Public Infrastructure Services Research Articles

Does Coproduction Enhance Quality of Public Infrastructure?

Coproduction is viewed in this paper as joint effort or cooperation between citizens and public infrastructure service providers. There is a paucity of studies on the impact of coproduction on public infrastructure quality or performance. Poor public infrastructure development poses a financial burden to many developing countries. In this paper, we use road maintenance as the example of public infrastructure. Using the Afro-barometer wave-6 dataset on Uganda, we develop the appropriate coproduction indexes as well as the road maintenance performance indexes from the survey data. Our results show that coproduction has significantly positive impacts on public road maintenance performance (RMP), which raises social welfare and economic development. Our results are robust to various model specifications and the conclusions remain valid after controlling for any potential endogenous influence or reverse causality problem that might arise. Our analysis points to the practical importance of cooperation between community and government in transport infrastructure provision such as road maintenance. It also provides practical implications for policy makers on how coproduction between community and government could be arranged.

Research on Child-Friendly Evaluation and Optimization Strategies for Rural Public Spaces

Public spaces are essential for the implementation of child-friendly principles and the development of child-friendly cities, with positive and healthy environments playing a crucial role in supporting children’s well-being and development. However, existing research on child-friendly public spaces predominantly targets economically developed urban areas with robust public service infrastructure, often neglecting rural areas with less advanced facilities. This study utilizes grounded theory and qualitative analysis to propose a child-friendly public space evaluation framework specifically for rural settings. The framework includes four primary indicators—safety, accessibility, comfort, and multifunctionality—and 19 secondary indicators, such as facility safety and plant safety. An empirical investigation was conducted in Baishoupu Town, a child-friendly pilot area within Changsha, China, which is designated as a United Nations Child-Friendly City, and the study encompassed an analysis of 11 rural villages within this area. The findings reveal that while Baishoupu Town demonstrates a relatively high level of child-friendly development, there is significant disparity among individual villages. Key determinants affecting the child-friendliness of rural public spaces include the type of rural industry, per capita income levels, and the degree of policy support. Specifically, the advancement of public service infrastructure and the tourism sector significantly influence the primary indicators. Moreover, while rural road infrastructure is positively correlated with accessibility, the presence of through traffic adversely affects safety indicators. Based on these insights, this study recommends enhancing child-friendliness in rural public spaces through strategic village planning, spatial design improvements, and ensuring child participation. This research provides valuable insights for government policy development and implementation and offers a replicable framework for child-friendly public space development in rural areas globally.

Can cultural capital, cognitive ability, and economic capacity help rural older adults bridge the digital divide? Evidence from an empirical study.

The digital divide is the difference between individuals who use the Internet and those who do not. Under the triple social environment of urban-rural dichotomy, population aging, and the digital era in China, the existence of digital divide among rural older adults has seriously affected their access to health information through the Internet, so it is urgent to bridge the digital divide problem they face. Based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory and Stress Coping Theory, the impact of cultural capital on the digital divide among rural older adults was systematically analyzed using hierarchical regression and Chained Mediation Effect Tests using data from the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Cultural capital has a significant positive effect on the digital divide among rural older adults (β = 0.178, p < 0.01). Cognitive ability and economic capacity both play independent intermediary effects between cultural capital and digital divide among rural older adults, and the intermediary chain formed by the two plays a chain intermediary effect. The increase in the cultural capital of rural older adults has led to an increase in their cognitive ability and economic capacity, which ultimately has a favorable effect on the bridging of the digital divide. Heterogeneity results suggest that cultural capital is more effective in bridging the digital divide among male rural older adults aged 60-69. Cultural capital is able to bridge the digital divide faced by rural older adults and is age and gender heterogeneous. At the same time, improved cognitive ability and economic capacity can also help rural older adults bridge the digital divide. Therefore, it is proposed that we increase the construction of public cultural service infrastructure in rural areas, liaise with community neighborhood committees and village committees to do a good job of publicity, improve training measures for key groups, and maintain the enthusiasm of rural older adults for learning, so as to provide references for the rural older adults in China and developing countries in general to bridge the digital divide.

A comprehensive perspective on local drivers in community-based health tourism industry development: a qualitative study of Mazandaran Province, Iran

BackgroundHealth tourism is an important component that may influence the direction of development in a region. Mazandarn, Iran, is recognized as a highly sustainable market in the region because of its abundant natural resources, temperate temperature, and strategic geographical location. Therefore, considering the importance of health tourism and its existing potential in Mazandaran, Iran, this study was conducted with the aim of exploring a comprehensive perspective on local drivers in community-based health tourism industry development and factors affecting the attraction of health tourism.MethodsWe conducted this study in Mazandarn, Iran, using a qualitative approach. Participants included a sample of Iranian people, aged 34–54 years, with previous history of health tourism or expert in it. Participants were selected from three different categories of the community: academic professionals in health tourism, managers in health tourism, and health tourists. Data were obtained via semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Inductive qualitative content analysis was used to converge and compare themes through participant data. The interviews kept going until data saturation was achieved.ResultsBased on our findings, we distilled local drivers in community-based health tourism industry development into five main categories and 30 subcategories: (Sharifabadi AM, Ardakani FA. A model for health tourism development using fuzzy TOPSIS and interpretive structural modeling in Yazd province. J Health Adm (JHA). 2014;17:55.) infrastructure and resources; (Hemmati F, Dabbaghi F, Mahmoudi G. Investigating the impact of Information Technology on the status of Health Tourism in Mashhad, Iran. Revista Publicando. 2018;5(15):54–65.) tourist attractions; (Sarabi Asiabar A, Rezapour A, Raei B, Tahernezhad A, Alipour V, Behzadifar M. Economic, Cultural, and Political Requirements for Medical Tourism Development in Iran: Insights from a Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process Method. Med J Islamic Repub Iran. 2022;35:199.) socio-cultural contexts; (Mosadeghrad AM, Sadeghi M. Medical tourism: Reasons for choosing Iran. Payesh (Health Monitor). 2021;20(2):145–66.) economic-financial factors; and (Manna R, Cavallone M, Ciasullo MV, Palumbo R. Beyond the rhetoric of health tourism: shedding light on the reality of health tourism in Italy. Curr Issues Tourism. 2020;23(14):1805–19.) political-communicative factors. The findings of the study showed that, from the participants’ point of view, although there are several strategies, such as the development of public service and tourism infrastructure, increasing tourist attractions, and formulating appropriate policies and procedures for the development of health tourism, they are also faced with many challenges, especially political, economic, and cultural challenges.ConclusionThis study showed that improving infrastructure and resources, promoting tourist attractions, informing socio-cultural contexts, improving economic and financial capacity, and developing political and communicative contexts might increase the attraction of health tourists. The suggested components are not contextually driven, although empirical outcomes may differ based on the level of service offerings in health tourism locations.

Future climate services for resilient cities: The CoKLIMAx lighthouse project

Future climate services for resilient cities: The CoKLIMAx lighthouse project Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS) is exploring future climate services for resilient cities by focusing on the CoKLIMAx lighthouse project. Climate change presents significant challenges to cities, impacting public health, infrastructure, and essential services through rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and altered precipitation patterns. To address these challenges, cities must prioritise climate adaptation strategies such as resilient infrastructure, green urban planning, and community engagement.

Location and capacity allocation for emergency contact points in large-scale power outages

AbstractNowadays, industry and individuals alike are highly dependent on a reliable power supply. A large-scale power outage, commonly known as a “blackout” is caused by natural disasters, cyber attacks, technical failure, or human errors, and can lead to a variety of severe consequences. The far-reaching dynamics of blackouts can even result in the collapse of critical public service infrastructure reliant on electricity (e.g., communication, water supply, medical services, public safety). Particularly, the loss of information and communication infrastructure essential to reporting medical emergencies, and the collapse of the drinking water supply are two critical stressors for the population to cope with. One attempt to tackle this situation is to install temporary emergency contact points (ECPs) into existing infrastructure. These can be approached by the population to communicate with medical personnel and to receive drinking water. Different types of professional personnel, which is a limited resource, are required to run such ECPs. Our study introduces this tactical decision problem. We formulate it as an integer linear program for the optimal spatial allocation of ECPs, such that multiple types of human resources that are required for operating such locations can be efficiently assigned. A comprehensive numerical study, based on data of the City of Vienna, demonstrates how to reduce the walking distance of inhabitants while increasing the efficiency of resource allocation. Matrix pruning based on an enforced limit of the walking distances together with a decomposition approach is utilized to solve the considered instances.

The implementation of parking policy in Cirebon City Kejaksan Square

Kejaksan Square has become a tourist attraction in Cirebon City since it was renovated in April 2021. However, the implementation of parking policies there still faces obstacles such as lack of public awareness, lack of commitment of officers in socializing parking rules, and lack of adequate parking infrastructure. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of parking implementation policies in the Cirebon City Kejaksan Square. Qualitative and descriptive research methods are used, by collecting data through observations, interviews, and documentation. Edwards III's theory of policy implementation is used as a theoretical framework. The results showed that communication, resources, disposition and bureaucratic structure affect the implementation of parking policies. Despite the obstacles, the active role of the Department of Transportation and the availability of adequate resources provided support for the success of the policy. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of public facilities and infrastructure services that are environmentally friendly.

Exploring minimal indirect digital economy taxation as a post-COVID-19 economic recovery strategy for African revenue mobilisation

The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath continue to devastate most areas of society and continue to reveal inherent structural vulnerabilities in the economies, social, and health systems in countries. In addition, the Russia-Ukraine conflict of 2022 and the geopolitics of its resolution continue to create shocks across the globe- evidenced by rising inflation, increased sovereign debt level, recession, and reduced public expenditure among others. While many sectors of the economy were crippled by the back-to-back global economic shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict through reduced economic activities resulting in a global recession and reduced tax revenues for public expenditure, the digital economy has surprisingly boomed and continues to grow in this period of uncertainty. This has been directly attributed to the 'lure of the alternative', caused by the social and economic lockdowns imposed by countries, which pushed many persons and companies to explore the next available option- online platforms to conduct business. Although the rise in the use of digital platforms for business activities is commendable, this development has some implications for traditional business frameworks which in turn affects revenue mobilisation for funding public infrastructure projects and services. This is because, in Africa, the digital economy is not as well-regulated as the traditional economy. This creates an avenue for tax evasion and avoidance, arising from the dynamic and complex nature of digital transactions. This challenge requires that urgent solutions be found for the effective taxation of the digital economy. There will be a need to review/reform economic and fiscal policies and laws to ensure a faster recovery from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. There would also be a need to create digital tax policies that are equitable for source and market jurisdictions and, lastly, there will be a need for cooperation in tax law and policies across Africa that capture the reality of the growth and ubiquitous presence of digital multinationals in Africa.

The Features of Creation of an Urban Building Environment with Completion of Underground Infrastructure Areas of the City of Yerevan

Underground areas are those parts of the city that can become the best way to overcome the expansion of the surrounding areas of the city, thanks to which new ideas can be created and developed, achieving eco-economic success, creating new opportunities to ensure people's livelihood and security. Underground areas can include transportation structures, passageways, industrial buildings, and public service infrastructure. Basically, the underground areas, developing vertically on several levels, extend under the crowded zones of the city center, in the areas adjacent to the transport hubs. The unloading of above-ground urban areas can lead to the positive process that freed areas will be used to create green zones, improving the sanitary and hygienic condition of the city. It will allow maintaining the existing urban environment, creating favorable conditions for improving people's living activities.

Analisis Kinerja Lurah terhadap Pembangunan Daerah dan Otonomi Daerah di Kelurahan Binaraga, Kecamatan Rantau Utara, Kabupaten Labuhanbatu

The purpose of this research was to describe how the ward Binaraga , Rantau Utara Subdistrict, Labuhan Batu regency carries out the duties as outlined in government regulation Number 73 of 2005 concerning sub-districts related to tasks that should be carried out by the government, namely (a). implementation of sub-district government activities; (b). community empowerment; (c). Community service; (d). implementation of peace and general agreement; (e). maintenance of public service infrastructure and facilities; and (P). This research uses a qualitative approach with data collection techniques of interviews, observation, document review. The object studied is the performance of the village head towards regional development and regional autonomy. Based on this research, the task that has been fully carried out effectively is the community service task in the area of ​​improving stabilizer infrastructure. Meanwhile, the assistance tasks are the same, but the PKH and BLT programs have not been fully implemented fairly, where when the assistance is distributed there is still a wrong target

Identification of Effective Factors on Public Oversight of Public Policies with a Crowdsourcing Approach Using Thematic Analysis and DEMATEL Techniques

Objective: The primary goal of this article is to identify the factors influencing public oversight of public policies using a crowdsourcing approach with thematic analysis and DEMATEL techniques. Methodology: The research methodology is mixed (qualitative-quantitative). In addition to documentary studies, thematic analysis technique has been utilized. The statistical population in this study comprised all experts in the field of public policy-making, managers, and public health professionals, with theoretical saturation achieved after 16 interviews. Eventually, basic, organizing, and global themes were extracted, and in the quantitative part, the DEMATEL technique was used to determine the impact and influence of factors on public oversight of public policies with a crowdsourcing approach. Findings: This study identified 15 dimensions (health service capacities, motivational factors, environmental factors, internal policies, domestic infrastructure, executive factors, development and education of public services in health, development of domestic services, globalization of public services, development of knowledge sharing policies and services, structural issues, laws and regulations, cultural factors, financial management) and 32 components and 159 indicators were extracted. Through the DEMATEL method in the quantitative section, 8 influential components and 7 influenced components were identified. Conclusion: The studies indicated that among the identified dimensions, the dimension of health service capacities has the highest importance in terms of impact and requires special attention, while the dimension of cultural factors is the most influenced dimension that is affected by other dimensions.

Framework for intellectual property information services in academic libraries: Example from the United States and China

The provision of intellectual property information services (IPIS) plays a vital role in bolstering the public service infrastructure for intellectual property. Utilizing IPIS' social advantages in universities is integral to boosting technological innovation and fostering economic growth. This study conducts a literature review and network research to examine how academic libraries in the U.S. and China carry out IPIS in the knowledge economy era to adapt to the new network environment. Specifically, we select 43 academic libraries recognized as Patent and Trademark Resource Centers in the U.S. and 33 National Intellectual Property Information Service Centers in China. Our main contribution is developing a framework with 5 interrelated dimensions encompassing a total of 15 elements that can serve as a reference or guide for creating IPIS in academic libraries, where online services are the primary format. Through a comprehensive analysis of the survey sample websites, we thoroughly examine the key attributes of the IPIS models employed by academic libraries in both the U.S. and China across various levels. Our research also encompasses a comprehensive examination of the roles and responsibilities of academic libraries and librarians in the context of the knowledge and innovation era. Finally, this study draws upon the valuable practical experiences of IPIS at academic libraries in the U.S. and China, serving as a point of reference. It offers robust targeting and applicable guidelines and recommendations for academic libraries in comparable nations, particularly China, to build IPIS.

Development of a cloud intelligent machine monitoring and control system

Facing the trend of Industry 4.0, the cloud-based supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system employing cloud computing and IoT technology can help the manufacturing industry reduce software investment and system maintenance costs. However, manufacturers may need to install new sensors and controllers, the connection of SCADA system and shop floor machine controller, monitoring dashboard design and implementation usually need to outsource to an experienced system integration company, which may impede medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs). This paper aims to develop a cloud-based intelligent machine monitoring and control system (CIM-MCS) framework, the service structure, and approach to deploying the CIM-MCS in a public cloud infrastructure platform and service provider. The package diagram is proposed for building the CIM-MCS’s virtual factory model to improve modeling efficiency and data stability. CIM-MCS and its SCADA application in a leading automatic filling and packaging production line show that the CIM-MCS is easy to implement. The transmission time is short and acceptable for practical application. The integration of CIM-MCS with a cloud-based advanced planning scheduling system has the advantage of real-time monitoring, production progress reporting, scheduling, and dispatching and achieves the goal of anytime, anywhere, anyone, and any platform operating an intelligent factory.

Morbidity profile and outcome of new-born admitted in sick newborn care units of Uttar Pradesh, India

Introduction and aim. Reduction in child morbidity and mortality is result of upgradation of infrastructure and quality of public health care services. India alone accounts for 30% of the global neonatal deaths occur in India that occurs due to preventable cause. So, the aim of this study was to assess the pattern and status of neonatalmortality observed in SNCUs of Uttar Pradesh, India. Material and methods. Descriptive study was conducted based on secondary data obtained from sick new born care units (SNCU) online database from 89 Government-supported SNCUs of Uttar Pradesh, from April 2014 to March 2016. Data obtained included age, weight, sex, diagnosis, and outcome. Results. 22933 neonates admitted in SNCU were included in study with 14269 (62.2%) were males and 8664 (37.8%) females. Majority of the subject (20070; 87%) were in 0-5 days old age group. Most (72.5%) of admitted new-born improved and discharged. Low birth weight was significantly (χ 2 = 1334.2, p&lt;0.001) related with outcome. Birth asphyxia contributed to maximum (36.11%) number of deaths, followed by respiratory distress syndrome (25.21%), sepsis (15.38%), prematurity and extremely low birth weight (5.8%). Conclusion. Improved antenatal care, improved access to health facility, timely referral of high-risk cases, capacity building, intensive interventional management can reduce neonatal mortality and its complications. Study also warrants, in-depth community-based qualitative study to identify gender-specific, equity issues.

An integrated satellite characterization and hydrodynamic study in assessing coastal dynamics in Cirebon, West Java

Located on the northern coast of Java Island, the coastal area of Cirebon is an area with rapid population growth and extensively developed as settlement areas, industrial estates, fisheries, agriculture, and public service infrastructures. Coastal dynamics issues have been occurring in the coastal area of Cirebon, which is characterized by significant changes in shoreline position. Moreover, some critical infrastructures are not functioning properly and may cause high maintenance costs and economic loss to the related stakeholders. This study aims to provide a greater understanding of the coastal dynamics along the 73.16 km of Cirebon shoreline through remote sensing and GIS methods supported by hydrodynamic analysis. This study applied coastal characterization, coastal structure identifications, and coastal processes assessments, including erosion and accretion analysis, hydrodynamic and tidal analysis, and inundation projection. The study indicates that some areas have been subject to significant erosion and accretion during the last two decades, with the total lengths of the eroded and accreted shoreline being −21.9 km (35.6%) and ＋39.6 km (64.4%), respectively. Furthermore, the coastal structures significantly influence the coastline’s dynamic and mitigate the negative impacts of coastal floods. Jetty access channels in the west area have caused partial coastal erosion, while the breakwaters in the east area accelerated sedimentation processes and improved the growth of mangroves simultaneously. This study also simulated the potentially inundated areas by 2050 in four scenarios based on projected sea level rise, land subsidence, and extreme wave events. Policies to prevent such potential hazards are needed to avoid negative impacts on the living quality and vital economic sectors. This study provides insight into coastal characterization, potential coastal hazards, and their driving processes in time and space scale for coastal adaptation planning policies and sustainable coastal hazard management and mitigation.

Left behind in a public services wasteland? On the accessibility of public services and political trust

Public discourse and scholars alike argue that the spatial divide in voting behavior and attitudes is rooted in geographic inequalities that serve as breeding grounds for political discontent. In previous studies, scholars have mainly focused on the economic conditions to analyze how place-based context influences the voting behavior of citizens. However, this focus on voting behavior and a small set of contextual variables do not allow us to draw direct conclusions as to how, and which, place-based factors relate to discontent on the attitudinal level.I argue that the accessibility of public service infrastructure specifically serves as a low-intensity information cue for citizens to evaluate the political performance of modern welfare states. These evaluations complement objective economic perceptions and are part of the performance-trust link. Hence, citizens should trust the government less if public services are not provided or only hard to access.I test this relationship for the German case by spatially linking the addresses of survey respondents with the location of public service facilities and collective municipallevel data. The resulting unique data set allows to explore the relationship between the accessibility of public service facilities and political trust as well as their temporal development. Results of multilevel analyses indicate that shorter distances to train stations are associated with increased trust in the government, but all other results, such as the change in service provision, remain inconclusive. The findings implicate that a long-term lack of public services contributes to geographically polarized discontent in Germany.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Equalization Level of Basic Public Cultural Services in Henan Province

A strong culture makes a strong nation. the equalization of basic public cultural services is the basis of realizing a strong culture and the key to promoting common prosperity. Based on the three dimensions of public cultural service investment, infrastructure construction and product benefit, 8 indexes were selected to evaluate the equalization level of basic public cultural services, and the time-series global principal component analysis was used to conduct a dynamic evaluation of the equalization level of basic public cultural services in 18 cities in Henan Province from 2017 to 2021. The results show that the level of equalization of basic public cultural services in Henan Province is generally on an upward trend, but varies widely among municipalities in the province.

Whether to decentralize and how to decentralize? The optimal fiscal federalism in an endogenous growth model

ABSTRACT We develop an endogenous growth model with public consumption and infrastructure services provided by two-tier governments. Growth performance and welfare implication are compared under the centralized and decentralized fiscal federal systems. In general, there is a trade-off between welfare and growth due to conflicts of interest and asymmetric information between central and local governments. By numerical simulations, we show that the optimal fiscal federalism should impose restrictions on expenditure−GDP ratio, rather than on expenditure−budget ratio or central−local expenditure ratio, because expenditure−GDP ratio can align the incentives of the two-tier governments. Furthermore, it is suggested that decentralized fiscal systems are generally superior to the centralized system because the efficiency loss overweighs the agency cost. The model is then applied to analyzing different growth experiences in the West and China by institutional and cultural differences.

Pelayanan Administrasi Kependudukan di Kelurahan Genteng Kota Surabaya pada Pelayanan Kartu Keluarga dan Akta Kelahiran

The Population Administration Service focuses on providing Family Cards and Birth Certificates, which are universal, lifelong documents issued by authorized officials by recording a person's data. The family card contains data about the composition, relationship and number of family members. At the same time, birth certificates play an important role in proving legal certainty of personal identity and as a state basis to guide government budgeting policies (both at the central and regional levels). The provision of population administration services provided to the community can be fulfilled and satisfied, and provides a good service focus. Good service expects service providers, customers or stakeholders from service activities to have references about the form, reason, time, place, and process of service being carried out. The type of research in this article is descriptive qualitative. This study uses analytical methods, namely exploratory research, interviews, and data collection. The results of this study focus on six indicators, namely Service Policy, Professionalism of Human Resources (HR), Public Service Infrastructure, Public Service Information Systems, Complaint Consultation, and Innovation.

Exploring constraining factors for use of private sector finance in delivery of public sector infrastructure in Tanzania: A qualitative study

While governments remain accountable for the delivery of infrastructure services, given the paucity of public resources, studies have recommended the use of private sector finance (PSF) as an alternative approach to delivering sustainable infrastructure both in developed and developing economies. Despite the recommendation, there has been very little use of PSF in delivering public projects, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study explores the constraining factors for the use of PSF in the delivery of public infrastructure in Tanzania and proposes recommendations. A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted with different stakeholders delivering public infrastructure services. Interviewees were purposefully selected. Data were analyzed through conceptual content analysis. The findings reveal that the top five constraining factors were inadequate knowledge and skills, lack of policy to support or suffice PSF, bureaucracy or delays of approvals, lack of proper models for PSF, and lack of skilled people or existence of a big national skill gap. Thus, the identified constraints provided useful insights and were used as a road map for suggesting appropriate solutions to enhance the use of PSF. Furthermore, this is the first study to empirically explore the constraining factors for PSF in delivering infrastructure projects in the Tanzanian context.