1. Urban Audit II Methodological Workshop Concepts and Definitions
Paris, 7-8 April 2003
Concepts and Definitions
- Approach and Some Examples –
Klaus Trutzel

2. Urban Audit II Contents - Approach
- Concepts and definitions: Some simple cases
Concepts and definitions:
Example 1
Example 2

3. Concept and Definitions : Approach
 The Urban Audit aims to discover urban strenghs and weaknesses and measure disparities.
 This requires comparisons, mainly
- regional comparisons among cities, within cities and between the centre and the larger urban zone,
- temporal comparisons.
 Validity of comparisons depends on comparability.
Klaus Trutzel

4. Concept and Definitions : Approach
 To discover disparities in one aspect, all other aspects have to be kept constant:
Differences in the values measured in different regional units can only be attributed to regional disparities, if the objects of observation, the properties observed, the measures used and the time of measurement are sufficiently identical.
 Clear definitions are the precondition for the collection of comparable data.
Klaus Trutzel

5. Concept and Definitions : Approach
 Definitions have to meet 2 requirements: They must (1) reflect the questions to be answered (questions behind the comparisons)
(2) relate to the data available
 Only in primary surveys, one may try to establish this relation in one step.
 The Urban Audit has to rely on available data defined and measured for other purposes.
Klaus Trutzel

6. Concept and Definitions : Approach
In an optimal procedure one would
1. describe the questions to be answered
2. derive indicators leading to the answers requested
3. develop optimal definitions of basic data from which the indicators can be calculated
4. look at available data and their definitions
5. define and collect (clearly defined) available data
6. Translate data collected into the data requested
7. Inform users on the sources and the „translation“
Klaus Trutzel

7. Concept and Definitions : Approach
But: Looking at data and evaluations will produce new questions. The „optimal procedure“ must therefore be run through repeatedly in a learning process.
In Urban Audit we have just begun such a learning process in which, hopefully, data providers and users participate.
At present, we collect data before all preparatory steps could be completed.
Klaus Trutzel

8. Concept and Definitions : Approach
What is the state of affairs?
 The data to be collected have been listed.
 Most „target data“ have been defined – irrespective of the data available and of the definitions of these data.
 Member States are providing readily available data with definitions close to those of the „target data“.
Klaus Trutzel

9. Concept and Definitions : Approach
What are we aiming at in this workshop?
 Clarify definitions of „target data“ by discussing the indicators and the questions behind them.
 Help to understand the difference between definitions of available data and those of „target data“.
 Discuss ways to translate available data into „target data“ through estimation.
Klaus Trutzel

10. Concept and Definitions : Approach
What are our priorities?
 Ensure availability and national comparability first;
 Rate comparability higher than precision;
 Observe the deadline for key variables of UA II;
 Correct also the data of the pilot phase as they will be used by the Commission.
Klaus Trutzel

11. Concept and Definitions : Examples
Definitions requiring more precision, e. g.
EN1001V:
- What is a day of rain?  days > ... mm of rain ?
EN5002V:
- Population within 15 min. walking distance of urban green areas  15 min. or 300 m?  incl. cemetaries, sportsgrounds, botanical gardens, the zoo ...?
TT1064/65V:
- Number of commuters...  incl. students?
Klaus Trutzel

12. Concept and Definitions : Examples
Definitions not(?) leading to satisfactory answers
TT1063V:
- Av. waiting time for a bus  why not tram or metro?
SA2023V:
- Number of doctors  why exclude hospital doctors?
SA1026V:
- Non-conventional dwellings  why include hotel rooms, collective dwellings, etc. (number of beds)?
Klaus Trutzel

13. Concept and Definitions : Example 1
EC3060/63V:
Households/Individuals reliant on social security benefits (>50 %)
In Germany, „social security benefits“ are paid from the municipal budget to citizens having less than the minimum net income (from any sources). If there is sufficient income from other sources (e.g. unemploy-ment payments), „social security benefits“ are not granted.
Klaus Trutzel

14. Concept and Definitions : Example 1
„Soc. security“ may add to any other income. It often overlaps with unemployment payments. But this statistical information is not available, so that the two recipient groups cannot be added.
On the national level, „social security benefits“ are a most reliable indicator of poverty. The information is often available for sub-city units.
But due to differing definitions, estimates from the national Microcensus (available for LUZ) must be made.
Klaus Trutzel

15. Concept and Definitions : Example 1
If the head of household is reliant > 50 % on transfer payments from the municipality and/or the state, this household and all members will be counted.
The ratio between these households/persons (Micro- census) and the recipients of municipal „social security benefits“ in the LUZ will be used to estimate the values of households/persons reliant > 50 % on transfer payments in the city and in the sub-city units.
Klaus Trutzel

16. Concept and Definitions : Example 2
CI2001V ff: Municipal authority income / expenditure
This example is without an acceptable solution:
EU: “…to get information on the “Marge de manoeuvre” (governance) of the city: how much decisional power is allocated to the city; Can the city really shape local policy ?
Definition: include services under the responsibility of the municipality, i.e. excluding state employees and outsourced tasks; exclude regional government.
Klaus Trutzel

17. Concept and Definitions : Example 2
Many municipal tasks are no longer part of the budget; they are under the responsibility of the municipal council but run under „private law“.
These municipal enterprises don‘t have a budget but a balance sheet and a profit and loss account.
It might be possible to sum up the number of employees but it is impossible to find an equivalent to the „budget“ with income and expenditure.
Klaus Trutzel

18. Concept and Definitions : Example 2
Is dependence on municipal decisions defined by „municipal ownership“?
Municipal Council
Central administration
Municip. Schools
Social Security
Municip.Theatre
Under municipal responsibility:
Public transport
Public housing
Municip.Hospital
What about a capital share of around 50 %
Airport
Electricity Comp.
Convention Centre
Klaus Trutzel

19. Concept and Definitions
Thank you for your attention!
Please feel free to ask questions
and give your comments!