Independent economic regulation: A reassessment of its role in sustainable development

The established ‘standard’ model of economic regulation is characterised by independent economic regulators undertaking specialised tasks. There is a clear perception that the roles and responsibilities of regulators are and should be reduced to the execution of the core function, i.e. economic regulation. We argue that this needs to be reassessed in the context of sustainable development in which the integration of economic, social and environmental policy objectives are fundamental. The established model is particularly confronted by problems of regulatory policy indivisibility (social, economic and environmental matters are intertwined at technical levels) and information asymmetry (regulators often have more knowledge of environmental and social effects of economic regulation than government). We propose a ‘revised standard’ model in which economic regulators are more clearly integrated into the regulatory state's system of governance. Economic regulators retain their independent core specialism but at the same time are encouraged to use their knowledge and expertise to address the social and environmental implications of their core decisions. This is achieved not by extending their decision making powers but by encouraging and facilitating a direct engagement by regulators with the appropriate public authorities on social and environmental decision making. The onus is not only on regulators to engage but also on government which should welcome and encourage such engagement. Although there is some evidence in Britain that the model reflects actual practice, it needs to be more deeply and widely embedded and institutionalised. This can be achieved by high level governmental commitment including specification in sustainable development strategies and principles of good regulation.     

Barriers to sustainable economic development: The Dallas-Fort Worth experience

This article examines the scope of existing economic development activity and the motivations and perceptions of practitioners to shed light on the barriers to sustainable practice. In contrast to related fields like urban planning, the economic development literature has minimally examined how practitioners think about sustainable development and the extent to which sustainable development principles are adopted in practice. This omission is significant because economic development policies can have a notable impact on the sustainable development goals of environmental protection and social equity alongside economic growth. To capture the extent to which economic developers engage in sustainable development and the barriers that practitioners face, we study fifteen cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. We find that six key barriers - a conventional economic development mindset, incentive-based practice, a lack of resources, ad hoc planning, inter-regional competition, and a lack of coordinated regional planning - impede sustainable economic development in the region.     

Regulatory practice and politics: Lessons from independent regulation in Indian electricity

Although independent regulatory agencies are emerging worldwide, there remains little understanding about how they operate in practice, particularly in developing countries. This paper seeks to examine the practice of electricity regulation in India, using case studies of three state-level electricity regulators. Based on documentary analysis and interviews with regulators, government, utilities and stakeholders, the paper examines how regulation is shaped by institutional and political context, how regulators make decisions in practice, and how they engage with stakeholders and with what effects.Based on the Indian experience, we suggest that in a rapidly changing electricity sector, the separation between the political and economic content of regulatory decisions, as is often advocated, may not be feasible or indeed desirable. Instead, we suggest a more proactive regulatory approach where governments give regulators the latitude to proactively steer the sector. For this approach to be viable, regulators need to build adequate technical capacity, institutional legitimacy, and democratic legitimacy in their dealings with stakeholders. This approach entails a bolder, and more challenging vision of regulation, but one that promises greater transformational potential than does the model of technocratic and apolitical regulation.     

Integrating environmental considerations into economic regulation of China's electricity sector

One of the key challenges for China's transition towards sustainable development is how to supply adequate and reliable electric power by an environmentally benign electricity sector. This paper examines to what extent environmental concerns have been integrated into economic regulation and the difficulties of doing so under the current regulatory framework. It finds that there has been a failure to adequately and systematically incorporate environmental considerations into the formulation and enforcement of electricity regulation. As a result, some of the potential gains of the adopted emission-control measures have not materialised and challenges remain for future adoption of other pollution-reduction initiatives.     

Planning for sustainable mobility in transition cities: Cycling losses and hopes of revival in Novi Sad,Serbia

The intensive urbanization and broader-scale motorization of cities in political and economic transition call for new research on how the political and socio-economic context of the transition has shaped sustainable mobility planning. Much remains to be learned on how changes to the political and economic landscape of transition cities have affected the development and consolidation of sustainable mobility planning and how municipal stakeholders involved in sustainable mobility planning respond to the changing nature of transitional cities — including market liberalization, economic growth, development pressures, and political restructuring. By using the case study of Novi Sad, Serbia, this paper examines a transition city with a long tradition of cycling infrastructure planning now facing frictions and setbacks with regards to sustaining and strengthening the cycling culture and infrastructure. Our findings reveal that the economic growth and the new regulations that accompanied the transition in the 1990s negatively impacted bicycling parking facilities and bicycling safety. The political transition also introduced a new planning practice and institutional arrangement that did not comprehensively consider daily cyclists' needs, yet recently allowed for new civic participation and adjustments to flagship cycling projects.     

A better deal for consumers and an attractive environment for investors: The regulators' perspective on the development and use of regulatory and competition powers

This paper provides a perspective from two economic regulators on the way in which economic regulation in the UK has developed over time. Regulation has delivered great benefits, but its development has been at odds with expectations at the time of privatisation. In particular, effective competition has not caused regulation to ‘wither on the vine’, and be replaced with ‘normal markets’, subject to ex post interventions through competition law. This is not because of the (in)action of ‘lazy old regulators’ or because of any regulatory capture, but instead reflects the complexities of regulated sectors, their underlying economics, market structure, conduct and technology, as well as in the legislative and policy framework. Regulators can and do use competition law tools and we recognise that it is important for the health of the regime as a whole that we do. But where markets are being opened to competition the ex ante regulatory tool kit is important. And even where competition exists it may still be the case that ex ante regulatory tools provide surer, quicker benefits for consumers, and an important mechanism for securing much needed new investment. That said, it is important that we continue to make the case for economic regulation, and it is important that the regime should continue to adapt and evolve. We conclude by setting out how the formation of the UK Regulators' Network will help in doing this.     

Utilisation of underground pedestrian systems for urban sustainability

Underground pedestrian systems (UPS) have emerged as an urban phenomenon in the city centres of mega-cities, providing alternative walkways that are safe, accessible, efficient and pleasant for pedestrians. Despite many successful UPS in operation around the world, the application and performance of UPS are not yet well understood by local authorities. While previous studies debated the impacts on cities and people that the development of UPS would bring, an understanding of how to develop UPS to contribute to sustainable urban development, including economic viability, environmental livability and social equity, should be improved. This paper presents a detailed discussion of potential contributions and challenges in developing UPS within the context of sustainable urban development. It contains a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between UPS and urban development with regard to urban planning concepts such as the compact city, city resilience, sustainable transport and urban renewal, within the context of contemporary challenges such as the need to achieve economic sustainability, managing a non-renewable and vulnerable underground resource, and humanisation and social sustainability. It demonstrates why UPS development presents opportunities for and challenges to achieving economic viability, environmental livability and social equity, how to develop UPS so that they make effective contributions to sustainable urban development, and how the challenge of each issue has been addressed in light of the experiences of cities with UPS developments globally.     

Water industry asset management in England and Wales: successes and challenges

This paper considers the structure, regulation and performance of the water industry in England and Wales in the postprivatisation period from 1989. The paper examines the improvements achieved in drinking water and wastewater effluent quality and in the overall performance. The challenges facing the industry in the areas of water resource planning, energy efficiency and chemical consumption, arising from climate change, are also considered. The paper considers how the industry's current approach and attitude towards research and development (R&D) will influence its ability to meet the latest challenges laid down by the regulators. The paper calls for increased emphasis on, and incentive for, R&D in the water industry to ensure sustainable solutions in both water and sewage treatment.     

SOUTH-EAST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT — THE QUEST FOR SUSTAINABILITY: WATER AND SEWERAGE NEEDS

In March 2000, a document entitled Draft Regional Planning Guidance for the South East was published with the primary aim of providing a regional framework for the preparation of development plans to the year 2016.
This paper discusses the potential effects for the water industry of SERPLAN's predicted levels of housing growth on water resources, sewage treatment and the environment. The need for sustainable development with the competing pressures of water-resource limitation, changing regulation, increasing demand and the environment, are discussed. Thames Water's scale of operations is described together with the range of measures aimed at managing the reasonable demands of customers, consistent with achieving sustainable growth. Basingstoke is described as a wastewater case study, highlighting the problem in fulfilling the sewerage undertaker's statutory duties in (a) meeting already stringent effluent-treatment standards which are necessary to maintain and improve river quality, and (b) providing the necessary infrastructure for an area which is earmarked for continuing development.     

健康城市视角下国外可持续城市形态研究述评

为了缓解城市问题,实现城市经济、社会、环境的可持续发展,可持续城市形态自可持续发展理念提出以来备受国外学者的关注,因此梳理国外研究成果对我国健康城市建设和城市转型发展具有重要意义。基于健康城市视角,本文梳理了国外学者对理想城市形态的探索成果,试图回答可持续发展与城市形态的关系、什么是可持续城市形态以及如何实现城市形态的可持续发展等三个关键逻辑问题。文章分析了可持续发展与城市形态两者在经济、社会、环境三个维度的关系,从概念和特征角度回答了什么是可持续城市形态,又分别从设计模式、研究层面、量化评估方法和技术、模型和政策角度回答了如何实现可持续城市形态。在分析我国可持续城市形态研究现状的基础上,指出国外研究成果在设计关键原则、研究技术方法、重视空间规划和环境规划方面对我国研究的可参考借鉴性。     

IKEA and Small City Development in Sweden: Planning Myths,Realities, and Unsustainable Mobilities

This article analyses how urban authorities manage goals of sustainable development in decentralized planning contexts when faced with economic growth opportunities offered by a powerful development actor. This challenge is described and analysed in a comparative case study of how two Swedish cities handled the issue of new IKEA stores in decision-making and planning. The analysis centres on how power relations affected planning and decision-making, and is complemented by an evaluation of the choices and actions of the two municipalities in sustainable mobility terms, and an indication of the potential environmental consequences of the decisions. The results show how the two municipalities locked their cities into car-dependent development paths by accepting IKEA's retail concept, due to perceived fierce competition for retail trade between neighbouring cities, and a belief that IKEA development would boost economic growth. The municipalities conducted considerable parts of the planning processes under secrecy, which constrained criticism of the IKEA developments, and left environmental and traffic impacts not fully assessed or debated. The cases show how, while attempting to put in place strategies for sustainable urban development, the municipalities handled difficult choices in ways which compromised their own and wider environmental goals for economic gains.     

Managing project sustainability in the extractive industries: Towards a reciprocity framework for community engagement

Merely a peripheral discussion in project management up until recent years, sustainability has become a central issue in both academia and practice. Despite growing interest and research on sustainable project management, we still know little about how projects in the extractive industries, known for their significant local impact, can be used to foster inclusive sustainable development for local communities. Arguing that extractive industries have inadequately addressed the increasing demands of stakeholders for contributing to sustainable development, we build on the philosophical theory of capabilities and the principle of reciprocity to propose a new framework for community engagement and sustainable project management. The reciprocity framework for community engagement is based on the premise that a sustainable extractive project requires its promoter to nurture constructive and mutually beneficial relationships with local communities. By integrating moral considerations into our framework, we contribute to the paradigm shift required to embed projects in sustainable development by better balancing stakeholders' needs at the economic, environmental, and social levels.     

论城市规划的作用

对城市规划的作用、任务和内容进行了介绍,并探讨了城市规划的发展趋势,论述了城市规划实施可持续发展战略的必然性,提出了实施城市可持续发展规划应遵循的三个准则,从而实现城市科学有序地发展。     

城市河流防洪与生态景观设计探讨

城市河流是城市系统的重要组成部分[1],随着城市化进程的推进,河道被侵占、水质污染、水环境退化等问题日益突出,严重影响城市经济社会的可持续发展。近年来,城市河流治理逐渐成为一项重要课题,河道治理措施研究的重心也从河道行洪、航运等的基本功能向重视河流的生态治理与修复转变。本文以过芸溪流域河道治理工程为例,探讨河道防洪与城市景观工程相结合的城市河流治理措施。     

可持续性建筑材料及其在住宅建设中的推广应用

可持续发展战略是中国未来和下一个世纪发展的自身需要和必然选择 ,它要求我们在发展经济的同时要做到保护环境、节约能源。而住宅建设是一种资源消耗量极为巨大的国民经济生产活动 ,因此在住宅建设中推广使用可持续性建筑材料具有重要意义。本文就可持续性建筑材料的定义、分类进行了确定 ,分析了可持续性建筑材料推广应用中存在的问题 ,并就如何采取必要的措施在住宅建设中推广应用可持续性建筑材料 ,提出了有益的见解     

山西省公路建养可持续发展的思考

针对公路投入运营后产生的环境问题,结合山西省大运高速公路实际,对如何实现公路建养的可持续发展进行了深入探讨,并对如何协调发展公路建设、环境资源、经济发展三者的关系提出了若干思考,以保证公路建设可持续发展。     

Pushing the envelope: market mechanisms for sustainable community development

This paper introduces market mechanisms for sustainable community development, an interdependent planning and implementation framework encompassing strategic directions, strategies, actors and instruments for municipal policy making. It examines how the economy influences the unsustainable development of local jurisdictions and how a coherent typology of strategies, actors and policy levers can move communities toward complementary environmental, social and economic outcomes. The paper illustrates a dichotomy between municipal decision making and embraces economic, social and environmental criteria for development of the built environment. It defines sustainable community development and analyzes research findings from senior decision makers in government, academic institutions, industry and non-profits. After critiquing ‘the market mechanism’ and identifying preferred approaches, the authors propose a typology that systematically aligns market signals with implementing sustainable community development policies.     

可持续发展视野下的历史建筑遗产改造策略

从可持续发月的角度,探讨可持续理念包含的三十范畴—环境、经济和社会如何体现在历史建筑或街区的具体改造策略中,及其对改造决策的影响。结合实际案例研究,探讨了在可持续三方面中侧重各有不同的两种改造模式,以分析目前历史建筑改造的方向和未来的发展趋势。     

地下物流系统对城市可持续发展的作用探讨

一个城市(经济区)的经济发展与物流系统的发展密不可分.要实现城市(经济区)的可持续发展,必须要进行可持续发展的物流运输系统的建设.城市地下物流系统是实现城市可持续发展的物流运输体系的一个有效方式.文章着重阐述了城市地下物流系统在实现城市可持续发展、改善城市品位、优化城市经济结构等方面的作用.此外,文章还列举了当前建立城市地下物流系统所面临的一些实际困难,并提出了相应的解决对策.     

可持续发展下的城市设计

新世纪的中国经济表现出高速发展的势态,面对21世纪世界范围内的经济全球化战略和可持续发展战略的实施,我国的城市发展也必将迈入一个新的阶段。许多国外学者把"中国的城市化"与"美国的高科技"并列为影响21世纪人类发展进程的两大关键因素。城市规划设计是城市发展的蓝图。在城市化进程中,只有实施可持续发展的城市设计,才能实现城市的可持续发展。本文就中国如何实现可持续发展的城市设计做了分析与阐述。