Public Infrastructure Development Research Articles

Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise

The Earth’s climate is changing; ice sheets and glaciers are melting and coastal hazards and sea level are rising in response. With a total population of over 300 million people situated on coasts, including 20 of the planet’s 33 megacities (over 10 million people), low-lying coastal areas represent one of the most vulnerable areas to the impacts of climate change. Many of the largest cities along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. are already experiencing frequent high tide flooding, and these events will increase in frequency, depth, duration and extent as sea levels continue to rise at an accelerating rate throughout the 21st century and beyond. Cities in southeast Asia and islands in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean are also suffering the effects of extreme weather events combined with other factors that increase coastal risk. While short-term extreme events such as hurricanes, El Niños and severe storms come and go and will be more damaging in the short term, sea-level rise is a long-term permanent change of state. However, the effects of sea-level rise are compounded with other hazards, such as increased wave action or a loss of ecosystems. As sea-level rise could lead to the displacement of hundreds of millions of people, this may be one of the greatest challenges that human civilization has ever faced, with associated inundation of major cities, loss of coastal infrastructure, increased saltwater intrusion and damage to coastal aquifers among many other global impacts, as well as geopolitical and legal implications. While there are several short-term responses or adaptation options, we need to begin to think longer term for both public infrastructure and private development. This article provides an overview of the status on adaptation to climate change in coastal zones.

Water Sources and Urban Expansion in Ruwa Town in Post-Colonial Zimbabwe, 1986-2020

Abstract Africa is experiencing phenomenal urban growth and myriad environmental challenges associated with urban sprawl. Zimbabwe, situated in the heart of the southern African region, is no exception to this rule. Urban population has continued to spike, with more than half the world's population residing in urban areas. Although Africa has less than forty per cent (33 per cent for Zimbabwe) of its population living in urban habitats, urban development has been on the rise as a result of the dynamic processes of industrialisation. In order to thrive, these human habitats required sustainable water sources. Private Land Developer Companies (PLDCs) in Ruwa Town, Zimbabwe, were placed at the core of water and other infrastructure expansion. Since the developers were thought to be endowed with financial resources, there were high expectations that the town was going to lead in public infrastructure development. However, this article shows that Ruwa failed to live up to the expected standards in the development of water facilities and other infrastructure to facilitate urban growth and development.

Coal, power and coal-powered politics in Indonesia

Indonesia is among the countries with the largest planned coal power capacity additions worldwide, thereby posing a substantial challenge for global climate change mitigation goals. To understand the underlying political drivers, we carry out expert interviews and examine how individual actors and their objectives, as well as the country context influence energy policy formulation. We find that under President Joko Widodo, energy policy formulation has been driven by the development of public infrastructure, while securing popularity for the presidential election in 2019. State-owned enterprises represent a source of political patronage and are employed to achieve those goals. Diminishing export markets have incentivized the politically well-connected and highly concentrated Indonesian coal industry to lobby for the construction of coal-fired power plants in order to raise domestic demand. There is also a strong incentive to sustain coal mining as a key economic activity, as associated royalties significantly contribute to local and national public budgets. Local pollution and climate change mitigation are of low priority. Despite the government’s documented awareness of the energy sector as the biggest contributor to future emissions, climate protection is narrowly framed as a forestry and land-use issue.

Pengaruh Motivasi dan Disiplin Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Dinas Pekerjaan Umum, Tata Ruang dan Pertanahan Kabupaten Solok Selatan

Agencies engaged in public works, infrastructure and housing development for the South Solok Regency area. However, there are still many complaints that are felt by the employees of the Public Works, Spatial Planning and Land Office of South Solok Regency. This study aims to determine the Motivation, Discipline and Employee Performance of the Public Works, Spatial Planning and Land Service Office of South Solok Regency. The samples were determined by using saturated sampling technique, with a total of 64 employees. The data were collected through questionnaires and then analyzed statistically descriptive and Independent-Sample T-Test with the SPSS version 16 program. The results of data analysis showed that motivation and discipline had a positive effect on the performance of the employees of the Public Works, Spatial Planning and Land Office of South Solok Regency.

Infrastructure Investment and Regional Economic Growth: Evidence from Yangtze River Economic Zone

To better understand the impacts of infrastructure investment on economic growth and, we used Cobb-Douglas production function model to develop the stock of public infrastructure capital into the economic growth model. It applies spatial panel data model effect analysis to statistical data of the Yangtze River Economic Zone with 131 cities from 2003 to 2016 and investigates the relationship between different types of public infrastructure capital stock and regional economic growth in different periods. The empirical results show that (1) the economic growth of the cities in the Yangtze River Economic Zone has characteristics of significant spatial dependence, the degree and significance of spatial dependence are gradually declining, and the spatial agglomeration of the economic growth in the cities in the region is relatively stable. (2) Different types of public infrastructure capital stock have distinct spatial effects on regional economic growth. The capital stock of energy infrastructure significantly promotes global economic growth. The capital stock of transportation infrastructure significantly stimulates the local economic growth and inhibits the economic growth of the adjacent areas. The capital stock of water-related infrastructure restrains local economic growth and promotes economic growth in adjacent areas. These findings indicate that increasing investment in public infrastructure development in the Yangtze River Economic Zone remains an effective measure to promote regional economic growth. Under the premise of limited resources, taking full account of the effects of various types of investment can promote the mutual benefit of the economies in the region and effectively achieve the strategic objectives for the Yangtze River Economic Zone.

Problems and Implementation of Government Regulation Number 1 of 2011 Regarding the Transfer of Function of Agricultural Land to Industrial Land

The threat to disruption of food security due to rampant conversion of agricultural land is very significantagainst land use change according to Government Regulation No. 1 of 2011 concerning the Designation and Transfer of Function of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land in article 35 has regulated limitatively that land that has been designated as Sustainable Food Agricultural Land is protected and prohibited from being converted. The purpose of this study is to determine the implementation of land use change according to Government Regulation No. 1 of 2011 and to find out the legal consequences of the conversion of agricultural land into industrial areas. The method used in this research is sociological juridical method, the specification in this research is descriptive analysis, data used are primary data and secondary data, using data collection by interview and literature study, qualitative data analysis, problems analyzed by theory, legal certainty, and Justice Theory. The results of this study indicate that transfer of function in Government Regulation No. 1 of 2011 concerning the Designation and Transfer of Function of Sustainable Food Agricultural Land in article 35 regulates that land that has been designated as Sustainable Food Agricultural Land is protected and prohibited from being converted. The local government can carry out the conversion of land functions in the context of land acquisition for the public interest or a disaster occurs. Industry is not included in the public interest, which is allowed to use paddy fields for conversion. Regarding law enforcement on the conversion of agricultural land functions, the central and regional governments still consider that development is merely encouraging the improvement of physical infrastructure, which often sacrifices productive agricultural land. The conversion of agricultural land to residential areas, the development of public infrastructure and industrial facilities is quite alarming so that it will have an impact on the national and regional food crisis if not handled seriously. In the midst of the food self-sufficiency target, there needs to be serious steps in law enforcement and maximum protection of productive agricultural land.

An economic evaluation of site-specific input application Rx maps: evaluation framework and case study

Commercial consultants frequently sell site-specific crop input management recommendation maps (Rxs) to their farmer-clients. This study proposes a method to empirically evaluate the efficacy of commercial Rxs. The method takes three steps: (1) it uses precision agriculture technology to conduct randomized on-farm precision experiments; (2) it estimates yield response functions for the Rx’s management zones using the data; and (3) it conducts economic analysis to test the hypothesis that implementing the Rx is an economically optimal strategy. The method is illustrated using data from a 2018 on-farm nitrogen and seed rate precision experiment on a 31-ha Ohio field, for which nitrogen and seed Rxs were created by the farmer’s professional consultant. The study demonstrates the promise of improving input management through on-farm precision experimentation and data analysis. Future research must conduct trials over multiple years to account for weather. A call is made for the development of public and private research infrastructure to lower the costs on-farm precision experimentation and data analysis.

Public Infrastructure and Economic Development: Evidence from Postal Systems

AbstractAlthough postal systems have been central to statebuilding efforts around the globe, their contributions to development are largely unclear. We argue that the post office affected economic development in both the short and long terms. To test our argument, we combine original data on the cross‐national distribution of postal systems from 1875 to 2007 with granular county‐level data in the United States from 1850 to 2000. In both country‐ and county‐level analyses, we show that the spread of postal systems affected economic outcomes in the short and long terms. The results are robust across dependent variables, model specifications, and estimation strategies. We provide additional evidence that suggests these effects were generated by reducing transaction costs and strengthening social capital. Our findings highlight the role of public infrastructure in promoting economic growth, documenting a channel through which state institutions precede growth, and suggest that statebuilding efforts have longstanding effects on relevant communities.

تشخيص واقع الخدمات التعليمية والصحية باستخذام نظم المعلومات الجغرافية ( حالة الجماعات الترابية بضاحية مدينة مكناس)

ملخص أدى التوافد السكاني على المجال الضاحوي لمدينة مكناس إلى بروز مجموعة من اإلشكاالت، خاصة تلك المرتبطة بالخدمات االجتماعية والتجهيزات األساسية، إذ لم تواكب هذه الديناميات بتوزيع عادل لهذه التجهيزات، مما خلق إحساس لدى الساكنة باإلقصاء وانعدام الثقة، وجعل الساكنة تفتقد للشروط والوسائل التي تمكنها من المساهمة في التنمية. انطالقا من ذلك يكتسي تطوير الخدمات العمومية والبنيات التحتية أهمية كبيرة، نظرا لدورها في تحقيق اإلندماج االجتماعي وتقليص الفوارق، وتحقيقا لهذه الغاية عملنا على تشخيص مستويات تأهيل المجال باعتماد تطبيقات نظم المعلومات الجغرافية. الكلمات المفاتيح: نظم المعلومات الجغرافية، الخدمات التعليمية والصحية، نطاق الخدمة Abstract The population influx has led to the emergence of a group of problems, especially those related to social services and basic equipment, as these dynamics have not been kept up with a fair distribution of these equipment, which created a sense of exclusion and lack of confidence in the population, and made the population lack the conditions and means that would enable it to contribute to development . Based on this, the development of public services and infrastructure is of great importance, given its role in achieving social integration and reducing disparities, and to this end we have worked on diagnosing the qualification levels of the field by adopting the applications of geographic information systems . Keywords: Geographic information systems, Educational and health services, Scope of service

Systemic Issues Influencing Technical Certainty in Social Housing Programmes in a Small Island Developing State

Underestimating costs in major public sector social infrastructure development projects is a highly contested and problematic issue. Several gaps exist in the identification of root causes of cost overruns. Behavioural science academics advocate political and psychological explanations as root causes for cost overruns against technical factors, such as errors and omissions by engineers, practitioners and scientists. Most studies in this field primarily concentrate on developed countries. Although some studies have been undertaken in developing countries, very little attention is given to the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This paper presents a case study of public sector social housing construction programmes in a Caribbean SIDS to further understand the root causes of cost overruns. Primary and secondary data spanning across two different political cycles were collected to test the concepts of whether political influences or technical influences are the true root causes of cost overruns. It was found that political explanations based on the psycho-strategic concept are the leading sources of cost risks on the final estimated contract price. This study strengthens the argument and discusses how strategic decisions emanating from the political directorate outweigh and influence informed technical decisions formulated during the planning stages.

Drivers for migration of an intermodal network hub from a port to an inland terminal

This paper explores influences on a migration of hub status in an intermodal network from a port to an inland node by following the life cycle of an inland terminal development. The methodology is a longitudinal case study of the Swedish intermodal system over a period of 20 years, based on documentation, interviews and action research. We observe the changing roles of the Port of Gothenburg and the Falköping terminal at different time periods. These changes are then discussed and influences identified for this migration and new centralisation inland. The longitudinal approach allows a life cycle perspective which reveals the importance of initial public infrastructure development and then the operational importance of integration between shipper and intermodal transport and terminal provision in controlling the network. The integration of the inland terminal in regional logistics strategies was also found to be important in attracting port flows to be transported via the inland hub to be containerised.

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as an Alternative Model to Public Infrastructure Development and Service Delivery: The Case of PPP-Public Markets in the Philippines

The study examined the internalization of core-values of New Public Management (NPM) among Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Philippines in their effort to reform the management and operation of public markets. Using Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as a framework of NPM for infrastructure development and service delivery, the study assessed the performance of PPP/BOT Public Markets in addressing the perennial problems of public markets in the Philippines. It inquired whether or not PPP as an instrument of reform has improved the management and operation of public markets.To substantiate the assessment, five pioneering PPP public markets in the country were examined, namely; Mandaluyong Public Market in Mandaluyong City, Carmen and Cogon Public Markets in Cagayan de Oro City, Suki Market in Quezon City, and Bocaue Public Market in Bocaue, Bulacan. It used organization and management, the scope of facilities and services, LGU-revenue income and expenditures, and income of market vendors, and client satisfaction on the quality of facilities and services as performance indicators. The data of the study were obtained through combined research methodologies such as case study, content analysis, ocular inspection, and interviews with the city and municipal administrators, market administrators, market vendors, and officers of market vendors associations.The study shows that while PPP has improved the performance of public markets during the early years of operation, these gains and all advances were not sustained by the LGUs when management and operation of public markets were turned over to them from the private project proponent-operators. The study argued that in order to sustain public-private partnerships in the operation of the public market, it is imperative to institutionalize reforms in the structure, processes, mindsets of the leaders, and stakeholders. The institutionalization of NPM’s core values can be carried out effectively through localization of PPP as a policy so that the necessary legal and institutional frameworks for PPP will be anchored based on the need, strength, and weaknesses of the LGU concerned.The study makes a positive contribution to the on-going discourse on public sector reform in the Philippines particularly at the local level using PPP as a model. It enriches not only the literature of Public Administration but also provides valuable lessons in the praxis of governance.

Reconstruction Aid, Public Infrastructure, and Economic Development: The Case of the Marshall Plan in Italy

Reconstruction Aid, Public Infrastructure, and Economic Development: The Case of the Marshall Plan in Italy

The Neutrality Pyramid: A policy framework to distribute power over the net

The internet used to be considered as a catalyst of positive social change. Yet such claims have become rare. Structured as a document for action in four steps, this report seeks to provide a rough compass for those trying to understand the underlying causes of much of what is problematic with the internet and the web today. I argue that paying attention to who shapes internet traffic (and how) is crucial. It will allow us to understand the connection between issues often considered unrelated (such as net neutrality and misinformation), as well as to anticipate challenges that are yet to emerge. Step 1: Understanding the context: How the internet came to be seated on the defendant’s bench. Here I describe how the inventors and developers of the internet and the web upheld the principle of decentralization to ensure the network was robust in the face of failure, and how this sparked hope for systematically excluded groups that had long been marginalized from public debate. I then describe four types of problems for which the web is often considered responsible, and explain the subset of these that I believe can be resolved through digital policies, narrowing the scope of this report to the issue of centralization. Step 2: Understanding the present and future risks triggered by a centralized information system. Here I describe how the internet and the web have been centralized. I explain how, given the characteristics of the process of centralization, the ongoing deployment of connected devices (also known as internet of things), as well as the growing developments in the fields of augmented reality and virtual reality are likely going to fuel the process of centralization further. Lastly, focusing on search and person-to-person communications, I explore the types of risks centralization poses to the present and future of our political system. Step 3: Deploying the Neutrality Pyramid framework in order to redistribute power. Here I present the Neutrality Pyramid, a framework around which we can rally to neutralize the process of centralization and reduce the scope of power of the incumbent gatekeepers. After explaining how and why the framework builds upon and extends the definition of net neutrality to other layers of the stack, I describe the technological, regulatory and activist actions taking place around the globe to forward and enforce the principles of net neutrality, device neutrality, platform neutrality and personal control over personal data. Step 4: Enabling robust public deliberation towards a positive agenda. I go beyond negative actions and explain how the Neutrality Pyramid can enable the development of a positive agenda. I explain that even though the neutrality principle presupposes a hands-off approach, it does include a set of exceptions enshrined by law. I argue that we should leverage the process of defining such exceptions as a means to ensure the institutions of democracy play a role in guiding the process of development of the internet, and I suggest some of the key questions public officials need to put forward. This section then discusses the development of public infrastructure and services as a way to bake democratic institutions into the growing digital sphere. In the Conclusion, I outline the backdrop of weakened governments and global institutions of governance in which the upcoming debates regarding digital policy will take place, and the challenges the cold war discourse, with its militaristic undertones, poses in this context.

Public-Private Partnership Development in Russia and Abroad: Issues and Solutions

The public-private partnership (PPP) model, which means long-term pooling of resources of public and private partners with agreed upon division of risks, responsibilities, and results between them, in order to solve important state tasks and/or implement infrastructure projects in the public interest, has been successfully used by many countries for the development of public infrastructure. In addition to direct economic effects, public-private partnership can have indirect effects, including a positive impact on institutional development, which is one of the key conditions for economic growth. In Russia, this form of cooperation between the state and private individuals holds great untapped potential. To analyze the ways in which it is used more actively the authors of the present article conducted an applied study aimed at identifying reasons for the state’s appeal to the PPP model, as well as the forms of interaction that preceded PPP in solving important state tasks. Success factors for this model of infrastructure development were identified as a result of thorough analysis of its implementation in advanced economies, on the one hand, and econometric analysis of the quality of infrastructure and infrastructure gap for a wider array of countries, on the other. An analysis of patterns of infrastructure projects launched under the public-private partnership scheme in Russia is presented, including regional and sectoral analysis of the use of PPP schemes. The study’s results allow identification of key areas of improvement needed in economic policy designed to increase the attractiveness of PPP for private investors and boost its economic effectiveness. Finally, the authors issue recommendations that take into account international experience.

Evaluating the performance of rural areas in improving entrepreneurship infrastructure for the development of rural entrepreneurship in Khalilabad city

Entrepreneurship in order to generate income and employment is one of the most important tools for rural development and the present study has been prepared with the same purpose and as the evaluation of rural performance in improving entrepreneurship infrastructure for rural entrepreneurship development in Khalilabad city. The present research is applied in terms of purpose and in terms of descriptive-analytical method, which used library and field methods to collect information and a researcher-made questionnaire for field data. The sample population was randomly studied using Cochran's formula including 370 people in 23 villages of the city. The results obtained in the villages of the city show that the performance of rural villagers in Khalilabad city in order to develop rural entrepreneurship has been weak. The villages of the city, except for the development of public infrastructure (water, electricity, etc.) in other areas of entrepreneurial infrastructure have not performed well and have not been able to achieve the desired goals.

Optimal Procurement Choices for Development of Public Infrastructure

Optimal Procurement Choices for Development of Public Infrastructure

IMPLIKASI PERKEMBANGAN PERUMAHAN TERHADAP PENGGUNAAN LAHAN DI DESA BONGAN, KABUPATEN TABANAN, BALI.

The resulting growth and population density also affects the use of existing space. This is evidenced by the process of land conversion that is so rapid due to urban activity is extended to the edge of the city. Bongan Village is a part of Tabanan District which is located on the strategic urban outskirts, so it has a good appeal to be a residential area or commercial area. With its strategic location it will certainly affect the agricultural land in Bongan Village whose land use conditions are shifting. Therefore, The purpose of this study is to identify the development of agriculture land conversion into non-agricultural land and analyze the socio-economic conditions of the community related to the conversion of agricultural land there. This study uses spatial analysis to calculate the area of land change and describe the socio-economic condition. Based on the results of the identification and tracking of secondary data of agricultural land area recently decreased every year even almost more than 1 Ha of agriculture land converted into residential land, public infrastructure and road infrastructure development. In 2013 the planting area of Bongan Village is 464 Ha while in 2014, 2015 planting area in Bongan Village of 232 Ha so it can be seen the decrease of agricultural land area in Bongan Village.

Africa's COVID-19 Situation in Focus and Recent Happenings: A Mini Review.

Given that COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has crept into Africa, a major public health crisis or threat continues to linger on the continent. Many local governments and various stakeholders have stepped up efforts for early detection and management of COVID-19. This mini review highlights the current trend in Africa, history and general epidemiological information on the virus. Current ongoing efforts (e.g., improving testing capacity) and some effective ways (e.g., intensified surveillance, quick detection, contact tracing, isolation measures [e.g., quarantine], and social distancing) of preventing and managing COVID-19 in Africa are described. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for public health infrastructure development (e.g., laboratories, infectious disease centers, regional hospitals) and human capacity building for combating COVID-19 and potential future outbreaks. Additionally, regular public health educational campaigns are urgently required. Future epidemiological studies to ascertain case fatality and mortality trends across the continent for policy directions are necessary.

Designing Supporting Structures of Passenger Ropeways of Minimum Cost Based on Modular Intermediate Towers of Discretely Variable Height

Passenger ropeways are a promising alternative for the development of public transport infrastructure in large cities. However, the construction of ropeways has a rather high cost and requires taking into account a significant number of restrictions associated with the features of the existing urban development and the placement of urban infrastructure. The main objective of this research is to develop optimization models that minimize the total cost of modular intermediate towers of a discretely variable height and a rope system due to the optimal placement and selection of the height of these towers, taking into account the features of the surface topography and urban development. The proposed modular principle for the construction of intermediate towers also enables the cost of construction to be further reduced. As a specific example, the design of a ropeway in the city of Bryansk, which has a complex terrain, is considered. The developed models are conveniently used at the initial stage of the design of the ropeway to compare the cost of various options for the location of the ropeway route in order to reduce the risk of error when choosing the least expensive option. The calculation results can serve as a guide for a preliminary assessment of the number and height of intermediate towers, their installation locations on the ground and the characteristics of the cable system.