support Marine Tourism on Mampie Beach Polewali Mandar, Indonesia

Maritime tourism is synonymous with natural beauty, but its culinary riches are often overlooked, even though local cuisine can be a significant tourist attraction, such as at Mampie Beach, whose potential is hidden and neglected amidst the post-COVID-19 crisis. The research method used is a qualitative approach with data collection techniques using interviews, documentation and observation, then analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis techniques. The research results show much culinary potential, mainly traditional foods such as Baye/Golla Kambu, Kasippi, Coklat Macoa, and Co'ri. as products that can be marketed or sold in the Mampie Beach marine tourism area. However, the lack of awareness and initiative of the community, tourism managers, and local government means that the culinary potential of these traditional foods cannot support the marine tourism of Mampie Beach, so it cannot impact tourism recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, several strategies need to be implemented involving the community, tourism managers and local government to optimize the existing culinary potential: First, holding regular thematic culinary events, where local traders can promote and sell their traditional dishes; Second, establishing partnerships with local businesses such as restaurants, food stalls and local food producers to introduce and serve regional specialties at tourist attractions, and Third, carry out culinary tours and cooking courses, where tourists can learn about local culinary culture while enjoying authentic dishes served by local people

Participation of Community Social Enterprises in Community Governance

Participation of Community Social Enterprises in Community Governance

Equity and access in higher education: Legal perspectives and management strategies

Ensuring equity and access in higher education has become a paramount concern for institutions, policymakers, and stakeholders worldwide. This review delves into the legal frameworks and management strategies essential for promoting equity and access within higher education systems. Firstly, legal perspectives provide a foundation for understanding the rights and responsibilities of both institutions and students. Various laws and regulations, including affirmative action policies, anti-discrimination statutes, and accessibility mandates, shape the legal landscape of higher education equity. Analyzing landmark court cases and legislative acts elucidates the evolving nature of these legal frameworks and their implications for fostering inclusive environments. Secondly, effective management strategies play a pivotal role in translating legal mandates into actionable initiatives. Institutional leaders must prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts across all facets of academic and administrative operations. Implementing proactive recruitment and retention practices, establishing support services for underrepresented groups, and fostering a culture of inclusivity are among the key strategies employed to enhance accessibility and promote equity. Moreover, leveraging technology and data analytics can facilitate evidence-based decision-making and resource allocation, thereby addressing disparities in educational outcomes. Collaborative partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and industry stakeholders also amplify the impact of equity initiatives and expand access to higher education opportunities. Navigating the complex intersection of legal requirements and management imperatives is essential for advancing equity and access in higher education. By embracing a holistic approach that combines legal compliance with strategic planning and proactive interventions, institutions can foster environments where all individuals have equitable opportunities to succeed and thrive academically.

Commercial gentrification revisited: Social capital and community governance in regenerated neighborhoods of South Korea

In this study, we examine the potential roles of social capital and community governance in commercial gentrification and protection against commercial gentrification, and how rising rent costs as an outcome of commercial gentrification, can be moderated through a win-win agreement within a South Korean metropolitan city. Utilizing an in-depth case study approach with surveys, interviews, and document-based analysis, we examine the perceptions of shop workers on commercial gentrification outcomes and community policy process of a win-win agreement. Our results highlight the positive role of social capital and community governance in mitigating the negative outcomes of commercial gentrification and enhancing the protection against commercial gentrification and satisfaction of urban regeneration policies. The win-win agreement, particularly concerning rising rent fees between tenants and owners within the commercial area revealed the positive potential role in softening gentrification effects.

EXAMINATION OF CONSTITUTIONALIST MOVEMENTS AND CONSTITUTIONS IN TERMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Constitutionalism involves curbing state power, protecting fundamental rights, and defending citizens' rights against the state. Aligned with democratic theory, it's grounded in the concept of human dignity, advocating for the autonomy and participation of vulnerable individuals in community governance. Democratic theory emphasizes the crucial right of citizens to influence the selection of lawmakers in a free society. Constitutionalism insists on honoring human dignity and values, affirming citizens' right to democratic participation while ensuring clear constraints on their governments, even when in line with the majority's preferences. Originating with the Magna Carta in 1215, constitutionalism reached Ottoman lands about six centuries later. Ottoman constitutional movements, commencing with the 1808 Sened-i Ittifak and progressing through the 1839 Tanzimat Edict, the 1856 Islahat (Reform) Edict, and the 1876 Constitution, were influenced by both internal and external factors. These movements, despite lacking public demand, played a pivotal role in introducing democratic values and institutions in Ottoman history, including the country's first parliamentary election.

A longitudinal study of societal resilience and its predictors during the Israel-Gaza war.

This study assesses the resilience of Israeli society during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and pinpoints factors that influence this resilience in prolonged national crises. A longitudinal study was carried out with two surveys, both using the same questionnaire to gage societal, community, and individual resilience levels, along with hope, morale, distress, perceived threats, and government support. The initial survey was administered 5 days after the war escalated and the second 1 month later. The study's results reveal a decline in societal resilience over time. The regression analysis identified four major associations at both resilience measurement points. The key variables are community resilience and hope, both contributing positively. Attitudes towards government support (specifically being a government supporter vs. an opponent) also played a role. Additionally, there was a negative association with levels of religiosity, particularly distinguishing between ultra-orthodox and secular individuals. In the temporal analysis predicting future resilience (from data at the first time point to predict resilience at the second time point), societal resilience at the first measurement was the strongest forecaster of its resilience at the second measurement. Additionally, the main continuous variable from the previous analysis, community resilience, continued to be an influential and positive forecaster in the time-based analysis. The research suggests that the initial unifying effect of the conflict, similar to a "Rally around the flag" phenomenon, may be short-lived. The study underlines the importance of community strength, hope, government support, and religious considerations in shaping societal resilience in the face of conflict.

PENINGKATAN SARANA PRASARANA LINGKUNGAN TINGKAT KELURAHAN BACIRO PADA RPJM 2019-2023

The Medium Term Development Plan (RPJM) for 2019-2023 for Baciro Village, Gondokusuman District is a planning document that aims to describe development directions and strategies for a five-year period in the region. This RPJM was prepared by involving the participation of the community, government and related stakeholders to achieve development that is sustainable, inclusive and competitive. This RPJM establishes the vision and mission of the Baciro Sub-District, which is to create a prosperous, independent and sustainable kelurahan, with a focus on improving the quality of life of the community, developing adequate infrastructure, developing the local economy, and equitable access to basic services. The main objectives of this RPJM are to improve people's welfare, create jobs, improve the quality of education, increase access to health, and strengthen good governance. This RPJM also identifies the resources needed to realize the development strategy, including human resources, funding, technology, and inter-agency cooperation. Monitoring and evaluation will be carried out periodically to ensure effective implementation and measure the achievement of predetermined development targets. Through the implementation of this RPJM, it is hoped that the Baciro Village can achieve sustainable growth, improve the quality of life of the community, and create a good and competitive environment. Active community participation, government support, and inter-agency collaboration will be the key to success in realizing the vision and mission of Baciro Village development in this medium-term period.

The struggle within dual systems of government: dealing with conflict between traditional leaders and ward councilors in the greater Giyani Municipality in South Africa

IntroductionCurrent frameworks of conflict resolution have shown only partial success, particularly in the context of local municipalities where conflicts persist. There is a pressing need for context-specific framework that address leadership conflicts while fostering peace.MethodsTo address the lack of progress in resolving conflicts, this study identifies major challenges undermining the assimilation and implementation of objectively informed conflict resolution strategies. A purposive sampling method was employed to select 33 respondents from the Greater Giyani Municipality. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using statistically established matrix scoring procedures. ATLAS.ti software was utilized for data analysis.ResultsWithout claiming to be exhaustive, this paper highlights examples of externalities that threaten the coexistence of the dual system of governance in South African communities, with a focus on leadership conflict and unsustainable peace. Factors contributing to conflict escalation include capacity constraints, lack of inclusive, bias, divisive decision-making and contested court decisions.DiscussionThe study underscores the importance of addressing these challenges to foster effective conflict resolution. It emphasizes the need for the scientific community to provide critical information necessary for responding effectively to these challenges.ConclusionTo enhance conflict resolution in local municipalities, it is imperative to develop context-specific frameworks that address underlying challenges and promote sustainable peace. This requires concerted efforts from both researchers and practitioners to provide the necessary insights and strategies for resolution.

Exploring Public Space Satisfaction in Old Residential Areas Based on Impact-Asymmetry Analysis

The renovation of public space environments in old residential areas has become the focal point in Chinese urban renewal and promotion of urban sustainable development; thus, an urgent need for research expansion is attached to identifying the environmental factors of public space and their impacts from the perspective of residents’ needs and satisfaction. Taking Hefei, China, as an example, and based on a satisfaction survey of the public space environment in old residential areas, this study discerned critical factors affecting public space satisfaction through gradient-boosting decision trees and impact-asymmetry analysis methods, after which the asymmetric relationship between public space environment factors and resident satisfaction was tested and the priority and goal of public space environment renovation were obtained. The results indicate that the following: (1) Compared with physical environment factors, current social environment factors, including uncivilized behavior, space occupation, and hygiene and cleanliness, exert a greater impact on the overall satisfaction. (2) The hypothesis that there exists a general nonlinear relationship between environmental factors and satisfaction is verified, with all social environment factors proving to be nonlinear and physical environment factors being highly related to social environment creation, such as nursing space for the old and young, reading and learning space, and display and communication space. (3) A priority hierarchy for the improvement of environmental factors should be established, which basically conforms to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. The role of social environment renovation should be highlighted, along with the necessity to bolster community governance and public space management. At the level of the physical environment, more space should be available for the activities of residents, display and communication, and reading and learning. This study can provide a corresponding theoretical basis and planning inspiration for meeting the multiple needs of residents for public space, improving life happiness, and promoting the sustainable development of cities in the renovation of public space environments in old residential areas.

Research on Smart Community Construction from the Perspective of Agile Governance

The concept of smart communities emphasizes the synergistic effects between decision-making at the computational level and service delivery, which aligns perfectly with the notion of ‘agile governance’. Leveraging ‘agile governance’ as an analytical framework for the study of smart community construction, this paper decomposes the construction of smart communities supported by big data analytics technology into four aspects: balancing multiple objectives, collaborative governance among stakeholders, efficiency of tool transformation, and adaptability propagation. It also proposes relevant suggestions for constructing a community agile governance model based on smart community technology platforms, aiming to achieve efficient, intelligent, and sustainable development of community governance.

Exploring Ways and Mechanisms for Farmers' Cooperatives to Participate in Rural Public Services

From the perspective of the path and mechanisms of rural integration, this article explores the logic behind the integration of cooperatives into rural governance, using the Hongyuan Farmers' Cooperative in Binchuan County, Dali City, Yunnan Province, as a case study.By leading villagers in development initiatives and embedding itself culturally and socially, the cooperative uses its organisational advantages to promote the healthy economic growth of villages and foster harmonious livelihoods among villagers. Through specific benefit-sharing mechanisms, the cooperative provides governance resources to the village collective, thereby strengthening the community's governance capacity. As the development of the farmers' cooperative progresses, the joint development of rural economic and public governance goals leads to the gradual formation of a new rural governance community.Practical experience shows that integrating the institutional strengths of farmers' cooperatives into rural governance, coupled with internal and external policy management, reshapes the governance structure of different rural governance units. This becomes a new direction for promoting the modernisation of rural governance systems and governance capacities. In essence, this article highlights how the cooperative, by integrating itself culturally and economically into the village, not only promotes economic growth but also empowers villagers to live harmoniously. Moreover, the incorporation of the cooperative's institutional strengths into rural governance redefines the structure of rural management units, suggesting a promising way to modernise rural governance systems.

Spatial heterogeneities of residents' sentiments and their associations with urban functional areas during heat waves– a case study in Beijing

The intensification of global heat wave events is seriously affecting residents' emotional health. Based on social media big data, our research explored the spatial pattern of residents' sentiments during heat waves (SDHW). Besides, their association with urban functional areas (UFAs) was analyzed using the Apriori algorithm of association rule mining. It was found that SDHW in Beijing were characterized by obvious spatial clustering, with hot spots predominately dispersed in urban areas and far suburbs, and cold spots mainly clustered in near suburbs. As for the associations with urban function areas, green space and park areas had significant effects on the positive sentiment in the study area, while a higher percentage of industrial areas had a greater impact on negative SDHW. When it comes to combined UFAs, our results revealed that the green space and park area combined with other functional areas was more closely related to positive SDHW, indicating the significance of promoting positive sentiment. Subdistricts with a lower percentage of residential and traffic areas may have a more negative sentiment. There were two main combined UFAs that have greater impacts on SDHW: the combination of residential and industrial areas, and the combination of residential and public areas. This study contributes to the understanding of improving community planning and governance when heat waves increase, building healthy cities, and enhancing urban emergency management.

Seeking care across the US-Mexico border: The experiences of Latinx and Indigenous Mexican caregivers of children with asthma or respiratory distress

BackgroundMany Latinx and Indigenous Mexican populations in the United States Southwest live in unincorporated communities in the US-Mexico borderlands called colonias. These environmental justice communities often lack basic infrastructure, including healthcare services, prompting many to seek services across the border. However, due to geopolitical factors more vulnerable caregivers are limited to utilize healthcare services in the US. This paper reports the experiences and healthcare decision-making of caregivers living in colonias in the US-Mexico border region who care for children with respiratory health conditions. MethodsThis study was carried out from September to December 2020. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with Latinx and Indigenous Mexican caregivers of children with asthma or respiratory distress. Qualitative interviews elicited caregivers' perspectives on the environmental factors affecting children's chronic health conditions and use of healthcare services. The analysis employed the concept of structure vulnerability to theorize geography as a structural determinant of health for caregivers faced with making healthcare decisions for their suffering from respiratory health conditions. A survey was administered to collect basic sociodemographic information. ResultsA total of 36 caregivers participated in the study. Structural factors including unincorporated community status and government inaction intersected with social determinants of health to prompt caregivers to cross the US-Mexico border to access healthcare services in Mexico for their children. Yet, more vulnerable caregivers (i.e., those without documentation status in the US) and their children, accessing healthcare services in the US was not an option limiting caregivers' ability to meet their children's healthcare needs. In such cases, geography acts as a structural determinant of health. ConclusionThis study shows the importance of geography in health. Rural unincorporated colonias located in the borderlands are precariously located and lack basic critical infrastructure including healthcare access. Within such places, historically and socially marginalized populations become invisible, are subject to the health effects of environmental hazards, and are limited depending on their positionality and thus vulnerability to healthcare services.