Perspective of multiscale planning of rurban development: case of Lithuania

Author(s): Erika Zaleskienė,Indrė Gražulevičiūtė-Vileniškė,Sébastien Gadal / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2015

Landscape planning as one of the most important spheres determining the lifestyle environment and the framework of the societal organisation, being a complex process dealing with hardly predictable future, numerous variables and interested parties, involves a high degree of uncertainty. Dynamic, mutable and hard to define rurban landscapes emerging in the areas of rural-urban interface also imply a lot of uncertainty. These territories are a specific component and the indicator of the metropolisation as well. This means that planning of such landscapes is a difficult task requiring a distinctive approach. The aim of this research was to develop and present the rurban landscape planning principles. The approach to the rurban landscape planning and related research presented here can be identified as multiscale scientific sustainability-based: we have distinguished four major interrelated scales - global, regional, national, and local - and analyzed aspects of uncertainty that should be evaluated and precautionary measures that can be taken, the research that should be carried out, the most relevant landscape sustainability dimensions, and the documents that must or can be employed at each scale. In order to illustrate the relevance and applicability of the presented approach it was illustrated with the case of Lithuania. We have demonstrated the problems and challenges of landscape planning related to rural-urban interface in Lithuania originating at global, regional, national, and local levels, relevant documents and recommended actions for more sustainable development of rurban areas in the overall context of landscape planning. The analysis has shown that the extensive juridical basis and the volume of other documents at all levels exist for successful planning and management of rurban areas in the country and the main problems causing contemporary failure to regulate the processes rural-urban interface are related with the lack of understanding or rurban problematic and the lack of understanding global, continental, and regional contexts, the lack of strategic integrated thinking, transparency, and competences in the planning process.

Re-design an Open Space Through the Urban Farming

Author(s): Rossella Franchino,Nicola Pisacane / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2016

To intervene on urban development, with the aim of finding an alternative model that has emerged in the last century, a sustainable approach is necessary so as to establish the territory as a pattern in which it is not possible to detect the boundaries between the natural and artificial environments and in which each process is controlled so that its impact and, consequently, the irreversible degradation induced is the minimum possible in relation to the constraints of the process itself. The urban context should be seen as an organism with a dynamic balance achieved through the technological control of complex functions. With the aim of achieving these objectives, the role of open urban spaces is particularly important, since they constitute nodal elements capable of performing the delicate function of linking the urban systems with the surrounding natural ones, while assuming a strategic role in the transformation of anthropized areas. In this context urban farming can make a valuable contribution as an effective instrument for the renewal of urban open space because offers significant possibilities from an environmental, economic and social perspective (Franchino, 2015).The drawing of a territory offers a contribution into the phases of a local context analysis and architectural design communication. In the specific field of urban farming and about the project introduced in this abstract,the study of the area has been the preparatory analysis phase for the knowledge of the local resources,founding premise of a proper planning process. The analysis of the agricultural vocation of the area emerged also through the map comparative study, both diachronic and synchronic. This study, simultaneous to the study of urban farming models, has allowed the development of the project idea. The representation and communication of the project took place through different methods and tools. The articulation of the interior and open spaces occurred through plan and front views, the communication of the project is rather occurred through render views that illustrated both changes through day and night views, but also the landscape modifies through the evolution and the alternations of crops over the seasons.In order to obtain an applicative definition of these concepts, is presented a structured case study related to the requalification of a degraded urban area in the South of Italy.

Assessment of the Social Electricity Online Platform Tools and their Potential Impact on European Citizens

Author(s): George Kourtis,Ioannis Hadjipaschalis,Andreas Kamilaris,Maria Solomou / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2016

Through the Social Electricity Online Platform (SEOP) European project, four learning modules, educational content and online eco-feedback platforms have been developed, to raise the awareness and knowledge of citizens about energy, the environment and sustainability. The platform allows European citizens to become educated on energy-saving practices and techniques, including the use of renewable technologies at their home. Moreover, through the Social Electricity application, people may become aware of their electrical energy consumption by means of comparisons with the corresponding electrical consumption of their friends, as well as with the total consumption in the street, neighbourhood, village, city and country where they live, in a collaborative and social environment.In this paper, a pilot study performed in eight European countries involving more than 300 European citizens is presented, in order to demonstrate the influence of online learning modules and ecofeedback platforms on the everyday lives of people, in terms of rational energy use and energy savings. In this pilot, participants have been divided into two groups: the former uses the four learning modules available on the SEOP platform and then the Social Electricity application, whereas the latter uses only the Social Electricity application. This paper describes our overall findings after three months, exploring the completeness and educational value of the learning modules, and the potential of Social Electricity as an effective online tool for personal energy management. The results also evaluate the impact, behavioural change and the increase on energy awareness among the two groups, as well as the general effectiveness and acceptance of the platform.

Спрощення митних процедур відповідно до Рамкових стандартів ВМО

Author(s): Vitalіy Turzhanskyi / Language(s): Ukrainian Issue: 25/2014

The article aims to research the simplification of customs procedures in accordance with the provisions of the Framework safety standards and simplified.The article deals with the question of the nature and structure of SAFE Framework. Approaches to simplify customs procedures in accordance with the provisions of cancerous safety standards and simplified. Established that effective implementation of the Framework of Standards will significantly simplify customs procedures for the integrated management of supply chain ; powers to check the goods; implementation review of the application of modern technology; provide prior electronic information ; evaluation of performance and security.It is recommended to introduce the concept of «single window» and authorized economic operators in the national customs area , which will provide a significant simplification of customs procedures.

Czy Polska potrzebuje Kolei Dużych Prędkości?

Author(s): Juliusz Engelhardt / Language(s): Polish Issue: 1/2016

The article analyzes the arguments for the construction of the high speed rail in Poland. On the one hand, the demand and need for that mean of transport are analyzed, on the other hand, the economic feasibility of this long-term investment is demonstrated.

The impact of asynchronous trading on Epps effect. Comparative study on Warsaw Stock Exchange and Vienna Stock Exchange

Author(s): Henryk Gurgul,Artur Machno / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2016

Specialization and business cycles fluctuations of Polish regions

Author(s): Rafał Warżała / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2015

Can the publication of annual financial reports become an opportunity for insider trading?

Author(s): Milena Suliga / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2015

Public–Private Partnership Healthcare Projects in Turkey

Author(s): Hakan Öge,Türker Baş / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2016

Project finance is a financing mechanism to fund long-term investments considering the expected cash flow from the project at which asset and liabilities are generally booked in financial statements of special purpose vehicle (SPV). For recent years, healthcare services in Turkey are somewhat delegated to private sector through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model that project finance plays a critical role. In this model, investment is realized by private sector and risks are shared among related parties. The fund needed for investment can be raised through syndicated loans with the contribution of domestic banking system. Nevertheless, banking sector in Turkey has limited capacity to raise long term capital considering the funds utilized for these projects. This study aims to examine the finance structure of long-term PPP Healthcare Projects in Turkey by conducting interviews with the bankers who have been involved in this process.

Pikettyevo fiskalno rješenje za društvenu nejednakost - od statističke analize do ideologije

Author(s): Ivor Altaras Penda / Language(s): Croatian Issue: 03/2015

In this paper, the author presents and argues the thesis that Thomas Piketty’s fiscal solution to social inequality, presented in the book Capital of the 21st Century, is primarily the result of worldviews of the author of the book, and only to a lesser extent the result of the economical and statistical analysis of a large number of data series, which makes this book extremely important in the professional community. In addition, the author provides a number of possible different (and even opposite) solution models that would, in the context of Piketty’s arguments presented in the book, have the same effect, but would approach the social reality in a very different way. Finally, the author finds that the wealth of options that can be accessed on the topic of social inequality is the indication of its relevance.

PRIJEDLOG RJEŠENJA: OSNIVANJE I FINANSIRANJE SIGURNIH KUĆA U FEDERACIJI BIH

Author(s): Sabiha Husić,Irma Šiljak / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 18/2015

Imajući na umu Nacrt o izmjenama i dopunama Zakona o zaštiti od nasilja u porodici Federacije BiH, koji je 1. decembra 2015. usvojen u Predstavničkom domu Parlamenta Federacije BiH, predlažemo sljedeće rješenje za osnivanje, rad i finansiranje sigurnih kuća Federacije BiH.

JOINING OF ECONOMIC ENTITIES AS A POSSIBILITY OF SURVIVAL ON THE MODERN MARKET

Author(s): Nikolina Pavičić Rešetar,Zdravko Tolušić,Zrinka Tolušić / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2016

In today's global market, a major challenge for every economic entity is to be competitive and achieve its objectives. The method of survival shows that those companies with the lowest costs will survive and remain on the market. G. J. Stigler explained this technique on the market share of different sized companies in the steel industry in the United States. In his method he groups enterprises by size (small, medium and large). Historically, it is known that economic entities have been joining together since the Middle Ages. At that time, traders who formed associations were not engaged only in trade, but also in transportation and monetary activity. Economic entities are still joining together today, mostly in the form of a cooperative, cluster, cooperation, public private partnership or holding. The reason for that lies in the reduction of costs, risks and competition and the possibility of increasing the capacity of economic entities. Also, it should be noted that there is a synergy effect when economic entities join together. We are witnesses of many failed businesses, which did not respond to the economic crisis and the needs of the market. The aim of this paper is to try to connect the technique of survival and joining of economic entities and show how a merger is one of the survival models that in conditions of economic crisis provides options to business entities. Only companies with the lowest costs and high-quality technology can survive and compete in today's market.

Jak transport publiczny wpływa na kształtowanie się rynku nieruchomości? Przykład Poznańskiego Szybkiego Tramwaju

Author(s): Adam Radzimski,Jędrzej Gadziński / Language(s): Polish Issue: 3/2016

Badania nad wpływem infrastruktury transportu publicznego na rynek nieruchomości stanowią dynamicznie rozwijający się nurt w literaturze z zakresu geografii transportu. W tym kontekście celem niniejszego artykułu jest dokonanie przeglądu aktualnego stanu międzynarodowych badań w tym zakresie oraz empiryczne ujęcie wybranego studium przypadku. W szczególności, przedmiotem badań jest wpływ Poznańskiego Szybkiego Tramwaju (PST) na kształtowanie się rynku mieszkaniowego na zespole osiedli „Winogrady”. W oparciu o dane o transakcjach sprzedaży mieszkań, w artykule przedstawia się analizę statystycznej zależności pomiędzy dostępnością PST a cenami mieszkań, z wykorzystaniem klasycznej metody najmniejszych kwadratów, metod ekonometrii przestrzennej oraz regresji geograficznie ważonej. Następnie, wykorzystując dane pozyskane drogą badania ankietowego, ukazuje się rolę PST jako czynnika wpływającego na satysfakcję z miejsca zamieszkania, mogącego skłaniać do przeprowadzki oraz kształtującego codzienne zachowania przestrzenne. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że znaczenie PST mierzone w kategoriach satysfakcji z miejsca zamieszkania było wysokie, natomiast wpływ na ceny mieszkań był niewielki, choć zauważalny. W konkluzji autorzy skłaniają się do wniosku, że w przyszłych badaniach należy w większym stopniu brać pod uwagę cechy charakterystyczne danego obszaru, takie jak na przykład odległość od centrum czy też istniejące alternatywne środki transportu publicznego.

Європейський досвід щодо митних спрощень економічним операторам при транзитних переміщеннях товарів

Author(s): Yuriy Konovalov / Language(s): Ukrainian Issue: 30/2016

In article concepts of the representative the consignor and authorized goods are opened recipient, are analyzed the European experience of providing customs simplifications to Authorized Economic Operators at the general procedure of transit, and also expediency of implementation of provisions of the legislation of the European Union to domestic the customs legislation is proved.At research of a question in work the following general scientific methods were used: the analysis (for understanding of essence of the representative the consignor and authorized consignee), synthesis and deduction (at first types of customs simplifications to economic operators of the EU, and then in detail types of customs simplifications to economic operators are analysed at the general procedure of transit), abstraction (separation of essential information from insignificant), classification (division and groups of participants of procedure of the general transit for certain signs) and a method of generalization by means of which it was made the general conclusions.In article need of adaptation of the international experience of customs simplifications under modern requirements is proved. It is substantiated that the implementation in activity of the Public fiscal service of Ukraine will allow to create transparent rules of implementation of foreign economic activity, simple, fast and open procedures of customs registration and control of movement of goods through customs border. Materials and practices of article can be used by specialists of State Fiscal Service of Ukraine for the account in work when carrying out merchandising examination.

Антикризове управління банківською діяльністю в контексті інформаційної асиметрії

Author(s): Sophia Pilgui / Language(s): Ukrainian Issue: 30/2016

The purpose of this article is the analysis of the impact of information asymmetry in the financial stability of the banking system of Ukraine and the definition of the measures to leveling in the context of crisis management.In the article systematized the main sources of information for the bank and potential customers, the theoretical bases causes and features of display of information asymmetry in the banking sector. There is revealed the influence of information asymmetry on the financial stability of the banking system. The basic measures for prevention of the crisis minimize information asymmetry in banking of Ukraine and improving financial stability of the banking system of Ukraine were suggested.One of the most important functions of crisis management is the development and implementation of information policy at all levels of the banking system of Ukraine, which will increase the level of confidence (increase economic activity), and in times of crisis - will localize and neutralize crises. Further researches need further development of scientific-methodical approaches to implement anti-crisis information policy of the banking system.

Рецензія на монографію «Децентралізація та територіальна консолідація в Україні: інституційні та фінансово-економічні засади» / за заг. ред. О. В. Покатаєвої, Г. Ю Кучерової. – Запоріжжя : КПУ, 2016. – 208 с.

Author(s): Alla Cherep / Language(s): Ukrainian Issue: 30/2016

This collective monograph under the editorship of О. Pokataieva and H. Kucherova is a systemic scientific work by a group of authors which offers a comprehensive solution to one of the pressing issues – implementing the mechanism of administrative decentralization in Ukraine. The authors explored theoretical principles and information support of decentralization and territorial consolidation in Ukraine and other countries. They also considered complex issues of industrial relations on the regional level in the context of decentralization and territorial consolidation, identified the areas of modernization in professional training for leaders in Ukraine, described the aspects of state regulation in the sphere of education in the process of decentralization taking into account global experience. The authors developed conceptual approaches to improving the mechanism of facilitating local government in the context of decentralization. They studied the international experience of administering depressed regions in the context of decentralization and offered a mechanism of fiscal decentralization for local budget incomes based on using tax certificates and income tax.

Transitions Online_Around the Bloc-Bulgaria Tops EU Road Death Statistics

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English Issue: 05/30/2017

Roads are substantially safer in the EU than they were 15 years ago, but the west-east divide is not closing.

Transitions Online_Around the Bloc-Strong Economic Indicators Buoy Polish Government

Author(s): TOL TOL / Language(s): English Issue: 05/30/2017

Western Europe should envy our economy, spokesman says. But is the Polish model exportable?

Correlation between public funding and non-ferrous industry. Evidence from CEE and Romania

Author(s): Brîndușa Sterpu / Language(s): English Issue: 08/2016

The paper aims at presenting important approaches of the influence of the public funding to industry, especially non-ferrous, in the Countries from Eastern Europe (CEE) and Romania. Studies presented in the paper show that the industry funding had been sustained by the European Commission in the community area, but particularly in CEE area. The impact of industry funding will never be exactly measured, but important data can be presented in order to foresee the future development of the European industry. Specific for non-ferrous industry, in the article there are presented important items, as turnover, value added cost, exports, production, which are correlated to EU funds absorption in order to measure the efficiency of the public funding for 2007-2013 period (national and EU funds) and the welfare of the CEE and Romanian non-ferrous sector.

Some issues in innovation policy evaluation

Author(s): Artūrs Prauliņš / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2013

Nowadays, innovations facilitate both economic development and growth in national welfare. In most countries politicians are determined to improve the effectiveness of national innovation policies and to help entrepreneurs to be innovative and competitive, both in the national and the international market. The accountability culture, budget limitations and dedication to spending money as efficiently as possible are among reasons for developing an evaluation of innovation policy. Moreover, evaluations can assist decision-makers with identifying sources of competitive advantage and areas where public expenditure can reduce market fluctuations. The article explores the diversity of methods and approaches to the evaluation of innovation policy and traces their gradual transformation and historical development. Particular attention is paid to the hierarchical structure and temporal perspectives of evaluation as well as to the comparative analysis of different types of evaluation. Various sets of optional evaluation indicators are also examined. It has been concluded that a demand-driven innovation policy and diffusion-oriented measures lead to the use of more advanced and experimental evaluation methods going beyond previous practice. The design of an integral evaluation system is a challenging task due to the increasing complexity of evaluation objects and the impact of numerous factors outside of the evaluation model. Because of the politicians’ particular interest in simple economic indicators and the accepted measures of the short-term impact of innovation policy, a conflict with evaluation experts arises. A systemic analysis and a benchmark approach could be used to mitigate this conflict. Recently, an adaptive learning approach has been considered to be the state-of-the-art method for evaluating innovation policy. In addition to exact measures, it could provide information for the recurrent implementation of successful innovation policy instruments and the cancellation of ineffective ones.