Evaluation of the implementation process of urban road pricing schemes in the United Kingdom and Italy

This paper is based upon detailed research that has taken place in the UK and Italy, on the implementation strategies for urban road pricing schemes. In the UK, both in London and Durham, the Road User Charging schemes required new legislation, and were implemented rapidly. The time from announcement to implementation took three years and the schemes were introduced after short periods of intensive planning, consultations and stakeholder networking. In Italy, the situation has been very different. The road pricing schemes in Rome and Genoa were not introduced under specific legislation but rather evolved from access control zones originally implemented in historic urban centres. The incremental introduction of the Italian road pricing experiments has taken approximately ten years. The paper undertakes a comparison of these different strategies to introduce urban road pricing and the lessons they contain for the development of similar measures elsewhere. The comparison of the different implementing experiences is undertaken using Strategic Policy Niche Management, a method designed to explore, among other factors, the dynamics of the stakeholder networks involved in planning, introducing, marketing and managing radical urban Travel Demand Management policies

Mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services. Urban ecosystems

Action 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 requires member states to Map and Assess the state of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES). This report provides guidance for mapping and assessment of urban ecosystems. The MAES urban pilot is a collaboration between the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, volunteering Member States and cities, and stakeholders. Its ultimate goal is to deliver a knowledge base for policy and management of urban ecosystems by analysing urban green infrastructure, condition of urban ecosystems and ecosystem services. This report presents guidance for mapping urban ecosystems and includes an indicator framework to assess the condition of urban ecosystems and urban ecosystem services. The scientific framework of mapping and assessment is designed to support in particular urban planning policy and policy on green infrastructure at urban, metropolitan and regional scales. The results are based on the following different sources of information: a literature survey of 54 scientific articles, an online-survey (on urban ecosystems, related policies and planning instruments and with participation of 42 cities), ten case studies (Portugal: Cascais, Oeiras, Lisbon; Italy: Padua, Trento, Rome; The Netherlands: Utrecht; Poland: Poznań; Spain: Barcelona; Norway: Oslo), and a two-day expert workshop. The case studies constituted the core of the MAES urban pilot. They provided real examples and applications of how mapping and assessment can be organized to support policy; on top, they provided the necessary expertise to select a set of final indicators for condition and ecosystem services. Urban ecosystems or cities are defined here as socio-ecological systems which are composed of green infrastructure and built infrastructure. Urban green infrastructure (GI) is understood in this report as the multi-functional network of urban green spaces situated within the boundary of the urban ecosystem. Urban green spaces are the structural components of urban GI. This study has shown that there is a large scope for urban ecosystem assessments. Firstly, urban policies increasingly use urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in their planning process. Secondly, an increasing amount of data at multiple spatial scales is becoming available to support these policies, to provide a baseline, and to compare or benchmark cities with respect to the extent and management of the urban ecosystem. Concrete examples are given on how to delineate urban ecosystems, how to choose an appropriate spatial scale, and how to map urban ecosystems based on a combination of national or European datasets (including Urban Atlas) and locally collected information (e.g., location of trees). Also examples of typologies for urban green spaces are presented. This report presents an indicator framework which is composed of indicators to assess for urban ecosystem condition and for urban ecosystem services. These are the result of a rigorous selection process and ensure consistent mapping and assessment across Europe. The MAES urban pilot will continue with work on the interface between research and policy. The framework presented in this report needs to be tested and validated across Europe, e.g. on its applicability at city scale, on how far the methodology for measuring ecosystem condition and ecosystem service delivery in urban areas can be used to assess urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions

Impact of Agriculture Projects Implemented by National NGOs on People Lives of Surobi District of Kabul Province in 2022

This research aimed to analyze the impacts of projects carried out by National NGOs in Surobi district, understanding the specific requirements of the people, and exploring ways in which humanitarian assistance can be effectively delivered through diverse NGO projects. The study examined the impact of agriculture projects implemented by national NGOs on the lives of residents in the Surobi district of Kabul province in 2022. The research, based on primary data gathered through questionnaires distributed to respondents, focuses on how national NGOs empower farmers, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve overall welfare in the region. The analysis revealed that empowering agricultural communities through farmer groups, involving various stakeholders such as the Ministry of Agriculture, irrigation and livestock (MAIL), NGOs, and academia, was crucial for sustainable development. However, challenges faced by farmers in Surobi district include transportation issues, limited market access, and lack of equipment and technical support, low literacy levels, increased labor burden, inadequate financial support, and poor coordination. To address these challenges, the study suggested that creating job opportunities, implementing agricultural schemes, and improving marketing opportunities through collaboration among institutions, government, private sectors, and NGOs. The research indicated that while national NGOs distributed various resources such as cash, food, gardening supplies, livestock, seeds, and de-worming assistance in 2022, the impact on beneficiaries varied. Some respondents reported minimal impact on their lives, while others experienced significant positive changes. Moreover, the study identified key issues such as high yearly consumption compared to income, limited employment opportunities, and challenges related to water availability for cultivation. It highlights the agricultural potential in the region, emphasizing the need for water management solutions, such as solar-powered water pumps for cultivating higher lands. To enhance the effectiveness of NGO interventions, the study recommends clear communication with local communities to prevent misunderstandings, and emphasizes the role of Kabul Department of agriculture, irrigation and livestock (DAIL) and Surobi DAIL as bridges between NGOs and the local population. Additionally, the study proposed inclusive project planning, involving people with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities, to ensure equitable distribution of benefits and sustainable development in the Surobi district

Comparisons of different implementation procedures of road pricing schemes in two European countries

This paper is based upon detailed research that has taken place on the implementation strategies for city road user charging (RUC) in the UK and Italy. In the UK, both in London and Durham, the RUC schemes required new legislation, and were implemented rapidly. The time from announcement to implementation took three years and the schemes were introduced after short periods of intensive planning, consultations and stakeholder networking. In Italy, the situation has been very different. The current road pricing schemes in Rome and Genoa were not introduced under specific legislation but rather evolved from access control zones originally implemented in historic urban centres. The incremental introduction of the Italian road pricing experiments took around ten years. This paper undertakes a comparison of these different strategies to introduce city road user charging and the lessons they contain for the development of similar measures elsewhere. The comparison of the different implementing experiences is undertaken using Strategic Policy Niche Management, a recent method designed to explore, among other factors, the dynamics of the stakeholder networks involved in planning, introducing, marketing and managing radical urban Travel Demand Management policies

La Linea Baja: Reimagining Puerto Plata as a Pedestrian-Oriented, Inclusive City

The following report considers current development challenges facing the region of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Based on historical research, meetings with local and national stakeholders and site visits conducted during a week-long excursion in October 2011, the report summarizes the transportation challenges and opportunities for Puerto Plata and surrounding communities. It provides perspective on options for re-conceptualizing the urban grid to prepare the region for future growth. The analysis supports development of alternative transportation systems that prioritize non-motorized transit in a medium density environment. The proposed plan, called La Linea Baja, increases access for residents and tourists, creates an authentic urban form that supports development of public space and locally-oriented industries and mitigates the environmental harms caused by the current pattern of development. In addition, it argues for the development of a formalized data collection process that monitors transportation patterns and a participatory planning process that empowers local residents to become involved with planning decisions that affect their lives. By considering this proposal and the philosophical urban form proposed, policymakers can leverage local assets to provide additional economic opportunity and sustainable development in the Puerto Plata region

Urban design theory and practice aimed at sustainability. The Liverpool Study Cases in the United Kingdom planning system

Urban design is the most traditional field of physical planning which focuses more on the physical design of places and deals with fine-tuned design approaches (John Lang, 2005). It is founded upon the social, environmental, political, aesthetic and economical sector, but public realm is also important factor for the urban design, to serve the public interest and to provide opportunities and cultural dimensions. In present, urban design challenges are very different from the past. In contemporary situation the cities have been facing environmental, social and economic challenges that demand to devise new planning approaches. At the same time, the cities also have been suffering the lack of policies to resolve these problems, and any singular approach is not sufficient to address the new challenges. The design theories applied to city planning are traditional- which are not capable to meet the demand of the growing complexity of the world. To cope up with the urban design challenges, the main contributions of this thesis are detail evaluation of the urban design methods, analysis of applying these methods in real life practice. The main questions are: What are the theoretical approaches for the urban design for sustainable changes? And how to react with the sustainable changes in theory to practices? Firstly, I describe the urban design land-use plan and policies, application fields, participating actors, different types of urban projects, considering related issues and methods for implementation process. Secondly, I have done a case study of contemporary practices in the United Kingdom, specially the Liverpool city’s urban regeneration planning approaches toward sustainable developments. In this case study, I analyze the land-use plan and planning rules, urban projects and their context, local and transit oriented development, the decision making and the implementation process. After detail analysis of urban design methods, this thesis bridges the gap between theory and practice, by focusing on how to improve the theoretical approaches and how to use these approaches in contemporary planning practice

COHESION POLICY:METHODOLOGY AND INDICATORS TOWARDS COMMON APPROACH

The territorial cohesion is a focal object of the regional programming period 2007-2013. This paper aims to purpose a critical review of the cohesion conceptualisation and of its measure, starting from an exchange of experiences and from an initial institutional demand inspired to regional projects foreseen in 2013 programme (ESPON Seminar 2008; French Green paper on Cohesion 2008). Starting from a literature review and from the basic question of indicators, the paper aims to enhance territorial cohesion, measuring its different levels at local, national and European level. The author takes a methodological approach to analyse and to detect a set of territorial cohesion indicators and to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency of indicators’ systems, currently used to measure this territorial dimension (STeMA). This kind of approach is relevant to the programming period of new Structural Funds, looking at the French Green Paper 2008, implementing the 2007-13 Programme.territorial cohesion, model, system of indicators, efficiency

Urban design theory and practice aimed at sustainability. The Liverpool Study Cases in the United Kingdom planning system

Urban design is the most traditional field of physical planning which focuses more on the physical design of places and deals with fine-tuned design approaches (John Lang, 2005). It is founded upon the social, environmental, political, aesthetic and economical sector, but public realm is also important factor for the urban design, to serve the public interest and to provide opportunities and cultural dimensions. In present, urban design challenges are very different from the past. In contemporary situation the cities have been facing environmental, social and economic challenges that demand to devise new planning approaches. At the same time, the cities also have been suffering the lack of policies to resolve these problems, and any singular approach is not sufficient to address the new challenges. The design theories applied to city planning are traditional- which are not capable to meet the demand of the growing complexity of the world. To cope up with the urban design challenges, the main contributions of this thesis are detail evaluation of the urban design methods, analysis of applying these methods in real life practice. The main questions are: What are the theoretical approaches for the urban design for sustainable changes? And how to react with the sustainable changes in theory to practices? Firstly, I describe the urban design land-use plan and policies, application fields, participating actors, different types of urban projects, considering related issues and methods for implementation process. Secondly, I have done a case study of contemporary practices in the United Kingdom, specially the Liverpool city's urban regeneration planning approaches toward sustainable developments. In this case study, I analyze the land-use plan and planning rules, urban projects and their context, local and transit oriented development, the decision making and the implementation process. After detail analysis of urban design methods, this thesis bridges the gap between theory and practice, by focusing on how to improve the theoretical approaches and how to use these approaches in contemporary planning practic

Green buildings: A Maltese perspective

As construction and building development increases in the local scene, and the threat of climate change escalates, addressing green buildings on the national agenda is of vital importance. The building sector has a significant potential to implement positive change and hence become more efficient in terms of resource use. The term ‘green’ has been widely used throughout the last few decades to denote environmentally friendly policies, principles and measures. The ever growing popularity of the term was brought about by increasing concerns and issues such as those pertaining to climate change, energy crisis and resource depletion. Central to this debate are buildings, land use and development. Buildings have been identified as a major contributor and driver of climate change. In Malta, the ‘green debate’ emerged in the early nineties with its importance increasing year after year on the national agenda. This was further stimulated through Malta’s accession to the European Union; a process which saw local premature environmental legislation becoming coherent to EU futuristic policies. This thesis examines green building concepts, principles and practices within the Maltese context. This thesis explores the concept of a green building and the elements associated with its design and construction as well as the characteristics and influence of the various building rating systems