Uncoordinated Planning Research Articles

Socioeconomic impacts on damage risk from typhoons in mega-urban regions in China: A case study using Typhoons Mangkhut and Lekima

Due to climate change, typhoons are becoming more frequent and destructive and thus increasingly threaten property and life. Many studies have discussed the relationships between disaster losses and socioeconomic development but have paid little attention to those relationships within mega-urban regions. This study aims to explore how socioeconomic factors affect disaster losses in mega-urban regions in China. Specifically, using data about Typhoons Mangkhut and Lekima, we established the association of socioeconomic factors with the affected population and economic losses caused by typhoons. Subsequently, we examined the significant differences of socioeconomic impacts among the cities proper and metro-rings within mega-urban regions and in non-mega-urban regions. Our results showed that higher per capita income, higher population density, higher percentage of females, and higher education level, are associated with fewer disaster losses. When the different areas were compared, we found that metro-rings suffered the largest population and economic losses. Also, the metro-rings’ high immigration rates, low education levels, and uncoordinated planning and management abilities, all contributed to its high disaster risk. Our results both provide insight into regional variations within mega-urban regions affected by typhoons and identify the distinctiveness exhibited by metro-rings, where high exposure and vulnerability make them the areas with the highest disaster risk. These results can help mega-urban regions in China institute viable measures for their most vulnerable areas to prevent disasters triggered by typhoons.

Soil survey, land evaluation and food security scenario in Nigeria

Poverty and malnutrition are tragedies and their absence is the national development rubicon. They are captured in sustainable development goals (SDG) 1, 2 and 3 and remained intractable in most developing countries including Nigeria due to largely uncoordinated planning in majority of the facets of the country. The association of these goals (SDG 1, 2 and 3) with agriculture avails the sector a pivotal role and policy and planning becomes critical. The pivotal and critical role of planning in agriculture will be insignificant in the absence of a national soil classification system with accompanying detailed survey and land evaluation. This study highlighted the consequences of the absence of a pragmatic soil survey and land evaluation report for sustainable soil management and its implications to food security in Nigeria. The burden of poverty directly impacts the human dignity and Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification has become imminently indispensable because dependence on fossil fuel is losing its capacity to support growth and development. The primary focus and best option for diversification is agriculture with soil as the basis. This is not just for sustainable development, but for food production in a drive for food security and probably sovereignty. The first step in this drive is proper understanding of the soil resources of the nation through soil survey and land evaluation at a level of realization for sustainable pragmatic agricultural purposes. These are impossible in the absence of a uniform and nationally acceptable classification system (at least at the series level of United States Department of Agriculture Taxonomy) which possess numerous benefits to the extent that continued delay is very detrimental to the growth and development of any contemporary society. This is prior to the indispensable establishment of localized and indigenous classification system for Nigeria soils.

Planning Institutions and Urban Spatial Patterns: Evidence from a Cross-National Analysis

This paper examines how national planning frameworks differ from each other and how those differences relate to patterns of urban development using an international cross section of metropolitan regions. We construct a composite index to measure institutional planning frameworks through objective criteria—restrictive versus permissive; binding versus nonbinding; nationally versus locally oriented—that enables comparison between (not within) countries. We also estimate a series of models to evaluate the relationship between institutional frameworks and patterns. The evidence suggests that a more centralized and coordinated planning framework produces more compact development, whereas a more decentralized and uncoordinated planning framework results in less compact development.

Institutional Challenges In Managing County Government Resources In Kenya

In 2010 the Government of Kenya promulgated a new Constitution, articulating a devolved-system of Government entailing a National Government and County Governments. As a key pillar to the constitution of Kenya, devolution seeks to bring governance closer to the people. Kenyans are therefore looking at the county governments to derive the required change in the country. However, fundamental challenges have continued to dog the Counties including irregular or delayed disbursement of devolved funds from the national Exchequer; low revenue collection levels from local sources; weak and uncoordinated planning and execution among others. This has led to several stalled projects; indebtedness to suppliers; inadequate capacity at the county level to effectively and efficiently perform the devolved functions; inadequate financial resources among others. Although there are opportunities for Foreign Direct Investment and capital inflow; Public-Private Partnerships; Grants; Exchange programs; and wider markets for the local products, that the Counties need to explore and pursue, most of them are not in a position to sustain themselves. The purpose of this paper is to review the Institutional and Legal frameworks as provided by the Constitution of Kenya using the business sustainability model of the seven Ps (i.e. Preparation, People, Processes, Preservation, Place, Product and Production). It is hoped that the paper will form a conceptual framework to inform future county Government’s strategic decisions in order to utilize grants from development partners for the improvement of their citizens welfare. Further the paper will inform policy makers and development partners on fundamental areas that may need to be looked at in order to ensure effective utilization of available resources.

Battling the informal settlement challenge through sustainable city framework: experiences and lessons from Harare, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACTThis study examines the efficacy of adopting the sustainable city framework as an urban planning agenda with a view to addressing the dilemma of informal settlements in Harare, Zimbabwe. Data were collected through document review which was triangulated with key informant interviews. Thematic and content analysis was then used to analyse the data. The results of the study show that informal settlements in Harare are a result of a multiplicity of factors which include political economy, uncoordinated planning, invasion of land by land barons and inappropriate planning ideologies. The planning approaches to address informal settlements also tends to be too harsh at times when evictions are used though there are some instances where it is commendable-regularisation by UDC. The study recommends the adoption of planning approaches that conform to the local realities in Harare as well as considering the sustainable cities framework.

Consecuencias del megaproyecto de dragado de profundización en el sistema socio-ecológico del estuario del Guadalquivir, España

La dinámica cortoplacista, sectorial y descoordinada que ha guiado las acciones humanas sobre los recursos del estuario del río Guadalquivir en las últimas décadas ha terminado provocando un importante deterioro del ecosistema y por tanto de los servicios que este puede proporcionar a la sociedad. Para garantizar la sostenibilidad de estos recursos es necesaria, como punto de partida, una visión territorial del estuario basada en la comprensión de las relaciones mediante las que interactúan continuamente el sistema social y el sistema natural. Bajo esta idea se realiza una aproximación del estuario del Guadalquivir hacia el marco de los sistemas socio-ecológicos y se analizan las consecuencias que una planificación sectorial y descoordinada, como la que ejemplifica el megaproyecto de dragado de profundización, puede tener sobre este sistema.

Sustainable territorial development and urban growth: a critical interaction: the Spanish Mediterranean Coast, and Catalonia, during the last two decadas

The paper aims to provide a reflection about the different types of models of urban growth in
 relation to the territorial natural context, it means an investigation about those relationships
 established between natural environment and human involvement which often, and especially in
 recent years, have generated not a few conflicts in the balance among urban / non-urban
 combination. Certainly, the urbanization process is affected by natural and administrative
 factors, but it is clear that there is a tendency to occupy the most productive and most profitable
 portions of landscape. If we look at how urbanization has spread over territory during the last
 twenty or thirty years, and we concentrate on its forms of occupying the soil, we have the clear
 suspect that urbanization, above all in the Mediterranean area, and even more toward the
 immediate coastal line, has underwent a process of uncontrolled, uncoordinated planning,
 almost without care for environmental problems. An important piece of evidence is that, in 2006,
 the first kilometre of coastal territory, along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, was 30%
 urbanized; this percentage, which was as low as 22% in 1990, goes down flatly already in the
 second kilometre (16% in 2006) to reach very low values at a distance of 20 or 40 kilometres. El treball pretén proporcionar una reflexió sobre les diferents tipologies de models de creixement urbà en relació al context natural territorial, és a dir, investigar sobre aquelles relacions que s'estableixen entre intervenció humana i naturalesa que moltes vegades i, sobre tot, en els últims anys han generat no pocs conflictes en el balanç entre la combinació urbà/no urbà. Per descomptat afecten als processos d'urbanització assumptes tant naturals com administratius, però resulta clara una tendència a ocupar més sòl productiu més rentable des d'un punt de vista econòmic. Si mirem a com s'ha distribuït sobre el territori la urbanització dels últims vint o trenta anys , i ens fixem en les seves formes d'ocupació del sòl, sorgeix el clar dubte de que bona part de la urbanització, sobre tot a l'espai mediterrani i encara més a les primeres línies de costa, s'hagi sotmès a processos de planejament descontrolat i descoordinat, sense cap atenció a les temàtiques ambientals. Una dada important és que el 2006, el primer quilòmetre costaner al llarg de la franja mediterrània, resultava urbanitzat en un 30%. Aquest percentatge, que el 1990 era del 22%, baixa de forma sobtada en el segon quilòmetre (16% el 2006) fins arribar a percentatges baixos a distàncies de 20 o 40 quilòmetres. Resumen
 
 El trabajo pretende proporcionar una reflexión sobre las diferentes tipologías de modelos de crecimiento urbano en relación al contexto natural territorial, es decir investigar acerca de aquellas relaciones que se establecen entre intervención humana y naturaleza que, a menudo, y sobretodo en los últimos años han generado no pocos conflictos en el balance entre la combinación urbano/ no-urbano. Por supuesto afectan a los procesos de urbanización asuntos tanto naturales como administrativos, pero resulta clara una tendencia a ocupar un suelo más productivo , más rentable desde un punto de vista económico. Si miramos a como se ha distribuido sobre el territorio la urbanización de los ultimo veinte o treinta años, y nos fijamos en sus formas de ocupación del suelo, nos surge la clara duda de que buena parte de la urbanización, sobre todo en el espacio mediterráneo, y aun mas hacia las primeras líneas de costa, se haya sometido a procesos de planeamiento descontrolado, descoordinado, y con casi ninguna atención hacia las temáticas ambientales. Un dato importante es que en el 2006, el primer kilómetro de territorio costero, a lo largo de la franja mediterránea española, resultaba urbanizado por un 30%. Este porcentaje, que en el 1990 era tan solo del 22%, baja de forma repentina ya en el segundo kilómetro (16% en 2006) hasta llegar a porcentajes bajos a distancias de 20 o 40 kilómetros.

The Chicago Skyway in Illinois

The history of the Chicago Skyway in Illinois, from its inception in 1953 to its 99-year lease in 2005, is examined in this paper. As one of the last U.S. toll roads to be built before the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, the skyway's administration reflects the decentralized and relatively flexible institutions of highway administration that prevailed at the time. Chicago officials were able to finance the skyway with revenue bonds to address an anticipated traffic crisis resulting from uncoordinated planning for the Indiana Toll Road. However, Chicago's independent initiative came with a lack of oversight and resulted in questionable design parameters, traffic projections, and financing. Skyway bonds went into default in 1963, and decades of financial shortfalls and deferred maintenance followed. In the 1990s, improved traffic and revenue allowed for debt retirement and physical rehabilitation. Its lease to an investment group led by Australia's Macquarie Bank indicated a new paradigm of decentralized highway administration that included an important private-sector role. The $1.83 billion deal was hailed as a triumph for Chicago and a model for future transactions, but once again, its value for investors was questionable. A half-century of skyway history reveals some of the advantages and risks of a decentralized and relatively unregulated system of highway financing and administration.

New mechanisms for international coordination of large observing projects

AbstractProgress on many fronts in the study of the Milky Way requires major new imaging and/or spectroscopic surveys as well as coordinated ground-based programmes in support of space missions. The present uncoordinated planning and operation of the 2-4m (and some of the larger) telescopes across the world are an impediment to the efficient conduct of such programmes and the overall cost-effectiveness of the investments in astronomy. We briefly report on recent initiatives to improve the situation, notably the part played by the ASTRONET consortium in setting up a comprehensive long-term plan for the development of European astronomy.

Evolution of information and communication technology in Tanzania and its impact on ocean data and information management

Efforts to modernize information technology in Tanzania started as early as 1965 when the first computer in the country was installed in the ministry of finance. Unfortunately, these efforts were hampered by several problems that included the lack of qualified indigenous personnel and uncoordinated planning. The problems were very bad experiences to the government, and as a reaction to that in 1974 the government banned the importation of computers and all related equipment (accessories and peripheries) into Tanzania. This severe decision of the government has had a great negative impact on the development of information technology and computer literacy in all fronts including ocean data and information management in Tanzania. However, the situation has greatly much improved recently following various efforts by the government and the donor community to remedy the situation. Even though, the effects of the 1974 government decision are still noticeable. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO in collaboration with the Flanders Government have played a key role in the improvement and structuring of ocean data and information management in Tanzania through Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa (ODINAFRICA) project. These efforts include capacity building in both human resources and infrastructure, creating/increasing awareness among stakeholders and scientists on the need of having a sound data and information management system in the country, and helping Tanzania to establish a National Oceanographic Data Centre (NODC).

Achieving increased production efficiency—A systems approach

This article describes original research into the development of a time based strategy which can be used effectively to restructure manufacturing organizations. Implementation results relating to an electronics components assembly operation and a low voltage switchgear manufacturer are included. It is divided into two parts: (1) A summary of current U.K.-U.S. organizational practice includes a critical look at how uncoordinated planning of technological investments, an excessive focus on control and poor organization has resulted in low value adding characteristics being typical. The Japanese on the other hand have effectively improved operations whilst retaining long term strategic vision, thus ensuring each developmental action and investment supports customer and business needs. (2) The second part of the paper describes the development of a time based framework. This can be used to audit the production system, provide strategic direction and guide implementation and investment. Results of implementations in industry show how potentially powerful this approach can be if applied with senior management support as a long range planning model.

Tourism, Environment, and Sustainable Development

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the effects of tourism and related developments upon the environment of ‘destination areas’. The increasing popularity of the concept of sustainable development has resulted in tourism being viewed as an activity which could easily be developed along those appropriate lines. It is argued, however, that such a viewpoint is often simplistic and naïve, because of a lack of understanding of the complex nature of tourism. While tourism is dependent upon the environment for much of its well-being, the prevailing lack of knowledge, responsibility, and long-term planning, has often resulted in development which is neither environmentally nor culturally sympathetic to the host area and community.A broad definition of environment is necessary in this context, encompassing both the physical and human realms and also Nature's, as is an equally wide view of human leisure activities, which needs to include far more than tourism. It is necessary to take a critical view of some alternative approaches to mass-tourism, which have been suggested as appropriate for environmentally significant areas; for at least some of the problems resulting from tourism-related developments are more profound, and less easily solved, than has often been suggested. Solutions are inevitably a combination of compromise and positive planning and management, and successful examples are difficult to find. Improved understanding of the complex nature of tourism, and of its linkages to the environment, is crucial if a symbiotic relationship is to be attained and maintained.It is necessary to appreciate that tourist destination areas evolve and change over time, both responding to, and being altered by, changes in tourism. They are not static environments, and need responsible and pro-active planning and management. Reliance upon local initiatives, uncoordinated planning, and self-regulation in a situation of ill-defined responsibility, will not result in a secure long-term future for either the tourist industry or the environment of the destination area. Coordination of policies, pro-active planning, acceptance of limitations on growth, education of all parties involved, and commitment to a long-term viewpoint, are prerequisites to the successful linking of tourism and sustainable development.

Floodplain management: Land acquisition versus preservation of historic buildings in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Non-structural adjustments in floodplain management are often avoided because they are seen to infringe on personal rights, adversely affect property values and restrict local tax bases. Land acquisition programs in urban areas encounter a further problem when they lead to demolition of buildings and other structures considered to have historical or architectural value. An experience in Cambridge, Ontario demonstrates that the potential conflict between flood damage reduction and historical preservation objectives can be exacerbated as a result of uncoordinated planning efforts, inflexibility in interpreting mandates, unclear roles for participating agencies, and lack of cooperation Many of these dilemmas can be resolved through consultation and discussion early in the planning process as well as through a willingness to be flexible and to search for a compromise