Including multiple perspectives in participatory multi-criteria analysis: A framework for investigation

Over the past few decades, a number of participatory multi-criteria analysis methods, combining deliberative procedures with multiple decision criteria assessment techniques, have been developed to tackle complex policy problems. However, several important aspects of such methods, including the way in which different and often contrasting viewpoints should be included in the analysis, appear to have been largely neglected by previous studies. Possible problems and drawbacks that may hamper the applicability and feasibility of multi-actor multi-criteria exercises and the utility and reliability of their outcomes also deserve further investigation. This article seeks to fill this knowledge gap by proposing a conceptual framework and classification scheme that illustrates the different possible approaches for identifying the key elements of the multi-criteria problem (i.e. options, objectives/criteria, weights and scores), while dealing with different points of view. It also discusses the potential advantages, disadvantages and issues of each approach and ultimately defines the overarching factors that should orientate the selection of one specific approach over the others

Misrepresentations and misunderstandings in transport infrastructure planning: the case of corridor V in North-eastern Italy

The objective of the paper is to explore more realistic short-medium term national and regional strategies to reconnect local infrastructure systems to the wider networks through which global flows transit. As it is known, in the globalization era infrastructures depict the vital element for the functioning of the regional and urban complexes (Graham, 2010), allowing people, goods, energy, information and capitals to move about with unprecedented ease (Flyvbjerg et al., 2003; Rodrigue et al., 2009). At the same time, in this interconnected social and spatial networked system, infrastructures often bypass countries and regions which are less geographically favoured or not capable to adapt themselves to the changing logistic systems (Castells, 1997, Graham and Marvin, 2001). This aspect, together with the current economic crisis –characterized, particularly in the Eu, by strong cuts on public expenditure as well as on programs of public investment in infrastructures-, imposes, before undertaking new programs and projects, an accurate review of the old plans so as to determine whether the old provisions are still useful, effective and legitimate (Dimitriou, 2005). The paper argues that, until this moment, the Italian governments have not been able to adapt infrastructure and transport policies to the new transportation requirements. Policies and planning instruments which have been issued in Italy during the last decade have not been, in fact, selective concerning the identification of the priority infrastructures on which to place the few available resources and to promote private investment (Censis, 2009; Legambiente, 2011). In fact, the Italian governments, instead of basing their strategies on the most concrete TEN-T corridors connecting Italian ports with central Europe, have preferred to conceive their development programs on corridors, as the west-east Corridor V, having an uncertain horizon (Fabbro and Dean, 2012). As a consequence, instead of a favorable connection with the most productive areas of the Central Europe through the north-south Eu Corridors, Italy risks to be marginalized by the most significant global flows (Beretta et al., 2009; Confetra, 2011). In order to support this argumentation the authors present the case of the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in the Nord-East of Italy where new regional plans are now finally rediscovering the north-south directrix -on the Adriatic-Baltic Corridor- instead of insisting on the less realistic Corridor V. According to the authors the case study provides evidence of the necessity of a drastic change in the national and regional short-medium term infrastructure strategies and relative planning

A Case Series Of Todays Vertical Integration

In todays business environment outsourcing attracts considerable attention. The general rationale is that anything that is not a core competency of the firm is a candidate for outsourcing. The touted benefits are generally considered to be substantial cost savings, better productivity and more strategic use of scarce resources within the firm. In contrast, vertical integration has to some degree come to be viewed somewhat negatively the argument being that no single firm in todays competitive environment can possibly or should manage an extended enterprise. But as this series of case studies show, some firms are flourishing by going against prevailing logic and vertically integrating their supply chains

Planning, ethics and infrastructural time

This paper shows how different properties of time and their ethical implications are reflected in the framing of debates around planning and the perceived problem of delay in the delivery of infrastructure. We examine the way in which plans can take the form of ‘time maps’ that are linear projections of a series of events. This can lead to assumptions that desired futures can only be achieved if the actions that constitute events are performed correctly often coupled with a moral imperative to such performances. It also reflects an orientation towards a more closed view of time that emphasises the significance of ordering such events within a series. This contrasts with a second, more open conception that emphasises the changing, flowing experience of time. Alfred Gell describes these interconnected perspectives as the A- and B-series qualities of time both of which are thick with ethical entanglements. Thus, we use these to set out a framework that applies deontological and consequentialist ethics to the A- and B-series and the tension between delivery and deliberation that exists in infrastructure planning policy to show how different perspectives on time raise different ethical questions.UCL/U of T Joint Strategic Partnership FundPeer Reviewe

Two hydroxy pyridinecarboxylic acid derivatives as a possible chelating agents in neurodegenerative disease; equilibrium complexation studies with Cu(II), Zn(II).

The metal ion chelators 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (DQ5) and 1,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (DQ715) and Cu(II) and Zn(II) were investigated with the aim to restore the homeostasis of the brain Cu(II) and Zn(II) in neurodegenerative diseases. The proton dissociation constants of the ligands, the stability constants, and the coordination modes of the metal complexes formed were determined by pH-potentiometric, and spectral (UV–Vis and EPR or 1H NMR) methods. The results show that in slightly acidic and neutral pH range mono and bis complexes are formed through bidentate coordination of the ligands. The biological MTT-test reveals that the DQ715 ligand is able to lower the cytotoxic effect of Cu(II) in human embryonic kidney HEK-293 cells. Our studies revealed, however, that none of the chelators were efficient enough to withdraw these metal ions from the amyloid aggregates

Sustainable Case Study: United States Steel Corporation

Overall, the North American Steel Industry has made significant strides to protect our environment and preserve our resources by: reducing overall energy consumption per ton of steel by 29% since 1990; reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (including CO2) by more than 25% from 1994 thru 2003; reducing air toxics volumes by more than 70% from 1994 thru 2003, and total air & water discharges by 69%; collecting and reusing of steel making by products such as: slag for road building, railroad ballasts, fertilizer, glassmaking, & other applications; coke oven & steel making gases for fuel/heat generation; increased steel manufacturing efficiencies now result in the production of 100 units of steel from 114 units of raw steel vs. 140 units previously, which has resulted in a yield improvement of 16% to 87% from 71%. These statistics indicate that the industry is doing an efficient job improving the environment in such a short span of time. Recently, United States Steel Corporation has been taking strides to improving sustainability within its corporation. Originally, U.S. Steel has always been a company that prides itself on good business practices. Today, they are taking further steps by incorporating sustainable measures to fit the trend developing in society. This is a study devoted to evaluating U.S. Steel’s current successes and failures regarding their recent sustainability practices

Sustainable Case Study: University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) mission is to provide outstanding patient care and to shape tomorrow’s health system through clinical innovation, biomedical, and health services research, and education. By operating their health system by this mission, UPMC is the leading health provider in Pittsburgh. Their vision is to create a new economic future for western Pennsylvania. They want to build a new perspective of the way people think about health care by creating new avenues in the health care field

Sustainable Case Study: Chevron Corporation

The Chevron Corporation is considered to be one of the five largest energy-producing companies in the world and they are trying to become a more sustainable company. To improve sustainability they are investing in local communities through health, education, and small business funds. They are researching and learning how they affect biodiversity, in ecosystems that they are drilling in. They are also finding ways to be more energy efficient and lower their emissions. Although there are many examples of these sustainable activities there are few concrete numbers that can be shown in order to show exactly how sustainable Chevron is