Multiple Levels Of Government Research Articles

A tale of two (Florida) cities: perceptions of flooding risk and adaptation in Tampa’s Hyde Park and Saint Augustine

AbstractSea level rise is not a problem for the future alone. It is already affecting many small to medium cities on the East Coast of the USA. These cities are adapting to their problems without sufficient help from the federal or state government. To escape the perils of short-term reactionary ad hoc measures to deal with such problems, there is a need to utilize longer-term visions and frameworks. One such approach, Adaptation Pathway Planning, requires the involvement of locally affected people. This study looks at the perceptions and preferred adaptation solutions of the residents of St. Augustine and the Hyde Park neighborhood in Tampa, FL, two cities that are already experiencing the worsening flooding effects caused by rising seas. The results show that those living in areas at higher risk, and which are already experiencing frequent tidal flooding, had a greater knowledge of this risk and a higher desire for increased action from multiple levels of government. Also, such people were more aware of what their municipalities were already doing to adapt. Finally, when faced with two different scenarios of the possible rise in sea levels by 2050, those presented with the higher scenarios were more likely to choose a wider range of adaptation countermeasures. All this indicates the need to carefully consider the awareness of residents regarding the effects of sea level rise and how long-term adaptation should be discussed with them.

Governance in multi-system transitions: A new methodological approach for actor involvement in policy making processes

Multi-system interactions associated with the decarbonisation of energy and mobility systems represent a complex phenomenon in the acceleration phase of net-zero transitions. In this paper, we present a novel methodological approach to examine actor involvement in the governance of multi-system transitions, with a focus on the UK's net-zero energy-mobility transitions from 2008 to 2021. Utilising Named Entity Recognition (NER), a natural language processing technique, we systematically map actors and their interactions within policy consultations and how these have changed over time. Our analysis differentiates between single-system and multi-system policy making processes; identifies weak and strong links among actors as two types of multi-system interactions; categorises actors into business, policy, academia, and society groups; and examines the evolution of engagement across multiple governance levels. Our findings indicate an increasing trend of multi-system interactions, suggesting the UK's progression towards the acceleration phase of net-zero transitions. Our analysis further reveals the predominance of policy actors, particularly from the national level, in governing such multi-system transitions processes, followed by business actors. Despite some limitations, our approach offers a scalable method for analysing large volumes of text, providing valuable insights into the governance dynamics of multi-system transitions. We conclude with implications for policy making and offer suggestions for future research, emphasising the importance of understanding actor involvement and political contestations around net-zero trajectories for ensuring the achievement of sustainability goals.

Outcomes of the Health Data Research Network (HDRN) Canada and Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) Partnership

Objective and ApproachThe Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is the largest national longitudinal cohort study, following ~50,000 adults across 10 provinces for at least 20 years. Health Data Research Network (HDRN) Canada is a distributed pan-Canadian network including members in all 13 provinces and territories. In February 2021, the organizations partnered with the objective to provide researchers with efficient access to multi-regional CLSA data linked to other health/health-related data through HDRN Canada’s data centres. A Steering Committee was convened including representatives from all parties to oversee the process from data sharing agreements (DSAs), negotiating terms of access, through to data transfer and linkage. ResultsIn Spring 2024, linkage was complete at four data centres (Ontario, New Brunswick, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia), with a DSA also in place for Newfoundland and Labrador. DSAs are nearing approval at three others (Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec), and in progress in Alberta. Saskatchewan is working towards participation. ConclusionsThe HDRN Canada-CLSA partnership is on the way to making linked provincial CLSA cohort data available in all participating jurisdictions, facilitated by streamlined agreements and processes. ImplicationsCollaborative efforts of organizations such as HDRN Canada and CLSA to foster data linkages and streamline data access at a multi-regional level offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the intersection between aging and health care utilization. Research enabled by this initiative will inform health care decision making and evidence-based policy development at multiple levels, from the individual to multiple levels of government.

The varying levels of contrasting adaptation in Central Asia’s climate change politics

ABSTRACT Central Asia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. There is, however, a lack of research on how local businesses, political elites and the general public perceive the need for comprehensive greening initiatives to address its consequences. To account for the material and ideational factors influencing clean energy transition in Central Asian petrostates, I offer an alternative analytic framework that I call ‘contrasting adaptation’. I argue that the energy transition has resulted in two contradictory responses at multiple levels of political governance: a formal response that is broadly supportive of new ‘green’ identities and policies, and an informal response that seeks to delay plans to decarbonize local business models and continues to prioritize ‘old’ oil and gas activities through new transnational networks. Drawing on a model of actor interactions at different levels of climate governance, I examine ‘contrasting adaptation’ – its constituent policies and discourse – to provide a better theorized framework for understanding climate politics in Central Asia. I use comparative analysis of the climate policies of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the two Central Asian petrostates that pledged to carbon neutrality, informed by documentary and textual sources, and discourse analysis.

Navigating the innovation policy dilemma: How subnational governments balance expenditure competition pressures and long-term innovation goals

In the pursuit of economic growth, the role of innovation has become increasingly important, posing dilemmas for subnational governments as they navigate the balance between expenditure competition and long-term investments in innovation. This study aimed to investigate the intricate relationship between fiscal pressures and the pursuit of innovation goals faced by regional authorities. To achieve this, a systematic literature review was conducted, synthesizing more than 150 studies published within the past 15 years. Keyword searches were conducted across multiple databases, and additional scholarly articles were incorporated through citation tracking. Rigorous qualitative analysis techniques, including inductive coding and thematic analysis, were employed to distill conceptual insights from the literature. The analysis performed in this review reveals extensive discussions regarding the influence of competition on innovation outcomes, encompassing a wide range of perspectives. The potential advantages of localization are emphasized by some viewpoints, while others caution against the risks of inadequate investment. The effective coordination of policies across multiple levels of governance to maximize synergies between national and subnational innovation systems emerges as a complex yet crucial challenge. It is observed that collaborative networks, which facilitate knowledge exchange through industrial clustering and public-private linkages, play a significant role in leveraging regional innovation assets. Strategic approaches that successfully balance competition with long-term capacity development have been demonstrated by leading jurisdictions. These findings highlight the significance of tailored policy frameworks that account for the unique contexts of each region, providing opportunities to harness competitive motivations while sustaining investments in innovation. Ongoing coordination is essential to strike a balance between responsiveness and coherence across diverse territories. This study offers practical guidance and academic insights on strategies to align decentralized imperatives, aiming to optimize prosperity through knowledge creation within evolving multi-level innovation systems. By shedding light on these strategies, the research contributes to both practical and academic understandings of how to effectively navigate and capitalize on the dynamics of such systems.

Cartographic analysis as spatial determinant for climate change adaptation in the Hunter River Estuary, Australia

This paper explores the hydrological history of the Hunter River and Estuary (Newcastle, Australia), to identify pathways for incorporating climate-sensitive adaptation approaches into urban development and planning. The research method utilises mapping as a methodological discovery tools to visually articulate the correlation of pre-colonial hydrological landscapes, the transformation of the estuary over two centuries, the areas identified as at risk, and the opportunities for developing a climate-resilient estuary. This research aims to contribute to the redefinition of the discourse on the role of estuary planning for changing climate, focusing on four critical aspects: identify the impacts of urbanisation and industrialisation on ecosystems and its correlation with climate hazard at the estuary; visualise such transformations over time and space to identify critical spatial and climate factors threatening inhabitation; propose strategic spatial practices towards adaptation and resilience; and synthesising the options to foster reflective thinking and establish a correlation with novel policies, governance and practices. The study highlights that adopting new urbanism aligned with cultural and ecological principles can mitigate future climate impacts through re-naturalisation and urban adaptation to sea-level rise by focusing on proactive approaches to building resilient communities. This paper also acknowledges the need for site-specific adaptive design and planning strategies at multiple scales and governance levels.

Analysis of Extreme Weather Events in Coastal Regions in Mozambique

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate on the analysis of extreme weather events in coastal regions in Mozambique. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: In Mozambique, coastal regions are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change. Analysis indicates a rise in extreme precipitation events, with a significant increase in the potential for heavier rainfall due to warmer air temperatures, which can hold more moisture. This trend is likely to result in more frequent intense weather events, heightening the risk of flooding. Socio-economic disparities exacerbate the impact of these events, particularly in rural areas with limited infrastructure and preparedness. Efforts to integrate climate change into the developmental agenda are crucial for enhancing resilience and preparedness against these growing risks. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Complexity theory, resilience theory & governance theory may be used to anchor future studies on analysis of extreme weather events in coastal regions in Mozambique. Implement and enhance early warning systems tailored to coastal hazards, including storm surges, hurricanes, and sea-level rise. Advocate for integrated coastal zone management policies that incorporate climate resilience considerations into coastal development planning. Policies should support adaptive governance frameworks that facilitate coordinated responses across multiple sectors and levels of government.

Resistance to decentralised natural resource governance: Taiwan's Chiku wildlife refuge

Natural resource governance regimes are increasingly engaging various actors at multiple levels to address sustainability challenges. In this context, as a governance strategy, decentralisation – or the transfer of power from central to local authorities – is expected to improve service delivery, accountability, and participation. The paper examines whether decentralisation in wildlife refuge politics in Taiwan delivers these outcomes; what factors influence local governments’ capacities and powers to manage Chiku wildlife refuge in Taiwan; and what accountability mechanisms decentralisation policies enable. Multiple levels of governance are resistant to decentralisation, due to lack of ability and resources, evolving incentive structures, and conflicting regulations in a fragmented jurisdictional context. According to the findings, local authorities are becoming less engaged, agencies involved lack coordination, and accountability mechanisms are inadequate. The potential benefits of decentralisation are therefore hard to achieve.

Future Professionals: Student Satisfaction with the General Medicine Degree Curriculum at University of Prishtina

Future Professionals: Student Satisfaction with the General Medicine Degree Curriculum at University of Prishtina

Digital stewardship for river stewardship: creating the Richmond River open access repository

ABSTRACT The catchment of the Richmond River in Lismore, Australia, presents a challenge for record collection and preservation. Firstly, material records belonging to the community are periodically destroyed in flooding. The places where these are physically located as historical archives are often situated in the floodplain. Secondly, relevant records are dispersed across multiple government levels and organizations, posing further threats to their preservation and access. This paper seeks to explore those challenges and describe the development of a river repository at Southern Cross University, funded in part through a grant for flood recovery projects. The repository and our research are motivated by the challenges and considerations surrounding the preservation and management of cultural and scientific materials in the current era, characterized by human impact on the environment and climate change and the integration the Anthropocene heralds between the human and non-human world. Digital stewardship encompasses caring for and managing records and data, goals we extend to the Richmond River and its health.

Participatory Risk Governance for Seoul, South Korea’s Flood Risk Management

Risk governance is a widely used framework in natural and societal risk management research. Risks from natural hazards in urban areas call for the establishment of rigorous and participatory urban risk governance. In this study, we examined participatory risk governance (PRG) of flood risk management (FRM) in Seoul, South Korea. We conducted key informant interviews and implemented a survey with citizens, to explore perceptions of flood risks and risk management, and to examine prospects for improving PRG in Seoul. We found a gap between the perceptions of key informants and citizens. Key informants believed that citizens’ low awareness of flood risks hinders PRG. Yet our research found that citizens’ risk awareness was not low, and risk awareness may not be the main barrier to participation in PRG. Instead, we found that citizens lacked knowledge of FRM actions, and they assigned government bodies a high level of responsibility for FRM, compared to the level of responsibility that citizens assigned to themselves. Moreover, the actors involved in FRM tended not to trust each other, which implies a lack of mutual understanding. To increase the effectiveness of PRG, we suggest a polycentric governance structure anchored by a leading actor group, and active promotion of the participation of actors at multiple levels of governance. Communication between government and citizen participants, designed to foster improved understanding and recognition of one another’s roles and contributions to FRM, will enhance trust and improve the implementation of PRG in Seoul.

Polycentric Groundwater Governance: Insights from the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area

This paper analyses groundwater governance within a transfrontier conservation landscape. Given the current heightened interest in groundwater development, it is imperative that more thought be given to how groundwater resources can best be managed in different contexts for multiple uses and users. Transfrontier conservation areas are areas of vast biological diversity whose functioning and ecosystem integrity depends on the availability of water to sustain ecosystems and subsequently derive economic benefit. Further, climate vulnerable rural communities depend on and form an important part of this landscape. The work highlighted in this paper is based on a study conducted in parts of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA), the largest TFCA in the world. Climate induced challenges such as droughts and general poor land use planning have resulted in threats to long term sustainability of freshwater ecosystems and increased incidences of human-wildlife conflicts over limited water resources. Effective groundwater governance can potentially provide pathways for alleviating these challenges. Building on the theoretical fundamentals of polycentric governance, this paper analyses the case of the KAZA TFCA in which multiple levels of governance exist. The paper discusses how to achieve coordination and accountability within a shared landscape to foster sustainable use and management of groundwater. Groundwater within a TFCA context has the potential to alleviate human-wildlife conflict over freshwater, support groundwater dependant ecosystems and sustain smallholder agriculture for the rural communities. Understanding this role of groundwater adds to the framing of freshwater governance and conservation efforts within a TFCA and the identification and development of platforms for the integrated management of groundwater. Bringing together freshwater and conservation institutions in a multi-country context towards integrated water resource management is an initial and novel attempt which forms the foundation for achieving optimal governance approaches in the commons.

Who are the “police” in “police violence”? Fatal violence by U.S. law enforcement agencies across levels of government

BackgroundPolice violence is increasingly recognized as an urgent public health problem. Basic questions about police violence, however, remain unanswered, including which types of law enforcement agency are responsible for fatal police violence deaths.MethodsWe estimated the proportion of police violence deaths in the U.S. (2013–2022) that were attributable to local, county, state, federal, or tribal police agencies, using mapping police violence data. We examined proportions overall, by decedent race/ethnicity, and by state.ResultsNationally, 60% of decedents were killed by municipal, 29% by county, 8% by state, and 3% by federal, police, with < 1% killed by tribal or other officers. These proportions varied by race/ethnicity, with 56% of Native American decedents killed by municipal police compared to 70–75% among other racially minoritized people. While municipal police were responsible for most deaths in most states, in the Southeast, county police predominated. In some Northeastern states (and Alaska), state police were responsible for > 40% of deaths.ConclusionsWe identify wide geographic & racial/ethnic variation in the agencies responsible for fatal police violence. Findings suggest that the budgetary and infrastructural shifts required to prevent fatal police violence need to occur at multiple levels of government.

Tracing Internal Migration Governance in India Through a ‘Mainstreaming’ Lens

The COVID-19 migrant crisis was a watershed moment for internal migration, driving home the importance of inclusionary frameworks and action. Despite the lack of an omnibus migration policy, several disparate policy initiatives have emerged at multiple levels of government, across various sectors and involving multiple stakeholder types. This article traces and analyses internal migration policy in India over time, particularly how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped responses. In doing so, it builds on the idea of ‘mainstreaming’, a reflexive approach to policymaking that Peter Scholten proposed to address such complex policy areas as migration. The article argues that a nascent framework for migration governance is evolving in India and offers suggestions on how mainstreaming can help streamline research and policy design for enhanced migrant inclusion.

5G Wales Unlocked.

This paper examines Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Welsh Government support for 5G deployment in rural areas of Wales. This project introduced several use cases based on 5G-enabled digital applications in Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent. The findings highlight the ongoing challenges associated with 5G deployment in rural Wales, and the current lack of a business model for 5G deployment by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in such areas. The report illustrates how the public sector may collaborate with private actors to develop an experimental approach to 5G deployment challenges faced in rural areas. This approach is based on an iterative learning process, in which small-scale experimental actions aimed at identifying sources of demand and understanding the potential impacts of new technology solutions are established. The report suggests that policy action is required at multiple levels of governance in such experimentation to address the challenge of deploying new 5G, and to ensure that firms and public service provision in rural parts of Wales are not disadvantaged.

A holistic framework for evaluating and planning sustainable rural drinking water projects in sub-Saharan Africa

Clean water facilities and services are failing the population of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), hindering the goal of “Water for All” owing to unsustainable drinking water projects and infrastructure. A vast body of literature has examined the lack of sustainability in drinking water projects, identifying: economic, technological, planning, social and political factors. However, much of the existing literature reflects fragmented and siloed thinking, often focusing on specific issues without a holistic view, masking root causes, and overlooking multi-level stakeholder involvement, necessitating deeper analysis. In addition, most studies view individual projects as pertaining to a single spatial level—such as the village level—detached from its regional or global ecosystem. This paper introduces the “Holistic Integrated Framework” developed through a study in Siaya County, Kenya, on the sustainability of water projects aimed at bridging these gaps. This tool can enhance our understanding of sustainability, allowing for a comprehensive examination and understanding of the problems. It enables the identification of multiple spatial and governance levels and their cross referencing with sustainability categories. It uncovers essential underlying factors driving project sustainability and assesses stakeholders' interconnectedness as well as the direct impact of their actions, thus assisting in addressing the myriad obstacles to sustainability. Furthermore, it identifies the regional feedback loops that perpetuate these problems. The tool is exemplified through a case study illustrating the complexity and fragility of sustainability's, emphasizing the need for a detailed, comprehensive analysis to mitigate risks.

Responding to whom? An experimental study of the dynamics of responsiveness to interest groups and the public

ABSTRACT While politicians are commonly depicted as having strong incentives to be responsive to both interest groups and citizens to govern and maintain office, the literature lacks designs that allow for assessing the causal effect of both types of actors on individual policy-makers. This study addresses this gap by formulating theoretical propositions regarding responsiveness of politicians to both public opinion and interest groups and testing them in a vignette experiment with responses from over 2000 Danish and Dutch local, regional and national elected representatives. Our study finds important differences in the dynamics of responsiveness to the two types of actors: Public opinion has a strong direct effect on the intended voting behaviour of politicians, whereas the effects of interest groups are weaker and mainly demonstrate the potential to influence the views of ideologically aligned legislators. Left-wing politicians, in particular, are responsive to civil society groups. These results have implications for understanding political representation and the role of interest groups across multiple levels of government. While the heightened sensitivity of politicians to some aligned groups creates a risk of policy-making biases, it is reassuring that interest groups have a weaker effect than public opinion and primarily hold potential to influence like-minded politicians.

How do publicly procured school meals programmes in sub-Saharan Africa improve nutritional outcomes for children and adolescents: a mixed-methods systematic review.

This review aimed to (i) synthesise evidence of the impact of publicly procured school meals programmes on nutritional outcomes of children/adolescents (5-18 years) in sub-Saharan Africa and (ii) identify challenges and facilitators to implementing effective school meals programmes. Mixed-methods systematic review (n 7 databases). Nutritional outcomes assessed were anthropometrics (underweight, stunting, wasting, overweight/obesity), micronutrient deficiencies, food consumed and food environment. Qualitative findings were coded using a nine-step school food system framework: production of food, wholesale and trading, transportation and storage, processing and distribution, food preparation, distribution to students, student stakeholders, community involvement and infrastructure support. Sub-Saharan Africa. Children/adolescents (5-18 years), parents, school personnel and government officials. Thirty-three studies (twenty-six qualitative, seven quantitative) from nine sub-Saharan African countries were included. Six studies found a positive impact of publicly procured school meals programmes on nutritional outcomes (wasting (n 1), stunting (n 3), underweight (n 1), vitamin A intake (n 1) and dietary diversity (n 1)). Fifty-three implementation challenges were identified, particularly during food preparation (e.g. training, payment), distribution to students (e.g. meal quantity/quality/diversity, utensils) and infrastructure support (e.g. funding, monitoring, coordination). Implementation facilitators were identified (n 37) across processing and distribution (e.g. programme coordination), student stakeholders (e.g. food preferences, reduced stigma) and community involvement (e.g. engagement, positive perceptions). Included policy recommendations targeted wholesale and trading, food preparation, student stakeholders and infrastructure support in nine, fifteen and twenty-five studies, respectively. As many challenges remain, strengthening implementation (and therefore the nutritional impact) of school meals programmes in sub-Saharan Africa requires bold commitment and improved coordination at multiple levels of governance.

Governing anthropogenic assets for nature’s contributions to people in forests: a policy document analysis

Forests support human wellbeing by providing multiple nature’s contributions to people (NCP). These are derived from an interplay of both natural and anthropogenic assets, which is a process known as NCP co-production. Like forests and NCP, anthropogenic assets are subject to modes of governance operating across multiple levels, in which policies are a central tool for executing formal governance. Here, we conduct a policy document analysis to investigate how policies refer to both the anthropogenic assets involved in NCP co-production and the modes of governance affecting these, i.e., hierarchical, scientific-technical, (adaptive)-collaborative governance, and the governing of strategic behaviour. The policy document analysis focuses on forestry and biodiversity conservation policies spanning across multiple governance levels, from the local level – two Biosphere Reserves and one National Park in Germany – to the supra-national level of the European Union. We find that policies predominantly address material and regulating NCP and refer to hierarchical and scientific-technical governance. Based on a redundancy analysis, we identify six archetypes of governance of NCP and the anthropogenic assets underpinning their co-production: (1) the governing of strategic behaviour for regulating NCP, (2) governing habitat management for experiences in nature, (3) governing habitat management for pest control, (4) collaborative governance for timber, (5) local governance for experiences in nature, and (6) promoting knowledge for habitat protection. Our analysis thereby unveils how policies intend to govern anthropogenic capitals related to the co-production of specific forest NCP. The findings, including the six archetypes, can support policymakers in designing policies across governance levels.

Towards a typological framework for circular economy roadmaps: A comprehensive analysis of global adoption strategies

This study introduces a novel typological framework for categorising Circular Economy Roadmaps (CERMs) across multiple governance levels, such as national, regional, and sectoral, responding to the fragmented landscape in current literature. Through a comprehensive review and analysis of 398 CE documents, combined with methodological approaches like natural language processing (NLP), topic modelling, and quantitative content analysis, patterns, prevalence, and priority areas in CERMs are expounded. Results underline the pivotal role of governance in CE transitions and spotlight environmental issues, especially sustainable waste management, as dominant motivations. Notably, there appears to be limited private sector involvement in CERM development. Given the inherent regional and sectoral nuances, the findings critically highlight the need for tailored CERM types to facilitate effective transitions.