In this minor field study, we have employed a qualitative methodology to examine the role of  the non-governmental organisation Wale Wale in the operationalisation of supranational mandates to improve the rights and experiences of children in Kenya through participatory activities. In doing so, this study is able to combine the literature on Sense of Place and The Right to The City with Critical Development in novel ways. This has allowed us to examine the chasm between supranational and national mandates and local articulations using an interesting case study. Indeed, Wale Wale  demonstrates the difficulty of (i) implementing analogous supranational legislation, such as the Convention of The Rights of The Child (CRC), without practical or legally binding frameworks; (ii) that reactionary government frameworks are ineffective  in implementing supranational policy at the local scale when compared with proactive non-governmental organisations; (iii) that participatory democracy introduced in childhood has played a fundamental role in the empowerment of local residents in reclaiming space in the city and that (iv) understanding this case study is impossible without uniting the disparate literatures on Sense of Place and The Right to The City in understanding the role of local organisations in Critical Development Studies.

<p>Modern virtually mobile technologies, largely facilitated by the Internet, have changed communication modes, methods, and even daily-lived experiences within the past 20 years. The most prevalent medium of virtual mobility, virtual reality (VR) manages information through the creation of analogies of the physical world. Recently, a new mode of computing called augmented reality (AR) has become increasingly ubiquitous through the proliferation of modern mobile handsets. AR utilizes augmentation of the physical realm rather than simulation as a guiding principle, binding together the physical and virtual realms. Through the use of context-aware features such as landmark identification, geodetic data, etc., AR is able to superimpose virtual information onto real-time displays of physical landscapes. It is in this way that AR is the first mode of computing that truly transcends the boundaries of the virtual and physical realms, demonstrating the concept of <em>dual presence</em>. The effects of this new medium of computing on navigation, wayfinding, and especially the developments involved in the creation of sense of place are largely unstudied. A phenomenological exploratory research design is carried out to seek to identify the effects AR facilitation has on respondents’ cognitive developments, including developments in wayfinding and the creation of social representations of place.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

Hem och hemkänsla är i följande uppsats definierat som ett läge eller tillstånd snarare än begrepp. I uppsatsen analyseras unga vuxnas definition av hem i syfte att kartlägga specifika mönster och aspekter som kan anses viktiga i meningsskapandet av hem och hemkänsla. I studien presenteras tidigare forskning på hem och hemmiljö och kompletteras med utsagor från unga vuxna i Malmö genom intervjuer utförda i deras privata hem. Genom inspiration från Henri Lefebvres rumsteori där rummet kan förstås utifrån tre aspekter i symbios med varandra, utforskar studien på vad sätt rumsliga praktiker har del i unga vuxnas etablering av hemkänsla. Ytterligare diskuteras människans vardagliga praktiker, rutter, och nätverk som inverkande faktorer i hur unga vuxna tillskriver platser betydelsen av hem. Genom en teoretisk förståelse av begreppet platskänsla (Easthope, 2004) undersöks vidare kopplingar mellan identitet och tidigare erfarenheter och upplevelser av hem och hemmiljö i relation till ett samtida hemskapande bland unga vuxna.  Genom att lyfta medvetna såväl som omedvetna delar av hemskapande, ämnar studien tillskansa ny förståelse kring definitionen av hem och hemkänsla med fokus på unga vuxna i åldrarna 20-35 år. Sammanfattningsvis manifesteras i denna studie att rum och platser fungerar som gränsöverskridande strukturer i vilka människan skapar mening genom upplevelser och föreställningar om hem. / The following thesis defines home and the feeling of home as more of a state of mind than a concept. Young adults’ perception of home is analyzed in this thesis through mapping out aspects and patterns which may shed insight into how home and the feeling of home is perceived and created. This thesis furthers research undertaken in previous studies on home and domesticity, as well as shed light on how young adults in Malmö perceive home through interviews in their private homes. Through taking inspiration from Henri Lefbvres theory of production of space, in which space can be perceived through three interrelated aspects, this study aims to explore how spacial practices contribute to young adults’ formation of a sense of home. Everyday practices, routines, and networks are all factors that have the potential to influence how young adults ascribe the meaning of home to places. Through a theoretical framework and understanding of the concept sense of place (Easthope, 2004) the study further examines the potential connections between identity and previous experiences of home and home environments in relation to contemporary home making among young adults.  By highlighting both conscious and unconscious elements of homemaking, the study looks to provide an alternative understanding of the definition of home and sense of home, focusing on young adults aged 20-35. To conclude, this paper demonstrates that spaces and places function as cross border structures in which people create meaning through experiences and perceptions of home.

Walking is one of the fundamental human activities, which extends beyond mere transportation mode and is embedded leisure and social practice, that intertwines physical movement, sensory experience, and interaction with physical and social environments. Given its multiple health and environmental benefits, promoting walking and pedestrianisation became a priority on the global agenda to meet health, climate, and broader sustainability objectives. Considering the complexity of human behaviour, understanding more than physical factors that influence walkability has become increasingly important. This study explores pedestrian perceptions of walkability in the public space of a historical neighbourhood in Batumi, Georgia. By employing qualitative research design, the study delves into perceptual and symbolic factors that influence walking behaviours in historically and culturally reach area. The study is based on one-hour walk-along interviews with nine participants and interviews with two business proprietors, supplemented by detailed observation and strategic document analysis. Study findings reveal that a sense of place, relaxation, aesthetic pleasure, and social interactions are critical perceived factors that motivate pedestrians to walk in the Old Batumi neighbourhood. Emotional attachment to place, shared values and beliefs (place identity), and physical and functional attachment to the area emerged as significant elements drawing people to walk despite the present car-oriented development and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure and comfort. Tranquil ambiance, old-style architecture, and scenic views enhance the walking experience for those seeking relaxation. In contrast, others are drawn to the area for active socialization as a form of relaxation. Additionally, the research uncovered that symbolic factors, such as open access and multiculturalism, walking as a performative act to claim the space, and cultural affinity play a crucial role in shaping pedestrian preferences. These factors enable individuals to reclaim cultural identity and protect historical heritage through their walking practices. They emerged as distinct for the particular geographic, political, and cultural context, reflecting the ongoing developments related to neoliberal transitions. Besides contributing to the theoretical walkability literature, the findings of the study suggest practical implications for ongoing pedestrianisation initiative in Batumi. It suggests that efforts should prioritise enhancing the sense of place and protecting historical and cultural elements. Recommendations include suggestions on priority streets with high pedestrianisation potential, considering features and factors positively influencing walking practices. Additionally, the study suggests that improving pedestrian infrastructure and access, maintaining the aesthetic and cultural integrity of public spaces, updating and enforcing existing regulations, and introducing integrated and participatory planning are essential. These measures are important to support and preserve the identified values of belonging, multiculturalism, and socialization.

An employed individual will spend between a quarter and a third of his or her waking life at the workplace. An estimated 40% of those in South Africa who are employed full-time work in offices. With the amount of time spend in buildings, the physical conditions in the workplace are important determinants of satisfaction, comfort, well-being, and effectiveness and can even play a role in mental health. The physical environment in offices should therefore be carefully planned, designed, and managed. This qualitative study, sought to develop an inter-cultural office design framework for South Africa combining Eastern and Western design principles. Specifically, it sought to obtain a better insight into design principles which can enhance the well-being of office workers; inter-cultural, gender neutral and age neutral design principles which can be applied in a South African context. To be able to answer these questions an intensive literature review was undertaken investigating both the Eastern design principles as expressed in feng shui and Western design principles as expressed in Environmental Social Science. The design principles of these two traditions were compared and all aspects where the two traditions did not support each other were included in the in-depth interviews. Twenty-five in-depth interviews were conducted By relying on various design cultures (e.g. Eastern and Western) an environment can be created which are pleasing and can enhance the well-being of the users. Underlying design principles are universal, but the symbolic expression thereof can differ from culture to culture. One of the conclusions from this study is that three quarters of design principles are v universal. There is no one size fits all solution and compromise is necessary from all involved. The compromise applies to the roughly a quarter of design aspects where subgroup differences have been detected. Any design should take individual and group difference into account. The only way to do this is to get proper input from all stakeholders at all stages of the design. It is critically important that the input starts before the design process commences. There are many design principles which can be implemented to improve the quality of work life of office workers in the South African context. Design can for example play a very important role in encouraging and facilitating formal and informal interaction in the workplace – bridging the gap between heterogeneous groups. Without forcing relationships, design can assist in naturally integrating heterogeneous groups. The physical environment must support the image and identity which needs to be communicated, facilitate communication and enable task accomplishment. Most of all it must become a place with which employees can identify and where they can develop a sense of place. From this study it can be concluded that not only form follows function but also that aesthetics follow function – a principle that design should be based on the primary purpose of the building, the workspace based on the needs of the stakeholders and from this starting point aesthetics will flow. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Consulting Psychology)

The primary aim of this study in creative writing is research into an aspect of the writing process, namely the creation of spatial dynamics in a novel. This objective required the creation of an artefact. A novel titled Somersneeu was written in order to examine the very process of generating spatial dynamics in this novel in particular, as well as in the novel as such. Somersneeu was published by Human & Rousseau in 2010. Practice-based as well as practice-led research was fundamental to this study. An artistic creator registers intellectually whatever unfolds during the creative process and so new knowledge can simultaneously be created. The process of creating a work of art as well as the reflection thereon is fundamental to practice-led research. In other words, the creative process of an artefact like the novel Somersneeu is the source of a certain kind of knowledge that gradually emerges and can eventually be verbalised. Therefore a design concept for creating spatial dynamics may be articulated. It is a fact that a definite coherence exists between space and spatial dynamics. These two concepts are in reality inseparable and this cohesion is what is also being investigated in this study. Space actually consists of spatial dynamics since all the different facets of space, concrete as well as abstract, have definite and inseparable repercussions upon one another, causing a dynamic interaction among all facets of space. Apart from concrete or physical space, numerous abstractions of space take part in this interplay. These spatial abstractions are, for instance culture, identity, zeitgeist and the all-encompassing human psyche. The intense interplay among all the facets of space triggers spatial dynamics. This is the case in real life as well as in fiction. The above mentioned discussion of space and spatial dynamics is followed by an intense and heuristic view of the process of creating spatial dynamics. In order to create spatial dynamics in a novel, a novelist should have a strong sense of place. The essence of creating spatial dynamics in a novel consists mainly of the transformation of sense of place. The main aim of this study is then to present a design concept for the creation of spatial dynamics in a novel. This design concept may be used by other writers in order to create spatial dynamics in a novel. The novel Somersneeu as well as the questionnaire, reception documents and a list of publications of the writer are included as appendixes. / PhD (Afrikaans and Dutch), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Faisant émerger de nouveaux objets et de nouveaux acteurs, les pratiques spatiales des artistes sont une entrée féconde pour repenser les dynamiques rurales actuelles. En les considérant comme partie prenante des rapports sociaux et bien sûr des espaces géographiques qu’elles contribuent à produire, notre thèse analyse la place des artistes en milieu rural sur un fond de mutation sociale et institutionnelle caractéristique des espaces ruraux contemporains. Car si la culture y apparaît comme un argument de distinction dans un contexte de compétition territoriale, elle croise une logique résidentielle et d’ouverture de la part des acteurs ruraux, susceptibles de favoriser l’installation d’artistes et de divers professionnels. Ceux-ci sont à la recherche de nouveaux espaces de vie et de travail et croisent en retour les nombreuses pratiques associatives et amateurs qui irriguent l’espace rural. Aussi, à l’inverse d’une approche sectorielle, nous abordons ce sujet par la question de la pratique des lieux, afin de comprendre comment les artistes distinguent les espaces dans leur argumentaire et comment en retour ils contribuent à un renouvellement des espaces vécus. Afin de dépasser les frontières habituelles du développement local, ce travail considère les ancrages et les circulations individuelles qui articulent différentes échelles de ruralité. L’approche biographique permet en effet de penser le local dans ses interfaces, ses réseaux et ses mobilités ; et ce retour aux lieux montre les incidences que les artistes peuvent avoir sur la définition de la ruralité, engageant par là une réflexion plus large sur le statut de l’espace rural dans la société. Ainsi, l’originalité de cette thèse consiste à utiliser une méthode qualitative centrée sur les parcours d’artistes pour analyser leur positionnement et leur stratégie, en s’intéressant aux transformations contemporaines des savoirs, des espaces et des pratiques créatives en milieu rural. Grâce à une approche qui croise les échelles d’analyse, cette thèse montre le rôle des espaces de l’art dans la fabrique du rural, et la manière dont les artistes contribuent à l’émergence de nouvelles articulations entre l’espace rural et la ville métropolisée. / By drawing attention to new objects and actors, artistic practices are a fruitful entry point for rethinking current dynamics of French rural life. This thesis interrogates cultural development in relation to recent social and institutional changes in rural areas, without isolating such areas from social relations or the geographical spaces that underlie them. If culture appears as a distinction argument in a context of territorial competition, it intersects with a residential logic and an openness of rural actors to the cultural field. This, in turn, can initiate dynamic interactions with artists and various professionals. Such “creatives,” always on the search for new living and working spaces, are increasingly moving to rural areas, where they cooperate with the latter’s respective associations and amateur practices. Thus, contrary to a sectoral methodology, we consider this topic with a multipolar approach of culture, in order to understand how artistic actors distinguish territories, and how these territories become, in return, renewed living spaces. To overcome the usual boundaries of local development, we have chosen to put forward the multiple scales of rurality by considering artists as actors in motion, who play with various territorial resources. The microsocial approach makes here possible to think the local in its interfaces, its networks and its mobilities. And this return to the site shows the impact that artists can have on the definition of rurality itself, thus engaging to a broader reflection on the status of rural space in society. One of the originalities of this thesis is to use a qualitative method centered on artists’ analyses of their own positioning and strategies, vis- à-vis contemporary transformations of knowledge, spaces and creative practices in rural areas. Through an approach that correlates rural contexts and scales of analysis, this thesis shows the role of art spaces in the rural fabric and the way they contribute to the emergence of new articulations between rural areas and metropoles.

隨著全球化的發展，不論有形的資源、商品或者無形之文化、智慧資本產生劇烈的流動，使的原本受限於地理因素的時間與空間而形成的差異性逐漸降低，而過去因為差異而具有的優勢也因此而失去競爭力。因此，勢必在全球化變動與在地性發展之間再次尋求平衡，將世界關係緊密的特性轉化為助益地方發展之要素。 而「terroir」（風土條件）一詞係源於法國紅酒產製條件及其所衍生出的人文風情，涵括了從土地、氣候、技術、經驗與管理、至工藝與文化等形成階段，其亦可視為由自然資源、智慧資本（人力資源、關係資本與結構資本）、社會資本與文化資本等之組成。 其中，對於最根本之土地、生態等自然條件，其係源自於大自然（而非人為）而具有強烈的在地特質，使的因其所發展出的技術、經驗、藝匠、生活風格等人文風情同樣地擁有濃厚的在地色彩，共同產生屬於之地方之風土條件。地方透過地方居民、社群集體性且長期地經營與創造力投入，將使地方文化隨著時間的演進而持續擁有魅力。因此，藉由社區營造將地方發展為觀光城鄉，並將那份屬於社區或地方之認同感（社區感或地方感）作為發展觀光事業對內的動員力以及對外的吸引力。 由下而上地由地方發起進行風土資源盤點與整備，將風土資本之自然地理與人文社會特質藉由學習、體驗等見學活動，將以地方居民最原始的生活風貌呈現並使地方社群與到訪者近距離互動之形式發展「創意觀光」。此外，地方以風土特色吸引外地到訪者，另一方面也透過觀光使風土條件透資本轉化帶動地方經濟，並讓地方之人文風情藉由外地到訪者的參與，由文化學習與創意體驗中瞭解地方之風土，並藉此使風土間接地傳承、與宣揚而永續發展。

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The primary aim of this study in creative writing is research into an aspect of the writing process, namely the creation of spatial dynamics in a novel. This objective required the creation of an artefact. A novel titled Somersneeu was written in order to examine the very process of generating spatial dynamics in this novel in particular, as well as in the novel as such. Somersneeu was published by Human & Rousseau in 2010. Practice-based as well as practice-led research was fundamental to this study. An artistic creator registers intellectually whatever unfolds during the creative process and so new knowledge can simultaneously be created. The process of creating a work of art as well as the reflection thereon is fundamental to practice-led research. In other words, the creative process of an artefact like the novel Somersneeu is the source of a certain kind of knowledge that gradually emerges and can eventually be verbalised. Therefore a design concept for creating spatial dynamics may be articulated. It is a fact that a definite coherence exists between space and spatial dynamics. These two concepts are in reality inseparable and this cohesion is what is also being investigated in this study. Space actually consists of spatial dynamics since all the different facets of space, concrete as well as abstract, have definite and inseparable repercussions upon one another, causing a dynamic interaction among all facets of space. Apart from concrete or physical space, numerous abstractions of space take part in this interplay. These spatial abstractions are, for instance culture, identity, zeitgeist and the all-encompassing human psyche. The intense interplay among all the facets of space triggers spatial dynamics. This is the case in real life as well as in fiction. The above mentioned discussion of space and spatial dynamics is followed by an intense and heuristic view of the process of creating spatial dynamics. In order to create spatial dynamics in a novel, a novelist should have a strong sense of place. The essence of creating spatial dynamics in a novel consists mainly of the transformation of sense of place. The main aim of this study is then to present a design concept for the creation of spatial dynamics in a novel. This design concept may be used by other writers in order to create spatial dynamics in a novel. The novel Somersneeu as well as the questionnaire, reception documents and a list of publications of the writer are included as appendixes. / PhD (Afrikaans and Dutch), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014