bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laying the Ground for Online English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) Composition Courses and University Internationalization
Authors: Ene Estela
Published: June 2014

As universities internationalize and U.S. and Chinese universities become partners, there is growing demand for online English language courses for students seeking to improve their English prior to arriving to the U.S. Situated in the context of a partnership between a U.S. Midwest university and its Chinese partner, this chapter provides a methodological model for assessing (1) English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) composition and online learning needs and resources prior to developing courses for a new population; (2) the potential for collaboration between partnering institutions; and (3) the effectiveness of an online English composition course. The chapter illustrates, in a step-by-step fashion, the decision-making process which shaped the needs assessment and the actions based on it. By doing so, it provides a realistic portrayal of the complexity of the Needs Assessment (NA) and curriculum development process.
Building Awareness of Language Structures with Visual-Syntactic Text Formatting
Authors: Park Youngmin , Warschauer Mark , Collins Penelope , Hwang Jin Kyoung , Vogel Charles
Published: June 2014

The recently adopted Common Core State Standards emphasize the importance of language forms and structure in learning to write. Yet most language arts teachers have either downplayed the linguistic structure of writing in favor of process approaches or emphasized the teaching of grammatical structures outside of the context of authentic writing. Technology-supported writing activities tend to mimic these two approaches, with teachers using technology for either process-based writing or for grammar drills. Most teachers are not well prepared to teach linguistic structures in context or to deploy technology for that purpose. This chapter introduces a new tool called Visual-Syntactic Text Formatting (VSTF) that has powerful affordances for teaching linguistic and textual structures in the context of authentic written genres. Drawing on an empirical study and an action research project conducted by the authors, they share evidence for the value of using VSTF and point to ways that it can be used in the classroom to help students master language structures and employ them in their composition.
Learning Languages via Social Networking Sites
Authors: Brick Billy
Published: June 2014

This chapter reports on a study of seven learners who logged their experiences on the language learning social networking site Livemocha over a period of three months. The features of the site are described and the likelihood of their future success is considered. The learners were introduced to the Social Networking Site (SNS) and asked to learn a language on the site. They were positive about two aspects of the site: the immediate peer-feedback available and the ability to converse synchronously and asynchronously with native speakers of their target language. However, there was universal criticism of the “word-list”-based language learning materials, and several participants complained about the regular cyber-flirting they encountered. Other aspects of the site including accessibility, ease of use, syllabus, activities, and relationships with other members are also considered. The potential for integrating some of the features of SNSs for language learning into the Higher Education (HE) curriculum and the implications of this for educators are also discussed.
Digital Narratives and the Genealogy of a Hybrid Genre
Authors: Pacea Otilia
Published: June 2014

From a simple list of links annotated and maintained by a small blog community of Internet groupies to elaborated content today, blogs have exploded into a rich gamut of subgenres. Most approaches that pioneered internet communication research are in fact non-empirical and non-linguistic. Two major blog types appear to have emerged, personal blogs and thematic blogs, with their corresponding already-established subgenres of filter blogs, k-logs, and corporate blogs as well as other emerging hybrid subgenres such as that of expat blogs. This chapter explores the language of high-impact blogs, testing a new methodology to establish blog genealogy in the context of online genre hybridity. Language data are collected using a major blog searching engine (Technorati) that currently indexes more than a million blogs. Individual language scores, which are used to calculate DICTION's sub variables, are concatenated to outline the overall tone and theme of the blog posts that can be classified accordingly. The findings are correlated with existing blog classifications to propose a Diction-based methodology for genre analysis.
Content and Language Integrated Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Carloni Giovanna
Published: June 2014

This chapter describes the online learning component of a blended model designed to promote Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) at the University of Urbino, Italy. A technology-enhanced learning environment is presented along with an analysis of how CLIL was implemented across multiple university departments.
Game On! Teaching Foreign Language Online
Authors: Carter-Cram Kim
Published: June 2014

This case discusses the development and delivery of a course designed to teach elementary French at the university level in a fully online environment. Included in the discussion are issues related to the problematics of creating an interactive locus where effective communication in the target language can take place both between the instructor and the student and between students. The study examines attitudes about teaching (and learning) language online, how the textbook industry has attempted (or not) to deal with the advent of more online second language instruction, and how advances in tools available to instructors in the Learning Management System can both help and hinder the successful development and deployment of a course in second language instruction. Also examined here are questions of student motivation and retention, and proposed solutions to both problems via innovative quest-based gamification of course lessons and materials.
Re/Designing Online Platforms by Citizen Designers and its Contribution to the Digital Writing and Research
Authors: Panthee Rajendra Kumar
Published: June 2014

With the development of digital technologies, many have been used for a cross-cultural collaboration in First-Year Composition (FYC) classroom in a cross-cultural contact zone situation. However, their current design excludes writing students from periphery cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The author conducted a usability test that focused on culture and language issues on the current Blackboard interface in order to confirm whether writing students from periphery cultural and linguistic backgrounds are really excluded from current Blackboard interface design. Therefore, the author proposes to invite citizen designers to re/design Blackboard interface so that Blackboard online environments will be transformed into democratic platforms. In this chapter, the authors discuss how Web interface re/design by citizen designers in cross-cultural digital contact zone helps the designers acquire their agency and foster invention in digital writing and research since student agency and invention are the two most sought after elements in the Rhetoric and Writing programs.
How Experiences with Words Supply All the Tools in the Toddler's Word-Learning Toolbox
Authors: Houston-Price Carmel , Law Beth
Published: June 2014

This chapter explores the resolution of Quine's word-learning conundrum: How young children identify the meanings of the words they hear in the utterances of expert language users. Various strategies are available to young word learners for solving this dilemma. The authors consider how the acquisition of each of these strategies might be underpinned by the same domain-general ability to detect and store associations between words and the environment in which they are heard. Drawing on examples of both socio-pragmatic and linguistic cues to words' meanings, they explore how the young child's early experiences with words might provide a platform for the discovery of more complex word-learning strategies, facilitating the learning of further new words. The chapter outlines specific predictions of the experience-driven model of the evolution of the toddler's word-learning toolkit that might be explored through experimental and/or computational investigations.
Kansei Evaluation of Product Recommendation Based on a Partial Comparison Process
Authors: Jin Jing-Zhong , Nakamori Yoshiteru
Published: June 2014

This paper aims to find a new evaluation method for collecting Kansei and Context data, which is based on a partial comparison process; and a specification method based on customer's target, which is suitable for the special Kansei and Context data obtained from partial comparison process. For collecting Kansei and Context data, we randomly select 5 objects from all objects, and ask people to compare them on each attribute. After many times comparisons, many comparison lists will be obtained. With these lists, we map them into a directed graphic, and with using some graphic processing techniques, we combine all the comparison lists into a whole list without any contradictions, and we map the whole list into a certain range as our evaluated data. To access these special Kansei and Context data, we also discussed two specification methods based on semantic differential method. To test the new method on collecting Kansei data and the specification method, a comparison system and a recommendation system are developed.
The Case for a Southern Perspective in Planning Theory
Authors: Watson Vanessa
Published: June 2014

In a number of disciplines scholars are questioning the relevance of theoretical positions which claim general and global applicability, yet are grounded in assumptions about social and material conditions which are more specific to a global North context. This paper focuses on the recent interest in urban planning theory to develop explanatory and normative theory that directly addresses the problems and issues of cities in the global South. It suggests a number of starting assumptions, very different from those that inform much current planning theory, which need to inspire the development of planning thought with a global South orientation. These are illustrated through an example of state-society conflict in an informal settlement. While there is certainly a case for developing a global south perspective in planning theory, it is also important to specify the limitations on such an exercise to avoid the trap of creating new theoretical binaries.
Communicative Planning Theory Following Deliberative Democracy Theory
Authors: Mäntysalo Raine , Jarenko Karoliina
Published: June 2014

The article reviews the development of communicative planning theory in relation to deliberative democracy theory. The latter has evolved since its “first generation” of Habermas and Rawls, to incorporate more pragmatic and contextual considerations to the theory, in response to criticisms that parallel those on communicative planning theory. The contemporary “third generation” of deliberative democracy theory has relaxed on the consensus goal, considering deliberation as legitimate even when the parties advocate their own interests in intense negotiations. The article discusses how this development has been reflected in communicative planning theory, concentrating especially on John Forester's critical pragmatism. It further examines the concept of trading zone and its linkages to this theoretical development.
Mitigation of Seismic Accelerations by Soft Caissons
Authors: Brennan A. J. , Klar A. , Madabhushi S. P. G.
Published: June 2014

Earthquake accelerations cause many problems for structures on the ground surface. Ground improvement may be carried out to reduce or otherwise modify shear waves before they reach the structures, which can be more cost-effective than structural strengthening. This paper investigates the response of a simple structure whose foundation has been completely enclosed by a layer of soft material. Physical and numerical models of this are presented. Based on these, it is seen that not only is linear acceleration significantly attenuated by such a system, but the foundation-structure system is able to rock in antiphase to the translational motion to further reduce acceleration. A simple two degree of freedom spring model is presented that can match the behaviour of the more sophisticated models. Recorded strong motion data applied to this simple model suggests that improvement can be achieved provided caisson modes and structural modes occur at different frequencies.
Automatic Audio and Video Event Recognition in an Intelligent Resource Management System
Authors: Stein Daniel , Krausz Barbara , Löffler Jobst , Marterer Robin , Bardeli Rolf , Stadtschnitzer Michael , Schwenninger Jochen
Published: June 2014

Event recognition systems have high potential to support crisis management and emergency response. For large-scale scenarios, however, the sheer amount of possible audio and video channels requires adequate processing of the material by automatic means. In this article, the authors focus on automatic audio and video event recognition, by means of detecting abnormalities both in train noise as well as surveillance videos, and by conducting automatic speech recognition on fire fighter communication. All components are integrated in an overall intelligent resource management system. The authors elaborate on the challenges expected from real life data and the solutions that the authors applied. The overall system, based on Event-Driven Service-Oriented Architecture, has been implemented and partly integrated into the end users' infrastructures. The system has been continuously running for more than two years, collecting data for research purposes.
A Robust P2P Information Sharing System and its Application to Communication Support in Natural Disasters
Authors: Oide Takuma , Takahashi Akiko , Takeda Atsushi , Suganuma Takuo
Published: June 2014

To provide the stable and continuous network services in cases of large-scale natural disasters, computers must use extremely limited network and computational resources effectively without imposing additional administrative burdens. The authors propose a P2P Information Sharing System for affected areas based on our proposed structured P2P network called the Well-distribution Algorithm for an Overlay Network (WAON). By applying the WAON framework, the system configures the P2P network autonomously using the remaining nodes, and achieves load balancing dynamically without additional network maintenance costs. Therefore, the system can perform well in an unstable network environment such as that during a disaster. The authors designed and implemented the system and evaluated its overall system behavior and performance in simulations assuming the real scenario of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Results show that the authors' system can distribute safety confirmation information of victims efficiently among the remaining nodes.
Fast Position and Accurate Segmentation Algorithms for Detecting Surface Defects of the Thermal-State Heavy Rail Based on Machine Vision
Authors: Wang Xue , Chen Yiran , Cheng Tao , Xie Zhijiang
Published: June 2014

Color imaging in the hot rolled condition provides the better reaction of heavy rail on surface defects. In this paper, it proposes a series of novel algorithms of accurate position and segmentation of surface defects of heavy rail. An image acquisition device is designed on the adjustable camera bracket with the linear array CCD, and based on the correlation among pixels at the image level, a fast positioning method is developed for searching the Region Of Interesting (ROI) of the surface defects. Using the Mean-Shift image filtering algorithm which features multi-parameter kernel function, amendments to the sampling point weights and regional search with the nearest neighbor sampling points, accurate segmentation of the identification character is easily achieved by K-means clustering. Experiments show that this algorithm for the identification of the heavy rail surface defects is proven to be more rapid in testing the inclusions, cracks and oxide skin defects with a good promotional value.
Cognitive Process of Moral Decision-Making for Autonomous Agents
Authors: Cervantes José-Antonio , Rodríguez Luis-Felipe , López Sonia , Ramos Félix , Robles Francisco
Published: June 2014

There are a great variety of theoretical models of cognition whose main purpose is to explain the inner workings of the human brain. Researchers from areas such as neuroscience, psychology, and physiology have proposed these models. Nevertheless, most of these models are based on empirical studies and on experiments with humans, primates, and rodents. In fields such as cognitive informatics and artificial intelligence, these cognitive models may be translated into computational implementations and incorporated into the architectures of intelligent autonomous agents (AAs). Thus, the main assumption in this work is that knowledge in those fields can be used as a design approach contributing to the development of intelligent systems capable of displaying very believable and human-like behaviors. Decision-Making (DM) is one of the most investigated and computationally implemented functions. The literature reports several computational models that enable AAs to make decisions that help achieve their personal goals and needs. However, most models disregard crucial aspects of human decision-making such as other agents' needs, ethical values, and social norms. In this paper, the authors present a set of criteria and mechanisms proposed to develop a biologically inspired computational model of Moral Decision-Making (MDM). To achieve a process of moral decision-making believable, the authors propose a cognitive function to determine the importance of each criterion based on the mood and emotional state of AAs, the main objective the model is to enable AAs to make decisions based on ethical and moral judgment.
A Moral Analysis of Effective Prediction Markets on Terrorism
Authors: Weijers Dan , Richardson Jennifer
Published: June 2014

Predicting terrorist attacks with prediction markets has been accused of being immoral. While some of these concerns are about the likely effectiveness of prediction markets on terrorism (PMsoT), this paper discusses the three main reasons why even effective prediction markets on terrorism might be considered immoral. The authors argue that these three reasons establish only that PMsoT cause offense and/or fleeting mild harm, and that, even taken together, they do not constitute serious harm. The moral issues considered are that PMsoT: 1) create character-affecting perverse incentives, 2) desensitise society to tragic events, and 3) disrespect important ideals. In addition to arguing against the force of these three potential moral problems, it is also argued that societies and governments already endorse intelligence-gathering methods that are clearly more immoral than PMsoT in the relevant respects. The authors also argue that some circumstances require governments to cause non-serious harm to some people in order to protect and promote the rights and welfare of its citizens. The authors conclude that a government's obligation to protect and promote the rights and welfare of its citizens outweighs the non-serious harm that could be caused by effective PMsoT. As a result, we recommend that the likelihood of PMsoT being effective is investigated more closely.
Are Persuasive Technologies Really Able to Communicate?
Authors: Linder Christian
Published: June 2014

Since a while the ethics of persuasive technology (PT) have been discussed. One interesting approach is the assessment of PTs in the light of discourse ethics and the speech-act theory as proposed recently. While some see such an approach as promising, the author will illustrate that the application of discourse ethics is only appropriate for a few limited persuasive strategies. It is argued that most often PT does not provide the essentials of a discourse; reason or arguments to convince the counterpart. In line with discourse ethics the elements of speech-act theory refer to the preconditions every debater has to subscribe to in order to reach a mutual understanding that is the ultimate goal of a discourse. It is evident that PT has to deal with serious problems in order to fulfill the preconditions such as comprehensibility, truth, truthfulness and legitimacy. If discourse ethics is the theoretical framework which reflects the moral content of PT, the intention of the designer and his arguments or reasons have to be taken into account. It is argued that this often contradicts the purpose of persuasion or manipulation if PT is applied. This paper provides propositions that should ensure that the design of PT fulfill the basic requirements of discourse ethics.
New Challenges for Humans in the Context of E-Culture
Authors: Baeva Liudmila V.
Published: June 2014

Modern humans feel great influence under developing electronic culture that absorb the self within important spheres of life: communication, education, game, creation. This article considers the base existential problem of personhood under the influence of virtualization and human transforming technologies. The author proves that electronic status of human form new possibilities and risks in ontological, values and ethical aspects, new form of freedom, necessity's and addictives. The aim of the article is philosophical analysis of existential challenges, occurring under the development of e-culture. E-culture as the world of virtual phenomena that became unique synthesis of consciousness and information technologies is studied from the point of existential and axiological approach. Under condition of development of e-culture formed a new freedom, new dependences and new risks for modern person.
The Telework as an Organizational Innovation in the Entities of the Third Sector
Authors: Belzunegui Ángel , Erro Amaya , Pastor Inma
Published: June 2014

This article discusses the role of the telework as an organizational innovation incorporated to the activities of the third sector as well as in the creation of networks and links between these entities. The telework has become a tool that has produced important changes in the traditional organization of the work, and has improved the inter- and intra-organizational communication, in addition to promoting the creation of extensive networks of collaboration in the third sector. The online connection and the provision made in telework mode have also served for the creation of a higher density of contacts between the entities that are grouped in the third sector, done so that it benefits the transmission of information and collaborative practices in providing services to the citizens. Its effectiveness consists in the speed that prints the response capacity of the social economy entities.
Firm-Level Evidence of ICT Adoption among SMEs of the Social Economy in Spain
Authors: Estapé-Dubreuil Glòria , Torreguitart-Mirada Consol
Published: June 2014

The paper analyzes the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the small and medium-size enterprises of the social economy in Spain, focusing on the ICT-related management of its organizations. Although ICT adoption is increasingly present in all areas of the so called Information Society, the perception of how and why the effective adoption of ICT takes place is relevant to the performance both of the social economy as whole and to their organizations. The authors study shows that the analyzed sample of social economy enterprises has, on the overall, a good ICT positioning in the Spanish business framework. The authors also found few differences on ICT adoption when size or geographical scope of the firms is considered. ICT adoption has been a priority of many social economy enterprises, allowing them to reach a fair level of ICT infrastructures and Internet presence. Furthermore, ICT adoption is seen as an opportunity to enhance their competitive advantage in the markets, mainly through electronic commerce. It is also an opportunity to improve internal management, taking advantage of the integration of electronic procedures.
Social and Solidarity Economy Web Information Systems
Authors: Malta Mariana Curado , Baptista Ana Alice , Parente Cristina
Published: June 2014

This paper presents the state of the art on interoperability developments for the social and solidarity economy (SSE) community web based information systems (WIS); it also presents a framework of interoperability for the SSE' WIS and the developments made in a research-in-progress PhD project in the last 3 years. A search on the bibliographic databases showed that so far there are no papers on interoperability initiatives on the SSE, so it was necessary to have other sources of information: a preliminary analysis of the WIS that support SSE activities; and interviews with the representatives of some of the world's most important SSE organisations. The study showed that the WIS are still not interoperable yet. In order to become interoperable a group of the SSE community has been developing a Dublin Corre Application Profile to be used by the SSE community as reference and binding to describe their resources. This paper also describes this on-going process.
The Influence of Social Aversion and Institution-Based Trust on Computer Self-Efficacy, Computer Anxiety and Antecedents to IT Use
Authors: Baker Elizabeth White , Thatcher Jason Bennett , Gundlach Michael , McKnight D. Harrison
Published: June 2014

Prior research has shown that proximal states are important mechanisms through which distal states relate to IT usage. In particular, the influence of distal traits tied to social activity has not been incorporated into the nomological network surrounding information technology (IT) use. Addressing this literature gap, the authors develop their research model using Social Cognitive Theory and examine how two distal traits, social aversion (SA) and institution-based trust (TRIT), influence computer self-efficacy (CSE) and other proximal state-like differences related to IT use. The authors' results show that SA and TRIT demonstrated influence on CSE and CA at the general and specific levels of analysis, and that CSE mediates the influence of SA and TRIT on PU and PEOU, yet does not fully mediate the influence of CA on PU and PEOU. The implications of their findings for research and practice are discussed, as well as avenues for future research.
The Hinge Areas for Urban Regeneration in Seaside Cities: The High Line in Manhattan, NYC
Authors: Giovene di Girasole Eleonora
Published: June 2014

Aim of this paper is to reflect on how cities, which are growing on the coast and are rediscovering their waterfront, can represent a privileged laboratory to wonder about the destiny of the modern metropolis, through the identification of innovative models of development, through the assumption of the sea as a full of opportunities horizon, a sort of epicenter of a new movement going from the coast to the inner part of the city. That means carrying out regeneration processes in which cities, starting from their maritime culture, realize complete and shared urban transformations. Thus, in continuation of cities’ maritime tradition, integrated transformations aimed at environmental, economic and social development have been carried out by involving several actors and resources, with consequences on the whole urban environment and not only on the narrow coastline.Therefore, the work should be done not only on the narrow line of waterfront, but in a way to involve also the remaining part of the city by redesigning the hinge areas which represent a connection between waterfront and city with its community. In this paper it is showed the case study of the requalification, demanded from the local community, of the High Line in New York, an elevated Railroad placed in residual spaces between sea and city. It represents one of the best practices of regeneration of hinge areas integrated in the waterfronts redevelopment policy and regeneration of the city reached with participation of the urban community.
Rationale and Design of EU Cohesion Policies in a Period of Crisis
Authors: Camagni Roberto , Capello Roberta
Published: June 2014

The aim of the paper is to reflect on the justifications and design of cohesion policies in a period of deep economic recession. In particular, the paper tackles two important topics. The first topic deals with the justification for structural policies like cohesion policies in a period of economic downturn, since they look less urgent and appropriate than short term demand policies. In this case, cohesion policies are called to rebalance the effects that the ongoing crisis has on the convergence trends of the last two decades. The second topic relates to the most appropriate design that cohesion policies should have. The message that the paper provides from a conceptual point of view, corroborated by empirical results, is that the winning strategy is neither to focus on champions, calling for competitiveness, nor on lagging areas, in favor of cohesion; policies targeted to each regions’ needs are the right policies, able to enlarge and embrace all possible excellences. This strategy demonstrates that the traditional trade-off between efficiency and equity goals may be overcome.
Informal Practices, Formal Regulations - Understanding Informality as Spatial Dialectics
Authors: Varriale Andrea
Published: June 2014

The concept of urban informality, mostly referring to housing or economic activities, is usually used in two different fashions. Some liberal scholars see informality as a primordial forms of entrepreneurialism or as “deep democracy” which is made possible by the ineffectiveness of state’s attempts to regulate the relevant matters. They typically call for a the legalization of informal practices and their integration in state structures. A more critical perspective sees informality as emanating directly from state’s power to define the boundaries of “formality” and to arbitrarily deprive some of its citizens from their rights. The distance between these two interpretations leaves a gap which offers little theoretical foundations for analyses of phenomena of spatial informality which can be understood neither as entirely unrelated to the state, nor as being determined by it. The paper seeks to fill this gap by proposing a third view of informality, which is built upon Lefebvre’s model of “spatial dialectics”.
Mapping Urban Vulnerability: The Case Study of Gran Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Authors: Rigillo Marina , Cervelli Elena
Published: June 2014

The paper discusses research criteria for mapping urban vulnerability, focusing on the elements at risk. The study works in the framework of the "case-study research" and takes in account the impacts of a specific hazard risk (seismic event) in the City of Gran Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The paper proposes a critical framework that addresses planning methods toward a more efficient support to face seismic hazard.The research question is how vulnerable are contemporary cities? And, is it possible to promote city resistance through more adequate knowledge about the assets at risk? So the study starts from the concept of risk as combination of hazard, vulnerability and exposure and propose a risk oriented methodology aimed at collecting and interpreting data about the comprehensive vulnerability of the city. Based on innovative structure of a dedicated GIS inventory, the model describes the elements at risk by a set of specific applying indicators purposely selected in order to mapping the exposure of the city to a seismic hazard and to represent urban vulnerability.
Open Source Architecture for "Nuovo CEP"
Authors: Di Quarto Gabriele , Labate Antonino , Malaspina Maurizio
Published: June 2014

The Open Source Architecture (OSArc) is a new collaborative way to design common and shared areas at an architectural level, but also at an urban and technological level, etc.. It allows you to participate in the design phase both practically, with your technical contributions, and actively, with constructive criticism and intelligent and innovative suggestions. We thought of using this new design paradigm to make the Nuovo CEP project feasible and economically sustainable through the cooperation of both professionals and non-professionals (i.e. inhabitants, students, etc.). Nuovo CEP is a project, which aims to redevelop a suburban neighbourhood and transform it into a mini smart solar city. The OSArc for Nuovo CEP is realized by means of a wiki website where all interested users can register and insert their contributions together with others members of the community. In this paper, we are going to explain the Nuovo CEP project and its objectives, which will be a guideline and an inspiring source for users contributions. Then we will explain the wiki website structure used to implement the platform for the OSArc.
Metropolitan Areas in their Evolutionary Progress, from Legal Standard to their Origins
Authors: Destefano Antonino , Ferrara Maria
Published: June 2014

This paper makes a point on a hypothetical research about the origins of metropolitan thought referring both to a natural process and to the need of reorganizing the concept of city focusing on its dimension and function. The metropolitan area originates from the evolution of built-up areas cut off by free spaces - between cities and rural villages - which preserve their municipal administrative autonomy (urban continuum). Since then the standards to define metropolitan areas have undergone different alterations. Initially the Italian law intervenes by reorganizing competences among administrative levels, afterwards by promulgating special founding laws. What kind of phenomenon is it and how can it be handled at a juridical level? What are its implications?
Median Italy: Territorial Diversity as the Cornerstone of Regional Development
Authors: Di Ludovico Donato , Properzi Pierluigi , Santarelli Andrea
Published: June 2014

This text describes the results of a research conducted as part of the Junction territories Project 2 Abruzzo by the Ministry for Infrastructure and Transport and the Abruzzo Region, which interprets the regional space of the Central Italy as Median Macro-region, implemented through the Territory projects. The identification of Territorial Settlement Systems, of Tourist Systems, Territorial Frameworks, Network Cities (in relational terms) is used to overcome the dualism that has always characterized the development of central Italy, its polycentrism and the imbalance of policies in favor of Metropolitan cities.
The Stable Connection to the Metropolitan Area of the Strait of Messina
Authors: Rugolo Alessandro
Published: June 2014

The contemporary model of the city is linked to the dynamics of information flows and economic and cultural influences. Consequently, the traditional administrative organization has proved inadequate favoring the definition of a new model of governance of urban areas, able to administer the complexity. This characteristic is typical of the metropolitan city, which requires a new institutional framework is equipped with tools and infrastructure suitable to govern the phenomena of mobility, economic development and transformations in the regime of synergistic and integrated.The metropolitan system the Strait of Messina need for a stable connection that ensures the conurbation of the two sides.
The Enhancement of the Urban Environment: Sustainable Mobility in Reggio Calabria
Authors: Taccone Antonio
Published: June 2014

The proposal of a sustainable mobility project for the use of assets requires evaluations regarding the balances that regulate the territory and its functions that necessarily involve the introduction of the concept of quality. The efficiency of public transport and collective services, the well-kept historical center, the suburbs integrated and connected with the entire city, a strong morphological and cultural identity of the settlement, are, on the whole, the results that a careful project of the territory should be able to achieve. This contribution intends to deal with the issue of public mobility and accessibility in a view of territorial development linked to the use of the urban area asset of Reggio Calabria.
Waste Management in Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Tucci Nicola , Fagà Francesco Antonio
Published: June 2014

This pre-feasibility study prepared by the Centro Studi D.E.I Desarrollo Etico Internaciònal - in collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Buenos Aires aims to prefigure a course of study - research - design that will be useful to the Municipality of the Metropolitan Norte (AMN) to set about solving the issue management and treatment of waste in their territories. This study starts from the direct observation by Expert DEI, local systems of waste management in the Province of Buenos Aires and, in particular, in the territorial area of the Rio Reconquista, which fall in the area 4 of the 5 Municipalities of AMN (Cuenca baja del Rio Reconquista) . Direct observation , it adds to the experience of BTP in the search for innovative technological solutions and management standards and technologies developed on a European and Italian that can easily adapt to the realities of urban Argentine population densities are high , right from the search Italo-Argentine of has developed an integrated method of MSW management , composed of both systems , high-tech integrated systems of collection, which is registered with the trademark Argentalia® . This pre-feasibility study demonstrates , at the outset, that it is useful to explore the theme through a next step , in a real feasibility study that supports municipalities in dell'AMN important choices to put in place concrete activities and virtuous in which the waste issues can move from the problem situation to that resource.
Territorial Systems and Valley Communities in the Area of the Straits of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria
Authors: Malaspina Maurizio
Published: June 2014

The present study deals with the theme of district policies applied to the enhancement of territorial systems suited to integration, highlighting the extraordinarily important role of participation and involvement in every stage of the process area. The research has focused on the codification of a model of supply network capability, the Ecodistretto, and has experienced the stages of start-up in a pilot area of the Strait, the antipeninsular sub-system of the Gallico Valley.
Urban-Rural Relationships in Feeding Metropolis: A Case Study in Ljubljana Metropolitan Area
Authors: Sali Guido , Corsi Stefano , Monaco Federica , Mazzocchi Chiara , Glavan Matjaž , Pintar Marina
Published: June 2014

Metropolitan areas are characterized by the coexistence of a urban core insisting on natural resources of surrounding rural areas, strictly linked to the former. Inevitably, increasing urbanization and its consequences affect the model of urban development, which then needs to deal with the challenge of sustainability, also aiming to reduce pressures on resources and on supplying capacities of rural agricultural systems in providing food to urban zones, traditionally lacking. It then becomes important to deepen the possibility for the dense core to be supplied through proximity agriculture, able to recreate and improve synergic connections between urban and rural spheres. The paper aims to study the relationships among them for feeding the metropolis, adopting a methodology for the spatial definition of urban centre in metropolitan area and the assessment of its food balance, in order to identify the potentialities of local and proximity agriculture and provide a first evaluation for the possibility to match urban development and production potential. Identified tools are applied to Ljubljana metropolitan area.
Urban Development Agreement: “Metropolitan Perspectives 2013” The Public - Private Partnership in Urban and Infrastructure Development in the North Area of Reggio Calabria
Authors: Scrivo Raffaele , Viglianisi Angela
Published: June 2014

The Plan for the City, can be defined more like an operative program than a plan. In his criteria it is possible to identify a systemic, synergistic and sustanaible approach. The approach was that to define a method to integrate the time with economic and social factors, defining a more large concept of sustainability. The path has involved local stakeholders to understand their need, even often conflictual, between public and private, translating them into selection criteria and go on to apath of selection of actions. These actions will follow on iter on Public - Private partnership, three goals: to decrease public costs, to create a new push effect on investments, to encourage the private stakeholder on process of urban transformation.
Research and Innovation Transfer in the Field of PPP Applied to Urban Regeneration Actions and Policies
Authors: Bevilacqua Carmelina
Published: June 2014

The European Union has recognized the centrality of community in economic development processes by stressing the role of the cities in delivering smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The European Commission has recently published a study on how cities use ERDF to make their cities a better place to live and work [. One of the most engaging results of the study is the variable geometry of strategies in place to achieve urban and territorial cohesion through the implementation of integrated approaches. The area-based type of intervention dominates many of the practices, especially those in deprived areas, because of social, economic and environmental factors. Physical regeneration is still a major driver in creating multi-stakeholder cooperation in the integration of policies. There are relatively few cases in which the place-based approach was combined with a people-based approach and even fewer where ERDF and European Social Fund (ESF) cross-funding was developed [2]. Even the urban dimension in the EU cohesion policy is not a new issue, the way in which the Europe 2020 intends to ensure integrated approach in the sustainable urban development is quite new because it entails both thematic concentration and involvement of the community. According to the Commissions proposals, there are several ways to support sustainable urban development with the Structural Funds: Operational programmes, Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI), Community-Led Local Development, financial instruments (like Jessica and Jeremie) by enhancing new forms of Public Private Partnership. The paper reports some interesting findings of the CLUDs project with respect the role of no-profit organization in different forms of Public Private Partnerships used to regenerate urban districts in the Metropolitan Area of Boston. The research funded by IRSES Marie Curie Actions has created an international network of 4 EU universities (Reggio Calabria, Rome, Salford and Helsinki) and 2 US universities (Northeastern University of Boston and San Diego State University) in research and innovation transfer in the field of PPP applied to urban regeneration actions and policies.
Innovative Tools for the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Administrative Action of the Metropolitan Cities: The Strategic Operational Programme
Authors: Calabrò Francesco , Della Spina Lucia
Published: June 2014

Metropolitan Cities are considered a subject crucial to the development of the territories, for "... modernize the public administration, and respond with a streamlined structure and efficient response to the growing expectations of businesses and citizens" [.They should, therefore, be able to improve the competitiveness and attractiveness of the territories also through innovative forms of governance, able to used most effectively administrative action.This paper aims to deepen the reflection on the most appropriate tools whose metropolitan cities should have in order to respond to its founding purpose.
Urban Regeneration and New Partnerships among Public Institutions, Local Entrepreneurs and Communities
Authors: Trillo Claudia
Published: June 2014

The paper aims at investigating how different approaches in the interaction among public institutions, (local) entrepreneurs and communities lead to better perform effective urban regeneration processes. At this aim, purposely selected urban regeneration programs undertaken in some neighbourhoods of Boston are discussed against a conceptual frame drawn from the civic economics theory, trying to unveil the potential of innovative forms of multiple actors’ partnerships acting together to achieve urban regeneration goals. The paper demonstrates how both a conceptual shift of the role of private investors in partnerships for urban regeneration, capable to incorporate traditionally public- led goals into private duties, and a conceptual shift of public and private partnerships mechanisms, capable to incorporate not exclusively market-oriented values but also the value of reciprocity, can led to achieve: a) territorial concentration, obtained through place-based, community- based organisations enacting also central policies; b) continuity over time, obtained through the overlapping actions of multiple- stakeholders organisations covering different goals and areas that complement each other.
The Role of Cultural Assets in European and United States Urban Regeneration
Authors: Wassall Gregory H.
Published: June 2014

This paper compares the role that cultural economic development has played in countries on both sides of the Atlantic. It evaluates reasons why the United States and Western European countries have pursued contrasting policies, and whether both have benefited from the paths they have taken. Although the dichotomy is not perfect, Western European countries have relied more on heritage goods, while the United States is more renowned for its intellectual property industries. The paper concludes with an argument that each regions strategy may be optimal, given its endowments and constraints.
Place-Based Approach: A US-EU Comparison
Authors: Falcomatà Saverio Alessandro , Nucera Teresa , Tripodi Leonarda
Published: June 2014

A basic requirement to achieve economic development within a State or a union of states is to reduce spatial inequalities between the different regions and cities. Both in the European Union and in the United States, development budget funds are assigned to local development strategies. In this perspective, the place-based approach furthers regional development by tailoring policies to the specific economic and social contexts. American and European case studies reveal strengths and weaknesses of policies involved in the local development process while pursuing the spatial equity distribution principle. American case studies such as Dudley Street, Boston MA and Washington Gateway Main Street, Boston MA, reveal a consolidate recourse to corporations, organizations and institutions in order to implement the place-based initiatives. On the other side, European case studies such as Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany and West Midlands, United Kingdom and others, denote an ad-hoc practice but at the same time a wider scope of application. Final observations enable to implement the theoretical knowledge on the places-based approach as a driver to thrive local development.
The Agri-Foodstuffs Market and the Value Chain: Proposals for an Integrated System of Multifunction Logistic Centres in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria
Authors: Malaspina Maurizio
Published: June 2014

The study investigates the agri-foodstuffs market, highlighting the developments of the last decades that have seen the large-scale retail trade to exert an action more and more invasive in the distribution value along the line characterizing the production chain.