Under the very general topic of an historical or temporal central place study, one particular approach to analyzing the centrality of urban places is outlined. Centrality is taken in a very limited context - the influence of an urban place over its umland. The relationship between population of an urban place and number of "labour units", or central labour units, is used to measure the relative centrality for a sample of places. "Labour units" themselves are introduced to denote all persons working in central activities in an urban place. The study is carried out in Kent and Lambton counties in Southwestern Ontario using data obtained from the available national, provincial and county directories. Rather than limit the study to one point in time, as most earlier works have, an analysis is carried out through time, from 1851 to 1857. Small urban places are the focus of attention in this study because of data availability and accuracy. Results show a noticeable decline in centrality over time, which is more marked in the later years. General trends are also drawn for changes in centrality in individual towns of differing and similar sizes. Some of the problems and shortcomings of the study are outlined as a guide to further research. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

CDPs are an overlooked component of the metropolitan region, and add to the understanding of the region as a whole. Large CDPs that remain unincorporated have other forms of governance, either public or private. CDPs are equivalent to incorporated places in many ways, but have distinctive differences based on state and region. Large CDPs have reasons for not incorporating. A subset of these CDPs that are similar to Boomburbs are examined. Implications for planners regarding CDP existence are discussed. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning

Errata in manuscript. Multiple page numbering issues. Duplicate numbers: 171, 189; omitted: 211

Errata in manuscript. Multiple page numbering issues. Duplicate numbers: 171, 189; omitted: 211 / The central area of a city is commonly referred to as the heart of the city, since it supplies life-giving energy to the cells and tissues of the city. The circulatory system formed by veins and arteries moves the life-stream--people, goods,messages, and ideas, from the heart to all parts of the organization, and back a in. Although the vitality of the urban core influences the circulatory system, the sound functioning of the heart,cells and tissues of the city depends largely on the health of the circulatory system. The lungs of the city are refreshing and recreating elements such as open spaces, landscape, and embellishments. Then circulatory system and the refreshing and recreating elements are integrated for the sound functioning of the city. [...]

This thesis focuses on Kaiapoi, a small town in North Canterbury, and studies the ways young people are discursively constructed by adults and each other, and also the different ways young people experience and use the town's environment. Drawing on key informant interviews, media analysis, a youth survey and a photography activity (photovoice); the research developed a rich understanding of the different ways young people are constructed in Kaiapoi and the places young people enjoy and do not enjoy going to in the town and why.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio University, August, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

"Population aging" is a worldwide occurrence facing both developed and developing countries alike. In Canada, significant public policy issues arise with the increasing number and proportion of older persons. One of the most important of these is meeting the housing needs of the more than one million older persons facing housing decisions in the next three decades. The greatest challenge to all those involved in producing, financing or managing housing for older persons is to assist the majority of older persons in their desire to remain in the community as they age. The underlying premise of this explorative study is that older persons should and must be involved at all levels of planning current and future seniors' or retirement housing. The specific purpose of the thesis is to explore "collaborative planning" as a method of involving older persons in housing issues. The rationale for the participation of older persons is developed from the review of three areas of relevant literature. In contrast to the literature on "environment and aging" and gerontology, this study seeks an understanding of the broader social, political-economic forces as prerequisite to meaningful analysis of the lower levels of the housing context. This wider perspective also forms the basis for the rationale of including older persons in the planning process. A discussion of "participation" as a process and a movement provides an introduction to two case studies as examples of "collaborative planning" involving older persons and professionals in discussing seniors' or retirement housing. The thesis research question is: What do older persons view as their housing needs and preferences, and how successful is present seniors' or retirement housing in meeting these? The structure, format and objectives of the two case studies were framed within the thesis principles and assumptions in addition to this question. The case studies were assessed for their usefulness for defining housing needs and preferences of older persons, and for examining how closely these stated needs and preferences fit existing housing alternatives. The evaluation of the case studies revealed that collaborative planning took place, and that the stated objectives of each event and those of the sponsoring organization were met. The thesis assumptions and premises were thereby substantiated. The wide impact and numerous outcomes of the case studies within the seniors' communities were also noted. However, the research question was largely unanswered in terms of "product", and the analysis includes some possible explanations. Analysis of the case studies within the broader context indicated that older persons and professionals alike are in a "reactive" mode of thinking rather than creative or "proactive" in what they visualize as seniors' housing options. Entrenched thinking and attitudes are difficult to change, and as this study concludes, education of all involved is necessary. The greater necessity is, however, the need to personalize the issue of inadequate and unsuitable seniors' or retirement housing, so that change is seen as imperative to one's own future life as an older person. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

In the pre-Christian Sámi era places in the nature were believed to be sacred and connected to different gods or the spirit world. The sacred places often had a sacred place name and several of the sacred place names are still here today. One of the sacred places were sáiva-lakes which were believed to be sacred lakes that had two lakebeds, where the second or lower lakebed were considered connected to the spirit world. Sáiva-lakes were considered to be great fishing lakes but there were some rules that the fisherman had to obey to such as there had to be complete silence while fishing otherwise the fish would disappear down to the second lakebed. The sáiva-lakes were also connected to sacrificial practises, there were both sacrifices to the lakes or to sieidi stones on the lake shore for fishing luck or as a thank you for the fishes received. There were also sometimes bigger sacrificial places with different animal bones, sieidi stones and sometimes metal objects.Little is known or written about sáiva-lakes and most descriptions of sáiva-lakes comes from historic sources. The aim of this thesis is to research and contribute to more knowledge about sáiva-lakes and sacred traditions by lakes and watercourses in Northern Scandinavia. The main focus is to study sáiva-lakes both from a sacred and a nature perspective as well as to analyse how sáiva-lakes relate to archaeological sites and other sacred places and place names in their surroundings.The theoretic perspective applied on the thesis is mainly new animism and phenomenology which is applied to give a perspective on the landscape and nature. The study is based on archaeological material, historic sources, field excavations done by the author and a GIS analysis. The study shows that sáiva-lakes were connected to sacrificial practises and that sáiva-lakes often have other sacred places and places names in areas around the lakes. In a larger perspective the study of sáiva-lakes shows the perspective of a cultural landscape, and the aspect of sacred traditions by lakes and watercourses.

In the modern political environment in the United States, voting is the most common form of political participation. Many individuals consider voting to be a simple process, but it is a form of political participation that requires various costs from both the individuals casting their ballot and the authority systems organizing and managing elections. In recent years new voting programs have been established to lower costs, increase voter turnout, and add flexibility to the voting process through the use of modern technology. The following research examines the new Vote Center Model of running elections being implemented in Wayne, Tippecanoe, and Cass Counties in Indiana. Elections held in 2007 and 2008 will be studied, attempting to determine the effect of the Vote Center Model on running elections when compared to the traditional Precinct Model. / Department of Political Science

We are immersed in an era of supermodernity, an age defined by excesses: of information—the acceleration of historical time—spatial overabundance—the nullification of distance by electronic media and transportation—and an excess of self-reflexive individuality. In this context, the idea of place is giving way to non-places: designed spaces in which social relations are tangential and the boundary between the individual and the group is increasingly mediated. Media plays an important role in the creation of non-places, by favoring a removed form of communication made pervasive and extensive through mobile devices. The blurring of the line between media and actuality extends its definition to encompass not only traditional modes such as radio and television but to a web of systems that regulate and determine relationships between people and collective entities. As a visual communicator, I seek to understand the evolving relationship between individuals and society by focusing on the spatial-social codes and gestures that permeate and define our interactions. In my thesis project, I explore the boundary between personal, subjective space and social space in their physical manifestations. I perceive the latent tension that exists between what is expressed and what is kept to ourselves in a highly codified environment. I depict the inadequacies of media narratives to portray human drama and the strength of these codified visual systems to represent the drama of living inside their constraints. I look for ways of representing the duality of our shared vulnerability in the alienation of contemporary living perpetuated through media, and our acceptance of its imbalances.