Local Jurisdictions Research Articles

Rapid Assessment Amid an Injection Drug Use-Driven HIV Outbreak in Massachusetts' Merrimack Valley: Highlights from a Case Study.

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl within the drug supply has substantially increased opioid-related overdose deaths and driven infectious disease outbreaks among people who use drugs (PWUD). Local jurisdictions often lack the data and tools necessary to detect and translate such moments into actionable and effective responses. Informed by a risk environment framework, this case study adopted a mixed-methods design spanning two rapid assessment studies with PWUD in Lowell (n = 90) and Lawrence (n = 40), Massachusetts, during an HIV outbreak (2017, Study 1) and following the outbreak (2019, Study 2). Survey responses (n = 130) were summarized by computing descriptive statistics, ethnographic field notes were reviewed, and qualitative interviews (n = 34) were thematically analyzed to contextualize quantitative findings. Study 1 participants reported constrained syringe access, high injecting frequency, syringe reuse, and unsafe syringe disposal practices, and uncovered entrenched social and structural factors exacerbating existing substance use and HIV risks: housing instability, limited harm reduction supplies and services (e.g., MOUD access), and tensions between law enforcement and PWUD. Following the outbreak and substantial local investments in harm reduction and treatment infrastructures, Study 2 participants indicated lower injection risk reporting fewer syringe reuse episodes, improved syringe disposal practices, high frequency of naloxone administration at recent overdoses, frequent testing for HIV and HCV, and greater engagement with syringe services programs. A rapid assessment approach to fentanyl's emergence and a concomitant HIV outbreak provided time-sensitive, critical insights and identified needed and local response strategies. However, unless social and structural risk factors are also addressed, community vulnerability to future HIV outbreaks remains.

The Politics of Refugee Resettlement in the Asia Pacific: Belonging and ICT-enabled Transnational Settlement

Abstract This conceptual article examines the interplay of forced displacement and resettlement across the Asia Pacific, situated against the backdrop of unprecedented global displacement, rapid uptake of information communication technologies, and strong border governance regimes. Emphasising the centrality of the politics of belonging, this article distinguishes between refugee resettlement, focused on protection, and the broader concept of refugee settlement as part of a larger project of belonging. Recognising that less than 1 per cent of refugees globally are able to access resettlement pathways every year, we present the implications of ICT-enabled transnational settlement, using New Zealand and Australia’s refugee resettlement programmes to anchor this analysis. By examining ongoing transnational connections, particularly through social media, this article illuminates how refugees can negotiate relationships with nearby and distant places. It outlines a spectrum of opportunities and challenges within resettlement and settlement contexts, transcending traditional territorial boundaries defined by the state and local jurisdictions. This article concludes by considering durable and enduring solutions to forward the possibilities of ICT-enabled transnational settlement as it influences the articulation of safety and belonging in an increasingly interconnected yet unevenly mobile world.

The Effectiveness of Face Mask Mandates on COVID-19 Transmission in Utah.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the effectiveness of face mask mandates was intensely debated. The objective of this study was to describe how face mask mandates at the state, county, and local levels differed in their effectiveness in reducing the number of COVID-19 cases in the jurisdiction where the mandate was implemented and throughout Utah. We used publicly available data from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. We calculated the effectiveness of face mask mandates (EFm) in each local health district after 3 key mandates: the enactment of face mask mandates in Salt Lake and Summit counties (SLSC) on June 28, 2020, and June 27, 2020, respectively; the enactment of a statewide face mask mandate on November 9, 2020; and the lifting of the statewide face mask mandate on April 10, 2021. Most counties in Utah had a reduction in the growth rate of COVID-19 cases after enactment of face mask mandates. We found an average 11.9% reduction in EFm after the introduction of the SLSC face mask mandates, with 8 of 13 local health districts experiencing a reduction, and an average 12.7% reduction after introduction of the statewide mandate, with 12 of 13 local health districts experiencing a reduction. After mandates were lifted, many counties had an increase in EFm. Face mask mandates were an effective way to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in local jurisdictions and in neighboring jurisdictions in Utah. Our evidence supports the use of face mask mandates as a way to prevent disease transmission and be better equipped to respond to future pandemics.

Cost Comparison and Spending on Tobacco Products: Evidence from A Nationally Representative Sample of Adult E-Cigarette Users.

Over 20 states and local jurisdictions in the U.S. have imposed e-cigarette taxes. It is important to evaluate how adult vapers, including those who also smoke respond to e-cigarette taxation. The purpose of this study is to examine factors associated with adult vapers' cost comparison between e-cigarettes and cigarettes (i.e., which one is perceived to be more expensive) and expenditures (i.e., dollars spent) on these two products. We recruited a nationally representative sample of 801 adult e-cigarette users in the U.S., who participated in an online survey in April-May 2023. Nested-ordered logit and ordinary least squares regressions were used in analysis. On average, adult vapers spent $82.22 per month on e-cigarettes, and dual users spent $118.77 per month on cigarettes. More frequent e-cigarette use, lower state-level e-cigarette taxes, age and exclusive use of rechargeable tank systems with e-liquids were associated with considering e-cigarettes as less expensive than cigarettes. Exclusive use of tank systems was associated with lower e-cigarette spending. Adults who used e-cigarettes more frequently preferred to report weekly (versus monthly) spending on e-cigarettes; among dual users, everyday smokers were more likely to think of weekly (versus monthly) spending on cigarettes compared to someday smokers. Among US adult vapers, tobacco use frequency and e-cigarette device type are closely related to cost measures; e-cigarette taxes are associated with cost comparison between e-cigarettes and cigarettes, suggesting potential financial disincentive for vaping. Policymaker may consider imposing differential taxes by e-cigarette product types due to their different costs to consumers. This study provides supportive evidence that e-cigarette taxes may impact how vapers compare the costs of e-cigarettes relative to cigarettes. Given different expenditures and cost comparisons by e-cigarette device types, tax and policy design may need to take into consideration of e-cigarette device types. We also found that indoor tobacco use restrictions in shared housing may reduce vaping, and future research is needed. The associations between socio-demographics and cost comparison and expenditures reflect known patterns in price responsiveness and vaping prevalence. Cost comparison and expenditures are related measures, which may further reflect product affordability.

Locally Acquired (Autochthonous) Mosquito-Transmitted Plasmodium vivax Malaria - Saline County, Arkansas, September 2023.

A case of locally acquired (autochthonous) mosquito-transmitted Plasmodium vivax malaria was diagnosed in Arkansas in September 2023. This represents the 10th autochthonous case identified nationally in 2023, after 20 years without recorded local mosquitoborne malaria transmission in the United States. The public health response included case investigation, active case surveillance, mosquito surveillance and control, assessment of medical countermeasures, and clinical and public outreach. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment of malaria can improve clinical outcomes and, in addition to vector control, minimize risk for local transmission. Clinicians should consider malaria among patients who have traveled to countries where malaria is endemic, or with unexplained fever regardless of travel history. Although the risk for autochthonous malaria in the United States remains very low, its reemergence highlights the importance of vectorborne disease preparedness and response. Examples of such efforts include improving awareness among clinicians, access to diagnostics and antimalarial medications, and capacity for mosquito surveillance and control. Collaboration and communication among CDC, health departments, local jurisdictions, clinicians, hospitals, laboratories, and the public can support rapid malaria diagnosis, prevention, and control. Before traveling internationally to areas where malaria is endemic, travelers should consult with their health care provider regarding recommended malaria prevention measures, including chemoprophylaxis and precautions to avoid mosquito bites, to reduce both personal and community risk.

The adoption and implementation of local government planning policy to manage hot food takeaways near schools in England: A qualitative process evaluation

IntroductionAccess to hot food takeaways, particularly near schools, is of growing concern for policymakers seeking to reduce childhood obesity globally. In England, United Kingdom (UK), local government jurisdictions are implementing planning policies to reduce access by restricting or denying planning permission for new takeaway outlets near schools. We used a qualitative approach to explore local government officers’ perspectives on the barriers to and facilitators of the adoption, implementation, and perceived effectiveness of these policies. MethodsIn 2021–2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 local planning (‘planners’) and public health government officers from 15 different local authorities across England who adopted a policy to restrict new takeaways. Data were analysed thematically. ResultsParticipants explained that they mostly thought the policies facilitated the refusal of applications for new takeaways near schools. However, participants speculated that businesses identified alternative opportunities to operate including functioning as ‘restaurants’ or within other locations. Effective working relationships between planners and public health officers were important for adoption and implementation, although planning and public health agendas did not always align and there were tensions between economic development and health improvement goals. The policy was adapted to suit local needs and priorities; in some cases, the policy was not used in areas where economic growth was prioritised. Clarity in policy wording and establishing a formal process for implementing policies including a designated individual responsible for checking and reviewing takeaway applications helped ensure consistency and confidence in policy implementation. ConclusionAlthough sometimes challenging, the policies were commonly described as feasible to implement. However, they may not completely prevent new takeaways opening, particularly where takeaways are relied upon to enhance local economies or where takeaway businesses find alternative ways to operate. Nevertheless, the policies can serve to shift the balance of power that currently favours commercial interests over public health priorities.

Digging deeper: Unpacking the subnational political drivers of Chinese extractive investment in Latin America

There is a long scholarly tradition that argues that political variables figure prominently in international corporations’ decisions to invest abroad. Most of this literature has focused on the national political determinants of investment allocation. Yet, in some sectors, the bulk of this investment is local. Chief among these sectors are extractive industries where assets are endowed to different local jurisdictions. How do political factors shape extractive foreign direct investment (EFDI) in local jurisdictions? We focus on Latin America, a region of the world that is rich in natural resources, and that has recently attracted a sizable amount of Chinese investment. Drawing on a novel dataset on subnational Chinese EFDI in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico (2002–2018), and using a logistic model with time series cross-national data we find that multilevel partisan alignment is a strong determinant of Chinese EFDI. In highly decentralized countries, Chinese EFDI is primarily targeted to subnational districts ruled by governors who are politically aligned with presidents. We illustrate the logics of this allocation with two case studies. Our findings make a valuable contribution to three growing fields of study: the subnational determinants of foreign investments, multilevel governance, and the political factors driving Chinese investments in developing countries.

Government affiliation, analyst behavior and the economic consequences

AbstractA significant number of regional brokerage firms in China are owned by their respective local governments. We use this context to examine how local government affiliation affects brokerage firms’ research activities. Using a sample of analyst reports from 2013 to 2021, we find that analysts working at local government‐affiliated brokerage firms are more likely to cover firms within the local government's jurisdiction than non‐affiliated analysts. Local government‐affiliated analysts enjoy an information advantage, as evidenced by the issuance of more accurate earnings forecasts for local firms, compared to those of non‐affiliated analysts. The effect is stronger for local firms with lower information quality. Additionally, local government‐affiliated analysts show more optimism in stock recommendations, but not in earnings forecasts, for local firms, compared to non‐affiliated analysts. The effect is more pronounced for local firms that receive more local government subsidies, operate in regions with greater local government intervention or during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the National Congress conferences, and require more capital market support. The results of this study advance our understanding of the key determinants of analyst performance and provide new evidence in the debate on the role of government intervention in financial institutions.

Coverage with Selected Vaccines and Exemption Rates Among Children in Kindergarten - United States, 2023-24 School Year.

In the United States, states and local jurisdictions set vaccination requirements for school attendance, conditions and procedures for exemptions from these requirements, grace periods for submitting documentation, and provisional enrollment for students who need more time to be vaccinated. States annually report data to CDC on the number of children in kindergarten who meet, are exempt from, or are in the process of meeting requirements. Data reported by 49 states and the District of Columbia (DC) for the 2023-24 school year were used for national- and state-level estimates of the following measures: complete vaccination with required doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP), poliovirus vaccine (polio), and varicella vaccine (VAR); exemptions from vaccination; and school attendance while meeting requirements. The 2023-24 kindergarten class became age-eligible to complete most state-required vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, after schools had returned to routine in-person learning. Compared with approximated national coverage levels across all reported vaccines for the 2019-20 (95%) and 2022-23 (93%) school years, coverage dropped below 93% for the 2023-24 school year, ranging from 92.3% for DTaP to 92.7% for MMR. Exemptions increased to 3.3%, compared with those during the 2022-23 (3.0%) and 2021-22 school years (2.6%). Coverage with MMR, DTaP, polio, and VAR decreased in 35, 32, 33, and 36 jurisdictions, respectively, compared with the 2022-23 school year. Exemptions increased in 41 jurisdictions, with 14 reporting that >5% of kindergartners had an exemption from one or more vaccine. Efforts by health departments, schools, and providers are needed to ensure that students begin school fully vaccinated.

Spatiotemporal Cluster Detection for COVID-19 Outbreak Surveillance: Descriptive Analysis Study.

During the peak of the winter 2020-2021 surge, the number of weekly reported COVID-19 outbreaks in Washington State was 231; the majority occurred in high-priority settings such as workplaces, community settings, and schools. The Washington State Department of Health used automated address matching to identify clusters at health care facilities. No other systematic, statewide outbreak detection methods were in place. This was a gap given the high volume of cases, which delayed investigations and decreased data completeness, potentially leading to undetected outbreaks. We initiated statewide cluster detection using SaTScan, implementing a space-time permutation model to identify COVID-19 clusters for investigation. To improve outbreak detection, the Washington State Department of Health initiated a systematic cluster detection model to identify timely and actionable COVID-19 clusters for local health jurisdiction (LHJ) investigation and resource prioritization. This report details the model's implementation and the assessment of the tool's effectiveness. In total, 6 LHJs participated in a pilot to test model parameters including analysis type, geographic aggregation, cluster radius, and data lag. Parameters were determined through heuristic criteria to detect clusters early when they are smaller, making interventions more feasible. This study reviews all clusters detected after statewide implementation from July 17 to December 17, 2021. The clusters were analyzed by LHJ population and disease incidence. Clusters were compared with reported outbreaks. A weekly, LHJ-specific retrospective space-time permutation model identified 2874 new clusters during this period. While the weekly analysis included case data from the prior 3 weeks, 58.25% (n=1674) of all clusters identified were timely-having occurred within 1 week of the analysis and early enough for intervention to prevent further transmission. There were 2874 reported outbreaks during this same period. Of those, 363 (12.63%) matched to at least one SaTScan cluster. The most frequent settings among reported and matched outbreaks were schools and youth programs (n=825, 28.71% and n=108, 29.8%), workplaces (n=617, 21.46% and n=56, 15%), and long-term care facilities (n=541, 18.82% and n=99, 27.3%). Settings with the highest percentage of clusters that matched outbreaks were community settings (16/72, 22%) and congregate housing (44/212, 20.8%). The model identified approximately one-third (119/363, 32.8%) of matched outbreaks before cases were associated with the outbreak event in our surveillance system. Our goal was to routinely and systematically identify timely and actionable COVID-19 clusters statewide. Regardless of population or incidence, the model identified reasonably sized, timely clusters statewide, meeting the objective. Among some high-priority settings subject to public health interventions throughout the pandemic, such as schools and community settings, the model identified clusters that were matched to reported outbreaks. In workplaces, another high-priority setting, results suggest the model might be able to identify outbreaks sooner than existing outbreak detection methods.

The Anti-illicit Activity Regime of the Multilateral Development Banks: Criminal Acts or Prohibited Practices?

The spread of illicit activity across the global economy presents significant challenges to international development. Despite the well-recognised global incidence of corruption, fraud, and money laundering in development-focused investment projects, the responses of the multilateral development banks (MDBs) to these threats remain understudied. Our article offers the first comprehensive study into the comparative historical emergence and evolution of MDB responses to illicit activity. By identifying and analysing critical junctures in this history, we argue that the MDBs have tended to approach illicit activity as prohibited practices rather than criminal acts. We contend that this is an intentional choice made by the MDBs that absolves these organisations from any real responsibility in minimising illicit activity, finding their concern to be ensuring contractual compliance in their lending operations rather than curtailing criminal behaviour and their preference to be resolving contractual deviations in-house as opposed to coordinating with local jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies.

A mediation analysis of the relationship between land use regulation stringency and employment dynamics

ABSTRACT The paper examines the effects of stringent land use regulations, measured using the Wharton Residential Land Use Regulatory Index (WRLURI), on employment growth during the period 2010–2020 in the Retail, Professional, and Information sectors across 878 local jurisdictions in the United States. All the local jurisdictions exist in both (2006 and 2018) waves of the WRLURI surveys and hence constitute unique panel data. We apply a mediation analytical framework to decompose the direct and indirect effects of land use regulation stringency on sectoral employment growth and specialization. Our analysis suggests a fully mediated pattern in the relationship between excessive land use regulations and employment growth, with housing cost burden as the mediator. Specifically, a one standard deviation increase in the WRLURI index is associated with an approximate increase of 0.8 percentage point in the proportion of cost burdened renters. Relatedly, the higher prevalence of cost-burdened renters has moderate adverse effects on employment growth in two sectors. A 1 percentage point increase in the proportion of cost burdened renters is associated with 0.04 and 0.017 percentage point decreases in the Professional and Information sectors, respectively.

Evaluation of transition to 100% electric vehicles (EVs) by 2052 in the United States

With the rising need to transition from fossil fuel consumption to renewables, the transportation industry is foreseeing large-scale adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). According to various studies, the petroleum resources will last until or around 2052. Utilizing the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published data on the number of registered vehicles by each state, the profile of vehicles by 2052 was forecasted using a time series. The vehicle profile comprised vehicles by each type classified as automobiles, buses, trucks, and motorcycles. This future profile became the basis of the quantification of total EVs by the end of 2052. Based on the available fuel economy data published by the US Department of Energy, the average energy consumption per mile (kWh/mile) of each vehicle type was factored into the energy demand calculation for 100% electrification by 2052. A roof-top solar photovoltaic system is easy to install on unoccupied roof space for US house owners. Obtaining the capacity of such a roof-top solar PV system acts as a good decision-making criterion for both house owners and developers. However, for city-dwellers living in multi-family residential buildings, the potential of utilization of roof-top solar PV becomes a subject of future work when effective sharing of resources for local power generation by renewables and development of community-shared EV charging infrastructure is concerned. How well EVs performed against internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in terms of fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions is a driving factor for this transition. For energy demand calculations, a base model was framed, and results were obtained by utilizing mathematical and statistical tools. After accounting for the effects of improved fuel efficiency or reduced energy consumption by EVs over time, the model was modified to obtain revised energy demand and, thus, effective energy generation required. Accordingly, the capacity of EV charging infrastructure required by each state determined the need for preparation by utility companies and local jurisdictions. With limitations on battery size and thus increased frequency for drivers to return for charging, additional fast chargers (level 3) at existing gasoline stations become an option that requires further assessment.

Health impacts of excessive heat in Multnomah County, OR, 2021

Abstract Human-induced climate change is leading to increased extreme weather events, such as the heat dome that occurred in Multnomah County, OR, in June 2021. Certain groups are at increased risk from excessive heat events, such as the very young and very old, persons without stable housing, and persons with certain health comorbidities. Our review of three data sources (deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits) showed large increases in all three measures in the summer of 2021. Further, two-thirds of identified heat deaths occurred in or near neighborhoods that ranked among the most vulnerable to extreme heat. Despite thoughtful planning, a recently updated heat response plan, and an unprecedented mobilization of resources, we documented severe health impacts due to this heat event. We recommend that local health jurisdictions and emergency responders increase readiness for such events by interrogating existing plans and tailoring them not to events of expected severity, but to a worst case scenario that exceeds historic experiences.

Review of Local Homeless Mortality Efforts: A Call for Standardized Data and Reporting.

There are currently no national estimates of how many people die while unhoused in the US. Local jurisdictions have developed their own approaches for estimating homeless mortality. We aimed to examine these local approaches, document what is known about homeless mortality, and summarize local methodologies. We reviewed 17 publicly available homeless mortality reports (ie, gray literature). Reports were sought from government, Health Care for the Homeless, coalition to end homelessness, and other advocacy and social service websites. From each report, we extracted the number of homeless deaths, dates of observation, data source(s) used, determination of homeless status, manners and causes of death, and decedent demographics. Data collection and reporting on homeless mortality varied greatly across reports. This variation limits aggregation across reports. Medical examiner data was the most used data source. Manner of death was the most consistently collected field, with accidental deaths reported as the most prevalent manner of homeless deaths. Not all reports listed specific causes of death, but those that did reported toxicity (eg, overdose) and cardiovascular causes as most prevalent. The most granular age category of most homeless decedents was 40 to 60years. On average, 80% of decedents were of male sex. While over half of reports included race and ethnicity information, disparities could not be estimated without suitable denominators. Standardized data collection and reporting guidance is needed for homeless mortality. Health departments can work with local Health Care for the Homeless programs and Continuums of Care to establish data sharing processes. Matching vital statistics with homeless service utilization records may be one opportunity to improve these efforts. Until there is federal or national guidance on these standards, localities can consider adding housing or homelessness variables as optional or mandatory fields in electronic death reporting systems.

Visualizing Neighborhood COVID-19 Levels, Trends, and Inequities in Wastewater: An Equity-Centered Approach and Comparison to CDC Methods.

Monitoring neighborhood-level SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations can help guide public health interventions and provide early warning ahead of lagging COVID-19 clinical indicators. To date, however, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) has provided methodology solely for communicating national and state-level "wastewater viral activity levels." In October 2022, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) began routinely sampling wastewater at 11 neighborhood sites to better understand COVID-19 epidemiology and inequities across neighborhoods, which vary widely in sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. We developed equity-centered methods to routinely report interpretable and actionable descriptions of COVID-19 wastewater levels, trends, and neighborhood-level inequities. To produce these data visualizations, spanning October 2022 to December 2023, we followed four general steps: (1) smoothing raw values; (2) classifying current COVID-19 wastewater levels; (3) classifying current trends; and (4) reporting and visualizing results. COVID-19 wastewater levels corresponded well with lagged COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths over time, with "Very High" wastewater levels coinciding with winter surges. When citywide COVID-19 levels were at the highest and lowest points, levels and trends tended to be consistent across sites. In contrast, when citywide levels were moderate, neighborhood levels and trends were more variable, revealing inequities across neighborhoods, emphasizing the importance of neighborhood-level results. Applying CDC/NWSS state-level methodology to neighborhood sites resulted in vastly different neighborhood-specific wastewater cut points for "High" or "Low," obscured inequities between neighborhoods, and systematically underestimated COVID-19 levels during surge periods in neighborhoods with the highest COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Our methods offer an approach that other local jurisdictions can use for routinely monitoring, comparing, and communicating neighborhood-level wastewater levels, trends, and inequities. Applying CDC/NWSS methodology at the neighborhood-level can obscure and perpetuate COVID-19 inequities. We recommend jurisdictions adopt equity-focused approaches in neighborhood-level wastewater surveillance for valid community comparisons.

Local Management of Migrant Death in South Texas: A Necropolitical Landscape

We share the results of interviews and participant observations conducted in South Texas in spring of 2020 and summer of 2021 to understand how local authorities manage the issue of migrant deaths. Drawing on fifty-seven interviews and observations of local stakeholders from law enforcement and first responders to nonprofit organizations, United States Border Patrol (USBP) agents, and others, three experiences emerged. First, USBP both capacitates and limits local ability to respond to migrant deaths. Second, local jurisdictions feel a sense of impotence as a consequence of overwhelming migrant decedent caseloads, often leading to what we have termed an occupational paralysis. Third, failing to recognize migrant deaths as a regional phenomenon throughout South Texas hinders interior counties from receiving needed support. In our discussion we reflect on the experiences our interlocutors shared with us and the degree to which long-standing U.S. prevention through deterrence policy has configured the Texas–Mexico border into a necropolitical landscape, in the sense that U.S. Southwestern border enforcement, infrastructure, and the environment itself have a spatial arrangement that relegates migrant lives “outside the normal state of law” (Mbembe, 13), and funnels them toward death.

Advances in building data management for building performance standards using the SEED platform

Reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment is a critical step in achieving emission goals to mitigate climate change impacts. Local, federal, and international jurisdictions are deploying several methods to reduce energy and emissions such as voluntary and mandatory benchmarking and building performance standards, requiring building owners to reach energy and emission targets.Jurisdictions leveraging benchmarking and building performance standards require knowledge of the buildings covered; which is a large task due to staffing constraints, limited information on building characteristics and tax parcel data, and the need for advanced data management techniques to align datasets. This paper describes an open-source platform's recent advances to create consistent taxonomies, identify erroneous data, enable auditability, and track building performance. The paper concludes with two use cases on how the platform has been used by jurisdictions.

Improving the Quality of Climate Change Adaptation Planning Through State Mandate: The Case of California

Problem, research strategy, and findings As communities everywhere experience accelerating climate change impacts, local governments must proactively plan and implement adaptation or resilience strategies. A significant challenge is effectively scaling up these efforts in diverse communities. In 2015, the State of California passed Senate Bill 379 (SB379), requiring climate change adaptation and resilience strategies in local plans, making it the first U.S. state to broadly mandate such requirements locally. Our study measured the effects of SB379 on the quality of local plans that address climate change adaptation or resilience and assessed which types of plans jurisdictions selected to meet the requirements. Using a longitudinal study, we analyzed plan quality before and after SB379 took effect using criteria developed for earlier studies of voluntary climate adaptation plans. We found that California plans have significantly improved when assessed against theoretical criteria, and most jurisdictions have chosen their local hazard mitigation plans to meet the requirements. The flexible and cooperative design of the mandate and its loose enforcement suggest local jurisdictions are willing to address climate change, even when challenged with more stringent requirements if incentives align. As a natural policy experiment, California’s experience offers a unique opportunity to examine the effects of a state planning mandate and the choices local jurisdictions make to comply. Takeaway for practice Cooperative mandates that require local governments to address climate change adaptation and resilience in their plans but offer flexibility in how they do so may improve the quality of plans. Practitioners should seek to leverage flexibility in such mandates to the advantage of their local communities.

Neapoli commorantes: chiese nazionali e comunità forestiere nel viceregno spagnolo tra Cinque e Seicento

Abstract This article deals with national communities in Naples and their churches during the early modern period. Florentine, Lombard, and Genoese merchants had all received special privileges that exempted them from taxes on their trading and from local jurisdiction. These three nationes had different forms of government and the foundations and following stories of their churches differed dramatically. In fact, each of them fostered its own identity in several ways, hiring artists or employing iconographies from the motherland, allowing the coexistence of a ‘pantheon’ of patron saints or decorating their churches with techniques that were more common abroad. The Genoese nation is probably the most difficult to outline, as often its members decided to spread their patronage into the most important Neapolitan churches rather than gather in San Giorgio dei Genovesi.