This study analyses democratic governance, focusing on the processes leading to decentralising governance in Kenya. It examines issues of decentralisation as applied to the recent decentralisation of governance in Kenya. In Kenya, centralisation has been associated with the monopolisation and abuse of power, political patronage, and the marginalisation of certain groups and communities. There is a belief among the majority of Kenyans therefore, that dispersing political, administrative, and fiscal powers and responsibilities to regional governments, will deepen democracy, maximise opportunities for all Kenyans to participate in the process of decision-making, and consequently improve regional social and economic development. The new Kenyan Constitution 2010 is the result of many years of deliberation among Kenyans who, together with the international community, called the government to open up to more participation and shared power across the country. This pressure heightened with the re-introduction of multiparty politics in Kenya since 1992. The study has taken the form of a selective and critical literature analysis of decentralisation, and particularly the rationale and process of decentralisation in Kenya. It has introduced decentralisation in Kenya from a historical and political perspective. It also analyses the process of constitutional reform, from Moi’s regime to the inauguration of the new constitution in 2010. The Constitution has significantly restructured the governing system in Kenya, as well as defined new power relationships for the benefits of many Kenyans. This has been determined in the study by assessing the extent to which previous powers that were exercised by the executive, particularly the presidency, have been restructured and redesigned, curtailing its powers. This study argues that the reforms introduced and formalised by the 2010 Constitution have introduced decentralisation as the official form of governance in Kenya. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

The study of the history of children has been marginalised over the centuries. Children are the lifeblood of any society and play a significant role in its development. It was only recently that the role of children was recognized. This study focuses on reasons for indigency in early twentieth century Durban. It establishes the various socio - economic factors responsible for this phenomenon. This led to the abuse of children's rights and the rise of child indigency. The incidence of child labour and vagrant children roaming the streets of Durban led to white philanthropists forming the Durban Child Welfare Society. Indigent children of colour were denied access to this welfare society. In 1927, two institutions were established to cater for indigent Indian children, The Aryan Benevolent Children's Home and The Durban Indian Child Welfare. The Great Depression saw a phenomenal increase in the number of indigent children in Durban. Municipal authorities were reluctant to confront the rising tide of indigent black children. After negative press coverage, the municipality established the Bantu Child Welfare Society in 1936. This was inadequate to cater for the burgeoning number of indigent children. Social activists later developed places of safety, such as the Brandon Bantu Home and the Motala Lads' Hostel to assist indigent African and Indian children The outbreak of World War Two and a relaxation of influx controlled to a diaspora of Africans to the city. The reversal of influx controlled to a series of socio-economic challenges for African children particularly. Unemployment, coupled with indigency, soared resulting in children loitering the streets of white suburbs in search of jobs and food. Complaints from recalcitrant white residents led to the arrest and detention of children between the ages of 6 and 16 at the notorious Overport Detention Barracks. Appalling conditions at these barracks led to a public outcry. Child care crusaders, ensured that appropriate action was taken to rectify the situation. This prompted a shift in government policy towards childcare for black indigent children in Durban. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-09-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:04:00Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 garcia_mcp_dr_rcla.pdf: 1392530 bytes, checksum: 60474754b5b72127b34bd520736969ad (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A discussão em torno da aglomeração de pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs) e das vantagens que tal conformação pode produzir emerge a partir da proposta de Alfred Marshall, em fins do século XIX e início do XX, com os distritos industriais. Todavia, é o grande sucesso econômico alcançado na região da Terceira Itália que estimula pesquisas e ações práticas (políticas públicas) no sentido da reflexão sobre o papel das PMEs e das possibilidades de criação de estratégias de arranjos produtivos locais (APLs). Nos últimos anos, a despeito de alguns sinais de inflexão do Governo Lula, principalmente no segundo mandato, e de atitudes pontuais de alguns estados, o debate sobre a questão do desenvolvimento territorial, no Brasil, ainda permanece em segundo plano. No paradigma dominante, apesar das fortes tentativas de discussão do desenvolvimento sob a perspectiva territorial, a questão das escalas permanece na dicotomia local-global. Deste modo, as escalas intermediárias, sejam os estados, as regiões e os territórios, estão dispostos ao debate. Prova disso é a tímida discussão acerca dos impactos regionais causados pelo apoio ao desenvolvimento de atividades produtivas aglomeradas de pequenas e médias empresas sem base numa política nacional ou territorial de desenvolvimento. Nesse contexto, os APLs emergem como possibilidades positivas de desenvolvimento e ordenamento territorial, na medida em que são vistos como resultados de dinâmicas endógenas de comunidades capazes de, por meio de sua capacidade de governança, tornar o seu território pertinente, estimulando a criação de projetos de desenvolvimento e integração territorial. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho analisa duas aglomerações produtivas no Paraná, ambas caracterizadas como APLs, quais sejam, o APLs de Malhas, em Imbituva, e o de Cal e Calcário... / The discussion on the agglomeration of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the advantages they can produce conformation emerges from the proposed Alfred Marshall in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with the industrial districts. However, the great economic success is achieved in the region of the Third Italy that stimulates research and practical actions (policies) in the sense of reflection on the role of SMEs and the possibilities of establishing strategies of local productive arrangements (LPAs). In recent years, despite some signs of inflection of the Lula government, especially in the second term, and specific attitudes of some states, the debate on the issue of territorial development in Brazil remains in the background. In the dominant paradigm, despite strong attempts to discuss the development from a territorial perspective, the question remains of scales in the local-global dichotomy. Thus, the intermediate scales, be they states, regions and territories, are willing to debate. Proof of this is tentative discussion about the regional impacts caused by supporting the development of productive activities agglomerated small and medium enterprises with no basis in national policy or territorial development. In this context, clusters emerge as positive possibilities of development and land use, as they are seen as the result of endogenous dynamics of communities which, through its governance capacity, make the relevant territory, encouraging the creation of projects development and territorial integration. In this sense, this paper examines two productive agglomerations in Parana, both characterized as clusters, which are the clusters of meshes in Imbil, and Lime and Limestone in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba. The construction of the profile provides insight into how these... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

This thesis analyses the implementation and impact of a succession of reform policies in a reasonably typical county in central China between 1978 and 2013. Three phases in the recent history of Li County – a fairly representative microcosm – are examined. These phases emerged as China witnessed transitions across three generations of the central leadership. This study pays special attention to certain key reforms: the allocation of lands to households, the development of Township and Village Enterprises, and self-governance for villagers in the 1980s; the decentralisation of fiscal authority, and the tax sharing system in the 1990s; and the reforms of taxes and fees, reforms beneficial to agriculture, and other supporting reforms from 2000 to 2013. By assessing the implementation of these policies in one predominantly agrarian county in central China – in which 81.5% of the population was rural in 2010 - the thesis attempts to present a vivid picture of what has been happening in China, and to explain why China became what it is now. It also seeks to contribute to an understanding of the diverse political and social impacts of the reforms. The methodology which the current study employs is mainly qualitative. The findings in the thesis are based in part on secondary sources, but it mainly relies on two types of primary sources, which were examined during several phases of fieldwork between 2011 and 2013. First, documentary materials archived by many government departments at different levels within the county were consulted. Second, oral evidence was collected through recorded interviews with local party cadres and peasants in 53 villages in thirty townships within the county. The quantitative data set out in the thesis is drawn either from official statistics or from personal testimonies. The two sets of evidence complement each other, enable cross checking, and lend credibility to this analysis. They help us to understand conflicts that arose amid reform between different groups, and between traditional customs and modern values – and the strategies that have been adopted by a diversity of actors to ease those conflicts and to stabilise society. They also yield insights into the economic, social and environmental impediments which confronted the reform process, and into both the hardships and opportunities which ordinary people encountered.

This research sought to examine how development occurs when it takes place from a relational approach. The relational approach forms part of a growing body of literature within development studies in search of alternative ways of understanding development. Orthodox theories tend to be resistant to alternatives that threaten their path dependency. Development-related ideological traps have also locked development policy in redundant arguments. Development theories from various disciplines continue to grapple with the multidimensionality of poverty and inequality, but they often fail to consider the central role human relationships play in approaching these issues. This study used Relational Thinking and relational and human economy approaches in search for alternative models and methods to the neoliberal tradition and current development enterprise. Increasing global inequality and deprivations create a vital opportunity to think of new perspectives, interpretive categories and predictive models. A case study approach was used to examine the relational dynamics of a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) called the James 1:27 Trust, which works with children and youth in Pretoria, South Africa. Relational Thinking was utilised within an interpretivist philosophy using a mixed-model approach, including the Relational Proximity Framework survey (quantitative tool) and in-depth qualitative research through semi-structured interviews and a focus group. The research established that development studied from a relational perspective deepens understanding of the varying meanings that people give to development. It informs a relational economy in which development is seen as a circular, “messy” and often unpredictable process where belonging, pain, “family”, forgiveness and learning in an intricate, embedded network of relationships are valued beyond material resources. Development requires philosophies and measures that enable the identification of questions, problems and interventions that are not currently considered in studies on development. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / DAAD-NRF In-Country Scholarship (German Academic Exchange Service and National Research Foundation). University of Pretoria’s Postgraduate Study Abroad Programme. / Political Sciences / PhD / Unrestricted

This study sought to unravel and explain the transport related challenges faced by low-income residents of Southlea Park in Harare, Zimbabwe, and the resultant social exclusion that these residents were facing. The study was therefore inspired by the common struggles, hurdles and challenges faced by the Southlea Park residents in their commuting life. A single case study research design focusing on the residents of Southlea Park was adopted for the research. The study was, therefore, qualitative. Key informants from the relevant line ministries and transport parastatals, including the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company, the National Railways of Zimbabwe, the Vehicle Inspection Department, and the City of Harare (CoH) were taken as the research participants. From the private sector, key informants from commuter omnibus (kombis) operators, private bus operators and the unregistered taxicab (Mushikashika) were also taken as study participants as these were key players in the provision of transport to residents of Southlea Park. Semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation were the main data collection techniques. This study revealed that the residents of Southlea Park in Harare were being socially excluded and marginalized from economic and social participation due to the numerous transport related challenges they were facing. These challenges emanated from the misuse of land and corruption in the suburb that led to the spaces meant for business activities, schools and hospitals being taken up by houses hence forcing the residents to look for these services elsewhere. The players in the provision of public transport in the city were also significantly contributing to the transport related challenges faced by residents as they themselves were failing to cope with the levels of congestion, transport shortages, lawlessness on the part of the transport providers and the commuters themselves, and the heightened transport related corruption bedeviling the city. This study had a lot of policy implications for the players in the provision of transport to this suburb, including the need for a transport strategy and an overall integrated policy and master plan for further development of Southlea Park and other residential areas in the city’s fringes / Dissertation (MSocSci (Development Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Anthropology and Archaeology / MSocSci (Development Studies) / Unrestricted

Anthropogenic (human caused) climate change is a major global issue because of the effects of climate change, which include increased frequency of drought, floods, erratic and/or insufficient rainfall, waterborne diseases; as well as related consequences such as water shortages, forest fires and loss of biodiversity. It is therefore imperative that there be a global effort to mitigate climate change in order to limit these potentially disastrous effects. Deforestation and forest degradation, principally in the tropics, cause approximately 12 percent of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, one method to mitigate climate change is to address reducing GHG emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. "Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries," also known as REDD+, is, at its core, a financial incentives based strategy that aims to compensate national governments, sub-national actors, private project developers and/or local communities, in return for demonstrable reductions in carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and enhancements of terrestrial carbon stocks. REDD+ also focuses on building capacity for developing countries to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development. Uganda is one of the developing countries that has shown enthusiasm for REDD+ and has actively engaged in REDD+ readiness activities. However, REDD+ readiness activities are costly due to various institutional capacity requirements that may pose a significant challenge to Uganda. The question posed by the study is whether Uganda's involvement in REDD+ is likely to result in net economic benefits for the country. The study aims to determine whether, in the absence of direct evidence of the success of the REDD+ mechanism in any country, Uganda's economic benefits from REDD+ are still expected to exceed the costs of implementation. Social benefits are an additional incentive however, even a combination of both economic and social benefits may not be reason enough for a country to become a REDD+ country, especially if alternative land uses are more lucrative or costs are too high. The methodology used is largely qualitative and theoretical, except for the economic analysis which is quantitative. The outcome of the study is that while there is insufficient evidence to suggest that Uganda will not benefit overall from being involved with REDD+, the feasibility study of the potential REDD+ project in the Murchison-Semkili landscape showed that, at least in that project area, the economic benefits were unlikely to cover both the implementation and opportunity costs in the long term. This does raise a legitimate concern that REDD+ might not result in net economic benefits for Uganda. Even though the economic benefits of Uganda's involvement in REDD+ are uncertain, the mechanism is still expected to result in social benefits, such as improved livelihoods in terms of service delivery; increased efficiency and accountability of government and governmental institutions; and increased public consultation and participation. There are, however, risks to Uganda's successful implementation of REDD+ such as unspecified donor funding, which may not be forthcoming, and the lack of clarity surrounding global compliance carbon markets. Uganda still has much to do in order to build the required institutional capacity for REDD+ to be successful, especially with regard to increasing the effectiveness of the institutions that manage the country's forests. Uganda also needs to reduce some of the drivers of deforestation in the country through programmes that target poverty alleviation and improve agricultural practices. In terms of REDD+ specifically, Uganda needs to complete the development of a National REDD+ Strategy, secure adequate funding for the mechanism, and accelerate the development of REDD+ pilot activities, which are currently in the planning phase. Further research is needed on determining the total value of Uganda's forests, taking into account economic, environmental and social considerations. Research is also needed on the impact successful REDD+ pilot activities have had in other comparable countries.

The purpose of the study was to address the question: Does Township Tourism contribute to the South African government's strategic goals for the tourism sector? A qualitative case study was done in the two Cape Town townships, Gugulethu and Langa to identify and interview a number of Township Tourism Entrepreneurs (TTEs). Selected works of C.M. Rogerson are used as a framework to compare these TTEs, to those studied in a number of other townships in South Africa. Rogerson described TTEs as having identified an economic opportunity and categorised them as Opportunistic Entrepreneurs, who share numerous qualities with white Lifestyle Entrepreneurs, such as being approximately 50 years old, predominantly females, who use their own funding to start accommodation businesses in picturesque rural towns, as a second career or income generator. The study has 5 TTEs in the sample, which is a convenient sample drawn from Cape Town Tourism ' s membership list of 14 members who are operating accommodation businesses in these areas. In-depth interviews were conducted with five TTEs, a senior staff member from the City of Cape Town Tourism Department, another from the Provincial Destination Marketing Organization and one tour operator. Informal discussions were held with staff at the Tourism visitors centres in Langa and Gugulethu and other tourism stakeholders prior to doing the interviews. The study also drew on multiple data sources, including policy documents. The study explored the TTEs' motivations for starting their accommodation businesses, and looked at how they conform to the entrepreneurial characteristics and categorisation given by Rogerson and the Global Entrepreneur Monitor Report, i.e. Survivalist/Opportunistic/Lifestyle Entrepreneurs. The study explores how this categorisation aligns TTEs with the vision and goals for the sector that policymakers and government have set, and whether this enables them to access the appropriate support. The findings suggest that TTEs should not all be assumed to have business growth as a primary goal, and that a number could be categorised as Lifestyle Entrepreneurs rather than Opportunistic Entrepreneurs, albeit in an urban township setting. This study also suggests that township Lifestyle Entrepreneurs have a key function in the tourism sector and consideration should be given to place them in a form of clustering with opportunistic high growth entrepreneurs. This would enhance this sector's contribution to the ambitious goals set for tourism as a transformation, job creation, and poverty alleviation tool.

This thesis focuses on the participation of women in the preparation and formulation of local council budgets: A case study of the Enseleni Community in uMhlathuze Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. It examines whether or not uMhlathuze municipality enables women to participate in the preparation and formulation of the municipal budget. The questions that this research will be trying to answer are the following: 1. Are women participating in the preparation and formulation of the local council budget, and if so, to what extent? If not, what barriers hinder the participation of women? How can these barriers be removed? 2. What can be done to improve the participation of women in preparation of the local council budget? 3. What structures exist that can enhance the participation of women in the preparation of the local council budget? Through an analysis of data obtained from questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and observations this research reveals the following findings: The perceptions of women's role, by both men and women, coupled with women's traditional domestic responsibility impedes their ability to participate. In addition, there is a complex array of factors, which range from financial constraints to institutional cultures, poverty, little knowledge about local government, and gender issues, in addition to the traditionally acknowledged self-denial and lack of confidence, that also hinders participation. The municipality does not target women as an important constituency but rather applies a generic approach to involving the public to comment on the preparation and formulation of the local council budget. There are, however, internal and external avenues for participation. There is an internal process, where women who work in the municipality are involved in the preparation of local council budgets, although most of the women who work in the municipality denied that it really happens. There is also external participation, where women from different organizations and communities, as individuals and ordinary citizens, can participate. The impact and benefit of women's participation in the preparation and formulation of local council budgets ensures that they would, in addition, know about tender opportunities and budget issues and this would create job opportunities and boost women's income. The research revealed that the municipality does not have a gender policy. The municipality needs to be gender sensitive in all respects, including budget issues. A gender policy would ensure that a gender forum and gender desk are established. The research demonstrated that the issue of political parties is critical since they are the ones who nominate more males than females to positions in councils. This results in the numerical dominance of males over females. Over and above this, very few women are elected as ward councillors - a key role, since ward councillors are tasked with driving the programmes of the municipality at ward level. The research depicts a nominal presence of women's organizations at grassroots level in rural areas and townships. Rather, women are organized more specifically to perform activities that are to do with daily living. Finally, this research depicts the need for more robust action to ensure that women participate in the preparation and formulation of the local council budget. It is envisaged that the conclusions drawn and suggested way forward in this study will be translated into an implementation plan which could possibly influence future public participation initiatives in uMhlathuze Municipality. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

Urban landscapes have become the dominant form ofliving environments around the world. It is now estimated that over half the world's population live in a city or urban landscape, with this figure constantly increasing (World Bank Group; 2005). Cities now dominate as economic, social and political hubs, featuring as the central core for essential functions of daily life. Because of the prominence and the ever-increasing importance cities play, they have become focal sites for future developmental interventions and opportunities. The dominance of urban living has brought with it both positive and negative consequences, as cities are the sites of great growth opportunities, but also of dire poverty and inequality challenges. Inner cities generally feature as the central focal area of urban environments, the core region of the city, and as a consequence of numerous impacting factors, are increasingly exhibiting compounded difficulties. Cities in both the North and the developing South are increasingly being placed at the front line in the international developmental arena, as sites for potential improvement and beneficial welfare. This is evident in the campaigns lead by most prominent international development agencies concentrating on urban populations and problems. They are priority sites for the eradication of growing challenges such as poverty and inequality, and for enhancing developmental opportunities. Due to the sheer number ofproblems and complicated interactions, it is increasingly evident that cities are complex entities in need of effective, efficient, equitable management and development. These are the main issues explored throughout this research. The concerns will be viewed from an international perspective, looking at current trends and debates, as well as a more detailed investigation into how they play out in the South Africa urban context. The research makes use of a case study example, Newtown Cultural Precinct in Johannesburg, to examine nuanced, localised urban complexities and possible regeneration strategies to counter them. The aim is to explore concerns and issues within a specific case study example and examine what implications these understandings may offer for other urban contexts. Numerous key findings and important conclusions were reached through the case study investigations, which hold vital lessons for future inner city regeneration projects, as well as issues pertinent to dynamic and changing urban environments. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.