Taming the ‘trolls’ : major public projects in the making

Major projects are not yet sufficiently understood, and practices in project governance and project management do not yet reflect the current state of knowledge of large, complex projects. In an attempt to understand the reasons, the authors therefore investigated the latest relevant findings documented in three countries: the UK, Norway, and the Netherlands. Their examination of the effect of implementing governance frameworks for public projects in these countries indicates that efforts to improve major projects are giving rewards: Even if complex public projects, the ‘trolls’, become more challenging, efforts to ‘tame’ them are improving. The results of the study show that project planning has improved and cost overruns are reduced. However, recent observations indicate that the effect may wear off remarkably quickly. Hence, the need for continuous improvement and change is prominent. There are fundamental limitations in the use of formal systems as they cannot detect all problems and there are limitations to humans' ability in terms of optimism bias that cannot be eliminated

An integrated national strategy for resource and environmental management in post-apartheid Namibia : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University

This thesis presents a structure for integrated strategic planning across levels of government in Namibia. The study advocates necessary preconditions for the preparation of An Integrated National Strategy for Resource and Environmental Management in Post-Apartheid Namibia. Because the diagnostic nature of an integrated national strategy requires a condensed assessment of the state of the economy, people, institutions and natural resources, this study commences with a critical examination of the impact of German genocide and South African apartheid policies on the people, and natural and physical resources of Namibia, and illustrates how Namibia has begun to develop out the problems associated with colonial influence. Current underdevelopment and poverty in Namibia is mainly due to unsustainable extraction of resources which has generally benefited South Africa and its provincial satellites. In order to understand Namibia's economic situation, its profile is analysed in comparative study with other SADC member states. Namibia needs to encourage sustained economic growth in order to achieve human development objectives. It is especially important to integrate environmental management at all levels of government to achieve unity of the people and sustainable exploitation of natural and physical resources. Namibia's current state of natural and physical resources is analysed by taking into consideration the immediate actions of the current Government which succeeded colonial oppression. Adverse effects of past exploitation are compiled, and recommendations of various theorists are offered as supportive evidence of the requirements for an integrated national strategy for resource management. The absence of planning at the local level of government is the major cause of inconsistency in both policy-making and plan preparation, and is also identified as major threat to the achievement of sustainable economic development in Namibia. Changes regarding the strengthening of institutional capabilities, application of economic instruments in management of natural resources, methods of plan preparation, strategic policies, including integrated monitoring procedures are proposed. Suggestions are made about means by which these recommendations could be implemented to achieve sustainable development of natural and physical resources in Namibia. The conclusion of this study suggests also that development planning of natural and physical resources need to be nationally diversified by devolving planning authority to sub-national and sub-regional levels of government. The idea is to relieve Namibia's National Planning Commission from the burden of planning at the local level of government and to efficiently spread administrative responsibility across a multinuclear umbrella of private and public sectors involved in strategic planning

Smart Planning & Smart Cities

In the light of a comprehensive social and technological change, spatial planning is confronted with major changes in its basic conditions. It is faced with an increasing ubiquity of spatial relevant information of which the potentials and risks need to be discussed in the use for planning purposes. Besides the increasing pervasion of sensors in everyday life and the use of mobile communication devices, the networking and communication possibilities will play a major role in the conception of a connected and “smart” city. In addition to the above mentioned aspects and social networking capabilities, it seems that committed citizens appear increasingly as active stakeholders for planning purposes via inductive processes. Based on the mentioned technological possibilities, topics such as Smart Cities are increasingly being discussed in the public debate in recent times. It is unclear if the term “Smart City” is based more on a scientific foundation or on marketing ideas. And what can planners do, to make the city more smart and especially to make it a better place for people to live? This paper embraces an examination of the various technologies an methodological approaches in relation to planning-relevant information and knowledge creation. Besides the proclaimed potential of making a city more efficient, there will also be a critical consideration of the problems of having a city, where all urban data is connected

Association between health examination items and body mass index among school children in Hualien, Taiwan

BACKGROUND: To assess the prevalence of obesity and major physical examination items including dental caries, myopia, pinworm, hematuria, and proteinuria among school children in Hualien, Taiwan. In addition, the health status differences between gender, grader, levels of residence urbanization, and body mass index (BMI) were examined. METHODS: Cross-sectional studies with a total of 11,080 students (age, 7–14 years) in grades 1, 4, and 7 were evaluated for weight, height, routine physical examination, and urine analysis during the 2010 Student Health Examination in Hualien. Frequencies, Chi-square test, and logistic regression were conducted using SPSS. RESULTS: Of the 11,080 students evaluated, 1357 (12.2%) were overweight, and 1421 (12.8%) were obese. There were significant differences in overweight/obese prevalence by gender, by grader, and by levels of residence urbanization. Dental caries, myopia, and obesity were the most prevalent health problems among these students (75.6%, 33.0%, and 12.8%, respectively). In crude and adjusted analyses, research results showed that there were significant differences in the prevalence of major physical examination items between different gender, grader, levels of residence urbanization, and BMI groups. Girls had a higher prevalence of dental caries, myopia, and hematuria than boys (all p < 0.01), whereas boys had a higher prevalence of pinworm than girls (p = 0.02). Students in higher grades had significantly higher prevalence of myopia, hematuria, and proteinuria (all p < 0.01), whereas students in lower grades had higher prevalence of dental caries and pinworm (p < 0.01). Students with abnormal BMI had lower prevalence of pinworm (p < 0.01). Students residing in suburban and rural areas had higher prevalence of dental caries, pinworm, and hematuria (all p < 0.01), and lower prevalence of myopia than students residing in urban areas (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Routine health examination provides an important way to detect students’ health problems. Our study elucidated major health problems among school children in Hualien, Taiwan. In addition, the results also indicated that the prevalence of health problems had a significant relationship with gender, grader, levels of residence urbanization, and BMI. It is suggested that school health interventions should consider students’ health profiles along with their risk factors status in planning

Citizen participation and the neighborhood planning program in Atlanta: an analysis, 1981

This study was undertaken to examine the Neighborhood Planning Program (NPP) and citizen participation and involve-ment and its place in the Comprehensive Development Plan of the City of Atlanta, The problem centers around the question of effectiveness. How effective is the role or participation of citizens in-the NPP and how has it achieved its intended results? Each section of the paper focuses on the part of the process that relates to citizen input into the shaping of goals and public policy, namely, (1) the examination of historical attempts to achieve citizen participation, (2) assessment of the NPP with emphasis on how the program operates, some of the major differences in the NPU's plans which have the highest inclusion rate in the city's Comprehensive Develelopment Plan (CDP) as well as the role of the Planner, (3) analysis of the problems based on planning-items of the NPUs as well as an open-ended questionnaire. The writer utilized primary and secondary data collection technique to gather relevant data for the study. The primary data collection techniques were: interviews, participant observation, and an open-ended question naire. The secondary data for the study were obtained from publications and documents from the Bureau of Planning in addition to journals and books on the subject. Recommendations for solution of the problems inherent in the application of the concept centers around organization improvements

Futures Thinking in City Planning Processes: the Case of Dublin

This research examines the scope for the application of future methodologies in urban planning processes. As contemporary cities undergo rapid changes resulting from technological and cultural transformations, expanding globalisation and new economic trends, the traditional ways in which cities were planned and managed become less effective, especially in times of accelerating change and growing complexities This research addresses an increasingly recognised need for a major shift in the way of thinking and acting about the future of cities, a shift from the traditional planning mind-set to a more imaginative, innovative and inclusive approach. The main aims of the study were to gain an understanding of how the future is created in the current city planning processes; what is the potential role of futures methodologies in these processes; and to develop a suitable futures methodology that would assist planners and decision-makers in changing their ways of thinking and acting about the future of cities. In order to achieve these aims an in-depth examination of the Futures Studies field and an extensive review of the theory underpinning the current planning approach towards the future was undertaken. Also, the way in which the future is constructed in existing planning processes in Dublin (the main case study city) was investigated, and planning initiatives employing futures methods in Dublin were reviewed. One of the main outcomes of the study was the adaptation of the Prospective methodology for use in urban planning processes. This was done in order to address the main problems and needs of current planning approach towards the future utilising the potential of futures methods. It is believed that the proposed methodology could assist communities in envisioning their desired future. It could also help planners and decision-makers in exploring future possibilities, understanding the complexities of urban environments and anticipating change and its consequences. The Prospective process could also be used as a platform for dialogue between communities and decision-makers and as a mechanism for collaboration amongst the stakeholders

The struggle for strategic planning in European higher education: the case of Portugal

A number of significant factors are changing the strategic management landscape in higher education. Market forces are exerting significant impacts on higher education institutions (HEIs) that are fundamentally changing the ways they conduct and manage their affairs. As institutional autonomy grows, so do institutional responsibilities and accountability. Outcomes then determine the future level of autonomy for an institution. These major shifts are forcing HEIs to approach their operations more proactively and from a business perspective in order to be strategically positioned to seize opportunities and confront threats in an increasingly competitive environment. Strategic planning is a tool for assisting an HEI manage itself with foresight and an external focus. Strategic planning is moving more and more into the forefront of higher education discussions in many European countries. As interest in and appreciation of the need for this process grow internationally, higher education planners are confronted with many issues of limited market-driven management experience, as well as trans-national governance and cultural complexities. As higher education leaders in other countries, and especially Europe, turn to the United States for best practices and guidance, planning consultants (many from the business and non-profit sectors) must be equipped with a broader perspective that transcends national boundaries and also grasps the nuances of the higher education culture in Europe. This critical examination of problems in the Portuguese higher education system resulting from a lack of strategic planning and the authors’ recommendations for change will offer a better understanding of the European context and how it differs from traditional models. Planners who want to expand their reach and share their expertise with this growing higher education market need to have this perspective. Thus, this paper summarizes a comparative analysis of the extent to which public and private HEIs in Portugal are engaging in a strategic planning process, what aspects of the process are being utilized in each sector and what their perceptions are regarding this involvement

Macalester College Bulletin

This publication is the Macalester College Bulletin, 1975-76 Supplement. Annual college catalog listing courses of study, historical sketch, calendar, honorary degrees, admission requirements, descriptions of departments, lists of faculty and board of trustee committees, summary of students, and lists of faculty and trustees