Public Works Research Articles

The Road to Crime: An Unintended Consequence of the Interstate Highway System

Abstract The necessity to overhaul national infrastructure has become one of the key issues of US domestic policy in recent years. While the benefits of infrastructure spending are often straightforward, its unintended consequences are less well understood. This paper studies the impact of transportation infrastructure on local crime, focusing on the construction of the Interstate Highway System (IHS), the largest public works project in US history. Using a staggered difference-in-differences design and a county-by-year panel dataset spanning all US counties between 1960 and 1993, we find that a highway opening in a county led to an 8% rise in total index crime. This effect is driven by property crime (burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft), although some evidence suggests an increase in violent crime as well. Exploring potential mechanisms, we show that the positive effect of highways on crime is concentrated in counties with low pre-existing stock of police resources where increased connectivity may have raised the returns to crime. Moreover, we find that highway construction induced higher local employment, average firm size, and the local population size, thus increasing the returns to criminal activity, and ultimately the risk of victimisation in the newly-connected counties.

PENGARUH BUDAYA ORGANISASI, FASILITAS KERJA, DAN DISIPLIN KERJA TERHADAP KINERJA ASN DENGAN KEPUASAN KERJA SEBAGAI VARIABEL INTERVENING PADA KANTOR DPUPP KABUPATEN SITUBONDO

This aims of this research is to determine the influence of organizational culture, work facilities and work discipline on ASN performance through job satisfaction as an intervening variable at the Situbondo Regency DPUPP Office. This research used a quantitative approach which was carried out by distributing questionnaires to 59 ASN employees at the Situbondo Regency Public Works, Housing and Settlements Department. The method of data analysis used in this research is multiple linear regression analysis. The hypothesis test results have a direct effect using the Smart PLS 3.0 application. The results of direct hypothesis testing show that organizational culture has an insignificant effect on job satisfaction, work facilities have an insignificant effect on job satisfaction, work discipline has a significant effect on job satisfaction, organizational culture has an insignificant effect on ASN performance, work facilities have an insignificant effect on ASN performance, Work discipline has a significant effect on ASN performance. Job satisfaction has a significant effect on ASN performance. The results of indirect hypothesis testing show that the organizational culture variable has a negative but not significant effect on ASN performance through job satisfaction, work facilities have a negative but not significant effect on ASN performance through job satisfaction, and work discipline has a significant positive effect on ASN performance through job satisfaction.

Using Civic Service Design Methods to Redevelop a Data Communication Website With a Health Literacy Lens.

Public health agencies routinely publish data in hopes that data influence public health policy and practice. However, data websites can often be difficult to use, posing barriers to people trying to access, understand, and use data. Working to make data websites easier to use can add value to public health data communication work. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) redesigned its Environment and Health Data Portal, a website used to communicate environmental health data, with the goal of making data more accessible and understandable to a broader audience. The DOHMH used Civic Service Design methods to establish priorities and strategies for the redesign work, to build a data communication website that emphasizes a high level of usability, and content that explains data. By following a Civic Service Design process, the DOHMH synthesized findings from health communications, data visualization and communication, and web usability to create an easy-to-use website with explanations of data and findings alongside datasets. On the new site, automated dataset visualizations are supplemented with narrative content, explanatory content, and custom interactive applications designed to explain data and findings. Web analytics showed that, in its first year of operation, the site's web traffic grew substantially, with the last 12 weeks recording weekly page views 150% higher than the first 12 weeks of operation (7185 average weekly page views compared with 2866 average weekly page views). Two-thirds (66.3%) of page views include recorded user engagement. Additional evaluations to measure specific aspects of usability compared with the previous version of the site are planned. By following a Civic Service Design process, the DOHMH redesigned a vital data communication platform to increase its usability and saw significant increase in engagement in its first year of operations. By designing data material with usability in mind, public health departments have the potential to improve public health data communication work.

Lessons From Leading During a Pandemic: An Exploratory Study of Public Health Leadership Insights on Training, Preparation, and Experiences From the Field During COVID-19.

The public health workforce encountered challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic that exposed areas for improvement in preparation for future public health threats. Key among these is well-trained public health leaders equipped with an array of crisis leadership skills. To examine the training background, assess the perceived preparedness, and garner recommendations for training of the future public health workforce from public health leaders who navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. This exploratory research gleaned information by utilizing an online questionnaire and interviews to provide lessons learned regarding improvements needed for public health leader preparedness. Three California public health departments representing urban, suburban, and rural populations. Thirty public health leaders who were directly involved in public health work for ≥3years in a leadership/management role and involved in COVID-19-related work for at least 6months participated. Questionnaire findings revealed gaps in crisis leadership, communication, and collaboration training. Interview results supported and expanded upon the quantitative findings, including the value of various competencies and recommendations to improve the preparedness of future public health leaders. The findings suggested that although many of the skills needed are competencies for accredited public health training programs, effective leadership during public health emergencies may require additional training beyond what is generally provided. Recommendations include integrating study findings into public health training programs to address competency gaps, leveraging results to enhance leadership skills, and promoting collaboration between public health departments and academic institutions to develop evidence-informed crisis leadership training. These findings inform strategies to ensure the preparedness of the public health workforce for future crises.

Pengaruh Motivasi Kerja Dan Pelatihan Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Di Mal Pelayanan Publik Kabupaten Maros Sulawesi Selatan

The advancement of technology and globalization has led to increased competition in the workplace, including in local government settings such as Kabupaten Maros. The government's vision to achieve "Prosperous, Religious, and Competitive Maros" emphasizes the importance of having skilled and professional human resources. In public services, work motivation and training are key factors in enhancing employee performance, particularly in the Public Service Mall, to provide effective services to the community and achieve competitive advantage. This research employs an associative quantitative approach with 100 respondents and questionnaires as instruments. The analysis results indicate a negative influence of both motivation and training on employee performance. However, it is important to note that this analysis was conducted only within one Government Department without considering other variables or moderators that could impact employee performance more comprehensively.

Blockchain-BIM: reducing cost in green retrofitting for sustainable construction development

During the implementation process, the construction sector significantly affects the environment, leading to environmental pollution and the overconsumption of natural resources. This jeopardizes the sustainability of a healthy living environment, requiring a solid system to control development. A sustainable and environmentally friendly development system is crucial from architectural, construction, and economic perspectives. However, when applying the concept of Green Building to existing buildings, the cost of green retrofits has increased by about 10.77%. A case study was carried out on the existing BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency) building to provide alternative solutions to reduce these green retrofitting costs, making sustainable construction the primary option in developing the construction sector. One way to address this cost increase is using the Blockchain-Building Information Modeling (BIM) application, an alternative method to determine the most economical cost based on input or a given model. BIM models contain non-geometric information, including materials for building components, quantities, prices, procedures, scales, and sizes. This allows for real-time data exchange and collaborative decision-making between stakeholders, improving visualization and modeling and lowering costs due to better construction outcomes and higher productivity probability. The implementation of Blockchain-BIM is expected to result in green retrofit cost savings of at least 3% on each green level according to the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) of the Republic of Indonesia Technical Guidelines No. 01/SE/M/2022, namely Primary, Intermediate, and Main.

Web-Based Archiving Information System At The Ministry of Public Works and Housing Province of Jambi

This research was conducted at the Jambi Province Public Works and Public Housing Office (PUPR). This research is entitled "Design of a Website-Based Archiving Information System at the Jambi Province Public Works and Public Housing Office (PUPR)". The purpose of this research is to document the process of designing an information system that functions to provide information to the PUPR Office of Jambi Province. This research was conducted qualitatively by conducting interviews and observations with the PUPR Office of Jambi Province to complete the research. The document filing system of the Jambi Province PUPR Office was designed using the prototype method. As a result of the analysis and observations made, it can be concluded that one effective way to facilitate the work of employees in finding documents is to build a web-based archiving information system. This system is expected to produce information quickly, precisely, and accurately without reducing the value of the information itself.

Addressing Rural Poverty, Efficacy of MGNREGA and Migration Against Agricultural Productivity: Case of Kalahandi, India

ABSTRACT Poverty remains a major challenge for the countries of the global south. Decent employment opportunity, a crucial determinant of poverty reduction, is increasingly becoming elusive for those countries regardless of a decent rate of economic growth. There is a growing separation of economic growth and employment growth under the aegis of neo-liberal economic policies. Economic growth, instead of becoming inclusive, turns out to be “jobless” or “job loss.” Failing to reverse this trend, “Active Labour Market Policies” (ALMPs) in the form of “Public Works Programmes” (PWPs) have emerged as a major strategy to reduce unemployment and poverty. Secondly, rural–urban migration is very much relied upon for the same. Raising agricultural productivity, a crucial question of “agrarian transition,” well evident and verified across the globe, is, however, becoming oblivion in the fight against poverty. In this context, based on a primary survey of 300 households in the poorest regions of India, this paper endeavors to investigate the relative strength of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), rural–urban migration, and land productivity on poverty. The study suggests that an agrarian-centric intervention is more effective in dealing with poverty as compared to MGNREGA (ALMPs) and migration.

Enlightenment and Freemasonry in the Life and Work of the Physician Joannis Baptistae Lalangue

Data on the educational and Freemasonry activities of Doctor Joannis Baptistae Lalangue have been relatively modestly represented in the scientific literature until now. Based on recent research, we have come to the realizations that give us a new context for the life and work of Lalangue, especially from the aspect of his social activity. All of the above had very significant repercussions on his entire public health work and especially on his journalistic and publishing work. John the Baptist Lalangue was a successful physician. During his medical studies in Vienna, he was recognized by Baron van Swieten, the first name in medicine of the Habsburg Monarchy. Recent knowledge speaks of his very notable Enlightenment and Freemasonry work, which largely determined his life and work. Lalangue has created a truly impressive literary work, which is closely related to his active Enlightenment and public Masonry engagement. The mentioned progressive Enlightenment engagement is also responsible for the fact that thanks to Lalangue, we already had printed medical original professional literature in the Croatian language in the second half of the 18th century. This directly changed the conditions in society, primarily in the field of public health, for the better, not only in Croatia but also throughout the Habsburg Monarchy.

Analysis of Project Supervision Performance in the Water Resources Sector of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Service of Central Maluku Regency

Analysis of Project Supervision Performance in the Water Resources Sector of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Service of Central Maluku Regency

Developing a clinical-pathological framework of long COVID-related fatigue applied to public safety workers.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions worldwide are still struggling with persistent or recurring symptoms known as long COVID. Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms associated with long COVID, and for many it can be debilitating. Understanding the potential pathological processes that link fatigue to long COVID is critical to better guide treatment. Challenges with diagnosis and treatment are reviewed, recognizing that post-COVID fatigue does not always present with corroborating clinical evidence, a situation that is frustrating for both patients and healthcare providers. Firefighters are a group of public safety workers who are particularly impacted by long COVID-related fatigue. Firefighters must be able to engage in strenuous physical activity and deal with demanding psychological situations, both of which may be difficult for those suffering from fatigue. Disruption in public safety worker health can potentially impact community welfare. This review creates a framework to explain the clinical-pathological features of fatigue resulting from long COVID, addresses diagnosis and treatment challenges, and explores the unique impact fatigue may pose for public safety workers and their organizations.

Fostering Innovative Work Behaviour of Public Sector Employees: A Nominal Group Technique

Innovative work behaviour has received significant attention in research that benefits individuals, groups and organisations. However, factors that affect innovative work behaviour, specifically among public sector employees, are rarely studied. Hence, this paper proposes solutions to increase innovative work behaviour using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT). The experts provided an overview of 11 potential solutions to enhance the public sector employee's innovative work behaviour. The NGT approach facilitated the quick and readily validation of literature elements that experts subsequently discussed and voted on. This paper references future studies on human resource management and practices.

Methodology for shielding design and evaluation for container scanners.

There has been an increase in the use of high energy photon beam for container scanners in many countries for multi purposes such as detecting high atomic number materials which might be nuclear materials, drugs, high explosive materials and other contrabands etc. High energy photon beams generally 6 and 9 MV can be used for scanning such materials. However, it is important to ensure that radiation level beyond the container scanner installation is within the permissible dose limit specified by the national competent authority for the protection of public and radiation workers. In this paper, challenges in the biological shielding during the installation of high energy X-ray system for scanning vehicles containing suspected materials are discussed. The purpose of the present study is to develop a methodology for shielding design and evaluation for container scanner installations. The basic concept pertaining to shielding evaluation of radiotherapy installations provided in National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP)/International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports are referred, and appropriately used to calculate optimized shielding thicknesses requirements for container scanner installation. Workload is estimated based on number of containers scanned, machine ON time and dose rate at 1m. The shielding evaluation includes use of beam stopper in the primary beam, scattering by heterogeneous metallic scrap materials or any other suspected materials contained in the vehicle and their impact on the thickness of shielding walls. A model lay out plan to be used for installation of container scanner is developed. A methodology for shielding evaluation for various protective walls and ceiling of this model is also discussed. The study provides basic requirement for designing a structural room for installing 9MV container scanner from radiological safety view point.

PARTICIPANTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE EXPANDED PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME TO SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS

Public Employment Programmes (PEPs), which include the South African Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), are widely recognised as important social protection tools that address the challenges of persistent unemployment and dire poverty. PEPs offer a ‘win-win’ policy option by creating jobs while simultaneously generating assets and delivering services. In South Africa, the impact of PEPs has primarily been evaluated based on employment opportunities, thus creating a gap in the comprehensive assessment of their contribution to the broader livelihood of participants beyond job creation. To address this gap, a qualitative research method was employed, utilising a snowball sampling strategy and the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework as the theoretical foundation for the investigation. The findings of this study underscore the positive contribution of the EPWP to the livelihoods of its participants. However, the study also uncovered various challenges confronting the programme, such as non-compliance with program regulations, such as payment below minimum wage rates and difficulties in meeting youth employment targets amidst escalating youth unemployment rates in South Africa. The research recommends introducing a national EPWP policy with enforcement mechanisms and youth-focused programmes while strengthening local institutions to provide services and processes to enhance the impact of these programs and create a conducive environment for beneficiaries to improve their livelihoods and escape poverty.

Gender labor segregation in the care economy: needs research and solutions

The purpose of the research to determine the needs and workload of people who provide free care for their elderly relatives at home. Methodology – a mixed method was applied, which included an electronic individual questionnaire with open and closed questions among 201 residents of Kazakhstani urban and rural areas. Originality / value of the research - the first study in Kazakhstan aimed at identifying the needs and the time use of people engaged in unpaid care for their elderly relatives. Findings: A social and demographic portrait of a caregiver for an older adult at home was composed, the share of institutional, paid and unpaid care in households and the distribution of household workload between spouses were estimated, and the perception of gender equality in families was defi ned. The study showed that the basic needs of people caring for their older relatives at home included benefi ts and payments, services of a public social worker /compensation for care assistant services, a solid pension, an increase in the caregiver’s social status, free medicines and medical care. A shortage of institutional care services for older people in Kazakhstan has been identifi ed, and recommendations for developing a national care system have been proposed.

Waste Management in Masnana Village, Namrole Subdistrict, South Buru Regency

This study aims to identify and analyze waste management in Masnana Village, Namrole District, South Buru Regency. The main focus of the research is the behavior of the community in managing waste and the stages of waste management from generation to final disposal. Data were collected through observation, interviews, questionnaires, and documentation. The results show that the main sources of waste in Masnana Village come from households, restaurants, schools, and lodging, as well as natural factors and human activities. Waste generation is measured by weight and volume per person per day, with an average waste weight of 0.35 kg and volume of 25 liters per person per day. The types of waste produced are divided into organic and inorganic waste, with the majority of organic waste still being burned (73.33%) and most inorganic waste also being burned (66.66%). On-site waste management involves the reuse of paint cans and beverage bottles. Waste collection is carried out to temporary disposal sites using a sorting bin system. Organic waste processing is carried out through composting, although many residents still prefer burning. Electronic waste is managed by selling, repairing, or burying it. Final disposal is handled by the Public Works Department to the Piyungan landfill. This study highlights the importance of community participation in waste management to reduce environmental impact and extend landfill life

Critical Infrastructure in Historical Perspective: The Portuguese Railroad Network in the Second Half of the Nineteenth Century

In the 1850s, Portugal initiated an ambitious public works program spearheaded by railroads. In this article, I analyze how policymakers (congressmen, government officials, engineers, and military officers) debated and managed the construction and operation of the Portuguese railroad network using the theoretical framework of critical infrastructure. I show that railroads were deemed critical to modernize the country, draw it closer to the European core nations and further from the periphery, and to attract traffic to the Portuguese harbors. The absence of railroads was considered a vulnerability that could jeopardize Portugal as a nation and it fostered a sense of urgency that motivated policymakers to act, to a large extent, hastily. The construction of the network brought about other vulnerabilities that, for different motives, could threaten the future of the country. In a parallel way, the implementation of the system was marked by vulnerabilities that originated within or surrounding it, which limited its technical potential. Balancing between a literature review and the use of primary sources (parliamentary debates, technical reports, the press, and photography), I argue that the criticality associated with railroads, as a sociotechnical construction, was central to motivate their construction, but different vulnerabilities, inherent or external to the system, limited their influence and the advantages touted by its promoters.

Analisis Fungsi Taman-Taman Kota di Kota Bogor Berdasarkan Persepsi Masyarakat

The availability of city parks is an important thing in spatial planning. This is regulated in the Ministerial Regulation (Permen) of Public Works (PU) Number 05/PRT/M/2008. Referring to this policy, the number of city parks in Bogor City has met the minimum requirements. However, more than quantity is needed if it is balanced with good quality city parks. This research aims to identify the quality of city park functions in Bogor City based on public perceptions. This research is descriptive with an inductive analysis method. Data was collected from part of the population using a random sampling method. Based on the analysis of the four functions of parks in Bogor City, they are running relatively well. Ecologically, city parks in Bogor, on average, have a good function as noise reducers, oxygen producers, windbreaks, and rain catchment areas. Regarding social and cultural functions, city parks in Bogor City have various assessments. People give a good assessment of the function of city parks as a means of social interaction, recreation, and play. Economically, city parks in the city of Bogor are considered by the community to be a sufficient space for economic interaction. However, no source of products produced from these city parks can have economic value. Aesthetically, city parks in Bogor City have a good average score for their function as supporting the city's beauty, increasing comfort, and forming factors of architectural beauty. It is hoped that the findings from this research can become a basis for improving the arrangement and management of city parks in Bogor City.

Assessment of Occupational Health and Safety Management System Implementation in General Hospital

Objective: This study aims to assess the application of Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) in Kertosono Regional General Hospital by identifying the obstacles and strategies that exist, as well as successful system implementation for health sector.Methods: This study utilized a mixed-methods design to assess OHSMS effectiveness and employee perceptions before and after implementation.Findings: Results show a statistically significant decrease in incidents at work after implementation of an OHSMS, which confirms that the global safety performance of this plant is affected by the OHSMS. By contrast, though inadequate instruction, lack of continuous leadership dedication and investment were some major obstacles to successful operation of OHSMS.Novelty: The findings from this study suggest the importance of structured safety management systems designed for public healthcare workers, and provide practical suggestions to bolster the effectiveness of OHSMS in Indonesia.Research Implications: The results also emphasize the importance of ongoing education and training, strong leadership support, as well as providing sufficient resources to promote a culture of safety in healthcare settings. Future research might instead seek upper bounds benefit of an OHSMS for safety or examine how technology can be integrated to provide monitoring, training function on a continuous basis.

TRANSFORMING MEDELLÍN: ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN DESIGN AS AGENTS OF SOCIAL CHANGE

This article examines the transformative impact of Sergio Fajardo’s mayoral administration (2003–2007) in Medellín, Colombia, focusing on architecture and urban design projects that have promoted equity. Central to this urban renaissance was the Proyecto Urbano Integral (PUI) Nororiental, which revitalized informal settlements in the city’s northeastern zone. The initiative leveraged financing from Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM), a city-owned utility company, ensuring sustainable investment in public works without reliance on international loans. This financial model enabled the redistribution of funds to Medellín’s poorest neighborhoods, fostering transparency and combating corruption. Key to this urban strategy was the involvement of the Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano (EDU) which implemented the PUI with an intersectional planning approach combining public transit, education, culture, recreation, health, and safety initiatives. The PUI emphasized community participation through “Imaginary Workshops” promoting ownership and engagement among residents. The PUI Nororiental, enhanced by the Metrocable transit system and associated public spaces, has successfully integrated isolated neighborhoods while reducing violence and fostering social cohesion. Despite critiques of high costs, this article argues that quality public spaces and civic buildings promote community pride and destigmatization. Medellín’s “social urbanism” serves as a model for addressing inequity in Latin America and the broader Global South, demonstrating how architecture and urban design can drive social change.