Books
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Keivani R, Tah J, Kurul E, Abanda H, Green jobs creation through sustainable refurbishment in developing countries, International labour organization (2010)
ISBN: 978922123610-8
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Werna E, Keivani R, Murphy D, Corporate social responsibility and urban development: lessons from the south, Palgrave Macmillan (2009)
ISBN: 9780230525320
Abstract Urban development cooperation needs innovative solutions. Despite many efforts, international assistance is far from addressing the challenges faced by cities in developing countries. Whilst some cities are the engines of economic growth, those in the developing world have alarming levels of poverty. This represents a major social toll, and also jeopardizes economic prospects due to the pervasive effects of poverty on labour productivity. Researchers and practitioners have devoted great attention to the role of multilateral and bilateral agencies and NGOs in urban development assistance. Corporate social responsibility has hardly been analysed, and this book seeks to raise the awareness of academics and practitioners about its value, while also noting its limitations. The book places specific emphasis on the relations between private companies and low-income communities, presenting a variety of case-studies leading to recommendations for further research and practice.Website
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Keivani R, International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, Taylor & Francis (2009)
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Keivani R, Abiko AK, Werna E, Pluralism in housing provision in developing countries: lessons from Brazil, Nova Science Pub Inc (2004)
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Parsa A, McGreal S, Keivani R, Economic, Social Research Council (ESRC) S(K, Globalisation of real estate markets and urban development in Central Europe, Economic and Social Research Council (2000)
Journal articles
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Shirazi MR, Keivani R, 'Social Sustainability of Compact Neighbourhoods. Evidence from London and Berlin'
Sustainability 13 (4) (2021)
ISSN: 2071-1050 eISSN: 2071-1050
Abstract This article revisits social sustainability of compact urban neighbourhoods based on first-hand evidence from four case studies in London and Berlin. It suggests a working definition for socially sustainable neighbourhoods, develops a tripartite integrative evaluation framework for measuring social sustainability of urban neighbourhoods, and applies it to four case studies in London and Berlin. Findings of this research are in line with some dominant arguments made in favour of social sustainability of compact urban form, but challenges some others. Research findings suggest that compact urban form is not an urban orthodoxy, but has multiple and contrasting social meanings and perceptions in different contexts and places.
Website
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Shirazi MR, Keivani R, Brownill S, Butina Watson G, 'Promoting Social Sustainability of Urban Neighbourhoods: The Case of Bethnal Green, London'
International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 46 (3) (2020) pp.441-465
ISSN: 0309-1317 eISSN: 1468-2427
Abstract Growing significance of neighbourhoods in different areas of urban planning, along with the increasing attention to the social dimension of sustainable communities and societies, emphasizes the need for conceptualizing socially sustainable neighbourhoods. This article first critically reflects on the concept of socially sustainable neighbourhoods in two areas of definition and operationalization. It then proposes a tripartite framework for measuring social sustainability of urban neighbourhoods which combines three elements of neighbourhood,
neighbouring, and neighbours. This framework is tested, examined, and discussed in the case of Bethnal Green, London. The findings are integrated into a Social Sustainability Enhancement Index which encompasses practical recommendations to promote social sustainability of Bethnal Green. The article concludes with highlighting research and policy implications of the proposed framework, and suggests some methodological improvements for the future research.
Website
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Ramin M-Keivani, Erick Omena de Melo, Sue Brownill, 'Durable inequality and the scope for pro-poor development in a globalising world: Lessons from Rio de Janeiro'
City 24 (3/4) (2020) pp.530-551
ISSN: 1360-4813 eISSN: 1470-3629
Abstract Cities are today undergoing major economic and spatial transformations in line with the requirements of global capital and neoliberalism. A main question to address in this scenario is: what is the scope for actions aiming to advance a more pro-poor agenda and curb the acute inequality found in the metropolises of the so-called developing countries? With that concern in mind, this paper examines the potentials and limitations of recent redevelopments in Rio de Janeiro to counteract durable inequality, as conceptualised by Charles Tilly. To do so we analysed secondary evidence and recent primary fieldwork drawing on 48 interviews with a range of stakeholders involved in the city’s preparations for the mega events, urban development and resistance to evictions, particularly in Vila Autódromo and Providência communities. Results show that there is room for progressive intervention and change at the local level if the underlying drivers of structural inequality are appropriately identified and systematically targeted by combined state and social movements’ political actions.
Website
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Shirazi MR, Keivani R, 'The Triad of Social Sustainability: Defining and Measuring Social Sustainability of Urban Neighbourhoods'
Urban Research & Practice 12 (4) (2018) pp.448-471
ISSN: 1753-5069 eISSN: 1753-5077
Abstract Despite recent advances in social sustainability discourse, there is a dearth of working definitions and evaluation frameworks regarding measuring social sustainability of neighbourhoods for research, practice, and policy purposes. Building on the qualitative meta-analysis of relevant resources, this article proposes the triad of social sustainability consisting of three pillars of neighbourhood, neighbouring, and neighbours, as a conceptual framework for understanding and measuring social sustainability of neighbourhoods. It introduces relevant indicators for each pillar, suggests advanced techniques for measuring them, and incorporates them into an integrated framework. At the end, significant research and policy implications of the proposed framework are discussed.
Website
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Xu Y, Keivani R, Cao AJ, 'Urban Sustainability Indicators Re-visited: Lessons from Property-led Urban Development in China'
Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 36 (4) (2018) pp.308-322
ISSN: 1461-5517 eISSN: 1471-5465
Abstract This paper proposes a bespoke urban sustainability indicator framework in the context
of China's prevalent property-led urban development. Emphasising local characteristics and incorporating underlying institutions, it advocates a more nuanced, holistic and dynamic approach when addressing sustainability issues. Selection of indicators were based on extensive literature reviews and tested through an international expert survey comprising both China-based and overseas-based experts. The two groups of experts have shown divergent views, with the former prioritizing economic and institutional aspects over environmental and social factors. It also
provides transferable policy insights to developing countries more generally, given many similarities in broader development challenges. Discussion on recent literature and urban development reinforces the applicability of these tailor-made indicators to not only monitoring but also explaining and predicting urban changes. We argue it is necessary to recognize the centrality of property-led urban development in urban sustainable development, and the need for examining the complex relations between the property sector and urban sustainability via inclusion of institutional analysis and a multi-method approach combining quantitative and qualitative evaluations.Website
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Shirazi MR, Keivani R, 'Critical reflections on the theory and practice of social sustainability in the built environment : a meta-analysis'
Local Environment 22 (12) (2017) pp.1526-1545
ISSN: 1354-9839 eISSN: 1469-6711
Abstract This article presents a critical reflection on the theory and practice of social sustainability in the built environment, identifies areas of agreement and disagreement, explores theoretical and conceptual gaps and challenges, and
suggests practical implications for future research and urban policy. It argues that despite revisionist approaches which challenge the tripartite structure of sustainable development, social dimension of sustainability remains an essential
valid pillar. Utilising a qualitative meta-analysis methodology for undertaking critical analysis of previous research and publications on the topic, key themes of theory and practice of social sustainability are identified and critically examined.
Accordingly 10 key formative characteristics of social sustainability and their research and policy implications are introduced. The article concludes with institutional observations for policy makers to achieve greater success in
addressing largely underestimated dimensions of social sustainability in urban settings. Website
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Cao A, Keivani R, 'Urban ambitions'
Land Journal March/April (2015) pp.24-26
ISSN: 1754-9094 eISSN: 1754-9108
Abstract The Chinese government is carrying out the world’s largest housebuilding programme for the country’s low to lower-middle income urban households. From 2011 to September 2014, a total of 32.1 million units of affordable and social housing (ASH) were started, with 20.6 million units completed. In the first nine months of 2014, RMB1.07 trillion (£107bn) was spent, with 7.2 million units started and 4.7 million completed.Website
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Shoaib T, Keivani R, 'Branding the new city: exploring place branding in Saudi Arabia'
Journal of Place Management and Development 8 (3) (2015) pp.254-265
ISSN: 1753-8335
Abstract Purpose
– This study aims to explore the development of a new city brand in Saudi Arabia. Place Branding theory is geared towards existing places and does not take into account newly developed cities. Here “Place Branding” takes on a new significance. How do we develop a brand for a city that does not yet exist? Who are the actors involved and how do they influence the process?
Design/methodology/approach
– The study uses discourse analysis to investigate the interplay between actors and place brand development in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) for two separate branding scenarios. It is further structured through the theoretical lens of actor-network theory (ANT) to take advantage of relational aspects that can lend insight on how a brand is created and enacted.
Findings
– Initial findings suggest that branding messages in KAEC are fragmented with little government or other stakeholder involvement leading to poor brand awareness and performance. The study also emphasises the importance of branding practices in the beginning stages of new city development. It further suggests that the message itself, the conceptual place brand, can represent a socially constructed idea or belief that can shape perceptions about the project before physical form is developed.
Originality/value
– The case study in Saudi Arabia will highlight the opportunities and pitfalls associated with place branding in the Middle East while comparing the findings with traditional place-branding approaches in existing cities. By contextualizing discourse analysis research within an ANT-based exploration of the KAEC brand’s gestation in Saudi Arabia, the study highlights the meaningfulness of a place brand construct in the process of city creation.
Website
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Cao J, Keivani R, 'The limits and potentials of the housing market enabling paradigm: an evaluation of China's housing policies from 1998 to 2011'
Housing Studies 29 (1) (2014) pp.44-68-
ISSN: 0267-3037
Abstract This paper examines the housing policies in China in the last 14years in the context of the international debate on the World Bank's housing market enabling strategy to improve low-income housing provision in developing countries. A review of China's urban housing outcomes reveals housing price inflation and shortage of affordable housing in the fast expanding housing market. The paper analyzes policies to increase both demand for and supply of housing and argues that these policies have contributed to worsening affordability. This situation has been exacerbated by problems in the institutional framework managing the housing sector. The paper concludes that market enabling alone is not sufficient to achieve a satisfactory housing outcome for low- and middle-income groups in Chinese cities. It advocates more effective and direct public intervention for enhancing social housing provision and tightening market regulation to address both market and government failures to improve housing conditions for lower income groups.Website
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Ng’ombe A, Keivani R, Mattingly M, Stubbs M, 'Impacts of Privatization of Customary Land Rights in Zambia: A Comparative Study of Rural and Peri-urban Locations'
International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 38 (6) (2014) pp.1985-2007
ISSN: 0309-1317
Abstract
In its quest for development, Zambia is pursuing a land policy that facilitates privatization of customary land. this article investigates the effects of privatization in terms of how it shapes people's behaviour and perception of private tenure and related tenure dynamics. Findings have shown that the appetite to privatize land is growing stronger in peri-urban areas as land becomes more scarce. Furthermore, privatization of land appears to be a threat to traditional political structures as allegiance and loyalty towards chiefs diminish and tension and struggles over land in peri-urban areas increase. Similarly privatization of land erodes people's faith in the role that cultural and ancestral beliefs play in traditional land management. also, people in rural areas tend to favour private tenure more if 'privatization of customary land' means allocation of land to outsiders. IF, by contrast, the phrase is taken to mean communities registering their own land, peri-urban communities tend to have a stronger desire to register land. Furthermore, rural communities were found to be less informed about land policy and seemed less keen to be involved in land policy processes when compared to peri-urban residents. However, rural people may have no reason to inform themselves about land policy until they realise that the policy is likely to affect them.
Website
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Abanda FH, Tah JHM, Keivani R, 'Trends in built environment semantic web applications: Where are we today?'
Expert Systems with Applications 40 (14) (2013) pp.5563-5577
ISSN: 0957-4174
Abstract
The built environment sector impacts significantly on communities. At the same time, it is the sector with the highest cost and environmental saving potentials provided effective strategies are implemented. The emerging Semantic Web promises new opportunities for efficient management of information and knowledge about various domains. While other domains, particularly bioinformatics have fully embraced the Semantic Web, knowledge about how the same has been applied to the built environment is sketchy. This study investigates the development and trend of Semantic Web applications in the built environment Understanding the different applications of the Semantic Web is essential for evaluation, improvement and opening of new research. A review of over 120 refereed articles on built environment Semantic Web applications has been conducted. A classification of the different Semantic Web applications in relation to their year of application is presented to highlight the trend. Two major findings have emerged. Firstly, despite limited research about easy-to-use applications, progress is being made from often too-common ontological concepts to more innovative concepts such as Linked Data. Secondly, a shift from traditional construction applications to Semantic Web sustainable construction applications is gradually emerging. To conclude, research challenges, potential future development and research directions have been discussed.
Website
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Ng’ombe A, Keivani R, 'Customary land reform to facilitate private investment in Zambia: achievements, potential and limitations'
Urban Forum 24 (1) (2013) pp.33-48
ISSN: 1015-3802
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Klink J, Keivani R, 'Development as we know it? Change and continuity in the production of urban and regional space in Brazil'
International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development 5 (1) (2013) pp.1-6
ISSN: 1946-3138
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Zhou L, Keivani R, Kurul E, 'Sustainability performance measurement framework for PFI projects in the UK'
Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction 18 (3) (2013) pp.232-250
ISSN: 1366-4387
Abstract Purpose
– The relationship between sustainable development and private finance initiative (PFI) procurement systems is clarified, and the current debate on the effectiveness of PFI in the UK and the benefits of PFI to deliver sustainable construction is reviewed. The study develops a sustainability assessment framework encompassing environmental, economic, social and technical aspects through the life cycle of the procurement process. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
– A comprehensive literature review develops a conceptual sustainability performance indicators framework. A national questionnaire survey measures existing PFI projects' sustainability performance level.
Findings
– The study provides empirical insights about key performance indicators of sustainable PFI project development and a benchmarking for existing PFI project performance measurement. It suggests that successful sustainable PFI projects should integrate technical aspects into the traditional three dimensions sustainability model and achieve a balance between social and economic performance.
Research limitations/implications
– Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack in-depth analysis of individual projects. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the framework further.
Practical implications
– The sustainability indicator framework proposed in this paper is readily applicable in PFI projects, as well as other types of PPP projects.
Originality/value
– This paper fulfils an identified need to study how the sustainability performance levels achieved could be effectively measured within PFI/PPP projects; while contributing to the debate on benchmarking and measuring sustainability performance in construction.
Website
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Brownill S, Keivani R, Pereira G, 'Olympic Legacies and City Development Strategies in London and Rio; Beyond the Carnival Mask?'
International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development 5 (2) (2013) pp.111-131
ISSN: 1946-3138
Abstract
The need to ensure a lasting legacy has become an increasing part of Olympic rhetoric. While there is a body of literature which characterises legacy as part of the ‘carnival mask’ of neo-liberal urbanisation and evidence of a globalised urban policy, this article asks the question what can thinking with assemblage offer to a critical understanding of mega-events? The article addresses this question and responds to calls for urban theory to ‘see from the South’, by exploring how legacy has been assembled in two Olympic cities focusing on the role of ‘spatial practices of assemblage’, including city development strategies and global policy mobility. Drawing on empirical work in London and Rio, the article reveals that thinking with assemblage can contribute to a nuanced, yet still critical, understanding of legacy as a contradictory and contested concept which is constantly being made and remade through the contingent practices of Olympic city building. It can also suggest how legacy can be conceived and realised in ways that allow for alternative legacies and forms of urbanisation to emerge but that its potential can only be realised in conjunction with other critical perspectives.
Website
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Ng'ombe A, Keivani R, Stubbs M, Mattingly M, 'Participatory approaches to land reform in Zambia: potentials and challenges'
Environment and Planning A 44 (8) (2012) pp.1785-1800
ISSN: 0308-518X
Abstract
Abstract. The subject of participation is now at the core of many contemporary development debates. This is promoted within the emerging context of moving away from"government" to"governance" as stakeholders are increasingly getting frustrated by governments" continued application of the mundane Decide, Announce, and Defend (DAD) approaches to policy making. However, despite the voluminous amount of literature on participation, there is little scholarly work on whether or how communities, particularly those in rural and periurban locations, participate in land policy processes. This paper examines the extent to which Zambia" s land policy process is participatory on the part of rural/periurban communities. The paper argues that despite its potential, genuine participation of rural communities in land policy processes in Zambia is constrained by cultural/social norms that defer the views of rural communities to those of their traditional rulers. On the other hand, periurban communities are excluded from the participatory agenda by the dynamics surrounding struggles over land and proceeds accruing from land transactions. The implication of these findings is that, since participatory requirements/expectations of rural communities may not necessarily be similar to those of periurban communities, there is need to explore the potential of designing"bespoke" policies that would accommodate the needs of the individual communities.
Website
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Abanda F, Ng’ombe A, Keivani R, Tah J, 'The link between renewable energy production and gross domestic product in Africa: A comparative study between 1980 and 2008'
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 16 (4) (2012) pp.2147-2153
ISSN: 1364-0321
Abstract Renewable energy (RE) projects are arguably one of the most important strategies that can be used in the mitigation of climate change impacts. At the same time, RE technologies can generate clean energy and potentially boost the economy of the African continent. It is thus not surprising that recent studies have investigated the relationship between RE and economic growth in some African countries. However, the limitation of these reductionist analytical frameworks is that they can conceal the true regional picture in terms of the link between investments in RE technologies and gross domestic product (GDP). This holistic analysis is important in order to inform regional policies on climate change. The article uses statistical analytic techniques to examine the correlation between RE production and economic growth across different blocks of the African continent between 1980 and 2008. The analysis is between geographical blocks (e.g. Southern Africa, Western Africa, etc.) and between oil and non-oil producing blocks. Generally speaking, while there exists a similar pattern in all the studied blocks in terms of mean, standard deviation and correlation between RE and GDP, a few exceptions can be found. For instance, the rise in RE–GDP correlation from 1992/1993 onwards was conspicuously higher in North Africa and oil-producing countries compared to all the other blocks. Similarly, Southern Africa was the only block where the correlation between RE and GDP was negative throughout the period under review, except 1988, 1989 and 1997 when it was positive.Website
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Keivani R, 'Editor's summary'
International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development 3 (2) (2011) pp.137-140
ISSN: 1946-3138
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Abanda H, Ng'ombe A, Tah J, Keivani R, 'An ontology-driven decision support system for land delivery in Zambia'
Expert Systems with Applications 38 (9) (2011) pp.10896-10905
ISSN: 0957-4174
Abstract Land is increasingly becoming important as the global economic crisis and climate change impacts continue to grow. This is mirrored in Zambia where the management of land has become very critical, prompting urgent government intervention/regulatory measures in the form of land reform. However, lack of efficient communication mechanisms inhibits the success of these efforts as officials are unable to make efficient land delivery decisions. This paper investigates the extent to which Semantic Web technology, an emerging communication technology, can be used in developing decision support systems that can facilitate the Zambian land delivery process.Website
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Keivani R, 'A review of main challenges to urban sustainability'
International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development 1 (40940) (2010)
ISSN: 1946-3138
Abstract Considering the existential threat that global warming poses to humanity, the current focus on climate change is undoubtedly justified. However, this should not overshadow the fact that sustainable development does not only end with environmental concerns but also covers social and economic domains that are mediated through physical spaces and built form. There are two-way interactions between these domains with each having a reciprocal impact on the other. Based on the institutional and policy context, these interactions can move us towards either a more virtuous circle of development with more equitable growth, empowered communities, liveable spaces and reduced (or at least controlled) levels of pollution, or the reverse. Consequently, in order to set the scene for the launch of the International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, I attempt to provide an overview of the main challenges emanating from each domain for achieving urban sustainability and the contribution that the new journal can make to this debate.Website
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Keivani R, 'A review of the main challenges to urban sustainability'
International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development 1 (1-2) (2010) pp.5-16
ISSN: 1946-3138
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Keivani R, Wakely P, Payne G, Atkinson A, Werna E, Griffith C, Simon D, Fragkias M, 'Reflections on Rio: perspectives on the World Urban Forum 5 WUF 5: Melting pot of old & new ideas and meeting place of old & new friends The road from Rio Impressions of World Urban Forum 5--March 2010 The World Urban Forum 5 from the perspective of Labour Reflections on the World Urban Forum 5: the right to the city--bridging the urban divide'
International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development 2 (1-2) (2010) pp.141-148
ISSN: 1946-3138
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Keivani R, Mattingly M, Majedi H, 'Public management of urban land, enabling markets and low income housing provision: the overlooked experience of Iran'
Urban Studies 45 (9) (2008) pp.1825-1853
ISSN: 0042-0980 eISSN: 1360-063X
Abstract This paper examines the first 10 years (1979-”89) of the implementation of the Urban Land Act in Iran in order to revisit the debate on the capacity of market-enabling policies to improve low-income housing provision in developing countries. The outcome of the Iranian experience during the study period shows that, at the very least, governments can play an important and effective role in low- and middle-income housing provision through direct provision of urban land in parallel with markets. This suggests that the best way forward may be a combination of market-enabling approaches that develop basic institutional functions plus proactive government intervention for developing public land banks to provide better access to cheap land for a range of housing providers including individual households, co-operatives and private developers.Website
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Cao J, Keivani R, 'Risks in the Commercial Real Estate Markets in China'
Journal of Real Estate Literature 16 (3) (2008) pp.363-383
ISSN: 0927-7544
Abstract This paper contributes to filling the knowledge gap on risks in the commercial real estate market in four Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chongqing. It examines the impact of urban governance, government real estate administration, and market practice in general and the current status of the property investment market in particular, on real estate market risks. The paper concludes that an institutional study needs to be built into a conventional economic analysis model to examine risks in commercial property investment in China.Website
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Keivani R, Parsa A, Younis B, 'Development of the ICT sector and urban competitiveness: the case of Dubai'
Journal of Urban Technology 10 (2) (2003) pp.19-46
ISSN: 1063-0732 eISSN: 1466-1853
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Keivani R, Parsa A, Sim L, Ong S, Younis B, 'Going Global: a Comparison of Singapore and the Cities of UAE'
Research Bulletin 110 (2003)
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Sim L, Ong S, Agarwal A, Parsa A, Keivani R, 'Singapore’s competitiveness as a global city: Development strategy, institutions and business environment'
Cities 20 (2) (2003) pp.115-127
ISSN: 0264-2751
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Parsa A, Keivani R, Sim LL, Ong SE, Younis B, 'Emerging global cities: Comparison of Singapore and the cities of the United Arab Emirates'
Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management 8 (4) (2002) pp.95-
ISSN: 1083-5547
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McGreal S, Parsa A, Keivani R, 'Evolution of property investment markets in Central Europe: opportunities and constraints'
Journal of Property Research 19 (3) (2002) pp.213-230
ISSN: 0959-9916
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Keivani R, Parsa A, McGreal S, 'Institutions and urban change in a globalising world: The case of Warsaw'
Cities 19 (3) (2002) pp.183-193
ISSN: 0264-2751
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Keivani R, Werna E, 'Modes of housing provision in developing countries'
Progress in Planning 55 (2) (2001) pp.65-118
ISSN: 0305-9006 eISSN: 1873-4510
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McGreal S, Parsa A, Keivani R, 'Perceptions of real estate markets in Central Europe: a survey of European investors'
Journal of Real Estate Literature 9 (2) (2001) pp.145-160
ISSN: 0927-7544
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Keivani R, Werna E, 'Refocusing the housing debate in developing countries from a pluralist perspective'
Habitat International 25 (2) (2001) pp.191-208
ISSN: 0197-3975
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Keivani R, Parsa A, McGreal S, 'Globalisation, Institutional Structures and Real Estate Markets in Central European Cities'
Urban Studies 38 (13) (2001) pp.2457-2476
ISSN: 0042-0980 eISSN: 1360-063X
Abstract This paper examines the urban development process in post-socialist cities of Budapest, Prague and Warsaw in the context of economic globalisation and societal transformation. Several factors have helped to shape the post-socialist cities of central Europe since the end of the 1980s. These include political transformation, economic change, restitution, privatisation, price liberalisation and decentralisation of local government. It is argued that local government administrative and planning structures have been ill prepared in meeting the requirements of international investment capital in a co-ordinated and effective manner. Institutional constraints has promoted an organic form of urban development primarily determined through the international demand for, and supply of, commercial and retail space.Website
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MOATAZED-KEANI IV R, GHANBARI-PARSA SECHI AR, 'ISO 9000 standards: perceptions and experiences in the UK construction industry'
Construction Management & Economics 17 (1) (1999) pp.107-119
ISSN: 0144-6193
Book chapters
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Barakpou N, Keivani RM, 'The Relationship Between Urban Governance and Sustainable Urban Development in Iran' in Arefian FF, Moeini SHI (ed.), The Relationship Between Urban Governance and Sustainable Urban Development in Iran, Springer International Publishing (2016)
ISBN: 978-3-319-26113-3 eISBN: 978-3-319-26115-7
Abstract Cities in Iran face major challenges in all domains of sustainability relating to environmental, social and economic dimensions of development. Environmental challenges include high and ineffective energy consumption, destruction of natural environment, pollution of air, water, soil and other related problems. On the social and economic fronts, poverty and inequality in access to public services and infrastructures and employment has led to rapid growth of informal settlements and informal economic activities inside and on the fringe of medium and large cities. Previous research and reports on evaluating sustainability of Iranian cities and regions have largely focused on assessing sustainable development indicators in environmental, social and economic areas. As a result, they have neglected to examine underlying procedural issues affecting sustainability, e.g. urban governance, and the relationship between substantive and procedural aspects. The main aim of this chapter is to examine the institutional and social capacities for moving and progressing towards sustainable urban development in Iran. The chapter adopts a systematic review or meta-analysis approach and brings together results of a number of previous studies undertaken by the authors and other researchers. The findings indicate that there are not sufficient social and institutional capacities for progressing towards sustainable cities. Nevertheless, the chapter contributes to better understanding of the potential that already exists, the barriers that must be overcome and the role that main agents play in shaping and utilising these capacities.Website
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Keivani R, Parsa A, McGreal W, 'Globalisation of Real Estate Markets in Urban Development in Central Europe' in Westerfield RE (ed.), Globalisation of Real Estate Markets in Urban Development in Central Europe, Nova Science Publishers (2007)
ISBN: 1-59033-811-1
Website
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Parsa A, 'The Hormuz corridor: building a CROSS-BORDER REGION BETWEEN IRAN AND THE UAE' in CROSS-BORDER REGION BETWEEN IRAN AND THE UAE, (2002)
Conference papers
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Saeed Nosratabadi, Amir Mosavi, Ramin Keivani, Sina Ardabili, Farshid Aram, 'State of the Art Survey of Deep Learning and Machine Learning Models for Smart Cities and Urban Sustainability'
(2020) pp.228-238
ISSN: 2367-3370 ISBN: 9783030368401 eISBN: 2367-3389
Abstract Deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML) methods have recently contributed to the advancement of models in the various aspects of prediction, planning, and uncertainty analysis of smart cities and urban development. This paper presents the state of the art of DL and ML methods used in this realm. Through a novel taxonomy, the advances in model development and new application domains in urban sustainability and smart cities are presented. Findings reveal that five DL and ML methods have been most applied to address the different aspects of smart cities. These are artificial neural networks; support vector machines; decision trees; ensembles, Bayesians, hybrids, and neuro-fuzzy; and deep learning. It is also disclosed that energy, health, and urban transport are the main domains of smart cities that DL and ML methods contributed in to address their problems.
Website
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Gao Y, Cao A, Keivani R, 'Affordable and social housing provision under rapid urbanisation: a case study on Urumqi, China'
(2016)
Abstract Urbanisation has accelerated in China since the 1980s under the campaigns of reform and opening up. Being the only major city with multi-ethnicity, Urumqi has developed and expanded rapidly on a path with both similarities and differences to other major Chinese cities. Since 2007, China has adopted a housing policy to build an affordable and social housing (ASH) sector as a matter of urgency and carried out large scale construction of purpose-built ASH throughout the country. Urumqi has adopted the national housing policy to build ASH estates in the past decade. Although successful in solving the housing problems of low-income families, the city has now faced a series of problems in its newly established ASH sector, i.e. infrastructure shortage, vacancy, rent arrears, ethnic issues and anti-social behaviour. This paper adopts an institutional approach to analyse the incentives and disincentives to build ASH by the municipal government, decision making process in ASH provision, effort to involve the private sector in ASH provision, and management issues. It argues that there are institutional barriers resulting in funding ASH development, screening of applicants, vacancy, allocation and concentration of ethnic minorities in ASH estates. The widening of access of ASH to non-registered households, designed to attract new labour, proves successful. The paper concludes that a combination of local initiatives and institutional innovation is needed to jump over the barriers to efficiency and to generate competition to the sector currently completely run by the public sector.
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Cao JA, Keivani R, 'Institutional barriers, efficiency and innovation in affordable and social housing provision in China'
(2016)
Abstract The development of the housing market and end of welfare housing allocation have transformed urban housing provision from state dominance to market dominance, resulting in a neglect of housing needs of low income households. From 2007, China reformed its housing policy to build an affordable and social housing (ASH) sector as a matter of urgency and carried out large scale construction of purpose-built ASH throughout the country. Having succeeded in building over 30 million units of ASH in a decade, the country has now faced of problems in its newly established ASH sector, i.e. infrastructure shortage, high vacancy rates, unqualified occupiers, rent arrears, and anti-social behaviour, while ASH remains inaccessible for millions of people without registered household status. This paper adopts an institutional approach to analyse the incentives and disincentives to build ASH at different levels of government, poor decision making by local governments, lack of interests from the private sector to participate, and sources of management problems. It argues that the current institutional barriers result in insufficient funding for some, but excessive funding for others, ASH projects, leading to insufficient provision such as infrastructure and a glut of supply. Lack of national statutes, due to inability to reconcile the interests of different stakeholders, underlies the inefficient management of ASH estates. Unsecured business models create problems for private capital to enter the ASH sector. The paper concludes that further institutional innovation is needed to remove the barriers to efficiency and to encourage the private sector to participate in ASH provision, generating competition to the sector currently completely run by the public sector.
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Zhou L, Keivani R, Kurul E, 'The Economic Benefits of Sustainable PFI Project: A case study of Newport Southern Distributor Road.'
(2008) pp.135-144
ISBN: 978-0-646-50372-1
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine the sustainability performance of an individual highway Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme in the UK, mainly to scrutinize its economic benefits at three levels: project, local and national. The fieldwork was undertaken through a detailed and specific set of semi-structured interviews in the case study of Newport Southern Distributor Road (SDR). Five main drivers for the sustainability approach are identified and the transferability is analysed. Research finds that the Newport PFI case demonstrates whole life cost savings for both the client and the contractor. The social-economic contribution of the PFI project is critical to the local urban regeneration programs and sustainable community development. Furthermore, effectively applying the government`s financial incentives and advanced technology could efficiently reduce the capital cost without negative impact on the project`s quality and time. The sustainability aspects of this project could be extracted and transferred to other highway projects, in particular through the PFI procurement system.
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Cao A, Keivani R, 'Market Failure or Institutional Failure: Why the Chinese Urbanites Find Housing Increasingly Unaffordable'
Working Paper presented at the 12th Asian Real Estate Conference (2007) pp.9-12
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Keivani R, Mattingly M, 'The Interface of Globalization and Peripheral Land in the Cities of the South: Implications for Urban Governance and Local Economic Development'
International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 31 (2007) pp.459-474
ISSN: 0309-1317
Website
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Zhou L, Kurul E, Keivani R, 'Sustainability Evaluation in the PFI industry: Analysis of a questionnaire survey'
SYMPOSIUM ON SUSTAINABILITY AND VALUE THROUGH CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT (2006) pp.626-
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Keivani R, Mattingly M, Majedi H, 'Enabling housing markets or increasing low income access to urban land: lessons from Iran'
Land and Urban Policies for Poverty Reduction 67 (2005)
Website
Reviews
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OBrien J, Keivani R, Glasson J, review of Towards a New Paradigm in Environmental Policy Development in High-income Developing Countries: the Case of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in Progress in Planning 68 (2008) pp.201-256ISSN: 0305-9006
Website
Other publications
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Brownill S, Cho Y, Keivani R, Nase I, Downing L, Valler D, Whitehouse N, Penny Bernstock, 'Rethinking planning obligations: balancing housing numbers and affordability'
(2015) Abstract
It is now widely acknowledged that there is a pressing need to increase the supply of housing in England, including for those on the lowest incomes. Planning obligations are a major way in which the planning system contributes to the supply of affrdable housing, yet numbers delivered are still insuffient to meet overall needs, vary greatly between different parts of the country and have been affcted by the economic downturn and changes to the planning system. Given these challenges, this research explores what works and what doesn’t in the operation of planning obligations and whether there are alternative localised ways of increasing the supply of affordable housing.
Website
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Brownill S, Keivani R, de Melo EO, 'People’s right to the city has been eroded by mega-event evictions in Rio de Janiero'
LSE American Politics and Policy (2014) Abstract Brazil has been preparing furiously for the upcoming World Cup and 2016 Olympics. While these developments are thought to represent the country’s growing economy and rising middle class, such “progress” has come at the expense of Brazil’s poorest citizens. Sue Brownill, Ramin Keivani, and Erick Omena de Melo look at the forced evictions in Vila Autódromo to make way for Olympic venues, in spite of the residents’ legal title to their site, arguing that it is representative of global trends of market and state forces eroding people’s right to the city.Website
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Cao JA, Keivani R, 'More doesn’t mean better: inefficiencies in China’s affordable and social housing'
(2014)
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Keivani R, 'Globalisation and real estate markets - Scope for pro-poor development'
(2010)
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Keivani R, Tah JH, Kurul E, Abanda H, 'Green Jobs Creation Through Sustainable Refurbishment in the Developing Countries'
(2010) ISBN: 978-92-2-123610-8
Abstract This paper provides a review of literature on energy-efficient sustainable refurbishment in developing countries and concentrates on case studies within Brazil, South Africa and the Netherlands to examine the social, economic and environmental effects of adopting sustainable refurbishment.Website
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Xu Y, Cao A, Keivani R, 'Assessing Urban Sustainability In China: Development Of The Evaluative Framework'
(2008)
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Keivani R, Cao A, 'Impact Of Land And Housing Market Reform On Low Income Housing Provision In China: The Case Of Beijing And Shanghai'
(2008)
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Cao A, Keivani R, 'Development of the Chinese Property Investment Market'
(2005)
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Keivani R, 'Enabling housing markets or increasing low incomes access to land. Lessons from Iran'
(2004)
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Keivani R, Parsa A, Sim LL, Ong S, 'Emerging Global Cities Comparison of Singapore and the Cities of UAE'
(2002)
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Parsa A, Keivani R, McGreal S, 'Real estate investment and development and the shaping of Budapest'
(2001)
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McGreal S, Parsa A, Keivani R, 'Globalisation And The Development Of Real Estate Markets In Central Europe'
(2000)
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Keivani R, Parsa A, 'Globalisation, Growth Corridors and the Development of New Urban Forms'
(1999)
Books
M.Reza Shirazi and Ramin Keivani (2019, Eds) Dimensions of Social Sustainability in the Built Environment - Theory, Practice, and Policy, Routledge.
Werna, E, Keivani, R and Murphy, D (2009) Corporate Social Responsibility and Urban Development in the cities of the South, Palgrave.
Werna, E; Abiko, A; Keivani, R; Coelho, L; Simas, R; Hamburger, D and Almeida, M (2003) Housing Provision in Developing Countries: lessons from Brazil, Nova Publishers, New York.
Werna, E; Abiko, A; Coelho, L; Simas, R; Keivani, R; Hamburger, D and Almeida, M (2001) Pluralismo na Habitacao, Anna Blume, Sao Paulo.
Book Chapters
M.Reza Shirazi and Ramin Keivani (2019) Social sustainability discourse – a critical revisit, in Shirazi, M.R and Keivani, R (Eds) Dimensions of Social Sustainability in the Built Environment - Theory, Practice, and Policy, Routledge, pp1-26.
M.Reza Shirazi and Ramin Keivani (2019) Spatiality of social sustainability: social activity and neighbourhood space, in Shirazi, M.R and Keivani, R (Eds) Dimensions of Social Sustainability in the Built Environment - Theory, Practice, and Policy, Routledge, pp99-124.
M.Reza Shirazi and Ramin Keivani (2019) Social sustainability as an urban agenda:towards a comprehensive image, in Shirazi, M.R and Keivani, R (Eds) Dimensions of Social Sustainability in the Built Environment - Theory, Practice, and Policy, Routledge, pp216-231.
Naser Barakpou and Ramin M-Keivani (2016) The Relationship Between Urban Governance and Sustainable Urban Development in Iran, in Arefian, F.F and Moeini, S.H.I (Eds) Urban Change in Iran, Springer, pp153-170.
Keivani, R, Parsa, A and McGreal, S. (2009) Globalisation, institutional structures and real estate markets in central European cities, in Paddison, R (Ed) Urban Studies - Economy, volume IV, pp 183-202. Sage. [Selected papers from Urban Studies]. ISBN: 978-1-84787-258-6.
Keivani, R; Mattingly, M and Majedi, H (2007) Enabling private markets or increasing low income access to urban land: the case of Iran, in Freire, M., Ferguson, B., Lima, R., and Cira, D., (eds) Urban and Land Policies for Poverty Reduction. World Bank-IPEA.
Parsa, A and Keivani, R (2002) The Hormuz Corridor: Building a cross-border region between Iran and UAE, in Sassen, S (Ed) Global Networks, Linked Cities: Urban connections in a Globalizing World, Routledge.
Keivani, R; Parsa, A and McGreal, S (2004) Globalization of Real Estate Markets and Urban Development in Central Europe, in Westerfield, R.E (Ed), Current Issues in Globalization, Nova Publishers, New York.
Journal Publications
MR Shirazi, R Keivani (2021) Social Sustainability of Compact Neighbourhoods Evidence from London and Berlin, Sustainability, 13(4), file:///C:/Users/p0074006/AppData/Local/Temp/sustainability-13-02340.pdf.
MR Shirazi, R Keivani, S Brownill, G Butina Watson (2020) Promoting Social Sustainability of Urban Neighbourhoods: The Case of Bethnal Green, London, IJURR, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1468-2427.12946.
Ramin M-Keivani, Erick Omena de Melo and Sue Brownill (2020) Durable inequality and the scope for pro-poor development in a globalising world -Lessons from Rio de Janeiro, CITY, 24(3-4), pp530-551.
M.Reza Shirazi and Ramin Keivani (2018) The Triad of Social Sustainability. Defining and Measuring Social Sustainability of Urban Neighbourhoods, Urban Research and Practice, Advanced on-line publication available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17535069.2018.1469039.
Yunqing Xu, Ramin Keivani and Albert Cao (2018) Urban Sustainability Indicators Re-visited: Lessons from Property-led Urban Development in China, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal. Advanced on-line publication available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14615517.2018.1447735.
M-Reza Shirazi and Ramin Keivani (2017) Critical reflections on the theory and practice of social sustainability in the built environment – a meta-analysis, Local Environment, 22(12), pp1526-1545.
Shoaib, T and Keivani, R (2015) Branding the new city: exploring place branding in Saudi Arabia, Journal of Place Management and Development, 8(3), pp 254—265.
Albert Cao and Ramin Keivani (2015) Urban Ambitions, RICS Land Journal.
Albert Cao and Ramin Keivani (2015) China’s great building programme for affordable and social housing, RICS Land Journal, March-April.
Cao, A and Keivani, R (2014) The limits and potentials of the (housing) market enabling paradigm: An evaluation of China’s housing policies from 1998 to 2011, Housing Studies, 29(1), pp44-68.
Austine, Ng’ombe; Ramin Keivani; Mike Stubbs and Michael Mattingly (2014) Impacts of privatization of customary land rights in Zambia: a comparative study of rural and peri-urban location, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 38(6), pp. 1985-2007.
Brownill, S; Keivani, R and Periera, G (2013) Olympic legacies and city development strategies in London and Rio; beyond the carnival mask? International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, 5(2), pp111-131.
Zhou, L; Keivani, R and Kurul, E (2013) Sustainability performance measurement framework for PFI projects in the UK, Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 18(3), pp232-250.
Klink, J and Keivani, R (2013) development as we know it? Change and continuity in the production of urban and regional space in Brazil, International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, 5(1), pp1-6.
F.H. Abanda, J, Tah and R, Keivani and (2013) Trends in built environment semantic web application: Where are we today?, Expert systems with applications, 40(14), pp5563-5577.
Austine Ngombe and Ramin Keivani (2013) Customary land reform to facilitate private investment in Zambia: achievements, potentials and limitations, Urban Forum, 24(1), pp33-48.
F.H. Abanda, A, Ngombe, R, Keivani and J, Tah (2012) The link between renewable energy production and Gross Domestic Product in Africa: A comparative study between 1980 – 2008, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16 (4), pp 2147-2153.
Ngombe, A; Keivani, R; Stubbs, M and Mattingly, M (2012) Participatory approaches to land reform in Zambia, Environment and Planning A, 44, pp 1785-1800.
Abanda, H, Ng’ombe, A, Tah, , Joseph H. M., and Keivani , R (2012) An ontology-driven decision support system for land delivery in Zambia. Expert Systems with Applications, pp 10896 -10905.
Keivani, R (2009) A review of main challenges to urban sustainability, International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, May/Nov 2009, pp 5-16.
Keivani, R. (2009) Globalisation and urban competitiveness in the cities of developing countries: Challenges and opportunities for municipal authorities [Persian text], Quraterly Journal of City Economics, 1(1), pp40-67.
Cao, A and Keivani, R (2008) Risks in the Commercial Real Estate Markets, Journal of Real Estate Literature, 16(3), pp363-386.
Cao, A and Keivani, R (2008) The property-led urban economic development model and its implications on China’s cities, ADI Real Estate Journal ZfIFP.
Keivani, R., Mattingly, M. and Majedi, H (2008). Public management of urban land, enabling markets and low income housing provision: the overlooked experience of Iran, Urban Studies, 45(9), pp1825-1854.
O’Brian, J; Keivani, R and Glasson, J (2007) Towards a new paradigm in environmental policy development in high income developing countries: the case of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Progress in Planning, 68(4).
Keivani, R; and Mattingly, M (2007) The interface of globalisation and peripheral land in developing countries: implications for local economic development and urban governance, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research. 31(2), pp 459-474.
Keivani, R; Parsa, A and Younes, B (2003) The role of ICTs in urban competitiveness: the case of Dubai, Journal of Urban Technology, 10(2), pp 19-46.
Sim, L.L; Ong, S.E, Agarwal, A; Parsa, A and Keivani, R (2003) Singapore’s Competitiveness as a Global City: Development Strategy, Institutions and Business Environment, CITIES, 20(2), pp115-127.
Keivani, R; Parsa, A and McGreal, S (2002) Institutions and urban change in a globalising world: the case of Warsaw, CITIES, 19(3), pp183-193.
Parsa, A; Keivani, R; Loo, L.S; Seow, E.O; and Younis, B (2002) Emerging global cities: comparison of Singapore and the cities of United Arab Emirates, Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management, 8(4), pp 95-101.
Keivani, R; Parsa, A and McGreal, S (2001) Globalisation, institutional structures and real estate markets in central European cities, Urban Studies, 38(13), pp2457-2476.
Keivani, R and Werna, E (2001) Modes of housing provision in developing countries, Progress in Planning, 55(2), pp65-118.
Keivani, R and Werna, E (2001) Refocusing the housing debate in developing countries from a pluralist perspective, Habitat International, 25(2), pp191-208.
McGreal, S; Parsa, A and Keivani, R (2001) Perceptions of Real Estate Markets in Central Europe: a survey of European investors, Journal of Real Estate Literature International Section, 9(2), pp145-160.
Parsa, A and Keivani, R (1999) The Development of Real Estate Markets in central Europe: The Case of Prague, Warsaw and Budapest, Environment and Planning, A, 31, pp1383-1399.
Reports
Brownill, S; Cho, Y; Keivani, R; Nase, I; Valler, D; Bernstock, P and Whitehouse, N (2015) Rethinking Planning Obligations: Achieving a balance between housing numbers and affordability, York, Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Cao, J Albert and Keivani, Ramin (2014) More doesn’t mean better: inefficiencies in China’s affordable and social housing. London: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Keivani, R, Tah, J, Kurul, E, Abanda, H (2010) Green jobs creation through sustainable refurbishment in the developing countries, International Labour Office, Geneva.
Cao, A and Keivani, R (2007) The role of property markets in supporting economic and social development in China, RICS Research Publication.
Parsa, A; Keivani, R; Sim, L.L; Ong, S.E, Agarwal, A and Younis, B (2004) Emerging Global Cities - Comparison of Singapore and the cities of UAE, RICS Research Publication.
Parsa, A; McGreal, S and Keivani, R (2000) Globalisation of Real Estate Markets and Urban Development in Central Europe, ESRC End of Award Report, Project Reference R000222786.
Other
Keivani, R; Parsa, A; Sim, L L; Ong, SE and Younis, B (2003) Going Global: A comparison of Singapore and cities of the UAE, GaWC Research Bulletin 110 @ http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/rb/rb110.html .
Parsa, A; Keivani, R and McGreal, S (2000) Central European Real Estate Markets – all the world’s a stage, FiBRE, RICS Foundation.