The thesis aims to introduce the problem of panel housing estates in the Czech Republic, to evaluate the development policy of these areas and to suggest the possibilities of transformation of Prague panel housing estates in order to enhance quality of residential environment. In the Czech Republic lives a substantial part of the population in the panel housing estates and their degradation is a real threat that could lead to the decline of entire cities. About 40% of Prague's residents live in housing estates, which are an indispensable part of urban structure of the capital city, and therefore the thesis focuses on Prague's housing estates. Through a literature research the theoretical part deals in major with the circumstances of creation and specifics of Czech panel housing with focus on the Prague housing estates. The theoretical part concludes that the future of housing estates will depend on the attitude of public authorities and its residents as we cannot rely on the fact that leaving housing estates their own development will not lead to their degradation. The practical part aims to introduce national and local key documents and programs, which involve housing estates transformation issues and assesses their importance and contribution to the transformation process itself. Further, there are introduced examples of foreign and Czech transformations and using SWOT analysis there is assessed the potential usability of these measures in the transformation of Prague housing estates. The end of practical part performs a synthesis of previous findings and suggests the possibilities of transformation of Prague panel housing estates, which should increase the quality of the residential environment. The draft of conception can serve as a basis for planning the estates transformation process at the Prague city districts.

This study investigates whether the HIV/AIDS and Life Skills Education Programme for schools was implemented in accordance with the Ministry's directives. It also seeks to establish whether the programme was effective or not by identifying and examining different implementation strategies and methodologies. Fieldwork was undertaken in the Lupane Area Development Programme where nine schools were randomly selected from sixteen primary schools. A total of nine head-teachers responded to the heads' questionnaire and fifty-eight Grade 4 to 7 teachers responded to the teachers' questionnaire. The study reveals that to a very large extent the HIV/AIDS and Life-skills Education Programme was implemented from Grades 4 to 7 in the primary schools. However, substantial improvements still need to be made in mobilising reading and financial resources. More training and the introduction of more participatory methodologies need to be stepped up for the children to realise more benefits from this life skills education programme. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Decentralization is an approach Malawi government is using to accelerate development. In order to achieve this, local structures like ADCs were instituted to improve community participation and enhance demand driven type of development. This study examined the effectiveness of the ADCs in decentralization. The study was conducted in TAs Chilowoko and Kalumo in Ntchisi district. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. Through random sampling, 97 respondents were interviewed using a household questionnaire. Two focus group discussions and 14 key informant interviews were also done. Analysis of the quantitative data collected was done using Scientific Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) tool while the qualitative data was analyzed manually using common themes that emerged from the findings. The results show that the community members do not commonly know ADCs and that they do not have autonomy to enhance community participation in decision making. ADCs do not have the autonomy to operate as custodians of development. ADCs are also facing many challenges that include lack of operational resources, incentives, transport and political infringement. On the overall, therefore, the study recommends that there is need to create awareness on the existence of the ADCs and other local structures to the community members. Secondly, there is need to review the National Decentralization Policy, Local Government Act and the Guidebook on decentralization in Malawi / Development Studies / M. A. (Development Studies)

From the Proceedings of the 1977 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 15-16, 1977, Las Vegas, Nevada / It is argued that Arizona has traditionally and persistently pursued a style of politics in which state government is a reactor rather than an initiator, and that its role has been subordinate to the federal government and local and private water users. The lack of adequate water policies has led to an inability to respond to new conditions and demands, such as conflicts among traditional water users, Indian claims, rising water costs, energy developments and environmental concerns. Past themes of administrative fragmentation and lack of concern over water and water planning have been responsible for these deficiencies. There is some evidence that the customary decision-making process is changing and the state is establishing its own water planning capability.

This study investigates whether the HIV/AIDS and Life Skills Education Programme for schools was implemented in accordance with the Ministry's directives. It also seeks to establish whether the programme was effective or not by identifying and examining different implementation strategies and methodologies. Fieldwork was undertaken in the Lupane Area Development Programme where nine schools were randomly selected from sixteen primary schools. A total of nine head-teachers responded to the heads' questionnaire and fifty-eight Grade 4 to 7 teachers responded to the teachers' questionnaire. The study reveals that to a very large extent the HIV/AIDS and Life-skills Education Programme was implemented from Grades 4 to 7 in the primary schools. However, substantial improvements still need to be made in mobilising reading and financial resources. More training and the introduction of more participatory methodologies need to be stepped up for the children to realise more benefits from this life skills education programme. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)