Community Infrastructure Research Articles

A Sustainable urban renovation assessment model (SURAM) for enhancing elderly-friendly environments

The rapid increase in the aging population has raised significant concerns about the living conditions and well-being of elderly residents in old communities. This study addresses these concerns by proposing a Sustainable Urban Renovation Assessment Model (SURAM) specifically designed to enhance elderly-friendly environments in Chongqing City. The model encompasses multiple dimensions, including the comfort of public facilities, service safety and convenience, medical travel services, infrastructure security, life service convenience, neighbor relations, ambulance aid accessibility, commercial service facilities, privacy protection, elderly care facilities and service supply, and medical and health facilities. By employing factor analysis, the study reduces the dimensionality of the 49 indicator factors, allowing for a more focused and comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of aging-friendly renovation efforts. The main factors identified in the proposed model include community infrastructure security, elderly comfort of community public facilities, completeness and convenience of surrounding living services, and security and convenience of elderly care services. The results reveal that the age-appropriate comfort of public facilities plays a significant role in achieving successful aging-appropriate renovation outcomes. The findings demonstrate that by addressing specific needs such as safety, accessibility, and convenience, communities can significantly improve the quality of life for elderly residents. Moreover, the application of SURAM provides actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and community stakeholders, guiding them in implementing targeted initiatives for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Gaps in and Opportunities for Disaster Risk Reduction in Urban Areas Through International Standardization of Smart Community Infrastructure

Global communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change, and the rapid pace of urbanization exacerbates these risks. According to the World Bank, approximately 50% of the world’s population lives in areas exposed to natural hazards, making the need to overcome the challenges to sustainable urban development pressing. The increasing frequency of heavy rain, flooding, landslides, and wildfires underscores the urgent need for disaster risk mitigation strategies, aligned with sustainable development goals. Infrastructure plays a crucial role in cultivating resilient cities that can withstand, recover from, and adapt to disasters, while promoting long-term sustainability, by minimizing environmental degradation and encouraging responsible development. International standards for smart community infrastructure provide significant advantages, including cost reductions, technology transfer, and enhanced innovation through improved global competitiveness. This paper investigates how these standards can empower community stakeholders to strengthen both the resilience and sustainability of urban areas, facilitating balanced growth that addresses environmental and social demands.

Exploring the effects of waste plastic aggregate on styrene-butadiene-styrene-modified asphalt binders for sustainable rural pavements

In addressing the imperative need for sustainable and cost-effective solutions in rural pavement development, this study navigates the intricate balance of environmental and financial constraints to ensure the resilience of infrastructure in communities with limited resources. The focal point is the integration of waste plastic aggregate (WPA) into hot mix asphalt, augmented by the inclusion of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) for an elevated level of performance. The findings underscore a gradual decrease in the tensile strength ratio, emphasizing a manageable impact, transitioning from 82.4% in the control to 73.7% at 6% WPA. Noteworthy is the observation of marginal reductions in indirect tensile strength and stiffness, particularly notable at higher WPA levels. Dynamic modulus testing highlights susceptibility to rutting at lower frequencies, while high-frequency results demonstrate stability up to 6% WPA. The Hamburg wheel tracking test signals heightened rutting at 3% and 6% WPA, indicating potential challenges in deformation resistance. Despite a slight dip in strength, the discernible magnitude of this reduction is not substantial. This affirms that the incorporation of WPA achieves a harmonious enhancement of sustainability without compromising critical mechanical properties.

Small Rural Farm‑Support Agribusiness: Strategies to Survive and Thrive. Case Studies from New Zealand

This research explored the characteristics of small, rural, farm-support agribusinesses (SRFSAs) using 12 case studies in Canterbury, New Zealand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 SRFSA owner-managers to identify the important industry characteristics they possess, the challenges they face, and the resilience strategies they deploy for survival. The study revealed that vital industry characteristics include community relationships, community infrastructure, the supply of suitable labour, and the surrounding land-use. SRFSAs confrount challenges related to seasonality, specialized assets, labour, finances, and regulation. Crucial for survival is the owner-manager, including their background and skillset, their focus on operational excellence, and their ability to develop robust strategy.

Identification of topical issues of the energy transition in publications of the scientific content aggregator Scilit. Part 2. Keyword clustering

Background. The access of Russian researchers to Scopus and Web of Science has become restricted, so the use of open reference databases becomes relevant. Objective. Identification of topical problems of energy transition in publications presented in Scilit, a content aggregator for scientific publications with free access. Materials and methods. The study utilized 10,121 bibliometric records of articles from 2019–2023. Publications were systematized using Gibbs sampling algorithm for Dirichlet mixture model. The topics of publications within the obtained clusters were analyzed using the demo version of the Carrot2 program. Publications were ranked using the sumy utility with the lex-rank algorithm. Results. The identified topical topics are devoted to systemic problems of energy complexes, including integration of different sources of energy generation, energy storage in “accumulators” or “green hydrogen” and optimization of their operation. Much attention is paid to the social aspects of the energy transition, especially relevant for rural areas and regions with a low level of economic development. Conclusions. Without financial support and appropriate infrastructure for local energy communities, the energy transition may be rejected by them. Households should be encouraged to use cleaner energy sources that are less harmful to health and the environment.

Tinjauan Atas Penggunaan Dana Desa Untuk Layanan Sarana Dan Prasarana Masyarakat Pada Desa Sukaraja Kecamatan Sukaraja

Implementation of Fund Budget for Village Development _______385 Submitted FEBRUARY 2024 Accepted OCTOBER 2024 JABKES Jurnal Aplikasi Bisnis Kesatuan Vol. 4 No. 3, 2024 page. 385-396 IBI Kesatuan ISSN 2807 – 6036 DOI: 10.37641/jabkes.v4i3.1938 This review aims to evaluate the optimization of village fund budget utilization for the development and services of community facilities and infrastructure, as well as to assess the reporting on the use of village funds for these purposes in Sukaraja Village, Sukaraja District. This study uses a descriptive quantitative research method to explain and describe how the Village Fund Budget is managed and reported for the development and service of community facilities and infrastructure in Sukaraja Village, Sukaraja District. Data was collected through interviews and documents, specifically the Village Fund Budget Realization Reports for the years 2021 and 2022. The findings indicate that the management and reporting of the Village Fund Budget for the development and services of community facilities and infrastructure in Sukaraja Village, Sukaraja District, have been optimally executed, and the musrembang (development planning meetings) process regarding the implementation of fund usage was effectively conducted. However, the utilization of Village Funds in Sukaraja Village should be further improved by enhancing community facilities. Keywords : Village Fund Budget, Facilities and Infrastructure, Village Governance.

Early Health Impacts of a Primary Care Consultation Model for People Served by Assertive Community Treatment teams.

The cardiometabolic health outcomes and life expectancy of people living with serious mental illness (SMI) continue to significantly flag behind that of the general population. This study explores the possibility of using the evidence-based Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model and infrastructure to increase access to primary care and improve cardiometabolic outcomes of people with SMI. Four ACT teams in a large urban area received the services of a primary care consultant who was co-located at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), met regularly with ACT team clinicians to review a cardiometabolic registry of participants, and engaged participants in primary care services. Health screening rates, primary care utilization, and cardiometabolic outcomes-body mass index, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, cholesterol, and tobacco smoking status-were monitored over the course of a year. The efficacy of this integrated care model was also explored through focus groups with ACT team staff and participants. Significant improvements in screening rates were found for the ACT teams that received this integrated care intervention; however, only modest improvements in cardiometabolic outcomes were found. Future longitudinal, multi-site studies are needed to fully determine the impact of integrated care models on the physical health outcomes of this vulnerable population.

"We want that personal touch”: Dilemma of digitalization of healthcare based on community health worker experiences of depersonalization in healthcare.

261 Background: Advancements in digital technology is increasingly shaping healthcare delivery with a potential to address disparities by improving access to, enhancing communication with, and streamlining of healthcare management. Increased digitalization could also contribute to depersonalization from healthcare systems, particularly in individuals with low digital health literacy. We examined Community Health Advisors (CHAs) perceptions on community level experiences with technology in cancer care. Methods: University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of South Alabama CHAs participated in semi-structured interviews exploring their experiences and perspectives on health and technology literacy challenges. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and inductively analyzed using NVivo and a constant comparative method leading to key representative themes and exemplary quotes. Results: Thirty-two CHAs, predominantly women (94%) and Black or African American (94%), participated in interviews. CHAs underscored multifaceted interactions of technology and healthcare. CHAs discussed the theme of navigating digital health interfaces alongside patient-provider relationships could result in depersonalization. They illuminated on barriers to and mitigation of depersonalization in healthcare engagement in the community. CHAs also discussed the theme of addressing health literacy as an underlying facet of mitigating depersonalization and low digital health literacy. They situated the feelings of depersonalization in relation to patient views on discomfort with digital services, medical mistrust, and provider cultural illiteracy impacting comprehension and engagement with health information and services. CHAs recommended acknowledging the community level discomforts with technology and healthcare, prioritizing human interaction alongside technology, and tailoring of healthcare services to diverse community needs, and linking to existing community infrastructure. Conclusions: Guided efforts focused on existing community infrastructure and integration of humanistic elements could aid in reducing depersonalization and improving digital health literacy.

PRESERVING AND MANAGING CHINESE SETTLEMENT HERITAGE TOURISM IN LASEM, INDONESIA

This research examines Chinese settlements' preservation and management strategies as heritage tourism in Lasem, Rembang, Indonesia. Ancient houses in Chinatown settlements are vulnerable and require a social resilience strategy as a solution. This study used a qualitative approach and data collection techniques through observation, in-depth interviews, documentation, and focus group discussion (FGD). The informants were owners of ancient houses utilizing their buildings as heritage tourism destinations. The results of this study show that the community or owner in managing settlements or Chinese houses as tourist destinations should have three capacities in the social resilience perspective, namely 1) coping capacity, which includes resources, knowledge, skills, and learning; community as the main actor, community awareness, and social kinship system; 2) adaptive capacity which includes: community networks, human and environmental relations, and community participation; and 3) transformative capacity which includes community infrastructure, multi-stakeholder partnerships, technological innovation, diversity and economic innovation. This study concludes that the owners of ancient houses in Chinatown settlements who utilize their buildings as tourism destinations are quite resilient.

Growing liveable cities: an indicators study of Melbourne’s fast-growing metropolitan area

Building liveable cities is challenging; ensuring we keep building liveable cities with growing populations is more difficult, but it's a task that we can tackle together. The Metropolitan Growth Area Councils (MGACs) in Greater Melbourne are experiencing rapid growth, which presents development opportunities and challenges for building liveable communities. This article examines the correlations between MGACs and other metropolitan councils on key indicators such as population, council representation, household characters, education, employment, transport, and safety. It concludes that MGACs tend to have larger populations, more children, younger communities, and lower mortgage payments but are less likely to own their homes outright, more commuters by car and large gaps in community infrastructure such as schools and libraries. Crimes such as burglaries, housebreaking, and arson are also problems. As decision-makers, urban planners, community stakeholders, and researchers involved in urban development and community planning, it is crucial to target resources at these challenges to make communities in growth areas more liveable.

Impact of awareness of sports policies, school, family, and community environmental on physical activity and fitness among children and adolescents: a structural equation modeling study

BackgroundUnderstanding the impact of environmental factors on physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) is crucial for promoting a healthy lifestyle among children and adolescents. This study examines how awareness of sports policies, school, family, and community environments influence PA and PF in Chinese youth.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 2747 children and adolescents (mean age 12.90 ± 2.49; 48.2% male) from 17 schools across five Chinese cities. Environmental factors were assessed via questionnaires, and PA levels were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). PF metrics, including BMI, waist-to-height ratio, grip strength, vertical jump, and 20-m shuttle run test (20-mSRT), were measured onsite. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to explore relationships between environmental factors and PA/PF outcomes.ResultsThe school environment scored highest (78.0 ± 9.5), while the community environment scored lowest (38.7 ± 18.0). Family environment positively influenced low-intensity PA (LPA) (β = 0.102, P < 0.001) but negatively affected moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (β = -0.055, P = 0.035). Community environment and awareness of sports policies positively impacted MVPA (β = 0.216, P < 0.001; β = 0.072, P = 0.009, respectively). Family environment positively influenced BMI reduction (β = -0.103, P < 0.001) but negatively affected grip strength (β = -0.063, P = 0.018). Community environment improved grip strength and 20-mSRT performance (β = 0.088, P = 0.002; β = 0.065, P = 0.027).ConclusionsSchool environments, despite high scores, do not significantly impact PA and PF. Community environments, though scoring lower, positively affect MVPA, grip strength, and 20-mSRT. Awareness of sports policies boosts MVPA, while family environments support LPA and BMI but are inversely related to MVPA and grip strength. Integrated strategies involving community infrastructure, family support, and policy awareness are essential for promoting active lifestyles among children and adolescents.

Prerequisites and barriers to telerehabilitation in patients with neurological conditions: A narrative review.

A field of study that uses telerehabilitation (TR) is neurorehabilitation; however, standards for medical and technological applications, medicolegal and ethical regulations, and other aspects of neuro-TR are still being developed. To address the prerequisites and barriers for implementing TR in neurorehabilitation in the light of present findings. A narrative review was conducted based on specific questions about the prerequisites for neuro-TR and barriers to its implication. According to a foreground search strategy in the context of neurorehabilitation using TR in neurological patient population, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched and reviewed. Barriers and prerequisites for neuro-TR were mostly grouped under the categories of administrative/organizational, human (beneficiaries/providers), technical, and ethical. Apart from the technical framework, knowledge and the presence of an administrative leader responsible for overseeing TR are crucial prerequisites. The internet and technological constraints rank highest among the barriers. Since neuro-TR is relatively new with minimal guidelines and regulations, highly technologic, and lack of established practices, it is imperative to determine and fully comprehend the criteria for its uses. After the prerequisites are established, it is imperative to recognize and address implementation constraints, which may differ depending on the community's infrastructure and neurologic condition.

Research on the Factors Influencing the Epidemic Resilience of Urban Communities in China in the Post-Epidemic Era

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are gradually realizing that urban community resilience is pivotal for effectively managing public health emergencies. This study employed grounded theory to establish a theoretical framework for epidemic resilience of urban communities (ERUC) in the post-pandemic era. Subsequently, the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL)-interpretive structural modeling (ISM) method is utilized to discern the significance and hierarchical interrelations among influencing factors. The findings delineate that 14 determinants shaping ERUC are organized into five distinct tiers. Notably, nine determinants emerge as principal: vulnerable group; educational attainment; risk perception; medical insurance coverage; communal norms; community emergency response; community services; resident participation; and government efficacy. Among these, the vulnerable group and government efficiency are identified as foundational factors, while medical insurance coverage, resident participation, and community infrastructure are identified as direct influences.

Analysis of Public Facilities, Village Funds and Social Infrastructure on Community Welfare in Pematang Serai Village, Langkat Regency

This research is based on the analysis of public facilities, village funds and social infrastructure on the welfare of the community in Pematang Serai village. Pematang Serai village, Langkat Regency is dominated by people who earn a living as fruit and vegetable farmers, but with the location of the village far from the city, there is a need for attention to public facilities for the community, Good management of village funds and infrastructure to be a benchmark for community welfare and household productivity is important for the people who live in the village. This research was conducted in Pematang Serai Village. The thing being studied is the influence between the variables of public facilities, village funds, and social infrastructure, on community welfare and household productivity. The purpose of the research is to find out and analyze the welfare of the community in Cingkes Village, Dolok Silau District by analyzing through public facilities, management and villages for the community and social infrastructure to facilitate daily community activities. The number of samples used was 200 data families collected by distributing questionnaires and data management using SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) using Amos software version 20. Based on the results of the test conducted with a hypothesis test, social infrastructure variables have a significant effect on community productivity. Then the variables of public facilities, village funds and social infrastructure have an insignificant effect on the welfare of the community and the variables of facilities and village funds also have no significant effect on household productivity. In this study, it is hoped that the village government will pay more attention to the things that the community needs in the village.

The role of national and international standardization activities in the process of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine

The article analyzes the role of national and international norm-project activities in the process of post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. It is proved that in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which is of an aggressive nature on the part of the aggressor, great troubles and destruction have been caused to our people and their state, which have manifested themselves in numerous human casualties, disintegration and destruction of the basic everyday and critical infrastructure of territorial communities, destruction and the actual devastation of large territories, which makes it virtually impossible for a person to exist and function in the relevant territory, limits his opportunities to organize his stable and predictable life cycle, as well as to satisfy existential needs, efforts, and interests. However, the war itself objectifies and actualizes the issue of the post-war restoration of the state and its TG, and this, in turn, puts on the agenda the issues of rule-making by the public authorities of the state and subjects of international relations, including member states of the international community and their associative and structural units - international intergovernmental and intergovernmental organizations, including, first of all, the important stage of norm-making - norm-project activity. It is argued that norm-projecting activity at the national and international levels in the process of post-war recovery of Ukraine plays an important methodological and praxeological significance, because the principles of post-war recovery of Ukraine and its TG: a) quite clearly, clearly, unambiguously reflect and determine the fundamental directions, forms and guidelines of norm-projecting activity public authorities of the state; b) even more, they are aimed at the unambiguous formation and formulation of the rights and obligations of the subjects of social relations that will arise in the process of post-war recovery; c) must be adequately taken into account and reflected in the relevant standard-setting activity of public state authorities, as well as, and this is especially important, in the standard-setting of local self-government bodies; d) they form the foundations of state legal and municipal legal policy in the field of post-war reconstruction. At the same time, the lion’s share of the above principles of the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and its TG has a significant impact on the international level - their practical implementation cannot be implemented without significant financial assistance from foreign partners. And this, in turn, actualizes and contextualizes the normative-drafting activity of public authorities of Ukraine (including local self-government bodies) in the field of international contract law, including normative-drafting work in the field of international inter-municipal cooperation, as well as general international cooperation.

Guideline towards sustainable infrastructure in new urban communities – Egypt

The challenges related to sanitation and water management in new urban communities have contributed to the emergence of visions of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) and Water Sensitive Urban Design in cities worldwide to keep pace with these subtle changes in the shape of the urban environment. This research paper aims to monitor the main obstacles and challenges facing residents of new cities in Egypt and the environmental impacts resulting from those challenges in the urban context. A questionnaire was conducted among a group of the population. This study took the economic housing model for low-income people in the 6th of October City in Egypt as a case study. As a result, the study found that the main challenges facing the residents of these areas and their impacts are:1) Lack of regular maintenance. 2) Health risks to the population. 3) Damaging of public parks and gardens. 4) Pollution of the surrounding environment, including soil and water. 5) Lack of state funding for maintenance and Limited financial resources available for projects in this type of housing. 6) Lack of government engagement in preparing programs to raise population awareness and clarity in environmental goals and quality of life policies. 7) Lack of community initiatives to participate in decision-making. 8) Lack of political guidance on planning processes for sustainable infrastructure.

Exploring the institutional barriers to rural water management in Ghana

ABSTRACT Framed within policy support for bottom-up community water management in development practice in the global south, this paper explores the institutional barriers that impede effective community management of water infrastructure in water-stressed rural communities in the Upper Manya District and Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern region of Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, using data collection methods such as in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with local government and community water management committees and participant observation across four communities. The findings revealed that irregular and inadequate monitoring, poor financial auditing and transparency, inadequate technical support, and limited community engagement were the institutional barriers confronting sustainable rural water management. The study argues that in community water management, hybrid models are more likely to work better than models that focus entirely on either top-down or bottom-up approaches since the former can strengthen technical capacity, financial accountability, and the experimentation of infrastructure co-design initiatives. The paper concludes that by addressing institutional lapses in Africa's infrastructural management regimes, rural populations can become part of, rather than left behind, in the global quest to ensure water availability and sustainable water management for all.

Green Management and Low-Carbon Communities

With the increasing severity of global climate change and environmental issues, green management and the construction of low-carbon communities have become crucial strategies for addressing climate challenges. This paper explores the role of green management in building low-carbon communities, analyzes the challenges faced, and proposes specific construction paths. The study finds that the development of low-carbon communities can be effectively promoted through the formulation and promotion of green management policies, the application of green technologies to enhance community infrastructure, and the encouragement of community participation in low-carbon activities. Despite challenges such as economic and funding issues, technological and implementation barriers, and insufficient community participation, sustainable development of low-carbon communities can be achieved through systematic infrastructure construction, resource management and utilization, lifestyle and community culture promotion, and the application of innovative technologies.

Forecasting road network functionality states during extreme rainfall events to facilitate real-time emergency response planning

Rapid prediction of Road Network Functionality (RNF) during extreme rainfall-induced flooding is crucial for supporting proactive and real-time emergency planning, such as rescue, evacuation planning, and emergency supply distribution. Unlike normal operational conditions, extreme rainfall events introduce complex non-stationary, non-Euclidean characteristics to RNF due to intricate meteorological and hydrological processes, as well as the role of a community's road network in emergency response planning. Conventional physics-based flood simulations and flow-based road network analyses typically lack the computational efficiency required for real-time RNF predictions, hindering timely risk mitigation decisions. This study leverages the accuracy of physics-based simulations and the efficacy of deep-learning technologies to develop a deep learning-based surrogate model for Rain-to-RNF (R2R) predictions. This model couples Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks with Spatial-Temporal Graph Convolutional Networks (ST-GCNs) to uniquely capture the spatiotemporal dynamics of RNF under extreme rainfall events. The predictive accuracy, stability, and versatility of the R2R surrogate model are demonstrated in four flood-prone communities in Zhejiang Province. Its implementation during Typhoon Fitow (2013) over a 30-hour intense rainfall showcases its promising predictive capacity and unparalleled computational efficiency. This research advances disaster management, enhancing the resilience and responsiveness of community infrastructure during extreme weather events.

Physical features of unplanned settlements in Herat City, Afghanistan

The increase in urban population growth has contributed to the expansion of unplanned settlements, especially in developing countries. Triggered by the lack of government oversight, the expansion of these settlements is characterized by unique economic, social, physical, and functional attributes. This study aims at exploring the physical features of unplanned settlements in District 4th of Herat city, western Afghanistan. Employing a mixed-research method, we integrated spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into detailed field observations to get a better understanding of the characteristics of the formation of these informal settlements. Our findings shed light on a number of key physical features including irregular street layouts, inadequate drainage systems, and substandard construction materials, irregular buildings in term of layout, number of floors, and building density. The features of unplanned urban morphology contribute to socio-economic loss and environmental degradation due to the absence of critical infrastructures including water infrastructures and the presence of unplanned streets in under-resourced unplanned settlements. In fact, the absence of government’s efforts in monitoring the development of unplanned settlements hinders the provision of essential services and infrastructures in the informal settlement communities. Our assertion is that the findings of this research will help policy makers in Afghanistan to reconsider their policies and decisions on urban development and growth, particularly in the poorer and under-served unplanned settlements in major cities in Afghanistan.