Journal articles on the topic 'Housing Goals / Guidelines'

In the 1960s, France built large high-rise developments to house poor and immigrant populations. This policy led to the rise of crime and violent unrest in those developments. Responding to that failure, France has tried, especially since the eighties, to promote a social mix policy in its new housing developments. In the first decade of the twenty first century, France elaborated an eco-district (eco-quartier) program whose guidelines emphasize the goals of this social mix policy together with affordability in public social housing. In light of these developments, this paper focuses on the socio-economic aspects of French eco-districts, especially with respect to low-income populations. The eco-quartier housing distribution has shown that social mix goals are barely reached. In affluent cities, where property prices are high (such as Paris, its middle-class suburbs and some large cities), the municipalities build eco-quartiers in substandard neighborhoods, to attract middle class families. In average cities, some municipalities have implemented more social housing than planned, to provide developers with access to State subsidies and loans – but can still privilege the middle-class in the allocation of the resulting housing. In the poorest French towns, eco-quartiers can improve living conditions for local residents but do not effectively promote social mixing.

The presented study addresses the problems of accessibility of high-quality services provided by the housing and utilities system for the population from the perspective of achieving the strategic goals of creating a comfortable and safe environment, including those formulated as national objectives by the President of the Russian Federation.Aim. The study aims to determine trends in the funding of the housing and utilities system from the consolidated budget of Russian regions in comparison with the dynamics of paid services in the field of housing and utilities, and to identify approaches to solving the problems of accessibility of highquality services and reducing regional disparities in the provision of these services.Tasks. Through the example of the North-West macro-region, the authors examine the goals, objectives, and priorities in the housing and utilities sector reflected in regional socio-economic development strategies; identify the expenditure pattern of the consolidated budget of the North-West macro-region; determine the dynamics of expenses on housing and utilities from the consolidated budget of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation located within the North-West macro-region and paid services in this field; determine the amount and dynamics of unit expenses on housing and utilities from the regional consolidated budget and compare it with household expenditure; draw a conclusion regarding the directions for improving the accessibility of high-quality services provided by the housing and utilities system for the population.Methods. Based on the statistical analysis of the 2012–2018 dynamics of the structure and absolute amount of expenditure from the consolidated budgets of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation located within the North-West macro-region and the dynamics of household expenditure on the paid services of the housing and utilities system, this study identifies the major trends and inter-regional imbalances in the funding of the housing and utilities system as a factor of realization of national priorities in ensuring a comfortable and safe environment.Results. The study shows that a number of problems persist in the regional housing and utilities systems despite the efforts made by the government, regional and municipal authorities. The constituent entities of the Russian Federation integrate guidelines for the development of this system in their socio-economic development strategies and prioritize increasing the accessibility and quality of housing and utilities services, which is reflected in regional socio-economic development strategies. One of the reasons for the persisting problems in regional housing and utilities systems and low accessibility of services for the population is the lack of a unified approach to the budgetary funding of this system. Different regions, particularly in the Russian North-West, exhibit multidirectional trends in the funding of the housing and utilities system and its support from the consolidated budget of the region. This generates and amplifies the differences between regions in the amount of budgetary funding of this system, creating unequal conditions for the population of the respective regions in terms of access to high-quality housing and utilities services. Thus, it becomes obvious that a more grounded regional budget policy is required — one that would make allowance for the existing imbalances in the funding of such services.Conclusions. To solve the identified problems, it is advisable to develop a more grounded regional budget policy that would make allowance for the existing imbalances in the funding of housing and utilities services. Mechanisms for overcoming the existing inequality of access to housing and utilities services for the population should be established not only during the development and adjustment of regional socio-economic development strategies, but also during the formation of strategy at the level of a federal district.

This research, a descriptive qualitative analysis of self-defined serious illness goals, expands the knowledge of what goals are important beyond the physical—making existing disease-specific guidelines more holistic. Integration of goals of care discussions and documentation is standard for quality palliative care but not consistently executed into general and specialty practice. Over 14 months, lay health-care workers (care guides) provided monthly supportive visits for 160 patients with advanced heart failure, cancer, and dementia expected to die in 2 to 3 years. Care guides explored what was most important to patients and documented their self-defined goals on a medical record flow sheet. Using definitions of an expanded set of whole-person domains adapted from the National Consensus Project (NCP) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, 999 goals and their associated plans were deductively coded and examined. Four themes were identified—medical, nonmedical, multiple, and global. Forty percent of goals were coded into the medical domain; 40% were coded to nonmedical domains—social (9%), ethical (7%), family (6%), financial/legal (5%), psychological (5%), housing (3%), legacy/bereavement (3%), spiritual (1%), and end-of-life care (1%). Sixteen percent of the goals were complex and reflected a mix of medical and nonmedical domains, “multiple” goals. The remaining goals (4%) were too global to attribute to an NCP domain. Self-defined serious illness goals express experiences beyond physical health and extend into all aspects of whole person. It is feasible to elicit and record serious illness goals. This approach to goals can support meaningful person-centered care, decision-making, and planning that accords with individual preferences of late life.

The standard of wastewater management is high in Sweden. Around 90% of the population is connected to central wastewater treatment plants with high requirements of nutrients removal; however, still the problem with algae blooms in the Baltic Sea exists. The aim of the VeVa project was to develop a simple and user-friendly Excel-based model to support environmental decisions of how to select wastewater systems for housing areas where no central sewer system exists. The VeVa model deals with two types of environmental issues: substance flow analysis and energy analysis. Six system structures were studied for the transition area Lillängsdal in Värmdö municipality sorted in three categories: 1) on-site systems for single households; 2) local collective systems; 3) connection to central systems. All studied system structures, except for a Sand filter system, fulfilled the goals of reducing phosphorus and BOD7 according to Swedish guidelines for on-site systems in sensitive areas. All studied systems, except for the Sand filter system, have the potential to fulfil the Swedish National Environmental goal to recycle 60% phosphorus to productive land. The systems with central wastewater treatment plant and local wastewater treatment are the most energy efficient alternatives that also fulfil the requirements of discharges and environmental goals regarding phosphorus recycling.

Every citizen has the right to live in prosperity both physically and mentally, with the fulfillment of physical, spiritual and social needs. To meet these needs the government has made a policy in the form of the Self-Help Housing Stimulant Assistance Program (BSPS), which aims to stimulate low-income communities to build / repair respective homes. The problem in this article is the urgency of housing policy through the BSPS Program in improving the welfare of the community in Tulang Bawang Regency? How is the implementation of housing policy through the BSPS Program in Tulang Bawang Regency? The research used a normative juridical and an empirical approach method. The data are primary and secondary. The result of the research shows that the urgency of housing policy through the BSPS Program is to meet the needs of the community in the form a decent house for habitation which is in line with the state's goals for the welfare of the people. One of them is the fulfillment of a house that is suitable for habitation and health, including building safety, reliability of structural components, improving the quality of non-structural component materials, health of lighting occupants, ventilation and sanitation as well as the minimum adequacy of building area. The BSPS policy in Tulang Bawang Regency is based on the PUPR Ministerial Regulation Number 07 of 2018 concerning BSPS, Perbup Tulang Bawang Number 36 of 2018 concerning Guidelines for Implementing Home Improvement Activities Sourced from the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget of Tulang Bawang Regency. The implementation of BSPS until 2019 has only been 7% (800) of 11,473 uninhabitable housing units (RTLH). In its implementation, BSPS has not been able to encourage public awareness of working together in building houses, according to the spirit of giving BSPS and giving BSPS there are still some that have not been on target. Judging from the benefits of the government housing policy, it can continue the policy for all low-income people (MBR), and future implementation can be carried out more selectively and on target.

Housing markets play a decisive role in the spatial distribution of populations and the integration of immigrants. Looking specifically at Germany, shortages of low-rent housing in many cities are proving to be an open door for discrimination. This article looks at the influence institutional housing providers have on migrants’ access to housing. Based on 76 qualitative interviews with housing experts, politicians, local government officials, civil society and academics, the internal routines of housing companies are examined for the first time in a German context, looking at what effect they have on producing socio-spatial inequality. Using Lipsky’s (1980) ‘street-level bureaucracy’ as our conceptual framework, we argue that the barriers denying migrants access to the rental housing market are attributable to two factors: the organisational culture, whether in the form of official guidelines (‘policy as written’) or of day-to-day activities in the front-line context (‘policy as performed’), and the huge gap between the two. Corporate policies, the resultant allocation policies, staff training and housing company involvement in local governance structures play a decisive role in determining migrants’ access to housing. The goal of achieving the right social mix and the lack of guidelines for housing company staff in deciding who gets an apartment—turning their discretionary power into a certain kind of ‘forced discretion’—in many cases arbitrarily restrict access to housing in Germany. Theoretically embedding these findings in organisational sociology, the article adds to urban geographical and sociological research into the drivers and backgrounds of residential segregation.

The strategy of the research paper is to conduct analysis of buildings for individual housing from the aspect of promotion of energetically efficient buildings construction. With that as a goal, all key aspects essential for design, such as government regulative necessary to comply with when constructing and reconstructing a building, climate conditions of the given area necessary in planning the strategy of construction, the record of existing housing stock as well as cultural identity through heritage of traditional buildings, were analysed. Through analysis of a traditional building, a reference model of the existing housing stock and hypothetical model- newly designed building, via software for analysis of energetic performances, the conclusions have been made and practical guidelines were given in the reconstruction of the existing and construction of new buildings based on tested scientific proofs. The work is focused on investigation and application of the elements of traditional architecture with a goal to improve energetic performances of new and existing buildings.

Urban studies examine the development of industrial cities regarding the well-being of citizens, their needs and quality of life. Due to a new understanding of industrial cities as towns for people, the role and place of man in the urban space should be reconsidered. We developed a model for structuring the industrial city space based on a retrospective analysis of urban development. Further, we revealed the characteristics of shrinking cities and determined how the harmonisation of the urban environment influences the society. The interaction between physical and social spaces was analysed from the perspective of object- subject relations, enriching the understanding of the categories of place and entity (residential area, public space, etc.), as well as allowing citizens to deliberately transform their environment. Using content analysis, we confirmed that the harmonisation of the urban environment (physical space) stabilises social relations, since the population, government and business should reach a consensus to achieve the city’s goal and satisfy their own needs and interests. The results of the urban space analysis reveal the disparities between historical and modern buildings, natural and urbanised areas, industrial and residential city areas, etc., that should be eliminated. The directions of harmonisation of the urban space (revitalisation of industrial facilities and marginal areas, housing renovation) are proposed. We tested different approaches on the example of cities in the Chelyabinsk region by analysing their development stages, signs of decline, and urban characteristics. We are continuing to study the development of industrial cities. Public authorities and local governments can use the obtained results to elaborate urban development strategies, as well as implement the national projects «Housing and Urban Environment» and «Demography» at the regional and municipal levels.

In response to the ratification of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD), Australian housing industry leaders, supported by the Australian Government, committed to transform their practices voluntarily through the adoption of a national guideline, called Livable Housing Design. They set a target in 2010 that all new housing would be visitable by 2020. Research in this area suggests that the anticipated voluntary transformation is unrealistic and that mandatory regulation will be necessary for any lasting transformation to occur. It also suggests that the assumptions underpinning the Livable Housing Design agreement are unfounded. This paper reports on a study that problematised these assumptions. The study used eleven newly-constructed dwellings in three housing contexts in Brisbane, Australia. It sought to understand the logics-of-practice in providing, and not providing, visitable housing. By examining the specific details that make a dwelling visitable, and interpreting the accounts of builders, designers and developers, the study identified three logics-of-practice which challenged the assumptions underpinning the Livable Housing Design agreement: focus on the point of sale; an aversion to change and deference to external regulators on matters of social inclusion. These were evident in all housing contexts indicating a dominant industry culture regardless of housing context or policy intention. The paper suggests that financial incentives for both the builder and the buyer, demonstration by industry leaders and, ultimately, national regulation is a possible pathway for the Livable Housing Design agreement to reach the 2020 goal. The paper concludes that the Australian Government has three options: to ignore its obligations under the CRPD; to revisit the Livable Housing Design agreement in the hope that it works; or to regulate the housing industry through the National Construction Code to ensure the 2020 target is reached.

The urban development in the 21st century builds upon sustainable urban redevelopment. In this paper, we use urban regeneration as a strategic intervention that reverses social and physical decline through an integrated approach. We argued that social housing is an important strategic intervention of urban regeneration. Unlike many European countries, social housing in Italy has remained an experimental field that urgently needs new models, and urban planning tools and techniques. We presented guidelines for an experimental social housing model. We focus on abandoned buildings and spaces, social issues, and services, with the goal of contributing to urban welfare in the old town center of Sassari City. This approach goes well beyond efforts to put uninhabited or degraded land and buildings to new uses. A model is an integrated tool that is capable of triggering and guiding the processes of social innovation, inclusion, cultural promotion, and economic development. It grounds on the collaborative use of spaces that stimulate a new culture of living together: collaborative living. This paper is based on the results of an ongoing research project, which involves the local University and the Municipality. More research is needed to enclose the model.

The environmental, economic and social challenges re-launched in the European Union Agendas (e.g., Horizon 2020 and Europe 2020–2030) have recently returned to being highly debated. In particular, policies and interventions in the field of social housing (SH) are still remaining crucial issues for urban regeneration. These interventions are aimed to combine sustainability criteria with architectural, urban and environmental quality. In this context, our goal in this article is to provide an innovative perspective on the topic highlighting the positive returns enabled by the logic of the social impact approach (SIA). A pilot project is proposed to be performed in the VI arrondissement of Paris. Starting from the French regulatory context and the requirements set by the “Paris Affordable Housing Challenge” competition, the levers of social finance for new social demands and the levers of incentives are applied to a real case. The research results show that the application of the emerging principles of social impact investing (SII) in areas difficult to access in the private market had positive returns. The final aim of the article is to outline guidelines that consider the quality, management and generation of the social impact requirements highlighted in the proposal to facilitate the application of the SIA to other interventions and contexts.

Computer scan sheet technology was used to evaluate process and outcome variables in a case management shelter program for the homeless. Clients spent up to four months in this program, working on a number of goal areas, including housing, employment, drugs and alcohol, mental and physical health, and literacy. Using Tele-Form, a computer program that allows scan sheets to be designed on screen, case manager recording forms were developed that allowed interventions to be documented on a daily basis, while psychosocial goal areas were documented on scan sheets at intake and termination. Data from these scan sheets were fed into SPSS, a statistical program for the social sciences. Using the case management tracking guidelines developed by Frankel and LaPorte, 1998, the results of this study showed that scan sheet technology was an effective, efficient, and extremely cost-effective way to track case management. The analysis of the data and subsequent discussion suggested ways about how to make case management evaluation more uniform across the country.

In 2015, the Fundão dam broke and destroyed rural communities in Mariana-MG. The reparation for the affected communities in Mariana was defined in the Public Civil Action, which establishes Family Resettlement as one of the means of reparation for the violation of the right to housing. Our goal is to compare the data of rural properties affected witch the reparation parameters. Data from the affected rural properties were compared with the repair parameters, revealing that 65.7% of the 102 rural properties affected by mining waste have less than the Mariana Fiscal Module, 20 ha, a minimum size for the rural properties to be considered economically viable. To ensure the economic viability of new properties, reparations parameters must be determined. We recommend compensation by adding a Fiscal Module to the destination area and implementing agreements and guidelines for redress through the draft National Policy on the Rights of Populations Affected by Dams.

The development of the mortgage market solves both the economic problems of activation and efficient use of financial resources, and social problems in attracting social groups to meet their needs through the mechanism of the financial market. This determines the pattern of development of ways to ensure and develop these processes in Ukraine, their theoretical justification, taking into account the peculiarities of the national economy and current global trends in the development of housing mortgage lending. The purpose of the work is to develop theoretical principles, guidelines and practical recommendations for improving the mortgage lending system in Ukraine. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were set: to summarize the theoretical provisions on the essence of mortgage lending; to analyze the current state of mortgage lending in Ukraine; identify conceptual approaches to enhancing the importance of mortgage credit in solving housing problems. The object of study is the process of assessing mortgage lending. The subject of the research is theoretical-methodical and practical aspects of mortgage lending in Ukraine and its impact on solving housing problems of the population. The paper summarizes the theoretical provisions on the essence of mortgage lending as an effective means of transforming capital tied to real estate; thanks to the analysis of the current state of mortgage lending in Ukraine it is proved that it is one of the most mobile segments of the financial market and today real estate lending has intensified and started to grow, but significant mortgage lending as before the crisis, unfortunately, has not yet been achieved; conceptual approaches to strengthening the importance of mortgage credit in solving housing problems, which are to improve the mortgage lending system in Ukraine. The information base of the study consisted of official materials of the National Bank of Ukraine, performance indicators of JSC "State Savings Bank of Ukraine", JSC CB "Globus", PJSC JSCB "Arcade", JSB "Ukrgasbank", materials of scientific conferences, Internet sources. The scientific novelty of this work is to substantiate the theoretical, legal provisions and provide practical recommendations for improving the mortgage lending system in Ukraine.

In India the demand for housing is ever increasing and hence there is an increase in demand for building materials. Providing affordable housing is a challenge for developing country like India. India have an shortage of millions houses. Now days, more than 17 million retired shipping containers are stacked on the port worldwide. Container building still facing the various challenges. To avoid this challenges GFRG panels use as a Walls and Roofs of container house. So, Container house using GFRG panels provide an adequate solutions to the various problems. Building materials which are energy efficient strong and durable at an affordable cost are in great demand GFRG panels are of much relevance in India where there is tremendous need for cost effective mass scale and rapid housing. They are not only eco-friendly, but also resistant to termites, heat, rot, corrosion, water and fire. Concrete infill with vertical reinforcement rods enhances its vertical and lateral load capabilities. Comparative studies of GFRG and conventional buildings have been carried out in the present investigation. Rapid wall panel provides speedier construction and leads to environmental protection. Subsequently, it is a perfect option building material to replace bricks or concrete blocks. GFRG wall is a green product which can erect a building fast in prefabricated method. This paper highlights the positive aspects of GFRG panels with respect to Time, cost of construction Strength, affordability, energy efficiency over the conventional construction materials and its suitability in the Indian Housing Scenario. This research aims in providing adequate shelter for all individuals that is one among the recent challenges long faced by the developing countries. Economical plan and development of structures, utilizing green material is an option in contrast to exhaustion of totals and increment in cost of concrete. Glass fiber reinforced gypsum panel (GFRG) is a green material, which is a rapid wall construction method and a cost effective construction process. With the end goal to enhance the productivity, and decrease of waste, the lean the development has been presented as another administration rule for better execution. In India, the usage of lean administration in the development industry is a noteworthy errand. Because of the absence of consideration and uneducated towards the lean administration guideline the proprietor, contractual worker, engineers and so on are as yet creating a stage to actualize this standard in their task. This venture primarily centers on to recognize the potential outcomes of execution of lean administration in the development industry. This paper shows the probabilities of compelling usage of lean administration guideline in the development industry, which can definitely diminish the use of time, increment the nature of work, and benefit rate by wiping out the wastage of materials. It finally, points in giving lodging to all classes of people, in this way enhancing the economy of India. Going through this study, it will explore & analyze some projects and case studies from many points of views, Geometrically, Architecturally, structurally, financially, and of course environmentally. The deployment of containers as building modules has grown in popularity over the past years due to their inherent strength, modular construction, and relatively low cost. Finally, conclusions are going to be drawn on the important worth of lean construction against the traditional practice with consideration for the future benefits within collaborative technological models.

Background Elephant camps are among the most attractive destinations in Thailand for tourists from many countries. A wide range of management strategies are used by these camps, which can have varied impacts on health and welfare of elephants. Methods This study surveyed 33 camps with 627 elephants in northern Thailand to quantify the types of management practices and work activities experienced by captive elephants. The survey consisted of an interview with camp owners, and direct observations of camp operations. Results Data revealed considerable variation in elephant demographics, work activities, elephant care (i.e., housing, restraint, nutrition, health care, and breeding), and mahout management among the camps. In general, older camps (those in existence for >16 years) were involved in more intensive activities, like riding with saddles and shows. By contrast, newer camps provided more one-on-one activities for tourists and elephants, and emphasized more intimate, relaxing experiences (e.g., feeding, bathing, walking) than entertainment. A demographic shift also was observed, with elephants 20 years of age and younger having a sex ratio closer to 1:1 compared to elephants in older age categories (1:4.1–1:9.8). Discussion Shifts in elephant management to less intensive activities were observed, which could have positive implications for elephant welfare. The shifting sex ratio suggests successful captive breeding is resulting in the birth of more males, which could present new welfare challenges in the future, because bulls can be more difficult to manage and socialize, and are more likely to be kept isolated during musth. Ultimately, the goal is to understand how camp activities affect welfare, and to develop science-based guidelines and standards to aid in the management of both male and female elephants used in tourism.

ABSTRACT In the context of the COVID-19, this article reveals the potential of architecture and urbanism in the prevention and control of epidemics and in playing an active role in human health. The historical approach shows that the same space-controlled measures against pandemics were used for centuries to combat leper or plague: quarantine, isolation and confinement. The fight against tuberculosis led, from the 1830s, to the hygiene movement which facilitated current principles for a healthy architecture regarding sunlight and ventilation. In the 1920s, hygienic concepts constituted the foundation for modernist architecture and urbanism. With the advent of antibiotics, in the 1940s, medicine was emancipated from architecture. In the 1970s, the criticism of the social modernist shortcoming led to the New Urbanism or Urban Village movements and environmental issues to Green Architecture and Urbanism. The paper investigates how the present pandemic confirms the last decades warnings and the previous concerns about the correspondence between population density and mortality rates. The article examines the linkages between scale in the built environment, epidemiology and proxemics. The goal is to determine the place of architecture and urbanism in social resilience management during pandemics. Solutions for health engaged architecture and urbanism are indicated at different scales: object scale—hygiene; people scale—distancing and isolation; interior spaces—air control by ventilation, filtering and humidifying; residential—intermediate housing, public spaces between buildings—the key for social interactions; working—telecommuting, size and dispersion; shopping—proximity and downscaling; transportation—walking, bicycling, shared mobility and robo-taxies; and higher scale-mixed use neighborhoods. Architectural certifications such as BREAM and LEED may need to implement similar guidelines for public health. Healthy building movements like Fitwel and WELL Building Standard have already taken steps to foster healthy urbanism, and LEED for Neighborhood Development addresses health related issues. In the context of the COVID-19 and the concern of future pandemics, research in these areas will need to be expanded.

Introduction:Many countries face the challenge of an aging population. Development of suitable technologies to support frail elderly living in care homes, sheltered housing or at home remains a concern. Technology evaluation in real-life conditions is often lacking, and randomized controlled trials of ‘pre-designed’ technologies are expensive and fail to deliver. A novel alternative would be ‘living labs’-real-life test and experimentation environments where users and producers co-create innovations and large-scale data can be collected.Methods:The goal of the living labs and Data Driven Research and Innovation (DDRI) Programme is to use data driven analytics and insights to support technology development for independent living, healthy aging and more cost-effective care. This involves a cluster of long-term residential care facilities providing 24/7 living lab settings, linked to an embedded innovation hub. DDRI also encompasses private vehicles (e.g. sensors in cars) to enable elderly to drive safely for longer. Collaborations have been established with Universities in England, Scotland and Ireland and with international industry partners.Results:Several projects are underway: (i) develop machine learning algorithm from non-intrusive sensor data to build a well-being representation for individual residents/citizens; (ii) evaluate innovative interventions for good sleep environment and nutritional support; and (iii) establish ethics framework to ensure that needs of residents, families and staff are embedded in design, communication, and evaluation of future DDRI projects. In addition, fifteen interdisciplinary doctoral fellowships are in place, six universities are working closely with individual living lab settings, and an innovation hub has been established in one care home for horizon-scanning and strategic technology selection and implementation.Conclusions:Over the next five years, a national network of 20 residential living labs with over 1,500 participants will be established. Generation of new user-led technologies, blueprints for capture of individual data at significant scale, and ethical and organizational guidelines will be developed. Intelligent mobility via data capture/feedback in vehicles will be established.

Preface Whenever animals are used in research, minimizing pain and distress and promoting good welfare should be as important an objective as achieving the experimental results. This is important for humanitarian reasons, for good science, for economic reasons and in order to satisfy the broad legal principles in international legislation. It is possible to refine both husbandry and procedures to minimize suffering and improve welfare in a number of ways, and this can be greatly facilitated by ensuring that up-to-date information is readily available. The need to provide such information led the British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation (BVAAWF), the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME), the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) to establish a Joint Working Group on Refinement (JWGR) in the UK. The chair is Professor David Morton and the secretariat is provided by the RSPCA. This report is the ninth in the JWGR series. The RSPCA is opposed to the use of animals in experiments that cause pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm and together with FRAME has particular concerns about the continued use of non-human primates. The replacement of primate experiments is a primary goal for the RSPCA and FRAME. However, both organizations share with others in the Working Group, the common aim of replacing primate experiments wherever possible, reducing suffering and improving welfare while primate use continues. The reports of the refinement workshops are intended to help achieve these aims. This report produced by the British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation (BVAAWF)/Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME)/Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)/Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) Joint Working Group on Refinement (JWGR) sets out practical guidance on refining the husbandry and care of non-human primates (hereinafter primates) and on minimizing the adverse effects of some common procedures. It provides a valuable resource to help understand the physical, social and behavioural characteristics and needs of individual primates, and is intended to develop and complement the existing literature and legislative guidelines. Topics covered include refinements in housing, husbandry and common procedures such as restraint, identification and sampling, with comprehensive advice on issues such as primate communication, assessing and facilitating primate wellbeing, establishing and maintaining social groups, environmental and nutritional enrichment and animal passports. The most commonly used species are the key focus of this resource, but its information and recommendations are generally applicable to other species, provided that relevant individual species characteristics are taken into account.

This research focuses on the emergency-housing demand caused by the on-going refugee crisis in Southeastern Europe. The research and proposed solutions focus on Northern Serbia, as this region generally lacks permanent housing solutions for accommodating the increasing influx of immigrants. The outcome of this research is an architectural proposal for the refugee housing unit designed particularly for the situational factors of this focus region. The study identifies earth architecture as the primary building technique, due to its ability to satisfy a range of defined end-product goals. These goals include: the sustainability of the material, quality and durability of the final product, skill level required for non-professional construction, final cost of material and execution, historical regional precedent, and opportunity for communal engagement of the immigrant population. The proposed architectural design uses earth-bag construction as the sub-method most suitable for this location and in keeping with the goals outlined above. The proposed housing unit is a singular component that could be duplicated to create larger communal housing communities. A broad overview of possible solutions is included, followed by the development of the earth-bag construction option. The development of this proposal includes material studies, sketches, and an architectural model as representation tools. The outcomes of this research serve as a guideline, rather than a precise construction model, in creating much needed refugee housing communities in North Serbia.

The concentration of city populations profoundly impacts the environment and human well-being, posing massive sustainability challenges related to affordable housing and its infrastructure. Turkish cities are part of this global trend resulting in new aspirations for affordable and rapidly built public housing, including those created since 2003 by the Mass Housing Development Administration (TOKI). A major challenge for affordable housing in developing countries, such as Turkey, is the lack of a holistic and viable sustainability framework for use in their creation. Currently, empirical case studies of successful housing projects and city design and planning literature provide a rich source of background data on affordable housing strategies, yet a detailed set of urban sustainability indicators are neither well defined nor integrated. The primary goal of this article is to articulate the components of economic, environmental, and social sustainability (e.g. land-use, energy use, design process, accessibility, density, affordability), while outlining a set of guidelines for affordable housing that can be operationalized by agencies fostering a more sustainable quality of life, such as TOKI. The article begins with a review of literature to identify sustainability indicators applicable to low-income residential environments, then examines two TOKI housing projects in Turkish cities, Bursa and Amasya.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> We previously reported an increased prevalence of asthma in adults who lived in temporary housing after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. The goal of the current study was to investigate changes in asthma prevalence and mite-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) titers in temporary housing residents during 2014–2019. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> By using the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, we diagnosed asthma in Ishinomaki city temporary housing residents aged 15 years or older. We then analyzed serum antigen-specific IgE levels to <i>Dermatophagoides farinae</i> (<i>Der f</i>), <i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i> (<i>Der p</i>), and <i>Aspergillus fumigatus.</i> <b><i>Results:</i></b> The prevalence of asthma exceeded 20% across all age-groups throughout the study period. The proportion of study participants with a “positive” antigen-specific IgE titer (i.e., ≥0.35 IU_A/mL) was higher in asthmatics than in nonasthmatics for <i>Der f</i> and <i>Der p</i> but not for <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>. Among residents ≥50 years old who were diagnosed with asthma, the percentage with a <i>Der f</i>-specific IgE titer ≥0.10 IU_A/mL was higher than the proportion with ≥0.35 IU_A/mL. Among study participants, asthma onset occurred before the earthquake, during residence in shelters or temporary housing, and (starting in 2016) after moving out of temporary housing. The <i>Der p</i>-specific IgE level was positively correlated with the duration of temporary housing (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05, <i>r</i> = 0.41) and inversely correlated with the time elapsed since moving out of temporary housing (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05, <i>r</i> = −0.35). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Mite allergen sensitization was found in both asthmatic and nonasthmatic temporary housing residents after the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami; asthma developed even after subjects moved out of temporary housing.

Regulation of biomedical research is a complex task, including ethical aspects subdivided into issues related to research on humans and laboratory animals. Involvement of human subjects is under the strict guidance of relevant regulatory documents common to most countries. Regarding animals, these aspects may vary significantly in nations with different socio political and economic factors of transition. From the other side, contemporary biomedical research suggests, amongst other, close collaboration of scientific and educational institutions from different countries. In Georgia-like countries in transition, this process requires significant amendments to the legislation of biomedical research, as international state-of-the-art regulations require, on one hand, compliance with proper guidelines for use of laboratory animals involved in the research process, and on the other — relevant vivarium infrastructure and qualified staff. The current study aimed to collect opinions and experiences from the corresponding Georgian institutions and identify and propose step-by-step solutions to overcome existing challenges. To achieve the goal, we compiled a questionnaire about the management, conduction, and monitoring of biomedical research and sent it to relevant organizations. Questions concerning an institutional policy on the use of laboratory animals, staff qualifications, and infrastructure of units for animal housing/breeding (vivariums or similar), were included as well. The survey revealed the major gaps, among which yet absent national legislative framework appeared of greatest importance, as it allows most institutions’ authorities not to perceive the need to adopt accepted standards at their level. This leads to a decreased credibility of the research, and forces scientists to use international regulations that are quite challenging because of the current state of scientific infrastructure in countries in transition. To overcome the identified problems, we have proposed several solutions, such as a universal package of institutional regulations and a draft amendment to the existing legislation to form a national policy on animal welfare.

“Live free or die!” (New Hampshire State motto) Should individuals be free to make lifestyle decisions (such as what, when and how much to eat and how much physical activity to take), without undue interference from the state, even when their decisions may lead to negative consequences (obesity, heart disease, diabetes)? The UN Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the belief that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. The philosophy of Libertarianism (Locke) proposes that rights can be negative (e.g. the freedom to be free from outside interference) as well as positive (e.g. the right to certain benefits supplied by others). Robert Nozick, a proponent of Libertarianism, has argued that we have the right to make informed decisions about our lives without unnecessary interference. This entitlement requires that we exercise our rights only as far as they do not infringe the rights of others. The popular notion of the “Nanny State” (often used derogatively) is discussed, and the metaphor is extended to draw on the Super Nanny phenomenon, a reality television series that has been shown in numerous countries including the UK, the US, and Australia. It is argued in this paper that social marketing, when done well, can help create a “Super Nanny State” (implying positive connotations). In the “Nanny State” people are told what to do; in the “Super Nanny State” people are empowered to make healthier decisions. Social marketing applies commercial marketing principles to “sell” ideas (rather than goods or services) with the aim of improving the welfare of individuals and/or society. Where the common good may not be easily discerned, Donovan and Henley recommended using the UN Declaration of Human Rights as the baseline reference point. Social marketing is frequently used to persuade individuals to make healthier lifestyle decisions such as “eat less [saturated] fat”, “eat two fruits and five veg a day”, “find thirty minutes of physical activity a day”. Recent medical gains in immunisation, sanitation and treating infectious diseases mean that the health of a population can now be more improved by influencing lifestyle decisions than by treating illness (Rothschild). Social marketing activities worldwide are directed at influencing lifestyle decisions to prevent or minimise lifestyle diseases. “Globesity” is the new epidemic (Kline). Approximately one billion people globally are overweight or obese (compared to 850 million who are underweight); most worryingly, about 10% of children worldwide are now overweight or obese with rising incidence of type 2 diabetes in this population (Yach, Stuckler, and Brownwell). “Nanny state” is a term people often use derogatively to refer to government intervention (see Henley and Jackson). Knag (405) made a distinction between old-style, authoritarian “paternalism”, which chastised the individual using laws and sanctions, and a newer “maternalism” or “nanny state” which smothers the individual with “education and therapy (or rather, propaganda and regulation)”. Knag’s use of the term “Nanny State” still has pejorative connotations. In the “Nanny State”, governments are seen as using the tool of social marketing to tell people what they should and shouldn’t do, as if they were children being supervised by a nanny. At the extreme, people may be afraid that social marketing could be used by the State as a way to control the thoughts of the vulnerable, a view expressed some years ago by participants in a survey of attitudes towards social marketing (Laczniak, Lusch, and Murphy). More recently, the debate is more likely to focus on why social marketing often appears to be ineffective, rather than frighteningly effective (Hastings, Stead, and Macintosh). Another concern is the high level of fear being generated by much of the social marketing effort (Hastings and MacFadyen; Henley). It is as if nanny thinks she must scream at her children all the time to warn them that they will die if they don’t listen to her. However, by extension, I am suggesting that the “Super Nanny State” metaphor could have positive associations, with an authoritative (rather than authoritarian) parenting figure, one who explains appropriate sanctions (laws and regulations) but who is also capable of informing, inspiring and empowering. Still, the Libertarian ethical viewpoint would question whether governments, through social marketers, have the right to try to influence people’s lifestyle decisions such as what and how much to eat, how much to exercise, etc. In the rise of the “Nanny State”, Holt argued that governments are extending the range of their regulatory powers, restricting free markets and intruding into areas of personal responsibility, all under the guise of acting for the public’s good. A number of arguments, discussed below, can be proposed to justify interference by the State in the lifestyle decisions of individuals. The Economic Argument One argument that is often quoted to justify interference by the State is that the economic costs of allowing unsafe/unhealthy behaviours have to be borne by the community. It has been estimated in the US that medical costs relating to diabetes (which is associated directly with obesity) increased from $44 billion to $92 billion in five years (Yach, et al). The economic argument can be useful for persuading governments to invest in prevention but is not sufficient as a fundamental justification for interference. If we say that we want people to eat more healthily because their health costs will be burdensome to the community, we imply that we would not ask them to do so if their health costs were not burdensome, even if they were dying prematurely as a result. The studies relating to the economic costs of obesity have not been as extensive as those relating to the economic costs of tobacco (Yach, et al), where some have argued that prematurely dying of smoking-related diseases is less costly to the State than the costs incurred in living to old age (Barendregt, et al). This conclusion has been disputed (Rasmussen et al), but even if true, would not provide sufficient justification to cease tobacco control efforts. Similarly, I think people would expect social marketing efforts relating to nutrition and physical activity to continue even if an economic analysis showed that people dying prematurely from obesity-related illnesses were costing the State less overall in health care costs than people living an additional twenty years. The Consumer Protection Argument Some degree of interference by the State is desirable and often necessary because people are not entirely self-reliant in every circumstance (Mead). The social determinants of health (Marmot and Wilkinson) are sufficiently well-understood to justify government regulation to reduce inequalities in housing, education, access to health services, etc. Implicit in the criticism that the “Nanny State” treats people like children is the assumption that children are treated without dignity and respect. The positive parent or “Super Nanny” treats children with respect but recognises their vulnerability in unfamiliar or dangerous contexts. A survey of opinion in the UK in 2004 by the King’s Fund, an independent think tank, found that the public generally supported government initiatives to encourage healthier school meals; ensure cheaper fruit and vegetables; pass laws to limit salt, fat and sugar in foods; stop advertising junk foods for children and regulate for nutrition labels on food (UK public wants a “Nanny State”). The UK’s recently established National Social Marketing Centre has made recommendations for social marketing strategies to improve public health and Prime Minister Tony Blair has responded by making public health, especially the growing obesity problem, a central issue for government initiatives, offering a “helping hand” approach (Triggle). The Better Alternative Argument Wikler considered the case for more punitive government intervention in the obesity debate by weighing the pros and cons of an interesting strategy: the introduction of a “fat tax” that would require citizens to be weighed and, if found to be overweight, require them to pay a surcharge. He concluded that this level of state interference would not be justified because there are other ways to appeal to the risk-taker’s autonomy, through education and therapeutic efforts. Governments can use social marketing as one of these better alternatives to punitive sanctions. The Level Playing Field Argument Social marketers argue that many lifestyle behaviours are not entirely voluntary (O’Connell and Price). For example, it is argued that an individual’s choices about eating fast food, consuming sweetened soft drinks, and living sedentary lives have already been partially determined by commercial efforts. Thus, they argue that social marketing efforts are intended to level the playing field – educate, inform, and restore true personal autonomy to people, enabling them to make rational choices (Smith). For example, Kline’s media education program in Canada, with a component of “media risk reduction”, successfully educated young consumers (elementary school children) with strategies for “tuning out” by asking them to come up with a plan for what they would do if they “turned off TV, video games and PCs for a whole week?” (p. 249). The “tune out challenge” resulted in a reduction of media exposure (80%) displaced into active leisure pursuits. A critical aspect of this intervention was the contract drawn up in advance, with the children setting their own goals and strategies (Kline). In this view, the state is justified in trying to level the playing field, by using social marketing to offer information as well as alternative, healthier choices that can be freely accepted or rejected (Rothschild). Conclusion A real concern is that when people are treated like children, they become like children, retaining their desires and appetites but abdicating responsibility for their individual choices to the state (Knag). Some smokers, for example, declare that they will continue to smoke until the government bans smoking (Brown). Governments and social marketers have a responsibility to fund/design campaigns so that the audience views the message as informative rather than proscriptive. Joffe and Mindell (967) advocated the notion of a “canny state” with “less reliance on telling people what to do and more emphasis on making healthy choices easier”. Finally, one of the central tenets of marketing is the concept of “exchange” – the marketer must identify the benefits to be gained from buying a product. In social marketing terms, interference in an individual’s right to act freely can be effective and justified when the benefits are clearly identifiable and credible. Rothschild described marketing’s role as providing a middle point between libertarianism and paternalism, offering free choice and incentives to behave in ways that benefit the common good. Rather than shaking a finger at the individual (along the lines of earlier “Don’t Do Drugs” campaigns), the “Super Nanny” state, via social marketing, can inform and engage individuals in ways that make healthier choices more appealing and the individual feel more empowered to choose them. 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Brownwell. “Epidemiological and Economic Consequences of the Global Epidemics of Obesity and Diabetes.” Nature Medicine 12.1 (2006): 62-6. Citation reference for this article MLA Style Henley, Nadine. "Free to Be Obese in a ‘Super Nanny State’?." M/C Journal 9.4 (2006). echo date('d M. Y'); ?> <http://journal.media-culture.org.au/0609/6-henley.php>. APA Style Henley, N. (Sep. 2006) "Free to Be Obese in a ‘Super Nanny State’?," M/C Journal, 9(4). Retrieved echo date('d M. Y'); ?> from <http://journal.media-culture.org.au/0609/6-henley.php>.

Dear readers,We offer you a new English issue of Envigogika which thematically focuses on case studies of regional sustainable development where social actors play specific roles in communication processes – it documents both the promotion of positive changes at regional level and/or also provide evidence to illuminate seemingly unresolvable conflicts. The concept of social learning from an educational point of view frames this thematic edition – as with any other learning process, stakeholder dialogue has a transformative aspect, the opportunity to confront and possibly change opinions and act on the basis of agreed emergent standpoints. In particular, this collection of case studies specifically tries to illuminate role of science and education in regional development, and attempts to introduce methods of analysis of diverse social relationships as well as practical ways of facilitation of communication processes.In this issue of Envigogika two types of case studies are presented – regional development and regional conflicts. Progress in both is highly dependent on the involvement of actors who shape discussions and consequently frame the issue. Analysis of social aspects is hence highly desirable and first steps undertaken here show some interesting results.The first area of interest (development issues) is a traditional focus of Actor Analysis (AA) and this method is widely used abroad in the envisioning stage and helps to facilitate negotiation processes. In the Czech context however, deliberation processes take place rather spontaneously and without a proper analytical stage, and reflections on negotiations in specific cases illustrates exactly this. A hypothesis about the need for continuous cultivation of democratic conditions in the Czech Republic, (with help of sound scientific analytical methods) specifically concerning deliberation processes, was posed as a result of a collaborative research process. This hypothesis was explored in different ways by our invited authors.To provide a brief overview of the issue:Simon Burandt, Fabienne Gralla and Beatrice John in their article Actor Analysis in Case Studies for (regional) Sustainable Development introduce the Actor Analysis analytical tool used to reflect regional (sustainable) development challenges throughout several articles in this issue. This method can be used with the aim not only of studying social capital, but also to have an impact on decision making and community choices. Its role in describing social players and their interactions, to assist in understanding regional development processes and potential conflicts, and to provide information for strategy development is demonstrated through a specific case (the Ore Mountains). The steps of an actor analysis described in the article can be read as guideline for implementing this analysis and an analytical perspective on this process is provided by this article.An outstanding Czech sustainability oriented local economy project is presented in an article by Jan Labohý, Yvonna Gaillyová and Radim Machů: A sustainability assessment of the Hostětín cider house project. The authors assess the sustainability of the project in relation to different kinds of capital using complex indicators that uncover different aspects of the production process and its local cultural characteristics; moreover, effects to the local economy are measured using the local multiplier effect indicator. From this assessment it is clear that the cider house project meets the primary goals of regional sustainable development in a long term perspective.Another – opposite, negative – case is described by Jan Skalík in the analyses the Debate about the Šumava National Park in the Czech Chamber of Deputies. The article demonstrates persisting conflict and its roots with help of the text analysis method applied to the transcripts of parliamentary debates about National Park Šumava (ŠNP) in the Chamber of Deputies between 1990 and 2013. The relationship between politicians and local people within decision-making process, which is depicted as a consequence of this conflict, is then discussed. Interesting conclusions concern the plurality of dialogue and roles of the actors within it; the influence of scientists on the solutions; and the inflammatory and emotional characteristics of recent debate.As a contrast, which serves as a counterargument to show the power of civic society, Vendula Zahumenská refers to a case in Hradec Králové where environmentalists and local developers have been in conflict concerning the development and commercial use of the Na Plachtě natural monument. This case study shows the role of public participation in environmental protection and describes the specific opportunities for influencing environmental decision-making.But there are cases in CR where declared economic interests are so strong that they eliminate dialogue with civic society – for example, as a result of brown coal mining and its associated industrial development, 106 towns and villages were obliterated in North Bohemia and its population was resettled to newly built prefabricated housing estates. A Case study analysing biographic interviews with the displaced people of Tuchomyšl is presented by Ivana Hermová. The author shows that the former Tuchomyšlers continue to identify strongly with the social space of the obliterated village, and discovers how they reflect on their forced eviction 35 years after the physical destruction of the village.That these conclusions concerning the involvement of social actors might be reflected (and used) in the practice of school education, is described by Alois Hynek, Břetislav Svozil, Jakub Trojan and Jan Trávníček. In a reflection on the Deblínsko landscape project these authors refer to the roles of stakeholders including a university, primary school and kindergarten, and also owners, users, decision-makers, shareholders and stakeholders within public administration. The project is driven by Masaryk University which applies sustainability/security concepts in practice while closely relating these activities with research and teaching. This experience shows that social learning processes can start early among children/pupils/students.A brief analytical overview of cases in this special issue, as well as an overview of information and experiences from a database of case studies from different regions of the Czech Republic and from abroad (compiled by authors beyond the scope of this issue), is provided in an article Potential for social learning in sustainable regional development: analysis of stakeholder interaction … by Jana Dlouhá and Martin Zahradník. The conditions for the success or failure of environmental or sustainable development strategies from a social point of view have been analysed here with a focus on the roles of actors in a dialogue about regional sustainability issues within cooperative or conflict situations and concern for the communication processes among actors, scientists included. As a result of this analysis, interesting hypotheses were formulated, related to the role of future visioning as a ground for discussion, communication frameworks which involve all concerned actors, and the (non)existence of facilitation practices. These findings highlight the importance of reflecting on development issues’ social aspects to help understand and promote democratic decision making processes at regional level.The case studies which follow the research section of the issue take the opportunity to provide a colourful depiction of local sustainable development conditions. The Description of old industrial regions in Europe and potential for their transformation is described by Joern Harfst and David Osebik who stress social learning as an important transformative factor. In particular the involvement of research partners may support joint learning effects and knowledge transfer between all actors. Establishment of trusting working relationships may be crucial to overcome certain reservations on all sides before innovative approaches can be pursued successfully.The Vulkanland case study case written by Michael Ober traces the first glimpses of a sustainable development vision for a border region with little hope for economic prosperity to the successful development of a new identity which has reinforced local peoples’ self-confidence. The initiators of the project first imagined a future built on different standards than the past and consequently managed to substantially transform this region within a period of 15 years. The ‘Steirisches Vulkanland’ region now includes 79 municipalities which together promote local, green, self-sustaining businesses and continue to be ambitious about their future visions including achieving energy independence.As part of the theme illustrated in this Special issue and mentioned also within the analysis of the cases is a text Discovery of a supposed extinct settlement species made at Königsmühle in the Ore Mountains (published previously in Envigogika 9/1 last year but worth republishing in English in the context of this thematic issue). Author Petr Mikšíček pays attention to footprints left in the landscape by bygone generations of inhabitants (and also to present-day footprints left by our generation) and struggles to retain this memory for future generations. Clashes with the interests of some of the actors (land owners in this case) are necessary to preserve the footprints that are on the brink of being wiped out.A brief introduction to the new publication Analysis and support for participatory decision-making processes aimed at regional sustainable development strategies through the use of actor analysis methodology which is available fully online here is presented in the Information section of the Issue.From this overview, some general conclusions can be derived:Conflict situations described in this issue emerged when traditional concepts were enforced by strong actors (without joint envisioning and planning with the others); these circumstances usually do not allow for balanced discussions about the future. However the important role of minor actors such as scientists was also revealed. Experiences with their involvement provided a chance to highlight the role of scientists in policy-making.Based on the findings of this and other related research, the role of scientists can be framed not only as providers of the (rather technical) expertise to reach the goals that were set within the environment or SD oriented decision-making, but also as entering policy negotiations providing an insight into the processes they undergo. If invited at an early stage of decision-making, they can have a considerable impact on its results (then their involvement can be described as an action research). This finding might be used in planning of similar practical and scientific projects.As we can see, several interesting ideas resulted from a comparative meta-analysis of the case studies and were outlined in this issue of Envigogika. In general, it is a social point of view that provides an insight into the nature of the examples presented from the Czech Republic and the good practices from abroad. A scientific method of description is used here to reflect policy mechanisms as well as to indicate a way forward for integrating decision making practice into very sensitive, local or regional sustainability contexts. We sincerely hope that this will precipitate a broad process of public dialogue among experts as well as other actors – beyond the realm of academic discussions only, but nevertheless with substantial academic input.We wish you an enjoyable read and a pleasant and relaxing summer!On behalf of the Envigogika editorial teamJana and Jiří DlouhýAcknowledgementResearch in several articles of this issue was supported by the following projects: Interdisciplinary network of cooperation for policy development in the field of sustainable development (Mezioborová síť spolupráce pro policy development v oblasti udržitelného rozvoje – MOSUR, 2011‑2014) CZ.1.07_2.4.00_17.0130 from the OPVK program of Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports; and TD020120 (TAČR), and 14/36005S (GAČR).