Download or read book Performance Assessment of Urban Infrastructure Services written by Enrique Cabrera Jr and published by IWA Publishing. This book was released on 2008-03-01 with total page 541 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Performance assessment has been one of the hottest topics in the water industry in the past decade. In that period, the International Water Association has played a key role, and the performance indicators systems developed for drinking water and wastewater utilities have become a reference worldwide. This book represents a collection of the papers presented to the Pi08 Conference, in Valencia, Spain (March 2008). The conference represents the final stage in the COST C18 Action, funded by the EU and brings together some of the most relevant professionals in the water industry. The book covers the latest trends in performance assessment, as well as relevant case studies from practical applications in utilities around the globe. Themes: Performance Indicators Metric Benchmarking Process Benchmarking Asset Management Regulation Case Studies

Download or read book Measuring and Improving Infrastructure Performance written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1995-01-01 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The nation's physical infrastructure facilitates movement of people and goods; provides safe water; provides energy when and where needed; removes wastes; enables rapid communications; and generally supports our economy and quality of life. Developing a framework for guiding attempts at measuring the performance of infrastructure systems and grappling with the concept of defining good performance are the major themes of this book. Focusing on urban regions, within a context of national policy, the volume provides the basis for further in-depth analysis and application at the local, regional, state, and national levels.

Download or read book Performance Indicators for Water Supply Services written by Helena Alegre and published by IWA Publishing. This book was released on 2006-06-30 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The IWA Performance Indicator System for water services is now recognized as a worldwide reference. Since it first appearance in 2000, the system has been widely quoted, adapted and used in a large number of projects both for internal performance assessment and metric benchmarking. Water professionals have benefited from a coherent and flexible system, with precise and detailed definitions that in many cases have become a standard. The system has proven to be adaptable and it has been used in very different contexts for diverse purposes. The Performance Indicators System can be used in any organization regardless of its size, nature (public, private, etc.) or degree of complexity and development. The second edition of Performance Indicators for Water Supply Services represents a further improvement of the original manual. It contains a reviewed and consolidated version of the indicators, resulting from the real needs of water companies worldwide that were expressed during the extensive field testing of the original system. The indicators now properly cover bulk distribution and the needs of developing countries, and all definitions have been thoroughly revised. The confidence grading scheme has been simplified and the procedure to assess the results- uncertainty has been significantly enhanced. In addition to the updated contents of the original edition, a large part of the manual is now devoted to the practical application of the system. Complete with simplified step-by-step implementation procedures and case studies, the manual provides guidelines on how to adapt the IWA concepts and indicators to specific contexts and objectives. The manual includes a new version of the software Sigma Lite incorporating all the new developments and an improved graphical user interface. This new edition of Performance Indicators for Water Supply Services will be an invaluable reference source for all those concerned with managing the performance of the water supply industry, including those in the water utilities as well as regulators, policy-makers and financial agencies.

Download or read book AI Based Services for Smart Cities and Urban Infrastructure written by Lyu, Kangjuan and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2020-09-04 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cities are the next frontier for artificial intelligence to permeate. As smart urban environments become possible, probable, and even preferred, artificial intelligence offers the chance for even further advancement through infrastructure and industry boosting. Opportunity overflows, but without thorough research to guide a complicated development and implementation process, urban environments can become disorganized and outright dangerous for citizens. AI-Based Services for Smart Cities and Urban Infrastructure is a collection of innovative research that explores artificial intelligence (AI) applications in urban planning. In addition, the book looks at how the internet of things and AI can work together to enable a real smart city and discusses state-of-the-art techniques in urban infrastructure design, construction, operation, maintenance, and management. While highlighting a broad range of topics including construction management, public transportation, and smart agriculture, this book is ideally designed for engineers, entrepreneurs, urban planners, architects, policymakers, researchers, academicians, and students.

Download or read book Strategic Asset Management of Water Supply and Wastewater Infrastructures written by Helena Alegre and published by IWA Publishing. This book was released on 2009-09-14 with total page 553 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Water and Wastewater companies operating all around the world have faced rising asset management and replacement costs, often to levels that are financially unsustainable. Management of investment needs, while meeting regulatory and other goals, has required: A better understanding of what customers demand from the services they pay for, and the extent to which they are willing to pay for improvements or be compensated for a reduction in performance Development of models to predict asset failure and to identify and concentrate investment on critical assets Improved management systems Improved accounting for costs and benefits and their incorporation within an appropriate cost-benefit framework Incorporation of risk management techniques Utilisation of advanced maintenance techniques including new rehabilitation failure detection technologies Enhancements in pipeline materials, technologies and laying techniques. These papers developed from LESAM 2007 for inclusion in Strategic Asset Management of Water Supply and Wastewater Infrastructures are focused on the techniques, technologies and management approaches aiming at optimising the investment in infrastructure while achieving demanded customer service standards, and they provide an opportunity to gain access to the latest discussion and developments at the leading-edge in this field. This book will be essential reading for utility operators and managers, regulators and consultants.

Download or read book Manual for Undertaking National Urban Assessments written by Asian Development Bank and published by Asian Development Bank. This book was released on 2016-11-01 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Urbanization in Asia is expected to reach 55% by 2030 and 64% by 2050 to constitute 53% of the world's urban population and contribute half the world's gross domestic product. But as cities swell, they also struggle with environmental degradation, traffic congestion, inadequate urban infrastructure, and lack of basic civic services. This manual prepared by Urban Sector Group of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provides guidelines for conducting rapid urban assessments. It is guided by the Urban Operational Plan 2012-2020 which outlines ADB's support to its members in developing their urban economies through the 3E approach (Economy, Environment, and Equity). It presents a framework providing a context for the city-level 3E tool kits (Tool Kit for Rapid Economic Assessment, Planning, and Development of Cities in Asia; Green City Development Tool Kit; and Enabling Inclusive Cities: Tool Kit for Inclusive Urban Development).

Download or read book Benchmarking Water Services written by Enrique Cabrera Jr and published by IWA Publishing. This book was released on 2011-03-01 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Benchmarking has become a key tool in the water industry to promote and achieve performance targets for utilities. The use of this tool for performance improvement through systematic search and adaptation of leading practices, has expanded globally during the past decade. Many ongoing projects worldwide aim to address different needs and objectives, in varying contexts, with outstanding results and impact. Benchmarking Water Services provides valuable information to everyone interested in benchmarking in the water industry. The text is aimed at utilities considering joining a benchmarking project, experienced practitioners in charge of organizing a benchmarking exercise, consultants, regulators and researchers. The document is presented with a clear practice oriented approach and can be used as a how-to-benchmark guide presented from different perspectives (participants, organizers, supervising bodies). Readers will gain practical insight on real life benchmarking practices and will benefit from the experiences gained in some of the leading benchmarking projects of the water industry (including the IWA-WSAA benchmarking efforts, the European Benchmarking Co-operation and the several benchmarking projects carried out in Austria and Central Europe). The manual also presents the new IWA Benchmarking Framework, which aims to harmonize the terms used to describe benchmarking and performance indicators practices in the water industry, guaranteeing a more fluent and efficient communication. This Manual of Best Practice is edited by the IWA Specialist Group on Benchmarking and Performance Assessment, and co-published by AWWA and IWA Publishing. Praise for Benchmarking Water Services: "The continual trend of conceptual to specifics throughout the book provides for an educational experience each time the book is either casually perused or carefully studied." "The authors (Cabrera, Haskins and Fritiz) diligently pursue the focus of improvement." "Benchmarking Water Services is an in depth and practical ‘must have’ guide for any utility currently engaged in or planning to develop a benchmarking process" - Gregory M. Baird (2012) Benchmarking: An International Journal 19:2. More information about the book can be found on the Water Wiki in an article written by the author: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/TheNewIWABenchmarkingFramework A Spanish language version of this book is available as a free eBook: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/eBookTitlesfromIWAPublishingFreetoDownload-Volume2#HBenchmarkingParaServiciosdeAgua

Download or read book Performance Assessment of Urban Infrastructure Services written by Enrique Cabrera Jr. and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Performance assessment has been one of the hottest topics in the water industry in the past decade. In that period, the International Water Association has played a key role, and the performance indicators systems developed for drinking water and wastewater utilities have become a reference worldwide. This book represents a collection of the papers presented to the Pi08 Conference, in Valencia, Spain (March 2008). The conference represents the final stage in the COST C18 Action, funded by the EU and brings together some of the most relevant professionals in the water industry. The book covers the latest trends in performance assessment, as well as relevant case studies from practical applications in utilities around the globe.

Download or read book Risk and Interdependencies in Critical Infrastructures written by Per Hokstad and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-18 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Today’s society is completely dependent on critical networks such as water supply, sewage, electricity, ICT and transportation. Risk and vulnerability analyses are needed to grasp the impact of threats and hazards. However, these become quite complex as there are strong interdependencies both within and between infrastructure systems. Risk and Interdependencies in Critical Infrastructures: A guideline for analysis provides methods for analyzing risks and interdependencies of critical infrastructures. A number of analysis approaches are described and are adapted to each of these infrastructures. Various approaches are also revised, and all are supported by several examples and illustrations. Particular emphasis is given to the analysis of various interdependencies that often exist between the infrastructures. Risk and Interdependencies in Critical Infrastructures: A guideline for analysis provides a good tool to identify the hazards that are threatening your infrastructures, and will enhance the understanding on how these threats can propagate throughout the system and also affect other infrastructures, thereby identifying useful risk reducing measures. It is essential reading for municipalities and infrastructure owners that are obliged to know about and prepare for the risks and vulnerabilities of the critical infrastructures for which they are responsible.

Download or read book Building a Capable State written by Ian Palmer and published by Zed Books Ltd.. This book was released on 2017-11-15 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The sustainable development goals signed in 2016 marked a new phase in global development thinking, one which is focused on ecologically and fiscally sustainable human settlements. Few countries offer a better testing ground for their attainment than post-apartheid South Africa. Since the coming to power of the African National Congress, the country has undergone a policy making revolution, driven by an urgent need to improve access to services for the country’s black majority. A quarter century on from the fall of apartheid, Building a Capable State asks what lessons can be learned from the South African experience. The book assesses whether the South African government has succeeded in improving service delivery, focusing on the vital sectors of water and sanitation, energy, roads, public transport and housing. Emphasizing the often-overlooked role of local government institutions and finance, the book demonstrates that effective service delivery can have a profound impact on the social structure of emerging economies, and must form an integral part of any future development strategy. A comprehensive examination of urban service delivery in the global South, Building a Capable State is essential reading for students and practitioners across the social sciences, public finance and engineering sectors.

Download or read book Meanings of Public and the Future of Public Services written by David A. McDonald and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2022-09-09 with total page 147 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Critically assessing meanings of the term "public", this book situates the emergence and expansion of "public services" within market-based forms of production and consumption. It highlights the potential for making public services more progressive within market societies, but underscores their ongoing capture by private interests and emphasises the inherent limits of reform within a "bourgeois public sphere". The author explores opportunities for more expansive forms of non-marketized public services, examining emerging debates on the theory and practice of equitable, participatory and sustainable forms of publicness that go beyond mere ownership. The book then asks how we can build a robust international "pro-public" movement that juggles universal needs with local context. With a focus on essential public services such as water, electricity and health, the text is global in its scope and written for a broad audience. It will be useful for those interested in social and public policy, public services and public administration, political theory, economic geography, social movements, sustainability and development.

Download or read book Integrating Water Systems written by Joby Boxall and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2009-07-24 with total page 835 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection of articles by leading international experts on modeling and control of potable water distribution and sewerage collection systems, focusing on advances in sensors, instrumentation and communications technologies; assessment of sensor reliability, accuracy and fitness; data management including SCADA and GIS; system

Download or read book Water Utility Benchmarking written by Sanford Berg and published by IWA Publishing. This book was released on 2010-03-31 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Benchmarking is essential for those developing and implementing water policy. If decision-makers do not know where they have been or where they are, it would seem to be impossible to set reasonable targets for future performance. Information on water/sewerage system (WSS) operations, investments, and outputs is essential for good management and oversight. This book is designed to help decision makers identify the data required for performance comparisons over time and across water utilities, to understand the strengths and limitations of alternative benchmarking methodologies, and to perform (or commission) benchmark studies. This book provides an overview of the strengths and limitations of different methodologies for making performance comparisons over time and across water utilities (metric benchmarking). In addition, it identifies ways to determine the robustness of performance rankings. Current benchmarking activities in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Central Europe/Asia, and OECD nations are summarized. Five basic approaches to benchmarking characterize current studies: Core indicators and a summary or overall performance Indicator (partial metric method), Performance scores based on production or cost estimates (“total” methods), Performance relative to a model company (engineering approach), Process benchmarking, and Customer survey benchmarking. This volume is of interest to the water professionals, water utility managers and senior staff of regulatory agencies, professionals in related government agencies, and consultants. Visit the IWA WaterWiki to read and share material related to this title: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/InfrastructureRegulationStateOwnedEnterprisesVsInvestor-ownedInfrastructureOperators

Download or read book Decentralization in Client Countries written by and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2008-01-01 with total page 124 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Decentralization in Client Countries' assesses the effectiveness of Bank support for decentralization between fiscal years 1990 and 2007 in 20 countries, seeking to inform the design and implementation of future support. Given the difficulties of measuring the results of decentralization, the evaluation uses intermediate outcome indicators- such as strengthened legal and regulatory frameworks for intergovernmental relations, improved administrative capacity, and increased accountability of subnational governments and functionaries to higher levels of government and to local citizens- to assess the results of Bank support in these 20 cases. To examine potential lessons at a sectoral level, the evaluation also assesses whether Bank support for decentralization improved intermediate outcomes for service delivery in the education sector in 6 of the 20 countries.

Download or read book Sustainability Assessments of Urban Systems written by Claudia R. Binder and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2020-03-26 with total page 523 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Provides guidelines for assessing the sustainability of urban systems including theory, methods and case studies.

Download or read book Enabling Inclusive Cities written by Asian Development Bank and published by Asian Development Bank. This book was released on 2017-03-01 with total page 159 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This tool kit presents an integrated approach to inclusive urban development and was prepared for ADB staff and their partners to engage in inclusive urban development programming and implementation as an integral component of ADB’s lending programs. It presents methods to gather required information on a particular context and location for inclusive urban development; to decide priorities; and to plan, design, and implement inclusive urban projects. The operational focus is provided by practical guidelines and criteria for inclusive urban development projects and is designed to stimulate innovation in the solution and approaches that define inclusive urban development projects.

Download or read book Water Systems Analysis Design and Planning written by Mohammad Karamouz and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2021-12-28 with total page 959 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents three distinct pillars for analysis, design, and planning: urban water cycle and variability as the state of water being; landscape architecture as the medium for built-by-design; and total systems as the planning approach. The increasing demand for water and urban and industrial expansions have caused myriad environmental, social, economic, and political predicaments. More frequent and severe floods and droughts have changed the resiliency and ability of water infrastructure systems to operate and provide services to the public. These concerns and issues have also changed the way we plan and manage our water resources. Focusing on urban challenges and contexts, the book provides foundational information regarding water science and engineering while also examining topics relating to urban stormwater, water supply, and wastewater infrastructures. It also addresses critical emerging issues such as simulation and economic modeling, flood resiliency, environmental visualization, satellite data applications, and digital data model (DEM) advancements. Features: Explores various theoretical, practical, and real-world applications of system analysis, design, and planning of urban water infrastructures Discusses hydrology, hydraulics, and basic laws of water flow movement through natural and constructed environments Describes a wide range of novel topics ranging from water assets, water economics, systems analysis, risk, reliability, and disaster management Examines the details of hydrologic and hydrodynamic modeling and simulation of conceptual and data-driven models Delineates flood resiliency, environmental visualization, pattern recognition, and machine learning attributes Explores a compilation of tools and emerging techniques that elevate the reader to a higher plateau in water and environmental systems management Water Systems Analysis, Design, and Planning: Urban Infrastructure serves as a useful resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in the areas of water resources and systems analysis, as well as practicing engineers and landscape professionals.