ABSTRACT As climate resilience becomes central to urban planning, cities increasingly use urban greening to mitigate climate risks. Integrating nature into urban environments – especially through public green spaces – provides substantial environmental and health benefits. However, these interventions also reshape urban space and property values, often reinforcing socio-spatial inequalities by favouring affluent areas or displacing vulnerable communities. While scholars highlight the role of real estate dynamics in these processes, little is known about how local governments address them. This study examines how municipalities account for real estate market dynamics in the planning and management of green spaces, drawing on case studies from three Spanish cities: Bilbao, Valladolid, and Málaga. Using policy document analysis and interviews with urban planners and policymakers, we identify three key challenges to just urban greening: (1) siloed and reactive planning focused narrowly on redistributing green cover (organizational challenge); (2) funding models dependent on adjacent real estate development, tying green space provision to market dynamics (financial challenge); and (3) the alignment of greening initiatives with urban competitiveness agendas, often prioritizing economic gains over citizen well-being (strategic challenge). By situating urban greening within critical political ecology debates, this study highlights governance gaps undermining socially just climate adaptation and outlines pathways toward more equitable urban greening practices.

Phthalates pose a significant health concern because they can leach from consumer products into the environment, leading to human exposure and potential adverse health effects. This cross-sectional study investigated phthalate concentrations in house dust collected from urban and rural areas in southern Thailand, examining their associations with household characteristics and spatial distribution across two communities. Two types of dust samples (multi-surface dust and floor dust) were collected from 310 houses using a vacuum cleaner before the monsoon season (March–April 2023). Ten phthalates were quantified using isotope-dilution gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. At least one phthalate was detected in all samples of house dust. DEHP, DnOP, and DBP were detected in 100%, 97.4%, and 88.7% of the samples, respectively, with DEHP showing the highest concentration (6,528 μg/g). The geometric mean concentration of total phthalates (Σ10PAE) was 192 μg/g. Phthalate concentrations in the urban area houses (mostly located in commercial zones) were significantly higher than those in rural area houses (p<0.005). According to the generalized linear models, phthalate concentrations were significantly associated with certain housing characteristics (e.g., household income, residential business operations, use of floor coverings) and indoor environmental factors (e.g., humidity and temperature). Households in close proximity to gas stations and vehicle repair shops appeared to have increased phthalate concentrations in dust. These findings are useful for Thailand and its local government in establishing appropriate guidelines to monitor phthalates in the environment and to reduce phthalate exposure via inhalation of contaminated household dust among Thai people . • DEHP, DnOP, and total phthalate concentrations were highly correlated with the use of floor covering, such as linoleum, plastic, or foam mats. • Households with residential business operations had significantly higher DEHP and DBP concentrations in dust than those without business operations. • Households located near gas stations or vehicle repair shops had higher phthalate concentrations in house dust. • Higher indoor temperature and humidity were associated with increased phthalate concentrations in house dust.

From anti-reflexive politicization to anti-reflexive policies: The emergence of renewable exclusion zones in United States environmental policy

Abstract: This article investigates how organizational formalization enabled the Shanghai Civic Association (SCA) to function as an effective civic actor during the 1932 Shanghai War and its aftermath in early twentieth-century China. Established as an elite-led voluntary association, the SCA coordinated citywide relief efforts, mobilized resources, and maintained local stability amid fragmented political authority. Over time, it evolved from an informal network into a formalized bureaucracy operating alongside municipal authorities. Drawing on archival research, this study traces the SCA's development from its emergency response during the 1932 crisis to its expanded role in governance by 1937. The analysis demonstrates that formalization—through structured processes, routinized practices, and decision-making frameworks—enhanced the association's operational capacity, stability, and adaptability. By situating the SCA within broader debates on state-society relations, the article integrates relational and formalization perspectives to argue that voluntary associations played a transformative role in navigating crises, fostering civic participation, and shaping governance in early twentieth-century China.

South Africa's coal-dependent energy system has struggled to meet national demand for nearly two decades, resulting in persistent loadshedding and an urgent push for renewable alternatives aligned with SDG 7. Although the country possesses significant solar and wind potential, expansion of utility-scale renewable energy is constrained by the availability of suitable land near existing grid infrastructure. Increasingly, developers are turning to land held under customary tenure, yet the social implications of this shift remain under-examined. This study investigates the Bolobedu solar farm in Limpopo Province to understand how local and regional traditional authorities perceive the conversion of agricultural land to a renewable energy facility. Drawing on interviews with both developers and tribal leaders, we find that while the project delivers notable benefits, including employment opportunities and revenue generation through land leasing, it also introduces challenges related to the loss of agricultural land, uneven information flows, and perceived imbalances in negotiation power. We introduce the framework “plot, power, promises” to conceptualise how land parcels, authority relations, and expectations of development shape community experiences during land-use transitions. As customary land is likely to play an increasingly central role in southern Africa's energy transition, our findings highlight the need for stronger procedural justice, more transparent benefit-sharing mechanisms, and improved community engagement.

One of the most pressing challenges for contemporary local governments is how to provide public services of sufficient quality when resources are scarce. This is particularly acute in peripheral or rural areas facing depopulation, where downsizing or closing public service units is often the only viable option. While much research has focused on the citizens negatively affected by such cuts, this study examines the perspective of decision-makers tasked with these difficult choices. Through an in-depth study of three Swedish municipalities and their handling of public indoor swimming pools, we explore how political representatives and public officials reason and navigate these dilemmas. The analysis identifies two overarching courses of action: “preserve,” which focuses on upholding service provision through strategies such as creative cost-cutting and quiet prioritizations, and “adapt,” characterized by efforts to centralize services, engage in post-decision dialogue, and offer compensatory measures. By shedding light on these approaches, the article contributes to understanding the complex dynamics of local democracy under pressure and offers insights into how decision-makers balance economic, symbolic, and political considerations in contentious public service decisions. • Public decision-makers navigate public service location dilemmas through two main courses of action: preserve or adapt. • Preserve include treading water , quiet prioritization , and quiet quitting. • Quiet practices capture previously underexplored ways of handling service decline without making explicit decisions. • Adapt include inducing realistic expectations, selling change as a fresh new start, and offering compensation. • The article highlights democratic implications of quiet practices in local service provision under pressure.

Community factors associated with the prevalence of pedestrian barrier removal plans in U.S. municipalities

Steal that car: A spatial analysis of motor vehicle theft in New South Wales, Australia

Nutrient input of coastal aquaculture may affect growth of mangrove following intermediate disturbance hypothesis: critical thresholds and spatial relationship coupling.

Networks that matter? Community organisations and citizen participation in local governance forums in Bangladesh

Adoption status of improved cowpea production techniques among farmers in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria

Hazardous waste disposal is a significant environmental and public health hazard in Madridejos, Bantayan Island. Improper handling and disposal of hazardous materials such as chemicals, medical waste, batteries, and technological waste can lead to major environmental degradation, water and soil contamination, and health hazards for the population. Many existing waste management procedures rely on manual processes and inadequate monitoring tools, which often result in delayed reporting, lack of transparency, and difficulty in tracking the collection and disposal process. These challenges highlight the need for a more efficient and reliable system to manage hazardous waste in the locality. This study introduces Tox Track, a digital tracking and management system meant to improve the monitoring and reporting of hazardous waste in Madridejos. Technology allows neighborhood members to readily report illegal dumping or hazardous waste situations using a user-friendly interface. Local government authorities can evaluate these reports, organize garbage collection activities, and allocate jobs to approved waste collectors. Local government authorities can evaluate these reports, organize garbage collection activities, and allocate jobs to approved waste collectors. The system improves accountability by providing a detailed record of all reported occurrences, scheduled collections, and accomplished disposal actions. This lets municipal authorities monitor waste management operations more effectively and respond rapidly to environmental concerns. Future developments of the system include the inclusion of blockchain technology to maintain safe and immutable records, as well as mobile application notifications to increase communication and operational efficiency among community members, authorities, and waste collectors.

This study examines how functional connectivity between cities shapes youth migration in South Korea. Amid concerns over population decline and low fertility, local governments have promoted mega-city initiatives and inter-municipal cooperation, while the Seoul Metropolitan Area has experienced expanding commuting flows. We argue that youth migration is linked not only to conditions within individual cities but also to the structure and direction of inter-city connections. Using origin–destination (OD) passenger flow data for 247 municipalities (2016–2019), we construct directed connectivity measures that distinguish inflows from outflows, rather than relying on aggregate traffic volumes alone. Based on these measures, we classify inter-city ties into central, dependent, and complementary networks and derive network-based city types using k-means clustering. We then apply analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to test differences in youth inflow ratios (ages 20–39) across city types, controlling for population size and overall migration intensity. Results show higher youth inflows in cities embedded in more hierarchical, hub-oriented commuting structures.

Economics growth is influenced by many variables that are interrelated. Each variable is a variable that influences and even influenced. Economic growth over the past ten years has experienced positive growth. However, economic growth has not been able to improve macroeconomic indicators such as unemployment, employment opportunities, inflation, investment and others. Although the economy is growing, poverty is still high. This research was conducted in Aceh. This study aims to determine how economic growth can occur and increase in Aceh. The data in this study comes from reports by the government, We used data on GRDP, unemployment, poverty, investment, labor and others. The data to be taken is 13 years from 2010-2023. To analysis data in this study, we uses dynamic model analysis. which is a method of solving complex problems that arise due to the tendency of cause and effect from various variables in the system. This methodology focuses on policy and how its determines the behavior of problems that can be modeled by dynamic systems. The stages in the process of dynamic system modelling are as follows: problem identification, system building, formulation, simulation and validation, and policy or scenario. From the simulation results, it was obtained that the trend of economic growth will increase if the capital output ratio can be achieved lower than 5, and the capital age can be increased more than 25 years. The local government needs to increase investment to increase output as a consequence of increasing ICOR.

In this century of 21st the technology has been big part and gives a lot of helps in of integral living of each human being. The fact that almost of all people around the world has been using technologies to make their life easier and simple and to mention technology gives so much pleasure in terms of watching videos or more. One of the most significant benefits of technology is we can do whatever we want in terms of getting information we need, or like searching nor surfing in social network just to access different kind of news every day. We came up with the idea of how the technology would be more significant in different government units. We use technology to build our system “Barangay Management System” and choose one barangay only and it is the Barangay Tugas. In this system they be a tool and the automate processes and transactions that would be conducted according to the respondent’s whatever requirements they needed like Barangay certificate, Barangay Indigency, Barangay Clearance, and Business permit. Unlike, the previous the previous transaction that are conducted in the past in the barangay units, this one the residents of barangay can get their needed requirements in spare a bit time and fast type of transactions. There is intensified need to improve the system used in operating and conducting a transaction in the barangay and its residence. The researchers aim to develop an automated Web-based Barangay Management System that will used by Barangay Tugas. The said system will eliminate all the problems and errors encountered in the manual process.

The Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) in Benguet still has a long way to go; nevertheless, several initiatives and interventions have already been implemented. This is among the results of the study aimed to characterize the modalities employed by National Government Agencies (NGAs) in cascading PAFES policies to the Local Government Units (LGU), assess the initiatives undertaken by LGUs and NGAs, evaluate how the key player agencies performed their roles and responsibilities, identify the challenges encountered along the establishment of the PAFES, determine the implementation status of the PAFES, and characterize the ways forward of the key player agencies relative to the operationalization of the PAFES. In cascading PAFES policies to the LGUs, the NGAs employed at least five major modalities as follows: intensive conduct of dialogues, meetings, and consultations; establishment of technical working group; benchmarking activities and database development; administration of capacity-building activities; conduct of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities; and funding of research to assess provincial readiness. Being a multi-stakeholder package, the key player agencies were able to administer different initiatives, which may include but not limited to the following: provision of technical guidance; funding of capacity-building activities among Agricultural Extension Workers, Barangay Biosecurity Officers, farmers, and fisherfolks; alignment of programs, projects, and activities; conduct of benchmarking activities; provision of complementary financial and production support; conceptualization and enactment of ordinances; and provision of governance structure and oversight. The key player agencies manifested various roles and responsibilities ranging from being enabler, convenor, fund-provider, to technical assistance provider, knowledge generator and/or contributor, and collaborator. The challenges encountered, on the other hand, were thematically labelled as administrative and governance; financial or economic; technical or operational; policy; and sociocultural. Similarly, the ways forward were grouped along policy and governance; coordination and partnership; capacity-building and human resources; digitalization and information systems; monitoring and evaluation; and best practices. Recommendations include institutionalization or replication of modalities undertaken in cascading national policies to the LGUs; intensification of efforts among key player agencies to strengthen collaboration; conduct of midterm evaluation to identify existing gaps and challenges; stipulation of appropriate measures to address the challenges; and refinement or operationalization of the ways forward incorporating measurable quantitative outputs or outcomes, realistic timeframes, and clear designation of responsible agencies or individuals.

Purpose This paper analyzes the multi-layered barriers to the employment of women with disabilities in Vietnam by connecting gendered disability exclusion to employment-relations processes, including employer screening and hiring decisions, labor-market segmentation and local institutional arrangements that mediate access to training, jobs and support. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study was conducted in My Tho city, Tien Giang province, Vietnam. A total of 36 semi-structured interviews were completed between July 2022 and March 2023 with women with disabilities and key informants, including representatives of local governments, businesses and men with disabilities. To update and validate information on the employment situation, follow-up interviews were conducted by the end of 2024 with a subset of women with disabilities and local government representatives. The data analysis was guided by an intersectional approach, integrating critical examination of existing policy and lived experiences of individuals with disabilities, especially women. Findings Women with disabilities encounter multi-layered social exclusion shaped by public stereotypes and stigma. Exclusion is further reinforced by gender-insensitive policies and implementation gaps and by institutional framing that positions them as “vulnerable” dependents rather than rights-bearing agents. Restrictive family control and internalized stigma reproduce feelings of inferiority. In turn, policy and practice legitimize their exclusion by labeling these women as “unworthy” of educational and vocational investment. Originality/value By theorizing “deservingness” as a mechanism enacted through institutional gatekeeping and employer practices, the study contributes to employment-relations debates on work access, discrimination and inclusive labor-market governance in a Global South context.

ABSTRACT This study examines public opinion on financial transparency in local governance in Ghana, focusing on government performance, trust, and corruption. Using Round 9 Afrobarometer data (2019–2021) and binary logistic regression, it analyzes attitudes toward transparency in local budgets, procurement, and officials’ salaries. Direct evaluations of local government performance do not significantly predict transparency opinions. However, perceptions of responsiveness to citizens’ concerns strongly increase support for transparency. Trust in local government shapes opinions on budget and procurement transparency, while corruption perceptions show no significant effect. Higher trust is associated with lower support for increased transparency. The findings support theories of representative democracy and financial accountability, emphasizing the importance of responsiveness and trust in shaping transparency attitudes. Demographic and regional differences are also evident. The study highlights the need for policies that strengthen trust, improve responsiveness, and institutionalize proactive transparency mechanisms in Ghana’s local governance system.

This study addresses the lack of an operational framework that systematically integrates local wisdom, empirical evidence, and governance mechanisms in coastal community empowerment. While previous studies have examined these elements separately, limited attention has been paid to their interaction within an integrated and context-sensitive model. This study aims to analyze the factors contributing to the ineffectiveness of empowerment programs and to develop a contextual empowerment model in Seribu Regency, DKI Jakarta. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used, involving 26 purposively selected informants, supported by observation and document analysis. The findings indicate that ineffective empowerment is driven by top-down policy design, weak institutional coordination, limited infrastructure, and dependency-oriented program implementation. At the same time, local wisdom such as cooperation, deliberation, and ecological knowledge emerge as important supporting factors when integrated into the empowerment process. This study proposes an integrative and adaptive empowerment model based on three pillars: local wisdom, evidence-based policy, and participatory governance, operationalized through a cyclical learning mechanism. This study provides a contextual and operational framework that strengthens the linkages between cultural values, empirical data, and policy practices in coastal development.

This study addresses the challenge of accelerating bureaucratic innovation in local governments amid rigid organisational cultures and limited intergenerational synergy. Focusing on the City of Sukabumi, the research explores how the internalisation of BerAKHLAK values intersects with the implementation of Agile Bureaucracy to shape adaptive and innovative public service behaviour. While both frameworks have been promoted in Indonesia’s civil service reform agenda, few studies have analysed their combined effect at the municipal level. Employing a mixed-methods approach—quantitative surveys (n = 35) and focus group discussions with OPD stakeholders—this study finds a significant positivecorrelation (r = 0.551; p &lt; 0.05) between value internalisation and organisational innovation capacity. Key enabling factors include leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and flexible structures, while hierarchical rigidity and generational divides act as barriers. The study contributes to public administration literature by offering an integrated framework that links values-based governance and agile organisational practices. Practically, it provides reform insights for mid-sized city governments seeking to foster more responsive, collaborative, and innovative bureaucracies. Sukabumi’s experience offers a relevant model for other second-tier cities facing similar governance and innovation challenges in decentralised public administration systems.