Local Economic Activities Research Articles

Assessment of geological diversity, geosites, and geotourism potencies at Menoreh Mountain for designation of geopark area

Menoreh Mountain area is an area with very high geological uniqueness. One of the statuses that is contextually determined is a geopark because it provides a framework for conservation, education, and sustainable local economic activities as its pillars that are relevant to the agenda of economic development. It is necessary to characterize the existing geotourism potential in Menoreh Mountain area. This research attempts to identify and develop this potential using spatial and regional complex approaches. Technically, the method used is the Modified Geosites Assessment Model (M-GAM) combined with Hot-Spot Analysis to obtain spatial and non-spatial geotourism potential clustering. Clustering is done using K-Means Cluster Analysis. The results show that the existing geosites, spatially formed a cluster and can be used to determine the theme of the tourism activity to strengthen the geopark pillars. The development of geopark is hindered by several constraints including the division of administration and the disparity of each administrative region's capability. In general, a strategy to tighten the stakeholder and optimize the research is required to initially strengthen the geopark's pilars. It is also important to build a linkage of the geodiversity with the biodiversity and cultural diversity to enhance the significance value of Menoreh Mountain.

Material revalorization of beach wrack comprising seaweed and marine phanerogams: Optimization of hydrothermal treatments

Tidal waste causes accumulation of seaweed and marine plants on coasts, resulting in an.eutrophication process and proliferation of insects, nematodes, and bacteria that negatively affect the beach ecosystem and local human economic activities. This work highlights the potential of beach wrack from the Andalusian Mediterranean coastline as cellulosic materials, in the frame of concepts such as waste management, revalorization, and reduction of hazardous chemicals. With this purpose, beach waste was harvested, washed with water, characterized, and subjected to chemical-free hydrothermal treatments. A central composite design was defined in order to relate the hydrothermal treatment conditions to the composition of the liquid and solid fractions. It was concluded that polynomial models encompassing linear, quadratic, and binary effect parameters reproduce the experimental results satisfactorily (e.g., R2 = 0.97–0.98 for saccharides released). As expected, severe conditions resulted in higher removal of hemicellulose, and of small amounts of lignin along with it, but at the expense of the yield. Results allowed us to choose high temperature (150 °C), short time (30 min) and low liquid/solid ratio (8) as a compromise solution, by which the yield and the outlet concentrations of glucose, xylose, and arabinose approached their optimal values. Although longer times grant further removal of non-fibrous materials, this small difference is compensated by energy savings and reduction on water consumption.

Cultural communication and diversity along the Grand Canal of China: a case study of folk songs in intangible cultural heritage

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand Canal of China has a rich intangible cultural heritage along its route. The intangible cultural heritage of folk songs is an important representative. The study of its distribution characteristics and influencing factors is of practical and social significance for promoting the protection and development of intangible cultural heritage in relevant areas and the construction of the Grand Canal Cultural Belt. This paper uses the theories of musicology, geography, sociology, data statistical analysis and spatial analysis to analyze the distribution pattern of intangible cultural heritage items in the Grand Canal basin from the dimensions of geographical space and folk song genre, and from the perspective of natural and social conditions. The results show that the spatial distribution of folk songs in the Grand Canal basin shows a trend of “distribution along the river, two cores and two belts”. Water system, landform and regional culture are the main influencing factors for the formation and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage of folk songs. At the same time, compared with the mountainous areas in western China, the economic and social development and frequent population flow in the Grand Canal basin lead to the diversified and unified musical culture characteristics of folk songs. Finally, this paper proposes the suggestions that the folk songs should be integrated into the local social and economic activities.

Sustainable Regional Economic Development by Developing Villages

This paper aims to analyze the relationships between village (desa) and regional economic activities. The government of Indonesia introduces the concept of building Indonesia from the periphery. The government put more effort into strengthening regions and villages within the framework of a unitary state. We estimate the relationships between village resources, village development, and economic growth controlled by capital and the size of the municipalities. All 434 municipalities receiving village funds from 2019 to 2021 are included in this study, grouped by the main islands of Indonesia. We use panel methods with various approaches such as Common Effects Model (CEM), Fixed Effects Model (FEM), Random Effects Model (REM), and Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) to estimate the relationships. Village development contributes to local economic activities in two ways. The resource available for the village will improve economic activities, while the level of development might have different behavior. In the beginning, increasing the level of village development improves economic growth. However, in Jawa and Bali islands, at the higher level of village development, the growth might be slower. The result implies that government may put more effort into developing villages to improve economic development. To improve regional economic growth, putting more resources into the village might be beneficial. The objective of the development may differ for villages with different levels of the index. Higher growth should be targeted for villages with a lower level of developing index. On the other hand, villages with a higher level of index might be more advantageous to have social and ecological objectives. Sustainable regional economic development might be achieved by developing villages. The results provide positive views on the concept of building Indonesia from the periphery.

Human impact changes hydrological connectivity in a Patagonian fluvial basin

Study regionThe Cronómetro Lake basin situated east of the Andes in Argentina's Patagonian Andean pre-range environment. Study focusWe analyzed the interannual fluctuation in the surface area of Cronómetro Lake (January 2000 to January 2021). We also studied the periods of humidity and drought and the anthropogenic activities in the lake basin to understand their impact on water availability within the basin. New hydrological insights for the regionThe area of Cronómetro Lake decreased by 34% in the last ten years. The lake's area reduction started in 2012, which coincides with the construction of fourteen channels perpendicular to one of its main tributaries (the SN1 Stream). The channelization of the SN1 Stream in its upper basin prevents its water from reaching the Cronómetro Lake. From 2012–2021, we have not observed a decrease in local rainfall or an increase in periods of drought. Therefore, we suggest the channelization of the SN1 Stream is the cause of the lake shrinkage. The reduction of the lake's surface generated the disconnection of the lake from its outflow, which dried. Currently, the Cronómetro Lake basin has become endorheic. The reduction in water availability in the Cronómetro Lake basin causes loss of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem services, with negative implications for local economic activities.

Reprint of: COVID-19, lockdowns, and the municipal bond market

We study how investors in the US municipal bond market price the state lockdowns announced during the coronavirus (COVID) pandemic. To begin with, we examine the extent to which state-level COVID developments influence yield spreads of municipal bonds. We find that macro-level factors are the primary determinants of municipal bond spreads during the pandemic, but state-level COVID developments also matter at the margin. For instance, a doubling of new COVID cases in a state is associated with a 2% (1.4 basis points) increase in yield spreads of municipal bonds issued in that state. Accordingly, lockdowns may decrease municipal bond spreads by reducing COVID cases, but lockdowns may also increase them by reducing local economic activities. Overall, we find that yield spreads in both primary and secondary municipal bond markets increase by about 15% following lockdown announcements, suggesting that lockdown announcements increase the risk premiums investors require for holding municipal bonds.

Does Technopark Play a Role in Local Economic Development? Case Study in Samosir Regency

Local economic development is one of the development policies that is considered appropriate and strategic in the context of regional development in Indonesia by optimally utilizing local resources. In line with this concept, the Government of Samosir Regency established a technopark as a centre for innovation based on inland fishery resources to encourage local economic activities for the community. The purpose of this study is to examine the strategy of the local government of Samosir Regency in developing the local economy through technopark based on inland fishery resources. The analytical tool used by the Analytical Network Process (ANP) includes analysis of aspects of factors, problems, solutions, and alternative strategies. Based on the results of the ANP analysis, the collaboration factor is the most influencing factor in strategy development. Meanwhile, in the problem aspect, the problem of limited infrastructure, low public interest and weak commitment, are the main problems that need to be resolved, so that the solution aspect becomes a priority is building trust between stakeholders, allocation of financing for infrastructure and socialization of coaching programs to the community. The formulation of the main strategy for local economic development through the development of technoparks based on the results of the ANP analysis is to build multi-stakeholder synergy to support local economic development in Samosir Regency.

The effect of air pollution on China's internal migration

AbstractHave people in China moved from more polluted cities to less polluted ones? We merge city-level air pollution data from 2003 to 2016 with migration data from a nationally representative sample. We estimate a linear model and a conditional logit model, and employ air pollution from distant sources carried by the wind as an instrument for local air pollution to address the potential concern that air pollution is endogenous to local economic activities. We make a distinction between out-migration that left some family members behind and whole-household out-migration, and discover that the former was more responsive to air pollution than the latter. The decline in net in-migration in response to an increase in air pollution was driven by both a decrease in gross in-migration and an increase in gross out-migration. We find suggestive evidence that out-migrants brought their children with them, but some aged parents were left behind.

Chinese aid and crime: Evidence from Africa

AbstractWe study how the allocation of resources impacts localised crime rates. Recent studies on the effects of Chinese aid in Africa have increased rapidly, and this paper contributes by showing the mechanism by which aid increases crime. Using a geo‐referenced dataset of subnational allocation of Chinese projects, geographically matched with 145 701 respondents of four rounds of Afrobarometer surveys from 36 African countries, we use a difference‐in‐difference‐in‐difference (DDD) approach and an instrumental variable (IV) identification strategy to account for endogeneity and capture the effect of living near projects under implementation before or after a survey against those with no projects. We find that Chinese aid projects significantly increased crime rates in the immediate locations where the projects were implemented. The main channel of effect is the increased local economic activities leading to the availability of employable opportunities. There is a similar but smaller magnitude of the effect regarding projects funded by other donor agencies.

Inovação, Empreendedorismo e Artes e Ofícios Tradicionais. Estudo de caso da Região Viseu Dão Lafões

With the changes manifested in rural areas over the last few decades, the preservation of these ter‑ ritories and their people is associated with the ability of the local population to innovate, often using endogenous resources. Traditional Arts and Crafts (TACs), allied to other local economic activities, constitute instruments of local socioeconomic regeneration. Starting from a research based on the websites of the fourteen municipalities of the interior region Viseu Dão Lafões in Portugal, complemented with analysis of bibliographic information regarding the initiatives described in the same websites, in this study, it is intended to observe what is the dis‑ semination that is made by the websites of the municipalities in the region and explore the innovation imprinted by these initiatives. The results suggest that despite the existence of notable examples of TACs initiatives in the region, with a clear focus on innovation – product, process, organizational and marketing, the promotion carried out by the municipalities is (still) modest. Taking into account the artisanal nature of these initiatives themselves, the scarcity of human and financial resources in the municipalities where they are located, but their contribution to strengthening the regional identity and to tourism, institutional support, namely in terms of the promotion that is carried out and animation practices involving artisans, must be reinforced.

How processing trade assists local industrial upgrading: input–output analysis of export processing zones in China

Processing trade and related policies have been at the center of some major disputes concerning global segmentation. China has built numerous Export Processing Zones (EPZs) with the backing of local governments to facilitate greater integration into the global supply chain and boost local industrial upgrading. We create a series of backward and forward linkage indices and examine the spillover effect of the increase in EPZ processing trade on local economic activities and industry upgrades using Chinese firm-level industrial trade data and input–output table. Evidence reveals that EPZs have enhanced nearby enterprises' performance and productivity in the policy zone's upstream and horizontal industries. But the downstream industries show no signs of improvement. We also find that foreign-owned and young enterprises profit more from proximity to an EPZ. Additionally, the spillover benefits of EPZs are greater when the zone is moderate in size, supports high-tech industries, or encourages heavy import-and-assembly processing trade. The study sheds light on the processing trade's industrial linkage effects. The findings will provide an invaluable resource for developing policies aimed at both deeper integration into the global value chain and fostering local industrial upgrading.

Partnerships in place: Facilitating rural local government entrepreneurialism in Newfoundland and Labrador

AbstractRural local governments across Canada, including those in Newfoundland and Labrador, struggle with many of their day‐to‐day operational activities, including providing appropriate drinking water, wastewater, and garbage collection services, among other essential services, and rarely have capacity to facilitate local economic development activities. In recent times, entrepreneurialism has been noted as having potential for rural local governments, yet little research has been completed to determine its presence and relevance for municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador. In response, we examined eight case study local governments in Newfoundland and Labrador to determine if, and how, entrepreneurialism was present in municipal efforts to increase economic prosperity in their communities. Findings suggest that while rural local governments continue to face challenges due to declining support for rural development from provincial and federal governments and increased downloading of responsibilities, some communities have established ways to remain resilient through partnerships and building on place‐based assets. This exploratory study provides a basis for further in‐depth research to determine the extent and approaches to entrepreneurialism in local government in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Flood Risk Assessment Index for Urban Mobility with the Aid of Quasi-2d Flood Model Applied to an Industrial Park in São Paulo, Brazil

Risk can be defined as the relationship between the likelihood of a hazard causing a potential disaster and its consequences. This study aims to assess the likelihood that a new industrial region, located in the state of São Paulo (Brazil), will be flooded, causing the disruption of the mobility system and local economic activities. To fulfill this aim, a new approach is proposed by combining the vector information of the highway network that serves the region with the result of a quasi 2-D raster flood model, generating a set of interpreting rules for classifying the safety of routes. The model called MODCEL is a quasi-2D hydrodynamic model that represents the watershed using compartments called cells, and it was adapted to work using a raster file format in which each pixel is represented as a flow cell connected to its surroundings by the Saint-Venant equations without the inertia terms. Therefore, this study proposes an assessment framework that can be replicated for similar problems of flood risks to mobility. The possible effects of flood events on the accessibility to areas of interest are determined, indicating a possible disruption to economic activities and transportation and allowing for planning alternatives in advance.

Interregional economic impacts of an extreme storm flood scenario considering transportation interruption: A case study of Shanghai, China

As engines of economic growth, coastal cities are vulnerable to future extreme floods with climate change and rapid urbanization. Flood damage and flood-induced transportation interruptions inevitably affect local economic activities and generate interregional ripple effects due to the networked economy. We incorporate the impacts of transport disruptions into the interregional input-output (IRIO) model and evaluate the combined economic effects of transport disruptions and supply chain bottlenecks on the mainland of China due to a 1,000-year return period storm flood scenario in Shanghai. Except for production bottlenecks, the temporary rerouting of freight flows, transport delay and transport cost change are modeled, and important adaptive behaviors such as supplier substitution and inventories are also considered. Our results show that East China may suffer more than 53.1% of China's indirect economic losses (IELs), while Shanghai's IELs account for 28%. National IELs are very sensitive to the duration of transport delay, i.e., China's IELs increase by 80.8% if the delay time increases from 3 to 14 days. These findings highlight the importance of building a resilient transportation system and strengthening the resilience of regional supply chains and have significant implications for promoting urban resilience through various resilience strategies.

Regional and Urban Development Under the Signs of Globalization: The Soybean Complex and the City of Agribusiness in Mato Grosso

Since the 1960s, the integration of local economic activities into global structures has fostered a continuous increase in the production of cash crops in Brazil. This has led to a far-reaching transformation of formerly peripheral regions. Given their wide range of uses, soybeans are a prime example of flex crops, which are becoming ever more important in global agribusiness. Soybean cultivation stands out as the main cause of widespread land use changes in many South American regions. The Brazilian state of Mato Grosso is one of the world's most important soy-growing regions, leading to controversial socioeconomic and environmental impacts. Drawing on the case of Sinop, the "City of Agribusiness," and its surrounding region, this article analyzes the complex territorial manifestations of global soybean production networks. We illustrate both the actor networks of agro-industrial soy production, as well as their functional interconnectedness and institutional embeddedness. Finally, we point out growing social-ecological problems caused by the ongoing soy boom. In doing so, the global production network approach offers great explanatory power for understanding global-local interdependencies and interactions.

Role of green finance policy in renewable energy deployment for carbon neutrality: Evidence from China

Carbon emission is not just a threat to the environment but also an economic burden. Faced with the growing pollutant emission, the purpose of financial institutions is more crucial. To address this issue, this research employs difference-in-differences to assess the role of China's green financing policy in renewable energy deployment for emission reduction. The findings demonstrate that the green finance strategy in renewable energy can reduce the general situation of emission reduction. The results show that the policy was effective in lower three contaminants, including Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxides, and PM2.5, but are inadequate in reducing Carbon monoxide, Ozone, and PM10. Besides, the control impacts of green finance policy are via local enterprises' economic activities. Compared with the financially advanced areas, the reducing emissions impacts of green financing policies in the financially undeveloped areas are greater. These results give recommendations for controlling air quality financial advantage from the standpoint of micro practice.

Promotion Pressures of Local Leaders and Real Estate Investments: China and Leader Heterogeneity

Chinese local officials have strong incentives to stimulate economic growth in the pursuit of promotion. However, the connection between promotion pressure of local officials and investment in the real estate market has not been rigorously explored. By using the panel data of local leaders (municipal party secretaries or mayors) from 2002 to 2010, this paper investigates the correlations between local leaders’ promotion pressures and growth in real estate investments. Empirical results show that local leaders’ promotion pressures are significantly and positively correlated with the growth of the real estate market. Furthermore, the positive effect of promotion pressure on real estate development is significant if the leader is young or born locally, whereas this effect is insignificant if the leader is older or not a native. Our findings provide new evidence on how local leaders may strategically intervene in local economic activities.

Pandemic Responsive Spaces for Local Economic Activities in the Old Town of Semarang

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed all aspects of life and order. It has made the Old Town of Semarang experience a decrease in the number of visitors. When the economy is starting and recovering, the pandemic sensitivity space is exercised through strict health protocol. This paper uses direct observation to examine the pandemic responsive space for local economic activities in the Old Town of Semarang. The following procedures were adopted for this study: 1) Defining the potential economic activity space in the Old Town of Semarang; 2) Recognising the presence of pandemic responsive space in location; 3) Analysing the responsive space in relation to pandemic context, and 4) Proposing space pattern that responsive to pandemic context. The study’s results are the Old Town of Semarang has three typologies of economic activity spaces, including cafes, restaurants, and street vendors. The economic activity in the form of cafes and restaurants has organised a responsive space to implement the established health protocols. In contrast, street vendors create unresponsive space for economic activity. This is because the street vendors have not been able to provide adequate supporting facilities for health protocols. Therefore, the local government and economic actors need to speed up the process for determining more pandemic responsive urban space that will allow economic activities to be carried out with proper health protocols

Perilaku Masyarakat Dalam Pengelolaan Wisata Hiu Paus Di Desa Labuhan Jambu Kecamatan Terano Kabupaten Sumbawa

The development of an area is very dependent on the tourism industry, because it can improve the nation's economy, especially as a source of regional income. Moreover, in rural areas, apart from being a source of village income, it can also open up new job opportunities for rural communities. Whale Shark Tourism is one of the tours in Labuhan Jambu Village, precisely on the south coast of Tarano District, Sumbawa Regency. Whale Shark Tourism is a form of effort made to encourage tourism in West Nusa Tenggara and one of the development activities for recreation and local economic development activities for the community, especially the community in Labuan Jambu Village. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative with a simple purposive determination of informants. Data collection techniques; observation, interview and documentation. The data analysis technique; namely data reduction, data presentation, data interpretation, and drawing conclusions. Based on the foregoing, the results of this study are as follows; 1. Community social behavior that prioritizes and pays attention to the preservation of nature and its culture; 2. Friendly, disciplined and honest social behavior of the community as well as; 3. Social behavior of people who have the ability to cooperate with various parties.

Perilaku Masyarakat Dalam Pengelolaan Wisata Hiu Paus Di Desa Labuhan Jambu Kecamatan Terano Kabupaten Sumbawa

The development of an area is very dependent on the tourism industry, because it can improve the nation's economy, especially as a source of regional income. Moreover, in rural areas, apart from being a source of village income, it can also open up new job opportunities for rural communities. Whale Shark Tourism is one of the tours in Labuhan Jambu Village, precisely on the south coast of Tarano District, Sumbawa Regency. Whale Shark Tourism is a form of effort made to encourage tourism in West Nusa Tenggara and one of the development activities for recreation and local economic development activities for the community, especially the community in Labuan Jambu Village. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative with a simple purposive determination of informants. Data collection techniques; observation, interview and documentation. The data analysis technique; namely data reduction, data presentation, data interpretation, and drawing conclusions. Based on the foregoing, the results of this study are as follows; 1. Community social behavior that prioritizes and pays attention to the preservation of nature and its culture; 2. Friendly, disciplined and honest social behavior of the community as well as; 3. Social behavior of people who have the ability to cooperate with various parties.