Rethinking public participation in infrastructure projects

The mission of any public infrastructure and construction (PIC) projects is to improve the well-being of the society. In spite of this, as some of these projects might impact on the environment and affect the habitat of local residents, it is not unusual to attract criticism or even opposition from various stakeholder groups. Consequently, there is an increasing concern about the effectiveness of public participation for PIC projects. The authors strive to examine the salient elements of public participation by considering the questions of 'who', 'what' and 'how' in the process. The paper begins by reviewing the international public participation practices and the models proposed by various researchers. The key aspects to be considered during the public participation process are then highlighted. The paper concludes by proposing a comprehensive participatory framework for PIC projects, especially those of a highly sensitive nature. The results show that the standpoints of various stakeholders can be rather diverse and it is necessary to ensure a consensus is reached at different project stages through a well-planned, whole-cycle participatory exercise in order to maximise the chance of project success. More importantly, better acceptance towards other views and more education on the importance of public participation are needed to ensure that society benefits from economic and social development without sacrificing the rights and best interests of the minority groups.published_or_final_versio

Rethinking public participation in infrastructure projects

The mission of any public infrastructure and construction (PIC) projects is to improve the well-being of the society. In spite of this, as some of these projects might impact on the environment and affect the habitat of local residents, it is not unusual to attract criticism or even opposition from various stakeholder groups. Consequently, there is an increasing concern about the effectiveness of public participation for PIC projects. The authors strive to examine the salient elements of public participation by considering the questions of 'who', 'what' and 'how' in the process. The paper begins by reviewing the international public participation practices and the models proposed by various researchers. The key aspects to be considered during the public participation process are then highlighted. The paper concludes by proposing a comprehensive participatory framework for PIC projects, especially those of a highly sensitive nature. The results show that the standpoints of various stakeholders can be rather diverse and it is necessary to ensure a consensus is reached at different project stages through a well-planned, whole-cycle participatory exercise in order to maximise the chance of project success. More importantly, better acceptance towards other views and more education on the importance of public participation are needed to ensure that society benefits from economic and social development without sacrificing the rights and best interests of the minority groups.published_or_final_versio

The Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Stepped Care Prevention and Treatment for Depressive and/or Anxiety Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

published_or_final_versio

Dichloridobis(4-chloro­benz­yl)(4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine-κ2 N,N′)tin(IV)

The SnIV atom in the title compound, [Sn(C7H6Cl)2Cl2(C12H12N2)], is coordinated by the bidentate N-heterocycle mol­ecule, two chloro­benzyl anions and two Cl− anions in a distorted trans-C2SnCl2N2 octa­hedral geometry [C—Sn—C = 178.4 (1)°]. In the mol­ecular structure, the two benzene rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 39.62 (17)°

catena-Poly[[tribenzyl­tin(IV)]-μ-2-(piperidin-1-ylcarbothio­ylsulfan­yl)acetato-κ2 O:O′]

The Sn atom in the title polymeric compound, [Sn(C7H7)3(C8H12NO2S2)]n, exists in a trans-C3O2 trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environment in the two independent formula units. The carboxyl­ate moiety functions in a bridging mode, linking adjacent triorganotin cations into a linear chain running along the shortest axis of the triclinic unit cell; the repeat distance of the polymer is half the a-axial length. In one formula unit, the Sn atom is displaced out of the equatorial plane in the direction of the Sn—Ocovalent bond by 0.093 (4) Å and in the second mol­ecule, the Sn atom is displaced by 0.105 (4) Å in the same direction

{[(N-Butyl-N-methylcarbamothioyl)sulfanyl]acetato-κO}tris(2-chloro­benz­yl)tin(IV)

The Sn atom in the title compound, [Sn(C7H6Cl)3(C8H14NO2S2)], is coordinated by three chlorobenzyl ligands and one carboxylate O atom of the substituted acetate ligand in a distorted tetra­hedral environment. Three of the C atoms of the n-butyl group are disordered over two sites with equal occupancies

Tris(o-chloro­benz­yl)[3-(4-meth­oxybenzoyl)­propionato-κO]tin(IV)

The tin atom in the title compound, [Sn(C7H6Cl)3(C11H11O4)], exists in a distorted tetra­hedral coordination environment. The carboxyl­ate anion is equally disordered over two positions

catena-Poly[[tris­(4-fluoro­benz­yl)tin(IV)]{μ-[(N,N-diisopropylcar­bamo­thioyl)sulfanyl]acetato-κ2 O:O′}]

In the title compound, [Sn(C7H6F)3(C9H16NO2S2)]n, the Sn atom is coordinated in a slightly distorted, trans-C3SnO2 trigonal-bipyramidal environment. Symmetry-related Sn atoms are bridged by diisopropyl­dithio­carbamoylacetato ligands, forming a one-dimensional polymer along [001]

catena-Poly[[tris­(4-fluoro­benz­yl)tin(IV)]-μ-2-[(piperidin-1-yl)carbothio­ylsulfan­yl]acetato-κ2 O:O′]

Adjacent units of the title polymeric complex, [Sn(C7H6F)3(C8H12NO2S2)], are bridged by the carboxyl­ate ion into a helical chain running along the b axis. The Sn(IV) atom shows a distorted trans-C3SnO2 trigonal-bipyramidal coordination and is displaced by 0.113 (2) Å out of the C3Sn girdle in the direction of the covalently bonded O atom. The ring is disordered of two positions with an occupancy of 0.631 (4) for the major occupied site

Tris(2-chloro­benz­yl)[3-(4-methyl­phen­yl)prop-2-enoato-κO]tin(IV)

The SnIV atom in the title compound, [Sn(C7H6Cl)3(C10H9O2)], exists in a tetra­hedral geometry [Σ C—Sn—C = 341.5 (4)°]. If the doubly bonded carbonyl O atom is taken into account for the coordination sphere of Sn [Sn⋯O = 2.808 (2) Å], the coordination geometry can be described as a cis-penta­gonal bipyramid