Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Göttingen, 1974. / Includes bibliographical references (p. i-vii).

Diss.--Technische Hochschule, Aachen. / Without thesis statement. Bibliography: p. [92].

Thesis (M.U.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-128) Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Carleton University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 276-279). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

In the field of planning and policy-making, there is often insufficient concern for the nature and patterns of decision-making in the private sector. It is felt that improved knowledge of these patterns would provide an additional significant input to aid policy-makers in the difficult task of assembling the most appropriate program from a host of available alternatives. To develop this theme, this thesis has focused upon private sector response to housing code enforcement as a tool for eliminating substandard housing and increasing the supply of standard housing for low income tenants. Two models of rehabilitation decision-making by absentee owners of multiple rental housing (i.e., house operating firms) are presented and operationalized. The first model assumes that a community does not enforce a set of minimum housing standards. Consequently, house operating firms are free to adjust their operating, replacement and remodelling expenditures, thereby raising or lowering the position occupied by their buildings in a distribution of rental housing quality. Since each position in this quality distribution generates a different level of rent, the firm must choose that position which maximizes profit from its building. In the case where minimum housing regulations are not enforced, this pattern of decision-making often implies the existence of a significant quantity of profitable substandard rental housing. Since firms in this instance are free to decide to operate their buildings at substandard levels without fear of prosecution, we have termed this the "unrestricted decision-making model." The second model, which we have described as the "restricted decision-making model," assumes that a housing code has been enacted and is strictly enforced. In this case, house operating firms owning substandard buildings have certain restrictions placed on their decision-making. These restrictions require that the firm either increase its expenditures on its building to raise the level of quality to a certain minimum standard or withdraw the building from occupancy. The result is that such firms face a potential loss in profit which they will attempt to minimize in their decision-making. An examination of the housing code enforcement experience of selected communities points toward a number of serious issues which must be resolved if such programs are to succeed in restricting house operating firm decision-making. These issues include administration, inspection, staffing, legal, land use and vacancy problems. All but the latter problem appear to be soluble, given the appropriate steps. However, under conditions of low vacancy rates in non-luxury rental housing, the strict enforcement of a housing code threatens to dislocate significant numbers of low income tenants. This undesirable outcome is to be expected according to the restricted decision-making model; however, it is contrary to the stated aims of code enforcement. To alter this outcome, it is contended that communities should concentrate on manipulating the important variables in the house operating firm decision-making process by introducing a range of policies into their code enforcement programs. In the final chapter of this thesis, then, certain policy alternatives are considered with respect to their potential impact upon the decisions of house operating firms, with the emphasis placed on stimulating rehabilitation where it might otherwise not occur. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Thesis (LL.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Supervisor: J. Sihombing. Includes bibliographical references (l. 68). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Worcester Polytechnic Institute. / Keywords: Performance based -- structural steel -- fire conditions. Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-141).

No description available.

This thesis examines the means by which emergency egress for people with a disability can be provided and presents a model for the adoption of egress provisions for persons with a disability into the Building Code of Australia. / With the introduction of the commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 in March 1993, it became unlawful for a person to be discriminated against based on their disability. In the built environment this meant that all building and facilities are required to be accessible. However, this also includes the right for building occupants to also be safe and not be exposed to any form of adverse conditions such as fire, in a building. / The research undertaken to formulate this model traces the origins of disability rights both internationally and in Australia as well as Australian building code requirements. The technical provisions considered for inclusion in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) have been derived from an international survey of the research that has been undertaken and the various approaches taken by the building codes of other countries. In addition, to consider the appropriateness of the suggested model, a survey was carried out to gauge community expectations. The findings of this survey were then built into the model. / The conclusions show that people are willing to use whatever means of egress is provided if they have the confidence that the exit system will be safe during an emergency. / The research concludes that the technology exists to enable emergency egress for persons with a disability to be provided and that it is possible for the BCA to include specific provisions. / However, it also recognised that for it to succeed, a fully integrated approach addressing human behavioural and management aspects as well as the physical attributes of a building would be required. The present BCA does not take a wholistic view in this regard as it only addresses the physical construction of a building and hence its scope would need to be expanded. / To achieve this overall 'package', it is necessary for a major education campaign by which the community is educated about the use of the egress systems for persons with a disability using both 'protect-in-place' and 'everybody-out' strategies. This is especially the case for the use of lifts as the community has been educated for many years that it is not safe to use lifts in a fire. This requires a shift in the way people think about the use of lifts in a fire and is by far the most challenging component. / Thesis (MBuilding)--University of South Australia, 2003.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences