No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

This report investigates the possibilities and solutions for a sustainable municipal solid waste management in the community of Mutomo, situated in Kitui County, Kenya. The aim was to formulate an action plan to start reaching for a sustainable development in the waste sector, with citizen participation. Specific research questions were to find requests and ideas from the community members. Also, how the Swedish solid waste management system is built up in order to find potential good examples. Qualitative methods for data collection were used both in-depth interviews and focus group discussions conducted. Data collection was done with the help of an interpreter; interviewing guides and a recording device were used. The data was transcribed and thematic analysis done using NVivo. The interviews and discussions resulted in many requests and ideas regarding solid waste management. In brief; a legal dumping site, health education of the advantages of managing waste and the disadvantages if not, increase of public dustbins, increase of people employed for waste collection, an organized system for trade of waste and improved future planning of the town by the local authorities. To conclude, if a sustainable development within the waste sector is to be initiated, the local authorities have to take action and shoulder their responsibility. Improved collaboration between them and the public health office, community members and private stakeholders is essential. The proposed action plan is a good tool to use when initiating this work and would be created through co-operation with residents in Mutomo.

This research addresses the question of effective public participation in resource management decisions within the context of resource-based communities. Despite advances in mechanisms for enabling public input, over the past 30 years, public participation remains problematic. Rather than promoting genuine communication and strengthening relationships between government, resource industries and communities, public participation often becomes an exercise in frustration that increases the adversarial nature of public policy decision-making. Evaluations of public participation have been undertaken across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, with much emphasis placed on criteria relating to the process and outcome dimensions. The majority of approaches intend to provide universally applicable structures for public participation regardless of the socio-economic, cultural, institutional, or political context within which the process takes place. The purpose of this research was to determine whether consideration of contextual factors can enhance the effectiveness of public participation evaluation. Drawing on the experience of the Commission on Resources and Environment (CORE) process in the Slocan Valley, British Columbia, an in-depth analysis of the pre-process (antecedents), process, and post-process (outcomes) phases of the CORE consultations was performed. The qualitative research involved analysis of case-related documents relating to resource use history, community actors, record of public participation, as well as the application of a multi-criteria evaluation framework to the CORE process. The research revealed the iterative connections between antecedents, process and outcomes. A number of contextual factors placed significant constraints on the effectiveness of the public participation exercise. Intra-community factors included the polarization of interests and a legacy of distrust. These antecedent problems were exacerbated after-the process. Extra-com

Proponents and advocates of transfrontier conservation in southern Africa have postulated rural communities living adjacent to conservation areas as one of the main determinants of the success of such initiatives and thus they should be potential beneficiaries along with the state and the private sector. This assertion is reflected in the various memoranda of understanding (MOU), treaties, policies and agreements establishing transfrontier conservation initiatives. For community participation to be effective, the laws, policies and institutions establishing transfrontier conservation in southern Africa must lead to the empowerment of these rural communities who commonly subsist on local natural resources and perceive them as opportunities to earn a living. I derive a principle and set of criteria and indicators that are used to analyse the legal, policy and institutional framework and its implications for community participation and empowerment in transfrontier conservation in southern Africa. The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park provides a case study. I argue that while provisions for community participation are made in the laws, policies and institutions under which transfrontier conservation is being initiated and implemented in the region, they are not sufficiently prescriptive about empowering communities to secure commitment from conservation agencies to enable communities to effectively participate in transfrontier conservation. It is suggested that as presently defined, the laws, policies and institutions may lead to community disempowerment from transfrontier conservation, as they allow too much scope for interpretations that weaken options for censure where agencies are not demonstrating commitment to community participation and empowerment in conservation. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Ecotourism has increasingly been adopted in many countries as a responsible and sustainable form of tourism. The role of the private sector in ecotourism development and specifically the involvement of communities in their activities, is of interest given that the global system of development and neo-liberalism, advocates for an increased involvement of the private sector in developmental activities. This thesis aims to explore the relationship between the private sector and surrounding communities in the ecotourism sector using Umngazi River Bungalows in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, as a case study. Literature on neo-liberalism, ecotourism, community participation, and stakeholder theory was used to provide the theoretical framework for the study. A multi-strategy methodology approach was adopted in the study with qualitative and quantitative methods being used. Data analysis included basic quantitative statistical analysis and Dey’s approach of grouping responses for qualitative analysis. The thesis distinguished between three types of ecotourism and social responsibility projects at Umngazi River Bungalows, including service infrastructure, income-generating, and philanthropic projects. It was concluded that those projects where the hotel had substantial operational control were more successful than those that were fully community driven. The hotel was found to practice soft ecotourism. The management of the hotel and communities were proactive in ensuring that the natural environment was protected. The hotel has a positive and open relationship with its employees and the tribal authority in the area, and a conspicuous absence of government involvement as a key stakeholder in the operation of ecotourism in the area was noted. It was also concluded that full participation was not necessarily achieved through involvement in decision making structures, but that communities appeared to be content with the other forms of participation. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

In the central highlands of Iceland, the implementation of new measures to delimit property rights spatially and to establish new regional management plans have caused debates over the use of natural resources with regard to their exploitation, protection and ownership. This study has tried to highlight how to resolve the debate over the use of natural resources and over the definition of land ownership in Iceland with respect to traditional user-rights and ownership practised by local communities. The answer to these questions are particularly important for marginal local communities that use the commons as pasture for sheep grazing because they will directly be affected by hydropower plants and ecotourism projected by the regional development plans. Collecting data through personal interviews and analyzing legal documents with regard to ownership rights and regional planning have been the principal approaches. Firstly, the thesis discusses the theoretical context of conflict resolution within the future developmental plans for Iceland's central highlands. Secondly, the historical and traditional aspects of locally based agricultural production and the social System practiced in the commons are explored. Thirdly, the new rules for the application of the management of resources, ownership rights as well as for the management of national hydropower energy projects are analyzed. In this case, the tools for territorial conflict resolution and the process of territorial planning are discussed in their relation to the construction of hydropower plants in the commons of the Fljótsdalur valley, located between the highlands and the fjords of the eastern region. Finally, the case of Fljótsdalur is presented by focussing on the conflicting interactions between interests in and values given to either the traditional ownership rights or the regional plans for developing tourism and hydroelectric power. The results indicate tensions over how natural resources of the central highlands should be used. There is also a noticeable difference among the various lobby groups with respect to the level of comprehension of what is the area's significance for the country and its resource development. The results obtained show that monetary compensation or clarification of ownership rights is not sufficient for territorial conflict resolution. More important, rather, is the coordination of regional planning procedures, in a way which enhances cooperation among local institutions, and recognizes the interests and values that local community's associate with their environment.

This was a study of the problems of community involvement in the Integrated Development Planning process in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality. These problems affects the manner in which the community participation should be done in the process. This exercise is the fulfilment of the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and Municipal Systems Act which emphases community participation in the IDP process. It was found that though surveyed legislation emphasized community participation in the study area, in Ditsobotla Local Municipality this was a problem. This was due to the fact that Ditsobotla Local Municipality had a vast area consisting of urban and rural areas, as well as a diversity of races and cultures. For example, it was easy to convene mass meeting in the black communities but difficult to get similar response among the white or Asian communities. Interaction was through the media, or written messages. The following are recommendations derived from the findings: That public participation should encompass a sense that the public's contribution will influence the final outcome. That the public participation process must reflect the interests of and meet the needs of participants. The participation process should facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected. Consideration should be given to how unorganized communities or interest groups could be brought together as participants. That participants should be involved in defining the manner in which they wish to participate. Participants should be provided with the information they need to make their contribution meaningful. / Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2002

The study incorporates work carried out by the Auckland Regional Child and Youth Engagement Project (ARCYE). The ARCYE project is part of the Auckland Sustainable Cities, 'Investing in Child and Youth Development' (ICYD) work strand which began in 2003 and was completed in June 2006. The researcher interviewed officers of the seven cities and district councils in the Auckland region and the Auckland Regional Council, all of whom had a child and youth focus within their organisation. The interviews examined the drivers for youth participation from a local government perspective. They shared their experiences in engaging youth to participate in Council sponsored or supported initiatives. The objective was to find out what the benefits of youth participation were for Councils and also for the participating youth. The research supports the proposition that for the Auckland region's economic growth to be sustainable, the next generation of leaders, skilled workers, entrepreneurs, educators and parents must be critically involved in today's discourse concerning the region's development. Therein is the rationale for local government to engage young people. The research posits that the 'whole of government' (central government and local government with community) focus on investing in child and youth development is not random. Rather it is a strategic effort to prepare young people to become responsive to their region's growth and development. The downstream benefits may see engaged youth as a captive audience being open to influence from adults. The value or benefit of including young people in decision-making opportunities therefore needs to be carefully considered within a context of young people's apparent diminished status within society. Youth participation with local councils needs to be real: Young people participating and contributing to the improvement of their communities. As a corollary youth rights within an adult-controlled and managed society requires careful monitoring to minimise the exploitation of young people by adults.

The current local governance environment in Australia is very complex. One reason for this complexity is that in keeping with the principles of ‘good governance’, there are increasing expectations to involve citizens in policy, planning and practice. In addition, with population ageing, an increasing proportion of these citizens belong to the ‘group’ known as ‘seniors’ or ‘older people’. This growing proportion of older people is accompanied by increased diversity including in relation to culture and language, socio-economic status, health and disability, as well as different cohorts and life experiences. A key challenge for local governance is not just how to include older people, but how to include such a diverse range of older people, in ways consistent with the principle of inclusiveness. Attention to inclusion is not only a critical component of good local governance practice, but is also a key policy focus in Australia and overseas. Inclusive local governance in ageing communities is not simply about ‘involving seniors’. To be truly inclusive requires an approach to citizen participation that is grounded in evidence about seniors’ needs and preferences, and the motivations, barriers and characteristics that impact on their engagement. However, given the many ways in which seniors differ, ensuring citizen engagement practices are truly inclusive will be increasingly difficult. This thesis explores these issues by asking: What are the key challenges for local governments in facilitating and supporting genuine and inclusive citizen participation in local governance for seniors? The research is based on the premise that addressing the challenge of including older people in local governance requires a sound understanding what motivates, facilitates and impedes seniors’ participation, and the relationships that these factors have with diversity. A review of the available literature addressing seniors’ political participation identified a multiplicity of motivating, impeding and facilitating factors and highlighted some potential challenges relating to the breadth and complex nature of the evidence. However, there was limited consideration of aspects of diversity beyond the direct effect of demographics. The intention of the thesis, therefore, was to explore the challenges to inclusive practice by developing an in-depth understanding of the factors that motivate, facilitate and impede seniors’ participation in local governance activities, as well as the ways in which aspects of diversity impact on their participation, motivations and barriers. The study used a two-stage mixed-method design, involving a series of focus groups at Stage One and a large scale survey at Stage Two, both conducted in one local government area in south-east Queensland, Australia. Findings from the study identified a complex web of interrelated factors impacting on participation in a number of ways. Motivations and barriers were both self- and other- directed, and were related to individual, social and government domains. Findings also highlighted the importance of diversity to seniors’ participation in governance, with different levels of diversity impacting on who participated, the motivations and barriers that were reported, how important they were, and how they were experienced, as well as their impact on participation. Subsequent synthesis and interpretation provided insights into how local governments can better understand the nature of these challenges if they are to pursue inclusive governance. Overall, results from this study demonstrate that developing inclusive local governance practice is not straightforward, and ensuring opportunities for the participation of seniors from diverse backgrounds presents particular challenges. There are two key conclusions from this study. First, there is significant complexity within the evidence base. This relates particularly to the operation of and patterns among these factors, and relationships between them. Identification of this complexity highlights the value of developing a nuanced understanding of the significant factors and the way they work within the specific local governance context, as well as the limitations of a superficial knowledge of the factors impacting on participation. Second, diversity is important. It impacts on participation both directly and indirectly, highlighting the importance of a deeper understanding of the impact of diversity for inclusive practice. In order to ensure that equal opportunities for participation are available to all seniors, diversity at all levels must be considered and built into appropriate processes. Challenges to local governments’ facilitation and support of inclusive participation by seniors in local governance arise as a result of this complexity within the evidence base and the various impacts of diversity. This thesis identifies and discusses a number of these key challenges, from one local government region, in order to inform inclusive local governance practice.

No description available.