Paving the Way for Better Governance in Urban Transport


Book Description

This book presents an innovative democratic framework that ensures public participation, based on applying principles of good governance to facilitate urban transport decision-making in an integrated and structured manner. While – given the need for mobility in cities – transport is crucial for urban development, problems such as the fragmentation of institutions, decision-making, and unequal knowledge concentrations represent major hurdles to effective governance outcomes (especially those that go beyond technical and regulatory aspects). Substantial investments continue to be pumped into the urban transportation sector, with cities lacking the necessary capacities or governance mechanisms to ensure optimal returns on these investments. The book introduces the transport governance framework, which is intended to provide an integrated and structured approach to facilitate decision-making processes in the urban transport sector, focusing on how decisions are made rather than what decisions are made. It also discusses the initial testing of the framework in several cities across India. In addition, it examines the application of the TAPC (transparency, accountability, participation, and capacity building) principles of good governance to key aspects of urban transport – policy, planning, standards, budgets, execution, and regulation.




The Rise of India and China


Book Description

This book offers a comparative analysis of the rise of India and China and their decisive economic and social roles in a global context. It presents a cumulative picture of the socio-economic challenges as well as the opportunities for growth and inclusive development before India and China. The volume analyses the performance of the two countries based on economic and human development indicators. It highlights the key achievements of the two countries in governance and financial growth, and the potential for further economic development. Drawing on government data and empirical research, the book examines India and China’s relative growth in trade, investments, renewable energy technologies, urbanisation, and employment and their policies on agriculture, land use, public health, and rural-urban inequality. Further, it discusses the shared challenges of inequality, poverty, gender disparity, and environment degradation which both countries face and contrasts their policy priorities and governance mechanisms. Comprehensive and insightful, this book will be of great interest for researchers and scholars of development studies, economics, international relations, comparative politics, sociology, public policy, and Asian studies. It will also be useful for think tanks, policy makers, and general readers interested in the India–China relationship.




The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Green Societies


Book Description

This book covers the sustainability issues of a green environment towards economics and society in terms of alteration in industrial pollution levels, effect of reduced carbon emissions, changes in water bodies characteristics with respect to heavy metal contamination, monitoring of associated impact with respect to ecology and biodiversity, impact of reduced noise levels and air quality influences on human health, handling and management of biomedical waste. According to WHO, 80% of people living in urban areas are exposed to air exceeding safe limits. The advent of "sustainability‟ in development science has led planners to apply evolving notions of "sustainability‟ to the contemporary debate over how cities and regions should be revitalized, redeveloped, and reformed. Market allocation of resources, sustained levels of growth and consumption, an assumption that natural resources are unlimited and a belief that economic growth will „trickle down‟ to the poor have been its hallmarks. The recent advance technology helps to promote green and clean modern societies continuously. The Internet of things will be playing an important role in the upcoming years in environment protection and sustainable development. There is a focus on paradigm shift in the sustainable development for the green environment during the period of isolation of COVID-19. This is the moment for the mobilization against the climate crisis. The sudden fall in pollutants and subsequent blue skies signifies a dramatic shift for India and also other affected countries during this period. Fighting climate change requires a collaborative approach between all spheres of society unlike the former. It must heavily redirect resources towards local, sustainable activities, including education, health, sustainable agriculture and circular management of resources. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in the dramatic change in the different aspects of the environment. The global lockdown has led to a rejuvenation of nature, ecosystems, biodiversity. Even urban environments are discovering a degree of peace and serenity, which led to decrease in greenhouse gas emission.




ICT as a Driver of Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment


Book Description

The role of information and communication technologies as a tool for development has attracted the sustained attention of various agencies worldwide. If the gender dimensions of information and communication technologies—in terms of access and use, capacity-building opportunities, employment, and potential for empowerment—are explicitly identified and addressed, information and communication technologies can be a powerful catalyst for the political and social empowerment of women and the promotion of gender equality. ICT as a Driver of Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment contributes to the growing body of literature and present state of knowledge by offering evidence on how new information and communication technologies impact women’s economic and social empowerment and overall welfare creation leading to inclusive growth. Covering key topics such as economics, entrepreneurship, digital technologies, and inclusion, this premier reference source is ideal for industry professionals, policymakers, administrators, business owners, managers, researchers, academicians, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students.




Emerging Trends and Innovation in Business and Finance


Book Description

This book explores diverse dimensions of innovation in business and finance from a micro as well as macro perspective through various case studies and analyses of trends. The previous decade is known as the era of digital transformation and innovation. The rise of new technologies is having an impact on the global trends and leading to innovation in business and finance. In this competitive market, businesses and financial institutions must be responsive to the trends in order to survive and thrive, governments must cope with the complex and uncertain environments by being smart, transforming service delivery, and implementing smart governance practices, and entrepreneurs and investors are faced with alternative sources of finance and investment. However, keeping up with these trends and innovations is fraught with its own set of challenges. Thus, it is important to analyze new and emerging technologies and innovations through a myriad of disciplinary lenses. This book not only expands conceptual understanding of digital transformation and innovation by presenting strong empirical evidence, but also by adding to the vigorous worldwide policy discussion on how to assist businesses in the digital transition. The book will be useful to scholars and researchers of business management, financial management, business economics, international business, human resources, and marketing. It will also be of interest to entrepreneurs, policymakers, academicians, and practitioners in the field.







Paving the Way


Book Description

Tells the surprising story of how road construction helped to pave the way to the modern American state. Shows how the growing transportation needs of a steadily industrializing population changed political order from local to state and ultimately to federal governance.




Geo-economic Perspectives in the Global Environment


Book Description

The Covid-19 pandemic brought about significant changes in the world order. It not only reshaped the global geopolitical architecture but also created newer challenges and opportunities for international trade and businesses. This book deliberates on these new global realities through a multidisciplinary perspective. It delves into various key issues pertaining to finance, infrastructure, policy, geostrategy, and entrepreneurship in the Indian context. The volume discusses themes such as geostrategic shifts and their impact on the Indo-Pacific region, the effects of Covid-19 on international and economic security, India-China bilateral ties, FDI spill over on domestic firms, entrepreneurship education in India, and the Thai Canal project. Rich in insights on various geo-economic perspectives that continue to shape the global business environment, the book will be useful for students and scholars of sociology, business management, business economics, international trade, geopolitics, international relations, political sociology, and political studies. It will serve as a useful reference for academics, researchers, think tanks, industry professionals, and policymakers.




Metro Rail Projects in India


Book Description

Taking stock of the urban transport scenario in Indian cities, this is the first full-length study of the metro rail system in India. In recent times the metro rail has come up as a favoured alternative of mass transport in urban spaces faced with growing population, heightened vehicular traffic, and increased pollution. Using data, analysis, and first-hand information, this book tells the story of metro rail as proposed and undertaken across Indiafrom Kolkata in the east and Mumbai in the west to Delhi and Jaipur in the north and Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kochi in the south. Focusing on the complexities of project planning and contrasting the Indian experience with those of its global counterparts, this volume distils important lessons for future infrastructure projects. While the metro rail system has considerably improved inter-city connectivity, the metro story in India is an ongoing one. With a Foreword by E. Sreedharan setting the stage, this volume will appeal to anybody keen to know more about urban transport in India, as well as policymakers, management professionals, and students and researchers of economics and business studies.




The Elgar Companion to Urban Infrastructure Governance


Book Description

A comprehensive overview of the governance of urban infrastructures, this Companion combines illustrative cases with conceptual approaches to offer an innovative perspective on the governance of large urban infrastructure systems. Chapters examine the challenges facing urban infrastructure systems, including financial, economic, technological, social, ecological, jurisdictional and demand.