Planning Of Socio-economic Development Research Articles

Liu Jian — China

1. Present State of PlanningSpatial planning in China can be interpreted in either a broad or a narrow sense. In a broad sense, spatial planning mainly includes socio-economic development planning,...

Institutional (Dis)integration and Regional Development Implications of Whisky Tourism in Speyside, Scotland

Actively positioning tourism in regional socio-economic contexts and development plans is regularly seen by researchers as a prerequisite to practically unfold tourism-related regional development potential. However, conceptual elaboration and additional empirical evidence are still needed to gain a more critical understanding of this notion. Therefore, the objective of this research is to explore tourism-related delivery mechanisms for regional development by focusing on the role of tourism in larger region-building processes. Using an in-depth interview-based case study on the supply and policy of whisky tourism in Speyside (Scotland), we found that the mode of commodification and institutionalisation of whisky tourism in Speyside provides an unstable basis for reaching destination-wide regional development aims. Despite high-profile regional branding, the regional institutionalisation provides barriers for local stakeholders to integrate in destination management processes. Networking vehicles with multi-scalar actions are necessary to foster empowerment of local stakeholders and to facilitate regional integration of stakeholder interests. We conclude that an integrative position of tourism in the region-building process of destinations, facilitated by the mode of multi-scalar commodification and institutionalisation of territorial resources in the destination, is central for reaching tourism-induced regional development aims.

Russia’s climate policies and local reality

In their latest report, the IPCC acknowledges the importance of local governments in conducting climate change (CC) adaptation measures. However, the role of local governments has not been widely discussed in the CC policy literature. In this paper, we attempt to bridge this gap by utilizing the unique interview data from 14 Russian localities, the results of which revealed three key findings. First, the federal government of Russia recognizes the problem of CC, but due to budget constraints local authorities cannot implement adaptation actions in their regional planning. Second, only 2 of the 14 surveyed regions have a CC adaptation plan, while a few others incorporate some adaptation measures in their socio-economic development plans. Third, regions with notable agricultural, forestry and fishing sectors have experienced a more significant impact from CC on their economies, and most of the interviewed regional authorities perceived these effects as negative.

VIETNAM’S ECONOMY IN 2014 - 2015 RECOVERY AND TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

Vietnam’s economy still coped with difficulties in 2014. However, macroeconomic indicators met or even exceeded targets. The economy had highlights which were a relatively more stable macroeconomic environment and balances of major items. The Vietnamese economy showed signs of recovery in 2014, reflected by a GDP of 5.98% against the target of 5.8% and CPI rise of 4.09% from the earlier year. It is the economic growth and well-controlled inflation rate in 2014 facilitated the stability and recovery of the economy. Nevertheless, there remained some indicators that failed to achieve the target and congestion in the economic development. The year 2015 plays animportant role in Vietnam’s economy because it is the last year of the 5- year socio-economic development plan. Only by stabilizing the macroeconomic environment, boosting manufacturing and trading activities, efficiently implementing the restructuring of the economy, changing growth model and a wide range of other tasks, successful global integration, and enhancing the competitiveness of the economy can Vietnam meet 2015’s economic development targets

Miasto w ujęciu systemowym

Od czasu sformułowania przez L. von Bertalanffy’ego ogólnej teorii systemów badaną oraz kształtowaną rzeczywistość, jeśli tylko jest funkcjonalną całością, traktuje się jako system. Koncepcja systemowa wydaje się szczególnie użyteczna w przypadku badania i planowania rozwoju oraz funkcjonowania jednostek terytorialnego podziału kraju, w tym także miast. Doceniając rolę ujęcia systemowego w badaniach poznawczych oraz planowaniu rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego i przestrzennego, przedstawia się trzy modele systemowe, w których miasto traktowane jest jako: (1) terytorialny system społeczny, (2) ekosystem oraz (3) organizm. I choć każdy z tych modeli może mieć efektywne zastosowanie na wielu etapach różnych działań planistycznych i koordynacyjnych, to jednak miasto traktowane jako terytorialny system społeczny wykazuje szczególną użyteczność przy określaniu przedmiotu działań planistycznych, zarówno w planowaniu społeczno-gospodarczym, jak i przestrzennym, model miasta-ekosystemu – przy planowaniu zagospodarowania przestrzennego, formułowaniu kierunków polityki urbanistycznej i ekologicznej oraz kształtowaniu środowiska życia, natomiast model miasta-organizmu – w planowaniu oraz koordynacji rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego i przestrzennego, a także przy wyznaczaniu kierunków polityki miejskiej. To ostatnie ujęcie może ponadto odegrać szczególną rolę w dostosowaniu poziomu rozwoju infrastruktury miejskiej oraz struktury przestrzenno-funkcjonalnej miasta do potrzeb mieszkańców oraz ich aktywności czasowej.

Impacts of Seasonal Climate Variability on Rice Production in the Central Highlands of Vietnam

Abstract This case study was done to determine the impact of seasonal climate variability on rice production in the Nam Dong District, Central Highland of Vietnam. The Ordinary Least Square method was applied to establish the relationships between climatic factors and rice yields in two different growing seasons. The climatic factors are average maximum temperature (avemaxT), average minimum temperature (aveminT) and average rainfall (averain). The rice growing seasons are known as the Winter-Spring (WS) and Summer-Autumn (SA) season. The data of climate factors and rice yield during these two growing seasons were collected from District Meteorological Station and District Statistical Office over 27 years. The data used was from the years 1986 to 2012. A focus group discussion also was held with local rice farmers. The information gathered during this discussion was processed by using the timeline trend, which is a Participatory Rural Approach (PRA) tool. The farmers were invited to share their thoughts, experiences and opinions related to the impact of climate variability on their individual rice production. Moreover, an in-depth interview was conducted with local extension and agricultural officers to discuss the past losses of rice production caused by climate variability that occurred in Nam Dong district. The results from Ordinary Least Square show that seasonal averain, avemaxT, and aveminT had significant effect on rice yield. While, it was found that the seasonal averain factor had a positive relationship with rice yield and that the seasonal avemaxT affected adversely on rice yield of the two growing seasons. In addition, rice yield in the SA season did not relate to seasonal aveminT. This climate variable had positive impact on WS rice yield at statistical significant level. Moreover, participants in the focus group discussion reported that many climate events were irregular and unpredictable. An example of this is that droughts occurred more frequently, which caused negative impact on rice production. The result of in-depth interview also confirmed that drought, storm, pest and disease were the main cause losses of rice production under climate variability. The research results provide valuable information to assist local governments in rural socioeconomic development plans to minimize the impacts of adverse climate conditions. Moreover, Meteorological Stations, agricultural and extension units will also benefit from this data to help improve their communication methods when disseminating to the farmers current or accurate climate conditions, climate predictions and climate patterns.

Orientations and Solutions to Restructuring of the Economy in Association with Growth Model Innovation up to 2020

The paper is based on Resolution of CPV National Congress XI and Conclusion of the third conference of CPV Central Executive Committee of term XI on restructuring of the economy and innovation in growth model which has been institutionalized and implemented as a central task for the whole 5-year Socioeconomic Development Plan 2011-2015. The implementation of the plan has produced several important results along with certain shortcomings that should be dealt with in the coming years. This paper provides some general estimates of the socioeconomic development in recent years and offers some directions and solutions needed for promoting the restructuring of the economy and innovation in the growth model up to 2020.

Fallow land mapping for better crop monitoring in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain using HJ-1 CCD data

The prediction of grain production is essential for socio-economic development planning, guidance and control of macro cropping structure adjustment. Fallow areas should be identified each growing season which is critical for grain production prediction. This paper focuses on fallow arable land monitoring during summer grain season in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain using China Environment Satellite HJ-1 CCD data. With the two satellites HJ-1A and HJ-1B, high temporal Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) can be obtained. HJ-1 CCD data were acquired from early March to early June in 2010 over the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. Multi-temporal HJ-1 CCD data were pre-processed and time series of NDVI were derived. An algorithm for separating cropped and fallow areas was developed based on three key periods of NDVI in early-March, mid-April and mid-May, 2010. The influence of fallow arable lands to yield estimation and crop condition monitoring over the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain were also investigated and analyzed. Preliminary results in this paper showed that HJ-1 CCD data are capable for fallow land monitoring. Information of fallow arable lands is an essential part of crop monitoring and it should be incorporated into crop monitoring systems. In the future, the fallow lands over autumn grain season should also be identified and information of fallow arable lands should be generated yearly in order to get more reliable production prediction.

Environmental Management and Monitoring of Mining Operation in Lao PDR

Overall, mining projects make a significant contribution to gross of domestic product (GDP) in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Benefits include increased export revenues, provision of royalty and tax income to the government, technology transfer, worker training and the creation of a skilled workforce. This can also lead to improved social, physical, legal and financial infrastructure due to development around the mining areas such as roads, electricity and water distribution. Managed properly, economic benefits from mining projects can benefit future generations,even after operations have ceased. For Lao PDR, rapid expansion of the mining sector is seen as vital to economic development. In the National Socio-Economic Development Plan, mining was prioritized as a key sector to help Lao PDR achieve its goal to graduate from its status as least developed country by 2020. Government revenues from mining projects are a major contributor to the country’s National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy. Environmental management and monitoring of the operations of mining projects are essential in order to identify and mitigate potential negative environmental impacts. Such impacts may be minimized through the use of mining industry best practice as well as compliance with Government of Laos (GoL) and international environmental standards and regulations. The environmental management and monitoring process first identifies and quantifies potential impacts of a mine’s operation on land, water, atmospheric and biological resources, as well as on human settlements. Secondly,measures are proposed to avoid or mitigate identified adverse impacts, including a specific requirement for a mine closure and rehabilitation plan.

The evolution and features of the system and mechanisms of planning and implementation of socio-economic development in the countries of the Visegrad group

The evolution and features of the system and mechanisms of planning and implementation of socio-economic development in the countries of the Visegrad group

Вирішення завдання цілепокладання при плануванні соціально-економічного розвитку

Now, both in Russia and in Ukraine there is an increased interest in the pro-gram-target planning of socio-economic development. In this regard, in an article in the framework of the program-target planning the necessity of solution of the task of goal-setting is presented. Author offers solution of this problem based on the SWOT analysis method, which provides a definition of the main directions and implementation risks of various foresight projects.

Sustainable Energy Maintaining into Local Development Plan in Nepal

Over 50% of Nepal’s economy depends on natural resources. Environment and poverty issues are linked closely. Therefore, Nepal needs to follow sustainable development path that takes an account of poor as well as contributes to sustainable development of environment. Many poor women and children suffer from respiratory problems related to indoor air pollution and suffer lack of economic opportunities due to lack of energy access. Sustainable energy management could be a viable strategy to address twin objectives of poverty alleviation and environment management. Effective management of national energy sector and energy development and expansion in rural areas will contribute directly in the improvement of the overall rural population’s living standard through maintaining ecological balance, save time in collection of fuel wood, generate additional employment opportunities, improve health and increase access to education to rural children. Sustainable development depends in large measure on successfully integrating environment and energy into economic planning and decision-making, a process known as environmental mainstreaming. Successful mainstreaming can be achieved only when the pro-poor environmental linked alternative energy program and activities are adequately incorporated in socio-economic development plan and programs of local bodies. While reviewing 15 District and five Municipal Annual Development Plans, it was revealed that 95%local bodies have considered environment as a major program in their annual development plan. Only 50% local bodies have included alternative energy management program in this annual development plans. Moreover, less than 1% program as well as budgets of the studied District Development Committee and Municipalities were directed towards addressing the energy demands of local communities. To better address the environment in general and energy in particular issues it is imperative further enhance the capacity of local bodies.

Monetary and Fiscal Policies Some Problems of Coordination

The Vietnam?s government, in its socioeconomic development plan for 2013, confirms the following overall targets: macroeconomic stability, a lower inflation rate, a higher growth rate, promotion of three strategic breakthroughs associated with restructuring of the economy, and a new economic growth model to ensure social security and welfare, higher efficiency in diplomatic activities and international integration, national defense, and sociopolitical stability at the service of sustainable economic development in upcoming years. Accordingly, GDP is expected to rise by 5.5%; export turnover goes up by some 10%; the trade gap is pegged at the 8% level, budget overspend is kept at 4.8% of GDP at most, CPI increases by 8%, the gross investment equals 30% of GDP; the ratio of poor households reduces by 2% and the ratio of poor localities decreases by 4%. The government also indicates a need to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to curb inflation, enhance the macroeconomic stability, settle setbacks, enable enterprises to access sources of capital, cool down the interest rate in conformity with reduction in inflation rate, and encourage commercial banks to extend low-interest loans to the fields of agriculture and export production. The present paper is based on the theories of relationship between fiscal and monetary policies to indicate aspects that need coordination when implementing these two policies in Vietnam at present to carry out effectively Governmental Resolution concerning the 2013 socioeconomic development.

海岸带区域综合承载力评估指标体系的构建与应用——以南通市为例

As an indispensable homestead of human activity,the ecosystem witnesses a large number of human activities.Undoubtedly,the development of socio-economic consumes a variety of natural resources,which places tremendous pressure on the ecosystem. Nevertheless,socio-economic development is the foundation to the human society. Especially,only when the ecosystem is under-loading state,the human economic activities will development sustainably. The coastal zone is not only an important area of Chinese economic in the future,but also a complex compound ecosystem of natural,social and economic. The complexity requires us to realize the coastal ecosystem by using compound ecosystem theory. The Integrated Carrying Capacity( ICC) refers to a comprehensive capacity,in a given period and space resources,to support the regional long-term sustainable development. Therefore the assessment of coastal ICC is essentially important for the coordinated and sustainable development from both economic and ecological aspects.Through the conceptual model of the "driving force-pressure-state-response-control "( D-PSR-C) and the data accessibility,this paper constructs an assessment indices system and an standard of ICC through a case study of Nantong coastal area,Jiangsu province,China. Based on the analysis of the data collected in this region in 2005,2008 and 2009, the result shows that:( 1) the ICC of land,beach,marine,and regional of its five counties are not exceeded,but some are fully loaded. In 2008 the highest one is Qidong regional ICC,which is 2. 679 and under-loading. The lowest one is Haian marine ICC,which is 0. 171 and over-loading;( 2) from 2005 to 2009,the ICC of beach,marine and regional are on an upward trend,in which the marine and regional ICC of Haimen is increased by 124. 61% and 142. 98%. One the other hand,the land is on downward; for example,Rudong is decreased by 22. 42%;( 3) based on the contribution rate analysis of secondary indicator carrying capacity,the key factors of affecting ICC are the rate of the pollutants and energy consumption,the level of regional economic development,and the environmental pressure. In this paper,the indices system consists of three layers: first-class indicator,second-class indicator,and third-class indicator. The third can also be adjusted by the data availability. In the meantime,the study area of coastal zone is divided into land,shoal,marine,and regional. The assessment model of coastal ICC can be proposed a new research method to assess the coastal carrying capacity. With the regional development stage coefficient theory,the standard of ICC ideal value is adjusted. That can improve the faultiness of traditional method. Moreover by using the contribution ratio analysis of second-class indicator,the key indicator of can be found to support the regional socio-economic development planning. The assessment of ICC will be a fundamental basis for long-term economic sustainable development.

Water Environmental Carrying Capacity Assessment of an Industrial Park

Abstract Industrial parks are specialized areas that undergo high-intensity economic activities and high-strength resource consumption. Additionally, environmental water carrying capacity is one of the most important supports for sustainable regional development. In this paper, the Fushan Industrial Park in Zhuhai City was selected as a case study, and an integrated evaluation indicator system for environmental water carrying capacity was established according to the environmental and socio-economic status and development plan for this industrial park. The water environmental carrying capacity evaluation model was established according to simulations of socio-economic activity. Our model can forecast the value of assessment indicators to represent their impact degree, which is brought about by socio-economic activities. Next, an entropy indicator assessment method was proposed to analyze the changes in environmental water carrying capacity and to obtain key indicators. The results demonstrate that the industrial park's development can be supported within the carrying capacity of the current environmental water resources. However, it will exceed the carrying capacity in the future if the industrial park develops without any sustainable regulation or ecological protection, such as water saving technology.

Governing Climate Change Adaptation in the EU and China: An Analysis of Formal Institutions

Both the European Union (EU) and China are culturally, economically, climatologically and environmentally diverse polities. The EU is a multi-state grouping of economically developed democratic countries, while China is a unitary sovereign state and a developing economy with a strong government bureaucracy. Our hypothesis is that given their diverse political systems, the EU and China would develop different kinds of systems for the governance of adaptation to climate change. We test this hypothesis through a comparative analysis of policy documents from the two study areas, in which we examine framework policies, programmatic actions and specific actions that have been adopted to date in order to address climate change, with a specific focus on the water sector. We find that climate change adaptation began to be addressed through formal policy on a similar timeline in the two regions. The EU and China are also similar in that they use framework laws and existing sectoral policy, such as for the water sector. We find that the EU has primarily relied on integration of climate change adaptation concerns through legal instruments which set a framework for implementation of adaptation policy. In China, specific actions to be incorporated in socio-economic development plans under the existing legislation on adaptation have been the main mode for integrating adaptation into sectoral actions, though the future trend may be to develop more regulations. CitationGemmer, M., A. Wilkes, and L. M. Vaucel, 2011: Governing climate change adaptation in the EU and China: An analysis of formal institutions. Adv. Clim. Change Res.,2(1), doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2011.00001.

Development of a decision-support system for rural eco-environmental management in Yongxin County, Jiangxi Province, China

A two-layer DSS for rural sustainable development (DRSD) was developed for the comprehensive planning of socioeconomic development and eco-environment protection in Yongxin County, Jiangxi Province, China. The DRSD considers multiple sectors within a general decision-support framework to generate cross-sector optimal development schemes at a county scale. It integrates a dynamic database system, large-scale linear programming for regional managers, and integer linear programming for farmers, which makes a solid step toward linking farmers' microplanning with administrators' macropolicies. Yongxin, an economically relatively undeveloped and geographically relatively isolated county, was chosen as the paradigm for this DRSD application; this selection provided a good opportunity to analyze the relationships between rapid economic development, ecological destruction, and environmental deterioration within the region. The results from the representative scenario, Sustainable Development, suggested that maximization of overall economic benefits for 23 towns in Yongxin over a 15-year period, from 2007 to 2022 would require relatively small increases in agricultural and horticultural areas, significant increases in scales of livestock, poultry, sericulture, forestry, and fisheries, as well as significant increases in investment in both the secondary and the tertiary industry sectors. Future directions and implementation challenges for this type of DSS were discussed.

Privatisation as State Advance: Private Indirect Government in Vietnam

This article considers the significance of privatisation for the changing nature of state power through a case study of Vietnam. In particular, it is concerned with what privatisation – or equitisa...

Participatory village and commune development planning (VDP/CDP) and its contribution to local community development in Vietnam

Village development and commune development planning (VDP/CDP) encourages the participation of local people in analyzing their problems and opportunities, and finding out solutions. This method contributes to community development by improving capacity of local people and strengthening the roles of commune leaders; promoting local participation and ensuring transparency and equity among different community groups and contributing to efficient and effective use of resources in community development. To achieve sustainability of the approach, some agencies responsible for its introduction have considered integrating it into the governmental system. However, major challenges include complexity of the method, high costs (time and resources) and lack of skilled community facilitators. Experience shows that this method needs leadership that is dynamic and initiative taking at various levels. Lessons learned show that much can be achieved by simplifying the planning method, concentrating on capacity building measures and developing monitoring and financial mechanisms to help improvement of socioeconomic development planning, and thus community development.

Sustainable development of an agricultural system under ecological restoration based on Emergy analysis: A case study in northeastern China

Using China's advanced eco-agricultural model for Baiquan County, Heilongjiang Province, extensive statistical data and original information were collected. Based on dynamic analyses of economic features of the agricultural system and ecological restoration and rehabilitation, the Emergy theory was used to study production efficiency and sustainable developmental dynamics of the agricultural eco-economic system in an ecological rehabilitation time series (1980–2000). The objectives were to explore the research concept on quantification of agricultural effects of regional ecological restoration and rehabilitation, and to provide a scientific basis for planning of harmonious socio-economic development in this and similar regions. The results show great achievements in economic development and ecological reconstruction of the county. The production and living environments have also been significantly improved, but there is still environmental pressure on the agricultural system itself: production efficiency of the county's agriculture and farmers' living standards are still low. However, large-scale ecological restoration and rehabilitation has yielded some agricultural improvements, and the Emergy of the system is now better in terms of sustainable development.