Dissertationen zum Thema „Municipal decision“

Public and private agencies that are in charge of planning, evaluating, and executing the operation, maintenance, and renewal of assets are always faced with difficulties, such as aging assets and funding limitations. In addition, the growth of population and increasing environmental protection and preservation concerns and regulations have already put more pressure on involved agencies and organizations to establish more efficient, effective and even more sustainable investment plans. The motivation of the thesis is to assist the agencies involved in asset management to allocate their funds and resources more efficiently and cost effectively in order to provide a basis for reducing the amount of future budget requirement and keeping the assets at the same or even better condition. This research reviews the strategic goals and objectives of typical municipalities in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of ongoing municipal asset management; an efficient and more practical decision making process at the strategic level of municipal asset management has been developed. Infrastructure asset management entails multiple steps, processes, and management levels. A formal and typical structure management of infrastructure systems can be divided to three main levels: project level, network level (or tactical level), and strategic level. This thesis concentrates on the strategic planning that is done by senior managers in municipal governments. Furthermore, municipal infrastructure in this research is limited to pavements, bridges, water and sewer networks; however, all findings are applicable to similar type infrastructure assets. The methodology of this research entails four main parts: preparing a comprehensive literature review of the domain, developing the decision making process, designing and conducting a survey regarding municipal priorities, analyzing the responses, and proposing and testing a suitable and practical solution for decision making for municipalities.

Thesis submitted to the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering
The present study intends to show the development of systems analysis model applied to solid waste management system, applied into AMARSUL, a solid waste management system responsible for the management of municipal solid waste produced in Setúbal peninsula, Portugal. The model developed intended to promote sustainable decision making, covering the four columns: technical, environmental, economic and social aspects. To develop the model an intensive literature review have been conducted. To simplify the discussion, the spectrum of these systems engineering models and system assessment tools was divided into two broadly-based domains associated with fourteen categories although some of them may be intertwined with each other. The first domain comprises systems engineering models including cost-benefit analysis, forecasting analysis, simulation analysis, optimization analysis, and integrated modeling system whereas the second domain introduces system assessment tools including management information systems, scenario development, material flow analysis, life cycle assessment (LCA), risk assessment, environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, socio-economic assessment, and sustainable assessment. The literature performed have indicated that sustainable assessment models have been one of the most applied into solid waste management, being methods like LCA and optimization modeling (including multicriteria decision making(MCDM)) also important systems analysis methods. These were the methods (LCA and MCDM) applied to compose the system analysis model for solid waste. The life cycle assessment have been conducted based on ISO 14040 family of norms; for multicriteria decision making there is no procedure neither guidelines, being applied analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based Fuzzy Interval technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). Multicriteria decision making have included several data from life cycle assessment to construct environmental, social and technical attributes, plus economic criteria obtained from collected data from stakeholders involved in the study. The results have shown that solutions including anaerobic digestion in mechanical biological treatment plant plus anaerobic digestion of biodegradable municipal waste from source separation, with energetic recovery of refuse derived fuel (RDF) and promoting pays-as-you-throw instrument to promote recycling targets compliance would be the best solutions to implement in AMARSUL system. The direct burning of high calorific fraction instead of RDF has not been advantageous considering all criteria, however, during LCA, the results were the reversal. Also it refers that aerobic mechanical biological treatment should be closed.
Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - SFRH/BD/27402/2006

Nowadays, municipal solid waste (MSW) has got great attention from world-wide decision makers in the field of waste management. When they are making a MSW management decision, there are lots of factors that may influence their final decision for picking up an optimal alternative. In order to find out the influence factors in municipal solid waste management decision-making, incineration and anaerobic fermentation techniques are selected as example for comparison. Literature study and interview are used for collecting theoretical and practical information respectively. A list of theoretical influence factors is created, which integrates environmental, social and financial aspects of incineration and anaerobic fermentation. This list can help the decision-maker to have a better choice when they are choosing an alternative from MSW management methods. Practical information is achieved by interviewing the City of Stockholm Waste Management Administration. Differences are revealed between theory and the Stockholm case. The priority of each influence factor is discussed in this paper. Base on the decision between theoretical factors and the Stockholm case, the result shows that the theoretical factors are not completely sufficient for the practical use in the city of Stockholm. The list of theoretical influence factors should be extended by integrating more factors and more MSW management alternatives to meet different requirements in practical cases. There is no clear definition on which factor has the highest degree of influence for the decision-maker. The priority of influence factors is depended on the local condition and subjective choice of decision-maker.
www.ima.kth.se

Local authorities need to find more effective ways to involve stakeholders and communities in decision-making since public acceptance of municipal waste facilities is integral to delivering effective waste strategies. This study explores the potential for adopting an analytical-deliberative process in a UK waste management context. It addresses questions of perception, interests, the decision context, the means of engagement and the necessary resources and capacity for adopting an iterative decision process. A mixed methods approach was used to gather empirical data through combined interviews and questionnaires with local authorities, waste industry experts, government officials and regulators, environmental campaigners and other community groups. The main output from the research is an empirical framework which captures and builds on theories of public involvement and the experiences of practitioners, and is intended to offer guidance for integrating analysis and deliberation in different waste management situations. The framework includes guidelines for greater inclusivity in decisions on contentious technologies or where there are high levels of uncertainty regarding the outcome of decisions. The empirical findings reveal that one of the more fundamental challenges to adopting an analytical-deliberative process in a UK waste management context is creating effective dialogue in a regulatory culture where participatory democracy is not the dominant political ideology. This appears to be more significant at the strategic planning level, where past institutional assumptions about public ignorance and incompetence may still hold, posing important methodological challenges to adopting analytical-deliberative processes. At the facility planning stage, there is greater awareness (among local authorities) of the benefits of analytical-deliberative structures. These benefits are associated with greater opportunities for trading-off impacts to the local community, thus addressing concerns around perceptions of social equity, fairness and legitimacy of the decision process. Overall, the research reveals the importance of engaging different stakeholders early in the decision process, specifically where issues are contentious or uncertain, to obtain a better understanding of decision needs and establish appropriate rules for successful public involvement.

Municipal solid waste treatment options are not necessarily pragmatic if their long-term benefits don’t mutually satisfy all related stakeholders such as industry, municipality, etc. Stakeholders are inclined to select an option with the maximized benefits and minimized lifecycle costs. A decision support framework is needed to identify and evaluate available waste treatment options under diverse multiple criteria and conflicting preferences of multiple stakeholders. This study developed a decision support framework that guides stakeholders to reach an agreement on the most sustainable and pragmatic waste treatment option. The framework compares lifecycle sustainability impacts of different waste treatment options and uses Analytical Hierarchy Process to determine a weighting scheme, which has an ability to combine diverse impacts based on stakeholders’ preferences. It also employs Game Theory to model stakeholders’ dialogues and behaviors in the group decision-making. The outcome of the framework is to recommend fair shares of costs and benefits to assist stakeholders in reaching a mutually agreeable solution. The application of the developed framework is demonstrated through a case study of waste treatment in Metro Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada), where the industry and the municipality are proposing the production of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). Results show that both industry and the municipality may benefit from RDF and waste-to-energy options, respectively; however as a compromised solution, the industry should pay a tipping fee to access the required amount of solid waste from the Metro Vancouver to substitute the use of fossil fuels with RDF. Uncertainty is unavoidable due to the inherent complexity in the methods and input data, and should be acknowledged to enhance the reliability in decision-making process. Most common uncertainties encountered in such environmental management problems are in cost and benefit estimates, and stakeholders’ ability in verbalizing their preferences, and their knowledge about each other’s priorities. The decision support framework used sensitivity analysis, Fuzzy Set Theory, and Bayesian Games to study the uncertainty impacts on the decision-making process.
Graduate Studies, College of (Okanagan)
Graduate

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South African municipalities are under pressure to improve the current state of the water andwastewater service delivery industry. Knowing that there exists a need for improvement within the municipal water and wastewater industry, the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) launched a municipal strategic self-assessment (MuSSA) initiative to evaluate the business health of the industry. MuSSA asks high level technical management staff five key questions about sixteen key business attribute areas. This study seeks to determine if theMuSSA data can be used to aid municipal decision making, by way of drawing correlations between key performance indicators contained in the MuSSA questions. The correlations are to bring forth areas thatmust be focussed on to improve selected attribute areas requiring attention within municipalities. Three areas have been chosen from theMuSSA data to be investigated in this research project namely; (i)staff skill levels and capacity, (ii)non-revenue water and (iii)the execution of planned water services activities. In the MuSSA questionnaire there are questions addressing each of (i), (ii) and (iii) to determine the municipality’s performance in each of the three areas. Non-parametric statistics are used to determine with which of the MuSSA questions’ answers the relevant questions’ answers significantly correlate for (i), (ii) and (iii). Engineering judgement and expert opinion are used to determine if the questions correlating with the relevant questions for (i), (ii) and (iii) either affect, are affected by or have no relation with the question. These results are then organized using a flow diagram and are discussed in detail by way of a bivariate histogramof each correlation. The investigation revealed that municipalities not having sufficient technical management capacity are not performing well on at least one of the five questions asked on eleven of the sixteen MuSSA business attributes. The skill level of water and wastewater treatment works staff were found to be strongly affected by technical management capacity and skill, water services planning and financial sustainability of the organization. Municipalities training technical management and operational staff showed a high percentage of skilled operational staff employed at treatment works. Water and wastewater treatment works staff capacity are very dependent of the level of skill and capacity of technical management employed by the municipality. Municipalities having appropriate budgets and funding to appoint and train staff showed a tendency to be better at operational staff capacity building than those lacking funding. The reduction of non-revenue water (NRW) showed strong correlations with technical management and network operational repair staff skills and development. Municipalities employing staff with correct skills and experience combined, with commitment from management to reduce NRW by way of monitoring and practicing of pressuremanagement programs, significantly reduced NRW percentages. Equally crucial to the reduction of NRW, as revealed from the investigation, is the practicing of infrastructure asset management within the municipality. It was concluded that municipalities should strive to reach a NRW percentage of 30% or less to become financially stable, due to correlation between funding of routine operations and building up of cash reserve versus NRW percentages. Municipalities wanting to improve the execution rate of planned water services activities are recommended to address, among other factors, technical management skill levels and capacity. Municipalities lacking technical management skill and capacity reported a low percentages of planned activities being executed. Also of high significance, is the technical operational staff skill levels and capacity, due to their involvement in the execution of planned activates. The involvement of council members in water and wastewater planning and the reporting of data and issues to council greatly enhancesmunicipalities’ abilities to execute planned activities. This can mainly be contributed to increased funding in situations where council members support planned projects. The lack of funding was found to be a major inhibitor of the execution of planned activities. Even though a great deal of municipalities indicated that they are effectively spending allocated budgets, this positive indication is not seen in the percentage municipalities executing planned activities and leads to the conclusion that there is a lack of funding. Municipalities taking actions in other areas of their business such as infrastructure assetmanagement and planning were more effective at executing planned activities. In all, it was concluded that technicalmanagement and operational staff skill levels and capacity need to be present for amunicipality to function properly. Municipalities also are in need of funding to execute planned activities and need to become financially self sustainable. One way of working towards the goal of financial self sustainability is the reduction of NRW percentages. The data from this investigation shows great similarity with the literature consulted on the current state and functioning of South African municipalities. The statistical analysis of the MuSSA data accurately revealed correlations among key performance indicators in municipalities. The conclusion can be drawn that investigation of correlations amongMuSSA questions can be used to help aid municipal decision making.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrikaanse munisipaliteite is onder druk om die huidige toestand van die water en afvalwater dienslewering te verbeter. Met die wete dat daar ’n behoefte vir verbetering in die munisipale water en afvalwater bedryf is het dieDepartement vanWaterwese ’n munisipale strategiese self-assessering (MuSSA) projekte geïnisieer omdie welstand van die bedryf te evalueer. MuSSA vra hoë vlak tegniese bestuurs personeel vyf kern vrae oor sestien sleutel besigheids aspekte. Hierdie studie poogomvas te stel of dieMuSSA data gebruik kan word om munisipale besluitneming te help verbeter, deur middel van die evaluering van korrelasies tussen die sleutel prestasie aanwysers soos vervat in MuSSA vrae. Die korrelasies bring na vore gebiede waar op gefokus moet word om geselekteerde kenmerk areas binne munisipaliteite, wat aandag vereis, te verbeter. Drie areas uit die MuSSA-data is ondersoek in hierdie navorsings projek naamlik; (i) personeel vaardigheidsvlakke en kapasiteit, (ii) nie-inkomste water en (iii) die uitvoering van die beplande waterdienste aktiwiteite. In die MuSSA vraelys is daar vrae wat elk van (i), (ii) en (iii) aanspreek om die munisipaliteit se prestasie op die drie gebiede te monitor. Nie-parametriese statistiek word gebruik om die oorblywendeMuSSA vrae wat se antwoorde met die relevante vrae se antwoorde korreleer vir (i), (ii) en (iii) vas te stel. Kundigheid en oordeel van ingenieurs word gebruik om te bepaal of die vrae wat korreleer met die relevante vrae vir (i), (ii) en (iii) die relevante vraag beïnvloed, beïnvloed word deur die relevante vraag of geen verhouding het met die relevante vraag nie. Hierdie resultate word dan georganiseer met behulp van ’n vloeidiagram en word in detail bespreek deur middel van ’n tweeveranderlike histogram van elke korrelasie. Die ondersoek het aan die lig gebring dat munisipaliteite wat nie genoegsame tegniese bestuurs kapasiteit het nie swak presteer op ten minste een van die vyf vrae van elf van die sestienMuSSA besigheid eienskappe. Die personeel vaardigheidsvlakke van water en afvalwater behandelings werke word sterk beïnvloed deur die tegniese bestuurskapasiteit en -vaardigheid, waterdienste beplanning en die finansiële volhoubaarheid van die organisasie. Munisipaliteite wat opleiding van tegniese bestuur en operasionele personeel uitvoer het ’n hoë persentasie van opgeleide operasionele personeel werksaam by suiweringswerke. Water en afvalwater behandelingswerke se personeelkapasiteit is baie afhanklik van die vlak van vaardigheid en kapasiteit van tegniese bestuur in diens van die munisipaliteit. Munisipaliteite met toepaslike begrotings en befondsing om personeel aan te stel en op te lei het ’n neiging om beter te presteer met kapasiteitsbou van operasionele personeel as die wat aan ’n gebrek ly van befondsing. Die vermindering van nie-inkomste water (NRW) het sterk korrelasies met tegniese bestuur en netwerkherstel personeelvaardighede en ontwikkeling. Munisipaliteite wat personeel met die korrekte vaardighede en ervaring in diens het, gekombineer met bestuur wat dit nastreef om NRW te verminder by wyse van monitering en uitvoering van druk beheer in water netwerke het aansienlik kleiner NRWpersentasies. Ewe noodsaaklik vir die vermindering van NRW, soos geopenbaar deur die ondersoek is die beoefening van interne infrastruktuur batebestuur deur diemunisipaliteit. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat munisipaliteite daarna moet streef om ’n NRW persentasie van 30% of minder te bereik om finansieel stabiel te word, as gevolg van die korrelasie tussen befondsing van roetine bedrywighede en die opbou van kontant reserwe teenoor NRWpersentasies. Munisipaliteitewat die uitvoeringskoers van beplande waterdienste aktiwiteitewil verbeter, word aanbeveel om onder andere, tegniese bestuurs vaardigheids vlakke en kapasiteit aan te spreek. Munisipaliteite wat nie tegniese bestuursvaardigheid en -kapasiteit het nie, berig dat ’n lae persentasie van beplande aktiwiteite uitgevoer word. Die tegniese operasionele personeel vaardigheidsvlakke en kapasiteit, as gevolg van hul betrokkenheid in die uitvoering van beplande aktiwiteite is ook van groot belang. Die betrokkenheid van lede van die raad by water en afvalwater beplanning en die rapportering van data en kwessies aan die raad verhoog baiemunisipaliteite se vermoëns om beplande aktiwiteite uit te voer. Dit kan hoofsaaklik toegeskryf word aan verhoogde befondsing in situasies waar raadslede beplande projekte ondersteun. Dit is gevind dat die gebrek aan befondsing ’n groot inhibeerder van die uitvoering van beplande aktiwiteite is. Alhoewel ’n meerderheid van die munisipaliteite aangedui het dat hulle begrotings effektief spandeer, word dit egter nie weerspieël in die persentasie munisipaliteite wat beplande aktiwiteite uivoer nie en lei dit tot die gevolgtrekking dat daar n gebrek aan befondsing is. Munisipaliteite wat klem lê op ander gebiede van hul besigheid soos, infrastruktuur batebestuur en beplanning was meer effektief met die uitvoering van die beplande aktiwiteite. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat tegniese bestuur en operasionele personeel vaardigheidsvlakke en kapasiteit noodsaaklik is vir ’n munisipaliteit om behoorlik te funksioneer. Daar is ook ’n behoefte aan befondsing by munisipaliteite om beplande aktiwiteite uit te voer en munisipaliteite moet finansieel onafhanklik en lewensvatbaar word. Een manier om te werk te gaan om finansiële self volhoubaarheid te bereik, is die vermindering van NRW persentasies. Die data van hierdie ondersoek toon groot ooreenkomste met die literatuur wat geraadpleeg is oor die huidige stand en funksionering van Suid-Afrikaanse munisipaliteite. Die statistiese analise van die MuSSA data het akkurate korrelasies geopenbaar tussen die sleutel prestasie-aanwysers inmunisipaliteite. Die gevolgtrekking kan gemaak word dat die ondersoek in terme van die korrelasie tussen MuSSA vrae gebruik kan word om munisipale besluitneming te help verbeter.

New regulations from the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment, released in 2009, require all wastewater treatment plants in Canada to produce effluent of secondary treatment levels. To comply with the new law, many Canadian municipalities using primary treatment plants must retrofit or renew their old systems. There is an increasing pressure from stakeholder groups and policy makers to select new infrastructure using triple-bottom-line (economic, environmental and social) analyses. The present study aims to illuminate how differing preferences among experts from different stakeholder groups influence what is considered to be the ‘most sustainable' wastewater treatment system. Through the use of policy documents, academic literature, and the use of AHP (a decision support tool: Analytic Hierarchy Process) an objectives hierarchy was constructed. The objectives hierarchy was made up of four criteria and 13 indicators. Five wastewater experts were asked to use pair-wise comparisons to score the indicators and criteria of the constructed objectives hierarchy and provide their opinions on the same. In addition, four low foot-print wastewater treatment alternatives were selected for review. One of the participants was asked to rank the four alternatives with regards to their performance on the selected indicators. This ranking, in combination with the rankings of the indicators and criteria, previously made by the five experts, were used to indicate the preferred alternatives for each of the separate participants. Then, the overall prioritization of the alternatives was used to carry out a sensitivity analysis. In terms of results, this study of sustainability indicators for wastewater treatment selection showed that the most contentious indicators among those studied were Initial Costs and Long Term Costs, Effluent Quality and Aesthetics. Additionally, the study showed that the Sequencing Batch Reactor was identified as the ‘most sustainable’ alternative by the average scores of all five participants and separately by four of the five participants.

In North America, the activated sludge process is commonly used in wastewater treatment. However, there are many aspects of the process that elude researchers, in particular, those that will ensure a successful control and optimization of the process. Because of the biological nature of the activated sludge process, its characteristics are highly dependent on environmental factors and hence can be very difficult to control and manage successfully. A very important factor contributing to an optimized activated sludge plant is the experience of its operators with the activated sludge process. This is achieved through the use of a variety of tools including traditional classroom training, computer based training, expert systems and simulation tools. Some of the tools aim to help the new operators acquire this experience quicker while others aim to enhance the experience of seasoned operators. This project presents a premise that an integration of these tools will be an effective and innovative way to help the operators achieve their goals. Hence, a design of an Integrated Training and Decision Support System (IT-DSS) has been proposed, and parts of the prototype system have been built. Preliminary results showed that such an integrated solution is feasible and realisable although a fully functional system has yet to be realised due to the scope limit. The results of this project provided solid and valuable starting points for the completion of such a step, and they also further support the value of the integration approach that has been put forth.

Swedish municipalities are required to produce a municipal energy plan for their energy supply and use. Whether energy planning is suitable to manage local energy systems, however, is subject to debate. This thesis maps municipal energy planning: the scopes of energy plans and whether goals stated in energy plans are fulfilled. It also presents a pilot project with the implementation of an energy planning process where four different decision-making tools were applied: a Citizen’s panel, scenario techniques and quantitative and qualitative environmental assessments. The results from the mapping of energy planning and the experiences from the pilot project are then the bases for a discussion about the effectiveness of energy planning. The thesis is based on six papers; five scientific papers and one working paper. The first three papers contribute to mapping municipal energy planning in terms of expressed volition (goals, measures and strategies in the energy plans), whether goals are fulfilled and the extent of environmental analyses and assessments in the plans. The three subsequent papers present the implementation and evaluations of the energy planning process in the pilot project. The scopes of the studied energy plans have varied over time and have been adaptive to external factors such as contemporary energy policies and international trends. Environmental analyses and assessments were more commonly occurring in the energy plans adopted between 2006 and 2008 compared to those adopted between 1995 and 1998. The environmental analyses and assessments were however less comprehensive in the newer energy plans. Most positive development, in terms of fulfilled goals, took place for issues within the power of the local authority, for example district heating expansion and energy efficiency measures in public buildings. Experiences from the pilot project showed that decision-making tools can contribute to a broader scope of energy planning, more comprehensive environmental assessments and legitimacy. Based on the research findings possibilities for more effective energy planning are discussed. Effectiveness is discussed in terms of scope and legitimacy and how a broad scope and legitimacy are affected by the use of decision-making tools. It is concluded that energy planning has potential for being an effective tool for strategic energy work at the local level. The use of decision-making tools can also contribute to learning as well as legitimacy to energy planning.

Recentemente passou a ser aceito por amplos segmentos da sociedade as conclusões de cientistas de que o homem vem provocando a mudança climática global em curso por meio da emissão de gases de efeito estufa. E espera-se, se nada for feito, por um agravamento do aquecimento global, em função do aumento da população mundial e do desenvolvimento econômico, para os próximos anos. O resíduo gerado pela sociedade, quando em decomposição, é forte emissor de metano, um dos gases mais maléficos nesse processo. Organismos internacionais liderados pela ONU participam do esforço de limitar as emissões com a negociação de créditos de carbono do Protocolo de Kyoto, o que pode contribuir para viabilizar a adoção de novas tecnologias de tratamento de resíduos. Esta pesquisa traz aos gestores municipais, e aos empreendedores do setor, um modelo de decisão para escolha estratégica das tecnologias mais recentes para tratamento de resíduos sólidos urbanos. Usando a técnica de abordagem sistêmica (system analysis), com o apoio da teoria de ciclo de vida do produto e do conceito de eco-eficiência, foram traçadas tendências. O modelo de decisão usou a técnica do pensamento focado no valor (Value-Focused Thinking) pertencente à teoria da decisão multiatributo. A partir da percepção de importantes formadores de opinião, aponta-se que as tecnologias de aterro sanitário, incineração e de processamento por plasma térmico, acompanhadas da coleta seletiva, da recuperação energética, da separação e da reciclagem, têm cada uma importante parcela de contribuição na solução do problema ambiental. Também é apontado que a combinação da coleta seletiva, seleção do lixo para aumento do seu potencial energético, processamento por plasma térmico acompanhado da geração de energia, é a mais efetiva para ser adotada num município de porte médio do Estado de São Paulo, para os próximos vinte anos. Ao final da pesquisa, as soluções estudadas foram apresentadas a gestores públicos para validação do modelo.
Recently it became accepted, by large segments of society, the conclusions of several scientists that man has been causing a global climatic change through the emission of greenhouse gases. If nothing is done, an increase in global warmth is expected in the years to come, due to the growth of world population as well as economic growth. The waste generated by society, while decomposing, is a strong methane emitter, one of the gases that contribute the most to the global warmth. International organisms, led by UN, have joint efforts in order to limit the emissions of greenhouse gases with the negotiation of carbon credits, mechanism created by the Kyoto Protocol, which may turn the adoption of new technologies of waste treatment economically feasible. This research brings to the public managers and entrepreneurs of this sector a decision-making model to strategically choose the most recent technologies for the treatment of municipal solid waste. Using the system analysis technique, supported by product?s life cycle theory and the concept of eco-efficiency, some tendencies of this sector have been mapped. The decision-making model uses the Value-Focused Thinking technique, which belongs to the multi-attribute decision theory. From of the gathering opinions of important stakeholders, some technologies may be pointed as the most important contributors to solving this environmental problem: landfill technologies, incineration and plasma process, accompanied also by energy recovery, waste sorting and recycling. It is also suggested that a solution of waste sorting, a process of generating refused derived fuel, and plasma process followed by energy recovery is the more effective combination to be adopted by a medium-size city in the near future. At the end of the research works, the studied solutions were presented to public managers to validate the model.

Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Technology and Policy Program, 2017.
This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 99-102).
Waste management is a significant challenge for India. The Indian waste landscape is changing rapidly as the population grows, the composition of the waste generated evolves, the extent of waste segmentation changes and the technologies available to collect and process waste improve. Many solutions have been proposed for dealing with the mixed waste but the most appropriate solution for a particular context is difficult to quantify. Thus, decisions are often made without considering the long-term economic, environmental or social consequences. The present work focuses on helping Indian cities improve collection, transportation and treatment of waste by developing a GIS-based decision support tool that assesses the cost effectiveness and efficiency of collection strategies, treatment technologies and system configurations. The tool considers the unique elements of a city including the demographics, waste composition, scale, existing infrastructure for waste collection and treatment and potential for implementing new technologies. Understanding the prevailing waste management architecture of these cities is vital in designing systems which adapt to meet the needs of the growing population with changing aspirations and consumer behavior. There is a lack of bottom-up data on the composition and volumes of waste in India. Our data-driven decision-making approach combines baseline data collection through waste audits with a systems optimization modeling approach. By using the tool to evaluate the economic, environmental and social impact of different technology configurations at varying scales, we are able to quantify the expected performance associated with different architectures. The decision support tool can be used to find the minimum cost waste configuration that considers both environmental GHG emissions and employment, by constructing trade-off graphs between competing goals. A compromise solution that satisfies competing goals is obtained at the turning point of the trade-off graphs. We also test the feasibility of improving the segregation rate in Muzaffarnagar and the impact segregation policies have on the metrics of the waste system. From the waste audits, we see that Indian households have a high composition of organic waste and waste generation increases with income level. By implementing a weekly feedback social incentive mechanism, we see that the segregation rate of organic waste by households increases to nearly twice than those households that were given no feedback. The tool shows that as the segregation rate of the city increases, the costs and GHG emissions reduce, while the employment of the waste system increases. The level of centralization of the system reduces as the level of segregation of waste increases, that is, the system moves towards smaller scale processing plants instead of large scale centralized plants.
by Dhivya Ravikumar.
S.M. in Technology and Policy

Political Science
Ph.D.
This dissertation is exploratory in design and employs an electronic survey and comparative case studies to examine the factors that shape the impact of a non-traditional data source that measures the market power of urban neighborhoods, the Social Compact Neighborhood Market DrillDown, on the policymaking process of local government officials concerned with neighborhood economic development. The four case studies are: Baltimore, MD, Louisville, KY, Detroit, MI, and Tampa, FL. The study examines the conditions that affect decision-making at the different stages of information use and considers instrumental, conceptual, and symbolic uses of information. The observation of seven variables (applicability to agenda of lead sponsor, congruence between findings and prior preferences, trust of information producer, availability of alternative information sources, information sustainability, costs of production, information as private sector "lure") provide the context for theory and hypotheses on information impact in which three factors are found to be significant (applicability to agenda to lead sponsor, information sustainability, and information as private sector "lure"). Overall, the study finds evidence that information use is inherently a political endeavor in which its use is dominated by the preferences of those who sponsor its production and use information toward initiatives that are important to them.
Temple University--Theses

Medication management constitutes a large part of registered nurses' (RNs) daily work in municipal elderly care. They are responsible for monitoring multimorbid older persons with extensive treatments, and they often work alone, without daily access to physicians. RNs’ drug monitoring is, in this thesis, based on the concept of pharmacovigilance. Pharmacovigilance is about the science and the activities that aim to improve patient care and safety in drug use, that is, to detect, assess, understand and prevent drug-related problems. The overall aim was to explore conditions for pharmacovigilance from a nursing perspective, focusing on implications of RNs’ competence and use of a computerized decision support system (CDSS). Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used, including a questionnaire (I), focus group discussions (II), individual interviews (III) and an intervention study (IV). In total 216 RNs and 54 older persons participated from 13 special accommodations, located in three different regions. RNs who had completed further training in pharmacovigilance rated their medication competence higher than those who had not. However, there was no difference between groups in the number of pharmacovigilant activities they performed in clinical practice (I). The RNs appeared to act as “vigilant intermediaries” in drug treatment. They depended on the nursing staff's observations of drug-related problems. The RNs continuously controlled the work of staff and physicians, and attempted to compensate for shortcomings in competence, accessibility and continuity (II). RNs’ use of a CDSS was found to affect drug monitoring, including aspects of time, responsibility, standardization of the work, as well as access to knowledge and opportunities for evidence-based care (III). The CDSS detected significantly more drug-related problems when conducting medication reviews, than the RNs did. Nevertheless, this did not result in any significant improvement in the quality of drug use in the follow up, three and six months later (IV). This thesis contributes to the recognition of pharmacovigilance from a nursing perspective. Increased medication competence seems to be insufficient to generate pharmacovigilant activities. RNs depend on other health care professionals and organizational conditions in order to perform their work. A CDSS has the potential to support RNs, both in structured medication reviews and in daily clinical practice. Inter-professional collaboration is crucial, with or without a CDSS, and the entire team needs to be aware of and take responsibility. Other important conditions is the existence of well-functioning communication channels, competence across the team, and established procedures based on current guidelines.

The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate if the municipal decision on wind power development can be explained by a model including socioeconomic variables and proxies for the natural environment, using a pooled cross-section data set for Swedish municipalities for the period 2010-2019. The study poses the question whether politicians' decisions-making can be explained by socioeconomic factors. In order to analyse the approving or denying of wind power development in Swedish municipalities, three models are used: the linear probability model, the probit and the logit model. The results show that the Green political party (positively affecting wind power development) and that the unemployment rate, income, population density, protected areas and the affiliations with the Sweden Democrats (negatively affecting the approval rate), has a statistical significant effect on the permissionprocess. Installed capacity of wind power plants seemingly have no impact. Our findings suggest that the municipal decision making is less random than the critics of the municipal veto proposes.

Submitted by Maria Medeiros (maria.dilva1@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-09-11T12:41:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 VICTOR VIDAL NEGREIROS BEZERRA - DISSERTAÇÃO (PROFIAP-CCJS) 2016.pdf: 3966281 bytes, checksum: 545852b43a64e3cdd977c00aa9db9066 (MD5)
Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-11T12:41:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 VICTOR VIDAL NEGREIROS BEZERRA - DISSERTAÇÃO (PROFIAP-CCJS) 2016.pdf: 3966281 bytes, checksum: 545852b43a64e3cdd977c00aa9db9066 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-19
A avaliação de desempenho no contexto municipal tem se apresentado como uma importante ferramenta para o desenvolvimento e melhoria da gestão pública nesse nível federativo. Apesar disso, as avaliações do desempenho municipal têm se fundamentado em metodologias onde somente poucos critérios avaliativos são considerados e processados. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo buscou cooperar no desenvolvimento e aprimoramento de avalições de desempenho municipal através das técnicas multicritério de apoio a decisão. Tomando como base os indicadores de gasto per capita nas 28 funções de governo, este estudo teve como objetivo aplicar uma metodologia multicritério de avaliação de desempenho para medir a performance de 12 municípios do estado da Paraíba. Através da aplicação do método multicritério PROMETHEE II, foi possível identificar a aplicabilidade desse tipo de metodologia no contexto da avaliação de desempenho de municípios. A análise estatística dos dados obtidos para os anos de 2014 e 2015 mostram que algumas áreas de atuação governamental, a exemplo de Saneamento, Segurança Pública e Gestão Ambiental tem recebido menor ênfase na aplicação de recursos públicos, enquanto que áreas como Administração, Saúde e Educação tem recebido maior destaque na alocação desses recursos. Já na aplicação do método multicritério PROMETHEE II, foi possível identificar rankings de desempenho capazes de verificar e comparar de forma global a performance dos municípios estudados.
The performance measurement in the municipal context has emerged as an important tool for the development and improvement of public administration in a federal level. Nevertheless, assessments of municipal performance have been based on methodologies where only a few evaluative criteria are considered and processed. In this sense, this study sought to cooperate in the development and improvement of municipal performance measurement through Multi-Criteria Decision Aiding Techniques. Based on the per capita spending indicators in 28 functions of government, this study aimed to apply a multi-criteria methodology of performance evaluation to measure the performance of 12 municipalities in the state of Paraiba. By applying the multi-criteria method PROMETHEE II, it was possible to identify the applicability of this type of methodology in assessing the performance of municipalities. The statistical analysis of the data for the years 2014 and 2015 show that some areas of government action, such as Sanitation, Public Safety and Environmental Management have received less emphasis in the use of public funds, while areas such as administration, health and education have received the most attention in the allocation of these resources. In the application of the multi-criteria method PROMETHEE II, it was possible to identify performance rankings that were able to check and compare globally the performance of the studied municipalities.

In order to deal with the mounting issue of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in a way that is in line with sustainable development and Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) a systems approach is necessary.This approach can practically be integrated into the MSW decision-making process through Life Cycle Thinking(LCT) and environmental systems analysis tools such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This paper is written within the context of the RECO Baltic 21 Tech (RB21T) project which aims to improve waste management practices in 12 countries in the Baltic Sea Region. The main aim of this paper is to investigate the extent to which LCA is used as decision-support in MSW management in Sweden, Estonia and Lithuania. The use of LCA is examined on a national level as well as on a local or regional level based on relevant literature and a set of interviews conducted in each country. According to the results the use of LCA as decision-support in MSW management is very limited in Estonia and Lithuania whilst it is already a well-established tool in Sweden. Most of the LCA efforts in the Baltic States have been conducted in connection with foreign projects and investments,such as RB21T. Although an actual LCA might not always be applied in Sweden, LCT is prevalent in MSW management both on a national and local level. In order for LCA to be better integrated into MSW management this paper argues that there is a need for increased knowledge, data, more user-friendly LCA-tools andstrengthening regional partnerships for further transfer of knowledge between countries.

Dissertation (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Municipal water distribution maintenance is very important for sustainable urban development. Water pipe breaks result not only in a disruption in service but also in significant loss of water, which otherwise could have been sold to the consumer. In countries where water is scarce, such as South Africa, water losses can be detrimental to the living standard of people. Water pipe breaks can furthermore cause extensive damage to nearby lower-lying properties. Existing decision support systems available in the field of water distribution system maintenance are mainly focused on leak detection and pipe rehabilitation/replacement strategy. These existing systems, however, do not address the actual causes of pipe breaks and pipe break impact is also not supported. The aim of this research is to develop a spatial decision support system (SDSS) for pipe break susceptibility analysis and impact assessment. The engineer (or public works administrator) can apply the SDSS to model the complex pipe break phenomena in the municipal water distribution system. The SDSS can identify pipes susceptible to breaking and pipes with potentially high break impact as far as water loss and damage caused to nearby property are concerned. This combined pipe break susceptibility analysis and potential impact assessment should promote more informed decision-making on preventative maintenance measures to be taken and their prioritisation. The dissertation consists offive parts. In the first part (Chapters 1-4) theories on information systems, fuzzy logic, object-oriented modelling, Unified Modelling Language (UML) and pipe break causes are presented. This literature review provides a basis on which the SDSS for pipe break susceptibility analysis and impact assessment can be developed. In the second part (Chapter 5) the general user requirements and design of the SDSS are given. The general SDSS architecture, the general system functionality and the user interface are described and designed in this part of the dissertation. The third part (Chapter 6) provides the detailed user requirements and design of the subsystems of the SDSS. Specialised functionality for pipe break susceptibility analysis and impact assessment is added to the general design of the SDSS. Subsystems are designed for analysing the pipe break susceptibility due to age, air-pocket formation and tree-root attack. Pipe break impact assessment subsystems are also designed for assessing water loss and potential damage caused to nearby property. Finally, a combined analysis subsystem is designed for combined pipe break susceptibility analysis and impact assessment. In the fourth part (Chapter 7), the SDSS is applied to the water distribution system of the Paarl Municipality to identify pipes in the network that have both high break susceptibility and also high break impact. The pipe break susceptibility analysis model of the SDSS is also tested and calibrated by comparing the model results with actual pipe break occurrence data of the study area. The final chapter (Chapter 8) contains the summary and recommendations regarding the functionality of the newly developed SDSS.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die instandhouding van munisipale waterverspreidingstelsels is uiters belangrik vir volhoubare stedelike ontwikkeling. Waterpypbreuke lei nie alleenlik tot onderbreking in diensverskaffing nie, maar ook tot beduidende waterverlies en verlies aan inkomste uit waterverkope. In lande waar water skaars is, soos in Suid-Afrika, kan waterverliese die lewenstandaard van die bevolking nadelig beïnvloed. Waterpypbreuke kan ook groot skade aan naby-geleë laag-liggende eiendomme aanrig. Besluitnemingstelsels tans beskikbaar op die gebied van instandhouding van waterverspreidingstelsels is hoofsaaklik gerig op lekkasie-opsporing en pyprehabilitasie- en pypvervangingstrategieë. Hierdie bestaande stelsels spreek egter nie die eintlike oorsake van pypbreuke aan nie, daar word ook nie op die impak van pypbreuke ingegaan nie. Die doelwit van hierdie navorsing is om 'n ruimtelike besluitnemingstelsel (RBS) - vir pypbreuk-risiko-analise en impakberaming te ontwikkel. Die ingenieur (of stelselbestuurder) kan met behulp van die RBS die komplekse pypbreukverskynsel in 'n munisipale waterverspreidingstelsel modelleer. Die RBS kan pype met hoë breek-potensiaal identifiseer asook pype wat, indien dit breek, groot waterverlies of skade aan naby-geleë eiendomme sal veroorsaak. Hierdie gekombineerde pypbreuk-risiko-analise en impakberaming behoort meer oordeelkundige besluitneming te bevorder deur beter prioritisering van voorkomende instandhoudingsmaatreëls en die uitvoering daarvan. Die proefskrif bestaan uit vyf dele. In die eerste deel (Hoofstukke 1-4) word die teorieë oor inligtingstelsels, 'fuzzy logic', objek-georiënteerde modellering, 'unified modelling language (UML)' en die oorsake van pypbreuke behandel. Hierdie literatuurstudie skep die basis waaruit die RBS vir pypbreukrisikobepaling en impakberaming ontwikkel sal word. In die tweede deel (Hoofstuk 5) word die algemene gebruikersbehoeftes en die ontwerp van die RBS uiteengesit. Die algemene RBS struktuur en die gebruikerskoppelvlak word in hierdie deel van die proefskrif beskryf en ontwerp. In die derde deel (Hoofstuk 6) word die gedetailleerde gebruikersbehoeftes en die ontwerp van die substelsels van die RBS uiteengesit. Gespesialiseerde funksionaliteit vir pypbreuk-risikobepaling en impakberaming is tot die algemene ontwerp van die RBS bygevoeg. Substelsels is ontwerp vir die ontleding van pypbreuk-risiko as gevolg van ouderdom, lugblaas-vorming en boomwortelaanval. Substelsels vir impakberaming is ook ontwerp om waterverlies en potensiële skade aan eiendomme vas te stel. Ten slotte word 'n gekombineerde ontledingsubstelsel vir gekombineerde pypbreuk-risikobepaling en impakberaming opgestel. In die vierde deel (Hoofstuk 7) word die RBS toegepas op die waterverspreidingstelsel van die Paarlse munisipaliteit om pype uit te ken wat beide 'n hoë breuk-risiko en 'n hoë breuk-impak bevat. Die pypbreuk-analise model van die RBS is ook getoets en gekalibreer deur die resultate van die model te vergelyk met data van werklike pypbreuke in die studiegebied. Die laaste hoofstuk (Hoofstuk 8) bevat die samevatting en die aanbevelings rakende die funksionaliteit van die voorgestelde RBS.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Actionl'I' is a project undertaken by a consortium consisting of CSIR, Simeka Management Consulting, University of Pretoria and the University of Stellenbosch for the Innovation Fund of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in South Africa. Their objective is to create a basic specification for seletected information exchange that is compatible with all levels of government. The comparison between existing information systems at municipal level and ActionIT specifications will be investigated for the purpose of exposing shortcomings on both sides. Appropriate features of existing information systems will be identified for the purpose of enhancing the ActionIT specifications. The ActionIT project is presently in its user requirement and conceptual model definition phase, and this thesis aims to assist in providing information that may be helpful infuture developments. The study undertaken in this thesis requires the application of analytical theory and a working knowledge of information systems and databases in order to: 1. Research existing information systems and relevant engineering data at local municipal authorities. Also important will be the gathering of information regarding systems currently in use, and the format in which information is stored and utilised at municipalities. 2. Do an adequate analysis of the contents of recorded information. This information will establish background knowledge on the operations of local authorities and a clearer understanding of information systems. 3. Evaluate to what degree existing information systems comply with ActionIT specifications. This will be the main focus of this thesis. Thus the focus of this thesis is to record (provide an overview oj) activities in a municipal environment and the interaction with the environment on information system level where standards provided by ActionIT as an Open Decision Support Framework can be of value.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ActionIT is in projek wat deur ActionIT konsortium bestaande uit die WNNR, Simeka Management Consulting, Universiteit van Pretoria en die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, onderneem is vir die Innovasie Vonds van die departement van Kuns, Kultuur, Wetenskap en Tegnologie van Suid-Afrika. Hul mikpunt is om in spesifikasie vir informasie sisteme te onwikkel, wat met alle vlakke van regering kan skakel. Die vergelyking tussen die bestaande informasie sisteme op munisipale vlak en ActionIT spesifikasies salondersoek word vir die doelom tekortkominge aan beide kante uit te wys. Vir die verbetering van ActionIT spesifikasies moet aanvaarbare eienskappe van bestaande informasie sisteme geindentifiseer word. Die ActionIT projek is tans in die gebruikers vereiste en konseptueIe model definisie fase, en die tesis is gemik daarop om 'n bydrae te lewer tot die bevordering van informasie wat mag help in toekomstige ontwikkeling. Die werk onderneem in die tesis vereis in teoretiese kennis van informasie sisteme en databasise om: 1. in Ondersoek in die bestaande informasie sisteem en relefante ingenieurs data van in plaaslike munisipaliteit te doen. Die insameling van informasie oor die huidige sisteme in gebruik, die formaat waarin die informasie gestoor en gebruik word is ook belangrik. 2. in Analise van die inhoud van die waargenome informasie te doen. Die informasie sal agtergrond kennis gee oor die werking van plaaslike munisipale owerheid en in beter insig in informasie sisteme gee. 3. in Evaluasie van die verband tussen die bestaande informasie sisteme en ActionIT spesifikasies te doen. Dit is die hoof fokus punt van die tesis. Dus die doel van die tesis is om in oorsig te gee oor die aktiviteite in in munisipale omgewing en die interaksie met die omgewing op informasie sisteem vlak. Waar standaarde wat deur ActionIT voorgeskryf word as in "Open Decision Support Framework" van belang kan wees.

Includes abstract.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-90).
This thesis proposes the use of data mining tools within an operations research process, allowing the integration of ever increasing amounts of data collected worldwide. It is further argued that the wealth of information delivered by DM tools, with their strong visual emphasis, can be used by enhance the transfer of knowledge of stakeholders. The discipline of operations research could benefit greatly from the methods offered within the field of data mining, used to analyse the ever increasing amounts of data collected worldwide. However, the subject also offers a wealth of information that could aid in decision making, along with visual representations of this information that might assist in the transferral of knowledge to problem stakeholders. The advantages offered by data mining are not limited to problem contexts containing high-quality data, but could also assist within the development contexts containing high-quality data, but could also assist within the development context where traditionally resources and relevant skills are scarce. The benefits of data mining within this context are illustrated through the use of municipal performance data supplied by the Department of Local Government and Housing in the Western Cape of South Africa. The results of these analyses are presented to the department in order to assess the potential contribution of data mining to decisions surrounding municipal support.

The Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 (the Systems Act) is a legislative tool vital for municipal revenue collection, which in turn ensures that municipalities are able to deliver on their constitutional obligation to provide much needed public services. Section 118 has been a cause of much contention since the Act came into effect. Disputes between the municipality and homeowners have become a common reoccurrence, with most of the matters ending up in court proceedings. Cases such as Mkontwana, Mathabathe, Mitchell and Jordaan have shaped the interpretation and application of the Systems Act. The Jordaan case, in particular, has brought about changes with regard to new owners and issues related to property transfers. The focus of this dissertation is to detail the effect and analyse the influence of the Jordaan decision on section 118 of the Act. To effectively reflect on the changes brought about by the Jordaan case, I consider the history of the Act, the influences of other court cases as well as legislation.
Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
Mercantile Law
LLM
Unrestricted

Performance-based landfill design approach is a relatively new design approach adopted recently in solid waste management and applied in USA, European Union countries and some developing-economy countries like South Africa. This approach rejects the strict design criteria and accommodates a design that selects the most appropriate design components of a landfill (final cover, bottom liner, and leachate collection system) and their design details to result in the best overall performance with respect to performance criteria (groundwater contamination and stability) considering the system variables (climatic conditions of the site, site hydrogeology, and size of the landfill). These design components, performance criteria and design variables involved in decision process make performance-based landfill design a complex environmental problem. Decision support systems (DSS) are among the most promising approaches to confront this complexity. The fact that different tools can be integrated under different architectures confers DSSs ability to confront complex problems, and capability to support decision-making processes. In this thesis study, a DSS to aid in the selection of design components considering the design variables and performance criteria for performance-based landfill design was developed. System simulation models and calculation modules were integrated under a unique DSS architecture. A decision support framework composed of preliminary design and detailed design phases were developed. The decision of appropriate design components leading to desired performance was made based on stability issues and vulnerability of groundwater, using knowledge gathered from DSS. Capabilities and use of the developed DSS were demonstrated by one real and one hypothetical landfill case studies.

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CAPES
O aumento na geração de resíduos resultantes do modo de vida fundamentado no consumo em massa e a aceleração do crescimento populacional têm causado diversos impactos negativos, degradando os bens e serviços ambientais. No Brasil, os problemas originados pela má gestão municipal dos resíduos sólidos urbanos qualificam os RSU como um dos mais difíceis e complexos problemas enfrentados pela sociedade moderna. Aliada a isso, a escassez de recursos de infraestrutura e de recursos de ordem técnico-cientifica, tornam os resíduos sólidos urbanos um desafio de alta magnitude, sobretudo para os municípios de pequeno porte. Buscando alternativas para a promoção correta da gestão dos resíduos, que caminhem sinergicamente com o ordenamento jurídico, prevendo o tratamento e destinação por parte do gerador em locais ambientalmente adequados. As tecnologias de tratamento e disposição final de resíduos, fundamentadas em modelos de gestão, que adotem tecnologias contemporâneas, difundidas em países desenvolvidos são imprescindíveis no enfrentamento do problema. Ferramentas de apoio à decisão são fundamentais para auxiliar a escolha de métodos alternativos de tratamento e disposição final ambientalmente corretos, socialmente justos e economicamente viáveis. Essa realidade motivou a pesquisa que visa a utilização e estudo de uma ferramenta de apoio à decisão desenvolvida como resultado do projeto “Análise das diversas tecnologias de tratamento e disposição final de resíduos sólidos no Brasil, Europa, Estados Unidos e Japão” para propor as melhores rotas tecnológicas de tratamento e disposição final nos municípios de Altinho, Agrestina, Belém de Maria, Bonito e Lagoa dos Gatos, que fazem parte do COMAGSUL - Consórcio dos Municípios do Agreste e Mata Sul. Nesse intuito, utilizou-se a ferramenta IST Versão 1.0 de 2014 para possibilitar a hierarquização de rotas tecnológicas de tratamento e destino final dos resíduos, além da análise comparativa com a gestão adotada no Brasil e para o estado de Pernambuco. A utilização da ferramenta produziu como resultado final a indicação de três rotas tecnológicas com elevado índice de sustentabilidade ambiental IST. Esses resultados apontam a adequação da ferramenta para proposição de rotas tecnológicas de tratamento e disposição final em consonância com a Política Nacional de Resíduos, podendo sua utilização ser altamente viável quanto a tomada de decisão em consórcios públicos.
The increase in the generation of waste resulting from the reasoned way of life in mass consumption and the acceleration of population growth have caused several negative impacts, degrading environmental goods and services. In Brazil, the problems caused by poor municipal management of solid urban waste qualifies the MSW as one of the most difficult and complex problems faced by modern society. Allied to this, the scarcity of infrastructure resources and resources of technical-scientific, order make solid urban waste a challenge of high magnitude, especially for small towns. Seeking alternatives to the correct promotion of waste management that they may walk synergistically with the legal system, providing for the treatment and disposal by the generator in environmentally suitable locations. The technologies of treatment and final disposal of waste, founded in management models, that adopt contemporary technology, disseminated in developed countries are essential in tackling the problem. Decision support tools are fundamental to assist the choice of alternative methods of treatment and final disposal environmentally correct, socially fair and economically viable. This reality motivated research that seeks to use a decision support tool developed and study as a result of the project "Analysis of various technologies for treatment and final disposal of solid waste in Brazil, Europe, United States and Japan" to propose the best technological routes of treatment and final disposal in the municipalities of Altinho, Agrestina, Belem de Maria, Bonito and Lagoa dos Gatos, which are part of the COMAGSUL - Consortium of Municipalities of the Agreste and South Wood. For this reason, it used the IST Tool Version 1.0 2014 to enable the hierarchy of technological routes of treatment and final destination of the waste, in addition to the comparative analysis with the management adopted in Brazil and for the state of Pernambuco. The use of the tool has produced as a final result the indication of three technological routes with a high index of environmental sustainability IST. These results indicate the suitability of the tool to the proposition of technological routes of treatment and final disposal in line with the National Policy of waste, its use may be highly viable as decision making in public consortia.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Municipalities in South Africa, especially rural ones, have been struggling to deliver services to communities to the extent that government placed those worse-off under Project Consolidate. The implementation of Project Consolidate indicate that the capability of municipalities to deliver services to their communities faced several challenges. Most challenges are attributed to skills, processes, procedures and resources. During the dawn of democracy municipalities were merged into manageable demarcated areas for efficiency, effectiveness and inclusive governance to improve service delivery. The study primarily looks into whether DSS are implemented in Letsemeng Local Municipality and what the benefits are for service delivery to the community. The study was conducted in Letsemeng Local Municipality because it is representative of rural municipalities facing similar changes. It focuses on the administrative and political capability to transform Letsemeng Local Municipality into an effective service delivery vehicle. Administrative capability primarily concentrates on the ability of procedure, systems and management skills to manage a transformed municipal institution within the new democratic dispensation, while political capability concentrates on the role of politicians (councillors) on support and facilitation to meet the needs of the community. Taking these factors into consideration the role of DSS and IKM in successful service delivery was investigated through interviewing key managers (municipal, financial, technical and corporate managers) and analysing support documentation used by the municipality. It was discovered that the performance of Letsemeng Local Municipality is affected by the lack of DSS to support management and politicians, absence of appropriate IKM application for continuous service improvement, high turnover of staff leaving mostly unskilled and less experienced and to a lesser extent political interference. It was also concluded that the implementation of DSS and IKM cannot on its own improve service delivery, but improvement might be achieved if accompanied by Letsemeng Local Municipality BPR (Business Process Re-engineering).
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Munisipaliteite in Suid-Afrika, veral dié in landelike gebiede, sukkel dermate om dienste aan gemeenskappe te lewer dat die regering dié wat die slegste gevaar het, moes plaas onder Projek Konsolideer. Die implementering van Projek Konsolideer is ‘n aanduiding dat munisipaliteite se vermoë om dienste te lewer voor verskillende uitdagings te staan kom. Die meeste van die uitdagings word toegeskryf aan vaardighede, prosesse en hulpbronne. Met die aanbreek van demokrasie is munisipaliteite saamgesmelt in beheerbare afgebakende gebiede met die oog op doeltreffendheid, doelmatigheid en inklusiewe bestuur wat gemik is op verbeterde dienslewering. Hierdie studie ondersoek primêr of beslissingsteunstelsels (DSS) geïmplementeer word by die Letsemeng Plaaslike Munisipaliteit en watter voordele dit vir die gemeenskap inhou insoverre dit dienslewering betref. Die studie is in Letsemeng onderneem aangesien hierdie munisipaliteit verteenwoordigend is van munisipaliteite met soortgelyke uitdagings. Dit fokus op die administratiewe en politieke vermoë om die Letsemeng Plaaslike Munisipaliteit te omvorm in ‘n effektiewe instrument vir dienslewering. Administratiewe vermoë konsentreer primêr op die vermoë van prosedures, stelsels en bestuursvaardighede om ‘n getransformeerde munisipale instelling binne die nuwe demokratiese bestel te bestuur, terwyl politieke vermoë gerig is op die rol van politici (raadslede), ondersteuning en fasilitering om in die behoeftes van die gemeenskap te voldoen. Met inagneming van hierdie faktore is die rol van DSS en IKM (Inligting- en Kennisbestuur) in suksesvolle dienslewering ondersoek deur onderhoude te voer met sleutelbestuurders (munisipale-, finansiële-, tegniese- en bedryfsbestuurders) en deur ondersteunende dokumentasie wat deur die munisipaliteit gebruik word, na te gaan. Daar is bevind dat Letsemeng Plaaslike Munisipaliteit se werksverrigting geraak word deur ‘n gebrek aan DSS ter ondersteuning van bestuurslui en politici, die afwesigheid van toepaslike IKMaanwending vir voortgesette verbetering in dienslewering, hoë personeelomset as gevolg van werknemers wat bedank en minder geskoolde en minder ervare werknemers agterlaat en, in ‘n mindere mate, inmenging deur politici. Daar is ook vasgestel dat die implementering van DSS en IKM nie op sigself dienslewering sal verbeter nie, maar dit kan verbetering meebring indien dit saamval met die Letsemeng Plaaslike Munisipaliteit se BPR (Herbouing van die Bedryfsproses).

Water-resource managers are facing unprecedented challenges in accommodating the large uncertainties associated with climate change in their planning decisions. Integration of climate risk information is a pre-requisite for water resources planning under a changing climate, yet this information is often presented outside the decision-making context and in a way which is not relevant for the decision at hand. Furthermore, there is a lack of approaches that explicitly evaluate the impact of nonstationary climate change on decision-relevant metrics and variables. This thesis describes novel methods for incorporating uncertain information on climate change in water resources decision-making and estimating climate change-related risks in water resources systems. The main hypotheses of this thesis are that: (1) shifting away from planning approaches based on abstract supply-demand balance metrics towards risk-based approaches that quantify the frequency and severity of observable outcomes of concern to water users, such as water shortages, can help decision-makers establish preferences among actions and identify cost and climate risk reduction trade-offs (2) adopting risk-based planning methods allows water managers to characterize and account for different sources of uncertainty in the water planning process and to understand their impact on outcomes of value and decisions. To test these hypotheses, this thesis presents an analytic approach for (1) incorporating nonstationary climate change projections and other uncertain factors related to demand changes into water resources decision-making, (2) understanding trade-offs between benefits of climate risk-reduction and cost of climate change adaptation, and (3) characterizing water supply vulnerability to unprecedented drought conditions. The approach is applied to London's urban water supply system located in the Thames river basin, south-east of England. Results from this thesis demonstrate how a systematic characterization of uncertainties related to future hydro-climatic conditions can help decision-makers compare and choose between a range of possible water management options and decide upon the scale and timing of implementation that meet decision-makers' risk tolerability. Additionally, results show the benefits of combining climate information with vulnerability analysis to test decisions' robustness to unprecedented drought conditions. The application of the proposed methods to the London urban water supply system suggests that the risks of exceeding reliability targets in the future will increase if no further supply or demand side actions were to be taken. Results from the case study also show that changes in demand due to population growth could have greater impacts on water security than climate change and that small reductions in climate-related risk may come at significantly higher costs. It should be stressed that the results from the case study are based on a simplified representation of London's water supply system and that they should be further tested with the full system model employed by the water utility which implements more complex operational rules.

This thesis is a case study of the Terra Nova lands decision in the Township of Richmond, B.C. which analyses the use of public hearings as a means of public participation in the municipal rezoning aspect of the planning process. A literature review of democratic theories indicated that there is no single accepted theory of democracy or the role of public participation within a democratic society. Classical democratic theory, likened to participatory democracy, outlines the need for widespread public participation in the decision-making process while contemporary democratic theorists critize this as unrealistic in a modern society. Instead, contemporary theorists stress that the role of the public is to create an elected representative government that will decide issues on their behalf. Representative democracy is described according to four principles including: popular control, political equality, effective choice, and majority rule. Public participation in the planning process represents a movement along the democratic continuum from participatory to representative democracy towards a more participatory form of governing. Although the public hearing process has traditionally been viewed as a legitimate means to involve the public in the planning process, it is increasingly being questionned as appropriate. The Terra Nova rezoning public hearings were analysed using the evaluative framework of Glasser, Manty, and Nehman based on six communication characteristics and six participation objectives. The data was collected from the results of interviews with twelve key participants using a pre-designed questionnaire. It was concluded that the Terra Nova public hearing process was inherently flawed in its attempt to provide meaningful public participation in the municipal planning process and also that preceptual differences among the participants accounted for their dissatisfaction with the public hearing process. It was also concluded that the Terra Nova public hearings must be viewed in an historical and political context which indicated that the decision to develop the Terra Nova lands had been made prior to the rezoning hearings with the adoption of the Official Community Plan and that the municipal council members were firmly split along political lines in favour of and opposed to development on the Terra Nova lands. The analysis, however, did not provide a conclusive answer regarding the appropriateness of the public hearings as a means for public participation in the planning process. The answer to this question rests on an individual's position on the continuum of democracy between representation and participation. Nevertheless, recommendations can be made to enhance or supplement the public hearing process to overcome the inherent flaws and perceptual differences thus moving public participation in the municipal planning process closer to participatory democracy. These suggestions include local area planning initiatives and the use of an independent, non-political, rezoning commission.
Applied Science, Faculty of
Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of
Graduate

The primary aim of this study is to provide a deeper and more complete understanding of why the great municipal amalgamation (storkommunreformen) during the 1940s became the political solution to the problem that the Government believed many of Sweden’s municipalities had in satisfactorily providing for a local welfare society. The study also describes the results of this large-scale reorganization process. The events examined include the political decision-making process at the national level that took place during 1939-1949, as well as the regional/local realization of these decisions during 1946-1952. The parliamentary treatment of the municipal division issue should be viewed as a good example of what researchers have termed a Swedish decision-making model. One clear manifestation of this was the fact that the national commission that investigated the question primarily formulated the principles for the reform. The committee’s proposal received strong endorsements in the reports from the reviewers of the proposal. The government authorities and many of the municipalities felt that a new division of municipalities was justified. Opposition that did occur came mostly from rural municipalities with small populations. Many of these municipalities believed that the present municipal divisions functioned well as they were. Of those municipalities that were affected by amalgamation, 39 percent of them did not agree with the decision. The majority of these could agree to merge with other municipalities, but not with the municipalities stipulated by the authorities. Considering the fact that the then current divisions were based on a long tradition, demands for retaining independence could have been greater. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that 66 percent of all larger municipalities were formed using some level of force. This still indicated a relatively widely distributed opposition to the amalgamation decisions, however.

This research seeks to review the level of knowledge achieved in interpreting the relationship between the ethnic diversity at the workplace in the public sector and the organizational performance; as well as seeks to contribute in understanding the implications of this relationship. The study commenced with investigating the academic research in the relevant area addressing the following research questions: (a) How are diversity management and organizational performance conceptualized? (b) What are the existing findings of research concerning diversity at the workplace in the public organizations and organizational performance? (c) What factors intervene the relationship between the diversity and organizational performance? Based on the findings from the review of the academic research, this study seeks to contribute in understanding the ethnic diversity – performance relationship and its mplications at the local level in the Macedonian context. The reform process in Macedonia as a multicultural society, where for many years, inter-ethnic relations have been one of the most sensitive political issues, affecting both the stability of the country and the progress, focused mainly on the implementation of the decentralization and inclusion of ethnic minorities in the decision making process. With the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement workforce at the units of local self-government in Republic of Macedonia is becoming more balanced with respect to ethnic minorities, with more workforce participation than ever by Albanians, Turks, Roma and other minorities. As public organizations at local level become more diverse along ethnic lines, it makes sense to pay more attention to how different ethnic groups interact with one another at work. Thus it gives additional importance on the research question addressed in the study and gives significance of the research in a broader scope.

The objectives of this study were to first identify the decision-making bodies structures in the Buffalo City Municipality. Secondly, to assess compositions, powers and functions of such identified bodies or structures. The field study was limited to the administrative jurisdictions of the Buffalo City Municipality; however, the findings and recommendations were applicable to all municipalities in South Africa with the same or similar decision-making like the Buffalo City Municipality. In order to achieve the research objectives, a review of the relevant literature was done. It began by first looking at the constitutional and other legislative provisions establishing the Municipal government system or concept. The literature review looked at the powers and functions given to municipal governments by such constitutional provisions and how effective are such powers exercised. The literature further highlighted the role of trade unions participation and civil society groups in the smooth and effective administration of the municipality and in making the Integrated Development Planning a successful one. The data collection was done by means of questionnaire, focus group discussions complimented by face-to-face interviews. Forty respondents were sampled from six different trade unions and top municipal management. The data collected were analysed thematically with the use of frequency tables, pie charts and histograms. The findings of the study showed among other things that, the highest decision-making body in the municipality is the municipal council supported by various committees, boards and directorates. All the legislative and executive powers are vested in the municipal council. Again, it became known that, the municipal workers unions participate effectively in labour related issues whereas the non-municipal workers unions participate poorly in all consultative processes. In conclusion, there is the urgent need to bring all stakeholders including trade unions in the municipality during decision-making processes in order promote sustainable development in the municipality.

This work considers the potential contribution of rational actor and behaviouralist models of political and participatory culture, in understanding specific contemporary issues within the topic of public participation in the decision making activities of UK local authorities. The basis for the research was a range of disruptive or confounding phenomena reported in various literatures, that either generate antipathy during schemes or create negative pre-conceptions that could affect future projects. It is suggested that an appreciation of these confounding factors, when viewed in the context of streamlining local authorities and a rationally acting public, can help us understand issues such as non-participation, apparent apathy in public involvement and certain participatory dynamics. It is argued that understanding these issues is vital, especially given the emergence of the Modernisation Agenda in the UK which places a great deal of importance on the consultative activities of local authorities. The research draws upon Almond and Verba’s Civic Culture theory (1963) and the work of the Public Choice school of political economics, especially the work of James Buchannan and Gordon Tullock, to address issues of political culture and rationalised political activity among both the public and authorities. These provided a framework for a multiple case study research design, looking at public involvement policies and schemes in two English local authorities, against a particularly dynamic policy background. The thesis identifies a range of issues that are linked to the public’s inclination to participate, that are additional to the traditionally quoted issues of apathy or unequal access to democracy. These issues are linked to the perceived effectiveness of participation and its methods, to individuals who are already acting subjectively on the basis of their values and material interests. This work offers and discusses the term ‘Civic Rationality’ to describe this mix of rationales in a participatory culture.

Este estudo analisou a experiência de construção da participação social no Sistema Único de Saúde, tendo como objeto de estudo o Conselho Municipal de Saúde de Ribeirão Preto, no período de 1991-1998. Construiu-se o referencial teórico a partir da redemocratização do país e da Reforma Sanitária, abordando o objeto de estudo nas dimensões: Direito à Saúde, Participação, Controle Social e Cidadania. A metodologia foi o Estudo de Caso, na abordagem qualitativa da pesquisa em saúde. Procurou-se, a partir de Análise documental e de Entrevistas com Conselheiros e ex-Secretários Municipais de Saúde, através da técnica de Análise Temática, identificar relações estabelecidas entre os sujeitos sociais que compõem o Conselho, projetos de interesse e concepção de Direito à Saúde; buscou-se apontar limites e potencialidades do espaço de participação para a construção da cidadania. Principais limites: os temas são levados ao Conselho, apenas para aprovação, não oportunizando discussões prévias; a vinculação do Fundo Municipal de Saúde à Secretaria da Fazenda, impede Gestor e Conselho de terem autonomia na decisão do uso dos recursos; alguns segmentos não levam para o Conselho suas demandas, utilizando outros canais; o corporativismo de alguns segmentos, impede a publicização de projetos de interesse. Como potencialidade, verificou-se que os entrevistados têm no Conselho, o fórum político legítimo, para discutir e deliberar as diretrizes políticas para a saúde no município, legitimando-o, enquanto espaço público de construção do Direito e da Cidadania. Isto permitiu o funcionamento, nestes 8 anos, sem solução de continuidade.
This study analysed the experience of building social participation in the Unique Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde), having as its study object the Municipal Health Council of Ribeirão Preto, during the period of 1991 - 1998. The theoretical reference was built from the county’s redemocratization and the Sanitary Reform, broaching the study object in the dimensions: the Right to Health, Participation, Social Control and Citizenship. The methodology was Case Study, in the qualitative aspect of health research. We sought, from document analysis and interviews with Counsellors and former Municipal Healt Secretaries, through the technique of Thematic Analysis, to identify relations established among the social subjects which compose the Council, projects of interest and the conception on the Right to Health; we sought to point out limits and potencialities of the space of participation for the construction of citizenship. Main limits: the themes are sent to the Council for aprovement only, not allowing previous discussions; the bond between the Municipal Health Fund and the Secretary of Treasure, obstructs Manager and Council of having autonomy in the decision on the use of resources; some segments don’t take their pleas to the Council, using other channels; the corporativism of some segments don’t allow publicizing projects of interest. As potentiality, we observed that those interviewed have in the Council, the legitimate political forum to discuss and deliberate on the political directions for health in the Municipality, legitimating it as a public space for the construction of Rights and Citizenship. This allowed its functioning, during 8 years, without interruption.

The research investigates the devolution of decision-making at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM). The research sets out to investigate the extent to which the Municipality offers resources to its politically elected representatives and whether the support enables a devolution that includes local citizens in decision-making. The study was demarcated within the NMBM, using an empirical survey, a population group composed of councillors and officials who work very closely with politicians in mobilizing the community in public participation. The data collection tool of choice for the study was a selfadministered questionnaire, supplemented by document analysis, unstructured interviews and the researcher’s observations. The purpose of the study is to investigate reasons why devolution is not having the desired results at NMBM, Investigate and find alternatives to how devolved decision-making can be enhanced, using the viable local political process at the NMBM and similar municipalities. The study argues from a theoretical base of good governance and public participation. The findings made were inter alia: Politicians in public office are not using the resources at their disposal optimally; tussles amongst politicians and with officials do have a negative effect on devolved decision-making; and vandalism and closing down of ward council offices are not purely a reflection of a ward councillor’s failure to account to the constituency, and the ward committee system at NMBM has not since 2009. The recommendation is that deliberate efforts need to be made to establish democratically elected ward committees in all sixty wards of NMBM. The establishment of ward committees has to be a joint effort between political office bearers, the broader political landscape and officials as previous efforts have failed to produce legitimate structures. The politicians and officials need to work together to win over public opinion and community buy-in towards the establishment of ward committees that are representative and functional.

The island of Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of the United States of America, has a population of 3,725,789 according to the 2010 census, and generates 11,100 tons daily of waste. In the Island, landfilling is the dominant form of waste disposal. Most municipal solid waste landfills (MSWLF) in Puerto Rico are a principal source of land, water, and air pollution. In addition, the scarcity of appropriate land to open new landfill facilities make this type of waste disposal an unsustainable form of waste management for the Island.

This study evaluated the current situation of the MSWLFs in Puerto Rico and the geographic limitations of continuing with this type of waste disposal on the Island. As alternatives to this problem, the principal waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies, combustion and gasification, are evaluated as environmentally responsible forms for disposal of non-recycled waste.

The evaluation methodology used is based on a multi-criteria decision-making model that uses a subjective rank-order weighting method. Evaluation of WTE technologies is performed by comparing dissimilar indicators in five interest areas: technical, economic, environmental, socio-political, and risk. The methodology is composed of two-components: an expert survey and data analysis.

An evaluation of the environmental interest area was performed to assess which of the WTE technologies studied herein, combustion or gasification, is more environmentally responsible. In addition, using the relevant scores in different interest areas, they were evaluated to determine the economic benefits of these WTE technologies as viable waste management alternatives for Puerto Rico.

O desenvolvimento sustentável e a sustentabilidade estão sendo abordados como um novo paradigma econômico que estabelece um contexto geral para que organizações e instituições desenvolvam suas estratégias e processos, associados aos debates da responsabilidade socioambiental corporativa, particularmente para a administração pública, onde está ocorrendo um processo de mudança para o desenvolvimento de cidades sustentáveis e inteligentes. As operações complexas e fechadas definem estruturas para gerenciar o fluxo de materiais, energia e informações. Este documento aborda o problema da gestão de resíduos sólidos em pequenas cidades e, com base em uma revisão bibliográfica e um estudo de múltiplos casos em profundidade, propõe um sistema de medição como instrumentos de avaliação de desempenho ambiental que têm por função refletir as estratégias de gestão integrando as ações de sustentabilidade. Para analisar as práticas de desenvolvimento do modelo utilizar-se-á de uma adaptação da metodologia Multicritério de Apoio a Decisão Construtivista - MCDA-C, juntamente com aplicação da técnica de Painel de Especialistas, a qual possibilitará a comparação e confirmação dos objetivos propostos. Nos estudos de casos, com os indicadores obtidos do contexto, literatura e de especialistas da área, é desenvolvido o modelo, possibilitando a determinação do desempenho global da gestão de resíduos e os pesos das áreas de preocupações, a fim de refinar propor o modelo em outras administrações voltadas a gestão de resíduos. Por fim, o modelo para avaliação de desempenho da gestão municipal de resíduos se mostrou como uma importante ferramenta para melhorar o planejamento estratégico quando no controle e gerenciamento das dimensões sustentáveis da organização, identificando critérios que aprimoram e diagnosticando ações de melhorias, contribuindo na qualidade e custos dos serviços propostos na gestão.
The sustainability and sustainable development is being approached as a new economic paradigm that establishes a general context for organizations and institutions to develop their strategies and processes, associated to the debates of corporate social and environmental responsibility, particularly for public administration, where a process of change for the development of sustainable and smart cities. Complex and closed operations define structures to manage the flow of materials, energy, and information. This study addresses the problem of solid waste management in small cities and, based on a bibliographical review and a study of multiple in-depth cases, proposes a measurement system as instruments for the evaluation of environmental performance, whose function is to reflect the strategies of integrating sustainability actions. In order to analyze the development practices of the model, it will be used an adaptation of the Multicriteria Decision Aid – Constructivist - MCDA-C, together with the application of the Expert Panel technique, which will allow the comparison and confirmation of the proposed objectives. In the case studies, with the indicators obtained from the context, literature and specialists of the area, the model is developed, allowing the determination of the overall performance of waste management and the weights of the areas of concern, in order to refine the model proposed in other administrations focused on waste management. Finally, the model for evaluation of municipal waste management was shown as an important measure to improve strategic planning when it is not a control and management of sustainable dimensions of the organization, identifying criteria and solutions for improvement actions, contributing in the quality and costs of the proposed services in the management.

Syfte: Syftet med följande studie är att analysera vilka faktorer som förekommer i beslutsunderlagen vid fastställandet av VA-taxan, samt hur utförligt beskrivna dessa är. Detta för att utförligt förstå vad beslutsunderlagen grundar sig på i kommuner runt om i Sverige. Metod: Att utgå från den hermeneutiska filosofin, torde en ökad förståelse realiseras, då vi använder den kunskapen genom att utföra en pilotstudie. Detta innebär att vi under studiens gång har rört oss mellan teorin och empirin, och erhållit en abduktiv forskningsansats. Teori: Studien utgår ifrån tidigare forskning inom området som har använts för att identifiera våra traditionella samt icke traditionella faktorer. Empirin: Den datainsamlingsmetod vi har använt är en semitstrukturerad djupintervju baserad på fem olika kommuners VA-verksamheter, samtliga med traditionella verksamhetsformer. Analys: Vi genomförde en omfattande analys för att upptäcka skillnader och likheter mellan kommunerna samt förekomsten av faktorerna. Samtliga kommuner tar hänsyn till traditionella faktorer då dem förekommer, däremot varierar det mellan de icke traditionella faktorerna och dess förekomst. Slutsats: Studiens slutsats visar att våra traditionella faktorer är mer framstående mot det icke traditionella. Det visar sig även att de icke traditionella faktorerna förekommer i större utsträckning än vad som framgår i tidigare studier
Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyse the factors that occur in decision-making purposes in the determination of VA-fee and the detailed description of what these are. This is to give a fully recognition of the basis for decision data that is based on the municipalities in Sweden. Method: Inferring the hermeneutic philosophy probably a greater understanding realized when we test the knowledge gained by conducting a pilot study. This means that during the course of the study we moved between theory and empirical data, and obtained an adbuctive reaearch approach. Theory: The study is based on previous research in the area that has been used to identify our traditional and non-traditional factors. Empiric: The data collection method we have used is a semit-structured depth interview based on five different municipal water and sewage operations, all traditional forms. Analysis: We performed a comprehensive analysis to identify differences and similarities between the municipalities and the existence of the factors. All municipalities are taking account of traditional factors when they occur but it varies between the non-traditional factors, and its occurrence.

Historically the practice of conservation planning has occurred in an ad hoc manner in areas that have no economic or agricultural value. When systematic conservation planning has been implemented it has ensured the identification of priority areas that contain species, habitats, and processes essential to achieving conservation targets and goals set out by government. In the recent past a number of authors within the conservation planning fraternity have started questioning the actual impact of conservation plans. Only one third of the conservation plans (globally) published between 1998 and 2000 resulted in actual implementation. Prendengast et al. (1999) described this gap between conservation plans and conservation action as the ‘research–implementation–gap’. The same phenomenon is experienced in local government conservation planning, in South Africa. This has led to a lack of conservation planning and implementation. By using the Gauteng provincial Conservation Plan (C–Plan), that is considered the strategic conservation planning document for the province government, a critical evaluation of the extent to which environmental aspects are considered in strategic level municipal decision making was done. Six local and two district municipalities within the Gauteng Province were selected to ascertain, through a comparative and objective analysis, to what extent their strategic documents (Integrated Development Plan, Spatial Development Framework and Environmental Management Framework) reflect the conservation planning done on a provincial sphere (C–Plan). An analysis was done of the selected documentation and spatial maps to determine whether incorporation occurred either explicitly and/or implicitly. The expectation is that municipalities within the Gauteng Province, should, as part of their Integrated Development Plan process, integrate the Gauteng C–Plan with their Integrated Development Plans. The research found that all the municipalities fully incorporated the C–Plan within their Environmental Management Frameworks indicating that local government conservation planners do consult and incorporate provincial conservation plans when they are generating their own plans. The Spatial Development Frameworks and Integrated Development Plans did not reflect this strong connection with regards to conservation planning. There is a lack of integration between the different documents and an inability to bring a planning aspect(s) to delivery and implementation. There is no problem with the incorporation of the C–Plan into the Environmental Management Frameworks, thus future research or conservation initiatives should focus on the effective incorporation of the Environmental Management Frameworks into other strategic municipal documentation (Spatial Development Frameworks and Integrated Development Plans) and promote the integration that occurs between the municipal documents themselves.
Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

This study examined the role of regional councilors in consultation and communication regarding rural service delivery in Namibia, with specific reference to the Oshana region. The research includes a case study that assessed the degree and the extent to which consultation and communication takes place between regional councilors and community members at constituency level in the region. It also examined the inevitability of consultation and communication concerning basic services provision such as water and electricity in the Oshana region.

Public Participation is widely accepted as a way to strengthen the pillars of democratic and accountable governance. In South Africa, public participation is receiving prominence and increasing attention especially at local government level as this level is regarded as the sphere of government closest to the people. The new democratic government in South Africa regards public participation as a cornerstone of democracy. Ackerman (2004:448) asserts that the opening up of the core activities of the state to societal participation is one of the most effective ways to improve accountability and governance. Such accountability and involvement can be better achieved when communities are part of decision making processes in their communities. In South Africa, public participation was heralded by various pieces of legislations which obligated the public to participate and have a say in the decisions taken by their communities. Section 152 of the constitution: Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act No 108 of 1996) requires local authority to “encourage the involvement of local communities and community organizations in matters of local government” Informed by the broad principles of the Constitution, the White Paper on Local Government 1998 introduced the notion of developmental local government. According to this Paper, “developmental local government is defined as local government that is committed to working with citizens and groups within the community to find sustainable ways to meet their social, economic and material needs and improve the quality of their lives”. It is through the process of public participation that citizens are given the opportunity to provide input and partake in decision making on service delivery and governance matters of their municipalities. It is widely acknowledged that active public participation is evidence of deepened democracy and can assist municipalities in i) enhancing service delivery ii) making government and officials more effective and accountable and most importantly involve the communities in decisions affecting their lives and communities. By and large, community involvement through public participatory systems ensures that municipalities incorporate the developmental needs of the people. Theseneeds are expressed and consolidated in municipal integrated development plans. To realise the above, the White Paper on Local Government 1998 suggests that “municipalities should develop mechanisms to ensure citizen participation in policy initiation and formulation, and the 3 monitoring and evaluation of decision-making and implementation”. As outlined above various laws gave a new meaning and a legitimised mandate to the role of local communities in the development of their communities. Informed by the above, this study examines the extent to which public participation influences decision making within the IDP processes and by association its impact on service delivery. This study is premised on the widely accepted view that public participation is a process involving the community or the public to gather opinions, investigate the needs, desires and wishes of the local community and to ensure that they as the community are involved in the decision making processes of their municipality. The study is of the view that the IDP processes represent a structured vehicle to enable citizens and groups to influence decision making through institutionalised municipal participatory structures. By so doing, the public and the government form a pact/partnership to ensure that the needs and aspirations of the community receive priority in the IDP processes.

Whether the results of fiscal transfers have positive or negative implications depends upon the incentives that transfer systems create for both central and local governments. The complexity and ambiguity of the relationship between fiscal transfers and tax revenues of local governments is one of the main causes why research projects, even in the same country, come to different results. This investigation is seriously questioning the often stated substitution effect based only on an analysis of aggregated data and finally rejects in the qualitative part of this research (using survey techniques) a substitution effect in the majority of the assessed municipalities. While most theories are modeling governments as tax-maximizers (Leviathan) or as being prone to fiscal laziness, this investigation shows that mayors react to a whole set of incentives. Most mayors react rational and rather pragmatically in respect to the incentives and constraints which are established by the particular context of a municipality, the central government and their own personality/identity/interests. While the yield on property tax in Peru is low, there are no signs that increases in transfers have had, on average, a negative impact on their revenue generation. On an individual basis there exist mayors who are revenue maximizers, others who are substituting revenues and others who show apathy. Many engage in property tax. While rural or small municipalities have limited potential, property taxes are the main revenue sources for the Peruvian urban municipalities, rising on average 10% during the last five years. The property tax in Peru accounts for less than 0.2% of GDP, which compared to the Latin American average, is extremely low. In 2002, property tax was collecting nationwide about 10% of the overall budget of local governments. In 2006, the share was closer to 6% due to windfall transfers. The property tax can enhance accountability at the local level and has important impacts on urban spatial development. It is also important considering that most charges or transfers are earmarked such that property tax yields can cover discretionary finances. The intergovernmental fiscal transfers can be described as a patchwork of political liabilities of the past rather than connected with thorough compensation or service improvement functions. The fiscal base of local governments in Peru remains small for the municipalities and the incentive structure to enhance property tax revenues is far from optimal. The central government and sector institutions, which are in the Peruvian institutional design of the property tax responsible for the enablement environment, can reinforce local tax efforts. In the past the central government permanently changed the rules of the game, giving municipalities reduced predictability of policy choices. There are no relevant signs that a stronger property tax is captured by Peruvian interest groups. Since the central government has responsibility for tax regulation and partly valuation there has been little debate about financial issues on the local political agenda. Most council members are therefore not familiar with tax issues. If the central government did not set the tax rate and valuation then there would probably be a more vigorous public debate and an electorate that was better informed about local politics. Elected mayors (as political and administrative leaders) are not counterbalanced and held in check by an active council and/or by vigorous local political parties. Local politics are concentrated on the mayor, electoral rules, the institutional design and political culture – all of which are not helpful in increasing the degree of influence that citizens and associations have upon collective decision-making at the local level. The many alternations between democracy and autocracy have not been helpful in building strong institutions at the local level. Property tax revenues react slowly and the institutional context matters because an effective tax system as a public good can only be created if actors have long time horizons. The property tax has a substantial revenue potential, however, since municipalities are going through a transfer bonanza, it is especially difficult to make a plea for increasing their own revenue base. Local governments should be the proponents of property tax reform, but they have, in Peru, little policy clout because the municipal associations are dispersed and there exists little relevant information concerning important local policy issues.
Ob die Auswirkungen von Fiskaltransfers auf die Generierung von lokalen Steuereinnahmen positiv oder negativ sind, wird in der akademischen Literatur weiterhin offen diskutiert. Die Komplexität und Ambivalenz der Fiskalbeziehungen zwischen Gebietsköperschaften und Zentralregierung führt manchmal selbst innerhalb eines gleichen Landes zu unterschiedlichen Ergebnissen. Die hier vorliegende Untersuchung hinterfragt kritisch den oft postulierten Effekt in dem Eigeneinahmen durch Transferzahlungen substituiert werden. Während die meisten wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten Regierungen entweder als tax-maximizers (Leviathan) oder als fiscal lazy darstellen, zeigt diese Untersuchung, dass die meisten Bürgermeister spezifisch auf eine Vielzahl von Anreizen rational und pragmatisch reagieren. Obwohl die Eigeneinnahmen der Lokalregierungen in Peru generell niedrig sind, kann ein direkter Zusammenhang zwischen kontinuierlich ansteigenden Grundsteuereinnahmen und Fiskalzuweisungen eher verneint werden. Die Anreizstruktur in Peru zur Generierung von lokalen Steuereinnahmen ist hinderlich und teilweise sogar kontraproduktiv. Die Zentralregierung und gewisse Spezialinstitutionen spielen in Peru wichtige Funktionen hinsichtlich lokaler Steuergenerierung und sind mitverantwortlich für die positive Gestaltung der Anreizstruktur.

Bakgrund: Digitaliseringens utveckling har under de senaste åren accelererat och innebär utmaningar för organisationer kring att snabbt kunna anpassa sig efter nya förhållanden och ställa om (Guinan et al., 2019). Chefsarbetet har därmed blivit alltmer komplext då chefer behöver ha inblick i den tekniska utvecklingen (Zeike et al., 2019). Till följd av förändringar i omgivningen ligger fokus på att ha en välutvecklad strategi för att kunna möta de utmaningar som uppkommit (Liedtka, 2000). Beslutsprocesserna har under distansarbetet blivit mindre effektiva och tar längre tid. Organisationer behöver se över sin strategi och utveckla arbetsformer för att anpassa dem till det flexibla arbetssätt som digitaliseringen medfört (Gabryelczyk, 2020). Syfte: Med hjälp av studien ämnar vi skapa en förståelse kring de utmaningar och möjligheter som uppkommit vid strategiska beslutsprocesser till följd av digitaliseringen. Ämnet belyses utifrån en kommunal verksamhet, vilket Almeida et al. (2020) menar inte forskats kring i stor utsträckning tidigare. Metod: En kvalitativ metod användes för studien. Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med åtta personer som underlag för empirin. Förutom det, samlades även två dokument in som komplement till intervjuerna. Slutsats: Den digitala transformationen genomsyrar hela organisationen och bör tas i beaktande vid det strategiska beslutsfattandet. De faktorer som enligt det empiriska resultatet påverkat den strategiska beslutsprocessen är informationstillgänglighet, begränsad kommunikation samt deltagande. Det empiriska resultatet visar att den faktorn som påverkat de strategiska beslutsprocesserna mest till följd av digitaliseringen är att information blivit mer lättillgänglig. Till följd av detta går det enklare att få fram information till beslutsunderlag och beslutsunderlagen kan därmed hålla en högre kvalitet. Dessutom har digitaliseringen skapat möjligheter till bättre omvärlds- och konsekvensanalyser. Informationstillgängligheten antas bidra till att chefer kan vara mer rationella i sitt beslutsfattande. Den andra faktorn som empiriskt identifierats är begränsad kommunikation i form av att informationsöverföringen mellan personer brister i viss mån och att diskussioner blir stelare under digitala möten. Resultatet visar att det trots detta, genom digitaliseringen rent tekniskt finns resurser för att kommunicera samt dela information. När den mänskliga faktorn kopplas in framkommer dock att diskussioner i själva verket blir stelare vid digitala möten jämfört med i ett fysiskt rum. Digitaliseringen kan alltså i viss mån antas gynna beslutsprocessen i och med att5effektiviseringar kan göras om de digitala verktygens potential utnyttjas, men beslutsprocessen kan även missgynnas på grund av stelare diskussioner. Den tredje faktorn är att deltagandet har främjats till följd av digitaliseringen. Resultatet visar att möjligheten till ett ökat deltagande genom att bemöta digitaliseringens möjligheter har bidragit till en större möjlighet till att deltagare, problem, lösning och beslutstillfälle sammanfaller.
Background: The progress of digitalization has been incremental in recent years which poses challenges for organizations to adapt promptly to new conditions and change (Guinan et al., 2019). Therefore, the managerial work has become even more complex as managers need to be aware of the technical development (Zeike et al., 2019). The focus remains on having a well-developed strategy and strategic decision making to adapt to the changes in the environment (Liedtka, 2000). The decision-making process has become less efficient and is more time consuming since people are working remotely. The organizations need to reevaluate their stratgies and develop their working methods to implement digitalization (Gabryelcyk, 2020). Purpose: The study conducted intends to create an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that have arisen in the strategic decision-making process due to digitalization. This subject shed light based on a municipality operation which according to Almeida et al. (2020) is not a subject that has been extensively researched before. Method: A qualitative method have been used for the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight people as a basis for empiricism. Moreover, two documents were added as a complement to the interviews. Conclusion: The digital transformation impacts the entire organization and should be taken into consideration in strategic decision-making. The factors that due to the empirical results have affected the strategic decision-making process are information accessibility, limited communication, and participation. The empirical findings shows that due to digitalization the factor that has influenced the strategic decision-making processes most is that information has become more accessible.Consequently, it is easier to obtain information for decision making. Thus, the decision foundation retains a greater quality. In addition, digitalization has created opportunities for better environmental and consequence analysis. The accessibility of information to managers is assumed to contribute to better rational decision making.The second factor empirical identified is limited communication. During digital meetings, the exchange of information has a propensity to be miscommunicated and sometimes part of the information is omitted, as well as discussions tends to be stiffer. On the other hand, the study results show that despite this, through digitalization, there are technical resources to7communicate and share information. However, when the human factor is involved, it seems that discussions become stiffer in digital meetings compared to physical ones. Hence, digitalization can to some extend benefit the decision-making process in terms of efficiency whilst utilizing the potential of the digital tools. Yet, it has also a disadvantage due to stiffer discussions.The third factor is that participation has improved because of digitalization. The results show that the opportunity for improved participation, through digitalization, has contributed to a greater opportunity for participants, problems, solutions, and decision making to coincide.