In an increasingly urbanized world, the concepts of ecosystem services and nature-based solutions can help tackle grand challenges. However, ambiguity in their definitions and in the relationship... Show moreIn an increasingly urbanized world, the concepts of ecosystem services and nature-based solutions can help tackle grand challenges. However, ambiguity in their definitions and in the relationship between the two concepts complicates comprehensive research efforts as well as their effective application in policy and planning in urban systems. This paper presents a framework to clarify and explicitly relate the two concepts, enhancing their applicability in the management of urban challenges. Within the framework, addressing urban challenges serves as the starting point for the development and implementation of nature-based solutions. Nature-based solutions alter the flows of ecosystem services that are produced by an ecosystem by altering the performance of the ecosystem or by changing how people engage with the ecosystem. This results both in changes in the target ecosystem services, as well as non-targeted ecosystem services, leading to benefits. Using two illustrative case studies, we show how the framework can be applied to two urban challenges that are expected to increase in intensity in cities across the world: stormwater management and urban heat stress. Moreover, we highlight key research topics that will benefit from more integrated use of nature-based solutions and ecosystem services. The framework helps emphasize co-benefits, and can be used to help make co-benefits and multifunctionality explicit in urban decision-making and planning processes. Show less
As result of the current generative art boom, many generative works are flooding the art and media sphere. However, meaningful analysis, comparison, and discussion of generative art have so far... Show moreAs result of the current generative art boom, many generative works are flooding the art and media sphere. However, meaningful analysis, comparison, and discussion of generative art have so far been complicated by two factors: 1) the commonly used definition of generative art is broadly defined, resulting in a large variety of works sharing the same heading, and 2) existing methods for classifying and comparing generative art only facilitate a descriptive analysis of the generative systems within an artwork, but neglect the role & contribution of those systems to the work as a whole. In this paper we propose an alternative framework for analysing generative art, to aid the understanding of what generative art includes, where ‘the generative’ aspect(s) in a work take(s) place, how the generative relates to other aspects in that work, and how this differs from the generative elements and aspects in other works. Two concepts are introduced:autonomous ability (AA) and artistic significance (AS), including a larger framework to analyse artworks along these concepts. The framework asks 1) what elements (generative and non-generative)the work consists of, 2) what the role of these elements is within the artwork, 3) how autonomous these elements are, and 4) how artistically significant the contribution of the element’s role is in relationto the artwork as a whole. We apply the framework to a selection of four generative artworks to test its working, present the corresponding results, and reflect upon the framework. Show less
Dreesens, D.; Stiggelbout, A.; Agoritsas, T.; Elwyn, G.; Flottorp, S.; Grimshaw, J.; ... ; Weijden, T. van der 2019
Objective: Patient-directed knowledge tools are designed to engage patients in dialogue or deliberation, to support patient decision-making or self-care of chronic conditions. However, an abundance... Show moreObjective: Patient-directed knowledge tools are designed to engage patients in dialogue or deliberation, to support patient decision-making or self-care of chronic conditions. However, an abundance of these exists. The tools themselves and their purposes are not always clearly defined; creating challenges for developers and users (professionals, patients). The study's aim was to develop a conceptual framework of patient-directed knowledge tool types.Methods: A face-to-face evidence-informed consensus meeting with 15 international experts. After the meeting, the framework went through two rounds of feedback before informal consensus was reached.Results: A conceptual framework containing five patient-directed knowledge tool types was developed. The first part of the framework describes the tools' purposes and the second focuses on the tools' core elements.Conclusion: The framework provides clarity on which types of patient-directed tools exist, the purposes they serve, and which core elements they prototypically include. It is a working framework and will require further refinement as the area develops, alongside validation with a broader group of stakeholders.Practice implications: The framework assists developers and users to know which type a tool belongs, its purpose and core elements, helping them to develop and use the right tool for the right job. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Show less
