Architecture, Building and Planning - Research Publications
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ItemPhysical environment as a factor in schools’ performance and efficiency: A review of previous research(Architectural Science Association (ANZAScA), 2022-12-02)The physical environment can considerably influence the efficiency and functionalities of facilities and spaces. Some recent studies examining schools’ efficiency consider several factors such as human capital, parents' socioeconomic background, perceptions of teachers and parents towards schools, and financial status. However, very few studies have investigated the influences of schools' physical environment and facilities on their efficiency and students’ academic performance. This research aims to review the recent studies on factors influencing schools’ efficiency and student academic performance, and the importance accorded to physical environment. The research database, Scopus, is searched using combinations of relevant keywords and various studies that identify the influencing factors. A preliminary analysis of most of these studies indicates that the physical environment's influence on school performance appears peripheral. However, it was identified that physical environment, facilities, and services influence students’ academic performance directly and indirectly. One of the limitations highlighted was that many of the studies, which include the physical environment factors in examining schools’ efficiency, were based on a single country. The studies were mainly focused on the USA, and only a handful was based on Australia and the rest of the world. This paper identifies the need for more such studies that can contribute to bridging the knowledge on the efficiency drivers of the schools. A better understanding of the drivers for better school performance is needed to lead to an efficient allocation of funding, particularly for public schools in Australia.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableApproaches to strengthening fisheries financing and institutional mechanisms: a cross-country comparison of Cambodia, India and Indonesia(Asian Development Bank Institute, 2022-07-18)
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ItemNo Preview AvailableHousehold choices of sanitation infrastructure and impact on disease in India(SAGE Publications, 2022)In the recent past, there has been a substantial push to increase the sanitation infrastructure in India to end open defecation and improve level of hygiene. The choice of the type of sanitation, however, depends on demographic, socio-economic, tenurial, cultural and sanitation surroundings, which not only impacts sanitation practices but also incidences of diseases. This paper empirically analyses the determinants of households’ choice of toilet facility and the relation between incidence of diseases and sanitation using National Sample Survey Office’s 76th round of the survey for 2018-19. The results indicate that the social, economic and cultural factors have significant impact on the households’ choices of a toilet. There is a preference for flush type toilets connected to a sewer among households with better socio-economic status. This research finds that the quality of microenvironment within which a household lives has a significant impact on the incidence of disease. The results imply that the interventions for improved sanitation need to be holistic, emphasising microenvironment improvement and providing better access to sanitation infrastructure and inculcating more hygienic behavioural practices.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableHousehold expenditure and accessibility of water in urban India(SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, 2022-10)Accessibility and affordability are critical challenges for household water consumption in urban India. While the previous research on affordability and water tariff setting is substantial, the interplay of water access equity and its impact on household water expenditure is less understood due to the absence of granular household level data in India. This research draws upon the NSSO’s 76th round of data collected across the country to explore the differences in water access and expenditure amongst various income categories. Using regression analysis, this paper investigates the association between the socio-economic, tenurial status, sources of water, sufficiency, and access related factors and the household expenditure on water. Results show that water is a scarce commodity for lower sections of society and that they are incurring higher costs, making the water relatively unaffordable. The research findings indicate that the policymakers and project proponents need to develop more targeted metrics for measuring the disparities and configure interventions that mitigate the inequalities in urban water provision.
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ItemImportance of Land in SDG Policy Instruments: A Study of ASEAN Developing Countries(MDPI, 2022-02)Allocating land-related social, economic, and legal benefits to people is crucial for meeting the commitments made by various countries for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). Economic growth in developing countries in the Southeast Asian region is very rapid, requiring primary resources such as land, which poses challenges for implementing nationally determined commitments towards SDGs. This paper quantitatively compares the relevant policy instruments issued by the key ASEAN countries to analyze the importance of land provision in achieving the specific SDGs. Using content analysis to formulate a framework for comparing the various policy instruments and strategic plans, the article identifies the importance of land use in various policy instruments focused on achieving SDGs. Most countries use authoritative instruments to incorporate land-related aspects. The use of the symbolic, capacity-building, and incentive instruments is relatively lesser. Many countries give prominence to land for providing shelter or as an economic resource, while land use for managing gender equality is negligible. Policy makers could incorporate a more balanced mix of instruments and those addressing different dimensions of land use while redesigning their policy or strategy documents to implement SDGs.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableFinancial constraints to adequate housing: an empirical analysis of housing consumption disequilibrium and household decisions on meeting housing requirements in India(Routledge, 2021)Households can mitigate the disequilibrium in housing consumption that they face during their lifecycle by moving to another house, rebuilding, extending or altering their current house. The option of moving is rarely exercised in India due to high transaction costs. The default option is doing nothing. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of access to, and availability of, formal housing finance in determining the choice of housing disequilibrium mitigating strategies, using nationwide housing survey data for those who decided to mitigate housing consumption disequilibrium through rebuilding, extending or altering their current house. Multinomial Logit method is used to model household housing consumption adjustment choice. The results indicate that when the share of own funds as a share of total construction cost reduces, and the access to formal finance increases, there is a tendency to shift towards rebuilding rather than expanding or altering. The results are discussed in the context of a recent government policy, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Prime Minister Housing Scheme), that aims to improve housing conditions.
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ItemComparative analysis of outcomes under PPP and traditional modes of delivery: A study of schools in Melbourne(Taylor & Francis, 2021-11-02)Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements are perceived as compelling alternatives to traditional infrastructure development to raise finances and improve efficiency. However, with the substantial improvement in the provision of services through traditionally developed infrastructure, the benefits of PPP implementation need to be continually evaluated. This research investigates three categories of outcomes (educational, stakeholder satisfaction, and general outcomes) for schools in Melbourne implemented under PPP arrangement to those implemented under a traditional procurement method. Data Envelopment Analysis is used to assess the efficiency of these outcomes, based on the consumption of teaching, financial and physical resources. The results indicate that there is no substantial difference between the performance of both arrangements. While the schools implemented under the PPP arrangement have provided better education outcomes, the traditional schools perform better in stakeholder satisfaction and general outcomes. The results indicate that the policymakers need to evaluate infrastructure based PPP arrangements more closely and align with the desired outcomes.
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ItemLand-Based Financing Elements in Infrastructure Policy Formulation: A Case of India(MDPI, 2021-02)A rapid increase in land and property values has been one of the driving forces of urban ecosystem development in many countries. This phenomenon has presented project proponents/policymakers with multiple options and associated challenges, nudging them to configure or incorporate elements of land-based financing in their policies and legislations. Specifically, the Government of India and various state governments have sought to monetize land through diverse instruments, for augmenting the financial viability of infrastructure and area development projects. This paper compares Indian central and state infrastructure policies/acts with regard to land monetization strategies. The analysis indicates that policies and legislations are taking a turn towards promoting land monetization mechanisms as a financing tool for cities and project implementation agencies. However, the approach is cautiously used and implementation is often seen to fall behind actual project timelines. Based on the findings, key determinants of a successful policy that captures an increase in land values, are identified. The learnings provide useful inputs for states to strengthen their policy documents and legislative/institutional frameworks, for ensuring the effectiveness of land-based financing tools.
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ItemInnovative financing mechanism for blue economy projects(Elsevier BV, 2022-05-01)Investments flowing into blue economy projects are estimated to be much lesser than the requirements, for achieving the targets set out in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Blue economy projects are typically financed through conventional means of public and development finance. However, the nature and characteristics of blue economy projects transcend the need to extend beyond the conventional financing options of multilateral/bilateral aid. The objective of this article is to assess if the existing blue economy initiatives are adequate to the sectoral investment needs and to develop contours of a framework that could accelerate the blue economy investments. The research finds that the current initiatives such as blue bonds are relatively small and accelerating investments requires access to additional financing instruments and a transformative change in participating stakeholders. Using a Theory of Change approach, contours of a framework that pools in low-cost funds from a diverse set of investors to be deployed for either public sector promoted large impact projects or individual blue economy projects through market-based instruments are suggested. The findings contribute to the ongoing debate on how to improve the financial capability of various blue economy stakeholders and enable them to configure more sustainable financing mechanisms.
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ItemBridging the gap: private investment in infrastructure provision(Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), 2020)