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This study deals with the concept of synthetic data populations as input for traffic modeling purposes. The term 'synthetic' applies to a combination of data sets, often collected for other research purposes. Over the years, they have been growing in popularity in the field of transportation because they form an alternative to the extensive data collection process. A synthetic population for Belgium was developed containing socio-demographic variables of all inhabitants for the year 2001. These variables can be used to model transportation demand because socio-demographic characteristics influence travel behavior. There are 5 main components included in this model: birth and death processes, the forming of new couples, employment, drivers' license and income. From a demographic perspective, it's essential that migration is added to this equation. Three migration probabilities were calculated based on data of the Flemish Government: internal migration, immigration and emigration. A rand

Modelling Shared Reality
Modelling Shared Reality
This article introduces 'Modelling Shared Reality', a new qualitative research methodology which has its roots in Clean Language and Symbolic Modelling. Using the protocol explained in this article, undesired influence of the researcher is minimized during all phases of the research: the interviews, the analysis and the reporting phase. The methodology is action-oriented: both the process and the results function as a catalyst for actions or behavioral change. It is frequently used in the context of organizational change or development processes, as well as policy decisions, policy evaluations, and participative processes.

A debate consisting of a main article on the paradigm of information and communication technologies for development, the so-called ICT4D-paradigm, stating that access to ICT can promote development, leading to a decrease in global socio-economic inequality. The author underlines the parallel with former modernisation paradigms, and the fact that basic market and power structures are ignored. In the first of two responding articles the authors point out possibilities in ICT interaction and participation, thus enabling developing countries to respond actively, not merely passive. Furthermore they plead for further investment in researching the positive impact ICT can have on social change and development. In the second article examples are outlined in which ICT empowered existing development processes with the inclusion of two requirements: participation of interested people, and capacity building locally. O. van Zijl

In the Fourth National Spatial Policy Plan Extra (1990) the development areas were pointed out (the so-called "Vinex-areas"). This encouraged project developers to buy large and strategic situated properties. The key question is how to assure that also next generations of inhabitants, politicians and developers will still be prepared to invest in quality improvement. The concept of Sustainable Spatial Quality has been examined from the perspective chosen by the Brundtland Commission in its famous report 'Our Common Future' (1987). Quality Assurance is a concept made operational in Quality Management practices based on the ISO 9000 standards. The essential mechanism of Quality Assurance is the Deming-cycle In Vinex-area development in The Netherlands three types of PPP are fairly common: the so-called 'Development-Claim', the Joint Venture and the Concession. A basic assumption behind the effectiveness of Quality Assurance is the ability of controlling human behaviour and, in our case, spatial planning and development processes by means of institutional systems. Institutional governance is based on the idea that in a consistent institutional context different people will act more or less similar in a predictable way. Scott (2001) provides us with a theoretical framework based on an extensive and broad research of (neo)institutional literature. By combining the scientific work of economists, social and political scientists he creates a concept for the analysis of institutions. This concept consists of three types of institutional systems: Regulative, Normative and Cultural-cognitive. The Regulative system is typical for the Development-Claim model. The Joint Venture however is based on dialogue and negotiation on an equal level between public and private parties. The effectiveness of the Concession model for the public interest is determined by the way the government uses the willingness of private parties to go into competition. The empirical research was conducted in three different Vinex-areas: Leidsche Rijn near Utrecht, Vathorst near Amersfoort and Ypenburg near The HagueThe research included analysis of plans, contracts and documents followed by a series of interviews with stakeholders. Quality Assurance is failing on several critical points. Indifferent of the PPP-type the weakest elements in the process are the poorly developed interactive involvement of (potential) user groups in the planning process, the inability of both public and private parties to react adequately on changing circumstances and preferences of user groups and the lack of competition for area development. There is no 'best' PPP for assuring Sustainable Spatial Quality. Our recommendations to optimise the quality assurance function are partly generally applicable and partly specified for each type of PPP separately. Generally applicable is the recommendation for improving the interactivity of the planning process as well as enhancing a more proactive strategy of anticipation on changing user preferences. We need empowerment of the civil society, led by an independent process-manager and using a suitable framework for the debate. Anticipation on changing user-preferences can be improved by introducing periodic evaluations. The quality assurance function can also profit from introducing more competition, for example by awarding efforts of private parties to make their plans more sustainable.

Luca Bertolini stelt in zijn oratie dat het leven in een mobiele samenleving beleidsmakers met bijzondere dilemma's confronteert. Contemporaine leefstijlen en bedrijfsmatige praktijken zijn sterk afhankelijk van mobiliteit. Mensen wonen op de ene plek, werken op een tweede, en recreëren of socialiseren op nog eens een derde. De productie en consumptie van goederen en diensten zijn ruimtelijk diffuse, wereldomvattende processen. Tegelijkertijd zijn de negatieve effecten van mobiliteit, en het besef daarvan, groot. De zorg over files, energieverbruik, schadelijke emissies, verkeersveiligheid, ge

Objectives: In The Netherlands, school health care policy is decentralized to the municipalities and their Municipal Health Services (MHS) in 1990. Since then, an increasing diversity in school health care policy developed, which is is ill-understood, concerning the development of evidence-based public health. Methods: Case-study design in 4 MHS-regions. Documents and half-structured interviews are used as data sources. The analysis of the data is both qualitative and quantitative. Results: Many actors try to influence the policy process: MHS-internal actors like management and professionals as well as external actors like local health care providers, other municipal services, the municipalities and schools. Evidence is found of the use of scientific knowledge: 'body of knowledge' information as well as evidence from new research, of both local and (inter)national origin, mainly medical, but also social science research. Mainly School Health management and -professionals use scientific knowledge as a resource to influence the policy process. Other actors try to influence the policy process by using other resources like formal power, money or 'initiative'. The use of scientific knowledge is related to a combined (medical) scientific en political frame of reference. Conclusions: Policy formation in local public health takes place in a network of actors with mutual power-dependency-relations, using different resoures to influence the process. 'Evidence based public health' can be promoted by regarding evidence from scientific research as a resource in attempts to influence the policy formation process and the implementation of the outcomes of this process.

Majority rule has various applications. In parliamentary theory, it intervenes at the level of relations between assembly & gov, & again, in elections. We find it in democratic theory where the majority of the people must approve decisions of the constitutional organs. Finally, it is employed in the decisionmaking process of the assemblies, & it is this aspect which forms the object of the present study. Since antiquity the majority principle has been generally observed in the decisions of deliberating bodies; but it was not until the 16th cent that it triumphed in England & France. In Switzerland up to the 16th cent majority rule was in effect, disappeared for a while, & then reappeared after the transition from confederation to federation. In Holland, majority rule was applied with certain restrictions from the 16th cent on. Poland had the 'liberum veto' up to the beginning of the 19th cent. From a theoretical viewpoint, the jurists of the Middle Ages based their justification of majority rule on an old Roman adage, & Canon Law has also made an important contribution to this doctrine. The authors of the 18th cent elaborated a legal theory based on rational fictions & on the doctrine of the Social Contract in particular. Among the moderns, 3 principal schools can be distinguished: those who, with Duguit, give a utilitarian basis to the principle, those who see in it a sublimated power, particularly sociol'ts, & finally the theoreticians who accept the principle for ethical reasons. The problem has increased in importance with the existence of international org's where at present, the majority principle is applied only exceptionally. (Translated by Z. Dana from IPSA).

While increasingly more people live in cities, urban peripheries are expending at the cost of nature. This book explains how sustainability can be achieved by urban redevelopment and upcycling. The large-scale processes of urban redevelopment in this book are based on a successful brownfield project in Netherlands, the Paleiskwartier in 's-Hertogenbosch. 'Designing for sustainability through upcycling' tells the inside story of nearly three decades how policies were made, decisions taken, designs created, how the projects developed in phases and how the city government partnered the private sector in a unique way. A series of essays and short interviews with key players involved – including directors, designers, developers and city-officials – provides a detailed overview of how this project was actually realized. This book offers first-hand information of 30 years of development as told by master-planner Shyam Khandekar. Professor Vinayak Bharne places the process of upcycling in the context of developments from other parts of the world. A must-read for those on the threshold of undertaking a brownfield redevelopment process in their city

This article describes the complex relationship between exportation & foreign direct investment (FDI). Distinction is also made between FDI determined by sales opportunities & by cost-cutting opportunities, especially in connection with the New Member States (NMS). Furthermore, the Belgian FDI into the NMS is discussed. The article also examines the role of FDI in furthering the economic growth & development of the NMS & lists the FDI's advantages & disadvantages for the NMS. Additionally, the EU eastern expansion has mainly generated a positive result for Belgian businesses. The article also mentions a trend that the current industrial states would become less industrial, by just maintaining concept, design & R&D of products, while outsourcing the rest of the production process, including business services. In conclusion, a tentative roadmap for Belgian companies is drawn up in order to face the economic challenges of the expansion & to determine which government measures need to be taken to boost the Belgian companies' performances. 2 Tables, 33 References. A. Michaux

Belgium is a rare example of a centralist state that achieved federalism via peaceful means. This process, which was initiated in 1970 & is ongoing, is fundamentally provoked by the development of two subnations within the Belgian body: the Flemish & the Walloons. Elites within both these nationalist movements identified each other as allies in the struggle for federalization. The role & interaction of this alliance in the federalization process in Belgium are described. Modified HA