New Trends in Public Facility Location Modeling

The past four decades have witnessed an explosive growth in the field of networkbased facility location modeling. This is not at all surprising since location policy is one of the most profitable areas of applied systems analysis in regional science and ample theoretical and applied challenges are offered. Location-allocation models seek the location of facilities and/or services (e.g., schools, hospitals, and warehouses) so as to optimize one or several objectives generally related to the efficiency of the system or to the allocation of resources. This paper concerns the location of facilities or services in discrete space or networks, that are related to the public sector, such as emergency services (ambulances, fire stations, and police units), school systems and postal facilities. The paper is structured as follows: first, we will focus on public facility location models that use some type of coverage criterion, with special emphasis in emergency services. The second section will examine models based on the P-Median problem and some of the issues faced by planners when implementing this formulation in real world locational decisions. Finally, the last section will examine new trends in public sector facility location modeling.

Location models in the public sector

The past four decades have witnessed an explosive growth in the field of networkbased facilitylocation modeling. This is not at all surprising since location policy is one of the mostprofitable areas of applied systems analysis in regional science and ample theoretical andapplied challenges are offered. Location-allocation models seek the location of facilitiesand/or services (e.g., schools, hospitals, and warehouses) so as to optimize one or severalobjectives generally related to the efficiency of the system or to the allocation of resources.This paper concerns the location of facilities or services in discrete space or networks, thatare related to the public sector, such as emergency services (ambulances, fire stations, andpolice units), school systems and postal facilities. The paper is structured as follows: first,we will focus on public facility location models that use some type of coverage criterion,with special emphasis in emergency services. The second section will examine models based onthe P-Median problem and some of the issues faced by planners when implementing thisformulation in real world locational decisions. Finally, the last section will examine newtrends in public sector facility location modeling.

Free Mobility and Taste-Homogeneity of Jurisdiction Structures

We consider a population of agents distributed on the unit interval. Agents form jurisdictions in order to provide a public facility and share its costs equally. This creates an incentive to form large entities. Individuals also incur a transportation cost depending on their location and that of the facility which makes small jurisdictions advantageous. We consider a fairly general class of distributions of agents and generalize previous versions of this model by allowing for non-linear transportation costs. We show that, in general, jurisdictions are not necessarily homogeneous. However, they are if facilities are always intraterritory and transportation costs are superadditive. Superadditivity can be weakened to strictly increasing and strictly concave when agents are uniformly distributed. Keywords: Consecutiveness, stratification, local public goods, coalition formation, country formation. JEL Classification: C71 (Cooperative Games), D71 (Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations), H73 (Interjurisdictional Differentials and Their Effects).

Can vouchers deliver? An evaluation of subsidies for maternal health care in Cambodia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of vouchers for maternity care in public health-care facilities on the utilization of maternal health-care services in Cambodia. METHODS: The study involved data from the 2010 Cambodian Demographic and Health Survey, which covered births between 2005 and 2010. The effect of voucher schemes, first implemented in 2007, on the utilization of maternal health-care services was quantified using a difference-in-differences method that compared changes in utilization in districts with voucher schemes with changes in districts without them. FINDINGS: Overall, voucher schemes were associated with an increase of 10.1 percentage points (pp) in the probability of delivery in a public health-care facility; among women from the poorest 40% of households, the increase was 15.6 pp. Vouchers were responsible for about one fifth of the increase observed in institutional deliveries in districts with schemes. Universal voucher schemes had a larger effect on the probability of delivery in a public facility than schemes targeting the poorest women. Both types of schemes increased the probability of receiving postnatal care, but the increase was significant only for non-poor women. Universal, but not targeted, voucher schemes significantly increased the probability of receiving antenatal care. CONCLUSION: Voucher schemes increased deliveries in health centres and, to a lesser extent, improved antenatal and postnatal care. However, schemes that targeted poorer women did not appear to be efficient since these women were more likely than less poor women to be encouraged to give birth in a public health-care facility, even with universal voucher schemes.

Low utilization of health care services following screening for hypertension in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania): a prospective population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Drug therapy in high-risk individuals has been advocated as an important strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease in low income countries. We determined, in a low-income urban population, the proportion of persons who utilized health services after having been diagnosed as hypertensive and advised to seek health care for further hypertension management. METHODS: A population-based survey of 9254 persons aged 25-64 years was conducted in Dar es Salaam. Among the 540 persons with high blood pressure (defined here as BP >or= 160/95 mmHg) at the initial contact, 253 (47%) had high BP on a 4th visit 45 days later. Among them, 208 were untreated and advised to attend health care in a health center of their choice for further management of their hypertension. One year later, 161 were seen again and asked about their use of health services during the interval. RESULTS: Among the 161 hypertensive persons advised to seek health care, 34% reported to have attended a formal health care provider during the 12-month interval (63% public facility; 30% private; 7% both). Antihypertensive treatment was taken by 34% at some point of time (suggesting poor uptake of health services) and 3% at the end of the 12-month follow-up (suggesting poor long-term compliance). Health services utilization tended to be associated with older age, previous history of high BP, being overweight and non-smoking, but not with education or wealth. Lack of symptoms and cost of treatment were the reasons reported most often for not attending health care. CONCLUSION: Low utilization of health services after hypertension screening suggests a small impact of a patient-centered screen-and-treat strategy in this low-income population. These findings emphasize the need to identify and address barriers to health care utilization for non-communicable diseases in this setting and, indirectly, the importance of public health measures for primary prevention of these diseases.

Análise e proposta de aprimoramento para a gestão da Sabina Escola Parque do Conhecimento

Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal buscar, por meio de benchmarking, um modelo mais apropriado de gestão para o equipamento público Sabina Escola Parque do Conhecimento – localizado na cidade de Santo André-São Paulo –, cuja finalidade é ser uma extensão lúdica e prática do ambiente escolar. Para isso, avaliaram-se os modelos de gestão aplicados em equipamentos públicos similares, isto é, que também fornecem serviços educacionais e ambientais inovadores. Os equipamentos públicos escolhidos para compor a análise foram: Museu Catavento, Plug Minas e Aquário Municipal de Santos, situados, respectivamente, nas cidades de São Paulo, Belo Horizonte e Santos. Para alcançar esse objetivo, recorreu-se a um estudo investigativo, que compreendeu pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, visitas técnicas, coleta de dados quantitativos sobre os equipamentos e suas respectivas localidades, bem como entrevistas com os gestores desses atrativos e com responsáveis por órgãos governamentais relacionados. A partir disso, e com auxílio da análise SWOT, foram elaboradas algumas propostas para melhorar a gestão da Sabina Escola Parque: implantar um modelo de gestão por resultados, implementar parcerias formalizadas por meio de contrato de gestão com entidade qualificada, como as Organizações Sociais, incrementar as receitas, melhorar a eficiência das despesas, dentre outras.

Casa da Mulher Centro de Referência às Mulheres que sofrem violência em Presidente Prudente

The Casa da Mulher is a proposal for a final work for graduation to a public facility that brings together key services for the treatment of women victims of violence, integrated to the therapeutic activities in the municipality of Presidente Prudente. The project considered the current attendance, also the dynamics and the professionals who make up the Rede da Mulher, to create a welcoming environment that complements the treatment of the patients. Therefore the Casa da Mulher responds to the needs of users for an appropriate space of care, respecting the municipal laws, in order to host the victim, accompany the patient´s treat till leave the facility

Therapeutic communication between health workers and patients concerning diabetes mellitus care

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to analyze therapeutic communication techniques used by health workers with patients under care for diabetes mellitus. Data were collected in 2010 in a public facility in the interior of Ceara, Brazil using video camera equipment and direct observation. Results showed that the most frequently used techniques within the "expression" group were: asking questions, voicing interest, and using descriptive phrases. The most frequently used technique within the "clarification" group was: asking the patient to specify the agent of action. Finally, in regard to the "validation" group, only the technique "summarizing content of the interaction" was employed. The conclusion is that despite the use of communication techniques on the part of professionals, there is still an alarming gap concerning communication skills. Such skills should be allied with technical expertise to enable the delivery of qualified care to individuals with diabetes mellitus.

2012: una odisea urbana. La nueva sede de la Confederación de Empresarios de Albacete (FEDA)

La nueva sede de la Confederación de Empresarios de Albacete (FEDA), 2007-2011, es un edificio del equipo de arquitectos COR & Asociados, formado por Jesús Olivares y Miguel Rodenas, titulados por la Universidad de Alicante. Situado en un retal de la ciudad de Albacete (España), con 3800 m2 y un coste de poco menos de 1000 €/m2, este equipamiento público, de manifiesta calidad como pieza arquitectónica, suscita a los autores del presente artículo una reflexión en profundidad sobre el alcance de su impacto en el medio indeciso en que se inserta y sobre su capacidad para urbanizar un entorno falto de carácter.

Museum of urban development and headquarters for the planning/preservation department of the city of Miami Beach.

The objective of this research and thesis was to develop a program and project in the context of the Historic Art Deco District in Miami Beach. This project intended to analyze the chronological history of the urban development of the Art Deco District, its geographical, political and socio-cultural conditions as well as the evolution and different architectonic typologies of the area. In order to understand the issues involved in design in a historic context, this research addressed and analyzed several architectonic interventions within various historic places. This research concluded with the design of a public facility located at Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, consisting of a Museum of Urban Development and Headquarters for the Planning/Preservation Department of the City of Miami Beach. The project proposal and thesis, addresses architectonic and theoretical issues specific to design in an historic area.

Model BOT partnerstwa publiczno-prywatnego w realizacji inwestycji infrastrukturalnych

Partnerstwo publiczno-prywatne zyskuje coraz większą popularność w realizacji zadań publicznych, szczególnie w obszarze inwestycji infrastrukturalnych. W toku upowszechniania wykorzystania kapitału i wiedzy pochodzącej z sektora prywatnego do realizacji inwestycji, które dotychczas były domeną sektora publicznego wykształciły się różne modele partnerstwa. Jednym z najpowszechniejszych z nich jest model BOT, czyli build, operate and transfer, co w przekładzie na język polski oznacza buduj, eksploatuj i przekaż. Już samo rozwinięcie tego skrótu, wystarcza do opisania w sposób ogólny tej koncepcji. Polega ona na wykorzystaniu potencjału gospodarczego i organizacyjnego partnera prywatnego do budowy określonego obiektu użyteczności publicznej, następnie podmiot ten odzyskuje poniesione koszty i zapewnia sobie odpowiednią stopę zysku dzięki eksploatacji tego obiektu na podstawie udzielonej mu koncesji. Po wygaśnięciu koncesji prawa do eksploatacji obiektu wracają w posiadanie podmiotu publicznego. Niniejszy artykuł ma charakter poglądowy. Autor na wstępie przybliża podstawy prawne partnerstwa oraz status prawny jego uczestników. Następnie w oparciu o regulacje prawne przedstawiony zostaje proces realizacji przedsięwzięcia BOT, po czym określane są potencjalne korzyści i koszty płynące z zastosowania tego modelu.

O aqueduto das águas livres como elemento dinamizador e regenerador do eixo Lisboa-Sintra

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Arquitectura com especialização em Urbanismo, apresentada na Universidade de Lisboa - Faculdade de Arquitetura. Assuntos:

A importância do programa revitalização e dinamização do centro cultural

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Arquitectura com Especialização em Arquitectura de Interiores, apresentada na Universidade de Lisboa - Faculdade de Arquitectura.

Cost-effective utilization of a private facility to perform outpatient surgery in public hospital waiting list patients.

Background: Public hospitals' long waiting lists make outpatient surgery in private facilities very attractive provided a standardized protocol is applied. The aim of this study was to assess this kind of innovative collaboration in abdominal surgery from a clinical and economical perspective. Methods: All consecutive patients operated on in an outpatient basis in a private facility by a public hospital abdominal surgeon and an assistant over a 5-year period (2004-2009) were included. Clinical assessment was carried out from patients' charts and satisfaction questionnaire, and economic assessment from the comparison between the surgeons' charges paid by the private facility and the surgeons' hospital salaries during the days devoted to surgery at the private facility. Results: Over the 5 years, 602 operative procedures were carried out during 190 operative days. All patients could be discharged the same day and only 1% of minor complications occurred. The patients' satisfaction was 98%. The balance between the surgeons' charges paid by the private facility and their hospital salary costs was positive by 25.8% for the senior surgeon and 12.6% for the assistant or, on average, 21.9% for both. Conclusion: Collaboration between an overloaded university hospital surgery department and a private surgical facility was successful, effective, safe, and cost-effective. It could be extended to other surgical specialities. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel

Indian Creek Channel: the evolution & significance of an historic public works administration flood control facility, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 2010

Plagued for nearly a century by the perennial flooding of Indian Creek, the City begins construction on a massive channelization project designed to confine the creek to its banks. Funded largely through a grant from the recently established Public Works Administration (PWA), the Indian Creek Channel, upon its completion two years later, would become the largest PWA undertaking in the State of Iowa. Though it did not completely end flooding in Council Bluffs, construction of the Indian Creek Channel did substantially reduce both the number and severity of the city's subsequent floods. It also profoundly impacted the residential and commercial development of Council Bluffs, as well as the city's sanitary conditions. The effects of the Indian Creek channelization, both practical and historical, are still realized today. In 2009, plans for a City road and bridge construction project at the intersection of North Broadway Street and Kanesville Boulevard proposed to replace a 221-foot-long segment of the Indian Creek Channel with a concrete box culvert. In compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, a cultural resources study was conducted at the proposed construction site, the findings of which concluded that the historic character of the Indian Creek Channel would be compromised by the impending construction. As a means of mitigating these damages, an agreement was reached among the City, the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, and the Federal Highway Administration that resulted in detailed research and documentation of the historical significance of the Indian Creek Channel. The findings of that study are summarized in this publication.