Municipal System Research Articles

Artificial Intelligence in enhancing sustainable practices for infectious municipal waste classification

This research paper focuses on effective infectious municipal waste management in urban settings, highlighting a dearth of dedicated research in this domain. Unlike general or specific waste types, infectious waste poses distinct health and environmental risks. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence techniques, we prioritize infectious waste categorization and optimization, integrating metaheuristics into optimization methods to create a robust dual-ensemble framework. Our model, the “Enhanced Artificial Intelligence for Infectious Municipal Waste Classification System,” combines ensemble image segmentation methods and diverse convolutional neural network models. Innovative geometric image augmentation enhances model robustness, diversifies training data, and improves accuracy across waste types. A pivotal aspect is the integration of a reinforcement learning-differential evolution algorithm as a decision fusion strategy, optimizing classification by harmonizing outputs from ensemble methods and convolutional neural network models. Computational results, using a newly collected dataset, demonstrate our model’s accuracy exceeding 96.54% while using the existing solid waste dataset we achieve the accuracy of 97.81%, outperforming advanced approaches by margins ranging from 2.02% to 8.80%. This research significantly advances sustainable waste management, showcasing artificial intelligence’s transformative potential in addressing intricate waste challenges. It establishes a foundational framework prioritizing efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability for future waste management solutions. Acknowledging the importance of diverse datasets, customization for urban contexts, and practical integration into existing infrastructures, our work contributes to the broader discourse on the role of artificial intelligence in evolving waste management practices.

Alleinerziehende in der Betreuungsplatzvergabe: Status quo und Handlungsempfehlungen

Abstract Single parents and their children benefit particularly from early childhood education and childcare programmes. Nevertheless, almost a third of single parents in Germany who need childcare for their children under the age of three are unable to find it. Although around 70 % of day care providers claim to take the single-parent criterion into account when allocating slots, the prevailing allocation procedures cannot guarantee that this is implemented. This article shows how transparent allocation criteria can be designed nationwide and how their implementation can be realised through suitable, centralised, municipal allocation systems. Particularly in (western) German regions with a high unmet demand for institutional childcare, single-parent status should be considered as an independent criterion in addition to other factors such as employment and child age.

THE INFLUENCE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW ON MUNICIPAL LEGAL SYSTEMS IN ASEAN

<p>The paper explores the influence of international law on ASEAN member states' municipal legal systems, with a focus on treaty incorporation, customary international law, and involvement with international jurisprudence and institutions. It emphasizes the challenges that ASEAN faces, such as fragmentation, a lack of public awareness, and varying political conditions, which interfere with the unified implementation of international law. Despite these challenges, mutual dependence and aspirations for regional integration demand continuous compliance to international law. The ASEAN Charter plays an essential role in strengthening the region's legal framework. Furthermore, efforts to address fragmentation, raise public awareness, and increase stronger political commitment to international law are essential for an ASEAN region that is stable, honors human rights, and is fully integrated.</p><p>Keywords: ASEAN, Compliance, International law,</p>

전국 먹는 수돗물의 만족도에 대한 결정 요인 분석과 정책적 시사점

This study offers the first analysis of the determinants of overall satisfaction with drinking tap water using a nationally representative sample based on data from the <2021 Drinking Tap Water Survey> in South Korea. Based on a representative sample from 161 regions across the nation, as our main explanatory variables, we select various perceptions concerning consuming tap water including overall quality, taste, being economical, convenience, and environmental-friendliness. When it comes to consumption of tap water with no treatment (inclusive of boiling it), we find that trust in the quality of the tap water is key to improving overall satisfaction with drinking tap water. With reference to consumption of tap water after filtration, the perception of convenience is found to have a statistically significant positive impact. Regardless of how tap water is consumed, the overall satisfaction improves for high income region respondents perceive that drinking tap water is environment-friendly. In addition, other supply-side factors such as trust in the municipal water treatment system and favorable ratings of the speed of response to complaints were associated with higher satisfaction with tap water. These findings have important policy implications.

Waste Management System: A Case Study of Waste Bank Management Toward a Circular Economy in Maros Regency

Waste management has been in the spotlight recently due to the annual escalating volume of waste generated. The concept of a circular economy has emerged as a viable economic framework that aligns with sustainable development objectives, particularly those concerning responsible consumption and production practices to support local economies. This article seeks to assess the efficacy of waste bank management in fostering the development of an efficient municipal waste management system conducive to a circular economy with a robust waste recycling infrastructure. This study employed a descriptive qualitative interpretative approach underpinned by a phenomenological framework. Data were gathered from diverse reputable sources such as journals, books, and other relevant references, which the author subsequently analyzed. The findings indicate that waste management in Maros Regency has been operating optimally, driven by stakeholder involvement in promoting waste disposal practices within the community. Establishing the Turikale Main waste bank is a testament to the success of transitioning waste management towards a circular economy model. This initiative facilitates waste recycling and empowers the local economy, generating substantial monthly revenue independently. The significance of this research lies in its capacity to offer valuable insights and recommendations for researchers seeking to evaluate and formulate waste management strategies anchored in the concept of waste banks, which can be replicated in other regions.

Protecting against micropollutants in water storage tanks using in-situ TiO2 coated quartz optical fibers

Photocatalyst-coated optical fibers (P-OFs) using UV-A LEDs offer a highly promising solution for the degradation of micropollutants within municipal, reuse, industrial or home distribution systems, by integrating P-OFs into water storage tanks. P-OFs have photocatalysts attached to bundles of optical fibers, enabling their direct deployment within tanks. This eliminates the necessity for photocatalyst slurries, which would require additional membrane or separation systems. However, a current limitation of P-OFs is light management, specifically light oversaturation of the coated photocatalysts and short light transmission distances along fibers. This study overcomes this limitation and reveals strategies to improve the light dissipation uniformity along P-OFs, and demonstrates the performance of P-OFs on degrading a model micropollutant, carbamazepine (CBZ). Key tunable variables of fibers and light emission conditions, including photocatalyst coating patchiness (p), minimum light incident angles (θm), radiant flux launched to fibers (Φi), and fiber diameters (D), were modeled to establish their relationships with the light dissipation uniformity in TiO2-coated quartz optical fibers (TiO2-QOFs). We then validated modeling insights by conducting experiments to examine how these variables influence the generation of evanescent waves which are localized energy on fiber surfaces, leading to either photocatalyst activation or the recapture of unused light back into fibers. We observed substantial enhancements in evanescent waves generation by decreasing p and increasing θm, resulting in uniform light dissipation which reduces light oversaturation and improves light transmission distances. Moreover, these optimizations led to a remarkable three-fold improvement in CBZ degradation rates and a 65% reduction in energy consumption. Such improvement substantially reduces the capital and operational cost and enhances practicality of energy-efficient photocatalysis without additional chemical oxidants for micropollutant degradation in water storage tanks.

Experimental Study on a Photovoltaic Direct-Drive and Municipal Electricity-Coupled Electric Heating System for a Low-Energy Building in Changchun, China

This paper takes a low-energy building in Changchun, China, as an object to test and study the characteristics of two heating modes, AC/DC (Alternative current/Direct current) switching and AC/DC synthesis, from the perspectives of temperature change, irradiation intensity, power generation, electricity consumption, etc. Firstly, the experimental research was conducted under two heating cable modes by establishing mathematical models and a test rig, and it was found that the photoelectric conversion efficiency on sunny, cloudy, and overcast days was 18%, 14.5%, and 12%, respectively. A simulation model was established by TRNSYS to run an ultra-low-energy building throughout the year. It was found that the highest and lowest monthly power generation occurred in February and July, respectively. The annual power generation of the system was 6614 kWh, and the heating season power generation was 3293.42 kWh. In the current research, the DC electricity consumption was slightly higher than the AC electricity consumption. Under conditions of similar radiation intensity and power generation, the indoor temperature of the AC/DC synthesis cable heating mode were 1.38% higher than the AC/DC switching heating able mode, and the electricity consumption were 10.9% and 4.76% higher, respectively, than those of the AC switching heating cable mode. This is of great significance for clean-energy heating, energy savings, and emissions reduction in northern China.

Flood risk identification in high-density urban areas of Macau based on disaster scenario simulation

Currently, most of the world's economically developed and densely populated cities are built along coasts, and populations and industries tend to concentrate in coastal areas. However, with climate change, extreme weather events frequently occur in coastal areas. High-density urban spaces have changed the natural hydrological cycle, and the dense spatial layout, low-load municipal system planning, and inefficient management system of coastal cities have led to an increasing threat of flooding in these high-density urban areas, affecting their safety and sustainable development. In this context, the scientific and reasonable risk assessment of future flooding in coastal high-density urban areas has become an urgent problem and a key focus of urban disaster prevention and control efforts. In this paper, a flood identification tool is developed, a technical route for flood risk identification is established, identification scenarios under several disaster conditions are set, and classification criteria for flood risk identification are determined. An empirical study of high-density urban areas in Macau is carried out, the Infoworks Icm hydrological simulation software (Manufacturer: HR Wallingford (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd) is used to establish a flood hazard risk identification model for the Macau Peninsula, and flood hazard risk zones for the high-density urban areas in Macau are identified and delineated based on the simulation results.

Enhanced harris hawks optimization based load frequency control of multi area microgrid based water treatment plant with consideration of 3DOF-(FO-PIDN)/(TIDN) controller

Municipal water supply system (WSS) consist of different pumping stages viz. intake, water treatment plant (WTP) and intermediate pumping station (IPS). Usually, the power supply for WSS is obtained through public power tapping sources. However, this often leads to load shedding and disruption of the water supply. This paper focuses on the concept, considering WSS as a multi-source multi-area microgrid scheme, this includes renewable energy sources (RES) such as solar, wind, etc. Moreover, the study incorporates a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and a Diesel Engine Generator (DEG) to provide power supply during peak demand at each pumping station. Frequency control is essential for optimizing system performance. This paper proposes Enhanced Harris Hawks Optimization Algorithm (EHHO) based PID controller for regulating the frequency in the multi-microgrid-based water supply system. The proposed controller is implemented in MATLAB simulation software, and its response is compared with other optimization methods such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO). Moreover, implementation and comparison of higher degree order controller such as 3DOF-FOPIDN controller and 3DOF-TIDN controllers are tested under PSO method to observe the performance as well as robustness of the controller. The results indicate that the proposed controller provides better performance in controlling the load frequency deviation, thus improving the efficiency and reliability of the multi-microgrid system for consideration of municipal water supply.

Developing energy system scenarios for municipalities - Introducing MUSEPLAN

The value of energy system scenarios is increasingly asserted in a decentralised and municipal context. There is, however, a lack of suitable tools for designing such scenarios, particularly tools that empower local planning practitioners in active participation. With this study, we introduce a novel tool designed specifically for municipal energy system modelling, thus bridging the gap between model developers and planning practitioners. The applicability and suitability of the new MUSEPLAN tool is investigated through its application in a case municipality, revolving around the needs of planning practitioners, supporting the build-up of modelling capacity, and focusing on the practical development of energy system scenarios. MUSEPLAN draws on the specialist simulation model EnergyPLAN but provides an environment for integrated design and comparison of multiple scenarios while reducing the complexity through discarding some of the more advanced options. In conclusion, MUSEPLAN resolves the identified challenges to the integration of energy system modelling in municipal energy planning, while simplifying the modelling and scenario evaluation process.

Evaluating Sediment Removal Efficiency of Catch Basin Inserts as a Post-Construction Water Quality Tool on Roadways

Urban areas produce large amounts of stormwater runoff due to vast areas of impervious surfaces. Stormwater inlets, or catch basins, are commonly used for collecting and directing stormwater runoff away from streets and sidewalks. The conveyances used to direct flow to surface waters may be part of a municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). Typically, MS4s redirect runoff without providing a means for removing harmful pollutants. These pollutants are then often discharged directly into local lakes, rivers, and streams, potentially harming native aquatic ecosystems. Post-construction stormwater practices are commonly used to treat runoff from urban areas by reducing the total runoff volume, lowering peak flow rates, and/or removing harmful pollutants from runoff. However, some post construction stormwater practices require large footprints, construction, and maintenance. Catch basin inserts (CBIs) are one type of post-construction best management practice that are installed within existing catch basins and require no additional land use while still providing a means for removing pollutants from stormwater runoff before entering the MS4. However, limited data is available to demonstrate the expected performance of various CBIs to ensure that these practices meet the pollutant removal standards set forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the sediment removal capabilities of eight different proprietary CBI products for potential use as a post-construction stormwater practice for Department of Transportation projects. Results indicate that only two basket-type CBIs met the 80% sediment retention benchmark established for the study. While not surpassing the benchmark, three bag-type CBIs did achieve more than 70% sediment retention. The remaining three CBIs (one basket-type, one bag-type, and one cartridge type) fell notably short of the performance benchmark.

Environmental legislation and policy: from national to municipal

The elaboration of the research project consisted in tracing a brief history of Brazilian environmental legislation since the colonial period, in presenting the nuances of the Constitutional chronology of Environmental Law in Brazil, in listing the laws that provide for National Policies aimed at the national environment. , in criticizing the judicial and administrative flexibility of environmental rules, in presenting the teleological bias to the dismantling of the state apparatus of environmental defense, as well as the reflexes of the institution of National Policies in the municipal legal system with a focus on the Municipality of Valença-Ba. Finally, the understanding of the reflexes of the National Environmental Policy in the Legal Order of Brazilian Municipalities was critically concluded.

A Systemwide Strategy to Embed Equity into Patient Safety Event Analysis

There is a lack of framework to incorporate equity into event analysis. This quality improvement initiative involved the development of equity tools that were introduced in a two-hour interactive, case-based training across 11 acute care facilities at the largest municipal health care system in the United States. A pre and post survey (which included analysis of a clinical vignette) was also conducted to assess for knowledge and comfort embedding equity in patient safety event analysis, and to measure discomfort or distress during the training. A separate assessment was used to evaluate the tools. A visual aid, the Patient Equity Wheel, was created to facilitate more comprehensive and robust health equity discussions by compiling a comprehensive list of equity categories, including internal, external, and organizational dimensions of equity. The Wheel was designed for use during each phase of event analysis. An Embedding Equity in Root Cause Analysis Worksheet was developed to aid in assessing considerations of equitable care in the investigation process and includes questions to ask staff to further assess bias or equitable care factors. Participant knowledge and level of comfort increased after training. The most commonly unrecognized categories of bias were Training/Competencies, Structural Workflow, and Culture/Norms. Most participants responded that they had no discomfort or distress during the training. Post-training feedback noted that the tools were being used across the system in various stages of event analysis and have been reported to improve health equity conversations.

"City manager" in the municipal management system: problems of competitive selection and efficiency of activities

The relevance of studying the problems of implementing the "city manager" model is due to the high level of complexity in the activities of modern municipalities. This article analyzes the activities of a city manager in the current Russian conditions and identifies the reasons for the low efficiency of this model. The author considers such aspects of the topic as professional training of city managers, ensuring their high-quality selection, as well as making managerial decisions by a city manager in conditions of constant interaction with both regional authorities and the local community. Special attention is paid to the search for mechanisms to improve competitive events within the framework of the functioning of the "city manager" model in the municipal government system, taking into account existing legislative, political, methodological and personnel barriers. The results of the survey of heads of local governments are analyzed. The article uses methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization, comparison and classification, as well as systemic, situational and institutional approaches. It is concluded that there are destructive practices of "transition" (inversion) of positive elements of the "city manager" model into its disadvantages, which is due to an inadequate level of elaboration of key selection processes and preparation of candidates for the position of head of local administration. At the same time, the blurring of the criteria for evaluating a city manager leads to the replacement of the competence criterion by an assessment of the level of political loyalty, the presence of stable ties with the regional elite. In this connection, recommendations are offered on the formation of models for assessing candidates' competencies, the role of professional knowledge and analytical skills of a city manager is justified. Additionally, the expediency of taking into account the "residency qualification" in evaluating candidates for the position of city manager as a factor in supporting the actions of the municipal leader by the local population is considered.

Муниципально-территориальное устройство арктических регионов: системно-агломерационный подход (на примере Ямало-Ненецкого автономного округа

One of the primary challenges in municipal reforms lies in the initial perception of the municipal and territorial structure merely as a means of managing administrative entities (cities, settlements, or regions), rather than as a mechanism for unlocking the economic potential of territories. This perspective detrimentally impacts the efficacy of regional strategic planning and hinders the attainment of goals outlined in national Arctic programs. It also acts as a barrier to innovation-driven socio-economic and sustainable development and impedes progress in the quality of life. This article explores the potential of employing an agglomeration-based systems approach to improve the system of municipal management in the Russian Arctic in alignment with sustainable development goals. Drawing upon the newly proposed model of an industrial cluster, alongside historical, socio-economic, and agglomeration-based systems analyses, we delineate the approximate boundariesof naturally forming macro-agglomerations, using the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (which encompasses Western, North-Eastern, and South-Eastern agglomerations) as a case study. The theoretical outcomes of the study include the following: 1) an original model of an industrial cluster, which singles out fundamental elements and aspects of cluster management; 2) a methodology for identifying primary indicators of naturally occurring macro-agglomerations based on the analysis of the fundamental elements identified within the model; 3) a pertinent analytical framework and procedure tailored to the features of Arctic regions. These tools can be used to refine the regional municipal management system and shape socio-economic policies in the Russian Arctic, thereby bolstering the regions' potential to achieve national strategic objectives. In conclusion, we propose recommendations to align the municipal and territorial structure of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug with emerging macro-agglomerations. This alignment is crucial for fostering a synergistic growth effect and realizing the socio-economic and innovative-driven development potential of the territories under consideration.

Exploration of carbon reduction in new municipal power systems

In response to China’s goal of “carbon peak and carbon neutrality”, a large number of new energy sources are connected to the power grid, and Chinese cities are also accelerating the construction of new power systems led by new energy. Taking Lishui City as an example, this paper constructs a low-carbon emission reduction evaluation system to evaluate the carbon reduction effectiveness of the new power system. This paper first introduces the basic technical characteristics of the new power system, and introduces in detail the key technologies involved in the construction of the new power system in Lishui. Then, the projects implemented by Lishui City in promoting the new power system and the current achievements were briefly summarized. After that, a new electric carbon traceability model of Lishui power system was constructed to carry out carbon traceability and carbon tracking for the municipal power grid. Finally, a low-carbon emission reduction evaluation system was constructed, and a number of evaluation indicators were proposed to evaluate the carbon reduction effectiveness of Lishui’s new power system, and the zero-carbon evaluation index was calculated through the historical data of Lishui, and the results showed that the new power system in Lishui City achieved remarkable results in carbon reduction and emission reduction.

Psychometric evaluation of the Decision Support System (DSS) for municipal nurses encountering health deterioration among older adults

BackgroundA valid and reliable tool is crucial for municipal registered nurses (RNs) to make quick decisions in older adults who show rapid signs of health deterioration. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Decision Support System (DSS) among older adults in the municipal healthcare system.MethodsFirstly, we utilized the Rasch dichotomous model to analyze the DSS assessments (n=281) that were collected from municipal RNs working with older adults in the municipal healthcare system. We examined the properties of the DSS in terms of its unidimensionality, item fit, and separation indices. Secondly, to investigate inter-rater agreement in using the DSS, four experienced municipal RNs used the DSS to assess 60 health deterioration scenarios presented by one human patient simulators. The 60 DSS assessments were then analyzed using the ICC (2,1), percentage agreement, and Cohen κ statistics.ResultsThe sample of older adults had a mean age of 82.8 (SD 11.7). The DSS met the criteria for unidimensionality, although two items did not meet the item fit statistics when all the DSS items were analyzed together. The person separation index was 0.47, indicating a limited level of separation among the sample. The item separation index was 11.43, suggesting that the DSS has good ability to discriminate between and separate the items. At the overall DSS level, inter-rater agreements were good according to the ICC. At the individual DSS item level, the percentage agreements were 75% or above, while the Cohen κ statistics ranged from 0.46 to 1.00.ConclusionsThe Rasch analysis revealed that the psychometric properties of the instrument were acceptable, although further research with a larger sample size and more items is needed. The DSS has the potential to assist municipal RNs in making clinical decisions regarding health deterioration in older adults, thereby avoiding unnecessary emergency admission and helping to alleviate emergency department overcrowding.

Некоторые вопросы управления рисками реализации угроз безопасности информации

The article proposes an approach to assessing the risks of information security of automated technological process control systems, state information systems, municipal information systems, personal data information systems and critical information infrastructure facilities based on the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation in the field of protection of these types of information systems, the draft of State Standard R ISO/IEC 27005, planned to be adopted in the near future, and standards for risk assessment within the framework of processes in the life cycle State Standards 59329-59357 published in 2021. These standards are based on State Standard R 57193-2016, which describes the life cycle processes of human-made systems. The problem of processing residual risk in relation to unacceptable risks was considered, after the analysis of which another principle of safety management was proposed. A methodology for assessing confidence in the risk management system was obtained, with the help of which it is necessary to build a risk management system at the objects of critical information infrastructure.

The Growing Problem of Textile Waste Generation—The Current State of Textile Waste Management

The textile industry is global, and most brands export their products to many different markets with different infrastructures, logistics, and regulations. A textile waste recovery system that works in one country may fail in another. European Union legislation (Directive (EU) 2018/851) mandates that post-consumer textile waste must be separately collected in all associated countries. This directive has also stated that, in January 2025, the rate of textile waste recycling in Europe should be increased. Local governments will be under pressure to improve the collection, sorting, and recycling of textiles. Supporting local governments could be part of a more long-term approach to managing high-value textile waste by implementing Extended Producer Responsibility, which would increase the recycling rate of textile companies. This would enable reuse of over 60% of recovered clothes, recycling into fibers of 35%, and only throwing away 5%. Today, most textile waste (85%) is disposed of as solid waste and must be disposed of through municipal or local waste management systems that either landfill or incinerate the waste. To increase reuse and recycling efficiency, textile waste should be collected and sorted according to the relevant input requirements. The dominant form of textile waste sorting is manual sorting. Sorting centers could be a future solution for intensifying the recycling of textile waste. Advances in textile waste management will require digitization processes, which will facilitate the collection, sorting, and recycling of textiles. It is very important that digitization will help to guide used products to recycling and encourage manufacturers to participate in the use and collection of product data. Currently, both the digitization of textile waste management and fiber recycling technologies are at the level of laboratory research and have not been implemented. The aim of this publication is to analyze the state of textile waste management, especially the various forms of recycling that involve a local governments and the textile industry.

Place renaming, jurisdictional integration, and political representation: lessons from South Africa

ABSTRACT Since South Africa’s 1994 transition from apartheid to democracy, the African National Congress (ANC) has advanced place renaming alongside jurisdictional rescaling. This confluence allows scholars to examine the political-economic, symbolic, and mnemonic dimensions of territorial inscription. The ANC’s wall-to-wall system of local and district municipalities aimed to rectify the inequality-exacerbating geography of apartheid and create more robust and redistributive localities. Concomitantly, jurisdictional toponyms celebrate anti-apartheid struggle heroes and cut across prior fault-lines of white and Black, haves and have-nots. Based on fieldwork in the Mahikeng Local Municipality (formerly two cities, Mmabatho and Mafikeng, in the Bophuthatswana ‘Bantustan’), I find that new local-government and district-level jurisdictions can indeed integrate prior fault-lines. Yet the process of subnational restructuring also created new inequalities, for instance across municipal categories and between traditional and municipal councils. Residents’ perceptions of local changes are differentiated: some employ new place and jurisdictional names and find State efforts admirable; others see State efforts as merely symbolic changes justifying corruption, opacity, and state-capture; and still others applaud State efforts but see limited results, blaming broader world systems of racial-capitalist urbanization. This research reveals how place-naming and jurisdictional reformulation are worthwhile steps towards rectifying apartheid-era inequalities, but require grassroots popular-democratic decision-making.