Environmental Auditing in the Public Sector: The Lancashire Experience

Lancashire County Council was one of the first local authorities in the UK to audit the environment of its locality and to review the environmental impact of its operations. The paper outlines the reasons for this and how it has been put into effect. The management structure devised to carry forward and coordinate the initiative is outlined first, encompassing elements internal to the County Council and the establishment of a Lancashire Environment Forum. Secondly, the preparation of a county-wide state-of-the-environment audit is described, together with the implementation stages which have ensued. The paper is completed by an account of the County Council's internal review of the impact of its own activities.     

DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF SECTION 94 OF THE NSW ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT ACT OF 1979

Reduced funding from higher levels of government to local authorities for infrastructure has induced an increased emphasis on user pays financing techniques, such as Section 94 in NSW. However, an analysis of 1993 data on Section 94 contributions demonstrates that some small local authorities cannot use Section 94 to levy developers in an efficient manner. It is argued that alternative methods of raising funds from developers, like ad valorem taxes, should be employed instead by these councils.     

A marginal place for the Gypsy community in a prosperous city: Izmir,Turkey

As a developing country, Turkey still continues the urbanization process in most of its metropolitan settlements, due to the incomplete transition from rural to urban life. This migration still continues from the eastern to the western regions of the country, and it has an impact on the homogenity of the built environment, as displayed here in the case of İzmir. In a globalizing world, all countries are trying to adapt a global vision in their metropolitan settlements and the present conditions of slum housing are being rehabilitated as a part of this vision. However, some communities living in these places adapt their own local cultures and lifestyles so much that they shape their environments according to these conditions. They do not permit the rehabilitation plans of the local authorities, so their settings become more isolated from the rest of the built environment that surrounds them, and they form a duality in the socio-cultural structure of the city. In this paper, a special setting within İzmir city, a slum-housing area, a conflicting area of ethnic culture which has become a problem for the local authorities, has been analyzed.     

The Condition of Public Urban Parks and Greenspace in Britain

Public urban parks and greenspaces are an important aspect of the urban environment. It was the UK that pioneered the concept of municipal parks in the nineteenth century, for reasons of improved public health and a better environment, in response to the creeping industrialisation of our towns and cities. For generations, public parks have contributed to the social, economic, environmental and cultural fabric of local communities, and it was local authorities which pioneered their provision, development and management. Such has been their success that almost every town and city has a public park or network of public greenspace, and they now account for about 20% of the developed land areas in England (13.5% in England and Wales). Their status and quality depends upon the good stewardship of local authorities. However, year-on-year budget cuts over the last thirty years, a lack of recognition of parks services in the Government's annual Standard Spending Assessment for local authorities, and the fact that provision of public parks is a non-statutory service of local government have all contributed to their declining condition and status.
This paper provides an assessment of the history, status and condition of public urban parks and greenspace, and discusses how these important assets can be rejuvenated to service the needs of present and future generations.     

PILOT DOOR-TO-DOOR ESTATE RECYCLING SERVICES IN INNER-CITY LONDON

The implementation of the EU Landfill Directive in the UK demands high rates of recycling by local councils and regional waste authorities. Currently recycling is either carried out at cost intensive materials recycling facilities (MRF) or through separate collection services. Collection of separate materials is undertaken in inner-city boroughs of London mainly through bring-banks, which are often severely contaminated, and by kerbside collections from street properties. However, the provision of door-to-door collections in inner-city estates has not been widely used yet, because of the lack of data to assess the potential and costs of such recycling services. In this paper a detailed assessment of a pilot door-to-door recycling service is presented. This pilot was carried out for a year by a local not-for-profit company in two inner-city estates in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH).     

REGIONAL COOPERATION AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH: Nine Councils of Government in Northeastern Illinois

ABSTRACT: Nine councils of government in the Chicago region exemplify a new institutional arrangement in regional governance. Formed partially from the need of mayors and managers to consult on issues specific to their subregions and from the federal requirement for local consultation on transportation issues, the councils of government have become articulate advocates for suburban and regional, rather than urban or rural, policy agendas. They exemplify a new form of functional regionalism that emphasizes cooperation and collaboration in transportation planning, solid waste management, regulatory standardization, and intergovernmental agreement. The research examines the historical development, functional responsibilities, and subregional economic development agendas of nine councils of government in the six-county northeastern Illinois region and suggests explanations for their emergence and effectiveness.     

Planning for population ageing: Ensuring enabling and supportive physical-social environments – Local infrastructure challenges

Ensuring enabling and supportive environments is a key global priority in planning for population ageing. This paper examines the challenges local governments face in creating age-friendly physical-social environments. Findings from a recent study of local government and ageing in New South Wales, Australia and subsequent research are reported. The analysis reveals that local councils have differing abilities to provide age-friendly local infrastructure. Challenges are greater overall for regional, rural and fringe councils compared to metropolitan. Timely provision is greatly constrained by insufficient resources, the large scale of the task and the low priority accorded, despite the immediate need for action. A pressing requirement is demonstrated for local councils to give primacy to population ageing in their long-term strategic, asset and financial planning, and to engage in reform measures to assist in financing the cost.     

成功的旧建筑革新——加拿大多伦多市女王港旧仓库改建项目

加拿大蔡德勒·罗伯茨建筑师事务所将多伦多 市女王港的旧有仓库改建成为一个综合性商业中心，创造了全新而富有魅力的建筑环境。其成功的经验表明旧建筑革新再利用既可以取得可观的经济和环境效益 ，也有益于保持城市的固有文脉 ，要实现这一点需要各方面的理解和支持，也需要建筑师的聪明才智。     

Discretion vs. regulation and the sorry case of Melbourne city plan 2010

Introduction

In the 1990s the former Kennett government made fundamental changes to the Victorian planning system. Central to these are the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPPs) which set out the structure of local planning schemes across the State. The VPPs include a general State Planning Policy section and provide for local variation through a Local Planning Policy Framework (LPPF), itself made up of a Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS) and local planning policies. The MSS contains the planning objectives of local city councils and the strategies to achieve these; the local policies are more detailed and area or issue-specific. The LPPF is the only significant element of the planning scheme to be prepared by councils and tailored to local concerns: all other components of the schemes, including zones and overlays—the tools with which councils are to implement their planning policies—are standardised.     

武汉里分住宅社区居住环境品质评价之初探

在国内外城市更新的发展趋势下,对于具有历史文化价值的社区居住环境品质评价之检视尤为重要,文章系延续过去里分之系列研究之一,特针对里分住宅居民对于里分住宅内部环境、邻里性设施及环境、社区邻里关系及社区周边环境等四大部份进行评价,作为里分住宅未来社区居住环境品质改善之参考依据.     

Groundwork – a case study in landscape and amenity management

The Groundwork trusts have now been in operation for well over a decade and have implemented a wide range of projects across England and Wales. The origins and purposes of Groundwork are traced, and an overview of the types of project undertaken is presented. The relationship of the trusts to public and private sector funding, and the kinds of partnership involved, are examined. Many successes have been achieved in landscape renewal, although there have been some frictions with local authorities, and it is still difficult to make objective assessments of value for money or performance across a wide range of criteria. Nevertheless, the network of Groundwork trusts looks set to continue to offer a broad and flexible approach to environmental management.     

Groundwork - a case study in landscape and amenity management

The Groundwork trusts have now been in operation for well over a decade and have implemented a wide range of projects across England and Wales. The origins and purposes of Groundwork are traced, and an overview of the types of project undertaken is presented. The relationship of the trusts to public and private sector funding, and the kinds of partnership involved, are examined. Many successes have been achieved in landscape renewal, although there have been some frictions with local authorities, and it is still difficult to make objective assessments of value for money or performance across a wide range of criteria. Nevertheless, the network of Groundwork trusts looks set to continue to offer a broad and flexible approach to environmental management.     

Encouraging low carbon policies through a Local Emissions Trading Scheme (LETS)

Local authorities are important actors to mitigate climate change. They can implement policies which can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in sectors like transport, waste, agriculture and land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF). They can also implement policies which can increase carbon dioxide removals. The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is one of the most important initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the EU. It is a cap and trade scheme encompassing almost half of the European-wide carbon dioxide emissions. However, carbon dioxide removals and sectors associated with local authorities’ responsibilities are not included in the EU ETS. The main objective of this paper is to propose an original cap and trade system, called LETS, designed to involve local authorities. The LETS was then tested and applied to all the local authorities in the mainland of Portugal covering emissions and removals of a single greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) in the LULUCF and the transport sectors. The system proved to have the necessary conditions to be implemented and adaptable to other country contexts.     

Assessing safety measures in residential buildings in Saudi Arabia

The incidence rate of fire in residential buildings in Saudi Arabia accounts for 69% of all building fires. A field assessment of current safety issues for residential buildings in Saudi Arabia is used to identify common safety deficiencies. The survey showed that most residents are ignorant many safety aspects in their homes. A safety audit checklist for assessing the effectiveness of safety measures in existing residential buildings is also presented. Based on these findings, a number of strategies for designers, local authorities, building owners and residents is suggested.     

Assessing safety measures in residential buildings in Saudi Arabia

The incidence rate of fire in residential buildings in Saudi Arabia accounts for 69% of all building fires. A field assessment of current safety issues for residential buildings in Saudi Arabia is used to identify common safety deficiencies. The survey showed that most residents are ignorant many safety aspects in their homes. A safety audit checklist for assessing the effectiveness of safety measures in existing residential buildings is also presented. Based on these findings, a number of strategies for designers, local authorities, building owners and residents is suggested.     

An investigation of the effectiveness of gender mainstreaming as a means of integrating the needs of women and men into spatial planning in the United Kingdom

This paper discusses the incidence of gender mainstreaming, and the extent to which it is proving an effective means of facilitating the incorporation of the needs of women, and men, in the operation of the spatial planning system in the United Kingdom. The paper is illustrated by a study undertaken for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) on the scope and nature of gender mainstreaming within local spatial planning departments. It also draws on a review of national planning guidance documents and other research in which the author is involved, on gender, ethnicity, diversity and disability.Key concepts are defined and misgivings discussed. The emphasis upon women's needs within the concept of gender, and the need to prioritise gender within the equalities and diversity agendas, are explained. The gendered nature of the built environment is outlined. The problem has long been identified by adherents of the women and planning movement. But policy change has proved elusive. Gender mainstreaming has been welcomed as a means of achieving change. But the process has proved conceptually problematic, of questionable efficacy and difficult to implement.The research incorporated an investigation of the extent to which gender is being mainstreamed into planning policy and practice. The effects of European Union directives and United Kingdom government equality initiatives upon national, regional and local planning level mainstreaming activities were investigated. A range of local planning authorities was chosen to provide case studies that showed the different approaches adopted. A qualitative approach was used to tease out those factors that inhibit or enable the mainstreaming process. Although equalities mainstreaming programmes are widespread within local authorities, the majority are generic rather than specifically gendered in emphasis. They are primarily concerned with personnel and procedural matters rather than spatial policy issues. The majority of planning authorities manifest limited understanding of either gender considerations or the process of mainstreaming. Nevertheless, a significant minority of authorities was found where progress is underway. However, progress is hampered by lack of central government policy direction and statutory support.A ‘Gender Mainstreaming Toolkit’ was developed to facilitate the process. It is concluded that this is likely to prove ineffective unless fundamental changes take place within the planning system. In order to achieve effective gender mainstreaming, the following prerequisites are identified: conceptual clarity, stronger policy guidance and legal support at central government level, educational change, and organisational and procedural changes within local planning authorities.     

Ecologically sustainable local area planning: A framework to enhance integration of community workers and environmental planners

Recent case study research in local government authorities in northern Australia illustrated that ecological sustainability in land use planning is difficult to address while community work and environmental planning, as central ecological sustainability components, are marginalised in the planning process. Emanating from that study, the framework proposed in this paper advocates a planning approach that is inclusive, participatory and discursive and recognises the diverse knowledge and skills of all local government practitioners.     

Negotiating Within the Context of Planning Reform: Public and Private Reflections from New South Wales,Australia

The process of negotiation has long been recognized as central in plan creation and development assessment. Nevertheless, the appropriateness and willingness to engage in negotiated planning and development outcomes varies between planning systems, development locations and individuals. On one hand, negotiation is seen to facilitate responsive planning outcomes that recognize the unique institutional and development environment. Alternatively, the process of negotiation has been identified as one that delays plan making and development assessment, while simultaneously opening the door for corruption and regulatory capture. Drawing on the reflections and experiences of senior local council officers and private development actors, this article explores the process of negotiation in development assessment in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Within the context of neoliberal planning reform in NSW, the article explores the appropriateness and willingness of different types of councils and developers to pursue negotiated outcomes. The article also identifies the types of developments/developers councils are more likely to negotiate with, and explores how the process of planning reform constrains the scope for negotiated outcomes.     

浅谈现代企业内部控制建设

重点从四个方面分析了加强企业内部控制的措施,包括完善企业的控制环境、建立切实可行的内控制度体系、构建风险管理机制、加强企业内部审计监督和注册会计师社会审计监督,最后得出结论：企业要想在竞争中立于不败之地,必须强化内部控制建设。     

Integrated Environmental Planning for Sustainable Development: The Environment Agency's Role

The Environment Agency is midway through a programme of 'local environment agency plans' for all of England and Wales by the Millennium. To complement them, the Agency has published two overarching plans - one of which is regional and the other sub-regional in scale. 'Thames Environment 21' and 'The North Wessex Plan' deal with the potential impact of development pressures and their consequent implications for the environment. Both give practical expression to the Agency's environmental strategy for the Millennium, which concentrates on issues of direct concern to local planning authorities, e.g. addressing climate change, improving air quality, managing water resources, managing waste and enhancing biodiversity.