Urban Workers Research Articles

Evaluation of Satisfaction with Spatial Reuse of Industrial Heritage in High-Density Urban Areas: A Case Study of the Core Area of Beijing’s Central City

Industrial heritage is regarded as an important stock of spatial resources in cities, which highlights its utilization value for urban regeneration in high-density urban areas. With the dramatic increase in the number of industrial heritage reuse projects, how to scientifically evaluate the satisfaction with their spatial reuse is a key part of the solution for the mutual balance between heritage preservation and urban renewal. This paper takes eight industrial heritage conversion and utilization projects in the high-density core area of Beijing’s central city as examples; establishes an evaluation system for the satisfaction with the spatial reuse through six dimensions, namely, functional replacement, transportation accessibility, carrying capacity, public space, boundary form, and recognition of value; and uses the IPA method to evaluate the cases. This method is used to determine the degree of user satisfaction with the spatial reuse of industrial heritage in the core area of Beijing’s central city and to summarize the advantages and problems of its reuse. The results of this study reveal a trend toward the “community-oriented” re-generation of industrial heritage in the core area of Beijing’s central city, and this paper proposes recommendations for adaptive use to support high-quality urban regeneration work.

Health inequality of rural-to-urban migrant workers in eastern China and its decomposition: a comparative cross-sectional study.

As a specific group with high health inequality, it is crucial to improve the health status and health inequalities of rural-to-urban migrant workers. This study aimed to evaluate the health inequality of migrant and urban workers in China and decompose it. A cross-sectional study was carried out, using a standardized questionnaire to obtain basic information, self-rated health to evaluate health status, concentration index to measure health inequalities, and WDW decomposition to analyze the causes of health inequalities. The concentration index of health for migrants was 0.021 and 0.009 for urban workers. The main factors contributing to health inequality among rural-to-urban migrant workers included income, exercise, and age. In contrast, the main factors of health inequality among urban workers included income, the number of chronic diseases, social support, and education. There were health inequalities in both rural-to-urban migrant and urban workers. The government and relevant authorities should formulate timely policies and take targeted measures to reduce income disparities among workers, thereby improving health inequality.

Study on the Impact of Delayed Retirement on the Sustainability of the Basic Pension Insurance Fund for Urban Employees in China

With the aging of China’s population, the problem of pension security has become more and more prominent, and whether delayed retirement can effectively alleviate the pension fund gap and ensure the sustainability of the pension fund has become the focus of social concern. This study predicts the income and expenditure of urban workers’ basic pension insurance fund from 2021 to 2050 by constructing an actuarial model of pension insurance fund income and expenditure, and simulates the effect of delayed retirement policy. The prediction results show that under the existing system, the basic pension insurance fund for urban workers will have a shortfall for the first time in 2027, and the shortfall will expand year by year. Compared with the non-implementation of delayed retirement policy, the simulation of the implementation of a delayed retirement program delayed the emergence of the fund gap until 2029, and the forecast period of the pension fund gap significantly narrowed, indicating that delayed retirement policy has a certain positive impact on alleviating the pressure of pension payments, but delayed retirement cannot completely eliminate the pension fund gap. In view of this, this paper suggests that a progressive and flexible delayed retirement policy should be introduced as soon as possible to better adapt to the needs of different groups. At the same time, differentiated policies should be formulated for different groups of people and a pension incentive mechanism for delayed retirement should be set up to improve public acceptance of delayed retirement policy. In addition, delayed retirement policy should be combined with other measures, such as lowering the corporate contribution rate and enhancing the value-added capacity of the pension fund, so as to ensure the sustainability of the pension fund.

Application of the Lean Construction methodology in an urban paving work

Application of the Lean Construction methodology in an urban paving work

Urban Public Works in Spatial Equilibrium: Experimental Evidence from Ethiopia

This paper evaluates a large urban public works program randomly rolled out across neighborhoods of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We find the program increased public employment and reduced private labor supply among beneficiaries and improved local amenities in treated locations. We then combine a spatial equilibrium model and unique commuting data to estimate the spillover effects of the program on private sector wages across neighborhoods: under full program rollout, wages increased by 18.6 percent. Using our model, we show that welfare gains to the poor are six times larger when we include the indirect effects on private wages and local amenities. (JEL H76, I38, J22, J31, O15, O18, R23)

Family First: The Work Replacement System and Livelihood Politics in Urban China, 1962–1980

Abstract: In the 1960s, a child of a worker in urban China could gain employment in the parent’s work unit upon the latter’s retirement, death, or withdrawal for medical reasons. Known as dingti , this work replacement policy allowed urban families to negotiate and secure their children’s livelihood with the help of the grassroots bureaucracy. When millions of disenchanted sent-down youths returned from rural areas to the cities, especially after 1978, the government was compelled to revive the work replacement system to accommodate the influx. After the government suspended review of the class background and political performance of candidates, the system became a confirmation ritual of the “hereditary rights” of urban workers. Drawing on factory archives and oral history interviews, this article demonstrates that the family-centered politics of livelihood among urban families and the grassroots bureaucracy continued from Mao’s China to the years of the post-Mao transition.

Risky sexual behavior and associated factors among reproductive age women in eastern African countries: a multilevel analysis of the recent demographic and health survey

IntroductionRisky sexual behavior exposes an individual to the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Even though risky sexual behavior is a devastating problem in low- and middle-income countries, studies on risky sexual behavior and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Eastern African countries are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among reproductive-age women in Eastern African countries that help to target high-risk groups and set appropriate intervention.MethodThe appended and recent Demographic and Health Survey dataset of 10 Eastern African countries from 2012 to 2022 was used for data analysis. A total of 111,895 participants were included in this study as a weighted sample. Associated factors were determined using a multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model. Significant factors in the multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model were declared significant at p-values < 0.05. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and confidence interval (CI) were used to interpret the results.ResultThe overall magnitude of risky sexual behavior among reproductive-age women in Eastern African countries was 28.16% (95% CI 27.90%, 28.43%), which ranged from 3.80% in Ethiopia to 67.13% in Kenya. In the multivariable analysis, being a younger woman, being an educated woman, being tested for human immunodeficiency virus, having work, drinking alcohol, and being an urban dweller were factors that were significantly associated with higher odds of risky sexual behavior.ConclusionThe overall magnitude of risky sexual behavior among reproductive-age women in Eastern African countries was high. Individual-level (being a younger woman, being an educated woman, being tested for human immunodeficiency virus, having work, and drinking alcohol) and community-level (being an urban dweller) variables were associated with higher odds of risky sexual behavior. Therefore, policymakers and other stakeholders should give special consideration to urban dwellers, educated, worker and younger women. Better to improve the healthy behavior of women by minimizing alcohol consumption and strengthening HIV testing and counseling services to reduce the magnitude of risky sexual behavior.

Imposter Syndrome

This column will showcase different aspects of the journey from musical theatre professional to director of a rural public library: how this came to be, findings of a library outsider, and recommendations for overcoming imposter syndrome. The author mentions the successes and failures she experienced in her first year as a library supervisor, and the sharp contrast between growing up in an urban setting and working in a rural city/county public library. This column concludes with the idea that how one presents oneself and the tangible actions one takes towards working in and advocating for their library can speak more highly of their abilities than being a perfect job candidate on paper.

Structural Equation Modeling for the Influence of Effectiveness, Lifestyle, and Income Level on the Use of E-Wallet Services by Urban Workers’

The convenience and advantages that e-wallets offer in transactions have the potential to change people's perception of conventional transactions. This study aims to investigate whether the use of e-wallet services by workers is influenced by factors such as effectiveness, lifestyle, and income level. The data was collected via questionnaires which were randomly distributed amongst 100 workers in Bekasi City and its surroundings. The ordinal data obtained was converted into interval data using the successive interval (MSI) method, which was later analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling, Partial Least Square (SEM PLS) technique. The results of the study indicate that variables such as effectiveness and lifestyle have a positive and significant impact on workers' interest in using e-wallets, while the income level variable has an insignificant influence on their interest in using e-wallets.

Factors Influencing the Well-being of Urban Migrant Workers

With the acceleration of urbanization, a large number of rural migrant workers have poured into cities, becoming an important driving force for urban construction and development. However, due to issues such as urban-rural disparities, inadequate social security, and lack of social trust, urban migrant workers face many difficulties that affect their sense of well-being and quality of life. This study quantitatively analyzes the well-being of migrant workers using data from the 2021 China General Social Survey, aiming to explore the impact of social security, social integration, and social needs on the well-being of urban migrant workers. Meanwhile, through literature review and theoretical analysis, the inherent connections and impact mechanisms among these factors are revealed. The results show that an improved social security system, enhanced social trust, and fulfillment of social needs can significantly enhance the well-being of urban migrant workers, providing important theoretical and practical support for achieving social harmony and promoting integrated urban-rural development.

Virtual Reality and Multi-Sensory Interactions: Enhancing Emotional Wellbeing of Urban White-Collar Workers in Shanghai

This research focuses on how to use virtual reality technology to realize emotion detection and adjustment. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of moderate use of virtual reality therapeutic technology in physical space on the mood and productivity of mental workers. White-collar employees (n = 414) from various industries were asked to take part in an online survey to investigate the relationship between virtual reality technology, emotional health, and work performance through the mediation effect.Through data collection and in-depth interviews, This study had examined the perceptions of designers (n = 3) and urban white-collar professionals (n = 3) regarding their personal levels of work stress and experiences with the workplace. The purpose of this study was to determine whether effective usage of virtual reality spatial healing technology would improve employee wellbeing and work productivity. The findings revealed that using virtual reality to design healing spaces would improve emotional health, which would then result in better work performance from employees. Objective: To design and develop innovative therapeutic environments that incorporate multi-sensory interaction and virtual reality, with a focus on optimizing the potential for emotional wellness to create immersive and engaging environments. Theoretical Framework: A multi-method (QUAL→QUAN) research design has been adopted for this study (Creswell, 1999; Tarafdar et al., 2017). In the following sections, a brief literature review of the key constructs used in the study is explained, followed by the study descriptions, discussion of findings, and managerial implications (Banerjee, P., &amp; Gupta, R. 2023) Method: A multi-method (QUAL→QUAN) research design has been adopted for this study (Creswell, 1999; Tarafdar et al., 2017). In the following sections, a brief literature review of the key constructs used in the study is explained, followed by the study descriptions, discussion of findings, and managerial implications (Banerjee, P., &amp; Gupta, R. 2023), The questionnairs had been selected by interviews、expters and literature review, The data had been collected online. The mediation effect analysis had been use in this study to test the hypothesis. Results and Discussion: The results obtained that the integration of art and technology in interactive equipment will allow for personalized adjustments, enhancing user engagement and experience in the future. [synthesize the main results of the research]. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: 1. Advances in the discipline: This study is expected to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on multi-sensory interaction and the application of virtual reality in therapeutic environment design. It will provide a deeper understanding of how to use elements such as sight and smell into the overall design to promote emotional well-being in office Spaces. 2. Design innovations: The research will lead to the development of innovative therapeutic environments incorporating multi-sensory interaction and virtual reality. These designs could serve as a model for future projects aimed at promoting emotional health in a variety of Settings, which could be used in office Spaces and eventually, hopefully, in public places to promote public health. 3. Social benefits: The study can also increase people's motivation and level of work by raising people's awareness of the importance of emotional health. In the long run, regional productivity can be increased. Finally, the purpose is to make the environmental gain produce social benefits under the role of promoting emotional health. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by: 1. Advances in the discipline: This study is expected to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on multi-sensory interaction and the application of virtual reality in therapeutic environment design. It will provide a deeper understanding of how to use elements such as sight and smell into the overall design to promote emotional well-being in office Spaces. 2. Design innovations: The research will lead to the development of innovative therapeutic environments incorporating multi-sensory interaction and virtual reality. These designs could serve as a model for future projects aimed at promoting emotional health in a variety of Settings, which could be used in office Spaces and eventually, hopefully, in public places to promote public health. 3. Social benefits: The study can also increase people's motivation and level of work by raising people's awareness of the importance of emotional health. In the long run, regional productivity can be increased. Finally, the purpose is to make the environmental gain produce social benefits under the role of promoting emotional health.

Enhancing workers’ quality of life: why land use mix should be increased? (Case study: Semarang City)

Nowadays, many urban workers are struggling and exhausted because of commuting activity due to the effect of urban sprawl. In order to overcome the externalities of the sprawl, many cities are directed to become more compact, to reduce travel time and cost. The efficiency that comes from the proximity of mixed-use development helps workers allocate time and money for participating in other activities and indirectly increases their quality of life. This article reviews the importance of increasing the land use mix to facilitate workers’ activities. The network and entropy index analyses are used to examine the land use mix in the study area. Then the result is discussed in the context of the travel behavior approach theory. The result shows the aggregate land use mix in the study area is moderate-mix with an index of 0,47. In detail, areas under 2 kilometers have a high mix of land use (0,63-0,74), but the value decreases as it moves away from the city center to an index of 0,4. This study reveals that increasing number of land use variants does not improve the land use mix, but balancing the proportion of land use area is more important to increase the mix. It is necessary to improve land use mix because there are approximately 6.939-13.877 workers in the area that should be facilitated so they might participate in other activities effectively. Workers with a simple trip chain might be facilitated handily. But as the land use mix increases, workers with a complex trip chain might fulfill their needs within the area. Integrating land use and transportation allows workers to make active trips, which can affect their health and quality of life.

“Death or conversion”: From welfare to famine in the Jewish quarter of Lleida, Spain (12th–14th century)

AbstractThe urban planning work carried out in the old seminary district of Lleida, over an area of more than 6,000 m2, uncovered important remains of the old Cuirassa quarter. This quarter was inhabited by the Jewish aljama between the 12th century and the end of the 15th century CE. Archeological excavations have documented streets, squares, and private spaces corresponding to several houses, one of which was destroyed by the Christian assault and fire of the Jewish quarter on 13 August 1391. The study of the important archeozoological assemblages from this area has made it possible to characterize, for the first time, the dietary practices of the Jewish communities in different periods of occupation of this neighborhood. In addition, the consumption of certain non‐kosher species in the late 14th century assemblages could be related with a situation of crisis or famine (which could correspond to the period after the attack of 1391), providing relevant data on the status and situation of the Jewish community in the city at that time. The results are consistent with the context defined by the historical sources, which describe an important period of decline after the attack.

Wilding cities for biodiversity and people: a transdisciplinary framework.

Accelerating urbanisation and associated lifestyle changes result in loss of biodiversity and diminished wellbeing of people through fewer direct interactions and experiences with nature. In this review, we propose the notion of urban wilding (the promotion of autonomous ecological processes that are independent of historical land-use conditions, with minimal direct human maintenance and planting interventions) and investigate its propensity to improve biodiversity and people-nature connections in cities. Through a large interdisciplinary synthesis, we explore the ecological mechanisms through which urban wilding can promote biodiversity in cities, investigate the attitudes and relations of city dwellers towards urban wild spaces, and discuss the integration of urban wilding into the fabric of cities and its governance. We show that favouring assembly spontaneity by reducing planting interventions, and functional spontaneity by limiting maintenance practices, can promote plant diversity and provide ecological resources for numerous organisms at habitat and city scales. These processes could reverse biotic homogenisation, but further studies are needed to understand the effects of wilding on invasive species and their consequences. From a socio-ecological perspective, the attitudes of city dwellers towards spontaneous vegetation are modulated by successional stages, with grassland and woodland stages preferred, but dense shrubby vegetation stages disliked. Wild spaces can diversify physical interactions with nature, and enrich multi-sensory, affective and cognitive experiences of nature in cities. However, some aspects of wild spaces can cause anxiety, feeling unsafe, and the perception of abandonment. These negative attitudes could be mitigated by subtle design and maintenance interventions. While nature has long been thought of as ornamental and instrumental in cities, urban wilding could help to develop relational and intrinsic values of nature in the fabric of cities. Wildness and its singular aesthetics should be combined with cultural norms, resident uses and urban functions to plan and design urban spatial configurations promoting human-non-human cohabitation. For urban wilding to be socially just and adapted to the needs of residents, its implementation should be backed by inclusive governance opening up discussion forums to residents and urban workers. Scientists can support these changes by collaborating with urban actors to design and experiment with new wild spaces promoting biodiversity and wellbeing of people in cities.

SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY OF A NEW TOOL FOR EARLY DETECTION OF RISK FACTORS FOR NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN URBAN WORKERS

Introduction: Non communicable diseases (NCDs) have an impact on health, economy, and quality of life, and can reduce worker productivity. Approximately 41 million people die from NCDs every year, accounting for 74% of deaths worldwide. The Deteksi Dini Faktor Risiko Gizi dan Kesehatan (DDR-GizKes) is instrument designed for the early detection of nutritional and health risk factors related to NCDs that affect the productivity of urban workers . A screening test is essential part of this newly developed tool. Aims: This study aims to test the sensitivity and specificity of the DDR-GizKes instrument for detecting NCDs in urban workers. Methods: This study used a descriptive observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The population consisted of 227 teachers and staff in high schools in Yogyakarta who were selected using a cluster random sampling technique. Hypertension was used as the gold standard for the screening test. Results: The nutritional risk factor test had a sensitivity of 15.8% and a specificity of 94.2%. The positive predictive value (PPV) for the nutritional risk factor was 16.7% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 93.8%. Meanwhile, the health risk factor test had a sensitivity of 15.8% and a specificity of 86.4%. The PPV for the health risk factor was 7.89% and the NPV was 93.3%. Conclusion: The DDR-GizKes instrument had low sensitivity but high specificity. Further research is necessary to establish the scoring system of the DDR-GizKes instrument in populations with a high prevalence of NCDs using a larger sample size.

Assessing Job Accessibility and Sustainable Mobility among Low-income Groups in Penang, Malaysia

Sustainable mobility emerges as a more viable approach for addressing urban mobility challenges and enhancing overall quality of life. The primary cause of urban mobility issues may be attributed to the urban built environment, wherein various physical features such as buildings, public infrastructure, and transit systems have significantly contributed to the reliance on private vehicles. Hence, this study examines job accessibility and the background of mobility among the low-income groups who are the urban workers in Penang Island, Malaysia to determine the factor of this target group's dominant transport mode choice. Using the quantitative method, this study was conducted using a questionnaire with 306 respondents selected by stratified random sampling based upon a ratio to represent the low-income households in the northeast and southwest districts of Penang. The study revealed that individuals from low-income backgrounds exhibit a significant reliance on privately owned vehicles. Furthermore, individuals in question exhibit a preference for owning and utilising economically viable, temporally expedient modes of transportation that optimise spatial efficiency, such as motorbikes, for their daily commute to their place of employment. Policymakers may take into account the factors of affordability and punctuality when formulating a transport system that is characterised by both cost-effectiveness and efficiency, thereby addressing the mobility requirements of low-income groups.

Self‐Employment, the COVID‐19 Pandemic, and the Rural–Urban Divide in the United States☆

AbstractSelf‐employed individuals faced numerous challenges amid the global health and economic crisis that was the COVID‐19 pandemic. Similarly, rural and urban workers faced different challenges during the pandemic. This rural–urban disparity further complicates the impacts of self‐employment and exacerbates inequalities resulting from gender, race, ethnicity, or immigration status. This study examines the economic consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic across these categories in the United States using Current Population Survey data from May 2020 to May 2022. Comparing the wage and self‐employment sectors across rural and urban areas, I examine the effects of individual, business, and geographic characteristics on the probability of work stoppages due to the health crisis. The analysis reveals that recovery from the pandemic was delayed among the self‐employed, while additional education and full‐time employment status can reduce work interruptions for these workers, as does working in select industries. Findings suggest that rural and urban minorities are more likely to face pandemic‐related work disruptions, with key differences between formal and informal self‐employment sectors. Specifically, self‐employed Asians/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans were more adversely affected in rural areas. The study concludes with several policy and program recommendations to assist vulnerable workers, especially in the rural self‐employment sector.

A Study on the Impact of Pradhan Mantri Mathru Vandhana Yojana Among Rural Women in Kerala

Pradhan Mantri Mathru Vandhana Yojana is a maternity benefit programme started in 2017, for transfering financial benefits to pregnant lactating women to solve the problem of undernourishment in women. It is playing a prominent role in solving this issue by giving timely assistance for their first living child to pregnant women and mothers who are lactating. Pradhan Mantri Mathru Vandhana Yojana has been a helping hand to the rural women of kerala especially in Wayanad, Kasargode, Quilon and Kozhikode districts. Many rural women in kerala especially tribal women are suffering from one major problem undernourishment. Most of them work till their delivery date. Many of the problems of this rural women are solved by this scheme. Since their financial problems are solved at the correct time they are able to take rest and give birth to healthy babies who are the promises of tomorrow. Women in urban area working in daily wages are also taken care under this scheme.

Perception of urban and rural working women towards e-banking

Perception of urban and rural working women towards e-banking

The hukou system and wage gap between urban and rural migrant workers in China: A meta‐analysis

AbstractThis study involved a meta‐analysis of 506 estimates extracted from 75 studies to estimate the effect size of rural household registration (hukou) on wage levels. Our meta‐synthesis results indicated that the negative effect of rural hukou on wages is statistically significant; however, the effect size remains small in terms of the partial correlation coefficient. The results of the meta‐regression analysis and test for publication selection bias indicated that the differences in the wage effect of hukou among genders, corporate ownership sectors, and periods are insignificant. We also found that publication selection bias is unlikely, and genuine evidence exists in the literature.