bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The (latent) engine of cities
Authors: Salvati Luca
Published: February 2019

L'étude des processus de changement dans les structures spatiales régionales est un problème pertinent dans l'identification de modèles urbains mono-centriques, polycentriques et dispersés. Cet article propose un cadre empirique qui se réfère à la théorie du système complexe et basé sur une analyse diachronique de la structure spatiale des parcelles construites dans le but d'évaluer les transformations métropolitaines. Une approche relationnelle basée sur 13 métriques (zone et forme de parcelle, zone de parcelle la plus proche et forme, élévation, distances des centres urbains, infrastructures routières et littoral de la mer) a été développée pour étudier la direction et l'intensité de la relation spatiale entre les attributs des parcelles individuelles. L'objectif final est d'évaluer le niveau de monocentrisme ou de polycentrisme des régions métropolitaines dans différents contextes socio-économiques. La méthodologie proposée a été appliquée à l'analyse de l'expansion à long terme (1948-2012) de la région métropolitaine d'Athènes (Grèce), considérée comme un exemple représentatif du passage de la compacité urbaine à la dispersion. Les structures simplifiées monocentriques observées en 1948 et 1975 ont été caractérisées par une dichotomie persistante entre les villes centrales et les districts périphériques. Depuis le début des années 1990, le passage d'une organisation spatiale mono-centrée à des structures plus dispersées a déterminé une augmentation rapide de l'entropie morphologique et de la dimension fractale des parcelles construites, avec une diminution de l'importance de la distance aux villes centrales comme facteur qui influence l'expansion des zones urbaines. Notre approche intègre l'analyse socio-économique dans une perspective d'écologie du paysage et contribue à comprendre les relations entre le développement local et les changements dans la configuration spatiale des régions métropolitaines, fournissant une base opérationnelle pour la classification supervisée des modèles et des processus d'expansion urbaine. Classification JEL  : Q01, Q24, R14, R23
A Perception on Green Production in Textile Industry for Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Erdil Ayşenur , Erdil Mehtap
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate and determine the most appropriate strategy according to the results of applied methodologies and literature about waste management for the textile sector. In this research, improvement of this concept for textile sector in Turkey has been implemented by using SWOT analysis integrated with AHP framework. Based on this, the most appropriate strategy has been chosen for this industry. According to this destination, SWOT analysis has been applied and alternative strategies have been determined which are based on green production and waste management of textile products for this sector. Then this SWOT matrix has been converted into a hierarchical structure. Thus, AHP model of this application has been formed with this perception via this methodology. Consequently, determination a management strategy within environmentally oriented production for this industry will be provided to contribute the environmental sustainability. Also, this study will be given a point of general view and approach for the importance of green production and consumption.
Strategic Implementation of Green Public Procurement in the City of Buenos Aires
Authors: Harper Leslie Elizabeth , Sanchez Daniel
Published: February 2019

As public procurement systems around the world continue their modernization process, many countries are including a new objective in their reform efforts: the implementation of public policies in the procurement process. This has been a growing trend in Latin America, where countries have shown leadership in incorporating public policies into their modernization plans, being a perfect example is the introduction of green public procurement standards. There is particular interest in incorporating sustainability in public procurement at the sub-national level where governments are directly responsible for the provision of citizen services. In the case of Argentina, the Government of the City of Buenos Aires is at the forefront of public procurement modernization, leading the country in green public procurement strategies. This chapter explores the principles and global trends that have influenced the City of Buenos Aires in implementing green public procurement and provides insight on the economic rationale and potential benefits for one of the largest metropolitan regions in LAC.
Green Public Procurement Initiatives in East African Community (EAC)
Authors: Shakya Rajesh Kumar
Published: February 2019

This chapter focuses on the green public procurement initiatives taken by the countries in the East Africa. The East African Community (EAC) Head of States signed the East African Monetary Protocol Union (EMPU) protocol on November 30, 2013. One of the key ingredients in having a sustainable monetary union is to harmonize public financial management systems amongst the EAC Partner States and the EAMU protocol has referred the provision of harmonization of public procurement policies. The first stakeholder' workshop on the harmonization of public financial management standards in line with the EAC Monetary Union Protocol held during March 14-17, 2014 in Nairobi, Kenya identified green public procurement (GPP) strategy as one of the key policy areas requiring development and harmonization across the member states. This initiative should also be viewed in the context of the Member States' Public Procurement Reform Initiatives, which contains a suite of measures in relation to public procurement. Reform of the public procurement function is, and remains, driven by the need to obtain maximum value for public money in procuring works, supplies, and services.
Green Public Procurement in Bhutan
Authors: Shakya Rajesh Kumar , Lama Pem
Published: February 2019

Bhutan is a developing country in Asia with a strong commitment to environment and sustainability. While most of the developing world is still trying to explore the opportunities to formulate the Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) policies and legislation, Bhutan has successfully implemented the Green Public Procurement in Bhutan (GPP Bhutan) project. The three-year project started in 2014 and ended in June 2017. It has conducted research, trained public procurers, sensitized suppliers, and piloted green public procurement projects to introduce and implement green procurement in the country. This chapter aims to discuss how the government of Bhutan has embraced the value of green public procurement (GPP) and is setting an example for other countries of how to leverage the power of the public purse to advance sustainable development. The chapter presents the success story of Bhutan from the perspective of its implementation approaches. The Bhutan strategy encompasses all spheres of national policies in line with the sustainable or green public procurement (GPP)—whereby government authorities seek to procure goods, services, and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle, as well as with an increased positive social impact—that have the potential to drive sustainable growth in Bhutan. The chapter also at places points to Bhutan's various national policies and strategies and illustrates some examples and experiences that other emerging countries can learn from.
Examining the Factors Shaping the Debate Around the Globalization of Higher Education
Authors: Sarantinos Vlasios
Published: February 2019

The chapter explores the impact globalization has created for the higher education sector, looking at how the landscape evolved across the world and how the role of universities has been transformed. Extending the analysis further, there is an investigation of how institutions have tried to respond to the emerging challenges and opportunities presented as a consequence of the shifting field. The focus then moves to the African continent and peruses the particular development of higher education under the influence of colonial legacy and globalization, examining how institutions have endeavored to adapt. The chapter draws to an end with a reflection of the main issues, inherent limitations, and how the research agenda could be taken further.
Internationalization and Higher Education
Authors: Nogueira Rosa , Moreira António Carrizo
Published: February 2019

Education is the most successful strategy for a country's growth and development. It is widely agreed that it is the most effective means that society possesses for dealing with the challenges of the future. Nevertheless, higher education has been confronted and needs, therefore, to redefine its historic role as the center of universal knowledge and understanding. This chapter analyzes the importance of internationalization on higher education institutions and enable us to better understand how they are changing as a consequence of the globalization process. Using the University of Aveiro as a case study, we will be studying what internationalization is in a higher education context and which rationales, approaches, and activities are associated with the internationalization process. Furthermore, the appropriateness of theories of internationalization specifically developed for business contexts will be portrayed at the end of the chapter.
The Case of Public Capital Budgeting and Management Process in Germany
Authors: Ermasova Natalia B.
Published: February 2019

This chapter presents an analysis of four main components of the German capital budgeting system including (1) long-term public capital planning, (2) annual public budgeting and financing, (3) project execution, and (4) public infrastructure evaluation. Germany provides good conditions for capital investments. This chapter explains main reasons for it: institutional framework, healthy public finance, structural reform, and special investment and redemption fund that gave a boost to investments in infrastructure. This case describes the capital budgeting process in Germany and explains the recent trends of public capital investments.
Capital Budgeting, Infrastructure, and Capital Investment in the Republic of Uzbekistan
Authors: Guzman Tatyana
Published: February 2019

This chapter offers a macro-level review of the capital budgeting process and practices, capital investment projects, and capital funding in the post-Soviet Republic of Uzbekistan. The chapter discusses some of the major challenges related to capital investment and capital budgeting that Uzbekistan faced after the collapse of the Soviet Union, how the country has overcome some of these challenges in 27 years of independence, and what issues remain unresolved. The chapter additionally describes the most sizeable and impactful recent capital investment projects and the role government played in their financing. Finally, the chapter provides a comparison between capital budgeting practices in Uzbekistan, some post-Soviet republics, and the United States.
Capital Management and Budgeting Processes in Albania
Authors: Beckett-Camarata Jane
Published: February 2019

This chapter investigates, analyzes, and compares capital management and budgeting processes in Albania and the implications for road and highway infrastructure investment. It is a case study of Albania's capital management and budgeting processes seen through the framework of the Srithongrung, Yusuf, and Kriz normative model. The analysis and insights derived suggest a mixed picture of the contribution that the current capital management and budgeting processes make on the country's capital investment and its economic growth and development. Albania's capital management and budgeting processes are not consistent with the normative framework as follows: (1) the fragmentation and political involvement in capital improvement planning (CIP), (2) forecasting bias and fragmentation in the forecasting process resulting in misalignment and lack of prioritizing new capital investments, (3) shortcomings in the capital financing strategies stemming from court decisions and weak budgetary controls, (4) centralized execution and project management in monitoring highways maintenance.
Infrastructure Development in Burkina Faso
Authors: Koala Kouliga , Steinfeld Joshua
Published: February 2019

In Burkina Faso, the public capital management and budgeting framework is the MTEF. The budgeting method is the PBB. While Burkina has a budgeting framework and method, it is not clear how effectively they work when it comes to capital budgeting for infrastructure development, unlike developed countries where the framework and method are completely developed and clearly laid out. It is important to understand how Burkina integrates components of a normative framework such as long-term public capital planning, capital budgeting and financial management, centralized execution and project management, and infrastructure maintenance. The chapter focuses on providing a comparison of capital budgeting in Burkina and the normative framework. Exploring the literature and government documents, the authors show that Burkina theoretically addresses some of the elements of the normative components while practically, the country's use of most elements is weak and non-existent. The unique factors that inhibit the normative framework are highlighted and ten recommendations are provided.
Capital Management and Budgeting Practices in Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Jiseul
Published: February 2019

The author aims to provide a comprehensive understanding about the current capital management and budgeting practices (CMBP) in the Republic of Korea (hereafter Korea). The book chapter starts with description of the importance of public capital assets and several issues of the current infrastructure system. It then provides the background of Korea's public infrastructure, political regime, and government institutions. Based on the suggested normative framework, the author specifically describes the four major components of CMBP: capital planning, capital budgeting and financial management, centralized execution and project management, infrastructure maintenance. Following the analysis of the current CMBP practices, some of reform ideas are discussed in the conclusion.
Capital Management and Budgeting in Taiwan
Authors: Liao Wei-Jie , Kuo Nai-Ling
Published: February 2019

In this chapter, the authors provide an overview of Taiwan's public infrastructure system using the recommended normative framework presented in Chapter 1. In general, most of Taiwan's practices fit the requirements suggested in Chapter 1. However, there are still rooms for improvements in prioritization, debt affordability analysis, and infrastructure maintenance. In addition, the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model and the so-called “Mosquito Buildings” also feature Taiwan's capital management and budgeting process and are discussed in this chapter. Nowadays, Taiwanese governments place much emphasis on disaster prevention, environmental protection, and renewable energy. These new trends may also affect Taiwan's capital management and budgeting process.
The Vietnam Capital Management and Budgeting Case Study
Authors: Nguyen Lien , Jordan Meagan M. , Nguyen Thuy Thi
Published: February 2019

Divided into four parts, this chapter examines infrastructure investment in Vietnam through the lens of a normative framework for capital management and budgeting. Part 1 provides an overview of the country's socio-economic, political, and financial background that would affect the capital management processes. Part 2 introduces the status of Vietnam's infrastructure and its challenges. Part 3 is a comprehensive review of current procedures and processes of capital planning, budgeting, implementation, and maintenance being practiced in Vietnam. The authors then compare and contrast Vietnam's practices with the recommended provisions of the normative framework. Part 4 reviews the probable consequences associated with infrastructure inefficiency, which are implied by Vietnam's inconsistent practices with the framework. This chapter culminates with conclusions and recommendations for capital management and budgeting that are more specific to a developing country like Vietnam.
Summary, Initial Observations, and Getting to a Tentative Theory of Public Investment Behavior
Authors: Srithongrung Arwiphawee , Yusuf Juita-Elena (Wie)
Published: February 2019

This chapter evaluates the 12 countries' capital management practices according to the systematic public capital management and budgeting process described in Chapter 1. The chapter characterizes and classifies the management practices of the twelve countries based on the authors' evaluation using the case study descriptions. The authors offer some initial observations based on comparisons across the case study countries and analysis of relationships between capital management and budgeting practices and political, economic, and public sector variables. The chapter proposes a tentative theory of public investment behavior and offers five propositions regarding the factors driving different practices across the case study countries and the consequences of a systematic capital management and budgeting process.
Exploring the Adoptions by Students of Web 2.0 Tools for E-Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Mata Liliana , Panisoara Georgeta , Fat Silvia , Panisoara Ion-Ovidiu , Lazar Iulia
Published: February 2019

Optimal public policies, including education, have been applied for the sustainable economic growth of the European Union. In European countries, the use of Web 2.0 tools for increasing the education quality is constantly expanding, even if it is divided into two categories. One category consists of developed countries, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members where there are the strongest of computing tools companies. Another category consists of OECD partner countries which hopes to fulfill the OECD requirements. The main study aim is the exploration of Web 2.0 tools adoptions for e-learning in one OECD candidate. A case study details how behavioral perceptions have been applied. Thus, a survey containing questions about socio-demographic characteristics alongside respondents' perceptions related to Web 2.0 tools for e-learning in higher education was applied. The research outcomes confirm the students' limited knowledge of Web 2.0. Authorities must indicate what measures are necessary for large-scale adoption of all Web 2.0 tools useful for education.
Value-Added Products From Food Waste
Authors: Gunjal Baban Baburao
Published: February 2019

Food waste is the most challenging issue humankind is facing worldwide. Food waste, which consists of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and inorganic compounds, is a biodegradable waste discharged from food processing industries, households, and hospitality sectors. The management of food waste is very important. The food waste generated is usually incinerated or dumped in open areas which may cause severe health and environmental issues. The management of food waste can be done by conversion to different value-added products, for example, phytochemicals, bioactive compounds, food supplements, livestock feed, dietary fibers, biopigments and colorants, emulsifiers, edible and essential oils, biopreservatives, biofertilizers, biofuels, and single cell proteins. The value-added products from food waste will be very eco-friendly. The chapter will focus on different value-added products from food waste.
Microbiological Monitoring in the Biodegradation of Food Waste
Authors: Pandey Satish Chandra , Pandey Anupam , Joshi Tushar , Pande Veni , Sati Diksha , Samant Mukesh
Published: February 2019

Food wastage and its exponential growth emerged as a global environmental issue, and its improper disposal has become a threat to human health and environment. Deterioration of food wastes releases various greenhouse gases that increases global warming and produces large amounts of toxins and foul odors, such as NH3 and H2S. To reduce this burden there is an urgent need to take appropriate measures by adopting standard management strategies. Microorganisms play an important role in food waste recycling, which appears to be cost-effective and causes less harm to the environment. One such process is anaerobic digestion, which has appeared as one of the most promising and eco-friendly approaches for management that converts organic waste into various useful products. Another sustainable approach is composting. Compost generated by food waste improves soil health and regenerates healthier environment. Thus, through the use of microorganisms, the study paves the way for effective management of food waste in order to minimize potential human and environmental risks.
Sustainable Management of Coffee and Cocoa Agro-Waste
Authors: Murthy Pushpa S. , Desai Nivas Manohar , G. B. Siridevi
Published: February 2019

Agricultural waste is not only a sustainability problem related to food security but also an economic problem since it has a direct impact on the profitability of entire food supply chain. Sustainable management of agricultural waste is a systematic approach towards reducing waste and its allied impacts over the entire life cycle, starting with the use of natural resources, production, sales, and consumption, and ending either with final disposal or recovery. Management of agro-waste focuses on three main aspects (i.e., recycle, reuse, and reduce [R3]). Building on this familiar concept of “R3” will impact environmental protection and more fully recognize the impacts of the food and agriculture wasted. Thus, in the chapter, the authors highlight the sustainable utilization of waste generated from coffee and cocoa processing for the development of value-added products.
Various Approaches for Food Waste Processing and Its Management
Authors: Pandey Anupam , Tripathi Priyanka Harishchandra , Paliwal Ashutosh , Tripathi Ankita Harishchandra , Pandey Satish Chandra , Joshi Tushar , Pande Veena
Published: February 2019

Food wastage is a huge crisis arising in today's world. An extensive amount of waste generation has become a serious concern of our society in the past years that affects developing and developed countries equally, and according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as much as one-third of the food intentionally grown for human consumption is never consumed and is therefore wasted, with significant environmental, social, and economic ramifications. By wasting food, we also waste the time and energy that we have used to produce the food and as well our natural resources and the limited available agricultural land will be used up which could be handled in a much better and sustainable way. Additionally, waste has a strong financial impact and affects the environment including the overall greenhouse gas emission. In an increasingly resource-constrained world, it is imperative to reduce the high environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with this type of waste.
Understanding the Composition of Food Waste
Authors: Ogwu Matthew Chidozie
Published: February 2019

Due to existing application gap, the diverse microorganisms and their processes in food waste have not been maximally explored or harnessed. This chapter addresses the possible application of “-omics” technologies to understand food waste microbial composition and metabolic processes, to stimulate future research in mining food waste for important microorganisms and bioactive compounds. The chapter highlights potential “-omics” procedures for food waste assessments. These innovative, culture-independent, high-throughput technologies have already revolutionized diverse fields of research and human endeavors. This chapter also introduces the concept of food wastomics to detect, identify, and measure the different molecules and microorganisms that are present and expressed in food waste such as DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, and metabolites. This knowledge will create a greater understanding of how discarded food is degraded and what useful products or organisms may be harvested from it. Finally, the chapter recommends the integration of food wastomics into foodomics.
The Pursuit of Zero Food Waste
Authors: Jain Bhavika , Khosla Arun , Chand Kulbhushan , Ahuja Kiran
Published: February 2019

Games are ordered activities, generally undertaken for recreation. The design elements of these games are being used by people all around the planet to make this world a better place. The opportunities for gamification are being discussed in this chapter along with the use of a decision-making method as both have been applied to the study using a local running mobile application as platform for encouraging students enrolled in various educational institutions to promote avoidance of mess food wastage and in gaining confidence to integrate to use this approach to fight the cause of this global malady in their everyday life. The overarching issue of student mentality about food wastage is being discussed along with how to merge gamification with digital technology in this aspect and its participatory design. This provides the background for addressing points of using a gameful system to foster empowerment and connection among the students of NIT Jalandhar where this case was studied and the proposed approach was implemented.
Design the Technological Society for an Aging Population
Authors: McLaughlin Anne Collins , Pryor Makenzie , Feng Jing
Published: February 2019

Inclusivity of design for an aging population will be one of the most critical problems to address in the near and far future. With advancing age comes new needs, goals, and unique issues – all of which may be ameliorated through well-designed systems and technologies. But what does it mean to be “well-designed”? In this chapter, the authors discuss the background research supporting design principles that take into account age-related changes in cognition, movement, and behavior. These are then applied in a worked example of a “car of the future,” partly constructed with current technologies, but also imagining near and far future advances. They conclude with a discussion of how to employ these principles in practice, both when designing new and cutting-edge technologies from the ground-up and revising systems and technologies already in place.
Thanatology and Human Factors
Authors: Neigel Alexis R. , Hancock Gabriella M.
Published: February 2019

The chapter discusses the ergonomic and human factors issues surrounding life and death in terms of 21st century design. In this chapter, the authors describe how current limitations in technologies that are specifically designed to be lethal afford greater pain and suffering than necessary. As human factors is a science dedicated to improving the quality of life, it is necessary to critically examine the end-of-life domain, which is an area of research that has been largely neglected by ergonomic practitioners. By providing an overview of the current research in several area including euthanasia, remotely executed lethal operations, and fully autonomous military robots, the authors demonstrate the need to consider morality and ethics in the design process.
Industrial Heritage as an Operative Territorial Resource
Authors: Oliveira Marta Duarte , Ribeiro Jorge Tavares
Published: February 2019

This chapter addresses the main existing issues concerning industrial heritage as a territorial resource for the revitalization or valorization of functional landscapes (former or existing). It addresses the conceptual framework of cultural landscape and its possibility as a “horizon concept,” as well as an object of intervention according to a territorial dimension. The proposal of “Cultural Landscape of Alentejo Pyrite” based on three mining sites—Lousal, Aljustrel, and São Domingos within the Iberian Pyrite—was designed to be a territorial project for mining landscapes. This is a previous response to an existing demand for operative methodologies that can convey a new paradigm of territorial planning, with emphasis on interdisciplinary and prospect views. It provides a voice to an architectural and urban planning point of view to these particular landscapes.
The Power of Monsanto's Stone
Authors: Afonso José Manuel
Published: February 2019

There is no point in rushing because, in fact, people are going nowhere in particular. No matter how arduous the observation, in a slow and difficult sequence, people are always in the same place: in the countryside. There, people were yesterday and will be tomorrow. The landscape is a singularity with no limits: each tree, each granite boulder, each course presents infinite perspectives indistinguishable from each other. Sustainable landscape will be a mandatory topic in the twenty-first century and will influence the interventions in open spaces. These new paradigms will allow a healthier environment, where the relation of architecture and environmental comfort is present. In this sense, the chapter addresses aspects of the environment in its relationship with living culture; studies construction techniques with a lower environmental impact; and develops adaptive strategies of “sustainable project” for ordering and appropriation of habitable space according to the principles of cultural, economic, and environmental preservation.
Indigenous Cultural Knowledge for Therapeutic Landscape Design
Authors: McIntosh Jacqueline , Marques Bruno , Hatton William
Published: February 2019

The meanings of place and the relationship between place and health have culturally specific dimensions. This is of particular importance for indigenous people and communities as often regarding landscape as part of a circle of life, establishing a holistic perspective about health and wellbeing. The indigenous Māori of Aotearoa/New Zealand contend that their relationship with the land shapes how the cultural, spiritual, emotional, physical, and social wellbeing of people and communities are expressed. Few studies have explored the influence of the cultural beliefs and values on health, in particular the intricate link between land and health. This chapter broadens the understanding of therapeutic landscapes through the exploration of specific cultural dimensions. It contributes to the expanding body of research focusing on the role of therapeutic landscapes and their role in shaping health, through the development of new research methods.
A Novel Approach to Studying Cultural Landscapes at the Watershed Level
Authors: Balsas Carlos José Lopes
Published: February 2019

Watersheds are natural-ecological regions characterized by a strong sense of unity. In contrast to the current administrative jurisdictions, watersheds form natural units guided by common hydrological, climatic, and, increasingly, cultural landscape planning mechanisms. The main purpose of this chapter is to shed light on a novel approach to using watersheds to inventory, preserve, and promote cultural landscape resources. The Hudson River region of New York (USA) is examined to assess the formation, evolution, and preservation of cultural landscape resources between New York City (south) and the state capital, Albany (north). It includes mixed methods, combining literature reviews on regional planning, professional practice, and multi-scalar governance with selected case study analysis and the assessment of policy priorities. The significance of this research is in the application of a novel cultural landscape resources planning approach to the study of the Hudson River region of New York.
Studying Surface and Canopy Layer Urban Heat Island at Micro-Scale Using Multi-Sensor Data in Geographic Information Systems
Authors: Budhiraja Bakul , Pathak Prasad Avinash , Acharya Debopam
Published: February 2019

Variations of Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect within urban areas cannot be studied in detail using traditional combination of satellite images with thermal infrared (IR) bands and local weather station data due to their limited spatio-temporal scale. In this article, a system has been built to supplement the current infrastructure and enhance the high spatio-temporal scale. The article progresses from initially traversing through the city of Greater Noida to continuous manual data collection on an academic campus and later by automating it with integrated sensors on a microcontroller while achieving the objective of the collection of continuous high spatio-temporal scale data. Geographic information systems (GISs) were used to integrate and visualize these data with land surface temperature (LST) and air temperature data. The system provided the diurnal cycle of urban materials and insights into nighttime UHI at micro-scale. Overall the low-cost sensing technology presented has the potential to monitor citywide UHI.
Accelerating Geospatial Modeling in ArcGIS With Graphical Processor Units
Authors: Tischler Michael A.
Published: February 2019

Geospatial data can be enormous in size and tedious to process efficiently on standard computational workstations. Distributing the processing tasks through highly parallelized processing reduces the burden on the primary processor and processing times can drastically shorten as a result. ERSI's ArcGIS, while widely used in the military, does not natively support multi-core processing or utilization of graphic processor units (GPUs). However, the ArcPy Python library included in ArcGIS 10 provides geospatial developers with the means to process geospatial data in a flexible environment that can be linked with GPU application programming interfaces (APIs). This research extends a custom desktop geospatial model of spatial similarity for remote soil classification which takes advantage of both standard ArcPy/ArcGIS geoprocessing functions and custom GPU kernels, operating on an NVIDIA Tesla S2050 equipped with potential access to 1792 cores. The author will present their results which describe hardware and software configurations, processing efficiency gains, and lessons learned.
GML-Based Data Management and Semantic World Modelling for a 4D Forest Simulation and Information System
Authors: Roßmann Jürgen , Hoppen Martin , Bücken Arno
Published: February 2019

Various types of 3D simulation applications benefit from realistic forest models. They range from flight simulators for entertainment to harvester simulators for training and tree growth simulations for research and planning. This paper's 4D forest simulation and information system integrates the necessary methods for data extraction, modelling and management. Using modern methods of semantic world modelling, tree data can efficiently be extracted from remote sensing data. The derived forest models contain position, height, crown volume, type and diameter of each tree. This data is modelled using GML-based data models to assure compatibility and exchangeability. ForestGML is the name of a new schema family developed to provide a common basis for forestry data. A flexible approach for database synchronization is used to manage the data and provide caching, persistence, a central communication hub for change distribution, and a versioning mechanism. Combining various simulation techniques and data versioning, the 4D forest simulation and information system can provide applications with “both directions” of the fourth dimension. This paper outlines the current state, new developments, and integration of tree extraction, data modelling, and data management. It also shows several applications realized with the system.
Traditional vs. Machine-Learning Techniques for OSM Quality Assessment
Authors: Jilani Musfira , Bertolotto Michela , Corcoran Padraig , Alghanim Amerah
Published: February 2019

Nowadays an ever-increasing number of applications require complete and up-to-date spatial data, in particular maps. However, mapping is an expensive process and the vastness and dynamics of our world usually render centralized and authoritative maps outdated and incomplete. In this context crowd-sourced maps have the potential to provide a complete, up-to-date, and free representation of our world. However, the proliferation of such maps largely remains limited due to concerns about their data quality. While most of the current data quality assessment mechanisms for such maps require referencing to authoritative maps, we argue that such referencing of a crowd-sourced spatial database is ineffective. Instead we focus on the use of machine learning techniques that we believe have the potential to not only allow the assessment but also to recommend the improvement of the quality of crowd-sourced maps without referencing to external databases. This chapter gives an overview of these approaches.
A Spatio-Temporal Decision Support System for Designing With Street Trees
Authors: White Marcus R. , Langenheim Nano
Published: February 2019

This article describes how tree species and spacing is an integral part of street design. 3D modelled trees have traditionally been computationally prohibitive to use within precinct scaled urban design models, thus, tree choices in street design are typically limited to database or 2D representations limiting engagement with spatio-temporal issues. This article provides an overview of urban design tree modelling and technology emerging outside of the discipline, then proposes an urban tree decision support system (DSS) drawing from advances in computational botany, entertainment industries and light engineering. The DSS is tested at both street and precinct scale using two case studies. The results demonstrate it is now feasible to integrate detailed 3D trees into urban design models allowing rapid scenario testing of tree placement, species selection, size, alongside the visual and solar impact of these choices. The proposed DSS promotes consideration of spatio-temporal characteristics of trees and a greater level integration of tree choices in the urban design process than previously possible.
Geographic Information System for the Smart Grid
Authors: Javid Tariq
Published: February 2019

This chapter presents fundamental concepts and purpose of the Geographic Information System (GIS) to understand, deploy, monitor, and control the Smart Grid (SG). To enable existing power grid for two-way electricity flow, there is a need to consider deployment of a number of advanced technologies. The SG will have a huge number of devices which are capable of information exchange across the whole electricity network. The GIS is a computer based tool which has the ability to display useful information primarily in the form of labeled digital maps. This capability is useful for transformation of conventional electric grid to a SG by finding suitable locations for timely and economically affordable installation of SG components. Although GIS is in use for electric utilities, new research and advancements in enabling technologies have made it more suitable to play a bigger role in the SG.
CulturalNature Arga #2
Authors: Cruz Tiago , Paulino Fernando Faria , Tavares Mirian
Published: February 2019

CulturalNature Arga#2 is an interactive audio-visual installation intended to explore the concept of landscape as a verb (to landscape) questioning and reflecting about the semiotic discourses associated with this concept. The landscape as something natural, static, peaceful, silent, etc. is a semiotic discourse with roots in a past related with the representation of a point of view, not only perceptual but also conceptual, ideological. These representations enformed the visual culture leading to a particular discourse. The installation proposes a reflexion about the way different elements associated with a particular territory shape this territory's landscape, giving it a dynamic existence, a product of cultural activity. Like J.T.W. Mitchell, here, the landscape is seen “…as a process by which social and subjective identities are formed.” (1994)
A Reality Integrated BIM for Architectural Heritage Conservation
Authors: Apollonio Fabrizio Ivan , Gaiani Marco , Sun Zheng
Published: February 2019

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has attracted wide interest in the field of documentation and conservation of Architectural Heritage (AH). Existing approaches focus on converting laser scanned point clouds to BIM objects, but laser scanning is usually limited to planar elements which are not the typical state of AH where free-form and double-curvature surfaces are common. We propose a method that combines low-cost automatic photogrammetric data acquisition techniques with parametric BIM objects founded on Architectural Treatises and a syntax allowing the transition from the archetype to the type. Point clouds with metric accuracy comparable to that from laser scanning allows accurate as-built model semantically integrated with the ideal model from parametric library. The deviation between as-built model and ideal model is evaluated to determine if feature extraction from point clouds is essential to improve the accuracy of as-built BIM.
Use of Cloud, Multimedia, and QR Codes to Enhance Print Maps
Authors: Singh Harpinder , Gambhir Dheeraj , Taneja Sagar , Singh Amardeep
Published: February 2019

Quick response (QR) codes are two-dimensional codes. They are machine-readable optical labels which contain information of the object on which they are attached. Due to their large storage capacity and faster readability, they are becoming more popular than one-dimensional bar codes. They are widely used in creation of inventories, product tracking, document management, etc. With the widespread use of smart phones, QR codes are becoming more popular. QR code interpreting apps are freely available and all modern smartphones are equipped with a camera and internet to process and interpret these codes. The value of printed maps can also be enhanced by using QR codes. This chapter reviews how the value of printed or hard copy maps can be enhanced by adding QR codes that have multimedia content placed on the Cloud.
Using OpenStreetMap to Create Land Use and Land Cover Maps
Authors: Fonte Cidália Costa , Patriarca Joaquim António , Minghini Marco , Antoniou Vyron , See Linda , Brovelli Maria Antonia
Published: February 2019

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a bottom up community-driven initiative to create a global map of the world. Yet the application of OSM to land use and land cover (LULC) mapping is still largely unexploited due to problems with inconsistencies in the data and harmonization of LULC nomenclatures with OSM. This chapter outlines an automated methodology for creating LULC maps using the nomenclature of two European LULC products: the Urban Atlas (UA) and CORINE Land Cover (CLC). The method is applied to two regions in London and Paris. The results show that LULC maps with a level of detail similar to UA can be obtained for the urban regions, but that OSM has limitations for conversion into the more detailed non-urban classes of the CLC nomenclature. Future work will concentrate on developing additional rules to improve the accuracy of the transformation and building an online system for processing the data.
Photo Based Volunteered Geographic Information Initiatives
Authors: Estima Jacinto , Painho Marco
Published: February 2019

Volunteered Geographic Information has become exponentially available over the Web in the last years. This availability can hide a vast geographical richness and provides us with both a great opportunity to explore new ways to use it and also big challenges related with its unstructured nature. This paper conducts a preliminary analysis of the adequacy of photos from the Flickr and Panoramio initiatives in order to use them as a source of field data in the quality control of the Land Use/Cover databases production. It evaluates its temporal and spatial distributions over Continental Portugal and also its distribution over Land Use/Cover classes using as a reference the European Corine Land Cover database. It concludes that this source is very valuable but needs to be combined with other sources due to its uneven spatial distribution.
A Cross Reading of Landscape Through Digital Landscape Models
Authors: Forti Ilaria
Published: February 2019

The paper illustrates the results of a research project entitled “Landscape Information: new tools and methodologies for the representation of the landscape.” The case study selected for this research on the many aspects of the landscape is the vast territory included in the municipalities facing the Lake Garda, a significant example of “territory-landscape”, where different environmental characteristics meet, and through dynamic processes of interaction and transformation were generated specific natural and social forms. The innovative outcome of the research is to be found mainly in the methods of observation and representation defined and used, in order to get to the synthesis of an observation and cataloging system continuously queryable and implementable, accessible through simple and common interfaces, based upon the DLM. Its goal is to lay the foundations for the creation of a virtual strategic space where preservation and transformation processes will be activated, a platform easily accessible to different users, thus allowing a plural and inclusive vision of the landscape.
Alternative Methods for Developing and Assessing the Accuracy of UAV-Derived DEMs
Authors: Wiseman Dion J. , van der Sluijs Jurjen
Published: February 2019

Digital terrain models are invaluable datasets that are frequently used for visualizing, modeling, and analyzing Earth surface processes. Accurate models covering local scale landscape features are often very expensive and have poor temporal resolution. This research investigates the utility of UAV acquired imagery for generating high resolution terrain models and provides a detailed accuracy assessment according to recommended protocols. High resolution UAV imagery was acquired over a localized dune complex in southwestern Manitoba, Canada and two alternative workflows were evaluated for extracting point clouds. UAV-derived data points were then compared to reference data sets acquired using mapping grade GPS receivers and a total station. Results indicated that the UAV imagery was capable of producing dense point clouds and high resolution terrain models with mean errors as low as -0.15 m and RMSE values of 0.42 m depending on the resolution of the image dataset and workflow employed.
FogLearn
Authors: Barik Rabindra K. , Priyadarshini Rojalina , Dubey Harishchandra , Kumar Vinay , Mankodiya Kunal
Published: February 2019

Big data analytics with the cloud computing are one of the emerging area for processing and analytics. Fog computing is the paradigm where fog devices help to reduce latency and increase throughput for assisting at the edge of the client. This article discusses the emergence of fog computing for mining analytics in big data from geospatial and medical health applications. This article proposes and develops a fog computing-based framework, i.e. FogLearn. This is for the application of K-means clustering in Ganga River Basin Management and real-world feature data for detecting diabetes patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. The proposed architecture employs machine learning on a deep learning framework for the analysis of pathological feature data that obtained from smart watches worn by the patients with diabetes and geographical parameters of River Ganga basin geospatial database. The results show that fog computing holds an immense promise for the analysis of medical and geospatial big data.