Using Modified Similarity Multiple criteria Decision Making technique to rank countries in terms of Human Development Index

Purpose:Human Development Index (HDI) reported annually by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is apopular measure of human well-being. The purposeof this study is to propose a Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) technique named Modified Similarity technique for ranking countries based on multi criteria HDI. Design/methodology/approach:In Human Development Reports (HDRs), the HDI for each country isfirst calculated from the average of the health, education and income dimension indices with equally allocatedweight. Then the countries are ranked based on this index. Regarding the criticisms the method ofcalculating the HDI has received, this study usesModified Similarity Multi Criteria Decision Making methodfor ranking countries based on multi criteriaHDI, as an alternative method to the average method, which is being used in annually reported HDRs. Findings: We used the four HD indices mentioned in the 2010 and 2011 HDRs to rank 187 countries which have been investigated in the 2011 HDR. The results of ranking countries by the Modified Similarity technique were somewhat different from the 2011 HDR ranking. Originality/value:Some of the HDI criticisms are related to the method of calculating the index in the form of computing theaverage of the three health, education and income dimension indices with equally allocated weight. in an attempt to eliminatesome of the weaknesses associated with the index, this study uses Similarity technique, as an alternative to the average method of ranking countries in terms of humandevelopment. In addition due to some discrepancies associated with the Similarity technique introduced by Deng (2007), a Modified Similarity technique is discussed.Peer Reviewe

The Role of Green Playground on Social Interactions of Children (Case Study: Pasdaran Park in Bandar Anzali)

Playground is effective on behavior of children; however, the severity of this effect and its variety in different playgrounds is still unclear. Identifying the playing area, reviewing local observations, evaluating interactions and their extent, and analyzing the level of communication between children can lead to correct ranking of playgrounds. Features of playground and the created space along with vegetation and plants are effective factors in attracting children and encouraging them to increase interactions. Various features of playground can determine the extent to which a child participates in social interactions. These features, along with other environmental factors, allow the development of social behaviors for children. Therefore, playgrounds must have potential facilities and capabilities for influencing children to provide high quality. This study will analyze the Pasdaran Park playground using quantitative method and distributing questionnaires. Field study is required to obtain the results. To this end, a questionnaire containing 18 questions was developed using parameters and factors previously defined and scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Fifty park visitors were questioned. According to the results, the most important factors, which can increase satisfaction and meet visitor needs include providing new access routes and improving the existing ones, increasing children interactions in green spaces, using vegetation in the environment, improving the environment according to the needs of users. The results of this study can be used as guideline for designing and developing this space and similar spaces

Regular geometry towards effective visitors wayfinding: a case study of KLCC vicinity

In developed cities, large office buildings occupy the city centre thereby destroying the legibility of these areas. These areas confront with a lack of visibility and difficult cognitive map. As a regular spatial configuration, Squares have had an effect on the characteristics of urban space such as intelligibility, synergy and accessibility. The goal of this study is to identify the importance of geometry of space on legibility, cognitive map of visitors and wayfinding. Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) was chosen as a case study because of its historical and cultural significance. Importance should be placed on its preservation for the future especially for tourists. A model of KLCC has been developed within the square that combines streets and KLCC area. It has been used as proof of the concept for a Space Syntax model network analysis using axial analysis and observations. Meanwhile, this study investigates the views of visitors including 86 respondents using surveys and interviews. Results show that there is a negative correlation between cognitive map and urban stress. Furthermore, all quantitative and qualitative data suggest viable cognitive map due to applying regular geometry may strongly improve legibility. The results show that there was a moderate positive correlation between legibility and regular geometry in general. On the other hand, existing geometry had a negligible effect on legibility. The role of the square suggestion is more immediate in high integration in the vicinity of KLCC. Moreover, the square can provide context for PETRONAS Twin Tower as landmark and symbolic building. Square as regular geometry is a good way to increase viable cognitive map. It affects the legibility of urban space where wayfinding will more strongly confirm that visitors display sociability and accessibility interaction. An implication for architects, tourism managers and urban designers is that square as a regular geometry associated with landmarks increases legibility. As a result, viable cognitive map by regular geometry is associated with easy wayfinding which decreases stress