published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / abstract / Architecture / Master / Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Design and Management

This thesis examines the voluntary transfer of housing stock by Scottsh local authorities between 1986 and 1997, under a Conservative Government. The study sought to identify who had transferred what, why and how, employing a multi-theoretical approach and a range of concepts from policy studies to investigate rationaliy and opportunity in policymaking. The study used quantitative methods to define and establish the incidence of transfer, which was found in two forms: as partial transactions, with and without subsidy; and as privately financed disposals of whole stocks. Similar volumes of transactions were found in Scotland as in England, though on different terms and affecting fewer houses. Qualitative methods were used to explore the decisions, actions and capacity of people involved in voluntary sales of tenanted housing to other landlords. Key actors included tenants and community activists, politicians and officials in councils, government departments and agencies. The thesis argues that transfer in Scotland was the product of local responses to two key developments. One was accumulated financial constraints; the other, particularly affecting partial transfer, was the use of financial and organisational incentives, secured with ministerial acquiescence. Although government was ultimately responsible for both developments, it neither planned nor anticipated their consequences; it was often iiprepared to respond to local initiatives, partial and whole; and it failed to understand or monitor the consequences. Most Scottsh councils ignored whole stock transfer in 1996, when it came to be actively promoted by Conservative poliicians. Paradoxically, while organisations representing institutional interests in council housing vocalised opposition to stock disposals, their constituent members took action to transfer ownership, with the conflcting values of local incumbents accommodated by stealth. Transfer was later legally structured, when an afterthought from English legislation accidentally turned power relations upside down, making ministerial consent conditional on demonstrating lack of tenant opposition. Senior officials played a consistently critical role in initiating, brokering, frustrating and nourishing local negotiations. This study demonstrates the particular significance of local action in policy-making, allowing transfer to emerge in response to wider constraints determined at the centre.

No description available.

Research sponsored by the Australian Housing Research Council and the South Australian Housing Trust. Bibliography: p.140-141.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Sociology, June 1997. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of History, December 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

Announced few months before, a public housing estate in Hong Kong, Ming Wah Dai Ha, which is owned and managed by Hong Kong Housing Society which is planned, is to process redevelopment in the coming years (HKHS, 2011). The social voice nowadays are focusing on the land provided by the redevelopment project can be used as subsidized housing to fulfill the housing demand for better housing and home owning aspiration of the lower or middle income group. However, at the other side, development caused changes to the living of the residents there, and also the environment and social culture of that area. This discussion has drawn my attention that whether redevelopment of public housing estates in Hong Kong is a sustainable way of housing development or not. It is both important to meet the housing needs of the people and to preserve the environment. Land is scarce in the urban area of Hong Kong, we know that it need to put at top priority to fulfill the need of citizens who still on the waiting list or suffer for high housing costs. However, the role of housing management organizations and housing managers should have the responsibility on maintaining the quality of living environment. For the case of Ming Wah Dai Ha, many councilors from political parties request the government to redevelop to use the land for My Home Purchase Plan. The request reflects the subsidized public housing policy now cannot satisfy the need of citizen on their desire on home ownership or even harmonious living environment. The unfulfilled right could be the result of problems, such as affordability and long waiting time for subsidized housing. These housing problems show the deficiencies of the existing housing policies in Hong Kong. I think this is an interesting topic for us to review, evaluate and recommend, on the issues on balancing the need of subsidized housing by citizens and the impact of redevelopment on the society, for selecting the suitable way for sustainable housing development in Hong Kong. / published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management