Government and nongovernmental organizations need national and global estimates on the descriptive epidemiology of common oral conditions for policy planning and evaluation. The aim of this component of the Global Burden of Disease study was to produce estimates on prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability for oral conditions from 1990 to 2017 by sex, age, and countries. In addition, this study reports the global socioeconomic pattern in burden of oral conditions by the standard World Bank classification of economies as well as the Global Burden of Disease Socio-demographic Index. The findings show that oral conditions remain a substantial population health challenge. Globally, there were 3.5 billion cases (95% uncertainty interval [95% UI], 3.2 to 3.7 billion) of oral conditions, of which 2.3 billion (95% UI, 2.1 to 2.5 billion) had untreated caries in permanent teeth, 796 million (95% UI, 671 to 930 million) had severe periodontitis, 532 million (95% UI, 443 to 622 million) had untreated caries in deciduous teeth, 267 million (95% UI, 235 to 300 million) had total tooth loss, and 139 million (95% UI, 133 to 146 million) had other oral conditions in 2017. Several patterns emerged when the World Bank’s classification of economies and the Socio-demographic Index were used as indicators of economic development. In general, more economically developed countries have the lowest burden of untreated dental caries and severe periodontitis and the highest burden of total tooth loss. The findings offer an opportunity for policy makers to identify successful oral health strategies and strengthen them; introduce and monitor different approaches where oral diseases are increasing; plan integration of oral health in the agenda for prevention of noncommunicable diseases; and estimate the cost of providing universal coverage for dental care.
This systematic analysis describes cancer burden for 29 cancer groups across 195 countries from 1990 through 2017 to provide data needed for cancer control planning.
Abstract Spatial planning refers to the long-term planning and overall arrangement of land resources and space layout under the jurisdiction of a country or region government, aiming to achieve effective control and scientific management of territorial space and promote the balance between development and protection. It is generally considered as an effective instrument for promoting space governance and regional sustainable development. This study systematically reviewed the evolution history of China's spatial planning and the key issues it faces or brings, then analyzed the major measures and potential challenges taken by the country, and finally put forward countermeasures and suggestions to promote the establishment and implementation of national territory spatial planning (NTSP). Results demonstrated that as the largest developing country in the world, due to the lack of unified spatial planning system and superior laws, there are many problems in China's spatial planning, such as various types, overlapping conflicts, complex approval process and frequent revision of planning, and difficulties in planning implementation, which has led to the imbalance of territory spatial development, deterioration of ecological environment, tightening of resource constraints and regional unbalance development. To solve these problems, China is innovating to take its territory spatial as a system to establish a unified NTSP system, and promoting the transformation of spatial planning from multisector industry or special planning to integrated NTSP. At the same time, China is actively promoting the NTSP legislation, which will have a milestone role in promoting state affairs and space governance by law. However, the NTSP system’s establishment still faces many challenges, and the its formulation and implementation need to consider the background of the times, follow the law of modernization development, and adapt to local conditions in combination with national conditions.
Fatima Mohamud Ahmed, Fatima Mohamud Ahmed, Abdifetah Ibrahim Omar
et al.
BackgroundDespite global advancements in reproductive healthcare, the utilization of modern contraceptives in Somalia remains critically low, marked by significant regional and sociodemographic disparities. This study assessed the prevalence and identified key predictors of modern contraceptive use among Somali women of reproductive age using data from the 2020 Somali Health and Demographic Survey (SHDS).MethodsA nationally representative cross-sectional analysis was conducted on a sample of 2,704 women aged 15–49 years. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were employed to identify factors associated with the use of modern contraceptives.ResultsThe majority of participants were aged 26 years or older (57.6%), resided in urban areas (85.1%), and belonged to the highest wealth quintile (62.4%). The prevalence of modern contraceptive use among the study participants was exceptionally low at 1.8%. The most commonly reported methods were oral contraceptive pills (0.6%) and implants (0.2%), while the use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) was minimal (0.04%). A significant gap in exposure to family planning information was observed, with only 13.6% of women reported to have received it at health facilities. Key predictors for modern contraceptive use included the age of the women and exposure to family planning education at a health facility. Women aged 26 years and older demonstrated significantly higher odds of using contraception compared to their younger counterparts [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 10.13; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.39–42.97]. Furthermore, women who received family planning information from health facilities were twice as likely to use modern contraceptive methods (AOR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.02–3.88).ConclusionThe findings underscore an urgent need to enhance both the accessibility and knowledge of modern contraceptives in Somalia. Targeted interventions focusing on health facility-based education and expanding the limited variety of available contraceptive methods are crucial to improving uptake and addressing the reproductive health needs of Somali women.
Abstract This study analyzes the spatiotemporal dynamics of rural settlement evolution in Guangdong Province, China, examining their transformation amid rapid urbanization and industrialization over the past 20 years. Rural settlements serve as primary spatial carriers for production and living activities, embodying multiple functions including production, living, ecological, and cultural aspects. Using GIS-based analytical tools, including landscape pattern indices, average nearest neighbor index, kernel density estimation, and geographical detector methods, we examined settlement evolution patterns and their driving factors. Results show a continuous decline in settlement numbers, while patch areas exhibited a U-shaped trend of decreasing then increasing. Settlement patterns shifted from “reduction” to “integration”, with intensifying spatial agglomeration over time. The Pearl River Delta and Eastern Guangdong regions followed similar trajectories, reflecting the impact of urbanization and industrialization on rural development. Multiple factors, including natural conditions, socioeconomic variables, and locational accessibility, drove these changes. The spatial distribution of rural settlements demonstrates an overall trend of agglomeration, which has gradually intensified over time, leading to significant variations in settlement density across different regions. The findings reveal significant regional disparities and temporal changes in settlement patterns, highlighting the complex interplay between rural transformation and urban development. This research contributes to understanding rural transformation processes in developing countries and emphasizes the need for differentiated approaches in spatial planning and rural revitalization strategies to address the challenges of disordered land expansion and population hollowing while promoting sustainable rural development.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly gaining prominence as a crucial technology to transform and reshape the field of urban planning. However, several unanswered questions persist regarding the potential impacts of AI on urban and regional planning research and practice, as well as the issues involved and the appropriate responses and plans. This paper aims to address these concerns in the AI-enabled planning process and accordingly create a typology of urban planning AI to categorize and outline the progression of AI in urban planning, ranging from AI-assisted and AI-augmented planning to AI-automated and eventually AI-autonomized planning, based on a scoping literature review.
Saeid Safiri, Saeid Safiri, Amir Ghaffari Jolfayi
et al.
BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressively debilitating disorder that has seen a notable rise in prevalence in recent years. This study examines the burden of MS from 1990 to 2019, providing a detailed analysis by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI) across 204 countries and territories.MethodsData on the prevalence, death and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to MS were obtained from the publically available Global Burden of Disease 2019 project. The estimates are reported as numbers, percentages, and age-standardized rates per 100,000, accompanied by 95% uncertainty intervals.ResultsIn 2019, MS accounted for 1.8 million prevalent cases, 22.4 thousand deaths and 1.2 million DALYs worldwide. There were significant declines in the global age-standardized prevalence, mortality and DALY rates of MS over the period 1990–2019. In 2019, females exhibited a higher global point prevalence and a greater total number of prevalent MS cases than males across all age groups. At the regional level, a non-linear relationship was observed between the age-standardized DALY rate of MS and SDI.ConclusionAlthough the global age-standardized DALY rate of MS decreased between 1990 and 2019, MS continues to account for a considerable number of DALYs and prevalent cases. Integrating MS and its associated risk factors into healthcare planning is vital, especially in areas with high levels of socioeconomic development.
Dr. Dan Durrant is a Lecturer in Infrastructure Planning at UCL’s Bartlett School of Planning. In addition to research into housing and local economic development he has conducted research into a number of controversial mega infrastructure projects both in the UK and in Germany. The latter was as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Integrative Research Institute on Transformations of Human-Environment Systems at Berlin’s Humboldt University. Dr. Christian Lamker is Assistant Professor Sustainable Transformation & Regional Planning at the University of Groningen (Netherlands). His research and teaching within the Department of Spatial Planning and Environment focuses on roles in planning, post-growth planning, regional planning, and leadership in sustainable transformation. He has studied and worked on spatial planning in Dortmund, Aachen, Auckland, Detroit, and Melbourne and coordinates the Master programme Society, Sustainability and Planning (SSP) in Groningen. Yvonne Rydin is Professor of Planning, Environment and Public Policy at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London. She has written widely on planning theory and practice, and is currently working on a book about planning without growth. Her most recent books are the single-authored Theory in Planning Research (Palgrave) and the co-edited Regulation and Planning: Practices, Institutions, Agency (Routledge)
GDP of Saudi Arabia has increased from $ 1 billion US dollar in 1972 to more than $300 billion US dollar in 2011. The increase in population from 10 million in 1950 to 28 million in 2010, urbanization represent about 80%. the country consume about 20-25% of it's own oil production about 2.5 million per/daily. This shows that the Saudi policy have given incentive to cars user for longtime and has done little to manage demand or support public transport. The main objective of this paper is place the Saudi model in public transport in the international context and to draw an international prospective of public transport policy and the rational of government intervention in transport sector. The study gives classification models which characterize the industries and form of intervention. Further more the study highlight some of the approaches which adopted by both developed and developing industry at specific time.
The Methods and models use vary from one country and this study had classified intervention in transport sector in five models which are such as models of ownership, regulation, competition, finance system and private public partnership model. In 2011 Saudi Arabia has introduce it First National Transport Strategy, which have adopted many objectives among the most is, to improve efficiency of transport sector, module environmental impact of transport sector, improves safety facilitate the movement of peoples and goods to improve economic activity (MOT 2011). This state shows that no clear objectives to improve public transport policy.
Zimbabwe desperately requires financial assistance to fix existing infrastructure and build new urban water systems. This analysis suggests that PPPs may give Zimbabwe the best opportunity to overcome its problems with water infrastructure. Zimbabwe still has trouble supplying water to its cities because of a shortage of resources and deteriorating infrastructure. This situation was already confirmed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (see 2019 reports), and PPPs could mitigate the financial challenges to assist the Zimbabwean Government. The study utilised qualitative research to gather information. Interview responses were supplemented with a literature review to thematically state responses. The results demonstrate that political backing, government accountability, economic viability, and suitable statutory, financial, technological, and institutional frameworks are the key prerequisites for implementing PPPs effectively in Zimbabwe. The study proposes that PPPs are perceived as an alternative reform strategy for improved urban water infrastructure in the country. However, PPPs must consider the implementation imperatives before being adopted and implemented. This requires an environment conducive to operating PPPs, including proper planning and meticulous implementation. If entered hurriedly, PPPs can exacerbate the problems they were implemented to rectify, thereby saving the taxpayers' hard-earned money.
Increasing human activities have greatly influenced the ecosystem and the use of ecological resources, and the unbalanced urban–rural development in China (urban and rural areas being two major bases of human activities) has always been accompanied by heterogeneous ecological effects. Human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) is an integrated indicator quantifying the human domination of productivity and harvest in the biosphere. Identifying the unbalanced constraints of urban and rural development on HANPP has become necessary for improving human–land relationships. This study analyzed the spatial distribution and regional differentiations of the HANPP in China in 2015 and investigated how HANPP and its components responded to unbalanced regional urban–rural development. The results show that the total amount of HANPP was 2.68 PgC and gradually decreased from the southeast to the northwest of China in 2015, representing 60.33% of the NPP<sub>pot</sub>. In addition, HANPP<sub>luc</sub>, harvest through cropland, livestock grazing, and forestry contributed 60.70%, 29.86%, 8.53%, and 0.91%, respectively, to the total HANPP, with HANPP<sub>luc</sub> playing the dominant role in 21 provinces. There was a significant differentiation (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the spatial distribution of HANPP (gC/m<sup>2</sup>), HANPP<sub>harv</sub> (gC/m<sup>2</sup>), and HANPP<sub>luc</sub> (gC/m<sup>2</sup>), especially between the Huanyong Hu Line and the western–eastern part of China, fundamentally resulting from uneven regional development. In addition, biomass production–consumption decoupling existed in most regions in China, 17 provinces were identified as consumption type, and a universal positive correlation (<i>p</i> < 0.05) was identified between the production–consumption ratio of occupied biomass and HANPP<sub>harv</sub> (%HANPP). Different drive mechanisms were found between urban–rural development and HANPP, and each HANPP index was more likely to be affected by urban economy (UE), rural population (RP), and rural agricultural technology (RA) in China. The higher regional average nighttime light intensity, the proportion of the built-up area, and the urban road area corresponded with a large HANPP<sub>luc</sub> value. Conversely, HANPP would decrease as the proportion of urban green spaces increased. Furthermore, HANPP (%NPP<sub>pot</sub>) and HANPP (gC/m<sup>2</sup>) mostly depended on the rural development index, while HANPP<sub>luc</sub> and HANPP<sub>harv</sub> were mainly controlled by urban and rural development, respectively. Our findings help understand, first, how unbalanced regional development influences human-induced biomass occupation, the comprehensive urban ecological construction, and rural ecological restoration and, second, that the overall planning of urban–rural integration development must be strengthened to face greater ecological pressures in the future.
It is important to understand the characteristics of a 21st century port city in terms of the spatial relations of the city and its port. In this study, the port/city relations between the container port of Mersin in Turkey and Mersin city itself are examined. The purpose of this study is to examine which class of port city Mersin falls within and how spatial relations are established at the intersection of the port and urban area in Mersin. The Relative Concentration Index is used for evaluation at the regional scale, as used in port city classifications. The method reveals the importance of port and urban relations at a regional level in the urbanization processes of coastal cities. It is seen that Mersin Port has been at the level of a Hub since 2007 among the container ports of Turkey. ‘Hub’ is among the port city classes for which spatial planning policies in the port/city intersection area should be emphasized. It is important to integrate the revival projects with planning strategies and policies to engender a ‘living urban port area’ image for the transition zone between city and port.
This study focuses on highlighting the major effects and challenges being faced in the implementation of the green roof technique in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Green roofs have proven to be energy efficient, environment friendly, and economical in a long run. Due to the increasing global environment temperature, it has become necessary to implement such sustainable methods that help in the achievement of urban sustainability. Saudi Arabia has seen some reluctance in the implementation of green roofs in buildings. The reasons for not adopting this system have not been reported as yet. To study the level of awareness among the public and the challenges they are facing regarding green roofs, this study was taken up. A survey questionnaire was designed with a high level of flexibility covering the key issues, including the related areas that are affected in the daily life of a resident and also the challenges faced by the general public in the installation of such systems in their existing or new buildings. An extensive literature review and a reconnaissance survey were performed before shortlisting the major factors and challenges to be included in the survey questionnaire. An overwhelming response was received from the people of Riyadh City. Almost 94% of people agreed to the fact that green roofs enhance the aesthetics of the building, and the same number of people agreed that they play a role in controlling the air quality. On the other hand, 91% of the respondents identified the climate of the area as the biggest challenge in implementing green roofs on the buildings. The study concludes with strong recommendations for the local authorities to plan quick actions. The study shall help the building owners, city planners, and policy makers in identifying the major hurdles being faced by the residents in adopting green roofs and will help them to provide solutions to these issues.
Many South African secondary cities depend on a single economic sector, often mining or manufacturing. This makes them vulnerable to economic change and national decision-making. We describe change in three secondary cities—Emalahleni, Matjhabeng and Newcastle—all at different phases of economic transition due to imminent mine closure. We investigate the way local governance and planning are dealing with the change. We draw on concepts from institutional economics and evolutionary governance theory, material from strategic planning documents, and approximately 50 key informant interviews. We show how difficult it is to steer economic planning during economic transitions, and we demonstrate how both economic change and governance are path-dependent. Path dependency in South Africa’s mining towns has several causes: the colonial influence, which emphasised extraction and neglected beneficiation; the dominance of a single sector; the long-term problems created by mining; and the lack of the skills needed to bring about economic change. The local governments’ continuing reliance on the New Public Management paradigm, which focuses on steering as opposed to building networks, compounds the problem, along with poor governance, inadequate local capacity and inappropriate intergovernmental relations. Of the three towns, only Newcastle has shown signs of taking a new path.