A framework for post-project evaluation of multicriteria decision aiding processes from the stakeholders’ perspective : design and application

Numerous multicriteria decision aiding (MCDA) methods have been developed over the last decades and are now applied in various domains, sometimes using facilitated group workshops to create models. These models are all designed to improve decision processes. However, the lack of follow-up and post-project evaluations limit the understanding of how the participants experienced the group workshops and how the results were subsequently used within the organization. This is in contrast with the public participation research field, where a rich literature was developed for a posteriori evaluation of projects. Based on this literature, our research proposes a framework to evaluate, ex-post, MCDA projects. In order to illustrate this framework, we apply it to an MCDA project in Quebec City where a spatial decision support system to prioritize the redesign of streets as Complete Streets was built. Individual interviews were conducted with the Quebec City professionals that currently use, were leaders of the project, or have participated in the development of the decision support system. This research has identified that the need for change of practices within the workplace, communication problems, and the requirement for multidisciplinary work were at the root of the various challenges encountered during the workshops. Based on our experience, we propose some lessons learned and potential solutions that can enhance the body of literature in MCDA

Preparing Communities for the Golden Years: Approaches for Developing Age-Friendly Communities for Seniors

The heterogeneous nature of aging has led policymakers to reconsider how seniors are impacted by localized decision-making and implementation efforts (Remillard-Boilard, 2018). Forecasted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the population of seniors (60+) is expected to reach over two billion worldwide, surpassing the number of children being born across the world for the first time in human history (United Nations, 2006). To better address the local challenges faced by the aging population, WHO devised an Age-Friendly Communities (AFC) framework to guide urban communities into redesigning policy and intervention models to better reflect the needs of seniors while also allowing them to independently ‘age in place.’ Shifting social, health, and economic barriers towards implementing age-friendly policies help sustain, expand, and champion aging-related policy initiatives. Municipalities are well-equipped to address aging issues, given the ease in access this particular level of government has to its communities. The resiliency and success of age-friendly communities is a product of collaboration between various levels of government and community stakeholders. Prioritizing the need for neighborhood-level initiatives requires innovation, harnessing knowledge, and partnerships with various community actors to demonstrate the impact of successful implementation. Devising innovative solutions works best through collaboration. Recognizing how aging, and urbanization work in tandem requires an integrative decision-making model to drive positive outcomes for effectively developing age-friendly communities for seniors

Human experience in the natural and built environment : implications for research policy and practice

22nd IAPS conference. Edited book of abstracts. 427 pp. University of Strathclyde, Sheffield and West of Scotland Publication. ISBN: 978-0-94-764988-3

Legacies of the modern movement : intraurban freeways and the renewed role of heritage

Ce mémoire explore l'évolution récente de la définition du patrimoine ainsi que son application potentielle à l'infrastructure autoroutière dans les contextes urbains à travers le monde. La nouvelle approche au patrimoine ici proposée, contrairement à une interprétation conventionnelle du terme qui met l'accent sur les attributs esthétiques ou historiques, reconnaît une plus grande variété des valeurs que peut posséder une structure. Ceci inclut des valeurs sociales et écologiques existantes ou ajoutées grâce à la réhabilitation. Cette interprétation plus large du patrimoine témoigne de l’émergence d’un nouveau paradigme de la conservation du patrimoine qui trouve ses racines dans les textes de Graham Fairclough et dans la Recommandation adoptée par l’UNESCO en 2011 concernant le paysage urbain historique. Ces développements théoriques proposent une vue holistique du patrimoine où la totalité de l'environnement urbain hérité possède potentiellement des valeurs. Selon ces principes, le mot patrimoine ne s'applique pas exclusivement à ce qui est rare, ancien ou esthétique, mais peut l’être à ce qui est banal, récemment construit et mal-aimé. Ce nouveau paradigme permet de questionner l'infrastructure comme un patrimoine. Ce concept est mis à l'épreuve à travers trois études de cas d’autoroutes intraurbaines vieillissantes dans trois environnements urbains très denses: le centre de Séoul (Corée), Seattle (É.-U.), et São Paulo (Brésil). Examinant ces cas, ce mémoire réfléchit sur le rôle d'une nouvelle perspective patrimonialisant dans la gestion de l'infrastructure vieillissante en ville.This paper explores the changing definition of heritage in recent years and its potential application to aging automotive infrastructure in urban settings across the globe. The proposed new approach to heritage, unlike a conventional understanding of the term, which emphasizes aesthetic and historical attributes, acknowledges a wider range of values that a structure can possess. This range includes social and ecological values either existing or added through adaptation. This broader understanding of heritage reflects current discussions about a paradigm shift in heritage conservation, which is rooted principally in English scholar Graham Fairclough's writings and in UNESCO's Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape. These theoretical developments embrace a holistic view of heritage, with the totality of the inherited urban environment potentially exhibiting value. Based on these principles, the term “heritage” applies not only to that which is rare, old, or aesthetically pleasing, but also to that which is commonplace, recently built, and unappealing. This definition suggests that not only buildings and monuments but also infrastructure can constitute heritage, as it can be associated with a broad range of values. This concept is put to the test through three case studies of aging intraurban expressways in three dense urban environments: central Seoul (Korea), Seattle (USA), and São Paulo (Brazil). Through examining these cases, this thesis attempts to deduce the role of this new heritage perspective in dealing with aging automotive infrastructure in cities

Winning the SDG battle in cities : how an integrated information ecosystem can contribute to the achievement of the 2030 sustainable development goals

In 2015, the United Nations adopted an ambitious development agenda composed of 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), which are to be reached by 2030. Beyond SDG 11 concerning the development of sustainable cities, many of the SDGs target activities falling within the responsibility of local governments. Thus, cities will play a leading role in the achievement of these goals, and we argue that the information systems (IS) community must be an active partner in these efforts. This paper aims to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by developing a conceptual model to explain the role of IS in building smart sustainable cities and providing a framework of action for IS researchers and city managers. To this end, we conduct grounded theory studies of two green IS used by an internationally recognized smart city to manage water quality and green space. Based on these findings, we articulate a model explaining how an integrated information ecosystem enables the interactions between three interrelated spheres – administrative, political and sustainability – to support the development of smart sustainable cities. Moving from theory to practice, we use two real‐world scenarios to demonstrate the applicability of the model. Finally, we define an action framework outlining key actions for cities and suggest corresponding questions for future research. Beyond a simple call‐to‐action, this work provides a much‐needed foundation for future research and practice leading to a sustainable future for all

Mobility and Public Transit: Navigating Rural - Place Based Solutions for Rural Canada

Rural ResilienceNavigating Rura

Health in all policies : a guide for state and local governments

SUGGESTED CITATION: Rudolph, L., Caplan, J., Ben-Moshe, K., & Dillon, L. (2013). Health in All Policies: A Guide for State and Local Governments. Washington, DC and Oakland, CA: American Public Health Association and Public Health Institute.2013Cooperative Agreement Number 3U38HM000459-04W11017

New Approaches in Social, Environmental Management and Policy to Address SDGs

The book comprises a selection of papers addressing some of the most relevant challenges and opportunities for addressing SDGs from many different perspectives. Papers in this collection cover the most recent lines and approaches of research in addressing SDGs and are all novel propositions that deepen the analysis of environmental, social and governance strategies in the adaptation of the society to meet the 17 SDGs

Rights and the City

Rights and the City takes stock of rights struggles and progress in cities by exploring the tensions that exist between different concepts of rights. Sandeep Agrawal and the volume’s contributors expose the paradoxes that planners and municipal governments face when attempting not only to combat discriminatory practices, but also advance a human rights agenda. The authors examine the legal, conceptual, and philosophical aspects of rights, including its various forms—human, Indigenous, housing, property rights, and various other forms of rights. Using empirical evidence and examples, they translate the philosophical and legal aspects of rights into more practical terms and applications. Regionally, the book draws on municipalities from across Canada while also making broad international comparisons. Scholars, policy makers, and activists with an interest in urban studies, planning, and law will find much of value throughout this volume. Contributors: Sandeep Agrawal, Rachelle Alterman, Sasha Best, Alexandra Flynn, Eran S. Kaplinsky, Ola P. Malik, Jennifer A. Orange, Michelle L. Oren, Renée Vaugeois. Afterword by Benjamin DavyPublishe

Growing a Green Economy for All: From Green Jobs to Green Ownership

This Democracy Collaborative report provides the first comprehensive survey of community wealth building institutions in the green economy. Featuring ten cases, the report identifies how policy and philanthropy can build on these examples to create "green jobs you can own.