Transportation Infrastructure and Quality of Life for Disadvantage [sic] Populations
Transportation Infrastructure and Quality of Life for Disadvantage [sic] Populations

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13:

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This research is a pilot study aimed to identify environmental characteristics in colonias that are related to infrastructure and safety, access to goods and services, and quality of life. A secondary objective consisted of evaluating a variety of tools that could be used to identify and assess these environmental characteristics. El Cenizo in Webb County, Texas, was selected as our study colonia after preliminary visits and investigations. A multi-disciplinary approach framed this study, considering the transportation, urban design and planning, public health, and socioeconomic dimensions as potential determinants of the residents' mobility behaviors, environmental perception, and quality of life. Three instruments were developed to collect data for this research: 1) a survey, 2) an activity diary or travel diary, and 3) environmental audit instruments. Additionally, this study also included a small sub-group study testing the usability of wearable Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units as a research tool to capture spatial-behavioral data, combined with travel diary. First, the study has generated valuable data on transportation and mobility behaviors where almost no-information is available. Second, the multidisciplinary approach has allowed a comprehensive approach towards a better understanding of the current needs of colonias, especially those related to pedestrians. Some of them could be easily addressed with direct short-term interventions while other require a more long-term plans. Third, the assessment of new research tools offers useful insights for future research in the context of similar low-income marginalized communities.

World Development Report 1994
World Development Report 1994

Author:

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 1994

Total Pages: 268

ISBN-13: 9780195209921

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World Development Report 1994 examines the link between infrastructure and development and explores ways in which developing countries can improve both the provision and the quality of infrastructure services. In recent decades, developing countries have made substantial investments in infrastructure, achieving dramatic gains for households and producers by expanding their access to services such as safe water, sanitation, electric power, telecommunications, and transport. Even more infrastructure investment and expansion are needed in order to extend the reach of services - especially to people living in rural areas and to the poor. But as this report shows, the quantity of investment cannot be the exclusive focus of policy. Improving the quality of infrastructure service also is vital. Both quantity and quality improvements are essential to modernize and diversify production, help countries compete internationally, and accommodate rapid urbanization. The report identifies the basic cause of poor past performance as inadequate institutional incentives for improving the provision of infrastructure. To promote more efficient and responsive service delivery, incentives need to be changed through commercial management, competition, and user involvement. Several trends are helping to improve the performance of infrastructure. First, innovation in technology and in the regulatory management of markets makes more diversity possible in the supply of services. Second, an evaluation of the role of government is leading to a shift from direct government provision of services to increasing private sector provision and recent experience in many countries with public-private partnerships is highlighting new ways to increase efficiency and expand services. Third, increased concern about social and environmental sustainability has heightened public interest in infrastructure design and performance.

Lifelines
Lifelines

Author: Stephane Hallegatte

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2019-07-16

Total Pages: 316

ISBN-13: 1464814317

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Infrastructure—electricity, telecommunications, roads, water, and sanitation—are central to people’s lives. Without it, they cannot make a living, stay healthy, and maintain a good quality of life. Access to basic infrastructure is also a key driver of economic development. This report lays out a framework for understanding infrastructure resilience - the ability of infrastructure systems to function and meet users’ needs during and after a natural hazard. It focuses on four infrastructure systems that are essential to economic activity and people’s well-being: power systems, including the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; water and sanitation—especially water utilities; transport systems—multiple modes such as road, rail, waterway, and airports, and multiple scales, including urban transit and rural access; and telecommunications, including telephone and Internet connections.

Taking Well‐Being and Quality of Life for Granted?
Taking Well‐Being and Quality of Life for Granted?

Author: Isabella Bertmann

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-10-27

Total Pages: 239

ISBN-13: 3658198125

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Isabella Bertmann investigates the connection between disability, poverty, and quality of life, and how social protection measures can influence this relationship. The focus of this study is on South Africa. On the basis of qualitative interviews conducted with individuals affected as well as with local disability and social policy professionals, the author provides enlightening insights into the contemporary discourse on inclusive social protection systems. By combining theoretical considerations on well-being and quality of life (based on the Capability Approach) with her empirical data, she opens new perspectives on the multidimensionality of poverty, social inclusion, and self-determined living.

The Many Faces of Patriotism
The Many Faces of Patriotism

Author: Philip Abbott

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 198

ISBN-13: 9780742550711

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In the decades following the end of the Cold War, scholars turned their attention to reevaluating patriotism. Many saw both its ability to serve as a cohesive force and its desirability as a political and moral concept waning in a time of peace and globalization. The shock of September 11 shook this assessment, as it brought a new surge of patriotism to America. In this volume, nine authors debate the consequences of the 21st century's patriotic resurgence, examining it both in theoretical and comparative terms that draw on examples of patriotism from ancient Greece to post-apartheid South Africa. Each author has chosen a different angle of approach, examining a variety of interlinking questions. Should patriotism be defined to enhance universalistic concerns or is its particularistic vantage point the source of its virtue? Is patriotism a concept prone to manipulation by elites or is it a source of independent judgments by citizens? If patriotism is love of one's country, how is that love best expressed? Is such love demonstrated by fidelity, gratitude, compassion, remembrance, shame, dissent, or some combination? Joined together by Philip Abbott's incisive introduction, the essays illuminate the many-faceted nature of patriotism today. Published in cooperation with The Center for the Study of Citizenship at Wayne State University.

Dialogues on Mobile Communication
Dialogues on Mobile Communication

Author: Adriana de Souza e Silva

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2016-10-04

Total Pages: 245

ISBN-13: 1315534606

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In this book, top scholars in the field of mobile communication discuss the major issues related to the use of mobile phones in today’s society, such as the tension between private and public, youth mobile culture, creative appropriations of mobile devices, and mobile methods. Each chapter unfolds as an open dialogue between scholars and graduate students of communication. They contain an introduction by a student, followed by a short lecture and a question and answer section with the students, and a closing statement by a student that responds to the scholar’s argument. The book is a valuable resource not only for individuals interested in mobile communication, but also students and teachers willing to use the affordances of mobile media to expand the physical boundaries of classrooms and promote collaborative learning practices.

Transportation Planning Handbook
Transportation Planning Handbook

Author: ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers)

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2016-08-01

Total Pages: 1204

ISBN-13: 1118762355

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A multi-disciplinary approach to transportation planning fundamentals The Transportation Planning Handbook is a comprehensive, practice-oriented reference that presents the fundamental concepts of transportation planning alongside proven techniques. This new fourth edition is more strongly focused on serving the needs of all users, the role of safety in the planning process, and transportation planning in the context of societal concerns, including the development of more sustainable transportation solutions. The content structure has been redesigned with a new format that promotes a more functionally driven multimodal approach to planning, design, and implementation, including guidance toward the latest tools and technology. The material has been updated to reflect the latest changes to major transportation resources such as the HCM, MUTCD, HSM, and more, including the most current ADA accessibility regulations. Transportation planning has historically followed the rational planning model of defining objectives, identifying problems, generating and evaluating alternatives, and developing plans. Planners are increasingly expected to adopt a more multi-disciplinary approach, especially in light of the rising importance of sustainability and environmental concerns. This book presents the fundamentals of transportation planning in a multidisciplinary context, giving readers a practical reference for day-to-day answers. Serve the needs of all users Incorporate safety into the planning process Examine the latest transportation planning software packages Get up to date on the latest standards, recommendations, and codes Developed by The Institute of Transportation Engineers, this book is the culmination of over seventy years of transportation planning solutions, fully updated to reflect the needs of a changing society. For a comprehensive guide with practical answers, The Transportation Planning Handbook is an essential reference.

Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Author: Clifford Rechtschaffen

Publisher:

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 514

ISBN-13:

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Environmental justice is a significant and dynamic contemporary development in environmental law. Rechtschaffen and Gauna provide an accessible compilation of interdisciplinary materials for studying environmental justice, interspersed with extensive notes, comments, and questions designed to facilitate classroom discussion. It integrates excerpts from empirical studies, cases, agency decisions, informal agency guidance, law reviews, and other academic literature, as well as community-generated documents. The materials include writings from the fields of environmental law and civil rights law, as well as sociology, political science, and risk assessment. The book begins with an examination of various conceptions of justice, studies about disparities in environmental harms and benefits, and theories concerning the causes of such inequities. It then looks at environmental justice in a variety of regulatory contexts, including program design, standard setting, permitting, enforcement, cleanup, and brownfield redevelopment. The concluding chapters explore various tools used in the effort to achieve environmental justice, including citizen suit enforcement of environmental laws, claims brought under the Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and various non-litigation strategies, including land use and planning tools, disclosure laws, and collaborative projects. A large chapter is devoted to Native American issues. The book is designed for use in a single semester seminar course, and each of the 16 chapters roughly corresponds to a week's worth of reading. It can also be used as a supplement in other environmental, land use, or civil rights classes in which the professor wishes to cover selected issues in environmental justice. "This collection, edited by Rechtschaffen and Gauna, covers the terrain of environmental justice masterfully...Researchers with an interest in environment justice should own this work; students will make good use of it as well. Summing up: Essential." -CHOICE Magazine, April 2003, Vol. 40, No. 8 "C. Rechtshaffen and E. Gauna, Environmental Justice: Law, Policy, and Regulation (2002) is a wonderful resource on environmental justice issues, with extensive references to the rapidly expanding literature." -Environmental Regulation: Law, Science, and Policy (4th ed. 2003); R. Percival, C. Schroeder, A. Miller, and J. Leape