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ABSTRACT The need to create socially inclusive public space has gained increasing attention among policy makers at the City of Johannesburg. A rise in the privatisation of public space has however been criticised by some analysts as exclusionary. In that context, this study explores the recent development of Gandhi Square as a central city heritage site which operates as privately-managed public space. The re-imaging of the Square has been inspired by M.K. Gandhi’s association with the site. As its main aim, the study assesses the effectiveness of heritage interventions made at the site in meeting their intended goal of addressing a legacy of spatial exclusion through the creation of socially inclusive public space. It evaluates the historical legacy of M.K. Gandhi as the figurehead for the new Square, considered in relation to issues of social inclusion and diversity. Further, the study explores whether the private management of Gandhi square accommodates diversity. It concludes that Gandhi Square is, on both a symbolic and functional level, broadly inclusive of diversity in the context of the Johannesburg inner city.

This thesis addresses a long-standing puzzle in empirical econometrics: Does the size distribution of income matter in the aggregate consumption function? Current opinion on whether distribution matters is divided. There is also a lack of consensus (among those who believe distribution effects exist) on the nature of such effects; that is, whether a decrease or an increase in income inequality is needed to stimulate aggregate demand. In this thesis, the previous or existing tests are challenged on the grounds that they do not properly take into account the causal link between the variability of the marginal, not the average, propensity to consume (with respect to the income level) and the existence of distribution effects. This particular link is taken care of, however, if one tests for the linearity (in income) of the micro relation underlying one's aggregate consumption function. The rejection of the linearity hypothesis will establish the existence of distribution effects. Ex post, if the nonlinear relation is such that the marginal propensity to consume declines with income, it also follows that an equalization in the income distribution produces greater aggregate consumption. The theoretical contribution of this thesis lies in the clarification of these issues. On the empirical side, this thesis cautions against the casual use of the term "distribution effects". In the current income-current expenditure framework of the Keynesians, it refers to "the effect of a redistribution of real disposable income" on aggregate real consumers' expenditure. In the Permanent Income Hypothesis framework, however, it could mean either "the effect of a redistribution of real disposable income" or "the effect of a redistribution of real permanent income" on aggregate real consumption. In this thesis, the distributions of real disposable income and real permanent income are alternatively assumed to follow the lognormal density, and two conclusions are empirically determined: I. The distribution of real disposable income matters in the current income-current expenditure framework---this result is statistically significant at a 10% level after the correction for serial correlation and simultaneity bias. In particular, the estimates indicate that the marginal propensity to consume declines with the level of real disposable income and, hence, a decrease in inequality would stimulate aggregate demand. II. The elasticity of consumption out of real permanent income is unity; therefore, the distribution of real permanent income does not matter in the Permanent Income Hypothesis framework---this result is statistically. significant at all conventional levels of significance both before and after the correction for serial correlation. Both findings are based on aggregative time-series data for Canada. The consumer unit in this thesis is an individual income-recipient, and the data period is 1947-1976. Maximum-likelihood procedures have been used in the estimation, with proper allowance for across-parameter constraints. In the event of correction for serial correlation, the autocorrelation coefficient is constrained to the open-interval (+1,-1). The results are also double-checked by examining many avenues that might affect the nature of the outcomes. Another contribution of this study is the compilation of data on the distribution of pre-tax personal income (in current dollars) in Canada under the lognormality hypothesis. The parameters of this distribution are determined using the minimum chi-square method. Estimates of the variance (of logarithms of income) parameter show a slight increase in income inequality over the period 1946 to 1976. The data on this parameter are used to approximate the variance of logarithms for the distribution of real disposable income (while establishing result I) and also the same for the distribution of real permanent income (while establishing the result II). / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Gottsunda is facing a big change, where a whole new district will arise. This will contribute to a whole lot of new citizens, and more pressure on the infrastructure where a new train will pass that connects the new district and makes it more attractive. Gottsunda City Hall is located parallel with the new square, which makes it a junction for the area. The City Hall has a big focus on the public world, which makes its focus to be as open and available for the citizens and visitors. The main focus inside the building is sport activities and cultural activities, which is a big part in the lives of the citizens in Gottsunda. Expect sport activities and cultural approaches, a big sports field is located beside the City Hall. The sports field is open to everyone, and is allowed for everyone to use. The building has a very characteristic façade that shows how open and welcoming the building is. The heart and the main room in the City Hall is the big open, diagonal atrium that goes through the whole building. Along this diagonal atrium is the façade all in glass, to make it more open and contribute to have a view from inside out, and from outside in. This to make a strong bond between the building and the crowded square. / Gottsunda står inför en stor förändring, där en helt ny stadsdel kommer att skapas. Detta kommer bidra till en mängd nya bostäder, en mängd nya invånare, och en ny tvärbana som kommer gå genom stadsdelen. Gottsunda stadsdelscenter står i relation parallellt med det nytänkta torget, och nya Gottsunda allé, där tvärbanan kommer att gå. Stadsdelscentret står som en knytpunkt för hela den nya stadsdelen. Byggnaden har ett stort fokus på allmänheten, att vara öppet och tillgängligt för Gottsundaborna, och kunna ge dom en plats att vistas på och bruka. Det stora fokuset ligger på sport och aktivitet, vilket är en stor del av det dagliga livet i Gottsunda. Förutom att byggnaden invändigt erbjuder flera kulturella aktiviteter, kreativa och mer fysiska sportaktiviteter, så är en stor sportplan belägen på baksidan. Denna stora sportplan är en förlängning av torget, och är öppet och välkomnande för alla. Hit är alla välkomna, att ta en springrunda eller spela fotboll. Byggnaden har en mycket karaktäristisk fasad, som speglar hur öppen och allmän byggnaden är.Byggnadens hjärta är ett öppet diagonalt atrium, som bidrar till att alla plan ser upp och ned på varandra. Kopplingen mellan torget, sportfältet och byggnaden är också mycket stor då detta öppna atrium är helt inglasat, vilket ger en total insikt in i byggnaden, likaväl som utvändig sikt. Byggnaden ska stå som ett landmärke för Gottsunda, en plats man kan komma för att spendera sin fritid, eller bara ta del av information.

An advanced training program on risk perception was developed and evaluated in a driving simulator. This training program included two elements. The first one was a PC-based Risk Awareness and Perception Program (RAPT) that had been developed and evaluated in several studies by researches at the Human Performance Lab within the last several years. Plan views of risky scenarios were used to explain to participants the location of potential hazards. The second element of the training (SIMRAPT) was newly developed for this study and used the portable low-cost driving simulator Drive Square Simulation System to train risk perception skills while the participant actually drove a real car in a virtual environment. A head mounted display was used to present the virtual world. Feedback was given to participants when they failed to scan appropriately for hazards. Twelve novice drivers served as experimental group and were trained with the combined RAPT/SIMRAPT training program. Twelve other novice drivers were given training not relevant to hazard anticipation and served as the control group. After training, both groups were evaluated on an advanced driving simulator (different from the Drive Square Simulation System used in SIMRAPT training) and the eye movements of both groups of drivers were measured. The drivers’ score was based on whether or not their eye-fixations indicated recognition of potential risks in different driving situations. The evaluation included eight scenarios used in the RAPT/SIMRAPT training (near transfer scenarios) and eight scenarios that were not used in the training (far transfer scenarios). The results indicated that trained drivers are more likely than untrained drivers to fixate on regions where potential risks might appear. Further the evaluation indicates that the training effect of the combined training using both the PC (RAPT) and a low-cost driving simulator (SIMRAPT) is larger than for training programs that only use the PC, though not significantly so.

Detta examensarbete lägger sitt fokus kring offentliga rum, med inriktning på torg. Syftet är att skapa en bättre uppfattning kring hur torg behöver vara utformade för att människor ska fortsätta besöka dessa betydelsefulla mötesplatser i stadsrummet. För att svara på detta har en enkätstudie och observation utförts på Stortorget i Skurup. Intervjuer med fyra ämneskunniga personer har även använts som metod för att diskutera vilka problem som uppstår av obesökta torg och hur sådana platser kan väckas till nytt liv.  Med hjälp av metoderna visar resultatet att Stortorget i Skurup anses av majoriteten vara ett oinbjudande torg som folk endast passerar. Parkeringsplatser är det som utgör hela torget och det finns ingen tydlig väg för vart gångtrafikanter ska röra sig vilket har skapat en barriär. Det som respondenterna främst saknar på torget är försäljning.  I resultatet framkommer det även att problemet med obesökta torg är att ett tomrum i staden skapas som ofta förekommer på torg där det finns för lite att göra och som inte erbjuder någon form av aktivitet till människor. För att väcka liv i obesökta torg krävs att platsen aktiveras med hjälp av bland annat försäljning och ny möblering som kan främja social interaktion. / This thesis focuses on public spaces, with an emphasis on squares. The aim is to create a better understanding of how squares need to be designed so that people will continue to visit these important meeting places in the urban space. To answer this question, a survey and observation has been performed at Stortorget in Skurup. Interviews with four experts have also been used as a method to discuss the problems arising from unvisited squares and how such places can be brought to new life. Using these methods, the results show that Stortorget is considered, by the majority, to be an uninviting square that people only pass through. Car parking spaces are what fills the entire square and there is no clear path for pedestrians to move, which has created a barrier. What the respondents mainly miss at the square is some form of commerce.  The results also show that the problem with unvisited squares is that a void in the city is created, which often occurs in squares where there is too little to do and which do not offer any kind of activity to people. In order to bring life to unvisited squares, it is necessary to activate the place with the help of, among other things, commerce and new furniture that can facilitate social interaction.

Sustainability development is quite young idea, nobody kkow what to imagine in this. I have kept idea in nature and have designed area which have to bring interest about nature to people.

This thesis wants to save character and identity of local territory and bring a new function in to the historical objects. So it offers comfortable and special living and brings new values for the local inhabitants.