Municipal Programs Research Articles

Multidimensional Benefits of a Tailored Exercise Program in Preventing Frailty: A Community-Based Approach.

Frailty is a significant health concern in the aging population, particularly in Japan's super-aging society. Community-based interventions show promise in frailty prevention; however, their effectiveness requires further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a continuous municipal rehabilitation program on frailty status and physical function in older adults living in suburban Japan. This prospective observational study included 52 participants aged ≥ 65 years (13 males and 39 females) who underwent assessments at baseline and after six months. Participants were divided into Pre-old (65-74 years) and Older (≥75 years) groups. Frailty was assessed using the Kihon checklist (KCL), and physical function was evaluated using the New Physical Fitness Test. Changes in frailty status, physical function, and KCL subcategories were analyzed. Frailty prevalence decreased significantly from baseline to 6 months (21.2% to 7.7%, p = 0.018). In the Pre-old group, significant improvements were observed in the sit-up (p = 0.035) and six-minute walking (p = 0.017) scores. The Older group showed significant improvements in KCL lifestyle (p = 0.023) and physical function (p = 0.018). Seven of ten initially frailty participants transitioned to a non-frailty status after 6 months. The Co-Creative Well-being System was associated with a reduction in frailty prevalence and improvements in physical function, with age-specific benefits observed. This community-based approach presents a promising strategy for addressing frailty in aging populations.

Health promotion at local level in Portugal: is childhood obesity a concern in municipal programs?

Abstract Health promotion programs targeted at distinct health outcomes such as childhood obesity, at local level are increasingly used worldwide. There is a need to better understand the role of local governments (municipalities) as key public health promoters namely in the prevention of obesity in children. This study aims to provide some input regarding this issue in Portugal. In order to achieve this goal, health enhancing programs promoted by Portuguese municipalities in which children could participate were identified. The search of such programs was limited to the municipalities that were part of the Portuguese Network of Healthy Municipalities in 2021 (N = 57). A subsequent document analysis was conducted to describe how municipalities conceptualized children’s health by retrieving information on which topics the programs were focused on, or acted upon, and identify which socio-ecological model levels of health determinants were addressed (or not) by each program. The 77 identified programs were promoted by 30 municipalities and only 11 programs addressed childhood obesity. Most programs focused on the individual health determinants (N = 27) and provided limited information overall, which hindered a more in-depth analysis. The findings suggest that Portuguese municipalities seem to disregard their potential as public health promoters. Childhood obesity is a major public health concern at national level, as reflected in the National Health Plans, but not perceived as such locally. Municipalities are the closest government entities to the population, and it is their responsibility to ensure the population’s quality of life, by addressing the social and environmental determinants of health. Hence, municipalities should instill health concerns in all their actions/interventions, taking in consideration the most recent evidence, specifically in the case of childhood obesity. Key messages • This study findings suggest that, despite childhood obesity being a major public health concern at national level, as reflected in the National Health Plans, it is not perceived as such locally. • There is a need to better understand the role of municipalities as key public health promoters considering they are responsible to intervene on the social and environmental determinants of health.

A qualitative exploration of the implementation facilitators and challenges of a community health worker program to address health disparities for people recently released from incarceration using the consolidated framework for implementation research

BackgroundDespite the potential for community health worker (CHW)-led programs to improve the health of people with justice involvement (PWJI), little is known about the practical implementation of such models. We explored barriers and facilitators to implementation of a municipal CHW program, the Health Justice Network (NYC HJN), led by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) in partnership with three reentry-focused community-based organizations (CBOs) and three federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that was designed to serve the health and social service needs of PWJI.MethodsEighteen in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of CHWs, partner site supervisors, and DOHMH staff. Interviews were conducted virtually and transcribed verbatim. Codes and themes were developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to understand facilitators and barriers to NYC HJN implementation.ResultsImportant facilitators to implementation included: lived experience of CHWs, as well as NYC HJN’s voluntary nature, lack of onerous eligibility criteria, and prioritization of participant needs. One barrier was the lack of a formal implementation protocol. Themes identified as facilitators in some instances and barriers in others were CHW integration into site partners, the expansive scope of work for CHWs, the integration of a trauma-informed approach, values alignment and existing infrastructure, leadership engagement, CHW training and support, and input, feedback, and communication.ConclusionsFindings will help inform how to successfully implement future CHW-led interventions for PWJI with municipal, health, and social service partners.

Solid waste characterization in the slum areas of Bagmati River—A case of Kathmandu, Nepal

Solid waste management (SWM) is a challenging environmental issue globally, with developing nations experiencing considerable difficulties in its efficient and effective implementation. Urban slum areas within these regions, particularly, have been reported to face unique challenges in SWM due to a combination of factors, including the low socio-economic status of residents, high population density, inadequate infrastructure, and a thriving informal economy. Despite these critical concerns, most SWM research in Nepal has concentrated on major cities and tourist hotspots. As a result, the condition of SWM in urban slum areas, typically found along the banks of major rivers in Nepal, remains a critical yet neglected aspect in research and policy discussions. This study, therefore, aims to evaluate SWM in the densely populated urban slum areas situated along the Bagmati River, a key river system in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Four major slum locations within the central metropolitan area of Kathmandu—Sinamangal, Thapathali, Teku, and Balkhu—were selected for the study, and systematic random sampling and characterization of household solid waste was conducted. The results reveal that the average household solid waste generation rates in the four study sites were 155.32 g capita−1 d−1, 124.69 g capita−1 d−1, 149.9 g capita−1 d−1, and 218.44 g capita−1 d−1, respectively. Organic wastes was the most prevalent type, comprising 63.34% of the total waste, followed by paper and paper products (13.72%), plastics (12.15%), dirt and construction debris (5.57%), glass (4.31%), and other wastes (0.91%). Qualitative data from the survey revealed that although municipal waste management programs exist, awareness and participation among residents were limited. As a result, many households ended up managing their waste on their own, often in an unscientific manner polluting the river water in the vicinity. The study offers critical insights for policymakers, operators, and regulators in addressing the growing challenges of SWM. Findings are expected to aid in the sustainable management of solid waste along the river basin in central urban regions of the capital city. Under Nepal's new federal governance system, provincial and local governments are recommended to collaborate with all stakeholders, including households, to develop comprehensive, multimodal SWM strategies that also address the needs of slum areas.

Алгоритм принятия управленческих решений в органах государственного и муниципального управления

The article examines the problems of choosing the optimal management solution in the implementation of state and municipal management. One of the options offered as a solution is to use the method of assessing profitability and risk in assessing the objectives of municipal development programs

Fun or Necessity? Sex Tourism And Informality in Women of A District of San Martín

Object: determine the relationship between sexual tourism and informality in women between 18 and 30 years old in a district of San Martín. It allowed us to know the economic situation and obtain a record of data on women's informality in order to reduce the gaps that exist with poverty, improve opportunities through scholarships and municipal programs and little by little make society recognize this activity as any other, without discriminating against whoever exercises it. Theoretical framework: focuses on two topics that may be worrying because they talk about sexual tourism and the informality of the work carried out by women, preferably, with the purpose, topics that are apparently critical; However, they are realities that occur in many places, one of them being in the San Martín region, where these people put their health at risk due to contagion and diseases to which they are exposed. Method: basic research, non-experimental - correlational. The population and sample consisted of 50 women who are dedicated to providing sexual services. The technique was the survey and the instrument was the questionnaire. Results and conclusions: the level of sexual tourism dimensions: work condition, high at 60%; type of work, medium at 62% and personal fulfillment, high at 80%. The level of informality dimensions: taxes, medium at 70%; social protection, medium at 86% and labor regulations, medium at 54%. It was concluded that there is a very low, but non-significant positive relationship between sexual tourism and informality in women between 18 and 30 years old in a district of San Martín, with a Spearman's Rho coefficient of 0.037 and p-value of 0.79; also only 1.4% variability. Implications of the research: proposed to resolve the issue of informality, the dangers that the lifestyle they have and the control of sexually transmitted diseases entail; also provide solutions that try to eradicate the violence that in some cases sex workers experience, labor exploitation, human trafficking and, if possible, try to locate these people in a strategic place where they can carry out this work, with the purpose to control this activity.

Перспективы развития жилищного фонда в крупных городских агломерациях (на примере г. Волгограда)

In the current conditions of uncertainty and disproportionality in the development of the housing sector associated with various differences among large urban agglomerations, the condition of the available housing stock plays a very special role. This role determines the socio-economic conditions for the development of municipalities and the quality of life of the population. The existing number of barriers of an economic and administrative nature predetermines the need to analyze the prospects for the development of the housing stock as a driver of increased investment attractiveness, improvement of the city, and the creation of the necessary favorable conditions for the demographic development of Volgograd. Based on the results of the article, the current state of the housing stock of the city of Volgograd and the trends in its development are revealed, taking into account the implementation of state and municipal programs of socio-economic development, which allows us to assign a separate priority to the development of the housing stock of the city of Volgograd. The authors concluded that, despite the increase in the average level of wear and tear and the increase in the number of housing units recognized as dilapidated dwellings, the ongoing housing and construction policy compensates for most of the housing problems. However, the issue of choosing the most economically feasible approaches in relation to housing stock, which requires financing for its further operation or liquidation, still remains. The politics of the development of the housing stock of Volgograd should occur comprehensively along the following trajectories: capital improvements and reconstruction of the housing stock; housing construction using municipal and state contracts; carrying out renovation programs; and others.

EPH84 Relationship between the Effectiveness of Municipal Public Health Plans and Programs for the Prevention of Suicide and Suicide Attempts with Their Operational and Financial Performance

EPH84 Relationship between the Effectiveness of Municipal Public Health Plans and Programs for the Prevention of Suicide and Suicide Attempts with Their Operational and Financial Performance

HIV-1 transmission dynamics among people who inject drugs on the US/Mexico border during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study

We examined HIV prevalence and transmission dynamics among people who inject drugs in the U.S./Mexico border region during the COVID-19 pandemic. People who inject drugs aged ≥18 years from 3 groups were recruited: people who inject drugs who live in San Diego (SD) and engaged in cross-border drug use in Tijuana, Mexico (SD CBDUs), and people who inject drugs in SD and Tijuana (TJ) who did not engage in cross-border drug use (NCBDUs). We computed HIV prevalence at baseline and bivariate incidence-density rates (IR) at 18-month follow-up. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was used to identify local transmission clusters, estimate their age, and effective reproductive number (Re) over time within the clusters. At baseline (n=612), 26% of participants were female, 9% engaged in sex work, and HIVprevalencewas 8% (4% SD CBDU, 4% SD NCBDU, 16% TJ NCBDU). Nine HIV seroconversions occurred over 18 months, IR: 1.357 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.470, 2.243); 7 in TJ NCBDU and 2 in SD CBDU. Out of 16 identified phylogenetic clusters, 9 (56%) had sequences from both the U.S. and Mexico (mixed-country). The age of three youngest mixed-country dyads (2018-2021) overlapped with the COVID-related US-Mexico border closure in 2020. One large mixed-country cluster (N=15) continued to grow during the border closure (Re=4.8, 95% Highest Posterior Density (HPD) 1.5-9.1) with 47% engaging in sex work. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the border closure, cross-border HIV clusters grew. Efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. should take into account cross-border HIV-1 transmission from Tijuana. Mobile harm reduction services and coordination with municipal HIV programs to initiate anti-retroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxisis are needed to reduce transmission. This research was supported by the James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust and the San Diego Center for AIDS Research.

Case fatality of repeated suicidal acts among suicide attempters in rural China: a retrospective cohort study

Individuals presenting to hospital due to suicide attempt are at high risk for repeated suicidal act, yet there are meager data on the extent to which repeated suicidal acts result in death. This retrospective cohort study was based on a general hospital self-harm register system in a rural county in China. Identified individuals who attempted suicide were contacted and followed up for up to 8 years. Main outcomes over follow-up were: 1) suicide death, 2) nonlethal suicide attempt, and 3) suicidal acts including suicide death and nonlethal attempt. Incidence densities, correlates, and case fatality of repeated suicidal acts were estimated. A total of 1086 individuals (two-thirds females, mean age 40.6 years) with a suicide attempt presenting to hospital (index attempt) were identified and followed up, with most of the index attempts by pesticide ingestion (79%). Over follow-up, there were 116 suicidal acts carried out by 108 individuals (69 females, 39 males), including 34 suicide deaths (21 females, 13 males), yielding a high case-fatality of 29.3%. During follow-up, suicide death rates were also high overall and in the first year of follow-up (846.7 and 1787.2 per 100,000 person years). Over follow-up, pesticide was the most common method (47/116) of repeated suicidal act and yielded a higher case-fatality than other methods (46.8% vs 17.4%, χ2=11.68, P<0.001). The incidence densities of repeated suicidal acts and nonlethal attempts were low compared to rates reported in previous literature. Incidence densities of repeated suicidal acts in a rural China cohort were low compared to previous studies. However, rates of suicide deaths over follow-up were high, a result driven by the high case-fatality of suicidal acts and attributable to the common use of pesticides. Reducing suicidal acts with pesticides is a key target for suicide prevention in rural China. Beijing Municipal High Rank Public Health Researcher Training Program, Beijing Hospitals Authority Clinical Medicine Development of Special Funding Support, and Beijing Hospitals Authority's Ascent Plan.

Health status, care dependency and oral care utilization among older adults: a register-based study.

The aim of the study was to examine oral care utilisation among older Danes and to describe the extent to which oral care use is associated with the co-existence of challenges relating to general health and care dependency. The study used registry data covering the entire population of older adults (≥65 years) in seven municipalities in Denmark (N = 178 787 individuals). Oral care services utilisation was computed from administrative data on oral care contacts up to and including 2019, including both private oral care and a municipal oral care programme (MOCP). Various registry data sources were used to compute risk factors to describe oral care utilisation across indicators of general health and care dependency. Indicators for poorer health were associated with larger proportions of individuals enrolled in the MOCPs and larger proportions of non-users of any type of oral care. Higher degrees of care dependency were associated with larger proportions of individuals enrolled in MOCPs and individuals with no use of any oral care services, with the exception of nursing home residents, who comprised a lower proportion of non-users than individuals receiving at-home care. Municipal oral care mainly enrolled older adults who were nursing home residents (60% of nursing home residents were enrolled). Our findings support existing evidence on the link between oral care utilisation and general health and frailty. While the municipal care programmes assisted in covering oral care for those with the highest level of care dependency, future preventive strategies for ensuring care continuity for older adults that are increasing in frailty may want to focus on the earlier stages of frailty and of general health deterioration.

Community science for assessing the vulnerability of freshwater ecosystems: Water quality monitoring, restoration, and outreach by young naturalists in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Community science models that complement formal scientific investigations are valuable tools for addressing gaps in knowledge and engaging the community. Freshwater quality monitoring and vulnerability assessment, for example, are essential for conserving freshwater ecosystems, but often suffer from limited resources. While municipal programs focus on priority areas, community-based models can improve overall coverage both spatially and temporally. As an example of how community science initiatives centered on freshwater ecosystems enhance monitoring capacity, we present the case of the Young Naturalists Club (YNC) in Nova Scotia, Canada. The YNC's Nature Guardians program involves youth aged 10-14 in water monitoring, restoration, and outreach activities within Shubie Park, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Between 2018 and 2021 the Nature Guardians collected water monitoring data at multiple park locations, and shared findings with city authorities and the Atlantic Water Network. In response to high bacteria counts, and concerns over nutrient influxes, the group's 2021-2023 restoration efforts have aimed to improve water quality, focusing on native plantings and outreach signage. This type of community-based monitoring offers several advantages, including local site selection based on community concerns, the potential for low-cost long-term monitoring, and community engagement. While a community-based monitoring model presents certain challenges including data standardization and verification, it offers a broader reach and can produce high-quality data when appropriate protocols are followed. This case underscores the potential of a community-based water quality monitoring approach and highlights the potential for community science to augment existing assessment structures, ultimately contributing to more resilient and sustainable freshwater ecosystems.

Excessive daytime sleepiness in older adults of a municipal physical activity program

Physical exercise has been shown to have a favorable impact on the health of the individual. Its combination with other healthy lifestyles can positively impact various areas, including sleep quality. To determine the frequency of excessive daytime sleepiness in older adults of a municipal physical activity program in Santiago de Cali, Colombia. Cross-sectional study that included 605 older adults from a community program of the Secretary of Recreation and Sports of the City of Cali, Colombia, during October 2018 and June 2019. To determine the presence of excessive daytime sleepiness, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale was used. 81.5% of the population was female with a mean age of 73±8 years. The prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness was 10.5%. Significant differences were only found in the frequency of excessive daytime sleepiness by socioeconomic stratum, being more common in the low socioeconomic stratum (13% vs 4% P=0.03). Excessive daytime sleepiness is a phenomenon that affects older adults; however, its frequency may be lower in those who are physically active.

An Integrated Approach to the High-Quality, Safe and Healthy Nutrition Provision for Schoolchildren

Schoolchildren nutrition is one of the urgent problems and is currently one of the most important aspects for federal executive authorities. The study aims at the integrated approach development to ensure high-quality, safe and healthy nutrition for schoolchildren at the municipal level. The study object is the school nutrition system in Ekaterinburg. Nutrition satisfaction assessments results in 2019–2020 revealed that 81 % of headmasters, 48 % of teachers, and 62% of school medical staff believed that children liked to eat in the school canteen. At the same time, a man determined that 40 % of elementary school students, 31 % of high school students, 31 % of parents of elementary school students and 28 % of parents of high school students were satisfied with the catering at school, generally. The thesis presents the proportion data on the unsatisfactory samples of nutritional value identified in the course of inspections in schools in Ekaterinburg in 2019–2022, as well as the dynamics of satisfaction with catering in the school canteen and menu. The researchers systematized data on the reasons for nutrition refusal and (or) limited nutrition in the school canteen; on the attainment of the macro- and micronutrients consumption norms compared to the actual daily rations of schoolchildren in Ekaterinburg. The proportion of children with diseases of the endocrine system in schools varies from 0 to 37 %, including those with obesity – from 0 to 15 %, with diseases of the circulatory system – from 0 to 10 %, digestive system – from 0 to 72 %, musculoskeletal system – from 0 to 65 %. The researchers interrelate the number of unsatisfactory laboratory test samples of food products in public catering enterprises in schools with the digestive diseases in schoolchildren. Based on the research results, a man developed draft municipal program.

From Alternative Development to Decolonisation: Transforming Drug Crop Policies in Bolivia

Bolivia’s ‘coca yes, cocaine no’ policy towards drug crops offers a useful lens to examine Evo Morales government’s decolonisation efforts, as unlike other government attempts, it had both local and international aspects. Using ethnographic data from the Chapare, one of Bolivia’s two principal coca growing regions, this article traces how the Morales government’s development policy between 2006-2019 broke with U.S.-led militarised eradication and crop substitution. Partially assisted by a European Union municipal strengthening program, coca policy was ‘nationalised’, permitting registered growers to cultivate a limited amount of the leaf. Unlike U.S.- financed ‘alternative development’, the new approach fostered self-determination, revalued coca’s traditional role and front-loaded development assistance. These reflect both decolonisation goals and international development best practices. And yet, despite significant achievements, particularly in reducing violent confrontation with the state, the overarching international prohibitionist paradigm, domestic dynamics, and a steady demand for cocaine put the brakes on just how far domestic innovation in development-oriented drug control strategies can go.

PROSPECTIVE DIRECTIONS OF URBAN CONCEPTS TRANSFORMATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE IMMERSIVE PRESENCE ENVIRONMENTS DEVELOPMENT

The proliferation of immersive presence environments (an artificially created multimedia environment of an alternative reality) is evolving into a widespread social phenomenon that gradually influences how people live and interact. As a result, it has the potential to reshape expectations and demands regarding living spaces and their arrangement. While numerous studies have explored the impact of virtual and augmented reality technologies on urban planning, relatively little attention has been given to the possibility that the behavioral changes brought about by these technologies could prompt a reevaluation of the fundamental principles underlying urban planning. Previously, immersive environments were primarily seen as tools for a limited group of individuals to enhance their problem-solving capabilities within the existing framework of urban planning. However, with the widespread adoption of virtual presence tools, there is a potential for a significant shift in this paradigm. The exact nature and implications of these changes are still not well understood and remain uncertain. However, through the method of behavioral interpolation, we can begin to model the key aspects and potential outcomes of this paradigm shift. The object of this article is to present a theoretical framework for potential transformations in the contemporary urban planning paradigm resulting from the widespread adoption of personalized virtual reality technologies. Through analysis, five key categories within modern post-industrial urban planning are identified as likely to undergo changes: a) residential areas; b) accessibility radius; c) social cohesion; d) transportation requirements, and e) optimal density. Residential units will necessitate additional opportunities and spaces, altering living requirements and lifestyles. The significance of the accessibility radius, particularly for pedestrians, may diminish as a considerable number of desirable locations become accessible directly from individuals' homes. Reducing strain on transportation networks will enhance cities' environmental sustainability and create new opportunities for green spaces. The concept of social cohesion will experience stratified transformations, as differences related to ethnicity, religion, gender, race, age, social status, etc., become neutralized through the development of shifting virtual personas and non-deterministic identities. These interrelated changes will also diminish the weight of the optimal density category. Collectively, these transformations form a comprehensive conceptual framework that reimagines the city. This article outlines two potential directions of change in the urban paradigm that could arise from the proliferation of personalized metaverse communication technologies. The first direction pertains to the contemporary interpretation of deurbanistic concepts, incorporating elements of self-sufficiency, stability, security, and communication infrastructure characteristic of the information age. The second direction is likely to focus on various approaches to transforming the existing urban environment. This transformation will occur through the involvement of market regulatory mechanisms and the development and implementation of specialized municipal programs aimed at modernization and stimulating population growth.

Associations between gentrification, census tract-level socioeconomic status, and cycling infrastructure expansions in Montreal, Canada

BackgroundCycling infrastructure investments support active transportation, improve population health, and reduce health inequities. This study examines the relationship between changes in cycling infrastructure (2011–2016) and census tract (CT)-level measures of material deprivation, visible minorities, and gentrification in Montreal. MethodsOur outcomes are the length of protected bike lanes, cyclist-only paths, multi-use paths, and on-street bike lanes in 2011, and change in total length of bike lanes between 2011 and 2016 at the CT level. Census data provided measures of the level of material deprivation and of the percentage of visible minorities in 2011, and if a CT gentrified between 2011 and 2016. Using a hurdle modeling approach, we explore associations among these CT-level socioeconomic measures, gentrification status, baseline cycling infrastructure (2011), and its changes (2011–2016). We further tested if these associations varied depending on the baseline level of existing infrastructure, to assess if areas with originally less resources benefited less or more. ResultsIn 2011, CTs with higher level of material deprivation or greater percentages of visible minorities had less cycling infrastructure. Overall, between 2011 and 2016, cycling infrastructure increased from 7.0% to 10.9% of the road network, but the implementation of new cycling infrastructure in CTs with no pre-existing cycling infrastructure in 2011 was less likely to occur in CTs with a higher percentage of visible minorities. High-income CTs that were ineligible for gentrification between 2011 and 2016 benefited less from new cycling infrastructure implementations compared to low-income CTs that were not gentrified during the same period. ConclusionMontreal's municipal cycling infrastructure programs did not exacerbate socioeconomic disparities in cycling infrastructure from 2011 to 2016 in CTs with pre-existing infrastructure. However, it is crucial to prioritize the implementation of cycling infrastructure in CTs with high populations of visible minorities, particularly in CTs where no cycling infrastructure currently exists.

Urban rats are the 'fall-guy': Resident motivations for municipal rat complaints.

Rats are an important issue in cities globally. Despite their ubiquity, perceptions and concerns about rats vary with circumstance and the context in which a person interacts with them. Municipal rat management programs are a service to communities and therefore must be responsive to the varied concerns of their residents. Understanding why communities are concerned about rats can help inform rat management programs to meet the specific needs of their residents. The objective of this study was to identify why the residents of Vancouver, Canada care about rats and what they want done to address them. To do this, we qualitatively analyzed 6,158 resident complaints about rats made to the city's municipal government between January 2014 and May 2020. Using a qualitative descriptive coding process, we found that rats were a priority in a minority of cases. In general, people were more concerned about broader community issues, such as neighborhood disorder, of which rats were one part. Complaints tended to be made when problems were highly visible, nearby, and when the complainant wanted the city to take action to alleviate this issue, particularly when they were in and around their living spaces. The rates of complaints were highest in the most economically and socially deprived neighborhoods and lowest in the most privileged neighbourhoods. We synthesize this information with a view towards understanding how to develop objectives and actions for municipal management strategies that are grounded in community concerns.

Review of tax incentive programs on ISSQN revenue

The Municipal programs of Tax Incentive seek in their implementations to increase the collection of the Tax on Services of Any Nature (ISSQN), promote tax citizenship and reduce tax evasion. The program Nota Londrina was established in 2015 by Municipal Law nº 12.348, in order to encourage the population of Londrina to request the Service's Tax Note (NFS). The program Nota Curitibana was created by Municipal Law nº 102/2017, with the main objective of increasing the collection of ISSQN.Through Law nº 13.953/2021, the ISS Awarded Program was instituted in the city of Ponta Grossa, with the objective of increasing the collection of ISSQN, without increasing rates. The objective of the research is describing how these tax incentive programs were implemented, how their developments were and to verify if there was an increase in the emission os Service's Tax notes was. In this way, we verified the factors that led the other cities not to implement them. The methodology applied characterizes as descriptive, bibliographical and documental research, of qualitative nature. The period analyzed was from 2014 to 2020.For data analysis, two structured interviews were used and data collected from the programs' websites. The analysis indicated that 1% of the state of Parana has active tax incentive programs. In the city of Curitiba, there was an increase in the emission of NFS, as for the program's results, they have been positive so far. About the motivation of the other cities, most showed disinterest in the implementation in their city halls.

The potential of blue-green infrastructure in spatial revitalization – application in Municipal Revitalization Programs

Opposing the spatial degeneration of cities requires a wide range of efforts which combine, among others, activities related to blue and green infrastructure (BGI). This paper examines the scope and manner of using BGI to revitalise space in municipal revitalisation programmes (MRP). In the first part of the study, the theoretical framework for the studied issues has been outlined based on subject literature. The manner of understanding BGI and revitalisation in the current legal system has been defined. The analysis covered 60 MRPs from 2016 to 2021 in accordance with the methodology set out in the second part of the study, based on how often BGI appeared in key MRP sections such as in-depth diagnosis of revitalisation area, the objectives and directions of the process, and the revitalisation projects. The last part of the paper describes the results of analysis and their evaluation. One of the main conclusions of the work we conducted is that BGI elements appear quite frequently in revitalisation programmes; however, their full potential remains untapped. The projects carried out in the studied area have rarely had the form of complex urban projects. The main method of using BGI in MRPs is currently the technical dimension that focuses on improving the quality of existing resources. To a lesser extent, revitalisation projects that use the BGI concept are reflected in the social and occasionally in the natural dimension.