Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-155) Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Also available in print.

Thesis (PhD) - Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology, 2008. / Thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology, 2008. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 206-225).

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / "December 1994". Includes bibliographical references (leave 110-115). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1983. / Also available in print.

This thesis examines the changing role of British Columbia's municipal governments in affordable housing policy. In recent years, the federal government of Canada has withdrawn from active involvement in affordable housing provision, and has passed responsibility back to the provinces. The government of British Columbia has, in turn, amended its Municipal Act through Bills 20 (1992), 57 (1993) and 31 (1994), to grant municipal governments increased planning powers in the field of affordable housing. This thesis examines the responses of municipal governments to these changes and specifically investigates whether the decentralization of responsibility has to led to policy innovation. This research question is addressed in three ways. First, through a review of the theoretical literature and legislation, a discussion is presented concerning the issue of decentralization and the ways it has been enacted in the case of housing policy in British Columbia. Secondly, the results of a postal survey of 52 municipalities in British Columbia are presented, reflecting the range of local responses to the provincial housing legislation. Thirdly, case studies, derived from key informant interviews and document analysis in three municipalities (Burnaby, Sidney and Prince George) are presented. These provide more detailed illustrations of housing strategies in different geographical contexts. The research suggests that housing is a dynamic area of public policy in British Columbia, with a distinct pattern of innovation. In particular, some 'entrepreneurial' municipalities exhibited a shorter response time in reacting to the provincial legislation, and have adopted more innovative approaches to housing policy; these in turn, serve as examples to other jurisdictions. The wide range of innovative housing strategies adopted by local governments across the province, which are highlighted in this thesis, suggest that decentralization has ensured the potential for a greater fit between the preferences and needs of a particular locale. To the extent that it provides municipalities with the powers and resources they need, the decentralization policy allows communities to capitalize on their existing strengths and to more readily meet their housing needs. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

The rise in wealth for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led to an increase in demand for more and better housing. In response to this rising demand, and as part of an overall development policy, a housing 60a1 and several housing objectives were identified. To attain the goal and objectives, a formal housing policy was designed and authorized. It involved direct and indirect assistance to the private sector, a subsidized financing program for new housing construction, a serviced land program for the low income, and public housing. This thesis is an evaluation of the urban housing policy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Two bases of evaluation espoused developing are utilized. The first is the Kingdom's own housing objectives. The second involves a theoretical framework which addresses the rationales behind housing policy. The required information was collected from official government documents. Interviews were conducted in the Kingdom to gather additional and unpublished information. Additionally, field visits to housing projects were conducted tn the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh. Where information for the Kingdom as a whole was unavailable, data for the city of Jeddah was utilized. The policy results of the evaluation show that public sector involvement in housing is most effective when indirectly applied. That is, subsidies to the private sector and to purchasers of housing through finance subsidies were more successful in providing housing units than direct involvement through public housing. An important consequence of the difference in effectiveness between privately and publicly built housing is that poor households were deprived of housing benefits. Recommendations for future housing policy include the provision of housing benefits to the poor, either through the existing, but uninhabited public housing units, or through earmarked transfers, or a combination of both. It is also recommended that the existing and future status of public housing be realistically evaluated. Finally, it is recommended that the range of financing activities be expanded and that the private sector assistance policies be continued.

by Law, Wing Sang. / Thesis (M.Ph.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1988. / Bibliography: leaves [13-19].

Thesis (M.A.)--The University of British Columbia (Canada), 1986. / Includes bibliographical references.