During recent years, the topic of participation has increasingly been gaining importance in Iran - in the scientific field, in practice and rhetoric. However, in current scientific literature - and especially in English literature - there is little knowledge on the conditions, legal background, perceptions, experiences and processes of citizens' participation in Iran. This book aims to shed light on the paradoxical question of participation in Iran: it is old and new, dysfunctioning and functioning, disappointing and promising. This slippery status of participation convinces scholars to suggest contradictory interpretations and understandings about the existence, functionality, and potentiality of this concept. The book therefore shows the different perspectives, interpretations, historical developments and case studies of participation in Iran, thus giving the reader a kaleidoscope view on the question of participation in Iran.

During recent years, the topic of participation has increasingly been gaining importance in Iran - in the scientific field, in practice and rhetoric. However, in current scientific literature - and especially in English literature - there is little knowledge on the conditions, legal background, perceptions, experiences and processes of citizens' participation in Iran. This book aims to shed light on the paradoxical question of participation in Iran: it is old and new, dysfunctioning and functioning, disappointing and promising. This slippery status of participation convinces scholars to suggest contradictory interpretations and understandings about the existence, functionality, and potentiality of this concept. The book therefore shows the different perspectives, interpretations, historical developments and case studies of participation in Iran, thus giving the reader a kaleidoscope view on the question of participation in Iran.

Presenting recent research on the international integration of infrastructures in Europe, this book combines general and methodological chapters and examples from different a variety of sectors such as transport, electricity and communication networks. Particular focus is on the contrast between the 'Europe of nation states' of the nineteenth century (up to 1914) and the emerging 'integrated Europe' after World War II. Additional contributions provide perspectives from beyond Europe. The wide range of topics gives a good overview of the different challenges posed and the strategies employed in each sector to establish internationally compatible networks, procedures and standards. This work strengthens comparative research as a complement to the detailed analysis of singular cases that often characterises previous works in this field. Methodologically, it therefore contributes to the progress of tools and strategies for comparative historical research. Part of the emerging research area dealing with the mechanisms of international collaboration, this book brings together recent research from European integration history, policy studies, political economy and cultural studies. Considering the growing intensity of international collaboration and exchange in many parts of social and economic life, it is also of topical interest.

Presenting recent research on the international integration of infrastructures in Europe, this book combines general and methodological chapters and examples from different a variety of sectors such as transport, electricity and communication networks. Particular focus is on the contrast between the 'Europe of nation states' of the nineteenth century (up to 1914) and the emerging 'integrated Europe' after World War II. Additional contributions provide perspectives from beyond Europe. The wide range of topics gives a good overview of the different challenges posed and the strategies employed in each sector to establish internationally compatible networks, procedures and standards. This work strengthens comparative research as a complement to the detailed analysis of singular cases that often characterises previous works in this field. Methodologically, it therefore contributes to the progress of tools and strategies for comparative historical research. Part of the emerging research area dealing with the mechanisms of international collaboration, this book brings together recent research from European integration history, policy studies, political economy and cultural studies. Considering the growing intensity of international collaboration and exchange in many parts of social and economic life, it is also of topical interest.

This open access book examines the implications of internal crowdsourcing (IC) in companies. Presenting an employee-oriented, cross-sector reference model for good IC practice, it discusses the core theoretical foundations, and offers guidelines for process-management and blueprints for the implementation of IC. Furthermore, it examines solutions for employee training and competence development based on crowdsourcing. As such, the book will appeal to scholars of management science, work studies, organizational and participation research and to readers interested in inclusive approaches for cooperative change management and the IT implications for IC platforms.

This book contains a collection of projects and scenarios dealing with new risks from emerging technologies, future peace keeping operations, and water distribution issues by combining analysis with dialogue. Special attention is paid to the methodology of narrative scenarios, and the role of imagination in the generation of these scenarios. Appearing as short stories, narrative scenarios include a great amount of explicit and implicit knowledge and they need story telling skills to become consistent, coherent as well as compelling and convincing pictures of the future.

Public transport is essential to the quality of life of its passengers, both as a means to move around but also to achieve a sustainable environment. However, the passenger's position as a customer is weakened by the dominance of monopolies, regulation and political influence in our public transport systems. This book is one of the first to examine strategies for the representation of user interests in public transport from a variety of perspectives. The authors review approaches to integrating the passengers' views in the planning process and to protecting their interests in operations and customer care across a range of European countries, including Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and EU policies. The book presents the conclusions of this research and examples of good practice. In this respect it will provide useful guidance for policy makers, stakeholder organizations and planners, as well as transport researchers.

Public transport is essential to the quality of life of its passengers, both as a means to move around but also to achieve a sustainable environment. However, the passenger's position as a customer is weakened by the dominance of monopolies, regulation and political influence in our public transport systems. This book is one of the first to examine strategies for the representation of user interests in public transport from a variety of perspectives. The authors review approaches to integrating the passengers' views in the planning process and to protecting their interests in operations and customer care across a range of European countries, including Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and EU policies. The book presents the conclusions of this research and examples of good practice. In this respect it will provide useful guidance for policy makers, stakeholder organizations and planners, as well as transport researchers.

This open access book examines the implications of internal crowdsourcing (IC) in companies. Presenting an employee-oriented, cross-sector reference model for good IC practice, it discusses the core theoretical foundations, and offers guidelines for process-management and blueprints for the implementation of IC. Furthermore, it examines solutions for employee training and competence development based on crowdsourcing. As such, the book will appeal to scholars of management science, work studies, organizational and participation research and to readers interested in inclusive approaches for cooperative change management and the IT implications for IC platforms.

Wie beinflussen die sozialen und physischen Wohnbedingungen das Verhalten der Menschen? Lasst sich die Nachhaltigkeit des Konsums uber eine Beeinflussung der Nachbarschaften foerdern? Welche baulichen und organisatorischen Veranderungen am Bestehenden sind geeignet, diesem Ziel naher zu kommen? Diese Fragen stehen im Mittelpunkt des vorliegenden Bandes, dessen Ergebnisse von einem interdisziplinaren Team von Psychologen, Architekten und OEkonomen erarbeitet wurden. Neben neuen Einsichten uber die Nachhaltigkeit von Konsumverhalten bietet das Buch auch zahlreiche Anregungen fur die Umsetzung in konkretes planerisches und politisches Handeln.

Ostdeutschland erscheint auch nach zwanzig Jahren deutscher Einheit als ein materiell und symbolisch Besonderes." Zuschreibungen wie industrielle Brache" oder verlorener Osten" demonstrieren dies ebenso wie ostdeutsche Identitatsmuster und die verbreitete Wahrnehmung sozialer Benachteiligung.
Mit der Untersuchung von Bevolkerungseinstellungen, Kommunikations- und Anerkennungsverhaltnissen, der Diskussion ostdeutscher Zukunftspotenziale sowie der Vorstellung kommunikationsbezogener Projektideen lotet der Band alternative Perspektiven und Entwicklungschancen im deutschen Vereinigungsprozess aus.
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Due to a constantly high population growth of India's sixth largest metropolis Hyderabad, a strongly growing middle-class and the subsequent rise of tra c and motorised vehicles in particular, sustainable solutions are needed to secure daily routines. For up to 50 % of the - predominantly poor - population, walking is crucial for everyday life. There is a tendency towards suburbanisation, still, for many people living in the city's central areas even low fares for busses or rickshaws are often not a ordable. Additionally, the high level of air pollution poses a risk for people's health. This paper presents the action research conducted in 2009 (Citizens' Exhibition, expert workshop and online-dialogue). It analyses the degree of participation at di erent levels and evaluates the participative tools and methods used. It explains the most important problems in the eld of tra c and transport from the citizens' point of view on the local level and gives an outlook on the problems and tasks at the city level. The analysis shows that the situation of pedestrians can be seen as one of the most important problems in the eld of tra c and transport: a high rate of fatal accidents in which pedestrians lose their lives. Also missing or unattractive footpaths lead to a high probability of switching over to motorised transport modes by those pedestrians who can a ord it and to the marginalisation of those who cannot a ord it. At the same time the topic bears good opportunities to come up with low-tech, cost e ective and at the same time highly e cient solutions in terms of CO2 reduction. Although or for the reason that the topic is not on the top list of the political agenda, there is a civil movement to push it forward and forcefully improve mobility and quality of life.

The background analysis focuses mainly on chances for civil society participation, its democratic legitimacy and the existing forms and experiences of civil society participation, as well as constraints to participation and access to information. Furthermore, relevant stakeholders are identi ed with a focus on civil society organisations in Hyderabad, which are active in the eld of climate protection, energy, sustainability, and environment, and their goals, activities, strengths and weaknesses, networks and speci c needs described. On the basis of the stakeholder analysis, multiplicators within civil society that are relevant to the project's areas, can be identi ed for participative processes with other WPs. Based on these ndings and in an iterative process to test strategies, the participation strategies can be adapted to the local, cultural and civil society context in Hyderabad.