Which Way to Livable and Productive Cities?

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Author :
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 1464814058
Total Pages : 59 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (648 download)

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Book Synopsis Which Way to Livable and Productive Cities? by : Kirsten Hommann

Download or read book Which Way to Livable and Productive Cities? written by Kirsten Hommann and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2019-04-18 with total page 59 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For African cities to grow economically as they have grown in size, they must create productive environments to attract investments, increase economic efficiency, and create livable environments that prevent urban costs from rising with increased population densification. What are the central obstacles that prevent African cities and towns from becoming sustainable engines of economic growth and prosperity? Among the most critical factors that limit the growth and livability of urban areas are land markets, investments in public infrastructure and assets, and the institutions to enable both. To unleash the potential of African cities and towns for delivering services and employment in a livable and environmentally friendly environment, a sequenced approach is needed to reform institutions and policies and to target infrastructure investments. This book lays out three foundations that need fixing to guide cities and towns throughout Sub-Saharan Africa on their way to productivity and livability.

Creating Livable Cities

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Author :
Publisher : Inter-American Development Bank
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 120 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Creating Livable Cities by : African Development Bank

Download or read book Creating Livable Cities written by African Development Bank and published by Inter-American Development Bank. This book was released on 2019-10-08 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The shift of people from rural areas to cities and urban towns in developing and emerging economies is one of the most profound demographic changes happening globally. Cities all over the world offer significant opportunities to transform human well-being, catalyze economic development, and serve as incubators for new ideas. Rapid urbanization is often linked to improved economic opportunities, better access to health and education services, and improved living conditions. However, underinvestment in infrastructure and services and weak urban governance, planning and financing frameworks can undermine urbanization’s potential to serve as the engine of green and inclusive growth and development.

Place, Productivity, and Prosperity

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Author :
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 1464817944
Total Pages : 309 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (648 download)

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Book Synopsis Place, Productivity, and Prosperity by : Arti Grover

Download or read book Place, Productivity, and Prosperity written by Arti Grover and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2022-02-08 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Place matters for productivity and prosperity. Myriad factors support a successful place, including not only the hard infrastructure such as roads, but also the softer elements such as worker skills, entrepreneurial ability, and well-functioning institutions. History suggests that prosperous places tend to persist, while “left behind†? regions, or those hurt by climatic, technological, or commercial shocks, struggle to catch up. This division gives rise to demands to “do something†? about the subsequent spatial inequality. Such pressures often result in costly spatially targeted policies whose outcomes disappoint because of a lack of analysis of the underlying barriers to growth and structural transformation and a fair appraisal of the possibility of overcoming them. The latest volume of the World Bank Productivity Project series, Place, Productivity, and Prosperity: Revisiting Spatially Targeted Policies for Regional Development makes three broad contributions. First, it provides new analytical and empirical insights into the three drivers of economic geography—agglomeration economies, migration, and distance—and the way in which they interact. Second, it argues that these forces are playing out differently in developing countries than they have in advanced countries: urbanization is not accompanied by structural transformation, leaving cities simply crowded and accruing all the negative aspects of urbanization without being productively concentrated. Long-term amelioration of poverty in lagging regions requires advancing the overall national agenda of structural change and productivity growth. Third, the volume provides a heuristic framework with which to inform policy makers’ assessments of place-based policy proposals, enabling them to identify the regions in which policy is likely to have an impact and those that are nonviable; to clarify the implications of various policy options; to think critically about policy design priorities, including necessary complementary policies to, for instance, infrastructure investment; and to navigate implementation challenges.

Livable Cities from a Global Perspective

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Author :
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1315523396
Total Pages : 301 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (155 download)

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Book Synopsis Livable Cities from a Global Perspective by : Roger W. Caves

Download or read book Livable Cities from a Global Perspective written by Roger W. Caves and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-05-11 with total page 301 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Livable Cities from a Global Perspective offers case studies from around the world on how cities approach livability. They address the fundamental question, what is considered "livable?" The journey each city has taken or is currently taking is unique and context specific. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to livability. Some cities have had a long history of developing livability policies and programs that focus on equity, economic, and environmental concerns, while other cities are relatively new to the game. In some areas, government has taken the lead while in other areas, grassroots activism has been the impetus for livability policies and programs. The challenge facing our cities is not simply developing a livability program. We must continually monitor and readjust policies and programs to meet the livability needs of all people. The case studies investigate livability issues in such cities as Austin, Texas; Helsinki, Finland; London, United Kingdom; Warsaw, Poland; Tehran, Iran; Salt Lake City, United States; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Sydney, Australia; and Cape Town, South Africa. The chapters are organized into such themes as livability in capital city regions, livability and growth and development, livability and equity concerns, livability and metrics, and creating livability. Each chapter provides unique insights into how a specific area has responded to calls for livable cities. In doing so, the book adds to the existing literature in the field of livable cities and provides policy makers and other organizations with information and alternative strategies that have been developed and implemented in an effort to become a livable city.

Governance and Leadership in Shrinking Cities

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Author :
Publisher : Taylor & Francis
ISBN 13 : 1000927547
Total Pages : 218 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (9 download)

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Book Synopsis Governance and Leadership in Shrinking Cities by : Stanisław Mazur

Download or read book Governance and Leadership in Shrinking Cities written by Stanisław Mazur and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2023-08-24 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The aim of this publication is to look in depth at depopulation - a trend that is affecting an increasing number of cities worldwide. It has recently become a critical issue with a range of detrimental social, economic, spatial, and financial consequences. However, attempts by central and local governments to combat depopulation have yet to yield satisfactory results. Compelling evidence suggests that one of the reasons for this state of affairs is that the role of local (urban) leadership in devising solutions, mobilizing resources, and creating networks to address the problem has been underestimated. Moreover, according to the authors of this monograph, there is a significant positive correlation between urban leadership and the ability to effectively respond to and counteract the negative effects of depopulation. Without an understanding of the impact of urban leadership on the ability to address the negative consequences of urban depopulation, it is impossible to pursue effective public policies in this regard. This book presents a novel approach to explaining the ability of cities to combat depopulation through the prism of urban leadership quality. It compares domestic empirical research findings with international case studies, and offers a comprehensive review of valuable practices to counter urban shrinkage and depopulation, from both academic and practical perspectives. Further, the book provides a new interpretation of the processes associated with these trends. The magnitude of the phenomenon in question, the negative spatial, economic, and social consequences, as well as the relatively low effectiveness of policies aimed at its mitigation, will make this book an invaluable guide for researchers, and students from a wide range of disciplines including urban studies, economics, public management, leadership studies, local government, climate change and energy transition and urban movements. The audience will also comprise of policymakers and urban experts such as sociologists, planners, social geographers, economists, and architects.

Partnerships for Livable Cities

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Author :
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 3030400603
Total Pages : 358 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (34 download)

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Book Synopsis Partnerships for Livable Cities by : Cor van Montfort

Download or read book Partnerships for Livable Cities written by Cor van Montfort and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-06-29 with total page 358 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this volume scholars from around the world discuss the innovative forms of collaboration between public and private actors that contribute to making our cities more liveable. It offers helpful insights into the practices of partnerships and the ways in which partnerships can contribute to a more liveable urban environment. The liveability of our cities is a topic of increasing relevance and urgency. The world’s cities are becoming congested and polluted, putting pressure on affordable housing and causing safety to become a major problem. Urban governments are unable to address these major challenges on their own, and thus they seek cooperation with other governments, companies, civil society organizations, and citizens. By focusing on examples such as greenery in the city, affordable housing, safety, neighbourhood revitalization, and ‘learning by doing’ in urban living labs, this book asks two key questions. How do partnerships between public and private actors contribute to the liveability of cities? Under what conditions are partnerships successful, and when do they fail to yield the desired results?

The Palgrave Handbook of Urban Development Planning in Africa

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Author :
Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 303106089X
Total Pages : 386 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (31 download)

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Book Synopsis The Palgrave Handbook of Urban Development Planning in Africa by : Meleckidzedeck Khayesi

Download or read book The Palgrave Handbook of Urban Development Planning in Africa written by Meleckidzedeck Khayesi and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2022-11-25 with total page 386 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Where can one get a synthesis of research findings on urban development planning in Africa? This book addresses this gap in knowledge by distilling existing research to provide insights into theories, research designs, empirical findings and approaches on urban development planning in Africa. Starting with the overall planning culture and strategies, the book chapters move on to specific themes such as governance, population, poverty, water, recreation, transport, agriculture, air quality and rural-urban linkages. This book reduces the prevailing risk of unnecessary duplication of research and the inadequate attention that is being given to extending research in new areas. This situation has partly been due to existing research remaining scattered in different organizations and publications and has not been subjected to critical synthesis to unearth any new developments that it contains. The book makes available research findings to be utilized in current and future urban development planning in Africa.

Creating Livable Asian Cities

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Author :
Publisher : Asian Development Bank
ISBN 13 : 929262783X
Total Pages : 588 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (926 download)

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Book Synopsis Creating Livable Asian Cities by : Bambang Susantono

Download or read book Creating Livable Asian Cities written by Bambang Susantono and published by Asian Development Bank. This book was released on 2021-04-01 with total page 588 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores how Asia's fast-growing cities can fulfil their potential as engines of economic prosperity and provide a livable environment for all citizens. But for this to happen, major challenges that reduce urban communities' quality of life and economic opportunities must be addressed. These include poor planning, a lack of affordable housing, inequalities, pollution, climate vulnerabilities, and urban infrastructure deficits. The book's 19 articles unwrap these challenges and present solutions focused on smart and inclusive planning, sustainable transport and energy, innovative financing, and resilience and rejuvenation.

Africa's Cities

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Author :
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 1464810451
Total Pages : 164 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (648 download)

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Book Synopsis Africa's Cities by : Somik Vinay Lall

Download or read book Africa's Cities written by Somik Vinay Lall and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2017-02-09 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cities in Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing rapid population growth. Yet their economic growth has not kept pace. Why? One factor might be low capital investment, due in part to Africa’s relative poverty: Other regions have reached similar stages of urbanization at higher per capita GDP. This study, however, identifies a deeper reason: African cities are closed to the world. Compared with other developing cities, cities in Africa produce few goods and services for trade on regional and international markets To grow economically as they are growing in size, Africa’s cities must open their doors to the world. They need to specialize in manufacturing, along with other regionally and globally tradable goods and services. And to attract global investment in tradables production, cities must develop scale economies, which are associated with successful urban economic development in other regions. Such scale economies can arise in Africa, and they will—if city and country leaders make concerted efforts to bring agglomeration effects to urban areas. Today, potential urban investors and entrepreneurs look at Africa and see crowded, disconnected, and costly cities. Such cities inspire low expectations for the scale of urban production and for returns on invested capital. How can these cities become economically dense—not merely crowded? How can they acquire efficient connections? And how can they draw firms and skilled workers with a more affordable, livable urban environment? From a policy standpoint, the answer must be to address the structural problems affecting African cities. Foremost among these problems are institutional and regulatory constraints that misallocate land and labor, fragment physical development, and limit productivity. As long as African cities lack functioning land markets and regulations and early, coordinated infrastructure investments, they will remain local cities: closed to regional and global markets, trapped into producing only locally traded goods and services, and limited in their economic growth.

Mexico Urbanization Review

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Author :
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 1464809178
Total Pages : 144 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (648 download)

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Book Synopsis Mexico Urbanization Review by : Yoonhee Kim

Download or read book Mexico Urbanization Review written by Yoonhee Kim and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2016-09-15 with total page 144 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite impressive economic growth and increasing prosperity, cities in Mexico do not seem to have fully captured the benefits of urban agglomeration, in part because of rapid and uncoordinated urban growth. Recent expansion of many Mexican cities has been distant, disconnected, and dispersed, driven mainly by large single-use housing developments on the outskirts of cities. The lack of a coordinated approach to urban development has hindered the ability of cities in Mexico to boost economic growth and foster inclusive development. It also has created a fissure between new housing developments and urban services, infrastructure, and access to employment. Mexico Urbanization Review: Managing Spatial Growth for Productive and Livable Cities in Mexico provides an analytical basis to understand how well-managed urban growth can help Mexican cities to capture the positive gains associated with urbanization. To this end, the authors analyze the development patterns of the 100 largest Mexican cities using a set of spatial indexes. They then examine how the recent urban growth has affected the economic performance and livability of Mexican cities and offer recommendations for adjusting urban policy frameworks and instruments in ways that support sustainable spatial development and make cities more productive and inclusive.

The Egyptian Economy in the Twenty-first Century

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Author :
Publisher : American University in Cairo Press
ISBN 13 : 1649033001
Total Pages : 354 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (49 download)

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Book Synopsis The Egyptian Economy in the Twenty-first Century by : Khalid Ikram

Download or read book The Egyptian Economy in the Twenty-first Century written by Khalid Ikram and published by American University in Cairo Press. This book was released on 2022-11-29 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A multi-faceted account of Egyptian economic development by nineteen internationally recognized authorities and the critical challenges the economy is likely to face in the next twenty years The Egyptian Economy in the Twenty-first Century addresses the question of why Egypt, despite possessing a plethora of assets—such as a fertile agriculture, a strategic geographic location, oil and gas deposits, innumerable tourist sites, a labor force prized by regional countries, and a diaspora that remits large amounts of funds—has seldom performed to its economic potential during the last sixty years. Indeed, economic weakness created political weakness, and often exposed the country to foreign diktats. What should the country do to change this state of affairs? Nineteen internationally recognized authorities on the Egyptian economy discuss the critical challenges that the Egyptian economy is likely to face in the next two to three decades, challenges which must be overcome in order to improve the life of Egypt’s citizens and to protect the country from external pressures. Their analyses cover population and employment; development strategies; principal macroeconomic issues; development of a digital economy; fiscal and monetary matters; the external sector; poverty and income distribution; the enterprise structure; higher education; water availability; urbanization; institutional performance; and many others. Contributors: - Gouda Abdel Khalek, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt - Khaled M. Abu-Zeid, Regional Water Resources, CEDARE (Center for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe), Cairo, Egypt. - Fatma El Ashmawy, World Bank. - Ragui Assaad, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA - Izak Atiyas, Economic Research Forum, Cairo, Egypt. - Marwa Biltagy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. - Lahcen Bounader, International Monetary Fund. - Ishac Diwan, École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France. - Ahmed Ghoneim, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. - Khalid Ikram, Washington DC, USA. - Karima Korayem, al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. - Heba el-Laithy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. - Noha el-Mikawy, Ford Foundation, Middle East and North Africa, Cairo, Egypt. - Mohamed Mohieddin, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt. - Heba Nassar, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. - Osman Mohamed Osman, Cairo, Egypt. - Noha Razek, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. - David Sims, Cairo, Egypt. - John Waterbury, Princeton, New Jersey.

Order without Design

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Author :
Publisher : MIT Press
ISBN 13 : 0262038765
Total Pages : 433 pages
Book Rating : 4.2/5 (62 download)

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Book Synopsis Order without Design by : Alain Bertaud

Download or read book Order without Design written by Alain Bertaud and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2018-12-04 with total page 433 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An argument that operational urban planning can be improved by the application of the tools of urban economics to the design of regulations and infrastructure. Urban planning is a craft learned through practice. Planners make rapid decisions that have an immediate impact on the ground—the width of streets, the minimum size of land parcels, the heights of buildings. The language they use to describe their objectives is qualitative—“sustainable,” “livable,” “resilient”—often with no link to measurable outcomes. Urban economics, on the other hand, is a quantitative science, based on theories, models, and empirical evidence largely developed in academic settings. In this book, the eminent urban planner Alain Bertaud argues that applying the theories of urban economics to the practice of urban planning would greatly improve both the productivity of cities and the welfare of urban citizens. Bertaud explains that markets provide the indispensable mechanism for cities' development. He cites the experience of cities without markets for land or labor in pre-reform China and Russia; this “urban planners' dream” created inefficiencies and waste. Drawing on five decades of urban planning experience in forty cities around the world, Bertaud links cities' productivity to the size of their labor markets; argues that the design of infrastructure and markets can complement each other; examines the spatial distribution of land prices and densities; stresses the importance of mobility and affordability; and critiques the land use regulations in a number of cities that aim at redesigning existing cities instead of just trying to alleviate clear negative externalities. Bertaud concludes by describing the new role that joint teams of urban planners and economists could play to improve the way cities are managed.

Infrastructure in Africa

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Author :
Publisher : Policy Press
ISBN 13 : 1447326636
Total Pages : 720 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (473 download)

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Book Synopsis Infrastructure in Africa by : Ncube, Mthuli

Download or read book Infrastructure in Africa written by Ncube, Mthuli and published by Policy Press. This book was released on 2017-03-31 with total page 720 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents a comprehensive account and analysis of the current state of infrastructure in Africa with an unprecedented level of detail. Covering nearly twenty specific topical issues for the ongoing development of African infrastructure--including the economic and political aspects of infrastructure development, financing and the mobilization of domestic resources, and the potential for social inclusion--the volume explicitly challenges current policy, practice, and thinking in this area.

Livable Cities?

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Author :
Publisher : Univ of California Press
ISBN 13 : 0520230256
Total Pages : 292 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (22 download)

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Book Synopsis Livable Cities? by : Peter B. Evans

Download or read book Livable Cities? written by Peter B. Evans and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2002-02 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The cities of the developing world are hubs of economic growth, but they are increasingly ecologically unsustainable and unliveable. This book explores the issues of livelihood and ecological sustainability in cities of the developing world.

International Comparative Perspectives on the Treatment of “Urban Diseases”

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Author :
Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1000566390
Total Pages : 336 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (5 download)

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Book Synopsis International Comparative Perspectives on the Treatment of “Urban Diseases” by : Lu Xiaocheng

Download or read book International Comparative Perspectives on the Treatment of “Urban Diseases” written by Lu Xiaocheng and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2022-03-30 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With an integration of theories, comparative and empirical studies, this book aims to find a treatment for Beijing’s “urban diseases” and coordinate a low-carbon development plan for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in China. Unprecedented industrialization and unconventional urbanization caused a series of “urban diseases” for developing cities across the globe. By summarizing and exploring the evolution and phased characteristics of “urban diseases”, the author implements theories across classical sociology, human ecology, community school, and low-carbon city as the base for policy recommendations. This book also provides in-depth examinations and comparative studies of other metropolises’ experiences in controlling “urban diseases”. Cities such as New York, London, and Tokyo were modeled to propose the most appropriate low-carbon development plan for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. With a focus on developing cities in Northern China, this book will be a great read to all scholars and students of environmental studies, development studies, urban studies, and contemporary China studies. It will also be a great addition for those who are interested in social conflicts and economic development.

Smart Energy for Transportation and Health in a Smart City

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Author :
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1119790336
Total Pages : 580 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (197 download)

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Book Synopsis Smart Energy for Transportation and Health in a Smart City by : Chun Sing Lai

Download or read book Smart Energy for Transportation and Health in a Smart City written by Chun Sing Lai and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2022-12-13 with total page 580 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A comprehensive review of the advances of smart cities’ smart energy, transportation, infrastructure, and health Smart Energy for Transportation and Health in a Smart City offers an essential guide to the functions, characteristics, and domains of smart cities and the energy technology necessary to sustain them. The authors—noted experts on the topic—include the theoretical underpinnings, the practical information, and the potential benefits for the development of smart cities. The book includes information on various financial models of energy storage, the management of networked micro-grids, coordination of virtual energy storage systems, reliability modeling and assessment of cyber space, and the development of a vehicle-to-grid voltage support. The authors review smart transportation elements such as the advanced metering infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, power system dispatching with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and the best practices for low power wide area network technologies. In addition, the book explores smart health that is based on the Internet of Things and smart devices that can help improve patient care processes and decrease costs while maintaining quality. This important resource: Examines the challenges and opportunities that arise with the development of smart cities Presents a state-of-the-art financial models of smart energy storage Clearly explores the elements of a smart city based on the advancement of information and communication technology Contains a review of advances in smart health for smart cities Includes a variety of real-life case studies that illustrate the various components of a smart city Written for practicing engineers and engineering students, Smart Energy for Transportation and Health in Smart Cities offers a practical guide to the various aspects that create a sustainable smart city.

Africa's Cities

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Author :
Publisher : World Bank Publications
ISBN 13 : 9781464810442
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (14 download)

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Book Synopsis Africa's Cities by : Somik V. Lall

Download or read book Africa's Cities written by Somik V. Lall and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2017 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cities in Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing rapid population growth. Yet their economic growth has not kept pace. Why? One factor might be low capital investment, due in part to Africa's relative poverty: Other regions have reached similar stages of urbanization at higher per capita GDP. This study, however, identifies a deeper reason: African cities are closed to the world. Compared with other developing cities, cities in Africa produce few goods and services for trade on regional and international markets To grow economically as they are growing in size, Africa's cities must open their doors to the world. They need to specialize in manufacturing, along with other regionally and globally tradable goods and services. And to attract global investment in tradables production, cities must develop scale economies, which are associated with successful urban economic development in other regions. Such scale economies can arise in Africa, and they will--if city and country leaders make concerted efforts to bring agglomeration effects to urban areas. Today, potential urban investors and entrepreneurs look at Africa and see crowded, disconnected, and costly cities. Such cities inspire low expectations for the scale of urban production and for returns on invested capital. How can these cities become economically dense--not merely crowded? How can they acquire efficient connections? And how can they draw firms and skilled workers with a more affordable, livable urban environment? From a policy standpoint, the answer must be to address the structural problems affecting African cities. Foremost among these problems are institutional and regulatory constraints that misallocate land and labor, fragment physical development, and limit productivity. As long as African cities lack functioning land markets and regulations and early, coordinated infrastructure investments, they will remain local cities: closed to regional and global markets, trapped into producing only locally traded goods and services, and limited in their economic growth.