Groundwater issues have generated worldwide concern in recent decades. The problems are numerous: too little groundwater, too much groundwater, groundwater contaminated by either saline water or a broad spectrum of industrial and domestic pollutants. Many urban groundwater problems are not unique to any one region, which is the thinking behind this book. Many of the case studies presented here have never before been described in English. Overall, the papers represent the work and experience of researchers and groundwater professionals who have worked on urban groundwater issues in developed and less-developed nations around the world. They reveal the magnitude and scope of the problem as well as identify future challenges, potential courses of action, and emerging technologies that offer hope for the future.

The book provides an understanding about the disaster impacts, vulnerability assessment, adaptation pathways and mitigation for strengthening the resilience of the society to various hazards. Multi- dimensionality of disasters is depicted by various approaches and effective modelling. The book is a synthesis of research papers presented at online International Conference on the theme organized by the Centre for Disaster management, Department of Geography, Jamia Millia Islamia in collaboration with National Institute of Disaster Management and Regional Remote Sensing Centre (North), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), New Delhi, India during 02-03 March, 2021. The book has been organized into four parts spreading over 28 chapters. Part I deals with the impact assessment of various disasters. Part II examined ecological and socio-economic vulnerability arising out of the disasters. Part III identifies possible solutions for lessening vulnerability to disasters and effective adaptation strategies. Finally, part IV provides an insight for making the societies resilient to the disasters. The main focus of each chapter was laid implicitly on policy concerns focusing on disaster reduction at spatial scales. The book will immensely be helpful for the researchers, academicians and scientific communities for discussing set of questions necessary for future research. It will attract the attention of functionaries, practitioners, policy makers, training institutes and stakeholders for making appropriate methods of communicating risks and adaptation strategies for disaster management.

Examines patterns of health reform in Nordic health care systems, and the balance between stability and change in how these systems have developed. This book investigates the health systems in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland through comparisons along a variety of policy-driven parameters.

As the field of public administration has been changing due to globalization, government reforms, and increasing governance practices within intergovernmental networks, research and teaching in public administration also adapted itself to these changes. Public policy research and instruction has become transformed and has diffused into other countries with the help of international organizations and other agents of change and transfer. Research in this field is seen as an opportunity for a definitive shift from traditional models of public administration in the sense that policies may be better designed, articulated, and governed through a collaborative approach, while service provision could be enhanced in terms of proximity, representativeness, and innovativeness. The Handbook of Research on Global Challenges for Improving Public Services and Government Operations provides comprehensive approaches to the study of public administration and public policy from a comparative perspective and includes sound theories and concepts for understanding opportunities and challenges governments face when seeking to improve public services and government operations. The book is a compilation of selective high-quality chapters covering cases, experiences, and practical recommendations on topics related to public administration, public policy, social policy, public management, and public affairs. This book is ideal for policymakers, students, and researchers in the field of public administration, public policy, governance, public management, public affairs, citizen engagement, and administrative sciences and management along with practitioners, stakeholders, and academicians interested in the best practices of various countries in public administration and policy.

This book offers an overview of the legal, political, and broad intergovernmental environment in which relations between local and state units of government take place, the historical roots of the conflict among them, and an analysis of contemporary problems concerning local authority, local revenues, state interventions and takeovers, and the restructuring of local governments. The author pays special attention to local governmental autonomy and the goals and activities of local officials as they seek to secure resources, fend off regulations and interventions, and fight for survival as independent units. Now, in a thoroughly revised second edition, this book examines marijuana use, minimum wages, the establishment of sanctuary cities, and the regulation of ride-sharing companies. Looking at the intergovernmental struggle from the bottom up, and in the process examining a variety of political activities and policies at the state level, Berman finds considerable reason to be concerned about the viability and future of meaningful local government. This book improves our understanding of the relationship between state and local governments. It provides a thoughtful look at the past, present, and possibly the future of local home rule.