Urban Governance最新文献

There is much interest in urban green space planning and management; yet little attention has been paid to the notions of green streetism in African cities. This paper responds to this lacuna by using a case study of Kumasi (Ghana) to: (i) examine the character of urban green space; (ii) analyze agency knowledge on green streetism; and (iii) assess agency strategies for changing the phase of green streetism. Using secondary document analysis and interview with seven urban planning agencies, findings show a rapid decline of urban green space in Kumasi from about 31% of the total land area in 2013 to about 3% in 2022. Despite all respondents reporting knowledge on green streetism, they identified resource constraints, nonchalant attitude of some urban citizens and poor maintenance practices as major barriers to green streetism development and management in the city. Strategies for reviving green streetism are further discussed, within the context of African urbanization.

Smart cities aim to provide benefits such as economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and high quality of life to their citizens. However, we do not have a comprehensive understanding of how and to what extent these benefits are realized. This paper aims to find empirical evidence of both positive and negative results of smart city development. Smart City Impact Index is developed with indicators in four pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental, social, and governance) and technological dimension as technology is main driver of smart cities. The index was applied to South Korean cities, which are categorized as 1) first-wave smart cities that focus on transportation and security infrastructure, 2) second-wave smart cities that emphasize comprehensive urban management, and 3) non-smart cities. The index score was calculated for the years 2008 and 2018 to compare the before and after of smart city development. The results showed that the second-wave smart cities scored highest in both 2008 and 2018. However, the second-wave smart city had a lower score in both the environment and social dimensions. Smart city development in South Korea has had positive impacts on facilitating equality and citizen participation but negative impacts on people's perceptions of transparency and privacy.

This exploratory analysis investigates self-reported work practices that managers consider to be crucial for driving smart city transformation. We build upon the literature on institutional work and highlight different institutional work types. Using interviews, we show that smart city managers use a combination of institutional work that includes (a) creation (e.g., introducing new ideas, technologies, methods, and policies), (b) maintenance (which involves preserving certain aspects of existing institutional arrangements that are deemed valuable), and (c) disruption (such as by challenging entrenched institutional arrangements). The results provide deep insights into how smart city managers express their roles and responsibilities in smart city transformation. We discuss implications for theory and practice and conclude with avenues for future research.

Scientists across the world are diligently seeking vaccines and cures for the novel SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) virus, which causes severe respiratory disease. Traditional medicine was found to have a significant therapeutic effect on recovering Covid-19 patients when combined with the infusion of corticosteroids, antivirals, and convalescent plasma. Here, we cover the contribution and effects of traditional medicine on Covid-19 patients. Early detection of Covid-19 and common safety precautions are among the infection prevention and control (IPC) techniques. The Covid-19 prevention methods include facemasks, social distancing, and vaccinations and are discussed. In addition, the survey of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, telemedicine, exposure detection via mobile apps, and electronic corona passport are also addressed. Although the vaccination pipeline looks promising in ending the Covid-19 infections, this review also provides awareness in the possibility of Covid-19 transmission within the community and the environmental impact of the pandemic.

Given the rise in Australia's biodiversity and habitat loss, in this paper we explore how smart urban governance—might move beyond its more anthropocentric focus on citizens, civic institutions, and the urban environment to address multispecies justice. Situated in Brisbane, Australia, our research contributes new knowledge (co)produced with stakeholders who identify four anthropocentric barriers within smart urban governance: (1) property ownership, (2) green spaces, (3) lobbying and donations, and (4) lack of environmental integration. Next, we position multispecies justice in Brisbane's smart urban governance as a shift from ownership to stewardship and from legislation to obligation: challenging human-centred urban typologies, and technological and institutional tools. In conclusion, we reflect on what stakes matter for Urban Governance to embrace the transition towards multispecies justice.