Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 186-190).

It has been experienced that in addition to the natural growth of population the migrants from rural to urban areas have created enormous problems. In result these problems have affected the human settlement patterns and degraded environments in the metropolitan areas of the Third World, Pakistan particularly Karachi. The phenomenal development which occurred at an apparently fast pace has also created pressures on basic utilities and problems for the authorities concerned with the improvement of environment in the metropolitan areas. Lack of adequate housing and infrastructure for millions of people of low-income groups living in slums locally known as Katchi Abadis are the main challenges for the urban planners in Pakistan. The essential focus of this research is on human settlement patterns and particularly on those physical and social problems affecting the environment in metropolitan Karachi as a whole and in the Katchi Abadis in particular. To understand the nature of the problems and formulation of applicable policies the research is based on the data collected from Lyari and Korangi two Katchi Abadis in Karachi. In view of the analysis of the process of slum formation, policies and hindrances to the execution of applied policies and present situation in the case study areas this study has proposed two types of policy and a modified management system for the adequate implementation of proposed policies to overcome the problems of Katchi Abadis in Pakistan, particularly in two selected Katchi Abadis in the Karachi metropolitan area. These policies may hopefully result in upgrading the environment in large cities in developing countries and in Pakistan and Karachi in particular.

Among all types of psychiatric disorder, depression is the most prevalent one which affect nearly one third of the contemporary adult population. Depression also ranks top with regard to women’s health and is now contributing heavily to the global disease burden. WHO makes clear that the overall rates of women's depression confirmed across all centers are almost 2 times higher than that of men. This review was performed with aim to examine the risk factors of female depression in developing countries. It also focuses on the strategies and policy recommendations for policy makers. In summary, results included poverty, educational level, unemployment, being unmarried, marital crisis, victims of violence, undesired pregnancies, lack of social support, poor relationships with parents and in-laws, history of depression, were associated with perinatal depression. Besides, financial difficulties, not living with parents, lack social support, expose to violence, bad school behavior and maternal depression were associated with female adolescent depression. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

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Abstract This paper is a contribution to the discussion on Innovation for Development. It is argued that innovation strategies in developing countries are the result of competing policy and contextual factors. In exploring this theme, it suggests that innovation strategies which are shaped by domestic market and policy realities are more robust and contribute towards improving the country-level performance of enterprises. The paper has seven sections which include a brief review of the literature related to innovation strategies in developing countries; a small discussion of success factors and policies of countries that offer good experiences and lessons in applying innovation strategies; a part on what policy implications to draw from the literature and the success stories for less developed countries; and a final section on the role of the donor countries in facilitating the implementation of the innovation strategies. The paper puts forward some tentative conclusions that summarise what has been learnt from the paper and affirms that the innovation-systems based strategies are indeed internationally replicable. The resulting policy and developmental frameworks will invariably exhibit high levels of variation. These differences emerge primarily from the systemic approach encouraged by the use of innovation policy. Secondly, the innovation-systems approaches ensure adaptability whilst maintaining methodological rigour. It also enables comparability and thereby also promotes appropriate and relevant benchmarking. Finally, the innovation-systems paradigm has a normative capacity to dynamically absorb and respond to the needs and demands of locally-specified domestic contexts.

Knowledge is the key to growth and development. Unfortunately, the knowledge gap which exists between industrialized countries and developing ones is large. As information technologies play an essential role in the movement of knowledge and information, they hold promise for the reduction of this gap. Information technologies are being introduced progressively in all activities of both the public and private sectors. Business organizations and commercial activities are thus being profoundly transformed, at varying levels and by different instruments. Developing countries cannot afford to be left behind in this information revolution. The international community recognizes this, and has instituted a range of programmes promoting electronic commerce in developing countries. However, to maximize the benefits, developing countries must put in place an environment that favours and promotes the acquisition, absorption and communication of knowledge by their citizens and business enterprises.

No description available.

No description available.

Rapid urbanisation which is a characteristic of most developing countries, has led to the importation of readily available solutions and to an overgeneralisation of human needs. The main objective of this study is to relate design to man's social and cultural needs. First, the study demonstrates the relationship between cultural and social variables that influence house form and settlement patterns. This is followed by a comparative case study analysis of existing house-settlement systems in two residential areas; one a modern government built scheme, the other a traditional development, both in the M'Zab, in Southern Algeria. The main assumption was that traditional houses and settlements were culturally more responsive than their modern equivalents. However, results refuted this assumption and indicated that social change affected many of people's values and attitudes towards housing. This indicates that neither international modernism, in housing provision, nor an attempt to slavishly copy past indigenous solutions are likely to be successful. Through studying human-environmental behaviour and using multiple-methods strategies, it is possible to bridge the gap between design and social research. A reorientation of the educational system would help towards a better communication not only between different professional practices and disciplines, but also involving the lay people. Finally, this study suggests that designing for potential adaptability a characteristic of traditional design, reflects culture, and would not only accommodate change, but would also involve active participation by people and therefore raise the level of responsibilty and satisfaction. The research combined evidence from documentary sources and field surveys. A multiple-method strategy was adopted to compare the two settlement systems of the case study. This included direct observation, interviews and trade-off games. The interview survey included three groups of people: the users, the local planning authorities and the building contractors. By stressing the socio-cultural variables, this study does not deny the role of other variables. On the contrary, the author accepts that design activities should aim towards maintaining a balance between environmental factors and financial constraints. It is, however, argued that human needs must be given at least the same degree of importance, if workable solutions to the problem of rapid urbanisation are to be found.

Typescript. / Bibliography: leaves 126-131. / xi, 131 leaves ill