This research discusses and analyses the role of construction in economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a special emphasis on Angola and Mozambique. This study follows research undertaken by previous writers who have investigated the relationship between the construction sector and economic development and found a direct relationship between the share of construction in gross domestic product (GDP) and GDP per capita in an increasing form of per capita income level. Data on construction and economic related sectors spanning generally 22 years are used to model the development pattern of the construction industry in Sub-Saharan African countries for the near future. The statistical sources used in this analysis are drawn from World Bank and United Nations publications. Additionally, field study data, including collection of secondary data, from Angola and Mozambique are used in detail to complement data provided by international sources. The construction sector operating environment including policy changes in the area of general economic policy of these countries are also addressed in this study. Studies on construction in developing countries have tended to approach the construction industry in the context of the process of industrialisation, towards a long-term economic growth. It is argued that the new approach should focus the construction industry in the general framework of the determinants of growth. This thesis puts forward evidence that a long-term decreasing growth in GDP per capita corresponds directly to a relative decrease in construction volume. The converse does not appear to be true. Some implications for public policy for the concerned countries are discussed.

In external city environment areas there is a poor understanding and often no conscious use of colour. The experts that work with colour, in terms of the built environment either as projectmakers, or as managers (decision-makers), are poorly prepared to deal with it. As an answer they minimise the problem of colour in architecture, especially in exteriors, simply by omission; or, they introduce colour mostly without criteria - in some projects colour plays only a cosmetic role - supposedly aesthetical. Most project-makers do not consider colour as an integral part of the global design process. Colour theory and teaching courses have been considered supplemental to the mainstream of architectural education; for most part of the students of architecture or landscaping architecture, colour remains a matter of individual taste. People in general are very conscious of colour and texture in the built environment and they really like variations (as some studies done in Sweden (Koller 1981; Mahnke 1993) have already showed). They are negative and critical of austere, colourless environments in our cities; also colour has psycho-therapeutic effects that can be utilised to meet the physiological needs of people living in crowded environments. Colour is one of the basic components of the environment which influences life quality and it can be approached from different perspectives and different disciplines. This research addresses the issue of colour in the architecture of the built environment analysing the behaviour of the unity which results from the straight relationship between colour and space(as quantity of colour): the Colour/Space Unity. The investigation shows not only the existence of this unity, but also that it is a unity of visual communication. In terms of allocating the findings and interpretations through a review of the relevant theory, the author uses a survey methodology - a full test response questionnaire to a wide range of members of society (to test theory) and semistructured interviews with a panel of experts(as a feasibility test of the questionnaire design and contents). The questionnaire findings are used to test the theoretical position through further comments from the expert panel. The research presents as results, not only the existence and importance of the colour/space unity, as a visual communicational one, such as the levels of articulation of the messages in the built environment or the contrast in the relationship between qualification and quantification in colour/space language; but it demonstrates the major importance of the colour/space unity in the architectural project and in the colour planning management within the built environment.

Turner's (1965,1967,1968) study of Lima's squatter settlements led to the view that uncontrolled settlements of the Third World cities are mainly a manifestation of the desires for housing ownership by people who are well integrated in the city and have experienced some amount of social mobility. In his work, Turner (1968) advanced a theoretical model of intraurban mobility in which rural-urban migration; upward social mobility, intra-urban mobility and the growth of spontaneous settlements are inter-related. Within this model, migrants are classified into three successive groups which corresponds with their level of involvement in gainful employment namely, 'Bridgeheader' i. e. the newly arrived migrants who are in search of employment or involved in low paid jobs, 'Consolidators' i. e. those who have had some urban experience and are"in relatively better paid jobs; and 'Status Seekers' i. e. the upper class of low income group. Three housing priorities: - Location, security of tenure and quality of housing and environment were assigned to those class of migrants. Upward economic and social mobility from a low paid job to a better paid jobs, is argued within this model, to be reflected in a housing priority and expectation about living conditions. Those who move from lower position in the social hierarchy to a higher position also move from inner city slums to the suburbs. In other words, social mobility necessarily entails spatial mobility within the urban. environment. Security of tenure and improvement of the quality of housing are thus functionally related. Consequently, it is recommended that stimulating those spontaneous activities as opposed to their eradication would benefit enormously from the resourcefulness of the squatters. Legalisation of land tenure, provision of infrastructural services and support-for local neighbourhoodorganisation are some of the essential elements for a more healthy urban policy. In this study attempt is made to test Turner's model of intraurban mobility in a regional context of West Africa. The study specifically examines the validity of the model in relation to a secondary city of (Jos) Nigeria, and asks whether Turner's model which is based almost entirely on the migratory characteristics and experience of Latin America has gone far enough in acknowledging the various dimensions of Third -World rural-urban migration in which some migrate permanently while others intend only a temporary migration as well as the varying types of uncontrollecl subareas that have emerged as a result of these differences. In most of West Africa, Including Nigeria, rural-urban migration tends not only to be temporary in character but is also structured by kinship relationships. Within this migratory context, migrants do not strive to consolidate their stay in the city. They prefer cheap rental accommodation, with a view to consolidating their position in the rural home towns. Security of tenure does not therefore rank. high in their order of priorities, their social mobility does not lead to a spatial mobility. Within this migratory context, the distinction between permanent and temporary migrants has more validity and practical application than Turner's bridgeheader - consolidator dichotomy, since bridgeheaders are likely to remain bridgeheaders while in the city. Adopting the proposed distinction between permanent and temporary migrants provides a lot of insight into the ways in which migrant groups perceive the city environment and how their perception of the city in turn affects the development process of their settlement areas. Indeed, varying migratory characteristics leads to varying housing demands and housing ambitions in the city of migration. This also leads to variation in migrants reception areas in the city and thus affords the capacity of uncontrolled subareas to improve via self help housing. Thus, the distinction between permanent and temporary migrants provides a lot of insight into the understanding of why some uncontrolled settlements might improve through self help housing and why others might not. Most Importantly, it provides more insights into the policy dimension of the problem.

During the last few decades most developing countries have experienced a rapid growth in population which has resulted in a rapid urbanisation in the form of an expansion of existing towns, coupled with an increasing dependence upon developed countries for implementation of new housing programmes. The purpose of this study is to point out the problems of public housing, to identify the relationships between the physical elements and conceptual perspectives of housing functions. To resolve the housing problems, the Libyan government introduced a new policy, which recognised housing as a basic human need and provision of housing as the governments' fundamental responsibility. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of the public housing policy in Tripoli, the capital city of Libya. To achieve this aim both secondary and primary data were examined, and the required data was obtained through a questionnaire survey of households living in the three projects. Interviews were also conducted amongst government officials concerned with housing policy and implementation. This study is in general, concerned with the effects of the problems of the new social and physical environments on the residents' level of satisfaction with the housing projects. This study is mainly concerned with aspects of housing policy which might contribute to better housing satisfaction and which are responsive to changes in people's desires and preferences. After the evaluation process it is found that the Libyan housing policy has benefited large groups of people, particularly those on low-income. However, it also suggests that the adopted policy has not resolved the housing problems both in terms of quantity and quality. In particular, the dwellings provided have not met the needs of many Libyan families. Furthermore, the study found that there is a lack of housing management. This evident from some households living in the dwellings without permission in addition, the rate of sharing and occupancy shows that there is still a housing shortage. The study also shows that the dwelling and building construction types affect the resident attitudes to dwellings. Also shows that, most of the residents' prefer new dwellings.

Electronic Trading is a business relationship that relies upon the use of computer and telecommunication technology for information exchange. In order to understand the development of electronic trading between construction firms, the CONNET model was developed. This model identifies the factors and variables determining whether firms adopt electronic trading systems, and its configuration. The model is grounded in the relationship perspective and network approach, and assumes that there is mutual commitment and an economic rationale behind the development of electronic trading. The CONNET model explains that electronic trading systems emerge from the complex interplay of three major factors. These are: a) the relationship between the two firms, i.e. what is exchanged (information, product, financial, social) and how (power/dependence, co-operation, closeness, mutual expectations); b) the business and IS/IT strategies, and the organisational and IT infrastructures and processes of each of the firms; and c) the characteristics of the web of relationships - production network, in which the firms are embedded, i.e. interconnections, input-output structure, governance structure and territoriality. In order to validate the model, six case studies were conducted in construction situations and four in automotive and retailing situations. Analysis of the data collected concluded that some variables have a more important role in the adoption decision, e.g. social contacts, business strategies or territoriality. Other variables are influential on the adoption but more important on the configuration of the systems, e.g. TT strategies and organisational and IT infrastructures. Most variables have an influence on both the adoption decision and the configuration of systems, e.g. information and finance exchanges, co-operation, individual interconnections, or governance structure, though the importance of their influence varies. It was concluded that, in general, electronic trading and sophisticated systems emerge where there is a higher concentration of enabling factors. The implications of the validated model lie in its potential use in explaining when and how electronic trading is likely to occur in construction. By exerting influence over variables in the model it can be used by construction organisations to create an environment to encourage electronic trading to take place.

This thesis describes the development of a knowledge based system which encapsulates some of the expertise used by a number of experienced construction planners for planning the construction stage of low rise house building projects in the U.K. The general objective of the research was to investigate the feasibility of using knowledge engineering for developing models of construction planning expertise, which could be employed for tackling some of the existing knowledge bottlenecks in the construction industry. The resulting system can be described as a knowledge based framework designed for supporting the decision making process involved in planning house building at a tactical level. One of the main features of this framework is its ability to cope with incomplete information. The knowledge acquisition process involved both the elicitation of knowledge directly from experts, and the analysis of construction plans from several past housing developments. The model was implemented on an expert system shell called LEONARDO Level 3, which runs in any standard IBM-PC micro-computer or compatibles. The evaluation of the system focused on the validity of the model, i.e. the degree at which the outcomes of the system resembled the outcomes of the human expertise being modelled in the knowledge base. A prescriptive method of validation was devised specifically for this study, involving both experts that had provided expertise for the system, and external experts.

The study is concerned with the management of refurbishment work within the UK construction industry, from a contractors' perspective. It investigates the main difficulties and problems which managers face in refurbishment work, together with the management skills and knowledge which they need and bring to their work. Management education and training needs of the organisation is also considered. The methodology is a combination of both semi-structured interviews and a postal questionnaire. A total of 142 completed questionnaires from senior, middle and junior managers of 32 large refurbishment (general and specialist) organisations, formed the data base for the quantitative analysis. The quantitative data was augmented by qualitative information derived from semi-structured interviews with 32 training officers and 22 refurbishment managers. Analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data determined the relative degree of difficulty associated with managing refurbishment tasks, and the qualities and attributes associated with successful management of refurbishment projects. It also allowed for the evaluation of management education and training provisions within refurbishment, together with education and training backgrounds of managers. Course duration, location and factors affecting their selection and attendance also received consideration. The major characteristics and difficulties associated with managing refurbishment works have been established. Results of the study show that refurbishment work is complex, highly specialised and contains elements of work which are unique to the refurbishment sector. The educational background of refurbishment managers indicates that majority of refurbishment managers have a trades background, coming through the ranks mainly as joiners and bricklayers. A skills and knowledge inventory for refurbishment management has also been devised. The study also demonstrates that there is little, if any, management courses, inhouse or external, directly geared towards refurbishment. The study recommends that guidelines advocating "how best" to overcome refurbishment problems and difficulties" for different types of refurbishment projects, and refurbishment works across industrial sectors, i.e. defence, hotel and health service sectors, be produced. Similarly, research to establish the core management skills/knowledge associated with successful accomplishment of the various types of refurbishment projects, and refurbishment works across industrial sectors is needed. Further research needs to be conducted on personal qualities and attributes of refurbishment managers who are associated with successful accomplishment of various types of refurbishment projects. Research to establish the extent and degree of involvement of the client, contractor and the rest of the design team, especially refurbishment managers, in carrying out refurbishment work is recommended. Further research to establish management education and training needs of medium and small size refurbishment organisations is suggested. Following the development of a model for postgraduate and continuing professional development (CPD) management education and training programmes, research into "how best" refurbishment management education can be successfully and widely introduced into undergraduate curricular is needed.

Public involvement in environmental management has become an important component of decision making, which had been until the 1970's based almost entirely on "economic efficiency" and "science centred approach". EIA, the most widespread instrument asking for public involvement in environmental management has been reconceptualised to incorporate concepts of sustainable development for which EIA is well fitted provided it is a "holistic", "preventive" and "participative" instrument. However, depending on political, institutional and social contexts EIA processes, by opening decision making to the public sphere, still represent a great shift in traditional planning. EIA was introduced in the Portuguese legal system in 1990 due to the Portuguese membership in the European Union and public participation became mandatory. The intriguing question on the basis of this investigation is how a society labelled as having a non-participative culture and where decision making has never been opened to public scrutiny behaves with such an instrument. A broad picture of EIA public participation in the Portuguese society has been outlined, the approach taken stressing the importance of cultural contexts in getting insights to the understanding of the phenomenon. This broad picture has been enhanced by the use of an in-depth case study of the Portuguese reality in order to stress relevant features. An analytical model to guide the investigation has been constructed by putting together pieces of consensus on public participation effectiveness identifying key issues and key criteria. This investigation indicates that despite the reactive approach taken to EIA and the weakness of the Portuguese EIA system, EIA has been contributing to a change in public perceptions as well as in attitudes of developers, consultants, government and institutions towards environmental management. It is increasingly felt that EIA got roots in Portuguese society being the instrument that asks more regularly and with more efficacy for public involvement. In pair with this, it is also recognised that EIA needs reformulations to make it a more effective, comprehensive and credible tool. Public participation in the Portuguese EIA system presents several difficulties related to the social/cultural context and to the procedures used in its implementation. The former deals in a great part with the lack of traditions of participation in society, the strong weight of representative democracy and the low levels of environmental consciousness. The later deals with the late phase of public involvement, poor mechanisms used to disseminate information and promote a two-way communication and the use of a standard bureaucratic process. Environmental problems arrived late to Portuguese society but have become increasingly relevant due to the development policies followed. Signs exist now that the traditional passive citizenship can give place to a more active one and that the lay public increasingly feel that they have a word to say in decisions affecting their quality of life. Some avenues have been explored in this investigation related to context and practice of public involvement in EIA and to the challenge posed by sustainable development to societies especially those considered of intermediate development.

This thesis is concerned with attempting to reconstruct the transport system of medieval England and Wales. The thesis is divided into four parts. The first is an introduction which seeks to justify the research and to place it in the context of recent work in historical geography. This section also examines the previous research on medieval transport. The second part expands the previously established medieval road network and attempts to clarify certain aspects relating to it. Cartographic evidence is examined together with a critical examination of various itineraries which have not been previously discussed in any great detail. An attempt is also made to clarify the vexed question relating to the significance of the medieval unit of distance. Some further evidence, including direct documentary evidence, is examined and then added to all the previous evidence to produce the basic framework of a national medieval road network. Direct documentary evidence is also used in an attempt to establish the most likely routes taken for the overland movement of goods and produce where only the starting point and destination are recorded. The third part attempts to determine, using direct historical evidence, the extent of navigable water used during the medieval period. The initial chapters deal with the navigable rivers on a regional basis, and an attempt is made to establish their navigational limits. All this regional evidence is then brought together to produce a national picture of inland navigable waterways. An analysis of the movement of goods along the rivers is carried out, and the link between inland and coastal navigation is also considered, together with an appraisal of medieval vessels. This section also examines the cartographic representation of waterways. The fourth, and final part of the thesis is concerned with combining the road and waterway networks and also examines their affinity with the more prominent medieval trading centres to produce the basic structure of the whole national medieval transport system. Trends in the changing fortunes of the prominent medieval boroughs are analysed which puts into perspective temporal fluctuations and hence highlights the changing importance of the routes leading to them. Finally, further direct historical evidence is called upon to confirm utilisation of the system.

Tle North West of the UK has been described as probably the most important centre of high technology outside the south of England. The aerospace sector is a major UK employer and accordingly, is an important part of the North West economy. However, the aerospaces upply chain approach is changing, ajýd that change impacts on the aerospace manufitcturing small to medium size enterprises( SMEs) in the region. Many aerospacec.o mpaniesa re claiming to be adopting both agile and lean manufacturing principles. Research has indicated thai the knowledgea nd understandingo f agility in aerospaceis modesta nd consequentlyt he difference between lean and agile is not well known. This thesis aims to assessa gile manufacturingw ithin UK aerospacem anufacturingS MEs. The specific objectives are derived to provide focus for the research activities, in order to fulfil the specific aim of the reseaich in a structured and scientific manner. Following an extensive literature survey of agile manufacturing, other relevant manufacturing strategic frameworks, changem anagementr, esponseto changei n manufacturinge nvironmentsa nd aerospaceS MEs a theoreticalm odel of Agile Manufitcturing within the UK aerospaceS MEs has beend eveloped. Ile theoretical model of Agile Manufacturing within the UK aerospace SMEs was used to assess agile manufacturing in four UK aerospace manufacturing SMEs (case study organisations). From an evaluation of the case study organisations and comparisons with the theoretical model, the findings enhance the understanding of Agile Manufacturing theory, concepts and practice. Additionally, the theoretical model presented in this thesis is considered appropriate for use in other aerospace manufacturing SMEs and is presented as a holistic aerospacea gile manufacturinga ssessmentot ol. The research has shown the complexity and interrelationship between four agility enabling integrated sub-systems of agile manufacturing strategy, external motivators, organisational psychology and operational characteristics. The key findings of the research indicate that the case study organisations do not actively promote an agile manufacturing strategy that takes into consideration the organisational psychology and its influence on the performance of the operational characteristics of agility. Likewise, not all the external motivators of agility are considered when developing and deploying their organisations' strategies. Consequently, the role of the agile strategy process, teams and organisational change are considered as important issues that need addressing by these case study organisations.