Methods for improvement of informal settlement in Kabul City, Afghanistan

Afghanistan witnessed rapid urbanization in recent decades due to the post-war recovery process. When the war ended in 2001 by the fall of Taliban regime, most of Afghans refugees returned back to urban areas of Afghanistan especially in Kabul city. Moreover, the rapid urbanization, migration from rural areas and population growth impacted on Kabul city with the manifestation of informal settlement. Informal settlement in Kabul city refers to the housing and settlement which built up in violation of the master plan of Kabul city. The problems of the informal settlement are considerable challenges to the informal residents and government. Thus, this research aims to investigate the identification of methods for improvement of the informal settlement in District 13 of Kabul city. In order to reach the aim of the research, field survey interview has been conducted with 22 Afghan government officials, and questionnaire survey has been conducted with 200 residents of District 13 of Kabul city. The gathered data includes both qualitative data and quantitative data. The content analysis has been used to analyze qualitative data, and the frequency analysis has been used to analyze the quantitative data. The finding on the built environment problems posed by informal settlement in District 13 are lack of drainage system and sewage system, lack of solid waste management, unpaved narrow street, lack of open spaces, recreation and greenery, lack of water supply and pollution of underground water. Moreover, different factors leading to growth of informal settlement are rapid increase of population, and limited capacity of government. Finally, through the resident’s preferences, government capacity, and District 13 physical condition, the research suggests three methods which can be used for the improvement of the informal settlement in District 13 of Kabul city which is settlement upgrading as the first option, the land readjustment as the second option and urban redevelopment as the last option. This research is essential and has significance for the government of Afghanistan and the informal residents, through enhancing the information and awareness of the government officials towards the need, preferences and most problems of informal settlements

Pandemic Vulnerability Knowledge Visualisation for Strategic Decision-Making: A COVID-19 Index for Government Response in Australia

Purpose: This study aims to develop a pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation index to support the strategic decision-making efforts of authorities. Design/methodology/approach: First, the key vulnerability factors from the literature are identified. Second, using the vulnerability factors as indicators, a composite index is developed. Last, from the index values, a set of vulnerability knowledge maps, showing the vulnerability hotspots, are prepared. Findings: Ten indicators are identified as vulnerability factors that could significantly impact the virus spread risks. Verifying the identified hotspots against the recorded infected cases and deaths has evidenced the usefulness of the index. Determining and visualising the high-vulnerability locations and communities could help in informed strategic decision-making and responses of the authorises to the pandemic. Originality/value: The study demonstrates that the developed pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation index is particularly appropriate in the context of Australia. Nonetheless, by replicating the methodologic steps of the study, customised versions can be developed for other country contexts. Keywords: knowledge visualisation; strategic decision-making; community vulnerability; COVID-19; government response; Australia Paper type: Research paper</p

Inclusive regional development: A case study of Pengerang Region in Johor Malaysia

The large development projects exhibit positive impacts on the surroundings and immediate spatial vicinity of the development. Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) is a mega project planned under Malaysia’s National Key Economic Areas (NKEA). Eventhough the PIPC seems to be beneficial for the country’s economic growth, in terms of foreign investment, however, it also creates controversial issues among local people, such as the local people may not necessarily obtain benefits from the development of PIPC. Previous similar studies did not adequately explore these issues. Therefore, this research study presents two main objectives: (i) to explore the issues and benefits of those arising among local people by the development of PIPC projects and (ii) to prepare a strategic plan for inclusive development where local people can benefit from the development of PIPC projects. In order to reach the aim of this research site observation, and interviews with community leaders, local workers, and government institutions, have been as an instrument for data collection. However, the finding of this research indicates that the issues of the PIPC development that were considered are those arising among the fishermen community in the region, local businesses, and other related issues. While this research study has been prepared, the strategy where local people can benefit from the development. Furthermore, an initiative and a well-designed strategy of this research study will lead to relatively long term support and arelationship between locals and the government

How can social media analytics assist authorities in pandemic-related policy decisions? Insights from Australian states and territories

Background and objectives: Due to COVID-19, various countries introduced lockdowns and limited citizen movements. These restrictions triggered an increased use of digital technologies and platforms by the public. This provides an opportunity for the authorities to capture public perceptions on COVID-19 from social media channels to make informed decisions. The use of social media analytics during pandemics for decision-making, however, is an understudied area of research. Thus, this study aims to generate insights into how social media analytics can assist authorities in pandemic-related policy decisions. Methods: T his study involved a social media analysis approach—i.e., systematic geo-Twitter analysis—that contains descriptive, content, sentiment, and spatial analyses. Australian states and territories are selected as the case study context for the empirical investigation. This study collected 96,666 geotagged tweets (originated from Australia between 1 January and 4 May 2020), and analysed 35,969 of them after data cleaning. Results: The findings disclose that: (a) Social media analytics is an efficient approach to capture the attitudes and perceptions of the public during a pandemic; (b) Crowdsourced social media data can guide interventions and decisions of the authorities during a pandemic, and; (c) Effective use of government social media channels can help the public to follow the introduced measures/restrictions. Conclusion: The findings are invaluable for authorities to understand community perceptions and identify communities in needs and demands in a pandemic situation, where authorities are not in a position to conduct direct and lengthily public consultations. Keywords: COVID-19, Pandemic-related policy, Social media analytics, Crowdsources data, Urban informatics, Australia<br/

Pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation for strategic decision-making: a COVID-19 index for government response in Australia

Purpose: First, the key vulnerability factors from the literature are identified. Second, using the vulnerability factors as indicators, a composite index is developed. Last, from the index values, a set of vulnerability knowledge maps, showing the vulnerability hotspots, are prepared. Design/methodology/approach: This study aims to develop a pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation index to support the strategic decision-making efforts of authorities. Findings: Ten indicators are identified as vulnerability factors that could significantly impact the virus spread risks. Verifying the identified hotspots against the recorded infected cases and deaths has evidenced the usefulness of the index. Determining and visualising the high-vulnerability locations and communities could help in informed strategic decision-making and responses of the authorities to the pandemic. Originality/value: The study demonstrates that the developed pandemic vulnerability knowledge visualisation index is particularly appropriate in the context of Australia. Nonetheless, by replicating the methodologic steps of the study, customised versions can be developed for other country contexts.</p

How can social media analytics assist authorities in pandemic-related policy decisions? Insights from Australian states and territories

Background and objectives: Due to COVID-19, various countries introduced lockdowns and limited citizen movements. These restrictions triggered an increased use of digital technologies and platforms by the public. This provides an opportunity for the authorities to capture public perceptions on COVID-19 from social media channels to make informed decisions. The use of social media analytics during pandemics for decision-making, however, is an understudied area of research. Thus, this study aims to generate insights into how social media analytics can assist authorities in pandemic-related policy decisions. Methods: This study involved a social media analysis approach—i.e., systematic geo-Twitter analysis—that contains descriptive, content, sentiment, and spatial analyses. Australian states and territories are selected as the case study context for the empirical investigation. This study collected 96,666 geotagged tweets (originated from Australia between 1 January and 4 May 2020), and analysed 35,969 of them after data cleaning. Results: The findings disclose that: (a) Social media analytics is an efficient approach to capture the attitudes and perceptions of the public during a pandemic; (b) Crowdsourced social media data can guide interventions and decisions of the authorities during a pandemic, and; (c) Effective use of government social media channels can help the public to follow the introduced measures/restrictions. Conclusion: The findings are invaluable for authorities to understand community perceptions and identify communities in needs and demands in a pandemic situation, where authorities are not in a position to conduct direct and lengthily public consultations. (Submitted to the Springer journal 'Health Information Science and Systems' on 20/07/20