Local Projects Research Articles

Evolutionary game analysis of multi-agent cooperation strategy analysis in agricultural water conservancy PPP project under digitization background

This study constructed a system dynamics (SD) evolutionary game model, from which we analyzed the conditions that need to be met by multi-agents to achieve cooperation in agricultural water conservancy (AWC) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. Simultaneously, this study used numerical simulation to depict the impact of initial participation willingness, reward, punishment, income, and other parameters of local governments, project enterprises, and farmers on the evolution strategy. The results firstly showed that the basic conditions for tripartite cooperation are to strengthen the rewards and punishments for project enterprises and improve the participation benefits of farmers. Secondly, it showed that increasing the rewards for farmers and improving the project dividend benefits can effectively motivate farmers to participate. Thirdly, it showed that enhancing the incentive subsidies and reputation benefits for project enterprise’s participation, as well as strengthening the supervision of local government, boosts the motivation of project enterprises significantly. However, it is vital to ensure that the reward amounts are not too high to allow local government to play its guiding role efficiently. Lastly, the results indicated that digital technology can help reduce the participation cost of local government, project enterprises and farmers, and improve the external reputation benefits of each participant, thus forming a win-win situation for all three participants. Analyzing the cooperation strategies of the three parties in AWC PPP projects provides theoretical support and a decision-making basis for the efficient operation of AWC PPP projects under the digital background, and also provides practical policy recommendations for the high-quality development of AWC.

Financing urban land development in underdeveloped small cities in western China: The role of earmarked funds

Previous studies suggest that market forces and the strategic behavior of local governments regarding land development jointly contribute to rapid urban expansion in China. In underdeveloped small cities in Western China, the market is weak, and local governments lack the conditions required to promote land-centered urbanization. Surprisingly, these cities have experienced an expansion of urban space faster than the national average. This study presents a significant funding model of urban land development within the framework of the project system. Within this model, central and provincial governments are key providers of land development funds. Local governments design, apply for, package, and implement land development projects. Private developers cooperate with local governments rather than functioning as real initiators of and investors in land development projects. The findings provide new and supplementary evidence about how rapid urban expansion occurs in China, particularly in underdeveloped areas.

Park thermal comfort and cooling mechanisms in present and future climate scenarios

Extreme heat is Australia’s most perilous natural hazard, and increasing urban temperatures due to climate change are a growing concern. Consequently, there is growing interest in developing nature-based solutions (i.e., greenery and vegetated surfaces) to cool urban areas. Appropriately designed urban parks are anticipated to be crucial for maintaining thermal comfort as temperatures rise. The two main diurnal cooling mechanisms of urban parks are shade provision and vegetation transpiration. However, limited studies have examined the cooling performance of vegetation through transpiration, especially in the southern hemisphere. This study addresses this gap by examining the microclimatic conditions, cooling benefits, and thermal performance of a typical neighbourhood park in Perth, Western Australia, with a focus on the cooling performance of vegetation through shade and transpiration. Present and future microclimates were modelled and simulated for average and hottest summer days based on 25 years of local weather data and projections for 2090 under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 scenario. The findings reveal that trees provided diurnal cooling benefits for park users by lowering the Universal Thermal Comfort Index (UTCI) by up to 17°C, with this benefit persisting in projected 2090 conditions. This cooling benefit was predominantly achieved through shade provision, with marginal contributions from transpiration. Additionally, on hot days, as leaf temperature exceeded 30°C, increased stomatal resistance led to reduced transpiration. Therefore, more attention must be paid to transpiration cooling limits due to stomatal closure during hot hours to improve cooling performance in park design. Moreover, comparing different plant species’ behaviour and adaptability on hot days is crucial, especially in future climatic conditions.

Inflationary dynamics of labour market activity: Evidence from the Czech Republic

This paper provides an in-depth investigation into the intricacy of inflation dynamics in the Czech Republic, with particular emphasis on the influence exerted by labor market activity. The research employed principal component analysis and the local projections methodology proposed by Jorda (2005) in the context of the Phillips curve framework, followed by the extension of the analysis via the introduction of a nuanced state dependence dimension that recognizes that the impact of labor market activity on inflation may be contingent upon the broader economic situation. Our findings revealed the statistically significant impact of labor market activity on inflation. Specifically, a one standard deviation increase in the labor market activity component leads to an accumulated increase in inflation of approximately 3 percentage points over a three-year horizon. Our non-linear model uncovered the pivotal interaction between state dependence and the impact on inflation. The findings revealed that during expansionary periods, labor market pressures can be effectively managed for a limited period, albeit with a slight escalation in prices. However, over an extended period, the labor market is susceptible to encountering constraints that lead to markedly higher inflation rates - almost twice as high as those observed during recessionary periods. We subjected our benchmark results to extensive robustness verification.

Not all banking crises are alike: Assessing their distributional impacts relative to pre-crisis credit gaps

The empirical literature on the effects of banking crises on income inequality has yielded mixed findings. In this paper, we aim to reconcile these mixed results by evaluating the effects of banking crises on income inequality in relation to pre-crisis credit gaps. We apply the Local Projections methodology to a yearly panel of 68 banking crises that occurred in 59 countries over the period 1970–2017. Three key results emerge. First, banking crises lead to increased income inequality. Second, only those banking crises preceded by larger credit gaps show a significant increase in income inequality. Third, a deeper contraction in the credit supply and a higher unemployment rate are two channels that could potentially explain why inequality rises more after banking crises with larger pre-crisis credit gaps. These results underscore the importance of macroprudential policies that, as well as limiting the amplitude of the financial cycle and the associated risks of financial crises, could also play a key role in reducing the distributional consequences of banking crises.

Labor market policies in high- and low-interest rate environments: Evidence from the euro area

Do labor market policies initiated in periods of loose monetary policy yield different outcomes from those introduced when monetary tightening prevails? Using data from 11 euro-area members up to 2010–and extending to 17 countries up to 2020–we analyze three labor market policies: replacement rates, spending on active labor market policies (ALMPs), and employment protection. We find that these policies deliver different macroeconomic outcomes in low- and high-interest rate environments. In particular, ALMPs reduce unemployment if implemented under a loose monetary policy but not otherwise, whereas higher employment protection delivers expansionary effects under a tight monetary policy. These findings highlight that the effectiveness of labor market policies is significantly influenced by the monetary policy environment, emphasizing the need for coordinated policy design. Methodologically, we contribute by proposing to average local projections using Mallow’s Cp criterion, allowing for inferences that are robust to mis-specification and accommodate non-linearities.

Development of an Integrated Students Worksheet (LKPD) for the Ternate Local Protection Project to Improve the Chemical Literacy of Senior High School Students

Development of an Integrated Students Worksheet (LKPD) for the Ternate Local Protection Project to Improve the Chemical Literacy of Senior High School Students

Science Communication and Popularization of Science in CS recruitment Tasks

The article analyzes the global practice of using science communication and, in particular, science popularization to recruit volunteers for citizen science projects (CS recruitment). Russians actively participate in global, cross-border online projects. However, local Russian CS projects are less successful. It is shown that the problem of unsatisfactory recruitment is very serious. Science communication and science popularization contribute to recruitment and volunteer retention. Moreover, the role of communication is particularly important in the early stages of a project. The concepts of active and preliminary stages of CS recruitment are introduced to identify the dynamics of volunteer motivation. The experiences considered in the article can be useful for scientific management in Russia.

Interactive Checklists to Increase Access to Urban Biodiversity Information in Guatemala

The Guatemala Biodiversity Portal (GBP) is a customized platform developed with Symbiota (Gries et al. 2014) for the digitization of local natural history collections and research projects (Orellana et al. 2023). Currently, the portal includes 42 virtual profiles for the live management of biodiversity data and already hosts more than 50,000 specimen and observation records. Additionally, over 400,000 records of Guatemalan specimens in international collections have been imported from other Symbiota portals and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), increasing accessibility to data from the country. A bilingual interface (English-Spanish), and integrated tools to generate interactive checklists (Pearson and Walker 2021) have also encouraged use of the portal to develop online resources to explore and share knowledge of Guatemalan biological diversity. In particular, urban green spaces in Guatemala City have been a recent focus of attention due to their significance in biodiversity conservation (Castillo-Cabrera et al. 2021). Efforts to study and preserve these natural spaces include biological surveys to compile an updated inventory of species and assess their conservation status. To increase access to the information obtained, observations and specimens (e.g., fauna, flora) are being digitized and managed in the GBP, granting instant availability of the records and images derived from the surveys. At the same time, data from protected or threatened species remains redacted from the general public. Complementary to the surveys in Guatemala City, a more extensive inventory of species is being generated with selected specimens and observations available in the GBP and GBIF. A series of interactive checklists in the GBP (Fig. 1) facilitate the management of the scientific names, digital vouchers, and annotations about known conservation status (CONAP 2022, IUCN 2024), establishment means, and references in the literature. Information gathered for each species is later added to the taxon pages in the GBP, to expand its accessibility. The integration of urban biodiversity data in the GBP allowed the generation of digital records that follow international standards (e.g., Darwin Core, Wieczorek et al. 2012) and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) principles (Wilkinson et al. 2016), facilitating their mobilization to global aggregators (GBIF.org 2024). Data cleaning tools (e.g., geographic and taxonomic cleaning, Pearson 2021) in the GBP also improved the information management, increasing the accuracy of each observation and specimen record digitized. Furthermore, the resulting interactive checklists provide a way to synthesize and review the data for the different taxa, having the opportunity to remain constantly updated as sources of information become available. Therefore, curated species checklists for Guatemala City will become an important contribution and reference for related studies across the country. Similar to other regions (Yánez-Ayabaca et al. 2023), accessibility to edit online biodiversity resources has opened the door for collaboration among Guatemalan biologists, engaging a broad community of researchers and students from national institutions. The presentation will address more about the functionality and effectiveness of interactive checklists, and the impact of online biodiversity resources in Guatemala.

Responsible AI Practice in Libraries and Archives

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to positively impact library and archives collections and services—enhancing reference, instruction, metadata creation, recommendations, and more. However, AI also has ethical implications. This paper presents an extensive literature and review analysis that examines AI projects implemented in library and archives settings, asking the following research questions: RQ1: How is artificial intelligence being used in libraries and archives practice? RQ2: What ethical concerns are being identified and addressed during AI implementation in libraries and archives? The results of this literature review show that AI implementation is growing in libraries and archives and that practitioners are using AI for increasingly varied purposes. We found that AI implementation was most common in large, academic libraries. Materials used in AI projects usually involved digitized and born digital text and images, though materials also ranged to include web archives, electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs), and maps. AI was most often used for metadata extraction and reference and research services. Just over half of the papers included in the literature review mentioned ethics or values related issues in their discussions of AI implementation in libraries and archives, and only one-third of all resources discussed ethical issues beyond technical issues of accuracy and human-in-the-loop. Case studies relating to AI in libraries and archives are on the rise, and we expect subsequent discussions of relevant ethics and values to follow suit, particularly growing in the areas of cost considerations, transparency, reliability, policy and guidelines, bias, social justice, user communities, privacy, consent, accessibility, and access. As AI comes into more common usage, it will benefit the library and archives professions to not only consider ethics when implementing local projects, but to publicly discuss these ethical considerations in shared documentation and publications.

Government size and the effectiveness of fiscal policy: the bigger the better?

Abstract This study investigates the effect of government size, as measured by the tax revenue to gross domestic product (tax-GDP) ratio, on output responses to increases in government purchases. First, we show that in a standard static neoclassical model, the stimulus effect of fiscal expansion on output increases with the tax-GDP ratio. This finding is quantitatively confirmed using a dynamic neoclassical model with standard functional forms and parameter values. To empirically test the theoretical findings, we analyze the responses of macroeconomic variables to an unanticipated increase in government purchases for 12 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries during 1985–2019 using a state-dependent local projection method. The estimation results reveal that while output responses to an unanticipated fiscal expansion are significantly positive when the tax-GDP ratio is high, they are statistically indistinguishable from zero when the ratio is low. Overall, our findings suggest that fiscal expansion can stimulate output more effectively at high tax rates, unlike the well-known predictions of the traditional Keynesian model.

Property rights protection and intangible investment in the Sub-Saharan African non-financial firms

This empirical study examines the impact of property rights on intangible investments in sub-Saharan African (SSA) non-financial firms using firm-level data. The study employs a local projections methodology for twelve SSA countries over the period 1996–2020. Our empirical results show that property rights protection increases intangible investment in non-financial firms in the SSA region. This effect is significant for the SSA region in the long run.

Local agricultural markets and external shocks – the case of Poland

Abstract We quantify the role of individual factors in shaping the domestic prices of selected grains and oilseeds in Poland and test the hypothesis of whether a favorable supply situation can isolate the domestic market from external shocks. We carried out estimations using error correction and local projection econometric models. The results lead to the following conclusions. First, futures contracts have a significant impact on domestic prices of wheat, corn, and rapeseed. Second, an important factor that determines the prices of wheat, corn, and rapeseed is the EUR/PLN exchange rate. However, the strength of this influence and its time horizon differs strongly depending on the analyzed commodity. Third, the influence of other factors is limited. The obtained results indicate that Poland’s relatively high degree of self-sufficiency in the production of wheat, corn, and rapeseed does not isolate the prices of these agricultural commodities from the impact of external factors.

Participatory analysis of disaster risk creation in Brazilian coastal cities: bridging remote sensing and citizen generated data

Purpose This paper aimed to develop a participatory methodology to analyze the disaster risk creation in coastal cities, based on an approach that combines social, urban, environmental and disaster risk elements. Design/methodology/approach The methodology uses some aspects of three theoretical approaches in a complementary way: i) the Pressure and Release (PAR) framework for the identification of dynamic pressures that contribute to disaster risk creation; ii) the application of Drivers, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) framework to analyze environmental dimensions; and iii) urban analysis, applying the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) tool to classify urban processes. The methodology combined the use of satellite remote sensing data to analyze the urban sprawl and citizen science methods to collect social and environmental data, using the case study of the watershed of the Juqueriquerê River in the coastal city of Caraguatatuba, Brazil. The pilot project was part of a local university extension project of the undergraduate course on Architecture and Urban Planning and also engaged residents and city hall representatives. Findings The satellite remote sense data analysis indicated a continuous urban sprawl between 1985 and 2020, especially in the south of the Juqueriquerê watershed, reducing urban drainage and increasing the extension and water depth of urban flooding and riverine floods. Using citizen science methods, undergraduates identified settlements with limited economic resources to elevate houses and a lack of infrastructure to promote a resilient coastal city. After identifying the dynamic pressures that contribute to disaster risk creation and the weaknesses and strengths of a resilient city, undergraduate students proposed urban planning interventions and gray and green infrastructure projects to mitigate disaster risks. Social implications The paper identifies urban sprawl in disaster-prone areas as one of the risk factors contributing to disaster. It also comprehensively analyzes differences between different zones in the Juqueriqere River, which will be useful for policy-making. Originality/value The method presented an interdisciplinary approach that used satellite remote sensing data and citizen science techniques to analyze disaster risks in coastal cities. The multidimensional approach used to evaluate risks is useful and can be replicated in other similar studies to gain a more comprehensive understanding of disaster risks.

Environmental Literacy among Primary Level Students in Bangladesh: A Comparative Study between Urban and Rural Areas

Environmental literacy (EL) is considered a key skill for primary students who will be responsible for solving the environmental problems that affect Bangladesh and other countries. This study explored the EL of primary students in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh, using the five EL components: knowledge, skill, awareness, attitude, ability to evaluate, and participation, declared in 1977 Tbilisi conference on environment education. A qualitative approach was used, and data were collected through surveys, focus group discussions, and student interviews. Thematic and descriptive analysis was performed on the findings. The results indicated that urban students had higher EL scores than rural students in all components. The study also suggested the implications of the findings for curriculum developers, policymakers, environmental NGOs, local project planners, and future research. Teacher’s World: Journal of Education and Res arch, 50(1): 21-42

Random Subspace Local Projections

Abstract We show how random subspace methods can be adapted to estimating local projections with many controls. Random subspace methods have their roots in the machine learning literature and are implemented by averaging over regressions estimated over different combinations of subsets of these controls. We document three key results: (i) Our approach can successfully recover the impulse response functions across Monte Carlo experiments representative of different macroeconomic settings and identification schemes. (ii) Our results suggest that random subspace methods are more accurate than other dimension reduction methods if the underlying large dataset has a factor structure similar to typical macroeconomic datasets such as FRED-MD. (iii) Our approach leads to differences in the estimated impulse response functions relative to benchmark methods when applied to two widely studied empirical applications.

Public’s Visual Preferences Survey Facilitates Community-Based Design and Color Standards Creation

According to research, there is a disparity in the aesthetic design preferences of the public and architects. This is especially noticeable in urban areas environments, where there is a wide range of demographic variables and a lack of active public involvement in decision-making. The study included a visual preference survey to evaluate the perception and ranking of two dominant color schemes in local development projects in Stockholm across different age, ethnicity, and gender groups from Sweden. Over 400 people participated in the survey, which used photo-elicitation and a literature review. The objective was to determine the extent of divergence and disparities in the ranking of color schemes. The first dominant color schemes are a group of four analogous colors related to the Natural Color System’s (NSC’s) basic colors. The second is a group of four neutral colors that are related to grayscale colors. The study demonstrates that one could also measure building color schemes using visual preference ranking. Moreover, the research introduced a unique method for city planners to understand diverse ethnic, gender, and age group perceptions of color schemes in current projects, promoting active participation in decision-making and providing valuable insights. These insights can enhance people’s sense of belonging, a prerequisite for social sustainability, and improve the quality and profitability of future projects.

The significance of crisis identification using community‐driven model

AbstractWhile the identification of crisis situations has been one of the major social issues in Korea, the approach to addressing this issue is biased toward a government‐centric system, and consequently, there is limited research exploring the significance of a community‐driven crisis identification model. Focus group interviews were conducted among local volunteers and project managers actively engaged in the “Good Neighbors Project.” The exploration of the significance of community‐driven crisis identification, the challenges associated, and strategies to strengthen the community‐driven crisis identification model led to the identification of a total of eight sub‐themes. Based on the findings, to effectively identify individuals and families in crisis within the local community, it is necessary to expand the concept of crisis beyond its definition within the public sector, increase opportunities to communicate the significance of community‐driven crisis identification involving volunteers from the local community, and emphasize the need to enhance volunteers' competence.

Could California's groundwater resource management lessons be beneficial to England?

In California, Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) are basin/catchment-specific water organizations mandated by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014 to manage groundwater sustainably by 2040/2042. A GSA can charge replenishment fees for pumped groundwater and these fees can be used to: (a) monitor basin hydrologic conditions; (b) improve the water budget accuracy; (c) increase water availability through management actions and projects; (d) mitigate undesirable results; and/or (e) pay for activities including issuing allocations and limiting production to allocations. In England, housing is frequently proposed in river basin catchments that face water resource challenges. High profile examples are the Arun Valley and Cambridge. The current National Planning Policy Framework manages water resource planning strategically through water company Water Resource Management Plans or Environment Agency River Basin Management Plans. These processes can be slow to respond to development requirements. England might look to California's practices that require water users and developers to pay for ‘water credits’ or fees. This could involve a ‘Watermaster’ charged with local or catchment scale resource management and project implementation. This Watermaster could engage all stakeholders including the local water company, farmers, the Environment Agency and the local authority, none of whom is well positioned to act in isolation.

Analysis of the Spatial Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Large-Scale Land Acquisition Projects in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is an essential region for companies carrying out large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs). Exploring the distribution patterns and influencing factors of LSLA projects in this region is of great practical significance for summarizing the characteristics of LSLA projects in Southeast Asia, for gaining a thorough understanding of LSLA project development rules, and for formulating reasonable policies to guide local LSLA projects. This study explores the spatial distribution and influencing factors of LSLA projects in Southeast Asia using the mean center method, the kernel density estimation method, and the grey correlation method. The findings indicate the following: Firstly, the majority of LSLA projects in Southeast Asia are located in the Indo-China Peninsula, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and other countries, which represent significant regions of interest for LSLA projects in this region. Secondly, the spatial distribution of LSLA intention projects and LSLA contract projects in Southeast Asia is similar, whereas LSLA production projects differ from the former two. Thirdly, the scale of LSLA projects in Southeast Asia is closely related to the host country’s natural resources, socio-economic conditions, governance, and market environment. The total GDP, per capita arable land area, net foreign direct investment inflow, and political stability have been identified as exerting a significant influence on investment corporations’ selection of LSLA host countries.