Community Planning Research Articles

Psychosocial characteristics of suicide deaths by regional types in Korea: An analysis based on population inflow and outflow.

This study aims to investigate the psychosocial characteristics of suicide deaths in Korea according to population inflow and outflow, and to identify high-risk suicide groups by regional type in order to establish tailored suicide prevention plans for each region. The analysis included 4193 suicide deaths from four regional types in Korea. The data source was a comprehensive survey of suicide deaths through police investigation records from the Korean government. The analysis involved collecting demographic variables, suicide-related variables, and stress variables at the time of death for suicide deaths in each region and conducting cross-analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Across all regions, factors such as male gender, unemployment, hanging in one's own home, and mental health problems were prevalent. However, in population-inflow urban areas, early-middle age and economic problems were higher, in population-outflow urban areas, late-middle age and economic problems were more prominent. Additionally, in both inflow and outflow rural areas, there was a relatively higher proportion of old age and physical health problems. This study is significant for confirming common and specific factors influencing suicide in each region, and for proposing considerations when formulating tailored suicide prevention plans for local communities.

What Makes a Liveable Neighborhood? Role of Socio-Demographic, Dwelling, and Environmental Factors and Participation in Finnish Urban and Suburban Areas.

Quality of residential area, or neighborhood, is one determinant of overall quality of life and associated with health and health behavior. Ensuring that urban and suburban neighborhoods remain liveable and comfortable to reside in is a challenge amidst growing urbanization. Neighborhood quality has been associated with socio-demographic, dwelling-related, and subjective and objective neighborhood factors. However, only a few studies have additionally included participation in neighborhood decision-making and examined whether these associations are stronger among residents who are more settled in the neighborhood. We examined whether subjectively and objectively measured environmental factors and participation are associated with perception of neighborhood liveability and possible effect moderators. We analyzed survey data collected in 2021 among adults (aged 18-97) living in suburbs and urban centers in five Finnish cities (n = 2057; response rate 34%) with logistic regression models. Almost 80% of the respondents perceived their neighborhood as liveable or very liveable. The following factors were most strongly associated with perceiving the neighborhood as liveable: low area-level socioeconomic deprivation; central urban zone; green view from home; satisfaction with neighborhood safety, green areas, blue areas, and maintenance of traffic routes; and good or very good possibilities to influence decisions regarding the neighborhood. Only a few interactions between indicators of being more settled in the neighborhood (e.g., age group and dwelling ownership) modified these associations. In all, our study suggests that to maintain liveability, urban or community planning should consider local residents' favorable perceptions of safety, recreational areas, and engagement in decision-making.

Roles of Women Engagement in Managing WASH Projects in Rural Areas: A Case Study of Mufindi District, Tanzania

Women’s participation in managing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) projects is crucial for the sustainability and success of these initiatives, yet remains significantly limited, particularly in rural areas. This cross-sectional study, conducted with 163 participants, explores the challenges and opportunities surrounding women’s roles in WASH project management, focusing on their participation, the influence of cultural practices, and the availability of capacity-building programs to support women's leadership. Findings show that while women engage in community outreach and planning, their leadership and decision-making roles are restricted by traditional gender roles and patriarchal norms. A lack of training programs further limits their leadership potential. Additionally, the study highlights a severe shortage of training programs aimed at empowering women to assume leadership roles in WASH management, particularly in rural areas where access to these resources is most limited. The study recommends gender-sensitive policies and expanded training initiatives to promote women’s inclusion and leadership in WASH management, essential for achieving sustainable outcomes.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A CONTINGENCY PLAN

The dissertation titled “The Importance of a Contingency Plan: For the Residents of Vila Bom Jesus in the Municipality of Canaã dos Carajás-PA in Cases of Dam Rupture” addresses the urgent need for an effective contingency plan for this vulnerable community. The social relevance of the topic is unquestionable, given the increasing incidence of natural and technological disasters. The Brumadinho tragedy in 2019 highlighted the devastating consequences of dam failures, underscoring the importance of preventive measures. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of current contingency plans and propose recommendations to improve the preparedness and resilience of Vila Bom Jesus residents. Specific objectives include analyzing the structure of existing plans, assessing community perception, and proposing strategies for continuous improvement. The methodology used is based on a literature review, with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure the relevance and quality of the analyzed articles. The thematic analysis of the data facilitates the identification of patterns and critical elements for the development of effective plans. The results reveal that although contingency plans exist, the lack of knowledge and adequate preparation among residents compromises their effectiveness. Anderson Vasconcellos Amaral’s research highlights the transformation of Canaã dos Carajás landscapes due to mining and agriculture, and the social and environmental implications of these activities. The dissertation concludes that contingency plans need to be continuously reviewed and updated, incorporating new information and best practices. The contributions of this study are significant for the protection of vulnerable communities, providing practical guidelines that can be adapted to different contexts.

Determinants of acute psychiatric inpatient length of stay in Ireland.

Ireland has had an historic over-reliance on inpatient mental health care accompanied by poorly resourced community provision. There has been an increasing policy focus on provision of mental health care in the community to facilitate diversion from, or shorten stays in, inpatient care. However, little is known about the determinants of psychiatric inpatient length of stay (LOS) to allow for the targeting of community services. To use a large cross-sectional national dataset to examine the determinants of psychiatric inpatient LOS in the Irish context. Using information on 60,607 discharges from adult acute psychiatric units in Ireland between 2015 and 2019, the study employs both descriptive and regression analysis. Using negative binomial regression models, we control for patient demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics. In addition, as LOS may be related to provision of non-acute services in the patient area of residence, the analysis also controls for aspects of community service provision. The study finds that longer LOS is associated with older age, being female, and having an involuntary admission. Clinical diagnosis significantly impacts LOS, with diagnoses such as schizophrenia being associated with longer LOS. There is also significant variation in LOS across region of residence, with discharges from some regions staying up to 5days longer. The regional variation observed in inpatient LOS supports the assumption that increased provision of community services diverts or reduces the quantum of care required in inpatient settings. However, without substantive improvement in the community data collected and reported, future planning of mental health services, both community and inpatient, will be substantially curtailed.

Using habitus and ethnic identity theory to investigate the decision-making of Canadian Modern Orthodox young people

ABSTRACT Students’ access to higher education is significantly shaped by the cultural and social capital they hold and aspire to gain. This study examines Canadian Modern Orthodox high school graduates pursuing higher education, exploring the factors that influence their choices. By framing Canadian Modern Orthodox Judaism as an ethnic minority identity, the research reveals how this identity shapes the decision-making process of young adults. The study integrates Bourdieu’s concept of habitus and Phinney’s theory of ethnic identity to understand how students in a close-knit community plan their futures, balancing considerations of reputation, marriage, and career. Based on eight years of teaching at a Modern Orthodox high school in Southern Ontario, the study uses institutional ethnography to identify two key pathways: Pathway 1 involves students taking a gap year in Israel, postponing their minority status on North American campuses, while Pathway 2 sees students entering directly into secular universities, where they become ethnic minorities for the first time. The paper also explores how students manage their post-secondary experiences and the impact on their cultural and social capital. Those who choose a gap year in Israel often accumulate greater cultural and social capital within their community compared to those who enter university directly.

Lessons learned from Dread darknet communities: How and why are fraudsters targeting the elderly to be victims or accomplices?

AbstractResearch SummaryWe examined darknet user discussions on the Dread forum to identify key themes and emerging topics in fraud planning, focusing additionally on elderly victimization. Using the conceptual framework of criminogenic learning to study the process of fraud planning in darknet communities of practice, we analyzed the content of original user posts (n = 818) and comments (n = 1365) collected from the Dread forum. We identified nine unique fraud categories, of which payments‐related fraud was the most‐discussed fraud category and accounted for 25% of original user posts. We further found our sampled forum content to be dominated by the theme of learning or knowledge sharing in eight of the nine fraud categories, which appeared in more than 44% of original user posts. Our content analysis revealed specific insights into why and how darknet forum users may target people, including the elderly subpopulation, for different types of fraud. Overall, our research demonstrates the diversity of opinion and knowledge sharing among darknet forum users in relation to planning and committing fraud against the elderly, views on who is a suitable target and why, and what veteran and aspiring fraudsters consider to be important information for success in fraud.Policy ImplicationsUtilized independently or as part of a multistage strategy of darknet data analysis, our research method can be used to monitor criminally active darknet forums for current and emerging themes in fraud against general populations and vulnerable subpopulations, such as the elderly, and to develop strategies to identify, disrupt, or destroy hubs of criminal planning and knowledge sharing. Our study additionally informs policy makers of certain elder‐specific vulnerabilities that might be addressed by more up‐to‐date elder cybercrime awareness campaigns and initiatives. Our findings also highlight the presence of insider threats that may inform discussions on how health and financial institutions can better regulate these cybersecurity risks.

Growing liveable cities: an indicators study of Melbourne’s fast-growing metropolitan area

Building liveable cities is challenging; ensuring we keep building liveable cities with growing populations is more difficult, but it's a task that we can tackle together. The Metropolitan Growth Area Councils (MGACs) in Greater Melbourne are experiencing rapid growth, which presents development opportunities and challenges for building liveable communities. This article examines the correlations between MGACs and other metropolitan councils on key indicators such as population, council representation, household characters, education, employment, transport, and safety. It concludes that MGACs tend to have larger populations, more children, younger communities, and lower mortgage payments but are less likely to own their homes outright, more commuters by car and large gaps in community infrastructure such as schools and libraries. Crimes such as burglaries, housebreaking, and arson are also problems. As decision-makers, urban planners, community stakeholders, and researchers involved in urban development and community planning, it is crucial to target resources at these challenges to make communities in growth areas more liveable.

LAND SURFACE TEMPERATURE FORECASTING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

The article examines the aspects of land surface temperature forecasting for effective planning and development of sustainable cities and communities. The relevance of the research lies in the need to develop effective approaches to the analysis and forecasting of climate data, for the timely determination of existing problems and ways to solve them, in accordance with civilizational challenges. The trends of changes in the land surface temperature from the middle of the 20th to the beginning of the 21st century were analyzed, using the example of five megacities located in different regions: Tokyo (Japan), Lagos (Nigeria), Berlin (Germany), Singapore (Singapore) and Belo Horizonte (Brazil). The results of the analysis of changes in average monthly and average annual temperatures are presented. The factors affecting the formation of the temperature regime of each of the cities are determined. The role of urbanization as a key factor in the development of the city is described, the main challenges caused by it are considered. An overview of megacities from the point of view of sustainable development was carried out. Prospects for urban development and measures aimed at reducing the urban heat island effect are considered. The role of modern technologies, in particular machine learning for predicting the land surface temperature, is described. The expediency of land surface temperature forecasting, in order to implement strategies for mitigating negative consequences and achieving the goals of sustainable development, is substantiated. The conducted research makes it possible to be convinced of the need for a responsible approach to the design and development of sustainable cities and communities. The temperature of the earth’s surface is one of the key indicators that allows you to monitor the main trends of urban life and can be an indicator of the effectiveness of strategies used to increase comfort and sustainable development.

Intergenerationality in the Context of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities: Older people’s Experiences and Perspectives on Place and Community Living in the UK

ABSTRACT Intergenerational communities can be understood as communities where multiple age groups interact, feel valued, and contribute to community life in an inclusive way. However, older adults in many communities in the UK can be excluded from intergenerational mixing. The PlaceAge project undertook interviews, photo-diaries, community mapping workshops, and knowledge cafés to explore older adult experiences of and participation in their cities and communities. Three key themes were generated, showcasing intergenerationality: (1) Connectedness in place and space; (2) Feeling old in siloed communities; and (3) Play in everyday life. This research emphasizes the importance of inclusive and accessible intergenerational places and activities that foster sustainable social connections and combat ageism. It highlights the value of playfulness, skill-sharing and co-mentoring, and advocates for the importance of incorporating intergenerational opportunities into the planning and development of age-friendly cities and communities.

Nonlinear Influence of the Built Environment on the Attraction of the Third Activity: A Comparative Analysis of Inflow from Home and Work

Gaining an understanding of the intricate mechanisms between human activity and the built environment can help in promoting sustainable urban development. However, most scholars have focused on residents’ life and work behavior and have ignored the third activity (e.g., shopping, eating, and entertainment). In this study, a random forest algorithm and SHapley Additive exPlanation model were utilized to explore the nonlinear influence of the built environment on the attraction of the third activity (other than home and work). A comparative analysis of the inflow of the third activity from home and work was also carried out. The results show that the contributions of all built environment variables to the attraction of the third activity differ between home–other flow (HO) and work–other flow (WO) at the global scale, but their local effects are significantly similar. Furthermore, the nonlinear influence of the built environment on the attractions of the third activity can vary from one factor to another. A significant spatial heterogeneity can be observed on the built environment variables’ local effects on the attractions of the third activity. These findings can provide urban planners with insights that will help in the planning and optimization of communities for pursuing the third activity.

Risk Assessment of Community-Scale High-Temperature and Rainstorm Waterlogging Disasters: A Case Study of the Dongsi Community in Beijing

With the advancement of urbanization and acceleration of global warming, extreme weather and climate events are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, and climate risk continues to rise. Each community is irreplaceable and important in coping with extreme climate risk and improving urban resilience. In this study, the Dongsi Community in the functional core area of Beijing was explored, and the risk assessment of high temperatures and rainstorm waterlogging was implemented at the community scale. Local navigation observations were integrated into a theoretical framework for traditional disaster risk assessment. The risk assessment indicator system for community-scale high-temperature and rainstorm waterlogging disasters was established and improved from a microscopic perspective (a total of 22 indicators were selected from the three dimensions of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability). Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology was used to integrate geographic information, meteorological, planning, municipal, socioeconomic and other multisource information layers, thus enabling more detailed spatial distribution characteristics of the hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and risk levels of community-scale high temperatures and rainstorm waterlogging to be obtained. The results revealed that the high-risk area and slightly high-risk area of high-temperature disasters accounted for 13.5% and 15.1%, respectively. The high-risk area and slightly high-risk area of rainstorm waterlogging disasters accounted for 9.8% and 31.6%, respectively. The high-risk areas common to high temperatures and waterlogging accounted for 3.9%. In general, the risk of high-temperature and rainstorm waterlogging disasters at the community scale showed obvious spatial imbalances; that is, the risk in the area around the middle section of Dongsi Santiao was the lowest, while a degree of high temperatures or rainstorm waterlogging was found in other areas. In particular, the risk of high-temperature and rainstorm waterlogging disasters along Dongsi North Street, the surrounding areas of Dongsi Liutiao, and some areas along the Dongsi Jiutiao route was relatively high. These spatial differences were affected to a greater extent by land cover (buildings, vegetation, etc.) and population density within the community. This study is a useful exploration of climate risk research for resilient community construction, and provides scientific support for the planning of climate-adaptive communities, as well as the proposal of overall adaptation goals, action frameworks, and specific planning strategies at the community level.

Selection of media tools for community planning: A study from the perspective of communicative planning

In community planning, due to the lack of evidence regarding the selection of media tools, this study examines how a common but differentiated ideal speech situation can be created as well as how more appropriate media tools can be defined and selected in the community planning process. First, this study describes the concept and theoretical basis of media used in community planning from the perspectives of the multiple effects of media evolution on communicative planning. Second, the classification criteria and typical characteristics of media tools used to support community planning are clarified from three dimensions: acceptability, cost-effectiveness, and applicability. Third, strategies for applying media tools in the four phases of communicative planning—namely, state analysis, problem identification, contradictory solution and optimization—are described. Finally, trends in the development of media tools for community planning are explored in terms of multistakeholder engagement, supporting scientific decision-making and multiple-type media integration. The results provide a reference for developing more inclusive, effective, and appropriate media tools for enhancing decision-making capacity and modernizing governance in community planning and policy-making processes.

Stakeholders’ longitudinal perspectives on a large public housing redevelopment in Los Angeles, California

The Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere VI programme (HOPE VI) model created a new approach to redeveloping public housing in the US, paving the way for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI). Unlike traditional public housing redevelopment, CNI aims to revitalise entire ecosystems to create sustainable, thriving communities by focusing on housing, people, neighbourhoods and participatory community planning. This study used qualitative methods to explore the longitudinal perspectives of 12 stakeholders involved in a large CNI-funded public housing redevelopment project in Los Angeles, California. Our grounded theory analysis identified four key themes: (1) persistent community ghosts; (2) growing regeneration rooted in optimism and hope for the future; (3) displacement concerns; and (4) the emergence of a mixed-income dichotomy. These findings underscore the importance of continued community involvement in redevelopment efforts, especially in communities that bear complex historical and social challenges.

Stakeholders’ longitudinal perspectives on a large public housing redevelopment in Los Angeles, California

The Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere VI programme (HOPE VI) model created a new approach to redeveloping public housing in the US, paving the way for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI). Unlike traditional public housing redevelopment, CNI aims to revitalise entire ecosystems to create sustainable, thriving communities by focusing on housing, people, neighbourhoods and participatory community planning. This study used qualitative methods to explore the longitudinal perspectives of 12 stakeholders involved in a large CNI-funded public housing redevelopment project in Los Angeles, California. Our grounded theory analysis identified four key themes: (1) persistent community ghosts; (2) growing regeneration rooted in optimism and hope for the future; (3) displacement concerns; and (4) the emergence of a mixed-income dichotomy. These findings underscore the importance of continued community involvement in redevelopment efforts, especially in communities that bear complex historical and social challenges.

More than deliberation is needed: Potential for agonistic moments in community wind energy planning

Although community project planning is widely understood as crucial to equitable wind energy infrastructure planning, involved members of the public nevertheless perceive such participatory interventions as merely pseudo-participatory. Drawing on agonistic planning literature, we argue that this disposition towards tokenism can only be tackled with a (re)politization of community project planning practices. This includes an explicit (re)integration and cultivation of dissent and the potential overthrow of traditionally consensus-oriented formats that follow the deliberative paradigm. For radically political community energy project planning, however, public discourses must be fluid and participants must be open towards dissent, which largely contradicts the typical postures of a deliberative citizen who is supposed to argue in a rational and objective way, using the best arguments to convince others. To examine the feasibility of agonistic approaches for community wind energy planning, we conducted a quantitative discourse analysis on the data set of a large regional survey of an on-going wind energy planning project in Switzerland. We focused on estimating the degree of hegemony of public wind energy discourses and the willingness of residents to engage in participatory settings that can facilitate radically political community project planning (e.g., substantive participation settings). Our results show that for planning individual wind energy projects, the potential for agonistic planning approaches is low, not only because the discourses are already too hegemonic, but also because there is no real willingness to engage in radically political community wind energy project planning. In the context of early, comprehensive, and integrated community planning, however, agonistic approaches could provide the ground for open and innovative participatory planning of renewable energies.

Body Mass Index as a Determinant of Lower Limb Function and Community Well-Being in Older Adults: Analysis of 2020 National Older Korean Survey Data.

This epidemiological research investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and lower limb function and community well-being among the older population (≥65 years old) in South Korea. Using the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans (N = 10 097; Mage = 73.6 ± 6.63; MBMI = 23.6 ± 2.61), the study identified underweight (2.3%), normal (72.8%), and obese (24.9%) groups. Findings revealed significant associations between BMI and lower limb function, with underweight individuals facing greater physical challenges (P < .05-.01). Underweight participants were also found to live farther from key community locations, possibly reflecting social and environmental factors (P < .01) and expressed higher dissatisfaction with community environments (Ps < .05-.01). The study emphasizes the need for tailored community planning and health care strategies, focusing on the unique needs of the underweight older adults, considering South Korea's rapidly increasing older population.

Socio-Ecological Factors in Building a Healthy Community: A Comparative Study of Healthy Community Assessment Standards

Healthy community assessment standards significantly influence community design and planning and are an important measure of a community’s ability to support health and well-being. Previous studies have mostly focused on built-environment indicators. However, building a healthy community is a complex issue involving multiple dimensions and factors. The consideration of the full range of health promotion factors is the key to determining their potential impact on individuals’ health. It is necessary to consider multiple perspectives to deepen the understanding of community health influences and enhance the effectiveness of the implementation of the assessment standards. The socio-ecological model (SEM) provides a critical framework for understanding the multiple influences on individual health. In this study, a two-dimensional interdisciplinary analytical framework of “socio-ecological factors–development goals” is developed by integrating development goals that summarize building considerations in assessment standards. Contextual analysis is used to examine the provisions of the following assessment standards: Assessment Standard for Healthy Community (ASHC), Assessment Standard for Healthy Retrofitting of Existing Residential Area (ASHRERA), WELL Community Standard (WELL), and Fitwel Certification System of Community (Fitwel). The results show that community and organization factors are used more than interpersonal and policy factors among the four standards. Humanistic constructions lack attention in the ASHC and ASHRERA standards compared with the other standards. The differences between the four standards indicate that there is a need to focus on regional features and develop locally adapted interventions. This study offers a novel exploration of the potential effectiveness of healthy community assessment standards from a multidisciplinary perspective. The results of this study support standard-setters and planners in the development of interventions to improve building healthy communities using intersectionality frameworks.

Effects of Resource Sharing Networks on Community Anti-Drug Coalitions’ Outcomes: A Social Network Analysis

Substance use-related problems continue to be a national public health crisis despite years of prevention efforts. Community anti-drug coalitions are well positioned to address substance use at local levels. Coalitions often rely on their members to connect to resources they need to address community issues and plan for sustainability over time. Such capacity building occurs through voluntary cooperation among members, making it essential to understand the role network connections play. This study sought to determine whether structural characteristics of coalitions’ resource sharing networks impact members’ perceptions of community improvement and coalition sustainability. Surveys at two timepoints collected data from 68 coalitions in Pennsylvania and Missouri on members’ connections or ties to share information, personnel, money, or other types of collaboration. Analyses examined how coalition-level measurements of sectoral diversity, density, and resource sharing centralization, respectively, were associated with members’ perceptions of community improvement, sustainability planning, and coalition sustainability. Sectoral diversity and centralization were unrelated to study outcomes. Density was also unrelated with perceived community improvement and sustainability planning. However, two facets of cooperative density were positively associated with perceived coalition sustainability: the density of ties to share information and the density of multiple types of collaborative ties. This study suggests that both information and other collaborative ties foster perceived coalition sustainability, although not community improvement.

From Rational Planning to Communicative Planning: Exploring the Roles of Responsible Planners in Beijing

Problem, research strategy, and findings Thirty-two of China’s largest cities have implemented community planner policies. Scholars have debated whether these initiatives have accelerated China’s urban planning system transition from more rational to communicative planning. Through a survey and 23 interviews, we investigated the role tendencies and motivators of a typical example of community planners, known in Beijing as responsible planners. We developed a typology delineating three roles of responsible planners: technical expert, advocate planner, and communicative planner. Results suggest that responsible planners frequently play hybrid roles, yet they exhibit a limited understanding of their role as communicative planners. Graduate planning education in China has tended to stereotype responsible planners as technical experts. Institutional design requiring public participation reduces reliance on technical experts. Responsible planners’ understanding their roles differ significantly from planning practices in North America. The qualitative interviews further illuminated these differences and unraveled the complex motivators in responsible planners’ role choices within the Chinese context. Takeaway for practice Planning authorities and educators should highlight policies advocating for public participation, graduate planning education emphasizing social planning, and continuing professional education featuring tutorials and knowledge sharing to facilitate a communicative turn in urban planning. This approach will empower planners to better serve residents.