Sector Planning Research Articles

Strategic decisions in healthcare: Impact on goals and enhancing service quality for organizational success

This study underscores the crucial imperatives of governments aiming to establish effective social protection systems: prioritizing human capital development, reinforcing social protection mechanisms, and improving the populace's standard of living. The primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of central healthcare issues and propose strategic solutions for the advancement of healthcare services. The methodology involves a detailed examination and segmentation of the healthcare sector, tailoring enhancements to specific segments. The article critically examines strategic management nuances within the healthcare sector, offering detailed segmentations and proposals for potential improvements. It extends its focus to advanced healthcare systems worldwide, providing valuable insights for assimilating foreign experiences. The study systematically explores the intricacies of strategic action planning and management in both public and corporate healthcare sectors, including transnational corporations. Findings underscore the imperative of continual development and improvement in healthcare service quality, emphasizing the necessity for judicious strategic decisions to sustain the healthcare market's functionality and vitality. This study is relevant for administrative institutions, organizations, governmental bodies, and corporate entities aiming to enhance decision-making processes and operational aspects while prioritizing healthcare quality.

Mitigating urban light pollution: A review of municipal regulations and implications for planners

ABSTRACT Propelled by more energy-efficient technologies such as light-emitting diodes, the growth of outdoor light at night is raising concerns about light pollution (LP). Given mounting evidence of LP’s risks to human wellbeing, nature and wildlife, and views of the dark sky, this paper examines the extent to which LP concerns are addressed in land use plans, policies, and regulations in nine U.S. cities, including Flagstaff, Arizona, a city known for its model lighting code. Through a review of zoning and other ordinances, area and sectoral plans and policies, media reports, and interviews with planners, this study documents that LP has yet to be taken seriously in municipal codes of most study cities. Drawing from the Flagstaff model, it offers recommendations for evidence-based, objective standards for three key dimensions of LP-mitigation: limiting total illumination or lumens per acre, shielding of lamps, and specifying luminaire characteristics. ABBREVIATIONS AMA: American Medical Association; APA: American Planning Association; CCT: Correlated Color Temperature; CRI: Color Rendition Index; ESCO: Energy Service Companies; f.c.: foot candle; HPS: High-Pressure Sodium; IDA: International Dark-Sky Association; LED: Light-Emitting Diode; LP: Light Pollution; LPS: Low-Pressure Sodium; LZ: Lighting Zone; NSA: Narrow-Spectrum Amber

WEAP analysis for enhancing water resource sustainability in Egypt: a dynamic modeling approach for long-term planning and management

ABSTRACT Egypt’s water resources face challenges arising from escalating urban demand, changes in land use, environmental requirements, and the impacts of climate change. To address these challenges, the study develops a dynamic model using WEAP model as a decision support tool for water sector planning and management. By comparing different scenarios, the research examines the benefits of water conservation in terms of cost reduction in supply, wastewater generation, and treatment. Considering the projection period until 2037, it is imperative to carefully examine the research findings and explore opportunities for further optimizing water use efficiency. Based on the model simulation results, it is anticipated that the total water demands in Egypt will rise from 78.40 billion cubic meters (BCM) in 2023 (comprising 61.10 BCM for the agricultural sector, 12.58 BCM for the municipal sector, and 5.73 BCM for the industrial sector) to 81.02 BCM in 2037. The water demand for the agricultural sector is projected to decrease from 61.30 billion cubic meters (BCM) in 2023 to 60.14 BCM in 2037 as a result of the implementation of modern and smart irrigation systems. Conversely, the municipal sector is expected to experience an increase from 12.58 BCM in 2023 to 14.88 BCM in 2037. Furthermore, for the industrial sector, the water demand is anticipated to rise from 5.73 BCM in 2023 to 6.00 BCM in 2037.

Coal power plants transition based on joint planning of power and central heating sectors: A case study of China

Coal power plants are crucial in both the power sector and central heating sector and also emit large amount of carbon dioxide. Existing research on coal power plants transformation mainly focused on their role in the power sector, with insufficient attention paid to their heat and power cogeneration capabilities. To address this gap, this paper proposes a long-term expansion joint optimization model for power sector and central heating sector incorporating the competitive technologies in both sectors, which is used to obtain the optimal low-carbon transition pathway of power sector and central heating sector, and analyse the pathway of coal power plants. China is selected for a case study for its largest scale of existing coal power plants in the world and urgent need of decarbonization. Compared to the scenario only considering electricity generation function from coal power plants to power sector, another scenario also considering the heating production to central heating sectors brings less than 5% increase in their remaining capacity, whilst results in significant changes in their regional distribution. Proportion of heat and power cogeneration of coal power plants in the heat generation structure is expected to increase first to 80% in 2030 and decrease to 58% in 2055.

Some thoughts on noise and its evolution around Geneva Airport

Today the aviation industry is strongly exposed to criticism based on its impact on climate change. While this is a very important challenge, the industry and especially airports also have a second important challenge: noise impact, which needs to be managed more strategically and proactively. This paper discusses the key factors that influence noise impact, looking at the influence of the evolution of passenger numbers and movements, the influence of the time slots used for these movements and the movements of the lowest noise class aircraft. It will also examine why the permissible noise curve currently under discussion is much larger than that of the 2009 noise register, the first definition by the Swiss aviation regulator of the foreseen noise impact of Geneva Airport. The paper will investigate to what extent Geneva Airport can influence the noise curves through opening hours and slot availability, as well as ways in which the airport might achieve the 20 per cent noise reduction announced in the aeronautical infrastructure sector plan of 2018. Finally, it will suggest a methodology to produce a forecast of noise impact based on key variables such as movements during specific hours of the day and the percentage of movements of aircraft of the lowest noise class.

Knowledge and Attitude of Health Managers Towards the Annual Health Sector Planning and Budgeting Process in Bungoma County, Kenya

The focus of health planning and budgeting is to identify priorities that, in turn, guide budgetary allocations aimed at improving health outcomes. The shift towards decentralization has necessitated reforms in the planning and budgeting processes. These reforms encompass the enactment of legislation, the formulation of process guidelines, and the utilization of program-based budgeting (PBB). Despite the institutionalization of these reforms, healthcare administrators continue to encounter the challenge of insufficient technical capacity and motivation, which hinders their effective participation in the process. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the knowledge and attitudes of health managers toward the annual health sector planning and budgeting process. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data were collected from 170 health managers drawn from all levels of the county health system, while qualitative data were collected from 3 county health executives. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v. 29.0), while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Fifty-eight percent of the health managers had not received training on the annual planning process, and 81% had not been trained on PBB. Only 41% were oriented on MoH planning guidelines and 40.5% on legal frameworks. Just 42% of health managers were knowledgeable about the planning and budgeting process. Chi-square tests indicated a significant association between training and the knowledge level of health managers, χ2 (1, N = 170) = 94.76, p < 0.001, as well as between the knowledge level and the use of legal frameworks, χ2 (1, N = 170) = 53.67, p < 0.001. Trained health managers displayed higher knowledge and utilization of legal frameworks. Although 93% of health managers acknowledged the process is essential for their units, only 40% affirmed their motivation to participate, and 78% disagreed with having a positive attitude toward the process. Top of Form To enhance the knowledge and attitude of health managers towards planning and budgeting, the county health department should allocate funds for training in the annual planning and budgeting process—including PBB. Additionally, the county health department should implement comprehensive orientation programs for health managers, encompassing the Ministry of Health's planning and budgeting guidelines along with the relevant legal frameworks.

Health Managers’ Utilization of Evidence to Inform Annual Health Sector Planning and Budgeting Process in Bungoma County, Kenya

Evidence-based planning and budgeting within the health sector are essential in strengthening the health system building blocks. Decentralization has presented opportunities for collecting local and reliable data to facilitate evidence-based planning and budgeting. Despite the increasing availability of routine health information at all levels of the health system, its effective utilization among health managers in lower and middle-income countries remains inadequate. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the health managers’ utilization of evidence to inform the annual planning and budgeting process. The study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design, incorporating quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative data were collected from 170 health managers, while qualitative data were gathered from three county department of health executives and 83 community health committee members across eight functional community health units. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v. 29.0) was employed for analyzing the quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. Only 42.4% of health managers received training in planning, budgeting, and annual performance reviews (APRs). Among the 45.9% who conduct APRs, only 47.4% use the findings to inform the process. A significant association was found between training and conducting of APRs, χ2 (1, N = 170) = 21.73, p < .001, and between training and the utilization of APR findings in decision-making, χ2 (1, N = 78) = 14.72, p < .001. Although 75% of health managers acknowledged the availability of health information, 71% disagreed that they have skills in data use for planning and budgeting and 54% disagreed regarding the reliability of the available data. The health managers who were trained in health sector planning, budgeting, and APRs were more likely to use findings to inform the process. To improve evidence-based planning and budgeting, the county health department should allocate additional funding towards conducting APRs as a critical first step in guiding the identification of priorities. Additionally, there is a need to implement capacity-building initiatives targeting health managers across all tiers of the county health system, focusing on data management and its effective utilization in planning and budgeting.

Private Sector Participation in Local Government Planning and Budgeting Processes: Experiences from Makete and Njombe Districts Councils


 
 
 The private sector is a key development partner, thus, its participation in government development planning and budgeting processes is crucial. This study investigated private sector participation in planning and budgeting processes in local government authorities in Makete and Njombe District Councils in Njombe Region. The specific objectives of the study were to examine spaces for private sector participation, and establish factors influencing private sector participation in LGAs’ development planning and budgeting processes. The study involved 40 purposively selected private sector organizations’ officials and 15 LGAs officials. Data were collected through structured interviews, key informant interviews and documentary reviews. The descriptive analysis technique was used for data analysis. Qualitative data were analysed for qualitative content analysis. The study found that the main spaces for private sector participation in LGA’s planning and budgeting processes were the submission of annual plans and budgets to LGAs, attending LGAs’ annual planning and budgeting meetings, and inviting LGAs officials to attend private sector planning and budgeting processes. The main factors influencing the private sector’s participation in LGAs planning and budgeting processes were: the policies of the private organisations, the need for transparency and accountability, the need for government support, the organization’s scope of operation and fora for lobbying and advocacy. It was concluded that the existing mechanisms were generally ‘closed’ or ‘invited’ spaces, which offered limited participation space for the private sector. Thus, there is a need for the government to widen participation spaces for the public sector, including by putting in place clear modalities for involving the private sector in LGA’s development planning and budgeting processes.
 
 
 

Spatial Planning Response to the Challenges of Climate Change Adaptation: An Analysis of Selected Instruments and Good Practices in Europe

The task of combining objectives, spatial planning instruments, and climate change adaptation targets is a complex endeavour that varies across countries. There is a call for a universal discussion on how spatial planning should respond to climate change challenges. To address this issue, this article delves into the approaches taken by Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Poland, aiming to explore how spatial planning instruments support climate change adaptation goals. The authors, based on a jointly extracted questionnaire, identified what they consider to be the most relevant examples of instruments to use to ensure the integration of spatial planning objectives and the response to climate challenges. The identified solutions are compared in detail. Three key spatial planning themes emerged in this study: investment in renewable energy, the development and preservation of green infrastructure, and the protection of coastal zones. This article examines the systemic solutions found in these countries, discusses the role of both classical and sectoral spatial planning instruments, and identifies the level of public authority responsible for key interventions. It shows that instruments developed at the supra-local level should support local authorities by providing them with legal and substantive arguments for developing solutions relevant to climate challenges.

История и перспективы реализации национальных проектов в сфере экономики

The relevance of the research topic is related to the implementation of 10 national projects in the Republic of Kazakhstan from 2021, approved by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated October 7, 2021 No. 670. National projects are aimed at increasing the socio-economic indicators of the development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, improving the quality of life of the population. The approval of the projects marked the transition from the program-target planning method in the executive authorities to the project method, which was proclaimed by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the end of 2020, with clearer goals, indicators, expected effects, and with fixed areas of responsibility for the implementation of the project for the relevant executive bodies, the authorities of the republic. At present, it is difficult to talk about the results of the implementation of projects, since implementation began only in the second half of 2021, in the face of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current geopolitical crisis in neighboring states affecting the country's economy. The purpose of the study was to assess the prospects for the implementation of the national project of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of economy, namely the project “Sustainable economic growth aimed at improving the welfare of Kazakhstanis”. The novelty of the study is due to the fact that the main parameters, current (intermediate) results of the project implementation are determined and the expected results of the project implementation are presented. Conclusions on the study: the transition from program-targeted to project planning in Kazakhstan made it possible to link the goals and objectives set out in strategic documents (Strategy “Kazakhstan 2050”, National Priorities until 2025, National Development Plan of Kazakhstan until 2025, National Security Strategy) and sectoral plans with tasks that are included in the directions in national projects. The tasks are formed on the basis of these strategic documents, they correspond to the measures for their solution and the amount of funding. The largest project in terms of funding is “Sustainable economic growth aimed at improving the welfare of Kazakhstanis” (15.9 trillion tenge), aimed at modernizing industry, the fuel and energy complex, energy and supporting the export of non-commodity goods. However, not all indicators included in the project for 2022 are being met. In the future, the improvement of the project planning process, optimization of their number, taking into account modern realities, is being discussed

Organizational Stress Antecedents and Emotional Intelligence Role in Pakistani Private Bankers' Organizational Well-Being After Covid-19

The present study examines the organizational wellbeing among banking employees that may affect due to organizational stress antecedents, which may arise due to COVID-19, Hyderabad, Pakistan. In this research, cross-sectional data is used to conclude the results with the assistance of an online survey questionnaire based on a convenience sampling technique. From 350 raw samples, 252 usable answers proceed with final results by applying structural equation model (SEM) for the data analysis. The finding explores a significant and positive influence of organizational stress antecedents and emotional intelligence towards organizational wellbeing and its outcomes in the pandemic era. The study provides analytical knowledge about the factors that play an essential role in managing organizational wellbeing. This research study may offer a new vision to the policymakers and banking sector planners in Pakistan to provide the specific consideration and develop such an environment that can help the employees cope with the current pandemic situation of Covid 19. This study is original, empirically confirming the influence of organizational stress antecedents and emotional intelligence on organizational wellbeing and its outcomes during COVID-19 in the private banking sector.

Weather Forecasting Using Radial Basis Function Neural Network in Warangal, India

Weather forecasting is an essential task in any region of the world for proper planning of various sectors that are affected by climate change. In Warangal, most sectors, such as agriculture and electricity, are mainly influenced by climate conditions. In this study, weather (WX) in the Warangal region was forecast in terms of temperature and humidity. A radial basis function neural network was used in this study to forecast humidity and temperature. Humidity and temperature data were collected for the period of January 2021 to December 2021. Based on the simulation results, it is observed that the radial basis function neural network model performs better than other machine learning models when forecasting temperature and humidity.

Spatial Area Distribution of Oaks According to Different Selected Parameters in Türkiye

Considering the forest management plans prepared recently, the Oaks, which were previously represented by a single nickname (Quercus spp), are now separated based on species. Although there are forest management plans using old pseudonyms that are still in use, plans that have expired are being renewed considering Oak species distinction. There is no study that provides up-to-date information on the spatial distribution, mixture status, and stands’ distribution according to age, site and canopy classes. However, such studies provide useful information at many levels, from sectorial planning for example to revealing honey production efficiency.
 
 In this study, the spatial distribution of Oaks according to the different parameters mentioned above was examined by using the spatial database obtained from the General Directorate of Forestry. ArcGIS 10.8TM software was used to query the attribute data and present it in tables and figures. According to the results obtained, there are a total of 9.05 million ha of Oak stands. Within this, 6.116.992,7 ha (67,6%) are pure or mixed within Oak species, and 2.928.775,9 ha (32,4%) are mixed. Pure and mix stands within Oak species have 2.075.508,4 ha of productive (33,9%) and 4.041.484,3 ha degraded (66,1%). Moreover, 4.986.288,1 ha (81,5%) are managed as high forest and 1.130.704,6 ha (18,5%) are managed as coppice. Considering their developmental stage and crown closure (excluding degraded stands), 94,5% of those were less than 20 cm in dbh (diameter at breast height), and 44,1% of them having more than 70% of the cover. As conclusion, it is recommended that Oaks should be given with mentioned parameters, when publishing forestry statistics.

Sustainability of energy production from biomass

In recent years, we have witnessed great interest in the production of energy from renewable energy sources as well as a number of energy efficiency measures implemented to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Certainly, it leads directly or indirectly to environmental protection and reduction of harmful gas emissions. However, if there are no systematic and planned approaches to the use of all these previously listed measures, in some cases turbulent phenomena can occur, such as lack of biomass as fuel, delays in energy deliveries, disruption of normal formation of market prices of energy and fuels. Sustainability of the use of biomass for energy purposes derives from the general definition of sustainability and concerns to social, environmental, energy-resource and economic sustainability. The process of multicriteria optimization arose from the need to satisfy most of the sustainability segments and factors. This chapter provides an overview of the different wood biomass supply chains and their optimization for conditions appropriate to the Republika Srpska. The approach of modeling biomass supply chains, their optimization, logistics, statistics in the bioenergy sector, detection of real biomass potentials, biomass fuel needs assessments, job creation in this sector and strategic planning, should be the way to sustainable use of biomass resource in energy sector. This is also the path which Republika Srpska should start following.

Prospects and challenges of achieving sustainable urban green-spaces: A case study of urban greening in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Bangladesh

Urban green spaces and urban forest covers are a significant component of urban planning which is critically ignored in Bangladesh. This study aims to identify the prospects and challenges of achieving sustainable urban green spaces in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Bangladesh which is a significant indicator of the sustainable development goal (SDG11). We have analyzed the historical land use and land cover change (LULC) from 1992, 2002, 2012, and 2022 using Landsat 4–5 Thematic Mapper (TM), Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) images by ArcGIS 10.8 and Google Earth-pro software. The use of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) primarily indicates vegetation greenness as well as determining other land uses such as waterbody, settlements and barren land. The calculated kappa values varied from 80% to 86.7% for all the years and fit the current research. A strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT) analysis reviewed and analyzed existing sectoral policy and plans to identify challenges to achieve sustainable urban forestry. Fifteen key informant interviews (KII) from Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Department of Environment (DOE), Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), and Department of Social Forestry Department (DSF) wing under BFD were taken to identify the status of urban forestry, its problems, opportunities, and threats. The responses were drawn using a Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. Of the total measurements of 194.2sq km (2022), normal vegetation cover has decreased significantly from 1992 to 2022 by approximately 65.9%, while urban areas increased by almost 95% simultaneously. From 1992 to 2022, areas of water bodies decreased by more than 32.4%. The vegetation coverage in DNCC is only 16.17%, inferior in meeting sustainable urban greening to fulfil the criteria of sustainable cities and communities. From the KII, it is found that despite some relevant forestry policy and plans, limited lands, institutional corruption, and weak governance are the major institutional drawbacks. In the DNCC, unplanned and rapid megacity expansion, roads and utility service expansion weak institutional policy, plan, and program implementation for urban green space protection are some of the driving forces of green cover loss. Introducing strategic environmental assessment of urban forestry policy, plans, and programs, removing inter-institutional conflicts, strategic sectoral plans, and programs for increased green spaces through the bioeconomy concept is required. In addition, increased participation from urban stakeholders is some of the significant responses identified for strategic urban green space and forest cover improvement in DNCC.

Optimum integration of negative emission technologies for carbon-constrained energy sector planning

Global warming may cause the average atmospheric temperature to exceed 2 °C by the end of this century, instigating climate change and adversely affecting human lives. Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) should be reduced to overcome the problems of global warming and climate change. The applications of negative emission technologies (NETs) are proposed to reduce terrestrial CO2 and are identified as one of the prominent options for the energy system transition. Most negative emission technologies require energy to function, which has to be produced from additional energy sources. Understanding the interdependence of the energy sources and NETs for planning the carbon-constrained energy sector is essential. A novel graphical approach, founded on the concepts of Pinch Analysis, to decarbonize the energy sector is purported in this paper. The proposed method determines the minimum integration of negative emission technologies required to attain the allowed CO2 emission limit while satisfying the energy demand. Four different examples are used to show the applicability of the suggested approach with different NETs: carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and direct air capture (DAC). In these examples, renewable-based energy sources, fossil-based energy sources, as well as energy-producing negative emission technologies are used as compensatory energy sources. The proposed graphical approach has the potential to be used as a planning tool to decarbonize the energy sector involving interdependent energy sources and NETs.

Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystem (W-E-F-E) Nexus River Basin Policy Paradigm for Agriculture Transformation and Multisector Infrastructure Development of Nepal

Water is Nepal’s most abundant resource, and its development and utilization are essential for driving the development of multisector infrastructures (agriculture, energy, industry, urban development, etc.). Nepal has hitherto adopted an isolated and sectoral silo policy approach to development planning that has remained the dominant mode of planning across many countries in the world with few exceptions until recently when inadequacies of sectoral planning became apparent. The search for alternatively more integrative approaches came into the forefront of development discourse in the backdrop of shrinking natural resources, climate change, inexorable demand of a rapidly growing urban population, and other needs and requirements at a global scale. The river basin-wide W-E-F-E nexus development policy strategy offers significant potential for optimum water resource utilization driving development of all sectors, including agriculture. The fundamental aspect of the W-E-F-E nexus policy framework entails the understanding of interdependencies and interactions amidst its components (water, energy, food, and ecosystem) and assessing their synergistic impacts on food, energy, water, and environmental securities in the basin. The W-E-F-E nexus policy framework aims to harness the synergy created from the interaction of interlinked components to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). This paper argues that Nepal government must carefully weigh the pros and cons of designing singular run-of-river mega hydro-project visa-vis multipurpose water reservoir projects with provisions of integrating irrigation, drinking water, inland waterways, and flood control infrastructures besides hydro-energy leveraging W-E-F-E nexus relationship.

‘It’s the hope I can’t stand’: planning, valuation and new community building

ABSTRACT What are the recursive effects of planning on valuations of land, value capture and returns to developers and hence what urban planning can achieve in the building of new urban fringe communities? Valuations affect returns on investment in ways that impact on developer contributions while planning fuels hope in ways that land value capture instruments can never fully realise. We illustrate the discussion with reference to Melbourne, Australia drawing on research interviews with local and state and private sector planners, real estate brokers and valuers. In conclusion, we note the implications of the hope generated by planning for the capture of land value uplifts in the name of new community building; the desirability of integrating insights from the property and planning disciplines; further investigating the temporalities of planning; and the contribution of built environment professions in shaping discourses surrounding the value of planning.

Profit or public service? Tensions and alignment in private planning practice

ABSTRACT The growth of employment opportunities for planners working in the private sector has resulted in a rapid change in the composition of the planning profession in the UK, with over 40% of Royal Town Planning Institute members now employed in private practice. Existing writing on private planning practice is somewhat circumspect, with the private sector being associated largely with a profit-driven approach. Drawing on interviews with private sector planners, this paper argues that this fails to reflect the lived reality of private sector planners, and in so doing sets out an alternative and more nuanced characterisation of private practice.

Analysis of sectoral plans for adaptation of the Russian economy to climate change

Analysis of sectoral plans for adaptation of the Russian economy to climate change