Planning Council Research Articles

Planning healthy food environments: An analysis of local government municipal public health and wellbeing policy in regional Victoria.

While there has been an increased focus on how local governments can support the creation of healthy food environments through healthy public policy, little is known about how this is reflected in public health policy in regional areas. The aim of this study was to understand how improvements to the food environment are prioritised, implemented and evaluated by local governments in regional Victoria. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, content analysis was undertaken of Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans and Council Plans from 10 regional local governments in Victoria, Australia. Seventeen policy documents were analysed including 10 Council Plans, 6 Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans and 1 Food Systems Strategy. Findings highlight regional public health and wellbeing plans have very few concrete actions in place to improve food environments. There is an opportunity for Australian regional local governments to include in their public health and wellbeing plans a greater emphasis on supporting healthy food behaviours, and therefore seeking opportunities to improve food environments through clearly aligned priorities, objectives, actions and measures of success. SO WHAT?: Improving the quality of public health and wellbeing plans can support local government to use policy to drive improvements in food environments leading to improved health and wellbeing for regional communities.

From Theory to Practice - Research of Education at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning - Cluj-Napoca

This study investigates the integration of architectural education with public sector technology through a collaborationbetween the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning and Cluj County Council. Concentrating on the digitalizationof local urban plans, particularly in rural areas, it offers a practical case study for students to involve them in publicpractice. This partnership allows students to acquire skills in urban planning, territorial management, and compliancewith environmental and professional standards. The research studies how students attain expertise in spatialorganization, urban functionality, and the wider professional scope of architecture and urbanism. The studyemphasizes that real-world, hands-on experiences are indispensable for training future urban planners. It highlightsthe necessity of merging theoretical education with practical application, showcasing the value of collaborativeeducational models in architectural training, particularly in public sector contexts by introducing students and theurban actors of the county administration in a fruitful practice.

The ECET has reorganised!

Gabriele Kroboth discusses the recent ECET conference in London and the council's plans for the future

67 Audit of discharge summaries on a geriatric ward against the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) National Standard

Abstract Background Discharge summaries are integral for safe transition of patient care. Complete, precise and succinct documentation can ensure improved quality of care and patient safety. Methods Retrospective data were collected from e-discharge summaries that were generated over a 7-month period from June-Dec 2022. A total of 20 samples were selected at random and assessed against the HIQA National Standard. The samples were compared to the physical medical records to countercheck if relevant information were present or omitted. There was a total of 78 outcomes measured as per the national standard. Results There were 8 (40%) discharge summaries with the complete clinical courses, in that they contained the main complaint, relevant clinical findings, relevant investigations results and the complete treatment courses. There were 4 (20%) summaries that had omitted documentation of inpatient complications or adverse events and 8 (40%) summaries had omissions present on medication prescriptions. There were 5 (25%) summaries whereby the list of stopped medications and the reasons for stopping the respective medications were omitted. There were 5 (25%) summaries with incomplete documentation of future plans. Only 4 (20%) discharge summaries had all the relevant information present. Conclusion Efforts to implement E-prescribing and electronic health records should be prioritised. The Irish Medical Council plans to introduce Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA), which are essential tasks that a trainee can be trusted to perform without direct supervision, once sufficient competence has been demonstrated. An entire EPA unit is dedicated to competent patient handover and discharge. A Discharge Summary Flowchart which highlights the inclusion of all the essential components of a complete discharge summary was introduced as a guide for the team. Finally, there is an ongoing continuous audit by Senior House Officers and Interns to assess the quality of discharge summaries after the recommendations have been implemented.

Creating an Innovative Blueprint for Barangay Development

This study is focused on the augmentation, extension, and enrichment of knowledge pertaining to the design of a new development plan for Barangay Babuyan in Carrascal, Surigao Del Sur. The central emphasis is placed on the intricate interplay between person-environment relationships, particularly concerning the innovative facilities being designed, notably housing. Through a comprehensive approach, the researchers executed a survey in line with the guidelines established by the Municipal Planning and Development Council (MPDC) of Carrascal. As per the MPDC, the designated relocation site encompasses a total area of 100,000 square meters, with each unit boasting a floor space of 48 square meters and an accompanying lot area of 100 square meters. The proposed project involves multifaceted considerations encompassing critical elements such as road network layout, housing design, electrical and water storage tank plans, drainage systems, and provisions for open spaces. This endeavor integrates a range of methodologies including surveying, on-site investigation, data collection, formulation of a novel barangay development plan, and comprehensive cost estimations. The development of a meticulously designed plan stands as a pivotal solution that addresses various aspects of community growth. This design, projected to efficiently accommodate the entire barangay, is rooted in the observation of a positive 2.33% average population growth rate from 1990 to 2015. Furthermore, the chosen relocation site holds the advantage of being hazard-free, exhibiting low susceptibility to landslides. The newly conceptualized barangay development plan is characterized by an easily accessible road network featuring a width of 6 meters. This network is illuminated by energy-efficient 100W solar LED street lights. In tandem, the plan includes a 3.50m x 3.50m water storage tank and an 8m x 6m house design encompassing a bedroom, living area, kitchen, and shared bathroom. The culmination of this proposed study is marked by its high level of acceptance, as it fulfills the requisites set forth by the Local Government Unit (LGU) and is aligned with the aspirations of the residents

Comparative Study of Financial Literacy and Socio-demographic Factors in Sibu, Sarawak

Elevating the level of financial literacy in Malaysia stands as a pivotal objective of the National Strategy, given the considerable proportion of Malaysians who continue to identify as financially illiterate. This trend is compounded by the mounting incidence of bankruptcy among the younger demographic. The present research aims to scrutinise the significant differences that establish among the degrees of financial literacy and socio-demographic variables within the adult population of Sibu, Sarawak. This study adopted a quantitative methodology, employing the technique of convenience sampling. A total of 152 questionnaires were gathered through both online surveys via Google Forms and face-to-face distribution. An adapted performance assessment was employed to aid the respondents in gauging their level of financial knowledge and skills. The results of one-way ANOVA analysis suggest that individuals who conform to specific socio-demographic profiles exhibit a greater degree of financial literacy. These aforementioned profiles were characterised by their female gender, middle-aged group (between 40 to 49 years old), marital status, possession of advanced academic degrees (either master or doctorate), employment in private sector, and middle-range income earners (RM6001-RM9000). There were statistically significant differences between the mean financial skills of various age, education, occupation, marital status, and income level groups. The limitation of this research is the small size of the study sample. Future study may as well explore and incorporate new variables to delve into deeper insights of the underlying causes of financial illiteracy. In order to promote financial literacy and fraud detection, the results may be used to assist the regulators (such as the Central Bank of Malaysia and the Security Commission Malaysia) and Malaysian Financial Planning Council in developing more effective policies and educational programmes that are tailored for various groups with different socio-demographic characteristics.

Efforts to create teaching materials by Japanese level—Fukuoka Prefecture Japanese Learning Support Project Vol.1—

<p>福岡縣留學生支援中心營運協議會為在福岡縣內的大學等就讀的留學生，策劃了商務日語課程和面試對應練習，並提供在日本求職的輔導。在2020年7月31日（週五）至2020年9月18日（週五）每週五（共8次）為了因 COVID-19 而被限制外出的日語學習者提供了不同水平的日語學習教材及解說影片。感興趣的人可以在轉播時間透過電子郵件收到所需級別的學習教材。教材末尾附有問答講解，讓學習者在解題後可立即核對答案。為減輕獨自學習的顧慮，中心網站上公開了答案解說影片，讓有興趣的人觀看。教材涵蓋商務日語（相當於N1、N2）和生活用日語（相當於N3、N4）。</p> <p> </p><p>Fukuoka International Student Support Center Management Council plans business Japanese courses and interview preparation exercises for foreign stu-dents studying at universities in Fukuoka Prefecture, and provides job hunting counseling in Japan. From July 31, 2020 (Friday) to September 18, 2020 (Friday) Every Friday (8 times in total), Japanese language learning materials and explan-atory videos of different levels are provided for Japanese learners who are re-stricted from going out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interested parties can receive study materials for the desired level via email during broadcast times. There are question and answer explanations at the end of the textbook, so that learners can check the answers immediately after solving the questions. In order to alleviate the worries of studying alone, the center website has released a video explaining the answers for those who are interested to watch. The teaching ma-terials cover business Japanese (equivalent to N1, N2) and daily life Japanese (equivalent to N3, N4).</p> <p> </p>

Food security during nuclear winter: a preliminary agricultural sector analysis for Aotearoa New Zealand.

We aimed to estimate the current dietary energy content of food exports for Aotearoa New Zealand and food security during "nuclear winter" scenarios following a nuclear war. From published sources we estimated dietary energy available from the major domains of food exports, with adjustments for wastage. The impacts on food production in New Zealand during three nuclear winter scenarios were based on those published in Nature Food in 2022 and from an earlier New Zealand Planning Council study. Current major food exports are equivalent to 3.9 times current dietary energy intakes for all New Zealand citizens i.e., 34,100 kJ (8150 kcal) per person per day. Exported dairy products were estimated to be able to provide 338% of this energy intake, followed by exports of meat (34%), fruit (8.6%), alcohol (4.8%), marine products (4.6%) and vegetables (2.7%). During the various nuclear winter scenarios considered (minimal to severe), food production available from diverted exported foods was estimated to still be 3.6 to 1.5 times current daily energy intakes. Nevertheless, the agriculture sector could be at risk of various levels of collapse from lack of imports (e.g., diesel, fertiliser, pesticides, seeds, and machinery parts) and from socio-economic collapse, including if the financial system collapsed. This analysis suggests that this country could theoretically have excess food production capacity, even after a severe nuclear winter scenario. But this benefit could be very short-term if the agricultural system was not made more resilient to potential lack of international trade and socio-economic collapse in a post-catastrophe setting.

15‐minute cities and the denial(s) of auto‐freedom

15‐minute cities and the denial(s) of auto‐freedom

Pendampingan Teknis Perencanaan Renovasi Pembangunan Masjid As-Syuhada Rumpun Diponegoro Kota Semarang

<p align="justify"><em>Mosques are one the public facilities that have a role as houses of worship for muslims. In addition, the mosque also functions as a center for community activities such as a place for celebrating big days, discussions, studies, seminars, lectures, and training as a center for religious learning for the community. To increase the role and function of the mosque as well as an effort to increase the capacity or capacity of worshippers, the mosque prosperity council (DKM) plans to renovate the construction of mosque. The existing condition of the mosque currently has supporting facilities, but it is considered inadequate with a limited capacity of worshippers. In addition, physically the existing mosque building is quite simple, so carrying out renovations requires careful planning. The purpose of this community service (PkM) of Faculty of Engineering of Universitas Semarang</em> <em>is to assist DKM in making a renovation plan design for the construction of the As-Syuhada Mosque. The output of this mentoring activity is in the form of submitting design drawings of the 2 floors mosque building including detailed structural drawings, as well as 3D drawings and calculation of the cost budget plan (RAB). The drawings and RAB of the renovation work for the construction of the As-Shahada Mosque that had been approved were then used as guidelines for carrying out work in the field.</em></p>

Emerging trends in household travel survey programs

Transportation planners use household travel surveys to understand travel behavior, whether to develop forecasts of travel activity using travel demand or simulation models, to analyze personal motivations that drive the decision to travel, to identify users of existing transportation infrastructure and services, or to determine responsiveness to available or future travel options. Large urban area transportation planning organizations are faced with making decisions on their next household travel surveying effort to meet growing data needs. The New York Metropolitan Transportation Planning Council (NYMTC) has focused attention on surveying options, including conducting a pilot study to evaluate the ability to collect household travel data using a smartphone app. This research reviews current travel surveying strategies aimed at improving timeliness and accuracy, while reducing participant burden (e.g., using smartphone technologies). It also includes a vision for a long-term data program, facilitated by the establishment of a regional Community of Practice (CoP) to support multi-agency data collection efforts.

Land use suitability assessment for economic development at the provincial level: The case study of Yazd Province, Iran

• The concept of land use suitability (LUS) is intended to help stakeholders make better land-use decisions on a regional scale. • GIS application with a hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)-Rule-Based System (RBS) in LUS is recommended. • This study suggests the real-time Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) in LUS analysis. • SDSS should be used in places where suitable geodatabases are not available. Iran's Yazd Province has expanded its economy during the past 40 years due to requests from investors and decisions made by the Provincial Planning and Development Council. This article aims to aid the council's decision-making process by presenting an analytical method for determining whether a region is suitable, unsuitable, or conditionally suitable for generating various economic activities in the form of individual suitability maps. Using a hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)-Rule Based System (RBS), the method is made up of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and semi/non-compensatory decision rules in combination with GIS spatial analysis. The findings show that the province has exceeded its environmental carrying capabilities since a significant portion of its overall land area is unsuitable for most industrial and agricultural activities. The Provincial Planning and Development Council seeks to have even fewer options than to concentrate on high-tech and service sector development along major and dense corridors while relocating other economic activity to the periphery to address issues with water scarcity, air pollution, uneven infrastructure distribution, and environmental limitations. The proposed model of this study can be utilized as a real-time Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) for the Yazd Provincial Planning and Development Council. In sequential decision-making processes, the model can examine the effects of previous decisions and adjust its findings/conclusions as needed.

Measuring Street Network Efficiency and Block Sizes in Superblocks—Addressing the Gap between Policy and Practice

This paper uses quantitative methods to evaluate the application of street connectivity policies stated by Abu Dhabi’s Urban Planning Council (UPC) on newly developed projects. The evaluation of the study was performed by measuring efficiency, i.e., how short and direct are paths between residential and nonresidential destinations to understand the ability of street networks to support sustainable transportation modes in the Capital District project. Efficiency is measured in twelve neighborhoods of the Capital District using Pedestrian Route Directness (PRD), a metric that meets Estidama—Abu Dhabi Green Rating System—walkability standards. Observation and analysis of the current stage of development show that more than 58% of the neighborhoods failed the route efficiency test to connect residential plots to one another. In addition, more than 40% of the neighborhood’s residential plots could not efficiently connect to nonresidential plots. The study includes recommendations for policymakers and project developers to enhance the street infrastructure to correlate with Estidama ratings by taking advantage of sikkak, the alleyways system that is found in other neighborhoods in the city. Significantly, recommendations are based on rigorous quantitative analyses that can be used for implementation in real-world projects, thus strengthening the connection between policy and practice.

RECONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN UKRAINE

The article highlights the analysis of the development of Ukrainian cities and it will have to be said that the advantage in the development have residential buildings of industrial origin. The main disadvantages of typical residential series are: high heat consumption, chaotic compositional solutions of facades, this is primarily due to individual solutions of glazing balconies and loggias of residents, lack of free space for people with disabilities. The factors influencing the reconstruction of typical residential buildings are analyzed. Examples of reconstruction of typical residential buildings in European countries prove that reconstruction is an effective economic method of restoring and improving the architectural properties of the existing housing stock. The article gives examples of damaged load-bearing structures of typical residential buildings. The author proposes an integrated approach to reconstruction and provides the basic techniques used for the reconstruction of typical residential buildings. The main principle of reconstruction should be aimed at restoration and improvement of volumetric-spatial solutions of typical residential buildings in the system of Ukrainian cities. Techniques are a reconstruction tool that allow to increase and improve: planning solutions of the apartment and entrance group of the house, to change the facade and volumetric solutions of residential development. The reconstruction of the house should be considered in the complex of street and district development and approved by the leading specialists-architects at the city planning councils.

Developing a Diversity, Equity, and Civility Council to Advance Health Equity in Nursing Academia and Practice.

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) recently released the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 focused on charting a path to achieve health equity. This article focuses on the critical role of nursing education in this call for action. Most specifically, we provide an overview of the process of developing a diversity, equity, and civility council in a school of nursing to promote equity, inclusivity, and diversity grounded in social justice within the culture of the school for faculty, staff, and students. In addition, we describe the council's work to date highlighting goals and the council's plans for future work based on data-driven processes.

Factors Influencing the Awareness of Financial Planning Among Working Adults in Penang

Financial planning is defined as a planning process between an individual and a financial planner that integrates relevant situation of the individual's financial circumstance, in order to assist the individual achieve financial goals and objectives (Bogan, et al., 2020). Additionally, Grozdanovska et al. (2017) stated that financial planning is a planning process of determine the financial goals, procedures and budget that refer to financial activities. According to Malaysian Financial Planning Council (2021), there are six steps in financial planning process. The six steps of financial process included: a) setting goals, objectives and priorities; b) gathering relevant data and information; c) analyzing information and assessing financial status; d) developing and presenting a financial plan for implementation; and e) executing the financial plan Keywords: Financial Planning, Awareness, Financial Literacy, Education Level, Income Level

Adherence to the Swedish Dietary Guidelines and the Impact on Mortality and Climate in a Population-Based Cohort Study

ObjectivesTo assess 1) the association between adherence to the Swedish dietary guidelines and all-cause mortality, and 2) the difference in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) from diets of participants with higher and lower adherence to the Swedish dietary guidelines.MethodsDietary data from the Swedish population-based cohort Västerbotten Intervention Programme (49,124 women and 47,651 men, 35–65 years at baseline), collected between the years 1990–2016, were used. Diet quality was assessed by the Swedish Healthy Eating Index for Adults 2015 (SHEIA15). SHEIA15 is based on the Swedish dietary guidelines from 2015, and includes assessments of intakes of vegetables and fruits, seafood, whole grains, fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, red and processed meat and added sugar. GHGE of diets were estimated from life cycle assessment data, including CO2e from primary production to industry gate. Information on all-cause mortality was acquired from registers at the National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden using personal identification numbers. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, comparing the lowest and highest quintile of SHEIA15 score. Potential confounders were adjusted for. Difference in GHGE of diets was compared between the lowest and highest quintile of SHEIA15 score, using the Mann Whitney U test.ResultsMedian follow-up times were for women 16.0 years and for men 14.7 years, during which time 3074 women and 4212 men died. For women the highest SHEIA15 score was associated with lower mortality compared with the lowest score (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.98; P = 0.027). No statistically significant difference in HR of mortality was found for the men with the highest SHEIA15 score compared with the lowest score (HR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.82, 1.01; P = 0.083). The participants with the highest score of SHEIA15 had lower dietary GHGE compared to those with the lowest score in both women and men (P < 0.001).ConclusionsHigher adherence to the Swedish dietary guidelines, estimated by SHEIA15, was associated with lower all-cause mortality for women, but not for men, and indicated lower GHGE from diets for both women and men.Funding SourcesThe Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (Formas).

Hypothetical 22-Year Diet Intervention: Adherence to the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet and Risk of Heart Failure in Swedish Men and Women

ObjectivesTo use the target trial approach to emulate the effect of sustained adherence to the DASH diet on the 22-year risk of heart failure.MethodsWe included men and women aged 45–83 years without previous heart failure, ischemic heart disease, cancer and answered the diet and lifestyle questionnaires in 1997 from the Swedish Mammography Cohort (SMC) and the Cohort of Swedish Men (COSM). In 2008–2009, a follow-up questionnaire was sent to both men and women. For women, pre-baseline dietary intake was assessed in 1987. The parametric g-formula was used to estimate the risk of heart failure under sustained adherence to the DASH diet and no dietary intervention (i.e., the usual dietary intake). Models were adjusted for baseline confounders, confounder histories and, in women only, pre-baseline dietary intake. Adherence to the DASH diet was defined as intake within the ranges of 10 food groups: whole grains, vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, red meat, poultry, fish, nuts and legumes, fats and oils, and sweets and added sugar. Incidence of heart failure was ascertained using the Swedish National Patient Register up to 31 December 2019. Death was considered as a competing risk in the g-formula, meaning that we estimated the cumulative cause-specific risk of heart failure.ResultsIn total, 31,238 participants were eligible in SMC and 34,939 in COSM at baseline. Over the follow-up period, 2739 developed heart failure and 4218 died in SMC. The corresponding number were 3862 and 6755 in COSM. The 22-year risk of heart failure was 13.0% for adherence to the DASH diet compared with 15.2% with no intervention (risk difference −2.2%, 95% CI −3.9, −0.7%) in SMC and correspondingly in COSM 14.1% vs. 16.2% (risk difference −2.1%, 95% CI −3.5, −0.7%). The risk ratios were 0.85 (95% CI 0.75, 0.95) in SMC and 0.87 (95% CI 0.78, 0.96) in COSM.ConclusionsOur target trial shows that sustained adherence to the DASH diet may reduce the risk of heart failure compared with usual dietary intake in a middle-aged and elderly Swedish population.Funding SourcesThis study was supported by the Swedish Research Council (VR grant 2015-02,302), and by the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS grant 2016-00,308).

Using participatory system dynamics learning to support Ryan White Planning Council priority setting and resource allocations

The Ryan White CARE Act provides federal dollars supporting low income people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). Regional Ryan White Planning Councils (RWPC) are responsible for setting priorities and deciding CARE Act fund allocations, using local data to identify greatest need. However, RWPC are challenged with interpreting complex epidemiological, service utilization, and community needs data to inform priority setting and resource allocations. We piloted system dynamics (SD) learning, using a validated HIV care continuum SD simulation model calibrated to one northeastern U.S. Ryan White funding area. The pilot applied systems thinking to understand the complex HIV care continuum and to simulate and compare outcomes of various resource allocation decisions. Three scripted workshops provided opportunities to learn the SD modeling process and simulation tool, simulate various resource allocations, and compare population health outcomes. Mixed methods evaluation documented the SD modeling process, member responses to the modeling sessions, and attitudes regarding benefits and limitations of SD modeling for RWPC decision-making. Despite high member turnover and complexity of the SD model, members could understand the simulation model and propose strategies to seek greatest improvements in HIV care retention, viral suppression, and reduced infections. Findings suggests the value of SD modeling to assist RWPC decisions.

Environmental footprint analysis of an urban community and its surrounding bioregion

Environmental or ‘ecological’ footprints have been widely used as partial indicators of sustainability; specifically of resource consumption and waste absorption transformed in terms of the biologically productive land area required by a population. The environmental footprint of the Unitary Authority of Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) in the South West of England (UK) has been estimated in terms of global hectares (gha) required per capita. BANES has a population of about 184 870 and covers an area of 35 200 ha, of which two-thirds are on ‘green belt’ land. The UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath is the principal settlement, but there are also a number of smaller urban communities scattered among its surrounding area (‘hinterland’ or ‘bioregion’). The overall footprint for BANES was estimated to be 3.77 gha per capita (gha/cap), which is well above its biocapacity of 0.67 gha/cap and ‘Earthshare’ of 1.80 gha/cap. Direct energy use was found to exhibit the largest footprint component (a 31% share), followed by materials and waste (30%), food and drink (25%), transport (10%) and built land (4%), whereas the water footprint was negligibly small (∼0%) by comparison. Such data provide a baseline for assessing the Council's planning strategies for future development.